Latest news with #Putatan
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sabah CM: GRS govt remains unaffected by expected MACC arrests of two assemblymen
PUTATAN, June 18 — Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government will not be affected by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) expected arrests of two state assemblymen. Hajiji, who claimed he did not know the identity of the assemblymen, reiterated the administration's commitment to integrity and transparency, stating that any legal proceedings should be handled without political interference. 'I don't think it will affect the government. I am aware that they will arrest two people. 'I don't know who they are, but we must respect the process of the law. We are committed to ensuring that we respect not only the law but also the integrity of the government and public officials,' he told reporters after visiting victims of the Kampung Petagas fire at the Dewan Sri Putatan evacuation centre today. Earlier today, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the anti-graft agency would soon arrest and charge three individuals — two state assemblymen and one civilian — as part of its investigation into a series of videos involving prospecting mining licenses. Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, stressed the importance of allowing the judiciary to determine the individuals' guilt or innocence. 'Regardless of what we do, we must respect the process of the law. Let the court decide whether they are guilty or not. There is room for them to clear their names,' he said. Azam confirmed earlier today that the MACC is in the process of arresting the suspects and informing them of their court dates. 'I cannot reveal the exact date yet, but I can confirm they will be charged in court this month,' Azam was quoted as saying. He added that the MACC is working with the state's Corruption Court to finalise the prosecution date, with suspects currently being interviewed. Addressing questions about a video allegedly implicating the assemblymen, Azam clarified that the investigation is not solely reliant on the video evidence. The corruption scandal, centred on Sabah's mineral mining licenses, made headlines last year and led to several high-profile politicians, including the State Assembly speaker, being called in by MACC following the leak of the videos.
Malay Mail
18-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Zahid: RM1.11b set for Sabah's rural infrastructure, education and economy
PUTATAN, May 18 — The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has allocated RM1.11 billion for rural development in Sabah this year, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the allocation covered social infrastructure projects, including the construction of rural roads, provision of electricity, and water supply systems, aimed at improving access, quality of life, and sustainability for the rural population. According to him, there is still a significant gap that must be addressed, particularly in terms of basic infrastructure, economic access, education, and rural digitalisation, therefore, KKDW remains committed to implementing comprehensive high-impact programmes, including in Sabah, to close this gap. 'There are no major electricity issues in urban areas, so rural areas must also have a good electricity supply, like in urban areas. Similarly, rural infrastructure such as roads needs to be upgraded and improved,' he said while officiating the closing ceremony of the 'Sentuhan Kasih Desa MADANI Bersama Pimpinan' event here last night. Also present were Sabah Community Development Department (Kemas) chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is also Kinabatangan MP, and Kemas director-general Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Man. Ahmad Zahid said that to uplift every rural child from an early age and ensure no one is left behind, KKDW was currently implementing three high-impact early education initiatives, now in the pilot phase. He said the Smart Classroom@KEMAS initiative introduced a high-tech kindergarten and nursery model with the integration of digital Teaching and Learning (PdP), smart infrastructure facilities, and efficient governance. He added that the PeliTa@KEMAS Programme aimed to produce a generation of young Huffaz aged seven to 12 who not only memorised 'Juz Amma', the last or 30th part of the Quran, but who also followed a systematic and phased Quranic study syllabus. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the TABIKA Tunas Istimewa@KEMAS provided appropriate early education opportunities for children with special needs, particularly those with autism, so that they could also enjoy fair and comprehensive education. 'Through Kemas, I have also requested for care and attention to be extended to Kemas nurseries and preschools as well as the Desa Community Centres. Any Kemas preschool or nursery in a dilapidated condition, especially in Sabah, must be upgraded immediately so that our children can use them comfortably,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said KKDW, through Kemas, had also allocated RM1.06 million for community development and entrepreneurship programmes, along with another RM1.27 million for skills education that would directly benefit the people of Sabah. He said that in driving rural economic growth, KKDW was also strengthening economic empowerment programmes such as the Mini Estet Sejahtera programme, Desa Harapan programme, MADANI Rural Entrepreneurs initiative, and expanding the reach of Digital Economy Centres throughout rural areas in Sabah. At the same event, he also announced an allocation of RM500,000 for lift upgrading works, as well as an additional RM500,000 for the water tank system for the comfort and safety of residents at the Seri Keramat People's Housing Project (PPR) here. — Bernama
