Latest news with #Sabah
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
1,015 honoured in Sabah awards
KOTA KINABALU (June 20): A total of 1,015 people are conferred awards in conjunction with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman's 74th official birthday. Four are given the highest state award while 78 receive the second highest state award. Leading the list was Policy Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister member Dato Ahmad Fuad Md Ali, who was conferred the 'Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu' (SPDK), which carries the 'Datuk Seri Panglima' title. Three other people who received the SPDK award were State Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and businessman Datuk Lim Yu Ming. Meanwhile, 78 people have been given the 'Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu' (PGDK) award, which carries the 'Datuk' title, including Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan and Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Dr Fuziah Salleh, Kapayan assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang and Pantai Manis assemblyman Mohd Tamin Zainal. In addition, the PGDK award was conferred to Senator Anna Bell Perian, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) vice president Chong Pit Fah, National Trust Party (Amanah) Sabah chairman Lahirul Latigu and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) youth chief Christopher Mandut. Also receiving the PGDK were Sabah Electricity chief executive officer IR Mohd Yaakob Jaafar, State Health director Dr Maria Suleiman, Sabah Parks director Maklarin Lakim, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Joehari Ayub Aman and High Court judge Alexander Siew How Wai. For the third highest award, the 'Ahli Setia Darjah Kinabalu', a hundred people were listed, including former state Unduk Ngadau winners Daphne Iking and Dolly Jimayol, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Petagas chief Mohd Isquzawan Israq Arsit and Sabah Masters Athletic Association (Samas) president Ramjit Nairulal. There are 181 recipients of the 'Ahli Darjah Kinabalu' award, while 248 have been given the 'Bintang Setia Kinabalu' award, including state footballer Ronny Harun. A total of 109 people will be receiving the Commendable Service Award. As for the Justice of People (JP) title, ten people were conferred, including Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah chief Datuk Karunanithy Y Subbiah, SMJ Energy Sdn Bhd board non-executive director Datuk Mohd Sofian Alfian Nair and Society of Hope Sabah president Josephine Hadikusumo.
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Former Masterchef finalist, ex-husband jailed 34 years for maid's murder
Ambree Yunos and his lawyer, Ram Singh, at the Kota Kinabalu High Court. PETALING JAYA : A Masterchef Malaysia finalist and her former husband have been sentenced to 34 years in jail after they were found guilty by the Kota Kinabalu High Court of killing their domestic worker in 2021. Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Sulang's former husband, Ambree Yunos, was also sentenced to 12 strokes of the rotan while she was exempted because of her gender, Sabah Media reported. Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Sulang. Justice Lim Hock Leng ordered their prison sentence to commence today. Ambree, a contractor, and Etiqah were charged with killing Nur Afiyah Daeng Damin, 28, at their condominium unit in Penampang between Dec 8 and Dec 11, 2021. They were charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty, or 30 to 40 years' jail, and no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction. Lim said the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution's case. He said the prosecution had proven three key elements – that the victim died from her injuries, that the injuries were caused by the two accused with intent, and that the pair had acted with a common intention. During sentencing, deputy public prosecutor Dacia Jane Romanus sought the death sentence, saying the case had shocked both Sabah and the nation, and that it warranted the heaviest penalty possible. Dacia said the deceased was a young woman who had left her hometown for honest work amid the pandemic, but ended up losing her life at her workplace. She said the victim suffered daily and was denied her basic human rights. Ambree and Etiqah, who were represented by lawyers Ram Singh and Rakhbir Singh, were previously out on bail.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Counter rally to clash with anti-graft student protest on Sabah governor's birthday tomorrow
KOTA KINABALU, June 20 — A new pro-government youth movement is set to take to the streets of Kota Kinabalu this weekend to counter the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 anti-graft rally. The Gerakan Anak Muda dan Mahasiswa Anak Sabah (Gammas) has announced its intention to hold a peaceful assembly on Gaya Street, explicitly to counter what it calls the 'misrepresentation' by the student activist group Suara Mahasiswa UMS, which is organising Gempur. 'The purpose of this gathering is not to rival the anti-corruption rally 2.0 organised by Suara Mahasiswa UMS, but rather to clarify to the public that the majority of students at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) do not support the rally organised by Suara Mahasiswa UMS,' they said in a statement today. While the Suara Mahasiswa protest is focused on government accountability and alleged mismanagement of funds, Gammas said they will be demonstrating in support of the state leadership under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the GRS-PH coalition government. 'The main objectives of the gathering is to express support for our chief minister and the GRS-PH government to continue leading Sabah, as they have shown strong commitment to student and youth welfare,' they said. They outlined several benefits such as the Sentosa one-off RM300 assistance for students studying in Sabah, the Budi programme offering RM1,500–2,000 in cash aid for qualified tertiary education students, the Subfly flight ticket subsidy programme, public scholarships amounting to RM50 million and laptop assistance among others. The group also voiced strong support for the monarchical institution in Sabah, claiming it is a unifying force in a multicultural state and criticising what it sees as attempts by Peninsular-based political actors to undermine it. They said they submitted their notice of the rally to the Kota Kinabalu police on June 16. The Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally was given the greenlight by police on June 18. They had announced their rally last month. The rally is expected to begin on Saturday at 1.00pm in front of Suria Sabah shopping mall, with participants marching to Lintasan Deasoka, Gaya Street, and continuing the demonstration through Sunday. Their demands include action on the Sabah Water Department scandal, institutional reforms for the anti-corruption commission and suspension of individuals accused of corruption. The rallies coincide with the 74th official birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri tomorrow morning.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sabah MP warns against ‘local vs national' rhetoric, calls for focus on results ahead of state polls
KOTA KINABALU, June 19 — Sabah DAP MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin has cautioned against the rising political rhetoric that divides parties into "local" and "national" blocs, calling it a 'false dichotomy' that oversimplifies Sabah's political dynamics as the 17th state election (PRN17) approaches. Chan noted that localism has always been a key element of Sabah's political identity, but one that has coexisted with national coalitions over time. 'It's not fair to divide parties as either 'local' or 'national.' Leaders from so-called national parties are Sabahans too. They've been here, working on local issues and championing rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),' he said. His comments come as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) mulls its election strategy amid tensions with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) and growing sentiment that Sabah should be led by a purely local bloc. 'Pakatan Harapan has UPKO, a local party. BN has PBRS. These are Sabah-rooted organisations. And many of us in DAP and PKR are Sabahans ourselves. So how do we say what's 'local' and what's not?' Chan reflected on his decision to join politics in 2007 when most local parties were under the BN coalition. 'I believed in reform and in fighting for justice across Malaysia. That's why I joined DAP. We've stood up for Sabah in Parliament many times. You can't lump all national parties into one box and call them oppressors,' he said. He warned that using the 'Sabah for Sabahans' narrative as a political campaign tool risks dividing communities and misrepresenting governance structures. 'This sentiment is stirred up for political reasons. But the truth is, even local parties like GRS and Warisan compete with each other. It's not a clear-cut local vs national fight — it's about delivery, not slogans,' he said. Chan added that no party, whether local or national, can effectively fight for Sabah's rights without maintaining a cooperative relationship with the federal government. 'With Pakatan in the state government now, we've resolved 13 MA63 issues so far. Only four remain: the 40% net revenue return, the Continental Shelf Act, one-third parliamentary representation, and stamp duty revenue rights. 'All of these are complex and require meaningful negotiation with the federal level. That doesn't change no matter who wins the election,' he said. Chan also pointed out that civil servants handle the technical groundwork while politicians set policy directions, underscoring the need for collaboration. 'People forget that. These documents and discussions are handled by the bureaucracy. Politicians come and go, but the federal system remains. If you're serious about Sabah's rights, you work with it — not against it,' he said. While acknowledging perceptions that Sarawak has been more successful in securing federal concessions, Chan said this was not due to a stronger local identity but rather effective strategy and communication. 'One example is Sabah's longstanding control over its ports, which has been preserved and recognised. Sarawak, on the other hand, recently 'regained' control over theirs. 'Sarawak always tells a good story. They're very public about their achievements. Sabah takes a softer approach. That doesn't mean we've done less,' he said. Chan concluded that the focus should be on results, not labels. 'At the end of the day, what matters is who gets the job done,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
SST expansion will boost local avocado industry, say farmers
Beginning July 1, the SST will extend to imported goods, including avocados, which are predominantly consumed by high-income earners. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : Farmers are anticipating a sharp rise in domestic demand for locally-grown avocados as the expanded sales and service tax (SST), set to take effect on July 1, extends to cover imported varieties. Jamawi Jaafar, an adviser to a Sabah avocado farmers' association, said the move could help stabilise local avocado prices, which remain significantly lower than the imported fruit despite their comparable quality. 'If prices improve in the local market, more local farmers are likely to venture into avocado farming,' the former Kemabong assemblyman told FMT. Jamawi Jaafar. Jamawi said imported avocados currently make up 85% of the produce in the local market. 'We can still compete thanks to our lower prices,' he said, adding that there were about 5,000 acres of avocado farmland in Sabah. Currently, he said, locally-grown avocados can be purchased for between RM8 and RM10 per kg if bought directly from farms, but is likely to reach RM20 per kg in the local market. Jamawi said stable prices, coupled with ongoing government support, would boost farmers' confidence and motivate them to expand their farms, ultimately enhancing domestic production. He proposed that Putrajaya establish a board to regulate high-potential produce like avocados and durian, while providing clear direction for other crops, such as pineapples, black pepper, and oil palm. Last Sunday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that the SST expansion on imported goods was targeted mainly at higher-income earners. Anwar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said the government's intention was to levy the tax on goods typically consumed by wealthier individuals—such as avocados and cod—so as not to add to the financial strain felt by members of the lower-income groups. On June 9, the Treasury said a 5% sales tax would be imposed on certain food items, including king crabs, salmon, cod, truffles and imported fruits beginning next month. It reiterated that local produce would continue to be exempted from sales tax. In an interview with FMT, Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican said this was strategically aimed at bolstering local agricultural demand and strengthening food security. Separately, Joni Muhamat Yahya, an avocado farmer in Pagoh, Johor, said the 5% sales tax on imported avocados could be a boon for local farmers. Joni Muhamat Yahya. Joni, who has an eight-acre farm, suggested that the government provide specific incentives for local avocado farmers to spur the industry's growth. 'This is a good opportunity for me and other avocado farmers to expand our farms on a large scale. 'What I foresee in the future is that there will be greater demand for locally-grown avocados for use in food and beverage. The government should help us increase our production (to meet the expected increase in demand).'
