Latest news with #Sabahans
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Couple jailed 34 years for maid's murder
KOTA KINABALU: A couple charged with the murder of their maid were each sentenced to 34 years' imprisonment by the High Court today. Justice Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng also ordered the first accused, Mohammad Ambree Yunos @ Unos, 44, to be given 12 strokes of the cane. However, Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Mohd Sulong, 37, was spared the otherwise mandatory punishment of whipping due to her gender, under Section 289 of the Criminal Procedure Code. In the dock, Ambree appeared calm, while his ex-wife Etiqah was seen covering her face and bowing her head. Ambree, a contractor, and Etiqah, a former reality TV cooking show finalist, were found guilty of murdering their maid, Nur Afiyah Daeng Damin, 28, between Dec 8 and 11, 2021, at a condominium in Penampang. They were convicted under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment for a term of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years. If not sentenced to death, the offender shall also be punished with not less than 12 strokes of the cane. In its decision, the court stated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt under the said charge and that neither Ambree nor Etiqah had raised any reasonable doubt in their defence. In particular, the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the essential elements, namely, the identity and death of the deceased; that the deceased died as a result of injuries sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death; that the accused persons caused those injuries with the requisite intention under Section 300(c) of the Penal Code; and that they acted in furtherance of a common intention in causing those injuries. In passing the sentence, the court said that although both defence counsels made impassioned mitigation pleas, it could not ignore the cruelty suffered by the deceased at the hands of the accused, as highlighted by the prosecution. The court considered the nature of the injuries and the manner in which they were inflicted over time. Earlier, despite the recent abolition of the mandatory death penalty and the enforcement of the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023, deputy public prosecutor Dacia Jane Romanus urged the court to impose the death sentence. She argued that the case had shocked not only the conscience of Sabahans, but of the nation as a whole, and for that reason, must be met with the full weight of the law. "The deceased was a young woman who left her home and entered the home of the accused persons to work honestly and earn a living during a global pandemic. "While others remained at home in search of safety and protection, the deceased experienced the opposite. "She endured prolonged suffering in her place of employment, which ultimately became the site of her tragic demise. "The accused persons, as her employers, were meant to provide her with shelter, food, and safety. "Instead, the deceased was subjected to daily torment, denied basic rights, and robbed of her life," she said. Dacia said evidence before the court, including videos and images recovered from the accused's phones, stood as disturbing documentation of the deceased's torment. This evidence not only corroborated the abuse but also revealed the accused persons' chilling intent to record and preserve her suffering. "We wish to remind the court that in this case, the condition of the deceased's body was so severely deteriorated that her husband was only able to identify her by the bangle she wore on her wrist, a silent witness to the life she once lived and the violence she endured. "This was not a murder committed in a moment of rage or under provocation. "It was a prolonged abuse. "This murder was not impulsive; it was cruel and intentional. "The injuries sustained by the deceased did not occur all at once, they were inflicted over time, in a prolonged campaign of cruelty that speaks volumes about the intent of the accused persons to cause her death. "We submit that the only just and proportionate punishment is the death penalty under Section 302 of the Penal Code. "The law must reflect the value we place on human life, and in this case, justice demands nothing less than the ultimate sentence," she said. If the court was not inclined to impose the death penalty, the prevailing trend in custodial sentencing for deaths caused by prolonged abuse was 40 years' imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane, she said. Counsel Datuk Ram Singh represented Ambree, while Datuk Seri Rakhbir Singh represented Etiqah. Ambree and Etiqah, who had been out on bail pending the outcome of the case, were ordered to begin serving their respective sentences from the date of conviction. This case was first brought to court on Dec 29, 2021, and the couple claimed trial on Nov 17, 2022.
Daily Express
19 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Nearly RM1 billion on educations, skills since GRS Government came to power in Sabah: Chief Minister
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 Text Size: Dr Joachim (fourth left) presents a certificate of appreciation for strategic partnership in conjunction with National Training Week (NTW 2025) state-level to Zara Boutique Hotel Kota Kinabalu Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Eliza Goh. Kota Kinabalu: Human capital development remains a central pillar in driving Sabah's economic agenda, particularly in tapping into the vast potential of the rapidly growing blue economy sector. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this approach is essential to ensure Sabahans possess the skills and knowledge relevant to current demands, in line with the evolving global economic landscape. Advertisement 'The world has changed, and we must change with it. We can no longer rely on outdated systems. Therefore, we need a competitive and highly skilled workforce to propel the State's development,' he said when officiating the Sabah Blue Economy Skillfest 2025 at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Thursday. His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister II cum Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. Hajiji said the State Government, through the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan, continues to formulate inclusive and sustainable development policies, prioritising the upskilling of the people to navigate the new economic era. 'Sabah is rich in marine resources. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure the people are equipped to harness this potential in a sustainable and knowledgeable way.' Advertisement Hajiji said from 2021 to 2024, the State Government allocated RM848.26 million through four key education channels, benefitting nearly 245,953 recipients. These include RM227.1 million under the Sabah State Education Fund (benefitting 7,483 recipients), RM324.1 million under the State Government Scholarship (13,640 recipients), RM164.14 million in education aid from the Deputy State Secretary Office (Special Tasks) (210,918 recipients) and RM132.92 million in assistance and loans from Yayasan Sabah (13,921 recipients). 'For this year, the State Government has allocated another RM497.54 million to continue its human capital empowerment agenda aimed at producing a generation that is competent, innovative and full of integrity,' he said. Hajiji also commended HRD Corp for successfully training 61,448 workers in Sabah throughout 2024, with funding exceeding RM58.2 million. 'I am confident that initiatives such as this Skillfest will create even more new job opportunities in sectors related to the blue economy,' he said. He noted that Skillfest is one of the key efforts to strengthen skills training in the blue economy sector, which includes industries such as mariculture, fisheries, marine energy, marine tourism and ocean technology research and development. 'Skillfest 2025 aims to attract 2,500 participants and is part of the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 – Sabah, which targets over 67,000 participants statewide this year,' he said. He also praised the strategic collaboration between HRD Corporation and the Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat (SSMJ) in organising the programme, as it supports the Government's goal to expand lifelong learning opportunities for all citizens regardless of background. He said the programme is a continuation of the success of the Sabah International Blue Economy Conference (SIBEC) 2024, which gained global attention and positioned Sabah as a key player in the regional blue economy. Hajiji called on young Sabahans to make the most of the opportunities and hoped such programmes would be expanded across the State as part of a continuous learning ecosystem. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Hajiji: Human capital at core of Sabah's blue economy ambitions
Dr Joachim (fourth left) presents a certificate of appreciation for strategic partnership in conjunction with National Training Week (NTW 2025) state-level to Zara Boutique Hotel Kota Kinabalu Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Eliza Goh. KOTA KINABALU (June 19): The Sabah government continues to place strong emphasis on human capital development as a central pillar in driving its economic growth, particularly in realising the full potential of the state's expanding blue economy sector. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said this focus is essential to ensure Sabahans are equipped with the right skills and knowledge in line with global economic shifts. He stressed that the world has changed significantly and Sabah must evolve alongside it. Holding on to outdated systems, he said, is no longer an option. Instead, Sabah requires a highly skilled, competitive workforce capable of pushing the state's development forward. His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister II cum State Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam, during the opening of the Sabah Blue Economy Skillfest 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Thursday. Hajiji said the state government, through the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan, remains committed to crafting inclusive and sustainable policies that enhance the capabilities of the people as Sabah enters a new economic era. With the state's wealth of marine resources, he emphasised the importance of preparing Sabahans to tap into this potential in a sustainable and informed manner. According to him, between 2021 and 2024, the state government allocated RM848.26 million across four major education channels, benefiting close to 246,000 recipients. These investments included allocations under the Sabah State Education Fund, the State Government Scholarship Scheme, educational assistance from the Office of the Deputy State Secretary (Special Tasks) and support provided through Yayasan Sabah. For this year alone, RM497.54 million has been earmarked to continue efforts in strengthening human capital development. Hajiji said this reflects the government's strong commitment to producing a generation that is competent, innovative and guided by integrity. He also commended HRD Corp for its role in boosting the state's workforce, having successfully trained 61,448 individuals in Sabah throughout 2024, with total funding surpassing RM58.2 million. Programmes like Skillfest, he said, not only open up new employment opportunities but also support the state's strategic efforts to nurture talent across the blue economy. Skillfest 2025 aims to draw the participation of 2,500 individuals and forms part of the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 Sabah, which targets over 67,000 participants statewide this year. Hajiji said the collaboration between HRD Corporation and the Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat (SSMJ) in organising Skillfest is a clear example of the type of strategic partnership needed to expand access to lifelong learning for all Sabahans, regardless of background. The programme, he added, is a continuation of the momentum built during the successful Sabah International Blue Economy Conference (SIBEC) 2024, which drew international attention and established Sabah's reputation as a key player in the regional blue economy. In concluding his message, Hajiji urged the people of Sabah to seize the opportunities provided through initiatives like Skillfest. He expressed hope that similar programmes would be expanded across the state, contributing to the development of a vibrant and inclusive lifelong learning ecosystem for all.
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
GRS should lead Sabah's political future: Yusof
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 Text Size: Yusof addresses the Gagasan Rakyat Sindumin meeting on Wednesday. SIPITANG: Sindumin Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) chief Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob has urged Sabahans to rely on Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) as the primary platform for charting the state's political future. He said Sabah must prioritise its internal strength instead of depending on external parties in shaping its political direction. Advertisement Touching on political cooperation, he stressed that any collaboration must be based on mutual respect between parties. Yusof criticised certain non-local parties for pre-emptively announcing seats they plan to contest in the upcoming state election without prior consultation. He added that GRS is prepared to contest solo and expressed confidence that the coalition remains the most suitable to lead Sabah's administration. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
More calls from Sabah to postpone expanded SST
Ummi and Kenny. KOTA KINABALU (June 18): More leaders in Sabah are calling on the Federal Government to postpone implementing the expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) in Sabah beginning July 1. Sabah Umno Puteri chief Ummi Nabilah Jamal said the delay is necessary due to the lack of an inclusive impact study and the disproportionate burden it would place on low-income Sabahans. Ummi Nabilah warned that enforcing the policy without proper planning and a targeted approach could deepen economic struggles in one of Malaysia's most disadvantaged states. 'This policy, while not wrong in principle, will become another major strain on the people of Sabah if carried out hastily. Sabahans are already living in a reality very different from that in Peninsular Malaysia,' she said. Citing data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, she noted that the average monthly income in Sabah is RM1,870—well below the national average of RM2,800. 'With such low purchasing power, how are people expected to bear the additional costs brought by the SST? We are not just talking about numbers. We are talking about mothers struggling to buy milk for their children and families barely able to pay rent.' She also raised concerns about widespread confusion on the ground, especially among small business owners and suppliers who remain unclear about which products fall under the 5% or 10% SST rates and which are exempt. 'This confusion can lead to unscrupulous practices by some traders who might simply impose the highest rate on all goods. And who pays the price in the end? The rakyat,' she said. Ummi Nabilah questioned whether taxing Sabah's poor had become the Federal Government's fiscal strategy. 'Is there no more equitable and sustainable way to close the fiscal gap without burdening one of the most economically challenged states?' While reaffirming Sabahans' commitment to national development, she stressed that tax policies must be rooted in regional fairness. 'We need inclusive and progressive policies — not regressive steps that target those easiest to tax simply because they have the least ability to resist,' she said. She urged the Federal Government to delay SST enforcement in Sabah until an independent, inclusive impact study is conducted, with input from industry players, academia and civil society. 'We cannot implement national policies in a one-size-fits-all manner. Sabah's economic structure is different, and this must be acknowledged.' In addition, she called on the Sabah State Government to introduce mitigating measures such as temporary incentives for small entrepreneurs, restructuring of basic goods subsidies, and expanded targeted aid for low-income families. 'This is not just a policy issue — it's about food on the table, access to healthcare, and the future of our children. The Federal and State Governments must listen to the real voices of Sabahans — not just statistics at negotiation tables, but the cries of the people at markets, on farms, and in kampungs,' she said. Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (Star) deputy president Datuk Kenny Chua also called on the federal government to reconsider its plan to expand SST, expressing concern about its potential impact on the cost of living in Sabah. Chua said the proposed move could add financial pressure on Sabahans, many of whom are already facing economic challenges. He also urged the government to provide more clarity on how the additional revenue would be used. 'The federal government should explain the reasons behind this decision, and more importantly, how the funds collected from the expanded SST will be utilised to support the people,' he said in a statement on Tuesday. The Finance Ministry, in a statement on June 9, said the SST expansion aims to strengthen the country's fiscal position by broadening the tax base and increasing revenue. The ministry also noted that the measure is intended to enhance the social safety net without placing excessive burden on the public. Chua, however, said further explanation is needed to ensure that the policy does not disproportionately affect lower-income communities, especially in Sabah, which continues to face development and economic gaps compared to other states. He also pointed out that with Sabah expected to hold state elections later this year, the timing of the announcement may raise concerns among the public. 'To ensure the policy is well-received and understood, the government should consider engaging with the state government and other stakeholders before moving forward,' he added. Chua proposed that the federal government temporarily defer the SST expansion and open up discussions with relevant parties to address concerns on the ground. The reviewed and expanded SST rates, as announced in Budget 2025, will come into effect on July 1, 2025.
