PPH 8/12/2012 (031085) Vol. 139 Kota Kinabalu, Friday, May 26, 2023 RM1.
50 Established 1963
Event a
mockery
to beauty
pageant
PAGE 2
Anti-Hop law and CM criteria nod
Larry Ralon
KOTa KiNaBaLU: The Sabah Leg-
islative assembly (DUN) on Thurs-
day passed a Bill to amend the State
Constitution that will not only pre-
vent elected assemblymen from
switching party but also allow any
of them to be appointed Chief Min-
ister if the person commands the
majority support.
Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya
passed the Bill – Constitution of the State
of Sabah (amendment) Enactment 2023
– tabled by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji
Noor after division votes clause-by-clause
were called.
This followed the request of opposition
Parti Warisan assemblymen who negated
the amendment to delete Clause (7) article
6 of the Constitution.
all 75 assemblymen present agreed with
the amendment to insert a new clause,
article 17(a) that states that any assembly-
man who resigns from his party will have
to vacate his seat. The same shall apply to
an independent assemblyman who is look-
ing to join a political party but does not
apply to the six Nominated assemblymen
because they do not have a constituency.
More than two-thirds or 61 of the total
79 assemblymen voted in favour of the
amendment to delete Clause 7(6), while 14
others, including Opposition leader Datuk
Seri Mohd Shafie apdal (Senallang),
negated. Four assemblymen were absent,
including Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin
(Lamag) who is also Sabah Barisan
Nasional (BN) Chairman.
Deleting Clause 7(6) allows any member
of the State assembly to be appointed
Chief Minister if the person commands the
confidence of the majority of the House.
The person does not have to be the leader
of the political party with the most elected
representatives.
Previously, the Clause states that the
leader of a political party that has won a
majority of the seats of the assembly was
deemed as the member of the assembly
who is likely to command the confidence.
a total of 13 assemblymen debated the
Bill, but most of them were focused on
Clause 7(6) because they wanted it to be
maintained and not deleted.
Hajiji explained that Clause 7(6) was
proposed to be deleted because it is no
longer in line with Clause 3 due to the cur-
rent political scenario.
He said Clause 7(6) was inserted into the
State Constitution in 1990 following the
incident that occurred on april 22, 1985, to
prevent similar incidents to recur.
“However, the current political situa-
tion today, whether at the federal or state
levels, is that a government can only be
formed when the political parties reached
an agreement to form a coalition.
“Therefore, Clause 7(6) is no longer rel-
evant, even causing confusion and debate
among the assemblymen.
“The requirement of Clause 3 which
stipulates that the Head of State shall
appoint a Chief Minister from among the
members of the State Legislative assembly
who in his opinion may command the
trust of the majority of the members of the
State Legislative assembly is sufficient for
the appointment of a Chief Minister,” he
said.
Hajiji cited article 6(7) only applies in
the following circumstances where, for
example, when party a wins 40 seats out of
a total of 73 State assembly seats in the
election.
“The leader of the party a fulfilled arti-
cle 6(7) to be appointed as Chief Minister.
Move on forest reserves is passed
Sherell Jeffrey
THE State assembly on Thursday passed
an Enactment to amend the Forests (Con-
stitution of Forest Reserves and amend-
ment) Enactment 1984.
assistant Minister to the Chief Minister
Datuk Nizam abu Bakar Titingan, who
tabled the Bill, said the amendment was to
facilitate excising, constituting and reclas-
sifying the identified forest reserves.
The Bill, now cited as the Forests (Con-
stitution of Forest Reserves and amend-
ment) (amendment) Enactment 2023, was
passed by State Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim
M Yahya in the third reading.
a total of eight assemblymen debated
the Bill, namely Kadamaian, Senallang,
Building
a power
plant
must: Exec
PAGE 6
Hajiji Kadzim
This is a situation that can happen.
“But article 6(7) does not apply or is not
appropriate in a situation where, for exam-
ple, party a won 26 seats, party B won 29
seats, party C won 15 seats and party D won
three seats out of a total of 73 seats.
“in this situation, there is no party that
wins the majority of seats to form the gov-
ernment, resulting in a hung government
like what happened in Sabah in 2018.
“as everyone is aware, the state govern-
ments formed since 2018 are a coalition
government. if refer to article 6(7), there is
no party leader who meets the require-
ments of article 6(7). Therefore, this article
6(7) should be deleted to ensure that the
appointment of the Chief Minister does
not violate the provisions of article 6(7) of
the State Constitution.
“This is to enable or make it easy for the
Head of State in making a decision,” said
Hajiji, adding if they follow article 6(7) it
would mean that the leader of the party
who gets the majority, even if it is not up to
50 per cent of the number required, can
become Chief Minister which just creates
confusion.
“So we make it easy for the Head of State
to make a decision according to his discre-
tion as to who gets the majority of support
from the State Legislative assembly Mem-
bers,” he said.
Mohd Shafie, in objecting to this, said arti-
cle 6(7) should be maintained because it is to
complete Clause 3, where a political party has
won the majority, to serve as a guide for the
Head of State not to abuse power like what
happened during the PBS era.
Earlier, when tabling the Bill, Hajiji said
the proposed amendments, among others,
were aimed at ensuring political stability
and putting an end to the endless political
crises which Sabah had been facing.
“These amendments will also send a
clear message to every state assemblyman
to hold true to the principle of their party
to protect the mandate and trust of voters
who elected them in elections.
“i am confident that this enactment can
also put a stop to the action of assembly-
men, whether elected or appointed, to
switch parties without solid or reasonable
grounds and ensure long-term political
stability in the State,” he said.
He said the anti-party hopping law
would not have retrospective effect and the
implementation of the enactment would
begin from the date it comes into force.
Under the enactment, an assemblyman
who jumps to another party, regardless of
whether that party is in the same coalition
or not, will lose his seat.
“any assemblyman who changes parties
or leaves his party to become an independ-
ent member of the Legislative assembly
will have to vacate his seat,” he added.
See Page 2, Col. 2
Kapayan, Kemabong, Sindumin, Nabawan,
Kuamut and Telupid.
Responding to those who participated
in the debate on the Bill, Nizam said he is
aware of all the perspectives. He empha-
sised that the forest area is not dissolved
arbitrarily. He said the wellbeing and
prosperity of the people, along with socio-
economic considerations, have been care-
fully considered.
He expressed confidence that all assem-
blymen in the House support the Govern-
ment's endeavours to safeguard the forests
while also safeguarding the interests of
the people and Sabah's economy.
Nizam addressed the concern about the
villages located within the forest reserve,
The Forestry team with the GNSS measuring apparatus and members of the Persatuan Komuniti
Kg Nupakan at the peak of Mt Sinsing. This means all three highest mountains are in Sabah.
Sabah’s Sinsing third highest peak
SaNDaKaN: The Sabah Forestry Depart-
ment has officially measured the height
of Mount Sinsing in Tambunan, the third
tallest mountain in Malaysia, to be 2,586
metres in mean sea level (m.s.l.) terms.
in a statement Thursday, the depart-
ment said during a recent expedition, a
team from the Forest Research Centre,
Sepilok, together with Kampung
Nupakan Community association mem-
bers, set out to get a more accurate
height measurement of Mount Sinsing
using sophisticated Stonex S900a Global
Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
receiver.
“Height data were recorded over a
four-hour period on May 10 (this year).
These observation data were then sent to
a licensed surveying company for pro-
cessing so as to officially establish the
height of the mountain in m.s.l.
RM6.7bil in
Sabah’s coffers
Hajiji said the State Government now has
RM6.786 billion in cash reserves. He said
there is no denying that the drastic
increase in revenue over the past two years
is indeed a very proud achievement.
“Even in a situation of increasingly
strong results like this, it is not a reason for
us to feel comfortable and embrace the
achievement. among the main challenges
we have to face is how to maintain the
state’s revenue sources so that the state’s
development agenda can continue in line
with the aspirations of the SMj Develop-
ment Plan.
“in that regard, i remind all ministries,
departments and state revenue collection
agencies to redouble their efforts towards
higher revenue collection while continuing
to explore new revenue. We are aware that,
even in this economic recovery situation, we
are still faced with various complaints as
raised throughout the State Legislative
assembly (DUN) sitting this time.
“Therefore, i call once again on all rele-
vant ministries, departments and agencies
to continue to work hard and take more
proactive and prudent measures to resolve
it so that the comfort and wellbeing of the
people are guaranteed.”
See Page 3, Col. 2
saying the Government will take into
account the possibility of relocating them.
“The Government is currently prioritis-
ing the protection and preservation of the
interests of native and indigenous people.
This is the guarantee provided,” he said.
in response to Kadamaian assembly-
man’s proposal on the creation of a new
class called Community Forest Reserve,
Nizam said the Government would assess
the necessity of establishing such a class.
“i believe this proposal is beneficial and
we will evaluate the necessity of establish-
ing this new class. This process requires
amendments to the Forest Enactment
1968,” he said.
See Page 2, Col. 5
‘Protect
mother tongue
via story-
telling’ call
PAGE 7
“Using the methodology, the height of
Mount Sinsing was found to be 2,586m
(m.s.l.), yet still maintaining its position
as the third tallest mountain in Malaysia
and Borneo,” said the statement
The lesser known mountain is located
within the Nuluhon Trusmadi Forest
Reserve, under the Tambunan District
Forestry Office that forms part of the For-
est Management Unit (FMU) 10 of the
Sustainable Forest Management Project.
it has become a subject of interest
since 2018 when it was claimed in social
media as the third tallest mountain in
Malaysia and Borneo, overtaking Mount
Tambuyukon (2,580m) located within
the Monggis Substation of Kinabalu Park
in Ranau.
Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk
Frederick Kugan, emphasised that the
Forestry Department would continue its
Contractor says kickbacks
ensured him new projects
Cynthia D Baga
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Former Water Depart-
ment Director ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib
had never refused to receive the commis-
sions (cash money) that were given by a
contractor, the Corruption Special Court
was told.
Wong Kok Vui @ Michael, 69, who fur-
ther testified before judge abu Bakar
Manat, said when he gave the cash ag
Tahir never said no and after receiving the
money would say thank you.
He told the court that he gave the com-
missions in cash to ag Tahir and several
others even in huge amounts because it
had been the practice in previous years.
Wong further told the court that the
agreement to give money to ag Tahir
started when Wong said “something for
you for the purpose of return thanks.”
according to Wong, the “return
thanks” referred for ag Tahir’s assistance
to Wong in getting projects at the District
Water Department and the Divisional
Water Department.
Wong was testifying in the trial of ag
Tahir, 58, his wife, Fauziah Piut, 55, who
are jointly tried with Lim Lam Beng, 66, on
37 counts of money-laundering charges
involving cash and bank savings amount-
ing to RM61.57 million, as well as unlawful
possession of luxury goods.
To another question from Deputy Pub-
lic Prosecutor Mahadi abdul jumaat,
Wong said he did not set any percentage
for ag Tahir’s commission but based on
his profit budget, he could only give
RM1.35 million. He further said there was
M’sian movie wins top Cannes prize
CaNNES (France): a Malaysian movie with a gruesome and funny look at puberty won
the top award of the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week.
amanda Nell Eu’s “Tiger Stripes” follows 12-year-old Zaffan, who lives in a small rural
community in Malaysia and watches her body transform at an alarming rate.
it drew comparisons to “Raw”, the breakout film by French director julia Ducournau,
which played in Critics’ Week in 2016, and propelled her to the festival’s overall top prize,
the Palme d’Or five years later for “Titane”. – aFP
For
more
info
scan
here
endeavour to protect areas of interest
such as Sinsing.
adjacent to Mount Sinsing is
Malaysia’s second tallest mountain
Mount Trus Madi (2,642m), which is also
under the management of FMU10, cover-
ing an area of 88,401 hectares.
“Due to Sinsing and Trus Madi’s eleva-
tions, these montane forests are home to
many unique flora and fauna, some
which are not found elsewhere.
“Through the Heart of Borneo (HoB)
initiative under the Sabah Forestry
Department, an in-house scientific expe-
dition was organised from May 14-20 to
survey the flora, fauna and social eco-
nomics of the local communities living
adjacent to the forest reserves,” said
Kugan.
Malaysia’s tallest mountain Mount
Kinabalu stands at 4,095m.
no need to record payment of commis-
sions to ag Tahir because the amounts
were almost the same and easy to remem-
ber.
apart from the money he gave to ag
Tahir, Wong said there were no assets or
other valuables given to ag Tahir.
Wong further testified that his com-
pany got the new projects, which were for
maintenance, from the Sabah Water
Department (jaNS) and sometimes he
also received the emergency works project
but little.
according to Wong, for the new main-
tenance projects, the contractor would be
appointed through open tender and the
allocation approved by the Director.
During cross-examination by counsel
Priskila akwila Sinem who defended ag
Tahir and Fauziah, Wong agreed that the
commission of 30 per cent was not given
to ahmad Sapawi as ordered by Teo Chee
Kong and not from ag Tahir.
Wong said as a contractor, they just fol-
lowed the order from the officer-in-
charge in that division.
See Page 2, Col. 2
 2 Local
No need for
special
Ministry to
handle Sabah,
S’wak affairs
KUaLa LUMPUR:
There is no need
to create a special
ministry to han-
dle Sabah and
Sarawak affairs to
avoid the possibil-
ity of overlapping
functions with
existing federal
ministries.
Minister in the
Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah,
Sarawak affairs and Special Duties) Datuk
armizan Mohd ali (pic) said the Sabah
and Sarawak affairs Division (BHESS)
under the Prime Minister’s Department
was established in March 2020 to facili-
tate and address all issues pertaining to
the Malaysia agreement 1963 (Ma63).
“So for me, there shouldn’t be overlap-
ping functions. Let the BHESS function as
the secretariat so that we can propose
negotiations between the Federal and the
Sabah and Sarawak governments without
having to interfere with ministerial func-
tions in each ministry.
“i think we need to maintain the com-
mitment to empowerment and devolu-
tion of authority (to Sabah and Sarawak)
without having to establish a special min-
istry in charge of Sabah and Sarawak
affairs.
“in doing so, we want to avoid overlap-
ping functions with federal ministries
which would ultimately affect the efforts
to devolve powers to the Sabah and
Sarawak governments,” he said during
Minister’s Question Time at the Dewan
Rakyat, Thursday.
apart from that, armizan said the Fed-
eral Government’s commitment to solving
the water supply issues in Sabah would
also not interfere with the jurisdiction,
rights and interests of the State Govern-
ment.
“Water is under the State’s jurisdiction
as stated in List ii Schedule Nine of the Fed-
eral Constitution.
“So, no need to worry. The Federal Gov-
ernment under the leadership of Tambun
MP (Prime Minister Datuk Seri anwar
ibrahim) will always respect the rights and
interests of state governments, including
the additional power for Sabah and
Sarawak,” he said.
The Minister said this in reply to Lo Su
Fui (GRS-Tawau) who wanted to know the
Government’s commitment to solving the
water woes in Sabah as pledged at the
Unity Government National Convention
on May 14.
at the convention, anwar was reported
as saying that he would talk to Sabah Chief
Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Nor and Kelan-
tan Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk ahmad
Yakob to find solutions to the water woes
in the two states.
The Prime Minister said he remained
committed to finding solutions to the
issue after receiving input from the state
leaders regarding the long-standing prob-
lems plaguing the states. – Bernama
Land
Enactment
includes
carbon
storage
Jonathan Nicholas
THE State assembly on Thursday unani-
mously agreed to the Land Ordinance
(Cap. 68] becoming the Land (amend-
ment) Enactment 2023 to include carbon
storage.
apas assemblyman Datuk Nizam abu
Bakar Titingan said the enactment would
come into force on june 19.
“No person, whether he is a registered
owner or a lawful occupier of any alien-
ated land, may use or permit the use of his
land for carbon storage without the
approval of the Minister and a licence
issued to him by the Collector.
“a licence issued may be determined by
the Director and for such period and upon
such terms and conditions stipulated in
the licence.
“For that purpose, the Minister may
impose additional premium or rent of the
land or add or substitute such terms or
conditions in the document of title as he
may think fit.
“any person who contravenes or
breaches any terms or conditions shall be
guilty of an offence and shall, on convic-
tion, be liable to a fine not exceeding
RM100,000 or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding five years, or both,” he said.
He said the use of the word “spectrum”
in Section 30 of the principal Enactment
was also amended to specify the surface of
the earth or below within Sabah (for car-
bon storage).
Event a mockery to Unduk Ngadau pageant
Anthea Peter
KOTa KiNaBaLU: The Kadazandusun Cul-
tural association Women’s Council is not
pleased with the recent cross-dressing
male pageant, which it described as “over-
the-top and inappropriate.”
The pageant, which went viral on
social media and said to have been held
in Keningau, showed several men dressed
in female traditional costumes.
its Chairperson joanna Datuk Kitingan
(pic) said it was a mockery to the Unduk
Ngadau (UN) title, which has not only
been registered with the intellectual
Property Corporation of Malaysia
(MyiPO) but also a sacred term that was
passed down orally based on Bobohizan
beliefs.
“This is like making a mockery of
Unduk Ngadau. We should not be playing
Worse if they also hold Minister or GLC posts
Disallow reps holding
both the posts: Ex-MP
Nikko Fabian
KOTa KiNaBaLU: For-
mer Kota Kinabalu
Member of Parlia-
ment Datuk Hiew
King Cheu (pic) said
elected representa-
tives should not be
allowed to hold posi-
tions of both Member
of Parliament and State assembly.
He said a recent public poll carried out
by justice For Sabah attested to this.
Hiew said all respondents were unani-
mous in their opinion that a person
elected by the people would not be able to
discharge duties holding both posts.
Pan Borneo will be
completed on time,
assures Shahelmey
Sherell Jeffrey
KOTa KiNaBaLU: The Sabah Pan Borneo
Highway project will be completed
according to the set schedule, assured
State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey
Yahya.
He said the Government, through the
Sabah Public Works Department, will
ensure the project is completed on time.
“intervention measures are consistently
implemented such as closely monitoring
the work and issuing a warning letter to
the contractor responsible for work pack-
age in case of any violation of the contract
terms.
“The Government will assist in resolv-
ing any issues that may cause delays in the
project, such as shortage of construction
materials, particularly bitumen, and
delays in the transfer of utility facilities,”
he said in his winding-up speech for the
Ministry at the State Legislative assembly
sitting.
according to him, routine maintenance
work refers to scheduled tasks such as pot-
hole patching, road shoulder mainte-
nance, grass cutting, ditch cleaning, sewer
cleaning (culvert) and other related work.
These tasks are carried out in a specific
order as outlined in the concession agree-
ment contract.
The concessionaire only carries out pot-
hole patching and road shoulder mainte-
Money given to Ag Tahir was voluntary: Contractor
From Page One
He further said ag Tahir never asked
him to give 30 per cent to the
Divisional/District Water Engineers.
Wong agreed that giving money to ag
Tahir was voluntary (sukarela) and also
agreed with Priskila that ag Tahir never
asked for the money.
He also agreed that there was no evi-
dence or testimony or witness to support
his statement that he had handed over
money to ag Tahir.
in re-examination in chief by Mahadi,
Wong said he agreed that he followed
Exemptions in the anti-party hopping law
From Page One
Hajiji said the membership of a Legisla-
tive assembly member refers to his mem-
bership in a political party, irrespective of
whether that party is part of a coalition of
parties or not.
“apart from that, membership of a Leg-
islative assembly member also refers to an
assemblyman who is not a member of any
political party in a coalition but is a direct
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
around with our culture, because it comes
with customs, rituals and a belief system.
“By right if you mock our customs you
would have to settle it with sogit
(penance),” she told a press conference
on the 2023 State Unduk Ngadau pag-
eant, here.
On Wednesday, Keningau KDCa coor-
dinator Rafie Robert was reported as say-
ing the cross-dressing pageant deviated
from the natives’ traditions and describ-
ing it as a “shameful event”.
Meanwhile, 50 Kadazan Dusun Murut
beauties representing districts in Sabah
and several West Malaysian states will vie
for the State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan
title this year.
The hopefuls will go through several
outlined programmes until the finals on
May 31.
“Representatives holding two elected
positions is a duplication and causes an
overlap of duties. Certainly, they will find
it very hard to meet the expectations and
needs of the people, “ he said.
“What more when an elected represen-
tative who is already an MP and an aDUN
is also holding a ministerial position.”
‘Let’s not forget that the people voted
for them so that they can serve them fully,”
he said.
“People prefer to have two separate
individuals to serve them, one as MP and
another as assemblyman.
He said the opinion poll also showed
people do not want their elected represen-
tatives holding positions in the govern-
nance immediately after monitoring.
This particular type of maintenance
work, Shahelmey said, falls within the rou-
tine scope and does not involve the
restoration or reconstruction of roads that
have suffered structural damage to their
pavement.
Regarding the progress of the
Serudong-Simanggaris-Kalabakan road
project, he said it has been approved as
preliminary work in the Third Rolling Plan
of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) under the
federal allocation.
“The preliminary survey and design
works are estimated to cost RM13 million,
while the Federal Government will deter-
mine the cost of the physical construction
works.”
He said the Government is always
mindful of the issues faced by the people
regarding the acquisition of land for road
construction in Kukusan.
“The compensation for land reclama-
tion and structural realignment related to
the jalan Utara Baru upgrade in Tawau has
been submitted to the Land and Survey
Department. Currently, the Public Works
Department is awaiting a response from
the Land and Survey.”
according to him, 85 land lots have
been processed under Section 3 of the
Land acquisition Ordinance Chapter 69
and 102 structures were impacted in the
Teo’s order because the area was under Teo
and that he needed to follow orders by Teo
to avoid problems.
“That it was his area, so any order from
Teo, we need to follow as a contractor not
only on commission but the actual work
to be carried out,” said Wong.
He further explained he agreed with
the counsel the money was given voluntar-
ily because as he mentioned earlier, he got
the projects with the help of the allocation
from the Sabah State Water Department
Director ag Tahir.
“if i do not show my appreciation to
member of the coalition party,” he said.
He said the membership of an assembly-
man in a coalition would not be considered
in the application of the anti-hopping law
because the main determining principle is
membership in a particular political party.
He also said the party symbols under which
assemblymen contested in elections would
not be considered in the anti-party hop-
ping law.
joanna said this year, the beauties will
be brought to the Native Court to learn
about traditional laws, customs and cases
while being educated on why the Native
Court is still relevant today.
She said this year’s UN pageant offers
a total cash prize of RM91,000, in addi-
tion to scholarships and sponsored items.
Prizes will also be given to winners of
subsidiary titles, such as Tati Tosuau, Tati
Tipiodo and Tatai Otoonong and Miss
Friendly, among others.
joanna added that this year’s Sodop
Unduk Ngadau Charity Dinner will be
held at the Sabah international Conven-
tion Centre (SiCC) on May 29, which
would be able to accommodate more
tables and raise more funds.
She said the dresses donned by the
beauties in a bid for the Best Evening Con-
ment like board chairmen or as directors.
To drive his point, Hiew said an elected
person who is both a MP and aDUN will
have to skip attending session of either
one. This puts the people at the disadvan-
tage. They would lose a voice in either the
State Legislative assembly or Parliament
when this happens,” he said.
“We must not allow this to continue. a
strict legislative measure must be
approved and endorsed into our Sabah
legislative constitution to disallow a peo-
ple’s representatives hold both MP and
aDUN positions,” he said.
He also stressed that this is an impor-
tant step towards a meaningful Sabah
Maju jaya.
road reserve.
He said when buying machinery for
road maintenance, it is important to dis-
pose of any outdated equipment that is no
longer cost-effective to use. This is because
the machinery’s life span has already
exceeded 15 years.
“The disposal process is conducted in
stages and it is necessary to submit an
application to the Ministry of Finance for
approval.”
Shahelmey said the Public Works
Department is in the process of purchas-
ing new machinery in stages, pending
approval from the State Finance Ministry.
according to him, the Sabah Public
Works Department is currently supervis-
ing a total of 1,210 bridges across Sabah.
Out of the total figure, 828 bridges are
currently classified as semi-permanent or
temporary. it is necessary to upgrade these
bridges to permanent structures that are
safe and can be used consistently.
Responding to a question from
Nabawan assemblyman, he said there are
still 64 bridges in the district that require
upgrading.
according to him, the Government
plans to replace the bridges in Nabawan
with permanent ones. The implementa-
tion of this plan will depend on the Gov-
ernment’s financial capacity and will be
prioritised accordingly.
Divisional/District Water Engineers, the
only thing i can do is to return some
money to ag Tahir so that i can continue
with the Divisional/District Water Engi-
neers with the allocation by ag Tahir,” he
said.
Wong further said he agreed with the
counsel that there was no witness when
the money was handed over to ag Tahir
because to give the money to ag Tahir was
an offence.
Lim was defended by Datuk Tan Hock
Chuan, Baldev Singh, Karpaljit Singh and
aaron Lau. Trial continues.
On exemptions in the anti-party hop-
ping law, Hajiji said assemblymen would
not lose their seats if their political parties
were dissolved or de-registered, or they
were expelled by their parties.
“The exemption also applies to an
assemblyman who resigns from his politi-
cal party upon his election as Speaker. This
matter will not cause the Speaker to lose his
seat in the Legislative assembly,” he added.
temporary wear during the charity dinner
must feature original motifs and be fully
handmade by skilled female tailors in
Sabah.
The finals will be staged at the
Hongkod Koisaan KDCa Hall on May 31.
LPPB has built
29,218 low-cost
houses: Joachim
THE Sabah Housing and Urban Develop-
ment Board (LPPB) has, so far, built 29,218
low-cost houses Statewide and more are
being constructed, the State Legislative
assembly sitting was told Thursday.
Deputy Chief Minister ii Datuk Seri Dr
joachim Gunsalam said a total of 175 low-
cost houses are being built under the 12th
Malaysia Plan (12MP) and they are
expected to be completed in 2025.
“The development of these low-cost
houses is under the State Government
agency through the house building pro-
gramme on its land through the Low
income Group Housing Loan Scheme
(SPPUGBR) and Long House Loan Scheme
(SPRP) managed by LPPB,” he said.
He said this when answering an oral
question from Datuk Raime Unggi (Nom-
inated assemblyman), who asked about
effort to deal with the problem of develop-
ers reducing the construction of low-cost
houses due to the increase in the cost of
building materials in Sabah. Elaborating,
joachim, also the State Local Government
and Housing Minister, said the low-cost
houses are priced between RM42,000 and
RM50,000 per unit.
Following the increase in the cost of
raw materials and the rate of house prices,
the private sector is not keen on building
such houses.
The implementation of the low-cost
housing programme depends entirely on
either the State or Federal Government
allocation,” he said.
He added that the allocation from the
Federal Government for the implementa-
tion of the low-cost housing programme is
through the People’s Housing Programme
(PPR) for rent implemented by the
National Housing Department (jPN);
Malaysian Civil Servant Housing (PPaM)
Programme; and PR1Ma Corporation
Malaysia (PR1Ma).
He said despite various incentives and
encouragement given to housing develop-
ers to build low-cost houses, many were
more inclined to build affordable,
medium and high-cost houses to max-
imise profits.
“The Government will look at the best
alternative to encourage these private
housing developers to be involved in low-
cost public housing development pro-
grammes although it is clear that the
response won’t be encouraging due to the
low profitability,” he added.
Dissolution process
From Page One
Responding to inquiries from Kapayan
and Kemabong assemblymen regarding the
dissolution process for villages or settle-
ments, Nizam said this is a continuous
process that will be carried out periodically.
He said the Forest Enactment's Section 14
allows for the consideration of the requests
made by residents. if these requests are
deemed reasonable, they can be acknowl-
edged as a unique privilege within the Forest
Reserve. as a result, the eviction process will
not be implemented.
Responding to Sindumin assemblyman’s
inquiries about the signs installed along for-
est reserves, he said any sign within the forest
reserve that is not authorised by the Forest
Department is prohibited and subject to
removal under the law.
according to him, the Government is cur-
rently considering Sindumin's proposal to
develop Meligan Forest Reserve into a tourist
destination and is in the process of granting
permission for the use of the forest reserves
for tourism.
in response to Nabawan assemblyman,
Nizam said the Government has approved
the application of Section 14 of the Forestry
Enactment to acknowledge the community
roads utilised by the villagers.
He added that the standard operating
procedures for the recognition process are
currently being refined and will be imple-
mented soon. Meanwhile, the Bill seeks to
amend the Schedule to the Forests (Constitu-
tion of Forest Reserves amendment) Enact-
ment 1984 to excise, constitute and reclassify
the following:
First, to dissolve an area of approximately
554.43 hectares of permanent state forest
reserves; Second, to establish two new forest
reserves with an area of approximately 1,121
hectares; and Third, reclassify nine forest
reserve areas from various existing classes.

Full support if
dam situated
in Papar: Juil
Hayati Dzulkifli
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Limba-
hau assemblyman Datuk
juil Nuatim (pic) pledged
full support to the State
government if it decides to
build a dam in Papar as a
measure to solve water
woes in the district and West Coast.
He hoped the State government would
make a right decision to resolve the water
supply problem which is rather serious and
affecting the people’s daily lives.
“Currently there is not enough water
supply in Papar and i understand that addi-
tional supply has to be done through the
emergency water supply scheme (EWSS)
project in Limbahau.
“When every time there is heavy rain or
drought, the water condition in Sungai
Papar becomes too murky and the treat-
ment plant in Kg. Limbahau has to stop
working to avoid damage to the equipment
at the plant.
Why too many mishaps along
this Pan Borneo Highway
THE Pan Borneo Highway along jalan Lama
Papar-Kota Kinabalu is now the main route
for those commuting from Kota Kinabalu to
Papar and Kinarut as well as users from
nearby districts such as Beaufort, Sipitang,
Kuala Penyu and Menumbok.
For the safety of road users, he suggested
more streetlights be installed along the
route, especially in each U-turn area.
“Due to the lack of these street lights,
many accidents have happened,” he said.
juil said he requested the Ministry of
Works to provide funds to upgrade a road
to Kg Bisuang and a road to SK Kaiduan
school because both locations are quite far
from the main road which takes between 20
to 30 minutes the road condition is quite
bad, especially during rainy season.
Thanking the government for upgrading
jalan Manggis Kaiduan Tampasak, he also
requested that jalan Kg Mikik Suok Ram-
paza be upgraded.
Stop using slogan to insult
current govt: Deputy Speaker
Jonathan Nicholas
DEPUTY Speaker Datuk ahmad abdul
Rahman chastised a government back-
bencher for inappropriately linking the
“Sabah Maju jaya” slogan to failed projects
under previous governments.
He told jonnybone Kurum (PBS-
Telupid) that the slogan was not created
by the current GRS-led government but
had been around since the time of (first
elected Chief Minister) Tun Datu
Mustapha.
“Stop using the state constitution slo-
gan as an insult to the current govern-
ment. My position is to uphold the
constitution just like you all (assembly-
men),” adding that if it was Pakistan, who-
ever had said it would be dead.
“Pick up a copy of the constitution if
you have time one day and do me a favour
to point out the coat of arms and read the
slogan. You took an oath to defend the
State and now you threaten it with its own
slogan. if this were Pakistan, you’d be shot.
But thankfully we have laws here,” ahmad
abdul said.
jonnybone was reading a message
which he received during hari raya which
said “Sabah Maju jaya tapi ‘mengasi mati
sama orang’ (they are killing us)”.
johnnybone requested department
chiefs to ‘turun padang’ and see Telupid
for themselves the many useless projects
completed long ago like the water tank at
Mile 6 in Kg Wonod which is now a bat
‘It’s doll prank
by worker’
KOTa KiNaBaLU: a police report was
lodged by the jesselton Group Manager
to deny a purported suicide attempt
involving its development project
under construction off jalan Bersatu
Damai, here.
“i was alerted to the circulation of a
viral prank video broadcasting an
alleged suicide attempt,” said Michael
who lodged the report, Thursday.
The 35-second video showed what
appeared to be an individual sitting at
a ledge on the upper level of the build-
ing.
He clarified that it is a dummy doll
prank by a worker and that their main
contractor has taken the necessary
action against the misdemeanour. –
Jimmy Goh
“When this happens, water rationing has
to be carried out. Maybe this rationing
measure needs to be done to control the sit-
uation, but until when should this situation
persists?,” he said.
He said it is time for the Water Treatment
Plant in Kg Limbahau to also be upgraded.
“There is a need to increase the water
production capacity at this plant to accom-
modate the increasing demand of con-
sumers in Papar. Furthermore, this plant is
also old and has been built since the 1960s.”
“i suggest the State government through
the Sabah Water Department (jaNS) build
a pre-sedimentation tank at the Limbahau
Water Treatment Plant to address the high
turbidity of river water which generally
occurs when there is a heavy rain,” he said.
juil also proposed construction of a
treated water storage system in the plant in
Limbahau to increase the water reservoir
capacity in the area so that people can still
get clean treated water even during drought
and dry spell.
He said the 8km road is under the super-
vision of the Public Works Department and
needs to be upgraded for the benefit of 300
residents.
juil called on the State Government to
reconsider his proposal to build a row of
fruit stalls in Kg Manggis, Papar.
“During the fruit season, i saw many peo-
ple doing small-time businesses on the
shoulder of the road along the Pan Borneo
road. These stalls can be built with a more
modern design which i believe can also
function as a place of Rest and Recreation
(R&R) in Limbahau.
“if the construction of this infrastructure
can be realised, small-time traders can be
placed in the new row of stalls so that it is
more organised.
They can carry out their businesses in a
place that is more comfortable and com-
plete with basic facilities and their safety is
also guaranteed,” he said.
cave.
“in Lumou, it comes complete with a
booster pump. The pipes are ready but
there’s no water,” he said.
“State Department chiefs will usually
only send representatives to action plan
meetings. Work together with the people’s
representative so we can identify and set
priorities on projects,” he said, so he and
the government would not be “bom-
barded” by voters. in order for well main-
tained roads he suggested the State claim
and toll federal roads.
Kuamut’s Datuk Masiung Banah said
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor
helped promote the underused slogan.
“it is patriotic, reminding us to priori-
tise state development instead of personal
gain. Forget rank and positions for a while
and just work together for Sabah. That has
always been the goal even in the next gen-
eration,” he said.
He thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri
anwar ibrahim and Hajiji for lifting Ton-
god out of poverty. its people can now
raise livestock. But this is only temporary.
i have done the research and what we need
are proper roads for agriculture,” he said.
He advocated for coal plants in Sabah
saying all natural resources must be used
to meet the people’s demands.
“Let’s not pretend, Sarawak is looking
more into coal plants and Singapore has
been using it for a long time,” he said.
Outside NGOs entering Sabah to instigate protests
From Page One
The State Government is taking seriously
the trend of organisations or NGOs from
outside Sabah increasingly entering the
state to incite and get Sabahans involved in
uncontrolled demonstrations and protests.
“The State Government will use its pow-
ers to prevent entry into Sabah any organi-
sations or NGOs or individuals that disturb
the harmony and public order in Sabah,”
Hajiji.
He was replying to the proposal from
Datuk jaffari Waliam (Nominated) that the
authorities check more strictly the entry of
organisations/NGOs from outside into the
state to avoid incitement, especially custom-
ary land issues so the people hate and are
angry with the Government,
To Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin) who
touched on various matters to make Kota
Kinabalu a beautiful city that attracts
tourists, Hajiji said the State Government
would take appropriate action.
On the redevelopment of the Sembulan
area, namely the Sembulan Urban Renewal
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
Limbahau has
not a single
secondary school
jUiL also drew attention to a proposal to
construct a secondary school in Kg Gana as
there is a pressing need for the children in
Limbahau.
“Since i was elected as Limbahau
assemblyman, i never failed to raise the
need to have a secondary school in Kg
Gana in past assembly sittings. in my con-
stituency, there are 16 primary schools, but
there is not a single secondary school.
With the geographical position of Kg
Gana far from cities and big towns, a
boarding secondary school is very neces-
sary.
“in detail, Limbahau children currently
have to attend their secondary school at
SMK Kinarut which only has a capacity of
about 1,000 students. as a result of it
being over capacity, two school sessions
had to be held and the hostel was also
unable to meet the needs of the popula-
tion, some of whom are from Limbahau,”
he said.
He said there are students who live far
from Kinarut town and Papar and some-
times were unable to go to school due to
the lack of vehicles or the inability to pay
for the bus fare.
“This is a very sad situation when these
rural children drop out of getting quality
education due to these constraints.
“i would like to ask what are the factors
that make it difficult for the construction
of a secondary school in Kg Gana to be
realised?,” juil asked. according to him,
lack of harvesting and ploughing machin-
ery in his constituency is the main obstacle
for paddy farmers to maximise their agri-
cultural yield.
Presently, he said the paddy fields of
about 1,000 acres in Papar and the
Regional Farmers’ association (PPK) only
has two machines and cannot meet the
needs of the rice farmers.
He said the villagers tried to bring in
the Sabah Land Development Board
(SLDB) to help and work with them to
overcome their lack of machinery. He
hoped the relevant ministry could render
assistance to problem faced by paddy
farmers in Papar, especially in Limbahau.
Finance Ministry to improve tax collection system
Ricardo Unto
THE State Finance Ministry
is improving its tax collec-
tion system so that it be
more effective, said its
Minister Datuk Seri Masidi
Manjun (pic).
“First of all, we have to get our house in
order…the tax collection system,” he said.
“To my surprise, i found out that the
number of staff tasked with the collection of
billions of ringgit of taxes is not many.
Hence, our first step is to increase the num-
ber of staff in that section.”
Masidi also disclosed that the Ministry is
planning to upgrade the section into a
department under it.
“Secondly, we improve our system so that
it would be more effective and for this, we
are working together with the Malaysian
Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and the Malaysian
anti-Corruption Commission (MaCC).
“The Ministry had issued five notices of
assessment involving some RM53.36 million
to companies that had been found to have
under-declared their tax returns.
“So far, only RM4 million of these taxes
have been paid. But we have an instalment
scheme to allow those who ‘mistakenly’
under-declared to pay their dues,” he said.
in certain cases, he said, companies have
sent conflicting tax figures to MPOB and the
Ministry.
“The taxes imposed are based on the fig-
Scheme Phase iii, the CM said the proposed
development has been approved by the
State Government to a company whose
house units would be given to the original
landowners in the area, while the rest devel-
oped for the purpose of mixed development.
To Mohd Shafie’s question regarding the
State Government’s involvement in the
upstream business of the oil and gas indus-
try, Hajiji said it is important for the Sabah
Government to participate in the upstream
business because it is a source of life for the
oil and gas industry. Without this upstream,
there is no middle or downstream industry
in the state, he explained.
Therefore, by being involved in the
upstream supply chain of the oil and gas
industry, the Sabah Government would ben-
efit such as increased economic and finan-
cial benefits from the sale of both crude oil
and natural gas which is the source of the oil
and gas industry’s value chain; increasing
the rate of employment opportunities for
the local people of Sabah, encouraging more
offers and local contract opportunities by
Local 3
Attacks aimed at tarnishing
image of GRS govt: Annuar
LiaWaN assemblyman Datuk annuar ayub
(pic) said there are attacks by certain cyber
troopers clearly aimed at tarnishing the
image of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)
government.
“These people have been very critical of
the government. By right, if they care for the
well-being of the State, they should share
positive ideas,” he said.
annuar, who is also a Star Vice President,
pointed out that the GRS government under
the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri
Hajiji Haji Noor has been doing what was
necessary for the state to reach greater
heights. Star is one of the seven component
members of GRS. He was enthusiastic that
the Chief Minister’s New Year message had
revealed the Sabah garnered a revenue of
RM6.6 billion last year under the Hala Tuju
Sabah Maju jaya (SMj) Roadmap.
annuar also concurred with GRS infor-
mation Chief Datuk joniston Bangkuai who
emphasised the need to avoid drawing
quick judgements and instead examine the
situation objectively, considering the com-
plexities involved in managing essential
utilities.
“The opposition’s swift finger-pointing
and attempts to lay the blame solely on the
Chief Minister are political in nature.
“They, too, had previously led the state,
and they are familiar with the challenges,”
said joniston, who is also Kiulu assembly-
man and PBS information chief.
The Chief Minister, he added, had been
working tirelessly to address the matter and
ensure the people of Sabah have access to
necessities such as electricity and water.
Many docs quit in Sabah
cos not made permanent
Nikko Fabian
STaTE Community Development and Peo-
ple’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk james Ratib
(pic) said he is aware of the existing short-
age of medical experts in Sabah.
He said his ministry is working closely
with the State Health Department (jKNS)
and Public Service Department (jPa) to
solve the problem.
“My ministry through the State Health
Department (jKNS) acknowledges the
shortage and the Public Service Department
(jPa) is partly to blame,” he said.
james said he had visited hospitals
throughout Sabah and found that many
medical experts have quit their job.
“When i asked why, they told me because
some of these doctors had not received their
permanent postings yet.
“The Ministry of Health (MoH) does not
have the power to approve the permanent
postings for doctors…only jPa can do that,”
he said.
ures submitted to the Ministry. We are trying
to bridge this little problem with MPOB.
Every time we received tax figures, we will
check with MPOB to see if they tally.
“if we still have doubts, then, we will ask
the MaCC to investigate.”
He was responding to a supplementary
question by Senallang assemblyman Datuk
Seri Mohd Shafie apdal. Masidi also agrees
with Shafie that major public-listed palm oil
companies in the State should do more for
the community.
Earlier, to the original questions by
Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong and
Shafie, assistant Finance Minister Tan Lee
Fatt said the Federal Government collects
company profit tax.
“For the State Government to directly
enjoy the benefits of the palm oil industry,
which is one of the main pulses of the State’s
economy, since 1999, the State Government
has imposed a state sales tax on crude palm
oil,” he said.
Until 2022, this sales tax collection has
contributed as much as RM19.25 billion to
state revenue over the 23 years it has been
implemented. For 2022 alone, sales tax col-
lection amounts to RM1.57 billion, con-
tributing almost 23 per cent to the State’s
revenue.
“Therefore, collecting state sales tax on
crude palm oil is an essential source of State
revenue. This financial resource significantly
supports the State budget agenda, especially
gaining understanding in upstream busi-
ness; and increasing the level of knowledge
of the people of Sabah in oil and gas
resources, as well as the knowledge of data
collection of existing or future Sabah hydro-
carbon reserves so that any decision made
related to the oil and gas industry is in the
interest of Sabah.
“That is why the State Government con-
tinued the acquisition of 50 per cent of the
shares in the Samarang Production Sharing
Contract (PSC) offered to SMj Sdn Bhd under
the Commercial Cooperation agreement
(CCa) that has been signed jointly with
Petronas. as a result, SMj Sdn Bhd would
receive 50 per cent of oil and gas production
qualification partners.
“For downstream petrochemicals, the
State Government has already acquired a 25
per cent share in Petronas Chemicals Fer-
tiliser Sabah Sdn Bhd (Samur) through SMj
Sdn Bhd who is the owner of the ammo-
nia/Urea factory located in the Sipitang Oil
and Gas industrial Park (SOGiP).
“it is a world-class ammonia and urea
joniston was speaking
at a gathering with the
committee members of PBS’s PDM Kiulu
branches recently.
He said Sabah had witnessed a series of
positive developments and significant pol-
icy reforms, contributing to the well-being
of the State and its people.
Hence, joniston also urged PBS members
to maintain their unwavering support for
Hajiji, strengthen the party’s position as a
key team player within the GRS, and work
collectively with other coalition parties to
address the challenges confronting Sabah.
Meanwhile, a Parti Gagasan Rakyat
Sabah (PGRS) division chief said the GRS
government was doing its level best to grow
the economy for the benefit of the State and
its people.
PGRS Tandek Chief Datuk Dr janathan
Kandok said therefore, there should not be
any further attempt to destabilise the gov-
ernment as the State was in safe hands.
Recalling a failed coup attempt recently,
Dr janathan said: “Enough is enough. if you
think you are better, prove it in the next
election. Right now, GRS has the people’s
mandate to govern the State.”
Political stability, he added, was crucial
for development and progress. Dr janathan
also said he was shocked by a recently-
leaked screenshot on social media which
suggested there were concerted efforts to
put the State Government in a bad light.
among others, cyber troopers were told
to portray issues like power outages and
insufficient water supply as statewide emer-
gencies.
“i attended a MoH
meeting in Putrajaya
recently and discussed the
issue. it is a sad situation,” he said during
the State assembly sitting.
He said other reasons for the difficulties
in maintaining medical experts in Sabah
includes family commitments as some of
them are not from here.
However, he said jKNS plans to appoint
more medical experts in 11 of the 24 hospi-
tals in Sabah. He said they are also provid-
ing them with various incentives to stay in
Sabah such as the Bayaran insentif Penem-
patan Pakar (BiPP) and Elaun Perumahan
Wilayah (EPW).
at the same time, he said medical experts
will be given a chance to provide their
respective expertise services at private facil-
ities decided by MoH.
He said among the fields of specialisa-
tion that the State currently lacks are med-
ical experts in heart and surgeries.
in financing various physical, infrastructure,
economic and social development, and for
the people’s wellbeing. Therefore, the State
Government stands to maintain the imposi-
tion of the tax.” He said based on informa-
tion from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board
(MPOB), Sabah has 132 palm oil processing
factories and 14 refineries.
Sandakan, in particular, has the largest
number of factories in the State, which are
66 processing factories and four refineries.
Meanwhile, Keningau has four process-
ing factories. in 2022, the palm oil factory
sector employed 5,869 workers in process-
ing plants and 631 workers in refineries.
Locals fill 1,789 jobs, or 30.4 per cent, in
processing factories and 626 jobs or 98.9 per
cent, in refineries.
“The construction of these processing
factories and refineries has brought a posi-
tive local economic impact with more pro-
ductive land use, infrastructure
development and job opportunities for
locals to generate and increase income.
“in the meantime, the multiplier effect
can be enjoyed by other economic sectors,
such as the retail and real estate sectors, with
increased domestic demand for goods and
services,” he said.
The State Government, he said, has estab-
lished the Palm Oil industrial Cluster (POiC)
in Sandakan, managed by Sawit Palm Oil
industrial Cluster Sdn Bhd, a Sawit Kinabalu
Sdn Bhd subsidiary.
production facility and was built to produce
1.9 million metric tons of ammonia and urea
per year. it is also the largest single compo-
nent ammonia and urea plant in Southeast
asia, and the third largest urea plant in the
asia Pacific.” Hajiji also said the Sabah Gov-
ernment would continue with more acqui-
sitions to expand the state’s involvement in
the oil and gas industry so that more rev-
enue and participation can be achieved for
Sabah as provided for in the CCa.
“Regarding the State Sales Tax on Petro-
leum Products raised by Merotai, we have
made achievement after achievement in the
oil and gas industry. Collection of State Sales
Tax on petroleum products which has con-
tributed a total of RM4.21 billion to state rev-
enue. Therefore, the State Government has
no plans in the near future to stop the imple-
mentation of the State Sales Tax on petro-
leum products. The revenue from the oil and
gas industry is capable of multiplying the
state’s income to increase, strengthen and
sustain which will undoubtedly be enjoyed
by all levels of people in the state,” he said.
 4 Local
Study on untreated
water for factories
Jonathan Nicholas
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Findings of a feasibility
study on using untreated clean water for
industrial supply to ease Sabah’s water crisis
will be revealed this year.
Sabah industrial Development and
Entrepreneurship Minister (Mide) Phoong
jin Zhe said currently, water supply used by
investors (factories) and domestic users are
of the same source.
“Most factories require only clean but
untreated water. if realised, then implemen-
tation is expected improve water supply to
domestic users in the Kota Kinabalu, Lahad
Datu and Sipitang,” said the Luyang assem-
blyman.
The study on non-portable water is
being carried out by jetama Sdn Bhd and
was approved by Cabinet on Nov 22 last
year.
Meanwhile, he said the momentum of
receiving investors to Sabah is expected to
increase with the State Government’s
efforts.
He said several high potential sectors
have been identified in collaboration with
S’kan folks’ salty water woes
SEKONG assemblyman alias Sani said
Sandakan residents had to deal with
salty water for past six months that
posed serious health risks as well as
inconvenience.
alias also questioned why people
everywhere in Sabah seemed to suffer
more and more despite the numerous
announcements about the increase in
State revenue and allocations.
He said the phrase “Sabah Maju jaya”
appeared 16 times in the policy speech
delivered by the Head of State, which
included references to the targeted 2.2
million tourists who are expected to
generate income of RM4.1 billion.
“Billions worth of federal allocations
have been announced for Sabah’s devel-
opment, yet the people in Sekong, the
people of Sandakan, continue to be in
the valley of hardship,” he said, citing
rising prices of goods and poor infra-
structure facilities that have become a
nightmare for people in Sandakan.
“There have been accidents on our
Zimbabwe eyes tourism twinning
programmes with Sabah, M’sia
KOTa KiNaBaLU: The Republic of Zim-
babwe aims to establish tourism twin-
ning programmes with Sabah and
Malaysia in general that can bring ben-
efits especially in terms of boosting the
tourism sectors of both countries.
Tsitsi Kangai-Kasirowori, a counsel-
lor at the Zimbabwean Embassy in
Malaysia, said that Zimbabwe and
Malaysia have many areas in common,
particularly in terms of environment
and handicraft, which might be
explored for tourism twinning projects.
according to her, one of the projects
that may be explored is a scheme for
twinning tourist attractions, in which a
tourist attraction in her nation and
Malaysia can collaborate with tourism
operators from both countries to attract
tourists.
“The places and nature here (Sabah
and Malaysia) are really beautiful, i can
see similarities which we can do coop-
eration programmes. Hope we have a
twinning programme with Sabah like
Victoria Falls (in Zimbabwe) we can
twin it with a tourist attraction in
Sabah.
“We try to get to new markets as we
try to rebuild and restrategise our
tourism industry in 2023 post Covid-19
pandemic that has affected us all,” she
told Bernama when met at the Matta
Fair Sabah 2023 here recently.
Speaking of the country’s tourism
attractions, Kangai-Kasirowori noted
that visitors must see the Victoria Falls,
a stunning cascade that is 1.7 km wide
and a Unesco World Heritage Site, as
well as its many national parks.
“Victoria Falls is one of the Seven
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill
THE Natural Resources, Environment and
Climate Change Ministry aims to table the
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill in
the Dewan Rakyat this year, said Minister
Nik Nazmi Nik ahmad.
The proposed act, among others, will
strengthen the legal framework related to
energy efficiency and conservation to
ensure full involvement at various levels of
institutions and organisations, he said.
“The act will assist in not only regulat-
ing energy efficiency and conservation but
also assist consumers to adopt more effi-
cient equipment and appliances and bet-
ter manage their energy consumption to
reduce wastage,” he said in his speech at
the Sustainability Leadership Seminar
2023 Thursday.
the Ministry of investment, Malaysian Trade
and industry (Miti).
They are namely green technology,
resource-based downstream industries,
renewable energy and low energy intensity
industries.
“Mide will continue to work closely with
the Entrepreneur Development and Coop-
erative Ministry (Kuskop) under the leader-
ship of Datuk Ewon Benedick, in developing
entrepreneurs and small traders in Sabah.
“Due to the State Government’s concern
for SME entrepreneurs the total allocation
for the SME-Up Programme (BaiKS) has
been increased to RM15 Million this year.
“My Ministry through the Department of
industrial Development and Research
roadways, and some of them have been
fatal and unemployment is getting
worse by the day. Many graduates are
forced to take low-paying jobs that are
beneath their education,” he said.
“Have you ever heard of someone
with hypertension having to borrow
blood pressure medication from a friend
or neighbour because of financial con-
straints? This occurred in Sandakan, in
Sekong.
“in all my 55 years, i never imagined i
would be in a position where there was
not enough water to bath a body.
“i urge the Government to be effective
in addressing issues affecting the lives of
the people,” he said.
“We are all actors in this world but let
us act honestly, truthfully and sincerely,
so that our audience, the people, will
trust us.
“Sabah is undoubtedly a rich State,
but it’s a shame since Sabah is also rich
with political leaders who party hop,” he
said. – Sherell Jeffrey
Natural Wonders of the World, really
beautifull and tourists can do a lot of
activities including skydiving and
bungee jumping. There are also
national parks near the waterfall where
people can go on safaris there,” she said.
The Shona people constructed the
ancient city of Great Zimbabwe
between the 11th and the 15th centuries.
The city is renowned for its impressive
stone architecture, which includes a
sizeable palace, and its significance in
the african trade. additionally, Kangai-
Kasirowori claims that the building
there was constructed without the use
of cement.
The writer also had the opportunity
to discuss with the interviewer one of
Sabah’s natural tourist attractions, the
stunning Maliau Waterfall, which has
seven waterfall tiers and is situated in
Tongod’s Maliau Basin, a 58,840-hectare
conservation area known as Sabah’s
Lost World because of its pristine envi-
ronment.
according to Kangai-Kasirowori, 1.04
million tourists visited Zimbabwe last
year, up 174 per cent from 380,820
tourists in 2021.
She said 47,453 tourist arrivals last
year were from asia, while tourists from
other african countries are the biggest
arrivals at 693,281; Europe (174,544);
americas (100,112); Oceania (21,798);
and Middle East (6,593).
“The asian market is one of our main
targets and we also target young
tourists. There is a lot of interest to
travel to Zimbabwe, and we see Saba-
hans have a lot of enthusiasm about our
country,” she said. – Bernama
He said many countries including the
United Kingdom had adopted such laws
requiring electrical appliances to be
energy efficient, which led to a consistent
drop in energy demand in the country for
20 years.
in March this year, Nik Nazmi said the
bill was at the research stage and would be
finalised before being brought to the
attorney-General’s Chambers and pre-
sented to the Cabinet.
Stressing that much more needs to be
done for energy efficiency and conserva-
tion, Nik Nazmi said Malaysia must con-
tinue to push the boundaries of
innovation, collaboration and education
to ensure a sustainable future for all. –
Bernama
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
(DiDR) can help in getting MeSTi and Halal
Certifications, machine and equipment
assistance, packaging quality improvement
and business digitisation,” he said in his
winding up speech on Wednesday.
Responding to Moyog’s Datuk Darell
Leiking who asked how many investors have
left or ended investments in Sabah, Phoong
said there was none.
“in fact, the State Government has suc-
ceeded in attracting high-impact foreign
direct investment (FDi), namely the South
Korean SK Nexilis Malaysia Sdn Bhd during
the Covid-19 pandemic in addition to Chi-
nese Kibing and Singaporean Esteel Enter-
prise Sabah Sdn Bhd,” he said.
Phoong said more than half of the 4,352 job
opportunities created are being filled by locals.
Sk Nexilis in KKiP (RM4.28b), Kibing’s
(RM2.48b) solar glass factory also in KKiP
and their silica extraction and processing
plant in Kudat are expected to be completed
this year.
The biggest, Esteel in Sipitang
(RM19.8b), is expected to complete by the
end of 2026.
‘Water Dept
should probe
and not cops’
PaRTi Warisan Chinese Coordinator Chin
Tek Ming said the Sabah Water Depart-
ment (SWD) itself should be investigating
the water disruption at Kota Kinabalu
international airport instead of the police.
Chin’s lawyer said Sabah Works Minis-
ter Datuk ir. Shahelmey Yahya should stop
wasting public funds, adding that the
police are already occupied with their
duties instead of investigating internal
problems.
“Don’t they (Ministry) know that a
police investigation will incur extra and
unnecessary human costs for the police
force?
“is the Ministry trying to silence public
comments by lodging a police report?” he
said in a statement.
He criticised the Deputy Chief Minis-
ter’s response to Elopura assemblyman
Calvin Chong who questioned the issue of
Sandakan’s salty water during the sitting
on Wednesday.
“Shahelmey challenged the source of
the salty water instead of addressing the
issue. i think this is uncalled for.
“is the Minister challenging the intelli-
gence of Sandakan people and Sabahans
at large?” he asked.
Opposition fails
in bid to
reject Govt
motion
THE Opposition failed in its attempt to
reject a government motion in the Dewan
Rakyat Thursday when it could not muster
the majority in a bloc vote.
The bloc vote saw a total of 83 members
of parliament (MP) supporting the motion
and 52 MPs opposing, one did not vote
while 86 were absent.
The motion was for today’s sitting not
to be adjourned until two bills, namely, the
Sustainable Energy Development author-
ity (amendment) Bill 2023 and the Renew-
able Energy (amendment) Bill 2023, were
debated and decided as stated in the Order
Paper.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s
Department (Sabah, Sarawak affairs and
Special Functions) Datuk Ugak anak Kum-
bong had called for the motion.
Following the result of the vote, Deputy
Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor then
announced that Ugak’s motion was
approved under Standing Order 12 (1).
Earlier Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chief
Whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-
Kota Bharu) had opposed the motion
brought by Ugak and asked if the govern-
ment had any other bills to be brought up
in this Dewan Rakyat session.
He said according to the Order Paper,
there were only two more bills left to be
tabled and decided Thursday.
“We just entered our fourth day of
Dewan Rakyat sitting and we have another
seven more days to go. Does the govern-
ment have any surprise bill to be presented
in the Dewan Rakyat? The debate sessions
seem to be too short as well,” he said.
Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (PN-
arau) then stood up and proposed that
today’s sitting proceed with the debate on
the private members bill if all government
business had been completed.
Ramli then decided to adjourn the sit-
ting for 10 minutes and the bell was rung
to give MPs outside a chance to take part in
the block vote.
The situation turned chaotic again after
the Opposition MPs claimed that several
government MPs had entered the House
even after the doors were ordered closed. –
Bernama
Phoong (middle) with Mide Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin (left)
and Assistant Minister Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady (right).
‘Politicians, civil servants should
declare assets to prevent graft’
Hayati Dzulkifli
POLiTiCiaNS and civil servants in Sabah
should declare their assets to the State
government so any corrupt elements can
be addressed.
Moyog assemblyman Datuk Darell
Leiking, who made the call, said the Chief
Minister and State Finance Minister need
to issue an official directive to all those in
civil service, including politicians, to do so.
He said it is imperative for them to
declare their assets so as to find out
whether they are corrupted or they are
being accused of receiving bribes.
“The Prime Minister announced that
corruption level among politicians and
civil servants is quite high and he wants to
go after them.
“Sabah is in a state of mess,” he said.
“That is why i feel the politicians and
civil servants should be scrutinised by
ordering them to declare their assets,”
Darell said when debating the policy
speech of the Head of State Tun Dr juhar
Mahiruddin at the 16th State Legislative
assembly sitting, here, Wednesday.
On Penampang, he said not much work
was done on the flood mitigation project
worth millions of ringgit in Moyog.
“i anticipate another round of mon-
soon. We may face flash floods and other
severe problems that will pose big impact
on the people in Penampang and also the
whole Sabah, like losing properties and
income, experiencing power outages and
poor water supply, among others,” he
said.
Darell also questioned the government
via the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB)
which has been given subsidies totalling
Number of households in hardcore
poor category in downward trend
THE number of households in the hardcore
poor category has decreased from 124,744 to
118,217 from Dec 15, 2022 until May 15 this year,
the Dewan Rakyat was told Thursday.
Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hani-
fah Hajar Taib said according to the eKasih
dynamic data managed by the implementa-
tion Coordination Unit under the Prime Min-
ister’s Department, the number of registered
household heads in the poor category also
dropped from 304,911 to 299,080 during the
same period.
She also said that based on the Household
income, Expenditure and Basic amenities Sur-
vey Report 2019, the incidence of absolute
poverty was 5.6 per cent, while hardcore
poverty was 0.4 per cent.
“DOSM (Department of Statistics Malaysia)
is finalising the findings of the 2022 survey,
which is expected to be published in the third
quarter of 2023,” she said during the question
and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat sit-
ting Thursday.
She said this in reply to a question from
Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok)
about the progress the government has made
in reducing the poverty rate and eliminating
hardcore poverty over the last six months.
Hanifah Hajar said the country’s labour
market has also improved since the country
entered the transition to endemic phase, as the
unemployment rate for March 2023 dropped
RM1.6b needed for Coss implementation
a TOTaL of RM1.6 billion is needed for the
implementation of the Cooking Oil Stabilisa-
tion Scheme (Coss ) this year, according to
Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living
Ministry (KPDN) Minister Fuziah Salleh.
She said the amount of the updated allo-
cation is based on the policy to provide a total
of 60,000 tonnes or about 60 million packets
of one-kilogramme (kg) cooking oil.
“in general, the amount of the allocation
or funds for the subsidised cooking oil is
based on the movement of the crude palm oil
(CPO) price. Therefore, if there is an increase
in CPO, the funds needed to implement the
programme will also increase.
“The allocation that has been updated to
implement Coss in 2022 is as much as RM2.42
billion in additional subsidies, while for 2023
the amount (allocation) required is esti-
mated at RM1.6 billion and subject to the
movement of the CPO price,” she said.
Fuziah said this in response to a question
from Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong), who asked
RM761 million annually by the Federal
government for the fuel to generate power
which does not include grants for infra-
structure developments.
“Every year, SESB will be getting these
subsidies (RM761 millions) and it is a must
for the agency to submit reports including
future assessments and how to mitigate
blackouts to TNB or relevant ministries.
“The irony is why do we still face the
problem (regular blackouts) which they
have anticipated and mentioned in their
reports of long-term plan?
“i am sure they are aware of the increas-
ing number of housing developments and
commercial units which indicate that
more power supply is needed and this
should be part and parcel in their reports,”
he said.
Furthermore, Darell said SESB wrote a
letter to propose a mitigation plan to
address a critical situation of Sabah grid
that was shared on May 3, this year.
“i wonder why are we in this situation
(power outage and poor supply of water)
when we mention about billions of ringgit
in investments but the basic utilities that
are needed, are not well-planned in the
long run.
“in fact, i am asking the Minister of
industrial Development, how many exist-
ing investments and investors in Sabah
who have decided to stop or withdraw
their investments?
“if there were such withdrawal of the
investments, then it would cause more
unemployment among the locals when
there are currently 177,000 jobless in
Sabah based on the statistics of November
last year,” he said.
to 3.5 per cent compared to 5.3 per cent in May
2020.
Strong economic growth in 2022 has
helped support recovery in the labour market,
she added.
She further said the government is imple-
menting various intervention measures to
address poverty, some of which had been
announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri
anwar ibrahim during the tabling of Budget
2023. among the measures announced are the
Rahmah Cash aid to about nine million recip-
ients with an allocation of nearly RM8 billion,
various subsidies to padi farmers and small-
holders and the Unity Package prepaid mobile
internet plan. – Bernama
Hanifah Hajar said as of May 22, a total of
82,892 participants had registered for the Peo-
ple’s income initiative (iPR), which focused on
empowering the B40 group, and RM750 mil-
lion had been allocated for that purpose this
year.
about the amount of funds and tonnes of
subsidised cooking oil approved in 2022 and
2023 as well as the names of the companies
given the approval, during the question-and-
answer session at the Dewan Rakyat here
Thursday.
Fuziah said previously the amount of allo-
cation or funds announced through the
Budget for the implementation of Coss was as
much as RM400 million for 2022 and RM500
million for 2023.
Touching on the provision of subsidised
cooking oil, she said KPDN has appointed 366
packaging companies nationwide to supply
subsidised cooking oil to the market.
To a supplementary question from Datuk
Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) regard-
ing the delay in payment of claims demanded
by the packers which affected the supply of
cooking oil in the market, Fuziah said KPDN
had taken proactive steps by introducing the
Ecoss system to overcome the issue. –
Bernama

No drugs, pesticides detected: Chemist
Jo Ann Mool
KOTa KiNaBaLU: No common drugs or
pesticides were detected in the blood sam-
ple and stomach contents of the inmate
who was allegedly murdered by the 10
prison personnel at the Central Prison
here four years ago, the High Court heard,
Thursday.
The prosecution’s 18th witness, a
chemist attached to the Chemistry Depart-
ment here Mohd Helmi B. Dullah @ Mohd
Rashid, who testified before judge Datuk
Christopher Chin Soo Yin, said that during
examination-in-chief by the prosecution
when asked to briefly explain the results of
the toxicology analysis of Shainal Muhk-
tar’s (the alleged victim) blood, urine and
stomach content specimens which he con-
ducted.
Helmi also testified that there was no
presence of ethyl alcohol in the blood and
urine specimens. He added that he
detected the presence of acetaminophen
in the urine sample. When asked to
explain what the acetaminophen that was
Sex offences: Teen Ordered
to perform community service
PUTRajaYa: a teenager who pleaded
guilty to four charges of sex-related
offences was ordered by the Court of
appeal Thursday to perform 100 hours of
community service.
This was after the three-member panel
comprising justice Datuk Hadhariah Syed
ismail, Datuk M. Gunalan and Datuk Lim
Chong Fong allowed the teenager’s appeal
to set aside the lower court’s order that he
be sent to Henry Gurney School for three
years.
Lim, who delivered the court’s decision,
said the appropriate order to be given to
the male teenager, who is now 18 years old,
is for him to perform community service
for a total of 100 hours under the supervi-
sion of the social welfare department,
adding that it also includes counselling,
and religious and moral education.
“We acknowledge the order now meted
out against the appellant may not be
palatable and ideal to everyone. We prefer
to place our trust on the appellant that he
has learnt from his hideous episode and
will not repeat it,” he said.
Lim said the order of the Magistrate’s
Court sitting as a Court for Children to
send the teenager to Henry Gurney School,
which is under the purview of the director-
general of Prisons, based on the probation
report was illegal as there was an absence
of the welfare officer’s explanation in the
report to show that the teenager is not
suitable to be rehabilitated in an approved
school.
He said in meting out the sentence on a
person, the court must strike a balance
that serves public interest and deters the
re-commissioning of the crime as well as
rehabilitating the person.
Lim said the court is convinced that the
teenager fell astray but he is now filled
with remorse and shame of what he did,
adding that the teenager’s father had
admitted that his son showed a change of
attitude for the better.
He said the teenager now spends more
time at home focusing on his studies and
Sept 25 for
verdict in
govt’s appeal
to reinstate
ban on book
PUTRajaYa: The Court of appeal has fixed
Sept 25, to give its verdict in the appeal by
the Home Minister and the Malaysian gov-
ernment to reinstate its order to ban the
book “Gay is Okay” a Christian Perspec-
tive”.
Lawyer Michael Cheah Ern Tien repre-
senting publisher Chong Ton Sin and
author Ngeo Boon Lin TOLD Bernama that
the court’s decision would be delivered on
that day in open court.
a case management of the appeal was
conducted Thursday before Court of
appeal deputy registrar Mariam Hasanah
Othman who later fixed the decision date.
On May 18, the Court of appeal’s three-
member bench comprising justices Datuk
azizah Nawawi, Datuk M.Gunalan and
Datuk Wong Kian Kheong deferred their
decision in the appeal after hearing sub-
missions from parties in the appeal.
The Home Minister and the govern-
ment filed the appeal to the Court of
appeal seeking to reinstate the ban which
was lifted by the High Court on Feb 22,
2022.
High Court judge Datuk Noorin
Badaruddin had allowed Chong and
Ngeo’s judicial review to quash the prohi-
bition order issued by the Home Minister.
On Feb 17, 2021, the duo filed the judi-
cial review claiming that the ban on the
book was irrational and disproportionate
as no untoward incidents were triggered
by the book since its publication over
seven years ago.— Bernama
detected, Helmi explained that acetamin-
ophen or another chemical name called
paracetamol is a type of analgesic taken to
relieve pain such as fever or headache.
On trial were Barry jipmon, 30, Mohd
Dzulfikri Mohd Safri, 28, Farizan Mokri, 40,
Mohd Saiful Saidin, 34, amran Yasik, 25, ab
Mutalib @ Talib abd Rasul, 40, Zerry
Maidin, 33, Tomy Momoh, 36, Shahryll
Nazry Wan Sofian, 25, and Muhammad
Fazi Lakui, 32.
They were all jointly accused of mur-
dering Shainal, 36, in cell number 11, Gemi-
lang Block, at the Kota Kinabalu Central
Prison, jalan Kepayan near here at 4.20pm,
between Oct 2 and Oct 4, 2019.
The 10 accused had on aug 24, 2020
claimed trial to the charge under Section
302 of the Penal Code carries a death
penalty, on conviction.
Earlier, Helmi testified that on Oct 17,
2019, he received a toxicology analysis
application from aSP Riduan in which he
received an envelope containing four
plastic packets each with specimen such as
less time on his mobile phone and also
watches animated shows to avoid the urge
to surf pornography websites.
Meanwhile, justice Hadhariah advised
the teenager to take the court’s decision as
a lesson and warning for him not to repeat
the offence or else he would not have a sec-
ond chance.
“if you commit the offence again, the
law will take its course. if the sexual
offence is under the Penal Code, then the
sentence under that provision will apply,”
she said.
justice Hadhariah also said it was the
responsibility of the welfare officers to
decide what type of community service to
give to the teenager.
She also directed the prosecution to
serve the court’s order to the welfare offi-
cers for it to be enforced on the teenager
and asked the prosecution to report back
to the court to ensure that the order is car-
ried out by the officers.
The boy was 15 years old at the time he
committed the offences on his friends and
his younger sister.
He was charged at the Sepang Magis-
trate’s Court, sitting as a Court for Chil-
dren, on two counts of physical sexual
assault and another charge of carnal
intercourse against the order of nature.
He was also charged at the Petaling jaya
Magistrate’s Court, sitting as a Court of
Children, on one count of physical sexual
assault.
On Sept 23, 2020, the Sepang Magis-
trate’s Court ordered the teenager to be
placed in Henry Gurney School for three
years while the Petaling jaya Magistrate’s
Court made the same order on Feb 4, 2021
after he pleaded guilty to all the charges.
His appeal against the order was dis-
missed by the High Court on Nov 5, 2021,
prompting him to appeal to the Court of
appeal.
Lawyer Mohd Khairul azam abdul aziz
appeared for the teenager while deputy
public prosecutor Ng Siew Wee appeared
for the prosecution.— Bernama
Muhamad Ifamri (centre) taken to court yesterday.
Ex-judge, cop charged with
accepting RM4,000 bribe
iPOH: — a former judge and a policeman
were charged at the Sessions Court here
Thursday with soliciting and accepting
bribes of RM4,000 to release a man from a
khalwat case in 2019.
Former Syariah Court judge Burhanud-
din ismi adam, 43, and Lance Corporal
Muhamad Hamri ayob, 34, however,
pleaded not guilty after the charges were
read out separately before judge ahmad
Kamar jamaludin.
Muhamad Hamri was charged with
soliciting on behalf of Burhanuddin ismi
a RM4,000 bribe from Muhammad afiq
abd Majid, 39, as an inducement for the
former judge to drop the khalwat case
against the man.
The offence was allegedly committed at
a KFC restaurant, Lot PT217643, jalan Kuala
Kangsar, Taman Tasek Mutiara, here at
about 5.30 pm on Sept 10, 2019.
The charge was framed under Section
28(1)(c) of the Malaysian anti-Corruption
Commission (MaCC) act 2009, read
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
blood, urine, and stomach contents
belonging to Shainal.
Helmi said he carried out an analysis on
Oct 19, 2019 of the alcohol content, com-
mon drugs and common pests.
He testified that he prepared the report
on jan 16, 2020.
When asked why he prepared a rather
long report on jan 16, 2020 while he con-
ducted the analysis on Oct 18, 2019, Helmi
explained that on Oct 18, 2019, only the
description process was carried out and
thereafter, each analysis was carried out in
stages and for each specimen carried out,
the analysis had to follow the sequence
with other cases which he received at the
Toxicology Section.
The witness said after completing the
report he submitted the report to aSP Rid-
uan on Feb 10, 2020 at 2.30pm along with
the exhibits.
Suit by 12
S’wakians declare
MA63 null and
void dismissed
KUCHiNG: The High Court here has struck
out a civil suit brought by 12 Sarawakians
which sought to declare the Malaysia
agreement 1963 as null and void.
Delivering his judgment thursday, jus-
tice alexander Siew How Wai said the suit
filed by the plaintiffs, who were repre-
sented by lead counsel Voon Lee Shan, was
unsustainable.
“The plaintiffs have no locus standi in
respect of the issues raised in the Malaysia
agreement 1963. in so far that these issues
concerned Sarawak, the Government of
Sarawak has requisite locus standi,” he
said.
according to him, the Federal Constitu-
tion being the supreme law of this nation
had stipulated Sabah and Sarawak as part
of Malaysia, and the two regions could not
be ceased from being part of the federa-
tion without the necessary amendments to
the constitution, which require two-thirds
majority support in Parliament.
“This court cannot disregard or rewrite
the Federal Constitution, which the court
will be guilty of doing if the court was to
grant the declaration that is being sought
in this suit,” he said.
The court also ordered the plaintiffs to
pay RM10,000 in costs to the federal and
Sarawak governments, which they had
named as defendants in the suit.
Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhas-
san appeared as the lead counsel for the
federal government while Sarawak State
Legal Counsel Datuk Seri j C Fong led the
state government team.
Dorus Katan juman @ Theodorus
Katan, Hugh Lawrence Zehnder, Xavier
Ginafah Sidop, jemain Uji, Belayong Nyan-
dang, Kalai Sibok, Yu Chin Liik, Chieng
Kung Chiew, Changieng Mapang, ahmad
awang ali, alim @ Giovanni adlim Mideh
and Nor Nyawai filed the suit in November
2011. — Bernama
together with Section 16(a)(B) and pun-
ishable under Section 24(1) of the same
law, which carries an imprisonment of not
exceeding 20 years and a fine of not less
than five times the gratification amount or
RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Meanwhile, Burhanuddin ismi was
charged with accepting RM4,000 in bribes
from Muhammad afiq as an inducement
to drop the latter’s khalwat case.
The offence was allegedly committed at
Restoran Tomyam ayam Bakar Ummi, No.
52, jalan Chemor Saujana 1, Desa Chemor
Saujana here at about 11.30 pm on the
same day.
The charge, framed under Section
16(a)(B) of the MaCC act 2009, is punish-
able under Section 24(1) of the same act.
Deputy public prosecutor Maziyah
Mansor prosecuted while both the accused
were unrepresented.
The court fixed bail at RM10,000 with
one surety each and set june 19 for men-
tion. — Bernama
Meanwhile, during cross-examination
by counsel Dominic Chew, the witness dis-
agreed with his suggestion that it was not
an accurate toxicology content of Shainal’s
body at the time of death when his biolog-
ical samples were only given to him (the
witness) 13 days later after the death
occurred on Oct 4, 2019.
However, during re-examination by the
prosecution, the witness explained that he
disagreed based on the results of the
analysis he conducted and stated the accu-
racy of the results of the analysis con-
ducted was almost 95 per cent.
“This is because the analysis i con-
ducted involves qualitative and quantita-
tive analysis, but the accuracy is also
affected by the length of time the sample
was taken and the time the analysis was
carried out,” said the witness.
To another suggestion by Chew during
cross-examination, Helmi agreed with the
counsel that he has no knowledge of how
the samples were kept before they were
handed to him.
Datuk Roy arriving in court yesterday. (inset) Mohd Rasyidi
MACC officer, Datuk deny
receiving RM640,000 bribe
KUaLa LUMPUR: a Malaysian anti-Corrup-
tion Commission (MaCC) officer and a
businessman known as ‘Datuk Roy’ were
charged in the Sessions Court here thurs-
daywith two counts of soliciting and
receiving bribes totalling RM640,000 as an
inducement to ensure former Prime Minis-
ter Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s son was not
remanded by the graft-busting body.
Mohd Rasyidi Mohd Said, 43, and Datuk
Roy, or real name Mohd Hussein Mohd
Nasir, 54, pleaded not guilty to the charges
before judge azura alwi.
They were jointly charged with cor-
ruptly asking bribes amounting to
RM400,000 from Siti Dalena Berhan, 47, as
an inducement not to remand Datuk
Fakhri Yassin Mahiaddin during MaCC’s
investigation.
The offence was allegedly committed at
a restaurant in Bangsar, here, between 9
pm and 11 pm on March 5.
The two accused are also accused of
accepting bribes amounting to RM240,000
from Syed Farid Syed al attas, 41, as an
inducement not to remand the same indi-
vidual during the MaCC investigation.
That offence was allegedly committed
at a fast food outlet in Desa Sri Hartamas
here between 2 pm and 4 pm on March 6.
They were charged under Section 16 (a)
(a) of the MaCC act 2009, punishable
under Section 24 of the same act, which
carries up to 20 years’ jail and a fine of not
Labourer denies causing accidental
death, having shotgun, bullets
KOTa BHaRU: a labourer was charged in
the Sessions Court here Thursady on two
counts of causing accidental death and
possessing a shotgun with live bullets on
May 12.
Nik Nazil Nik Mohd Mustapha, 39, how-
ever, pleaded not guilty after the charges
were read before judge Mohd Zul Zak-
iqudin Zulkifli.
according to the first charge, Nik Nazll
was charged with negligence which
caused the death of his cousin, Mohamad
Hasmizi Zudin Che Hasmi, 26, at Kompart-
ment 42, Ulu Sat Permanent Forest
Reserve, Machang between 2 am and 3 am
on May 12.
The offence was framed under Section
304a of the Penal Code, which carries two
Couple charged with causing injuries to kids
KUaNTaN: a married couple pleaded not
guilty at the Sessions Court here Thursday
to two counts of causing injuries to their
two children early this year.
The 29-year-old stepfather to the chil-
dren and their biological mother, 28,
claimed trial when the charges against
them were read before judge Mohammed
Mokhzani Mokhtar.
The duo were charged with ill-treating
a six-year-old boy and his five-year-old sis-
ter under their care, which caused them to
suffer physical injuries at a house in Pan-
dan Damai Bukit Rangin here last january.
The charges were framed under Section
Local 5
Counsel: if you have no knowledge of
how Shainal’s body was preserved before
post mortem was conducted and no
knowledge of how the sample was kept by
aSP Riduan before being sent to you,
therefore, agree with me, it is not an accu-
rate toxicology content in Shainal’s body
at the time of death.
Witness: Correct.
Counsel: any form of poisoning in
Shainal’s body would have diminished or
dissolved by the time you conducted the
analysis after 13 days, am i correct?
Witness: Yes.
Director of Prosecution Sabah Muham-
mad ilmami ahmad together with Deputy
Public Prosecutors Rustam Sanip,
Nur Faezah jafry and Mas izzaty Lokman
appeared for the prosecution.
Counsel Pj Perira, Dominic Chew and
ariel Dasan representing Dzulfikri,
Farizan, Saiful, Mutalib and Zerry while
counsel Hairul Vaiyron Othman defending
Barry, amran, Tommy, Shahryll and Fazi.
Trial adjourned to june 20-22.
less than five times the amount of the bribe
or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon
conviction.
Meanwhile, before judge Suzana
Hussin, Mohd Hussien pleaded not guilty
to another charge of soliciting a RM2 mil-
lion bribe from Siti Dalena and Syed Farid.
The bribe allegedly sought was an
inducement to change the corruption
charges faced by adam Radlan adam
Muhammad to a lighter one, change his
statement to one given as a witness and
lower his bail amount.
The offence was allegedly committed at
a premises in Kampung Melayu Kepong,
here in February, according to Section 16
(a) (a) of the MaCC act 2009.
Bail for Mohd Hussein was set at
RM15,000 with one surety for all three
charges and Mohd Rasyidi at RM10,000
with one surety with the additional condi-
tion that their passports be impounded.
They are to also report to the MaCC
office pending the disposal of the case.
The court fixed july 7 for mention.
Earlier, the court allowed an application
by MaCC prosecuting officer T armugom
for Mohd Hussein’s case to be tried jointly
with the other bribery charges he was fac-
ing.
Deputy public prosecutors Datuk Wan
Shaharuddin Wan Ladin dan Nor Diana
Nor azwa were also part of the prosecution
team. — Bernama
years jail or fine or both, upon conviction.
On the second count, he was charged
with possessing a shotgun and four live
bullets at the foot of the hill behind the
Forestry Department nursery office in
Bukit Batu Tapong, Machang at about 1 pm
on the same date.
The charge was framed under Section 8
of the Firearms (increased Penalties) act
1971), which carries a jail term of up to 14
years or whipping not less than six times,
upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Nurul
Hanini Wan ahmad Shukry prosecuted
while the accused was unrepresented.
Wan Nurul Hanini did not offer any
bail and fixed june 25, for mention. —
Bernama
31(1)(a) of the Child act 2001, read
together with Section 34 of the Penal Code,
which carries a fine of up to RM20,000 or
up to 10 years in prison, or both, if con-
victed.
The offenders can also be placed on a
good behaviour bond and ordered to per-
form community service of not more than
240 hours.
Mohammed Mokhzani fixed bail at
RM12,000 with one surety each and
allowed the additional conditions applied
by the prosecution.
The court set july 4 for mention. —
Bernama
 6 Local
Building a power plant must: Exec
Nikko Fabian
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Sabah Oil & Gas Develop-
ment Corporation Sdn Bhd (SOGDC) Chief
Executive Officer Datuk Harun bin ismail
said action is needed to address the current
power and water shortage predicaments of
Sabah.
“What the government and Sabah Elec-
tricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) should do is focus on
implementation of projects and not further
studies to address the impending problems
which is affecting the local economy and
consumers,” Harun said.
The managing director reiterated that
the time has come for all parties concerned
to come out with a firm decision and imple-
ment it with no further delays.
Harun stressed political will is also vital
to once and for all to overcome the so call
crisis from the parties concerned.
at the same time, he advised consumers
to put pressure to the relevant authorities
to speed up implementation of power
Reviving and protecting
indigenous species: Jeffrey
KOTa KiNaBaLU: The Seed’s Spiritual
Revival (SSR) programme demonstrates
Sabah’s dedication to maintaining its
diverse biodiversity.
Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Seri Dr
jeffrey Kitingan said the programme rep-
resents a new beginning in Sabah’s conser-
vation efforts, recognising and protecting
its status as a worldwide biodiversity
hotspot.
“The programme was launched in 2021
and despite MCO due to the Covid-19 pan-
demic at the time, we were able to gather
indigenous seeds,” he said at the launch-
ing of the programme in conjunction with
the State Level Kaamatan Festival and
international Biodiversity Day 2023 on
Monday.
He thanked the support of local com-
munities and virtual representatives from
the Food and agriculture Organisation
(FaO), the programme has received inter-
national recognition from the United
Nations for its efforts to collect and prop-
agate indigenous seeds.
jeffrey said, while Sabah is home to
approximately 15,000 plant species,
decades of overreliance on forest resources
for socio-economic development have
resulted in significant ecosystem changes,
resulting in the loss of valuable biological
assets, including endangered indigenous
plants.
“We are also witnessing the emergence
of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs), which are increasingly replacing
native plants. These indigenous plants
have been crucial to human survival for
generations, and their decline is cause for
Bernama, Qatar News Agency
to continue strengthening ties
KUaLa LUMPUR: The Director General of
the Qatar News agency (QNa) HE ahmad
Saeed j al-Romaihi held talks with
Bernama on Thursday to strengthen the
ongoing relationship between the two
agencies.
He met with Bernama’s CEO Encik
Roslan ariffin and other senior officials on
ways to strengthen the ongoing coopera-
tion between the two agencies.
ahmad alromahi was accompanied by
jassim alhamadi, advisor to the DG and
Khalid almotawaa, director of information
technology.
Roslan said the visit from QNa signified
the friendship that had been established,
as well as to strengthen the ongoing coop-
eration between the two agencies.
He said the media played an important
role in establishing and maintaining diplo-
matic relations between the two countries,
in addition to promoting business rela-
tions and economic cooperation between
the two countries.
Bernama and QNa can play a role in fur-
ther strengthening community-related
activities, knowledge development and fos-
RM11.2b unclaimed
money as of April 30
KUaLa LUMPUR: a total of RM11.2 billion
of unclaimed money is under the manage-
ment of the accountant-General’s Depart-
ment (jaNM) as of april 30, the Dewan
Rakyat was told.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri
ahmad Maslan said over 70 per cent of the
unclaimed money was from bank
accounts which had been inactive for
seven years or more.
“as of yesterday, we have refunded
RM3.3 billion to the people who made
claims,” he said. He was responding to a
question from Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit
Bintang), who wanted to know the
amount of accumulated unclaimed
money as of March 31 and the plans to
utilise the funds for national develop-
ment. Elaborating, ahmad said some
RM10 billion of the unclaimed money had
been kept in fixed deposits and generated
a return of RM250 million a year for the
past 10 years. Bernama
development projects statewide for obvi-
ous reason.
“Our present reserve margin in terms of
power is now below 15 per cent …it’s not
healthy,” the CEO told reporters.
He insisted that Sabah does not have
much option but to push with the construc-
tion of a power plant to boost and secure
the increasing power demands.
Other sources of electricity are not
workable and viable for Sabah in many
aspects especially in terms of funding, he
added.
He also believed that adopting a pro-
investment attitude would eventually bring
more advantages and benefits to Sabah in
the long run.
Touching on the upcoming 10th Sabah
Oil,Gas & Energy Conference & Exhibition
(10th SOGCE’23), Harun said the event
would be held from june 8-9 at the Sabah
international Convention Centre (SiCC).
He said SOGCE is aimed at providing an
concern,” he said.
To address this issue, jeffrey said the SSR
programme is focused on reviving indige-
nous species by resurrecting them.
“Our community’s commitment to this
cause is embodied in our selection of
seven tree types from each district, sym-
bolising the unity of seven souls, a central
theme of the Kaamatan Festival,” he said
adding that the Department of agricul-
ture, which is under his Ministry of agri-
culture, Fisheries and Food industry,
would be the programme’s next custo-
dian.
jeffrey said the programme has
amassed a collection of 106 indigenous
plant seeds since its inception, including
45 types of fruit, 42 herbs, and 19 local rice
variants.
He stressed the importance of addi-
tional research and documenting of
indigenous plants and seeds and encour-
aged the creation of a comprehensive
database for future reference.
“all seeds collected in their natural
habitats must be reported to the Sabah
Biodiversity Centre. Traditional uses of
plants, such medicinal herbs, must also be
documented in order to preserve the
knowledge for future generations.
“all intellectual property rights, includ-
ing those relating to seeds and plants, are
protected under the international Treaty
on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
agriculture so as to ensure that any
exploitation of genetic resources is consis-
tent with the international Convention on
Biodiversity under the United Nations,” he
said.
Roslan (left) posing with Ahmad Saeed.
tering better ties between the two countries
by exchanging news and photos, he added.
Through Uxera, a wholly-owned sub-
sidiary of Bernama, it has supplied a news
production system that uses the latest tech-
nologies to QNa in 2019. With the support
of the sophisticated system, both agencies
are able to exchange news and information
in various formats in real-time. – Bernama
JAINJ to probe sex party set for June 20
jOHOR BaRU: The johor State islamic
Religious Department (jaiNj) has been
instructed to take immediate action on
the organisation of a sex orgy party,
called Gang Bang jB Party, which has been
making its rounds online and is sched-
uled to take place next month.
johor islamic Religious affairs Com-
mittee Chairman Mohd Fared Mohd
Khalid said the state government con-
demns the organsation of the event that
openly invites people to commit immoral
acts.
He warned individuals and groups to
refrain from using the state for such car-
nal activities.
“inviting people to commit such
obscene acts is immoral. i have instructed
jaiNj to investigate and take immediate
action.
“i am giving a warning! For God’s sake,
i will not allow it to happen in johor,” said
Mohd Fared in a posting on his official
Facebook page.
His warning came in response to a sex
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
Harun (left) and Dolly at the press confer-
ence.
industry platform for oil, gas and energy
companies to meet and discuss pivotal
industry issues to help grow and explore
opportunities in the Sabah oil, gas and
energy industry.
“SOGCE provides a one-stop centre for
supplier of technologies, especially in the
oil, gas and energy industry together with
policy makers to discuss the challenges and
solutions, charging the way forward in the
promotion of the oil, gas and energy indus-
try in Sabah,” he added.
The finalists: (From left) Ryenald, Mohd Sabran, Chrispine, Presly, Rick Wen, Donovond, Michelle, Monicca, Eleliah and Terence.
10 finalists vying for State Sugandoi title
Ricardo Unto
PENaMPaNG: The stage is set for the final
round of the State Sugandoi Kaamatan
2023 competition.
after an intense two-day elimination
phase, 10 contestants made it to the
final stage, outdoing 40 other contest-
ants from all over Sabah and KDCa
branches.
The finals will be held at the Hongkod
Koisaan KDCa Hall, here, from 7pm
onwards, tomorrow (Saturday).
The finalists are Presly Petrus, who rep-
resents KDCa Sarawak, Ryenald Cornellius
Guntabid (api-api), Michelle jill Richard
(Likas), Rick Wen Majanggong @ Rick
Charles (Kudat), Monicca Majilis
(Nabawan), Eleliah Bianus (Tambunan),
The car in the monsoon drain.
Woman hurt
in KK crash
Jimmy Goh
KOTa KiNaBaLU: a woman in her 20s sus-
tained slight injuries after crashing her
Perodua Bezza into a drain along the Old
Papar Highway towards Donggongon,
here, Thursday.
The woman was believed to have lost
control of her car in the 11pm accident.
She was taken to hospital by civilians.
Penampang police were also at the
scene to investigate.
orgy party following the distribution of
invitation cards for the event called, Gang
Bang jB Party, which is scheduled to take
place between 4pm and 9pm on june 20.
Checks showed that exclusive event
was said to be open to all races and par-
ticipants are required to be free from dis-
ease and drugs. The organisers also listed
that pictures or video recordings were
prohibited.
Commenting further, Mohd Fared also
requested the public’s cooperation to
prevent such immoral activities.
He called on the public to assist in pre-
venting and stopping the immoral pro-
gramme.
in December last year, jaiNj managed
to stop the organisation of a “by invita-
tion only” foam party that featured semi-
nude participants.
The event, disseminated via social
media, was to be held at the swimming
pool of a hotel here, but was later called
off after complaints and a police probe. -
MM
On updates on the Sabah Oil and Gas
industrial Park (SOGiP), Harun said SOGiP
had attracted few domestic and foreign
investors.
according to him, the most prominent
is Esteel, a green steel project estimated at
RM19.65 billion and will create more than
10,000 job opportunities during the con-
struction phase and more than 3,000
employments once operational.
“an integrated Schedule Waste Manage-
ment is another new investment in SOGiP
estimated at RM1.1 billion and dubbed as
the first of its kind in Sabah…There will also
be a Liquified Natiral Gas Nearshore plant
located in SOGiP to be developed by
Petronas,” he stressed.
“i foresee SOGiP will play a prominent
role on the marina business in Sabah and
looking to develop a township on Sipitang
to support these developments,” Harun
concluded, adding SOGiP had the potential
to spruce the economy of Sabah both by
Chrispine joseph (Luyang), Terence
asangki (KDCa Putrajaya), Donovond
andreey Damainus (Kuala Penyu), and
Mohd Sabran andrew (Ranau).
at the finals, they are required to sing
two songs of different genres, and they
have to wear traditional ethnic costumes
of the district that they represent.
among the vital judging criteria are
vocals (50 per cent), tempo (20 per cent)
and performance (30 per cent).
The winner will bring home RM6,000
and a trophy, while the second and third-
place winners will receive RM4,000 and
RM3,000, respectively.
Finals for two other categories –
Songkotoun (veteran) and Dazanak (chil-
dren), will also be held tomorrow.
Boy dies in S’kan croc attack
Winnie Kasmir
SaNDaKaN: a 12-year-old boy who died
after a crocodile attack was found at Pulau
Sumangat Payau on Tuesday.
according to Sandakan Fire and Rescue
Station Head, PKPgB Severinus Sainkui, his
team rushed to the scene of the incident
after receiving an emergency call at
8.25am on May 23.
Police and the Malaysian Maritime
Enforcement agency (MMEa) were also
involved in the search and rescue operation.
The victim, who has not yet been iden-
tified, was found by the MMEa at 10.38 am
about one mile from where he was
attacked.
Consider effects of withdrawing
‘Allah’ appeal, says Johor Sultan
KUaLa LUMPUR: The federal government
needs to carefully consider the effects of
its decision to withdraw its appeal against
a High Court ruling which allows non-
Muslims to use the word allah.
Sultan of johor Sultan ibrahim Sultan
iskandar said this is because it was an issue
that was sensitive to Muslims in the coun-
try.
“The rules, control, enforcement and
coordination on the word ‘allah’ must be
detailed without affecting the states’ fatwa
and enactments so that the unity and har-
mony of the community will continue to
be preserved,” said Sultan ibrahim in a
statement.
He said in johor, the fatwa gazetted on
june 4, 2009 clearly states that the use of
the word ‘allah’ by non Muslims was not
allowed.
“johor also has the ‘Enakmen Kawalan
dan Sekatan Pengembangan agama-
agama Bukan islam 1991’ which prohib-
Allegedly killing pregnant girlfriend: Man held
PETaLiNG jaYa: a 20-year-old man has
been arrested for allegedly killing his
pregnant girlfriend and burning her
corpse twice at an oil palm plantation in
Sungai Besar, Selangor.
Sabak Bernam police chief agus Salim
alias said the suspect allegedly stabbed
the victim before he disembowelled her
and burned the corpse during the incident
on Monday, according to Sinar Harian.
a day later, the suspect returned to the
crime scene at 7am to set the corpse on fire
again. agus said the suspect was believed
to have brought the victim to the planta-
investment attraction and job creation.
Meanwhile, SOGCE Organising Chair-
man Dolly jimayol said this year’s event
theme is “Energy security and sustainability
in oil, gas and energy industry in Sabah”.
“This is a 2-day event featuring confer-
ence and Exhibition. The conference pres-
ents high impactful papers and plenary
sessions by experts in the industry…We
have a total of 35 speakers including mod-
erators,” she said.
Dolly added the much awaited event
would be graced by Chief Minister Datuk
Seri Hajiji Noor and entrance is free.
She said supporting organisations
include Malaysia Oil, Gas & Energy Service
Council, Energy industries Council,
Malaysia OSV Owner’s association, Sabah
Tourism Board, institute of Materials
Malaysia, Labuan Chamber of Commerce,
Talent Corp Group of Companies, Malaysia
investment Development authority, and
Sabah Oil and Gas Services Council.
Both winners of the Songkotoun and
Dazanak categories will win RM1,500 each,
and the first runner-up will receive
RM1,000, and the third-place winner will
bring home RM800.
Sugandoi Kaamatan is one of the high-
lights of the State Kaamatan Festival cele-
bration, aside from the Unduk Ngadau
Kaamatan pageant.
The anticipated annual singing compe-
tition has produced a big pool of talents
from the Kadazan Dusun Murut commu-
nities in the State since its inception in
1987.
For the record, Tambunan recorded the
most number of winners for the State-level
competition, with 12 – the latest being last
year’s winner, Lyron Felix.
SAR team members examining the boy.
The remains of victim was handed to
the police for further action. The operation
ended at 12:40pm.
ited the use of the words that are exclusive
for Muslims and are not allowed to be
used by non Muslims except in the situa-
tions and practices that are allowed under
the law, such as in the lyrics of ‘Lagu
Bangsa johor’.
“i would like to reiterate my stand that
the publication, printing, broadcast and
distribution of any materials that confuses
the people, especially Muslims, will not be
allowed in johor, in line with the position
of islam in the johor Constitution 1895,”
said Sultan ibrahim.
On March 21, 2021, Court of appeal
judge Datuk Nor Bee ariffin, sitting as a
High Court judge, made the ruling,
which allows non-Muslims to use the
word allah and three other words,
namely kaabah, solat and baitullah, for
teaching purposes after a 13-year legal
battle between the government and jill
ireland, a Christian woman from
Sarawak. - NST
tion in a car around 10pm on Monday.
He added the suspect was believed to
have lost his temper after she refused to
keep her pregnancy a secret. agus said a
member of the public had discovered the
burnt corpse and contacted the police.
The suspect was then arrested at his family
home in Sungai Besar at 1.45pm.
“The suspect does not have a criminal
record and has been remanded for six
days to assist in the investigation,” he said.
The victim’s body, which was 60 per
cent burnt, has been sent to the Sungai
Buloh Hospital for an autopsy. - FMT

Jeffrey and the committee members in a group photo with the winners and participants of the competition.
‘Protect mother tongue
via story-telling’ call
Johan Aziz
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Deputy Chief Minister,
Datuk Seri Dr jeffrey Kitingan, called the
people of Sabah, especially the Kadazan-
Dusun, Murut and Rungus (KDMR) com-
munity, to maintain and preserve their
mother tongue through storytelling.
“We have heard of meaningful stories
from our ancestors … now that our elders
are gone, we need to continue this
legacy,” he said.
The State government’s support is not
only towards the KDMR community but
also all ethnic groups in Sabah who have
similar rights to maintain, teach and pre-
serve their languages.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of
the State-level Kaamatan Festival final
Manangon and Monusuyan competition
held at Hongkod Koisaan Penampang,
here, he said the more languages people
Kaamatan
held at
Taginambur
Hall in
Kota Belud
KOTa BELUD: Entrepreneur Develop-
ment and Cooperative Minister, Datuk
Ewon Benedick, said development in
Kadamaian will continue to be given
attention.
Ewon said the 2020-2035 Kadamaian
Development Master Plan which has
already become a government document
will be a guide to all ministries, agencies
and government departments to bring
about faster development in the area.
The plan includes his vision to
develop Kadamaian based on two main
economic sectors namely agriculture and
tourism – the provision or upgrading of
basic infrastructure facilities and the
field of entrepreneurship.
“The Kaamatan Festival in Kota Belud,
was held for the first time at the Kadama-
ian Square Taginambur Hall since it was
completed a few years ago.
“We will continue our efforts to
upgrade the existing facilities in Kadama-
ian and Kota Belud for the comfort of the
people,” he said, when officiating at the
Rainbow watches: Swatch to take legal action
PETaLiNG jaYa: Swatch Group will take
legal action to recover the confiscated rain-
bow-themed watches that were seized by
the Home Ministry during a series of raids
on May 13 and 14.
its chief executive Nick Hayek told Swiss
newspaper Tages-anzeiger of the com-
pany’s intention for legal action stating his
disappointment over the confiscation of the
watches designed to celebrate the Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
rights.
“We strongly contest that our collection
of watches using rainbow colours and hav-
ing a message of peace and love could be
harmful for whomever,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has yet to
comment on the matter. The watches,
themed the “Pride Collection”, were created
to honour the pride movement and its mes-
sage of equality and diversity.
Meanwhile, several Malaysians have
expressed shock that enforcement officers
from the Home affairs Ministry raided
Swatch stores in the Klang Valley on May 13
and 14, and seized its “Pride Collection” of
rainbow-coloured watches after a com-
plaint alleging they are associated with the
LGBTQia+ community supported by British
music band Coldplay.
Cecilia Chen, 25, said: “This is ridiculous.
What’s next? are the authorities going to
ban us from wearing rainbow-coloured
dresses?” She questioned if the ministry was
aware of the matter.
another individual, who asked to be
addressed only as Nurul, 24, said: “i think all
Malaysians are aware that as a Muslim-
majority country, Malaysia does not con-
done the community.
That’s fine, but isn’t seizing watches
going a little too far? it seems like every lit-
tle thing can cause a ripple effect among
know, the more knowledge they gain.
jeffrey said Sanah’s uniqueness is not
only in its cultural diversity but also its
language that attracts tourists.
On the competition, he said the
involvement of school students enabled
them to learn “manangon” or story-
telling and the meaning of “tangon-tan-
gon”.
jeffrey said “melentur buluh biarlah
dari rebungnya”, which means it is better
to teach the ethnic language from young
so the mother tongue can continue to
flourish.
jeffrey, who is also Chairman of the
State-level Kaamatan Celebration Main
Committee, said it was imperative to pass
on the language and knowledge to
today's and future generations.
He also encouraged the participation
of all walks of life in the State events and
The festival in Kota Belud was held for the first time
at the Kadamaian Square Taginambur Hall.
district-level Kaamatan celebration at
Dewan Kadamaian Square, recently.
The construction of Dewan Kadamaian
Square was part of Ewon's efforts since
becoming Kadamaian assemblyman in
2018.
Ewon, who is also a Penampang Mem-
ber of Parliament, said Kaamatan is one
of the best platforms to strengthen the
unity of the people of various races,
nations and religions in the State.
“This is because the Kaamatan celebra-
enforcement officers. Shouldn’t they be
taught to think first before acting?
“also, Swatch is an international brand.
What kind of impression is the country giv-
ing to our international investors and busi-
ness community if this is the way our
authorities behave?” she said.
Lawyer Kokila Vaani Vadiveloo said
Malaysia has conservative social and legal
norms regarding LGBTQia+ rights. addi-
tionally, public display of support for the
community may face a backlash and contro-
versy.
in response to the raiding of Swatch
stores under the Printing Presses and Publi-
cations act 1984, she said the act grants the
government extensive powers to control
and restrict publications deemed to be
against public order, morality, or national
security.
“The act primarily regulates the print-
ing, publication and distribution of printed
material. However, given the conservative
stance on LGBTQia+ rights, it can be said
authorities may interpret the law to restrict
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
activities during the Kaamatan Festival.
anora Soletin emerged champion in
the Level 1 category and brought home
RM1,000 cash prize, trophy, certificate
and a bouquet of flowers while second
and third placings were won by Noel
Nathan Marcelius and Videlvie Handry,
who brought home the RM800 and
RM500 cash prizes, trophy, certificates
and bouquet of flowers
Meanwhile, audreyclaire Whtiney
Handro emerged champion in the Level
2 category and received RM1,000 cash
prizes, trophy, certificates and a bouquet
of flowers.
Second and third placings went to
juleegna Daved and Edward Kubot, who
received RM800 and RM500 cash prizes,
trophy, certificates and bouquet of flow-
ers, respectively.
The prizes were presented by jeffrey.
tion is not only attended by the Kadazan-
dusun Murut community, but also other
ethnic communities.
“in addition, Pesta Kamaatan also
gives space to small traders to sell and
promote their products,” Ewon said.
also present were Kota Belud Member
of Parliament isnaraissah Munirah
Majilis, Kota Belud District Officer and
Chairman of the Kaamatan Festival Main
Committee, Haji Bakri Haji Nanun and
community leaders.
Home Ministry
officers are
pictured with
seized Swatch
watches at
Southkey mall
in Johor. (Pic:
Swatch via
Malay Mail)
or seize materials.”
She added that it is important to con-
sider the broader context and societal atti-
tudes towards LGBTQia+ symbolism.
“Wearing a rainbow-coloured shirt or
any item of clothing with such colours is not
explicitly against the law. However, society
can be hostile to public expressions of sup-
port. The authorities also may view such dis-
plays of colours as condoning such causes,
which may have resulted in their scrutiny or
other unfavourable outcomes,” she said.
Meanwhile, the company’s marketing
manager Sarah Kok said a total of 164
watches from the collection had been con-
fiscated.
“Our legal department is still checking
on the case so (as of now), we are unable to
proceed with the appeal for the confiscated
watches to be returned.
“if we get back our watches, we will wait
for further instructions from our headquar-
ters in Switzerland on whether we will con-
tinue to sell the collection or withdraw it
from the market,” she said. – The Sun
Local 7
The company’s worker got into this drain in Taman Setia to clean it properly.
City Hall clears
drains around
Likas homes
% CiTY Hall has cleared the
drain behind some homes in
Taman Likas jaya in a bid to
mitigate the nuisance cre-
ated by water stagnating
inside this structure.
a spokesman for the
agency’s Landscaping
Department said the back-
yard drains at residential
properties within its rating
area – including the one located off
Lorong Burung Kenari 2 – were cleared
biannually.
He said the grass on the reserves, on
the other hand, was cut on a monthly
basis.
“Nevertheless, in light of the home-
owner’s complaint, our Landscaping
staff went to Taman Likas jaya even
before they were due to do so,” he said.
He said a check of its records revealed
that the backyard drain in this part of
the neighbourhood had been dealt with
three times already this year on February
14, May 2 and May 12.
The most recent maintenance effort
was carried out in stages over a three-day
period by 12 personnel from City Hall’s
Drain Unit, according to the spokesman.
“Our workers used ‘cangkuls (hoes)’
Landscaping workers put their back
to dredge up the layers of sediment
into cleaning the drain behind
which had settled at the base of the
Lorong Burung Kenari 2.
drain.
“The weeds which had formed inside at night, which made it difficult for her
and unkempt greenery on the shoulders to get a restful sleep.
of the structure were cut with the “Even the scent from the joss sticks
‘parangs (machetes)’ they had on hand.” which i burn doesn’t help in easing this
The spokesman said the agency’s staff nuisance.
had been asked to check on the condi- “Me and my neighbours fear the neg-
tion of the drain, from time to time, to ative impact on our health from con-
ensure that the nuisance did not recur. stantly inhaling the unsettling fumes
This action was prompted by feed- given off by the water inside the drains.”
back from a Taman Likas jaya rate-payer This homeowner was not the only
about the stink coming from the direc- rate-payer who was unhappy about the
tion of the drains at the back and in front poor condition of the road-side drains in
of her house. Likas.
She suspected that the sludge at the COLLEEN, who lives in Taman Setia,
bottom of these structures could have said the drain outside her front gate was
given rise to the stench. clogged with water vegetation and mud.
The homeowner hoped the local “The water inside has turned black
authorities would consider having the and has a dense quality about it,” she
drains flushed with water jets to diffuse said.
the bad smell. “i have noticed an increase in the
The spokesman thanked the home-
owner for her suggestion, saying that the
agency’s administration would have to
number of mosquitoes coming indoors
at night and suspect that these insects
might have made a habitat inside the
determine the feasibility of doing this. drain.”
“We were made to understand that The spokesman said an inspection
the government concessionaire, which was made of Lorong Burung Puju shortly
looks after her front yard drain, had also after City Hall learned about these irreg-
learned of her request to implement the ularities.
flushing,” he said. “Landscaping staff confirmed the
He said the company’s workers had drain along the housing road was full of
cleaned this structure on Wednesday. water and clogged with weeds,” he said.
RaNjEET of Likas said a foul odour He said the concessionaire was
had been wafting into her house from apprised of these findings and advised to
the drains on the periphery of her com- take the necessary action.
pound for some time. “When our personnel returned a few
“i have to keep most of my doors and days later, they found that the drain had
windows closed to minimise the possi- been maintained.
bility of the unpleasant smell getting in,” “We have called on the company to
she said. step up their efforts when it comes to
Despite these efforts, Ranjeet said the tending to this structure and others
stench could still be detected, especially around the neighbourhood.” (SS)
Personnel with City Hall’s Drain Unit One of the agency’s workers uses his
use ‘cangkuls’ to remove the sludge ‘parang’ to trim the unkempt greenery
from this drain in Likas. growing on this drain reserve.
 8 Philippines and Indonesia
Task Force
Marawi
activated
MaRaWi CiTY: The military-led Task Force
Marawi (TFM) was activated here on Mon-
day in support of the city’s peace and secu-
rity programs.
Lt. Col. jerome Redosendo, Commander
of the 500 Combat Engineer Battalion of
the 55th Engineer Brigade, was installed as
TFM Commander during the activation
ceremony.
He said the task force would conduct
continuous education campaign to sus-
tain the gains of peace in Marawi, which
the government forces liberated from the
clutches of islamic militants after a five-
month urban warfare in 2017.
“(Such activity) is vital to gain the peo-
ple’s support to any undertakings,”
Redosendo said.
He noted that TFM is different from the
joint Task Force Marawi, which was tasked
to flush out the combined forces of the
islamic State-inspired Maute and abu
Sayyaf groups during the Marawi Siege six
years ago.
aside from the military, the TFM is com-
posed of the Philippine National Police,
Marawi Disaster Risk Reduction Manage-
ment Office, Bureau of Fire Protection,
Traffic Management Task Force and Philip-
pine Drug Enforcement agency, among
others.
Major General Yegor Rey Barroquillo,
103rd infantry Brigade commander,
signed the activation order for the TFM on
May 17 in response to the call of the city’s
Peace and Order Council. During the acti-
vation ceremony, Marawi Mayor Majul
Gandamra expressed support to the cre-
ation of TFM.
The mayor said the city government
acquired three pick-up trucks, a service
utility vehicle and radio transceivers for
the task force.
The local government also vowed to
construct a permanent office building for
the task force, which is temporarily hold-
ing office at the GMa terminal here.
Gandamra said that Marawi City has
been relatively peaceful after the five-
month Marawi Siege.
He appealed for the people’s coopera-
tion to sustain the peace in Marawi, which
is composed of 98 villages.
On Tuesday, May 23, Marawi commem-
orated the sixth anniversary of the siege,
which displaced at least 350,000 civilians
at the height of the conflict. – MindaNews
Probe ‘pricey’
homes of
ministers:
S’pore PM
SiNGaPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong has ordered an investigation into
the circumstances around the rental of
state-owned homes in an exclusive loca-
tion to two cabinet ministers following
questions from the opposition.  per cent for national percentages, ±5.7 per
The matter has prompted comment in
the wealthy city-state, which has long
prided itself on a government free from
corruption, with the annual salaries of
many cabinet ministers exceeding S$1 mil-
lion ($755,000) to discourage graft.  in Mindanao.
The matter has prompted comment in
the wealthy city-state, which has long
prided itself on a government free from
corruption, with the annual salaries of
many cabinet ministers exceeding S$1 mil-
lion ($755,000) to discourage graft.  “Compared to December 2022, the
Lee said the review by a senior minister,
whose results will be made public before
lawmakers take up the issue in july, would
establish whether "proper process" was
followed in the rental of the colonial-era
bungalows and if there was wrongdoing.  Those jobless are those who voluntarily
"This must be done to ensure that this
government maintains the highest stan-
dards of integrity," Lee said in a statement. 
This month, opposition politician Ken-
neth jeyaretnam questioned how the Law
and Home affairs Minister, K Shanmugam,
and the Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrish-
nan, could afford the market rate for such
"pricey" properties. 
Shanmugam said accusations of impro-
priety were "outrageous" and he had noth-
ing to hide, while Balakrishnan said he was
"very glad" a review was taking place.  public ahead of the 2024 General Elec-
Social media posts in Singapore
mocked the ministers or expressed out-
rage over the size of the properties, while
others questioned why the government
needed time until july to explain the issue.  sources,” the Ministry’s Director General
The expression of disapproval comes as
many in Singapore battle rising living
costs, amid high inflation and rising prices
of homes and cars.
Eight in 10 of Singapore's 3.6 million
citizens live in public housing and just a
third of households own cars.
Lawmakers, including three members
of the ruling party and the leader of the
opposition, have submitted parliamentary
questions on whether the ministers acted
on privileged information to secure the
leases.  at the Health Ministry Sundoyo.
The Land authority has said the minis-
ters leased bungalows that had been
vacant for years and had made bids that
were higher than the rent guidance, a
price that had not been disclosed to them.  struation, while the current Law No. 36 of
Government graft scandals are rare in
Singapore.   – The Sun 
Three crude bombs detonated ahead of sports meet
GENERaL SaNTOS CiTY: Bomb experts
detonated at least three crude bombs near
a bus terminal in Cotabato City ahead of
the start of the Palarong Bangsamoro
Region in Muslim Mindanao athletic asso-
ciation’s (BaRMMaa) fourth regional
competitions in the city on Thursday.
Officials said authorities had sealed off
a portion of the highway near the Husky
Bus garage at the highway in Malagapas
following the discovery of three impro-
vised explosive devices in the vicinity at
around early dawn.
The section of the highway was
reopened hours after the bombs were det-
South Korea seeks more
naval drills with P’pines
MaNiLa: after assisting the Philippines in
its modernisation programme, the
Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) now
wants to take it a step further by having
“more future engagements to strengthen
the strategic relationships” between the
two countries.
admiral Lee jong-Ho, Chief of the
Naval Operations of ROKN, expressed this
during a courtesy call on Vice admiral
Toribio adaci jr., flag officer in command,
at the Philippine Navy Headquarters said
Capt. Benjo Negranza, Naval Public
affairs Office director said Wednesday.
“The two leaders discussed the contin-
uing partnerships between the two
nations during the visit that served as a
good follow-through to the engagements
that the PN and ROKN have had over the
last several months,” said Negranza.
He said during the meeting, Lee con-
gratulated the Philippine Navy for its suc-
cessful activities and “eyed more future
engagements to further strengthen the
strategic relationships between the
Philippines and South Korea.”
adaci, on the other hand, expressed
his gratitude to his counterpart for their
continuous support of the Philippine
8.7m Filipinos are unemployed: Survey
MaNiLa: a national survey of Social
Weather Stations found that 19 per cent of
the adult labour force or an estimated 8.7
million Filipinos are unemployed.
While the figure is lower than the 21.3
per cent or 9.6 million Filipinos reported
without jobs in December 2022, it is still
higher compared to the 17.5 per cent in
December 2019 before the Covid-19 pan-
demic.
The survey was conducted from March
26 to 29, 2023 using face-to-face interviews
of 1,200 adults nationwide: 300 each in
Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao.
The sampling error margins are ±2.8
cent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao.
according to SWS, the decline in job-
lessness was due to the decrease in unem-
ployment in all areas of the country except
“as of March 2023, adult joblessness
was highest in Balance Luzon at 21.7 per
cent, followed by Mindanao at 19.0 per
cent, Metro Manila at 17.5 per cent, and the
Visayas at 13.5 per cent,” it said.
quarterly joblessness fell from 24.8 per
cent in Metro Manila, 23.1 per cent in Bal-
ance Luzon, and 18.6 per cent in the
Visayas. However, it hardly moved from
18.1 per cent in Mindanao,” it added.
Ministry devises steps to fight hoaxes ahead of 2024 polls
jaKaRTa: The Ministry of
Communication and
informatics has said that
it has devised several
strategies for preventing
hoaxes related to political
issues that could harm the
tions.
“First, we have prepared digital liter-
acy (resources) for first-time voters so
that they can seek information from valid
of Public information and Communica-
tion Usman Kansong (pic) said at an
online discussion on “anticipating
Hoaxes in the Election Year,” which was
followed from here on Wednesday.
Omnibus Health Bill to include provisions on abortion
jaKaRTa: The Omnibus Health Bill will
include provisions on abortion for sexual
violence and human trafficking victims,
according to Expert Staff on Legal affairs
He said that article 42 of the Health Bill
would allow abortion to be performed
within the first 14 weeks of gestation, cal-
culated from the first day of the last men-
2009 on Health restricts abortion to the
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
onated, said Cotabato City police Chief
Colonel Querubin Manalang.
Manalang said investigators theorised
that the crude bombs had been left in the
area to merely scare people ahead of the
five-day regional games.
investigators find out that a vendor
mistakenly used alum powder instead of
sugar during the preparation of the
banana fritters
Police say they have yet to identify sus-
pects, but Cotabato province is the site of
several bombings in the past months, the
last of which was carried out in the same
town of Pikit on February 6.
Navy’s modernization program, particu-
larly in the manufacture of several ships
that are now being used in patrolling the
exclusive economic zone of the Philip-
pines, Negranza said.
in December 2021, Korea Shipbuilding
and Offshore Engineering Co. won a 583-
billion-won ($470-million) contract to
build two patrol frigates for the Philip-
pines.
The BRP jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP
antonio Luna (FF-151) were both built by
Hyundai Heavy industries and are now in
service. Two corvettes and six offshore
patrol vessels are currently being built by
the South Korean shipyard.
The Philippine Navy also acquired its
most powerful ship to date, the BRP Con-
rado Yap (PS-39), an ex-Pohang class
corvette (a small warship), which was
donated by South Korea to the Philip-
pines. Two more “Pohang” class corvettes
are on the way.
Negranza said adaci also emphasized
the sustainability of Navy-to-Navy talks
between the two countries as he finds it
highly beneficial for both.
“We learn a lot from you and it is one
way for us to discover avenues of cooper-
One of the national survey of Social Weather Stations
left their old jobs, are seeking jobs for the
first time, and lost their jobs due to eco-
nomic circumstances beyond their con-
trol.
joblessness peaked at 45.5 per cent in
july 2020 during the height of the Covid-
19 pandemic. it went on a generally down-
ward trend from September 2020 to
December 2022, reaching as low as 18.6 per
cent in October 2022.
in the same survey, SWS also said the
The digital literacy programme for
first-time voters is a part of the ministry’s
efforts to realize the vision of accelerat-
ing the national digital transformation.
He said the programme is important
for checking the circulation of hoaxes on
social media as it will teach first-time vot-
ers on using the “filter method” before
sharing information.
“We invite the public to be critical
with all information on social media by
not sharing it immediately, but ask them
to check the truth first,” Kansong said.
Furthermore, the ministry will sup-
port vulnerable groups, such as people
residing in remote areas, the elderly, and
people with disabilities, by providing
them access to the right information.
first six weeks of pregnancy.
“Reproductive health in the Health Bill
is not merely about pregnancy age, but
also abortion. according to article 75 of
the prevailing Health Law, abortion (is
allowed) for mothers with medical indi-
cations or victims of rape that cause psy-
chological distress,” Sundoyo said.
He said the Health Bill will also regu-
late reproductive health and the protec-
tion of victims of human trafficking,
Brigadier General alexander Tagum,
Soccsksargen police director, orders police
units to raise alert levels in the provinces
of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cota-
bato, and Sarangani
But authorities were also looking into
the possibility that the incident was the
handiwork of a group that has been
engaged in extortion activities.
Husky Bus is the same company that
saw one of its buses bombed in isulan, Sul-
tan Kudarat in april, injuring several pas-
sengers, including children.
The military had attributed the april 17
Sultan Kudarat bombing to the radical
ation in terms of education and training,
and modernisation,” he told his South
Korean counterpart.
The most recent Navy-to-Navy talks
between the Philippine and South Korean
Navies were held in Busan, South Korea
on Dec. 1, 2022.
The highlight of the talks focused on
education and training, people-to-people
exchanges, logistics cooperation, com-
bined exercises and ship visits.
australian Foreign Minister and Sen.
Penny Wong in a visit to the Philippines
this May said her country was committed
to continuing its presence in the WPS and
South China Sea to maintain peace and
stability in the region and was “open to
cooperating with all partners to exercise
freedom of navigation and overflight,”
adding, “The Philippines is a long-stand-
ing important security partner for us.”
The United States, a long-standing ally
of the Philippines, has identified four
new areas in the country where it would
house its arms and supplies under the
Enhanced Defense Cooperation agree-
ment (EDCa) between the two countries
— a move that has angered China. –
Manila Times
country’s Labour Force Participation Rate
is at 62.4 per cent, or around 45.9 million
— slightly higher than the 62.6 per cent, or
an estimated 45.2 million, reported in
December 2022.
SWS defines the labour force as adults
(18 years and above) presently with a job
plus those looking for a job.
The Labour Force Participation Rate is
the proportion of adults in the labour
force. – GMa
This strategy will be implemented
through the community information
groups (KiMs) formed in the regions.
These groups have been tasked with
educating the members of the vulnerable
groups so they can ignore misleading
news, especially ahead of the 2024 polit-
ical year.
The ministry is also collaborating with
influencers, such as religious leaders and
community leaders who are active
locally, by inviting them to educate peo-
ple living in the regions about the differ-
ence between verified news and hoaxes.
in addition, the ministry is involving
political elites in preventing the spread
of false news, including hate speech and
negative campaigns. – antara
including their abortion access.
“Victims of human trafficking have
been regulated in the Criminal Code, but
we also attempt to include them in the
Health Bill because (the bill) can regulate
it better,” the expert staff added.
a representative of women’s health
advocacy group iPaS indonesia Founda-
tion, igna, lauded the proposed abortion
regulation in the bill as part of efforts to
transform the health system. – antara
group Dawlah islamiyah, a terrorist organ-
isation that was subsequently accused of
turning into an extortion syndicate, tar-
geting bus companies, apparently to fund
its extremist causes.
Crime scene investigators said pieces of
evidence, including an unexploded sec-
ond bomb, found in the bombed bus in
Sultan Kudarat were consistent with the
explosives used by the Dawlah islamiyah
in previous bomb attacks. Manalang
downplayed public fears, saying there was
no need to panic because authorities inter-
cepted and disposed of the bombs in Cota-
bato City on time. – Rappler
BI manhunt
underway
for Korean
detainee
MaNiLa: The Bureau of immigration (Bi)
has launched an investigation and man-
hunt operation after a South Korean
detainee escaped a facility.
The 38-year-old Korean managed to
breach the Bi facility’s perimeter by scaling
a 20-foot fence with barbed wires at two in
the morning.
Bi Commissioner Norman Tansingco
said that the fugitive was initially appre-
hended last February 10 by immigration
officers at the Ninoy aquino international
airport (Naia) Terminal 2 after arriving
from Bangkok, Thailand.
He was found to have an interpol red
notice hit for murder charges and aban-
donment of a dead body.
He was charged and transferred to the
facility in Taguig City prior to deportation.
“The Bi is working in close collabora-
tion with local law enforcement agencies
to locate and apprehend him swiftly,” said
Tansingco.
“Specialised teams have been deployed
to various locations, following reliable
leads to capture the fugitive,” Tansingco
added.
“This is a serious breach of our facility’s
security, and have initiated a thorough
investigation to determine lapses that
allowed this to occur as well as take neces-
sary steps to prevent similar incidents in
the future,” said Tansingco.
Both the Department of justice and the
Korean Embassy have also been informed
of the incident. – aBS-CBN
Filipinos in Guam
advised to stay
home as Mawar
wreaks havoc
MaNiLa: Filipinos living in Guam were
advised to stay home (Manila time) as
Typhoon Mawar brought strong winds
and heavy rains to the island.
according to Patrick Luces, President of
the Filipino Community of Guam, they
were experiencing power supply interrup-
tion and low water pressure due to the
typhoon as of Wednesday night.
The government has also advised all
residents to stay home and away from win-
dows to protect themselves as the typhoon
passes over the island.
“Right now we don’t know if there are
any Filipinos in shelters,” Luces said,
adding that most of the Filipinos in Guam
live in concrete houses.
There are over 50,000 Filipinos in
Guam, and Luces said they will know more
about the situation of the community in
the morning once the storm passes. – GMa
Immigration to
evaluate investor
visa issuance
TaNGERaNG: The Directorate General of
immigration at the Law and Human Rights
Ministry has said that it will evaluate the
issuance of stay permits for foreign nation-
als holding investor visas in indonesia.
“We will evaluate the issuance of the
investor visa, in which process also involves
other parties, namely the Ministry of
investment/investment Coordinating
Board (BKPM),” Director General of immi-
gration Silmi Salim said.
according to him, the evaluation will be
aimed at improving policies related to
investor visas to support the indonesian
economy.
“We must improve the policies for any-
one through the right opportunities and
purposes,” he said.
For the evaluation, he informed that his
side will cooperate with state-owned enter-
prises (SOEs/BUMN) to ensure that policies
for foreign investors are in accordance with
the applicable regulations.
“i also ask the officials to coordinate
with other agencies on improving the
investor visa policy so that it can be bet-
ter and toward the desired quality,” he
said.
 WORLD
10 Wagner handing Bakhmut to Russian military control
Viet noodle vendor jailed for impersonating celebrity chef
HaNOi: a Vietnam court has jailed a noo-
dle seller who went viral for impersonat-
ing Salt Bae, after the celebrity chef served
a gold-leaf steak to a powerful official, his
lawyer said.
in 2021, Peter Lam Bui posted a parody
video impersonating Salt Bae—Turkish
chef Nusret Gokce who parlayed his meme
stardom into high-end eateries—by sprin-
kling herbs on noodle soup, and calling
himself “Green Onion Bae”.
But that video came after a clip of a
high-ranking Vietnamese official in Lon-
don tucking into a steak at Gokce’s
Knightsbridge venue went viral in Viet-
nam.
Lam was in trouble within days of
uploading his video, and filmed a police
visit to his home in the central city of
Danang.
On Thursday, the 39-year-old former
activist was convicted of spreading anti-
state propaganda by a court in Danang,
More than 100 firefighters battled tower-
ing flames and thick smoke from the
seven-storey blaze in central Sydney.
Sydney blaze
consumes seven-
storey building
SYDNEY: More than 130 firefighters battled
towering flames and thick smoke Thursday
as a huge blaze consumed an unoccupied
seven-storey building in central Sydney.
The flames appeared to be dying down
as firefighters poured in water from multi-
ple hoses two hours after the fire took hold
in the vacant building near the Central Sta-
tion railway hub.
“We’re on top of the fire but it’s still
burning,” NSW Fire and Rescue superinten-
dent adam Dewberry told aFP, explaining
that a “significant structural collapse” made
it too dangerous for firefighters to enter.
More than 130 firefighters and 30 fire
trucks were at the scene, he said, dousing
the blaze from the ground, ladder trucks
and crane-like aerial ladder trucks.
The fire had also spread into another
“abandoned and derelict” three-storey
building, he said.
Shortly after the blaze erupted, flames
almost as high as the building itself could
be seen shooting into the sky.
The entire top floor wall leaned over and
crashed in pieces into the street below, fire
service video showed, as the building
glowed orange with flames.
There were no other reports of injuries
from the blaze, which broke out in the
afternoon in a building described by aus-
tralian media as a heritage-listed, unoccu-
pied former hat factory. – aFP
S Korea to launch
home grown rocket
SEOUL: South Korea will launch its home-
grown Nuri rocket on Thursday, officials
said, a day after it was forced to postpone
due to a technical glitch just hours before
lift-off.
it will be the third launch of the Nuri,
which successfully put test satellites into
orbit last year after a failed 2021 attempt
saw the rocket’s third-stage engine burn
out too early.
Wednesday’s launch was called off after
a communication error between the launch
control computer and another computer
managing the launch pad was detected.
That problem was solved Thursday
morning, according to officials, who said
the Nuri was now good to go.
“The Ministry of Science and iCT made
the final decision to proceed with launch
operation procedures with the goal of
launching at 18:24 (0924 GMT) today,” vice
minister Oh Tae-seog said.
The three-stage rocket, more than 47
metres (155 feet) long and weighing 200
tonnes, will be launched from the Naro
Space Center in South Korea’s southern
coastal region.
in previous tests, the rocket carried pay-
loads mainly designed for verifying the per-
formance of the launch vehicle. – aFP
YOUR LOCAL VOICE I FRI DAY, MAY 26, 2023
lawyer Le Dinh Viet told aFP.
“They charged the defendant based on
posts and video clips Lam had on his
accounts on social media platforms,” Viet
said.
There was nothing about the Salt Bae
clip, he added.
Lam denied the charges and said he
had only “expressed his personal view-
point and exercised his right to freedom of
speech”.
He was also sentenced to four years pro-
bation.
Lam’s parody video came after To Lam,
Vietnam’s minister of public security—
whose agency monitors dissent and sur-
veils activists—was filmed eating at
Gokce’s luxury Nusr-Et Steakhouse.
The restaurant serves up steaks
wrapped in edible 24-carat gold leaf,
reportedly costing more than $1,000, and
the video sparked anger over the deca-
dence on display while Vietnam struggled
Chinese hackers
infiltrate critical
networks in US
WaSHiNGTON: State-sponsored Chinese
hackers have infiltrated critical US infrastruc-
ture networks, the United States, its Western
allies and Microsoft said while warning that
similar espionage attacks could be occurring
globally.
Microsoft highlighted Guam, a US terri-
tory in the Pacific Ocean with a vital military
outpost, as one of the targets, but said “mali-
cious” activity had also been detected else-
where in the United States.
The stealthy attack—carried out by a
China-sponsored actor dubbed “Volt
Typhoon” since mid-2021 — enabled long-
term espionage and was likely aimed at ham-
pering the United States if there was conflict
in the region, it said.
“Microsoft assesses with moderate confi-
Aussie police
probe govt tax
leak scandal
SYDNEY: australian police have opened
a criminal investigation into the leaking
of secret government tax plans by
accounting giant PwC to help clients
“act early” ahead of a tax crackdown on
multinationals.
PwC australia has been embroiled in
scandal since one of its partners was
found to have made “unauthorised dis-
closures” about the planned tax reforms,
which he learned about in confidential
government briefings.
More than 140 pages of internal PwC
australia emails released by a Senate
committee this month showed the inter-
national tax partner, Peter Collins, had
divulged the sensitive information to
other staff.
australian Federal Police confirmed
in a statement late Wednesday that they
had launched a criminal investigation,
after the affair was referred to them by
the Treasury Department.
“We note the statement from the
Treasury Secretary and will continue to
cooperate fully with any investigations
into this matter,” a PwC spokesman said
Thursday.
The Treasury’s confidential tax plans
included new rules, which came into
effect in 2015, to stop multinationals
avoiding tax by shifting profits from
australia to tax and secrecy havens, the
Tax Practitioners Board said.
Finance Secretary jenny Wilkinson
told parliament that PwC had been
asked to stop all staff linked to the leaks
from working on current government
contracts.
The request was made after it was
revealed a “wide range of individuals” at
the firm, beyond Collins, were aware of
the confidential information.
“i consider PwC’s abuse of confidence
and trust with the Treasury and PwC’s
subsequent handling of this breach to
be a very serious issue,” Wilkinson told a
Senate estimates hearing.
in the redacted PwC emails, an inter-
nal message from 2016 lauded the com-
pany’s success in urging companies to
“act early” on the tax changes, “heavily
helped by the accuracy of the intelli-
gence that Peter Collins was able to sup-
ply us”.
Officials said current government
contracts with PwC totalled aus$255.2
million (US$167 million) this financial
year. – aFP
11 DeSantis joins White House race
through the Covid pandemic.
During the same trip to London, To Lam
also visited the grave of Karl Marx, the ide-
ological father of communism.
Vietnam has strict curbs on freedom of
expression and the government moves
swiftly to stamp out dissent and arrest crit-
ics, especially those who find an audience
online. independent media is banned.
To Lam, a member of the country’s 16-
strong politburo, has been public security
minister since 2016 and has taken a hard
line on human rights movements in the
communist nation.
in april, Vietnam imprisoned Nguyen
Lan Thang, a prominent journalist who
documented protests and human rights
violations, for six years.
a year earlier, high-profile dissident
journalist Pham Doan Trang was given
nine years behind bars.
They were all jailed on the same anti-
state charge. – aFP
dence that this Volt Typhoon campaign is
pursuing development of capabilities that
could disrupt critical communications infra-
structure between the United States and asia
region during future crises,” the statement
said.
“in this campaign, the affected organiza-
tions span the communications, manufactur-
ing, utility, transportation, construction,
maritime, government, information technol-
ogy, and education sectors.”
Microsoft’s statement coincided with an
advisory released by US, australian, Canadian,
New Zealand and UK authorities warning
that the hacking was likely occurring globally.
“This activity affects networks across US
critical infrastructure sectors, and the author-
ing agencies believe the actor could apply the
same techniques against these and other sec-
tors worldwide,” they said.
China denied the allegations, describing
the Microsoft report as “extremely unprofes-
sional” and “scissors-and-paste work”.
“it is clear that this is a collective disinfor-
mation campaign of the Five Eyes coalition
countries, initiated by the US for its geopolit-
ical purposes,” foreign ministry spokes-
woman Mao Ning said, referring to the
security alliance of the United States and its
Western allies that wrote the report.
“The participation of certain companies
shows that aside from government organisa-
tions, the US is expanding new channels for
disseminating disinformation,” she said.
“But no change in tactics can alter the fact
that the US is a hacker empire.”
The United States and its allies said the
activities involved “living off the land” tactics,
which take advantage of built-in network
tools to blend in with normal Windows sys-
tems.
it warned that the hacking could then
incorporate legitimate system administra-
tion commands that appear “benign”.
Microsoft said the Volt Typhoon attack
tried to blend into normal network activity by
routing traffic through compromised small
Cambodian rival party loses
bid to overturn election ban
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s main opposi-
tion party on Thursday lost a bid to over-
turn its ban from the upcoming elections,
paving the way for long-serving leader
Hun Sen to run a one-horse race.
Last week, the National Election Com-
mittee (NEC) refused to register the Can-
dlelight Party—the chief challenger to Hun
Sen—for the july polls after it failed to sub-
mit certain documents.
The Constitutional Council said in a
statement it had rejected the appeal
against NEC’s ruling.
“We are so regretful... Our party was
office and home office network equipment,
including routers, firewalls and VPN hard-
ware.
“They have also been observed using cus-
tom versions of open-source tools,” Microsoft
said.
Microsoft and the security agencies
released guidelines for organisations to try to
detect and counter the hacking.
“it’s what i would term a low and slow
cyber activity,” said alastair MacGibbon, chief
strategy officer at australia’s CyberCX and a
former head of the australian Cyber Security
Centre.
“This is someone wearing a camouflage
vest and carrying a sniper rifle. You don’t see
them, they’re not there,” he told aFP.
“When you think about something that
can really cause catastrophic harm, it is some-
one with intent who takes time to get into sys-
tems.”
Once inside, the cyber attackers can steal
information, he said. “But it also gives you the
ability to carry out destructive acts at a later
stage.”
a number of other governments had
found similar activity since the Volt Typhoon
alert was issued, said Robert Potter, co-
founder of australian cybersecurity firm
internet 2.0.
“i am not sure how communications infra-
structure would be at risk from these attacks
because those networks are highly resilient
and difficult to bring down for more than
small intervals,” Potter told aFP.
“However, the ongoing threat from China-
based aPT (advanced persistent threat)
groups is real.”
The director of the US Cybersecurity and
infrastructure Security agency, jen Easterly,
said China had been stealing intellectual
property and data worldwide for years.
“Today’s advisory, put out in conjunction
with our US and international partners,
reflects how China is using highly sophisti-
cated means to target our nation’s critical
infrastructure,” Easterly said. – aFP
The Candle-
light Party
(CP) was
seen as the
only viable
challenger to
Hun Sen’s
ruling
Cambodian
People’s
Party (CPP)
in the July
23 vote.
rejected (from the polls), we are so disap-
pointed,” Candlelight Party (CP)
spokesman Kimsour Phirith told aFP.
He said CP had hoped to take part in
the elections “to restore the base of
democracy in our country”.
“The absence of the party that has
grassroots support will shrink the space of
democracy.”
Hun Sen is among the world’s longest-
serving leaders. Critics and rights groups
accuse him of using the legal system to
crush opposition to his rule, particularly
in the run-up to elections. – aFP
9
Footage of
minister To
Lam seem-
ingly enjoying
the £1,450
tomahawk
emerged on
social media.
Inset, the
impersonator
Peter Lam
Bui.
The stealthy
attack
enabled
long-term
espionage
aimed at
hampering
the US if
there was
conflict in the
region.
US Navy probes
drug trafficking
TOKYO: The US Navy said Thursday it is
investigating alleged drug use and traf-
ficking by several crew stationed aboard
the USS Ronald Reagan carrier at the Yoko-
suka base in japan.
“The Naval Criminal investigative Serv-
ice is investigating USS Ronald Reagan
sailors for alleged unlawful drug posses-
sion, use and distribution,” Katie Cerezo,
public affairs officer for Naval Forces
japan, told aFP.
She declined to detail the number of
sailors involved or what drugs they are sus-
pected of distributing, citing the ongoing
investigation.
“We take all reports of misconduct seri-
ously, and are working with the appropri-
ate japanese law enforcement agencies,”
she added.
Military newspaper Stars and Stripes
reported Tuesday that the carrier departed
Yokosuka on what might be its last deploy-
ment before undergoing repairs.
in 2018, the Navy said it was investigat-
ing drug use by sailors at Yokosuka, and it
removed three senior officers in southern
Okinawa over “personal misconduct”,
which reportedly included drunkness.
japan hosts around 50,000 US troops,
most of them stationed at bases in south-
ern Okinawa, where their presence has
been controversial. – aFP
Four HK students
sentenced
over anti-govt
bomb plot
HONG KONG: Four Hong Kong students,
including two minors, were sentenced
Thursday over their roles in an anti-gov-
ernment plot to set off bombs in public
spaces.
a court sentenced the oldest of the
four to more than five years in prison and
sent the other three to juvenile rehabili-
tation centres in a case handled under
the national security law, which China
imposed on the city in 2020 to quell dis-
sent.
The four defendants, now aged 17 to
21, were members of a little-known group
called “Returning Valiant”, which pro-
moted independence from China and
had called for resistance after the secu-
rity law was imposed.
The group allegedly planned to make
bombs using the explosive TaTP in 2021,
and set them off in public areas includ-
ing court buildings.
Before they could procure the materi-
als, Hong Kong’s national security police
arrested them in july of that year.
Defendant alexander au, now 21, “is
obviously more culpable—he was
involved in renting the room, planning
and preparation, and reconnaissance of
targeted buildings,” said senior judge
alex Lee.
Lee sentenced au to five years and
eight months in prison.
The three others, aged 17 to 20, were
“merely foot soldiers in the conspiracy”
and failed to procure TaTP ingredients,
the judge said. – aFP
 10 World
Sudan’s warring sides trade
blame over truce breaches
KHaRTOUM: Sudan’s warring sides on
Thursday accused each other of being
behind breaches of the latest ceasefire that
was negotiated by the US and Saudi ara-
bia, now in its third day.
The one-week truce was violated only
minutes after it came into effect on Mon-
day night, with residents of the capital
Khartoum reporting air strikes and
artillery fire shaking the city.
Breaches have since persisted of the
ceasefire agreement, which is meant to
allow for much-needed humanitarian aid
to reach war-ravaged parts of the north-
east african country.
it is the latest of a series of truces that
have all been systematically violated.
Since april 15, Sudan’s capital and other
parts of the country have been gripped by
brutal urban warfare between the regular
army, the Sudanese armed Forces (SaF),
and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces
(RSF).
But though the current ceasefire has
been violated, it has allowed for a lull in
fighting that has seen frightened residents
cautiously venture out of their homes,
Cops among three killed in
Japan gun and knife attack
TOKYO: Three people, including two police
officers, were killed on Thursday in a shoot-
ing and stabbing attack in the central
region of Nagano, japanese media said.
a male suspect was holed up inside a
building after the incident, according to
public broadcaster NHK and other major
outlets.
Police did not immediately confirm
details when contacted by aFP.
Residents were urged to stay indoors by
authorities in the area around Nakano,
where the attack took place.
a woman was stabbed and two police
officers were shot in the afternoon attack at
a farm, the reports said.
an eyewitness told NHK he had been
working nearby when he saw a woman
being stabbed.
“a woman came running from the road
saying ‘help me’ and she fell down,” the
man said.
Dam combed for third day in Maddy case
SiLVES, Portugal: Police from Portugal,
Germany and Britain on Thursday
resumed their search at a reservoir in
southern Portugal, hoping to shed light
on the 2007 disappearance of British tod-
dler Madeleine McCann.
The child was three years old when she
went missing from her family’s holiday
apartment in the algarve 16 years ago,
while her parents were dining at a nearby
tapas bar.
Despite an international manhunt, no
trace of the child has been found and no-
one has been charged over her disap-
pearance.
Portuguese media said Thursday’s
search of the banks of the arade dam
could be the last in the three-day opera-
tion, which has involved around 50 police
officers and Portuguese firefighters.
On Wednesday, investigators had used
a brushcutter on caterpillar tracks to raze
bushes and trees from the dry banks of
the reservoir, some 50 kilometres (30
miles) from where Maddie went missing
in the tourist resort of Praia da Luz.
Local media said they had taken sam-
ples of earth and collected shreds of
cloth from the cordoned-off area but had
not found anything connected to the
$50,000 lawsuit against Erdogan for fake video
iSTaNBUL: President Recep Tayyip Erdo-
gan’s election rival has lodged a $50,000
lawsuit against the Turkish leader for air-
ing a campaign video linking the opposi-
tion to Kurdish militants.
“We have filed a lawsuit in order to
account for the fake video,” secular oppo-
sition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s lawyer
Celal Celik said Thursday.
Kilicdaroglu finished almost five points
behind Erdogan in the first round on May 14.
But he still gave the opposition’s best
performance of Erdogan’s two-decade era,
setting up Turkey’s first presidential elec-
tion runoff on Sunday.
Kilicdaroglu had previously filed a
series of symbolic lawsuits against Erdo-
gan.
Minivan
buses and
tuk-tuks
(motorised
rickshaws)
wait for
passengers
at a bus
station in
Port Sudan.
some for the first time in weeks.
Many have gone out for supplies of
food and water or to seek much-needed
medical attention after nearly six weeks of
war that have sharply depleted vital sup-
plies and pushed the healthcare system to
the brink of collapse.
in a statement issued late Wednesday,
the RSF, which is led by Mohammed Ham-
dan Daglo, sought to place the blame for
ceasefire breaches on the army led by
Sudan’s de facto leader abdel Fattah al-
Burhan.
The army “launched a series of unwar-
ranted attacks today”, the RSF said, adding
that “our forces decisively repelled these
assaults”.
“Our forces successfully shot down a
SaF MiG jet fighter,” it said, reiterating
however that it remained “committed to
the humanitarian truce” and called on the
“aggressors to respect the ceasefire”.
The army responded Thursday morn-
ing, saying it had “countered an attack on
armoured vehicles by the militias of the
Rapid Support Forces in a clear violation
of the truce”. – aFP
“Behind her came a man wearing cam-
ouflage and carrying a large knife, who
stabbed her in the back.”
The witness said he had called the police
while neighbours tried to resuscitate the
woman.
NHK, citing police, said the attacker
later allegedly fired what appeared to be a
shotgun at the police officers who arrived
on the scene.
Violent crime is rare in japan, which has
a low murder rate and some of the world’s
toughest gun laws.
But the country was left reeling in july
when former prime minister Shinzo abe
was assassinated in broad daylight with an
apparently homemade gun.
and last month, a man was arrested for
allegedly hurling a pipe bomb-like explo-
sive toward current Prime Minister Fumio
Kishida as he campaigned in the western
city of Wakayama. – aFP
case.
Police had combed the site, in the
Silves area, in 2008 but divers had found
only animal remains, the media said.
The search resumed this week at the
request of German authorities, who have
said since 2020 that they are convinced
the British girl is dead.
They suspect the involvement of a Ger-
man multiple sex offender, who is in
prison in Germany for a rape in Portugal.
German judicial authorities say the
man in question is Christian Brueckner,
considered the chief suspect in the Mad-
die case after spending several years liv-
ing in the algarve.
according to Portuguese magazine
Expresso, testimony from a “credible”
informer found by German investigators
had prompted the new searches near the
arade reservoir.
Newspaper Correio da Manha said
police were searching for a pink blanket
or the pyjamas Maddie was wearing the
night she disappeared on May 3, 2007,
just before her fourth birthday.
They have used tracker dogs, probes
and a drone to comb the area, which
local media said Brueckner visited regu-
larly. – aFP
But this one demands one million liras
($50,000) in compensation, which Kilic-
daroglu pledges to donate to a fund over-
seeing the education of fallen Turkish
soldiers’ children.
Erdogan has repeatedly aired a video at
his rallies that tried to associate Kilic-
daroglu with a military commander of the
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The PKK is listed as a terror organisa-
tion by Turkey and its Western allies for
waging a decades-long insurgency that
has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Erdogan’s video juxtaposes footage of
Kilicdaroglu calling on Turks to back his
candidacy with that of the PKK com-
mander appearing to also support the
opposition campaign. – aFP
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
Wagner handing Bakhmut
to Russian military control
MOSCOW: The head of Russia’s Wagner
mercenary group said on Thursday his
troops had started transferring their posi-
tions in the flashpoint eastern Ukraine city
of Bakhmut to the Russian military.
His announcement comes days after
Moscow’s military said it had deployed jets
and artillery on Russian soil against a “sab-
otage” group that crossed from Ukraine.
The Kremlin said meanwhile that
China’s special envoy for Ukraine would be
visiting Russia on Friday as part of a tour of
European capitals including Kyiv.
The battle for Bakhmut has raged for
nearly one year, levelling the city and dec-
imating waves of Wagner recruits who
have led Russia’s assault on the industrial
hub.
“We are withdrawing units from
Bakhmut today. We are handing over posi-
tions to the military, ammunition and
everything,” Wagner boss Yevgeny
Prigozhin said in a video released on social
media.
“We pull back, we rest, we prepare and
then we will get new tasks,” added
Prigozhin, who was dressed in tactical
body armour and a military helmet.
Earlier this week, he conceded that
around 10,000 prisoners he had recruited
to fight in Ukraine had been killed on the
battlefield.
The 61-year-old Kremlin ally toured
Russian prisons last year to persuade
inmates to fight with Wagner in exchange
for a promised amnesty on their return—
should they survive.
Prigozhin’s announcement came
shortly after Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of
again terrorising Ukrainians by launching
a wave of iranian-made attack drones at
targets across his country.
“The enemy continued to terrorise
Ukraine by launching 36 Shaheds. None
reached their target,” Zelensky said in a
social media post.
“i’m grateful to our air defence forces
Japan scrambles jets after Russian intrusion
TOKYO: japan scrambled fighter jets
Thursday after Russian “intelligence-gath-
ering” aircraft were detected off its coasts
along the Pacific Ocean and Sea of japan,
the country’s joint Staff said.
One Russian aircraft travelled from
japan’s north down along part of its west
coast, while the other took a similar route
along the opposite coast and returned the
same way, the joint Staff said in a brief
statement.
“in response, fighters of the air Self-
Defense Force’s Northern air Force and
other units were scrambled,” it added.
There was no further information on
the incident, which comes days after
japan hosted Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 in
Hiroshima.
japan has joined Western allies in sanc-
tioning Moscow over its invasion of
Ukraine, and has warned of the threat
posed by Russia.
its latest security document, which
once called for enhanced ties and cooper-
ation with Russia, now warns that
Moscow’s military posturing in asia and
Russia to shut Swedish consulate, expel diplomats
MOSCOW: Moscow said Thursday it was
expelling five Swedish diplomats and clos-
ing Russia’s general consulate in Gothen-
burg and Sweden’s diplomatic mission in
Saint Petersburg.
The Russian foreign ministry said that
the Swedish ambassador Malena Mard had
been summoned and informed of
Moscow’s retaliatory measures over her
country’s “confrontational course”.
“a decision was made to declare five
Swedish diplomats persona non grata,”
the Russian foreign ministry said.
The move came after Sweden said in
late april it was expelling five Russian
diplomats for “activities not compatible”
with their diplomatic status.
Russia said the expulsion was an
“openly hostile move”, accusing authori-
ties in the northern European country of
conducting a “Russophobic campaign”.
Chad junta leader pardons 67 more
N’DjaMENa: Chadian leader General
Mahamat idriss Deby itno has pardoned
67 more people who had been sentenced
to jail terms following deadly protests
against the regime last October.
Deby also issued pardons for 11 people
accused of taking part in an attempted
coup, according to two decrees dated
Wednesday.
Seventy-seven people had been sen-
tenced earlier this month for terms rang-
ing up to five years on charges of taking
part in an ‘insurrectional movement” or
an “unauthorised gathering” in demon-
strations against the ruling junta.
Of these, 67 were pardoned on
Wednesday by Deby, as interim president,
to promote calm and national reconcilia-
tion, according to the authorities.
Prigozhin (left) talking to his fighters in Bakhmut. The Wagner boss conceded that around
10,000 prisoners he had recruited to fight in Ukraine had been killed on the battlefield.
for the 100-percent result.”
The Ukrainian military said Russia was
probably targeting key infrastructure and
military facilities in the western regions of
Ukraine.
Russia subjected Ukraine to a campaign
of aerial bombardments on infrastructure
including energy facilities during the win-
ter months but these attacks diminished
recently.
and Kyiv has become increasingly adept
at taking down waves of Russian cruise
missiles and drones after appealing to
Western allies for greater air defence capa-
bilities.
Russian-installed authorities in the
Crimean peninsula meanwhile announced
their air defence systems had intercepted
several drones targeting various parts of
the territory annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
“Six drones were shot down or blocked
... in different parts of Crimea,” governor
Sergei aksyonov announced on social
media, adding that no-one had been
injured in the attack.
cooperation with China are “a strong
security concern”.
in May 2022, Chinese and Russian mil-
itary jets carried out joint flights near
japan immediately after a meeting of the
US-led Quad grouping in Tokyo.
and more recently Moscow has carried
out military exercises including test-firing
missiles in the Sea of japan.
Russia considers japan to be a “hostile”
country—a designation it shares with all
Moscow’s general consulate in Gothen-
burg will be shuttered on September 1, the
Russian foreign ministry added in a state-
ment.
Sweden’s general consulate in Saint
Petersburg will have to stop operations by
that time as well, the statement said.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Bill-
strom lamented the Russian decision as
“very regrettable”.
“Russia has chosen to expel Swedish
diplomats who have acted within the
framework of the Vienna Convention and
conducted customary diplomatic activi-
ties in Russia,” Billstrom said in a state-
ment.
The foreign minister also deplored the
closure of the Swedish consulate in Saint
Petersburg, describing it as “a driving
force in the bilateral people-to-people co-
operation between Russia and Sweden”.
The status of the other 10 was not
given.
Deby had previously pardoned 259 out
of 262 young people who had been jailed
after the protests, as well as 380 Chadian
rebels who had separately been sentenced
to life.
in one of Wednesday’s decrees, Deby
pardoned Baradine Berdei Targuio, the
head of the Chadian Organisation for
Human Rights (OTDH) and 10 army offi-
cers.
They had been arrested in December
on charges of fomenting a coup, and were
sentenced in mid-May to 20 years in jail.
Deby was proclaimed head of state by
the army in april 2021 after the death of
his father, idriss Deby itno, who had been
killed during anti-rebel operations after
Separately, Russia’s FSB security service
said it had arrested two Ukrainians who
had allegedly planned to target nuclear
power plants in the country.
The aim was to cause “serious economic
harm to Russia and damage its reputation”,
the FSB alleged in a statement carried by
Russian news agencies.
also on Thursday, Russia’s foreign min-
istry announced a visit to Moscow by
China’s special envoy for Ukraine, Li Hui,
who has been touring European capitals.
His visit to the Russian capital, where he
is expected to meet Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov on Friday, comes after Li met Zelen-
sky in Kyiv.
Li has said there is “no panacea to
resolve the crisis”.
Russia and China have close relations.
President Xi jinping visited Moscow in
March and said ties were “entering a new era”.
and while China says it is a neutral party
in the Ukraine conflict, it has been criti-
cised for refusing to condemn Moscow for
its offensive. – aFP
Recently
Moscow has
carried out
military
exercises
including
test-firing
missiles in the
Sea of Japan.
European Union countries, the United
States and its allies, including Britain and
australia.
Tokyo had complex relations with
Moscow before the invasion of Ukraine in
February, and the two sides have yet to
sign a post-World War ii peace treaty.
attempts to do so have been hampered
by a long-running dispute over islands
controlled by Russia, which calls them the
Kurils. – aFP
“Today’s decision is therefore a further
confirmation of the negative political
developments in Russia and the country’s
international isolation,” he said.
Ties with Western countries have come
under unprecedented pressure after Russ-
ian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to
Ukraine in February 2022 and the West
introduced unprecedented sanctions
against Moscow. – aFP
30 years of iron-fisted rule.
He immediately promised to restore
civilian rule after an 18-month transi-
tional period.
But as that deadline neared, the period
was extended by a further two years, fol-
lowing a so-called national dialogue
widely boycotted by the opposition and
armed rebel groups.
The October 20 demonstrations aimed
at marking the deadline of the initial 18-
month period, but spiralled into blood-
shed as police and troops opened fire.
in the capital N’Djamena, 73 people
were killed, according to the authorities.
The toll is contested by the opposition
and civil groups, who say hundreds died,
either on that day or in the ensuing crack-
down, and others were tortured. – aFP

Biden to nominate
Air Force general
as top military
officer
WaSHiNGTON: US Presi-
dent joe Biden will nom-
inate air Force General
Charles Brown (pic) to
replace army General
Mark Milley as the coun-
try’s top military officer.
Brown would become
the second Black officer to serve as chair-
man of the joint Chiefs of Staff — after
Colin Powell from 1989-1993 — at a time
when the Pentagon is headed by Lloyd
austin, the country’s first Black secretary
of defence.
The nomination for Brown to replace
Milley — whose term ends in September —
will be made at a Rose Garden ceremony,
the White House said in a statement.
Brown, who currently serves as chief of
staff of the US air Force and was commis-
sioned as an officer in 1984, is an experi-
enced pilot with more than 3,000 flight
hours, 130 of them in combat.
He has commanded a fighter squadron
and two fighter wings, as well as US air
forces under the Central Command and
indo-Pacific Command. – aFP
Emotional
Biden at
anniversary
of school
massacre
WaSHiNGTON: an emotional President
joe Biden marked the first anniversary of
the Uvalde, Texas school massacre, saying
that mass shootings have spread “killing
fields” across america.
Biden and First Lady jill Biden visibly
struggled to hold back tears at the cere-
mony in the White House in front of 21
white candles representing the 19 children
and two school staff murdered at Robb
Elementary School.
Biden choked up as he said the anniver-
sary was a “really tough day” for the “bro-
ken” families.
Biden noted that shootings have
become the biggest cause of death for chil-
dren in america. just in the last year there
have been 650 mass shootings, he said.
“jill and i couldn’t help but think that
too many schools, too many every day
places have become killing fields in com-
munities all across every part of america.
and in each place we hear the same mes-
sage: ‘Do something, for God’s sake please
do something,’” Biden said.
Biden concluded by praying for the
bereaved to find comfort so that they
“make it.” – aFP
Bolivian Catholic Church deaf to abuse victims
La PaZ: The Boli-
vian Catholic
Church admitted
having been
“deaf” to the suf-
fering of victims
of pedophile
priests amid a
fresh scandal over
the alleged abuse
of dozens of chil- Arana, secretary
dren.
general of the Boli-
Bolivia has
vian Episcopal
been shocked by
Conference.
revelations that
have emerged since confessions of abuse
were found in the personal diary of a Span-
ish priest who died of cancer in Bolivia in
2009 after decades of service there.
in the journal, which he kept on a lap-
top, jesuit priest alfonso Pedrajas wrote he
had done “harm to many people... too
many,” with the number 85 and a question
Indigenous ministry’s powers to be curbed
BRaSÍLia: Brazil’s
congress could strip
the ministries of
environment and
indigenous peoples
of key functions,
their heads warned
(pic).
The first-ever Min-
istry of indigenous
Peoples was created
by President Luiz ina-
cio Lula da Silva
when he took office
in january, and was given the power to
demarcate indigenous reserves.
But that power, so far provisional,
needs to be approved by Congress to go
into effect permanently. instead, a
recently proposed bill would leave the
demarcation of land in the hands of the
Ministry of justice.
in an interview with aFP, indigenous
Minister Sonia Guajajara called the move
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023 World 11
DeSantis joins White House race
WaSHiNGTON: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis launched his 2024
presidential campaign, teeing up what is expected to be a bitter
rivalry with Republican primary frontrunner Donald Trump as he
vowed to “lead our great american comeback.”
DeSantis was considered a rising Republican star, but has seen
his prospects dented by months of relentless attacks from the for-
mer president, who has surged into a commanding lead despite
being engulfed in criminal investigations.
“i’m Ron DeSantis and i’m running for president to lead our
great american comeback,” the Republican said in a video posted
to Twitter.
The 44-year-old right-winger filed his documentation with the
Federal Election Commission ahead of a livestreamed Twitter chat
with the platform’s billionaire owner Elon Musk that was delayed
amid technical glitches.
More than 400,000 people were trying to listen in as the Twit-
ter Spaces conversation initially failed to launch, but DeSantis was
eventually able to join.
“We’ve got just a massive number of people online, so the
Girls burnt in
servers are straining somewhat,” Musk could be heard saying in
the audio. Long viewed as the most viable challenger to twice-impeached
Guyana dorm
“We are reallocating server capacity to handle the load here; Trump, he is better known than most of the hopefuls in the chas-
it is really going crazy,” he continued. ing pack for the Republican nomination—but still lacks the fron- fire still critical
The Biden campaign was quick to capitalize on the issues, trunner’s national profile.
tweeting a link to a fundraising page and stating simply: “This GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Two girls badly
The Twitter launch format gives him precious access to Musk’s
link works.” 140 million followers, many of whom are in Trump’s base, and the burnt in a school dormitory fire that killed
Pro-DeSantis political organisation Never Back Down released 19 children in Guyana were too weak to be
attention of a large section of the moderate voters he will likely
a video featuring a 2022 speech setting out his signature issue: need for a shot at the White House if he wins the nomination. evacuated to another country for special-
the encroachment of political correctness in public life. ized treatment, an official said (pic).
DeSantis has used his position as Florida’s chief executive to
“We fight the woke in the schools, we fight the woke in the cor- They were injured when an inferno Sun-
stack up a long list of conservative accomplishments, signing off
porations, we will never ever surrender to the woke mob. We will day gutted a building housing girls aged 11-
on some 80 new state laws targeting “woke indoctrination” in
be courageous and we will never back down,” he vows. 12 and 16-17 in Mahdia, central Guyana.
schools and other public institutions.
DeSantis boasts deep midwestern roots, a large campaign “if there is a need for overseas treatment,
They include a ban on the discussion of gender identity and they will be permitted (to leave), but the
fund, a record of ultra-conservative legislative wins and an
unblemished record of election victories.
sexual orientation in schools, a block on funding for efforts to
promote diversity at public universities and one of the most
doctors have not yet said so... They are still
He was a baseball star at Yale, has a Harvard law degree and too critical,” health ministry official Leslie
restrictive abortion laws in the country.
completed six years of active duty with the Navy, including service But the launch comes with DeSantis’s ratings in decline as a
Ramsammy told aFP.
Both were being treated for respiratory
in iraq, as well as five years in the US Congress and four as number of policy missteps have prompted disquiet about his complications in intensive care.
Florida’s governor.
While Trump has dominated headlines with his legal woes,
readiness to take on Trump.
He faces the daunting task of closing an enormous polling
Cuba and Barbados have offered to take
in some of the wounded for medical care.
DeSantis has presented himself as the tip of the spear in the strug- gap, with Trump posting leads of close to 40 percentage points,
gle of ordinary americans against the progressive values he sees despite being indicted on felony financial charges and being
Ramsammy said DNa samples have been
sent to New York to help identify the
as divisive. found liable for sexual abuse in a New York civil trial. – aFP charred remains of 13 of the 19 children who
died in the blaze.
4.5 years in prison for rioter On Tuesday, a police report said a girl
disgruntled at having her mobile phone
confiscated is believed to have set the fire in
anger. Pupils are not allowed to have
who put feet on Pelosi’s desk phones in the dormitory. Police said there
were 57 pupils in the dormitory, which was
WaSHiNGTON: an arkansas man pho- electric stun device disguised as a walking “a one-flat concrete building measuring
tographed with his feet on a desk in House stick. about 100 feet by 40 feet.” – aFP
speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office after joining Prosecutors had asked judge Christo-
the mob that stormed the US Capitol in
2021 was sentenced to four and a half years
pher Cooper for a sentence of seven years in
prison.
Brazil should be on
in prison.
Richard Barnett, 63, (pic) was leaning
in their sentencing memo, prosecutors
said Barnett did not show any remorse and
UN Security Council
back in a chair with his boots propped up had “sought to profit from his notoriety BRaSÍLia: Brazil must have a “louder voice”
on a desk in the office of the Democratic and criminal conduct” by selling “auto- in world affairs, including a permanent seat
politician when he had his picture taken by graphed photos of himself in the Speaker’s on the United Nations Security Council, the
an aFP photographer. office suite.” More than 1,000 people have been United Kingdom’s top diplomat said.
The photo became one of the iconic Barnett’s defense attorney had asked the arrested for taking part in what prosecutors The “global balance of power” has
images of the january 6, 2021 insurrection. judge to impose a sentence of 12 months. have called an insurrection to keep Trump shifted south, UK Foreign Secretary james
Barnett had joined supporters of then- Barnett, described in court filings as a in the White House after his election loss. Cleverly told a news conference in Brasilia,
president Donald Trump who stormed supporter of the Qanon conspiracy theory and, Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far- on the first visit by a top UK diplomat in
Congress to shut down the legislature as it alleging a global liberal plot to kidnap chil- right Oath Keepers militia, is to be sen- nine years.
convened to certify Democrat joe Biden as dren, had defended his actions as an exer- tenced for his role in the january 6, 2021 He added: “it is a reality that needs to be
the next US president. cise of his constitutional right to protest. attack on the US Capitol. reflected in a number of multilateral insti-
a Washington jury convicted Barnett in But while in Pelosi’s office he wrote a Prosecutors have asked judge amit tutions including the UN.”
january on eight counts including obstruct- crude message to her. Mehta to impose a 25-year prison sentence Brazil, the largest economy in Latin
ing Congress’s certification of the election, “i left her a note on her desk that says on Rhodes for plotting to block Congress america and the most populous country in
illegally entering the Capitol and disorderly ‘Nancy, Bigo was here, you bitch,’” he told from certifying Biden’s 2020 presidential the region, has been demanding for years to
conduct with a dangerous weapon—an reporters, using his nickname. election victory. – aFP join the council as a permanent member, a
move that’s been blocked by the five perma-
nent members: the United States, Russia,
UN: $2.4b China, the UK and France. – aFP
to prevent Rape-accused
mark. statement that “instead of giving them the
He also noted that senior clergy had protection and care they deserved, (the Horn of Senegal rival defiant
known about his crimes and kept quiet. victims) met a Church deaf to their suffer-
Pedrajas arrived in Bolivia in 1971 and
worked as a teacher in various parts of the
ing.”
He added: “We have been part, directly Africa famine ahead of trial
country. or indirectly, of a deep pain caused to ZiGUiNCHOR, Senegal: Ousmane Sonko,
Most of the alleged abuses were com- innocent people who have been victims of UNiTED NaTiONS, United States: a United the popular Senegalese opposition leader
mitted at the juan XXiii boarding school sexual abuse.” Nations-backed conference raised $2.4 bil- facing a rape trial, said that he would lead a
for poor, rural children in Cochabamba in On Monday, Bolivian President Luis lion to prevent famine in the Horn of “caravan of freedom” across the country as
the center of the country. arce wrote to Pope Francis to ask for any africa, which is reeling from its worst he travels to face judges in Dakar.
a family member had given the priest’s files on sexual abuse committed by drought in decades as global tempera- Sonko, who has a keen following among
diary to the El Pais newspaper in Spain, Catholic priests in the South american tures rise. Senegal’s large youth population, has
which published the revelations last country. The money will provide life-saving branded the trial a political plot aimed at
assistance for nearly 32 million people
month. arana said Spanish priest jordi scuttling his bid for the presidency in 2024
across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, the elections.
This gave rise to Bolivian prosecutors Bertomeu, a top sex crimes investigator for
opening at least eight cases against priests the pope, has arrived in Bolivia to look into world body’s humanitarian agency OCHa Sonko, 48, has been charged with rape
including Pedrajas and three others from the matter. said in a statement. and making death threats against an
Spain: Luis Maria Roma, alejandro Mestre But Hilarion Baldiviezo, head of an “Famine has been averted, thanks in employee of a beauty salon in Dakar, accu-
and antonio Gausset. association of former pupils of juan XXiii, part to the tremendous efforts of local sations that he denies.
all four are deceased, but there are said Wednesday the Church “cannot be communities, humanitarian organiza- “i’ll meet you in Dakar: either (President)
other accused still alive. judge and accused” in the matter. – aFP tions and authorities, as well as the sup- Macky Sall steps back, or we will face him to
Giovani arana, secretary general of the arana, secretary general of the Bolivian port of donors,” OCHa said. put an end to this,” Sonko told hundreds of
Bolivian Episcopal Conference, said in a Episcopal Conference. But the sum is considerably less than cheering supporters outside his home in the
the $7 billion the United Nations says is southern city of Ziguinchor after the second
needs to provide help to people affected day of his trial wrapped. The final fight,
by drought and conflict in the region. where will it go? it will happen in Dakar... if
“The emergency is far from over, and
additional resources are urgently required
you are 2,000, let 1,500 go to Dakar to con-
tinue the fight,” he said. – aFP
nous reserves an important tool against to prevent a return to the worst-case sce-
deforestation and climate change.
nario,” OCHa added.
Since late 2020, countries in the Horn
Colombia-Panama
The bill would also divest the Ministry
of africa—Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea,
of Environment and Climate Change from
Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan— border earthquake
its new duties regarding water manage-
have been suffering the region’s worst
ment and the rural environmental reg- BOGOTÁ: a 6.6-magnitude earthquake
drought in 40 years.
istry. shook a remote part of the Caribbean near
Five failed rainy seasons have left mil-
according to Guajara, the changes seek the border of Colombia and Panama, the US
lions of people in need, decimated crops
to satisfy the “ruralist bench” in Congress, Geological Survey said.
and killed millions of livestock. The quake was one of the strongest
associated with the agribusiness sector— More than 23.5 million people are
an industry accused in some instances of recorded in the area in recent years, but
enduring high levels of acute food insecu- there were no reports of damage, Panaman-
illegally occupying indigenous lands. rity in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia,
The changes could “cause very serious ian officials said.
according to OCHa. The epicenter was about 40 kilometres
damage to the economic, social and envi- in Somalia alone, which is also in the
a “step backwards.” ronmental interests” of Brazil, Environ- (25 miles) off the coast of Panama’s eastern
throes of an islamist insurgency, the num- town of Puerto Obaldia, according to the
“it is taking away the protagonism of ment Minister Marina Silva said on social ber of people displaced from their homes USGS.
indigenous peoples and goes totally media. by armed conflict, drought or floods now authorities in Colombia and the United
against what President Lula is defending: Though Lula won the presidential elec- stands at 3.8 million, with 6.7 million peo- States ruled out the possibility of a tsunami.
to recognise, value and guarantee the par- tion last year, not everyone in Congress ple struggling to find food, according to The quake was felt around Panama,
ticipation of indigenous peoples in deci- always backs his decisions. figures from the UN and the Norwegian including in the capital Panama City and its
sion-making spaces.” The bill was approved 15-3 in a Cham- Refugee Council. neighboring region of West Panama as well
The initiative to create a Ministry of ber of Deputies committee Wednesday, More than half a million children are as in the Caribbean region of Guna Yala,
indigenous Peoples was welcomed by and heads to a plenary of both legislative severely malnourished, the two organiza- according to Panama’s National Civil Pro-
environmentalists, who consider indige- chambers next week. – aFP tions added. – aFP tection System (Sinaproc). – aFP
 BUSINESS
13 Solar investment to outshine fossil fuel
RM7.5b in agreements at Lima’23
KUaLa LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry
has hosted memorandum of understand-
ing (MoU) and commercial contract sign-
ing worth RM 7.5 billion at the Langkawi
international Maritime and aerospace
Exhibition (Lima’23).
in a statement, the ministry said 36 doc-
uments exchanged hands between the var-
ious parties during the prestigious event.
“The Yang di-Pertuan agong al-Sultan
abdullah Ri’ayatuddin al-Mustafa Billah
Shah graced the signing of three agree-
ments between SKS airways Sdn Bhd,
azorra aviation Holdings and Embraer
asia Pacific Pte Ltd,” it said, adding that the
overall value of these agreements was
US$488 million (US$1=RM4.60).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri anwar
ibrahim also witnessed an air service agree-
ment (aSa) signing ceremony between the
Malaysian and Brunei governments. The
Mosti urges finance, investment bodies to look to space-related sector
LaNGKaWi: The Ministry of Science, Tech-
nology and innovation (Mosti) has called
for finance and investment bodies to open
their doors to funding space-related indus-
tries in Malaysia.
Mosti Deputy Minister Datuk arthur
joseph Kurup said the call was made due to
limited government financing for the sec-
tors as of now, and other funding mecha-
nisms such as venture capital,
public-private partnership (PPPs), a com-
petitive financing instruments, and crowd-
funding will all be helpful in realising the
nations space aspirations.
“These financial mechanisms can be
used to catalyse the local space industry. in
2021 alone, records have shown that the
public and private markets put US$10 bil-
Renewable energy a sustainable
way for chips firms to grow
GEORGE TOWN: Semiconductor companies
in Malaysia should start looking at renew-
able energy in their quest to fulfill soaring
global demand for chips, says Schneider
Electric.
Executive vice-president for power sys-
tems and services Frederic Godemel said
semiconductor output is anticipated to
triple in the next decade and these compa-
nies must start looking at ways to continue
their growth without impacting the envi-
ronment.
“in Malaysia, energy production is still
mainly fossil fuels including coal. This
should be replaced with more renewable
energy sources. i see it as an opportunity for
the industry to partner with electrical com-
panies as well as relevant parties to get more
renewable energy supply.
“This is a good challenge for Malaysia and
the industry. it may not be a top priority
today, but it will be in 10 years time because
we are starting to see large corporations in
other parts of the world looking at green
energy,” he told Bernama on the sidelines of
the Semicon Southeast asia 2023.
Godemel said Schneider Electric does
offer solutions to help the industry lower
their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions such
as digitising the infrastructure of semicon-
ductor processes that would subsequently
result in 20-30 per cent higher efficiency.
Other than that, Schneider Electric also
has software that could help its customers
manage their various sources of emission
while also providing guidance to the com-
pany in their sustainability journey.
“in many operations, there is a waste of
bursa closing report
Bursa down amid weak regional sentiment
KUaLa LUMPUR: Late selling in plantation
counters dragged Bursa Malaysia to end at
its intraday low Thursday in line with the
mostly downbeat performance on regional
peers.
at 5.00 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCi
(FBM KLCi) fell 7.14 points or 0.51 per cent to
close at 1,402.48 compared with 1,409.62 at
Wednesday’s close.
The barometer index opened 0.68 points
weaker at 1,408.94 Thursday morning and
moved to its highest level of 1,411.42 in the
early morning session.
The broader market was also negative
with decliners thumping advancers 556 to
293, while 409 counters were unchanged,
1,000 untraded and 14 others suspended.
Turnover declined to 2.36 billion units
worth RM1.63 billion from 2.55 billion units
worth RM1.70 billion on Wednesday.
Sime Darby Plantation and Kuala
Lumpur Kepong were the top two contrib-
utors to the loss in the benchmark index,
slipping 13.0 sen and 76.0 sen to RM4.28 and
RM21.78, respectively, for a combined 2.83
points.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research
vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the FBM
KLCi closed lower in tandem with most key
regional indices following Wednesday’s
global sell-down.
“investors are worried about the US
economy and a possible default on US gov-
agreement supersedes the previous aSa
signed on Feb 14,1992 to further enhance
air connectivity while providing a more
conducive environment for the airlines to
operate viably.
“The Prime Minister was also present at
the exchange of letter of agreement (LOa)
between Kuala Linggi international Port
and CCC Dredging Southeast asia Sdn Bhd
(CCC),” it said.
The ministry further said that MYairline
Sdn Bhd brought in the biggest investment
with a combined value of approximately
RM 2.7 billion which involves extending an
inventory technical management services.
The statement said Tropical Charters
Sdn Bhd signed two agreements with XOne
Superyachts Group and Gottsegen Yachts.
Tropical Charters Sdn Bhd also invested in
the future of sustainable tourism with a
EUR6 million contract to build a Gottsegen
lion (US$1=RM4.60) of fresh capital to
work in space companies.
“The growing interest to pursue spin-
offs, partnerships, and private-investment
rounds are what fuel the interest of the
public and private market to fund these
companies’ product road map, thus accel-
erating innovation and providing more
competition among companies,” he said in
his keynote address at the Langkawi inter-
national Space Forum 2023 at the Mahsuri
international Exhibition Centre here.
The forum is in conjunction with the
Langkawi international Maritime and
aerospace Exhibition 2023 (Lima’23).
arthur said reports have shown that the
global space economy recorded a tremen-
dous growth of approximately US$447 bil-
energy between the production and the
usage, that is where we can act on the site
helping companies. We have all the solu-
tions, from strategising to measuring, and to
optimising.
“We can help the industry to build a rea-
sonable plan to achieve higher production
with lower or at least the same amount of
CO2 emission,” he added.
He said Malaysia being the seventh
largest exporter of semiconductors in the
world with a market share of seven per cent,
there is great potential for Malaysia to look
into the possibilities of more supply of
renewable energy resources.
He said the global semiconductor industry
is growing rapidly with the industry poised to
become a trillion-dollar industry by 2030.
Renewable energy is the solution for compa-
nies to get the additional energy supply to
match their output with global demand with-
out impacting the environment.
“and if you do not do that, this is what
happened in certain industries where there
is a shortage of chips and they cannot man-
ufacture.
“What is happening now is that a shortage
of chips has global consequences and can be
penalising to their businesses,” he added.
The three-day conference which ended
Thursday, themed ‘Boosting agility and
Resiliency for the Electronics Supply Chain’,
was organised by Semi, the global industry
association serving the semiconductor and
electronics manufacturing and design sup-
ply chain, with its strategic partners the
Malaysian investment Development author-
ity and investPenang. –Bernama
ernment debt causing negative sentiment
around the world.
“On the domestic front, the FBM KLCi
trended lower in the absence of fresh cata-
lysts. Nonetheless, we are hopeful that bar-
gain hunting activities will emerge,
especially in banking stocks as we expect
earnings from the sector to remain decent
over the next few days (results announce-
ment).
“We anticipate the FBM KLCi to move
within the 1,400-1,410 range towards the
weekend with immediate support at 1,400
and resistance at 1,440,” he told Bernama.
among other heavyweights, Petronas
Chemicals added 2.0 sen to RM6.97, Tenaga
Nasional increased 6.0 sen to RM9.58, Public
Bank was 3.0 sen lower at RM3.89, CiMB
declined 2.0 sen to RM4.96, while Maybank
was flat at RM8.56.
as for the active counters, Velesto Energy
shed 3.0 sen to 22.5 sen, Bahvest Resources
eased half-a-sen to 18.5 sen, Parkson Hold-
ings perked up 1.0 sen to 16.0 sen, Widad
Group ticked up half-a-sen to 43.0 sen, and
MSM Malaysia Holdings surged 22.0 sen to
RM1.05.
On the index board, the FBM Emas index
dipped 56.07 points to 10,284.41, the FBMT
100 index fell 53.73 points to 9,989.96, the
FBM Emas Shariah index declined 72.69
points to 10,644.10, the FBM 70 index went
down 84.24 points to 13,425.02, and the FBM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
14 108 M’sian firms at Asia’s biggest F&B trade show
62 New Energy Catamaran via Nova Nauti-
cal Sdn Bhd to help reduce the environ-
mental impact of tourism in Langkawi
Unesco Global Geopark.
The signing of the Langkawi interna-
tional Yacht Registry overseas representa-
tion and expansion for Turkiye and
European Union regional cooperation will
bring in US$250 million in revenue to the
Malaysian economy over three to five years,
the statement said.
The Transport Ministry also signed three
MOUs involving the air accident investiga-
tion Bureau with the Royal Malaysia Police,
the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department
and Malaysia airports Fire and Rescue Serv-
ice.
The MoUs ensure compliance with
international Civil aviation Organisation
standards to improve cooperation during
aircraft accident and incident investiga-
lion, up from US$280 billion in 2010, and
is expected to grow to US$1 trillion by 2030.
“Therefore, it is time for finance and
investment bodies to consider space as the
country’s new economic source. Financial
innovation is a must for the space industry.
“New funding mechanisms such as
competitive grants, debt financing, risk-
sharing mechanisms and tax incentives
can attract local and foreign players to con-
tribute or establish businesses here,” he
said.
Commenting on the Space industry
Strategic Plan 2030 launched Wednesday,
arthur said the plan has outlined a few ini-
tiatives to be implemented with the goal to
create a sustainable funding and invest-
ment ecosystem to promote space com-
Public Bank’s Q1 profits increase to
RM1.71b on prosperity tax absence
KUaLa LUMPUR: Public Bank Bhd’s net
profit rose to RM1.71 billion in the first
quarter ended March 31, 2023 (1Q FY2023)
from RM1.40 billion in the same period
last year in the absence of prosperity tax.
in a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the bank
said the improved net profit performance
was attributable to equity holders who
registered a higher increase of RM315.4
million, or 22.6 per cent, over the same
period, mainly due to the effect of prosper-
ity tax in the previous year.
Revenue jumped to RM6.12 billion from
RM4.89 billion previously.
in a separate statement, Public Bank
managing director and chief executive
officer Tan Sri Tay ah Lek said the group
had demonstrated resilience in its 1Q
FY2023 performance, mainly supported by
commendable net interest income growth
and lower loan impairment allowances.
according to the statement, the bank’s
net interest income increased 7.4 per cent
during the quarter under review, mainly
led by healthy loans and deposits growth,
which expanded at an annualised growth
rate of five per cent and 9.1 per cent,
respectively.
Meanwhile, Public Bank said it
Loan growth to ease: Affin Bank
KUaLa LUMPUR: affin Bank Bhd expects its
loan growth to ease at 10 to 11 per cent for
the fiscal year 2023 versus the 15 per cent
growth recorded last year, citing a cautious
outlook for the whole banking sector.
aCE index slid 3.61 points to 4,944.19.
Sector-wise, the industrial Products and
Services index dropped 0.14 of-a-point to
164.14, the Plantation index slipped 130.92
points to 6,805.75, the Energy index lost
11.38 points to 818.76, and the Financial Serv-
ices index decreased 30.90 points to
15,318.43.
The Main Market volume fell to 1.47 bil-
lion units valued at RM1.40 billion from 1.71
billion units valued at RM1.50 billion on
Wednesday.
Warrants turnover expanded to 332.16
million units worth RM46.03 million
against 293.91 million units worth RM41.75
million Wednesday.
The aCE Market volume improved to
553.75 million shares valued at RM178.96
million from 540.12 million shares valued at
RM156.51 million previously.
Consumer products and services coun-
ters accounted for 389.02 million shares
traded on the Main Market, industrial prod-
ucts and services (272.94 million); construc-
tion (37.67 million); technology (145.10
million); SPaC (nil); financial services (55.80
million); property (134.79 million); planta-
tion (31.36 million); REiTs (9.71 million),
closed/fund (41,000); energy (215.15 mil-
lion); healthcare (85.96 million); telecom-
munications and media (34.28 million);
transportation and logistics (22.38 million);
and utilities (35.41 million). –Bernama
tion, it said.
Other MoUs include agreements
between Malaysia UaV alliance and Data-
sonic Group Bhd and Selangor aviation
Technology and innovation Sdn Bhd; six
MOUs between Universiti Malaysia Tereng-
ganu and MSET inflatable Composit Cor-
poration, agensi angkasa Malaysia,
Malaysia industry-Government Group For
High Technology, Pelabuhan Tanjung
Pelepas Sdn Bhd, PKT Logistics Group Sdn
Bhd and Holistics Lab Sdn Bhd as well as a
memorandum of collaboration between
Pos Logistics Spirit aerosystems Malaysia.
There was also a Sustainable aviation
Fuel (SaF) offtake agreement between
Malaysia aviation Group with Petronas
Dagangan Bhd and two MOUs between
Malaysia airlines Bhd Engineering Services
and jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran
and Spirit aerosystems. –Bernama
mercialisation.
He also urged insurance and lawmakers
to catch up with the development to
ensure the new era of space innovations
reaches its full potential while also stress-
ing the need to have a legal and regulatory
framework on the governance of space for
safety, political and defence reasons.
“The legal framework will also make
investors and financial institutions com-
fortable with lending and get insurers
comfortable insuring. it will help to reduce
risk in participation.
“The recently enacted Malaysian Space
Board act, meanwhile, is aimed to estab-
lish regulatory guidelines for conducting
space-related activities in the country,” he
said. –Bernama
remained stable with a low gross impaired
loans ratio of 0.5 per cent.
“Loan impairment allowances were
lower by 98.5 per cent to RM1.5 million
from RM99.7 million in the corresponding
quarter of 2022,” it said.
On its loans and deposits businesses,
Public Bank said it maintained a healthy
loan growth momentum at an annualised
growth rate of five per cent to RM381.6 bil-
lion in 1Q FY2023, largely supported by the
domestic loan portfolios, which grew by
5.4 per cent per annum (p.a) to RM356.8
billion.
it said domestic loan growth was
mainly contributed by residential proper-
ties financing, which grew at 6.1 per cent
per annum (p.a), hire purchase financing
(up 11.5 per cent p.a) and small and
medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing
(up 2.7 per cent p.a).
Public Bank said non-interest income
performance increased 0.7 per cent in 1Q
FY2023 from the same period last year,
mainly contributed by its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Public Mutual, which recorded
a pre-tax profit of RM192.6 million in the
current quarter, contributing 8.7 per cent
to the group’s profit. – Bernama
President and group chief executive offi-
cer Datuk Wan Razly abdullah Wan ali said
the year could be challenging due to strong
economic headwinds in the United States
(US) and the slowdown in Europe, with both
markets likely to experience a recession.
“This will have a knock-on effect on asia
and also Malaysia. (Despite this), we still
see a lot of business opportunities in
Malaysia.
“(However), we will taper down our
growth target from 15 per cent last year,
and this depends on how severe the slow-
down or recession would impact the US
and Europe.
“We will remain focused on expanding
our customer franchise and growing our
high-margin business while at the same
time maintaining and improving our asset
quality,” he told reporters after the bank’s
annual general meeting here.
For 2023, Wan Razly abdullah said two
main business focus areas for the loan
growth would continue to come from
community banking, namely the retail
banking book as well as the small and
medium enterprise banking, both of which
registered a strong growth of about 11 to 13
per cent last year.
He said that its islamic banking was also
the fastest-growing business within the
bank, recording a higher loan growth last
year, surpassing that of the group at 17 per
cent and contributing about 40 to 45 per
cent of earnings to the bank.
He said that affin Bank was also on a
journey of increasing its current account
and savings accounts ratio as the bank was
one of the laggards in growing this ratio.
Moving forward, Wan Razly abdullah
said the bank would remain focused on
building its key systems and technologies
that will make it more resilient and strong
to support the growth of its customer base.
– Bernama
12
Petron profit
rises to
RM108.73m
KUaLa LUMPUR: Petron Malaysia Refining
& Marketing Bhd’s net profit increased to
RM108.73 million in the first quarter (1Q)
ended March 31, 2023 from RM106.38 mil-
lion in the year-ago period, driven by
higher sales volume.
Revenue rose to RM3.82 billion from
RM3.80 billion previously, the company
said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.
Petron’s total sales volume in 1Q of 8.3
million barrels was eight per cent higher
than the 7.7 million barrels sold in the
same period last year.
“at the back of stable demand post-
pandemic, domestic sales improved by 13
per cent from a year ago,” the company
said.
it noted oil prices and demand were con-
strained by the heightened global recession
fears from the banking crisis in the United
States and Europe, partly tempered by pos-
itive sentiments on China’s expected eco-
nomic recovery post-pandemic.
On prospects, Petron said while there
were attempts to balance the oil market
with the Organisation of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries and its allies (Opec+)
announcing output cuts, it still expects
market uncertainties to affect oil demand-
supply balance that may cause persistent
volatility during the year, although in a
modest range compared to 2022.
“Petron remains vigilant in managing
the possible implications of these market
uncertainties to the company’s business
operations through its comprehensive risk
management approach.
“We will also continue to improve our
operational efficiencies, optimise
resources and pursue better-yielding
investments in retail network expansion.
at the same time, we are committed to
pursue initiatives that are geared towards
a sustainable environment, society and
economy,” Petron added. –Bernama
Marks & Spencer
debuts in KK
KOTa KiNaBaLU: iconic British retailer
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has officially
opened its doors to Sabahans at imago
Shopping Mall.
Nestled in the heart of the city, it is
M&S’ first store in East Malaysia, which
marks a significant milestone in the com-
pany’s brand expansion.
Operated by the al-Futtaim Group, the
launch was officiated by Marks & Spencer
Singapore & Malaysia, al-Futtaim Retail
General Manager Ryan Dsouza in a ribbon-
cutting ceremony.
He said the store is designed to capti-
vate shoppers with all-new interiors to
provide a contemporary look and feel for
an optimised shopping experience.
Completed with womenswear,
menswear, lingerie, beauty sections and a
food hall, shoppers in East Malaysia will
have a new go-to destination to fulfil their
fashion and lifestyle needs.
“We are delighted to announce that al-
Futtaim is bringing the first M&S store to
East Malaysia, further expanding its foot-
print in the region.
“it’s our pleasure to extend our unwa-
vering dedication to provide a unique and
fulfilling shopping experience to the val-
ued customers in Sabah,” Dsouza said.
Ekuinas explores
sale of Al-Ikhsan
KUaLa LUMPUR: Ekuiti Nasional Bhd
(Ekuinas) is in the midst of crystallising its
investment in sports equipment and
apparel chain store operator al-ikhsan
Sports Sdn Bhd (al-ikhsan).
Speaking to reporters after the
announcement of Ekuinas’ 2022 financial
results, chief executive officer Syed Yasir
arafat Syed abd Kadir said Ekuinas is open
to whether exiting the investment via an
initial public offering (iPO) or trade sale.
“We are open. in fact, we are discussing
whether we want to exit al-ikhsan this
year or not. We will continue to explore
(the methods). it really depends on the
valuation that we get,” he said.
Established in 1993 by founder ali Has-
san Mohd Hassan, al-ikhsan operates 181
stores in Malaysia.
Ekuinas partly owns the company after
the government-linked private equity firm
acquired a 35 per cent stake in al-ikhsan in
july 2016 for RM68.6 million.
For the financial year 2022, al-ikhsan’s
revenue jumped 72.4 per cent year-on-year
to RM485.4 million from RM281.6 million.
its earnings before interest, tax, depre-
ciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) before
extraordinary items soared to RM70.3 mil-
lion from RM18.7 million.
asking about the potential to exit
Orkim Sdn Bhd, Syed Yasir arafat said
Ekuinas continues to explore opportuni-
ties for the shipping company.
Ekuinas bought the 95.5 per cent stake
in Orkim in 2014. –Bernama

Solar investment to
outshine fossil fuel
PaRiS: investment in solar power is
expected to overtake oil for the first time
this year as clean energy spending out-
paces that for fossil fuels, the iEa said in a
report Thursday.
While that is a welcome development,
the international Energy agency warned
that investment in fossil fuels is rising
when it should be falling fast to achieve
net zero emissions by 2050.
“Clean energy is moving fast—faster
than many people realise,” iEa Executive
Director Fatih Birol said in a statement
accompanying the release of the agency’s
latest report on energy investment.
“This is clear in the investment trends,
where clean technologies are pulling away
from fossil fuels,” he added.
annual investment in clean energy is
expected to have risen by 24 percent from
2021 to more than $1.7 trillion in 2023,
according to the iEa. The gain for fossil
fuels was 15 percent over the same period.
investment in clean energy and fossil
fuels was equal only five years ago. But a
combination of factors, in particular high
oil and gas prices and a worry about sup-
plies, has seen spending on renewables
surge ahead.
“One shining example is investment in
solar, which is set to overtake the amount
of investment going into oil production
for the first time,” Birol said.
The iEa expects investment in solar
power, essentially photovoltaic panels, to
hit $380 billion this year, while investment
in oil exploration and extraction should
come in at $370 billion.
China tech firm opens Bangla factory
amid growing smart devices demand
DHaKa: Transsion Holdings, a China-based
smartphone manufacturer, inaugurated its
iSMaRTU factory this week to meet the
growing demand for smart devices in
Bangladesh, reported Xinhua.
iSMaRTU Technology BD Limited, a sub-
sidiary of Transsion Holdings, represents
popular smart brands such as TECNO, itel,
infinix, oraimo and Syinix.
The new factory, located in the Meghna
industrial Economic Zone, Narayanganj,
has a total investment of about US$22 mil-
lion in the first phase of its construction and
covers an area of over 22,000 square metres.
it is equipped with the latest technology
and adheres to high international standards
for quality and safety.
Regarding a large population and
increasing consumer demand for afford-
able, high-end feature smartphones in
Bangladesh, Zhu Zhaojiang, Transsion
Holdings Chairman, called the South asian
country a strategic market for the com-
pany’s business expansion.
BYD denies failing emissions test
BEijiNG: Electric auto giant BYD on Thurs-
day denied accusations levelled by a rival
carmaker that two of its models failed
China’s strict emissions standards.
BYD is the world’s second-largest
maker of electric vehicles after Tesla, and
is number one in China’s vibrant but
fiercely competitive domestic sector.
On Thursday it hit back at allegations
that two of its hybrid car models were “sus-
pected of violating standards for evapora-
tive pollutants”, after a complaint to
China’s environment ministry by rival
Great Wall Motors was published by state-
backed news outlet The Paper.
Evaporative pollutants refer to gasoline
vapour from fuel tanks and are a source of
harmful air pollution.
“Our products and related testing com-
ply with national standards and have been
certified by authoritative national institu-
tions,” BYD said in a statement.
“We welcome relevant departments to
come any time for an investigation, to col-
foreign closing report
HONG KONG: Most asian equities sank
Thursday on fears of a US default as the
struggle to hammer out a debt deal led
Fitch to warn the country’s gold-plated
credit rating was at risk.
Nerves have been rattled across
global markets owing to a lack of real
headway in the standoff on Capitol Hill
to increase the US borrowing limit so it
can meet its debt obligations.
Talks earlier this week between Presi-
dent joe Biden and Republican House
Speaker Kevin McCarthy were described
as “productive” but the two sides have
made little progress since, with Republi-
cans demanding spending cuts but
Democrats calling for a “clean” increase.
and analysts said that while there is a
broad expectation an agreement will
finally be reached—likely at the last
minute following a period of brinkman-
ship—investors were growing increas-
ingly agitated and risk-averse.
On Wednesday, the uncertainty led
Fitch to put the country’s aaa-ranked
credit on “rating watch negative”.
“This crowns solar as a true energy
superpower,” said Dave jones, head of data
insights at the energy think tank Ember.
The low price of solar power generation
will help propel decarbonisation efforts as
electric car adoption gathers pace.
But the rebound in oil and gas invest-
ment, which is expected to return to 2019
levels this year, puts the industry further
away from the iEa’s 2050 net zero trajec-
tory.
The iEa says overall 2023 fossil fuel
investment is expected to be more than
double the amount the sector should be
spending in 2030. For coal, it cold hit six
times the amount.
The iEa also noted that clean energy
Zhu expressed optimism that the invest-
ment in Bangladesh through iSMaRTU
would not only accelerate the company’s
local development but also contribute to
Bangladesh’s digitization and modernisa-
tion process.
according to Transsion, from design to
construction, the new factory introduces
more advanced production standards, with
a more scientific layout to better meet the
needs of modernised mobile phone pro-
duction.
Focusing on streamlining the produc-
tion process, the Chinese company tries to
deliver top-quality smart mobile devices to
meet Bangladesh’s growing demand for
products.
Speaking via video link at the inaugura-
tion ceremony, Bangladeshi Posts and
Telecommunications Minister Mustafa jab-
bar applauded Transsion for offering afford-
able devices in line with the government’s
commitment to bridging the digital gap
among the people. – Bernama
lect evidence and conduct testing.”
it added pointedly that “the testing
vehicles were purchased, stored, and
arranged for inspection by Great Wall
Motors”, instead of a third party as
required under national rules.
analysts say China is leading the way
worldwide when it comes to electric vehi-
cle development.
BYD saw its profits jump fivefold in the
first quarter thanks to global demand for
its cars and buses.
But competition within the domestic
market is fierce, with around 100 brands
offering more than 300 models, according
to Counterpoint Research.
The complaint by Great Wall, which
was filed last month according to The
Paper, comes weeks before China’s tough
new vehicle emissions standards kick in.
BYD and Great Wall did not reply to
aFP’s request for comment, and the envi-
ronment ministry did not reply to queries
on whether it was investigating the com-
Most markets down as US debt impasse sparks Fitch ratings warning
The firm said the move “reflects
increased political partisanship that is
hindering reaching a resolution to raise
or suspend the debt limit” before june 1,
when the US Treasury Department
warned the government will run out of
money, triggering a default.
Most economists warn that the failure
of the United States to pay its bills would
likely have devastating economic conse-
quences for markets and the global
economy.
“Fitch still expects a resolution to the
debt limit before the X-date,” the ratings
agency said in a statement.
“However, we believe risks have risen
that the debt limit will not be raised or
suspended before the X-date and conse-
quently that the government could
begin to miss payments on some of its
obligations.”
The announcement raises the possi-
bility of a first ratings downgrade since
F R I DAY, MAY 26, 2023
Employees
work on
solar panels
during the
production
of circular
lightweight
solar panels
at a Solarge
factory in
Weert,
Netherlands.
investment was concentrated in advanced
nations and China, while the biggest
increases in fossil fuel investment are in
Middle Eastern nations.
“The irony remains that some of the
sunniest places in the world have the low-
est levels of solar investment, and this is a
problem that needs attention,” said jones.
The iEa also found that major energy
companies, for the most part, are not put-
ting considerable funds into the transition
to green energy.
just five percent of their cash flow last
year went to low-carbon and renewable
energies or carbon capture projects, only
about a quarter of the amount that was
paid out overall to shareholders. – aFP
Quanta Computer confirms Mexico plans
TaiPEi: Taiwan’s Quanta Computer con-
firmed it had “investment plans” in Mexico
after the governor of Nuevo Leon
announced the company would pump an
additional $1 billion into his state.
a Tesla supplier and Macbook maker,
Quanta is one of the world’s leading elec-
tronics and contract manufacturers, and is
best known for making the “brains” that
go inside electric cars.
“Quanta has investment plans in Mex-
ico and will gradually advance based on
customer demands and (its) business
development plan,” it announced in a fil-
ing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
it declined to provide financial details,
saying only that “the investment in Mexico
does not involve equity investment”.
Quanta’s statement comes a day after
the governor of the northern Mexican
state of Nuevo Leon announced an invest-
ment of “$1 billion more” from the com-
pany after a successful pilot project.
“Because they liked it so much, they
gave us the news that of the $250 million
(already invested), they are going to invest
$1 billion more,” Garcia said in a video he
plaint.
BYD, whose investors include US invest-
ment titan Warren Buffet, was embroiled
in another pollution accusation earlier
this month.
an environmental inspection team vis-
ited one of the company’s biggest factories
in the central Chinese city of Changsha to
inspect “gas emissions”, according to a
brief statement by the city government
published on May 8.
Dozens of children living near the fac-
tory had suffered from nose bleeds and
nausea, and their parents had noticed a
“pungent smell” coming from the factory,
Chinese news outlet Phoenix Tech
reported.
The Changsha government has not
published its findings after the inspection
and BYD declined to comment on the
issue.
China’s upgraded vehicle emissions
standards will take effect nationwide from
july 1. – aFP
S&P did so during a similar standoff in
2011.
Tony Sycamore, of iG australia, called
the move “a bit of a slap” to both sides.
“it just adds urgency that these two
guys get together, or these two parties
get together because their lack of action
is making the ratings agencies nervous,
and i think the markets are very nervous
as well,” he added.
Observers warned that the move
could force S&P and Moody’s to follow
suit.
The Fitch news came after Wall Street
had closed but markets there had
already suffered another day of selling
with all three main indexes deep in the
red.
Much of asia followed suit Thursday
with Hong Kong down almost two per-
cent, while Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Sin-
gapore, Manila, Mumbai, Bangkok and
jakarta were also in the red. Tokyo and
Business 13
S’pore economy beats estimates
SiNGaPORE: Singapore’s economy posted
better-than-expected results in the first
quarter of 2023, official data showed Thurs-
day, but the government warned that the
global outlook remains gloomy.
The Southeast asian city-state’s economic
performance is often seen as a barometer of
the global environment because of its
reliance on international trade.
its economy expanded by 0.4 on-year in
the quarter starting january, slower than the
2.1 percent on-year growth in the previous
quarter but better than an advance estimate
released last month, according to figures
released by the Ministry of Trade and indus-
try (MTi).
Quarter-on-quarter, the economy shrank
0.4 percent, though that too was better than
expected.
The MTi maintained its growth forecast
for 2023 at between 0.5 and 2.5 percent, say-
ing the figure was likely to be in the middle
of that range.
it warned, however: “Downside risks in
the global economy have risen.”
in its statement, it cited a “sharper-than-
expected tightening in global financial con-
ditions” and “escalations in the war in
Ukraine and geopolitical tensions among
Germany in recession
BERLiN: Germany fell into a recession
around the turn of the year, official fig-
ures published Thursday showed, as
inflation and higher interest rates
curbed demand in Europe’s largest econ-
omy.
Over the first three months of 2023,
the economy shrank by 0.3 percent, the
federal statistics agency Destatis said,
downgrading an initial estimate of zero
percent.
Following a 0.5-percent contraction
in the last three months of 2022, it was
Germany’s second consecutive quarter
shared on Twitter Tuesday.
He added the investment was “just for
equipment and technology transfer” in
the first phase, and that land and con-
struction would still need to be factored
in.
Quanta has already recruited a work-
force of 2,500 people since starting opera-
tions in Nuevo Leon.
The state is home to Monterrey city,
where Elon Musk’s Tesla is currently build-
ing a $5 billion new “gigafactory”.
The investments in Nuevo Leon are part
of the “nearshoring” trend among ameri-
can companies and their suppliers, in
which production sites are established
closer to the US market.
in an interview with aFP in March, Gar-
cia said production of Tesla electric vehi-
cles could begin next january at the giant
plant.
He added that he hoped the investment
would create 7,000 direct jobs in Monter-
rey—and 40-50,000 indirect ones, as Tesla
was expected to bring with it many of the
companies that make parts for its vehicles.
– aFP
Jaguar to pick UK over
Spain for battery plant
LONDON: The indian owner of carmaker
jaguar Land Rover is set to select Britain
over Spain to for a giant battery plant
employing up to 9,000 people, the BBC
reported.
The broadcaster, citing sources familiar
with the matter, added that the boss of jLR
owner Tata Motors was expected to fly into
Britain next week to finalise the deal and
meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The factory will be built in Somerset,
southwest England, after the site beat off
competition from Spain, according to the
report.
The deal has not yet been signed but
preparations are underway over how to
present the agreement, the sources told
the BBC.
The UK government did not respond to
a request for comment.
The Financial Times newspaper had
reported earlier this year that Tata had
Taipei edged up.
London, Paris and Frankfurt extended
Thursday’s hefty losses.
Still, McCarthy was hopeful a deal
could be reached before june 1, saying: “i
still think we have time to get an agree-
ment, and get it done.”
“We’re not going to default. We’re
going to solve this problem,” he told
reporters.
and White House Press Secretary
Karine jean-Pierre said talks “remain
productive”, adding: “We believe that we
can get to a solution here. We can get to
a bipartisan, reasonable agreement.”
She warned that failure to do so
would have “catastrophic impacts in
every single part of this country”.
“We’re talking about millions of jobs
lost, devastating retirement accounts,
and a recession.”
Worries over the possibility of more
Federal Reserve interest rate hikes were
major global powers”.
Singapore’s trade is three times its GDP,
and a slowdown in global demand is quickly
reflected in its trade and production data,
said Song Seng Wun, a regional economist
with CiMB Private Banking.
“Singapore is like the canary in the coal
mine,” he said.
There was a weak reading from the man-
ufacturing sector, which shrank 5.6 percent
on-year in the first quarter, worsening from
the 2.6 percent shrinkage in the fourth quar-
ter last year.
That sector includes semiconductors, a
key export.
“Singapore’s external demand outlook
for the rest of the year has weakened,” the
MTi said.
“apart from the expected slowdown in
the advanced economies, the electronics
downcycle is likely to be deeper and more
prolonged than earlier projected.”
it provided an optimistic outlook for the
aviation and tourism sectors, however.
and while it estimated China’s economic
recovery following the end of Covid restric-
tions to be strong, it cautioned that the
spillover effects on Singapore are “expected
to remain weak”. – aFP
of negative growth—the threshold for a
“technical recession”.
The slump came as Germany battled a
surge in energy prices in the wake of the
Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has
weighed on households and businesses.
The increased cost of energy has
driven inflation, which sat at 7.2 percent
in Germany in april, down only slightly
from its peak towards the end of 2022.
“The persistence of high price
increases continued to be a burden on
the German economy at the start of the
year,” Destatis said in a statement.
The impact was felt particularly by
consumers who reined in their spending
on items such as food and clothing.
The negative revision to the growth
figure was no surprise following a string
of weak economic indicators, LBBW
bank analyst jens-Oliver Niklasch said.
“The early indicators suggest that
things will continue to be similarly weak
in the second quarter” of 2023, Niklasch
said.
industrial orders, which give a fore-
taste of factory output, plummeted in
March when compared with the same
month last year.
Germany, which had long been heav-
ily reliant on Russian energy imports,
was left particularly exposed following
the Russian invasion in February last
year.
The curtailment of gas supplies in
particular left Berlin scrambling to find
new sources of energy and fill reserves
ahead of what was anticipated to be a
harsh winter at the end of 2022.
The slump was “not the worst-case
scenario of a severe recession” predicted
by some following the Russian invasion,
said Carsten Brzeski, head of macro at
the iNG bank. – aFP
requested £500 million ($603 million)
from London to help it build the plant in
Somerset.
Environmental campaign group Green-
peace welcomed the report.
“Securing this gigafactory was critical
to ensuring the UK even has a car manu-
facturing sector going forward,” said
Greenpeace UK policy director Doug
Parr.
“But the thousands of jobs it will create
demonstrates the huge advantages that
come with investing in home-grown green
tech.”
Britain plans to ban the sale of new
high-polluting diesel and petrol cars from
2030, forcing its car manufacturing sector
to switch production to electric vehicles.
That target is part of its long-standing
goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions
by 2050 in order to help tackle climate
change. – aFP
also dampening sentiment.
Minutes from the US central bank’s
most recent policy meeting showed offi-
cials split on what to do at their june
gathering, with inflation still more than
double the two percent target.
“Some participants commented that,
based on their expectations that
progress in returning inflation to two
percent could continue to be unaccept-
ably slow, additional policy firming
would likely be warranted at future
meetings,” the minutes showed.
But “several participants noted that if
the economy evolved along the lines of
their current outlooks, then further pol-
icy firming after this meeting may not be
necessary”.
The minutes also showed Fed econo-
mists assume tight financial conditions
“would lead to a mild recession starting
later this year, followed by a moderately
paced recovery”. – aFP
14 Business FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023

108 M’sian firms

n 10 MOST ACTIVE STOCKS
TURNOVER HIGH LOw L/dONE UP/dOwN
COUNTER (UNITS) (SEN) (SEN) (SEN) (SEN)
VELESTO 100,372,800 26.0 21.5 22.5 -3.0 SAHAM AMANAH SAbAH

at Asia’s biggest
(MANAGER’S PRICES fOR MAy 24)
bAHVEST 81,023,600 20.5 18.5 18.5 -0.5
PARKSON 68,744,700 18.5 16.0 16.0 +1.0 bUyING: 0.2819
HSI-COO 67,176,300 12.0 9.0 9.5 -3.5 SELLING: 0.2819
wIdAd 44,248,800 43.5 42.5 43.0 +0.5 NAV: 0.2819
MSM 44,201,100 110.0 82.0 105.0 +22.0

F&B trade show

ICONIC 42,195,000 15.0 13.5 14.0 -0.5
n gold prices
KNM 38,653,800 6.5 5.5 6.5 +0.5
dNEx 36,201,700 42.0 40.0 40.5 -1.5
THE physical price of gold as at 5pm stood at
HSI-COw 31,097,500 26.0 22.5 23.0 -6.0
RM281.98 per gramme, up three sen from
BaNGKOK: a total of 108 Malaysian com- manufacturers, are among the 108 RM281.95 at 5pm Wednesday. – Bernama
n bURSA SCOREbOARd panies are making their mark at Thaifex– Malaysian companies participating in the
UP dOwN UNCHANGEd TRAdEd anuga asia 2023 - asia’s largest and most trade show. Malaysian companies are n CLOSING INdICES
CONSUMER PROd & SERV 52 69 61 182 comprehensive food and beverage (F&B) showcasing a wide array of local products,
INd-PROd & SERVICES 51 92 99 242 trade show, eyeing to expand their market ranging from coffee, milk tea, juice, durian FBMEMAS 10,284.40 (-56.07)
CONSTRUCTION 12 26 18 56 presence globally. products, frozen food, confectionery, and FBMKLCI 1,402.48 (-7.14)
TECHNOLOGy 16 21 17 54 This year, the annual expo is finally fish snacks.
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 563.46 (-1.77)
SPAC 0 0 0 0 returning to normalcy after being The Malaysia External Trade Develop-
fINANCIAL SERVICES 10 9 10 29 impacted by Covid-19 from 2019 to 2022. ment Corporation (Matrade) Bangkok INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 164.14 (+0.14)
PROPERTy 23 41 32 96 More than 3,000 exhibitors from 43 trade commissioner Mohamed Hafiz Md CONSTRUCTION 157.53 (-1.49)
PLANTATION 8 18 6 32 countries are showcasing their products Shariff said the agency has played a pivotal FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,318.40 (-30.90)
REIT 3 6 8 17 and services across 5,500 booths at impact role in facilitating numerous business
CLOSEd ENd fUNd 1 0 0 1 ENERGY 818.76 (-11.38)
Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok from May meetings between Malaysian exporters
ENERGy 12 11 12 35 23-27, stamping a significant milestone in and Thai buyers and distributors. TELECOMMUNICATIONS 592.55 (-3.59)
HEALTH CARE 1 13 4 18 the industry’s recovery and a platform for “The response from the buyers has been HEALTH CARE 1,850.21 (-54.38)
TELECOMMUNICATIONS/MEdIA 4 10 4 18 businesses to reconnect and thrive once overwhelmingly positive, reflecting their
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS 6 15 11 32 TRANSPORTATION 901.36 (-5.05)
again. keen interest and enthusiasm for engag-
UTILITIES 3 6 4 13 PROPERTY 687.07 (+1.14)
The trade show anticipates an atten- ing in further discussions.
STRCwARR 55 146 36 237 PLANTATION 6,805.75 (-130.90)
ACE-MKT 34 70 79 183 dance of over 60,000 trade visitors from “We are encouraged by the fruitful out-
bONd&LOAN 1 2 4 7 120 countries, fuelled by a strong global comes of these interactions and look for- FBMSHA 10,644.10 (-72.69)
ETf 1 1 3 5 interest in Thai food and beverages. ward to fostering stronger business ties FBMACE 4,944.19 (-3.61)
LEAP-MKT 0 0 1 1 Malaysia Business Group (MBG) presi- between Malaysia and Thailand. TECHNOLOGY 57.20 (+0.23)
dent Michael Yap said Thaifex–anuga asia “Our commitment to promote Malaysia
293 556 409 1,258 is one of the leading trade platforms in products and services in Thailand remains
uniting leading and emerging F&B indus- unwavering, and we are confident that n INTERbANK RATES
try players to explore new opportunities these meetings will pave the way for future
n bURSA dERIVATIVES ExCHANGE and penetrate a bigger market. collaborations,” he said. KUALA LUMPUR INTERbANK
“The food and beverage trade show has Some 1,200 Thai businesses are among OffER RATES: MAy 25
KUALA LUMPUR COMPOSITE INdEx fUTURES
attracted global buyers from around the the exhibitors participating in the trade
CONTRACT CLOSING: MAy 25
world, allowing Malaysian companies to show. The participating countries include 1M 2M 3M 6M 9M 12M
expand not only into the Thai markets but from East asia, asean, Europe, Latin amer- 3.19 3.35 3.46 3.57 - 3.79
CONTRACT VOLUME OPEN OPEN HIGH LOw LAST SETTLE
also into the global market, effectively ica, and the Middle East, as well as the
MONTHS INTEREST TRAdEd PRC
achieving two goals with one strategic United States and australia. SIbOR (S$) SIbOR (US$) HIbOR (HK$)
May-23 10,251 42,400 1405.0 1408.0 1399.0 1401.0 1401.0 move. The primary goal of Thaifex–anuga
1M – 4.38863
Jun-23 6,054 8,082 1406.5 1409.5 1399.5 1400.5 1400.5 “it also serves as an ideal platform for asia 2023 is to generate immediate orders,
Sep-23 40 694 1395.5 1396.5 1389.5 1390.0 1391.0 promoting and positioning Malaysian and it is estimated to facilitate business 2M – 4.49220
products not only in Thailand but also transactions worth over 70 billion baht
dec-23 82 168 1396.0 1397.0 1390.5 1390.5 1390.5 3M – 4.63202
beyond its borders,” he told Bernama. (100 baht=13.29), with online purchases
3-MONTH KLIbOR fUTURES CLOSING: MAy 25 He added that MBG’s consistent pres- exceeding 1.5 billion baht. 6M – 4.70714
ence at Thaifex-anuga asia has yielded The trade show will feature 11 zones,
12M – 4.71679
MONTH OPEN HIGH LOw SETTLE VOL OPEN positive results, as several companies have featuring a diverse range of F&B products,
PRICE POSITION received orders. including coffee and tea, drinks, fine food,
With extensive range of export-ready food service, food technology, frozen food, n RINGGIT wATCH
JUN-23 - - - 97.23 - - F&B products offered by participating fruits and vegetables, meat, rice, seafood,
JULy-23 - - - 97.23 - - companies as well as the significant num- and sweets and confectionery. THE ringgit depreciated further against the US dollar, hitting a
ber of visitors at Thaifex-anuga asia, MBG The annual trade show is hosted by the six-month low, and is currently trading near its resistance level
AUG-23 - - - 97.23 - - of 4.6257, alongside other regional currencies impacted by the
has projected to achieve sales exceeding Department of international Trade Promo- US debt ceiling debacle, said Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd
SEPT-23 - - - 97.23 - - RM25,000. tion, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, in chief economist and social finance head Dr Mohd Afzanizam
Abdul Rashid.
dEC-23 - - - 97.23 - - a total of 31 companies from MBG, an collaboration with the Thai Chamber of The local note was last traded at the current level on Nov
MAR-24 - - - 97.23 - - export conglomerate for Malaysian F&B Commerce and Koelnmesse. – Bernama 11, 2022. At 6 pm, the local note stood at 4.6245/6285
against the greenback compared with Wednesday’s closing of
4.5920/5950.
JUN-24 - - - 97.23 - -
Bumi Armada’s Q1 net
Mohd Afzanizam explained that the US debt ceiling risks
remained the main concern and the financial markets were
SEPT-24 - - - 97.23 - - expected to remain jittery over the debt ceiling impasse along
dEC-24 - - - 97.23 - - with concerns on the weakening global economy. The immedi-
ate impact will be on the Malaysian ringgit which we expect will

profit reaches RM201.01m

MAR-24 - - - 97.23 - - continue to remain soft. As for Malaysia’s overnight policy rate,
we believe it will stay at 3.00 per cent throughout the year as
JUN-25 - - - 97.23 - - the external uncertainties become elevated which might have a
direct impact on Malaysia’s external demand,” he told Bernama.
SEP-25 - - - 97.23 - - In a nutshell, there is a greater sense of anxiety over the
KUaLa LUMPUR: Bumi armada Bhd’s net the stable operation of its vessels which prospects of the global economy.
dEC-25 - - - 97.23 - - profit for the first quarter ended March 31, drives the company’s financial perform- Meanwhile, RHB Investment Bank Bhd group chief econo-
mist and market research head Dr Sailesh K Jha said the bank
MAR-25 - - - 97.23 - - 2023 (1Q 2023) rose to RM201.01 million ance. had indicated that its short-term target for US dollar-ringgit is
JUN-26 - - - 97.23 - - from RM185.76 million in the correspon- “We continue to be in the market for 4.60, which has been breached, and the near-term target for
US dollar-ringgit is raised to 4.70, with the balance of risks tilted
ding period last year. new projects and opportunities while towards a print of around 4.75.
SEP-26 - - - 97.23 - -
its revenue for the quarter was higher remaining focused on safety, environmen- “The balance of risks to our end-second quarter 2023 US
dollar-ringgit forecast of between 4.55 and 4.65 is tilted towards
dEC-26 - - - 97.23 - - at RM543.99 million from RM529.01 mil- tal, sustainability and governance (initia- a print of 4.65 and 4.75.
“We expect the next strong US dollar-ringgit resistance lev-
MAR-26 - - - 97.23 - - lion a year ago, the oil and gas offshore oil- tives), as well as operational excellence els of 4.6385 and 4.6470 to be broken quickly, which then
JUN-27 - - - 97.23 - - field services provider said in a filing with and financial discipline,” he added. brings 4.70 into play,” he said in a note.
He added that in the medium-term, the bank would not rule
Bursa Malaysia. Meanwhile, Bumi armada’s cash flows out US dollar-ringgit hitting the 5.0-level. The near-term Singa-
SEP-27 - - - 97.23 - -
“Revenue from the operations segment remained robust with RM288.3 million pore dollar-ringgit target of 3.40 has also been breached and
dEC-27 - - - 97.23 - - increased marginally from year-to-date generated from operating activities in 1Q we are raising our target to between 3.45 and 3.50,” he added.
At Thursday’s closing, the ringgit depreciated against a basket
MAR-27 - - - 97.23 - - (YTD) 2022 to YTD 2023. 2023, which were used to further delever- of major currencies, except against the yen.
It eased further vis-a-vis the British pound to 5.7247/7296
“The increase in the others segment was age the balance sheet and reduce interest from 5.6877/6914 at the close on Wednesday, weakened
TOTAL OPEN INTEREST : NIL CTRS TOTAL TURNOVER : NIL LOTS mainly due to higher revenue from engi- costs for the group, it said. against the euro to 4.9630/9673 from 4.9470/9502, but rose
marginally against the Japanese yen to 3.3141/3172 from
neering services to one of the group’s “The project finance loan for armada 3.3148/3172 Wednesday.
jointly-owned floating production storage Kraken was fully repaid in March 2023, The local note was also traded lower against other Asean
bURSA MALAySIA dERIVATIVES ExCHANGE: MAy 25 currencies.
and offloading vessels in YTD 2023,” it said. over three months ahead of schedule. The ringgit hit 3.4202/4237 from 3.4091/4115 against
THE CRUdE PALM OIL fUTURES CLOSING (ALL PRCS ARE IN RM/MT)
in a separate statement, chief executive “The future firm order book at the end the Singapore dollar, depreciated further versus the Indonesian
rupiah to 309.2/309.6 from 308.1/308.5 at Wednesday’s
officer Gary Christenson said while this of 1Q 2023 amounted to RM11.1 billion, close, slipped against the Philippine peso to 8.25/8.26 from
dEL OPEN HIGH LOw LAST VOLUME OPEN
was a solid start to the year, the group with additional optional extensions of up 8.23/8.24, and fell vis-a-vis the Thai baht to 13.3602/3776
MONTH (RM) (RM) (RM) (RM) POSIITON from 13.2924/3073 previously. – Bernama
would remain vigilant towards ensuring to RM9.3 billion,” it added. –Bernama
JUN-23 3516 3581 3512 3573 1552 5,393
JUL-23 3471 3570 3457 3552 7,641 44,896
AUG-23 3403 3520 3388 3498 28,274 85,590 n COCOA n ExCHANGE RATES
SEP-23 3386 3510 3372 3482 8,390 34,284 ExCHANGE RATES ISSUEd by MALAyAN bANKING bHd: MAy 25
dAILy dEALER PURCHASE PRICE Of COCOA
OCT-23 3385 3512 3375 3485 5,485 21,154
bEANS QUOTEd by THE MALAySIAN COCOA
NOV-23 3388 3512 3380 3486 4,214 20,871
bOARd ON THURSdAy, MAy 25 2023 SELLING bUyING bUyING
dEC-23 3390 3511 3386 3489 3344 15,311
TT/Od TT Od
JAN-24 3397 3519 3396 3491 2816 11,048 SMC 1 SMC 2 SMC 3
fEb-24 3403 3524 3403 3496 1346 3,992 1 US dollar 4.6780 4.5420 4.5120
HIGH LOw HIGH LOw HIGH LOw HIGH LOw
MAR-24 3425 3525 3425 3494 2845 13,101 1 Australian dollar 3.0760 2.9530 2.9480
APR-24 3450 3516 3450 3493 185 798 1 brunei dollar 3.4640 3.3630 3.3490
MAy-24 3429 3504 3424 3492 996 5,549 TAwAU 180 180 9300 9300 9100 9100 – –
1 Canadian dollar 3.4380 3.3450 3.3320
JUL-24 3444 3495 3444 3494 163 2,263 TENOM 175 175 9300 9300 9100 9100 – –
SEP-24 3460 3486 3460 3486 42 424 1 Euro 5.0370 4.8730 4.8460
NOV-24 - - - - - 64 MUAR – – – – – – – – 1 New Zealand dollar 2.8640 2.7580 2.7620
1 Papua N Guinea Kina N/A N/A N/A
TOTAL OPEN POSITION : 264,738 CTRS JERANTUT – – – – – – – –
1 Singapore dollar 3.4640 3.3630 3.3490
TOTAL TURN OVER : 67,293 LOTS RAUb – – 9400 9400 9200 9200 – – 1 Sterling Pound 5.7920 5.6070 5.5960
MARKET TONE : HIGHER KUCHING – – 8800 8800 8600 8600 – – 1 Swiss franc 5.1570 5.0360 5.0190
100 UAE dirham 128.9500 122.2200 121.0600
SARIKEI – – 8800 8800 8600 8600 – –
MPOb PALM OIL PRICES (RM/MT): MAy 25 NOTE : PRELIMINARy PRICES UP TO 100 bangladesh Taka 4.4390 4.1630 3.9450
MAy JUNE JULy
4.00 P.M. NT - NO TRANSACTION SIbU – – 8800 8800 8600 8600 – – 100 Chinese Renminbi 66.3000 63.8000 N/A
LOCAL MALAySIA CPO PRICE TRAdEd fIRM
CPO (LOCAL dELIVEREd) 3,531.00 NT NT dUE TO A wEAKER RINGGIT AGAINST THE U.S. 100 danish Krone 69.3200 63.7700 63.2300
PK (Ex-MILL) 1,985.00 NT NT dOLLAR ANd STRONGER SOyAbEAN OIL n RUbbER 100 Hongkong dollar 60.4300 57.4100 56.6900
PRICES ON THE U.S. CHICAGO bOARd Of
CPKO (LOCAL dELIVEREd) 3,975.00 NT NT SMR CLOSING PRICES (SEN/KG): MAy 25 100 Indian Rupee 5.7500 5.4000 5.1500
TRAdE (CbOT). CPO dELIVERy PRICES
Rbd P. OIL (fOb) NT NT NT TRAdEd bETwEEN RM3,500/TONNE ANd TONE Of MARKET: QUIETLy STEAdy 100 Indonesian Rupiah 0.0325 0.0294 0.0242
Rbd P. OLEIN (fOb) NT NT NT RM3,560/TONNE. PK PRICES TRAdEd JUNE SELLER’S OffER PRICE SEN/KG US CENTS/KG 100 Japanese yen 3.3620 3.2550 3.2470
bETwEEN RM1,980/TONNE ANd
Rbd P. STEARIN (fOb) NT NT NT 100 New Taiwan dollar 16.3000 N/A N/A
RM2,010/TONNE. — bERNAMA
SMR CV – 841.00 / 185.75 100 Norwegian Krone 43.8300 40.3000 39.8200

dAILy ffb REfERENCE PRICE SUMMARy SMR L – 831.00 / 183.55 100 Pakistan Rupee 1.6600 1.5500 1.3500
SMR 5 – 621.00 / 137.20 100 Philippine Peso 8.5200 8.0300 7.7600
by REGION (RM/TONNE) MAy 25
SMR 10 – 611.00 / 134.95 100 Qatar Riyal 129.8600 123.2700 121.7300
dATE NORTH SOUTH CENTRAL EAST COAST SAbAH* SARAwAK* 100 Saudi Riyal 126.1600 119.7700 118.6400
GRAdE GRAdE GRAdE GRAdE GRAdE GRAdE SMR 20 – 609.00 / 134.55
100 South Africa Rand 25.1900 22.7400 22.4600
RM/ 1% OER 37.49 38.04 37.90 37.57 33.97 34.42 100 Sri Lanka Rupee 1.5900 1.4500 1.2500
Note : OER - Oil Extraction Rate (Kadar Perahan Minyak) * Sandakan, Lahad datu and Tawau
CENTRIfUGEd LATEx: LOCAL PRICE (ISO 2004) 100 Swedish Krona 45.0300 41.0000 40.8700
NT - No Trade ** Miri and bintulu. SEN/KILO (wET): SELLERS LATEx IN bULK: 492.50 100 Thai baht 14.0900 12.5000 12.0600
PH - Public Holiday
 PEOPLE & PLACES
16 Young Brit talent teaches Cannes ‘How to Have Sex’
Rock queen
Turner
dies at 83
W
ASHINGTON: Tina Turner, the
growling songstress whose
explosive stage presence electri-
fied fans the world over, left an indelible
mark on 20th-century rock with five
decades of hits – first with husband ike
Turner, but most memorably as a wildly
successful solo act.
The Black eight-time Grammy winner
lit up the stage from the 1960s onwards
and won a new generation of fans in a
stunning comeback after escaping her vio-
lent marriage, making her popular music’s
ultimate survivor.
abandoned by her parents, Turner
emerged from Tennessee’s cotton fields to
become the “Queen of Rock and Roll” who,
according to music lore, taught Mick jag-
ger how to dance – and the Rolling Stones
frontman led the flood of tributes
Wednesday, following the superstar’s
death at the age of 83.
The singer of “The Best” died in Switzer-
land, where she lived her final years with
husband Erwin Bach, a former record label
executive who was her romantic partner
for three decades before they wed in 2013.
Long before she snowballed into a
global phenomenon, Turner’s early career
originally as a soul and R&B siren – was a
roller coaster for the singer, who admitted
attempting suicide at the height of ike’s
physical and emotional abuse.
Tina fled ike in 1976, dashing across a
highway to escape during a concert tour.
Her divorce was finalized in 1978, and she
was left with nothing but her stage name.
But the rock star dream still gnawed at
her. “How can i fill stadiums?” Turner won-
dered, in comments played during her
2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.
“i wanted it. i wanted to do what jagger
and all the other guys at the time was
doing.” Those dreams were fulfilled, and
then some, when she struck crossover gold
with her 1984 album “Private Dancer,”
whose Grammy-winning smash single
“What’s Love Got to Do With it” propelled
her to superstardom at age 44.
Four years later, she set the record for
largest paying attendance of a perform-
ance by a solo artist when her Rio concert
crowd topped 180,000.
as a Black woman who embraced rock
over 1950s doo-wop and 1960s Motown,
Turner was a double outsider. But she
wrote – and then rewrote – the rule book
for women in the genre.
“a Black woman owning the stage all by
herself: that’s the dream right there,”
singer and rapper Lizzo said of Turner.
Turner sold more than 100 million
records worldwide, according to Bill-
board, and paved the way for performers
like janet jackson, Madonna and Beyonce.
“i never in my life saw a woman so pow-
erful, so fearless, so fabulous,” Beyonce
told Turner from the Kennedy Center stage
‘Waterloo’ at Eurovision 2024?
ABBA stars say ‘no way’
LONDON: Two members of aBBa have
insisted in an interview to air in Britain
that the Swedish pop icons won’t perform
at next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in
their homeland.
Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny andersson,
one half of aBBa, downplayed the
prospect despite Sweden hosting Eurovi-
sion on the 50th anniversary of the band’s
win – the country’s first – with their break-
through hit “Waterloo”.
The Nordic nation is set to stage the
world’s biggest live music event for the
seventh time after Swedish singer Loreen
won this year’s contest, hosted by Britain
on behalf of war-torn Ukraine.
Her victory at the eccentric, much-loved
competition in Liverpool this month
prompted immediate speculation that
aBBa could take to the stage next year.
However, in an interview with the BBC’s
Newsnight programme, andersson said
there is “no way” the group will make a cel-
ebratory performance or even appearance.
“i don’t want to. and if i don’t want to,
the others won’t. it’s the same for all four
of us. Someone says no – it’s a no,” he
explained.
Ulvaeus added: “We can celebrate 50
Turner performs during the TV
show "Champs-Elysées" on Channel
Antenne 2 on November 24, 1989.
in a 2005 Tina tribute. “and those legs!”
anna Mae Bullock was born on Novem-
ber 26, 1939, in Brownsville, Tennessee.
She and her sister grew up in a family of
modest means but conditions worsened
when they were abandoned by their
father, and then their mother.
When the grandmother who helped
raise them died, anna Mae moved in with
relatives in St. Louis, Missouri at age 16.
There she met ike Turner, a guitarist
and bandleader eight years her senior who
had already tasted fame, having written
and recorded what was arguably the first
rock and roll record, “Rocket 88,” in 1951.
She convinced ike to let her sing with
him. When he scored a 1960 hit with her
lead vocals on “a Fool in Love,” he gave her
the stage name Tina Turner, and the pair
performed as the ike & Tina Turner Revue.
By 1962, they were married.
From early on, Tina was the fiery, dom-
inant presence, stealing the limelight with
a blend of thick, textured vocals, haunting
howls and mesmerizing dance moves.
The Turner oeuvre reflected their per-
sonal tensions: it included “i idolize You,”
“it’s Gonna Work Out Fine,” and their most
famous number, a 1970 cover of “Proud
Mary,” in which Tina purrs about starting
the song “nice and easy,” but finishing it
“nice and rough.”
Even as she exuded raw sexual power as
a performer, her singing was tinged with a
palpable vulnerability.
“You sing with those emotions because
you’ve had pain in your heart,” Turner told
Rolling Stone magazine in 1986.
after leaving ike, she toiled in Las Vegas
shows, released modestly selling solo
years of aBBa without us being on stage.”
aBBa – which also comprised agnetha
Faltskog and anni-Frid Lyngstad, and is an
acronym of their first names – shot to
international fame after their 1974 Eurovi-
sion success.
The band went on to sell hundreds of
millions of records and top the charts
worldwide, including in the United States
in 1977 with “Dancing Queen” – their only
stateside number one.
Other global hits include “Super
Trouper”, “Money, Money, Money” and
“Knowing Me, Knowing You”.
in 1981, the group released what they
said would be a final album and split up
the following year.
But their success continued, notably
with the compilation “aBBa Gold”
released in 1992, and in 2021 they made a
comeback, releasing their first new album
in nearly 40 years.
They also launched a new concert for-
mat featuring de-aged digital avatars
dubbed “aBBatars” – in London who per-
form their hits and resemble their 1979
selves. Ulvaeus and andersson said the
show’s success was “surpassing every
expectation”. – aFP
Turner performs after the
Walt Disney Pictures pre-
miere of "Brother Bear"
at the New Amsterdam
Theater October 20, 2003
in New York City.
records and toured heavily in Europe.
But with the success of 1984’s “Private
Dancer,” her metamorphosis from manip-
ulated co-star to resurrected rock goddess
was complete.
The next year, she was onstage at Live
aid in Philadelphia for a memorable
encounter with jagger, who ripped off
Turner’s black leather miniskirt mid-per-
formance, revealing her in fishnet stock-
ings and a leotard.
Turner grinned and ran fingers through
her lion’s mane of hair. “i know, it’s only
rock and roll but i like it!” she belted out.
She starred opposite Mel Gibson in a
Hollywood blockbuster, “Mad Max:
Beyond Thunderdome;” co-wrote a best-
selling autobiography, “i, Tina;” and was
the subject of a feature film, “What’s Love
Got To Do With it” starring angela Bassett.
in the revealing 2021 HBO documentary
“Tina,” an uncomfortable reality emerges:
her past trauma had become a focus for
interviewers, with the star repeatedly
asked to recount her life’s worst moments.
Turner, who had embraced Buddhism
and saw it as “a way out” of her dangerous
first marriage, pointed to the faith as a cat-
alyst for rejuvenation and stability.
She often swatted away probing ques-
tions, once saying reliving the past was like
a “curse.” But personal hardships were
impossible to ignore, including the vio-
lence from ike.
“He used my nose as a punching bag so
many times that i could taste blood run-
ning down my throat when i sang,” she
wrote in her 2018 memoir, “My Love Story.”
in life after ike, her concerts became
glitzy spectacles – and she kept the high-
octane rock flowing for decades.
a Wembley Stadium concert in 2000
saw a 60-year-old Turner holding nothing
back, grinding across the stage in stiletto
heels and her trademark leather miniskirt.
in 2008, she embarked on her Tina! -
50th anniversary Tour, which grossed
some $130 million.
The grande dame enjoyed her later
years with Bach in their Zurich home and
a vacation mansion near the French Riv-
iera, although tragedy struck in 2018 when
Turner’s eldest son Craig, from her early
union with saxophonist Raymond Hill,
committed suicide at 59.
ike Turner died in 2007, and his one
child with Tina, Ronnie, died last year at 62
of complications from colon cancer.
in 2013, after marrying Bach and taking
Swiss nationality, Turner relinquished her
US citizenship – but the former president
Barack Obama was among those who paid
the most poignant tributes.
“Tina Turner was raw. She was powerful.
She was unstoppable,” he wrote. “and she
was unapologetically herself – speaking
and singing her truth through joy and
pain; triumph and tragedy.” – aFP
Fetty Wap sentenced
six years for
drug trafficking
NEW YORK: american rapper Fetty Wap
was sentenced to six years in prison on
Wednesday for trafficking drugs across the
United States. The “Trap Queen” rapper
born Willie junior Maxwell ii had pleaded
guilty last year to distributing and possess-
ing cocaine.
New York prosecutors said he was part of
a ring of six men that distributed more than
100 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl
and crack cocaine across Long island and
New jersey between june 2019 and june 2020.
The men obtained the drugs on amer-
ica’s west coast and used the United States
Postal Service and drivers with hidden
vehicle compartments to transport the
narcotics to New York.
The substances were then distributed
to dealers who sold them on Long island
and in New jersey.
The justice Department described
Maxwell, 31, as “a kilogram-level redistrib-
utor for the trafficking organization.”
The rapper was arrested in October 2021
at the Citi Field baseball stadium in Queens,
New York, where he had been scheduled to
perform at a music festival. – aFP
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
15
Kitano returns with ‘queer’ warlord epic
CaNNES: Cult japanese director Takeshi
Kitano has returned after more than a
decade, premiering his new film at Cannes
– a bloody quest for power punctuated by
love between warriors.
“Kubi”, showing out of competition at
the Cannes Film Festival, is an epic account
of feudal japan reminiscent of akira Kuro-
sawa’s classic “The Seven Samurai”.
it has been 13 years since Kitano’s last
film, “Outrage”, but the 76-year-old is
never short of work. in japan, he is best
known as a comedian and TV host, and is Kitano poses during a photocall
also an accomplished writer and painter. for the film "Kubi."
abroad he is primarily known for his
award-winning films as actor and director,
starring in 2000’s “Battle Royale”.
He returned to the French Riviera this
week with what could be his last feature
film, set in the 16th century with a warlord
about the yakuza, or japanese mafia, in
film films like “Hana-bi”, which won the
Golden Lion in Venice in 1997.
Despite the codes of honour and inter-
nal power struggles, Kitano refuses to
seeking to unite japan. make a comparison with the yakuza.
When one of his generals rebels against
him, the other warlords embark on a man-
hunt in the hope of earning their stripes.
But there is also an unexpected focus
on the love affairs between warriors.
“The word ‘violent’ can be used for
these two eras but it has a totally different
meaning,” he said.
Kitano wrote a synopsis for “Kubi” 30
years ago at the very beginning of his
“japanese historical films rarely evoke directing career. But the project only came
together in 2019 when he published a
the question of male homosexuality,”
novel of the same name.
whereas it “was common at that time”,
Did he fear comparisons with Kurosawa
Kitano told aFP. it’s budget – around $11
– one of Kitano’s heroes.
million – is large by japanese standards
“i tried not to watch the battle scenes in
and Kitano’s biggest to date.
Kurosawa’s films to avoid them influenc-
From the first minutes, it sets the tone
ing me,” he admitted. – aFP
with an monumental battle full of behead-
ings and squirting blood – not unfamiliar
from a director known for violent films l See also Page 16
Johansson says ‘intense’ in Anderson world
CaNNES: Living in the Spanish desert on a
quirky film set imagined by director Wes
anderson for his latest mind-bending
movie was an “intense” experience, actress
Scarlett johansson said.
“asteroid City”, which premiered at the
Cannes Film Festival, puts Westerns, the-
atre, 1950s americana and an alien into a
blender – with critics saying it would
appeal to devoted anderson fans but pos-
sibly baffle general audiences.
His style is so unique it has spawned its
own trend of people filming scenes from
their lives on TikTok as if they were in a
Wes anderson movie.
and life on set for his coterie of Holly-
wood megastars is also unlike any other,
according to the cast. Johansson arrives for the screening
“it’s intense, it’s funny because the of the film "Asteroid City."
world is sort of there, you’re in it, the
whole environment is created,” johansson Things”) also praised the “lack of hierar-
told reporters at the festival. chy and the ensemble that Wes creates on
Having previously done voiceover for set. it just feels wonderful.”
anderson’s animated film “isle of Dogs”, she The movie is set in a remote desert town
added that it was her first experience work- where a group of child geniuses gather for
ing with him as “a live actor and not a dog”. a science competition that is interrupted
“it feels very vibrant and very much like by an alien visitor.
you’re working in theatre. it’s very fulfill- in typically convoluted anderson form,
ing and exciting,” johansson said. The cast the desert story is presented as a play being
also includes stars like Tom Hanks, Steve performed in New York – which was con-
Carell, Margot Robbie, adrien Brody, jason fusing for viewers as well as for the cast.
Schwartzman and Tilda Swinton. Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”), who
“i love for us to form a troupe and stay plays the narrator, said: “it feels like Wes
together, and you sit at a long table and anderson is a conductor of an orchestra
you have dinner,” said anderson, describ- and all of us are players of our particular
ing nights sitting around enjoying music instrument and we hyperfocus on our
from British musician jarvis Cocker – who instrument and just present it without
contributes music to the film. really knowing exactly how it’s all going to
actress Maya Hawke (“Stranger piece together.” – aFP
Test your logic skills with the Su Do Ku puzzle. The rules are simple: each of the smaller grids
should contain the number 1 to 9, and in the large grid each row and column should contain the
number 1 to 9. These puzzle vary in difficulty and this is an easy one.
(Solution below)
QUOTABLE QUOTES
solution
‘Physical
strength in
a woman -
that’s
what I am’
– Tina Turner
 16 People & Places
C
ANNES (France): alcohol by the
bucket-load, rammed pool parties,
cheesy chips and loads of sex – all
the stereotypes of Brits abroad are in Molly
Manning Walker’s feature debut causing a
storm at Cannes this year, but she wants to
break them all by exploring thorny issues
of rape and consent.
“How to Have Sex” follows three best
friends getting plastered in Crete, with one
of the girls, Tara, on a mission to lose her
virginity – but things soon go wrong.
Shot in a fly-on-the-wall style, Manning
Walker resists showing graphic assault
scenes. “i think we as women know that
experience way too much – we don’t need
to be re-traumatised,” the 29-year-old Lon-
doner told aFP at Cannes.
instead, she focused on her characters’
emotional experiences.
“Everything was from her eyeline and
everything was on her face and reading
her emotion,” she said.
Her film has been one of revelations
from one of the festival’s sidebar events,
the Directors’ Fortnight.
Variety found it “chillingly dark”, The
Guardian admired its “complex chem-
istry” and The Hollywood Reporter
dubbed it a “hidden gem”.
Manning Walker is one of an emerging
crop of exciting British woman directors
alongside the likes of Charlotte Wells
whose “aftersun” was last year’s unex-
pected breakout at Cannes, earning an
Oscar nomination for star Paul Mescal.
Drawing from her own experience,
Manning Walker was inspired by “the best
times of my life”, but also the sexual
assault she suffered at 16 – and wanted to
POPEYE
BLONDIE
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
crossword
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
Young Brit talent teaches
Cannes ‘How to Have Sex’
(From left) Laura Ambler, Lara Peake, Mia McKenna-
Bruce, Manning Walker, Shaun Thomas, Samuel Bottomley and
Enva Lewis pose during a photocall for the film “How To Have Sex.”
show it all without judgement. whatever we want and still not get
“it’s like living it through their lives at assaulted.”
their eye level and trying not to say ‘Oh Raising the subject of sexual assault
what is she wearing? Or why is she too “sort of sucks the air out of the room and i
drunk?’” she said. think we need to open that conversation
“We should be free to drink and wear up,” she added.
drop-down Menu
ACROSS
1. Grinders and hoagies
5. Personal histories
10. Red or blue caplet in “The
Matrix”
14. “What time ___?”
15. Chicago Sky star Quigley
16. Zone
17. Diddly-squat
18. Chap who calls chips “crisps”
19. A Swiss army knife has many
20. Meaty appetizer served with
ranch
23. Currently
DOWN
1. 2003 animated film about a
legendary sailor
2. Patriotic American chant
3. Try to buy, at an auction
4. Hiring process
5. Painter Picasso
6. Authorize
7. Hardly speedy
8. Polynesian themed bar type
9. Spotted
10. Took a breather
11. Org. that takes many forms?
12. Stan of Marvel Comics
13. “___ Mananitas” (Mexican
birthday song)
21. Musical about an orphan
22. “Despicable Me” antihero
25. Mountaintop
26. Shrek or Fiona
27. Cpl.’s superior
29. ___ Taco (former ice cream
treat with a rhyming name)
“For me consent isn’t black and white,
it’s not yes and no... if someone is having a
bad time you should be able to recognise
that.”
Manning Walker was previously cine-
matographer for other young British tal-
ent, including Charlotte Regan’s
“Scrapper” that won the Grand jury Prize
at the Sundance film festival this year.
She has also made music videos and
adverts, as well as two short films includ-
ing “Good Thanks, You?” that screened at
Cannes in 2020.
“i put up with a lot as a cinematogra-
pher and i think that’s a real man’s world...
you are the head of so many burly male
departments,” she said.
“i have been really lucky in my career to
work with a lot of nice men in that situa-
tion but i have also worked with a lot of
arseholes.” She regrets having to play at
being one of the lads to earn respect.
“You have to come in and be like ‘The
football last night’.
There’s just a conversation that you
have to present in a certain way in order to
be accepted in that world,” she said.
“That is a barrier we have to look at.” –
aFP
The invisible face
of Iranian power
comes to Cannes
CaNNES: a new film at Cannes, showing
the everyday maddening frustration of
dealing with iranian authorities, reflects
the “absurdity” of life in that country, say
the makers.
“Terrestrial Verses” is a unique look
inside daily life in iran – short snapshots of
people arguing with authority figures who
are never shown on-camera.
The vignettes are both horrible and
darkly comic – a man forced to strip down
and explain his tattoos while applying for
a driving licence, or a poor worker made
to recite Quranic verses to get a construc-
tion job.
Co-directors ali asgari and alireza
Khatami told aFP they are all drawn from
the real-life experiences of friends and
family, and will be instantly familiar to
their fellow iranians.
indeed, the idea came together after
Khatami was refused permission to make
a previous version of the script – reflecting
another scene in the movie where a direc-
tor must hack his screenplay to pieces to
placate the censors.
“We were walking one night after my
film was shut down and we were talking
about some of the absurd conversations
we have had with the authorities,”
Khatami told aFP in Cannes, where the
film was playing in the Un Certain Regard
section. The directors insist it is not a
direct attack on iran’s political system in
particular.
“We are interested in the way the sys-
tem functions. But you pick any negotia-
tion of any individual with the authority
in any country and put it on a camera, it
becomes absurd,” Khatami said.
“France, Switzerland, Lebanon, america
– every country has ridiculous ways it
exerts power over its citizens and we indi-
viduals find a way to negotiate it.”
The shoot was interrupted midway
through by the outbreak of mass protests
following the killing of a young woman in
police custody last September.
“We stopped everything for a couple of
months because of what was going on,”
said Khatami. – aFP
47. Surprise attacks
51. Speak pompously
24. Taken-back autos 52. Candy wafer in a roll
28. Bobby who sang “Dream Lover” 54. Famed Manhattan neighborhood
29. Breakfast creation with a fluffy ... or where you wouldn’t find 20-,
white base 29-, 36- and 44-Across?
32. Name within “brainiac”
58. Jigsaw puzzle side
34. Once owned 61. Constantly vex
35. A banana duct-taped to the wall, 62. “___ off to you!”
to some 63. Like a lemon
36. Light, fluffy dessert 64. Hit hard, in the Bible
41. Calif. Airport near SJC 65. Frozen drink brand
42. Pen brand 66. Cats and snakes, e.g.
43. Cabo ___ Lucas
67. Puts a strain on
44. Cold Filipino treat with a repeti- 68. Dishonorable dudes
tive name
solution to today’s
30. Vientiane native
31. Ironically, they may be even crossword
33. Jessica of “Honey”
36. Not at all close
37. Mardi Gras city, for short
38. Chick-___-A
39. Diamond unit
40. Lawless
41. “Dexter” channel, for short
45. Additional people
46. Laugh syllable in “Billie
Jean”
48. Destination in the “Odyssey”
49. Did keto, say
50. Smell and taste
52. Navigate thin ice?
53. Dust arachnids
55. For fear that
56. Tibetan priest
57. Pixy ___ (candy)
58. Psychic’s “gift”: Abbr.
59. Buck passer?
60. ___ feeling (instinct)
aries Mar 20 - april 19
For ages you’ve intended to disentangle your-
self from certain increasingly complicated, and
increasingly less rewarding, arrangements. But
the time never seemed right to tackle the issues
in question. However, things are changing and
unless you speak up now, you’ll find yourself
facing yet more commitments and with even
less of an opportunity to object.
taurus apr 20 - May 20
While, according to astrological tradition, the
presence of Jupiter in Taurus is about good for-
tune and breakthroughs, you won’t always
recognise the potential in certain events, at
least right away. That being the case, explore
everything. That alone will be rewarding, often
in ways as unexpected as they are exciting.
geMini May 21 - Jun 20
You’re only now beginning to realise that, when
certain individuals discuss pivotal changes,
they’re unclear about the line between sticking
with the practical side of arrangements and
simply being stubborn. Tempting as it is to dis-
cuss this, back off. Leave decisions up to them.
You’ll be glad you did.
cancer June 21 - Jul 21
The last thing you want is to upset anybody.
However, you’ve tried to make it clear to certain
individuals that several longstanding arrange-
ments can’t continue as they are. Not surpris-
ingly, this news hasn’t been welcomed. For
now, say nothing. Clearly, these changes are
necessary. It’s just others need to get used to
the idea.
leo Jul 22 - aug 22
For ages you’ve intended to disentangle your-
self from certain once-close relationships.
However, between changes in your own life
and in circumstances, these have become
more of a burden than a joy. While you needn’t
say that, you can back out diplomatically. It
will be a relief for everybody concerned.
Virgo aug 23 - sep 22
True, life would be a lot easier if others recog-
nised that certain things simply can’t go as
they planned. This includes you. Others’ con-
fusion may not make sense to you, but it’s the
way they deal with unsettling events. The solu-
tion? Back off for now, and until they’ve calmed
down.
libra sep 23 - oct 22
Being a Libra, you’re ruled by Venus, the
planet of diplomacy. As a result, you value the
power of tact, and so tend to regard the need
to confront others as a failure. At times, how-
ever, you’ve no choice but to take a tough line.
The sooner you do it, the better.
scorpio oct 23 - nov 21
By and large, you’re amazingly disciplined.
Recently, however, you’ve been forced to
recognise that your approach to joint arrange-
ments isn’t just casual, you sidestep plans or
far-reaching decisions. Why? You’re short of
facts, but afraid to admit it. Discuss your con-
cerns frankly. Others will be far more helpful
than you imaged possible.
sagitarius nov 22 - dec 20
For ages you’ve been aware that, sooner or
later, you’d have to tackle certain tedious but
vital matters. Some involve decisions, others
discussions with individuals who tend to be
difficult. Still, as a Sagittarius, you’ve a quick
mind. That, alone, will lead to exciting, if unex-
pected, ideas or even offers.
capricorn dec 21 - Jan 19
Only days ago, you were short-tempered with
somebody whose intentions were good, but
who seemed to be distracting others. However,
now that you’ve talked things through, you
realise their ideas weren’t just worthwhile, they
were better than yours. Enough that, in the
future, you might want to seek their advice.
aquaris Jan 20 - feb 17
Happily, you’ve managed to sidestep potential
clashes, if not colossal battles, with an indi-
vidual, arrangement or organisation. It might
have been some of each. Now that you’re in
the midst of dealing with these, you’re begin-
ning to recognise, it’s far less complicated than
you feared. In fact, it’s been amazingly easy.
pisces feb 18 - Mar 19
The last thing you want to do is delve into dra-
mas that, only recently, you regarded as dealt
with for good. However, certain individuals
were hiding vital information. Tempting as it is
to put off tackling these yet again, the sooner
you do it, the less complicated the matters in
question will be.
Birthday Today
As an inquisitive, restless Gemini, you
thrive on new ideas, exciting offers and,
even, on completely unexpected changes.
Judging by your birthday chart, that’s
exactly what will be appearing on the hori-
zon. Yes, these could be overwhelming.
While, usually, you’d handle these brilliantly
on your own, with so much taking place so
swiftly, you’ll not only benefit from guid-
ance, you’ll learn a great deal from it. And
for now? Don’t rush into decisions. Focus on
exploring every option that comes your way.
You won’t regret it.
 FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
in tHe sessions
court
at Kota Kinabalu
in tHe state of
sabaH, Malaysia
suit no.
bKi-a52M-64/3-2023
(sc6)
MALAYSIA
between
MaybanK islaMic
IN THE HIGH COURT berHad
[co. reg. no.
IN SABAH & 200701029411
SARAWAK (787435-M)]
… plaintiff
AT KOTA KINABALU and
nur fHrHaneey
COMPANIES
eZZatun binti
(WINDING-UP) abdul MuJi
(nric no.
NO. BKI-28NCC-50/10- 990809-12-6026)
2021 [t/a sri MaJu]
IN THE MATTER of ... defendant
adVertiseMent
SECTION 465(1)(e) pursuant to
AND 466 (1)(a) of the court order
TO: nur fHrHaneey
Companies Act 2016 eZZatun binti
abdul MuJi
AND A-12-1, Block A, Tingkat
IN THE MATTER of 1,Cyber City Apartment
Fasa 2, Jalan Lintas,
KINSABINA SDN.
88100 Kota Kinabalu
BHD. (COMPANY NO. and/or
No. F-4-19, Tingkat 4,
200101006857 Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jalan
(542613-U)) Mat Salleh, 88100 Kota
Kinabalu, Sabah
taKe notice that an
KUWAIT FINANCE action has been com-
menced against you in the
HOUSE (MALAYSIA) Sessions Court at Kota
BERHAD Kinabalu in Suit No. bKi-
a52M-64/3-2023 (sc6) by
(COMPANY NO. Maybank islamic berhad
200401033666 with its registered address
at 15th Floor, Tower A,
(672174T)) Dataran Maybank 1, Jalan
Maarof 59000 Kuala
- PETITIONER
Lumpur and having a
branch at Bangunan May-
NOTICE OF bank, No. 1, Lorong Kema-
juan, Karamunsing, 88000
WINDING-UP Kota Kinabalu, Sabah in
ORDER which the Plaintiff claims
against you as follows:-
(Rule 34) (a) The sum of
rM292,011.37 calculated
In the matter Wind- as at 31.01.2023;
ing-Up Order: KINS- (b) Late payment charges
at the rate of 1% per
ABINA
annum on the outstanding
SDN. BHD. Facility amount and
accrued profit until the
Made: 14th April 2023 maturity date of the Facility
Name and address or the date of judgment,
(whichever is
Of Receiver: earlier) and thereafter at
Ketua Pengarah Insol- the prevailing daily
vensi overnight Islamic Interbank
Money Market (IIMM) until
Jabatan Insolvensi full settlement. The IIMM
rate as at 16.02.2023 is at
Malaysia 2.72% per annum and
Cawangan subject to change from
Kota Kinabalu
time to time;
(c) Costs on a solicitor and
Aras 5, Blok A client basis; and
(d) Such further and/or
Kompleks Pentadbi- other reliefs that this Hon-
ran Kerajaan ourable Court deems fit
and proper.
Persekutuan Sabah Together with advertise-
Jalan Sulaman Likas ment charges and that it
has been ordered that
P O Box 10824 service of the Writ in the
88000 Kota Kinabalu said action on you be
effected by this advertise-
ment.
Date the 14th day If you desire to defend the
of April 2023 said action, you must
within fourteen (14)
days from the publication
MESSRS of this advertisement,
inclusive of the day of such
WONG & SHIM publication, enter an
ADVOCATES & appearance at the Registry
SOLICITORS of the Court in Kota Kina-
balu. In default of such
appearance, judgment
This NOTICE OF may be entered against
WINDING-UP ORDER you.
dated the 26th day of
is prepared by Messrs Messrs ns fernandez
Wong & Shim, Advo- & associates
advocates for the
cates & Solicitors for plaintiff
the Petitioner whose lot 3, 2nd floor,
address is at 12th Floor, fortuna commercial
center
Wisma Merdeka Mile 2.5, penampang
Phase 1, Jalan Tun road
88300 Kota Kinabalu,
Razak, 88000 Kota
sabah.
Kinabalu, Sabah. nsf/Mib,rcrM(KK)-
[WS/RW/L/K-55(1)] sM/0184/nf(Vp)-dj
SABAH, MALAYSIA
DI PEJABAT PENOLONG PEMUNGUT HASIL TANAH
KOTA MARUDU
SIASATAN TANAH PPHT KOTA MARUDU NO. (22)
18 TAHUN 2023
SCHEDULE XXIV (Section 120)
NOTICE OF LOSS OF DOCUMENT OF TITLE
Application having been made to the Collector at ACLR,
KOTA MARUDU by MAJAWAT BIN GOROTOM @
DOMINIC for a certified copy of NT. 223152314 district of
KOTA MARUDU on the ground that MAJAWAT BIN
GOROTOM @ DOMINIC is the registered owner thereof
and that the issue document of title has been lost /
destroyed: LOST / DESTROYED.
In accordance with the provisions of Section of the Land
Ordinance 1930, notice is hereby given that, unless within
ONE (1) month of the date of publication of this notice
good cause be shown to the Collector of Land Revenue for
refusing this application, the certified copy applied for will,
subject to the provisions of the said section, be issued.
Dated at Kota Marudu this 25th May 2023
17
PROCLAMATION OF SALE
s Property
IN THE MATTER OF ALL
MONIES FACILITY AGREEMENT LAND FOR SALE
AND ALL MONIES DEED OF
ASSIGNMENT (CLAUSE 8 Location: Tuaran
POWER OF ATTORNEY, (500meter from Pekan)
INCLUSIVE) BOTH DATED
16 DAY OF FEBRUARY 2015
TH
Area: 4,000sqft
Contact: 0168329946
BETWEEN
MALAYAN BANKING BERHAD s
(3813-K) Vehicles
- ASSIGNEE / BANK
AND
SS AQUACULTURE (M)
SDN BHD (904542-A)
- ASSIGNOR / BORROWER
In the exercise of the rights and
powers conferred upon the
Assignee/Bank under the Monies
Facility Agreement and All Monies
Deed of Assignment (Clause 8
Power of Attorney, inclusive) both
dated 16th day of February 2015
entered into between the
Assignee/Bank and the s
Assignor/Customer IT IS HEREBY Jobs
PROCLAIMED that the
Assignee/Bank with the assistance VACANCY
of the under-mentioned Auctioneer, General Clerk - 1 Post
WILL SELL THE PROPERTY
Location:
DESCRIBED BELOW BY
PUBLIC AUCTION ON Jalan Kiansom, Inanam
9th June, 2023 Tel: 016-8377767
TIME: 09: 30 A.M.
VENUE: GA SPACE, No.1-1-6,
(Lucy Yap)
1st Floor, Block B, Kolam Centre, -----------------------
Phase 2, Hilltop, VACANCY
Luyang, Jalan Lintas, 88300
10 TON Lorry Driver
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Area Menggatal
IMPORTANT NOTE: Prospective Contact No:
bidders are advised to: (i) seek
independent legal advice on all
0163356930
matters relating to the sale including -----------------------
the Conditions of Sale, (ii) inspect JOB VACANCY
the Subject Property, (iii) check on
AIRCOND TECHNICIAN
the issuance of separate
individual/strata title, (iv) conduct an - With Experience
official title search at the relevant - Willing to outstation
land office, and/or other relevant
- With driving licence is
authorities, (v) make the necessary
enquiries with the Developer and/or advantage
the Landowner and/or State - Hostel Provided
Authorities and/or Liquidator and/or
relevant bodies on the necessary Area Penampang
confirmations/terms of consent to 016-8105979
the sale herein prior to the auction
-----------------------
sale and (vi) conduct and rely on
their own search, enquiries, JOB VACANCY
investigations and verifications on WELDER MEN
the accuracy and correctness of the
- With experience 5 years
particulars and information
provided. Prospective bidder(s) above rm1,800 to rm2,500
is/are also advised that no reliance - Apprentice and below 5 years
may be placed on any statement (s)
or representation (s) made in this
experience rm1,500 to
Proclamation of Sale or by the rm1,800
Auctioneer at the auction Penampang Area
concerning the Subject Property
- Hostel Provided
and that any prospective bidder (s)
who choose (s) to rely on such Please Call 016 810 5979
statement (s) or representation (s) -----------------------
do(es) so at his/her/their/its own
risk. The successful bidder (s) [“The JAWATAN KOSONG
purchaser(s)”] (at his/her/their/its Kilang (Area Kinarut)
own costs and expenses) shall - Driver Lorry (GDL) (Lelaki) 3
immediately upon the sale
orang
undertake to apply for and obtain
the necessary - Clerk (Perempuan)
confirmation(s)/consent to transfer H/P: 016-5858624
or assign (if any) from the
Developer and/or Proprietor and/or
s
State Authorities and/or Liquidator
General
and/or relevant bodies. All arrears
Formation Of
of quit rent, assessment, and fees
New Sdn. Bhd.
which are lawfully due and payable
to the Government or local One-Stop Services
authorities (if any) up to date of Popular Management
successful auction sale of the Tel: 234598/260020
Subject Property shall be paid out
11-2, Blk B, Damai IV, KK
of the proceeds of the auction sale
of the Subject Property, subject to
(i) the Assignee/Bank is in receipt of
copies of the statement which
evidenced the said arrears from the
Successful Purchaser within SIXTY
(60) DAYS from the date of the
auction sale of the Subject Property
and (ii) the Assignee/Bank reserves
the right to refuse to pay any sums
of the said arrears which is not
lawfully due or time-barred under
Limitation Ordinance (Sabah Cap.
72). A Board of Directors’
Resolution and Written
Authorisation are required where
the bidder is a company bidding
through an authorised person; and
a Written Authorisation is required
where the bidder is acting as a
proxy.
PARTICULARS OF PROPERTY
Subject Property: Developer’s
Unit No. C-46, Level Concourse,
Waterfront Mall held under Parent
Title Town Lease 017553187,
District of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Address of Property: Unit No. C-
46, Concourse Floor, Oceanus
Waterfront Mall, Jalan Tun Fuad
Stephen, 88000 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah.
Type of Property: A retail unit.
Approximate Floor Area: 1,460
square feet (135.64 square metres)
Tenure of Subject Property:
Assumed to be 99 years leasehold
interest.
Developer:
SUNSEA DEVELOPMENT SDN
BHD (210948-D).
Landowner: DEWAN
BANDARAYA KOTA KINABALU.
Encumbrance: Assigned to
MALAYAN BANKING BERHAD
(3813-K)
Reserve Price: Subject Property
will be sold on an “AS IS WHERE
IS” basis subject to a reserve price
of RM1,170,000.00 (RINGGIT
MALAYSIA ONE MILLION ONE
HUNDRED SEVENTY
T H O U S A N D
ONLY) and subject to the express
terms and conditions of the
CONDITIONS OF SALE and by
way of an Assignment from the
above Assignee/Bank and also
subject to the consent being
obtained by the successful bidder
(hereafter the Purchaser) from the
Developer and/or Liquidator and/or
the Landowner, relevant authorities
(if applicable) including all terms,
conditions, stipulations and
covenants which are and may be
imposed by the Developer and/or
Liquidator and/or the Landowner
and/or relevant authorities in regard
to the Subject Property.
Deposit: All intending bidders are
required to pay a deposit which is
equivalent to 10% of the fixed
Reserve Price for the Subject
Property by way of Bank Draft or
Cashier’s Order only drawn in
favour of MALAYAN BANKING
BERHAD, the Assignee/Bank prior
to the auction sale with the
undermentioned Auctioneer and the
balance of the purchase price
(90%) shall be settled within ninety
(90) days to the Assignee/Bank
from the date of the auction sale by
Bank Draft or Cashier’s Order
only drawn in favour of MALAYAN
BANKING BERHAD, failing which
the Purchaser shall forfeit the 10%
deposit and pay the same
absolutely to the Assignee/Bank.
FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS,
please contact/liaise with MESSRS
BACHI BANTOI & CO., Solicitors
for the Assignee/Bank whose
address is at 2nd Floor, Lot 53,
Block H, Donggongon Square,
88300 Penampang, Sabah.
(Telephone No.: 088-733787 /
Mobilephone No.: 016-8324988), E-
mail address:
bachibantoi@gmail.com or the
undermentioned Auctioneer:
MEGA AUCTION HOUSE,
Address: 13A, Taman Baginda,
Lorong Baginda 1,
Off Jalan Penampang,
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Contact Nos.: 017-8511838 /
014-8611838.
E-mail:
megaauctionhouse@gmail.com.
18 FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023

CONDOLENCE
our deepest sympathies and Heartfelt condolences
to
THE FAMILY OF THE LATE

MS. OLIVIA CHEN MUI LIN

Who passed away on 22nd May 2023
FROM
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND
MEMBERS OF THE SABAH LAW SOCIETY
1. Roger Chin Ken Fong 26. Datuk Norbert Chin 51. Melvin Marcelino Fabia
2. Mohamed Nazim Bin Maduarin 27. Doris E. Ubing 52. Moo Fah Chung
3. Ryan Soo Chin Fook 28. Dr. David Fung Yin Kee 53. Nadia Fong Tet Wun
4. Jamadi Bin Saleh 29. Eva Lo Shia Wa 54. Nar Chin Keow
5. Song Wei Wan 30. Evelyn Anak John Ganjos 55. Ooi Kim Ean
6. Chan Wai Ling 31. Francis Chia 56. Patricia Hiew
7. Alvin Leong Yin Yuan 32. Gerard Chia 57. Peter Jino Allion
8. Wendy Lee 33. Gilbert Bulagang 58. Peter Sia Mee Su
9. Marianne Ghani 34. Glenda Pearl Majawat 59. Peter Vung
10. Dominic Ghani 35. Hee Yen Yung 60. Philip Koh
11. Adrian Cham Chee Khong 36. Ho Kin Kong 61. Priscilla Ruth Marcus
12. Alexander Hugo Malakun 37. Irene Liew 62. Raymond KK Wong
13. Alice Chew Yun Chee 38. Janice Wong Heu Fun 63. Roland Cheng Ho Wah
14. Anthony Shim 39. Jennifer Lok Poh Chu 64. Ronny Cham
15. Catherine Chau 40. Jimmy Lam 65. Salmi Zalinah Binti Abdul Rahim
16. Chan Sze Wei 41. Johnny Ting 66. Sonny Durai
17. Christina Lim Wan Ying 42. Kartina Sulong 67. Soong Tsoi Len
18. Chu Yee Ming @ Jeffrey 43. Ken Chiam 68. Stella Simon
19. Claudia Anne Lopez 44. Lai Wai Shing 69. Suwen Chin
20. Clive Jublee 45. Lee Hai Fung 70. Sylvia Jawatin
21. Colin Lau 46. Ling Lim Hong 71. Terrence Lee
22. Datuk Kong Hong Ming 47. Lo Chun Kiat 72. Toh Puan Marina Tiu
23. Datuk Mariati Robert 48. Mahirah Hanis Marzuki 73. Wong Chik Yoong
24. Datuk Marzuki Hj Spawi 49. Mary Lee Chung Ching 74. YA Datuk Christopher Chin Soo Yin
25. Datuk Maureen Lind 50. Mathew Willie 75. Zaleha Binti Mohd Yusuf Pan

Sabah Clubs and 319699.

Non-Governmental Organisations
MAY 28 (SUNDAY)
SABAH INDIAN ASSOCIATION (SIA) Biennial General Meeting
(BGM). Time: 3.30pm. Venue: SIA Hall, Kota Kinabalu. Relevant BGM
documentation has been dispatched to members via email and
WhatsApp. Detail: Ir. Andrew Amaladoss at sia2021kk@gmail.com
or 0198526708.
Regular Events
Sabah Tai-Chi Association new classes. Monday, Wednesday and
Friday: 7pm to 8pm. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 6.30pm to
7.30pm. Details: Lee at 0168044512.
Sabah AZ (Sabah Alzheimer’s Disease Support Association:
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive brain
disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and,
eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Sabah AZ
conducts Talks & Seminars, support, comfort families / caregivers /
AD sufferers. Bi-Monthly Memory Café sharing-session by
caregivers/carers. Details: enquiry@sabahaz.org, www.sabahaz.org,
FB:@Sabahalzheimer. Kent 019-8811030 (10am-6pm).
Sabah State Administrative Centre Galleria Artisan PPNS is open to
public from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Our gallery boasts
an array of local handicrafts from all over Sabah as well as locally
made Sabah Batik. All local entrepreneurs are welcome to promote
their products through this avenue. Come visit us: PPNS , Menara Tun
Mustapha and Sabah Handicraft Centre, Keningau. Details: Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/galleria.artisan/ or Afnansyah Agimin at
088-332186 ext: 1501.
Parkinson Association of West Coast Sabah (PAWS) Conducts
monthly outdoor activities, hold regular fellowship and meetings for
people with Parkinson’s disease (PWP). Carers and volunteers are
welcomed to participate. The fellowship provides opportunity for PWP
to network, share experiences / info and also enjoys the various
complementary therapies such as body balancing, dancing, voice
and music therapy, physiotherapy. Details: 016-8303888 Pat, 014-
6706118 JC or 019-8126196 James.
Sabah Law Society a weekly Free legal consultation and advice
session for the public on Saturdays from 9am to 12.30pm (except
the first Saturday of the month). Members of the public who are
interested are advised to contact the SLS Secretariat at 088-251008
for an appointment or by email ybgk@sabahlawsociety.org.
Blood Bank Unit of Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital, Likas
(HWKKS) Blood Donation Drive “Bah, Mari Menderma” 1 pint of
blood can save 3 lives. Urging army, RELA, police, fire brigades,
uniform bodies, government agencies, healthy public people,
churches, mosques, corporate private companies with huge human
resources to donate generously to our SWACH. Details: 522600 Ext:
2314.
Heritage Toastmasters Club Learn to speak better and improve
leadership skills in a fun and supporting environment. Meetings are
held every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Time: 7.30pm. Venue:
6th Floor, Wisma Bandaraya. All are welcome. Details: President
Sabrina 016-8287675 or VPPR Ooi 012-4150046.
Sabah Chartered Volunteer Society invites affiliates to join as
volunteers for its community development projects for the benefits of
the local communities. Youths and college graduates are encouraged
to apply for Free Entrepreneurship and financial planning programs
in order to be offered career prospects as marketing executives or,
financial advisors with a well-established financial institution through
Sabah Chartered Volunteer Society. Details: Prof. Dr. Benjamin 010-
8887850.
Sabah Society For The Blind has moved to the 1st floor, Lot 3, Sri
Damai building, Jalan Kolam, Lorong Nibung, KK on Sept 1. Monday
to Friday 9am to 5pm. Saturday 9am to 12.30pm. Details: 250388,
218130 or Fax: 316588. Email: sabahblindsociety@yahoo.com.
Website: http://www.sabah.org.my/shsb.
Sheltered Workshop. Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm. Tel/ Fax:
788543. Address: Jalan Stesen Pertanian, ARC, 89207, Tuaran,
Sabah.
Sabah Family Planning Association provides services & treatments
relating to sexual reproductive health, family planning and general
health screening. Details: KK Branch 016-8899865 (Clinic Helpline),
088-222703; Tawau Branch 089-771172, Lahad Datu Branch 016-
8309868; Kudat Branch 088-611088. Harrington Family Clinic
8am-5pm (Mon-Sat) Facebook: Sabah Family Planning Association.
Tel: 088-430 727 Fax: 088-424 600
Please note that due to space constraints,
Sabah Week will only feature the immediate
events due to take place for the next three days.
The usual brief on the NGOs, voluntary
organisations and their activities
will appear on Sunday.
Instagram: sabahfpa. Email: hqsfpa@gmail.com
Gerak Kasih Recycling Collection waste paper – newspapers,
cardboard, boxes, magazines, books, paper bags, soft toys, clothing,
plastic bottles, aluminium tins. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Time: 10am to 3pm. Venue: Rumah Titian Kasih, Lot 168, Lot 17,
Lorong Kerapu, Rumah Murah Kg Likas Phase 3, 89400 Likas.
Details: Nooraisah 014-8586350 or Salina 012-8449139.
Sabah Natives Land Owners Association (SANLODA) is dedicated
to promoting optimum utilisation and preservation of native lands in
Sabah. Membership Drive: Information for membership from various
districts can be obtained from Datuk Stephen 0138658333, Datuk
George 013-851500, Petrus 0198529299 or Datuk Yusof 012-
8331950.
Malaysia Blood Donors Society Daily Blood Donation Drive. Inviting
all NGO to collaborate and also calling members of the public to join
its membership. Details: 012-8222779, 016-3551987 or 014-
7342886.
Sabah Cheshire Home & Asian Tourism International College Basic
Pastry Skill Lesson for the physically disabled individuals aged
between 17 – 28. Details: 438202. Fax: 434570.
Taska Mesra Cheshire Early Education for children with physical
disabilities aged below four-years-old. Open Mon to Fri. Details:
Sabah Cheshire Home 438202.
School of Psychology and Social Work, UMS is offering Counselling
Service, Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, Sensory Integration Therapy
and Applied Behaviour Analysis Session. The services are on
appointment basis. Time: 9am to 5pm. Details: Nurul Fatiha 019-
8114573, 320000 Ext: 8833 or nurulfatihafirdaus@ums.edu.my
EXTOL is a non-profit youth club focusing on developing youths in
stewardship and leadership. Calling on all non-Muslim parents to
encourage their children between the ages of 13 to pre-university /
college to attend our meetings held every Friday. Time: 7.45pm to
9.30pm. Venue: Agape Methodist Church, Agape Hill, Jalan Shantung
Baru, Penampang. Details: Patrick 0109317118.
Pusat Jagaan Seri Murni provides counselling and support services
for women / girl in situation of crisis such as unplanned pregnancies
and sexual gender based violence. Details: Counselling or interview
019-5349044.
The Committee of Communication For Behavioural Impact
(COMBI) Lok Kawi Town, Papar invites the residents of Taman
Pantai Lok Kawi to be a promoter / volunteer of COMBI committee.
All are welcome. Details: Zainal 016-8450717, Hj Mataris 010-
9488846.
HANDPRINTS – Toy Library & Resource Centre is to educate, enable
and empower parents, so that they are able to help and guide their
children with special needs. Thematic monthly play day on 2nd
Saturday of each month. Operating hours: Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday 2pm to 5pm. Wednesday: 7pm to 9pm. Saturday: 9.30am to
2pm. Venue: Lorong Pokok Saka, Dah Yeh Villa, Off Mile 2 3/4, Jalan
Damai, Luyang. Tel: 016-4172298. Facebook:
www.facebook.com/handprintstoylibrary/. Email:
handprintslib@gmail.com.
Kota Kinabalu Lions Ambulance Service Society (LASS) Provides
24 Hour FREE Ambulance Service. Also providing First-Aid Training
to the public and Mobile Health Service to the rural areas. Call: 088-
Malaysian Red Crescent Kota Kinabalu City Chapter is providing
Ambulance Services from 8pm to 6am (weekdays only), providing
Patient Transfer Services (daily), providing Basic First Aid and CPR
Courses (Certificate Courses) – every 2nd week of the month and also
providing Emergency First Aid Standby Services (any events). Details:
232718 (O), 232718 (Fax) or email: mrckkcc@gmail.com or
bsmkkcc@gmail.com
Kinabalu Breast Cancer Support Association (Kinabalu Pink
Ribbon) Offering emotional, social & material support to women with
breast cancer (before/during/after treatment) and their families.
Careline: 016-8038553. Office: 216237 or Fax: 253679. FB:
www.facebook.com/kinabalupinkribbon.
Email: kinabalupinkribbon@gmail.com.
Sabah Mental Health Association PKJS Day Care Centre is open to
suitable candidate and it carries out several activities on weekdays.
Details: 248197.
Alamesra Youth-PREP Centre Provides a place for youths to seek
assistance and support on issues such as education, relationships,
work, family and financial stability. Legal aid and counselling services
are free and are on appointment basis. Venue: Ground Floor, Lot 25,
Block E, Phase 2, Alamesra, Jalan Sulaman. Opening Hours:
Weekdays 9am to 5pm. Tel: 395632 or fax: 485372.
Email: youthprepcentre@gmail.com
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/youthPREPCentreAlamesra.
The Sabah Australian Alumni Association (SAAA) invites graduates
from any Australian Institutions of higher learning to join as members
of SAAA (2022). Detail: EDD 01116137889 or
sabahausalumni2022@gmail.com
The Kota Kinabalu AIDS Support Services Association (KASIH) help
line & free voluntary HIV screening tests, except sun & public holidays.
Office hours. Time: 9am to 5pm. Fri: 6pm to 9pm. Sat: 4pm to 7pm.
provide confidential / free voluntary HIV screening test (rapid test)
during office hours, Mon to Fri. result available 10 to 15 minutes.
Details: 712914 or email: kasihsabah@yahoo.com
National Stroke Association of Malaysia Sabah Club Wisma Pandu
Puteri, Kompleks Badan-Badan Sukarela, km 4, Jalan Tuaran, KK.
Centre’s opening Hours: 9am to 5pm. Mon to Fri, closed on Sat, Sun
& Public holidays. Details: 261568.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Association of Malaysia
(FPMPAM) the public can obtain medical opinions, referrals or
treatment for crisis intervention, detoxification, prevention &
counselling for drug abuse via www.no2drugs.org.
Special Olympics Sabah Weekly jogging exercise (so west coast).
Details: 016-8807703 or 223221.
Kota Kinabalu Falun Gong Exercise sessions every Saturday &
Sunday. Free of charge. All are welcome, Details: Kota Kinabalu 013-
870-6558, Sandakan 089-229626, 089-229023 and Tawau
019-8536333.
SWEPA Toastmasters Club Regular Training Meeting to enhance your
public speaking, communication and leadership skills. Time: 7.30pm
(1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month). Venue: Swepa Secretariat, 2nd
Floor, Wisma Wanita, Jalan Tuaran, KK. Details: President Dora 016-
8300755 or VPPR 013-8603871.
The Cancer Society Of Sabah Provide services on hospice, cancer
awareness / education, rural health project. Hotline / counselling
pertaining to cancer & clinic by a lady consultant gynaecologist.
Details: 210377 or 222315.
The Befrienders Kota Kinabalu offers confidential emotional support
to those feeling depressed and in despair which may lead to loss of
life. Call us if you need to talk. We are here if you feel confused or
upset and need someone to talk to. We care, we listen. Call: 088-
255788, 088-335793 or 0168036945 every night, 7pm to 10pm.
www:facebook.com/befrienderskk.
Sabah Society For The Deaf Registration for pre-school deaf children
ages 2 – 6 & hearing sibling ages 2 – 4. Language Development &
Vocational Programme for deaf children & adults ages 8 and above.
Venue: SSD premise, Jalan Khidmat, Bukit Padang, KK. Details: KK
– Wong 230894, Sandakan – Wong 089-219160, Keningau –
Mahinah 087- 339716, Kudat – Chin 622697, Lahad Datu – Asmah
089-887895.
Sabah Society for the Deaf Registration for Sign Language Class.
Details: KK – Wong 230894, Sandakan – Wong 089-219160,
Keningau – Mahinah 087- 339716, Kudat – Chin 622697, Lahad
Datu – Asmah 089-887895.
Sabah Women Action-Resource Group (SAWO) provides Helpline
services to support women and girls who face domestic violence,
rape, sexual harassment and other gender-based violence. Call: 088-
280200. Mon-Fri, time: 9am-5pm
D-Dash Compact Car Club Welcomes all Perodua and compact car
owners to join in the club membership. For more info on club weekly
gathering and events contact martin 019-8036019 or d-
dashclub.fotopages.com.
Sabah Government Pensioners’ Association Membership recruitment
exercise & pensioners’ problem 9.30am to 1pm (Mon – Fri, except
public holidays) at Maksak Complex, Likas. Details: 211282 Lucy.
Agriculture Institute of Sabah Alumni Association Membership
drive. Information to obtain membership forms from various district
near you, contact Maidah 019-8414088 or Leong 019-8515893 or
email exipstm@yahoo.com.my.
Kent Teachers College Alumni Association Membership drive.
Membership forms are available at all district education offices in
Sabah. Details: Tajuddin 787581, 019-537-1178 or Eddy 016-
8223757.
Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary Resources Library is free for
public to use. Details: 246955 or fax: 247955.
Sandakan Toastmasters Club Platform to improve effective
communication and leadership skills on every 2nd & 4th Thursdays of
every month. Venue: Incorporated Society of Planters office, Taman
Utama, Zone 3, Jalan Utara. Details: Alex 013-8803622 or Jerry
012-8616743.
Kota Kinabalu Advanced Toastmasters Club – Communication and
leadership training meeting. Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month
at 7.30pm. Venue: Meeting Room 1, 1st Floor, Wisma Wanita, Jalan
Tuaran. Those interested are welcome to attend. Details: Irene 019-
8211985 or Jess 0168302717.
Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation KK Centre Open to all, accept
children with Downs Syndrome below the age of 7. Details: Raneh
219809, Fax: 219808.
Consultancy Services & Training Centre For Consumerism,
Environmental & Human Rights Seminar / talks consumer issues-
your rights as consumer, how to complain and get effective results,
know about consumer laws, tribunal for consumer claims,
environmental, human rights & civil society. Except Saturday, Sunday
and Public Holiday. Tel/fax: 234616 Datuk Patrick Sindu (JP) 019-
811-7369, 016-8007369 or datukpatricksindu@yahoo.com.
United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO)
Offer opportunities to the public to voice their complaints on various
issues and offer advice to the complainants on how to go about their
grouses. Monday to Friday. Call: 721722 & 721723 or
homepage:www.upko.org.my
Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Help available for those with alcohol
related problems. Anonymity assured. Meetings in English every
Tuesday at 8pm. Bahasa Malaysia every Thursday at 7pm. Details:
012-8039883 (ENG) or 016-8386386 (BM).
Malaysian Ex-Police Association (Penampang Branch) Membership
recruitment exercise and other related matters. Time: 2pm to
5pm (Wednesday, Thursdays & Friday), except public holidays.
Venue: PME, 1st floor, Lot 3, Block 15, Penampang Baru (Protem
office). Details: Joseph 016-8213013, 710557 (o) or 714557
(fax).
Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) Day Care
Centre Every Thursday from 9am to 1pm at PWD 7396 & 7397,
Taman Rose, Off Jalan Penampang for mobile patients who are
registered under our Home Care Programme. We help you to care for
your loved ones. Free Home Care Support service for your family
members, relatives or friends who are diagnosed with advanced
cancers. Referrals may be from private / government hospital or self-
referred. Details: Grace 231505 or 257507.
KK Mandarin Toastmasters Club Regular Training Meeting. Time:
7.30pm. (2nd & 4th Thursday of each month). Venue: 3rd Floor, Lot
14, Block B, Lintas Square, KK. Details: Yan 012-8023264, Chua
016-8100282 or Lim 016-8302552.
Fama Pasar Tani Asia City variety of vegetables, fishes, sugar cane
juice, soya bean milk, pastries and many other food items will be on
sale. Every Wednesday & Saturday. Time: 6am to 5pm. all are
welcome. Details: Wasri 013-5555451.
Happy Family Homes Malaysia KK we welcome volunteers to join
us in our house builds on Saturdays. Those with masonry & carpentry
skills are most welcome. Details: 088-395989.
Bukit Harapan 424567.
Sabata 255916.
Tun Haji Mohd Fuad Stephens Borneo Research Library Opening
Hours: Monday – Friday 8.30am to 5pm. Saturday / Sunday & Public
Holiday : Closed. Venue: Menara Tun Mustapha, Likas Bay. Details:
326300 Ext: 1152 or 1154. Fax: 326490.
Email: ppbtfs@gmail.com or website: www.ysnet.org.my Open to
public.

‘No big deal over Tat
Meng’s appointment’
KUaLa LUMPUR:
There’s no big deal
over Wong Tat Meng’s
appointment as his
new coach, said
national men’s sin-
gles professional
shuttler Lee Zii jia
(pic).
Zii jia said what was more important
was the fact that Tat Meng is a local coach
that has what it takes to help the current
world number 10r chase the elusive
Olympic gold dream for the nation in
Paris 2024.
“i don’t think it’s a big issue, let’s move
on and try to be positive because finally i
have a coach.
“as Malaysians we should be happy
about it and my coach is also a local, so
let’s help each other to chase the Olympic
dream…Hopefully, he can bring me to
one step higher,” he told reporters when
met at the Malaysia Masters 2023, here.
The 25-year-old player was responding
to a social media post by Hong Kong’s
number one men’s singles shuttler,
s
General
Dalam Mahkamah
Rendah Syariah
Wilayah Persekutuan
Labuan
Kes Mal No.
2305-L1114-122-0173
ANATASIAH BINTI
YOHANES
NO. KP: 940223-12-6242
- PLAINTIFF
Kepada:
YOHANES NIRON
No. Pas Lawatan:-
AMBIL PERHATIAN
bahawa kamu hendaklah
hadir ke Mahkamah Ren-
dah Syariah Wilayah
Persekutuan Labuan pada
hari Rabu pada 14hb Jun
2023 jam 9.00 pagi bicara
Permohonan Wali Hakim.
Hadir / tidak, keputusan
dibuat
Bertarikh:
STATE OF SABAH,
MALAYSIA
THE LAND ORDINANCE
CAP. 68
SECTION 116 (4)
ORDER OF REMOVAL OF
CAVEAT
WHEREAS on the applica-
tion of LIONG JAN BOEN @
LIUNG YAN BOEN on the
12.08.2022 under Section
116(4) of the Land Ordi-
nance, I have made due
enquiry, as recorded in the
Land Enquiry No.
120/2022 of Kota Kinabalu
District, and am of the opin-
ion that the said application
ought to be granted.
Now I do hereby order that
the Caveat on the land
described in the title No. NT
013083433 which was
registered as Memorial No.
MD2207010012(04)
Memo Sequence No. 04 be
removed.
Dated at KOTA KINABALU
this 2nd May 2023
Signed
KENNDY C. KERIAH
Assistant Collector of
Land Revenue
Kota Kinabalu
LE:(01) 120/2022
THIS ORDER OF REMOVAL
OF CAVEAT is advertised by
Chin Lau Wong & Foo of
No. A818, 8th Floor, Wisma
Merdeka, Jalan Tun Razak,
88000 Kota Kinabalu,
Advocates & Solicitors for
the abovenamed Applicant.
[Ref: CLWF/1642/LEP/jue]
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023 Sport 19
angus Ng Ka Long, who vented out his apart from Hong Kong and South
frustration that the departure of Tat Korea, Tat Meng had served for the Bad-
Meng from his team had put them in an minton association of Malaysia from Team Matupang FC that won the tournament.
awkward position as they are gearing up 2003 to 2011 and 2013 to 2016 as well as
for the upcoming asian Games, to be indonesia in 2012 and Scotland from
held in Hangzhou, China from Sept 23 to
Oct 8.
2016 to 2018.
in Malaysia, Tat Meng oversaw the rise
Matupang FC win football c’ship
Zii jia also said the appointment of Tat of former national women’s singles Clarence Dol Company which is also the main sponsor of
Meng was done according to law, adding Wong Mew Choo when she claimed the RaNaU: Matupang FC emerged as champi- the tournament.
that all efforts to strike a deal with the 55- China Open 2007. ons of the Nalapak and Paginatan Mukim irish Bersatu Company Manager aaron
year-old coach started when he went to Last Tuesday, Team LZj on a social U12 indoor Football Championship held jeffrey Ludin in his speech said that the pur-
Hong Kong for a short training stint with media post announced that Tat Meng’s here and took home a cash prize of RM1,000 pose of the tournament was to find new tal-
their men’s singles squad last april. immediate task will be to tailor a pro- along with medals. ent for the Mukim Nalapak and Paginatan
asked on why Tat Meng was ‘the cho- gramme that will help Zii jia achieve con- The tournament held at Padang Kg U12 team.
sen one’, the Kedahan said the former sistent performances, move up the world Kebuh Baru on May 20 was organised by “The main objective of us holding a tour-
South Korea national team coach had a rankings, and qualify for the 2024 Kelab Belia Teguh (Kebuh) in collaboration nament like today is none other than to
vast experience overseas including guid- Olympic Games. with the United irish Company. raise the spirit of sportsmanship among the
ing South Korea to clinch the 2022 edi- Zii jia has been playing without a full- The runners-up spot was won by the youth, especially school students.
Sagindai Kids Team with a prize of RM500 “a special order from us to all the players
tion of the Uber Cup and moulding time coach since parting ways with his
and also medals for the players. is that they are always enthusiastic in terms
21-year-old and world number two an Se former trainer indra Wijaya of indonesia
Third place went to Miruru FC who man- of sports and academics, in addition to
Young as one of the top women’s singles late last year. applying a competitive attitude among
shuttlers at the moment. When met by Bernama, Ka Long, on aged to bring home a cash prize of RM300
along with medals for the players while in them,” he said.
in the meantime, the former asian the other hand, refused to comment fur- Meanwhile, the Deputy Chairman of
fourth to sixth place were Paginatan FC,
champion said he expected Tat Meng to ther on Tat Meng’s resignation from the Kelab Belia Teguh, jonelson B, thanked all
Teguh FC jr (Kebuh) and Nalapak NLS,
join his team after the indonesia Open Hong Kong Badminton association and respectively. the teams that participated and hoped that
2023, which is slated to take place in only wished the latter good luck on his The tournament which was held for the the same tournament would be organised
jakarta from june 13 to 18. future endeavours with Zii jia. – Bernama first time was officiated by the United irish again in the future.
Brighton end Rodrygo raises
City’s winning fist in Vinicius
run to secure tribute as Real
top-six finish beat Rayo
BRiGHTON: Pep Guardiola praised his
BaRCELONa: Rodrygo struck a late winner
Manchester City players for shrugging off
for Real Madrid in a 2-1 La Liga victory over
their hangovers after clinching the Pre-
Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday and raised
mier League title with a 1-1 draw at
his fist into the air in a nod to team-mate
Brighton on Wednesday to stretch an
Vinicius junior.
unbeaten run to 25 matches.
Brazilian winger Vinicius received racist
a point was also enough for the Seagulls
abuse against Valencia on Sunday, but was
to guarantee they will finish sixth in the
watching on from the president’s box
table and secure a place in the Europa
because of a knee problem.
League next season.
Rodrygo struck in the 89th minute to
Phil Foden fired the English champions
send Madrid second and bowed his head
in front, but Brighton were well worthy of
while lifting his fist in a “Black Power”
the point given to them by julio Enciso’s
salute.
stunning long-range strike.
Karim Benzema sent Madrid into the
“Only 48 hours before they drank all the Brighton’s Julio Enciso (second left) scores past Manchester City’s goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. lead in the first half before Raul de Tomas
alcohol in Manchester,” said Guardiola.
equalised for the visitors at the Santiago
“Today they showed why they are the cham- clean through on goal.
Bernabeu, with Rodrygo deciding the game
pions. “We were humble and run a lot. That is why we are the champions for at the third time of asking he took no chances as Haaland unselfishly
in the final stages.
many years, these players showed something special.” squared with just Steele to beat for Foden to convert his 15th goal of the sea-
The win sent Real Madrid second, a point
Guardiola heaped praise on Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi pre-match, son.
above rivals atletico Madrid, who drew 3-3
hailing the italian as one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years. But after a slow start, Brighton soon began to live up to Guardiola’s billing
at Getafe later on Wednesday.
The City coach showed his respect by restoring a number of star names to his as the champions were rocked back on their heels. Danny Welbeck’s free-kick
Vinicius was not present on the pitch but
side that missed Sunday’s 1-0 win over Chelsea to toast a fourth league title came crashing off the bar and Facundo Buonanotte should have done better
was not far from the players’ thoughts, as
in five years. with his finish after sauntering through the City defence.
Madrid lined up before the game wearing
Erling Haaland returned among six changes and could have had a seventh Kaoru Mitoma also saw an equaliser ruled out for handball.
his number 20 shirt as a gesture of support.
hat-trick of the season inside half an hour. The towering Norwegian headed But there was no stopping Enciso’s leveller when it did come as the
The forward was sent off against Valencia
over Foden’s inviting cross on five minutes. Paraguayan picked up Levi Colwill’s pass and smashed an effort into the top
and although the card was revoked on Tues-
Haaland then had a poor touch to blame for not beating jason Steele when corner for his first goal at the amex. – aFP
day night, he was not able to recover from
his knee issue to play.
El Salvador cuts short football c’ship after deadly stampede it was the first time Madrid have played
since the abuse occurred and many sports
SaN SaLVaDOR: El Salvador football authorities “We have decided to terminate the 2022-2023 in addition to the dead, about 500 people were stars and other significant figures across the
world have offered Vinicius their support.
have cancelled the remainder of the national cham- national championship of El Salvador,” the parties treated for various injuries at the scene, while 88
pionship because of safety concerns, after a stam- said in the joint statement, with Fesfut separately were hospitalised. Most have since been discharged. Supporters chanted his name after 20
pede at a game killed 12. adding that “there will be no champion.” Fesfut said all parties were committed to ensur- minutes and a banner in one stand read
“This measure has been taken in this way in The competition had only reached the first leg ing “better protocols” for securing the safety of fans “We are all Vinicius, enough already!”
response to the seriousness of the events and the of the quarterfinals. in the future. “i think everyone in football, not just in
need to guarantee the safety conditions of the Twelve people died and hundreds were injured But a group called jugadores Unido (Players football, in all of sport, the whole world, (is
sports venues,” the Salvadoran football federation in a crush at first-division alianza’s stadium on Sat- United) urged the federation to reconsider, citing reacting to) these actions, they should not
(Fesfut) and Liga Mayor clubs said in a statement on urday. it was thought to have begun when a gate fell the “large number of people” who economically be allowed,” Madrid defender Dani Carvajal
Wednesday. at the stadium in the capital San Salvador. depend on the football matches. – aFP told Movistar after the game. – aFP
Halep says her doping Ji opens
hearing postponed again title defence
PaRiS: Former world number one Simona
Halep on Wednesday said her doping hearing,
scheduled for this weekend, had been post- with victory
poned for a third time by the international
Tennis Federation. LOS aNGELES: South Korea’s ji Eun-hee
The Romanian was provisionally suspended kicked off her LPGa Match-Play title
last October after testing positive for the defence with a 3&2 victory over Matilda
banned substance roxadustat and was charged Castren on Wednesday as top-seeded Lilia
with a separate second anti-doping breach last Vu surged late for a win.
week “relating to irregularities in her athlete biological passport”. ji, who beat japan’s ayaka Furue in last
Halep previously complained that the iTF cancelled hearings set year’s final at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas,
for February and March. Nevada, gained the upper hand on Fin-
“Once again, tonight, i am devastated,” she said in a post on land’s Castren with a par to win the second
social media. hole and was 3-up after winning the 12th
“The iTF (iTia) (international Tennis integrity agency) has once with a par.
again, for the third time postponed my hearing one month later... Castren cut the deficit with a par to win
the 14th, but a par was enough for ji to win
“i have asked, as the rules of anti-doping state it, for a quick
the 15th and when they split the par-five
hearing: this is my right, it is written in the rules.”
16th the match was hers.
The 31-year-old has claimed that experts found she had acciden-
“So i didn’t have the best shot today,
tally taken a contaminated supplement.
but i think luck came with it,” ji said. “i
Halep had climbed back into the world’s top 10 before she was
don’t think my opponent had the best day
suspended having dropped out of the top 20 in 2020 following either, so that helped ease the process a lit-
injury problems. tle bit.”
But the two-time Grand Slam champion is set to tumble further Going up early was a big help on a
from her current mark of 34th as she waits to find out when she can windy day at a challenging course, ji said.
return. “When i have the lead in the beginning,
“Not only they are killing my reputation, but also me as a pro- i think i can definitely not lose the lead,”
fessional player, and i don’t even talk about the consequences on said the 37-year-old, whose six LPGa titles
my mental health,” Halep added. include the 2009 US Women’s Open. “So
“This disrespect of the rules by the iTF regarding the fast hearing even though i didn’t have the best shot
i am entitled to have, is so disrespectful to me that i have no more today, i did my best to get a save.
words... “Shadow Creek definitely isn’t an easy
“’justice delayed is justice denied.’” course. Every hole is very complicated so
No comment could be immediately obtained from the iTia, you have to think a lot about that.”
which acts on behalf of the iTF. Vu, who won her first major title at the
Roxadustat is a drug that stimulates the production of red Chevron Championship in april, is the
blood cells and is used in the treatment of patients with kidney highest-ranked player in the 64-strong
problems. – aFP field at fourth in the world. – aFP

YOUR LOCAL VOICE I FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
Political instability
also affected sports
KUaLa LUMPUR: The political instability
that occurred in the country over a period
of four years caused some 220 national ath-
letes to be unable to continue training
since no specific provision was given for
the implementation of the senior training
programme under the Podium Porgamme
2022.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh
said during the four-year period there were
three changes of Prime Minister and three
times Minister of Youth and Sports which
caused changes in board members (of
sports authorities), budgets and focus.
Taking the example of the details of the
2022 Budget that was tabled in October
2021, Hannah explained that no allocation
was given for Podium Programme 2022.
“This caused the National Sports Council
(NSC) to reorganise athlete preparation
programmes for the main sports meets
scheduled for 2022, among them the Viet-
nam SEa Games, Birmingham Common-
wealth Games and the asian Games.
“at the same time, NSC also had to dis-
tribute and use internal allocations to
ensure that athlete training allowances
and coaches salaries continued without
delay so as not to affect the performance of
athletes who were in training,” she said
during the Ministers’ Question Time at the
Dewan Rakyat sitting, Thursday.
She said this in replying to a supple-
New floodlights by next year
anthea peter
KOTa KiNaBaLU:
The Penampang
Sports Complex
will have new sta-
dium floodlights by
next year, said State
Youth and Sports
Minister Datuk Ell-
ron angin (pic).
“The major improvement being done at
the complex is the construction of flood-
lights at the main stadium of the Penam-
pang Sports Complex.
“This project started in Feb 2023 and is
expected to complete by Feb 2024,” he said
during question time at the State Legisla-
tive assembly sitting, here, Thursday.
He was responding to a question by
Kepayan assemblywoman jannie Lasim-
bang who asked on the status of the
upgrading projects and construction of
roofs at the Penampang Sports Complex’s
outdoor court facilities.
“My Ministry has already listed for all
outdoor facilities such as the sepak takraw,
basketball, volleyball and futsal courts at
the Penampang Sports Complex to be
improved next year.
“This includes the proposal to build a
roof for these outdoor courts.
“at this time, the mentioned sports
facilities are still being utilised by users
and will be constantly monitored by my
officials from time to time to ensure that
the facilities are safe to use,” he said.
Malaysia face
tough hurdle
KUaLa LUMPUR: The National Under-23
squad is expected to face a tough qualifying
hurdle after being drawn in the same group
as South East asian giants Thailand for the
2024 asia Cup Under-23 Qualifiers scheduled
in Thailand from Sept 6 to 12.
in the draw held here Thursday for the
biennial tournament, Malaysia were drawn
in Group H together with Thailand,
Bangladesh and the Philippines.
The U-23 squad coached by E. Elavarasan
will open their campaign on Sept 6, against
Bangladesh before taking on the Philippines
on Sept 9 and face the toughest match
against the host country on Sept 12.
in the qualifiers, 11 group winners and
four best placed runner-up teams will join
host country, Qatar, in the U-23 asia Cup final
scheduled from april 15 to May 3, next year.
Meanwhile, the top three teams in the asia
Cup 2024 final will also qualify for the 2024
Paris Olympics slated in july and august next
year.
The Football association of Malaysia
(FaM) had decided to not send the National
Under-23 squad for the asian Games in
Hangzhou, China which will be held in Sep-
tember this year, due to the proximity of
dates with the 2024 asia Cup final. – Bernama
Printed and published by sabah publishing House sdn bhd (company no: 35782-p) o Head office / press: 3B Jalan Mangga, Sedco Likas Industrial Estate, Jalan Kolombong, 88450 Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah or P.O.Box 10139, 88801 Kota Kinabalu.
o Main Hunting line 088 386662 o fax (general) 088 432555 fax (news) 088 424600 o Hotline 088 437773 o advertising (fax) 088 425151 o news 088 424600 o Kg air office: 088 238711 / 088 238666 o fax 088 238611
o Kuala lumpur office: 03 21485250 o fax 03 21419255 o sandakan office: 089 217204 o fax 089 215262 o tawau office: 089 776507 o fax 089 773285 o labuan office: 087 419778 o fax 087 419778 o lahad datu office: 089 883989 (Line/Fax)
mentary question from ahmad Fadhli
Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) who asked Hannah
to explain her statement at a press confer-
ence last week about political instability
being one of the causes of the national
team’s poor performance in the recent
Cambodia SEa Games 2023. “This situation
(payment of athletes’ allowances and
coaches salaries) lasted for a period of two
months which is january to February 2022.
KBS took the initiative to apply to the Cab-
inet to obtain an allocation for the Podium
Programme and it was agreed under
RMK12 (12th Malaysia Plan) amounting to
RM240 million from 2022 to 2025 which is
RM60 million per year.
“Every time there is a change like this,
when athletes’ allowances and coaches
salaries are delayed because there is no
budget, it affects their training. This is
because some have to go abroad (for train-
ing) and i had a discussion with athletes
The Sook assemblyman hoped that
complex users and sports enthusiasts
could be patient about the matter. “This is
for the good of the people in Penampang.
The people in surrounding areas will also
benefit from this,” he added.
To a supplementary question by Gum-
Gum assemblyman arunarnsin Taib who
asked if the Ministry had plans to build a
sports complex in the Gum-Gum con-
stituency, Ellron said the Ministry will con-
duct a study on it first.
“in principle, when we plan to build
something such as a sports complex, we
prioritise full districts. However we will
consider this, we can conduct a study on
the need for a sports complex in Gum-
Gum,” Ellron said.
He said he will hold a meeting with
Sabah State Sports Board officials and
National Sports Council to discuss the
study.
Earlier, arunarnsin had reasoned that
Gum-Gum had some 10,000 constituents
including youths who have voiced the
need for a sports facility in the area.
Run for Peace returns in July after three-year hiatus
KOTa KiNaBaLU: after a three-year hiatus
due to the pandemic, Run for Peace (RFP),
the non-competitive fun run organised by
Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) is now back.
This july, about 70,000 like-minded
individuals will participate in Run for
Peace 2023 at 23 locations nationwide,
organised by SGM with the aim of foster-
ing a culture of peace in the community
and also promoting the sustainability of
the planet, with a focus on the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).
The Run for Peace in Sabah will be
held in four regions – Kota Kinabalu,
Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau.
The Kota Kinabalu area will flag off at
the Universiti Malaysia Sabah with a dis-
tance of 6km and expected to have
5,000 peace lovers participating in the
event.
The Run for Peace is a biennial event
held by SGM since 2005, and to date,
more than 360,000 peace lovers had
participated in the run.
The key objective of Run for Peace is
to promote the belief that “Peace starts
with me!”, emphasising that positive
change begins with each individual.
This message empowers participants
o email: ads@dailyexpress.com.my (Advertising) l editorial@dailyexpress.com.my (News)
Brighton end
City’s winning
run to secure
top-six finish
and NSas, they agreed that in the four
years we were busy with politics here, our
neighbouring countries were moving for-
ward,” she said.
as a step forward, Hannah said the Min-
istry will focus on sports that have the
potential to win more medals for the
country. Therefore, she said National
Sports associations (NSas) are required to
submit short and long term plans to
ensure Malaysia can compete with Singa-
pore, Thailand and Vietnam at the next
SEa Games, asian Games and Olympic
Games.
“among the emphasis that will be given
are sports that offer many medals such as
swimming and athletics, must bring about
change. This emphasis will be given because
they have many events to get medals.
“We will also focus on martial arts
sports and diving because these have excel-
lent athletes who brought home gold
medals.
in addition, she said national athletes
such as Shereen Samson Vallabouy who
won the gold medal in the women’s 400m
with a record of 52.53s and Umar Osman
who won gold in the men’s 400m at the
SEa Games in Cambodia will be given
financial assistance, besides other athletes
with potential, to ensure they prepare well
for the Hangzhou asian Games in China in
September. – Bernama
Sabri govt’s
drag racing
circuits
proposal
scrapped
KUaLa LUMPUR: The Federal Government
has no plans to continue with the previous
government’s proposal to build special
drag racing circuits in each state.
in a parliamentary reply, Youth and
Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the
move to continue the proposal —
announced by then prime minister Datuk
Seri ismail Sabri Yaakob — would incur an
extremely high maintenance cost aside
from being supervised by trained experts.
“at this moment, the Ministry is focus-
ing its effort on upgrading and refurbish-
ing existing sporting facilities under the
Ministry.
“if there is a necessity for the construc-
tion of such drag racing circuits, Yang
Berhormat can submit an application to
this Ministry for further consideration.
“However, any new sporting facilities
application will only be considered if it
fulfils the terms set by the Economy Min-
istry,” she said in response to Kalabakan
MP Datuk andi Muhammad Suryady
Bandy.
in august 2022, ismail Sabri said the
proposal aimed at enhancing the develop-
ment of motorsports in the country. –
Malay Mail
and reminds them that their actions can
contribute to creating harmony and
peace in their communities, societies,
countries, and the world as a whole.
The Run for Peace (RFP) is inspired by
the philosophy and ideals of Soka
Gakkai international President, Daisaku
ikeda, who has been submitting annual
peace proposals to the United Nations
since 1983.
in 1957, his mentor, josei Toda, called
for the youth to work towards abolish-
ing nuclear weapons from the world.
This moment marked the beginning of
the SGi’s peace movement.
While continuing the endeavour for
a world without nuclear weapons, this
year’s RFP will adopt a broader theme of
peace with sustainability of the planet,
Pearly (left) and Thinaah during their match on Thursday.
Pearly-Thinaah march into q-finals
KUaLa LUMPUR: Malaysia’s top women’s
doubles pair Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah
clinched a nail-biting deciding set 21-19
against japan’s Rena Miyaura-ayako Saku-
ramoto enroute to setting an unofficial
longest rally in world badminton after
both pairs exchanged 211 strokes.
The previous longest rally is believed to
be 162 strokes.
The win gave the Malaysian pair a ticket
to the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Mas-
ters 2023 at the axiata arena as Pearly-Thi-
naah triumphed 21-18, 8-21 and 21-19.
Despite losing the match, the japanese
pair, fresh from winning the Orleans Mas-
ters 2023, put up a great show of bad-
minton, especially by dragging the
Malaysian pair to their longest ever rally in
the deciding set with the score 16-14 in
favour of the Malaysians.
Winning the point from the longest
rally certainly gave Pearly-Thinaah an
added tonic to keep the japanese duo at
bay before walking out as winners.
a beaming Pearly when met by
reporters after the match said though it
was a closely fought encounter, winning
the point in the longest rally, was the turn-
ing point. “i did not cue the shot, it was a
long rally and i knew they are prepared, so
both sides were prepared too. We knew we
were tired but the opponent was tired too,
Zii Jia suffers another early exit
KUaLa LUMPUR: is the axiata arena the
‘haunted ground’ for Lee Zii jia, the darling
of local badminton fans?
There certainly was an element of truth
as the national men’s singles professional
ace suffered yet another early round exit in
the aforementioned venue, going down to
Taiwan’s Lin Chun-Yi, 19-21, 21-16, 15-21 in
the second round of the tournament, here,
Thursday.
Despite feeling unwell during the
game, Zii jia deserved a pat on the back as
Chin retains SEASTF sec-gen post
gl oh
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Sabahan KK Chin has
been retained as secretary general of the
South East asian Soft Tennis Federation
(SEaSTF) in its biennial election held dur-
ing the 32nd SEa Games in Cambodia.
Malaysia Soft Tennis association
(MSTa) president Dato Shamshuzaman
Sulaiman was another Malaysian elected
as the vice president.
The president was Bunluechai Phiwsan
from Thailand while the board of directors
are Sar Sithik (Cambodia), Martuama
Saragi (indonesia), Robert joseph Moran,
using the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) as a focus.
The spirit of Run for Peace is encapsu-
lated in the SDGs which provide “a
shared blueprint for peace and prosper-
ity for people and the planet, now and
into the future.”
This year, an additional slogan is
introduced where we encourage every-
one to “actNOW for SDGs!”
it’s time to take action and protect
our planet for generations to come.
From reducing waste to supporting
local eco-friendly events, each small step
we take can make a huge difference.
The organiser urges people from all
walks of life, particularly young people,
to come together to run for peace and
the SDGs, and harmoniously unite
towards developing a peaceful and a
more sustainable future together, said
SGM in a statement, Thursday.
For more information or registration
visit Run for Peace official website:
https://www.runforpeace.com.my, Run for
Peace Facebook page: https://www.face-
book.com/runforpeace.official or Run for
Peace instagram page: https://www.insta-
gram.com/runforpeace.official/.
Registration closes on May 31, 2023.
Halep says
her doping
hearing
postponed
20
again
in our minds we wanted to win that shot
so we just mentally prepared ourselves
very well and i am so happy we won the
point,” she said.
Thinaah said she and Pearly would now
focus on avenging their disappointment at
the 2023 indonesia Masters where they lost
14-21, 19-21 in straight sets to Yuki
Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota of japan, their
next opponents.
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles com-
petition, Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair
and defending men’s doubles world cham-
pions aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were in a
class of their own to dispose South Korea’s
Choi Sol Gyu-Kim Won Ho 21-19, 21-14 in
straight sets.
The Malaysian pair’s opponents in the
quarterfinals will be the winner between
China’s He ji Tang-Zhoa Hao Dong and
indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel
Marthin.
another Malaysian men’s doubles pair,
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also
marched into the quarterfinals after com-
ing from a set down to beat Scotland’s
alexander Dunn-adam Hall 19-21, 21-16,
21-13.
The duo, ranked 26th in the world, will
meet either Lee jhe-Huei-Yang Po-Hsuan
from Taiwan or indonesia’s Mohammad
ahsan-Hendra Setiawan. – Bernama
he managed to complete the game that
lasted one hour and 27 minutes. Zii jia
then skipped the interview at the mixed
zone, which has been the routine for every
player after they finished off the match, as
he was believed to seek medical treatment.
His sister cum manager, Lee Zii Yii, who
had to replace Zii jia for the interview ses-
sion at the mixed zone, confirmed that the
current world number 10 felt dizzy and
that had taken a toll on his performance
Thursday. – Bernama
(Philippines), Sayyadeth Vongsay (Laos),
Nguyen Quoc Hung (Vietnam) and
aniceto Cardosa alves (Timor Leste).
The meeting was attended by Korean
Soft Tennis association (KSTa) president
jung inseong who is also the vice president
of international Soft Tennis Federation
(iSTF), KSTa general manager Kim Taeju,
secretary general Kim Backsoo director Lee
Gumseob Director and official Yang ingyu.
Meanwhile, Chin who was one of the
soft tennis technical delegates in the SEa
Games, successfully conducted a practical
test to 12 qualified international chair
umpires during the competition.
Six of them are from Cambodia, two
from Laos with one each from Timor Leste,
Philippines, South Korea and japan.
He also revealed that Sabah may play
host to the SEaSTF Soft Tennis Tournament
at the end of the year with some 150 play-
ers from South East asia are expected to
take part in addition to 30 from
Mungyung Soft Tennis association from
Korea if it is to be held in December.
PBA organising
clinic on May 31
Jimmy goh
KOTa KiNaBaLU: The Penampang Basket-
ball association will be organising a Ref-
eree and Table Official Clinic at the SjK (C)
Chung Hwa Likas, here, on May 31.
The programme will be held from 9am
to 5pm and is limited to 30 people.
Malaysian Basketball association
(Maba) Coaching Licensed speakers, Ken-
neth Chiu, Debbie Lau, alex Chua, and
jeremy Fung will be among the four panel
speakers on the programme, which will be
moderated by Cassandra Liew.
Those aged 16 and above, and want to
learn the fundamentals of basketball can
contact 017-8206328 (Cassandra) or 010-
9333256 (Debbie Lau).

Meneroka emas, nikel: KM > 2
Sabah lulus RUU Anti Lompat Parti
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Persidangan Dewan
Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sabah pada
Khamis meluluskan Rang Undang-
undang Perlembagaan Negeri Sabah
(Pindaan) 2023 yang melarang wakil
rakyat melompat parti.
Rang Undang-undang itu mendapat
sokongan melebihi majoriti dua per-
tiga ahli dewan selepas ia bentangkan
oleh Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Hajiji
Noor pada Khamis, dengan 75 ahli
Dewan Undangan Negeri (adun)
menyokong manakala empat adun
tidak hadir.
Berdasarkan Perkara 43 Perlemba-
gaan Negeri Sabah, sebarang pindaan
terhadap Perlembagaan memerlukan
sokongan majoriti lebih dua pertiga
daripada adun Sabah pada bacaan
kedua dan ketiga usul tersebut.
Pada bacaan kali kedua rang
undang-undang itu, Ketua Pem-
bangkang DUN Sabah Datuk Seri Mohd
Shafie apdal (Warisan-Senallang) ban-
gun mencadangkan supaya undi belah
bahagian bagi Fasal 2 rang undang-
undang tersebut, iaitu fasal itu bertu-
juan menggugurkan Perkara 6 (7)
dalam Perlembagaan tersebut.
Empat fasal dalam rang undang-
undang itu diluluskan dengan suara
terbanyak, manakala undi belah baha-
gian bagi Fasal 2 itu disokong 61 adun
yang bersetuju Perkara 6(7) Perlemba-
gaan Negeri digugurkan, 14 adun tidak
bersetuju, manakala empat adun tidak
hadir.
ECoS kerjasama dengan SESB,
ST percepat langkah mitigasi
sherell Jeffrey
KOTa KiNaBaLU:
Suruhanjaya Tenaga
Sabah (ECoS) beker-
jasama dengan
Sabah Electricity
Sdn Bhd (SESB) dan
Suruhanjaya Tenaga
Malaysia (ST) untuk
mempercepatkan pelaksanaan langkah
mitigasi jangka pendek.
Kerjasama itu bertujuan memas-
tikan pengagihan bekalan elektrik di
negeri ini cekap dan mencukupi, kata
Menteri Kerja Raya Negeri Datuk Sha-
helmey Yahya (gambar) ketika
menyampaikan ucapan penggulungan
Kementeriannya pada persidangan
Dewan Undangan Negeri, Rabu lepas.
Beliau berkata ECoS telah memban-
gunkan pelan pembangunan pen-
janaan untuk jangka sederhana dan
panjang. Pelan itu akan dilaksanakan
sebaik sahaja Kerajaan Negeri
mengambil alih kuasa mengawal selia
bekalan elektrik pada akhir tahun ini.
Pelan pembangunan penjanaan
kuasa semasa termasuk penambahan
kapasiti penjanaan baharu dalam tem-
poh lima tahun akan datang, mulai
tahun ini.
Peningkatan kapasiti penjanaan
adalah perlu bagi memenuhi per-
mintaan elektrik yang semakin
meningkat di Sabah, termasuk keper-
luan industri yang komited.
Shahelmey berkata pelan itu mem-
pertimbangkan keperluan untuk
menyahtauliah loji yang sudah lapuk
dan mereka yang kontraknya telah
tamat.
Menurutnya, pelan pembangunan
penjanaan itu mengambil kira keper-
luan untuk margin rizab sebanyak 30
peratus. ini bermakna akan ada kapa-
siti tambahan sebanyak 30 peratus
daripada keperluan maksimum sistem.
Tujuannya adalah untuk menjamin
bahawa kapasiti penjanaan sentiasa
mencukupi, walaupun sekiranya
berlaku penutupan penyelenggaraan
yang dirancang, kerosakan penjana
atau permintaan tinggi yang tidak
JuMaat, 26 Mei, 2023 / 6 ZulKaedaH, 1444H
Gunung Sinsing sah ketiga
tertinggi di Malaysia > 3
Bagi bacaan ketiga rang undang-
undang itu, seramai 75 adun meny-
atakan sokongan manakala empat
adun tidak hadir.
Hajiji ketika menggulung perba-
hasan usul itu berkata rang undang-
undang itu bertujuan menggugurkan
Perkara 6(7) dalam Perlembagaan
Negeri Sabah adalah kerana ia tidak
lagi selaras dengan kehendak di bawah
Perkara 6(3) berikutan situasi politik
semasa.
Perkara 6(3) antara lain merujuk
tentang Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah
melantik seorang Ketua Menteri yang
merupakan seorang adun negeri yang
pada pertimbangannya mendapat
kepercayaan majoriti ahli dewan.
Perkara 6(7) pula merujuk sebuah
parti politik yang memenangi kerusi
majoriti pada pilihan raya, ketua parti
itu merupakan seorang aDUN Sabah
yang mempunyai kemungkinan men-
dapat kepercayaan majoriti ahli dewan.
Menjelas lanjut, Hajiji berkata sejak
Pilihan Raya Umum ke-14 pada 2018,
tiada sebuah parti politik yang mem-
peroleh majoriti untuk mentadbir
negeri dan sejak itu kerajaan negeri
ditadbir oleh gabungan parti politik.
“Tiada mana-mana parti menang
kerusi majoriti dan kerajaan negeri jadi
tergantung atau ‘hung government’,
terjadi di negeri ini sejak 2018. Kerajaan
negeri sejak 2018 adalah sebuah kera-
jaan gabungan, jadi ini tidak
memenuhi kehendak Perkara 6(7) itu.
dijangka untuk kuasa.
Kerajaan Negeri dan Persekutuan
bekerjasama untuk mendapatkan set
penjana sewa sehingga 200 MW untuk
mula beroperasi tahun ini, sementara
mereka menunggu penyiapan loji Pen-
jana Kuasa Bebas (iPP) baharu, yang
akan mula dibina pada 2026.
Beliau berkata apabila langkah mit-
igasi ini selesai, margin rizab akan
meningkat kepada kira-kira 30 peratus.
Pelan pembangunan penjanaan Ker-
ajaan Persekutuan untuk melak-
sanakan langkah jangka pendek di
Sabah telah mengenal pasti iPP baharu
yang akan dijana oleh gas asli. iPP ini
akan mempunyai kapasiti 100MW dan
akan terletak di pantai barat Sabah.
Proses bidaan projek ini telah siap dan
ia diunjurkan beroperasi pada tahun
2026. iPP pada mulanya dirancang
untuk disiapkan menjelang 2023,
namun disebabkan kelewatan dalam
proses bidaan, ia dijangka siap menje-
lang 2026.
Selain itu, terdapat rancangan untuk
menyiapkan lapan projek iPP Solar
Berskala Besar dengan jumlah kapasiti
56 MW tahun ini. Begitu juga, terdapat
satu lagi projek berkapasiti 6 MW yang
dijadualkan siap pada 2024.
Untuk menangani isu bekalan kuasa
semasa, beberapa langkah mitigasi
jangka pendek telah dilaksanakan. ini
termasuk memulakan semula iPP
Libaran (30MW) di Sandakan dan iPP
Serudong (33MW) di Tawau, yang
sebelum ini telah berhenti beroperasi.
Selain itu, loji janakuasa Diesel (kira-
kira 200MW) milik SESB akan terus
beroperasi sehingga loji janakuasa
baharu itu siap.
Dalam jangka sederhana dan pan-
jang, Kerajaan Negeri bercadang untuk
mengambil alih pihak berkuasa kawal
selia bekalan elektrik. Selepas perali-
han ini, kerajaan melalui ECoS akan
bertanggungjawab merancang pem-
bangunan penjanaan di Sabah.
Tumpuan akan diberikan kepada sum-
ber tenaga boleh diperbaharui seperti
hidro, geoterma, biojisim, dan biogas,
serta bahan api peralihan untuk
Semakin ramai bayi dibuang
di masjid, bawah pokok > 5
“ini (pindaan) memudahkan TYT
(Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah) mem-
buat keputusan mengikut budi bicara,
siapa dapat sokongan majoriti itu dan
ruang TYT memikirkan kalau sokongan
(sebuah parti) tidak melebihi 50 pera-
tus itu bagaimana kedudukan gabun-
gan dan sokongan wakil rakyat,”
katanya.
Sementara itu, beliau berkata pin-
daan Perlembagaan pada Khamis tidak
melibatkan adun dilantik kerana
mereka tidak dipilih pada pilihan raya
oleh rakyat dan tidak mempunyai
kawasan yang diwakili.
“ia lebih kepada sering diperkatakan
prinsip wakil yang telah dipilih oleh
rakyat itu mengekalkan kepercayaan
yang diberikan kepada rakyat kepada
mereka.
“Maka pindaan ini melibatkan adun
yang dipilih rakyat dan bukan adun
dilantik,” katanya.
Sabah mempunyai seramai 79 adun
dengan 73 daripadanya dipilih man-
akala enam dilantik. – Bernama
memenuhi keperluan tenaga Negeri.
Mengenai projek talian penghan-
taran Southern Link 275 kV, Shahelmey
berkata, projek itu masih belum dilu-
luskan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan
berikutan kekurangan dana untuk
membiayai kos projek RM1.4 bilion.
Kerajaan Negeri telah mencadan-
gkan pelaksanaan segera projek ini
dengan menggunakan dana yang dipe-
runtukkan untuk projek Saluran Paip
Gas Trans Sabah.
Projek Saluran Paip Gas Trans Sabah
tidak dapat diteruskan pada masa ini
kerana bekalan gas yang tidak men-
cukupi untuk diangkut.
Tiada keperluan wujud kementerian khusus Sabah, S’wak
KUaLa LUMPUR:
Tiada keperluan
mewujudkan
sebuah kementerian
khusus untuk hal
ehwal Sabah dan
Sarawak bagi men-
gelakkan kemungki-
nan berlakunya
pertindihan tugas dengan kementerian
sedia ada di peringkat Persekutuan.
Menteri di jabatan Perdana Menteri
(Hal Ehwal Sabah, Sarawak dan Tugas-
tugas Khas) Datuk armizan Mohd ali
(gambar) berkata Bahagian Hal Ehwal
Sabah dan Sarawak (BHESS) jabatan
Perdana Menteri yang diwujudkan
pada Mac 2020 berperanan sebagai
sekretariat kepada isu-isu berbangkit
berkaitan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963
(Ma63).
“jadi bagi saya, tidak perlu ada per-
tindihan bagi bidang kuasa tersebut,
biarlah BHESS hanya bertindak sebagai
sekretariat atau urus setia untuk kita
menyusulkan rundingan antara kera-
jaan Persekutuan dengan kerajaan
Sabah dan Sarawak tanpa perlu meng-
ganggu gugat fungsi menteri di setiap
kementerian.
“Kita kena lihat prinsip untuk mem-
berikan lebih pemerkasaan (iaitu)
pemberian kuasa kepada negeri dan
Pentas akhir Sugandoi
Kaamatan negeri esok > 6
HAJIJI membentangkan RUU Perlembagaan Negeri Sabah (Pindaan) 2023 pada Khamis.
Kualiti perbahasan cukup bagus: Hajiji
Jonathan nicholas
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Ketua Menteri Datuk
Seri Hajiji Noor berkata beliau gembira
melihat perbahasan berkualiti oleh
aDUN daripada kedua-dua blok itu
semasa persidangan Dewan Undangan
Negeri empat hari sejak isnin.
“Kerajaan atau pembangkang sesi
perbahasan kali ini cukup baik. akan
sentiasa ada yang menyokong atau
menentang tetapi saya melihat pen-
ingkatan dalam cara adun Sabah
berdebat.
“Sekarang Undang-undang anti
Lompat Parti telah diluluskan sebulat
suara, kita tidak lagi perlu risau men-
genai tindakan melompat parti pada
masa hadapan.
“ia menunjukkan bahawa kita
telah mencapai kata sepakat ke
arah menjaga kepentingan Sabah
dan rakyatnya,” katanya sambil
menambah undang-undang itu
selaras dengan yang diperkenalkan
di Persekutuan.
Hajiji berkata peluang yang luas
untuk membahaskan pengguguran
Perkara 6(7) Perlembagaan Negeri
turut diberikan.
begitu juga devolution of authority
(iaitu) penurunan kuasa kepada kera-
jaan Sabah dan Sarawak, jadi setakat ini
saya fikir kita perlu menjunjung komit-
men tersebut iaitu pemerkasaan dan
penurunan kuasa tanpa perlu
tubuhkan satu kementerian khusus
yang bertanggungjawab kepada Sabah
dan Sarawak.
“ini untuk mengelakkan berlakunya
pertindihan dengan kementerian di
peringkat Persekutuan, yang akhirnya
akan menjejaskan usaha memberikan
pemerkasaan dan penurunan kuasa
kepada kerajaan Sabah dan Sarawak,”
katanya pada Waktu Pertanyaan-Per-
tanyaan Menteri di Dewan Rakyat di
sini pada Khamis.
Beliau berkata demikian bagi men-
jawab soalan tambahan Lo Su Fui (GRS-
Tawau) mengenai keperluan untuk
mewujudkan kementerian khas bagi
hal ehwal kedua-dua negeri itu bagi
menyelesaikan isu-isu yang tertang-
guh.
Selain itu armizan berkata komit-
men kerajaan Persekutuan untuk
menyelesaikan isu bekalan air di Sabah
juga tidak akan mengganggu-gugat
bidang kuasa, hak dan kepentingan
kerajaan negeri.
“air adalah salah satu bidang kuasa
negeri sebagaimana yang terkandung
WAKTU SOLAT
Subuh Zohor Asar Maghrib Isyak
KK/Pantai Barat 4.49 12.16 3.40 6.27 7.42
Sandakan Timur 4.41 12.09 3.33 6.19 7.34
Sandakan Barat 4.45 12.13 3.37 6.23 7.38
Tawau Timur 4.39 12.06 3.30 6.16 7.31
Tawau Barat 4.44 12.09 3.33 6.18 7.33
Kudat 4.43 12.13 3.36 6.25 7.40
Pedalaman Atas 4.47 12.14 3.38 6.25 7.39
Pedalaman Bawah 4.50 12.17 3.41 6.28 7.42
ia menyatakan bahawa jika sebuah
parti politik itu menang dengan
majoriti, pemimpin parti politik berke-
naan, yang merupakan ahli Dewan
Undangan Negeri, akan menjadi ahli
Dewan Undangan Negeri yang besar
kemungkinan meraih sokongan
majoriti ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri.
Hajiji berkata pindaan itu adalah
untuk memudahkan keputusan Yang
Dipertua Negeri jika situasi sebegitu
timbul lagi.
“Pemimpin parti yang mempunyai
majoriti akan menjadi Ketua Menteri
tetapi terpulang kepada budi bicara
Yang Dipertua Negeri jika tiada
majoriti mudah.
“Beliau akan mempunyai budi
bicara untuk memilih adun yang men-
dapat sokongan paling banyak dari-
pada yang lain,” katanya pada sidang
media pada penutupan perhimpunan
itu, Khamis.
Hajiji berkata ia akan mengambil
masa beberapa hari atau minggu dari
sekarang untuk diwartakan dan akan
dihantar kepada Yang Dipertua Negeri,
Tun juhar Mahiruddin, untuk menda-
patkan perkenan.
dalam Senarai ii jadual Kesembilan Per-
lembagaan Persekutuan.
“jadi tidak perlu risau. Kerajaan
Persekutuan di bawah pimpinan Tam-
bun (Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri
anwar ibrahim) akan sentiasa meng-
hormati hak dan juga kepentingan
negeri termasuklah bidang kuasa tam-
bahan kepada Sabah dan Sarawak,”
katanya.
Beliau menjawab soalan asal Lo yang
ingin tahu komitmen kerajaan untuk
membantu menyelesaikan isu bekalan
air di Sabah seperti dinyatakan dalam
Konvensyen Nasional Kerajaan Perpad-
uan termasuk pendekatan mengambil
alih pengurusan air di negeri itu seperti
yang dilaporkan media.
Pada konvensyen itu yang diadakan
14 Mei lepas, anwar dilaporkan berkata
akan mengundang Ketua Menteri
Sabah Datuk Seri Hajiji Nor dan
Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk ahmad
Yakob bagi mencari jalan menyele-
saikan masalah air di kedua-dua negeri
itu.
Perdana Menteri berkata beliau amat
komited dalam mencari jalan kepada
isu tersebut setelah mendapat input
permasalahan daripada pemimpin
negeri berkenaan berhubung masalah
yang membelenggu kedua-dua negeri
sejak sekian lama itu. – Bernama
 2 Tempatan
Larry Ralon
Meneroka emas, nikel: KM
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Kerajaan Negeri men-
geluarkan lesen mencari gali selama dua
tahun kepada beberapa syarikat untuk
mencari bahan galian seperti emas dan
nikel yang dikatakan banyak terdapat di
Sabah.
“ini baru peringkat awal. Kita tidak
tahu ada galian, di mana dan sebagainya.
Kerajaan Negeri hanya akan membuat
keputusan jika jumlah itu menjimatkan,”
kata Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Hajiji
Noor, ketika penggulungan untuk
jabatan Ketua Menteri (CMD) pada persi-
dangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN),
Rabu.
Kepada soalan Ketua Pembangkang
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie apdal (Warisan-
Senallang), beliau berkata lebih 30
syarikat termasuk dari Semenanjung
Malaysia dan Sarawak telah menunjukkan
minat.
“Dalam usaha mencari galian di Sabah,
kita ada dasar terbuka. Memang keuta-
maan diberikan kepada syarikat tem-
patan, tetapi kita terbuka kerana banyak
syarikat tempatan tidak mempunyai pen-
galaman.
“Kami terbuka kepada syarikat dari
Semenanjung Malaysia dan Sarawak
untuk mengambil bahagian dalam pen-
erokaan bahan galian di Sabah.
“Walaupun mungkin ada yang kita
berikan dari segi keluasan dan sebagainya,
apabila mereka membuat penemuan min-
eral di sesuatu kawasan kita hanya akan
beri kawasan itu dalam keluasan terhad.
“Kami telah memutuskan dalam
mesyuarat jawatankuasa Pengurusan Min-
eral Sabah bahawa hanya 1,000 ekar akan
menjadi jumlah keseluruhan. Tetapi seba-
gai permulaan, kami hanya akan memberi
kelulusan perlombongan untuk kawasan
seluas 200 ekar,” katanya.
Beliau berkata banyak perkara yang
perlu diteliti dalam pemberian lesen per-
lombongan. Setakat ini ia hanya lesen
penerokaan,” katanya.
Lesen melombong akan diputuskan
oleh Kerajaan yang terlebih dahulu perlu
mendapatkan ulasan daripada semua
jabatan berkaitan kerana ia melibatkan
hutan, alam sekitar dan sebagainya.
“jika dalam tempoh dua tahun mereka
tidak menemui apa-apa maka ia (lesen
penerokaan) akan dibatalkan dengan
sendirinya.”
Hajiji berkata menurut sumber, terda-
pat banyak bahan galian di Sabah terma-
suk emas dan nikel tetapi tidak tahu di
mana.
Terdahulu, hajiji mengulangi bahawa
Pelan Pembangunan Sabah Maju jaya 1.0
(2021 - 2025) adalah pelan pembangunan
komprehensif yang digubal dan dilak-
sanakan secara berperingkat.
“Pelan pembangunan ini adalah milik
kita bersama dengan slogan “Sabah
Maju jaya” yang diambil daripada moto
di jata negeri untuk menyemai nilai-
nilai murni dalam kalangan rakyat
Sabah, berdaya saing dan progresif,
seterusnya menyumbang kepada pem-
bangunan Sabah, selaras dengan moto
itu,” kata Hajiji.
Menjawab soalan assafal P alian
(Tungku) yang mencadangkan Kerajaan
Negeri mengeluarkan kad laporan Pelan
Pembangunan SMj 1.0: 2021 - 2025, Hajiji
berkata dua laporan telah dikeluarkan
iaitu Laporan Tahunan pencapaian sepan-
jang dua tahun Pelan Pembangunan SMj
dan Laporan Pencapaian inisiatif 2022,
yang memaparkan butiran kad laporan
dengan skor pencapaian.
“Kedua-dua laporan ini boleh diakses
Kerajaan Negeri pastikan tanah negeri
tidak dibangunkan dipulangkan
Ricardo Unto
KERajaaN Negeri akan memastikan
tanah negeri yang telah diserahkan
kepada Kerajaan Persekutuan tetapi
masih belum dibangunkan dipulangkan.
Pembantu Menteri kepada Ketua
Menteri, Datuk Nizam abu Bakar Titingan
berkata, Kerajaan Negeri juga akan
meneliti punca tanah sebegitu terbiar.
“jika kita dapati alasan yang diberikan
tidak kukuh, maka kita menyokong
penuh saranan Timbalan Perdana Menteri
Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (untuk tanah-
tanah itu dikembalikan kepada Negeri),”
katanya pada sesi soal jawab, Khamis.
Beliau menjawab soalan tambahan
adun Tungku assafal P alian yang ingin
mengetahui tindakan kerajaan negeri
berhubung kenyataan Fadilah baru-baru
ini.
Fadilah dilaporkan berkata, dasar
sekarang ialah mana-mana tanah negeri
yang telah diserahkan kepada kerajaan
persekutuan tetapi belum dibangunkan
dalam tempoh lima tahun hendaklah dis-
erahkan semula kepada kerajaan negeri.
Oleh itu, katanya, Kementerian Sumber
asli, alam Sekitar dan Perubahan iklim
(NRECC) telah diminta untuk memukta-
madkan mekanisme yang akan digu-
nakan ke atas tanah negeri tersebut di
Sabah dan Sarawak.
Pada januari, dilaporkan bahawa Per-
dana Menteri Datuk Seri anwar ibrahim
telah berkata bahawa jabatan Perseku-
tuan akan mendapat tiga bulan untuk
mengesahkan sama ada mereka mem-
punyai rancangan untuk membangunkan
S UARA TE MPATAN ANDA I JUMAAT, 26 MEI, 2023
melalui portal Sekretariat Sabah Maju
jaya: smj.sabah.gov.my. Sebuah buku juga
telah diterbitkan dan Sekretariat SMj akan
mengedarkannya kepada semua ahli
Dewan Undangan Negeri dalam masa ter-
dekat,” katanya.
Mengenai isu tanah yang dibangk-
itkan Datuk abdul Ghani Mohd Yassin
(Nabawan) dan Sarifuddin Hata (Merotai)
mengenai Lesen Pendudukan Sementara
(TOL), Hajiji berkata berdasarkan
Enakmen Perhutanan 1968, bakal usa-
hawan perlu memohon TOL bagi mem-
bolehkan aktiviti pembalakan
dilaksanakan di atas tanah kerajaan.
“Permohonan tanah kerajaan boleh
dibuat sama ada secara individu atau
berkumpulan, syarikat dan organisasi kor-
porat atau persatuan berdaftar. Permoho-
nan tanah yang dipohon oleh mana-mana
syarikat yang telah diproses dengan
lengkap dan teratur oleh jabatan Tanah
dan Ukur (jTU) serta mematuhi semua
keperluan undang-undang, permohonan
tanah boleh diluluskan oleh Kerajaan
Negeri.
“Bagaimanapun, TOL dan Lesen Hutan
hanya akan dikeluarkan selepas semua
keperluan dan syarat jabatan berkaitan
dipatuhi seperti kelulusan Penilaian Kesan
alam Sekitar (Eia) atau Langkah-Langkah
Tebatan Cadangan (PMM), pembayaran
hasil tanah, ukuran kawasan yang diminta
dan lain-lain.”
Kepada jannie Lasimbang (Kapayan)
yang mencadangkan supaya pengeluaran
hak milik tanah anak Negeri diper-
cepatkan, Ketua Menteri berkata Kerajaan
Negeri melalui jTU akan sentiasa berusaha
meningkatkan pencapaian pengeluaran
hak milik tanah anak Negeri dari semasa
ke semasa.
Kerajaan Negeri yakin melalui pelbagai
inisiatif yang diperkenalkan jTU, pencapa-
ian melebihi sasaran yang ditetapkan
akan dapat direalisasikan, tambahnya.
Menjawab Mohd Shafie mengenai
konsesi pembalakan Yayasan Sabah, Hajiji
berkata konsesi pembalakan di Tawau
masih di bawah pentadbiran Yayasan
Sabah kerana kawasan itu adalah hutan
simpan dan Yayasan Sabah kekal sebagai
pemegang lesen.
“Selepas pembalakan selesai, Yayasan
Sabah melalui anak syarikatnya akan
membangunkan tanah itu sebagai usaha
sama untuk penanaman pokok industri
dan ladang kelapa sawit di mana
dibenarkan oleh pihak berkuasa,”
katanya.
Mengenai isu yang dibangkitkan oleh
Datuk Darell Leiking (Moyog) dan Rina
jainal (Kukusan) mengenai keperluan
untuk mengisytiharkan aset dalam kalan-
gan anggota perkhidmatan awam, Hajiji
berkata semua pegawai awam yang terdiri
daripada Pegawai Kumpulan Eksekutif,
Kumpulan Pengurusan dan Profesional
serta Kumpulan Pengurusan Tertinggi
dikehendaki mengisytiharkan harta
mereka setiap lima tahun, manakala
pegawai awam yang memegang jawatan
sensitif perlu mengisytiharkan setiap dua
tahun.
Menjawab soalan Dr aliakbar Gulasan
(adun Dilantik) berhubung pembangu-
nan Yayasan Pembangunan Ummah,
Hajiji berkata Majlis agama islam Sabah
(Muis) sedang dalam proses menubuhkan
Yayasan Pembangunan Ummah untuk dis-
erahkan kepada pihak berkuasa.
MUiS juga dalam peringkat akhir
penubuhan Kolej islam MUiS yang berkai-
tan dengan objektif penubuhan Yayasan
bagi memperkasa pendidikan dan kese-
jahteraan ummah, tambahnya.
tanah negeri yang dipajakkan kepada
mereka untuk projek awam dan mesti
menyerahkannya jika tidak.
anwar dilaporkan berkata adalah
tidak wajar jabatan itu mengekalkan
pemilikan tanah negeri sekiranya mereka
tidak bercadang untuk membina projek
awam seperti sekolah, hospital dan klinik.
Sementara itu, kepada soalan adun
Bugaya jamil Hamzah, Nizam berkata
sebanyak 21 hak milik tanah telah didaf-
tarkan untuk tapak sekolah yang telah
dilaksanakan untuk Semporna.
“Daripada 21 hak milik tanah yang
didaftarkan untuk tapak sekolah di Sem-
porna, 19 sekolah adalah sekolah rendah,
manakala dua adalah sekolah menengah,
di mana satu daripada hakmilik
berkongsi tapak sekolah rendah.
“Semua hak milik didaftarkan di
bawah Pesuruhjaya Tanah Persekutuan.”
Sebanyak lima tapak sekolah masih
dalam proses ukur atau semakan pelan,
manakala enam permohonan tanah
untuk tapak sekolah masih diproses oleh
jabatan Tanah dan Ukur.
“Kerajaan Negeri akan memastikan
pendaftaran hak milik tanah tapak seko-
lah dilaksanakan dengan segera
mengikut prosedur yang ditetapkan.
“ini bagi mengelak sebarang implikasi
yang mungkin timbul daripada kele-
watan penukaran hak milik tanah bagi
tapak sekolah Kerajaan Persekutuan,
khususnya kesukaran sekolah terbabit
menerima peruntukan projek pembangu-
nan dan penambahbaikan gantian,”
katanya.
HAJIJI berbual dengan Mohd Shafie selepas usul terima kasih kepada Yang Dipertua
Negeri Sabah atas ucapan dasar Kerajaan Negeri yang diluluskan, Rabu lalu.
Peningkatan kos
bahan binaan
antara isu utama
Mohd Izham Bin Hashim
PENiNGKaTaN kos
bahan binaan antara
halangan utama
menghadapi projek
Warisan Tamadun
dan Etnik Dusun
yang tertangguh di
Ranau.
Sebagai maklum
balas, Menteri Pelan-
congan, Kebudayaan dan alam Sekitar
Sabah Datuk Christina Liew (gambar)
berkata kementerian telah meminta pembi-
ayaan tambahan daripada Kerajaan Negeri
melalui Penyelidikan Separuh Penggal Ran-
cangan Malaysia Ke-12 (KSP, RMK-12).
“Kami telah menerima laporan penilaian
akhir daripada perunding projek yang
menyatakan kos bahan yang tinggi sebagai
antara isu utama yang perlu dipertim-
bangkan untuk membolehkan pembinaan
berjalan seperti yang dirancang,” katanya.
Christina menjawab soalan adun Dilan-
tik, Datuk amisah Yassin mengenai status
projek itu pada sesi soal jawab, Rabu lepas.
Beliau juga berkata kerajaan negeri juga
telah menamatkan kontrak kontraktor ter-
dahulu pada 16 jun 2021 berikutan prestasi
yang tidak memuaskan.
“Bagaimanapun, adalah menjadi aspirasi
kerajaan untuk melihat penyusunan projek
yang akan diteruskan melalui peruntukan di
bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-12 (RMKe-
12),” katanya.
Projek yang bermula pada 1 Mac 2018 itu
sepatutnya siap pada 1 September 2019.
Dalam perkembangan lain, Christina
berkata kementerian masih belum memu-
tuskan untuk mengguna pakai Sistem
Pemantauan Bersepadu Taman-Taman
Sabah di tapak pelancongan dan rekreasi di
Sabah kerana kos yang tinggi membabitkan
sejumlah RM262 juta. Tujuan sistem
bersepadu ini adalah untuk menyediakan
aktiviti pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan
yang lebih baik di kawasan Taman-Taman
Sabah bagi mengelakkan pelanggaran
Enakmen Taman-Taman Sabah 1984.
Bagaimanapun, pembangunan sistem
bersepadu ini tidak dapat diteruskan kerana
kekangan kewangan,” katanya.
Christina menambah beberapa siri dialog
dengan pemain pelancongan menyelam
sedang dirancang untuk menambah baik
aktiviti menyelam serta memastikan profe-
sionalisme juruselam aktif, peralatan, aset
dan peralatan perniagaan selam skuba di
Taman Sipadan dan Taman Laut Tun Sakaran
serta taman-taman lain di daerah Semporna.
“Mesyuarat pasukan petugas pengurusan
dan pemantauan Pulau Sipadan dan Pulau
Ligitan pada 11 Mei 2023 telah menetapkan
37 syarikat yang memegang permit kuota
selam skuba dibenarkan meneruskan
operasi sehingga 31 Disember 2024,” katanya.
Beliau berkata langkah ini bertujuan
memberi peluang kepada syarikat tempatan
di daerah Semporna untuk mengukuhkan
operasi mereka sehingga mereka setanding
dengan syarikat yang lebih besar dan lebih
mantap di Pulau Sipadan.
“Pemohon baharu diberi lebih banyak
peluang untuk beroperasi di perairan Taman
Laut Tun Sakaran, di mana 20 tapak menye-
lam dikenal pasti untuk pembangunan
tahun ini,” tambah Christina.
Selain itu, beliau berkata antara kriteria
tahap kecekapan syarikat selam skuba yang
ingin beroperasi di Pulau Sipadan akan
dipertingkatkan lagi agar lebih telus dan
berkesan sebagai langkah kawalan kualiti
bagi syarikat terpilih.
Mengenai dakwaan insiden cabul ke atas
seorang pelancong dari China oleh seorang
penyelam tempatan di Pulau Mataking, Sem-
porna, Christina berkata suspek sudah pun
ditahan dan di bawah siasatan polis, dengan
menyatakan keputusan Pendakwa Raya akan
diserahkan kepada pejabat Pendakwaraya
untuk tindakan lanjut.
‘Ahli politik, penjawat awam
di Sabah harus isytihar harta’
Hayati Dzulkifli
aHLi politik dan pen-
jawat awam di Sabah
harus mengisyti-
harkan harta mereka
kepada kerajaan
Negeri supaya
sebarang unsur
rasuah dapat ditan-
gani dengan sewa-
jarnya.
adun Moyog Datuk Darell Leiking (gam-
bar) yang membuat gesaan itu berkata,
Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan
Negeri perlu mengeluarkan arahan rasmi
kepada semua yang berada dalam perkhid-
matan kerajaan serta ahli politik untuk
berbuat demikian.
Beliau berkata adalah penting bagi
mereka untuk mengisytiharkan harta
mereka untuk mengetahui sama ada
mereka rasuah atau mereka dituduh mener-
ima rasuah wang rasuah.
“Perdana Menteri telah mengumumkan
bahawa rasuah di kalangan ahli politik dan
kakitangan kerajaan adalah agak besar dan
serius dan beliau mahu mengejar mereka.
“Saya rasa ahli politik dan penjawat
awam perlu diteliti dengan men-
garahkan mereka mengisytiharkan harta
mereka,” kata Darell ketika memba-
haskan ucapan dasar Yang Dipertua
Negeri Rabu lalu.
Beliau berkata terdapat keperluan untuk
menetapkan semula Sabah agar bersih dari-
pada perbuatan dan unsur rasuah kerana
rakyat akan sentiasa melindungi keluarga
dan rakan-rakan mereka.
Mengenai isu Penampang, beliau berkata
tidak banyak kerja yang dilakukan daripada
projek tebatan banjir bernilai jutaan Ringgit
di kawasannya Moyog, Penampang.
“Saya menjangkakan musim tengkujuh
akan datang lagi dan kita masih akan meng-
hadapi banjir kilat dan masalah teruk lain
yang akan memberi impak besar kepada
penduduk di Penampang dan juga seluruh
Sabah seperti kehilangan harta benda dan
pendapatan, mengalami gangguan bekalan
TNB, Persekutuan gagal bina stesen
janakuasa baharu di Sabah: YB
Sherell Jeffrey
KOTa KiNaBaLU: adun Kunak Norazlinah
arif berkata penjelasan mengenai catuan
elektrik di Sabah baru-baru ini menun-
jukkan kegagalan Kerajaan Persekutuan
menyediakan bekalan kuasa yang men-
cukupi di negeri itu.
“Saya mesti bersetuju dengan orang
ramai bahawa alasan menghidupkan
penghawa dingin agak lucu. Begitu juga,
cuaca panas disebut sebagai alasan catuan
bekalan elektrik di Sabah,” katanya ketika
membahaskan ucapan dasar Yang Diper-
tua Negeri semasa persidangan Dewan
Undangan Negeri, di sini, Rabu.
“adakah Sarawak atau negeri lain di
Malaysia menghadapi situasi yang sama?
Mengapa Sabah satu-satunya Negeri yang
mempunyai masalah suhu tinggi dan
penghawa dingin?
“Kerosakan pencawang juga disebut
sebagai alasan berlaku gangguan bekalan
elektrik di Sabah.
“Mengapa kita tidak menangani isu
sebenar, iaitu loji janakuasa kita tidak
mampu memenuhi permintaan untuk
memastikan lampu menyala di seluruh
Sabah? Mana pergi unjuran jangkaan
bebanan?
“ini sebahagiannya disebabkan oleh
hakikat bahawa Tenaga Nasional Berhad
(TNB), atau lebih ringkasnya kerajaan
persekutuan, telah gagal membina stesen
janakuasa baharu di Sabah.”
Beliau berkata taklimat SESB dua hari
sebelum ini menunjukkan bahawa tiada
loji janakuasa baharu telah dibina atau
ditambah ke Sabah sejak 2018.
harianekspres
elektrik dan bekalan air yang lemah, antara
lain,” katanya.
Darell turut mempersoalkan kerajaan
melalui Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB)
yang telah diberi subsidi berjumlah RM761
juta setahun oleh kerajaan Persekutuan
untuk bahan api penjanaan kuasa yang
tidak termasuk geran untuk pembangunan
infrastruktur.
“Setiap tahun, SESB akan mendapat sub-
sidi ini (RM761 juta) dan menjadi satu
kemestian bagi agensi itu untuk menge-
mukakan laporan termasuk penilaian masa
depan dan cara mengurangkan gangguan
kepada TNB atau kementerian berkaitan.
“ironinya kenapa kita masih berdepan
dengan masalah (gangguan biasa) yang
mereka jangkakan dan sebutkan dalam
laporan rancangan jangka panjang mereka?
“Saya pasti mereka sedar tentang pen-
ingkatan bilangan pembangunan peruma-
han dan unit komersial yang menunjukkan
bahawa lebih banyak bekalan kuasa diper-
lukan dan ini harus menjadi sebahagian
daripada laporan mereka,” katanya.
Tambahan pula, kata Darell, SESB telah
menulis surat untuk mencadangkan pelan
mitigasi bagi menangani situasi kritikal grid
Sabah yang dikongsi pada 3 Mei tahun ini.
“Saya tertanya-tanya kenapa kita berada
dalam situasi ini (terputus bekalan elektrik
dan bekalan air yang lemah) apabila kita
menyebut kira-kira berbilion Ringgit dalam
pelaburan tetapi utiliti asas yang diper-
lukan, tidak dirancang dengan baik dalam
jangka masa panjang.
“Malah, saya bertanya kepada Menteri
Pembangunan Perindustrian, berapa
banyak pelaburan dan pelabur sedia ada di
Sabah yang telah memutuskan untuk
menghentikan atau menarik balik pelabu-
ran mereka?
“Sekiranya terdapat penarikan balik
pelaburan sedemikian, maka ia akan
menyebabkan lebih banyak pengangguran
dalam kalangan penduduk tempatan apa-
bila terdapat 177,000 pengangguran di
Sabah berdasarkan statistik pada November
tahun lepas,” katanya.
Memandangkan kerajaan negeri
mengambil pendirian untuk hak Sabah
dengan mengambil alih pengawasan SESB
mulai 1 januari 2024, kami memuji inisiatif
ini,” katanya.
Beliau juga menggesa kerajaan mem-
beri tumpuan kepada keperluan menam-
bah pakar perubatan, dan penyaluran
peruntukan peralatan perubatan yang per-
lahan di Sabah disuarakan.
“Daripada 358 jururawat kontrak, sera-
mai 81 jururawat kontrak Sabah dinaikkan
pangkat ke tetap, tetapi hanya empat orang
dikekalkan di Sabah. Bayangkan beban
kerja jururawat di Sabah.
“Saya mohon penjelasan daripada kera-
jaan berhubung pandangan tentang keper-
luan mewujudkan semula kementerian
kesihatan di Sabah supaya negeri ini mem-
punyai agensi yang berdedikasi untuk
menangani sebarang perkara berkaitan
kesihatan.
“Paling penting kementerian berkenaan
boleh menjadi pemantau dan suara
mewakili pegawai dan kakitangan kesi-
hatan Sabah supaya tidak perlu lagi
menunggu lampu hijau daripada kerajaan
persekutuan kerana kita tahu hanya orang
Sabah sahaja yang tahu, dan hanya orang
Sabah sahaja memahami perkara kesihatan
di Sabah dengan lebih jelas,” katanya.
“Saya percaya semua pelan strategik
yang dilaksanakan tertumpu kepada
kemajuan Sabah dan kesejahteraan raky-
atnya. Tetapi adakah kita bersedia untuk
mengorbankan kesejahteraan rakyat demi
mengejar pembangunan semata-mata,”
katanya.
harianekspres
Pastikan graduan undang-undang
kita diberi latihan sewajarnya
SEjaK kebelakangan ini, isu penting
berkaitan “chambering” (latihan dalam
kamar) telah timbul di Malaysia. ini ter-
masuk kekurangan jawatan chamber-
ing, ketidakkonsistenan dalam kualiti
pengalaman chambering, dan elaun
rendah untuk pelajar chambering.
Namun begitu, kaji selidik yang
dijalankan oleh Kementerian Pen-
didikan Tinggi pada 2020 mendapati
graduan dalam bidang undang-undang
mempunyai kadar kebolehgajian
sebanyak 86.8 peratus, yang agak tinggi
jika dibandingkan dengan bidang pen-
gajian lain.
Laporan itu selanjutnya
mendedahkan bahawa graduan
undang-undang adalah antara 10 grad-
uan Malaysia paling banyak diambil
bekerja.
Walaupun statistik menunjukkan
kadar kebolehgajian yang agak tinggi
untuk graduan undang-undang, ia pent-
ing untuk mereka mengembangkan
kemahiran, membentuk rangkaian den-
gan majikan, dan sentiasa mengikuti
trend industri bagi meningkatkan pelu-
ang mereka untuk berjaya.
Peranan fakulti undang-undang
dalam membantu mereka melakukan
ini tidak boleh diabaikan.
Fakulti undang-undang bertang-
gungjawab untuk menyediakan pen-
didikan bukan sahaja mengenai prinsip
dan doktrin undang-undang, tetapi juga
kemahiran seperti menjalankan penye-
lidikan, penulisan, advokasi dan pemiki-
ran kritis kepada pelajar mereka.
Fakulti juga boleh menawarkan
bimbingan dan sokongan kepada
mereka yang mencari jawatan chamber-
ing. Sokongan mungkin termasuk nasi-
hat tentang jenis firma undang-undang
atau organisasi untuk memohon di
samping panduan tentang membuat
resume dan surat iringan yang berkesan.
Paling penting, fakulti undang-
undang harus menyediakan asas yang
kukuh mengenai pengetahuan dan
kemahiran undang-undang,
menawarkan bimbingan dan sokongan
kepada pelajar yang mencari jawatan
PASUKAN GNSS Perhutanan dan ahli Persatuan Komuniti Kg Nupakan
di puncak Gunung Sinsing. Gunung Kinabalu kelihatan di latar belakang.
Gunung Sinsing sah ketiga
tertinggi di Malaysia
SaNDaKaN: jabatan Perhutanan Sabah
secara rasminya telah mengukur keting-
gian Gunung Sinsing di Tambunan dan
mendapati ketinggian puncak gunung itu
ialah 2,586 meter (m) dari aras laut, sekali
gus sebagai puncak ketiga tertinggi di
Malaysia.
jabatan berkenaan dalam kenyataan
Khamis memaklumkan, pada ekspedisi
baru-baru ini, sekumpulan penyelidik
dari Pusat Penyelidikan Perhutanan Sepi-
lok bersama wakil Persatuan Komuniti
Kampung Nupakan, Tambunan menggu-
nakan peralatan penerima data sistem
satelit navigasi global yang lebih tepat
iaitu Stonex S900a Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS) untuk menge-
sahkan ketinggian puncak gunung terse-
but.
“Data ketinggian dicerap melebihi
tempoh empat jam pada 10 Mei 2023.
Data cerapan kemudian diproses oleh
juruukur berdaftar untuk menen-
tusahkan ketinggian sebenar puncak
Gunung Sinsing dari aras laut.
“Dengan menggunakan kaedah itu,
didapati ketinggian puncak Gunung Sins-
ing ialah 2,586m (m.s.l.), sekali gus
mengekalkan statusnya sebagai puncak
ketiga tertinggi di Malaysia dan Borneo,”
menurut kenyataan itu.
Menurut jabatan Perhutanan Sabah,
gunung yang kurang dikenali itu terletak
dalam Hutan Simpan Nuluhin Trusmadi,
di bawah pengurusan Pejabat Perhutanan
Daerah Tambunan serta merupakan seba-
SU ARA TE MPATAN ANDA I JUMAAT, 26 MEI, 2023
chambering, serta memantau dan meni-
lai kemajuan pelajar semasa tempoh
kamar.
Dengan berbuat demikian, fakulti
undang-undang membantu memas-
tikan pelajar undang-undang bersedia
untuk menjadi pengamal undang-
undang yang berjaya.
Masa depan proses chambering di
Malaysia cukup cerah kerana usaha
sedang dibuat untuk meningkatkan
kualiti pendidikan dan latihan undang-
undang untuk graduan undang-
undang.
Terdapat inisiatif untuk
meningkatkan kualiti chambering,
seperti memperkenalkan program lati-
han lebih berstruktur dan formal, serta
menyediakan lebih banyak peluang
untuk pengalaman praktikal.
Tambahan pula, Majlis Peguam
Malaysia telah bekerjasama dengan
firma-firma guaman untuk menyedi-
akan lebih banyak peluang kepada grad-
uan undang-undang untuk menjalani
chambering.
ia juga telah melaksanakan pelbagai
inisiatif untuk membantu graduan
memperoleh kemahiran dan penge-
tahuan diperlukan untuk menjadi
peguam cekap.
Di samping itu, Kementerian Pen-
didikan Tinggi telah mengambil langkah
untuk meningkatkan kualiti pendidikan
undang-undang di Malaysia. ia, antara
lain, menyediakan sokongan untuk
penyelidikan dan pembangunan dalam
bidang undang-undang, serta beker-
jasama dengan profesion undang-
undang untuk memastikan graduan
dilatih dan bersedia secukupnya untuk
industri undang-undang.
isu berkaitan chambering perlu
ditangani dalam pelbagai arah, dan
semua pihak mesti memainkan peranan
mereka dan bekerjasama untuk memas-
tikan profesion undang-undang yang
lebih baik di negara ini.
Prof Madya Dr Jady Zaidi Hassim
Dekan, Fakulti Undang-undang
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
hagian daripada Unit Pengurusan Hutan
10 (FMU10) Projek Pengurusan Hutan
Mampan.
Gunung Sinsing telah menarik perhat-
ian orang ramai sejak 2018 apabila di uar-
uarkan menerusi media sosial sebagai
puncak ketiga tertinggi di Malaysia dan
Borneo, mengatasi Gunung Tambuyukon
(2,580m) di Substesen Monggis Taman
Kinabalu di Ranau.
Ketua Konservator Hutan Datuk Fred-
erick Kugan berkata jabatan Perhutanan
akan meneruskan usaha untuk melin-
dungi kawasan berkepentingan seperti
Gunung Sinsing.
Bersebelahan Gunung Sinsing ialah
Gunung Trus Madi (2,642m), yang juga
gunung kedua tertinggi di Malaysia serta
diletakkan di bawah pengurusan FMU10
yang berkeluasan 88,401 hektar.
“Disebabkan ketinggian, hutan pergu-
nungan ini menjadi habitat kepada pel-
bagai spesies flora dan fauna yang unik,
yang sebilangannya tidak ditemukan di
tempat lain.
“Melalui inisiatif Heart of Borneo
(HoB) di bawah kelolaan jabatan Per-
hutanan Sabah, satu ekspedisi saintifik
telah dianjurkan bermula pada 14 hingga
20 Mei lepas untuk mengkaji kepelbaga-
ian flora, fauna dan sosioekonomi setem-
pat yang tinggal berhampiran hutan
simpan,” katanya.
Gunung tertinggi di Malaysia ialah
Gunung Kinabalu yang berketinggian
4,095m. – Bernama
KM terima Buku Laporan SMJ 1.0
KETUA Menteri Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor menerima Buku Laporan Tahunan Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya, Pelan Pembangunan
Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 (2021-2025) Tahun 2022 daripada Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong di
pejabatnya di Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sabah, Kota Kinabalu pada Khamis. Hajiji pada Rabu berkata, Sekretariat
SMJ telah mengeluarkan dua laporan iaitu laporan tahunan pencapaian sepanjang dua tahun Pelan Pembangunan SMJ
dan Laporan Pencapaian Inisiatif Tahun 2022, yang memaparkan perincian kad laporan dengan markah pencapaian.
Kedua-dua laporan ini boleh diakses melalui portal Sekretariat Sabah Maju Jaya: smj.sabah.gov.my. Katanya, sebuah
buku juga telah diterbitkan dan Sekretariat SMJ akan mengedarkan kepada semua Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri dalam
tempoh terdekat.
Turut hadir pada majlis penyerahan itu ialah Ketua Pengarah Perkhidmatan Awam Negeri Sabah, Datuk Rosmadi Sulai,
Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Negeri / Timbalan Ketua Sekretariat SMJ, Ramlee Hj Kariah.
Umpama persenda
Unduk Ngadau: Joanna
Anthea Peter
KOTa KiNaBaLU:
Majlis Wanita Persat-
uan Kebudayaan
Kadazandusun Sabah
(KDCa) menyelar
pertandingan lelaki
berpakaian tradi-
sional wanita baru-
baru ini, yang
disifatkannya sebagai “keterlaluan dan tidak
sesuai.”
Pertandingan itu yang tular di media
sosial dan dikatakan diadakan di Keningau,
menunjukkan beberapa lelaki berpakaian
tradisional wanita.
Pengerusinya joanna Datuk Kitingan
(gambar) berkata ia memperolok-olokkan
gelaran Unduk Ngadau (UN), yang bukan
sahaja telah didaftarkan dengan Perbadanan
Harta intelek Malaysia (MyiPO) tetapi juga
suatu istilah keramat yang diwariskan secara
lisan berdasarkan Kepercayaan Bobohizan.
“ini seperti mempersendakan Unduk
Ngadau. Kita tidak harus bermain-main den-
Sambutan Kaamatan
Komonkas 3 Jun
Jinni Juanis
PENaMPaNG: Persatuan Penulis Kadazan
Tangaa Sabah (Komonkas) akan men-
gadakan perayaan Kaamatan Komonkas
dan cabutan tiket bertuah di Dewan Kaan-
daman Kampung Kibabaig Penampang,
pada 3 jun depan ini.
Orang ramai dijemput datang untuk
memeriahkan sambutan Kaamatan itu
sambil menyaksikan pertandingan Unduk
Ngadau Dazanak dan menikmati pelbagai
jualan di bazaar mini.
Pengerusi Komonkas Nelane Peter
Lidadun berkata, orang ramai yang hadir
masih boleh membeli tiket cabutan
bertuah berharga RM20 untuk satu buku
yang ada 10 keping didalamnya.
“ini adalah penganjuran pertama kali
persatuan Komonkas selepas ditubuhkan
kira-kira tiga tahun yang lalu,” katanya
kepada Harian Ekspres, menambah pelba-
gai hadiah menarik menanti pemenang
tiket bertuah itu nanti.
Menurutnya, walaupun masih setahun
jagung usia persatuan, ia mempunyai misi
yang besar untuk memajukan penerbitan
buku dalam bahasa Tangaa Kadazan yang
sememangnya masih sedikit di pasaran.
Nelana berkata, Komonkas sudah ada
beberapa buku yang ditulis oleh ahli-
ahlinya dan sedia dicetak tetapi mempunyai
kekangan untuk menerbit kerana persatuan
belum ada wang yang mencukupi.
Penganjuran sambutan Kaamatan per-
tama kali ini dengan penjualan tiket
bertuah adalah cara Komonkas untuk
mendapatkan ‘seed money’ bagi memu-
lakan projek penerbitan buku.
Bagi jangka masa panjang, katanya, per-
satuan mahu menerbit buku-buku fiksyen
dan bukan fiksyen, buku diari, menterjemah
dan banyak lagi dalam bahasa Tangaa.
“Kami menyahut seruan semangat
orang KDMR yang mahu bahan-bahan
bacaan orang asal diperbanyakkan. Bahan-
bahan ini diharap akan menjadi rujukan
dan dokumen dalam bahasa ibunda kita
kepada generasi muda,” katanya.
Komonkas ditubuhkan pada Oktober
2020 dan mempunyai lebih 30 ahli yang
pernah menulis buku, majalah, akhbar
dan cerita secara dalam talian. Semua
buku dan cerita pendek ditulis sepenuh-
nya dalam Bahasa Tangaa.
Katanya, kekurangan buku dalam
bahasa Kadazan adalah antara sebab ramai
golongan belia tidak dapat mempelajari
bahasa ibunda mereka dengan fasih.
“Ketiadaan bahan bacaan atau buku
rujukan itu, seperti buku dalam bahasa
inggeris dan Melayu, membantutkan
pengetahuan mereka dalam bahasa
ibunda kerana kurang bahan bacaan yang
diterbitkan.”
gan budaya kita, kerana ia datang dengan
adat, ritual dan sistem kepercayaan.
“Sepatutnya, jika anda mempermainkan
adat kita, anda perlu menyelesaikannya den-
gan sogit (pampasan),” katanya pada sidang
media pertandingan Unduk Ngadau Negeri
2023, di sini.
Pada Rabu, penyelaras KDCa Keningau,
Rafie Robert dilaporkan berkata pertandin-
gan lelaki berpakaian tradisional wanita itu
menyimpang daripada tradisi orang asal
dan menyifatkannya sebagai “peristiwa
memalukan”.
Sementara itu, 50 jelitawan Kadazan
Dusun Murut mewakili daerah di Sabah dan
beberapa negeri di Malaysia Barat akan
berentap untuk merebut gelaran Unduk
Ngadau Kaamatan Negeri tahun ini.
Peserta akan mengikuti beberapa pro-
gram yang dijadualkan sehingga ke per-
ingkat akhir pada 31 Mei ini.
joanna berkata pada tahun ini, kesemua
peserta akan dibawa ke Mahkamah anak
Negeri untuk belajar mengenai undang-
undang tradisional, adat resam dan kes sam-
Lindungi bahasa ibunda
melalui penceritaan: Jeffery
Johan Aziz
KOTa KiNaBaLU:
Timbalan Ketua
Menteri, Datuk Seri
Dr jeffrey Kitingan
(gambar) menyeru
rakyat Sabah,
k h u s u s n y a
masyarakat Kadazan-
Dusun, Murut dan
Rungus (KDMR) supaya mengekalkan dan
memelihara bahasa ibunda mereka melalui
penceritaan.
“Kita telah mendengar cerita penuh
makna daripada nenek moyang kita ...
sekarang setelah orang tua kita tiada, kita
perlu meneruskan legasi ini,” katanya.
Sokongan kerajaan negeri bukan sahaja
terhadap masyarakat KDMR tetapi juga
semua kumpulan etnik di Sabah yang mem-
punyai hak serupa untuk mengekal, men-
gajar dan memelihara bahasa mereka.
Berucap pada majlis penutup pertandin-
gan akhir Manangon dan Monusuyan Pesta
Kaamatan Peringkat Negeri yang berlang-
sung di Hongkod Koisaan Penampang, di
sini, beliau berkata semakin banyak bahasa
yang diketahui, semakin banyak ilmu yang
boleh diperolehi.
jeffrey berkata keunikan Sabah bukan
sahaja dalam kepelbagaian budaya tetapi
juga bahasa yang menarik pelancong.
Mengenai pertandingan itu, beliau
berkata penglibatan pelajar sekolah mem-
Penghuni kompleks SFI kini
terima notis kosongkan tanah
Jinius Pandakin
SiPiTaNG: Kira-kira
120 keluarga mem-
babitkan 600 orang
yang tinggal di
kuarters kompleks
Sabah Forest indus-
tries Sdn Bhd (SFi)
diberi notis untuk
mengosongkan
kawasan tersebut.
Kawasan terbabit terletak dalam
jajaran dan hakmilik yang tersenarai
dalam warta No.198/2022 oleh jabatan
Tanah dan Ukur (jT&U) Sipitang.
jurucakap penduduk, jeffrey Gopog
ketika dihubungi Harian Ekspres berkata,
notis terbaru itu meminta penduduk
untuk mengosong kawasan berkenaan
dalam tempoh 30 hari selepas peneri-
maan notis pada 24 Mei, yang tamat pada
22 jun.
Tempatan 3
bil dididik tentang kenapa Mahkamah anak
Negeri masih relevan sehingga kini.
Beliau berkata pertandingan Unduk
Ngadau tahun ini menawarkan hadiah wang
tunai berjumlah RM91,000, sebagai tamba-
han kepada biasiswa dan barang tajaan.
Hadiah juga akan diberikan kepada
pemenang gelaran subsidiari, seperti Tati
Tosuau, Tati Tipiodo dan Tatai Otoonong dan
Miss Friendly, antara lain.
joanna menambah bahawa Makan
Malam amal Sodop Unduk Ngadau tahun
ini akan diadakan di Pusat Konvensyen
antarabangsa Sabah (SiCC) pada 29 Mei,
yang akan dapat menampung lebih banyak
meja dan mengumpul lebih banyak dana.
Beliau berkata pakaian yang dipakai oleh
peserta Unduk Ngadau dalam usaha mere-
but gelaran pakaian Kontemporari Malam
Terbaik semasa majlis makan malam amal
itu, mestilah menampilkan motif asli dan
buatan tangan sepenuhnya oleh tukang jahit
wanita mahir di Sabah.
Pusingan akhir akan diadakan di Dewan
KDCa Hongkod Koisaan pada 31 Mei.
bolehkan mereka mempelajari “manan-
gon” atau bercerita, dan makna “tangon-
tangon”.
jeffrey berkata “melentur buluh biarlah
dari rebungnya”, bermaksud lebih baik
mengajar bahasa etnik dari usia muda
supaya bahasa ibunda dapat terus berkem-
bang.
jeffrey, yang juga Pengerusi jawatankuasa
induk Sambutan Kaamatan Peringkat
Negeri, berkata adalah penting untuk
menyampaikan bahasa dan pengetahuan
kepada generasi hari ini dan akan datang.
Beliau turut menggalakkan penyertaan
semua lapisan masyarakat dalam acara dan
aktiviti Pesta Kaamatan Negeri.
anora Soletin muncul juara dalam kate-
gori Tahap 1 dan membawa pulang hadiah
wang tunai RM1,000, trofi, sijil dan jamban-
gan bunga manakala tempat kedua dan
ketiga dimenangi oleh Noel Nathan
Marcelius dan Videlvie Handry, yang mem-
bawa pulang hadiah wang tunai RM800 dan
RM500, piala, sijil dan jambangan bunga.
Sementara itu, audreyclaire Whtiney
Handro muncul juara bagi kategori Tahap
2 dan menerima hadiah wang tunai
RM1,000, trofi, sijil dan jambangan bunga.
Tempat kedua dan ketiga dimenangi
juleegna Daved dan Edward Kubot, yang
masing-masing menerima hadiah wang
tunai RM800 dan RM500, trofi, sijil dan
jambangan bunga.
Hadiah disampaikan oleh jeffrey.
Menurut jeffrey, arahan tersebut
adalah notis ketiga daripada jabatan
tersebut.
Selain kuarters ia juga merangkumi
motel, banglo dan juga lapangan terbang
di dalam jajaran notis tersebut.
“Namun geran tanah itu masih diper-
tikaikan di mahkamah dari segi hak
pemilikan,” kata jeffrey.
Berhubung penyambungan semula
bekalan elektrik oleh Sabah Electricity
Sdn Bhd (SESB) untuk kompleks SFi,
beliau berkata ia pada dasarnya diperse-
tujui oleh pihak SESB agar bekalan disam-
bung semula pada penghujung bulan ini.
“Bagaimanapun saya dimaklumkan
penyambungan itu kemungkinan belum
dapat dilaksanakan kerana kontraktor
dilantik untuk mengurus penyambungan
masih menunggu lesen pengoperasian
dan kadar tarif elektrik daripada
Suruhanjaya Tenaga Sabah,” katanya.
 4 Tempatan
‘Ag Tahir tidak pernah
tolak wang komisen’
Cynthia D Baga
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Bekas Pengarah jabatan
air ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib tidak per-
nah menolak untuk menerima komisen
(wang tunai) yang diberikan oleh seorang
kontraktor, Mahkamah Khas Rasuah
diberitahu.
Wong Kok Vui @ Michael, 69, yang
memberi keterangan lanjut di hadapan
Hakim abu Bakar Manat, berkata apabila
memberikan wang tunai itu kepada ag
Tahir, dia tidak pernah berkata tidak dan
selepas menerima wang itu, ag Tahir akan
mengucapkan terima kasih.
Dia memberitahu mahkamah bahawa
dia memberikan komisen secara tunai
kepada ag Tahir dan beberapa yang lain
malah dalam jumlah yang besar kerana
itulah yang diamalkan pada tahun-tahun
sebelumnya.
Wong seterusnya memberitahu
mahkamah bahawa perjanjian untuk
memberi wang antara dia dan ag Tahir
telah bermula apabila Wong berkata ‘sesu-
atu untuk anda sebagai balasan terima
kasih’.
Menurut Wong, ‘balasan terima kasih’
itu merujuk kepada bantuan ag Tahir
kepada Wong untuk mendapatkan projek
di jabatan air Daerah dan jabatan air
Bahagian.
Wong memberi keterangan dalam per-
bicaraan ag Tahir, 58, isterinya, Fauziah
Piut, 55 yang dibicarakan bersama Lim
Lam Beng, 66, kepada 37 pertuduhan pen-
gubahan wang haram, membabitkan
wang tunai dan simpanan bank berjum-
lah RM61.57 juta, serta pemilikan
barangan mewah yang menyalahi
undang-undang.
Kepada soalan lain Timbalan Pendakwa
Raya Mahadi abdul jumaat, Wong berkata
dia tidak menetapkan sebarang peratusan
perjanjian untuk komisen ag Tahir tetapi
PETUGAS Landskap DBKK bertungkus
lumus membersihkan parit di belakang
Lorong Burung Kenari 2.
DBKK selesai bersih parit belakang di Likas
% DEWAN Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu
(DBKK) telah membersihkan parit di
belakang beberapa rumah di Taman Likas
jaya dalam usaha untuk mengurangkan
gangguan yang disebabkan oleh air
bertakung di dalam struktur ini.
jurucakap jabatan Landskap agensi itu
berkata, parit belakang di hartanah kedia-
man di kawasan penarafannya – termasuk
yang terletak di Lorong Burung Kenari 2 –
dibersihkan dua kali setahun.
Dia berkata, sebaliknya, rumput di rizab
itu dipotong setiap bulan.
“Bagaimanapun, berdasarkan aduan
pemilik rumah, kakitangan Landskap kami
pergi ke Taman Likas jaya lebih awal dari-
pada yang dijadualkan,” katanya.
Dia berkata semakan rekodnya menda-
pati parit belakang rumah di bahagian keji-
ranan ini telah pun diselenggara sebanyak
tiga kali untuk tahun ini pada 14 Februari,
2 Mei dan 12 Mei.
Usaha penyelenggaraan terbaharu
dilakukan secara berperingkat dalam tem-
poh tiga hari oleh 12 kakitangan dari Unit
Parit DBKK, menurut jurucakap itu.
“Pekerja kami menggunakan cangkul
untuk mengorek lapisan sedimen yang
mendap di dasar parit.
“Rumpai yang tumbuh di dalamnya dan
tumbuhan tidak terjaga di bahu struktur
dipotong dengan parang yang mereka
ada.”
SUA RA TE MPATAN ANDA I JUMAAT, 26 MEI, 2023
berdasarkan bajetnya daripada keuntun-
gan, dia hanya dapat memberi RM1.35 juta.
Dia seterusnya berkata tiada keperluan
untuk merekodkan pembayaran komisen
kepada ag Tahir kerana jumlahnya ham-
pir sama dan mudah diingati.
Selain wang yang dia berikan kepada
ag Tahir, Wong berkata tiada aset atau
barang berharga lain yang dia berikan
kepada ag Tahir.
Wong seterusnya memberi keterangan
bahawa syarikatnya telah mendapat pro-
jek-projek baharu iaitu projek penyeleng-
garaan daripada jabatan air Sabah (jaNS)
dan kadangkala dia juga menerima projek
kerja-kerja kecemasan tetapi sedikit
sahaja.
Menurut Wong, bagi projek baharu
yang merupakan projek penyelenggaraan,
kontraktor akan dilantik secara tender ter-
buka dan peruntukan akan diluluskan
oleh pengarah.
Semasa pemeriksaan balas oleh
peguam Priskila akwila Sinem yang
mewakili ag Tahir dan Fauziah, Wong
bersetuju bahawa komisen 30 peratus
tidak diberikan kepada ahmad Sapawi
seperti yang diarahkan oleh Teo Chee
Kong dan bukan daripada ag Tahir.
Wong berkata sebagai kontraktor,
mereka hanya mengikut arahan pegawai
bertanggungjawab di bahagian itu.
Dia seterusnya berkata ag Tahir tidak
pernah memintanya memberikan 30 per-
atus kepada jurutera air Bahagian/Daerah.
Wong bersetuju bahawa pemberian
sejumlah wang kepada ag Tahir itu adalah
secara sukarela dan juga bersetuju dengan
Priskila bahawa ag Tahir tidak pernah
KAKITANGAN Unit Parit DBKK menggunakan cangkul
untuk mengorek mendapan dari parit ini di Likas.
jurucakap itu berkata kakitangan agensi
itu telah diminta untuk memeriksa
keadaan parit itu, dari semasa ke semasa,
bagi memastikan gangguan itu tidak beru-
lang.
Tindakan ini didorong oleh maklum
balas daripada seorang pembayar kadar di
Taman Likas jaya mengenai bau busuk yang
datang dari arah parit di belakang dan
hadapan rumahnya.
Dia mengesyaki bahawa mendapan di
dasar struktur ini mungkin telah menim-
bulkan bau busuk tersebut.
Pemilik rumah itu berharap pihak
berkuasa tempatan akan mempertim-
bangkan supaya membersihkan parit itu
dengan pancutan air untuk menghi-
langkan bau busuk ini.
jurucakap itu mengucapkan terima
kasih kepada pemilik rumah itu atas cadan-
gannya, dengan mengatakan bahawa pen-
tadbiran agensi itu perlu menentukan
kebolehlaksanaan langkah itu.
“Kami difahamkan bahawa syarikat
konsesi kerajaan, yang menjaga parit hala-
man depan rumahnya, juga telah dimak-
lumkan mengenai permintaannya untuk
melakukan pembersihan sebegitu,”
STAF konsesi memulakan pembersihan rumpair
dari parit hadapan ini di Taman Likas Jaya.
meminta wang tersebut.
Dia juga bersetuju bahawa tiada bukti
atau keterangan atau saksi yang
menyokong kenyataannya bahawa dia
telah menyerahkan wang kepada ag Tahir.
Dalam pemeriksaan semula ketua oleh
Mahadi, Wong berkata dia bersetuju
bahawa dia mengikut arahan Teo kerana
kawasan itu berada di bawah Teo dan dia
perlu mengikut arahan Teo bagi mengelak
masalah mengelirukan.
“itu kawasan dia, jadi apa-apa arahan
daripada Teo, kami perlu ikut sebagai kon-
traktor bukan sahaja komisen tetapi kerja
sebenar yang perlu dijalankan,” kata
Wong.
jelasnya lagi, dia bersetuju dengan
peguam bela bahawa wang itu diberikan
secara sukarela kerana seperti yang diny-
atakan sebelum ini, dia mendapat projek-
projek itu dengan bantuan peruntukan
daripada Pengarah jabatan air Negeri
Sabah iaitu ag Tahir.
“jika saya tidak menunjukkan penghar-
gaan saya kepada jurutera air
Bahagian/Daerah, satu-satunya perkara
yang saya boleh lakukan hanyalah dengan
memulangkan sedikit wang kepada ag
Tahir supaya saya dapat teruskan dengan
jurutera air Bahagian/Daerah dengan
peruntukan oleh ag Tahir,” katanya.
berkata.
Wong seterusnya berkata dia bersetuju
dengan peguam bela bahawa tiada saksi
semasa penyerahan wang itu kepada ag
Tahir kerana perbuatan memberikan
wang itu kepada ag Tahir adalah satu
kesalahan dan dia secara peribadi tidak
mahu dikenakan sesiapa pun pada masa
hadapan.
Lim diwakili oleh Datuk Tan Hock
Chuan, Baldev Singh, Karpaljit Singh dan
aaron Lau.
Perbicaraan bersambung.
SEORANG pekerja agensi menggunakan parang
untuk memotong semak di rizab parit ini.
katanya.
Dia berkata pekerja syarikat itu telah
membersihkan struktur ini pada Rabu.
RaNjEET dari Likas berkata, bau busuk
telah masuk ke dalam rumahnya dari arah
parit di pinggir kawasan rumahnya sejak
sekian lama.
“Saya terpaksa menutup kebanyakan
pintu dan tingkap saya untuk memini-
mumkan kemungkinan bau tidak menye-
nangkan itu masuk,” katanya.
Bagaimanapun, Ranjeet berkata bau
busuk itu masih dapat dikesan terutama
pada waktu malam, sehingga
menyukarkan dia untuk tidur lena.
“Malah bau dari colok yang saya bakar
tidak membantu untuk mengurangkan
gangguan ini.
“Saya dan jiran-jiran takut akan kesan
negatif kepada kesihatan kami kerana sen-
tiasa terhidu wasap yang datang dari air di
dalam parit.”
Pemilik rumah ini bukan satu-satunya
pembayar kadar yang tidak berpuas hati
dengan keadaan parit tepi jalan yang teruk
di Likas.
COLLEEN, yang tinggal di Taman Setia,
berkata parit di luar pintu pagar hadapan-
PEKERJA syarikat masuk ke dalam parit ini
di Taman Setia untuk membersihkannya.
Tiada kesan dadah, racun
dalam mayat banduan: Saksi
Jo Ann Mool
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Tiada dadah biasa dan
racun perosak dikesan dalam sampel darah
dan kandungan perut banduan itu, yang
didakwa dibunuh oleh 10 anggota penjara
di Penjara Pusat di sini empat tahun lalu,
Mahkamah Tinggi diberitahu pada
Khamis.
Saksi ke-18 pendakwaan, seorang ahli
kimia yang bertugas di jabatan Kimia di
sini, Mohd Helmi B. Dullah @ Mohd Rashid,
yang memberi keterangan di hadapan
Hakim Datuk Christopher Chin Soo Yin,
berkata demikian semasa pemeriksaan
utama oleh pihak pendakwaan ketika dim-
inta menjelaskan secara ringkas keputusan
analisis toksikologi terhadap spesimen
darah, air kencing dan kandungan perut
Shainal Muhktar (mangsa), yang
dijalankannya.
Helmi turut memberi keterangan
bahawa tiada etil alkohol dikesan dalam
spesimen darah dan air kencing.
Tambahnya, dia juga telah mengesan
kehadiran acetaminofen dalam sampel air
kencing.
apabila diminta untuk menjelaskan
apakah acetaminofen yang dikesannya,
Helmi menjelaskan bahawa acetaminofen,
atau nama kimia lain dipanggil paraceta-
mol, adalah sejenis analgesik yang diambil
untuk melegakan kesakitan seperti demam
atau sakit kepala.
Dibicarakan adalah Barry jipmon, 30,
Mohd Dzulfikri Mohd Safri, 28, Farizan
Mokri, 40, Mohd Saiful Saidin, 34, amran
Yasik, 25, ab Mutalib @ Talib abd Rasul, 40,
Zerry Maidin, 33, Tomy Momoh, 36, Shahryll
Nazry Wan Sofian, 25, dan Muhammad Fazi
Lakui, 32.
Mereka semua dituduh bersama mem-
bunuh Shainal Mukhtar, 36, di sel nombor
11, Blok Gemilang, di Penjara Pusat Kota
Kinabalu, jalan Kepayan dekat sini pada
4.20 petang, antara 2 Okt dan 4 Okt 2019.
10 tertuduh pada 24 Ogos 2020 mem-
inta dibicarakan terhadap pertuduhan
mengikut Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan
itu, yang membawa hukuman mati, jika
sabit kesalahan.
nya tersumbat dengan tumbuhan air serta
lumpur.
“air di dalamnya telah menjadi hitam
dan kelihatan agak pejal,” katanya.
“Saya mendapati bilangan nyamuk
masuk ke dalam rumah saya pada waktu
malam bertambah dan mengesyaki
serangga ini mungkin telah membuat
habitat di dalam parit itu.”
jurucakap itu berkata pemeriksaan
dibuat terhadap Lorong Burung Puju seju-
rus selepas DBKK mendapat tahu tentang
masalah ini.
“Petugas Landskap mengesahkan parit
di sepanjang jalan perumahan itu
dipenuhi air dan tersumbat dengan
rumpai,” katanya.
Dia berkata syarikat konsesi telah
dimaklumkan mengenai penemuan ini
dan diminta untuk mengambil tindakan
sewajarnya.
“apabila kakitangan kami kembali
beberapa hari kemudian, mereka mendap-
ati parit itu telah diselenggara.
“Kami telah menggesa syarikat itu untuk
meningkatkan usaha mereka untuk
menyelenggara struktur ini dan yang lain
di sekitar kejiranan.” (SS)
harianekspres
Terdahulu, Helmi memberi keterangan
bahawa pada 17 Okt 2019 dia menerima
permohonan analisis toksikologi daripada
aSP Riduan di mana dia menerima sampul
berisi bungkusan mengandungi empat
peket plastik masing-masing mengan-
dungi spesimen seperti darah, air kencing,
dan kandungan perut milik Shainal
Mukhtar.
Helmi berkata dia menjalankan analisis
pada 19 Okt 2019 untuk kandungan alko-
hol, dadah biasa dan racun perosak biasa.
Dia memberi keterangan bahawa dia
menyediakan laporan itu pada 16 jan 2020.
apabila ditanya kenapa dia mengambil
masa agak lama untuk menyediakan lapo-
ran pada 16 jan 2020 sedangkan dia men-
jalankan analisis pada 18 Okt 2019, Helmi
menjelaskan bahawa pada 18 Okt 2019,
hanya proses gambaran dijalankan dan
selepas itu setiap analisis dijalankan secara
berperingkat dan bagi setiap spesimen,
analisis perlu mengikut giliran dengan kes
lain yang diterimanya di Bahagian Tok-
sikologi.
Saksi itu berkata selepas melengkapkan
laporan dia menyerahkan laporan itu
kepada aSP Riduan pada 10 Feb 2020 pada
jam 2.30 petang bersama-sama barang kes.
Sementara itu, semasa pemeriksaan
balas oleh peguam Dominic Chew, saksi
tidak bersetuju dengan cadangannya
bahawa ia bukan kandungan toksikologi
yang tepat bagi mayat Shainal pada masa
kematian kerana sampel biologinya hanya
diberikan kepadanya (saksi) 13 hari selepas
kematian berlaku pada 4 Okt 2019.
Bagaimanapun, ketika pemeriksaan
semula oleh pihak pendakwaan, saksi men-
jelaskan dia tidak bersetuju berdasarkan
hasil analisis yang dilakukannya dan meny-
atakan ketepatan keputusan analisis yang
dijalankan hampir 95 peratus.
“ini kerana analisis yang saya jalankan
melibatkan analisis kualitatif dan kuanti-
tatif, namun ketepatannya juga dipen-
garuhi oleh tempoh masa sampel diambil
dan masa analisis dijalankan,” kata saksi.
Kepada cadangan lain oleh Chew
semasa pemeriksaan balas, Helmi berse-
tuju dengan peguam bela itu bahawa dia
tidak tahu bagaimana sampel itu disimpan
sebelum diserahkan kepadanya.
Peguam: Sekiranya anda tidak tahu
bagaimana mayat Shainal disimpan
sebelum bedah siasat dijalankan dan tidak
tahu bagaimana sampel itu disimpan oleh
aSP Riduan sebelum dihantar kepada
anda, oleh itu, anda bersetuju dengan saya,
ia bukan kandungan toksikologi yang
tepat dalam kandungan mayat Shainal
semasa kematian.
Saksi: Betul.
Peguam: Sebarang bentuk keracunan
dalam badan Shainal tentu akan berkuran-
gan atau lenyap pada masa anda men-
jalankan analisis selepas 13 hari, adakah
saya betul?
Saksi: Ya.
Pengarah Pendakwaan Sabah Muham-
mad ilmami ahmad bersama Timbalan
Pendakwa Raya Rustam Sanip, Nur Faezah
jafry dan Mas izzaty Lokman hadir untuk
pendakwaan.
Peguam Pj Perira, Dominic Chew dan
ariel Dasan mewakili Dzulfikri, Farizan, Sai-
ful, Mutalib dan Zerry manakala peguam
Hairul Vaiyron Othman mewakili Barry,
amran, Tommy, Shahryll dan Fazi.
Perbicaraan ditangguhkan ke 20 – 22
jun.
Dua polis trafik
didakwa minta,
terima suapan
SHaH aLaM: Dua anggota polis trafik
berpangkat Lans Koperal masing-masing
mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah
Sesyen di sini pada Khamis atas dua per-
tuduhan meminta dan menerima suapan,
tiga tahun lepas.
Muhammad Nazmi Baharum, 33, dan
Mohammad alqayyum Hasim, 30, yang
bertugas di cawangan penguatkuasaan,
jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik,
ibu Pejabat Polis Bukit aman membuat pen-
gakuan itu selepas kedua-dua pertuduhan
tersebut dibacakan di hadapan Hakim Rozi-
lah Salleh.
Bagi pertuduhan pertama, mereka den-
gan niat bersama telah meminta suapan
wang tunai RM3,000 daripada seorang lelaki
berusia 27 tahun sebagai dorongan tidak
menangkap lelaki tersebut yang mempunyai
tiga waran tangkap atas kesalahan trafik di
bawah jejambat berhampiran Lebuh Raya
Lingkaran Penyuraian Trafik Kajang (SiLK)
dekat sini pada 3.30 petang, 3 Okt 2020.
Bagi pertuduhan kedua, mereka dengan
niat bersama telah memperoleh suapan
wang tunai RM900 daripada individu sama
sebagai dorongan berhubung perbuatan
sama di perhentian bas berhampiran sebuah
stesen minyak di Balakong dekat sini pada 4
petang, tarikh sama.
Bagi kedua-dua perbuatan tersebut
mereka didakwa mengikut Seksyen 16(a)(B)
dan 17(a) akta Suruhanjaya Pencegahan
Rasuah Malaysia 2009 dibaca bersama
Seksyen 34 Kanun Keseksaan dan boleh
dihukum di bawah Seksyen 24 akta sama
memperuntukkan hukuman penjara
sehingga 20 tahun dan denda tidak kurang
lima kali ganda nilai suapan atau RM10,000,
mengikut mana lebih tinggi, jika sabit
kesalahan. – Bernama
harianekspres
Konflik Syria
Semakin ramai bayi dibuang
di masjid, bawah pokok
HaZaNO: Pada satu malam musim sejuk,
ibrahim Othman keluar untuk bersolat dan
pulang ke rumah sambil memeluk seorang
bayi perempuan, yang ditinggalkan di
depan pintu masjid kampungnya beberapa
jam saja selepas dilahirkan.
“Saya membawanya pulang dan mem-
beritahu isteri saya, ‘Saya bawa hadiah
untuk anda’,” kata lelaki berusia 59 tahun,
penduduk Hazano di barat laut Syria yang
dikuasai pemberontak.
Dia menamakan bayi itu Hibatullah,
bermaksud “kurniaan Tuhan”, dan memu-
tuskan untuk membesarkannya sebagai ahli
keluarga.
Pihak berkuasa Syria berkata semakin
ramai bayi ditinggalkan di luar masjid, hos-
pital malah di bawah pokok zaitun akibat
konflik berterusan yang melanda negara itu
sejak perang tercetus 12 tahun lalu menye-
babkan ramai menjadi miskin lagi terdesak.
Kumpulan ‘Syrians for Truth and justice’,
sebuah pertubuhan yang merekodkan pen-
cabulan hak asasi manusia di negara itu
menyatakan, hanya beberapa kes pembuan-
gan kanak-kanak dilapor secara rasmi
sebelum perang meletus pada 2011.
Namun, menurut laporan pertubuhan
yang berpangkalan di Washington, amerika
Syarikat (aS) itu pada Mac, antara awal 2021
dan akhir tahun lalu, lebih 100 kanak-
kanak, 62 daripadanya perempuan, ditemui
terbiar di seluruh negara, sambil mengang-
garkan angka sebenar mungkin lebih tinggi.
“jumlahnya meningkat secara mendadak
sejak permulaan konflik, ditambah pula
kesan sosial dan ekonomi selepas perang,
yang menjejaskan lagi kawasan baik yang
dikawal kerajaan mahupun pemberontak,”
kata kumpulan itu.
Peningkatan itu didorong faktor lain ter-
masuk kemiskinan, ketidakstabilan, kea-
manan yang terjejas dan perkahwinan
kanak-kanak, selain penderaan seksual dan
kehamilan luar nikah.
Walaupun pengambilan anak angkat
dilarang di seluruh Syria, Othman telah
meminta kebenaran pihak berkuasa tem-
patan untuk membesarkan Hibatullah.
“Saya memberitahu anak-anak saya
bahawa jika saya mati, dia harus mendapat
sebahagian daripada pusaka saya,”
walaupun dia secara rasmi tidak boleh men-
jadi sebahagian daripada keluarga itu,
katanya, sebak.
PROJEK pembangunan giat dijalankan ketika ini di tapak
ibu negara baharu, Nusantara.
Pembangkang
minta tangguh
pemindahan
ibu negara
jaKaRTa: Kumpulan parti pembangkang
meminta pemindahan ibu negara
indonesia ke Nusantara ditangguhkan
bagi memberi laluan kepada isu-isu pent-
ing lain di negara itu.
Perkara itu disuarakan Kumpulan
Parti Demokrat dan Parti Keadilan
Sejahtera (PKS) dalam Sidang Paripurna
Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) berkai-
tan pandangan kumpulan tersebut ter-
hadap rangka kerja ekonomi makro dan
perkara utama dasar fiskal tahun 2024.
Menurut Kompas.com, Menteri Kewan-
gan, Sri Mulyani turut hadir mewakili
kerajaan pada mesyuarat tersebut.
Dalam mesyuarat itu, perwakilan Parti
Demokrat, Rizki Natakusumah menyi-
fatkan langkah pemindahan ke iKN
bukan isu penting dan berharap bajet
negara ditumpukan kepada kestabilan
harga keperluan asas dan tenaga.
“Kumpulan Partai Demokrat meminta
pemerintah untuk terus menyokong per-
belanjaan yang memiliki efek berganda
dan perkara bukan keutamaan seperti
proses pemindahan ibu negara dapat
ditunda.
“adalah lebih baik sekiranya bajet
negeri ditumpukan dahulu kepada kesta-
S UARA TE MPATAN ANDA I JUMAAT, 26 MEI, 2023
GAMBAR diambil 22 Mac ini menunjukkan Ibrahim Othman (tengah) dan seorang ahli
keluarganya bermain dengan kanak-kanak perempuan yang ditemuinya ditinggalkan di
masjid kampungnya tiga tahun lalu. – Gambar AFP
Kanak-kanak berusia tiga tahun itu, ram-
butnya diikat tocang dua dan merayau ke
sana sini sambil memakai sandal merah
jambu berkilat, kini memanggilnya “datuk”.
“Dia hanya kanak-kanak yang tidak
bersalah,” kata Othman.
Perang Syria sudah membunuh lebih
500,000 orang, jutaan yang lain pula kehi-
langan tempat tinggal, sementara infra-
struktur di negara itu turut rosak teruk.
Pegawai jabatan Kesihatan, Zaher Hajjo,
berkata seramai 53 bayi yang baru lahir dan
terbiar ini sudah didaftarkan di kawasan
yang dikawal kerajaan dalam tempoh 10
bulan pertama tahun lalu, termasuk 28 bayi
lelaki dan 25 lagi perempuan.
Presiden Syria, Bashar al-assad, tahun ini
mengeluarkan warta untuk mewujudkan
kemudahan khusus bagi kanak-kanak
berkenaan, yang akan didaftarkan secara
automatik sebagai warga arab atau Syria
beragama islam dengan tempat kelahiran
merujuk lokasi mereka ditemui.
Di wilayah idlib yang dikuasai pem-
berontak, pekerja sosial di pusat utama
untuk kanak-kanak terbiar menjaga bayi-
bayi kecil yang dibalut rapat dengan selimut
dalam buaian asas, sesetengahnya dihiasi
dengan cat ungu atau reben.
Di dalam bilik sederhana itu, seorang
bilan harga keperluan asas dan tenaga
kerana masyarakat yang tinggal di kam-
pung dan pekan kecil lebih mengharap-
kan keperluan-keperluan seperti itu,”
katanya.
Pendapat sama turut dikongsi perwak-
ilan PKS, andi akmal Pasluddin ketika
menyampaikan ucapannya.
“Bajet untuk pemindahan ibu negara
lebih baik difokuskan kepada usaha
memulihkan kuasa beli rakyat,
meningkatkan kebajikan, menambah
baik infrastruktur pertanian dan perbe-
lanjaan penting lain,” katanya.
Presiden joko Widodo (jokowi)
sebelum ini menekankan idea peminda-
han ibu negara dari jakarta ke Nusan-
tara bukan datang dari beliau
sebaliknya sudah diutarakan Presiden
pertama indonesia, Soekarno sejak
tahun 1960-an.
jelasnya, jakarta yang sudah terlalu
padat akan diperkasa menjadi kota per-
niagaan, pelancongan serta ekonomi
sementara Nusantara dibangunkan seba-
gai pusat pemerintahan dan proses
pemindahan itu bakal memakan masa
sehingga 20 tahun untuk diselesaikan. –
agensi
wanita membuaikan seorang bayi tidur den-
gan sebelah tangan sambil menyusukan
seorang lagi dengan tangan satu lagi.
Faisal al-Hammoud, ketua program di
pusat itu, berkata seorang bayi perempuan
ditemui di bawah pokok zaitun selepas
dicederakan seekor kucing.
“Darah mengalir di mukanya,” katanya
sambil menambah bayi itu telah pun dia-
manahkan kepada sebuah keluarga.
Pekerja membuat susulan untuk memas-
tikan bayi-bayi seperti itu dilayan dengan
baik dan “tidak ada pemerdagangan kanak-
kanak”, tambah Hammoud.
Pusat itu telah menerima 26 bayi – 14
perempuan dan 12 lelaki – sejak dibuka pada
2019, dan sembilan untuk tahun ini sahaja,
kata abdullah abdullah, seorang pegawai
hal ehwal sivil dengan pihak berkuasa pem-
berontak idlib.
Lebih empat juta orang tinggal di
kawasan yang dikawal oleh pejuang jihad
dan kumpulan yang disokong Turkiye di
utara dan barat laut Syria, di mana 90 pera-
tus daripadanya bergantung kepada ban-
tuan untuk terus hidup.
“Perang ini puncanya, dan juga kelu-
arga,” kata abdullah.
“Kanak-kanak ini hanya mangsa,” tam-
bahnya. – aFP
Jokowi ditegur jangan masuk campur urusan p’raya
jaKaRTa: Presiden
joko Widodo (jokowi)
(gambar) disifatkan
boleh menjejaskan
demokrasi indonesia
apabila dilihat sering
masuk campur hal-hal
berkaitan pilihan raya
umum dan pilihan raya presiden.
Pengarah Eksekutif Oversight of The
indonesian Democratic Policy, Satyo P
berkata, jokowi semakin aktif mencam-
puri urusan berkaitan pemilihan calon
Ketua kampung
temui ajal
ketika menari
dangdut
jaKaRTa: Seorang ketua kampung di
jember, wilayah jawa Timur menemui ajal
ketika menari dangdut di atas pentas
dalam satu acara setempat, lapor laman
berita Merdeka, baru-baru ini.
Berdasarkan klip video dikongsikan di
laman instagram, lelaki bernama Muly-
ono itu dilihat sedang menari dan
menyanyi bersama penyanyi wanita
dalam kejadian pada malam ahad lalu.
Ketika sedang asyik menyanyi, dia tiba-
tiba rebah.
“Dia lantas dibawa ke hospital sejurus
kejadian, namun akhirnya disahkan
meninggal dunia,” kata Ketua Polis
ambulu, asisten Komisioner Polis Suhar-
tanto.
Tambah Suhartanto, arwah meninggal
dunia kerana terlalu letih selepas men-
jalani aktiviti padat sepanjang hari.
Menurutnya, Mulyono menghadiri
majlis bersama polis pada pagi ahad
sebelum pergi ke rumah saudaranya di
Banyuwangi pada waktu tengah hari.
Pada waktu malam, lelaki berusia
dalam lingkungan 50-an itu memenuhi
undangan acara dangdut yang diadakan
penduduk setempat.
Majlis itu diadakan bagi meraikan
seorang penduduk yang melayakkan
diri dalam satu pertandingan dangdut
terbitan sebuah stesen televisyen di
jakarta.
“arwah mahu menghargai penduduk
tersebut dan menyambut kepulangannya
agar dia berbesar hati walaupun ters-
ingkir pada episod seterusnya,” kata
Suhartanto. – agensi
Implan otak bantu lelaki
lumpuh berjalan semula
LONDON: Seorang lelaki yang lumpuh
akibat kemalangan basikal lebih sedekad
lalu mampu berjalan semula dengan
menggunakan teknologi yang diban-
gunkan oleh penyelidik di Switzerland,
lapor agensi berita jerman (dpa).
Pakar saraf di Ecole Polytechnique Fed-
erale de Lausanne (EPFL) telah mencipta
kaedah rawatan dipanggil “jambatan dig-
ital tanpa wayar” yang mampu
memulihkan sambungan yang hilang
antara otak dan saraf tunjang, menurut
penyelidik.
jambatan digital ini adalah “brain-
spine interface” yang membolehkan Gert-
jan Oskam mengawal semula pergerakan
kakinya, membolehkannya berdiri, ber-
jalan dan juga menaiki tangga.
Teknologi itu juga membolehkan
Oskam memulihkan beberapa fungsi otak
yang hilang sejak kemalangan, di mana
dia dapat mempamerkan kemahiran
motor meskipun teknologi itu dimatikan.
Menurut penyelidik, “pembaikan digi-
tal saraf tunjang ini menunjukkan bahawa
sambungan saraf baharu telah berkem-
bang”.
Oskam, 40, seorang jurutera dari
Belanda, tinggal dan bekerja di China apa-
bila dia mengalami kemalangan
berbasikal pada 2011.
Pakar saraf jocelyn Bloch, yang meru-
Pelajar berang telefon dirampas
bakar asrama, sebabkan 19 maut
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Gara-gara kecewa
telefon bimbitnya dirampas, pelajar perem-
puan bertindak membakar sebuah asrama
sekolah menengah hingga mengorbankan
19 penghuninya.
Portal insider melaporkan, kebakaran
berlaku di Sekolah Menengah Mahdia dekat
Guyana, ahad lalu.
Kenyataan dari Perkhidmatan Bomba
dan Penyelamat Guyana berkata, punca
kebakaran itu bermotifkan niat jahat.
Penasihat Keselamatan Negara, Gerald
Gouveia memberitahu, suspek dalam keja-
dian itu, seorang pelajar di sekolah berke-
naan dituduh membakar asrama selepas
dikenakan tindakan disiplin kerana mem-
punyai hubungan dengan seorang lelaki
yang lebih berusia.
“Pelajar perempuan disyaki menye-
babkan kebakaran besar kerana telefon bim-
bitnya dirampas oleh warden asrama dan
naib presiden sejak akhir-akhir ini.
Katanya, perkara itu merupakan satu
daripada ancaman demokrasi yang jelas
di negara ini.
“Sepatutnya, jokowi tidak boleh masuk
campur sebarang urusan berkaitan pili-
han raya umum dan presiden.
“Sebaliknya, beliau hanya perlu
memastikan semua urusan berkaitan
perkara tersebut berjalan lancar dan
mengikut aturannya tanpa sebarang pen-
garuh daripada beliau.
“Rakyat mahukan pilihan raya yang
Bekas ratu cantik jual tiket
Coldplay harga dua kali ganda
jaKaRTa: Bekas pemenang sebuah per-
tandingan ratu cantik di indonesia, Lycie
joanna jonSen memohon maaf kerana
menjual tikat kumpulan rock Coldplay
pada harga dua kali ganda lebih mahal,
lapor laman berita Tribunvideo pada Rabu
lepas.
Menerusi akaun instagramnya,
Lycie yang pernah menjadi peserta
ratu cantik Puteri indonesia
intelegensia 2019 itu menjelaskan
tujuannya menjual tiket tersebut pada
harga yang mahal.
Katanya, dia berbuat demikian untuk
membantu saudaranya menjual tiket
tersebut.
“Saya meminta maaf atas salah faham
ini. Saya hanya berniat membantu saudara
untuk memasarkan dengan cara
Lumba lembu
SEORANG lelaki menunggang dua lembu pada satu acara perlumbaan lembu
tradisional dipanggil “Karapan Sapi Brujul” di Probolinggo baru-baru ini. –
Gambar AFP
Dunia 5
pakan seorang profesor di EPFL, berkata:
“apabila kami bertemu Gert-jan, dia tidak
dapat berjalan selepas mengalami keced-
eraan saraf tunjang yang teruk.”
Gregoire Courtine, seorang profesor
neurosains di EPFL, berkata: “idea kami
adalah untuk mewujudkan semula komu-
nikasi ini dengan “digital bridge” - komu-
nikasi elektronik antara otak dan kawasan
saraf tunjang yang masih utuh dan boleh
mengawal pergerakan kaki.”
Oskam menjalani dua pembedahan
untuk menanam elektrod di otak dan
saraf tunjang.
Teknologi ini menggunakan kecer-
dasan buatan untuk menukar pemikiran
pergerakan kepada tindakan, mewujud-
kan hubungan langsung antara otak dan
kawasan saraf tunjang.
Prof Courtine berkata: “Buat pertama
kalinya, jambatan digital ini memintas
kecederaan, memulihkan komunikasi
antara dua kawasan sistem saraf pusat
yang terputus.”
Oskam berkata dia boleh berjalan seku-
rang-kurangnya 100m atau lebih, bergan-
tung pada hari itu.
Dia juga boleh berjalan menggunakan
tongkat apabila implan dimatikan,
menimbulkan harapan bahawa teknologi
seperti ini dapat memulihkan fungsi saraf
yang hilang. – Bernama-dpa
seorang guru,” kata Ketua Komunikasi Polis
Guyana, Mark Ramotar, dalam satu keny-
ataan yang dilihat oleh akhbar tempatan,
Stabroek News.
insider yang memetik laporan agensi
berita melaporkan bahawa asrama itu
dikunci untuk menghalang pelajar daripada
menyelinap keluar pada waktu malam.
Gouveia memberitahu, warden itu sudah
tidur di dalam bangunan dan panik apabila
dia tidak menemui kunci untuk membuka
kunci pintu.
Dia berjaya keluar tetapi kehilangan
anaknya yang berusia lima tahun dalam
kebakaran itu.
“apabila bomba tiba, bangunan kayu dan
konkrit yang menempatkan 57 kanak-kanak
itu hangus,” kata perkhidmatan bomba.
Seramai 38 pelajar berjaya keluar selepas
anggota bomba memecahkan lubang di
dinding. – agensi
jujur dan adil,” katanya.
jelas Satyo, jika jokowi terus mencam-
puri urusan pilihan raya, kesannya boleh
mencetuskan ketidakadilan yang serius.
“jika seorang presiden tidak adil dan
neutral, kesannya boleh merosakkan pili-
han raya itu sendiri dan akhirnya rakyat
yang jadi mangsa.
“Kita semua tahu presiden mempunyai
pengaruh dan kuasa yang besar, jadi tidak
perlu jokowi masuk campur, biarkan pili-
han raya itu berjalan mengikut keteta-
pan,” ujarnya. – agensi
berkongsi keuntungan,” tulisnya.
Lycie turut menyatakan bahawa dia
mendapat tiket tersebut menerusi ‘orang
dalam’.
“Saya mahu minta maaf juga mengenai
‘orang dalam’ yang saya sebut. ‘Orang
dalam’ yang saya sebut adalah saudara
dan keluarga saya yang sudah mendap-
atkan tiket Coldplay ketika prajualan,”
tulisnya lagi.
Dia menjual tiket pada harga 1.6 juta
rupiah (RM493) untuk tiket 800,000
rupiah (RM246), dan 2.5 juta rupiah
(RM770) bagi tiket berharga 1.3 juta
rupiah (RM400).
Coldplay bakal membuat persemba-
han di Stadium Gelora Bung Karno,
jakarta pada November depan. –
agensi
 6 Hiburan
BARISAN finalis Sugandoi Kaamatan negeri (dari kiri) Ryenald, Mohd Sabran,
Chrispine, Presly, Rick Wen, Donovond, Michelle, Monicca, Eleliah dan Terence.
Pentas akhir Sugandoi
Kaamatan negeri esok
Ricardo Unto
P
ERTANDINGAN nyanyian Sugandoi
Kaamatan peringkat negeri 2023
sudah pun memasuki peringkat
akhir.
Selepas fasa penyingkiran yang sengit
selama dua hari, 10 peserta berjaya ke
peringkat akhir, mengatasi 40 peserta
lain dari seluruh cawangan KDCa dan
Sabah.
Pentas akhir akan diadakan di Dewan
KDCa Hongkod Koisaan, di Penampang
bermula jam 7 malam esok (Sabtu).
Finalis ialah Presly Petrus, yang
mewakili KDCa Sarawak, Ryenald Cornel-
lius Guntabid (api-api), Michelle jill
Richard (Likas), Rick Wen Majanggong @
Rick Charles (Kudat), Monicca Majilis
(Nabawan), Eleliah Bianus (Tambunan),
Chrispine joseph (Luyang), Terence
Farid
Farid, Diana gagal cari kata putus
PROSES sulh pasangan pelakon, Farid
Kamil, 42, dan Diana Danielle, 32, bagi
membincangkan hak penjagaan anak
(hadanah) masih gagal menemui kata
putus.
ini berikutan Diana atau nama sebenar,
Diana Danielle Danny Beeson masih berpe-
gang pendirian mendapatkan hak penuh
penjagaan anak.
Peguam mewakili Diana, Puteri Ummi
Kartini abd Latiff, berkata masih tiada per-
setujuan bersama mengenai terma dipinta
dan rundingan diteruskan kepada proses
berikutnya pada 1 Ogos depan.
“Sulh kali ini adalah untuk membin-
cangkan mengenai hadanah antara anak
guam dan defendan (Farid). Sekarang sulh
terbahagi kepada dua, pertama adalah
hadanah interim pada 30 Mei ini.
“Proses hari ini (Khamis) adalah untuk
hadanah induk yang kami failkan untuk
mendapatkan hak penjagaan penuh.
“ini adalah proses biasa, selepas kami
failkan, ia akan dibawa ke sulh mediasi.
Kalau pihak-pihak bersetuju untuk terma,
ia boleh direkodkan sebagai perintah
mahkamah.
“Tetapi, setakat ini, tidak ada lagi perse-
SYAMSUL bersama Puteri Sarah
meninggalkan mahkamah selepas prosiding
penceraian kes mereka. – fotoBERNAMA
S UARA TE MPATAN ANDA I JUMAAT, 26 MEI, 2023
asangki (KDCa Putrajaya), Donovond
andreey Damainus (Kuala Penyu) dan
Mohd Sabran andrew (Ranau).
Pada peringkat akhir, mereka dike-
hendaki menyanyikan dua buah lagu
dengan genre berbeza, dan mereka perlu
memakai pakaian etnik tradisional
daerah yang mereka wakili.
antara kriteria penilaian yang penting
ialah vokal (50 peratus), tempo (20 pera-
tus) dan persembahan (30 peratus).
juara akan membawa pulang
RM6,000 dan trofi, manakala tempat
kedua dan ketiga masing-masing mener-
ima RM4,000 dan RM3,000.
Pertandingan akhir untuk dua kate-
gori lain – Songkotoun (veteran) dan
Dazanak (kanak-kanak), juga akan
diadakan esok.
Kedua-dua johan bagi kategori
Diana
tujuan dicapai. jadi, kami akan teruskan
dengan sesi sebutan untuk mahkamah,”
katanya ditemui selepas selesai proses sulh
di Mahkamah Tinggi Syariah, di Shah alam.
Ditanya faktor menyebabkan persetu-
juan masih tidak dicapai, Puteri berkata,
perkara itu bergantung kepada Farid selaku
defendan.
“Perkara itu perlu tanya kepada pihak
defendan. Kami selaku plaintif yang memu-
lakan kes, jadi apa yang diminta adalah
terma biasa iaitu hak jagaan kepada anak
guam kami serta hak lawatan kepada pihak
defendan.
“Kami tetap dengan pendirian untuk
mendapatkan hak jagaan dan defendan
hak jagaan. Kami tidak pernah nafikan dan
anak guam sentiasa fleksibel untuk defen-
dan berjumpa anak-anaknya,” katanya.
Pada masa sama, Puteri menjelaskan,
proses dijangka masih panjang kerana
memerlukan perbicaraan lanjut susulan
kedua belah pihak tidak mencapai kata
sepakat, hari ini.
“Selepas ini, sebutan dalam mahkamah
di hadapan hakim. Betul (akan lebih pan-
jang) sebab hadanah penuh ini memer-
lukan perbicaraan,” katanya. – BH Online
14 Jun pengesahan lafaz cerai Syamsul, Puteri Sarah
PENGARAH sensasi, Syamsul Yusof, 39,
enggan memberikan sebarang komen ter-
hadap prosiding laporan jawatankuasa
Pendamai (jKP) yang berlangsung di
Mahkamah Rendah Syariah Wilayah
Persekutuan, di Kuala Lumpur, Khamis.
Pengarah filem The Original Gangster
itu menyerahkan pada peguamnya, azmi
Mohd Rais untuk mengulas lanjut.
azmi berkata, proses mendengar lapo-
ran jKP hari ini membabitkan Syamsul
dan Puteri Sarah tertangguh selepas
pihaknya meminta plaintif (Puteri Sarah)
untuk memfailkan permohonan pengesa-
han lafaz cerai kerana isu itu perlu disele-
saikan terlebih dahulu, sebelum kes lain
diteruskan.
“Hakim meminta plaintif (Puteri
Sarah) untuk memfailkan dakwaan lafaz
cerai yang didakwa sudah dilakukan
Songkotoun dan Dazanak bakal mener-
ima RM1,500 setiap seorang, dan peme-
nang tempat kedua menerima RM1,000,
dan tempat ketiga membawa pulang
RM800.
Sugandoi Kaamatan merupakan salah
satu acara kemuncak sambutan Pesta
Kaamatan Negeri, selain daripada per-
tandingan Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan.
Pertandingan nyanyian tahunan yang
dinanti-nantikan itu berjaya melahirkan
sekumpulan besar bakat daripada
masyarakat Kadazan Dusun Murut di
negeri ini sejak ia diperkenalkan pada
1987.
Untuk rekod, Tambunan mencatatkan
jumlah pemenang terbanyak bagi per-
tandingan peringkat negeri, dengan 12
orang, terbaru ialah pemenang tahun
lepas, Lyron Felix.
Rasa sayang
bertambah, harap
besarkan anak
bersama – Farid
PELAKON Farid Kamil, 42, masih tetap
dengan pendirian memastikan hubungan
dengan isterinya, Diana Danielle, 32, dapat
dijernihkan.
Farid ketika ditemui di Mahkamah
Tinggi Syariah, di sini untuk menjalani
proses sulh kali kedua berkata, dia masih
mempunyai rasa sayang terhadap isterinya
dan berharap dapat membesarkan anak
bersamanya.
“Proses hari ini (Khamis) adalah untuk
kami mencari kata putus dalam perdama-
ian dan juga untuk hadanah. Harapan saya
masih seperti dahulu, rasa sayang masih
bertambah-tambah.
“Saya juga berharap hari ini dapatlah
berjumpa dan bertentang mata dengan
isteri supaya dapat membesarkan anak-
anak seperti keluarga lain,” kata Farid yang
turut ditemani peguamnya, Fakhrul
azman abu Hassan.
Sementara itu, Diana yang tiba lebih
awal untuk menjalani proses berkenaan
ditemani peguamnya, Datuk akberdin
abdul Kadir. erdahulu, mahkamah mene-
tapkan pada Khamis sebagai tarikh prosid-
ing sulh kedua buat Farid dan Diana.
Keputusan dibuat susulan kegagalan
Diana atau nama sebenar, Diana Danielle
Danny Beeson menghadiri prosiding sulh
pada 11 april lalu.
Sulh adalah majlis perbincangan
bersama antara pihak yang terbabit dalam
suatu pertikaian merangkumi satu atau
lebih tuntutan dengan dipengerusikan
pegawai sulh.
Seandainya suatu persetujuan secara
damai dapat dicapai secara sukarela
antara kedua belah pihak, butiran itu akan
direkodkan hakim sebagai suatu perintah
mahkamah tanpa melalui proses per-
bicaraan. – BH Online
sebanyak dua kali oleh Syamsul. jadi,
keputusan jKP perlu ditangguhkan
dahulu membabitkan perintah shiqaq.
“isu yang lebih penting sekarang
adalah hakim memerintahkan bahawa
pihak berkenaan kena memfailkan
pengesahan lafaz cerai. jadi, tarikh 14 jun
depan adalah untuk mengetahui status
pengesahan lafaz cerai,” katanya kepada
BH Online.
Sebelum ini, tular mengenai dakwaan
Puteri Sarah atau nama sebenarnya, Put-
eri Sarah Liyana Megat Kamaruddin per-
nah diceraikan dua kali oleh suaminya.
Menurut laporan media, terdapat sum-
ber yang mengatakan kedua-dua lafaz
talak pernah direkodkan di Mahkamah
Syariah Petaling jaya, Selangor.
Kata azmi lagi, prosedur jKP sepatut-
nya dilakukan secara bersama dan
Tina Turner meninggal dunia
PENYANYI legenda era 1980-an, Tina
Turner meninggal dunia pada usia 83
tahun di Küsnacht di Zurich, Switzer-
land, akibat penyakit yang lama dideri-
tainya, Rabu lalu.
Mendiang dilaporkan menghidap
kanser usus pada 2016 dan menjalani
pemindahan buah pinggang setahun
kemudian. Sebelum itu, sekitar 2013
Turner pernah diserang angin ahmar.
Pemergian penyanyi yang popular
dengan lagu What’s Love Got To Do With
It itu diumumkan menerusi laman
sosial rasmi beliau, termasuk Facebook
dan instagram.
“Dengan dukacitanya kami mengu-
mumkan pemergian Tina Turner. Beliau
telah memukau berjuta peminat di
seluruh dunia dan memberi inspirasi
kepada ramai insan.
“Hari ini kita mengucapkan selamat
tinggal kepada seorang sahabat yang
meninggalkan karya terbesarnya untuk
kita iaitu muziknya.
“Takziah kepada keluarganya. Tina,
kami akan merindui anda,” jelas pen-
gendali akaun media sosial penghibur
asal Brownsville, Tennessee, amerika
Syarikat itu, Khamis. Turner atau nama
sebenarnya anna Mae Bullock yang
juga penerima lapan anugerah
Grammy itu menjadikan Switzerland
sebagai tempat tinggal sejak 1994.
Selepas 27 tahun menjalin cinta den-
gan eksekutif muzik, Erwin Bach,
penyanyi digelar Ratu Rock itu
mengambil keputusan mengahwini
teman lelakinya pada di Lake Zurich,
Kusnacht, pada 2013.
Sebaik mendirikan rumah tangga
penyanyi tersebut bertukar kepada ker-
akyatan Switzerland dan terus menetap
di negara itu sehingga kematiannya.
Turner mencipta populariti melalui
gandingan dengan bekas suami, ike
Turner pada era 1950-an hingga 1970-
an bersama kumpulan Kings of
Biden, Obama sifatkan pemergian
Tina Turner sukar dicari ganti
PEMERGIAN penyanyi legenda, Tina
Turner, 83, turut mendapat perhatian
Presiden amerika Syarikat, john Biden
dan bekas presiden, Barrack Obama
apabila menzahirkan ucapan takziah
dan meluahkan rasa duka cita dalam
media sosial. Menerusi ciapan dibuat
dalam Twitter, Biden menyifatkan
bakat dimiliki mendiang Turner seba-
gai luar biasa dan sukar dicari ganti.
“Sebelum bergelar Ratu Rock & Roll,
mendiang hanyalah anak seorang
petani di Tennessee. Ketika kanak-
kanak, beliau pernah menyertai
kumpulan koir gereja sebelum berjaya
menjadi artis rakaman yang berjaya.
“Bakatnya yang tersendiri berjaya
membawa perubahan terhadap
perkembangan muzik di negara ini.
“Kekuatan dalaman dimiliki juga
sangat luar biasa. Dalam mengharungi
situasi sukar termasuk penderaan,
beliau masih mampu membina kerjaya
seni dan legasi ditinggalkan sejak
zaman masih terus kekal hingga hari
ini,” tulis Biden.
Menerusi entri yang sama, Biden
Cinta Shila Amzah, Ubai
putus selepas 5 bulan
TERIMA kasih untuk lima bulan yang
sangat indah.” Demikian luahan
penyanyi Shila amzah apabila menge-
sahkan hubungannya bersama pempen-
garuh, Ubai berakhir selepas lima bulan
menjalin kasih.
Pendedahan tersebut dikongsikan
dalam instagram Shila dengan berlatar-
belakangkan instrumen sedih berjudul
My Memory, sekali gus menamatkan
spekulasi mereka sedang menuju ke
perkahwinan.
Shila atau nama sebenarna, Nur-
shahila amir amzah, 33, dilihat tidak
henti-henti menzahirkan ucapan terima
kasih atas pengorbanan lelaki itu, selain
menegaskan tidak akan melupakan
kenangan sepanjang perkenalan mereka.
“Kita sudah menjadi pasangan yang
sangat hebat. Terima kasih untuk kasih
sayang kepada Seth.
“Terima kasih untuk segala-galanya.
Saya akan ingat memori ini sampai bila-
bila,” katanya.
pihaknya tidak bersetuju prosedur itu
dilakukan berasingan mengikut per-
mintaan pihak Puteri Sarah.
“Pengerusi jKP memberi keterangan
mengenai cara pengendalian sesi jKP dan
berpendapat sesi tersebut sepatutnya
dibuat secara berasingan mengikut situ-
asi. Tetapi, kami tidak bersetuju.
“Kami memandang serius prosedur ini
dan mengenai dakwaan lafaz cerai, itu
pun anak guam (Syamsul) saya tidak tahu
kerana prosedur tersebut dijalankan
secara berasingan. itulah masalahnya
apabila jKP dibuat secara berasingan.
ambil nota, tetapi pihak dan wakil tidak
bercakap antara satu sama lain.
“jadi, isu lafaz cerai ini anak guam saya
tidak menjawab dalam prosedur jKP,”
katanya.
Sebelum ini, sesi perdamaian antara
harianekspres
TINA Turner meninggal dunia pada usia
83 tahun di Küsnacht Zurich, Switzerland.
Rhythm.
Beliau kemudian bergerak solo
hingga mencetuskan fenomena
tersendiri sekitar 1980-an dengan gaya
nyanyian serta imej rambut gerbang
yang menyerlahkan personalitinya.
Sepanjang pembabitan dalam arena
muzik, banyak dendangan Turner men-
duduki carta lagu popular termasuk
Typical Male, The Best, Private Dancer dan
Better Be Good To Me.
Pada 1984, album Private Dancer
yang memuatkan seleksi hit What’s Love
Got To Do With It memenangi anugerah
Grammy sebagai album Terbaik malah
menduduki tempat pertama Billboard
Hot 100. Selain menyanyi, mendiang
juga pernah berlakon dalam filem
Tommy pada 1975 dan Mad Max Beyond
Thunderdome 10 tahun kemudian. –
Kosmo! Online
turut mendoakan semoga keluarga
penyanyi yang popular dengan lagu
Proud Mary itu tabah menghadapi
ujian. “Saya dan isteri, jill menitipkan
doa dan kasih sayang kepada suaminya,
Erwin, anggota keluarga Turner dan
peminatnya di seluruh pelusuk dunia
yang ketika ini sedang berkabung di
atas pemergian wanita yang diakui ter-
baik dan hebat itu,” coretnya.
Sementara itu, Obama menerusi
perkongsian di Twitter turut memuji
sifat dan jiwa ampuh mendiang Turner
dalam menghadapi liku-liku kehidu-
pan.
“Tina Turner menjadi dirinya sendiri.
Beliau berkuasa dan sukar dihalang.
Beliau juga tidak pernah menyesal
untuk bersuara dan menyanyikan kebe-
naran menerusi kegembiraan, kesaki-
tan, kejayaan dan tragedi yang pernah
dilaluinya. Hari ini, bersama-sama
peminat di seluruh dunia, kita mem-
beri penghormatan kepada Ratu Rock
& Roll, seorang bintang yang cahayanya
tidak akan pernah pudar,” katanya. –
BH Online
SHILA
dan
Ubai.
Dalam pada itu, perpisahan berlaku
secara baik kerana pelantun lagu Patah
Seribu itu masih mendoakan kebaikan
buat pemilik nama lengkap Muhammad
Ubaidillah Mohd. Zulkefli itu walaupun
sudah tidak lagi bergelar pasangan
kekasih.
“Saya hanya berharap yang terbaik
untuk awak. Saya doakan awak dimu-
rahkan rezeki dan semoga dapat segala
yang dihajati,” jelasnya.
Bagaimanapun, Shila tidak mem-
berikan perincian tentang punca sebenar
kehancuran hubungan dengan teman
lelakinya itu.
Sebelum ini, kemesraan Shila dan
Ubai mencetuskan tanda tanya peminat
apabila mereka dikatakan bakal ke jen-
jang pelamin.  – Kosmo! Online
Syamsul dan Puteri Sarah melalui jKP di
jabatan agama islam Wilayah Perseku-
tuan Kuala Lumpur (jawi) di Kuala
Lumpur, menemui jalan buntu.
Puteri Sarah mendakwa usaha
berdamai dengan Syamsul tidak akan ter-
jadi, sebaliknya, dia nekad dengan kepu-
tusan bercerai.
Malah, Puteri Sarah mengaku enggan
bersemuka dengan Syamsul, sebaliknya,
meminta sesi itu dilakukan dalam bilik
berasingan.
Berikutan itu proses jKP dibawa
kepada sebutan kedua di Mahkamah Ren-
dah Syariah Kuala Lumpur, Khamis.
Pada 7 Mac lalu, Syamsul dan Puteri
Sarah diperintahkan Mahkamah Rendah
Syariah Kuala Lumpur supaya melantik
wakil jKP dalam kes permohonan
perceraian mereka. – BH Online
harianekspres S UARA TE MPATAN A NDA I JUMAAT, 26 MEI, 2023 Rencana 7
Aktiviti ekstrem di Pumpunan Budaya Peribumi Di Sabah
SABAH yang juga dikenali sebagai Negeri di
Bawah Bayu ialah negeri kedua terbesar di

Gua Damai uji Malaysia yang terletak di bahagian paling utara

Borneo dan juga merupakan pulau ke-3
terbesar di dunia. Mempunyai kerancuan
kelompok sosial yang secara tidak langsung
menyumbang kepada perilaku budaya yang

kekuatan mental, fizikal juga berbeza. Konteks ini menyebabkan

masyarakat di Sabah heterogen sifatnya dan
sifat sedemikian menyumbang kepada
keanekaragaman bahasa, adat istiadat, cara
Rungus adalah binugang, motif menyerupai
burung dan jalinan kulit kayu.

C
UKUP mencabar dan lelah, ditambah pula peluh
yang mencurah-curah. itu baru pendakian di sepan-
jang Bukit Lembah Damai, Batu Caves (Selangor),
belum lagi aktiviti meneroka beberapa buah gua yang ter-
letak di Taman Ekstrem Gua Damai dalam keadaan gelap,
yang menuntut kekuatan mental dan fizikal memandan-
gkan sudah puluhan tahun penulis tidak melakukan aktiv-
iti lasak sedemikian.
inilah pengalaman paling mencabar sewaktu menyertai
Program Kembara Media 2023 anjuran jabatan Penerangan
Malaysia, Kementerian Komunikasi dan Digital (KKD) di
Selangor dan Negeri Sembilan baru-baru ini.
Program empat hari dari 8 hingga 11 Mei itu bertujuan
menikmati keindahan serta landskap pelancongan yang
terdapat di kedua-dua negeri berkenaan.
Pada hari pertama program, penulis beserta 21 penga-
mal media yang lain dibawa ke Gamuda Cove, Banting,
Selangor dan berpeluang melawat ke tempat menarik
antaranya Paya indah Discovery Wetlands, Goosebumps
Rope Course, Cove aerobar serta Taman Tema air SplashMa-
nia.
Cabaran sebenar kami bermula pada hari kedua ketika
tiba di Gua Damai Extreme Park.
Berkeluasan kira-kira dua hektar dengan ketinggian
mencecah 100 meter, lokasi ini mempunyai lima gua di
dalamnya iaitu Gua Kristal, Gua anjing, Gua Chili Padi, Gua
ichibawa dan Gua Fig Tree.
Bagaimanapun, hanya empat gua dibuka kepada umum
sementara Gua Kristal hanya dibuka kepada pengkaji serta
pelajar untuk menjalankan kajian.
Sebelum pendakian bermula, pihak media terlebih
dahulu menyaksikan aktiviti payung terjun oleh penerjun
profesional, akmal jamal Hassan.
Pendakian penulis dan rakan-rakan yang bermula seki-
tar pukul 10 pagi di Lembah Damai ditemani beberapa
petugas Wira adventure Consultant yang bertanggung-
jawab memastikan pendakian kami berjalan lancar.
Sepanjang pendakian di dalam hutan itu, kami diperke-
nalkan oleh petugas dengan beberapa tumbuhan dan
herba yang terdapat di kawasan sekitar, antaranya, Tongkat
ali Hitam (Polyalthia Bullata), Ubi Gadong (Dioscorea Hisp-
ida), Sehelai Setahun (Monophyllaea Glauca), Derhaka Mer-
tua (Plumbago indica), Ubi Kekek (amorphophallus
Paeoniifolius) serta akar Patawali (Tinospora Crispa).
Kekuatan fizikal
Laluan semasa di dalam hutan memerlukan kekuatan
fizikal kerana kami perlu memanjat, kemudian turun dan
naik semula di samping di kiri dan kanan trek laluan
dipenuhi pokok dan belukar.
ada ketikanya penulis perlu menunduk kerana dihalang
ranting pokok dan supaya peserta tidak terjatuh, tali disedi-
akan bagi memudahkan perjalanan.
Lebih mencabar, penulis terpaksa menggelongsor untuk
turun kerana laluan yang basah dan licin serta bimbang ter-
jatuh jika terus menuruni bukit dengan berjalan.
Pendakian di Lembah Damai yang mengambil masa
kira-kira satu jam lebih itu membuatkan kasut kami dis-
aluti selut tanah selain pakaian juga turut kotor berlumpur.
Walaupun berasa penat dengan aktiviti mencabar ini
namun sikap saling menyokong dan kerjasama antara satu
sama lain membuatkan semua peserta akhirnya berjaya
tiba di permukaan gua.
Bagi penulis yang bertubuh kecil, rasa gementar mula
menyelubungi diri sebaik kaki melangkah masuk ke dalam
gua untuk turun ke bawah berikutan keadaan gua yang
curam dan gelap gelita.
Episod pendakian kami diteruskan dengan memasuki
Gua Fig Tree dengan setiap peserta lengkap mengenakan
peralatan keselamatan seperti topi , abah-abah serta lampu
suluh kepala.
Usai menuruni Gua Fig Tree, kami menyusuri pula gua
yang pertama di dalamnya dikenali sebagai Gua Batik ker-
ana teksturnya yang menyerupai batik, yang terletak di
sebelah kiri.
Semasa aktiviti itu sekali lagi, rasa gementar penulis
berulang kerana perlu memijak tangga besi dan diselang-
seli dengan batu gua untuk sampai ke bawah.
Semasa menuruni gua itu, pemandangan sebelah kiri
penulis adalah Gua Batik manakala di sebelah kanan pula
panorama Gua Langsir yang amat memukau.
Perjalanan turun ke bawah mengambil masa kira-kira 45
minit menjadikan keseluruhan penerokaan di Gua Damai
ini lebih kurang dua jam.
Penat lelah semasa menuruni gua hilang apabila kami
semua dijamu dengan nasi upah-upah iaitu makanan tradi-
sional etnik Mandailing. Nasi dihidangkan di dalam
dulang dengan lauk antaranya ayam masak berkuah dan
udang. Meskipun menyelerakan namun penulis lebih
banyak minum kerana terlalu dahaga.
Minat sukan lasak
Menurut Pengasas yang juga Pengurus Taman Ekstrem
Gua Damai Mustapha al-Bakri yang menetap di Kampung
Wira Damai, beliau mula meneroka gua itu selepas menda-
pati ia mempunyai tarikan pelancongan serta berpotensi
dibangunkan untuk aktiviti sukan lasak.
Bermula pada tahun 1997 dengan modal sendiri
sebanyak RM100,000 dan ketika masih bekerja sebagai
tukang rumah, setiap hari selepas tamat kerja pada waktu
petang Mustapha akan ke gua itu untuk membersihkan
batu di sekitar gua serta membuat laluan bagi aktiviti pen-
dakian dalam hutan dengan dibantu kumpulan belia kam-
pung kawasannya. – Bernama
hidup, kepercayaan, sistem dan struktur sosial
Buku bertajuk Pumpunan Budaya Peribumi
serta amalan budaya yang pelbagai. Di Sabah ini menampilkan satu telaah budaya
Penduduk Sabah terdiri daripada 41
sebagai medium yang mengidentifikasikan
kumpulan peribumi yang berkomunikasi kelompok etnik khusus di Sabah. ia juga
dalam lebih 50 bahasa. Kumpulan etnik
menampilkan perbincangan yang merangkumi
terbesar di Sabah ialah Kadazandusun. Hampir pelbagai aspek kehidupan peribumi Sabah
30% daripada penduduk di negeri ini adalah
yang beragam sifatnya. Bermula daripada aspek
etnik Kadazandusun. Pesta Menuai yang adat istiadat sehinggalah ke aspek rutin
disambut pada 30 dan 31 Mei setiap tahun ialah
kehidupan yang melatari kelompok-kelompok
perayaan yang disambut oleh etnik etnik yang berkenaan. Memandangkan bahan-
Kadzandusun dengan tujuan untuk
bahan berkaitan dengan masyarakat peribumi
menghormati “roh beras” atau “padi” serta Sabah agak sukar diperolehi, maka buku ini
menzahirkan rasa syukur mereka kerana hasil
ditampilkan sebagai satu usaha menampung
tuaian yang lumayan. Etnik lain di Sabah ruang lompang yang ada. Semoga buku ini
adalah Bajau, atau juga dikenali sebagai “Koboi
mampu memberi manfaat kepada semua
Timur”, dan Murut iaitu orang-orang bukit dan pembaca.
pemburu kepala pada masa lalu yang meru-
Buku ini adalah koleksi buku yang terdapat
pakan kumpulan etnik kedua dan ketiga di Perpustakaan Negeri Sabah, Cawangan
terbesar di Sabah. Suku kaum etnik lain yang
Ranau. jika berminat untuk mendapatkan mak-
terdapat di Sabah juga terdiri daripada Bisaya, lumat mengenai buku ini sila lawati laman
iranun, Melayu Brunei, Bugis, Kedayan, Lotud,
sesawang Perpustakaan Negeri Sabah di
Lundayeh, Rungus, Suluk, Minokok, Bonggi, www.ssl.sabah.gov.my atau hubungi 088-
ida’an, dan banyak lagi. Selain itu, bangsa Cina
231623, 214828, atau 256192 (ibu Pejabat,
juga merupakan kumpulan utama bukan Perpustakaan Negeri Sabah) untuk mengetahui
peribumi di Sabah.
ketersediaan buku tersebut. Bagaimanapun,
Sabah bukan sahaja terkenal dengan buku ini mungkin mengambil masa untuk
kepelbagaian etnik dan budaya, tetapi juga
dihantar ke perpustakaan di luar Kota
memberikan keunikan pelbagai jenis makanan. Kinabalu, sila berhubung dengan perpustakaan
Misalnya, etnik Kadazandusun terkenal dengan
terdekat untuk tempahan pinjaman.
hinava dan tuhau, etnik Bisaya dengan ambuyat
dan etnik Bajau dengan kuih penjaram.
Setiap etnik di Sabah juga turut
mengetengahkan kehebatan mereka dalam
pelbagai bidang seperti tenunan, ukiran dan
motif. Etnik Bajau di Sabah misalnya sangat
terkenal dengan kehebatan dan kearifan
mereka dalam seni pembuatan parang, keris
serta ukiran. apabila membicarakan soal
tenunan, masyarakat Rungus dan iranun
terkenal dengan hasil tenunan mereka.
Pelbagai motif dapat dilihat daripada tenunan
di pakaian tradisi mereka. antara motif yang
sering digunakan dalam kalangan masyarakat
Tajuk: Pumpunan Budaya Peribumi Di Sabah.
Penulis: Saidatul Nornis Hj. Mahali. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah:
Penerbit: Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 2017.
Tebal: 246 Muka Surat.
Pengulas: Pailis Atin
Perpustakaan Negeri Sabah, Cawangan Ranau

Sukan
Chelsea perlu
ada wawasan:
Lampard
LONDON: Frank Lampard berkata Chelsea
perlu mula mencipta wawasan jangka pan-
jang untuk kelab sekiranya mahu bangkit
di bawah pemilik baharu.
Pemilik bersama, Todd Boehly dan
Behdad Eghbali sudah memecat dua pen-
gendali dalam musim pertama mereka di
Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea akan menamatkan saingan den-
gan kutipan mata terendah dalam era Liga
Perdana inggeris buat pertama kali sejak
tahun 1996.
Lampard memainkan peranan penting
sebagai pemain ketika era kegemilangan
The Blues walaupun budaya lantik dan
pecat sudah bermula di bawah Roman
abramovich.
Bagaimanapun pengendali sementara
itu percaya, situasi lebih stabil diperlukan
apabila Mauricio Pochettino dijangka akan
disahkan sebagai pengendali baharu
musim depan. Sebanyak 11 kelab Liga Per-
dana inggeris memecat pengendali mereka
musim ini, dengan Chelsea, bersama
Southampton dan Leeds, salah satu dari-
pada tiga kelab yang memecat dua orang
pengendali.
“anda akan terfikir sejauh mana
kejayaan dicapai dengan melakukan
perubahan itu. ia sudah menjadi lumrah
buat beberapa pasukan yang bergelut den-
gan jangkaan ke atas mereka dan men-
jadikannya tidak stabil. – aFP
Matupang FC juara kejohanan B12 Mukim Nalapak dan Paginatan
PASUKAN Matupang FC yang memenangi kejohanan tersebut.
Brighton akhiri rentak
kemenangan Man City
BRiGHTON: juara Liga Perdana inggeris,
Manchester City seri 1-1 menentang Brighton
untuk melebarkan rentak tanpa kalah
mereka kepada 25 perlawanan.
Satu mata sudah mencukupi buat
Brighton untuk mengesahkan kedudukan
di tangga keenam liga dan layak ke Liga
Europa musim depan, serta menamatkan
deretan kemenangan City.
Phil Foden meletakkan City di depan,
tetapi Brighton kembali menyamakan
kedudukan menerusi percubaan jarak jauh
julio Enciso.
“Hanya 48 jam sebelum mereka minum
kesemua alkohol di Manchester. Hari ini
mereka menunjukkan kenapa mereka
adalah juara.
“Kami merendah diri dan banyak berlari.
Sebab itu kami juara untuk beberapa tahun,
pemain-pemain ini menunjukkan sesuatu
yang istimewa,” kata pengendali City, Pep
Guardiola.
Sebelum perlawanan Guardiola memuji
bos Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi, yang diang-
gapnya sebagai salah seorang pengendali
paling berpengaruh sepanjang 20 tahun
lalu.
Guardiola menunjukkan rasa hormatnya
dengan menurunkan kembali pemain-
JULIO Enciso menjaringkan gol penyamaan Brighton ketika aksi Liga Perdana Inggeris
menentang Manchester City di Stadium Komuniti American Express, Brighton.
- Foto AFP
pemain bintang yang tidak beraksi ketika john Stones dan Bernardo Silva di babak
kemenangan 1-0 ke atas Chelsea pada ahad kedua bagi memastikan pemain-pemainnya
lalu.
Pengendali City itu mengeluarkan Foden, Liga juara-juara Eropah bulan depan. – aFP
clarence dol
RaNaU: Pasukan Matupang FC muncul
juara Kejohanan Bola Sepak Tertutup B12
Mukim Nalapak dan Paginatan yang
berlangsung di sini dan membawa pulang
hadiah wang tunai RM1,000 berserta pingat.
Kejohanan yang diadakan di Padang Kg
Kebuh Baru pada 20 Mei itu dianjurkan oleh
Kelab Belia Teguh (Kebuh) dengan ker-
jasama United irish Company.
Naib johan dimenangi oleh Pasukan
Kanak-kanak Sagindai dengan hadiah
RM500 dan juga pingat untuk pemain.
Tempat ketiga dimenangi oleh Miruru FC
yang berjaya membawa pulang RM300
berserta pingat untuk pemain.
Tempat keempat hingga keenam mas-
ing-masing dimenangi Paginatan FC, Teguh
FC jr (Kebuh) dan Nalapak NLS.
Kejohanan yang julung kali diadakan itu
dirasmikan oleh United irish Company yang
kembali cergas menjelang final Piala Fa dan
juga penaja utama kejohanan tersebut.
Pengurus syarikat itu, aaron jeffrey Ludin
berkata, kejohanan itu diadakan bagi men-
cari bakat baharu untuk pasukan B12
Mukim Nalapak dan Paginatan.
“Objektif utama kami mengadakan kejo-
hanan seperti hari ini tidak lain tidak bukan
untuk menaikkan semangat kesukanan
dalam kalangan belia khususnya pelajar
sekolah.
“Permintaan khas daripada kami kepada
semua pemain adalah supaya mereka senti-
asa bersemangat dari segi sukan dan
akademik, selain menerapkan sikap ber-
daya saing,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Timbalan Pengerusi Kelab
Belia Teguh jonelson B, mengucapkan ter-
ima kasih kepada semua pasukan yang
mengambil bahagian dan berharap kejo-
hanan sama dapat dianjurkan lagi pada
masa akan datang.
Madrid laung
sokongan
buat Vinicius
BaRCELONa: Rodrygo menjaringkan
gol kemenangan lewat perlawanan
untuk Real Madrid ketika mereka men-
catatkan kemenangan 2-1 dalam aksi La
Liga ke atas Rayo Vallecano dan
meraikannya dengan mengangkat
penumbuknya ke udara dan menun-
dukkan sebagai sokongan kepada rakan
sepasukan Vinicius junior.
Pemain sayap Brazil Vinicius mener-
ima kecaman berbaur perkauman
ketika mereka menentang Valencia
ahad lalu tetapi tidak diturunkan ker-
ana masalah lutut.
Rodrygo menjaringkan gol pada
minit ke-89 untuk meletakkan Madrid
di tempat kedua, menundukkan
kepalanya sambil mengangkat penum-
buknya sebagai tabik akan “Kuasa
Hitam”.
Karim Benzema meletakkan Madrid
di hadapan pada separuh masa pertama
sebelum Raul de Tomas menyamakan
kedudukan untuk pelawat di Santiago
Bernabeu dengan Rodrygo memastikan
kemenangan menerusi gol lewat per-
lawanan.
Kemenangan itu meletakkan Real
Madrid di tempat kedua, satu mata di
atas pencabar atletico Madrid, yang seri
3-3 di Getafe, Rabu lalu.
Biarpun Vinicius tiada di padang
namun dia tetap dalam pemikiran
pemain yang mana semua pemain
Madrid berbaris sebelum perlawanan
dengan memakai baju nombor 20 seba-
gai tanda sokongan.
Penyerang itu dibuang padang ketika
menentang Valencia dan walaupun kad
itu dibatalkan, dia tidak dapat beraksi
kerana masalah lututnya.
ia adalah kali pertama Madrid
beraksi sejak isu perkauman itu berlaku
dan ramai bintang sukan dan tokoh
penting lain di seluruh dunia mem-
berikan sokongan kepada Vinicius.
Penyokong melaungkan namanya
selepas 20 minit dengan sepanduk yang
ditulis berbunyi “Kami semua Vinicius,
itu sudah cukup!”
“Saya fikir semua orang dalam bola
sepak, bukan sahaja dalam bola sepak,
dalam semua sukan, seluruh dunia,
(bertindak balas terhadap) tindakan ini,
ia tidak sepatutnya dibenarkan,” kata
pertahanan Madrid, Dani Carvajal. – aFP
 SUKAN
Ketidakstabilan politik jejaskan
Program Podium 2022: Hannah
KUaLa LUMPUR:
Ketidakstabilan
politik negara
dalam tempoh
empat tahun telah
menyebabkan 220
atlet negara tidak
dapat meneruskan
latihan berikutan
tiada peruntukan
khusus diberikan untuk pelaksanaan pro-
gram latihan senior di bawah Program
Podium 2022.
Menteri Belia dan Sukan Hannah Yeoh
(gambar) berkata dalam tempoh berke-
naan, berlaku tiga kali pertukaran Per-
dana Menteri dan Menteri Belia dan
Sukan yang turut melibatkan pertukaran
ahli lembaga pengarah, bajet serta fokus.
Mengambil contoh butiran Bajet 2022
yang dibentangkan pada Oktober 2021,
beliau menjelaskan tidak ada dinyatakan
peruntukan yang diberikan bagi Program
Podium 2022.
“ini telah menyebabkan Majlis Sukan
BOLA SEPAK – Kelayakan Piala
Asia B-23
M’sia berdepan
laluan berliku
KUaLa LUMPUR: Skuad bola sepak Bawah
23 Tahun (B-23) kebangsaan berdepan
laluan berliku selepas diundi bersama ger-
gasi asia Tenggara Thailand pada aksi
kelayakan Piala asia B-23 2024, yang akan
berlangsung di negara Gajah Putih itu
pada 6 hingga 12 Sept ini.
Pada majlis undian kejohanan dua
tahun sekali itu yang diadakan di ibu
negara hari ini, turut diundi bersama
Malaysia dan Thailand dalam kumpulan H
ialah Bangladesh dan Filipina.
anak buah E. Elavarasan dijadual akan
bertemu Bangladesh pada 6 Sept, seterus-
nya Filipina (9 Sept) dan tuan rumah pada
12 Sept.
Sebelas juara bagi setiap kumpulan
dan empat naib juara terbaik akan meny-
ertai hos, Qatar ke pusingan akhir Piala
asia B-23 yang akan berlangsung di negara
Teluk itu pada 15 april hingga 3 Mei tahun
hadapan.
Sebagai rekod, tiga pasukan terbaik
dalam pusingan akhir Piala asia B-23 2024
akan layak ke Sukan Olimpik Paris yang
dijadual berlangsung julai hingga Ogos
tahun depan.
Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FaM)
sebelum ini memutuskan tidak menghan-
tar Skuad B-23 ke Sukan asia 2022 di
Hangzhou, China pada September ini,
selepas tarikh pusingan Kelayakan Piala
asia B-23 2024 ditetapkan dalam bulan
sama. – Bernama
Martinez bantu Inter
kekal gelaran Piala Itali
ROME: Lautaro Martinez menjaringkan
dua gol ketika finalis Liga juara-juara
Eropah, inter Milan bangkit daripada
ketinggalan untuk menewaskan
Fiorentina 2-1 dan mengekalkan gelaran
Piala itali.
Nicolas Gonzalez meletakkan
Fiorentina di depan dalam aksi di Stadio
Olimpico, tetapi Martinez menyamakan
kedudukan sebelum meledak gol keme-
nangan di akhir babak pertama untuk
skuad kendalian Simone inzaghi.
Gelaran Piala itali kesembilan inter
meletakkan mereka setanding dengan
Roma. Hanya juventus masih mendahu-
lui dengan 14 gelaran kejohanan berke-
naan.
“Saya sangat gembira kami mula
memenangi trofi bersama kelab hebat
ini sepanjang dua tahun lalu.
“Kami perlu meneruskan rentak ini.
Kami begitu mahukan kejuaraan malam
ini. Kami bermula agak perlahan pada 15
minit pertama tetapi kemudian mula
menyedari kesilapan kami,” kata Mar-
tinez, yang turut membantu inter meme-
nangi Serie a pada tahun 2021 dan Piala
harianekspres
S UARA TEMPATAN ANDA I JUMAAT, 26 MEI, 2023
Negara (MSN) terpaksa menyusun semula
program persediaan atlet ke arah temasya
sukan utama bagi 2022 antaranya Sukan
SEa Vietnam, Sukan Komanwel Birming-
ham dan Sukan asia (di Hangzhou,
China).
“Pada masa sama, MSN juga terpaksa
mengagih dan menggunakan peruntukan
dalaman bagi memastikan elaun latihan
atlet serta gaji jurulatih diteruskan tanpa
penangguhan agar tidak menjejaskan
prestasi atlet yang sedang dalam latihan,”
katanya pada sesi Waktu Pertanyaan-Per-
tanyaan Menteri pada persidangan Dewan
Rakyat di sini, Khamis.
Beliau berkata demikian bagi men-
jawab soalan tambahan ahmad Fadhli
Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) yang meminta Han-
nah menjelaskan kenyataannya pada
sidang media minggu lepas mengenai
ketidakstabilan politik menjadi antara
punca pretasi buruk pasukan negara
dalam Sukan SEa 2023 di Kemboja baru-
baru ini.
Hannah menjelaskan keadaan dihadapi
BADMINTON – Masters Malaysia
Pearly-Thinaah tempuh rali panjang ke suku akhir
KUaLa LUMPUR: Beregu wanita utama
negara Pearly Tan- M.Thinaah menempuh
rali panjang sebanyak 211 pukulan berde-
pan Rena Miyaura-ayako Sakuramoto
dari jepun sebelum berjaya mengesahkan
tiket ke suku akhir di kejohanan Masters
Malaysia 2023, Khamis.
Gandingan negara yang turun selaku
pilihan keenam kejohanan menyajikan
aksi penuh mendebarkan di axiata arena
apabila menang set pertama 21-18, namun
pasangan jepun yang juga juara Masters
Orleans 2023 menang set kedua 8-21
mengheret ke set penentuan.
aksi sengit turut berlaku pada set
ketiga apabila pada satu ketika kedua-dua
pasangan Pearly-Thinaah saling berbalas
pukulan dengan pasangan jepun itu
sewaktu mendahului 16-14 sebelum rali
panjang tersebut berpihak kepada
mereka untuk mengutip mata ke-17 dan
seterusnya mematikan usaha lawan
mereka untuk ke suku akhir.
Pearly ketika ditemui pemberita
memaklumkan meskipun menempuh
perlawanan yang sengit namun ia mem-
buahkan hasil apatah lagi mampu mem-
bolot mata pada aksi rali panjang
terbabit.
“Saya tidak fikir untuk lakukan puku-
lan, ia adalah rali yang panjang dan saya
tahu mereka sudah bersedia, jadi kami
juga telah bersedia. Kami sedar kami letih
tetapi lawan juga letih, dalam fikiran,
kami hanya mahu memenangi rali itu jadi
kami bersedia dari segi mental dengan
baik dan saya sangat gembira kami
memenangi mata itu,” katanya.
INTER Milan
mengekalkan
kejuaraan
Piala Itali
selepas
menewaskan
Fiorentina
2-1 di Stadio
Olimpico,
Rome.
– Foto AFP
itali tahun lalu.
juara enam kali, Fiorentina dinafikan
trofi pertama mereka sejak tahun 2001,
tetapi kelab itu masih boleh memenangi
kejuaraan musim ini selepas mara ke
final Liga Konferens Eropah.
Mereka akan berdepan West Ham di
Prague pada 7 jun, tiga hari sebelum
inter berdepan juara Liga Perdana ing-
geris, Manchester City pada final Liga
juara-juara Eropah di istanbul.
“Kami perlu mengumpul tenaga
untuk Prague. Kami perlu ke sana den-
gan penuh yakin dan membawa pulang
trofi serta membalas dendam,” kata pen-
gendali Fiorentina, Vincenzo italiano.
Fiorentina, bermula baik apabila Gon-
zalez menyempurnakan hantaran
jonathan ikone untuk mendahului inter.
Bagaimanapun penyerang argentina,
Martinez menyamakan kedudukan
selepas mendapat lorongan Marcelo Bro-
zovic pada minit ke-29 untuk gol ke-
100nya bersama inter.
Lapan minit kemudian, Martinez
sekali lagi menewaskan Pietro Terrac-
ciano hasil hantaran Nicolo Barella. – aFP
MSN itu berlarutan bagi tempoh dua bulan
iaitu januari hingga Februari 2022.
“KBS mengambil inisiatif memohon
kepada Kabinet untuk mendapatkan
peruntukan bagi progam podium dan
telah dipersetujui di bawah RMK12 (Ran-
cangan Malaysia Ke-12) sebanyak RM240
juta dari 2022 hingga 2025 iaitu RM60 juta
setahun.
“Setiap kali ada perubahan seperti ini,
apabila elaun dan gaji jurulatih tertang-
guh kerana tiada bajet, ia memberi kesan
kepada latihan mereka. ini kerana ada
atlet yang perlu ke luar negara dan saya
ada bincang dengan atlet dan persatuan,
mereka setuju bahawa dalam tempoh
empat tahun kita sibuk berpolitik, negara
jiran kita telah jauh ke hadapan,” katanya.
Sebagai langkah ke hadapan, beliau
berkata kementerian akan memfokuskan
kepada sukan yang berpotensi
menawarkan lebih banyak pingat kepada
negara.
justeru, menurut Hannah Persatuan
Sukan Kebangsaan diwajibkan untuk
REAKSI Pearly dan Thinaah meraikan kejayaan selepas
menang pada perlawanan menentang pemain dari Jepun
Rena Miyaura dan Ayako Sakuramoto. – fotoBERNAMA
Dalam pada itu, Thinaah berkata
beliau dan Pearly tekad untuk menebus
kekecewaan tumpas di Masters indonesia
2023 dengan gandingan jepun Yuki
Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota pada separuh
akhir 21-14, 21-19.
Selepas menang tipis 21-19 dalam set
pertama ke atas pasangan Korea Selatan
Choi Sol Gyu-Kim Won Ho, juara bertahan
beregu lelaki dunia aaron Chia-Soh Wooi
Yik ternyata berada dalam kelas tersendiri
apabila menang bergaya 21-19, 21-14
untuk ‘meloloskan’ diri ke suku akhir.
Pearly-Thinaah sukar ditundukkan – Shida
KUaLa LUMPUR: Biarpun meraih lapan
kemenangan daripada sembilan per-
lawanan menentang beregu wanita
utama negara, pasangan ketiga terbaik
dunia, Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida
sentiasa berhati-hati ketika berdepan
gandingan Malaysia ini.
Shida berkata mereka bagaimana-
pun teruja hadapi cabaran yang dita-
mpilkan Pearly-Thinaah di gelanggang.
“Walaupun aksi mereka sukar dira-
mal, kami benar-benar teruja setiap kali
berdepan dengan gandingan ini,” kata
Shida kepada Bernama melalui penter-
jemah ketika ditemui di Masters
Malaysia 2023 di sini, Khamis.
Kedua-dua pasangan itu pertama
kali bertemu dalam Kejohanan Bad-
minton Berpasukan asia 2020 apabila
Matsuyama-Shida terpaksa bekerja
keras menundukkan Pearly-Thinaah
‘Tiada masalah dengan pelantikan Tat Meng’
KUaLa LUMPUR: Lee Zii jia tidak mempun-
yai masalah besar berhubung pelantikan
Wong Tat Meng sebagai jurulatih baharu
pemain perseorangan profesional negara
itu.
apa yang lebih penting kata Zii jia ialah
hakikat bahawa Tat Meng merupakan juru-
latih tempatan yang mempunyai ciri-ciri
diperlukan untuk membantu pemain
nombor satu dunia itu merealisasikan
impian mengejar emas Olimpik buat
negara di Paris 2024.
“Saya tak rasa ia isu besar, kita teruskan
dan cuba jadi positif kerana akhirnya saya
mempunyai jurulatih.
“Sebagai rakyat Malaysia, kita seharus-
nya gembira dengan berita ini dan juru-
latih saya pun orang tempatan, jadi mari
kita saling membantu untuk mengejar
impian Olimpik …. Diharapkan beliau
dapat membawa saya selangkah lebih
tinggi,” katanya kepada pemberita ketika
ditemui pada Malaysia Masters 2023 di sini.
Brighton akhiri
rentak
kemenangan
Man City
mengemukakan pelan jangka masa pen-
dek dan panjang bagi memastikan
Malaysia dapat bersaing dengan Singa-
pura, Thailand dan Vietnam di Sukan SEa,
seterusnya Sukan asia dan Sukan Olimpik.
“antara penekanan yang akan
diberikan adalah acara sukan yang
menawarkan banyak pingat seperti
renang dan olahraga, mesti membawa
perubahan. Penekanan ini diberikan ker-
ana mereka mempunyai banyak acara
untuk dapatkan pingat.
“Kita juga akan fokus pada sukan mem-
pertahankan diri dan terjun kerana
kedua-duanya telah membawa pulang
pingat emas dan menghasilkan atlet
cemerlang,” katanya.
Selain itu, beliau berkata atlet negara
seperti Shereen Samson Vallabouy dan
Umar Osman yang masing-masing meng-
hadiahkan pingat emas acara 400 meter di
Sukan SEa Kemboja akan diberikan ban-
tuan kewangan selain atlet lain bagi
memastikan mereka bersedia meng-
hadapi Sukan asia Hangzhou di China,
“Hari ini (Khamis) kami lebih bersedia
untuk lawan, di Piala Sudirman, baru
sahaja kalah dengan Won Ho-Na Sung
Seung, pada set pertama memang sangat
sengit tapi bila menang set pertama
memang kelebihan,” kata Wooi Yik.
Dalam pada itu, beregu lelaki negara,
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bangkit
daripada ketinggalan pada set pertama
untuk menundukkan pasangan Scotland,
alexander Dunn-adam Hall 19-21, 21-16,
21-13 dalam pertarungan rubber set
berlangsung selama 57 minit. – Bernama
dalam rubber set, 21-15, 18-21,
21-16.
Satu-satunya kemenangan Pearly-
Thinaah menentang pasangan jepun itu
adalah pada suku akhir Terbuka Peran-
cis 2022, 15-21, 21-14, 21-14 sebelum
melakar sejarah, menjadi beregu
wanita Malaysia pertama merangkul
gelaran sejak kejohanan itu diperke-
nalkan pada 1908.
Pearly-Thinaah merangkul kejuaraan
Terbuka Perancis selepas menewaskan
satu lagi gandingan jepun, Mayu Mat-
sumoto-Wakana Nagahara, 21-19, 18-21,
21-15 pada pentas final di Stade Pierre
De Coubertin, Paris, Oktober lepas.
Terdahulu, Matsuyama-Shida mara
ke suku akhir Masters Malaysia yang
berlangsung di axiata arena selepas
mengatasi Li Wen Mei-Liu Xuan Xuan
dari China, 21-16, 21-12. – Bernama
Pemain badminton berusia 25 tahun itu
berkata demikian mengulas hantaran
media sosial oleh pemain perseorangan
lelaki nombor satu Hong Kong angus Ng
Ka Long, yang melahirkan kekecewaan
apabila Tat Meng meninggalkan pasukan-
nya, membuatkan mereka berdepan situ-
asi yang sulit kerana sedang membuat
persiapan untuk Sukan asia di Hangzhou,
China dari 23 Sept hingga 8 Okt.
Zii jia berkata pelantikan Tat Meng
dilakukan mengikut undang-undang dan
semua usaha untuk mencapai kesepakatan
dengan jurulatih berusia 55 tahun itu
bermula apabila beliau ke Hong Kong
untuk menjalani latihan singkat dengan
skuad perseorangan lelaki pada april
lepas.
Ditanya mengapa Tat Meng menjadi
“insan terpilih”, atlet berasal dari Kedah itu
berkata bekas jurulatih pasukan
kebangsaan Korea Selatan itu mempunyai
pengalaman luas di luar negara termasuk
8
Chin kekal
setiausaha
agung
GL Oh
SEASTF
KOTa KiNaBaLU: Wakil Sabah, KK Chin
kekal sebagai setiausaha agung agung
Persekutuan Tenis Ringan (Soft Tennis)
asia Tenggara (SEaSTF) dalam pemili-
han dwitahunan yang diadakan semasa
Sukan SEa ke-32 di Kemboja.
Presiden Persatuan Tenis Ringan
Malaysia (MSTa) Dato Shamshuzaman
Sulaiman adalah seorang lagi rakyat
Malaysia yang dipilih sebagai naib pres-
iden.
Presiden adalah Bunluechai Phiwsan
dari Thailand manakala lembaga pen-
garah ialah Sar Sithik (Kemboja), Mar-
tuama Saragi (indonesia), Robert
joseph Moran, (Filipina), Sayyadeth
Vongsay (Laos), Nguyen Quoc Hung
(Vietnam) dan aniceto Cardosa alves
(Timor Leste).
Mesyuarat itu dihadiri oleh presiden
Persatuan Tenis Ringan Korea (KSTa)
jung inseong yang juga naib presiden
Persekutuan Tenis Ringan antara-
bangsa (iSTF), pengurus besar KSTa Kim
Taeju, setiausaha agung Kim Backsoo,
pengarah Lee Gumseob dan pegawai
Yang ingyu.
Sementara itu, Chin yang meru-
pakan salah seorang perwakilan
teknikal tenis Ringan dalam Sukan SEa,
berjaya menjalankan ujian amali
kepada 12 kerusi pengadil antarabangsa
yang layak sepanjang kejohanan itu.
Enam daripada mereka berasal dari
Kemboja, dua dari Laos dengan masing-
masing seorang dari Timor Leste, Filip-
ina, Korea Selatan dan jepun.
Beliau juga mendedahkan bahawa
Sabah mungkin menjadi tuan rumah
untuk Kejohanan Tenis Ringan SEaSTF
pada hujung tahun ini dengan kira-kira
150 pemain dari asia Tenggara dijangka
mengambil bahagian sebagai tamba-
han kepada 30 daripada Persatuan Tenis
Ringan Mungyung dari Korea jika ia
akan diadakan Disember depan.
Sukan dodgeball
harap diperkenal
di Sukma 2024
SHaH aLaM: Persatuan Dodgeball
Malaysia (MaD) menaruh harapan tinggi
untuk melihat sukan itu dipertand-
ingkan pada temasya sukan terbesar
negara, Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) 2024.
Presidennya Datuk N. Radhakrishnan
berkata langkah untuk menyaksikan
sukan tersebut membuat penampilan
sulung di temasya itu yang akan berlang-
sung di Sarawak, bagaimanapun masih
dibincangkan dengan negeri tuan
rumah.
“Melihat kepada sambutan
masyarakat sudah semestinya kami mahu
sukan ini kalau boleh dimasukkan dalam
Sukma, namun ia bergantung kepada
negeri yang menganjurkannya.
“Kami sedang berunding dengan
mereka supaya dodgeball akan ada di
sana (Sarawak) nanti. Walau bagaimana-
pun, jika tidak tersenarai sebagai sukan
kompetitif kami harap ia disenarai seba-
gai sukan pertunjukan,” katanya ketika
ditemui pada Kejohanan Dodgeball jem-
putan asia Pasifik (aPi) di Kompleks
Sukan Shah alam (Stadium Panasonic) di
sini hari ini.
Terdahulu, kejohanan yang disertai
140 kelab daripada 16 negara itu diras-
mikan Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan
adam adli abdul Halim.
Menurut Radhakrishnan pengenalan
sukan dodgeball di Sukma, pada masa
sama akan menjadi pencetus langkah
bagi melihat ia turut diperkenalkan di
temasya Sukan SEa 2025 di Thailand serta
Sukan SEa 2027 apabila negara bergelar
tuan rumah. – Bernama
membimbing Korea Selatan sehingga
menjuarai Piala Uber edisi 2022 dan mem-
bentuk pemain nombor dua dunia an Se
Young berusia 21 tahun, sebagai seorang
daripada pemain perseorangan wanita
utama pada masa ini.
Dalam pada itu, bekas juara asia itu
berkata beliau menjangkakan Tat Meng
akan menyertai pasukannya selepas Ter-
buka indonesia 2023, yang dijadualkan
berlangsung di jakarta bermula 13 hingga
18 jun.
Selain Hong Kong dan Korea Selatan,
Tat Meng juga pernah berkhidmat untuk
Persatuan Badminton Malaysia dari 2003
hingga 2011 dan 2013 hingga 2016 serta
indonesia pada 2012 dan Scotland bermula
2016 hingga 2018.
Di Malaysia, Tat Meng menyelia
kebangkitan bekas pemain perseorangan
wanita negara Wong Mew Choo apabila
beliau memenangi Terbuka China 2007. –
Bernama