Liberal Democratic Party urges Shahelmey to fix multiple woes
Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: Chin (left) accompanied by several supreme council members, recently paid a courtesy visit to Shahelmey (right) to raise concerns over persistent disruptions that continue to burden rural and suburban communities. Kota Kinabalu: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) called on the Sabah Ministry of Works to urgently address long-standing infrastructure problems affecting the State, particularly water supply, electricity and road conditions. LDP President Datuk Chin Su Phin, accompanied by several supreme council members, recently paid a courtesy visit to State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is also Deputy Chief Minister iii, to raise concerns over persistent disruptions that continue to burden rural and suburban communities. 'Access to clean water, stable electricity and safe roads are fundamental needs of the people. These issues should not be hindering Sabah's development or burdening its citizens,' Chin said during the meeting. During the dialogue, the party proposed several key suggestions, including: Water Supply: Accelerate the construction and repair of dams and distribution systems, while improving water management to reduce leakage and prevent illegal tapping.
Electricity: Upgrade infrastructure to ensure greater grid stability, especially in industrial and densely populated areas, in order to prevent frequent blackouts that impact both livelihoods and investor confidence.
Road Infrastructure: Implement a scheduled maintenance system and prioritise upgrading roads that connect rural communities to ensure safer and more efficient transportation and logistics. Shahelmy welcomed the constructive input from LDP and expressed appreciation for the party's commitment to addressing the people's concerns. He assured that the Ministry will review the recommendations and continue engaging stakeholders for better solutions. Chin reaffirmed LDP's role as a bridge between the Government and the people, emphasising the party's commitment to championing issues that affect the daily lives of Sabahans. 'LDP will continue to fight for much bigger funding from the Federal Government to solve Sabahans' water and road woes. 'At the same time, we will continue go to the ground, listen to the people and push for practical and fair infrastructure development that truly benefits all Sabahans,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
13 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Calm returns to Thai-Cambodian border after ceasefire
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 Text Size: People rest at a temporary shelter, the day after the Cambodian and Thai leaders agreed to a ceasefire, in Srei Snam district, Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on Tuesday. Pic by Chantha Lach | Reuters BANGKOK: The border between Thailand and Cambodia remained calm on Tuesday following a ceasefire agreement after five days of intense fighting, CNA reported. Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said military leaders from both countries are expected to meet to follow up on the peace deal. The clashes, which reportedly killed at least 38 people and displaced over 300,000, had erupted last week near disputed frontier areas. While the Thai army said Cambodian forces violated the truce with fresh attacks early Tuesday, Phumtham downplayed the incidents and said there was no escalation. Cambodian defence officials denied any clashes, with Minister Tea Seiha stating that their troops had strictly observed the ceasefire. Thai and Cambodian military commanders met in several locations along the border on Tuesday, with further talks set for 4 August in Phnom Penh. In Sisaket province's Kantharalak district, near the frontlines, daily life resumed as residents reopened shops and returned to work after days of tension. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Focus Malaysia
2 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Ban today, black market tomorrow: Re-thinking the vape crackdown
THE government's move to ban open-system vape devices under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) raises serious concerns. While public health risks are real – with 80% of seized vape products reportedly containing banned substances – an outright ban may worsen the situation instead of resolving it. A better approach is to regulate, tax and monitor the industry under a clear legal framework. Using today's debate to ask tough questions In Parliament yesterday (July 28), Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkelfy Ahmad announced that enforcement would begin immediately against open-system vape devices, citing concerns over how easily they can be modified and refilled. 𝐊𝐊𝐌 𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐊𝐀𝐇 𝐊𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐇 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐕𝐀𝐏𝐄 Alhamdulillah, pagi ini di Dewan Rakyat saya telah menjawab soalan YB Dato' Haji Ahmad Bin Saad @ Yahaya, Ahli Parlimen Pokok Sena berkenaan pendirian Kementerian terhadap langkah beberapa Kerajaan… — KKMalaysia🇲🇾🩺❤️ (@KKMPutrajaya) July 28, 2025 Authorities are right to be alarmed by the presence of substances like methamphetamine and cannabinoids in some of these products, especially among youth. But pushing the industry underground will not eliminate these threats. It will simply make them harder to trace and control. Singapore's experience shows the limits of prohibition Singapore banned vaping in February 2018. Yet illegal products are still widely available, often sold through encrypted apps like Telegram and WhatsApp. Even more worrying is the rise of counterfeit vape liquids laced with synthetic drugs. If a high-compliance country like Singapore cannot eliminate its black market, Malaysia is unlikely to fare any better using the same approach. Prohibition risks strengthening the black market. Malaysia already loses over RM5 billion annually to illicit cigarette sales. A vape ban could drive consumers further toward dangerous, unregulated products. Enforcement may also be misdirected. Authorities will be forced to target small retailers and informal sellers instead of focusing on major public health threats. Meanwhile, adult smokers looking to quit may find themselves pushed back to cigarettes or left to navigate an unregulated vape black market. Why ignore revenue in a tight fiscal climate? Malaysia has repeatedly cited limited fiscal space to justify subsidy reforms and tax hikes. Yet the vape sector remains largely untaxed and unregulated. This is a missed opportunity. By taxing vape products based on nicotine content, the government could generate revenue, discourage high-risk use, and create a level playing field with the tobacco industry. A well-structured excise system would strengthen oversight while funding healthcare and anti-smoking campaigns. Why go through all the trouble of expanding the Sales and Services Tax (SST) if we continue to ignore other obvious and efficient sources of revenue like vaping? Let's not waste the opportunity to get this right. Use Act 852 as intended The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act (Act 852) already contains the tools needed for effective regulation. These include product registration, licensing, advertising restrictions, and age limits. Rather than bypass these mechanisms, the government should use them. Enforce mandatory product testing, introduce tiered excise taxes, license retailers with strict age-gated access, regulate advertising and collaborate with online platforms to curb digital black markets. Public education must also be stepped up, especially targeting youth and parents. The presence of banned substances in vape products is alarming, but a blanket ban is not a sustainable solution. It risks losing control of the market while also forfeiting harm reduction and revenue opportunities. Malaysia already has the legal and policy framework to manage this sector responsibly. What it needs now is the political will to do so. Prohibition may sound tough but effective regulation is what truly protects public health. Tax it. Regulate it. Control it. Let's not waste this opportunity to get it right. – July 29, 2025
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Terror threat to Singapore ‘remains high', says home affairs report
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Reuters Text Size: Singapore's home affairs ministry said Islamic State is using propaganda to exploit the war in Gaza. (EPA Images pic) SINGAPORE: The terrorism threat to Singapore remains high, said its home affairs ministry in a report released today, pointing to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and 'continued traction of radical narratives'. While there was no current intelligence of an imminent attack against Singapore, the ministry said Islamic State uses propaganda to exploit the war in Gaza and local grievances to reinforce its narrative of armed violence. Since the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023, six Singaporeans have been found to support or were making preparations to take part in armed violence because of the conflict, said the report. 'Singapore and our interests continue to be viewed as attractive and legitimate targets by terrorist and extremist elements, due to our friendly relations with western nations and Israel, the presence of iconic structures in Singapore, and our status as a secular and multicultural state,' it said. The ministry said a key threat was online self-radicalisation, in a variety of extremist ideologies, especially of youths. Since 2015, Singapore has used the Internal Security Act against 17 youth aged 20. Most recently it was used against two teenagers – one planned to shoot mosques, the other planned to join Islamic State. The law allows suspects to be held for lengthy periods without trial, or to be given a restriction order limiting travel and internet access, among other conditions. The threat assessment report also said artificial intelligence was emerging as a terrorism enabler for 'generating and translating propaganda, producing convincing synthetic multimedia, creating personalised recruitment messages at scale, and planning and developing attacks'. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
