
Umno Libaran proposes Sports Hub at Batu 10
Published on: Thu, Aug 14, 2025 Text Size: Shariff said a Sports Hub in Batu 10 would provide young people with systematic training opportunities, nurture future talent and stimulate the local economy through tournaments, sports tourism and related business activities. Kota Kinabalu: Umno Libaran has called on the Youth and Sports Ministry to prioritise the development of a Sports Hub or Mini Sports Complex at the Batu 10 Education Hub in Sandakan under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Umno Libaran Information Chief Shariff Ismarhafiz Sh Abd Rahman said the proposal is in line with 13MP's emphasis on sports as a new driver of economic growth. 'The facility would serve as a strategic investment in youth development, public health and Sandakan's reputation as a sports excellence centre for Sabah's east coast,' he said in a statement on Wednesday. He noted that Sandakan has produced high-performing athletes, including national sprinter Nur Aisyah Rofina Aling, known as the 'Gadis Turbo'. However, he emphasised that the current sports complex located in Batu 5 is less accessible to rural residents, particularly those in Libaran, limiting their access to quality training facilities. Shariff said a Sports Hub in Batu 10 would provide young people with systematic training opportunities, nurture future talent and stimulate the local economy through tournaments, sports tourism and related business activities. * 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
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Kinabatangan to benefit from clear government roadmap, says CM
Published on: Friday, August 15, 2025 Published on: Fri, Aug 15, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji and others performing the groundbreaking ceremony at the event. – Pic by CMD KINABATANGAN: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Kinabatangan needs a new chapter of development so its people can enjoy greater progress under the government's plans. He said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government had laid out a clear development roadmap for the state, including Kinabatangan, through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) direction. The plan covers all aspects of growth, from strengthening the economy and education to improving community wellbeing, supported by achievements in industry, tourism and agriculture. Hajiji highlighted various state initiatives, including monthly aid of RM300 for a year to more than 10,000 low-income residents, and an increase in Rumah Mesra SMJ units to 40 for each state constituency, including Lamag and Sukau. He said the state government has also distributed 100 dialysis machines to government hospitals and clinics to provide free treatment for kidney patients. On the Seri Milian New Town project in Kota Kinabatangan, Hajiji said it would be a catalyst for change expected to transform the district over the next five to 10 years. During the event, he presented 255 Pantas draft grants for Lamag involving 582.426 hectares, a Kinabatangan District Council land grant covering 157.48 acres, and three Pantas draft grants for Sukau totalling 16.224 hectares. * 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


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Steady 2Q25 GDP growth signals domestic resilience, momentum could continue in 2H
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's economy continues to remain resilient despite an increasingly uncertain global trade policy backdrop, economists said today. Their remarks came after Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) announced that the gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 4.4 per cent in the second quarter of this year (2Q 2025), reaffirming that the economy remains strong. UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan said projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), along with infrastructure investments and an anticipated reduction in interest rates by the United States Federal Reserve (Fed), are likely to support the ongoing expansion of the domestic economy. There was also some relief for Malaysia as the US trade policy stance has eased compared to the pressures faced in 2Q, he said. The latest figures not only demonstrate Malaysia's resilience but also reflect that GDP growth for 3Q and 4Q could be sustained. "We maintain our forecast for year-on-year growth at approximately 4.5 per cent in both quarters, underpinned by firm domestic demand and ongoing investment momentum. "The full-year GDP was also projected at 4.5 per cent,' Mohd Sedek told Bernama, adding that catalysts arise from both internal and external factors. Domestically, the implementation of the 13MP will expedite structural reforms and infrastructure investments, he said. Externally, Mohd Sedek noted that there are expectations that the Fed will lower interest rates by at least 50 basis points, which could enhance capital inflows, improve liquidity, and support the value of the ringgit. Earlier this month, the US imposed a reduced tariff of 19 per cent on Malaysian imports, effective Aug 1, 2025. The revised reciprocal rate is lower than the initially scheduled 25 per cent. Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the Malaysian economy was able to sustain itself at 4.4 per cent in 2Q, albeit slower compared to the advance estimates of 4.5 per cent. "We have seen net exports were the main drag to the overall growth, where it fell 72.6 per cent, while domestic demand continues to remain resilient, especially consumption and investment in the private sector,' he said. Going forward, Mohd Afzanizam expects the Malaysian economy to grow at a slower pace in the second half of 2025 (2H 2025), possibly in the region of 3.7 per cent to 3.8 per cent, which could give the full year growth of 4.1 per cent. "Thus far, BNM has been proactive in managing the country's monetary policy, whereby the Statutory Reserve Requirement (SRR) was reduced by 100 basis points in May and the overnight policy rate (OPR) was cut by 25 basis points in July. "The additional allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) of RM2 billion would also help to promote higher domestic demand, which can provide an offset to the looming risks of slower global growth in 2H 2025,' he said. BNM announced that the Malaysian economy expanded by 4.4 per cent in 2Q 2025, maintaining the same growth rate recorded in the 1Q 2025. In 2Q 2024, the country's economy expanded by 5.9 per cent. The expansion for 2Q was driven by robust domestic demand. Household spending increased, alongside a stronger expansion in both private and public investments, despite slower export growth primarily due to a decline in commodities-related exports. BNM governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour had said that the external environment remains challenging, with uncertainty surrounding the tariffs imposed by the US continuing to linger, and the impact will take time to materialise fully. - Bernama


New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
New MCMC framework must give users clearer opt-out options, expert says
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has launched a two-week public consultation on a proposed Regulatory Framework for Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Messages (UCEM), or spam, under the new Section 233A of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Open until Aug 27, the consultation seeks feedback from industry players, civil society organisations, consumer groups, ministries, enforcement agencies, academics and the public. The framework takes a multi-platform approach that addresses how spam is sent today, including via SMS, email, messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and social media. Key measures include requiring consent before sending commercial messages, clearer sender identification and simple, no-cost opt-out options for recipients. It also proposes banning address-harvesting software, bulk-messaging tools and tactics such as dictionary attacks. Breaches could trigger enforcement action or legal proceedings under Section 233A. Universiti Malaya computer systems & technology associate professor Dr Saaidal Razalli Azzuhri said the central value of Section 233A is that "it expands the scope beyond existing laws by covering all forms of unsolicited digital messages, not just email spam, including social messaging platforms and SMS." He added that the regulation "must be designed to handle spam across SMS, email, messaging apps and social media in one comprehensive approach." While the details will be shaped by public feedback, Saaidal expects that companies and individuals may need to get clearer consent, provide opt-out options and be transparent about their messaging practices. FRAMEWORK DETAILS Under the proposed framework, consent would be recognised in two forms, express and implied consent. Express consent covers clear, affirmative permission. For example, a tick-box or registration to receive marketing. Implied consent may arise from an existing customer relationship. Regardless of consent type, senders must identify themselves clearly in every message, provide valid contact details and include a free, functional opt-out that lets recipients withdraw permission at any time. The framework also outlines mandatory opt-out mechanisms in every UCEM, and forbids sending messages without identification or a working unsubscribe route. On consumer protection, Saaidal said well-designed rules could "limit unsolicited contact, require consent, and impose penalties for scams or misleading content." He described responsible digital marketing as "sending only to consenting users, providing easy unsubscribes, and being honest in content (common sense)." "Possible responsible practices can include sending only to consenting users, letting them unsubscribe easily, and being honest when presenting content, which is down to common sense," he said. To avoid restricting freedoms, he stressed safeguards so that anti-spam measures do not curtail lawful communication. "Safeguards like clear definitions and clear appeal processes ensure it targets spam without silencing legitimate speech," he explained. IMPLICATIONS FOR USERS AND BUSINESSES A major focus of the consultation is giving the public more control. "Users must be given simpler ways to report and block spam through standardised tools or platforms," Saaidal said. Technologically, day-to-day filtering will hinge on "advanced filtering systems, AI detection and updated blocklists or whitelists" that can spot abusive campaigns while letting legitimate messages through. On whether Malaysia has what it takes to carry out effective enforcement, he said: "Malaysia has a growing tech infrastructure and skilled talent pool, but will need continuous investment and training across industry, government and academia to enforce the rules effectively." For industry players, the proposal aims to separate permission-based marketing from unsolicited blasts. Saaidal expects e-commerce platforms, telecommunications companies and banks to tighten data practices, refine marketing lists and improve user-consent management. SMEs, he said, "may face extra compliance costs but can benefit from higher trust and engagement with customers, which is a huge thing for business nowadays." In the longer term, he said the framework must appear flexible enough to adapt, but will require periodic updates to keep pace with technologies like AI marketing. MCMC said it has already engaged key stakeholders in sessions held in June to help balance consumer protection with business needs, and is now widening the lens to include the public's experiences, from nuisance promotions to more serious phishing attempts. The commission encourages Malaysians to review the consultation paper and submit views by Aug 2, 5pm, noting that feedback will inform the drafting of subsidiary rules and guidance to ensure clear, enforceable standards. MCMC website during the consultation window.