Implement federal-funded projects in Sabah according to schedule - Ewon
KOTA BELUD (June 3): Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick stated that all development projects in Sabah funded by the Federal Government must be carried out according to the schedule set.
Ewon, who also serves as co-chairman of the Federal-State Sabah Development Project Monitoring Coordination Intervention Committee together with Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey
Yahya, said the committee is tasked with ensuring that all projects in the pre-implementation category can be initiated.
'Datuk Shahelmey and I are responsible for monitoring and proposing solutions to any issues causing delays in the commencement of these projects.
'Once the projects are handed over to the implementing agencies and contractors, monitoring will continue through other platforms such as the Development Action Meeting,' he said after officiating the Kaamatan Festival celebration and the opening of the Kampung Podos open hall here yesterday.
Ewon was commenting on the latest developments in the meeting of the Federal-State Sabah Development Programme and Project Monitoring Coordination Intervention Committee.
He said the implementation of the Special Intervention Meetings, initiated earlier this year, had shown positive results.
'Many technical and administrative issues have been resolved more quickly through direct engagement between implementing agencies, ministries, and the State Government,' he said.
Based on the report presented at the Sabah Federal-State Development Project Monitoring Coordination Meeting last May, the number of projects in pre-implementation status has been reduced from 207 projects to 137 projects.
Ewon described this decrease as a positive development resulting from the cooperation of various parties.
'We have proposed several measures to technical departments and the ministries responsible for the projects so that any outstanding issues can be discussed and resolved.
'I hope the percentage of projects that have commenced will continue to rise in the upcoming meetings,' he said.
He also expressed his appreciation to all ministries, the Sabah Government and technical departments that have succeeded in expediting procurement processes, contractor appointments, and tenders for projects that had not yet begun.
'I am satisfied with the cooperation shown by all those involved in this intervention committee,' he said.
Hashtags
- PoliticsEconomicsBusiness#KaamatanFestival#Federal-StateSabahDevelopmentProgramme#SpecialIntervention#SabahFederal-StateDevelopmentProjectMonitoringCoordinationMeeting#EntrepreneurDevelopmentandCooperatives#FederalGovernment#Federal-StateSabahDevelopmentProjectMonitoringCoordinationInterventionCommittee#Ewon#EwonBenedick
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
19 hours ago
- Daily Express
Reviewing laws to ensure Sabah is not left behind
Published on: Sunday, August 10, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 10, 2025 By: Datuk John Lo Text Size: Members of the newly-set up Council with Hajiji (centre). WHY Hajiji formed Sabah Law Reform Council? CM Datuk Seri Hajiji is the first CM to initiate the formation of Sabah Law Reform Council. A comprehensive law reform for Sabah is long overdue. All well managed countries undertake law reforms and updates to stay relevant, effective, just and economically competitive especially in the rapidly changing environment of AI/high tech and turbulent global economy. The focus of this article will be on economic factors relevant to Sabah. Advertisement Restructuring and turning around Sabah's 40 years of stunted economic growth, by itself, has been a super complex and difficult task for Hajiji since Oct 2020. No one can or will be able to turn around the economy within a short time. Those who claim they can, are not telling the truth. The challenge to restructure Sabah's economy is made much more difficult by Sabah's many outdated and inappropriate laws. It is fortunate for Sabah that Hajiji has the foresight to form the Sabah Law Reform Council to look into, inter-alia: [1] Sabah has many laws that are antiquated and obsolete, some from far back to the British Chartered Company and the British Colonial Government. Many of these laws have become hindrance to Sabah's economic development. Advertisement [2] Identifying these out-dated laws will be an erroneous task. [3] Sabah has very few laws for Sabah to facilitate progress in the 21st century. [4] Sabah needs some new laws urgently. Example 1: Hajiji's most important economic initiative for Sabah is the Blue Economy. It will require considerable legal brains to produce new laws/regulations to implement it. Example 2: Sabah does not have a holistic Agriculture Enactment to facilitate the development of agriculture. Example 3: Sabah needs new laws to establish new sources of revenues. [5] Sabah must use the best legal brains on matters pertaining to Sabah's constitutional rights. [i] The complex Sabah/Federal relationship, especially Sabah rights under MA63 and their never-ending procrastinations in implementations [40% revenue]. [ii] Sabah's rights as 1/3 partner in Malaysia, on matters pertaining to the protection of Sabah interests in federal policy decisions and their implementations. [iii] Review and monitor laws already passed or to be passed by Parliament that affect Sabah's interest like TSA 2012 [Territorial Sea Act 2012]. [vi] Ensure that Sabah's interest is not left out in all Federal Laws, present and future. 2. The Sabah Law Reform Council is non-political. Its member are highly respected Lawyers. Most wise. Hajiji's first pre-requisite was that The Sabah Law Reform Council should be non-political and free from political interference. Reforming Sabah's laws is hard work by professionals, not a political game for politicians. The formation of the Sabah Law Reform Council is the collaborative efforts of Tan Sri David Wong and SEAC [Sabah Economic Advisory Council] under the guidance/supervision of AG Datuk Brenndon Soh. It is highly significant and profound that Hajiji has appointed Tan Sri David Wong as the founding chairman of the Sabah Law Reform Council. He is eminently qualified. He has years of experience in private practice, then joined the bench and elevated to be Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak from July 2018 to February 2020. His career in private practice and the bench will give valuable leadership and perspective for the Sabah Law Reform Council. The council members are [1] Datuk Daniel Tan, [2] Datuk John Sikayun, [3] Dr. David Fung, [4] Datuk Roger Chin and [5] Shakinur Ain Karama. All five are highly respected senior Sabahan lawyers, non-political and Sabahans through and through. Tan Sri David is also the founding Chairman of BICAM [Borneo International Centre for Arbitrations and Mediations] which will play a key role in the development of KK as a regional commercial hub. The Sabah Law Reform Council and AG Brenndon will form a formidable team of legal experts. It has already got on to a flying start. They have already completed an important amendment of the Land Ordinance with the inclusion of 'indefeasibility of title' under the Torrent system. The Dun has passed this amendment in its sitting in April 2025. 3. Hajiji is First CM to Implement 'Open Government' by Seeking Advisories from Professionals, Young Sabahans and Private Sectors Stakeholders. Never done before by any CM. Hajiji formed SEAC [Sabah Economic Advisory Council, SYBIL [Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders] and SPC [Sabah Professional Council]. SYBIL has been contributing policy inputs and encouragement/assistance to young Sabahan returnees from overseas. Sabah has 5000+ Sabahan professionals. For 'Sabah for Sabahans' policy, Masidi has instructed all GLCs to engage Sabah-based accountants for their financial service requirements. JTU will only accept survey submissions from Sabah based surveyors. Significantly, Hajiji has asked DSP Lim Haw Kuang for advice on oil and gas which has since become a major industry. Lim Haw Kuang is also advisor to SMJ Energy which is very profitable and has become a RM5 billion GLC within 3 years. 4. The Formation of The Sabah Law Reform Council Will Enhance Investors' Confidence in Sabah. One of the most crucial aspects that investors look for are functioning legal system and transparent governance. The fact that Hajiji has initiated the formation of this council is an important positive message for investors. With the appointment of Tan Sri David as the Chairman and his highly respected council members by Hajiji can only reinforce investors' confidence further. 5. Hajiji's Formation of Sabah Law Reform Council is a Continuation of His Policy of 'Open Government'. Formation of the Sabah Law Reform Council is a major milestone in Hajiji's open government policy. In our 'Westminster' style of parliamentary system, the rule of law is paramount. Updating and reforming our laws should therefore be of utmost priority. The work by Sabah Law Reform Council will create enormous beneficial impacts for future generations of Sabahans. 6. Why is Hajiji's 'Open Government' important? Hajiji's initiative to form SEAC, SYBIL, SPC and now Sabah Law Reformation Council is a very important aspect of 'open government'. Here are some reasons: [1] Previous governments have practised 'closed government' or 'top-down government. No or little avenue for non-politicians, professionals and young Sabahans to contribute to decision making. 'Closed government' belongs to the old era, grossly outdated. 'Closed door' produce 'in-breeding'. Very unhealthy. [2] Hajiji's 'open government' gives opportunities for outstanding Sabahan professionals [like Lim Haw Kuang in oil and gas and SDB, David Wong, members of SLRC in law reform, James Wong in nurturing young business leaders] to contribute ideas and management expertise for the betterment of Sabah. [3] Hajiji's 'open government' will attract many more highly qualify, perfectly capable Sabahans within Sabah, in W Malaysia, Singapore and overseas to volunteer their time and ideas. [4] Hajiji's 'open government' will promote 'inclusivity' in policy decisions and their implementations. [5] Hajiji's 'open government' will improve quality of policy outputs. [6] Hajiji's 'open government' has improved governance and management of GLCs/ agencies like SMJ Energy, ECoS, SDB and Sabah Credit Corporation. [7] Hajiji's 'open government' will promote transparency, best practices in governance and prevent financial and resource leakages. [8] Hajiji's 'open government' is the best and quickest way to pass on the benefits of 'Sabah for Sabahans' policy to Sabahans. 7. Hajiji's Formation of The Sabah Law Reform Council is an act of statesmanship in furtherance of 'Sabah for Sabahans' policy objectives for the benefits of Sabahans. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
RM1.1m allocated for Madani village, school projects in Kg Kiau
KOTA BELUD: The government has allocated RM1.1 million for development projects in Kampung Kiau under the Madani Adopted Village and School programme. The funding was announced by Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick. Of the total, RM1 million will fund seven small-scale infrastructure projects in the village. Another RM100,000 was granted to the Parent-Teacher Association of Sekolah Kebangsaan Kiau. The village projects include road upgrades, agricultural pathways, and public amenities across Kampung Kiau Nuluh, Kampung Kiau Taburi, and Kampung Kiau Bersatu. Specific works involve improving field roads, halls, clinics, and drainage systems in multiple zones. Ewon shared these details during the launch of the Tourism Development Programme at SK Kiau. He highlighted that SK Kiau is his alma mater, having studied there from Year One to Year Six. The minister expressed hope that the allocation would address key development needs in the village and school. He also urged villagers to leverage natural resources in agriculture, tourism, and cooperatives for socio-economic growth. The event marked the official handover of funds under the Madani Adopted Village initiative. - Bernama
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
RM1.1 million for Kampung Kiau development, SK Kiau adopted under Madani Programme
Ewon launches the Sir Hugh Low Heritage Trail, developed by Koperasi Minitinduk Kiau Kota Belud, as one of Kg Kiau's tourism products. KOTA BELUD (Aug 9): The government, through the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), has allocated RM1.1 million for the Kampung Angkat Madani and Sekolah Angkat Madani development projects in Kampung Kiau here. Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said RM1 million would go towards seven small-scale infrastructure projects in the village, while RM100,000 has been channelled to the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kiau. The Kampung Angkat Madani projects include road upgrades, improved drainage, and enhancements to public facilities in Kampung Kiau Nuluh, Kampung Kiau Taburi, and Kampung Kiau Bersatu. 'Among the projects implemented are upgrading the field road, community hall, clinic and village hall in Kampung Kiau Nuluh; constructing drains in Zones Tebobon and Hongkung; building a road and culvert to the cemetery in Kampung Kiau Taburi; and constructing a community road and drainage system in Zone Tomoduh, Kampung Kiau Bersatu,' Ewon said. He was speaking after officiating the Tourism Development Programme Through the Cooperative Movement and the handover ceremony for the Kampung Angkat Madani and Sekolah Angkat Madani projects at Dewan Tamu Desa Kg Kiau on Saturday. For the Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative, RM100,000 was allocated to SK Kiau's PIBG for school development needs. 'SK Kiau is my adopted school, where I studied from Year 1 to Year 6. I hope that with this allocation, part of the development needs in my village, including those at SK Kiau, can be met,' he said. Ewon also encouraged villagers to harness the area's natural resources — particularly in agriculture, tourism and cooperatives — to further boost socio-economic growth. Also present were KUSKOP Secretary-General Datuk Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) Chief Executive Officer Noor Affifah Abdul Razak, as well as KUSKOP agency heads and village leaders. As part of the event, Ewon launched the Sir Hugh Low Heritage Trail, developed by Koperasi Minitinduk Kiau Kota Belud, as one of Kampung Kiau's tourism products.
