logo
Sabah to reform native court law, boost rural economy and food security

Sabah to reform native court law, boost rural economy and food security

Daily Express01-05-2025

Published on: Thursday, May 01, 2025
Published on: Thu, May 01, 2025 Text Size: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced that the Sabah Native Court Enactment 1992 will be replaced with a new version to streamline the court's structure and strengthen its role. The draft of the 2025 enactment is under review by relevant state departments before being presented to the State Cabinet and Legislative Assembly. Hajiji also highlighted Sabah's push to raise its food Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL), currently at just 22.8 percent. The government is reviving the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board and developing over 22,000 hectares of idle paddy land in six districts, aiming to reach 30 percent SSL by 2026 and 60 percent by 2030. Through the recently launched Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution Program (REPLB), the state aims to empower rural farmers and agropreneurs by increasing agricultural output, introducing modern technologies, and improving market access to ensure sustainable income. The Chief Minister also emphasized that the Kaamatan Festival reflects unity, gratitude, and inclusiveness, aligning with the values of Malaysia Madani. This year's theme, 'Kaamatan for All,' underscores the festival's role as a celebration for all Sabahans regardless of background. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sabah parties gear up for polls
Sabah parties gear up for polls

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

Sabah parties gear up for polls

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's political parties are gearing up for the 17th state election amid a flurry of possible electoral pacts, but firm deals have yet to materialise. Major players, including the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and its former ally-turned-rival Barisan Nasional, are preparing to go it alone if ongoing negotiations with potential partners fail. Observers say GRS, led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and Sabah Barisan, led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, are ready to go it alone if they fail to strike a deal with other political blocs. Parti Warisan, under Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, is staying out of any alliance talks, positioning itself as the alternative to both coalitions with its multiracial party platform. The coming election is expected to be shaped by a growing 'Sabah for Sabahans' sentiment, with voters increasingly drawn to local-based parties championing state rights and autonomy. This political mood has fuelled support for both Warisan and GRS in recent years while putting pressure on national coalitions to localise their campaign narrative. Hajiji, who is seen as preferring to continue cooperation with Sabah Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan), stated yesterday that GRS was ready to face the election, with its machinery fully trained across all constituencies. However, any pact will still require the endorsement of GRS' eight-party coalition. He added that no seat talks had taken place and that any cooperation must go through the GRS Supreme Council. CLICK TO ENLARGE So far, Sabah STAR, led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan; SAPP under former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee; and Usno, led by former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, have been adamant that GRS should contest all 73 seats on its own. These parties have pushed back against external collaborations for various reasons – Sabah STAR wants internal seat distribution settled first, SAPP rejects the involvement of national parties, and Usno has demanded greater respect and fair seat allocation, warning it may walk away from the coalition if sidelined. Given that at least eight assemblymen, including four ministers from Hajiji's Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), are embroiled in a bribery scandal involving mining licence approvals, the ruling coalition must carefully navigate any potential pact with Pakatan to reach a mutually agreeable seat-sharing formula. Any potential deal between GRS and Pakatan is expected to hinge on the local bloc being allowed to contest at least 53 to 55 of the 73 seats at stake. GRS, Sabah Pakatan and Sabah Barisan have not publicly disclosed the seats they are targeting. Some observers believe that even if an agreement is reached, some seats could still be left open to free-for-all contests. Meanwhile, Sabah Pakatan is also exploring a separate seat-sharing formula with Sabah Barisan to remain aligned with the federal-level unity government. At the national level, leaders from both coalitions have expressed support for working together in Sabah. Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, speaking at the PKR congress in Johor Baru on May 24, said, 'I have discussed the matter with Barisan Nasional and Umno chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. 'We will work together on the condition that Pakatan Harapan is recognised as a partner to fight for the people of Sabah.' Anwar has appointed Sabah Pakatan chairman cum Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick to lead coordination efforts for the state election. By placing a Sabahan face at the forefront, Pakatan appears to be repackaging itself to appeal to local sentiments, positioning the coalition as part of Sabah rather than just a federal extension. However, political observers observe that while national leaders are advocating for unity, Sabah leaders seem to be following a different path. GRS comprises eight local parties: PGRS (Gagasan Rakyat), Sabah STAR, SAPP, Usno, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS). Barisan comprises peninsula-based parties such as Umno, MCA and MIC, along with its Sabah component, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS). Pakatan consists of PKR, DAP, Amanah and Upko. The 17th Sabah state election must be held following the dissolution of the state assembly, which is due by 11 Nov, 2025. Speculation is rife that Hajiji may dissolve the assembly as early as the third week of July, after the official celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negri's birthday on June 21.

Razali warns youth against 'two-minute professors' online
Razali warns youth against 'two-minute professors' online

Daily Express

time11 hours ago

  • Daily Express

Razali warns youth against 'two-minute professors' online

Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Netizens, particularly youths, have been warned to be wary of 'two-minute professors' - political influencers who comment without proper understanding or experience. Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Secretary-General Datuk Razali Razi ( pic ) said many such individuals exploit social media for income despite lacking grassroots involvement or policy knowledge. Advertisement Razali, a lawyer, revealed that the party is considering legal action against certain online commentators whom he accused of spreading misinformation for clout. He urged the public to evaluate online content critically and avoid being misled by short, provocative videos containing hateful or false narratives. Razali also called on aspiring commentators to act responsibly and ensure the information they share, especially on politics, religion, and medicine, is accurate and well-researched. * 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

US visa issue: Malaysian students at Harvard can continue their studies for now
US visa issue: Malaysian students at Harvard can continue their studies for now

Daily Express

time12 hours ago

  • Daily Express

US visa issue: Malaysian students at Harvard can continue their studies for now

Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian students attending Harvard University can continue their studies without being interrupted by their visa status for now, the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) said. This follows the latest development on the visa issue, with a United States (US) federal court judge ruling to grant a temporary restraining order (TRO) after an application was filed by Harvard, providing relief to over 6,800 international students there. Advertisement The ministry said in a statement today that it was monitoring the developments of this issue closely through Education Malaysia Washington D.C. (EMWDC). 'The decision enables international students, including Malaysian students, to continue studying without interruption for the time being. 'The ministry and EMWDC have also reached out to related sponsors and US education officials. The ministry welcomes their commitment to work together to ensure the wellbeing of our students,' the ministry said. The MOHE also reminded students to update their optional practical training information and to be careful in all action involving immigration matters. Advertisement 'For now, no Malaysian student has been reported to have encountered any problems or issues with their records with the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVIS) and any withdrawal of their visas,' the ministry said. It also recommended new students for Harvard's September 2025 intake to deal directly with the university and their sponsors to obtain the latest developments before making any further decisions. The ministry reiterated Malaysia's belief that cross-border higher education was an important platform to global talent development, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships between countries. The ministry urged all parties to remain calm, act based on verified information, and to prioritse students' welfare when dealing with the issue and would continue to support Malaysian students abroad regardless of the situation in line with the Malaysia MADANI concept. * 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

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store