Tiong channels RM2.2 mln to Sibu groups, stresses accountability and real impact
SIBU (July 17): A total of RM2.2 million in federal allocations was distributed to 152 recipients here today, with Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, underscoring the need for accountability and meaningful use of public funds.
Of the total, RM1.55 million was disbursed to 137 recipients under the Special Project Allocation (PPK), while another RM660,000 went to 15 recipients under the Special Allocation by Minister (PKM).
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman, was represented by his special duties officer Agatha Ting during the cheque presentation ceremony held at the United Chinese Association (UCA) Sibu hall.
In delivering his speech through Ting, Tiong reminded all recipients that public funds must not be wasted or used for personal gain.
'I hope these funds will be used properly and not just for the sake of spending, but to truly benefit the community.
'Every sen must go for something meaningful, not wasted or personal advantages,' he said.
He added that recipients are required to submit a full report on how the funds are used as a condition for any future support.
'So you must submit your report. If there's no report, how can you get another round of support?
'I want to help, but you must also do your part. Be accountable. Only then I can continue to justify giving more funding to support your organisations,' he said.
Aside from the cheque allocations, five laptops and printers were presented to longhouse residents, along with 10 hampers for local youth members.
Also in attendance were Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Dudong Division chairman Datuk Teo Boon Siew and PDP Pelawan chairman Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong. funds Sibu Tiong King Sing
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
NGO submits memorandum calling for immediate halt to the culling of strays
ABOUT 200 people gathered outside the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Precinct 1, Putrajaya, calling for an immediate halt to the culling of stray dogs. Among them was social activist and Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar, who handed a memorandum to a representative from the PMO. The memorandum called for the Federal Government to reform the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and look into the federation's proposals for humane methods of managing strays. Shashi said the increasing number of stray animals, particularly dogs, was a national crisis that must be addressed by the government. 'Instead, the government has taken the shortcut approach by killing these animals. 'These strays are also caught (by local councils) and placed in pounds with heavy 'bail' fees. Local councils charge up to RM2,000 per dog, which is extortion,' he claimed. Shashi said the group wanted the government to intervene by working with non-governmental organisations championing animal welfare to solve the problem, including allocating funds towards the matter. The handover was witnessed by the group, who held up banners and placards in a show of support. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Federal Court sets Oct 29 to hear appeal against Isa Samad's acquittal
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Court has fixed Oct 29 for the hearing of the prosecution's appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision to acquit former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad. Mohd Isa, 75, was acquitted of all nine corruption charges involving RM3mil in connection with the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak. Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz said the hearing date was set by deputy registrar Wan Fatimah Zaharah Wan Yussof during an online case management proceeding on Friday (July 25). "All parties are required to file their written submissions two weeks before the appeal hearing,' Afzainizam said when contacted. Meanwhile, Mohd Isa's counsel Siti Sarah Khalil said the court has directed parties to file their submissions on or before Oct 14, with the next case management fixed for Oct 15. The prosecution filed its notice of appeal on March 7, 2024, and petition of appeal on June 26, advancing 24 grounds to support its contention that the Court of Appeal erred in law and fact when it acquitted Mohd Isa of all charges. On March 6, 2024, a three-member Court of Appeal panel comprising Justice Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera (now a Federal Court judge), Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim and Datuk S.M. Komathy Suppiah set aside Mohd Isa's conviction and six-year sentence, as well as the RM15.45mil fine imposed by the High Court on Feb 3, 2021. The former Negeri Sembilan mentri besar was charged in 2018 with nine counts of receiving RM3,090,000 in bribes from Ikhwan Zaidel, a director of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, through his former special political officer, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, as an inducement for facilitating Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd's approval to purchase the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites for RM160mil. The offences were alleged to have taken place at Level 49, Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No. 11, Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015. He was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. - Bernama
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Prosecution seeks to reinstate Isa Samad's corruption conviction at top court
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has fixed Oct 29 to hear the prosecution's appeal to reinstate nine corruption charges involving former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad. Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz said the date was fixed by deputy registrar Wan Fatimah Zaharah Wan Yussof during a case management proceeding today. He said the court also instructed them to file their written submissions before Oct 14. The charges involved RM3 million in bribes allegedly linked to the purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Kuching, Sarawak. The prosecution is seeking to reinstate the High Court's 2012 decision, which found Mohd Isa guilty and sentenced him to six years' imprisonment and a fine of RM15.45 million, in default of 18 years in prison. The prosecution filed the notice of appeal on March 7 last year and submitted the petition of appeal on June 26, listing 24 grounds as to why the Court of Appeal erred in acquitting Mohd Isa. The prosecution said the Court of Appeal was wrong in law in finding there was evidence from Ikhwan Zaidel indicating that Mohd Isa had never requested gratification from him in the two meetings with him in his office. The prosecution said Muhammad Zahid, who was one of the prosecution's witnesses, had understood the words to mean that anything given by Ikhwan should be accepted by him on behalf of Mohd Isa. It said the Court of Appeal made a contrary finding that the statement could not, in a literal sense, be interpreted as a specific request or directive to Muhammad Zahid to solicit a bribe from Ikhwan. The prosecution also argued that the Court of Appeal's findings of fact were inconsistent with the factual findings made by the High Court, which were based on evidence adduced through Muhammad Zahid and Ikhwan, both of whom were found to be credible witnesses. On March 6, 2024, a three-judge Court of Appeal panel led by Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, sitting with Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim and Datuk S M Komathy Suppiah, unanimously overturned Mohd Isa's conviction and sentence. In his judgment, Vazeer Alam said there was no credible evidence to prove the existence of a code word "salam" (allegedly linked to the corruption charges) between Mohd Isa and his former special officer, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip. In 2018, Mohd Isa, now 75, was charged with nine counts of accepting bribes totalling RM3,090,000 from Ikhwan, then a director of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd (GAPSB), through Muhammad Zahid, as a reward for helping to approve the purchase of the hotel by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB) for RM160 million. The offences were allegedly committed on the 49th floor of Menara Felda, Persiaran KLCC, between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015. The charges were framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
