Latest news with #12thMalaysiaPlan
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Melaka receives RM940k for youth and sports facility upgrades
MELAKA: The federal government has approved RM940,000 for 18 minor projects under the Youth and Sports Ministry to upgrade sports facilities in Melaka this year. State Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman V.P. Shanmugam said the projects were part of 133 applications submitted by the state government. 'The allocation will be distributed to District and Land Offices as well as local authorities, which own the approved sports facility sites,' he said during the Melaka State Legislative Assembly sitting at Seri Negeri. Shanmugam urged cooperation between authorities and the Melaka Youth and Sports Department to ensure timely fund disbursement for repairs and upgrades. He was responding to a question from Datuk Zahari Abd Kalil (BN–Durian Tunggal) on maintenance timelines for public sports facilities like futsal courts and fields. Additionally, Shanmugam highlighted major projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan, including synthetic pitch upgrades at the Melaka Youth and Sports Complex, improvements to the Krubong Community Sports Complex, and hockey field upgrades at Bukit Serindit Hockey Stadium. Other approved projects include the Melaka Sports Council Badminton Hall upgrade, facility improvements at the Sailing Training Centre in Kuala Sungai Baru, and a Mini Sports Complex construction in Bemban, Jasin. - Bernama
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Overhaul pipelines to resolve Sabah's water woes - expert
Amarjit Singh KOTA KINABALU (July 21): Sabah's chronic water supply problems are unlikely to be resolved unless the state urgently replaces its ageing pipeline network, despite millions being spent on new treatment plants, says a water expert. Former Sabah Water Department director Datuk Amarjit Singh warned that the core issue lies not in production capacity, but in the state's deteriorating water distribution system. Most of Sabah's pipelines, many made of asbestos cement and decades old, can no longer handle the increased volumes produced by upgraded treatment facilities. 'The problem will remain as long as the pipes are not replaced to match the upgraded plant capacity,' he said in a statement today. 'You can treat five million litres a day, but if the pipes can't deliver it, people still won't get water.' Amarjit, a water engineer by training, was responding to Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya's remarks regarding continued supply disruptions in Putatan and Kota Kinabalu, even though the new Kasigui treatment plant in Penampang is already producing treated water. Shahelmey recently expressed frustration over the issue, noting that the plant, which has a capacity of five million litres per day, is only producing three to four million litres due to distribution limitations. Amarjit also referred to Shahelmey's statement in the Sabah Legislative Assembly last week that approximately 1,200 kilometres of old pipelines would be replaced in phases. Contractors have been appointed since last year to repair damaged pipes in critical areas including Sandakan, Keningau and Kota Kinabalu. The replacement works are being carried out alongside major water supply initiatives under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan. These include 18 projects on the West Coast, 15 in the interior, 12 in Tawau, five in Sandakan and two in Kudat. In preparation for the 13th Malaysia Plan, the state is also conducting district-level water supply studies to support short-, medium- and long-term master plans. These will contribute to a broader state Water Grid strategy aimed at ensuring stable and sustainable access to treated water across Sabah. Additional proposals have been submitted to the federal Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation. They include resolving long-standing shortages in Tawau and Sandakan, reducing non-revenue water losses in Keningau and Beaufort, replacing ageing pipelines in urban and suburban areas, and constructing pre-sedimentation tanks at 22 treatment plants statewide. Three new rural water supply projects in Kinabatangan, Beluran and Pitas have also been approved under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. Shahelmey acknowledged legal and regulatory hurdles, noting that under the Water Supply Enactment 2003 (Amendment 2022), the Water Department (JANS) is only authorised to supply treated water to registered consumers. However, JANS is open to supporting other agencies undertaking alternative supply solutions. Amarjit stressed that unless there is a comprehensive and timely overhaul of the entire pipeline infrastructure, Sabah's water delivery problems — both in urban centres and rural communities — will continue. 'You can't push more water through brittle, undersized and leaking pipes and expect consistent supply,' he said. In September 2023, Putrajaya approved a RM300 million soft loan to Sabah for short-term water crisis fixes. An additional RM6 million has been allocated to address water supply issues at Universiti Malaysia Sabah — RM3 million from the Prime Minister, RM2 million from the Higher Education Minister, and RM1 million recently announced by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister. Between 2001 and 2014, the federal government spent RM11.115 billion on infrastructure in Sabah, including RM4 billion on water-related projects. Recently, former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee proposed that the Sabah Water Department be dissolved and replaced with a professional statutory body to manage the state's water supply.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Auditor-General uncovers serious irregularities in RM48.87 billion worth of projects
KUALA LUMPUR: The Auditor-General has flagged "serious irregularities" and "weaknesses" in projects and programmes costing RM48.87 billion involving seven ministries. In the Auditor-General's Report released today, a total of five audits involving seven ministries, with an overall cost of RM48.873 billion, were reported. The scope of the audits covered programmes, activities and projects implemented during the 11th and 12th Malaysia Plan periods. The report said serious irregularities were identified in three audits. The first was the compliance audit on oil palm plantation lease procurement by Felcra Berhad where it found governance weaknesses in the procurement of leases for one oil palm plantation in Sandakan, Sabah, and three oil palm plantations in Gua Musang, Kelantan, involving procurements totaling to RM241.76 million from 2022 to 2024. The second involved procurement of supplies, services and works at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), where serious irregularities and weaknesses were found in the tender procurement process. Three tenders amounting to RM58.45 million were involved where the Tender Procurement Committee had selected companies that were not recommended by the Technical Evaluation Committee, Financial Evaluation Committee and the Pre-Tender Committee. The third case related to the management of the army's armoured vehicles where the audit found weaknesses in contract administration and procurement management between 2020 and 2023. This included penalties amounting to RM162.75 million that were not collected from the company for delays in the supply of Gempita, and penalties of RM1.42 million that were not imposed for delays in maintenance services, repairs and supply of spare parts for armoured vehicles. The report also found that procurement of maintenance, repair, and spare parts worth RM107.54 million had been split into smaller contracts, which may have been an attempt to bypass procurement thresholds. Other weaknesses were identified in the implementation of programmes, activities and projects due to lack of monitoring and supervision by relevant parties, as well as weaknesses in policies and procedures. The audit found issues in the management of price control and the cooking oil subsidy programme. Introduced in 2007 by the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry under the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme (COSS), the programme initially had an approved quota of 85,405 metric tonnes per month. In 2016, its management was taken over by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), which reduced the quota to 60,000 metric tonnes per month. Although KPDN made efforts to continue reducing the quota of subsidised cooking oil supply, weaknesses persisted in implementation, monitoring and enforcement. Among the issues highlighted was the absence of allocation mechanisms to ensure that cooking oil reached targeted groups in need and eligible for assistance. The report said KPDN's efforts to reduce the quota since 2016 should continue, as this measure could have a positive impact in combating leakages through more targeted distribution, in line with audit recommendations. Another finding concerned compliance with the Selected Pre-Qualification Open Tender Procurement (Pre-Q), a method introduced by the Finance Ministry for all ministries and agencies through a directive for project procurement in 2023 and 2024. The audit revealed that the process allowed room for manipulation and lacked transparency in company selection. Some companies that did not meet the evaluation criteria at the first stage, or were not invited, were still shortlisted and evaluated in the second stage. In addition, the procurement process took longer than expected and exceeded the stipulated timeframe. The Auditor-General recommended that the Pre-Q method not be continued, stating that a standard open tender process is more suitable to ensure accountability and transparency.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Melaka inland port to enhance rail logistics, attract investors
MELAKA: The Melaka Inland Port development in Taboh Naning, Alor Gajah, is set to streamline rail logistics for investors, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. The 52.89-hectare project aims to facilitate trade in Melaka, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan. 'MCORP signed an agreement with DS Rail Mobility Sdn Bhd on June 13, 2025, to develop the project, with a gross development cost of RM230.8 million for Phase 1. This forms part of the larger MCORP Hi-Tech Park development, which covers 2,023 hectares,' he said during the Melaka legislative assembly sitting in Seri Negeri. The project, planned since November 2024, is undergoing documentation for approvals, including environmental impact assessments and local authority permits. Ab Rauf was responding to queries from Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin (BN–Taboh Naning) regarding the port's progress. The development incorporates green technology, low-carbon rail connectivity, and community empowerment, aligning with Melaka's sustainability goals. 'This reflects a commitment to responsible development that prioritises local community wellbeing and environmental protection,' he added. To support the inland port, the Works Ministry has approved a RM30 million road upgrade from Simpang Ampat toll roundabout to the AMJ highway under the 12th Malaysia Plan. The upgrade includes widening the road to a dual carriageway, slope reinforcement, and drainage construction. 'The project is in the final stages of detailed design, with land acquisition processes expected to be submitted to the Melaka Department of the Director General of Lands and Mines in early August 2025,' said Ab Rauf. Tenders will be advertised in mid-August 2025, with contractor appointments by December 2025. - Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Rumah Bakat MADANI: Malaysia's largest affordable housing project launched
BUTTERWORTH: The Rumah Bakat MADANI initiative, Malaysia's largest affordable housing project to date, symbolises the strong commitment and leadership of the Prime Minister in prioritising the wellbeing of the people and improving access to home ownership. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the project will deliver 37,368 housing units, with 6,368 units planned for Seberang Jaya and 31,000 in Batu Kawan. The project is being developed by SkyWorld as the implementing company. 'Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), the government set a target of delivering 500,000 affordable housing units by 2025. As of March 31, a total of 492,360 units have been provided, or 98.5 per cent of the target,' he said. 'Of that total, 179,769 units have been completed, 235,862 are under construction, while 76,729 are in the planning stage,' he added. He was speaking at the groundbreaking and launch ceremony of Rumah Bakat MADANI at Seberang Jaya, today. The event was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Nga said the Rumah Bakat MADANI project will consist of 900-square-foot freehold condominiums, priced between RM225,000 and RM420,000. Each unit will be equipped with modern facilities and access to shared amenities, including a swimming pool, gymnasium, sports courts, multipurpose hall, surau, kindergarten, food stalls, a children's playground, a Central Park and a Vertical School. As part of upcoming reforms under the RMK-13, Nga said the Housing and Local Government Ministry and SkyWorld have agreed to implement three key features, including a 10-year construction warranty covering water leakage and plumbing, a fixed maintenance fee of RM0.18 per square foot (equivalent to RM162 per month) and a targeted QLASSIC construction quality score of 85 per cent. Clubhouse facilities such as the gym, pool, and sports courts will operate on a pay-per-use basis, he added. He said the initiative is aimed at helping first-time homebuyers, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups, to secure quality housing at an affordable price. - Bernama
