Latest news with #AbangJo
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Asking nicely will take you far, PM reminds state leaders
KOTA KINABALU: Harsh words and raised voices will not benefit anyone when making requests from the Federal Government, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said that when fighting for state rights or asking for allocations, those who choose to work with Putrajaya and discuss matters calmly can achieve much. 'For example, in the PETRONAS and Petros Sarawak issue, we discussed things properly with Abang Jo (Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg) and came to a solution,' he said at the Sabah-level Kaamatan celebration in Penampang on Friday (May 30). He said this was also the same on the international stage, where Malaysia aims to be friends with as many nations as possible for mutual benefit. ALSO READ: Govt listens to states' needs in setting 13MP priorities, says PM He said the Federal Government has no intention of stopping any state from acting in its own interests, and has no issue giving Sabah and Sarawak more in terms of revenue, including for oil and gas. 'However, we should discuss it and have close working relations rather than try to win an argument by shouting or cursing here and there," he added. Earlier, Anwar said the government would always listen to views and requests from states, be it for infrastructure or socio-economic development. He pointed out that close ties between Sabah and Putrajaya would bring more benefits than difficulties. 'This is not about (the upcoming state) election but about our shared responsibility and to protect our harmony. State-federal relations must be maintained,' he added.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Abang Jo's 'involvement' in UMS water woes a wake-up call for GRS, says Sabah Umno
KOTA KINABALU: The Sarawak Premier getting pulled into the water crisis at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is an embarrassing reflection of the Sabah government's failure to address basic infrastructure issues, says Sabah Umno. Its strategic communications director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman said it was a 'tamparan besar' (major blow) to the credibility of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration even if Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had only unofficially raised the issue with the Higher Education Ministry. ALSO READ: Abang Jo to raise UMS water supply issues with Higher Edu Ministry 'This issue clearly falls under the Sabah government. Yet it is the Sarawak Premier who is helping to voice out the concerns of Sabahans, including students from Sarawak,' Rosman said in a statement on Wednesday (May 28). Earlier, the Sarawak Premier's Office issued a statement confirming that Abang Johari would bring the matter to the attention of Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, despite the issue falling outside his jurisdiction. The move came after a viral open letter from Muhammad Rasul Rozmiezan, 21, a second-year sociology student at UMS from Kuching, who wrote to Abang Johari seeking help over the prolonged water supply problems. ALSO READ: Sarawak student appeals to Abang Jo over Sabah varsity's water woes Rosman said the situation was at the point where students at Sabah's premier university were struggling not to pursue academic excellence, but just to get clean water. He added that the state government's repeated statements and temporary responses failed to offer a strategic, long-term solution. 'What has the Sabah government done beyond issuing statements? The students are still suffering, and there's been no effective action,' he said. ALSO READ: UMS water supply issue to be resolved Rosman stressed that the water supply issue in Sabah is not new, and long-standing concerns have been left unresolved for years. 'The failure to ensure water access even for a key institution like UMS shows how little has been done to address the people's most basic needs,' he said. He added that the intervention by a leader from another state should serve as a wake-up call to the Sabah government. 'If Sabah leaders continue to fail their people, don't be surprised when leaders from other states step up to become the voice of Sabahans,' he said.
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Abang Jo: Push for oil and gas rights will not harm Petronas
Slug: izclaims HL: Abang Jo: Push for oil and gas rights will not harm Petronas By Mohd Roji Kawi KUCHING: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg has dismissed claims that the state's efforts to assert its rights over oil and gas management would "kill" Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas). He said the state government is committed to establishing strong cooperation with Petronas, emphasising that collaboration between the national oil company and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) would benefit both Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole. "I thank the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for his understanding. That is why he approved Petros as the gas aggregator for Sarawak. "He understands Sarawak's struggle to reclaim its rights as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). "I extend my gratitude to him, and we will continue to manage our resources fairly. This is not about 'killing' Petronas," he said during the launch of the Pasi Road to Sibu-Tanjung Manis and the Batang Rajang Bridge in Sarikei today. Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, and Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment Deputy Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh. The 1.44km bridge, valued at RM321 million, is a key component in the state government's efforts to enhance connectivity in central Sarawak. It also reduces the distance between Sarikei and Tanjung Manis from 122km to just 53km, cutting travel time from two hours and 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Abang Johari further stated that Sarawak's efforts to assert its rights are firmly grounded in the Federal Constitution and MA63. "The Federal Constitution takes precedence over the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974. Therefore, those who criticise Sarawak's struggle clearly do not understand the Federal Constitution and MA63. "As long as our struggle is based on the law, the Sarawak Government will continue to defend its rights," he added.
