Latest news with #Azizah
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
At least 15 dead in Malaysia bus accident
9 June 2025 09:57 Kuala Lumpur (AFP)At least 15 people were killed when a bus carrying university students smashed into a minivan in northern Malaysia early on Monday, local rescue services victims died at the scene near the town of Gerik, on the busy East-West Highway close to the Thailand border, while two died in hospital. Thirty-three others were injured, including seven whose condition was critical, rescue services said in a revised statement."The bus overturned and the minivan slid into a ditch," the Perak state disaster management authority said. "Some victims managed to get out on their own, some victims were thrown out while others were still (trapped) in the bus," the authority bus was carrying students from the Sultan Idris Education University, north of Kuala Lumpur, when it collided with the minivan at around 1:00 am on Monday (1700 GMT on Sunday).Rescue services said a hydraulic cutter was needed to free six of the victims in the bus."Four had died and two others were seriously injured," the rescue services said. Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered the Southeast Asian nation's Higher Education Ministry to help the victim's said in a Facebook post he and his wife Azizah were "deeply saddened" by the tragedy."Heartbreaking disasters like these that are repeated often should be a lesson to all to be careful and not to rush to pursue the destination," Anwar said. "Your lives are too precious and can't be replaced," he added.
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
RM10 million for young women entrepreneurs
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 By: Marutin Ansiung Text Size: Azizah said through the Dayang programme, young women entrepreneur can apply for a minimum loan of RM10, 000 and a maximum of RM50, 000. Tenom: The Sabah Government has allocated RM10 million through a collaboration between the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah and the Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC) to empower young women entrepreneurs in the State. 'The fund is channelled through loans to young women entrepreneurs to help them expand their businesses,' said IDS Director Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun Banir. She said the loan funding is implemented under the Young Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Programme (Dayang) introduced by IDS and SCC which has been mandated by the Sabah Government to manage the initiative. 'This is an initiative by the Sabah Government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to support young women entrepreneurs involved in various business sectors,' she told the media after officiating the Empowering Young Women Entrepreneurs: Women's Power, Economic Power programme organised by IDS and SCC in collaboration with the Tenom District Office at the Dewan Datuk Seri Panglima Antenom, here, Wednesday. Azizah said through the Dayang programme, young women entrepreneur can apply for a minimum loan of RM10, 000 and a maximum of RM50, 000. She added that with this loan funding, they can expand their businesses while improving the quality of their products. 'We are confident that the products of our young women entrepreneurs can penetrate the international market if they continue to receive support. In fact, some products from young women entrepreneurs have already entered the global market,' she said, referring to entrepreneur Emily Jeneble, a handicraft entrepreneur from Kampung Batu Lunguyan in Sook, renowned for her expertise in bamboo weaving. Azizah said Emily not only produces bamboo-woven products such as handbags and souvenirs but has also successfully assisted over 300 women beneficiaries in her village and surrounding areas. 'Her efforts have helped generate sustainable income for rural women in Sabah. I understand that the annual sales from the Kampung Batu Lunguyan community exceed RM500, 000 per year, a very impressive figure,' she added. Earlier in her speech, Azizah said the programme helps realise the initiatives outlined in the Sabah Budget 2025. She said in the budget, the government announced financial incentives and capital assistance specifically for young women entrepreneurs through the Empowering Young Women Entrepreneurs Programme. 'Among the objectives of this programme is to assist young women in venturing into business, particularly in overcoming capital constraints. This is because the government recognises and respects the role of young women as agents of change in Sabah's socio-economic landscape,' she said. In this regard, she said IDS and SCC have been mandated by the government to manage this programme by introducing the Dayang loan scheme. 'The combination of expertise between a research body and a financial institution will ensure more efficient program implementation, focusing on the impact on young women entrepreneurs. This is the first collaboration of its kind and IDS hopes it will continue to help the Sabah Government enhance various entrepreneurial programs in the State,' she said. She said that after being launched by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun on Feb 27, 2025, at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu, the Young Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Tour Series 1 was held in Beaufort and Ranau. At the same time, Azizah encouraged young women entrepreneurs to make the most of the opportunities provided. 'You may be eligible for this loan to start a new business or expand an existing one,' she said. She also urged young women entrepreneurs in the district to view entrepreneurship not just as a means of livelihood but as a platform to empower communities, preserve heritage and build a brighter future. Present were SCC Deputy Chairman Datuk Surinam Sadikun, IDS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul, SCC Chief Executive Officer Datuk George Taitim Tulas and Melalap Community Development Leader Simon Mamat, among others. Some 300 women took part in the programme. * 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
Daily Express
23-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Research on a forgotten Sabah female warrior
Published on: Friday, May 23, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 23, 2025 By: Ahmad Apong Text Size: Azizah and some local leaders. BEAUFORT: A long-forgotten female warrior of Sabah's past is finally being brought into the spotlight, following the launch of a historical study titled 'Srikandi Dang Insum: Women's Heroism in the History of Sabah'. The study, initiated by the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah, was officiated by IDS Chairperson Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun, here, on Wednesday. Azizah said the research aims to document the legacy of Dang Insum, a lesser-known yet symbolically powerful female figure remembered for her courage, wisdom and leadership. 'This study is not merely an effort to revisit the past. It is about restoring the voices and roles of women in the narrative of Sabah's development, defence and civilisation,' she said during the launch. She described Dang Insum as a woman of strength and integrity, whose contributions have long been overlooked in mainstream historical records dominated by male figures. Highlighting the presence of a memorial monument dedicated to Dang Insum in Kampung Padas Damit, Azizah called for the site to be recognised as a heritage attraction and developed into a historical and cultural tourism destination. Advertisement 'The monument is more than just a marker of remembrance. It has the potential to become a significant heritage site which is similar to the Mahsuri Mausoleum in Langkawi,' she said. She urged relevant government bodies including the District Office, Sabah Museum, State Archives and the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to support efforts in preserving and promoting the site. Azizah highlighted the importance of incorporating digital innovation in heritage preservation. She proposed developing interactive digital content based on the findings of the study, such as virtual exhibitions, QR codes embedded with historical information, digital storytelling platforms and on-site interpretive panels and community-based educational activities. 'We hope the monument can be transformed into a meaningful educational tourism site with a complete with interpretive boards, a small gallery, and community engagement, so that the story of Dang Insum lives on in the hearts of Sabahans,' she said. She believes this project can help grow the local economy by attracting tourists from within the country who appreciate history and culture. She also urged that the Dang Insum monument in Kota Makarang be officially declared a Historical Heritage Site, emphasising that this recognition could create new tourism opportunities and support local businesses. 'I encourage the Beaufort District Office and Sabah Museum to act quickly to get this heritage status approved, so our plans and hopes can come true,' she said. The study is expected to culminate in the publication of a book chronicling the life and contributions of Dang Insum, which could serve as a reference for academics, educators and the public. Azizah hopes that the project would spark broader efforts to highlight the stories of other women who played significant roles in shaping Sabah's past. 'These women were not mere bystanders in history, but they were pillars of strength in our society. Their stories deserve to be told,' she said. She also extended gratitude to the team of researchers involved in the project and appealed to all stakeholders for their continued support in completing and publishing the study. Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ruslan Muharam, GRS Women's Coordinator for Zone 3 Datuk Surinam Sadikun, Sabah Museum Director Arif Abd Hamid and District Officer Mohd Nazri Ajun. * 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
Daily Express
06-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Dayang: New initiative to empower young women traders
Published on: Tuesday, May 06, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 06, 2025 By: Ahmad Apong Text Size: Azizah visiting one of the booths at the event. BEAUFORT: The Sabah Government launched a new initiative aimed at empowering young women entrepreneurs across the State, offering financial assistance and business support to help overcome capital constraints. The programme, known as Daya Upaya Peluang Usahanita (Dayang), was highlighted during the closing ceremony of the Young Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Programme held at Dewan Pa Musa last Saturday. The event was organised in collaboration between the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah and Sabah Credit Corporation, with support from the Beaufort, Sipitang, Kuala Penyu and Membakut district offices. The closing ceremony was officiated by IDS Chairperson Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun who said these four districts were chosen as the first destinations for the roadshow series to promote the fund to target groups. 'I sincerely hope that many young women entrepreneurs from these four districts will take advantage of the facilities offered to elevate their businesses to higher, more advance and profitable levels,' she said. The initiative was first announced during the Sabah State Budget 2025 tabled on November 15, 2024, as a specific financial incentive and capital assistance programme for young women entrepreneurs. 'This programme represents one of the government's efforts to help overcome the main obstacle facing young women in business, namely, capital constraints,' Azizah said. She said the collaboration between IDS' research expertise and the Sabah Credit Corporation would ensure more efficient programme implementation focused on making a meaningful impact on young women entrepreneurs. 'This type of cooperation is being conducted for the first time and IDS hopes this collaboration will continue to help the State Government enhance various entrepreneurship programs in Sabah,' she added. Azizah noted that Sabah has Malaysia's highest rural population, exceeding 60 per cent, which influences the economic ownership gap between urban and rural areas. 'Economic and entrepreneurial opportunities, especially in business, are more numerous, larger and more accessible in urban areas. While, the size of the economy and entrepreneurship in rural areas remains smaller for now,' she said. The Dayang programme aims to address this imbalance by strengthening rural economies through women's participation. 'Global observations show that women are important agents of social transformation through economic participation, ownership and mastery,' Azizah said, quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan 'When women thrive, all of society benefits and succeeding generations are given a better start in life.' The Dayang programme not only provides financial loans to start or expand existing businesses but also offers a continuous support ecosystem in all 30 districts of Sabah where these entrepreneurs operate. 'The support provided by IDS is based on a mentor-mentee concept,' Azizah said. 'Support elements include building capacity and skills over time and facilitating market access. Most importantly, we also help them create social capital through networking with other grassroots entrepreneurs in their respective localities,' she added. She encouraged young women entrepreneurs from Beaufort, Sipitang, Membakut and Kuala Penyu to make the best use of this opportunity to start, expand and advance their businesses, noting that business expansion can create downstream businesses and, more importantly, employment opportunities for local residents. 'I pray that we will achieve much success through this effort,' she said. The event also included a Raya celebration as it took place during the month of Syawal, providing an opportunity for attendees to strengthen relationships while enjoying prepared refreshments. * 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
Daily Express
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
IDS study nears completion, cites middlemen, poor access as key poverty factors in Sabah
Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Azizah speaking to reporters at the open house KOTA KINABALU: The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah is close to completing its major study on poverty eradication, which has identified middlemen practices and poor accessibility as key factors trapping communities in poverty, said its Chairwoman, Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun. Speaking during the 2025 Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering organized jointly by IDS, the Meteorological Department, and the Environmental Protection Department of Sabah, Azizah revealed that nearly 50 percent of the study's projects in eight districts have already been completed, with full completion targeted within this year. The study covers various aspects including economy, health, education, environment, and empowerment of women and rural entrepreneurs. 'Preliminary findings show that rural fishermen, for example, often sell their catch to middlemen, who then reap larger profits. This practice leaves the fishermen with minimal income and little opportunity to improve their livelihoods. "This situation must be seriously addressed. We need to ensure that the benefits of their hard work are not siphoned off by intermediaries but are enjoyed directly by the communities themselves," she said. The study also highlights the critical issue of accessibility where remote villages, such as those in Kota Marudu and Ranau, face significant challenges in transporting their products to markets due to distance and poor infrastructure. 'As a result, many communities, despite being rich in natural resources, are unable to convert their assets into economic gains. 'IDS is working closely with state agencies to propose solutions that will enhance infrastructure, encourage local downstream industries, and empower small entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths, through initiatives like the Dayang program in collaboration with Sabah Credit Corporation. "By strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship, we aim to lift communities out of poverty and break the cycle of economic hardship that has persisted for generations," she added. As it is known, education access is another pressing issue identified in the study. Many children in rural areas are unable to pursue schooling consistently due to poverty and the long distances to educational institutions, further perpetuating the poverty cycle. Azizah expressed confidence that with sustained commitment, the ongoing projects and findings from the IDS study will help shape effective poverty eradication strategies for Sabah's rural communities. * 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
