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Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabahans ‘numb' over delays in infrastructure projects, says Warisan MP
Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis criticised contractors and lobbyists for contributing to the chronic delays in completing infrastructure projects in Sabah. KUALA LUMPUR : Sabahans have become desensitised to infrastructure delays after years of seeing numerous projects stalled or left incomplete, a Warisan MP said today. Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Warisan-Kota Belud) criticised contractors and lobbyists for contributing to the chronic delays, stating that many aggressively lobbied for projects they were not capable of executing. 'My message to the contractors and lobbyists is, if you want to submit tenders, be honest about your capacity. 'If you think you can't handle the project, don't lobby for it. Do not create more problems for others,' she said when debating the 2025 Auditor-General's Report Series 2 in the Dewan Rakyat. Last month, Sabah works minister Shahelmey Yahya said physical progress on Package 20 of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah remained low at just 1.6% despite letters of acceptance having been issued eight months ago. In a Bernama report, Shahelmy, who is also the state's deputy chief minister III, attributed the delay to ongoing land and property assessment processes. Isnaraissah also raised concerns over the multiple layers of subcontracting in federal infrastructure projects, saying the system left no actual 'doers' on the ground in Sabah. 'The ones awarded the project hire subcontractors, who in turn hire other subcontractors. In the end, no one takes responsibility and the work doesn't get done,' she said. She questioned the works ministry's decision to use the selected pre-qualified open tender procurement system for Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway project, an issue which was also flagged in the Auditor-General's Report Series 2. The report, tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, said open tenders were more suitable to ensure accountability and transparency in the procurement process.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Fahmi: GRS-Pakatan talks ‘healthy and productive', unity key to stability in Sabah
PAPAR, July 23 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said seat negotiations between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and PH ahead of the upcoming state election are progressing smoothly, with both coalitions aligned in their goal of ensuring continued political stability. Without going into detail, Fahmi described the ongoing talks between the federal coalition and Sabah's ruling bloc as 'very healthy and productive.' 'We all want political stability in Sabah, and I believe that is also the desire of both the prime minister and the chief minister,' he said, referring to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor respectively. Amanah vice-president Datuk Dzulkefly Ahmad added that unity remains the cornerstone of the coalition's strategy — not just for federal polls, but also at the state level. 'I'm one of those who firmly believe that the winning strategy is on our side. 'If we maintain unity, we can sustain political stability, ensure growth and prosperity, and respond to the people's demand for good governance,' he said. The GRS-led Sabah government under Hajiji has consistently expressed its preference to continue working with its national partners in PH, rather than contesting independently, citing political stability as a key factor. Hajiji has said the two coalitions will soon formalise their pact and announce the outcome of seat negotiations. Fahmi added that both sides recognise Sabahans' desire for continuity and progress, not political upheaval. 'The rakyat want stability, they want development, they want prosperity. That's why staying the course with a unity strategy is the best way to win — even in Sabah,' said Dzulkefly.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Awang Tengah shoots down factional feud claims
Sarawak deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the unfounded claims have sparked suspicion among certain quarters, painting him as someone who is 'power crazy'. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sarawak deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hassan has shot down allegations of a brewing silent rivalry between those aligned with him and supporters of premier Abang Johari Openg. He dismissed the notion of a power struggle, insisting that the allegations were unfounded, The Borneo Post reported. He also disputed FMT's report which stated that the rivalry between the factions aligned with each leader had been intensifying ahead of a potential showdown that could determine the state's future direction. Awang Tengah, who is the state international trade and investment minister, also challenged the source cited in the report. 'It's nothing more than rubbish. 'I am not one to pretend. My support for Abang Johari's leadership is undivided,' he told reporters after chairing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu's Bukit Sari branch committee meeting in Lawas last night. His dismissal of the claims comes a day after Abang Johari said the 'baseless' allegations were driven by jealousy over Sarawak's rapidly growing economy. Awang Tengah said the unfounded claims have, to some extent, sparked suspicion among certain quarters, painting him as someone who is 'power crazy'. 'I believe in what was instilled in me, which is the spirit of teamwork, loyalty to leadership and prioritising the party over any form of factionalism. 'I hold firmly to these principles,' he said. On Thursday, FMT cited a source as saying the rivalry between the factions aligned with each leader could trigger intensive political manoeuvring in the months ahead, with the next state election slated for 2026. Abang Johari commands strong support among rural voters and delegates from PBB, which he leads, according to the source. He also has the support of the state's civil service, having aggressively pursued infrastructure development, digital economy initiatives and autonomy over state revenue, which flows through the government machinery. Awang Tengah, who is a PBB deputy president, is seen by some as a charismatic leader, with the source saying that he also commands significant grassroots support and is an efficient administrator of state development projects. PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had dismissed talk of a power struggle, saying PBB's top two leaders were not in competition with each other.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
What ‘unity govt' when DAP always attacking us, says GPS man
Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang said Sarawak DAP has been relentlessly on the offensive against the GPS state administration. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A Sarawak assemblyman has questioned the sincerity of the 'unity' in the Madani government, citing the state DAP chapter's repeated attacks of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition. Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang said the apparent unity in the federal level contradicted the reality in Sarawak, where DAP has been relentlessly on the offensive against the GPS state administration. He cited Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's remarks at the recent retreat involving the government's 143 MPs, where the Pakatan Harapan chairman said the unity of the federal government was intact. '(Anwar) even thanked Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and GPS chief whip Fadillah Yusof for their unwavering spirit of unity,' Lo said, according to Dayak Daily. 'But we must ask, what unity is Anwar referring to when Sarawak DAP continues its sustained attacks on GPS?' Lo pointed out that DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook and adviser Lim Guan Eng had apologised to GPS over past statements by DAP leaders that offended the Sarawak government and people. The Sarawak United Peoples' Party deputy secretary-general said these apologies, made prior to the unity government's formation, were quickly discredited by Sarawak DAP's actions. 'Since then, Sarawak DAP has done nothing but oppose GPS at every turn, questioning our policies, casting doubt on our initiatives and repeatedly undermining Sarawak's leadership. 'That is not sincerity; that is political theatrics staged for public relations, not rooted in principles.'
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Miri bridge will help city become San Francisco of Sarawak, says premier
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg (left) and other state leaders at the groundbreaking ceremony. (UKAS pic) PETALING JAYA : The RM450 million Miri Marina bridge will help turn the city into the San Francisco of Sarawak, says Abang Johari Openg. The Sarawak premier said the two-lane cable-stayed bridge would not only offer scenic views of the South China Sea but would reduce travel time between Pulau Melayu and the Marina to five minutes from the current half an hour. 'This landscape upgrade in Miri, with its iconic facilities and connectivity infrastructure, aligns with the city's image as the resort city of northern Sarawak, putting it on par with other tourist destinations,' Abang Johari was quoted as saying by the Borneo Post. He said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre. The construction of the 650-metre bridge, styled after the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. It will take four years to complete. Separately, the Dayak Daily quoted Abang Johari as saying that the project is expected to boost tourism and the local economy as well as resolve congestion issues.
