Latest news with #ChiefMinister'sDepartment
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Joint federal-state committee set up to fast-track citizenship applications under Article 15A in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: A joint federal–state committee has been set up in Sabah to fast-track citizenship applications for stateless children and other eligible applicants under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution. The committee, co-chaired by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, held its first meeting here on Thursday (Aug 14). Under Article 15A, citizenship may be granted in special circumstances to children who are stateless, born out of wedlock, from care centres, or whose parents are non-citizens. Saifuddin said the new committee's main aim was to speed up decisions on such cases, which often take years to process. 'Today, we decided on 1,247 applications out of more than 2,000 received in Sabah between 2021 and 2024. This committee will help ensure cases are reviewed and decided more efficiently,' he told a press conference after the meeting. A similar committee already exists in Sarawak, where it has helped clear backlogs in citizenship cases. Saifuddin stressed that the committee's work is separate from other immigration matters, such as foreign worker registration or permanent residency applications. 'This is strictly about applications under Article 15A. Each case is carefully reviewed before a decision is made,' he said, adding that the exercise is currently under the Chief Minister's Department and discussions will continue on possible data-sharing and other next steps. 'If there is an application, this committee will consider it for citizenship, but applications must be made to the Home Ministry,' he added. Touching on Sabah's digital registration of foreign nationals, Saifuddin said 113,282 people, mostly from the plantation sector, have been registered under a centralised biometric system so far. 'Data collection currently focuses on the plantation sector, including employers and their dependents. This involves taking photographs, thumbprints and other details. The exercise will later expand to sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying,' he said. He added that the registration exercise is unrelated to citizenship, permanent residency, or naturalisation. 'It targets foreign nationals working in Sabah and aims to improve monitoring, tracking, and management in real time,' he explained. Asked when the exercise would be extended to other sectors, Saifuddin said: 'If you ask me, it should have been done last month. But I have asked the State Government to finalise a reasonable timeframe. I am optimistic this is the right direction.' During the meeting, Saifuddin said they also agreed to impose an enforcement moratorium for a 'reasonable period', to be set by the Sabah government, so that foreign nationals have time to register. 'On one side, the Sabah Government is collecting and digitalising data on foreign nationals for future monitoring. On the other, the Immigration Department also has an enforcement role, targeting those who misuse their passes, overstay, or enter illegally. 'To avoid a clash, where registration is happening on one side but enforcement is carried out on the other, we agreed to suspend enforcement temporarily. We need accurate and credible data to develop more comprehensive policies on the presence of foreign nationals in our country,' he said. Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the Bajau Laut community, mostly found off Sabah's south-eastern coast in Semporna, is not being left behind. Known as sea nomads, they are part of ongoing efforts to help them settle on land and find steady work. He said the Sabah Government, with federal support, has been moving members of this sea-faring community from boats and stilt houses to proper settlements on land, such as Pantai Manis in Semporna. They are also being offered work opportunities in places like Felda Sahabat in Lahad Datu plantations. 'It is far from the perception that this community is isolated or neglected. The truth is, efforts to bring them into the economy and daily life on land are already under way. Unfortunately, these efforts do not get enough media coverage, so many people do not know about them,' Saifuddin said. The Bajau Laut, who have long relied on fishing and lived mostly at sea, face challenges such as limited access to education, healthcare, and stable jobs. Current initiatives aim to address these gaps by providing housing on land and work training.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Mohd Fuad is first Sabahan to be the state's MACC director
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Penang director, Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah, is set to take over as Sabah MACC director, replacing Datuk Karunanithy Subbiah. Fuad, the first Sabahan to hold the post, is expected to take over in the first week of August, according to MACC officials, as congratulatory messages were shared on social media. Karunanithy, the longest-serving director at Sabah MACC, having held the position since March 2019, will be the commission's Penang director. Fuad had previously served in Sabah and was an integrity officer with the Chief Minister's Department in 2019. Most state MACC directors serve two to three years in each posting. A predecessor, Abdul Aziz Abdul Jalil, also served for about six years as the state director between 1970 and 1976, when the graft-buster was still the Anti-Corruption Agency. When contacted on Monday (July 14), Karunanithy confirmed that he will be transferred and expects the handing over of duties ceremony to be on Aug 7. "Many Sabahans will be happy and proud with Fuad's appointment as Sabah director," he said.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sabah election: Civil servants must maintain service delivery, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on civil servants in Sabah to maintain smooth administrative operations and public service delivery during the upcoming state election. He stressed the importance of professionalism, neutrality, and integrity among government personnel. 'The efficiency and transparency of civil servants during this challenging period reflect our commitment to upholding democratic governance and administrative stability,' Hajiji said in a statement following the Post-Cabinet Meeting at Menara Kinabalu. The 16th Sabah state assembly's term will automatically end on Nov 11, leading to the 17th Sabah State Election. Hajiji also directed department heads to ensure efficient operations to prevent delays, wastage, and loss of public trust. 'Civil servants must carry out their responsibilities with integrity, transparency and a strong sense of accountability. 'They must avoid any conflict of interest to ensure the state government's goals and objectives are successfully achieved,' he added. Meanwhile, four bills will be tabled in the upcoming two-day state assembly session starting next Monday. The Chief Minister's Department will introduce the Forest (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Climate and Carbon Governance Bill 2025, while the Ministry of Finance will present the State Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025.
Daily Express
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Paying their last respects
Published on: Monday, June 02, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 02, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji (second right) paying his last respects. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor joined family and friends on Sunday to pay his respects to late Rose Chin, the mother of Chris Maskilone, Senior Press Officer at the Chief Minister's Department. Rose passed away peacefully at her home in Kampung Likas on Saturday. She was 75. Chris was formerly the Daily Express Chief Reporter. Among those present at the funeral parlour were Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who was accompanied by his wife Datuk Lucy Irene Yong, who holds the position of media and communications director at the Sabah Chief Minister's office, Media Advisor Officer to the Chief Minister Alex Ong and Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association Chairman Jimmy Goh. * 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
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
5,000 youth entrepreneurs to benefit
Published on: Friday, May 30, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 30, 2025 By: Marutin Ansiung Text Size: Ghani (6th from right), Ikrar officials and local leaders pose for a photo with the young entrepreneurs. NABAWAN: The Chief Minister's Outreach Programme with non-governmental organisation (NGO) and young entrepreneurs is expected to benefit some 5,000 youth entrepreneurs by the end of June. Chief Minister's Department's Government and People Cooperation Institute (Ikrar) Director Azrul Ibrahim said since its launch in 2022, some 4,100 young entrepreneurs had received RM500 each in start-up capital to help kick-start or expand their small businesses. He said the programme was inspired by the Chief Minister's vision to ensure that the majority of young entrepreneurs operating small-scale businesses in rural and suburban areas receive support and assistance from the State Government. 'As of now 4,100 entrepreneurs, including in Nabawan, have received the aid, and we are targeting 5,000 recipients by the end of June,' he said when met during the Chief Minister's Outreach Programme with NGOs and Young Entrepreneurs at the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) on Monday. Also present were Nabawan Community Development Leader Deckson Andipai, Gagasan Rakyat Nabawan Youth Chief Ag Azuan Pg Hamzah and local community leaders. The programme was officiated by Nabawan Assemblyman Datuk Ghani Mohamad Yassin. Advertisement A total of 100 young entrepreneurs from the district received the aid during the event. Ghani, who is State Land Development Board (LKTNS) Chairman, hoped that such assistance would motivate young entrepreneurs in the area to become more creative and innovative in running their businesses. * 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
