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The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Amanah eyes three seats in Sabah polls
United front: Mohamad (seated, centre) with state and division leaders at the launch of Sabah's Amanah election machinery. KOTA KINABALU: Tanjung Aru, Lumadan and Sulabayan are three seats currently being eyed by Amanah in the upcoming Sabah election, says party president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. 'However, these are only our wishes and aspirations but whether we will get these seats is not confirmed and final yet,' he said, adding that the aim is to minimise clashes with Pakatan Harapan's electoral partners in Sabah. Amanah, DAP and PKR make up the Pakatan coalition, which has announced plans to work together with Sabah Barisan Nasional in the regional polls. It is learnt that so far, Amanah has been allocated two of the 73 seats up for grabs in the election, but Mohamad declined to reveal them. As for the Tanjung Aru and Sulabayan seats, they are currently held by Parti Warisan's Datuk Junz Wong and Datuk Jaujan Sambakong respectively. Lumadan is represented by Parti Bersatu Sabah's (PBS) Datuk Ruslan Muharam. Asked about whether it would be reckless for Amanah to contest in the Warisan stronghold of Sulabayan, Mohamad said: 'This is just our intention. It is not final yet and it does not mean that Amanah will definitely get this seat.' He added that discussions on seat allocations are still ongoing among Pakatan parties and between Pakatan and its Sabah allies. Mohamad, who is also Agriculture and Food Security Minister, was speaking to reporters after launching the party's election machinery here yesterday. Earlier during his speech, he criticised those playing up religious and ethnic sentiments for political gain. One of the false narratives being stirred up is that the Chinese community is trying to take over the country, he noted. 'We must stop it because if we don't step in now, it would not do good for the country,' said Mohamad. 'Look at the population statistics. The Chinese population is becoming smaller while the Malay population is growing. 'So, how is it possible that the Chinese will to take over this country?'
The Star
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
School land issue resolved at last
For a good cause: Dr Wee (front row, centre), Tebrau MCA division chief Ng Yew Aik (second from left), Wanita MCA chief Datuk Wong You Fong (far left) and other party leaders sounding the gong during the fundraising dinner organised by the Tebrau MCA division in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star Dr Wee praises Johor govt's efforts in ironing out seven-year delay JOHOR BARU: After about seven years of delay, the issue of land for the proposed SJKC Kuek Ho Yao here has been resolved with help from the Johor government, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. The MCA president said the groundbreaking ceremony of the school was held in March 2018 in the presence of then education minister Dr Maszlee Malik, who gave his assurance that the project would go on. However, the project had been put on hold since then due to various reasons, including land issues. 'Thanks to the constant efforts of the two Johor exco members Ling Tian Soon and Lee Ting Han in following up on the matter, the state government has decided to hand over the piece of land to the Federal Lands Commissioner (PTP), with the specific instruction that it is for the school's use. 'The approval by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has helped to resolve the technical issues regarding the land of the proposed school,' he told reporters after attending a fundraising dinner organised by the Tebrau MCA division here on Friday. Ling is Yong Peng assemblyman as well as Johor health and environment committee chairman while Lee, who is Paloh assemblyman, is also investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman. Dr Wee, who is Ayer Hitam MP, said over the years, about RM12mil in contributions have been collected for the development of SJKC Kuek Ho Yao, proposed to be built in Taman Seri Austin here. 'I would like to thank the state government and Onn Hafiz for helping to iron out the land issues,' he added. Ling said issues involving land matters were approved in a state executive council meeting last month. 'With support from the Mentri Besar, the piece of land has been specifically marked for SJKC Kuek Ho Yao and handed over to the PTP. 'The Mentri Besar has always been open to assisting matters related to the Chinese and Indian communities, especially when it comes to education, culture and religion,' he added. Dr Wee also said the proposed development of SJKC Sim Mow Yu in Pasir Gudang, which was also put on hold in 2018, needs to be expedited. The project was held back as it was said to be too close to the existing SJKC Ladang Grisek, which was originally relocated from Tangkak. Dr Wee said SJKC Ladang Grisek now has over 700 students and a long waiting list for enrolment, which means there is a need for another school owing to rapid development in the area. He urged the Education Ministry to work together with the relevant parties to find a formula to resolve the matter. 'Preparations should also be done for the much-awaited Chinese primary school SJKC Tun HS Lee, proposed for Ulu Tiram as the existing SJKC Tiram is also full with a long waiting list for enrolment. 'I remember years ago, parents even had to queue up in the wee hours of the morning for a chance to enrol their children in the school,' he added. It was reported that in 2017, the government approved the construction of 10 new Chinese primary schools in Johor and Selangor, including SJKC Kuek Ho Yao in Johor Baru; SJKC Sim Mow Yu in Pasir Gudang; SJKC Tun HS Lee in Bandar Cemerlang, Ulu Tiram; SJKC Tan Kah Kee in Iskandar Puteri; and SJKC Cheah Fah in Sunway Iskandar.
