Latest news with #CommunityDevelopmentandPeople'sWellbeing
The Star
6 days ago
- General
- The Star
Mobile community services bring much-needed government aid to Paitan, Sabah
James Ratib (right) speaking with government agency representatives at the MCS booth in Paitan. Norali (left) looks on. SANDAKAN: A rural outreach programme led by the Sabah Federal Treasury has proven to be a lifeline for remote communities in Paitan, one of the state's most remote and rural areas. Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said the Mobile Community Services (MCS) programme allowed direct access to federal and state government services in places previously beyond reach. 'Many residents here still struggle to access basic public services. This programme helps bridge that gap,' he said after launching the programme at the Paitan district office on Sunday (May 25). Located in the northeastern part of Sabah, Paitan has an estimated population of around 29,100 residents. It was officially upgraded to a full district on August 1, 2024, becoming Sabah's 29th and youngest district, a move aimed at improving administrative efficiency and bringing government services closer to its remote communities. However, the district still lacks many basic government facilities, such as a dental clinic and other permanent public service offices. The MCS programme featured service counters by 36 federal and state agencies, including the Health Ministry and the Agriculture Department. 'These kinds of programmes must be held more frequently in my area. This is a vast and isolated part of Sabah. Programmes like MCS deliver services swiftly and directly to the people,' he said. James also noted the significance of MCS in identifying gaps in permanent agency presence in the district. 'Now that Paitan is a full district, this is a good start. I was pleased to hear that a District Education Officer will soon be stationed here permanently. I hope other departments will follow suit, so that agencies no longer operate here on a temporary basis,' he said. Paitan district officer Joe Joloning Majambu echoed this sentiment, describing the MCS event as 'historic' for the district. 'This is the first time MCS is being held in Paitan and it has clearly benefited not just local residents but also those coming from outlying areas and islands. I am truly grateful to the Sabah Federal Treasury, especially Tuan Awang Norali, for their commitment in bringing this programme to us,' he said. Federal Financial Officer Norali @ Ag Norali Ag Damit said the programme was among the key rural-focused initiatives funded under Budget 2025. 'Altogether, we will be reaching 12 locations in Sabah this year. The main goal is to serve interior communities facing accessibility issues in obtaining government services,' he said. Norali said the next MCS events will be held in Kota Marudu – at Kampung Gana on June 18 and Magandai on June 21 – followed by a programme at Pulau Jambongan in Paitan on June 29.
Daily Express
24-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
MCS brings govt services closer to rural Paitan
Published on: Saturday, May 24, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 24, 2025 By: Mardinah Jikur Text Size: James (centre), Ag Norali (right), and Joe Joloning (left) at the press conference. PAITAN: The Mobile Community Services (MCS) programme led by the Sabah Treasury is proving effective in rural outreach, providing direct access to various government agencies, said Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib. Speaking at the MCS event at the Paitan District Office on Saturday, James said the initiative helps identify departments not yet permanently stationed in Paitan, which was recently declared a full district. He welcomed news that a District Education Officer will be permanently placed in Paitan, easing residents' administrative processes. Also present were Paitan District Officer Joe Joloning Majambu and Federal Financial Officer Norali @ Ag Norali Ag Damit. Norali noted that 36 agencies participated in the Paitan MCS, with upcoming programmes scheduled in Kota Marudu (June 18 and 21) and Pulau Jambongan, part of 12 MCS locations across Sabah. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
CM calls on Sabah youths to drive state's progress
Published on: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Apr 30, 2025 Text Size: James and others at the event. KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said youths play a vital role in driving Sabah's progress to be on par with other Malaysian states. He said the State is on the brink of major transformation, with the government working hard to boost its economy, social well-being, education, and infrastructure. He urged young people to contribute their energy, ideas, and spirit towards the Sabah Maju Jaya vision and to fully support the government's development agenda. Hajiji expressed confidence that Sabah's youth are future leaders who are not only intelligent but also of strong character and integrity, during the state-level 2025 Anti-Drug Day celebration at UiTM Sabah on Wednesday. His speech, delivered by Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, also stressed the government's focus on human capital development and education support under the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan 1.0. * 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
- Health
- Daily Express
X-ray room, ambulance boat for Pulau Banggi folks
Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 By: Patimang Abdul Ghani Text Size: James receiving a memento from Ben. KUDAT: The Karakit Health Clinic on Pulau Banggi near here will be equipped with an X-ray room and an ambulance boat to transport patients from the island to Bandar Kudat. Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, said RM1 million has been allocated to establish the X-ray room at the clinic, while RM700,000 will be used to provide an ambulance boat. Both facilities are important to ensure the health and well-being of the people on Pulau Banggi, he said. Last year, RM700,000 was allocated to upgrade the Karakit Health Clinic. 'No more dilapidated clinics by 2026, all dilapidated clinics will be upgraded and if we look today, most of the old wooden clinics have a new appearance, having been converted to concrete,' he said. Additionally, he said the government has ordered eight dialysis machines to be placed at Kudat Hospital to ensure the facility is always sufficient and ready for use whenever needed. 'Kidney patients are increasing day by day, not only in Kudat but throughout Sabah, yet the machines in these hospitals are ageing. There is a need to replenish them.' James said this when met by reporters after officiating the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Tanjong Kapor Division Aidilfitri Open House, here, last Saturday. Also present were Banggi Assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Mohamarin and Tanjong Kapor Assemblyman Datuk Ben Chong. Meanwhile, James commended Ben's leadership, which shows concern for the people regardless of race, religion or age, ensuring they receive appropriate attention and assistance. 'Here in Kudat, we can see the closeness among the Chinese, Malay, Kadazan-Dusun-Murut-Rungus and other communities, especially during celebrations like this, which foster unity, particularly in Tanjong Kapor. 'I am confident that this unity can be further strengthened and our bonds can grow closer under the leadership of Ben, who is undoubtedly well-known to the people in this area,' said James. * 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
Borneo Post
28-04-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Urban clinics also need urgent upgrades, not just rural facilities
James (seated right) with the ministry's officers during the Hari Raya open house on Monday. KOTA KINABALU (Apr 28): Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib has stressed that the Federal Government must prioritize upgrading infrastructure in government health clinics located in urban areas, not just in rural regions. Speaking at his ministry's Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House here on Monday, James acknowledged that facilities in both rural and urban clinics were facing significant issues. 'We are fully aware that the facilities are lacking not only in rural areas but also in urban areas,' he said. He noted that upon his appointment as Health Exco in Sabah, the very first issue he raised at the Health Exco meeting in Putrajaya was the poor condition of many government clinics across the state. 'I highlighted during the meeting that the Malaysian Ministry of Health Training Institute (ILKTM), which was taken over by the Federal Ministry of Health in 2015, had not been properly upgraded. Their mattresses and pillows, for instance, had not been replaced for 20 years. I personally informed the minister and the director-general about this,' he said. 'Alhamdulillah, the minister and director-general responded immediately,' he added. James said the government has since been actively working to replace dilapidated wooden rural clinics with new concrete structures, marking significant progress over the past two years. 'If we look across all districts, more than 100 clinics have been built throughout Sabah. This is part of the government's mission to ensure better healthcare infrastructure for the people,' he said. He emphasized that both the Sabah and Federal governments are committed to assessing the needs on the ground and making necessary upgrades, including providing clinics with reliable electricity, water, and solar energy supplies. 'This issue has been going on for a long time, but only now are we seeing real progress. Alhamdulillah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) has listened to our grievances,' he said. James also urged all heads of departments (HODs) to be proactive in identifying problems and reporting them promptly. 'I have warned all directors and HODs, go down to the ground. Inform the minister … Tell the minister what the problems are so that we can solve them,' he said. Addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals, James admitted that Sabah is facing a serious shortage of doctors, particularly specialists. However, he credited the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, for their ongoing efforts to tackle the problem. 'Please do not say that the ministers are not working. Our ministers are indeed working hard for the people,' he said. James's remarks come in response to recent comments by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Api-Api information chief Yee Tsai Yiew, who urged the Federal Government to address the poor conditions of government clinics in the city. Yee had highlighted that patients often face difficulties due to outdated and poorly maintained clinic facilities, including cramped waiting areas that force many to wait outside for treatment.
