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Daily Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
KDM eyes GRS stronghold in Ranau
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Nikko Fabian Text Size: Wetrom expressed confidence in winning Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus native seats, with plans to expand KDM's reach to other non-Muslim native constituencies. Kota Kinabalu: Social Democratic Prosperity Party (KDM) Deputy President Wetron Bahanda eyes Ranau as a target for electoral victory in the coming state election. 'KDM is preparing to challenge Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which holds a stronghold in the ethnic Dusun heartland, spanning the foothills of Mount Kinabalu in the Ranau district,' he said. He attributed this surge in support to KDM's promise of prosperity, predicting a strong showing in the coming elections. Wetrom expressed confidence in winning Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus native seats, with plans to expand KDM's reach to other non-Muslim native constituencies. 'The party has already nominated candidates for key seats - Datuk Rusdin Riman for Paginatan, Datuk Jeffry Mohd Ali for Kundasang and Datuk Karim Adam for Karanaan,' he stressed. He added these seats are currently held by prominent GRS and PBS figures - Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam (Kundasang), Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (Karanaan) and Datuk Abidin Madangkir (Paginatan). KDM's ambition reflects its growing influence in northern Sabah's Rungus community and its recent success in the Murut seat of Tenom. This aggressive strategy, despite the recent imprisonment of KDM President Datuk Peter Anthony, signals a determined bid to reshape Sabah's political landscape. * 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
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
KDM sets sights on GRS strongholds in Dusun heartland in Ranau
KOTA KINABALU: The Social Democratic Prosperity Party (KDM) is preparing to challenge Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which holds a stronghold in the ethnic Dusun heartland, spanning the foothills of Mount Kinabalu in the Ranau district. The native-based KDM deputy president, Datuk Wetrom Bahanda, said that Ranau could become their stronghold as the party was gaining an "extraordinary' response from the local community during their series of visits to polling districts. "Just like in other areas we have toured, support is increasing because the people are confident in the struggle that KDM is bringing to bring prosperity to the people. "Ranau will be a stronghold of KDM in the upcoming elections," he said when speaking at the launch of the election machinery for the Kundasang, Paginatan and Karanaan constituencies on Saturday (July 27). "I am confident that we will have a good chance to win in the Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus native seats," he said, adding that they were broadening KDM to include other non-Muslim native seats. Kundasang state seat is held by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, the Karanaan state seat is held by Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah deputy president cum GRS secretary general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and Paginatan is held by Sabah STAR vice president, Datuk Abidin Madangkir. Wetrom said the party has identified the former state finance ministry permanent secretary, Datuk Rusdin Riman, to contest for the Paginatan state seat. The party has previously suggested that a former bank officer, Datuk Jeffry Mohd Ali, would face Dr Gunsalam in Kundasang and a former assemblyman, Datuk Karim Adam, would contest against Masidi in Karanaan. KDM, led by President Datuk Peter Anthony who was recently imprisoned, has expanded its influence in northern Sabah's Rungus community and secured a foothold in the Murut seat in interior Tenom.
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
St Catherine Laboure Church in Putatan ready by end of 2026
Shahelmey visiting the St Catherine Laboure Church in Putatan. PUTATAN (July 25): The St Catherine Laboure Church in Putatan is expected to open its doors to parishioners by the end of 2026, marking a significant milestone in a decades-long journey of faith and perseverance. Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the main construction works are slated for completion by the end of 2026, allowing the church to begin operations, while other components will be completed in stages. Shahelmey, who visited the construction site today, expressed hope that the new church would ease the burden of Christians —especially Roman Catholics — who currently have to travel to Stella Maris Church in Tanjung Aru and other districts for worship. The St Catherine Laboure Church in Putatan. 'As an area with mixed communities, it is my responsibility to inspect the site as the Putatan MP. The works have been ongoing for some time, and we hope the construction can be completed as planned,' said Shahelmey, who is also the Works Minister and Tanjung Keramat assemblyman. His Grace Archbishop Datuk John Wong, present at the site for the blessing and project site handover ceremony to the appointed contractor Macromax Enterprise, said RM5.18 million is needed to complete the church. 'The Church hopes that generous donors will come forward to help make this dream a reality. We welcome support from all,' said the Archbishop, who was pleased with the strong turnout at the ceremony. He expressed optimism that work would commence immediately, and the building could be completed by next year. The contract sets a one-year construction period, with an allowable extension of five months. Father Peter Abas, the Steering Committee's Spiritual Director, shared three hopes: for progress on the project, for generous support from the faithful, and for unity within the community to see the church completed. 'We are praying and working together with the Archdiocese and the steering committee. Hopefully, one day, this church will stand as a place of worship for the people of Putatan,' he said. The history of the St Catherine Laboure Church in Kampung Imbaan dates back to 1885 when Fr. Alexander Prenger arrived from Labuan. Despite initial resistance due to local adherence to Momolianism, the community built a 'Mission Transit Home' that later served early missionaries. Fr. Rientjes, who took over in the early 1890s, planned to build a church but tragically drowned in 1891. In 1906, the first Dusun convert, Tuyoh (later baptised as Ethelwin), marked the beginning of local conversions. A school and mission church were established in 1926 by Fr. Wachter but halted after he went missing during the Japanese occupation. In the 1940s, a small church built by the Chinese Catholic community was destroyed during World War II and never rebuilt. From the 1960s, Putatan served as a temporary mass station with monthly masses held in private homes. Land acquisition challenges and funding issues delayed permanent church construction efforts until the 2000s. The current church project was revived thanks to a joint vision by the late Rev. Fr. Fundes Motiung, several prominent figures including Datuk Dr Marcus M. Mojigoh, Datuk Stephen L. Sondoh, and land donated by the late Catherine Moinin. Additional land was contributed by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and others. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 12 January 2013 with RM1.8 million in initial funding from the Federal and State governments and the public. However, construction faced multiple suspensions, including a complete halt during the Covid-19 pandemic until June 2025. Following reactivation by Archbishop John Wong in 2023, the project was retendered and awarded on 19 May 2025. The current phase focuses on completing the church building with an estimated cost of RM6.28 million, while the full complex is projected to cost RM11.26 million. Contributions toward the construction of St Catherine Laboure Church can be made via Public Bank Berhad to the account of RTDKK ST Catherine of Laboure Putatan, Account Number: 3242757410.
Daily Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
PAS ready to field non-Muslim candidates in Sabah polls
Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025 By: Faiz Zainudin, FMT Text Size: PAS had earlier confirmed it would contest at least six of the 73 Sabah state assembly seats. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Sabah PAS is open to fielding non-Muslim candidates in the upcoming state election, expected to be held later this year. Its secretary Sahar Abdul Majid said such nominations would depend on the need and suitability of the constituencies PAS planned to contest under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner. He said this openness aligned with the party's long-standing 'PAS for All' principle and was not a new move, noting that the party had fielded non-Muslim candidates in the 14th general election (GE14). 'Our non-Muslim supporters' wing (DHPP) in the Sabah chapter is active, particularly among the Dusun and Chinese communities, with over 1,000 members to date,' he told FMT. 'In 2018, PAS fielded a non-Muslim candidate. This shows that Sabah DHPP plays an important role in garnering support from non-Muslim communities.' Non-Muslims fielded by PAS in GE14 included farmer Satail Mojungkat for the Kadamaian state seat in Sabah and the late R Kumutha for the Johor Jaya state seat in Johor. Satail lost to Upko's Ewon Benedick, who had contested under the Barisan Nasional banner, while Kumutha lost to Pakatan Harapan's Liow Cai Tung. Sahar said PAS was confident it could deliver a surprise outcome in the upcoming state election with more structured and strategic preparations, including nominating credible and capable candidates. 'The people of Sabah are showing a growing desire for change and better leadership,' he added. As for which seats PAS would contest, Sahar said the final decision would be made collectively with other PN component parties. Previously, PAS confirmed it would contest at least six out of the 73 Sabah state assembly seats. Sabah PAS commissioner Aliakbar Gulasan is currently one of six assemblymen appointed by the state government after the 2020 state election. PAS did not contest any seat in that election. * 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
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Call to preserve Sabah's indigenous languages
Published on: Tuesday, July 01, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 01, 2025 By: Noor Zafira Zayn Text Size: Fadhlina (left) with Tun Musa during the symbolic launch of DBP's 69th anniversary. Kota Kinabalu: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has called on the younger generation to play a proactive role in preserving and strengthening indigenous languages, particularly in Sabah where ethnic and linguistic diversity is rich. She said many young people in the state still lack fluency in their native tongues, and urged them to take up the responsibility of keeping these languages alive. 'Our main focus is to ensure the survival of various local languages in Sabah—such as Bajau, Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, Rungus, Iranun and others—by encouraging the younger generation to learn and master them,' she said. Fadhlina was speaking at the 69th Anniversary Celebration of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC),here, on Saturday. She said DBP's long-standing contribution in preserving knowledge and promoting the Malay language had reached a mature stage, and its role must now expand with stronger commitment and relevance. 'With age comes boldness—69 years is a significant milestone for DBP. The introduction of the standard framework for Bahasa Melayu reflects the government's dedication to elevate its status across all sectors, as the national language with intellectual and cultural value,' she said. Fadhlina also highlighted the role of technology in advancing language mastery and ensuring the nation is not left behind in the digital age. 'Artificial intelligence, for example, is a crucial tool in our efforts to empower language,' she said, while also expressing admiration for Sabah's many talented writers and literary figures. Quoting the Prime Minister, she said: 'The strength of a nation lies in knowledge, intellect and language—key elements in building a civilisation, embodied in the phrase 'language is the soul of a nation'. Also present at the event was the Head of State, Tun Datuk Seri Musa Aman. The ceremony also saw the launch of a biography on a notable DBP figure and the unveiling of the National Language Research Index. The event was further enlivened with exhibitions and booths featuring a wide range of DBP publications and educational materials. * 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
