Latest news with #Fadhil
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Water: Student group wants UMS to take legal action
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: 'I believe the VC is playing his role as the head of the university, and it's important that his stance remains consistent. This is the first time he has made such a statement, and we welcome it,' Fadhil said. Kota Kinabalu: Suara Mahasiswa UMS has urged Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to take legal action against the State Water Department (JANS), demanding at least RM100 million in damages over the prolonged campus water crisis. In a statement, the student group accused JANS of misleading the public in its May 29 statement, which downplayed the severity of the water supply issue from the State-owned R13 tank — the main water source for UMS. The group cited internal documentation and reports from UMS's student council and maintenance unit showing that water levels in the R13 tank had dropped to zero on several days, halting supply to the campus. They also claimed this data had been officially shared with JANS and supported with photographic evidence. The group said the financial burden of the water crisis had been unfairly shifted onto students, many of whom faced repeated disruptions and had to bear additional costs, including tuition fees, off-campus rent, transportation, utility bills and other living expenses. 'UMS must sue JANS and the damages should be returned to the students — this is not just about water anymore. It's about accountability and justice,' the statement said. Earlier, Daily Express reported that UMS Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansur said the university had long been transparent about the water issue, and clarified that the R13 tank, owned and operated by JANS, had repeatedly failed to supply enough water to meet UMS's daily needs. Kasim said if water levels had been sufficient, students would not have resorted to holding demonstrations. Suara Mahasiswa President Fadhil Kasim welcomed the VC's remarks and said it marked an important shift in the university's stance. 'I believe the VC is playing his role as the head of the university, and it's important that his stance remains consistent. This is the first time he has made such a statement, and we welcome it,' he said. 'We will be meeting the VC tomorrow at 2pm to exchange views, possibly touching on the water issue.' The student group is organising Perhimpunan Aman Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0, a peaceful rally scheduled for June 21-22 in Kota Kinabalu to demand systemic accountability and a solution to longstanding infrastructure problems. They also alleged that students involved in past activism had been called in by police and faced threats — but maintained that they would not be intimidated in their push for justice. * 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
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
UMS student group urges legal action over water issues
KOTA KINABALU: The water issue at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) persists, with a student movement group urging the university to sue the state Water Department for losses incurred during years of disruption. Suara Mahasiswa UMS president Fadhil Kasim said a recent statement by the Sabah Water Department claiming sufficient water supply to the university was false. "The department's statement on May 29 claiming that the supply in the R13 tank at UMS was always enough is irresponsible and a lie," he said. He said constant water disruptions forced students and the UMS community to incur extra living costs, including renting, utilities, and education fees. "We urge UMS to take legal action against the Sabah Water Department and sue them for at least RM100mil to cover these costs," said Fadhil. To support this demand, he claimed a fact check by the student representative council and UMS maintenance and development department found days when water levels in the main UMS tank and the water department tank were at zero metres. "This means the water supply from the Water Department did not reach UMS," he alleged. Fadhil urged authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), to investigate potential corruption and abuse in handling this water crisis and the delayed Pan Borneo Project. "The Pan Borneo project, which passes by UMS, is also seen as a factor in the UMS water crisis," he said. He added that suspicions of a mega industrial company in Sepanggar using much of the supply meant for UMS should also be investigated. He said the call for the Sabah Water Department to be sued will be among their main agendas at their scheduled peaceful rally on June 21 and June 22. The water crisis in UMS started worsening about two years ago.
Shafaq News
25-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Electricity Minister in Turkmenistan to finalize 20 MCM daily gas swap
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadhil arrived in Turkmenistan on Sunday to revive a stalled gas import agreement seen as 'critical' to the country's energy stability. The deal, signed in October 2024, aimed to supply Iraq with up to 20 million cubic meters of Turkmen gas daily via a swap mechanism using Iran's pipeline network. Despite its strategic importance, the agreement has yet to take effect due to lingering technical hurdles, according to previous disclosures from the Ministry of Electricity. Fadhil's visit comes as Iraq is on the brink of an energy crisis, with the expiration of a crucial US waiver threatening to cut off its access to Iranian gas, which fuels nearly 30% of the country's electricity.
Daily Express
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
UMS students to hold rally again
Published on: Monday, May 19, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 19, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Fadhil (third from right) with fellow student activists holding up their statement on the upcoming Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally. Kota Kinabalu: UMS students are set to take to the streets again, with Suara Mahasiswa planning a second major anti-corruption rally, 'Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0,' on June 21 and 22, to demand accountability from those in power and push for systemic reforms. The two-day protest aims to highlight long-standing issues like the ongoing water crisis at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), which the group described as a symbol of failed governance and a 'humiliation' of students' basic rights. Advertisement 'Students have had to bathe using bottled water, check into hotels just to clean themselves, and spend their own money to cover the failures of the state Water Department,' said the group's leader, Fadhil Kasim. Suara Mahasiswa, which organised the first Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally on Dec 31 last year, along with the 'Kami Mahu Air' rally earlier in 2024, urged UMS to take legal action against the Water Department. They accused the department of forcing students to endure harsh conditions on campus and spend their own money just to access clean water. 'The department has gone unpunished for too long,' he said. Advertisement The group also called for a complete separation of powers in the appointment of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief, criticising the current system where the Prime Minister directly appoints the MACC chief as politically compromised. They also demanded stricter anti-corruption laws, including mandatory suspension for any minister, elected representative, or senior official charged with corruption. They proposed caning as a punishment for serious corruption offences, describing this as a necessary deterrent to combat what they called a deeply entrenched culture of corruption. They also accused officials of trying to 'suppress student voices' through 'intellectual intimidation' and public statements that create fear among potential protesters. 'Stop making cowardly and stupid statements that intimidate the public and create a false narrative about our rights,' one speaker said, directly challenging senior officials. They said the exact locations for the rally would only be disclosed five days before the event to prevent potential disruptions. * 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
Shafaq News
24-02-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq power grid: Modernization push
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Electricity Minister Ziad Ali Fadhil met on Monday with representatives from the Croatian company Končar to discuss efforts to modernize the country's aging power grid. According to the ministry's statement, the talks focused on Končar's capabilities in manufacturing and supplying power transformers and distribution substations, as well as its expertise in power transmission lines and electrical insulators. Discussions also explored potential collaboration in upgrading Iraq's electricity infrastructure. 'The ministry is keen to benefit from advanced global expertise in electrical equipment manufacturing,' the statement read. The Minster underscored as well 'the importance of developing the power transmission and distribution network to meet citizens' needs and support urban growth.' The Croatian side highlighted Končar's global experience and technical capabilities in transformer and electrical equipment production, expressing readiness to contribute to Iraq's energy sector development. Notably, Iraq has long suffered from chronic electricity shortages, particularly during the scorching summer months when temperatures soar to 50°C. Decades of wars, sanctions, and mismanagement have severely damaged the national power grid, leading to frequent blackouts. The country remains heavily reliant on Iran for electricity supply. Separately, Fadhil met on Tuesday with officials from the GCC Interconnection Authority to accelerate the completion of a regional power connection project. The initiative, which links Iraq with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is expected to add 500 megawatts to Basra.
