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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Buckingham praises GRS government
Published on: Friday, June 13, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 13, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Princess Anne and Hajiji. Kota Kinabalu: The GRS State Government led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, particularly the State Finance Ministry, was praised by Buckingham Palace for the initiative to erect clear signages on both wings of arguably the earliest, modern and among the best medical institutions in Borneo and the nation – Hospital Queen Elizabeth. Accompanying the signages were the erection of a historical gallery detailing highlights of the hospital since its inception in 1957 at a cost of 2.5 million pounds sterling funded by British taxpayers and premiere of a special documentary titled 'The Queen's Hospital in Borneo' for Youtube. Advertisement Princess Anne, in her capacity as President of The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences, expressed appreciation for the endeavour. 'The hospital has provided essential medical treatment for more than 60 years and also trained countless doctors and medical specialists, ensuring the people of Sabah receive the best medical care the Government can offer,' Princess Anne said in her message, which was read during the ceremony at the premises, Thursday. 'I was pleased to be reminded of my visit to Kota Kinabalu in 1972 with my parents and to hear about the impact of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the local people of Sabah,' she said. Princess Anne acknowledged the project's importance, noting that the initiative, led by the Commonwealth Association of Leadership Malaysia (Calm), would ensure that the hospital's name remains a visible landmark and a beacon for health services in Malaysian Borneo. 'The initiative led by Calm, the hospital's administration, the Ministry of Health Malaysia and the project funder, the Sabah Minister of Finance, reminds us of the warm relations that the United Kingdom and Malaysia enjoy as members of the Commonwealth and highlights the importance of collaboration, service and shared heritage,' she said. Daily Express, Sabah's leading newspaper, was a strategic partner. Credit is also due to the Sabah Archive and the Information Department. The hospital that has undergone major upgrades was named after the late British monarch after the colonial administration approached her Majesty's permission in 1956 and it was granted. Two other renowned hospitals named after the Queen are in Hong Kong and Perth, Australia. It started with just 140 beds under a single matron, a single nurse tutor who trained the first batch of 17 nurses, 34 medical assistants and two church Sisters. Today, this has expanded since to 775 beds and the past 70 years has seen the many new types of treatment being possible from its highly trained medical staff. State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said he had no hesitation to accord the State Government's backing for the initiative, when approached by CALM. He said he and others only had many nostalgic memories of the hospital. He acknowledged there would always be those who question the retention of colonial-era names, but that it is high time these people realise and accept that history can never be erased. 'Sometimes we are too obsessed with these matters. Instead, we should be asking how we can make this hospital better, not its name. The name reflects history, but what is needed is how you make this hospital's services improve from day to day. We should depart from this mentality of giving so much emphasis on form rather than substance. 'We cannot escape from history that once upon a time we were a British colony,' he said, noting that he was a successful product of the British school system and even oversaw the centenary celebration of colonial rule during Berjaya era in 1981 while serving as Tuaran District Officer. The British presence in North Borneo as it was known then dates back to 1881 with the beginning of Chartered Company rule. 'We have to accept our history as a form of education which makes us more knowledgeable humans,' he said, and thanked CALM, especially its President Yap Li Ling for spearheading the commendable effort. He was also full of praise for the hospital's workforce, describing Malaysian healthcare workers serving in Sabah as the best in the country. 'I am very proud to say as a Sabahan, some of the most dedicated people, the frontliners, are those working in hospitals and forever we are thankful to all those serving in Sabah's hospitals past and present,' he said, acknowledging also their dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Today we are actually looking back and writing the history of this hospital again, looking at its current state and looking forward with hope for additional facilities and amenities. 'We take a small step to show history, but this small step hopefully will bring goodness and great happiness for us to be proud of in the future,' he said. Masidi acknowledged the hospital's ongoing parking problems, which also affect the Sabah Women and Children's Hospital in Likas. 'This parking problem is an issue and challenge that needs to be addressed quickly,' he said, adding that the matter has been raised repeatedly in State Cabinet meetings. He said Sabah Health Exco Datuk James Ratib would meet with relevant parties in Kuala Lumpur to expedite solutions to this persistent problem. 'I also fully support the suggestions made by State Health Deputy Director (Medicine) Datuk Dr Abd Kahar Abd Asis for one more block at QEH. I will fully support it and will speak to the Prime Minister and Federal Finance Minister to accelerate funding for this new construction and a multi-storey parking facility. Also present were Queen Elizabeth Hospital Director Dr William Gotulis and Sabah Publishing House Deputy General Manager Dexter Yeh, among others. * 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
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Don't force Sabahans into agreeing, says Star
Published on: Monday, May 19, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 19, 2025 Text Size: Anuar said the proposal to include Malayan parties is an attempt to make Umno relevant in national and state politics. Kota Kinabalu: Star information chief, Anuar Ghani, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi should not force Sabah parties to cooperate with Malaya-based parties who tried to sabotage the current GRS State Government. 'This approach not only contradicts the spirit and rationale of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) but also undermines the democratic and constitutional rights of the people of Sabah to choose the parties they believe in without any political pressure,' he said in a statement. Advertisement 'The people of Sabah should not be subtly threatened that they will be punished if they choose local parties that do not align with the Federal Government. If that is the case, this Madani government is no different than during Tun Mahathir. 'Sabah, regardless of who is the Federal Government, should be treated fairly and as a constitutional equal partner (See Article I (2)(b) of the Federal Constitution). 'Who else can better take care of the Sabahans other than the Sabahans and local parties themselves? Development is the right of the people, not a political reward. 'The terms and conditions for cooperation are simple. Fulfil the MA63 terms and under the Federal Constitution. Advertisement 'The RM600 million promised by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is merely a sweetener that only covers 3.1 per cent of Sabah's 40 per cent rights under Article 112(a) and Part IV Schedule 10 of the Federal Constitution for the year 2025. 'Give us our rights so that the Sabah Government can use the funds to improve development in Sabah, to resolve the long term issues of electricity and water, improve Sabah's education, health and basic necessities. He said the proposal to include Malayan parties is an attempt to make Umno relevant in national and state politics. 'They are trying to apply their modus operandi in seven states in peninsula where they needed to form coalitions to govern or dominate the states of Johore, Penang, Selangor, Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, and they have lost (zero seats) in Terengganu, Kelantan, Perlis, and Kedah (and Sarawak). 'Umno has been rejected. They need us than we need them,' he said. 'Sarawak is governed by a local party. There are no insurmountable issues. Sabah too wants to be led by local parties. 'We can convey the request and demands of the people of Sabah through Sabahans appointed in the Federal Cabinet. 'The decision on Sabah's interest and requirements will be made by Presidents of the local parties and not branch managers of Malayan parties at the Sabah level. 'Rumah kita, kita jaga (We'll take care of our own house),' he said. * 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
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Have special panel to tackle twin issues
Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025 By: Sohan Das Text Size: Jalil, a retiree from the oil and gas sector from Papar, said having a special panel will assist State Works Minister Datuk Seri Shahelmey Yahya under whose portfolio these issues that can make or break GRS chances in the coming PRN17. LABUAN: The GRS State Government should consider a 'special panel' to overcome road and water woes, and a new approach to tackle legacy issues. Activist Haji Abdul Jalil Ghani said even Labuan residents can see that the GRS government led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had done well and scored good marks in boosting State revenue as well achieving recognition for a number of rights under the MA63. 'But the negative condition of Sabah roads and the non-ending water crisis despite millions of ringgit already spent could cloud the State's achievements in many other areas as it approaches the State election,' he said. Jalil, a retiree from the oil and gas sector from Papar, said having a special panel will assist State Works Minister Datuk Seri Shahelmey Yahya under whose portfolio these issues that can make or break GRS chances in the coming PRN17. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
