Latest news with #Gunsalam
The Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
GRS must take lead for any political collaboration, says deputy chairman
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) must take the lead for any political collaboration ahead of the Sabah polls, says its deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. "As long as GRS holds the majority, we welcome collaboration with other parties but GRS must be in the driver's seat," said Dr Gunsalam. He was responding to PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's remarks about the party contesting at least 13 seats in the 17th Sabah polls. Dr Gunsalam also addressed Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali's statement about the identifying seats to contest. "Malaysia is a democratic country. They are free to contest," said the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president at a press conference at the Ministry of Communications Integrated Complex in Kepayan on Monday (May 26). Dr Gunsalam said there had been no formal discussions yet between GRS and Bersatu or Perikatan Nasional regarding electoral cooperation. In the 2020 Sabah Election, Perikatan, Barisan Nasional and PBS formed a coalition under GRS to contest against the Warisan-Pakatan led government. Following the 2022 General Election, Sabah Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor left Sabah Bersatu to establish Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, replacing Bersatu in GRS. Barisan exited the GRS coalition government in January 2023. When asked about Gagasan Rakyat vice-president Datuk Masiung Banah's comment that GRS is targeting up to 52 seats, Dr Gunsalam declined to specify how many seats PBS is eyeing. "GRS includes PBS and STAR, we are all in this together," he said. He added that while PBS has made some seat requests, discussions are ongoing. "GRS must win. Don't talk about individual parties; GRS comes first," he said. Besides Gagasan Rakyat, PBS and Sabah STAR, the other GRS component parties are Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno).
The Star
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
643 roadside traders in Sabah to receive RM5,000 aid
Deputy Chief Minister and Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam (centre) poses for a photo with some of the RM5,000 one-off aid recipients in Ranau on Monday (May 8). KOTA KINABALU: A one-off RM5,000 assistance will be channelled to 643 eligible roadside traders across Sabah under the 2025 Sabah state Budget, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. He said the list of recipients was finalised following a thorough verification process by a special committee comprising the state Local Government and Housing Ministry (KKTP), state Finance Ministry, and all local authorities. 'Ground-level surveys were conducted in every district to gather data on roadside traders. Based on the established criteria, 643 individuals have been identified as eligible for this assistance,' said Dr Gunsalam, who is also the state Local Government and Housing Minister. Of this total, 47 recipients from Ranau received their aid during the state-level kick-off of the UNTUKMU (Upgrading Assistance for the Community and General Public) programme held at Pentas Budaya Kundasang on Thursday (May 8). He said the initiative reflects the state government's concern for small traders, many of whom face challenges such as rising operating costs, limited capital, and unstable business locations. 'Small traders are key drivers of the microeconomy, providing essential services to local communities. I hope this assistance helps them purchase equipment, boost capital, or grow their businesses,' he added. Also present were KKTP Deputy Permanent Secretary II Faridah Giau, Ranau district officer Tinus Manggam, Penampang Municipal Council president Francis Chong, and representatives of elected officials and community leaders.
The Star
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Local authorities must act on public complaints without delay, says Sabah Deputy CM
KOTA KINABALU: All local government authorities have been directed to act on and resolve public complaints immediately, without waiting for "further instructions". Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said local authorities should not hesitate to act on issues that can resolved directly without having to consult higher-level decision-makers. This is to ensure that the people's welfare is always a priority, he added. Dr Gunsalam, who is also state Local Government and Housing Minister, said this is in line with the role of local authorities as providers of government services at the grassroots level. "Provide the best service to our stakeholders (the public). "Ensure that complaints and problems related to our scope, roles and areas of responsibility are resolved as best as possible," he said at his ministry's Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Kaamatan celebrations here on Monday (April 28). Dr Gunsalam said the just-concluded Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting became a platform for feedback and issues faced by the people. "It is important for all officers, whether at the ministry, agency, or local government level, to carry out their functions and responsibilities efficiently and with integrity," he said. Dr Gunsalam reminded civil servants that people evaluated every action or decision they made for professionalism, transparency and integrity, in addition to dedication and commitment. "All your decisions and actions must (show) a high level of integrity, transparency and professionalism," he said at the event, attended by 500 ministry and local government personnel.
