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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Klias hardcore poverty initiative bears fruit
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: BEAUFORT: The government's efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty in Sabah have borne fruit, with the Klias constituency achieving zero hardcore poverty status. Klias Assemblyman Datuk Isnin Aliasnih said this success was the result of the continuous efforts of the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as part of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) agenda. Advertisement Isnin said E-Kasih data showed there were 168 hardcore poor in Klias in 2023, which decreased to 11 by the end of 2024 and finally reached zero this year. 'This year, it is zero, meaning there are no more hardcore poor in Klias. This shows that the government's various initiatives to address this issue have been effective. 'The government provided extensive assistance to ensure these individuals rose above the poverty line, as we understood their struggles, some earning less than RM250 a month and some even without homes,' 'We provided them with SMJ homes and enrolled them in the Mini Estet Sejahtera (Mesej) programme to boost their economic standing. They have now successfully escaped poverty.' He said this to reporters after officiating the Klias Gagasan Rakyat Annual Delegates Meeting at Dewan Pa' Musa here. Isnin, who is also Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing, said five dilapidated schools in the area will be upgraded with an allocation of RM118 million. The schools are SK Mempagar, SK Takuli, SK Rancangan Klias, SK Pintas and SK Kubu. Additionally, a RM35 million allocation has been approved for the construction of the Beaufort District Education Office. 'My voice was heard during the Gagasan Rakyat Annual Assembly debate last year on education issues, leading to this substantial allocation for Klias. 'Not just that, Beaufort is also set to become one of Sabah's industrial hubs with a 5,000-acre area to be developed as an industrial centre. 'Once this project begins, it will impact local development and the economy, especially in Klias. The community must seize this opportunity,' he said. When asked about preparations for the 17th State Election, Isnin, who is also a Gagasan Rakyat Supreme Council Member said the party machinery is fully prepared to defend the Klias seat at any time. 'All party wings, including grassroots machinery, have been instructed to be ready. 'Support from young voters (aged 18 to 30) for the government is very positive, thanks to various direct initiatives such as education aid, SMJ housing assistance and financial aid all of which meet the people's needs at all levels,' he said. * 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
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Working with Pakatan Harapan OK, not Barisan Nasional
Published on: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 21, 2025 By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: Mazlan stated that his side remains committed to supporting any leadership decision, whether to cooperate or go solo in PRN17, as long as GRS remains dominant. BEAUFORT: If political cooperation takes place, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) appears more inclined to work with Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah in facing the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN17). The Lumadan Division Chief of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), Mazlan Joehari Manan, said this is due to the good cooperation between both parties in the current GRS-PH Plus government administration. According to him, the coalition successfully established political stability, which in turn boosted the development agenda for the people under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) framework, compared to previous collaborations with other parties. 'The possibility (of political cooperation) exists as the current GRS-PH Plus government is able to work well together and has created political stability, thus facilitating all development initiatives. 'This situation is beneficial for the people and for Sabah itself. We want this momentum to continue into the next term as this cooperation aligns with the concept of the Unity Government at the Federal level. 'Therefore, we are more comfortable working with PH for PRN17, but ultimately, it depends on the decision of the top leadership,' he said after officiating the Group Branch Meeting of the PGRS Lumadan Division, here, recently. Advertisement He said this when asked about the possibility that GRS might not go solo at the last minute but instead form a collaboration with PH and BN to face PRN17. Mazlan stated that his side remains committed to supporting any leadership decision, whether to cooperate or go solo in PRN17, as long as GRS remains dominant. However, the Special Officer to the Chief Minister dismissed the likelihood of GRS having to form a political alliance with BN if it intends to cooperate with PH in PRN17. He emphasised that aside from the fallout between GRS and BN Sabah following the 'Langkah Kinabalu' incident, BN has already declared it wants 40 seats, which complicates any potential cooperation. 'This alone makes it difficult for BN to work with GRS, especially when it comes to negotiating seat distribution, because as I said before, GRS must be dominant if others want to cooperate. 'Unlike BN, PH has never declared how many seats they want so far, which indicates there's still room for GRS to negotiate with PH. 'If negotiations (with PH) are successful, we will proceed (with the cooperation), but if they fail, GRS is always ready to go solo in PRN17,' he said. Previously, Sabah Umno Information Chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, announced that Umno/BN would contest 40 out of the 73 state legislative assembly (DUN) seats, with the rest allocated to PH in PRN17. However, this was refuted by PH Sabah, which stated that no formal negotiations or decisions had taken place, aside from informal meetings between both parties that did not address seat distribution. * 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
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
‘Cannot rule out GRS-Warisan scenario'
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: Mazlan handing over certificate to a trader. BEAUFORT: Lumadan Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Division Chief Mazlan Joehari Manan does not rule out the possibility of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) working together with other local parties, such as Warisan, in facing the 17th State Election. He said while there is currently no concrete effort in that direction, he believes such a scenario is possible at this point in time. Advertisement He said both parties would need to consider various factors before such cooperation could materialise – most importantly, whether Warisan or other local parties are willing to collaborate with GRS. 'At this stage, the likelihood of such cooperation remains uncertain and should be left to the GRS leadership to decide, as we place full trust in them to determine the direction of any political alliance. 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
Daily Express
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
GRS is not an ordinary coalition: Lumadan Chief
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025 By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: Mazlan said GRS should contest more than half of the 73 State Legislative Assembly seats if such cooperation materialises. BEAUFORT: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is a major political coalition in Sabah that should not be underestimated, as it represents the voices of the people from diverse backgrounds and areas. Lumadan Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Division Chief, Mazlan Joehari Manan, said GRS, as a 'large vessel', is the threshold of political stability and aspirations of Sabahans who seek sustainable development and greater autonomy. 'GRS is a leading political coalition in this region that should not be dismissed by any party because we comprehensively represent the pulse of Sabah's people. 'GRS is not just an ordinary coalition, it is a mature union and a manifestation of Sabahans' voices demanding progress, stability and justice. 'We are not a minor voice... we are the mainstream voice. This coalition is a 'large vessel' carrying the hopes and future of this region. 'Most importantly, GRS holds autonomous power as a major local coalition compared to others,' he said in a statement here, last Sunday. He said this in reaction to GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor's statement affirming GRS' readiness to contest solo in the 17th State election following the decision of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) to cooperate in the election. However, Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud recently indicated that there is still room for discussion on potential cooperation between GRS and the PH-BN coalition. When asked about the possibility of GRS collaborating with PH-BN following Mustapha's statement, Mazlan said anything is possible but stressed that as Sabah's leading coalition, GRS must remain dominant. Mazlan, who is also Special Officer to the Chief Minister, said GRS should contest more than half of the 73 State Legislative Assembly seats if such cooperation materialises. 'Whatever form the political cooperation takes, GRS must dominate seat allocation in the upcoming election and dominate in fighting for the people's rights through the Sabah state government. 'Personally, I believe GRS should contest at least 50 out of the 73 State seats if it intends to cooperate. But if no negotiations take place, we are prepared to go solo in the state election,' 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
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Beaufort schools cannot cope, says Ruslan
Published on: Saturday, May 03, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 03, 2025 By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: Ruslan (right) being briefed on the project during a site visit. BEAUFORT: The growing student population in Zone Padas Damit sparked calls for new secondary and primary schools to be built to ease congestion at existing institutions. Lumadan Assemblyman Datuk Ruslan Muharam said Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Gadong and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Gadong are struggling to accommodate the rising number of students each year. 'With SMK Gadong and SK Gadong being the only nearby schools, parents have no choice but to send their children there. However, both are now overcrowded. 'Therefore, we propose the construction of new secondary and primary schools in Zone Padas Damit to meet the schooling needs of students in the area while also reducing congestion at SMK Gadong and SK Gadong,' he said. He said this during a site visit for the proposed school construction, accompanied by the Beaufort District Education Officer (PPD), Gani Senang, and the Beaufort District Engineer from the Lands and Surveys Department (JTU). Ruslan, who is also the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, said a 285-acre village reserve in Kampung Lalangut had been identified for the project, with 50 acres allocated for a secondary school and 17 acres for a primary school. 'We propose allocating five acres for the establishment of a Fire and Rescue Station to cater to emergency needs in all villages within this zone. 'This is a Federal project, so it will take time, but I will push for it to be realised within five years,' he said. Ruslan also urged the Education Ministry (KPM) and Sabah Education Department (JPNS) to find a solution to the frequent flooding at SK Suasa and SK Lago. He said the situation disrupts school sessions every time floods occur, requiring drastic action, including a proposal to relocate both schools to a new site. 'Another option is to build a larger school on a 10-acre flood-free village reserve nearby to accommodate more students,' 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
