Latest news with #Kota Kinabalu
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Mat Sabu: Amanah eyes five Sabah seats, says all candidates will be local
KOTA KINABALU, July 19 — Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) is looking to contest five state seats in Sabah for the upcoming state election, with one seat already confirmed under the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) seat negotiations, said party president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. Speaking to the media after launching Amanah's election machinery here today, Mohammad said the party remains fully committed to working with its PH partners despite mobilising its own grassroots campaign. 'First of all, Pakatan Harapan will move as one,' he stressed. 'But when it comes to activating our Amanah members, we have to deploy them ourselves. We will cooperate fully with all component parties,' he said. He said Amanah is targeting around five seats, including Sulabayan, Tanjung Aru, and Lumadan. Asked if contesting in Warisan's stronghold Sulabayan would be a risky move, Mohamad responded that the matter remains speculative for now. 'It's not certain we will get that seat. Whatever is decided later will be based on negotiations. For now, we can only mention it as a possibility,' he said. On whether the seat for Tanjung Aru has been confirmed for Amanah, he explained: 'Tanjung Aru has been given to PH but that does not mean Amanah is guaranteed the seat yet. PH includes Keadilan, Amanah, DAP and UPKO. The final decision will be made once party leaders sign off.' Addressing Sabah's growing preference for local parties, Mat Sabu said Amanah will ensure that all its candidates are Sabahan, and will ramp up grassroots efforts to build local trust and visibility. 'All our candidates will be local Sabahan faces. Once our election machinery is in place, we will launch more community-focused campaigns to show that we stand with the people of Sabah,' he said. — The Borneo Post
Free Malaysia Today
14-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt to decide on Sabah's 40% revenue entitlement on Sept 12, says Fadillah
Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said the proposal, submitted by the Sabah government, is based on Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The federal government will decide on Sabah's proposal to reclaim a 40% net revenue entitlement at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting scheduled for Sept 12, says deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof. He said the proposal, submitted by the state government, is based on Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution and will be brought to the prime minister's attention at the meeting, Sabah Media reported. Fadillah, who chaired a special MA63 technical committee meeting in Kota Kinabalu today, said the session was focussed on Sabah's constitutional revenue claims and possible interim solutions. 'We've heard the presentations and proposed solutions from the Sabah government. These proposals have also received feedback from the finance ministry and the Attorney-General's Chambers at the federal level,' he was quoted as saying. Fadillah also acknowledged the ongoing challenge by the Sabah Law Society, which may have legal implications. 'Therefore, we must proceed cautiously, but our goal is to reach a mutually agreed solution outside of court,' he said. Asked whether a final decision could be expected before Malaysia Day, he did not give any confirmation but reiterated that the federal-level meeting was already fixed for Sept 12. The revenue sharing formula has been a contentious issue for decades. Sabah politicians have called for the federal government to honour the state's entitlement to 40% of the amount which exceeds the net revenue derived in 1963. Use of the formula has been suspended since 1974, with the federal government paying increased special grants to Sabah and Sarawak.
Malay Mail
14-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
MA63: Decision on Sabah's 40pc revenue claim expected by September, says Fadillah
KOTA KINABALU, July 14 — The decision on Sabah's 40 per cent revenue claim under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is expected to be finalised before the Malaysia Day celebration on September 16. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the Sabah government had submitted proposed solutions regarding the long-standing 40 per cent revenue claim during a special meeting of the Technical Committee under the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63), held at Menara Kinabalu here today. Fadillah, who also chairs the committee, said that each proposed solution would be presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ahead of the next MTPMA63 meeting, scheduled for September 12 in Kuala Lumpur. 'At that meeting, we will determine the appropriate course of action, whether an interim solution or otherwise, as we must also consider the ongoing court case, filed by the Sabah Law Society, regarding the 40 per cent revenue claim,' he said. 'In legal terms, there are limitations that prevent us from finalising a solution without a decision from the court. However, what we are seeking is a resolution outside the court's jurisdiction,' he told reporters after chairing the committee meeting at Menara Kinabalu, here, today. The meeting was also attended by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan; and Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. Meanwhile, Jeffrey said that the special meeting was productive, and that the Sabah government had submitted proposals concerning the 40 per cent revenue claim, which will be reviewed by the MTPMA63. — Bernama
Malay Mail
11-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘No one will be left behind': Putrajaya sets aside RM50m for churches, temples nationwide to preserve religious harmony
KOTA KINABALU, July 11 — The federal government has allocated RM50 million this year to help maintain and upgrade non-Islamic places of worship (RIBI) nationwide, as part of efforts to support religious harmony and improve worship facilities. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the initiative, introduced under the 2025 Budget, aims to ensure that temples, churches and similar sites remain well-maintained and comfortable for worshippers. Speaking at a grant presentation ceremony at the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia in Petagas, Nga said that as of July 7, RM2.7 million had been approved for 15 RIBI organisations in Sabah, with several other applications still under review. 'I understand that several applications are still being processed and I hope more will be submitted,' he said, adding that the ministry approved RM4.81 million last year for 35 RIBI nationwide to carry out similar works. Nga reaffirmed the government's commitment to preserving Malaysia's multi-faith society, assuring that the initiative would be implemented in a professional, efficient and transparent manner. 'No one will be left behind. The goal is to ensure these funds are distributed fairly and equitably to those who need them the most,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
11-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Sabah's diverse DNA in spotlight as MyGenom project kicks off recruitment drive for precision medicine
KOTA KINABALU, July 11 — Recruitment for the MyGenom project has started in Sabah, with Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni and Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal launching the Sabah Zone MyGenom Research Data Collection here today. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), in a joint statement, said that the initiative, which began in Kota Kinabalu, is being implemented through collaboration between MOH healthcare facilities and public higher education institutions (IPTA). They said that the collaborative move strengthens grassroots involvement and launches recruitment operations in urban and rural areas in Sabah, where the state, with its unique genetic and ethnic diversity, is given priority in this project. In this regard, the ministries urged Sabahans, particularly the Bumiputera community, who have been underrepresented in genomic research, to actively participate in the project, enabling them to benefit from advancements in precision medicine and future health policies. 'The MyGenom project is being carried out as a strategic effort to build the nation's genomic assets to strengthen the health system, through data and technology, in line with the aspirations of the Health White Paper and the Malaysia Madani framework. 'This project is being implemented under the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 (DBN 2.0), through the Perdana 4 programme, which focuses on the application of genomics technology and targeted therapies to improve public health,' they said. Sabah with its unique genetic and ethnic diversity, is given priority in the MyGenom project. — Picture by Julia Chan Under the initiative, MOH is responsible for genomic sampling and public health-related analysis, while MOSTI, through the Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI) under the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM), oversees the genome sequencing process using advanced facilities. The project is currently in Phase 1, with 3,150 participants recruited from Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak since August 2024, nearing the total target of 3,600 participants. 'The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) are leading this initiative, focusing on underrepresented communities, including the Bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the Orang Asli,' the ministries said. As of June 19, 2025, a total of 1,080 genomes have been successfully sequenced in Malaysia, with technical cooperation from MOH. This effort is supported by MOSTI's investment in a high-performance sequencing system, enabling more efficient processing of hundreds of samples while ensuring that the country's genetic data sovereignty is maintained. Phase 2 will be expanded, with a target of sequencing 10,000 genomes from Malaysians of diverse ethnicities, localities, and backgrounds, a crucial step to avoid bias in understanding diseases and treatment responses. 'This genomic data will be utilised in stages for the management of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and rare diseases,' they said. — Bernama
