Latest news with #KotaKinabalu
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's Navy executes landmark missile and torpedo firings, strengthens defence posture in South China Sea, says defence minister
KOTA KINABALU, July 29 — The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) today conducted the firing of several Exocet missiles and a Black Shark torpedo in TAMING SARI 23/25 exercise in the South China Sea to raise the country's maritime defence readiness. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the exercise involved the firing of Exocet MM40 missiles by KD Lekiu and KD Lekir, as well as the firing of Exocet SM39 missiles in coordination from the submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman. He said the exercise also made history as it involved submarine KD Tun Razak firing a Black Shark torpedo in a war configuration for the first time. 'For the Exocet missile, the firing was carried out at a distance of more than 30 kilometres while for the Black Shark torpedo, it was at a distance of less than 10 kilometres. The exercise is necessary for us to improve the readiness and capabilities of our armed forces. 'It aims to ensure that at all times, in any situation, our armed forces are always competent in defending the country,' he said at a press conference after witnessing the exercise here today. Also present were Ministry of Defence secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain, Chief of Staff of the Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters Left Gen Datuk Azhan Md Othman and other RMN senior officers. Exercise TAMING SARI 23/25 was completed together with Exercise KERISMAS 28/25 starting from July 8 to 31 from Lumut Royal Malaysian Navy Base and ending at the Kota Kinabalu Royal Malaysian Navy Base. It covers the Malaysian maritime zone in the South China Sea by focusing on the ability to operate in various maritime domains as well as the interoperability capabilities between the units involved. Mohamed Khaled said the exercise involved 15 ships and two submarines from RMN, supported by assets from the Army, Royal Malaysian Air Force, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). He said the exercise also aimed to assess the current status of the country's defence assets, especially from RMN, as some of them were old, but were still at an optimal level to achieve the national defence objectives. 'So far, all assets are functioning well but this does not mean that we do not have long-term plans. We are aware of the condition of the aged assets. All our services are undergoing a modernisation process under the future force policy.' 'We need to understand the importance of readiness. Our defence doctrine is not to attack other countries but to develop the ability to defend the country. National defence does not only depend on the ownership of assets but also on the ability of our personnel to carry out their responsibilities,' he explained. — Bernama
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Kota Kinabalu fires: Historic community hall gutted, hundreds evacuated from The Shore (VIDEO)
KOTA KINABALU, July 29 — Two separate fires broke out in the city early this morning, one gutting a historic 60-year-old community hall and another forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents and tourists from The Shore condominium complex. In the first incident, the iconic Kota Kinabalu Community Hall, located along Jalan Dewan, was approximately 80 per cent destroyed in a midnight blaze. Sabah Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Asama Saruddin said a distress call was received at 12.44 am, and 25 personnel from the Kota Kinabalu, Lintas, and Penampang fire stations were deployed. 'Upon arrival, the team found the fire had engulfed most of the hall, along with an adjacent recycling storage area,' Asama said at the scene. The blaze was brought under control by 2.41 am and fully extinguished by 3.33 am. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The community hall is a landmark in the city, having hosted decades of cultural performances, community events, and official gatherings since Kota Kinabalu's formative years. Fire at The Shore condominium forces evacuation Just over an hour after the first fire was reported, another emergency call came in at 1.58 am, this time involving a blaze at The Shore, a condominium building in the city centre. The fire on the fifth-floor parking area triggered a chaotic evacuation as hundreds of residents, including local and international tourists, were roused from their sleep by emergency sirens. 'Two men were trapped in an elevator during the fire but were successfully rescued by firefighters,' said the department's senior operations commander, Riki Mohan Singh Ramday. The victims, believed to be South Korean tourists, suffered mild breathing difficulties and were treated by emergency medical personnel at the scene. The fire involved construction materials stored in the parking area and damaged about 20 per cent of the floor. It was brought under control by 3.25 am, and the operation concluded at 3.33 am after a full safety sweep. The causes of both fires are under investigation. No fatalities were reported in either incident. The Fire and Rescue Department was assisted in both cases by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), and Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK).
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Firefighters rescue two after fire breaks out at Kota Kinabalu's The Shore (VIDEO)
KOTA KINABALU, July 29 — A fire broke out early this morning at the fifth floor of The Shore's car park here, involving construction materials. The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received an emergency call through the MERS999 line at 1.57am. Firefighters from the Kota Kinabalu fire station arrived at the scene, about 12km away, at 2.10am and managed to fully control the fire by 3.25am. The blaze affected an estimated area of 100 by 20 feet, with about 20 per cent of the space destroyed. 'Firefighters rescued two men reportedly trapped in an elevator during the incident. 'The Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) team provided initial treatment to both victims for shortness of breath, and they are now safe,' the department said in a statement. Firefighters used a hose reel system inside the building to extinguish the flames, with support from 19 personnel from the Kota Kinabalu, Putatan and Penampang fire stations. Senior Fire Officer PBK II Martha Padis led the operation alongside senior commander PPgB Riki Mohan Singh Ramday, with officers from JBPM Sabah headquarters also notified of the incident. 'We urge the public to ensure that construction areas and storage spaces do not block emergency access and are equipped with proper fire safety measures,' said JBPM.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Hajiji hails PM's new aid measures, says they show strong economic base
KOTA KINABALU, July 23 — The Sabah government has lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement of measures to ease the cost of living, describing the initiatives as an indication of the nation's strong economic fundamentals. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state government welcomes the people-centric initiatives, as they are meant to lessen the burden of the people. 'It shows that the prime minister has the people's interest at heart,' he said in a statement here today. Hajiji said the RM100 one-off assistance for all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, coupled with the expansion of the Rahmah Madani sales programme to every state constituency, was a boon to the people. He also praised the lowering of the RON95 petrol price to RM1.99 per litre through a targeted subsidy initiative, which is expected to benefit more than 18 million Malaysians and fulfill the aspirations of the people. 'The declaration of the eve of Malaysia Day (September 15) as a public holiday, is a federal government's recognition of the special day for the whole country,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
21-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Ex-Sabah rugby player jailed 12 years for causing sister's death
The court heard that a note written by his sister had 'provoked' Arden Mattson Maturin, leading to an altercation between the two. (Pexels pic) PETALING JAYA : A rugby player who used to represent Sabah has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Kota Kinabalu High Court for causing his sister's death in 2023. This comes after Arden Mattson Maturin, 28, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, The Borneo Post reported. Arden was initially charged with murder two years ago and was supposed to go on trial today, but the deputy public prosecutor's office had accepted his representations. Today, he was charged with causing the death of his younger sister, Audrey Maturin, 24, at a house in Taman Prestij, off Jalan Signal Hill, on May 4, 2023. The charge under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine, upon conviction. Justice Duncan Sikodol ordered Arden's 12-year jail term to begin from the date of his arrest on May 4, 2023. The court heard that Arden and Audrey were at the family home when a note she had written to him purportedly 'provoked' him, leading to an altercation between the two. Arden then assaulted his sister repeatedly and left the house. Audrey was found in a pool of blood in the living room and died in hospital two days later. A post-mortem revealed she had suffered severe traumatic brain injury with haemorrhagic shock and multiple facial fractures. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, neck and chest. Sikodol ruled that the incident occurred in the heat of the moment, driven by rage, and that Arden was young and had expressed remorse over the incident. The judge, however, said the jail sentence was necessary given public interest in the case and to reflect the sanctity of life. 'I am of the view that a sentence of 12 years' imprisonment strikes the necessary balance between punishment and compassion. It reflects the gravity of the act while acknowledging the tragic familial context in which it occurred,' he said when delivering his judgment.
