Latest news with #MalaysiaAgreement
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Over 100,000 voting first time
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Armizan urged youths to understand real issues like the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) struggle, which he said has often been oversimplified by political parties, and reminded them not to be quick to blame others, as Sabah's future is also their responsibility. Kota Kinabalu: With more than 100,000 first-time voters set to cast their ballots, the coming Sabah election will mark a historic milestone as the first to include Undi18. Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Ali reminded Sabah's youths not to only exercise their democratic right but study the 'report cards' of those they would be voting for. He said this during the 'Tamu 360: Aspirasi Anak Muda' town hall, organised by the State Ministry of Youth and Sports and Sabah Youth Council, at SICC. A total of 972,851 Sabahans or 59 per cent of the State's population are registered voters as of May 2025. 'Among them, 103,316 are first-time voters, a significant demographic that could tip the balance in many seats. 'This will be the first state election with Undi18 in effect. It's more than just a number, it's a responsibility,' he said. Armizan urged youths to understand real issues like the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) struggle, which he said has often been oversimplified by political parties, and reminded them not to be quick to blame others, as Sabah's future is also their responsibility. During the dialogue, youth leaders presented policy suggestions and voiced concerns on issues ranging from home ownership to education and constitutional rights. A Youth Council representative for Bandau, Kota Marudu, proposed a youth-targeted housing scheme with subsidies for first-time buyers earning between RM3,000 and RM5,000. The idea includes leveraging Sabah Credit Corporation as a mandatory financier. 'Our proof of living in Sabah is a home. Let's make homeownership a reality for young Sabahans, especially those from the rural areas,' he said. A Star representative re-ignited discussion around the moratorium on higher learning institutions offering degrees. He said since 2017, the moratorium has posed a challenge for Sabahan law students in particular, forcing many to study abroad. 'With the lifting, one day, we hope to be on par with Selangor,' he said. On the financial front, a Gagasan Rakyat representative asked if the State Government could ever collect Sabah's 40pc revenue. Armizan then delivered a sharp breakdown of Article 112 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution which stipulates Sabah's financial entitlement. He urged youths to understand the legal levers behind the struggle, saying there are many different schools of thought. 'There are some that argue the federal coffers could never be enough, while others warn that even reviewing 112B could nullify 112C. 'But we must be bold. Even the Sabah Law Society has questioned the inaction with a judicial review, a move which I support. If we want to challenge this in court, then we must be ready. 'Until then, old strategies in place will likely result in interim and insufficient arrangements. We need to move beyond political rhetoric. Sabahans need results,' he said, signalling for youths to press on the fight. * 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
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah leaders not amused as businesses fume
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: Dr Jeffrey (left) and Dr Joachim (right) both disagreed with the move. Kota Kinabalu: Businesses are not the only ones unhappy over the sudden declaration of an additional public holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day on September 16 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Even Sabah politicians who have been in the forefront of regaining Sabah's rights in the Malaysia Agreement they claim have been ignored over the decades by Federal are not amused. They said the Sept. 15 holiday is not necessary. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan from Star and Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam of PBS both disagreed with the move. 'Personally, I feel Malaysia, especially Sabah, has too many holidays already,' Dr Gunsalam, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah President, said. Dr Jeffrey said Malaysia Day is already a national holiday and there is no need to declare another day on Sept. 15. 'For Sabah and Sarawak at this juncture, we want the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and its rights under the Constitution to be fully implemented. 'That should be the priority,' he said. Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee also said the extra day is unnecessary. Cuepacs Executive Laurence Vun said any holiday would be welcomed by workers but felt a holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day might not help the spirit of Malaysia. 'I don't think an additional holiday would bring any significance to the meaning of Malaysia Day. 'For Sabahans and Sarawakians, we feel Malaysia Day should be marked to make all Malaysians equal in every sense of the word – in our civil service as well as all sectors of government and private enterprise,' said Vun. Employers must comply with the declaration of additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong had said. He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay the regular salary, or instruct their employees to work and pay according to the public holiday rates. 'Employers can also opt to give a replacement holiday on another day if their employees are required to work on that public holiday. 'To ensure the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the Department of Labour (JTK) is prepared to provide advisory services as well as answer any queries from employers and employees regarding the implementation of this additional public holiday,' he said. The implementation of the additional holiday is subject to provisions under Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan; the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67), the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) as the basis for the announcement of the official additional holiday by the government. Employers or employees requiring further information can contact the JTKSM via its hotline at 03-8886 5192 / 5937, by email at [email protected], or at any nearby JTK offices. An employers' group and a business association expressed concern over the impact the additional public holiday may have on business operations. The Malaysian Employers Federation said the extra public holiday warrants careful reconsideration because of its financial and operational impact as such holidays disrupt production schedules, logistics chains, and service continuity. 'This disruption results in lower output, delays in fulfilling delivery commitments, increased costs from rescheduling or deferring operations, and reduced overall productivity, especially for SMEs already operating on tight margins,' MEF said. It also said additional public holidays translate to increased wage bills, with preliminary estimates suggesting that each extra holiday could cost Malaysian employers over RM1 billion collectively. MEF said the practice of declaring ad hoc public holidays, often without broad stakeholder consultation, may affect Malaysia's image as a predictable and business-friendly destination. Noting that investors seek clarity and certainty in policymaking, it warned that repeated instances of surprise public holidays risk undermining investor confidence, particularly among foreign investors. 'While MEF appreciates national celebrations and commemorations, such observances must be balanced with economic realities and the long-term competitiveness of Malaysian businesses,' it said. Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) president William Ng said that while he appreciates the symbolic importance of celebrating Malaysia Day, additional public holidays, especially those announced on short notice, can be disruptive for SMEs. He said the added holiday would increase costs for SMEs in terms of lost productivity, overtime pay, and delivery delays. 'We urge the government to conduct impact assessments before declaring unscheduled holidays,' he said. Ng also welcomed the encouraging economic indicators shared by Anwar in his address, particularly stronger GDP growth, improved global competitiveness rankings, and a more stable ringgit. 'However, we urge the government to ensure that the benefits of this growth are meaningfully felt by the SME sector, which continues to face persistent challenges in accessing financing, addressing labour shortages, and adapting to rising operational costs,' he said. The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has called on the government to urgently gazette the September 15 public holiday to provide legal clarity to employers. The additional holiday has triggered concerns within the manufacturing sector over compliance and planning, the group said. FMM said many businesses remain unclear whether the holiday falls under Section 8 or Section 9 of the Holidays Act 1951, which would affect their obligations under the Employment Act 1955. 'This is critical to provide legal clarity and enable businesses to plan operations, workforce scheduling, and ensure compliance with the Employment Act 1955,' said FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai. The group warned that manufacturers operating on shift-based or continuous cycles face higher risks from such unplanned disruptions. The four-day stretch from Saturday to Tuesday may force production lines to halt and restart, which FMM said would be inefficient and costly. It added that the cascading effects on supply chains, logistics and delivery timelines would be especially difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to manage. FMM advised employers to prepare buffer stock, adjust schedules, and communicate with workers, customers and suppliers to minimise operational risks. The group also reminded businesses to monitor the gazette and consider using the substitution option under Section 8, if applicable. It then reiterated its view that 'policy announcements must reflect clarity, consistency, certainty, and credibility,' adding that ad hoc decisions could undermine Malaysia's attractiveness to investors. * 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
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
40pc: Decision likely September 12
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 Text Size: Fadillah (right, front) chairing the special meeting of the Technical Committee under the MA63 Implementation Council. Kota Kinabalu: A resolution on Sabah's 40 per cent revenue claim under the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) is expected to be finalised before the Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the issue was the focus of a special meeting of the Technical Committee under the MA63 Implementation Council (MTPMA63) held at Menara Kinabalu, Monday, Advertisement He said the Sabah Government had submitted proposed solutions regarding the long-standing 40 per cent revenue claim during the meeting. Fadillah, who also chairs the committee, said each proposed solution would be presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ahead of the next MTPMA63 meeting, scheduled for Sept 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. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. Meanwhile, Jeffrey said 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. He said Sabah is suggesting that 40pc of federal revenue be allocated for non-disputed items. 'We have suggested implementing this 40pc on items that are not disputed, such as the taxes collected from the State as a temporary measure,' said the Deputy Chief Minister I. He said these suggestions must not prejudice the final decision on the issues involving the State's claim to the 40pc federal tax revenue return to the State as provided under Sections 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution. It is understood that the technical committee were cautious due to the SLS ongoing High Court case against the Federal Government over state rights to 40pc revenue. The SLS court case e-review is set to be heard at the Kota Kinabalu High Court on Aug 7. * 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
04-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Meeting on Sabah's 40pc revenue on July 15
Published on: Friday, July 04, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 04, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Masidi said Hajiji had sent two letters to the relevant authorities, both as a reminder and an offer for Sabah to host the next Kota Kinabalu: The much-anticipated Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting on Sabah's 40 per cent revenue entitlement, initially scheduled for June 30, has been postponed to mid July. State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the postponement was made following a request by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He dismissed claims that Sabah has been dragging its feet on the matter. Advertisement He said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had sent two letters to the relevant authorities, both as a reminder and an offer for Sabah to host the next MA63 Implementation Action Council Technical Committee (JKTPA-MA63) meeting scheduled to take place on July 15 in Sabah. The committee is chaired by Fadillah. On May 28, a meeting was held between the MA63 Technical Committee and both the Sabah and Sarawak governments. 'It is not accurate to say that we've been quiet or have forgotten about it. 'But I think the Deputy Prime Minister probably requested a change of date as he was unable to attend on June 30,' he said after the SMJ Energy Networking dinner Wednesday night. Sabah's entitlement to 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from the State is a right stipulated in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement, but which has remained unfulfilled since 1974. Fadillah has said that MA63-related demands must be discussed at the committee level before they can be presented to the Federal Cabinet for policy decisions. Masidi said the matter should conclude soon, as there had been 'enough talk.' On the full hearing of Sabah's revenue entitlement set for July 7, which coincides with the State Legislative Assembly sitting for the supplementary budget, Masidi said it was 'a healthy exercise.' The leave application for a judicial review of the matter was filed by the Sabah Law Society in 2022. * 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
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MA63 technical committee meeting set for July 15 in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council Technical Committee (JKTPA-MA63) meeting is scheduled to take place on July 15 in Sabah. State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun has dismissed claims that Sabah has been dragging its feet on the matter. He said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had sent two letters to the relevant authorities, both as a reminder and an offer for Sabah to host the next JKTPA-MA63 meeting. The committee is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. On May 28, a meeting was held between the MA63 Technical Committee and both the Sabah and Sarawak governments. "It is not accurate to say that we've been quiet or have forgotten about it. "But I think the deputy prime minister probably requested a change of date as he was unable to attend on June 30," he said, adding that the new tentative date is July 15. Masidi was speaking to reporters after the SMJ Energy Networking dinner last night. The meeting is aimed at enforcing Sabah's entitlement to 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from the state, a right stipulated in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement, but which has remained unfulfilled since 1974. Fadillah has said that MA63-related demands must be discussed at the committee level before they can be presented to the federal cabinet for policy decisions. Masidi said the matter should conclude soon, as there had been "enough talk." On the full hearing of Sabah's revenue entitlement set for July 7, which coincides with the state legislative sitting for the supplementary budget, Masidi said it was "a healthy exercise." The leave application for a judicial review of the matter was filed by the Sabah Law Society in 2022.
