Latest news with #Mustapha
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Pakatan eyes 25 seats in polls pact with GRS
KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Harapan aims to contest up to 25 seats in an electoral pact with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS). Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said he expected the seat distribution to be ironed out soon. 'It has to be discussed with GRS, mainly PGRS (Gagasan Rakyat). We welcome the cooperation. The next step is to discuss seats,' he said after the Gagasan Rakyat annual general assembly here yesterday. Mustapha said Sabah Pakatan would like to contest between 23 and 25 of the 73 seats up for grabs. Sabah PKR won two seats – Inanam and Api Api – in the 2020 state election. It was earlier reported that PKR was eyeing between 13 and 18 seats, with Amanah seeking five, DAP six to eight and Upko up to eight. Mustapha said the pact with GRS was a positive development for political stability in Sabah. 'I want to thank the chief minister for upholding cooperation between GRS and Pakatan. As a Pakatan leader, I welcome it. I think it is good for Sabah and Sabahans,' he added.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Hajiji Confirms GRS, PH Electoral Pact In Sabah Election
KOTA KINABALU, July 27 (Bernama) -- Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has confirmed that an electoral pact will be formed between GRS and Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election. The Chief Minister said the matter had been discussed among GRS component parties, and a consensus was reached to establish an electoral arrangement with PH. Hajiji, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) president, said the move reflects the ongoing cooperation between GRS and PH within the current state administration. bootstrap slideshow 'Of course, we are ready, but (the electoral pact formula) is not yet finalised. There are still a few matters to iron out,' he told reporters after officiating the Gagasan Rakyat Annual General Meeting 2025 here today. Meanwhile, Sabah PH deputy chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud expressed his appreciation to the Chief Minister for upholding the spirit of cooperation between the two coalitions. 'I think it's good news for Sabah,' he said. bootstrap slideshow Mustapha said the next step would involve negotiations on seat allocation and expressed hope that the process would be carried out fairly. Asked how many seats Sabah PH is eyeing in the upcoming state polls, Mustapha said the coalition is targeting between 23 and 25 seats, subject to the outcome of negotiations. The current five-year term of the 16th Sabah state assembly will expire automatically on Nov 11, paving the way for the 17th Sabah State Election.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
RM689 million in Sabah SSPN deposits
Published on: Sunday, July 27, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 27, 2025 By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: 'Education funds such as the National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) play an important role in ensuring access to education is not affected by financial constraints," Mustapha said. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has so far received National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) deposits amounting to RM689.84 million, with more than 500,000 accounts opened since it was introduced in 2004 up to June 30 this year. Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, said this is a proud achievement and proof that the support of Simpan SSPN depositors remains strong. 'I have been informed that since 2004 the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has focused on the mission of encouraging savings to reduce society's dependence on loans. Alhamdulillah, over more than two decades, Simpan SSPN has continued to record sustainable performance every year and gained the confidence and trust of the public. 'I hope that Simpan SSPN will become the best choice for parents to save consistently for a guaranteed future in education. 'Take the opportunity today to start saving with Simpan SSPN, which offers various benefits and privileges. Savings for education is a form of long-term investment that ensures the future of children. 'The development of the country's education does not only depend on the provision of infrastructure and quality educators, but also requires strong support from the aspect of effective financial planning. 'Education funds such as the National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) play an important role in ensuring access to education is not affected by financial constraints," he said at the Anak Warisan Simpan SSPN 2025 carnival (Kawan) organised by PTPTN, Saturday, at the Exhibition Hall in Complex Karamunsing. According to Mustapha, since 2022 until June this year, about RM77.01 million had been allocated by the State Government through the Deputy State Secretary Office (Special Duties) for incentives for programmes such as Bistari, Budi and Bakti. 'It includes contributions in the form of Simpan SSPN accounts for several programmes, namely the Birth Incentive under the State Education Fund Compassionate Assistance (Bistari) with an allocation of RM4.12 million. 'This incentive targets babies born in Sabah with a contribution of RM100. 'In 2025, this assistance will also be extended to Year 1 pupils in primary schools, with an estimated 25,000 students set to receive this contribution. 'The One-Off Cash Assistance for IPT Registration (Budi) with an allocation of RM49.89 million is to help Sabahan students from the B40 and M40 groups who have received offers to further their studies at local and international higher learning institutions, with a contribution of RM1,500 for Foundation/Matriculation/Diploma-level programmes and RM2,000 for Degree-level programmes, and the Special Examination Cash Assistance Incentive (Bakti) with an allocation of RM23 million. 'This assistance is given to students from the B40 group who will be sitting for major examinations such as SPM, STPM and STAM, with a contribution of RM200. 'Therefore, I urge the State Government, government agencies and the private sectors to make Simpan SSPN the main choice for providing incentives to employees, students and others,' 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
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Make SSPN primary incentive scheme for staff, students
KOTA KINABALU: State governments and public and private agencies are encouraged to prioritise the National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) as the main option for incentives to employees and students. Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said Simpan SSPN, managed by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), is crucial in ensuring access to education is not hindered by financial constraints. "Since 2004, PTPTN has focused on promoting savings to reduce dependence on loans. Over two decades, Simpan SSPN has maintained strong performance each year and gained public trust," he said when officiating the Simpan SSPN Heritage Children's Carnival (KAWAN) 2025 here today. Mustapha said total deposits under Simpan SSPN reached RM21.93 billion across 6.98 million accounts as of June 30, a milestone reflecting consistent support since its launch in 2004. He urged parents to consider Simpan SSPN as the preferred savings vehicle to secure their children's education. "Saving for education is a long-term investment that ensures our children's future," he said, adding deposits in Sabah alone amounted to RM689.84 million from more than 500,000 accounts. Regarding KAWAN 2025, Mustapha described it as a progressive initiative to foster a savings culture among the younger generation while promoting creativity and appreciation of cultural heritage. He also encouraged parents to leverage the programme as financial preparation for their children's pursuit of higher education. Meanwhile, PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim said depositors enjoy various benefits under Simpan SSPN, including income tax relief of up to RM8,000 annually. "Benefits include takaful protection for depositors, free matching grants of up to RM10,000 per eligible family and competitive, shariah-compliant dividend rates," she said. PTPTN also thanked the Sabah government for providing incentives to the state's residents. Norliza said KAWAN 2025, held simultaneously across 14 states, demonstrates PTPTN's commitment to raising awareness of education's importance and instilling values such as thrift and family resilience to build a harmonious MADANI generation. Earlier today, about 1,000 participants of various ages joined the PTPTN and Sabah Community Run 2025, part of community engagement and healthy lifestyle activities. – BERNAMA
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Make SSPN Primary Incentive Scheme For Staff, Students
KOTA KINABALU, July 26 (Bernama) -- State governments and public and private agencies are encouraged to prioritise the National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) as the main option for incentives to employees and students. Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said Simpan SSPN, managed by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), is crucial in ensuring access to education is not hindered by financial constraints. 'Since 2004, PTPTN has focused on promoting savings to reduce dependence on loans. Over two decades, Simpan SSPN has maintained strong performance each year and gained public trust,' he said when officiating the Simpan SSPN Heritage Children's Carnival (KAWAN) 2025 here today. Mustapha said total deposits under Simpan SSPN reached RM21.93 billion across 6.98 million accounts as of June 30, a milestone reflecting consistent support since its launch in 2004. He urged parents to consider Simpan SSPN as the preferred savings vehicle to secure their children's education. 'Saving for education is a long-term investment that ensures our children's future,' he said, adding deposits in Sabah alone amounted to RM689.84 million from more than 500,000 accounts. Regarding KAWAN 2025, Mustapha described it as a progressive initiative to foster a savings culture among the younger generation while promoting creativity and appreciation of cultural heritage. He also encouraged parents to leverage the programme as financial preparation for their children's pursuit of higher education. Meanwhile, PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim said depositors enjoy various benefits under Simpan SSPN, including income tax relief of up to RM8,000 annually.
