Latest news with #PandikarAminMulia
Daily Express
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Local parties must lead: Hajiji
Published on: Monday, June 16, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji, accompanied by Usno President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, is welcomed by Usno members upon arrival at Dewan Terbuka, Seri Dungkuan, Kampung Rampayan Laut. KOTA BELUD: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said local parties must be dominant in Sabah politics and prioritised when forming alliances for the coming 17th state election. He said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government, which is formed by local parties, must be defended and continued in the coming election. Advertisement 'We want to continue this government, and that is why this election is important. We must not make the wrong choice. Local parties must be dominant in Sabah's political landscape and must be prioritised,' he said at the United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) annual congress, here, Sunday. Hajiji said any discussions on cooperation with other parties should not come at the expense of local leadership. 'Cooperation is another matter, but GRS as a local coalition must be defended. This aligns with the sentiment of the people on the ground who want local parties to lead the Government. 'As GRS chairman, I will ensure this,' he said. Hajiji said he would not hand over the rights and struggle of GRS to those with ill intentions. 'I will not easily surrender what GRS stands for to those trying to undermine the coalition,' he said. He urged leaders and members of all GRS component parties, including Usno, to go to the ground and engage with the public on the coalition's 'Our Home, We Protect' and 'Sabah First' philosophies. Other component parties include Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party, Parti Cinta Sabah, Liberal Demokratik Sabah and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah. 'This is our mission. When we say, 'Our Home, We Protect', it should be understood clearly. We shouldn't have to explain bit by bit. It's simple, we take care of our own,' he said. On Saturday, Sabah PKR Chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said official negotiations with GRS were set to begin ahead of the state election, following approval from the PKR and PH central leadership. However, GRS Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the coalition should 'honour' Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's call for it to contest against BN in the polls before discussions on any possible cooperation. He said such a contest would eliminate any accusations that victory depends solely on the strength of particular parties within coalitions. 'I agree with Bung that GRS and BN should face off in the coming state election. By leaving it to the people, whoever wins will no longer face accusations that Party A won because of Party B's strength, and there will be no more allegations of betrayal,' said Armizan. * 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
Borneo Post
06-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Double Six memorial proposed at Prince Philip Park to broaden public awareness
Pandikar and the Sunduvan team at the Double Six memorial site in Sembulan. KOTA KINABALU (June 6): Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) chairman Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has unveiled plans to establish a Double Six memorial as part of the redevelopment of Prince Philip Park in Tanjung Aru. Pandikar said the proposal will be included in the park's redevelopment blueprint but will not be categorized as part of the general beautification efforts. The project is estimated to cost over RM200,000. One of the key features of the memorial includes a realistic replica of the Nomad aircraft crashing into the South China Sea, symbolizing the tragic event of June 6, 1976. 'We want to portray what really happened on that fateful day,' Pandikar said at a press conference today, held at the current Double Six Monument in Sembulan alongside members of the NGO Sunduvan Sabah. The proposal also includes the installation of a replica of the Keningau Oath Stone and other elements that represent significant historical moments in Sabah's past, such as the Merdeka parade in Kota Kinabalu on August 31, 1963. 'The idea is that most people don't normally visit the Sembulan site as it is relatively secluded. In contrast, Prince Philip Park sees many visitors. If this plan materializes, more people — locals and tourists alike — will be exposed to the history of the Double Six tragedy and other important events in Sabah's history,' he said. Pandikar acknowledged that some family members of the Double Six victims have expressed objections, as they prefer not to be reminded of the tragedy. 'I respect their feelings, but these individuals were also national leaders. The public has a right to know what happened. I plan to meet the families personally to explain our intentions and hopefully gain their blessings,' he added. While emphasizing that the Sembulan memorial remains the official site of the incident, Pandikar stressed the importance of having complementary installations in more accessible locations. 'The Double Six tragedy was a pivotal moment in Sabah's history. Expanding awareness through educational and symbolic displays at places like Prince Philip Park would help both Malaysians and international visitors understand the significance of that era,' he said.
The Star
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Double Six memorial may be added to revamped Prince Philip Park in Tanjung Aru
KOTA KINABALU: The Double Six tragedy, a defining moment in Sabah's history, could soon be given greater prominence as part of the upcoming redevelopment of Prince Philip Park at Tanjung Aru. Tanjung Aru Eco-Development Sdn Bhd (TAED) chairman Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said there are plans to include a memorial replica of the Nomad aircraft in the incident as part of the iconic park's redevelopment. 'The idea is not to relocate the existing memorial in Sembulan, but to create an additional site of remembrance within the redeveloped Prince Philip Park,' he told reporters after attending the 49th anniversary commemoration at the crash site in Sembulan on Friday (June 6). ALSO READ: Federal Govt, youth participation sought for 50th anniversary of Double Six crash next year He said it was important to ensure that the public, especially younger generations, understand the significance of the tragedy on June 6, 1976 that claimed the lives of many state Cabinet members, including then chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens. 'We understand some family members of the victims may feel uncomfortable about a replica being displayed, as it could revive painful memories. "I respect that and would like to meet them personally to explain our intentions. If they object, we are willing to adjust our plans,' he added. He stressed that the memorial is not meant to sensationalise the incident, but rather to honour the legacy of the leaders who died. 'Prince Philip Park is a historical site for Sabahans, and this redevelopment is an opportunity to highlight Sabah's journey, right from the Colonial era to Independence and beyond,' he added. ALSO READ: 'Double Six' tragedy: Memorial needs a proper monument, says Kitingan Among the park's new features will be an archive-like building that showcases the path to independence. 'Many people would not go out of their way to visit the national archives. But if we make it part of a park that they already enjoy, it becomes a space for everyday education,' Pandikar Amin said. He estimated the cost of the Double Six memorial component to be between RM100,000 and RM200,000, forming a small part of the larger RM35mil park revitalisation. He also expressed concern over the public's lack of awareness regarding the tragedy. He cited a recent talk he gave to a Peninsular Malaysian NGO, where most attendees had never heard of the incident. 'This is why I support the idea of incorporating the Double Six tragedy and its historical context into the national school syllabus,' he said. He welcomed the growing interest in the memorial among Sabah's younger generation, noting the high number of teenagers and young adults who attended the recent remembrance event in Sembulan. 'While the site at Sembulan remains the official memorial, we are in full support of establishing complementary access points in nearby areas. "It is about expanding the reach of our history … so that even non-Malaysians can understand the significance of what happened on that day,' he said. The redevelopment of Prince Philip Park, long a favourite public recreation space in Kota Kinabalu, is part of a broader eco-tourism vision under the Tanjung Aru Eco-Development initiative. 'We want the park to be a place that preserves memory, encourages learning, and reflects our identity as Sabahans,' Pandikar Amin said.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Usno feels belittled within GRS, says president, warning it may be forced to contest solo
Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia delivering his speech during Usno's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Sandakan. KOTA KINABALU: United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) has warned that it may be forced to contest solo in the upcoming state election if it continues to be belittled and sidelined within the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition. Party president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia's unhappiness stems from what he described as a dismissive attitude by some leaders within GRS, who questioned Usno's right to demand seats despite the party's efforts to build grassroots support across Sabah. "I am not satisfied when I hear friends asking, how can Usno ask for seats when they claim we have no movement, no support on the ground," he said during the party's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Sandakan recently. "We hope the top leadership of GRS will consider Usno, even though we are seen as a 'mosquito' party," he added. Pandikar warned that if the sidelining continued, Usno would have no choice but to contest independently. "In politics, there are conditions and possibilities. Like what (Datuk Seri) Dr Jeffrey (Kitingan) said, today we are friends, tomorrow we might be rivals. "It is not because Usno wants to contest solo, but because we are forced by the situation of being sidelined," he said. Pandikar also said that in today's political landscape, party branding mattered less than the ability to win seats. "Politics in Malaysia is no longer like before. Today, politics does not look at the party, does not look at anything. "As long as you have a seat, even if you are an independent, you can strengthen a group that becomes the chief minister. "It doesn't matter if the person knows nothing. What is valuable now is the number," he said. He said Usno's momentum would continue with more grassroots engagements planned across Semporna, Kota Kinabalu, Petagas, Tanjung Keramat, Banggi and Pitas. Pandikar also warned that political leaders must not underestimate the growing aspiration among younger voters for a Sarawak-style political model, where local parties dominate without external interference. "Voters today are not like five or 10 years ago. Before, if you wore a songkok and stood under the Barisan Nasional logo, you would win. Now, even big parties can lose to independents," he said. "If leaders misread this aspiration, we will be watering the seeds of rebellion," he added. Reflecting on internal dynamics within GRS, Pandikar said rivalry among parties was inevitable. "In a big group like GRS, we treat each other like siblings. But even among siblings, there is rivalry – rivalry to get the attention of the head of the family," he said. GRS currently comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Homeland Solidarity Party, Usno, Sabah Progressive Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party and Parti Cinta Sabah. Usno, which officially joined GRS in May 2022, currently does not hold any state or federal seats in Sabah.
