Latest news with #PartiBersatuSabah
The Star
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Some think Sabah has too many holidays
KOTA KINABALU: An additional holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day is a welcome break for most people, but some feel that Sabah already has too many state and national holidays, so another day is not necessary. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Deputy Chief Minister II Dauk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam both disagreed with the move to declare Sept 15 a public holiday. 'Personally, I feel Malaysia, especially Sabah, has too many holidays already,' Dr Gunsalam, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah president, said. Kitingan said Malaysia Day is already a national holiday and there is no need to declare another day. '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 added. Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee also said the extra day is unnecessary. Unionist Laurence Vun said any holiday would be welcomed by workers. However, he 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, a Sabah Cuepacs executive. Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Prof Dr Lee Kuok Tiung felt that the announcement was aimed at boosting domestic tourism. 'The additional holiday will encourage more people to go on a longer weekend holiday break,' he said. Several businessmen also felt that there are too many holidays, resulting in them having to pay overtime to staff and bear higher costs.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Fredian Gan poised to lead Melalap under GRS banner
Fredian Gan TENOM (July 23): Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), a major component party of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), has endorsed Datuk Fredian Gan as its candidate for the Melalap state seat in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election, citing his deep community roots and proven leadership as key assets for the constituency's future. Fredian, a native of Melalap with strong connections to the Chinese and Murut communities, is widely seen as a unifying figure who can bridge ethnic divides and spearhead development initiatives long awaited by Melalap residents. Coming from a family respected in the region, Fredian's late father was a pioneering tailor and businessman who served as chairman of the Tenom Chinese Chamber of Commerce and also held leadership roles in local schools such as Chung Hwa Primary and Tenom Tshung Tsin Secondary School. On his maternal side, he is the great-grandson of the late Datuk Sanggau Jalang, who was appointed as the first Native Chief of the Murut Timugon group by the British colonial administration. The Sanggau family remains one of the most influential clans in Melalap, enhancing Fredian's unique position as a cultural bridge. Fredian's siblings remain actively involved in a variety of business activities within the district, including running a restaurant, sundry shop, beauty and hair salon, as well as ventures in plantations, transport and contracting. This strong family presence in local commerce further anchors Fredian's deep ties to the community. Fredian brings with him decades of experience across both public and private sectors. Beginning his career at Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB) and Standard Chartered Bank, he later transitioned to Sabah's civil service, where he held key roles including Assistant District Officer, District Officer, Deputy Permanent Secretary, and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB). He retired as the Deputy State Secretary (Development). Currently, he is the Group CEO of POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd, where he is credited with leading growth and innovation. PBS highlighted several reasons why Fredian is their top choice to contest Melalap: Born and bred in Melalap, with a deep understanding of local challenges. Decades of leadership experience in government and corporate sectors. Respected across ethnic lines by community leaders and grassroots. A long-time advocate for development in Melalap, even before entering politics. His candidacy is driven by a sense of duty rather than political ambition. Represents a symbol of unity between Murut and Chinese communities. Seen as a key figure to help GRS consolidate support in the interior.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Let Sabah be genuinely ruled by Sabahans – PBS leader
Peter Mak KOTA KINABALU (July 20): Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Vice President and Labuan Division Chief, Datuk Peter Mak Chun Vun, has urged Sabahans to unite in support of greater state autonomy, warning that failure to act could result in development stagnation—similar to concerns raised about Labuan. Speaking at the joint Annual General Meeting of the PBS Api-Api, Luyang and Likas divisions at Hakka Hall, Mak stressed that meaningful progress in Sabah can only be achieved when the state regains full control over its governance and development agenda. 'Only Sabah's leaders and government truly understand the challenges faced by our grassroots communities. I speak from my experience as Division Chief of PBS Labuan for many years,' he said. 'We know the infrastructure we need and are committed to elevating Sabah to be on par with the more developed states in Malaysia.' Mak clarified that the call for autonomy should not be seen as a rejection of the Federal Government. Rather, it is a necessary step toward ensuring that development in Sabah is shaped by local priorities, not blanket national policies. 'Policies crafted across the sea often miss the mark when applied to Sabah. Our unique socio-economic and geographic realities require targeted, research-based approaches that can effectively address local issues,' he explained. He also urged Sabahans to show solidarity in the upcoming state election by supporting Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which he said represents a strong and united local front capable of pushing for the full implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'This election is critical. We need a strong state government — one that is grounded in the will of the people and prepared to demand what is rightfully ours under MA63,' he said. 'It's time for Sabah to reclaim its rights. The recognition of our autonomy is not merely a legal matter — it is the key to unlocking our true development potential.'
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabahans urged to back local governance
Published on: Sunday, July 20, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 20, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice president Datuk Peter Mak ( pic ) has urged Sabahans to unite in support of greater state autonomy to ensure the state's development keeps pace with the rest of the country. Speaking at the PBS Api-Api, Luyang and Likas joint AGM, he said meaningful progress is possible only when Sabah has full control over its own affairs. Advertisement Mak said local leaders are better placed to understand and address community needs, drawing from his experience leading PBS in Labuan. He clarified that the autonomy push should not be viewed as anti-Federal, but rather a step toward development driven by local priorities and realities. He also called on voters to support Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the upcoming state election, saying a strong mandate is essential to uphold Sabah's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). * 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
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Unified political approach needed in Sabah, says Joniston Bangkuai
KOTA KINABALU: Politicians working together can bring better development and political stability to a government than acting alone, says Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. The Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) information chief stated that parties opting to run solo in the upcoming state elections are not acting in the people's best interests. Speaking to villagers at a meet-the-people session in Kiulu on Saturday (July 19), he said the unified approach under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has proven effective in governing the state inclusively and stably, with a focus on long-term development. "The GRS government is moving in the same direction as the GPS government in Sarawak, which is formed by local parties representing all races. This approach is the best for Sabah," said Bangkuai. "If we look at Sarawak, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) holds a clear majority but still chooses to work with other parties to develop the socio-economy of Sarawak jointly. Not alone," he said. On Parti Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Malaysia's (KDM) plan to stand alone, he called it a political tactic that goes against the aspirations of Sabahans. "We do not deny any party's right to stand on its own, but at the end of the day, the people will judge based on results," Bangkuai said, adding that stability can only be achieved when local parties work together, not compete against each other. "If we want to bring about a mature political approach, it must be followed by a willingness to work together and compromise, not move alone and deny collective strength," he added. He also reminded the public how Warisan and KDM had been willing to collude with Umno in an attempt to topple the state government led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, which he said prioritised personal political interests over the state's stability. "Such actions do not reflect leadership that puts people first but rather undermine public confidence and distract from the focus on the development agenda," Bangkuai said. He reiterated that under Hajiji's leadership, the GRS government has shown that a coalition of local parties can function well and has achieved many successes, such as increasing state reserves and rolling out welfare initiatives.
