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Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Sabah Forestry Department detains two lorries carrying logs in Ranau
Published on: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 30, 2025 Text Size: Frederick said inspections revealed the two lorries were transporting a total of 59 logs, equivalent to 63.2 cubic metres. SANDAKAN: The Sabah Forestry Department (SFD), in collaboration with the General Operations Force (GOF), detained two lorries carrying logs at Kg Randagong in Ranau during Operasi Khazanah at 1.30am on July 23. Sabah Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan said both lorries were stopped for transporting logs without a valid Removal Pass and for operating outside the permitted hours of 7am to 7pm, as required by SFD. He was commenting on a viral report on the seizure of the two lorries loaded with logs valued at RM2.68 million. Frederick said inspections revealed the two lorries were transporting a total of 59 logs, equivalent to 63.2 cubic metres. 'Further investigation by the Sabah Forestry Department confirmed that all the logs originated from a licensed logging operation under Form I belonging to Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd in Sipitang. All royalty payments amounting to RM4,732.70 have been duly settled with the State Government. 'Based on the domestic market price for processed timber, the Sabah Forestry Department estimates the commercial value of the seized logs to be around RM31,600. For the offence, the licensee was fined RM1,600,' he said in a statement. Frederick emphasised that SFD remains committed to enforcing the law to safeguard the State's forest resources and ensure that logging activities are conducted in accordance with established laws and regulations. * 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 Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Lorry owner fined RM1,600 for moving logs without pass in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: A lorry owner was fined RM1,600 after being caught transporting 59 logs without a removal pass during an operation in Kampung Randagong, Ranau. The Sabah Forestry Department (JPS) and General Operations Force (GOP) detained the two lorries in a late-night operation last Wednesday (July 23). Sabah Forestry Department chief conservator Datuk Frederick Kugan confirmed the logs originated from Sipitang district, with royalty payments of RM4,732.70 already made to the state government. 'The commercial value of the logs is estimated at RM31,600. Following the offence, the licensee was fined RM1,600,' he said in a statement. Kugan emphasised that JPS remains committed to enforcing regulations to protect forest resources and ensure legal logging practices. – Bernama
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Sabah's quiet surge: How the Land Below the Wind is stepping out of Sarawak's shadow
FOR years, Sarawak has been the economic success story of East Malaysia. Its commanding lead in oil and gas (O&G), infrastructure and state autonomy often made it the benchmark others aspired to. But that narrative is beginning to shift. Quietly but steadily, Sabah is emerging as a serious contender – and in some areas – it is already pulling ahead. In 1Q 2025, Sabah recorded RM10.9 bil in approved investments, the third highest in the country, trailing only Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. What's more telling is that 61% of these investments were foreign direct investment (FDI), indicating strong global confidence in Sabah's economic trajectory. By contrast, Sarawak's investment momentum has slowed with over 65% of its 2023 capital inflows coming from domestic sources. A manufacturing revival built on steel and glass This momentum is not isolated. It is matched by a manufacturing sector that is fast gaining national prominence. Sabah topped Malaysia's manufacturing investments during 1Q 2025 at RM7.3 bil. This is on the back of major investments prior led by major players such as China's Kibing Group which pumped in RM950 mil to expand its glass production facility in Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park. A massive RM31 bil green steel project by Esteel Enterprise is also underway in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park. These moves signal Sabah's transition from raw commodity dependency to higher-value industrial activities, a transition that Sarawak began earlier but one Sabah is now accelerating with notable speed. Under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sabah has negotiated for equity stakes in key projects – including 50% in the Samarang offshore oil field, 25% in the SAMUR petrochemical plant and most recently, 25% in PETRONAS' RM13.7 bil nearshore floating liquefied natural gas (ZLNG) facility in Sipitang. These landmark deals not only promise long-term revenue streams but reflect growing confidence in Sabah's governance and regulatory clarity. ConocoPhillips' recent pivot toward Sabah's deepwater blocks also underscores a shift in upstream priorities. Tourism numbers back with a vengeance In terms of tourism, Sabah welcomed 3.1 million tourists in 2024, surpassing its own target and building on its post-pandemic rebound. While Sarawak registered higher total arrivals, Sabah's aggressive international marketing, direct flight connectivity and nature-based appeal are helping it capture a broader and more resilient tourist mix. New direct routes from Taipei, Busan and Fukuoka are boosting visibility and accessibility for both leisure travellers and investors. Crucially, Sabah's appeal lies in its diversity – from Mount Kinabalu and Sipadan Island to cultural trails and rural homestays. These offerings have been packaged with a more modern marketing push, including social media-driven campaigns, ecotourism showcases and strategic airline partnerships. Industry players are of the view that Sabah's branding feels fresher, more global and more connected to experiential travel trends driving today's tourism recovery. From most poor to most improved Beyond the headline numbers, Sabah's development push is showing up where it matters most – in households once left behind. In just over a year, Sabah slashed its number of hardcore poor households from over 22,000 in mid-2023 to just 1,464 by early 2025. By comparison, Sarawak still had over 17,000 such households as of May 2024. Sabah's targeted aid programmes, affordable housing roll-out and student support schemes have helped deliver tangible results. The numbers are not just statistics – they represent a shift in the lived realities of thousands. The Hajiji effect: Policy, pressure and delivery None of this happened by accident. Under the Hajiji administration, Sabah has streamlined investor approvals, set performance timelines and enforced implementation deadlines, even warning civil servants to act swiftly or face removal. The Sabah Maju Jaya plan is no longer a slogan; it is policy with teeth, backed by fiscal prudence and political stability. Sarawak still leads in areas like power exports and state reserves – and remains a vital engine of Malaysia's economy. But the data suggests that Sabah may no longer be playing catch-up. In fact, the next chapter of East Malaysia's development story may very well be written from Kota Kinabalu. For years, Sabah looked up to Sarawak's model. The view now is starting to level out. – July 29, 2025 Main image credit: New Malaysia Herald
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Kuala T'ganu bank officer cheated of RM240,000 in vehicle purchase scam
KUALA TERENGGANU: A bank officer has been left devastated after losing RM241,700, including his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings, in an online vehicle purchase scam. Kuala Terengganu OCPD Asst Comm Azli Mohd Noor said the 52-year-old victim came across an advertisement for a used four-wheel-drive vehicle on Facebook on July 4. Interested in the offer, the victim clicked on the link and began communicating with the purported seller via WhatsApp, he said. The victim was told to provide a copy of his MyKad and make an advance payment to a representative of the suspect's company, supposedly based in Port Klang, Selangor. "Between July 9 and 21, the victim made 40 payments to eight different accounts totalling RM241,700. "The victim began to suspect he had been cheated when he was asked to pay an additional RM31,000 supposedly for fingerprinting costs at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department," he said in a statement on Monday (July 28). ACP Azli said the victim lodged a police report on Sunday (July 27) and that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. – Bernama
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Bank officer loses RM241,700 in online vehicle scam
KUALA TERENGGANU: A bank officer lost his entire savings, including EPF funds, amounting to RM241,700 in an elaborate online vehicle purchase scam. The victim, a 52-year-old man, fell prey to a fraudulent advertisement for a used four-wheel-drive vehicle on Facebook. Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor stated that the incident began on July 4 when the victim responded to the advertisement. He communicated with the supposed seller via WhatsApp and was asked to provide a copy of his identity card along with an advance payment. 'Between July 9 and 21, the victim made 40 transactions to eight different accounts, totalling RM241,700,' Azli said. The scam escalated when the suspect demanded an additional RM31,000 for alleged fingerprinting costs at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. The victim realised he had been deceived and lodged a police report yesterday morning. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. - Bernama
