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Daily Express
21-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Scholarships for pre-U studies
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 By: Larry Ralon, Rahim Matnin Text Size: Hajiji posing with the scholarship recipients and students. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah State Scholarship (BKNS) is offering scholarships to students pursuing foundation, matriculation and A-level studies beginning this year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. 'Apart from that, the scholarship allowance for all sponsored students currently studying in public and private universities will also be standardised. 'This initiative is part of BKNS' ongoing commitment to support the development of education in the State to ensure that more promising students gain access to higher education,' he said. Speaking at the Sabah Excellence Scholarship Award presentation ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Monday, the Chief Minister said this year, the State Government has allocated the highest amount for scholarships compared to previous years. 'From only RM50 million in 2020, the BKNS allocation has continued to increase year by year over the past five years, reaching RM136 million in 2025. 'This marks an increase of RM86 million from 2019, reflecting the State Government's commitment to supporting the education of young Sabahans,' he said. The Chief Minister said the State Government has made significant investments to implement various initiatives in the development of education in the State, benefiting a total of 13,550 students from 2021 to 2024. He said the Yayasan Sabah Group's commitment was evident, with an allocation of RM67.17 million for the education sector last year, benefiting 3,234 students. It represented a significant increase of 148.96 per cent compared to only RM26.98 million in 2020, he said, adding that some 10,104 recipients benefited from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) that he had launched in June 2022, involving a total expenditure of RM15.8 million. He said through the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) Zakat and Fitrah Division, more than 48,000 students across Sabah have benefited over the past five years, with a total expenditure of RM92.4 million. Hajiji said the initiative will help to improve the education standards of young Sabahans and support the development of quality human capital. He reiterated that in line with efforts to strengthen and diversify education aid initiatives in the State, various types of assistance have been implemented through the Deputy State Secretary (Special Task) Office. This year alone, he said, a total of RM77.5 million has been allocated to fund 14 educational assistance initiatives, among them were the One-Off IPT Registration Cash Aid (Budi); Computer Assistance Initiative (Baik); Sabah Student Flight Ticket Assistance (GRS-Subfly); and Sentosa - aid for students studying in higher learning institutions in Sabah. These education assistance initiatives were also supported by agencies such as the Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah and the Sabah Baitulmal Corporation, he said. Hajiji said the various educational assistance initiatives provided through different departments and agencies reflected the State Government's strong commitment to safeguarding the welfare and future of young Sabahans. 'We will continue to ensure that the people's wellbeing is always protected and given due attention, regardless of their background. To our youths, study diligently and strive for greater excellence. 'Explore professional fields such as oil, gas and energy, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI), to produce highly skilled and quality individuals from Sabah across various sectors,' he said. Hajiji hoped this award would serve as a strong motivation for the students to excel further and at the same time help elevate Sabah's name on the national and international stage. 'I would also like to remind all recipients not to let this award become a reason for complacency. Instead, let it be an aspiration to continue striving for excellence, in support of the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda and the national Madani vision. 'Students who receive this excellent scholarship award carry a greater responsibility and trust in the future. This includes being exemplary role models to their peers, not easily influenced by sentiments, excessive rhetoric or matters that could ultimately harm our State and country,' 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
17-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Bitcoin miners stole RM4.8 billion in electricity since 2018, says deputy minister
ALOR STAR: Illegal bitcoin miners have stolen RM4.8 billion in electricity since 2018, said Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. He said the staggering figure highlighted the scale and persistence of such activities despite repeated crackdowns. "This is not a small number. We must step up efforts to tackle this issue," he said after joining a joint operation involving Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the Energy Commission (ST) and police today. Akmal Nasrullah said there had been a worrying surge in such cases in tandem with the soaring value of bitcoin. "In 2023, we recorded 2,399 cases. Up to June this year, we've already logged around 1,800 cases. This spike coincides with bitcoin's price breaching RM500,000 per coin," he said. Bitcoin is a popular cryptocurrency that is obtained either by purchasing them on the open market or using computers to solve complex algorithms that yield the digital currency. Running these computers is called mining and their vast computing power requires massive amounts of electricity. At a premises raided today, authorities found 80 mining machines operating around the clock, draining an estimated RM86,000 in electricity per month. Another location that had been raided eight times prior to today's operation unearthed 38 mining units illegaly drawing RM45,000 in electricity a month. "The last raid was in May, but they've resumed operations. This is the ninth time this location has been raided," Akmal said. Overall, the seven premises raided today were estimated to have stolen RM273,679 in electricity a month.
Daily Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah Development Bank Berhad slashes pre-tax losses to RM86 million from RM878 million
Published on: Wednesday, July 02, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025 Text Size: The bank approved RM1.763 billion in loans within its development mandate between January 2024 and June 2025, while rejecting RM9.646 billion in applications that fell outside its scope. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Development Bank Berhad (SDB) recorded a dramatic financial recovery, slashing its pre-tax losses by 90 per cent to RM86 million in 2024, down from RM878 million the previous year. In a statement Tuesday, the state-owned bank attributed the improvement to its ongoing transformation programme launched in late 2023 under a new leadership. The bank expects to return to profitability in FY2025. 'This progress reflects positive momentum in SDB's ongoing 3-Year Transformation Journey,' SDB said, in a statement, noting that extensive provisions for bad loans and asset write-downs had contributed to the heavy losses in 2023. The bank's financial health has strengthened considerably, with its capital ratio recovering from 7.9 per cent at end-2023 to 20.71 per cent by December 2024, supported by the Sabah Government. RAM Rating Services Berhad (RAM) affirmed SDB's strong AA1 credit rating in June, citing high payment safety and stable outlook. The SDB has refocused its operations on financing Sabah's development projects, particularly in infrastructure, power and water sectors. The bank approved RM1.763 billion in loans within its development mandate between January 2024 and June 2025, while rejecting RM9.646 billion in applications that fell outside its scope. The bank has also made progress tackling non-performing loans through a dedicated recovery team, with RM965 million in settlement proposals approved and RM2 billion in pledged securities under receivership. * 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
01-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah Development Bank's losses drop significantly
— Photo from Sabah Development Bank website KOTA KINABALU (July 1): Sabah Development Bank Berhad (SDB) on Tuesday announced a significantly reduced pretax loss of RM86 million (net loss of RM82 million) for the financial year ended 2024. This marks a notable improvement from the substantial pretax loss of RM878 million (net loss of RM684 million) recorded in the previous year, primarily due to extensive provisions for Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) and diminished asset values accumulated over the past years. SDB expects to report a modest profit in FY2025. This progress reflects positive momentum in SDB's ongoing 3-Year Transformation Journey, which commenced in the second half of 2023 under a new board and management. Following a rigorous restructuring exercise, the Bank's total capital ratio had dropped to 7.9% by end 2023. However, as of end-2024, the capital ratio has rebounded to a strong 20.71%, backed by strong support from the Sabah State Government. On 4 June 2025, RAM Rating Services Berhad (RAM) affirmed SDB's debt instrument ratings at AA1/Stable/P1. The AA1 rating indicates a high safety for payment of financial obligations, while the 'Stable' outlook reflects RAM's expectations that the long-term rating will be unchanged over the intermediate term. The Bank's Commercial Papers were also affirmed at P1, the highest short-term rating assigned by RAM, reflecting high safety for payment of short-term obligations. In alignment with its mandate from the State Government, SDB is now focused on financing development projects in Sabah, predominantly in the infrastructure, power and water sectors. The State has positioned SDB as the lead lender for local-content in major investment projects, reinforcing its pivotal role in driving Sabah's economic growth. Between January 2024 to June 2025, SDB approved RM1.763 billion loan applications within its developmental mandate. During the same period, the Bank turned down RM9.646 billion in loan applications that either fell outside its mandate or did not meet its enhanced credit standards. Since the setup of an independent professional recovery team in September 2023, notable progress has been made in addressing the NPLs. The Bank's Board has approved RM965 million in settlement proposals. This is in addition to RM2 billion in pledged securities currently placed under receivership.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Govt to provide aid to rebuild homes destroyed in Kampung Bagan Pasir Laut fire, says Zahid
BAGAN DATUK: The government will provide appropriate assistance to help victims of the fire in Kampung Bagan Pasir Laut, Hutan Melintang, rebuild their homes destroyed in last Saturday's (June 28) blaze. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a total of 21 heads of household (KIRs) and several shop lot owners were identified as eligible for assistance following a census conducted. "The current allocation is approximately RM86,000 for each housing unit. "Today, government departments, agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and associations have contributed RM10,000 to each affected family. Additionally, a local Buddhist association has channelled RM100,000 in aid to all victims,' he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Bagan Datuk MP, said this to reporters after visiting the site and presenting aid to the fire victims earlier on Tuesday (July 1). He also personally contributed RM3,000 to each affected household. The fire, which occurred around 4am on Saturday, destroyed 21 houses, several shop lots, and a temple in Kampung Bagan Pasir Laut. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the government, through the relevant agencies, will also coordinate the issuance of land title to all affected households, enabling them to rebuild their homes on land currently under Temporary Occupancy Licence (TOL) status. He said Kampung Bagan Pasir Laut is a 140-year-old fishing village comprising 149 homes and several business premises. Regarding the damaged temple, he said a private individual has pledged to contribute to its reconstruction.- Bernama
