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New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sabah 40pct revenue claim: High Court to decide on Oct 3
KOTA KINABALU: The High Court will deliver its decision on Oct 3 on a judicial review application concerning Sabah's constitutional right to 40 per cent of the revenue derived from the state. Sabah Law Society (SLS) Immediate Past President Datuk Roger Chin said the date was set during a Zoom hearing on Tuesday. "This judicial review is a historic and significant legal action concerning Sabah's constitutional rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution. "The matter has attracted substantial public interest as it addresses long-standing issues of revenue entitlement and fiscal autonomy for the state of Sabah," Chin said. He invited the public, civil society organisations, and the media to attend the open court proceedings. "The proceedings will be conducted in open court, reflecting the principles of transparency and public accountability in the administration of justice," he said. The SLS filed the judicial review against the Federal Government in June 2022. Leave was granted by the High Court in November of the same year. The Federal Government's subsequent appeals to the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court were both dismissed, in June 2024 and October 2024, respectively. This sent the case back to the High Court for a full hearing on its merits. In July, a High Court judge had set Aug 7 for an e-review to provide further directions. The SLS was represented by counsel Jeyan Marimuttu, while the Federal Government was represented by Senior Federal Counsel (SFC) Ahmad Hanir Hambaly @ Arwi, and the Sabah State Government's representative was State Attorney-General Datuk Brenndon Soh.
Daily Express
18 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
High Court to rule on Sabah's 40pc claim this October
Published on: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 12, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Law Society (SLS) announced that the High Court will deliver its decision on the substantive Judicial Review regarding Sabah's constitutional right to 40pc of net revenue on Friday, 3 October 2025, 9 am, at the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex. 'This is a historic and significant legal action concerning Sabah's constitutional rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution,' said Sabah Law Society Immediate Past President Datuk Roger Chin. Advertisement He invited the public, civil society, and media to attend the open court proceedings. * 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
Daily Express
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Days of these politicians are over
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 Text Size: Sabar committee posing with political leaders and representatives. Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans are fed up with politicians who make big promises during elections but forget about them once they get into power. That was the clear message from stakeholders at the recently held 'Sabah Voices to Action – Shaping Sabah's Future Together' final townhall initiative which presented a detailed wish list to political parties preparing for the coming state election. Among political parties present were Star Sabah, SAPP, PBS, Parti Impian Sabah, Warisan, Gagasan Rakyat, LDP and Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri. The wish list is not just any ordinary document. It is a thick 60-page report packed with 117 specific suggestions on how to fix Sabah's problems in schools, hospitals, roads and government services. The report was put together after three months of listening to ordinary Sabahans from all walks of life. Sabah Law Society's (SLS) Immediate Past President Datuk Roger Chin told politicians they need to stop treating their election promises like throwaway lines. 'If you are brave enough, put it in your manifesto and please do not do what happened in the past, which is by saying that your manifesto is not cast in stone, it is not the Bible and you do not have to comply with it. 'In today's day and age of the Internet, the public will hold you accountable,' he said, adding that today's voters will not stay quiet if politicians break their promises. The report comes from a citizen movement called Sabah Voices to Action organised by Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR) and other community groups. Over three months, they held talks in towns across Sabah including Kota Marudu, Keningau, Tawau and Sandakan, listening to what people really want. The report covers four main areas that affect daily life, namely education, healthcare, roads and infrastructure and how the government runs things. For schools, Sabahans want a separate Sabah Education Ministry that can hire teachers locally, buy school equipment without waiting for Federal approval and create lessons that teach children about Sabah's history and culture. They also want better support for rural schools and children without proper documents. For healthcare, people want a Sabah Health Ministry to have programmes specifically for the State's needs. This includes better pay and career opportunities for doctors and nurses, more medical services in rural areas, online consultations for remote patients and help with travel costs for people who need treatment far from home. Professional Architect cum Sabah Professional Council President Rizal Ahmad Banjar assured politicians that experts are ready to help turn these ideas into reality. 'By virtue of us here, we can provide that assistance. 'We have professionals here and we are ever ready to assist you, whoever is going to be in power,' he said. Institut Sinaran former Chief Executive Officer William Pan suggested starting small rather than trying to do everything at once. 'There are things which we can achieve on the short term and in the midterm and the long term. 'Even in education, there are spaces to start with. So, start with those spaces,' he said. Sabah Medical Association President cum former Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi addressed politicians who might be worried about taking on technical issues like healthcare and education. 'In Sabah, we have got a lot of people who can help you. 'When you put it in your manifesto, it does not mean that you will be the one doing it. But you will be the one making sure that somebody is doing it. 'Whether you are from political parties or non-governmental organisations, we are all doing it for the people,' she said, pointing out that everyone is working toward the same goal. The report also tackles Sabah's infrastructure problems with a six-step plan for building and maintaining roads, bridges and buildings. This includes proper planning, fair bidding processes, releasing money on time and regular upkeep. For government services, Sabahans want major changes including laws to control political funding, open bidding for all government contracts that people can track online and independent bodies to oversee spending. They also want government-linked companies to hire based on merit rather than political connections. Sabar trustee Datuk Ujang Sulani wrapped up the event by reminding everyone that Sabah has been having these conversations for decades. 'Sabah has always been rich not only in resources, but in spirit. But prosperity remains elusive. 'We must go beyond dialogue. This is no longer about being heard. It is time for us to be heeded, he said. He connected the current push to the unfulfilled promises of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, saying it should mean true freedom not only from colonialism, but from dependency, bureaucracy and neglect. * 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
Daily Express
24-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce appoints Auditor-General
Published on: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 24, 2025 Text Size: Datuk Dexter Lau accompanied by Vice Presidents Jacky Chin and Lau Jiin Woei, presenting the letter of appointment to Datuk Roger Chin. Kota Kinabalu: In a move to strengthen organisational governance and enhance financial oversight, the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah has officially appointed Datuk Roger Chin Ken Fong—Chamber member and former President of the Sabah Law Society—as its Auditor General. The appointment was formalised on June 23, with MCCC Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau, accompanied by Vice Presidents Jacky Chin Thau Chung and Lau Jiin Woei, personally visiting Datuk Roger Chin at the Chin Lau Wong & Co law firm to present the official letter of appointment. This strategic appointment is part of the Chamber's ongoing efforts to reinforce internal checks and balances, ensuring transparency, compliance, and credibility in financial management. As MCCC Sabah continues to expand and deepen external engagements, a sound financial review framework is becoming increasingly vital to its sustainable growth. 'Our Chamber places great emphasis on institutional integrity and governance,' said Datuk Dexter Lau. 'We are confident that with Datuk Roger Chin's professional leadership, the transparency and efficiency of our financial operations will be significantly enhanced—laying a stronger foundation of trust between the leadership and our members.' He added that Datuk Roger Chin's deep legal expertise, combined with his extensive experience in civic and public affairs, as well as his longstanding commitment to integrity, make him the ideal candidate for this role. 'With his support, we look forward to further standardizing our financial audit processes and reinforcing institutional oversight as we work toward modernizing and systematising the Chamber's governance.' * 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
Free Malaysia Today
15-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Hajiji gets top marks for helping Sabah ‘turn the corner'
Former Sabah Law Society president Roger Chin said the GRS administration, led by Hajiji Noor, has implemented several 'notable' initiatives such as the setting up of the energy commission, and moves towards asserting energy sovereignty. PETALING JAYA : A former Sabah Law Society president has praised chief minister Hajiji Noor's leadership, saying his administration is helping the state turn the corner. In a Facebook post, Roger Chin said Hajiji's government is laying the foundations of a more self-reliant, results-driven administration. Chin noted several initiatives implemented by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah administration, such as the establishment of the state's energy commission. He said the setting up of the Energy Commission of Sabah marked a turning point in how the state governs its most strategic resource. The state government's decision to take back 50% equity in the producing Semarang oil field under state-owned SMJ Energy was also a significant marker of progress in asserting energy sovereignty, he said. 'This shift aligns with the broader spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) implementation – returning rights and agency to Sabah without fanfare, but with focus.' Chin also described as 'notable' the creation of the Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, which he said were the building blocks of an investor-friendly ecosystem. The state's ability to secure long-term, high-impact investments, such as E-Steel's manufacturing facility and other FDI-led industrial projects, reflected such a shift. 'These are not fly-by-night deals but strategic entries into Sabah's industrial and logistics backbone, particularly in energy-adjacent and halal sectors,' he said. Chin said Sabah has also improved its fiscal standing, noting that the state revenue has seen stable growth, with increased allocations to development budgets. Sabah's reserves have surged to RM86 billion from the RM2.93 billion recorded in 2020, which he said was a clear indicator of improved financial governance and expanding revenue streams. 'This reflects not just fiscal prudence, but also stronger performance from some state-linked companies,' he said. He also said the Sabah government has expanded rural electrification, water access, and road upgrades, which were 'critical interventions' for a state where more than 40% of the population lives outside urban centres. Chin said while the state government was gradually tackling longstanding issues in land recognition and native customary rights, much remains to be done. While bureaucratic delays, inequality, and capacity constraints persist, he said, the approach adopted by the state government has shifted. 'Instead of headline-chasing, the Sabah government has chosen institutional depth and economic realism, a style of leadership that may not always grab national attention but is increasingly delivering results on the ground,' he said.
