Latest news with #SMJ
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Daily Express
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Sabah to boost creative sector as new economic driver
Published on: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 Text Size: Nizam and Fahmi with the fund recipients and others. - Pic by CMD KOTA KINABALU: The State Government is committed to strengthening Sabah's creative industry as a new economic driver and a platform to share Borneo's cultural narratives nationally and abroad. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan focuses on building a digital and knowledge-based economy, including creative content. He noted that efforts are underway to upgrade creative facilities and support training centres and content incubators in Keningau, Sandakan, and here in collaboration with federal agencies such as the National Film Development Corporation (Finas). Speaking at the Creative Content Fund (DKK) acceptance letter handover ceremony on Tuesday, Hajiji said the fund plays a vital role in helping local creators produce Sabah-identity content that highlights folklore, history, and indigenous languages. His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, here. Hajiji said the DKK provides opportunities for Sabahans to tell their stories through films, documentaries, and television programmes, making use of the state's rich cultural diversity and natural beauty. He also praised young Sabahan talents for gaining recognition through platforms such as the Sabah Film Lab, Mini Film Fest, and Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival, and encouraged more youth, especially from rural areas, to explore creative storytelling. Also present was Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. * 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
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Tanjung Aru PGRS confident of winning three seats
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: PGRS Tanjung Aru Division Chief Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari said this confidence is based on the current situation of strong support for local parties. Kota Kinabalu: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) will ensure Tanjung Aru, Tanjung Keramat and Petagas are won by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the coming 17th state election (PRN17). PGRS Tanjung Aru Division Chief Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari said this confidence is based on the current situation of strong support for local parties. According to him, the situation also reflects the instability within Sabah Umno, particularly the Putatan Division, which had previously been confident in its ability to reclaim all three seats in the coming 17th state election (PRN17). 'This sentiment is also a clear message of the Sabah people's rejection of external parties, particularly Umno, while expressing their support for GRS as a coalition of local parties. 'This situation is evident from the survey we conducted, particularly in Petagas, Tanjung Aru and Tanjung Keramat, which showed that the majority of the people reject national parties and instead support GRS.' 'Support from the youth, particularly new and undecided voters, largely favours GRS and local leadership to continue leading Sabah after the 17th state election (PRN17).' 'For the people, only local parties like GRS truly understand the heartbeat of Sabah's citizens,' he said when met at the Tanjung Aru Open Fut8 Football Championship organised by the PGRS Tanjung Aru Division here on July 20. He was commenting on remarks by Umno Putatan Division Chief, Jeffrey Nor Mohamad, who had earlier expressed confidence in capturing all three seats in PRN17. He said that such confidence was understandable, as the three seats previously belonged to Umno, particularly Petagas, which was once a stronghold of Barisan Nasional (BN). Awang, who is also Petagas Assemblyman, said the focus on safeguarding the interests and welfare of the people through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) agenda had also contributed to this public support. He said under the leadership of the Chief Minister and GRS Chairman, Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor, various assistance programmes had been provided in education, social welfare and development. 'Under the SMJ agenda, the GRS government has provided substantial assistance and incentives to the people. 'In education alone, there are numerous free initiatives for Sabah's children that have never been implemented by previous governments, including the SMJ housing aid, Syukur programme and many others.' 'All these factors contribute to the public's support for GRS, particularly in Petagas, Tanjung Aru and Tanjung Keramat, thereby securing the seats for GRS in the coming 17th state election,' 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
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Both Warisan, KDM conspired with Umno: GRS
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 Text Size: KIULU: Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the united approach under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has proven effective in governing the state in an inclusive, stable, and development-focused manner. 'The GRS government is now moving forward much like Sarawak's GPS government, which is formed by local parties representing all communities. This is the best model for Sabah. Advertisement 'If we look at Sarawak, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) holds a clear majority but still chooses to work together with other parties to jointly develop Sarawak's socio-economy — not go it alone,' he said. Joniston, who is also the Information Chief for both GRS and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), said this during the Papawantai Taasok Ceremony and Community Leaders' Gathering with the People of Mukim Lembah, Saturday. Commenting on the recent announcements by Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (PKDM) to contest solo, Joniston described it as a political tactic that reflects a direction inconsistent with the aspirations of the people of Sabah. 'We do not deny any party's right to contest on its own, but ultimately, the people will judge by the outcomes — and stability can only be achieved when local parties choose collaboration over competition. 'If they are truly advocating for mature politics, that must be accompanied by a willingness to cooperate and compromise... not by acting alone and disregarding collective strength,' he said. Joniston also reminded the public that Warisan and PKDM had previously colluded with Umno in an attempt to overthrow the government led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor — a move he said clearly prioritized personal political interests over state stability. 'Such actions do not reflect leadership that puts the people first. Instead, they undermine public confidence and disrupt focus on development efforts,' he said. Joniston said the GRS administration under Hajiji's leadership has proven that a coalition of local parties can function effectively, achieving significant milestones such as boosting the state's financial reserves and implementing various welfare initiatives. In the Kiulu constituency, he said rural development continues to advance under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development blueprint, including agricultural road upgrades to improve access to farms and remote villages. 'We acknowledge there is still a lot of work to be done, and we do not deny the existence of challenges such as water, electricity, and infrastructure. But we take full responsibility and will keep moving forward,' he stated. He urged the people to continue supporting leadership that has delivered results, and not to be swayed by political decisions made in the interest of certain parties that could jeopardize the state's stability. * 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
4 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Parties going solo undermine Sabah's political stability and unity - Joniston
Joniston officiates the symbolic launch of Papawantai Taasok, a community thanksgiving event. KIULU (July 19): Local political parties that choose to go it alone in the upcoming state election are not aligning with the people's need for political stability and strong local cooperation, said Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. He said the unified approach under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has proven effective in governing the state in an inclusive, stable and focused manner 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. '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. Joniston, who is the GRS and PBS information chief, made the remarks during a meet-the-people session and Papawantai Taasok ceremony here on Saturday. Reacting to Warisan and PKDM's plan to stand alone, Joniston called it a political tactic that goes against the aspirations of the Sabah people. '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. 'Stability can only be achieved when local parties choose to work together, not compete among themselves. 'If we want to bring about a mature (politics) approach, it must be followed by a willingness to work together and compromise … not move alone and deny collective strength,' he added. Joniston also reminded the public how Warisan and PKDM had been willing to collude with Umno in an attempt to topple the government led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, which he said clearly reflected a prioritisation of personal political interests over the state's stability. 'Such actions do not reflect leadership that puts people first, but rather only undermine public confidence and distract from the focus on the development agenda,' he said. He reiterated that under Hajiji's leadership, the GRS government has shown that a coalition of local parties can function well and has even achieved many achievements, such as increasing state reserves and rolling out welfare initiatives. In Kiulu, Joniston said rural development continues to be driven under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap, including agricultural road upgrades to improve access to farms and villages. 'We acknowledge that more still needs to be done, and we do not deny the existence of challenges such as water, electricity and infrastructure, but we take full responsibility and are committed to moving forward,' he said. He called on the people to continue supporting leadership that has delivered tangible results and not be swayed by political decisions made in the interests of certain parties that could harm state stability.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
New home brings relief to OKU couple in Kiulu
Joniston handing over SMJ house key to Hendary. Also in photo is Bonnyface (right). KIULU (July 18): A couple with disabilities from Kampung Tinompok Pukak can now live more independently after receiving a new home under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Housing Programme. Hendary @ Hendary Felik Lapik, 51, who is non-verbal and wears a prosthetic leg, received the key to his new house from Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai in a small handover ceremony today. Perched beside a paddy field, near the river and just off the roadside, Hendary's new home sits on family-owned land, offering both accessibility and a peaceful environment. He lives with his wife, who also has a speech disability, and their two daughters, aged two and five. Prior to receiving the house, Hendary and his family lived in a household shared with his extended family. According to his brother, Bonnyface Bin Felik Lapik, who is also the Village Development and Security Committee chairman of Kampung Bolotikon, the home marks a new phase of independent living for the couple and their children. 'This gives them the space to live on their own, while still being close enough for family to visit and assist when needed. 'It will help them manage better as a family and give the children more room to grow,' he said, adding that the family helped facilitate the application for the SMJ house. Hendary supports his household through various types of small-scale work in the village. In a brief exchange during the handover, Hendary expressed his gratitude through gestures, thanking the assemblyman and government for the assistance. He also invited several friends with similar disabilities to be present, wanting to share the moment with them. Joniston said the SMJ housing programme is part of the state government's ongoing commitment to improve the living conditions of rural residents, especially those with low income and physical challenges. 'We want to make sure that people with different needs, including those with disabilities, are not left behind. A home like this can have a big impact on daily life. 'More SMJ houses will be built in Kiulu because there are still many less fortunate families who need proper housing,' said Joniston. There are currently 120 SMJ houses built in the Kiulu constituency under the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, continuing the state's commitment to community welfare and inclusive rural development.
