Latest news with #Sabahan
The Star
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Kadazan-Dusun deaf artist promotes Sabah's rich heritage through art
Deaf painter Rosemary Yvonne Marcus, 44, is proud of her Sabahan heritage, and she wants to celebrate its rich culture through art. 'What I love most about Sabah is how everything comes together - the rich culture, the warmth of the people and the strong unity spirit despite our differences. In Sabah, people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds live side by side in peace. Rosemary's painting of the Dusun Liwan costume captures its elegance - a black velvet ensemble adorned with gold trimmings and intricate beadwork. 'We celebrate each other's traditions, hence there's a deep sense of respect and harmony. This makes Sabah truly special,' says Rosemary in an email interview from her hometown, Telupid, a four-hour drive from the state capital, Kota Kinabalu. As an artist, the Kadazan-Dusun woman finds endless inspiration in the colours of Sabahan festivals, the stories of their ancestors and the everyday kindness of Sabahans. Most of her artwork highlights traditional Sabahan costumes from communities such as the Kadazan, Kadazan-Dusun, Dusun-Tindal, Rungus and Orang Sungai. 'Traditional Sabahan costumes are not just beautiful, they carry deep meanings, stories and identity. I choose to focus on them because they represent who we are as a people. Each costume tells a unique story about a community's heritage, values and creativity. 'By painting them, I hope to share these stories with others and inspire younger generations to appreciate and continue our legacy.' Besides traditional costumes, some of the key themes in her artwork include Sabah's natural beauty, village life, childhood memories and the journey of people with disabilities. 'I love to paint meaningful moments, children playing or running around, a quiet morning in the village or someone chasing their dreams despite challenges. These themes are close to my heart and reflect my own experiences growing up in Telupid. Through my art, I want to tell stories that are often overlooked but deep and powerful. 'Growing up in Telupid gave me a deep appreciation for the beauty of my surroundings. The forests, rivers and the simplicity of village life shaped how I see the world. I often draw inspiration from nature, local culture and the strong community spirit around me. 'Because I cannot hear or speak, painting has always been my way of connecting with the world. I express emotions and stories through colours and details,' says Rosemary, the second of six siblings. Artistic touch Rosemary was born normal but lost her ability to hear after being scalded with hot water at 18 months old. From what she understands, she was playing in the kitchen with her older brother when the accident happened. He had tripped over the kettle's wire, causing boiling water to spill onto her body. She suffered from 70% burns. Her hearing and speech impairments were due to wrong medication during her treatment. Through art, she also wants communities to know that persons with disabilities are just as capable of dreaming, creating and achieving as anyone else. A big fan of Japanese manga and anime, Rosemary blends pop culture influences with local themes in her artwork. 'We don't need pity, we need understanding, opportunity and support. Every person has unique strengths and disabilities should never define our worth or limit our potential. I hope through my work, people see beyond my disability and into the soul of who I truly am, a proud Sabahan artist with dreams like everyone else.' Though she never attended formal art classes beyond school, Rosemary's passion for drawing began with basic lessons in primary and secondary school that grew into a serious hobby at 13, fuelled by hours of self-learning through YouTube, Facebook and online tutorials. 'When I was 20, my younger sister Anna submitted my artwork to Kreko, a Bahasa Malaysia news magazine on Japanese comics. It was an unforgettable moment when I saw my art published for the first time. That gave me confidence to keep going and improving.' Rosemary works with various mediums including acrylic, watercolour, oil paint, crayons, coloured pencils and fountain pens. Rosemary is a big fan of anime, and its influence is evident in her artwork. She admires how anime uses colour, emotion and scenery to tell powerful stories. 'Some of my favourites include Sailor Moo n, Rurouni Kenshin , Neon Genesis Evangelion , Inuyasha , Oh My Goddess! and Cardcaptor Sakura . I'm especially drawn to how anime expresses feelings without relying on many words - something I connect with as someone with hearing and speech disabilities.' Anime nurtured her sense of visual storytelling, showing her that art can speak louder than words, and that every detail - from the sky to the landscape - matters. Painting a path Rosemary wishes that more people can understand that living with hearing and speech impairments doesn't mean being disconnected from the world. Rosemary's artwork, Tawai, captures the awe and wonder of the majestic Tawai Waterfalls in Kinabatangan, Sabah. 'We still feel, think and express, just in different ways. Sometimes, people assume we don't understand or can't communicate, but that's not true. With patience, empathy and inclusivity, we can all connect meaningfully. 'A little effort to use sign language or write things down can make a big difference. What we need most is respect and a chance to be seen, heard and included,' says Rosemary, who received a consolation prize in the 2022 Setia Karya Hotel Art Competition organised by SP Setia. In 2023, Rosemary secured the fifth spot at the 10th International Abilympics in Metz, France. The Abilympics, derived from the term Olympics of Abilities, is an international skill-based competition for Persons with Disabilities. Like the Olympics, the Abilympics is held once every four years. The Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation (MCR) coordinates the Abilympics competition in Malaysia, selecting qualified participants with disabilities to represent the country in international competitions. Rosemary also made headlines in 2023 when she presented a wedding portrait to Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah during their Kembara Kenali Borneo visit to her hometown, Telupid. Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah receiving their wedding portrait from Rosemary (front row, left) in 2023. — Bernama She also painted the royal couple against the backdrop of Imbak Waterfalls, one of Telupid's most iconic natural landmarks located in the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area. 'I felt overwhelmed and happy after presenting the portraits to Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah,' Rosemary says. 'Out of the many beautiful sceneries in Telupid, I chose to highlight Imbak Waterfalls because of its striking cascading water flow.' It is her hope to create more artwork that inspire young artists, especially those with disabilities, to be confident and proud of what they can do. 'I want to travel, learn new techniques and connect with other artists around the world. Most of all, I dream of using my art as a voice, to speak not only for myself but for others who may not be heard and to show that disability is not a limitation but a different way of seeing the world,' says Rosemary, who dreams of owning an art gallery to showcase her artworks and share stories about Sabah's culture, nature and people.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabahans in key Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce posts
Published on: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 30, 2025 Text Size: L/R: Dexter, Coral, Lau, Michael and Josephine. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has marked a significant milestone with several of its business leaders appointed to top national-level positions in the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC). The latest reshuffle at national level sees MCCC Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau elected as Chairman of the MCCC National Business Sectors Committee, the first Sabahan to hold the influential post. Dexter, who also helms the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce, is now tasked with leading policy direction across sectors and building high-impact collaborations between Malaysian businesses and Chinese counterparts. 'This role is a responsibility, not just a recognition. It gives Sabah a wider voice nationally and allows us to bring more attention, resources, and investment to the East Malaysian region,' he said. He said the Sabah team's elevation reflects a growing appreciation of the state's strategic potential and its readiness to contribute to national economic direction. Alongside Dexter, business leader Coral Chia was appointed Vice Chairperson of the Business Sectors Committee. A long-time MCCC national council member, she is expected to work closely with Dexter in strengthening the committee's output. Her appointment also continues the legacy of her mother, Datuk See Meng Geok, who currently serves as MCCC Vice President and has long played an advisory role in national matters. Meanwhile, MCCC Sabah Founding President and Honorary Life Adviser Datuk Lau Kok Sing retains his position as National Affairs Advisor, continuing to offer strategic counsel on policy and institutional development. Also appointed to the national council is Datuk Michael Chin, another former MCCC Sabah President, who now serves as a National Vice President. His years of experience in bilateral business engagement are seen as key to further deepening enterprise-level links. Adding legal strength to the national team is Josephine Wan Wen Hadikusumo, appointed as National Internal Auditor. A senior Sabah-based legal practitioner, her role will focus on governance and compliance within the organisation. Dexter said the appointments mark a turning point for Sabah in terms of visibility and contribution on the national stage. 'We will continue to speak up for East Malaysia and ensure we are fully part of Malaysia's economic conversations,' he said. The MCCC is a key platform facilitating Malaysia-China trade, with branches across the country and deep linkages to industries, entrepreneurs, and policymakers in both nations. * 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
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Nikki Palikat confirms split from French beau
Your browser does not support the audio element. SINGER Nikki Palikat has confirmed that her relationship with a French man ended around six months ago. The 40-year-old Sabahan, whose full name is Nicolette Louise Palikat, said that they parted ways amicably and she is now content with living on her own. "There's nothing between us anymore. I'm single but not available. We've been apart for six months, and this is the first time I've been single in 15 years. "So, this is the time for me to live solo and have fun. I want things to be different. We also can't force things to happen, and we can't blame anyone. "We went our separate ways amicably," she said when met at The Chosen One Xtra press conference recently. However, Nikki said that the breakup had also made her somewhat sad. "We have to remind ourselves that everything happens for a reason. This situation is like a season; every season will surely pass. "When the season is over, we can look back and be grateful that we got through it. We become more mature and wiser," she said. Despite the sadness, the 'Pinta', 'Caramu', and 'Selamat Tinggal' singer remains open to meeting new people and settling down again if there's a suitable match. "I'm still open to getting married again. If there's a suitable man, why not? I'm a romantic person. I like marriage, and if the opportunity arises to fall in love again, I'm open to it. "I think I could be a good wife after what I've been through in life," she said, adding that she isn't actively seeking a partner at present. Last year, Nikki was reported to be in a relationship with a French man. They met when Nikki sought chiropractic treatment from him. The singer was previously married to composer Audi Mok in June 2009, but they divorced in June 2022. They have a 15-year-old son, Liam Mok.
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Kuala Lumpur's stand against grocery shop licences to foreigners. Enforce it in Sabah: Warisan
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 Text Size: A foreigner-operated retail shop in Kapayan and Moyog. Kota Kinabalu: The Federal Government's stand against issuing grocery shop licences to foreigners must be fully enforced in Sabah, especially in areas like Kapayan and Moyog, said Warisan Kapayan Branch Chief Pritchard Gumbaris. He said the presence of foreign-operated grocery shops is once again mushrooming in local villages, pushing aside Sabahan traders and threatening small kampung economies. 'I agree with Minister Nga Kor Ming's statement, but this must not just apply to Peninsular Malaysia. In Sabah, the situation is worsening. Just walk through Kapayan or Moyog and you'll see for yourself,' he said in a statement, Monday. Pritchard, who is also political secretary to Warisan Deputy President Datuk Darell Leiking, blamed lack of enforcement by the current elected representatives for the resurgence of the issue. 'This is not a new problem. We had solved this before through strict enforcement during the Warisan Plus Government, in collaboration with the Penampang District Council (MDC) and local authorities. 'Trading licence applications were vetted thoroughly. Village chiefs had to endorse each one, and we personally interviewed applicants, checked photos and conducted on-site visits. 'We rejected applications linked to foreigners using local proxies or fake documents,' he said. He claimed that under the leadership of Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedict and Kapayan Assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang, the previous system collapsed. 'Enforcement has failed. The process we built was not maintained, and foreign traders have returned. 'Ewon and Jannie looked the other way. The very problem we fixed is now back, worse than before,' he said. Pritchard said this was not about race or hatred, but about upholding the law and protecting local livelihoods. 'This is about Sabahan kampung shopkeepers who are being squeezed out. The law is already in place, the Sabah Trades Licensing Ordinance 1948 (Cap. 144) spells out restrictions on foreign traders. The issue is not the law, but political will,' Pritchard said. He also called on State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Joachim Gunsalam to ensure local councils do not allow foreign operators to abuse loopholes. Pritchard said Warisan would reinstate the previous enforcement model if given the mandate in Kapayan. 'We've also proposed an Ombudsman Committee to receive whistleblower reports on licence corruption. It's time to stop the backdoor approvals and political favours. 'We did it before and with the people's support, we will do it again,' 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
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Why ‘Sabah for Sabahans' justified
Published on: Sunday, July 27, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 27, 2025 By: Datuk John Lo Text Size: NATIONAL Leaders Should Manage Nation, Let Sabah Leaders Manage Sabah. Let us clear this out of the way first. Meaning of Sabah leaders is that they are from Sabah-based parties. Best if federal leaders can concentrate providing economic leadership on nation building. Let Sabah parties to govern Sabah for two reasons: [1] Malaysian Economy is not doing that great. Malaysia's performance is ok but far from best that we are capable of. Malaysia has potential to be at the top if the national leaders can solve racial-based politics, low productivity, lack of direction in innovation and research and poverty. Dragging down Malaysia are two major causes: First is rampant inflation that is plaguing the poor and young families. Second is unprecedented massive corruption. Big corruption, in 10s and 100s of millions of cash stashed in homes and billions overseas. Latest 'handouts' from PMX will not solve fundamental economic problems. They are for temporary 'feel good' or 'shiok Sendiri' only. Very little enhancement of economic capacity. The new appointment of more than 4,000 doctors is very beneficial for all Malaysians. [2] Turbulent Global Economy. Challenges in Multi-polar World. National leaders are providing insufficient leadership, direction, and clarity for Malaysians in these very uncertain times. Excessive domestic politics has blurred their responsibility in this very important aspect of economic management. It is logical to let Sabahan leaders manage Sabah. Federal leaders should not interfere. Focus on solving the national problems. Sabah leaders are capable of managing Sabah. CM Hajiji's economic restructure for Sabah is on course and will, in time, yield the desired results for Sabah. In addition, he has reclaimed some rights in oil and gas. The base of a burgeoning vibrant manufacturing industry has already been established. ECoS will solve Sabah's power problem. By 2030 there shall be no power issue. ECoS has done it within two years of its existence. The Federal government had no plan and failed to do so in 30 years. Sabahans are Malaysians as any Malaysian of other states. 'Sabah for Sabahans' does not dilute our Malaysianess. It must be stated here and now that Sabah is part of Malaysia, Sabahans are Malaysians just like any Malaysians of other states. Don't be distracted by any leader trying to steer us away from pursuing 'Sabah for Sabahans'. Such leaders have dubious ulterior motives. These following facts must be remembered always by all Sabahans and Malayans: Sabah is a direct signatory of MA63, 1/3 of Malaysia. Sabah is not 1/13 or 1/16 if the 3 federal territories are included, of Malaysia. These facts have become inconvenient truths and are often forgotten by many federal and some Sabah leaders. Many of them, for bizarre reasons, want Sabahans to forget Sabah's special role/position in the formation of Malaysia. 'Malaysia for Sabahans' more relevant slogan, says Ahmad Maslan. What is the meaning of 'Malaysia for Sabahans'? The ideal situation would be that Malaysia, of which Sabah is 1/3, would give Sabah a fair deal in all matters, especially in economic development and investment promotion. Sabah should have been looked after and assisted with extra help in development funding for Sabah to catch up with other states. Sabah's resources like oil and gas should have been used for the development of Sabah's economy from the very beginning. What does history tell us? Unfortunately, it has been a very sad story. The hard facts are that Sabah today is the 2nd poorest state, most of Sabah's resources have been siphoned off or controlled by non-Sabahans. Sabah has become well-known for poverty and bad infrastructures. To summarise, it has been a very bad nightmare. No one can blame Sabahans' scepticism on slogans like 'Malaysia for Sabah' from Malayan leaders. Should Sabahans want 'Malaysia for Sabah'? No one can blame Sabahans' heightened scepticism of this slogan which has been sold to us in various versions for many years. With due respect, this slogan seems to have come as an after-thought, an off-the-cuff remark. Better and easier for Sabahans to swallow if there is a properly prepared presentation of what 'Malaysia for Sabah' means to Sabahans in real term in this coming election. Sabahans, especially young better educated Sabahans, are no longer naïve. They aren't afraid to vent their frustrations. 'Malaysia for Sabahans' vs 'Sabah for Sabahans' These 2 slogans can be the best complements for nation building if only the federal government has lived up to the letter and spirit of MA63. Experience is telling us otherwise. History should have also taught Sabahans a lesson of self-discipline, the pitfalls, and dire consequences of political disunity. In view of numerous past unpleasant experiences [remember the 47 years old procrastination of 40% share of revenue?], it is better for Sabahans to have 'Sabah for Sabahans' so that we can build up and strengthen Sabah first. It is also time for Sabahans to grow up, not dependent on others, to exert our equitable rights and not to wait for charity and manna to fall from heaven. Sabahans must adopt 'Sabah for Sabahans' to regain self-respect. [1] 'Sabah for Sabahans' is a natural desire for all Sabahans, no difference from 'Selangor for Selangoreans' or 'Bangsa Johor'. Any Sabah leader not subscripting to this ought to have their heads examined. [2] Time for Sabahans to mature, to take charge and be responsible for our own destiny and future within Malaysia. Sabahans cannot continue to rely on others to make decisions for Sabahans. [3] Time to have our legitimate voice in major decisions that affect the nations like financial and budgetary policies and their implementations. Sabah is almost voiceless now. [4] As 1/3 partner of Malaysia, Sabah should and must have 1/3 representation in all federal agencies like Khazanah, all GLCs and GLIC. They don't give any attention for or implement any meaningful projects in Sabah. [5] Time for Sabahans to secure all our legitimate rights under MA63, our equitable rights for economic funding to develop our own state. [6] Time for Sabahans to have priority of our resources for the benefit of Sabahans. Like present siphoning off CPO must stop or impose higher sales tax of 15%. The CPO must be used for Sabah's downstream. [7] Sabah must be included in foreign trips by PM for investment promotions. [8] Federal government must give Sabah approval authority of RM2.5 billion on investment in manufacturing. Present RM2.5m is a joke. This amount cannot buy a semi-D now. 'Sabah for Sabahans' must be Encouraged by all Sabah leaders. Sabahans do not crave for what is not ours. Sabah is very far from getting what is rightfully ours, what Sabah is entitled to as 1/3 partner. 'Sabah for Sabahans LAST' is no longer acceptable by Sabah's young generation. They are deeply aware of and abhor the economic deprivations inflicted on Sabahans since MA63. 'Sabah for Sabahans' has room for a junior role for Malayan parties. As a trade-off, Sabah parties can support Malayan parties at federal level. Fair is fair. Priority is for all Sabah parties to unite for the sake of Sabahans, present and future generations. Good for Malaysia when 'Sabah for Sabahans' has made Sabah strong economically. 'Sabah for Sabahans' can Succeed only with Political Unity in Sabah. A strong Sabah will strengthen Malaysia economically and enhance its international prestige. 'Sabah for Sabahans' is a national asset. Sabah, now the 6th direct contributor to the national GDP will be able to contribute much more. Sabah's indirect contribution is much bigger cos most of our oil and gas and CPO are being shipped out to fuel industrial growth in Malaya. Malayan national leaders should let Sabahan leaders manage our state. For the future of all Sabahans, Sabah parties must fight for 'Sabah for Sabahans'. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
