Latest news with #Sandakan
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Ex-banker among 5 remanded over bribes to approve RM11.3mil in loans
Sabah MACC director S Karunanithy confirmed that the Sandakan sessions court approved a seven-day remand for the five suspects this morning. PETALING JAYA : Five people, including a former bank officer, have been remanded for seven days for allegedly accepting RM300,000 in bribes to approve bank loans totalling RM11.3 million. The suspects in their 20s to 40s were initially believed to have accepted a bribe from the owner of a company as an inducement to approve a loan application using fake supporting documents, Sinar Harian reported. Preliminary investigations later led the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to believe that all five suspects had been doing this from 2022 to 2024, approving a total of RM11.3 million in loan applications from 39 applicants. Sabah MACC director S Karunanithy confirmed that the Sandakan sessions court approved their seven-day remand this morning.
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- The Guardian
Jungle trekking, rainforests and the world's largest orangutan sanctuary: why Malaysia is unmatched for outdoor adventure
Malaysia has one of the greatest levels of biodiversity of any country on Earth – and it's among just 17 to be listed as a megadiverse country. More than 50% of its land surface area is forested, and around 14% of the country is protected as a national park or nature reserve. All of which makes Malaysia a spectacular destination for wildlife watching. Around 750 species of bird have been recorded, including no fewer than 10 species of hornbill – among these the iconic rhinoceros hornbill – along with brightly coloured trogons and pittas, white-bellied sea eagles and the great slaty woodpecker, one of the largest woodpecker species in the world. Malaysia's lush tropical rainforests are home to orangutans, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, tapirs and Borneo pygmy elephants – along with more than 300 other species of mammal and a staggering number of amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. They're also the last refuge of the majestic but critically endangered Malayan tiger, which appears on Malaysia's coat of arms. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, just half an hour outside Sandakan, is the world's largest orangutan sanctuary, caring for injured orangutans and pairing orphaned young with older individuals. This is a wonderful place to see these highly intelligent, beautiful, but now critically endangered primates in a semi-wild environment, before they are reintroduced into their natural environment. However, nothing matches seeing these and other species in the wild, and signing up for a wildlife tour is really the way to go here. Join a trekking tour in the incredible Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary for one of the best chances of seeing orangutans in the wild. The enormous rainforests of Royal Belum state park are the best place in Malaysia to see hornbills – although not far behind is the manmade lake of Tasik Kenyir. Head to Fraser's Hill or the Cameron Highlands to see mountain peacock-pheasant. If you're up for a spot of hiking, the scope for jungle-trekking in Malaysia's spectacularly wild and unspoilt national parks is simply off the charts. Take Taman Negara national park, for example – a vast, sprawling area of rainforest, forming Malaysia's largest national park. The lush rainforest of Taman Negara is positively ancient – it's estimated to be at least 130 million years old – and in terms of hiking, the park offers everything from breathtaking canopy walkways to a four-day trek across the spine of Mount Tahan, the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia. Join a full day's guided walk or, for a more immersive experience, take a guided two-day hike on the Keniam Trail, which includes an overnight stay in a cave. Another fantastic area for hiking is Unesco-listed Kinabalu Park, where you can trek to Mount Kinabalu – standing at 4,000 metres above sea level, it's a sight to behold. It's a minimum two-day hike with one overnight stay at a mountain hut (you'll need to apply for a permit and go with an accredited guide) – and the view is at its most sublimely impressive at sunrise. In Gunung Mulu national park, trek to the pointy rock spires known as the Pinnacles – or for something a little more sedate, hike through tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands, or visit Penang Hill near George Town. So much for land-based adventures. With nearly 900 islands and more than 350,000 hectares of coral reefs surrounded by crystal-clear waters, Malaysia offers seemingly limitless possibilities for diving and snorkelling. For experienced divers, nothing tops Sipadan – Malaysia's only oceanic island, located off the east coast of Sabah, and one of the world's premier dive sites. A steep-sided, extinct volcanic cone rising 600 metres from the ocean floor, Sipadan's wall reefs are home to a stupendous amount of marine life including more than 3,000 species of fish. Dive among hawksbill and green turtles, see whale sharks, manta rays, hammerheads and giant parrotfish, and witness huge, vortex-like shoals of barracuda swimming in their thousands. The Perhentian Islands are another popular diving and snorkelling spot, great for beginners as well as more experienced divers. Like other islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, such as Redang, the Perhentian Islands offer shallow dive sites with good visibility, vibrant coral reefs and plenty of marine life. Or try Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs national park off the coast of Sarawak – great for coral as its name implies, but there are also wreck dives here too. Despite the sheer scale of these landscapes – Taman Negara national park alone is nearly six times the size of nearby Singapore – access is straightforward. You can reach Taman Negara in three hours by car from Kuala Lumpur, and Unesco-listed George Town in less than a five-hour drive, while Kota Kinabalu, the gateway to climbing Mount Kinabalu, is two and a half hours away by plane. With British Airways operating direct flights daily from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur, there has never been a better time to experience the multitude of breathtaking landscapes, amazing wildlife and vibrant culture that Malaysia has to offer. For more information and to start planning your Malaysian adventure, visit
Daily Express
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
350 compete in cross-country championship in Ranau
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 By: Clarence Dol Text Size: Runners at the starting line of the Special Education Cross-Country Championship. RANAU: A total of 350 runners participated in the 4th Sabah State Level MSSS Special Education Cross-Country Championship 2025 held at SMK Mat Salleh Ranau on Thursday. Keningau district emerged overall champions while second place was Tuaran district with Pensiangan district third. Advertisement The championship was divided into six categories, namely the Under-19 Male Category (55 participants), Under-19 Female Category (44), Under-15 Male Category (66), Under-15 Female Category (51), Under-12 Male Category (76) and Under-12 Female Category (57). The Under-19 Male category saw Danny Hadid from Ranau coming in first place with a time of 31.56, while Finally Sipin from Pensiangan finished second (35.09) and Aeron Anak Ita from Telupid was third (37.00). Marisah Crystal Eyan from Pensiangan won the Under-19 Female category with a time of 32.44, followed by Dabby Roserika Stephene Stephen from Pitas (33.30) and Lyonna Elsha Gani from Tuaran (35.09) in second and third respectively. Other results were Under-15 Male – (1) Mohammad Khaizat Jr Oliver Kong Abdullah - Sandakan (21.44), (2) Adriyel Jay Albert - Tuaran (21.57), (3) Govind Guyuu - Beluran (22.20); Under-15 Female – (1) Nurul Sahada Hawani Abdullah - Sandakan (29.32), (2) Rindynella Denus - Tuaran (30.44), (3) Jeezzey Boey - Pensiangan (32.06); Under-12 Male – (1) Eden Mark Avitors - Papar (17.06), (2) Cristian Bina Parasis - Keningau (17.21), (3) Mohammad Danielhaziq Abdullah - Pensiangan (17.42); Under-12 Female – (1) Nurulhuda Sani - Sandakan (19.12), (2) Clesdefberra Yanam @ Rezuise - Papar (20.52), (3) Sherley Eva Raycher - Kota Marudu (21.16). This championship is a programme for Students with Special Educational Needs (MBPK) under the organisation of the Special Education Sector (SPK), Sabah State Education Department and Ranau District Education Office. The event serves as a platform to select athletes who will represent the State to larger and more prestigious championships at the national level and subsequently represent the country at a higher level. Therefore, this co-curricular programme should be a complementary field and medium in ensuring that MBPK can be independent and improve the quality of human capital in living real life as well as instilling a spirit of community and service to the country. The objective of the programme is to provide opportunities for students with special educational needs (MBPK) to show their talent and potential in Cross Country events. In addition, it is also to create a healthy competitive spirit among MBPK, in addition to balancing educational opportunities through aspects of spiritual, mental and physical resilience. The tournament is also held to produce people who are disciplined, authoritative and have a high sense of identity while preparing Cross Country athletes as feeders to the Paralympic Branch, the National Sports Council and the Malaysian Paralympic Council to be trained and polished as national athletes to represent the country in international competitions. In the meantime, it also aims to raise awareness among the community about the abilities and capabilities of special education students in the field of Cross Country. It also creates collaboration and cooperation between certain parties who are directly or indirectly involved in special education programmes in addition to providing space and opportunities for all parties to play their roles and social responsibilities in the community. Through programmes like this, it can also foster a spirit of friendship among teachers, Student Management Assistants (PPM) and MBPK. The tournament was officiated by the Chief Assistant Director of the Special Education Sector, Sabah State Education Department, Mohamad Sufri Salim, representing the Sabah Director of Education, Datuk Raisin Saidin. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
Malay Mail
15-05-2025
- Malay Mail
MMEA foils illegal crossings near Sandakan, detains 19 including fuel-laden ‘ghost boat'
SANDAKAN, May 15 — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained 19 individuals simultaneously, thwarting two attempts to cross the border from the Philippines in separate operations in the north-east of Pulau Berhala here, last Tuesday. The Sandakan Maritime Zone Director, Captain (Maritime) Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said the 19 detainees ranged in age from eight to 70 years old, and there were three women among them, while the majority of the detainees did not possess valid identification documents. 'The first incident occurred at 11.49am when KM Pintar detected a suspicious vessel about one nautical mile from the north-east of Berhala, believed to be from Taganak Island, Philippines. 'The vessel was carrying 12 men including the skipper and three women, one of whom attempted to bribe the on-duty officers but failed, and the money was seized as evidence. 'At 12 noon, the operation team intercepted a 'ghost boat' at a position 4.3 nautical miles from Pulau Berhala, with four men including a local citizen on board. 'They found 12 drums containing 300 liters of petrol, in addition to 700 liters of petrol filled in the boat's main tank. This fuel is believed to be used for journeys between Malaysia and the Philippines,' he said in a statement here today. Muhamad Suhairy also described the discovery of petrol as a floating death trap because the small boat was overloaded with fuel without any safety features, and it is believed that this boat was involved in silent cross-border activities. He said both cases will be investigated under the Sabah Ports and Harbors Enactment 2002, the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, including the Supply Control Act 1961. He urged the public with any information related to cross-border crime to contact the agency. — Bernama
The Guardian
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Liberal candidate apologises for Anzac Day booklet that contained campaign message and linked to how-to-vote card
The Liberal candidate for Reid, Grange Chung, has apologised for distributing a four-page booklet commemorating Anzac Day that also encouraged people to vote from him and linked to a how-to-vote card. The Anzac Day booklet, authorised by the NSW Liberal party, contained images of Chung, a former navy officer, dressed in military uniform. The Defence department has repeatedly urged veterans to refrain from using pictures of themselves in uniform, to avoid any suggestion the military is politically partisan. The booklet distributed by mail contains a map of dawn services in the electorate, a personal message from Chung about what Anzac Day means to him and references the Sandakan death marches in Borneo. Chung said Reid hosted Australia's only memorial to the tragedy, which he describes as 'deeply personal' given his father's family comes from Sandakan. The final page of the pamphlet contains a political message from the Liberal party urging people to 'Vote 1 Grange Chung'. It refers to Chung's cultural heritage and describes him as 'one of us' and someone who 'understands your story – because it's his story too'. Almost one quarter of Reid's population identify as Chinese-Australian, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Reid is a marginal Labor seat held by the MP Sally Sitou, who has Chinese heritage. A QR code printed in the Anzac Day booklet directs people to the Liberal party's how-to-vote card in Reid. 'Grange's heritage reflects the diverse and vibrant spirit of the seat of Reid,' the Liberal party message says. 'With Chinese and European roots, he understands first-hand the strength that comes from multiculturalism and the importance of giving everyone a fair go. 'He's not interested in political spin – just practical common-sense solutions. He wants to ease the cost of living, support local jobs, protect our suburbs and bring integrity back to government.' One Reid resident, who received the pamphlet and declined to be named but confirmed he was not a member of any political party, said he respected Chung's military service but considered the material to be inappropriate. 'His military service has already been heavily highlighted in previous electioneering material distributed to households by the Liberal candidate,' the Reid resident said. 'However, I feel it inappropriate to use Anzac Day, our most solemn day, for political advertising purposes. Anzac Day should be about non-political reflection and respect, not about seeking political gain.' When contacted by Guardian Australia, Chung apologised for the campaign material and said he took responsibility for it, even though it was endorsed by the NSW Liberal party. 'I take responsibility for this brochure and apologise,' Chung said. 'As a veteran, no one understands the importance of Anzac Day and honouring the service of the men and women in our defence forces more than I.' Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese both downgraded political campaigning on Anzac Day. Dutton made brief remarks to condemn booing of welcome to country acknowledgements at Melbourne's dawn service. Several politicians, including the Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, have also declined to make political points while being interviewed on Anzac Day. 'I have the rhetoric and capacity to engage in a debate – believe me it is at the forefront of my mind, what I can say – but I am not going to say it, not today,' Joyce said when asked about public service job cuts on ABC Radio National on Friday morning. The Liberal party message in the pamphlet said: 'Grange served in the Australian Defence Force with honour and discipline, carrying values of service, integrity and loyalty into everything he does. 'This experience taught him leadership under pressure and a deep respect for this country and the freedoms we enjoy.' Several other Liberal candidates have included images of themselves in military uniform in campaign material. While this is not a breach of rules if candidates are not enlisted or members of the reserve, Defence remains uncomfortable about the issue. 'Defence acknowledges the contribution of former ADF personnel,' a Defence spokesperson said. 'Defence respectfully requests those standing for political office to refrain from using imagery of themselves in uniform or imagery of ADF personnel as part of any campaign material.'
