Latest news with #Sandakan
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
2 more local council officers nabbed in RM200,000 bribery probe
An MACC source said the two local council officers are believed to have received the bribes from contractors for the repair of footpaths, fences and rebuilding of mosques. SANDAKAN : Two more officers of a local authority have been remanded for five days to assist in investigations into a bribery case involving RM200,000 allegedly received from several contractors since 2022 in return for repair work on an infrastructure project. According to a source, initial investigations found that the suspects, a man and a woman in their 20s and 30s, respectively, were suspected of abetting in the act of corruption from 2022 until now. 'The arrests of the suspects follow five recent arrests. 'The two suspects are believed to have received bribes of about RM200,000 through transfers to their personal bank accounts from contractors for the repair of footpaths, fences and rebuilding of mosques,' he said. Sources said the two suspects were arrested between 7pm and 8pm last night after giving their statements at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office here. Sabah MACC director S Karunanithy confirmed the arrests when contacted and said more individuals could be detained in the near future. Yesterday, MACC remanded five people, including an engineer at a local council, until July 29 to assist in investigations into the same case. Senior assistant MO nabbed for alleged abuse of power MACC also obtained a four-day remand order for a senior assistant medical officer who allegedly abused his position to award logistics-related work to a company owned by his wife. In a statement, Labuan MACC said the suspect in his 50s was detained at its office at 5.40pm yesterday when he arrived to give a statement. He is suspected of having misused his position at his workplace in 2023 and 2024 to secure forwarding and logistics contracts worth RM20,000 for his wife's firm. Labuan MACC director Azis Malmod said the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for abuse of power for personal gain.
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Over 600 dogs, no space, no vets: Sandakan SPCA's crisis amid stray dog crackdown
SANDAKAN, June 29 — The Sandakan Municipal Council has ramped up efforts to tackle the town's stray dog population, capturing more than 600 dogs in recent operations. However, the sudden success has created a new crisis. The influx has overwhelmed the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Sandakan shelter, which is now operating far beyond its capacity and urgently calling for help. Many of the captured dogs require immediate health checks, quarantine and medical treatment, but the shelter lacks adequate facilities, medicine and volunteer veterinarians. Without proper care, there is an increased risk of disease outbreaks, which could force the authorities to resort to mass culling. Overcrowding has made the situation worse. Shelter operators say they need to quickly build more kennels to separate the animals and prevent the spread of contagious diseases, which pose risks to both the dogs and volunteers. In the short term, the SPCA Sandakan is appealing for donations of food, medicine and building materials. Volunteers are also needed to help with feeding, cleaning and daily maintenance. Animal welfare groups stress that this crisis shows the need for a more sustainable approach. A proven method, used successfully in countries like Turkiye, involves catching, neutering and ear-tagging stray dogs to keep the population under control. Cooperation between the Sabah State Veterinary Services Department and local animal welfare organisations is key to ensuring that stray management is both effective and humane. Community involvement in tracking and reporting strays could also help gather data to improve future measures. Animal advocate Remy Majangkim urged the community to remember that stray animals rely entirely on human compassion. 'The creators do not make mistakes in their creations; rather, it is we who often ignore their existence and plight,' Remy said recently. He added that every contribution counts — whether it is through donations, volunteering, or simply raising awareness. 'Together, we can create a safer, healthier future for Sandakan's stray dogs,' he said. For donations or volunteer opportunities, the public can contact SPCA Sandakan directly. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
14-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Sandakan to launch Malaysia's first historical tree trail with over 40 tagged trees on June 28
SANDAKAN, June 14 — A tree tagging system is developed with the assistance of Sabah Forestry Department to mark the upcoming Malaysia Book of Records, the First Historical Tree Trail In Malaysia on June 28. It will be officiated by Sandakan Municipal Council president Walter Kenson. This was revealed during a courtesy call to Datuk Frederick Kugan, the Chief Conservator Forests at his office by Lai King Hang, founder and chairman of Sandakan Heritage Trail yesterday. More than 200 participants from all walks of life are expected to follow the trail starting from Masjid Jamik, pausing at Agnes Keith's House for the official presentation of Malaysia Book of Records Certificate. Forty-two prominent trees within the Sandakan Heritage Trail have been identified, QR coded and tagged for visitors to enjoy the heritage sites and trees too. This significant milestone for Sandakan is organised by Sandakan Heritage Trail Committee and Sandakan Tourism Association STAN with full support from the Sandakan Municipal Council and other voluntary organisations. Present at the courtesy call were Dr Arthur Chung, Deputy Chief Conservator Forests who is also a senior team member of Sandakan Heritage Trail, senior officers of Sabah Forestry Department, representatives from STAN and Sabah Society Sandakan. — The Borneo Post
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
