Latest news with #Sandakan-based
The Star
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Cycling for a cause: Borneo charity ride to help terminally ill children
KOTA KINABALU: Palliative care for adults is a topic that many are somewhat aware of, but what about for terminally ill children? 'From what is observed here in Sabah, palliative care for children is not a subject many are aware of, and there isn't even a proper dedicated organisation or department that looks into this,' said a Sandakan-based orthopaedic surgeon from Selangor. Dr Timothy Cheng, 37, who has been working in Sabah for the past 13 years, said that with this in mind, he felt the need to do something to not only raise awareness but also get things moving and actions underway. With that, the idea of organising a cycling for charity event, to build a children's palliative care centre here in Kota Kinabalu, was born, he said. This programme, named 'Program Sepeda Amal Borneo 2025', organised by the Malaysia Medical Association (MMA), will run from July 27 to Aug 1, to raise RM500,000 for the building of the centre. 'A total of 17 people, comprising Malaysians, Singaporeans, Americans and Macanese, are scheduled to participate in this 600km ride from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu, while a charity dinner will ensue on Aug 1 at the Hilton Hotel here,' Dr Cheng said. He hopes that with awareness raised and donations received, they can make this dream a reality. At the moment, there is only a small team of non-governmental individuals who go for house and hospital visits, to educate parents and families on caring for their terminally ill children, as well as try to let the child have as much of a normal life as they can, he said. Dr Cheng said palliative care for adults is quite well established, as they get more funding, and it has been around for quite some time, but it is not the same for palliative care for children. 'How do you tell and make the child understand that they will pass away any time? How do you prepare parents, their siblings, other family members, friends and teachers to approach this topic?' he said. 'How can we try to adapt and make them live as normally as possible until the time they are no longer here? This is what we want to try and tell the public, teach them and hopefully, help to gain more attention on this matter,' he said. Dr Cheng said that with this cycling for charity programme, they also hope to indirectly bring attention to the condition of the infrastructure in Sabah. He said it is a fact that Sabah gets less attention from the federal government in many senses, and more needs to be done to address all the issues faced in this large, beautiful state. 'We wish to highlight how difficult it is for many, especially those living in rural areas, to get medical treatment, go for official matters and do other things because some really do have to go the extra miles just to get from one place to another,' he said. Dr Cheng hopes this coming cycle for the charity event will have support from the public, as well as lawmakers in the country.
New Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sandakan firm probed for supplying subsidised cooking oil to unapproved premises
SANDAKAN: The authorities are investigating a company here for violating subsidised cooking oil distribution guidelines. The Sandakan office of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry discovered that a cooking oil repacking company had delivered 13 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil to unapproved premises. The amount equals to 38 per cent of the company's total allocation of 34 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil. The ministry's district enforcement chief, Azdy Zukkry John, said action had been taken against the Sandakan-based firm under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. Documents, including invoices, sales receipts, stock records and controlled goods licences, were seized from the company. He said since last August, cooking oil repacking companies were required to follow strict delivery guidelines to prevent leakage and misuse of subsidised goods. "The ministry reminds all parties involved in the distribution of subsidised cooking oil to comply with government directives to ensure this aid reaches its intended recipients." Under the Control of Supplies Act, offenders face fines of up to RM1 million, imprisonment for up to three years or both. Companies can be fined up to RM2 million, with higher penalties for repeat offences.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sandakan company probed for diverting subsidised cooking oil to unauthorised retailers
A view inside the repacking facility inspected by KPDN Sandakan officers. KOTA KINABALU: A cooking oil repacking company is under investigation for allegedly distributing subsidised cooking oil in 1kg packets to unauthorised retailers. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry branch in Sandakan said a compliance audit last week found that 13-tonne, around 38% of the company's total allocation of 34-tonne cooking oil, had been delivered to unapproved premises. Its district enforcement chief Azdy Zukkry John said action had been taken against the Sandakan-based firm under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. In a statement on Tuesday, he said documents including invoices, sales receipts, stock records and controlled goods licences were seized from the company. According to the statement, since August 2024, repacking companies have been required to follow strict delivery guidelines in an effort to prevent leakage and misuse of subsidised goods. The ministry reminded all parties involved in the distribution of subsidised cooking oil to comply with government directives to ensure this aid reaches its intended recipients. Under the Control of Supplies Act, individuals found guilty of offences may face fines of up to RM1mil, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. Companies can be fined up to RM2mil, with higher penalties for repeat offences. Consumers are encouraged to report any suspected irregularities in the supply chain via the 1-800-886-800 hotline, whatsapp at 019-848 8000, e-aduan portal ( email (eaduan@ the Ez Adu KPDN app or the enforcement command centre at 03-8882 6088/6245.
