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The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Mining bribery case: Next court date set for Sept 23
KOTA KINABALU: The Special Corruption Court has fixed Sept 23 for further pre-trial case management in the mining prospecting case involving two assemblymen and a businessman. The court set the date on Tuesday (Aug 5) after the prosecution requested more time to prepare documents, including forensics reports, information from telecommunications companies, and confirmation from Immigration. Judge Jason Juga allowed the date and extended bail for all the accused. ALSO READ: Two Sabah assemblymen, businessman claim trial over RM350,000 mining bribe case On June 30, Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, Tanjung Batu assemblyman Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, and Selangor-based businessman Datuk Albert Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, pleaded not guilty before judge Juga after being separately charged under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. They were accused of receiving and giving bribes totalling RM350,000 in relation to mineral prospecting licence applications. ALSO READ: Mining bribery case: GRS will let legal process take its course, says Hajiji According to the charge sheets, Dr Yusof, 69, who is also the Qhazanah Sabah Berhad chairman, allegedly received RM200,000 in cash from Tei on March 6, 2023, at 2pm at a hotel restaurant here, as an inducement to facilitate the approval of a prospecting licence for Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd to conduct mineral exploration in Sabah. Andi, 44, was accused of accepting RM150,000 in cash from Tei on May 12, 2023, outside his residence here, for assisting with the prospecting licence application of Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd. Tei was charged with giving bribes to both assemblymen in connection with the same licence applications.
The Star
12-07-2025
- General
- The Star
NGO faces upstream battle to remove invasive fish species in local rivers
IPOH: Drastic action is needed to curb the release of foreign fish species into local rivers, says the founder of Skuad Pemburu Ikan Asing, a Selangor-based NGO. Mohd Haziq A. Rahman said that invasive fish species were commonly found in areas such as the Klang Valley, Selangor and Perak. 'The effort taken by our team is that we go out almost daily to rivers across the Peninsula. "We also work closely with related agencies and state governments to carry out foreign fish removal activities," he said in a press conference on Saturday (July 12). As of July, the group has removed approximately 52 tonnes of foreign fish from local waterways, mostly ikan bandaraya, which is their area of focus. 'Of this total, 30 tonnes were caught in the Klang Valley, while the rest were from states like Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka and Penang,' he said. Haziq said their presence in Perak aims to raise public awareness over the critical situation, similar to Selangor and the Klang River, where foreign fish populations are high. 'We hope our presence here will encourage the Perak government to take proactive measures, as other states have done. 'In Selangor, for instance, the state government provides an incentive of RM1 for every 1kg of foreign fish caught. This has had a positive impact and we hope to see similar support in Perak, " he added. Meanwhile, Perak environment committee chairman Teh Kok Lim urged the public to increase their awareness of the importance of protecting rivers from pollution and the uncontrolled release of foreign fish species. He said any fish-releasing activities into public waters must be referred to the Perak State Fisheries Department. 'The state government takes the issue of river pollution and ecosystem disruption very seriously, especially when it comes from the irresponsible release of foreign fish species into rivers, lakes, ponds and former mining pools. 'Foreign species such as Redtail Catfish, Peacock Bass and ikan bandaraya can cause significant ecological damage. These species often alter the structure of riverbeds and pond banks and disrupt the natural habitat, " he said. Teh added that these foreign fish also pose a threat to native species, which plays a role in maintaining local biodiversity. 'The presence of invasive species not only damages these sensitive ecosystems but also risks spreading diseases and could lead to the extinction of local fish populations. 'In the long term, this situation could negatively impact local economies, particularly those reliant on fisheries and eco-tourism,' he said. He also reminded that the release of foreign or invasive fish species can lead to legal action under the Fisheries Act 1985 and its related regulations. 'Preserving our rivers requires the cooperation of all parties, from government agencies and NGOs to local communities and individuals. "Every action we take today will determine the environmental legacy we leave for future generations,' he said.
Daily Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Long-awaited truth will soon emerge
Published on: Sunday, July 06, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 06, 2025 By: Datuk Teddy Chin Text Size: SO, finally after more than half-a-year since the so-called Sabah Mining Scandal videos first surfaced – and after months of speculations and gossips – three people were charged in the Court in Kota Kinabalu on the last day of June and just as Sabahans prepared to begin the 2nd half of 2025. The social media have been having a field day since. Advertisement The trio comprised two State Assemblymen and a Selangor-based businessman, Tei Jiann Cheing, also known as Albert Tei. The duo were Assistant Minister cum Tanjung Batu Assemblyman Datuk Andi Suryady and Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob. Andi is also Kalabakan MP while Yusof is Chairman of Qhazanah Sabah, a State-owned GLC. All three pleaded not guilty. The Press and social media have wrongly described Andi as a GRS Assemblyman. He actually is from Umno although he has been suspended. He won both his State and MP seats on a BN (Umno) ticket in 2020 and 2022 respectively. Yusof won the Sindumin seat on a Warisan ticket in 2018 and 2020. He even became a Minister in the Shafie Cabinet. He was thought to have applied to join Umno after Warisan lost the 2020 State election. But when he pledged to support CM Hajiji Noor during the failed coup dubbed Langkah Kinabalu in early 2023, Umno clarified that Yusof's application to join the party was not yet approved. Speaking to the Press after posting his bail, Albert asked why only two Assemblyman whom he described as 'Ikan Bilis' were charged when he supposedly exposed 10 (including the Assembly Speaker). Well, it is up to MACC and not Albert or who and when they want to charge. They do not need your permission or concurrence. How do you know when and who else they want to charge, if any? Albert also said should anything happen to him including his sudden disappearance, look for the 10. By the same token or going by his logic, can it also be asked that should anything happen to the 10 Assemblymen, police should look for him? Albert also mentioned the Chief Minister's name while talking to reporters. Hajiji's Special Officer has lodged a police report against Albert. He also hinted that MACC was biased, something which may be subjudice as the matter is now in the courts. Hajiji has said from day one late last year that he would leave it to MACC to investigate and that the GRS government would give its fullest cooperation. He himself even voluntarily gave a statement to MACC. Star president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said recently that there might be a hidden hand in all this as his name also suddenly cropped up although he already had his statement taken when the so-called scandal first surface months ago. Veteran Malaysian journalist Datuk Philip Golingai said late last year that a certain retired senior civil servant with the title of Tan Sri could be the mastermind given the hi-tech used to secretly record the videos. About the same time that the two assemblymen were charged, PKR Sabah Chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the scandal, if true, could change the State's political landscape, adding that his party was on 'standby for any eventuality.' This is certainly not the kind of statement one would expect from the leader of a coalition partner of the State's ruling GRS+. This kind of statement sounds more like from an enemy or an opportunist or, as the Malays would say, 'Musuh Dalam Selimut'. Mustpha should not forget that PKR was in the Opposition in Sabah before Hajiji offered the party a Minister and an Assistant Minister post in early 2023. As they say, man's memory is short. He should also not forget that PKR is supposed to be GRS' partner in the coming election. Even PM and PKR president Anwar never made that kind of statement against GRS and twice defended Hajiji. If Mustapha thinks that Hajiji is someone who can be 'gertak', he can try. Hajiji was not born yesterday. He has been a YB since 1990, Mustapha only since late 2022. I don't know how old Mustapha was or what he was doing in 1990. I don't know why Albert Tei mentioned Hajiji as the CM was never charged by MACC. In fact months ago Sabah MACC already cleared Hajiji. Albert must have been disappointed. To me, Hajiji is one of the best, if not the best, CM Sabahans have seen. He never uttered a four-letter word in the State Assembly as a Sabah MP infamously did in Parliament. He never uttered offensive words against women as one Sabah MP did in Parliament. He never challenged a fellow lawmaker in the Assembly to a fist fight outside as a Sabah MP did. If Sabahans want that MP to be their next CM, then God helps Sabah, just like the British national anthem God Save the Queen (now King). A Sabah DAP leader also threatened to review his party's position in the GRS+ government soon after the video scandal broke out. Review lah. Nobody is going to stop you. But make sure your party secretary general agrees with you. As GRS deputy secretary-general cum Federal Minister Datuk Armijan Ali rightly pointed out, GRS never resorted to mentioning the many cases faced by Malaysian politicians, be them in the opposition or the government, including the present Madani government. By not mentioning any name, Armijan was just being polite and diplomatic. Mustapha should not forget that the many politicians referred to by Armijan include thoses in the Madani Government which includes PKR. Mustapha should not forget that a very senior PKR leader went to jail not once but twice. As people say, look at yourself in the mirror before you criticize others. A Malay proverb says Don't simply spit towards the sky as your saliva may fall on your face. PGRS Information Chief Datuk Nizam AB Titingan also asked Mustapha to look into the mirror. Mustapha should not forget that former Umno president and former PM 'Bossku' Najib is still in jail. He should not forget that BN/Umno was already rejected by Malaysians and Sabahans in 2018. Mustapha should not forget that Najib's successor as Umno president also faced court cases. He was never found guilty by the courts. His representation to the AG was accepted. That's all, and it was questioned by legal circles. Mustapha should not forget that a senior Sabah Umno leader is also facing corrupt charges in court and has been asked by the courts to defend himself. The Chinese press described someone who has been asked to defend himself as 'primarily guilty'. And yet we never heard of Mustapha saying that PKR will review its cooperation with Umno. Neither have we heard DAP wanting to review its relationship with Umno. In fact, Umno's slogan just before the 2022 election was 'No DAP, No Anwar'. Now swallowing their own pride? Being charged in court does not necessarily mean one is guilty. One is innocent unless proven guilty, as Armizan pointed out. A former Sabah Chief Minister was held by MACC for about a week a few years ago. He was brought to court by MACC wearing the Orange T-Shirt and it was widely publicized including on TV. Does this mean he was guilty? In conclusion, I would like to quote the heading of Daily Express' front page on Wednesday: 'Never jump to conclusions'. The Bible says Judge Not So You Won't Be Judged. Amen. I would also like to quote Thursday's DE frontpage headline which says Sabah's Financial Position Solid. It says that Sabah recorded one of the highest State revenues in Malaysia in 2023, reaching RM1.6 billion. Need I say more? I would also like to quotes Senator Tan Sri Anifah Aman's recent statement that Sabah attracted the 3rd highest investments of RM10.9 billion for the first quarter of 2025 alone, after Selangor and FT of KL. Out of the amount, RM6.6 billion is from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) while RM4.29 billion is from Domestic Direct Investments (DDI). Anifah is the Chief Minister's Advisor on Foreign Relations and Investment. He is also Chairman of Invest Sabah. Lastly, all this threat by PKR and DAP, go ahead. No one will stop you. Don't forget, almost half of the coalition partners in GRS prefer that the coalition go it alone in the coming election. If you push GRS to the wall, what do you expect oh? If GRS goes it alone, Tan Sri Pandikar, Dr Jeffrey and Yong Teck Lee will be most happy. So don't behave as if GRS cannot do without you. Hajiji is just being polite when he repeatedly said GRS will work with PKR as it is the PM's party. He was just being diplomatic. Even some of the PGRS' own Divisions have publicly stated their preference for GRS to go it alone. So don't count your chicken before they hatch. In 1985, the well-equipped and well-funded BN leaders from Kuala Lumpur campaigned for Berjaya in full force. The result? Berjaya lost, despite Dr M's 'Swim or Sink with Berjaya' statement while campaigning at the KK padang just days before polling. Next day of course all the local papers put it on their front pages with banner headlines. One Berjaya leader at that time even proudly proclaimed No Need to Campaign Anymore. The BN especially Umno leaders who campaigned for Berjaya in 1985 were unpopular with Sabahans, describing them as 'Orang Malaya'. But after the election, only BN 'Swim' while Berjaya 'Sank' as PBS which defeated Berjaya was accepted into BN. The 'Unseen Hand' should understand that if it bullies Sabahans too much, there may be a repeat of 1985 whereby Sabahans will stand solidly behind GRS. 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga'. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. 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Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Malaysian palm oil higher on better demand
JAKARTA: Malaysian palm oil futures closed higher on Wednesday, snapping two straight sessions of losses, supported by higher demand, a soyoil rally and the possibility of lower production in June. The benchmark palm oil contract for September delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange gained 95 ringgit, or 2.39%, to 4,063 ringgit ($961.4) a metric ton at the close. 'Overall market sentiment has improved and demand has returned to normalcy. With our preliminary assessment on lower production in June and the soyoil rally, all helped palm prices to remain competitive,' said Paramalingam Supramaniam, director at Selangor-based brokerage Pelindung Bestari. India's palm oil imports soared to an 11-month high in June, driven by lower domestic inventories and a price discount to rivals soyoil and sunflower oil that encouraged refiners to ramp up purchases. Dalian's most-active soyoil contract rose 0.63%, while its palm oil contract gained 1.52%. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade were 1.12% higher. The ringgit, palm's currency of trade, weakened 0.71% against the dollar, making the commodity cheaper for buyers holding foreign currencies.
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Palm ends higher on better demand, likely lower June production
JAKARTA: Malaysian palm oil futures closed higher on Wednesday, snapping two straight sessions of losses, supported by higher demand, a soyoil rally and the possibility of lower production in June. The benchmark palm oil contract for September delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange gained 95 ringgit, or 2.39%, to 4,063 ringgit ($961.4) a metric ton at the close. 'Overall market sentiment has improved and demand has returned to normalcy. With our preliminary assessment on lowerproduction in June and the soyoil rally, all helped palm prices to remain competitive,' said Paramalingam Supramaniam, director at Selangor-based brokerage Pelindung Bestari. India's palm oil imports soared to an 11-month high in June, driven by lower domestic inventories and a price discount to rivals soyoil and sunflower oil that encouraged refiners to ramp up purchases. Dalian's most-active soyoil contract rose 0.63%, while its palm oil contract gained 1.52%. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade were 1.12% higher. Malaysian palm oil slips Palm oil tracks the price movements of rival edible oils as it competes for a share of the global vegetable oils market. Exports of Malaysian palm oil products for June rose 4.3% month-on-month, according to independent inspection company AmSpec Agri Malaysia, while according to Intertek Testing Services, they grew 4.7%. Indonesia's crude and refined palm oil exports soared 53% in May from a year ago, data from the statistics bureau showed, as the tropical oil started trading at a discount to its rivals, boosting demand from key buyers. The ringgit, palm's currency of trade, weakened 0.71% against the dollar, making the commodity cheaper for buyers holding foreign currencies.
