Latest news with #Shafie
Daily Express
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Prolonged infra issues could jeopardise future: Shafie
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: Azmie Lim Text Size: Shafie said remedial measures such as terminating concession contracts and absorbing more than 1,000 contract workers into the department had been done before, but the problem remains unresolved. SEMPORNA: The prolonged basic infrastructure issues in Sabah could jeopardise the State's future, including the education sector and foreign investment, said Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. He said long-standing water problems, including at higher learning institutions like Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), continue to burden students. Advertisement 'In several meetings with university students, they raised their concerns over this issue. Some are forced to buy mineral water or rely on donations just for bathing and drinking. 'This not only affects their comfort but also disrupts their focus on their studies,' he said after officiating the SPM 2024 Excellence Incentive and Appreciation Programme, here. Shafie said remedial measures such as terminating concession contracts and absorbing more than 1,000 contract workers into the department had been done before, but the problem remains unresolved. 'The State's water problem has dragged on for years, mainly due to management weaknesses, including at the Sabah Water Department. 'Basic infrastructure issues like this not only affect the people's comfort but also impact State investments,' he said. Shafie also touched on the sharp increase in cooking gas cylinder prices, which have now soared to over RM70 per unit. 'Sabah is the second largest gas producer after Sarawak. It is unfair that our own people should bear this high cost,' he said. He said he would raise the issue in the upcoming Parliament session. During the event, more than 100 top SPM 2024 students from across Semporna were celebrated. Shafie expressed pride in their achievements and said he would continue to support efforts to develop the State's education sector. He also urged all parties to work together and not sideline local leaders in advancing the sector. * 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
- Politics
- Daily Express
UMS water crisis warrants MACC probe: Shafie
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 Text Size: Shafie called for transparency in investigating the contractors and water concessionaires involved in the area, questioning their track record and whether contracts were awarded transparently. Kota Kinabalu: Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal wants the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the prolonged water crisis at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), describing the situation as 'a national shame.' The water shortage has left more than 23,000 students and staff at the public university struggling with basic necessities for days, forcing them to queue with pails to bathe and purchase bottled water while trying to focus on their studies. Advertisement 'The prolonged water crisis at UMS is no longer just a local issue but has become a national shame,' Shafie said. 'When students at a major public university are forced to go days without clean water to drink, cook and bathe, it reflects a deep failure in governance and planning and shows no compassion,' he said. The university relies on the R13 tank that also serves Hospital Likas and nearby commercial zones. When water levels fall below 0.5 meters, the entire system fails. Despite numerous reports and letters to the Sabah Water Department, Shafie claimed no formal action has been taken. Adding to the controversy, the Department publicly said that water supply was sufficient, a claim later contradicted by UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansur. 'This raises serious doubts about transparency and internal accountability within the Department,' Shafie said. He said nearly five years have passed since GRS took power with no meaningful progress on resolving the water crisis. 'If real planning had been done, no student would be living through water shortages in 2025,' he said. Shafie called for transparency in investigating the contractors and water concessionaires involved in the area, questioning their track record and whether contracts were awarded transparently. 'I therefore call upon the MACC to investigate who the contractor or water concessionaire is in this area. What is their track record? Were contracts awarded transparently? Is there corruption or mismanagement at play? 'If the Sabah government has nothing to hide then it should have no issue welcoming the investigation by the MACC,' he added. The water crisis has prompted student protests, with many forced to seek alternative housing arrangements while dealing with the basic necessity shortage. 'It is no wonder the students are protesting because they are demanding basic human dignity. Water is not a political game. It is a human right,' 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
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Shafie calls for MACC probe into Sepanggar water contractor amid UMS crisis
Shafie KOTA KINABALU (June 5): Warisan president Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal has urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to launch an investigation into the contractor or water concessionaire responsible for the Sepanggar area, following the ongoing water crisis affecting Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). 'What is their track record? Were contracts awarded transparently? Is there corruption or mismanagement at play?' Shafie questioned in a statement issued on Thursday. He said that if the Sabah state government has nothing to hide, it should welcome MACC's involvement. 'Being open to scrutiny is the first step toward solving the real problem. Let us not insult the intelligence of Sabahans by blaming others. If this government still needs to point fingers after five years in power, then it has admitted its own incompetence. Enough is enough. Water is not a political game — it is a human right,' he stressed. Referring to the prolonged water supply issues at UMS, Shafie said the crisis has escalated beyond a local concern and has become a national embarrassment. 'When students at a major public university are forced to go days without clean water to drink, cook, and bathe, it reflects a deep failure in governance, planning and empathy,' he said. He also pointed out that despite nearly five years under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration, no meaningful progress has been made to resolve this fundamental problem. 'If proper planning had been done, no student would still be facing water shortages in 2025 — certainly not in lecture halls, not in hostels, and not in Sabah.' He highlighted that UMS is not a remote school but a national institution with over 23,000 students and staff who rely on the R13 tank, which also serves Hospital Likas and surrounding commercial areas. Shafie revealed that when water levels in the tank fall below 0.5 metres, the entire supply system fails — yet repeated complaints and formal letters to the Sabah State Water Department (JANS) have reportedly gone unanswered. 'Instead of action, we have only seen denials and deflections,' he said. More troubling, he added, is the discrepancy between public statements made by JANS claiming sufficient water supply, and those of UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor, who contradicted those claims. 'This raises serious concerns about transparency and internal accountability within JANS,' said Shafie. He described the hardships faced by students, who have had to seek alternative housing, spend on bottled water, and queue with pails just to bathe, all while trying to pursue their education. 'It's no wonder the students are protesting. They are demanding basic human dignity. We are not making accusations — we are calling for transparency,' Shafie concluded.
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
PM extends support to former bodyguard facing health issues
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended assistance to his former bodyguard, Shafie, who is currently facing health complications due to diabetes and a dislocated elbow that has affected the use of his left arm. The contribution was delivered by the Prime Minister's political secretary, Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, during a visit to Shafie's home. "In life, there are individuals who have stood loyally by a leader's side through both calm and storm. "Encik Shafie is one such person — a former bodyguard who once served faithfully, safeguarding the prime minister during some of the most challenging moments in the country's political history. "The loyalty and sacrifices shown during those difficult times will never be forgotten. This visit was to convey the prime minister's warm regards and appreciation for his service," Ahmad Farhan said in a Facebook post, which was also shared by Anwar today. He also prayed for Shafie's strength and recovery.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
PM extends support to former bodyguard facing health challenges
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended assistance to his former bodyguard, Shafie, who is currently facing health complications due to diabetes and a dislocated elbow that has affected the use of his left arm. The contribution was delivered by the Prime Minister's political secretary, Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, during a visit to Shafie's home. 'In life, there are individuals who have stood loyally by a leader's side through both calm and storm. Encik Shafie is one such person — a former bodyguard who once served faithfully, safeguarding the Prime Minister during some of the most challenging moments in the country's political history. 'The loyalty and sacrifices shown during those difficult times will never be forgotten. This visit was to convey the Prime Minister's warm regards and appreciation for his service,' Ahmad Farhan said in a Facebook post, which was also shared by Anwar today. He also prayed for Shafie's strength and recovery.
