Latest news with #ShahelmeyYahya
Daily Express
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Express
66pc rise in Sabah food premises certified under BeSS
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 Text Size: Shahelmey (second from right) presenting a recognition certificate during a walkabout at Imago's BeBAS Zone. – Information Department photo Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has recorded a significant 66.6 per cent increase in food premises certified under the Clean, Safe and Healthy (BeSS) recognition programme since the introduction of the Premis Bersih Bebas Asap (BeBAS) initiative in 2024. Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (pic) said the number of BeSS-certified premises rose from 57 to 95, reflecting strong collaboration between stakeholders in ensuring food premises remain clean, safe, of high quality and smoke-free. 'From 2024, the Sabah Food Safety and Quality Division has received a surge in applications from chain restaurants and food premises statewide. 'This clearly shows the commitment from food operators to comply with stringent hygiene and safety standards. 'This effort not only boosts consumer confidence locally but also supports the growth of our food tourism sector,' he said when officiating the State-level World Food Safety Day 2025 celebration, here. Shahelmey said the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports hundreds of millions of food-borne illness cases yearly. 'In Malaysia, the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed links between dietary patterns and non-communicable diseases. 'Moreover, food poisoning remains a concern. We've also observed that many people, especially the elderly and adolescents, are still not attentive to food label reading. 'The Health Ministry (MOH) has introduced various interventions to safeguard public health and aims to shift from a sick-care to a health-care model. 'This is evident in the many impactful programmes and initiatives — certifications, recognitions, licensing and other services provided by KKM to the food sector,' he said. Shahelmey also urged consumers to play an active role in ensuring food safety. 'As consumers, we are part of the food safety chain. We must verify the accuracy of food-related information before sharing it. 'Keep yourself informed about food safety and practise simple concepts like 'Observe and Choose' and 'Look, Smell, Taste'. These are the most basic and effective ways to avoid food poisoning and ensure the food we consume is safe,' he added. Held annually on June 7, the 2025 World Food Safety Day carried the theme 'Food Safety Science in Action', highlighting the role of science in delivering safe food for all. The two-day programme also saw several eateries in Imago Shopping Mall awarded BeSS recognition plaques, acknowledging their success in meeting national food safety standards. * 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
a day ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sabah sees 66.6 pct jump in clean and safe food premises
Shahelmey (second from right) presenting a recognition certificate during a walkabout at Imago's BeBAS Zone. – Information Department photo KOTA KINABALU (July 28): Sabah has recorded a significant increase in Clean and Safe Recognition (BeSS) since the Smoke-Free Clean Premises (BeBAS) initiative was introduced in 2024. Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya stated that the number of food premises receiving certification has surged from 57 to 95, representing a 66.6 percent increase. This demonstrates that the BeBAS initiative implemented by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) reflects the commitment of various parties in ensuring food premises are clean, safe, high-quality and smoke-free. 'Starting in 2024 and continuing into 2025, the Sabah State Food Safety and Quality Division has received numerous applications from restaurants and chain food premises across Sabah,' he said. 'This shows a strong commitment from food operators in Sabah to ensure their premises meet high standards of hygiene and safety. These efforts not only boost the confidence of local consumers but also support our growing food tourism sector,' he added during his speech officiating the 2025 Sabah State-Level World Food Safety Day Celebration here on Sunday. He noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) reports hundreds of millions of cases of foodborne illnesses annually. 'In Malaysia, the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed a link between dietary patterns and non-communicable diseases. Additionally, food poisoning incidents remain a concern, and we find that a large segment of the population, particularly the elderly and teenagers, lack awareness about reading food product labels,' he explained. 'KKM implements various interventions to ensure the well-being of the people in this country, with the aspiration of transforming healthcare from sick care to health care. This is proven by the implementation of various high-impact programs and initiatives such as certification, recognition, licensing, and various other services by KKM for the food sector in Malaysia,' he elaborated. Furthermore, he called on consumers to play an active role in ensuring food safety. 'As consumers, we also play a crucial role in this food safety chain. We are responsible for verifying the authenticity of food safety-related information before sharing it. Always enhance your knowledge about food safety and practice the simple concepts of 'Observe and Choose' and 'Look, Smell, Taste'. These are the most basic and effective steps to avoid food poisoning and ensure the food we consume is safe,' he urged. The 2025 World Food Safety Day Celebration, themed 'Food Safety Science in Action,' is held annually on June 7 to highlight the role of science in ensuring safe food for all. The two-day program also saw several food premises at the Imago shopping mall receive BeSS recognition plaques as a symbol of their success in achieving the standards.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sabah sees 66.6% jump in clean and safe food premises
Shahelmey (second from right) presenting a recognition certificate during a walkabout at Imago's BeBAS Zone. – Information Department photo KOTA KINABALU (July 28): Sabah has recorded a significant increase in Clean and Safe Recognition (BeSS) since the Smoke-Free Clean Premises (BeBAS) initiative was introduced in 2024. Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya stated that the number of food premises receiving certification has surged from 57 to 95, representing a 66.6 percent increase. This demonstrates that the BeBAS initiative implemented by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) reflects the commitment of various parties in ensuring food premises are clean, safe, high-quality and smoke-free. 'Starting in 2024 and continuing into 2025, the Sabah State Food Safety and Quality Division has received numerous applications from restaurants and chain food premises across Sabah,' he said. 'This shows a strong commitment from food operators in Sabah to ensure their premises meet high standards of hygiene and safety. These efforts not only boost the confidence of local consumers but also support our growing food tourism sector,' he added during his speech officiating the 2025 Sabah State-Level World Food Safety Day Celebration here on Sunday. He noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) reports hundreds of millions of cases of foodborne illnesses annually. 'In Malaysia, the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed a link between dietary patterns and non-communicable diseases. Additionally, food poisoning incidents remain a concern, and we find that a large segment of the population, particularly the elderly and teenagers, lack awareness about reading food product labels,' he explained. 'KKM implements various interventions to ensure the well-being of the people in this country, with the aspiration of transforming healthcare from sick care to health care. This is proven by the implementation of various high-impact programs and initiatives such as certification, recognition, licensing, and various other services by KKM for the food sector in Malaysia,' he elaborated. Furthermore, he called on consumers to play an active role in ensuring food safety. 'As consumers, we also play a crucial role in this food safety chain. We are responsible for verifying the authenticity of food safety-related information before sharing it. Always enhance your knowledge about food safety and practice the simple concepts of 'Observe and Choose' and 'Look, Smell, Taste'. These are the most basic and effective steps to avoid food poisoning and ensure the food we consume is safe,' he urged. The 2025 World Food Safety Day Celebration, themed 'Food Safety Science in Action,' is held annually on June 7 to highlight the role of science in ensuring safe food for all. The two-day program also saw several food premises at the Imago shopping mall receive BeSS recognition plaques as a symbol of their success in achieving the standards.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
St Catherine Laboure Church in Putatan ready by end of 2026
Shahelmey visiting the St Catherine Laboure Church in Putatan. PUTATAN (July 25): The St Catherine Laboure Church in Putatan is expected to open its doors to parishioners by the end of 2026, marking a significant milestone in a decades-long journey of faith and perseverance. Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the main construction works are slated for completion by the end of 2026, allowing the church to begin operations, while other components will be completed in stages. Shahelmey, who visited the construction site today, expressed hope that the new church would ease the burden of Christians —especially Roman Catholics — who currently have to travel to Stella Maris Church in Tanjung Aru and other districts for worship. The St Catherine Laboure Church in Putatan. 'As an area with mixed communities, it is my responsibility to inspect the site as the Putatan MP. The works have been ongoing for some time, and we hope the construction can be completed as planned,' said Shahelmey, who is also the Works Minister and Tanjung Keramat assemblyman. His Grace Archbishop Datuk John Wong, present at the site for the blessing and project site handover ceremony to the appointed contractor Macromax Enterprise, said RM5.18 million is needed to complete the church. 'The Church hopes that generous donors will come forward to help make this dream a reality. We welcome support from all,' said the Archbishop, who was pleased with the strong turnout at the ceremony. He expressed optimism that work would commence immediately, and the building could be completed by next year. The contract sets a one-year construction period, with an allowable extension of five months. Father Peter Abas, the Steering Committee's Spiritual Director, shared three hopes: for progress on the project, for generous support from the faithful, and for unity within the community to see the church completed. 'We are praying and working together with the Archdiocese and the steering committee. Hopefully, one day, this church will stand as a place of worship for the people of Putatan,' he said. The history of the St Catherine Laboure Church in Kampung Imbaan dates back to 1885 when Fr. Alexander Prenger arrived from Labuan. Despite initial resistance due to local adherence to Momolianism, the community built a 'Mission Transit Home' that later served early missionaries. Fr. Rientjes, who took over in the early 1890s, planned to build a church but tragically drowned in 1891. In 1906, the first Dusun convert, Tuyoh (later baptised as Ethelwin), marked the beginning of local conversions. A school and mission church were established in 1926 by Fr. Wachter but halted after he went missing during the Japanese occupation. In the 1940s, a small church built by the Chinese Catholic community was destroyed during World War II and never rebuilt. From the 1960s, Putatan served as a temporary mass station with monthly masses held in private homes. Land acquisition challenges and funding issues delayed permanent church construction efforts until the 2000s. The current church project was revived thanks to a joint vision by the late Rev. Fr. Fundes Motiung, several prominent figures including Datuk Dr Marcus M. Mojigoh, Datuk Stephen L. Sondoh, and land donated by the late Catherine Moinin. Additional land was contributed by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and others. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 12 January 2013 with RM1.8 million in initial funding from the Federal and State governments and the public. However, construction faced multiple suspensions, including a complete halt during the Covid-19 pandemic until June 2025. Following reactivation by Archbishop John Wong in 2023, the project was retendered and awarded on 19 May 2025. The current phase focuses on completing the church building with an estimated cost of RM6.28 million, while the full complex is projected to cost RM11.26 million. Contributions toward the construction of St Catherine Laboure Church can be made via Public Bank Berhad to the account of RTDKK ST Catherine of Laboure Putatan, Account Number: 3242757410.
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabahans ‘numb' over delays in infrastructure projects, says Warisan MP
Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis criticised contractors and lobbyists for contributing to the chronic delays in completing infrastructure projects in Sabah. KUALA LUMPUR : Sabahans have become desensitised to infrastructure delays after years of seeing numerous projects stalled or left incomplete, a Warisan MP said today. Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Warisan-Kota Belud) criticised contractors and lobbyists for contributing to the chronic delays, stating that many aggressively lobbied for projects they were not capable of executing. 'My message to the contractors and lobbyists is, if you want to submit tenders, be honest about your capacity. 'If you think you can't handle the project, don't lobby for it. Do not create more problems for others,' she said when debating the 2025 Auditor-General's Report Series 2 in the Dewan Rakyat. Last month, Sabah works minister Shahelmey Yahya said physical progress on Package 20 of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah remained low at just 1.6% despite letters of acceptance having been issued eight months ago. In a Bernama report, Shahelmy, who is also the state's deputy chief minister III, attributed the delay to ongoing land and property assessment processes. Isnaraissah also raised concerns over the multiple layers of subcontracting in federal infrastructure projects, saying the system left no actual 'doers' on the ground in Sabah. 'The ones awarded the project hire subcontractors, who in turn hire other subcontractors. In the end, no one takes responsibility and the work doesn't get done,' she said. She questioned the works ministry's decision to use the selected pre-qualified open tender procurement system for Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway project, an issue which was also flagged in the Auditor-General's Report Series 2. The report, tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, said open tenders were more suitable to ensure accountability and transparency in the procurement process.
