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Daily Express
23-07-2025
- Daily Express
Mum: What happened to my Zara?
Published on: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Noraidah showing a photo of herself with Zara. SIPITANG: A mother wants police to get to the bottom of what really happened that her 13-year-old daughter was found unconscious in the drain after apparently falling off the third floor of her Sekolah Menengah Agama Tun Datu Mustapha dormitory in Kinarut last Wednesday (July 16). Zara Qairina Mahathir from Sipitang was found with severe injuries at 3am and died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital the following day. She was buried the same day. Noraidah Lamat, 45, an Ustazah (religious teacher) said she has given full cooperation to the police and was called twice to record her statements. She said she preferred not to say anything more since the case is under investigation. Noraidah said Zara was always by her side and did not show any unusual sign or feelings before the tragedy. 'Zara chose to be sent to the Islamic Religious secondary school in Papar as it was her wish. Also, because she saw many of her friends were staying in school hostels and wanted to experience it. 'She also idolised I had stayed in a dorm before. Hence, Zara wanted to follow suit as she had always imagined the fun and joy living with friends in a school dorm,' she said. Noraidah said it was quite difficult for her to agree to Zara's choice of school in Papar as they had never been apart except when she pursued secondary studies in the Papar school. 'At first, it was tough for me to send Zara to the school and stayed in the dorm when the school session started in February. 'I kept thinking of my daughter. There was always no peace in my heart and I always worried about her. I missed her, but iyalah, this was what she wanted,' she said, sobbing. Noraidah recalled how Zara always asked her to bake her favourite 'kek batik' (chocolate biscuit layer cake) which she did when Zara was at home. Before returning to the hostel, she prepared 'kek batik' in several containers — one for her daughter and the rest for Zara's friends and dorm mates. Zara returned home last Saturday (June 12) and said she would go back to the hostel later in the afternoon on Sunday (July 13) 'Her last meal was 'roti telur' which she made not only for me but for all of us (the whole family) before she returned to the dorm,' she said. Noraidah refused to comment when asked whether her daughter complained to her about anything or anyone. She was visited by State Minister of Science, Techology and Innovation Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Mohd Arif together with Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, and Yayasan Sabah Director Dato' Sri Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar cum Kawang assemblyman at her house at Kg Kalamauh, Mesapol, Monday. Dr Mohd Arifin who is in charge of education matters in Sabah presented a mock cheque of RM10,000 from Tabung Pendidikan Negeri Sabah (TPNS) as well as his personal contribution followed by personal contributions from Ghulam and Dr Yusof. Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah and Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) Deputy Head Datuk Ustaz Malai Ali Malai Ahmad also gave their contributions through representatives. * 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
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Cut red tapes on disaster funds
Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Dr Yusof noted that Sabah has the financial muscle to implement these changes, pointing to the State's substantial reserves of RM8.6 billion. Kota Kinabalu: Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob wants district offices to have direct access to emergency funds instead of waiting for approval from State headquarters that sometimes arrives over a year too late. 'It is frustrating how disaster victims have to wait months, sometimes over a year, before receiving help,' he said when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025, Monday. He said under the existing system, when floods damage roads and drains or fires destroy homes, victims must endure lengthy waits while paperwork slowly moves through government channels. 'Experience tells us that in the districts, it is quite slow to provide services to people affected by disasters. They have to wait. 'For example, flood aid. We report it, list the names of disaster victims and it should take only two or three days during the disaster for people to receive help. 'The reality, however, is far different. In many cases, the flood has passed and the dry season comes, then floods return, but aid has not reached the people yet,' he said. He said from his experience, there were those in Sipitang whose houses were damaged by strong winds but they only receive disaster aid after more than a year. 'There is no point in approving aid contributions if the time gap for them to receive it is more than a year. They might even forget sometimes whether the aid exists or not,' he said. He proposed that each district be given at least half a million ringgit in emergency funds that can be used immediately when disasters strike. 'I suggest that special funds for emergency cases should be decided at the District Office level only. Money should be channelled to District Offices as district emergency funds according to the category of districts that frequently experience disasters. 'When accidents, floods or any other disasters happen, the district disaster committee can meet and use the available money to spend immediately. We give the mandate to the District Office,' he said. He said the funding allocation must be strategic, with amounts varying based on each district's disaster risk. 'Priority should be given to districts prone to disasters, such as Beaufort which is faced with floods every year,' he said. He also pointed to areas prone to landslides, such as roads from Keningau to Kota Kinabalu or Ranau to Kota Kinabalu. Dr Yusof noted that Sabah has the financial muscle to implement these changes, pointing to the State's substantial reserves of RM8.6 billion. 'What is the point of keeping that money? Some people also say, why keep so much money when the people are suffering? We should use that money and give it back to the people. 'There is no point in talking about huge funds and reserves, there is nothing to shout about when the people are suffering,' he said. 'This supplementary allocation is legally valid and this need is indeed required in our State,' he said, expressing support for the State's supplementary budget which includes additional allocations for disaster relief and infrastructure repairs. Additionally, he spoke about his constituency's strategic importance and untapped potential, particularly with the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year and the impact of the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park project. 'To enter Sabah, you must pass through Sindumin. Neighbouring Labuan, there are boats from Labuan, there are also roads. Sabahans going to Sarawak and Brunei will pass through Sipitang,' he said, noting the area's strategic location. He also proposed preserving the old British District Office building in Pekan Sipitang as a tourist attraction. 'This building can be converted into a Tourist Information Centre. Anyone who has been to Sipitang, there is an ugly building in the middle of Pekan Sipitang. I asked that it be maintained in its original form, to be made into a Tourist Information gallery,' he said. He said Sipitang has tourism potential with 10 Community Based Tourism sites, the popular Meligan Villa Resort and Long Pasia, though local entrepreneurs need government support for infrastructure development like roads, halls and jetties. 'I ask agencies and government departments to implement what has been approved quickly so that people can feel it. It is already July. If possible, what we approve should be spent immediately. 'What is important and certain is that this money is for the people, this is all for the people's welfare,' 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
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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Borneo Post
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Two Sabah elected reps, businessman plead not guilty to bribery in mining licence scandal
Andi arrives with his lawyers at 8.48am. KOTA KINABALU (June 30): Two elected representatives from Sabah and a businessman today pleaded not guilty to bribery charges related to a mining licence scandal at a Magistrates' Court here. Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and Kalabakan MP Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy each face one charge, while businessman Dato Tei Jiann Cheing faces two charges under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. According to the facts of the case, Yusof and Andi allegedly received RM200,000 and RM150,000, respectively, from Tei in 2023 to help facilitate the issuance of mineral licences. Judge Jason Juga set Aug 5 for pre-trial case management. All three accused were granted bail, which they subsequently paid. Yusof (third right) with his lawyers walking up to the court at 8.50am. Yusof and Andi were each released on RM50,000 bail with RM10,000 deposited under one local surety. Tei was released on RM60,000 bail with RM15,000 deposited under one local surety for both charges. The prosecution team comprised MACC deputy public prosecutors Nurul Izzati Sapifee and Rustam Sanip, along with prosecuting officer Rekhraj Singh. Representing the two politicians were Datuk Ram Singh, Rizwandean Bukhary M Borhan, Shahlan Jufri, and Jaharah Patimbangi. Tei's legal team included Edward Paul, Batholomew Jingulam, and Jul Hamri Jumhani. Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy mining scandal Yusof Yacob
Borneo Post
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Two Sabah elected reps, businessman plead not guilty to bribery in mining scandal
Andi arrives with his lawyers at 8.48am. KOTA KINABALU (June 30): Two elected representatives from Sabah and a businessman today pleaded not guilty to bribery charges related to a mining licence scandal at a Magistrates' Court here. Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and Kalabakan MP Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy each face one charge, while businessman Dato Tei Jiann Cheing faces two charges under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. According to the facts of the case, Yusof and Andi allegedly received RM200,000 and RM150,000, respectively, from Tei in 2023 to help facilitate the issuance of mineral licences. Judge Jason Juga set Aug 5 for pre-trial case management. All three accused were granted bail, which they subsequently paid. Yusof (third right) with his lawyers walking up to the court at 8.50am. Yusof and Andi were each released on RM50,000 bail with RM10,000 deposited under one local surety. Tei was released on RM60,000 bail with RM15,000 deposited under one local surety for both charges. The prosecution team comprised MACC deputy public prosecutors Nurul Izzati Sapifee and Rustam Sanip, along with prosecuting officer Rekhraj Singh. Representing the two politicians were Datuk Ram Singh, Rizwandean Bukhary M Borhan, Shahlan Jufri, and Jaharah Patimbangi. Tei's legal team included Edward Paul, Batholomew Jingulam, and Jul Hamri Jumhani. Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy lead mining scandal Yusof Yacob
