Latest news with #StateLegislativeAssembly
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Relief for 10 Sipitang villages: Settlements excised from Forest Reserve
Published on: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 16, 2025 Text Size: SIPITANG: A total of 15,000 hectares containing 10 villages have been excised from a Forest Reserve, following passing of the Forest Enactment (Establishment of Forest Reserves and Amendment) 2025 during the recent State Legislative Assembly sitting. Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob said the move was in line with requests made by locals to the State Government to exclude areas already developed for settlements and agriculture from the Forest Reserve. Advertisement 'The land removed from the Forest Reserve includes areas formerly under Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) stretching to Kemabong, Tenom covering 15,000 hectares or about 40,000 acres. 'There are still a few villages awaiting approval, and I will continue to pursue this with the State Government,' he said at the Tunai Rahmah Cash Assistance Program in Kg Long Pasia, Tuesday. Also present was Datuk Ramlee Kariah, Chief Operating Officer of the Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat. Dr Yusof, who is also Chairman of Qhazanah Sabah Berhad, listed the affected villages as Pakiak, Sungai Kanggalan, Motokop, Ulu Babatan Pangi, Basio Anampul Nanahas, Simbuan, Sungai Lukutan, Lamparion, Batu Nundok, and Komadang. He hoped areas along this route would be opened up, especially for the younger generation who do not yet own land, to engage in agricultural activities. According to him, this decision by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Pakatan Harapan Plus state government demonstrates that the voices and needs of the people are being prioritised for their well-being. Dr Yusof also announced the approval of three projects to benefit residents of Kg Long Pasia namely the construction of a concrete drainage system around the Long Pasia open hall, upgrading of the Long Pasia Open Hall, and building a new bridge for Kg Long Pasia. * 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
3 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Rep: Joint checkpoint at Buduk Nur/Long Midang area raises security concerns
Baru says that the joint-checkpoint issue was among the concerns raised by the local community, which he deemed as in need of urgent attention. MIRI (July 15): The continued operation of a 'joint checkpoint' on the Malaysian side of the border in the Buduk Nur/Long Midang area in northern Sarawak is raising security concerns, said Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian. 'This is despite the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security (CIQS) complex there being fully operational,' he said in a statement today in connection with his recent engagements in his constituency, which included a visit to the complex. He added that the joint-checkpoint issue was among the concerns raised by the local community, which he deemed as in need of urgent attention. 'I raised this issue in the recent DUN (State Legislative Assembly) sitting, and reiterated it during my visit on July 10, accompanied by Pengulu Udan Meru and the village headmen. 'The joint-checkpoint remains active, pending orders from the higher authorities. 'I urge its immediate dismantling to mitigate security risks,' said Baru. Additionally, he said there were reports of military personnel crossing the border without going through the CIQS, possibly facilitating the smuggling of subsidised goods and alcohol into Indonesia. 'This issue requires urgent investigation and resolution.' Baru also highlighted another immigration-related situation, where only Lawas locals could cross into Indonesia via the CIQS using the 'Cross-Border Pass' (PMS), while Indonesians from Kalimantan could enter Malaysia on the same permit. 'However, Malaysian PMS holders face restrictions if the permit's validity is less than six months, a rule typically applied to international passports but inappropriate for PMS. 'I urge the Ministry of Home Affairs to have some understanding with their Indonesian counterpart to have standardised regulations, exempting PMS from the six-month validity rule. 'Furthermore, I propose allowing international passports at the CIQS, as practised at Biawak and Tebedu – where both PMS and international passports are used – to accommodate increasing cross-border traffic, particularly with the development of Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, nearby,' said the assemblyman. On the customs front, Baru said the lack of Internet connectivity at the CIQS complex in the Buduk Nur/Long Midang area had forced the declarations to be processed in Lawas instead, causing inconvenience. 'I urge the authorities to erect telecommunications tower or at least a 'ConnectMe' or 'Starlink' system at the CIQS to enable on-site declaration processing to enhance efficiency. 'I call on the relevant authorities to address these issues promptly to ensure the well-being of the communities in Ba Kelalan, and the effective operation of the CIQS in the Buduk Nur/Long Midang area,' he stressed. Baru Bian buduk nur joint checkpoint
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- Borneo Post
SAGA XI to proceed as planned despite election uncertainty
Fairuz (centre) at the SAGA XI Team Sports Group Stage Draw at SICC on Tuesday. KOTA KINABALU (July 15): The 11th Sabah Games (SAGA), scheduled to take place in Tawau from October 11 to 17, will proceed as planned despite uncertainty over the timing of the 17th State Election. Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan gave the assurance, saying discussions would be held with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor to ensure the Games run smoothly. 'We're not sure … that's up to the Chief Minister to decide when the election will be. But if it's held earlier, it won't interfere with the Games. 'God willing, there will be discussions with the Chief Minister so we can avoid any clashes,' he told reporters after officiating the SAGA XI Team Sports Group Stage Draw at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Tuesday. Hajiji had earlier confirmed that the State Legislative Assembly sitting on July 7–8 was the final one for the current term, although he did not disclose when it would be dissolved. The assembly is set to dissolve automatically on November 11 if not done earlier. Fairuz said Tawau is ready to host over 8,000 athletes and officials for the state's premier multi-sport event. 'I believe all the teams are ready and, from the main organising committee's side, everything is already in place. We are just waiting for the date,' he said. The assistant minister also witnessed the draw for team sports including football, futsal, netball, basketball, sepak takraw, hockey, volleyball and rugby. A total of 23 sports will be contested in SAGA, involving 30 district contingents — including new additions Sook and Paitan. A total of 232 gold, 232 silver, and 339 bronze medals will be up for grabs in the biennial event. 'I would like to advise the athletes and teams to give their utmost best in SAGA, and hopefully more records will be set. 'More importantly, this is not just about the Sabah Games — we are also preparing for the next Malaysia Games (Sukma),' he added. Also present at the ceremony were Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Mansur Asun and Sabah Sports Council (MSN Sabah) Director Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Book on customs of Kundasang folks launched
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: Clarence Dol Text Size: Dr Joachim (seated, centre) poses for a photo with the traditional practitioners who were present. RANAU: Deputy Chief Minister II and Kundasang Assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam congratulated all customary heads who documented the practices and customs of the community in the Kundasang area, making it an important reference for current and future generations. 'In Kundasang constituency, most of the mukims now have their own customs books. This is a major achievement in the effort to preserve and document our cultural treasures,' he said when launching the Kundasang Pinausok Mukim Customary book. Advertisement He expressed appreciation to the village heads who were directly involved in the effort to document the customs used in their respective villages. He said the book is also a guide for all villages in custom matters, including in the granting of sogit and the mediation process so that there is no confusion in future. Regarding the Native Courts, he said there is a proposal to repeal the Native Courts Enactment 1992 and replace it with a new one. However, the tabling in the State Legislative Assembly was not possible this year because there are several matters that still need to be examined by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. He said all customary-related positions from district head to village head would be maintained if the existing State Government continues to be mandated by the people. 'However, if there is a change of government, it is not impossible that all these positions will be reshuffled or terminated,' he said. Also present were district heads, OKK Dominic Ghanie and OKK Muhasip Roman, native heads, representative native heads of the Paginatan and Karanaan constituencies, village heads, staff of the Kundasang Community Development Leaders Unit (UPPM), Kundasang JKKK Chairman and Mukim Secretary. * 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
Senator Abun Sui calls for new state seat between Telang Usan and Belaga
Senator Abun Sui Anyit KUCHING (July 13): Senator Abun Sui Anyit hopes one of the 17 new state seats for Sarawak will be located between Telang Usan and Belaga districts. The PKR Hulu Rajang division head said this area – home to Orang Ulu communities like the Kenyah, Kayan, Penan, Punan, and Sekapan – is vast and among the most remote and logistically challenging in Sarawak. He explained these groups reside deep in mountainous terrain, far from administrative hubs, and are in dire need of stronger political representation to ensure their voices are heard in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and in broader government decision-making. 'If geographical factor is indeed the basis to increase state seats in Sarawak, then it is imperative that one of the new seats is established in Belaga and Telang Usan. 'Belaga district alone covers over 19,400 square kilometres (km) – larger than the combined states of Perlis (821 square km) and Melaka (1,664 square km). 'Yet, this vast district has only one DUN (state) seat (Belaga) and a small portion is in the Murum seat, which makes it extremely difficult for elected representatives to effectively serve the widely scattered rural communities there,' he said in a statement today. He was responding to news reports quoting Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof as saying the increase of state seats from 82 to 99 in Sarawak was in line with the state's geography. On July 7, the State Legislative Assembly passed the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 to add 17 new seats. According to Abun Sui, the Election Commission (EC) and the Sarawak government must ensure that this increase in seats is not merely symbolic or political, but truly guarantees inclusivity and justice for all ethnicities and regions, including rural areas which have been underrepresented. 'The people of Belaga district who have sacrificed a lot for the two mega hydroelectric projects — Bakun Dam and Murum Dam — have long hoped for Belaga to be upgraded to the 13th division of Sarawak. The addition of state seats should be seen as an opportunity to start taking steps towards realising this aspiration,' he added. Abun Sui Anyit belaga lead new seats state legislative assembly Telang Usan
