Latest news with #StateSalesTax(Amendment)Bill2025
Borneo Post
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sabah DUN convenes for key session as dissolution rumors swirl
Kadzim KOTA KINABALU (July 4): The Second Meeting of the Fifth Term of the 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN), set to begin next Monday, is expected to attract significant public interest. According to Sabah Speaker Datuk Seri Panglima Kadzim M. Yahya, this is due to public speculation that the upcoming session could be the last before the dissolution of the assembly. 'Under the constitution, there must be at least three sessions per year. Perhaps the excitement around this session stems from many assuming or feeling that this will be the final one before dissolution. That's why there's a bit of hype,' he said in an media interview at his office on Thursday. 'In terms of preparation, there's nothing special. Everything is proceeding as usual, including the questions. This is simply the schedule for the second session of the year. If the assembly is dissolved after this, then it becomes the last session of this term. But if not, we may still have a third session to fulfill constitutional requirements. Typically, this second session deals with supplementary supply bills,' he explained. Kadzim revealed that the two-day meeting will also debate three bills: the State Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Forest (Forest Reserve Establishment Amendment) Bill 2025 and a new bill, the Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Bill 2025. 'This time, aside from the supplementary supply bill, we have three other bills. One concerns forestry amendments, another is the SST amendment, and the third is a new bill on Climate Change and Carbon Governance,' he said. 'This is not a special budget session, just a supplementary supply bill. It covers unbudgeted expenses from the previous budget that now require approval for additional spending,' he clarified. Meanwhile, addressing public perceptions about restricted access to the assembly premises, Kadzim explained that certain rules must be followed by observers, as the Sabah DUN has been gazetted as a prohibited area under a notice effective September 2, 2024. 'We're not banning or preventing people from coming, but we don't want the DUN to turn into an event like those at SICC (Sabah International Convention Centre) where crowds swarm in. Given that the DUN area has been declared a security zone, there are limits on public access,' he said. 'Some say it's difficult to attend the assembly sessions now, but that's not entirely true. Many elected representatives request permission for constituents to attend, and we allow it, just not for the entire day or every day. If their representative is speaking, we permit them to observe,' he stressed. He added that entry regulations for the Sabah DUN and Parliament are similar, as both are gazetted as restricted areas prioritizing security measures. 'The SOPs and rules are essentially the same, though Parliament is larger. Access there is even stricter, only certain areas like the lobby are open to the public. The debating chamber isn't freely accessible to everyone,' he said. 'The assembly hall is for debates and speeches. Too many people inside can cause disruptions, especially if they don't understand decorum, like clapping. Table-thumping is the convention here as a form of appreciation, unlike concerts or ceremonies. Even in court, clapping isn't allowed, why don't people complain about that?' he quipped. Kadzim was accompanied by Sabah DUN Secretary Rafidah Maqbool Rahman during the interview.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sabah election: Civil servants must maintain service delivery, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on civil servants in Sabah to maintain smooth administrative operations and public service delivery during the upcoming state election. He stressed the importance of professionalism, neutrality, and integrity among government personnel. 'The efficiency and transparency of civil servants during this challenging period reflect our commitment to upholding democratic governance and administrative stability,' Hajiji said in a statement following the Post-Cabinet Meeting at Menara Kinabalu. The 16th Sabah state assembly's term will automatically end on Nov 11, leading to the 17th Sabah State Election. Hajiji also directed department heads to ensure efficient operations to prevent delays, wastage, and loss of public trust. 'Civil servants must carry out their responsibilities with integrity, transparency and a strong sense of accountability. 'They must avoid any conflict of interest to ensure the state government's goals and objectives are successfully achieved,' he added. Meanwhile, four bills will be tabled in the upcoming two-day state assembly session starting next Monday. The Chief Minister's Department will introduce the Forest (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Climate and Carbon Governance Bill 2025, while the Ministry of Finance will present the State Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025.
Borneo Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Four bills to be tabled at State Assembly sitting
Hajiji chairing the Chief Minister's Department post-cabinet meeting at Menara Kinabalu on Wednesday. KOTA KINABALU (July 2): Four bills will be tabled during the two-day State Assembly sitting, beginning next Monday. The Chief Minister's Department will table two bills: the Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Climate and Carbon Governance Bill 2025. The other two will be tabled by the Finance Ministry — the State Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor disclosed this at the Chief Minister's Department post-cabinet meeting at Menara Kinabalu on Wednesday. The State Assembly sitting is expected to be the last before the assembly is dissolved to make way for the next state election. The current term expires in October. Meanwhile, Hajiji hoped public service personnel will continue to uphold the principles of professionalism, neutrality and integrity in carrying out their duties during this election year. 'We are facing the state elections this year. As the backbone of the State Government administration, civil servants must ensure that all administrative affairs and service delivery to the people are not disrupted and continue to run smoothly as usual. 'The efficiency and transparency of civil servants in facing this challenging period will reflect our commitment to continue supporting the democratic system and stability of the state administration,' he said at the meeting. Hajiji also urged all department heads to demonstrate strong commitment in carrying out their responsibilities. He said they must carry out their duties with greater efficiency and accuracy, as well as monitor projects more effectively to ensure all approved projects are completed within schedule. 'This is crucial to avoid having to deal with delays in execution, wastage of resources and jeopardising reputation and public trust in the capabilities of the government's administrative machinery,' he said. The Chief Minister also reminded all public service personnel to always be responsive, proactive and to practise good governance in carrying out their duties in order to provide the best services to the people. 'Civil servants must carry out their responsibilities with trust, transparency and a strong sense of accountability. They must avoid conflicts of interest so that the state government's goals and objectives can be successfully achieved. 'The interest of the government is always more important than personal interest,' he said. Hajiji also reminded civil servants to always uphold personal integrity and make it a core value in their character. 'Without high personal integrity, the consequences to the image of the public service and the entire state government institution would be severe,' he said.
