Latest news with #Sufian
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Mas Idayu: I am eligible to file for divorce
KUALA LUMPUR: The entertainment world was suddenly rocked by the news of the marriage breakdown of popular singer Mas Idayu and her ex-husband, Muhammad Sufian Che Isa. Although speculation about the couple's marital issues had been circulating for the past two months, the matter was only made public when Sufian reportedly confirmed his divorce from the dangdut singer. Despite not revealing the specific reasons for their separation, instead describing it as 'tiada jodoh' (not fated to be soulmates), netizens quickly blamed Mas Idayu for the marital breakdown. Commenting on the public perception, Mas Idayu, whose full name is Mas Idayu Mesnun, 53, urged everyone not to be quick to judge and condemn her without knowing the full truth. "I actually don't read netizens' comments. I don't know what they're saying about me," she said. "But based on screenshots given by fans, I can tell they're accusing me of being the cause of the divorce. "They're talking as if they know me personally." "That's right, I asked to be released. A wife who demands a divorce without any reason will not see heaven... I realise that," she said when met yesterday at the launch of her latest single, 'Air Titik ke Batu', in Puchong, Selangor. "In this situation, I am eligible (to seek a divorce). So, no one should try to manipulate the story or consider themselves victims because that's very dangerous." Mas Idayu added that there was no need for her to disclose the reasons for the divorce. Instead, she preferred to keep the details private. "I'm grateful the divorce process went smoothly. We didn't fight, and there was no need to spread shame because he was once my partner. "A few months before filing for divorce, I consulted the kadi who married us, an ustaz, and the mutawif. I asked if I was eligible for divorce," she said. Mas Idayu added: "I prayed 'istikharah' every night to seek guidance. In fact, throughout Rejab, I always prostrated myself, asking Allah SWT to give me an answer. So, I have a strong reason to file for divorce. Why would we stay in a marriage if we know we can't continue it?" When asked if she was worried about the insults thrown at her after becoming a two-time divorcee, Mas Idayu believed that society today is wiser in its judgment. "We now live in modern times. Getting married and getting divorced is a common thing," she remarked. "The main thing here is that the divorce occurs for a solid reason and not just for fun. "This situation isn't like a marriage between two young people that only lasts two or three months and then they are divorced." She admitted that she wouldn't say no to marrying again, but only if she found a genuine soulmate. "I'm now calmer, happier, and more content with life. I'm not sad about the divorce. It's just that I feel sorry for those who supported, blessed, and talked about our marriage." Sufian, 54, who is also a TV3 executive producer, confirmed on May 5 that he had separated from Mas Idayu on March 4. Mas Idayu and Sufian married in September 2022. It's understood they had known each other since the successful third season of the reality programme 'Mentor' in 2008 and became closer in 2021. Sufian was previously married to TV personality Intan Suraya, with whom he has one child. Mas Idayu also married actor Aman Graseka in 1997, divorcing in 2006. They have a daughter, Nur Dayini Asyiqa, who is now 27 years old.
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
'We tackle poverty, not politicise it,' Robert tells Umno Youth
Robert Tawik KOTA KINABALU (May 19): Assistant Works Minister Datuk Robert Tawik has hit back strongly at Umno Sabah Youth chief Sufian Abdul Karim, rejecting claims that the government efforts to assist padi farmers are nothing more than 'empty promises.' He accused the opposition of weaponising rural poverty for political mileage. 'We don't politicise poverty. We tackle it. While others hold press conferences and throw accusations, we're working with farmers on the ground to deliver actual, measurable improvements,' he said in a statement today. Sufian had earlier lambasted Robert for allegedly using the plight of farmers to bolster his political standing without offering real solutions — a charge Robert dismissed as baseless and opportunistic. Robert defended the government's ongoing initiatives, including the RM36 million allocation under IADA Kota Belud, saying that substantial work is already underway. 'That RM36 million is not a prop for headlines. It is already being disbursed for concrete initiatives – from flood mitigation and drainage upgrades to land rehabilitation. These are physical works that farmers can see and benefit from,' he said. He also pointed out that while critics are quick to throw stones, they often ignore the systemic issues that have long plagued Sabah's padi sector. 'Everyone wants instant results, but we are cleaning up decades of neglect. Fixing broken irrigation systems, reclaiming fallow land and building sustainable farm infrastructure takes time and coordination – not political noise,' he added. Addressing Sufian's criticism of Sabah's rice self-sufficiency level (SSL), which stands at 22.8% for 2024, Robert said it was dishonest to cherry-pick statistics without context. 'It's misleading to point to SSL as a sign of failure without acknowledging how much Sabah relies on Federal policies and decades of underinvestment. SSL is not a one-man problem and certainly not something fixed with slogans,' he said. He accused Sufian of trying to rewrite history and deflect from the failures of previous administrations. 'Who was in power when drainage systems failed and land was left idle? Who ignored infrastructure in rural Sabah for years while focusing on grand political shows? We are now paying the price for that neglect,' he said. Robert also took exception to Sufian's remarks comparing development work to 'launch ceremonies,' calling it an insult to the farmers who partner with the government to improve their livelihoods. 'Don't belittle the farmers by suggesting that all they see are ceremonies. They know what real progress looks like. We are empowering them with better access, better tools and better infrastructure. If you don't see it, it's because you're too busy campaigning,' he said. Robert called for unity and warned against using farmers as political pawns. 'We are ready to work with anyone who genuinely wants to uplift the farming community – but not with those who see every issue as a photo opportunity or political football. This isn't about who can shout louder, it's about who delivers,' he said.
Borneo Post
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Kota Belud rice project issues inherited from BN era - STAR Sabah
Robert Tawik KOTA KINABALU (May 17): Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STARSabah) has hit back at claims made by Sabah Umno Youth chief Sufian Abdul Karim, who labelled the Projek Jelapang Padi Kota Belud a symbol of the state government's failure in handling food security policy. Sabah STAR deputy president Datuk Robert Tawik described Sufian's remarks as misleading and lacking historical context, asserting that the problems tied to the project were inherited from the previous administration and cannot be solved overnight. 'Sufian should be more honest when evaluating the facts before pointing fingers. This project began during the time when Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) were in power in both Sabah and the Federal Government,' Robert said in a statement on Saturday. 'Let's not pretend to forget who approved this project, who announced the hundreds of millions in funding, and who oversaw its early implementation. The current Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government inherited these problems after years of neglect by the same leaders who are now so quick to assign blame,' he added. Robert stated that the GRS government has never denied the challenges faced by the project, but emphasized that concrete efforts are underway to rehabilitate and restructure it. This includes the reactivation of the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board (LPBS) and the establishment of the Kota Belud Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA). 'If the state government was truly not serious, LPBS would not have been reactivated, IADA Kota Belud would not have been established, and infrastructure such as the drainage system would not be prioritised in the redevelopment plans,' he said. Robert also questioned Sufian's motives, suggesting that his statement may be an attempt to divert attention from the failures of the previous administration. 'Who was it that approved the project without a detailed plan? Who failed to resolve the irrigation and soil erosion issues? And now, as GRS works to fix these problems step by step, suddenly we're being accused of failure,' he said. He pointed out that the current administration, under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, has placed food security as a top priority and is committed to gradually increasing Sabah's rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) through realistic and sustainable planning. 'There is no shortcut to fixing a decade-old mistake. But at least now, there is political will and concrete action on the ground not just hollow election promises,' Robert stressed. He also noted that the weaknesses in this sector are not unique to Sabah, but are also present in other states due to factors such as climate change, water resource constraints, and a long-standing reliance on imported rice since BN's federal era. 'The people are tired of blame games in politics. What matters now is the continuity of efforts and long-term solutions not cheap popularity gained by manipulating old issues,' he added. Robert concluded by urging Sufian to visit the ground and see the recovery efforts in Kota Belud for himself before making sweeping media statements. 'Do not just talk in the media. Go down to the field and see for yourself. The people want solutions, not tired rhetoric,' he stressed. In a statement on Saturday, Sufian claimed the long-promised Inisiatif Projek Jelapang Padi Kota Belud, once touted as a cornerstone of Sabah's food security strategy, has become a glaring symbol of administrative failure by the state government. He said the project, which began with ambitious goals to transform Sabah into a competitive rice-producing region and reduce dependence on imported rice, has yielded little more than unfulfilled promises. 'The people placed great hope in this project, with a target of 10,000 hectares of rice fields and the goal of raising Sabah's rice SSL to 60%. Yet after nearly a decade, the results are extremely disappointing,' said Sufian. He noted that although the federal government allocated RM340 million under the 11th Malaysia Plan and additional funds through the state budgets from 2017 to 2019, Sabah's SSL in 2024 remains at just 22.8%. 'This figure not only falls far short of the original target but clearly demonstrates policy and implementation failure,' he opined. The revival of the Sabah Rice and Paddy Board (LPBS), the establishment of IADA Kota Belud, and announcements of new infrastructure projects including a RM36 million IADA office complex expected to be completed only in 2027 have done little to address fundamental issues on the ground, he added. 'What's the point of spending hundreds of millions if farmers still complain about poor drainage and inconsistent planting seasons? What does the grand vision of the Projek Jelapang Padi Kota Belud mean when our SSL keeps declining every year?' Sufian asked. He pointed out that Sabah's rice output dropped from 72,953 metric tonnes in 2016 to 67,705 metric tonnes in 2022, while the cultivated area has also shrunk. Farmers continue to grapple with flooding and irrigation issues that affect more than 7,000 hectares annually. He also criticised the state government's apparent lack of urgency in addressing the growing food security crisis. 'The Chief Minister himself has acknowledged our heavy reliance on imported rice. The Deputy Chief Minister I (Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan), who also holds the agriculture portfolio, admits Sabah is still far from meeting its actual demand of 400,000 tonnes per year,' he said. 'More troubling is that the sector's annual budget remains stagnant, with no strategic boost in sight, a clear sign of the state's lack of political will,' he opined. Sufian added that many key GRS leaders currently in power were also in office when the project was first launched, and must therefore take responsibility for its failure. 'They are not outsiders to this decision, they are part of the failure itself. So how can the people trust the same leadership to fix the damage they created?' he questioned. He called on the state government to abandon empty slogans and instead focus on concrete results. 'If today's government cannot deliver on a project like this, how can the people have faith in their ability to manage future food challenges?' he said. 'It's time the state government stops pointing fingers and starts taking responsibility. The people of Sabah cannot continue to suffer under policies that look good on paper but collapse in execution,' he concluded.
Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
'Don't ignore facts' - Star deputy rebuts Umno rice granary criticism
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Star deputy president Datuk Robert Tawik criticized Sabah Umno youth chief Sufian Abdul Karim for blaming the Kota Belud rice granary project's problems on the current state government. 'The issues are a legacy inherited from previous Umno-BN administrations who approved and managed the project. Advertisement 'GRS is actively working on recovery efforts, including restructuring the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board and creating IADA Kota Belud, focusing on infrastructure like drainage systems,' he said. He accused Sufian of deflecting blame from past failures. 'Who approved the project without detailed planning? Who failed to resolve drainage and erosion issues? Now GRS tries to fix them, but gets blamed?' Robert urged Sufian to 'visit the site and see the efforts firsthand instead of making empty media statements,' emphasizing 'the people want solutions, not old political blame games.' Advertisement He also noted food security challenges are nationwide, worsened by climate change and resource constraints, and called for 'sustained efforts and long-term solutions, not cheap popularity stunts.' * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Kota Belud Rice Bowl project a symbol of failure, says Umno Youth Chief
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 Text Size: Sabah Umno Youth Chief Sufian Abdul Karim has slammed the state government over the failed Kota Belud Rice Bowl Project, calling it a clear symbol of poor planning and weak food security policy. Launched with a RM340 million federal allocation and aimed at boosting Sabah's rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) to 60pc, he said the project has fallen far short, with the state's SSL at just 22.8pc in 2024. Advertisement "Rice output has declined from over 72,000 metric tonnes in 2016 to 67,705 metric tonnes in 2022," he said. Sufian criticised the state for focusing on 'paper projects' rather than real agricultural outcomes, citing unfinished infrastructure, persistent irrigation issues, and shrinking paddy land. 'The government keeps promoting grand slogans, but farmers are still struggling. This is a crisis rooted in mismanagement and lack of political will," he added. He urged the state to take full responsibility for the failure and focus on real action to improve food security, protect farmers, and boost rice production. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
