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Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Hajiji: GRS open to Pakatan cooperation, but Sabah sentiments must guide any alliance
TAWAU, May 12 – Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has reportedly said it is open to working with other political coalitions, including Pakatan Harapan (PH), if such cooperation promotes political stability and benefits the people. Its chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was quoted saying any decision on political partnerships would be made by the coalition's Supreme Council and must reflect the sentiments and aspirations of the state's people. 'We agreed on the need for cooperation to ensure continued progress and development,' Hajiji was quoted saying by New Straits Times, referring to the meeting with PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday. 'We respect the partnership and the advice to create political stability, because with stability, we can move forward and implement development programmes.' He added, 'In terms of cooperation, we have no issues. The state government, along with us, consists of GRS and Pakatan Harapan.' Anwar had reportedly said he would leave it to GRS to decide on possible cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN). Hajiji reiterated that any political understanding must align with the wishes of Sabahans to ensure effective and harmonious cooperation. 'We need to consider the sentiments and aspirations of our people to establish a political understanding that will move us forward,' he said. On Friday, PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Unity Government Secretariat chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced in a joint statement that PH and BN had agreed to work together in facing the next Sabah state election. Following the announcement, Hajiji said GRS would contest the election independently if the Peninsular-based coalitions proceed with their alliance. Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has since said formal seat negotiations with PH had yet to begin, with only initial discussions taking place. He also noted that both Sabah BN and PH were open to working with the ruling GRS, though he cautioned that the arrangement might not meet GRS's expectations regarding seat allocations.
Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Drone deliveries for rural healthcare: MCMC pilot project in remote Sabah areas to begin year-end
TAWAU, May 12 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has unveiled a pilot project to deliver medicines using drones at the Sabah Madani Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025, held at the Tawau Municipal Council Square. The drone was one of the main attractions at the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) booth, as a high-impact initiative for the community, especially in remote areas. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who officiated the closing of Sabah PMR 2025 yesterday, also visited the Nadi booth and observed the drone in action. In a statement yesterday, MCMC's Corporate Communications division stated that the initiative to deliver medicines to Nadi centres using drones will be carried out with the Ministry of Health as the main partner and Mranti and local drone technology providers as strategic partners. 'This initiative is a pilot project to demonstrate the effectiveness of delivering medicines to rural and remote areas from health clinics to selected Nadi centres.' 'It also aims to speed up access to medication for communities in hard-to-reach areas, including islands, remote villages, and locations without proper road infrastructure,' the statement said. The first phase of the drone medicine delivery project, involving two Nadi centres, is expected to be implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025. 'This project supports the government's initiative to expand access to future healthcare services that are more equitable and high-quality for rural communities through technology, in line with advancements and the availability of 5G and artificial intelligence (AI),' it added. According to MCMC, the project will be expanded to 150 Nadi centres in 2026 and eventually to 392 centres by 2027. At the Sabah PMR programme, the Nadi booth featured various smart services covering five key areas: entrepreneurship, healthcare, lifelong learning, IT awareness, and government services. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar rebukes ‘divisive' leaders in Sabah who stoke conflict with Putrajaya
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Sabah has the potential to become a developed state through close cooperation between the federal and state governments. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rebuked high-ranking leaders, including MPs, who often speak of developing Sabah through confrontation with Putrajaya. Without naming names, he said they raise issues like defending the Malays, Islam being under threat and the state being neglected once they lose power, Bernama reported. 'The peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah will not progress if we do not unite and work together to uplift this nation. 'You had power before. Do what you can while you still have it. I challenge all my colleagues in power now to do your best for the people while you still have their mandate,' he was quoted as saying at an event in Tawau. Anwar said Sabah has the potential to become a developed state through close cooperation between the federal and state governments. He said it was normal for any state to request allocations for development, and such matters could be discussed amicably and harmoniously between governments. 'This is normal, but not through hostility or condemnation. We can negotiate and find good solutions. We need elected representatives who can voice our interests, not divide us,' he said. Anwar added that all leaders, at both the federal and state levels, must do their best to safeguard the people's welfare and solve their problems, rather than follow in the footsteps of leaders who only know how to condemn others after losing power. 'Look at other countries. Every day there is news of division between races, between regions, between religions. 'Why? Because leaders incite division, but when they have power, they do not think about the people,' he said. Anwar said Sabahans were affected by many issues, including water and electricity supply, healthcare, roads and education facilities. He said, as such, facilities such as schools, clinics and key projects like the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah must be completed properly and not be allowed to face unnecessary delays. 'How long has the Pan Borneo Highway (in Sabah) been stuck? It's nearly completed in Sarawak, but in Sabah, it was severely delayed. 'Thankfully, we have chief minister Hajiji Noor who said: 'Just proceed, don't worry about other problems',' he said.
Malay Mail
11-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Fight ‘between loyal friends', Anwar says as Nurul Izzah challenges Rafizi for PKR deputy chief post
TAWAU, May 11 — The 2025 PKR election should be considered a 'fight between loyal friends' of the party, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Therefore, Anwar, who is also PKR president, said that all candidates involved in the election should be well-mannered so that the spirit of brotherhood among party members remains intact. 'This election is between loyal friends, many of whom are reformist figures. Therefore, we have to be careful not to overdo it because we want (this election) to be embraced as a strength,' he said. He said this when met by reporters after chairing the Sabah PKR State Leadership Council (MPN) meeting here today. Anwar also reminded contesting party supporters not to 'overdo it' because it could worsen the situation. 'This (PKR) brotherhood must be the Congress (PKR National Congress) is over, we must work as a cohesive team,' he said. The party's nomination which ended on Friday saw Anwar unchallenged for the president post, while for the deputy president position, Nurul Izzah Anwar will face incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who is also the Minister of Economy. For the vice president posts, 12 members have submitted their nominations, including four incumbents, namely Nik Nazmi Nik Mat (Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability), Chang Lih Kang (Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation), Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan) and Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (Menteri Besar of Selangor). The Finance Minister's political secretary Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim was unopposed for Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) chief while Fadhlina Sidek (Education Minister) and Rodziah Ismail (Ampang Member of Parliament) are vying for the position of PKR Wanita chief. The PKR National Congress including the AMK Congress and the Wanita Congress is scheduled to be held from May 22 to 24 in Johor Bahru with May 23 set as polling day. — Bernama
Malay Mail
11-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Anwar: RM14b spent on 144 Sabah projects, more to come under Madani government
TAWAU, May 11 — The Madani Government has successfully implemented 144 development projects in Sabah to date, involving a total allocation of RM14 billion, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said the projects include the upgrading of Tawau Hospital and Lahad Datu Prison, the construction of the Sepanggar Bay container port and the proposed heart medical centre in Kota Kinabalu. He added that the government has allocated over RM350 million for the Madani Solar programme, with Tawau selected as the pilot project site. The initiative involves the installation of 40 solar-powered streetlights in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) and the local community. 'We are doing what's best for the people... addressing issues such as electricity and energy costs, education for children, toilets, science labs, police and armed forces needs including housing, and roads to be repaired. 'In just over two years, this is what the Madani Government has achieved. Some say it's still not enough, and I agree because some of the issues are inherited and cannot be resolved in just a year or two,' he said. Anwar said this in his speech when officiating the closing ceremony of the Sabah Madani Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 at the Tawau Municipal Council square here today. — Bernama
