Latest news with #TawauMunicipalCouncil

Barnama
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Barnama
50,000 Visitors Expected To Attend Tawau International Cultural Festival
TAWAU, July 31 (Bernama) -- A total of 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the three-day Tawau International Cultural Festival (FKAT), which began at the Tawau Municipal Council (MPT) Square here today. Assistant Minister to the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, said 30 local ethnic groups will also take part in the festival, joined by participants from Indonesia, the Philippines and Kazakhstan. 'The FKAT, held since 2011, is not just a platform to celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of ethnic groups in Tawau, but to improve community harmony and unity, including establishing good relations with the people from countries in the region.


Malaysiakini
29-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Minister hands out 300 Sabah avocados to MPs, media
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry today distributed 300 avocados grown in Tawau, Sabah, to MPs and members of the media in Parliament. Tawau Municipal Council member Philip Yap Wui Lip said the distribution was part of efforts to promote local produce through Top Borneo Sdn Bhd, which operates the avocado farm under the brand Borneocado.


Daily Express
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Justin says Tawau overlooked; seeks equal infrastructure development
Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Justin also raised concerns about the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) requiring businesses with valid generator licenses to pay extra fees and resubmit paperwork, despite the ECoS Chief Executive Officer saying that reapplication was not necessary. Kota Kinabalu: Sri Tanjong Assemblyman Justin Wong wants fairer treatment for Tawau, which he says deserves better roads, flood mitigations and basic services. 'Why do we always hear about flyover projects and upgrade projects only in Kota Kinabalu. I am not jealous of Kota Kinabalu, but I am asking for a better treatment for Tawau,' Justin said when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025, Monday. 'The people of Tawau are Sabahans too, they are also Malaysians and they will also vote in the upcoming elections.' He is particularly upset about Jalan Sin Onn, which needs to be widened to handle heavy traffic. 'I once again request the government to upgrade the road to a dual carriageway so that people in Tawau do not have to suffer so much with traffic congestion,' he said. The government's current plan is to build two roundabouts instead of widening the road, but Justin thinks this is a terrible idea due to safety concerns, especially with a nearby school and heavy machinery accessing factories. 'Government officials could not promise that the roundabouts would solve the traffic problems, while some residents say they might have to wait another 10 years for proper road upgrades,' he said. He also pointed out the ongoing flood situation in Tawau, citing floods that occurred just two days earlier. 'The flood issue has been dragging on for a long time. I have raised this issue in this assembly many times over the past five years since I became a people's representative in 2020 but there appears to be no improvement. 'Floods is among obstacles to future development and the welfare of the people. Businesses do not want to take risks to invest in areas that are frequently hit by floods,' he said. Additionally, he pointed out abandoned projects and maintenance issues in Tawau, citing the flood mitigation plan for Sungai Tawau announced in 2019 that has been abandoned without clear explanation. 'A RM7.5 million flood gate completed in January near the main market remains unused due to unpaid electricity bills. 'This Tidal Gate has been completed and has been approved by the Tawau Municipal Council, but due to the failure to settle the electricity bill, the Tidal Gate cannot be used. 'What kind of planning is this that does not make sense? Why does the government take so long to resolve this Consumer Contribution Charge?' he said. 'Contractors for cleaning and maintaining drains, especially on Jalan Sin Onn and Jalan Timur, have not been hired since October last year, leaving drains clogged and contributing to flooding,' he added. Justin also raised concerns about the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) requiring businesses with valid generator licenses to pay extra fees and resubmit paperwork, despite the ECoS Chief Executive Officer saying that reapplication was not necessary. 'One company with a valid license until December 6, 2027, is still required to resubmit existing drawings to ECoS for verification, resulting in additional charges including RM4,000 to the competent person,' he said. 'The head of ECoS had publicly said people with existing licenses do not need to reapply, but the contractors ECoS hired are telling businesses the opposite. 'If the ECoS CEO already said no need to reapply, why are their appointed contractors doing the opposite? This explanation is important to clarify things so that users do not become victims due to confusing information. 'As an opposition member, I criticise for the sake of Sabah's progress, not for the sake of objection,' Justin said, adding that he hopes government representatives do not take his criticism personally. * 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
16-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Express
AI clinic to address healthcare challenges
Published on: Monday, June 16, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 By: Lagatah Toyos Text Size: Lo presenting an award to an excellent student at the programme. TAWAU: Malaysia's pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) clinic is set to be established in Tawau within the next two to three months, pending final licensing approvals, said Tawau Member of Parliament Datuk Lo Su Fui on Saturday. The groundbreaking project is a collaboration between the Sabah Government and private technology partners, designed to address the State's unique healthcare challenges. Advertisement Lo said Sabah's geographical distance from the Federal capital has resulted in critical shortages of specialist doctors and advanced medical equipment. 'These factors make AI technology particularly suitable for Sabah and Tawau, as it enables us to receive treatment and specialist consultations remotely, even when doctors are located overseas. 'This advanced technology can save lives and overcome medical treatment limitations caused by distance and expertise constraints,' he said. He said discussions have already been held with relevant ministries including the State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Tawau Municipal Council and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Lo said this to reporters after the Selangkah ke Menara Gading (Semega) 2025 and SMJ Drone 2025 programme organised by the Tawau Parliament at the Tawau Community Hall, which attracted over 5,000 students from Tawau and Kalabakan. During the event, Lo also presented the Tawau Parliament Excellence Student Awards to outstanding SPM 2024 graduates, noting that the Tawau District Education Office achieved the best performance in Sabah and ranked among the top five nationally this year. The programme, now in its second year, incorporated AI elements and drone technology education, which Lo pointed out as essential knowledge for future development in agriculture, marine resources and local socio-economic growth. * 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
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Set for vibrant Tawau International Cultural Festival
Published on: Friday, June 13, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 13, 2025 Text Size: Nizam handing over memento to Musa. Kota Kinabalu: The 10th edition of the Tawau International Cultural Festival (FKAT), set for Aug 2, is expected to be more vibrant than ever. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, said the festival – now in its 10th year – will be officiated by the Head of State Tun Musa Aman. 'Today, together with the Tawau Municipal Council President, I extended an official invitation to Tun Musa to launch the Tawau International Cultural Festival, which will be held on Aug 2, 2025 in Tawau. Advertisement 'As we all know, this festival is a legacy programme initiated by Tun Musa during his tenure as Chief Minister of Sabah, with the first edition held in 2011. 'Hence, the people of Tawau are truly honoured to invite Tun to personally officiate this year's festival, which will also be attended by the Chief Minister,' he said. Nizam said the annual festival continues to enjoy strong support, drawing around 50,000 visitors and contributing significantly to the local economy. 'Every year, the festival attracts no fewer than 50,000 visitors who come to Tawau to witness the highlight of the event – the cultural performances, including a parade showcasing various ethnicities and traditions. 'FKAT is a much-anticipated annual event, not only among Malaysians but also our neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and other Asean nations, many of which participate in the cultural showcase. 'Sabah itself is home to diverse ethnic groups and cultures, and this festival provides an ideal platform to promote Tawau as a town where cultures from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei meet. 'I've been informed that preparations for international participation are underway, and I'm confident that, as in previous years, we'll see participants not only from within Malaysia but also from Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Thailand and occasionally even the Middle East. 'This certainly brings economic spillover benefits, promotes Tawau, and fosters unity among our multi-ethnic and multi-faith population under one nation, particularly in Tawau,' he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu, here, Thursday. In a related development, Tawau Municipal Council President Joseph Pang said the 10th FKAT will highlight themes of marriage, heroism and handicrafts. 'Our festival concept changes from year to year, and this time we will feature elements of marriage, heroism and traditional crafts. 'Approximately 30 ethnic groups will take part in the performances. We'll divide them into three categories – 10 ethnic groups will showcase marriage customs, 10 will highlight elements of heroism and the remaining 10 will focus on handicrafts,' 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