Latest news with #VillageDevelopmentandSecurityCommittee
Barnama
5 days ago
- Barnama
Pulau Aur Residents Appeal For Boat Fare Subsidy
MERSING, July 24 (Bernama) -- Residents of Pulau Aur are calling on the Johor government to introduce a boat fare subsidy to ease travel costs, especially for medical needs and family visits. Currently, a return trip to the mainland costs up to RM210 per person, a heavy burden for many in the B40 income group, according to housewife Hatasa Rabudin, 40. 'I rarely visit my parents in Kampung Teluk Berhala because the boat fare alone is RM105 one way,' she said during a media visit to the island recently. She recalled pooling RM7,000 with relatives in 2018 to charter a ferry home for Hari Raya, adding that her chronically ill father also has to travel twice a month to Mersing for treatment. 'There's a village clinic on the island, but more serious cases need referral to the mainland,' she said, urging the state to consider a subsidy similar to Pahang's initiative for Pulau Tioman residents. Long-time Mersing resident Masli Sulaiman, 56, added that deteriorating infrastructure has made boat travel the only option even between nearby villages. 'There used to be a land route to the jetty, but now it's overgrown and the main bridge is damaged. A subsidy would help in emergencies and allow more frequent visits to elderly relatives,' she said. Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) chairman Sabinah Md Seth said most locals are fishermen or small-scale farmers without stable income and even a partial subsidy would ease their burden. Located 76 kilometres from the mainland, Pulau Aur is a popular ecotourism destination and a strategic route for local and international fishing vessels. From July 18–20, 50 Johor Corporation (JCorp) volunteers and six media representatives took part in a coral reef rehabilitation programme on the island.
Borneo Post
18-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
New home brings relief to OKU couple in Kiulu
Joniston handing over SMJ house key to Hendary. Also in photo is Bonnyface (right). KIULU (July 18): A couple with disabilities from Kampung Tinompok Pukak can now live more independently after receiving a new home under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Housing Programme. Hendary @ Hendary Felik Lapik, 51, who is non-verbal and wears a prosthetic leg, received the key to his new house from Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai in a small handover ceremony today. Perched beside a paddy field, near the river and just off the roadside, Hendary's new home sits on family-owned land, offering both accessibility and a peaceful environment. He lives with his wife, who also has a speech disability, and their two daughters, aged two and five. Prior to receiving the house, Hendary and his family lived in a household shared with his extended family. According to his brother, Bonnyface Bin Felik Lapik, who is also the Village Development and Security Committee chairman of Kampung Bolotikon, the home marks a new phase of independent living for the couple and their children. 'This gives them the space to live on their own, while still being close enough for family to visit and assist when needed. 'It will help them manage better as a family and give the children more room to grow,' he said, adding that the family helped facilitate the application for the SMJ house. Hendary supports his household through various types of small-scale work in the village. In a brief exchange during the handover, Hendary expressed his gratitude through gestures, thanking the assemblyman and government for the assistance. He also invited several friends with similar disabilities to be present, wanting to share the moment with them. Joniston said the SMJ housing programme is part of the state government's ongoing commitment to improve the living conditions of rural residents, especially those with low income and physical challenges. 'We want to make sure that people with different needs, including those with disabilities, are not left behind. A home like this can have a big impact on daily life. 'More SMJ houses will be built in Kiulu because there are still many less fortunate families who need proper housing,' said Joniston. There are currently 120 SMJ houses built in the Kiulu constituency under the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, continuing the state's commitment to community welfare and inclusive rural development.
The Star
18-07-2025
- General
- The Star
New house brings relief for disabled couple in Kiulu
KOTA KINABALU: A couple with disabilities from Kampung Tinompok Pukak in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu can now live more independently after receiving a new home under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Housing Programme. Hendary Felik Lapik, 51, who has a speech impairment and wears a prosthetic leg, received the key to his new house from Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai in a small handover ceremony, on Friday (July 18). Perched beside a paddy field, near the river and just off the roadside, Hendary's new home sits on family-owned land, offering both accessibility and a peaceful environment. He lives with his wife, who also has a speech disability, and their two daughters, aged two and five years old. Prior to receiving the house, Hendary and his family lived in a household shared with his extended family. According to his brother, Bonnyface Felik Lapik, who is also the Village Development and Security Committee chairman of Kampung Bolotikon, the home marks a new phase of independent living for the couple and their children. 'This gives them the space to live on their own, while still being close enough for family to visit and assist when needed. 'It will help them manage better as a family and give the children more room to grow,' he said, adding that the family helped facilitate the application for the SMJ house. Hendary supports his household through various types of small-scale work in the village. In a brief exchange during the handover, Hendary expressed his gratitude through gestures, thanking the assemblyman and government for the assistance. He also invited several friends with similar disabilities to be present, wanting to share the moment with them. Joniston said the SMJ housing programme is part of the state government's ongoing commitment to improve the living conditions of rural residents, especially those with low income and physical challenges. 'We want to make sure that people with different needs, including those with disabilities, are not left behind. A home like this can have a big impact on daily life. 'More SMJ houses will be built in Kiulu because there are still many less fortunate families who need proper housing,' said Joniston. There are currently 120 SMJ houses built in the Kiulu constituency under the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, continuing the state's commitment to community welfare and inclusive rural development.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
More funds, stronger laws needed to protect women and children in Sabah, says Kapayan rep
KOTA KINABALU: Targeted allocations under the 2025 Supplementary Supply Bill are needed to strengthen protection for women and children in Sabah, while ensuring greater female representation in grassroots leadership, says an assemblyman. Datuk Jannie Lasimbang (PH-Kapayan) said there was an urgent need to strengthen legislation on domestic violence, sexual harassment and child marriage, particularly in cases involving Sabah's customary laws. 'Women and children need stronger legal protection, especially in rural and Indigenous communities," she said while debating the Bill at the state assembly sitting on Monday (July 7). "We must address gaps in enforcement and amend legislation where necessary." Lasimbang also proposed that the state government allocate annual funding for women's non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Sabah to support advocacy, education and social services. 'Women's NGOs play a vital role in community support and outreach. Consistent funding would ensure they can continue their work sustainably,' she added. Lasimbang reiterated for the government to set a minimum 30% quota for women in local leadership roles, including village heads, Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairmen, and municipal council members. 'Women must not only be included in development as beneficiaries, but also as decision-makers and problem-solvers." She also praised the additional RM15.5mil allocation for JKKKs, expressing hope that allowances would be distributed promptly and fairly, especially to those serving at the grassroots level. Lasimbang said she supported greater investment in elderly and disabled persons (OKU) care, as well as improvements to maternal health and mental health care, particularly for women in remote areas. 'We must ensure that no woman is left behind, especially those who face multiple layers of marginalisation, due to geography, poverty, or cultural barriers,' she said. She noted that the 2025 Supplementary Supply Bill reflects the state's commitment to addressing the people's needs, but stressed that women must be central to the development process. 'When women are empowered, they strengthen families, communities and ultimately, Sabah as a whole,' she added.
The Sun
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
New infrastructure projects boost rural development in Kapit
KAPIT: The launch of new infrastructure projects in Balleh has received overwhelming support from the local community, with more than 1,000 residents attending a rural outreach event at Rumah Edison Bugap in Sungai Melekun. The event, organised under the Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat programme, showcased the opening of an iron jetty and cement road, aimed at improving connectivity and living conditions in Kapit. Works Minister and Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi highlighted the strong turnout, noting the presence of 124 longhouse chiefs and Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) members as a sign of grassroots confidence in government initiatives. 'This event reflects the strong relationship between the community and the government. It also highlights the positive reception to ongoing development efforts in the N.61 Pelagus state constituency and surrounding areas,' he said. To further support rural communities, Nanta announced the construction of a new community hall at Rumah Edison Bugap. He also revealed an allocation of RM857,000 to assist more than 60 longhouses, with each household receiving RM500 in aid. 'This contribution is a token of appreciation for the commitment shown by the longhouse chiefs and JKKK members, and a gesture of thanks for the community's unwavering support for GPS and the MADANI government,' he added. Nanta urged Kapit residents to remain united in supporting government efforts to sustain development programmes in the region. He noted that Kapit, once considered remote, is now progressing through large-scale infrastructure projects driven by federal and state collaboration. Key projects include a RM300 million bridge across Batang Rajang from Nanga Yong and a 2.5-kilometre road linking Jalan Song-Kapit to the Ulu Rajang Development Agency (URDA) network. 'The road from Nanga Tulie to the Batang Rajang bridge, currently under construction, will serve as a vital link to interior areas such as Sungai Melipis, Sungai Menuan, and Sungai Ibau,' he said. Other upcoming developments include a MARA Professional College, a new police station, and SMK Bukit Goram. The government has also approved projects like a new hotel, Bujang Berani Square, and additional infrastructure initiatives expected to benefit Kapit residents directly and indirectly.
