Latest news with #PH
Borneo Post
5 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah PH-GRS seat talks still unsettled
TAWAU (Aug 12): Negotiations on seat allocations between Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for the 17th state election remain unresolved. Sabah DAP deputy chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin dismissed claims that GRS demanded 50 seats while PH would contest 23, labelling them 'political speculation'. 'The seat negotiations are not finalised. I don't even know the numbers,' said Chan, who is also Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister. 'We'll enter the 'ring' respectfully once a decision is made.' He was speaking to reporters after officiating at a pepper cultivation promotion programme here Tuesday. Commenting on speculation that the election (PRN17) could be held on September 7 following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's planned visit to Sabah, the Kota Kinabalu MP stated the dissolution date falls under the Chief Minister's authority. 'I don't know when the Prime Minister will visit, let alone the dissolution date.' Separately, Chan expressed Sabah DAP's confidence in defending all six seats it won in the last election, including Sri Tanjung and Elopura – now held by Warisan after the incumbents defected. Earlier, Chan said the local pepper industry recorded continuous price increases in the first seven months of this year. He said the average price for black pepper has increased by 51 per cent to RM27,240 per tonne compared to RM18,066 per tonne last year. 'Meanwhile, the average price for white pepper also increased by 43 per cent to RM37,407 per tonne compared to RM26,164 per tonne last year. 'This encouraging pepper price trend is expected to persist until the third quarter of this year following the recent strengthening of the ringgit,' he said. He said the pepper commodity is an economic resource generator for 39,449 pepper farmers in Malaysia who cultivate about 8,293 hectares of pepper. 'The total includes 248 farmers in Sabah who cultivate 41 hectares of pepper plantation. I encourage more Sabahans to take the opportunity to get involved in pepper cultivation to increase their income. 'I am of the view that the development of pepper cultivation in Sabah can be implemented by taking into account the advantages of the terrain and hilly topography suitable for pepper cultivation,' he said. Chan said the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities together with the Malaysian Pepper Board are committed and actively working to guide pepper cultivation entrepreneurs in this country, including through outreach programmes such as in-situ training and Tuesday's programme.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Strong state-federal ties crucial for Sabah's progress, says Hajiji
RANAU: A robust partnership between the Sabah state government and the federal administration is essential for sustaining development in the region, according to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Hajiji, who chairs Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), highlighted that the collaborative governance under the GRS-Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance has significantly advanced Sabah's progress. He emphasised the importance of stability and unity with the federal government to ensure prosperity for the people. Under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development agenda, more than 400 initiatives have been introduced, with 94% successfully executed. Hajiji noted that the GRS-PH government has rolled out unprecedented aid programmes for education and public welfare. This year, nearly 100,000 hardcore poor households in Sabah are receiving monthly assistance of RM300, a scheme set to continue if the coalition retains public support in the upcoming state election. The GRS Supreme Council has agreed to uphold its existing cooperation with PH for the election, reinforcing their shared commitment to Sabah's development. The 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly will dissolve automatically on 11 November unless an earlier dissolution occurs. Separately, Hajiji announced that the state government, via the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (LPPB), remains dedicated to alleviating urban and rural poverty through new township projects. The Paginatan New Township, spanning 200 acres and located 43 km from Ranau, is expected to stimulate the local economy. The project, aligned with SMJ's welfare-focused goals, will feature government offices, shops, affordable housing, health centres, and multipurpose halls, developed in five phases. – Bernama
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Hajiji pledges stability through GRS–Pakatan cooperation as Sabah polls loom
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 12 — Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has reiterated that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) supreme council has agreed to maintain its current formula of cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming state election. The GRS chairman said history has shown that a state government needs a strong relationship with the federal government to ensure stability and economic growth. 'We want strong ties with the federal government. We want stability, and we hope the people will understand that we are doing the best for them — to bring prosperity to them,' he said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Paginatan New Township in Ranau. Hajiji said the GRS–PH partnership has been delivering progress for Sabah, with some 94 per cent of more than 400 initiatives under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya development plan already implemented. 'This is contrary to the Opposition's claim, which is intended to pull the wool over the people's eyes,' he said. He added that the GRS–PH government had approved numerous assistance programmes for education development and public welfare — initiatives he said had never been undertaken by previous state administrations. 'This year alone, we are giving monthly assistance of RM300 to nearly 100,000 hardcore poor, and this initiative will continue if the people return the mandate to GRS–PH in the coming election,' he said. Hajiji also pointed to the administration's success in securing greater participation in the oil and gas sector through the historic signing of the Commercial Collaborative Agreement (CCA) with Petronas in 2021. He said such initiatives are part of the government's broader commitment to eradicating poverty in the state, including through the new township development programme. The long-awaited Paginatan New Township project, he added, is expected to boost the local economy in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development roadmap, which prioritises the well-being of the people and aims to improve their quality of life. Covering 200 acres and located about 43km from Kota Kinabalu, the new township will be developed in five phases. It will include government offices, shops, low-cost housing, a multi-purpose hall, library, health centre, market, as well as police and fire stations. Once completed, residents of Paginatan will no longer need to travel to Ranau or Telupid to access government services, he said.
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Seat talks between PH, GRS yet to be finalised, says Chan
TAWAU: Negotiations on seat allocations between Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for the 17th Sabah state election have yet to be finalised. Sabah DAP deputy chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin dismissed claims that GRS requested 50 seats while PH would take the remaining 23, calling them political speculation. "If you ask me, I myself do not know because the seat negotiations are not finalised. There is no need to chase numbers as we will enter the 'ring' respectfully once we decide," said Chan, who is also deputy plantation and commodities minister. He was speaking after officiating the Cocoa Cultivation Promotion Engagement Programme for Sabah's plantation sector here today. Commenting on speculation that PRN17 may be held on Sept 7 following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Sabah, the Kota Kinabalu member of Parliament said he did not know the actual dissolution date of the state assembly as it was under the chief minister's jurisdiction. "I do not even know when the prime minister will visit, let alone the dissolution date," he said. On a separate matter, Chan said Sabah DAP is confident of defending the six seats it won in the last state election, although two – Sri Tanjung and Elopura – are now held by Warisan after their assemblymen left the party.
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Heated Dewan Rakyat row over May 13 remarks, Speaker urges calm
KUALA LUMPUR: A heated exchange broke out in the Dewan Rakyat today when a government backbencher pressed for two opposition lawmakers to be referred to the Parliament's Committee of Privileges over their recent remarks in the House. The commotion reached its peak when Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul exclaimed "Ya Rasulullah" in an attempt to calm the Lower House amid overlapping shouts from both sides. This followed RSN Rayer (PH–Jelutong) invoking Standing Order 36(9), arguing that no action had yet been taken against Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim (PN–Pendang) for raising the sensitive issue of the May 13 racial riots during a sitting, despite the current parliamentary session being only two weeks away from concluding. "If such a statement were made by an ordinary person outside, they would have been arrested and charged in court. "Many have asked why no action has been taken against him, as this issue relates to peace and harmony in our country," he said. Johari responded that the proper procedure had already been initiated, noting that a motion had been submitted and a letter sent to Awang requesting his response. "I have written to Pendang (Awang Solahuddin) for his reply, and the letter has been sent. I am waiting for his answer," he said. Chong Zemin (PH–Kampar) then interjected, questioning why Awang could not explain himself immediately since he was present in the chamber. "This is an important issue. May 13 cannot be used to threaten the people. If Pendang is here, let him explain now so the Speaker can make a decision. Do not delay for one or two weeks," he said. Johari, however, said he was bound by the Standing Orders. "Even though the Speaker sits in a high chair, I am bound by the rules. Once Pendang replies, I will review the matter and decide accordingly," he said. Rayer later pointed out an apparent contradiction, noting that Awang had claimed not to have received the letter, despite confirmation from the Speaker's office that it had been delivered. In response, Awang remarked that Rayer might have been involved in the May 13 incident, prompting Chong to demand an immediate retraction. "Withdraw that statement. You cannot say such a thing," Chong said, after which Johari instructed Awang to retract his remark. Awang complied, saying, "Ok, tarik (retract)." The sitting then turned to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN–Indera Mahkota), who raised his grievance that Rayer had also proposed referring him to the committee over alleged violations of the Standing Orders during the July 30 sitting. He said the matter stemmed from his questions to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who had decided not to respond on the case of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir. Rayer countered that Saifuddin had made insinuations suggesting ministers or deputy ministers were involved in the case, which he deemed inappropriate. As Saifuddin, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN–Arau) and Rayer began speaking over one another, Johari again interjected, exclaiming "Ya Rasulullah" and urging calm.
