Banggi solar project completed in 2015, says Sabah Umno leader
Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said the accusation by Sabah Bersatu women's chief Rahimah Majid showed a lack of understanding about the project's implementation.
"This project was fully completed in 2015, long before Zahid (Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) led the Rural and Regional Development Ministry,' Suhaimi said in a statement.
Concerns were raised last Saturday (May 24) over stalled hybrid solar projects in Pulau Banggi, which remained incomplete years after their launch.
Rahimah urged the Federal Government to explain the delay, stating that the failure has dashed residents' hopes of reliable electricity.
Accessible by a ferry ride of over one hour from Kudat, the island hosts many coastal villages facing challenges accessing electricity and clean water.
Suhaimi, also the Libaran MP, said the Rural Electricity Supply (BELB) Hybrid Solar Project was handed over to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) for operation and maintenance.
He added that any technical issues since then fall under SESB's jurisdiction and said that the the villages mentioned by Rahimah—Kampung Selamat, Pulau Tigabu and Pulau Balambangan — are part of a separate initiative.
This project, Hybrid Solar System Project for Remote Islands in Sabah, is 85% complete, with a 15% delay from the original timeline.
"The ministry's technical division is terminating the contractor for failing to meet deadlines and standards," he said, noting a site visit is scheduled for June 16.
"This shows the government is taking firm and transparent action on the delay."
He said Rahimah's claim that the project was launched "in grand fashion" but is now abandoned was a baseless attempt to twist public perception.
"What's ironic is this was a legacy project from their own time in government. Now they point fingers at others," he said.
Suhaimi said Bersatu Sabah should stop acting like "a frustrated commentator barking from the sidelines" and focus on real solutions.
"Sabahans are wise enough to judge who walks the talk and who only makes promises when in power, then disappears when it's time to deliver," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Daily Express
7 hours ago
- Daily Express
Prof: Sabah is still struggling on basic needs
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Nga highlighted that playing up issues of race, religion and region during elections, saying it risks dividing the people. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is still struggling to fulfil the basic needs of its people despite the nation having passed through various stages of development, said Social and Youth Policy expert of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Associate Professor Dr Janice Nga. She said input gathered during the recent Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) showed many Sabahans are still grappling with fundamental issues, those at the bottom tier of Maslow's hierarchy. 'This shows we're still lagging behind. It's not about fixing roads just before VIP visits and leaving them to fall apart later. 'If we are serious, we must ask: When will this road be completed? How many more communities will get basic utilities?' she said. She also pointed out that sincere leadership, not just plans, makes a difference, noting that Sarawak's progress came from administrative consistency and integrity. 'Sabah was ahead once, but now Sarawak has overtaken us because their leadership was consistent from the Chief Minister to the Premier. That's the key,' she said. Nga highlighted that playing up issues of race, religion and region during elections, saying it risks dividing the people. 'In Sabah, our issue isn't race or religion, but it's regionalism. We often hear 'Sabahan' versus 'non-Sabahan' being used like there are invisible borders within our own state,' she said. She also emphasised that some leaders fear empowering the rakyat, worrying that once people become self-reliant, they'll no longer need political crutches. 'There are leaders who want the rakyat to remain dependent. Because once united and independent, the people might no longer support them,' Nga said. Nga called for unity based on shared aspirations rather than identity politics and said sincerity should be the benchmark, not a leader's place of birth. 'If someone from the peninsula is genuine about helping Sabah, why not? Just like the Inpuma team that came not for personal gain, but to contribute,' she added. She urged the public not to fall for political rhetoric that undermines leadership integrity for the sake of votes. 'A good leader, no matter where they come from, they can bring good to Sabah,' she 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
Focus Malaysia
15 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Greedy detractors lament PMX's chicken feed 'extraordinary appreciation' package
AS Madani government backers and cybertroopers cheered PMX's delayed 'extraordinary tribute for Malaysians' in the name of gratefulness, their opposition peers berated the 'the sweetener' as an insincere gesture based on its pathetic quantum. Claiming that this is a frantic attempt to buy the heart of man-on-the-street-Malaysians ahead of this Saturday's (July 26) PAS-inspired Turun Anwar rally, they enlightened those charmed by PMX's 'salesman gimmick' that all the so-called tribute is after all funded by taxpayers, not PMX nor his Madani Ministers. Describing PMX's doling out of the so-called tribute yesterday (July 23) as 'the most time-wasting announcement in history', UMNO renegade Isham Jalil hit out at the illogic of the one-off RM100 for every Malaysian aged 18 and above after having squeezed an average RM6,375 per family based on the projection of RM51 bil SST (Sales and Services Tax) collection. 'Worse still, this comes in the form of 'coupon' as opposed to cash and is only redeemable as selected grocers such as Mydin, Lotus's, Econsave and 99 Speedmart,' he teased in a Facebook video. Likewise, the former UMNO supreme council member who was sacked for opposing the party's cooperation with DAP the in by-elections on Dec 7, 2023 also viewed as 'mind-boggling' for the Madani government to reduce the RON95 petrol price by a mere 6 sen to RM1.99/litre from the current retail price of RM2.05/litre. 'Imagine after 20 plus years of promises and days of waiting for this tributary announcement, only to be told that petrol price has dropped by 6 sen. 🤦🏻♂️' he elaborated in a series of FB posts. More brickbats Specifically on the RM1.99/litre RON95 pricing, it has to be borne in mind that there is eligibility factor in play, hence there is still likelihood that personal wealth level may be a criteria to qualify for this perk. Even as PMX has stated that the lower RON95 retail price is expected to benefit 18 million motorists, including gig entrepreneurs, the devil is in the details as the Madani government irons out the nitty-gritty of its target subsidy reform with an end-September deadline. Over on his Facebook page, detractors, too, ridiculed PMX with one Muslimah (modest) fashion retailer ticking off the former for only having managed to slash RON95 price by 6 sen after three long years 'instead of your earlier promise of 24 hours (should he win the election)'. 'Why? Because your promise was motivated by power craze, hence you failed to see through the logic back then' justified the commenter. 'Such promise earned you emotional votes from the rakyat. Now that you hold power, you've begun to feel the implication yourself. Bitter, right?' Another commenter fumed at PMX for 'getting carried away with the by UMNO culture of throwing RM1 and squeeze RM1,000 from the rakyat'. 'It's never worth it to dole out one-off candies only to end up in misery with the economy getting bleaker, investors fleeing and subsidies being withdrawn one by one,' he lambasted. One commenter contended that he would rather 'swap the RM100 hand-out with elimination/reduction of taxes' or if need be, 'a 2% SST should suffice'. Another aptly put it that what was dished put hy PMX 'didn't match the impressive teaser'. 'I'm sure if PMX were to be the Opposition head at this juncture, the government of the day would have come under heavy fire,' he added. – July 24, 2025
The Star
17 hours ago
- The Star
Some think Sabah has too many holidays
KOTA KINABALU: An additional holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day is a welcome break for most people, but some feel that Sabah already has too many state and national holidays, so another day is not necessary. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Deputy Chief Minister II Dauk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam both disagreed with the move to declare Sept 15 a public holiday. 'Personally, I feel Malaysia, especially Sabah, has too many holidays already,' Dr Gunsalam, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah president, said. Kitingan said Malaysia Day is already a national holiday and there is no need to declare another day. 'For Sabah and Sarawak at this juncture, we want the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and its rights under the Constitution to be fully implemented. 'That should be the priority,' he added. Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee also said the extra day is unnecessary. Unionist Laurence Vun said any holiday would be welcomed by workers. However, he felt a holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day might not help the spirit of Malaysia. 'I don't think an additional holiday would bring any significance to the meaning of Malaysia Day. 'For Sabahans and Sarawakians, we feel Malaysia Day should be marked to make all Malaysians equal in every sense of the word – in our civil service as well as all sectors of government and private enterprise,' said Vun, a Sabah Cuepacs executive. Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Prof Dr Lee Kuok Tiung felt that the announcement was aimed at boosting domestic tourism. 'The additional holiday will encourage more people to go on a longer weekend holiday break,' he said. Several businessmen also felt that there are too many holidays, resulting in them having to pay overtime to staff and bear higher costs.
