Sabah to degazette 16,000ha of forest reserve for socioeconomic development
The bill which affects the following forests - 15,978ha of Sipitang Forest Reserve (Class II), Safoda Kinarut (320.9ha, Class IV), Sungai Tiagau (162ha, Class I), Bengkoka Peninsular (158ha, Class V), Trus Madi (55ha, Class II), Umas-Umas (28ha, Class VI), Sungai Serudong (23ha, Class I), Kudat (3ha, Class V), and Tawau (1ha, Class I) - was passed by majority voice after being debated by seven assemblypersons.
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Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
PBDS welcomes S'wak seat increase but warns against unequal rural development funding
Moses questions the fairness of the redelineation exercise and stresses that it must be followed by urgent reforms in the allocation of rural development funds. SIBU (July 10): Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has welcomed the recent approval of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, which will increase the number of Sarawak state seats from 82 to 99, calling it a positive step toward greater democratic representation, especially for rural communities. However, the party voiced strong concerns over the reported allocation of the 17 new constituencies, alleging that the majority appear to favour Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the leading party in the ruling coalition. PBDS president Major (R) Moses Ripai questioned the fairness of the redelineation exercise and stressed that it must be followed by urgent reforms in the allocation of rural development funds. 'While we welcome the increase in seats, the government must not stop at redrawing political lines. If they redraw boundaries on paper, then they must also redraw their priorities for the people, especially those in rural Sarawak who have long been forgotten,' he said. Moses criticised the current model of funding under the Minor Rural Project (MRP) and Rural Transformation Programme (RTP), where every assemblyman receives equal allocations, regardless of the size or development needs of their constituencies. 'It makes no sense that an urban seat like Satok, which is fully equipped and covers only 10 square kilometres, gets the same budget as Telang Usan or Belaga, which span thousands of kilometres of difficult terrain and scattered settlements,' he said. 'You cannot give the same budget to Satok and Telang Usan, just as you cannot give the same pair of shoes to a child and a giant. That is not equality; it is negligence,' he added. Moses further described the redelineation exercise as 'political cosmetic surgery', if it is not accompanied by fair resource distribution. 'It looks like change, but nothing reaches the bones of the people. What Sarawak needs is not more control by one party, but more justice, more equity, and real transformation,' he stressed. PBDS proposed a comprehensive review of the MRP and RTP allocation formula, urging the state government to adopt a needs-based model that considers geographical area, population size, number of kampungs or longhouses, infrastructure conditions, and access to basic utilities. Moses also urged the government to extend equal development attention to areas like Kapit, Hulu Rajang, Sri Aman, and Serian, which face even harsher conditions compared to more politically favoured divisions. 'The Dayak people have waited too long for a fair share of this land we helped build. This time, we are not asking; we are rising. 'We will not allow redelineation to become a tool of political monopoly. PBDS is ready to rise, contest, and offer authentic Dayak leadership rooted in integrity,' he said. PBDS reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the newly created constituencies serve as platforms for meaningful development, not mere electoral arithmetic. 'True representation must come with development, equity, and dignity for the people of rural Sarawak,' added Moses. Moses Ripai PBDS redelineation rural development seats increase
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Batu Kitang rep slams Sarawak DAP's refusal to support DUN seat hike Bill
Dato Lo Khere Chiang KUCHING (July 9): Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang has likened the Sarawak DAP's refusal to support the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Members) Bill 2025 to 'wanting to climb a mountain but refusing to take the first step.' Lo explained that the Bill, which was passed by the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Monday despite objections from Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, lays the groundwork for Sarawak government to justify more parliamentary seats in the future. 'Chong Chieng Jen cannot say he wants more parliamentary seats and then vote against the one Bill that strengthens the state's case for it. 'That is like wanting to climb a mountain but refusing to take the first step,' he said in a statement. He stressed that the Bill is not just about numbers, but represents a vital institutional reform — a move to modernise Sarawak's legislature in line with its growing autonomy, responsibilities, and development scale. Lo said the Bill is also about justice, autonomy, and restoring what was promised under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'It's about ensuring that Sarawak's voice, especially in our remote and rural areas is heard clearly, loudly, and fairly,' he added. 'With more ADUNs (state assemblypersons), we can expand our legislative functions, including Select Committees to scrutinise Ministries and statutory bodies, improve public accountability, and enhance service delivery.' Lo argued that if Singapore can have 99 MPs, then Sarawak — with its vast landmass, scattered populations, and complex needs — deserves the same. 'How do we restore Sarawak's one-third representation in Parliament if we don't first increase our voice in our own Dewan? How can we demand fairness in Putrajaya when we won't even give ourselves fairer representation in our DUN?' 'Chong says: 'Table the increment in Parliament and we'll support it.' But who controls Parliament? Not Sarawak. Not GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak). The federal government does. And DAP is part of it. 'If Chong and Violet are so committed, where is the Bill? Where is the motion? Where is the pressure on the Election Commission? 'The people of Sarawak are not fools. They can see through this political tap dance.'
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Sales Tax Amendment Bill passed
Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Masidi assured that the Government had conducted extensive consultations with tax experts, including top lawyers in Kuala Lumpur and Sabah's Attorney-General, before finalising the proposed changes. Kota Kinabalu: The State Assembly passed the Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at strengthening the State's taxation framework and improving revenue governance. State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, in tabling the Bill, said the amendments were part of a broader effort to modernise the State's revenue system and make it more transparent, accountable and effective. He said the 37 proposed amendments were not just technical updates, but part of a holistic strategy to ensure Sabah's tax laws remained responsive and fair in today's dynamic economic environment. 'With the passing of this Bill, we hope to better manage state revenue while preserving trust and cooperation with taxpayers. We are not just waiting for taxes to be paid — we are actively tightening the system and protecting taxpayers' rights,' he said. Masidi assured that the Government had conducted extensive consultations with tax experts, including top lawyers in Kuala Lumpur and Sabah's Attorney-General, before finalising the proposed changes. 'I want to make it clear that there are no new taxes under this amendment. What we've done is bring clarity. The grey areas have now been clarified, benefiting both tax collectors and taxpayers,' he said. He added that under the revised law, the introduction of a tax appeals tribunal will give taxpayers more avenues to challenge decisions they deem unfair, making the system more transparent. 'Judicial review cannot be excluded from any law. It will always be there,' he said in response to concerns about attempts to restrict court oversight. During the debate, Nominated Assemblyman Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee raised strong concerns over the clause seeking to limit judicial review, calling it constitutionally questionable and warning that it could face legal challenges. 'This law, even if passed, is standing on shaky ground,' Yong said, referring specifically to the restriction on judicial oversight. 'If we legislate badly today, we might end up in court tomorrow.' Kapayan Assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang also debated the Bill, saying she supported it in principle but cautioned against several provisions she said could disadvantage taxpayers, particularly those with limited resources. She pointed to Section 17, which requires taxpayers to pay first before filing a legal appeal, describing it as a 'pay first, argue later' principle that undermines the right to justice. Jannie also questioned the broadened definition of 'negligence' and the Government's expanded anti-avoidance powers, warning that these could penalise genuine business transactions and create long-term uncertainty. In addressing these concerns, Masidi stressed that the overall goal of the amendment was to ensure clarity and fairness. He said businesses would ultimately benefit from reduced compliance costs as they would now know precisely what is taxable. 'There is no overlap between federal and state taxation. These are separate jurisdictions,' he added. The Bill was passed by a voice vote following the debate. * 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
