logo
Can cooperate after polls: Zahid

Can cooperate after polls: Zahid

Daily Express19 hours ago
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025
Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025
By: Winnie Kasmir Text Size: Ahmad Zahid urged all parties to prioritise resolving the people's issues, particularly the prolonged problems of electricity and clean water supply in the State. SANDAKAN: Umno President cum Deputy Prime Minister 1 Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said the party is sincere in its readiness to engage in post-election political cooperation to serve the people and for the sake of stability and development in Sabah. He said in today's political landscape, there are no permanent enemies or allies. Hence, collaboration between parties after the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN-17) remains a possibility if it benefits the people. 'I do not rule out the possibility of collaboration after the State election,' he told the 22nd Umno Libaran Division Delegates meeting, here, Sunday. Present were Sabah Umno Chief and Umno Supreme Council Member Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Umno Sec-Gen Datuk Wira Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Sabah Umno Information Chief cum Libaran Umno Division Head Datuk Suhaimi Nasir. Ahmad Zahid urged all parties to prioritise resolving the people's issues, particularly the prolonged problems of electricity and clean water supply in the State. He stressed the need to deliver the best services to the people once a new government is formed. 'Resolve all the problems troubling the people. Deliver the best service to them once the new State government is established,' he said. He emphasised the importance of appointing professional, capable, and credible leaders to implement the State's development agenda. At the same time, Ahmad Zahid proposed several key commitments that should be included in the PRN-17 manifesto: Providing a comprehensive resolution to the electricity supply issue; Guaranteed uninterrupted access to clean water; Expediting upgrading works of the Pan Borneo Highway infrastructure; and Increasing establishments of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) institutions to create more job opportunities for the people of Sabah. * 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
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

GRS rejects Anwar's BN pact, citing voter confusion and 'three-way love affair'
GRS rejects Anwar's BN pact, citing voter confusion and 'three-way love affair'

Sinar Daily

time8 hours ago

  • Sinar Daily

GRS rejects Anwar's BN pact, citing voter confusion and 'three-way love affair'

GRS and PH have already developed a close and effective working relationship in governing the state. Masiung (left) during a meeting with community leaders in Tongod on Monday. TONGOD - Gagasan Rakyat Vice President Datuk Masiung Banah has rejected Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's idea of forming a political pact between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election. He made clear that a partnership involving BN was not feasible, stressing that it would confuse voters and undermine existing understandings between GRS and PH. As Sabah prepares for its 17th State Election, shifting alliances among GRS, PH, BN and PN are shaping what could be one of the state's most complex and consequential polls. Bernama photo 'It is impossible for an understanding to be reached because it will confuse voters. GRS and PH have already reached a consensus to continue their political collaboration,' he told reporters after meeting community leaders in Tongod on Monday. Masiung pointed out that if such a three-way alliance were to materialise, GRS and Gagasan Rakyat would still refer to Anwar's own statement made on May 11 in Tawau, where the Prime Minister had entrusted Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor with leading the seat negotiations. GRS and PH, he said, have already developed a close and effective working relationship in governing the state. He was also firm in describing the proposed coalition with BN as a 'three-way love affair' a relationship Gagasan Rakyat is not willing to enter. 'GRS and PH Sabah have already developed a strong political cooperation in managing the previous State Government administration. 'GRS has also lost trust in BN-Umno for previously betraying the alliance with GRS and PH through the 'Langkah Kinabalu' move,' he said. Referring to the political manoeuvre known as Langkah Kinabalu, Masiung accused BN leaders of fanning hostility and undermining GRS since the incident. 'Since that event, which the party's leaders orchestrated, they have continued to stir animosity and belittle GRS using various tactics and strategies,' he added. Masiung also highlighted that Umno-BN Sabah had already announced their decision not to work with GRS. 'We hope the Prime Minister respects our stance and honours his promise to leave the seat negotiation process in the hands of Hajiji, as the GRS Chairman, to manage discussions with coalition parties ahead of the State Election,' he said.

May 13 reference sparks heated exchange in Dewan Rakyat
May 13 reference sparks heated exchange in Dewan Rakyat

Daily Express

time8 hours ago

  • Daily Express

May 13 reference sparks heated exchange in Dewan Rakyat

Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Elill Easwaran, FMT Text Size: Rayer (right) asked for a ruling from the deputy speaker after Awang (left) mentioned the May 13 racial riot. KUALA LUMPUR: A war of words broke out between a government backbencher and an opposition MP after the latter mentioned the May 13 racial riots while criticising the 13th Malaysia Plan on grounds that it lacked initiatives for the Bumiputera community. Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) questioned the government's emphasis on New Villages, when debating the 13MP, tabled last Thursday. He said while Perikatan Nasional had no issue with funds for New Villages, there was no specific development for the Bumiputera community. 'When we look back at the May 13 incident, one of the elements was economic pressure on the Bumiputeras. That's why the 1MP to 13MP exist, to balance income and the economy among the races. But the 13MP has nothing specific for the Bumiputera community. 'Is the government trying to bring back another May 13 incident?' This prompted RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) to cite Standing Order 36(9)(c), which prohibits statements that can provoke hostility or hurt the feelings of any race. 'Pendang is suggesting May 13 can happen again,' Rayer said, urging deputy speaker Alice Lau to make a ruling. Awang denied making any provocative statement, saying such accusations were slanderous. 'I didn't say what you claimed I did. That's why even DAP people don't accept you anymore – you lost the (party's) central executive committee election,' he said. Rayer replied: 'We accept your point about Chinese New Villages, but why repeat that May 13 can happen again?' Defending his comments, Awang said: 'I quoted the point made by the prime minister, that the socio-economic level of New Villages will be strengthened through a development master plan. So, is it racist to mention that? If I say 'Bumiputera', is it racist? If I say 'Chinese', is it racist?' Rayer continued to press for a ruling, but Lau said she 'will let the minister respond', likely alluding to the economy minister. She said Rayer could submit a motion to the Speaker for further action. - FMT * 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

Government affirms trade unions as development partners
Government affirms trade unions as development partners

Daily Express

time9 hours ago

  • Daily Express

Government affirms trade unions as development partners

Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim with the trade unions' representatives. - Pic by CMD The State Government recognises trade unions as strategic partners in shaping an inclusive and forward-looking development agenda, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Speaking at the state-level Trade Union Day at ITCC, Hajiji stressed the importance of unions in areas beyond wages, including policy-making, education, and technology adoption. He said the government remains committed to supporting the trade union movement and creating a fair, sustainable employment ecosystem that benefits all Sabahans. Hajiji described the assembly as a landmark event signalling a new chapter for structured and inclusive unionism under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan. He noted that Sabah recorded over 1.7 million in labour force last year, contributing to a GDP of RM84.3 billion through sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services. There are currently 92 registered trade unions in the state with over 60,000 members across the government, private, and statutory sectors, he added. Hajiji urged union leaders to champion workers' welfare and to make Sabah's voice heard at the national Trade Union Assembly in Penang this September. * 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

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store