Be more open on spending and projects: Bung
Published on: Tue, Jul 08, 2025
By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Bung Moktar also expressed concern over the state of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) housing project which he says appears to have left many units incomplete across the State. Kota Kinabalu: Lamag Assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin wants the State Government to be more open about how it spends taxpayers' money or decision-making about public projects and job promotions. 'This projection for the supplementary budget must be coordinated through good governance and when we say good governance, it means a government must be accountable,' he said when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025, Monday. 'I do not question the need for this supplementary budget. What I question is why in the contributions to the recommended Statutory Funds amounting to RM600 million, a total of RM250 million is stored under the development fund group without detailed particulars. 'I want the detailed particulars of where this financial direction is used,' he said. Additionally, he noted percentage increases in various allocations, including a 25.5 per cent increase from the original budget of RM1.186 billion and a 35.7 per cent increase in contributions to the State Government's special trust fund amounting to RM200 million. 'We are happy that the State Government has reserve funds like in Sarawak, where their (Sarawak) reserve fund is around RM40 billion and their allocation is RM13 billion. Their people are also happy. 'In Sarawak, their state assemblymen get an allocation of RM5 - RM7 million per year. But what about us in Sabah?' 'What is the use of Sabah having lots of reserves if the people are suffering. We should use that money to make life easier for the people, help the people, solve the people's problems,' he said. He reiterated his call on the need for proper procedures in governance, questioning the rationale behind the government's civil servant job promotion decision, citing Datuk Seri Safar Untong's extended tenure as Sabah State Secretary. 'I want to ask the government about his (Safar) position. He is indeed very fortunate. Will his tenure be extended again? 'Why does he keep getting extended? What brilliance does he have? Is he cleverer, more brilliant than Bill Gates? Is that why he keeps getting extended. 'How about other senior government officers in Sabah? Are they not capable of being promoted to the position of State Secretary? Are they just waiting? Hanging without a rope? he said, pointing out the impact on career advancement opportunities for other senior government officers. 'If we want to see good governance, then we must choose according to procedures. Do not extend anymore because such extensions will hinder and weaken other civil servants and other officers from continuing to serve,' he said. For the record, Safar was initially appointed as Sabah State Secretary in 2019 and had his tenure extended in July last year. Bung Moktar also expressed concern over the state of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) housing project which he says appears to have left many units incomplete across the State. 'In Lamag, there are 40 SMJ houses. I want to know how many are completed, who are the recipients? In Sukau, how many houses are completed? 'Because from what I see, there are 20-30 houses that are not completed until today. So where did the money go for these SMJ houses? Where did the money go that these houses are abandoned? 'Throughout Sabah, SMJ houses are only about 50 – 60 per cent completed, while 40 per cent are not completed. 'For my Lamag constituency, I want to know who received these SMJ houses because the reports I got are that only relatives received them,' Bung Moktar said. He called for proper investigation into the housing project irregularities, noting that some officers from Unit Perancangan Kemajuan Rakyat have been detained, investigated and charged in connection with the project. 'This is not good. There must be transparency,' he said, requesting detailed written information about fund allocations and their recipients. * 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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Sabah state assembly's done for the current term, says Hajiji as polls loom
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah state assembly has concluded its business for the current term, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, paving the way for the next state election. The Chief Minister on Tuesday (July 8), when asked if the sitting that just ended was the last, replied with a grin, "More or less, yes." He said it would be up to the people to give the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) another chance to govern as they had implemented initiatives and programmes to help the people and the state. 'We have done our best to bring development, address infrastructure woes, provide welfare aid to the poor, students and needy people. 'It is now up to the people to choose whether they want to give another chance to GRS,' Hajiji added. When pressed on when he would be dissolving the state assembly, Hajiji urged for patience. 'If we have set a time, we will call to announce it. Be patient, not much longer,' he said. When queried whether there would be an automatic dissolution (after the five-year term ends on Nov 11), Hajiji again repeated not to ask whether it would be automatic or not. 'Let me dream first, on when the best time would be,' he said, keeping to his often-repeated answer of 'tunggu saya mimpi dulu (wait for me to dream first)'. Earlier, the Sulaman assemblyman said seat allocations and negotiations were still being fine-tuned, with meetings held with 'friends', referring to Pakatan Harapan allies at the moment. 'Others, we will see about it later on,' said Hajiji, adding that the final seat arrangements should be decided before the assembly is dissolved. During the state assembly, a massive RM1.186bil supplementary Bill was passed for immediate infrastructure needs of the state, including the pressing water problem. The state also passed a comprehensive State Sales Tax Amendment, Climate and Carbon governance enactment, while another amendment - Forest Enactment - allowed for the creation of 40 villages with a combined population of over 12,000 by degazetting forest reserves in seven districts. Earlier on Tuesday, the assembly was told that the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 plan has delivered significant results, with 94% of its initiatives - from housing and healthcare to job creation and student aid- now implemented. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan reported that 366 out of 467 initiatives under the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan—launched in 2021—had been fully completed as of May this year.
Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Borneo Post
SST amendment bill won't give added burden to taxpayers - Masidi
Masidi KOTA KINABALU (July 8): A Bill to amend the State Sales Tax Enactment 1998 (SST) was passed by the Sabah State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, with Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun assuring that the move is aimed at strengthening the State's fiscal backbone without burdening taxpayers. Masidi, when tabling the Bill, said a total of 37 amendments had been carefully drafted to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability in the collection and management of State revenue. 'These amendments are not merely technical adjustments but form part of a holistic effort to ensure our State Sales Tax law remains responsive, fair and effective in today's increasingly complex economic environment,' he told the House. He stressed that the amendments are designed not only to boost Sabah's revenue collection but also to ensure that every taxation process is clear and firmly governed by law. 'As I explained earlier, we have not neglected taxpayers' rights. On the contrary, we are providing mechanisms for fair resolution through appeal channels, instalment payments and agreed composite assessments,' he said. Masidi added that the approach reflected the State Government's commitment to strengthening Sabah's fiscal foundation, closing loopholes, and protecting taxpayers' rights. 'We do not want a tax system that burdens the people. We want a system that is clear, easy to understand and transparent,' he said, adding that with the passing of the Bill, Sabah would be better positioned to manage its revenue while maintaining the trust and cooperation of taxpayers. Masidi pointed out that the SST is an additional source of income allocated to Sabah and Sarawak under Part V of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. 'For this, the State Government gazetted the State Sales Tax Enactment 1998 and the State Sales Tax Regulations 1999. The last amendment was in 2018, which at the time covered only three items, Crude Palm Oil (CPO), Lottery Tickets and Slot Machines,' he said. Since then, six more items have been added to the tax net from 2020 to 2025, Petroleum Products, Fishery Commodities, Scrap Iron Waste, Silica Sand, Palm Oil Biomass, and Gold and Silver mined in Sabah. 'This brings the total to nine taxable products. To date, 386 companies hold SST licences, and collections since 1999 up to 30 June this year amount to RM32.26 billion,' he said. Masidi revealed that when the SST was first collected in 1999, it contributed only RM89 million or seven percent of the State's revenue. However, by 2024, SST revenue had surged more than 3,000 percent to RM3.03 billion, accounting for 44.5 percent of Sabah's total income, with an average collection of RM250 million a month. 'This clearly shows that tax revenue is now a major source of funding to ensure the State's fiscal sustainability and economic growth,' he said, while recording the government's appreciation to taxpayers for their contributions towards Sabah's development. Masidi assured that despite the extensive changes, no new taxes were being introduced. 'I want to make it clear — this amendment does not create new taxes. What we are doing is removing grey areas. In fact, this clarity benefits not only the tax collector but also the taxpayer,' he stressed. Moyog assemblyman Datuk Darell Leiking, however, expressed concern that adjustments to upstream pricing could be passed on by operators and manufacturers to end consumers, indirectly burdening the people. Responding, Masidi explained that the main thrust of the amendments is certainty and transparency. 'With this, businesses can plan better because they know exactly what must be paid and what does not need to be paid. Companies that comply will be more competitive, and we have done comparative studies with other jurisdictions to ensure our system aligns with global standards,' he said. Addressing concerns raised by Kapayan assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang on whether the changes might restrict court powers, Masidi assured that judicial review rights remain protected. 'I do not believe it can ever be removed. Judicial review is fundamental and cannot be excluded from any law. That is why, for the first time, we are also establishing a Tax Appeal Tribunal for those dissatisfied with any assessment. 'This will provide an additional avenue for taxpayers to appeal, while giving certainty to both tax authorities and taxpayers on what must be paid and how to pay it,' he said. Meanwhile, Masidi reiterated to Bugaya assemblyman Jamil Hamzah that there was no overlap between the State Sales Tax and the Federal Government's SST, as both are governed by separate constitutional powers. 'For the State, our sales tax covers specific activities and products only. The rest remains under federal jurisdiction. What we should really focus on is ensuring that Sabah secures its 40 percent share of revenue collected from the State,' he said. Masidi also clarified to Darell that businesses would need to file separate returns for the Federal SST and the State Sales Tax as they are two different taxes governed by two separate authorities. He assured the House that the longer six-year timeframe under the amendments would give both taxpayers and the State ample room to resolve any issues properly. 'We must look ahead. This law must be robust enough to address challenges, not just now but for the future. If there are still points that require further explanation, my ministry welcomes more discussions, even special sessions if needed,' he said. The amendments to the SST Bill were: Clause 1 contains the short title and the commencement of the proposed Enactment. Clause 3 seeks to amend Section 2 by inserting new definitions, deleting certain definitions, and replacing the definition of 'sale.' The amendment to the definition of 'sale' has been restructured and expanded to clarify that, among other things, the act of transferring taxable goods out of Sabah, removing them from Sabah, or taking them out of Sabah falls under the definition of 'sale' whether or not the transaction takes place within or outside Sabah. Clause 4 seeks to amend Section 8 to empower the Minister to amend or revoke any exemption under subsection (1). Clause 5 seeks to amend Section 10 to make it an offence for any person to conduct business selling or supplying taxable goods without a license or to conduct business at a place or premises not specified in the license. Clause 6 seeks to amend Section 11 by providing a time frame for a taxable person who has ceased business to surrender their license, and by providing that the Director must give reasonable notice to the taxable person before revoking their license. Clause 7 seeks to insert a new Section 12A which explains the issuance of invoices by computer. Clause 8 seeks to amend Section 13 to improve the existing provision regarding the obligation to keep records. Clause 9 seeks to amend Section 14 to empower the Director to require, by written notice, any taxable person to submit a complete or additional return within a reasonable time. Clause 10 seeks to insert a new Section 14A which gives the Director power to allow State sales tax or penalties that have become due and payable to be paid by instalments. Clause 11 seeks to amend Section 15 by including negligence as one of the exceptions allowing the Director to make an assessment at any time. Clause 12 seeks to insert new Sections 15A and 15B. Section 15A gives the Director the power to issue a composite assessment notice following a written agreement with a taxable person who failed to submit a return, submitted an incorrect return, or provided any incorrect information affecting State sales tax liability. Section 15B clarifies that an error or technical defect in an assessment, notice, or other document shall not invalidate it, as long as the assessment and document comply with the requirements of the Enactment. Clause 13 seeks to amend Section 16 to determine the time of sale for taxable goods supplied within the State but subsequently removed or delivered outside the State. Clause 14 seeks to amend Section 17 to allow a surcharge to be claimed as a civil debt to the State Government and to limit judicial review of appeals related to excessive or incorrectly assessed tax, penalties, or surcharges. Clause 16 seeks to amend Section 19 to extend liability to the directors of a company, partners of a firm, or members of an association who held their respective positions when the liability arose. Clause 17 seeks to amend Section 21 by inserting a new category of individuals from whom the Director may collect State sales tax or penalties that have become due and payable. Clause 18 seeks to replace Section 22 to improve its content and to provide the Director with an extended period from three years to six years to claim repayment for any refund made in error. Clause 21 seeks to replace Section 26 by expanding the scope of inspection to any building or place as well as any books, documents, records, or items. Clause 22 seeks to insert a new Section 26A to empower the Director or any authorised State sales tax officer to investigate the commission of any offence under the Enactment. Clause 23 seeks to insert a new Section 29A to enable any authorised State sales tax officer to be given access to any recorded information or computer data, whether stored in a computer or otherwise. Clause 25 seeks to amend Section 31 to make it an offence for anyone to refuse or fail to grant access to any recorded information or computer data, and for anyone to impersonate the Director, State Sales Tax Officers, or an authorised State sales tax officer. Clause 26 seeks to amend Section 32 to empower the Director to impose a penalty equal to the amount of State sales tax that has been or will be undercharged due to an incorrect return or information, if no prosecution is initiated. Clause 27 seeks to amend Section 33 by providing civil remedies for the Director to impose a penalty equal to the amount of State sales tax collected by an unauthorised person, where no prosecution has been initiated. Clause 32 seeks to insert a new Part IXA relating to the power to protect revenue in certain transactions. This new Part contains new Sections 50A to 50C. These new sections provide the definition of 'transaction', the power to disregard certain transactions, and the power to substitute prices, disregard structures, and impose surcharges. Clause 33 seeks to replace Section 54 to improve the provision relating to the service of notices. Clause 34 seeks to insert a new Section 54A to empower the Director to order substituted service if satisfied that service of the notice or document cannot be affected as stated under Section 54. Clause 36 seeks to amend Section 58 by allowing any person aggrieved by a decision of the Director to appeal to the State Sales Tax Appeal Board in the prescribed manner. Clause 38 seeks to amend Section 61 regarding the Minister's power to make rules relating to the State Sales Tax Appeal Board.
Borneo Post
11 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Over 16,700 hectares of forest land to be degazatted for native rights, development
16,728.9 hectares of land across 10 forest reserves will be degazetted to recognise long-standing native customary land claims and facilitate socio-economic development. KOTA KINABALU (July 8): The Sabah State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Forest (Constitution of Forest Reserves and Amendment) (Amendment) Enactment 2025 Bill, allowing for the degazettement of approximately 16,728.9 hectares of land across 10 forest reserves to recognise long-standing native customary land claims and facilitate socio-economic development. Tabled by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, the Bill received broad support from all seven assemblypersons who debated it, with many hailing it as a long-overdue solution to land disputes dating back to the 1980s. 'The State Government intends to degazette land from various forest reserve classifications including Class I (Protection), Class II (Commercial), Class IV (Amenity), Class V (Mangrove), and Class VI (Virgin Jungle Reserve), to accommodate 40 villages in Sipitang, Tenom, Kemabong, Tawau, Kalabakan, Ranau and Pitas, benefiting an estimated 12,012 residents,' Nizam told the House. Some of the land will also support infrastructure projects such as the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex at Serudong-Simanggaris, aimed at strengthening Malaysia-Indonesia border security. Affected forest reserves include: Bengkoka Peninsula (Class V) – 158 ha for three Pitas villages and public infrastructure. Kudat (Class V) – 3 ha overlapping with titled land. Umas-Umas (Class VI) – 28 ha in Tawau for Kampung Sungai Udin. Sungai Serudong (Class I) – 20 ha for ICQS; 20 ha to be re-gazetted as an extension; 3 ha for a military post. SAFODA Kinarut (Class IV) – 320.9 ha to be administered under Section 40 of the SAFODA Enactment 1981. Trus Madi (Class II) – 55 ha for three villages in Ranau. Sipitang (Class II) – 15,978 ha for 36 villages in Sipitang, Tenom and Kemabong. Sungai Tiagau (Extension, Class I) – 162 ha for a Kalabakan village occupied since 1985. Tawau (Class I) – 1 ha in Sebatik for Kampung Sungai Tongkang Lama. Nizam assured that Sabah's total permanent forest reserve area will only be slightly reduced from 3,575,034.573 ha in 2024 to 3,558,325.673 ha, a decrease of just 0.47 per cent. 'This action is not taken lightly. It is a deliberate decision made in the interest of the people, especially rural communities who urgently need land for settlement and subsistence,' he said. To ensure environmental sustainability, Nizam said the State Government, through the Sabah Forestry Department, Land and Survey Department, and Department of Natural Resources, is working to identify state land of equivalent size and ecological value to replace the degazetted areas. This aligns with the Sabah Forest Policy 2018, which mandates replacement of any forest reserve land released. 'We are committed to maintaining ecosystem services such as clean water, biodiversity and wildlife habitats, and to upholding our international pledge to maintain at least 50 per cent forest cover across the state,' he added. The Bill drew strong bipartisan support. Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin) said it would ease decades-long uncertainty in rural areas and called for better road access near the border. Datuk Rubin Balang (Kemabong) welcomed the long-awaited recognition of native land claims since 1987. Datuk Hassan A Gani Pg Amir (Sebatik) said it uplifts native dignity and called for similar actions in other constituencies. Jaffari Waliam (nominated) suggested releasing forest land in Sandakan for smallholder farming, particularly oil palm. Datuk Jannie Lasimbang (Kapayan) raised concerns about potential silica sand mining in the Kudat mangrove area and urged strict safeguards. Datuk Masiung Banah (Kuamut) called for on-ground monitoring to ensure degazettement boundaries are respected and urged swift land surveys. Datuk Jonnybone J Kurum (Telupid) highlighted the urgent need for land in flood-prone villages and proposed releasing over 500 acres from Tawai Forest Reserve along the Pan Borneo Highway. In closing, Nizam said all suggestions will be considered in the next meeting and noted that roads within forest reserves may be retained if designated as 'special rights' under state authority.
