Latest news with #Azis
Daily Express
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Warisan firm in not forming alliances
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: Ibrahim Tabir Text Size: Azis said Warisan is also working towards securing enough seats to form the state government in the coming 17th State Election (PRN17). KUNAK: Parti Warisan reiterated its firm stance to continue operating independently without forming alliances with any other party in the coming state election (PRN). Its Information Chief, Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman, said the party is currently focusing on defending the seats it won in the last election, including the Kunak state seat, following the defection of the elected representative. Advertisement He added that Warisan is also working towards securing enough seats to form the state government in the coming 17th State Election (PRN17). 'We must have the mindset to win, to believe in ourselves and show that same belief to the people. Given the current situation, we're confident that Warisan can go beyond the 37-seat mark required by the constitution to form the state government,' he told the media after attending a casual Sembang Santai session with the Kunak community at SJKC Pai Sheng Hall last Saturday. In the same development, Parti Warisan Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal expressed optimism that the Kunak state seat would continue to be held by Warisan by fielding the best candidate in the state election. A total of 500 new members from five branches in Kunak submitted their membership forms to Warisan at the event. * 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
Daily Express
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Warisan accused of politicising Sabah's O&G
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 Text Size: Gordon (left) said recent remarks by Azis (right) on Sabah's role in oil and gas were misleading and could harm public understanding. Kota Kinabalu: Warisan has been accused of politicising Sabah's oil and gas matters without understanding the industry's realities. Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Youth Exco Gordon Horace Chin said recent remarks by Warisan's Datuk Azis Jamman on Sabah's role in oil and gas were misleading and could harm public understanding. 'Azis talks about upstream involvement, but ignores that Sabah already holds significant stakes, including 50 per cent in Samarang PSC, 10 per cent in LNG9, and 25 per cent in Samur under the agreement with Petronas,' he said in a statement. He said SMJ Energy, established by the GRS-led government, has delivered RM160 million in dividends to the State and was valued at RM5 billion. Chin said oil and gas exploration comes with high risks and costs, and SMJ's approach of acquiring producing assets first was a responsible strategy. He also addressed criticisms over the RM900 million sukuk used to acquire Sabah International Petroleum (SIP), calling it a market-backed refinancing, not a bailout. 'At the time, SIP was burdened with RM1.7 billion in debt and posed a risk to Sabah Development Bank. The restructuring, rated AAA and oversubscribed nearly four times, helped avoid a financial crisis,' he said. The restructuring saved the State over RM60 million in interest in one year, and allowed the bank to resume lending. He said Warisan attempted a RM10 billion sukuk when in power but failed to secure investor confidence. Chin also refuted claims that Warisan had settled the RM1 billion bond in 2019, saying it was done through a sinking fund set up since 2014. 'Sabah is recovering from years of mismanagement. Warisan should stop misleading the public with half-truths,' he said. He urged the public to focus on long-term solutions and support efforts to stabilise the State's finances and oil and gas sector. * 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
Daily Express
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah must start leading in oil and gas: Azis
Published on: Thursday, July 10, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 10, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Azis (left) also dismissed the claim that working quietly has brought results for Sabah. Masidi (right). Kota Kinabalu: Warisan on Wednesday hit out at Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun for saying the State is not ready to bid for upstream oil and gas projects, calling the statement a reflection of poor political will rather than capacity. Its Information Chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman said Sabah can no longer afford to remain on the sidelines while others profit from its resources. 'If we claim we lack expertise, then bring in real experts — not loyalists whose only skills are to plunder and pander,' he said in a statement, Wednesday. He said Sabah must stop relying on sub-contracts and concessions handed out by external parties, and instead take the lead in building its own capacity and control. On Tuesday, Masidi told the State Assembly that state-owned firms Sabah International Petroleum (SIP) and SMJ Energy were not bidding for oil and gas blocks due to a lack of technical know-how and capital. He was responding to Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Senallang), who had questioned why Sabah firms were left out of the Mutiara Cluster project off Sandakan. The contract was recently awarded to Dialog Resources Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dialog Group Berhad based in Peninsular Malaysia. Azis questioned the rationale behind the State's passive approach and said experience can only come if Sabah starts participating actively. 'Every million starts with one. If we wait forever, we will always be excluded from our own wealth,' he said. He pointed out that the State had previously issued nearly RM1 billion in Sukuk to settle debts, including for vessels that remain unaccounted for. 'So, don't tell us it's impossible to raise funds for SMJ Energy to participate both upstream and downstream,' he said. He added that Sabah can form strategic partnerships with credible investors, provided the State retains control over the management of its natural resources. Azis also dismissed the claim that working quietly has brought results for Sabah. 'Our oil wealth continues to leave Sabah, yet our people see very little of the benefit,' he said. He stressed that the core issue is not Sabah's readiness, but whether its leaders are bold enough to prioritise the State's future over political convenience. 'True leadership isn't about waiting. It's about taking action — and ensuring that Sabah finally gets what it deserves.' * 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
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Warisan told to stop playing politics with Sabah's oil and gas future
Gordon Chin KOTA KINABALU (July 9): Parti Warisan information chief Datuk Azis Jamman's statement on Sabah's oil and gas participation is a glaring example of how disconnected Warisan remains from the real challenges – and real progress – being made under the leadership of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Noor and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun. 'Azis speaks loudly, but it is clear he doesn't understand the oil and gas industry, nor the structure of Production Sharing Contracts, risk profiles in upstream ventures, or the massive responsibilities that come with managing public funds. His remarks are not only misleading – they are dangerous. 'If followed, they would put Sabah's finances at risk and sabotage the very progress our state has worked so hard to achieve,' said Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Youth Exco Gordon Horace Chin. According to Chin in a statement on Wednesday, oil and gas exploration can cost hundreds of millions, even billions of Ringgit, often with no guarantee of success. SMJ Energy, a state-owned company built by the GRS government, has taken a wise and strategic approach, focusing on acquiring profitable, producing assets while securing rights to participate in exploration only after discoveries are made. This is responsible leadership, not hesitation. Azis mocks SMJ Energy for not 'diving in' upstream, but he forgets (or chooses to ignore) that under the CCA with Petronas, Sabah already holds significant stakes. SMJ Energy owns 50% in the Samarang PSC, 10% in LNG9 and 25% in SAMUR. The company is not a concept – it is a RM5 billion entity delivering real returns of RM160 million dividend to the government to date. As for the RM900 million sukuk raised to acquire Sabah International Petroleum (SIP), Chin said it is disappointing (but not surprising) that Warisan leaders are still spinning lies. SIP was drowning in debt, much of it accumulated when their own president was chairman of SIP. By 2020, SIP owed RM1.7 billion and risked pulling down Sabah Development Bank (SDB) with it. If the current government had not intervened, SDB would have defaulted on its own bond obligations, triggering a full-blown financial crisis. He said the GRS government acted. The sukuk was not a bailout – it was a clean and disciplined restructuring backed by the market. Oversubscribed 3.9 times. AAA-rated. Recognised as Malaysia's Best Non-IPO Fundraising Deal of 2023. 'That's confidence, not controversy. 'The result? SIP's debt was refinanced at lower interest rates, saving over RM60 million in one year. SDB was stabilised and is now back to lending for development. SMJ Energy is growing stronger, backed by competent management and real cash flow – not cronies and creative accounting like in the past. 'Let us not forget: Warisan tried to do the same thing – a RM10 billion sukuk during their time – and failed because the market had no confidence in them. The difference is simple: GRS' plan worked. Theirs didn't. 'Separately and repeatedly Shafie claimed credit for settlement of RM1 billion government bond in 2019. In reality, the bond, issued in 2014, was settled using a sinking fund established at the time of insurance, i.e, the repayment was facilitated by funds accumulated over several years since 2014,' Chin added. He said it is clear that Warisan is frustrated by this government's success. But trying to mislead the public with half-truths and political spin won't change the facts. Sabah is finally turning the corner on years of financial mismanagement – and that's precisely because the current leadership is focused on solutions, not slogans. 'We, the youth of PGRS, stand firmly behind the direction charted by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and the economic leadership of Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. The stakes are too high for Sabah to go backwards. 'Enough with the empty noise. It's time to move forward – responsibly, confidently, and with a clear plan for Sabah's future,' said Chin.
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Hire experts, not loyalists - Warisan
Azis Jamman KOTA KINABALU (July 9): Parti Warisan information chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman has hit back at State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun's recent statement that Sabah is 'not ready' to directly participate in bidding for oil blocks, calling it an excuse that exposes the real problem with how the state's resources have been managed. 'With due respect, Datuk Seri, your statement that Sabah is 'not ready' reveals more about how our resources have been handled so far: distributing concessions to cronies and sub-contractors, letting others do the work, while the government merely collects 'percent-percent',' Azis said in a statement on Tuesday. Azis argued that if the state genuinely lacks technical expertise, there should be no excuse not to recruit the right people. 'If we claim we lack expertise, why not recruit and appoint true experts? Find and hire qualified professionals, not political loyalists whose only skill is 'samun dan jilat',' he said, adding that Sabah must start somewhere if it ever hopes to gain experience. 'Every million always starts with number one. Waiting forever keeps Sabah permanently at the margins of its own wealth,' he stressed. Addressing concerns over funding, Azis pointed out that the state government had previously issued almost RM1 billion in SUKUK to settle legacy debts, including buying vessels worth hundreds of millions, the whereabouts of which, he claimed, remain unknown. 'So don't tell us it's impossible to raise funds for SMJ Energy to participate upstream and downstream in Sabah's resource-rich waters,' he said, adding that smart partnerships with credible investors could also be pursued, but with Sabah retaining control over management and its natural resources. Azis also questioned how much experience Petronas contractors had when they first ventured into upstream and downstream operations. 'If those companies were 'ready' back then, why can't Sabah — or SMJ Energy — also be ready now?' he asked. Taking aim at Masidi's oft-cited mantra of 'kerja diam-diam tapi hasil ada' (quiet work, but results are there), Azis countered that the reality on the ground tells a different story. 'It's ironic to hear about 'kerja diam-diam tapi hasil ada' when in reality, Sabah's oil wealth still leaves our shores, and our people see so little,' he said. For Azis, the real issue is not Sabah's readiness but whether its leaders are truly prepared to prioritize the people's interest over political convenience and the sub-contracting of opportunities to cronies. 'True leadership doesn't wait for perfect conditions. True leadership means starting now — building expertise, controlling our resources, and ensuring Sabah finally benefits directly from the wealth beneath our own soil and sea,' he said.
