Latest news with #AzisJamman
The Star
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Gagasan Rakyat Youth hits back at Warisan
KOTA KINABALU: The Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Youth has accused Parti Warisan of misleading the public regarding Sabah's oil and gas strategy, describing the opposition party's recent comments as politically driven and disconnected from the industry's realities. The criticism follows comments by Warisan information chief Datuk Azis Jamman, who questioned the role of state-owned SMJ Energy (SMJE) and the financial restructuring of Sabah International Petroleum (SIP). Gagasan Rakyat Youth executive committee member Gordon Chin ( pic ) stated that SMJE was adopting a low-risk approach by investing in profitable and productive assets, while only entering exploration ventures once commercial viability was confirmed. 'Oil and gas exploration costs can run into the hundreds of millions, with no guarantee of success. SMJE's cautious investment model is smart, responsible, and already delivering results,' Chin said in a statement on Wednesday (July 9). Chin also addressed Warisan's criticism of the RM900mil sukuk raised to acquire SIP, describing it not as a bailout, but as a necessary restructuring exercise. He further refuted Warisan President Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal's claims that his government had settled a RM1bil bond in 2019. Chin said the bond, issued in 2014, was repaid using a sinking fund established at the time of issuance, with repayments facilitated by funds accumulated steadily over several years. 'Sabah is finally turning a corner after years of financial mismanagement,' he said.
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.
Borneo Post
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Warisan says not involved in demonstration organised by students
Azis KOTA KINABALU (June 22): Parti Warisan has distanced itself from the 'Himpunan Gempur Rasuah 2.0' held in Kota Kinabalu during the weekend, stressing that the event was entirely student-led and not affiliated with any political party. Its information chief, Datuk Azis Jamman, clarified that the peaceful demonstration was solely organised by Suara Mahasiswa Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), who had consistently emphasised that no political party should be involved in their initiative. 'Parti Warisan was not involved in any capacity, in organising the demonstration,' Azis said in a statement issued on Sunday. 'We respected the students' clear and consistent position that no political party should be involved in their event,' he added. According to Azis, he had publicly reiterated the party's stance through an official statement on his verified Facebook page, denying any endorsement or participation by Warisan. Nonetheless, Azis stressed the need to uphold the constitutional right to peaceful assembly for all Malaysians, including Sabah's youth and students, so long as such gatherings remain within the boundaries of the law. 'Parti Warisan had reminded all our members that they were not to wear any clothing bearing the Warisan logo if they chose to attend. They were to do so in their personal capacity, not as representatives of the party,' he explained. To ensure compliance, Azis said he had personally dispatched officers to monitor the gathering. 'I can confirm that no Warisan symbols or party materials were displayed throughout the assembly,' he said. On the burning of banners on the second day of the event, Azis denied any involvement by Warisan members. 'From what we understand, it was initiated by students themselves, and we trust that enforcement agencies, particularly the Special Branch, would have documented the individuals involved. Let the authorities verify the facts based on evidence,' he said. Reiterating that the rally was organized by Gerakan Mahasiswa UMS, Azis said any Warisan members who were present attended in their individual capacity, particularly on the first day of the protest. 'It is important that we remain fair and accurate in attributing responsibility, and not politicise youth-led civil movements that express legitimate concerns about integrity and governance,' he said. Azis also commended the students of UMS for their courage in taking a stand against corruption. 'We applaud this civic maturity. We need more independent civil society movements, such as Gerakan Mahasiswa UMS, to act as third-force validators, holding those in power accountable. Fighting corruption is not just the duty of the authorities or politicians, but a collective responsibility of all Malaysians. Everyone must play their part,' Azis said.
The Star
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Parti Warisan denies involvement in recent anti-corruption rally
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan has once again denied its involvement in the Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally. Warisan Information chief Datuk Azis Jamman emphasised that the party was not involved in organising the demonstration, which was fully organised by Suara Mahasiswa UMS. He stated that the party respected the students' position that no political party should be involved in their event, despite public accusations suggesting Warisan's involvement. "I have personally issued a public statement on my verified Facebook page, on behalf of Parti Warisan, denying any form of involvement or endorsement of the event by the party," he said. "However, we must also uphold and respect the right to peaceful assembly, which is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution," Azis said. This right applies to all Malaysians, including Sabahan youths, students, and even political party members, as long as it is exercised peacefully and within the bounds of the law, he said. Azis mentioned that the party reminded all members not to wear clothing bearing the Warisan logo if they chose to attend. He confirmed that they were to do so in their personal capacity, not as party representatives. "To ensure this directive was followed, I personally deployed officers to monitor the event, and I can confirm that no Warisan symbols or party materials were displayed throughout the gathering," he said. "As for the incident involving the burning of banners on the second day, I wish to make it absolutely clear that there was no involvement from Warisan members in that act," he said. From what they understood, it was initiated by students themselves, said Azis, adding that they trust enforcement agencies, particularly the Special Branch, to have documented the individuals involved. "Let the authorities verify the facts based on evidence," he said. "Once again, the assembly was organised by Gerakan Mahasiswa UMS, and any Warisan members who were present did so on their own personal right as citizens, particularly on the first day," he added. Azis stressed the importance of remaining fair and accurate in attributing responsibility, and not politicising youth-led civil movements expressing legitimate concerns about integrity and governance. "I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the students of UMS who were bold enough to stand up against corruption while complying with the legal process in organising the event," he said. He said fighting corruption is not just the duty of the authorities or politicians, but a collective responsibility of all Malaysians.
