Latest news with #CrystalEHermenegildus
Daily Express
11 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
ILTP shows promising performance
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Arifin presenting a certificate to one of the Best Trainee Award recipients during the ILTP convocation ceremony. Kota Kinabalu: The employment and academic progression rates of Institut Latihan Teknik dan Perdagangan (ILTP) graduates are on an upward trend, reflecting the growing impact of technical and trade training in Sabah. Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said recent data shows significant improvements in graduate outcomes from ILTP – a training institution under the Human Resource Development Department (JPSM). 'In 2023, 42 per cent of ILTP graduates secured employment while 21 per cent continued their studies. 'By 2024, those numbers rose to 54 per cent employed and 24 per cent pursuing higher education,' he said during the 35th ILTP JPSM Convocation Ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). 'These numbers show that ILTP graduates are gaining traction in various sectors across Sabah and are becoming increasingly competitive. Their success should inspire current and future trainees to aim higher,' he added. A total of 310 graduates completed their training this year, with 18 outstanding individuals – nine each from technical and trade programs – receiving the Excellent Trainee Award in recognition of their excellence and determination. 'Your achievements reflect your perseverance and fighting spirit. Today, you prove that determination leads to success,' said Arifin in congratulating the awardees. He emphasised that ILTP's growing track record is a result of both the trainees' commitment and the dedication of the instructors behind them. 'Our instructors have been instrumental in shaping the character and skillsets of these young talents. Their role is more vital than ever, especially as we face increasing demand for skilled workers in the age of globalisation and Industry 4.0,' he said. Arifin also assured that ILTP graduates who continue to higher education would be supported through multiple financial aid avenues, including Yayasan Sabah, the State Government Scholarship, the Sabah State Education Fund, and potential sponsorships from Asnab. 'This year, the State has allocated RM125 million in scholarships, benefiting more than 3,000 students – triple the number from previous years,' he added. Acknowledging that TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) still faces public perception challenges, Arifin stressed the need to change the narrative. 'Many still view TVET as a second-choice path. That needs to change. Skilled trades offer stable, in-demand careers – often with better job prospects than some oversaturated professional fields,' he said. To boost interest and awareness, the state is actively promoting Stem and TVET education through initiatives like the State-level TVET Stem Carnival, the Sabah State TVET Council, and collaborations with religious institutions such as the State Tahfiz Institute and Tahfiz Limum Bakut through the 'TVET Tahfiz' programme. 'ILTP's consistent results are a testament to the value of vocational education in Sabah's development journey,' Arifin concluded. * 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
a day ago
- General
- Daily Express
Faulty pump claim rejected
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: According to case details, the claimant, Lo Vun Yee, purchased a Grundfos Unilift KP350-A-1 Submersible Pump from the respondent, Ecopumps Sdn Bhd, in January 2024 for RM2,500. Kota Kinabalu: The Consumer Claims Tribunal has rejected a claim of RM2,700 from a claimant over a faulty submersible pump, ruling that the damage was caused by inadequate maintenance rather than a manufacturing defect. Tribunal President Salmi Zalinah Abdul Rahim said the decision was made after reviewing the evidence and testimonies submitted by both parties, on Monday. According to case details, the claimant, Lo Vun Yee, purchased a Grundfos Unilift KP350-A-1 Submersible Pump from the respondent, Ecopumps Sdn Bhd, in January 2024 for RM2,500. The pump came with a two-year manufacturer's warranty. However, in February 2025, the claimant lodged a complaint alleging that the pump had malfunctioned. The respondent then conducted an inspection and found that the lower section of the pump was clogged with debris and foreign objects. Further examination at the respondent's workshop revealed damage to the rotor shaft and motor bearings, caused by excessive solids in the pond. This blockage led the pump to overheat and burn the motor coil. On March 15, 2025, the respondent explained in writing to the claimant that they had consulted with the manufacturer, Grundfos Pumps Sdn Bhd, who confirmed that the failure was not due to a manufacturing defect and thus was not covered under the warranty. Despite this, the claimant proceeded to file a claim with the Tribunal, seeking RM2,700 in compensation. Zalinah said while the claimant submitted footage showing a domestic helper removing debris from the pond, she found that the accumulation of leaves and debris around the pump clearly indicated poor maintenance. 'The damage was not due to a manufacturing defect, but rather insufficient or minimal maintenance. Therefore, the claimant cannot demand a replacement under the manufacturer's warranty,' she said. * 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
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference & Expo 2025 champions sustainable wellness tourism
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Joniston said that wellness tourism must be more than an economic opportunity — it should be a development strategy. Kota Kinabalu: The Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference & Expo 2025 (SWWICE2025) united participants from over 15 countries in a collective effort to champion sustainable and integrated wellness tourism. Sabah's Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, who is also Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, said the event represents a major milestone in positioning Sabah as a global model for wellness tourism—one that is deeply rooted in sustainability, cultural heritage, and community values. 'Sabah is not just a scenic destination—it is a land of natural wellness, where healing, balance, and harmony are part of everyday life,' he said when officiating the event at Sutera Harbour on Tuesday. He said` as wellness tourism continues to evolve, Sabah is uniquely poised to lead by incorporating indigenous knowledge, local wisdom, and sustainable practices into the growing sector. With the theme Sustainable Wholistic Wellness Tourism, SWWICE2025 aims to redefine wellness beyond conventional spa and resort experiences. The conference explores ten key pillars of multidimensional well-being: Soul, Mind/Emotions, Body, Frequencies, Air, Water, Food, People, Home/Workplace, and Environment. Organising Chairperson Cleo Lajawai described the event as more than a conference—it is a movement. Advertisement 'SWWICE2025 is a shared mission to foster deeper alignment with ourselves, each other, and the Earth,' she said. Cleo said over the next 10 days, SWWICE2025 will host a dynamic program of keynote forums, masterclasses, a wellness & lifestyle expo, cultural showcases, retreats, and interactive experiences — all designed to spark innovation, healing, and global collaboration. Among the highlights is the soft launch of a new directory and booking platform to connect sustainable wellness destinations and practitioners worldwide. From its beginnings in Sabah as IWWCE (International Wholistic Wellness Conference & Expo), the event has evolved and expanded globally, including a significant workplace edition in Germany, before returning to Sabah under the SWWICE brand. The event has garnered strong institutional support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Environment Sabah, Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), and many other partners across Asia and Europe. Joniston said that wellness tourism must be more than an economic opportunity — it should be a development strategy. 'Let Sabah be known not only as a place to visit, but as a place to heal, connect, and thrive,' he urged. * 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
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
What timber sector needs: Malaysian Timber Industry Board
Published on: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 24, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Trainees showing the product of their woodworking skills. Kota Kinabalu: Human capital development in the timber industry is crucial to enhancing the nation's productivity, efficiency, product quality, competitiveness, and value-added offerings. Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) Director-General Saiful Bahrin Salleh said under the National Timber Industry Strategic Plan (NTISP) 2021–2025, MTIB is committed to prioritising this area to ensure Malaysia remains competitive in the global market while enhancing productivity and product quality. 'Focusing on knowledge enhancement, skills, technology, R&D, and innovation are among the strategies that enable Malaysia to remain competitive on the international trade stage. 'In this regard, strengthening the ability to produce a generation of progressive and competitive youth is essential for the timber sector to maintain its position in the increasingly challenging global market,' he said in his officiating speech in conjunction with the Wisdec Sabah Appreciation Ceremony, here, on Tuesday. He added that the establishment of the Wood Industry Skills Development Centre (WISDEC) by MTIB aligns with the aspiration to develop human capital in the timber sector. Reflecting on MTIB's 52-year journey, Saiful noted that the timber industry's contribution to national export earnings is significant. Within the agro-commodity sector, timber ranks as the third-largest contributor to export revenue. Advertisement In 2024, Malaysia's timber industry contributed RM22.92 billion to export earnings. Meanwhile, imports of timber and timber-based products totalled RM8.52 billion. Malaysian wood products are currently exported to more than 173 countries worldwide. Despite its promising growth potential, Saiful acknowledged that the industry faces several key challenges. These include tariffs imposed by the United States on imported timber products, and the European Union's enforcement of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). In addition, the sector continues to grapple with labour shortages and limited raw materials. Other issues include reliance on foreign labour, low productivity, lagging technological advancement, and increasing global competition—all of which require urgent attention. 'In a volatile global market with increasingly stringent compliance requirements, the timber industry must adopt more sustainable, innovative, and compliance-oriented strategies to ensure its resilience and continued growth.' 'If these issues are not addressed, they could hinder the industry's ability to achieve our targets of RM28 billion in export sales and RM20 billion in domestic market revenue, as outlined in the National Agro-Commodity Policy (DAKN),' he warned. Saiful further highlighted that WISDEC not only offers comprehensive and well-equipped training facilities but also plays a vital role in enhancing skills in timber processing and furniture manufacturing. To date, WISDEC Sabah has trained more than 13,000 participants, particularly from industry players and youth groups. 'WISDEC is also recognised by the Department of Skills Development (JPK) as an accredited centre under the Malaysian Skills Certification (Pentauliahan Kemahiran Malaysia), and by the City & Guilds of London Institute in the field of carpentry,' he added. In conjunction with the programme, 14 trainees were awarded the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level Two in Furniture Manufacturing Operations. 'They are set to become pioneers in the field, encouraging others to pursue skilled trades—particularly in furniture making, which offers strong career prospects and relatively low competition. 'Make full use of the knowledge gained, and seize this opportunity provided by the government to its fullest,' he urged. The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MTIB and the Sabah Institute of Art (SIA). The collaboration aims to broaden opportunities for driving innovation and creativity in the production of high-quality wood products. 'I also call on MTIB to continue strengthening strategic partnerships with all relevant stakeholders, including industry players, in developing strategies to meet global challenges. 'This is vital to ensure the national timber industry's development remains aligned with its long-term goals,' he said. * 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
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Skilled workforce key to timber industry growth
Published on: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 17, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Trainees showing their woodworking skill. - Crystal E Hermenegildus/Daily Express KOTA KINABALU: Human capital development is crucial for boosting Malaysia's timber industry and global competitiveness, said MTIB Director-General Saiful Bahrin Salleh. Speaking at the Wisdec Sabah Appreciation Ceremony, he highlighted skilled talent as a core focus of the National Timber Industry Strategic Plan 2021–2025. Advertisement Saiful emphasized the need for ongoing investment in training, technology, R&D, and innovation to enhance product quality and value. The event also celebrated 14 trainees who earned SKM Level Two certificates in furniture manufacturing. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
