Latest news with #DavidOng
Borneo Post
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Borneo.TV must be a genuine platform for Sabah - LDP
David Ong KOTA KINABALU (July 6): Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) vice president David Ong has expressed both cautious optimism and critical concern following the launch of Sabah's new digital streaming platform aimed at promoting the State's culture and stories to a global audience. While acknowledging the strategic potential of Ong urged for deeper collaboration with the Sabah Film and Visual Association (SAFVA) and the wider creative community to ensure a truly inclusive and transparent creative ecosystem. 'The combination of and SAFVA presents an unprecedented global opportunity for Sabah's identity and voice to shine on the world stage,' he stated in a press release on Sunday. 'However, the initiative must be more than a symbolic launch. The mechanism of implementation must be right, inclusive, and transparent to avoid redundancy and to build a strong foundation for long-term success.' Launched on July 1 and officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, enters the Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming era as a new platform operated by IB Media Consultant Work Sdn Bhd. With no direct government funding and the mission to broadcast 'Cerita Sabah di Mata Dunia' (Sabah Stories Through the Eyes of the World), is positioned to showcase Sabah's rich arts, culture and natural beauty to an international audience. The Liberal Democratic Party welcomes such innovation and acknowledges the value of giving Sabahans and indigenous communities a platform to tell their own stories. However, Ong warns that success depends not only on content but also on the ecosystem behind the scenes. 'Local content cannot thrive in isolation. The best stories come from a foundation of trust, respect and cooperation with those who have long nurtured Sabah's creative landscape,' he said. His remarks follow growing concerns raised by the SAFVA, whose president Chester Pang criticized the launch for failing to involve local creatives in meaningful consultation. SAFVA warned that without open channels of communication and clear content selection policies, risks alienating the very talents it seeks to promote. Artist and cultural advocate Atama Katama echoed these criticisms, raising deeper questions about representation, ownership and potential exploitation of indigenous narratives by external interests. 'These voices cannot be ignored,' Ong emphasized. 'No genuine cultural platform can succeed by marginalizing its own storytellers. The mechanism of collaboration — especially when it comes to content rights, selection criteria, and local engagement — must be reviewed and made public.' Looking forward, the LDP calls for the formation of a joint Sabah Creative Council comprising representatives from SAFVA, indigenous cultural leaders, and other key stakeholders. Such a council would act as a guiding body to ensure equitable participation, industry standards, and international promotion strategies are aligned with Sabah's long-term interests. 'The goal is clear — to elevate Sabah in the eyes of the world, but we must walk this path together, ensuring that every frame broadcasted reflects not just the beauty of Sabah, but the dignity and rightful involvement of Sabahans themselves.'
Free Malaysia Today
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Retrofitting' rule causing confusion, even within JPJ
From David Ong Serious road accidents like the UPSI bus crash have sent shockwaves throughout the nation, which undoubtedly creates pressure on transport minister Loke Siew Fook to strengthen policy and create counter-measures. To his credit, the minister has done exactly that. A number of actions have been taken since, including requiring seat belts in express and tour buses, and the introduction of speed limitation devices in buses and other commercial vehicles. These regulations will be enforced by the road transport department (JPJ). However, what happens when a government is prompted to react quickly? Details are overlooked. One detail has caught my eye and left industry players scratching their heads, namely the new JPJ buzzword: retrofitting. For those unfamiliar, in the context of JPJ's demands, retrofitting refers to the installation of a device that was not originally installed by the manufacturer. This is a requirement set out by JPJ for vehicles that lack seat belts and speed limiters from the manufacturer. That in itself should prompt any slightly mechanically inclined person to wonder: how does one retrofit a device on a vehicle that was not designed for the said device by the manufacturer? The issue at hand is that old buses, despite popular belief, are generally not equipped with seat belts for passengers. The same goes for speed limiters for all older commercial vehicles. Imagine a humble and inexpensive 'Kei' truck (think your 'kapcai' of trucks) used by noble farmers and labourers; why would those have speed limiters from the manufacturer? Furthermore, what makes JPJ believe anyone has the knowledge to retrofit speed limiters to these vehicles? These questions remain unanswered, though they have certainly been asked, and just as quickly shut down. In a recent demonstration by Scania of how speed limiters functioned, both JPJ director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli and the minister inquired about the retrofitting of speed limiters. Simply put, the responses by the demonstrators were of two types: one was that there are undoubtedly some vehicles unsuitable for retrofitting, and the other was, let's not talk about that. It sounds almost comedic that the top people in charge of implementing road safety regulations have to ask such crucial questions at an open demonstration and press conference like ordinary journalists. There was clearly a lapse in thorough planning here. The confusion seems to also spread to the journalists, with most choosing to use the Scania diagnostic device as the cover photo for their own articles on the enforcement of speed limiter devices. Industry players are still scrambling to figure out how to meet the enforcement deadline, given that there are no feasible solutions for the retrofitting of seat belts or speed limiters. Unfortunately, the retrofitting will most likely be amateurish and rushed in nature. That is not to say retrofitting is unnecessary. However, maybe it's time JPJ reconsider its safety roadmap and enforcement action plan to be more realistic given our current capabilities. Even our close neighbour Singapore needed years to trial and study retrofitting. David Ong is an FMT reader. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
GMA Network
03-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
The Curator ranks 78th on Asia's Best Bars 2025 list
The Curator Coffee and Cocktails has again made it on Asia's Best Bars 2025 list. The homegrown bar, located in Legazpi Village in Makati City, ranked 78th on this year's list, falling 45 spots from its 33rd ranking in 2024. The Curator is the lone Philippine bar on the extended 51-100 list. This is its tenth time to be included among Asia's Best Bars, having consecutively ranked since 2016. Founded by David Ong and Bernice Tiu, The Curator is a third-wave coffee shop that serves coffee during the day in the establishment's front space. By night, The Curator begins its cocktail service in the small bar behind the shop. As of writing, Asia's Best Bars has yet to reveal its Top 50 list for 2025. —Hermes Joy Tunac/CDC, GMA Integrated News
Borneo Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Call for State autonomy against unfair gas cylinder rules
David Ong KOTA KINABALU (June 4): Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President David Ong strongly urges the Sabah State Government to exercise its constitutional autonomy and refrain from implementing the Federal Government's new gas cylinder regulations that burden small business operators and the rakyat. Under the new regulation, eateries are required to switch from subsidized household gas cylinders priced at RM26 to commercial purple cylinders costing RM70 — a staggering 169% increase. For small restaurant operators using 100 cylinders per month, this translates into a monthly cost jump from RM2,600 to RM7,000 — a crippling RM4,400 rise. This measure comes at a time when businesses are already struggling with compounding cost pressures from SST hikes, rising electricity tariffs, and the minimum wage adjustment to RM1,700. Ong stressed that Sabah is one of Malaysia's largest natural gas producing States, contributing significantly to the nation's energy wealth. It is fundamentally unjust for the Federal Government to supply gas at higher costs to the very state that produces this resource. Current evidence shows East Malaysian consumers already face price discrimination. Gas cylinder deposits cost RM90 in Sabah/Sarawak compared to RM80 in Peninsular Malaysia – highlighting an ongoing pattern of inequitable treatment. 'We urge the Sabah State Government to utilize its constitutional powers to safeguard the welfare of its people from federal policies that disproportionately affect Sabahans. The State should immediately pursue special arrangements with the Federal Government to secure preferential pricing for gas used in Sabah, just as East Malaysians have been granted continued diesel subsidies in recognition of regional cost differences,' Ong said in a statement. Additionally, he said the State should implement targeted exemptions or support schemes to protect hawkers, coffeeshops, and small eateries until a fair and regionally appropriate policy is established. Sabah inherently faces higher transportation and distribution costs due to its geography and limited supply networks. At the same time, many food operators here earn less than their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia yet bear higher operational costs, he pointed out. Despite these disadvantages, he said Sabah continues to contribute significantly to Malaysia's gas revenue via royalties and taxes — yet receives no preferential benefit. This disparity must end. 'The burden of rising gas prices will inevitably lead to higher food costs, hurting all Sabahans — particularly low-income families and threatening the viability of small eateries. The timing of enforcement under 'Operation Gasak' is especially insensitive, as it comes during a period of widespread economic strain. 'I call upon the GRS Government to defend the interests of Sabahans by exercising the State's rightful autonomy. Such powers exist precisely to counter federal policies that fail to reflect the realities and challenges of Sabah. 'Sabah must not be punished for being a gas-producing State. We demand fair treatment and urge immediate action to suspend the implementation of these regulations in Sabah until just and practical solutions are put in place,' Ong added.
Daily Express
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
'Sabah for Sabahans' a call for justice, not division
Published on: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 13, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party Vice President David Ong has defended the 'Sabah for Sabahans' sentiment, calling it a demand for fairness and justice, not a divisive agenda, as claimed by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Responding to Zahid's remarks, Ong said Sabah has long been marginalized since joining Malaysia, with its resources exploited and decisions made without Sabahans' input. He stressed that 'Sabah for Sabahans' is about reclaiming rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, ensuring local governance, and correcting historical injustices, not rejecting national unity. He also criticized the double standards in West Malaysian politics, where race and religion based rhetoric goes unchecked, while Sabahans seeking autonomy are labelled divisive. 'Sabahans of all backgrounds live in harmony. We're asking to manage our own affairs, not break from Malaysia. 'Standing up for Sabah is responsible. What's truly divisive is ignoring our voices,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
