Latest news with #Joachim
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Disabled woman missing for 42 years reunited with family
Dr Joachim visiting Musiah at her home. RANAU (July 26): The plight of a 62-year-old disabled woman Musiah Kungkudu has finally come to light after being missing for 42 years. Musiah, believed to have become homeless decades ago, was discovered living on the steps of a lodging house in Ranau. She has since been reunited with her family in Kampung Merungin. Divorced and with an adopted child who is no longer able to care for her, Musiah suffers from a disability in her left leg and walks only with the help of a cane. She now resides in a rundown home and relies entirely on family members who work as farmers for her basic needs. Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam recently visited Musiah at Kampung Merungin 2. Touched by her situation, Dr Joachim who is also the Kundasang assemblyman, together with members of the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Kundasang Women's Division brought essential supplies including a mattress and food items. He announced a special allocation to repair her home, allowing her to live in safer and more comfortable conditions. Earlier that day, Dr Joachim held a dialogue with residents of Kampung Kazing, where he delivered a motivational speech and received membership forms from new PBS members. He also expressed gratitude to a local resident who offered his home to serve as an operations centre for the upcoming state election. The community outreach programme continued with the distribution of water pipes to residents of Kampung Daramakon, aimed at improving the village's water supply. Later, Dr Joachim attended the Kampung Lampaki Community Family Day celebration at the Dolungan Campsite Recreational Park, where he welcomed more new PBS members and witnessed the handing over of membership forms by local representatives. The event featured games and a lucky draw, bringing the community together in a festive atmosphere. He also thanked all contributors, including donors who provided fresh vegetables from the Kundasang highlands during his village rounds.
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah leaders not amused as businesses fume
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: Dr Jeffrey (left) and Dr Joachim (right) both disagreed with the move. Kota Kinabalu: Businesses are not the only ones unhappy over the sudden declaration of an additional public holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day on September 16 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Even Sabah politicians who have been in the forefront of regaining Sabah's rights in the Malaysia Agreement they claim have been ignored over the decades by Federal are not amused. They said the Sept. 15 holiday is not necessary. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan from Star and Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam of PBS both disagreed with the move. 'Personally, I feel Malaysia, especially Sabah, has too many holidays already,' Dr Gunsalam, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah President, said. Dr Jeffrey said Malaysia Day is already a national holiday and there is no need to declare another day on Sept. 15. 'For Sabah and Sarawak at this juncture, we want the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and its rights under the Constitution to be fully implemented. 'That should be the priority,' he said. Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee also said the extra day is unnecessary. Cuepacs Executive Laurence Vun said any holiday would be welcomed by workers but felt a holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day might not help the spirit of Malaysia. 'I don't think an additional holiday would bring any significance to the meaning of Malaysia Day. 'For Sabahans and Sarawakians, we feel Malaysia Day should be marked to make all Malaysians equal in every sense of the word – in our civil service as well as all sectors of government and private enterprise,' said Vun. Employers must comply with the declaration of additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong had said. He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay the regular salary, or instruct their employees to work and pay according to the public holiday rates. 'Employers can also opt to give a replacement holiday on another day if their employees are required to work on that public holiday. 'To ensure the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the Department of Labour (JTK) is prepared to provide advisory services as well as answer any queries from employers and employees regarding the implementation of this additional public holiday,' he said. The implementation of the additional holiday is subject to provisions under Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan; the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67), the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) as the basis for the announcement of the official additional holiday by the government. Employers or employees requiring further information can contact the JTKSM via its hotline at 03-8886 5192 / 5937, by email at [email protected], or at any nearby JTK offices. An employers' group and a business association expressed concern over the impact the additional public holiday may have on business operations. The Malaysian Employers Federation said the extra public holiday warrants careful reconsideration because of its financial and operational impact as such holidays disrupt production schedules, logistics chains, and service continuity. 'This disruption results in lower output, delays in fulfilling delivery commitments, increased costs from rescheduling or deferring operations, and reduced overall productivity, especially for SMEs already operating on tight margins,' MEF said. It also said additional public holidays translate to increased wage bills, with preliminary estimates suggesting that each extra holiday could cost Malaysian employers over RM1 billion collectively. MEF said the practice of declaring ad hoc public holidays, often without broad stakeholder consultation, may affect Malaysia's image as a predictable and business-friendly destination. Noting that investors seek clarity and certainty in policymaking, it warned that repeated instances of surprise public holidays risk undermining investor confidence, particularly among foreign investors. 'While MEF appreciates national celebrations and commemorations, such observances must be balanced with economic realities and the long-term competitiveness of Malaysian businesses,' it said. Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) president William Ng said that while he appreciates the symbolic importance of celebrating Malaysia Day, additional public holidays, especially those announced on short notice, can be disruptive for SMEs. He said the added holiday would increase costs for SMEs in terms of lost productivity, overtime pay, and delivery delays. 'We urge the government to conduct impact assessments before declaring unscheduled holidays,' he said. Ng also welcomed the encouraging economic indicators shared by Anwar in his address, particularly stronger GDP growth, improved global competitiveness rankings, and a more stable ringgit. 'However, we urge the government to ensure that the benefits of this growth are meaningfully felt by the SME sector, which continues to face persistent challenges in accessing financing, addressing labour shortages, and adapting to rising operational costs,' he said. The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has called on the government to urgently gazette the September 15 public holiday to provide legal clarity to employers. The additional holiday has triggered concerns within the manufacturing sector over compliance and planning, the group said. FMM said many businesses remain unclear whether the holiday falls under Section 8 or Section 9 of the Holidays Act 1951, which would affect their obligations under the Employment Act 1955. 'This is critical to provide legal clarity and enable businesses to plan operations, workforce scheduling, and ensure compliance with the Employment Act 1955,' said FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai. The group warned that manufacturers operating on shift-based or continuous cycles face higher risks from such unplanned disruptions. The four-day stretch from Saturday to Tuesday may force production lines to halt and restart, which FMM said would be inefficient and costly. It added that the cascading effects on supply chains, logistics and delivery timelines would be especially difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to manage. FMM advised employers to prepare buffer stock, adjust schedules, and communicate with workers, customers and suppliers to minimise operational risks. The group also reminded businesses to monitor the gazette and consider using the substitution option under Section 8, if applicable. It then reiterated its view that 'policy announcements must reflect clarity, consistency, certainty, and credibility,' adding that ad hoc decisions could undermine Malaysia's attractiveness to investors. * 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
22-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
IGNIS 3R technology to remediate landfills
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 By: Nikko Fabian Text Size: Joachim and others at the project site. SANDAKAN: Sabah's long-standing struggle with legacy landfill sites is entering a new chapter. Deputy Chief Minister Il Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said the State Government has launched a comprehensive rehabilitation project at the Sg Sibuga landfill, employing cutting-edge IGNIS 3R technology. 'This initiative represents a significant shift towards sustainable and environmentally responsible waste management,' said Joachim, who is also State Local Government and Housing it Minister. He said the rehabilitation goes beyond simply addressing a long-standing problem. 'It's a strategic investment in Sabah's future.' He highlighted the significant health, safety and land-use impacts of these neglected sites, calling them a 'legacy burden' that has plagued the State for years. 'The choice of technology was carefully considered, rejecting less suitable options like incinerators and waste-to-energy plants due to cost, logistical and feasibility concerns,' he said. Joachim stressed the importance of a long-term solution, avoiding quick fixes that would burden future generations. The selection of IGNIS 3R, a technology championed by Sabah-born CEO Dr Davina Markus of SG Ignis (Sabah) Sdn Bhd, underscores the Government's commitment to local talent and innovation. Joachim also expressed pride in empowering Sabahans to lead a world-class initiative. The technology's ability to remediate old landfills without the need for waste sorting, open burning, or leaving behind soil contaminants, was a key factor in its selection. While acknowledging it's not a perfect system, Joachim presented it as the best available solution. The project's success hinges on collaboration, he said, and also called for full support from local authorities, technical departments and the community to position the Sg Sibuga project as a model for future waste management initiatives across Sabah. 'This strategic investment reflects the Sabah Government's commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development, showcasing a proactive approach to addressing long-standing environmental challenges. ' The event was attended by key figures, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Dr Jamili Nais, Sandakan Municipal Council President Walter Kinson and State Assembly members. * 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
21-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah begins landfill rehabilitation using Ignis 3R tech
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 By: Mardinah Jikur, Noor Zafira Zayn Text Size: Joachim and others at the project site. SANDAKAN: A long-standing issue of 'dead landfills' in Sabah is entering a new phase as the State Government embarks on a rehabilitation project at the Sungai Sibuga landfill using Ignis 3R technology. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also Local Government and Housing Minister, said the initiative reflects a broader move towards more sustainable and responsible solid waste management in the State. Advertisement He stressed that ageing landfill sites, though often out of sight, continue to affect public health, safety, and land use in growing urban areas. Joachim noted that after evaluating various technologies, Ignis 3R was found to be the most suitable for Sabah's context in terms of cost, logistics, and feasibility. He expressed confidence in the solution, calling it timely and practical, and highlighted that the project is led by a Sabahan, Ignis SG Sabah CEO Dr Davina Markus. Davina said the initiative marks a personal mission to address unmanaged waste buildup while supporting national green goals through a closed-loop, non-incineration system. The project, fully funded through a private financing initiative and supported by Exim Bank, is expected to be completed by July 2026 and aims to inspire broader environmental commitment across Sabah. * 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
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Book on customs of Kundasang folks launched
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: Clarence Dol Text Size: Dr Joachim (seated, centre) poses for a photo with the traditional practitioners who were present. RANAU: Deputy Chief Minister II and Kundasang Assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam congratulated all customary heads who documented the practices and customs of the community in the Kundasang area, making it an important reference for current and future generations. 'In Kundasang constituency, most of the mukims now have their own customs books. This is a major achievement in the effort to preserve and document our cultural treasures,' he said when launching the Kundasang Pinausok Mukim Customary book. Advertisement He expressed appreciation to the village heads who were directly involved in the effort to document the customs used in their respective villages. He said the book is also a guide for all villages in custom matters, including in the granting of sogit and the mediation process so that there is no confusion in future. Regarding the Native Courts, he said there is a proposal to repeal the Native Courts Enactment 1992 and replace it with a new one. However, the tabling in the State Legislative Assembly was not possible this year because there are several matters that still need to be examined by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. He said all customary-related positions from district head to village head would be maintained if the existing State Government continues to be mandated by the people. 'However, if there is a change of government, it is not impossible that all these positions will be reshuffled or terminated,' he said. Also present were district heads, OKK Dominic Ghanie and OKK Muhasip Roman, native heads, representative native heads of the Paginatan and Karanaan constituencies, village heads, staff of the Kundasang Community Development Leaders Unit (UPPM), Kundasang JKKK Chairman and Mukim Secretary. * 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
