Latest news with #Labuan
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Strong response for Labuan-KK express ferry service, says Zaliha
The Express Kinabalu ferry service between Labuan and Kota Kinabalu resumed last month after a three-year hiatus. (Bernama pic) LABUAN : The Labuan-Kota Kinabalu express ferry service has seen a surge in passengers since resuming operations on May 27, following a three-year suspension. To date, more than 3,700 commuters have used the direct sea route, with each trip operating at full capacity of more than 100 passengers. The revival of the service, linking the duty-free island to Sabah's capital, has been hailed by federal authorities as a much-needed boost to regional connectivity. Federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa described the ferry's return as a key development for Labuan's socio-economic growth. 'This express ferry is not just a transportation service, it is a vital connector for regional economic, social and development networks,' she said. Speaking to reporters at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal after welcoming passengers from Kota Kinabalu, Zaliha said the service facilitates community mobility, daily activities, and the transport of goods within local supply chains. She expressed satisfaction with the strong public reception, noting that the ferry is popular among a wide range of travellers commuting between the two cities. 'This route offers a more convenient and time-saving alternative to the roll-on/roll-off ferry via Menumbok, especially for passengers without vehicles,' she said. While the ro-ro ferry is generally preferred for travel to nearby districts such as Menumbok, Kuala Penyu or Beaufort, the express ferry provides a direct, faster option to Kota Kinabalu. Zaliha also expressed hope that the operator would continue to enhance the service, including shortening the travel time, to meet the growing demand.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Labuan express ferry back in service after three years, gets maximum capacity each trip to Kota Kinabalu
LABUAN, June 29 — The Labuan-Kota Kinabalu express ferry service has seen a surge in passengers since resuming operations on May 27, following a three-year suspension. To date, more than 3,700 commuters have used the direct sea route, with each trip operating at full capacity of over 100 passengers. The revival of the service, linking the duty-free island to Sabah's capital, has been hailed by federal authorities as a much-needed boost to regional connectivity. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa described the ferry's return as a key development for Labuan's socio-economic growth. 'This express ferry is not just a transportation service – it is a vital connector for regional economic, social and development networks,' she said. Speaking to reporters at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal after welcoming passengers from Kota Kinabalu, Dr Zaliha said the service facilitates community mobility, daily activities, and the transport of goods within local supply chains. She expressed satisfaction with the strong public reception, noting that the ferry is popular among a wide range of travellers commuting between the two cities. 'This route offers a more convenient and time-saving alternative to the roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry via Menumbok, especially for passengers without vehicles,' she said. While the Ro-Ro ferry is generally preferred for travel to nearby districts such as Menumbok, Kuala Penyu, or Beaufort, the express ferry provides a direct, faster option to Kota Kinabalu. Dr Zaliha also expressed hope that the operator would continue to enhance the service, including shortening travel time, to meet the growing demand. — Bernama
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Hydroponics, lab-grown meat way to cut food imports for land-strapped Labuan, says FT minister
LABUAN, June 28 — Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa has called for coordinated and innovative strategies to reduce Labuan's heavy reliance on imported food. She urged the implementation of urban and alternative farming systems to address the island's limited agricultural land. Dr Zaliha acknowledged that the duty-free island faces significant agricultural challenges due to land constraints and limited connectivity. However, she emphasised that sustainable food policies must be developed to ensure sufficient raw material supplies for the local population. 'Our efforts are to ensure adequate food supplies for the Labuan community despite the shortage of land and (limited) connectivity,' she told reporters after launching the Interim Report on the 2024 Agriculture Census in the Federal Territories 2024 here today. Dr Zaliha noted that with only 0.22 per cent of land in Labuan zoned for agricultural use, the constraint makes large-scale conventional farming unfeasible, necessitating alternatives such as hydroponics and urban farming. She said Labuan's overdependence on imported food could result in price instability and a rising cost of living. In response, she announced that Labuan Corporation (LC), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Services, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, would evaluate the island's food self-sufficiency levels, particularly for essential items such as chicken, meat, eggs, and vegetables. She also proposed a long-term vision to transform Labuan into a 'living laboratory' for sustainable food systems in Malaysia, inspired from urban food district models in European cities. 'To realise this vision, we need a centre of excellence that collaborates with research institutions and universities, shifting from conventional agriculture to food alternatives such as cultivated meat and lab-produced cellular fermentation,' she said. Dr Zaliha added she would instruct Labuan Corporation to identify any potentially suitable land for agriculture to bolster the island's food security. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ex-civil servant jailed 30 years for murdering infant daughter
Maidin Ibnuhashim was spared the minimum 12 strokes of the rotan as it was only imposed on male offenders aged 50 and below. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A former civil servant has been sentenced to 30 years in jail for killing his nine-month-old daughter after the Federal Court allowed the prosecution's appeal to reinstate the murder charge. The three-member bench, sitting in Kota Kinabalu and chaired by Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim, yesterday ruled that the prosecution had proven all the ingredients for murder during the trial. Hasnah said that Maidin Ibnuhashim had intended to inflict injuries on the infant, which ultimately caused her tragic death in 2018. Justices Hanipah Farikullah and Azizah Nawawi also heard the appeal. However, the bench opted to sentence Maidin, 60, to the minimum jail term of 30 years. He was spared the minimum 12 strokes of the rotan as it was only imposed on male offenders aged 50 and below. The court had the discretion to impose either the death penalty or a jail term ranging from 30 to 40 years. Maidin was initially charged with murdering his daughter, Nurul Shafika, at his rented home in Kampung Gersik Lama, Labuan, between Aug 10 and Aug 13, 2018. In 2022, the trial judge reduced the charge to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced Maidin to 18 years' imprisonment from the date of his arrest. Last year, the prosecution failed in its appeal to reinstate the murder charge, while Maidin's appeal for acquittal from the culpable homicide conviction was also dismissed. Both parties then filed fresh appeals to the Federal Court, with the prosecution succeeding this time. During the trial in the High Court, a child eyewitness testified that she saw Maidin dip his daughter's fingers and toes into hot water from a rice cooker, and hold her under a running tap, letting the water flow over her head and face. The witness also said Maidin slapped the baby's cheeks repeatedly whenever she cried, threw her onto a mattress – causing head injuries – and placed her in a baby swing that struck a cupboard several times. An autopsy conducted by pathologist Dr N Murali concluded that the cause of death was 'severe head injury in a child with soft tissue injuries to the face, mixed superficial and deep dermal burns over the fingers and toes, and underlying bronchopneumonia'. Deputy public prosecutor Eyu Ghim Siang appeared for the prosecution while David Tan represented Maidin.
Malay Mail
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm and strong wind warning for seven states and Labuan until 5pm today
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds in seven states and the Federal Territory of Labuan, expected to last until 5 pm today. MetMalaysia, in a statement, said the warning covers the entire states of Perlis, Kedah, and Penang, as well as parts of Perak (Larut, Matang, and Selama). A similar weather warning was issued for Johor, specifically the Kota Tinggi area; Sarawak, covering Subis, Miri, Marudi, and Limbang; and several areas in Sabah, including the Interior (Sipitang, Kuala Penyu, and Beaufort), the west coast (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, and Kota Belud), and Kudat (Kota Marudu and Kudat), as well as the Federal Territory of Labuan. — Bernama
