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Free Malaysia Today
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
GRS rubbishes talk of STAR exit, says all components united
GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said the leaders of all eight coalition components, including STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan, reiterated their commitment to GRS in a meeting on Monday. PETALING JAYA : Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has rubbished rumours that key component Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) is planning to quit the ruling state coalition. Acknowledging a viral video of STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan saying that his party would leave the coalition, GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said the leaders of all eight GRS components, including Kitingan, had met coalition chairman Hajiji Noor on Monday. At the meeting, the party chiefs affirmed their commitment to GRS and to ensuring that the coalition scores a major victory in the upcoming state election, Joniston said. 'They're all united. They were unanimous in that they must not only remain together but further strengthen GRS. That was the commitment they gave during the meeting with the GRS chairman,' he told FMT. GRS comprises eight parties, including Hajiji's Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and STAR. Gagasan Rakyat has 26 seats in the Sabah legislative assembly while PBS and STAR have seven and six seats, respectively. PBS and STAR signed a pact last year to ensure that the two Kadazandusun Murut-based parties would not clash in the state polls, saying this was aimed at further strengthening GRS. In the recent video, Kitingan, a Sabah deputy chief minister, could be heard saying, 'We will leave GRS but remain in the government.' Malaysiakini quoted STAR deputy information chief Ardino Diris as saying the clip was taken out of context and that other parts of Kitingan's remarks – particularly about seat allocations – had been removed. Even if STAR were to leave GRS, Joniston said PBS would stick with the ruling state coalition, which it helped establish in 2022. 'This is about principles. We helped form GRS, so how can we break away from a coalition that we helped form?' said the PBS information chief. In any case, the state assistant minister said PBS and STAR's working relationship was 'as strong as ever', and that the ultimate goal of this was to bolster GRS's position in Sabah. He added that a PBS-STAR convention would be held on July 12 with more than 5,000 grassroots leaders from both parties expected to attend. 'We will re-emphasise our commitment to ensuring a huge victory for GRS in the state polls. At the same time, it will be a platform for our grassroots leaders to express what they would like to see. 'Because it must always be guided by the feelings and sentiments of the grassroots on the ground,' he said. Joniston added that PBS, STAR, as well as GRS must be guided by what Sabahans want, which he believed was for local Sabah-based parties to dominate the state's political arena. 'That is what the majority of Sabahans want, based on the feedback we've received, the comments on social media, and our interaction with voters and people on the ground. 'And GRS has done well. Our relationship with the federal government is excellent though the Sabah government is dominated by local parties. Things are moving as expected,' said the three-term Kiulu assemblyman. GRS is said to be in talks with Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional on a pact for the state polls.
Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Making Putatan town a second Gaya Street
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Isquzawan, who is also Putatan Division Chief of Parti Gagasan Rakyat, said the programme is not only about celebrating youth but also creating long-term economic opportunities. PUTATAN: Putatan has set its sights on transforming the Peladang Mobile Food Kiosk area into a 'second Gaya Street', positioning it as a new socio-economic and youth entrepreneurship hub in Sabah. According to Mohd Isquzawan Israq Arsit, a board member of the Putatan Area Farmers Organisation (PPK Putatan), the aspiration aligns with efforts to promote local economic development and empower youth through entrepreneurship. Advertisement The ambition was highlighted during the National Youth Day programme held on Thursday night (May 15), co-organised with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS). The event featured youth-centric activities such as e-sports, football, motorsports and darts popular pastimes among village youths in and around Putatan. Isquzawan, who is also Putatan Division Chief of Parti Gagasan Rakyat, said the programme is not only about celebrating youth but also creating long-term economic opportunities. 'We aim to make this area the second Gaya Street, offering an alternative social and commercial space for residents of Putatan, Papar and nearby districts. Advertisement 'This location is spacious, with ample parking and a conducive atmosphere for both vendors and visitors,' he said. He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for allocating RM150,000 to build vendor kiosks for local entrepreneurs. 'We started with mobile kiosks and are now moving towards developing permanent stalls, public facilities, and live entertainment. 'We are also in discussions with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) to promote the area as a hub for local food and cultural showcases,' he added, saying that it would take at least five years. The programme also emphasised youth development, particularly for those under 40. 'With grants of up to RM30,000 available for youths in agriculture and food sectors, we want them to build their own careers. 'At the same time, we are identifying sporting talents to be nurtured for higher-level competition,' he said. Around 50 per cent of the over 1,000 PPK members in Putatan are under 40 years old. The State Government has also mandated that young people be prioritised in leadership roles within organisations, replacing those over 70. 'We want to give youths the space and opportunity to lead and contribute to the community. This is their time,' he stressed. * 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
