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Daily Express
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Warisan defends use of Hakka in Assembly outburst
Published on: Thursday, July 10, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 10, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: A heated exchange between Phoong (left) and Calvin (right) erupted during the recent's State Assembly question-and-answer session. Kota Kinabalu: Elopura Assemblyman's brief use of Hakka during a heated exchange in the State Assembly did not contain any harmful or rude language and should not be seen as a problem, said Parti Warisan's Pekan Sandakan branch chief. Stanley Tan Vui Chung said the lawmaker, Calvin Chong, was simply expressing frustration over the delayed progress of the RM31bil Esteel Sabah project and that the use of dialects in the House was not uncommon given Sabah's multicultural context. 'In Sabah, many elected reps speak in localised Malay mixed with native dialects. What Calvin said in Hakka was not offensive or vulgar in any way,' Tan said in a statement, Tuesday. 'If it were truly inappropriate, the Speaker would have issued a warning or ordered him out. But instead, both parties were only asked to calm down,' he added. The confrontation took place on Monday (July 7) when Chong questioned why there was still no visible activity at the Esteel steel plant site in Sipitang, despite repeated announcements that it would be a major catalyst for Sabah's industrial growth. Chong also sought clarification on the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) status, land tenure and the absence of Sabahan directors on the company's board — and questioned potential overlaps with mineral exploration companies. Phoong, however, defended the project's progress, citing signed lease agreements, a RM35 million deposit, a federal manufacturing licence and a secured gas supply from Petronas and Sabah Energy Corporation. He also said a jetty contract had been awarded to China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). However, tensions escalated when Phoong criticised Chong for going to the media and lodging a police report instead of formally raising the matter in the House. Phoong had also lodged a police report against Chong. Tan clarified that Chong had, in fact, prepared documents to speak on the matter in the Assembly, but was pre-emptively accused before getting the opportunity to do so. 'Calvin was speaking up on behalf of the people. That is his duty. Unfortunately, instead of being heard, he was accused of politicising the issue,' he said. Tan also pointed out that heavy machinery was only seen arriving at the project site about two weeks after Chong filed his police report, and that media coverage on the project's progress only surfaced in recent days. 'Why the delay? Why only move after being pressured? These are legitimate questions,' he said, adding that asking for transparency does not mean being anti-development. The Esteel project, first announced at RM19.6 billion, has since been revised to RM31 billion to include downstream facilities and a deepwater jetty. The Government maintains that construction is ongoing in phases. * 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
The Star
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Chong's use of Hakka in assembly not offensive, says Warisan leader
Parti Warisan Pekan Sandakan chief Stanley Tan Vui Chung (right) defended Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong (centre) following a heated exchange in the Sabah State Assembly over the Esteel project. KOTA KINABALU: Elopura assemblyman's brief use of Hakka during a heated exchange in the Sabah State Assembly did not contain any harmful or rude language and should not be seen as a problem, says Parti Warisan's Pekan Sandakan branch chief. Stanley Tan Vui Chung said the lawmaker, Calvin Chong, was simply expressing frustration over the delayed progress of the RM31bil Esteel Sabah project and that the use of dialects in the House was not uncommon given Sabah's multicultural context. 'In Sabah, many elected reps speak in localised Malay mixed with native dialects. What Calvin said in Hakka was not offensive or vulgar in any way,' Tan said in a statement on Tuesday (July 8). 'If it were truly inappropriate, the Speaker would have issued a warning or ordered him out. But instead, both parties were only asked to calm down,' he added. The confrontation took place on Monday (July 7) when Chong questioned why there was still no visible activity at the Esteel steel plant site in Sipitang, despite repeated announcements that it would be a major catalyst for Sabah's industrial growth. Chong also sought clarification on the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) status, land tenure, and the absence of Sabahan directors on the company's board — and questioned potential overlaps with mineral exploration companies. Phoong, however, defended the project's progress, citing signed lease agreements, a RM35mil deposit, a federal manufacturing licence, and a secured gas supply from Petronas and Sabah Energy Corporation. He also said a jetty contract had been awarded to China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). However, tensions escalated when Phoong criticised Chong for going to the media and lodging a police report instead of formally raising the matter in the House. Phoong had also lodged a police report against Chong. Tan clarified that Chong had, in fact, prepared documents to speak on the matter in the assembly, but was preemptively accused before getting the opportunity to do so. 'Calvin was speaking up on behalf of the people. That is his duty. Unfortunately, instead of being heard, he was accused of politicising the issue,' he said. Tan also pointed out that heavy machinery was only seen arriving at the project site about two weeks after Chong filed his police report, and that media coverage on the project's progress only surfaced in recent days. 'Why the delay? Why only move after being pressured? These are legitimate questions,' he said, adding that asking for transparency does not mean being anti-development. The Esteel project, first announced at RM19.6bil, has since been revised to RM31bil to include downstream facilities and a deepwater jetty. The government maintains that construction is ongoing in phases.
The Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah reps clash over steel mega project controversy
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's two-day state assembly began on a fiery note after an argument erupted between an opposition Parti Warisan assemblyman and a state minister. The clash was sparked by the ongoing controversy surrounding a RM31bil steel investment project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd. During Question Time, Calvin Chong (Warisan-Elopura) suddenly interjected in Hakka, repeatedly asking 'Ngai cho coi lai hang?' ('Where did I go wrong?'), after state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe (DAP-Luyang) accused him of failing to submit a formal question about the project to the assembly. Phoong, the Sabah DAP chairman, accused Chong of not submitting a formal question to the assembly, but instead had chosen to 'make noise' outside the House. The heated exchange over the Esteel Enterprise project in Sipitang's Oil and Gas Industrial Park reflected escalating political tensions as the state assembly nears the end of its five-year term on Nov 11. Chong lodged a police report on the project last month, alleging failure in the implementation of the project. Despite repeated calls by Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya for both assemblymen to sit down, the shouting match continued until he moved on to the next question. The Sabah assembly also passed a whopping RM1.86bil in additional funding to address longstanding issues related to water supply and road infrastructure under the 2025 Supplementary Supply Bill tabled by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. Masidi said the extra money of RM523.5mil was for solving the state's persistent water and road problems while the remaining RM600mil was for statutory fund contributions, RM204mil for administrative expenses, RM195mil for operational needs and RM84mil for domestic grants. In winding up the debates, Masidi said that all allocations under the Supplementary Bill were accounted for, and would benefit the people and help finance infrastructure development plans. State Opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) questioned the need for such a high supplementary budget as the state had already approved RM6.7bil for Sabah Budget 2025. He said that Sabah's total spending was almost RM8bil this year, yet there had been little tangible returns for the rakyat. 'We are spending billions but how much revenue are we actually generating? 'With this scale of spending, I believe Sabah is now facing a serious deficit,' he said when debating the Supplementary Bill. 'We will do a full audit to find out where the money was used,' he added. Mohd Shafie added that every sen of public funds spent must see measurable outcomes, such as job creation and income generation or directly solve issues affecting people's daily lives, particularly the persistent water and electricity problems in rural areas. 'The people don't want luxury, they just want basic necessities like water to drink and shower with, and use the toilet,' he said. The assembly sitting continues today.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
'Ask formally instead of making noise outside': Row erupts in Sabah assembly over mega project
KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah opposition assemblyman lapsed into Hakka during a heated argument with state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe during Monday's (July 7) legislative assembly sitting. Calvin Chong (Warisan-Elopura) repeatedly asked what he had done wrong after Phoong accused him of not submitting a formal question to the assembly but resorting to press statements and police reports. "Ngai cho coi lai hang (where did I do wrong)?" he asked several times. During their back-and-forth, Chong asked why he was wrong to question the matter as an assemblyman, while Phoon said a formal question should have been submitted instead of "making noise outside". The exchange was sparked during question time when Phoong was giving his reply on the Esteel investment development, as well as to queries about why the investment capital had increased. Chong had lodged a police report on the project last month, alleging failure in the implementation of a RM31bil steel manufacturing and processing project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip). In his report filed in Sandakan, Chong claimed that his inspection of the site with fellow assemblyman Justin Wong (Warisan-Sri Tanjong) on June 10 found no visible construction activity. Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya then asked both assemblymen to calm down, but was ignored until he ordered that they proceed to the next question. Earlier, in giving updates on the Esteel project to Datuk Jannie Lasimbang (PH-Kapayan), Phoong said its Federal Manufacturing Licence (FML) was received at the end of January. 'In February, Esteel sealed a natural gas supply agreement with the Sabah Energy Corporation and Petronas, conducted a contractor bidding tender process in March and April, and sealed the Phase 1 Jetty construction contract with a Chinese company on May 30,' he said. Other matters, such as approval for the green steel manufacturing construction development plan, environmental impact assessment (EIA) report approval and earthworks plan, among others, were subsequently completed, he added. Phoong also said that the physical development of the project would begin either this month or in August. Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) then asked how mega investors have the confidence to invest in multi-billion-ringgit projects in Sabah when stable infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supply, as well as sufficient manpower, are lacking. He also asked why domestic investors were not given priority in these projects, with more opportunities seen to be given to foreign investors instead. Phoong said it is the state's policy to accept and welcome investors from abroad while also making sure that local investors have the same opportunity to be part of any projects as long as they are capable and qualified.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Looking back on the life and legacy of billionaire cosmetics heir Leonard Lauder
Leonard Lauder, who built Estee Lauder Companies into one of the world's biggest cosmetics makers and catapulted himself into the top echelon of wealthiest New Yorkers, has died. He was 92. Lauder died on June 14 surrounded by family, according to a statement by Estee Lauder. In almost 40 years running the New York-based company founded by his parents, Lauder oversaw the launch or acquisition of such brands as Clinique, Aveda, Mac Cosmetics, Tom Ford Beauty, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone London and La Mer. He took the company public in 1995, and its share price rose 33% on the first day of trading. One of Lauder's quirkier creations was the notion that lipstick sales can serve as a countercyclical economic indicator, because women turn to inexpensive cosmetics when they can't afford clothing and other bigger-ticket luxuries. When Lauder joined the family company in 1958, annual revenue was about US$800,000 (approximately RM3.4mil), he said. In 2009, the year he stepped down as chairman, it topped US$7.3bil (RM31bil). Lauder's net worth was tied closely to his ownership of more than 80 million shares in the company. He was worth an estimated US$26.2bil (RM111.3bil) in March 2023, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As of June 2025, following a prolonged slump in the share price, his net worth was an estimated US$15.6bil (RM66.2bil). His younger brother, Ronald Lauder, ran overseas operations before becoming chairman of the company's Clinique Laboratories division in 1994. He was US ambassador to Austria in 1986-1987 and sought the Republican nomination for New York City mayor in 1989, losing to Rudolph Giuliani. Read more: Fashion fabulosity: Sly Stone didn't just change music – he changed style too Separate brands The company sells more than 25 brands of face creams, makeup, perfumes and shampoos in more than 150 countries. One secret to success, Lauder told an audience at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2004, was keeping the brands separate from Estee Lauder and in competition with one another, creating a dynamic of what he called "sibling rivalry'. Another key, he told the Wall Street Journal in 2020, was filling top jobs with talented female executives. "I tried to find the people who are smarter than me,' he said. "Most were women.' Elizabeth Hurley, Leonard Lauder (Centre) and Carolyn Murphy attend the Lincoln Center Corporate Fashion Gala in 2019. via AFP Leonard Alan Lauder was born on March 19, 1933, in New York City, the first of two sons of Joseph Lauter and the former Josephine Esther Mentzer. Estee Lauder the company grew out of the early entrepreneurship of Lauder's mother, the daughter of Eastern European Jewish immigrants. Starting in the 1930s, she sold moisturisers and concealers that her uncle, a chemist, had taught her to make. For her business's name, she came up with Estee – a fancy-looking version of Esty, one of her nicknames – and a softened version, Lauder, of her husband's surname, Lauter. 'Vaguely European' "She wanted something that sounded feminine and vaguely European, distinctive but elegant, and easy to pronounce and remember,' Lauder wrote in his 2020 memoir. His parents divorced in 1939, remarried in 1942 and formed their company in 1946. A year later, it got its first major order, from Saks Fifth Avenue for US$800 (RM3,400) worth of product, according to a company history. Lauder earned a bachelor's degree at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1954 and served as a lieutenant in the US Navy before joining Estee Lauder in 1958. He became a driving force behind the company's international expansion, starting with the opening of a counter at Harrods department store in London in 1960. Lauder credited his mother with distinguishing her brand from more deeply rooted competitors – including Elizabeth Arden, Revlon and Helena Rubinstein – by establishing it as a product sold only at the most upscale department stores, such as Saks in New York, Himelhoch's in Detroit and Sakowitz in Houston. Read more: Step into Princess Diana's closet at the biggest auction of her style Succeeded by son "The fewer stores we sell, the more successful we are,' Lauder told The New York Times in 1982. "We roll things out very, very slowly.' He was president of Estee Lauder from 1972 to 1995, chief executive officer from 1982 to 1999, and chairman from 1995 to 2009, when he became chairman emeritus and his son, William, became executive chairman. Lauder served on the board until 2023. An art collector, he donated to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art his collection of Cubist art, worth more than US$1bil (RM4.25bil). He was chairman emeritus of New York's Whitney Museum of American Art, which named its new home after him. Lauder's extensive philanthropy also included founding, with his brother, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, targeting a disease that had afflicted their famous mother. Lauder had two sons, Gary and William, with his first wife, the former Evelyn Hausner, who died in 2011. She was a co-founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. In 2015, he married the former Judy Glickman, a photographer whose works are in museums around the world. He is survived by his wife, sons, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his brother Ronald and his family, according to the company's statement. – Bloomberg
