Latest news with #RM6.5
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
New facility for Sibu Autistic Association delayed by RM5.9 mln shortfall
(Seated from third right) Ngu, Wong, Dr Soon, and others during the photo session. – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (July 20): The Sibu Autistic Association (SAA) still requires RM5.9 million to complete its new building project, as only RM700,000 has been raised so far. SAA chairman David Ngu revealed that the 15-month project located at Jalan Alan here carries a total estimated cost of RM6.5 million. Ngu expressed relief upon receiving a RM200,000 donation from a charitable organisation based in Peninsular Malaysia. 'We are still very far off financially. That's why I constantly seek financial help,' Ngu told a press conference here today. According to him, one of SAA's founding members, Wong Ching Yong, had approached him and asked if there was any way that he could assist. Ngu explained that he had conveyed the urgency of the funding shortfall to Wong and detailed previous efforts that had not yielded promising results. 'He (Wong) suggested that I write a letter to a charitable body in Peninsular and not long after, we received a reply confirming a contribution of RM200,000. 'We are extremely grateful for their generosity. It is the largest single donation received so far,' he said, while thanking Wong for his assistance. It was learnt that the charitable body contributing the RM200,000 donation is the Lee Foundation States of Malaya. Ngu also revealed that Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang, who is also Pelawan assemblyman, has pledged RM500,000 from his Rural Transformation Project (RTP) allocation for road and drainage infrastructure. Meanwhile, Wong disclosed his prior involvement as organising chairman for SAA's annual food fair fundraising campaign from 2000 to 2020, giving him insight into the association's long-standing financial challenges. 'Sibu folks have always been generous in stepping forward to donate. Currently, SAA is constructing a new facility specifically for young adults with autism,' said Wong, who also serves as the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Dudong branch chairman. 'Back in 2000, they were all children. Now they have grown up and need a facility that can help them acquire skills for independent living, especially when their parents are no longer around. 'This is one of the primary purposes of the new building,' he said. Wong added that while RM700,000 has been raised, the funding gap remains wide, and more contributions are urgently needed from the public. Ngu noted that the current facility houses around 60 children aged up to 12, while the upcoming building – now nearing completion – is intended to accommodate up to 200 young adults, depending on staff availability. He added that the new building will provide vocational training, including farming activities, basic food preparation, and life skills for its residents. He further stated that Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah will officiate the roof-topping ceremony on August 18. The project is reportedly ahead of schedule. 'Initially, the project was scheduled for completion in May, 2026. However, based on the latest update from the contractor, it is expected to be completed by the end of this year,' said Ngu. When completed, the three-storey facility will include offices and administration space on the ground floor, classrooms on the first floor, and therapy session rooms on the third floor. Also present at the press conference was SUPP Dudong advisor Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck. David Ngu new building shortfall Sibu Autistic Association
Daily Express
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Need for RM1.2 billion supplementary budget questioned
Published on: Tuesday, July 08, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 08, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Alias also questioned whether the RM54 million in equity investment under the development budget was meant for troubled government-linked companies (GLCs) and called for full disclosure of all GLCs that have received state equity injections since 2020. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government's proposed RM1.186 billion supplementary budget was questioned in the State Assembly on Monday, with Sekong Assemblyman Alias Sani warning against extravagant spending while many Sabahans still lack basic needs such as water. He reminded the House that the money being allocated belongs to the people — not the ruling party — and urged transparency and prudence in how public funds are managed. 'This is not money from the government or the ruling party, this is the people's money — including the people of Sekong,' he said. Alias raised concerns over several allocations within the supplementary budget, including an additional RM6.5 million for 'celebrations and major events,' RM13.85 million for temporary political appointments under the UPPM scheme, and RM600 million in statutory fund contributions — all while the rakyat continue to struggle with rising costs and inconsistent access to basic infrastructure. 'Is it reasonable to spend RM1.17 million a month on flights for the Head of State and the Chief Minister, while the people are struggling to pay their bills?' he asked, referring to the RM5.87 million set aside for official helicopter and jet use. Alias also questioned whether the RM54 million in equity investment under the development budget was meant for troubled government-linked companies (GLCs) and called for full disclosure of all GLCs that have received state equity injections since 2020. He highlighted the ongoing water woes in Sandakan, including in his constituency, and asked if the RM41.5 million pipe system upgrade and RM25 million allocated for water concessionaires would finally bring relief to affected areas. 'What about our pipe systems in Sekong? In Sandakan? Will this fix the endless water supply issues in our villages, housing estates, PPRs, and public buildings?' he asked. Alias also cited a recent protest by residents of Taman Permata over water shortages and a viral video showing a mother crying for help after giving birth with no water at home, pointing to these as signs of government and concessionaire failures. 'People don't care whose fault it is — they blame the government,' he said. He proposed that the State Government upload detailed breakdowns of supplementary expenditure online to allow public access and scrutiny, saying this would improve transparency and trust. 'Sabah is not the property of those in power. It is the rightful inheritance of all Sabahans — regardless of race, religion or language,' he said. 'Our fight to make Sabah a land where integrity prevails over corruption and progress is shared by all must never end.' * 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
Borneo Post
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sept 10 set for decision on Rosmah's appeal over recusal of trial judge in solar case
Rosmah filed the recusal application at the eleventh hour before Judge Mohamed Zaini was slated to deliver his decision on Sept 1, 2022.- Bernama photo PUTRAJAYA (July 4): The Court of Appeal has fixed Sept 10 to deliver its decision on Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's appeal to recuse a High Court judge who presided over her corruption trial involving the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project in Sarawak. Court of Appeal deputy registrar Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli set the date during the case management today. On June 25, the Court of Appeal three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin reserved their judgment after hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence. Rosmah's lawyer, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, confirmed the date when contacted by Bernama . The wife of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is appealing against the decision by the then High Court judge, Mohamed Zaini Mazlan — who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal — dismissing her application for his recusal from presiding over her case. Rosmah filed the recusal application at the eleventh hour before Judge Mohamed Zaini was slated to deliver his decision on Sept 1, 2022. The application was based on allegations that a draft judgment in her case, purportedly prepared by a third party, had been leaked before its official delivery. On the same day, Judge Mohamed Zaini found Rosmah, 73, guilty of three corruption charges linked to the hybrid solar project, and sentenced her to 10 years in prison and a RM970 million fine, in default 30 years in prison. However, she was granted a stay of execution on both the custodial sentence and the fine, pending the disposal of her appeal before the Court of Appeal. Rosmah was charged with one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving RM6.5 million in bribes from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director, Saidi Abang Samsudin. – Bernama Court of Appeal decision Mohamed Zaini Mazlan recusal Rosmah Mansor
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sept 10 set for decision on Rosmah's appeal over recusal of trial judge in solar case
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has fixed Sept 10 to deliver its decision on Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's appeal to recuse a High Court judge who presided over her corruption trial involving the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project in Sarawak. Court of Appeal deputy registrar Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli set the date during the case management today. On June 25, the Court of Appeal three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin reserved their judgment after hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence. Rosmah's lawyer, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, confirmed the date when contacted by Bernama. The wife of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is appealing against the decision by the then High Court judge, Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal, dismissing her application for his recusal from presiding over her case. Rosmah filed the recusal application at the eleventh hour before Judge Mohamed Zaini was slated to deliver his decision on Sept 1, 2022. The application was based on allegations that a draft judgment in her case, purportedly prepared by a third party, had been leaked before its official delivery. On the same day, Judge Mohamed Zaini found Rosmah, 73, guilty of three corruption charges linked to the hybrid solar project, and sentenced her to 10 years in prison and a RM970 million fine, in default 30 years in prison. However, she was granted a stay of execution on both the custodial sentence and the fine, pending the disposal of her appeal before the Court of Appeal. Rosmah was charged with one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving RM6.5 million in bribes from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director, Saidi Abang Samsudin. — Bernama
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sept 10 decision on Rosmah's appeal in solar case judge recusal
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has fixed Sept 10 to deliver its decision on Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's appeal to recuse a High Court judge who presided over her corruption trial involving the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project in Sarawak. Court of Appeal deputy registrar Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli set the date during the case management today. On June 25, the Court of Appeal three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin reserved their judgment after hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence. Rosmah's lawyer, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, confirmed the date when contacted by Bernama. The wife of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is appealing against the decision by the then High Court judge, Mohamed Zaini Mazlan — who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal — dismissing her application for his recusal from presiding over her case. Rosmah filed the recusal application at the eleventh hour before Judge Mohamed Zaini was slated to deliver his decision on Sept 1, 2022. The application was based on allegations that a draft judgment in her case, purportedly prepared by a third party, had been leaked before its official delivery. On the same day, Judge Mohamed Zaini found Rosmah, 73, guilty of three corruption charges linked to the hybrid solar project, and sentenced her to 10 years in prison and a RM970 million fine, in default 30 years in prison. However, she was granted a stay of execution on both the custodial sentence and the fine, pending the disposal of her appeal before the Court of Appeal. Rosmah was charged with one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving RM6.5 million in bribes from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director, Saidi Abang Samsudin. -Bernama
