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Daily Express
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
GRS to decide on solo election move at Supreme Council meeting
Published on: Saturday, July 12, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 12, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Hajiji being flanked by other leaders at the convention. - Pic by CMD PENAMPANG: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will decide through its Supreme Council whether to contest the upcoming state election independently. He made the remarks after opening the first joint convention between Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) at the KDCA Hall here on Saturday. Supporters of both parties were heard chanting 'solo, solo, solo' during Hajiji's speech, calling for GRS to stand alone in the polls. Responding to the chants, Hajiji said the final decision would rest with the coalition's Supreme Council, adding, 'Wait lah,' when asked for a timeline. He welcomed the strong grassroots support as a sign of unity and confidence in GRS's leadership. Hajiji also highlighted Sabah's improving economic performance under GRS, citing GDP growth to RM84.3 billion in 2024 and state reserves reaching RM8.6 billion. Describing the PBS-Star convention as a historic milestone, he said it reflected growing political maturity among local parties united in advancing Sabah's interests. * 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
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Cut red tapes on disaster funds
Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Dr Yusof noted that Sabah has the financial muscle to implement these changes, pointing to the State's substantial reserves of RM8.6 billion. Kota Kinabalu: Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob wants district offices to have direct access to emergency funds instead of waiting for approval from State headquarters that sometimes arrives over a year too late. 'It is frustrating how disaster victims have to wait months, sometimes over a year, before receiving help,' he said when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025, Monday. He said under the existing system, when floods damage roads and drains or fires destroy homes, victims must endure lengthy waits while paperwork slowly moves through government channels. 'Experience tells us that in the districts, it is quite slow to provide services to people affected by disasters. They have to wait. 'For example, flood aid. We report it, list the names of disaster victims and it should take only two or three days during the disaster for people to receive help. 'The reality, however, is far different. In many cases, the flood has passed and the dry season comes, then floods return, but aid has not reached the people yet,' he said. He said from his experience, there were those in Sipitang whose houses were damaged by strong winds but they only receive disaster aid after more than a year. 'There is no point in approving aid contributions if the time gap for them to receive it is more than a year. They might even forget sometimes whether the aid exists or not,' he said. He proposed that each district be given at least half a million ringgit in emergency funds that can be used immediately when disasters strike. 'I suggest that special funds for emergency cases should be decided at the District Office level only. Money should be channelled to District Offices as district emergency funds according to the category of districts that frequently experience disasters. 'When accidents, floods or any other disasters happen, the district disaster committee can meet and use the available money to spend immediately. We give the mandate to the District Office,' he said. He said the funding allocation must be strategic, with amounts varying based on each district's disaster risk. 'Priority should be given to districts prone to disasters, such as Beaufort which is faced with floods every year,' he said. He also pointed to areas prone to landslides, such as roads from Keningau to Kota Kinabalu or Ranau to Kota Kinabalu. Dr Yusof noted that Sabah has the financial muscle to implement these changes, pointing to the State's substantial reserves of RM8.6 billion. 'What is the point of keeping that money? Some people also say, why keep so much money when the people are suffering? We should use that money and give it back to the people. 'There is no point in talking about huge funds and reserves, there is nothing to shout about when the people are suffering,' he said. 'This supplementary allocation is legally valid and this need is indeed required in our State,' he said, expressing support for the State's supplementary budget which includes additional allocations for disaster relief and infrastructure repairs. Additionally, he spoke about his constituency's strategic importance and untapped potential, particularly with the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year and the impact of the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park project. 'To enter Sabah, you must pass through Sindumin. Neighbouring Labuan, there are boats from Labuan, there are also roads. Sabahans going to Sarawak and Brunei will pass through Sipitang,' he said, noting the area's strategic location. He also proposed preserving the old British District Office building in Pekan Sipitang as a tourist attraction. 'This building can be converted into a Tourist Information Centre. Anyone who has been to Sipitang, there is an ugly building in the middle of Pekan Sipitang. I asked that it be maintained in its original form, to be made into a Tourist Information gallery,' he said. He said Sipitang has tourism potential with 10 Community Based Tourism sites, the popular Meligan Villa Resort and Long Pasia, though local entrepreneurs need government support for infrastructure development like roads, halls and jetties. 'I ask agencies and government departments to implement what has been approved quickly so that people can feel it. It is already July. If possible, what we approve should be spent immediately. 'What is important and certain is that this money is for the people, this is all for the people's welfare,' he said. * 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
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Hajiji praised for delivering results
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 Text Size: Chin noted several initiatives implemented by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah administration, such as the establishment of the State's energy commission. Kota Kinabalu: A former Sabah Law Society president praised Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor's leadership, saying his administration is helping the State turn the corner. In a Facebook post, Roger Chin said Hajiji's government is laying the foundations of a more self-reliant, results-driven administration. Advertisement Chin noted several initiatives implemented by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah administration, such as the establishment of the State's energy commission. He said the setting up of the Energy Commission of Sabah marked a turning point in how the State governs its most strategic resource. The State Government's decision to take back 50pc equity in the producing Semarang oil field under State-owned SMJ Energy was also a significant marker of progress in asserting energy sovereignty, he said. 'This shift aligns with the broader spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) implementation – returning rights and agency to Sabah without fanfare, but with focus.' Chin also described as 'notable' the creation of the Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, which he said were the building blocks of an investor-friendly ecosystem. The State's ability to secure long-term, high-impact investments, such as E-Steel's manufacturing facility and other FDI-led industrial projects, reflected such a shift. 'These are not fly-by-night deals but strategic entries into Sabah's industrial and logistics backbone, particularly in energy-adjacent and halal sectors,' he said. Chin said Sabah has also improved its fiscal standing, noting that the state revenue has seen stable growth, with increased allocations to development budgets. Sabah's reserves have surged to RM8.6 billion from the RM2.93 billion recorded in 2020, which he said was a clear indicator of improved financial governance and expanding revenue streams. 'This reflects not just fiscal prudence, but also stronger performance from some state-linked companies,' he said. He also said the Sabah Government has expanded rural electrification, water access, and road upgrades, which were 'critical interventions' for a state where more than 40pc of the population lives outside urban centres. Chin said while the State Government was gradually tackling longstanding issues in land recognition and native customary rights, much remains to be done. While bureaucratic delays, inequality and capacity constraints persist, he said, the approach adopted by the state government has shifted. 'Instead of headline-chasing, the Sabah Government has chosen institutional depth and economic realism, a style of leadership that may not always grab national attention but is increasingly delivering results on the ground,' he said. * 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 Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Life Water diversifies beyond beverages with acquisition of sauce and condiment maker Twinine
PETALING JAYA: Life Water Bhd, a Sabah-based beverage manufacturer, has signed an agreement to acquire 100% equity interest in Twinine Sdn Bhd, a well-established sauce and condiment manufacturer, for RM10.5 million. The acquisition marks Life Water's first major diversification beyond beverages, strengthening its footprint in the broader fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. Founded over 35 years ago, Twinine has established a strong presence on the west coast of Sabah, part of Sarawak and in Brunei, with a consistent financial track record. The company recorded revenues of RM8.6 million in both FY22 and FY23, as well as an unaudited revenue of RM8.5 million in FY24, alongside a three-year average net profit of RM910,000. The strategic move enables Life Water to leverage its existing logistics and distribution network, thereby accelerating market penetration for Twinine's products. 'This acquisition is a natural extension of our FMCG portfolio. With overlapping distribution touchpoints and similar consumer demographics, we see significant cross-selling opportunities and operating synergies. More importantly, our network gives us the ability to broaden Twinine's reach across Sabah, especially into the east coast region, further strengthening its market presence,' Life Water managing director Liaw Hen Kong said in a statement. Growth plans include introducing two production shifts at Twinine's facility to boost output in line with demand, as well as exploring a new manufacturing site at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park to support long-term expansion in East Malaysia. Twinine's founder will remain with the company for a two-year transition period to ensure continuity and provide guidance on growth strategies, including the development of the new facility. The acquisition is expected to contribute positively to Life Water's earnings. The acquisition coincides with the release of Life Water's third-quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Q3'25), in which it reported a net profit of RM6.48 million. The group recorded RM43.12 million in revenue, a 0.95% increase from the preceding quarter, supported by seasonal demand for carbonated and fruit drinks. The drinking water segment remained the largest contributor, accounting for 82.6% of total revenue. Life Water posted a gross profit of RM19.52 million, with a margin of 45.3%, while profit before tax stood at RM8.11 million, reflecting a margin of 18.8%. While margins moderated quarter-on-quarter due to the implementation of the minimum wage policy and temporary operational inefficiencies from expansion initiatives, the group remains confident in its long-term earnings resilience. For the nine months, Life Water reported revenue of RM128.42 million and a net profit of RM20.97 million, translating to a 16.3% margin. The group's new Keningau plant commenced operations in early 2025, adding 59 million litres of annual production capacity and bringing total drinking water capacity to 448 million litres per annum. The Sandakan Sibuga Plant 1 is commissioning a new manufacturing line, expected to begin operations in the second half of 2025, which will add 178 million litres of capacity and increase total annual production to 626 million litres, representing a 40% increase. Life Water continues to pursue a two-pronged strategy of organic expansion and strategic diversification. With the Twinine acquisition, Life Water is now well positioned to capture synergies across multiple FMCG segments, while reinforcing its core strength in beverage manufacturing. As Sabah's consumer landscape continues to evolve, Life Water remains optimistic about its growth trajectory in the current financial year and beyond.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Life Water buys Sabah's Twinine for RM10.5mil in FMCG expansion
KUALA LUMPUR: Beverage manufacturer Life Water Bhd is acquiring Sabah-based sauces and condiments maker Twinnie Sdn Bhd for RM10.5 million, as it seeks to expand its portfolio in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. The group has entered into a share sale agreement to acquire 100 per cent equity interest in Twinine via cash. This marks its first major diversification beyond beverages and is expected to contribute positively to group earnings. Founded over 35 years ago, Twinine has a strong presence in the West Coast of Sabah, parts of Sarawak, and Brunei. It recorded audited revenue of RM8.6 million in 2022 and 2023, and unaudited revenue of RM8.5 million for 2024, with a three-year average profit after tax of RM910,000. Managing director Liaw Hen Kong said that with overlapping distribution touchpoints and similar consumer demographics, the group sees significant cross-selling opportunities and operational synergies. "This acquisition is a natural extension of our FMCG portfolio. Our network gives us the ability to broaden Twinine's reach across Sabah, especially into the East Coast region, further strengthening its market presence," he said in a statement. Life Water plans to introduce two production shifts at Twinine's facility to boost output in line with demand, and is exploring a new manufacturing site at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park to support long-term expansion. Twinine's founder will remain with the company for a two-year transition period. For the third quarter ended March 31, 2025, Life Water recorded a net profit of RM6.48 million on revenue of RM43.12 million. Cumulatively, the group posted RM20.97 million in net profit and RM128.42 million in revenue for the nine-month period. There were no year-on-year comparisons provided, as this is the group's third interim financial report following its listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. Life Water said its production capacity expanded in early 2025 with the commissioning of its new Keningau plant, adding 59 million litres to its annual output. This brought total drinking water capacity to 448 million litres per year. Another facility, the Sandakan Sibuga Plant 1, is expected to add 178 million litres by end-2025, raising capacity to 626 million litres — a 40 per cent increase. The group said it remains optimistic about its growth prospects in the current financial year and beyond, as it continues to pursue both organic expansion and strategic diversification.
