Latest news with #SAPP
Borneo Post
6 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabahans must hold own key, says SAPP
Richard (front row, third from left), Chong (fourth from left) and Aloysius (second from left) with SAPP members at the annual general meeting. KOTA KINABALU (June 28): The people of Sabah must defend their sovereignty and make sure the key to their future stays in their own hands in the coming state election, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president cum secretary-general Datuk Richard Yong We Kong. 'Sarawak has stood firm in defending its rights. Its state government recorded RM14.1 billion in revenue for 2024, which is more than twice the revenue of Sabah. 'Sarawak has already set up its own sovereign wealth fund and is introducing free education. This shows a high level of financial independence. In comparison, Sabah's revenue during the same period is only RM6.4 billion. Our financial structure still relies heavily on federal allocations.' Richard, who also serves as Deputy Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, made these remarks on Friday evening while officiating the annual general meeting of SAPP Kepayan and Moyog Constituency Liaison Committees, held jointly in Penampang. He pointed out that Sabah has yet to fully implement the 40 percent net revenue return promised under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'This continues to prevent us from having genuine financial control.' He added that even after five prime ministers, MA63 has made little real progress and Sabah continues to be sidelined. Richard urged everyone in Sabah to pay close attention to the court case brought by the Sabah Law Society, which will be heard on July 7. 'This case is seeking to legally enforce our 40 percent revenue entitlement, which allows, just from inland revenue alone, Sabah to gain at least RM2 billion more. 'What matters most is that Sabah's future must be decided by Sabahans who are truly committed to defending our rights. We cannot hand the key to outsiders,' he added. SAPP Kepayan CLC chairman Datuk Chong Pit Fah said the annual general meeting is especially important as the state election draws near. 'This is a moment for us to seriously reflect on the future of Sabah,' he said. He emphasised that Sarawak has been consistent in standing its ground on issues such as oil royalties, federal allocations and control over its own media narrative. The federal government does not dare to cross Sarawak's lines. Everything Sarawak has asked for has been fulfilled, step by step. 'Today, Sarawak is financially richer than the federal government. If we in Sabah want the same, there is only one way forward. We must vote for local parties.' Chong said that SAPP, since leaving Barisan Nasional in 2008, was the first party to openly champion the cause of Sabah autonomy, and had never shied away from speaking out. 'Parties from Peninsular Malaysia, however, now claim that they also support autonomy. But such talk is only meant to confuse the public and blur the facts. 'True autonomy means we no longer have to fly across the South China Sea to ask for what is rightfully ours,' he added. Chong called on Sabah voters to stop being deceived that this is impossible. Sarawak is already a living example of what can be done. 'Blindly following others will only cause us to lose our direction. In the end, all we will get is tax, tax and more tax.' SAPP Moyog CLC chairman Aloysius Danim Siap said that the party has always taken a practical and down-to-earth approach, and engaged the grassroots directly and does not rely on empty slogans. 'Our leaders are consistent in both word and action. We never back down when it comes to defending Sabah's sovereignty. Real progress must be concrete and deliverable,' he said.
Daily Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Days of these politicians are over
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 Text Size: Sabar committee posing with political leaders and representatives. Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans are fed up with politicians who make big promises during elections but forget about them once they get into power. That was the clear message from stakeholders at the recently held 'Sabah Voices to Action – Shaping Sabah's Future Together' final townhall initiative which presented a detailed wish list to political parties preparing for the coming state election. Among political parties present were Star Sabah, SAPP, PBS, Parti Impian Sabah, Warisan, Gagasan Rakyat, LDP and Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri. The wish list is not just any ordinary document. It is a thick 60-page report packed with 117 specific suggestions on how to fix Sabah's problems in schools, hospitals, roads and government services. The report was put together after three months of listening to ordinary Sabahans from all walks of life. Sabah Law Society's (SLS) Immediate Past President Datuk Roger Chin told politicians they need to stop treating their election promises like throwaway lines. 'If you are brave enough, put it in your manifesto and please do not do what happened in the past, which is by saying that your manifesto is not cast in stone, it is not the Bible and you do not have to comply with it. 'In today's day and age of the Internet, the public will hold you accountable,' he said, adding that today's voters will not stay quiet if politicians break their promises. The report comes from a citizen movement called Sabah Voices to Action organised by Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR) and other community groups. Over three months, they held talks in towns across Sabah including Kota Marudu, Keningau, Tawau and Sandakan, listening to what people really want. The report covers four main areas that affect daily life, namely education, healthcare, roads and infrastructure and how the government runs things. For schools, Sabahans want a separate Sabah Education Ministry that can hire teachers locally, buy school equipment without waiting for Federal approval and create lessons that teach children about Sabah's history and culture. They also want better support for rural schools and children without proper documents. For healthcare, people want a Sabah Health Ministry to have programmes specifically for the State's needs. This includes better pay and career opportunities for doctors and nurses, more medical services in rural areas, online consultations for remote patients and help with travel costs for people who need treatment far from home. Professional Architect cum Sabah Professional Council President Rizal Ahmad Banjar assured politicians that experts are ready to help turn these ideas into reality. 'By virtue of us here, we can provide that assistance. 'We have professionals here and we are ever ready to assist you, whoever is going to be in power,' he said. Institut Sinaran former Chief Executive Officer William Pan suggested starting small rather than trying to do everything at once. 'There are things which we can achieve on the short term and in the midterm and the long term. 'Even in education, there are spaces to start with. So, start with those spaces,' he said. Sabah Medical Association President cum former Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi addressed politicians who might be worried about taking on technical issues like healthcare and education. 'In Sabah, we have got a lot of people who can help you. 'When you put it in your manifesto, it does not mean that you will be the one doing it. But you will be the one making sure that somebody is doing it. 'Whether you are from political parties or non-governmental organisations, we are all doing it for the people,' she said, pointing out that everyone is working toward the same goal. The report also tackles Sabah's infrastructure problems with a six-step plan for building and maintaining roads, bridges and buildings. This includes proper planning, fair bidding processes, releasing money on time and regular upkeep. For government services, Sabahans want major changes including laws to control political funding, open bidding for all government contracts that people can track online and independent bodies to oversee spending. They also want government-linked companies to hire based on merit rather than political connections. Sabar trustee Datuk Ujang Sulani wrapped up the event by reminding everyone that Sabah has been having these conversations for decades. 'Sabah has always been rich not only in resources, but in spirit. But prosperity remains elusive. 'We must go beyond dialogue. This is no longer about being heard. It is time for us to be heeded, he said. He connected the current push to the unfulfilled promises of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, saying it should mean true freedom not only from colonialism, but from dependency, bureaucracy and neglect. * 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
5 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Groups present 117-policy roadmap ahead of state elections
Representatives from SABAR presenting a copy of the 'Sabahans' Aspirations and Demands' to representatives from STAR Sabah, SAPP, PBS, Parti Impian Sabah, Warisan, PGRS, LDP and Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri. KOTA KINABALU (June 23): In a powerful display of civic engagement and participatory policymaking, more than 300 stakeholders gathered at Wisma Wanita for the final town hall of the 'Sabah Voices to Action – Shaping Sabah's Future Together' initiative. The event marked the official launch of the 'Sabahans' Aspirations and Demands' report — an unprecedented 60 plus pages of policy document outlining 117 actionable recommendations across 21 key areas in Education, Healthcare, Public Infrastructure and Good Governance. Compiled through a three-month consultative process involving diverse communities across the state, the report is now publicly accessible in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese at Launched in January and formally executed between March and June 2025, this non-partisan, citizen-driven movement — spearheaded by the Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR) in collaboration with civil society partners — was designed to empower ordinary Sabahans to voice their priorities and shape meaningful policy reforms in the lead-up to the 2025 Sabah State Election. The initiative employed a multi-platform strategy to reach a broad spectrum of Sabahans through eight widely streamed podcast episodes, more than 30 published articles in a local daily, and 12 regional town halls in districts such as Kota Marudu, Keningau, Tawau, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu. Over 500 individuals — including professionals, educators, healthcare workers, youth, and civil society leaders — participated in the formulation of the report. In his opening remarks, Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa, chairman of the Board of SABAR, emphasized that the document reflects the aspirations and concerns of everyday Sabahans, gathered through a genuine grassroots engagement process. While acknowledging that it may not represent every voice, he asserted that it serves as a powerful foundation for further inquiry, dialogue and collaborative action. 'This is not a final blueprint,' he said, 'but a compelling starting point.' He extended a sincere appeal to political leaders across the spectrum: 'Please listen with open hearts. The voices you hear today are not partisan — they represent the shared hopes of a people who deeply love this state and want to see it flourish. This is an opportunity to demonstrate real commitment to participatory governance and people-centred leadership. I urge you to reflect these priorities meaningfully in your election manifestos.' He continued by acknowledging the roots of Sabah's challenges, stating, 'We must understand that the problems we face today did not arise overnight. They are the result of decades of accumulated neglect, flawed policies and missed opportunities. Now is not the time for finger-pointing. It is time to set politics aside and embrace shared responsibility. We are not here to complain; we are here to build and be part of the solution.' Zainie concluded with a call for courage and collective action, reminding the audience that what matters most is a willingness to act — decisively and responsibly — for the future of Sabah's next generation. Among the report's major recommendations is the call to establish a Sabah Ministry of Education with autonomy over procurement of infrastructure and educational resources, teacher recruitment and training, curriculum development and assessment. It advocates for universal access to quality preschool education, targeted support for rural and undocumented students, strategic actions on STEM and TVET, and greater bilingual proficiency through the Dual Language Programme. The document stresses the importance of including Sabah-centric content in the national curriculum and ensuring that teachers are locally recruited, equipped with innovative teaching methods and digital tools, and protected from excessive administrative workloads. In the area of healthcare, the report proposes the establishment of a Sabah Ministry of Health to design and implement state-specific programs, complementing federal initiatives. It calls for improved welfare, incentives and clear career progression for healthcare workers, expanded health services to rural and underserved communities, introduction of technology such as telehealth, and travel assistance for patients needing treatment outside their districts. The report also recommends increased training opportunities for post-basic, allied health sciences and specialist development to address Sabah's unique healthcare challenges more effectively. On public infrastructure, the report introduces a six-stage development cycle encompassing inclusive needs assessment, integrated planning, transparent procurement, sufficient and timely disbursement of funds, accompanied by efficient implementation, regular maintenance and proactive rehabilitation. It calls for a Sabah Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, centralized project management, digital procurement platforms and independent oversight mechanisms. To ensure sustainability and relevance, it emphasizes the importance of involving local contractors and communities in both planning and implementation. Emergency preparedness, climate resilience and long-term planning are also identified as critical components of effective infrastructure development. In the area of good governance, the report recommends wide-ranging structural reforms. These include the enactment of Political Financing and Procurement Acts, mandatory open tenders with real-time public tracking, and the establishment of independent procurement and audit commissions. It urges the depoliticization of appointments in government-linked companies (GLCs) and public service, standardization of asset declarations and key performance indicators, and decentralization of fiscal and development planning powers under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). A macro-level governance framework is proposed to restore public trust and improve accountability in the management of GLCs and public resources. Lim Hock Song, organising chairperson of the initiative, reiterated the non-partisan nature of the movement. 'This is about people. It's about the wellbeing of Sabahans and the future we want to build together,' he declared. He emphasized that the report, once released, would take on a life of its own — as the collective intellectual property of the people of Sabah and an open-source resource for all. 'It is not a final blueprint, but a living document. We hope Sabahans will embrace it as a shared starting point, from which we can build together toward a brighter future for every community across our state.' Delivering a stirring closing remark, SABAR trustee Datuk Ujang Sulani placed the initiative within Sabah's long journey toward self-determination. 'Sabah has always been rich — not only in resources, but in spirit. But prosperity remains elusive. We must go beyond dialogue. This is no longer about being heard. It is time for us to be heeded,' he declared. Referring to the unfulfilled promises of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, he added, 'That agreement must translate into true freedom — not only from colonialism, but from dependency, bureaucracy and neglect.' Ujang concluded by urging all present to treat this final town hall not as an ending, but as a beginning. SABAR urges all political parties and candidates contesting the 2025 Sabah State Election to give thoughtful consideration to these aspirations and demands, and to reflect them clearly and meaningfully in their upcoming election manifestos. The full 'Sabahans' Aspirations and Demands' report is now available at
Daily Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
SAPP to assist local retailers on Sara
Published on: Friday, June 13, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 13, 2025 Text Size: Those interested can contact Gee Tien Siong (pic) (010-932 7688), Alex Soon (013-540 2288) or email [email protected] for guidance and assistance. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has pledged to assist local small and medium retailers in participating in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) cashless aid programme. This was conveyed during a meeting between SAPP and MyKasih Foundation, where both sides discussed ways to increase retailer involvement in Sabah. Advertisement SAPP was represented by Deputy President Datuk Richard Yong We Kong, Vice President Gee Tien Siong and Supreme Councillor Alex Soon Kak Foh. The Sara programme, funded by the Federal Ministry of Finance, supports 506,000 recipients in Sabah with monthly assistance ranging from RM50 to RM200 each household. A total of 446 merchants are now participating in Sabah, with at least a few outlets in each district, solving the initial accessibility issue. SAPP noted that many smaller retailers remain uninformed or unsure about the registration process and pledged to help bridge this gap. Yong stressed that local SMEs must not be left out of national aid programmes and deserve full access to economic opportunities. SAPP and MyKasih agreed to cooperate in raising awareness and expanding merchant participation to ensure broader community benefit. Only officially registered businesses with a valid company bank account are eligible to join the programme. Participating outlets will be provided with terminals and connection data. Sales revenue will be reimbursed by MyKasih Foundation on a twice a week basis, every Monday and Friday. According to information provided by the MyKasih team, the foundation currently has recorded 94,000 Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) codes for eligible products, and retailers may apply to include relevant SKUs based on their available inventory. To improve accuracy and product availability, MyKasih recommends retailers submit SKU applications themselves rather than relying on manufacturers. About 93 per cent of recipients in Sabah have utilised their Sara aid, compared to 72 per cent in Semenanjung Malaysia. Those interested can contact Gee Tien Siong (010-932 7688), Alex Soon (013-540 2288) or email [email protected] for guidance and assistance. * 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
Free Malaysia Today
01-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Halt Sabah tax collection until revenue sharing sorted, says Yong
SAPP president Yong Teck Lee said the federal government should not delay making annual payments of at least RM2 billion to Sabah. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Tax collection should be suspended in Sabah until the state receives its full entitlement of net shared revenue, says Yong Teck Lee, a deputy chairman of the ruling GRS coalition. Yong, a former chief minister, said Sabah continues to miss out on its share of revenue to which it is entitled under the constitution. He said this year's RM600 million special grant from Putrajaya, though an increase from previous years, was 'a figure plucked out from nowhere'. 'We call on the federal government to honour the 40% net revenue entitlement without further delay,' Yong said in a statement. 'Until then, tax enforcement in Sabah should be re-evaluated, paused if necessary, and guided by consultation with the Sabah government and Sabah business organisations.' Yong, who is president of the Sabah Progressive Party, also questioned Kota Kinabalu City Hall's partnership with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to identify inactive taxpayers in Sabah, arguing that these were mostly petty traders and not big-time tax evaders. He said enforcing tax compliance as petty traders battled rising costs and the people's declining purchasing power would only damage the local economy. 'DBKK should stop aligning with federal LHDN enforcement while the billions owed to this region remain unpaid. It should stop playing the role of federal tax collector to hunt down the so-called inactive tax payers.' Yong said LHDN recently announced it had collected RM5.7 billion in taxes from Sabah last year, and hoped to collect RM6.2 billion in 2025. He said the amount was equal to an average of RM6 billion in taxes collected in these two years, of which 40% would amount to RM2.4 billion. 'There is absolutely no reason for the federal government to delay making annual payments of at least RM2 billion to the Sabah government,' said Yong. The revenue sharing formula has been a contentious issue for decades. Sabah politicians have called for the federal government to honour Sabah's entitlement to 40% of the amount which exceeds the net revenue derived in 1963. Use of the formula has been suspended since 1974, with the federal government paying increased special grants to Sabah and Sarawak. The Sabah Law Society has been granted leave to pursue a judicial review of the state's revenue entitlement, with the case to be heard on July 7.
