Latest news with #SaifuddinNasution
The Star
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Baling Sabo Dam expected to be completed ahead of schedule, says Saifuddin Nasution
BALING: The RM22.80mil Sabo Dam in Sungai Kupang near here is expected to be completed ahead of schedule, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The dam, which is currently at 62% progress as opposed to the scheduled 20%, will reduce the risk of debris flows that threaten the safety of the 5,000 residents in Baling Town, he added. "Contractors have given assurances that the project will be completed two months ahead of the original schedule, at the end of next year… it's rare that such a project develops at such a pace," he told reporters after visiting the project site in his capacity as Kedah state development action council joint chairman near here Saturday (June 28). He also shared that the flood mitigation plan in Baling district was at 12% development for Phase 1 and 3.68% for Phase 2 so far, with Phase 1, costing RM9.6mil, expected to be completed in November next year and Phase 2, costing RM118mil, expected to be completed in January 2029. The flood mitigation projects were of utmost importance to the people in Baling as they faced frequent flooding previously, he said. "In 2024, Baling was hit by 17 incidents of floods… in 2023 only 10 times… according to data from the Irrigation and Drainage Department," he said, pointing out that the flood mitigation plan was part of the Federal Government's efforts to tackle the flooding issue in the district. Saifuddin Nasution also visited the location where 17 replacement houses and facilities are being built for victims of the debris flow that hit Kampung Iboi on July 4, 2022. The project, costing RM3mil, is 95% complete, with only the preparation of utilities for the houses remaining, he added. "It is expected to be done by the third week of July and when it is settled, we will hand the houses to those affected," he said. - Bernama
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Sabo Dam In Baling Expected To Be Completed Ahead Of Schedule
BALING, June 28 (Bernama) -- The RM22.80 million Sabo Dam in Sungai Kupang near here is expected to be completed ahead of schedule, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. The dam, which is currently at 62 per cent progress as opposed to the scheduled 20 per cent, will reduce the risk of debris flows that threaten the safety of the 5,000 residents in Baling Town, he added. 'Contractors have given assurances that the project will be completed two months ahead of the original schedule, at the end of next year… it's rare that such a project develops at such a pace,' he told reporters after visiting the project site in his capacity of Kedah state development action council joint chairman near here today. He also shared that the flood mitigation plan in Baling district was at 12 per cent development for Phase 1 and 3.68 per cent for Phase 2 so far, with Phase 1, costing RM9.6 million, expected to be completed in November next year and Phase 2, costing RM118 million, expected to be completed in January 2029. The flood mitigation projects were of utmost importance to the people in Baling as they faced frequent flooding previously, he said. 'In 2024, Baling was hit by 17 incidents of floods… in 2023 only 10 times… according to data from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage,' he said, pointing out that the flood mitigation plan was part of the Federal Government's efforts to tackle the flooding issue in the district. Saifuddin Nasution also visited the location where 17 replacement houses and facilities are being built for victims of the debris flow that hit Kampung Iboi on July 4, 2022. The project, costing RM3 million, is 95 per cent complete, with only the preparation of utilities for the houses remaining, he added. 'It is expected to be done by the third week of July and when it is settled, we will hand the houses to those affected,' he said.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
No guarantees for runners-up, says Saifuddin Nasution as PKR rethinks Sabah seat strategy
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — Just one week into his new role as co-director of elections for PKR, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has wasted no time preparing for a potentially pivotal state poll in Sabah. Speaking to Berita Harian, Saifuddin, who shares the post with PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, said coalition parties held talks three days ago in anticipation of Sabah's 17th state election. He also reportedly said the discussions — involving allies Barisan Nasional (BN), DAP, Amanah and the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) — focused on electoral data and the division of seats. 'Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional have agreed to work together in facing the Sabah polls,' Saifuddin said in the interview published today. 'We're also open to collaborating with other coalitions in the state, including Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).' Saifuddin, who also serves as the home minister and PH secretary-general, signalled a departure from past electoral strategies. In a notable shift, he said the coalition may no longer automatically allocate seats to parties that placed second in the previous state election. 'The rankings of first and second place are dynamic,' he reportedly said to the national daily. 'Some constituencies we lost in the 2020 state election later showed majority support for us in the 2022 general election. 'We're looking at current data — it's not a rule that a second-place showing guarantees a seat.' The remarks come amid growing speculation that Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor could dissolve the state assembly in late July or early August. Previously, Hajiji, who chairs GRS and leads the Gagasan Rakyat party, said the timing would be announced after GRS's annual assembly next month. Saifuddin described recent the government's meetings on Sabah as 'highly productive,' adding that the coalition was already evaluating seat demographics, candidate suitability and ethnic composition in key constituencies. The latest coordination effort comes as PH seeks to expand its influence in Sabah, where it currently holds nine state assembly seats, including two under PKR. BN, which won 14 seats in the last state election in 2020, left the ruling coalition in early 2023 following a political rift.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
As exit nears, Saifuddin Nasution urges Nik Nazmi to reconsider resignation from Cabinet
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — With less than a week to go before Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad's resignation takes effect, PKR election co-director Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is still hopeful the minister of natural resources and environmental sustainability will reconsider stepping down from Cabinet. Saifuddin, who is also home minister, believes there is still time for Nik Nazmi to rethink the move, saying his skills and talent remain valuable to the government. 'I've known Nik for a long time — since I was PKR deputy Youth chief. He's very talented, very intellectual, and works in a systematic way,' Saifuddin said in an interview with Berita Harian published today. 'He has chosen to resign, with his leave ending on July 4. With this small window of time left, I'm still hopeful he will return to his post. 'I believe there is still room for Nik to consider and reflect. I'm making the same appeal, as I don't side with either Damai or Hiruk.' Damai, or Dari Akar, Membina Aspirasi Inklusif, was the campaign platform led by PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar during the party's recent internal elections, while Hiruk — Hidupkan Idealisme Reformasi Dalam Ujian Kuasa — was the slogan of former deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's camp. Nik Nazmi, who was aligned with Rafizi's camp, failed to defend his position as PKR vice-president in the party polls last month. Earlier, he had also lost the contest to retain his Setiawangsa division chief post. Following the defeats, Nik Nazmi — who is also MP for Setiawangsa — announced on May 28 that he had submitted his resignation as minister, effective July 4, mirroring Rafizi's move to vacate the Economy portfolio after losing his own re-election bid. Saifuddin, who is also Pakatan Harapan secretary-general, said his appeal to Nik Nazmi was in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's open-minded approach. After both leaders announced their resignations, Anwar had urged them to reflect deeply before leaving their Cabinet posts. Rafizi, the MP for Pandan, went ahead with his resignation, which took effect on June 17. Commenting on Rafizi's departure, Saifuddin said he respected the former minister's decision, but continues to stay in touch with him. As a PKR veteran, Saifuddin also pledged to continue playing a unifying role within the party leadership. 'I was closely engaged with both Nurul Izzah and Rafizi right up to the end before the party election. Just a few hours before heading to Johor, I invited them over for a three-hour heart-to-heart discussion. 'There were points of agreement and disagreement. I believe I can still play that role between the two of them and will continue doing so. 'I'm not concerned about whether my position in the party is strong or weak, or whether I hold a high post. I define my success in PKR by staying consistent and making a meaningful contribution,' he was quoted as saying.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
36 held in extremism crackdown
PETALING JAYA: Police operations have led to the arrest of 36 Bangladesh nationals for their involvement in militancy, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic). The Home Minister said the security operation started on April 24 and was executed in three phases in Selangor and Johor. 'Intelligence efforts and actions from Special Branch showed that the group was bringing in the influence of Islamic State ideology to Malaysia,' he said in a statement yesterday. Saifuddin Nasution said five of the suspects had been charged in Shah Alam and Johor Baru, while 15 others were issued deportation orders. Another 16 suspects are still being investigated for their roles in the militant movement. He added that the group had created a recruitment cell within their community to indoctrinate their radical beliefs, collect funds for terrorist operations and to topple the government in their home country. 'I would like to emphasise that Malaysia will not become a refuge, let alone a battleground, for any foreign extremist movement. 'The actions taken demonstrate that the government is very serious and will not tolerate any elements that could threaten national security. 'This success also proves the efficiency and professionalism of national security forces, especially the police, in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty, harmony and public order,' said Saifuddin Nasution.
