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Daily Express
12 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
Daily Express
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
STAR aims to contest 15 seats
Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 27, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Jeffrey having a light moment with the team from Petronas. - Sherell Jeffrey/Daily Express KOTA KINABALU: Star Sabah President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has revealed the party's aim to contest 15 seats in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election, nearly double the eight seats contested in 2020. He clarified that the number is aspirational, with formal seat negotiations amongst Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition partners yet to begin. 'In politics, every party wants to contest all seats. There's nothing wrong with expressing intentions,' said Jeffrey at a Kaamatan event. Star Sabah won six out of eight seats in the 2020 election, the highest win rate among GRS parties. Jeffrey said ongoing discussions are happening with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and within the GRS bloc, but no final decisions have been made. He expects seat allocations to be resolved before the election but gave no firm timeline. Advertisement Other parties like PKR and DAP have announced plans to contest 13 and 10 seats, respectively, while GRS may field candidates in at least 52 constituencies. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Star calls Bung's remarks hypocritical, calls for
Published on: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 18, 2025 Text Size: StarSabah Deputy Information Chief Ardino Diris hit back at Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's comments on the party's 2018 decision, calling them politically hypocritical and based on selective memory. He questioned Umno's use of the 'Sabah for Sabahans' slogan in 2018 despite being a peninsula-based party, and reminded that StarSabah's decision to align with Warisan was made to break a post-election deadlock and ensure governance. Advertisement Ardino criticised Bung's remarks on loyalty to Sabah, citing his own political inconsistencies, and reiterated StarSabah's consistent focus on Sabah autonomy through legal and political means. He challenged Bung to a public debate on real issues like MA63, oil royalties, and state rights, not social media rhetoric or personal attacks. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
