Latest news with #Umno
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Ahmad Maslan seeks RM4b for Works Ministry to repair old roads damaged by rain, overloaded lorries
BACHOK, June 28 — The Public Works Ministry (KKR) has revealed that rainy weather and overloaded heavy vehicles were the two main causes behind damaged roads in the country. Its deputy minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said RM4 billion was required to repair the damaged roads in the country, but the ministry has only received nearly RM2 billion due to limitations faced by the government. 'My ministry always hopes that we will get more allocations each year to repair damaged roads as there are those that are 'old' and require re-tarring,' he told reporters after officiating the Bachok Umno division delegates' meeting here today. He revealed that the ministry had previously suggested that any collection made by the Road Transport Department, including road tax and speeding summonses be handed to the ministry to use for road repairs but the suggestion never received any feedback. 'If there is any suggested additional taxes from heavy vehicles as mooted by certain parties, they should be handed to the Finance Ministry or the Transport Ministry,' he added. — Bernama
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PBS, STAR collaboration aim to strengthen GRS, not form new bloc, says Joniston
Joniston speaking to reporters. KOTA KINABALU (June 28): The collaboration between Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) should not be misconstrued as the formation of a new political bloc but instead seen as an effort to solidify the existing Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), said PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Joniston emphasised to reporters on Saturday that the upcoming PBS-STAR grassroots convention scheduled to be held on July 12 serves as a platform to reinforce cooperation between the two local parties as Sabah heads towards the next state election. 'It's important for us to have this convention because we want members and grassroots leaders from both parties to come together and further enhance our existing good understanding and cooperation,' he said when asked about the issue after the launching ceremony of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Conference and Expo 2025. Joniston pointed out that the collaboration was rooted in strengthening the cohesiveness between PBS and STAR, extending beyond party leadership to their grassroots machinery. 'This is all geared towards further strengthening Gabungan Rakyat Sabah. When PBS and STAR are strong, it ensures a stronger GRS as well.' He further reiterated that contesting under the GRS banner is a priority for PBS leadership, reflecting the coalition's collective commitment to retain the state government. 'Our leadership has more or less implied that it's important for us to contest as GRS candidates. That will further underscore GRS's seriousness in forming the next government,' he added. Responding to Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's recent remarks that Umno never invited PBS to work together, Joniston clarified that PBS never claimed to have received such an invitation. 'That statement was made in the context of what Zahid Hamidi (Umno president) said that the door to work with GRS is not closed. Bung echoed that sentiment. So our position is clear, GRS, made up of eight component parties, must continue strengthening itself and exploring cooperation with Pakatan Harapan, which is currently part of the state government under GRS Plus,' he said, adding that while some Umno assemblymen are part of the current State Cabinet, Barisan Nasional (BN) as a whole is not officially part of the government. 'BN is not part of it. What we have are individual Umno representatives aligned with the state government.' Joniston also took aim at what he described as Umno's inconsistent stance regarding cooperation with GRS. 'Bung has said many times that they will never work with GRS, but then there's flip-flopping. One day it's a firm no, the next day, they say they might consider it. As far as PBS is concerned, the chief minister and GRS chairman is firm, and any decision will be a collective one made with input from all component parties,' he said. He reiterated PBS's long-held position, if Umno and BN have no intention of working with GRS, then PBS sees no reason to pursue that route either.
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PBS hits back at Bung: 'We stated a principle, not a plea'
Christopher KOTA KINABALU (June 28): Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Youth chief Datuk Dr Christoper Mandut has hit back at Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's statement, calling it 'defensive, bitter and riddled with contradictions.' Christopher said PBS never claimed to have received an official offer from Barisan Nasional (BN), but simply made clear its position that the party will not cooperate with BN in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election. 'Whether or not an invitation was extended is beside the point. We are stating our stand, which is our democratic right – not imagining things. It is called principle,' he said in a statement on Saturday. His comments came in response to Bung's remark that PBS was rejecting 'something that was never offered,' while accusing the party of political irrelevance and historical betrayal. Christoper questioned the logic of such attacks, saying that if PBS was truly insignificant, there would be no reason for Sabah Umno to dedicate an entire press release to the party. 'The contradiction speaks for itself,' he said, adding that the hostility from Bung appeared to reflect a sense of insecurity rather than genuine political confidence. He emphasised that PBS, as one of Sabah's oldest and most established political parties, remained focused on its core struggle – upholding Sabah's rights and the Malaysia Agreement 1963. 'We have a clear political track record and continue to resonate with generations of Sabahans. Unlike some, we don't need to tear others down to stay relevant,' he added. Responding to accusations that PBS had 'jumped coalitions' and 'betrayed allies, Christoper turned the spotlight on Umno's own political realignments over the years, urging Bung to reflect on his own party's history. 'Politics is not static. Parties realign based on the needs of the people they represent. What matters is whether those choices are made in the interest of the rakyat – not out of personal ambition,' he stressed. He also rejected Bung's remarks that PBS was merely 'clinging to the coattails of others,' saying that the party remained a proactive and constructive partner in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government. Christopher called for maturity and respect in political discourse ahead of the coming election, warning that Sabahans were watching and deserved better than 'petty personal attacks and theatrics.' 'Let's rise above insults and name-calling. The people are intelligent and they know who is working sincerely for them, and who is only making noise in the media,' he said.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Umno supreme council may address Hishammuddin's suspension on Monday, says Ahmad Maslan
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — The suspension of Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is set to be discussed at the Umno supreme council meeting on Monday. According to Berita Harian, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the meeting will be held in the evening, and if Johor Umno chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi raises the issue, it will be addressed. 'I'm not stating whether I support or oppose it, but this issue must follow the established procedures. 'The original suspension decision was made by the supreme council, so any further decisions will also be taken during the meeting. 'We'll wait until Monday,' he said during a press conference in Bachok today. Earlier reports indicated that the Sembrong Umno Division had proposed reinstating Hishammuddin's membership to strengthen the party ahead of the upcoming general election. Hishammuddin's Umno membership was suspended for six years, or two supreme council election terms, starting January 27, 2023.
The Star
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
No to Umno: PBS dismisses Bung's 'bitter' claims
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has dismissed claims that it wanted to work with Umno in the coming state election. PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said that the party had always been clear in its stance on the matter. "PBS never said we wanted to work with Barisan or merge with anyone. We are committed to strengthening the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition and working with our existing partners in government,' he said. He was responding to Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who claimed PBS was rejecting an offer that was never made and accused PBS of political irrelevance. Speaking to the media after the Community-Based Tourism Conference and Expo 2025 here on Saturday (June 28), Bangkuai added that political maturity requires consistency, not flip-flopping positions or stirring unnecessary disputes. 'We trust the rakyat to discern who is genuine and who is acting out of political desperation. Sabahans are not easily swayed by rhetoric. They will evaluate our track record and intentions,' he said. PBS Youth chief Datuk Christoper Mandut described Bung Moktar's remarks as 'defensive, bitter and riddled with contradictions'. He clarified that PBS never claimed to have received an official offer from Barisan but was simply stating its firm decision not to collaborate with the coalition ahead of the 17th Sabah state election. 'Whether or not an invitation was extended is beside the point. We are stating our stand, which is our democratic right, not imagining things. It's called principle,' he said in a statement on Saturday (June 28). He stressed that PBS remains committed to its founding struggle of defending Sabah's rights and upholding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), while continuing to be a constructive partner in the GRS government. 'We have a solid political legacy. We do not need to bring others down to stay relevant,' he said. He also called for greater maturity in political discourse.
