Latest news with #Yaakob
The Star
08-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Elderly Malaysian pilgrims show grit in stoning ritual
MINA: Under the searing desert sun and through the physically demanding masyair phase of haj, elderly Malaysian pilgrims have shown extraordinary endurance and spiritual resolve, overcoming long distances and physical limitations to complete the stoning ritual at Jamrah Kubra. The masyair phase, considered the spiritual pinnacle of haj, involves a five-day journey from Arafah to Muzdalifah and Mina, between the 8th and 13th of Zulhijjah. For the many elderly pilgrims, it is a test of both faith and physical resilience, one they are meeting with quiet determination. Among them is 78-year-old Asiah Abu Bakar, who completed the ritual after walking nearly 8km to and from her tent in Mina, a journey that took about an hour each way. 'Alhamdulillah, I'm very happy to have completed the stoning of the seven pebbles at Jamrah Kubra. Receiving the call to perform haj was already a great joy, but being able to perform the ritual myself, despite my limitations, is a blessing,' she said to Bernama. Her daughter Nor Azilah Abdul Shatar, 52, said her mother had spent decades preparing spiritually, from daily Quran recitations to early morning tahajjud prayers, while also saving diligently for the pilgrimage. 'She's been planning for this journey for many years. Alhamdulillah, my family received the call, including my father Abdul Shatar Umar, 81, and my brother Abdul Arif Anuar, 54,' she said. Also fulfilling a lifelong dream is Yaakob Bador, 79, who finally received his haj quota after nearly 25 years of waiting. A retired factory worker from Kuala Lumpur, he had painstakingly saved for decades to make the trip. 'I'm just a factory worker, but I prayed and saved for this opportunity for a long time. I hope my haj is mabrur (accepted) and that others will also have the chance to come. I feel so happy to be here,' he said, his voice choked with emotion. Throughout the ritual, Yaakob was assisted by fellow pilgrim and roommate Mohd Hafeiz Mohd Latiff, 42, who has grown close to the older man during the journey. Expressing gratitude for the chance to support fellow pilgrims, Mohd Hafeiz said Yaakob had become like a father figure to him during their time together. 'Maybe I couldn't come with my own father, but I treat and help these two like they are my own parents,' he said. 'They're able to walk on their own, but they still need some guidance, someone to show the way. 'I made sure to stay with them and help every step of the journey,' he added.
The Star
07-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Elderly pilgrims show unwavering spirit in stoning ritual despite physical challenges
MINA: Under the searing desert sun and through the physically demanding masyair phase of haj, elderly Malaysian pilgrims have shown extraordinary endurance and spiritual resolve, overcoming long distances and physical limitations to complete the stoning ritual at Jamrah Kubra. The masyair phase, considered the spiritual pinnacle of haj, involves a five-day journey from Arafah to Muzdalifah and Mina, between the 8th and 13th of Zulhijjah. For the many elderly pilgrims, it is a test of both faith and physical resilience, one they are meeting with quiet determination. Among them is 78-year-old Asiah Abu Bakar, who completed the ritual after walking nearly eight kilometres to and from her tent in Mina, a journey that took about an hour each way. "Alhamdulillah, I'm very happy to have completed the stoning of the seven pebbles at Jamrah Kubra. Receiving the call to perform haj was already a great joy, but being able to perform the ritual myself, despite my limitations, is a blessing,' she said when met on Friday (June 6). Her daughter Nor Azilah Abdul Shatar, 52, said her mother had spent decades preparing spiritually, from daily Quran recitations to early morning tahajjud prayers, while also saving diligently for the pilgrimage. "She's been planning for this journey for many years. Alhamdulillah, my family received the call, including my father Abdul Shatar Umar, 81, and my brother Abdul Arif Anuar, 54,' she said. Also fulfilling a lifelong dream is Yaakob Bador, 79, who finally received his haj quota after nearly 25 years of waiting. A retired factory worker from Kuala Lumpur, he had painstakingly saved for decades to make the trip. "I'm just a factory worker, but I prayed and saved for this opportunity for a long time. I hope my haj is mabrur (accepted) and that others will also have the chance to come. I feel so happy to be here,' he said, his voice overcome with emotion. Throughout the ritual, Yaakob was assisted by fellow pilgrim and roommate Mohd Hafeiz Mohd Latiff, 42, who has grown close to the older man during the journey. Expressing gratitude for the chance to support fellow pilgrims, Hafeiz said Yaakob had become like a father figure to him during their time together. "Maybe I couldn't come with my own father, but I treat and help these two like they are my own parents,' he said, his voice thick with emotion. "They're able to walk on their own, but they still need some guidance, someone to show the way. I made sure to stay with them and help every step of the journey," he added.- Bernama
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Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Don't protest energy projects: Pangi plant not behind Beaufort floods
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Yaakob (right) during the interview. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Electricity Chairman Datuk Seri Madius Tangau said the support of all stakeholders is essential to ensure that efforts to increase the state's power supply can move forward smoothly. He said this is needed to meet the increasing demand, the Energy Commission has, in principle, approved for another run-off river scheme at the Pangi Hydroelectric Power Plant site. Advertisement He urged the public to avoid protesting or resisting energy projects that are critical to strengthening Sabah's power supply. 'This development (Pangi) could boost power generation to over 400kW (kilowatt), approaching 500kW,' Madius said during the official relaunch of the Pangi Hydroelectric Plant's operations in Tenom on Wednesday. Responding to concerns from the public, especially those in Beaufort, he clarified that the Pangi plant is not the cause of flooding in the district, despite frequent claims. 'We've been briefed that the Pangi plant isn't responsible for the floods in Beaufort, so we hope there won't be any further objections from the local communities,' Madius said. Advertisement He explained that the flooding and landslide at the plant site in 2022 were partly due to human activities, while the ongoing floods in Beaufort and surrounding areas are unrelated. 'The Pangi plant isn't a dam and doesn't release water, so it doesn't contribute to flooding downstream,' Madius said. With several major projects underway, including the 100MW (megawatt) Battery Energy Storage System in Lahad Datu, the Rental Gas Project in Kimanis, and the Kimanis Power Plant, Madius expressed confidence that Sabah is on track to reach its goal of 20 per cent power reserve by the end of this year. Meanwhile, Sabah is still waiting for Sarawak to complete its part of the much-anticipated Sabah-Sarawak 275kV transmission grid interconnection project, which is essential for both states to move forward with plans to strengthen their power supply systems. Sabah Electricity Chief Executive Officer, Mohd Yaakob Jaafar, said that while Sabah finished its portion of the project last year, Sarawak is currently facing construction delays. 'There are indications that Sarawak aims to complete their side within this year, but based on our assessment, it may take a bit longer,' he said during a visit to the hydroelectric plant in Tenom on Wednesday. Once the entire project is completed, Sabah expects an immediate boost of about 30MW to its power reserves, with the potential to scale up to 300MW. Yaakob also said Sabah is currently preparing a feasibility study for a separate interconnection linking Tawau to North Kalimantan, and consultants have already been appointed for the task. However, he said, a grant initially provided by the United States for this study had been withdrawn due to recent shifts in the US administration. 'We now need to consult with our international partners to determine the best way to move forward with the study,' he said. Yaakob added that a meeting was set to take place in Jakarta on Thursday, led by the Asean Centre for Energy, with participation from Indonesia's Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) and Sabah Electricity, to address this and other related issues. * 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
The Star
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah Electricity: S'wak grid project key to electricity goals
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is awaiting Sarawak's completion of its portion of the much-anticipated Sabah-Sarawak 275kV transmission grid interconnection project so that both states can proceed with their power supply plans, says Sabah Electricity chief executive officer Mohd Yaakob Jaafar. He said Sabah completed its portion last year but Sarawak is facing construction delays. 'There is indication that the Sarawak side aims to complete their part this year. But from what we've assessed, we might have to wait a little longer,' he said during a visit to the plant in Tenom on Wednesday. He said Sabah's power reserve is expected to increase by around 30MW, with the potential to increase to 300MW once the project is completed. According to Yaakob, this project is critical to Sabah's power reserve margin and efforts to provide consumers with a stable power supply. This project received an allocation of RM35mil from the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation. The Asean power grid interconnection project, which aims to connect the Philippines from Kufat to Pahlawan and from Lahad Datu to Mindanao, as well as link Indonesia through Tawau (Kalabakan) to north Kalimantan, faces numerous challenges that require attention from all involved parties. 'On our part, we are currently drafting a feasibility study for the interconnection from Tawau to north Kalimantan, and we have appointed consultants for this task,' he stated. However, he added that the grant previously received to conduct the study had been withdrawn due to a change in policies by the United States during Donald Trump's administration. 'We need to engage in discussions with our partner countries regarding the next steps for advancing this study,' he said.
Borneo Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah-Sarawak power link boosted by completion of Mengalong PMU in Sipitang
Yaakob (center) during his visit to the 275kV Mengalong Main Input Substation (PMU) in Sipitang. SIPITANG (May 15): Sabah Electricity, together with the Sabah Electricity Supply Special Project Team (PPKBES) under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Malaysia (PETRA), has successfully completed the 275kV Mengalong Main Input Substation (PMU) in Sipitang. The Mengalong PMU is part of a key transmission grid interconnection project that will facilitate the exchange of electricity between Sabah and Sarawak. Sabah Electricity Chief Executive Officer Mohd Yaakob Jaafar said the Mengalong PMU was completed in September 2024, and he hopes the Sarawak section of the interconnection will be completed soon. 'The scope of this project also includes the construction of a 275kV high-voltage transmission grid tower and a seven-kilometre line from the Mengalong PMU in Sipitang to the Sarawak border,' he said during his visit to the PMU on May 14. Once commissioned, the Sabah-Sarawak interconnection grid will initially supply 30MW of electricity daily, with the potential to increase to 300MW. Yaakob added that the project will position Sabah's transmission grid as a 'gateway' for distributing energy to neighbouring countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia, contributing to the ASEAN Power Grid Interconnection initiative. 'In addition to the Sabah-Sarawak link, Sabah Electricity is also part of efforts to expand cross-border energy supply networks across ASEAN. This includes proposed connections to the Philippines via Palawan and from Lahad Datu to Mindanao, as well as a link between Tawau-Kalabakan and North Kalimantan, Indonesia,' he said. While discussions with the Philippines are ongoing, a feasibility study is actively underway for the Tawau-North Kalimantan connection. A trilateral meeting involving Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sabah Electricity, chaired by the ASEAN Charter, will be held in Jakarta. 'The Tawau-North Kalimantan grid connection is expected to be completed by 2030,' Yaakob said, reaffirming Sabah Electricity's commitment to ensuring regional energy stability. He also expressed gratitude to PETRA for approving RM35 million in funding for the Mengalong PMU project and thanked all departments and agencies involved. On the Sarawak section, Yaakob noted that construction has been delayed due to obstacles along the transmission line route from the Northern Grid to Lawas. 'The original plan was to complete the connection last year, but construction is still ongoing. Once completed under the Power Exchange Agreement, Sabah will begin by supplying 30MW of electricity, with potential expansion up to 300MW,' he said. Yaakob concluded by emphasizing that this initiative is vital for increasing Sabah's energy reserves and ensuring stable electricity supply for consumers. Some of the energy demand will be met through internal generation, while the remainder will be imported from Sarawak.
