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GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec lifts proclamation suspension of Benguet solon
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division lifted the suspension of the proclamation of Benguet lone district representative-elect Eric Yap following the dismissal of a disqualification petition against his candidacy for Eleksyon 2025. In an eight-page ruling, the poll body junked an October 2024 petition filed by petitioner Franklin Tino, seeking to disqualify Yap from the May 2025 midterm elections on the grounds of material misrepresentation due to questions on his citizenship. Tino alleged that Yap committed material misrepresentation when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for Benguet representative when he is not a natural-born Filipino citizen. He also accused Yap of falsifying his birth certificate and Philippine passport. Yap, in his verified answer, denied the allegations as 'false, malicious, and unfounded'. 'In this case, the Petitioner has utterly failed to discharge this burden. Not a single piece of documentary, testimonial, or circumstantial evidence has been adduced to support his claims against the Respondent,' the poll body said. 'This glaring omission not only renders the Petition fatally defective, but also betrays a troubling lack of diligence and candor in invoking the processes of this Honorable Commission,' it said. The Comelec Second Division also added that 'courts and tribunals are not venues for fishing expeditions or trial by innuendo. To entertain a petition built on unproven claims is to erode the very foundations of justice. Justice is not served by speculation but by evidence, and in the absence of the latter, the Petition must inevitably fail.' Meanwhile, the Benguet Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) were also instructed to reconvene and proceed with the proclamation of Yap. Motion for Reconsideration Poll chief George Erwin Garcia, for his part, reiterated that the ruling is not yet final and executory as the petitioner still has five days to question the decision. 'May karapatan ang peititoner na mag-file ng motion for reconsideration. Titingnan natin within the period of five days kung mag-MR. Kaya ang PBOC ng Benguet ay maaari pang hindi mag-convene para iproklama siya kasi hihintayin pa ang certificate of finality and entry of judgment sapagkat kung saka-sakali na ang petitioner ay mag-file ng MR, maaaring mahinto ang pagpapatupad ng decision,' Garcia told reporters. (The petitioner can file for an MR. We'll see if he will do that within five days. The PBOC may still not reconvene to proclaim [Yap] because we will have to wait for the certificate of finality and entry of judgment. If the petitioner files an MR, the decision may be stopped and not be implemented.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Solar sector still shining
KUALA LUMPUR: The exit of Chinese solar module makers from Malaysia has triggered significant job losses with more than 5,000 positions estimated to be affected. However, industry players say the local engineering, procurement and construction operators are seeing minimal immediate impact with operations continuing smoothly. Malaysian Photovoltaic Sustainable Energy Association (MPSEA) secretary Lionel Yap said despite the disruption, projects under self-consumption, Net Energy Metering (NEM) and Large Scale Solar schemes are still progressing as planned. 'The added influx of hyperscale data centres – each with growing demands for clean renewable energy to meet ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) commitments – has also been a key driver in sustaining demand,' he said when contacted. Yap also noted that most of the solar supply chain in Malaysia continues to rely heavily on China with little to no dependence on the United States, providing some immediate stability. Looking ahead: (From left) Yap and Loo emphasise the importance of government-backed programmes to sustain the solar industry. Despite these assurances, Yap cautioned that the departure of major manufacturers remains a 'near-term disruption' for the sector. 'Nevertheless, Malaysia is well-positioned to absorb the displaced workforce into the country's expanding semiconductor sector,' he said. Separately, an industry player, Edmund Loo, said with the NEM3.0 scheme scheduled to conclude by June 30, the government should consider the continuation of NEM Rakyat, NEM GoMen (Government Ministries and Entities) and the Net Offset Virtual Aggregation (Nova) programmes, specifically for solar PV capacities below 72kWp. 'The residential solar photovoltaic (PV) market is likely to experience a significant decline in adoption if NEM Rakyat is discontinued. 'Without this mechanism, the financial viability of PV systems for homeowners is severely reduced unless a substantial incentive is introduced to support battery energy storage which remains prohibitively expensive for most households,' he said. Loo, who is a former association elected committee member, suggests that the NEM GoMen programme be extended to include not-for-profit organisations. He said solar adoption in schools not only helps reduce electricity bills but also serves as a real-world educational tool to promote renewable energy awareness among students. 'However, without an NEM mechanism, schools – given their long holiday periods and fluctuating consumption – will find PV systems economically unfeasible due to limited self-consumption. 'We also proposed that the Nova programme be revised to cater specifically to installations up to 72kWp. 'Many SMEs operate only five days a week, resulting in underutilised solar generation during weekends. 'In the absence of affordable battery storage, the ability to export excess energy becomes essential to justify the investment,' Loo. He also said as a rapidly growing industry that contributes to national sustainability goals, the successor framework to NEM3.0 should be made known as early as possible, ideally with a minimum of six months' lead time. 'This mirrors the approach taken for other major policy rollouts such as the e-invoicing and SST implementation schedules to allow businesses and consumers to plan investments and resources accordingly. 'We remain committed to supporting the government's vision for a greener Malaysia to ensure the sustained growth of the solar PV industry,' he said.
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
'Be a critic but don't be lazy with your facts,' Hannah Yeoh's pol-sec lambasts MCA Youth's Neow over FAM issue
YOUTH and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh's political secretary Yap Yee Vonne has slammed MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong for calling for the minister's resignation over recent internal football issues. In a statement on Facebook, Yap stressed that Yeoh has never abandoned her responsibilities and has always respected the principle of autonomy for sports bodies, which is in line with the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) and International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) statutes that prohibit political interference in the management of associations. For context, Article 4 of the FAM Statute mandates that FAM shall remain independent and avoid any undue political interference. FAM shall manage its affairs independently and ensure its operations are not influenced by any third party. Meanwhile, Article 14 (1)(i) of FIFA Statute mandates that member associations have the obligation to manage their affairs independently and ensure that their affairs are not influenced by any third party, in accordance with Article 19 of this Statute. According to Article 19 of the FIFA Statute, which touches on the independence of member associations and their bodies, states that each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from any third party. 'However, Neow's statement seems to suggest that the minister should also be the team manager, coach and psychological advisor all in one, maybe even an athlete,' Yap said sarcastically. 'If everything needs to be solved by the Minister, we might as well dissolve all associations and hand everything to Putrajaya.' Implementing policies On Monday (June 23), Neow advised Yeoh to resign from her ministerial position for allegedly failing to play her role as the leader of the ministry, especially in helping to resolve alleged internal issues including political elements in the national football squad. He further said that as the Youth and Sports Minister, Yeoh's role is not just to appear when celebrating victories but also to help resolve the numerous challenges and crises faced by certain teams including providing the necessary support. Refuting this, Yap said the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) have been consistently implementing policies and providing support that create long-term impact. 'We work closely with sports associations, providing funding and assistance across all levels‒from grassroots development to elite performance,' she stated. 'Through strategic collaboration with agencies such as Perbadanan Stadium Malaysia (PSM), the National Sports Institute (NSI) and the National Sports Council of Malaysia (MSN), we deliver programmes, facilities and professional support services that empower athletes and elevate Malaysian sports.' Yap went on to outline a key reform introduced by Yeoh in the form of paid contracts for Podium athletes under MSN, now inclusive of contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) as of January 1, 2024. 'While it may seem like a basic provision, this marks the first time such a step has been taken under the Madani government,' Yap pointed out. Recent achievements Yap said while there will always be challenges in the sports sector, Neow seems to overlook recent achievements of the Malaysian contingent, among them the men's doubles title at the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) and world champion title by Malaysian bowlers in international tenpin bowling. 'In all these sports, we were not there to carry the trophies but KBS and its agencies were there every step of the way to provide support,' Yap emphasised. She said to dismiss these achievements by claiming that there has been a lack of progress by the Malaysian contingent is not only inaccurate but also deeply unfair to the dedication and the hard work of the nation's athletes. 'By all means be a critic, but don't be lazy with your facts. If your intention is merely to craft a political stunt, maybe you should start with a more principled campaign,' she told Neow. 'My advice: if you don't understand sports governance structures, it's better to stay silent.' ‒ June 27, 2025 Main image: Youth and Sports Ministry
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Seat increase must uphold MA63, strengthen Sarawak's representation, says Kota Sentosa rep
Yap reiterates that the people of Sarawak deserve transparency and clarity in the process, not decisions made behind closed doors. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 27): Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has called for any move to increase Sarawak's state or parliamentary seats to be guided by the principle of 'Sarawak First' and grounded in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). He stressed that such measures must not be reduced to a 'mere numbers game' but should instead reflect a sincere commitment to strengthening Sarawak's voice in Parliament and ensuring fair and accurate representation of its people. 'This cannot be just a numbers game. It must be a step towards strengthening Sarawak's voice in Parliament and ensuring our people are more fairly and accurately represented,' he said in a statement. He reiterated that the people of Sarawak deserve transparency and clarity in the process, not decisions made behind closed doors. 'Sarawak must come first in any seat increase – uphold MA63 and protect our future,' he asserted. Yap, a lawyer by training, made these remarks ahead of the one-day special sitting of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) slated for July 7. Although the official agenda has yet to be announced, speculation suggests that the session may address issues of redelineation or increasing the number of seats at the state or parliamentary level. Yap emphasised that any changes made in this regard must aim to uphold Sarawak's constitutional rights and enhance its representation within the Federation. 'Let's not forget that the last seat increase in 2015 involved proper legal channels through the Election Commission and constitutional amendments. 'We must insist on the same level of accountability this time,' said the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Kota Sentosa branch chairman. Yap further stressed the need to rebalance electoral representation in response to rapid urban population growth, particularly in areas like Kota Sentosa. 'Neglecting urban constituencies risks marginalizing large segments of Sarawak's population,' he cautioned. 'Every Sarawakian deserves to have their voice heard. Fair representation is not only a constitutional matter – it is a matter of justice and equity for our people,' he emphasised. Calling for unity across political lines, Yap urged all parties -regardless of affiliation – to prioritise Sarawak's rights and autonomy. 'If this special sitting is indeed about reinforcing our place under MA63, then it is a step in the right direction and deserves full public support. 'Our collective mission must be to build a stronger, more empowered Sarawak,' he said. Reaffirming his unwavering stand, Yap said: 'I will always speak up for what matters to Sarawakians- whether it's MA63, fair representation, or the development of our state. 'The people of Sarawak must always come first. Let us remain vigilant, united, and committed to a better future.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Citi Maintains Alibaba (BABA) Price Target and Buy Rating
Alibaba Group Holdings Limited (NYSE:BABA) is one of 10 AI stocks that will skyrocket. Alibaba Group Holdings Limited (NYSE:BABA) reported its strongest gross merchandise value (GMV) growth in three years during its annual 6.18 shopping festival, held from late May through mid-June. The performance has lifted market expectations for a rebound in the company's core marketing revenue (CMR) for the June quarter, the first quarter of its fiscal 2026. An e-commerce platform displaying a wide range of products to customers online. The 6.18 festival, one of China's largest mid-year shopping events, serves as a key indicator of consumer sentiment and platform activity. According to Citigroup analyst Alicia Yap, the results were 'encouraging' and suggest Alibaba's e-commerce operations may be regaining momentum following several quarters of muted growth. Yap reaffirmed her Buy rating on Alibaba Group Holdings Limited (NYSE:BABA) and maintained a $169 price target, which implies nearly 50% upside from current trading levels. She noted that the strong GMV results could support a positive surprise in CMR performance, which remains a critical driver of Alibaba's profitability. While macroeconomic uncertainties and regulatory overhangs have weighed on Chinese tech stocks, the 6.18 results offer a potential turning point for investor sentiment. Analysts will be closely watching Alibaba's earnings for further signs of a sustained recovery in its core commerce segment. While we acknowledge the potential of BABA to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BABA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best Small Cap Tech Stocks With Biggest Upside Potential and 7 Most Popular AI Penny Stocks Under $5 To Avoid. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
