The domestic trade and cost of living minister says he wants to focus on his responsibilities as the Papar MP.
Armizan Mohd Ali said there is no need for him to vie for a state seat as his time as a federal minister and an MP was limited. (Bernama pic)
PAPAR: Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali has confirmed that he will not contest in the upcoming Sabah state election, choosing to focus on his responsibilities as the Papar MP.
Armizan said that as a federal minister and an MP, his time was limited and there was no need for him to vie for a state seat.
“I have just completed about two years as an MP, so let me fulfil what the people in Papar want,” he said when officiating the Majestic Ballroom at 10Star Cinemas Parklane City Benoni here today.
The Papar parliamentary constituency comprises three state constituencies – Limbahau, Kawang and Pantai Manis.
Armizan said he wants the next assemblyman to work closely with him for local development.
“As a minister, I also need to look after other states. So, I want a strong team, an assemblyman who is always able to work closely with me so that we can bring change and realise what the people want.”
Armizan, the GRS deputy secretary-general, also said the coalition had long been preparing for the upcoming state election. - FMT
The health ministry says the six received treatment at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani before being discharged.
The health ministry urged the public to get an annual influenza vaccination jab to boost protection. (AFP pic)
PETALING JAYA: Six students from an education institution in Kedah who fell ill after contracting an infectious disease have tested positive for influenza A, says the health ministry.
In a statement, the ministry said the six received treatment at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani before being discharged.
They were part of a cluster of 28 students with influenza-like illness detected at the education institute on April 23. The other 22 students also received outpatient treatment.
The ministry said the Kedah health department and Kuala Muda district health office had implemented preventive and control measures at the education institution.
Apart from detecting active cases, they are also isolating and treating symptomatic cases in the Kuala Muda district.
The ministry also said it received reports that a student and a staff member at a recreational centre in Kedah’s Yan district displayed symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough and body aches.
Both of them were admitted to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital and are in stable condition.
“Tests have confirmed that both individuals are negative for influenza. The cause of their illness is still under investigation,” said the ministry.
The ministry urged the public to prioritise preventive measures. This includes washing hands frequently, following proper cough etiquette, wearing face masks (for high-risk individuals or those with symptoms), and getting an annual influenza vaccination jab to boost protection.
It also encouraged individuals experiencing prolonged fever, cough or flu symptoms to seek immediate medical attention at healthcare facilities. - FMT
Armizan Mohd Ali says the MoU signed in December 2022 was only meant to form the federal government and does not require other states to follow suit.
The Sabah government is currently led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah together with Pakatan Harapan. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Sabah should not be forced to replicate the federal government’s unity model in its upcoming state election, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali said today.
The domestic trade and cost of living minister pointed out that the memorandum of understanding signed by five political coalitions and parties in December 2022 was only for cooperation to form a federal government.
“There is nothing in the MoU that says the same formula must be followed for state governments. None. It was just for the federal government,” he told reporters after an event in Papar, Sabah, today.
Armizan said one must recognise that the upcoming election is a state election, not a general election, which brings different political dynamics.
Armizan Mohd Ali.
“If we can respect the composition and form of cooperation in Johor and Sarawak, I think we should also respect the appropriate cooperation that can be formed in Sabah,” he said.
“Let the people express their readiness for cooperation. So, we don’t impose the ‘condition’ that we need to follow the exact model of Peninsular Malaysia, or the federal government.”
Armizan was asked to comment on remarks by former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak, who said earlier today that political stability in the state could only be achieved through close cooperation between Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan and local parties.
Salleh said it was impossible to separate BN and PH, as “the pillars of the Madani government at the federal level” share common objectives – stability, development, and securing the future of the people.
As such, the Usukan assemblyman said, Sabah cannot afford to follow Sarawak in shutting out national parties.
Both BN and GRS are courting PH for an alliance for the state election. While PH has said it will decide on the matter closer to the polls, its elected representatives continue to be part of chief minister Hajiji Noor’s state Cabinet.
GRS is part of the federal coalition, which comprises PH, BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, as well as several minor parties and independents.
However, in Sabah, BN is part of the opposition while Hajiji’s government has the support of five Umno members.
The term of the current state assembly expires on Nov 11, and an election must be held within 60 days of its dissolution.
However, there has been talk that the election would be held in July or August. - FMT
Party president Mukhriz Mahathir confirms talks to form an alliance with Sabah political parties are under way ahead of the state election.
Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir said the party faces competition from other Malay-based parties, but remains committed to adding value to Malay politics.
PETALING JAYA: Pejuang has settled on a political partner for the upcoming Sabah state election, with an official announcement expected soon.
Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir said the party would need to form “an alliance” with other political parties in Sabah as it is not a large party, Utusan Malaysia reported.
“What’s interesting is that Pejuang enjoys a solid membership in Sabah.
“I hadn’t expected much support there, but the opposite turned out to be true,” he was quoted as saying after a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house organised by Pejuang today.
Mukhriz acknowledged, however, that the party is relatively less influential due to competition from other Malay parties in the country.
“We believe that whatever we do must add value to Malay politics.
“We intend to participate in the country’s democratic process, either independently or in collaboration with other parties,” he said.
Earlier reports had mentioned that Pejuang was interested in forming a partnership with any party from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah to face the state election.
The term of the current state assembly expires on Nov 11 and an election must be held within 60 days of itsdissolution.
There has been talk that the election may be held in July or August. - FMT
Lowoyon Elod Jiviol is accused of committing the offence on two Year 5 girls and two Year 5 boys at a primary school in Kudat, Sabah.
Lowoyon Elod Jiviol faces up to 20 years in prison and whipping, if convicted. (Freepik pic)
PETALING JAYA: A primary school teacher in Kudat, Sabah, has claimed trial to eight charges of committing physical sexual assault on four Year 5 pupils.
Lowoyon Elod Jiviol, 33, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before Kudat sessions court judge A Akhiruddin @ Boy Acho, Sabah Media reported.
He was charged with sexually assaulting two girls and two boys between Dec 31, 2024 and Jan 3 this year in a classroom at a primary school.
The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for up to 20 years in prison and whipping, if convicted.
Lowoyon was granted bail of RM2,000 for each charge. Case mention was fixed for May 14.
The accused was represented by lawyer Sylvester Kwan while deputy public prosecutor Tham Pou Jin prosecuted. - FMT
Melaka has sold 5,000 10kg bags of the special rice at RM26 each during the first harvest season this year.
Executive councillor Dr Akmal Saleh said more of the special rice will be sold in the second harvest season to meet public demand. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: The Melaka government’s 10kg bags of “Beras Melaka” are only for sale to Malaysians, says state rural development, agriculture and food security committee chairman Dr Akmal Saleh.
Akmal said the state produced 50 tonnes of rice during the first harvest season this year, of which 5,000 10kg bags were sold under the “Beras Melaka” initiative at RM26 each.
He said the sale of the rice is restricted to Malaysians to ensure that only citizens benefitted from the special rice, Bernama reported.
“To prevent leakage, ‘Beras Melaka’ was initially only sold through agencies like the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority of Melaka through farmers’ markets and agro bazaars, and not sold in supermarkets during the first season,” he said.
Akmal said more of the special rice would be sold in the second harvest season to meet public demand, adding that the rice was fragrant and not starchy. - FMT
