Sabah
1. Road Accident in Sandakan Injures Tourists and Driver
A tour bus carrying 17 Chinese nationals, including four children, skidded in front of a supermarket on Jalan Lintas Sibuga, Sandakan, on Sunday morning. Six tourists sustained minor injuries, while the 63-year-old driver was seriously hurt. All injured individuals were taken to the Duchess of Kent Sandakan Hospital for treatment. The Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station responded promptly to the incident and conducted a clean-up operation to remove an oil spill at the accident site.
2. Firefighters Deliver Aid to Flood Victims in Sabah
Firefighters, in collaboration with multiple agencies, delivered food baskets to flood victims in Pitas and Keningau districts. In Pitas, 278 food baskets were distributed to several villages, while in Keningau, 86 baskets were delivered to Kampung Bonor Sook. The operations involved personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Civil Defence Department, the Chief Minister’s Department, and auxiliary police.
3. Conservationists Oppose Highway Through Tawai Forest Reserve
Environmental groups have renewed calls to halt the proposed Pan Borneo Highway segment that would cut through the Tawai Forest Reserve in Telupid. The Humans Habitats Highways (3H) Coalition, comprising 13 NGOs, warns that the highway could exacerbate poaching and threaten the survival of Borneo pygmy elephants. They urge the government to realign the route to protect one of the few remaining wilderness habitats for elephants.
4. Major Power Projects Planned to Address Sabah’s Electricity Issues
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced plans for several major power generation projects to tackle electricity supply issues in Sabah. Initiatives include purchasing electricity from Sarawak this year, constructing a new 100MW power plant in 2026 and 2027, and establishing a 100MW large-scale solar farm next year. The federal government has allocated RM102.9 million this year to enhance electricity supply services in the state.
5. Unity Key to Tackling Sabah’s Poverty, Says Ewon Benedick
Datuk Ewon Benedick, chairman of the Special Committee for Federal Government Project Intervention, Monitoring, and Coordination, emphasized the need for unity among Sabah leaders to address the state’s poverty rate and expedite over 400 delayed federal projects. He highlighted issues such as land disputes and rising costs as key challenges and has initiated monthly meetings to accelerate progress.
6. GRS Mobilizes Efforts for Syukur Programme
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is mobilizing its machinery across all state constituencies to identify poor and hardcore poor households eligible for the Syukur 2025 programme. Eligible households will receive a monthly RM300 cash aid, distributed quarterly in stages. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
7. Jojo of One Nation Emcees Passes Away at 50
Sabah-born artiste Nur Hasan Balas, known as Jojo of One Nation Emcees, collapsed and died at the Sri Petaling Mosque in Selangor. He was attending a tabligh group meeting when he collapsed during prayers. Jojo had previously suffered a stroke and was known for his personal transformation and reappearance with the group on a reality TV programme. He rose to fame in 2008 when One Nation Emcees won a reality competition.
8. Dam Project to Resolve Tawau’s Water Woes
Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya announced that the construction of a dam at Jalan Gudang Empat in Tawau is expected to be completed by 2026. The dam aims to provide a long-term solution to the district’s insufficient water supply. Short-term measures include cutting illegal pipe connections, replacing leaking pipes, and distributing clean water via tankers.
9. DBKK Awaits Decision on Compensation for Sembulan Landowners
Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) is awaiting the State Cabinet’s decision regarding compensation for landowners in Sembulan whose land leases have expired. Mayor Datuk Seri Dr. Sabin Samitah stated that DBKK is awaiting a decision on the compensation amount and will make an announcement once the State Cabinet has decided.
10. Hiker Rescued from Mount Kinabalu After Losing Consciousness
A 22-year-old female hiker was rescued from Mount Kinabalu after falling unconscious at the Sayat-Sayat Checkpoint. She was reported to have breathing difficulties. A team of mountain rescue specialists, local guides, and medical personnel responded promptly, carrying her down the mountain and transferring her to the Bundu Tuhan Health Clinic for further treatment.
11. All Eligible Tanjung Aru Flats Residents Offered PPR Homes
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Joachim Gunsalam announced that all eligible residents of the Tanjung Aru Flats have been offered People’s Housing Programme (PPR) homes. He emphasized that the government is committed to providing housing for the affected residents and urged those who have not yet moved to cooperate with the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (LPPB) to vacate the flats, which have been deemed unsafe for habitation.
