KOTA KINABALU, June 18  — The Sabah government has approved the appointment of Datuk Zainudin Aman as the new State Secretary, effective June 29.

Zainudin, who is currently the Sabah State Public Service director-general, will succeed Datuk Seri Safar Untong, whose tenure ends on June 28.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the appointment was expected to further strengthen the Sabah civil service and enhance its competitiveness in driving the state’s administrative transformation agenda.

“This is important to ensure continued progress and excellence, while enabling government policies to be implemented effectively for the prosperity of the people and the state,” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Hajiji expressed the state government’s highest appreciation and gratitude to Safar for his outstanding, dedicated, prudent and integrity-driven service since assuming the post in 2019.

Safar was also appointed chairman of Tanjung Aru Eco Development Sdn Bhd (TAED), a government-linked company under the Chief Minister’s Department, effective June 1. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU, June 7 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is expected to decide on the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation's (Upko) application to join the coalition as a component party on June 18.

GRS secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said he is currently conducting engagement sessions with Upko leaders to gather the necessary information before preparing a paper for consideration at the coalition's Supreme Council meeting on that date.

“The GRS meeting is scheduled to take place on June 18 and an official decision is expected to be made then,” he told reporters after officiating the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) Initiative programme here today.

Armizan, who is also Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, described Upko's application as a positive development towards uniting Sabah-based parties under a common political platform.

He said a key condition for Upko's admission is its commitment to GRS’ four core principles: Sabah First, Sabah Forward, Sabah Prosper and Sabah United.

On May 29, Upko formally submitted its application to GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, through its president, Datuk Ewon Benedick.

GRS currently comprises five component parties: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Cinta Sabah. — Bernama

SIPITANG, June 13  — The implementation of the Sabah Southern Madani Link (SSML) electricity grid project demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that development initiatives and basic amenities reach communities in Sabah’s interior regions.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the project is in line with the Malaysia Madani policy, which emphasises fair and equitable development, rather than concentrating progress solely in major urban centres.

He said genuine development would not have a comprehensive impact if basic facilities continued to bypass remote areas, particularly in Sabah’s interior.

“That is why I am deeply concerned and want to ensure that development is distributed evenly throughout every part of the state, including the interior. This is what distinguishes our approach from that of some other countries, where development is focused only on major cities,” he said when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the SSML project here.

Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

The SSML project involves the construction of a 275-kilovolt (kV) electricity transmission line linking Sabah’s west and east coasts, playing a crucial role in strengthening the state’s power supply grid and balancing energy distribution across Sabah.

The project, which commenced on September 17 last year, is scheduled for completion on September 16, 2028, at a cost of RM198 million. As of May 26, the project had reached 17 per cent completion.

Anwar said the energy grid project carries significant importance as it requires the dedication and perseverance of workers who traverse the dense forests of southern Sabah to build electricity infrastructure for the people.

“I am moved and pleased to see those transmission towers stretching across the wilderness. Imagine the workers whose job requires them to enter the forests and leave their families behind, all to develop electricity supply infrastructure for the people of Sabah. To all of you, I extend my deepest appreciation for this sacrifice,” he said.

Commenting on criticism from certain quarters in Parliament over the substantial development allocations for Sabah and Sarawak, the prime minister said the government stood by its decision as part of efforts to narrow infrastructure development gaps in the two states. — Bernama