KOTA KINABALU, June 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to make a one-day visit to Sabah today to attend several official and community programmes.

The Prime Minister will begin his visit by attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sabah Southern Madani Link project at Dewan Lundayeh, Sipitang, at 11 am.

The project involves the construction of a 330-kilometre, 275-kilovolt (kV) electricity transmission line from Sipitang to Tawau. It is expected to play a key role in strengthening Sabah’s power supply grid by balancing energy distribution between the west and east coasts of the state.

After the programme in Sipitang, Anwar is scheduled to return to Kota Kinabalu to attend the Melangkah Bersama Madani: Wanita Beriman, Wanita Bertahan programme, which will be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) at 2.30 pm

He will then officiate the National Unity Week 2026 celebration at 4 pm.

The ceremony will be held at the Likas Sports Complex grounds here, marking the final programme of the Prime Minister’s visit.

The four-day National Unity Week 2026 celebration will conclude tomorrow. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU, June 7 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah has restructured its leadership lineup as part of efforts to strengthen the coalition’s operations and prepare for the next general election (GE), its chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said.

Speaking at a press conference after the PH Sabah Annual General Meeting here on Sunday, Mustapha said the reshuffle was aimed at leveraging the experience of senior leaders while reinforcing the coalition’s organisational machinery.

“We have just concluded the 2025 PH Sabah Annual General Meeting, during which we discussed the restructuring of several key positions within the coalition. One of the reasons for the restructuring is that we want to make the best use of the experience of our senior leaders. We also need to strengthen the operations of PH as we prepare for the next General Election,” he said.

Mustapha, who is also PKR Sabah liaison chairman, will remain PH Sabah chairman, assisted by DAP Sabah chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe and Amanah Sabah chairman Datuk Lahirul Latigu as deputy chairmen.

The meeting also agreed to appoint former senior civil servant Datuk Ruji Ubi as PH Sabah secretary, while Datuk Chan Foong Hin will continue to oversee information affairs as information chief.

Irwan Shah Mustapa of Amanah was named treasurer, while Zaidi Jatil remains youth chief, Datuk Jannie Lasimbang women’s chief and Datuk Peto Galim election director.

Mustapha said Ruji’s vast administrative experience would be an asset to the coalition.

“As we all know, Datuk Ruji is a former secretary-general in several ministries and we hope he can help strengthen PH Sabah from the operational aspect,” he said.

Although the next General Election may only be due next year, Mustapha said the coalition could not afford to be complacent given the evolving political landscape.

“We have only recently recovered from the state election and have had enough time to rest and regroup. From today’s discussions, I can see that the spirit and enthusiasm have returned and we must be ready for the next General Election,” he said.

On his own political future, Mustapha said he would defend the Sepanggar parliamentary seat if given the mandate by the party leadership.

“If the President and the party leadership continue to place their trust in me, I will defend the Sepanggar parliamentary seat. I believe Datuk Chan (Kota Kinabalu MP) will do the same. PH Sabah will defend the seats it won the the last general election,” he said.

Asked whether PH Sabah component parties would contest under their respective party logos in the coming GE, Mustapha said discussions were ongoing and they will take into account the latest developments before making any decision.

Mustapha also downplayed the impact of recent defections involving PKR leaders in Sabah, saying only two divisional chiefs had left the party so far.

“Based on our records, including those discussed at the PKR State Leadership Council meeting this morning, only the Tuaran and Semporna division chiefs, together with several committee members, have left the party,” he said.

He stressed that the departures had not affected the operations of either division.

When asked whether he expected more PKR members in Sabah to leave and join a new political party, Mustapha said the initial exodus was unlikely to be repeated on a larger scale.

“We cannot underestimate the possibility, but based on the first wave, only two divisional leaders have left the party,” he said. — The Borneo Post pic

KOTA KINABALU, June 11 — Police seized 159.8kg of suspected methamphetamine worth an estimated RM7.99 million and arrested two men and a woman in a series of raids under Op Bayu 9 around the city on May 22.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the suspects, aged between 18 and 49, were detained following intelligence-led operations by the Sabah Narcotics Crime Investigation Department.

He said the first suspect was arrested at 3.40pm near City Mall while carrying a box containing nine packages of suspected syabu weighing about 9.1kg.

“Follow-up raids at a house in Luyang, a hotel in the city and an apartment unit at Ashton Tower, Inanam, led to the arrest of two more suspects and the seizure of another 68 packages of suspected syabu weighing 69.8kg,” he told a press conference at the Sabah Contingent Police Headquarters, here, Wednesday.

Jauteh said further inspection of a Perodua Alza parked at the apartment complex uncovered another 79 packages of suspected syabu weighing 80.9kg concealed in several compartments of the vehicle, bringing the total seizure to 159.8kg.

He said the drugs seized could supply an estimated 454,285 instances of drug consumption, while preliminary urine screening found one suspect tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

“All three suspects are Malaysian citizens with no previous records. Also seized were two Proton X50 vehicles believed to be linked to the case,” he said. 

The drugs are believed to have been brought in through a port by concealing them inside vehicles shipped from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah.

Police believe part of the drugs was destined for Sabah’s local market, while the remainder was intended for overseas distribution.

“These seizures are the result of continuous intelligence work and public cooperation. 

The Royal Malaysia Police will not compromise with anyone involved in drug trafficking. Possessing, trafficking or protecting drug activities is a serious offence under the law,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction. — The Borneo Post

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

KOTA KINABALU, June 5 — Police have arrested 18 men to assist in investigations into two fights that occurred in Kampung Air early Thursday morning.

In the first incident, at about 4am, a local man in his 20s sustained injuries to his right calf after being stabbed with a sharp object believed to be a stingray spine while at a food outlet in the area.

The victim was then rushed to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital (HQE II) for treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

Acting Kota Kinabalu district police chief Supt Syed Lot Syed Abdul Rahman said initial investigations found that the incident stemmed from a disagreement between several individuals before escalating into a fight.

He said the victim, who attempted to break up the altercation, was believed to have been attacked by several suspects, resulting in his injuries.

“About an hour later, another fight was reported at the same location, which is believed to be linked to the earlier incident.

“In the second incident, a man sustained facial injuries after being assaulted by several individuals,” he said in a statement.

Syed Lot said police subsequently arrested 18 men believed to have been involved in the incidents.

Police also seized several items believed to be connected to the case, he said, adding that initial urine tests conducted on all suspects returned negative results for drug abuse.

Syed Lot said the case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting using weapons and Section 324 of the Penal Code for intentionally causing injury using a weapon or dangerous instrument.

Syed Lot urged members of the public who witnessed the incidents or have relevant information to come forward and assist police by contacting the investigating officer, Insp Movendran A/L Apoorvasamy, at 018-574 6310.

Syed Lot also reminded the public not to speculate or spread unverified information that could disrupt investigations and affect public order.

“The police view seriously any acts of violence and fighting that could threaten public security and order and will take strict action against any individual who violates the law,” he said. — The Borneo Post

KOTA KINABALU, June 12 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to make a one-day visit to Sabah tomorrow to attend several events, including an official launch and community programmes.

The Prime Minister will kick off his visit with the Madani Link groundbreaking ceremony at Dewan Lundayeh in Sipitang at 11 am.

Upon completing the programme, he is scheduled to return to the state capital to attend the Sabah-level Melangkah Bersama Madani: Wanita Beriman, Wanita Bertahan event at the Sabah International Convention Centre at 2.30 pm.

Anwar is scheduled to officiate the 2026 National Unity Week celebration at 4 pm.

The ceremony will be held at the Likas Sports Complex grounds before he wraps up his visit. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU, June 8 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah has yet to make any final decision on the logo it will use or the form of electoral cooperation it will pursue in the upcoming election, PH Sabah Information Chief Datuk Chan Foong Hin said today.

He said no discussions or final decision had been made so far by PH Sabah on the use of any logo or electoral cooperation arrangement.

“Any decision will only be announced through official channels at the appropriate time. It is inaccurate to conclude that PH Sabah has decided to contest using any particular logo,” he said in a statement. 

He made the statement following a report by a local newspaper yesterday claiming that PH Sabah may contest under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) logo in the upcoming election. 

According to him, the newsreport was inaccurate and he hoped that media practitioners, would refrain from making interpretations that pre-empt the ongoing discussions involving PH Sabah. 

He added that PH Sabah has always prioritised political stability, economic development and the welfare of the people, while at the same time not ruling out any possibility that can be mutually agreed upon in the interest of the state. — Bernama 

KOTA KINABALU, June 1 — Some 300 individuals, including 12 key leaders and organisers of a deviant religious group, were detained in a joint enforcement operation conducted by the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS) and the police in Likas here today.

Acting Kota Kinabalu police chief Supt Syed Lot Syed Ab Rahman said the operation was carried out following a public complaint received by JHEAINS on May 28 regarding the ‘Jalsa Salana Wilayah Sabah Ke-32’ programme held from May 29 to 31.

He said checks found that the programme was linked to the Ahmadiyah Qadiani movement, which was declared deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings by the Sabah State Fatwa Council and gazetted in 2007.

“The programme was attended by senior leaders of the Ahmadiyah Muslim Jamaat Malaysia (JAMM) as well as members from several districts in Sabah.

“Authorities also seized 24 buntings featuring the founder and top leaders of the Ahmadiyah Qadiani movement, as well as about 200 books and reading materials related to the teachings,” he said in a statement.

The case is being investigated under Sections 52(1), 52A and 102 of the Sabah Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995.

Syed Lot said all those detained were brought to the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters for documentation and further investigation by JHEAINS before being released on bail in accordance with existing legal provisions.

He advised the public to seek religious guidance only from recognised and credible sources, and to consult religious authorities if they have doubts about any teachings or religious doctrines being propagated.

He added that stern action would be taken against any individual or group found to be deviating from Islamic teachings. — Bernama