Cinmpring kici

Sabtu, 26 September 2020

Muhyiddin-led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah clinches simple majority in state polls - CNA

KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition has garnered a simple majority in the Sabah state election, according to official results released by the Election Commission on Saturday (Sep 26) night.

The coalition, which is backed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, comprises Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) as well as other state-based parties such as Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku.

At around 12.30am on Sunday, the Election Commission confirmed that GRS component parties won 38 seats, more than half of the 73 seats in total.

Their main contenders, the Warisan Plus coalition, prevailed in 32 constituencies. Three seats went to independent candidates.

The incumbent Warisan Plus coalition comprises Parti Warisan Sabah, fellow state-based United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) as well as Pakatan Harapan (PH) national parties Democratic Action Party (DAP), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Amanah Negara.

The results mean that GRS can form the new state government and a new chief minister will be appointed to replace Warisan chief Shafie Apdal.

The polls saw multi-cornered fights in all 73 seats. A total of 447 candidates, including 56 independents, stood in the election.

Election Commission chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said in a press conference that among GRS coalition parties, PN has 17 seats, BN has 14 seats and PBS has won seven seats.

For Warisan Plus coalition parties, Warisan garnered 29 seats, PKR two seats and UPKO one seat. Three seats went to independent candidates.

Mr Abdul Ghani added that the voter turnout for the state election was 66.6 per cent.

Key GRS leaders Bung Moktar Radin and Hajiji Mohd Noor, from BN and Bersatu, won their seats in Lamag and Sulaman convincingly.

Speaking to the media at around 9.30pm, Mr Bung Moktar said: "GRS is in the midst of discussing its direction and other problems ... We promise that this government will be transparent and the people's welfare (will be) taken care of."

Mr Muhyiddin, who spoke to journalists after midnight, expressed his gratitude to the people of Sabah for "having confidence" in candidates put forth by GRS.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all GRS candidates who have been chosen to be representatives of the Sabah state assembly. This is the time for you to start your work as representatives of the people, with integrity, trustworthiness and dedication to implement what was promised in our manifesto," said Mr Muhyiddin.

The polls were conducted amid political uncertainty at the federal level, after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim announced on Wednesday that he has garnered a "strong, formidable, convincing majority" of Members of Parliament to overthrow the current government led by Mr Muhyiddin.

Mr Muhyiddin has since cast doubts over Mr Anwar’s claim, pointing out how the PKR president has not specified the MPs who were supposedly backing him.

During the course of campaigning, Mr Muhyiddin also hinted that an early 15th General Election may be held if GRS wins the Sabah polls.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMic2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL21hbGF5c2lhLXNhYmFoLXN0YXRlLWVsZWN0aW9uLW11aHlpZGRpbi1nYWJ1bmdhbi1yYWt5YXQtbWFqb3JpdHktMTMxNTIwMTTSAQA?oc=5

2020-09-26 23:18:00Z
52781084774700

Malaysia PM Muhyiddin's alliance wins Sabah polls, SE Asia News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

KOTA KINABALU - Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s alliance has won the Sabah state elections, boosting his credentials amid a leadership challenge from federal opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim.

According to official results, Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance yesterday won a total of 38 state assembly seats – just one seat above the minimum 37 required to form the next state government.

Rival Parti Warisan Sabah and its allies, which was the incumbent government, won 32 seats.

Independent candidates won the remaining three seats.

The state has a total of 73 constituencies.

Mr Muhyiddin has said that snap national polls could be called soon if GRS were to win in Sabah.

Malaysia’s general election is due only in 2023, but has been widely speculated to be called within the next few months.

The Sabah victory would help strengthen Mr Muhyiddin’s bid in defending his premiership against Datuk Seri Anwar, who said last week that he has the numbers to form the next federal government.

Mr Anwar last Wednesday dropped a bombshell by saying that he has majority support from federal MPs and claimed that the Muhyiddin government, which came to power seven months ago, has “collapsed”.

A loss in Sabah could have led to political turmoil at the federal level as PM Muhyiddin’s critics could question his political strength.

Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin said that based on the unofficial results in Sabah, GRS “will take over the state”. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Mr Muhyiddin, in a statement on Facebook, said the victory showed that voters trusted GRS, and asked his alliance to fulfil its promises.

Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, secretary-general of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Mr Muhyiddin’s ruling coalition, said hours before the official results were announced that based on unofficial figures, GRS “will take over the state”.

Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Bung Moktar Radin too declared GRS victors of the election late yesterday.

SABAH 2020 ELECTION RESULTS
GABUNGAN RAKYAT SABAH 38 seats

WARISAN PLUS 32 seats

INDEPENDENTS 3 seats

The victory means that GRS – consisting of PN, BN, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and several other Sabah-based parties – has snatched away the state government from rival Warisan and its allies, which took over after the 2018 General Election.

The victory was more remarkable as members of GRS contested against one another in 17 of the 73 wards.

Still, it remained unclear who will become the chief minister.

Both PN and BN had touted their own candidates for the post during the 14-day campaigning.

BN chief and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that traditionally, the faction with the biggest number of seats gets to choose who would become the chief minister.

PN won 17 of the 38 alliance seats, and BN won 14. PBS won in seven wards.

Voter turnout was just over 60 per cent of the nearly 1.1 million voters in Malaysia’s second-biggest state after Sarawak.

Concerns of a surge in Covid-19 cases in Sabah in recent weeks have contributed to the lower turnout. The state now has 730 active Covid-19 cases.

In 2018, voter turnout was 77 per cent.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9zZS1hc2lhL2FsbGlhbmNlLWxlZC1ieS1wbS1tdWh5aWRkaW4td2lucy1zYWJhaC1wb2xscy11bm9mZmljaWFsLXJlc3VsdHPSAQA?oc=5

2020-09-26 17:08:06Z
52781082334707

Malaysia PM Muhyiddin's alliance wins Sabah polls, SE Asia News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Rival Parti Warisan Sabah and its allies, which was the incumbent government, won 32 seats.

Independent candidates won the remaining three seats.

The state has a total of 73 constituencies.

Mr Muhyiddin has said that snap national polls could be called soon if GRS were to win in Sabah.

Malaysia’s general election is due only in 2023, but has been widely speculated to be called within the next few months.

The Sabah victory would help strengthen Mr Muhyiddin’s bid in defending his premiership against Datuk Seri Anwar, who said last week that he has the numbers to form the next federal government.

A loss in Sabah could have led to political turmoil at the federal level as PM Muhyiddin’s critics could question his political strength.

Mr Muhyiddin, in a statement on Facebook, said the victory showed that voters trusted GRS, and asked his alliance to fulfil its promises.

Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Bung Moktar Radin too declared GRS victors of the election late yesterday.

The victory was more remarkable as members of GRS contested against one another in 17 of the 73 wards.

Still, it remained unclear who will become the chief minister.

Both PN and BN had touted their own candidates for the post during the 14-day campaigning.
PN has named its Sabah chairman, Datuk Hajiji Noor, as potential chief minister, while BN has put forward the name of Bung Moktar, who is facing corruption charges.

BN chief and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that traditionally, the faction with the biggest number of seats gets to choose who would become the chief minister.

PN won 17 of the 38 alliance seats, and BN won 14. PBS won in seven wards.

Voter turnout was just over 60 per cent of the nearly 1.1 million voters in Malaysia’s second-biggest state after Sarawak.

Concerns of a surge in Covid-19 cases in Sabah in recent weeks have contributed to the lower turnout. The state now has 730 active Covid-19 cases.

In 2018, voter turnout was 77 per cent.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Malaysia PM Muhyiddin's alliance wins Sabah polls: Unofficial results - The Straits Times

KOTA KINABALU - Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's alliance has won the Sabah state elections on Saturday (Sept 26), according to unofficial results.

In a boost to his leadership, his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance has won the minimum 37 state assembly seats required to form the next state government.

The state has a total of 73 constituencies.

The victory could strengthen Tan Sri Muhyiddin's bid to defend his premiership amid an attempt by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to form the next federal government.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin has said that national snap polls could be called soon if GRS were to win in Sabah.

Malaysia’s general election is due only in 2023, but has been widely speculated to be called within the next few months.

The Sabah victory is a boost for the premier, after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday (Sept 23) dropped a bombshell by saying that he has majority support from federal MPs to form the next government.

Mr Anwar had also claimed in the news conference in Kuala Lumpur that the Muhyiddin government, which came to power seven months ago, has “collapsed”.

Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, secretary-general of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Mr Muhyiddin’s ruling coalition, said on Saturday that based on the unofficial results in Sabah, GRS “will take over the state”.

The victory meant that GRS - consisting of PN, Barisan Nasional (BN), Parti Bersatu Sabah and several other Sabah-based parties - has snatched away the state government from a rival alliance led by Parti Warisan Sabah.

Unofficial results showed the Warisan alliance has won 20 seats, and three other wards were won by other factions.

GRS managed to come out victorious despite its various members contesting against one another in 17 of the 73 wards.

But it remained unclear over who will become the GRS chief minister, as both PN and BN had touted their own candidates for the post during the 14-day campaigning.

Voter turnout was just over 60 per cent of the nearly 1.1 million voters in Malaysia’s second biggest state after Sarawak.

The lower turnout was contributed by concerns of a surge in Covid-19 cases in Sabah in recent weeks. The state now has 730 active Covid-19 cases.

In 2018, voter turnout was 77 per cent.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

American sued in Thailand over negative Tripadvisor review - CNA

BANGKOK: An American has been sued by an island resort in Thailand over a negative Tripadvisor review, authorities said on Saturday (Sep 26), and could face up to two years in prison if found guilty.

Domestic tourism is still happening in Thailand, where COVID-19 case numbers are relatively low, with locals and expats heading to near-empty resorts – including Koh Chang island, famed for its sandy beaches and turquoise waters.

READ: Thailand to allow long-stay tourists in island of Phuket from October

But a recent visit to the Sea View Resort on the island landed Wesley Barnes in trouble after he wrote unflattering online reviews about his holiday.

"The Sea View Resort owner filed a complaint that the defendant had posted unfair reviews on his hotel on the Tripadvisor website," Colonel Thanapon Taemsara of Koh Chang police told AFP.

He said Barnes was accused of causing "damage to the reputation of the hotel", and of quarrelling with staff over not paying a corkage fee for alcohol brought to the hotel.

Barnes, who works in Thailand, was arrested by immigration police and returned to Koh Chang where he was briefly detained and then freed on bail.

According to the Tripadvisor review Barnes posted in July, he encountered "unfriendly staff" who "act like they don't want anyone here".

The Sea View Resort said legal action was only taken because Barnes had penned multiple reviews on different sites over the past few weeks.

At least one was posted in June on Tripadvisor accusing the hotel of "modern day slavery" - which the site removed after a week for violating its guidelines.

"We chose to file a complaint to serve as a deterrent, as we understood he may continue to write negative reviews week after week for the foreseeable future," the hotel said, adding that staff had attempted to contact Barnes before filing the complaint.

Barnes did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

READ: COVID-19: Indonesia gives free Bali staycations to test tourism readiness

Thailand's notorious anti-defamation laws have long drawn scrutiny from human rights and press freedom groups, who say powerful players use it as a weapon to stifle free expression.

The maximum sentence is two years in prison, along with a 200,000 baht (US$6,300) fine.

Earlier this year, a Thai journalist was sentenced to two years in prison for posting a tweet referencing a dispute over working conditions at a chicken farm owned by the Thammakaset company.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL3RoYWktcmVzb3J0LWhvdGVsLXN1ZS1hbWVyaWNhbi10b3VyaXN0LW5lZ2F0aXZlLXJldmlldy0xMzE1MTc2MNIBAA?oc=5

2020-09-26 10:52:30Z
CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL3RoYWktcmVzb3J0LWhvdGVsLXN1ZS1hbWVyaWNhbi10b3VyaXN0LW5lZ2F0aXZlLXJldmlldy0xMzE1MTc2MNIBAA

American sued in Thailand over negative TripAdvisor review - The Straits Times

BANGKOK (AFP) - An American has been sued by an island resort in Thailand over a negative TripAdvisor review, the authorities said on Saturday (Sept 26), and could face up to two years in prison if found guilty.

Domestic tourism is still happening in Thailand, where coronavirus numbers are relatively low, with locals and expats heading to near-empty resorts - including Koh Chang island, famed for its sandy beaches and turquoise waters.

But a recent visit to the Sea View Resort on the island landed Mr Wesley Barnes in trouble after he wrote unflattering online reviews about his holiday.

"The Sea View Resort owner filed a complaint that the defendant had posted unfair reviews on his hotel on the TripAdvisor website," Colonel Thanapon Taemsara of Koh Chang police told AFP.

He said Mr Barnes was accused of causing "damage to the reputation of the hotel", and of quarrelling with staff over not paying a corkage fee for alcohol brought to the hotel.

Mr Barnes, who works in Thailand, was arrested by immigration police and returned to Koh Chang where he was briefly detained and then freed on bail.

According to the TripAdvisor review Mr Barnes posted in July, he encountered "unfriendly staff" who "act like they don't want anyone here".

Mr Barnes and the Sea View Resort did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Thailand's notorious anti-defamation laws have long drawn scrutiny from human rights and press freedom groups, who say powerful players use it as a weapon to stifle free expression.

The maximum sentence is two years in prison, along with a 200,000 baht (S$8,700) fine.

Earlier this year, a Thai journalist was sentenced to two years in prison for posting a tweet referencing a dispute over working conditions at a chicken farm owned by the Thammakaset company.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9zZS1hc2lhL2FtZXJpY2FuLXN1ZWQtaW4tdGhhaWxhbmQtb3Zlci1uZWdhdGl2ZS10cmlwYWR2aXNvci1yZXZpZXfSAQA?oc=5

2020-09-26 08:31:13Z
CAIiEGwgP5Gb_AYVAd6v1_459WMqGQgEKhAIACoHCAow_7X3CjCh49YCMMa2pwU

Malaysia's PM Muhyiddin faces big test in Sabah state polls - The Straits Times

KOTA KINABALU - People in Malaysia’s second biggest state are patiently queueing up on Saturday (Sept 26) to vote in the Sabah state polls - a major test for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin, in power for seven months, needs his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance to grab power from a faction which is allied to the federal opposition parties.

The state election is being held just days after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday launched a bid to topple him as prime minister.

Mr Muhyiddin’s GRS alliance comprises his Perikatan Nasional (PN) faction, the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and several other Sabah-based parties. These groups clash with one another in 17 of the 73 seats in the state assembly that are up for grabs.

There are over 400 candidates vying for the 73 seats, with some wards seeing an 11-cornered fight.

A victory in Sabah could help Mr Muhyiddin protect his wafer-thin majority in the federal Parliament, which appears uncertain at this point.

People started queueing up as early as 7am on Saturday, adhering to new Covid-19 safe measures.

Turnout was at 54 per cent at 2pm, the Election Commission (EC) said, and polling stations will close at 5pm.

The drastic uptick in Covid-19 cases in the east coast of Sabah has dampened expectations for voter turnout, with the EC revising its turnout forecast from 75 per cent to 70 per cent.

Almost 1.1 million Sabahans are eligible to vote, and some 28,000 staff members have been deployed to conduct the elections, which involves 741 voting stations.

Parti Warisan Sabah, led by chief minister Shafie Apdal, ruled the state after the 2018 general election. Warisan is aligned to Datuk Seri Anwar's Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition coalition in the federal Parliament.

On Saturday, election workers were dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) and scanned the temperature of every voter at the entrance of polling stations. Voters in queue stood at safe distances apart.

Voters described the process as smooth.

One of them, Ms Julia Chan, 37, said the entire process took 20 minutes despite the safety protocols, which was much faster compared to the 90 minutes it took her in the 2018 elections.

Another voter, Mr Phang Yuk Yin, said that many voters had turned up in the morning despite Covid-19 concerns.

"It is a very efficient process by the EC. End of the day, as Sabahans, this is our state and this is our responsibility," Mr Phang, 51, told The Straits Times.

Voter Phang Yuk Yin shows his inked finger after voting. He described the voting process as efficient. ST PHOTO: RAM ANAND

Datuk Seri Shafie, who voted at his state constituency Senallang on Saturday morning, also said that the voter turnout could be lower due to concerns over the virus.

There 730 active cases in the east coast of Sabah alone, all of them discovered this month. The state alone recorded three-digit daily infections twice this week.

The EC said it aims to have the full results by 10pm, but said that it is largely dependent on the returning officers at polling stations, some of which are in remote areas.

The vast interiors of Sabah, with no immediate road access, mean some ballot papers are being transported via helicopter.

In the last Sabah state elections, conducted concurrently with the 2018 national elections, the results were announced only at 5am, after a 77 per cent turnout.

Sabah incumbent chief minister Shafie Apdal, who voted at his state constituency Senallang, said that the voter turnout could be lower due to concerns over the virus. PHOTO: AFP

The Straits Times previously reported that thousands of Sabah voters who are working or studying in Peninsular Malaysia are expected to miss the state elections, unable to afford the flight tickets, coupled with concerns of the virus' spread.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9zZS1hc2lhL3NhYmFoLXBvbGxzLWtpY2stb2ZmLXdpdGgtbG93ZXItdHVybm91dC1leHBlY3RlZC1kdWUtdG8tY292aWQtMTnSAQA?oc=5

2020-09-26 08:08:15Z
52781082334707

Sabtu, 26 September 2020

SABAH 2020 ELECTION RESULTS