KOTA KINABALU: A local political analyst remains positive that the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance is the key to political success in the state.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) senior lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr Lee Kuok Tiung said GRS has become a unified platform for Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersatu Sabah.

"We have seen (these political) groups going through difficulties starting with an initial 'friendly match', observed in their challenges in sorting out seat distributions. Later on, we saw it in the process of the appointment of Sabah Chief Minister (after the 16th state election).

"I believe what these parties went through made them more mature; and they have built a trust with each other, especially on the importance of mutual understanding and collaboration in the interest of the people.

"We have already heard, a few times, the call from GRS leaders to put aside politicking to focus on helping the rakyat in this turbulent time caused by the Covid-19 pandemic," he told New Straits Times when contacted today.

Lee observed that GRS leaders would do what it takes to defend the alliance despite the tense relationship between Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in the peninsular.

This was evident through the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Saturday (Jan 9) that was signed by the top leaders of the nine Sabahan political parties that form the GRS-led state government.

The MoU, among other things, required all of these component parties to maintain the cooperation with each other, while rejecting any interference from anyone who wanted to disturb the political alliance.

The MoU also stressed upon strengthening political ties through discussions and negotiations based on understanding among the parties in GRS.

Lee said if there is anything good to come out of the MoU, it would be a better and solid GRS which was free from political interference from the peninsula.

He described the current political tension in the peninsula as "stable-tension", with seat distribution issues for the 15th General Election (GE15) as a main factor contributing to the strain.

"Sabah Umno has been talking about autonomy since GE14 and they have been granted the autonomy. Thus, this is also an opportunity for Sabah Umno to show to the rakyat they've got the power to decide for the benefit of the people of Sabah."

Meanwhile, Ethno-politics expert Dr Romzi Ationg, however, said he was not convinced with the current political cooperation within GRS despite the recent MoU.

He said any development in peninsula politics would affect GRS should the presidents of Umno and Bersatu make it compulsory for separation of certain matters at the state-level.

"Even if state leaders decide to ignore any directive (as a result of political developments in the peninsula), any disagreement on these issues among Sabahan political leaders will still lead to problems in the state.

"This, for sure, will affect the GRS-led state government. However, I hope all state leaders are interested in consolidating political ties at the state-level for the sake of the people," said Romzi, who is also a senior lecturer at UMS.

He urged all GRS parties to avoid chasing after personal interests, but instead to uphold the interest of the people whenever they faced challenges that could jeopardise the unity within the alliance.

For now, he hoped to see Sabah Umno and Sabah Bersatu holding on to their political autonomy. He also hoped these parties would reject outside interference that could break GRS.

Nonetheless, Romzi said anything could happen in politics, including a possibility of GRS leaders violating the MoU when pressured.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2021/01/656156/grs-key-political-success-sabah-says-analyst

KOTA KINABALU: The Staff Welfare and Recreation Club (Kris) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)’ Science and Natural Resource Faculty (FSSA) contributed food baskets and a solar system to villagers in Pitas and Kota Belud.

Kris chairman Dr Mohamad Zul Hilmey Makmud said the contributions was made possible through funds gathered by its members.

About 400 food baskets were distributed to villagers in Mengkapon, Kampung Pituru Timbang Taun and Pengkalan Mengkapon in Pitas.

The solar system was handed to Rusni @ Runi Abdullah, 63, a grandmother who lives with her three grandchildren – Nur Hidayah Abdul Wahid, 9, Mohd Muslih Abdul Wahid, 6, and Nur Hafizah Abdul Wahid, 1.

They faced frequent power supply problem since a few years ago at their home in Kampung Lasaupodi, Kota Belud.

Source: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/164413/food-baskets-solar-system-for-pitas-villages/

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) staff have been urged to be more creative and innovative in their daily duties to ensure the quality of service delivery.

Making the call, UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin said the university has always work to improve its information technology infrastructure.

“This is to support the transformation of service and information delivery while adapting to the new normal,” he said in his New Year’s address.

“In addition, the UMS management will also implement a number of plans and initiatives related to human resource sustainability aimed at empowering and increasing the productivity of its staff.

“This is in line with the UMS Strategic Plan to achieve its vision and mission, as well as to ensure UMS remains relevant and continue to become ‘a university for the society’.”

Taufiq is also optimistic that UMS will continue to achieve success not only at the national but also international level, and will continue to benefit the country, State and the community.

“I hope UMS staff will continue to strengthen their cooperation for the excellence of the university.

“We also need to continue to inculcate and enhance the core values of UMS, namely dynamics, sustainability, integrity, integrity, fairness and contentment in ourselves,” he said.

Recapping the challenging year of 2020, he said the challenges displayed the relevance of UMS as a higher learning institutions and research centre by helping the government and the people to face the pandemic.

“UMS’ contributions can be seen through various innovations such as the production of personal protective equipment (PPE), including the Covinizer hand sanitiser and the Covi-Pro face shield, as well as facilities like the Covid Sampling Chamber and the Covid Sanitation Tunnel.

“The PPEs had been distributed to frontliners, students and staff. The university’s lecturers and researchers had also helped affected communities such as the initiative to help tomato farmers in Ranau processed their products.”

The university’s research laboratories, he said, were also used to conduct more than 4,000 Covid-19 sample screening tests.

“I hope 2021 will be welcomed with a new spirit and positivity to create more successes amidst the coming challenges,” he said. 

Source: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/164421/be-more-creative-and-innovative-ums-staff-told/

KOTA KINABALU: The Association of Management and Professional Officers of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (PPUMS) organised its 14th Annual General Meeting under new norms online recently.

UMS Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk ChM Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin (pic) emphasised accountability and reminded officers to use time and resources effectively and to the best of their ability to avoid wastage due to inefficiency.

Taufiq also called on all officers to carry out their duties with the right and sincere intention to produce blessings in life, while emphasising the values of integrity, honesty, cleanliness and trust.

“Self-interest should be set aside because the interests of the university are greater,” he said.

Taufiq also suggested that in an atmosphere of new norms, officers be able to utilise technology and gadgets when carrying out tasks without compromising communication delivery.

Earlier, PPUMS President for 2019/2021 session, Mohamad Edrus Othman in his welcoming speech informed that various activities have been held PPUMS covering aspects of improving professionalism, skills, welfare, recreation as well as brotherhood and understanding for the benefit of all members in particular and UMS in general.

According to him, PPUMS has collaborated with the university in organizing workshops to improve the professionalism and skills of officers.

“In line with the main objective of PPUMS which plays a role in looking after the welfare of members, the association has also made contributions to its members, including those affected by disasters or the loss of family members,” he said.

Mohamad Edrus also called on all members to manage the current changes professionally and increase their productivity by prioritizing integrity, maximizing the use of technology, being creative and adapting work to daily responsibilities.

The MATPPUMS-14 held online was attended by 149 members consisting of UMS management and professional officers. At the event, e-Bulletin PPUMS was also launched, as a writing platform for P&P staff.

Source: https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/164367/vc-reminds-ums-officials-to-avoid-wastage/