10/05/2026

NATIONAL 2 theSun on Sunday MAY 10, 2026

Eight-year-old gives letter to prime minister

RM31m allocation for Pulau Banggi KUDAT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced a special allocation of more than RM31 million to drive development in Pulau Banggi, ensuring the residents of Malaysia’s largest island are not left out of national development. He said the allocation, through the federal government and the Prime Minister’s Department Implementation Coordination Unit, includes the development of roads, bridges as well as health, education, security and jetty facilities. He elaborated that the projects involve the upgrading of roads and bridges in Kampung Limbuak Laut, Kapitangan, Damaran and Bayangan Laut, as well as improvements to the Pulau Banggi police station and health facilities at the Karakit health clinic. He added that also listed are projects to upgrade school dormitories in Pulau Banggi and Pulau Balambangan, the implementation of projects related to national security and defence by the Defence Ministry, and the upgrading of the Karakit public jetty at the ferry terminal. “I want Pulau Banggi to be an example to the people who are marginally poor or isolated that the Madani government feels responsible for upholding the dignity and capabilities of every citizen,” he said at a reception with the residents of Pulau Banggi yesterday. Also present were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan. The event was also attended by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Sabah Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and Banggi assemblyman Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin. On land transport infrastructure, Anwar said the project to upgrade the Kampung Limbuak Laut to Kampung Pengkalan Darat road is being implemented by the Sabah Public Works Department at a cost of almost RM44 million. “This project is important because good roads would open up economic, educational and health access for the people in the interior of the island.” He also announced an additional government contribution of RM1.25 million, which will be coordinated by agencies under the Office of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs). Anwar added that the funds would benefit the residents through the implementation of education, institutional empowerment, green technology, health and human development programmes, Bernama reported. He said to strengthen the safety net and daily facilities in coastal areas, the government has approved an allocation of RM1 million to upgrade the jetty in Kampung Dogoton for the use of residents and enforcement agencies.

KUDAT: Mocked by friends for dreaming of becoming the prime minister one day, eight-year-old Syam Aariz Rayyan Abdullah from Pulau Banggi managed to hand over a letter to none other than Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here yesterday. For the youngster, the brief meeting with Anwar at his gathering with the local community of Pulau Banggi was not just a sweet moment, but also a testament that a child’s dream should not be taken lightly. Syam Aariz arrived with his mother Norsakinah Junaidi, 33, at the venue at 8am solely to wait for the opportunity to meet Anwar and hand over the letter he had written himself. Norsakinah said her second child was very eager to write the letter after being informed that Anwar would be visiting Pulau Banggi. Brief meeting encourages child to continue believing dreams should not be extinguished

Anwar receiving the latter from Syam Aariz during their meeting at a reception with the residents of Pulau Banggi yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

“I told him of Anwar’s visit and he told me that he wanted to write a letter to him because his friends and teacher laughed at him when he said he

wanted to become the prime minister. “He said: ‘So, I want to write a letter. I want to prove it. I want to send it to the prime minister. Please, mama, deliver my letter to the prime minister’,” said Norsakinah. She added that Syam Aariz’s enthusiasm was clearly evident when he coaxed her to go early to the event location because he was too excited to meet the country’s leader. As soon as he had the opportunity to meet Anwar, the joy on his face was evident, Bernama reported. For the child, that brief meeting was not just a sweet memory, but also an injection of motivation to continue believing that dreams should not be extinguished just because they were once laughed at. Norsakinah said as a mother, she will continue to support her child’s interests and aspirations, especially in education, because she believes that success starts with self-confidence and hard work. For Syam Aariz, the letter might just be a piece of paper, but for his mother, it is a symbol of the courage of a child from Pulau Banggi to express his dreams and prove that great ambitions start with the courage to believe.

Syam Aariz arrived at the venue at 8am for the chance to see Anwar. – BERNAMAPIC

Umno 80th anniversary represents key milestone: Party president KUALA LUMPUR: Umno’s 80th anniversary celebration is not merely a commemoration of the party’s long history since 1946, but also a key milestone in shaping its future direction, said its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Umno’s continuity and strength as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2046. “This means that the aspects of this year’s Umno celebration was the success in translating several major agenda items involving the interests of various segments of society.

before a capable lineup of future leaders can steer Umno towards its 100th anniversary in 2046.” He added that efforts to strengthen the party again are being carried out gradually by focusing on internal unity and regaining grassroots support, Bernama reported. Ahmad Zahid explained that it involves reforms to the party’s internal structure as well as the implementation of several strategic initiatives on a national scale.

general election in 2018, Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said the party was facing a serious crisis of confidence at the time. “From my observation, Umno experiences a crisis almost every 10 years and the latest in 2018 was not just a crisis but a crisis of declining public confidence,” he noted. “For the next 20 years, I have stressed the need to develop a new generation of leaders, and I must first lay a strong foundation

celebration and experience gained over these 80 years should serve as guidance in preparing agendas for the next 20 years and beyond as Umno continues to exist in the country’s political arena for 100 years.” Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said among the most meaningful

“First is the response to the Rumah Bangsa initiative. Secondly, the support from NGOs, professionals, individuals and opinion leaders, as well as influencers through the Musyawarah Nasional and National Collaboration.” On Umno’s disappointing performance after the 14th

He said the significance of the party’s eight decades in the country’s political landscape should serve as a reflection to further strengthen strategic planning, including producing capable future leaders to ensure