16/04/2025

WEDNESDAY | APR 16, 2025

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China president arrives for three-day state visit

Poverty eradication in

Sabah on right track

complex, in addition to a supplementary contribution of RM100,000 from the Perak Housing and Property Board. “The maintenance work was completed on schedule within 12 months, achieving a cost saving of 16%.” Nga said the government initially allocated RM500,000 for repainting the Seri Kepayang flats but upon discovering frequent elevator breakdowns, the ministry then allocated RM3 million for the replacement of lifts. – Bernama KOTA KINABALU: The number of hardcore poor heads of household in Sabah has recorded a significant decrease of 89.9%, according to the eKasih database as of Feb 28 compared with the same month last year, the Sabah State Legislative Assembly was told yesterday. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir said the number of such households decreased to 1,464, compared with 14,553 recorded as of Feb 29 last year. He said efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty in Sabah would continue to be monitored based on the Poverty Line Income, which is income below RM1,218, taking into account the average household size of 4.3 with a per capita income of RM288 per household member, Bernama reported. “This data is (subject to) status changes influenced by various factors, including changes in the number of household members, income, assistance received or terminated as well as changes in information such as death or relocation to another state. “The Sabah government commenced the provision of the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat (Syukur) assistance on Feb 17 and this measure is expected to continue to contribute to the reduction in the number of poor and hardcore poor in the eKasih system.” He was replying to an oral question from Jannie Lasimbang (PH-Kapayan), who asked for the number of recipients of the first phase of Syukur and what other initiatives were available to help the poor and hardcore poor who were dropped from the eKasih list so that they could also receive the same assistance. Abidin said the first phase of Syukur involved 72,060 poor and hardcore poor households listed in the eKasih system as of Dec 2024, and as of April 1, 95% have received the assistance while the rest are in the process of having their data updated. “For those who are left out or not listed in the eKasih system, the state government has developed the Sabah State Database System so that they can apply online. “In addition, the Sabah Maju Jaya secretariat is also working with grassroots leaders such as the Community Development Leader Unit and district offices in identifying households in their districts left out and eligible.” He said as of March 31, a total of 270,272 applications have been received from registration through the database system, leader unit and district offices, as well as engagement sessions with non-government state assemblymen. Abidin added that the state government continues to strive to implement appropriate interventions to assist the poor and the hardcore poor based on five main thrusts, namely housing, education, employment, welfare or finance, entrepreneurship and training assistance intervention.

SEPANG: China President Xi Jinping arrived yesterday in Malaysia for a three-day state visit at the invitation of His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim. The visit marks Xi’s second official trip to Malaysia in 12 years, after his last visit in 2013. The Air China flight carrying the president landed at the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport at 6.30pm. In a statement, Xi said he expects the visit to open a new historic chapter of good neighbourly friendship and mutual benefit between the two countries. He called on both sides to promote cooperation in modernisation endeavours, jointly enhance exchanges and learning between civilisations, and continuously elevate the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, along with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, were present to greet Xi and his delegation. Xi then proceeded to inspect a guard of honour comprising 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment (Ceremonial) under the command of Lt Mohamad Nafis Norshid. A cultural performance featuring a medley of traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian drum rhythms by the Arjunasukma Academy in Gombak was also presented as part of the welcoming ceremony, in addition to a 32 member marching band from Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Yu Hua in Kajang performing the songs “Lenggang Kangkung” and “Sejahtera Malaysia”. Wisma Putra said during his visit, Xi will be accorded a state welcoming ceremony, followed by an audience at Istana Negara with Sultan Ibrahim, who will also host a state banquet in honour of Xi and his delegation. Xi is scheduled to hold a meeting with Anwar to discuss bilateral cooperation, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Anwar will also host an official dinner at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya in honour of Xi. The visit is part of Xi’s first tour of state visits in 2025, which also includes stops in Vietnam and Cambodia. During his last visit to Malaysia, both countries elevated diplomatic relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership level. Malaysia and China established diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974, and celebrated o Xi Jinping and delegation welcomed by Anwar and Cabinet ministers at Bunga Raya Complex in KLIA

Anwar greeting Xi upon the latter’s arrival at KLIA yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

coordinator for Asean-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia remains committed to advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Asean and China. The Foreign Ministry said this would be pursued through dialogue, mutual trust and initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of Asean and China. – Agencies

the 50th anniversary of strong bilateral ties last year. For 16 years since 2009, China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner, with total trade between the two countries valued at RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8% of Malaysia’s total global trade of RM2.88 trillion. As chair of Asean and the country

RM5 million for Ipoh housing, maintenance works IPOH: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has allocated RM5.29 million since 2023 for housing repair and maintenance works in Ipoh to enhance the well-being of residents. In a statement, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said of the total, RM1.19 million was allocated this year under the Housing Maintenance Programme. “The ministry will channel RM993,000 through the programme for projects such as the refurbishment of the community hall and waste disposal area at the Jalan Hospital flats (RM98,000), road resurfacing at Dewan Greentown (RM50,000), roof replacement at Seri Kepayang flats (RM500,000), road resurfacing within the Seri Kepayang flats compound (RM295,000) and installation of solar lights (RM50,000),” he said. Nga, who officiated at the repainting of buildings and installation of new lifts at the Jalan Hospital and Seri Kepayang flats, also attended the Kepayang state constituency Hari Raya

gathering yesterday. Additionally, in his capacity as the Kepayang assemblyman, he contributed RM200,000 for the upgrading of the Seri Kepayang food court. He added that during his visit to the Jalan Hospital flats on March 10 last year, he noted the poor condition of its infrastructure, with rusted handrails and faded paint. “As a result, the ministry allocated RM500,000 through the programme for repainting and replacing the handrails at the apartment