Sunday, February 10, 2008

Against All Odds

A very talked about Liew Yun Fah during the 2004 General Elections went against all odds and proved everyone wrong when he was made a Barisan Nasional candidate for Merotai. He won the seat despite facing bitter rejection from UMNO warload, Datuk Ghapur Salleh.

Liew went another step forward when his former party president Chong Kah Kiat resigned from Sabah cabinet. Chong was Deputy Chief Minister when he resigned. It is widely known that his resignation was linked to the erection of world's tallest Mazu statue in Kudat.

Chong has ordered all Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected representatives not to accept any post in the Sabah Cabinet headed by his rival Musa Aman. Liew, however, did not heed Chong's directive who was then the party advisor. He was seen sending tons of seafood and bird nests to Musa. Liew lobbied for a minister's post and he got it. He was made the Youth and Sports Minister.

Liew's new position further enhanced his image among the local Tawau and again proved many of his critics wrong, dead wrong. Personally he has made history in his very short political involvements. He rose from a political unknown but known gangster to Merotai LPD Advisor, Division Chairman, LPD Candidate, BN elected state assemblyman and finally a state minister.

Liew certainly has his own way of getting things done. His news are a frequent entries in the local media. Wherever he goes, he has two groups of people following him, one is his own bodyguards and the other the media people.

He holds open house during Chinese New Year and could have the state Governor and Chief Minister to be his guests of honour.

Now that the 12th General Election is just around the corner only waiting for the Primie Minister to announce the dissolution of the Parliament, Liew once again is on spot light.

Member of Kalabakan Ghapur Salleh as usual makes his claim on the Merotai seat. He even put up banners to make his claim. Ghapur is seen wanting the Merotai seat for his personal political survival. His wings were clipped when he was move to Kalabakan parliament seat. He is also known to be not in the good book of Musa.

Besides Ghapur's claim, Liew is also caught in difficult position in his own party priority. Liew is currently of one LPD's Vice Presidents. The Party President and Deputy President are both not holding any government post and still fighting for a seat in the coming election.

If both Liew and his party president VK Liew are contesting in the coming state election and win, only one of them would be made a minister in the state cabinet. Priority would go to the president. Liew would be demoted. Could he take it?

There is an alternative, Liew could stand in his current constituency and VK Liew stands for a Parliament seat, most likely Sandakan. If both of them win, Liew is likely to keep his minister post. However it is very unlikely that VK Liew will be offered any federal post due to his young political experience and there would not be any quota for LDP in the federal level. Would VK Liew want that as a party president?

It was also rumoured that Musa has told Liew to take over the LDP presidency from VK Liew so that all the problems could be solved easily. VK Liew is after all a puppet of Chong Kah Kiat who was placed there before handing over the position to a more favourable person of Chong, Teo Chee Kang.

Liew is said to be still calculating his risk and negotiating with VK quietly. With such a circumstances no wonder Liew is very quiet these day when asked to comment on his political future.

Are politicians serving the rakyat? You judge.

Monday, January 10, 2005

Shafie Apdal - Kasi Malu Orang Sabah

Ever since the government imposed quota system of diesel sale at petrol stations, people through out Malaysia has been questioning the credibility of Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Shafie Apdal, the former Sabah UMNO Youth Chief and the Member of Parliament for Semporna. His ministry's 'wise' move has caused lots of hardship, wasted valuable time and money of transporters and vehicle users.

When a measures taken to overcome some irregularities or illegal activities brought about more irregularities and gave rise to more illegal activities, it must be a poor action which was taken without detail studies. When a wrong move was taken, there is no use defending it no matter for what purpose. Wrong is wrong, admit it.

If Shafie is trying to defend his quota system, he is asking the public to access him more. The more the public scrutinise on him, the more trouble he is heading. So for goodness sake, think of the people of Semporna and Sabah, do something wise and do it quick.

Jangan kasi malu orang Sabah




DIESEL SHORTAGE
Public transport in jeopardy
By P. Selvarani


Thousands of commuters who depend on public transportation daily may find themselves stranded if the current quota on the sale of subsidised diesel is not reviewed, bus operators warned. P. SELVARANI reports THE public transportation services in the country could be crippled within the next few weeks.

This is due to the shortage of diesel brought on by the recently introduced quota system on the sale of subsidised diesel at petrol stations.

Expressing this fear yesterday, bus operators in the country have called on the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to review its decision to limit the sale of subsidised diesel, as it has created an acute shortage of the fuel, making it nearly impossible for operators to run their services as normal.

“A lot of our members are not getting enough petrol as whatever stock the petrol stations have been allocated are now fast depleting,” said Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) president Datuk Ashfar Ali. “And it is only just the beginning of the month. If the petrol stations run out of diesel before the end of the month, our services will definitely come to a halt.”

The association has 106 members nationwide with a fleet of 3,200 buses in total.

Ashfar said the worst affected were its members in Sabah and Sarawak, whose supply of diesel has been reduced by about 50 per cent following the introduction of the quota system this week.

“I have been receiving desperate calls from Sabah and Sarawak from members who are unable to get enough diesel to run their services as scheduled. The situation there is acute,” he said.

Ashfar fears that the situation would get worse towards the end of the month, more so with the coming festive season.

“The frequency of our services increases during this period, and with the Hari Raya Haji, Thaipusam and Chinese New Year festivities coming, our services will be disrupted if we cannot get enough diesel. The Ministry should seriously re-think its policy so that there is a fairer distribution of the fuel and the services are not disrupted,” he said, adding that PMBOA has suggested that the Ministry introduce a system where the sale of the fuel is limited to each vehicle, as was once practiced.

“For example, they can limit it to RM20 per car and RM50 per bus or lorry. That would be fairer as it would ensure continuous supply of diesel. The Ministry should also ensure that petrol stations which cater more for buses, lorries and taxis get adequate supply.

“Under the present system, even the petrol dealers are in a bind as they cannot withhold the sale of diesel to anyone as long as they have stock, as they risk having their licences revoked.”

The Ministry’s ruling, Ashfar said, also has an impact on the economy as people would have difficulty commuting to work if public transport services are disrupted.

He added that the problem of diesel smuggling mainly occurs in the border areas, and the Government should concentrate such measures in the affected areas and not in the towns and cities where there is less of a problem.

He said the association was now in the midst of getting more feedback from its members before submitting a memorandum to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal next week.

“We regret that the Ministry did not call us for a meeting before implementing this move. We believe it was only discussed with the oil companies,” said Ashfar.

Meanwhile, Federation of School Bus Operators Association president Chee Ah Tey also called on the Ministry to review the new system, adding that it is a burden on school bus operators, especially those who operate chartered bus services during weekends and holidays.

“How can they run these services on just RM60 worth of diesel? Why penalise the whole industry when a few black sheep are at fault?” asked Chee.

Last month, the Ministry announced that it would impose a limit on subsidised diesel sold at petrol stations to curb illegal sale to commercial users. Each petrol station has been allocated a limit on diesel supplied, depending on their proven capacity and traffic.

Shafie had said that the move would save the Government about RM234.7 million a year in diesel subsidy.


----

It’s under control, Shafie tells operators
By MOHD YAAKOB YUSOF


Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal has ensured petrol station operators that the Government will meet the diesel shortage. “We will also make sure the diesel supply is sufficient for the coming festive seasons of Hari Raya Haji and Chinese New Year,” he told The Malay Mail yesterday.

“I will be meeting Persatuan Pengedar Petroleum Malaysia (PDAM) representatives when they come to the Ministry tomorrow (today).”

Shafie said petrol station operators should inform the Government on the extent of the diesel shortage for the necessary action to be taken.

He also hoped that the diesel would be sold to the right quarters.

“We will monitor all activities involving subsidised diesel,” he added.

Shafie (left) was replying to yesterday’s statements by PDAM, Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) and Federation of School Bus Operators Association which were affected by the government’s decision to reduce the quota of subsidised diesel by 10 to 40 per cent.

The government’s action was to prevent the sale of illegal subsidised diesel to commercials users.

In the statement, PDAM president Alang Zari Ishak claimed that some of their members had run out of supply even before the end of the month.

PMBOA and the Federation of School Bus Operators Association also reported they could not operate their businesses with the limited diesel supply.

“I have been receiving desperate calls from Sabah and Sarawak members who are unable to get enough diesel to run their services as scheduled,” said PMBOA president Datuk Ashfar Ali.


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© Copyright 2004 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.


Friday, October 22, 2004

YB (Yang Bertopeng)

What was reported in mainstream media…..

No Politician Arrested In Tawau Car Seizures

October 21, 2004 15:11 PM
KOTA KINABALU, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- No politician or businessman has been arrested in connection with the seizure of eight vehicles suspected to be stolen in Tawau on Monday, Sabah CID chief SAC II Mohamad Bakri Mohamad Zinin said Thursday.

He was refuting speculation that a Tawau politician-cum-businessman, who owns a logging company, had been detained for using stolen vehicles.

Mohamad Bakri said police were trying to identify whether the seven four-wheel-drive vehicles and a saloon car, seized from several areas including a logging camp, were actually stolen.

The seizures were made by a team from Bukit Aman national police headquarters but the case was being investigated by the Tawau police.

Nine people aged between 25 and 45, including two women, were earlier remanded in the investigation but were released on police bail yesterday.

Mohamad Bakri said the Chemistry Department was checking whether the vehicle chassis and engine numbers had been tampered with while the Road Transport Department was asked to confirm the vehicle documents.

What was not reported…… but of course known to the public

The logging company is Wawasan Gunung Emas Sdn. Bhd. Name and address of the company was sprayed on the vehicle seized, 7 4WD and one Proton Waja. Among those detained for investigation were the recently married relatives of Merotai State Assemblymen, Liew Yun Fah. Liew, the controversial BN candidate from Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has sought help from V.K. Liew who was recently awarded Justice of Peace.

According to reliable sources, Liew is not among the directors in Wawasan Gunung Emas Sdn. Bhd. but he is authorised to sign all the cheques. Whether his name was registered or not everyone knows Wawasan Gunung Emas Sdn. Bhd belongs to Liew.

Liew was said to have broken a promise made to a certain party and breaking others’ rice bowl, thus the resulting on reports being made to Bukit Aman instead of Tawau District Police Station.

We will see if money & power will overrule justice.

Saturday, September 04, 2004

Money Politics & Sabah Politicians

Now it is confirmed corruption and money politics among Sabah politicians especially those from UMNO is rampant. Silam Umno division deputy head Samsu Baharun Abdul Rahman who is also the Entrepreneurial and Co-operative Development Ministry parliamentary secretary has been suspended for three years by the party for money politics.

The Umno disciplinary board found the Silam MP – who was elected Silam division deputy chief recently – guilty of money politics. “He had given out RM50,” board chairman Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail told a press conference yesterday.

Silam division chief Mohd Yusof Apdal, younger brother of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal, has also been suspended. The board found that Yusof had held gatherings with party members in a hotel in Lahad Datu and given out RM200 while contesting the division head's post. He was also found to be acting for somebody.

Two others from the Silam division in Sabah have been suspended – committee members Hakim Ghulam Hassan and Datu Ibrahim Datu Abd Karim.

This is the second time the division has been embroiled in such problems. In the last Umno elections in 2000, then division chief Yusof Jamlee, Samsu’s brother-in-law, was also suspended by the party. At that time, Samsu had assumed the acting division chief’s post.

It is not a surprise that Samsu was slapped with the suspension. He has been taking much more than that. Besides money he is also a womanizer.

It was reported that during a trade mission to East Kalimantan, Indonesia last year, Samsu was given the honour to lead. With him were his wife and his assistants. However Samsu was always missing from the group. He excused himself for not feeling well. Inside sources revealed that he was having a good time with Indonesian prostitutes arranged by his assistants. Girls were delivered to his assistant’s room. His wife was kept busy by other assistants. His sexual fantasies also caused a few functions to be delayed.

Meanwhile, Yusof Apdal is the proxy for his brother, Shafie, in any business deals. It is not a secret that Shafie has lobbied for projects and passed them to UF Engineering of the Leeka Group. Due to his position, Shafie puts his brother as his representatives. Yusof has direct interests in the Leeka Group.

In fact it is also an open secret that Shafie receives his political funds for both General Election and Party campaigns from Leeka. These are kick backs from the projects which he has lobbied for using his influence as a minister/deputy minister.

RM200 paid by Yusof for a vote is only a small portion offered which were reported. The bigger sums have been given to bigger fish.

Are we going after the bigger fish?

Thursday, September 02, 2004

Song For Samy Vellu

Aiyoyo Samy
(London Bridge Is Falling Down)

Kepong Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
Kepong Bridge is falling down,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Take a gag and shut us up,
Shut us up, shut us up.
Take a gag and shut us up,
Aiyoyo Samy.

How will we build it up,
Build it up, build it up?
How will we build it up again,
Aiyoyo Samy?

Build it up with tax and toll,
Tax and toll, tax and toll.
Build it up with tax and toll,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Roads and bridges bend and break,
Bend and break, bend and break.
Roads and bridges bend and break,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Blame it on the Act of God,
Act of God, Act of God.
Blame it on the Act of God,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Rocks and blames will wash away,
Wash away, wash away.
Rocks and blames will wash away,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Author Unknown, but definitely Alert Malaysian

Sunday, August 29, 2004

Back to Zero

With the introduction of Code of Ethics for elected representatives, it was hope that state assemblymen (women) and members of parliament will contribute more in solving the people’s problem, bringing more progress to their constituencies, and help to bring Malaysia towards a more ‘Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang” nation.

After the March 2003 General Election and numerous pledges and promises made, was there any real results that could convince the rakyat? Was there any real actions mooted out to solve all kinds of problem faced by the people, electricity, water, land title, squatters, security, illegal immigrants, etc?

The UMNO politicians are so busy with the party election. Since there now appears a consortium to buy votes, being elected as a delegate to the UMNO General Assembly this September would give a big business opportunity. Don’t blame the press for focusing on UMNO election instead of state development because there was nothing said and done. Even small promises are hard to be fulfilled by those once promising politicians.

The Kadazan-Dusun based parties are busy talking about merger. It’s good to be in one big umbrella but let’s leave it to the party leaderships to discuss and work out the details. There is no use in getting everyone involved. The only reason was to divert the people’s attention and forget about the real business of these YBs.

Chinese party leaders especially LDP and SAPP are busy fighting like dog and cat. True, they might give the reasons that they are championing the rights of the Chinese community. The real truth is they are all running away from their actually responsibilities. They are fighting for their individual glories and survival.

Need examples? What has Datuk Ghapur done so far for the people of Kalabakan? He is staying in his big house in Tawau, one hundred Kilometer away from Kalabakan, partying away? Only porch vehicles are parked outside his house. No kampong folks allowed.

What has Datuk Dr Patawari done to the constituency of Sebatik? After failing to serve the people of Merotai, he moved to Sebatik, but nothing new. To be frank, he is more popular among the GROs in MTV, KTV and PUBs compared to the kampong folks in Sebatik. That tells where his real constituency is. When a YB, once an assistant minister, keep asking around for money from contractors, follow them more than the people in Sebatik, you could not expect anything good and fruitful from him.

Samson Chin, being elected for the third time, once as MP and twice as state assemblyman, could only make statements after things happen. Even his campaign leaflets are full of out dated statements. A YB with statements without action is as good as none. No action, no follow-up after the statements. When a non-performing YB being returned, you get a dead-wood.

The list will go on and on. If you think your elected representatives could help you, think twice. If you want things get done fast and efficient, better do it yourself.

Code of ethics or Code of antics?

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Musa Aman - Does Money Really Help?

Some people, especially politicians, think that as long as they dress like a holy man, behave well in public and speak against ill doings, they would be perceived as good and would be well respected.

Too bad, they are all wrong. They can only fool themselves, not others. Take this example of corruption and money politics.

09 July, 2004
Sabah Umno Liaison Chief Datuk Seri Musa Aman said party members are free to contest if they wish to do so in the party’s upcoming divisional delegates’ meetings, but reminded them to steer clear of money politics.

“I have already informed them about this...no money politics. There is no two ways about it. If there is contest, do so but refrain from resorting to money politics,” he told reporters here after attending a briefing by the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry.

21 July, 2004
On corruption, Musa said the State Government had revived the State Integrity Committee to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to wipe out corruption.

“The fight against abuse of power and corruption, promoting integrity, transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors should be carried out by all stakeholders, including the Government, private sector and NGOs,” he said.

04 August, 2004
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said all quarters should be involved in the prevention of corruption and not the relevant authorities alone.

Corruption, if left unchecked, would spread like cancer, he said while opening a State level Pre-U public-speaking competition on Prevention of Corruption, at the Maktab Sabah hall here, Tuesday.

He pointed out that corruption had resulted in economic and social chaos in certain countries, saying such kind of threat could also happen in this country if not totally eliminated.

18 August, 2004
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is upset over the statement by a Deputy Minister that money politics is being openly practised in Sabah.

Musa, who is also State Umno liaison chief, said the statement was an inaccurate assessment of the situation in the state as the leadership constantly advised leaders and members to refrain from money politics.

“Money politics does not benefit us as Umno leaders and members. We must protect Umno’s image and strive to enhance the party’s strength,” he told reporters Tuesday when asked to respond to the statement by International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah who implied that money politics was widespread in the State.

An English daily quoted him on Sunday as saying that money politics was rampant in Sabah and is being practised openly in the run-up to next month’s party elections to the extent that he dared not go to Sabah.

Asked whether the State Umno had received complaints on money politics during last month’s divisional polls, Musa said he had not received the report from the State Umno disciplinary committee on the matter.

He said Sabah Umno was closely monitoring the situation to ensure there was no unhealthy practices among party members in the run-up to Umno elections.

23 August 2004
From MGGPillai.com (
http://www.mggpillai.com/article.php3?sid=1992)
When corruption rears its ugly head ...

For the UMNO supreme council, the Sabah chief minister, Dato' Musa Aman offers RM1,000 a delegate in three tranches of RM200, RM300 and RM500; the Selangor mentri besar, Dato' Mohamed Khir Toyo offers RM1,000 or RM500 a delegate, depending on where he is from; those offering RM500 a vote are the Titiwangsa MP, Dato' Astaman Aziz; the deputy finance minister, Tengku Putra Tengku Awang; the deputy tourism minister and a former UMNO youth chief, Dato' Zahid Hamidi; the works deputy minister, Dato' Mohamed Zain Mohamed; the deputy rural and territory development minister and the former Tenaga Nasional Berhad chairman, Dato' Awang Adek Hussein.


So, what say you, Musa Aman? You might have ‘aman’ (tamed) the delegates, but certainly not the general public, especially Sabahan.