Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Nation Level Open House in Tawau & Sandakan?

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman was reported as saying the Sabah State Government will consider organising future open houses in other towns so that people in these areas would get to enjoy such festivities too. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the Government had wanted to hold open houses in towns such as Sandakan, Tawau and Kudat but was forced to shelve the idea because of inadequate facilities, particularly hotel rooms.

It would be good for crowd-puller events such as open houses to be held in various towns in Sabah instead of just Kota Kinabalu. Tawau has just hosted the first ever Malaysia Cocoa Festival. The turn out, however, was far less compared to the Christmas open house in Kota Kinabalu which was estimated to be 150,000 people.

If the CM was serious and sincere in his words, he would have attended the closing ceremony of Malaysia Cocoa Festival during its closing. He would have personally attend and pull in more crowd instead of sending his representative, Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail. He should have make his stand on the national event and give his support.

Tawau and Sandakan are not much different from Kota Kinabalu in terms of accessibility. Air Asia flies daily direct from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau and Sandakan. There is no more trouble of transit and wasting of time at the airports. It is about time the state government spend more effort in promoting other towns besides the state capital alone.

Lacking of hotel rooms is just an excuse. If there is no consistant efforts from the government to promote and develop other towns, no investors would build more hotels in these two towns. People in Kudat are already crying because the facilities provided during Datuk Chong Kah Kiat's time could not balance up with the small number of population and tourists.

Kudat was packed with tourists during the last state level national day celebration but quiet down rather fast immediately after that. People in Kudat might feel happy initially when new hotels are being built and the sea front been given a face lift. However, when festivals are over, the locals just could not afford to help occupy the hotel rooms. Unless efforts are being make to attrack more tourists continuously, Kudat is facing trouble.

Similarly, if the government do not pay attention to Sandakan and Tawau, even holding open houses in these two towns would not help. There is nothing to enjoy during these open houses if some contractors are making a quick profit from catering and erection of tall Christmas tree. What facilities are the CM talking about where the people could enjoy?

Balance development must be distributed fairly among the various towns in Sabah. Sandakan and Tawau which are both important towns in the BIMP-EAGA must be given priority by the state government. Concentration must be given to projects which benefit the people more instead of those mega projects which clearly making more wealth for the selected few.

The million ringgit water meters scam is still not settled and now we are talking about water privatisation to Ranhill Berhard. The only one who is talking about the project is Musa himself. The people at large are all ignorant about the whole issue. Why not make the whole idea more transparent, go for open tender and stop practising direct negotiation? Make it open like open houses to be held!

Friday, December 26, 2003

Chong Kah Kiat, The Trouble Maker?

The former Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Chong Kah Kiat is very quiet lately. It is something unexpected of a politician in view of the coming state and general election. He has been very much mellowed down his appearance in the local dailies.

It is however understandable because he has got himself strangled in various trouble. The most recent one being the application of 8.5 acres of land by Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KKCCCI). During Chong's tenure as the Chief Minister he approved Sabah Urban Development Corporation (SUDC)'s application on the same piece of land thus overlapping on KKCCCI’s earlier application. Both parties now state their claims.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) took up the issue and blamed Chong for denying the KKCCCI's right as the first applicant. They also accused him of being anti-Chinese. Chong kept very quiet on the accusation. It is his style of avoiding issues which he is guilty of. However some of his men came out with various statements to support. These men, whom their personality and credibility is questionable, produce no solid proof. They merely supporting Chong from what they believe which is mere assumption. They though he is sincere and would never do such things to betray the Chinese communities in Sabah. Some even said that Chong would forever be right, nearing him to God.

Even though the Land & Survey department’s Director, Datuk Mohamad Jafry said in a statement published on Dec. 9, that the disputed land was still State-owned with no titles given out yet, the issue has opened the eyes of the public of who the real Chong Kah Kiat is.

It was also reported that when Chong was still the Chief Minister, he has angered many colleagues from UMNO, UPKO and PBRS. For example he has question and queried every single reason of his ministers' leave application. His relationship with UMNO is only at face value. UMNO branches in Kudat have gathered and came up with memorandum to request Barinsan Nasional top leadership to drop Chong as a candidate during the coming election.

Chong has lost his support from the Malay. He could not count on the Chinese voters as well. Besides a few of his cronies who have benefited from him would keep supporting him, the rest of the Chinese are angry with Chong for his claim that he does not need to support of Chinese because Kudat is a Malay majority area. He was counting on the Malay to win, then. The situation has changed due to the dissatisfaction from both Chinese and Malay.

Within his own parties, he is at loggerhead with his deputy and party members from Sandakan and Tawau. He has openly called for their resignation during the November party congress in Kota Kinabalu, saying that they are too old to serve. Datuk Lau Ngan Siew, Datuk Wong Lien Tat, Datuk Michael Tan Kim Boo and Datuk Anthony Lai, all from Sandakan, were deeply disappointed.

Even Chong tried very hard to win the Chinese's heart he has not been successful. Just before Datuk Yong Teck Lee was elected as the first Chinese Chief Minister of Sabah in the rotation system, Chong said Chinese in Sabah is not suitable to be the Chief Minister. He was clearly trying to undermine Yong's opportunity and the Chinese community.

There was also a story circulated among the Sabah politicians about Chong's role on the appointment of current Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman. Chong was against Musa being the CM. He prefers Datuk Lajim Okin. He has teamed up with Lajim and Lajim's brother-in-law, Liew Yun Fah, to bring down Musa, through the former PM Tun Dr Mahathir. Musa was however chosen despite all the dirty tricks played by Chong and his gang. Chong is now fighting a losing battle in trying to keep him in the good book of Musa.

Liew Yun Fah, mean while claims himself as the designated candidate for Tawau in the coming election. He is acting as if he is the elected representative. He forced transporters to help him to clear rubbish and blaming the local authorities for not doing their work. He called for dialogues with the kampung folks condemning the elected representatives for being lazy.

Liew, being notoriously known for his lack of manners and protocol has offended many people. The public feels insulted and embarrassed for his childish conduct. He is also making use of Askar Wataniah 516 for his personal interests. He hired reporter to publish exaggerated reports and portraying himself as the Chinese leader who cares. The reporter he hired, Michael Lee, is famous for writing for money. He is easily bribed and irresponsible. This mess is started by Chong Kah Kiat. Liew is expected to officially join LDP soon with Chong personally accepting him in a big ceremony.

Chong Kah Kiat, trouble maker or trouble shooter? Let the public judge.

Tuesday, December 23, 2003

SAPP & LDP Should Merge

GERAKAN was formed after Dr Lim Chong Eu left the MCA. The two parties which representing the majority of Chinese in Penisular Malaysia were then openly or quietly fighting against each other. There were also bitter episods where elected members from both parties switch camps.

But gone are those ugly days when the new Prime Minister took office, and leadership changed in MCA. Both parties are now talking about merger. They both pledged to foster better relationship for the sake of the people and country. Party members and the public accepted the proposal with good faith.

Looking back in Sabah it is still a very sad scenario. Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) both having the majority members from Chinese community are still at loggerhead. Both parties are at 'war' through vaious issues intentionally highlighted and sensationalised in the press to embarrass each other.

It is a shame for leaders from both party to 'fight' and struggle for personal glory instead of looking into the interest of the people. Leaders from both parties are selfish, arrogant and irresponsible. The continued quarrel between the two Chinese based parties only bring about bigger division among the already small number of Chinese in the state. Divided Chinese will never have anyone to look into their interest. They will be left behind from the main stream politics. History has tought us about how the British using 'divide and rule' to achieve their selfish gains.

If both Yong Teck Lee and Chong Kah Kiat could not sit down and talk things over, they are both selfish and self centered. They are both fighting for their personal agendas. They can forget about claiming themselves as Chinese leaders of Sabah.

If both LDP and SAPP could not take heed of their big brothers to merge, then the Chinese should consider deserting both parties and join the stronger parties united as a single Chinese party.

Let Chong Kah Kiat and Yong Teck Lee keep fighting like a fighting fish in a fish bowl. The public will just watch and cheer.

Sunday, December 14, 2003

Your Money or My Money?

One by one, those 'clever' people who were put at various government agencies are showing their true colours. Or rather the outer coat has faded away. We now hear another brilliant idea which shocked the nation.

It was reported in The Star on Saturday (13/12/2003) that Employees Provident Fund contributors will not be allowed to withdraw their savings in a lump sum on reaching the age of 55 under a proposal being worked out by the organisation.

Instead, the proposed scheme would allow members who reach that age to withdraw between 20% and 30% of their total savings, with the rest being paid out in monthly payments over 15 to 20 years, according to sources.

Instead of working to manage the fund properly and make it more productive and profitable in their investments, the EPF management seems more interested in petty matters. Instead of raising the annual dividen, which has been declining since 1999, they choose to make life difficult for those reaching 55.

Is EPF short of money or are there irregularities to be covered up? Or else why such proposal was made? Though the Prime Minister disgreed with the proposal, it gave us the idea of what kind of people who sit in the management team. Soon they will come out with yet another 'brilliant' idea which will again make headlines in the media.

Let the people decide on their money, for whatever reasons, they have waited till 55. No one should touch their money.

Wake up EPF, do your work, not others.

Saturday, December 13, 2003

Are you hiding something, Dato'?

There were strong objections through out the country on the RM2 charge for checking of National Service status through SMS. It was reported that there were about 480,000 youths involved in the first ever national service. Should they each send in one SMS to check their status, they will be charged RM2 each. That will be RM960,000 easy money for somebody! Let's not talk about checking twice or three times. The cost to set up the infrastructure is only RM1,500.

Defence Minister Dato' Seri Najib when asked to comment on the expensieve charges said those who could not afford should not use SMS. Najib must have forgotten that his responsibilities that his ministry should make all necessary arrangements to provide the information for free through all channels, including SMS. His excuse is too childish and irresponsible. If Najib is a businessman, he is excusable (or is he?). The people now realise right away why Pak Lah did not pick him as the Deputy Prime Minister.

Similarly when Dato' Nazri when asked about his meeting with ACA officials on the allegations of issuing 6,000 taxi permits to one individual, he said his reason for giving taxi permits to the existing companies was because they are more experience and could afford it. But, Dato', everyone needs a first time to gain experience. If these companies where never given the first chance previously would they too, acquire such experience? How could he deny the new applicants an opportunity to try and to prove?

Probably this is the best time the Press look out more issues to ask our dear YBs, show their exact answers and responses on TV and let the public judge themselves before we decide whom to elect as our new YBs.

Thursday, December 11, 2003

Air Asia - Double Standard?

Air Asia check-in counters in Tawau display big signs saying that all fresh and frozen seafood are not allowed. It was understood that leak from frozen seafood has caused airlines a lot of money to repair.

However, there was an article “Tawau: Adventurer’s Heaven’ written by Meena Nachiappan published in November 2003 issue of Spectra which stated otherwise. She wrote, 'I decided to be daring and pack some fresh seafood in iceboxes to be flown home on the day l left. A 'fragile' sticker was stuck to the icebox and it came out perfectly safe when i got back to the West.'.

Specktra was provided for passenger reading on Air Asia plane. The writer was assumed to be sponsored by Air Asia to write about Tawau and at the same time promoting for them.

So, ordinary passengers are not allowed to carry seafood with them, but Meena has done it. Is Air Asia has anything to say about this double standard?

Monday, December 08, 2003

The Ugly Truth

It was interesting to watch Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz losing his temper at Datuk Nordin Ismail, ACA Director Investigation. Nazri was angry because Datuk Nordin was saying he would get the police to issue warrant of arrest even to ministers who refuse to co-operate. Nazri was not happy because ACA took three months but yet could not conclude their investigation on allegations where one individual was given 6,000 taxi permits.

It has been quite a while that we see such 'action' on TV3. We were only shown the good side of the ministers or VIPs on TV. We only saw what the media wanted us to see (or what has been instructed to be shown). It would be a very rare occasion where we get to see the ugly side of the truth, unless on those who have got into the bad book of the powerful.

A few years ago, the Pahang Menteri Besar was alleaged to have shown a vulgar sign in public. He denied. The media never show but video clips of the actual sceen was widely spread on internet. The media has protected the ministers and VIPs so well that the public thought they were really angels.

Only with the introduction of internet that the people has other alternatives to get the truth (or lies) and are able to judge on their own. A conditioned judgement purposedly portrayed by certain media is lossing its effect. Less people are trusting 100% what they read on papers and watch on televisions.

We just hope that such ugly sceen shown on TV3 is not the last. Show us more of the truth, even if the truth is hurting. We would rather get hurt then kept in the dark and fooled.

Only the truth about the rich, famous and powerful are shown to the public could make these people more responsible and accountable. Or else they would think that they are an elite group who are above the law.

Saturday, December 06, 2003

Banyaknya Datuk

For the record, here are the number of Datuks and JPs awarded in Sabah from 1985 to 2003

Year Datuk JP Chief Minister
1985 3 12 Datuk Seri Pairin
1986 11 7 Datuk Seri Pairin
1987 15 6 Datuk Seri Pairin
1988 13 8 Datuk Seri Pairin
1989 15 5 Datuk Seri Pairin
1990 29 5 Datuk Seri Pairin
1991 24 12 Datuk Seri Pairin
1992 36 8 Datuk Seri Pairin
1993 20 10 Datuk Seri Pairin
1994 53 17 Tun Sakaran
1995 24 11 Datuk Seri Salleh Said
1996 49 24 Datuk Seri Salleh Said
1997 47 24 Datuk Yong Teck Lee
1998 53 8 Datuk Yong Teck Lee
1999 28 6 Datuk Osu Sukam
2000 36 5 Datuk Osu Sukam
2001 26 4 Datuk Chong Kah Kiat
2002 57 8 Datuk Chong Kah Kiat
2003 28 7 Datuk Seri Musa Aman

The most number of Datuks (57) was given out during Datuk Chong Kah Kiat's second year as Chief Minister. Among them was his brother-in-law, Lee Chuan Wan. Two others which caused a lot of anger in Tawau were Liew Yun Fah and Thien Kok Poh.

Datuk Yong Teck Lee and Tun Sakaran were second on the list with 53 datukships each given away in 1998 and 1994 respectively.

Yong however recorded a total number of 96 datuks during his two year term as the Chief Minister from 1997 to 1998. Chong Kah Kiat was second with 83 Datuks.

During Datuk Salleh's term, a total of 35 JPs were awarded.

A total of 401 datuks and 114 Justice of Peace were given out since Barisan Nasional ruled Sabah from 1994. This is a big difference compared to 166 Datuks and 73 JPs during Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) lead by Datuk Seri Pairin.

What is the indication? I leave it to you to ponder.

Corruption All The Way

When a child is born and she is not wanted by her natural parents, someone who is kind enough would offer to be her foster parents. To avoid future problem, the foster parents wish to make her as if she is their natural child. One way to do it is to have their names registered in her birth certificate. Law would not allowed that. But there are thousands of cases happening everywhere. How? Pay your way through!

When parents wish to send their children to their desired school, be it for convenience, results oriented or prestige, schools normally have lot of reasons and excuses not to accept unallocated students. Some reasons are genuine but some are purposely created and exagerated. If you have papers with the king's picture on it, use them and you will get in to the school you wished.

When foreigners arrived, with money, they could become a citizen faster than those locally born. How? Buy a birth certificate and get yourself a mykad identity card. Where to buy? Of course from the inciders. Outsiders would never know how without the insiders leading the way. Better still if there are politicians backing to make it a business. Identity cards, passports, government papers, no problem as long as you are willing to pay.

When you want a driving license without wanting to go through all the hassle of waiting, get the agent and pay. Payment is inclusive of the driving test and 'coffee money' for the tester. That's why you hear of 'lesen kopi O'. If you don't pay, no matter how good you are, you tend to fail every time. If you pay, you get your license, fast, no question.

When you are driving without a license and booked, no problem. If the policemen do not know what to do and ask you, "Jadi sekarang macam mana?", you know for sure you are going to be let off if you pay. Speeding, drink and drive, talking on handphone while driving, forget your safety belt, and more, pay, when you are put in a situation where you know what to do. Even if you do bad things, you keep your good name and clean record, as long as you pay.

If you are staying in a big bunglow, fully air-conditioned and equiped with sophisticated electrical appliances, pay the insider from electricity board. They will help you fix your meter and you get more but pay less. that's how the advertisement says. Is it some new found secret? No, it has been there long enough. But why no checking till now? Simple, big fishes are involved. They would not want to check on their own backyard. Checking will only being carried out if it does not conflict their intrests.

Coming back from overseas with a lot of goods? No problem if you do not wish to pay for taxes and duties. Pay the guy who check on you. Are you evading taxes? No, you are not. The officer on duty let you go. So you are not guilty. Is he guilty? No, he does that all the while.

Competing for a contract or tender? How to secure the contract? Simple, pay to get information you want, either to reduce your bid value or have someone to make the opponet's documents disqualify. Not a bumiputera? No problem, go Ali Baba.

Lobbying for bigger contract? Get a partner from inside. Offer him the percentage he requested. Jack up your price and it will be justified during 'direct negotiation'. The public will eventually made to pay for the extras because they are the tax payers. Government will make them pay.

The list can go on and on. We have been catching small fish all this while. Small fish is easier to catch because small fish could not afford big money, could not afford to pay the big shark, that's why they are caught and prosecuted in court. Small fish is the scape goat, the 'show' to show the public that we are serious in combating corruption.

Big sharks will never get booked because they are 'big' enough and rich enough with cash. Just pay your way through and you will get what you want. When your name gets dirty, pay for a datukship or a Justice of Peace, so that you could do 'name laundry' (similar to money laundry).

To combat corruption, it should start from the inside. Insiders are the one who created all the red-tap, delays and unwanted hassle for the public. They are the one who leak out information for sale. Get them first.

Public servants must be thoroughly screened and interviewed before employment, not through back door or recommendation of certain YBs or Datuks. If the starting is wrong it will be wrong all the way. If YBs and Datuks are allowed to interfere in government administration through money and authorities, there is no way one could do any house cleaning and there will be no room for improvement.

Show the public a genuine case of seriousness in combating corruption, book and charge a BIG FISH. If we are still going after ikan bilis, forget it.