With the next general election fast approaching, politicians, old and new, are gearing up to lobby for the chance to represent the Barisan Nasional (BN). Top level leaderships always stressed that only responsible, reliable and hardworking state assemblymen / members of parliament will be retain. However, time and again, these assurance seems to be mere talking and empty promises. We were given too many unsuitable candidates to choose from, or rather, no choice to make at all during the past elections.
Take for example Tawau. The Tawau Parliamentary consists of Sri Tanjung, Merotai and Kalabakan state constituencies. Tawau is represented by Shim Paw Fatt while Samson Chin, Datuk Dr Patawari Patawe and Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh represent Sri Tanjung, Merotai and Kalabakan respectively.
Shim Paw Fatt is a lawyer by profession. A quiet man who doesn't care too much about public relations. Most of his public relationships with either the government departments or the society are done by his assistants. Here is where the problem arises when his assistants went over the limit by assuming Shim's position and acted as if they are the member of parliament.
One of such incidents was when one of his assistants arrogantly instructed the Tawau Branch National Registration Director (Pengarah Jabatan Pendaftaran) to wait for Shim on one Friday morning. He was reminded to make sure that he is there waiting since Shim is very busy and does not want to wait for this Director. The appointment was fixed by his assistant at 11.00am.
The director felt deeply insulted and humiliate by the way an appointment was arranged. Furthermore, being a Friday morning where the muslims are going for prayers at 11.30am, there is nothing much to discuss in such a short time. The appointment however did not materialise because the director did not bother Shim's assistant. Shim's assistant went round to say that the director was incooperative but unless we know the real situation, we would have believed him. This is only once such out of so many examples where Shim's assistants spoilt all the good name and the good opportunities to solve the people's problem, and to understand the real situation of government department functions.
Shim himself, however, although being a senior lawyer in Tawau, did not do much for the people of Tawau. He has nothing to be proud of after being an MP since 1999. He was only concentrating on petty issues involving rubbish, clogged drains, central market and other minor issues which could be easily solved by any ordinary people.
Being a Member of Parliament of Tawau Shim, (or Simpang Empat as he is known among his frustrated followers since he doesn't know what to do, always at the crossroad) has failed to come out with a long term plan to improve the lifelyhood of the people in Tawau. There wasn't any real development plan ever been drafted or proposed. That's why after almost 5 years being the MP, Shim is still busy visiting clogged drains and smelly rubbish sites.
Sri Tanjung State Assemblyman, Samson Chin is also a lawyer. He is worse compared to Shim. Samson did not even have clogged drains or smelling rubbish sites to visit. Being a Party Bersatu Sabah (PBS) state assemblyman, he has received his 'gaji buta' for so many years until PBS formerly rejoined BN.
Hoping that situation would improve after PBS rejoined BN was a big let down. Samson Chin took an opportunity to throw a birthday party for his mother by inviting more than a thousand people from Tawau. Everyone was expecting the dinner was free since that was the first time ever this stingy politician ever given a party.
Samson once again disappointed the people by asking for ang paw. He also used that function to praise his PBS leaders who turned up in full force. Invited guests were forced to listen to his boring lecture after reluctantly forking out the ang paw. What was his real motives in arranging for such dinner is yet to be known.
Samson Chin who gave zero activities record for being the DAP member of parliament for Tawau is about to pass up yet another zero record for his tenure as the Sri Tanjung state assemblyman. He is too comfortable receving his 'gaji buta'. His reason was simple, since he was in the opposition, there was nothing he could do because there was no fund, no allocation and no assistant from the federal government. Therefore, no action, no effort, no activities, no changes. Now that he has joined BN, he still could not change his attitude. There is no difference in having a YB or not having one.
Datuk Ghapur and Dr Patawari are known political rivals. Most of their time was spent to strengthen their own influence in their constituencies. More time is spent on political issues rather than carrying duties as state assemblymen. Not much effort has been given for the welfare and benefits of the people. With the new delineation of boundaries, Ghapur is expected to be moved away from Kalabakan which is now a Parliamentary seat.
Dr Patawari who is a state assistant minister is relying on his assistant, Mohamad Manuke, to carry out his duties in Merotai while he concentrates on his work in the state capital. Mohamad Manuke is one big crocodile who takes every opportunity to squeeze and manipulate everything.
Ghapur who seems not being in the good book of the Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman is fighting a losing battle to maintain his position. Being an Arab parentage, he makes use of his deputy, Samsul Alang to help gaining support of the Bugis who form the majority Malay in Tawau. Unfortunately, instead of helping the people of Tawau especially the muslims and bumiputeras, Samsul is now operating buses transpoting passengers to and fro Tawau Airport, affecting many taxi drivers. He also grabs all the business opportunities allocated for the bumiputeras.
Another interesting personality to watch is Chua Soon Bui who was the former MP for Tawau before Shim Paw Fatt took over. She is still hoping to make a come back in active political scene. Being the first ever lady MP from Tawau, it was a big hu ha for a lot of people. It was supposed to be a proud moment for the women who believe in equal opportunity for both sexes. However, Chua disappointed them and embarrassed them. Chua has a strong addiction for publicity. She was too much involved in arranging for her publicity that she forgot that she was an MP and not a fashion model.
Chua, during her parliamentary sessions, always has head turns when she made speeches in the Parliament because of her over-dressing and over-body language. She was also emotionally involved with an MCA MP who sits beside her in the Parliament. That explains why she was always missing immediately after any parliamentary meetings.
Chua has a special liking of seeing herself photographed and published in papers. She would grab any opportunity to be in the lime light. People in Tawau are fed-up with her face appearing in newspapers everyday doing nothing important besides attending wedding, open house, school sports day and visiting new born babies in hospital.
How could she made herself appear in newspapers when she attend no important functions? How could the local dailies spam the public with rubbish news? The answer is simple, pay the reporters or write her own news then bribe the editors. She is so much addicted to fame that she insists people on addressing her as YB even though she has been replaced 4 years ago.
These are among the aspiring YBs for the coming election. If the people of Tawau still want the same brand of politicians, doing petty matters for them and allow Tawau to be left behind compared to Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan in terms of development, then go ahead and pray that these people are returned and become YBs again. Otherwise, look beyond and look for someone new, not reconditioned politicians, to lead Tawau. Tawau could not take another 5 years to test out another politician with no vision and no passion for his people.
Monday, October 27, 2003
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Tawau Otentik Quarry - Only Tragedy Will It Stop
Kampung folks in Tanjung Batu, Tawau have been living in fear for years. Their pleas have never been taken into consideration. Numerous accidents at the quarry which resulted in death of innocent lives from the Otentik Quarry, but no order has ever been issued to stop the quarry from operating.
Otentik Quarry, which operates on a piece of forest reserve of the Kukusan Forest Reserve, is located at the centre of a very populated area of Tanjung Batu in Tawau. There are more than 200 families living at the foot of the mountain or nearby. The distance between the residential area and the quarry is less than 500 metres. The quarry is only a few kilometers away from Tawau town.
Besides having to tolerate with the danger of flying rocks from blasting, the people of Tanjung Batu also have to bear with the high density of dust and noise pollution. The operator went against all laws, disregards the impacts it brought to environment and worst, the danger they created to human lives living nearby.
Fearing for their safety, health and security, the residents have made many complaints to many authorities, local, state and even to the federal levels. A committee was also form to fight for their rights. Sadly, no one listens and no one takes any actions. Politicians approached only gave empty promises, which they are expert in.
To add salt to injury, in May 2003, the status of the 66-hectare Kukusan Forest Reserve has been re-classified from a Class I Protection Forest to a Class II Commercial Forest to enable revenue diversification through non-forest and multi-use forest development.
Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Lajim Ukin who tabled the Forests (Constitution of Forest Reserves and Amendment) (Amendment) Enactment 2003 said the State Government had to re-evaluate the reserve’s status from the geological, flora, fauna and bio-diversity aspects.
“Furthermore, the reserve has become a secondary forest reserve with low density of timber and in some places has been encroached upon by illegal squatter structures and planted with cash crops,” he said.
The changes will also enable the State Government to streamline the regulation of quarry activities for which a licence was issued in 1967.
“The licence and permission to quarry in the area was renewed every five years until 1997,” he said, adding that complications arose when the area was classified as Class I Protected Forest Reserve in 1984.
Therefore, the reclassification into a Commercial Forest and continuation of the quarry activities would benefit the Government as the licence fee gives the State Government RM84,000 as well as job opportunities to the locals.
Apart from that, it would provide for better control and update of the forest administration in terms of legislation and management.
However the minister failed to review the why the timber in a forest reserve would disappear? It is not difficult for him to inform the house of representatives that the quarry operator has illegally chopped and sold the logs to make way for their quarry activities. How could it be called a forest reserve when people could fell timber in broad day light?
The minister also did no review that tons of money have been sent to the Forestry Department and certain ministers in order for the quarry license to be renewed every year. Why not name these people who have benefited more than RM84,000, and not the state government?
He did not mention at all the hardship of the local people, not illegal squatters (since the Ops Nyiah has sent all the foreigners home), who have suffered for so many years because of the existent of the quarry. For RM84,000, the state government chose to sacrifice the welfare of the poor kampong folks.
You might ask why the state government is so insensitive? No, the Government, or rather the interested lots in the government, are actually sensitive, but they are sensitive towards their own interests and benefits.
By amending the law the interested lot ensure their ‘income’ is intact. The quarry is owned by a very wealthy businessman who had helped many politicians during their election campaigns. The quarry also gives free or at a discounted price for supply of stones to the ‘wakil rakyat’ for their rural road projects. These YBs then claimed from the government for full cost.
So it is not difficult to reason out why the so call ‘wakil rakyat’ never took care of the people’s welfare. They themselves are too busy taking care of their own pockets by denying the rights of the people whom they have deceived into voting for them during the general election. Not only that, to further safeguard their interests, they even pressured the various government agencies like the Department of Environment (DOE) and Environment Conservation Department (ECD) from taking any serious action. As such these government agencies are only capable of going after the small fish and letting the big fish at loose.
Such is the situation of how rotten and how corrupted those authorities who were supposed to safeguard the people’s interests and rights but instead help to making illegal fortune for those unscrupulous politicians. These are the people who have actually robbed the people of Sabah their rights, pride and dignity.
Otentik Quarry, which operates on a piece of forest reserve of the Kukusan Forest Reserve, is located at the centre of a very populated area of Tanjung Batu in Tawau. There are more than 200 families living at the foot of the mountain or nearby. The distance between the residential area and the quarry is less than 500 metres. The quarry is only a few kilometers away from Tawau town.
Besides having to tolerate with the danger of flying rocks from blasting, the people of Tanjung Batu also have to bear with the high density of dust and noise pollution. The operator went against all laws, disregards the impacts it brought to environment and worst, the danger they created to human lives living nearby.
Fearing for their safety, health and security, the residents have made many complaints to many authorities, local, state and even to the federal levels. A committee was also form to fight for their rights. Sadly, no one listens and no one takes any actions. Politicians approached only gave empty promises, which they are expert in.
To add salt to injury, in May 2003, the status of the 66-hectare Kukusan Forest Reserve has been re-classified from a Class I Protection Forest to a Class II Commercial Forest to enable revenue diversification through non-forest and multi-use forest development.
Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Lajim Ukin who tabled the Forests (Constitution of Forest Reserves and Amendment) (Amendment) Enactment 2003 said the State Government had to re-evaluate the reserve’s status from the geological, flora, fauna and bio-diversity aspects.
“Furthermore, the reserve has become a secondary forest reserve with low density of timber and in some places has been encroached upon by illegal squatter structures and planted with cash crops,” he said.
The changes will also enable the State Government to streamline the regulation of quarry activities for which a licence was issued in 1967.
“The licence and permission to quarry in the area was renewed every five years until 1997,” he said, adding that complications arose when the area was classified as Class I Protected Forest Reserve in 1984.
Therefore, the reclassification into a Commercial Forest and continuation of the quarry activities would benefit the Government as the licence fee gives the State Government RM84,000 as well as job opportunities to the locals.
Apart from that, it would provide for better control and update of the forest administration in terms of legislation and management.
However the minister failed to review the why the timber in a forest reserve would disappear? It is not difficult for him to inform the house of representatives that the quarry operator has illegally chopped and sold the logs to make way for their quarry activities. How could it be called a forest reserve when people could fell timber in broad day light?
The minister also did no review that tons of money have been sent to the Forestry Department and certain ministers in order for the quarry license to be renewed every year. Why not name these people who have benefited more than RM84,000, and not the state government?
He did not mention at all the hardship of the local people, not illegal squatters (since the Ops Nyiah has sent all the foreigners home), who have suffered for so many years because of the existent of the quarry. For RM84,000, the state government chose to sacrifice the welfare of the poor kampong folks.
You might ask why the state government is so insensitive? No, the Government, or rather the interested lots in the government, are actually sensitive, but they are sensitive towards their own interests and benefits.
By amending the law the interested lot ensure their ‘income’ is intact. The quarry is owned by a very wealthy businessman who had helped many politicians during their election campaigns. The quarry also gives free or at a discounted price for supply of stones to the ‘wakil rakyat’ for their rural road projects. These YBs then claimed from the government for full cost.
So it is not difficult to reason out why the so call ‘wakil rakyat’ never took care of the people’s welfare. They themselves are too busy taking care of their own pockets by denying the rights of the people whom they have deceived into voting for them during the general election. Not only that, to further safeguard their interests, they even pressured the various government agencies like the Department of Environment (DOE) and Environment Conservation Department (ECD) from taking any serious action. As such these government agencies are only capable of going after the small fish and letting the big fish at loose.
Such is the situation of how rotten and how corrupted those authorities who were supposed to safeguard the people’s interests and rights but instead help to making illegal fortune for those unscrupulous politicians. These are the people who have actually robbed the people of Sabah their rights, pride and dignity.
Friday, October 24, 2003
Lembaga Koko Malaysia Membunuh Bayi Kandungannya Sendiri
Tidak sampai dua mingggu daripada tarikh sebenar Fiesta Koko Malaysia yang julung-julung kali diadakan, satu satu penganjur utama, Lembaga Koko Malaysia (LKM), mengumumkan penarikan diri daripada acara tersebut. Sedangkan LKM adalah badan yang bertanggungjawab untuk mengkaji, menyelidik, mempromosi dan mengembangkan pasaran koko Malaysia ke serluruh dunia.
LKM meninggalkan dua rakan penganjur bersama, Majlis Perbandaran Tawau dan Teck Guan Group yang telah sama-sama menganjurkan acara tahunan tersebut sejak 8 tahun yang lalu. Ia bermula dengan Pesta Koko Tawau yang kemudiannya dinaikkan taraf ke Pesta Koko Sabah pada tahun lepas (2002) dan tahun ini diberi pengiktirafan menganjurkan Fiesta Koko Malaysia.
Namun, Ketua Pengarah Lembaga Koko Malaysia, Dr Azhar Ismail mengumumkan mereka telah membuat keputusan untuk menarik diri daripada terus menganjurkan acara tersebut kerana permintaan LKM supaya acara tersebut ditunda untuk menghormati bulan Ramadan ditolak oleh dua penganjur bersama yang lain.
Tindakan LKM adalah sama seperti menikan kedua rakan perjuangannya dari belakang. Ia juga menunjukkan rasa tidak tanggungjawab LKM dalam mengendalikan satu acara bertaraf kebangsaan. Ia juga sekaligus menampakkan kebudak-budakan LKM yang merajuk apabila permintaan mereka ditolak.
Akan tetapi, alasan LKM untuk menarik diri sekadar kerana untuk menghormati bulan adalah tidak munasabah. Lembaga Koko Malaysia sebagai salah satu penganjur cukup arif bahawa penentapan tarikh Fiesta Koko Malaysia pada tahun ini jatuh dalam bulan Ramadan. Tarikh tersebut telah ditetapkan pada tahun lepas dan telah dilapor dan dihebahkan melalui iklan pelbagai media sekian lama. Mustahil seorang Ketua Pengarah yang juga seorang Islam begitu alpa untuk menyedarinya pada saat terakhir sebelum acara tersebut dilangsung.
Yang anehnya juga, pada setiap tahun penglibatan LKM dalam penganjuran Pesta Koko ini adalah pada peringkat minimum sahaja. Kebanyakan masa mereka sekadar menghantar wakil untuk menghadiri mesyuarat dan tidak menyumbangkan apa-apa yang signifikan. Malah mereka juga begitu bijak mengelakkan tanggungjawab. Akan tetapi mereka tetap diberi penghormatan sebagai salah penganjur dan Ketua Pengarahnya diberi peluang berucap.
Oleh yang demikian penarikannya daripada barisan penganjur tidak memberikan kesan yang mendalam sebaliknya membuka mata masyarakat umum terhadap sikap mementingkan diri dan rasa tidak tanggungjawa LKM.
Adalah juga satu perkara yang menarik kerana tetamu kehormat pada majlis perasmian Fiesta Koko Malaysia pada tahun ini adalah Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Ahmadshah Abdullah tidak pula menolak jemputan jawatankuasa penganjur. Majlis Perbandaran Tawau (MPT) yang diketuai oleh Datuk Harith Hj M. Yahya tidak pernah mengurangkan sumbangan beliau ke arah kejayaan Fiesta Koko Malaysia yang diadakan di Tawau, Sabah.
Malah Presiden MPT mempersoalkan apakah Dr Azhar mengambil ikhtibar daripada pesanan Perdana Menteri, Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad supaya umat Islam meningkatkan produktiviti pada bulan Ramadan supaya puasa kita lebih diberkati.
Jika Lembaga Koko Malaysia sebagai badan yang diberi amanat untuk memajukan industri koko Malaysia sanggup memboikot dan sabotaj terhadap Fista Koko Malaysia, tidak ada gunakan badan tersebut terus dipimpin oleh golongan yang berkepentingan diri, berpemikiran sempit dan bongkak. Sudah tiba masanya mereka ini diganti dan dipindahkan.
LKM meninggalkan dua rakan penganjur bersama, Majlis Perbandaran Tawau dan Teck Guan Group yang telah sama-sama menganjurkan acara tahunan tersebut sejak 8 tahun yang lalu. Ia bermula dengan Pesta Koko Tawau yang kemudiannya dinaikkan taraf ke Pesta Koko Sabah pada tahun lepas (2002) dan tahun ini diberi pengiktirafan menganjurkan Fiesta Koko Malaysia.
Namun, Ketua Pengarah Lembaga Koko Malaysia, Dr Azhar Ismail mengumumkan mereka telah membuat keputusan untuk menarik diri daripada terus menganjurkan acara tersebut kerana permintaan LKM supaya acara tersebut ditunda untuk menghormati bulan Ramadan ditolak oleh dua penganjur bersama yang lain.
Tindakan LKM adalah sama seperti menikan kedua rakan perjuangannya dari belakang. Ia juga menunjukkan rasa tidak tanggungjawab LKM dalam mengendalikan satu acara bertaraf kebangsaan. Ia juga sekaligus menampakkan kebudak-budakan LKM yang merajuk apabila permintaan mereka ditolak.
Akan tetapi, alasan LKM untuk menarik diri sekadar kerana untuk menghormati bulan adalah tidak munasabah. Lembaga Koko Malaysia sebagai salah satu penganjur cukup arif bahawa penentapan tarikh Fiesta Koko Malaysia pada tahun ini jatuh dalam bulan Ramadan. Tarikh tersebut telah ditetapkan pada tahun lepas dan telah dilapor dan dihebahkan melalui iklan pelbagai media sekian lama. Mustahil seorang Ketua Pengarah yang juga seorang Islam begitu alpa untuk menyedarinya pada saat terakhir sebelum acara tersebut dilangsung.
Yang anehnya juga, pada setiap tahun penglibatan LKM dalam penganjuran Pesta Koko ini adalah pada peringkat minimum sahaja. Kebanyakan masa mereka sekadar menghantar wakil untuk menghadiri mesyuarat dan tidak menyumbangkan apa-apa yang signifikan. Malah mereka juga begitu bijak mengelakkan tanggungjawab. Akan tetapi mereka tetap diberi penghormatan sebagai salah penganjur dan Ketua Pengarahnya diberi peluang berucap.
Oleh yang demikian penarikannya daripada barisan penganjur tidak memberikan kesan yang mendalam sebaliknya membuka mata masyarakat umum terhadap sikap mementingkan diri dan rasa tidak tanggungjawa LKM.
Adalah juga satu perkara yang menarik kerana tetamu kehormat pada majlis perasmian Fiesta Koko Malaysia pada tahun ini adalah Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Ahmadshah Abdullah tidak pula menolak jemputan jawatankuasa penganjur. Majlis Perbandaran Tawau (MPT) yang diketuai oleh Datuk Harith Hj M. Yahya tidak pernah mengurangkan sumbangan beliau ke arah kejayaan Fiesta Koko Malaysia yang diadakan di Tawau, Sabah.
Malah Presiden MPT mempersoalkan apakah Dr Azhar mengambil ikhtibar daripada pesanan Perdana Menteri, Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad supaya umat Islam meningkatkan produktiviti pada bulan Ramadan supaya puasa kita lebih diberkati.
Jika Lembaga Koko Malaysia sebagai badan yang diberi amanat untuk memajukan industri koko Malaysia sanggup memboikot dan sabotaj terhadap Fista Koko Malaysia, tidak ada gunakan badan tersebut terus dipimpin oleh golongan yang berkepentingan diri, berpemikiran sempit dan bongkak. Sudah tiba masanya mereka ini diganti dan dipindahkan.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
How to Become a Datuk in Sabah
The state assembly agreed to increase the number of Datuks from 850 to 950 giving the new Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Musa Aman, another opportunity to reward his supporters.
It is a known secret that Datukship in Sabah could be easily lobbied or bought through various channels and means. One could get the Chieft Minster to recommend for a datukship after offering certans favours. One could also get close to the Tuan Yang Terutama, state Governor, or his immediate families to be made a Datuk.
Take for instant those who have been awarded datukships, no one knows what these new datuks have contributed to the society. Lee Chuan Wan is the brother-in-law to the former Chief Minister. He has done nothing to the people of Sabah. He could not even contribute to his local community in Kota Kinabalu. Even his political position in Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as a vice president was pre-arranged by the brother-in-law who is also the party President, Datuk Chong Kah Kiat. Hours before last year's party election, delegates were given a 'menu' telling them who to vote and who not to. His name was on the top list.
So if you are a relative of those people in power, you will have a better chance to be called Datuk.
Liew Yun Fah (who name is far longer if all his 'bought over' titles were to be mentioned) has also done nothing to the community of Tawau. Being a businessman dealing with illegal logging. He has business interest with the sons of the then TYT. He also shamelessly, breaking all protocol to 'accompany' the TYT whenever he is in Tawau. He was said to have paid RM500,000 for his datukship. He has also previously paid for his doctor and Mejar titles. People in Tawau knows he is a crook and gangster. He does not even know the basic rule of communication, RESPECT. He has a brother-in-law whose name is equally long, Datuk Lajim. He is now aiming for Justice of Peace (JP) that's why he is following the new TYT.
The second rule, be thick skin, get your name longer to be different.
Thien Kok Poh is an Indonesian who hailed from Tarakan, East Kalimantan. His families are still staying in Tarakan. He is yet another timber businessman who earns his fortune by stealing timber in restricted areas including those in Indonesia. He too has done nothing for anybody except for his own pocket. He is also a big playboy who sleeps around with practically any pretty ladies in town. He was also one of those who rushed to do his blood test when one of his sleeping partners died of HIV. He also bought his datukship through the relationship of palace people. How he got his Malaysian citizenship is still a big question but yet he was awarded datukship.
Doesn't matter where you come from as long as you know how to manipulate your money to your advantage, you will be called a datuk.
YC Lau, who is in the centre of controversial between LDP and SAPP was awarded the datukship this year. It is clearly a reward from the former CM as a gratitude for carrying his balls. People in Kota Kinabalu knows well that he is one of those big thieves who teamed up with the KK Mayor to rob the people through the sky high parking fee.
Next tip, doesn't matter if you rob others but be sure to call others thieves and carry your boss' balls well.
There is another young datuk who is a well know timber thief which Datuk Chong vowed to get rid off. Did Datuk Chong success in doing so? No. Why? Simple, this timber thief, Elbert Lim, joined his party, LDP and became the division youth chief, made generous donation to the party and to the president personally. So he was cleared of any act of stealing timber in Benta Wawasan.
Doesn't matter what the public think about you as long as the leader 'knows' who you are.
Datuk? What datuk? Need the list to continue? No one will ever respect this 'money datuks'. In fact the people are embarrassed to have such people awarded the title of datuk. If Datuk Clearance Bongkos Malakun is sincere in preserving the status of Datuks, stop increasing the number of datuks but instead get rid of those money datuks.
The moral of the story, if you want to be embarrassed, laughed and ridiculed, buy yourself a datukship in Sabah.
It is a known secret that Datukship in Sabah could be easily lobbied or bought through various channels and means. One could get the Chieft Minster to recommend for a datukship after offering certans favours. One could also get close to the Tuan Yang Terutama, state Governor, or his immediate families to be made a Datuk.
Take for instant those who have been awarded datukships, no one knows what these new datuks have contributed to the society. Lee Chuan Wan is the brother-in-law to the former Chief Minister. He has done nothing to the people of Sabah. He could not even contribute to his local community in Kota Kinabalu. Even his political position in Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as a vice president was pre-arranged by the brother-in-law who is also the party President, Datuk Chong Kah Kiat. Hours before last year's party election, delegates were given a 'menu' telling them who to vote and who not to. His name was on the top list.
So if you are a relative of those people in power, you will have a better chance to be called Datuk.
Liew Yun Fah (who name is far longer if all his 'bought over' titles were to be mentioned) has also done nothing to the community of Tawau. Being a businessman dealing with illegal logging. He has business interest with the sons of the then TYT. He also shamelessly, breaking all protocol to 'accompany' the TYT whenever he is in Tawau. He was said to have paid RM500,000 for his datukship. He has also previously paid for his doctor and Mejar titles. People in Tawau knows he is a crook and gangster. He does not even know the basic rule of communication, RESPECT. He has a brother-in-law whose name is equally long, Datuk Lajim. He is now aiming for Justice of Peace (JP) that's why he is following the new TYT.
The second rule, be thick skin, get your name longer to be different.
Thien Kok Poh is an Indonesian who hailed from Tarakan, East Kalimantan. His families are still staying in Tarakan. He is yet another timber businessman who earns his fortune by stealing timber in restricted areas including those in Indonesia. He too has done nothing for anybody except for his own pocket. He is also a big playboy who sleeps around with practically any pretty ladies in town. He was also one of those who rushed to do his blood test when one of his sleeping partners died of HIV. He also bought his datukship through the relationship of palace people. How he got his Malaysian citizenship is still a big question but yet he was awarded datukship.
Doesn't matter where you come from as long as you know how to manipulate your money to your advantage, you will be called a datuk.
YC Lau, who is in the centre of controversial between LDP and SAPP was awarded the datukship this year. It is clearly a reward from the former CM as a gratitude for carrying his balls. People in Kota Kinabalu knows well that he is one of those big thieves who teamed up with the KK Mayor to rob the people through the sky high parking fee.
Next tip, doesn't matter if you rob others but be sure to call others thieves and carry your boss' balls well.
There is another young datuk who is a well know timber thief which Datuk Chong vowed to get rid off. Did Datuk Chong success in doing so? No. Why? Simple, this timber thief, Elbert Lim, joined his party, LDP and became the division youth chief, made generous donation to the party and to the president personally. So he was cleared of any act of stealing timber in Benta Wawasan.
Doesn't matter what the public think about you as long as the leader 'knows' who you are.
Datuk? What datuk? Need the list to continue? No one will ever respect this 'money datuks'. In fact the people are embarrassed to have such people awarded the title of datuk. If Datuk Clearance Bongkos Malakun is sincere in preserving the status of Datuks, stop increasing the number of datuks but instead get rid of those money datuks.
The moral of the story, if you want to be embarrassed, laughed and ridiculed, buy yourself a datukship in Sabah.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Malaysia Cocoa Board Killing its Own Baby
Just barely two weeks away from the first ever Malaysia Cocoa Fest, the body which is responsible to promote cocoa, Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB), shocked everyone by pulling out from the team of organisers.
The event was jointly organised by MCB, Tawau Municipal Council and the Teck Guan Group for the past eight years. MCB was the one who initiated the Tawau Cocoa Fest, then Sabah Cocoa Fest and now Malaysia Cocoa Fest.
MCB Director-General, Datuk Dr Azhar Ismail on Monday said the decision to withdraw was made after the board’s appeal to change the date of the festival was turned down by the organising committee at a meeting recently.
After listening to the excuse given by Datuk Dr Azhar Ismail, no one in their right mind would accept his childish and irresponsible excuse. It is similar to stepping the event from the back.
The dates were decided on long ago after the last cocoa fest which was held last year. It has also been publicised and promoted all over the nation and the whole world. Being a Muslim himself, Dr Azhar should have known it long enough that the dates fall on the holy month of Ramadan.
If he were to request for a different dates, why make it at the last minutes and not before everything was decided and started working on it? Why the last minute? It not for the reason of back stabbing and sabotage, why other motive could one think of?
If Dr Azhar remembers what our beloved Prime Minister has said before when he was asked about the complaint of Muslims about non-muslim eating at public places during fasting month. The PM said, Muslim should not blame others for not being able to perform their responsibilities during fasting month. One cannot just ban others from eating just because we are fasting. If our faith is not truely tested then the fasting itself carries less meaning.
For whatever reasons or excuses that the MCB may come out with, they could not stop the public from assuming that the MCB is irresponsible, selfish and arrogant.
Nevertheless, without MCB the event will be even more successful. The reason is that MCB has been very incooperative all these years. They involvement in the organisation of the event has been very minimum. Some of the top level officials were only know how to talk and complain without knowing what they are talking and complaining.
I think the government should review all the dead wood in MCB and get them retired earlier before the rod the whole board.
The event was jointly organised by MCB, Tawau Municipal Council and the Teck Guan Group for the past eight years. MCB was the one who initiated the Tawau Cocoa Fest, then Sabah Cocoa Fest and now Malaysia Cocoa Fest.
MCB Director-General, Datuk Dr Azhar Ismail on Monday said the decision to withdraw was made after the board’s appeal to change the date of the festival was turned down by the organising committee at a meeting recently.
After listening to the excuse given by Datuk Dr Azhar Ismail, no one in their right mind would accept his childish and irresponsible excuse. It is similar to stepping the event from the back.
The dates were decided on long ago after the last cocoa fest which was held last year. It has also been publicised and promoted all over the nation and the whole world. Being a Muslim himself, Dr Azhar should have known it long enough that the dates fall on the holy month of Ramadan.
If he were to request for a different dates, why make it at the last minutes and not before everything was decided and started working on it? Why the last minute? It not for the reason of back stabbing and sabotage, why other motive could one think of?
If Dr Azhar remembers what our beloved Prime Minister has said before when he was asked about the complaint of Muslims about non-muslim eating at public places during fasting month. The PM said, Muslim should not blame others for not being able to perform their responsibilities during fasting month. One cannot just ban others from eating just because we are fasting. If our faith is not truely tested then the fasting itself carries less meaning.
For whatever reasons or excuses that the MCB may come out with, they could not stop the public from assuming that the MCB is irresponsible, selfish and arrogant.
Nevertheless, without MCB the event will be even more successful. The reason is that MCB has been very incooperative all these years. They involvement in the organisation of the event has been very minimum. Some of the top level officials were only know how to talk and complain without knowing what they are talking and complaining.
I think the government should review all the dead wood in MCB and get them retired earlier before the rod the whole board.
Malaysia Cocoa Fest: MCB withdraws
Daily Express
Tawau: The Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) has pulled out from the organising committee of the Malaysian Cocoa Festival to be held here from Nov 7 to 11.
The event was jointly organised by MCB, Tawau Municipal Council and the Teck Guan Group for the past eight years.
MCB Director-General, Datuk Dr Azhar Ismail on Monday said the decision to withdraw was made after the board’s appeal to change the date of the festival was turned down by the organising committee at a meeting recently.
“The board suggested a new date for the Malaysian Cocoa Festival as the present one falls during the month of Ramadan. But unfortunately, our appeal was not granted.
“So for this year, MCB will not be part of the organising committee of the festival,” he said when met at a workshop on ways to protect cocoa crops, here.
Tawau: The Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) has pulled out from the organising committee of the Malaysian Cocoa Festival to be held here from Nov 7 to 11.
The event was jointly organised by MCB, Tawau Municipal Council and the Teck Guan Group for the past eight years.
MCB Director-General, Datuk Dr Azhar Ismail on Monday said the decision to withdraw was made after the board’s appeal to change the date of the festival was turned down by the organising committee at a meeting recently.
“The board suggested a new date for the Malaysian Cocoa Festival as the present one falls during the month of Ramadan. But unfortunately, our appeal was not granted.
“So for this year, MCB will not be part of the organising committee of the festival,” he said when met at a workshop on ways to protect cocoa crops, here.
Plea on Datukships
Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: DEPUTY Chief Minister Datuk Lajim Haji Ukin said the various State BN components should refrain from nominating too many candidates to receive the Datukship title.
“Even in Kuala Lumpur, not all of the (peninsula-based) BN component parties get their share of the Datukship title every year,” he said at the Assembly, Monday.
“So, I am asking that leaders of the (various State) BN component parties not to request the government for the distribution of the Datukship every year.
“If we can do this in Sabah, the conferment of the title would be reduced,” he said.
He said this in response to Datuk Clarence Bongkos Malakun’s (Upko-Moyog) proposal that the Datukship be limited to between 20 and 30 a year.
The Assembly on Monday agreed to increase the number of Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Kinabalu (Second Grade), which carries the title “Datuk” from the present 850 to 950.
An amendment to provide for 100 more such awards was made to subsection (2) of section 4 of the State Honours Enactment 1963.
Lajim, who is also Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, said the increase was necessitated by the growing number of eligible persons to be conferred with the Order every year.
“To show appreciation and acknowledgement to those who have given excellent services, it is only appropriate for the State Government to confer them with honours and medals.
“But the government is confident that with the conferment of the title, it would encourage them to continue contributing their services to the State and nation,” said Lajim.
Malakun, however, said if too many Datukships were conferred, it would eventually lose its social value.
“My suggestion is that only those really eligible be conferred,” he said, adding even foreign doctors had conferred through their connection with VIPs.
“I fully support the Enactment but the Government should exercise restraint from exhausting the quota in a short time,” he said.
He also proposed that a super first class Datukship entitled ‘Datuk Seri Perdana Kinabalu (DSPK)’ be created for the Chief Minister, ex-Chief Ministers, top Federal leaders including Heads of Government and foreign heads of government.
Apart from that, he said a Third Grade Datuk - Datuk Gemilang Kerajaan Sabah should be created particularly for those in the sports sector, entertainment industry and business sector.
Lajim, meanwhile, said the Government had no intention to add more titles to the existing ones. “The present Datukships are sufficient to be conferred to the eligible recipients.”
On Malakun’s proposal to set up the Sabah Datuk Association, Lajim said the Government was not committed to the idea.
He said it would be up to those eager to form the association if they thought it would bring benefit to all the present Datuks.
Kota Kinabalu: DEPUTY Chief Minister Datuk Lajim Haji Ukin said the various State BN components should refrain from nominating too many candidates to receive the Datukship title.
“Even in Kuala Lumpur, not all of the (peninsula-based) BN component parties get their share of the Datukship title every year,” he said at the Assembly, Monday.
“So, I am asking that leaders of the (various State) BN component parties not to request the government for the distribution of the Datukship every year.
“If we can do this in Sabah, the conferment of the title would be reduced,” he said.
He said this in response to Datuk Clarence Bongkos Malakun’s (Upko-Moyog) proposal that the Datukship be limited to between 20 and 30 a year.
The Assembly on Monday agreed to increase the number of Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Kinabalu (Second Grade), which carries the title “Datuk” from the present 850 to 950.
An amendment to provide for 100 more such awards was made to subsection (2) of section 4 of the State Honours Enactment 1963.
Lajim, who is also Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, said the increase was necessitated by the growing number of eligible persons to be conferred with the Order every year.
“To show appreciation and acknowledgement to those who have given excellent services, it is only appropriate for the State Government to confer them with honours and medals.
“But the government is confident that with the conferment of the title, it would encourage them to continue contributing their services to the State and nation,” said Lajim.
Malakun, however, said if too many Datukships were conferred, it would eventually lose its social value.
“My suggestion is that only those really eligible be conferred,” he said, adding even foreign doctors had conferred through their connection with VIPs.
“I fully support the Enactment but the Government should exercise restraint from exhausting the quota in a short time,” he said.
He also proposed that a super first class Datukship entitled ‘Datuk Seri Perdana Kinabalu (DSPK)’ be created for the Chief Minister, ex-Chief Ministers, top Federal leaders including Heads of Government and foreign heads of government.
Apart from that, he said a Third Grade Datuk - Datuk Gemilang Kerajaan Sabah should be created particularly for those in the sports sector, entertainment industry and business sector.
Lajim, meanwhile, said the Government had no intention to add more titles to the existing ones. “The present Datukships are sufficient to be conferred to the eligible recipients.”
On Malakun’s proposal to set up the Sabah Datuk Association, Lajim said the Government was not committed to the idea.
He said it would be up to those eager to form the association if they thought it would bring benefit to all the present Datuks.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Sabah Security
People in Sabah are once again shocked when aremed men robbed Borneo Paradise Eco Farm and Resort on 5th October 2003. Ten armed pirates stormed the riverside resort on Sunday night and forced six foreign workers on to a boat and fled into the darkness. A manhunt for both the pirates and hostages is still on.
To some people what happened last Sunday does not come as a surprise. First, Sabah water is wide to be guarded by any security forces. People can come in at any time from any of the long stretch of sea shore from Tawau to Menumbuk. There shall never be enough policemen or army to be on guard.
Second, security forces put on the Islands of Sabah are mostly 'holiday'. These people were stationed there after the two kidnap cases involving muslim terrorists from Southern Philippines. The Defence Ministery and Dato' Najib Tun Razak were under strong criticism from the public.
True that the Minister made numerous promises and assurance that Sabah waters are safe. Everyone knows that it was for his political survival. If one were to visit any of the island it is not difficult to find out that these people are just enjoying their holiday on the beautiful island. They are more insterested in disturbing girls then to study the security of the surrounding area.
There are also the Marine Police on duty along the costal line. But they are equally useless. It is an open secret that these Marine Police are only capable of threatening the Malaysian fishermen and shipping companies where their ships and barges travel along Sabah coasts. They are the real sea pirates who are highly corrupted. They also team up with Sabah Port Authorities and custom to rob off the hard earn money of the poor fishermen.
We are certain that Borneo Paradise will not be the last target. Balung Fishing Resort could be the next target. If the security forces are just paying lips service then even people on land are to worry of their safety. Sabah will just turn back into the 80s where day light robberies were so rampant.
If anyone is serious of solving these problems, the first step to do is to sack all the corrupted lots. Or else you can go on talking for hours and making tonnes of promises but nothing will be done.
To some people what happened last Sunday does not come as a surprise. First, Sabah water is wide to be guarded by any security forces. People can come in at any time from any of the long stretch of sea shore from Tawau to Menumbuk. There shall never be enough policemen or army to be on guard.
Second, security forces put on the Islands of Sabah are mostly 'holiday'. These people were stationed there after the two kidnap cases involving muslim terrorists from Southern Philippines. The Defence Ministery and Dato' Najib Tun Razak were under strong criticism from the public.
True that the Minister made numerous promises and assurance that Sabah waters are safe. Everyone knows that it was for his political survival. If one were to visit any of the island it is not difficult to find out that these people are just enjoying their holiday on the beautiful island. They are more insterested in disturbing girls then to study the security of the surrounding area.
There are also the Marine Police on duty along the costal line. But they are equally useless. It is an open secret that these Marine Police are only capable of threatening the Malaysian fishermen and shipping companies where their ships and barges travel along Sabah coasts. They are the real sea pirates who are highly corrupted. They also team up with Sabah Port Authorities and custom to rob off the hard earn money of the poor fishermen.
We are certain that Borneo Paradise will not be the last target. Balung Fishing Resort could be the next target. If the security forces are just paying lips service then even people on land are to worry of their safety. Sabah will just turn back into the 80s where day light robberies were so rampant.
If anyone is serious of solving these problems, the first step to do is to sack all the corrupted lots. Or else you can go on talking for hours and making tonnes of promises but nothing will be done.
Friday, October 03, 2003
Anti-Rotation Campaign
It was reported that an action group in Kota Kinabalu, Badan Bertindak Belia Pencinta Nusa Malaysia (Cintanusa), on Thursday launched a campaign calling for an end to the rotation system of the Sabah Chief Minister's post.
Wearing a white arm band, bearing the words "No To Rotation", Cintanusa chairman Zulkarnain Mahdar told a news conference here that they had already identified action plans to achieve their objective -- to have the system scrapped after the next Sabah State elections.
He said they would submit a memorandum to the State and national Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership, conduct a referendum among the people and establish a lobby group "to pressure the State BN to sit and discuss the issue."
If all measures failed, Zulkarnain said, members of the group "may have to consider" contesting the upcoming Sabah State elections as a last resort to express their displeasure about the system.
"Now that the political situation in the State has stabilised, the system has achieved its purpose and should now be scrapped," he said.
Zulkarnain said the system barely gave enough time for a Chief Minister to implement his plans and that each time a new Chief Minister was appointed, a new set of priorities would come about.
The system was implemented in Sabah when the BN took over the State Government in 1994 to give leaders of the three major communities in the State -- the Muslim Bumiputera, the Chinese and the non-Muslim Bumiputera -- an opportunity to head the State Government for a two-year term each.
The system underwent slight modifications in 2001 with a leader from Umno taking over the post each time the term of either the Chinese or non-Muslim Bumiputera ended.
Zulkarnain claimed that they had been campaigning for the scrapping of the system since 2001 but had only been partially successful "because it has only seen a slight modification but the system remains in effect".
This is yet another time wasting politicking in Sabah. Sabah governments under so many Chief Ministers failed to bring notable progress and development to the state was due to the fact that there was too much time spent on rubbish politicking.
When the person in power fogets his core business and let himself (or willingly allowed) to be dragged into the rotation issue then he will never have the time to attend to more serious business concerning the people at large. He, the CM has to remember that he is answerable to his people and not just a few politicians seeking for cheap political mileage.
If any CM could make a difference then Datuk Musa Aman should be the one. Let see how he is going to react to this.
Wearing a white arm band, bearing the words "No To Rotation", Cintanusa chairman Zulkarnain Mahdar told a news conference here that they had already identified action plans to achieve their objective -- to have the system scrapped after the next Sabah State elections.
He said they would submit a memorandum to the State and national Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership, conduct a referendum among the people and establish a lobby group "to pressure the State BN to sit and discuss the issue."
If all measures failed, Zulkarnain said, members of the group "may have to consider" contesting the upcoming Sabah State elections as a last resort to express their displeasure about the system.
"Now that the political situation in the State has stabilised, the system has achieved its purpose and should now be scrapped," he said.
Zulkarnain said the system barely gave enough time for a Chief Minister to implement his plans and that each time a new Chief Minister was appointed, a new set of priorities would come about.
The system was implemented in Sabah when the BN took over the State Government in 1994 to give leaders of the three major communities in the State -- the Muslim Bumiputera, the Chinese and the non-Muslim Bumiputera -- an opportunity to head the State Government for a two-year term each.
The system underwent slight modifications in 2001 with a leader from Umno taking over the post each time the term of either the Chinese or non-Muslim Bumiputera ended.
Zulkarnain claimed that they had been campaigning for the scrapping of the system since 2001 but had only been partially successful "because it has only seen a slight modification but the system remains in effect".
This is yet another time wasting politicking in Sabah. Sabah governments under so many Chief Ministers failed to bring notable progress and development to the state was due to the fact that there was too much time spent on rubbish politicking.
When the person in power fogets his core business and let himself (or willingly allowed) to be dragged into the rotation issue then he will never have the time to attend to more serious business concerning the people at large. He, the CM has to remember that he is answerable to his people and not just a few politicians seeking for cheap political mileage.
If any CM could make a difference then Datuk Musa Aman should be the one. Let see how he is going to react to this.
Thursday, October 02, 2003
MPT - The Troubled Tawau Municipal Council
The MPT (Majlis Perbandaran Tawau) or Tawau Municipal Council President, Datuk Harith was heated up once again during the recent council meeting.
He was disappointed with the irresponsible attitude of his enforcement officers. One open air karaoke was operated on top of a chicken rice restaurant till the wee hours but no action taken. Illegals found to be hawkers in the General Market were caught by the Council Secretary and later handed over to the enforcement officers to be brought to the immigration for deportation. But there were released because the immigration claimed that no police reports were made prior to handling over of the illegals to them.
There were many examples of the poor service provided by the MPT enforcement officers and the lack of co-operation among government agencies. It has been happening for many-many years. In fact too long for anyone to remember as it has become part of the MPT culture which everyone is so familiar of.
Therefore it is not surprising to find the President showing his temper. The previous president, Datuk Hamzah Amir just kept quiet until he was quietly replaced.
Anyone could shout, cry or even scream but there will never be any changes in MPT unless those bunch of lazy, irresponsible and blood sucking staffs are sacked and replaced.
When the President failed to carry out his duty he is transferred. But when the staff are incapable, no one was transferred. Even the President could not transfer them away. All he could say was, if you are not capable just pack and go. But who will given the fact that they can sit and receive their monthly salary.
Corruption is obvious among the staff. Big croc would bite off a big piece from the contractor. A small clerk would ask for monetary favour when contractors see them for their payment collection.
There are also engineers who teamed up with contractor to monopolise the MPT projects. Just check out who is the owners and their connection to MPT engineer for the renovation of MPT building after the fire. And who erected the useless spot lights along Jalan Kuhara.
Look at the grass along the roads and it won't take long for you to realise that they are only being cut once or twice a year. But alas, how many times the claims were made?
Rubbish collection has been privatised. But who is satisfied with it? Don't expect 100%, not even 30% are happy with the service. Every time the rubbish truck arrives, it only dirty the road instead of cleaning up the rubbish.
The list will go on and on. The reports will keep pouring in the news papers. Everyone is just waiting for a real action to be taken.
So, it is about time to stop the scolding and shouting, Datuk President. Get the culprits out from MPT for good. Then you will see your team improve and the people will surely back you up. Or else, just be like Datuk Hamzah, keep quiet and wait till you are quietly transferred.
He was disappointed with the irresponsible attitude of his enforcement officers. One open air karaoke was operated on top of a chicken rice restaurant till the wee hours but no action taken. Illegals found to be hawkers in the General Market were caught by the Council Secretary and later handed over to the enforcement officers to be brought to the immigration for deportation. But there were released because the immigration claimed that no police reports were made prior to handling over of the illegals to them.
There were many examples of the poor service provided by the MPT enforcement officers and the lack of co-operation among government agencies. It has been happening for many-many years. In fact too long for anyone to remember as it has become part of the MPT culture which everyone is so familiar of.
Therefore it is not surprising to find the President showing his temper. The previous president, Datuk Hamzah Amir just kept quiet until he was quietly replaced.
Anyone could shout, cry or even scream but there will never be any changes in MPT unless those bunch of lazy, irresponsible and blood sucking staffs are sacked and replaced.
When the President failed to carry out his duty he is transferred. But when the staff are incapable, no one was transferred. Even the President could not transfer them away. All he could say was, if you are not capable just pack and go. But who will given the fact that they can sit and receive their monthly salary.
Corruption is obvious among the staff. Big croc would bite off a big piece from the contractor. A small clerk would ask for monetary favour when contractors see them for their payment collection.
There are also engineers who teamed up with contractor to monopolise the MPT projects. Just check out who is the owners and their connection to MPT engineer for the renovation of MPT building after the fire. And who erected the useless spot lights along Jalan Kuhara.
Look at the grass along the roads and it won't take long for you to realise that they are only being cut once or twice a year. But alas, how many times the claims were made?
Rubbish collection has been privatised. But who is satisfied with it? Don't expect 100%, not even 30% are happy with the service. Every time the rubbish truck arrives, it only dirty the road instead of cleaning up the rubbish.
The list will go on and on. The reports will keep pouring in the news papers. Everyone is just waiting for a real action to be taken.
So, it is about time to stop the scolding and shouting, Datuk President. Get the culprits out from MPT for good. Then you will see your team improve and the people will surely back you up. Or else, just be like Datuk Hamzah, keep quiet and wait till you are quietly transferred.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
KL funds always channelled thru JPPS, says Adnan
Daily Express
23 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: Federal development funds for the State have always been channelled through the Sabah Federal Development Department (JPPS).
This is standard practice, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, adding that it does not connote any mistrust for the State Government.
“Whether the funds are channelled through JPPS or the State Government, it’s the same. We’re all under the BN Government,” he said after a briefing by the JPPS on budget allocations to the State, here Monday.
Tengku Adnan added that JPPS, from the start, had been tasked to implement Federal Government-funded projects.
He said that since many projects were planned and implemented by Federal ministries, delays could arise if the State Government decides to alter the plans for the projects.
PBS President Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan had last Thursday proposed the RM5.9 billion allocation under Budget 2004 be channelled directly to the State Government for implementation of Federal-funded development programmes.
In reply, Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman said on Sunday that the matter would be studied by looking at how the budget had been allocated.
In another development, Adnan urged all main contractors undertaking projects for the Government to bolster their professional ethics and work quality.
He said this in light of problems faced by the Federal Government when implementing projects in the State.
“They must change their mindset and be more professional when carrying out the projects given to them,” he said.
He said while the JPPS only implements and monitors the projects, the department could only report delays or breaches of contracts to the Public Works Department or the Entrepreneur Development Ministry, which licenses the contractors.
“We can only inform the ministry. Our position is, if the main contractor is not performing, we will issue a report against them,” he said.
He informed that problems concerning these contractors included lack of materials or granting too many sub-contracts out of the project allocations entrusted to them.
“We’re upset when they purposely tender for the projects and then sell the contracts or cheat the sub-contractors without paying them,” he said.
So, Adnan said, the Federal Government was taking a stand to pay the sub-contractors should their fees go unpaid by irresponsible main contractors.
Based on briefing to him earlier, Adnan reported that the ceiling of the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP) allocation to Sabah is slightly more than RM9.8 billion.
Until Aug 31 this year, nearly RM4.7billion had been spent for development in the State.
He gave the breakdown of the sectors involved in the 8MP as social (215 projects at RM3.2 billion), infrastructure (89 at RM2.7 billion), security (61 at RM2.2 billion) and economic (202 at RM1.7 billion).
23 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: Federal development funds for the State have always been channelled through the Sabah Federal Development Department (JPPS).
This is standard practice, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, adding that it does not connote any mistrust for the State Government.
“Whether the funds are channelled through JPPS or the State Government, it’s the same. We’re all under the BN Government,” he said after a briefing by the JPPS on budget allocations to the State, here Monday.
Tengku Adnan added that JPPS, from the start, had been tasked to implement Federal Government-funded projects.
He said that since many projects were planned and implemented by Federal ministries, delays could arise if the State Government decides to alter the plans for the projects.
PBS President Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan had last Thursday proposed the RM5.9 billion allocation under Budget 2004 be channelled directly to the State Government for implementation of Federal-funded development programmes.
In reply, Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman said on Sunday that the matter would be studied by looking at how the budget had been allocated.
In another development, Adnan urged all main contractors undertaking projects for the Government to bolster their professional ethics and work quality.
He said this in light of problems faced by the Federal Government when implementing projects in the State.
“They must change their mindset and be more professional when carrying out the projects given to them,” he said.
He said while the JPPS only implements and monitors the projects, the department could only report delays or breaches of contracts to the Public Works Department or the Entrepreneur Development Ministry, which licenses the contractors.
“We can only inform the ministry. Our position is, if the main contractor is not performing, we will issue a report against them,” he said.
He informed that problems concerning these contractors included lack of materials or granting too many sub-contracts out of the project allocations entrusted to them.
“We’re upset when they purposely tender for the projects and then sell the contracts or cheat the sub-contractors without paying them,” he said.
So, Adnan said, the Federal Government was taking a stand to pay the sub-contractors should their fees go unpaid by irresponsible main contractors.
Based on briefing to him earlier, Adnan reported that the ceiling of the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP) allocation to Sabah is slightly more than RM9.8 billion.
Until Aug 31 this year, nearly RM4.7billion had been spent for development in the State.
He gave the breakdown of the sectors involved in the 8MP as social (215 projects at RM3.2 billion), infrastructure (89 at RM2.7 billion), security (61 at RM2.2 billion) and economic (202 at RM1.7 billion).
Monday, September 22, 2003
Datuk Musa Aman's Self Made Mess
It all started with an untimely announcement by the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Musa Aman.
Musa, who is also Finance Minister, made a sudden announcement soon after midnight Tuesday (16 September 2003) to declare Wednesday a public holiday, to a loud applause by the remaining audience at the National Merdeka Month closing celebration at the Likas Sports Complex.
This (extra holiday) was a gesture of appreciation by the State Government for all those Sabahans involved in making the celebration a success.
Many workers were caught off-guard and were disappointed by the sudden announcement, saying they had wasted their time travelling long distances, from as far as Papar, Beaufort and Tuaran to their places of work, only to discover some of their colleagues waiting there in a state of confusion.
There were also confusion among standard six student who were sitting for their Ujian Penilain Sekolah Rendah (UPSR). Some schools were forced to look for their students one by one to make sure that they do not miss their examination.
Many more were stucked in Tarakan and Nunukan, East Kalimantan, Indonesian when passengers on ships were told that Tawau Immigration was closed due to the sudden announcement of holiday. Immigration office at the passenger terminal in Tawau are not open on public holidays and Sundays. These passengers who were already on board the ships were told to leave causing them to incure additional expenses on transportation, food, lodging and connecting transportations cancellation.
Then there were workers who turned up for work and continued to work after learning about the late announcement of holiday. Since they were working on a public holiday they are naturally entitled for they double pay.
However, according to a Sabah Labour Department official, the public holiday on Wednesday announced by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman has not been gazetted and is therefore not a statutory holiday. He said under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO), such holiday is merely an ordinary holiday.
He said since the Chief Minister merely announced the holiday and did not get it gazetted as a statutory holiday, those who worked on that day were not entitled to any extra allowance.
The official said those who worked on Wednesday were only entitled to normal pay and no pay for those who did not work.
“For those monthly-salaried workers who did not come to work on Wednesday, their employers may deduct their salary for that day.
“If the Wednesday holiday is gazetted, those who worked on that day can enjoy a minimum double pay,” he added.
Subsequently, the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has urged employers in the State to pay allowance to their workers who worked on the public holiday on Wednesday although it is not a gazetted holiday.
At the same time, it also urged the employers not to deduct the salary of those workers who did not turn up for work on that day.
In making the call Saturday, MUTC Sabah Branch Secretary Catherine Jikunan said this is the way for employers to show their appreciation to those who worked on that day.
She said under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO), employers have the right not to pay overtime or allowance to workers working on a non-gazetted holiday like Wednesday, but they should consider their workers’ contributions and establish good working relations with them (workers) so as to enhance productivity.
She said inconsiderate bosses would not be able to maintain good relations with their workers and as a result, productivity would suffer, to the detriment of all.
This is all the mess created by our wise Chief Minister, Datuk Musa Aman. If you are really responsible and care for your people, please clear this mess as soon as possible before your rating decline even further.
Election is around the corner, if you do forget, Datuk.
Musa, who is also Finance Minister, made a sudden announcement soon after midnight Tuesday (16 September 2003) to declare Wednesday a public holiday, to a loud applause by the remaining audience at the National Merdeka Month closing celebration at the Likas Sports Complex.
This (extra holiday) was a gesture of appreciation by the State Government for all those Sabahans involved in making the celebration a success.
Many workers were caught off-guard and were disappointed by the sudden announcement, saying they had wasted their time travelling long distances, from as far as Papar, Beaufort and Tuaran to their places of work, only to discover some of their colleagues waiting there in a state of confusion.
There were also confusion among standard six student who were sitting for their Ujian Penilain Sekolah Rendah (UPSR). Some schools were forced to look for their students one by one to make sure that they do not miss their examination.
Many more were stucked in Tarakan and Nunukan, East Kalimantan, Indonesian when passengers on ships were told that Tawau Immigration was closed due to the sudden announcement of holiday. Immigration office at the passenger terminal in Tawau are not open on public holidays and Sundays. These passengers who were already on board the ships were told to leave causing them to incure additional expenses on transportation, food, lodging and connecting transportations cancellation.
Then there were workers who turned up for work and continued to work after learning about the late announcement of holiday. Since they were working on a public holiday they are naturally entitled for they double pay.
However, according to a Sabah Labour Department official, the public holiday on Wednesday announced by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman has not been gazetted and is therefore not a statutory holiday. He said under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO), such holiday is merely an ordinary holiday.
He said since the Chief Minister merely announced the holiday and did not get it gazetted as a statutory holiday, those who worked on that day were not entitled to any extra allowance.
The official said those who worked on Wednesday were only entitled to normal pay and no pay for those who did not work.
“For those monthly-salaried workers who did not come to work on Wednesday, their employers may deduct their salary for that day.
“If the Wednesday holiday is gazetted, those who worked on that day can enjoy a minimum double pay,” he added.
Subsequently, the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has urged employers in the State to pay allowance to their workers who worked on the public holiday on Wednesday although it is not a gazetted holiday.
At the same time, it also urged the employers not to deduct the salary of those workers who did not turn up for work on that day.
In making the call Saturday, MUTC Sabah Branch Secretary Catherine Jikunan said this is the way for employers to show their appreciation to those who worked on that day.
She said under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO), employers have the right not to pay overtime or allowance to workers working on a non-gazetted holiday like Wednesday, but they should consider their workers’ contributions and establish good working relations with them (workers) so as to enhance productivity.
She said inconsiderate bosses would not be able to maintain good relations with their workers and as a result, productivity would suffer, to the detriment of all.
This is all the mess created by our wise Chief Minister, Datuk Musa Aman. If you are really responsible and care for your people, please clear this mess as soon as possible before your rating decline even further.
Election is around the corner, if you do forget, Datuk.
BIMP-EAGA moving fast to recovery
21 September, 2003
DAVAO CITY: The Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) experienced a long hibernation when Asean countries and the rest of Asia were devastated by the 1997 financial crisis.
But six years after the Asian financial crisis , BIMP-EAGA is again moving on full blast in promoting and strengthening economic cooperation among the four-member countries.
The 11th Senior Officials Meeting of the BIMP-EAGA held here recently revitalised the hope of local traders and tourism industry players in fostering economic ties among their counterparts in the EAGA region.
Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) chair Jesus Dureza said BIMP-EAGA cooperation is beginning to reap the economic gains from several years of economic cooperation among the four-member countries.
“We are in the implementation of projects already. Projects are now ongoing,” Dureza said, adding that it is high time for setting in motion many EAGA projects, which have been long overdue for the Philippines and the other member-countries.
The BIMP-EAGA is a popular acronym since its creation in 1994 by giving Mindanao a niche in the global market. Business missions and trade fairs in and out of the region have forged freer trade policies and bilateral mechanisms were developed which boosted Mindanao’s image as the country’s new trade and tourism front door for the four-member-countries.
When the financial crisis hit Asia in 1977, BIMP-EAGA economic activities lost momentum. Governments of BIMP-EAGA-member-countries imposed belt-tightening measures, cutting off significantly on public sector budget and channelling most of their expenditures on major economic and social concerns afflicting their respective countries, thus, reducing the level of involvement in the BIMP-EAGA.
Changes in leadership at the national level and sub-national level also stalled the BIMP-EAGA. Adding to the vacuum was sluggish private sector participation because they, too, were adversely affected by the financial crises.
MEDCo, the Philippine Secretariat to the BIMP-EAGA reported that incoming trade missions from EAGA- member countries to Mindanao significantly dropped from 1997 to 1999.
Only seven incoming trade missions were conducted during the two-year period compared to the more than 25 trade missions in 1996 alone.
The MEDCo report added that there were only three outgoing missions from Mindanao to EAGA member countries in 1998 compared to the 23 organised in 1997 and 11 in 1996.
It was also the first time that a zero cash sales from various trade fairs, exhibits and expositions was recorded in 1998.
The value of Mindanao Foreign Trade with Indonesia and Malaysia in 1998 was among the lowest between 1995 and 1999. The peak was in 1995 when the value of foreign trade with BIMP-EAGA reached almost US$80 million.
Mindanao exports to the BIMP-EAGA significantly sunk in 1999 compared to the US$55-million generated in 1997 and the US$41.9 million in 2000.
Mindanao imports from the BIMP-EAGA likewise dropped in 1998 compared to the US$81-million and US$70 million in 2000.
Tourists arrivals in Mindanao also plunged in 2000 due to pockets of armed conflicts in the island, stimulating a negative image in the travel market. Tourist arrivals in 1997 reached 146,172 and 157,999 in 1999.
From 1994 to early 2000, hotel room occupancy rate was the lowest in 1999 (46.79 per cent compared to the 56.81 percent in 1994 and 56.69 per cent in 1997.
With Mindanao now as host to BIMP-EAGA-related activities, there is hope that promises made in the past will be fulfilled.
Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Concerns and the country’s Signing Minister Paul G. Dominguez called on EAGA governments to work closer together “to clearly demonstrate renewed and increased support for BIMP-EAGA endeavours to encourage the private sector to keep EAGA in their investment radar scanners.”
He encouraged EAGA member-countries to ensure the sustainability of the economic sub-region to keep the momentum going to spur economic development in Mindanao.
In the MEDCo report, the early successes of the BIMP-EAGA serve as a barometer as manifested by its strong indication of viability and its effectiveness to develop this sub-region.
One of the major reasons for reviving BIMP-EAGA is the opportunity and mechanism for the Muslim entrepreneur to meet their counterparts in EAGA and to participate in private sector undertaking by providing a market exposure.
Medco stressed that BIMP-EAGA serves as catalyst for peace and development in the politically unstable Muslim-dominated areas in Mindanao.
With more participation in the BIMP-EAGA endeavours, “Muslim entrepreneurs in Mindanao may become the engines of growth.” - Oana-PNA
DAVAO CITY: The Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) experienced a long hibernation when Asean countries and the rest of Asia were devastated by the 1997 financial crisis.
But six years after the Asian financial crisis , BIMP-EAGA is again moving on full blast in promoting and strengthening economic cooperation among the four-member countries.
The 11th Senior Officials Meeting of the BIMP-EAGA held here recently revitalised the hope of local traders and tourism industry players in fostering economic ties among their counterparts in the EAGA region.
Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) chair Jesus Dureza said BIMP-EAGA cooperation is beginning to reap the economic gains from several years of economic cooperation among the four-member countries.
“We are in the implementation of projects already. Projects are now ongoing,” Dureza said, adding that it is high time for setting in motion many EAGA projects, which have been long overdue for the Philippines and the other member-countries.
The BIMP-EAGA is a popular acronym since its creation in 1994 by giving Mindanao a niche in the global market. Business missions and trade fairs in and out of the region have forged freer trade policies and bilateral mechanisms were developed which boosted Mindanao’s image as the country’s new trade and tourism front door for the four-member-countries.
When the financial crisis hit Asia in 1977, BIMP-EAGA economic activities lost momentum. Governments of BIMP-EAGA-member-countries imposed belt-tightening measures, cutting off significantly on public sector budget and channelling most of their expenditures on major economic and social concerns afflicting their respective countries, thus, reducing the level of involvement in the BIMP-EAGA.
Changes in leadership at the national level and sub-national level also stalled the BIMP-EAGA. Adding to the vacuum was sluggish private sector participation because they, too, were adversely affected by the financial crises.
MEDCo, the Philippine Secretariat to the BIMP-EAGA reported that incoming trade missions from EAGA- member countries to Mindanao significantly dropped from 1997 to 1999.
Only seven incoming trade missions were conducted during the two-year period compared to the more than 25 trade missions in 1996 alone.
The MEDCo report added that there were only three outgoing missions from Mindanao to EAGA member countries in 1998 compared to the 23 organised in 1997 and 11 in 1996.
It was also the first time that a zero cash sales from various trade fairs, exhibits and expositions was recorded in 1998.
The value of Mindanao Foreign Trade with Indonesia and Malaysia in 1998 was among the lowest between 1995 and 1999. The peak was in 1995 when the value of foreign trade with BIMP-EAGA reached almost US$80 million.
Mindanao exports to the BIMP-EAGA significantly sunk in 1999 compared to the US$55-million generated in 1997 and the US$41.9 million in 2000.
Mindanao imports from the BIMP-EAGA likewise dropped in 1998 compared to the US$81-million and US$70 million in 2000.
Tourists arrivals in Mindanao also plunged in 2000 due to pockets of armed conflicts in the island, stimulating a negative image in the travel market. Tourist arrivals in 1997 reached 146,172 and 157,999 in 1999.
From 1994 to early 2000, hotel room occupancy rate was the lowest in 1999 (46.79 per cent compared to the 56.81 percent in 1994 and 56.69 per cent in 1997.
With Mindanao now as host to BIMP-EAGA-related activities, there is hope that promises made in the past will be fulfilled.
Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Concerns and the country’s Signing Minister Paul G. Dominguez called on EAGA governments to work closer together “to clearly demonstrate renewed and increased support for BIMP-EAGA endeavours to encourage the private sector to keep EAGA in their investment radar scanners.”
He encouraged EAGA member-countries to ensure the sustainability of the economic sub-region to keep the momentum going to spur economic development in Mindanao.
In the MEDCo report, the early successes of the BIMP-EAGA serve as a barometer as manifested by its strong indication of viability and its effectiveness to develop this sub-region.
One of the major reasons for reviving BIMP-EAGA is the opportunity and mechanism for the Muslim entrepreneur to meet their counterparts in EAGA and to participate in private sector undertaking by providing a market exposure.
Medco stressed that BIMP-EAGA serves as catalyst for peace and development in the politically unstable Muslim-dominated areas in Mindanao.
With more participation in the BIMP-EAGA endeavours, “Muslim entrepreneurs in Mindanao may become the engines of growth.” - Oana-PNA
Sunday, September 21, 2003
Pay allowance for the extra holiday, says MTUC
Daily Express
21 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has urged employers in the State to pay allowance to their workers who worked on the public holiday on Wednesday although it is not a gazetted holiday.
At the same time, it also urged the employers not to deduct the salary of those workers who did not turn up for work on that day.
In making the call Saturday, MUTC Sabah Branch Secretary Catherine Jikunan said this is the way for employers to show their appreciation to those who worked on that day.
She said under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO), employers have the right not to pay overtime or allowance to workers working on a non-gazetted holiday like Wednesday, but they should consider their workers’ contributions and establish good working relations with them (workers) so as to enhance productivity.
She said inconsiderate bosses would not be able to maintain good relations with their workers and as a result, productivity would suffer, to the detriment of all.
She said this in response to a Sabah Labour Department official who had said on Thursday that the public holiday on Wednesday is not gazetted as a statutory holiday and, therefore, employers are not obliged to pay overtime or allowance to those who worked on that day.
Catherine said such problems arose simply because the SLO is outdated.
“If the provision concerned under SLO is in line with the Employment Act in force in Peninsular Malaysia, these problems will not arise,” she added.
She said since SLO in an outdated law, it should not serve as reference for anything related to it.
Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman had on late Tuesday night declared Wednesday a public holiday as a gesture of appreciation by the State Government for all those Sabahans involved in making the Merdeka Month closing celebration here a success.
21 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has urged employers in the State to pay allowance to their workers who worked on the public holiday on Wednesday although it is not a gazetted holiday.
At the same time, it also urged the employers not to deduct the salary of those workers who did not turn up for work on that day.
In making the call Saturday, MUTC Sabah Branch Secretary Catherine Jikunan said this is the way for employers to show their appreciation to those who worked on that day.
She said under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO), employers have the right not to pay overtime or allowance to workers working on a non-gazetted holiday like Wednesday, but they should consider their workers’ contributions and establish good working relations with them (workers) so as to enhance productivity.
She said inconsiderate bosses would not be able to maintain good relations with their workers and as a result, productivity would suffer, to the detriment of all.
She said this in response to a Sabah Labour Department official who had said on Thursday that the public holiday on Wednesday is not gazetted as a statutory holiday and, therefore, employers are not obliged to pay overtime or allowance to those who worked on that day.
Catherine said such problems arose simply because the SLO is outdated.
“If the provision concerned under SLO is in line with the Employment Act in force in Peninsular Malaysia, these problems will not arise,” she added.
She said since SLO in an outdated law, it should not serve as reference for anything related to it.
Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman had on late Tuesday night declared Wednesday a public holiday as a gesture of appreciation by the State Government for all those Sabahans involved in making the Merdeka Month closing celebration here a success.
Saturday, September 20, 2003
Extra holiday is not gazetted: Dept
Daily Express
20 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: The public holiday on Wednesday announced by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman has not been gazetted and is therefore not a statutory holiday.
A Sabah Labour Department official said under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO), such holiday is merely an ordinary holiday.
He said since the Chief Minister merely announced the holiday and did not get it gazetted as a statutory holiday, those who worked on that day were not entitled to any extra allowance.
“Of course, if the employers wish to pay extra, better still, but they are not obliged to do so as there is no law saying they must pay overtime or extra allowance,” he explained.
Musa, who is also Finance Minister, made a sudden announcement soon after midnight Tuesday to declare Wednesday a public holiday as a gesture of appreciation by the State Government for all those Sabahans involved in making the Merdeka Month closing celebration here a success.
The official said under the SLO, there are only 12 statutory holidays.
These are Jan 1, Chinese New Year (2 days), Good Friday, Harvest Festival (2 days), Hari Raya Puasa (2 days), Hari Raya Haji, Head of State’s Birthday, Workers’ Day and Christmas.
The official said those who worked on Wednesday were only entitled to normal pay and no pay for those who did not work.
“For those monthly-salaried workers who did not come to work on Wednesday, their employers may deduct their salary for that day.
“If the Wednesday holiday is gazetted, those who worked on that day can enjoy a minimum double pay,” he added.
20 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: The public holiday on Wednesday announced by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman has not been gazetted and is therefore not a statutory holiday.
A Sabah Labour Department official said under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO), such holiday is merely an ordinary holiday.
He said since the Chief Minister merely announced the holiday and did not get it gazetted as a statutory holiday, those who worked on that day were not entitled to any extra allowance.
“Of course, if the employers wish to pay extra, better still, but they are not obliged to do so as there is no law saying they must pay overtime or extra allowance,” he explained.
Musa, who is also Finance Minister, made a sudden announcement soon after midnight Tuesday to declare Wednesday a public holiday as a gesture of appreciation by the State Government for all those Sabahans involved in making the Merdeka Month closing celebration here a success.
The official said under the SLO, there are only 12 statutory holidays.
These are Jan 1, Chinese New Year (2 days), Good Friday, Harvest Festival (2 days), Hari Raya Puasa (2 days), Hari Raya Haji, Head of State’s Birthday, Workers’ Day and Christmas.
The official said those who worked on Wednesday were only entitled to normal pay and no pay for those who did not work.
“For those monthly-salaried workers who did not come to work on Wednesday, their employers may deduct their salary for that day.
“If the Wednesday holiday is gazetted, those who worked on that day can enjoy a minimum double pay,” he added.
Penisula lawyer loses bid
Daily Express
20 September, 2003
Alor Setar: The High Court here Friday dismissed a petition by a Perak-born lawyer seeking admission as an advocate to the Sabah Bar.
In his written judgement on the application by Mursyida Abdul Halim, Justice Ian Chin said she has not provided sufficient evidence that she is a domicile in Sabah to fulfil one of the requirements as provided for under the Sabah Advocates Ordinance that she must have “Sabah connections.”
This is provided under Section 2, which reads:
“A person shall be deemed to have Sabah connections for the purposes of this Ordinance if, and only if: he has been born in Sabah;
has been an ordinarily resident in Sabah for a continuous period of five years or more; or satisfies the Chief Judge that he is, at the time when the question whether he has Sabah connections is relevant, domiciled in Sabah.”
“The issue was simply whether the petitioner had acquired Sabah domicile at the time she presented it. The petitioner’s case is that she is domiciled in Sabah.
“According to the facts of the case, she was born in Perak in 1978 and had been living all over Malaya during the period her father was serving in the police force and who was transferred from state to state in Malaya. After her father was transferred to Kota Kinabalu, she visited Sabah for the first time on June 14, 2001. By then she was in Kuala Lumpur doing her final year in law at the International Islamic University, Malaysia where she received her degree in December 2001. She then came back to Sabah on Jan 7, 2002, commenced her chambering a month later and after completing 12 months, petitioned for admission.
“Unfortunately, she was chambering in Kota Kinabalu without the necessary Visit Pass (Professional) as required by Regulation 11(1)(I) of the Immigration Regulations 1963. I pause the narration to consider the controversy surrounding the visit pass that she possessed because her advocate, Sugumar Balakrishnan, insisted that she does not require one and that in any event she was not told by anyone that she requires one.
“Under the Constitution, Sabah is entitled (with certain exceptions which do not concern this case) to treat Malaysians not of Sabah origin as if they are non-citizens.
“This means that other Malaysians seeking to enter Sabah has to comply with the requirement of the immigration authority and they carry the burden of establishing that they are entitled to enter Sabah (Section 66(4) of the Immigration Act). Other Malaysians wishing to enter and remain in Sabah temporarily may be issued the following classes of Passes: (a) Employment, (b) Dependent’s, (c) Visit, (d) Transit, (e) Student, (f) Special and (g) Landing (Regulation 8, Immigration Regulations, 1963).
“The Director of Immigration has the discretion whether or not to issue any pass. A Visit Pass may be issued for the purpose of a social business or professional visit. The Director of Immigration had by a letter dated July 4, 2003 stated that a chambering student from West Malaysia and Sarawak requires a Visit Pass (Professional) under Regulation 11(1)(I) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“The applicant had argued that the Director was wrong but that is a matter of policy and you can only insist on coming to Sabah as of right if you fall under any of those categories under Section 66 of the Act. In all other cases, the discretion lies with the Director whether to let you into Sabah.
“She had commenced her chambering without the necessary pass required under the law. What she did not tell the court is whether she was paid any money or allowance (or by whatever term it is called) for chambering in the firm of Sugumar & Co because it is a notorious fact which I can take judicial notice that chambering students are paid a monetary allowance.
“What I have referred tend to show that she does not reveal all that is going on which has a bearing on whether there was that intention to acquire a domicile in Sabah whatever may be the consequence, like being allowed a work permit to practise as a lawyer in Sabah since there is no guarantee that the Immigration Department will issue her a work permit. The result is that she chose to disclose as little as possible.
“The petitioner was given more opportunities to provide more evidence and for the purpose, she deponed another four affidavits. She firstly provided the documents to show the payment of an apartment.
“She produced a letter from Sugumar & Co to say that she would be employed for RM2,000 a month for a probationary period of three months. She also produced a letter from her father to say that he will financially support her in any event so that she can remain in Sabah permanently.
Again, there is a scarcity of details, like the cost of living for her and how financially capable is the father as to be able to support her, at how much per month and for how long. All the answers will have a bearing on whether she can financially survive and whether financially it is possible to support and carry out her declared intention to remain in Sabah permanently.
“Therefore, quite apart from conduct and action which are needed to fortify the declaration of intent and as the declaration to change a domicile is not conclusive, those conduct and action must be, in this case, further demonstrated to be feasible, sustainable or possible financially taking into the possibilities of the applicant not finding long-term employment or not finding any gainful employment at all.
“Unfortunately, there is no evidence of what her monthly expenditure will be like and, as mentioned earlier, whether her father is able to maintain her and for how long.
“There is yet another area where the evidence is unsatisfactory and this has to do with the proof of the abandonment of her domicile of origin.
“Since a person cannot have at any one time two domiciles, the applicant would have to prove that she has abandoned her domicile of origin and taken up a new one. There must be satisfactory evidence to show that the Applicant has changed her former domicile.
“The applicant in the aspect of showing evidence of abandonment of her domicile failed miserably to do so. If she has really made up her mind to abandon her former domicile, she would have informed the authorities concerned, like the National Registration Department, or apply to change her area for voting when the revision of the electoral is done.
“There is no evidence that she has done that. Those are strong evidence if she had done that to manifest her intention of abandoning her previous domicile and of acquiring a new one.”
The Sabah State Attorney-General was represented by counsel Zaleha Rose Pandin while counsel Alex Decena and counsel John Sikayun acted for the Sabah Law Association.
20 September, 2003
Alor Setar: The High Court here Friday dismissed a petition by a Perak-born lawyer seeking admission as an advocate to the Sabah Bar.
In his written judgement on the application by Mursyida Abdul Halim, Justice Ian Chin said she has not provided sufficient evidence that she is a domicile in Sabah to fulfil one of the requirements as provided for under the Sabah Advocates Ordinance that she must have “Sabah connections.”
This is provided under Section 2, which reads:
“A person shall be deemed to have Sabah connections for the purposes of this Ordinance if, and only if: he has been born in Sabah;
has been an ordinarily resident in Sabah for a continuous period of five years or more; or satisfies the Chief Judge that he is, at the time when the question whether he has Sabah connections is relevant, domiciled in Sabah.”
“The issue was simply whether the petitioner had acquired Sabah domicile at the time she presented it. The petitioner’s case is that she is domiciled in Sabah.
“According to the facts of the case, she was born in Perak in 1978 and had been living all over Malaya during the period her father was serving in the police force and who was transferred from state to state in Malaya. After her father was transferred to Kota Kinabalu, she visited Sabah for the first time on June 14, 2001. By then she was in Kuala Lumpur doing her final year in law at the International Islamic University, Malaysia where she received her degree in December 2001. She then came back to Sabah on Jan 7, 2002, commenced her chambering a month later and after completing 12 months, petitioned for admission.
“Unfortunately, she was chambering in Kota Kinabalu without the necessary Visit Pass (Professional) as required by Regulation 11(1)(I) of the Immigration Regulations 1963. I pause the narration to consider the controversy surrounding the visit pass that she possessed because her advocate, Sugumar Balakrishnan, insisted that she does not require one and that in any event she was not told by anyone that she requires one.
“Under the Constitution, Sabah is entitled (with certain exceptions which do not concern this case) to treat Malaysians not of Sabah origin as if they are non-citizens.
“This means that other Malaysians seeking to enter Sabah has to comply with the requirement of the immigration authority and they carry the burden of establishing that they are entitled to enter Sabah (Section 66(4) of the Immigration Act). Other Malaysians wishing to enter and remain in Sabah temporarily may be issued the following classes of Passes: (a) Employment, (b) Dependent’s, (c) Visit, (d) Transit, (e) Student, (f) Special and (g) Landing (Regulation 8, Immigration Regulations, 1963).
“The Director of Immigration has the discretion whether or not to issue any pass. A Visit Pass may be issued for the purpose of a social business or professional visit. The Director of Immigration had by a letter dated July 4, 2003 stated that a chambering student from West Malaysia and Sarawak requires a Visit Pass (Professional) under Regulation 11(1)(I) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“The applicant had argued that the Director was wrong but that is a matter of policy and you can only insist on coming to Sabah as of right if you fall under any of those categories under Section 66 of the Act. In all other cases, the discretion lies with the Director whether to let you into Sabah.
“She had commenced her chambering without the necessary pass required under the law. What she did not tell the court is whether she was paid any money or allowance (or by whatever term it is called) for chambering in the firm of Sugumar & Co because it is a notorious fact which I can take judicial notice that chambering students are paid a monetary allowance.
“What I have referred tend to show that she does not reveal all that is going on which has a bearing on whether there was that intention to acquire a domicile in Sabah whatever may be the consequence, like being allowed a work permit to practise as a lawyer in Sabah since there is no guarantee that the Immigration Department will issue her a work permit. The result is that she chose to disclose as little as possible.
“The petitioner was given more opportunities to provide more evidence and for the purpose, she deponed another four affidavits. She firstly provided the documents to show the payment of an apartment.
“She produced a letter from Sugumar & Co to say that she would be employed for RM2,000 a month for a probationary period of three months. She also produced a letter from her father to say that he will financially support her in any event so that she can remain in Sabah permanently.
Again, there is a scarcity of details, like the cost of living for her and how financially capable is the father as to be able to support her, at how much per month and for how long. All the answers will have a bearing on whether she can financially survive and whether financially it is possible to support and carry out her declared intention to remain in Sabah permanently.
“Therefore, quite apart from conduct and action which are needed to fortify the declaration of intent and as the declaration to change a domicile is not conclusive, those conduct and action must be, in this case, further demonstrated to be feasible, sustainable or possible financially taking into the possibilities of the applicant not finding long-term employment or not finding any gainful employment at all.
“Unfortunately, there is no evidence of what her monthly expenditure will be like and, as mentioned earlier, whether her father is able to maintain her and for how long.
“There is yet another area where the evidence is unsatisfactory and this has to do with the proof of the abandonment of her domicile of origin.
“Since a person cannot have at any one time two domiciles, the applicant would have to prove that she has abandoned her domicile of origin and taken up a new one. There must be satisfactory evidence to show that the Applicant has changed her former domicile.
“The applicant in the aspect of showing evidence of abandonment of her domicile failed miserably to do so. If she has really made up her mind to abandon her former domicile, she would have informed the authorities concerned, like the National Registration Department, or apply to change her area for voting when the revision of the electoral is done.
“There is no evidence that she has done that. Those are strong evidence if she had done that to manifest her intention of abandoning her previous domicile and of acquiring a new one.”
The Sabah State Attorney-General was represented by counsel Zaleha Rose Pandin while counsel Alex Decena and counsel John Sikayun acted for the Sabah Law Association.
Friday, September 19, 2003
Many caught off-guard by extra holiday
Daily Express
18 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: While the surprise announcement by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman of an extended public holiday Wednesday for Sabah should be welcomed by most people, it had also resulted in public confusion.
Many workers and students were caught off-guard Wednesday morning as they went about for a routine work or school day, only to find their offices and schools empty.
Some students here and in Penampang, especially those with wet uniforms due to the heavy morning rain, were delighted on learning they had been given another day off after the Tuesday public holiday in conjunction with the Head of State’s official birthday.
Musa, who is also Finance Minister, made a sudden announcement soon after midnight Tuesday to declare Wednesday a public holiday, to a loud applause by the remaining audience at the National Merdeka Month closing celebration at the Likas Sports Complex.
This (extra holiday) was a gesture of appreciation by the State Government for all those Sabahans involved in making the celebration a success.
As early as 6am, Sabah RTM repeated the announcement several times on the radio, catching many motorists on their routine journey to work by surprise.
The Daily Express press office in Tanjung Aru was deluged with calls from members of the public wishing to confirm the “holiday rumour” passed around by friends.
However, the ongoing Primary School Assessment Test (UPSR) continued as usual.
Some workers caught off-guard were visibly disappointed by the sudden announcement, saying they had wasted their time travelling long distances, from as far as Papar, Beaufort and Tuaran to their places of work, only to discover some of their colleagues waiting there in a state of confusion.
They felt that any proposal to extend a public holiday should be properly organised to avoid public inconvenience.
The Chief Minister should have made the announcement during his speech while all eyes were glued to their television screens to watch the closing ceremony of the 46th Merdeka Month celebration, telecast “live” nationwide, they said.
Note: Many more were stucked in Tarakan and Nunukan, East Kalimantan, Indonesian when passengers on ship were told that Tawau Immigration was closed due to the sudden announcement of holiday. Immigration office at the passenger terminal in Tawau does not open on public holidays and Sundays. These passengers who were already on board the ships were told to leave causing them to incure additional expenses on transportation, food, lodging and connecting transportations cancellation.
Such announcement made by the Chief Minister was certainly unwise and should never be repeated. We feel no sympathy for the CM when he was cursed by the people on the street for making a "foolish" announcement. He should have postpond the holiday to a later date where everyone in the state has ample time to prepare and to enjoy. If the holiday was intended for everyone then make sure everyone gets to enjoy it. Such action is similar to a lazy teacher dismissing his class early but the students have no transport to go home. We hope this is not an indication of how the CM carrying out his duties.
One mark deducted from the Chief Minster, Datuk Musa Aman.
18 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: While the surprise announcement by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman of an extended public holiday Wednesday for Sabah should be welcomed by most people, it had also resulted in public confusion.
Many workers and students were caught off-guard Wednesday morning as they went about for a routine work or school day, only to find their offices and schools empty.
Some students here and in Penampang, especially those with wet uniforms due to the heavy morning rain, were delighted on learning they had been given another day off after the Tuesday public holiday in conjunction with the Head of State’s official birthday.
Musa, who is also Finance Minister, made a sudden announcement soon after midnight Tuesday to declare Wednesday a public holiday, to a loud applause by the remaining audience at the National Merdeka Month closing celebration at the Likas Sports Complex.
This (extra holiday) was a gesture of appreciation by the State Government for all those Sabahans involved in making the celebration a success.
As early as 6am, Sabah RTM repeated the announcement several times on the radio, catching many motorists on their routine journey to work by surprise.
The Daily Express press office in Tanjung Aru was deluged with calls from members of the public wishing to confirm the “holiday rumour” passed around by friends.
However, the ongoing Primary School Assessment Test (UPSR) continued as usual.
Some workers caught off-guard were visibly disappointed by the sudden announcement, saying they had wasted their time travelling long distances, from as far as Papar, Beaufort and Tuaran to their places of work, only to discover some of their colleagues waiting there in a state of confusion.
They felt that any proposal to extend a public holiday should be properly organised to avoid public inconvenience.
The Chief Minister should have made the announcement during his speech while all eyes were glued to their television screens to watch the closing ceremony of the 46th Merdeka Month celebration, telecast “live” nationwide, they said.
Note: Many more were stucked in Tarakan and Nunukan, East Kalimantan, Indonesian when passengers on ship were told that Tawau Immigration was closed due to the sudden announcement of holiday. Immigration office at the passenger terminal in Tawau does not open on public holidays and Sundays. These passengers who were already on board the ships were told to leave causing them to incure additional expenses on transportation, food, lodging and connecting transportations cancellation.
Such announcement made by the Chief Minister was certainly unwise and should never be repeated. We feel no sympathy for the CM when he was cursed by the people on the street for making a "foolish" announcement. He should have postpond the holiday to a later date where everyone in the state has ample time to prepare and to enjoy. If the holiday was intended for everyone then make sure everyone gets to enjoy it. Such action is similar to a lazy teacher dismissing his class early but the students have no transport to go home. We hope this is not an indication of how the CM carrying out his duties.
One mark deducted from the Chief Minster, Datuk Musa Aman.
Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Masalah kewangan dikatakan jadi punca -- Tour de Borneo ditunda
Utusan Malaysia
16 9 2003
Oleh MOHD. TAUFEK RAZAK
PERLUMBAAN sulung Tour de Borneo (TdB) pada 21-27 September ini menemui jalan buntu untuk diteruskan angkara masalah kewangan yang dihadapi penganjurnya, Yellow Jersey Sdn Bhd.
Pengumuman mengenai penundaan jelajah lumba basikal itu dibuat menerusi satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan di Kuala Lumpur semalam tetapi keputusan mengejut penganjur berbuat demikian telah diputuskan lebih awal iaitu pada Sabtu lalu lagi.
Mesyuarat untuk memutuskan penundaan itu dibuat sehari selepas pihak media dipanggil penganjur untuk diberi taklimat mengenai peraturan dan persediaan pada hari Jumaat sebelumnya.
Agak menghairankan pada majlis taklimat itu, pihak media dimaklumkan segala persiapan berjalan lancar dan TdB hanya menunggu masa sahaja untuk dilangsungkan.
Bagaimanapun hanya sehari selepas itu, penganjur terpaksa menundanya di saat akhir kepada satu tarikh yang mungkin selepas berlangsungnya Sukan Sea di Vietnam pada Disember ini.
Dalam kenyataan kepada media, Pengarah Eksekutif Yellow Jersey Sdn Bhd, Zainal Anuar bagaimanapun tidak mendedahkan punca sebenar kepada penundaan itu.
Sebaliknya beliau hanya memberitahu bahawa ia disebabkan oleh masalah yang tidak dijangka.
Tetapi beliau memberi jaminan bahawa perlumbaan itu akan tetap diadakan tahun ini memandangkan banyak perbelanjaan telah dikeluarkan untuk merancangnya.
``Terlalu banyak pelaburan telah kami buat untuk memastikan jelajah ini satu kenyataan dan terbaik.
``Tentunya keputusan ini amat merugikan. Namun memandangkan perlumbaan itu dirancang untuk 2003, ia tetap akan dilangsungkan tahun ini biar apa pun yang berlaku selepas ini,'' tegasnya.
Sehubungan itu, beliau meminta maaf di atas segala kesulitan berikutan penundaan di saat akhir ini.
``Bayangkan sudah 19 pasukan mengesahkan penyertaan mereka apatah lagi perlumbaan ini berorentasikan pelancongan untuk Malaysia amnya dan Sabah khasnya.
``Namun penundaannya tidak dapat dielakkan dan bagi pihak Yellow Jersey dan Persatuan Berbasikal Sabah, kami meminta maaf kepada pelumba, sukarelawan dan pihak-pihak yang banyak membantu,'' jelasnya.
TdB yang menawarkan hadiah RM160,000 akan mempunyai tujuh peringkat perlumbaan yang bermula dengan acara kriterium di sekitar pekan Tawau (56km) pada 21 September.
Ini akan diikuti dengan peringkat kedua dari Tawau-Semporna (115.3km), Semporna-Lahad Datu (157.9km), Lahad Datu-Sandakan (173.3km), Sepilok-Kundasang (213.1km), Penampang-Kota Belud-Kota Kinabalu (141.2km) sebelum berakhir dengan satu lagi acara kriterium di sekitar bandar Kota Kinabalu (64.8km).
Sehingga ini, 19 pasukan sudah pun mengesahkan penyertaan dengan 15 daripadanya adalah pasukan kebangsaan dan profesional dari luar negara.
Malaysia sahaja akan diwakili empat pasukan iaitu pasukan Malaysia A, Malaysia B, Majlis Sukan Negara dan Pilihan Sabah.
16 9 2003
Oleh MOHD. TAUFEK RAZAK
PERLUMBAAN sulung Tour de Borneo (TdB) pada 21-27 September ini menemui jalan buntu untuk diteruskan angkara masalah kewangan yang dihadapi penganjurnya, Yellow Jersey Sdn Bhd.
Pengumuman mengenai penundaan jelajah lumba basikal itu dibuat menerusi satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan di Kuala Lumpur semalam tetapi keputusan mengejut penganjur berbuat demikian telah diputuskan lebih awal iaitu pada Sabtu lalu lagi.
Mesyuarat untuk memutuskan penundaan itu dibuat sehari selepas pihak media dipanggil penganjur untuk diberi taklimat mengenai peraturan dan persediaan pada hari Jumaat sebelumnya.
Agak menghairankan pada majlis taklimat itu, pihak media dimaklumkan segala persiapan berjalan lancar dan TdB hanya menunggu masa sahaja untuk dilangsungkan.
Bagaimanapun hanya sehari selepas itu, penganjur terpaksa menundanya di saat akhir kepada satu tarikh yang mungkin selepas berlangsungnya Sukan Sea di Vietnam pada Disember ini.
Dalam kenyataan kepada media, Pengarah Eksekutif Yellow Jersey Sdn Bhd, Zainal Anuar bagaimanapun tidak mendedahkan punca sebenar kepada penundaan itu.
Sebaliknya beliau hanya memberitahu bahawa ia disebabkan oleh masalah yang tidak dijangka.
Tetapi beliau memberi jaminan bahawa perlumbaan itu akan tetap diadakan tahun ini memandangkan banyak perbelanjaan telah dikeluarkan untuk merancangnya.
``Terlalu banyak pelaburan telah kami buat untuk memastikan jelajah ini satu kenyataan dan terbaik.
``Tentunya keputusan ini amat merugikan. Namun memandangkan perlumbaan itu dirancang untuk 2003, ia tetap akan dilangsungkan tahun ini biar apa pun yang berlaku selepas ini,'' tegasnya.
Sehubungan itu, beliau meminta maaf di atas segala kesulitan berikutan penundaan di saat akhir ini.
``Bayangkan sudah 19 pasukan mengesahkan penyertaan mereka apatah lagi perlumbaan ini berorentasikan pelancongan untuk Malaysia amnya dan Sabah khasnya.
``Namun penundaannya tidak dapat dielakkan dan bagi pihak Yellow Jersey dan Persatuan Berbasikal Sabah, kami meminta maaf kepada pelumba, sukarelawan dan pihak-pihak yang banyak membantu,'' jelasnya.
TdB yang menawarkan hadiah RM160,000 akan mempunyai tujuh peringkat perlumbaan yang bermula dengan acara kriterium di sekitar pekan Tawau (56km) pada 21 September.
Ini akan diikuti dengan peringkat kedua dari Tawau-Semporna (115.3km), Semporna-Lahad Datu (157.9km), Lahad Datu-Sandakan (173.3km), Sepilok-Kundasang (213.1km), Penampang-Kota Belud-Kota Kinabalu (141.2km) sebelum berakhir dengan satu lagi acara kriterium di sekitar bandar Kota Kinabalu (64.8km).
Sehingga ini, 19 pasukan sudah pun mengesahkan penyertaan dengan 15 daripadanya adalah pasukan kebangsaan dan profesional dari luar negara.
Malaysia sahaja akan diwakili empat pasukan iaitu pasukan Malaysia A, Malaysia B, Majlis Sukan Negara dan Pilihan Sabah.
Khalil heads the list
Daily Express
16 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: Information Minister Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob heads the list of 574 people conferred with honours and awards in conjunction with the 57th birthday of the Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah, today (Tuesday).
He was awarded the ‘Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu’ (SPDK), the State’s highest award, which carries the title ‘Datuk Seri Panglima’.
Another recipient of the SPDK is businessman Datuk Mohammed alias Kadir Mohamad Mastan.
The investiture will be held at the Istana Negeri here today.
State Umno Youth head, Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, is among 26 people conferred the ‘Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu’ (PGDK) which carries the title ‘Datuk’.
Other recipients of the PGDK are Puteri Umno Chief Azalina Othman Said, Kunak Assemblyman Jasa Rauddah, Tempasuk Assemblyman Musbah Jamli, Sabah Sports Board General Manager Herman Tiongsoh, Libaran Wanita Umno Chief Armani Mahiruddin, Sabah Hakka Association President Tan Fook En, Parti Liberal Demokratik (LDP) Information Chief Lau Yick Chiang and Sabah Umno Executive Secretary Kadzim Yahya.
The PGDK recipients include former senior police officer Clement Jaikul, former Negeri Sembilan Education Director Khamis Noyo, former Sabah Fire and Rescue Director Leonard A. Athanasius, former Senator R. M. Jasni, businessman Lim Kim Heng, Ling Hua Kai, pharmacist Nancy Ho, Awang alias Mat Bashir Samat, Abdul Hadi Abdul Khatab, Abdul Wahab Sulaiman, Ahmad Mohamad Yassin alias M.Y. Ahmad, Awang Damit Awang Othman, Gabuh Paging, Shuhaibun Yussuf, Teo Ming Chung alias Chong Ming Chung, Andrew Lo Vun Bin and Nam Marthinin.
Seven people made Justices of Peace (JP) are Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Vice President Yunof Maringking, John Maluda, A. Ghandi Dhas s/o P. Arunasalam Pillay, Adnan Puteh, Mary alias Mariati Robert, Tan Kim Beng and Vincent Shia Tee Yap alias Sheah Zwat Tsang.
Sixty-two people receive the ‘Ahli Setia Darjah Kinabalu’ (ASDK). Among them are Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah Secretary-General Ellron Angin, former Kemabong Assemblyman Esar Andamas, former Sugut Assemblyman Pg Abdul Khafid Pg Aslleh, Sabah Football Association Executive Secretary Harry Baking, the PBS president’s wife, Datin Genevieve Kitingan, DSP Abdul Majid Mahmud, Datu Mansor Datu Jalilul Hassan, Abdul Mutalib Hashim and Abdul Ghani Abas.
Another 89 people are conferred the ‘Ahli Darjah Kinabalu’ (ADK). They include the State Youth and Sports Minister’s private secretary, David Tiongin Lumbok, Thomas Moore Wille, Vincent Lee, Zainal Abidin Hassan, Wahid Norbinsha and Petrus Leonard Yong.
A total of 143 people receive the ‘Bintang Setia Kinabalu’ (BSK). Sabah Puteri Umno Information Chief Suzaini Sabdin is one of the recipients.
Another 196 people receive the ‘Bintang Kinabalu’ (BK), while 49 others receive honorary certificates.
16 September, 2003
Kota Kinabalu: Information Minister Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob heads the list of 574 people conferred with honours and awards in conjunction with the 57th birthday of the Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah, today (Tuesday).
He was awarded the ‘Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu’ (SPDK), the State’s highest award, which carries the title ‘Datuk Seri Panglima’.
Another recipient of the SPDK is businessman Datuk Mohammed alias Kadir Mohamad Mastan.
The investiture will be held at the Istana Negeri here today.
State Umno Youth head, Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, is among 26 people conferred the ‘Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu’ (PGDK) which carries the title ‘Datuk’.
Other recipients of the PGDK are Puteri Umno Chief Azalina Othman Said, Kunak Assemblyman Jasa Rauddah, Tempasuk Assemblyman Musbah Jamli, Sabah Sports Board General Manager Herman Tiongsoh, Libaran Wanita Umno Chief Armani Mahiruddin, Sabah Hakka Association President Tan Fook En, Parti Liberal Demokratik (LDP) Information Chief Lau Yick Chiang and Sabah Umno Executive Secretary Kadzim Yahya.
The PGDK recipients include former senior police officer Clement Jaikul, former Negeri Sembilan Education Director Khamis Noyo, former Sabah Fire and Rescue Director Leonard A. Athanasius, former Senator R. M. Jasni, businessman Lim Kim Heng, Ling Hua Kai, pharmacist Nancy Ho, Awang alias Mat Bashir Samat, Abdul Hadi Abdul Khatab, Abdul Wahab Sulaiman, Ahmad Mohamad Yassin alias M.Y. Ahmad, Awang Damit Awang Othman, Gabuh Paging, Shuhaibun Yussuf, Teo Ming Chung alias Chong Ming Chung, Andrew Lo Vun Bin and Nam Marthinin.
Seven people made Justices of Peace (JP) are Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Vice President Yunof Maringking, John Maluda, A. Ghandi Dhas s/o P. Arunasalam Pillay, Adnan Puteh, Mary alias Mariati Robert, Tan Kim Beng and Vincent Shia Tee Yap alias Sheah Zwat Tsang.
Sixty-two people receive the ‘Ahli Setia Darjah Kinabalu’ (ASDK). Among them are Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah Secretary-General Ellron Angin, former Kemabong Assemblyman Esar Andamas, former Sugut Assemblyman Pg Abdul Khafid Pg Aslleh, Sabah Football Association Executive Secretary Harry Baking, the PBS president’s wife, Datin Genevieve Kitingan, DSP Abdul Majid Mahmud, Datu Mansor Datu Jalilul Hassan, Abdul Mutalib Hashim and Abdul Ghani Abas.
Another 89 people are conferred the ‘Ahli Darjah Kinabalu’ (ADK). They include the State Youth and Sports Minister’s private secretary, David Tiongin Lumbok, Thomas Moore Wille, Vincent Lee, Zainal Abidin Hassan, Wahid Norbinsha and Petrus Leonard Yong.
A total of 143 people receive the ‘Bintang Setia Kinabalu’ (BSK). Sabah Puteri Umno Information Chief Suzaini Sabdin is one of the recipients.
Another 196 people receive the ‘Bintang Kinabalu’ (BK), while 49 others receive honorary certificates.
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Janet wanita pertama Malaysia bawa Boeing
Utusan Malaysia
11-9-2003
Oleh: HERMAN HAMID
KUALA LUMPUR 10 Sept.- Ibu kepada seorang anak, Janet Chen, 45, menjadi juruterbang wanita pertama Malaysia menerbangkan pesawat komersial berenjin jet, Boeing 737-300; milik AirAsia.
Beliau menyertai syarikat penerbangan itu Mei lalu sebagai Pegawai Pertama (First Officer) setelah memulakan kariernya dengan Sabah Air selama 20 tahun.
Janet yang berasal dari Kota Kinabalu berkata, beliau mendapat latihan penerbangan selama 13 bulan di England sebelum menyertai Sabah Air.
``Semasa dengan Sabah Air saya hanya berpeluang menerbangkan pesawat jenis Beechcraft King Air 12 tempat duduk dengan jawatan terakhir adalah sebagai Kapten.
``Selepas menyertai AirAsia, barulah saya diberi peluang menjawat jawatan pegawai pertama dan ini membolehkan saya menjadi wanita Malaysia pertama menerbangkan pesawat Boeing 737-300,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Jelas Janet, walaupun di Malaysia telah ada wanita yang berjaya menjadi juruterbang sama ada pesawat komersial, tentera atau persendirian, namun belum ada yang pernah menerbangkan pesawat Boeing atau yang berenjin jet komersial sepertinya.
``Setidak-tidaknya pencapaian saya telah membuktikan kemampuan wanita Malaysia di dalam bidang yang mencabar walaupun di dalam bidang yang tradisinya dikuasai oleh kaum lelaki.''
Oleh itu beliau tidak menafikan kejayaan yang dikecapinya sekarang adalah hasil peluang serta kepercayaan yang diberikan oleh AirAsia.
``Sepatutnya syarikat penerbangan yang lain perlu mencontohi AirAsia dalam memberikan peluang kepada juruterbang wanita kerana kami juga mampu untuk menjadi seorang juruterbang yang baik setanding lelaki.
``Lagipun sepanjang berkhidmat dengan AirAsia, saya tidak pernah menerima sebarang reaksi negatif daripada penumpang walaupun mereka sedar yang ia dikendalikan oleh juruterbang wanita,'' tegasnya
11-9-2003
Oleh: HERMAN HAMID
KUALA LUMPUR 10 Sept.- Ibu kepada seorang anak, Janet Chen, 45, menjadi juruterbang wanita pertama Malaysia menerbangkan pesawat komersial berenjin jet, Boeing 737-300; milik AirAsia.
Beliau menyertai syarikat penerbangan itu Mei lalu sebagai Pegawai Pertama (First Officer) setelah memulakan kariernya dengan Sabah Air selama 20 tahun.
Janet yang berasal dari Kota Kinabalu berkata, beliau mendapat latihan penerbangan selama 13 bulan di England sebelum menyertai Sabah Air.
``Semasa dengan Sabah Air saya hanya berpeluang menerbangkan pesawat jenis Beechcraft King Air 12 tempat duduk dengan jawatan terakhir adalah sebagai Kapten.
``Selepas menyertai AirAsia, barulah saya diberi peluang menjawat jawatan pegawai pertama dan ini membolehkan saya menjadi wanita Malaysia pertama menerbangkan pesawat Boeing 737-300,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Jelas Janet, walaupun di Malaysia telah ada wanita yang berjaya menjadi juruterbang sama ada pesawat komersial, tentera atau persendirian, namun belum ada yang pernah menerbangkan pesawat Boeing atau yang berenjin jet komersial sepertinya.
``Setidak-tidaknya pencapaian saya telah membuktikan kemampuan wanita Malaysia di dalam bidang yang mencabar walaupun di dalam bidang yang tradisinya dikuasai oleh kaum lelaki.''
Oleh itu beliau tidak menafikan kejayaan yang dikecapinya sekarang adalah hasil peluang serta kepercayaan yang diberikan oleh AirAsia.
``Sepatutnya syarikat penerbangan yang lain perlu mencontohi AirAsia dalam memberikan peluang kepada juruterbang wanita kerana kami juga mampu untuk menjadi seorang juruterbang yang baik setanding lelaki.
``Lagipun sepanjang berkhidmat dengan AirAsia, saya tidak pernah menerima sebarang reaksi negatif daripada penumpang walaupun mereka sedar yang ia dikendalikan oleh juruterbang wanita,'' tegasnya
No one lobbying for Datuk this year?
It is a drastic change of scenario this year compared to last year. Last year, or even the year before were totally different when we are approaching 16 of September.
There would be a lot of rumours about so and so will be given the title of Datuk by the state Governor. Surprisingly this year the 'market' is very quiet, extremely quite.
Was it because of the new Chief Minister or because there is a new Governor?
What actually happen must be really interesting to know.
There would be a lot of rumours about so and so will be given the title of Datuk by the state Governor. Surprisingly this year the 'market' is very quiet, extremely quite.
Was it because of the new Chief Minister or because there is a new Governor?
What actually happen must be really interesting to know.
Friday, September 05, 2003
Are they still with the Wawasan Iktisas?
Just wondering if Yong Cheong Fah, Lau Yick Chang (YC Lau) and Leong Kum Ming are still with the company. News saying that they have sold the company for a quick profit.
Well, if really there wasn't any hanky panky in the deal, why sell?
If they are not serious in the business why get into it if not for hanky panky matters?
And why their boss, Datuk Chong Kah Kiat, the former Chief Minister of Sabah, was so reluctant to take any action despite complaints from all level of people in Kota Kinabalu. Was he part of the hanky panky, since the three of them are his 'macai'.
Well, if really there wasn't any hanky panky in the deal, why sell?
If they are not serious in the business why get into it if not for hanky panky matters?
And why their boss, Datuk Chong Kah Kiat, the former Chief Minister of Sabah, was so reluctant to take any action despite complaints from all level of people in Kota Kinabalu. Was he part of the hanky panky, since the three of them are his 'macai'.
Wawasan Iktisas Says No Hanky Panky Kota Kinabalu Car Park Deal
Kota Kinabalu: The company awarded the new car park management contract by City Hall, Wawasan Iktisas Sdn Bhd, clarified that it secured the contract through proper procedures and "because we offered the most attractive terms."
Responding to what it described as insinuations that certain government leaders may have had a hand in the award of the contract, it said in a statement:
"The directors of Wawasan Iktisas are bona fide businessmen. Even though they are active in politics and are aligned to a certain Barisan Nasional component party, that is as far as it goes."
Its three directors – Yong Cheong Fah, Lau Yick Chang (YC Lau) and Leong Kum Ming, also said they were not acting as proxies for anyone nor had at any time before or during the execution of the contract exerted any political influence on the outcome of the bidding exercise.
It pointed out that it also did not fix the parking rates nor introduce new parking areas for the collection of parking fees.
"It was solely the decision of City Hall and we understand that this information on the new rates and area was given to all the companies that participated in the bidding exercise in order for these companies to submit their final proposals based on the same parameters."
It also stressed that the directors were not the type who would use political connections to apply for large tracts of seafront or enter into lop-sided agreements such as the one where the State Government ended up paying RM12,000 monthly just to rent a car.
Responding to what it described as insinuations that certain government leaders may have had a hand in the award of the contract, it said in a statement:
"The directors of Wawasan Iktisas are bona fide businessmen. Even though they are active in politics and are aligned to a certain Barisan Nasional component party, that is as far as it goes."
Its three directors – Yong Cheong Fah, Lau Yick Chang (YC Lau) and Leong Kum Ming, also said they were not acting as proxies for anyone nor had at any time before or during the execution of the contract exerted any political influence on the outcome of the bidding exercise.
It pointed out that it also did not fix the parking rates nor introduce new parking areas for the collection of parking fees.
"It was solely the decision of City Hall and we understand that this information on the new rates and area was given to all the companies that participated in the bidding exercise in order for these companies to submit their final proposals based on the same parameters."
It also stressed that the directors were not the type who would use political connections to apply for large tracts of seafront or enter into lop-sided agreements such as the one where the State Government ended up paying RM12,000 monthly just to rent a car.
Thursday, September 04, 2003
Was there anything to hide?
When the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Chong Kah Kiat took over the administration of Sabah Government, he declared war against the 3 sins, namely illegal immigrants, timber thieves and fish bombing.
The people of Sabah was waiting for his actions. Beginning of this year, we saw a series of tough action being taken against illegal immigrants. Leaders from political as well as non-governmental organizations all over the state gave their approval and support for the long awaited action. To date, we were told that more than 8million has been spent for the Ops Nyiah II.
With the first war started and some results shown, the people are waiting for the second war against timber thieves. At the beginning of June this year, local dailies splashed front page reports with illegal logging in Benta Wawasan logging concession area, near Luasong, Sabah. To make the matter worst, it was also reported that one of the contractors involved was connected to ‘top Sabah politician”.
The Chief Minister asked for names and evidence when the matter was referred to him. He was apparently not pleased with the reports. He said by publishing the news it gives the culprits opportunity to get away.
A few days later, the Chief Minster announced that there was nothing illegal and everything was in order. He said he received no names in the report submitted to him.
The announcement was not a surprise to most people. It has always been the tradition where big names are involved the case will be swept hurriedly under the carpet.
When the public making complaints in about the high parking rate in the state capital, Chong chose to say he received good comments on the new parking rates. Everyone knows he was defending the company given the parking concession because all the directors were Chong’s right hand men is his party.
May we ask why is the double standard?
The people of Sabah was waiting for his actions. Beginning of this year, we saw a series of tough action being taken against illegal immigrants. Leaders from political as well as non-governmental organizations all over the state gave their approval and support for the long awaited action. To date, we were told that more than 8million has been spent for the Ops Nyiah II.
With the first war started and some results shown, the people are waiting for the second war against timber thieves. At the beginning of June this year, local dailies splashed front page reports with illegal logging in Benta Wawasan logging concession area, near Luasong, Sabah. To make the matter worst, it was also reported that one of the contractors involved was connected to ‘top Sabah politician”.
The Chief Minister asked for names and evidence when the matter was referred to him. He was apparently not pleased with the reports. He said by publishing the news it gives the culprits opportunity to get away.
A few days later, the Chief Minster announced that there was nothing illegal and everything was in order. He said he received no names in the report submitted to him.
The announcement was not a surprise to most people. It has always been the tradition where big names are involved the case will be swept hurriedly under the carpet.
When the public making complaints in about the high parking rate in the state capital, Chong chose to say he received good comments on the new parking rates. Everyone knows he was defending the company given the parking concession because all the directors were Chong’s right hand men is his party.
May we ask why is the double standard?
New seats in Sabah
Sabah meanwhile will get five new parliamentary and 12 state seats, bringing the number of parliamentary and state seats to 25 and 60 respectively.
The new parliamentary seats proposed are Kota Kinabalu, Kimanis, Pensiangan, Batu Sapi and Kalabakan while the state seats are Karambunai, Luyang, Kapayan, Membakut, Paginatan, Liawan, Sook, Gum-Gum, Tungku, Bugaya, Apas and Tanjong Batu.
The new parliamentary seats proposed are Kota Kinabalu, Kimanis, Pensiangan, Batu Sapi and Kalabakan while the state seats are Karambunai, Luyang, Kapayan, Membakut, Paginatan, Liawan, Sook, Gum-Gum, Tungku, Bugaya, Apas and Tanjong Batu.
Thursday, August 14, 2003
Sandakan Harbour project kicks off
Utusan Malaysia
14-8-2003
SANDAKAN Aug 13 - Work on the RM240-million Sandakan Harbour Square project officially started Wednesday, less than two years from the date it was first proposed.
An official ceremony at a jetty near the existing central market at the waterfront signalled the start of the work which involves the demolition, site clearance, site reclamation and construction of seawalls.
The symbolic act in drilling away the concrete jetty in order to make way for the project was officiated by the member of parliament for Sandakan, Datuk Lau Ngan Siew.
It was witnessed by a large crowd, including the Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) president, Datuk Adeline Leong, and deputy president (II), Datuk Thomas Lau.
Land reclamation works and settlement will take 18 months to complete.
Leong said the Sandakan Harbour Square project would be carried out in four phases.
Phase 1 will include reclaiming nine acres of land from the sea to add to the existing three acres, and the building of a new jetty and new and modern central market to replace the existing old market built more than 50 years ago.
There will also be a three-storey circular sea-level annex for a seafood restaurant.
The 61 shop-offices will comprise 29 three-storey units and 32 four-storey units with varying floor sizes. The shop offices in this phase are scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2006.
Leong said Phase 2 would commence when market traders were relocated to the new market and the old market would then be demolished to make way for the building of the Phase 2 shophouses and Phase 3 retail/carpark complex.
Phase 3 will commence concurrently with or, shortly after, certain parts of Phase 1 which will include the retail/carpark complex, the Sandakan Harbour Mall.
Phase 4 has yet to be finalised but it will include a five-star hotel.
The project is being undertaken by the Sandakan Municipal Council as the landowner in a joint venture with the developer, Ireka-Charng Sheng Development Sdn Bhd.
Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange-listed Ireka Corporation Bhd holds 60 percent equity in the joint venture company while Sabah-based construction/development company Syarikat Charng Sheng Sdn Bhd holds the remaining equity of 40 percent.
"In other words, the council provides the land while Ireka-Charng Sheng designs, finances, builds and sells the commercial properties," said Leong.
The council will own and operate the new central market and fish jetty and the new town Harbour Square and other public areas.
Leong said: "It is also part of the council's efforts to transform Sandakan into a Nature City by the year 2004."
Ireka-Charng Sheng Development Sdn Bhd joint managing director, Lai Voon Hon said the project had helped the Ireka Group to gain a significant foothold in East Malaysia. It is already undertaking a housing project in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital.
14-8-2003
SANDAKAN Aug 13 - Work on the RM240-million Sandakan Harbour Square project officially started Wednesday, less than two years from the date it was first proposed.
An official ceremony at a jetty near the existing central market at the waterfront signalled the start of the work which involves the demolition, site clearance, site reclamation and construction of seawalls.
The symbolic act in drilling away the concrete jetty in order to make way for the project was officiated by the member of parliament for Sandakan, Datuk Lau Ngan Siew.
It was witnessed by a large crowd, including the Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) president, Datuk Adeline Leong, and deputy president (II), Datuk Thomas Lau.
Land reclamation works and settlement will take 18 months to complete.
Leong said the Sandakan Harbour Square project would be carried out in four phases.
Phase 1 will include reclaiming nine acres of land from the sea to add to the existing three acres, and the building of a new jetty and new and modern central market to replace the existing old market built more than 50 years ago.
There will also be a three-storey circular sea-level annex for a seafood restaurant.
The 61 shop-offices will comprise 29 three-storey units and 32 four-storey units with varying floor sizes. The shop offices in this phase are scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2006.
Leong said Phase 2 would commence when market traders were relocated to the new market and the old market would then be demolished to make way for the building of the Phase 2 shophouses and Phase 3 retail/carpark complex.
Phase 3 will commence concurrently with or, shortly after, certain parts of Phase 1 which will include the retail/carpark complex, the Sandakan Harbour Mall.
Phase 4 has yet to be finalised but it will include a five-star hotel.
The project is being undertaken by the Sandakan Municipal Council as the landowner in a joint venture with the developer, Ireka-Charng Sheng Development Sdn Bhd.
Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange-listed Ireka Corporation Bhd holds 60 percent equity in the joint venture company while Sabah-based construction/development company Syarikat Charng Sheng Sdn Bhd holds the remaining equity of 40 percent.
"In other words, the council provides the land while Ireka-Charng Sheng designs, finances, builds and sells the commercial properties," said Leong.
The council will own and operate the new central market and fish jetty and the new town Harbour Square and other public areas.
Leong said: "It is also part of the council's efforts to transform Sandakan into a Nature City by the year 2004."
Ireka-Charng Sheng Development Sdn Bhd joint managing director, Lai Voon Hon said the project had helped the Ireka Group to gain a significant foothold in East Malaysia. It is already undertaking a housing project in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital.
Friday, August 08, 2003
MAS adakan penerbangan ke Sulawesi Utara
Utusan Malaysia
8-8-2003
KUALA LUMPUR 7 Ogos - Malaysia Airlines (MAS) akan mengadakan penerbangan ke Manado di Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia melalui Kota Kinabalu mulai 14 Ogos ini, demikian menurut syarikat penerbangan kebangsaan itu hari ini.
Manado akan menjadi destinasi Indonesia kelapan bagi syarikat penerbangan ini selepas Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, Denpasar, Pontianak, Tarakan dan Balikpapan.
Perkhidmatan itu yang berdasarkan perkongsian kod dengan Garuda Indonesia, akan dilakukan dua kali seminggu iaitu pada setiap hari Khamis dan Ahad.
Malaysia Airlines akan menggunakan pesawat dua kelas Boeing 737-400 dengan 16 tempat duduk kelas perniagaan dan 128 kelas ekonomi untuk perkhidmatan itu.
8-8-2003
KUALA LUMPUR 7 Ogos - Malaysia Airlines (MAS) akan mengadakan penerbangan ke Manado di Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia melalui Kota Kinabalu mulai 14 Ogos ini, demikian menurut syarikat penerbangan kebangsaan itu hari ini.
Manado akan menjadi destinasi Indonesia kelapan bagi syarikat penerbangan ini selepas Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, Denpasar, Pontianak, Tarakan dan Balikpapan.
Perkhidmatan itu yang berdasarkan perkongsian kod dengan Garuda Indonesia, akan dilakukan dua kali seminggu iaitu pada setiap hari Khamis dan Ahad.
Malaysia Airlines akan menggunakan pesawat dua kelas Boeing 737-400 dengan 16 tempat duduk kelas perniagaan dan 128 kelas ekonomi untuk perkhidmatan itu.
Friday, August 01, 2003
Sabah keeps open mind on Federal proposal to manage water resources
Press Release
1 August, 2003
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Government will keep an open mind on the proposal for the Federal Government to take over the administration of water management of all states by the end of this year.
Speaking to reporters at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport on his return from Kuala Lumpur today, Chief Minister Datuk Haji Musa Aman said presently the State Government was finalizing discussions with a private firm, Ranhill, for a comprehensive water management system for Sabah.
" The discussions with Ranhill are proceeding well, and it is my hope that the State Cabinet will be able to reach a final decision on the matter by year’s end," Musa said.
Musa said if an amicable agreement could be reached with Ranhill, then the State Government would proceed with its own water management system.
" However, if a final agreement cannot be reached, and if we feel it is beyond our capacity to manage our water resources efficiently, then we can consider the proposal to turn over the administration of our water resources to the Federal Government. We will keep an open mind on the matter," Musa said.
Musa said the State Government was owing closing to RM 600 million to the four water concessionaires in Sabah who presently treat and supply water to the government for distribution to consumers. The Government, however, is unable to match revenue with costs incurred because it is saddled with an inefficient distribution system inherited from pre-independence days, with non-revenue water losses of around fifty percent.
" It is a heavy burden, and we must find a resolution to this problem quickly," he said.
Under the Malaysian Constitution water resources come under the purview of the individual states of the Federation. The proposal for the Federal.Government to take over the administration of water management from the state’s was made because a number of states in Peninsular Malaysia have run out of water resources or do not have the financial means to manage their water resources efficiently due to the demands of development.
The proposal, however, has received a mixed reaction from the different states. Some, like Pulau Pinang, support the proposal. Pahang is non-commital, while Kelantan has rejected it outright. A few other states have said there is a need for careful study of the proposal before proceeding to adopt it for implementation.
1 August, 2003
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Government will keep an open mind on the proposal for the Federal Government to take over the administration of water management of all states by the end of this year.
Speaking to reporters at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport on his return from Kuala Lumpur today, Chief Minister Datuk Haji Musa Aman said presently the State Government was finalizing discussions with a private firm, Ranhill, for a comprehensive water management system for Sabah.
" The discussions with Ranhill are proceeding well, and it is my hope that the State Cabinet will be able to reach a final decision on the matter by year’s end," Musa said.
Musa said if an amicable agreement could be reached with Ranhill, then the State Government would proceed with its own water management system.
" However, if a final agreement cannot be reached, and if we feel it is beyond our capacity to manage our water resources efficiently, then we can consider the proposal to turn over the administration of our water resources to the Federal Government. We will keep an open mind on the matter," Musa said.
Musa said the State Government was owing closing to RM 600 million to the four water concessionaires in Sabah who presently treat and supply water to the government for distribution to consumers. The Government, however, is unable to match revenue with costs incurred because it is saddled with an inefficient distribution system inherited from pre-independence days, with non-revenue water losses of around fifty percent.
" It is a heavy burden, and we must find a resolution to this problem quickly," he said.
Under the Malaysian Constitution water resources come under the purview of the individual states of the Federation. The proposal for the Federal.Government to take over the administration of water management from the state’s was made because a number of states in Peninsular Malaysia have run out of water resources or do not have the financial means to manage their water resources efficiently due to the demands of development.
The proposal, however, has received a mixed reaction from the different states. Some, like Pulau Pinang, support the proposal. Pahang is non-commital, while Kelantan has rejected it outright. A few other states have said there is a need for careful study of the proposal before proceeding to adopt it for implementation.
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Senior cops sue two for defamation
The Star
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusuff and two senior officers have filed a defamation suit against two men who allegedly wrote a false and malicious letter against them.
They named Abdul Jalil Ayed and Said Hassan Said Idrus as defendants in the suit, which was filed at the High Court registry here on Tuesday.
The other two plaintiffs are Tawau district crime officer Deputy Supt Madang Usat and CID investigating officer Chief Insp Lee Ping Keong @ Mohd Farhan Abdullah.
The plaintiffs claimed that the two men wrote the letter at the Tawau Umno division office on Dec 24, and that the letter was faxed to CID Director Datuk Salleh Mat Som at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.
In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs said Jalil and Said Hassan had stated in their letter that there were 27 gambling premises in Tawau and that senior state police officers were receiving bribes from certain taukeh.
The plaintiffs said the letter had implied the officers were involved in criminal activities, were corrupt, dishonest and not fit to be police officers
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusuff and two senior officers have filed a defamation suit against two men who allegedly wrote a false and malicious letter against them.
They named Abdul Jalil Ayed and Said Hassan Said Idrus as defendants in the suit, which was filed at the High Court registry here on Tuesday.
The other two plaintiffs are Tawau district crime officer Deputy Supt Madang Usat and CID investigating officer Chief Insp Lee Ping Keong @ Mohd Farhan Abdullah.
The plaintiffs claimed that the two men wrote the letter at the Tawau Umno division office on Dec 24, and that the letter was faxed to CID Director Datuk Salleh Mat Som at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.
In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs said Jalil and Said Hassan had stated in their letter that there were 27 gambling premises in Tawau and that senior state police officers were receiving bribes from certain taukeh.
The plaintiffs said the letter had implied the officers were involved in criminal activities, were corrupt, dishonest and not fit to be police officers
Monday, July 14, 2003
Kota Kinabalu-Balikpapan link revives growth spirit
Source: New Sabah Times
Kota Kinabalu: When the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) was first formed n Davao City, Philippines in 1994, it was seen to be a “panacea” for the pain and hurdles in promoting greater economic integration among the member nations.
For two years, there had been silver linings with a myriad of Memoranda of Understandings (MoU) being signed that covered numerous areas such as airlinks, joint tour packages and trade.
But the sudden change in the economic tide in 1994 floored the push towards the implementation of well-places plans. In the aftermath of the financial crisis, the proposed joint development within the EAGA framework ran into snail’s pace.
Now, the uncertainty over the EAGA’s future is taking a back seat as the 1994 BIMP-EAGA’s spirit comes to the forefront. The inauguration of the first direct flight by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) from Kota Kinabalu to Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, Indonesia on July 4 has been a boost to this spirit. A day earlier direct flights between Kuching and Balikpapan were launched.
“The inaugural flight especially from here to Balikpapan was exciting. I was on the flight.. so I saw for myself the business potentials in East Kalimantan (Kaltim),” Datuk Ajit Galun, President of the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry told Bernama here yesterday.
“It (Kaltim) is a thriving province .. it has oil, gas, coal reserves, big plantations and many other natural resources. I think the prospect is there for joint venture business.”
Ajit was one of the members of the state’s trade delegation that flew to Balikpapan during the MAS inaugural flight. The delegation was led by Sabah Assistant Minister of Industrial Development Baharum Abdul Rahman.
In order to revive the activities within the BIMP-EAGA regions, communication especially an airlink was very important, Ajit said.
“During our visit to Samarinda (the capital of Kaltim), we were briefed at the Governor’s office. They had appointed several corporate figures to look for possible investments in agriculture, mining, infrastructure, tourism and forestry,” he said.
As a result of the direct air link, Sabah businessmen had met eye to eye with their counterparts in East Kalimantan with a view to fostering business cooperation. “We must remember that Balikpapan is the gateway to Kalimantan. In fact once we reach Balikpapan, we an move to other parts of Kalimantan by road or sea. That’s why we should capitalize on this to broaden our business sphere,” he added.
Ajit said the direct link also paved the way for easier movement of skilled labour from Kalimantan to Sabah. Apart from that, he suggested that cross-border trading between Sabah and East Kalimantan be properly coordinated to ensure the smooth running of joint ventures.
Ajit also called for the resumption of the Kota Kinabalu-Davao flight to activate trade particularly between Sabah and Southern Philippines.
“Of course, there are huge potentials and prospects for cooperation in trade and investment. But first of all, for the investors to dump their money in Southern Philippines, security must be in place,” he said. Meanwhile, Executive Director of Malaysia’s Malays Chamber of Commerce Sabah Chapter Mohamad Ghazali Mohamad Nadzir said the direct flight service between Kota Kinabalu and Balikpapan was timely boost to the slow trading activities within the region.
“We can no longer depend on local business opportunities, we must go beyond our territory in line with the globalization process. So we hope that HIMP-EAGA will prosper as planned in future,” he said.
BIMP-EAGA includes Brunei Darussalam, North Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan and Maluku in Indonesia, Sabah, Saraka and the Federal Territory of Labuan in Malaysia; Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines. - Bernama
Kota Kinabalu: When the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) was first formed n Davao City, Philippines in 1994, it was seen to be a “panacea” for the pain and hurdles in promoting greater economic integration among the member nations.
For two years, there had been silver linings with a myriad of Memoranda of Understandings (MoU) being signed that covered numerous areas such as airlinks, joint tour packages and trade.
But the sudden change in the economic tide in 1994 floored the push towards the implementation of well-places plans. In the aftermath of the financial crisis, the proposed joint development within the EAGA framework ran into snail’s pace.
Now, the uncertainty over the EAGA’s future is taking a back seat as the 1994 BIMP-EAGA’s spirit comes to the forefront. The inauguration of the first direct flight by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) from Kota Kinabalu to Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, Indonesia on July 4 has been a boost to this spirit. A day earlier direct flights between Kuching and Balikpapan were launched.
“The inaugural flight especially from here to Balikpapan was exciting. I was on the flight.. so I saw for myself the business potentials in East Kalimantan (Kaltim),” Datuk Ajit Galun, President of the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry told Bernama here yesterday.
“It (Kaltim) is a thriving province .. it has oil, gas, coal reserves, big plantations and many other natural resources. I think the prospect is there for joint venture business.”
Ajit was one of the members of the state’s trade delegation that flew to Balikpapan during the MAS inaugural flight. The delegation was led by Sabah Assistant Minister of Industrial Development Baharum Abdul Rahman.
In order to revive the activities within the BIMP-EAGA regions, communication especially an airlink was very important, Ajit said.
“During our visit to Samarinda (the capital of Kaltim), we were briefed at the Governor’s office. They had appointed several corporate figures to look for possible investments in agriculture, mining, infrastructure, tourism and forestry,” he said.
As a result of the direct air link, Sabah businessmen had met eye to eye with their counterparts in East Kalimantan with a view to fostering business cooperation. “We must remember that Balikpapan is the gateway to Kalimantan. In fact once we reach Balikpapan, we an move to other parts of Kalimantan by road or sea. That’s why we should capitalize on this to broaden our business sphere,” he added.
Ajit said the direct link also paved the way for easier movement of skilled labour from Kalimantan to Sabah. Apart from that, he suggested that cross-border trading between Sabah and East Kalimantan be properly coordinated to ensure the smooth running of joint ventures.
Ajit also called for the resumption of the Kota Kinabalu-Davao flight to activate trade particularly between Sabah and Southern Philippines.
“Of course, there are huge potentials and prospects for cooperation in trade and investment. But first of all, for the investors to dump their money in Southern Philippines, security must be in place,” he said. Meanwhile, Executive Director of Malaysia’s Malays Chamber of Commerce Sabah Chapter Mohamad Ghazali Mohamad Nadzir said the direct flight service between Kota Kinabalu and Balikpapan was timely boost to the slow trading activities within the region.
“We can no longer depend on local business opportunities, we must go beyond our territory in line with the globalization process. So we hope that HIMP-EAGA will prosper as planned in future,” he said.
BIMP-EAGA includes Brunei Darussalam, North Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan and Maluku in Indonesia, Sabah, Saraka and the Federal Territory of Labuan in Malaysia; Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines. - Bernama
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Dr Patawari Injured In Road Crash
July 10, 2003 20:28 PM
TAWAU, July 10 (Bernama) -- Sabah's Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Datuk Dr Patawari Patawe, suffered serious injuries when the car he was travelling in crashed at km 21, Jalan Apas, near here, about 4am Thursday.
Patawari, 45, the State Legislative Assembly member for Merotai, fractured his ribs and right shoulder apart from suffering bleeding in his lungs.
One of his right fingers is broken, while his back is also injured.
Patawari's wife, Datin Kasmina Mana, 33, suffered cuts on her right leg. However, their daughter, Siti Nawar, 18, escaped unhurt.
Patawari has been admitted to Tawau Hospital where his condition is reported to be stable.
The driver of the Mercedez Benz car, Majid Amat, 30, suffered minor cuts on his head and hand.
Approached by reporters at the hospital, Majid said when the car reached a bend at km 21, it suddenly went out of control, skidded and overturned several times.
"It overturned several times before coming to a rest near a drain. I found Siti Nawar still seated in front and cushioned by the air bag but Datuk (Dr Patawari) and Datin (Kasmina) were not in the back seat," he said.
Majid said he crawled out of the car and found Dr Patawari and his wife, both of whom were stll conscious, lying near the road.
Dr Patawari was admitted to the hospital at about 5am.
Among those who visited him were Sabah Rural and Entrepreneur Development Minister, Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran, and Youth and Sports Assistant Minister, Datuk Abdul Mannan Jakasa. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman has instructed the State Public Works Department to conduct a study on the causes of frequent accidents at the stretch.
He said he often heard about accidents along the stretch and some involved deaths.
"I hope a study can be done to identify the causes and find ways to prevent accidents," he told reporters after visiting Dr Patawari at the hospital.
State Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail and several assistant ministers also visited Dr Patawari.
Asked on Dr Patawari's condition, Musa said the medical officer told him that his condition was stable. "However, Dr Patawari and his wife have to be sent to Kuala Lumpur for further treatment," he said.
He said preparations are being made to airlift them to Kuala Lumpur on a Royal Malaysian Air Force plane at 8.30pm Thursday night.
-- BERNAMA
TAWAU, July 10 (Bernama) -- Sabah's Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Datuk Dr Patawari Patawe, suffered serious injuries when the car he was travelling in crashed at km 21, Jalan Apas, near here, about 4am Thursday.
Patawari, 45, the State Legislative Assembly member for Merotai, fractured his ribs and right shoulder apart from suffering bleeding in his lungs.
One of his right fingers is broken, while his back is also injured.
Patawari's wife, Datin Kasmina Mana, 33, suffered cuts on her right leg. However, their daughter, Siti Nawar, 18, escaped unhurt.
Patawari has been admitted to Tawau Hospital where his condition is reported to be stable.
The driver of the Mercedez Benz car, Majid Amat, 30, suffered minor cuts on his head and hand.
Approached by reporters at the hospital, Majid said when the car reached a bend at km 21, it suddenly went out of control, skidded and overturned several times.
"It overturned several times before coming to a rest near a drain. I found Siti Nawar still seated in front and cushioned by the air bag but Datuk (Dr Patawari) and Datin (Kasmina) were not in the back seat," he said.
Majid said he crawled out of the car and found Dr Patawari and his wife, both of whom were stll conscious, lying near the road.
Dr Patawari was admitted to the hospital at about 5am.
Among those who visited him were Sabah Rural and Entrepreneur Development Minister, Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran, and Youth and Sports Assistant Minister, Datuk Abdul Mannan Jakasa. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman has instructed the State Public Works Department to conduct a study on the causes of frequent accidents at the stretch.
He said he often heard about accidents along the stretch and some involved deaths.
"I hope a study can be done to identify the causes and find ways to prevent accidents," he told reporters after visiting Dr Patawari at the hospital.
State Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail and several assistant ministers also visited Dr Patawari.
Asked on Dr Patawari's condition, Musa said the medical officer told him that his condition was stable. "However, Dr Patawari and his wife have to be sent to Kuala Lumpur for further treatment," he said.
He said preparations are being made to airlift them to Kuala Lumpur on a Royal Malaysian Air Force plane at 8.30pm Thursday night.
-- BERNAMA
Saturday, July 05, 2003
MAS expands air linkages to Balikpapan
Utusan Malaysia
5-7-2003
KOTA KINABALU July 4 - Malaysia Airlines on Friday launched its scheduled service between Kota Kinabalu and Balikpapan in East Kalimatan as part of its efforts to expand air linkages in the region, particularly in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
MAS will operate twice weekly flights on Tuesdays and Fridays between Kota Kinabalu and Balikpapan.
MAS Senior General Manager, Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan, said that the flight linking Balikpapan in Indonesia was a vital step in its strategy to provide new air routes between Balikpapan and the Orient.
He said this at the sending-off ceremony at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, here on Friday.
"We hope this will be the catalyst for other airlines to fly into Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, adding the presence of Royal Brunei Airlines, Dragon Air, Trans Asia Airways, Uni Air, Eva Air. And most recently Australian Airlines that began services between Kota Kinabalu and Sydney effective June 30, 2003," he said.
MAS on Thursday launched similar flights between Kuching and Balikpapan.
Ahmad Fuaad said that MAS plans to open up Sabah and Sarawak to more domestic and international travel and for Kota Kinabalu and Kuching to eventually occupy a significant place on Southeast Asia's aviation map.
"This will bring added tourism revenues, whilst accelerating the states' economic development and integration in this region," he added.
On board the inaugural flight to Balikpapan was Sabah's trade delegation led by State Assistant Minister of Industrial Development, Samsu Baharum Abdul Rahman and local press headed by Sabah Journalists Association's Recreation sub-committe chairman Kamarudin Liusin.
Among the trade delegation were Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce, Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Sabah Kadazan Dusun Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Sabah Manufacturers and Tawau BIMP-EAGA Business Council.
5-7-2003
KOTA KINABALU July 4 - Malaysia Airlines on Friday launched its scheduled service between Kota Kinabalu and Balikpapan in East Kalimatan as part of its efforts to expand air linkages in the region, particularly in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
MAS will operate twice weekly flights on Tuesdays and Fridays between Kota Kinabalu and Balikpapan.
MAS Senior General Manager, Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan, said that the flight linking Balikpapan in Indonesia was a vital step in its strategy to provide new air routes between Balikpapan and the Orient.
He said this at the sending-off ceremony at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, here on Friday.
"We hope this will be the catalyst for other airlines to fly into Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, adding the presence of Royal Brunei Airlines, Dragon Air, Trans Asia Airways, Uni Air, Eva Air. And most recently Australian Airlines that began services between Kota Kinabalu and Sydney effective June 30, 2003," he said.
MAS on Thursday launched similar flights between Kuching and Balikpapan.
Ahmad Fuaad said that MAS plans to open up Sabah and Sarawak to more domestic and international travel and for Kota Kinabalu and Kuching to eventually occupy a significant place on Southeast Asia's aviation map.
"This will bring added tourism revenues, whilst accelerating the states' economic development and integration in this region," he added.
On board the inaugural flight to Balikpapan was Sabah's trade delegation led by State Assistant Minister of Industrial Development, Samsu Baharum Abdul Rahman and local press headed by Sabah Journalists Association's Recreation sub-committe chairman Kamarudin Liusin.
Among the trade delegation were Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce, Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Sabah Kadazan Dusun Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Sabah Manufacturers and Tawau BIMP-EAGA Business Council.
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
KM Sabah (Bergilir): Derita Rakyat Sabah Bertambah!!!
KM Sabah Bergilir: Musa Aman Dalam Gelisah!!!
Kata seorang kawan, bosan sudah bicara soal ketua menteri bergilir. Malas sudah mahu beri ulasan. Itu urusan pemimpin UMNO biar mereka yang selesaikan buat apa kita sibok-sibok ganggu urusan politik mereka. Betul juga, bila tilik sekali pandang, pendapat kawan rapat penulis itu. Tapi balas saya, jawatan KM Sabah itu jawatan ketua kerajaan negeri, secara tidak langsung ia berkaitan kepentingan rakyat dan negeri. Bukan itu saja ia juga berhubung rapat dengan undang-undang negeri, politik, ekonomi, kebajikan dan keselamatan rakyat Malaysia di negeri ini. Tak mahu difikir-fikir, siapa lagi mahu fikir hal itu. Kata penulis lagi, sekalipun kita ini kelas rakyat bawahan atau marhaen, jangan sampai kita menjadi rakyat buta-tuli dan bodoh macam lembu, sehingga tidak tahu langsung bab politik, undang-undang, ekonomi atau yang berkait dengan kepentingan rakyat dan negeri.
Perdebatan rakyat marhaen, antara penulis dengan sahabat tadi dalam suasana harmoni dan saling terima-menerima kebenaran masing-masing. Kami walaupun berbeza fahaman politik, tidaklah sampai mahu pukul-memukul, sebagaimana terjadi kempen samseng ala UMNO dalam pilihanraya kecil DUN Indera Kayangan tempat bersemayam DS Shahidan Kasim, MB Perlis.
Musa Aman Yang Tidak Aman
Gelisah kerana orang yang melantik dan menunjuknya sedang bercuti. Dia hilang tempat merujuk sebarang perkara dan tidak mungkin dia berani memandai-mandai mengatur negeri ikut suka. Kawannya dalam kem UMNO Sabah, juga dalam kabinet negeri, mungkin tidak semua mahu senyum bersamanya. Walaupun senyumnya lebar sewaktu tiba di Kota Kinabalu dari Kuala Lumpur.
Keluarga Aman dalam politik Sabah sudah lama muncul, sejak zaman parti Berjaya pimpinan Datuk Harris Salleh sudah ada Datuk Ayub Aman. Kini, muncullah Musa Aman bakal KM bergilir itu yang akan menggantikkan penyandang sekarang, Datuk Chong Kah Kiat yang sedang bercuti sambil membuat lawatan kerja ke Filipina dan China. Mungkinkah Datuk Chong akan bertemu dengan Dr Mahathir yang juga sedang bercuti di luar negara bagi menyusun agenda politik mereka. Sebab Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir juga akan melepaskan jawatannya sebagai PM pada Oktober nanti. Manakala Datuk Chong akan melepaskan jawatan KM bergilirnya pada 27 Mac ini. Kedua-dua sudah ada pemangku, KM Sabah dipangku oleh Datuk Musa Aman yang pasti akan menjawat dan mengangkat sumpah sebagai KM bergilir ketujuh pada 28 Mac.
Sementara, pemangku PM sekarang ialah Datuk Seri Abdullah Badwi, anak Tok Guru di Pulau Pinang, sempatkah Pak Lah sampai ke jawatan PM pada Oktober ini. Masih menjadi teka-teki. Walaupun, penyandang sekarang sudah berulang kali mahu letak jawatan alias bersara. Namun, kita harap-harap Dr Mahathir akan mengotakan janjinya untuk bersara pada Oktober nanti. Harapan kita tidak ada lagi yang akan menangis bila Dr Mahathir benar-benar berundur dan tidak ada lagi budak-budak UMNO, puteri UMNO atau makcik-makcik UMNO menjerit supaya Dr Mahathir tarik balik...........
Penulis kata, Musa Aman berasa tidak aman dengan jawatan yang bakal disandangnya pada 28 Mac nanti, kerana musuh ada disekeliling pinggangnya dalam kelambu UMNO itu sendiri. Sebab itu, Pemangku PM yang juga menjawat Timbalan Presiden UMNO (yang diperolehi secara percuma) telah awal-awal berkata, meminta semua berikan sokongan kepada Musa Aman, dan yang terbaru Menteri Pengguna, Datuk Seri Mahyuddin Yassin yang juga naib Presiden UMNO meminta pimpinan UMNO Sabah beri sokongan kepada Musa dengan ikhlas. Bahkan Datuk SP Lajim Haji Okin, Timbalan Ketua Menteri bergilir (kouta bumiputera Islam) terpaksa membuat kenyataan, bahawa beliau juga memberi sokongan kepada Musa.
Sebelum nama Musa Aman diumum menjadi pengganti jawatan KM bergilir kepada Datuk Chongpun sudah ada cerita kurang enak kepada kem Musa Aman, bila ketua pemuda UMNO negeri, Taufik Titingan mengeluarkan kata dua, bahawa pemuda tidak akan berdiam diri jika ada kumpulan mahu gugat kepimpinan Datuk Musa. Walaupun selepas itu dinafikan beberapa pemimpin UMNO Sabah, tiada krisis dalam UMNO Sabah.
Senyum Musa Aman seperti senyum orang menyimpan seribu satu persoalan dan kebimbangan. Ketika beliau kembali ke Kota Kinabalu selepas membawa berita gembira dalam gelisah, tentang namanya telah terangkat sebagai KM bergilir seterusnya yang diumumkan oleh Presiden UMNO sewaktu mahu berangkat bercuti keluar negara. Di Kota Kinabalu, akhbar tempatan menyiarkan gambar Musa Aman dikalungkan bunga sambil tersenyum dan diapit beberapa pemimpin negeri seperti Timbalan Ketua Menteri (bergilir) kouta Cina, Ketua pemuda UMNO Sabah dan lain-lain. Kita menyoal mana timbalan-timbalan KM (bergilir) yang lain, terutama Datuk Lajim, Datuk Wences Anggang, SU UMNO Datuk Yahya Husin dan lain-lain pemimpin BN negeri.
Seolahnya, pengumuman Datuk Musa Aman sebagai KM (bergilir) seterusnya tidak disambut gembira oleh semua pemimpin UMNO Sabah. Memang ada yang terkecewa dikalangan pimpinan UMNO Sabah. Biasalah orang-orang UMNO. Tetapi, demi kerana mu Mahathir seluruh pimpinan UMNO Sabah terpaksa akur, tunduk dan membisu. Sebab tak berani berkata yang benar. Padahal, kita disuruh berkata benar walaupun pahit di depan raja/ketua yang tidak adil alias zalim.
Kepimpinan Musa Belum Teruji
Musa yang baru dalam politik Sabah, tiba-tiba mendadak naik melangkahi senior politikus UMNO yang lain. Apakah karisma dan kekuatan Musa Aman boleh ditunjuk jadi KM menggantikan Datuk Chong. Mungkin kerana dia Ketua Perhubungan UMNO Sabah dan Menteri Kewangan Negeri. Inikah saja kriteria untuk dipilih sebagai KM Sabah? Atau kerana dia seorang yang rapat dengan pemimpin tertua UMNO di KL atau dia seorang kaki ampu atau dia seorang boleh diatur oleh UMNO KL atau dia seorang jutawan yang boleh beli apa saja yang dia mahu atau dia benar-benar seorang pemimpin berwibawa.
Kerana dia sudah ditunjuk oleh Presiden sebagai KM bergilir, rakyat tidak berhak mahu bantah lagi. Sekalipun rakyat Sabah ada hak membantah pemilihan yang tidak demokratik itu, malah rakyat Sabah melalui DUN Sabah boleh membuat usul tidak percaya ke atas perlantikan Musa Aman sebagai KM bergilir, sebagai mana perlantikan 6 KM bergilir yang lalu rakyat Sabah boleh menuntut bahawa perlantikan 6 KM bergilir itu tidak sah menurut Perlembagaan Negeri, kerana tidak termaktub jawatan KM bergilir itu dalam Perlembagaan Negeri. Malah ia bercanggah dengan Perlembagaan Negeri dan Perlembagaan Negara. Penulis serah isu ini kepada ahli undang-undang untuk memikirkannya.
Kenapa, tidak ada seorangpun ahli undang-undang atau politikus di negeri ini berani membawa kes KM bergilir ke Mahkamah untuk diadili seadil-adilnya. Sebab tiada kepentingan peribadi, semua sudah kenyang. Kalau ramai yang lapar, penulis yakin KM bergilir sudah lama dimansuhkan.
Pemimpin yang ada karisma dan kekuatan sendiri tidak perlu kepada semua itu. Pemimpin berkarisma dan berwibawa tidak naik dengan memijak kawan dan lawan. Inilah pemimpin sebenar yang jarang-jarang lahir dalam mana-mana bangsa. Yang banyak adalah pemimpin tunggul kayu yang ditunjuk dari atas, bukan yang dijulang dari bawah. Tunggul kayu bila orang atas mahu tunggul itu, walaupun ia tunggul tetap jadi.......jadi pagar, jadi kayu, jadi pengampu, jadi macam-macam...... Inilah rupa wajah pemimpin UMNO Sabah yang ada, mungkin bukan Sabah saja yang dibarisi pemimpin 'tunggul kayu' itu, tidak mustahil seluruh kepimpinan UMNO sekarang adalah tunggul-tunggul kayu.
Kita akan lihat sejauh mana kewibawaan Musa Aman dalam kepimpinannya. Mungkinkah dia akan mewarisi gaya pimpinan Datuk Harris Salleh yang membiarkan negeri dihuni PTI bukan saja dari negara jiran Indonesia dan Filipina, tetapi PTI dari Pakistan. Sampai ada warga Pakistan yang mendapat IC dengan beralamatkan di kampung-kampung nun jauh di pedalaman sana di Sabah. Mana lojik, warga luar boleh diberi IC secara mudah asal mengaku lahir di kampung sekian. Tapi dipandang wajah mereka bukan orang Sabah.
Mungkinkah pula dia akan meniru cara Tun Sakaran, Datuk Salleh Tun Said, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, Tan Sri B. Dompok, DSP Osu Sukam atau meniru bulat-bulat cara Datuk Chong. Untuk menjadi macam KM dulu, Datuk Peter Lo, Tun Fuad, Tun Mustapha, Tun Said atau gaya kepimpinan Datuk SP Joseph Pairin, mungkin tidak terdaya. Sebab bukan zamannya.
Siapa KM bergilir selepas Musa Aman, kalau UMNO masih berkuasa di Sabah?
Ibn Sabah,
12.3.2003
Kata seorang kawan, bosan sudah bicara soal ketua menteri bergilir. Malas sudah mahu beri ulasan. Itu urusan pemimpin UMNO biar mereka yang selesaikan buat apa kita sibok-sibok ganggu urusan politik mereka. Betul juga, bila tilik sekali pandang, pendapat kawan rapat penulis itu. Tapi balas saya, jawatan KM Sabah itu jawatan ketua kerajaan negeri, secara tidak langsung ia berkaitan kepentingan rakyat dan negeri. Bukan itu saja ia juga berhubung rapat dengan undang-undang negeri, politik, ekonomi, kebajikan dan keselamatan rakyat Malaysia di negeri ini. Tak mahu difikir-fikir, siapa lagi mahu fikir hal itu. Kata penulis lagi, sekalipun kita ini kelas rakyat bawahan atau marhaen, jangan sampai kita menjadi rakyat buta-tuli dan bodoh macam lembu, sehingga tidak tahu langsung bab politik, undang-undang, ekonomi atau yang berkait dengan kepentingan rakyat dan negeri.
Perdebatan rakyat marhaen, antara penulis dengan sahabat tadi dalam suasana harmoni dan saling terima-menerima kebenaran masing-masing. Kami walaupun berbeza fahaman politik, tidaklah sampai mahu pukul-memukul, sebagaimana terjadi kempen samseng ala UMNO dalam pilihanraya kecil DUN Indera Kayangan tempat bersemayam DS Shahidan Kasim, MB Perlis.
Musa Aman Yang Tidak Aman
Gelisah kerana orang yang melantik dan menunjuknya sedang bercuti. Dia hilang tempat merujuk sebarang perkara dan tidak mungkin dia berani memandai-mandai mengatur negeri ikut suka. Kawannya dalam kem UMNO Sabah, juga dalam kabinet negeri, mungkin tidak semua mahu senyum bersamanya. Walaupun senyumnya lebar sewaktu tiba di Kota Kinabalu dari Kuala Lumpur.
Keluarga Aman dalam politik Sabah sudah lama muncul, sejak zaman parti Berjaya pimpinan Datuk Harris Salleh sudah ada Datuk Ayub Aman. Kini, muncullah Musa Aman bakal KM bergilir itu yang akan menggantikkan penyandang sekarang, Datuk Chong Kah Kiat yang sedang bercuti sambil membuat lawatan kerja ke Filipina dan China. Mungkinkah Datuk Chong akan bertemu dengan Dr Mahathir yang juga sedang bercuti di luar negara bagi menyusun agenda politik mereka. Sebab Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir juga akan melepaskan jawatannya sebagai PM pada Oktober nanti. Manakala Datuk Chong akan melepaskan jawatan KM bergilirnya pada 27 Mac ini. Kedua-dua sudah ada pemangku, KM Sabah dipangku oleh Datuk Musa Aman yang pasti akan menjawat dan mengangkat sumpah sebagai KM bergilir ketujuh pada 28 Mac.
Sementara, pemangku PM sekarang ialah Datuk Seri Abdullah Badwi, anak Tok Guru di Pulau Pinang, sempatkah Pak Lah sampai ke jawatan PM pada Oktober ini. Masih menjadi teka-teki. Walaupun, penyandang sekarang sudah berulang kali mahu letak jawatan alias bersara. Namun, kita harap-harap Dr Mahathir akan mengotakan janjinya untuk bersara pada Oktober nanti. Harapan kita tidak ada lagi yang akan menangis bila Dr Mahathir benar-benar berundur dan tidak ada lagi budak-budak UMNO, puteri UMNO atau makcik-makcik UMNO menjerit supaya Dr Mahathir tarik balik...........
Penulis kata, Musa Aman berasa tidak aman dengan jawatan yang bakal disandangnya pada 28 Mac nanti, kerana musuh ada disekeliling pinggangnya dalam kelambu UMNO itu sendiri. Sebab itu, Pemangku PM yang juga menjawat Timbalan Presiden UMNO (yang diperolehi secara percuma) telah awal-awal berkata, meminta semua berikan sokongan kepada Musa Aman, dan yang terbaru Menteri Pengguna, Datuk Seri Mahyuddin Yassin yang juga naib Presiden UMNO meminta pimpinan UMNO Sabah beri sokongan kepada Musa dengan ikhlas. Bahkan Datuk SP Lajim Haji Okin, Timbalan Ketua Menteri bergilir (kouta bumiputera Islam) terpaksa membuat kenyataan, bahawa beliau juga memberi sokongan kepada Musa.
Sebelum nama Musa Aman diumum menjadi pengganti jawatan KM bergilir kepada Datuk Chongpun sudah ada cerita kurang enak kepada kem Musa Aman, bila ketua pemuda UMNO negeri, Taufik Titingan mengeluarkan kata dua, bahawa pemuda tidak akan berdiam diri jika ada kumpulan mahu gugat kepimpinan Datuk Musa. Walaupun selepas itu dinafikan beberapa pemimpin UMNO Sabah, tiada krisis dalam UMNO Sabah.
Senyum Musa Aman seperti senyum orang menyimpan seribu satu persoalan dan kebimbangan. Ketika beliau kembali ke Kota Kinabalu selepas membawa berita gembira dalam gelisah, tentang namanya telah terangkat sebagai KM bergilir seterusnya yang diumumkan oleh Presiden UMNO sewaktu mahu berangkat bercuti keluar negara. Di Kota Kinabalu, akhbar tempatan menyiarkan gambar Musa Aman dikalungkan bunga sambil tersenyum dan diapit beberapa pemimpin negeri seperti Timbalan Ketua Menteri (bergilir) kouta Cina, Ketua pemuda UMNO Sabah dan lain-lain. Kita menyoal mana timbalan-timbalan KM (bergilir) yang lain, terutama Datuk Lajim, Datuk Wences Anggang, SU UMNO Datuk Yahya Husin dan lain-lain pemimpin BN negeri.
Seolahnya, pengumuman Datuk Musa Aman sebagai KM (bergilir) seterusnya tidak disambut gembira oleh semua pemimpin UMNO Sabah. Memang ada yang terkecewa dikalangan pimpinan UMNO Sabah. Biasalah orang-orang UMNO. Tetapi, demi kerana mu Mahathir seluruh pimpinan UMNO Sabah terpaksa akur, tunduk dan membisu. Sebab tak berani berkata yang benar. Padahal, kita disuruh berkata benar walaupun pahit di depan raja/ketua yang tidak adil alias zalim.
Kepimpinan Musa Belum Teruji
Musa yang baru dalam politik Sabah, tiba-tiba mendadak naik melangkahi senior politikus UMNO yang lain. Apakah karisma dan kekuatan Musa Aman boleh ditunjuk jadi KM menggantikan Datuk Chong. Mungkin kerana dia Ketua Perhubungan UMNO Sabah dan Menteri Kewangan Negeri. Inikah saja kriteria untuk dipilih sebagai KM Sabah? Atau kerana dia seorang yang rapat dengan pemimpin tertua UMNO di KL atau dia seorang kaki ampu atau dia seorang boleh diatur oleh UMNO KL atau dia seorang jutawan yang boleh beli apa saja yang dia mahu atau dia benar-benar seorang pemimpin berwibawa.
Kerana dia sudah ditunjuk oleh Presiden sebagai KM bergilir, rakyat tidak berhak mahu bantah lagi. Sekalipun rakyat Sabah ada hak membantah pemilihan yang tidak demokratik itu, malah rakyat Sabah melalui DUN Sabah boleh membuat usul tidak percaya ke atas perlantikan Musa Aman sebagai KM bergilir, sebagai mana perlantikan 6 KM bergilir yang lalu rakyat Sabah boleh menuntut bahawa perlantikan 6 KM bergilir itu tidak sah menurut Perlembagaan Negeri, kerana tidak termaktub jawatan KM bergilir itu dalam Perlembagaan Negeri. Malah ia bercanggah dengan Perlembagaan Negeri dan Perlembagaan Negara. Penulis serah isu ini kepada ahli undang-undang untuk memikirkannya.
Kenapa, tidak ada seorangpun ahli undang-undang atau politikus di negeri ini berani membawa kes KM bergilir ke Mahkamah untuk diadili seadil-adilnya. Sebab tiada kepentingan peribadi, semua sudah kenyang. Kalau ramai yang lapar, penulis yakin KM bergilir sudah lama dimansuhkan.
Pemimpin yang ada karisma dan kekuatan sendiri tidak perlu kepada semua itu. Pemimpin berkarisma dan berwibawa tidak naik dengan memijak kawan dan lawan. Inilah pemimpin sebenar yang jarang-jarang lahir dalam mana-mana bangsa. Yang banyak adalah pemimpin tunggul kayu yang ditunjuk dari atas, bukan yang dijulang dari bawah. Tunggul kayu bila orang atas mahu tunggul itu, walaupun ia tunggul tetap jadi.......jadi pagar, jadi kayu, jadi pengampu, jadi macam-macam...... Inilah rupa wajah pemimpin UMNO Sabah yang ada, mungkin bukan Sabah saja yang dibarisi pemimpin 'tunggul kayu' itu, tidak mustahil seluruh kepimpinan UMNO sekarang adalah tunggul-tunggul kayu.
Kita akan lihat sejauh mana kewibawaan Musa Aman dalam kepimpinannya. Mungkinkah dia akan mewarisi gaya pimpinan Datuk Harris Salleh yang membiarkan negeri dihuni PTI bukan saja dari negara jiran Indonesia dan Filipina, tetapi PTI dari Pakistan. Sampai ada warga Pakistan yang mendapat IC dengan beralamatkan di kampung-kampung nun jauh di pedalaman sana di Sabah. Mana lojik, warga luar boleh diberi IC secara mudah asal mengaku lahir di kampung sekian. Tapi dipandang wajah mereka bukan orang Sabah.
Mungkinkah pula dia akan meniru cara Tun Sakaran, Datuk Salleh Tun Said, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, Tan Sri B. Dompok, DSP Osu Sukam atau meniru bulat-bulat cara Datuk Chong. Untuk menjadi macam KM dulu, Datuk Peter Lo, Tun Fuad, Tun Mustapha, Tun Said atau gaya kepimpinan Datuk SP Joseph Pairin, mungkin tidak terdaya. Sebab bukan zamannya.
Siapa KM bergilir selepas Musa Aman, kalau UMNO masih berkuasa di Sabah?
Ibn Sabah,
12.3.2003
Saturday, February 15, 2003
5.000 Pelacur "Terpenjara" di Sabah
Sabtu, 15 Februari 2003 Berita Utama
SURABAYA - Berdasar investigasi yang dilakukan Kantor Kementerian Negara
Pemberdayaan Perempuan, di kawasan Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, saat ini ada
pekerja ilegal yang berprofesi sebagai pelacur - kini sering disebut sebagai
pekerja seks komersial (PSK) - sekitar 5.000 orang. Mereka berasal dari
Jatim, Jateng, dan beberapa daerah lainnya di Pulau Jawa.
Kondisi mereka sangat mengenaskan. Mereka terkungkung dan "terpenjara" oleh
jaringan perdagangan manusia ilegal dan perlu kerja keras untuk
membebaskannya. Sebagian besar mereka berasal dari Jatim dan Jateng.
Kenyataan tersebut dikemukakan Deputi Menteri Negara Pemberdayaan Perempuan
Bidang Kualitas Hidup Perempuan Dr Ratna Cahya kepada wartawan di Surabaya,
kemarin.
Bagaimana jaringan pelacur ini bisa sampai Tawau, Sabah? Menurut Ratna, ada
dua jalur yang dilalui jaringan pelacur untuk mengambil wanita dari kedua
provinsi di Pulau Jawa itu untuk dipekerjakan dalam bisnis rumah bordir di
negeri jiran tersebut.
Pertama, dari Jatim biasanya mereka mempergunakan jalur Kota Surabaya,
Pare-Pare, Nunukan, Kaltim, langsung ke Tawau, Sabah. "Di sini biasanya
wanita-wanita itu tertipu anggota jaringan ini di Terminal Bungurasih
Surabaya," katanya.
Kedua, dari Jateng biasanya mempergunakan jalur Kota Semarang, Pontianak,
Serawak, lalu Tawau, Sabah. "Kedua jalur tersebut yang biasa dipergunakan
jaringan ini untuk menyelundupkan wanita ke Malaysia sebagai pelacur,"
jelasnya.
Jumlah pelacur asal Jatim, Jateng, dan daerah lainnya di Pulau Jawa di Tawau
Sabah, tambah Ratna, sekitar 5.000 orang. Pemerintah kini sedang merumuskan
langkah terobosan paling mungkin dan mudah untuk memulangkan mereka ke
kampung halamannya. Mengentas mereka dari jurang prostitusi di sana dan
mengembalikan para wanita malang ke kampung halamannya bukan perkara mudah.
Sebab, perdagangan manusia ilegal ini melibatkan jaringan sangat luas dan
kuat.
"Makanya kami mengawal langsung kepulangan 16 pelacur dari Tawau Sabah
melalui Nunukan Kaltim ke Surabaya. Kalau tidak, mereka bisa saja dibujuk
atau dipaksa kembali ke Malaysia sebagai pelacur oleh anggota jaringan
perdagangan manusia ini," ujar Kapolres Nunukan Kaltim AKBP Poedji Santoso
kepada wartawan di Surabaya, kemarin.
Dipulangkan
Memang, pada hari Kamis (13/2) 16 pelacur yang terdiri atas 14 orang asal
Jatim dan 2 orang dari Jateng, dipulangkan ke kampung halamannya melalui
Pelabuhan Tanjung Perak Surabaya. Mereka naik KM Kerinci dari Nunukan,
Katim.
Sebelumnya, ke-16 pelacur yang umurnya rata-rata belum menginjak 30 tahun
itu bekerja di beberapa tempat prostitusi di Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.
Kepulangan mereka dikawal langsung Kapolres Nunukan AKBP Poedji Santoso.
"Ini perintah langsung Kapolda Kaltim (Irjen Pol E Winarto Hadi Wasito),"
jelas Poedji Santoso. "Kami rencanakan pekan depan ada 10 sampai 20 pelacur
kami pulangkan ke kampung halamannya dari Tawau, Sabah," kata Ratna.
Sementara itu, konsul Indonesia di Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, mengaku sangat
kecewa atas sikap Polisi Diraja Malaysia (PDR) dalam menangani persoalan
ini. Sebab, kepolisian negeri jiran tersebut tak pernah merespons pengaduan
Pemerintah Indonesia berkaitan dengan perdagangan wanita untuk dijadikan
pelacur di wilayah tersebut.
"Kami sangat kecewa, karena pengaduan kami tak diindahkan," kata Drs Haji
Makdum Tahir MM, Konsul RI di Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, kepada wartawan, di
Surabaya, kemarin.
Padahal, tambahnya, "Kami telah mengirimkan surat permohonan sebanyak 4 kali
kepada polisi Malaysia untuk merespons persoalan masalah ini. Tapi,
kenyataannya tak ada tanggapan sama sekali. Bahkan, ada kecenderungan bisnis
manusia ilegal ini makin merajalela."
Kini, katanya, ada sekitar 5.000 pelacur yang dipekerjakan di Tawau, Sabah,
Malaysia. Kondisi mereka sangat memprihatinkan. Mereka di bawah kungkungan
pemilik tempat prostitusi tersebut.
SURABAYA - Berdasar investigasi yang dilakukan Kantor Kementerian Negara
Pemberdayaan Perempuan, di kawasan Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, saat ini ada
pekerja ilegal yang berprofesi sebagai pelacur - kini sering disebut sebagai
pekerja seks komersial (PSK) - sekitar 5.000 orang. Mereka berasal dari
Jatim, Jateng, dan beberapa daerah lainnya di Pulau Jawa.
Kondisi mereka sangat mengenaskan. Mereka terkungkung dan "terpenjara" oleh
jaringan perdagangan manusia ilegal dan perlu kerja keras untuk
membebaskannya. Sebagian besar mereka berasal dari Jatim dan Jateng.
Kenyataan tersebut dikemukakan Deputi Menteri Negara Pemberdayaan Perempuan
Bidang Kualitas Hidup Perempuan Dr Ratna Cahya kepada wartawan di Surabaya,
kemarin.
Bagaimana jaringan pelacur ini bisa sampai Tawau, Sabah? Menurut Ratna, ada
dua jalur yang dilalui jaringan pelacur untuk mengambil wanita dari kedua
provinsi di Pulau Jawa itu untuk dipekerjakan dalam bisnis rumah bordir di
negeri jiran tersebut.
Pertama, dari Jatim biasanya mereka mempergunakan jalur Kota Surabaya,
Pare-Pare, Nunukan, Kaltim, langsung ke Tawau, Sabah. "Di sini biasanya
wanita-wanita itu tertipu anggota jaringan ini di Terminal Bungurasih
Surabaya," katanya.
Kedua, dari Jateng biasanya mempergunakan jalur Kota Semarang, Pontianak,
Serawak, lalu Tawau, Sabah. "Kedua jalur tersebut yang biasa dipergunakan
jaringan ini untuk menyelundupkan wanita ke Malaysia sebagai pelacur,"
jelasnya.
Jumlah pelacur asal Jatim, Jateng, dan daerah lainnya di Pulau Jawa di Tawau
Sabah, tambah Ratna, sekitar 5.000 orang. Pemerintah kini sedang merumuskan
langkah terobosan paling mungkin dan mudah untuk memulangkan mereka ke
kampung halamannya. Mengentas mereka dari jurang prostitusi di sana dan
mengembalikan para wanita malang ke kampung halamannya bukan perkara mudah.
Sebab, perdagangan manusia ilegal ini melibatkan jaringan sangat luas dan
kuat.
"Makanya kami mengawal langsung kepulangan 16 pelacur dari Tawau Sabah
melalui Nunukan Kaltim ke Surabaya. Kalau tidak, mereka bisa saja dibujuk
atau dipaksa kembali ke Malaysia sebagai pelacur oleh anggota jaringan
perdagangan manusia ini," ujar Kapolres Nunukan Kaltim AKBP Poedji Santoso
kepada wartawan di Surabaya, kemarin.
Dipulangkan
Memang, pada hari Kamis (13/2) 16 pelacur yang terdiri atas 14 orang asal
Jatim dan 2 orang dari Jateng, dipulangkan ke kampung halamannya melalui
Pelabuhan Tanjung Perak Surabaya. Mereka naik KM Kerinci dari Nunukan,
Katim.
Sebelumnya, ke-16 pelacur yang umurnya rata-rata belum menginjak 30 tahun
itu bekerja di beberapa tempat prostitusi di Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.
Kepulangan mereka dikawal langsung Kapolres Nunukan AKBP Poedji Santoso.
"Ini perintah langsung Kapolda Kaltim (Irjen Pol E Winarto Hadi Wasito),"
jelas Poedji Santoso. "Kami rencanakan pekan depan ada 10 sampai 20 pelacur
kami pulangkan ke kampung halamannya dari Tawau, Sabah," kata Ratna.
Sementara itu, konsul Indonesia di Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, mengaku sangat
kecewa atas sikap Polisi Diraja Malaysia (PDR) dalam menangani persoalan
ini. Sebab, kepolisian negeri jiran tersebut tak pernah merespons pengaduan
Pemerintah Indonesia berkaitan dengan perdagangan wanita untuk dijadikan
pelacur di wilayah tersebut.
"Kami sangat kecewa, karena pengaduan kami tak diindahkan," kata Drs Haji
Makdum Tahir MM, Konsul RI di Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, kepada wartawan, di
Surabaya, kemarin.
Padahal, tambahnya, "Kami telah mengirimkan surat permohonan sebanyak 4 kali
kepada polisi Malaysia untuk merespons persoalan masalah ini. Tapi,
kenyataannya tak ada tanggapan sama sekali. Bahkan, ada kecenderungan bisnis
manusia ilegal ini makin merajalela."
Kini, katanya, ada sekitar 5.000 pelacur yang dipekerjakan di Tawau, Sabah,
Malaysia. Kondisi mereka sangat memprihatinkan. Mereka di bawah kungkungan
pemilik tempat prostitusi tersebut.
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