Life True Colours

A women needed to come home.

2011-09-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

A 25-year-old local girl has been urged to return to her family at Kampung Pulong, 15km from here, because her grandmother misses her a lot.

Jasmin Jimin, 45, who is Siti Nurzieya Abdullah @ Valeria Baru's uncle, said her grandmother pined for her and hoped she would return with her husband Alfazi Azes, 35, to resolve their marriage according to the village customs.

He said Siti's grandmother is still strong to witness all unsettled business.

According to him, the couple left the village in August 2008 to look for work, probably in the peninsula, but never returned or called home since.

Jasmin lodged a police report two days ago.

Those who know Siti and her husband Alfazi can contact Jasmin at 013-5594794.

Sources: Daily Express
Pictures: Google image

Guard not appreciate?

2011-09-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai urged those who are not happy with the recently enforced minimum wage for security guards to voice out their opinions.

He said it is only right that the interested party, stakeholders, union for example in this case, voice out their views if they are unhappy about it.

"After all we are living in a democratic country, if they feel that the level of wages they have been offered is not something that they expect, there's nothing wrong with letting the authorities concerned know about it and this should be the correct way to approach it," he said.

He was commenting on the statement issued by the Labour Department to security service providers in Sabah, stating that they need to abide by the Wages Council's Wages Regulation Order to pay their employees (security guards) a basic monthly salary of at least RM450.

The order was gazetted on July 28 this year and subsequently enforced on Aug 1.

The statement further added that a full time worker employed as a security guard by a private agency licensed under Section 3 of the Private Agencies Act 1971 [Act 27] was not only entitled to receive the statutory minimum RM450, plus RM100 as safety incentive but could accept better remuneration based on the contract between the agency and worker.

"Let's hope we'll do it in a civilised manner so that at the end of the day we take care of everyone, not just the people who want to have a higher wage," Dr Yee said during the Resource Development and Information Technology Ministry's Hari Raya open house, which was also attended by Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Tuesday.

He added that a sustainable system must be attained in enforcing this as all parties would end up losers if the focus is put on paying people a lot of money without a sustainable system.

"Companies will go bankrupt, like other countries in the world which suffer economic crises.

"But I must emphasise again there is nothing wrong for the parties that are interested in it to voice out their opinion if they are not happy with what has been offered," he said.

Dr Yee hoped this would be the modus operandi that would apply to other sectors as well, and ultimately achieve an acceptable and equitable level of wages for every party concerned.

He also hoped the Government would address the issue of the minimum wage for Sabah being lower than that of Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

"I am quite surprised why Sabah has to have a lower wage, I don't think that should be the way," Yee added.

Also present were the Ministry's Assistant Minister, Datuk Jainab Ahmad, and Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, among others.

Sabah Today

A helmet can save your life.

2011-09-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

An inquest into the death of former Batu Sapi MP Datuk Edmund Chong Ket Wah, who was killed in a road accident last year, was told that the cause of Chong's death was due to head injury.

Dr Jessie Hiu, a forensic pathologist with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), here, said there were extensive skull fractures with laceration and bleeding within the brain.

She said based on the injuries there was unlikely chance of survival.

To a question by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Raja Zaizul Faridah Zaharuddin on the impact on Chong's head when the accident occurred, Dr Hiu said the external and internal injuries on the head and the left upper limb suggested that Chong sustained a hard impact on the left side of his face and body.

She also agreed with counsel holding a watching brief for Chong's family that even if Chong had been wearing whatever helmet in the world and sustained the severity of the head injury, it would have made no difference.

Dr Hiu said this was because the force exceeded the capability of the helmet to protect the head.

Asked by DPP Raja Zaizul on how the accident occurred, Dr Hiu said based on the severe injuries on the head and left side of the body, it was likely that Chong had landed hard on the left side of the head and left side of the body.

"The other injuries on the face and on the right side of the limb suggested that the deceased rolled over after landing on the left side," she said.

She told the coroner that she conducted a post mortem on Chong's body at 2.30pm on Oct. 9, 2010 at the request of Investigation Officer Mohd Hafiz Lokman.

Earlier, Dr Hiu said that there were 45 external injuries on Chong's body.

In summary, she said there was laceration on the left side of the head with facial injuries and injuries on the chest and abdomen, mainly on the left side.

According to her, the external injuries on the left side of Chong's body were consistent with those seen in a road traffic accident.

Dr Hiu also said that there were also injuries on both sides of the upper and lower limbs. "However, there was a severe laceration on the left arm and forearm with multiple fracture of the left forearm bones and dislocation of the left elbow joint.

"The brain overlying the fractures was lacerated with hemorrhages within the brain tissue and blood in the ventricles. Other internal injuries were two rib fractures with bruises on the lungs severe on the left side," she added.

Dr Hiu was testifying as the 27th deponent before Coroner Melissa Chia in the inquest into the death of Chong.

Chia is assisted by DPP Raja Zaizul and traffic prosecuting officer Chief Inspector Wilynton Enchana Watt while lawyers Chin Tek Ming and Batholomew Jingulam are holding a watching brief for Chong's family.

Counsel Nelson W. Angang and Loretto S. Padua Jr. are holding a watching brief for the Mercedes Benz's driver.

Chong, then Parti Bersatu Sabah treasurer general, was killed when the 750cc Kawasaki superbike he was riding was involved in a collision with a Mercedes Benz along the Coastal Highway in front of Grace Court, Sempelang on Oct 9 last year.

Replying to a question by Batholomew on whether the injuries on the left side of Chong's face and body could have been caused by the impact of the body hitting the vehicle on the left side, Dr Hiu said that it was possible but not likely as the injuries were associated with graze abrasions which occur when skin rubs on rough surface such as roads.

To a question by Chin on whether Chong died instantly on the spot at the moment of impact on hitting the ground, Dr Hiu replied: "Based on the severity of the head injury, he most likely died fast."

The inquest, which is expected to call seven more witnesses, was adjourned to Oct 10.

Daily Express Sabah

SAPP Need to remove it flag?

2011-09-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Sabah Progressive Party flags erected all over town have been removed following an order made by City Hall, Tuesday.

City Hall Deputy Director-General (Operations), Joannes Solidau, said City Hall made the order after receiving complaints from the public about the flags.

"However for those placed around areas out of Kota Kinabalu, such as Penampang and so on, we hope the authorities in charge there would do something if still not removed," he said. The SAPP flags were put up to mark the third anniversary of its pullout from Barisan Nasional.

Meanwhile, SAPP questioned on whose side Sabah DAP is on following its latest attack over the SAPP flags erected in public places.

"Why must DAP keep on attacking SAPP instead of BN-Umno?" asked SAPP Vice President-cum-Head of Negotiating Committee with DAP on seats and policies, Dullie Hj. Marie.

Sabah DAP vice chairman, Edward Ewol Mujie, had said it would not resort to abusing or challenging the law by putting up flags all over the city, apparently referring to the SAPP action. He said this when removing a DAP flag put up outside the BSN building in Karamunsing, adding it was probably done by someone to put the DAP in bad light.

However, Dullie said the action by Sabah DAP in attacking SAPP reinforced the notion that it was colluding with Umno "as happened during the Batu Sapi Parliamentary by-election last year."

"We have been waiting for DAP to honour their insistence to negotiate with SAPP as they had in May this year repeatedly asked SAPP to form our negotiation panel.

"But now, they back track and keep attacking SAPP, instead.

Even in the SAPP RadioSabahtv signboard issue with DBKK, DAP also sided with BN-Umno instead of a common protest against the BN on the Bersih 2.0 rally for clean and fair elections.

"Let the people know the true colours of DAP's hidden agenda, collusion with Umno and destroying co-operation among opposition parties," he said.

Dullie also reminded DAP that Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had two weeks ago asked to reset the friendship between Pakatan and SAPP.

Sources: Daily Express Sabah

Image: Google Image

Sabah Island For Sale

2011-09-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

At least three islands off Sabah have been advertised for sale, while another two for a rent, via a Toronto-based private islands online marketplace.

The three include Pulau Mengalum, a turnkey private island resort off Kota Kinabalu involving 250acres at the price of US$18 million; Pandanan Island, near Semporna, involving 10 acres at US$2 million; and Montukod Island, about one kilometre off Kinarut, involving 17.2 acres at RM35 million (US$11.266million).

The others also advertised for rent are Sipadan-Kapalai Island, off Semporna, involving 50 acres and Pulau Layang Layang, involving 50 acres. The descriptions for both these were stated as "price on request".

Pulau Mengalum was once a stopover for famed voyager Ferdinand Magellan, whose supposed anchor is one of the island's relics.

Pulau Pandan gained notoriety when Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped three workers of a local tour firm in 2000 - their second after Pulau Sipadan.

They managed to escape during a firefight between the terrorist-kidnappers and Filipino troops.

Layang-Layang is Malaysia's sole claim on the disputed Spratlys chain.

Descriptions of all these islands were included in the advertisement that was posted in a Malaysian online news portal. It was not known how long they had been put up for sale nor the response.

The firm Private Islands Inc. specialises in all aspects of island sales, purchase and living.

Sources: Daily Express Sabah

Picture: Google Images

Study on Gerakan's seats wish.

2011-09-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

Sabah Gerakan's interest to contest in State constituencies held by its three assemblymen and also in other seats will be looked into, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman assured, Tuesday.

He said the matter would be discussed among the State Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties but that no date has been fixed.

When they have reached an agreement, the result would be submitted to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

"Most importantly, we will ensure that all (BN) component parties will get its share that is fair and just," he said, when attending the Chief Minister's Department Aidilfitri open house at Wisma Innoprise.

Sabah Gerakan Chief Datuk Gordon Leong said there was nothing wrong for three of its State assemblymen to bring over the seats they won under BN ticket to the party.

He said Datuk Peter Pang En Yin (Karamunting), Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah (Tanjong Papat) and Au Kam Wah (Elopura) have never left the BN.

Pang won his seat while with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Tan and Au won theirs while with the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) when the party was still in the BN in the previous election.

Tan and Au hopped over to Gerakan and provided the peninsula-based party its first State seats in Sabah while Pang did the same when he encountered problems with the LDP leadership.

Musa said it is equally important that the parties and candidates could obtain success and victory in the election as stated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said Najib has stressed on fielding only winnable candidates.

But to become a winnable candidate is not easy because they are required to work hard and have high commitment towards the people and the Government.

They must work hard so that the people could see that they are really committed in discharging their responsibilities.

"We should not talk too much and do less work because the people will scrutinise whether the candidate or party could represent them well or provide them with good services," he said.

Musa, who is also State Finance Minister, said they must ensure that development programmes or projects planned or in the midst of completion are completed according to schedule and plan.

Meanwhile, Musa said it is unnecessary to take into consideration the Buku Jingga (Orange Book) by Pakatan Rakyat. He said the book is only a deception by the opposition parties.

Adapted From: Daily Express Sabah

The Story That Reveal The Truth

2011-09-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

Fastest speed ever driven on a public road in Sabah

September 23rd, 2011

It was reported in page 2 of Daily Express on 20th September 2011, in an article entitled “Mechanic on Chong’s bike: modified with Kancil turbo for more power”, the mechanic that did the modification for the late Datuk Edmund Chong Ket Wah, Tang Kong Seng testified that he test rode the 1984 750cc Kawasaki GPZ from Kolombong to Tuaran and back at a speed of 150mph (240kmh).

240kmh! Has this kind of speed on an uncleared public road in Sabah ever happened before?

In a state where the speed limit is 90kmh, I think that was a reckless move.

As comparison, I read that the fastest speed ever achieved on a public road is Rudolf Caracciola’s 432.7 km/h (268 mph) over a kilometre, but that must’ve been a carefully choreographed move and meticulously prepared road.

Then there’s the case of a Mr Arthur Chirkinian driving a Koenigsegg CCR which, in May 2003 in Texas, was handed a speeding ticket for doing 242 mph (389 kmh) in a 75mph zone.

Sources: Ben Godomon

Picture: Google

Sabahan Upright

2011-09-22T02:01:00.000-07:00

Voice Up SABAHAN!!!!

United Borneo Front (UBF) on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to create a national policy that all Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers vacate their positions and make way for new faces after a maximum of two terms.

Its Chairman, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said they should emulate the examples of developed nations.

"We should not follow the footsteps of nations who have a history of long serving leaders with a reputation for tyranny and dictatorship.

"This nation should continually evolve with a proper succession of leaders so that new ideas for growth and development can be implemented and generations can enhance old policies with new ones.

"If the PM and CM roles are allowed to refresh after every two terms, entire generations will not be bypassed in the decision making process.

"This is the basis of good governance and is the first step towards the elimination of possessive greed and dominance and cronyism," he said.

He said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman should set a good example by vacating his position before the next election as he has served two terms.

To this, he applauded the views of Upko leadership in making way for new leaders to rise within the ranks.

"With so many political party components in Sabah alone, Umno should not assume that they have a right to monopolise the Chief Minister's position.

"There is no rule in place that says that the next general election should automatically set an Umno leader for the State Cabinet leadership.

"In fact, local-based political parties should represent their State and be given priority over Federal based parties," he said.

Dr Jeffrey said the State Government has autonomy in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and as such should decide policies for the benefit of the State first and foremost.

He said that if the State Cabinet leaders are mere proxies of the Federal political parties, they would naturally prioritise Federal needs.

On other issues, he suggested that if extra parliamentary and state seats were allocated to Sabah, these should be divided equitably between local based parties.

"If we wish to increase Sabah and Sarawak's voice to cover 35 per cent in Parliament, that 35 per cent should be MPs from local based parties and not Federal based parties.

"They are more likely to prioritise Borneo's position in this country," he said. Good governance, Dr Jeffrey said, also means that elected candidates have the integrity to resign from their ministerial positions if they hopped parties after the people has elected them.

"If the people mandated you to win under one ticket, you should have the integrity to step down and go for a by-election if you then decide to rule as a leader under a different ticket.

"This is simply cheating the people of their voting choices," he said.

Story Arrangement By: Sabah Todays Admin
Sources: Daily Express Newspaper
Picture: Google Image
Direct Link: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=79132

Sabah People Please Wake Up

2011-09-22T01:59:00.000-07:00

Let The People Of Sabah Judge

The term of the Prime Minister and for that matter Chief Minister is best left to the electorate to exercise through democratic means, said Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

He said the proposal by United Borneo Front (UBF) Chairman, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan to limit it to two-terms was nothing new and in fact is one of the governing models around the world.

"But there are many other countries including developed ones which do not impose limits. What is important is that Malaysia is not like other countries in Africa or the Middle East where there are no effective elections.

"Here in Malaysia, the rakyat have the democratic right to choose their leaders. This nation has consistent general elections and has held elections without fail since independence.

"On top of that, each party in this country holds their party elections regularly to pick their party leaders," he said here Wednesday.

Every time the members vote, he said they know their leader would become the leader of the government should it win the largest number of seats in the general election.

Abdul Rahman who is also Kota Belud MP said Malaysia had seen six Prime Ministers and 13 Sabah Chief Ministers.

"That is the undeniable proof that government leaderships in this country do change.

In short, we are not an autocratic state where people have no avenue to express their democratic right to choose leaders," he said.

He was commenting on Jeffrey's clarification that his call for the Chief Minister's and Prime Minister's appointment to be limited to a maximum of two terms was not a criticism about the way present leaders are ruling the country or the State of Sabah.

Daily Express Sabah: Online 15 September 2011

Picture: http://ajinbgagah.blogspot.com

Please Modernize Sabah

2011-09-22T01:57:00.000-07:00

The Untold Story

Celebrating Malaysia Day on Sept 16 would be meaningless, hollow and empty unless the special rights and autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak as agreed, promised and assured by the Founding Fathers of Malaysia are fulfilled.

The Founding Fathers of Malaysia from the Borneo states took great risks to agree and to be pushed and rushed into the merger with Malaya and Singapore to the extent of denying themselves (the Borneo States) the opportunity to attain political maturity first and to enjoy the freedom and practice of self-rule as what is now enjoyed by Brunei.

This is despite the fact that opinions and assessments from various quarters involved in the negotiations gave a clear and mature signal to the merger.

For example, according to British documents released recently, Sir William Goode (last Governor of British North Borneo) and Waddle (British Representative in Singapore) insisted “that Borneo

is not ready for self-government, which they fear would turn out to be an unequal partnership between the Borneo Horse and the Malayan Rider.

They warned of dangers of “shotgun marriage.” “None of the territories (Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei) would be ready for self-government earlier than 1970” and “All territories, Brunei, North Borneo and Sarawak were ‘unfitted’ to enter Malaysia on the basis of popular representation”.

Sel Kirk (British High Commissioner based in Singapore) gave Sarawak about 10 years, and North Borneo at least 20 years before a clear cut electoral opinion would be given on this subject.

Lord Cobbold, Chairman of the Cobbold Commission, even warned that “It is necessary condition, from the outset, that Malaysia shall be regarded by all concerned as an association of partners combining in the common interest to create a new nation but retaining their own individualities.”

Even the United Nation (UN) Team sent to ascertain the feelings of the people of North Borneo and Sarawak also came back with an inconclusive report saying 2/3 are not convinced to the formation of Malaysia.

Tun Fuad Stephens (Donald Stephens) himself expressed his concerns in a letter to Tunku Abdul Rahman (before the formation of Malaysia) – “If we had been asked to join Malaysia at the time Malaya achieved independence and Britain made it possible for us, the story would have been a different one”.

“Now that ‘Merdeka’ has been Malaya’s for some years, and we are still struggling towards it, Malaya’s proposal that we join as the 12th, 13th and 14th states savours of imperialism, of a drive to turn us into Malayan colonies…. to join Malaya, while we are still colonies… the implication is to hand (ourselves) over to your control.”

Then, to the Straits Times, Tun Fuad wrote: “We are against joining Malaysia as individual states, and want the Borneo territories to get together, so that when we talk with Malaya, it will be as equal partners and not as vassals…, and if we join Malaya now, the people who will come and take most of the top jobs will be Malayan… the new expatriates…”

Tunku’s assurances

Doubts and concerns expressed by the Borneo leaders to the status of Sabah and Sarawak in the Federation were subsequently addressed by Tunku Abdul Rahman and his team when they agreed to take into consideration the 20-Points conditions.

Tunku Abdul Rahman assured that “The granting of self-government too would enable Sabah to stand on its own feet as equal with Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore”.

“The important aspects of the Malaysia Ideal, as I see it, is that it will enable the Borneo territories to transform their present colonial status to ‘self-government’ for themselves and absolute independence in Malaysia simultaneously..”

“The days of imperialism are gone and it is not the intention of Malaya to perpetuate or revive them. When the Borneo territories become part of Malaysia, they will cease to be colonies, they will be partners of equal status, no more or less than the other states.” (the ‘other states’ refer to the other states’ entities of Malaya, Singapore and Sarawak).

Thus what eventually convinced the Borneo states leaders to form Malaysia beside the question of security, were the assurances that the merger would be that of equal partnership of the signatory states (Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak) to the Malaysia Agreement, the autonomy and special rights accorded to Sabah and Sarawak under the 20-Points, Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and the Malaysia Agreement itself.

Have all these Agreement, promises and assurances been fulfilled? Is Sabah now secure and enjoying “absolute independence” in Malaysia? Are we now in control of our economic resources, our political franchise and our future? If the answer is “NO” then what are we celebrating on the Sept 16?

We might as well regard Sept 16 as a ‘Sad Day’ to remember when we ended freedom and independence to be taken over and re-colonized by Malaya.

Ironically, on Aug 31, 1963 (two weeks before the formation of Malaysia), Sabah was granted independence from the British to which Sir William Goode declared – “Today is a historic day for Sabah. It marks the beginning of self-government and independence and the end of colonialism”.

If anything at all, let Sept 16 be an occasion to reflect and review our position in the Federation of Malaysia and find a solution to save a potentially fragile nation from breaking apart.

Our state political leaders should use this occasion to rise above partisan political interest, fighting for self-interest in the name of development to one committed to the larger interst of Sabah and Sarawak and for the future well-being of Sabahans and Sarawakians.

The time to do this is right and most appropriate as Sabah and Sarawak are not merely “fixed deposits” States but they are actually the “Kingmakers” the “Penentu” as to who goes to Putrajaya and who will fulfill the promises of Sept 16, 1963.

Source: FreeMalaysiaToday

By: Jeffrey Kitingan

Jeffrey Kitingan, a Harvard scholar, is a former ISA detainee under Dr Mahathir Mohamad regime, accused of purportedly wanting to take out Sabah from Malaysia. He was briefly vice-president of PKR before quitting the party accusing it of not listening to Sabah and Sarawak aspirations. He is currently leading United Borneo Front (UBF) which seeks a reinstatement of autonomy to Sabah.