UPKO Blog

Allow frogs contest seat again: Dompok

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:29:00 +0000

Tuesday, February 03, 2009 (Source: Daily Express)

PENAMPANG: United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok has called for a review of the Federal Constitution to allow people's representatives who vacate their seats to contest again.

The proposed anti-hopping law and the present provision in the Federal Constitution which bars state assemblymen and members of Parliament who have resigned to stand in an election for another seat in the same House had to be reconciled, he said.

If not, the anti-hopping law would bring injustice to the representatives who really fought for the people, said Dompok who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"Now, elected representatives who vacate their seats have no opportunities to test their influence or obtain feedback from the people.

"In this respect, it is good if the voters were to determine the position of the representatives," he told reporters after launching his party's Natural Disaster Fund here today.

Many quarters have called for the enactment of anti-hopping laws after Bota Assemblyman Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim in Perak quit Barisan Nasional and crossed over to Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

It's Tangkarason's 4th flood this year

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:27:00 +0000

29 January, 2009 (Source: Daily Express)

BELURAN: It was a bleak Chinese New Year for some 422 families from 15 villages in Tangkarason, here, when they were hit by floods for the fourth time this year.

This time SK Bawang Tangkarason was submerged by water said Kampung Tangkarason development and security comittee (JKKK) protem chairman, Jakiy Tayan.

He said the first flash flood was on Jan. 4-5, flowed by the second on Jan. 10-11 and the third on Jan. 15-16 before the recent on from Jan 26 to 27.

Nonetheless, Jackiy said the villages were glad that the upgrading of the 16km Kulobou-Tangkarason Road had been approved by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

In PITAS, UPKO lent a helping hand to flood victims in Kaibongan and its surroundin areas. Deputy President Datuk Wilfred Bumburing who led the party's leaders as well as members from UPKO Pitas to present contributions to some 400 families said the party is sensitive to the problem faced by the people.

"UPKO's leadership also shares the burden faced by you in your daily lives after losing properties and cops to the flood, he said, adding that hopefully it would help lessen their burden. Bumburing presented six tones of rice, food-stuff and clothes to UPKO Pitas Chief, Lightson Kohia to be distributed to the flood victims.

Among the contributors were Party President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Bumburing, Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh, Datuk Siringan Gubat, Datuk Ewon Ebin, Philip Lasimbang dan Philanthropist Datuk Victor Paul.

It's Tangkarason's 4th flood this year

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:45:00 +0000

29 January, 2009 (Source: Daily Express)

BELURAN: It was a bleak Chinese New Year for some 422 families from 15 villages in Tangkarason, here, when they were hit by floods for the fourth time this year.

This time SK Bawang Tangkarason was submerged by water said Kampung Tangkarason development and security comittee (JKKK) protem chairman, Jakiy Tayan.

He said the first flash flood was on Jan. 4-5, flowed by the second on Jan. 10-11 and the third on Jan. 15-16 before the recent on from Jan 26 to 27.

Nonetheless, Jackiy said the villages were glad that the upgrading of the 16km Kulobou-Tangkarason Road had been approved by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Among the contributors were Party President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Bumburing, Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh, Datuk Siringan Gubat, Datuk Ewon Ebin, Philip Lasimbang dan Philanthropist Datuk Victor Paul.

Waiting for the promised RM1 billion

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:11:00 +0000

Penampang: There is no sign yet of the RM1 billion special allocation for Sabah that was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last year.

"To my knowledge the commitment of RM1 billion (for the State) has not started to be implemented yet," said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Saturday.

"I think as far as the projects are concerned it has already been finalised by the State authorities for submission to the Federal Government," he added.

He said this when asked how much of the RM1 billion special allocation for Sabah that was announced by Abdullah in May last year during a visit to the State, had actually materialised.

The allocation was meant for the expenditure of several people-centric development programmes urgently needed in the State.

In regards to the RM1 million allocation for Sabah Members of Parliament for the development of their respective constituencies Dompok, who is also the Penampang MP said: "My understanding is that it will start to be implemented this year."

On another matter, Dompok said the Borneonisation of the civil service here was an ongoing exercise and that the Government was looking at the best ways to achieve it without sacrificing the efficiency and implementation of government projects.

"Of course our priority is to give the opportunity for Sabahans to implement government policies, apart from proving that they are capable as their West Malaysian counterpartsÉthere is no reason why (the) Borneonisation (of the federal civil service here) cannot be further accelerated."

When asked if there was a time frame for it to be achieved, he said there was none for this particular exercise.

He pointed out the appointment of a Sabahan as Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice Chancellor, National Registration Department State Director as well as the State's Financial Controller as proof that the matter had been taken to highest level of decision-making.

"However, I have to say that this does not mean that those from West Malaysia are less able than those from the State who have been promoted.

We want officers recruited from Sabah to gain experience and move up the ladder in the country's administration."

As for claims that Sabahans were not interested to serve in the diplomatic corps, he said he did not know why it was so when the Government actually wanted them.

Dompok was in Donggongon township to hand over Chinese New Year greeting cards to business operators as well as the public together with Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department-cum-Kapayan Assemblyman, Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Khai.

He later officiated at a lion's eye-dotting ceremony there together with Khoo and other leaders including Moyog assemblyman, Donald Peter Mojuntin and Penampang District Officer, William Sampil, among others.

11 January, 2009 - Daily Express

Teo ready to meet unhappy UPKO leaders

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:07:00 +0000

KOTA KINABALU: Kuala Penyu Assemblyman John Teo is ready to meet the UPKO branch leaders in his constituency who are unhappy with his leadership.

Teo said this when contacted yesterday for comment on the allegation that as a result of their unhappiness with his leadership, several of UPKO Kuala Penyu branch leaders had resigned from the Party.

According to Teo, there were a few branches who were unhappy with him as they feel neglected in terms of basic infrastructure which has yet to be implemented in their respective areas.

"As an elected representative, I will continue to ensure that all the infrastructure needed will be implemented not only in UPKO areas but also all the Barisan Nasional (BN) component areas, " he said.

"Of course we want to give the rakyat the best but due to limited allocation, we cannot please everyone, " he stressed.

Teo appealed to those who have any grouses about his leadership to meet up and discuss the issues with him openly.

The dissenting leaders can meet him at the Community Development Leader office or at his house, Teo said.

7 Januari, 2009 (Source: The Borneo Post)

Upko to register Sabah's reservations on JAC Bill

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:10:00 +0000

15 December, 2008 - Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) echoed the concerns of various bodies in the State about the effects on Sabah's constitutional position in the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) Bill, especially the appointment of judges to Sabah's High Court.

"We have some reservations about it and we (Upko Members of Parliament) will definitely raise the matter when debating the Bill," Upko Treasurer-General Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh said Sunday.

Mojigoh who is Putatan MP said based on feedback from the legal circle in Sabah and statements by various bodies, including the Sabah Justices of the Peace Council (Majaps), there were certain aspects that need to be clarified.

"At the moment it appears that the appointment of judges mechanism as proposed under the JAC Bill is contradicting Article 161E (2) (b) of the Federal Constitution, which basically means that the appointment of High Court judges to Sabah and Sarawak must have the consent from the respective State's Yang di-Pertua Negeri," he said.

The Bill proposed that JAC would make recommendation to the Prime Minister on the candidates to be appointed to the office concerned. On the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Bill that was tabled together with the JAC Bill by the Prime Minister last week, he hoped the public would support it with an open heart.

"It is more on prevention and it shows that the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government is serious in addressing corruption in compliance with the requirement by the United Nations that has been ratified by Malaysia," he said.

"I think the Prime Minister is very sincere in wanting to address the problem," he said when met after presenting tents and contributions to the Masjid Al-Kauthar, in Kampung Tanjung Aru Lama in conjunction with the mass circumcision ceremony of 29 boys.

With the formulation of the new law, he said graft offences would be strictly monitored, as the definition of "suapan" or bribes is very broad.

Besides that, he said the MACC has the right to seize properties of corruption suspects, as well as intercept phone calls.

"Basically the MACC commissioner has absolute power and he could act as a deputy public prosecutor (DPP) to charge suspects," he said, adding that might prevent a suspect from getting scott free, which had happened before despite sufficient evidence for prosecution.

"We welcome the Bill with an open heart and we are going to support it," he said.

Tamparuli fire: MP urges temporary shoplots

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:32:00 +0000

Tuaran: The District Council here has been urged to identify a site to build temporary business premises for shop owners who were affected by the fire in Tamparuli last Tuesday.

Towards this end, Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Wilfred Bumburing said the process should be speeded up to ensure the operators have a place to ply their trade for the time being.

"We have asked the District Council to ascertain a site suitable for the business owners," he said.

He said this in a ceremony where the fire victims received donations at the District Office in Tamparuli, here, on Friday.

Tamparuli Assemblyman Datuk Jahid Jahim said the livelihood of the shop owners would be disrupted if the setting up of the temporary premises was delayed.

Also present were Assistant Tamparuli District Officer, Edip Abun, and Kapitan Cina Tamparuli, Soong Ket Siong.

Meanwhile, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor, who had previously visited the site where an entire row comprising seven units of two-storey wooden shophouses was razed, had urged owners of old buildings to repair their electrical wiring to prevent short-circuits, which could cause fire.

The wooden shophouses, one of five 50-year-old buildings built just after the war by the colonial administration, were destroyed in a fire at 5.10am.

14 December, 2008 - Daily Express

Big Penampang x'mas 'do'

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:20:00 +0000

Penampang: A large-scale Christmas celebration would be held at the Buhavan Square in Donggongon on Dec. 20 - the first time in the district's history.

The event is jointly organised by the Penampang Tourism Council and the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

It is supported by the Huminodun Foundation, Penampang JCI, Sabah Credit Corporation, Penampang District Council, Lion's Club of Penampang, Penampang Rotary Club, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Rafflesia Medical Centre and Rafflesia Medical Diagnostic Centre.

Organising Chairman Ladislaus Maluda said various programmes have been lined-up for the event such as colouring contest, magic shows, Christmas music and songs and lucky draws.

"The programme will start with a blood donation drive and health screening cum health awareness campaign to be conducted by QEH and Rafflesia Medical Centre," he told a press conference, Tuesday.

He said five veteran singers namely Evelyn Ebin, Ivy Bakansing, Justin Stimol, Irene Thadeus and Datuk Pat Michael would perform in the evening where Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok would be guest of honour.

Winner of the 2007 National Choir competitions, "The Suara Bayu" including The Evergreens Band and The Copycat Band would also be performing. He hoped the event would attract visitors to the heartland of the Kadazandusun.

"We would be setting up 50 tables at the Buhavan Square while restaurants would probably set up more than 100 tables outside," he said. A huge screen would be set up to enable the people to watch the performance on stage.

Penampang Tourism Council Chairman-cum-District Officer William Sampil said the event would be a big boost to the district because the Council is planning to organise the Pesta Angpow in January as well as other events to enhance tourism in Penampang.

Dr Roland Chia, Executive Chairman of Rafflesia Medical Centre said the organisation was happy to be a part of the event through its promotion of healthy lifestyle to the people.

He said there would be the usual exercise such as blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) check-ups, among others.

"We will also be calling our regular donors to participate in the blood donation drive," he said. Also present were RMC Manager Liza Estolas and KCCI vice-president Pius Jaua.

10 December, 2008- Daily Express

SABAH TO BE BIGGEST PRODUCER OF AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS BY 2010

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:09:00 +0000

Bobbey (right) presenting a certificate to a recipient watched by state fisheries director Rayner Stuel Galid (centre)

28th November, 2008 - New Sabah Times

TAWAU: Sabah has the potential to become the biggest producer of aquaculture products in the country by 2010.

Disclosing this, Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Yahya Hussin said this was based on the forecast on the output of aquaculture products by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia of 207,200 metric tonnes valued at RM2.5 billion for the period.

Yahya who is also Agriculture and Food Industry Minister said by 2010 Sabah was expected to produce 33,000 metric tonnes of seawater prawns worth RM1.06 billion, marine fish (30,700 metric tonnes; RM1.23 billion), freshwater fish (12,700 metric tonnes; RM125 million), cockles (6,000 metric tonnes; RM28 million) and seaweed (125,000 metric tonnes; RM24 million).

He said the targets set by the department are expected to make the state the biggest producer of aquaculture products by 2010.

‘Sabah, with vast areas that are suitable for aquaculture, has the potential to become the centre for aquaculture and this potential has been recognised by the department,” he said at the launch of state Aquaculture Licensing Programme here yesterday.

The text of his speech was read by the minister’s assistant, Datuk Bobbey Suan.

Yahya said based on the study by the Fisheries Department, 491,359 hectares in the country were suitable for aquaculture, of which 182,260 hectares or 37 percent, were in Sabah.

He said the state fisheries department would formulate various policies and strategic plans to achieve the targets.

“One of the plans is to set up a 63,342-hectare aquaculture industrial zone,” he said.

Yahya also said 24,400 hectares would be used to cultivate seaweed, rearing of marine fish in cages (4,380 hectres), mollusc, including cockles and invertebrates (14,700ha), crustacean, including seawater prawns (17,212ha), brackish water fish (2,390 hectares) and freshwater fish (260 hectares).

UPKO Persoal Rasional JPN Keluarkan Semula MyKad Hijau

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:51:00 +0000

PENAMPANG, 21 Nov (Bernama) -- Pergerakan Pemuda Pertubuhan Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Bersatu (UPKO) menganggap pengeluaran semula MyKad hijau oleh Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) kepada orang yang tidak mempunyai taraf kewarganegaraan Malaysia debagai sesuatu tekanan mental dan politik baru kepada penduduk tempatan Sabah.

"Belumpun selesai isu kebanjiran pendatang asing di Sabah, isu dakwaan pemberian taraf warganegara Malaysia kepada puluhan ribu pendatang asing di Sabah, isu dokumen kewarganegaraan palsu, dan pemegang IMM13 yang tidak berkurang tetapi bertambah, kini muncul lagi isu baru iaitu pemberian MyKad hijau yang boleh menggugat hak rakyat Sabah," kata Ketua Pemuda UPKO Arthur Sen, di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika mengulas laporan akhbar tentang gerakan JPN di seluruh negara yang akan mengeluarkan Mykad hijau kepada pemegang sijil kelahiran Malaysia dan pemegang Mykad hijau sedia ada.

Ekoran itu, pejabat JPN Kota Kinabalu dan Tawau diserbu oleh ribuan pemohon.

Arthur berkata Pemuda UPKO mempertikaikan rasional di sebalik keputusan JPN mengaktifkan semula pemberian MyKad hijau yang sudah dibekukan sejak tahun 2004.

Pengeluaran MyKad hijau hanya menguntungkan pemiliknya yang sememangnya warga asing yang dilahirkan di Sabah dan diberi sijil kelahiran tanpa warganegara, katanya.

"Menurut maklumat yang diterima MyKad hijau ini akan laku dan sah sehingga lima tahun. Persoalannya ke mana pula arah tuju kerakyatan mereka dan juga anak-anak mereka selepas itu," kata beliau.

Arthur berkata pemegang MyKad hijau suatu hari berkemungkinan menjadi pemastautin tetap dengan memegang MyKad merah dan seterusnya melayakkan dirinya atau keturunannya memperoleh MyKad biru atau warganegara Malaysia.

Tindakan JPN itu mungkin akan memberi kesan buruk terhadap demografi penduduk Sabah pada masa akan datang, tegasnya.

-- BERNAMA

21 November, 2008 18:28 PM

Projek gas Kimanis-Bintulu bawa kesan berganda untuk rakyat dan ekonomi Sabah

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:49:00 +0000

KOTA KINABALU: Pemilikan, kuasa dan hak-hak meneroka, mengguna dan memperolehi sumber petroleum di Malaysia adalah dalam bidang kuasa Petronas secara eksklusif di bawah Akta Pembangunan Petroleum, 1974.

Menteri Di Jabatan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran berkata, walau bagaimanapun Kerajaan Persekutuan telah memberi jaminan bahawa projek Sabah Oiland Gas Terminal (SOGT) tidak akan menjejaskan bekalan minyak dan gas untuk keperluan dalam negeri ini, serta pembayaran royalti ke atas minyak dan gas yang dihantar ke Bintulu, Sarawak.

“Projek Sabah- Sarawak Gas Pipline (SSGP) merupakan salah satu komponen Projek Bersepa-du Minyak dan Gas yang sedang dijalankan oleh Petronas di negeri ini,” katanya ketika menggulung perbahasan Bajet Negeri 2009 bagi Jabatan Ketua Menteri di Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) kelmarin.

Semasa sesi perbahasan Bajet Negeri 2009, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Luyang, Melanie Chia Chui Ket menggesa kerajaan membatalkan projek penyaluran gas Petronas dari Kimanis ke Bintulu.

Nasir berkata, projek bersepadu itu melibatkan pembangunan medan-medan minyak dan gas yang baru ditemui di luar pantai Sabah, pembinaan SOGT di Kimanis dan pembinaan SSGP dari Kimanis ke Kompleks LNG Petrnoas di Bintulu, Sarawak.

Beliau berkata, melalui projek SOGT itu, sumber gas yang dikeluarkan daripada luar pantai Sabah akan didaratkan di SOGT, Kimanis.

“Sebahagian daripada gas yang dikeluarkan akan dibekalkan untuk kegunaan sektor-sektor tenaga dan perindustrian di Sabah dan selebihnya akan disalurkan ke Kompleks LNG Petronas di Bintulu, Sarawak melalui SSGP,” katanya.

Menurutnya, projek-projek yang dijalan-kan Petronas di Sabah pada masa ini telah dan akan membawa banyak kesan penggandaan (multiplier effect) kepada rakyat dan pertubuhan ekonomi negeri Sabah.

Antaranya pertumbuhan kawasan-kawa-san bandar dan pusat-pusat perindustrian baru, peluang-peluang perniagaan dan pekerjaan serta pembangunan modal insan bagi menyo-kong industri berasaskan minyak dan gas di Sabah.

“Kerajaan negeri menyedari bahawa industri hiliran berasaskan minyak dan gas wajar diwujudkan di Sabah seperti termaktub dalam Pelan Induk Perindustrian Sabah (SIAP) dan telah mengambil inisiatif serta langkah-langkah sewajarnya,” katanya.

Katanya, Kerajaan Negeri melalui Unit Peran-cang Ekonomi Negeri (UPEN) juga telah menu-buhkan satu jawatnkuasa sementara yang dianggotai oleh Pejabat Pegum Besar Negeri, Pejabat Setiausaha Hasil Bumi, Kementerian Kewangan, Kementerian Pembangunan Perindustrian, Jabatan Pembangunan Perindustrian dan Penyelidikan dan Perbadanan Tenaga Sabah bagi merangka strategi dan langkah-langkah bersepadu untuk membangunkan industri hiliran minyak dan gas di Sabah.

Menurutnya, pada 1 Januari tahun ini, rezab gas di luar pantai Sabah adalah berjumlah 12.7 trilion kaki padu atau (kira-kira 14 peratus daripada jumlah rezab gas Malaysia).

“Medan-medan gas yang terdapat di luar pantai Sabah adalah kecil dan berselerak, tidak seperti medan-medan gas di luar pantai Semenanjung Malaysia dan Sarawak,”katanya.

Oleh yang demikian katanya, pembangunan rezab gas di luar pantai Sabah perlu dijalankan secara berkelompok dan ini melibatkan kos yang tinggi.

Katannya, kos pelaburan pembangunan loji minyak, gas dan petrokimia pada masa ini adalah terlalu tinggi berikutan peningkatan harga pasaran bahan-bahan binaan dan peralatan.

Walau bagaimanapun katanya, sebahagian daripada gas yang bakal didaratkan telah diperuntukkan untuk kegunaan sektor tenaga dan perin-dustrian di negeri ini.

“Petronas dan Yayasan Sabah telah mengadakan usaha sama bagi pembangunan sebuah Loji Janakuasa Elektrik dengan kapasiti sebanyak 300MW di Kimanis,” katanya..

Pembinaan loji itu dijangka akan memperkukuh lagi sektor tenaga di Sabah dan menjadi pemangkin kepada pembangunan industri-industri lain di Sabah.

21st November, 2008 - New Sabah Times

Tindakan k’jaan keluarkan KP hijau tidak harus disalahtafsir, kata Ghapur

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:29:00 +0000

TAWAU: Tindakan kerajaan yang memutuskan untuk mengeluarkan semula kad pengenalan hijau bermula 15 November 2008 lepas, tidak seharusnya disalah-tafsirkan oleh mana-mana pihak kerana dokumen terbabit hanya dikeluarkan kepada mereka yang layak dan setelah tapisan dibuat.

Ahli Parlimen Kalabakan, Datuk Ab-dul Ghapur Haji Salleh, berkata tindakan itu juga adalah bersesuaian dengan tuntutan beberapa pemimpin termasuk beliau sebelum ini, yang meminta kerajaan me-nyelesaikan masalah mereka yang tidak mempunyai status warganegara.

Justeru yang demikian ujarnya, beliau berharap tindakan terbaru kerajaan itu tidak dijadikan satu isu negatif, apatah lagi dijadikan sebagai isu perkauman.

“Kita harus sedar, JPN (Jabatan Pen-daftaran Negara) bukanlah pasar. Kad hijau ini cuma dikeluarkan kepada mereka yang benar-benar layak sahaja. Saya pun tidak mahu kalau ada yang tidak layak, mendapat kad ini,” tegas beliau.

Dalam hal berlainan, beliau menjelaskan bahawa dari segi rasionalnya, pemberian kad itu secara tidak langsung jga dapat menyelesaikan masalah identiti mereka yang terlibat, sekaligus memudahkan pihak berkuasa untuk mengesan mereka sekiranya berlaku sesuatu yang tidak diingini.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemubual selepas mengadakan pertemuan dengan Pengerusi dan beberapa ahli Persatuan Hakka Tawau dan Badan Perhubungan Ketua Masyarakat Cina Tawau, di pejabatnya di Bangunan Umno di sini, kelmarin.

Menyentuh hal berlainan, Ghapur memberitahu yang pihaknya amat mengalu-alukan pihak pentadbiran sekolah-sekolah Cina dan tokong di kawasannya, untuk mengemukakan sebarang masalah atau apa-apa perkara yang diperlukan oleh mereka.

Sebagai pemimpin di kawasan terbabit jelasnya, beliau akan berusaha memberikan bantuan yang sewajarnya termasuklah dari segi peruntukan ataupun dengan mengemukakan permasalahan yang mereka hadapi kepada pihak kerajaan.

“Kita mengamalkan sikap terbuka dan akan terus berkhidmat kepada seluruh masyarakat tanpa mengira kaum atau la-tar-belakang. Kita juga kini sedang me-rangka satu sesi dialog dengan sekolah-sekolah Cina, bagi melihat keperluan dan mendengar permasalahan yang mereka hadapi,” katanya lagi.

Pada majlis itu, Ghapur turut me-nyampaikan cek sumbangan beliau sebagai Ahli Parlimen bernilai RM10,000 ke-pada Pengerusi Persatuan Hakka Tawau, Datuk Lim Yen Ngiap dan RM5,000 ke-pada Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan Ketua Masyarakat Cina Tawau, Yap Kin Vun.

Hadir sama pada majlis ringkas itu ialah Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Sebatik, Haji Abdul Muis Haji Picho; Adun Merotai, Pang Yuk Ming dan Adun Tanjung Batu, Datuk Hajah Hamisa Samad.

23rd November, 2008 - New Sabah Times

Upko: Green MyKad a new stress on the people

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:12:00 +0000

Kota Kinabalu: The re-issuance of the green MyKad to "stateless" people in Sabah is putting new stress on local people in the State, said Upko Youth chief Arthur Sen.

"We in Upko Youth are questioning the rationale behind the National Registration Department's decision to reactivate the issuance of the green MyKad, which had been frozen since 2004," he said.

He claimed the exercise will only benefit foreigners who were born in Sabah and who had been issued birth certificates without citizenship.

According to information received, he said the green MyKad is only valid for five years and asked what will happen to the temporary citizenship status of these green MyKad holders and their children after that period was over.

"There is a big possibility that these green MyKad holders will one day become permanent residents and then qualify themselves or their subsequent generation to obtain the blue MyKad as citizens É in the long run it would change the population demography of Sabah," he said.

This must be prevented from now by stopping the NRD exercise, he stressed. "Another negative effect will be that the green MyKad holders will compete against the genuine locals in economic activities É this is already happening now, and what more when they already get the green MyKad," he said.

Also in terms of access to public facilities, he said the local people will also be forced to compete with the immigrants like for medical treatment and wards at the public hospitals, recreational parks and so on.

"All these are saddening. Government agencies like the NRD need to be more attentive to the feelings and political sentiments of the genuine locals in Sabah," he said.

22 November, 2008- Daily Express

Oil royalty: SAPP not giving up

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is not giving up its struggle for more oil royalty payment for Sabah even though the State Government stated it is not pursuing the matter since the Petroleum Development Agreement is not revisable.

"This is not the end of the story, we will continue to fight for it," said President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee commenting on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's explanation during the recent Budget sitting that there is no provision in the agreement to review the five per cent oil royalty.

SAPP Luyang Assemblywoman, Melanie Chia and Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun, had both raised the issue at the State Assembly and Parliament, respectively.

"Even the country's Constitution can be amended (so) why can't it be the same for the Petroleum Development Agreement?," said Yong, adding that even if it is stated that the agreement is not revisable, it is not final so long as both the Federal and State governments mutually agree to review.

"We will not be surprised if Kuala Lumpur declines to review because they are taking our resources but it is a surprise that our State Government is also reluctant to call for the review," he said.

Speaking to reporters after the soft opening of the SAPP Putatan Maju Centre near here, Saturday, Yong asked if it was wrong for Sabah and Sarawak to request for a revision on such a lop-sided agreement.

According to him, Parti Keadilan Rakyat de-facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also shared similar sentiment on this issue with SAPP.

"This morning (Saturday) we (SAPP leaders) had breakfast with him, to get to know each other and discuss several issues like the economic situation and the review of the petroleum agreement.

"Anwar's stand and (that of the) SAPP is the same on this issue," he said.

Asked if there was any official invitation from Pakatan Rakyat for SAPP to join them, he said there was none.

"But the components in the Pakatan Rakyat understand our position," he said, adding that SAPP is also not answerable to Pakatan Rakyat, especially in the context of its eight-point agenda, one of which is State autonomy.

"The question of whether Pakatan Rakyat agrees with SAPP or not, is not the issue because that is what we call State autonomy.

"We don't have to get permission from anyone outside Sabah to get autonomy," he said, when asked if he had spoken to Anwar about State autonomy.

Nonetheless, SAPP would be constructive and innovative in its relationship with PKR without compromising its autonomy, he said.

"Whether we will be opposing or supporting each other (in the election) our basis is in the eight-point agenda and one of them is State autonomy. So we cannot do anything that compromises our autonomy."

Earlier, Yong said the opening of the SAPP Putatan Centre at the former Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) headquarters in Putatan Square is a symbolic start for SAPP's struggle.

"I feel proud that SAPP now has gained a foothold in Putatan. As the first step to fight for the rights of Sabah we take over the State BN's office. Our re-branding process that started in October is beginning to show results.

"This is just the beginning (and) there are more great things to come," he said.

He added that so far the party had lost less than 200 members, including one in Tanjung Papat when Datuk Raymond Tan submitted his official resignation letter, but in the past few weeks SAPP had gained more than 1,200 new members.

He also disclosed that SAPP had approved the membership of academician and columnist, Haji Amde Sidek, who is also in the party's think-tank board.

Yong also commended the new members in Putatan led by Dullie Haji Marie, the former Political Secretary to then Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, for joining the party.

"It is very rare that a ruling coalition party component will leave the government of the day and fight for the opposition. It is even rarer that new members join this party knowing very well that the next elections is still a long way to go," he said.

Later, Yong together with SAPP Supreme Council members witnessed the planting of the SAPP flag at the centre by party adviser, Datuk Haji Murshidi Nambi. He also received 612 membership applications from the 10 SAPP branches in Putatan.

23 November 2008 - Daily Express

Thousands register for green MyKad

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:24:00 +0000

18 November, 2008- Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Thousands of "stateless" people thronged the National Registration Department (NRD) offices at the Federal administration building here and in Tawau, Monday, after the Department announced it will start re-issuing the green MyKad.

In Tawau, the number was estimated at several thousand. Police also had to be called in for crowd control.

Applicants started lining up as early as 8am, forcing the NRD to set up desks, acting as temporary centres, outside its office to handle the large crowd showing up.

Its Public Relations Officer, Jainisah Mohd Noor, said the exercise which started last Saturday nationwide, is strictly for those with Malaysian birth certificates and existing green MyKad holders.

"They must be born in Malaysia. (Usually) in their birth certificates, there is no information about the parents or details about the parents' nationality or documentation status.

"But that does not mean green MyKad holders (or those obtaining it) have been granted citizenship statusÉthey are only temporary residents, not Malaysians," she said, in a telephone interview from Kuala Lumpur.

Like other NRD offices nationwide, she pointed out the office here only receives applications but whether they are granted was up to their headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"The approval process is done on-line and centralised," Jainisah said to a question on foreigners or illegal immigrants trying to pull a fast one on NRD.

"We will not issue such documents to just anyone or foreigners."

She said the card is a form of documentation to the holders to show they are stateless but registered with the NRD and to make it easier for these people to carry out personal transactions involving money and such.

Meanwhile, NRD staff had to block access to the applicants into their main office, allowing only customers with other registration transactions in, to avoid congestion while at one point the police had to be called in.

Several green MyKad applicants insisted on entering the office despite being told the counters were already fixed outside.

An applicant, Jaratilluah Abrudasis said she had been waiting since 8am for her number, adding she had also come last Saturday but there were too many people.

"I've tried applying for citizenship status before but failed," said the 35-year-old whose parents were from the Philippines.

She claimed she was born in Sabah when her parents arrived in Kudat in 1972 and has been in the district ever since.

"I don't have any information about my parents but I have this Malaysian birth certificate with me so hopefully I can get the green IC," she said.

Filipino labourer, Siti bin Pirisini, 46, was one of those trying to obtain the card for his sons, aged 15 and 14, who were detained by police previously, claiming they were also born in Sabah.

"My sons were born in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital," he claimed, before adding, "but the authorities suspected my sons' birth certificates as being dubious."

"They said they had never seen such documents because they are different from the normal (local) ones. So I hope to get the green ICs so they will not run into trouble in future," he said.

In TAWAU, more than a thousand people gathered as early as 6am to be first in line to apply for the green MyKad at the National Registration Department (NRD) office here, Monday.

A NRD officer, who declined to be named, said they could not process any application because the people who gathered refused to follow their turns despite the staff warning no one would be entertained if the matter persists.

In light of this, the NRD has set this coming Saturday and Sunday to issue turn numbers to the applicants, the officer said, adding about 5,000 numbers would be given out.

Green MyKad move queried

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:14:00 +0000

Kota Kinabalu: Both Sabah Barisan Nasional and opposition leaders Tuesday questioned the current registration of "stateless people" at National Registration Department offices statewide that would enable them to obtain the green MyKad.

They feared that the document would end up not in the hands of "stateless" locals in the interior but to foreigners who may be armed with birth certs issued by hospitals in Sabah.

They said the Federal Government's decision to issue the green MyKad should have been explained fully to the people before the NRD went ahead.

Already IMM13 holders and illegal immigrants with children born in the State are treating it as an opportunity to make their presence in the State easier and trouble free, said Moyog Assemblyman, Donald Mojuntin.

"We can gauge this by their numbers congesting the NRD offices here and in Tawau," he said on the sidelines of the State Budget sitting, Tuesday.

The Daily Express reported that thousands of "stateless" people had thronged the NRD offices at both places, some as early as 6am, since the weekend after the department announced it will start re-issuing the green MyKad.

It is understood that holders of the Green MyKad are allowed to work without requiring a permit and the card is valid for five years. If they are found to be involved in criminal activities during this period, the document would be revoked. A birth certificate is necessary for the registration.

"I would have thought the ultimate purpose of the issuance of the green MyKad is to ease the problem of genuine Malaysians who have trouble getting their citizenship due to the fact that their parents did not register their birth. This is due to many factors such as geographical and lack of knowledge on the need for such an important document. I believe this problem is prevalent in Sabah, especially in areas like Sindumin, Paitan and Pensiangan," said Donald, who is also State Assistant Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology.

He said even in Penampang, which can be regarded as a suburban area, he had received, in his capacity as Chairman of the Upko Citizenship and Security Bureau, a number of cases involving "anak watan" (native) Sabah who have no birth certificate and, therefore, not citizens of Malaysia.

This birth certificate problem is real and needs a focused effort to sort out, he said, adding the issuance of the green MyKad should be prioritised to locals without birth certificates who are waiting for their late registration of birth to be approved and, subsequently, would be waiting for their citizenship application to be considered.

"What we don't want is this exercise further aggravating the perception among the genuine Sabah populace that it is easier for illegals to obtain identity documents than for locals to do so," he said.

19 November, 2008 - Daily Express

Petronas explains

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:31:00 +0000

16 November, 2008 - Daily Express

Kuala Lumpur: The plan to set up a petrochemical industry in Sabah was not an afterthought or sudden but the result of a detailed study since 2006 and one in which the State Government was fully involved.

Stressing this in an exclusive interview, Petronas President-cum-Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican said making public the plans beforehand would have alerted competitors and placed Malaysia at a disadvantage.

"This (petrochemical plant project) is not new and has been ongoing.

"People always criticise Petronas. They say we keep things quiet. But in this industry this is how we do it," he said, to suggestions by certain quarters that the State Government was not seen as playing an active part.

"We have been very quiet about this also because we don't want speculation about tanah (land), etc. Together with (Chief Minister) Datuk Seri Musa, we even discussed it with the national leaders, both the Number One and Number Two," he said.

"The first discussion I had with the State Government was in 2006 where the whole concept was discussed. At that discussion we also said we will embark on a master plan for downstream gas industries, which will include petrochemicals."

Marican also said some Sabah leaders who have been agitating for the gas to be landed wholly in Kimanis and for a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant to be built would be disappointed to learn that the gas deposits off Sabah are the lowest in the nation, only 10-12 trillion cubic feet.

He said besides being small, Sabah's gas deposits are also scattered which makes it expensive to develop, unlike Sarawak's and peninsula's huge 45 trillion cu ft and 39 trillion cu ft, respectively.

"This (setting up a LNG plant in Sabah) was considered but found not viable. In the end, if you look at in the national context, we will be wasting resources because we already have a (LNG) complex in Bintulu."

The Bintulu complex is the world's largest LNG Complex producing 23 million tonnes of liquefied gas per year.

The Bintulu plant took 30 years to develop while Kertih 25 years, he said.

Kertih's overall investment alone was RM70 billion.

Marican said the cost of building a LNG plant today was not cheap, about US1,200 per tonne. The third plant in Bintulu which was completed in 2002 cost US200 per tonne to set up.

Then there is the question of infrastructure which is huge as otherwise the world class companies won't be interested to come. "All the facilities we have built are world scale capacities because this is a global business," he said. Marican said in this industry, the ability to bring in big players is crucial and they are not interested in deposits that won't be able to sustain production for a minimum of 20 years, which is the industry's benchmark.

Hence, the only practical approach to developing the gas was to send some to Bintulu and use the rest to support downstream gases at the planned petrochemical plant in Kimanis. He said the development of Sabah's offshore gas will be undertaken in two clusters, which would gather the gas from the various reservoirs before being piped to Kimanis.

He said oil that would be extracted from the Gumusut field would also be landed in Kimanis prior to export, which is why the whole set-up has been labelled as the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT).

Besides, if the gas is to be commercially viable, there would have to be a Base Load. "Only when you have this Base Load can downstream gas industries proceed."

He believed part of the misunderstanding over the issue could be due to politicians and others oversimplifying the matter as just "petrochemicals" without knowing that the gas would have to be broken down to four parts - Methane, Ethane, Propane and Butane - before their appropriate industrial use.

He said the other misperception is that the gas all belongs to Petronas, when in fact it belongs to the Production Sharing Contractors (PSCs), including Petronas, and who will only develop them if there are economic returns.

Nevertheless, Marican said that Sabah stands to gain quite a substantial amount from gas royalty.

"But if we don't go ahead and develop this, there'll be no royalty," he said.

On another issue, Marican noted that some quarters had placed high expectations on the oil and gas industry as "a provider of employment".

"This is not correct. The industry is one of highly skilled, highly technical but small in number (once the construction stage is over and the operational stage begins)."

Marican declined to comment when asked if the State Government should then seek a better deal from the gas through a separate higher gas royalty.

On the contention by some Sabah politicians that the gas belongs to Sabah, he said "it is a national resource" and should not be looked at from a parochial point of view.

Instead, he said the focus should be on how Sabahans can gain from the supporting industries.

He said there would be ample opportunities in the supporting industries and cited the Sarawak service providers who have been very focussed, been able to look at the long term and even export their services.

He said Petronas had elaborated on the many opportunities in this regard in its dialogues with the various trade chambers.

"If the expectation is for all these things to happen overnight, I'm sorry it will not and cannot," he said.

As for the 300MW combined cycle gas plant, Marican said this would be ready by the time the gas is landed on Kimanis in 2011. There is a joint committee involving the State Secretary to monitor the developments.

'Gas plant crucial for Sabah'

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:23:00 +0000

18 November, 2008- Daily Express

Kuala Lumpur: The gas-powered plant in Sabah needs to be developed quickly to ensure a stable electricity supply throughout the State, said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) Chief Executive Officer/President, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

He said Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has appointed TNB a technical consultant for the 300-megawatt project.

Che Khalib said this when asked to comment on Petronas President Tan Sri Hassan Merican's statement it was discussing with TNB the requirements to set up a gas-powered plant in Sabah.

"I think what is important for us is to make sure we can quickly set up the power plant in the east coast of Sabah. "This is necessary for Sabah. And it is a good contribution by Petronas to make sure that whatever gas they extract from Sabah be used for generation of electricity for the west coast," he told reporters after attending TNB's Deepavali Open House, here, Monday.

He said it was risky to place all the power plants in the west coast and transfer the power to the east as suggested by many.

"What we don't want is when there is power trip in the east coast there is no backup at all," he said.

Che Khalib said TNB has deferred plans to build its new corporate headquarters to meet the needs of its expanding operations.

"Things are difficult now. We are deferring, definitely until things get better," he said.

The new headquarters would be sited next to its current headquarters in Jalan Bangsar.

The new building is expected to enable the utility firm to save on rentals as its operations are scattered all over the place.- Bernama

SAPP motions on gas rejected both places

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:21:00 +0000

18 November, 2008- Daily Express

Kuala Lumpur: An attempt by the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) to simultaneously move emergency motions on Petronas' 500km gas pipeline project from Kimanis in Sabah to Bintulu in Sarawak met with failure when both the Dewan Rakyat and the Sabah State Assembly rejected them, Monday.

Both the assemblies held the view that although the RM3 billion project was a specific matter and of public interest, there was no urgency to debate it.

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar turned it down when it was brought up by Sepangar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun, while Sabah State Assembly Speaker Datuk Juhar Mahiruddin did the same when Likas Assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan raised it in Kota Kinabalu.

Eric, when raising the motion, said as the natural resource was coming from Sabah, it was only right that it be developed for the benefit of the people of Sabah.

Juhar told Liew that there would be ample opportunities to debate the matter during the Assembly sitting.

The Federal Government recently announced that the project would go ahead and that only surplus gas after meeting Sabah's petrochemical industry needs would be piped to Sarawak. The project is scheduled to be completed by March 2011.

At the Parliament lobby later, Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun requested the Federal Government to revise the Petroleum Act 1976 to re-determine the oil royalties paid to Sabah for the State's development.

He said the Act should be revised every 10 years by taking into account, the gas pipe routes and fuel volume channelled to Bintulu, Sarawak, through Sabah in the interest of the public.

"Petronas and the Federal Government must see all this, instead of just saying they will pay the five per cent royalty," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Tawau MP Datuk Chua Soon Bui said she supported the motion by Eric to cancel the 500km gas pipes from Kimanis, Sabah to Bintulu, Sarawak, costing RM3 billion.

She said the RM3 billion could be used to build more low-cost housing for the very poor families and for the improvement of basic infrastructures in Sabah.

PKR wants neutral assessment on deposits

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:20:00 +0000

18 November, 2008 - Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has called for an independent oil and gas consultant to find out whether Sabah's gas deposits are really the least in the nation.

Describing the statement about Sabah's natural resources by Petronas President Tan Sri Hassan Marican as "highly questionable", Jeffrey suggested the former step down if the assessment by the consultant proves to be different from what he claimed.

"If it is the lowest and not viable then why the need to exploit and pipe it or even build a petrochecmical plant?

"Would Petronas just build something for nothing? Or is Marican not telling the truth? What I know from other sources is that Sabah's oil and gas deposits are substantial as those in Sarawak and Terengganu," he said in a statement, Monday.

Jeffrey also challenged Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to reveal to the public the details of deals discussed with Petronas since 2006, pointing out this is an era of transparency.

"This is not a small matter as it involves a key national resource in Sabah É the people have a right to know.

"For example, even the so-called Floating Production Storage Offshore (FPSO) activities and contracts, which pay up to US Dollars 500,000 per day, are only undertaken by those in the know through whom you know basis.

"Who are the FPSO contractors? Are the Petronas managers also involved?

Why doesn't the Chief Minister get YS Shipping Dua, which has various licences to be involved?," he said, adding Yayasan Sabah should be given a lead role in implementing the project involving RM1.6 billion of taxpayers' money.

In a related matter, Jeffrey said if building a LNG facility in Sabah was not viable, then why is the Government, at the same time, going ahead with the gas pipeline to Bintulu and the petrochemical plant.

"Is the Federal Government giving false hopes to Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Sabahans or can both the pipeline and petrochemical industry be implemented viably for the benefit of the State and the people?"

He said figures given by Petronas on its reserves and current production level do not indicate, in any way, the viability or otherwise of the oil and gas industry in Sabah.

"It seems Sabah is always at the losing end. We have oil but we only get five per cent royalty. We have gas but it is being piped out.

"We have an oil and gas industry but little participation in its downstream activities (and) we have substantial oil and gas reserves/deposits but are being told you only have very little.

"Yet, Petronas talks about big royalty revenue, where is the logic?

Parliament should demand for an independent consultant and get the facts right," Jeffrey said.

SAPP motions on gas rejected both places

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:17:00 +0000

Both the assemblies held the view that although the RM3 billion project was a specific matter and of public interest, there was no urgency to debate it.

Eric, when raising the motion, said as the natural resource was coming from Sabah, it was only right that it be developed for the benefit of the people of Sabah.

Juhar told Liew that there would be ample opportunities to debate the matter during the Assembly sitting.

He said the Act should be revised every 10 years by taking into account, the gas pipe routes and fuel volume channelled to Bintulu, Sarawak, through Sabah in the interest of the public.

"Petronas and the Federal Government must see all this, instead of just saying they will pay the five per cent royalty," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Tawau MP Datuk Chua Soon Bui said she supported the motion by Eric to cancel the 500km gas pipes from Kimanis, Sabah to Bintulu, Sarawak, costing RM3 billion.

She said the RM3 billion could be used to build more low-cost housing for the very poor families and for the improvement of basic infrastructures in Sabah.

Start of a new oil-gas era: Mojigoh

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:58:00 +0000

Kota Kinabalu: United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Organisation (Upko) hopes the setting up of a full-fledged petrochemical industry in the State will not be Sabah's first and last venture in the oil and gas industry.

Its Putatan MP Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh said the decision by the Federal Government was a positive move that marked the beginning of a new era for the State's oil and gas industry, particularly in the downstream processing sector.

"We know there are many more projects in the oil and gas industry that can be set up in Sabah. It will help spur economic growth in tandem with the Sabah Development Corridor's (SDC) blueprint," said Mojigoh who is also the new Upko Treasurer-General.

According to him, it was not an individual call but a resolution by the party delegates who felt since the resources were from Sabah it was only apt that the people in the State also enjoy their benefits.

He said the Federal Government through the Federal Cabinet had made the right decision that only excess gas would be channeled to Bintulu.

He said he concurred with Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok that the Barisan Nasional Government is sensitive to the people's needs.

Meanwhile, he said the issue of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital building's safety had been raised many times in Parliament but that the Health Ministry was taking action only now.

Nonetheless, Mojigoh commended Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai for the decision to relocate patients to the various district hospitals and at the same time plan to build a new hospital in the State Capital.

He hoped the State and Federal governments would be able to work and cooperate to ensure the plan could be carried out hopefully before the end of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

November 09, 2008 (Source: Daily Express)

Dompok says not in the mood of giving up

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:29:00 +0000

07 November, 2008(Daily Express)

Penampang: Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said he is committed to the cause of the party and the people of Sabah to see the Petronas gas pipeline project from Kimanis, Sabah to Bintulu, Sarawak, scrapped.

He said the party was unhappy with the Federal Government's decision to give Petronas the go-ahead to implement the project.

"I'm committed to articulating about this and I will be talking to the Cabinet on Friday. I want to pursue this," he told reporters after launching the Public Complaints Bureau's integrated mobile complaint counter, here, Thursday.

Pressed on whether it may mean the party would consider leaving the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition if its objection to the project is ignored by the Federal Government, he said:

"We will cross the bridge when we come to it but I want to pursue this (Kimanis-Bintulu gas pipeline)."

The RM1.5 billion facility is expected to be operational in 2011.

"What is presently proposed by Petronas is merely a landing point in Kimanis and from there, a pipeline is to be built to Bintulu to facilitate the export of gas to other countries in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

"They will put it in big tankers and export it. So, what we are saying here is, the gas can be used, firstly as a feed stock for downstream activities (in Sabah) and it can also be used to generate electricity so that we can have energy security for Sabah," he said.

He said the Independent Power Producer (IPP) in Gayang, Tuaran, could guarantee electricity supply for 20 years only. "What happens after 20 years? What if that amount of gas is designated for the particular IPP?" he asked.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had on May 31 announced shelving the project. However, on Nov. 1, the Prime Minister said the proposed 500-km long gas pipeline from Kimanis, Sabah to Bintulu would proceed.

On Tuesday, Dompok said Upko objected to the project claiming that it would not benefit the people of Sabah.

Sabah, he said, has no activity closely linked to the oil and gas industry despite the sector one of the most important in the country.

He noted that the State's economy is dependent merely on tourism and palm oil and that it was unfair if oil and gas were not given significance in Sabah's development.

Expressing unhappiness over the matter, he was confident that the people of Sabah generally share similar sentiments as that of Upko. "The gas is most needed in Sabah to implement various development projects and to develop the State's downstream industries."

DOMPOK PUAS HATI KEPUTUSAN KABINET

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:54:00 +0000

KOTA KINABALU: Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (gambar) kelmarin akhirnya berpuas hati apabila Kabinet Persekutuan bersetuju untuk mewujudkan industri petrokimia di Sabah, berikutan isu pembinaan paip gas dari Kimanis ke Bintulu yang mendapat respon negatif daripada penduduk Sabah.

Dalam pada itu, kilang-kilang berkaitan gas dan petrokimia juga akan dibina untuk tujuan tersebut, katanya dalam satu kenyataan kelmarini. Dompok menambah selepas beliau membangkitkan isu itu dalam mesyuarat jemaah men-teri di Putrajaya kelmarin, keputusan yang dicapai adalah pembinaan paip gas dari Kimanis ke Bintulu akan diteruskan namun hanya lebihan gas yang akan disalurkan ke Sarawak.

"Kabinet Persekutuan kini bersetuju untuk mewujudkan industri petrokimia yang lengkap sepenuhnya di Sabah menggunakan gas dan minyak dari Sabah. "Saya bagi pihak Upko dan rakyat Sabah mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Kerajaan Persekutuan di atas keprihatinan ini," kata Dom-pok yang juga presiden Upko.

Katanya ketetapan tersebut pasti mempelbagaikan lagi aktiviti ekonomi Sabah dan pembinaan kilang untuk industri petrokimia itu bakal menyuntik semangat dan menjadi pemangkin kepada Koridor Pembangunan Sabah.

"Akhirnya, Sabah, salah satu daripada hanya tiga negeri pengeluar minyak dan gas di Malay-sia kita ini boleh turut serta aktif dalam aktiviti hiliran industri gas dan minyak.

"Pembinaan serentak kilang petrokimia dan paip gas mampu membantu Sabah, yang selama ini ketinggalan dari segi pembangunan terutama industri gas dan minyak, untuk terus maju dan menikmati arus perdana pembangunan negara," tambah beliau.

PKR dares Upko to leave the BN

noreply@blogger.com (www.upko.org.my) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) on Wednesday dared Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, to give meaning to his words rather than beat about the bush every time the party is bullied and isolated by Barisan Nasional (BN).

PKR State Liaison Deputy Chairman, Daniel John Jambun, said Dompok and Upko were so openly dissatisfied with BN's ways of handling Sabah and Sarawak matters, and yet they just sulk each time they are told to leave.

"Quit BN, don't just threaten, you have been bullied time and again. You have been forever airing your dissatisfactions of not being heard by BN, but why do you continue to stay with those who are bullying you?" he asked.

Daniel said if Dompok and Upko honestly feel that they are not heard or respected enough on Sabah matters, they should know what to do by now, that is to leave BN just like what SAPP did.

"Look, remember when you (Upko) were speaking up for the Kadazan people in Kg Maang, Penampang, you were bluntly told by Umno leaders to leave BN.

"If Dompok really fights for the people of Sabah, as he claimed, he should leave Umno-led BN tomorrow. If not, the people could read that Dompok and his Upko merely followed Umno's wish, and not the people's wishÉ" he said, adding that Upko coalescing and collaborating with Umno would eventually erode any confidence in that party.

- Daily Express, November 6, 2008