Ngiga Insur Blog™

Shell mohon maaf akui tersilap kemaskini harga minyak.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 May 2017 07:09:00 -0700

Petikan dari MiloSuam

SYARIKAT minyak Shell melalui akaun Facebook rasminya hari ini memohon maaf dan mengakui bahawa pihaknya tersilap meletakkan harga minyak terlalu mahal dan meminta orang ramai yang sudah terbayar lebih untuk datang semula ke stesen minyak berkaitan untuk mendapatkan semula pulangan lebihan bayaran.

Laman facebook Shell hari ini mengakui terdapat 160 transaksi pelanggan yang terjejas sekitar jam 12.01AM hingga 01:30AM — 18 Mei 2017 (pagi tadi) akibat kesilapan itu. Shell meminta mereka yang terjejas supaya memeriksa resit pembelian dan datang semula ke stesen minyak untuk menerima pulangan lebihan bayaran.

Orang ramai bagaimanapun dilihat tidak berpuas hati dengan keputusan itu, mereka segelintirnya meminta agar pihak Shell memberikan pampasan minyak 'full tank' kepada pelanggan-pelanggan yang terjejas.

Sebagai contoh Faizal Nordin mengirimkan komen di laman facebook Shell mempersoalkan bagaimana jika ada pelanggan yang tidak mengambil resit sewaktu mengisi minyak semalam.

"Bagaimana pula yang tak ambil resit? Kena pula sebagai contoh isi di Perlis, dalam perjalanan pulang ke selatan, macam tak berbaloi dengan tol lagi," tulisnya.

Aiden Zai pula menggesa pihak Shell memberikan pampasan minyak 'full tank' kepada pengguna yang terjejas semalam.

"Compensate a full tank petrol instead of reimbursement of the difference!

No sincere at all! Such small mistake also can be done , better hire me to be the QC manager of Malaysia!" Gesanya, dalam kiriman di ruangan komen facebook rasmi Shell.

Orang ramai malam tadi menjadi berang kerana harga minyak petrol yang diisi di banyak lokasi stesen minyak Shell meningkat sebanyak RM2.08 seliter (RON95) dan RM2.36 (RON97) seliter.

Ini menyebabkan mereka beramai-ramai mengirimkan bukti kenaikan harga yang tidak masuk akal itu ke laman sosial Facebook.

Harga petrol Malaysia rupanya naik RM2.00 setiap liter?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 May 2017 06:53:00 -0700

Petikan dari MiloSuam

HARGA minyak petrol RON95 dan RON97 yang sepatutnya hanya naik masing-masing sebanyak 7 sen bagi setiap liter iaitu kepada harga RM2.08 (RON95) dan RM2.36 (RON97) didakwa telah melonjak sebanyak dua kali ganda (naik RM2.01 untuk RON95 dan RM2.36 bagi RON97 bagi setiap liter).

Perkara itu disedari oleh orang ramai yang telah mengisi minyak petrol sejak semalam. Harga yang dipaparkan pada pam minyak petrol bagi RON95 ialah RM4.09 seliter manakala RON97 pula berharga RM4.65 seliter.

Harga tidak munasabah itu juga turut dipaparkan pada resit pembelian bahan api itu. Orang ramai mengirimkan segala bukti-bukti bergambar berhubung dakwaan tersebut di facebook. Malah ada juga yang menyiarkan bukti dalam bentuk rakaman video.

Di bawah ini rakaman video yang dimaksudkan:

Cuba semak harga sebelum anda mengisi minyak kenderaan anda hari ini. Segelintir pihak mengesyaki pengusaha stesen minyak sengaja 'terlajak' letak harga mahal bagi menampung kerugian yang dialami mereka sejak beberapa minggu lalu akibat tindakan kerajaan menetapkan harga minyak setiap minggu.

Mosti minta orang ramai jangan panik ancaman ‘WannaCry’

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 17 May 2017 09:47:00 -0700

Petikan dari Bernama.com

CyberSecurity Malaysia hanya menerima 2 laporan insiden jangkitan ransomware itu, kata menteri.

PUTRAJAYA: Orang ramai diminta supaya tidak panik dengan ancaman serangan “ransomware” “WannaCry” yang kini melanda di seluruh dunia kerana Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (Mosti) mengambil langkah sewajarnya untuk memastikan ruang siber negara terlindung daripada pelbagai serangan siber.

Menterinya Datuk Seri Madius Tangau berkata setakat ini CyberSecurity Malaysia hanya menerima 2 laporan insiden jangkitan “Wannacry”, iaitu melibatkan institusi pendidikan dan organisasi swasta.

“Kita akui ancaman serangan siber boleh berlaku tetapi dalam hal ini saya minta orang ramai tidak panik dan terus berwaspada. Mosti bersama CyberSecurity Malaysia akan terus pastikan ruang siber negara terlindung daripada apa jua serangan dan ancaman siber,” katanya dalam sidang media mengenai “ransomware” di sini hari ini.

Madius turut menasihatkan orang ramai agar tidak terpedaya dan mempercayai mesej atau maklumat yang berlegar menerusi media sosial.

Beliau berkata dakwaan ATM bank akan ditutup akibat “ransomware” dan beberapa hotel di Kuala Lumpur dijangkiti perisian jahat adalah satu penipuan.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang media khas mengenai situasi serangan perisian jahat atau “malicious software” atau “malware” itu yang turut dihadiri Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif CyberSecurity Malaysia Datuk Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab di kementeriannya di sini hari ini.

Menurut Madius, “WannaCry” mensasarkan organisasi sama ada kerajaan atau syarikat perniagaan serta pengguna internet individu di mana impaknya pihak yang diserang akan kehilangan sementara atau kekal sesuatu maklumat, data sensitif dan sulit yang menyebabkan gangguan operasi sesebuah organisasi.

Penjenayah siber yang mengunci maklumat atau fail penting akan memeras ugut mangsa dengan sejumlah wang tebusan bagi membolehkan akses semula kepada maklumat serta fail tersebut, katanya.

Ditanya sama ada mangsa perlu membayar wang tebusan yang diminta, Madius berkata: “Jangan terperangkap dan membayar wang yang diminta, tiada jaminan maklumat dan data yang hilang akan dikembalikan kerana kita tidak tahu siapa di sebalik serangan itu”.

Beliau turut menasihatkan orang ramai supaya mengamalkan penggunaan komputer secara beretika dengan tidak membuka e-mel yang meragukan selain melaporkan kepada Pusat Bantuan Cyber999 kendalian CyberSecurity Malaysia jika mendapat e-mel yang meragukan.

“Laporan orang ramai amat penting bagi membolehkan Mosti mengkaji trend, corak serangan untuk mencari kaedah penyelesaian dalam menangani Ransomeware Wannacry,” katanya.

Amirudin yang turut hadir dalam sidang media itu berkata ransomware bukan suatu ancaman baharu sebaliknya wujud sejak 1986.

Menurutnya, ia menjadi semakin berleluasa dan wujud dalam pelbagai nama, antaranya “Cryptolocker”, “Cryptowall”, “CBT Locker”, “Teslacrypt” dan “Locky”.

Beliau berkata bagi mengelak rangkaian sistem komputer daripada menjadi mangsa ransomware, pentadbir atau pengguna internet perlu menggunakan tampung (patch) yang dikeluarkan Microsoft iaitu tampung keselamatan MS17-010 untuk versi sistem pengendalian Windows baharu (Windows Vista, Windows 7 hingga 10, Windows Server 2008 hingga 2016).

Sistem komputer juga boleh dilindungi dengan pengguna menggunakan sistem pengendalian Windows lama iaitu Windows XP dan Windows 2003, selain melakukan semakan berkala ke atas maklumat kritikal.

Amirudin berkata kesedaran masyarakat masih rendah mengenai “ransomware” dan kesannya, serta tidak melaporkan kepada CyberSecurity Malaysia apabila komputer mereka dijangkiti virus kerana bimbang maklumat itu akan memberi kesan terhadap perjalanan organisasi dan perniagaan yang dijalankan.

“Mereka sebenarnya tidak peka laporan yang dibuat boleh menyelamatkan maklumat yang hilang, malah kami berpegang kepada konsep kerahsiaan sesuatu laporan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata CyberSecurity Malaysia menangani kira-kira 90,000 aduan sejak 1997 tanpa maklumat didedahkan dan ia dibuat secara percuma.

#SarawakNews : Show us proof on Taib Mahmud, says MACC

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 3 Jul 2013 06:37:00 -0700

Written by: Alfian ZM Tahir | Free Malaysia Today

The MACC wants those with information on the Sarawak chief minister's alleged corrupt practices to talk to them.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) today responded to Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen by urging the Sarawak DAP leader to come forward if he has proof that Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is corrupt.

“We take serious note on the allegations brought forward by Chong related to land acquisition in Sarawak by seven companies linked to the family members of Taib Mahmud.

“It would be very much appreciated if Chong hands us any information with regards to this matter” MACC said in a press statement.

The MACC then mentioned that they have never delayed any investigation on the Sarawak Chief Minister and added that they need time to investigate the matter thoroughly as various people are involved directly and indirectly in this particular case.

“This is not the first case, we have had cases involving former Kelantan mentri besar, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim which took us considerable period of time” MACC added.

The anti corruption agency also stressed that it was important for all parties to cooperate in order for them to carry out their duty.
Yesterday Chong had claimed that plots of land located in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Mukah were transacted to Taib’s family between 2000 and 2010.

He claimed that the beneficiary companies included those belonging to Taib’s son Mahmud Abu Bekir, brother Ibrahim Mahmud, daughters Jamilah Hamidah and Hanifah Hajar, daughter-in-law Anisa Hamidah Abdullah, sister Raziah Mahmud and brother-in-law Robert Geneid.

He also said he has not submitted any proof of land corruption to MACC, but pointed out the data can be easily collected through the state’s resource planning office, land office and registrar of companies.

Opposition members also claimed that Taib’s family members had obtained 23 parcel of lands worth RM1 billion at RM200 million.

Sarawak loses appeal over NCR land decision

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 01:53:00 -0700

Written by Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

The Court of Appeal’s decision has far reaching effects on more than 200 NCR land cases which are now pending hearing before the High Court.

KUCHING: The Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold a ruling that the pemakai menoa (territorial domain) is part of the native customary rights (NCR) land, is not only a victory of NCR land owners in Sarawak but it also strengthens the political belief and reputation of the opposition especially PKR.

The court dismissed an appeal by the Sarawak government against the earlier judgment of Justice Yew Jen Kie.

Encroachments by the state government into NCR land have always been a hot political issue in previous elections and will continue to be so in future elections.

Thus the decision of the Court of Appeal yesterday had far reaching effects on more than 200 NCR land cases which are now pending hearing before the High Court.

The land owners (plaintiffs) Tuai Rumah Sandah Anak Tabau and Tuai Rumah Lajang and 28 others were represented by Baru Bian and his lawyers from Sarawak PKR.

Bian is also the chairman of the Sarawak PKR and Ba’Kelalan state assemblyman.

Commenting on the decision, Bian said: “This decision of the Court of Appeal is a victory for the people of Sarawak who have been fighting for the recognition that their NCR lands is not limited to the temuda as the state government has been trying to claim.

“It remains to be seen whether the BN government will respect the decision of the Court of Appeal in carrying out perimeter surveys and whether they will be more respectful of the rights of the native people when issuing timber licenses etc to logging and plantation companies,” he said.

In the High Court, Sandah and Lajang had sued Kanowit Timber Company Sdn Bhd and the state government for encroaching into their NCR land, including their pemakai menoa (territorial domain) vide a timber licence issued by the state government to Kanowit Timber Company Sdn Bhd.

The company had argued that NCR should be restricted to the temuda covering an area of 2,712 hectares, which had been cleared before 1958.
However, Justice Yew ruled in favour of Sandah and Lajang, declaring that they were the rightful owners of the NCR land covering an area of 5,512 hectares, including the pemakai menoa, and that the defendants had unlawfully encroached into the plaintiffs’ land.

The High Court had declared that they have customary rights and/or native customary rights over the lands edged as shown in the map marked ‘M’ to the statement of claim.

The court also declared that the company and agents had trespassed on the land and that they be restrained from further trespassing, clearing, using or occupying Sandah and Lajang’s native customary rights land.

See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/06/22/s%E2%80%99wak-loses-appeal-over-ncr-land-decision/

Selamat Hari Gawai Dayak 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 May 2013 23:33:00 -0700

Tabi bala pembaca blog Raban Ngiga Insur,

Kami ari Raban Ngiga Insur deka meri Selamat Hari Gawak Dayak 2013. "Garu Guru, Gerai Nyamai.. Lantang Senang, Nguan Menua", ngagai semua bala pembaca blog kami. Enggau tu mega, nandaka kami sebuat deka bercuti tauka ngetu belelak enda lama laban kami sebuat deka mulaika diri ngagai menua lalu ngintu Gawai enggau bala kaban belayan.

Lalu ba senentang ngintu ari Gawai tu, kami ngarapka bala kitai sama bela ngetu bekimpin tauka bepolitik. Enggai ka kitai belaya enggau pangan diri. Ti nyema bala kami bisi salah jaku tauka bisi ngasuh ati bala kita pedis, kami sebuat deka minta ampun ari ujung kaki ngagai punjung pala.

Ari,

Raban Ngiga Insur

Sarawak News: Bigger salaries for Sarawak YBs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:08:00 -0700

Written by Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

A state rep will have his salary increased from RM4,500 to RM15,000 per month, while an assistant minister will now get RM21,000, minister RM27,000 and a senior minister RM30,000.

KUCHING: With Pakatan Rakyat waiting to bite into Barisan Nasional’s stock of seats in the next state general election and upping its stakes, Chief Minister Taib Mahmud is taking no chances.

He is ensuring that his team remains filial and this means rewarding them sufficiently with cash and contracts, if past record is any measure.

The next state elections is scheduled for 2016 or earlier. Hence the timely tabling of a bill to increase salaries, enumeration, gratuities and pension of the honourable members as well administrative staff.

The bill which was passed by the State Legislative Assembly today will offer financial windfalls for the state’s 71 elected representatives, its 19 state cabinet assistant ministers and 10 ministers in his state cabinet.

The new salaries are expected to be effective later this year. The salaries will also be backdated to January 2012.

This means that the current batch of assemblymen, assistant ministers and ministers will receive between RM250,000 to RM500,000 each in back-pay.

A state assemblyman will have his salary increased from RM4,500 to RM15,000 per month, while an assistant minister will now get RM21,000 a month, minister RM27,000 and a senior minister RM30,000.

In addition, assistant ministers and ministers will also be paid their monthly assemblyman’s allowances of RM15,000 each. This means that an assistant minister will receive a total of RM36,000 in remuneration a month.

In the same token state cabinet ministers will receive RM42,000 and Senior Minister RM45,000.

What about integrity?
Debating the bill, DAP Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen asked the justification for the increase although he agreed that the high cost of living had affected the YBs as well as the members of public.

“What justification is there for the state government to increase the enumeration, gratuities and pension of the honourable members?

“We have in this house increased our enumeration by 200% by our direct power, but the people do not have that power.

“The government of the day has that power to increase the income of the people affected by the increased costs of living, if it wants to.

“Sadly, it has not been done. The people’s income does not the match the increase of the salaries of the administration by 200%.

“So what is the justification of the increase, although we from the opposition are also beneficiaries of the increase?” he asked.

Chong also pointed out the need to address the integrity of the state government and its leaders.

“If you want to increase the salaries of the honourable members, then the integrity issue must be addressed. But the BN has refused to do so,” he said alluding to BN’s lost of popular votes in the 2011 state and recent general polls.

At this point the Speaker Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar warned Chong not to mention the issue as it had nothing to do with the subject being discussed.

Semop assemblyman Abdullah Saidol asked Chong why DAP and other Pakatan leaders refused to sign the integrity pledge.

Before Chong could answer the question, the Speaker stopped him.

“The Speaker refuses to allow me to answer your question. Had the answer been given, it would be very embarrassing. The Speaker knows this,” said Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP.

Sarawak News: Taib tidak campur isu pelantikan kabinet persekutuan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:04:00 -0700

Diambil dari Bernama

Beliau menyerahkan perkara itu kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak untuk diputuskan.

KUCHING: Ketua Menteri Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud hari ini mengulangi pendirian untuk tidak campur tangan dalam pelantikan menteri persekutuan yang menimbulkan rasa tidak puas hati anggota Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) dan Parti Demokratik Progresif Sarawak (SPDP), dua parti komponen Barisan Nasional (BN) negeri.

Katanya beliau menyerahkan perkara itu kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak untuk diputuskan.

“Tidak, ini bukan cara saya. Saya tidak campur tangan dengan apa yang berlaku dalam Kabinet (Persekutuan),” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri perasmian Persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak ke-17, di sini.

Jumaat lepas, Presiden PRS Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing berkata anggota parlimen daripada PRS patut diberi jawatan Kabinet yang relevan dengan rakyat yang diwakili mereka.

Sebagai parti berpangkalan di luar bandar, beliau berkata mereka tidak akan menerima portfolio yang tidak berkaitan dengan dasar parti.

PRS menang semua enam kerusi parlimen yang ditandingi pada pilihan raya umum ke-13 baru-baru ini. Dua daripada mereka iaitu Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun (Selangau) dan Datuk Joseph Salang (Julau), masing-masing dilantik menteri dan timbalan menteri.

Salang bagaimanapun enggan menerima pelantikannya sebagai Timbalan Menteri Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan, manakala Entulu yang keberatan pada peringkat awal, menerima pelantikan sebagai Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri.

Masing ketika ditemui hari ini, berkata Entulu keberatan menerima pelantikan itu pada peringkat awal kerana tidak disertakan dengan portfolio khusus.

SPDP kecewa
Sementara itu, anggota akar umbi SPDP meluahkan rasa kecewa kerana tiada anggota parlimen mereka dilantik ke Kabinet sekalipun menang di semua empat kerusi yang ditandingi menerusi Presiden parti Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (Saratok), Anthony Nogeh Gumbek (Mas Gading), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu) dan Anyi Ngau (Baram).

Mawan hari ini menegaskan anggota SPDP tidak harus melihat ketiadaan wakil mereka dalam Kabinet sebagai satu tindakan yang disengajakan.

Anggota parti harus tahu Perdana Menteri faham perasaan mereka, katanya dan menggesa anggota SPDP supaya memberi kepercayaan kepada pucuk pimpinan BN untuk menyelesaikan isu itu.

“Biar beliau (Najib) putuskan di mana tempat kita. Kita tidak mahu menimbulkan masalah. Saya tidak fikir PM (Perdana Menteri) mahu meminggirkan kita. Beliau seorang yang bertimbang rasa dan mungkin akan memberi sesuatu yang lebih baik kepada kita,” katanya.

Headache for Najib; PRS rejects cabinet posts

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:31:00 -0700

Written by: Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

PRS and SPDP remind Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak that the rural vote bank is with them and if not taken care of, 'somebody will come by and withdraw it'.

KUCHING: Bitter Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) supreme council members today unanimously agreed to reject all ministerial posts in Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s cabinet.

This means that Joseph Entulu who was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Joseph Salang Gandum, a deputy minister, will not accept their posts.

A miffed Salang had in fact already earlier rejected the position.

Parti president James Masing said majority of the party’s supreme council members had agreed to reject Najib’s offer and felt that they were “sidelined” and “deserved to be treated better.”

PRS had delivered six parliamentary seats to Barisan Nasional’s 133 seat tally. They did better than some BN parties in peninsular who were suitably rewarded.

Without mincing his words Masing warned Najib not to toy with PRS and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) which had been totally ignored despite delivering four parliamentary seats.

“Don’t try to sideline us because we have the support of the rural people. It is not a warning.

“It is a fact, in case they don’t understand that we have six seats and four from Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

“PRS and SPDP which are rural-based parties are not properly treated by the present government.

“The rural areas in Sarawak are Barisan Nasional ‘fixed deposit’. If you don’t take care of it, somebody will come by and withdraw it,” warned Masing.

‘Give us appropriate portfolio’

Masing, who chaired the emergency supreme council meeting, said majority of the members felt that a ministerial post in the PM Department was inappropriate for PRS which was a rural based party.

“Joseph Entulu who was offered a post of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department sought the advice of the meeting which agreed that the president would discuss with the Prime Minister where Entulu should be.

“All the members of the supreme council are not happy that Entulu is a mere Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

“We want the Prime Minister to give us an appropriate portfolio, the one that could be of assistance to the rural people, portfolios such as Infrastructure and Agriculture,” he said.

He said the council felt the same way about Salang’s new position which was deputy minister of tourism.

“Such post is not of any assistance to the rural people. We just want a portfolio that is of assistance to the rural people, and not just any position” said Masing.

Masing revealed that the party was initially offered two deputy ministers’ posts which they felt was an insult because the party had delivered on its pledge to BN.

But it wasn’t until Masing informed Najib that PRS felt they were being sidelined and would not attend the swearing in ceremony that the PM tweaked his list before announcing it on Wednesday. In the new list, he named Entulu a full minister.

But even this move by Najib has not appeased the party.

Letter to PM
Asked what would happen if Najib did not agree to their demands, Masing said that the case would be brought before the supreme council members for a decision.

“I cannot tell you what the decision may be,” he added.

Urging those in power to look at the issue seriously, Masing said that he had written a letter to the Prime Minister seeking an appointment over their participation in the government.

“Of course we appreciate and understand he has the final say as to who should be in his cabinet. But we ask for his kind consideration and look at us again because we contribute quite substantially to the Barisan Nasional’s victory.

“The Prime Minister should not look at what is given to us but he should also look at what is given to the others.

“We feel that we have been sidelined,” he said, referring to Sarawak United People’s Party which retained only one of its seven seats but was given one full minister post.

“We want fairness and justice,” he added.

‘Illegal ministers in cabinet’

To make matters worse for Najib, DAP parliamentary leader and Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang pointed out that five non-MPs appointed to the cabinet could be performing their tasks illegally and unconstitutionally as they have not been sworn in as Senators.

“Najib’s post-13GE cabinet has become a farce and even a joke as it has two illegal ministers and three illegal deputy ministers although they have gone through an unlawful oath-taking ceremony before the Yang di Pertuan Agong yesterday.

The two ministers are Paul Low and Abdul Wahid Omar (both Prime Minister’s Department), while the deputy ministers are P Waythamoorthy (PM’s Department), J Loga Bala Mohan (Federal Territories) and Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism).

“Was the two-hour first cabinet meeting yesterday tainted by illegality because of the attendance of two illegal ministers, Paul Low and Abdul Wahid?

“And today, Paul Low is already giving interviews as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, which he is not entitled to, as his ministerial appointment can only take effect when he is sworn in as Senator,” said Lim in a statement.

“I am given to understand that up to now, there has been no swearing in of the five for them to take up the two ministerial and three deputy ministerial appointments.

“Is there going to be a ‘rushed’ midnight swearing-in of the five as Senators?” he asked.

Sarawak News: It’s Najib’s ‘thank you’ to Taib

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:25:00 -0700

Written by: Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

Opposition PKR claims that MPs from Sabah and Sarawak are nothing more than 'window dressing' in the new federal cabinet.

KUCHING: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s allocation of seven ministers from Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is an act of gratitude and a bid to “establish a foothold in Umno” in preparation for the October Umno assembly, claims Sarawak PKR.

Said PKR vice-president See Chee How: “Giving PBB the lion’s share is probably to please Taib (state BN chairman) for winning 25 seats, including 14 from PBB.”

Sarawak has seven full ministers including four from PBB and one each from Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Sarawak United Peoples Party. PBB also holds three of the four deputy ministers’ posts in the federal cabinet.

Najib who had declared that his new cabinet would prioritise combating corruption, also appointed Transparency International-Malaysia president Paul Low to his cabinet as a full minister.

But See today questioned Najib’s decision and the effectiveness of his cabinet in fighting corruption.

“Low’s appointment is only a window dressing.”

“We will have to wait and see whether Najib can effectively combat corruption. In his transformation programme he had listed corruption as his number one agenda. But so far for the past four years, he has done anything,” said See who is also Batu Lintang assemblyman.

Umno took lion’s share
Meanwhile state party president Baru Bian is of the view that MPs from Sarawak and Sabah are “mere window dressing” being used by Najib to perpetuate Umno’s now blatant racist policies.

“YBs from other component parties in Barisan Nasional should by now realise that Umno is a racist party.

“They (Umno) are the boss and they only consider other YBs especially from Sarawak and Sabah for window dressing only.

“These YBs should reconsider their positions within BN and support Pakatan Rakyat’s vision for a Bangsa Malaysia based on keadilan (justice) for all Malaysians,” he said.

Bian, who is the Ba’Kelalan assemblyman, was commenting on the composition of Najib’s federal cabinet announced on Wednesday.

Umno took the lion’s share of ministerial posts with a total of 35 Umno parliamentarians in the cabinet, 16 of them are full ministers. All the important ministries are held by Umno.

Said Bian: “Najib’s cabinet is Umno majority which does not reflect the Malaysian society. He is trying to establish his foothold in Umno preparing for the October showdown in Umno.”

Sarawak BN won 25 out 31 parliamentary seats. Pakatan Rakyat took six of the remaining seats.

Sarawak News: Why did you drop us, Najib?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:21:00 -0700

Written by: Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

Angry SPDP members have called for the party leaders to pull out of BN over its exclusion from the federal cabinet despite delivering four parliamentary seats.

KUCHING: Angry Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) members across the state have been advised to stay calm and allow its party leaders to query Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s decision to drop them from the federal cabinet.

Najib had, on Wednesday, excluded the party from his cabinet list.

SPDP won all its four parliamentary seats – Anthony Nogeh (Mas Gading), William Mawan Ikom (Saratok), Anyi Ngau (Baram) and Tiong King Sing (Bintulu) – and was expecting to be amply rewarded with one full minister and a deputy or at least two deputies.

In the previous cabinet, SPDP had two deputy ministers. The party had also retained six of the eight state seats it contested in the 2011 Sarawak elections and was thus confident of its ‘clout’.

The last 48 hours saw angry spews by SPDP members calling on the party leadership to review the party’s position in the Barisan Nasional coalition if none of its MPs are included in the cabinet.

SPDP’s exclusion is in direct contrast to peninsular-based MIC’s inclusion. Both parties had won four parliamentary seats.

MIC was rewarded with two full ministers – G Palanivel (Cameron Highlands) and Dr S Subramaniam (Segamat) – and two deputies – M.

Saravanan (Tapah) and P Kamalanathan (Hulu Selangor). The party’s dismal performance in 2008 was not bettered in the 2013 general election. It somewhat retained the 2008 status quo.

Then there is Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) which lost all but one parliamentary seat – Serian through Richard Riot – and was also rewarded with a full minister post for Riot.

Speaking to FMT today, SPDP deputy secretary general Paul Igai said: “I cannot blame party members if they are angry, because it is difficult to accept the Prime Minister’s decision.

“It is really shocking to us, as we expected to be given one ministerial post and a deputy ministerial post or at least two deputies.

“I know how the members feel. The party has been excluded from taking part in the federal government.

“They’ve even asked whether it was a deliberate attempt to exclude us or whether it was a gross oversight on the part of the Prime Minister.”

Awaiting news from PM’s Department
Igai, who is also the Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s political secretary, said the party’s top leadership had already got in touch with the Prime Minister’s Department over the issue and is hoping for a solution within a week or two.

“There is still light at the end of the tunnel after we contacted the Prime Minister’s Department, so I appeal to all members to remain calm.

“Let the party leaders settle the issue. We should be able to know the result of our meeting with the Prime Minister in one week or two,” he said.

Igai said that he would be visiting SPDP branches through the state to explain to them and ask them to remain calm.

During the campaign for Nogeh in Mas Gading, SPDP president William Mawan Ikom told a gathering of Bidayuhs that if Nogeh won the seat, he would be recommended to be appointed as deputy minister in the federal cabinet.

He had also told voters that Tiong King Sing could be appointed as a full minister if he won the Bintulu seat.

“Now we have won all our seats, but our victories are not appreciated,” Igai lamented.

Najib’s new cabinet has given extensive clout to Taib’s Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) party.

Of the 11 ministerial positions, seven were set aside for PBB. The balance four was divided between Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and SUPP.

In an immediate reaction yesterday, PRS president James Masing also expressed shock and bewilderment.

He said Najib had been unfair to the Dayak majority parties which had contributed 10 of the 25 parliamentary seats towards the federal Barsian Nasional’s end tally to secure Putrajaya.

Said Masing: “Something is wrong somewhere. The allocations don’t make sense. Parti Pesaka Bumiputera was given four (full) ministers (57%), PRS one (33%) SUPP one (100%) and SPDP has zero (0%). Where’s the fairness?”

PRS was expecting at least one full minister and two deputies. Instead former deputy minister Joseph Salang Gandum was retained as a deputy minister, and transferred to the tourism and culture ministry.

He apparently saw it as a ‘demotion’ from his previous information and communition ministry and has since refused the offer.

Another MP Joseph Entulu was appointed Minister in the PM’s Department but he too is apparently unhappy and has “recluctantly” accepted the post at the behest of Masing.

PRS, which has six MPs, is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting of its supreme council later today to discuss the federal cabinet line-up.

It would also discuss a suitable replacement for Salang and the party’s next move.

Sarawak News: SUPP’s deregistration ‘very real’

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:17:00 -0700

Written by: Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

Rumours are rife that Wong Soon Koh's faction in SUPP is looking at a number of options in the event the party is deregistered.

KUCHING: Is 54-year-Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP), which began as a party for working class Chinese here way back in 1959, facing the ROS axe?

Bengoh state assemblyman Dr Jerip Susil seems to think the possibility of this happening is “very real”.

Susil is a SUPP assemblyman aligned to Senior Minister Wong Soon Koh’s faction within the party. Wong’s faction had disputed the party’s trienniel delegates convention and the presidential elections held in December 2011

Speaking to FMT here today, Susil said: “It depends on the reply by Peter Chin (current SUPP president) and his faction, but the prospect of it being deregistered is very real.

“We have been made aware of the seriousness of the irregularities and manipulations allegedly committed by the branch elections.”

Susil was commenting on reports that the Registrar of Societies (ROS) is in the midst of sending a show-cause letter to SUPP headquarters.
Reports quoting ROS sources said the letter asked why the party should not be deregistered.

Said Susil: “We know the seriousness of the irregularities committed by SUPP branches which in turn sent delegates to the December triennial delegates conference which subsequently elected Peter Chin as SUPP president and the central committee members.”

Wong, who was the former deputy secretary general was supposed to challenge Chin for the presidency but withdrew from the contest after filing a complain over the party polls.

Pending the outcome of the ROS investigations, Wong and his group of six other elected representatives, namely Susil, Ranum Mina (Opar), Francis Harden (Simanggang), Johnichal Rayong (Engkilili), Lee Kim shin (Senadin) and the former MP for Lanang Tiong Thai King refused to recognise the election of Chin and the CC members.

On rumours that his group is forming a new party, Susil said: “We have to wait for the final decision of ROS before we can make any move.

“We cannot do anything now. But we are ready to make a move together with the other party when we know the final outcome.”

Three options for SUPP
SUPP’s internal bickering caused the loss of 13 out 19 state seats it contested in the April 2011 state election. Among the top leaders who were defeated was party president and deputy chief minister George Chan. The six term incumbent lost his Piasau state seat to a DAP rookie.

The defeat led Chan to relinquish his presidential post which opened the way for the contest in its December 2011 delegates conference.

In the latest parliamentary election on May 5, SUPP was once again defeated. The party lost six of its seven seats. The seats are Stampin, Bandar Kuching, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang and Miri. SUPP only retained Serian, a Bidayuh majority seat constituency.

Meanwhile, former SUPP leader described problems faced by SUPP as ‘triple tragedies’.

“It has lost 13 state seats in the 2011 state election, and lost six parliamentary seats in the recently concluded general election.

“And it is now facing the spectre of deregistration. To me SUPP is facing triple tragedies,” said the former SUPP leader, who did not wish to be identified.

He said the party had a few options to consider.

“Option 1 is for Chin to register SUPP Baru for his supporters. Option 2 is forming a new party and Option 3 is for members to join any of the existing parties within BN.

“Don’t forget there is also the Barisan Nasional Party (BNP) which was registered as a political party in January 1974. It receives anyone who is not a member of other BN political parties as a direct member of Barisan Nasional.

“BN’s direct membership formula was used in 1999 general election by Barisan Nasional to solve claims on Mambong, a newly created parliamentary seat. Three parties – PBB, SUPP and PBDS (now defunct) put a claim on the seat.

“Could this be the formula to be applied to solve the problems of the elected representatives from being partyless in the event that SUPP be deregistered?” he asked.

Sarawak News: Dayaks bitter over cabinet choices

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:13:00 -0700

Written by: FMT Staff | Free Malaysia Today

The Sabah Kadazandusun Murut Welfare and Education Association however described "as historic" the appointment of three full ministers from the community.

KUCHING: The much anticipated “stronger” representations by Sarawak’s loyal Dayak community in the new federal cabinet turned out to be a major disappointment.

In fact local Dayak majority parties Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Democratic Party (SPDP) have questioned the rationale behind Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s decision to handover a large chunk of cabinet positions to Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

A SPDP insider in a text message even went so far as to ask if Najib had hoped to mask the fact that he had fewer peninsular-based Umno members on his cabinet compared to before.

“Look at the (cabinet) list, PBB/Sabah ‘Malays’ all over place,” read the message.

Sarawak Barisan Nasional pact comprising PBB, PRS, SPDP and Chinese-majority Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) delivered 25 of 31 parliamentary seats to Najib’s push for a new term in office in the 13th general election.

Sabah BN comprising Umno, MCA, Gerakan, LDP, Upko, PBS and PBRS gave federal BN 22 seats.

But yesterday’s announcement of cabinet positions showed he had little regard especially for his Dayak-majority party partners – PRS and SPDP, who fought hard battles and delivered 100%.

Collectively PRS and SPDP delivered to Najib 10 parliamentary seats. Of the 11 Sarawak ministers appointed, seven were from PBB.

Among them were four full ministers – Douglas Uggah Embas, Fadillah Yusof, Rohani Abdul Karim, Nancy Shukri, and three deputies, Dr James Dawos Mamit, Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Said a deeply disappointed PRS president James Masing last night: “Something is wrong somewhere.

“Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu was given four ministers (57%), PRS one minister (33%), SUPP (100%), while SPDP has zero%.

“Where is the fairness?”

Salang declines, Entulu reluctant
Masing said Najib’s cabinet had not rewarded winners and loyalists as could be seen in PRS’s and SPDP’s allocations.

“Politics normally is not kind to the losers, but (Najib must) reward those who win, ” he added.

He said PRS’s ministerial appointments did not commensurate with the party’s contribution to BN’s win.

PRS, which won all the six seats it contested, had expected to be rewarded with one full minister and two deputy ministers and so did SPDP which delivered all four parlaimentary constituencies.

But instead Najib promoted the PRS’ former rural and regional development deputy minister Joseph Entulu to a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and retained Julau MP Joseph Salang Gandum as the deputy minister of tourism.

But Salang, who had served nine years as a deputy minister, has declined the cabinet post.

According to sources close to Salang, putting him in the tourism ministry would not help empower the rural Dayak community.

Previously Salang was the deputy minister of information and communications and culture, and during his tenure had worked hard to ensure better internet accessibility in rural Sarawak.

Entulu on his part is a “reluctant” minister.

According to Masing, he had to persuade Entulu to accept the position, adding that he had failed in his bid to get Salang to stay.

Said Masing: “The allocations doen’t make sense. Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) won one seat, yet it is given one full minister. I can’t understand the promotion of Richard Riot. The party won one out of seven seats it contested.

“That is 100% accommodation to a party which performed badly in the recently concluded general election. Why?

“While Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) has 100% delivery yet it got zero appointment, ” he said.

‘Historic’ numbers for KDMs
Meanwhile in Sabah, the native KadazanDusunMurut (KDM) community saw a “historic” three full ministers in the federal cabinet.

Sabah saw six full ministers and four deputies on Najib’s team.
The three full ministers from the KDM community were Dr Maximus Ongkili, Joseph Kurup and Ewon Ebin.

Describing the appointments as a “historic honour”, Sabah Kadazandusun Murut Welfare and Education Association (Pekadin) vice-president Simon Molubi said: “It was a deserved recognition.

“Never in the country’s political history has the KDM community been represented by three ministers in the federal cabinet.

“We hope this recognition will propel the participation of the KDM community in the mainstream of national development, including welfare and education in Sabah.”

A total 21 elected representatives were from Sabah and Sarawak in Najib’s new cabinet. This is the first time in the country’s history that a large number of representatives from Borneo were appointed to the cabinet.

In the last cabinet, there were 11 ministers and deputy ministers from Sabah and Sarawak.

[With additional reporting from Joseph Tawie]

Sarawak News: Hubungan HSBC-pembalak S'wak jadi perhatian

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:07:00 -0700

Diambil dari MalaysiaKini

Global Witness hari ini melancarkan beberapa kempen video bagi menekan gergasi perbankan global HSBC kerana berurusan dengan syarikat pembalakan yang beroperasi di hutan Sarawak.

Video empat minit ala mockumentary (dokumentari berbentuk satira) yang dibintangi oleh William Edgar Oddie itu menceritakan bagaimanapun HSBC - berlawanan dengan dasarnya sendiri - mendanai syarikat yang melanggar piawaian standard perhutanan antarabangsa.

Video itu menjadikan kajian Global Witness, NGO hak asasi antarabangsa, yang pada tahun lalu melancarkan laporan mengutuk HSBC kerana menyokong secara kewangan tujuh syarikat di Sarawak.

Jurucakap Global Witnes berkata, dasar HSBC mensyaratkan pelanggannya memenuhi 70 peratus operasi yang diperaku oleh Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) - badan antarabangsa tidak bermotif keuntungan yang membuat perakuan bebas aktiviti pembalakan dan produk perhutanan - atau menyamai standard setara sehingga 2009.

"Tiada satu pun perakuan FSC atau perakuan setara dengannya di Sarawak, yang mana kita dan pihak lain menganggapnya sebagai 100 peratus gagal mematuhinya," kata jurucakap itu.

[Baca berita penuh]

Sarawak News: Did Mawan really beat the odds?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:49:00 -0700

Written by Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

Saratok and Baram are two of the 27 seats that opposition PKR is studying for electoral irregularities.

KUCHNG: Embattled and coming-from-behind SPDP is now a stronger party, having retained its four parliamentary seats – Saratok, Mas Gading, Baram and Bintulu – despite the odds.

SPDP, an acronym for Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party, was tipped to lose at least three seats – Saratok, Baram and Mas Gading – in the 13th general election.

But the wins have now further strengthened the party and its president William Mawan, who risked reputation and political power when he volunteered to contest the Saratok parliamentary seat.

Saratok and Baram are two of the 27 seats that opposition PKR is studying for electoral irregularities. In Baram SPDP’s Anyi Ngau retained the seat with a 194 vote majority over PKR’s Roland Engan and Independent Patrick Sibat..

In Saratok, Mawan won the seat with a majority of 2,081 votes. He garnered 11,600 votes as compared with 9,519 votes obtained by PKR’s Ali Biju. The third candidate Abg Rosli Abg Paleng secured only 681 votes.

But Mawan’s unexpected win was not without widespread allegations of phantom voters and money politics.

According to ground reports, even on nomination day, there were few, if any from Saratok who were prepared to accompany Mawan to the nomination centre.

“He had to wait the arrival of two buses carrying his supporters from his Pakan constituency.

“Even during his campaign in the Iban areas there were only a handful of people,” said a Saratok resident, adding that neither the prime minister nor the chief minister’s visits had made any difference.

But Mawan’s campaign however “suddenly picked-up” three days before polling especially among the voters in Kalaka.

“There were rumours that they (Mawan’s people) were giving away money to voters in Kalaka, ” said the resident.

Rosier future for SPDP
On polling day, the Kalaka voters were said to have come out in full force to vote for Mawan.

The outcome of which helped to overturn the 1,400 plus majority votes obtained by Ali from Krian, the other state constituency within Saratok.

Mawan’s victory in Saratok saved the pride of the party which had suffered after its deputy president Peter Nyarok (then Krian incumbent) was trounced in the 2011 state election by Ali.

His victory along with that of Nogeh, Ngau and Tiong had also further strengthened his leadership of SPDP which was grossly undermined when he sacked four state elected representatives and an MP for insubordination in November 2011.

The group identified as ‘G5′ comprised assemblymen Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru), Sylvester Entri (Marudi), Paulus Gumbang (Batu Danau), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and former Mas Gading MP Tiki Lafe.

Last year Mawan’s position was further weakened with the departure Meluan assemblyman,Wong Judat. Scores of Judat’s supporters also exited the party just before the parliamentary election.

At this point SPDP is left with only one state assemblyman – Mawan. He is currently a Senior Minister in Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s cabinet.

But now that SPDP has retained all its four parliamentary seats, the future looks rosier.

Mawan can now bargain for at least one full ministerial post and two deputy ministers post for SPDP.

Indications are strong that Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing will be appointed to the federal cabinet.

Najib is expected to announce his post GE13 cabinet tomorrow and the new team is to be sworn in on Thursday.

Sarawak News: SUPP harus terima kekalahan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:44:00 -0700

Ditulis oleh Doris Apai | Free Malaysia Today

Kaum Cina di kawasan bandar menolak SUPP kecuali di Serian yang diwakili Datuk Richard Riot pada PRU13.

KUCHING: Setiap pemimpin cawangan Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP) digesa untuk terus berkhidmat kepada masyarakat dan perlu turun padang bagi mendengar masalah rakyat terutamanya golongan belia.

Presiden SUPP cawangan Kuching, Datuk Lily Yong berkata, ini bukan masa untuk saling menyalahi satu sama lain akibat kekalahan teruk pada Pilihan Raya Ke-13 (PRU13) baru-baru ini tetapi meneliti setiap masalah yang timbul bagi membolehkan parti itu bermula dari bawah semula.

“PRU13 sudah berakhir dan SUPP kalah di semua kerusi di kawasan majoriti kaum Cina kecuali di kawasan Serian diwakili Datuk Richard Riot.

“Kami menerima keputusan rakyat dengan hati terbuka dan Riot merupakan wakil rakyat yang baik walaupun beliau adalah Bumiputera,” katanya pada sidang media di pejabat SUPP cawangan Kuching di sini semalam.

Lily mengakui kaum Cina di kawasan bandar menolak SUPP dan pihaknya menghormati pemilihan para pengundi yang semakin matang pada masa kini.

“Kita perlu mendengar pandangan daripada kaum Cina mengapa SUPP ditolak. Objektif utama kita pada masa kini ialah menentukan arah tuju untuk generasi muda, ekonomi dan budaya.

“Jika kita mampu menang kembali kerusi tersebut pada masa akan datang, maka SUPP menjadi sebuah parti yang boleh mewakili penduduk di kawasan bandar,” jelasnya.

Dalam pada itu, beliau mengulas ketidakpuasan hati pihak pembangkang dengan keputusan PRU13 yang lebih berpihak kepada kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN).

“Sekiranya mereka tidak berpuas hati, bawa bukti ke mahkamah daripada mengapi-apikan isu tersebut di dalam media.

“Kerajaan BN dan parti pembangkang sama-sama mempunyai tanggungjawab dalam membentuk keharmonian di negara kita yang terdiri daripada pelbagai kaum,” ujar beliau.

Sarawak News: End of the road for assemblyman Lawan?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:06:00 -0700

Written by: Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

Parti Rakyat Sarawak is "collecting evidence" to lynch their 'errant' assemblyman Snowdan Lawan who allegedly campaigned for his father against a party candidate.

KUCHING: Two-term Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan’s political future is at stake following allegations that he had helped campaign for his father Donald in the recently concluded parliamentary elections here.

Donald contested the Sri Aman seat as an independent candidate against Barisan Nasional’s Masir Kujat.

Kujat, who is with Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), was in a four-cornered fight with PKR’s Nicholas Mujah and Wilfred Landong of Sarawak Workers Party (SWP).

Kujat secured 12,168 votes against Donald’s 3,867. Mujah secured 5,618 votes and Landon received 476 votes.

PRS president James Masing said the party was “collecting evidence” of Lawan’s assistance to his father. Lawan is PRS deputy secretary-general.

“PRS knows that he refused to campaign for Masir (Kujat). But did he assist his father?

“PRS is waiting for evidence that Snowdan (Lawan) campaigned for his father during the GE13,” said Masing, who is Land Development Minister.

Masing was asked to comment on calls for disciplinary action against Lawan including expulsion, if the latter was found to have campaigned for his father.

Grassroots leaders and members of the party had alleged that Lawan had been helping his father even before the dissolution of Parliament.

“Snowdan (Lawan) has been seen going around with his father to discredit the BN.

“The fact that he never turned up at my events despite being invited also raised doubt on his sincerity towards the BN-PRS candidate,” Kujat said in a statement.

‘Don’t want saboteurs’
Another PRS leader and Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent also called on the party leadership to expel Lawan.

“We don’t want saboteurs in the party,” he reportedly said.

Masing had warned Lawan not to contest in Sri Aman as it would affect his son’s political future in Balai Ringin which is a part of the Sri Aman parliamentary constituency. The other two state constituencies within the area are Bukit Begunan and Simanggang.

“As I have said before, Lawan should not have contested against BN candidate in Sri Aman because his action would jeopardise his son’s political future in the party,” Masing said.

But Lawan had refused to listen to him.

“Now Lawan has to bear the consequences of his action,” said Masing, although he acknowledged that it was Lawan’s democratic right to contest.

“But his action has jeopardised his son’s political future,” he added.

Masing is noted for his courage and strong advocacy for party discipline in getting rid of ‘bad apples’ in the party as he did to Larry Sng in 2009, although Sng was a ‘blue-eyed boy’ of the Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Sng was expelled from PRS after he tried to challenge Masing for the leadership of the party.

“He will not hesitate to expel Snowdan (Lawan) if he is found guilty, even though Snowdan’s (Lawan’s) father is an influential member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB),” said a party leader, who did not wish to be identified.

Lawan’s loyalty suspect
History has not shown Lawan to be partial to PRS.
According to some PRS leaders, looking back at Lawan’s political background, there were always questions regarding his loyalty to the party.

During the Larry Sng-Masing crisis from 2006-2009, Lawan was supportive of Sng. Lawan only backed Masing after the later threatened to drop him from the list of candidates in the 2006 state elections.

Donald and Lawan’s relationships with other leaders especially Kujat and Mong Dagang, who is Bukit Begunan assemblyman is far from good. There exist feelings of ill-will and animosity between them, especially when Donald allegedly accused Kujat of being corrupt.

According to Kujat’s aides, Donald was his director of operations in the 2008 general election and was furious that he was subsequently ignored in terms of development projects.

Each year a Barisan MP is allocated several million ringgit to carry out minor rural projects (MRP) in their respective constituencies.
They said that Lawan being a businessman and a contractor wanted some ‘pay-back’ after he had helped Kujat to win.

Since then, Kujat was the target of various accusations and allegations which Lawan published in his Iban language bulletin – The Bulletin Kenyalang.

In one of the issues of Bulletin Kenyalang, Kujat was described as “corrupted and under Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation” for allegedly abusing his funds for rural projects.
Donald accused Kujat of using his MRP funds to allegedly buy votes.

Donald explains
Explaining his reason for contesting against Kujat, Donald said: “I stood because my conscience was troubling me that Kujat was not carrying his duties to effectively benefit the people of Sri Aman.

“With my conscience and responsibility bothering me and with the interest of the people of Sri Aman in my mind I made the decision to contest as a BN friendly candidate.”

With Donald’s explanation and Lawan’s failure to assist Kujat’s polls campaign, Masing now has an excuse to act against Lawan.

“If there is clear evidence Masing will not hesitate to expel him. And if there is no clear evidence, Masing is expected to drop him as the candidate for coming state election which is expected to be held in two years from now,” said the PRS leader.

Sarawak DAP now target state polls

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:59:00 -0700

Written by: FMT Staff | Free Malaysia Today

Lawyer Wong Ho Leng who raised Sarawak DAP from being at "rock bottom" in 2001 to victorious in 13 years, will retire on June 9.

Sibu: Barely a week since the contentious outcome of the 13th general election, Sarawak opposition is already preparing itself for the next battle – the state elections scheduled to be held by 2016.

Outgoing state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng said the party had done well to retain and wrest the seats it had contested in the May 5 parliamentary polls and would now move to improve their reach.

“The dust has settled, but the party will start gearing up for the next state election which might be held in two years, “ he said.

Wong, who took over the reign of the party in 2001 when party morale was at “rock bottom” after they struggled in the state elections that year, said DAP had “come a long way” since.

“But today, 13 years later, Sarawak DAP has five parliamentarians and 12 assemblymen,” he told reporters after a Mothers’ Day programme here yesterday.

In the recent parliamentary polls, DAP won five seats – Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Lanang, Sarikei, Sibu – while PKR secured one, Miri through Dr Micheal Teo.

The party contributed to the national DAP tally of 38 seats making it the single biggest opposition party in parliament now.

Wong, often described as the ‘lion’ added Sibu to DAP’s cart after he wrested the Barisan Nasional stronghold in a by-election in May 2010. He won the seat by 398 votes.

In the May 5 parliamentary polls, Wong did not defend his seat due to medical reasons.

Instead the party fielded Oscar Ling who went on retain the seat by beating BN’s Vincent Lau. Ling polled 28,808 votes against Lau’s 23,967 votes. A third independent secured 203 votes.

‘Lion’ Wong retiring

In the 2011 state election, Wong led the charge for DAP and the party made historic inroads in Sarawak by winning 12 out of the 15 seats it contested.

Wong, who is Bukit Assek assemblyman, immediately announced that the party would work towards expanding its reach in tandem with political observations that indicated a swing favouring opposition Pakatan Rakyat in the mixed and rural seats.

A now satisfied Wong has decided to retire from politics.

He said his decision was prompted by the brain tumour he is struggling with.

“I have decided to let go of this position (state DAP chairman) because the responsibilities which come with the position are big ones.

“I know I cannot fully perform this duty now. I need to let another leader take over,” said Wong who is a lawyer by profession.

Asked if he had identified a successor, he said the new leader will be elected based on party procedures.

He said the party had a capable leader and it will be made known at the state delegates conference on June 9.

Sarawak News: Don’t over-react, Dayaks told

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:54:00 -0700

Taken from: Bernama

According to a Sarawak senior minister William Mawan the community was “becoming too easy to manipulate”.

PAKAN: The Dayak community should learn to be less emotional and “over-reactive” to issues affecting them.

A senior state Dayak minister William Mawan Ikom, who is the Social
Development Minister and the newly elected MP for Saratok, said this an “unnecessary” trait that was practised by the youths, intellectuals and even the elders in the community.

“We are becoming too reactive to any issue before us. So, we are also becoming too easy to be manipulated, to be taken advantage of. This is how others perceive us, “ he told a pre-Gawai Dayak celebration and a victory dinner for him and Julau MP Joseph Salang here last night.

The dinner was jointly organised by the Pakan branches of the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) and the Federation of Sarawak Dayak Women (SIDS).

Mawan, who is also president of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) – a Barisan Nasional component party – said he had personally observed this situation in the recent general elections.

Describing it as a “weakness”, Mawan said: “One of the cornerstones of the Dayak culture is the respect they have for each other and to visitors to their longhouses.

“But, in the election campaign, I saw that some people tended to push this focus out. They were more concerned with matters close to their own heart, despite those being short-term political and personal objectives.

“It is my hope that we, especially the new generation, learn to be more strong hearted and keep a strong rein on their culture.

“They should not be easily influenced by negative thinking, hatred, selfishness, all for some parochial political beliefs to be carried forward or for the political party of your choice to win.”

Dayaks are united
As president of SDNU, the national body for the Dayak community in the state, Mawan also expressed hope it would continue with its main objective of uniting them.

“We need the unity in all aspects including in business, security matters and in politics. When we are united, we can forge ahead much easier in development and progress, particularly for our rural brethrens,” he said.

Mawan said he was also glad to note that both SDNU and SIDS were now “very close buddies” in promoting this and looking after the rights and welfare and doing their shares in the development of the community.

The crowning of the Pakan Gawai Beauty Queen was one of the highlights of the night.

Mawan’s wife, Julia crowned 18-year old student Angela Nyai Lidi from Ladong as this year’s winner.

Azmin persoal surat Presiden PKR

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:13:00 -0700

Diambil dari: Bernama

Beliau mendakwa surat dihantar Wan Azizah kepada Sultan Selangor dibuat tanpa sebarang perbincangan dan persetujuan bersama semua ADUN parti.

PETALING JAYA: Timbalan Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Mohamed Azmin Ali hari ini mempersoal surat yang dihantar Presidennya
Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail kepada Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah berhubung calon Menteri Besar.

Azmin, yang juga Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Antarabangsa berkata surat yang dihantar Wan Azizah semalam itu dibuat tanpa sebarang perbincangan dan persetujuan bersama oleh semua ADUN parti itu.

“Oleh itu, atas inisiatif rakan-rakan kami telah mengadakan mesyuarat melibatkan Majlis Pimpinan (PKR) Negeri Selangor petang semalam dan memutuskan beberapa nama calon yang layak untuk jawatan menteri besar dan diserahkan kepada Wan Azizah semalam.

“Saya tidak persoalkan keputusan PAS-DAP berhubung calon menteri besar, tapi saya bimbang tentang keputusan surat yang dihantar ke istana tanpa terlebih dahulu berbincang dengan Adun PKR lain, yang juga satu daripada tiga komponen dalam Pakatan Rakyat,” katanya pada sidang media di ibu pejabat PKR di sini.

Azmin berkata, setakat ini semua ADUN PKR yang dipilih oleh rakyat belum dipanggil bagi mendapatkan pandangan mereka tentang calon menteri besar, termasuk dirinya.

Beliau juga mengakui konsensus bagi membuat sebarang keputusan dalam Pakatan Rakyat adalah baik tetapi malangnya perkara itu tidak berlaku di dalam PKR.

Dalam pada itu, Azmin turut mendesak kepimpinan negeri yang bakal dipilih melakukan reformasi pentadbiran dengan menggunakan rizab bernilai RM2.6 bilion dengan bersikap responsif terhadap permasalahan rakyat seperti isu jalan berlubang, sampah yang tidak dipungut, masalah bekalan air dan banjir.

Berhubung dakwaan beliau kemaruk jawatan menteri besar, Anggota Parlimen Gombak itu berkata sekiranya beliau bersikap sedemikian, jawatan itu telah pun disandangnya sejurus pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Permatang Pauh pada 2008.

Katanya jawatan itu telah ditawarkan kepada beliau oleh Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim setelah parti sangat tidak berpuas hati dengan kepimpinan Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim berikutan amalan demokrasi yang melampau dalam pentadbiran negeri, namun menolaknya demi menjaga kestabilan parti.

“Saya tegaskan bahawa ini bukan isu Azmin Ali dipilih sebagai menteri besar, isunya adalah proses pemilihan calon tersebut untuk dipersembahkan kepada Sultan mestilah melalui perundingan yang telus seperti dituntut Al-Quran tetapi jelas dalam proses memilih calon menteri besar, anjuran Al-Quran ini tidak dipatuhi.

Azmin kekal bersama PKR

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:10:00 -0700

Ditulis oleh: Aidila Razak | MalaysiaKini

Timbalan Presiden PKR Azmin Ali menjelaskan, beliau akan kekal bersama parti dan tidak akan mengkhianati kepercayaan yang diberikan pengundi sebagai wakil rakyat Gombak dan Bukit Antarabangsa untuk tempoh lima tahun lagi.

Katanya, semua pihak boleh terus bermimpi, tetapi beliau tidak sesekali mempunyai hasrat meletakkan jawatan sebagai orang nombor dua dalam parti yang mana Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menjadi penasihatnya itu.

Sementara itu, beliau juga menafikan spekulasi bahawa beliau mengintai kerusi menteri besar Selangor yang disandang oleh Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Menyifatkan "fitnah" itu sebagai menghina integritinya, Azmin juga menyalahkan Umno dan BN yang didakwa memulakan khabar angin itu.

"Mereka telah bekerja bersungguh-sungguh untuk membina persepsi bahawa saya terlalu kemaruk untuk menjadi menteri besar Selangor dan saya akan menyertai Umno sekiranya saya tidak mendapat jawatan tersebut.

"Fitnah ini adalah satu penghinaan terhadap integriti saya. Cita-cita kepada jawatan politik bukanlah satu jenayah," katanya lagi.

[Baca berita penuh]

Ketua Polis Negara Tan Sri Haji Ismail Bin Haji Omar Bukan Letak Jawatan Tetapi Bersara

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:55:00 -0700

Ditulis oleh: Ramli Bin Mohamed Yoosuf | Polis Diraja Malaysia ( Royal Malaysia Police )

BUKAN LETAK JAWATAN TAPI BERSARA WAJIB:

PDRM memandang serius tentang penyebaran fitnah di media sosial dan blog mengenai perletakan jawatan Ketua Polis Negara yang dikatakan ekoran desakan dari parti politik. Kenyataan tersebut adalah berniat jahat dan merupakan satu fitnah.

Hakikatnya ialah Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Haji Ismail Bin Haji Omar akan menjalani persaraan wajib pada 17 Mei 2013 dan majlis persaraan beliau akan diadakan pada 16 Mei 2013 ini.

Keadaan di Ibu Pejabat Polis Bukit Aman juga berada dalam keadaan aman dan tiada kekecohan atau huru-hara seperti yang digembar-gemburkan melalui media sosial. Ini juga adalah fitnah yang tidak berasas dan tidak bertanggungjawab.

Justeru, orang ramai diingatkan untuk tidak mengambil endah fitnah tersebut apatah lagi menjadi sebahagian daripada individu yang turut sama menyebar dan memanjangkan fitnah berkenaan.

Adalah diingatkan, individu yang terlibat dalam menyebarkan maklumat palsu dan berbaur hasutan ini boleh dikenakan hukuman di bawah Seksyen 233 Akta Komunikasi dan Multimedia 1998, Seksyen 500 Kanun Keseksaan dan Seksyen 4(1) Akta Hasutan.

(Ramli Bin Mohamed Yoosuf) ACP
Penolong Ketua Urus Setia KPN (Komunikasi Korporat)
Polis Diraja Malaysia

Sarawak News: Churches must play ‘bigger’ role

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 9 May 2013 22:13:00 -0700

Written by: Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

Rights, idealism and even spiritual principles take a back seat when facing abject poverty, says Sarawak PKR in explaining its loss of 14 seats in the GE.

KUCHING: Churches here must aid the political empowerment of their parishioners if the communities’ socio-economic well-being is to improve, said Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian.

Sarawak which is predominantly Christian has more than 40 sub-ethnic groups.

Referring to the party’s dismal performance in 14 of the 15 rural seats it contested, Bian said it was illogical that the time and effort put into educating the natives had been negated overnight by money politics.

“I find it hard to believe and accept this outcome because we had prepared the ground for about a year or so before the election.

“In the past, we were never as focused on seats or areas, and issues.

“What happened to all our attempts through Radio Free Sarawak, longhouse visits, ceramahs, workshops on their land rights issues, to educate them on all these dirty tricks used by the other side; on money politics, threat to longhouse chiefs, deprivation of basic amenities, no scholarship and withdrawal of welfare and subsidies?

“It is obvious that money politics is the reason why we failed.

“I am very convinced now that the abject poverty of our natives’ folks placed them in a very vulnerable situation allowing money politics to remain supreme in GE.

“Rights, idealism and even spiritual principles take a back seat,” he said.

According to Bian, PKR candidates had reported that voters were allegedly being paid between RM20 and RM500 each depending on their strength of support.

“This is not surprising as it has been the norm every GE. But we hoped it would be different this time and we had repeatedly explained and emphasized the fact that this is not right and that it is not BN money.

“But this approach has obviously failed us in the last minute,” he said.

Only solution left
Bearing this in mind, Bian said the “one solution” now was to enlist the church’s direct support in aiding the “spiritual inward renewal and economic empowerment” of the rural native communities.

“The church must help to bring in a very strong teaching in this area of political responsibility and awareness, ” he said.

In last Sunday’s parliamentary polls, PKR wrested the urban Miri seat through Dr Michael Teo but failed in its attempts in 14 other seats.
Teo wrested the seat from BN’s Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) by 1,992 vote majority.

Bian, who is Ba Kelalan assemblyman, contested in Limbang and lost his bid by 8,000 votes.

The majority left him in shock as did PKR’s failure to win two other surefire seats – Baram and Saratok.

Said Bian: “I am still trying to absorb the shocking outcome not only of Limbang but all the rural seats where PKR stood and lost.

“I would have thought Baram and Saratok could have been won, at the very least.

“We had a political consultant that sat monthly with us to review our progress and preparation. It seemed like all was going well from our perspective. Yet we did not win a single seat in the rural areas of Sarawak.

“But we have made good inroads and will now prepare for the state elections which will be held in 2016 or maybe sooner,” he said.

Sarawak News: Masyarakat Dayak sudah matang berpolitik

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 9 May 2013 22:07:00 -0700

Ditulis oleh: Doris Apai | Free Malaysia Today

Ini terbukti apabila Parti Rakyat Sarawak berjaya mempertahankan kesemua enam buah kerusi parlimen milik mereka.

KUCHING: Ahli perniagaan Donald Lawan akur pengundi dalam kalangan masyarakat Dayak kini sudah matang berpolitik seperti yang terpancar dalam keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13).

Beliau berkata, masyarakat Dayak di Sarawak juga telah membuktikan kesetiaan mereka terhadap BN pada PRU13.

Salah satu buktinya ialah apabila Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) berjaya mempertahankan kesemua enam buah kerusi parlimen milik mereka yang dipertandingkan pada PRU-13.

Lawan, calon Bebas turut mengumumkan persaraannya dari terlibat aktif dalam politik dan memilih untuk menumpu perhatian dalam bidang perniagaan.

Lawan, yang mendapat 3,867 undi melawan penyandang kawasan P202 Sri Aman Masir Kujat yang menang dengan perolehan undi 12,168 berkata beliau menerima keputusan rakyat dan tidak menaruh dendam kepada sesiapa.

“Kepada rakyat dalam kawasan P202 Sri Aman, walaupun saya kecewa dengan prestasi saya sendiri, saya dengan rendah diri dan sejujurnya dengan bangganya akur bahawa dalam PRU pemilihan Kerajaan itu yang diutamakan, bukannya personaliti calon.

“Bagi mereka perbezaan peribadi bukan persoalannya. Mereka lebih prihatin akan objektif dan dasar parti yang mereka mahu pilih,” katanya.

Lawan tidak bersetuju dengan komen penganalis politik yang menyatakan pengundi Cina memilih DAP kerana berdasarkan keputusan di Sri Aman menunjukkan pengundi Cina majoritinya memilih calon berketurunan Iban, Nicholas Mujah ak Ason yang mewakili PKR.

Kemenangan calon BN di parlimen Mas Gading membuktikan rakyat tidak terpengaruh dengan propaganda ‘mesra-BN’ yang diuar-uarkan oleh calon bebas.

Timbalan Ketua Publisiti Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) Datuk Peter Minos berkata kemenangan itu adalah amat bermakna kerana rakyat Mas Gading masih berpihak kepada BN walaupun diasak pelbagai propaganda dan agenda pihak pembangkang serta calon bebas.

“Saya secara peribadi memuji sikap masyarakat Mas Gading yang masih setia bersama BN walaupun sebilangan kecil berpaling tadah,” katanya.

Sarawak News: We still have support, says SUPP

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 9 May 2013 03:16:00 -0700

Written by: Joseph Tawie | Free Malaysia Today

According to SUPP president Peter Chin the tally of votes garnered by the party indicated increased support for it compared to the 2011 state polls.

KUCHING: Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) is choosing to look at the upside of its defeat in all but one constituency it contested in the 13th general election.

The party lost six of its seven alloted seats, but president Peter Chin claims that SUPP still “has the support of the people.”

“The party is still relevant… We still have the support of the people,” he told reporters here after chairing an emergency Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting last night.

According to Chin, having studied the tally of votes garnered by SUPP candidates, it was obvious that the voter support had increased from the 2011 state polls, in which the party was again defeated in almost all its seats.

“For example, we lost Sarikei by 505 votes and Miri by 1,992 votes. And if you tally the votes on those two constituencies, we find that the party had improved much since the last state election in 2011.

“The votes obtained much improved, and this gives us the encouragement as we face the next state election.

“If we can maintain that credibility, we can recover some of the state seats that we have lost such as two in Sarikei and three in Miri,” said Chin.

The party, he said, would nonetheless commission an independent study to find out the real reasons for the loss of the six seats.

“I hope the costs are reasonable to commission the study. But if the costs are exorbitant, we may not be able to afford such a study.

“In the meantime, we want the seven candidates to conduct post mortem on their own and submit the reports to the SUPP headquarters within two weeks,” he said.

Internal sabotage
Except for the Serian constituency which is a Bidayuh majority seat, SUPP lost all the six Chinese majority seats to DAP and PKR.

The seats are Stampin, Bandar Kuching, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang and Miri.
Chin said they had received reports of “disturbances” from within the party in Sarikei and Miri.

“We are waiting for the full reports, and how the disturbances had affected the final results of the election. We will look into the matter closely,” he said, referring to certain groups within the party who had undermined the candidates’ chances in the election.

Chin said although disappointed, the party, formed 54 year ago, “accepted the verdict of the people”.

He said SUPP was still relevant in Sarawak.

“As a political party for more than 50 years we have learnt that there are ups and downs in electoral fortunes. We accept the verdict of the people.

“We will see how to improve further, and I must stress here that even though we lost in the towns, it does not mean that SUPP will give up completely serving the electorate.

“We will serve those who really need our help,” he said.
Meanwhile SUPP secretary-general Sim Kui Hian said it was vital to restructure the party.

The party, he said, would examine and analyse the results and identify the necessary measures that ought to be implemented.

“We will be carrying out postmortem and do whatever is necessary, and this includes on whether our candidates were sabotaged during the election.

“If we find our candidates were sabotaged we will not hesitate to take action,” he said.

Chin to stay
Earlier Sim told reporters that the CWC had rejected Chin’s resignation letter in which he claimed full responsibility for the loss of the six seats.

“The CWC concluded that it is not appropriate for Chin to relinquish his post to which he was unanimously elected in the triennial delegates conference in December 2011.

“The CWC also stressed that the responsibility for the poor performance at the recently concluded G13 should be collectively borne by the leaders of the party at all levels of the party organisation.

“The CWC had requested him to carry on in his position as party president until the next TDC which is scheduled to be held at the latest by December 2014,” he said.

Sim said Chin had agreed to stay on until 2014.

Absent from yesterday’s meeting was the group led by the Sibu chairman Wong Soon Koh who refused to recognise Chin’s leadership.

The other members of the group include Lee Kim Shin (Senadin Assemblyman), Francis Harden (Simanggang Assemblyman), Johnichal Rayong (Engkilili), Ranum Mina (Opar), Jerip Susil (Bengoh) and the former MP for Lanang Tiong Thai King.