Popular RFS deejay John Jaban ‘abducted’

KUCHING: Radio Free Sarawak (RFS) deejay Peter John Jaban managed to “escape” police at the Miri International Airport this morning, but was “abducted” by unidentified plainclothes individuals believed to be linked to the Special Branch.

Jaban, 48, had earlier been detained, photographed and his documents photocopied by Kota Kinabalu police while waiting to board his flight to Miri to join his family for the Gawai celebrations.

In a text message to FMT, sent via a friend, Jaban said he was “ready to be arrested by Special Branch in Sarawak”.

Although he was met on arrival by a group of policemen no arrest was made as they were “still awaiting instruction from the top”.

Isu Perjawatan Awam Di Sabah

Saudara Pengarang,

DI SINI saya ingin mengutarakan fakta isu perjawatan awam sekali lagi walaupun telah banyak blog, individu atau kumpulan yang sudah pernah menyuarakan perkara ini di dalam internet.

Tujuan saya supaya kita sedar dan semakin matang ke arah perubahan, lebih-lebih lagi menjelang PRU 13 ini. Saya juga tidak berniat untuk menguris hati kaum-kaum yang lain cuma saya ingin menegakkan hak kami kaum bumiputera dan Anak Negeri Sabah.
Di Sabah, lebih kurang 60 peratus demografi kumpulan etnik adalah terdiri daripada kaum bumiputra dan anak negeri sabah seperti berikut:

June 10 ‘victory’ for Lajim-Anwar?

By Luke Rintod of FMT 

KOTA KINABALU: Lajim Ukin, the influential Umno warlord in the south-interior of Sabah, is said to be “definitely” ditching the party to join not the Sabah People’s Front (SPF) as rumoured, but PKR.

Reliable insiders claimed that the Umno supreme council member and MP for Beaufort is preparing for a June 10 exit and that Pakatan Rakyat coalition de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim himself would fly to Sabah to receive not only Lajim but also scores of other Sabah Umno and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation leaders.

Only Muslims can be PM: Why would other faiths want to be Malaysians then?

By Joe Fernandez

Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz is not the last word on the Constitution or Islam, a religion which invariably gets a bad press for no rhyme or reason. Blame all the Nik Aziz in the world!

Is it any wonder therefore that a US Army training manual recently -- surely it went through the usual screening process! -- spoke of destroying Mecca and Medina and reducing the religion to a sub-culture, presumably for no other reason than the insane fact that it can be done, or must be done, in the wake of various justifications bordering on paranoia.

Star: Forget internal colonization, self-determination the way out

By Daniel John Jambun

KOTA KINABALU: The polemics on Putrajaya’s internal colonization policies in Sabah and Sarawak appears to be getting increasingly shrill and out of hand and needs to be brought to a swift end and buried for good. Instead, it’s felt that it’s best to let bygones be bygones and “focus on regaining self-determination along the lines of 31 Aug 1963” for Sabah and Sarawak.

Self-determination in this form for Sabah and Sarawak would be “the best way forward and out from internal colonization”. Self-determination, in international law, “has come to mean the free choice of one's own acts without external compulsion”.

Finalist Unduk Ngadau 2012

Here are the finalist of Unduk Ngadau 2012. Who do you think will be crowned this year?

BANGGI

INANAM

Sabah BN leaders clash over 20-point pact

By Raymond Tombung

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Legislative Assembly Speaker Salleh Said Keruak is in hot water for claiming that the 20-point Malaysia Agreement “doesn’t exist anymore”.

In what many see as an amusing development, two Barisan Nasional leaders are now fighting over the issue of 20-point Malaysia Agreement.

Last Sunday, Salleh had reportedly dismissed the 20-point Malaysia Agreement, saying it was no longer valid.

He stirred an old hornets’ nest over Sabah’s rights, sparking reactions from both BN leaders as well as Sabah STAR (State Reform Party).

Salleh had said that the 20-point agreement was no longer valid because it is already part of the Malaysian Constitution.

UN right body on 'internal colonization' dispute in Sabah

By Joe Fernandez

The United National Security Council, acting through its previous 24-nation Decolonization Committee, would be the right body to resolve the renewed controversy in Sabah on whether it and Sarawak, the neighbouring sister state in Borneo, have been effectively colonised by the Federal Government in Putrajaya and/or Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) since Malaysia on 16 Sept 1963.

The controversy reached its zenith when former Sabah Chief Minister Harris Salleh, a one-time blue-eyed boy of the Federal Government, challenged United Borneo Alliance (UBA) chairman Jeffrey Kitingan in recent days to a public debate on the issue.

SAPP dragged into logging flap in Papar

A SAPP leader is allegedly linked to a logging operation near
a controversial state government "mini estet sejahtera"
(MESEJ) project in Kg Kinolosodon.

By Luke Rintod of FMT

PAPAR: A Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) leader is allegedly linked to a logging operation near a controversial state Barisan Nasional government “mini estet sejahtera” (MESEJ) project in Kg Kinolosodon, Papar that is being investigated.

According to a police report lodged at the Papar police station on May 19, the landowner of the site where the logging took place named one Jamil William Corie as the person who instructed timber be extracted from the area. Corie is reportedly SAPP’s Bongawan Constituency Liaison Committee (CLC) vice-chairman.

‘Borneonisation’ suit to go ahead

By Luke Rintod of FMT

In dismissing the government's application to throw
out the case, Justice David Wong rules
that Sabahan duo have the right to bring the suit

KOTA KINABALU: The “Borneonisation suit” brought by two Sabahans against the Federal and State governments, for failing to Borneonise federal agencies in Sabah passed its first test yesterday when the High Court rejected a government application to throw out the case.

Justice David Wong Dak Wah dismissed the application of both the first and second respondents’ to strike out the suit brought by the duo last year. He fixed June 18 as a new mention date for the case which will test the relevancy of Sabah’s special rights and autonomy in the Federation of Malaysia.

Labuan handover suit needs serious re-think

By Joe Fernandez

Everyone involved should perhaps seriously rethink -- from all angles and sides -- the suit pending in Court on the legality of the handover of Labuan to the Federal Government. They should consider leaving the matter in the hands of the politicians. They are the right party to take the issue to the people and the Court of Public Opinion to help resolve it.

Or do we want to merely flog the issue in Court for all it's worth and then deftly restrain the Court from ruling against the people? That will be like spinning a sob-story in Court and running away bawling loudly for all to hear.

If so, perhaps there are some who just want to make political capital out of it.

However, people always remember winners and heroes.

Star says no Malaysia without 20 Points

By Daniel John Jambun

Daniel John Jambun

KOTA KINABALU: The State Reform Party (Star) is taking the position that there's no Malaysia without four important constitutional documents and/or conventions viz. the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63), the 20/18 Points, the Inter Governmental Committee Report (IGCR) and the Cobbold Commission Report (CCR).

It's not possible to ever ignore, drop, do away, annul and/or amend these documents or claim that they have already been incorporated in the Malaysian Constitution and/or alternatively overtaken by events, whatever that means, said the party in a statement.

Perjanjian Malaysia Dan 20 Perkara Masih Relevan Disabah

Oleh: Mail Mathew

Datuk Yong Teck Lee berucap pada sambutan Pesta Kaamatan
di Kg Pulong, Tenom.

TENOM: Presiden Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee menyifatkan kenyataan Speaker DUN Sabah Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said mengenai isu 20 Perkara  sebagai tidak menghormati kedaulatan serta menyisihkan hak asasi rakyat negeri ini dan menganggap isu tersebut tidak sah kerana kononnya sudah menjadi sebahagian daripada Perlembagaan Malaysia.

Beliau berkata, kenyataan Datuk Salleh itu amat mengecewakan segenap lapisan rakyat kerana sikapnya yang tidak patriotik untuk mempertahankan hak asasi rakyat negeri ini malah sanggup memperlekehkan perjanjian 20 perkara sebagai tidak wujud lagi.

10 Easy Ways to Master the Grill

Spicy Thai SteakSteven Raichlen, host of TV's Barbecue University, has written dozens of books on grilling. Here, he distills a library of advice into 10 simple tips to mastering the grill. 

Plus: Quick Grilling Recipes 

1. Grill over wood 
Forget about the gas-versus-charcoal debate: Wood is the only fuel that adds real flavor to food. If possible, use whole hardwood logs in a wood-burning grill. The next best option is to burn hardwood chunks in a regular grill. (Light them in a chimney starter as you would charcoal.) As a last resort, toss some wood chips onto the coals of your charcoal grill--you use hardwood charcoal, right?--or in the smoker box of your gas grill just before you begin grilling.

Nik Aziz, Karpal spat on PM's post the pits

By Joe Fernandez
Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz is not the last word on the Constitution or Islam, a religion which invariably gets a bad press for no rhyme or reason. Blame all the Nik Aziz in the world!

Is it any wonder therefore that a US Army training manual recently -- surely it went through the usual screening process! -- spoke of destroying Mecca and Medina and reducing the religion to a sub-culture, presumably for no other reason than the insane fact that it can be done, or must be done, in the wake of various justifications bordering on paranoia.

10 RESOLUTIONS FOR A BETTER MALAYSIA

Pakatan Rakyat Convention - 10 resolutions You won't get this in the newspapers Racial policies rejected, preliminary 10-point manifesto unveiled. In a rousing opening address, Guan Eng warned Prime Minister Najib Razak's Umno party not to 'hijack' the federal constitution and misinterpret the controversial Article 153 to divide the ethnic groups in the country. "Somehow Umno always fails to mention that Article 153 also states that the legitimate interests of other communities must also be protected, Guan Eng said.

4,800 teachers for 1,800 vacancies.

KUCHING: Some 800 teachers have apparently been sent to Labuan and Miri to assume positions which currently do not exist.

The teachers are among 4,800 new recruits who have received letters of appointment over the last two weeks.

Strange, however, is the fact that there are only 1,800 vacancies for teachers across the country. Which means that for every one teacher on duty two will be on standby!
The decision has left Education Ministry officials bewildered.

Star denies lacking in vision and mission

By Joe Fernandez

KOTA KINABALU: The State Reform Party (Star) has denied allegations by the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Ronald Kiandee, that the party “has no vision and mission, lacks ideas and is struggling to the extent of harping on the same old ideas”.

Star, in a press statement, clarified that it’s a party of the young generation with a clear vision, mission, objectives, and goals and “this is reflected in its calendar of activities” or the Vimoga concept.

“The young leaders of Star want to address important issues in Sabah and Sarawak which the previous generations were unable to resolve,” said Star deputy chairman Awang Ahmad Sah. “We need to get our politics and relationships right before talking big about other things. The older generation in Star is helping to lay the foundation for the young to continue the struggle.”

Sabah villagers outraged by road to nowhere

By Luke Rintod of FMT

The current government has done poorly in terms of maintaining Sabah's roads and rural infrastructure, unlike their predecessors, Usno and PBS regimes claim villagers.

PAPAR: Outraged Dusun villagers from kampungs within the vicinity of the controversial Mini Estate Sejaterah (MESEJ) project in Kg Kinolosodon are demanding to know why the government has neglected to maintain the roads in the villages but see it fit to build a new road to nowhere.

Villagers stormed the MESEJ site a few days ago despite police guarding the access road following a police report by a landowner over logging activities in the MESEJ area, which is allegedly the site for houses for the hardcore poor families.

The villagers wanted to have a look at the ‘beautiful’ new road and at the same time check the felled logs believed to have been illegally extracted from a privately owned site nearby.

Jeffrey accepts ex-CM’s challenge but…

By Raymond Tombung of FMT

Jeffrey Kitingan has welcomed Harris Salleh's challenge to debate the issue of Kuala Lumpur colonising Sabah on condition it is open to the international media, among others.

KOTA KINABALU: State Reform Party (STAR) Sabah chairman Jeffrey Kitingan is willing debate with former chief minister Harris Salleh if the latter is “formally appointed” by the federal and state governments to represent their viewpoints.

Describing Harris’ invitation as “a golden opportunity”, he said the debate would be a “historic” one and should be open to the international media.

“As far as STAR is concerned, this will be our golden opportunity to publicise the whole issue of Sabah’s position in Malaysia to the global community.

“So let’s not do it half way. Let’s make this a historic debate which will be judged not only by Malaysians but by other governments and peoples of the world,” Jeffrey said.

Putrajaya will not win stand-off with Bar Council

By Joe Fernandez

It appears that the current Najib Administration has forgotten the bitter lessons learnt during Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's long innings in office when he, the frightened little man he was by default in office, openly and shamelessly rooted for extreme coercion as his preferred modus operandi.

It's not so much that Prime Minister Mohd Najib Abdul Razak is calling the shots in the current stand-off with the Bar Council of Malaya on the proposed Law Academy in the wake of Bersih 3.0.

First round victory to Borneonisation suit against the governments

KOTA KINABALU: The "Borneonisation suit" brought by two Sabahans against two respondents, the Federal and State Governments, for failing to Borneonise Federal agencies in Sabah tasted a first-round victory at the High Court Friday (May 25).

Justice David Wong Dak Wah dismissed the application of both the first and second respondents' to strike out the suit brought by the duo last year. He had now fixed June 18 this year as a new mention date for the case which many see a test to Sabah special rights and autonomy within the Federation of Malaysia.

The judge in dismissing the respondents' application ruled that contrary to the respondents' contention, the Sabahan duo do have locus standi to sue the government in regards to their rights in relation to non-compliance of the Malaysia Agreement 1963. 
     

Datuk Yong Teck Lee Lancar Pesta Kaamatan Peringkat Negeri Ditenom 27 Mei

Oleh: Mail Mathew

TENOM:  Presiden Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee dijangka akan merasmikan Pesta Kaamatan Peringkat Negeri Sabah anjuran SAPP bertempat di Kg Pulong kira kira 12 kilometer dekat sini ada 27 Mei 2012 bermula jam 12.30 petang.

Demikian dinyatakan Pengerusi Penganjur yang juga merupakan Naib Presiden SAPP Jimmy Jawatah (gambar), ketika memberitahu  media dalam satu kenyataan disini pada Jumaat.

Pelbagai acara telah siap diatur seperti Unduk Ngadau, Sugandoi, Bolasepak, sukan tradisi, persembahan muzik tradisi, selain persembahan nyanyian oleh penyanyi penyanyi jemputan.

Open Letter to Yayasan Islam Sabah on "theories"

YIS contradictions on citizenship, no locus standi


Dear YIS,

The Yayasan Islam Sabah (YIS) appears to be getting way ahead of itself in pontificating sanctimoniously on its four "theories", for want of a better term, in the Daily Express report, "YIS: Those already having documents need not worry", on Wed this week.

The first YIS theory is that Malaysian citizens in Sabah need not fear about their citizenship rights as long as their identity card was issued by the National Registration Department (NRD).

This is a fallacy in law.

The Federal Government cannot issue Special Passes, temporary residence permits (green cards), permanent residence status (red cards) or citizenships to foreigners in Sabah without the prior written recommendation and consent of the state government, which must be the initiating party, on a case-by-case basis.

Ambiga a victim of race and religion, says Pak Samad

Today, as Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan’s Bukit Damansara residence is turned into a bizarre combination of a mini market, crime scene and conflict zone with pro- and anti-Ambiga groups taking their positions under the watchful eyes of the authorities outside her house, it is business as usual at the Bangsar Utama flat of her fellow co-chairperson A Samad Said.

Since the Bersih 3.0 protest on April 28 which organisers claimed saw some 250,000 participants taking to the streets of Kuala Lumpur, anti-Bersih groups have taken their counter-protest to the doorstep of Ambiga’s residence with burger stalls, butt exercises and now, a mini-market.

Socio-political view on the Felda Global IPO

Khor Yu Leng is an independent analyst and the writer of Khor Reports, specialising in agribusiness in Southeast Asia and frontier markets for global corporate clients. She was trained as a political-economist at Oxford University and the London School of Economics. Recent client reports include updates on large-scale oil palm projects in West and Central Africa and on Myanmar’s mineral processing and port facilities. Yu Leng is also working on a book project on the history of agriculture frontier developments in Southeast Asia.

Q: With the IPO, how do you think this will benefit the settlers? What are the risks of the IPO?

Khor Reports answer: The market considers the Felda Global listing to be a Malaysia general election play which promises gains to those who hold IPO shares. It is touted as the second largest listing this year after Facebook. Many view the Felda Global IPO as being “designed to succeed.” Malaysian institutional investor support (dominated by state-controlled pension and investment funds) is expected to be strong. There is market chatter that pins hopes on the traded price reaching the RM5.50-6.00 per share range. Thus, there could be potential handsome gains for those subscribing for the shares, priced at RM4.65 each; but the medium to longer term market views are more cloudy.

Star: One to one fight ideal, but not necessary

KOTA KINABALU: The State Reform Party (Star) shares the sentiments of the Democratic Action Party (Dap) that the possibility of one-to-one fights in Sabah to take on the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) at the forthcoming 13th General Election is non-existent.

It also agrees with Dap that the Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) was out of synch with local politics but thinks “it would be kinder not to comment further on an irrelevant party”.

However, Star begs to differ with the Peninsular Malaysia-based national opposition party on why “it’s not possible to strike a deal with the self-glorified and unrealistic Star”.

Who Is Fickle-Minded ? Psm Slams Human Resource Minister

Once again it is clear that the Malaysian cabinet lacks a minister to adequately represent the interests of workers, and that the Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Subramaniam and his ministry are biased in favour of employers.

Dr Subramaniam’s statement yesterday echoing the claim of employers that a job-hopping young Malaysian workforce was what drove employers to hire foreign labour is disappointing. He took it upon himself to chide these young workers calling them fickle-minded for ‘liking’ to jump from one company to another and advised that they should be educated on the consequences.

Civil Suit against Ambiga and several members of the BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee

This evening (23. May 2012), a civil suit by the government has been served on Dato’ Ambiga, including eight more members of the BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee an a former committee member. The government claims RM 122,000 for demages during Duduk Bantah.
See the documents here:
Saman
Writ_Saman_&_Peryataan_Tuntutan

Borneo-based and led national 3rd Force in Parliament

Open Letter to Hindraf Makkal Sakthi

Dear Waytha and Uthaya,

Johore may be set for interesting times as it faces an uncertain future as an Umno bastion.

Muhiyiddin is reportedly trying to do a number on Najib here by planning to get rid of Ghani in a bid to prepare for the post-13th General Election period. He must think that Johore's and Mahathir's support alone are sufficient to help him mount a successful challenge against Najib for the Umno presidency.

The Sultan should continue to remain above politics and not agree to bring in, as rumoured, Khalid Nordin.The MB should be free of palace control.

The national Opposition alliance meanwhile is spreading any number of rumours on its political foes.

Today In History

Women leaders outraged

Kota Kinabalu (24 May, 2004): Several Sabah women leaders on Sunday demanded a public apology from Kota Kinabalu Umno pro tem head, Haji Roselan Johar Mohamed, and asked him to retract his “outrageous” remarks about rape victims which they feel are an insult to women’s intelligence.

While closing the “Legal Literacy Seminar” for Women on Saturday, Roselan had remarked, among others, that “If you cannot fight rape, better lay down and enjoy it.”

He also proposed that when a victim lodges a police report on rape, the doctor must carry out a psychological examination on the victim as to what extent she enjoyed it.

The seminar, held at Wisma SESB here, was jointly organised by the Kota Kinabalu Parliamentary Constituency-level Women, Family and Community Development Council and the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Traders Association.

Illegal logging in Crocker Range in Ulu Kimanis?

Updated with more photos

By Dr. Nicholas Guntobon

PAPAR : What i am about to reveal is just a tip of an iceberg but enough to raise doubt on the seriousness of the ruling party in managing state affairs vis-a-vis illegal loggings, water catchments, environment, poverty eradication programme and even life of our citizens.

In Kampung Kinolosodon, Papar, in the Ulu Kimanis area on the Crocker Range is a coming up Mini Estet Sejahtera (MESEJ) project by the government. But this project under the Kimanis which is represented by Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, many things were not right.

I used to ply this Kimanis - Keningau road and everytime i passed Kinosolodon, i am curious as more and more "logging tracks" could be seen from a far on the once dense forests of Crocker Range in Ulu Kimanis in that part in upper Kinosolodon.

Dr Jeffrey invites other opposition parties to UBA meeting May 28

KOTA KINABALU : The United Borneo Alliance (UBA) meeting today at 11am in TNGC Beverly Hills had been postponed to May 28 at a same time and venue.

No reason was given for the postponement. UBA Chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has invited all opposition parties in Sabah to the meeting.

Sharing by our honorary correspondent Joe Fernandez

Normal and Target Blood Glucose Ranges

 

Normal Blood Glucose Levels in People Who Do Not Have Diabetes

 

Upon waking-fasting                                                           70 to 99 mg/dL
After meals                                                                           70 to 140 mg/dL

 

Target Blood Glucose Levels in People Who Have Diabetes

 

Before meals                                                                         70 to 130 mg/dL
1 to 2 hours after the start of a meal below                       180 mg/dL

 

 

Source: American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2008. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:S12-S54.

Govt urged to cancel Lincoln College’s licence

PETALING JAYA: A PKR leader today sought the withdrawal of a licence given to Lincoln University College (LUC) to run an offshore medical programme in the Ukraine.

Malacca PKR vice chairman G Rajendran, referring to a report that LUC was one of four private colleges that were fined last year for breaching a moratorium on nursing courses, said it was “strange” that the government had ignored this bad record when approving the licence last Nov 29.

However, it is not clear whether the breach was discovered before or after Nov 29.

The disclosure of the offence came last March 26 from Deputy Higher Education Minister Hou Kok Chung, who was replying to a question in Parliament. The moratorium, to address the problem of oversupply of nurses, has been in place since July 2010.

Pelabur Bestino serah memo kepada PM 29 Mei

Pelabur mendakwa, Pengarah Bestino Chong Yuk Ming mungkiri janji dan tidak memulangkan wang pelaburan RM411 juta pada 30 April lalu.

PETALING JAYA: Pelabur Bestino mengumumkan 29 Mei sebagai tarikh baru untuk menyerahkan memorandum kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Mereka sepatutnya berbuat demikian Rabu ini tetapi menundanya kerana tidak mahu ditenggelamkan oleh program Himpunan Jutaan Belia di Putrajaya pada tarikh sama.
Perkara ini diumumkan, jurucakap pelabur Bestino, K Kunasekaran dalam satu kenyataan akhbar hari ini.

Politically Motivated And Abuse Of Power !

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) condemn the move by the police and the Attorney General office in this move to charge leaders of the Opposition in relation to the Bersih 3.0 rally supported and endorsed by hundreds of thousands of people.

This act is definitely politically motivated and abuse of power to create fear among the people and to remind the masses that the State will act against those who exercise freedom of assemble as well as go against any person who goes against their interest. This move puts to shame Najib’s political reforms and is a mockery.

Najib’s ‘a victim of demand and supply’

By Luke Rintod of FMT

PAPAR: A former senior vice-president of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), a BN component party, has charged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak of being “a victim of the supply and demand” situation within the ruling coalition.

Baharudin Nayan who is now vice chairman of Sabah STAR and heads its Pantai Manis state constituency, claimed that Najib is “fearful of alienating his colleagues” and as such is “weak and ineffectual.”

He said the situation had come about after the BN lost its two-thirds majority in parliament in 2008 and has had to cave in to demands by his “unscrupulous colleagues in BN”.

‘MP’s development fund spent on carnival’

By Luke Rintod of FMT

TELUPID: A Sabah MP’s decision to use development funds allocated to him to finance an allegedly failed youth carnival in rural Telupid has enraged locals who are of the view that the money could have been chanelled to better use.

But the Telupid fiasco is apparently ‘just the tip of the iceberg’ with many other similar ‘fundings’ in rural Sabah where accountability is non-existent.

Said State Reform Party (STAR) Beluran divisional head, Pinus Gondili: “This Telupid case is just a tip of the iceberg … this is not the first time we heard of such a mess in spending public money on useless programmes by our government MPs.

Tak boleh mengundi, nombor IC 'dicuri'

BATU GAJAH: Seorang wanita mendakwa dirinya hilang kelayakan mengundi apabila semakan di web Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya Malaysia menunjukkan nombor kad pengenalannya dimiliki pihak lain.

Ketika membuat semakan, Puan Tamil Malar yang memiliki no kad pengenalan biru 750516-08-5360 terkejut apabila namanya tidak keluar tetapi yang dipapar adalah nama seorang lelaki Mansor Bin Jali.

Statement by Concerned Scholars on coming elections — The Centre for Policy Initiatives

MAY 19 — The 13th Malaysian general election will be held some time between now and April 2013.

These elections have the potential to be the most free and fair elections held in the country for several decades.

For the coming elections to live up to this potential, we call on the government and other major players and stakeholders to scrupulously observe the following priority concerns which we see as key to ensuring an outcome that can have greater legitimacy among Malaysians and outside observers:

We must not let foreigners rule our states

By Edward Linggu

Among popular debate topics is the suggestion that only Peninsular Malaysia-based political parties can be national parties and anything from Sabah and Sarawak must be local.

In fact, the State Reform Party (Star) is a Borneo-based national party which has initiated the United Borneo Alliance (UBA) to unite all local parties in Sabah and Sarawak. The UBA, still work in progress, includes the United Borneo Front (UBF) which organizes the Borneo tea Parties, the Common Interest Group Malaysia (CigMA), the Borneo Heritage Foundation (BHF), the Borneo Forum (BF) and the Sarawak National Party (Snap).

Let us talk, Jeffrey says to other opposition parties, inviting them to UBA meeting Tuesday

By Jastin Bibah
KOTA KINABALU : There is a meeting of United Borneo Alliance (UBA) tomorrow, May 22, 2012, at 11am at TNGC in Beverly Hills near here.

Chairman of Sabah chapter of the State Reform Party (Star), Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, is inviting all opposition parties in Sabah to it.

"I am taking this initiative now to invite all opposition parties in Sabah to a discussion in tomorrow's UBA meeting.

Reject BN wrongdoings, says MCA veteran

Malacca MCA Wanita chief Kian Sit Har, who has earned the scorn of party president Dr Chua Soi Lek for attending the Bersih 3.0 rally in Malacca on April 28, insists that the party must stand up against any BN wrongdoing.

"Nowadays, we cannot be neutral. We have to choose between right and wrong.

The party may have its stand, but we must take the side of justice. We cannot just follow faithfully if BN or MCA is doing something wrong.

"If you think something is wrong, then we must voice it out. Right is right, wrong is wrong; we must not be afraid (to speak out)," she said in an interview with Malaysiakini at her Malacca office last week...

Even vegetables is listed as voters

PORT DICKSON: People with unusual names have become the latest headache for the Election Commission with critics ridiculing their existence but the commission says National Registration Department records prove that they are genuine voters.

The EC's detractors have been poking fun at the names of animals, vegetables as well as famous people both living and deceased in its roll of 12.8 million voters.

Manji scorches fatwa council's anti-Bersih edict

Controversial Uganda-born Canadian author Irshad Manji hit out at certain muftis and clerics, including those in Malaysia's National Fatwa Council, which she said are trying to impose their own mores and dogma upon the populace.

"Muftis, imams and clerics of various stripes love to tell us what we are to believe; in the course of telling us this, they also want us to adopt a particular identity.

"What they will never tell us is that they expect us to adopt their identity," said the 44-year-old New York University (NYU) professor in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Pak Samad: Stop All Personal Harassment And Intimidation Against Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, Co-Chair Of Bersih 2.0

On behalf of BERSIH 2.0 and its steering committee members, I condemn the on-going harassment and intimidation meted solely against Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan.

It pains me to witness the despicable harassment committed against her, my fellow Bersih co-chairperson and fellow Malaysian. She is someone who has dedicated years of her life to the advancement of human rights and the betterment of our society. While abhorrent and sometimes aggressive attacks have been carried out at Dato’ Ambiga’s private home, Dato’ Ambiga has been handling the situation with dignity and grace.

The Trouble with Islam Today

The Trouble with Islam Today is... Muslims.
This book is an open letter from me, a Muslim voice of change, to concerned citizens worldwide -- Muslim and not. It's about why my faith community needs to come to terms with the diversity of ideas, beliefs and people in our universe, and why non-Muslims have a pivotal role in helping us get there.
The themes I'm exploring with the utmost honesty include:

• the inferior treatment of women by Muslims;
• the Jew-bashing in which so many Muslims persistently engage; and
• the continuing scourge of slavery in countries ruled by Islamist regimes.

Joe Fernandez' open letter to Malaysiakini

Dear Guma at malaysiakini,

Why not focus on what Bersih is all about?

Why degenerate into the politics of distraction and disruption a la Umno? Will it help make a difference? Will it go down in history?

Who will remember the beefburger, butt dance or whatever in a few days from now? Or the nonsense mouthed all the time by Perkasa and Mahathir in malaysiakini? Will we die of stupidity if we don't read what these two clowns have to say?

Two-party system in Parliament not ideal for Sabah, Sarawak

Dear Sir,
By“A disenchanted East Malaysian voter” (Daily Express Forum Sun 20 May, 2012) appears to be caught up with the politics of delusion in rooting for a two-party system for Sabah and Sarawak as well.

 

Don’t we want to not only stand up and be counted but also stand on our own two feet?

 

When are we going to stop living in fear and shed the slave mentality and the dependency syndrome foisted on us by the subsidy regime and other ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) dirty tricks to ghettoize us and make us think that we are incapable of doing anything and would have to depend on them forever to keep body-and-soul together?

 

Menukar Kerajaan Pilihan Rakyat Jika Gagal Memenuhi Aspirasi Rakyat, Roger Stimin

Oleh: Mail Mathew

TENOM: Ahli Majlis Tertinggi (AMT) Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) Roger Stimin menegaskan bahawa ketiadaan kuasa otonomi kerajaan negeri menyulitkan para wakil rakyat disesuatu kawasan untuk melaksanakan sesuatu pembangunan yang mendesak. Ekoran masalah itu ia terpaksa tertangguh beberapa bulan sebelum kelulusan mutlak diperolehi dari kerajaan Pusat.

Tuberculosis makes a comeback in Sabah

By Luke Rintod of FMT

KOTA KINABALU: The uncontrolled influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah has spawned a lethal infectious disease, once thought to have been almost eradicated.

Tuberculosis, more commonly known as TB, is killing people on a weekly basis in Sabah and the spread of the disease is being pinned on the immigrants who have been pouring over its borders for years.

According to the health authorities here, Sabah is the most afflicted state in the country with at least four people dying weekly from the dreaded disease.

BN ruling Sabah another 5 years is not main issue

By Joe Fernandez

(Part 1) Critics in Peninsular Malaysia miss the forest for the trees when they complain that "Barisan must be laughing at these fringe parties" in Sabah. Obviously, they are referring to the "inability" of the opposition parties to forge an electoral pact to take on the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) one-to-one come the 13th General Election.

The issue is not whether the BN, in the absence of opposition unity, continues to rule Sabah for a further five years.

That doesn't mean that the BN in Sabah will surely "fall" if the opposition can get their act together.

Tiada Pengundi Hantu ? Baca rencana dibawah dan fikirkanlah

Comment by Ong Kian Ming
Malaysiakini.com, 17. May 2012

I have been asked many questions with regard to the 3.1 million potential non-resident voters which I first highlighted at a press conference together with members of the Bersih steering committee on April 23. I subsequently wrote about this issue in greater detail here.


In response to these questions, I would like to make the following points:

1. That not all 3.1 million of these potential non-resident voters are dubious voters.

2. There are many reasons why voters are not registered in the same constituency indicated by their IC address.

3. That one of the reasons is because of politicians registering their supporters in their respective constituencies even though these voters do not and have never lived in these constituencies.

Najib sparks demand for Sabah banana

Saba banana fritters

By Nurhafizah Yusof
Pictures by Ille Tugimin
Sabah’s ubiquitous banana is aptly named Saba. But it did not find favour with the people on the peninsula until Najib Razak, the prime minister, had a taste of it. Now demands for Sabah banana or Pisang Sabah in Malay have outstripped supply, according to Yahya Hussin, a deputy chief minister who heads the ministry of agriculture and food industry.

Saba is a hybrid of the genera Musa acuminata and balbisiana of the Cavendish group. Thus it has a mild tangy Cavendish taste. It stands out from other bananas because of its angular sides. It is between 8 and 13 cm long, about the length of a ballpoint pen, and looks rather stubby with a girth of between 2.5 and 5.5 cm. As a plantain, it is usually used to make fritters, chips and cakes.

Sebastian Chew

Christians not wrong if Perkasa's allegations true

By Joe Fernandez

Perkasa's latest allegations on the Christians, given undeserved space by malaysiakini, are going viral on the net.

This is the first time that a Muslim, Ibrahim Ali, has threatened to launch a Crusade -- Perang Salib or War of the Cross -- against Christians. So far, all Crusades in world history have been launched by Christians against Muslim occupation of the Holy Land.

If Perkasa wants to fight for the Cross, Christians would no doubt welcome it.

Zahida Tolak Semua Dakwaan Noorazman

Oleh : REGINA LEE

PETALING JAYA: Pelakon yang dikaitkan mempunyai hubungan dengan seorang menteri kabinet, Zahida Rafik sekali lagi menafikan mempunyai hubungan dengan VIP tersebut seperti mana dakwaan pemandunya, Noor Azman Azemi (tonton VIDEOKLIP).

Zahida turut menegaskan bahawa dia tidak pernah mengenali Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal selain menganggap Noor Azman sebagai seorang pembohong.

“Jadi dia (Noor Azman) menganggap saya sangat kaya? Saya tak kenal Datuk Seri (Shafie). Adakah dia (Noor Azman) menyebut saya mempunyai hubungan dengan Datuk Seri?

Pope Benedict Likely To Allow Breakaway SSPX to Rejoin Church

Pope Benedict XVI is about to heal a rift with the Society of St. Pius.Zoom
AFP

Pope Benedict XVI is about to heal a rift with the Society of St. Pius.

Pope Benedict XVI is expected to allow the Society of St. Pius X, a controversial, ultraconservative splinter group, back into the Catholic Church, it is learned. But Holocaust denier Richard Williamson, an SSPX bishop, opposes the agreement, which is likely to be reached before the end of May.
Info

Menteri deposit RM1 juta ke akaun Zahida

Oleh Fazy Sahir

Sidang akhbar Noor Azman
untuk membersihkan namanya.

PETALING JAYA: Seorang bekas pemandu peribadi mendakwa Menteri Pembangunan Wilayah dan Luar Bandar Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Afdal pernah deposit wang sebanyak RM1 juta ke dalam akaun pelakon wanita, Zahida Mohd Rafik.

Noor Azman Azemi yang pernah berkhidmat sebagai pemandu peribadi Zahida selama tiga tahun mendakwa menteri berkenaan mendeposit wang sejumlah itu ke dalam akaun artis terbabit.

Sabah land tussle: Villagers hear chainsaws again

By Luke Rintod of FMT

BELURAN: Villagers at a remote settlement near here are again being squeezed by Sabah Forestry Department officers who want the Dusun farmers to clear out of a ‘forest’ or risk arrest and being hauled to court for encroaching into government land.

The leader of some 150 affected families, Jaipin Mohigal, said the villagers were warned by two forestry officials who came to their settlement at Kg Koiboton Darat, Tangkarason on May 3 to leave the place as it is forest reserve land.

Najib's London speech drowned by chants of Bersih

A flower girls welcoming Najib in London with yellow flowers.

LONDON : Prime Minister Najib Razak’s speech to overseas Malaysians at a get-together in London a few days ago was interrupted by repeated chants of “Bersih! Bersih!” from the floor.

The chanting started when Najib took to the stage, and it continued when he began his speech.

Minimum wage not the entire story

Judging from the howls of protest from employers in Sabah in particular, the minimum wage culture will take much more time, expense and explanation before it can filter down through society and the business community. Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Shamsudin Baradan has also been quoted as saying: “If I were to be born again, I will never agree to a minimum wage.”

The Federation of Sabah Manufacturers (FSM), for one, is blowing hot and cold on the Minimum Wage Act and has predicted inflation and other dire consequences for workers, businesses and the economy. It claims that it was not consulted on the Act, a point which the Sabah MTUC disputes and cites FSM membership in the tripartite National Wage Consultative Council by way of proof.

Star dares Sabah CM to debate on 'colonialism'

KOTA KINABALU:  Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman has stirred a hornet's nest by his statement in the local media on Tues on "the Opposition lying about the state being colonised by the Malaya-run Federal Government".

 

The State Reform Party (Star), for one, wants Musa to prove his allegations of the Opposition lying instead of "hiding beyond vague, sweeping and meaningless statements".

 

Reforming Malaysia: The Big Issues In The 13th General Elections

By Dr Kua Kia Soong of SUARAM

Watching the Prime Minister playing Santa Claus daily, it is evident the 13th general election is just round the corner. And yet the big reform issues that Malaysians want to be met by the political parties and independent candidates are still not being discussed in the mainstream or online media.

We all know that Bersih 3.0 has been an awesome success in bringing about the Malaysian Spring. The Anti-Lynas movement has been just as encouraging. But free and fair elections are supposed to be ensured BEFORE the 13^th general election and Lynas cannot be the only other issue in this election!

Star dares Sabah CM to debate on 'colonialism'

KOTA KINABALU:  Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman has stirred a hornet's nest by his statement in the local media on Tues on "the Opposition lying about the state being colonised by the Malaya-run Federal Government".

 

The State Reform Party (Star), for one, wants Musa to prove his allegations of the Opposition lying instead of "hiding beyond vague, sweeping and meaningless statements".

 

The state cabinet holding meetings, the state government co-operating with the Federal Government or being pawned off with announcements of measly fund allocations by the latter "does not mask the reality that Sabah has been colonised", according to Star in a prepared press statement. "The evidence of internal colonization is all around us."

 

"We challenge him to a public debate on the topic: Is Sabah still a colony?" said Star deputy chairman Daniel John Jambun. "Demokrasi Sabah (Desah) the NGO can make the arrangements."

 

Sabah in dire need for wider triple-lane roads to connect KK to major towns

By Jalibin Paidi of STAR Ranau
RANAU :  The in-coming Federal Government must allocate more funds for a better and wider roads in Sabah, including all roads that connect the state capital Kota Kinabalu and the other major towns like Sandakan, Tawau, Keningau and Kudat.

Time and again we saw a mere landslip on our small double-lane roads would cripple traffic for days just like the one that happened very recently in Ranau. Virtually all traffic from Ranau, Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Datu to the state capital were halted for very long hours.

Star queries Beluran MP funds and useless Karnivel Siok in Telupid

By Pinus Gondili of STAR Beluran
TELUPID : Recently there was one "Karnivel Siok" organised for youths in Telupid by the office of Beluran's member of parliament and the sub-district State Youth and Sport Department.

The three-day carnival on Apr 27-29 was badly organised using public money, poorly attended and is now being questioned by the public and that a related police report had been lodged. I ask the Beluran MP to clarify on this issue as it involves peoples' money.

Nizar becomes uninvited guest at Umno ceramah

An Umno ceramah in Kampar, Perak last night witnessed an unusual twist when the main target of the Pakatan Rakyat bashing session - Nizar Jamaluddin - appeared and sat with several Umno leaders.

Nizar, the former Perak menteri besar and most recognisable face of Perak Pakatan, told Malaysiakini today that that the crowd looked rather astonished when he arrived.

Umno/BN’s ‘transformation’ will never affect us

By Joe Fernandez

Dear Datuk Idris, I just read your piece, "Why transformation may not be affecting you yet", carried in the local papers in Kota Kinabalu on Mon 7 May.

I have accepted your invite to write to you at idrisjala@pemandu.gov.my on the continuing debate.

I am also taking the liberty of sharing my thoughts here with all Malaysians just as you have done so in the local media.

Silent Killer

Tuan-tuan, Puan-puan, Datuk-datuk, Datin-datin dan Kapitan-kapitan yang saya hormati sakelian,

My ucapan-ucapan to all of us Dayak communities who lives in the rural areas and the urban, I being your Tan Sri Datuk would like to open the minds of all our Dayak what it mean by “Silent Killer”.

If there were a deadly disease raging through your body, wouldn't you want to know how to stop it? Unfortunately, more than 10 million Malaysian are walking around with a silent killer eating away at their health—and they have no idea they're even at risk. That Silent Killer is diabetes, the fastest-growing disease in history.

PSM’s Saras—the reluctant mother figure

TAIPING: Like some people in Tamil Nadu who see a mother figure in their chief minister, Malaysians who are familiar with the social and political work of M Sarasvathy would not hesitate to call her Amma—if only she would consent to it.

It’s not that the 59-year-old co-founder and current Deputy President of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) doesn’t feel a kinship with the public. She just hates being associated with J Jayalalithaa.

Jeffrey's, Sabah's ‘missing’ billions enduring talk

By Joe Fernandez
Former Sabah Chief Minister Harris Salleh did not mention then Sabah Foundation Director, Jeffrey Kitingan, when he pontificated sanctimoniously on the so-called missing RM 4 billion, among other issues, in a tirade against former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in recent days.

 

Harris was apparently taking offence at Mahathir's statement in Kota Kinabalu, at Universiti Malaysia Sabah last week that "Sabah would be the richest state soon in Malaysia in terms of natural resources".

 

A Tale Of 2 cows

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.


AN AMERICAN CORPORATION

You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when the cow drops dead.