Sabah Govt Should Celebrate 50th Independence Day on 31 August - Jeffrey

Kota Kinabalu:“Sabah should celebrate and commemorate its independence on 31st August as it marked the day Sabah was freed from the yoke of Colonialism and became an independent and free Nation”, said Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Chairman of the Borneo Heritage Foundation (BHF).

For Sabahans and Sarawakians, their Independence is even more significant than Malaysia Day because its signifies self-rule and would have been theirs even if Malaysia did not materialize.

Show Urgency not Patch-work Solution to Diesel Problem - Jeffrey

Kota Kinabalu: “The Federal and Sabah governmentsmust find long-term solutions to the diesel shortage problems in Sabah so that it does not recur again and stop providing piece-meal patch-work solutions”said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, in response to the request for an additional 8 million litres of diesel to Sabah’s normal July quota of 74 million litresby the Domestic Trade, Cooperative, and Consumerism Ministry (MDTCC) Sabah office.

First and foremost, the diesel shortage is chronic and crippling may factories and interrupting the daily lives of many Sabahans and may even have jeopardized the lives of some.

Recognize Sabah as Nation for Better Security, Development - Jeffrey

Kota Kinabalu: “PM Najib must do more for Sabah and Sarawak and recognize both entities as nations in Malaysia and not just do piece-meal patching to resolve long standing security, development and welfare issues.  Just like patching up the pot-holes of the roads in Sabah, it will not be sustainable and will not resolve the problems in Sabah”said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, in response to the PM’s focus on the three aspects announced over the weekend in Kota Kinabalu.

Explain ‘slow’ Pan Borneo highway

TAWAU: A Sabah state assembly representative has called on the federal government to stop giving excuses and to expedite the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway.

The construction of the 2,239 km highway spanning from Sematan Serudong Sarawak to Sabah, is being carried out in stages, starting from 2011 to 2025.

Bekalan diesel semakin meruncing

Oleh Kevin Ivan

KOTA KINABALU: Kira-kira tiga minggu lalu, FMT telah menyiarkan keluhan beberapa aktivis Sabah mengenai ketiadaan bekalan diesel di ibu negeri, namun hari ini keadaan semakin meruncing sehingga kabinet negeri Sabah pun naik rungsing.

Semakin ramai pengguna kenderaan diesel di sekitar bandaraya ibu negeri mengeluh dan marah atas ketiadaan bekalan diesel di seluruh kawasan.

Students ‘forced’ to eat meals in toilet area

PETALING JAYA: The Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh has come under fire from netizens after a parent posted photos on Facebook of non-Muslim students having their meals in the school’s shower area, next door to the toilets.

It shows students eating food on makeshift tables and benches placed in the shower area, ostensibly a decision made by school because of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Pengundi Kristian Kota Belud kecewa dengan Rahman Dahlan

Kevin Ivan

KOTA BELUD : Ahli Parlimen Kota Belud,  Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, yang menyokong seruan Presiden Perkasa, Datuk Ibrahim Ali untuk membakar Al-Kitab (Bible versi Bahasa Indonesia) yang mengandungi perkataan “Allah” dikecam hebat di kalangan penduduk Sabah.

Para pengundi Kota Belud dari kalangan Kristian dalam senyap membidas kenyataannya kelmarin sebagai kurang ajar dan biadap serta “kacang lupakan kulit” terhadap sokongan masyarakat Kristian di Kota Belud.

Rahman launches broadside against DAP MP

PETALING JAYA: Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan went on Twitter tirade against DAP MP Tony Pua today over reports that the former had defended Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali on the Malay bible-burning remark.

“YB ( Pua) , your ignorance of the issue is understandable but I must say your daily ritual to please your boss Lim Guan Eng is legendary,” said Rahman in his tweet.

Recently, Rahman had defended Ibrahim’s calls last year to burn Malay-language Bibles that contained the word “Allah’ in it.

Commemoration of Sarawak Independence Recalls Loss of Country's Sovereignty

The planned Borneo Heritage Foundation's activities to commemorate Sarawak independence day on 22 July 2013 is a welcome step forward in the long march for Sarawak independence.

The question is: Was this real independence or was it only a brief illusion?

Sarawak was an independent kingdom ruled by the English Brooke family from 1841 to 1941. Its statehood and identity as a sovereign country was first recognised by the USA in 1850 and then Britain in 1863, long before Malaya's independence in 1957.

Tidak adil dakwa Alvin-Vivian di bawah Akta Hasutan

"Ini kerana orang Islam yang ingin bakar Bible dan menghina anutan orang Hindu tidak didakwa
sehingga kini," kata MP PAS Sepang.

PETALING JAYA: Ahli parlimen PAS kawasan Sepang, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin meminta kerajaan tidak mendakwa pasangan Alvin Tan, 25, dan Vivian Lee, 24  di bawah Akta Hasutan kerana akta itu telah banyak menzalimi rakyat negara ini.

Jika mereka didakwa di bawah Akta Hasutan kerana menghina Islam tidakkah pasangan remaja ini juga akan merasa bahawa ada diskriminasi dan ketidakadilan ke atas mereka, kata beliau.

I saw a sackful of blue ICs, says Jeffrey

Former ISA detainee Jeffrey Kitingan told the Sabah
RCI panel that the legalised illegals in Sabah had
made their way into the electoral rolls

KOTA KINABALU: Bingkor assemblyman Jeffrey Kitingan told the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants in Sabah that a National Registration Department (NRD) officer had shown him a list of some 60,000 foreigners who obtained Malaysian identity cards (ICs) in the 1990s.

Kitingan, a former detainee under the now defunct Internal Security Act (ISA), said he brought the matter up with his former political party, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), and a police report was lodged by the party’s then secretary-general Radin Malleh.

Sarawak’s Journey to Freedom Celebrated for the first time in 50 years

Independence Walk route

The 22 July 2013 is a day that should stand proud in the history of this state.  It is a day that should be celebrated with all the pomp and circumstance of any key moment in the history of Sarawak.  In fact, in the modern era, this date stands with only a handful of others as a key turning point in the history of our state and ultimately our nation.  And yet there will be no official fanfare of any kind - nor has there been for the past 50 years.  Even worse, many citizens will be totally unaware that this date holds any significance whatsoever.

46 groups sent memo to Pandikar on TPPA

MEMORANDUM  KEPADA

YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia

Yang di-Pertua Dewan Rakyat

Parlimen Malaysia, Bangunan Parlimen ,

Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur.

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’Seri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak

Perdana Menteri Malaysia

Pejabat Perdana Menteri di Parlimen Malaysia

Budak perempuan tertimbus dalam tanah runtuh

Usaha mencari sedang giat dijalankan di kawasan
tanah runtuh seluas lebih seekar

Oleh Kevin Ivan
KUNDASANG : Seorang budak perempuan dikhuatiri tertimbus dalam satu kejadian tanah runtuh di kampung Mesilou, Kundasang, yang berlaku pagi tadi.

Jurucakap Bomba Ranau, ketika dihubungi FMT, berkata budak perempuan dari suku kaum Dusun itu yang belum dipastikan umurnya itu didapati hilang apabila sebuah pondok kebun milik keluarganya runtuh dan tertimbus dalam kejadian awal pagi tadi.

Politicians protecting illegal Indonesian school, district officer tells RCI

By Lee Shi-Ian
July 15, 2013
Political interference and patronage from certain parties led to the establishment of an illegal Indonesian school and the rise of squatter colonies in Papar, said its district officer Iman Ali.

Iman told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into illegal immigrants in Sabah that the illegal school followed the Indonesian education syllabus and its students wore the uniform colours of that country, red and white.

‘Why purchase expensive Chromebook models?’

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari today questioned the Education Ministry on the purchase of Chromebook laptops at a higher-than-market price for the 1Student 1Device programme.

He also questioned the need to buy so many Chromebooks when it is not user specific.

“I would now like to question the cost-efficiency of the proposed purchase of Chromebooks, which are laptops based on cloud computing, meaning that each unit is not user-specific.

A Tale Of Two Popes And The Sainthood

LAST week, history was once more made in the Catholic Church following Pope Francis approval of the miracle needed to canonize Pope John Paul II and waiving Vatican rules to honour Pope John XXIII. The candidates have rightly been described as two of the 20th century’s most influential Popes; having closely identified with the Second Vatican Council, the 1962-65 meetings that brought the Catholic Church into modern times.

Popes John Paul II, John XXIII to be made saints: Vatican

(Reuters) - Pope John Paul II, the globe-trotting pontiff who led the Catholic Church for nearly 27 years, and Pope John XXIII, who called the reforming Second Vatican Council, will be declared saints, the Vatican said on Friday.

The Vatican said Pope Francis had approved a second miracle attributed to John Paul, a Pole who was elected in 1978 as the first non-Italian pope in 450 years and died in 2005. His progression to sainthood is the fastest in modern times.

South Sudan turns 2, others hope to be born some day

DOSSIER. Africa's youngest state marks second anniversary of independence while facing a number of challenges · A number of secessionist movements are on track to emulate the South Sudanese · Marginalization by the central government and differences rooted in history are usually argued by pro-independence partisans

South Sudan marks today the second anniversary of its independence, which was achieved after a decades-long war that ultimately led to an interim autonomous status and a referendum on secession. The "yes" vote reached more than 99% of the ballots, casting no doubt over the preferences of South Sudanese for full independence.

Civil movement to call for self-government, nationhood for Malaysia's Sarawak

SSM wants the territory to have law-making powers, raise taxes, control own natural resources · Sovereignist movement argues Sarawak is one of three constituent nations of Malaysia · Sarawak Chief Minister Taib against any move: union brought "stability and peace" · International organizations accuse Taib of corruption, deforestation, "skirting laws and taxes"

Halt TPPA negotiation now! Rakyat will not concede to American corporate agenda

Parti Sosialis Malaysia is deeply concerned about the ongoing Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) Free Trade Agreements. The 18^th round is to commence in Kota Kinabalu from the 15^th July till 25^th July, 2013.

Since its first inception as the US-Malaysia bilateral Free Trade Agreement in 2006, PSM has consistently protested the decision of the Malaysian government to enter into such negotiations. It was very clear since then, that the FTA is the agenda of American Corporations seeking to expand and control trade in the region. After having failed to impose their interest via World Trade Organisation, the US Corporations quickly lobbied their Congressman to commence bilateral agreements with the countries in Asia. 

Why no action on treasonous offenses, asks BOPIM

By Ezra Haganez
KOTA KINABALU: The government must act and enforce the laws on acts of treason going in the country, says the Borneo Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BOPIM).

The President of the UK-based BOPIM, Daniel John Jambun, said in a statement here that acts of treason which have been exposed to the local and international public have brought shame on the government of Malaysia which is now seen as compromising on its own laws.
 

GMPP Membantah Perundingan TPPA/ FTA!!!

Kami dari Gerakan Menuntut Pendidikan Percuma (GMPP) amat risau tentang perundingan Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA/Free Trade Agreement) yang sedang dirundingkan oleh Malaysia, Amerika Syarikat dan beberapa buah negara lain. Kami difahamkan salah satu daripada bab yang dibincangkan ialah mengenai hak cipta intelek. Pihak Amerika sedang mencadangkan bahawa hak intelek seperti penulisan buku dilanjutkan tempoh hak ciptanya dari 50 tahun ke 120 tahun!

South Tyrol heading to unofficial independence referendum in autumn

Secessionist South Tyrolean Freedom organizes poll on whether South Tyroleans wish to "exercise the right to self-determination" · Survey says majority of German and Ladin speaking South Tyroleans support secession, most Italian speaking reject it · Pro-secession leader Eva Klotz says referendum is an issue of "grassroots democracy"

South Tyroleans will be able to cast their votes on self-determination in an unofficial referendum next Autumn. The vote is currently being prepared by South Tyrolean Freedom, a party that strives for secession of South Tyrol from Italy. Citizens will be able to choose if they want to cast their votes directly in a ballot box or either through internet or SMS. An electronic system has been prepared so that votes are controlled and no one can vote twice.

Malaysian MPs put to some tests

The Star newspaper surprised MPs with a game of 20 Questions at the sidelines of the opening of the 13th Parliament recently. But they came up with their own surprises in their answers.

> How much does 1kg of sugar and a box of 10 Grade A eggs cost?

Answer: RM2.50 to RM2.60 / RM3.50 to RM4.50

DO our Members of Parliament know the actual cost of living?

Only 12% of the MPs who took part in the survey could answer the question above correctly. The finding suggests that many, from both sides of the political divide, are comfortable enough financially to “not need to know” about these nitty-gritty items of a household budget. Give or take a few sen, many got close to the price of sugar, but how much people fork out to buy eggs, the most affordable source of protein for some households, was lost on many. Some gave their lack of time to shop as a reason: “I haven’t gone to the shops for some time” or “My husband/wife does the shopping.” And most looked sheepish for their ignorance, like PAS Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Bahrin who apologetically added – after saying, “I’m not into groceries” – that it is important for MPs to be aware of the rakyat’s bread and butter issues and “know the prices of the basic essentials like cooking oil, rice ...”

Killed for jumping a red light?

Another case of unnecessary police violence,
says Puchong MP Gobind

KUALA LUMPUR: An alleged traffic offender died last week after he was arrested and manhandled by four police officers in Medan Imbi, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo told a press conference today.

Gobind said the assault occurred at a restaurant and he had seen a video recording of it that was shot by a patron.

A report in China Press quoted police sources as saying that the victim, 53-year-old Chong Foo Ming, was foaming at the mouth after he was restrained and handcuffed. The report said police tried to flag him down after he had beaten a red light, but he sped off.

Shake-up in Sabah STAR leadership

By Luke Rintod of FMT

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah chapter of Sarawak-based State Reform Party (STAR) top leadership has appointed its new state line-up in a presidential-decree style, shocking reform-minded leaders in the party.

With the absence of a clear proviso in the party constitution, Sabah STAR chairman, Jeffrey Kitingan, is apparently left with absolute power ‘to hire and fire’ in the party here.

He began his bid to overhaul the party following its shocking defeats in the recent 13th general election, by not reappointing all his five deputies.

De-gazetting Christian holidays ‘legal’

By Joseph Bingkasan

KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu High court has struck off with cost a suit against the Sabah Legislative Assembly for abolishing three Christian public holidays.

The High Court ruled yesterday that the Sabah Government’s decision to abolish Easter Monday, Holy Saturday and Boxing Day as public holidays 34 years ago was in accordance with the State Constitution.

Musa’s govt must push to abolish cabotage

KOTA KINABALU: Luyang assemblyman Hiew King Cheu has called on the Musa Aman administration to take more serious and effective approach in addressing the pressing issue of spiraling consumer goods prices in the state.

He especially urged the state government to strive to abolish the “Cabotage Policy” which many considered the ‘main culprit’ behind the high cost of living in Sabah.

K’jaan tarik balik Rang Undang-Undang Islam

KUALA LUMPUR: Jemaah Menteri hari ini bersetuju untuk menarik balik Rang Undang-Undang Pentadbiran Agama Islam (Wilayah-Wilayah Persekutuan) 2013, kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Rang Undang-Undang tersebut dibentangkan untuk bacaan kali pertama di Dewan Rakyat pada 26 Jun lalu oleh Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

BOPIM to go to court if child conversion Bill is passed -- Jambun

KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BOPIM) has decided to take the same stance as Gerakan that if the proposed amendment to Section 107(b) of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) is passed, it will go to court to sue the Federal Government.

The amendments, hinging on the use of the word ‘parent’ instead of ‘parents’, makes it legal for a father or a mother, or guardian, who converts to Islam, to convert to Islam his or her children below the age of 18.
 

Lonnie Snowden Letter Praises Son Edward

By MATTHEW BARAKAT 07/02/13 02:40 PM ET EDT AP

Lonnie snowden letter

BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 19: A cardboard mask depicting Edward Snowden lies on the ground at a protest against the PRISM electronic surveillance program, which was leaked by Snowden, on June 19, 2013 in Berlin, Germany. US President Barack Obama defended the program during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (Photo by Target Presse Agentur Gmbh/Getty Images)

MIGRATE, YOU 'MELAYU BIADAP' - Umno MP tells AirAsia's chief exec

Barisan Nasional's Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin today urged AirAsia X chief executive Azran Osman Rani to leave the country for criticising Utusan Malaysia.

Calling Azran "melayu biadap" while debating the royal address in Parliament this morning, Bung Mokhtar said Azran should move if he was not happy in Malaysia.

However, speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia advised the controversial Bung Mokhtar not to use his parliamentary privilege to launch attacks on civilians and government officers who were not in the house to defend themselves.