First death in custody in 2014, Time to Legislate Anti-Torture Law

The custodial death spree for year 2014 might have just started. The death of 40 years old A. Punniyanathan, the first death in custody case reported in 2014, adds to the list of deaths under police custody in Malaysia.

According to news report, Punniyanathan was found lying naked motionless at the Nibong Tebal police station lockup on 10 Feb 2014. He was arrested on 5 February 2014 and was scheduled to be charged in court for a theft case on 11 February 2014. According to the Officer In Charge of the Police District (OCPD) for Seberang Prai Selatan, Supt Shafien Mamat, he alleged that Punniyanathan was talking to himself and walking around in the cell naked restlessly before he was found dead at around 6.20 in the morning.

Sabah Floods - Activate Flood Mitigation Programs - Dr. Jeffrey

Kota Kinabalu:    “The third round of devastating floods is ravaging Sabah with the loss of the life of a child, yet the federal government has failed to show any urgency in tackling the problems in Sabah.” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief after the latest round of floods.

More than 30 villages in Tambunan, Keningau and Tenom were flooded with more than 2,000 evacuees in flood relief centres.   There were also reports of serious flooding in the District of Beaufort and flash floods in many other parts of Sabah.   Some 36 schools were also flooded and had to be closed.

Unity in Sarawak will keep Umno out . . .

By Joe Fernandez

KOTA KINABALU : Many Sarawakians are apparently upset that Alfred Jabu, who is by no means that popular in any case, was not named to take over from outgoing Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. Instead, Adenan Satem was named to replace him. There should be no issue here. If he’s willing to serve, let him serve. Keep an Oversight on him.
 

SUPP LDP Solutions Lie With their State Not ROS - Dr. Jeffrey

Kota Kinabalu:    “It is saddening to see the predicament of SUPP and LDP having to resort to bowing to Umno and ROS who seems to be holding them to ransom” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, BHF/UBF Chairman in commenting on the appeal by SUPP President to Umno for help prevent de-registration by the ROS and the court action on the LDP leadership tussle.

Iban akan `tatap’ sokong BN”

Oleh: Kanul Gindol

KUCHING: Meskipun Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang tidak dilantik menjadi Ketua Menteri Sarawak, namun kaum Dayak khususnya Iban, diyakini ‘tatap’ mengundi Barisan Nasional (BN) dalam  pilihan raya negeri yang dijangka tahun depan.

Itulah kesimpulan yang boleh dibuat atas keberanian ketua menteri yang akan bersara Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud mengenepikan Jabu dari jawatan itu sebaliknya memilih iparnya Tan Sri Adenan Satem, sebagai pengganti mengemudikan bumi kenyalang.

Where’s your dignity, Jabu?

KUCHING: While Sarawak Barisan National Dayak leaders and elected representatives ‘praised’ outgoing Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s choice of successor, netizens from the community are bitter and angry.

Majority of Sarawak’s voters are Dayaks and if their spewings on social media is any measure then Taib has made a wrong move by sidelining his loyalist, longstanding Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu.

Datuk here, datuk there, datuk everywhere. So what's in a title?

V Shuman

QUICK TAKE: If you pick up a stone today and throw it into a crowd, chances are you will probably hit a datuk, if not two. No, I'm not suggesting violence here. My point is: Datuks are everywhere nowadays.

For the uninitiated, the title is "supposedly" equivalent to the British knighthood (which carries the title Sir) in days gone by. Unfortunately, the prestige that is supposed to come with the title is gone because as a friend of mine used to say "the title is being sold on the back of a bicycle." Or worse, it can even be traded in a pasar malam. How many datuks are really worthy of the title?

NO NEED TO APOLOGISE

Anwar then summoned Azmin who admitted that he had, in fact, received the ‘election contribution’, which he did not declare not because he wanted to sailang the money but because it was illegal and the party’s candidates would get disqualified if the Election Commission (SPR) found out.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Axed PKNS staff claim MB ignored corruption

(Malaysiakini) – A number of axed Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) contract staff want the menteri besar to explain why cases of corruption and disciplinary matters referred to him were never acted on.

RM40 MILLION SPENT ON FOOTBALL

Khalid also said his administration was informed that the MACC is currently investigating allegations that funds meant for the PKNS football club (FC) was misused. Three state executive council members will be tasked with monitoring funds meant for the PKNS football team amounting to RM9 million per year.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Since Pakatan Rakyat took over the Selangor State Government in 2008, the Selangor State Economic Development Corporation or SEDC (PKNS) — the state agency currently facing controversy regarding the ‘sacking’ of Azmin Ali from the Board of Directors and the non-renewal of the employment contracts of 22 staff members — has spent RM40 million on football.

Taib names Adenan Satem as successor

Outgoing Sarawak Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud (right) hands over his resignation letter to Sarawak’s
Head of State, Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (left) in Kuching, on February 12, 2014. — AFP pic

KUCHING, Feb 12 — Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud today announced that he will be stepping down as chief minister effective February 28 and would be succeeded by Special Functions Minister at the Chief Minister’s Office and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

He said he handed over his resignation letter to Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng today.