Gundohing

Hassnar is solely responsible for testimony: Radzi

2007-03-23T22:18:00.001-07:00

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Home Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee, Hassnar Ebrahim, is solely responsible for his testimony on his involvement in the alleged falsification of Malaysian Identity Cards (ICs) as it has got nothing to do with the National Registration Department (NRD).

"For your information, Hassnar (Ebrahim) is not an employee of the National Registration Department or its appointed registration agent. Hence, any confession by him in regards to the making of ICs is solely a responsibility of his own and not on behalf of the NRD," he told the Dewan Rakyat.

He was replying to a question from Sandakan MP Chong Hon Min on the follow-up action by the Government on the statutory declaration made by Hassnar in court on his involvement in the infamous so-called "Project IC" involving the production and distribution of Malaysian ICs to illegal immigrants in Sabah.

He said Hassnar must give information and co-operation to the police to facilitate investigations into the issue.

"The NRD has taken note of the testimony given by Hassnar and it will give its full co-operation to the police in the investigation into the matter," he added.

The controversial Sandakan businessman had openly declared that he was initially involved, together with several others, in "unwittingly helping thousands of foreigners obtain ICs" in Sabah.

He had also disclosed to Daily Express on Jan 6, this year that he had turned down police requests since last year to have his statement recorded for a reason.

Hassnar had also said he was more willing to be arrested and charged in court so that the public will get to know the whole thing.

The police do not have to interview-record him, he said, because everything has already been published and they can investigate these including what he had already declared to the court of law under oath.

Hassnar, 54, has been repeatedly called by the State police to attend the interview-record sessions at the police station to facilitate investigations into the reports lodged by PBS Supreme Council member and former Senator Chong En Leong and Cash President Datuk Patrick Sindu late last year.

Hassnar's disclosures to the court hearing the Likas polls petition of 2001 heard of certain Federal and State politicians and their links to illegal immigrants and identification documents.

His name also cropped up in three books - "IC Palsu Merampas Hak Anak Sabah" and "IC Projek", the latest of which, "Justice for Sabah", was penned by Sabah Keadilan Deputy Chief Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Sogokan bagi menangguhkan tindakan dan bebas dari hukuman

2007-03-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

Oleh Deep Throat

Perbuatan mengorek lubang hidung di hadapan orang awam amatlah tidak sopan sekalipun anda seorang pembesar negeri. Namun, Ketua Menteri Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Musa Khan bin Haji Aman Khan Al-Pushtuni, adalah ibarat itu, malah lebih dahsyat, mengorek lubang hidungnya dengan ibu jari kakinya.

Sempena memperingati Jubli Emas Kemerdekaan Malaya (Malaysia 1963), adalah amat wajar kita menilai tata kelakuan pemimpin Umno Sabah setelah kita diaibkan oleh Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Osu Haji Sukam dengan hutang judinya dengan Kasino di London.

Sungguh malangnya nasib rakyat Sabah kerana mempunyai pemimpin yang tingkahlakunya seperti penjenayah kolar putih kerana melakukan perbuatan yang di luar Perlembagaan dan Undang-Undang, namun ia terus disanjung dan dipuja.

Pada 26 Februari 2007, bekas Setiausaha Task Force Umno Sabah, Haji Jabar Khan @ Yasser Arafat, mendedahkan di hadapan Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Parlimen mengenai Integriti, bahawa skandal projek pengeluaran 82,000 keping kad pengenalan kepada warga Indonesia dan Filipina ditaja dan dipengerusikan oleh Musa Khan dengan bantuan Datuk Yahya Hussin dan Allahyarham Datuk Haji Abdul Malik Chua.

Dalam kesibukan berpolitik, Musa ’jatuh cinta’ dengan seorang gadis Indonesia yang memang jelita, namun amat malang kerana gadis kacukan itu tidak mempunyai sebarang dokumen pengenalan diri melainkan ’harga diri seorang gadis’ yang telah diserahkan kepada Musa sebagai imbalan Musa mengarahkan Pegawai Pendaftaran Sabah, Mohd Tohid Mohammad (mantan tahanan ISA) memberikan sekeping kad pengenalan biru, yang telah mengubah nasibnya.

Dengan kad pengenalan projek yang ditaja oleh Musa Khan, Rahmawati diambil bekerja sebagai kerani di Yayasan Sabah walaupun tidak mempunyai sebarang kelulusan.

Musa dan Rahmawati terlanjur dan Rahmawati mengandungkan anak Musa Khan. Bagi menutup malu, Musa mengirim Rahmawati ke Banjir Masin, Indonesia, tempat asal keluarga Rahmawati untuk melahirkan anak.

Setelah habis pantang, Musa Khan bernikah secara sah dengan Rahmawati (tanpa mempedulikan peraturan poligami) dan menghantar Rahmawati melanjutkan pelajaran ke Australia sehingga Musa menjadikan Australia sebagai destinasi percutian agar dapat melepaskan rindu melihat anak dan isteri jelitanya. Setelah lulus (sijil dibeli), Rahmawati kembali ke Sabah tetapi ditukarkan ke Sandakan sebagai Pengurus Wilayah Yayasan Sabah.

Oleh kerana sering kesunyian, Musa Khan melepaskan rindunya kepada pembantu peribadinya (PA) yang bernama Jennifer Marcus yang berdarah kacukan. Apabila suami Jennifer mendapat tahu, maka dia terpaksa menceraikan Jennifer walaupun mereka mempunyai dua orang anak yang rupa parasnya amat mencurigakan kerana diyakini bukan anaknya, sebaliknya ada iras ’Khan’. Bapa Jennifer pernah bekerja di Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) tapi sudah meninggal dunia.

Akhirnya Musa terpaksa mengahwini Jennifer yang kini membantunya menguruskan perniagaannya di Kuala Lumpur dan dikawal ketat oleh orang kepercayaan Musa, Mazlan Zakaria.

Manakala isteri rasmi Musa Khan, Datin Faridah Tussin terpaksa menjeruk hati sehingga menjadi agen menjual beg tangan Bonia dan meluahkan rasa resah gelisah dan kecewanya terhadap Musa kepada rakannya dalam Bakisa.

Ketiga-tiga mereka masih menjadi isteri Musa. Kini, Musa Khan dimaklumkan sedang berjinak-jinak dengan seorang wanita Cina yang diperkenalkan oleh Nasir Yeo, wanita Cina yang berasal dari Filipina, tetapi diberi kad pengenalan projek oleh Musa.

Nasir Yeo tinggal berjiran dengan Musa di Kampung Tinusa, Sandakan. Nasir merupakan ’bapa ayam’ terhormat yang dipercayai Musa, selain John Ambrose. Musa tahu Nasir Yeo, seorang yang muflis, namun menggunakannya sebagai nominee untuk skandal kayu balak di kawasan Benta Wawasan.

30 tahun lalu, Mazlan hanyalah seorang bellboy di Hotel Hilton Kuala Lumpur yang menjadi hotel pilihan orang kaya dari Sabah, terutama Musa Khan.

Oleh kerana keramahan dan ringan tulang, maka Musa berkenan mengambil Mazlan bekerja dengannya. Sebagai anak muda yang bercita-cita tinggi, Mazlan menjadi ’Orang Suruhan’ Musa terutama menjaga Jennifer Marcus yang tinggal di Kuala Lumpur.

Mazlan adalah nominee Musa Khan dalam semua syarikat yang melibatkan kepentingan Musa terutama 1Borneo dan Warisan Square yang dibangunkan secara usahasama dengan Sagajuta Sabah Sdn.Bhd. Mazlan dilantik sebagai Pengarah Sagajuta (Sabah) Sdn.Bhd, Ramajuta Properties Sdn.Bhd, Nusmetro Development (Sabah) Sdn.Bhd dan beberapa syarikat lagi setelah Musa Khan dilantik menjadi Ketua Menteri Sabah.

Mazlan yang tinggal di Lot 3459, Jalan Melawati 6, Fasa 6, Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur sering datang ke Sabah untuk mengiringi Musa Khan ke Kuala Lumpur atau melakukan tugas rahsia. Ketika Musa kembali ke Kota Kinabalu, Mazlan kelihatan menyambut Musa di Lapangan Terbang Kota Kinabalu.

Baru-baru ini Mazlan mengatur pertemuan dengan Ketua Pengarah Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR) Datuk Zulkifli Mohd Noor di Hotel Mandarin Kuala Lumpur dua hari selepas Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan memfailkan 20 tuduhan rasuah terhadap Musa Khan sehingga Pengarah BPR Sabah, Latifah diarah menangguhkan akuan penerimaan laporan Jeffrey kerana mereka sedang berunding.

Mengikut maklumat yang boleh dipercayai, Musa Khan telah membayar RM700,000 kepada Zulkifli bagi melengahkan tindakan dan tidak mengambil tindakan terhadapnya (visual tidak dapat disiarkan atas sebab-sebab tertentu). Namun Khairy Jamaluddin dapat menghidu campurtangan yang berlaku, lalu menasihati Pak Lah agar membersihkan nama baiknya. Peguam Negara diminta mengarahkan Ketua Polis Negara menjalankan siasatan rapi terhadap Zulkifli kerana bukti sogokan Musa lebih jelas daripada kes Ramli Manan, sekaligus menangkap jerung yang memakan ikan.

Kebijaksanaan Peguam Negara, Gani Patail memang terpuji kerana jika membongkar kes Musa Khan hanya mengotorkan tangannya, sebaliknya dengan menyiasat Zulkifli, semua kes akan terbongkar termasuk sogokan Musa Khan.

Jika Ketua Menteri Sabah yang menjadi Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Keselamatan Dalam Negeri terlibat dengan Skandal Projek Kad Pengenalan dan memelihara Pendatang Asing Tanpa Izin (PATI) di dalam rumahnya sendiri, maka siapakah yang boleh diharapkan menjaga negeri Sabah?

Keadilan questions foreign control of State's resources

2007-03-20T19:27:00.001-07:00

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah on Sunday questioned how the State Government could have so easily allowed a foreign takeover of Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) Sdn Bhd.

PKR Sabah Deputy Chairperson, Christina Liew, wanted to know whether there were any restrictive clauses in the initial agreement with the Lion Group to prevent it from selling its entire stake to a foreign entity.

Last Friday, India's leading paper manufacturer, Ballarpur Industries Ltd (BILT), took over a 97.78 per cent stake in SFI from Lion Group.

She said SFI is Malaysia's largest integrated pulp and paper mill, and reaps its raw materials from Sabah forests.

"Until BILT's acquisition, SFI belonged to Malaysian hands, with the Lion Group holding 97.78 per cent and the State Government controlling only a tiny 2.2 per cent stake.

With BILT acquiring Lion's stake, we are looking at a total concession area of 300,000 hectares being in foreign hands until 2094," she said in a statement, Sunday.

Liew contended that what appears to be a commercially profitable move for the Lion Group may not be in the best interest of Sabah in the long run.

She said selling off our forests may create more jobs in the short-term but it also means diminishing our resources and giving up control over State assets for up to 99 years.

As such, she said, the Chief Minister, as custodian of the State's natural resources, should have made decisions with wisdom and in good conscience, "so that the future generations will not have to pay for any mistake he or his administration makes today."

What PKR Sabah found even more preposterous is BILT's demand for more SFI concession areas.

BILT Managing Director Rajive R. Vederah told a press conference that they are currently in talks with the State Government for further expansion of the SFI concession area - another 58,000 hectares in addition to the existing concession of about 300,000 hectares (now already within BILT's control).

Liew said: "Scarcely has the ink dried on BILT's acquisition of a massive 97.78 per cent stake in SFI, we are confronted with its demand for even more concession areas."

Based on media reports, she said Vederah seems positive that the State Government would be amenable to his request for more concessions.

"It is highly disturbing that the State Government should even consider this request before Sabahans have had the chance to judge for themselves the impact of BILT's ownership and management of the massive area already under foreign control."

40 tahun tanpa bekalan air bersih, di mana keadilan?

2007-03-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

Kuda Ranggi

Saya agak tergamam mendapat tahu menerusi siaran berita TV3 pukul 1.30 petang hari ini, 18 Mac, yang melaporkan keperitan penduduk di Kampung Tambalung, Kota Belud, Sabah, yang masih bergantung kepada sungai dan air hujan untuk bekalan air, iaitu untuk minum, memasak makanan, membasuh pakaian dan mandi.

Apa dah jadi dengan janji-janji yang diulang-ulang setiap kali menagaih undi rakyat semasa menghadapi pilihan raya?

Penduduk Kampung Tambalung tidak mendapat bekalan air bersih, walaupun berulang kali dipohon, sejak 40 tahun lalu. Sedih, memang sedih memandangkan pada tahun ini Malaysia akan menyambut ulang tahun kemerdekaan yang ke-50, setengah abad. Ini bermakna penduduk Kampung Tambalung tersisih daripada arus pembangunan hakiki sejak Sabah merdeka melalui Malaysia pada tahun 1963.

Para pemimpin kerajaan persekutuan dan kerajaan negeri Sabah begitu bangga dengan pembangunan fizikal yang dicapai selama ini. Bangga dengan Menara Berkembar Petronas, bangga dengan Lebuh Raya Utara-Selatan, bangga dengan Lapangan Terbang di Sepang dan di Kota Kinabalu, bangga dengan Litar F1, bangga dengan pelabuhan-pelabuhan di Tanjong Pelepas, di Pelabuhan Klang, di Kota Kinabalu dan bangga dengan kilang-kilang elektronik dan sebagainya.

Dalam kebanggaan itu, rupa-rupanya masih ada penduduk yang belum dapat menikmati bekalan air bersih, atau menikmati bekalan elektrik dan sistem jalan yang sempurna.

Apalah erti 50 tahun kegemilangan kemerdekaan. Di mana letaknya keadilan dalam pengagihan nikmat pembangunan. Di mana?

Saya masih ingat semangat dan cita-cita kerajaan yang dilontarkan oleh mantan Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad pada tahun 1982 semasa memperkenalkan dasar kependudukan Malaysia ke arah 70 juta penduduk.

Dalam mengatur strategi yang perlu untuk mencapai tujuan itu, kerajaan telahpun menjangkakan penggunaan air sebanyak 15.6 bilion meter padu. Kekurangan dijangkakan akan berlaku pada tahun 2000, iaitu tujuh tahun lalu, bagi jumlah penduduk sebanyak 21 juta. Sekarang, jumlah penduduk mencapai 26 juta.

Persoalan yang ingin saya ajukan ialah apakah kerajaan tidak mempunyai perancangan yang betul setelah dapat menjangkakan kekurangan bekalan air akan berlaku? Bukankah bekalan air merupakan hak asasi manusia untuk hidup?

Apakah jadahnya kita terus membekal air kepada Singapura sedangkan rakyat kita sendiri tidak dapat bekalan air bersih?

Kita juga ingin tahu apa dah jadi dengan dasar makanan, air dan pertanian yang dijanjikan oleh kerajaan. Kerajaan menyebut bahawa tekanan harus diberi ke atas kecukupan dari segi taburan, perubahan corak penggunaan dan juga ke atas peningkatan cara-cara penghasilan. Jika dasar ini dilaksanakan dengan betul, adil dan telus, masakan ada rakyat yang tidak mendapat bekalan air sejak 40 tahun lalu?

Malaysia mempunyai bermacam-macam kementerian dan agensi yang bermatlamat membasmi kemiskinan dan menaikkan taraf hidup rakyat. Kerajaan berjanji untuk mengadakan kemudahan-kemudahan asas yang cukup terutama bekalan air dan elektrik, tetapi setelah 50 tahun merdeka, kenapa masih ada kampung yang tidak mendapat bekalan air, bekalan elektrik dan sistem jalan yang sempurna?

Dalam kes Kampung Tambalung, jelas sekali bahawa kerajaan persekutuan dan kerajaan negeri Sabah telah gagal memenuhi tanggungjawab dan amanah kepada penduduk di situ yang masih belum diberi bekalan air bersih.

Adakah ini selari dengan slogan "Malaysia - Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang" atau memenuhi konsep dan pendekatan Islam Hadhari?

Apolitical Blues: Register as a voter before March 31st, 2007

2007-03-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

A Voice

Well my telephone was ringing
And they told me it was Chairman Mao
Well my telephone was ringing
And they told me it was Chairman Mao
I don't care who it is 'Cause
I just don't wanna talk to 'em now

I've got the apolitical blues, yeah
Apolitical blues
The meanest blues of all
I don't care if it's the unholy four, John Wayne, or Dorothy Lamour
I just don't wanna talk to 'em now

-- Little Feat, Sailing Shoes (1972)

Apolitical or its synonymous terms, non-political or un-political, means having no interest in or association with politics, or a matter having no political relevance or importance.

If our social sphere is wide enough, we should observe that significant percentage of Malaysians is apolitical. Come election, campaigning by candidates is to convince these apolitical citizens or undecided voters, which in some areas could make or break a candidate.

What made some Malaysian apolitical? It's no disease but personal priority. You're likely to find this phenomenon in every country in the world, even countries with liberal freedom of speech and expressions. It may have a different percentage and profile but they exist.

There is a gamut of reasons to explain for these apolitical Malaysians. It could be out of ignorance and/or inability to comprehend complex socio-political issues. At the other end of the scale, it is apathy. "Urgh! This is politics. Cannot do anything lah. No point talking." This is the typical reaction to any serious discussion of public interest.

Indifference maybe the seldom quoted reason, however apathy could be a reaction brought about by frustration or disenchantment with bureaucracy and inefficiencies of civil servants, local council, regulators and authorities. It could also be due to impatience with the tedious and strenuous political process, and insufficient understanding of issues.

Actor Bruce Willis made a cute quote to express his frustration, "I hate government. I'm apolitical. Write that down. I'm not a Republican." It's his not-so-subliminal expression of his Democrat affiliations humorously expressed as apolitical. At that moment, the Republican must be in power and he is driving the fence sitters the Democrat way.

Then, there is the common repulsion "politics is dirty". Well, it's the people that made it so, but enough to put off many.

Certainly to many, politics is a luxury many could ill afford to spend time on, especially with the present confusing state of the economy. Ironically, with so many middle class and professionals affected by the poor handling of the economy, the noise from this usually apathetic segment is getting heard. It just goes to show that no one is permanently apolitical. Conversely, no one is permanently political.

To a significant many, they opt for a pragmatic political participation of middle ground politics based on the possibility for problem solving and addressing issues. This is often translated to affiliate "within the system" of Barisan Nasional (BN) political parties and its history of consensual politics.

Some became political reactionaries by turning to opposition politics to vent their critical energy. They see turning the distant possibility of changing the ruling party to be not so distant as the only solution. And, there are those throwbacks to feudalism days, whose involvement in politics come out of idolisation of personalities.

Politics is obviously perceived differently to different people but it is generally accepted to relate with government and power. A common simpleton view of politics is about achieving positions in public offices or political parties. There is also the cheeky perception of politics "as art of the possible".

Politics is the process and interplay of human social groups in making of decisions. Be it within government, corporate, academic, religion, and even the smallest social unit of family, politics is the "social relations involving authority or power". It has its science and art - theory, practice, description and analysis of system and behaviour. The whole shenanigan to justify the existence of political scientist, analyst, and political science professors.

One major determinant in politics is perceptions. Perception could be created via communication, media, and ear whispering and is said to be everything in politics. Political career could be created or destroyed by perceptions. Since the medium for publicity and airtime is limited commodity, there is tendency for quite a number of politicans to economise their political product and optimise the place and promotional elements in marketing themselves.

This is the area lacking in our politics. Politics of conspiracy is perpetuated rather than politics of governing. Instead of being more cerebral, our politics tend to be emotional, unjustified, and devoid of proper objective. The political behavior in the acquisition and application of power need to be more rationale. It must be based on rational political philosophy, ethical public behavior, and deliverables.

Sometimes, seemingly justified heli-view is misplaced hypocrasy. For instance, talking about racial integration but supporting vernacular schools. Promoting an Islamic branding but devoid of true values and content. There are those argument based on the Letters of Law and yet is in conflict with the Social Agreement of our forefathers as embedded in the Constitution.

If Malaysia is moving towards a k-Economy, so it seems said our Prime Minister with a Father of k-Economy title, then it is high time we move towards k-Politics. That's politics based on fact, information and rational arguments, rather than perception, hearsay, and cloak and dagger story of coffeehouses, warung and tai pai dong. The Prime Minister could even launch this k-Politics with all the pomp and pageantry he desperately desire for te next General Election hype. But do start by answering those unanswered questions.

Whether a person is considered political or apolitical, they generally have natural concerns. Everyday, we hear the berating, concerns, suggestions and argument for and against our government, and public officials. Are these voices legitimate voices? As citizen, it's their right to express their piece for or against. The subsequent question is: Are they responsible voices?

Responsible citizenship is not just about expressing their opinion. The bigger responsibility is to cast their vote to select the representatives for Parliament or State Assembly. This is an important aspect of citizenship. These representatives are the avenues to express our voices at the highest institution of Government.

The basis you vote could be for any reasons. You could be voting for the ability as lawmaker or at the other end as community problem solver. Whether you voted based on the candidate's likeable personality or his party affiliation or just on his ability, the vote is yours to cast. I do hope the basis is rational and come with practical expectations.

Many people are perceptive and eloquent in indentifying, analysing, and arguing of issues. If they do not vote, are they worth any salt? Think about it. If they can't even exercise the very simple and basic right as citizen, does it indicate the seriousness of their concerns?

So, if you are a registered voter, come out and vote.

If you qualify but yet to register as voters, do so. Read the Election Commission Malaysia (ECM)'s website http://www.spr.gov.my for instruction. In a news report on March 16th, 2007 mStar (The full news report here), Secretary of the ECM, Datuk Kamaruzaman Mohd Noorin is reported as follows:
Beliau menasihatkan mereka yang ingin mengambil bahagian dalam pilihan raya akan datang agar mendaftar segera, sebaik-baiknya sebelum tempoh semakan terakhir tamat hujung bulan ini.

Please register before the voters' roll is closed this March 31st, 2007.

But if you registered as voter or qualify but did not register to vote, forever hold your peace.

I don't care if it's the unholy four, John Wayne, or Dorothy Lamour.
I just don't wanna talk to 'em now.

Tanah USIA dibangunkan bukan beri manfaat kepada rakyat Sabah

2007-03-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Today

Kebijaksanaan Ketua Menteri Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Musa Khan Bin Haji Aman Khan memujuk Pengerusi Perbadanan Pelancongan Negeri Sabah (TDC) yang juga pemilik Syarikat Alam Mesra Sdn Bhd Datuk Tengku Adlin telah menyerahkan secara percuma kawasan seluas 25 ekar daripada jumlah keluasan tanah yang dimiliki oleh syarikat berkenaan di bibir Lebuhraya Sulaman, berhampiran Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) kepada Persatuan Islam Negeri Sabah (USIA). Namun, tindakan tersebut mempunyai maksud yang tersirat.

DATUK SERI PANGLIMA MUSA KHAN AMAN KHAN

RAYMOND CHAN BOON SIEW

TUN SAKARAN DANDAI

Sebagai seorang peniaga (Pakistan) yang bijak mencipta ruang dan peluang, Musa Khan kemudiannya memujuk Tun Sakaran Dandai yang merupakan Yang Dipertua USIA ’Seumur Hidup’ untuk membangunkan tanah yang diwakafkan oleh Tengku Adlin sebagai pusat maksiat terbesar di Asia Tenggara iaitu 1Borneo (sebut One Borneo).

Dengan itu, Tun Sakaran telah mengadakan kerjasama dengan seorang ahli perniagaan dari Semenanjung, Raymond Chan Boon Siew. Kerjasama paling menguntungkan bagi Raymond, iaitu membina Kompleks Membeli dan membelah poket rakyat Sabah.

Kompleks yang dinamakan 1Borneo itu dicadangkan sebagai yang terbesar dan termoden di Asia Tenggara akan dilengkapi dengan hoverkraf iaitu sejenis pengangkutan air yang seakan terbang di atas air selepas beberapa minit berlepas dan yang pertama di rantau ini.

Raymond bangga menunjukkan projek MEGA nya. Laluan hoverkrafnya akan menjadi mimpi ngeri nelayan

Projek bernilai RM1 bilion itu akan dibangunkan oleh Sagajuta (Sabah) Sdn Bhd yang dimiliki oleh Raymond Chan Boon Siew, Mazlan Zakaria dan seorang rakyat Sabah, Tan Tiang Lai. Namun agak menghairankan kerana Raymond berselindung di sebalik nama Sagajuta (Sabah) Sdn Bhd.

Model 1Borneo dari sudut pandangan arkitek

Pemegang saham Sagajuta (Sabah)Sdn Bhd ialah Ramajuta Properties Sdn.Bhd iaitu syarikat milik Raymond dan Mazlan iaitu syarikat yang telah menggagalkan Projek Perumahan Kos Rendah Kerajaan Negeri di Kuala Menggatal.

Ramajuta Properties Sdn.Bhd mempunyai nilai berbayar RM2 juta namun memiliki liabiliti RM29.125 juta.

Namun sekali lagi, Raymond bermain silap mata apabila pemegang Saham Ramajuta Properties Sdn Bhd sejumlah RM2 juta ialah Nusmetro Development (Sabah) Sdn Bhd yang juga dimiliki oleh Raymond Chan, Mazlan Zakaria dan Hasil Deras Property Sdn Bhd yang mempunyai modal berbayar hanya RM1,000 sahaja dan mempunyai liabiliti RM627,297.

Kecekapan Raymond memperdayakan Musa Khan dan Tun Sakaran melalui projek mega ini yang hanya 20 peratus siap menyebabkan pasaran hartanah di Teluk Likas yang sebelum ini kawasan penempatan setinggan melonjak secara mendadak dengan janji akan menyediakan perkhidmatan hoverkraf yang moden.

Tanpa disedari, Raymond telah memperdayakan Musa Khan untuk kepentingan syarikatnya, yang mengamalkan konsep tiga dalam satu, Sagajuta di dalam perut Ramajuta dan Ramajuta di dalam rahim Nusmetro dan ketiga-tiga syarikat ini dalam genggaman Raymond.

Apa yang Musa Khan dapat? Janji Raymond hanya tinggal janji kerana RM10 juta yang diserahkan kepada Musa sebagai imbalan permainan ’cinabuta’ dengan USIA hanyalah sekelumit dan baki RM90 juta inilah yang masih dikejar Musa Khan.

Raymond berjaya meyakinkan Musa Khan akan kehebatan hoverkraf yang akan beroperasi di kawasan nelayan dan pengusaha bot pelancongan ke Pulau Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi dan Gaya.

Sekiranya hoverkraf impian Raymond ini menjadi kenyataan, bagaimanakah nasib nelayan yang menggunakan Teluk Gaya dan pengusaha bot pelancongan ke taman-taman Sabah dapat mencari rezeki?

Memandangkan maritim terletak di bawah bidang kuasa Kerajaan Persekutuan terutama laluan air dan penubuhan dermaga yang tidak memungkinkan Raymond membina jeti khas daripada Warisan Square yang bersebelahan Centre Point Kota Kinabalu ke 1Borneo melainkan dengan menggunakan kebijaksanaan Musa sebagaimana kes tapak tanah Bangunan Umno Sabah.

Suatu masa dahulu, Kerajaan Negeri telah memaksa jeti pendaratan pengangkutan laut ke taman-taman Sabah berpindah daripada struktur haram di belakang sebuah hotel terkemuka ke Terminal Feri di Pelabuhan Lama Kota Kinabalu yang dinaik taraf.

Apakah Musa Khan akan memberi kelulusan khas dengan menggunakan kuasa eksekutifnya mengarahkan Jabatan Pelabuhan dan Dermaga serta Jabatan Laut meluluskan permohonan Raymond bagi mengutip RM90 juta yang masih berada di dalam kocek Raymond?

Kompleks Warisan Square yang terletak berhampiran Centre Point Kota Kinabalu

Warisan Square yang akan mempunyai hotel 200 bilik, 44 unit ruang pejabat dan 141 ruang niaga, tetapi sehingga kini kebanyakannya masih kosong.

Musa Khan tidak dapat menjangka apa yang dirancang oleh Raymond. Musa Khan mengarahkan Pengerusi Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC) YB Au Kam Wah, memindahkan operasi pejabatnya daripada Wisma Boon Siew milik keluarga Raymond Chan Boon Siew ke Wisma Bandaraya.

Persoalannya, mampukah Raymond yang berkelulusan Ijazah Sarjana Muda Pentadbiran Perniagaan daripada Universiti Western Michigan, Amerika Syarikat ini menyiapkan projek bernilai RM1 bilion ini atau hanya mahu mempergunakan projek mega ini untuk mengaut untung besar? Jika projek LPPB di Kuala Menggatal tidak berjaya disiapkan oleh Ramajuta Properties Sdn Bhd, mampukah Raymond menyiapkan projek tersebut dan tidak memalukan Tun Sakaran?

Apakah perjanjian perkongsian projek mega ini bestari dan menguntungkan USIA atau Musa Khan mempunyai perancangan untuk menggagalkan projek ini agar dapat diambil alih sebagaimana dia ’merampas’ tanah milik KOSAN yang didirikan Wisma Bandaraya (sebelum ini dikenali sebagai Wisma Musman). Dengan wang dan peluang yang ada padanya, Musa Khan mungkin mampu merampas tanah milik USIA seluas 25 ekar yang didapati secara percuma atas kemuliaan hati Tengku Adlin dengan harga di bawah pasaran.

Ketika memegang jawatan Ketua Menteri, Musa Khan mendakwa dirinya memiliki harta sejumlah RM300 juta dan kini nilai harta mudah alih dan tetap milik peribadinya bernilai RM3 bilion!

Berapakah lot kedai atau ruang niaga yang diberikan kepada USIA?

Di atas tanah USIA inilah kini sedang dibina hotel bertaraf antarabangsa, kelab hiburan, pusat judi dan gelanggang maksiat dan pusat penjualan arak yang akan menentukan corak masa hadapan rakyat Sabah setelah projek mewahnya, Warisan Square berjaya kedudukan Raymond Chan Boon Siew.

Sedarkah Tun Sakaran bahawa 1Borneo menggaji lebih 3,000 pendatang asing tanpa izin secara haram? Di manakah penguatkuasa Imigresen, Rela, Polis, Pasukan Petugas Khas Persekutuan dan Jawatankuasa Keselamatan Dalam Negeri Sabah yang diterajui Musa Khan?

Selain USIA, Musa turut menggunakan Raymond Chan Boon Siew untuk memajukan projek usahasama Warisan Square yang dimiliki oleh Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd, sayap pelaburan milik majoriti Kerajaan Negeri Sabah.

Bertuahnya Raymond yang hanya mempunyai modal RM2 juta menjalankan usahama dengan Warisan Harta yang mempunyai modal berbayar RM393 juta!

Warisan Square merupakan muzium hidup atau Kompleks pameran dan penjualan barang berjenama terkenal dunia seperti Starhill di Kuala Lumpur dan bukannya untuk rakyat Sabah yang berpendapatan rendah. Semua lot Warisan Square telah habis dijual, namun Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd hanya mendapat beberapa lot kedai sahaja! Raymond dan Musa Khan tetap mendapat untung!

Tapak seluas 25 ekar itu sepatutnya dibina Universiti Islam Antara Bangsa swasta yang dimiliki USIA atau projek lain yang memberikan manfaat kepada rakyat Sabah atau ahli USIA secara keseluruhannya. Namun, Tun Sakaran telah serahkannya kepada Raymond dan Musa untuk dijadikan pusat perniagaan dan pelancongan.

Apabila siap kelak, 1Borneo akan mempunyai hotel tiga bintang, pusat perubatan pakar, kolej swasta, panggung wayang, pusat bowling, hypermall termasuk outlet judi, arak, urut dan sebagainya!

Only the best for polls, says Jeffrey

2007-03-15T03:24:00.000-07:00

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat will only put up candidates who possess leadership quality and willing to provide the best services to the people.

Its Sabah deputy chief, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said the party would not be in a haste to nominate candidates although many had offered themselves to contest in the coming election.

"Of course many are interested and offering themselves to stand on a Keadilan ticket but we will study first their backgrounds, especially their willingness to serve the people," he said when asked to comment on the response from political leaders in Sabah, including those from the ruling party, on this issue, here, Wednesday.

According to Dr Jeffrey, it was a positive development but he reiterated that Keadilan would only nominate the best.

"We don't want to repeat problems that we see today where elected representatives are giving more priority to their personal interest and do not produce new ideas," he claimed.

Dr Jeffrey also urged the BN leadership to be consistent and more specific when commenting on the date of election.

"If you say you are ready why not just hold it straight away?" he asked.

People's Commission of Inquiry to tackle issue of illegals

2007-03-15T03:22:00.000-07:00

New Sabah Times

KOTA KINABALU : Parti Keadilan Rakyat Sabah (PKRS) wants to set up what is dubbed “The People’s Commission of Inquiry” to resolve the perrennial illegal immigrants issue plaguing the state.

Its deputy chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan announced this when officiating at KK division’s 2006 Annual General Meeting (AGM) here on Tuesday.

He said the plan was essentially prompted by the failure to resolve this perennial issue which has existed for many decades.

Dr Jeffrey also said the long standing issue needed to be resolved as soon as possible.

He said the fear of the presence of too many illegals was a legitimate one citing the present number of foreigners in the state which is estimated to surpass one million.

Sabah has a population of 3.3 million.

He added that a majority of these illegals were known to possess voting rights as they possessed Malaysia identity cards obtained through dubious means.

“Hence, there’s always a danger of some of these foreigners being elected to become the leaders of Sabah one day.

“We need to resolve this issue urgently before it is too late,” he stressed.

Dr Jeffrey who is also a younger brother of the PBS President-cum-Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Pairin Kitingan also noted Keadilan was determined to introduce a truly multiracial political system and culture that it thought would be more beneficial to the country in the long run.

Meanwhile he urged the people of Sabah to vote wisely in the coming election as to improve the present situation and for the sake of the future generations. MICHAEL TEH

Cop takes statement from Jeffrey on book's IC claims

2007-03-14T19:14:00.001-07:00

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, whose book "Justice For Sabah" detailed an alleged scheme by certain Federal and Sabah leaders to legalise hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants, had his statement recorded by police.

A police officer from Karamunsing headquarters personally took his statement at his Sokid Villa residence in Bukit Padang, Luyang, over three hours.

"They have been calling me to get my statement but I was a bit busy. So today I decided to co-operate," he said, adding among others he hoped the allegations would be investigated thoroughly and the matter solved.

"I have given the information that they wanted especially those based on my book. I hope the report by me as well as by others to the Parliamentary Select Committee recently will be able to facilitate in finding solution, including the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry," he said.

Told to clarify, he said he was referring to Jabar Khan and MD Mutalib, who appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Dr Jeffrey reiterated that the problem must be solved as it involved the security and sovereignty of the country as well as towards ensuring a clean election.

"If there is no solution, we will lose our independence since the ones deciding our future will not be us but 'outsiders'. We hope the people of Sabah realise this and make their stand," he said.

Hopefully, he said the Election Commission (EC) would ensure that the coming general election is clean and cleared of phantom and foreign votes.

According to him, apart from phantom voters who are people voting using the names of people who were dead, among others, the EC must also be prepared to check foreigners impersonating as locals using MyKad and temporary IC receipts to cast votes.

"I also hope those Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders who were in the opposition before and have spoken about this will abide with what they have said before to condemn all these," he said.

Dr Jeffrey also wanted the EC to clarify its statement that a person is supposed to vote according to their address in their IC.

"Maybe they need to clarify on the status of the army personnel (posted in various bases in the country like in Sabah). Their ICs will definitely show their address not in Sabah. So they should not be voting here," he said.

Dr Jeffrey also advised the electorates to verify their names in the electoral rolls and their polling stations now and before the election to ensure it has not been changed.

He said that there were cases in the last election where the voters had their polling station changed without their knowledge.

"I would like to ask the Election Commission who allowed these unauthorised changes," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Jeffrey confirmed Monday he will go for one of the Keadilan Vice-President posts during the party's congress this May.

Dr Jeffrey, who was appointed one of the three Sabah Keadilan deputy chairmen immediately upon joining the party late last year, said the 25 divisions in Sabah were currently holding its annual general meetings and elections of office bearers until end of this month.

After the AGMs at the division level, Sabah Keadilan would hold its congress during which it would probably nominate party advisor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the presidency post as well. Dr Jeffrey also confirmed that he would remain in Keningau for the coming election.

Stuff Hollywood movie scripts are made of (part 2)

2007-03-14T16:10:00.001-07:00

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Umno moved into Sabah soon after the failure of Usno and Berjaya to wrest the state from PBS in the 1990 General Election. The purpose of course was to bring the state back under Federal control by hook or by crook. Invariably, the ‘crook’ method, which is always the shortest distance between two points, was chosen.

“Kegagalan Usno dan Berjaya merampas kuasa daripada PBS dalam tahun 1990 memberikan tukul dan paku kepada Umno untuk menyeberang Laut Cina Selatan dan masuk ke Sabah bagi memaku rapat Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan dalam keranda politiknya dengan meneruskan PENGELUARAN KAD PENGENALAN PROJEK kepada PATI,” said one ex-ISA detainee to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Monday, 26 February 2007.

“Selaku orang yang paling berkuasa dalam Kerajaan Mahathir, DATUK SERI MEGAT JUNID MEGAT AYUB dan Setiausaha Politiknya DATUK AZIZ SAMSUDDIN, telah melakukan tindakan paling drastik dengan mengarahkan enam orang pegawai pendaftaran dari cawangan Kota Kinabalu memproses dan menandatangani kad pengenalan biru yang diberikan kepada rakyat asing dengan menggunakan HNR 5 dan HNR 6 (diproses di Sabah), tanpa sebarang dokumen sokongan.”

“Pengarah JPN Sabah ketika itu, ABDUL RAUF SANI, mengarahkan mereka melaksanakan misi sulit itu setelah menerima penerangan terperinci daripada KOLONEL MOHD NOOR, Pegawai daripada Perisikan Tentera Malaysia (MIO). Mereka diterbangkan khas dari Kota Kinabalu dan Datuk Aziz Samsuddin membenarkan rumah yang diperuntukan kerajaan kepadanya yang terletak di No. 18, Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur, sebagai Markas Mini Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara.”

“Lebih 100,000 Kad Pengenalan Biru diberikan kepada PATI oleh operasi khas ini. Pegawai yang terlibat menandatangani kad pengenalan biru PATI di Rumah Datuk Aziz Samsuddin ialah AZMI ABDUL KARIM, YAKUP DAMSAH, ASLI SIDUP, MOHD TOHID MOHAMMAD, RAMSAH MOHD YASSIN dan BAHRIN MOJITAR. Tarikh pengeluaran kad pengenalan diundur beberapa tahun ke belakang. Kesemua mereka, melainkan Bahrin, akhirnya ditahan di bawah ISA setelah UMNO berkuasa atas tuduhan MEMUDARATKAN KESELAMATAN NEGARA.”

Yes, that is but four paragraphs from a 29-page testimony that an ex-ISA detainee made to Parliament on 26 February 2007. And, as the testimony reveals, all those involved were eventually detained under the ISA on grounds that they are threats to national security. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that they were detained to keep them quiet and to not allow the incident to become public knowledge.

What the testimony failed to mention is that Kolonel Mohd Noor from MIO came under the present Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak. What the testimony does reveal, however, is that this was a well-coordinated and Federal Government-backed operation to flood Sabah with Muslim voters so as to bring down the Christian-dominated government of Pairin’s PBS. And the Abu Sayyaf Group was employed as the ‘contractor’ to supply these Muslim immigrants required to meet this objective.

As revealed in the previous episode of this report, Umno failed to pay the Abu Sayyaf Group the money promised, so eventually it had to resort to kidnapping 21 hostages from Sipadan Island and another three from Pandanan to ‘persuade’ Umno to pay its long-outstanding debt.

When the hostage crisis first became public knowledge in 2000, it was thought that this is just another of many incidences involving Muslim terrorist groups that go around kidnapping hostages and holding them to ransom. Not many knew then that the Abu Sayyaf Group actually had links with the Malaysian government and that Umno had used it in its effort to take control of Sabah. But now we discover that not only did Umno go into partnership with the Abu Sayyaf Group, but that the group was actually set up by the CIA and that the Philippines military too had dealings with it. In fact, the Philippines security services were keeping the Abu Sayyaf Group in business.

Three months after the 23 April 2000 hostage crisis, Senator Aquilino Pimentel addressed the Philippines Senate and revealed some very damaging bits of information. In his 31 July 2000 speech entitled, TREASONOUS HANDLING OF THE ABU SAYYAF, Senator Aquilino said as follows:

Long before the tourists of Sipadan were kidnapped on April 23 of this year, the Abu Sayyaf had already been blazing a bloody trail of murders, abductions, rapes, mutilations, arsons, and other heinous crimes that is impossible to match in terms of callous cruelty by any armed band of hooligans locally or even internationally.

To respond to the problem posed by the Abu Sayyaf, it may be helpful if we recall the circumstances of its creation.

CIA recruits

In the early 1980s, the CIA actively recruited, armed and supported mujahideens or volunteer Muslim warriors to fight the CIA-sponsored, US proxy war in Afghanistan against the Russians who had invaded the country in 1979 and had put up a puppet regime there.

Thousands of Muslim fighters from many parts of the world, including many young men from the Muslim-dominated areas in Mindanao, enlisted to fight in Afghanistan. After all, the dollar-denominated monthly pay plus incentives of $100 to $300 a month was certainly attractive enough for the jobless and impoverished Muslim youths.

These young warriors were, then, trained to - and many did - fight in Afghanistan supported with funds and equipment by the CIA and its network of friendly foreign funders, which at that time included Osama bin Ladin, a highly successful Arab businessman in the construction industry. Bin Ladin subsequently fell out of grace with the CIA which has since been trying to get him either literally or extradited to the US for his complicity in the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York in 1993.

Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, supposedly a colleague of bin Ladin, was directly implicated as one of the bombers of the World Trade Center. Ramzi becomes immediately relevant to our discussion not only because of his supposed connections with bin Ladin but more so because soon after the kidnapping of the Sipadan tourists, the kidnappers who had proclaimed themselves as members of the Abu Sayyaf announced that one of their demands was the release of Ramzi from US prisons.

Training as Mujahideens

The training of the mujahideens for guerrilla warfare was undertaken by the CIA with the active collaboration of secret, usually, intelligence services of the armed forces or select military officers in various countries, including our own.

Now, when the Russians had pulled out of Afghanistan in 1989, the Mujahideens either returned to their home countries or proceeded to other countries and put their Afghan war military experience at the service of certain fundamentalist causes of Islam.

Birth of Abu Sayyaf

In the case of the Filipino Muslim Mujahideens, most came back to various parts of Mindanao from their base in Peshawar, Pakistan.

In the words of John K. Cooley in his book, Unholy Wars, “This group (of Filipino Muslim Mujahideens) was the core of an armed guerrilla band of several hundred men who moved from its Peshawar, Pakistan base to the southern Philippine Islands after the end of the Afghan war. Under the name of the Abu Sayyaf Group, it operated on the fringe of the Moros Muslim insurgency.”

Thus was the Abu Sayyaf born.

The Abu Sayyaf took its name from Professor Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, an Afghan intellectual, who had preached an ultra-conservative Islamic ideology called Wahabi.

Cooley calls the Abu Sayyaf in the 1990s as “the most violent and radical Islamist group in the Far East, using its CIA and ISI (Pakistan’s intra-military directorate for intelligence services) training to harass, attack and murder Christian priests, wealthy non-Muslim plantation-owners and merchants and local government in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.” [p. 63]

Military coddlers

Because the Abu Sayyaf was operating on the fringe of the Muslim insurgency in the country, its partisans were enticed by certain officers of the armed forces to serve as informers on the activities of the Muslim insurgents in Southern Mindanao.

Marites D. Vitug and Glenda M. Gloria name at least three military and police officers as coddlers or handlers of the Abu Sayyaf in their book, Under the Crescent Moon: Rebellion in Mindanao. One was the commanding general of the Marines at that time, Brig. Gen. Guillermo Ruiz; the other two were police officers, Chief Supt. Leandro Mendoza and Chief Supt. Rodolfo Mendoza.

In the case of Ruiz’s involvement with the Abu Sayyaf, Vitug and Gloria theorize that “The Marines - led by then Brig. Gen. Guillermo Ruiz - apparently flirted with the Abu Sayyaf because they controlled the mountains and (he) wanted to keep his business.” [page 218]

The business of Gen. Ruiz reportedly had to do with illegal logging which led the Catholic Church of Basilan led by Bishop Romeo de la Cruz to demand that the Marines be pulled out of the island. As Vitug and Gloria put it, “By 1994, the Marines were out of Basilan.” This episode has tarnished the otherwise unblemished record of the Marines, who had been held in high esteem by the people in troubled areas where they had been assigned.

Perks from the intelligence services

My information is that the Abu Sayyaf partisans were given military intelligence services IDs, safe-houses, safe-conduct passes, firearms, cell phones and various sorts of financial support.

Edwin Angeles, a leader of the Abu Sayaff in Basilan, told me after the elections of 1995, that it was the Abu Sayaff that was responsible for the raid and the razing down of the town of Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur in early 1995. In that raid, Angeles told me that the Abu Sayyaf raiders were reportedly provided with military vehicles, mortars and assorted firearms. All this time, Angeles was ‘handled’ by police officer, now chief superintendent, Rodolfo Mendoza.

Angeles, if you will recall, was summarily executed, salvaged, if you will, by up to now unidentified persons in 1999. He was killed a month after the principal organizer of the Abu Sayyaf, Abdurajak Janjalani, was shot dead in a reported encounter with police officers.

But even as Abdurajak Janjalani and Edwin Angeles are dead, the Abu Sayyaf up to this very day continues to defy the law, spill blood and cause havoc in the country. In short, the Abu Sayyaf has become a horrifying menace to our people.

A CIA-Monster

For what the Abu Sayyaf has become, the CIA must merit our people’s condemnation. The CIA has sired a monster that has caused a lot of problems for the country and is giving the country a horrible reputation in the international community.

The CIA, however, is a tool of American foreign policy. It will do what advances the cause of the US even at the expense of other countries like ours.

Inexcusable involvement

What looks inexcusable to me is the involvement of a few officers of the armed forces - handlers of the Abu Sayyaf, my informants call them - in the training of the Abu Sayyaf partisans, the very same group of hooligans who are responsible for the kidnapping of foreigners and locals alike and the atrocities they had committed for several years now.

The best that can be said of these officers is that they had been acting, like Col. Oliver North in the infamous Iran-Contra arms deal controversy in the US, outside the loop of the regular command. Their mission, most likely, was to get the Abu Sayyaf partisans as their sources of information on the movements of the Muslim insurgents and probably of their allies from other Muslim countries and as friendly pawns in the game of divide and rule as far as the Muslim insurgency is concerned.

To that end, these officers did not only ‘handle’ the Abu Sayyaf, they cuddled them, trained them, protected them, passed on military equipment and funds from the CIA and its support network, and probably even from the intelligence funds of the armed forces to them.

It is also quite possible that these officers pursued their own self-interests when they dealt with the Abu Sayyaf.

Butch Fernandez of Today tells me that Gen. Alexander Aguirre was present at a meeting - perhaps organizational - of the Abu Sayyaf. Whatever the nature of Gen. Aguirre’s involvement with the Abu Sayyaf has to be explained.

A retired military officer, brigadier general Ruiz, whom Vitug and Gloria had tagged in their book as responsible for the Marines’ flirtation with the Abu Sayyaf, figured recently in the rescue of an Abu Sayyaf hostage in Sulu. He had his picture prominently taken in the company of Sec. Robert Aventajado, chief negotiator of the government for the release of the Abu Sayyaf hostages. In all likelihood, Gen. Ruiz got involved in the Abu Sayyaf hostage release negotiations because he is supposedly trusted by Abu Sayyaf partisans having been a ‘coddler’ of theirs in the not-too-distant past.

Gen. Ruiz should be called to account for his involvement with the Abu Sayyaf. So should Chief Supt. Leandro Mendoza and Chief Supt. Rodolfo Mendoza.

De Villa and Ramos, too

Naturally, the then chief of staff of the armed forces in the 1990s, Gen. Renato de Villa, should likewise tell the people what he knows of the involvement of the CIA and our own military officers in the creation, handling and supervision of the Abu Sayyaf.

It goes without saying that the commander-in-chief of the armed forces from 1992 to 1998, namely, former president Fidel V. Ramos should likewise tell the people what he knows of his administration’s involvement with the creation, handling, and supervision of the Abu Sayyaf.

In our search for the truth regarding the creation, training, funding, supervision and operation of the Abu Sayyaf, the best evidence would be the testimony of people who possess first hand information on these matters.

My witness, Edwin Angeles, is dead. There is or was a file of video-taped testimony of Angeles with ABS-CBN that should be made available to the Senate in connection with its investigation of the Abu Sayyaf.

Arlene de la Cruz, the lady journalist who had first brought Angeles’ exploits to light as an Abu Sayyaf officer told me recently that the file still exists in the vaults of the ABS-CBN.

It was she who had accompanied Angeles to see me in 1995 to explore my providing Angeles with legal assistance. Angeles’ predicament, then, was that he was reportedly being hunted down by the then Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Rafael Alunan.

Corroborative evidence

Ms. de la Cruz would be a good source of corroborative evidence on many aspects of the operations of the Abu Sayyaf.

A bodyguard of Angeles is likewise still alive. Some weeks ago, he told me the names of some other officers of the armed forces who ‘handled’ Abu Sayaff matters. He is, however, deathly afraid of coming out into the open.

Circumstantial evidence

If we are unable to ascertain the truth about the responsibility of the CIA and some of our own military officers in the creation, training and supervision of Abu Sayyaf activities from direct evidence of the persons in the know, materials abound that weave an incontrovertible tale of their involvement through circumstantial evidence.

Among the authors who have written about the Abu Sayyaf, to my knowledge, it is Cooley who makes the most direct statement regarding the training and funding of the Abu Sayyaf by the CIA.

Cooley supports his allegations not only with documents obtained from CIA and Russian sources but with interviews that he had conducted with persons in the know of the secret operations of the CIA in connection with the Afghan war.

Today we are faced with a difficult problem of trying to contain, if not eradicate, the curse of the Abu Sayyaf in parts of Southern Mindanao.

Unassailable evidence

The evidence is now overwhelming - unassailable in my mind - that the CIA was the procreator of the Abu Sayyaf and that some of our own military officers acted as midwives at its delivery and who have nursed the hooligans under illegal, if not, at least, questionable circumstances that enabled the latter to pursue their criminal activities to this very day.

We probably cannot do anything about the CIA’s responsibility in the creation of the Abu Sayyaf and the funding, training and equipping of its members by the agency. That is a thing of the past.

But we can and ought to do something about the involvement of our military officers who were active participants or conduits of the CIA in the creation, funding, training and equipping of the Abu Sayyaf.

Preventing a treasonous recurrence

We have to find out what we can do as legislators to prevent a recurrence of the situation where certain military officers of our armed forces became willing tools of the CIA in the creation, funding, training and equipping of this bandit group that has brought so much harm to the national interest in the last several years and opprobrium to our name in the last several months.

The officers who have been identified as coddlers or handlers of the Abu Sayaff in various studies and documents must be called to account.

While the paternal bonds of the CIA with the Abu Sayyaf may already have been cut off, I am not too sure that the filial connections of the Abu Sayyaf with certain officers of our armed forces have already been severed.

Investigate treasonous acts

Thus, it behoves the senate to instruct its appropriate committees to dig deeply into the circumstances under which the Abu Sayyaf was created, the handling of its funds, and the training of its partisans.

It is only fitting that any Filipino who had a hand in the creation, training and equipping of the Abu Sayyaf should be held to account for high treason and other crimes.

I urge the senate to do what needs to be done to vindicate the national honour and the rights of the people who have been savaged and brutalized by the Abu Sayyaf.

Stuff Hollywood movie scripts are made of (part 1)

‘Clean up voter list’

2007-03-12T03:50:00.000-07:00

New Sabah Times

Kota Kinabalu: Village heads or local community leaders could help Election Commission (EC) to revoke names of voters, who had since died, from electoral roll, said State EC officer (registration unit) Hasemah Mahur.

She said the names of the deceased remained in the electoral roll because the EC was not informed of their deaths.

“EC will revoke their names if there are documents like death certificates or letters from the village heads (especially in the interior areas),” she said at a Sabah Wanita Umno function last night.

Hasemah said until Sept 30 last year, there were 780,887 registered voters in Sabah.

Meanwhile, Sabah Wanita Umno’s Membership Bureau Chairman Datuk Hamisah Samat said the bureau, with the cooperation of the EC, would conduct an exercise next month to register its members as voters.

Hamisah said that all Wanita members who are eligible to vote would be registered with the EC as soon as possible.

She said the respective divisions each had a membership bureau, and its leaders would be directed to register those who had yet to become voters.

“Our members must assist those who have yet to register,” she said in a statement yesterday.

She said the campaign to register new voters would start in April and will involve all 25 divisions.

Hamisah said her bureau had met yesterday together with their Information counterparts.

Also present at the meeting were deputy Sabah Wanita chief, Datuk Amisah Yassin, its information chief, Hajah Jainab Ahmad, and heads of membership of the various divisions.

According to Hamisah, the movement had 174,000 members.

Malaysia world’s 88th most costly destination

2007-03-08T17:30:00.000-08:00

New Sabah Times

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been placed 88th among the world’s most expensive destinations this year, up from 95th last year, according to a survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

The jump in ranking for Malaysia was mainly driven by the country’s economic growth, said EIU, a business information arm of the Economist Group which publishes “The Economist” magazine, in its latest “Worldwide Cost of Living” survey.

The higher ranking also meant that Kuala Lumpur is now among the emerging hubs which are seeing the cost of living catching up with more developed countries in Asia, EIU added.

Stable employment prospects, continuous income growth and a supportive financial environment are among the other reasons supporting the ranking, a local economist told Bernama when asked to comment on the survey.

“Low and stable interest rate is also becoming a solid support for the country’s economic growth,” he said.

The survey also showed rise in the cost of living at other Asean hubs like Singapore ranked 14th, Jakarta at 73rd, Bangkok at 92nd and Manila at 131st.

Bank Negara Malaysia, in a statement recently, painted a bright picture on the economic growth prospects for Malaysia.

The central bank said growth prospects are expected to remain favourable this year, backed by sustained private consumption and continued expansion in investment activity.

The country achieved a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.9 percent last year and has targeted six percent growth for 2007.

Sudah tiba masanya rakyat Sabah berubah arus

2007-03-07T19:40:00.000-08:00

Sahar Abdul Majid - Harakahdaily

Rakyat berbilang kaum di Sabah digesa menilai kembali kewibawaan dan ketelusan pemerintahan Umno dan Barisan Nasional (BN) sejak lebih sedekad gabungan parti berkenaan memerintah negeri ini.

Ini memandangkan, sejak selepas merdeka taraf hidup masyarakat Bumiputera di negara ini khususnya Bumiputera Islam dan bukan Islam di Sabah masih berada pada tahap yang rendah dengan penguasaan ekonomi sekitar 30 peratus berbanding kaum lain.

Perkara itu dinyatakan oleh Ketua Dewan Pemuda PAS Pusat, YB Salahuddin Ayub dalam sidang medianya selepas menyempurnakan perasmian 'Majlis Ramah Mesra Pasti Kawasan Tawau' di sebuah hotel terkemuka dekat sini kelmarin.

Turut sama dalam sidang media itu, Pesuruhjaya PAS Sabah Hj Muhammad Abdullah dan Ketua Dewan Pemuda PAS Negeri Ustaz Anuar Ali.

Beliau menegaskan sudah sampai masanya rakyat Sabah melakukan perubahan politik sekali lagi pada pilihan raya akan datang berikutan kegagalan Umno dan BN menaiktarafkan kehidupan rakyat berbilang kaum terutama dari segi ekonomi, infrastruktur dan pendidikan.

“Bagi PAS dan juga tidak ketinggalan rakan-rakan dalam BA iaitu Parti Keadilan Rakyat mempunyai agenda nasional bagi memastikan hak rakyat terus terbela,"katanya.

Salahuddin yang juga Ahli Parlimen Kubang Kerian Kelantan menjelaskan, walaupun beliau wakil rakyat PAS dari Kelantan, namun beliau terus menyuarakan hak dan kepentingan rakyat semua kaum semasa perbahasan di parlimen termasuk banyak menyentuh isu-isu yang berlaku di Sabah.

“Kami bukanlah parti kampungan seperti yang didakwa tetapi kami mempunyai visi dan misi yang jelas untuk semua kaum tanpa mengira apa bangsa dan latar belakang mereka,”tegas beliau.

Bahkan kata Salahuddin lagi, wakil-wakil rakyat dari Sabah sendiri mengakui banyak perkara yang tidak dapat diselesaikan untuk membangunkan rakyat Sabah pada tahap yang lebih baik terutama dalam soal pendidikan, infrastruktur dan ekonomi Bumiputera.

Katanya, tidak hairanlah kiranya Sabah terus direkodkan sebagai sebuah negeri yang termiskin di Malaysia berbanding negeri-negeri lain di Semenanjung termasuk Kelantan yang diperintah oleh PAS.

Sehubungan dengan itu katanya, bertapaknya PAS dan BA di Sabah sebagai ‘pengimbang’ kepada kuasa Umno dan BN bagi memastikan rakayat mendapat keadilan yang sewajarnya.

Beliau turut yakin dengan perkembangan dan senario politik yang berlaku ketika ini, rakyat Sabah akan melakukan perubahan politik sekali lagi kepada parti pembangkang.

“Bertukar kerajaan adalah suatu perkara biasa bagi rakyat Sabah, dan saya yakin berdasarkan maklumat yang diperolehi rakyat, akan melakukannya pada pilihan raya umum kali ini,” ujar salahuddin lagi.

Ketika ditanya mengenai penerimaan rakyat Sabah terhadap PAS, beliau berkata selepas hampir dua dekad PAS berada pada tahap yang amat memberansangkan terutama sokongan masyarakat Bumiputera Islam

Dalam hal ini beliau melahirkan rasa kagum apabila sokongan rakyat terutama golongan muda semakin meningkat bahkan ketika ini PAS dipimpin oleh golongan profesional tempatan sendiri.

“Saya amat yakin dengan perkembangan positif ini PAS akan menjadi pesaing kepada Umno dan BN dalam gelanggang politik Sabah suatu ketika nanti,” tambahnya.

Will the Voters Be Forgiving?

2007-03-07T18:09:00.000-08:00

Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad
Director, PAS Research Centre

Just as the premier is on his upbeat mood to be contemplating on the date for the next General Election (GE), he is rudely reminded that the worst is far from over. His current woes on the economy are nowhere near comfort zone. Worse still, he is now confronted with even more agonising and unending revelation of corruption in his government.

His excitement over the economy took a blow when his economic spin-doctors pathetic attempt to massage the statistics of the so-called trillion ringgit total trade, increased foreign reserves, strengthening ringgit and increased foreign direct investment (FDI) were challenged. The FDI numbers were contradicted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report. The International Trade and Industry Minister earlier announced that the FDI had surged to a record high in 2006, noting that ‘approved’ FDI for the manufacturing sector was at a record RM 20.2 billion (US$5.7 billion).

In UNCTAD Investment Brief (Number 1, 2007), Malaysia’s FDI (actual inflow of approved) for 2006 was estimated around US$3.9 as compared to US$4.0 in 2005 and US$4.6 in 2004. Rafidah’s claim that Malaysia continues to be an attractive manufacturing and export base doesn’t reflect the actual situation. The same report quoted Thailand as having attracted USD$7.9 billion, while India and Singapore enticed USD$9.5 billion and USD$31.9 billion respectively. For the record, Asia is still the top target for FDIs in the developing world, attracting a total US$230 billion. For all our much hyped ‘competitiveness’, we actually had a meagre 1.7% of the total FDI for Asia.

The premier’s bullishness over the performance of the Bursa Malaysia was also short-lived. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) went into a tailspin from 1,272.87 on the 27th February to 1,164.68 on 2nd March, wiping out a whooping RM97.58 billion in market capitalisation. Thanks to the premier’s ‘unsolicited investment advice’, he had predicted that the KLCI could surpass the 1,350-point by year end. Lured by the premier’s novice advice, many small investors actually got badly burnt.

Ironically though, many could recall that it was none other than the boss of the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) who went as far as instigating the premier to call for the dissolution of the parliament. He alleged that the economy is at its best.

Since when was the head of the MIER a jointly appointed ‘political analyst’? His audacious attempt in ‘political prophecy’ is surely to be marvelled. Quite oblivious of its impact, he had actually committed a great disservice to his political master by letting known the gruelling economic scenarios to come.

The writer’s perusal of current literature has it that the US economic recession is probable by this year end as predicted by Allan Span (former US Federal Reserve). China is talking about curbing its overheated stock market. Investors, especially hedge fund managers, may embark on unwinding their yen ‘carry trade’ as Japan may decide to end their zero-rate policy amounting to US$1 trillion. This could adversely affect the global financial markets (carry trade - buying in Japan’s yen because of their zero interest rate and investing in other currencies and higher yielding assets and earning through it spread). These are scary scenarios for a pending global threat that may have a negative impact on the Malaysian economy. Bleak though it may seem for the time being, waiting much longer doesn’t help the premier either.

As if all these weren’t sufficient to shake his confidence for a ‘fengshui’ date for the next General Election, he was further slapped with the latest allegations against his Number One or the Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor, on accounts of corruption and sexual crimes.

His party and administration are under very serious pressure as a result of the many abuses and corrupt practices. But this one is doubtless, simply the most menacing and catastrophic to the integrity of his entire government. No amount of ‘spin’ or damage control from Johan Jafaar’s ‘Debat Perdana’ on ‘Integrity’ could cushion the damage. The ACA is the watchdog and the icon of integrity, the primary institution charged with combating corruption in the public sector.

Thanks to the good work of the Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption (Gerak) that had exposed the report penned by former Sabah ACA’s chief, Mohamad Ramli Manan last year. Gerak’s Chairman, Ezam Mohd Noor, insisted on the establishment of an independent committee to probe the allegations. Both the president of the Bar Council and the president of the Transparency International (TI) Malaysia, however, opined that the police should be allowed to carry out a full investigation first.

The writer having met the complainant, Mohamad Ramli Manan, believes that there are merits to Ezam’s suggestion. Letters to the then IGP as well as to the AG’s Chambers were of no avail. What is puzzling, police findings in 1997, where Zulkipli claimed that he was cleared of the charges, were not revealed to the public. The IGP has now confirmed that the papers on the sexual crime and assault allegations have been resubmitted to the AG’s Chambers for further action.

Be that as it may, like the judiciary, the ACA is deserving of leadership of impeccable reputation. While not wanting to be prejudicial to ex-police officers, it would be pertinent to have personalities from established academics, top civil servants or the jurists. Ideally, the ACA must be directly placed under the parliament as the PAC Chairman has suggested.

Just as the premier thought he could sit back, he is struck by another allegation of corrupt practice against his Internal Security Deputy Minister, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum who has been alleged to have accepted more than RM5.5 million in bribes to assist in freeing several suspects detained under the Emergency Ordinance.

At this juncture, it dawns upon me that all these ‘revelations’ might very well be my ‘blind spot’. For all the ‘predicaments’ apparently tormenting the premier, it’s nonetheless the work of his ‘spin doctors’ to betray the premier’s earnestness and resolute stance against corruption. Some may have to fall on their own swords - the sacrificial lamb of sorts.

He fought the election wanting the electorates to support him on the agenda of ‘war against corruption’ and Islam Hadhari. They relented and gave him a thumping victory. After three years, he now could neither show-case his success on Islam or brag of his efforts against corruption. His lackadaisical attitude in combating corruption is amply testified by the fact that the National Integrity Plan and its Institute were launched in April 2004. After all the rhetoric, nothing got done. It’s now March 2007!

Given the last leg of his term, he is desperate to vindicate his claims, deliver his promises and placate his critiques. But then, what about the 18 high-profile cases exposed by Dr Rais Yatim at the start of his premiership?

What about the RM540 million paid to a third party in the procurement of the RM4.1 billion submarines?

What about the long list of rent-seeking or crony practices bordering abuses nay downright corruption that privileged a few Umnoputras?

What about the excesses of purchasing the new airbus jetliner for RM200 million when the overburdened rakyat were denied of the RM104 million for the textbook loan for their children and all?

What about the inflation in literally everything that matters most to the rakyat as a result of reckless policies in increasing petrol and diesel prices? What about the tariff hikes in utilities and the toll?

What about….what about…what about? The list goes on.

Will the rakyat and voters be forgiving in the next General Election? I rest my case.

2007-03-07T17:25:00.000-08:00

Admission by Pairin: Jeffrey

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan is wrong to say it is not the right time for political change, said his younger brother, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat Sabah deputy chief.

"The reality at the grassroots indicate otherwise with the people crying out for change. Even at the remotest villages, simple folk know they have not benefited through PBS since BN came into power," he said.

"A huge percentage of the electorate have already decided to vote for Keadilan in the next election," he claimed, adding that such sentiment could not be reversed by a simple offer of development projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Nonetheless, he said Keadilan saluted Pairin for his honesty in saying that PBS was aware that "its participation in the BN has yet to bear fruitful results".

"By this statement, he (Pairin) admits that PBS' readmission to the BN since January 2002 has been fruitless or in other words, has been in vain, and had not brought any benefit to the people.

"By asserting that PBS is still relevant, Pairin also actually cast strong doubt about the relevance of PBS in the present political scenario. How can it be relevant when after all these years it has not borne fruitful results?

"If after five years it failed to deliver, can it really hope to do it now and in the future when the BN is now so dominated by Umno, while PBS and the other components have little say in political decision-making?" he asked.

Dr Jeffrey said PBS must also look into how much role it will have in implementing the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

"It should speak out against corruption in the BN É there is so much injustice and unresolved problems in Sabah now such as the worsening illegal immigrant problem, corruption, unbalanced development distribution, native land issues, poverty," he said.

Pairin denies secretly backing Keadilan

2007-03-06T22:09:00.000-08:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
7/3/07

Tuaran: Deputy Chief Minister and PBS President, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, has denied any involvement with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) or telling the KadazanDusun community that joining the opposition will be to their interest.

He was clearing the air on rumours to this effect in the opposition party's election campaign throughout the State.

Saying he has no knowledge of such "masuk kampung" campaigns by the opposition, Pairin said he was also not sure whether any approval was given by police for them (opposition) to do the campaign.

Pairin was met at the closing of Bina Negara Biro Tatanegara Sabah Branch seminar organised by the Prime Minister Department with collaboration from the People Development Leader Unit Kiulu at the community hall in Kiulu here.

Denying the PKR claim that he will be appointed Deputy Prime Minister if the opposition won the next general elections, Pairin said that is actually a gimmick created by the opposition to garner support in the State.

He advised the people not to easily believe the opposition. He also chided the opposition for spreading such baseless claims for their political interest. The seminar was attended by 200 people comprising village heads, native chiefs and village development and security committee (JKKK) chairmen in Kiulu constituency. Also present are Assistant Youth and Sport Minister, Jahid Jahim, Kiulu Assemblyman, Datuk Louis Rampas, Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau and Biro Tatanegara Sabah Director Ibrahim Saad.

Hear the land scam: YIS

2007-03-05T22:02:00.000-08:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Kota Kinabalu: Yayasan Islam Sabah (YIS) has requested the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity to conduct hearings in Sabah on the integrity of Parti Bersatu Sabah's Cabinet Ministers from 1985 to 1993, particularly on the issue relating 906,300 acres reserved for landless Sabahans.

In a statement, the foundation claimed that the Berjaya Government in December 1979 reserved 906,300 acres for local smallholders, signing an agreement to provide some 60,000 landless Sabahans 15 acres each.

However, it was revealed by Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, who was a Miniser in the PBS Government, that "tens of thousands of acres of land reserved for landless Sabahans were alienated to a number of companies owned by PBS supporters.

These PBS supporters, in turn, sold their companies together with alienated land to peninsular companies, the statement said.

The revelation by Kurup was widely reported in Sabah newspapers.

The foundation further claimed that the PBS Government reneged on the 1979 agreement between the State Government and the 60,000 smallholders, and estimated that more than 50 per cent of the land had been sold to peninsula companies.

Kurup also claimed that nearly 90 per cent of the oil palm plantations in the State are owned by peninsular companies.

YIS suggested that the committee consider summoning Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup and the Director of Lands and Surveys, to provide the necessary evidence.

Tawau free trade zone receives positive feedback

2007-03-04T17:56:00.000-08:00

New Sabah Times
4th March, 2007

KOTA KINABALU: The business community and politicians alike are beaming following the disclosure that Tawau will be turned into a free trade zone in view of its strategic position for international trade.

Assistant Rural Development Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titngan said that Tawau was a suitable and strategic site.

“As a big district, it is a gateway to two sides of two major countries,” he said of Tawau’s proximity to Kalimantan in Indonesia and South Philippines.

Tawfiq who is Apas assemblyman said that the effort by the Federal Government must be supported by all.

“I believe everyone is all behind the set up of the free trade zone,” he said.

On Friday, Finance Ministry Parliamentary secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya said that Tawau’s location near Indonesia’s border in Kalimantan and its proximity to southern Philippines made it an ideal gateway for international trade.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Sabah Fisheries Marketing Berhad (SAFMA) jetty here, Dr Hilmi said that as Sabah did not have a free trade zone as yet, it was hoped that the Tawau free trade zone would further boost business activities in the state.

The free trade zone in Tawau would be set up as soon as possible, he said, adding that this was important before other countries set up their own nearby.

Tawfiq who is also Tawau Umno chief hoped that the groundwork would take place soon for the benefit of the rakyat especially Tawau folks.

“The local economy will be stimulated and economic spin-offs will be created,” he said.

Merotai assemblyman Datuk Liew Yun Fah also welcomed the move as it would augur well to the overall future development of Tawau.

“We are seeing a brighter future for the district due to the caring attitude of the Federal Government,” he said.

The Tawau Chinese Chamber of Commerce said that the district has been largely a palm oil producing district.

“If the free trade zone is implemented, many industries will come to Tawau and this will surely spur the growth of the district to a larger dimension.

“Every industry including the hospitability and food business will benefit from a free trade zone,” an official said.

Try me first, dares MP

2007-03-04T17:34:00.000-08:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) Secretary-General Bernard S. Maraat has issued a challenge to opposition Pasok President Richard Jayasuriya to contest against him in the next elections, instead of talking big.

"Before Richard wants to challenge Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, why don't he challenge me first.

"He (Richard) better don't talk about challenging CM in the coming elections, but talk about challenging me in Pensiangan," said the Pensiangan MP at his Chinese New Year open house in Luyang, Saturday. Also present were the Chief Minister's wife, Datin Hj. Faridah Hj. Tussin, who was representing the Chief Minister, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President, Datuk VK Liew and its Secretary General Teo Chee Kang, among others.

Maraat was commenting on Richard's announcement on Friday that he "will contest wherever Sabah Umno Chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman will stand" in the coming elections.

"I can say that our Mr Richard Jayasuriya is daydreaming because he cannot even converse in proper Malay (Bahasa Melayu)Éhe only speaks in English. I was made to understand that he went to the interior area and talked to the villagers there in English. I can assure that these people will not understand his (Richard's) ideas and concepts of Pasok's strugglesÉNothing," he stressed.

"Richard better don't dream of challenging the CM when you can't even challenge me in Pensiangan."

At a Press conference on Friday, Pasok became the first party to name eight candidates in the yet-to-be-announced polls.

Richard's Deputy President, Datu Abdul Razak Datu Abdul Salam will stand in Kudat, its Youth Chief Muhd Al Aprinuddin in Silam, National Council Member Gabriel Uwing Agunsung in Pensiangan, Asang Rawai (Tandek) and eldest son of the late Datuk Mark Koding, Vitos in Ranau against his father's former colleague, Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, among others.

On another issue, Maraat said there was no rift between him and PBRS President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup as it was just a rumour.

He said there were unscrupulous people who created the rumour and wanted to take advantage for self-interest.

Pasok boss wants to contest against the CM

2007-03-03T21:57:00.001-08:00

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Opposition Pasok (United Pasok Nunukragang National Organisation) President J. Richard Jayasuriya declared Friday that he will contest against Sabah Umno Chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman in the next elections.

"I will contest wherever the Chief Minister is going to stand," he told a press conference at the party's headquarters in Tanjung Aru Plaza, Friday.

In doing so, it became the first party to name eight candidates in the yet-to-be announced polls.

At the press conference, the eldest son of late Datuk Mark Koding, Vitos, said he will contest the Ranau Parliamentary seat.

This mean Vitos, 29, the eldest of four children of the founder of now defunct Parti Akar, will be up against his father's former colleague, Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department

Richard's Deputy President Datu Abdul Razak Datu Abdul Salam will stand in Kudat, its Youth Chief Muhd Al Aprinuddin in Silam, National Council Member Gabriel Uwing Agunsung in Pensiangan and Asang Rawai (Tandek) among others.

Saying the party is still finalising the lists of candidates for the rest of the Parliamentary and State seats, Richard said they are expected to finalise within six months.

"Our members have also increased from the previous figure of about 6,000Émost of our new members are also coming from within the Barisan Nasional components especially Umno, PBS, PBRS and Upko," claimed Richard.

He claimed many Umno members in Tanjung Aru have joined Pasok until 'it (Umno division) has nearly collapsed in Tanjung Aru".

However, he said the response from Chinese members of SAPP, MCA and LDP are still slow.

Asked whether the party has been pinching members from the other opposition parties in Sabah, Richard said it never force any one to join the party and "it is all up to them to choose".

He said the party is fighting for the rights of Sabahans, which is among the main reasons why Vitos and the others are attracted to join the party.

Vitos, meanwhile, said he wish to continue with what his late father had been doing although he will have to do it through the opposition.

Although having no experience in politics, he is confident of his chances in Ranau.

In cold storage for probing Sabah cases: Ex-ACA boss

2007-03-03T20:39:00.000-08:00

Daily Express News

Putra Jaya: Mohamad Ramli Manan, the ex-Anti-Corruption Agency director who brought allegations of corruption against his former boss, has claimed that he was put in "cold storage" in 2000 four his diligence in pursuing cases in Sabah.

Ramli, who was the State ACA director, said that he had been investigating high-profile cases, including that of former Cabinet Minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam, prior to his 78-hour transfer to the ACA headquarters here.

"I was transferred in September 2000 to the headquarters until my retirement last year. I was given non-operational duties. In fact, I was not doing any work at all. It was cold storage because I had been actively investigating cases in Sabah. My last case was Kasitah Gaddam's," he said Friday.

Kasitah is on trial at the Kuala Lumpur High Court for two charges of corruption.

Ramli also denied claims that he was under investigation for being absent without leave (AWOL) prior to his retirement last year.

A report had quoted an official as saying that Ramli had been investigated for going AWOL before his retirement on Dec 8.

Ramli said his lawyer had sent a letter to the daily demanding an apology.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan said action by former Sabah Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) Director (Mohamad Ramli) to openly allege that ACA Director-General Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor was involved in corruption and abuse of power to the media was "not right".

"My advice to him (Ramli) is come forward and cooperate with the police. I am not saying that his action was wrong as he is free to voice out but it was just not right.

"I am studying this case in detail. We are doing our level best fairly," he said, when contacted, Saturday.

Ramli, 56, who retired from ACA last Dec. 8 claimed that other than Zulkipli, he had also lodged reports of corrupt practices of several senior ACA officers.

He added the report against Zulkipli was made in July 2006, under Section 107 Criminal Procedure Code that should lead to police investigation.

Ramli said the reports of corruption and abuse of power against senior officers were made under the Corruption Prevention Act 1997 between 2003 and 2004.

Musa hoped the media would be extra careful in reporting the case and that it would not be sensationalised.

"This is not an easy case and every information is important in determining its outcome. Media please play your role wisely.

"Since this case need to be studied from various angles, the police hope that all parties involved will be patient until it is resolved," he added.

The issue surfaced when the Democracy and Anti-Corruption Movement or Gerakan Demokrasi dan Anti Korupsi (Gerak) in its blogsite stated that former Sabah ACA Director Ramli wrote to former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamed Bakri Omar last year alleging that Zulkipli owned properties beyond his source of income.

2007-03-03T00:16:00.001-08:00

Sipitang Wanita Umno all geared up for coming election

PREPARATIONS... Surinam (back 2nd right) chairing the meeting in Beaufort recently

New Sabah Times, 3rd March, 2007

SIPITANG: Although the date for the next general elections has not been announced yet, the Wanita Umno division here is already busy preparing for the polls. Datuk Surinam Sadikun who heads the division said it would very soon mobilise the K10 or Group of 10 to gather the names of voters and identify current issues afflicting the people so that they can be fully addressed.

“These issues can be on problems like clogged drainage, damaged roads, uncollected garbage that must be settled now or it will be too late to do it at the last minute because then we will lose voters’ confidence,” she said. Surinam was speaking when chairing a meeting on the election machinery for the Sipitang Wanita Umno at the Weston Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary in Beaufort here recently.

The Group of 10 will have to identify the voters and the number that will vote for Barisan Nasional (BN). “Find out which voters are not within the area or cast their ballot outside the constituency and those who have passed on or names are not listed in the area. This requires meticulous work and time so we must do it now so that by the time the elections come we are prepared,” said Surinam, who is also the assemblywoman for Lumadan.

Just recently, Sabah Wanita Umno chief, Datuk Armani Mahiruddin ordered all divisions to visit the grassroots and update the list of Umno members yet to register as voters.

Surinam said past records had shown the K10 concept to be effective as there was very little difference between the figures collected by the group and the actual number of votes obtained during election day.

She reminded that it was of the utmost importance to make sure all voters come out to cast their ballots on polling day.

Dealers to be scrapped

2007-03-03T00:13:00.000-08:00

Sabah Times, 3rd March, 2007

KOTA KINABALU: Appointing just one sole agent, owned by the government, to purchase scrap iron could well be the answer to the rampant sale of stolen scrap metal in the state.

The Ministry of Local Government and Housing will make the proposal among others to the government seeing that the problem has escalated to a scale that it can no longer be controlled by the local authorities.

Its minister, Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor (picture) said the widespread theft of cables and scrap metal belonging to the government and private sector had caused losses running into millions of ringgit.

“I will ask officers of the ministry to prepare a proposal to appoint just one company to buy scrap iron to put a stop to this problem. I realise there are many items made of metal that belong to the public and government stolen by the unscrupulous who just want quick money,” he said.

Hajiji was speaking after receiving a group of visitors from Telekom Malaysia led by general manager Haji Umran Uthman at his office here yesterday.

He said if the proposal is accepted then several scrap iron dealers will have their licences cancelled to sanction just one agent to buy the material.

“If the sole agent owned by the government becomes a reality then the government will work closely with the Royal Customs Department to monitor the export of scrap iron too,” he added.

Other than Telekom, the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and local authorities also suffer hefty losses from the theft of scrap metal.

Kambing jaga sireh

2007-02-27T01:59:00.001-08:00

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

How many of you know that, before he became the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency, Zulkipli Mat Noor, used to be the head of the Sabah Special Branch? This was in the days when Musa Aman, the present Sabah Chief Minister, was still just an up-and-coming politician and not yet walking in the corridors of power?

How many of you know that the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency, Zulkipli Mat Noor, has been accused of corruption and rape? On 28 July 1997, Zarina Minda Binti Abdullah made a police report alleging that Zulkipli raped her. (The police report can be seen below). For Zulkipli to now continue as the head of the ACA tantamount to what the Malays would say, “Suruh kambing jaga sireh (asking the goat to guard the betel leaves).” The English have their own saying for this -- asking the fox to guard the chicken coop.

Just to digress a bit, do you know that Musa Aman is of Pashtun stock born from a Pashtun immigrant but somehow, along the way, he dropped his Pashtun birth-name and acquired a Malay name, which then gave him the eligibility to be called Malay and thereon become the Chief Minister of Sabah?

Anyway, back to our story of the day.

At the time when Zulkifli was the Sabah Special Branch Chief, Musa Aman was not yet in office and it was the former who brought the latter into USNO, the party in power in Sabah then. Musa Aman then went on to become USNO’s Treasurer. The deal was that, if USNO were to win the elections, Zulkipli will see to it that Musa Aman becomes the new Chief Minister of Sabah.

Unfortunately, however, USNO got kicked out by Haris Salleh’s Berjaya party while Musa Aman got defeated in his Sugut constituency. Nevertheless, Zulkipli and Musa Aman remained partners-in-crime and that is why, in spite of all the evidence and police reports made against Musa Aman, Zulkipli never pursued any of the allegations and until today Musa Aman continues to rape Sabah at will without a worry in the world. After all, if the ACA Boss is in your pocket, what is there to worry about?

“The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director-general, Datuk Zulkipli Mat Noor, should appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity to clear all doubts that he is qualified to continue to helm the Anti-Corruption Agency,” said Lim Kit Siang yesterday in Parliament.

“I will propose at today’s meeting of the Parliamentary Select Committee that Zulkipli be summoned to appear at an emergency meeting to respond to various serious allegations which had been made against him, ranging from corruption to sexual crimes, which must not remain un-rebutted, so as to salvage the credibility, legitimacy and authority of the ACA.

“If Zulkipli is not prepared to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee to establish his integrity in an emergency meeting, he must be removed as the ACA head. The Cabinet should put this item on the top of its agenda at its meeting tomorrow.”

“Malaysiakini yesterday reported these allegations which were filed last year by former ACA officer Mohamad Ramli Manan to the then inspector-general of police Mohd Bakri Omar. In the July 4, 2006 report, Ramli named the ACA chief - who is a former top cop - and referred to him as ‘B1.”

(The Malaysiakini report below)

Explosive allegations against ACA chief
Malaysiakini

Several explosive allegations, ranging from corruption to sexual crimes, have been made against Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director-general Zulkipli Mat Noor by one of its ex-officers.

The allegations were made in a report filed last year by former ACA officer Mohamad Ramli Manan to the then inspector-general of police Mohd Bakri Omar.

Ramli's 'first information report' - a complaint lodged with the police - was revealed by Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption (Gerak) chairperson Ezam Mohd Nor at a press conference in Kelana Jaya today.

(See the statement from Ezam below).

In the July 4, 2006 report, Ramli named the ACA chief and referred to him as 'B1'.

"As you are aware, B1 was a member of your police force and his last appointment there was as Sarawak chief police officer. It has come to the knowledge of the ACA that B1 was a very corrupt senior police officer and had amassed substantial property and assets through corrupt practices," he told Mohd Bakri in his report.

Zulkipli served in the police Special Branch for over two decades and rose through the ranks to become the organisation's chief. In 1996, he took over as police chief in Johor before being tapped as Sarawak police chief in 2000.

He was subsequently appointed ACA DG six years ago - the first police officer to have assumed the post.

Ramli claimed that in 1997 - when Zulkipli was Johor police chief - the ACA had then learnt that he was "in possession of properties disproportionate to his known source of income" and had indulged in "immoral and criminal" activities.

Sexual crime

Apart from this, Ramli also disclosed that the police had allegedly investigated Zulkipli in connection with a sexual crime following a report filed by a housewife with the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur.

Following this report, he said the housewife had also filed additional reports with the police in Negri Sembilan's Mambau and Kuala Lumpur's Segambut as well as Dang Wangi for alleged assault and use of criminal force.

"There were also evidence of interference by B1 in the course of the police investigation wherein witnesses were threatened not to cooperate," said Ramli.

Ramli also claimed that the ACA director-general owned several business interests and properties, including six houses in Pagoh, Johor.

He said the ACA learnt that the police had investigated Zulkipli for allegedly misusing government vehicles to carry out regular checks on these properties and business interests.

According to the report, these allegations were well-known in the police circle and several police officers had also offered evidence of B1's corrupt activities to the Police Royal Commission two years ago.

"As a senior ACA officer, I have to categorically state that B1's continued presence in the civil service, notably in ACA, whose main duty is to eradicate corruption, is a security threat to the country," the report added.

Ramli expressed hope that the police would launch a thorough investigation into the allegations.

In the final paragraph of his report, the former ACA officer stated that it was on record that he had informed the relevant authorities, including the organisation he had worked for, regarding these allegations since 2003. However, these were ignored.

"I have to state that this is my last act of national duty since I am going into compulsory retirement. The ACA being a very important public institution should be supported by all and sundry and see that it discharges its national duty in the best interest of the public and country," said Ramli, who retired soon after he filed the report.

The 'first information report' was also sent to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the attorney-general, the auditor-general and director-general of the civil service.

Extension of service

Contacted by malaysiakini this evening, Ramli confirmed that he had written the report.

Asked on the validity of the allegations, the 56-year-old former civil servant - who is currently based in Negeri Sembilan - said the police should investigate them.

At today's press conference, Ezam said a copy of the report was mailed by an unidentified individual to the Gerak office several weeks ago.

He said although his organisation did not meet Ramli, Gerak managed to verify the authenticity of the report from its own sources.

Commenting on the allegations, Ezam questioned why the premier had extended Zulkipli's tenure in 2005.

"There are enough grounds to be very suspicious of why the contract was extended when the allegations had surfaced years before," he said.

He urged the police to act immediately on the claims and for Zulkipli, who was appointed as DG in 2001, to be suspended pending investigations.

Ezam added that Gerak had hand-delivered a copy of the report to the Prime Minister's Department a few days ago.

Zulkipli could not be reached for comment.

Kegiatan rasuah Ketua Pengarah BPR dilindungi Bukit Aman?
Oleh Faisal Mustaffa

PETALING JAYA 26 Feb – Gerakan Demokrasi dan Anti Korupsi (Gerak) mendapati kegiatan rasuah yang dijalankan oleh Ketua Pengarah Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR), Dato Seri Zulkifly Mat Noor tidak sepatutnya diberikan sebarang kompromi malah beliau sepatutnya disiasat dan dihukum.

Zulkifly yang pada awalnya memegang jawatan sebagai Ketua Pengarah BPR pada April 2001 dan kemudiannya kontrak beliau disambung sebanyak dua kali selama dua tahun.

Sungguhpun satu laporan telah dibuat terhadap perbuatan rasuah yang serius, kontrak beliau kemudiannya disambungkan lagi selama dua tahun oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

Melalui maklumat yang disalurkan kepada Gerak, BPR telah pun membuat laporan kepada Ketua Polis Negara pada 4 Julai 2006 yang pada ketika itu disandang oleh Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Omar.

Namun, tidak ada sebarang siasatan dibuat oleh pihak polis.

Jenayah Rogol

Zulkifly didakwa terlibat dalam jenayah rogol seorang suri rumahtangga dan kes tersebut telah dilaporkan kepada polis. Berhubung dengan kes yang sama, mangsa rogol juga telah membuat tiga laporan polis yang didakwa menerima tekanan dan Zulkifly yang pada ketika itu Ketua Polis Johor telah menyalahgunakan kuasa beliau untuk menutup kes tersebut.

Harta Komersil

Menurut laporan yang dibuat oleh Pegawai Siasatan Gred 54 BPR kepada Bukit Aman, Mohamad Ramli Manan, Zulkifly juga memiliki beberapa harta komersil seperti Stesen Minyak Mobil di Bahau dan Pagoh serta memiliki enam buah rumah di Pagoh.

Zulkifly juga dikatakan telah menyalahgunakan kenderaan rasmi Kerajaan untuk menjalankan perniagaan peribadinya di stesen-stesen minyaknya.

Kontrak Pembinaan

Pada tahun 1997 hingga 1998, Zulkifly bersama Pegawai Polis Daerah Segamat, Hj Ithnin Hj Taha telah berpakat untuk berkongsi keuntungan RM1 juta hasil daripada kontrak pembinaan Kuarters Polis di Segamat yang bernilai RM18 juta dengan membatalkan kontrak pembinaan kepada kontraktor asal. Kontrak tersebut kemudiannya diserahkan kepada seorang gangster yang dikenali sebagai Michael.

Cuti Luar Negara Setiap Bulan

Laporan Mohamad Ramli juga mendedahkan bahawa sungguhpun Zulkifly menyandang jawatan Ketua Pengarah BPR, beliau masih menjalankan kegiatan rasuah beliau dengan menghabiskan masa cutinya ke luar negara setiap bulan dengan menggunakan Dana Perkhidmatan Rahsia BPR.

"Pada Disember 2004, Zulkifly didapati membawa teman wanitanya ke Australia yang mana kos perbelanjaan tersebut ditanggung sepenuhnya."

Kesalahan-kesalahan yang direkodkan terhadap Zulkifly tersebut termaktub di bawah kesalahan undang-undang seksyen 217 dan 218 Kanun Keseksaan dan seksyen 15 APR 1997.

Jenayah Serius

Gerak memandang serius perkara tersebut kerana dakwaan yang dinyatakan bersifat jenayah dan rasuah yang serius membabitkan orang nombor satu di dalam BPR.

Justeru, beberapa hari lalu, Gerak telah menghantar surat tersebut kepada Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi secara tangan di pejabat Jabatan Perdana menteri di Putrajaya.

Dalam sidang media yang dibuat, Pengerusinya, Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor meminta Perdana Menteri melihat perkara itu dengan serius dan mengambil tindakan pantas kerana ia membabitkan kewibawaan BPR, Negara dan juga Perdana Menteri sendiri yang menyatakan keazaman membanteras rasuah dalam pentadbirannya.

Gerak juga meminta penjelasan diberikan sama ada pihak polis telah membuka fail siasatan untuk menyiasat semua dakwaan yang dinyatakan di dalam laporan Mohamad Ramli.

"Zulkifly sewajarnya tidak dibenarkan menjalankan tugas beliau sebagai ketua pengarah BPR sehingga siasatan selesai," ujar Ezam.

Menurut Ezam, kandungan surat tersebut menimbulkan kecurigaan terhadap kes-kes rasuah yang disiasat di bawah kelolaan Ketua Pengarah BPR sendiri dan ianya membawa implikasi besar kepada Negara kerana kebiasaannya kes-kes rasuah yang besar dan melibatkan orang kenamaan akan dikelolakan secara langsung oleh Ketua Pengarah BPR.

Justeru, Gerak mendesak agar sebuah Suruhanjaya diRaja dan bebas ditubuhkan segera bagi menyiasat kes membabitkan Ketua Pengarah BPR itu dan semua kes-kes lain yang di bawah bidang kuasa beliau sebagai Ketua Pengarah BPR bagi menjamin institusi sepenting BPR itu tidak disalahgunakan dan menjadi penghalang kepada usaha membanteras rasuah di Negara ini.

The Musa Aman silap mata

2007-02-27T01:46:00.000-08:00

Raja Petra Kamarudin

‘Silap mata’ translates literally to ‘error of the eye’ but would more accurately mean ‘sleight of hand’. According to the Thesaurus, ‘sleight of hand’ means ‘artful deception’ or ‘smoke and mirrors’. Only very clever people can be artful in their deception. Stupid people get caught. No doubt the hand is faster than the eye, but the hand must be very fast and skillful to be able to fool the eye. Nevertheless, there is another Malay saying: pandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah. Loosely translated, this means: however clever the squirrel may be at jumping from tree to tree, in the end it will still fall to earth.

One such squirrel, or as some in Sabah circles would call, wily fox (musang in Malay), is its Chief Minister, Musa Aman. Over the last two years, Malaysia Today has been persistently revealing much of Musa Aman’s excesses and transgressions which he perpetuated openly and blatantly (see Special Reports on Sabah here). Nowadays, Musa Aman is not taking things for granted anymore and does not do things so blatantly and openly. But he is still perpetuating his evil deeds just like before with no slowdown in sight. It is still business as usual, especially since he does not know how long he is going to keep his job and is therefore reaping and raping as much as he can in whatever little time he may have left. It is just that he is now doings things undercover and with sleights of hand to cover his tracks.

Or so he thinks.

As they say, shit floats, and eventually all Musa Aman’s shit floats to the top. There is much shit in Sabah with Musa Aman’s thumbprints all over them. Just scanning the Special Reports on Sabah is enough to give you a mother of a migraine. The billion dollar question is not so much the manner in which he conjures all these tricks of his (which is actually not that clever since we are able to catch him easily with his pants down) but more how he appears to be getting away with them in spite of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s ‘war on corruption’. Or is this so-called war of Pak Lah’s just another ‘smoke and mirrors’, his very own sleight of hand to give an appearance of an effort in combating corruption -- but in reality while we all look at his left hand, his right hand is on Michelle Yeoh’s bare shoulders. Now that is certainly a sleight of hand even the great Houdini would admit defeat.

How can Pak Lah not notice Musa Aman’s antics in Sabah unless he is doing the famous Umno thing: closing one eye -- a trick invented by that infamous Member of Parliament from Jasin who is in the illegal logs export-import business? Musa Aman publicly declared his assets as RM300 million when he first took office as Sabah Chief Minister in March 2003. In the short time he has been Chief Minister, he has managed to increase his assets to an estimated RM1 billion. Every man and his dog in Sabah know this. It is no secret. Yet Pak Lah does not know this? The fact that Musa Aman was worth RM300 million when he took office in March 2003 is in itself something to question. How he managed to triple his worth in such a short time of four years is no mystery as Malaysia Today has exposed in great detail, over the last couple of years, how he did it.

We are not going to resurrect the old stories, reports and exposes which can be read in the Special Reports on Sabah section. These exposes speak for themselves and are supported by facts, figures, events, photographs, letters, and the like. If these are still not enough to bring Musa Aman to book, then let us expose yet another transgression which demonstrates how this Pakistani immigrant is reaping and raping the wealth of Sabah. We must, however, take our hat off to this ‘Malay’ who can rule over the majority non-Malay people of Sabah and steal from under their very noses with no resistance offered whatsoever. Maybe it is true what they say after all: the natives of North Borneo are so simple-minded that it would be a sin not to steal from them. And I bet when Pak Lah goes to Sabah this 15th February he will pat Musa Aman on the back and proclaim him the best Chief Minister Sabah ever had. And the natives of Sabah will continue to be robbed in broad daylight by this Pakistani in Malay clothing. Maybe the Sabah people deserve being robbed since they are so stupid as to keep mum and keep voting in governments that steal from them. Is it not a saying that a fool and his money are soon parted?

Let us look at the latest and greatest building in Kota Kinabalu called Wisma Bandaraya. Every man and his dog in Sabah know that this building is owned by Musa Aman. Just stop any illegal immigrant holding a valid Malaysian identity card (NRIC) which entitles him to vote only for Umno (and there are more than one million of them in Sabah), point to Wisma Bandaraya, and ask him or her who the building belongs to and see what the reply is. No one would shake their head and say they do not know. They all know it belongs to Musa Aman. So, you may ask, what is wrong with owning a building? Well, nothing wrong with that unless you have abused your authority in the process of acquiring it.

And we shall explain how and why in due course but first feast your eyes on the photograph of Wisma Bandaraya.

On the morning of Friday, 9 February 2007, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan made a report with the Sabah Anti-Corruption Agency. The last we heard is that the Director of the ACA is ‘studying’ this matter to explore what action should be taken, that is if in the first place any action can and should be taken. Chances are the Director of the ACA will instead go meet Musa Aman to discuss how to cover this matter up so that a statement can be issued later that the ACA has investigated this matter and no evidence was found of any wrongdoing. Does this not sound familiar?

This was what the Daily Express reported the following day, 10 February 2007, in a news item entitled: Jeffrey denies leading team to meet Kuan Yew

Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chairman of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, has denied leading a group of people for a private meeting with Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Kwan Yew. He was asked about the meeting in the wake of rumours that it was held in the republic a few weeks ago.

Before answering, Jeffrey took a long pause and someone beside him told him to say “No”. Jeffrey then immediately said “no trip, no meeting and no comment”. It is not the norm for world leaders enjoying good relations to entertain opposition figures from neighbouring states.

He was asked this after he lodged a report with the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) at the new federal complex Friday. When asked to elaborate what was his complaint to the ACA about, he said: “A big fish abusing his power and authority.”

He said the ACA Director advised him not to make any statement yet as it might jeopardise their investigations. When contacted, ACA State Director Hjh Latifah Md Yatim confirmed Jeffrey had met her but stressed that it was an ordinary meeting.

It is apparent the Anti-Corruption Agency will not be taking any action on this report which the Director calls an ordinary meeting. The ‘preliminary’ statement by the ACA Director seems to point to that possibility. But then this is certainly no longer any surprise. To pre-empt this, Dr Jeffrey will be making a police report very soon. This will tie the ACA’s hands and force them to do something about the matter.

The 3,564.8 square-meter (0.356 hectare) land on which Wisma Bandaraya sits was originally owned by the government. On 5 June 1981, it was given to KOPERASI SERBAGUNA SANYA BHD (KOSAN). On 19 April 1984, the land title, TL017539856, was issued.

KOSAN is a cooperative owned by SANYA, the Sabah National Youth Association. During the time of Harris Salleh’s Berjaya government from 1976 to 1985, Musa Aman was SANYA’s Deputy President so it was he who applied for the land in 1981. Musa Aman very cleverly used SANYA and KOSAN as the front to acquire the land. However, once it was safely parked in the name of the cooperative, he then made his move to transfer it from the youth movement to his private company.

But Musa Aman’s attempt to grab the land was blocked by the PBS government that ruled the state from 1985 to 1994. This led to a crisis between Musa Aman and Datuk Masidi Manjun -- the Umno Sabah Liaison Assistant Secretary and Sabah Youth and Sports Minister -- who was then the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It was not until a decade later in 1994 when Umno swept the state was Musa Aman able to finally get his hands on this prime land, an effort which was assisted by Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia, one of those who walk through the Sabah corridors of power.

Needless to say, Pandikar is today being well-rewarded for his assistance and he is one of those who are beneficiaries to much of Musa Aman’s generosity. Come to think of it, is Masidi’s appointment as the Umno Sabah Liaison Assistant Secretary and Sabah Youth and Sports Minister also a buy-off to get him to remain silent and not resist the move to transfer the land out of the youth cooperative and into Musa Aman’s private company?

The mistake Musa Aman made was in using his family company, BESTCO SDN BHD, (70077-P) to acquire the land. BESTCO SDN BHD was incorporated on 28 April 1981 and the Registrar of Companies lists its address as Lot 2, Blok B, Tingkat 3, Kompleks Sedco, Kampung Air, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The company’s authorised capital is RM2 million while the paid up capital is RM1.4 million.

On 25 September 2000, BESTCO SDN BHD officially ‘annexed’ the land.

On that very same day -- 25 September 2000 -- the land was charged to Malayan Banking for a loan of RM14,672,000.00.

On 25 September 2000, Musa Aman was the Minister in the Chief Minister’s office. The Chief Minister then was the infamous Osu Sukam who is now fighting his case in court against the casinos that are claiming an unpaid debt.

The two Directors of BESTCO SDN BHD are:

1) TAN KOON YEE (NRIC No. 520430-12-5057), whose registered address is Tingkat 9, Blok 50, Bangunan Yeng Ho Hong, Sandakan (who came onboard on 1 November 1983);

2) Musa Aman’s wife, DATIN FARIDAH BTE TUSSIN (NRIC no. 561120-12-5140), whose registered address is Unit No. 15.5-B2, Likas Square, Kota Kinabalu (who came onboard on 12 July 1999).

The three shareholders of BESTCO SDN BHD are:

1) DATUK MUSA HAJI AMAN (NRIC no. 510330-12-5093) who holds 840,000 shares.

2) YENG KIAT SDN BHD (Co. reg. no. 31710-W) that holds 420,000 shares.

3) TAN KOON YEE (NRIC no. 520430-12-5057) who holds 140,000 shares.

(Total shares: 1,400,000 at RM1.00 per share)

The premium for the land is in arrears ever since the land was acquired in 1981. The breakdown of the RM264,000.00 arrears, none of which has been settled thus far, is as follows:

RM198,000.00 (up to the year 2003)
RM16,500.00 (for the year 2004)
RM16,500.00 (for the year 2005)
RM16,500.00 (for the year 2006)
RM16,500.00 (for the year 2007)

Note the nominal amount of premium -- a mere RM16,500.00 a year for such a prime piece of land -- which is pittance, yet remains unpaid over the last 26 years. If this is not ‘close one eye’, or maybe both eyes, then I just do not know what is.

Musa Aman has instructed all the government agencies to move to Wisma Bandaraya to ensure that the building is fully-tenanted. Due to the excess supply of office space in Kota Kinabalu this has resulted in all the other buildings suffering a severe drop in tenants. Invariably, the government agencies have had to move to Wisma Bandaraya at a much higher rental cost than that being paid in the old premises such as Wisma Boon Siew and Wisma MUIS. Furthermore, now that they have moved to this new building, they have had to incur additional costs to renovate their offices. The cost to renovate the old premises of course cannot be salvaged and is money down the drain. Renovation costs need to be wiped out once you move to your new office and on top of that you need to again incur additional costs to renovate your new office.

(Wisma Boon Siew: Where the Sabah Energy Corporation was originally located)

The Sabah Energy Corporation was originally renting a space in Wisma Boon Siew before it was instructed to move out and move to Wisma Bandaraya. This move cost them an additional expense of RM5 million in renovation charges.

(The MUIS building where the Kementerian Pembangunan Sumber dan Teknologi Maklumat and the Jabatan Sumber Manusia was originally located and which is now almost vacant)

The same went for the Kementerian Pembangunan Sumber dan Teknologi Maklumat and the Jabatan Sumber Manusia which were instructed to move out of the MUIS building and move into Wisma Bandaraya. Apart from more than RM2.5 million a year in rental charges, the Kementerian Pembangunan Sumber dan Teknologi Maklumat and the Jabatan Sumber Manusia also had to spend RM5 million in renovation costs. The total rental both these agencies have paid thus far since 2003 is almost RM10 million.

To ensure that Wisma Bandaraya does not suffer the same fate as Wisma Boon Siew and the MUIS building -- in the event that Musa Aman falls from grace -- he has instructed them to sign a 15-year rental agreement; apart from having to pour tens of millions into renovating their new offices. This means it is does not make economic sense for them to move out again.

What is puzzling is the fact that government agencies such as the Kementerian Pembangunan Sumber dan Teknologi Maklumat and the Jabatan Sumber Manusia are entitled to free office space in the Federal Government building but instead are paying more than RM2.5 million a year in rental charges to rent a space in Wisma Bandaraya. The Sabah Energy Corporation is paying an even higher rental charge than this. And the same goes for the other agencies as well such as FAMA and the Registrar of Companies that can get free office space in the Federal Government building such as Wisma Dang Bandang -- which is just next door and which is now almost empty since the National Registration Department and Immigration Department moved out and relocated to ‘Mini Putrajaya’. They are now paying millions in rental when they could actually get space free in a government-owned building.

(Wisma Dang Bandang: which is just next door to Wisma Bandaraya is now empty and the various government agencies can actually take up the surplus space here free without having to pay exorbitant rental charges)

Musa Aman has perpetuated much over the last few years since taking office. But his excesses and transgressions started even before he became Chief Minister in 2003. When Chong Kah Kiat was the Chief Minister, Musa Aman arranged the sale of logs that had a market value of RM300 p.c.m. for only RM50. Though Chong Kah Kiat was the Chief Minister, he could not oppose the wishes of Musa Aman who was the Umno Sabah Chief -- so ultimately Musa Aman made all the decisions and Chong Kah Kiat just complied. The Wisma Bandaraya land is another case in point that was transferred to the youth cooperative when Musa Aman was its Deputy President. Now that he is the Chief Minister he is able to hijack the land and transfer it to his own company. And who would argue with the Chief Minister when he instructs the government agencies to move out of their free premises, or premises they are paying low rental, and take up space in Wisma Bandaraya at an exorbitant rental cost?

That is the fun of walking through the corridors of power and that is why they are falling over each other to be the one who walks through the corridors of power. Oh, and one more thing, expect the Anti-Corruption Agency investigation to go cold due to lack of evidence. After all, as Pak Lah said, how can we believe what Blogs and websites publish since they only publish lies?

Over to you, people of Sabah. Who owns Sabah anyway, the natives or the immigrants who rule over you?

ADDENDUMS

1) Memorandum mendesak Musa Aman letak jawatan

2) Police Report against Musa Aman on the Wisma Bandaraya issue

3) Laporan salahguna kuasa & rasuah Ketua Menteri Sabah

4) Jeffrey free to lodge whatever reports, says Musa Aman

LATEST UPDATES

On 12 February 2007, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan made a police report against Musa Aman at Karamunsing (report number 002311/07) plus he lodged an official report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in relation to the above and in reference to his meeting with the ACA Director on 9 February 2007. The ACA Director has threatened Dr Jeffrey with arrest if he reveals the contents of his report. Dr Jeffrey subsequently made a police report as below:

Sarawak berjaya tapi Sabah gagal!

2007-02-27T01:34:00.000-08:00

Sarawak berjaya tapi Sabah gagal!

LAPORAN KHAS

Datuk Yap Pak Leong
Daily Express

20 Perkara itu adalah penting kepada Sabah dan juga Malaysia. Ia dipersetujui oleh semua pihak yang terlibat – Sabah, British, Malaya, Sarawak dan Singapura – sebagai syarat-syarat bagi Sabah untuk menjadi sebahagian dari Malaysia.

Setiap Perdana Menteri dari Tunku Abdul Rahman sehinggalah Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi telah meyakinkan berulangkali yang Kerajaan Persekutuan akan menuruti hak-hak Sabah seperti yang disebutkan di dalam 20 Perkara tersebut.

Dokumen Ringkasan 20 Perkara, bersama-sama dengan dokumen-dokumen terperinci yang menyokong seperti yang berkenaan dengan kewangan, membentuk sebahagian dari dokumen sumber bagi pembentukan Laporan Jawatankuasa Antara Kerajaan (IGC) dan seterusnya, perangkaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia dan Perlembagaan Negeri Sabah.

Sebagai dokumen sumber ianya paling penting sebagai bukti tentang apa yang kita persetujui untuk memenuhi aspirasi rakyat Sabah dan rakyat Malaysia, dan oleh itu mesti dipelihara dan diberi penghormatan.

Peruntukan-peruntukan yang dibuat di dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan Negeri berdasarkan 20 Perkara boleh dilihat sebagai tahap pertama bagi perlaksanaan persetujuan Malaysia.

Tahap kedua adalah interpretasi dan pentadbiran bagi peruntukan-peruntukan perlembagaan ini. Pada tahap kedua ini para Menteri dan pekerja-pekerja awam harus boleh merujuk kepada dokumen-dokumen sumber apabila berhadapan dengan sebarang kesukaran, agar kata-kata dan semangat tidak hilang begitu sahaja.

Dari apa yang diucap dan dibayangkan oleh para Perdana Menteri dan pemimpin-pemimpin Persekutuan yang lain, mereka pastinya akan mengembalikan semula kepada Sabah apa jua pun hak-hak yang termaktub di dalam 20 Perkara yang terhilang dengan apa juga punca termasuklah melalui apa yang jelas sekarang sebagai salah laku pemimpin-pemimpin Sabah.

20 Perkara tersebut perlu dilihat secara keseluruhan dan bukannya satu-persatu. Jika dilihat secara keseluruhannya 20 Perkara ini menjadikan Sabah, sebagai salah satu negeri bagi Borneo yang luas, yang asalnya, sebuah negeri yang lebih merdeka dari sebuah negeri di Malaya, seperti yang ditunjukkan Jadual 1:

Tambahan kepada yang dipaparka di atas terdapat banyak lagi peruntukan yang menjadikan Sabah negeri yang lebih merdeka dari sebuah negeri di Malaya. Semasa perbincangan dan rundingan bagi pembentukan Malaysia pada 1961-63, pemimpin-pemimpin Malaya merasakan yang kerajaan dan pemimpin Sabah harus memainkan peranan yang dominan dalam membawa kemajuan yang pantas kepada Sabah dan rakyat Sabah dalam semua bidang terutamanya bidang ekonomi dan pelajaran.

Ini adalah untuk berdiri sama tinggi dengan negeri yang lain di dalam negara Malaysia yang baru dan, oleh itu, dipersetujui bahawa 2/5 dari semua Hasil Persekutuan bersih yang diperolehi dari Sabah akan ditetapkan di dalam perlembagaan untuk diberikan kepada Kerajaan Negeri Sabah. 2/5 bahagian pada 2005 akan berjumlah sekurang-kurangnya RM 1,800,000,000/- (40 peratus dari cukai pendapatan iaitu RM2,500,000,000/- ditambah dengan 40 peratus perolehan Petronas katalah RM2,000,000,000/-).

Para pemimpin Persekutuan tidak mahu dan masih enggan dibebankan sepenuhnya dengan ekonomi dan lain-lain kemunduran rakyat Sabah. Mereka sedar di dalam banyak aspek hanya Kerajaan Negeri Sabah yang berupaya membantu rakyat Sabah disebabkan oleh adat tradisi, budaya, tabiat, pandangan dan sikap mereka terhadap permodenan.

Adalah wajib bagi pemimpin Sabah pada masa kini dan akan datang untuk meneliti situasinya dengan betul dan tidak terus-menerus meninggalkan tanggungjawab mereka terhadap rakyat Sabah, dengan mengambil tanggungjawab yang makin hari makin sedikit, bukannya makin bertambah.

Pada 1963, apabila Malaysia dibentuk dan sehinggalah 1985, kira-kira 90 peratus aset-aset perniagaan di Sabah berada di dalam tangan Kerajaan Negeri Sabah dan rakyat Sabah. Dari 1985 ke 2005, Kerajaan Negeri Sabah dan komuniti berniaga Sabah tidak kira bumiputera atau bukan bumiputera dipaksa untuk menjual aset-aset perniagaan mereka oleh keadaan yang sukar.

Kini rakyat Sabah memiliki kurang dari 20 peratus aset perniagaan di dalam semua bidang sama ada estet-estet balak kelapa sawit dalam pertanian, pembuatan, perniagaan borong dan runcit, perumahan dan pembangunan hartanah komersial, pengangkutan, pelancongan atau perkhidmatan.

Di dalam bidang profesional hanya profesion perundangan berada di dalam tangan rakyat Sabah yang dilindungi oleh undang-undang. Di dalam kejuruteraan, perakaunan, arkitek, perkhidmatan perubatan, dan sebagainya, rakyat Sabah tidak lama lagi hanya akan memungut cebis-cebis yang jatuh dari meja.

Semua ini berlaku kerana sejak 1969 hingga kini Kerajaan Negeri Sabah tidak lagi mengutip 2/5 dari hasil Kerajaan Persekutuan yang diraih di Sabah. Sehingga 1985, kewangan Kerajaan Negeri Sabah masih lagi mencukupi, ditingkatkan oleh royalti balak yang tinggi. Kemudian selepas itu keadaan mula berubah dengan pantas.

Kerajaan Negeri Sabah tidak mempunyai cukup hasil untuk membantu dirinya sendiri dan juga rakyat Sabah, dan ia mula menjual harta perniagaan. Sektor swasta hilang keyakinan dan sebaliknya turut menjual harta perniagaan mereka.

Hari ini pendapatan tahunan gabungan dari semua anggota Dewan Perniagaan China dan Dewan Perniagaan Bumiputera di Sabah adalah kurang dari pendapatan tahunan satu syarikat Malaysia Barat di Sabah.

Pendapatan sebenar Kerajaan Negeri Sabah juga tidak begitu banyak. Kalau dahulunya Kerajaan Negeri berupaya memberikan kontrak besar kepada para kontraktor Sabah, kini ia tidak dapat lagi berbuat begitu, dan kerana itulah banyak firma kontraktor Sabah yang bagus-bagus terpaksa gulung tikar. Belanjawan Negeri bagi 2005 hampir-hampir sama saiznya dengan belanjawan bagi tahun 1983 dan 1984, 20 tahun lalu. Apa silapnya?

Pada pemerhatian saya, yang mungkin tidak begitu lengkap, berikut adalah kesilapan-kesilapannya:

1. Kedua-dua pemimpin politik Persekutuan dan Sabah serta pekerja-pekerja awam Persekutuan dan Negeri tidak memahami secukupnya implikasi sepenuhnya perjanjian 20 Perkara dan tidak membuat tafsiran ke atas peruntukan-peruntukan Perlembagaan serta tidak mentadbir hal ehwal awam di Sabah menurut 20 Perkara yang memihak kepada Kerajaan Negeri Sabah dan rakyat Sabah.

Khususnya:

a) Hasil Persekutuan sebanyak 2/5 diperolehi di Sabah tidak diberikan kepada Kerajaan Negeri Sabah; oleh itu sejak 1985 hingga kini kerosakan mula berlaku dan kini masih berlanjutan kerana negeri menderita kekurangan hasil yang cukup bagi menjaga dirinya dan rakyat Sabah seeloknya.

Sebelum Tun Fuad Stephens, ketika itu Ketua Menteri, pergi ke Labuan bersama-sama dengan Menteri-menteri Kabinet pada 1976 untuk menandatangani Perjanjian Petroleum yang memberikan 5 peratus royalti kepada Sabah beliau ditanya mengapa hanya 5 peratus, beliau menjawab tak perlu risau kerana Sabah akan mendapat 2/5 hasil Kerajaan Persekutuan dari Petronas yang dimiliki sepenuhnya oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan. Begitu sekali pemahamannya.

b) Kegagalan untuk melatih rayat Sabah untuk mengisi jawatan-jawatan Kerajaan Persekutuan di Sabah dan lupa untuk menempatkan mereka apabila rakyat Sabah yang terlatih di dalam perkhidmatan awam Sabah telah sedia ada. Kegagalan ini memisahkan komuniti bisnes Sabah dari memiliki perhubungan rapat dengan perkhidmataan awam Persekutuan.

c) Kegagalan Menteri-menteri Persekutuan untuk mengenali Sabah dan menghidangkan Sabah dengan kemajuan ekonomi melibatkan rakyat Sabah di dalam bisnes, termasuk kegagalan melihat perbezaan yang diperlukan bagi hal-hal seperti buruh asing, selok-belok teknikal, pemasaran dan pembiayaan bisnes.

d) Kerajaan Persekutuan memberikan sesetengah lesen perniagaan tertentu kepada rakyat Malaysai Barat untuk menjalankan urusniaga di seluruh Malaysia, termasuk Sabah, tetapi memberikan lesen Persekutuan kepada rakyat Sabah untuk menjalankan urusniaga sedemikian hanya di Sabah sahaja.

e) Kurangnya sokongan yang padu atau perkhidamatan berlanjutan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan dan Negeri kepada komuniti bisnes di Sabah melalui jabatan-jabatan seperti jabatan pertanian dan perikanan dari 1990 dan seterusnya, terutamanya Kerajaan Persekutuan, dengan kebanyakan agensinya beroperasi hanya di Malaya.

f) Perlaksanaan cukai negeri yang lebih tinggi di Sabah telah melembapkan pelaburan bisnes yang produktif di Sabah. Komuniti bisnes bimbangkan sebuah Kerajaan yang miskin. Bisnes di Sabah tidak meraih untung yang cukup untuk pelaburan semula. Usaha-usaha bisnes di sini sejak kebelakangan ini lebih tertumpu kepada pembinaan kompleks membeli-belah yang mahal-mahal, yang merupakan satu bebanan kepada rakyat.

2. Para pemimpin dan pekerja-pekerja awam di kedua-dua Persekutuan dan Negeri telah bertindak seolah-olah Sabah telah menjadi seperti sebuah Negeri di Malaya, tetapi perkhidmatan ekonomi Persekutuan adalah jauh lebih kecil di Sabah adalah jauh lebih sedikit berbanding Malaya di mana Kerajaan Persekutuan membelanjakan berjuta-juta ringgit untuk industri pembuatan, pelancongan, E-bisnes, penghasilan kuasa, infrastrustur dan persediaan tapak-tapak, namun cuma sedikit atau tiada langsung di Sabah.

3. Pemimpin Kerajaan Negeri Sabah tidak memperjuangkan kepentingan rakyat Sabah dengan menganggap ianya menggambarkan pemikiran yang sempit, sedangkan hakikatnya itulah tugas utama mereka sebagai pihak yang berkuasa demi Sabah dan rakyat Sabah yang telah mengundi mereka masuk ke dalam Kerajaan.

Iktibar sepatutnya diambil dari Sarawak di mana rakyat Sarawak memiliki 90 peratus aset perniagaan hari ini.

Hari ini, Kerajaan Negeri Sabah telah dilemahkan dari segi politik dan kewangan serta perlukan sokongan penuh dari rakyat Sabah dan oleh itu rakyat mesti menyokongnya dengan padu.

Namun para pemimpin Kerajaan mesti bekerja keras untuk merampas semula hak kedaulatan Sabah yang diberikan di dalam 20 Perkara, terutamaanya kewangan, untuk memenuhi visi ke arah Kerajaan Negeri yang berkuasa dan kaya-raya namun menyumbangkan khidmat yang memuaskan kepada rakyat dan berupaya memberikan mereka visi kemajuan yang hebat dan baru di Malaysia.

Sabah

1) Sistem Kabinet Kerajaan
Rakyat memilih Wakil Dewan Rakyat yang memilih Ketua Menteri yang kemudiannya memberitahu kepada TYT nama-nama Menteri-menteri Kabinetnya. Ini adalah kerajaan rakyat yang hebat, dari rakyat dan untuk rakyat.

Sebuah Negeri di Malaya

1) Majlis Eksekutif
Sultan melantik Menteri Besar dan Anggota Majlis dengan nasihat dari Menteri Besar tetapi nasihat tersebut tidak mengikat.

Sabah

2) Kewangan Negeri Bebas
a)Bahagian Perlembagaan sebanyak 2/5 dari hasil bersih Kerajaan persekutuan yang diperolehi dari Sabah termasuk cukai pendapatan, duti kastam, cukai jalan, dan hasil dari operasi Petronas di Sabah. (Perlembagaan Persekutuan: Jadual 10 Bahagian IV2)
b)Hasil negeri
c)Bantuan mengikut budi bicara Persekutuan

Sebuah Negeri di Malaya

2) Kewangan tanggungan

a) Tiada bahagian hasil Persekutuan ditetapkan oleh Perlembagaan
b) Hasil negeri
c) Bantuan mengikut budi bicara Persekutuan.

Sabah

3) Kawalan imigrasi keluar masuk Sabah sepenunya dan juga di dalam Sabah

Sebuah Negeri di Malaya

3) Tiada kawalan terhadap imigrasi

Sabah

4) Kawalan ke atas bahan Mineral dan Minyak Mineral
(Perlembagaan Persekutuan: Seksyen 112C(3), 112C(4)
Parlimen mempunyai hak yang terhad untuk menggubal undang-undang tentang bahan mineral dan minyak mineral di Sabah, dan tidak boleh menghalanh royalti Negeri Sabah ke atas mana-mana satu pun darinya.

Sebuah Negeri di Malaya

4) Tiada kawalan ke atas bahan Mineral dan Minyak Mineral
Parlimen memiliki kuasa sepenuhnya untuk menggubal sebarang undang-undang bahan mineral dan minyak mineral serta menghalang royalti Negeri ke atas mana-mana pun.

Sabah

5) Penggunaan yang sah Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa rasmi di Sabah dan Parlimen selain daripada Bahasa Malaysia
Dengan Bahasa Inggeris Sabah boleh maju dengan lebih pantas bersama pelajaran saintifik dan dalam dagangan serta komersial dan sebagainya di samping memudahkannya untuk menyaingi negeri-negeri yang lebih maju.

Sebuah Negeri di Malaya

5) Tiada hak yang sah untuk menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa rasmi
Tanpa Bahasa Ingeris kemajuan di dalam hal-hal tertentu memerlukan lebih banyak kerja-kerja keras untuk menterjemahknnya kepada Bahasa Mal

Apa ada pada nama?

2007-02-27T01:32:00.000-08:00

Oleh ‘Deep Throat’ Sabah

Kata Shakespeare, "mawar jika dipanggil dengan apa namapun tetap akan harum".

Namun 'Samsu' bukanlah seharum mawar. Mengikut kamus Samsu ialah sejenis arak atau minuman keras yang diproses melalui proses penapaian. Samsu ini menjadi kegemaran masyarakat India di luar bandar terutama yang bekerja di estet kelapa sawit atau getah sehingga ramai mati akibat terminum Samsu haram. Samsu juga adalah Matahari jika disebut Syamsi! Sifat Samsu memang mabuk lagi memabukkan, ganas lagi mengganaskan.

Begitulah nasib dan sifat Setiausaha Parlimen Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi Malaysia, YB Datuk Haji Samsu Baharun Haji Abdul Rahman di persada politik Sabah dan Malaysia.

(Gambar A: Samsu Baharun Haji Abdul Rahman)

(Gambar B: Samsu dibayangi Yusof Jamlee)

Nama Samsu tidaklah begitu penting dalam politik tanah air dan pada mulanya hanyalah ahli politik bidan terjun kerana Umno Silam tidak sepakat memilih Calon. Apabila Yusof Jamlee tidak terpilih akibat skandal seks sehingga calon terpaksa dipilih kalangan 'Pendatang Asing' (dari Semporna) sebagai calon.

Ketua Umno Bahagian Silam ketika itu, ialah Wakil Rakyat Lahad Datu, Datuk Mohd Yusof Amat Jamlee, abang ipar kepada Samsu. Sebelum menjadi wakil rakyat, Yusof adalah 'samseng’ yang dilahirkan USNO daripada era kayu balak kerana terkenal sebagai 'pembalak haram' atau tukang 'zero-zero' (panggilan untuk pembalak haram di Sabah). Yusof terkenal dengan kegemarannya dan hero 'merampas' isteri orang kerana lebih menyukai janda atau isteri orang daripada anak dara.

Samsu yang dilahirkan pada 18 Julai 1958, di Semporna, Sabah. Selepas tamat pengajian di Universiti Malaya pada tahun 1981, Samsu menjadi pegawai kerajaan dengan gaji yang secukupnya untuk menyara keluarga sehinggalah pada tahun 1999 apabila beliau diminta melepaskan jawatannya sebagai Timbalan Presiden Majlis Perbandaran Sandakan untuk tampil sebagai Calon Umno/ Barisan Nasional pada pilihan raya negeri tahun tersebut bagi kawasan N 42 setelah Yusof Jamlee tidak terpilih kerana skandal dengan isteri Pak Brahim (Naja) orang kepercayaan Pak Lah.

Sebelum terpilih sebagai calon Umno bagi Dewan Undangan Negeri Lahad Datu pada 1999, Samsu diwar-warkan sebagai calon Parti Barisan Rakyat Sabah Bersekutu (BERSEKUTU) untuk DUN Lahad Datu setelah Samsu menerima RM60,000 daripada Pemangku Presiden Parti, Datuk Amar Harris Mohd. Salleh. Bersekutu ketika itu ialah "parti upahan yang dipasang Barisan Nasional" untuk memecah undi pelbagai kaum supaya Parti Bersatu Sabah kalah dan BN memang mutlak.

Bersekutu memilih Samsu yang sebelum ini sebagai Pegawai Daerah Lahad Datu bagi membantu Samsu menentang Yusof Jamlee yang telah 'merampas' isterinya, Siti Jalmah Haji Aramain dan akhirnya Samsu terpaksa menceraikan isterinya untuk dinikahi oleh Yusof setelah mereka bersekedudukan selama setahun.

Namun, apabila Yusof Jamlee tidak terpilih sebagai calon BN, maka secara sepontan dia mencadangkan nama Samsu, sebagai 'kisas' di atas perlakuannya merampas isteri Samsu sehingga ramai AJK Umno Silam dan Perhubungan UMNO Negeri terkejut kerana mereka mengetahui Samsu telah menerima wang daripada Harris sebagai calon Bersekutu.

Samsu kemudian menikahi Dawani @ Norsalmah, namun tidak dapat melarikan diri daripada 'badi' Yusof Jamlee kerana bapa Dawani juga bernama Yusof.

(Gambar C: Datin Nana yang jelita begitu tabah sekalipun dilayan secara tidak adil oleh MAIZATUL AKMAM)

(Gambar D: anak MUFTI negeri Sabah)

Kakak Samsu, Badariah Haji Abdul Rahman (seorang polis berpangkat ASP) yang ketika itu masih menjadi isteri Yusof Jamlee tidak merestui pernikahan Samsu dengan Dawani yang dikenali sebagai Nana oleh penduduk Lahad Datu lalu meminang anak jiran mereka di Petagas, Maizatul Akmam yang kebetulan sebagai anak Mufti Negeri Sabah, Haji Ahmad Alawi.

(Gambar E: Raut wajah Maizatul tidaklah buruk, tetapi jerawat batu menyebabkan wajahnya buruk sehingga terpaksa ditampal bedak. Mengikut pekerja salon yang dikunjunginya, kulitnya berkeruping oleh daki dan kudis buta.)

Badariah memang menikahi Yusof Jamlee dan memperoleh seorang anak lelaki bernama Rajesh (Jurutera) dan kemudiannya bercerai dan berkahwin lagi dan memperoleh 3 anak dengan suami barunya. Tetapi apabila Yusof Jamlee dipilih oleh Tun Sakaran sebagai Calon Umno DUN Lahad Datu pada 1994, dia turun membantu Yusof dengan memakai uniform polis dan bersekedudukan dengan Yusof Jamlee kerana belum bercerai dengan suaminya.

Nana yang dinikahi Samsu hanya untuk menjadi 'Koleksi Seks' kerana Nana memang cantik berbanding Maizatul yang hitam legam dan berjerawat batu sehingga terpaksa ditutup dengan bedak 'lima tan'. Istilah 3 dalam 1 berlaku dalam hidup Samsu. Cintanya masih pada Siti Jalmah, Nafsunya pada Dawani dan tubuhnya pada Maizatul.

Sindrom 'Kiaboh' (Takut Bini) menjalar hidup Samsu sejak berbinikan Maizatul yang diibaratkan sebagai Dracula oleh penduduk Lahad Datu kerana terlalu sombong dan QC (Queen Control). Walaupun Mufti Negeri Sabah disegani ramai, namun anaknya bukan sahaja Dracula.

Maizatul yang menjadi isteri muda Samsu telah melakukan tindakan paling drastik dengan memaksa Samsu menafikan mempunyai isteri lain selain dirinya sehingga Nana merasa malu, terhina, teraniaya dan sedih lalu membuat laporan polis dan membuat surat akuan untuk memfailkan saman terhadap Samsu melalui peguam, Sugumar a/l Balakrisnan.

Yusof Jamlee menangguk di air keruh kerana membantu Nana membayar cagaran khidmat peguam terkenal tersebut yang sebenarnya bukanlah hebat sangat kerana 'murid' kepada Ansari Abdullah tetapi Sugumar mempunyai minat yang sama dengan Yusof Jamlee, 'kereta terpakai' (isteri orang).

Maka melututlah Maizatul merayu agar 'kakak Nana' menarik balik saman tersebut. Nana yang berhati mulia berwajah ibu merupakan isteri yang taat pada suami kerana walaupun dihina madunya, namun rela melayani suami yang kalau tidak mendapat 'servis' nya bagaikan 'orang gila meroyam'.

Sehingga kini, Nana menjadi isteri Samsu, walaupun Maizatul menafikan dirinya bermadu. Kejamnya anak seorang MUFTI yang mencemarkan kedudukan bapanya sehingga menganiaya Madu sendiri. Nana terpinggir dan menjadi 'patung seks' Samsu.

(Gambar F: Laporan Polis Nana terhadap Samsu)

(Gambar G: Surat Akuan Nana)

Lebih memburukkan perangai QC Maizatul apabila mendesak Samsu menggunakan kedudukannya sebagai Pemangku Ketua Bahagian (Yusof Jamlee digantung kerana Politik Wang) dan Ahli Parlimen dengan 'melantik dirinya' sebagai Ketua Puteri Umno Silam dan memaksa calon utama untuk jawatan itu, Mizma Apehdullah menarik diri. Maizatul juga memaksa Samsu melantik adiknya seorang kasanova yang lebih dikenali sebagai Bangla di Silam sebagai Setiausaha Umno Bahagian selain daripada jawatannya sebagai Setiausaha Sulit Setiausaha Parlimen, Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi. Bangla gemar menyamun 10 peratus daripada peruntukan projek parlimen daripada kontraktor yang terkadang kala C.O.D dan terkadang kala 'wang mari dulu baru cerita'.

Samsu yang menggelarkan dirinya sebagai PEMIMPIN adalah penakut dan bukan sahaja itu, tetapi tamak kuasa, malah tamak harta. Samsu tidak berani bertanding sebagai Ketua Umno Silam tetapi hanya sebagai timbalan ketua, namun merancang kejatuhan Ketua Umno Silam melalui aduan palsu politik wang bagi membolehkan dia memangku jawatan berkenaan sebagai lesen untuk membolot kekayaan.

Ketika menjadi Adun Lahad Datu dan kini Ahli Parlimen Silam, Samsu membaham hampir kesemua peruntukan kerajaan dengan mengarahkan orang kepercayaannya, Abidin Kabasalan mendapatkan tandatangan Ketua Cawangan Umno yang memohon projek terutama atap zing seratus keping bagi setiap cawangan dengan memaksa mereka menandatangani baucer bayaran, namun mereka hanya menerima 15 keping sahaja. Terkadang kala hanya tandatangan dan tidak dapat apa-apa melainkan janji yang sampai kini belum tertunai, tetapi dokumen yang mereka tandatangani itu dikirim untuk tuntutan bayaran.

Kata orang sepandai-pandai kancil di jalan raya, kemalangan juga (jika di hutan ditembak pemburu). Begitulah nasib Samsu. Lebih memalukan, Samsu menggunakan nama ajk Umno Bahagian Silam, Napaan Rabeka (Haji) dan keluarga Napaan iaitu Rasid Afta, Peme Narel, Fatimah Eneta, Ahmad Sulaiman, Muhammad Eneta dan Normanah Tepoh bernilai RM6,500 setiap seorang walaupun mereka cuma memberi hamper bernilai RM70.

(Gambar H: Napaan (kiri) di Majlis Penyampaian Hadiah Kejuaraan Terbuka Golf AM1 yang dianjurkannya. Samsu menyampaikan hadiah kepada juara)

Napaan tidak mengetahui kes penyalahgunaan kuasa dan rasuah Samsu ini sehinggalah mengikuti rombongan Kontraktor Bumiputera yang juga AJK Bahagian Umno Silam mengunjungi Pejabat JPPS di Kota Kinabalu. Dalam perjumpaan tersebut, Napaan mengutarakan rasa kesal AJK Umno Silam kerana mereka berusaha keras mempertahankan kedudukan JPPS di Sabah tetapi tidak memperoleh sebarang projek. Anehnya, Bangla yang mengatur pertemuan tersebut dengan menemui JPPS, Datuk Ismail Wadin, seolah-olah menghantarkan Samsu ke pintu neraka.

Timbalan Pengarah JPPS, Haji Matusin Sunsang secara berseloroh mengatakan kenapa mau marah sedangkan Napaan dan keluarganya sudah terima RM6,500 setiap seorang untuk tuntutan bencana alam dan bolehlah belanja semua yang ada dalam bilik ini minum.

Napaan terkejut apabila mendengar percakapan Haji Matusin dan menafikan sekeras-kerasnya. Mahu tidak mahu Haji Matusin terpaksa menunjukkan baucer bayaran dan tuntutan bencana alam tersebut. Napaan mendapati tandatangan di baucer bayaran bukan tandatangannya. Begitu juga dengan saudara-maranya yang dilibatkan dalam tuntutan RM50,000 tersebut. Akibatnya, Samsu menggunakan pengaruhnya menukarkan Haji Matusin ke Putrajaya apabila gagal mempengaruhi Haji Matusin memusnahkan bukti kerana sudah jelas Cek bayaran atas nama Samsu dan diambil oleh Bangla.

Merasa tidak puas hati dengan senario ini, Napaan meminta penjelasan daripada Samsu dalam Mesyuarat JK Umno Bahagian Silam di Hotel Royal Palm, Lahad Datu. Samsu dan permaisuri legamnya, Maizatul Akmam, sebagai Naib Ketua kerana Ketua Puteri Umno Silam yang juga kononnya seorang 'peguam terkenal' (terkenal oleh skandal seks kerana tidak puas dengan suami sampai berjerawat batu) mencabar Napaan membawa kes tersebut ke Mahkamah kerana membuat tuduhan yang tidak berasas.

Merasakan maruahnya tercabar, Napaan memfailkan aduan rasmi kepada Timbalan Pengarah BPR Sabah, Nasharuddin Mohd Noor dan BPR telah menjalankan siasatan rapi dengan memanggil semua saksi memberi keterangan. Namun sehingga kini belum ada sebarang tangkapan dibuat, sebaliknya Samsu sering mengganggu Napaan dan saksi lain dengan pelbagai cara agar mereka menarik balik laporan dan keterangan dengan menawarkan RM100,000 setiap seorang.

Mengikut Napaan, dalam tuntutannya, Samsu mengakui rumah kesemua mangsa di Kampung Kokos, Batu 6, Segama Lama Lahad Datu ditenggelami air dan semua barang musnah, walaupun rumah beberapa mangsa berada di atas bukit. Jika rumah mereka tenggelam, maka seluruh Lahad Datu akan tenggelam. Namun Napaan enggan mengulas lanjut kerana Pengarah BPR mengugutnya untuk mengambil tindakan jika mendedahkan maklumat kepada umum mengikut Seksyen 214, Kanun Prosedur Jenayah.

Namun bukan semua orang gelap mata dengan wang. Haji Napaan tidak berganjak walau setapak, kerana merasakan sia-sia menunaikan Haji Akbar jika menerima rasuah daripada Samsu, begitu juga dengan semua mangsa yang sanggup membuat Surat Akuan Berkanun di Mahkamah Majistret Lahad Datu menafikan mereka menerima sebarang bantuan bernilai RM6,500 daripada Samsu atau kerajaan berhubung tuntutan bencana alam.

(Gambar I: Fatimah Eneta (kanan) dan Peme @ Asnah Narel menunjukkan surat akuan mereka yang menafikan ada menerima sebarang wang bantuan banjir daripada sebarang pihak)

(Gambar J: Surat Akuan Asnah @ Peme Narel)

(Gambar K: Surat Akuan Fatimah Eneta)

Nama Samsu menjadi begitu mega dan megah apabila berjaya mengumpulkan 2,250 tandatangan menyokong kepimpinan Pak Lah di ambang krisis dan menyampaikan kepada Pak Lah sendiri ketika beliau pulang daripada bercuti di Australia sehingga Pak Lah memeluk buku tersebut kerana teruja dengan buah tangan daripada Umno Silam.

Namun, sikap telunjuk lurus kelingking berkait Samsu terdedah apabila Ketua Pemuda Umno Silam, Haji Salleh Kalbi menegur Samsu melalui laman Web Malaysiakini.com bahawa Samsu mempunyai agenda tersendiri dan menyatakan hanya 215 orang sahaja menandatangani buku ikrar berkenaan dan selebihnya adalah tandatangan misteri!

Samsu tidak lagi boleh mengharapkan Pak Lah untuk menyelamatkan karier politiknya setelah berak dan kencing di kepala Pak Lah dengan membuat akuan palsu melalui buku ikrar tersebut dan skandal banjirnya.

(Gambar L: Samsu menebalkan muka menyampaikan buku ikrar kepada Pak Lah)

(Gambar M: Pak Lah bangga memeluk buku ikrar berkenaan, namun kecewa apabila mendapati Samsu rupanya bapak penipu kepada segala penipu di dunia)

Gaya hidup mewah Samsu sukar untuk disorok kerana rakyat tahu berapalah gaji setiausaha parlimen dan ahli parlimen dan tidak mungkin mampu memiliki sebuah kenderaan mewah BMW V5 yang tanpa segan silu diletakkan di hadapan pejabat BPR sekalipun Samsu masih dalam siasatan BPR.

(Gambar N: Kenderaan mewah BMW V5 berharga RM750,000 milik Samsu ini diletakkan di pintu masuk Pejabat BPR, di Mini Putrajaya, Kota Kinabalu. BPR tak nampakkah?)

Hukum karma terus berjalan dan Samsu terkenal dengan kebijaksanaan mempergunakan orang dan pecat-memecat (walau tidak mempunyai kuasa kerana dia hanya pemangku) terpaksa memecat Adun Lahad Datu, Datuk Datu Haji Nasrun Haji Mansur yang dilantik sebagai Ketua Penerangan Umno Silam kerana cemburu isterinya tergila-gilakan Nasrun yang diwar-warkan mempunyai skandal dengan isterinya sehingga melantik seorang pendatang asing, Sharif Saidi Sharif Alawi sebagai Ahli Majlis Daerah dan dihadiahkan sebuah kenderaan mewah Rexton bagi menutup rahsia melihat skandal Maizatul dengan Nasrun (Nauzubillah hi min zalik).

Kini Nasrun mempergunakan kelemahan Samsu untuk memperkasa pengaruh politik dengan kuasa Adun ditangan, Nasrun bukan sahaja mampu memetik bintang kebesaran di istana negeri, malah mampu menawan hati Maizatul yang sebelum ini menjadi peguam di syarikat Nasrun & Co. Kebanyakan pengikut Samsu kini berpaling tadah dengan mengikuti Nasrun.

Akibatnya, Samsu mempergunakan Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak dan Datuk Seri Musa Aman sebagai pergantungan dan buah catur politiknya dengan memohon projek PPRT daripada peruntukan khas tahunan FELDA, RM50 juta. Dengan keluluskan RM25 juta tersebut, Samsu merasakan bintangnya bersinar kembali setelah karier politiknya yang tersirna akibat skandal banjir kerana peruntukan khas yang disalurkan melalui Jabatan Pembangunan Persekutuan Sabah (JPPS) akan menarik sokongan Ketua Cawangan 'mengejar bayang harapan' untuk memiliki Rumah PPRT yang bernilai RM21,000 setiap satu. Dengan jumlah peruntukan yang besar tersebut, 1,000 buah rumah PPRT, Samsu bukan sahaja boleh memberi rumah kepada semua Ketua Cawangan Umno Silam malah semua Ketua Cawangan BN agar menyokong beliau.

Di Majlis Perasmian Projek PPRT, Kampung Sabah Baru, Lahad Datu, tujuh ketua cawangan Umno Silam menerima rumah berkenaan sebagai penjara mereka di dalam peti undi BN iaitu:

1. FARTIMAH BINTI KANING (Bekas Penerima Rumah PPRT)
2. SHARIF DAWILA BIN SHARIF DAWILI
3. ZAITON BTE BANDAHALA
4. LIM KIM FONG
5. LAUREL BALUAN
6. HAJI UTOH SALEH NAHUL (Bekas Penerima rumah PPRT)
7. INING BINTI BANTALA (Anak Ketua Cawangan Bantala Jamad)

Hanya tiga orang sahaja orang termiskin yang menerima rumah berkenaan sebagai ugutan agar tidak berpaling kepada Nasrun dan pancingan undi untuk Ketua Cawangan Umno Silam:

1. NASIR BIN GANNA
2. ISA BINTI LAUDIN
3. KALONG BIN MALARI

Rumah tersebut sewajarnya diberikan kepada mereka yang dijanjikan, namun oleh kerana bukan penyokong beliau, maka mereka dipinggirkan.

Namun ibarat bergayut di dahan yang rapuh, nasib Samsu belum menentu kerana Najib yang dikaitkan dengan Skandal Altantuya dan Musa dengan Skandal Wisma Bandarayanya mungkin tidak dapat membantu Samsu melepaskan diri daripada cengkaman BPR.

Tambahan pula, kata orang tua-tua, untuk mematikan pohon tidaklah perlu membubuh racun kerana akan dianggap kejam dan tidak bertimbang rasa. Cukuplah meletak 25 karung baja dan siramlah air. Inshaallah pokok itu akan mati dengan perlahan-lahan. Mungkin itulah nasib Samsu yang menerima RM25 juta yang akan menjadi pembunuh karier politiknya kerana rumah yang dibina tidak bermutu, tidak mempunyai sebarang kemudahan asas dan dibina di atas tapak tanah adat bagi pengikutnya yang tidak beradat kerana kebanyakannya Pendatang Tanpa Izin yang mendapat kad pengenalan projek dan sanggup menjadi pengundi untuk disewa atau orang suruhannya.

Lebih melucukan, ketika membuat serbuan ke Hutan Simpan Sapagaya Lahad Datu bersama Tentera, Polis, Pejabat Tanah dan jabatan Kerajaan yang lain tidak diikuti oleh Jabatan Perhutanan Sabah. Samsu mendapati sebuah traktor sedang membuat teres di dalam kawasan yang disahkan oleh alat GPS Jabatan Tanah ialah Hutan Simpan. Anehnya mereka hanya mengambil catatan dan tidak memberkas pemilik traktor, traktor dan pekerjanya sekalipun Polis dan Tentera mempunyai kuasa berbuat demikian. Alasannya kerana ketiadaan Jabatan Perhutanan.

Tetapi secara selamba Samsu bertanya pemilik traktor bolehkah teres tanah yang dibelinya di tanah simpanan bumiputera di Kampung Silam Lamak? Bagaikan mendapat nyawa baru, pemilik traktor tersebut terus mengaku "boleh" dan terus memindahkan traktornya ke tanah Samsu untuk meneres bagi menanam kepala sawit. Berlakulah perniagaan tukar barang di Hutan Simpan Sapagaya di hadapan tentera, polis dan pegawai kerajaan.

Ketika membuat laporan polis, Samsu tidak menyebut dia mengarahkan traktor tersebut keluar daripada hutan simpan ke tanahnya? Kata kontraktor tersebut Samsu belum bayar sampai sekarang. Wajarkah Samsu membayar setelah melepas traktor daripada hutan simpan? Inilah rasuah paling menarik di abad ini.

Niat tersirat Samsu menipu Pak Lah untuk menaikkan sahamnya agar dilantik menjadi menteri penuh dalam rombakan kabinet akan datang namun tidak kesampaian apabila bakal calon ketua Umno SILAM, Haji Salleh Kalbi mendedahkan pekung yang disoroknya selama ini.

Tambah garam ke luka Samsu apabila Timbalan Ketua Perhubungan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah, Awang Ahmad Sah Datuk Haji Awang Sahari membuat aduan rasmi di Pejabat BPR Kota Kinabalu laporan polis (Karamunsing/002315/07) dengan menuduh Timbalan Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Datu Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak telah:

Telah bersubahat dengan Setiausaha Parlimen Kementerian Pembangunan Koperasi, Merangkap Ahli Parlimen Silam dan juga Pemangku Ketua Umno Bahagian Silam, Datuk Haji Samsu Baharun Haji Abdul Rahman mengagehkan 10 buah rumah PPRT bernilai RM21,000 setiap satu kepada lebih 6 orang KETUA CAWANGAN Umno Silam untuk memancing undi mencalonkan beliau sebagai Timbalan Presiden Umno. (ada yang sudah pernah memiliki rumah PPRT sebelum ini).

Telah melengahkan laporan dan siasatan BPR yang dibuat oleh AJK Umno Bahagian Silam, Haji Napaan Rabeka terhadap Setiausaha Parlimen Kementerian Pembangunan Koperasi, Merangkap Ahli Parlimen Silam dan juga Pemangku Ketua Umno Bahagian Silam, Datuk Haji Samsu Baharun Haji Abdul Rahman yang menggunakan kedudukannya sebagai Ahli Parlimen Silam untuk membuat tuntutan mangsa banjir sejumlah RM50,000 dengan menggunakan namanya dan 5 orang saudara-maranya walaupun terdapat kes prima facie terhadap Samsu.

Enggan mengambil tindakan terhadap Setiausaha Parlimen Kementerian Pembangunan Kope-rasi, Merangkap Ahli Parlimen Silam dan juga Pemangku Ketua Umno Bahagian Silam, Datuk Haji Samsu Baharun Haji Abdul Rahman walaupun diketahui memiliki harta yang tidak diistiyharkan seperti kereta mewah BMW V5 berharga lebih setengah juta ringgit yang didaftarkan SAA300X sedangkan beliau tahu Samsu Baharun hanya Setiausaha Parlimen yang bergaji kecil.

Apakah nasib akan menyebelahi Samsu? Jawapannya ada pada Samsu sendiri iaitu "BIARLAH TAKDIR PENENTU SEGALANYA".

Cash hands memo to PM

2007-02-27T01:30:00.001-08:00

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: The Consumer Association of Sabah and Labuan (Cash) said regional disparities in economic and financial opportunities have contributed to hardship in Sabah that is symbolised by the increasing prices of essential items.

Its President, Datuk Patrick Sindu, said this in a memorandum that he presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Terminal Two, Tanjung Aru, before the Premier left for Kuala Lumpur after a two-day visit to Sabah on Feb. 15. A copy was extended to the Daily Express.

Cash said very little of the State's revenue from its major exports returned to Sabah. In this respect, he said, the fuel adjustment for Sabah needs to be reviewed.

"The fuel hike had been significant in 2005 and 2006 and (because of that) the State's economy cannot contain such drastic adjustments without sacrificing the purchasing power of the public," he said.

As a result, many consumer items have become more costly as the raw materials being imported items were more expensive.

Cash said it is an irony that while Sabah has contributed significantly in the past three decades in oil production, it still could not derive some relief from the fuel price increases.

"Therefore, an overhaul of the system is inevitable because the spiralling prices of goods will have a devastating effect on everything," it said.

Cash said it had good reasons to demonstrate its concern with the recent increases in general price levels in Sabah.

The situation is very serious and depressing at the same time, it said, citing the case of the 12-year old Sarawakian who hanged himself for failing to go to school due to lack of money in January this year.

It said 2006 had been a difficult year for many due to the fuel hike that has been used to offset the fuel subsidy twice as the Government pushed to reduce the subsidy to zero.

While it may be reasonable to deter smuggling of comparative cheaper fuel in Malaysia due to the subsidy, Patrick said the impact of the double adjustments had affected many people especially the poor in the employment sectors throughout Sabah.

Price of essential food items from the peninsula sold in the supermarkets last year have generally increased. "Even food items like plain fried mee and the like are also more expensive."

Cash said unless the government deals with the woes faced by the people with increasing intensity, their livelihood and the standards of living would worsen.

It said there are several groups who would be adversely affected by the escalating prices of goods and essential items such as:

- Large young families with the father as the main bread winner: - The landless and renters; - Those with substantial mortgages and car loans: - Single mothers or fathers with small families to care for: - Elderly people with or without adult children with or without pensions; - The sick and disabled (either from birth or due to accidents) and/or unable to work fulltime; and - Victims of natural disasters, retrenchment and failed businesses

Cash said the Government must be proactive in addressing their needs now lest the people degenerate in terms of health. It said traders escape the effect of price increases by "passing" these on to the raw materials and purchases to the consumers.

Consumers with fixed income, it said, have to spend more money on daily necessities that would have a cumulative effect on their disposable incomes.

Subsequently, there will come a time when these consumers request for substantial pay rise to make ends meet.

But employers, on the other hand, may find it hard to oblige accordingly, it said.

"(Hence) sorting out such dilemmas that arose from the implementation of government policies would need some softening measures to avert more consequential economic and social implications," it said.

It contends that several factors have led to the present scenario, namely:

Timber, oil palm plantations, infrastructure, revenue from levies and penalties, enforcement pressure, education and training, lopsided deals, abuse of power and corruption, climatic consideration, human resources and business disability, systems of dysfunction, brain drain and wealth flight and leakage and wastage.

Cash while the timber era ended more than a decade ago, the price levels are still pegged to that tradition. "Actually, the price levels of several major components of cost of living had increased rather than declined," it said.

In terms of oil palm plantations in Sabah, Patrick said 85 per cent of them are owned by peninsula-based companies and their income is largely remitted back across the South China Sea.

Not to mention also ecological considerations.

"Lack of adequate infrastructure in large quantity is incapacitating the marketing of local produce," it said adding that damaged infrastructure have contributed to the costs of doing business in Sabah.

The quality of infrastructure in the State also is rendering poor accessibility to the rural areas. On revenue from levies and penalties, it said these are not part of good sustainable business activities.

It said the level of education in terms of skills and understanding of languages both in written and spoken for non-graduates is still far from satisfactory.

Because of the "prevailing" situation in Sabah, it said even the educated group who studied overseas in the years after independence have chosen to remain outside.

"Millionaires created from the exploitation of the rainforests have also gone elsewhere with their wealth."

So Sabah should look into producing its own food since there is still much idle land available, it said.

Hutang Sabah meningkat jadi RM1 bilion

2006-09-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Oleh Faisal Mustaffa

Baki hutang kerajaan Negeri Sabah yang berakhir pada hujung tahun 2004 berjumlah RM1 bilion berbanding RM787.98 juta pada tahun sebelumnya.

Jumlah tersebut menunjukkan peningkatan sebanyak RM212.24 juta yang berpunca daripada pembiayaan projek Perumahan Awam Kos Rendah dan Bekalan Air.

Menurut sumber yang diperolehi daripada Laporan Audit Negara, Kerajaan Sabah telah meluluskan 15 pinjaman baru berjumlah RM225.87 juta bagi tujuan tersebut.

Bagaimanapun, semua pinjaman tersebut yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan taraf hidup rakyat berpendapatan rendah itu disalurkan sepenuhnya kepada Jabatan Air.

Selain itu, baki bagi 12 pinjaman yang dijadual semula menjadi lima pinjaman, meningkat sejumlah RM3.31 juta berikutan tunggakan faedah yang ditambah kepada baki pinjaman.

Menurut laporan yang dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Bendahari Negeri Sabah, selain daripada pinjaman Negeri Sabah, hutang-hutang lain yang ditanggung oleh kerajaan Negeri ialah dari aspek Pembangunan Ekonomi Negeri yang meningkat dari RM120.37 juta (2004) ke 126.17 juta (2005).

Perbelanjaan pembangunan Negeri Sabah meningkat dengan ketara hasil daripada dua projek Bekalan Air di bawah Kementerian Pembangunan Infrastruktur berjumlah RM260.98 juta berbanding dengan RM76.95 juta pada tahun 2004.Selain itu, Laporan Audit Negara juga melaporkan peningkatan bagi pengambilalihan tanah di bawah Jabatan Ketua Menteri sebanyak RM4.96 juta menjadi RM23.50 juta berbanding dengan RM14.04 juta pada tahun 2004.

Namun, terdapat juga penurunan dari segi perbelanjaan Negeri Sabah iaitu di bawah Kementerian Pembangunan Masyarakat dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna yang menurun sebanyak RM7.42 juta menjadi RM126.899 berbanding RM7.55 juta pada tahun 2004.

Selain itu, penurunan juga berlaku di bawah Projek Pekan Baru di bawah Kementerian Kerajaan Tempatan dan perumahan serta Projek Rancangan Tebatan Banjir yang dilaksanakan oleh Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Makanan masing-masing yang mengalami penurunan sejumlah RM3.67 juta dan RM2.21 juta.

All Sabahans must Fight BN and UMNO

2006-08-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Speech By DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng During The Formation Of Two Kadazan Dusun Murut(KDM) Branches On 12.8.2006 In Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu Released On 15.8.2006.

All Sabahans Must Fight BN And UMNO For Failing To Keep Its Promises Such As Rotation Of The Post Of Sabah Chief Minister, Failure To Protect The Rights Of Sabahans And Allowing Sabah To Be The Poorest And Least Developed State In Malaysia.

I am pleased to receive the membership forms for the formation of two protem DAP branches conprising solely of KDM members from Sdr Stephen Jimbangan and Sdr Jeffry Jusing Sabran, who are pro-tem Chairman of Kepayan and Kuamut Branches respectively. DAP also welcomes our first bumi female lawyer in Sdri Evelyn John Ganjos who has been practicing for 10 years.

More KDM are joining the DAP because they are fed up with the broken promises of BN despite receiving the largest mandate in the last general elections where they only lost one state and one parliamentary seat. All Sabahans must fight BN and UMNO for failing to keep its promises such as rotation of the post of Chief Minister, failure to protect the rights of Sabahans and allowing Sabah to be the poorest and least developed state in Malaysia.

All the non-Muslim bumis have lost out when BN refused to keep its promise of a rotation of Chief Minister. The KDM despite being the largest bumi group has been the biggest loser, marginalized both politically and economically. Its KDM leaders have lost courage and dare not speak up for the rights of Sabahans and their community.

What is the use of talking about national integrity and sovereignty when large parts of Sabah are taken over by foreigners or illegal immigrants fraudulently given ICs under Project M?

A BN component party admitted that there were an estimated 1.75 million foreigners in Sabah, including those in possession of Project Mahathir’s ICs. The state's population increased by 363% from 648,693 in 1970 to “about three million” in 2005, compared to Sarawak's 135% from 976,269 to 2.3 million.

Given that the state's population, according to official statistics, was 2.6 million in 2000, foreigners now outnumber the locals by two to one. If Sabah's rate of population increase was the same as Sarawak's, then Sabah should have only 1.5 million population today. It would mean Sabah having more than a million fewer people.

In a reply by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament on 26 June 2006 to Seputih MP and DAP National Publicity Secretary Teresa Kok, Sabah had a population of 2.98 million where 51.5% (1.54 million) were males and 1.44 million(48.5%) females. This is shown population ethnic breakdown was as follows:

Malays - 342,500 - 15.3%
Kadazan/Dusun - 530,00 - 0 23.7%
Bajau - 399,300 - 17.8%
Murut - 98,400 - 4.4%
Bumi lain - 436,300 - 19.6%
Cina - 287,200 - 12.8%
Lain-lain etnik - 143,500 - 6.4%
Jumlah Wargenegara - 2,237,100 100.00 76.1%
Bukan Warganegara - 743,000 24.9%
JUMLAH - 2,980,700 - 100.00%

The government claims that illegal foreigners account for 25% of the country’s population. This figure is less than half of the estimate of NGOs. Who are the bumi lain? Under Project M, the Malays and bumi lain is now the largest ethnic group with 34.9%, far exceeding the previously largest ethnic group of KDM of 28.1%.

This has caused severe marginalization of KDM and non-Muslim bumis politically as can be now seen that no KDM can ever hope to be Chief Minister. Economically all Sabahans have lost out under UMNO, with a high crime rate, the poorest state in Malaysia, the least developed state and the highest income inequality between the rich and poor with a mean monthly household income of RM 2,487 ranking eight out of 14 states in Malaysia but the worst poverty levels at 23 %..

Sabah has the second lowest water supply coverage of 75% throughout the state just ahead of the 70% water supply coverage in Kelantan.

Sabah has a mean monthly income of RM 2,487 in 2004. How many households have a mean monthly income of RM 2,487 when Sabah has the highest poverty incidence of 23%.

Malaysia has the worst income disparity in South-East Asia between the rich and poor with the share of income of the bottom 40% of the population enjoying only 13.5% whilst the share of the top 20% increased 51.2%. The income disparity is clearly much worse in Sabah where the rich has become richer whilst the poor remain poor.

Malaysia has much wealth. The only problem is that it is not shared equitably with other Malaysians. As an oil exporter, Malaysians have not received a single cent of oil revenues even though Petronas earned RM 500 billion since it was established 31 years ago in 1974. If this RM 500 billion was shared with every needy Malaysian who is not wealthy, each Malaysian young and old can get at least RM 20,000 each.

But Malaysians have not received a single cent of oil revenues due to extensive corruption by the BN government as absolute power corrupts absolutely. A household of 5 would receive RM 10,000 per year and would not fear petrol and electricity price hikes as well as assist them in reducing the financial burdens. But why have we not received a single cent when this is our birthright as oil revenues from our oil resources belongs not to one company or to any individual but to all Malaysians.

If a non-oil exporter like Singapore can give S$2.6 billion (RM 6 billion) cash under the 2006 Budget this year to all Singaporeans, especially the poor, why can’t the Malaysian government do so when Petronas has earned nearly RM 500 billion since its inception in 1971? Oil importer Singapore has given $10.675 billion (RM 24 billion) directly to its people since 2000 as compared to Petronas which has not given a single cent.

The natural question that Badawi must answer is how come Malaysians can not get a single cent directly from the RM 500 billion oil revenues whilst Singaporeans without a single cent of earning from oil revenue can benefit from RM 24 billion these last 5 years? Only DAP is seeking accountability and economic justice for all Sabahans and Malaysians to prevent all our oil revenue from being misused by the irresponsible BN leaders.LIM GUAN ENG

500 from BN in Sandakan cross over to PKR

2006-08-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Daily Express

Sandakan: Some 500 Sabah Barisan Nasional component party members and leaders, a majority of whom were from the Sekong and Batu Sapi branches, have joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) en bloc.

The leaders included former Sekong Assemblyman Datuk Nahalan Damsal, Tamrin Bahrin, Ali Latip Taha and several Chinese community leaders representing Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Libaran and Beluran zones.

The affected branches were eight from PBS, followed by Parti Bersekutu (2) and "a substantial number" from Sekong and Kinabatangan Umno branches. The Kinabatangan "exodus" from Umno was led by Ghani Madeh.

They were welcomed into the PKR fold by party advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during its inaugural assembly at a hotel here on Saturday.

Addressing the function, Anwar expressed optimism that the party would be able to win the Sandakan seat in the next general election, with an assurance that the rights of the people here would be restored if PKR could form the next State Government.

Meanwhile, Sabah PKR Chief Awang Tengah hoped the central leadership could allow the local leadership to field candidates in all the Parliamentary and State constituencies in the State in the next general election.

DAP challenges Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman

2006-08-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Press Conference Statement Speech By DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng In Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu Challenge Datuk Musa Aman To State When BN Will Resolve The 8 Major Issues To Save Sabah From Being The Most Undeveloped State, The Worst Place to Live In And Also The Most Dangerous State In Malaysia.

DAP challenges Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman to state when BN will resolve the 8 major issues to save Sabah from being the most undeveloped state, the worst place to live and the most dangerous state in Malaysia. The following 8 facts based on the 9MP, are reasons why Sabah is the living nightmare for 3 million Sabahans in Malaysia as follows:-

1. Sabah has the largest number of illegal immigrants and those with ICs fraudulently given ICs granted under “Project M” estimated at nearly 1 million. The extraordinary growth of the Sabah illegal immigrant population can be shown that in 1960, the Kadazandusun population was 168,000 and equaled the number of other Bumiputeras. In 2000, while the Kadazandusun population increased to 560,000, the population of other Bumiputeras had grown to 1.1 million;

2. A high crime rate and one of the most dangerous place to live in Malaysia where police officers can not even protect themselves from criminals much less protect the public;

3. Sabah is the least developed state in Malaysia, ranking last on the Development Composite Index (DCI) scoring 90 as compared to the highest of 109.6 of Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. Even Kelantan is ahead of Sabah with a DCI of 93.1.

4. Sabah is the poorest state with the worst incidence of poverty at 23% in 2004 as compared to Sarawak’s 7.5% and Kelantan’s 10.6%. The incidence of poverty in Peninsular Malaysia is 3.6% and for the entire country 5.7%;

5. Sabah has the highest income inequality between the rich and poor with a mean monthly household income of RM 2,487 ranking eight out of 14 states in Malaysia but the worst poverty levels at 23 %

6. Sabah has also the highest population growth rate in the country at 3.1% as compared to the national average of 2.3%. Its population jumped by 530,000 or more than 20% in the space of 5 years from 2.6 million in 2000 to 3.13 million in 2005, mostly due to illegal immigrant from neighbouring countries fraudulently given identity cards. Malthusian theory has made it clear too big a population would result in greater scarcity of resources and less developme.;

7. Sabah has the most frequent power supply breakdowns in the country with the System Average Interruption Duration Index(SAIDI) of 4,109 minutes per customer per year. In other words 4,109 minutes is lost from power interruptions in Sabah each year by every customer. Each user will face almost 3 days out of 365 days without power supply in Sabah earning SESB the description Sabah Energy Supply Breakdown company. 3 days is probably an underestimation as many Sabahans are so fed up as to have given up on reporting power breakdowns. This compares unfavourably with TNB’s 147 SAIDI or only 147 minutes lost per year in Peninsular Malaysia.

8. Sabah has the second lowest water supply coverage of 75% throughout the state just ahead of the 70% water supply coverage in Kelantan.The power struggle between Prime Minster Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi and his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has resulted in the people’s problems being neglected when each is fighting for political survival. In this battle for survival the people’s problems such as those in Sabah are forgotten. The people should know that only DAP is serious and committed in their problems and gaining their mandate not for power but to benefit the people.

LIM GUAN ENG

Sabah turned into a land of broken promises and shattered hopes

2006-08-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Speech By DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng During The DAP Forum In Sandakan On 15.8.2006.

BN Has Turned Sabah Into A Land Of Broken Promises And Shattered Hopes As Not Only The Most Undeveloped State And Worst Place to Live In Malaysia But Also The Most Dangerous State.

BN has turned Sabah into a land of broken promises and shattered hopes as not only the poorest and most undeveloped state, the worst place to live in Malaysia in terms of public amenities such as regular supply of power and water, but also the most dangerous state where the police not only fail to protect its citizens but can not protect themselves.

And yet despite the attacks against police officers in Pulau Gaya in Kota Kinabalu and lack of public safety, IGP Tan Sri Mohd. Bakri Bin Hj. Omar in 2004 stated that Sabah had amongst the lowest number of reported cases of all crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. In Sandakan 15 years ago, I can still walk around safely at night. Now I am foolish to walk in town after 9 pm.

What is the use of talking about national integrity and sovereignty when large parts of Sabah are taken over by foreigners or illegal immigrants fraudulently given ICs under Project M? A BN component party admitted that there were an estimated 1.75 million foreigners in Sabah, including those in possession of Project Mahathir’s ICs. The state's population increased by 363% from 648,693 in 1970 to “about three million” in 2005, compared to Sarawak's 135% from 976,269 to 2.3 million.

Given that the state's population, according to official statistics, was 2.6 million in 2000, foreigners now outnumber the locals by two to one. If Sabah's rate of population increase was the same as Sarawak's, then Sabah should have only 1.5 million population today. It would mean Sabah having more than a million fewer people.

Two months ago on my last trip to Sabah, DAP had issued a challenge to all BN MPs from Sabah to move a Parliamentary motion to set up the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the reasons behind Sabah the worst place to live in Malaysia. Sadly none of the BN MPs showed any concern for the plight of Sabah during the last Parliamentary session.

Since the BN MPs have refused to move such a motion to help Sabah, DAP MPs will raise the plight of Sabahans during this Parliamentary session. DAP hopes that the BN MPs from Sabah will support this effort by DAP MPs to improve the lot of Sabahans in Parliament.

Figures in the Ninth Malaysian Plan (9MP) has shown Sabah with the highest population growth, the largest number of illegal immigrants, the highest poverty incidence, the worst income inequality between the rich and poor, the most frequent power supply breakdowns, the least developed state and the second lowest water supply coverage in Malaysia.

The following 8 facts based on the 9MP, are reasons why Sabah is the living nightmare for 3 million Sabahans in Malaysia as follows:1. Sabah has the largest number of illegal immigrants and those with ICs fraudulently given ICs granted under “Project M” estimated at nearly 1 million. The extraordinary growth of the Sabah illegal immigrant population can be shown that in 1960, the Kadazandusun population was 168,000 and equaled the number of other Bumiputeras.

In 2000, while the Kadazandusun population increased to 560,000, the population of other Bumiputeras had grown to 1.1 million;2. A high crime rate and one of the most dangerous place to live in Malaysia where police officers can not even protect themselves from criminals much less protect the public.

Sabah is the least developed state in Malaysia, ranking last on the Development Composite Index (DCI) scoring 90 as compared to the highest of 109.6 of Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. Even Kelantan is ahead of Sabah with a DCI of 93.1.4.

Sabah is the poorest state with the worst incidence of poverty at 23% in 2004 as compared to Sarawak’s 7.5% and Kelantan’s 10.6%. The incidence of poverty in Peninsular Malaysia is 3.6% and for the entire country 5.7%;5. Sabah has the highest income inequality between the rich and poor with a mean monthly household income of RM 2,487 ranking eight out of 14 states in Malaysia but the worst poverty levels at 23 %6.

Sabah has also the highest population growth rate in the country at 3.1% as compared to the national average of 2.3%. Its population jumped by 530,000 or more than 20% in the space of 5 years from 2.6 million in 2000 to 3.13 million in 2005, mostly due to illegal immigrant from neighbouring countries fraudulently given identity cards. Malthusian theory has made it clear too big a population would result in greater scarcity of resources and less developme.;7.

Sabah has the most frequent power supply breakdowns in the country with the System Average Interruption Duration Index(SAIDI) of 4,109 minutes per customer per year. In other words 4,109 minutes is lost from power interruptions in Sabah each year by every customer. Each user will face almost 3 days out of 365 days without power supply in Sabah earning SESB the description Sabah Energy Supply Breakdown company. 3 days is probably an underestimation as many Sabahans are so fed up as to have given up on reporting power breakdowns.

This compares unfavourably with TNB’s 147 SAIDI or only 147 minutes lost per year in Peninsular Malaysia.8. Sabah has the second lowest water supply coverage of 75% throughout the state just ahead of the 70% water supply coverage in Kelantan.SESB Must Compensate All Consumers For Losses Incurred From Power Breakdowns.

SESB must compensate all consumers, especially businessmen, for losses incurred from power breakdowns. Not only is foreign investment affected, such frequent power breakdowns has made life miserable for consumers. Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman must explain why he has refused to direct SESB to pay compensation for when consumers are punished by cutting off their supply for not paying their bills?

Or perhaps I should ask Datuk Musa whatg he has done for Sandakan despite being from this area. Clearly being the least developed state in Malaysia is the reward to Sabahans for giving absolute power to BN without any meaningful opposition in the state. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The time has come for Sabahans to wake up by restoring democracy by voting in the DAP to provide a strong and effective opposition to fight for political equality, socio-economic justice and fight for a clean and good governance.

What have you got to lose when Sabahans are already the bottom state in Malaysia. With such abundant natural resources, it is unacceptable for Sabahans to live in poverty, live in fear from the lack of security from crime and large number of immigrants, bear the shame of being the least developed state in Malaysia where there are frequent interruption in power supply, poor roads maintenance and construction, frequent water supply breakdowns, a stranger in your own land facing illegal immigrants and also a deepening divide between the rich and poor.

DAP is an established political party with a proven track record that is reliable, courageous trustworthy, competent and principled. If Sabahans are to get their equal share of economic benefits and their democratic rights, then choose the DAP. Only the DAP is willing to serve you wholeheartedly with the principle that abundance are to be shared just as hardships equally to uphold democracy, freedom, justice, integrity and human dignity.LIM GUAN ENG

Writer hopes no political interference

2006-07-31T22:01:00.000-07:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Kota Kinabalu: The writer of the controversial book "IC PALSU Merampas Hak Anak Sabah" hopes ongoing investigations into an alleged scheme involving a former leader to issue genuine Malaysian Identity Cards (ICs) to thousands of foreigners in Sabah will not face political interference.

"I hope the police will take action immediately," he said. He was the latest to be questioned by police regarding a police report on the matter, Sunday.
Mutalib said it was the second time he was questioned since the book was published in 1999.

"At that time I was questioned for about four hours and following that 22 people were arrested. But the sad thing was that 20 of them were released following interference from a politician and only two were jailed," he claimed.

"We also managed to get revoked a total of 16,693 ICs while another 322,903 are still being used out there. This does not include the holders' childrenËe must do something about this, I want all the PTIs (illegal immigrants) removed from Sabah," added Mutalib. NGOs advised to work in unison

Raping of Sabah's forests

2006-07-31T18:21:00.000-07:00

How to make RM4.8 billion in just a couple of years

SPECIAL REPORTS ARCHIVES

The Ulu Segama Reserve (203,080ha), Malua Forest Reserve (33,969ha) and Ulu Kalumpang Forest Reserve (51,118ha) cover an area the size of Rhode Island or four times the size of Singapore.

Based on government valuation, the value of these three forest reserves is RM4.8 billion. The open market price would of course be many times that.

Large-scale timber harvesting would end by 2007 and will be replaced with sustainable forest management practices. To beat this deadline, the Sabah government is allowing fast-track logging in these forest reserves so that they can clear the area of trees within the next year or so.This is genocide of the highest degree.

More fotos can be viewed here

PROPOSAL FOR TAKE-OVER OF TIMBER EXTRACTION & SALE OF TIMBER OF SABAH FOUNDATION TIMBER CONCESSION AREA IN SABAH.

Background of the concessioni.
Locality : Gunung Rara, Kalabakan, Tawau, Sabah bordering to Maliau Basin.ii. Coupe No. : YT 3/04 (NFM)iii. Acreage : 61,217 acres (24,774 hactares). Ownership : Yayasan Sabah conession area managed by a wholly-owned subsidiary company of Sabah Foundation.
Current Status Approval : The said concession has been approved for assignment by the Board of Directors of Innoprise Corporation Sdn. Bhd.ii. Value of concession : The inventory report estimates that the proceed from the sales of timber amounts to RM400 million.

Sabah's Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves about to be plundered

Two Sabah forest reserves, to be bequeathed as Malaysia’s biodiversity gift to the world by the end of 2007, are set to be logged in a month or two – endangering countless species of plants and wildlife. A race against time is underway to log the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves, covering a total of 236,825ha, which is three times the size of Singapore, before the deadline. The state-owned Yayasan Sabah holds logging rights in the forest reserves and recently appointed at least three companies to log in the area.

EIA sought over logging plan

Show us the EIA report. This is the call by environmentalists concerned over the proposed logging in the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves covering 236,825ha in east Sabah. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, they said, was necessary for such a massive project and should be put to public scrutiny if it existed.

Logging at Sabah reserves to go ahead

Sabah will go ahead to log at two forest reserves bequeathed as Malaysia’s biodiversity gift to the world once the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is approved. The EIA report for logging at the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves in the state’s east coast has been completed. Whether it would be made public will depend on the Department of Environment (DOE).

State Govt unlikely to back down on Malua, Ulu Segama

It is very unlikely that the State Government will withdraw its plan to allow logging in the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves, home to various endangered species, including wild orang-utans. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman also continued to insist that felling of timber in the two areas would not damage the environment.

PM also urged to stop the Malua-Ulu Segama logging

2006-07-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) hopes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will act to halt the planned logging of the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves just as he had expressed concern for Pulau Sipadan.

Its Sabah Deputy Chairperson, Christina Liew, feels Sabah stands to lose even more in tourism from the planned logging in the two forest reserves between now and mid-2007 than from the patch of corals that a barge had scraped at Sipadan earlier.

She said the potential losses in terms of extinction of many species of Bornean wildlife such as orang-utans, sumatran rhinocerous, sun bear, pygmy elephants, tembadau, sambar deer, bearded pigs, muntjacks, clouded leopards and civets, among others, would be colossal compared with the coral damage, even though what happened at Sipadan was regrettable.

In this context, she said it was ridiculous for State Forestry Director, Sam Mannan, to claim that wildlife thrived very well in logged areas.

"Don't take Sabah people for fools. If he still insists on this theory, I can show him a copy of the findings of a study conducted by environmentalists in the world.

"Don't bully the orang-utans just because they can't speak up and are defenceless," she said, adding that the decision-makers involved must be made accountable for their actions, even after they have left the scene. The Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves are seen as the last strongholds for about 5,000 wild orang-utans on Borneo.

The Forestry Deaprtment had earlier assured that the logging would be according to sustainable methods.

Liew was commenting on Abdullah's concern for Sabah's environment, particularly the construction activities on Sipadan. Welcoming Abdullah's call to Malaysians to learn to appreciate the environment "as it was a gift from God", Liew said it was time for Malaysians to develop greater respect and reverence for the natural legacy that God had bestowed on us.

"And this respect should not only remain in words alone but translated into action," she said in a statement.

While acknowledging that preservation and eco-tourism are popular catchphrases these days, she said it is, however, useless when efforts at conservation are compromised by arbitrary decisions "that would result in the destruction of the very elements we seek to preserve."

Liew stressed that it is time for the relevant Sabah departments and agencies to take concrete steps towards conserving the environment "if we are truly serious about preserving our environment for the future generations." She said Sipadan, Mt Kinabalu, the Maliau Basin and Danum Valley, to name a few, are all Sabah treasures beyond price.

"However, these treasures cannot survive any mistakes made through unwise decisions on the part of the administration involved. What has happened to Sipadan and Mt Kinabalu where the construction of another RM5 million resthouse project had been abandoned at 9,000ft are not only tragic mistakes but crimes against nature."

To prevent further tragedy, she said, the Government should call off the logging in the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves.

"When the areas are ravaged, there will be nothing left for the orang-utans."

On July 16, the Star daily broke the news when it reported that the State-owned Yayasan Sabah Group had contracted companies for new logging operations to start in a month or two.

Ijazah palsu: Ketua Umno bergelar Datuk terbabit

2006-07-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 31, 2006

Oleh Zulkifli Mohamed

Anda hanya perlu membayar sejumlah tertentu, kemudian tunggu dalam masa beberapa hari atau bulan, anda akan dijemput menghadiri majlis konvokesyen yang melayakkan anda bergelar ‘graduan’ lulusan luar negara, sama ada daripada University Of Newcastle, United Kingdom atau Camden University, USA.

Ijazah ekpress ini boleh dimiliki tanpa perlu mengikuti pengajian bertahun-tahun, bersengkang mata dan memerah otak untuk menduduki peperiksaan atau menyiapkan tesis.

Dikatakan segulung Diploma Pengurusan Perniagaan, boleh diperolehi hanya dengan mengisi ‘borang pendaftaran’ dan disertakan bayaran sebanyak RM8,600.

Agensi yang menawarkan sijil akademik peringkat ijazah dan kedoktoran palsu daripada universiti terbabit dikesan baru-baru ini, beroperasi di Asia City, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Bagaimanapun tidak dapat dipastikan sejak bila perkhidmatan haram itu telah beroperasi.

Sindiket berkenaan dipercayai memalsukan sijil akademik luar negara bertaraf Diploma, Sarjana Muda Sastera (BA), Master Of Arts (MA), Sarjana Pentadbiran Perniagaan (MBA) sehinggalah kepada Doktor Falsafah (PhD).

Para ‘graduannya’ dari pelbagai latar belakang, termasuk beberapa pemimpin politik dan ahli perniagaan negara ini, yang menggunakan perkhidmatan agensi terbabit sebagai jalan mudah bagi ‘meningkatkan’ pencapaian akademik sekaligus mengangkat status mereka.

Bagi mengabui mata pelbagai pihak, sindiket terbabit akan mengadakan majlis konvokesyen untuk para ‘graduannya’ di beberapa hotel terkemuka – antaranya di The Palace Of Golden Horses, di ibu negara.

Menariknya majlis konvokesyen itu akan berlangsung sepanjang tahun, setelah bilangan ‘graduan’ yang mendaftar telah mencapai kira-kira 400-500 orang pada satu-satu masa, dan bukannya seperti kelaziman iaitu selepas penuntut menamatkan sesi pengajian masing-masing.

Ketua Umno Kota Belut dan PKR terlibat

Beberapa pemimpin politik Sabah dikatakan menggunakan perkhidmatan agensi di Asia City itu, antaranya Ketua Umno Bahagian Kota Belut, Datuk Musbah Haji Jamli dan dua Pemimpin Kemajuan Rakyat (PKR) bagi Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Usukan, Japlin Akim dan Adun Tempasuk, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia.

Musbah dipercayai memiliki dua ijazah Sarjana Muda Pengurusan Perniagaan (BBA) palsu daripada Universiti Of Newcastle, yang diperolehinya dengan bayaran RM20 ribu, sementara kedua-dua pembantu kanan ADUN berkenaan dipercayai memiliki sijil Diploma Pengurusan Perniagaan (DBA) palsu.

Musbah adalah penyokong kuat Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, di Negeri Bawah Bayu itu.

Bagaimanapun, baru-baru ini perbuatan mereka itu berjaya dihidu oleh seorang penulis tempatan, Musli bin Oli.

Dakwanya, pemimpin terbabit telah menerima ijazah masing-masing pada ‘majlis konvokesyen’ di hotel terkemuka di ibu negara beberapa bulan lepas.

Siasatan lanjut yang dibuatnya, termasuk carian di laman web universiti berkenaan, mendapati senarai nama mereka terbabit tiada dalam senarai para graduan.

Menyedari tembelang mereka telah pecah, Musbah dipercayai mengarahkan pihak tertentu melakukan ugutan terhadap penulis terbabit.

Musli kemudiannya menerima beberapa panggilan telefon dan sistem pesanan ringkas (SMS) yang berbentuk ugutan dan ancaman daripada individu yang mendakwa diarah oleh Musbah.

Beliau kemudianya membuat laporan polis di Balai Polis Karamunsing, Sabah pada 17 Julai lalu.

Ekoran laporan polis berkenaan, pejabat operasi agensi berkenaan di Blok A, Asia City Kota Kinabalu itu, dipercayai ditutup atau dipindahkan, memandangkan papan tanda agensi berkenaan telah diturunkan.

“Bayangkan apa akan berlaku dengan negara ini sekiranya pemimpin sendiri sanggup memalsukan sijil akademik mereka,” ujarnya ketika dihubungi Malaysia Today baru-baru ini.

Lebih-lebih lagi negara kini dibanjiri ribuan siswazah menganggur. Kewujudan pemegang ijazah palsu akan menambah perit siswazah yang benar-benar berkelayakan untuk bersaing meraih pekerjaan di sektor awam mahupun swasta.

Baru-baru ini Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak mengesahkan bilangan siswazah menganggur telah mencecah 60,000 orang, 70 peratus daripadanya Bumiputera dan 70 peratus keseluruhannya pula wanita.

Seramai 18.6 peratus daripadanya lulusan dalam bidang pentadbiran, perniagaan dan sumber manusia; komputer dan teknologi maklumat (16.3 peratus); kejuruteraan (13.5 peratus) serta sastera dan sains sosial (11.9 peratus).

Secara on-line

Baru-baru ini sebuah akhbar tabloid telah membongkar sindiket pemalsuan sijil akademik dan kokurikulum daripada beberapa institusi pengajian tinggi awam dan swasta (IPTA/IPTS) tempatan serta luar negara.

Dilaporkan dengan membelanjakan antara RM200 hingga RM1,500 melalui internet menggunakan kad kredit atau pemindahan wang ke bank secara online, segulung ijazah boleh dibeli daripada pihak tertentu.

Malah, ijazah itu boleh digunakan untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan kerana kebanyakan majikan lebih tertarik dengan tahap pencapaian calon berbanding mengesahkan keaslian sijil yang dijadikan bukti pencapaian akademik.

Gejala ini didedahkan MVD International Sdn Bhd (MVD International) Kuala Lumpur, syarikat yang menjalankan perkhidmatan penyiasatan dan risikan bagi pelanggannya yang terdiri daripada syarikat tempatan dan asing.

Menurut Pengarah Urusannya, M Venodevan, daripada 20,000 kes pemalsuan dokumen dan kelayakan diri yang disiasat MVD International di seluruh negara sejak tahun 2000, kira-kira 10 peratus membabitkan kes pemalsuan sijil akademik.

Gejala itu semakin ketara sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini yang membabitkan semua kaum dengan kira-kira 35 peratus adalah wanita.Antara faktor penyebabnya kerana persaingan sengit untuk merebut jawatan yang ditawarkan sesebuah syarikat.

Perangkaan itu hanya membabitkan siasatan oleh MVD International untuk pelanggannya yang 60 peratus daripadanya adalah syarikat asing yang beroperasi di negara ini.

Dipercayai jumlah pemalsuan dokumen, khususnya pemalsuan sijil akademik jauh lebih besar daripada apa yang berjaya dikesan oleh syarikat risikan berkenaan.

State Govt unlikely to back down on Malua, Ulu Segama

2006-07-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Daily Express

It is very unlikely that the State Government will withdraw its plan to allow logging in the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves, home to various endangered species, including wild orang-utans. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman also continued to insist that felling of timber in the two areas would not damage the environment.

He said harvesting of timber in the 25,000-hectare Yayasan Sabah concession area would be via the Reduce Impact Logging (RIL) system.

According to him, the system pioneered by the State Forestry Department has proven its effectiveness.

"They've done it in Deramakot (Forest Reserve). It has proven to be very viable and at the same time reduces impact on the environment," he said.

He also said the Forestry Department and Yayasan Sabah were monitoring very closely logging activities in the areas concerned in order to protect the environment from being damaged.

"You don't have to fear (because) if you fear nothing can be done if you fear you can not have the POIC," he said.Musa, who is also State Finance Minister, said they must be bold enough to carry out with the plan if they aspire to achieve the government's agenda.

He was responding to concerns raised by various quarters, including opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) Sabah branch who asserted that logging would jeopardise the habitat of the wildlife in these two areas.

Musa said the matter had been thoroughly explained by Forestry Director, Sam Mannan and Yayasan Sabah Director, Tan Sri Khalil Jamalul, and he would not comment further.Keadilan on Monday urged the licence holder, Yayasan Sabah Group, to return the two areas to the State Government.

Its Chairman Haji Awang Tengah Awang Amin said that if logging was allowed to continue in the dense forest reserves, eventually there would be nothing left for the orang-utans and other endangered species there such as sun bears, gibbons and wild buffalo, among others.

A State Government report in 2003 cautioned that Malua, Ulu Segama and other forest reserves in Sabah are the only strongholds left for about 5,000 orang-utans in Borneo island.

WWF-Malaysia also said that the forests are one of the two places in the world where endangered orang-utans, Bornean Pygmy elephants and the critically endangered Sumatran rhino co-exist.

Director of the Forestry Department, Sam Mannan, nevertheless said the flora and fauna in the two areas would not be harmed. In fact, he said there was no evidence of plant and wildlife species going extinct due to logging so much so that "Orang-utans were found to prefer logged areas.

"He said the degraded compartments in Deramakot had been found to have the largest concentration of wildlife adding that orang-utans thrived very well in Deramakot.

He also said that forest fires and hunting pressure are not happening in Ulu Segama and Malua. There are only about 25,000ha of Yayasan Sabah concession area in the forest reserves that has yet to be logged.

On the kind of money that the timber in the two areas would bring to the Foundation, Sam had said:

"If we were to whack it all, it would be about RM4billion, but we are only taking 20-30 per cent of what is there.

"According to Musa recently, harvesting of timber first commenced in 1960s in Ulu Segama during the colonial era while Malua in the 1970s and would be phased out by Dec. 31, 2007.

Also present at the function were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Industrial Development Minister-cum-chairman of POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd Datuk Ewon Ebin, State Secretary Datuk KY Mustafa, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor, other Cabinet members and heads of Government departments.

EIA sought over logging plans

2006-07-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 17, 2006

The Star

Show us the EIA report. This is the call by environmentalists concerned over the proposed logging in the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves covering 236,825ha in east Sabah. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, they said, was necessary for such a massive project and should be put to public scrutiny if it existed.

Dr Edwin Bossi, a former Sabah Wildlife Department veterinarian based at the Sepilok Orang Utan rehabilitation centre, said strict measures should be taken to minimise the impact on wildlife and also ensure that logging did not take place close to rivers.

The Star yesterday reported that state-owned Yayasan Sabah had appointed at least three contractors to log the reserves estimated to be three times the size of Singapore. The logging is expected to begin in a month or two.

Dr Edwin was worried that the logging might have an impact on the wildlife, especially sun bears, gibbons, Borneo pygmy elephants and orang utans. The Malua reserve has over 800 orang utans while Ulu Segama is home to about 3,000 of the primates. “If any wildlife is affected by the logging, certain mitigating measures should be taken such as creating forest corridors or even relocating the animals,” said Dr Edwin.

Former state Tourism, Culture and Environment permanent secretary Datuk Wilfred Lingham said that although the Government had the right to allow the logging, there must be strict supervision. “There should be no logging along steep slopes and riverbanks,” he said.

Malaysian Nature Society executive director Dr Loh Chi Leong said the forest reserves had been logged before and were not considered pristine areas.

However, since the forest reserves were bordering the Danum Valley and the Maliu Basin, they served as an important buffer zone and a link between the two. “The state should clarify what logging rights they have agreed to and the reduced impact logging regiment carried out. “If half of Malua had been logged as recently as four years ago while the other half more than 10 years ago, the logging cycle would be too short and not sustainable,” he said.

Those in the timber industry said that EIA reports were required for all logging operations. However, they believe the EIA could be circumvented by dividing the concession area into small blocks of less than 20ha.

Meanwhile, a Chief Minister’s Department spokesperson said Yayasan Sabah director Tan Sri Khalil Jamalul and Forestry Department director Sam Mannan would hold a press conference on the planned logging today.

Sabah's Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves about to be plundered

2006-07-16T03:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 16, 2006

The Star

Two Sabah forest reserves, to be bequeathed as Malaysia’s biodiversity gift to the world by the end of 2007, are set to be logged in a month or two – endangering countless species of plants and wildlife.

A race against time is underway to log the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves, covering a total of 236,825ha, which is three times the size of Singapore, before the deadline.

The state-owned Yayasan Sabah holds logging rights in the forest reserves and recently appointed at least three companies to log in the area.

Environmentalists and state officials fear that logging operations – expected to begin in a month or two – will have an impact on the wildlife there, especially sun bears, gibbons, tambadau or wild buffalo, Borneo pygmy elephants, Sumatran rhinos and orang utans.

When Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman announced on March 15 that logging would cease in the forest reserves by the end of 2007, local and foreign non-governmental organisations hailed the move as the most important action ever taken to secure the future of Borneo’s endangered wildlife.

However, before that, the state government faced pressure to convert the two areas into oil palm plantations similar to what had been done for Benta Wawasan in neighbouring Kalabakan, another Yayasan Sabah concession.

Environmental groups are now aghast when they heard that Yayasan Sabah was proceeding with logging at Malua in Kinabatangan district and Ulu Segama in Lahad Datu district.

According to them, demarcation of the boundaries meant for the logging contractors had been concluded.

One official said: “There is no time for Yayasan Sabah to adopt the Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) methods in Malua and Ulu Segama.

“To carry out the RIL methods, a detailed inventory of the area and a forest management plan of both reserves, among others, must be carried out,” said the official, who felt that conventional logging methods were for logs to be extracted fast within the deadline.

Environmentalists noted that about half of Malua was logged as recently as four years ago.

The other half of the forest reserve had been left untouched for more than 10 years, resulting in a dense canopy of trees, with clear water in the rivers.

“Any logging activity is bound to impact the flora and fauna,” said another official.

It is uncertain if the Sabah Government would impose a condition requiring only trees with a diameter of 60cm and above to be extracted, to enable the forest to regenerate at a faster pace, he said.

The officials said one contractor was appointed to log in Ulu Segama and two others in Malua, although it was smaller in size, as the areas earmarked for logging at the latter area were dense.

The environmentalists felt that sun bears and gibbons would be the most threatened due to their restrictive diets and the destruction of their food source by logging.

Considered to be the more hardy creatures, the orang utans would have a better chance of survival in logged forests if the activity was not done too rapidly, they said.

A 2003 state government report stated that Malua and Ulu Segama with the forest reserves of Kuamut, Gunung Rara, Kalabakan and Danum Valley managed by Yayasan Sabah were the last strongholds for about 5,000 orang utans in Borneo.

Malua has the highest number of orang utans within the Yayasan Sabah forest concessions, having more than 800 primates while Ulu Segama is home to about 3,000 orang utans.

Both Malua and Ulu Segama reserves encircle the Danum Valley conservation area that together with Kinabalu Park and the Maliu Basin, will eventually become part of a one million hectare conservation zone in Sabah.

The zone was also seen by environmentalists as being in line with their efforts in setting up a 220,000sq km Heart of Borneo conservation area twice the size of Germany, involving Sabah, Sarawak, Kalimantan and Brunei.

Why Sabah's population rose

2006-07-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Kuala Lumpur:

The Statistics Department's figures of Sabah's population do not reflect the actual population increase since shortcomings on the part of the authorities in the 1970s saw many of Sabah's people living in the rural areas going unrecorded.

Home Affairs Parliamentary Secretary, Datuk Paduka Haji Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, said Sabah's purported population increase by four fold between 1970 and 2000 as recorded by the Statistics Department can be explained by rechecking the figures with the National Registration Department (NRD).

"In historical terms, after Sabah's entry into Malaysia there were some weaknesses in the recording and documentation of Sabah's population since some of the people living in the interior cannot be reached by land and were not registered either for birth certificates or identity cards," he said.
Responding to Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau's question in Parliament on the extraordinary population boom based on the Statistics Department records, Abdul Rahman said the 1971 records kept by the NRD showed that the overall population was 716,626.

This was quite similar to the Statistics Department's 1970 figure of 653,264, which however, did not reflect the actual number of people in Sabah, he said.
"Because of the weaknesses and the call from the people in rural areas to get their rights to be registered as citizens, the Government formed the NRD mobile registration unit to help these people get their birth certificates and ICs," he said.

Based on NRD records there are about 2,011,602 people in Sabah having ICs and birth certificates in 2006 with 740,381 being late registrations and out of which 523,785 were those born before 1971.

If the number of late registrations is taken into account then the population of Sabah in 1971 was actually more than one million, he said.

"If Sabah's population in 1971 was more than one million, then the average population increase until 2006 is between 1.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent annually, which is in fact the same with other states in the peninsula," he said.
Abdul Rahman said that among the other factors for Sabah's population increase was the regional merger, which is provided for under Article 14 (1) (a) Section Two of the Second Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
Apart from that, mixed marriages between locals and foreigners in Sabah was also an important factor for the increase.

"For example, the number of children born in Sabah from marriages between Sabah women and permanent residents or foreigners or vice versa was 85,451," he said.

Under the law, he said these children are categorised as citizens.
He said the Ministry was aware of the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah and as an initial effort, had drawn and proposed an integrated action plan.

"I believe if the Internal Security Ministry is given the mandate (to implement the proposed action plan) the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah can be resolved," he said.

Details of the integrated action plan were not disclosed.

Selamatkan negeri Sabah.....

2006-07-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Oleh Aziz b. Ali

Isu Projek I/C, pertumbuhan penduduk yang tinggi perlu tindakan segera dan komitmen semua pihak, khususnya para pemimpin. Kalau bukan kita, siapa lagi? Perkara ini, tidak boleh dipandang mudah kerana ianya melibatkan kedaulatan dan keselamatan negara. Lebih-lebih lagi kita akan kehilangan negeri kita, Sabah yang tercinta.

Sabah seolah-olah dibiarkan menghadapi masalah I/C dan pertumbuhan penduduk luar biasa bersendirian. Mungkinkah ada komplot di sebalik isu ini? Untuk mengubah langskap dan senario politik Sabah? Untuk menjatuhkan kerajaan negeri yang memerintah Sabah ketika itu? atau untuk untuk mencapai penduduk 70 juta itu?

Kerajaan Pusat tidak bertindak sejak dari dulu. Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara di bawah kerajaan pusat, semestinya mereka tahu. Tubuhkan Mahkamah Khas, untuk buat apa? Itu sesuai untuk pendatang tanpa izin (PTI) yang datang semalam. Untuk mereka yang memenuhi setiap inci Negeri Sabah, sedangkan mereka diketahui berasal dari negara jiran. Relevankah?

Sekarang, kita dihimpit dan ditekan dari semua segi, maka kita perlu bersatu padu menggembleng tenaga mengatasinya. Pungutan tandatangan oleh Persatuan pengguna Sabah dan Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan (Cash) kurang berjaya. Cash perlu meminta kerjasama dari Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) untuk membawa perkara tersebut ke kawasan masing-masing. Kami di daerah terpencil pun mahu menyertai kempen mengumpul tandatangan untuk menubuhkan Suruhanjaya Siasatan Diraja. Hadapkan kemuka pengadilan mereka yang terlibat dalam isu pemberian I/C.

Jika dikaji, kesan perbuatan mereka lebih buruk dan bahaya dari mengedar dadah (menjual kedaulatan dan keselamatan negara). Bayangkan, jika DUN kita telah mereka kuasai, Mereka boleh membawa Sabah keluar Malaysia ataupun perkara di Peru berlaku di sini. .Jadi, hukumannya mesti berat, mandatori gantung sampai mati ataupun penjara seumur hidup. Sungguh mengaibkan mempunyai pemimpin seperti itu. Pegawai Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara termasuk mantannya juga perlu disiasat. Kuasa di tangan mereka. Mungkin ada juga kes-kes terpinggir. Pembelian surat beranak, surat akuan, anak angkat dan lain-lain. Duit punya pasalkan.. Negari tergadai pun tidak kisah…

Kerajaan perlu komited untuk menyelamatkan rakyat negeri Sabah dari belenggu di kelilingi oleh orang asing. Jika benar ada I/C projek, cari semula 600,000 kad pengenalan yang diberikan itu. Itu jumlah yang dulu, mungkin sekarang telah bertambah dua kali ganda. Bayangkan akibatnya. Kita tidak tahu lagi, di mana anak-anak mereka yang diberikan I/C itu? Mungkin di keliling kita? Mungkin bos kita? Peguam? Pegawai kita? Ataupun anggota keselamatan kita ataupun yang berbahaya sekali, Pegawai Pendaftaran kita?Seorang mendapat Mykad, akan membawa masuk, melindungi dan mengurus keterangan bagi beribu-ribu kaum kerabat mereka. Kita berada di situasi yang berbahaya sekarang.

Jika kerajaan belum bertindak, Cash perlu menwujudkan satu badan untuk mengumpul maklumat dan aduan dari orang ramai berkaitan isu I/C. Pemberian ganjaran dalam bentuk wang, mungkin praktikal untuk menarik orang ramai memberikan maklumat.Memandangkan jumlah pertumbuhan penduduk yang luar biasa, tentunya ramai orang yang terlibat dan banyak kesalahan yang dibuat. Jadi senang untuk mengorek rahsia. Apa yang perlu, cuma menyakinkan orang ramai tentang kerahsian maklumat dan menjamin keselamatan pemberi maklumat.

Don't doubt screening process, says Pairin

2006-07-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the State Government's sincerity in forming the special Cabinet committee to screen squatters from Sri Tanjung to be relocated to an area bordering Maang in Penampang should not be questioned.

"The screening process was done to fulfil what was asked by the people because we know there were some uneasiness and doubts over the authenticity of the citizenship of the Sri Tanjung squatters," he said.

"So, is there anything wrong for the Government to set up the committee just like is there anything wrong for Suhakam to be formed?" he asked when met after launching the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Tanjung Aru Youth and Wanita annual meeting, Sunday.

"If Sipaun has means to help the committee he is more than welcome to do so but don't say the committee is useless".

Pairin was asked to comment on Suhakam Vice-Chairman Tan Sri Simon Sipaun's reservations on the effectiveness of the special Cabinet committee. Pairin who chairs the committee said he could not quite understand Sipaun's stand who had been in the Government for a long time and supposed to know the mechanism of its machinery.

"We are sincere in forming the committee but whether it is effective or not we can only give our level best. Towards this end, it is the same with Suhakam (when it was formed) we did not ask whether it will be effective or not," he said.

He said just like when the police are conducting an investigation "do we immediately question their effectiveness or do we give our support? "If we want to achieve things we should give assistance and not just criticise," he said, adding that Sipaun's comments need to be looked at from several perspectives.

"If his intention is good we support (just) like we support Suhakam." Pairin said the effectiveness of the committee also depends on the co-operation from the National Registration Department (NRD).

He said the committee was still waiting for the list of names to be scrutinised and verified by the NRD. He said the committee hoped the NRD would be coming back to them soon to enable follow up actions to be taken.

"I hope they can hurry up. Otherwise we might need to go and have a dialogue with them (NRD) and scrutinise their methodology of keeping information," he said, when asked whether there was a deadline for the NRD to return the results to the committee.

"If the committee is not satisfied we will be making queries and we will be asking for assistance from others, perhaps Sipaun. If possible we need help from everyone," he said.

He said the Chief Minister had indicated the State Government's commitment in weeding out the illegal immigrant problem in the state and the people of Sabah must assist in this endeavour.

"The people must inform the authorities if they know of illegals residing in their area as we know there are people who are renting out their houses to these people," he said.

"We want to do our part, everybody including Suhakam," he said. Earlier, Pairin in his speech said PBS faced many challenges even before it was formed 21 years ago and the party leadership was thankful for the unwavering support from members.

During its nine-year rule, he said PBS managed to rectify and take efforts for the benefit of the people and future generation.

He assured that now that the party is back in the BN fold, it would continue to work with the Government to address the development disparity, illegal immigrants, fake IC as well issuance of genuine IC through dubious means.

PBS Tanjung Aru chief, Edward Yong in his speech called for the party president's post to continue to be held by "nobody else but Pairin".

This year is a party election year for PBS.

Sabah paling mundur, walaupun kaya sumber asli

2006-06-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Malaysia Today

Sabah adalah negeri paling lemah pengurusannya dan negeri yang paling rendah kawasan bekalan airnya, pertumbuhan penduduk tertinggi, paling ramai pendatang haram, paling tinggi kadar kemiskinan, paling rendah kadar efisien bekalan elektriknya dan negeri paling rendah kadar pembangunannya di Malaysia. Itulah rumusan yang telah dibuat daripada kajian dan penyelidikan untuk Rancangan Malaysia Ke-9.

Sabah merupakan negeri paling bawah Indeks Komposit Pembangunannya mendapat hanya 90 berbanding yang tertinggi oleh Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur 109.6. Malah, Kelantan masih boleh berdiri di hadapan Sabah dengan indeks 93.1.

Menjadi negeri paling kurang dibangunkan di Malaysia seolah-olah menjadi balasan kepada rakyat Sabah yang telah memberi kuasa mutlak kepada BN tanpa apa-apa tentangan. Masa sudah tiba bagi rakyat Sabah desak dan gesa untuk perubahan dengan mengundi pembangkang yang bersih daripada amalan rasuah dan kronisme.

Sabah yang kaya dengan hasil bumi, sungguh tidak wajar rakyatnya hidup dalam keadaan miskin yang tegar, bekalan elektrik yang sering terganggu, pembinaan dan penyelenggaraan jalan raya yang lemah, bekalan air yang selalu terputus, menjadi terpinggir dengan ramainya pendatang haram dan jurang yang semakin lebar antara yang kaya dan miskin.

Sabah mempunyai purata pendapatan bulanan sebanyak RM2,487 dalam tahun 2004. Berapa banyak isi rumah yang mempunayi purata pendapatan bulanan sebanyak RM2,487, apabila Sabah mempunyai kadar kemiskinan paling tinggi iaitu 23%.Malaysia sebenarnya sebuah negara yang kaya, namun, kekayaannya tidak dibahagikan dan dikongsikan bersama kalangan rakyatnya. Sebagai negara pengeluar minyak, rakyat Malaysia belum pernah menerima sesen pun daripada pendapatan dari minyak melalui Petronas, iaitu RM500 bilion sejak ia ditubuhkan 31 tahun lalu, dalam tahun 1974. Jika jumlah tersebut dikongsikan bersama semua rakyat Malaysia yang memerlukan dan tidak berada, setiap rakyat tua dan muda boleh mendapat sekurang-kurang RM20,000 setiap orang.

Adalah sangat penting bagi rakyat mendapat keadilan ekonomi bukan saja dari kerajaan Sabah tetapi juga dari Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, bagi mengelak pendapatan daripada minyak Sabah disalahguna oleh segelintir yang berkuasa.Jika rakyat Sabah mahu mendapat hak mereka yang sewajarnya daripada manfaat ekonomi dan hak demokrasi, rakyat Sabah perlu mengubah cara memilih kerajaan. Memilih barisan pimpinan negeri dari kalangan pembangkang yang diketahui bersih dan akan membela nasib rakyat Sabah yang sekian lama dilupakan.

2006-06-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Residents turn to Keadilan on danger spot

Daily Express

MENGGATAL: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah has called on the State Government to give priority to public safety and not wait for more road tragedies to happen.

Its Public Complaints Bureau Chief, Christina Liew said a request for an additional U-turn along Jalan Sepanggar-Menggatal from residents of Taman Seri Maju, Sepanggar Ria, Taman Bukit Setia and Taman Jaya Diri over the last two years had fallen on deaf ears.

These low and medium-cost housing estates have a total of about 2,500 residential units.Presently, the existing U-turn is at Taman Malawa Jaya, two km from Taman Seri Maju.To save fuel, motorists and motor-cyclists are making illegal U-turns at the spot (opposite Taman Seri Maju) to proceed to the housing estate. That spot is actually a legal U-turn to go to Taman Jaya Diri (opposite Taman Seri Maju).

"That's how accidents have occurred, some with fatalities. Moreover, residents have to spend unnecessarily on fuel. It is so impractical. But nothing has been done to rectify the situation. I can understand the people's frustration."The Government must listen to the rakyat's grouses as they voted the Government into power. All they want is an additional U-turn about 200 metres from the spot in question," she said after meeting the residents committee named JKK Perkesan, Taman Seri Maju and Sepanggar Ria.

Based on the committee's report, Liew noted that passing the buck appeared to be a common phenomenon under the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government.

"Obviously, the public service delivery system needs to be improved. Are there 'Little Napoleons' trying to hamper speedy action on the part of the relevant authorities?"She stressed that what the people want is positive action and results, not beautiful budget speeches.

Speaking to reporters, Chairman of JKK Perkesan, John Gobel said, seeking help from the Opposition in highlighting the problem was a last resort as he had exhausted all government avenues."Nobody seems to bother about the 'death-trap' which had taken away several lives.

"The committee initially approached Suhakam in 2004 and was advised to deal with the Public Works Department (JKR). Suhakam also wrote to Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) in December 2004 but the matter is not within the jurisdiction of the latter.

"JKR told us that it is the job of the housing developer to provide the additional U-turn. But the developer disagreed, saying Jalan Sepanggar-Menggatal is a public road.We even met with Karambunai Assemblywoman Jainab Datuk Hj Ahmad Ayid twice, once at her office," said Gobel.

In January last year, the committee attended a dialogue at the office of Wah Mie Group where it was decided to make an application to JKR for the provision of an additional U-turn. Jainab was present too.

"Two months later, the committee met with the Director of JKR who asked his officer to handle the matter."To date, we have submitted to JKR two different proposals for the U-turn as the first one was said to be unsuitable for road-users. The second proposal was handed to the Deputy Director of JKR in April this year," Gobel said showing copies of correspondences with the various parties as proof.

Earlier this year, the committee also brought the matter to the attention of the Public Complaints Bureau under the Chief Minister's Department (JKM).

Also present at Saturday's meeting were Gobel's deputy, Nulhassan Hj Moksan, Vice-Chairperson Hiew Nyuk Ken and Committee Member Jerry's Hiskandar.

Nulhassan called on the Government not to evade its responsibilities. "Be action-oriented. Having dialogues will not resolve any problem," he said.

Diver who exposed damage fears reef is gone forever

2006-05-25T02:13:00.001-07:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Kota Kinabalu: Andrea Ferrari, who alerted the diving world to the damage to Sipadan's corals, is pleased by the effect his blog has had. But he is saddened that the reef may never recover.

Italians Andrea and Anthonella Ferrari, a renowned underwater photography and writing team who have published several books on the area, reported on their blog on a Singapore-based dive magazine's website that a barge carrying tonnes of construction materials was beached on the island two weekends ago.
By last Monday, the steel hull had scraped clean part of the coral reef near the island's drop-off point, dismaying the international diving community and leading to an official enquiry.

What saddens Andrea Ferrari though, is that he believes the reef may never recover.

"The damage is very serious. Small coral take about 30 years to grow back and reefs, much, much longer. That reef is probably lost forever," he said.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat said the barge was carrying materials to build a tourist facility.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman denied approving the project and ordered a halt to all construction on the island. He has also ordered an official enquiry.

"We support the State Government's decision to halt all construction on the island. And if anything is to be built in the future, then let it be small, simple structures of environment-friendly materials like wood," Ferrari said.
However, he said, closing the island to divers may not be in the island's best interests.

"Dive operators and avid divers can be Sipadan's best partners in safeguarding its reef.

"We can work with the Government to protect the island's environment," he said.

Under-declaring of goods, too: MP

2006-05-25T02:13:00.000-07:00

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Importing of under-declared goods is also commonplace in Sabah, said Penampang MP Donald P. Mojuntin.

He said in this context such illegal goings-on were not confined to the easy availability of smuggled Sepuluh Tiga beer in the State.

"It's pathetic that it is happening right under the nose of Customs officials," said Donald, adding that "Sepuluh Tiga" beer had been available for years.
The Government loses millions of ringgit in import duty revenue as a result of such smuggling and under-declaring of goods, he said.

According to Donald, under-declaring of goods largely has to do with goods imported from Indonesia, such as polypropylene fabric or bags and furniture from China.

He said this following comments by Sepanggar MP, Eric Majimbun, on Cash President Datuk Patrick Sindu's claims about the Sepuluh Tiga problem.
"I agree with Datuk Patrick Sindu and Eric Majimbun that Sepuluh Tiga beer is widely sold at most of the pubs and karaoke outlets especially in the West Coast," said Donald.

Towards this end, he felt someone in authority may be offering safe passage to such goings-on, arguing that otherwise Sepuluh Tiga beer would not be sold so openly.

Donald said the same goes to smuggled cigarettes which are flooding the market.

He, meanwhile, agreed with State Customs Director Datuk Dr Hassan Arshad that he would not compromise with officers who collaborate with smugglers.
He added that as long as there is black sheep in the Customs Department, smuggling and under-declaring of goods would never be checked.

Donald also reminded Hassan to go down to the ground and find out for himself the truth behind Patrick's allegation.

"We don't mind accompanying Hassan and showing him where the Sepuluh Tiga is being sold openly," Donald added.

It's a big problem: Najib

2006-05-08T01:52:00.000-07:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Sandakan: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak has been appointed to head a committee to resolve the entry of illegal immigrants and stateless people, especially in Sabah.

He said the decision was made as the Federal Government realised Sabah had been saddled with the problem for a long time.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the Youth Week at the national level here Thursday, Najib said he would call for a meeting to discuss the issue soon.

"In Sabah, the problem is rather complex. Some of these immigrants, when they come into our country, they destroy all their documents. Hence, they do not have any documents, but when we want to send them back, their country of origin would not accept them, but we know they should be returned to their own country. So this is a big problem," he said.

When asked whether he believed the problem could be settled, Najib said: "We will do our best but it is not going to be easy because they are intertwined with the local community."

He also said the Federal Government is prepared to approve additional allocation to develop Kinabatangan district according to requirements and affordability.

The Government would find long-term solutions to mitigate the frequent flooding in the interior district.

"Sabah Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Musa Aman) says Kinabatangan needs several millions of ringgit. What is necessary and affordable, we will approve additional allocations for Kinabatangan," he said when speaking at a function to present aid to flood victims in Kinabatangan, Tongod and Lahad Datu districts, later.

According to reports received, Najib said the Kinabatangan district, located about 80km from Sandakan, was among the worst flood-hit areas in the country where floodwaters rise quickly but recede very slowly.

Several infrastructures in Kinabatangan were reported to have been damaged and washed away when floods lashed the district in February.

It is understood that the State Government had identified four areas in Balat, Nusa Jaya, Mengaris and Litang - as resettlement spots for Kinabatangan flood victims. The areas could take in 300 families.

Najib hoped the assistance to 1,004 flood victim families in the three districts totalling RM502,000 would help ease their burden.

Every head of a family received RM250 cash and essentials worth another RM250.

Najib also said the Government wants to see balanced development in Sabah and Sarawak on par with the other states in the peninsula under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Najib said he would get a report from the Customs on Thursday's news report that a Member of Parliament from Melaka had allegedly interfered with investigations conducted by the State Customs into the seizure of sawn timber from Indonesia at Sungai Linggi, Melaka, recently.

"Action could be taken against the MP but the case must be investigated first," he said.

When asked to comment on a proposal by a Penang State Assemblyman that a casino and gaming centre be developed in Pulau Jerejak to attract tourists to the State, Najib said: "We have a policy that we will not have a new casino in the country or issue a licence.

He also said youths who account for 11 million of the 25 million population in Malaysia should change with the times, or they would be left behind.

"Among the changes to be made by the future generation of leaders are to seek for lifelong learning as long as they are still capable," he said, adding youths must also be diligent and courteous as they were the country's assets.

PBS reaffirms support, hopes for bigger role

2006-04-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Daily Express

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) here has reaffirmed its support for the Barisan Nasional (BN) and expressed confidence that the division will receive greater attention from the leadership in the near future.PBS Pantai Manis chief, Johnny Mositun, said party members must persevere with the present situation and continue to support the BN leadership in the constituency as well as the party's top leadership.

In this respect, he said the division proposed that party President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan remain as the party's supremo.

"After 21 years, we have reached maturity but this doesn't mean our struggle has ended," he said to launch the division's Wanita and Youth movements' annual general meeting (AGM), here, Sunday.

"We must continue to remain united in the BN. We must also be prepared for anything, including the election even though it is still three years away," he said.

At the same time, he said they should not be overzealous and complacent in celebrating past victories and instead work hard to ensure better results in the future.Mositun, who is also a PBS Supreme Council member, was confident that the BN leadership would not overlook PBS Pantai Manis and give it a bigger role since "we also contribute to the strength of the BN in the constituency".

He also advised members to be ready to support the Government's planning, especially development under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) to improve the people's socio-economy in the constituency.

He commended the party's divisional Youth and Wanita movements for successfully organising a blood donation campaign and a football competition in conjunction with the party's 21st anniversary.

Meanwhile, Mositun, when asked whether he intends to contest for the party's Youth movement chairman post in the coming PBS congress, said it is still too far away for him to think about it.

"But, I will consider if there is a need by the leadership," he said, adding he would not be able to stop members from making stance, including nominating him for the post.

Before the division's AGM started, Mositun led the delegates to a one-minute silence to pay respect to the late former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Ghaffar Baba, 81, who passed away early Sunday.

Sairin ordered out over attire

2006-04-20T19:38:00.000-07:00

Daily Express

An Assemblyman was ordered out of the House after he was found violating the official dress code, Wednesday.

Just as the question-and-answer session was about to start at 10am, Deputy Speaker Datuk James Vitalis ordered Datuk Sairin Karno (Liawan) to leave the House for wearing a suit and a white collarless shirt without tie. His attire was similar to that worn by Jelebu MP, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, in Parliament that also caused a stir recently.

Sairin's attire was raised by Backbenchers Club Chairman who is also Sulabayan Assemblyman, Datuk Mohd Lan Alani, who stated that the ala Nehru attire had never been approved by the State Cabinet even though it has been approved by the Federal Cabinet.

"We feel the Liawan Assemblyman is aware about this and should leave the House immediately to change his clothes," he said.

Vitalis asked Mohd Lan the decision of the Parliament when dealing with Dr Rais' case.

Just as Mohd Lan was about to stand up, Datuk Lajim Ukin (Klias) stood up to defend Sairin, saying he was properly attired and it was not jeorpardising the House's integrity.

Vitalis replied that it was unprecedented as it was the first time it was brought up by any assemblyman. He agreed to let Sairin stay but this was met by objections from Mohd Lan who insisted that Sairin leave the House.

In the ensuing argument, Sairin stood up and expressed his readiness to leave and change his clothes.

As the controversy gained momentum, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman asserted that he supported the request by Mohd Lan for Sairin to leave the House as the attire had not been approved by the State Cabinet.

Vitalis then directed Sairin to leave that was met by a round of applause from assemblymen.

Met outside the House, Sairin claimed he was not aware about his attire violating the dress code since he believed it was already approved at the Federal Cabinet level.

"(But) I have no problem to change my clothes," he said and reappeared in the House at 10.30am wearing a suit and a white shirt with a tie. He was given a round of applause.

Query on agreements angers CM

2006-04-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

Jaswinder Kaur

THE routine question-and-answer session turned fiery when Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman took an assemblyman to task over a question.

Philip Lasimbang (BN- Moyog), in a supplementary question, had asked if culprits involved in signing lopsided agreements had been penalised. Musa asked Lasimbang to be specific, to which the assemblyman responded that his statement was a general one.

Musa pressed him to tell the House which agreements he was talking about."Before the BN Government. Before this," Lasimbang said, trailing off."You must be specific. Don’t lie if you don’t have the facts and figures. "You are questioning the Government. You must know what you are talking about," Musa said, irritated.

He said Lasimbang should not "mislead the House" and must give examples so that action could be taken against those involved in signing such agreements."If it was in the past, then say it was in the past. "If it’s now, I want to know when. Which one? I will take action," said Musa, who is also Finance Minister.

Lasimbang then thanked Musa and said he was referring to agreements in the past and wanted to know what type of action was taken against those involved.Musa continued: "Maybe this happened in the past. There were lopsided agreements which the Government was tied to. We are addressing this. "There are tens and hundreds of cases with the Attorney-General’s Chambers and in the courts. "We receive suits and we also sue those who have done wrong things.

"These things can’t be solved in an instant. A single case takes years to solve." Musa also said it was unfair to say there was no improvement in the Government as its agencies were paying back their dues and those that were doing well were declaring dividends. A total of RM100 million was collected from government agencies last year.

Lasimbang’s supplementary question that rattled Musa came after Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Sapawi Ahmad said the Government was continuing to stress the need for prudent spending and that circulars had been issued on this matter.

Save Kampung Maang Group regrets government decision

2006-04-15T19:52:00.000-07:00

Save Kampung Maang Group regrets government decision

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: The Save Kampung Maang Group (SKMG) on Thursday expressed regret that their appeal to the Government to reconsider the resettlement of squatters to Maang has been misunderstood and misinterpreted as being against national interest.

Its Chairman, Frederick Mosom, said the people in Maang supported and had voted the Government of the day in the last few elections.

He said they did so due to their support for the national interest and also development which they believe only the Barisan Nasional (BN) government could deliver.

"We in Moyog and Maang together with the more than 5,000 signatories join in the exultation over the KKIA extension. "As a matter of fact, we would have preferred a larger expansion so that it can cater for our generations' need in the next 50 to 100 years," he said in a statement.

However, Frederick said in the crave for development "we do not want to blindly trade the current unity, peace, understanding and tranquillity of the people living here".

He said the unity and peace would be destroyed if the resettlement exercise were still carried out as proven in Boronuon and Kinarut to name just a few examples.

According to him, harmonious living among the community is no less important and should not be disregarded when considering other interest.

He hoped the Government would also consider the interest of the poor and landless since they also have been yearning to be accorded the same privilege designed for the Sri Tanjung squatters.

Frederick said the people in Maang are not surprised with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman's statement that the matter is considered closed.

"After all, (Suhakam Commissioner) Prof Dr Hamdan has comprehensively and unilaterally justified the relocation exercise," he said.

Nevertheless, he said the people would continue making appeals to the State and Federal Government to reconsider its decision.

"We are silently hoping that our government does not ignore our feelings because BN has always been willing to consider the people's sentiments although we are just a small fraction of the population," he said.

On other developments, he said they were made to understand that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultant for the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) expansion has just been appointed.

He said this means the State or anyone for that matter are still in the dark about the expansion and, therefore, could not as yet appreciate the socio economic, biological and physio-chemical environmental and social impact of the mammoth project.

Frederick said the State Government would be in a better position to evaluate the project after the EIA report is completed including the site suitability for the new airport. He said it would also be interesting to look at measures to mitigate the environmental impacts.

3 Comments:

C J Teh said...: Mostly illegal Filipino immigrants.. Give them land!; Friday, April 14, 2006 7:38:35 PM
playingwithfire said...: Goodbye Kg Maang, selamat datang ke Kg Pilipin.; Friday, April 14, 2006 10:18:21 PM
K. Ghulam said...: Welcome "foreign bumiputras" voters. Your job is to dilute the local bumiputras and make sure you vote for BN!

This way your new Mykad cotinues to get recognised. Betray us and you will find your Mykad suddenly is faked and you will be charged with forgery and illegal stay.

We know where you stay and we hold you by the balls. It's your choice.

Hah. ha.. ha.. ha.... Those stupid Kadazandusuns.. Who do they think they are? Here the Pakis still rules!

K. Ghulam.; Sunday, April 16, 2006 10:48:35 AM

CM: Seize chances to meet NEP equity target

2006-04-12T02:03:00.000-07:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

CM Datuk Seri Musa said concerted efforts are needed to ensure the Government's aspiration for Bumiputras to hold 30 per cent equity in business activities, as underlined in the Ninth Malaysia Plan, is achieved.

"We must work hard to achieve the target because at the moment we are still lagging behind. Programmes like entrepreneur development roadshows can assist as well," he said.

It was up to everyone to synergise efforts to ensure the target is achieved, he said after closing the roadshow on entrepreneur development and human resources organised by Puteri Umno Malaysia and Puteri Umno Sabah at Plumbago Hall in the KWSP Building, Sunday.

He said the State Government shared similar aspiration with the national leadership.

"We have created various facilities and programmes implemented by State gencies like Sedco, Sedcovest, Sabah Credit Corporation, the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry and other related Ministries.

"All are focussed on development of Bumiputra entrepreneurs including women," he said, and advised Bumiputra entrepreneurs to start from the basics, learn, work hard and be trustworthy.

"When awarded contracts they should not ali baba or sub-contract it. It will get them nowhere and make it difficult for them to succeed. This is disappointing to the Government because we want the Bumiputras to learn and succeed by doing it themselves," he said.

ON the allocation of about RM100 million under the 9MP to develop customary rights land in Sabah, he said the matter would be looked into by the Rural Development Ministry and related agencies.

This is to enable development of beneficial programmes to the people especially those in rural areas

"The benefit will be for the Bumiputras and rural areas, especially those who lacked attention from the State and Federal governments. We will coordinate this seriously so that we can assist them," he said, adding it also supplemented the poverty eradication programme.

Musa, who is also Sabah Umno liaison chief and a Supreme Council member, commended Puteri Umno through its Entrepreneur Development and Human Resource bureau for holding the roadshow valuable towards enhancing the knowledge of entrepreneurial among its members.

"Obviously, sometimes we might not be aware of the services and facilities offered by government agencies like Mardi, Sirim, SME Bank and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs ministry among others," he said.

"Clearly, our Puteri are not solely involved in politics but also give chance to members to be involved in social and economic activities," he said.

Puteri Umno Malaysia chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad said the roadshow in Sabah was the sixth after Kelantan, Melaka, Kedah, Perak and Kuala Lumpur.

"We find many (of the members) have interest to venture into business but somehow lack the knowledge on how to go about it," she said, adding Sabah was the only State so far where the roadshow was held for three days.

Also on hand were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin who is also Sabah Umno secretary, Puteri Umno Malaysia deputy chief, Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, Sabah Puteri Umno head, Siti Hamni Hashim and other Puteri Umno chiefs from other States as well as senior Umno leaders.

2006-04-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Respect people's wishes: Jeffrey

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Former State Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said Barisan Nasional (BN) is going to lose in the next State election if they ignore the wishes of the local people with regard to the Maang issue.

"If they are going to force the issue (relocate the Sri Tanjung squatters to Maang), I think they are going to lose in the next election. Because it means they are not respecting the rights of the people.

"The Government at the highest level should reconsider. They may think it is a small issue but not so for the people. The Government should never go back to this approach of forcing things down the throat of the people without listening to them," he told a news conference here Tuesday.

Dr Jeffrey said the Maang/Sri Tanjung furore is an "explosive" issue and, if not handled properly, could affect the political landscape in the State.

"To me, the people have the right to make their stand. They have the right to fear. Therefore, we should respect this right, respect their feelings. Instead of forcing the issue, the Government should look for other solutions."

He said as far as the issue was concerned, he, as an ordinary citizen and a member of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), stands by the Maang folks.

"Because it is not right to solve a problem of this nature, like people illegally squatting on Government land to be given a place legally when they are illegals in the first place. These people seem to be special. Why are the Matabian locals not treated the same way? Their houses were demolished and they were displaced without compensation. And yet these people have more rights because they are natives. Under the Federal Constitution, native rights are guaranteed. What happened to their rights in this case?"

On Sri Tanjung, he said he knew the outer portion is resided by Indonesians while the inner by Filipinos.

"Screening by looking at their MyKads is not enough. It must go down to their background - where they were born, who their parents are and their place of origin. One way is to look at their birth certificates but more than that is needed, like, their parents' birth certificates, for instance."

He said the fact that many of the foreigners have MyKad is "another illegal issue"."I'm sorry to say this, but it is something I know cannot happen without the involvement of certain people in the authorities," he said.

According to him, the issue is just the tip of the iceberg."We have this problem all over Sabah. The real issue is, how can we resolve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah. How can we resolve and tackle this problem of foreigners being given Malaysian citizenship overnight. So this is not just a Maang issue. It is a national issue. Focus on this problem and find a comprehensive solution," he urged.

Dr Jeffrey, who is also a KDCA Deputy President, said he agreed with Suhakam and the suggestion by some groups to set up a Royal Commission.

"It is the right call. They are not asking for themselves. They are asking for the country."

He said KDCA would support the signature campaign initiated by Consumers Association of Sabah and Labuan (Cash).Meanwhile, Dr Jeffrey, when asked about his political plan, particularly with regard to joining the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat, said if he had to, he would get involved in politics again.

"I am resting, just observing, taking note of everything that's happening. But it doesn't mean I am not doing anything. This is my country. I love this country. I don't want anything to happen to it. I will keep on defending it," he asserted.

2006-04-04T00:36:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Who are the real beneficiaries of the RM200 billion?

MALAYSIA TODAY SPECIAL REPORT ON THE NEP
Raja Petra Kamarudin

Malaysia’s Parliament is currently debating the Ninth Malaysia Plan (Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan or RMK9) that was tabled by the Prime Minister last week. The plan brought Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to tears. RM200 billion will be spent to develop this nation over five years from 2006 to 2010.

What was not mentioned is that three times this amount will also be spent to run this country. Where in heaven's name are we going to find that much money when Petronas will only contribute about RM150 billion in taxes in that same period? This realisation was what probably caused the tears.

Let us look at what they have planned for East Malaysia, the two states that contribute to 50% of Petronas’ RM59 billion petroleum revenue every year, and the two states that have been allocated the smallest share of the budget though the hardcore poverty in those states are the highest.

RM1.148 billion will be spent to upgrade rural and village roads in Sarawak and Sabah. RM702 million has been allocated to Sarawak and RM446 million to Sabah. Further to that, another RM396 million has been also allocated to Sarawak and RM340 million to Sabah for rural water supply.

In Sabah, the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) will address hardcore poverty involving 2,000 households. Further to that, RM150 million will be allocated to FELCRA for agriculture development programmes in Sarawak.

The government will also be taking measures to provide employment and income-generating activities to reduce the high incidence of hardcore poverty among the natives and Bumiputera communities -- Orang Sungei, Rungus, Bisaya and Sulu or Suluk communities in Sabah, and Bidayuh, Kenyah, Kayan, Penan and Lun Bawang communities in Sarawak.

Under the Skim Pembangunan Kesejahteraan Rakyat, a total of RM189 million will be allocated to Sabah and RM139 million to Sarawak to address the high incidence of hardcore poverty among the natives and Bumiputera community.

The development of native and customary land in Sabah and Sarawak will be implemented to benefit the Bumiputera community through the development of commercial and suitable projects. The government has also allocated RM100 million for the development of customary and native land.Sabah's State Infrastructure Development Minister, Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, welcomed the RM480 million allocation for the Sandakan Water Treatment Plant (Phase 2) project, said the Daily Express on 2 April 2006.

Tan noted that Abdullah, in his speech in Parliament, mentioned the Sandakan Phase 2 project as among the major water supply infrastructure projects in the country. The Minister said the other good news is the allocation of RM786m to upgrade rural roads and improve rural water supply in Sabah.

Does this sound impressive? Do you think the natives and Bumiputera community of East Malaysia are going to see a durian runtuh (windfall)? Well, look again. It is not the natives and Bumiputera community who are getting the lion's share of this money. It is the rich tycoons who have in fact already been awarded the giant contracts and are just waiting for the money under the RMK9 to arrive. And the rich get richer while the poor remain poor.

Who got the RM500 million privatisation contract of Sandakan’s water supply?Who got the RM600 million 15-year road maintenance contract for Sabah State roads?

Who got the hundreds of millions federal road maintenance contract for the whole of Sabah?

Who got the RM18 million 3-year road maintenance contract for Jalan Pantai to Maligan in Sipitang?

Who got the RM800 million to RM1 billion Kota Kinabalu International Airport contract?

Who got the contract to construct the Donggongan to Kimanis highway?

Below are the companies that have been awarded the above jobs:

LINTASAN RESOURCES SDN BHD
Registered address: Lot 1, Block A,
Ground Floor, Wisma TP,
Mile 1 ½, Tuaran Road,
Tuaran, Sabah.

Date of Incorporation: 10 December 2001
Nature of business: Civil and structural contractor and supply of building materials
Authorised Capital: RM5,000,000
Paid up capital: RM1,000,000

Directors:
1) Md Afendi Bin Hamdan
2) Lim Pau Chang

Shareholders:
1) Sasa Teguh Resources (M) Sdn Bhd (550,000 shares)
2) Lintasan Korporat Sdn Bhd (450,000 shares)Accounts (last filed 31 Dec 2003):

Fixed assets: 3,853,544
Current assets: 2,347,072
Total assets: 3,554,672
Current liabilities: 2,645,944
Long term liabilities: 2,264,853
Turnover: 8,840,745
Profit before taxation: 376,170
Profit after taxation: 296,170
Accumulated profit: 289,819

CITY BEST CORPORATION SDN BHD
Registered address:
1st Floor, Lot 2, Block 10, Bandar Indah,
Mile 4, North Road,
Sandakan, Sabah.

Date of Incorporation: 3 January 1991
Nature of business: Construction (front company for ‘Chu Bothers’, Lawrence Chu Jan Taw and Terence Chu Sheng Tau).

Authorised Capital: 1,000,000
Paid up capital: 760,000

Directors:
1) Frederick Venentinus
2) Mastika @ Mai Saidatul

Shareholders:
1) Frederick Venentinus (418,000 shares)
2) Mastika @ Mai Saidatul (342,000 shares)

Accounts (last filed 31 Dec 1997):
Fixed assets: 0
Current assets: 82,298
Total assets: 30,000
Current liabilities: 60,325
Total liabilities: 60,325
Turnover: 0

Profit before taxation: 0
Profit after taxation: 0
Accumulated profit: 0

JATRAYISAN CORPORATION SDN BHD
Registered address:
3E, Lorong Buah Belimbing 1,
Off Jalan Kolombong,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Date of Incorporation: 8 April 2000
Nature of business: Construction
Authorised Capital: 1,000,000
Paid up capital: 760,000

Directors:
1) Chu Jen @ Patrick
2) Noor Jainah Binti Matrin

Shareholders:
1) Chu Jen @ Patrick (15,200 shares)
2) Noor Jainah Binti Matrin (744,800 shares)

Accounts (no information of any accounts filed to date)

KENATEX SDN BHD
Registered address:
Wisma Kenatex,
Mile 5 ½, Jalan Tuaran,
ota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Date of Incorporation: 3 April 1989
Nature of business: Construction

Authorised Capital: 1,000,000
Paid up capital: 750,000

Directors:
1) Murni Bin Teppo
2) Chu Kok Keng
3) Katian Binti Pedin

Shareholders:
1) Katian Binti Pedin (481,600 shares)
2) Surayah Binti Delim (244,000 shares)
3) Murni Bin Teppo (24,400 shares)

Accounts (last filed 31 Dec 2003):
Fixed assets: 706,427
Current assets: 4,899,813
Total assets: (-1,530,958)
Current liabilities: 7,137,198
Total liabilities: 7,239,772
Turnover: 3,242,470
Loss before taxation: 46,412
Loss after taxation: 37,877
Accumulated loss: 2,383,532

Proof of many foreigners becoming M'sians in Sabah: MP

2006-04-03T00:04:00.000-07:00

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Kuala Lumpur: The easy issuance of MyKads and birth certificates to foreigners in Sabah must be stopped immediately and the best way to ensure this is by setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Sepanggar MP Eric Enchim Majimbun said this when debating in support of the King's Royal Address at the Parliament.

He said there were too many examples of foreigners who suddenly became Malaysians overnight.

Citing a birth certificate with the serial number SB119075 issued on June 20, 2000, he said the details on the holder's parents were clearly stated as non-citizen.

Another birth certificate with serial number SB138021 with similar parents' details issued on Nov. 24, 2002, clearly stated the holder as a Malaysian citizen.
"The residential status of the mother is as a Malaysian with MyKad coded 12," he said.

Citing another case, Majimbun said the birth certificate numbered 4267/85, showed that the mother holds passport number 0009049 but strangely the holder identification card is also coded 12.

In yet another case, the holder of the birth certificate SB19791 stated that the father's status was a "temporary resident" but possessed an Identity Card coded 12.

"To my knowledge, if the person is only a temporary resident, he should not possess MyKad," he stressed.

Citing yet another case, he said the birth certificate 0728/83 registered on Feb. 12, 1998, showed that the parents were non-Malaysians.

"But we found out that the birth certificate with serial number SB20012 and registered on April 15, 2004, stated that the father and son are Malaysian citizens that possess identification card coded 12," he said.

Majimbun said there was another case where a birth certificate 1237/84 stated that the parents were passport holders and that the child in 1997 had obtained a temporary identification receipt where his status was written as Malaysian.

Such problem regarding to MyKad and birth certificate is very rampant in Sabah, he said, adding that the recent case of a Sabahan woman busted by the authorities for forgery on IMM13 documents was only the tip of the iceberg.
He said there were many court cases where foreigners were found to be in possession of Malaysian Ics.

According to him, these people also have gone over to West Malaysia such as in Perak where several prostitutes were caught having MyKads issued in Sabah.
"Initially, the authorities thought these women were Sabahans but after investigation found they were actually foreigners."

In another case, the newspaper reported that a foreign lorry driver had died in an accident but was holding MyKad from Sabah.

Several years ago, Majimbun said a few foreigners with Malaysian identity cards even tried to join the army.

"These people probably have emigrated all over Malaysia by now," he said. "Therefore, the Government must be aware and act immediately to stop registration of these foreigners."

I back Cabinet decision: Ewon

2006-03-31T20:00:00.000-08:00

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Industrial Development Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin broke his silence on the planned relocation of part of the Kg Sri Tanjung squatters to the Maang area, Tuesday, saying he stands by the decision of the State Government.

Stressing that a collective decision had been reached in the Cabinet, Ewon said: "As a Cabinet Minister, I have to abide by the Cabinet decision."

He was asked by reporters during a function at a hotel here Tuesday as to whether he was in a dilemma on the matter since his party Upko had openly expressed unhappiness over the issue.

"My colleague (Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok) in the party has already said something about it, so I am not going to comment," said Ewon, who is also a Vice President of Upko.

Several Umno Members of Parliament advised Upko last week to leave the Barisan Nasional coalition if it chose to take a confrontational stand over the issue. They insisted the squatters were locals.

The MPs questioned Dompok's action and questioned whether he was never briefed on the relocation by Ewon.

This followed Dompok's visit to the Maang area where he expressed disappointment over the State Government decision. Dompok said he would be referring the matter to the Prime Minister. Dompok had said that compensation was the right course of action instead of relocation, in view of the doubtful status of many of the squatters. He urged the Government to reconsider its decision, saying there was still time.

Upko also refuted Sabah Umno's suggestions that it was not adhering to Barisan Nasional's consultation concept, saying what it sought was a comprehensive solution to the serious squatter problem in Sabah, which had been ranked as the worst State where squatters are concerned.

On whether he would persuade his party to accept the State government's decision, Ewon said the mater would be decided within the party.
Meanwhile, during a press conference at the Infrastructure Development Ministry, its Minister Datuk Raymond Tan emphasised that the State Cabinet worked as a team in arriving at the decision to relocate the squatters to the said area.

"Our decision was made based on the facts presented to us from the various departments involved.

"If we are wrong on these facts, then we will take steps to correct it," he said, adding it was not the Government's intention to make things difficult for the Maang residents.

Tan further said that during the Cabinet's deliberation on whether to relocate the squatters, the question of whether all of them should be relocated arose.

"The Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Musa Aman), with the sensitivity of the issue in mind, quite firmly decided to try not to move all of them but a lesser number (of the squatters)," he said, adding that Musa also took into account the residents' views on the matter.

"These are the principles that we operated on (when making the decision)," he said, adding the decision was not made based on race issues or personality.
Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said the relocation was not Musa's fault as the latter's priority was to get the much awaited expansion of KK airport under way.

Kurup, instead, blamed the situation on the two senior Kadazandusun-Murut Ministers in the State Cabinet, referring to Ewon and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan

The Rajas of Sarawak and Sabah

2006-03-28T02:08:00.000-08:00

MALAYSIA TODAY SPECIAL REPORT ON THE NEP

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Have you heard of Raja Brooke of Sarawak? I mean Brooke, the Mat Salleh, not berok, which is a species of apes. Well, we now have a new Raja in Sarawak. In local circles he is known as ‘Silverhair’. And Sabah too has its Raja. In local circles he is known as ‘Pakistani’, for what reason I am not too clear.

And these two Rajas have absolute control of all the economic activity in Sarawak and Sabah. No one does business in either Sarawak or Sabah without a sizeable shareholding falling into the hands of their family or friends. The Rajas of Sarawak and Sabah have turned nepotism and cronyism into a fine art form.

Does not the Anti-Corruption Agency know what is going on? Of course it does. But there is no corruption involved here. What is involved is the Barisan Nasional government is bringing development to the poor people, in particular the Bumiputera community and natives, and in Sarawak and Sabah this does not necessarily means Malays. What is involved is that the Bumiputera community are being given projects and contracts because the New Economic Policy (NEP) says it must be given to them. Yeah, sure!

The Malays are in fact the minority in Sarawak and Sabah. But they hold political power. Those who are less than 30% of the population decide the fates of the other 70%. But the majority are beginning to realise that it is but a handful of Malays, those close or related to those in power, who are really benefiting from all this development. And the majority are beginning to realise that it is but a few Chinese tycoons, who are using these so-called Bumiputeras as fronts, who are making the billions under the umbrella of the NEP.

And these two Rajas of Sarawak and Sabah work through nominees. There are many nominees of course. But two such nominees of the Rajas of Sarawak and Sabah who made waves in Sabah recently are Ting Pek Khing of Sarawak, dubbed ‘King of Airports’ and ‘King of the Bakun Dam’, and the Chu Brothers of Sabah, the 'Kings of privatisation'.

And what waves have they created in Sabah? Well, Sabahans know what waves we are talking about. To those outsiders who may not be aware or interested in what is going on in an ‘unimportant’ state like Sabah, read the five Daily Express news reports in the addendum below:

5,000 at protest rally - 19 March 20062)
Dompok joins in urging govt re-think - 24 March 20063)
'Upko can leave BN if unhappy' - 25 March 20064)
PBRS to submit views, proposals - 27 March 20065)
Relocating airport worth second look: Cash - 27 March 2006

Okay, what is the issue here? Well, simple, 1,000 poor people are being displaced on the excuse that they are squatters and illegal immigrants occupying a piece of land owned by the government. As a mark of protest against this move by the Sabah State Government, 5,000 people, Barisan Nasional leaders included, organised a demonstration. "Musa is probably the first Sabah CM to face open public protest over what is seen as an ‘unpopular’ government decision by some quarters," said the Daily Express in its report on the demonstration.

Of course, if you were to read the five Daily Express news reports below, it might give the impression that this is a ‘routine’ matter involving illegal immigrants who have illegally occupied government land and the government wants them out and resettled to another site.

That is what the Sabah State Government wants you to think. Actually, they want to extend the airport and they want that land for the airport extension. And who are those that are being displaced to make way for the airport extension? Local Bumiputeras of course! And who are those who have been given the contract to extend the airport? Ting Pek Khing of Sarawak and the Chu Brothers of Sabah.

There is big money involved here. The airport contract comes to almost RM1 billion if variation orders and other ancillaries are included. We all know Ting made big money from the Bakun Dam project and other giant projects and airport contracts he has been awarded. Ting is no stranger to controversy. The Chu Brothers, however, are hardly known outside Sabah.

Well, the Chu Brothers are well-known in Sabah as Musa Aman’s nominee and front-men. Amongst just some (and there are many more) of those Sabah State Government projects and contracts they have been given are:

1) Privatisation of Sandakan water supply - value RM500 million.
2) 15 years road maintenance contract of Sabah State roads - value RM600 million.
3) 3 years road maintenance contract for Jalan Pantai to Maligan in Sipitang - value RM18 million.
4) Construction of Donggongan to Kimanis highway - value RM200 million.

Yes, that’s right. Ting and the Chu Brothers are beneficiaries of billions of government jobs. And Ting and the Chu Brothers represent the Rajas of Sarawak and Sabah. And they have benefited from billions because of the Eighth Malaysia Plan (RMK8). And this is what the NEP is all about -- Chinese tycoons get richer while landless Bumiputeras and natives of Sarawak and Sabah get displaced by dams and airports.

Do the Malays still want the NEP extended? Yes, they do! Do the Chinese still want the NEP abolished? Yes, they do! Maybe a better question to ask would be: do the Sarawakians and Sabahans still want ‘Silverhair’ and ‘Pakistani’ as their Chief Ministers? Well, I think it’s a stupid question really. Of course they do. And, the next election, Barisan Nasional will still sweep all the seats in Sarawak and Sabah. Then they will implement the Ninth Malaysia Plan (RMK9). And the NEP will continue. And the towkays will get richer. And the Bumiputeras and natives will remain landless.

Dompok joins in urging govt re-think

2006-03-25T17:55:00.000-08:00

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Daily ExpressPenampang: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, on Thursday added his voice to the public appeal for the State Government to reconsider its decision to relocate the Sri Tanjung squatters to the Maang area.

"I am joining the villagers and those concerned in appealing to the State Government to re-look at their intention, firstly because it is the belief of everybody that these people (squatters) are immigrants from outside the State," he said.

"It is also feared by a lot of people, I mean the migrants who have applied and gained citizenship status through the backdoor...I think the Government should not assist those people who have become citizens through dubious means," he added.

Looking at what has been said over the last few days, weeks and even in Parliament there have been many references to illegals being the main contributors to the abnormal population growth in Sabah, he said.

"I think one has to look at the work done by Dr Chong En Leong that has been brought up many times in Parliament? I see the issue here as being the culmination of that policy of entertaining the illegal immigrant population for a very long time.

"I think for the people of Maang, Penampang, and I believe for the rest in the State too, it is alarming to see the Government not paying attention to the feelings of local people who are also in need of assistance from the Government," said Dompok, the Minister in charge of the Public Complaints Bureau.

These, after all, are squatters and I think in the past, the government dealt with squatters in many different ways. In the case of Matabian, their houses were demolished without any settlement.

"In some other cases, and in fact in the past actually, I remember working with the Land and Survey Department, when Government makes acquisition of land, even involving private properties, that compensation is paid.

"But the government did not allocate any land for them (those affected)?gave only compensation. So I think the best way to avoid all this, the Government, if they still feel responsible, will use the same approach, that is to give compensation, which I think they (squatters) would be happy to receive and go settle somewhere else."

Dompok was met at the site in Kg Maang, where villagers and their supporters have set up camp as a symbolic protest against the proposed relocation exercise to pave the way for the implementation of the airport expansion project.
Moyog Assemblyman, Philip Lasimbang, and the Kg Maang Action Committee Chairman, Frederick Mosoom, were also present.

"The second part of the observation is that the reason for the relocation is the urgency, it is that because we want to expand the airport urgently and therefore we must move out the affected squatters," said Dompok.

But if it is (the question of) urgency, then obviously this place (in Kg Maang) does not qualify. I don't see any part of this place (in Kg Maang) that can be used immediately (for that purpose)," he added.

"These are hills which at the moment look inaccessible and I think if you do the earth works that is required to build the houses, I think once you cut down the hills, obviously erosion will set in and affect those houses to be built Åo you'll get another problem.

"I don't think the people who are voicing this have anything against the Chief Minister or members of the Cabinet," said Dompok, who said he would raise this matter with Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

This is especially because the party has two of its elected representatives who have been involved in the protest, he added. "Therefore, as the President of the party (Upko), I have to talk to the Chairman of BN."

He said everybody was taken by surprise because there was actually no attempt by the government officers concerned to inform the village people about the relocation to Maang.

"They suddenly saw it was done but it was not easy for them (villagers) to get any information out of that. Eventually, they got the informationÅo I think this is in fact something that has to be looked at by the authorities because I am sure that we want a delivery system that informs the public correctly.

"Even now, there's a confusion in the newspaper on the actual site. If you look at the newspaper (the map provided), the locations conveyed shows that they (relocation sites) are somewhere in Lok Kawi ?but it is not in Lok Kawi. If correct information has been given, I think it can clear all the confusion," said Dompok who is Ranau MP.

"The report that is supposed to clear all the confusion is actually confusing the people further³t will create a problem, I don't think there is any intention among the people to want to be at loggerheads unnecessarily with the State Government."

On whether it would be prudent to consult before making any decision to relocate people to any place, Dompok said:

"I think so, what happens is that the government officers concerned will inspect and then inform the people concerned so as to clear any confusion.

"But in this case, I think the government officers concerned did not inform the public. It's like they were keeping it secret from the local people staying here and I don't think that's the intention of the State Government at all.

"I have been involved in going to sites before, the people's land, and giving explanation to the people," he added.

Dompok, in his capacity as the Minister in charge of the Public Complaints Bureau, would help the Maang villagers to submit the signature petition to the Prime Minister as soon as possible.

Asked whether the State Government still has time to change its mind? Dompok said: "There is still a lot of time³f indeed the Government still proceeds with the plan it is going to take time.

"A lot needs to be done before anything including houses can be built, as you would still need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study to be done properly before all that, if not, negative things will happen in future ?it is not something you can do in a rush," he said.

"I think we cannot stop people from having different opinions. It so happens that in this case the people have a different opinion. So it is supposed to be brought for discussion. Things cannot be taken too personally, otherwise, you will not be able to discuss any problem."

2006-03-25T02:15:00.000-08:00

'Upko can leave BN if unhappy'

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok earned the wrath of Umno MPs who on Friday made it clear that there is no room for his party in the Barisan Nasional (BN) if he takes a confrontational stand on the proposed relocation of squatters to Kampung Maang. "This is not the way we in the BN do things, don't try to be a hero," they said in an immediate reaction to Dompok's decision to add his voice to objections to the State Government's plan to relocate the Sri Tanjung squatters to Maang, in Penampang.

Stating this in a joint statement, Friday, the MPs rebuked Dompok for taking an oppositional approach on the issue and likened this to holding the State Government to ransom.

The MPs present at the press conference were Sabah MP Backbencher Chairman Datuk Bung Moktar who is also Kinabatangan MP, Kimanis MP Datuk Anifah Aman who is also Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodity Minister, Papar MP Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, Tenom MP Rahim Unggi and Libaran MP Datuk Juslie Ajirul.

Stating a similar stand through the handphone at the press conference were Kalabakan MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh and Beluran MP Datuk Ronald Kiandee. Also on hand was Pensiangan Umno divisional chief, Abdul Ghani Yassin.Anifah said being a veteran leader Dompok should know that the BN's concept is consultation and that protests and demonstrations are a culture of the opposition.

"We don't want to in the process of trying to resolve a problem be bringing up another," he said.Among the problems that might arise from Dompok's action is that it might hurt the feelings of other component parties, create suspicions as well as weaken the people's confidence in the State BN leadership, he said.

According to Bung, it was puzzling for Dompok to take such a stance since his party was represented in the State Cabinet, which agreed to the decision on the relocation.

"Don't tell me Datuk Ewon Ebin (State Industrial Development Minister) did not brief his Party President on the Government's decision," he said.

Bung said as a BN leader, Dompok, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, should know that any decision made by the BN is based on collective agreement.

"We see the Upko leaders who participated in the demonstration (together with the people in Maang) as breaching the BN's code of ethics. It projected an image like we have an opposition among us in the Government," he said. Before Dompok, two Upko elected representatives - Philip Lasimbang (Moyog Assemblyman) and Donald Mojuntin (Penampang MP) - had been vociferous on the issue.

"Leaders who oppose the decision of the BN Government should not be leaders. I urge Dompok to consider applying to take out his party from the coalition. We don't need leaders like this," he said, again stressing that BN's concept was (to resolve issues) through consultation and not confrontation.He said if all government decisions faced objections, then it would be difficult for the government machinery to move.

"We call on the BN Chairman (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) to make a decision (on this issue) to ensure this will not happen again in the future," said Bung."Why champion the rights of one single ethnic group without thinking about the others in Sabah?" he asked.

The MPs said Dompok being a member of the Federal Cabinet should know that the correct approach would have been for him to bring this up in a BN forum where everything can be thrashed out.

"We are not questioning the right of the people in Maang. They have the right to object because this is a democratic country but what we don't agree is the approach taken by the leaders," said Anifah.

By going through the right channel, he said the leaders would be able to resolve the problem of the people in Sabah and not only in Maang.

"We want to resolve the problem as a whole. We as MPs are ready to participate in a dialogue on this issue and when we offer solutions it will not only be for Maang but for other places as well," he said.

He said the MPs, too, wanted to voice out their concern on problems in their constituencies."We can discuss this thoroughly but will going to the newspapers solve the problem or will it further worsen it?" asked Anifah.

On another note, Anifah also urged the various component Sabah BN parties to stop indulging in "childish politics" by hurling accusations at each other on the issue.

"It is time to stop this kind of childish politics. We are responsible leaders and we should be moving forward," he said referring to the bickering between PBRS and PBS.

PBRS President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup was reported as blaming the two non-Muslim KDM leaders in the State Cabinet (Ewon and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan) for the predicament of the Maang folk leading to PBS through Supreme Council member, Johnny Mositun, challenging Kurup to submit a memorandum on resolving the problem to the State Government.

Following the statements, PBRS on Friday accused PBS of hypocrisy. Accusations will not resolve any problems and they should know that a decision in government is based on consensus," said Anifah.

THE SABAH SLANG

2006-03-22T20:35:00.000-08:00

A dictionary of terms and unique words used and known by the average Sabahan - a Malaysian State located in the northern island of Borneo. Postings are encouraged for adding new words to built up the dictionary ~ just click on the COMMENTS below.

Words/Slang/Bahasa Baku - English/Malay Translation/(Origin)

ah? - question, What?, apa?
alun-alun - road, jalan raya
ampai-ampai - clearly laid thereabout, terletak degan nyata sekali i.e. "Ampai-ampai itu kunci atas meja pun kau tidak nampak?"
andang-andang - that's how it is, it's like that, sememangnya begitu
anu - expression ~ searching for words. i.e. similar to Tun Mahathir's "Apa nama..", sama seperti Tun Mahathir "Apa nama.."
antam - banged, hentam, pukul, gasak, keroyok
api api - downtown kota kinabalu, nama asal pekan Kota Kinabalu
ayuk - swinging movement of the arm in the marble game. hayun
ba - ok, yes, ya
bahai - plastic bag commonly used term in Sandakan, beg plastik (Filipino)
bakakuk - Home made shot gun, senapang patah buatan sendiri
balabak - scrotum, biji
balusil - run, lari
basar - big, huge, besar
basing - squirrel, tupai
bida - ugly, hodoh, jelek
bikin - to do, make, buat, lakukan
bilang - said, kata
bini-bini - women folks, kaum wanita (Brunei)
bobot - vagina
bubut - to give chase, kejar
buduh - stupid, bodoh
celana/salana - pants, seluar
doi dogo! - My goodness!, Oh my!, alamak !
dorang/diurang - them, they, Diurang pigi tamu bah
endak - no, tidak i.e Aku endak mau.- I don't want.
gali, gali-gali, gilik - squeemish about something, geli
gedo'ot - glutton, rakus, gelojoh
gia - expression "is it?", ya?
ging - derived from the word gang.. means member or associates, kawan, sahabat-andai
gipit - to grip, kepit
giuk - worm, ulat
hari ampat - Thursday, khamis
hari anam - Saturday, sabtu
hari dua - Tuesday, selasa
hari lima - Friday, jumaat
hari satu - Monday, isnin
hari tiga - Wednesday, rabu
indak/tia - not, no, tidak, tiada
kabaruan - new to something, kebaruan
kalatiak - armpit, ketiak
kaling - indian, keling
kalon/kalan - electricity, karan
kamarin - yesterday, semalam, kelmarin
kana - got ie got thrown, kena, terkena
kanapa - why, mengapa, kenapa
kanapatan/kadapatan - caught red handed, kantul, kantoi
kapayas/tapayas - papaya, buah betek
karang - later, after, nanti kemudian, selepas ini
karing - dry, kering
katawa - laugh, laughing, ketawa
kebangkalan - choked while eating, tersedak
kebilangan - popular, famous, terkenal, mahsyur,
ketulahan - bad karma, ketulahan (Malay)
kici/kicil - small, kecil
klappa - coconut, kelapa
kogutan - hangover, keadaan keesokan hari selepas mabuk
kotoh - means as same like sabak… told you.., padan muka
Kula - Coke or Coca-cola
kumpik - plastic bag commonly used term in Tawau, beg plastik (Indon)
lakas - faster, lekas, cepat
lanjang - pots/pans, periuk belanga
leminit - lemonade, carbonated drinks, minuman berkabonat
limpang - to lie down, baring
mangkali - maybe, perhaps, barangkali
muhau - crazy, tak siuman
ngam ngam - exact, on time, kebetulan, cukup
numbur - number, nombor
padih - My eyes stings/ painful, pedih
palis palis - touch wood, sama seperti simpang malaikat 44..
palui - stupid, duh!, bodoh
panat - tired, penat, letih
pantat - buttock, backside, bontot, punggong
putung - cut, slice, potong
saana - pointing at a location (there), number of 'a' determines distance I.e. "saaaaaana" is further than "saana"
sabak - means I TOLD U.. Padan muka
sakai - ignorant, uncivilized, "hoosier", tidak bertamddun
sandi - extremely painful, senak, kesakitan yang amat sangat, kiasan seperti sindiran tajam. 'Sandi juga kena antam sama boss..!'
santut - Underwear, seluar dalam
sapak - mix in cooking, capur gaul dalam memasak
seluar katak - underwear, seluar dalam
Sepuluh Tiga - (10-3) - RM10 for three cans of smuggled beer, Sapuluh tiga (RM10 untuk 3 tin beer seludup)
sia - me, saya
sikijap - soon / in a short while / later, sekejap
sikui - watermelon, tembikai
siok - expression/description, enjoyable, great, seronok
siorang - we, us, kami, saya dan orang orang saya
siring siring - side/on the side, di tepian, tepi
sogit - fine, pay damages in the form of cattle or pig, denda, hukuman dgn bayaran binatang ternakan seperti babi atau lembu
sot - shorted, crazy, kepala tak betul, gila-gila
taiih - shit/ feaces/or just a curse word, taiklah!
takajut/takazut - shocked, startled, terkejut
takana/tekuis - hit, terkena
talak - rice wine, local alhoholic brew, arak, minuman keras
talur - egg, telur (kadazandusun)
talampau - extreme, too much, terlampau, keterlaluan
tambirang - No being himself as in acting what he is not. berlagak, eksyen
tamu - Malay word "temu" or meet referring to weekly open air market an occassion to meet with other folks, pasar terbuka mingguan
tapuk - to hide, sorok
taapun - a phrase used when unable to get the things desired
telor ('te' as in 'tay') - egg, telur (Indon)
thai lingong - worse than stupid, bebal
tinguk - to look, tengok, lihat
tongo/bongok - stupid, bodoh, bahalul
tontolou - Mr. Willie, konek
tullul - egg, telur (Bisayak, Filipino)
tunu - burn, ignite, bakar,cucuh
tuuna - pointing at a direction (that), itu nah
uinnaaa! - used to express various feelings, mostly when surprised (Filipino), Waah!
umban - throw, humban, baling
urang - people, Old people used to say.. Urang tua tua bilang...

Corruption and the NEP: Hand in glove

2006-03-21T17:24:00.000-08:00

MALAYSIA TODAY SPECIAL REPORT ON THE NEP

Raja Petra Kamarudin

We will come back to our report on Umno Sabah and the Umno Sabah building in the next episode of this series on Malaysia’s New Economic Policy (NEP). Yes, we certainly have more to expose. Government projects and contracts are being awarded to those already super-rich tycoons, mostly non-Malays may I add. And we are going to name names. We are going to expose and strip naked those people who are beneficiaries to giant projects and government contracts. We are going to show you where your hard-earned money which the government has ‘robbed’ from you in the form of taxes has gone to. We are going to reveal how government leaders and politicians, under the so-called development plan called ‘The Malaysia Plan’ (Rancangan Malaysia), and under the so-called NEP (Dasar Ekonomi Baru), have exploited and abused the system to line their pockets.

Politicians who publicly declare their assets to the tune of hundreds of millions on taking office leave office with billions in their pocket. Forget about asking them how they made billions in just a few years in office. Ask instead how, in the first place, they are worth hundreds of millions before taking office when their job function allows them a meagre salary of a couple of thousand a month.

Hard working Malays struggle to get by with less than RM2,000 to RM3,000 a month with which to support a wife and kids in the city, siblings in college or university, and aged parents at home in the kampung too old to work and surviving on RM125 welfare payments a month (but even then if they can produce an Umno membership card and get a testimonial from the JKKK head that they are not opposition supporters).

Hard working Chinese struggle to pay their own way through life without any government support and curse Malays who they perceive as benefiting and leading a cushy life because of the NEP while they, not being Malay, get no government assistance.

Yes, Malays blame Chinese for hijacking the NEP. Chinese blame Malays for having an NEP. In the end, no one actually benefits from the NEP save the political elite who ‘freed’ this country from the British colonial masters just so that they can become the new colonial masters over their own race. Have you read Animal Farm and how the animals ousted the humans just so that the pigs can become the new masters? Well, that is Malaysia for you.

Anyway, let us look at another aspect of the NEP, how corruption is perpetuated under the camouflage and umbrella of the NEP and how you can get away with corruption as long as the money is for the Umno fund or is done under the auspices of the NEP. Corruption and the NEP go hand in glove, or, as the Malays would say: bagai pinang dibelah dua.

This is what Sabah’s Daily Express reported on Sunday:

About 20 Sabah State Forestry Department staff have been sacked for collaborating with illegal loggers over the past 10 years. Disclosing this to Daily Express, its Director Sam Mannan said these cases involved mostly general labourers found guilty by the court.

And this is what Selvaraja Somiah wrote in the same newspaper on 15 December 2003 under the heading ACA not seen to be serious:

Sometime in November 1997, I gave the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) in Kota Kinabalu a set of documents pertaining to a land deal. This land in Kota Kinabalu submerged under water was registered under a private limited company and was wholly owned by a semi-government body and managed by a high ranking senior civil servant.

This land was sold to a group of investors from West Malaysia for RM3.5 million. The investors paid RM200,000 on the signing of the Sales and Purchase Agreement, and had not yet even paid fully the initial 10% payment as per the SP Agreement but somehow had managed to use the land as collateral, and borrowed close to RM150 million, with a very fancy development plan, from a public listed financial institution.

Yes, one hundred and fifty million ringgit and this is no joke. At the time when I visited the ACA in Kota Kinabalu the land was still submerged under water and the RM150 million in solid cash was already released to the investors.So you see, with a sleight of hand, even land ownership from Sabah Quasi-government bodies shifts to others outside Sabah so easily! Perhaps, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

There must be many more cases of prime land owned by Sabah government bodies changing hands to others, not highlighted, and where trustees were bought-over by investors from outside the state. There are more. But why are the authorities not able to see?

Again, last week, while surfing the Internet, I came across a website and one of the topics discussed there quite naturally caught my attention for they discussed on pesticides, a topic on which I spent half my life.

The topic: "10 Drums of Water Sold As Pesticides For RM850,000 To A Semi-government Body In Tawau" naturally excited me.

Again, it could have happened and I'm not at all surprised if it did. My time in the agriculture sector in Sabah has made me aware that adulteration and dilution of chemicals and ferilizers is a common practice.

This is compounded when some corrupted officials on the ground who, in spite of knowing a particular product is not working and not giving the desired results, would do nothing about it. The suppliers will get paid anyway, and continue to supply. This has been going on in Sabah since USNO days. Nothing has changed.

Some of the failed government agricultue agencies like the Padi Board, Koperasi Pembangungan Desa (KPD), Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB), and many others, were in fact cash cows for many private companies and its directors.

Much of the government funds invested just could not be accounted for. It is a shame no action was taken against many of these people who were involved in milking these outfits dry.

Some of the officers holding key positions in these organisations are living beyond their means and this is proof enough of corruption, but no action was taken.I know of one CEO, my colleague from a quasi-government body in Sabah dealing with land development, who took millions and just disappeared to Australia when investigations were about to begin.

In this same outfit, another CEO, also my colleague, Datuk Wasli Said and the Chairman Tan Seri Kasitah Gaddam, are being investigated and the figure mentioned is close to RM100 million.

Corruption has seeped into Malaysian society so thoroughly that unless the government is prepared to shoot itself in the foot nothing would change.The government, on the other hand, wants proof before it would act. But who would likely leave a paper trail and go to jail? No, they are much smarter than that. They say the higher you go the more sophisticated is the bribe-giving and bribe-taking.

Just a few days ago, I met a Minister who he told me that the ACA had gone to his office and his residence in Likas a few months ago and had taken certain files and documents pertaining to some investigation.

He claimed he had confirmation from the ACA in Kuala Lumpur that there was no wrongdoing on his part and hence ACA had cleared him.

It is now a badge of honour for this Minister to tell the world that since ACA does not act after investigating him, it is proof that he has the seal of approval and that he is not corrupt.

In today's skewed political climate, this is deemed to be proof of innocence.That was what Selvaraja Somiah wrote in Sabah’s Daily Express on 15 December 2003. In fact, Selvaraja’s story of the undersea land in Kota Kinabalu was also featured in Malaysia Today on 4 January 2005 in an article called Atlantis: Sabah’s proposed new city below the sea. In that article Selvaraja said:

I remember vividly December 15, 2003, when my article ACA NOT SEEN TO BE SERIOUS appeared in the Daily Express Sabah.

At that time I did feel some anxiety, though not outright fear, when I received those few threatening phone calls regarding the article from certain individuals who did not want me to reveal too much. I wasn't afraid of being bullied into silence. In fact, it was mixed feelings as, on the one hand, I had people whom I knew who did not want me to spill the beans and, on the other hand, I had readers who wrote to me, who called up, and who approached me whenever they saw me storming in and out of Kota Kinabalu Airport, just to say they wanted more exposes.

It was heartening and uplifting. It is these positive comments -- the feedback and appreciation -- that inspired me to further investigate a piece of land of approximately 0.971 hectares held under Kota Kinabalu Town Lease No 017538788. The land is actually submerged underwater but was sold by Permodalan Sabah Berhad [PSB] for a price of RM3.5 million and charged to MBF Finance Bhd for RM131 million based on a fancy development plan that can never materialise unless one wants to build an underwater city like Atlantis.

It was in 1992 that Elite Consortium Sdn Bhd, a company incorporated under the Companies Act 1965, entered into a Sales & Purchase Agreement with Permodalan Sabah Berhad to purchase the 0.971 hectare land submerged underwater [unreclaimed] -- located along the seafront of Jalan Haji Saman between the Police Marina and the Old Kota Kinabalu Harbour -- for a consideration of RM3.5 million. By the terms and conditions of the agreement, a deposit of RM200,000 was to be paid on signing the agreement while the balance of RM1.8 million was to be paid over six months from the date of the S&P agreement and another RM1.5 million over 12 months.

However, Elite Consortium was unable to pay the first instalment of RM1.8 million as required under the S&P agreement. An extension of three months till the 23rd of July 1993 was then given and, in July, a further extension till the 23rd of October 1993.

On the 12th of April 1993, Elite Consortium submitted a plan to the Kota Kinabalu Municipal Council [MPKK] through its architect, Messrs Arkitek Billings, Leong & Tan, to develop the land into a 280-room, 24-storey, four-star hotel, with 21 floors of condominium apartments and a 128 unit six-storey shop and office block.On the 30th of July 1993, MPKK informed Elite through its architect that the proposal was still under consideration and some amendments and certain revisions were required before it could be approved. The amendments and revisions were immediately accepted and agreed upon. In November 1993, MPKK approved the proposal to develop the land into an amended 21-storey four-star hotel with a 17-storey office block and eight units of six storey shophouses.Armed with MPKK’s approval, Elite had to move fast, as time was running out in its payment commitment to Permodalan as per the S&P agreement. A revaluation on the land was crucial and a valuation report was most needed. A Kuala Lumpur based real estate valuer was engaged to value the land. The land was valued for RM27 million, inflating the value ten fold.With the enhanced value now at RM27 million, Elite had to strike while the iron was hot and it started exploring the possibility of selling the land. It was decided the most feasible game plan was to sell the 0.971 hectare land with its approved development plan to a public listed company for not less than RM18 million.

Apparently, one of the directors of Elite Consortium, Mr Yip Yee Foo, had dealings with REPCO Holdings Berhad, a public company listed on Malaysia’s Second Board. Mr Yip had played a crucial role in REPCO’s listing exercise in 1991 when it acquired a 100% interest in an automotive parts dealer, Repco [Malaysia]. Hence was the connection between REPCO and Elite Consortium.

Simultaneously, Mr Yip entered into negotiations with KOPEKS, the Sabah Government Workers Thrift and Loan Society, for Elite Consortium and KOPEKS to jointly acquire REPCO Holdings. A deal was struck between the KOPEKS Chairman, Mr Bungga Berut, and Mr Yip. KOPEKS then appointed Mr Yip as the consultant for the deal.

Many members of the KOPEKS board at that time were against the deal and were sceptical that the acquisition of REPCO’s shares would benefit KOPEKS. Mr Bungga, however, thought otherwise and he was extremely gung-ho about the REPCO acquisition. The KOPEKS board, for all intents and purposes, was just a rubber stamp as all decisions were bulldozed by Mr Bungga who had a vested interest in the whole deal.

Sometime in November 1993, a preliminary meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur where Mr Yip, on behalf of Elite, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with three shareholders of REPCO for the purchase of 19.2% of the total issued and paid-up capital of REPCO Holdings Berhad totalling 2,690,000 shares.Subsequently, KOPEKS entered into a Conditional Agreement with Mr Tan Hah Sing to acquire 1,000 shares in Tan Hah Sing Holdings Sdn Bhd which owned 3,948,000 shares in REPCO Holdings Berhad representing 28.4% of the issued and paid-up capital of REPCO.

With the Memorandum of Understanding and Conditional Agreement, both KOPEKS and Elite Consortium would jointly have effective control of REPCO Holdings Berhad. KOPEKS and Elite called this alliance the REPCO Agreement.

In the meantime, while all this wheeling and dealing was going on, Permodalan Sabah Berhad had still not received its full payment for the underwater land other than the initial deposit of RM200,000.

Elite Consortium was now getting very desperate as it had defaulted on its payment to Permodalan Sabah Berhad so it suggested that Mr Bungga Berut approach Innosabah Securities Sdn Berhad to seek financial assistance on the basis of the REPCO Agreement. Understandably, Innosabah was very impressed with the whole deal.

Innosabah thus agreed to extend financing to Elite Consortium based on the following terms and conditions:

1] Innosabah would arrange a revolving loan of RM18 million from Bank Bumiputra Malaysia Berhad [BBMB].

2] Elite Consortium would arrange for Permodalan Sabah Berhad to charge the 0.971 hectare land to BBMB as security for this loan.

3] Innosabah would utilise the BBMB loan to:
[a] pay Permodalan Sabah Berhad the balance of the purchase price of the 0.971 hectare land.
[b] pay for the acquisition of the 19.2% interest in REPCO Holdings Berhad.

4] The 0.971 hectare land (now charged to BBMB) would be sold to REPCO Holdings Berhad for RM20 million.

5] The proceeds of the RM20 million from REPCO would be used to fully repay the BBMB loan.

At the end November 1993, Permodalan Sabah Berhad, by way of a third party charge, charged the 0.971 hectare land to BBMB.

In the second week of December 1993, BBMB released RM18 million to Innosabah, who then paid Permodalan Sabah Berhad RM3.3 million as full payment for the land plus RM14.7 million for the acquisition of the REPCO shares.

Elite Consortium now became the beneficial owner of a 0.971 hectare piece of land and 19.2% of the issued and paid-up capital of REPCO Holdings Berhad, financed entirely through borrowings.

In the meantime, the 0.971 hectare land with its fancy development plans approved by MPKK, now charged to BBMB for RM18 million, was again re-valued. Though there was no physical change to the land and it was still submerged underwater, the new valuation bumped up the value of the land to an exorbitant RM150 million.

Armed with this new valuation of RM150 million, Elite applied for further financing from MBF Finance Berhad. The game plan was similar to the REPCO arrangement except that this time Pengkalen Industrial Holdings Berhad, another public listed company headed by Mr Yip (which means there was conflict of interest), was used as the vehicle.

In February 1997, MBF Finance Berhad approved and dispersed a loan of RM131 million while the 0.971 hectare land changed ownership from Repco Holdings Berhad to Pengkalen Industrial Holdings Berhad.Up to today, the 0.971 hectare land is still submerged below water and no development of any kind has been started on the land. Public listed companies and banks, with the collusion of Permodalan Sabah Berhad, have been manipulated to fill the pockets of the shareholders of a private company, Elite Consortium Sdn Bhd.

BN Sabah leaders in anti-government protest rally

2006-03-19T19:39:00.000-08:00

Bernama

The presence of some state Barisan Nasional (BN) component party leaders at a protest rally in Kampung Maang on Saturday to oppose the state government's plan to relocate more than 2,000 people from the Sri Tanjung squatter colony in Petagas to the Maang area is a "slight departure from the BN's power-sharing principle of consultation".

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said the state cabinet had collectively decided to relocate only half of the affected squatters after considering the views and proposals of all the interested parties.

"Now, it is the duty of the elected representatives, be they state assemblymen or Members of Parliament, to explain the rationale of the cabinet decision.

"If they're still in doubt about it, they should see and ask Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Musa Aman) first for further explanation... this is in line with the BN's spirit of consultation," he told reporters after launching Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad's first affordable housing project in Sabah in Putatan here today.

About 5,000 people, mainly from the Kadazandusun community, held a peaceful protest rally at Kampung Maang over the state government's decision.

They described the issue as too big for the Maang residents to handle, considering the dubious identity of the Sri Tanjung squatters, some of whom were alleged to have come from other parts of the state.

In defending the government's decision, Yahya said the relocation was necessary to make way for the Kota Kinabalu International Airport expansion project.

"The airport is not meant for Putatan folks or for Bumiputeras only... it is for the common good especially for our tourism industry. Unfortunately, there is a squatter colony occupying the affected land (Sri Tanjung)... so we have no choice but to relocate them.

"That's why the state cabinet decided to relocate them to the Maang area... even then it is only half of the residents," he said.

Last Wednesday, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said based on statistics the people from Sri Tanjung to be relocated are locals comprising Bajaus, Kadazandusuns, Bruneians, Bisayas and Bugis.

"There will be no illegal immigrants. We won't allow this," he had said.

5,000 at Sabah protest rally

2006-03-19T19:34:00.000-08:00

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Daily ExpressPenampang

No compromise appears to be the message sent by some 5,000 people, mainly from the Kadazandusun community, to the State Government on the proposed relocation of more than 1,000 people from the Sri Tanjung squatter colony, in Petagas, to the Maang area.

Speaking to reporters at the peaceful protest rally at Kampung Maang, near here, Saturday, two Barisan Nasional elected representatives said "there are no two ways about it", while pointing out that the proposed relocation of the squatters should not proceed.

Penampang MP Donald Mojuntin and Moyog Assemblyman Philip Lasimbang described the issue as too big for the Maang residents to handle, considering the dubious identity of the Sri Tanjung squatters, some of whom were alleged to have come from other parts of the State.

"I hope the Internal Affairs Ministry under the Prime Minister will take the necessary action soon because we are sitting on a time bomb that is waiting to explode," Mojuntin said.

"For all these reasons, there is no compromise," asserted Lasimbang. Met at the rally in Tobihung, Kampung Maang, the elected representatives said they fully understood the emotions of the people, especially in Kampung Maang itself, in raising their objection against the State Government's decision."

They have the right idea, they are doing it properly (in organising the rally) and the fantastic thing is that all the people from other districts also made their presence felt as a show of support," said Mojuntin.

The protest rally was to appeal to the State Government to reconsider the decision to move even half of the squatters from Sri Tanjung to the vicinity of their village.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman assured that the State Cabinet unanimously approved the relocation of half the Sri Tanjung squatters, but remained adamant that the Maang area had already been identified to accommodate them.

Musa is probably the first Sabah CM to face open public protest over what is seen as an "unpopular" government decision by some quarters. Former Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh's announcement of the federalisation of Labuan in 1984 was also opposed but there was no open protest.

The Berjaya Government's abrogation of Tambunan district in the early 1985 was also met with silence, but the people retaliated by defeating the Berjaya candidate in a by-election and the Berjaya administration fell within a year. In Saturday's rally, the KDM community came from as far as Kuala Penyu, Keningau, Tawau and Sandakan to lend support for the Maang residents. See The three-hour rally also featured banners and placards, as well as speeches by local community leaders against the relocation exercise.

The politicians attending the gathering included Penampang Upko leaders, PBS Supreme Council members Dr Chong Eng Leong and Johnny Mositun, Sabah Keadilan deputy chief Christina Liew and DAP Kota Kinabalu chief Dr Hiew King Cheu.

A group from the former Kampung Matabian squatter colony were also invited to the gathering.Police also turned up in full force, including three truckloads of Federal Reserve Unit personnel who were on stand-by to maintain public order. Vehicles lined up both sides of the Penampang-Lok Kawi road for nearly two kilometres.

A roadblock was also set up at Kampung Ramayah where many motorists travelling to Lok Kawi were told to take an alternative route.Addressing the rally, organising committee chairman Frederick Mosoom said the event was not being used to vent their anger against the Government's decision, but more as an appeal for reconsideration to shift the Sri Tanjung squatters elsewhere.

According to him, signatures collected during the rally would be submitted to the Prime Minister for his consideration should the State Government remain in a non-compromising mood."

The leaders often stated that ketua kampungs should act as the eyes and ears of the Government, but when we told them (leaders) about our apprehension, we were ignored. And when we air out our grouses in the newspapers, they get angry," he said.

"We are not asking for a billion ringgit projects, but to listen to our plight," he said. "It was puzzling that the people, even the elected representatives, were not duly informed on the proposal.

"Later, Mosoom told reporters that they wanted to convey the message to the Government pertaining to their stand and to consider the plight of landless locals."Our main contention here is that the government must prioritise the landless people," he said.

One of the organising committee members, who requested anonymity, recalled a recent visit to Kampung Maang by Deputy Chief Minister and PBS president Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan who reminded a recent statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi that the Government would listen to the views of the people before taking action. The rally broke up peacefully at 3pm, in compliance with a three-hour police permit issued earlier.After the gathering, KDM hip hop artiste Atama, together with a group of youths from Kampung Maang, also took the opportunity to perform in support of the people there.

20 Forestry staff sacked

2006-03-19T17:53:00.000-08:00

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: About 20 State Forestry Department staff have been sacked for collaborating with illegal loggers over the past 10 years.

Disclosing this to Daily Express, its Director Sam Mannan said these cases involved mostly general labourers found guilty by the court.

"Normally, the usual procedure would require the staff concerned to be charged in court with the offence and the department would suspend their services pending trial. The department is only empowered to terminate the services of our personnel when they are found accountable for the offence which is mostly cooperating with illegal loggers to carry out their felling activities in forest reserves," he said.

He was asked about the number of the staff sacked for committing offences under the Forestry Enactment. Sam earlier closed a month-long course on prosecution procedures jointly organised by the Kuala Lumpur PDRM College and Sabah Forestry Department.

It involved 26 forestry officers and seven personnel from the Land and Survey Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Environment Protection Department (EPD), Wildlife Department, and Sabah Parks.

The course aimed to enhance the level of competency among forestry officers to prosecute cases in court as well as their capability to carry out investigations. He said the department would be firm in taking disciplinary action against errant staff.

"We will arrest the alleged staff accused of committing the offences and bring them to face the full force of the law, regardless of their connections.

"And the department will execute its power accordingly within its jurisdiction." Sam reminded personnel to discharge their duties with integrity, efficiency and trustworthiness. "You (the participants) are responsible to be effective in your work and are answerable to the public.

"Do not cheat and do not hide things that are unlawful. It is better for you to admit and face the consequences. Because if you don't, I will find out about it sooner or later," he said. Sam said the department is training the forestry officers to be competent prosecutors so that it would have its own core team of investigation and prosecution personnel to handle the forestry cases.

He said the department could not totally depend on its existing three lawyers as their workload is quite heavy and that the department wished to avoid postponements which could lead to cases being thrown out.

The NEP is paying for Umno Sabah's building

2006-03-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

MALAYSIA TODAY SPECIAL REPORT

Raja Petra Kamarudin

In part 8 of this special report on the New Economic Policy (NEP), we spoke about the current war in Umno Sabah, which was triggered by the huge amount of money collected in the name of Umno Sabah and which somehow seems to have mysteriously disappeared. But it has not really disappeared as such. It is all sitting snugly in Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman’s various bank accounts outside Sabah, in particular in Singapore.

When Musa took over as the Sabah Chief Minister on 27 March 2003, he declared his assets as RM300 million. How he could have amassed all that wealth as merely Sabah’s Finance Minister is of course another story altogether and this was previously reported by Malaysia Today in our series on Sabah called Where did the money go? (22 February 2005), Musa Aman hidden hand (25 August 2005), The RM11 Billion silap mata (sleight of hand) (18 August 2005), and many more all which can be viewed here in ourSpecial Reports for Sabah section.

Nevertheless, the RM300 million which Musa declared on ascending the chair of Sabah’s Chief Minister barely three years ago is not the crux of the matter here. What is the bone of contention amongst Umno Sabah leaders is how can he, from 27 March 2003 until today, just under three years, see his assets spiral from just RM300 million to an estimated RM900 million?

The ‘platform’ used to amass this wealth, as usual, is of course the NEP. State projects, contracts, and land as well as timber concessions are parcelled out to a handful of the same companies, mostly non-Bumiputera, for a certain amount of ‘donations’ to Umno Sabah. Umno Sabah is building its new headquarters so this money is needed to finance the construction -- and 'donations' are perfectly legal when given in ‘good faith’. But the construction of the building is not progressing and the hundreds of millions collected is not going towards completing the building, which since the last two years has hardly seen much progress. This was previously reported by Malaysia Today on 3 December 2004 (The UMNO Sabah building scam perpetuated by Musa Aman).

In that 3 December 2004 report we said as follows:

Umno Sabah is presently building its new headquarters in Karamunsing, Kota Kinabalu. No one in Umno Sabah seems to know the construction cost of the building though -- other than Musa Aman, that is. There has been no building committee formed to oversee the construction of the building and no meetings have ever been held to either discuss details of the building or seek approval from Umno Sabah’s main committee.

In short, Musa Aman is single-handedly managing the entire construction of the building and he is playing his cards close to his chest -- neither informing the other Umno Sabah main Committee Members details of what is going on, nor seeking its approval before embarking on any decision.

But this is not all that is happening. More perplexing is the choice of site.

Umno Sabah actually owns a five-acre piece of prime land close to the Bank Simpanan Nasional building in the swank neighbourhood of the Sutra Resort. For all intents and purposes, this piece of land can be considered a ‘gold mine’. Musa Aman, however, refuses to build the new Umno Sabah building on Umno’s own land. Instead, he is building it on an alternative piece of land in which he has a vested interest. What is the size of this land, whether the entire piece of land or just part of it is being used for this building, and how much has this piece of land been valued for, has not been revealed and no one in Umno Sabah, save for Musa Aman alone, knows the details.

On 15 December 2004, Malaysiakini published a letter from Haniffa called The mystery of Umno Sabah’s new building where he said:

In short, Umno Sabah has entirely no interest in either the land or the building and its name is just being used for purposes best known to those behind this entire scam.

As it is now, no one in Umno Sabah seems to know how much the construction cost of the new building is. But donations are being collected left, right and center (and probably behind as well) from all and sundry.

The donation box is overflowing as it is, yet money is still being collected. No one knows how much money has been collected because there is no committee, meaning no accounts or reports need to be tabled at any meetings.

In reply to the above allegations, the Umno Sabah information Chief then, Rahim Ismail, was asked to issue a statement to The Star on 17 December 2004 titled We have nothing 'to hide'. In this statement, Rahim said, “As far as Sabah Umno is concerned, I can assure you that everything is above board.”

The Star further reported:

Rahim, who is a member of the building committee, declined to say anything else other than stressing that everything about the project was above board. Umno officials said that the land was donated by a private company, with the full knowledge of the party leadership. The new Sabah Umno headquarters, which is expected to be completed next year (2005), would not only house the party’s offices but also banks, shops and a hall with a seating capacity for 2,000 people.

But it is now 2006 and the building is far from complete. And the vast sums of money collected is not in Umno Sabah’s bank account. And Rahim is not prepared to lie anymore and cover Musa’s rear. So, before Rahim -- the man who knows the truth about Umno Sabah’s building and about the money collected allegedly to finance its construction -- spills the beans on Musa, he has to go, and recently he was removed as Umno Sabah’s Information Chief.

What many do not know, Rahim is related and very intimate with the head of Parti Keadilan Rakyat Sabah, Awang Tengah. In fact, Rahim was behind Awang's appointment as the head of the Sabah Forest Department. And Awang holds all the confidential information and secrets about the manipulation of Sabah’s rich forest resources beginning from the time Musa was the State Finance Minister during Chong Kah Kiat’s tenure as Chief Minister.

(See Wagging the dog: when the head has to follow the tail), 1 March 2005, a report on how Sabah’s logs are being sold at RM50 when the market price is RM300 and Special Report on Sabah's logging scandal, 14 February 2005).

One logging concession worth about RM100 billion is currently under legal dispute and this is worrying Musa to no end. Once it goes to court, then the shit will certainly hit the fan. And the knife is in Awang’s hand and all Rahim has to do is show his hand and Musa is dead meat.

Rahim is hopping mad that he has been removed as the Sabah Information Chief. To show his disgust, he stormed out of the January 2006 Umno Sabah meeting. What Rahim did not realise is, it was Musbah Hj Jamli, the head of the Umno Kota Belud division, who is a close ally of Osu Haji Sukam, who spilled the beans. If not, Musa would not have known that Rahim met the prime minister and tried to undermine him by reporting to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi what was going on in Sabah.

Yes, Musbah sold Rahim out and now expect Musbah to be appointed soon to an important position in Umno Sabah -- maybe as the new Treasurer of Umno Sabah, a post currently held by Hajiji Mohd Noor, head of the Tuaran division as well as State Minister of Housing and Local Councils. (Note the post, State Minister of Housing and Local Councils, and note parts 5 and 8 of this special report on the NEP about the RM1 billion housing scam perpetuated by Musbah).

Musa realises that, just like Rahim, Hajiji is dangerous to keep around. Hajiji is trustee to a lot of secrets as far as Umno Sabah's money is concerned. All Hajiji has to do is open his mouth and Musa will fall like a ton of bricks. And if Musa does fall, then Hajiji would be the most likely candidate to replace him as the new Chief Minister. Hajiji, just like Rahim, is also very close to Anwar Ibrahim, which means many of Musa’s secrets can easily fall into the hands of the opposition.

There are no two ways about it. Hajiji must be the next to go after Rahim, and probably Musbah, the man who sold out Rahim, would take his job. It is too risky to allow Hajiji to remain, especially when he would become the beneficiary of any ‘bad luck’ to befall Musa.

A man with so many sins is good to have by your side. Once he gets out of line and starts having visions of going against you, then you can send his file to the Anti-Corruption Agency and his goose is cooked. And Musbah has many sins. So Musbah might yet be the one to replace Hajiji as Umno Sabah’s treasurer, a man who can be easily blackmailed in the event he decides to open his mouth and reveals where the party’s money and the Umno Sabah building fund has disappeared to.

But Rahim Ismail, Hajiji Mohd Noor, Musbah Jamli and Awang Tengah are not Musa Aman’s only worries. On 27 January 2006, Malaysia Today said this:

Expect more heads to roll soon as Musa Aman panics even more.

What triggered off this panic was Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Sabah recently. Many from Umno as well as PBS and Berjaya met him to express their desire to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat. Whether they believed in the party’s struggle or ideology is another matter altogether, but what they do believe is that Anwar Ibrahim could be that catalyst to see the end of Musa Aman’s and Umno’s rule in Sabah.

Anwar Ibrahim is due back in Malaysia next month and he is scheduled to make another trip to Sabah. Mere news of Anwar’s impending visit is enough to excite Sabah politicians, some who have even contacted Malaysia Today to enquire on how they can reach Anwar so that they can discuss his next visit.

Musa Aman tried to block Anwar’s functions by instructing all the local councils to cancel the bookings of the various halls that had been slotted as the venue for Anwar’s ‘meet the people’ programs. What riled Musa Aman was the fact that some local council heads are ABIM members and understandably pro-Anwar.

And Musa Aman confirmed this in the Daily Express report the following day as follows:

State Umno Liaison chief Datuk Musa Haji Aman warned disciplinary action will be taken against any member flouting the party's code of conduct.

"We cannot tolerate the action of those errant members, and will not hesitate to recommend severe disciplinary action against those found guilty of misconduct," he said.

Musa, who is also Chief Minister, was speaking after chairing the State Umno liaison committee meeting at the Umno office, KWSP building here, Thursday.

He stressed that all Umno divisional heads to compile reports on these disloyal members, to be submitted to party's management committee for deliberation.

Musa declined to reveal the identities of the members concerned, but it was believed that they had attended talks given by former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his recent visit to Sabah.

"Not only those who attended the Anwar function, but also those who attended functions hosted by the opposition parties," he added.

Asked how many party members were involved, he said: " It depends on the reports by the divisional heads."

The Daily Express also reported:

On another development, Musa disclosed that Kekal Mewah Sdn Bhd had been instructed to do immediate repairs on several sections of the road near Kampung Pinangah, Ulu Kinabatangan.

According to him, Kekal Mewah is one of panel contractors appointed by the State Government to do immediate road repairs in their respective areas.

Hmm.....interesting, and who is Kekal Mewah?

Kekal Mewah is within a group of companies as follows:

PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH HOLDINGS SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH HERBAL SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH TRADING SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH ENGINEERING SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH AQUACULTURE SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH (KOTA KINABALU) SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH (KOTA MARUDU) SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH (BEAUFORT) SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH (KENINGAU) SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH (TAWAU) SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH (SANDAKAN) SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH REALTY SDN BHD
PEMBINAAN KEKAL MEWAH RESORTS SDN BHD

On 21 December 2004, Malaysia Today reported that Kekal Mewah is one of the companies that donated substantially towards Umno Sabah’s building. In the report, we asked, “Did any of these companies donate the land to Umno Sabah? And, if so, what did they get in return?”

Well, our question has now been answered. Kekal Mewah has been given vast road maintenance contracts in return for the money it donated to Umno Sabah’s building.

Last year, Malaysia Today carry a special report on the Umno Sabah building scam: (The Umno Sabah building scam perpetuated by Musa Aman: 3 December 2004) and (We have nothing 'to hide': 17 December 2004) and (Umno Sabah: Talk a lot but say nothing: 21 December 2004) and (Why is Pak Lah protecting Musa Aman?: 27 December 2004). And this is the latest picture of the Umno Sabah building under construction, which has not changed much from the pictures we featured two years ago in 2004.

(See more photographs of the Umno Sabah building here).

Malaysia Today said then that the building costs about RM50 million-RM60 million. Umno Sabah, however, denies this and said it costs only RM35 million. Well, never mind, RM35 million or RM60 million, it is still a lot of money. But that is not the issue here. What is the issue is the fact that an estimated RM100 million to RM200 million has been collected in the name of this building and under the umbrella of the New Economic Policy. And we say ‘estimated’ because no one other than Musa Aman knows the real figure and there are no proper accounts to show.

What is of more concern to the Umno Sabah leaders is the fact that the money is not in Umno Sabah’s bank account. In fact, many of the Umno Sabah leaders do not even know how much money has been collected. This is because the entire thing is being personally handled by Musa. And this has upset many people in Umno Sabah, Rahim included.

Many contractors, loggers and businessmen have complained that they are being forced to ‘donate’ to the Umno Sabah building fund in exchange for State government contracts or logging concessions. Most pay of course because they want favours from the State, or rather from Musa Aman. But they do so grudgingly while complaining loudly to all and sundry about the matter. That was how the estimate of RM100 million to RM200 million came about. Just totalling up the grumblings of the ‘donors’ is enough to arrive at this figure. But what about those who pay quietly without making any fuss? Yes, not everyone kisses and tells, so one can assume that the figure is much higher than what has been revealed thus far.

According to The Star of 17 December 2004, “Rahim, who is a member of the building committee, declined to say anything else other than stressing that everything about the project was above board.”

This was what The Star further reported:

Sabah Umno is of the view that everything is in the clear for its new RM35mil, 11-storey headquarters now under construction in the city.

“As far as Sabah Umno is concerned, I can assure you that everything is above board,” state Umno information chief Datuk Rahim Ismail said, when contacted over a letter that appeared in the website of a local newspaper on Dec 3.

A similar letter was posted on an online newspaper on Wednesday. The letter insinuated that something was amiss in the deal for the construction of the Sabah Umno building on a 0.48ha site in Karamunsing.

Among the questions raised were why Umno did not use its own 2ha land in Sembulan to construct its headquarters and who was overseeing the construction.

The letter purportedly written by someone known as Haniffa, raised various questions on who was the real owner of the new building and if there was any relationship between Sabah Umno and the company developing it.

Yes, that’s right, Rahim knows the true story of the Umno Sabah building and Musa is worried that Rahim would now reveal the truth. So, before he does, Rahim must be removed. Now, if Rahim was to say anything, after he denied in December 2004 any wrongdoing on the part of Musa, he (Musa) can turn round and say that this is just the grumblings of a disgruntled person who is sore that he was removed as the Umno Sabah Information Chief.

It is nice to have something called the NEP which can be used to line your pockets. And who will complain when the money is supposed to be for Umno Sabah, though Umno Sabah's bank accounts don't seem to show any money coming in? But when the Umno Sabah building does not progress after so much money has changed hands, that is when the natives start getting restless.

To be continued....

More than meets the eye in Umno Sabah

2006-03-09T00:07:00.000-08:00

MALAYSIA TODAY
Petra Kamarudin

In part 5 (The Housing Board Scam) of this special report on the New Economic Policy (NEP), we spoke about Syarikat Perumahaan Negara Berhad (SPNB) and the role Musbah Jamli is playing in the 30,000 units, RM1 billion housing fiasco entrusted to Supernesa Sdn Bhd, a Sabah State Government company (GLC) set up to implement the development of the houses, which is actually one of the objectives of the NEP (to give houses to the poor and homeless Bumiputeras).

Well, much money has changed hands, some contactors (all non-Bumiputeras of course) having paid more than RM1 million in advance as under-the-table kickbacks to get a chunk of that RM1 billion contract. In January 2006, Tunku Adnan Tunku Mansor terminated Supernesa’s contract and now the contactors who have donated so generously to Umno Sabah are up in arms. The question is: how much of this money actually went to Umno Sabah and how much was pocketed by Musa Aman and Musbah Jamli?

Well, never mind, what is important is that the NEP has again and again been abused and used as the camouflage to fleece the country’s coffers and line the pockets of the powers-that-be and those close to them. But sometimes, just like in any Hollywood movie, crooks do fall out and start fighting when the spoils are not equally distributed -- or one crook walks away with everything, leaving the others with nothing. When everyone gets their fair or equal share, well and fine. But when the money does not trickle down to those below, then a war erupts as in the case of Umno Sabah. The money was supposedly collected for Umno Sabah and to pay for Umno Sabah's new building still under construction. But it seems the money is not there. It has mysteriously disappeared. And this is one of the things that caused the recent shakeout in Umno Sabah that resulted in heads getting chopped.

In short, the Umno Sabah leaders are just totally disgusted with the way Musa Aman tripled his RM300 million wealth which he declared when he took over as Chief Minister just three years ago on 27 March 2003. And they want him out of office before he touches the RM1 billion mark. (And how, in the first place, he made the RM300 million as Sabah's Minister of Finance is another story altogether).

Ignore those rumours: RahimThat's what the Daily Express headlined on Monday, 20 February 2006. The report went on to say:State Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail advised the public to ignore persistent rumours that relinquishing his State Umno information Chief post recently was due personal or political differences with the Chief Minister.

"Please do not listen to them as it could lead to disunity among party members," Rahim said, while urging all party members to stand solidly behind the leadership of Datuk Seri Musa Aman.He said those spreading the rumours had mischievous intent and want to see Umno's influence in Sabah weaken.Musa, while chairing the State Liaison Umno meeting on Jan. 26, had announced that Rahim had relinquished the post in order to concentrate on his Ministry.

"These people don't realise that me and Musa have been working together since the United Sabah Nasional Organisation (Usno) days," Rahim said, when contacted, Saturday.

Rahim, who is Papar Umno acting divisional head, said Musa had done a lot for Sabah in terms of development and is responsible for strengthening the State's financial reserves.

"Musa has also done a lot for the party and members ever since he was being appointed State Umno Liaison Chief. It is not easy for him but he managed to steer the party through his credible leadership."

Rahim urged all Umno divisional Chiefs, branch heads and party members to stand behind the leadership of Musa.And in January 2006, The Star headlined: “No bad blood between Musa and me,” said Sabah State Agriculture and Food Industries Minister, Abdul Rahim Ismail. In this report, The Star said:“Musa and I go back a long way, since the time of Parti Usno (that dissolved to merge with Umno in 1991). Our relationship has always been good,” said Rahim.Sure, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, one-time Malaysian Prime Minister, and Anwar Ibrahim, his Deputy, said the same thing. Then, barely a couple of days later, Dr Mahathir sacked Anwar on grounds of ‘sexual misconduct’ and declared that he had known for years about his number two’s sexual exploits.

Malaysian politics is such. When politicians say ‘no such thing’, you can assume there is -- if not they would not need to make any statements denying the whole thing.When asked whether the Umno headquarters had asked him to resign at the insistence of his boss, Sabah Chief Minister and Umno Sabah chief Musa Aman, Rahim explained that his decision to resign was because of ‘work commitments’, whatever that means. However, according to The Star, “Rahim’s move to vacate the post had come as a surprise, even to some of his party colleagues.”

Yes, The Star and many within Umno Sabah do not pass this whole thing off as a ‘normal’ situation and they too feel that there is more than meets the eye as far as this issue is concerned.On 27 January 2006, Malaysia Today reported that Musa Aman is purging Umno Sabah of dissidents and is getting rid of those opposed to him (Musa Aman purging Umno Sabah). What we said then was:At last count, 20 of the 25 Umno Divisions in Sabah are opposed to Musa Aman. It used to be 19. Recently, however, Musa Aman’s strongest supporter, Umno Sabah Information Chief, who is also the Papar division head and State Agriculture and Food Industries Minister, Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail, joined the group.

Yesterday, Rahim Ismail became the first casualty in Musa Aman’s effort to purge Umno Sabah of dissidents and those opposed to him. Officially, of course, Rahim Ismail “resigned from his post to spend more time on his duties as the state Agriculture and Food Industries Minister”.

This is of course a smokescreen and meant to cover the fact that Umno Sabah is in serious trouble. The truth is: Rahim Ismail told Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that if Musa Aman leads Umno in the next election, then Sabah will definitely fall to the opposition. And Musa Aman did not take kindly to this report Rahim Ismail gave the prime minister.

Malaysia Today’s revelation upset Musa and he asked Rahim to come out with this denial if he would like to keep his job as State Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries. Rahim knows that at best this is just a temporary measure and sooner or later Musa will sack him from his post of Minister as well and get rid of him for good. But for the meantime Rahim would like to keep his job while he gathers all the dirt on Musa and reveal it all in due time.

Sabah’s Daily Express, however, was more revealing in its coverage on the matter. The following day, on Friday, the Daily Express quoted Musa as saying, “There is no room for disloyalty”. And Musa said this while answering reporters’ questions about Rahim’s supposedly ‘resignation’.

And this was what the Daily Express further said in its report:State Umno Liaison chief Datuk Musa Haji Aman warned disciplinary action will be taken against any member flouting the party's code of conduct. "We cannot tolerate the action of those errant members, and will not hesitate to recommend severe disciplinary action against those found guilty of misconduct," he said. Musa, who is also Chief Minister, was speaking after chairing the State Umno liaison committee meeting at the Umno office, KWSP building here, Thursday. (Rahim Ismail had earlier stormed out of this meeting in a huff).

He stressed that all Umno divisional heads are to compile reports on these disloyal members, to be submitted to the party's management committee for deliberation. Musa declined to reveal the identities of the members concerned, but it was believed that they had attended talks given by former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his recent visit to Sabah (in mid-January 2006). "Not only those who attended the Anwar function, but also those who attended functions hosted by the opposition parties," he added. Asked how many party members were involved, he said: " It depends on the reports by the divisional heads." Meanwhile, Musa also announced that Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail had relinquished his party post as Information chief. "He met me personally to explain his desire and intention on why he wanted to relinquish his post," he said. According to Musa, Rahim reasoned that he wanted to focus his time more on the programmes being planned by his Ministry, for smooth implementation. He thanked Rahim for his contribution to the party as information chief, saying that Rahim would retain his post as acting Papar Umno divisional chief. When contacted, Rahim said this would give him more time to focus his attention on his Ministry's role to ensure the success of the Halatuju mooted by the Chief Minister, in the agriculture sector to generate better income not only for the farmers but also the Government. Musa also announced the appointment of Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Sapawi Haji Ahmad as the new Sabah Umno information chief. Yes, does not the Daily Express report throw more light on the matter? The real issue is ‘disloyal members’, those suspected of being in cahoots with Anwar Ibrahim, and not as Rahim was instructed to say to the press. Musa suspects Rahim has joined the group out to oust him. And Musa suspects that these people will team up with Parti Keadilan Rakyat so that Anwar can be the catalyst for his (Musa’s) downfall. What is frightening to Musa is that Rahim has all the dirt on him and he knows how much money that was supposed to have been collected for Umno Sabah has disappeared. And if Rahim was to reveal all, then Musa's goose is cooked.Another fine example of how the NEP works.To be continued....

The Housing Board Scam

2006-02-19T23:53:00.000-08:00

MALAYSIA TODAY

SPECIAL REPORT ON THE NEP
Raja Petra Kamarudin

The government calls it the New Economic Policy (NEP). Umno calls it Ketuanan Melayu. I call it a get-rich-quick-scheme. Actually, to be honest, it is not a 'policy' as such as it is more an aspiration (hasrat), and it is also not law because the so-called policy violates certain Articles of the Federal Constitution of this country which states that Malaysian citizens are free to pursue their business interests without interference from the government (and there was never any Act of Parliament passed making the NEP law). Therefore, when 'shotgun marriages' are forced upon Chinese businesses to take on 'approved' Malay partners, in most cases those aligned to or members of the family of the powers-that-be, such an Umnoputeras, then the Constitution is violated, grossly and blatantly. (Watch below the postings from bloggers declaring me a traitor to my race. Never mind, even Islam is opposed to racial discrimination, so, while that makes me a bad Malay, it makes me a better Muslim).

Let me state clearly that I am not opposed to the spirit of the NEP -- to eradicate poverty, reduce the gap between the haves and haves-not, and reduce the economic disparity between the various races. What I am opposed to is the manner the NEP has been hijacked, exploited and misused to line the pockets of those in power. The NEP, which is a noble aspiration conjured by our most illustrious Prime Minister and product of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK), Tun Abdul Razak, has been transformed into a demon that is despised by the non-Malays as well as a great section of the Malays.

Let us recap on some of our previous reports (links to parts 1 to 4 of this report are listed below).On 22 July 2003, Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad, previously called Shah Alam Properties, was listed on the KLSE. On 19 July 2004, the government transferred Perangsang International Sdn Bhd to Yap Fook Sang and Chong Sang. On 29 November 2004, Perangsang International Sdn Bhd’s name was changed to Tajuk Construction Sdn Bhd. On 25 October 2005, Soon Fong the liquidator came onboard and on the same day they filed a notice to wind up the company. On 18 January 2006, Tajuk Construction, what used to be Perangsang International, was quietly wound up with no fanfare.

Perangsang International’s losses for 2003 was only RM283,977. In 2002, it made a profit of RM100,292. Its accumulated losses was RM22,248,577 for 2003 against assets of RM9.9 million and liabilities of RM18 million. But its parent was worth hundreds of millions and sitting on a land bank valued at RM8 billion, which it got for a song from the Selangor State Government. Why the need to wind up Perangsang International and make the creditors suffer more than RM10 million in bad debts? Is it because Perangsang International blundered big-time on the Malaysian International Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) building and it is easier to wind up the company rather than having to make good on the defects liability?

Anyway, while we wait for Perangsang to enlighten us on this, let us in the meantime look at another issue, the issue of housing development, which incidentally is also Perangsang’s main business.Singapore has its very successful Housing and Development Board (HDB) that spearheaded the development of this Island State into what it is today. Well, Malaysia, not to be left out, also has its equivalent of Singapore’s HDB called Syarikat Perumahaan Negara Berhad (SPNB) headed by our newly appointed minister, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

But let us not use the Singapore example to compare how Malaysia conducts its affairs. To do so would only give an impression that the Chinese run Singapore better than the Malays run Malaysia -- and I do not want to turn this report into another Malay-bashing exercise. Furthermore, to solely blame the Malays would probably be unfair as the Chinese businessmen, contractors and developers are equally guilty of ripping off this country. It is, after all, a partnership of Malay political power and Chinese economic might.

This is SPNB's mission and vision statement (note the part that says SPNB comes under the Ministry of Finance) according to its website (Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad):Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) telah ditubuhkan pada 21 Ogos 1997 sebagai sebuah syarikat milik penuh Menteri Kewangan Diperbadankan (MOF Inc.) yang telah ditubuhkan bertujuan menyediakan rumah mampu milik yang berkualiti kepada setiap keluarga di Malaysia sejajar dengan Polisi Perumahan Negara. Sebagai salah sebuah penyedia perumahan mampu milik berkualiti yang utama di Malaysia dengan pelbagai projek yang diamanahkan oleh Kerajaan, SPNB mempunyai sumber rangkaian yang komprehensif. SPNB bertanggungjawab melaksanakan Skim Rumah Mampu Milik dan Skim Rumah Mesra Rakyat untuk memastikan golongan berpendapatan rendah memiliki kediaman yang mampu dimiliki dan selesa, Pemulihan Projek perumahan yang telah terbengkalai, Kuanters Kerajaan untuk kakitangan awam dan pelbagai Projek Khas yang telah diarahkan oleh Kementerian Kewangan. Selain daripada tanggungjawab utama syarikat, SPNB juga amat dedikasi dalam menyediakan rumah untuk golongan yang kurang bernasib baik dan keluarga miskin di Malaysia dengan menyumbangkan sejumlah daripada keuntungan tahunan syarikat kepada kerja-kerja kebajikan yang juga dikenali sebagai Skim Amal Jariah. Bagi memastikan operasi SPNB berjalan lancar, kini SPNB telah mempunyai 5 cawangan seluruh negara iaitu di Pulau Pinang, Pahang, Johor, Sabah dan Sarawak.

So, there you have it. SPNB has five branches. Let us look at one of these branches, Sabah, as there has been a recent development involving this matter which we will go into later.On 17 January 2005, Malaysia Today said as follows in an article called Sabah Housing Board Scam: On 28 September 1994, the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (SHTDA) signed a joint-venture agreement with a private developer, Sri Kepayan Indah Sdn Bhd, to embark on a property development project. This was towards the end of Tun Sakaran Dandai’s tenure as Sabah’s Chief Minister. (Sakaran retired as Chief Minister on 31 December 1994 and was made the Governor or Yang di-Pertua Negeri the following day). The proposed development, the Kepayan Ridge Project Phase 16 & 17, located at Kepayan Ridge beside the new Penampang Bypass, comprised of 41 acres of residential property and 8 acres of commercial property, which included low-cost houses and shop lots. Under the terms of the joint-venture agreement, Sri Kapayan Indah would pay SHTDA RM5 million, which was the value of the land. This project, just like Elite Consortium Sdn Bhd’s ‘underwater city’never got off the ground. In 2000, the joint-venture agreement with Sri Kepayan Indah was terminated as it had failed to commence work plus had failed to pay SHTDA the agreed amount of RM5 million. By then, Datuk Osu Sukam was Sabah’s Chief Minister. The State Ministry of Local Government and Housing then instructed SHTDA to engage a valuer to revalue the land and CH Williams & Talhar came out with a new valuation of RM29 million. SHTDA then tendered out the land and seven bidders made a bid for it. SHTDA decided to accept the offer of the company that bid RM35 million. In mid-2002, SHTDA submitted the name of the selected developer plus all the tender documents to the Ministry. Under the Sabah Local Government Ordinance, the Ministry is required to obtain State Cabinet approval for tenders above RM10 million. After a lapse of more than six months, the State Ministry of Local Government and Housing directed SHTDA to reject the RM35 million tender and instead re-award it to the original developer, Sri Kepayan Indah, whose contract had since been terminated. SHTDA was also asked to revise the terms and conditions of the contract. Under these revised terms and conditions, Sri Kepayan Indah would pay SHTDA RM10 million, not RM35 million, based on a price of RM4.10 per square foot -- that is, less than a third of the price offered by the highest bidder. This was towards the end of Datuk Chong Kah Kiat’s tenure as Chief Minister and just before Datuk Seri Musa Aman took over on 27 March 2003. Now, the questions that beg answers are:

1) Why was Sri Kepayan Indah Sdn Bhd, whose contract had already been terminated, reinstated instead of being fined and blacklisted?

2) Who are those behind Sri Kepayang Indah; the Directors and Shareholders; and how come they have so much clout with the Sabah government?

3) Why did SHTDA select the lower price of RM10 million from a delinquent developer when it could have instead obtained RM35 million?

4) Was the State Cabinet aware of the RM35 million bid recommended by the SHTDA?

5) Who issued the directive to SHTDA to reject the RM35 million bid and reinstate the delinquent developer at the much lower price?

6) Were the tender documents for the RM35 million bid forwarded to the State Cabinet at all?

On 2 May 2005, Malaysia Today published this report called How to build a six million dollar house. In that piece we said as follows:Syarikat Perumahan Negara allocated 30,000 units of low-cost houses to Sabah under the Rumah Mampu Milek scheme for the homeless and to resettle squatters whose houses are to be demolished. The State then formed a housing development company called Supernesa Sdn Bhd to manage the development of these 30,000 units. Now, who is the Chairman of this new state housing development company? Why, Musa Aman confidante and crony, Datuk Haji Musbah Haji Jamli, of course -- the Umno Kota Belud division chief who owns the six million Ringgit house which Malaysia Today featured last week. (Sabah homes of the filthy rich and infamous). Haji Musbah has given a whole new meaning to the term ‘six million dollar man’. Recently, Syarikat Perumahan Negara was asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Supernesa Sdn Bhd giving Supernesa the sole rights for the development of the 30,000-unit low cost houses. Tengku Adnan was most displeased with the arrangement so he boycotted the signing ceremony and refused to grace the occasion. And what is the amount of money involved? Roughly one billion Ringgit! What is most disconcerting about the whole thing is the fact that any company that wishes to act as Supernesa’s contractor would have to pay a 13% commission to the state agency. Invariably, this will jack up the development cost of the houses and which Syarikat Perumahan Negara would have to bear. Then there is the mandatory ‘donations’ to Umno that the contractors would have to pay plus the customary ‘under-the-table’ money to Haji Musbah. And the under-the-table money must be large enough to cover the others as well as Haji Musbah cannot hope to ‘eat alone’ but would have to spread it out to the other decision makers as well. Even before the project can get off the ground the contractors are already grumbling. They would have to pay at least 30% in various ‘commissions’ and ‘fees’, official and unofficial, so how could they carry the cost to build houses that would have to meet certain government-controlled prices? If they are not allowed to increase the contract price to cover this extremely large commission, then they would have to absorb the cost from their profits. But there is not much profit in building houses where the prices are controlled by the government.Even Tengku Adnan finds this whole arrangement revolting. These rich Sabah tycoons would resort to anything to fill their pockets already bursting with millions of Ringgit plundered from the state? Last month, Tunku Adnan decided enough was enough and he terminated Supernesa’s contract, much to the horror of Musbah who had already collected his commission on the projects which will now never happen. The official reason for the termination of the contract is that the land is not suitable for the housing project. Actually, Tunku Adnan has received numerous complaints about the commissions the contractors have had to pay both to Umno and Musbah personally.

The contractors are of course up in arms and screaming blue murder. Musbah, however, denies any impropriety. He explained to his architect friend from Sarawak, Justin, that the money was not for himself but for Chief Minister Musa Aman, as well as for Umno, in particular the Umno building fund (which we will talk about in another report later). One contractor named Johnson said he has already paid more than RM1 million and now he is not getting the contract he paid for.

Musbah is now in deep shit. Chinese contractors, unlike Malay businessmen, do not kiss and tell that easily. They are actually quite good at keeping secrets of pay offs, bribes and under-the-table money (mainly because they are scared of going to jail if indicted for corruption). But if you screw them, they will sing, and they are singing a very pretty tune about the Sabah housing fiasco.This is not the first time Musbah screwed up though. Some years back, Supernesa was given 100 acres of Sabah State land near the Customs Complex in Menggatal, Sabah, for purposes of development. Until today that land is still lying idle and it is rumoured that Musbah has actually hived off the land for a large amount of cash -- for his own pockets of course, not for Supernesa.

We have to look into the background of this Musbah to understand the type of people the government appoints to head sensitive and important agencies, such as Supernesa, that is supposed to help achieve the aspirations of the NEP by providing much-needed housing to the homeless. Musbah used to be a singer in his younger days, travelling from village to village entertaining the peasants in the days before TV reached the rural remotes of Sabah. Later on in life he traded in timber. He made his first million six or seven years ago when Osu Haji Sukam became the Sabah Chief Minister; that infamous man who gambled and lost RM300 million in casinos all over the world.

Musbah’s wealth is open for all and sundry to see. He lives in the most expensive house in Sabah that puts even the Istana Negara (National Palace) to shame. And he made his money because Malaysia has something called the New Economic Policy. And that is how to build a six million Ringgit house: from the under-the-table money from building 30,000 houses for the poor and downtrodden. And while he lives in a six million Ringgit house, the homeless do not get their homes promised by the NEP.

http://malaysia-today.net/reports/uploaded_images/musbah_home-732913.jpg http://malaysia-today.net/reports/uploaded_images/musbah_home-732913.jpg(See more photographs of Musbah Jamli's home here).

If you want to know more about Musbah Jamli and get to understand how he can build the most expensive house in Sabah, then read Malaysia Today’s report of 2 May 2005 entitled How to build a six million dollar house where we said as follow:Well, as I have said earlier, you cannot build a six million Ringgit mansion from your salary alone. You need a substantial amount of under-the-table money to pay for it. And this is just one of the many scams perpetuated by these people in power. But the sad reality of this whole thing is, come next general election, the voters would forget about all this and would still vote into office the government that is robbing them blind in broad daylight. Previous reports:

Part 1: The fallacy of the New Economic Policy
Part 2: PKNS, Indah khabar dari rupa
Part 3: Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad
Part 4: Taking Ali Baba to new heights

Musa Aman purging Umno Sabah

2006-01-27T23:50:00.000-08:00

Friday, January 27, 2006

Malaysia Today

There is clearly unity in Sabah. Sabahans from Umno, PBS and Berjaya are all united. But they are united against Umno Sabah Chief and Chief Minister Musa Aman. It is unfortunate that the unity is not within Umno Sabah but amongst those out to see the downfall of Musa Aman. And they are not concerned even if this means the downfall of Umno Sabah, as long as they can drive Musa Aman out of office.

At last count, 20 of the 25 Umno Divisions in Sabah are opposed to Musa Aman. It used to be 19. Recently, however, Musa Aman’s strongest supporter, Umno Sabah Information Chief, who is also the Papar division head and State Agriculture and Food Industries Minister, Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail, joined the group.

Those in support of Musa Aman are dwindling very fast.Yesterday, Rahim Ismail became the first casualty in Musa Aman’s effort to purge Umno Sabah of dissidents and those opposed to him. Officially, of course, Rahim Ismail “resigned from his post to spend more time on his duties as the state Agriculture and Food Industries Minister”.

This is of course a smokescreen and meant to cover the fact that Umno Sabah is in serious trouble. The truth is: Rahim Ismail told Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that if Musa Aman leads Umno in the next election, then Sabah will definitely fall to the opposition. And Musa Aman did not take kindly to this report Rahim Ismail gave the prime minister.

The head of the Sipitang division, who is also the Assistant Minister of Finance, Datuk Sapawi Ahmad, has replaced Rahim Ismail and this has outraged him -- who would be expected to step up his efforts to accelerate Musa Aman’s downfall.Expect more heads to roll soon as Musa Aman panics even more.

What triggered off this panic was Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Sabah recently. Many from Umno as well as PBS and Berjaya met him to express their desire to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat. Whether they believed in the party’s struggle or ideology is another matter altogether, but what they do believe is that Anwar Ibrahim could be that catalyst to see the end of Musa Aman’s and Umno’s rule in Sabah.

To the Sabahan mind, the issue is quite simple. Musa Aman is not local, he is a Pakistani. He also represents Federal interests, meaning Umno, a party that is colonising Sabah. “Sabah for Sabahans” is the rallying call in Sabah. And that is what got the younger Kitingan brother detained under ISA when the elder brother was the Chief Minister at the time PBS was ruling Sabah.

Anwar Ibrahim is due back in Malaysia next month and he is scheduled to make another trip to Sabah. Mere news of Anwar’s impending visit is enough to excite Sabah politicians, some who have even contacted Malaysia Today to enquire on how they can reach Anwar so that they can discuss his next visit.

Musa Aman tried to block Anwar’s functions by instructing all the local councils to cancel the bookings of the various halls that had been slotted as the venue for Anwar’s ‘meet the people’ programs. What riled Musa Aman was the fact that some local council heads are ABIM members and understandably pro-Anwar.

Talking about ABIM, is not sacking Rahim Ismail and replacing him with Sapawi Ahmad ‘out of the frying pan into the fire’? Maybe Musa Aman does not realise it, but Sapawi is also an ABIM man and pro-Anwar Ibrahim who may prove more dangerous than Rahim Ismail.

Never mind, Musa can always remove Sapawi and replace him, yet again, with someone else. But who is there left whom he can trust? Not too many actually! Maybe Datuk Haji Musbah Hj Jamli, the Kota Belud division head, could be one name to be considered. But hold on! Is he not Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Osu Haji Sukam’s man? And is not Osu Sukam also one of those opposed to Musa Aman?

Does Musa Aman feel threatened by Anwar?

2006-01-17T23:47:00.000-08:00

Malaysia Today

Anwar Ibrahim’s two-day visit to Sabah recently seems to have shaken its Chief Minister, Musa Aman, who is also head of Umno Sabah. The fact that many within Umno Sabah itself hope that Anwar will be the catalyst in ousting the ‘colonialist’ Umno from Sabah is nerve-wrecking for Musa Aman. He realises that if Anwar can assist in restoring Sabah’s ‘independence’, in particular the spirit of the ‘20 Point Agreement’, then Umno Sabah’s days may be numbered.

It is not a pie in the sky for the opposition to harbour aspirations of making Sabah one of its frontline states. Sabahans are just like Kelantanese in mentality and attitude; that is, fiercely independent and loath Federal intervention. But while the Kelantan government has changed hands only thrice (and between only Umno and PAS) ; in 1969, 1978 and 1990; Sabah’s government has changed hands in 1976, 1985, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2003 (and each time to a different political party, though some may still be in Barisan Nasional, but not all).

Therefore, changing governments is very much a Sabah ‘tradition’. Sabahans have done this many times before since ‘independence’ in 1963 -- and they can do this again without batting an eyelid if they really want to. And Musa Aman knows this.

If Anwar was merely attacking from the outside then this could be perceived as a pipedream. But when 20 of the 25 Umno Sabah divisions would like to see Musa Aman brought down then the possibility of the state falling to the opposition is real indeed. Was this not how Melaka was defeated in 1511 -- the insiders in the Melaka Sultan’s court opening the doors for the Portuguese to walk in?

Sabahans know that to be able to regain their ‘independence’, Musa Aman must be ousted. ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ is the battle-cry in Sabah, and watch the next year or two as many who propagate this ideology crossover to keADILan to make the possibility of defeating Umno in Sabah get closer to reality.

Sure, the sceptics would say that Sabah politics is all about money. So? How much do you need to topple Umno Sabah? RM100 million? RM200 million? Twenty Sabah tycoons and warlords could easily fork out RM5 million per person to raise this ‘meagre’ amount. And Sabah has many more than twenty multi-millionaires. And when the ‘poorest’ Sabah kingpin is worth RM200 million, RM5 million is small potatoes to regain Sabah’s ‘independence’.

This is what the Daily Express reported, which reveals how frightened Musa Aman is:Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who is also Sabah Umno and Sabah BN Chairman, advised the people not to be hoodwinked by allegations made against the Government. Stating that the visit by former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is also Keadilan advisor would not affect the people's confidence in the Government, he said the Government also has no intention of barring him from visiting Sabah. "Because we know the rakyat cannot be easily influenced (by Anwar) since they fully understand the concept of the BN struggle, which had long gained a foothold in Sabah," he said. Umno Youth national Deputy Chairman, Khairy Jamaluddin shared Musa's sentiment and he believed Anwar would not be able to create a big impact on Sabah's political scenario. He said this was proven when Anwar's bid to help PAS candidate in the recent Pengkalan Pasir in Kelantan by-elections failed.

The recent visit by Anwar will not jeopardise the party's stand and credibility in the State, said Sabah Umno Wanita Chief, Senator Datuk Armani Mahiruddin. She pointed out that Umno's strength was demonstrated by the results of the 2004 general election during which the opposition parties in Sabah were rejected. She said Umno, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, had fortified its foundation since expanding its wings to Sabah more than a decade ago.