Merdeka

"Merdeka 50 Years Malaya, Merdeka 44 Years Sabah"

Aug 31st in London 10 Years Ago

It was 3am on Aug 31st 1997 in London when the office-cum-house(at 31 Chapel Side Moscow Road Bayswater, London W2 4LL) phone rang and at the other end was Sdr Farush Khan of New Straits Times, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, alerting me that Princess Diana was killed in a Paris car crash with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed.

Farush apologised for waking me up but he said he had to do it on instruction from higher up. He knew how it like to be called in that hours as he, too, had served in the same office several years before my posting.

I was told to follow up the story but could not do it immediately as it was 3am and that the accident happened in Paris. In the morning, Sdr Karim Sulaiman of Berita Harian, who lived a floor above me, and I went to the Princess of Wales' Palace in Hyde Park, about five minutes walk from Bayswater.

Only about a dozen of flowers were placed at the iron grill of the gates at that time. Later in the evening, I returned to the Hyde Park, this time the flowers were almost covering the compound. In days to come before and after the funeral, there were sea of flowers everywhere. Such was the feelings of the people to Princess Diana on her passing.

Diana, The People's Princess, married Prince Charles in 1981. They had two sons, William and Harry. They divorced in 1996 after admissions of adultery on both sides. Prince Charles is now married with his former sweetheart Camilla.

No VSS for government employees

The Public Services Department (PSD) is not adopting the Voluntarily Separation Scheme (VSS) for problematic staff.This was confirmed by PSD director general Tan Sri Ismail Adnan to Cuepacs president Omar Osman in Kuala Lumpur yesterday (Aug 29).

Instead the PSD will continue to use the option under the Pensions Act 1980 or Act 277. Under the Act, services of civil servants can be ended by mandatory retirement, forced retirement due to health grounds, retirement as wanted by the government in public interest, in the national interest and in the interest of the civil service.

Omar was in Kota Kinabalu earlier this week where he disclosed that Cuepacs had rejected the government proposal to adopt the VSS.

No celebration on Sept 16

There will be no investiture ceremony on Sept 16, this year to recipients of State awards in conjunction with the Yang Dipertua Negeri's official birthday as well as Malaysia Day celebrations.

The State Cabinet, in its weekly meeting today, decided to postpone the ceremony and celebration of the Head of State's birthday to Oct 27 due to the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Sept 16 will still remain a Public Holiday and as it fall on a Sunday, Monday will be a rest day as well.

My Say:

The Sept 16 investiture ceremony is always held at Istana Kota Kinabalu. Last year I received my award from Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah. The award, Ahli Setia Darjah Kinabalu (ASDK) was bestowed on me in 1997 while I was in London.

Although ASDK, the third highest State Award, it does not carry any title.

Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan again

I reproduced it here a Press Statement by Parti Keadilan Rakyat national vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, just in case it do not see the day in print in the local newspapers tomorrow.

28th August 2007

Keadilan Sabah to Mark Malaysia's 44th Anniversary in Tambunan

Parti Keadilan will mark Malaysia's 44th Anniversary rather than celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Malayan Independence, which is a waste of public funds.
Malaysia is only 44 years old. So why celebrate its 50th Anniversary? Why fool the public and spend public funds to celebrate Malaya's Independence in 1957 in the name of Malaysia? This is total stupidity! What happens in 2013 when the real Malaysia is 50 years old? Are we not going to celebrate Malaysia's 50th Anniversary then?

That is why we, Keadilan Sabah, will not be a part of the 50th Celebration (of Malaya's Independence) but still mark Malaysia's 44th Anniversary and Sabah's 44th Independence instead with a simple ceremony in Tambunan.

Keadilan will organise a Talk on the Formation of Malaysia and Sabah's Independence in 1963 on the evening of 30th August 2007 at TVRC. On the 31st, we will visit the `Batu Sumpah' in Keningau and hoist the Sabah Flag. The `Batu Sumpah' is a sacred symbol of the 20 Points Agreements which is highly significant as basis for the Federal-State relationship.

On 16th September, which is the official date of formation of Malaysia, Keadilan will hold a convention in Kota Kinabalu and hoist the Malaysian Flag to mark the occasion.

It is sad that the Umno controlled BN government is putting much more emphasis on Malaya's Independence rather than on the formation of Malaysia thereby ignoring the truth of history and the feelings of Sabah and Sarawak.

We invite the public to join us at our ceremony on 31st August 2007.

signed
.........................
DARUK DR JEFFREY KITINGAN


My Say:

Is this a political ploy to woo support for the coming general election. Why in Tambunan? Is Pairin vs Jeffrey expected for the Tambunan seat? Jeffrey's group will clashed with another Opposition party PASOK in their visit to Batu Sumpah in Keningau. PASOK had announce that they would organised a big day-long gathering at the Batu Sumpah on Aug 31.

It will be interesting to hear what the Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Sabah chairman Ansari Abdullah has to say about this. It seems that since taking over the chairman post from Awang Tengah last month, Ansari has been keeping a low profile.

Cuepacs No To VSS

The Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS)which the Government is considering to adopt using it as a way to root out problematic employees is inappropriate, Cuepacs President Omar Osman said in Kota Kinabalu on Monday.

And for that reason, he says, Cuepacs rejected the Government's proposal to implement VSS in the public sector.

Speaking to members of Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Employees Union, Omar said VSS was widely used by the private sector as a means to downsize its workers due to financial problems.

According to him, out of the 1.2 million civil servants in the country, only about 9,000 were problematic and action had been taken on these employees by their respective departments.

My Say:

When the Secretary to the Government announced the possibility of implementing VSS in the public sector, many quarters had voiced out their opinion with some fully supporting it.

As always the case, when the Government wanted to formulate something new, no matter how big the objection is, it will eventually be implemented. Personally, VSS is not a bad idea, given the advantages it will give to those who opted for it. When one applied for VSS, it does not necessary be approved by their employers.

Opposition = Scabbard

Political parties in Sabah that opposed the national coalition (Barisan Nasional) has been described as a scabbard by Umno Liawan Assemblyman Datuk Haji Sairin Haji Karno. This trained teacher-turned politican said the opposition parties in the State had the sheath but not the sword. In contrast, he said the BN Government has both the sword and sheath. He wanted the people not to contaminate their villages by having opposition parties in their midst.

My Say:

Although Sairin did not named the opposition party, he was obviously referring to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) whose leaders, including its national vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, had been visiting villages in Keningau, Liawan included.

PKR is to field a candidate against Sairin in the forthcoming general elections. PKR will get the supports but not the votes enough to unseat Sairin. Sairin has been in Liawan (previously part of Bingkor seat) since USNO time, having contested but lost until he joined Umno and contested Liawan, a new created seat. Sairin, by the way, was my junior in a teachers' training college about 23 years ago.

Not much changes in SJA

The Sabah Journalists Association held its meeting today which saw Datuk Joniston Bangkuai's election as president uncontested for another term (2007-2008). He had been at the helm of the association since its inception in 1994. However, deputy president is a new man in Francis Fahir of RTM Sabah. Bangkuai is New Straits Times Sabah bureau chief, he took over from me when I was promoted to News Editor for Sabah and Sarawak in 2000. Since heading SJA, Bangkuai was only challenged once by Lichong Angkui then Berita Harian Sabah bureau chief. Angkui, who had since left Berita Harian, lost in the election. He is now editor of www.keruak.com.

At their meeting today, a motion was also unanimously passed to make Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman as a life member of the SJA. The patron is also the Chief Minister.

My Say:

SJA was born as a `house'for Sabah journalists when the Sabah Press Club was de-registered. I happened to be one of the Club's president. Eventhough it was de-registered during my term, the action by the Registrar of Society was due to non-compliance to requirement committed by a past president.

Keadilan's Council of Elders

Parti Keadilan Rakyat's steering committee chairman for Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is lunching the party's Council of Elders at his residence at Sokid Villa, Bukit Padang tonight. This wing of the party membership comprises of those aged 52 years and above. The council is headed by Datu Sebastian Datu Panglima Banting.

My Say:

Sabah PKR's is going all out to woo supports from the people of Sabah. Dr Jeffrey, who is the party national Vice President, is confident of making an inroad into Sabah politics. Some PKR's insiders whispered to me that Dr Jeffrey has no intention to be Sabah Chief Minister for he had been promised a higher position WHEN PKR toppled Barisan Nasional. Dr Jeffrey will be Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister.

Corruption and Sabah teachers

Speaking to Grade 48 education officers at the closing of an integrity management workshop in Kota Kinabalu yesterday (Aug 22), Sabah Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director Latifah Md Yatim said 18 per cent of the teachers in Sabah were involved in corruption. She said majority of them were head of schools.

There are 35,000 teachers and about 1,300 schools in Sabah.

Sensing that journalists were present at the function, the director moved on to other subjects in her speech. Speaking to reporters after the function, Latifah told them not to quote her on the `corrupted teachers'.

My Say:

Corruption is everywhere, its a way of life. It is corruption when parents gave extra money to their children when asking them to buy something from the shop. It is from here gratification take root and grow.

Merdeka and Malaysia Day

On Aug 31, we will be celebrating National Day. In conjunction with the celebration I like to share with you a speech made by Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, then Chief Minister in conjunction with the National Day at Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu, on Aug 31,1987.

Pairin said and I quote:

"The first time the national level celebration of National Day takes place outside Kuala Lumpur, it is held in Melaka where Father of Malaysia's independence, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj proclaimed the news of the impending independence of the then Federation of Malaya to the jubilant crowd of 100,000 in 1956.

One year after that on 31st August 1957, the Federation of Malaya became independent, a sovereign nation. Six years later on 16th September 1963, the people of Sabah (together with the people of Sarawak, Singapore and the Federation of Malaya) formed and become apart of the larger political entity that is Malaysia.

I would like to stress on historical fact which has been obscured over the years, and that is we, the people of Sabah, were instrumental in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia - we were actors in the birth of this nation and were not simply acted upon.

I stressed this because very often we hear people talk unthinkingly about our admission into Malaysia, not caring to the reason that before we formed Malaysia, there was no Malaysia for us to be admitted into."

My Say:

This was what Pairin, now a Deputy Chief Minister but remain the Huguan Siou (Paramount Leader) of the Kadazandusun, said 20 years ago. These days it seldom that Pairin spoke on these issues.

As a Malaysian in Sabah I say it is a historical fact that the people of Sabah and Sarawak celebrate 44 years of Merdeka this year as against 50 years in the Peninsular States. Sept 16th is a Publilc Holiday in Sabah annually - to celebrate Malaysia Day and the official birthday of the Yang Dipertua Negeri.

Come 62 and still working?

Singapore will introduce a new law from 2012 making it mandatory for employers to offer re-employment to workers beyond their retirement age of 62. First offer to work until 65 then later will pushed up to 67.

My Say:

When the Malaysian Government offered its employees option to retire upon reaching 56 years old, not all accepted and I know for a fact that there are a lot in my area who had retired at 55. Retiring at 62 and re-employed? In my village, those in this age group still walking tall are less then my fingers. For one, I am thankful that I am now 52 and can not imagine how I look like put another 10 years on my age.

YB Ghapur settles for RM40,000+RM30,000

The defamation suits brought by Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh against New Straits Times and the Star did not go into trial. A brief appearance in the High Court before Judge Datuk Ian Chin by Ghapur Salleh's counsel Ansari Abdullah and counsels Datuk Simon Shim for NST and Wilson Chang for the Star settled the case.

NST agreed to make a clarification and to pay Ghapur RM40,000 while the Star will be paying him RM30,000. The NST in its article mentioned Ghapur hence the higher payment of damages. The State only referred to him as a former Deputy Chief Minister and Umno divisional leader.

In the suit Ghapur sued the newspapers each for RM10 million damages.

My Say:

I arrived at the High Court 1 about 9.30am only to be told by the NST lawyers that the case was over. Defamation is now cheap. One can ask for RM10 million and will settle for only RM10,000.

YB Ghapur Salleh vs New Straits Times

The Kota Kinabalu High Court begin tomorrow (Aug 20) to hear a defamation suit brought by Member of Parliament Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh against New Straits Times over an article about `project deal' published on March 30,2000.

Datuk Ahmad Abdul Talib, who was at that time NST's Group Editor, is named the first defendant while second defendant is The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad.
The Star is also being sued by Ghapur and it likely that it will be a joint hearing.

My Say:

This morning, I was served a writ of subpoena to be at the High Court tomorrow and so from day to day until the end of the proceedings to give evidence on behalf of the Defendants. The article disputed by Ghapur was filed by me while I was head of NST Sabah, I left NST as News Editor based in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 31, 2004.

Another Ongkili joins the fray

Dr James Jr Ongkili, 47, and seven of his family's members today joins Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) through the party's Kiulu Division. Dr James Jr is the second son of former Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, ex-Federal Minister of Justice, ex-Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (late) Datuk Dr James P Ongkili and Datin Margaret Godomon. Dr James Jr opted to join PBS through Kiulu Division as his mother is from and is still living in Kiulu.

PBS is headed by his grandfather Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan while one of the Deputy President, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, is Dr James Jr's uncle.Dr Maximus is the late Datuk Dr James' younger brother.

My Say:

Political blood run in this family and I will not be surprise the junior Ongkili will be followed by others in the family to join the political fray. My only hope is that this Ongkili and Kitingan families would not make Sabah politics `a political family tree.'

Dr Hasbullah acquitted of graft charge

Retired Sabah Education director Datuk Dr Hasbullah Taha, 62, was today discharged and acquitted of a corruption of which he was charged while he was the Sabah Special Affairs Department of the Information Ministry.

In discharging and acquitting Dr Hasbullah without calling for his defence, Sessions Court Judge Ravintharan Paramaguru said the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the former director.

Dr Hasbullah was defended by Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Ansari Abdullah and daughter Erveana.

He was charged with abetting his former senior field assistant Maratah Gitom, 51, in submitting a false claim of RM12,800 to the Federal Treasury in 2003 for an offical function which had never been organised.

Judge Ravntharan, however, called Maratah to enter defence. Maratah is being defended by Datuk James Ghani and son Dominic.

My Say:

Now Dr Hasbullah, a darling of the State Education employees, particularly teachers, can now really retired without the corruption charges hanging over him. His `offence' as adduced during the trial was just signing the claim forms prepared by Maratah.

Have IC will travel Sabah - Brunei - Sarawak?

Come Sept 10, Malaysia and Brunei will sign an agreement to allow MyKad and Brunei Identity Card to be used as frequent travellers cards (FTCs) between Malaysia and Brunei, eliminating the need for passports.

This was agreed during a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah earlier this week.

My Say:

A good news for the people of both countries. However, it seems that for non-frequent travellers, passport is still needed. When I was posted to Sarawak in 2000, I was asked to produce my international passport before being allowed to enter Kuching. The Immigration's stamp on my passport read `Permitted to enter and remains in Sarawak/Malaysia for THREE MONTHS from the date shown above.'As I was to work in Kuching, I need to get a Work Permit which must be approved by the Chief Minister's Department. I was issued a work permit listing me as an `Expatriate'. I went back to Kota Kinabalu by road, my passports pages were almost `used up' being stamped at every checkpoints - seven times - even entering Sabah from Sarawak. So the FTC will come handy, I only hope...

Kanul challenges Pairin to a debate

Kanul Gindol, who is Datuk Dr Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan's political secretary, is challenging Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)president Deputy Chief Minister Huguan Siou Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan to a-20-minutes political debate on the current political scenario in Sabah.

He said the debate could be held after Sept 16 (the day in 1963 when Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya formed Malaysia)in Pairin's hometown Tambunan or at Hongkod Koisaan, the Kadazandusun Cultural Association headquarters and multipurpose hall in Bahang, Jalan Penampang.

Kanul said the debate would focus on Pairin's statement on Tuesday where he said the Opposition leaders in Sabah were trouble makers. Though Pairin did not named the leaders, it was obvious that he was referring, amongst others, his younger brother Dr Jeffrey who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat national Vice President.

My Say:

Kanul is so daring to throw the challenge as he has his boss, Dr Jeffrey, backing him all the way. Why after Sept 16?

Chong says count him in

Veteran politician Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat, who resigned as president of his party Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in September last year and subsequently on April 12, this year quit as Deputy Chief Minister, will still be around, politically, come the general elections.

Lawyer Chong, also Sabah's 12th Chief Minister, had announced yesterday that he would be defending his Tanjung Kapur State seat in the coming elections, the seat he won in March 1999. He had actually first won the seat then known as Kudat in 1976 under Parti Berjaya ticket and was the then Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh's Assistant Minister.

Announcing his decision to contest again in the coming election, he told delegates of his LDP Tanjung Kapur division:

"Remember, I never said I would quit politics. I have never quit, politically speaking. Although I relinquished the post of LPD president, I am still the party's divisional chief in Kudat."

"I have a lot more things to accomplish, at least in Kudat."

My Say:

Chong is the second Parti Berjaya-born politician to openly declare defending thier seats in the coming election. Earlier this month, his former collegue in Parti Berjaya Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan also announced that he will be defending his Tambunan State seat.

Like Chong, Pairin was also a former Chief Minister and is still one of Sabah's three Deputy Chief Ministers.

The general elections must be just around the corner now.

Karim Sulaiman

Kajai award-winning journalist Sdr Karim Sulaiman is 46 year old today (Aug 12). A special friend who together with his wife Siti Hawa and their children were my adopted family while we were on our tour of duties in Europe based in London 10 years ago. Sdr Karim was full of life then pulling me along to almost every corners of UK for our assignment.

And on our return to Malaysia, I was posted to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching while Sdr Sulaiman went back to Kuala Lumpur. Not long he contracted a disease, a rare skin disease called SCLEROMYXOEDERMA which make his skin tout, stiffen his joints.

Last December (2006), his weight went down to just 35kg which is just a quarter of him 10 years ago. Today, thank God, I was told he had gained weight - 50kg. And he is now able to move around unaided, clear speech.

Sdri Siti Hawa and children, my wife Mary and children Leslie, Lester, Lesser and Clarice join me in wishing Sdr Karim a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Deputy Minister's brother faces death for drugs

Federal Education Deputy Minister Datuk Noh Omar's brother, Businessman Mohd Junaidi Omar's wife, Nurulashikin, 31, was Friday jailed four months by the Kota Kinabalu Magistrate's Court for taking syabu and pil kuda.

She told the court that she took the drugs to get `energy for dancing'.

She was arrested with Junaidi at 10am on May 20, this year on arrival from Kuala Lumpur at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport's Terminal 2. Police found Junaidi in possession of 1,088gm of cannabis and 23.98gms of syabu.

Junaidi's case will be mention again on Sept 10. He faces the mandatory death sentence on conviction for trafficking the cannabis and imprisonment of between two to five years and three to nine strokes of the rotan if convicted for being in possession of the syabu.

My Say:

Drugs kills and so be it to those who pushes them.

Kanul Gindol, the Political Secretary

Ousted Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat liaison secretary Kanul Gindol is now the party national vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan's Political Secretary. A former executive journalist of Bernama, Kanul has been Jeffrey's right hand man all this while following him on his `party hopping.'

My Say:

A friend of mine once told me that Jeffrey's will never abandon Kanul, being his `eyes, ears and mouth' in politics.

Pak Lah arrives tonight

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrives in Sandakan tonight (Aug 9) to begin a-three-day visit to the Land Below the Wind. After several official functions in Sandakan tomorrow (Aug 10), he will hops into a helicopter to Banggi Island before proceeding to Kota Kinabalu. A hectic programmes awaits Pak Lah while in the State's capital before back to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (Aug 11).

My Say:

This Pak Lah's visit is actually been awaited by the people of Sabah, particularly leaders of State Barisan Nasional component party members. One of the programme on the card for the PM is to open UPKO's convention, where the people expect him to give a hint when he wants to call for the general elections.

Race/Bangsa: Lain Lain

My Say:

When I completed my Form Five in 1972, I got hold of several application forms for jobs in the public sector. Completing to fill all the particulars, there was a column for Race in which Malay, Chinese, Indian were indicated. I am a Kadazan and to fill up the form, I had to mark at a column `Others/Lain Lain'. Later in life I realised that the ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak are being categorised as `Others/Lain Lain.' Although these were not intended to offend anybody, it has to be corrected which is the hope of all those affected in celebrating 50th Years of Kemerdekaan on Aug 31 and 44th years of Hari Malaysia on Sept 16.

Hope that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok pursue to deal on this matter in the Federal Cabinet. Dompok spoke on this issue recently which prompted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to say that any effort to come up with a clear reference to ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak lies in the hand of the Federal Cabinet Ministers.

Well, Dompok is a member of the Cabinet, the ball is at his feet now. I would not want my generation's race to be still categorised as `Lain Lain.'

Day one of going 53

My Say:

I woke up this morning (7.8.07) as (maybe) how I was born to Primus Gulabok Bingkasan and Theresa Siara Lontou on 7.8.55. The morning sunlight, as I had yesterday anticipated, was great, welcoming another day to add to my 52 years (52 years + 1 day) in this world. The party on Sunday, courtesy of my friends, especially Lt Pan Shu Khiong who grouped the others for the night, was one that I will cherished for life. Now I recalled by friends in Kuching, while I was New Straits Times News Editor for Sabah and Sarawak, organised one for me and that was also as great.

As today is my actual day being brought into this world, my thought is with my mother who is no longer with us. She passed away on Feb 26, 2003 leaving me, our father and my sisters Silia, Juvita and Julita and brothers Albert and Vitalis and our respective offspring. As in life, in death my mother will always be near to me, as she rest forever just 200 metres from my house, down a beautiful hill, the Bingkasan's family cemetery.

Of death, my heart is with the family of the late Luncing Gadati who passed away on Saturday and was buried Sunday at the Kionsom Cemetery, a hill overlooking my house. My heart will also go to his wife, Mudia, she lost her husband on Friday, her son Fred (not even 40 years old) who was at Luncing's (his step-father) funeral on Sunday afternoon, passed away the same night and to be buried this afternoon.

Note: It may sound that my house is surrounded with cemeteries but in actual fact, the Kionsom and my family cemeteries are well shaded by jungles and the graves) are not visible from where I am staying.

These deaths remind me that life is so fragile. I am blessed to have celebrated my 52 years and with the blessing of the almighty, I want to celebrate my 53rd and counting the day from today - Day One.

Thank you very much indeed to all.

Another year of full life

My Say:

Nothing pleases me more than to see the sunset from my kitchen this evening (Aug 6) and waking up tomorrow Aug 7, to feel the fresh morning sunlight from my balcony. Last night (Aug 5) my friends organised an ad hoc party in my house which ran until past midnight. This (the party) has never been done in my life and I was so much touched of the thought my friends had on me. I did not cry for old man does not cry, as my wife often reminds me. I had actually had not cry for as long as I could recalled.

Yes, I will be happy to wake up tomorrow (Aug 7), looking forward to the day which will make me walk another year in life with my love ones. Yes, Aug 7 is my birthday and beginning tomorrow I am a-52-years old man. I am happy to be blessed with a caring wife Mary, and loving sons Leslie (Jakarta), Lester and Lesser and only daughter Clarice Mary.

Ex-Assistant Minister Passed Away

UPKO vice president and Former Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Baggai Basirun (during the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Government passed away this morning due to heart problem.

He was the former State Assemblyman for Kadamaian. UPKO is headed by Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok, a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

My Say:

My heart is with his family. I had on many occasions met him in my line of duty as then the News Editor of New Straits Times and found him a soft-spoken but serious leader of the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut.

Dompok has DAP's support

Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok's view posted by Malaysiakini on Thursday prompted `congratulations' and supports from Malaysia's Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang. Read all about it at http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/08/02

Dompok breaks rank.......

UPKO president, Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok, has spoken on the `Malaysia an Islamic State' issue which was picked up by Malaysiakini at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/70670

Parti Pasok set for deregistration?

Parti Pasok, one of the longest established oppposition political party in Sabah, is heeding for doom, destine to a tragic fate. It risks its registration revoked by the Registrar of Society. This is due to the fact that the party now has two presidents with their own set of supreme council members. They also have two headquarters. Richard Jayasuria heads the latest fiction while Cleftus Mojinggol with the older fiction. Both presidents had been issuing press statements - that they will contest and confident of winning enough seats to topple the present State Government. But with the party's fate in the hand of the ROS, anything can happened between now and when the general elections is held.

My Say:

Parti Pasok should learn a lesson from the Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) which had also had two presidents, two sets of supreme council members and two headquarters. PBDS was de-registered by the ROS and its members formed a new party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) which is also facing leadership power struggles now. PRS now have two presidents, James Jemut Masing and Larry S'ng, two sets of supreme council members and two headquarters.