Wednesday 31 October 2007

PBRS in trouble?

With the general elections being talk about taking place November, something big a problem is brewing in Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), a component party member of the ruling Barisan Nasional.

Talk is that PBRS president ex-Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, who is also Sook Assemblyman, is not in good term with the party's Secretary General and Pensiangan Member of Parliament Datuk Bernard Maraat.

A PBRS insider said it is an open secret that Kurup and Maraat `do not see eye to eye' for sometimes now.

The reason being Kurup is said to not renominate/recommend Maraat to defend Pensiangan and will instead himself contest the seat. Kurup, in dropping Maraat as a candidate in the coming election, is said to nominate Vice President Datuk Elron Alfred Angin to contest Sook.

Kurup defeated Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan for the Sook seat with a 395 votes majority in the 2004's election while Maraat secured a 608 votes majority to take the Pensiangan seat, defeating Martin Tommy.

Kurup had accepted Tommy into PBRS' stable in a ceremony on July 14, in which Marat was not present/invited.


My Say:

I can not help but say that Kurup is looking for a sure win seat in the coming election. What if Dr Jeffrey take on Kurup again?

Monday 29 October 2007

Dr Jeffrey lodges police report

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had lodged a police report at the Karamunsing Police Station against Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and the State Government for awarding Seri Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (SPDK), Sabah's highest State Award, to Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) Director General Datuk Seri Panglima Ahmad Said Hamdan in conjunction with Sabah Head of State's birthday celebration on Sept 16, 2007. The investiture was held at Istana Negeri in Kota Kinabalu on Saturday (Oct 27).

This was confirmed by Jeffrey's Political Secretary Kanul Gindol.


My Say:

Interesting to know the reasons for making this police report.

Not what PBS expected

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is now saying that the power-sharing concept of the National Coalition or Barisan Nasional Government was not exactly what they had hoped for in the coalition.

PBS Youth leader Jahid Jahim voiced this point in his policy speech at the Wanita (Women) and Pemuda (Youth) annual delegate conference at the Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang today.

PBS is one of the BN's component party members.

Jahid, who is Youth and Sports Assistant Minister, did not elaborate but said the issue will be discussed the debate session tomorrow.

Jahid also said that previous leaders, when they signed the formation of the Federation of Malaysia 44 years ago, envisioned a prosperous and developed nation where the citizens live peacefully without having to face problems such as now.

He cited the problems, amongst others, illegal immigrants, IMM13 and fake identity cards.

Jahid also expressed the PBS Youth's anger with the recent inhuman burning of houses and farms owned by the people that were carried out by certain entity with excuse of upholding the sovereignty of the law. He said they are also unhappy with the way some land applications by the people are being treated compared to those made by giant companies.

"PBS Youth is worried that illegal immigrants, IMM13 holders and fake IC holders are moving freely in Sabah," he said.

The two days' congress was opened by the party president Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan. The main PBS Congress will be held on Nov 11.


My Say:

Now we are hearing PBS voicing this issues. What did they do when PBS was the State Government and Pairin was the Chief Minister.

Saturday 27 October 2007

Like father like son - The Kodings


Vitos, a son of former Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, the late Datuk Mark Koding, will be contesting the Ranau parliamentary constituency in the coming general elections. He made this known during an AidilFitri open house hosted by opposition party PASOK in Tanjung Aru today.

He is the party's Information Chief.

Mark won the seat, defeating then Federal Works Minister Tan Sri Ghani Gilong in the late 1970s. Mark contested as an Independent but was backed by Parti Berjaya (now defunct). The constituency was then known as Kinabalu as Ranau is at the foot of Mt Kinabalu. In 1985, Mark contested and won the Ranau State seat for Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and was made a Deputy Chief Minister.

Although relatively unknown, Vitos said he is all geared for the elections and is confident to win the seat.


My Say:

As I had mentioned in my older posting, PASOK is facing leadership problems that it has two presidents and two sets of supreme council members. PASOK also have two party headquarters. Well, good luck to the young Koding. In politics nothing is impossible
.

Wednesday 24 October 2007

Fish fry only....

When talks of an impending court case of which it was said officers from the State Welfare Services Department are to be charged with corruption, it was anticipated that someone high up in that State Department's being hauled up to the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court Tuesday.

But it was an anti-climax, to a big turned out of journalists from the print and electronic media. Came 2pm, five people were seen making their way to the court which at first was not even `looked at' by the media corp. But the five were those being charged before two Sessions Court judges.

The offences: Falsifying documents by certifying the payments of cash welfare assistance to recipients who had long passed away. Two of the accused were staff of the Treasury Department, Penampang while the other three were attached to the State Welfare Services Department, Tuaran.


My say:

The five are just `fish fry', the biggest fish and followers are still `swimming' happily in the ocean looking for more opportunities. It was learnt that investigations are going on against those higher up in the department.

ACA should also look into the case of goods bought and supplied to the State Welfare Services Department's Welfare Home in Kimanis, Paper.

An example of questionable dealing - six units of cutting knives which cost RM120 in the market was supplied to the Home at RM3,000. Some people here had made RM2,880 profit. Is this not corruption, robbing the government in daylight?

Tuesday 23 October 2007

Yes ballot boxes arriving...



The front page of Daily Express today says it all

My Say:

On Oct 5, in my posting, I said my well-informed source in Kuala Lumpur whispered to me that transparent ballot boxes were being packed in Port Klang to be sent to Sarawak and Sabah. I reported that the boxes are to arrive Kota Kinabalu on Oct 22. These new boxes, replacing the old metal boxes, will be used in the General Elections which I predicted will be on Nov 25 after the dissolution of Parliament and the State Legislative Assembly on Nov 9.

What I had posted is now confirmed. Sabah Election Commission director Haji Mohd Idrus Ismail confirmed that the boxes, some 3,262, are expected to arrive Friday (Oct 26) after similar consignment was delivered to Kuching, Sarawak.

Mohd Idrus also confirmed that appointed polling clerks from Sabah and Labuan had completed their training before the fasting month and that briefing to returning officers will be held anytime now.

As of June 30, there are 786,351 voters in Sabah compared to the 768,945 eligible to vote in the March 2004 general elections.

If not because of the weather, the boxes would had arrived Kota Kinabalu yesterday (Oct 22)as I had predicted two weeks ago.

Monday 22 October 2007

Calling all SASS ex-students

Sabah Adventist Secondary School, Tamparuli established in 1939 is facing the prospect of being closed down due to financial problems. One of the oldest missions school in Sabah, it is totally dependent on external funding.

The school, which commands a good view of Mount Kinabalu, is one of the two managed by the Sabah Adventist (SDA) Mission, the other being Goshen Adventist Secondary School in Kota Marudu.

The financial problem SASS is facing is due to rising maintenance costs, dwindling enrollment of students and unpaid schools fees.

Its principal Minson Gulungan said students would move to other schools after passing their Form Three and Form Five examinations.

To ease the financial burden of the school and to ensure its continued survival, the school management's had launched a special fund. Called Danasiswa SASS, it was launched by ex-student Datuk Johnston Bangkuai who is also president of the Sabah Journalist Association.

The school, founded by an Indonesian, Pastor D P Siagian, has produced many students who have now become successful professionals, businessmen and politicians.

With the launching of Danasiswa SASS, it is hope that former students who are well off in the chosen career will generously contribute to the fund.


My Say:

It will ha a shame if the school,located just across the Tuaran River from Tamparuli township, is closed down after valiant efforts from every quarters to keep it going.

Saturday 20 October 2007

Wake-up call says Dompok

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok said the successful suit by an ex-Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee against the police and government against his arrest and torture in 1998 should be seen as a wake-up call to those involved in enforcing the law to ensure they do not infringe human rights.

"I think it is within anyone's rights to test if they have a case in court, or what they feel or how they want their grievances to be addressed, " he said.

Dompok was commenting on ex-ISA detainee Abdul Malek Hussin, 51, who won damages amounting to RM2.5 million awarded by the Kuala Lumpur High Court Thursday.

Abdul Malek was awarded RM1 million in general damages for wrongful arrest and detention, RM1 million in exemplary damages, RM500,000 in general damages for assault and ill-treatment and eight per cent interest from Thursday and costs by the High Court.

Dompok said definitely, one of the the good outcomes of a thing of this nature was that those officers who are enforcing the law have to take utmost care so that no human rights will be infringed.

"I think it helps the system do much better," he said. Dompok was asked by reporters to comment on the case after opening a a seminar on Human Rights for leaders of his party, UPKO, in Kota Kinabalu today.

In awarding the RM2.5 million, Judge Datuk Mohd Hishamuddin Mohd Yunus held that Abdul Malek was entitled because his arrest at 10am on Sept 25, 1998 and 57 days of detention under the ISA were unlawful as they were done Mala fide (in bad faith).

He said the interrogation carried out on Abdul Malek was political in nature for intelligence gathering for political purposes and had nothing to do with genuine concern for national security.

Dompok said human rights is one of the issues more and more people are talking about these days and is thus important for every political party to have a better understanding and knowledge about it.

One of the speakers at the seminar, lawyer G K Ganesan told participants that the ISA is no longer relevant and should be repealed.

On this Dompok said,"It is something that we have to discuss and talk about, as until today we have no opportunity to discuss this particular matter and we do want to know more about it."

"So an event like this seminar give us the opportunity to discuss more on this and understand it better."

Friday 19 October 2007

News on blood

If you were in United Kingdom from 1980 to 1996, your blood is not wanted by Sabah's hospital blood banks. Blood donor YS Lai found this out yesterday when he went to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu to donate blood for a patient who had just had an operation and was in dire need of group O blood.

He was disappointed when he saw in the blood donation form that those who had stayed in any place in UK between 1980 and 1996 could not donate blood. The reason: Something to do with the mad cow disease that plagued the UK during that period.

And the `best part' is that the hospital has no facility to check for mad cow pathogen in donor's blood.


My Say:

What if I say I had never been and stayed in London during that period?

Sandakan Teachers' College


This Logo is gone forever

After being postponed for several times, organiser of the Maktab Perguruan Sandakan ex-trainees second reunion dinner had agreed to hold it on Nov 3, 2007 at Hotel Juta, Keningau, about 120km from Kota Kinabalu.

The main sponsor of the dinner is Datuk Haji Sairin Karno, the State Assemblyman for Liawan, who is a former trainee (1975-1976) himself, one year my junior.

Although the organiser comprises of teachers from the 1974, 1975 and 1976 batch, the dinner is now open to all ex-MPS trainees. The reason being, MPS is no longer and will never ever be there again. It had been closed down.

Further information about the dinner can be obtained from Juliana Jusit (0198081948), Iskandar Amat (0198529448), Veronica Chin (0198229636) and Mohd Rizwan Emik (0198318263).

If Keadilan forms the Federal Government

Opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)made known another move it will take if it win the general election and formed the Federal Government. A PKR Government will return Labuan Island to Sabah.

Parti Berjaya Government under then Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh `gave' Labuan to the Federal Government to be made a Federal Territory on April 16, 1984.

PKR Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said after restoring the ownership of Labuan to Sabah, PKR Government would consider realigning election boundaries to enable at least one Sabah constituency to be craved out for the island.

PKR will be fielding a candidate in the Labuan parliamentary seat in the coming general elections.

My Say:

It was during Parti Berjaya State Government led by then Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh that Labuan was made a Federal Territory. Parti Bersatu Sabah headed by Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan went into the 1985 State election telling the people that Berjaya government sold Labuan to Kuala Lumpur.

PBS toppled Parti Berjaya and Pairin became Chief Minister and the rest is history. Can Dr Jeffrey lead PKR to power in Sabah like what his older brother did in 1985?

Wednesday 17 October 2007

Tourist from Holland drowns

A woman tourist, Vianca De Visser De Vries, 42, from Holland was drowned at Padas River after being thrown off a raft that she and her husband Abraham Eleisser, 42, was on at Pangi, about eight kilometres from Tenom on Tuesday. The woman was believed to have hit her head on a hard object causing her to be unconscious and swept away by the rapid water.

She and her husband, together with four other tourists from Macau at 2pm went whitewater-rafting from Pangi to Rayoh, some five kilometres downriver when the incident happened at 4.10pm.

About three kilometres down the river, their raft overturned sending all on board into the river. All the tourists, including their guide Ailir Rudasill were wearing life jackets. Except for Vianca, the others managed to swim to safety.

Ailir and Abraham went searching for Vianca whom they found floating about 200metres from where their raft overturned. The body was brought to the Tenom District Hospital about 8pm last night.


My Say:

The Padas River is one of the popular rivers in Sabah for whitewater-rafting activies. The other frequent by foreign and domestic tourists is the Tuaran River, just about 40 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu.

Up-date: Sabah CM's daughter wedding


Borneo Post today published on its front page a photograph of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman daughter Lenny Natasha, 26, and her would-be husband State Legislative Assembly member for Membakut 44-year-old Haji Mohd Ariffin Haji Mohd Ariff.

The wedding will be held at Musa's residence Sri Libaran in Sandakan beginning with the akad nikah ceremony on Thursday (Oct 18) and the actual wedding Bersanding ceremony on Saturday (Oct 20).

Before picked to contest Membakut on Barisan Nasional Umno ticket in the 2004 general elections, Mohd Ariffin was a public relations secretary to the Chief Minister. Musa, who is also Sabah Finance Minister, is the Sabah Umno liaison committee chairman.

Mohd Ariffin is currently the Sabah Native Affairs Council's chairman. He will also hold a wedding reception in his hometown at Kampung Pimping, Membakut on Oct 28.

Tuesday 16 October 2007

The Invitation Cards Are Out

Invitation cards are being sent out for the grand wedding party of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman's daughter Lenny Natasha, 26, to Membakut State Assemblyman Haji Mohd Ariffin Haji Mohd Ariff, 44, on Oct 20th at Musa's residence Sri Libaran, Sandakan. The party begin on Oct 18th.

Among those expected to attend will be Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Sunday 14 October 2007

How times travels.....


Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan (centre) and JB at left. At right is KKJA chief Wong Bak Kion.

Last night I realised that I had been a journalist for more than 25 years. Looking back to all those years, I can not help but admitted that this line of work had given me satisfaction, not to mention the advantages that had made and will continue to fall on my life and that to my family. It was the `pen and reporter's notebook' that fed my family,put my four children through universities and built a house of my own without taking out a loan.

It is also this line of work that had given me opportunities to travel and work overseas.

Now I can proudly go and tell my many friends, who had look upon me as an outcast when I decided to quit as a teacher to go into journalism in 1978, that like teacher, journalist is also a noble profession.

And last night, I was one of the few who was honoured by the Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association with a branded watch and an appreciation certificate for having been more than 25 years in journalism, presented by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Shu Kiah.

Last night was the association's 15th Anniversary cum Press Night 2007 which was held at the Port View Seafood Restaurant, Kota Kinabalu.

Friday 12 October 2007

Salam Damai


To All My Muslim Visitors - Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir Dan Batin.

I will be visiting my cousins (the children of my late mother's older brothers) during their Hari Raya open houses, something that I had been doing as long as I can remember.

The people of Sabah are unique, though of the same tribe, there are of different religions. We sat for meals at coffee shops facing each others in a common table. I eat my noodles from the Chinese stalls and my cousins enjoying their nasi lemak from Muslim gerai, all under the same roof.

This is something that I do not see in Peninsula Malaysia - a coffee shop which have Chinese, Malay and Indian stalls all catering for their respective customers.

Thursday 11 October 2007

Signs of.....



A rare sight of the day. A ring of light surrounding the sun, visible in Kota Kinabalu and surrounding areas and other parts of Sabah for more than two hours this afternoon. Picture above is courtesy of http://keruak.com

This is `Halo' which my Concise English Dictionary describe as ...a ring of light or colour, especially around the sun or moon caused by reflection by ice-crystals.

My Say:

I had seen similar sight during last night's live telecast of the launching of the spacecraft SOYUX in Baikonur (Kazakhstan) with Malaysian Angkasawan (Astronaut)Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shakur Sheikh Mustapha, American Peggy Whitson and Russian Yuri Malenchenko on board.

Easy to be a Native of Sabah?

I have lost count of the years the Native Certificate's issue had been debated openly by leaders and the people of Sabah alike. This issue is so dear to the people of Sabah, particularly children of inter-marriages. The Natives, among others, are the Kadazan/Dusun, Murut, Bajau, Brunei, Idahan, (a long list). As Native, they have certain rights that others do not have.

One of the many problems faces by those (born after April 22, 1982) without the Native Certificate is that they can not inherit land from their parents, can not buy Native land, unable to buy Native Unit Trust and most important of all, non-holders are not not recognised as Native.

The Native Certificates are issued by the Native Court but had been frozen since April 22, 1982 due to abuses. e.g - Non-natives issued this certificates through dubious mean (forgery). Many cases had been discovered certificates issued after April 1982 and many of the holders had managed to by Native land.

Today in a Press conference, Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Haji Hajiji Haji Noor issued a Press statement on this matter which I shall reproduce here.

"The State Cabinet at its meeting yesterday, among other things, discuss the Native Certificate of NC (Sijil Anak Negeri) the issuance of which had been frozen since 22 April, 1982. The subject matter has become an issue lately with various quarters making Press statements or comments, among which was the difficulty faced by Sabahans one of whose parents is a Native.

Among the difficulties faced were their failure to purchase Amanah Saham Bumiputera (Native Unit Trust)shares or purchasing or inheriting Native land or registering their names in Native Titles land. Other difficulties faced include missing education opportunities like scholarships and institutions meant for Natives, purchasing of housing units under the Bumiputra quota, and business opportunities including registering as Bumiputra contractor or participating in tenders meant for Natives.

The Cabinet meeting decided that while the freeze had its merit and its lifting can only be done after careful study due to its sensitivity including past abuses, at the same time a temporary measure needs to be put in place so that genuine Natives do not continue to lose out.

Hence, with immediate effect, `clear cut cases' can apply for special verification from the Director of the Sabah Native Affairs office who is also the secretary of the Sabah native Affairs Council which is under the purview of the State Local Government and Housing Ministry. The verification will be issued on a `case to case' basis.

Example of clear cut cases are:

1. An applicant one of whose parents is a Native and whose race is clearly stated in the Birth Certificate or whose Native Certificate had been certified by the Native Court which issued it upon checking by the Director.

2. Examples of children of mixed marriage who qualifies for Native Certificate are - Sino-Kadazan/KadazanDusun, Indian-Kadazan/Dusun, Sino-Murut, Pakistan-Bajau, American-Murut, English-Brunei, Arab-Idahan, Filipino-Kadazan and similar cases."

Wednesday 10 October 2007

Poor poor local vendors

Local authorities enforcement officers are harassing local poor farmers trading their agricultural produce in urban areas. They are chased away, what they are selling were seized and damaged in tussle to protect them from being taken away.

They are selling are the products of their months of hard work back in the rural villages which majority of them are only accessible only by jungle tracks.

One man who noticed the poor farmers plight is Sabah Bumiputera Livestock Breeders and Farmers Association president Gaibin Ransoi. He had seen poor farmers' produce being unnecessary confiscated and trodden by enforcement personnel.

He wanted these enforcement personnel to strive to eliminate the problem of foreigners illegal hawkers, cigarette vendors who are common sight in all the major town in Sabah.

Ransoi said it was a common sight in most towns in Sabah that the rural farmers hawking their goods on five-foot ways, not because they wanted too but all places at the market had been taken or allocated to outsiders.

My Say:

What Ransoi saia was true.One need not go far, just go to Inanam town, within the City of Kota Kinabalu. The daily market place (and they have a full-fledged market in every 10 days)managed by Inanam Traditional (Tamu) Market Committee whose main function is to assist traditional farmers in providing them with space or lots to sell their produce.

What is happening is just the opposite, almost all the strategic lots are always occupied by hawkers whose nationality were questioned. Illegal immigrants youths running around selling smuggled fags.

A place meant for traditional local farmers has become a haven for illegal immigrants now.

Tuesday 9 October 2007

Sabah & Sarawak Bumiputeras

The Prime Minister's Department Implementation and Coordination Unit has set up a sub-unit to monitor progress of Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak. Among others, the sub-unit will evaluate Bumiputera achievements and be responsible for proposing to the Government ways to solve problems faces by Bumiputeras in the two States.

It will also assist the Government in policy legislation and implementation.

This was announced by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok yesterday while launching United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) election machinery in Kiulu (Sabah).

Dompok, who is Upko's president, said the Federal Government now `takes Bumiputeras grouses seriously.'

My Say:

A commendable initiative by Dompok. This will enable the Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak, who still lagged behind the other races, to get a share of the country's economic pie.

Women professionals with HIV

A Bernama report yesterday which was carried by almost all the newspapers today caught my eyes which I shall reproduced an exerpt of it below.

"One-night stands may be just flings for some working women but it has left many of them infected with HIV.

It used to be that HIV-infected women were mainly housewives, Health Ministry Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said.

Lately, however, the disease has hit more and more professional women, including doctors, accountants, lawyers and teachers. Dr Ismail said many of them thought one-night stands would not cause any problem.

According to statistics provided by the Ministry's Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS Unit, the number of women infected with HIV had increased by about 250 per cent since 1996.

Last year saw 976 deaths from AIDS, of which 80 were women.

My Say:

Being professionsls does not protect one to be infected with sexually transmitted diseases, and also not an excuse to say unmarried for long.

Monday 8 October 2007

Kionsom Waterfall


One of the seven natural pool and below the second and third of the seven waterfalls

In several of my older postings (and I will continue on to mention this) I had mentioned Kionsom Waterfall. Yesterday (Sunday - Oct 7th), I was there again as of previous Sundays (almost every Sundays if I am in Kota Kinabalu) since 2002. Yesterday I came early (8.30am) and there were just two couples inside. I took the opportunity to take photographs of one of the seven natural pools and the second and third waterfalls, counting from downstream.

I was unable to take photographs of the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh waterfalls as it would take about two hours (of my time at the speed of walking) to do so. The highest of them all is the seventh waterfall which is about a-four-storey building high, about 30 minuted from the entry point.

I endeavour to reach that seventh point in time to come and post that scenic fall. My last visit and reached the seventh waterfalls was in 1972 which I was just at Standard Six.

Kionsom Waterfall is special as it is within the Kota Kinabalu City, just about 15 miles (24 kilometres) from the City centre and 10 kilometres from Inanam Town. Those without transport, can take one from the regular mini-bus services at Inanam.

Outside the waterfall are several hawkers, in which one of it is my usual station to meet friends on Sundays and Public Holidays. One has to pay RM1 only for adult and 50 cent for children per entry. The air is cool and the water crystal clear. The first, second and third waterfall are less then five minutes away from the entry point, inside a virgin tropical jungle.

Saturday 6 October 2007

Jeffrey, Kanul, Joniston & Newman

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) national Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is likely to contest in Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan's Keningau parliamentary constituency, his political secretary Kanul Gindol is said to be going for the Kadamaian seat.

Although Kanul has not shown hints toward that direction, it was well known that at every available time he will make it a point to be with the people in the Kadamaian constituency which is now represented by Herbert Timbun Lagadan of Parti Bersatu Sabah.

A close friend said Kanul will make to the nomination centre this time around after he failed to do in the 2004 general elections.

My Say:

Kanul, a former executive journalist of Bernama will not be the only journalist eying to contest in the coming general election, which might be held next month. Talks is also making round that Sabah New Straits Times bureau chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Bernama's Sabah bureau Newman Tibin, a qualified lawyer, are also offering to contest in the election.

Bangkuai is said to be Pairin's PBS candidate for Kiulu. Like Bangkuai, Newman is also from Kiulu, and also hoping that Pairin will pick him up for the seat now held by Datuk Louis Rampas.

Good lucks to them.

RM20 knife charged for RM120


Somewhere in the Auditor General Reports dated June 28, 2007 reported that a ministry bought a set of four screwdrivers for RM224 compared to the market price of just RM32.

These AG's report also touched on Sabah's case of the State Welfare Services Department paying cash assistance to people who had passed away long time ago.

Though not in the AG's report, digging deep into this department will also revealed that it had purchased a set of four knives at a contracted price of RM120 each which amounted to RM3,000 for the four units.

Amazing, the market price for this knives is RM20 each which mean that the department was overcharged or overcharged itself of/for RM2,880. The four knives should have cost RM120 only.

My Say:

Just the tip of the iceberg.

Friday 5 October 2007

General elections Nov 25?

Election talks surfaced since the beginning of the year. Political parties had activated their respective elections machinery. Some political parties had announced their candidates. In Sabah opposition Pasok and Parti Bersekutu had made it known that they will be fielding candidates in all the 60 State seats and 25 parliamentary constituencies.

And a friend of mine in Kuala Lumpur sent a SMS to me this afternoon that `Transparent ballot boxes packed into containers at Port Klang to reach East Malaysia by Oct 22, 2007. Parliament probably dissolve on Nov 9, 2007 and the General Elections probably on Nov 25, 2007'.

My Say:

And I have the feeling election is just around the corner. Together we wait and see.

No confidence motion

Malaysia Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang was in Sabah earlier this week. He was accompanied by his son, DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng and DAP Seputeh MP Theresa Kok.

As usual when in this Land Below the Wind, the Ipoh Timur MP, has voiced several issues which are dear to the people. This time around, Lim made a promise to the people of Malaysia.

He will on Oct 22, move a motion of no confidence in Justice Tan Sri Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim as the country's Chief Justice. He was going to to this as he claimed that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had failed to restore confidence in the independence and integrity of the Malaysian Judiciary and set up a royal commission of inquiry.

Lim was referring to the current controversy and public furore over a video clip,widely circulated in the internet and blogs, of a lawyer in a handphone conversation with a judge over the appointment of judges.

My Say:

Commendable action to be taken by Lim but I forsee, as usual, the motion will not go beyond Lim tabling it in Parliament come Oct 22.

Lim is free from visiting Sabah now compared to during the Parti Berjaya Government (1976-1985). I was on duty during that period when Lim arrived in Kota Kinabalu to meet DAP leaders and supporters.

He only reached the Immigration counter when he was told that there was an instruction that he was not allowed entry into Sabah. He refused to be led back to the same aircraft that he arrived from Kuala Lumpur.

A wheel chair was brought to bring him to the aircraft, at first he kicked the wheelchair away, but on the advised by MP Karpal Singh, he obliged to be wheeled to the aircraft back to Kuala Lumpur.

When Parti Bersatu Sabah defeated Parti Berjaya in 1985, the `ban' of Lim to enter Sabah was lifted.

Thursday 4 October 2007

Worms attack

I found out the hard way of not making an effort to learn about computer since I started using PC more than 20 years ago. All I know is to switch on and used the PC for filing my news reports, surf the internet and switching it off. Other than that, I sought assistance from others.

Two days ago, as I was surfing, a dialog box appeared on my screen, among others, it warned that `your computer is copying automatically files in your system...' but I did not take a heed of it.When it continuously appeared, I decided to be clever by following some of the instructions flashing on the screen.

Out came a dialog box telling my that more than 300 files in my computer were infected by worms/virus. It seems that the worms/virus originated from a network with nice looking files. It disguises as a file that indicated a Spyware was a video of beautiful actress which I had clicked on earlier.

These caused by computer to crash and I was `out of action' for the whole of Tuesday evening and yesterday. Last night I sought the assistance a friend to do the necessary. Still I do not understand computer. When she said `I will have to re-format your computer', I just said `Yes'. Yes, my PC now back to normal but everything I stored for the last two years were gone, gone forever.

It was identifed that the virus that attack my computer was I-Worm/VB.IN.

It is time for me to learn `what is a computer'

Tuesday 2 October 2007

Alms for the armed forces



Yahya (right) handing over a package of Kuih Raya to Brig Jen Bahrom

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Yahya Hussin yesterday joined members of the armed forces and their family in a breaking of fast at the Fifth Infantry Brigade's mosque in Lok Kawi, just at the outskirt of Kota Kinabalu.

Yahya, who is also Sabah Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, also handed over some 500 packages of Hari Raya's goodies to the armed forces. He also made a personal donation of RM2,000 for the up keep the mosque and also a cow to be slaughtered for the celebration next weekend.

All these were received, on behalf of the armed forces community in Lok Kawi Camp, by the infantry commander Brig Jen Baharom Hamzah.

My Say:

Yahya made this a must ever year. The army camp is within his Petagas constituency and all members of the armed forces and their family are registered voters in the area.

Monday 1 October 2007

`Bird of a feather flock together'

Here is a Press statement issued by ex-Bernama journalist Kanul Gindol who is now Political Secretary to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Pairin Told Of Adage `Birds of A Fearher Flock Together'

KOTA KINABALU: I am amazed of Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan's 360 degree turnaround from his normself that is to stand for the people in need. Pairin today is a total contrast to Pairin in 1983 or 1984!

Back then, Pairin would stand up to fight for his people, sacrificing his comfortable positions in order to correct wrongs. I am sure Pairin has not forgotten a saying `birds of a feather flock together.'

Today even though knowing too well that the current Umno-led Barisan Nasional Government had been cruel to his people, in fact more cruel than the one in 1984 because the current government is burining our natives' houses and destroying their livelihood, grabbing their lands. Pairin fights no more. Anyway we also don't want lazy leader in this era.

The fact that by sitting very next to the perpetrators, being a team mate in Barisan Nasional, Pairin and his Parti Bersatu Sabah has become Umno's strategic collaborators of acts that marginalise the natives of Sabah, especially his own Kadazandusun - Murut groups.

We all agree that in a democracy, in the end it is the people who decide who should win election and from the government. We in Keadilan are continuing where Pairin had left and forgotten.

We admire Pairin for whatever his achievement of more than 30 years ans the Assemblyman for Tambunan and also Member of Parliament for Keningau, and a decade as Chief Minister, and till now as a Deputy Chief Minister. We know he had tried his very best, and that the very best of Pairin is already there to be seen, nothing more.

Now we in Keadilan under the leadership of his (Pairin) able younger brother, Datuk Dr Jeffrey, is yet to be tested with real power. Sabahans have high hope in Dr Jeffrey, and the best is yet to come from this man. I for one will want the best for all Sabahans and the State.


If Pairin can not achieve what he envisaged for Sabah, please Pairin at least don't stop Dr Jeffrey and us from accomplishing it.

We in Keadilan will never allow the natives to be fooled, we want the natives and our brother Chinese to show once more time that together they will chart the future of Sabah as we had always wanted it to be free from outside hegemony.

Kanul Gindol


My Say:

Reading between the lines, I can smell a hidden hand in the production of this statement. What has Sabah Keadilan chief Ansari Abdullah to say about this. He has been keeping a low profile.

Two chickens feeds a family


My two chickens and their eggs this morning

My Say:

In March this year, I bought four chicks from the Inanam once in ten days traditional market. Two of them turnout to be Tandaha (roosters) and the other two Golupo.

While the roosters ended in our wok, the Golupo, without fail now give us (a family of three,sometimes five) two eggs a day. Since then we have regular supply of eggs from our own backyard. Not that eggs cost that much, but we feel great in having two chickens feeding us two eggs a day. We do not consume the eggs everyday and always have at least six eggs on `stand by' everyday of the week.

I am planning to by four more chicks next week and will make sure this time that all of them will be Golupo.

Lekima lashing

Saturday night was supposed to be party time at my neighbour's house, a party to celebrate his second grandson (I still do not have one)but I never made it to the Aramai Tii. From my house I could hear their music from which I assume that the party was great. I was tempted to join but all of a sudden a `blackout', the whole of Inanam was dark, power supply was cut off. I aborted my plan to join the party and went to sleep. About 2am the power was restored but it was raining heavily plus strong wind.

Sunday morning, I went down to Inanam town, along the way, there were trees up rooted. Now I know the why the `blackout', a truck had crashed to a transformer in avoiding a tree falling.

The heavy rain and strong wind was actually everywhere. Houses had its roofs blown away.

These were all because of the tail effect of tropical storm Lekima. The Meteorological Services Department reported that the strong winds were associated with Lekima that is now somewhere between the Philippines and Vietnam. It is expected to in that position until tonight. The department had issued Category One strong winds from the southwesterly direction blowing between 40 and 50km per hour and at sea waves of between two and tree metres high.

My Say:

Now I know a reason why Sabah is known as Land Below the Wind. In the event of tropical storm or typhoon from the Philippines, Sabah will only be hit by its tails. If the tails effect felled trees, dismantled and toppled high telcos billboards and blew away roofs, it beyond imagination how the heads strike.