Sunday 29 June 2008

UPKO slams Ali Rustam

BN-UPKO Deputy President and MP for Tamparuli Datuk Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing is not happy with Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ali Rustam. The news below is in today's local daily.


Majimbun: I will do it

Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun said he had not abandon plan by his party to table motion for vote of no confidence to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Reproduced here is a report from a local daily today.

Thursday 26 June 2008

Pasok No More


Pix: Pasok's Vitos Datuk Mark Koding contested in Ranau in the March 8, 2008 election polling only 619 votes.

One of Sabah's oldest political party United Pasok Nunukragang National Organisation (PASOK) (established by Datuk G S Sundang 30 years ago) has been de-registered by the Registrar of Societies (R)C) on May 27, 2008.

The action by the ROC had been anticipated following the leadership tussle between Cleftus Mojingol and John Richard Jayasuria, who respectively claimed to be the party's President.

Due to their differences, the ROC did not allowed them to contest using their logo in the March 8, 2008 general elections, resulting their 11 candidates for State seats and three for parliament contesting as Independents.

In Pasok's political history only Ignatius Stephen Malanjum made it to the State Legislative Assembly in the 1985 State elections, only to be stripped of the YB's title after an Election Court declared his election as Moyog Assemblyman null and void.

Sultan of Sulu/Sabah?


Sultan Muhamad Fuad Abdullah Kiram 1
Sultan of Sulu/Sultan of Sabah


Following my earlier posting on Sultan Mudarasulail Kirim, a visitor provided me/us more insights on the `Sultan of Sulu & Sultan of Sabah issues.

Read more on the issue HERE.

Wednesday 25 June 2008

Aramai Tii YB Eric


Chua


Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) deputy president and Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun is with the party on its plan to pursue a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.

Denying a news report that he had abandoned the plan, the SAPP deputy president said national newspaper reports quoting him as saying that he never supported SAPP’s no-confidence motion were wrong.

“Our plan for the motion is still on but not necessarily tabled by me. Maybe there will be others who will table it,” he said.

Majimbun also said the SAPP supreme council meeting on Monday had not put any time frame for the no-confidence motion and the party has not decided if he would be the one to table the motion.

On his absence from Parliament, he reiterated the reason given by party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee that it was because of security reasons following intimidation and threats to them and their families by unknown people.

Majimbun and Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui, who is also from SAPP, were recalled back to Kota Kinabalu by the party following claims of threats. This story is from HERE

PKR: See You In Court Kurup

My Say:

Federal Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup will now have to fight in court to confirm his victory, winning the Penisangan parliamentary seat uncontested, in the March 8, 2008 general elections.


The story below is from HERE

KOTA KINABALU, wed: The Election Court here today dismissed the preliminary objection by Pensiangan Member of Parliament Tan Sri Joseph Kurup to strike out the election petition filed by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate and fixed July 10 for hearing.

Judge David Wong said in his ruling the election petition filed by PKRs Danny Anthony Andipai on April 9 complied with the requirements under the Election Petition Rules 1954, particularly Rule 4(1)(b) as argued by Kurup's lawyer Alex Decena on June 18.

Andipai's counsel, Haji Ansari Abdullah, who is also Sabah PKR chief, told the court the petitioner would call 10 witnesses while Decena said there were nine witnesses who would testify for Kurup.

Kurup, who is also Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president, won the seat uncontested in the March 8 general elections.

Andipai, who was disqualified from contesting, is seeking that Kurup's election be declared null and void.

He claimed the election was not conducted in accordance with the principles of the Election Act 1958 and Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981.

Tuesday 24 June 2008

Sultan Mudarasulail Kiram

A Malaysian, who said he is Sultan Mudarasulail Kiram, said that the Sulu (Philippines) claim over Sabah was no longer valid as before achieving Independence in 1963 the Cobbold Mission found the majority of people in Sabah wanted to be part of Malaysia.

Speaking to the Press in Kota Kinabalu, Madarasuail said he was willing to help the Malaysian Government fight the case in the International Court of Justice.

He was referring to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Nus Misuari's statement last month that he would bring the `Philippine claim over Sabah' the ICU to determine the rightful owner of this Land Below the Wind.

If the Sulu Sultanate still exit, he would be the rightful Sultan of Sulu as well as the Sultan of Sabah.

"But as far as I am concerned, Sulu has no more Sultan because it is now under the Republic of Philippines. Where can we find a Republic Government with a Sultan," he said.

Mudarasulail said based on the line of succession of the Royal Sultans of Sulu, he is the first son of the Late Sultan Makuttah A Kiram, who is the first son of Sultan Muhammad Esmail Khan 1 (1947-1973).

"In actual fact, I am the recognised heir to the throne as I am still receiving the cession money of RM5,300 per year from the Malaysian Government that is paid to the Sulu Sultanate," Mudarasulail said.

He said one Esmail Kiram 11, who is now visiting Sabah, was claiming to be the Sultan of Sulu but he (the latter) has no royal blood.

Mudarasulail had called for the Press conference to urge the police to monitor the activities of Esmail Kiram who had been visiting various districts in the East Coast of Sabah since Friday.

"I konw for a fact that Esmail and Nur Misuari are good friends," he said.

Meanwhile, Mudarasuail said he would be contesting for the Umno Lahad Datu divisional chief post in the coming Umno's delegates conference beginning August. He is a member of the Lahad Datu Umno Division.

He said he had been living in Sabah since he was eight years old with a foster parents Haji Abdul Nairn who had changed his (the Sultan) name for security reason to Paijal Haji Abdul Nain.

He disclosed that he was made a member of the Sulu Royal Council and was recognised as the rightful heir as Sultan of Sulu on Jan 1, 2006, taking the place of his father Sultan Makuttah A Kiram.

Mudarasuail is the president of the Sabah Sulu Cultural Association who registered office is at Sinsuran Shoppping Complex, Kota Kinabalu.


My Say:

?????? No comments.

Tomorrow lah Yong


Sabah Anti-Corruption Agency postponed to tomorrow its appointment for Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee's statement recorded in connection with corruption he allegedly committed while Chief Minister of Sabah.

ACA did not give reason for the postponement.

Monday 23 June 2008

ACA calling Yong

A journalist friend of mine alerted me just now that Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee had been `invited' by the Anti-Corruption Agency to its State HQ in Kota Kinabalu tomorrow.

It has something to do with RM5 million, which according to a witness in the corruption trial of ex-Federal Minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gadam, was directd by Yong to be paid to his agents while he was Sabah Chief Minister.

Yong had told the SAPP supreme council at its Friday's meeting that should he be charged in court and jailed for what ever reason, they must continue the the party's struggle.

He also said that ACA reopening the file this time around was politically motivated.

Datuk Raymond Tan


Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah had an interview with a Sabah-based daily today and will appear in tomorrow publication. So do not miss the Daily Express June 24th's edition. Tan is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president who had publicly announced that he did not agree to Datuk Yong Teck Lee's action to move a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The other SAPP deputy president Datuk Eric Majumbin, who is Sepanggar Member of Parliament, said he only stated that he had lost confidence in Abdullah's leadership and did not say anything about supporting vote of no confidence.

What's up SAPP politics


SAPP Sepanggar MP refutes reports that he will support ‘no confidence’ motion

By Joniston Bangkuai of the NST

KOTA KINABALU, MON: THE Sabah Progressive Party Member of Parliament for Sepanggar Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun has refuted reports that he will support a parliament motion of no confidence against the prime minister.

"I have lost confidence in the leadership but I never said I will support a vote of confidence (against the prime minister)," he told the New Straits Times.

Majimbun said his statement issued on June 18 when party president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee held a press conference to announce the vote of no confidence against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made no mention about supporting such a move.

"If you read my statement carefully, I only stated that I have lost confidence in the leadership," said Majimbun who was not present at the June 18 press conference and at the Sapp supreme council meeting on June 20.

Majimbun, who returned here from an official visit to Europe last Saturday, said he will be meeting Yong to find out more about the party's decision to endorse the no confidence motion.

Yong had announced that Majimbun and the party's other MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui will support the vote of confidence when it is tabled in parliament and that one of them may even table the motion.


My Say:

I had read Majimbun's signed statement that supported what he had told Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

And Datuk Yong Teck Lee said he had never said the motion would be tabled in Parliament today.

Saturday 21 June 2008

Still on SAPP

This afternoon I send a SMS to Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president who is also Sepanggar Member of Parliament Datuk Eric Majimbun asking him to confirm whether it would be him who is tabling the motion of vote of no confidence to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament on Monday.

Majimbun replied: "Mana boleh saya baru tiba (Kuala Lumpur) balik dari Europe (How can, I just arrived from Europe). Tabling need 14 days notice.Thanks."

So we have to wait until Monday to see if the motion will be tabled.

Minister's brother freed from trafficking drugs

Kota Kinabalu High Court Datuk Ian H C Chin yesterday discharged and acquitted project coordinator Mohd Jusnaidi Omar, 36, of a charge of trafficking 1,011gms of cannabis and possession of 23.98gms of syabu.

However, the younger brother of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Mohd Noh Omar, was re-arrested after coming out of the courtroom and now detained for 60 days without trial as provided for under the Dangerous Drugs (Preventive Measures) Act.

Mohd Jusnaidi thus escaped the hangman's noose for the trafficking charge and
imprisonment of between two and five years plus between three and nine strokes of the rotan for drugs possession.

Justice Chin, in his judgement, held that the prosecution failure to call Mohd Jusnaidi's second wife Nurul Ashikin to testify during the trial was fatal to the prosecution case.

Mohd Jusnaidi, in his defence, told the court that he did not know about the drugs in his bag until he and Nurul were arrested at Terminal 2, Low Cost Carrier Terminal at Tanjung Aru at 10am on May 20, last year.

He said it was Nurul who packed their clothing before leaving for Kota Kinabalu and could had wrongly put in the drugs instead of bird nest.Mohd Jusnaidi had told the court that Nurul's cousin Ella and boyfriend who were staying with them in Selangor were drugs addicts.

Mohd Jusnaidi was defenced by Zahir Hussein Shah while the prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Gan Peng Kun.

Anwar not coming

Up-date to my earlier posting.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not coming to Sabah PKR's Kaamatan Festival at the Sekolah Menengah Kian Kok, Kota Kinabalu's hall today.

The celebrations start from 10am.

Yong to meet supporters today

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee will be addressing party's supporters at the Likas Multipurpose Hall, near Kota Kinabalu, at 2.30pm today (Saturday - June 21).

The gathering will also be attended by the party's supreme council members.

Yong is expected to explain to supporters about the party's move to have lost confidence with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and their action to table a motion of no confidence on Abdullah in parliament on Monday.

Friday 20 June 2008

ACA opens file for Yong

Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) will be investigating Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee of corruption involving RM5 million allegedly committed while he was Sabah Chief Minister.

ACA Director General Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said investigation would be based on evidence adduced by a witness at the graft trial of former Federal Minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gadam in a High Court Kuala Lumpur yesterday (June 19).

The story was widely published in all the newspapers today.

Ahmad said Yong would be called to give his statement soon.

Meanwhile, Yong questioned ACA motive in its renewd interest in the case which happened about 12 years ago. He said he had given statement for hours to the ACA on the matter.

"The timing is perfect," he said.



Reproduced below is the story from here in which the ACA DG was referring.

Kasitah corruption trial: 'Yong ordered RM5 million paid to his agents'

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee had ordered the payment of over RM5 million profit from the sale of shares belonging to a state-owned company to his selected agents in 1996, the High Court heard yesterday.

Former director of Briskmark Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Datuk Wasli Mohd Said, said that when he was general manager of the Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB), he met Yong, who was then the chief minister, at his office to brief him about the proposed management buyout of 40 per cent shares in Sapi Plantation owned by SLDB.

Wasli said his lawyer, William Cheah, mooted the idea of setting up the company (Briskmark) as a vehicle for political funding and had asked him to brief the chief minister regarding the matter.

"I briefed the chief minister and told him about the profit arising from the listing exercise involving Sapi shares into PPB Oil Palms."

He said that after the first meeting, he met Yong several times, not only at his office but at other places, where the former chief minister instructed him that part of the profit from the sale of shares was to be paid to his selected agents.

During examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria, Wasli said Yong would contact him on his handphone to say when and where the payment was to be made as well as to give the registration number of the agent's car.

Wasli was testifying at the trial of former land and cooperative development minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam, who is alleged to have used his position as SLDB chairman for financial gain by taking part in the decision to approve the proposed sale of 16.8 million Sapi shares held by SLDB to Briskmark.

Kasitah, 60, is also alleged to have deceived SLDB by omitting to disclose the offer by PPB Oil Palms to allocate five shares for each Sapi share in its proposed listing exercise.

When questioned further, Wasli said one of the payments to Yong's agents was made just before the 1999 general election.

He added that besides Yong, he paid RM500,000 to each of eight board members of Briskmark as a donation. The board members were Datuk Salleh Otik, Datuk Ismail Jook, Abdul Kader Pateh, Laimun Laikim, Michael Emban, Talib Aning, John Liaw and Catherine Yong.

Wasli said he did not receive receipts for the payments to Yong's agents and the others.

Replying to another question, Wasli said most of the letters to the minister in charge of SLDB (Datuk Joseph Kurup - now Tan Sri), former chief minister and SLDB were drafted by his lawyer and he just signed them. Bernama

Yong: Endorsed but not pulling out


Yong and his supreme council members at the SAPP special meeting yesterday. Pix by Star

KOTA KINABALU, Fri: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) supreme council today endorsed the decision to support a vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

“After considering all views, the supreme council decided to endorse the motion,” party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee told reporters after chairing the supreme council emergency meeting.

Yong, however, said there was no decision on the party pulling out of the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Thirty-three of the 35 supreme council members, with the exception of deputy presidents — Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun and Likas assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan — who are overseas on official duty, did not attend the meeting held at the party headquarters in Luyang, near here.

The meeting was held to discuss the party’s political direction following the declaration by Yong on Wednesday that the party had lost confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Yesterday, the BN convened an emergency supreme council meeting in Kuala Lumpur and decided that no action would be taken against SAPP for the moment as it was not clear whether its call for a no-confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday against the prime minister was a personal view or that of the party.

This story is from HERE.

Anwar in Sabah tomorrow

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to attend the Sabah PKR's Kaamatan Festival at the Kian Kok Secondary School's hall in Kota Kinabalu tomorrow (Saturday - June 21)

Sabah PKR deputy head Daniel John Jambun said several Menteri Besar of the States controlled by Opposition in Peninsula Malaysia would also be attending the function.

"We have also invited SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee and leaders from UPKO as well as leaders of political parties from Sarawak," Jambun said when I contacted him this morning.

Breakfast breaking news

I was at my regular noodle shop in Inanam for my breakfast this morning when a group gentlemen whom I believed were Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) members talking about the party's special supreme council meeting beginning 10am today.

They must be from another division outside Kota Kinabalu for none of them did I recognised.

As I was seated next to their table, I heard their conversation and as I paid my noodle and coffee and left for home, I concluded that SAPP is sure to drop another bombshell today.

SAPP Datuk Yong Teck Lee will announced that the party will pulled out from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

My hometown, Inanam, which is under the jurisdiction of Sepanggar parliamentary constituency will be Opposition and foe to the BN, the MP being Datuk Eric Majimbun, the Deputy President of SAPP and likely to be the MP given the honour to table the motion of vote of no confidence in Parliament against BN chairman and Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister come Monday.

Thursday 19 June 2008

Who to table the motion?

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee yesterday said the party's Members of Parliament Datuk Eric Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) will support vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Monday.

Talks then was that Majimbun, who is SAPP's Deputy President, will table the motion. But as for now there had been no confirmation.

I successfully contacted Majimbun by SMS yesterday where he replied that SAPP was not quitting Barisan Nasional. This afternoon I sent SMS to him again whether he would be tabling the motion on Monday. His reply: "Sorry, I'm in Paris, back to Kuala Lumpur on June 22. TQ"

I came to know that yesterday Majimbun was in Sweden.

He will only be back on Sunday which mean he will not be at the SAPP supreme council meeting tomorrow.

Something is wrong somewhere.

SAPP still in BN

I reproduced below a SMS forwarded to me this afternoon.

Outcome of Barisan Nasional (BN) Emergency Supreme Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur today chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

No question of kicking SAPP out of BN yet. Uncertain as to whether Datuk Yong Teck Lee consulted his supreme council before announcing the party's lost confidence of Abdullah's leadership.

Action to be taken by BN.

1. Condemn Yong's statement as unprincipled and irresponsible
2. Unanimous supports for Abdullah
3. Instruction to all BN's Members of Parliament not to support motion of no
confidence

The BN Supreme Council will also wait for the outcome of SAPP's supreme council meeting tomorrow before taking further action.

Look what they are saying now

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) motion for vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced by the party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee yesterday. The motion is likely to be tabled by Deputy President and Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun when Parliament resume sitting Monday.

Comments:

Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia: "I have not received any notice for a motion of no confidence against the PM."

PM Abdullah: "SAPP and Yong's action due to the fact that I have not been able to satisfy his (Yong) personal greed."

SAPP Deputy President and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan who was not present at yesterday's Press conference: "Do not read into my absence. I have also been absent from some of the party's Press conference in the past."
"As far as I am concerned, I don't know about the vote of no confidence against the PM. For heaven's sake, we cannot simply table a motion in Parliament. We are subject to rules and procedures of the august House, and there are requirements to follow."

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Datuk V K Liew: " I deplore Yong's action. It is absurd and nonsensical for SAPP to make such move. What has Pak Lah done to SAPP to deserve this kind of treatment."


Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan: " SAPP and Yong's move a brave step that should be supported by everone. I hope there would be more leaders taking a brave stance like SAPP."

Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup: "I am dissapointed over SAPP's wanting to move a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister.It is unwise for SAPP to put pressure on the PM to resign."

UPKO Information Chief Datuk Bobby Suan: "Rumours that UPKO is quiting BN is not true."

Wednesday 18 June 2008

Musa says......

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman issued a three paragraphs Press statement on Sabah Progressive Party's action.


KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman expressed his hisappointment over the announcement by Datuk Yong Teck Lee, SAPP President, that the party's MPs would support a vote of no confidence on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"I am not sure what is SAPP's real motive in making such a move," he said in a statement today.

Musa said as a BN component party President, such an act is uncalled for and unprecedented based on the spirit of camaraderis practiced by the BN all this while.

SAPP to decide on Friday


Yong and Tawau MP Chua Soon Bui (standing) and other SAPP leaders during the Press Conference on Wednesday.


Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the party would hold a supreme council special meeting Friday to discuss whether or not the party would ditch Barisan Nasional.

"Members will be given the floor to speak their minds," he told a Press conference at the party's headquarters in Bornion Centre, Foh Sang near Kota Kinabalu.

After announcing that SAPP would table a no confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Yong said: "While SAPP is technically a BN component party, the BN is no more in Sabah. It only exits in from but not in spirit."

Asked if he expected SAPP to be sacked from BN before Friday, Yong stressed that SAPP was willing to bear the consequences.

Yong also ruled out SAPP joining the opposition, Pakatan Rakyat, but admitted having met with Parti Keadilan Rakyat de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Hongkong and Kuala Lumpur.

Motion of No Confidence against PM

Up-dated:

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) MP for Sepanggar Datuk Eric Majimbun will tabled a no confidence vote against Prime Minister in Parliament on Monday. During SAPP's president Datuk Yong Teck Lee Press conference today, he did not name who of the party's two MPs would move the motion. But an official told me that it will Majimbun, now oversea, who will be given the honour to do so.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee confirmed Parliament resumes sitting Monday but said so far there had been no notice for such a motion to be tabled on that day.

How is a motion tabled in Parliament?
DAP's Lim Kit Siang has this in his blog and I quote -

"The Parliamentary Standing Orders do not have special provision for a no confidence motion.

In the circumstances, a no confidence motion may be regarded as an ordinary motion under Standing Order 27 which requires notice of 14 days to be given – making it impossible for such a no confidence motion to be tabled on Monday, June 23, 2008 as the earliest would be July 2 if the no confidence motion is submitted today.

Standing Order 18 which allows an MP to move a motion to adjourn the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance will be inappropriate and unhelpful as it only allows one hour debate on the specified issue without any vote being taken at the end of the debate.

The only way for a no confidence motion to be tabled and debated on Monday is for the Speaker to treat it as a substantive and extraordinary motion which should take precedence and priority over all parliamentary business which does not need to comply with the requisite 14-day notice and publishing it as the first item of parliamentary business after Question Time in the Parliamentary Order of Business on Monday.

In doing so, however, the Speaker is likely be in direct loggerheads with the government of the day and must be prepared to pay the consequences of such decision."

SAPP ditching BN?

Today at 2pm at the Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) headquarters in Luyang, Ex-Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee will be making a crucial announcement which political pundits said `could change the political scenario in Malaysia.'

Talks is that Yong will pulled SAPP, the party he founded after ditching Parti Bersatu Sabah, from Barisan Nasional.

If this is going to happen, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will lost two MPs - Datuk Eric Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Chua Soon Bui (Tawau)while at Statelevel Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman will be four less members in the State Legislative Assembly.

To be updated.

Tuesday 17 June 2008

Breaking News....

Sabah-based Barisan Nasional component party member, Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee is scheduled to `drop a bombshell' during a Press conference at 2pm at the party's HQ in Luyang, Kota Kinabalu tomorrow.

A senior party official said an important announcement/declaration at the conference might lead to a drastic change of political scenario in Malaysia.

The official said whatever announcement to be made has been well thought out with the State and the people's interest in mind.

"SAPP will not be the `Lone Ranger' in this case," the official said.

Meanwhile, in another latest development, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) supreme council member Dr Chong Eng Leong today resigned from the party led by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

This is Ex-MP Dr Chong's second resignation from BN-PBS, having done so in 1990. He rejoined PBS in 1998 and was until his resignation the party chief for the Luyang Division.

Dr Chong said he had lost confidence in the PBS' and BN's leadership.


My Say:

Look like the political scenario is getting more interesting.

Pairin: PBS strong BN supporter

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said he did not know anything about a Sabah-based party ditching Barisan Nasional (BN).

"I do not know anything about it except for what has been reported in the newspapers," he said when asked by reporters in Kota Kinabalu yesterday. On Sunday Gua Musang Member of Parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah claimed that an East Malaysian BN party would be leaving before the end of this month.

Asked if PBS was the party in question, Pairin said: "PBS is a strong supporter of the BN and the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi....no need to speculate."


My Say:

Still clear in my mind when on Oct 15, 1990, five days before the general elections, Pairin announced at the Kota Kinabalu community centre of PBS pulling out of BN to join force with Tengku Razaleigh's Semangat 46, an opposition party formed by the Tengku and ex-Umno leaders to challenge Umno. They failed. PBS won in Sabah and Pairin continued to be Chief Minister of an opposition State Government.

Monday 16 June 2008

PM in Sabah tomorrow

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will be making a brief visit to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah tomorrow. Announcing this today, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said Abdullah would be closing the 2nd International CEO Conference at 4pm. He will be meeting with Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders in the evening before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

No indication yet?

Sabah Barisan Nasional chief and also Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman today said so far there had been no indication from Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP)president Datu Yong Teck Lee that he would be pulling out his party from the national coalition.

Musa told the local Press that he had met Yong but the latter had not said anything about the matter.

SAPP deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan, when met by reporters for comment said he said `no, there is no such thing'. The Deputy Chief Minister said SAPP had been loyal to BN and would remain to be in the coalition.

So far there had been no word from Yong.

On this matter, let see what will happen in the days, weeks or months to come.

SAPP pulling out BN?

All eyes are on Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), following Gue Musang MP disclosure on Sunday of a member of Barisan Nasional ditching the coalition very soon.

SAPP's president Datuk Yong Teck Lee could not be reached by the Press for comments while hand phone of the party other leaders were switched off. One senior party, who refused to be named told a local newspaper here that `it only a matter of time as anything is possible.'

"It is no longer a rumour that SAPP is pulling out for BN. It may be next week or the first week of next month," the leader said.

For the record Yong had on May 13, given the BN Government until August to resolve many issues, particularly, the illegal immigrants and high prices of goods. Failing which he said the party would have to make a stand.

Yong is also believed to have objected to be made a Senator in order to be made a Federal Minister.

If ever Yong decided to pull out from BN, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would lost two MPs and four Assemblymen.

Friday 13 June 2008

Not eligible....

I will just be a by-stander tomorrow when other motorists claims their cash rebate at the Post Office in my home town Inanam. I paid my Kancil's road tax in August, 2007, my Wira on March 15, 2008 and my 4x4 is 2800cc.

I am sure there are many others in the same situation as me and together we hope that something good will come out for us in the near future.

Dad to give birth a girl


This story is from newsoftheworld.co.uk

Exclusive: Dad-to-be reveals joy..just 4 weeks before HE is due to give birth
By Georgina Dickinson



DAD'S MY BABY: A moment of wonder
THESE extraordinary new pictures show the world's first pregnant man—captured just four weeks from the birth of his baby girl.
In an exclusive and moving interview with the News of the World, sex-change dad Thomas Beatie and his wife Nancy tell of their joy. And he reveals unseen family snaps of his astonishing early life as a teenage beauty queen.

"I feel fantastic," he said. "I cannot wait to see my baby's face."

In a tender and intimate moment, Thomas shares a cuddle with wife Nancy—before telling the News of the World of his secret hopes for the future.

With four weeks to go, he sensationally reveals the couple are ready to have MORE BABIES after the birth of their daughter.

And as well as posing for these amazing world exclusive pictures, Thomas opens up his family album to show unseen snaps of his life as a teenage beauty queen.

Thomas—who changed sex ten years ago but kept his ovaries and womb so he could have children—told us: "I feel on top of the world.

"I'm 36 weeks now and almost due but I feel fantastic. Every day Nancy a

nd I think about how we just cannot wait to hold our daughter for the first time, to finally get to touch her and see her face.

"We have her nursery ready and her diapers are lined up in her bedroom. Everything is ready to go.

"We have even picked a name which we both love—although we're waiting until she is born before we tell anyone. All the people who really know us and love us, our friends and family, have been incredibly supportive.

"So much so we might even have more children. We will just see what the experience is like with our daughter's arrival first and then give it some thought."

Brave Thomas has caused worldwide controversy over the "reverse" pregnancy, which was the only way he and Nancy could have children.

But at the centre of the storm, all has been calm, as Thomas explains: "Everything has been excellent. I have been so lucky. I didn't have any discomforts or ailments.

"In fact when I found out I was pregnant I went online and read how a lot of women suffer back pain but I haven't had any. It has been remarkably easy.

"And when Nancy and I saw the first scans it was just such an incredible emotional experience we did not care what some people were saying about us.

"To be able to see her face, her lips, her body made all the abuse we have endured worthwhile.

"She went from being a figment of hope to a real person, our baby and the experience has been magical.

"Starting a family was a dream Nancy and I had shared for some time, and in four weeks our dream is about to come true. We just cannot wait."

Thomas had his breasts removed ten years ago but chose to keep his female reproductive organs because Nancy, 45, had undergone a hysterectomy.

When the time came, he had to stop taking his sex-change testosterone hormone so he could start ovulating again.

He fell pregnant with twins on his first attempt using donor sperm bought from a cryogenic sperm bank. Thomas was inseminated by Nancy at home using a special syringe from a VET who looked after their pet birds—because a baby clinic turned them away.

"I asked for a syringe without a needle," said Nancy. "They gave us one and we got our container of sperm."

Thomas had an ectopic pregnancy and lost the embryos and a fallopian tube. But against the odds a second try worked—and the baby will be delivered by caesarean section by obstetrician Dr Kimberly James on July 3.

"It was always a clear decision that we wanted to have children and for me not to remove my organs," said Thomas.

"Wanting to have a child is neither a male nor female desire but a human desire."

Meanwhile at their detached home in Bend, Oregon, Nancy and Thomas—who run a T-shirt business—are keen to portray an air of everyday normality.

Our photographs show Thomas having his daily shave then taking a bath, lying in the bubbles, gazing at his bump.

He poses lovingly with Nancy, clearly showing the scars from his breast operation and pregnancy pigmentation lines on his abdomen.

And he plays with his pet birds, perching them on his arm. Then the amazing couple got out their family albums, revealing just how beautiful Thomas was as Tracy from her early school years to her teens.

Tracy and her two brothers were raised in Hawaii by their father after their mother committed suicide.

The young beauty was a model—even making it to the finals of Miss Hawaii Teen USA.

There are also pictures from their happiest day—when they wed in Hawaii in 2003 five years after they met in Honolulu.

Thomas has no regrets about becoming a woman. He still has female organs but says he and Nancy manage to have a healthy sex life.

Now he is looking forward to a bright future as a father.

"We have come so far together and our daughter will be the icing on the cake for us," Thomas told us. "Finally we will be a complete family."

All pictures copyright Getty Images. No reproduction without authorisation .

Glad that I am back....

Looking at my last posting, its been 10 days that I had been out of touch, no thanks to Telekom Malaysia. It is my fixed telephone line problem again and Telekom refused to repair it saying that the cable from the `black box' to my house was done by a contractor.

It was just an hour ago that it was fixed that cost me RM290. I do not wish to complain now but the next time this happened, I am going to be really mad. The money I paid to the contractor just now could had been save for me to by 10 bags of 10kg of Super Siam rice.

Monday 2 June 2008

Is This For Real???

This story is from here published on Saturday, May 31, 2008


MNLF seen reviving Sabah claim


The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is reviving efforts to reclaim Sabah by filing a petition before the International Court of Justice, a move seen by many as potentially affecting the peace process in Mindanao.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said MNLF’s initiative is “a demolition job” on Malaysia which is brokering the peace talks between the MILF and the government.

Former MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari, together with Abdullah Kiram, one of the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate, said he will file a petition before the international court to get back Sabah, a mineral-rich island that accounts for almost 50 percent of Malaysia’s gross domestic product.

But according to Khaled Musa, deputy chairman of the MILF, pursuing the Sabah claim is “an issue too hot to handle and could boomerang on his [Misuari’s] leadership.”

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said the government is not aware of Misuari’s plan nor is it supportive of the Sabah claim revival.

“It should be the government [that should] run after Sabah, and that is not at the top of our agenda right now,” Gonzales said in an interview.

Misuari clarified that he is not out to wage war on Malaysia and that he is simply exhausting all legal avenues to settle the Sabah issue peacefully.

“We are not after war, so we will convince the Malaysian government for the sake of peace,” Misuari said during the second Mindanao Leadership Summit earlier this week that was attended by over 10,000 MNLF combatants and members.
-- Angelo S. Samonte

31 Days Not Enough....

The 31 days in May officially allocated for the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) and the farming communities in Sabah were not enough to celebrate Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest) Festival.

The month-long celebrations was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman in Beaufort on May 1.

After celebrations in all districts (financed by the State Government), the festival ended at the State-Level celebrations on May 31 at Hongkod Koisaan (the headquarters of the Kadazandusuun Cultural Association (KDCA)in Penampang. It was officiated by the Head of State Tun Haji Ahmadshah Abdullah.

However, celebrations is still going on until the end of this month (June). I found a notice in the Kadazan section of a local newspaper today which stated that there will be a Kaamatan Festival in Kampung Penampang Proper on June 27 and 28.

The Kimaragang of Kota Marudu will be celebrating their State-level festival on June 7 & 8 at Pekan Tandek.

These are those listed in the notice, there are celebrations going on and I knew for a fact that several places are holding their festivals this weekend and the following weekends.

My Say:

I might be wrong but after the State-level celebrations, it is time to go back to the field, to start taking care of the paddy to have a good harvest so that the KDM (me included) will have a better celebrations come May 2009.