Friday 25 September 2009

Suhakam to visit Sabah's Interior region

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Sabah branch will be conducting a meet-the-clients session at Nabawan, Keningau and Tenom from Sept 30 to Oct 21.

In a Press statement issued in Kota Kinabalu, its Secretary Jasmih Slamat said the programme is among the activities of Suhakam Sabah to disseminate information on human rights to the public especially those in rural areas and to provide consultation services to those submitting complaints.

He said the session in Nabawan would be held at a multipurpose hall from 9am to noon on Sept 30 while another session at a multipurpose hall in Keningau at the same time on Oct 1.

Jasmih said the session in Tenom will be held at Dewan Seri Antenom, from 9am to 1pm on Oct 21.

Wedding Bells For Charlie and Diana


With joy and gratitude to God, my family wishes
Charlie Vicente Junaidi and Diana Francis Lee `Congratulations'
on their wedding day
on Saturday, Sept 26, 2009
to be solemnised at the
Blessed Sacrament Church, Labuan.

Charlie is the third son of Junaidi Ariffin and Juvita Gulabok Bingkasan of Keningau/Inanam.
Diana the eldest daughter of Francis Lee Teck Guan and Julianah Panis of Beaufort/Labuan.
The couple are both teachers.

Sunday 20 September 2009

Selamat Hari Raya

Aki Momogun Wishes All Visitors - Selamat Hari Raya Aidif Fitri, Maaf Zahir Dan Batin.

Thursday 17 September 2009

Sept 16, 1963 - For the record

Need to act to correct the wrong - Jeffrey
By Mariah Doksil and Sandra Sokialof the Borneo Post (Sabah Edition)

FORMER Internal Security Act detainee, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, has lots to share about what he believes is “an act to correct the wrong”.

In an exclusive interview, Jeffrey, who is also the former Sabah Foundation director, recalled an incident when introducing his People Development Concept in 1991, which stole Tun Mahathir Mohammed’s attention, who was the premier leader at the time.

“I was just released from ISA. I was very vocal and was strongly defending Sabah’s rights as written under the Twenty Points with the hope to teach the people to be self-reliant,” he said.

Mahathir knew Jeffrey was unhappy with the Federal Government’s administration. The rebellious politician was not afraid to make a point – especially concerning Sabah.

He pointed out the fact that the Malaysia Agreement and the 20 Points were forgotten, and that Sabah was made as one of the 14 states in Malaysia when, by right, Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya should be equal partners in the federation.

Jeffrey even stressed that there was misinterpretation of the dates.

“We gained our independence on August 31, 1963 while Malaya gained their in 1957. We did not join Malaysia but helped form Malaysia … this fact must be corrected,” he said.

He was not afraid to tell the truth. He was determined to correct history.

But what shocked Jeffrey most was a statement from Mahathir.

“He (Mahathir) told me ‘Jeffrey, don’t teach people what they don’t know’ … I told him that it is my duty to tell the people what they don’t know so that they would be able to live freely from fully depending on Kuala Lumpur,” he said. The then Prime Minister told him to do the exact opposite.

Jeffrey said: “Such a statement clearly showed the Federal Government’s assumption and attitude towards Sabah and Sabahans.

“Their feared us and stopped us from knowing the truth. They kept us in an ‘iron grip’ when instead, they should be more open-minded about the matter and allow us some room to breath.”

According to Jeffrey, apart from the premier leader, he received a similar call from the police. He still remembered how the special branch told him that “anyone caught teaching people history in Sabah would be nipped in the bud”.

Jeffrey pointed out the three keywords of the 20 Points - Merge, Equal Partnership and Equal Power of Status - which are almost forgotten.

He was also upset when people seemed to be confused that Malaysia’s Independence Day was on August 31, 1957.

“Not many know that we gained our independence on the same date but in 1963, which led to the formation of Malaysia on September 16 in the same year.

“There is nothing wrong celebrating it since it was the date Malaya achieved her independence, as much as we respect their independence, we must not forget Malaysia’s birthday too,” he added.

He said today, Sabah and Sarawak have bigger representation in the government, based on the 12th General Election results in March last year.

“This is the first time in our political history that we have the power to review our rights, to be heard by the leaders in the federal government.

“The leaders need to realise that we need change and the fact that Sabah did not join Malaysia but formed it.

“It is such a disappointment when even teachers are brainwashed on the facts pertaining to the independence and formation of the country. Teachers should open their mind and do not be afraid to learn the truth. They are exposed to other sources of information such as electronic media, newspapers, and the Internet.

“The new generation of leaders should not delay to fight and highlight the truth about the Malaysia Day, this historical date must be recognised,” he stressed.

Jeffrey, who is currently Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice president, said that the Pakatan Rakyat had moved a step forward by recognising the Malaysia Day, and the Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has invited him to deliver a speech about the formation of Malaysia today at the Auditorium Dewan Jubli Perak, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.

As for Human and Environmental Rights activist, Nilakrisna James, although she respects the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia Concept, the September 16 issue, which highlights the autonomy of the Borneo States in that partnership in 1963, must be respected.

“With the introduction of the 1Malaysia, it is also crucial to understand that we became one nation under the umbrella name ‘Malaysia’ on September 16, 1963.

“If we are serious about the amalgamation of a cultural identity that can homogenise all races, I would imagine that the concept of 1Malaysia will eventually become that identity. Unfortunately, there was not much planning in the overall vision and how far this concept can turn into a culture is very vague,” she explained.

Nilakrisna expressed that up to now, there is very little respect for the historical reasons as to why Malaysia came into being only on 16th September and there has been too much emphasis in our history books on 31st August 1957 as the National Day that the state has effectively annihilated the struggle of those important people who fought for ‘1 Malaysia’ in 1963.

“My grandfather, OKK Sedomon Bin OKK Gunsanad, played an integral part in paving the way for the protection of Sabah’s autonomous rights under the 20 points agreement.

“If our past leaders had respected this history and this struggle the erosion of those rights would have been curtailed,” Nilakrisna said.

She stressed that the ethnic differences among Malaysian, despite modern globalisation and despite 1Malaysia, will be the rock of unity as a nation.

“There will be no tension if due respect is given to those differences. The only way in which we can learn to respect those differences is by allowing the people of the Borneo states to eventually adapt themselves to the reality of a “culture” of 1Malaysia,” she said.

“In this respect, September 16, 1963 should be known as ‘1Malaysia Day’, if “independence day” is just too much to swallow for our Federal leaders,” she pointed out

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Malaysia is 46 Years Old Today



On Page 199 and 200 of Tan Sri Herman J Luping's book, he wrote that Sabah's Independence through Malaysia was announced on Aug 31, 1963 and Tun Mohd Fuad Stephens was made the first Chief Minister. The declaration was made at the Town Padang (Now known as Padang Merdeka in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu). The ceremony was attended by Tun Abdul Razak (Deputy Prime Minister), Tun Datu Haji Mustapha Datu Harun (first Sabah's Yang Dipertua Negara now renamed Yang Dipertua Negeri) and other State leaders.

HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY!!!!!

The report below appeared front page lead of the Borneo Post (Sabah edition on Sept 16, 2009)

We’re only 46 today
By Sandra Sokial & Mariah Doksil

TODAY, 46 years ago, a country was born.

It was a merger of four independent nations – North Borneo (now Sabah), Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya – forming the Federation of Malaysia.

Each nation gained its independence separately starting with Malaya on August 31, 1957; Sabah on the same date six years later, Sarawak on July 22, 1963 and Singapore on August 9, the same year.

But yet, despite its historical formation, Malaysia’s ‘birthday’ is left redundant. Many grew up with misconceptions that Malaysia was born when the two states – Sabah and Sarawak – joined the country.

“We formed the country. It is a merger. I have raised the matter that we are distorting history. We are not telling the history of Malaysia as it happened. It seems that we are giving the impression that Malaysia started on August 31, 1957,” said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

Dompok, who has been very vocal on the issue, stressed that the level of the people’s awareness is mostly confined to Malaya’s history.

“The level of awareness among Malaysians in Peninsular Malaysia on the formation of Malaysia is lower than those in the East Malaysia, so much so they believe Malaya is Malaysia.

“We often hear some newscasters on national televisions saying ‘Malaysia, termasuk Sabah dan Sarawak’ (Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak) … why is this happening? Are the two states not included as part of Malaysia that they have to stress it out? Those terms should go,” he said.

The United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president said it is also sad that some of the country’s leaders are ignorant of this fact.

Once, Dompok recalled, someone likened the situation in the Malaysian history to that of the United States of America.

“We must understand that the four nations joined together to form a new federation which they all agreed to call Malaysia. As for independent nations like Hawaii, like any other nations after that, they joined USA, which did not involve any changes to the name … so there is a difference,” he explained.

He stressed that it is important for Malaysians to understand the facts and historical journey of their country.

Dompok’s views on the matter were seconded by his political rival, Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

“I am sad that people are making the wrong interpretation of the dates. In fact, there is not much stressed on the country’s birthday compared to Malaya’s independence.

“When we formed Malaysia, we agreed to be partners in the country, as stated in the Malaysia Agreement. But today, the situation has changed. We are made as one of the 14 states in Malaysia … this is not what it was supposed to be,” he said.

Jeffrey also stressed that there was not much emphasis on Malaysia Day in any of the history books, adding that the younger generations are deprived of the historical moment where the country was born.

“They may have just a few sentences on it. The rest are Malaya’s independence … why did they push aside such important information from the people?” asked Jeffrey.

Both senior politicians also agreed on a common point – a time will come when the truth itself will prevail.

“I am optimistic about this and I believe the people will know what actually happened back then in 1963. I believe one day September 16 will be recognised as an important date for the country.

“It is my hope that historians will do a comprehensive research on this. A nation can’t have two birthdays,” stressed Dompok.

Thursday 10 September 2009

Malaysia Day - Sept 16

In conjunction with Malaysia Day on Sept 16, I like to reproduce here extracts on the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963 from a book entitled `The Indigenous Ethnic Communities of Sabah - The Kadazandusun' by Tan Sri Herman J Luping which was launched in Kota Kinabalu on Aug 8, 2009 by Federal Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim.

Luping, a former Sabah Deputy Minister and also ex-State Attorney General, wrote on Chapter One of the 10 chapters book about a brief history of Sabah and the formation of a new federation 46 years ago called Malaysia.
From Page 9 of the 226- page-book, the veteran politician wrote that when Tunku Abdul Rahman proposed the formation of Malaysia in 1961, there was no political party in Sabah.
Donald Stephens (later to be known Tun Haji Mohd Fuad Stephens) formed United Kadazan National Organisation (UNKO) which was later renamed United Pasok Kadazan National Organisation (UPKO) for the Kadazans, Datu Mustapha Datu Harun (Tun Datu Haji Mustapha Datu Harun) established United Sabah Nasional Organisation (USNO) for the Muslims and Khoo Siak Siew (Datuk Khoo Siak Siew) formed Sabah Chinese Association (SCA) for the Chinese.
Of the four leaders, only Mustapha accepted Tunku's proposal outright. Mohd Fuad, and another Kadazan leader OKK Datuk G S Sundang and Khoo rejected the plan. In fact, Fuad joined forces with Azahari of Brunei and Ong Kee Hui of Sarawak to oppose the plan for Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and the Federation of Malaya to merge to form a new nation - Malaysia.
These opposing leaders sent a telegram to the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York objecting strongly to the plan.
Mohd Fuad also wrote an opern letter to the Tunku and published it in the North Borneo News and Sabah Times on July 7, 1961 in which he wrote: `
"If we have been asked to join Malaysia at the same time Malaya achieved independence and Britain made it possible for us, the story would have been a different one. Now that Merdeka has been Malaya's for some year,s and we are still struggling towards it. Malaya's proposal that we join as the 12th, 13th and 14th States savours of imperialism, of a drive to turn us into Malayan colonies - To join Malaya, while we are still colonies, only means we cease to be British colonies and become Malayan colonies - the implication is to hand (ourselves) over to your control..."
Sundang, who is from the Interior (Keningau), was even more emphatic in his objection to the Malaysia plan. He said it would be a `big fish swallowing a small fish' and Sabah should gain independence first before joining in, so that Sabah could join as equal partners.
Khoo and other Chinese leaders wanted British to continue governing Sabah until such time as the country was ready for independence.
Luping further wrote that after careful consideration, Mohd Fuad decided to look at the Plan from a bigger window and subsequently accepted the Plan as workable. Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore was persuasive to make Mohd Fuad to change his mind.
Lee had been agitating for the Island City to join with Malaya and saw the opportunity to press for his advantage if Sabah and Sarawak also joined the new proposed Federation of Malaysia.
Mohd Fuad aso met the Tunku in Kuala Lumpur and after an hour's talk, he was more than convinced that the Malaysia proposal was feasible and would benefit the people of Sabah, particularly the indigenous communites.
Mohd Fuad then formed the Malaysia Solidaritry Consultative Committee to ascertain the benefits of the proposed federations for the people of Sabah and Sarawak. The committee was based in Kota Kinabalu then Jesselton.
The committe held meeting in Kota Kinablau, Kuching, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and subsequently published a report in which Mohd Fuad, for Sabah, agreed to join Malaysia in principle, subject to various safeguards for the Borneo territories. He aksed for the guarantee of Borneon autonomy in the new federation.
The underlying reasons for Mohd Fuad's change of heart was that he saw the definitive indigenous communities as the beneficiaries of the advantages to be gain when Sabah joined Malaysia.
Sabah and Sarawak leaders also provided terms and conditions for the two States to join Malaysia. Sabah has its 20 Points Safeguards while Sarawak produced its Eighteen Points Safeguard.
While the country celebrates its 52nd Merdeka on Aug 31, 2009, Sabah and Sarawak will be celebrating the 46th Malaysia Day on Sept 16, 2009 which is also the official birthday celebrations of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
Note: You will be able to get a copy of this book by forwarding request to Ms Beth Sikayun of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah at Fax No: 088 423 677.

Tuesday 8 September 2009

A study on the 13th State Election's Trend

United Sabah Dusun Association (USDA) will carry out a-one-year study on the trend of the March 8, 2008 State Election. Although it will only be officially launched on Sept 15, 2009, the exercise begin tomorrow (Sept 9, 2009).

The launching will be held in conjunction with the USDA's Malaysia Day Count Down at Padang Suworoh, Selupoh in Tuaran beginning 7.30pm.

According to the association's president Datuk Kalakau Untol, the study would be conducted throughout Sabah. USDA hopes to present a report, based on the study, on how the `people power' through the ballot boxes determined the mandate to Barisan Nasional (BN) to continue governing Sabah.

In last year's election, BN comprising of Umno, PBS, UPKO, LDP, SAPP, MCA and PBRS, won 59 of the 60 state's seats and 24 of the 25 parliamentary constituencies. The DAP, a Kuala Lumpur-based Opposition party, won one MP seat and a State constituency.

SAPP, however, pulled out from the coalition in September last year, bring along with them two MPs and two State seats.

Monday 7 September 2009

To Do...

A friend of mine send this to me.

"You know what is the icing on the cake of that "banyak bagus" punya feeling. It is that you also know that you are good at what you do, you know what to do, how to do it and you don't have to listen to others about what to do when they don't know what they are talking about what to do."

Sunday 6 September 2009

I quit

I joined Sabah Pulse on July 20, 2009. The State Government-linked news portal was renamed Insight Sabah. My stint with the portal was brief. I quit yesterday and is now a free man to which I hope will be in this situation for good.

I guess now I have to learn to live in the kampung and to survive I will now start to grow my own vegetables, tapioca and other cash crop. I have to learn as I had been at-large for too long, away in Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak and London for a total of 20 years.

And I will now have more time in maintaining this blog of mine. To my ex-workmates and bosses in http://insightsabah.gov.my, I say thank you very much indeed for all the cooperation and assistance during my short stay with the portal.

For now, I remain the portal's loyal reader.

Tuesday 1 September 2009

OKlah OKK for now

This was expected.

Sylvester Disimon's appointment on Aug 3, 2009 as the new Penampang District Chief (OKK) had been revoked on Friday Aug 28, 2009. He was due to report duty today but the surprise turn of event turned out to be not in his favour. He was sacked before he could officially entered the OKK office at the Urusetia Penampang.

And OKK Christopher Mojungkim, whose tenure of office was terminated on July 23, 2009, now continue to warm the OKK seat. The termination had been revoked.

These facts were confirmed by the Penampang District Officer Gundohing William Sampil.

It look like the Moyog assemblyman Donald Datuk Peter Mojuntin, who recommended Sylvester's appointment and Christopher's termination, had a change of heart.

Donald used his power to recommend Christopher's reinstatement and cancelled Sylvester's appointment. It will be interesting to see latest development on this matter in the days to come.

New News Portal

Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) based news portal http://insightsabah.gov.my/ is/was born today.