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Musa to be next Sabah's Head of State?

Crowded race for next head of state post
As published HERE http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/

By Michael Kaung
KOTA KINABALU: The race to become Sabah's next Yang Di-Pertua Negri (head of state) is on and jostling to be the next resident of the Istana on Signal Hill is an unprecedented number of senior politicians.
After enduring years of the cut and thrust of state politics each of these politicians are hoping to wind up their days in absolute comfort in the Istana which overlooks the city.
Chief Minister Musa Aman, 59, Deputy Chief Minister Yahya Hussein and Parliament Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia are among the top three contenders for the post with the impending retirement of Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah, whose term comes to an end on Jan 1, 2011.
The other contenders
Another in the running is Yahya, the minister of agriculture and food industry.
"Yahya has climbed as high as he can in government. He is unlikely to become the chief minister. He only managed to get picked (in the 2008 general election) at the last minute after some table thumping.
"He knows his chances of being nominated in the next election are slim. He's going on 60 now. He will be more than happy to settle for the head of state post which comes with prestige and wealth… he can look at being head of state for two terms… in effect 10 years.
"That will be a great way to retire… get the highest award in the country and rub shoulders with the royalty," said the observer.
Yahya's candidacy, however, is hampered by the fact that he is a state assemblyman and his resignation and elevation to the head of state post would force a by-election.
Those in the know are also speaking of him being the next Speaker of the state assembly.
"Who's next (for the head of state post)?… Pandikar. He is also about the same age (57) as Yahya. He has been lobbying very hard for the post. He's had a bypass and is feeling the pressures of continuing as Speaker.
"At one function he even said that because of his name (Pandikar means warrior), he deserves a Tunship. During the recent investiture ceremony at the Istana, word went around that he is among the frontrunners for the post," the source said.
Current State Assembly Speaker Juhar Mahiruddin is also a contender as he is among the least controversial of the frontrunners.
Payback time
Other contenders are former Finance Ministry permanent secretary Yusof Kassim.
Musa owes him for favours done. He gave Yusof two extensions when he retired and word has it that Musa nominated him for the post.
"Mayor Iliyas Ibrahim is also a contender. He's been mayor for two terms already and should be about to step down. Ilias, who's around 60, is a childhood friend of Musa," said the observer.
Also in the running is former deputy president of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) AK Aliuddin, 66, the former member of Parliament for Kimanis.
His name was reportedly put forward by Musa's younger brother, Foreign Minister Anifah as a "thank you gesture" for his contribution to Anifah's victory in the last general election.
Apart from the seven, there could be another surprise candidate for the top post who has the blessings of Kuala Lumpur

By-election in Sabah

　
KOTA KINABALU: Batu Sapi Member of Parliament Edmund Chong, 54, was killed in a
road accident Saturday (Oct 9, 2010). He was reportedly riding a high-powered
motorcycle along Jalan Coastal, Tanjung Aru, at 11.40am on a highway in the city
when he crashed into an oncoming car.
Chong, who is a consultant engineer by profession, leaves a wife, Linda Tsen
Thau Lin, 54, and four children -- three daughters and a son, aged between 13
and 23. Two of his children are studying abroad.

He was the treasurer-general of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and the party's
Elopura division head. He is a consultant engineer by profession.

Chong, who was born in Sandakan, became an MP after winning the parliamentary
seat of Batu Sapi uncontested in the 2004 general election.

Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP Ahmad Sofi Zakaria said Chong's body
was taken the to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, according to a Bernama report.

"We are investigating. Preliminary investigation revealed a dent on the right
side of the Mercedes (car) due to a collision," he said when contacted.

Ahmad Sofi said the driver of the car was slightly injured.'A committed leader'
Putatan MP Marcus Mojigoh said he and Chong were to have travelled together
tomorrow to Kuala Lumpur to attend the Dewan Rakyat session beginning Monday.

Chong was returning to his house in Taman Likas Jaya from the Kota Kinabalu
International Airport after buying his flight ticket when the accident happened,
he told reporters at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

"I was told he went to the airport to get his ticket. We were supposed to leave
for KL tomorrow together. I believe he wanted to stay at the Legend Hotel where
I am also going to put up.

"I did not think this will happen. I had advised him to be careful (when riding
the motorcycle). We have all lost a friend and will miss him," said Marcus, who
was almost in tears.

Marcus, who is the treasurer-general of Upko (United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun
Murut Organisation), said Chong was a collector of motorcycles. "It was his
hobby. He has got a few motorbikes," he said.

Sabah Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Yee Moh Chai, who
is from the PBS, said Chong's death was felt not only by the family but also by
the people of Batu Sapi.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Sandakan MP Liew Vui
Keong said Chong was well respected by the people of Batu Sapi and Sandakan.

"He also carried out his work efficiently as chairman of the Commercial Vehicle
Licensing Board (LPKP) Sabah, which comes under my purview in the Prime
Minister's Department.

"It is a great loss to Sandakan, to Sabah and to the nation. At this moment, my
thoughts are with his wife and the family who, I pray, will find strength and
solace to carry on at this very difficult time of theirs," he said.

A tragic loss

PBS deputy president Maximus Ongkili described Chong as a principled, dignified
politician.

He said Chong was once tempted with "millions of ringgit" to cross over to
another party but declined the offer.

Ongkili said Chong was one of the key PBS assemblymen who provided unfailing
support and stability for the reinvention of the party during the post-1994 era.

"It's a tragic loss for the PBS, the Barisan Nasional and Sabah. In executing
his duties as an elected representative, he spoke with boldness and sincerity
regarding the rights and needs of his constituents.

"Sometimes, his words were not palatable to some friends and colleagues but he
always meant well. He was a great personal friend, although at times we had to
agree to disagree on certain issues in politics," he said.

Ongkili said Chong would be deeply missed by his loving family, comrades in the
PBS and colleagues in Parliament.

Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman described Chong's death as a great loss for the
people and state of Sabah.

"He was a dedicated and committed leader in discharging his responsibilities as
the Member of Parliament for Batu Sapi," he told reporters when approached at
Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Musa, who is the State Barisan Nasional chairman, said he and his family
extended condolences to Chong's family and PBS.

PBS president Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who was also at the hospital, said: "It's
very sad for the state and the country, especially PBS. He was my close friend."

"It is something which I never thought would happen. I pray all the time that
nothing like this would happen.

"Chong, as an MP and the party's treasurer-general, had always been concerned
about the future of the country and the state," he said, adding that they last
met during the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) open day here on
Thursday.

Ex-CM: Politics a big business in Malaysia

Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Sallah (1976-1985) said Malaysians entering politics are not out to serve the people but use it as an avenue to enriching themselves with some of them making lots of money within a span of few years.

"Their business is not in the production of goods and adding economic value but act as a-go-betweens and enriching themselves as well as some people in power," he told Mary Chin, a journalist with Daily Express, Sabah's oldest and independent newspaper established in 1963.

Harris, who headed the Parti Berjaya Government until toppled by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan's Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) in 1985, asserted that after enriching themselves the politicians migrate to other countries.

He said in tha case of Sabah, there were forces at wortk that `are not bothered and do not care whatever happenes to Sabah and Sabahans.

Harris was commenting on views by economist Tan Sri Sr Ramon Navaratnam telecasted over ASTRO last week.

If SAPP forms the next State Government

It will implement land reforms. The party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said agricultrual land will only be given to locals and not leased out to private companies from Peninsula Malaysia.
A committee on this matter will be headed by Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun.
SAPP is contesting more than 40 of the 60 state seats in the next general eleCtions and is confident of winning to form the State Government to topple tne current BN Government.

Ex-Sipitang DO Daim dies

Mathurin Daim, former District Officer of Sipitang, former member of the United National Kadazan Organization (UNKO), former secretary to Chief Minister Peter Lo and a former USNO man has today left us all to return to his Creator.

The North Borneo Herald offers its deepest condolences to all his family members. It is hoped that his vision to see the creation of the Borneo National Party (BNP) will one day be realized.

His remains will be buried at the Limbahau Catholic Cemetery in Papar on Friday
at 1pm.This story from HERE http://northborneoherald.blogspot.com/

M'sia in the Club of Doom says ex-Chief Minister Harris

By Joe Fernandez as posted on Sept 15, 2010 at http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/

KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief minister Harris Salleh sees Malaysia's existing political and administrative system as heading towards a "failed state status" within the next 20 to 30 years. He described these states as the "Club of Doom".

However, he rules out the system in Malaysia changing from within or on its own as "it's so entrenched that it's difficult, if not impossible (for it), to change".

"It's on public record that many leaders who have reportedly committed wrongdoings are being elected again and again," said Harris. "These wrongdoings have been widely reported in the media."

Harris' remarks were delivered in a prepared pre-Aidilfitri talk on leadership to students, in a run-up to Malaysia Day tomorrow, at Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM) here. His talk just became available to the media.

"The main contributing factor is that the voters are not politically and economically independent," said Harris. "The voters depend for their livelihood on political patronage."

Race and religion, he said, played the most important part in selecting a leader.

Reiterating the central theme in his talk that the present system was dated, he opined that the country had the largest number of restrictive laws and policies, quite a number exceedingly harsh, "and not conducive for the citizens to move forward".

Malaysia also had the largest number of "this and that", he pointed out.

As examples, he cited the number of civil servants and the number of agencies per population and the most number of public holidays – 48 – in the world.

"Surely, all these are not conducive for the citizens to move forward."

'Possible to change for the better'

Harris expressed confidence, without getting into any specifics, that it is still possible for the country to change for the better, but only once the voters are politically and economically independent.

"Once this is attained, a responsible leader will emerge and lead the country," he said.

"Then there will be good laws and policies."

Harris, who dropped out from school after Year Six, described a policy as an extension of the law and a guideline for the implementation (resolution) of a particular issue "and should be the best for any particular issue and for the people".

He used three examples from his Berjaya administration (1976-1985) to explain what good policies are in a government: giving all schoolchildren free uniforms, shoes, books pencils and a packet of milk a day; giving and alienating 15 acres of land each to every landless Sabahan; and increasing the payment of dividends from Yayasan Sabah (Sabah Foundation) from RM100 to RM200 per annum.

"These policies helped almost everyone but they were abolished or revoked by
successive governments," said Harris.

"Thus the schoolchildren, the landless and Sabahans have been deprived."

(The school milk programme in Sabah has been reinstated but only three times a
week and confined to Years One to Three.)

Seething with quiet anger, Harris charged that 90% of the 906,330 acres reserved in 74 locations throughout Sabah for 60,000 people in 1983 were not handed over by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), which replaced Berjaya in 1985.

Instead, he alleged the lands earmarked by his administration were given away by PBS to
local companies which promptly sold them (for a quick profit) to companies based in Peninsular Malaysia.

Denying that he was making up stories, Harris said that Joseph Kurup -- who left PBS in 1994 to form Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah -- revealed all the land details in 2003 amidst allegations that Sabah was the poorest state in Malaysia.

Harris attributed the poverty in the state to, among others, the 60,000 landless growing to nearly 200,000 over the last 27 years.

"The revocation of Berjaya's land policies by the succeeding PBS administration has made Sabah the poorest state in Malaysia over the last 20 years," said

Harris. "Sabah is an agricultural state and an overwhelming number depend on the land for their survival."

'Good laws revoked by government'

Sabah's descent into poverty from being the second richest in Malaysia, said Harris, proves that there's no guarantee that laws and policies made by responsible leaders will be honoured by their successors or successor governments.

"Unfortunately, irresponsible successive leaders and governments have deemed it fit to abolish and revoke important policies for the people."

The former chief minister urged "the eminent professors and lecturers" of UiTM to research the poverty of Sabah and relate it to the successive state governments since independence and their various laws and policies.

Harris expressed no surprise that "even good laws and policies" are often revoked by government leaders.

"Politics has become big business in Malaysia," he explained. "People go into politics not to serve the country but to use it as an avenue to enrich themselves."

The rest of Harris' talk on Malaysia was devoted to Sabah, which he described as an example of what's going wrong elsewhere in the country.

He urged Sabahans and Malaysians to stand up for the truth and "call a spade a spade", citing a saying: "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

He observed that many people at all levels including students, just appear to be condoning – "by their inaction" -- whatever (wrong) is happening around them.

He warned that there will be nothing left for Sabahans within the next 20 to
years except the crumbs and leftovers "if nothing is done today to put things
right". "Leaders, after skimming the wealth of the state within a short time,
migrate to other countries," said Harris.

"With their political patronage and connections, some of the people have managed to make a lot of money within a few years."

There are forces at work who are not bothered what happens to Sabah and Sabahans, added Harris. "Their business is not in the production of goods and adding economic value but to act as go-betweens and enrich themselves and others in power."

This state of affairs, said Harris, "cannot and should not be allowed to go on".

The talks now is.....

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun (right) will be contesting the State seat of Inanam, taking on incumbent Assemblyman Johnny Goh Chin Lok of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), in the next general election (PRU13).

Eric, a former District Chief and ex-Chief Judge of the Kota Kinabalu Native Court, is Sepanggar Member of Parliament. He won the seat in the last general election, at that time, SAPP was still a component member of the Barisan Nasional Government.

The sitting District Chief of Kota Kinabalu OKK William Majimbun (left), a young brother of Eric, is tipped to be proposed by PBS to contest for Barisan Nasional for the Sepanggar MP seat. William is a PBS supreme council member.

Umno is also eying to contest the seat and the likely candidate will be the Sepanggar BN chairman Jumat Idris.

And yet another Barisan Nasional component party member UPKO is also said to be proposing one of its supreme council member to contest for the seat. Whoever the Barisan candidate will be, he of she will have to face SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee. Yong, a former Chief Minister, was Gaya MP and one time the Assemblyman for Likas.

Latest talk....
A friend called me saying that Datuk Yong might contest the Likas seat while incumbent Assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan will go for Sepanggar MP seat.

Sabah belongs to Sabahans

As published in http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com

on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:21

It will be a fatal mistake if opposition politicians from the peninsula ride roughshod over the sensitivities of the people of Sabah.

It is well known that the land below the wind (now the land of illegals) has long been seething with anger at the federal masters.

Rich in natural resources, bigger than the peninsula, they should be enjoying the fruits of their natural wealth and holding the future in their hands. Instead, fate was unkind to them and today
they live under the yoke of "alien" rule.

For a brief spell, they had power but because of the machination of a devious dominant peninsular party, they lost their high seat. Though their politically emasculated Huguan Siou (paramount leader) now sits at the same table with the hated "conquerors", life there does
not seem to change for the better.

In PKR the people have found another promising platform to advance their cause. The party is open to all races and in Sabah it has made quite an impact. Its standard-bearer is a fighter for justice and fair play though his future is nebulous.

By forging a link with one of the favourite sons of Sabah, the way ahead looks clear and bright. The partnership seems solid and PKR appears to have hit off well with the crowd. But to their dismay, PKR is behaving more like its peninsular foe. It wanted to impose its own brand of leadership on its partners.

In short, it wanted peninsular politicians to run the show in Sabah. It met with stiff opposition.

Though the error was rectified with Sabah's favourite son in control of his State, the ceasefire did not last long. It was bound to happen: some disgruntled members got together to form a breakway party and fight their own battle.

They nearly got away with it if not for the peace deal reached with PKR. But dirty politics intervened. Imperiously, PKR came down hard on the rebels with the recommendation that they be suspended. It acted tough and rough.

The damage wasdone and another blunder committed. PKR had acted in a manner that reminds its Sabah brothers of the treacherous peninsular politics.

Even if the recommended suspension is not acted upon, the undercurrent of distrust will persist. The dissidents have made their point and Sabahans, inside and outside the political arena, have taken note of the haughty yet fragile opposition party from the peninsula.

If the rebels are shown the door in a display of extreme petulance, it would not sound the death knell for Sabahans.

It would instead strengthen their resolve. If the PKR supremo in a magnanimous gesture brings them back to the fold, it would do nothing to calm the troubled waters. Whichever way the story is played out, the stark reality is that Sabahans, irrespective of their political leanings, simply do not want peninsular leaders talking down to them.

PKR must know that it cannot dictate terms to its Sabah partners. Dissidents, present and future, will rise up to challenge the party of justice. They are not acting alone. Behind them are the people, now living in misery, who are keen to support any "parti that cinta Sabah".

They are raring to toss outsiders, current and impending, into the sea. PKR must not misread the political undercurrents in Sabah, or worse still, underestimate the intelligence of the people. Political awareness there is intense.

Hit a Sabahan politician and you take on an army behind him.

Sabah does not need to hold PKR hands to walk down the corridors of power when the current puppets are thrown out of office. The destiny of the state lies in its own hand. Peninsular style of politics is not its cup of tea. Sabah is not a wild cowboy country that must be tamed by the "western" gunslingers.

There are sensible, intelligent, upright local-born leaders who can lead the state to
fairer climes, calmer seas, clearer future.

Let Sabah be Sabah.

LDP invited to join opposition SAPP

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has today invited Liberal Democratic Sabah (LDP) deputy president Chin Su Phin and those who have lost confidence in the Barisan Nasional leadership to join the opposition in the fight for change in Sabah.

Supreme council member David Chong Ket Sui said he sympathised with Chin and others who he said seem to be getting nowhere under the current Sabah BN leadership.

He said Chin should consider joining SAPP in its quest for state autonomy and more rights for Malaysians in the state.

"Since I am heading SAPP Api-Api constituency liaison committee (CLC) and Chin is also in Api-Api, I invite him to join us and work together to topple the BN..." he told FMT in Kota Kinabalu.

Chong said SAPP planned to contest in all the seats in the next general election, adding that "we hope anyone of the BN component parties will work withus to form the new government and ensure the return of our state autonomy".

"Today, we see that all BN parties can no longer work together and are disunited, so why don't they join SAPP to fight for state development and interest of the people," he said here today.

"I am sincere in making this call. The election is going to be held soon and more than half of the people feel that they have to change the governmentbecause they say the BN government cannot help them get development," he said.

Chong said SAPP under the leadership of former chief minister Yong Teck Lee would be the best choice because it is a non-racial party, which cares for all Malaysians irrespective of race, religion and background.

"I sympathise with Chin and other component leaders who cannot get what they want for the people as they are always being shut out by the BN leadership.

"Every day we can see them arguing and being scolded... is this helping the people?" he asked.

"If it was me, I would have left (the BN) in 24 hours. Those who still want to remain in BN are only fighting for their selves.

"In BN, some party presidents want to meet the prime minister and chief minister only because they want to protect their positions in the government," he said.

SAPP has two state and two parliamentary seats and was a BN component party until two years ago when it ditched the ruling coalition government to become the opposition.

SAPP has made it clear that while it would not be joining the Peninsula-based opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat, there is room for discussion because the party main aims is to take over the state government and reclaim the autonomous power it once had in the 1970s.

LDP link plot to oust Musa Aman

Sabah Umno deputy chief Datuk Salleh Tun Said disclosed that certain leaders of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are in cohoots with certain quarters to topple Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman cum Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.

He warned that Sabah BN would not be intimidated by any attempt to hold the coalition at ransom by mounting a veiled threat on its Chairman-cum-Chief Minister.

"We are prepared to face the worst challenge," he said in a statement in ota Kinabalu on Saturday.

Salleh, a former Chief Minister, also questioned the rationale behind LDP Deputy President Datuk Chin Su Phin's outrage on Tuesday, claiming that it was part of an ongoing plot to oust Musa.

He was also convinced that there were "hidden hands" behind it.
"We believe there are people behind it and we know what they are up to, but we in Sabah BN will not allow them to achieve their selfish agenda by mounting a personal attack on Musa.

"I have reliably learnt that certain LDP leaders are in cahoots with certain quarters to topple Musa, and that they even plan to request Prime Minister-cum-BN Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to have Musa removed," he said.

However, Salleh believed not all LDP leaders concurred with Chin's statement that LDP could no longer work with Musa.

In a shocking announcement, Chin was quoted as saying that the party could no longer work with Musa but would continue to support and work together with Umno in the ruling coalition, and expressed full support for the Prime Minister and his 1Malaysia vision.

"We believe the majority of LDP leaders are rational and wise enough to differentiate what is right and what is not, especially when the issues raised by Chin concerned other people's personal interest.

"It would be a different case if the issues raised were of public interest," Salleh said.

As such, he advised LDP leaders not to be easily manipulated by others for their selfish agenda. Salleh is also confident that all other State BN component parties will continue to rally behind Musa, saying the latter had proven his leadership in steering the State since he became Chief Minister in 2003.

My Say:

Coming from a respected leader, what Salleh said could be true and he is fully aware of who are the `certain quarters' working hand-in-hand with the LDP leaders. Sooner of latter, this all will be made public knowlegde.

It will be no surprise if this `certain quarters' turned out to be `certain Sabah Umno leaders'.

Sarawak general elections around the corner

New party to join Swak's political fray

By Roselind Jarrow of http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com

KUCHING: A new political entity, Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB), has announced that it will be contesting in the coming Sarawak state election. In introducing the PERSB’s pro-tem committee to the media, Native Land Owners Association Sarawak (Tahabas) chairman Michael Jok said although the party is yet to be registered it already has big plans for the future of Sarawakians.

He said PERSB will contest in 71 seats in the coming state election and 31 parliamentary seats in the general election.

“Our candidates are ready to contest as PERSB members or as United Independents,” he added.

Jok said PERSB applied to register the party on Jan 21 this year but the Registrar of Societies Sarawak returned the forms after disapproving its name.

“We resubmited the application on April 20 and we called ourselves Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu. We urge the ROS to approve our application without further delay.

“Failure to do so will be a breach of the principles of democracy, respect and rights of the people of Sarawak to determine their own future leadership through the election process,” he said.

Economic might

PERSB is closely linked to the Project Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak or Pers.

According to Pers website (www.pers.com.my) a shared-plantation scheme involving the cultivation of the Jatropha Curcas plant has enabled hundreds of thousands of Sarawakians to develop a sustainable income.

Jok said some 200,000 planters and workers are involved in the planting of the jatropha, and the projects were planned based on five years short-term projections and 30 years long term.

He said that financial allocations for the implementation of all programmes under the Pers would be channelled through Koperasi Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Berhad.

Jok said two press mill plants have been set up in Sri Aman and Sibu and nine more plants would be built to process the produce.

KERSB would also market crops, livestock, handcrafts and commodities produced by the people such as rice, cassava, coffee, pepper, fish, chicken, goats, weaving products, beads and so forth.

Jok said money from the profits and dividends would be used to raise the earning power of the people, to finance the party, as well as the candidates.

He added that elected representatives of PERSB however would not be allowed to engage in personal businesses except to carry out the Pers programmes.

Unhappy PBB members

Meanwhile, a number of PERSB protem committee members, who were former grassroots leaders of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), said they left their previous party due to unhappiness.

Two of them, David Mathew and Salleh Mahadi, who is the pro-tem president of PERSB, have been with PBB for more than 30 years. Mathew had been with Lawas PBB whereas Salleh was with the Dalat division.

Salleh said: “I left PBB because I am not happy with the party especially when I notice that PBB leaders are neglecting the interests of the grassroots and ordinary members. They are more concerned with business of their own family members and cronies.”

Life like football

Malaysian life's a lot like football

2010/06/29
By Syed Nadzri
syedn@nst.com.my

OH, how we love the jargon and football-speak during this Fifa World Cup, especially from the TV commentators.

They are quite a delight to listen to, like the one the other day: "What a scorcher! What a cracker! The blazing piledriver really rocked the crossbar!" To the uninitiated, and in isolation, the words could easily be taken to have either fire-fighting or construction-site relevance.

If we let our mischievous minds run wild a little, there's a long list of football cliches and parlance during this exciting season that could be gleefully applied to local situations and circumstances off the football pitch.

There is, for instance, "stoppage time" -- the additional minutes before the final whistle to make up for interruptions during normal play. Well, it looks like Malaysians are in stoppage time right now, as far as subsidies and current toll rates are concerned. Talk is that government subsidies will be gradually removed soon, and this could mean paying more for fuel and road tolls.

The soccer glossary has much more of such jargon:

- Dead Ball Situation: A penalty, free kick or corner. Some teams spend a lot of time planning and practising these situations, and the worst part for the opposing side is you don't know which way the ball is going. It is very much like the mood over licensed sports betting before the final decision (a rejection) was made on Friday -- to give or not to give?

Dead ball situation has, since last week, taken on an even more wicked variance in dead footballers situation and this would apply perfectly to World Cup players from Italy, the defending champions, and France, the runners-up, when they get home after the humiliation of an early exit. Oh yes, the North Koreans, too, after being ripped apart 7-0 by Portugal last week and 3-0 by Ivory Coast on Friday. We have dead footballers situation in Pyongyang, too.

- Set Piece: Similar to the above. Refers mainly to free kicks deep in the opponent's territory. In the Malaysian political context, was it a set piece when one Parti Keadilan Rakyat elected representative after another defected?

- Group of Death: It means to be drawn in a tough group in the World Cup. Closer to home, doomsayers predict the defectors mentioned above (now without a party) could find themselves thrown out in the next general election. Hence, the Independent Consensus they have set up in Parliament is a group of death of sorts.

- Jabulani: The official World Cup ball is getting blamed from all sides. Goalkeepers have been making blunders, strikers are ballooning their shots into orbit, and they all blame it on the ball. Jabulani is much like the mainstream media in Malaysia, everybody's favourite whipping boy, this newspaper included.

- Vuvuzela: The deafening and most irritating sounds coming incessantly from the fugal horns blown by spectators. For TV viewers, the buzzing sticks in your ears and lingers long after you retire to bed. You could get nightmares after that. This is very much like the motorcycle din and racket from the Mat Rempit gang in your area. We all hope there is an end to both the vuvuzela and the Mat Rempit soon.

- Man-to-Man: A type of defensive tactic where each defender is assigned to mark a specific player from the opposing team. This term has a familiar ring to it and could be used to refer to sexual preference.

- Soak up the Pressure: Switzerland did this splendidly in their opening match against Spain more than a week ago. They soaked up the pressure and launched counter-attacks. It paid off and they won 1-0. Correspondingly, Perak Barisan Nasional soaked up all the pressure in the shocking aftermath of the 2008 general election. Their counter-offensive bore fruit as they managed to take over the state government last year.

- Play the Advantage: A judgment made by the referee to allow play to continue rather than call a foul if he thinks the foul did not put the offended team at a disadvantage. The term alone, though not its meaning, somehow suits Perkasa perfectly.

- Messi: Fans chant "Messi, Messi, Messi" every time Argentina play because Lionel Messi, their Fifa world player of the year, is on song. But we can change it to "messy, messy, messy" here in reference to the PKFZ scandal. Or "mercy, mercy, mercy" (at least in my case), when Lady Gaga comes on the radio.

- Handball: A foul when a player touches the ball with his hand. Sometimes, the handball goes undetected and if it results in a goal it becomes Hand of God. The DAP described the recent defection of Keshvinder Singh, its Malim Nawar state assemblyman, as a "handball" and cried foul. Handball? More like an own goal.

- The Ball is Round: This is one of the most annoying cliches and it is often used as a pre-match consolation by underdogs. The same tune -- or its equivalent of "it can go either way" -- is becoming more common in elections or political contests. Most irritating. And so is the "form a royal commission" demand at the slightest hint of controversy.

- Portugal: A fancied team.

Showed their stuff in the 7-0 demolition of North Korea. Some people here have declared that they are members of "Kelab Portugal" -- not exactly a fan club of the Portuguese football team, but rather the Portugal that is the acronym for Persatuan Orang Tua Gatal (the Dirty Old Men's Club)

My Say: The writer Datuk Syed Nadzri Syed Harun is New Straits Times (NST) group editor. I had the opportunities to work under him qhile I was NST 's news editor for Sabah and Sarawak as well as at Balai Berita (NST HQ, Bangsar Kuala Lumpur).

Have Poewer to Putrajaya

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional craving for Putrajaya,at whose expense?

By Ronnie Klassen at http://advocateviews.blogspot.com

On one hand UMNO/BN will do anything to stay in power, while Pakatan Rakyat is working towards replacing them in Putrajaya. This is neither a celebrity contest nor another American idol search. This is seizing the opportunity to be the next government at any cost, but at whose expense?

Has it occurred to these two political parties that they are gambling with the lives of the very people who voted them into office? Who cares two hoods how they win, as long as they get to Putrajaya? Well, the people do care, and if anyone feels otherwise, perhaps migration would be the best option.

Let us examine Sabah, which should be one of the richest "states" in Malaysia but now is the second poorest "state" in Malaysia. How did this happen to a "state" rich in natural resources? Sabah is still till this day rich in oil. Who in their sane mind would think this is possible? And UMNO/BN and Pakatan Rakyat are only keen in racing for their jewel prize... PUTRAJAYA.

If Putrajaya is ultimately the place to govern Malaysia for Malaysians, then UMNO/BN has miserably failed in governing the country, because Sabah is still the second poorest state in Malaysia.

Of late, UMNO/BN Sabah leaders have been at each others’ throats, to see who should be rightfully given a specific seat in a constituency with strong words such as "stop bullying fellow Barisan Nasional component parties”. In retaliation, UMNO says "this is a Muslim seat and was only given to you on loan".

In my last posting, I stated that Sabahans are Beggars in their own land; soon Sabahans will be fugitives in their own land. The root of the matter is, this is all about UMNO … UMNO and only UMNO? Barisan Nasional component members have now become pariah's in the eyes of UMNO.

Recently the UMNO Supreme Council convened a meeting to deliberate the Sports Betting issue on a license that was purportedly issued to Vincent Tan, and chaired by non other then the Prime Minister himself, Najib Razak.

At the press conference immediately after the meeting, Najib blatantly said "the government has decided not to issue the license to Vincent Tan”. In a nutshell it was UMNO that decided and not the Federal Government. This is arrogance of the highest order, there again tell me what else is new.

Pakatan Rakyat in Sabah on the other hand is another sob story. Parti Keadilan Rakyat(PKR) has not shown anything concrete either, to say the least. DAP on the other hand has been rather active of late with the numerous visit by the 'Father of Opposition" Lim Kit Siang. I had the opportunity to have had breakfast with him recently, and in his twitter he labeled me as "an interesting fella".

Some have called me worst like "shit stirrer".

Recently I accompanied 5 Sarawakians to the MACC office at Shah Alam, Selangor, where a report was lodged against Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak on his wealth beyond comprehension. The Deputy Director, Yip Pit Wong later however REFUSED to provide a copy of the report. What bullshit. The photo shows me wondering ….. Who’s next to be thrown out the window at MACC?

Another interesting event that took place recently as well was, a Police report that was lodged against me by the President of MAJAP, Datuk Clarence Bongkus Malakun over the Allah issue. This is the very man that asked the Christian community in Sabah to abandon the word Allah. The charge was framed under the Multi-Media Act section 223, under which if found guilty one is liable to a fine of RM50,000 or a year's jail or both.

Clarence B.Malakun must have gone "Bonkers" to have thought that intimidation would tickle me. I will fight to the very end to ensure that the people will not be hoodwinked by government stooges out to con the people, for their own personal agenda?

To my recollection the Holy Father is Pope Benedict and not POPE CLARENCE?

I call upon Sabahans and Sarawakians to rise and seize what rightfully belongs to them. The 13th General Elections is fast approaching and UMNO/BN must be shown the exit door.

We must now strengthen Pakatan Rakyat and if need be take control of change, for the current "leaders"don't appear to understand or seen as wanting to CHANGE or bring about CHANGE.

Posted by Ronnie Klassen

The Woes of being a journalist

Columnists :: Citizen Nades (R. Nadeswaran ) of The Sun http://www.sun2surf.com/
The woes of being a journo

LABELLING of scribes is a common pastime in the Malaysian context, especially when it comes to creating affiliations with politicians and political parties. "Don't waste your time talking to him, he's a diehard so-and-so man," they would say. "He's a good friend of the boss. He won't buy your side of the story," is another often-used description. When a scribe writes something favourable about someone or some party, he or she is labelled as "returning the favour for putting him there".

When this scribe wrote about the wrongs of the previous Selangor administration, the labelling was that "he is anti-government". Even two no-holds barred meetings with the then mentri besar, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, did not change the perception. Accusations were that I had been pursuing an agenda. "What agenda?" was the question. There was silence. "I did not ask you for land; I did not ask you for licences, so what agenda are you talking about?"

"No, the way you write your stories, you give the impression that you have an agenda against us," came the reply. Doesn't anyone see the need for the media to be the eyes and ears of the people and highlight issues that affect the community? Doesn't anyone accept the fact that some issues are addressed only after the media publicise them? Doesn't anyone understand the role of the media in the democratic system?

For the past two weeks, I have been receiving email and calls from friends on the reports and commentaries on the abuses of the low-cost housing system. Yes, I make no bones about having taken a strong stand that these houses should only be sold to those who deserve them – not council staff, not cronies and hangers-on, not politically-connected people. This view has been the stand from Day One when theSun broke the story on how the director of planning in the Petaling Jaya City Council acquired a unit.

Since then, this story has been under our radar, and at every possible instance, we have pushed for full disclosure, including making public the list of recipients of low-cost housing. So, when questions like "Why are you going after the mentri besar (Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim)" are asked, I can only be amazed. Is it my fault that he shot himself in the foot by saying it "is legally not wrong but morally not right"?

"They have only ruled the state for slightly over two years. You must give them a chance," they would say. Isn't that implying that they have yet to learn how to administer and rule? Even if granted, why make such statements which only reflect the state's stand on issues affecting the rakyat without getting more information on the matter.

I take the view that a wrong is wrong and it does not matter whether it was perpetuated by the past administration or condoned by the present one. There's no place for sentiments when it comes to issues affecting the people, their money and their livelihood. There will be no compromise when it comes to wrongdoers and their fallacies like being able to deduct household expenses to reach the threshold of RM2,500 to qualify for low-cost houses.

Therefore, many (falsely) assume that I am anti-this or anti-that, which is merely a figment of imagination of those who choose to affix such labels. I admit there are shortcomings in some of the issues that are addressed because of the information in hand or the lack of it.

Last week I received a letter (by registered mail) from a reader who was not happy with his investment in shares. The letter was a litany of claims and accusations. He called the following day to ask if I am "working on his letter". The reply was woefully blunt. "I have no clue as to what you are talking and I don't write business," he was told.

"Why can't you write about it? You are supposed to know about it," he said. Patience wore out and I had to scream that I am not the answer to all ills.

I have to admit that I pick and choose my battles. I only take on issues in which I have knowledge or where possible, I am able to get additional information to write an authoritative report.

So, dear readers, please bear with me. I am not the answer to all the ills that afflict this country and its citizens. I am just another voice presenting my thoughts, views and sometimes suggestions on issues that can help create a better quality of life for all Malaysians.
The writer is willing to accept criticism based on facts, not assumptions. Comments: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com

My Say: I had the golden opportunity to work under Mr Nades in the New Straits Times, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Whern he left NST to read law in London, I was also in London being NST correspondent for UK. He always visited me and my family at Chapelside, Bayswater, London.

Sacked for doing his job asa Ketua Kampung!

Village Chief sacked over Dam project protest

SINGKUI TINGGI (pix showing the termination letter) thought he was only doing his job as a village head when he appealed to the State Government to reconsider the proposed Sungai Kadamaian dam project in the interest of more than 800 villagers in Kampung Tambatuon, Kota Belud Sabah.

But, his bravery to speak up instead saw him getting a one-month service termination notice for the post that he had been holding for the past 28 years from the Local Government and Housing Ministry last month.

Singkui, 78, said they were really hoping that proposed dam construction would be deferred in order to save their homes and properties in the village that had been in existence for the past three centuries from ending up being submerged in water.

In his statement in March, Singkui had said that as voters and staunch supporters of the government the people in Kampung Tambatuon had high confidence on the government's leadership to protect their welfare and future.

He said that even though they were paid compensation for the loss of their properties and land, it would not be able to guarantee the future of their generation.

The letter dated April 16, 2010 and signed by Datuk Haji Awang Sharin Alimin on behalf of the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, however, did not state the reason for Singkui's service termination.

On June 6, 2010, Singkui received a pleasant surprise when almost the entire top leadership of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) led by President Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee came to the village to personally view the affected village and listen to the villagers.

Together with SAPP advisor, Datuk Paul Wong and veteran politician, Datuk Mohd Noor Mansor as well as Deputy Presidents Datuk Eric Majimbun and Datuk Liew Teck Chan, Wanita Chief, Melanie Chia, Youth Chief, Edward Dagul and Information Chief, Chong Pit Fah, SAPP Kota Belud CLC Chief, Agnes Liew, Yong went to Singkui's house for a brief dialogue with the locals.

Earlier, Yong and the other SAPP leaders met with the people as they walked around the village and then to see the Tambatuon bombon at the nearby Sungai Kadamaian.

In responding to the villagers questions not only on the proposed dam project but also on the shrinking land for them to develop, Yong first said that he was proud to note that a man like Singkui who dare to speak up to tell the government that something was not right even if it may cost him his job.

"This is the weaknesses of Sabah people they will back out the moment they are threatened," he said.

Even the people elected representatives or ministers from Sabah are afraid to open up their mouth to voice out issues of the people as they scared losing their positions, he said.

Towards this end, Yong who is a former Chief Minister said the spirit shown by Singkui in fighting for their rights was commendable and should be emulated by the people of Sabah.

"To me you are still the Ketua Kampung (village head)," he told Singkui.

He also concurred with Singkui that SAPP never made a pack with him in calling for the government to defer the project to somewhere else.

"We are here because of the failure of the Kota Belud MP and Kadamaian Assemblyman. If they had listened to what the Ketua Kampung had to say it (the issue) would already have been resolved," said Yong.

He also questioned the reason that the government was willing to see the picturesque Kampung Tambatuon to be destroyed.

"To us from KK this place is like a paradise," he said.

The proposed project, Yong said involved constructing a 340m high dam, which is already considered as a mega project that cost billions of Ringgit.

Since it would be a mega project, he said it should require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and in order for the report to be approved, it must comply with many requirements among them listening to the views of the local people.

"And if the procedures have been complied the EIA would have failed because there are school, church and many people living in the area," he said.

"But what we are seeing here today is the style of the government which will simply take out those who disagree with them," he said.

Yong promised that this would not happen when SAPP forms the government.

"This is not an election promise but this is our stand because SAPP is a people's party," he said, adding that it was unnecessary for SAPP to come to Tambatuon, which is nearly 30km from the township along the Kota Belud-Ranau by-pass, if the present elected representatives here had done their work.

Singkui asserted that the relevant quarters were as though trying to keep the project a secret from the villagers who were never informed about it and even the people doing the soil test in the village came so discreetly.

"I urge YB Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan to stop trying to persuade the villagers by taking them in a fully-sponsored trip to Batang Ai (Sarawak) to purportedly show the way the people there lives after relocation.

"In fact, if he have the money to pay for the villagers to Batang Ai, it would be better if he donate it for the construction of the Pastor's house in the village," said SIngkui.

On the shrinking land for the villagers to develop as they were told that it is bordering the National Parks as well as within a water catchment area, Yong said the laws for National Parks are tighter than the laws on Forest Reserves.

He said villages are allowed within the forest reserves like in the Sabah Forest Industry concession area and in Tongod since these villages had been there before the area was gazetted as a Forest Reserve.

However, Yong said in the past five years there had been cases where houses of kampong people being burnt down and chased out (of the forest reserves).

Like Mt Pock, Semporna, where villagers were chased out of the 2,000 hectares area in the forest reserve then the government tabled a Bill in the State Legislative Assembly to alienate these areas and given to a company for plantation development, he said.

"What is this? If it is water catchment area then just let it be a water catchment area. This is the priority of the SAPP Land Reformation Committee that is to return the land to the kampong people," he said, adding the committee would also be looking at all pending land applications before 1990s.

"If the dam is built this will surely lead to the downfall of the BN not only in Tambatuon but in Kota Belud and whole of Sabah," he said.

On another note, Yong said SAPP is proposing small-hydro power plants as an alternative for generating renewable energy and it would be adopted as a party policy.

Instead of building one large hydro power plant, he said several small-hydro power plants with a generating capacity of up to 10MW could be installed along the rivers.

The advantage of these small-hydro power plants, he said it does not result to significant environmental impacts such as no submergence of forests, no siltation of reservoirs, no rehabilitation and relocation as well as no seismological threats.

At the same time, he said the small dam built would served as a flood-control mechanism as well as could be integrated into existing irrigation structures apart from being a fuel-free green source of power.

Such concept had already been implemented successfully throughout the world in countries like China, Guyana, India and South Africa, he said, adding that in Sabah context small-hydro plant is an ideal source of clean energy as many villages are located next to or nearby river.

A review timely

Yong: A Review of State-Federal Relations is timely

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President, Datuk Yong Teck Lee says that the debate whether Sabah is one of three equal partners or one of thirteen states in Malaysia shows that a review of the State and Federal relationship is relevant and timely.

"SAPP will push for a review in line with SAPP's 8-Points struggle for autonomy and the return of Labuan .

"The review may propose that the High Court in Borneo be uplifted in authority and status. The granting of federal citizenship in Sabah must require State consent. Schedule 9 (Legislative Lists) of the Federal Constitution can be amended to give more jurisdiction to Sabah and Sarawak .

"Examples, foreign labour, labour laws, shipping, road transport, trade and industry and energy can be transferred to the State List. Schedule 10 Part V (Additional Sources of Revenues Assigned to Borneo States) can be expanded to include oil and gas, customs duties and revenues originating from Sabah and Sarawak .

"This review can include Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan's idea of a two-tier federation. A two-tier system will allow the Conference of Rulers to continue as it is but that the Chief Ministers and Menteri Besar Conference can be reviewed to enhance the participation of Sabah and Sarawak .

"Is Sabah one of three equal partners in Malaysia consisting of Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya?

"Malaysia was formed pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement of 9 July 1963 signed in London . The signatories were led by the then Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom , Malaya, Singapore and the leaders of North Borneo (now Sabah) and Sarawak. ( Singapore left Malaysia on 9 August 1965.)

"The agreement was signed not with the other 11 existing states in the Federation of Malaya but with Malaya as an entity. (Indeed, Kelantan had objected to the inclusion of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore in Malaysia and had disputed the Malayan federal government's power to admit new states. But Kelantan lost its legal challenge on 14 September 1963).

"Irrespective of the wordings of the Malaysia Agreement and the Malaysia Proclamation 1963, Sabahans' understanding and consciousness is that Sabah had formed Malaysia with three other partners - Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore .

"Hence, many Sabahans consider Sabah as 'one of three' and not 'one of thirteen' partners in Malaysia . This the collective memory of the Sabah people does not go away. People still talk about it. From 1963 to 1971, Sabah and Sarawak were known as East Malaysia .

"Malaya became known as West Malaysia .

"But after the break up of West and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1971, the term West and East Malaysia was replaced with "Peninsula Malaysia" and 'Sabah and Sarawak' for obvious reasons.

"But the federal government will not concede that Sabah is an equal partner to Malaya because our national leaders cannot imagine Sabah as an equal to Malaya (now Peninsula Malaysia ).

"Although Malaysia Day on September 16 is a historical fact, it still took the BN federal government 47 years to declare September 16 as a national holiday.

"However, we will still be celebrating Hari Kebangsaan Malaysia 53 Years (from 1957) instead of Malaysia National Day 47 Years (from 1963).

"Thus, when Prof. Dr. Ranjit Singh, an academic, said that Malaysia is not an equal partnership of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak , his view reflects that of the national mainstream.

"To them, we are the late comers to Malaysia . We need their help because we are more backward. In the 1970s, our new friends in KL asked whether we live on tree tops and if we have television.

"To say they are equal to Sabah would be too much for them to bear.

"They say we need their civil servants because we have no qualified Sabahans. We win hardly any national sports tournaments. Economically, we are weak. Politically, we are "the wild East".

"Our tourism icon is the orang utan, our main national news are pirates. None of the national newspapers saw the need to report the Sabah debate on the loss of oil blocks L and M or the piping of natural gas to Bintulu and the controversy over the coal power plant. Sabah's losses are of little concern to them.

"After the March 2008 political tsunami in Peninsula Malaysia , our friends over there commented that "Sabah and Sarawak are behind time" and slow in following the national trend.

"We cannot blame them for thinking so because that is their perspective of Sabah and Sarawak . But, we could remind them that when Sabah took the lead to change the BN federal government in 1990, all the Peninsula states, except Kelantan, re-elected BN.

"Some leaders in KL have a mindset that Malaysia is the father and Sabah is the child.

"At times, this mindset is reflected in the civil service, private companies and associations. Their KL head offices make all the important decisions and treat their offices in Sabah like any other branch in the Peninsula .

"This 'superior mindset' partly is due to our Sabahans' docile approach. For instance, some local politicians are so lacking in self-confidence that they ask their federal leaders to come regularly to Sabah to help them. UMNO Sabah receives "Bapa Angkat" in all the constituencies.

"When some UMNO MPs were speculated to defect in 2008, their party HQ sent spies after them. MCA claims that their four federal ministers can do wonders for Sabah 's Chinese.

"UPKO has made itself a mirror image of peninsula racial parties like MIC, MCA and UMNO. At the same time, leaders of PBS, PBRS and LDP have all become subservient to KL in the hope of some favours, the most glaring example being LDP lobbying for a federal minister post. To be 'equal' is not in their minds.

"The internal bickering within Sabah UMNO and BN has also entrenched the 'divide and rule' tactic of KL. These BN leaders have not learned from history. As a result, the people in Sabah lose out.

Kinabatangan MP jailed one month for polygamy

Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin has been slapped with a jail sentence for unlawfully entering into a polygamous marriage with actress Zizie Izette Abdul Samad.

The Gombak Timur Lower Syariah Court also sentenced him this morning to a fine of RM1,000 for abetting Zizie in the offence. If he does not pay the fine by 5pm, he is liable to another month's jail.

There was a gasp in the packed courtroom when Syarie Judge Wan Mahyuddin Wan Muhammad read out the sentence about 9.15am.

Zizie was fined RM1,000 or 1 month's jail in default for entering into the marriage.

She was also ordered to pay another RM1,000 or six months' jail in default for abetting Bung Moktar, 51.

Zizie, 31, is required to pay the full sum by the end of today.

The defence immediately applied for a stay of execution on Bung Moktar's jail sentence.

Lawyer Amli Embong reasoned that the intended appeal would be meaningless without this, as Bung Moktar would have served all or most of the sentence by the time the appeal is heard.

He also argued that serving the sentence would jeopardise Bung Moktar's livelihood and cause anxiety to him and his family.

After a short recess, the court accepted the application.

Bung Moktar will have to file his appeal in 14 days at the Syariah High Court in Shah Alam. Pending that, he has been placed under a bond of RM1,000 with one surety.

The MP's two friends - Sahari Ahmad, 54, and Titing Putang, 56 - were each fined RM1,000 each for abetment or six months' jail in default. They too have up to the end of today to pay the sum.

Zizie's three brothers - Ahmad Shahazmi Abdul Samad, 48, Samzy Fuzette Abdul Samad, 34, Shaheizy Sam Abdul Samad, 27 - were similarly penalised on the same charge.

In addition:

• Ahmad Shahazmi, who married off Zizie without the registrar's permission was fined RM1,000 or one month's jail in default if he fails to pay by today.

• Samzy Fuzette and Shaheizy Sam, who abetted in giving her away in marriage, were each fined RM1,000 or one month's jail in default if they fail to pay by today.

Among those present were family members and friends of the accused, who has to jostle for space in the small courtroom.

Members of the Joint Action Group for gender equality also attended the proceedings - they had protested outside the court yesterday.

'Heavier penalty required'

Syarie Judge Wan Mahyuddin Wan Muhammad said the case has received wide media coverage and can be a lesson to members of society who "take polygamy and rules governing marriage lightly".

He also concurred with the prosecutor in saying that, as a lawmaker, Bung Moktar should have had more respect for the law.

"Nowhere in the defence mitigation was it stated that the marriage was necessary and reasonable," he noted.

"The accused had bad intentions and had toyed with the marriage solemnisation process and the rules of polygamy according to Syariah law."

He added that a RM1,000 maximum fine for this offence is insufficient as most people can afford to pay it.

"The time has come for a heavier punishment to protect the credibility of Syariah law," he said.

On April 20, Bung Moktar and Zizie had pleaded guilty to entering into a polygamous marriage on Dec 16 last year without the court's permission.

They also pleaded guilty to abetting one another in the offence, which carries a maximum punishment of RM1,000 or six months' jail or both.

The sentence will not affect Bung Moktar's position as a MP as the law states that a parliamentarian will only lose his seat if convicted of an offence and sentenced to not less than one year's jail or fined not less than RM2,000, and has not received a free pardon.

This report is from http://www.malaysiakini.com

20 Points - Sabah's Safeguard

The Twenty Points for the safeguard of Sabah
Sabah's conditions for joining the Federation of Malaysia

1. Religion:
   While there was no objection to Islam being the national religion of Malaysia there should be no State religion in North Borneo, and the provisions relating to Islam in the present Constitution of Malaya should not apply to North Borneo.
   

2. Language:
   (a) Malay should be the national language of the Federation;
   (b) English should continue to be used for a period of ten years after Malaysia Day;
   (c) English should be the official language of North Borneo, for all purposes State or Federal, without limitation of time
   

3. Constitution:
   Whilst accepting that the present Constitution of the Federation of Malaya should form the basis of the Constitution of Malaysia, the Constitution of Malaysia should be a completely new document drafted and agreed in the light of a free association of States and should not be a series of amendments to a Constitution drafted and agreed by different States in totally different circumstances. A new Constitution for North Borneo, was, of course, essential.
   

4. Head of the Federation:
   The Head of the State in North Borneo should not be eligible for election as head of the Federation.
   

5. Name of Federation:
   ‘Malaysia’ but not ‘Melayu Raya’ (or ‘Greater Malaya’).
   

6. Immigration:
   Control over immigration into any part of Malaysia from outside should rest with the Federal Government but entry into North Borneo should also require the approval of the State Government. The Federal Government should not be able to veto the entry of persons into North Borneo for State Government purpose except on strictly security grounds. North Borneo should have unfettered control over the movement of persons, other than those in Federal Government employ, from other parts of Malaysia into North Borneo.
   

7. Right of Secession:
   There should be no right of secession from the Federation.
   

8. Borneoisation:
   Borneoisation of the public services should proceed as quickly as possible.
   

9. British Officers:
   Every effort should be made to encourage British Officers to remain in the public services until their places can be taken by suitably qualified people from North Borneo.
   

10. Citizenship:
    The recommendations in paragraph 148(k) of the Report of the Cobbold Commission should govern the citizenship rights in the Federation of North Borneo persons subject to the following amendments:
    (a) Sub-paragraph (i) should not contain the proviso as to five years residence;
    (b) In order to be consistent with the laws of North Borneo, sub-paragraph (ii) (a) should read ’seven out of ten years’ instead of ‘eight out of twelve years’;
    (c) Sub-paragraph (iii) should not contain any restriction tied to the citizenship of parents – a person born in North Borneo after Malaysia (was formed) must be a Federal citizen.
    

11. Tariffs and Finance:
    North Borneo should have control of its own finance, development funds and tariffs.
    

12. Special Position of Indigenous Races: In principle, the indigenous races of North Borneo should enjoy special rights analogous to those enjoyed by Malays in Malaya, but the present Malaya formula in this regard is not necessarily applicable in North Borneo.
    

13. State Government:
    (a) The Chief Minister should be elected by unofficial members of (the) Legislative Council;
    (b) There should be a proper Ministerial system in North Borneo.
    

14. Transitional Period:
    This should be seven years and during such period legislative power must be left with the State of North Borneo by the Constitution and not be merely delegated to the State Government by the Federal Government.
    

15. Education:
    The existing educational system of North Borneo should be maintained and for this reason should be under State control.
    

16. Constitution Safeguards:
    No amendment, modification or withdrawal of any special safeguards granted to North Borneo should be made by the Federal Government without the positive concurrence of the Government of the State of North Borneo. The power of amending the Constitution of the State of North Borneo should belong exclusively to the people in the State.
    

17. Representation in Federal Parliament:
    This should take account not only of the population of North Borneo but also its size and potentialitis and in any case should not be less than that of Singapore.
    

18. Name of Head of State:
    Yang di-Pertua Negara.
    

19. Name of State:
    Sabah.
    

20. Land, Forests, Local Government, etc.:
    The provisions in the Constitution of the Federation in respect of the powers of the National Land Council should not apply in North Borneo. Likewise the National Council for Local Government should not apply in North Borneo.