The pig owners' crisis in Malacca where they are force to cull 97,000 heads of pig by Friday (Sept 21) might had reared its ugly heads into Sabah.
A businessman involved in the industry here related to me this morning that, without being told, rearers in the West Coast of Sabah had began to reduce their animals by slaughtering young ones. When I asked for the reasons, the businessman said `business strategy'.
My Say:
Such an action might be connected to the Malacca pigs' crisis but I am inclined to assume that it could be a tactic to reduce supply in order to jack-up price thus burdening consumers.
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Sept 16 PH shot down
Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Khoon's calls for more recognition to be given to Malaysia Day to celebrate the founding of the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16th, 1963 had been shot down by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Najib said the government had decided that the celebration of nationhood is only on Aug 31 to show that the country is together as a nation. But he said this would not mean that Malaysia Day on Sept 16 was not important.
My Say:
There were several groups in Sabah who held celebrations in conjunction with Malaysia Day. In Kiulu, the Government's member of parliament for Tuaran Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau led villagers to celebrate the day. Over in Keningau, Opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat also held similar celebrations. In a small way, I also led a small group to celebrate the day at the scenic Kionsom Waterfall.
Najib said the government had decided that the celebration of nationhood is only on Aug 31 to show that the country is together as a nation. But he said this would not mean that Malaysia Day on Sept 16 was not important.
My Say:
There were several groups in Sabah who held celebrations in conjunction with Malaysia Day. In Kiulu, the Government's member of parliament for Tuaran Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau led villagers to celebrate the day. Over in Keningau, Opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat also held similar celebrations. In a small way, I also led a small group to celebrate the day at the scenic Kionsom Waterfall.
Monday, 17 September 2007
Monday blue - Still a Rest Day For Sabah
My Say:
Monday Sept 17th, 2007 is still a holiday in Sabah in lieu of Sept 16th which fall on Sunday. Sept 16th is one of the annual Public Holidays in Sabah to celebrate the formation of Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined Malaya to establish a new nation - The Feberation fo Malaysia) on Sept 16th 1963.
I should had posted this yesterday but my telephone line went kaput. It was restored later in the afternoon but I was already celebrating Malaysia Day at the Kionsom Waterfall.
Happy Malaysia Day
Monday Sept 17th, 2007 is still a holiday in Sabah in lieu of Sept 16th which fall on Sunday. Sept 16th is one of the annual Public Holidays in Sabah to celebrate the formation of Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined Malaya to establish a new nation - The Feberation fo Malaysia) on Sept 16th 1963.
I should had posted this yesterday but my telephone line went kaput. It was restored later in the afternoon but I was already celebrating Malaysia Day at the Kionsom Waterfall.
Happy Malaysia Day
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Kurup vs Dr Jeffrey
The war of words between BN's Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup and opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) national vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is getting too hot and personal.
Dr Jeffrey declared PKR would win 42 of the 60 State seats which will enable PKR to be the State Government, to which Kurup declared `no way' the opposition could toppled the national coalition.
Kurup went on to say that Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had done nothing when he was the Assemblyman for Bingkor and that the latter is now singing a different tune now that he is in the opposition.
Kurup also openly said that the disappearance of RM4 billion from Sabah Foundation during Dr Jeffrey tenure as its director was among the reasons that Sabah still the poorest State in Malaysia.
Kurup wants Dr Jeffrey to explain where the RM4 billion went.
Dr Jeffrey today clarified that there was no need for him to explain on the RM4 billion as it had been explained by auditors, Price Waterhouse. He said Kurup attempt to link him with the `missing RM4 billion' was at total stupidity.
Now Dr Jeffrey wants Kurup to come with proof within seven days that the RM4 billion disappeared, failing which he would consider taking legal action for defamation against Kurup.
My Say:
The General Elections has not been announced yet but here we are being heated by two State leaders who were at one time Assemblymen of Parti Bersatu Sabah (led by Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan) which once ruled Sabah.
Kurup now has been Sook Assemblyman for 22 years and along the way had hold the positions of Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah after serving the rest as a Cabinet Minister.
Their war of words in the Press can only indicate that Dr Jeffrey might take on Kurup in Sook. They did in the 2004 elections, Kurup emerged the winner.
Dr Jeffrey declared PKR would win 42 of the 60 State seats which will enable PKR to be the State Government, to which Kurup declared `no way' the opposition could toppled the national coalition.
Kurup went on to say that Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had done nothing when he was the Assemblyman for Bingkor and that the latter is now singing a different tune now that he is in the opposition.
Kurup also openly said that the disappearance of RM4 billion from Sabah Foundation during Dr Jeffrey tenure as its director was among the reasons that Sabah still the poorest State in Malaysia.
Kurup wants Dr Jeffrey to explain where the RM4 billion went.
Dr Jeffrey today clarified that there was no need for him to explain on the RM4 billion as it had been explained by auditors, Price Waterhouse. He said Kurup attempt to link him with the `missing RM4 billion' was at total stupidity.
Now Dr Jeffrey wants Kurup to come with proof within seven days that the RM4 billion disappeared, failing which he would consider taking legal action for defamation against Kurup.
My Say:
The General Elections has not been announced yet but here we are being heated by two State leaders who were at one time Assemblymen of Parti Bersatu Sabah (led by Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan) which once ruled Sabah.
Kurup now has been Sook Assemblyman for 22 years and along the way had hold the positions of Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah after serving the rest as a Cabinet Minister.
Their war of words in the Press can only indicate that Dr Jeffrey might take on Kurup in Sook. They did in the 2004 elections, Kurup emerged the winner.
Thursday, 13 September 2007
No way says Kurup
Barisan Nasional's Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (BN-PBRS) president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup says `no way' for the Opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) of toppling BN in the coming general elections, let alone rule Sabah.
Kurup said the people would think not once but more than 10 times before giving their votes to PKR of which one of its national vice president is Sabahan Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Dr Jeffrey had earlier this week said PKR was confident of winning 42 of the 60 State seats and on its way to be Sabah new State Government.
Kurup should know better for he had the opportunity to contest Sook seat against Dr Jeffrey in previous elections. Once Kurup lost but defeated Dr Jeffrey in the last elections.
My Say:
Being relatively new in Sabah politics PKR now seems to have supports whenever its goes to the villages especially when Dr Jeffrey is the organiser. But I dare say here that PKR will get the supports but will not get enough votes to win, let alone become the State Government.
Kurup said the people would think not once but more than 10 times before giving their votes to PKR of which one of its national vice president is Sabahan Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Dr Jeffrey had earlier this week said PKR was confident of winning 42 of the 60 State seats and on its way to be Sabah new State Government.
Kurup should know better for he had the opportunity to contest Sook seat against Dr Jeffrey in previous elections. Once Kurup lost but defeated Dr Jeffrey in the last elections.
My Say:
Being relatively new in Sabah politics PKR now seems to have supports whenever its goes to the villages especially when Dr Jeffrey is the organiser. But I dare say here that PKR will get the supports but will not get enough votes to win, let alone become the State Government.
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Happy Fasting
Breaking News
Come Oct 20, 2007, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman will have one of his State Assemblyman as Son-In-Law. The lucky man is Haji Mohd Ariffin Arif, the assemblyman for Membakut. An official announcement is to be made soon. Ariffin is the Sabah Native Affairs Council chairman. Musa, who is also Sabah Finance Minister, is the assemblyman for Sungai Sibuga.
My Say:
I was alerted of this news by several friends and was confirmed by a posting by a fellow Sabahan blogger Sikmading at http://sikmading.blogspot.com
My Say:
I was alerted of this news by several friends and was confirmed by a posting by a fellow Sabahan blogger Sikmading at http://sikmading.blogspot.com
Monday, 10 September 2007
Dr Jeffrey Kitingan dares to dream
Opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) national vice-president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has openly declared on Sunday that the party would wrest control of the State Government from the National Coalition (BN). He told a political gathering in Ranau that PKR was confident to win 42 of the 60 State seats. It is still 50-50 chances in the remaining 18 seats.
He also announced the cross-over of BN-Parti Bersatu Sabah former Divisional Chief for Tampasuk James Bagah and ex-Supreme Council member Jaibin Sindan to PKR.
My Say:
I can not help but expressed my surprise over the confidence of PKR leaders, particularly, Dr Jeffrey of PKR chances in the forthcoming general elections.And more surprise is that PKR Sabah chief Ansari Abdullah has been keeping a low profile since taking over the post from Awang Tengah last month.
Another Opposition party, PASOK has also declared contesting in all the 60 seats and also confident of becoming the new Sabah State Government.
If these become a reality, there must be really something wrong with the present government. Let wait and see.
YBs' website
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman yesterday called on elected reprsentatives (YBs) to create their respective websites to foster closer ties between them and the community at large.
Musa was launching a website (http://www.yb.N33) of Sekong assemblyman Shamsuddin Yahya in Sandakan.
My Say:
This might be the first YB's website launched by the Chief Minister but in actual fact there are several YBs who had their websites, one of which, belong to Kota Belud member of Parliament Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said, a former Chief Minister. Keruak.com is edited by former Berita Harian bureau chief for Sabah Lichong Angkui.
Maybe YBs should also start blogging since the Musa himself had only last week acknowledged that blogs were now getting popular, an alternative source of information from the mainstream media.
Musa was launching a website (http://www.yb.N33) of Sekong assemblyman Shamsuddin Yahya in Sandakan.
My Say:
This might be the first YB's website launched by the Chief Minister but in actual fact there are several YBs who had their websites, one of which, belong to Kota Belud member of Parliament Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said, a former Chief Minister. Keruak.com is edited by former Berita Harian bureau chief for Sabah Lichong Angkui.
Maybe YBs should also start blogging since the Musa himself had only last week acknowledged that blogs were now getting popular, an alternative source of information from the mainstream media.
Saturday, 8 September 2007
Aramai Tii No + + Sin Tax
Three different brands of beer three cans for RM10
My Say:
No announcement for bonus for civil servants, no annual school fees as well as examination fee for STPM, increases in allowances, incentives, 50 per cents discount on services tax and no increase in Sin Tax.
A generous budget tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament yesterday. This has been expected given that in a few months times, Abdullah's Government will go for a fresh mandate from the people. Yes, this is an election budget.
No increase in Sin Tax - a great relief not only for cigarette makers and brewers but also to end users. For that I believed the 3 for 10 and the like will continue to be popular. So many `No increases' in the budget give reasons for many to be Aramai Tii at their respective watering holes.
Friday, 7 September 2007
Corruption higher up
Reading through the newspapers while having my breakfast this morning, I found that in almost each pages carried reports on corruption involving people holding high posts in the civil services.
Report from Ipoh, stated that a Syariah High Court senior judge was arrested by Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) officers yesterday for allegedly involved in corruption. He was said to have accepted RM4,200 bribe to settle two cases pending hearing in his court.
In Parliament, Minister in the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz want the former country's police chief Tan Sri Hanif Omar to provide details of allegations of police corruption to ACA.
Hanif had on Aug 12, told the Press that a senior police officer had confided in him that 40 per cent of senior officers in the police forces could be arrested without further investigations - strictly on the basis of their lifestyles.
Nazi, who was replying to question from Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, said Hanif would be irresponsible if he do not give the information he received to the ACA.
In Kuala Lumpur, a former Road Transport Department's director was charged with four counts of corruption.
My Say:
Since time immemorial, the power of money has and will forever be great. ACA must cast its net extra-wide now.
Report from Ipoh, stated that a Syariah High Court senior judge was arrested by Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) officers yesterday for allegedly involved in corruption. He was said to have accepted RM4,200 bribe to settle two cases pending hearing in his court.
In Parliament, Minister in the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz want the former country's police chief Tan Sri Hanif Omar to provide details of allegations of police corruption to ACA.
Hanif had on Aug 12, told the Press that a senior police officer had confided in him that 40 per cent of senior officers in the police forces could be arrested without further investigations - strictly on the basis of their lifestyles.
Nazi, who was replying to question from Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, said Hanif would be irresponsible if he do not give the information he received to the ACA.
In Kuala Lumpur, a former Road Transport Department's director was charged with four counts of corruption.
My Say:
Since time immemorial, the power of money has and will forever be great. ACA must cast its net extra-wide now.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Why?
My Say:
Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is 1,018 miles from Kuala Lumpur, 1,192 miles from Penang and 897 miles from Johor Bahru. Sabah, like the other Malaysian's State in Borneo, Sarawak, are separated from Peninsula Malaysia by the South China Sea.
Looking at the physical separation, I can not help but believed that it is among the reasons that leaders and the people in Peninsula Malaysia sometimes do not really understand or care the feelings of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
There are lots of differences between Sabah/Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia in all aspects. The lists will go on forever. The people of Sabah and Sarawak are not asking too much, just respect us a we respect all Malaysians irrespective of which States they come from.
I do have feelings, feeling of wanting to be respected of my race, culture and religion. Just because I have `Bin' between my name and that of my father does not make me a Muslim. No one should look upon me for eating noodles in Chinese shop. No one should asked for my MyKad to confirm my religion. No one............
Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is 1,018 miles from Kuala Lumpur, 1,192 miles from Penang and 897 miles from Johor Bahru. Sabah, like the other Malaysian's State in Borneo, Sarawak, are separated from Peninsula Malaysia by the South China Sea.
Looking at the physical separation, I can not help but believed that it is among the reasons that leaders and the people in Peninsula Malaysia sometimes do not really understand or care the feelings of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
There are lots of differences between Sabah/Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia in all aspects. The lists will go on forever. The people of Sabah and Sarawak are not asking too much, just respect us a we respect all Malaysians irrespective of which States they come from.
I do have feelings, feeling of wanting to be respected of my race, culture and religion. Just because I have `Bin' between my name and that of my father does not make me a Muslim. No one should look upon me for eating noodles in Chinese shop. No one should asked for my MyKad to confirm my religion. No one............
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Different tune now Pairin
In a sharp contrast to my earlier posting `Merdeka and Malaysia Day' Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has now re-tuned his views of the formation of Malaysia. In my earlier posting, I quoted Pairin's speech (on Sept 16, 1988) in which he strongly stated that there was no Malaysia before Sept 16, 1963.
Now Pairin is teaching us history by saying that Sabah and Sarawak were already self-governing states 44 years ago on Aug 31, 1963. He said this meant that both States were already independent for 15 days until Sept 15, 1963, followed by the declaration of Malaysia the following day , involving Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and 11 States in Malaya.
On the 50th Merdeka celebrtion, Pairin said Malaya had freed itself from the colonial yolk on Aug 31, 1957, and Sabah joined in the joys of independence well in advance.
My Say:
A bit confusing but I am happy that Pairin, whose political party - Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) - had rejoined the National Coalition (Barisan Nasional), still maintained that Malaysia was only born on Sept 16, 1963. The people of Sabah must also say `thank you' to Pairin for having gazetted Sept 16 a Public Holiday to celebrate Malaysia Day and the Yang Dipertua Negeri's (Head of State) official birthday.
Still I must say that Pairin is now dancing a different tune compared to while his PBS party was at the helm of the State Government and that he was the Chief Minister. And of course in 1988, he was heading an Opposition State Government. Now Pairin is back in the BN's fold.
Now Pairin is teaching us history by saying that Sabah and Sarawak were already self-governing states 44 years ago on Aug 31, 1963. He said this meant that both States were already independent for 15 days until Sept 15, 1963, followed by the declaration of Malaysia the following day , involving Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and 11 States in Malaya.
On the 50th Merdeka celebrtion, Pairin said Malaya had freed itself from the colonial yolk on Aug 31, 1957, and Sabah joined in the joys of independence well in advance.
My Say:
A bit confusing but I am happy that Pairin, whose political party - Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) - had rejoined the National Coalition (Barisan Nasional), still maintained that Malaysia was only born on Sept 16, 1963. The people of Sabah must also say `thank you' to Pairin for having gazetted Sept 16 a Public Holiday to celebrate Malaysia Day and the Yang Dipertua Negeri's (Head of State) official birthday.
Still I must say that Pairin is now dancing a different tune compared to while his PBS party was at the helm of the State Government and that he was the Chief Minister. And of course in 1988, he was heading an Opposition State Government. Now Pairin is back in the BN's fold.
Sunday, 2 September 2007
Tun Fuad Stephens vs Tun Datu Mustapha
The State Archives has put up a special exhibition titled `Captain Tun Datu Haji Mustapha Datu Harun'. According to the archive's director Datu Tigabelas Datu Zainal Abidinthe exhibition was in commemoration with Tun Mustapha, the first Sabah Governor and third Chief Minister.
When a reporter asked Datu 13 why Tun Mustapha and not other leaders like Tun Fuad, the director said, `Stephens was a separuh orang putih (half white)." Yesterday Datu 13 clarified that he it was never his intention to discriminate any personality leaders.
Datu 13 said Tun Mustapha was chosen as Tun Fuad who was an Eurasian was involved in the formation of Malaysia, compared to Tun Mustapha who played a vital role during the Japanese invasion right up to the formation of Malaysia.
My Say:
According to history book, Tun Mustapha is half Suluk, half Bajau. Datu 13 failed to mentioned the other half of Tun Fuad which is Kadazandusun. Tun Fuad's relatives can testify this anytime. In my early days as reporter, I had met and interviewed Tun Fuad who upon knowing me a native, answered my questions in Kadazan. I had also interviewed Tun Mustapha, he spoke in Bajau Suluk.
When a reporter asked Datu 13 why Tun Mustapha and not other leaders like Tun Fuad, the director said, `Stephens was a separuh orang putih (half white)." Yesterday Datu 13 clarified that he it was never his intention to discriminate any personality leaders.
Datu 13 said Tun Mustapha was chosen as Tun Fuad who was an Eurasian was involved in the formation of Malaysia, compared to Tun Mustapha who played a vital role during the Japanese invasion right up to the formation of Malaysia.
My Say:
According to history book, Tun Mustapha is half Suluk, half Bajau. Datu 13 failed to mentioned the other half of Tun Fuad which is Kadazandusun. Tun Fuad's relatives can testify this anytime. In my early days as reporter, I had met and interviewed Tun Fuad who upon knowing me a native, answered my questions in Kadazan. I had also interviewed Tun Mustapha, he spoke in Bajau Suluk.
Musa: Blogger Popular
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman last night acknowledged that blogs and bloggers are now becoming popular that it pose a challenge to print and electronic media in the country.
Speaking at the Kinabalu Shell Press Awards 2007 in Kota Kinabalu, the Chief Minister said:
"I can understand the challenges and pressures facing journalists as I interact with many of you almost on a daily basis. I know you have Chief Editors to answer to and deadlines to meet as well as chase after the latest scoop. I am also aware that you are competing with the growingly popular online news portals and bloggers. However, where bloggers are concerned, I must state here I hope members of the esteemed media do not resort to tactics of these faceless individual, some of who have stooped low as to put up doctored pictures."
My Say:
I blog to post issues that are not published or intentionally left out by the mainstream media. I am fully aware that in posting my views and issues of interest to the people that I am in the business of disseminating the truth, the whole truth nothing but the truth.
Speaking at the Kinabalu Shell Press Awards 2007 in Kota Kinabalu, the Chief Minister said:
"I can understand the challenges and pressures facing journalists as I interact with many of you almost on a daily basis. I know you have Chief Editors to answer to and deadlines to meet as well as chase after the latest scoop. I am also aware that you are competing with the growingly popular online news portals and bloggers. However, where bloggers are concerned, I must state here I hope members of the esteemed media do not resort to tactics of these faceless individual, some of who have stooped low as to put up doctored pictures."
My Say:
I blog to post issues that are not published or intentionally left out by the mainstream media. I am fully aware that in posting my views and issues of interest to the people that I am in the business of disseminating the truth, the whole truth nothing but the truth.
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