Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) disciplinary committee will meet today to decide on action against the party's head for Kiulu Division Sindin Ranggangon. The meeting will be chaired by PBS deputy president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.
Sindin is being summoned by the committee for calling Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan to resign as PBS president. The meeting was scheduled last week but was postponed to today.
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Politically motivated says Labuan MP
Political agenda behind allegation, says Labuan MP
By Joniston Bangkuai and Roy Goh HERE
In what can be considered a rarity among VIPs, Labuan Member of Parliament Datuk Yussof Mahal has come out to say that he may be the high-ranking Sabah politician being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency for alleged abuse of power, forgery and bribery.
Referring to a news report on the matter, Yussof said he felt he should give an explanation to "clear my good name as Labuan MP and Labuan Umno deputy chief".
Confirming that he was awarded contracts to build a RM24.8 million market and a RM10.5 million school in Labuan, he claimed that he secured the contracts through open tender and that he was the lowest bidder.
"Is it a crime for a company to secure a government contract by making the lowest bid, so much so that I am being investigated by the ACA?" he said in a statement faxed to the New Straits Times office in Kota Kinabalu.
Yussof also denied that he had cheated a Kuala Lumpur sub-contractor hired to build the Labuan market.
On the allegation of forgery to secure a bank loan, he claimed that it was mere slander and he would lodge a police report soon so that the culprits could be brought to justice.
"I believe there is a political agenda behind the allegation because it was raised at a time when the Labuan Umno division election, in which I have offered to contest the chairman's post, is just around the corner," said Yussof, adding that the threats and allegations would only serve to spur him to work harder for Umno and the Labuan people.
The ACA has refused to divulge the name of the politician being investigated for alleged abuse of power, forgery and bribery in a bid to secure three contracts worth RM40 million in Labuan.
Its director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the agency was still investigating the allegations and urged the people not to make any assumptions.
He said the case was being investigated by the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya and its Sabah office.
Ahmad Said was speaking after the opening of the agency's new branch office at the Federal House in Keningau Sabah Tuesday. Also present were Bingkor assemblyman Justin Guka and state ACA director Latifah Mohd Yatim.
According to a Bernama report, a 51-year-old senior politician is being investigated by the ACA for allegedly bribing officers at the Federal Territories Ministry to help his firm win contracts.
The police Commercial Crime Investigation Department and Bank Negara are also probing the politician in connection with the three contracts.
By Joniston Bangkuai and Roy Goh HERE
In what can be considered a rarity among VIPs, Labuan Member of Parliament Datuk Yussof Mahal has come out to say that he may be the high-ranking Sabah politician being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency for alleged abuse of power, forgery and bribery.
Referring to a news report on the matter, Yussof said he felt he should give an explanation to "clear my good name as Labuan MP and Labuan Umno deputy chief".
Confirming that he was awarded contracts to build a RM24.8 million market and a RM10.5 million school in Labuan, he claimed that he secured the contracts through open tender and that he was the lowest bidder.
"Is it a crime for a company to secure a government contract by making the lowest bid, so much so that I am being investigated by the ACA?" he said in a statement faxed to the New Straits Times office in Kota Kinabalu.
Yussof also denied that he had cheated a Kuala Lumpur sub-contractor hired to build the Labuan market.
On the allegation of forgery to secure a bank loan, he claimed that it was mere slander and he would lodge a police report soon so that the culprits could be brought to justice.
"I believe there is a political agenda behind the allegation because it was raised at a time when the Labuan Umno division election, in which I have offered to contest the chairman's post, is just around the corner," said Yussof, adding that the threats and allegations would only serve to spur him to work harder for Umno and the Labuan people.
The ACA has refused to divulge the name of the politician being investigated for alleged abuse of power, forgery and bribery in a bid to secure three contracts worth RM40 million in Labuan.
Its director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the agency was still investigating the allegations and urged the people not to make any assumptions.
He said the case was being investigated by the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya and its Sabah office.
Ahmad Said was speaking after the opening of the agency's new branch office at the Federal House in Keningau Sabah Tuesday. Also present were Bingkor assemblyman Justin Guka and state ACA director Latifah Mohd Yatim.
According to a Bernama report, a 51-year-old senior politician is being investigated by the ACA for allegedly bribing officers at the Federal Territories Ministry to help his firm win contracts.
The police Commercial Crime Investigation Department and Bank Negara are also probing the politician in connection with the three contracts.
ACA DG confirms investigation
Up-date to my two earlier posting on ACA and Kota Kinabalu Umno Division
Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the agency was still investigating the allegations and urged the people not to make any assumptions.
He said the case was being investigated by its Sabah office.
Ahmad Said was speaking after the opening of the agency's new branch office at the Federal House in Keningau Sabah Tuesday. Also present were Bingkor assemblyman Justin Guka and state ACA director Latifah Mohd Yatim.
Ahmad Said said the Kota Kinabalu ACA had met with two Umno members in connection with allegations of money politics during the party's ongoing branch meetings.
The two members met the officers in Kota Kinabalu on Monday to assist investigations, he said.
Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the agency was still investigating the allegations and urged the people not to make any assumptions.
He said the case was being investigated by its Sabah office.
Ahmad Said was speaking after the opening of the agency's new branch office at the Federal House in Keningau Sabah Tuesday. Also present were Bingkor assemblyman Justin Guka and state ACA director Latifah Mohd Yatim.
Ahmad Said said the Kota Kinabalu ACA had met with two Umno members in connection with allegations of money politics during the party's ongoing branch meetings.
The two members met the officers in Kota Kinabalu on Monday to assist investigations, he said.
PM says investigate them
ACA Allowed To Investigate Money Politics In Umno, Says Abdullah
SERDANG, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is allowed to investigate cases involving money politics in the run up to the Umno election in December.
Abdullah, who is also the Umno president, said however they concerned certain cases which enabled the ACA to take action.
"The Umno headquarters had decided and allowed the ACA to come in and investigate," he told in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday.
He said this when asked to comment on a report that a 'Datuk' who is an Umno division head, and the division secretary in Sabah had been interrogated by the ACA yesterday following allegations that they were involved in money politics.
The duo, who are in their 50's, were said to have offered several Sabah Umno branch leaders RM1, 500 each to secure nominations for the divisional election in October.
He said he had not been informed about the person involved and it was possible that there were certain aspects that required the ACA to come in.
SERDANG, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is allowed to investigate cases involving money politics in the run up to the Umno election in December.
Abdullah, who is also the Umno president, said however they concerned certain cases which enabled the ACA to take action.
"The Umno headquarters had decided and allowed the ACA to come in and investigate," he told in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday.
He said this when asked to comment on a report that a 'Datuk' who is an Umno division head, and the division secretary in Sabah had been interrogated by the ACA yesterday following allegations that they were involved in money politics.
The duo, who are in their 50's, were said to have offered several Sabah Umno branch leaders RM1, 500 each to secure nominations for the divisional election in October.
He said he had not been informed about the person involved and it was possible that there were certain aspects that required the ACA to come in.
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Money politics
Two leaders of the Kota Kinabalu Umno Division were detained by Sabah Anti-Corruption Agency for investigation into money politics during the on-going party's elections.
A member of the division alerted me this in a SMS last night.
Several members of the division are scheduled to call for a Press conference at Restoran Sempalang, Sembulan near Kota Kinabalu today to expose about money politics in the division.
Head of the Umno Jalan Tangki Karamunsing Branch Dr Datu Akjan Datu Ali Mohammad confirmed during the Press conference that two top leaders of the Kota Kinabalu Division were detained by ACA on Monday for involvment in money politics.
Datu Akjan claimed that the leaders allegedly give money between RM200 and RM1,000 to members as 'gift' and to arrange for the election of members from the two leaders'camp
He called on the party's leaders to take action against the two division leaders arrestd by ACA. Datu Akjan said the two leaders should be suspended from the party with immediate effect.
A member of the division alerted me this in a SMS last night.
Several members of the division are scheduled to call for a Press conference at Restoran Sempalang, Sembulan near Kota Kinabalu today to expose about money politics in the division.
Head of the Umno Jalan Tangki Karamunsing Branch Dr Datu Akjan Datu Ali Mohammad confirmed during the Press conference that two top leaders of the Kota Kinabalu Division were detained by ACA on Monday for involvment in money politics.
Datu Akjan claimed that the leaders allegedly give money between RM200 and RM1,000 to members as 'gift' and to arrange for the election of members from the two leaders'camp
He called on the party's leaders to take action against the two division leaders arrestd by ACA. Datu Akjan said the two leaders should be suspended from the party with immediate effect.
Corruption
Sabah politician probed over RM40m contracts
KUALA LUMPUR: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is closing in on a high-ranking Sabah politician for alleged abuse of power, forgery and bribery which allowed him to get three contracts worth about RM40 million in Labuan.
Bernama learnt that the politician had allegedly bribed officers at the Federal Territories Ministry, which gives out tenders, to help his engineering firm get the contracts.
In addition, the 51-year-old man is also suspected to have forged documents relating to contracts to obtain an RM8 million loan from a bank in Kota Kinabalu to settle his debts and make progress payments to sub-contractors hired by him for the three contracts concerned.
Bernama also learnt that Bank Negara and the Sabah Commercial Crime Department had instructed their officers to investigate why the bank in Kota Kinabalu had released RM8 million to the politician without proper documentation.
Sabah ACA director Latifah Mohd Yatim declined to comment.
It is also known that several files belonging to the politician, who holds a high-ranking position in a government agency in Labuan, were seized by ACA investigators recently.
Bernama learnt that the Sabah ACA would record the politician's statement soon and wrap up the case for action.
Meanwhile, an official in a federal agency in Labuan said the Sabah ACA had informed him of the investigation and the agency was looking into the matter.
"They recorded my statement last Saturday and we are ready to help the Sabah ACA in its probe.
"We will bring this matter to our board of directors soon.
"We are not going to compromise on the (politician's) wrongdoing," he said, adding that the agency had not yet decided on the action to be taken against the politician.
Bernama learnt that the politician also had ACA and police reports lodged against him by a Kuala Lumpur-based sub-contractor, who was given a contract to build a RM20.5 million market in Labuan. Eventually, the sub-contractor suffered losses amounting to about RM500,000.
The 28-year-old man, who wanted to be identified as Eric, said he lodged a report against the politician at the Sabah ACA headquarters on July 29 before lodging a police report at the Kamunsing station in Kota Kinabalu the following day.
He said he was awarded the contract to build a market in Labuan and received a letter of acceptance (LA) from the politician's engineering firm early this year.
"However, the LA was incomplete and I asked him for a proper documentation.
"The politician was reluctant to do so, saying that I should trust him as he was a well-known.
"I have all the evidence to prove that the politician had misused his power.
"He asked me to begin the construction without signing any documents and only made an initial payment of RM200,000.
"I trusted him and he promised me that he would pay the balance.
"However, on July 14, he sent me a letter of termination of the RM20.5 million contract without notice," said Eric, adding that the politician had made a new agreement with another party to build the market.
He is thinking of suing the politician.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is closing in on a high-ranking Sabah politician for alleged abuse of power, forgery and bribery which allowed him to get three contracts worth about RM40 million in Labuan.
Bernama learnt that the politician had allegedly bribed officers at the Federal Territories Ministry, which gives out tenders, to help his engineering firm get the contracts.
In addition, the 51-year-old man is also suspected to have forged documents relating to contracts to obtain an RM8 million loan from a bank in Kota Kinabalu to settle his debts and make progress payments to sub-contractors hired by him for the three contracts concerned.
Bernama also learnt that Bank Negara and the Sabah Commercial Crime Department had instructed their officers to investigate why the bank in Kota Kinabalu had released RM8 million to the politician without proper documentation.
Sabah ACA director Latifah Mohd Yatim declined to comment.
It is also known that several files belonging to the politician, who holds a high-ranking position in a government agency in Labuan, were seized by ACA investigators recently.
Bernama learnt that the Sabah ACA would record the politician's statement soon and wrap up the case for action.
Meanwhile, an official in a federal agency in Labuan said the Sabah ACA had informed him of the investigation and the agency was looking into the matter.
"They recorded my statement last Saturday and we are ready to help the Sabah ACA in its probe.
"We will bring this matter to our board of directors soon.
"We are not going to compromise on the (politician's) wrongdoing," he said, adding that the agency had not yet decided on the action to be taken against the politician.
Bernama learnt that the politician also had ACA and police reports lodged against him by a Kuala Lumpur-based sub-contractor, who was given a contract to build a RM20.5 million market in Labuan. Eventually, the sub-contractor suffered losses amounting to about RM500,000.
The 28-year-old man, who wanted to be identified as Eric, said he lodged a report against the politician at the Sabah ACA headquarters on July 29 before lodging a police report at the Kamunsing station in Kota Kinabalu the following day.
He said he was awarded the contract to build a market in Labuan and received a letter of acceptance (LA) from the politician's engineering firm early this year.
"However, the LA was incomplete and I asked him for a proper documentation.
"The politician was reluctant to do so, saying that I should trust him as he was a well-known.
"I have all the evidence to prove that the politician had misused his power.
"He asked me to begin the construction without signing any documents and only made an initial payment of RM200,000.
"I trusted him and he promised me that he would pay the balance.
"However, on July 14, he sent me a letter of termination of the RM20.5 million contract without notice," said Eric, adding that the politician had made a new agreement with another party to build the market.
He is thinking of suing the politician.
Monday, 11 August 2008
On SAPP again!!!
While UPKO president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok wants Barisan Nasional (BN) not to take action against Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) for its declaration to support vote of no confidence on BN chief/Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, a Sabah-based BN member Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is singing a different tune.
LDP wants BN in its next supreme council meeting to take disciplinary action against SAPP over its stated intention to support any no-confidence vote motion against the Prime Minister.
LDP deputy president Datuk Chin Su Phin made this suggestion after the opening of his Api Api Division annual general meeting by Organising Secretary Yong Vui Chung Sunday.
"If no action is taken against SAPP, then other parties may follow suit in the future," he said.
On Dompok's contention that no action was taken against certain Umno leaders for calling the Prime Minister to resign so no action should be taken against SAPP, Chin said supporting no confidence vote and asking the Prime Minister to resign were two different things.
My Say:
Expecting SAPP to reply this evening.
LDP wants BN in its next supreme council meeting to take disciplinary action against SAPP over its stated intention to support any no-confidence vote motion against the Prime Minister.
LDP deputy president Datuk Chin Su Phin made this suggestion after the opening of his Api Api Division annual general meeting by Organising Secretary Yong Vui Chung Sunday.
"If no action is taken against SAPP, then other parties may follow suit in the future," he said.
On Dompok's contention that no action was taken against certain Umno leaders for calling the Prime Minister to resign so no action should be taken against SAPP, Chin said supporting no confidence vote and asking the Prime Minister to resign were two different things.
My Say:
Expecting SAPP to reply this evening.
Fake firework Beijing Olympic
Parts of the spectacular Beijing Olympics opening ceremony on Friday were faked because of fears over live filming, it has emerged.
By Richard Spencer in Beijing
Organisers feared it would be too difficult to capture each footprint live so inserted computer graphics for viewers at home and in the Bird's Nest stadium.
As the ceremony got under way with a dramatic, drummed countdown, viewers watching at home and on giant screens inside the Bird's Nest National Stadium watched as a series of giant footprints outlined in fireworks processed gloriously above the city from Tiananmen Square.
What they did not realise was that what they were watching was in fact computer graphics, meticulously created over a period of months and inserted into the coverage electronically at exactly the right moment.
The fireworks were there for real, outside the stadium. But those responsible for filming the extravaganza decided in advance it would be impossible to capture all 29 footprints from the air.
As a result, only the last, visible from the camera stands inside the Bird's Nest was captured on film.
The trick was revealed in a local Chinese newspaper, the Beijing Times, at the weekend.
Gao Xiaolong, head of the visual effects team for the ceremony, said it had taken almost a year to create the 55-second sequence. Meticulous efforts were made to ensure the sequence was as unnoticeable as possible: they sought advice from the Beijing meteorological office as to how to recreate the hazy effects of Beijing's smog at night, and inserted a slight camera shake effect to simulate the idea that it was filmed from a helicopter.
"Seeing how it worked out, it was still a bit too bright compared to the actual fireworks," he said. "But most of the audience thought it was filmed live - so that was mission accomplished."
He said the main problem with trying to shoot the real thing was the difficulty of placing the television helicopter at the right angle to see all 28 footsteps in a row.
One advisor to the Beijing Olympic Committee (BOCOG) defended the decision to use make-believe to impress the viewer. "It would have been prohibitive to have tried to film it live," he said. "We could not put the helicopter pilot at risk by making him try to follow the firework route."
A spokeswoman for BOCOG said the final decision had been made by Beijing Olympic Broadcasting, the joint venture between the International Olympic Committee and local organisers that is responsible for providing the main "feeds" of all Olympic events to viewers around the world.
"As far as we are concerned, we let off the fireworks - that's what's important to us," she said.
Mr Gao said he was worried that technologically literate viewers who spotted the join might be critical, but comments online suggested more admiration of the result.
Although the event as a whole received rapturous reviews abroad, that has not been entirely the case at home. Some internet comments were hostile, saying that while it looked stunning the contents were vacuous.
Others focused on the sheer numbers of people involved - more than 16,000 performers, mostly from People's Liberation Army song and dance troops.
"That certainly showed China's unique character," said one comment. "Namely, that we have 1.3 billion people."
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Points to ponder
Syed Kechik among those who exploited Native Cert loophole
Kota Kinabalu: Loopholes in the law are among reasons why the Sijil Anak Negeri or Native Certificate (SAN) in the past was abused.
Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum said the law states that if foreigners such as from the Philippines or Brunei have been residing in the State for five years, they could apply for the certificate to state they are natives of this State.
Which explains why former Yayasan Sabah Director Tan Sri Syed Kechik, who is from Peninsular Malaysia, also has a native certificate. Fortunately, this loophole was plugged after the Government stopped the issuance of the SAN in 1982.
The Sijil Anak Negeri certificates previously were issued to genuine bumiputeras to protect their rights such as in land matters.
"There is also provision in the law, the term bumiputera or native in Sabah is defined in at least three statutes," said Malanjum at the District Chiefs and Native Chiefs Conference at Wisma Muis, Thursday.
But unlike the State's counterpart Sarawak, he said the natives there were defined as those who only originated from the State such as the Iban, Bidayuh and Melanau, among others.
He said Sarawak is strict and does not consider Filipinos or Indonesians as natives of Sarawak.
On other developments, he said that the Native Courts could probably clear some of its backlog cases by applying methods used by the Civil Court.
He said normally what the Civil Court does is retrieve files that have not been settled yet and make a master list before setting a date to call for hearing.
If the parties involved in the case failed to respond to the call, the case would be dismissed. "Maybe the Native Courts should take a similar approach," he said.
Meanwhile, Malanjum described the three-day conference as critical since it provides a forum to determine the current position on native laws and customs including their usage and relevance to the present generation of natives.
He said if the conference were to be held annually it could be considered as the Native Law Advisory Council with the main function of giving advice to the authority that manages the affairs of Native Courts.
Such a body, he said existed during the rule of the North Borneo Chartered British Company.
He said it appeared that for the last three years, the rough estimate ratio of cases to that of the native population of Sabah is 4,238:1.2 million or 35 per cent.
"There was a marked increase in cases registered between 2003 and 2005 and then a decline thereafter," he said.
Some districts seem to be receiving more cases than in other districts. The reasons for such trend might be worth examining, he added.
"Is it because of the slow adaptability and applicability by the native laws to the changing economic and social conditions in Sabah thereby generating apathy and loss in confidence in the Native Courts?" he asked.
Or he said it could be due to the thinking that native laws and customs were meant for the past and no longer relevant and necessary today.
"Or is it due to the increasing number of younger natives now preferring to live in town areas? I hope not," he said.
In other countries, Malanjum said interest was growing in the revival and development of indigenous laws.
Citing Canada, he said 'the one thing native people cannot legally do is bargain away their aboriginal rights, treaty rights or reserved land to anyone, other than the Crown in right of Canada'.
He also said that the number of appeals to the Native Court of Appeal is also declining where last year there was only one appeal, which was in Keningau.
He questioned whether it was due to the long delay by the court in disposing the appeals.
Malanjum said if a transformation of the Native Courts is to be seriously considered then the reason or reasons for the downward trend required finding.
"Maybe a working committee can be set up with the main task of examining the present state of the native laws and customs and what changes need to be done," he said.
While some positive steps had been taken by the State Government towards this end, he said the relevant State authorities charged with managing the affairs of the Native Courts could work together with the study committee of the Law Faculty of the Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
Also, he said it is worthwhile to consider placing the management of the affairs of the Native Courts, District and Native Chiefs under one authority.
This is to prevent the issuance of conflicting policies for Native Courts. This news is from HERE
My Say:
The certificate was issued to Syed Kechik by the Kota Kinabalu Native Court. Recents reports also indicated that there were many certificates issued after it was frozen by the government.
Current Kota Kinabalu City Native Court's chief judge OKK William Majimbun had disclosed that quite a number of fake certificate holders came to see him for verification but rejected them as their certificates were not recorded in the court's registry.
Most of the holders of the certificates were from Sarawak who used the certificate to qualify them to buy land belonging to the Native of Sabah.
Kota Kinabalu: Loopholes in the law are among reasons why the Sijil Anak Negeri or Native Certificate (SAN) in the past was abused.
Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum said the law states that if foreigners such as from the Philippines or Brunei have been residing in the State for five years, they could apply for the certificate to state they are natives of this State.
Which explains why former Yayasan Sabah Director Tan Sri Syed Kechik, who is from Peninsular Malaysia, also has a native certificate. Fortunately, this loophole was plugged after the Government stopped the issuance of the SAN in 1982.
The Sijil Anak Negeri certificates previously were issued to genuine bumiputeras to protect their rights such as in land matters.
"There is also provision in the law, the term bumiputera or native in Sabah is defined in at least three statutes," said Malanjum at the District Chiefs and Native Chiefs Conference at Wisma Muis, Thursday.
But unlike the State's counterpart Sarawak, he said the natives there were defined as those who only originated from the State such as the Iban, Bidayuh and Melanau, among others.
He said Sarawak is strict and does not consider Filipinos or Indonesians as natives of Sarawak.
On other developments, he said that the Native Courts could probably clear some of its backlog cases by applying methods used by the Civil Court.
He said normally what the Civil Court does is retrieve files that have not been settled yet and make a master list before setting a date to call for hearing.
If the parties involved in the case failed to respond to the call, the case would be dismissed. "Maybe the Native Courts should take a similar approach," he said.
Meanwhile, Malanjum described the three-day conference as critical since it provides a forum to determine the current position on native laws and customs including their usage and relevance to the present generation of natives.
He said if the conference were to be held annually it could be considered as the Native Law Advisory Council with the main function of giving advice to the authority that manages the affairs of Native Courts.
Such a body, he said existed during the rule of the North Borneo Chartered British Company.
He said it appeared that for the last three years, the rough estimate ratio of cases to that of the native population of Sabah is 4,238:1.2 million or 35 per cent.
"There was a marked increase in cases registered between 2003 and 2005 and then a decline thereafter," he said.
Some districts seem to be receiving more cases than in other districts. The reasons for such trend might be worth examining, he added.
"Is it because of the slow adaptability and applicability by the native laws to the changing economic and social conditions in Sabah thereby generating apathy and loss in confidence in the Native Courts?" he asked.
Or he said it could be due to the thinking that native laws and customs were meant for the past and no longer relevant and necessary today.
"Or is it due to the increasing number of younger natives now preferring to live in town areas? I hope not," he said.
In other countries, Malanjum said interest was growing in the revival and development of indigenous laws.
Citing Canada, he said 'the one thing native people cannot legally do is bargain away their aboriginal rights, treaty rights or reserved land to anyone, other than the Crown in right of Canada'.
He also said that the number of appeals to the Native Court of Appeal is also declining where last year there was only one appeal, which was in Keningau.
He questioned whether it was due to the long delay by the court in disposing the appeals.
Malanjum said if a transformation of the Native Courts is to be seriously considered then the reason or reasons for the downward trend required finding.
"Maybe a working committee can be set up with the main task of examining the present state of the native laws and customs and what changes need to be done," he said.
While some positive steps had been taken by the State Government towards this end, he said the relevant State authorities charged with managing the affairs of the Native Courts could work together with the study committee of the Law Faculty of the Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
Also, he said it is worthwhile to consider placing the management of the affairs of the Native Courts, District and Native Chiefs under one authority.
This is to prevent the issuance of conflicting policies for Native Courts. This news is from HERE
My Say:
The certificate was issued to Syed Kechik by the Kota Kinabalu Native Court. Recents reports also indicated that there were many certificates issued after it was frozen by the government.
Current Kota Kinabalu City Native Court's chief judge OKK William Majimbun had disclosed that quite a number of fake certificate holders came to see him for verification but rejected them as their certificates were not recorded in the court's registry.
Most of the holders of the certificates were from Sarawak who used the certificate to qualify them to buy land belonging to the Native of Sabah.
Friday, 8 August 2008
I forget!!!
Age must be catching me up fast. I did not remember that Aug 7th was my birthday. By that date in 2009, I will be 54 years old. I had no inkling of this day until my children SMS to me wishing `Happy Birthday, Daddy.'
Having attained this far make me more determined to stay `awake' as long as permitted by the Almighty, and of course I will continue on blogging. By the way, when I reached home 10pm last night, I had two half boil eggs before going to bed.
On my birthday last year, my wife. children and friends gave me a `big' party at my house in Kampung Kionsom, Inanam. No regret not having a party this year, like others, I am too, affected by the high costs of living nowadays.
Having attained this far make me more determined to stay `awake' as long as permitted by the Almighty, and of course I will continue on blogging. By the way, when I reached home 10pm last night, I had two half boil eggs before going to bed.
On my birthday last year, my wife. children and friends gave me a `big' party at my house in Kampung Kionsom, Inanam. No regret not having a party this year, like others, I am too, affected by the high costs of living nowadays.
Thursday, 7 August 2008
SAPP's Yong: Why???
Responding to the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's announcement after the BN Supreme Council meeting last night in Kuala Lumpur that BN needs to study in detail the answer given by SAPP before making any decision:
SAPP president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said:
1. The SAPP 3-paragraph reply to the BN show cause letter was so simple and clear because it was a mere reiteration of SAPP's loss of confidence on the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced on June 18 and endorsed by the Supreme Council on June 20.
What is so complicated that the BN needs to study in detail? Surely, the PM was stingy with the truth by saying that they (BN) needs to study the SAPP letter in detail.
2. In fact, we are totally disappointed that the BN leadership has again put off a key decision affecting Sabah just in order for them to finish a by-election campaign (Permatang Puah) first.
It shows that the BN has put their political interests above that of the people in Sabah.
Yong said towards this end, SAPP would forge ahead with greater force and unity in pursuits of the party's struggle for the people based on the party's Declaration of eight points, to fight against the `taxflation' and rapid rise in costs of living which had caused hardship to the people.
SAPP president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said:
1. The SAPP 3-paragraph reply to the BN show cause letter was so simple and clear because it was a mere reiteration of SAPP's loss of confidence on the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced on June 18 and endorsed by the Supreme Council on June 20.
What is so complicated that the BN needs to study in detail? Surely, the PM was stingy with the truth by saying that they (BN) needs to study the SAPP letter in detail.
2. In fact, we are totally disappointed that the BN leadership has again put off a key decision affecting Sabah just in order for them to finish a by-election campaign (Permatang Puah) first.
It shows that the BN has put their political interests above that of the people in Sabah.
Yong said towards this end, SAPP would forge ahead with greater force and unity in pursuits of the party's struggle for the people based on the party's Declaration of eight points, to fight against the `taxflation' and rapid rise in costs of living which had caused hardship to the people.
Monday, 4 August 2008
I'll Go says Pairin
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who was last week called to step down by the party's divisional head for Kiulu Sinding Ranggangon, said he would step down.
"I do not intend to hold on as PBS president forever. I will go at the right time," he said when opening the PBS Tanjung Aru and Petagas divisions AGM in Kota Kinabalu Sunday.
Pairin also disclosed that Sindin was airing out his frustration because he was not selected as candidate to contest Kiulu in the March 8, 2008 general elections.He said Sindin had been lobbying for Kiulu but incumbent Datuk Louis Rampas was retained to contest and won the seat.
My Say:
I rest my case.
"I do not intend to hold on as PBS president forever. I will go at the right time," he said when opening the PBS Tanjung Aru and Petagas divisions AGM in Kota Kinabalu Sunday.
Pairin also disclosed that Sindin was airing out his frustration because he was not selected as candidate to contest Kiulu in the March 8, 2008 general elections.He said Sindin had been lobbying for Kiulu but incumbent Datuk Louis Rampas was retained to contest and won the seat.
My Say:
I rest my case.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Famous for the wrong reason
Malaysian prostitute gets 15 years for murder in the UK
By : From Zaharah Othman in London
LONDON:Prostitute Noor Azura Mohd Yusoff was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of karaoke club worker Xie Xing Xing, 23, whose head and body had been severed and dumped in different parts of the city.
The sentence was passed down at the Old Bailey by Judge Forrester after an eight-woman and three-man jury found the 22-year-old and her boyfriend Gian Trach Lon, 26, guilty of the offence, committed at a house in South London that the couple shared.
Noor Azura, collapsed in the dock upon hearing the sentence and, crying inconsolably, had to be helped back to her feet.
Gian, a Northern Ireland-born ethnic Vietnamese, was slapped with a heavier 22-year sentence, on account of two past convictions for violent crimes.
He was also given a five-year jail term, which will run concurrently, for perverting the course of justice by disposing of Xie's body.
During sentencing at the end of the 25-day trial, Forrester took into account the fact that Noor Azura had shown remorse when she was arrested, admitting she had slapped and hit Xie and called her death a "mistake".
The judge also took into account her good behaviour and lack of a previous criminal record.
Defence counsel Peter Carter said he was disappointed with the verdict and is expected to appeal it.
The murder occurred on April 17 last year when Noor Azura, who worked as a prostitute in Birmingham, came home from work to find Gian, Xie and another Vietnamese man, Chanh Ngo. Chanh has since fled Britain.
Xie was overdosed on cocaine. It is unclear what exactly transpired in the house, but Xie sustained two stab wounds in the neck and was then decapitated while still alive.
Her hands were cut off and her body parts were then dumped in the South Dock Marina, in Rotherhithe.
Her body, minus its head and hands, was discovered in the Thames on April 19 in a laundry bag from Noor Azura and Gian's residence.
Her head, which was in another garbage bag, was found floating in the same river a few weeks later but her hands were never found.
During the trial, it was suggested that the motive behind the murder could have been jealousy as Noor Azura was known to be very possessive of Gian.
She thought of him as her husband and would end every text message to him with the words, "your lovely wife".
She had previously sent a text message to Xie's friend, Rui Li, demanding to know if Xie was having an affair with Gian and warning Xie to "leave my boyfriend alone, stay away from him".
Noor Azura had also sent Xie a death threat. This story is from HERE.
My Say:
While I was based in London, I covered a UK football match fixing trial in the Birmingham Crown Court. The case of famous goalkeeper Groballer also involved a Malaysian businessman based in London.
By : From Zaharah Othman in London
LONDON:Prostitute Noor Azura Mohd Yusoff was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of karaoke club worker Xie Xing Xing, 23, whose head and body had been severed and dumped in different parts of the city.
The sentence was passed down at the Old Bailey by Judge Forrester after an eight-woman and three-man jury found the 22-year-old and her boyfriend Gian Trach Lon, 26, guilty of the offence, committed at a house in South London that the couple shared.
Noor Azura, collapsed in the dock upon hearing the sentence and, crying inconsolably, had to be helped back to her feet.
Gian, a Northern Ireland-born ethnic Vietnamese, was slapped with a heavier 22-year sentence, on account of two past convictions for violent crimes.
He was also given a five-year jail term, which will run concurrently, for perverting the course of justice by disposing of Xie's body.
During sentencing at the end of the 25-day trial, Forrester took into account the fact that Noor Azura had shown remorse when she was arrested, admitting she had slapped and hit Xie and called her death a "mistake".
The judge also took into account her good behaviour and lack of a previous criminal record.
Defence counsel Peter Carter said he was disappointed with the verdict and is expected to appeal it.
The murder occurred on April 17 last year when Noor Azura, who worked as a prostitute in Birmingham, came home from work to find Gian, Xie and another Vietnamese man, Chanh Ngo. Chanh has since fled Britain.
Xie was overdosed on cocaine. It is unclear what exactly transpired in the house, but Xie sustained two stab wounds in the neck and was then decapitated while still alive.
Her hands were cut off and her body parts were then dumped in the South Dock Marina, in Rotherhithe.
Her body, minus its head and hands, was discovered in the Thames on April 19 in a laundry bag from Noor Azura and Gian's residence.
Her head, which was in another garbage bag, was found floating in the same river a few weeks later but her hands were never found.
During the trial, it was suggested that the motive behind the murder could have been jealousy as Noor Azura was known to be very possessive of Gian.
She thought of him as her husband and would end every text message to him with the words, "your lovely wife".
She had previously sent a text message to Xie's friend, Rui Li, demanding to know if Xie was having an affair with Gian and warning Xie to "leave my boyfriend alone, stay away from him".
Noor Azura had also sent Xie a death threat. This story is from HERE.
My Say:
While I was based in London, I covered a UK football match fixing trial in the Birmingham Crown Court. The case of famous goalkeeper Groballer also involved a Malaysian businessman based in London.
Sindin's sour grapes???
Still on the call by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Kiulu division's head Sindin Ranggangon for party's president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan to step down.
PBS Vice President Herbert Timbun Lagadan said Sindin was alone on the call for Pairin to step down. He also disclosed that Sindin was angry for not being appointed People Development Leader for Kiulu after a promise for him to contest in the March 8, general election did not materialised.
Timbon said after not being selected to contest, Sindin had also called on several other PBS divisional heads to ditch PBS for the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Timbon, who is Community Development and Consumers Affairs Assistant Minister and Assemblyman for Kadamaian, said Pairin's leadership is still needed and that stepping down was not in his agenda.
PBS Vice President Herbert Timbun Lagadan said Sindin was alone on the call for Pairin to step down. He also disclosed that Sindin was angry for not being appointed People Development Leader for Kiulu after a promise for him to contest in the March 8, general election did not materialised.
Timbon said after not being selected to contest, Sindin had also called on several other PBS divisional heads to ditch PBS for the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Timbon, who is Community Development and Consumers Affairs Assistant Minister and Assemblyman for Kadamaian, said Pairin's leadership is still needed and that stepping down was not in his agenda.
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