Some faces missing

Giant signboards are put up in Sipitang welcoming visitors to the Sipitang Gata Festival (Aug 3 - 5). The billboard shows the photographs of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Haji Sapawi Ahmad. Missing faces are that of Sipitang Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and Lumadan assemblywoman Datuk Surinam Sadikun. The people of Sipitang are not amused as the State seats of Sindumin and Lumadan made up the Sipitang parliamentary constituency.

My Say:

Though seems a small matter but it touches the senstivity of the people of Sipitang and this will not augurs well for for the coming general elections. Supporters of Dr Yusof are taking this turn of event as sidelining their MP in his own area.

For the record there are several giant signboard showing photographs of Musa, Prime Minister Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor without photograph of the then Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat. Chong's supporters were also not happy.

Soon to be history

Information Communication Technology has overtaken the traditional theatre/cinema business in the Federal Territory of Labuan. Lido Theatre at the junction of Jalan Muhibbah/Jalan Tun Mustapha will soon be demolished for the development of a 100 rooms 10-storey hotel.

Gone will be the place where lovers hang about, a place for family entertainment for so long. The premier entertainment house those years has been part of the past of most locals. It has been sold by its owner Kinabalu Cinema Sdn Bhd to a Sarawakian businessman for RM3 million.

Lido Theatre which was later named Wilayah was the only surviving cinema after two others Victoria Theatre and BFO Cinema had closed shop several years ago.

My Say:

My tour of duty for many years made me travel to Labuan and had never missed patronising the theatres. With the last to go, save for the cheap beer (compared to the price elsewhere) down memory lane will be gone forever.

Rapport amongs cops lacking?

Camaraderie, one of the little but important things that make a good policeman, among young officers is lacking nowadays (here). This is an observation by Sabah police head of management SAC 11 Sidin Abdul Karim.

He said the espirit-de-corp among young officers was going down. Sidin said its like a traffic police seeing a crime happening not taking action just because it did not comes under his line of duty. No such thing, he said.

Sidin made these remarks at the handing over of duties by out-going Kota Kinabalu City police chief ACP Ku Chin Wah (picture above)to his deputy Supt Rowel Marung on Thursday (July 26). Ku has been promoted to SAC 11 and will be heading Kuala Lumpur City CID Branch. A new officer will assumes the Kota Kinabalu City police chief next month.

My Say:

Police regardless of their ranks, must have the gut, gall and gumption in carrying out their duties.

Maktab Perguruan Sandakan

In May 1974, some 80 youngsters marched up a hill off Mile 1.5 Jalan Labuk, Sandakan to start their life a trainee teachers. Thirty six of them were selected for the secondary school's course while the remaining 46 to be trained as primary school teachers. I am, of course one of them, I took a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan, the first time ever I had gone into an aeroplane.

Maktab Perguruan Sandakan (MPS) was new then, the third in Sabah, the others being Maktab Perguruan Kent (MPK), Tuaran and Maktab Perguruan Gaya(MPG) in Kota Kinabalu.I had in fact applied to be trained at MPG.

Being a new institution, this group of 80 were the first batch. We built our own badminton court, gelanggang sepak takraw, created out own garden and all the other facilities. With just RM30 monthly allowance (RM2 deducted for the student union), we were able to live happily, no complaint. With that amount of money, Aman Sirom Sambuna bin OKK Tarantab from Kota Belud was able to save up to buy a typewriter which he is still using now.

MPS was declared open by then Education director general Tan Sri Haji Hamdan Sheikh Tahir on May 21, 1974 which was also attended by Sandakan Resident Datuk Ben Stephens and Sabah education director Omar Hashim.

The two years course ended November 1975 and I started teaching the following year at SRK Sualok, Beluran, then about three hours boat ride from Pekan Beluran, that if there was boat going up. At times one have to sleep at a `rest house' in Beluran to wait for boat. I did not last long, after eight months, packed my bags and left for good, from Beluran and the teaching profession. I became a journalist. And the rest is history.

Why am I writing about this? Because on Aug 25, 2007, there will be a reunion dinner in Hotel Juta, Keningau to be organised by the MPS' second batch trainees. Invitations were also exended to us, all 72. Yes only 72 now as seven had been called to rest with the Creator - Asmin Damit, Duali Azin, Mahadi Nurajin, Abdul Rahim Samila, Suhaili Maraman, Fatimah Abu Bakar and Mursidi Abdullah.

Patron of the coming reunion dinner is Datuk Haji Sairin Karno, one of the second batch trainees. He is now the State Assemblyman for Liawan. Invitation are also extended to all ex-trainees of MPS.

For the record, MPS is no more. It had been closed and move to Tawau. It sad but during a reunion dinner organised by the first batch in Kota Kinabalu on Aug 19, last year, its organising chairman Christopher Jacob said, and I quote:

"It not the institution or the physical structure that keeps the alma mater alive. It is us, our hopes, aspirations, deeds and actions that would keep the MPS Flag flying high."

Further information: Nora Anggas - 0168448546

Sentence illegal

When the Kota Kinabalu Magistrate's Court several months ago sentenced a 20-year-old security guard to 48 hours community services for theft, it was a big news in the local newspapers. This was the first time sentence of this kind being imposed on convict.

Today (July 25) the High Court declared the sentence illegal and freed the youth on two years good behaviour. Judge Datuk Ian Chin agreed with the Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Z Faridah that the Welfare Department was unable to carried out the sentence imposed by the lower court as such punishment was yet to be enforced.

The DPP told the court that the Welfare Department `rejected' the order as it was not in the position to carry out the punishment. This prompted the DPP to apply for a revision of the order.

The DPP informed the court that sentence of community services was provided for in the recent amendment of the Criminal Procedure Code which had been passed by Parliament but has not been enforced yet.

Meanwhile, the youth who was happy with the decision, had gone back to his village to tap rubber.

And it was a different story in the Court of Appeal in Kuala Lumpur. A youth who was convicted of murder by a High Court was freed as there were no law in the land that
a juvenile could be hanged for whatever offences.

Justice Datuk G Sri Ram held that Parliament has to do something to correct the law. So he called upon MP Karpal Singh, counsel for the juvenile, to move a motion in Parliament on the matter.

My Say:

A strong political is needed to correct all this imbalance.

Yes, 10 years ago

That's me with two of the Germans who greeted me in Bahasa Indonesia. At right is Kajai recipient Sdr Karim Sulaiman.

Ten years ago a group of London-based Malaysian journalist was invited by the German Government for a week educational tour of the country. We took a plane form Heathrow to Bonn and from there we took a train ride to Munich, stopping and spending a night in each of the cities down.

The group comprised of Tan Kah Peng (late) of the Star, Hamzah Sidek (Utusan Malasyia), Wan Hulaimi (Bernama), Zahara Othman (RTM), Karim Sulaiman (Berita Harian), Habibah (Berlin-based TV3)and Me representing New Straits Times.

This trip was an eye-opening for me who was before the visit, German was just known to me through history book. Along the way, we met Malaysian students studying at universities and in Munich, we met German students who spoke to us fluently in Bahasa Indonesia.

My Say:

One that I will not forget. When I asked for beer, I was given a litre-full. I did not let my host down for I managed to down three. How I did it, I never knew.

Ansari in, Awang Tengah out

Ansari Abdullah

Parti Keadilan Rakyat Sabah is now headed by lawyer Ansari Abdullah, who is also head of the party's Tuaran branch. He replaced incumbent chief Awang Tengah. Announcing this in Tawau today (July 23), PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah said for now Awang Tengah is the party's State Election chief. Missing from the list was incumbent State liaison secretary and Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan's right hand man, Kanul Gindol. The deputies are Christina Liew (Chinese), Ahmad Shah (Muslim) and Daniel John Jambun (Kadazan, Dusun, Murut).

My Say:

Cronyism making an ugly presence here.
And still Dr Jeffrey has not come out with any statement or comment on the matter. It must be remembered that when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pushed for Ansari to be made Sabah PKR chief, 20 divisional leaders converged at Dr Jeffrey's Sokid Villa residence in Bukit Padang to protest. They wanted Awang Tengah to continue leading the party in Sabah.

And Kanul? I managed to contact him. He SMSed me `The outspoken is out. But expected to be given a new role to play in the party. Just wait and see lah."

Monday's blue

My Say:

Aaah! It is Monday, another six days to go for my Sunday break. I got to go to the outside world to check what the day has in store for all of us.

PKR: No clean sweep

Responding to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's statement on Friday that the national coalition (Barisan Nasional) government could make another clean sweep by winning all the 60 state seats in Sabah in the coming general elections, Opposition Parti Keadilan (PKR) Saturday said `No way'.

PKR's Sabah deputy chief Awang Ahmad Shah Awang Sahari and liaison secretary Kanul Gindol said said their party was even stronger now and is preparing to be the possible people's choice to lead the State Government after the general elections.

My Say:

No comment.

Clean sweep 60 seats

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said it was not impossible for Barisan Nasional to repeat its 2004's performance in winning 59 of the 60 State seats in Sabah in the coming election. In the 2004 election, BN lost Kuala Penyu when incumbent Datuk Wences Angang, then a Deputy Chief Minister to Independent Datuk John Ghani. John resigned from BN-Umno on the eve of the election to contest as an Independent.

My Say:

At this point of time, it seems that BN still have the supports of the people. The opposition party, especially Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), do have the supports bu will not be enough for them to win seats, let alone formed the next State Government.

By the way, PKR vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan today (July 20) police report was centered in alleged illegal logging in First Class Forest Reserve by companies with connection with State Government leaders. Timbers were fell and loaded into ships berthed at a port belonging to Yayasan Sabah which had ceased in operation since 2003. Kota Kinabalu City's OCPD ACP Ku Chin Wah promised to carry out investigation so we will just wait and see.

Another police report by Dr Jeffrey

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is scheduled to make another police report tomorrow (Friday - July 20) in Kota Kinabalu against top Sabah Barisan Nasional leader/s.

My Say:

Waiting who will be the target? Dr Jeffrey had lodged police report against Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman which the Prime Minister had confirmed now under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Agency.

Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat

Ex-Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat has published a book entitled `My Rewards'. It will be launched/put on sale @ RM80 per copy at the Ground Floor. Wisma Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu on Sunday (July 22).

My Say:

It will be interesting to read the book as it may be one that is written by the veteran politician after he resigned as Deputy Chief Minister/Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister several months ago after a fall out with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman over the construction of the Chinese Mazu statue in Kudat.

Still on PR for Refugees

On June 28, 2006, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Aziz had infact told Parliament that 17,308 Filipinos in Sabah who are refugees and holders of IMM13 had been given Parmenant Residence (PR) status. The 17,308 represented 28 per cent of the 61,811 refugees in Sabah. The ministry was replying to a question from Member of Parliament for Penampang Donald Mojuntin who had wanted to know the number of Filipino refugees with PR status.

My Say:

As I had said in my earlier posting, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had said that the State Government was in the dark about refugees being given PR status. This only show that PR status were given to refugees in Sabah without the State Government's knowledge. A surprise. Record in Parliament (Hansard) is the whole truth, nothing but the truth.

Filipino Refugees' automatic PR

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said NO to holders of IMM13 or Filipino refugees in the State to be automatically given Permanent Residence (PR) status. He wants the Federal Government to consult Sabah Government should the former move into that direction.

My Say:

Application for a PR in Sabah has to be sumbitted to the Immigration Department who willl forward them to the Chief Minister for consideration of approval. In other word, the power of granting a PR status to foreingers lies with the Chief Minister. He who has the power to approve also have the power to revoke, I stand to be corrected.If Musa's statement is to be read in totality, not only Filipino refugees but foreigners (wives of locals included) will not be eligible for a PR status.

Having said that, it will be interesting to know how many foreigners had been given PR status so far. Together we wait and see.

Latest in Sabah PKR

UPDATE: PKR Beaufort head lodged police report against Ansari Abdullah today.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah's liaison secretary Kanul Gindol is still very much in this Opposition party even though his Youth Exco Pajudin Nordin said that the former was on his way out of the party. Pajudin also chided Kanul for his Press statement yesterday on PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's action in forcing Sabah PKR to replace its head Awang tengah with Ansari Abdullah. Pajudin called on Kanul `and his gang of three little Napoleans' and the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) in PKR to leave and form their own political party.Pajudin also said even the other KDM based parties had move out of their `frog under the coconut shell' mentality and joined Barisan Nasional.

My Say:

Kanul, a former executive journalist of the national news agency, State PKR deputy chief and Putatan chairman Ahmadshah, and national vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan are the `three little Napoleans' Pajudin was referring. Something is not right here, a lower rank party's leader `barking' at seniors. Times will tell where this Opposition party is heading to, after all something like this is also brewing at the party's national lineup.

UPDATE: Dr Jeffrey had been summoned by Anwar to Kuala Lumpur this morning to discuss about the problem in PKR Sabah.