Tuesday, January 20, 2009

THUESDAY-20 JANUARY 2009 - ANWAR TO VISIT SABAH JAN 22 - 23



Anwar to visit Sabah Jan 22-23

KOTA KINABALU

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Advisor Datuk Sen Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to visit Sabah on January 22 and 23, said PKR Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan yesterday.
Anwar will meet all the PKR leaders and members at Sutera Harbour after arriving at 5.l0pm on Thursday.
According to Dr Jeffrey, the former Prime Minister is scheduled to attend a dinner meeting at 8pm in Sutera Harbour with community leaders, businessmen and members of nongovernmental organisations in the State.
At 10pm, Anwar would chair a closed-door meeting with PKR divisional leaders, State youth chief and State woman chief.
It will be the first proper State party meeting after its congress in Shah Alam in November 2008.
On Friday, Anwar would have breakfast with State leaders, where later he would meet divisional leaders at 9am at the Airport View Hotel here.
He is scheduled to hold a press conference at the Hotel at 10.3Oam before flying to Kuala Lumpur at noon.

THUESDAY-20 JANUARY 2009 - BE THANKDUL FOR PEACE, HARMONY, SAYS PAIRIN



Be thankful for peace, harmony, says Pairin

KOTA KINABALU


Sabahans and Malaysians in general should be grateful that they are able to live in peace and harmony when other countries are experiencing war, ethnic disagreement, starvation and humanitarian crisis.
“Therefore we should be thankful to be able to enjoy such peace and harmony despite the fact that we are living in a multi-racial, multi-religious and multicultural country,” Deputy ChiefMinister Datuk Sen Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan said.
However, there is a need to realize that the stability, peace and harmony enjoyed by all Malaysians did not come naturally and was not achieved easily, he said.
“It resulted from the sacrifice and contribution from many quarters, including the Government and the rakyat,” he said when launching the Chinese New Year Carnival 2009 at Lintasan Desoaka here last night.
Therefore, Pairin said it was imperative that the stability and peace be maintained for the benefit of the future generation.
According to him further, cultural celebrations such as the Chinese New Year carnival have strengthened unity among the races in the State and the attendance of people from all walks of lives as well as races reflects just how high the unity and tolerance is in the country.
“In this context, the State Government is confident that it is a positive sign towards the success of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) with the aim to produce a happy and united community that live in harmony and prosperity,” Pairin stressed.
He added that the stage performances and other entertainment programs lined up for the carnival can be made as the prelude to the Chinese New Year celebrations on Jan 26 and 27.
The event, he pointed out, will not only attract locals but also foreign visitors who are always in awe of Sabah’s diversity in culture and added that it also provides business opportunities for those interested to get some income before the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Meanwhile Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim in his speech thanked Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai who is also the Api Api Assemblyman for co-organising the event.
Iliyas disclosed that the event was in support of the State Government’s efforts to promote its tourism industry so that more people visit the City.
“Not only are we focused on making the City cleaner, safer and more beautiful, we are always concerned about the welfare of the residents, therefore we organize many of these community based events,” he said.

TUESDAY - 20 JANURY 2009 - NINE SMUGGLING BOATS FROM LABUAN CAUGHT

Nine smuggling boats from Labuan caught


LABUAN:


There was no escape for a convoy of nine boats laden with contraband goods from duty-free Labuan when they were trapped in a narrow river tributary near Menumbok in hinterland Sabah on Sunday night.
Three Marine Police Strike Force Unit personnel in a decoy village boat tailed the convoy up the Menanap River, a small tributary that flows into the main Klias River, while other Police boats blocked the river mouth around 9pm.
The boats with their smuggled cargo of beer, spirits, wine and cigarettes destined for the Chinese New Year market in Sabah, were heading for the drop-off point when the last boat in the convoy was intercepted.

Two local men, aged 18 and 20, were caught and held at the Menumbok Police lockup, some three kilometres down river, to assist Police in their investigations.
“The rest of the crew in the other boats escaped into the darkness of the surrounding mangrove swamp on foot when they realized there was no escape. The river was not wide enough for them to make a u-turn to sneak away,” said ASP Rahni Abdul Ladis who heads the Labuan Marine Police.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdul Manaf Othman yesterday told reporters at the Menumbok jetty, where the cargo from the boats were being unloaded, that a detailed count of all the items is not completed yet but RM2 million would be a rough estimate of the value of the seized goods, boats and their high- powered outboard engines.

“We launched Operations Barracuda to focus on coastal areas in anticipation of an increase in smuggling activities prior to the Chinese New Year.

“Two vessels, six officers and 20 men are involved in the two-week operation, he disclosed.

“This is our biggest case so far this year,” he added.

THUESDAY-20 JANUARY 2009 - TAN, YEE URGED TO SOLVE ISSUES AFFECTING CHINESE COMMUNITY




Tan, Yee urged to solve issues affecting Chinese community

KOTA KINABALU


Chinese State Cabinet members have been urged to get serious in solving issues affecting the Chinese community, instead of attempting to evade responsibility by accusing their critics of politicizing issues.


“As responsible elected representatives, they (the Chinese State Cabinet members) should immediately go down to the ground to find out for themselves the problems affecting the people, instead of simply accusing others of politicizing the issues,” Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Information Chief Chong Pit Fah said in a statement issued here yesterday.


He was responding to a recent statement by Deputy Chief Minister cum State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan, who accused him (Chong) of politicizing the issue of the high pork price in the market.


Chong who is SAPP Kepayan CLC Chairman, had earlier urged the Chinese State Cabinet members to look into the issue of high pork price affecting the Chinese community.
He especially noted that the current high pork price in the market had not only affected the pig farmers and the pork sellers but also the consumers, who are the worse hit.
He further argued that as a “concerned- and - people - oriented” political party, SAPP is duty bound to highlight the plights of the people.


Chong also reminded the other Chinese member of the State Cabinet, Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai to take action to resolve the issue.


He claimed to have received numerous complaints that the present Government policy governing the pig farming industry in the State was largely to be blamed for the recent exorbitant hike in the pork price.


“We were made to understand that many are keen to go into pig farming but they just don’t get the chance. Perhaps our learned Chinese State Cabinet members could look into this and shed some light on it,” he said.


Chong also finds the recent explanation given by the pig farmers in the State over the drastic increase of the pork price unacceptable.


He argued that if the cost of feed in Sabah is 20 per cent more compared to Peninsular Malaysia, the price of pork in Sabah should only cost slightly over RM700 per 100kg and not over RM900 as, the same amount of pork only costs RM600 in Peninsular Malaysia.

THUESDAY-20 JANUARY 2009 - AZIZ HEADS SEMPORNA UMNO YOUTH



Aziz heads Semporna Umno Youth

SEMPORNA


Mohd Aziz Jamman has been announced a the new Semporna Umno Youth head after the incumbent, Nixon Abd Habi, failed to defend his post in the election on Sunday.


Mohd Aziz received 235 votes while Nixon garnered 218. There were five spoilt votes.


A commotion almost broke out when the lights at the Semporna Community Hall, the venue of the election, went out suddenly at about 10.40pm as soon as the recount had been completed.

However, the Police personnel present managed to control the crowd and averted trouble.


On Oct12 last year, the results of the poll which favoured Nixon had to be referred to the Sabah State Umno Liaisor, Body after there were protests that the number of ballot papers issued exceeded the number of delegates. -Bernama

THUESDAY-20 JANUARY 2009 - BE THANKFUL, HARMONY, SAYS PAIRIN



Be thankful for peace, harmony, says Pairin

KOTA KINABALU


Sabahans and Malaysians in general should be grateful that they are able to live in peace and harmony when other countries are experiencing war, ethnic disagreement, starvation and humanitarian crisis.


“Therefore we should be thankful to be able to enjoy such peace and harmony despite the fact that we are living in a multi-racial, multi-religious and multicultural country,” Deputy ChiefMinister Datuk Sen Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan said.


However, there is a need to realize that the stability, peace and harmony enjoyed by all Malaysians did not come naturally and was not achieved easily, he said.
“It resulted from the sacrifice and contribution from many quarters, including the Government and the rakyat,” he said when launching the Chinese New Year Carnival 2009 at Lintasan Desoaka here last night.


Therefore, Pairin said it was imperative that the stability and peace be maintained for the benefit of the future generation.


According to him further, cultural celebrations such as the Chinese New Year carnival have strengthened unity among the races in the State and the attendance of people from all walks of lives as well as races reflects just how high the unity and tolerance is in the country.
“In this context, the State Government is confident that it is a positive sign towards the success of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) with the aim to produce a happy and united community that live in harmony and prosperity,” Pairin stressed.


He added that the stage performances and other entertainment programs lined up for the carnival can be made as the prelude to the Chinese New Year celebrations on Jan 26 and 27.
The event, he pointed out, will not only attract locals but also foreign visitors who are always in awe of Sabah’s diversity in culture and added that it also provides business opportunities for those interested to get some income before the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Meanwhile Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim in his speech thanked Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai who is also the Api Api Assemblyman for co-organising the event.


Iliyas disclosed that the event was in support of the State Government’s efforts to promote its tourism industry so that more people visit the City.
“Not only are we focused on making the City cleaner, safer and more beautiful, we are always concerned about the welfare of the residents, therefore we organize many of these community based events,” he said.

THUESDAY-20 JANUARY 2009 - BUS PASSANGERS GIVE MIXED RESPONSE TO PROPOSAL




Bus passengers give mixed response to proposal

KOTA KINABALU

The proposal by the Road Safety Department and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety to end express bus services at midnight in a bid to avoid road fatalities received mixed reaction from passengers.

It will just cause inconvenience to passengers who prefer to travel at night,” said Clement Ajik who was waiting for the next bus to Keningau at the express bus terminal in Bandaran Berjaya here yesterday.

He said by stopping the midnight express bus service, it would cause congestion at the ticketing counters as passengers have to queue up early to buy tickets to their destination.

“Most travelers do not have the time to travel during the day as they have to work, so the only alternative is to travel by night,” he said.

However, Ruzaily Libon welcomed the proposal.
“It will burden most night travellers, but it is better than to lose lives,” he said.

Express bus driver John Mu, when interviewed, said some bus drivers tend to drive fast at night as there are not many vehicles on the road.

“Accident occurs when they drive fast and cannot avoid an in-coming car or something on the road,” he said, adding that bus drivers should keep to the speed limit.

Unlike in West Malaysia, the last express buses leave the terminal in Kota Kinabalu for Tawau,. Lahad Datu and Semporna around 8pm due to the condition of the roads and for the safety of passengers.

Sabah Express Bus Operators Council (SEBOC) President Donald Haji Hanafi on Sunday said the implementation of the proposal is only applicable in the Peninsular and as the roads linking the east coast and west coast of the State are not expressways.

TUESDAY-20 JANUARY 2009 - EDUCATION LOADS NOT AFFECTED



Education loans not affected

KOTA KINABALU

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has assured that the amount of loans allocated for the National Higher
Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) this year will not be reduced despite the global economic downturn.
He said PTPTN had disbursed loans of RM2.6 billion last year and was confident of maintaining the amount this year for the benefit of 200,000 students.
“There are some 260,000 places in public and private institutions of higher learning (IPT), polytechnics, community colleges and so on, excluding those taking diploma, certificate and first degree.
“We believe that the RM2.6 billion is adequate to fund the students. The amount does not include the scholarships,” he told reporters after launching the PTPTN Info Centre here yesterday.

Mohamed Khaled said from 11,956 in 1997, the number of students who took PTPTN loans had risen to 1.2 million with loans amounting RM26 billion.

As for Sabah, PTPTN had until Nov last year approved 78,086 applications by students involving an allocation of RM1.6 billion.

He said the Ministry was conducting a study to find the best method to collect loan payments, including a proposal for salary deduction.

“We are trying to find the best method to do this. But first it will have to be presented to the Cabinet for approval and only then it can be implemented,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled added the total loan owed to PTPTN amounted RM1.9 billion would be repaid in stages.

In his speech earlier, he urged Sabahans to fully utilise the Info Centre which is located in the Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) building here.

According to him, the setting up of the facility in East Malaysia was part of the PTPTN’s efforts to disseminate important information to the community.
This, he said, was in line with the seventh core of the National Higher Learning Strategic Plan which is to strengthen the Higher Education Ministry’s delivery system.

“As we are all aware, development of education is an important element in how a country progresses. Other than producing more skilled manpower, education is also important in increasing productivity by improving the performance of workers,” he said.

TUESDAY-20 JANUARY 2009 - NINE SMUGGLING BOATS FROM LABUAN CAUGHT



Nine smuggling boats from Labuan caught

LABUAN:

There was no escape for a convoy of nine boats laden with contraband goods from duty-free Labuan when they were trapped in a narrow river tributary near Menumbok in hinterland Sabah on Sunday night.
Three Marine Police Strike Force Unit personnel in a decoy village boat tailed the convoy up the Menanap River, a small tributary that flows into the main Klias River, while other Police boats blocked the river mouth around 9pm.
The boats with their smuggled cargo of beer, spirits, wine and cigarettes destined for the Chinese New Year market in Sabah, were heading for the drop-off point when the last boat in the convoy was intercepted.

Two local men, aged 18 and 20, were caught and held at the Menumbok Police lockup, some three kilometres down river, to assist Police in their investigations.
“The rest of the crew in the other boats escaped into the darkness of the surrounding mangrove swamp on foot when they realized there was no escape. The river was not wide enough for them to make a u-turn to sneak away,” said ASP Rahni Abdul Ladis who heads the Labuan Marine Police.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdul Manaf Othman yesterday told reporters at the Menumbok jetty, where the cargo from the boats were being unloaded, that a detailed count of all the items is not completed yet but RM2 million would be a rough estimate of the value of the seized goods, boats and their high- powered outboard engines.

“We launched Operations Barracuda to focus on coastal areas in anticipation of an increase in smuggling activities prior to the Chinese New Year.

“Two vessels, six officers and 20 men are involved in the two-week operation, he disclosed.

“This is our biggest case so far this year,” he added.