29th May, 2008
KOTA KINABALU: A Royal Commission of Inquiry on the presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah is only one of the options available to try and resolve the issue.
But it does not guarantee that the problem would be resolved, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.
“Any option taken must meet its intended objective which is to get rid of illegal immigrants from the state.
“Any approach taken must also be sincere in nature, not merely as a tool for the opposition to gain political mileage,” he said after chairing the state cabinet meeting at Wisma Innoprise yesterday.
Musa said employers of migrant workers and landlords must also be responsible and ensure that their workers and tenants were of legal status.
“We also want the government of the Philippines and Indonesia to be responsible and extend their cooperation to Malaysia in the deportation of their nationals.”
He said the State government believed the issue of illegal immigrants could be resolved through systematic and coordinated enforcement by the relevant authorities namely the police and armed forces, Special Task Force, Immigration and National Registration Departments as well as the cooperation of the Philippines and Indonesia.
“Witch hunting or finger pointing will not solve the problem. What is needed is concerted joint effort among the relevant authorities.
“It must also be stated that just because the capture and repatriation of illegals are not widely publicised, the public especially the opposition perceive that the government is not taking any action against their presence here. Of course, the opposition further spreads this misperception to gain political mileage,” he said.
Musa said the government was taking a comprehensive approach in overcoming the illegal immigrant problem, including increased surveillance of the borders through Ops Pasir by the Armed Forces and Ops Tanjung by the Police, which has helped curb the entry of illegals from neighbouring countries.
He said the presence of surveillance posts on surrounding islands have also succeeded in reducing piracy in Sabah waters.
“I have also asked the Military Joint Forces to inform the public on the security measures they have taken including the setting up of surveillance radars along the east coast to monitor our waters,” he said.
Musa also said while not widely publicised the arrests of illegal immigrants was ongoing, whereby in 2007, 26,332 illegals were captured and 18,707 were deported and up to March this year, 5,256 were nabbed and 4,089 repatriated.
“Furthermore, the capacity of the temporary detention centres will be increased through the expansion of the centre in Tawau and the construction of two more to be completed by end of the year. “The completion of these centres together with the existing ones is expected to be able to accommodate 10,000 detainees at any one time,” Musa said.
He said to effectively overcome the problem of illegal immigrants, the government also required the cooperation of everyone especially those who employ migrant workers.
Musa said it was estimated that there were 440,000 foreigners in Sabah, including 230,000 legal migrant workers, 80,000 Filipino refugees and 130,000 illegal immigrants.
He said the issue of illegal immigrants largely stemmed from migrant workers who came in legally in the beginning but did not return home after their work permit expired.
To make matters worse, the employers continued to employ them and paid their salaries despite their illegal status.
“So employers too have contributed to their presence here. In view of this the government is urging employers to be more responsible and give their cooperation in resolving the issue of illegal immigrants by employing only documented workers.
“Additionally, the public including rural folks should report the presence of illegals in their areas to the relevant authorities,” he added.
Musa said as a further step in overcoming the problem, the government would recommend that the Labour Department be included during operations against illegals, adding those caught employing migrant workers without the necessary licence would be liable to a RM10,000 fine or jail term of not more than six months.
“So, based on the measures that have been taken, the government is serious in handling the issue of illegals. The assumption that the government is not taking any action is wrong.
“What is important is to step up enforcement against them. Preventive measures must be continued by the relevant authorities namely the armed and police forces.”
He said the state administration would like the various operations against illegal immigrants to be increased and their repatriation undertaken as often as possible.
“Besides, all relevant agencies must be involved in such operations. Only a concerted joint effort among the government, relevant authorities, employers and the general public can resolve the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
Musa reiterated that Malaysia needs the countries’ cooperation especially the Philippines in taking back their nationals when they are deported.
“We have no problem in employing migrant workers from theses countries. But they must be properly documented and stay here legally.
“They are not cooperating and hence have slowed down the deportation of Filipino illegals.”
Musa hoped the Philippine government would take concrete measures and accept the return of their own people.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
INQUIRY AN OPTION
Voicing out frustrations doesn’t mean wanting to jump ship: BN MPs
29th May, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR: Of late there has been much talk about Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs in Sabah and even Sarawak being enticed to defect to the Opposition because they as well as their constituencies have been perceived as having got a raw deal from the federal government as far as Cabinet posts and development are concerned.
Their perceived disgruntlement ranged from the relative lack of ministerial posts, inadequate infrastructure facilities and social issues like the influx of illegal immigrants.
Sabah politicians have highlighted the fact that the state had provided BN with 24 out of the 140 BN seats in Parliament or about 17 per cent of the total.
Add in the 30 seats from Sarawak MPs, the two states account for 54 seats or nearly 40 per cent of the BN seats in Parliament.
With the Opposition, now with 82 seats in Parliament, claiming that they could get another 30 seats or so to form the next government by a simple majority of 112 seats, political observers are watching closely whether politicians from East Malaysia are being targeted to desert BN.
Some MPs strongly dismiss the notion that those from Sabah could jump ship and take offence at such insinuations.
“Don’t accuse us of defecting. But study what we have said,” said Kimanis MP Datuk Anifah Aman when asked whether he has been contemplating defecting since he has been rather vocal in highlighting several issues affecting his home state.
“It has reached a boiling point. Not just for MPs (in Sabah) but also the ordinary people. Please don’t sidetrack the issue by accusing us of (being keen on) defecting. If you fail to look at the issues we raised, then the issue of “lompat” (jumping across to the Opposition) could become real,” he told Bernama.
With the surprising inroads made by the Opposition during the recent general election, the BN leadership has taken quite a while to take stock and make the necessary adjustments.
But adjustments and accommodation it would have to make, given the precarious position of BN should the Opposition go all out to woo disgruntled BN MPs.
And for this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will be taking the bull by the horns as he will be in Sabah over the next few days to thrash things out for the betterment of the people and ruling coalition.
Anifah, who even turned down his appointment as deputy transport minister after the March 8 general election, said the grievances raised by MPs from the Sabah and Sarawak of late had been more vocal because they felt that “nothing has been done all this while”.
His view is shared by Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin, who said: “It has been going on for very long time. We are supposed to talk about improvements in the standard of living but (in Sabah) we still talk about the lack of basic infrastructure.”
“How can we discuss ICT (information and communications technology when even the basic infrastructure doesn’t exist?” he asked. Both the MPs said the pleas from them as well as the people they represent come from the bottom of their hearts, nothing more.
Anifah also draws an analogy on the disparity of development between Sabah and other states in Peninsular Malaysia: “I would like to put it in this way – we all stay in one nice and big bungalow, but only some occupants are enjoying the facilities. Only a few enjoy piped water supply but others have to go to the well. Some are using air-con but others dont even have fans.”
Anifah, who is also the younger brother of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, vehemently denies that the question of Sabah and Sarawak MPs defecting does not arise at all.
He said what they had been articulating was merely to highlight what was due to the people in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Improving the infrastructure, I mean just the basic infrastrucuture, not fancy things. I have been an MP since 1990 and each time we go back to our electorate, the people hold on to our promises. They ask when piped water, electricity and roads will come to their areas. When we say that the government is working on the matter, they feel as if we are telling lies,” he said.
“We have been part of Malaysia for the past 40 years. Until now, we still have many areas that are not connected by road, electricity and clean water supply. We can’t just afford to talk too much, even the past promises had not been met,” he said.
Anifah felt that federal leaders needed to traverse the rural backwaters of Sabah and Sarawak “to see for themselves” the dire situation in the interior areas which needed improvements in basic infrastructure badly. “Sabah is the second poorest state in Malaysia. If I am not wrong, the poverty level is at 23 per cent, higher than the national average,” he said.
Anifah is rather incensed by comparisons that the allocation of RM3.5 billion for educational facilities in Sabah is more than the funds provided for the whole of Penang.
“How you compare Sabah and Penang when a parliamentary seat in Sabah such as Papar itself already is as large as Penang?” Anifah said such unfavourable views tend to make MPs from Sabah feel neglected or ignored.
He hoped Sabah MPs would be given more prominent roles in the Cabinet so that they could better help develop the state.
Bung Mokhtar felt that the deficiency for Sabah in the Cabinet line-up could be addressed via a reshuffle. Here, it is the domain and prerogative of the prime minister to decide.
“Why don’t we have another ministry for Sabah and Sarawak?” he asked, adding that there was already a ministry for the Federal Territories.
“The problems need to be solved now. Otherwise, in the next election, this state could fall to the Opposition if we don’t do anything from now for the people.”
Bung Mokhtar cites the case of a dilapidated rural government clinic in Pinangeh when only about RM800,000 is needed to build a new clinic. “But until now, the allocation is not there yet despite the matter having been raised 15 years ago. Consideration – that is what we want. Give us fair development that is just the basic wants. How are we going to talk about ICT when the infrastructure is still like 50 years ago?” he asked.
Tenom MP Raime Unggi, when asked about possible defections, holds steadfastly to the view that the people in Sabah and Sarawak would still support BN as they are convinced that only BN can deliver development.
However, he said, federal leaders cannot take things for granted anymore for it could reach a point of no return one day if nothing was done to improve the situation.
“For example, in my constituency, which is an interior constituency, the people need proper roads to send their agriculture produce to the market. At first, they can say that “we can endure this for a while as it would take time to have a proper road to be built”. But after nearly 40 years and there is still no road, they might wonder whether BN can still deliver.”
Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot, once rumoured to cross over to the Opposition after March 8, said the fact that politicians had been echoing the frustrations of the people in their constituencies did not mean that they were going to leave BN.
Stressing another point which he felt that his people had not been given due recognition was the fact that although his constituency was just half an hour from Kuching, only 70 per cent of the population get electricity and only 40 per cent get treated water.
And at the rate the pace of development is taking place, he reckons that it will take another 20 years for these people to enjoy such basic necessities.
“Voicing out doesn’t mean that we are pulling out from BN. Basically, we just want more attention,” said Riot.
“We appeal to be given allocation based on the size of the constituency, not just the standard RM1.5 million for every constituency. For my constituency which is as big as Melaka state, RM1.5 million can’t do much for rural roads. You don’t need to have RM1.5 million channelled to urban constituencies as most of their roads are already constructed by the local authorities.”
Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi said taking a vociferous approach was not tantamount to holding the government to ransom as MPs from Sabah and Sarawak were only highlighting basic issues and unfulfilled needs which needed to be addressed seriously.
“For example, we have been asking for a road to be built from Sibu all the way to Song and Kapit since the day we joined Malaysia (on Sept 16, 1963).
“However, until now it still remains a proposal,” he said. Kapit is the innermost interior town in Sarawak and only accessible through a two-hour journey along the river by speedboat from Sibu. “In my own area, the people need plenty of roads. More so now when the fuel price is higher and riverine transportation is becoming very expensive and not so reliable.
“We have to have the road to cut down travelling costs. (Just imagine) Song and Kapit are just about 145 kilometres apart but they are not even connected by road. This is something we have been asking for since we joined Malaysia. Even my late grandfather had been asking for this,” said Alex, who is also the grandson of the late Tun Temenggong Jugah, one of the signatories for Sarawak in joining the Federation of Malaysia.
Sabah looking forward to good ‘harvest’
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah leaders are expecting some “goodies” from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during his two-day visit to the state from Saturday to attend the national-level Tadau Kaamatan or Harvest Festival celebrations.
Among the announcements Abdullah is expected to make is the abolition of the controversial Department of Federal Development Sabah (JPPS), set up when the state was ruled under then-Opposition Parti Bersatu Sabah in 1991.
Following this, federal development funds are expected to be channelled through the Sabah Development Office, under the Chief Minister’s Department that will identify projects needing federal funding.
Barisan leaders said they also expected the Prime Minister to address the long-standing issue of the state’s illegal immigrants by setting up a high-powered Cabinet panel to work on the framework of a long-term solution.
He is also expected to announce the immediate standardisation of prices of subsidised goods nationwide that will benefit Sabah and Sarawak consumers who have been paying more than their peninsula counterparts.
Several Sabah MPs said it was crucial for Abdullah to show he was acting on the issues raised.
“Sabahans are waiting to see if the Prime Minister really cares about them. We do not expect him to solve all problems overnight, but at least something manis-manis (sweet) must be given,” said Kalabakan MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh.
State Barisan leaders also expected Abdullah to announce more federal funding for projects in the state, although they did not anticipate any announcement in connection with their call for higher oil royalty.
“We are expecting some Kaamatan cheer but we don’t expect all our requests to be met,” said a senior component leader, adding that they did not expect a special Sabah ministry to be set up, if answers in Parliament were any indication.
Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman, when asked if he expected any major announcements from the Prime Minister, said, “Let him come first.”
Apart from opening the Kaamatan national open house where some 30,000 people are expected, the Prime Minister will also visit Sandakan on Sunday to visit the proposed site for the Malaysia International Rainforest Flora and Fauna Show 2009 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Poser on P'pines claim to Sabah
Kuala Lumpur: A Member of Parliament from Sabah on Tuesday (26/5/08) questioned as to why the Federal Government was being overly diplomatic to the Philippines when the republic still did not want to drop its claim to the State.
Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said the Philippines also still did not show they valued Malaysia's cooperation in trying to help resolve their conflict in Mindanao.
"Why are we being too nice to them when they have not even opened up a consulate in Sabah or dropped their claim to ownership of the State," said the Backbenchers Club Deputy Chairman when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill (2007) 2008 in the Dewan Rakyat.
On Monday, another MP from Sabah, Datuk Wilfred Bumburing (BN-Tuaran) had urged the Government to act fast on the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah following statements by Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari that the dispute over Sabah be referred to the International Court of Justice.
INQUIRY A NECESSITY
28th May, 2008
KOTA KINABALU: A Parliamentary Select Committee on illegal immigrants is no substitute for the Royal Commission of Inquiry, said UPKO secretary-general, Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau.
“Our call for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants is actually to address a very specific issue and that is, to determine the truth behind the Project IC, which is also the mother of all illegal immigrants-related problems in Sabah.
“There is no compromise in this matter. A Royal Commission of Inquiry is no longer an option but a necessity. That is if the government is serious in putting things right on the award of citizenship in this country,” he stressed.
He said this in a statement issued here yesterday, in support of the statement by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, who called for a concerted effort to act on illegal immigrants.
He argued that just like the setting up of a Royal Commission on the Lingam video clip, which was to address the concern on the independence of the judiciary in the country, the call for the setting up of RCI on illegal immigrants in Sabah is equally, if not more important as it involves the security and sovereignty of this country.
To better illustrate his concern on the illegal immigrants issue, he cited the recent news report where the Prime Minister’s Department disclosed in Parliament through a written reply to a question from the Sepangar MP, Datuk Eric Majimbun, that during the period 2002 to 2008, there was a 12% increase in the Sabah population, that is an increase of 333,500 from 2,730,100 to 3,063,600.
“We need the Royal Commission to investigate what causes the extraordinary increase in the Sabah population. Perhaps the proposed Royal Commission could also look into the apparent inaction to deal with various police reports lodged against various statements on the Project IC. I myself was asked by police to assist in the investigation but, up until this point in time nothing has come out of it.
“One cannot help but to attribute the extraordinary increase in the population of Sabah to the existence of the so-called Project IC. There is no credible explanation but this factor,” he said.
He added that the threats paused by the presence of illegals in possession of dubious identity card, especially those form the Philippines are real.
He thus urged the government not to delay the setting up of the commission on the Project IC, as soon as possible.
“The government must continue to uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of the National Registration Department (NRD). Failure to set up the RCI into the Project IC, will render the persistent negative perception that the NRD, is one Department that is untrustworthy,” he said.
The former Tuaran MP also called on the government to start investigating the claim made by former ISA detainee Hassnar Ibrahim, who during the Likas election petition trial testified that he was directly involved in a government sanctioned project to award identity cards to aliens in Sabah with the main intention to tip the demographic balance in the state.
The testimony of Hassnar was collaborated by Fuad Arif, (a Filipino from Pulau Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, and now resides in a village in Menggatal with his family), who claimed to have received his IC from the Project IC in 1984.
There was also a news report dated 24 January, 2007 in a local English daily (not the New Sabah Times) quoting Fuad for saying that he still remember the middleman who went to every house in the village to fill up forms for the IC and collected fees of about RM10 for a stamp duty.
He added that one of the documents used to support the IC application was the late birth certificate registration letters.
Commenting on Datuk Ronald Kiandee’s action of rejecting the motion by the MP for Ipoh Timur, Lim Kit Siang to amend the vote of thanks to the Royal Address, Madius said he would give Ronald the benefit of the doubt.
“I have done that myself when I was serving as MP, last year, but it was also rejected by the Speaker,” he highlighted.
He concluded that, to be serious about it, MPs should move a motion under Standing Order 18 (1) that is to move an Adjournment Motion to get Parliament to direct the government to set up the RCI.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Enforce the laws, urges Pairin
26th May, 2008
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan yesterday asked the police and immigration to step up enforcement raids on illegal immigrants in Sabah to guarantee locals’ safety.
He said since the setting up of a royal commission of inquiry or a select committee to deal with the perennial problem in Sabah would take time, the police and immigration were vested with adequate powers to arrest the illegals.
“Regardless of whether a royal commission of inquiry or a select committee is established to deal with the problem, police and immigration operations to nab the illegals should continue and in fact, be intensified,” he told reporters.
“Are we really serious in wanting to protect the citizen of the country and the sovereignty of the country? If we really want to see the sovereignty of the country protected and the rights of the citizen to be protected, then the law must be enforced,” he urged.
Immigrants caught without the necessary valid documents must be deported to their country of origin. They cannot be kept in the detention camp for long because it is just a temporary shelter for them while waiting to be repatriated, Pairin said.
“Many people in Sabah are anxious to see a royal commission of inquiry set up to address the illegal immigrants’ issue in the state,” said Pairin who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president.
“In fact, the request was made long ago. The proposal to establish a parliamentary select committee also has its advantages.
“But what is my fervent hope how is for the security forces, which have the powers to tackle the problem, to step up enforcement and act immediately.
Pairin said: “To me, whether a select committee or a commission is formed is not a problem. We already have laws in place on illegal immigrants.
“What’s important is that we must be really serious in protecting our citizens and sovereignty of our country,” he said.
He also suggested the manpower strength and allocations for enforcement agencies be increased for the country to have a bigger capacity in law enforcement.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Laughter Is Still The Best Medicine
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Standardising prices of subsidised goods nationwide
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would make the announcement during his visit to Sabah early next month.
“For example, Bintulu produces gas, yet the price of gas in peninsular Malaysia is cheaper.
“This certainly makes the people of Bintulu angry because they can see the gas refinery yet pay higher prices for gas,” he told reporters after attending a forum and dialogue session with consumers on the rising prices of goods and cost of living at MITC in Ayer Keroh, near here, yesterday.
He added that this was also true for the price of cooking oil in Sarawak and Sabah.
Disappointing, says Eng Leong
He said the motion should have been allowed and supported by the Sabah MPs because "it is not anti-Barisan Nasional nor pro Pakatan Rakyat but a matter of defending the sovereignty of Sabah within Malaysia".
In a statement, Friday, Dr Chong said the counter proposal by Datuk Anifah Aman to set up the Parliamentary Select Committee to solve Sabah problems might not succeed.
This was based on past experience like the committee chaired by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok "when there was a directive from the higher-ups not to cooperate", he said.
"So what guarantee can we get that the issue will be solved? We have experienced before that the Parliamentary Select Committee (on Integrity) did not work so why not just go for the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI)," he asked.
He said now that Sabah and Sarawak appear to be keeping the Barisan Nasional government from collapsing they should be brave enough to expose the Project IC.
"Aren't we all patriotic to Malaysia? To solve this we need strong political will starting from the State Government. PBS has two State Cabinet members both of whom were very local when in opposition.
"Can't they reason with (Chief Minister) Datuk Seri Musa Aman on this?
What is there to hide? Then reason with the Prime Minister," he said.
"We took part in the formation of Malaysia primarily to safeguard security and sovereignty. Who shall be the next Prime Minister to solve Sabah's woe if the present one is still procrastinating?" he asked.
Dr Chong said just after the election Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had stated he had heard what the people wanted him to hear.
"Perhaps, he had heard Sabah's voice also but his heart is not with us. The Prime Minister's only concern is the peninsula. I don't believe he would do anything concrete to solve this.
"We must make sure the next Prime Minister has the will to help us," he said.
Stacy dinobat juara AF6
KUALA LUMPUR: Seperti yang diramal, Stracie Angie Anam atau Stacy, 18, yang sentiasa menduduki tempat teratas dalam setiap persembahan mingguannya dinobatkan sebagai juara program TV realiti popular, Akademi Fantasia musim keenam (AF6) pada konsert akhir yang berlangsung di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, di sini, malam tadi.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Check RM100 notes for fakes
Friday May 23, 2008
Fruit vendor Loh Man, 53, discovered three days after a couple bought RM15 worth of fruits at his stall in Old Klang Road that the RM100 note they used to buy the fruits with was counterfeit.
Juara AF6 pilihan selebriti
Memasuki musim keenam penerbitannya, program realiti itu tidak dinafikan sangat berpengaruh sehingga mendapat perhatian daripada segenap lapisan masyarakat.
Berikut kami siarkan pilihan juara AF6 oleh beberapa selebriti tanah air.
Mila (Juara AF5)
“Mila tak kisah siapa pun yang bakal menjadi juara sebab semua pun berbakat. Tetapi kalau boleh biarlah perempuan yang memegang takhta juara untuk kali ini.
“Lagipun Mila tengok dari segi konsisten, Stacy memang layak menang sebab dia ada bakat, ada suara yang bagus dan setiap kali konsert, persembahannya amat konsisten.
“Bagaimanapun, dari segi undian SMS mungkin juga Riz yang akan menang. Sebab dari awal-awal konsert, Mila tengok saban minggu dia berjaya mengatasi undian ramai peserta.
“Minggu ini Nadia akan menyanyikan lagu Mila iaitu Aku Lebih Tahu. Jadi, selamat maju jaya untuk dia. Untuk peserta lain, harap mereka dapat lakukan yang terbaik pada konsert final nanti.”
Freddie Fernandez (Pengetua AF1)
“Apa yang saya lihat, kelima-lima peserta ada peluang untuk menang. Sebab dalam undian SMS agak susah nak ramal siapa yang bakal jadi juara.
“Semuanya bergantung kepada corak persembahan mereka pada malam final itu nanti.
“Dari segi populariti lebih memihak kepada empat peserta iaitu Stacy, Riz, Nadia dan Nubhan. Toi juga berpeluang untuk menang bagaimanapun agak kurang popular, mungkin sebab dia sudah berumah tangga.”
Noryn Aziz (Penyanyi)
“Kalau nak tanya siapa juaranya, Noryn tak pasti sangat sebab semuanya bergantung kepada undian SMS. Tetapi, kalau boleh biarlah antara dua peserta perempuan yang jadi juara untuk musim kali ini.
“Noryn tengok peserta yang berjaya ke final semuanya hebat dan berbakat. Mereka juga gunakan apa yang diajar oleh tenaga pengajar dengan baik.”
Linda Onn (Penyampai radio Era)
“Apa yang saya nampak, Nadia bakal bergelar juara. Saya pilih Nadia sebab persembahan dia setiap minggu kebanyakannya konsisten dengan suaranya sangat bagus.“Stacy juga salah seorang yang boleh berjaya tetapi saya lebih memihak kepada Nadia.”
Vanida Imran (Pelakon)
“Saya tidak pandai nak ramalkan siapa yang bakal menjuarai AF6 sebab ia bergantung sepenuhnya kepada undian SMS.
“Bagaimanapun, ada seorang peserta yang saya suka dan saya lihat dia ada ciri-ciri seorang penghibur yang berjaya iaitu Stacy.
“Bagi saya Stacy layak menjadi juara sebab suara dia bagus dan mutu persembahannya selama ini pun memang bagus.”
Hattan (Penyanyi)
“Berdasarkan pemerhatian saya dari konsert pertama, Stacy yang bakal menjadi juara AF kali ini. Bukan sebab populariti tetapi sebab bakat yang dia ada.
“Selain pandai menyanyi, bagi saya dia sangat-sangat energetik ketika membuat persembahan di atas pentas. “Bagaimanapun, kalau dari segi keunikan suara pula saya pilih Nubhan. Suara dia memang unik tetapi masih ada banyak kelemahan.”
Mawi (Juara AF3)
“Saya rasa yang bakal menjuarai AF musim kali ini ialah Stacy. Lagipun setiap persembahannya pada konsert-konsert mingguan sebelum ini bagus dan sangat konsisten.“Selain mutu persembahan yang baik, dia juga mempunyai suara yang bagus. Memang ada bakat sebagai seorang penghibur apabila keluar dari AF kelak.
“Pesanan saya kepada yang bakal bergelar juara AF6, bila keluar nanti jangan lupa untuk teruskan pembelajaran. Sebab jadi juara tidak semestinya dah kira bagus. Mesti perlu lebih banyak belajar.”
Zahid (Juara AF2)
“Bagi Zahid, kemungkinan besar yang bakal menjuarai AF6 ialah Nadia atau Stacy. Sebab dalam ramai-ramai peserta, Zahid tengok mereka yang paling konsisten. Boleh menari dan menyanyi dengan baik dalam satu masa.
“Zahid lihat prestasi AF musim ini agak lambat sikit nak meningkat berbanding musim-musim lalu, mungkin sebab faktor usia dan juga sebab rindukan keluarga.”
Juara AF6 milik siapa?
DIAM tak diam, program televisyen realiti paling popular di Malaysia, Akademi Fantasia musim keenam (AF6) bakal melabuhkan tirainya malam esok.
Sudah pasti saat konsert akhir AF6 membuka tirainya tepat pukul 9 malam esok bertempat di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur sekali lagi akan menjadi saksi lima finalis yang akan merebut gelaran juara program realiti musim keenam terbitan Astro.
Walaupun musim ini mendapat kritikan yang cukup hebat kerana mempertaruhkan pelajar-pelajar yang dikatakan tidak berbakat serta tiada potensi untuk diangkat sebagai juara, namun, ramai yang sudah mula berteka-teki siapakah yang bakal merangkul gelaran juara kali ini.
Melihatkan situasi kali ini, sesiapa sahaja mampu menjadi juara berbanding lima musim terdahulu yang menyaksikan pemenangnya sudah boleh diduga.
Tidak dinafikan pola pengundian untuk AF6 sentiasa berubah. Seperti yang semua sedia maklum, pengundi setia rancangan AF mengundi peserta kegemaran mereka berdasarkan personaliti serta latar belakang seseorang pelajar itu dan bukannya bersandarkan pada bakat mereka semata-mata.
Namun, kita semua perlu menerima hakikat bahawa bukannya semua yang begitu. Di tengah-tengah mereka yang buta seni, masih lagi ada yang celik dan pandai menilai bakat peserta kali ini.
Kelima-lima peserta yang berjaya melangkah ke peringkat akhir iaitu Stacy, Riz, Nubhan, Nadia dan Toi ternyata mempunyai keistimewaan dan bakat tersendiri.
Kelima-lima mereka mampu membuka jalan kepada pengundi dan peminat setia untuk terus mengundi mereka agar mereka dapat membawa pulang gelaran juara yang menjadi idaman mereka yang berjaya melangkah masuk ke akademi paling popular itu.
Bagi menghangatkan bahang AF6 yang kian hampir menuju ke destinasinya, Hits mengajak pembaca setia untuk melihat siapakah yang akan menyerlah dalam persembahan mereka di malam konsert akhir nanti.
* Stracie Angie Anam (Stacy)
* 18 tahun
* Lagu-lagu yang akan dipersembahkan:
1) Atas Nama Cinta (dendangan asal Rossa)
2) Aku Stacy (lagu baru)
PELAJAR kelahiran Kota Kinabalu, Sabah ini merupakan salah seorang pelajar yang cukup menyerlah sejak dari konsert yang pertama lagi.
Dia juga cukup bijak mewarnakan persembahannya dengan gaya yang tersendiri tanpa mengikut acuan daripada mana-mana penyanyi asal menerusi lagu yang telah ditugaskan kepadanya.
Agak jarang juga untuk melihat Stacy mengecewakan peminat, pengundi serta pengkritik setiap minggu menerusi persembahannya.
Sememangnya tidak mustahil untuk peminat setia Christina Aguilera ini untuk merangkul gelaran juara sekali gus menjadikan dia peserta wanita kedua selepas Mila yang memegang takhta idaman ramai itu.
Cuma, bimbang juga seandainya dia akan melakukan kesilapan kecil yang akan menjejaskan prestasi persembahannya pada malam esok namun, melihat perkembangan Stacy sepanjang 10 minggu di AF, kebarangkalian untuknya melakukan kesilapan adalah kecil.
Bukan untuk bersikap prejudis mahupun berlaku tidak adil kepada pelajar lain, tetapi itulah hakikat yang harus diterima apabila berbicara tentang kehebatan persembahan dinamik Stacy di atas pentas.
Stacy cukup bertuah kerana dikurniakan dengan bakat dan vokal yang cukup mantap sehingga ada yang mengatakan dia antara peserta wanita terbaik sepanjang enam musim AF diadakan.
Malah, vokalnya cukup unik dan dia juga dilihat mampu untuk meletakkan dirinya sebagai bakat baru yang perlu diberi perhatian agar sinarnya terus bergemerlapan tanpa ada awan mendung yang akan melitupi sinaran gemilang itu.
l Mohammed Idris
Mohd. Zaizizi (Riz)
l 22 tahun
l Lagu-lagu yang
akan
dipersembahkan:
1) 11 Januari
(dendangan asal
kumpulan Gigi)
2) Hanya Sandiwara
(lagu baru)
SAINGAN hebat kepada Stacy sudah semestinya anak muda kelahiran Gerik, Perak Darul Ridzuan ini.
Seperti Stacy, Riz juga jarang menghampakan penonton dan pengundi setianya menerusi persembahannya.
Bermula dengan konsert pertama dengan membawakan lagu Ketulusan Hati, Riz sudah mula memikat hati pengikut setia AF bahawa dia mampu untuk menambahkan lagi koleksi penyanyi lelaki tempatan dengan suaranya yang tersendiri.
Namun, kelemahan Riz yang dapat dilihat apabila dia sukar memberikan fokus sehingga menyebabkan persembahannya terjejas seandainya lagu-lagu yang diterimanya itu tidak menepati jiwanya itu.
Memang benar, untuk menjadi seorang penyanyi yang baik bukan semua lagu mampu dibawakan kerana ada sesetengah lagu yang sememangnya tidak sesuai dengan suara.
Dalam masalah Riz, kelemahannya itu cukup jelas dilihat pada konsert kelapan tempoh hari saat dia diberi tugasan membawakan lagu Laskar Cinta yang menyebabkan persembahannya dikatakan paling teruk sepanjang di berada di dalam AF.
Bak kata pengetua AF6, Ramli M.S, seandainya Riz ketika itu dapat menyelami maksud lagu tersebut, nescaya dia mampu memberikan persembahan yang hebat dan bertenaga sekali.
Diberikan lagu 11 Januari dan sebuah lagu baru, Hanya Sandiwara, tidak mustahil untuk Riz membawakan lagu tersebut dengan baik terutama 11 Januari kerana lagu yang berjalurkan sedemikian sememangnya cocok dengan vokal Riz itu.
Siapa tahu, dengan kehebatan kuasa para pengundi setianya, Riz mampu memecah monopoli pelajar wanita untuk bergelar juara.
l Ahmad Nubhan Ahmad (Nubhan)
l 22 tahun
l Lagu-lagu yang akan dipersembahkan:
1) Bukan Di Sini (dendangan asal
kumpulan Sofaz)
2) Ada Untukmu (lagu baru)
ANAK kelahiran Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan ini sememangnya cukup bertuah kerana dia dikurniakan dengan tone suara yang begitu unik dan jarang ada pada penyanyi lelaki yang sedia ada.
Malangnya, peminat setia Datuk Siti Nurhaliza ini tidak pandai untuk membawa vokalnya ke tempat yang sepatutnya lantas menjadikan persembahannya begitu hambar setiap minggu.
Walaupun kadang kala menampakkan peningkatan dalam persembahannya dan sering diberikan lagu yang secocok dengan vokalnya, tetapi ia belum cukup untuk menyerlahkan vokal dan identiti sebenar Nubhan.
Seharusnya, Nubhan perlu bekerja lebih keras untuk mendapatkan kepercayaan daripada peminat dan penyokongnya untuk mengundinya berdasarkan bakatnya dan bukan semata-mata personalitinya yang mendapat perhatian ramai itu.
Diberikan lagu Bukan Di Sini sudah cukup baik buat Nubhan kerana lagu-lagu berjalur sedemikian memang kena dengan vokalnya itu tetapi seandainya dia gagal untuk mencuri perhatian dengan lontaran vokal yang lebih baik, namun peluangnya untuk bergelar juara agak tipis.
Apa yang pasti, Nubhan akan mencuri perhatian pengundinya berdasarkan personalitinya. Tetapi seandainya, dia berjaya menunjukkan prestasi yang memberangsangkan menerusi persembahannya, dia berjaya membuktikan bahawa dia hadir di AF6 dengan bakatnya yang unik itu.
l Nadia Haswani Hasnan (Nadia)
l 18 tahun
l Lagu-lagu yang akan dipersembahkan:
1) Aku Lebih Tahu (dendangan asal Mila)
2) Kalut Lagi Mengarut (lagu baru)
SUDAH semestinya merupakan saingan hebat kepada Stacy untuk dinobatkan sebagai juara. Kedua-duanya memiliki kemampuan vokal yang tersendiri.
Tidak seperti Stacy, persembahan Nadia dilihat tidak begitu konsisten saban minggu apabila dia membuat persembahan.
Kadang kala di atas pentas, dia berjaya memberikan persembahan yang menarik serta menonjolkan sisi lain dirinya. Tetapi, apa yang kurang menarik tentang Nadia adalah ada kalanya persembahannya dilihat begitu keterlaluan dan dibuat-buat.
Mungkin sudah mengetahui dirinya merupakan antara peserta kegemaran yang akan melangkah kemas ke peringkat akhir menjadikan dirinya begitu over confident lantas ‘mencacatkan’ persembahannya.
Ini dapat dilihat pada persembahannya menerusi lagu Karma pada konsert kelapan. Disebabkan itu juga, penonton sendiri menyedari bahawa persembahannya tidak begitu memberangsangkan lantas menjadikan Nadia mendapat undian terendah sehingga menjadikan dirinya yang sepatut disingkirkan minggu itu.
Semoga Nadia mampu memberikan persembahan yang bagus serta menjadi dirinya sendiri dan mengaplikasikan segala ilmu yang telah dicurahkan dengan sebaiknya.
l Khairul Nizam Baharom (Toi)
l 31 tahun
l Lagu-lagu yang akan dipersembahkan:
1) Cinta Zulaikha (dendangan asal Mawi)
2) Paling Terindah (lagu baru)
PELAJAR kelahiran Johor Bahru, Johor ini sudah semestinya bukanlah calon kegemaran untuk melangkah ke peringkat akhir.
Tetapi, sudah termaktub di azali bahawa seandainya jari yang menjadi juri, kita tidak mampu berkata apa tentang segala keputusan yang telah dilakukan melainkan serah kepada kehendak takdir sahaja.
Bukan untuk menidakkan bakat bapa kepada dua orang anak ini tetapi sepanjang dia hadir dalam perjalanan AF6, Toi tidak dilihat memberikan impak yang besar dalam setiap persembahannya.
Setiap lagu yang disampaikan bagaikan layu di hujung mekar dan tidak bertenaga langsung. Malah, setiap persembahannya tiada satu pun yang boleh dikenang sebagai sebuah persembahan yang hebat dan diingati sampai bila-bila.
Cuma saat dia mendendangkan lagu Kasih Berduka dan Kau Yang Bernama Seri pada konsert kelapan dan kesembilan, terserlah sedikit kemampuannya untuk beraksi di atas pentas AF6 tersebut dan mendapat pujian daripada dua pengkritik tetap iaitu Fauziah Ahmad Daud dan Ning Baizura.
Diberikan lagu Cinta Zulaikha dan Paling Terindah, siapa tahu rezeki akan menjadi milik Toi. Bukankah minggu lepas namanya berada di carta teratas sebaik sahaja undian ditutup. Tidak mustahil untuknya diberikan dengan gelaran juara.
Manifesto sekadar permainan politik
KUALA LUMPUR 22 Mei - Pesuruhjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (Suhakam), Prof. Datuk Dr. Hamdan Adnan berkata, tiada tindakan boleh diambil oleh suruhanjaya itu terhadap pakatan pembangkang yang sering mengubah dan memungkiri janji-janji di dalam manifesto mereka.
Beliau berkata, janji-janji di dalam manifesto pakatan pembangkang semasa Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 hanya sekadar permainan politik.
''Manifesto bukanlah satu akta atau undang-undang... jika ia tidak dituruti, rakyat boleh mengambil tindakan dari segi undang-undang.
''Oleh itu, tiada apa yang boleh dilakukan oleh Suhakam termasuk membawa perkara ini ke mahkamah kerana manifesto ialah kempen parti-parti politik dalam menghadapi sesuatu pilihan raya,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas desakan rakyat supaya Suhakam berbuat sesuatu terhadap pakatan pembangkang yang sering mengubah manifesto mereka selepas menguasai beberapa negeri termasuk Selangor dalam pilihan raya umum baru-baru ini.
Hamdan berkata, sebagai sebuah badan bebas, Suhakam menggalakkan rakyat membuat aduan kepada pihaknya tetapi tiada pendakwaan boleh dibuat oleh Suhakam ke atas pakatan pembangkang.
Katanya, bukan hanya pakatan pembangkang sahaja yang tampil dengan manifesto pada pilihan raya umum yang lalu, sebaliknya kerajaan Pusat turut tampil dengan manifesto mereka.
Beliau menjelaskan, manifesto tidak boleh dibawa ke Parlimen untuk dijadikan satu rang undang-undang atau pun akta.
Justeru, katanya, jika pakatan pembangkang tidak menunaikan apa yang dijanjikannya kepada rakyat, anggaplah manifesto mereka itu sekadar janji manis.
''Ini semua permainan politik dan Suhakam tidak boleh berbuat apa-apa kerana kita tidak mahu diketawakan.
''Samalah jika Parlimen membahaskan mengenai manifesto pembangkang dan mahu menjadikannya sebagai rang undang-undang, kelak orang akan mentertawakan tindakan ini,'' katanya.
Beliau berkata, rakyat harus mengambil iktibar supaya tidak termakan dengan janji-janji yang terkandung di dalam manifesto pakatan pembangkang yang akhirnya tidak dikotakan.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Beware when checking-in at KL hotels
Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans visiting Kuala Lumpur are warned to keep strict watch on their luggage when checking into or out of hotels as several theft syndicates are at work.
Especially, never leave your luggage unattended while sorting out matters at hotel reception counters.
Hotel closed-circuit television footages have revealed two organised foreign gangs that have been preying on rich hotel guests in several states over the last two years.
Polices say there are more gangs, including one local, that have the hotels at their mercy.
Aside from South Americans, the other gangs come from Philippines and the Middle East and use means such as sleight of hand to steal money from unsuspecting hotel staff and daring theft of suitcases in hotel lobbies. Some impersonate Interpol officers.
The two foreign gangs - Colombians and Peruvians - captured on CCTV, specialise in targeting luggage that contains cash and valuables.
It is learnt the four-man Colombian gang and the Peruvian trio often trail their victims from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to their hotels.
The Colombians were captured on CCTV taking a suitcase containing cash and valuables from right under the noses of their victims, a Middle Eastern family, and hotel staff in July 2006 during the "Arab Season" when tourists from the Middle East flock here for the summer.
l The first footage shows the victims checking in, with the Colombians milling close by;
- This is followed by the gang distracting family members, with one of them shunting aside a young boy while another engaging the mother in a conversation;
- Next, with victims distracted, they cockle walk away;
- The final footage shows them fleeing the hotel.
The other CCTV footage we obtained shows a Peruvian trio, including a woman, at work.
One serial hotel robber, nicknamed Mr Ferrari, had brazenly picked on hotel staff since January.
He had, in one case, stabbed a hotel security staff who tried to question him. In other cases, he tied hotel staff with a telephone cord before robbing them. Mr Ferrari, so-called because he wears a Ferrari cap and a red T-shirt, is now lying low.
There are several gangs, mostly foreigners, operating at will in the city, Penang and Johor Baru.
As of January 2008, there have been 16 reported pick-pocket cases, 27 reported cases of hotels theft with 10 being in-room thefts and 17 lobby-thefts. Hoteliers had expressed grave concern over the alarming increase and bemoaned the lack of co-operation within the industry and police.
Kuala Lumpur CID chief Assistant Commissioner Ku Chin Wah confirmed the happening.
These are the police findings:
- Snatch thieves Mostly locals who are having a field day because their victims are mostly foreigners who return to their countries before investigations are completed.
Then, there are foreigners who do not want to go through the hassle of making a report. Furthermore, the culprits can only be charged if the victims are present in court to identify the stolen items.
- Stealing luggage from hotel lobbies The method of operation is to trail tourists from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport until they check in at a hotel, and then steal luggage at the lobby itself.
The grab is conducted right under the noses of the victims, hotel staff and security.
The victims are possibly identified at the airport based on the ride they hire at KLIA (those who hire) limousines are more well off).
It's a common understanding that big suitcases are usually filled with clothes, and people always carry their valuables in briefcases and hand luggage.
The culprits could also have local or international links, either in their home countries or at the KLIA, or both. They would receive tip-offs on victims to target.
- Snake Charmers This group, usually comprising a couple and a child, would strike up a conversation with their intended victims (foreigners) and ask to see their currency.
The culprits then launch into a story on how they are planning to visit the victims' country, and ask to see and feel the notes in their possession.
The victims would then show the currency they have and in the process, the culprits, by sleight of hand, steal some of the notes.
The victims would only realise their loss after the culprits walk away.
Victims often believe they were "hypnotised."
- Impersonating Interpol officers In this case, these thieves would walk up to tourists and demand to see their passports and belongings such as handbags.
After rummaging through the bags, the culprits bolt with whatever valuables they manage to take.
Getting rid of squatters, nabbing litter offenders, reducing street kids in KK
KOTA KINABALU: City Hall is hell-bent on getting rid of squatter colonies, nabbing litter offenders and reducing the number of street kids in the city.
Currently, City Hall has 200 officers assigned to various enforcement duties to monitor the situation, maintain cleanliness in the city.
City Hall enforcement director Assistant Commissioner Mukti Muchlish said when contacted by New Sabah Times yesterday that they are determined to achieve zero-squatter colonies in the city by 2010.
He said City Hall enforcement officers were instructed to conduct routine checks on identified squatter areas to prevent re-building of new squatter houses in identified squatter colonies.
Mukti said they had assigned 40 enforcement officers to conduct 24 hours operation against street kids.
“The 40 enforcement officers will be assisted by six policemen to detained street kids found loitering at various places in the city,” he said.
Since the operation was launched in March last year, some 1,800 street kids had been detained.
“The street kids aged between seven and 18-years were referred to the Immigration Department for further action,” said Mukti.
To a question, Mukti said majority of the street kids were foreign kids without valid travel documents, while a handful of local kids were apprehended in the ongoing blitz.
Mukti advised members of the public to refrain from littering, those caught would be compounded a maximum RM500 under Anti Litter By Laws Act 2005.
“My men will focus on crowded areas especially in places with illegal hawkers in Sinsuran, Kampung Air, Segama, Bandaran Berjaya and shopping malls,” he added.
Mukti said they collected more than RM19,000 from offenders caught littering in the first four months this year.
He said operations against shop owners suspected for breaching condition of licence, illegal structures and failing to renew trading licences was ongoing.
(New Sabah Times @ 21/5/2008)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Speaking up for Sabah, says Yong
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said he and the party should not be misconstrued as threatening or giving an ultimatum to the Federal Government when pressing for an immediate solution to Sabah's long-term problems.
The former Chief Minister said the party was just doing its job and "making use of the little window of opportunity, which is getting smaller by the day.
"No, we just want to make it clear to them. No point puji puji (praising), praise them, sokong penuh (full support), kiss the hand, angkat kaki (praising)Éthat is not the real issues that the people should convey through the component parties, through MPs, to the national leadership," he said.
"We are making the message very clear and we don't think this can wait forever. I believe by September we will be forgotten again. So in this little window of opportunity we should press it very clearly and loudly," he said.
"We do not want to be misunderstood, as if kita main main saja (we are just joking) or main threatening (like to threaten). Although some people, like the media interpreted it as threat or ultimatum, we have to do our job."
Yong was speaking to reporters after opening the State-level SAPP Pesta Kaamatan at Kionsom Waterfall in Ulu Kionsom, Inanam, Saturday.
He was asked to elaborate his statement on May 14 where he said the SAPP would give the Barisan Nasional until August to resolve the various issues affecting Sabah. Yong had also said there was no guarantee SAPP would remain in the ruling coalition if these were not addressed by then.
Yong cited the issue of illegal immigrants which, he said, was actually the basic duty of a government and "should not even be a term or syarat (condition).
"It is the basic duty of every government in the world to provide security, law and order to protect the country from a large number of illegal immigrants. And this (illegals) is an old problem which the Government has the ability to solveÉbut it (Government) is not solving after so many years."
SAPP had submitted a memorandum, giving a formula, proposal and ideas, he added. "So this is not something that should wait any longer," he said.
On Regional Development Deputy Minister and Pensiangan MP Tan Sri Joseph Kurup asking for the Prime Minister to be given more time, Yong said these problems were not something new.
Yong said the issue related to the sales tax from petroleum in Sabah and Sarawak and on cooking oil subsidy also needed immediate attention and solution.
"The State Government is losing on a regular basis of about RM200 million a year. It is a long process and an unnecessarily hurdle put on our State Government to recover this RM200m."
He was referring to the import tax and excise on petroleum products in Sabah and Sarawak where the two states sustained losses amounting to RM200m a year due to the amendment made by Parliament on the Sales Act 1972 in 1999.
Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun, who is also SAPP Deputy President, had recently proposed in Parliament that the Federal Treasury make revenue compensation payment to Sabah under Part V of the 10th Schedule, Federal Constitution (Supplementary Income Resources of the Borneo States) in accordance with the law.
"Also the cooking oil subsidy which our oil palm planters are paying tens of millions per month. Right now it is already RM600-RM700 million from Sabah. So should we wait and allow our people to lose more?" Yong asked.
As for the proposed 20 per cent petroleum royalty whereby according to the report in Parliament, the country's oil reserves will dry out in 2014, Yong said:
"Are we going to wait until 2014 and then get our extra royalty? If you wait for another six years or more, there will be no more petroleum and no royalty."
Yong said Sabah MPs had spoken along the same line of thinking and in the same frequency." "As for Kurup, he only talked about giving the PM more time," he said, adding that Kurup was the only one who expressed some deviation, while Datuk Shafie Apdal (Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister) only addressed the issue of crossover.
"As far as the issues raised by the MPs for Kimanis, Sepanggar, Tawau, Kalabakan and even those from UpkoÉall are in the same frequency.
"The only variation was Shafie denying the crossover and Kurup saying give more timeÉ(anyway) Kurup did not rebut the substantive matters brought up by the Sabah MPs," he said.
On Keningau MP Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, he said he (Pairin) basically confirmed what the other MPs were saying. "I don't think any ministers from Sabah at the Federal level rebutted or denied what the Sabah MPs were saying.
"Only that they are saying give more time and in this case we have to consider they are in a dilemma being in the Government. Itu durang punya tau lah (that's their problem) but that should not prevent our MPs from speaking out," he said.
Earlier, in his speech Yong expressed the party's support for MPs from Sabah who had been raising and pressing for a solution to the above-mentioned and other prolonging unsolved issues related to the State.
Eric, who is also SAPP State-level Pesta Kaamatan Organising Committee Chairman, SAPP Deputy President and Likas Assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan, Tawau MP Datuk Chua Soon Bui, SAPP Secretary-General Datuk Richard Yong and other SAPP leaders were also present.
Ferguson hoping to hail class of 2008 as greatest ever
LONDON: Sir Alex Ferguson will march his troops on Moscow this week with a simple message: come back with the Champions League trophy and let history remember you as my best ever team.
In his 22 years at the Old Trafford helm, the Scot has built several great sides, from Cantona and co. in the mid nineties to the homegrown treble-winning squad of 1999.
But if his current charges manage to complete a league and Champions League double against Chelsea on Wednesday, the Scot believes the Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired class of 2007-08 will have earned the right to be regarded as the finest of the lot.
What would make that achievement all the more remarkable is the short space of time in which Ferguson has engineered a remarkable turnaround in the club's fortunes.
Only a couple of years ago United were locked in a painful transitional phase from which it seemed they might never emerge, struggling behind Chelsea and Arsenal in the league and hapless in the Champions League.
Successive second round defeats to Porto and AC Milan were followed by a failure to even get out of the group stages in 2005/06 - and that was a pool containing Lille, Villarreal and Benfica, hardly a contender for the group of death title.
Many felt Ferguson's time at Old Trafford was coming to an end, but the Scot banished all thoughts of walking away and set about building another trophy-hungry side around Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Out went the likes of Roy Keane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and even the club's top scorer, Ruud van Nistelrooy, was jettisoned to make way for hungry young talents such as Anderson, Nani and Carlos Tevez.
The newcomers have slotted in faster than anyone could imagine just as Ronaldo has emerged as arguably the most potent attacking force in world football.
Strengthening the cocktail, Rio Ferdinand has been in the form of his life this season while Paul Scholes-who missed the 1999 final through suspension but has been assured he will start in Moscow-and Ryan Giggs continue to defy the march of time.
Typically, Ferguson sees the roots of his current success in the pain he and his staff suffered two years ago.
"You have fear of many things but sometimes that drives you on," the United boss admitted. "I felt it was an important time for us when we started to make another change and began to rebuild again.
"It is not easy to manage change and when you see a team starting to break up due to age, injuries or merely because others are not maintaining the level they should be at.
"But bringing in these young players over the last two or three years gives you optimism you can do it again. If I didn't think like that with players like (Wayne) Rooney, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, Giggs and Scholes then I really am a pessimist."
Regardless of what happens on Wednesday, Ferguson knows that, even with his 67th birthday approaching, he has ensured that the timing of his eventual departure from the United hotseat will be a matter for himself to decide.
The United boss can also be sure that, Real Madrid overtures to Ronaldo notwithstanding, he will have the same squad to play with next season.
How his counterpart Avram Grant must covet such certainty. Chelsea's boss does not only know whether he will be in charge at Stamford Bridge in August, he also has no idea whether the likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech will still be at the club.
The pressure generated by that situation may go some way to explaining the Israeli's uncharacteristic outburst this week about British referees being susceptible to being influenced with specific reference to Steve Bennett's handling of United's final league game, a 2-0 win over Wigan.
Ferguson has dismissed Grant's rant as an attempt to put pressure on the match officials for Wednesday, but there is no doubting the Chelsea manager's oft-expressed admiration for the United manager has given way to a spikier set of emotions in the build-up to a match he can ill afford to lose.
"I don't think any team has the advantage," Grant said of Wednesday's meeting. "We've played two times against them this season, we won two weeks ago and we lost at Old Trafford in my first game.
"The referee gave a red card, penalty and a goal - nothing was the right decision. I don't think they are better than us and in these games anything is possible."
Both managers will have full-strength squads to choose from with John Terry and Drogba both having recovered from injuries that briefly threatened their participation in club football's biggest match.
Ferguson's hardest decision will be to decide which of his loyal servants to leave out of the Champions League final squad.
He can pick only seven substitutes but that still means the likes of Darren Fletcher, John O'Shea and almost certainly club captain Gary Neville could find themselves dressed in a suit in Moscow. - AFP
Rahman on Kota Belud's unique attractions
Kota Belud: The Kota Belud scenery, particularly Kampung Sayap on the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, has similar features as those in New Zealand.
Kota Belud MP Datuk Dahlan Abdul Rahman said visitors to the area could not believe that they are in Sabah, in view of the impressive waterfalls and crystal clear streams, coupled with the relatively cool mountain air, that are found in New Zealand.
Such is the uniqueness that could promote the tourism industry in Kota Belud, Sabah in particular, he said, during a visit to Kampung Taginambur, near here, Saturday.
These are the features that could help promote the homestay programme in the district, he added.
These attractions, however, would be meaningless without power and clean water supplies, to enable tourists to take advantage of the homestay programme on a long-term basis, he said.
Dahlan, however, assured that the power shortage problem would soon be over, following the construction of the Sungai Purak Ogis mini-hydro dam, under the 9th Malaysia Plan.
He also pointed out that the Kampung Bayayat water treatment plant could produce sufficient clean water supply in the near future, when fully completed.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Pokok Terbesar Di Dunia
(Berita Harian Online @ 15/5/08)
Juruterbang Profesional terbang dgn jet bersayap
(Berita Harian Online @ 15/5/08)
Don't blame us for raising issues : Ghapur
KUALA LUMPUR : Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri ABdul Ghapur Salleh has called on members of the House not to question the sincerity of members from Sabah and to stop “acting on behalf of the government in answering issues regarding Sabah.”
He said Sabah MPs were merely voicing out the people’s concern,especially those related to development and illegal immigrants issues.
“Dont blame us (for raising these issues) because if you blame us,the Sabah people will pressure us to quit the party,” he said when met at the Parliament lobby Thursday.
He was asked to comment on a statement by Datuk Mohamed Abdul Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) in the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday,advising Sabah MPs against disputing the appointment of ministers and stop being arrogant and proud of their victories in the last general election.
Ghapur said :”The Sri Gading (MP) still has a colonial mentality.What I am concerned of is how to improve the BN,” he said.
Ghapur also said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should be given time to deal with the problems in Sabah.
“Pak Lah is probably thinking about it.It’s not for Sri Gading (Mohamed) to say,” he added.
Meanwhile Unity,Culture,Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal rejected notion that Sabah MPs were being “anti-unity or anti-peninsula.”
“They are not looking for a fight.They just want to bring up issues on Sabah.This should not be the basis to say that they are anti-unity or anti-peninsula.
“What they are asking for is more development for the state,” he said.
On the lack of Sabah representation in cabinet,which was among issues being raised by Sabah MPs,Shafie said: “We accept what is given to us.”
(New Sabah Times @ 15/5/08)
SABAH MPs DEMAND GOVT RESOLVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT PROBLEM
KUALA LUMPUR: Describing the influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah as threatening the peace and security in the state, two of its members of parliament (MP) have called on the federal government to urgently resolve the matter.
They told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the problem, which had been persisting for too long with no solution in sight, had become the main worries among the people.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (BN-Keningau) likened the problem to a time bomb which could create serious implication if there were no serious steps taken to tackle the menace.
“It is understood that there have been attempts by among these illegal immigrants to apply to become armed forces recruits using fake identity cards,” he said when debating the motion of thanks for the speech by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Pairin, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah President, said the failure to tackle the problem showed that there was a lapse in security surveillance at the borders as well as weaknesses in the enforcement of the law.
He said the issue had now reached a chronic stage and requiring urgent solution. The influx of illegal immigrants had been going on in Sabah since early 70s, with the Federal Special Task Force estimating their figure to be around 60,000 at the moment.
Non-government organisations in Sabah claimed however, that the number could be as high as 1.5 million, which is almost half of Sabah’s population. Meanwhile, Puteri Umno vice-chief Rosnah Abd Rashid Shirlin (BN-Papar) called on the government to close down or relocate the refugee camp in Kinarut, about 15km from Kota Kinabalu.
She said the camp had the potential to become the biggest “syabu nest” in Sabah. Rosnah also said residents living near the camp were exposed to social problems as well as health problems because of the camp’s poor sanitation and lack of proper waste disposal system.
“I want all entry points into Sabah be shut off to illegal immigrants while those already in Sabah be sent back to their home countries,” she said when debating the same motion.
She suggested that the federal government obtain the actual number of illegal immigrants in the state, including those who had been given permanent residency, and take steps to tackle the problem. – Bernama
(New Sabah Times @ 15/5/08)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
'Ketuanan Melayu' call may lead to BN's downfall: MP
United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Vice President Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh said the persistence of these "young cowboys" in Umno is not the Malaysian way.
"This is not the way to lift the Malay race to a higher pedestal but a plain and blatant sign of arrogance that may lead to detestation by others.
"To me this is not the Malay culture that I know of. I never heard of this before," said the Putatan MP.
Speaking at the Kaamatan Festival in Kampung Duvanson in Putatan, near here, Saturday, Mojigoh said the Malays are known to be friendly and courteous but the action of certain leaders had spoilt this image.
Towards this end, he hoped Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who is also Umno President would advise these leaders not to be carried away and to stop acting arrogantly.
In the context of Sabah, he said there were claims of "over a million newly created Malays" - a new product imported from the Philippines and Indonesia.
"Imagine (if) you have to address these illegals as tuan," he said, adding that the authorities need to address the problem of illegal immigrants gaining citizenship and acquiring this Malay status through the back door.
PATI cuba masuk tentera guna MyKad - Datuk Pairin
Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (BN- Keningau) justeru menegaskan masalah PATI kini ibarat bom jangka yang boleh mengancam keselamatan serta ketenteraman negara terutama rakyat Sabah.
Beliau yang juga Presiden Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) dan Timbalan Ketua Menteri berpendapat, ia menjadi semakin tidak terkawal ekoran kelemahan penguatkuasaan di kawasan sempadan.
"Gejala ini sememangnya mencapai tahap serius dan kerana itulah wakil- wakil dari Sabah sering membangkitkan isu ini semasa berucap di Parlimen.
"Ia sudah lama berlarutan, tetapi masih gagal diatasi oleh pihak berkuasa hingga menimbulkan kegelisahan di kalangan rakyat Sabah sekarang," katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika membahaskan titah Yang di-Pertuan Agong pada sidang Dewan Rakyat hari ini.
Pairin juga melahirkan kebimbangan bahawa masalah itu akan menghimpit generasi akan datang apabila peluang yang diwujudkan untuk mereka direbut oleh PATI.
Menurutnya, kebanjiran pendatang asing di Sabah yang kebanyakannya dari selatan Filipina, berlarutan sejak 1970- an.
"Pelbagai kalangan di Sabah mendakwa jumlah PATI termasuk dari Indonesia, mencecah 1.5 juta orang, iaitu kira- kira separuh jumlah penduduk Sabah," katanya.
Sementara itu, Rosnah Abdul Rashid Sirlin (BN-Papar) pula mencadangkan supaya kem pelarian di Kinarut, yang terletak 15 kilometer dari Kota Kinabalu, ditutup atau dipindahkan.
Ini kerana, katanya, penduduk sekitar kini menghadapi ancaman gejala sosial dan masalah kesihatan akibat sistem sanitasi dan pelupusan sampah di kem tersebut yang tidak teratur.
"Saya juga minta agar jalan masuk ke Sabah ditutup kepada pendatang tanpa izin, manakala mereka yang ada di Sabah dihantar pulang ke negara asal," katanya.
Beliau menyarankan agar Kerajaan Pusat mendapat angka sebenar golongan pendatang termasuk yang telah diberi status penduduk tetap untuk menangani masalah itu dengan segera.
(Utusan Malaysia Online @ 14/5/2008)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Answers needed on illegal immigrant problem - Marcus
12th May, 2008
KOTA KINABALU : The people of Sabah rejected the opposition because they believed in the sincerity of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to keep its promises in its manifesto.
Putatan MP,Datuk Dr Marcus Makin Mojigoh said this in his debate to support the motion of thanks to the King’s royal address in parliament,stressing that the people of Sabah are also thirsting for development.
“So I’m hoping all the development plans for Sabah and Sarawak will be continued,” he said.
He added that BN leaders in the two states have to explain to the people that only BN has the credibility to administer the country.
“BN is credible because it is fair to all the people of this country,provides education opportunities,development and other opportunities fairly irrespective of the people’s race and religion,” he said.
The party has also shown its credibility in ensuring the people lived comfortably,safely and in harmony, he said.
He urged the BN government to keep its promises in its manifesto and not overlook the needs of the people.
“There is still no concrete answers from the government on the illegal immigrant problem,” he said.
The government,said Marcus,even plans to issue IMM13 documents to those at Pulau Kuraman in Labuan.
“I think this will not be acceptable to Malaysians from Sabah and Sarawak ,” he said.
At the same time,the government has yet to address problems related to roads,water and electricity supplies at many villages he said.He said that efforts must be made to improve the roads leading to these villages.
“A lot of these villages are located in remote areas,and it is only through the provision of road infrastructure that we can get closer to these folks and help them uplift their socio-economic status,” he said.
By doing so,he said,the government could help in eradicating poverty in Sabah.
He also said that they people of Sabah have decided that they will no longer be overlooked during the last General Election,which was why they decided to give the big mandate to the BN.
(New Sabah Times @ 13/5/08)
Sabah tanam padi besar-besaran
"Kita akan melaksanakan projek penanaman padi besar-besaran bagi meningkat pengeluaran padi dan memastikan bekalan beras dalam negeri mencukupi," katanya pada sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat mingguan Kabinet negeri di sini, semalam.
(Berita Harian Online @ 13/5/2008)
'Rakyat Sabah bukan warga kelas kedua' - Datuk Ghapur Salleh
"Kita ada tiga menteri di Kabinet tetapi yang jaga muzium...semuanya bukan kementerian penting sedangkan Sabah dan Sarawak mewakili 58 kerusi yang dimenangi BN.
"Sabah dan Sarawak selamatkan BN tetapi ada negeri dapat sampai tujuh menteri, malah ada negeri yang kalah dapat empat menteri penting. Jadi, kita minta Perdana Menteri rombak Kabinet, bagi balik jawatan menteri penting kepada Sabah.
(Berita Harian Online @ 13/5/08)
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