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Why the Malays are returning to Umno

New Straits Times
Mon, Mar 07, 2011

UMNO still retains Malay support. The support of the dominant Islamic race for Pas, an Islamist party that has been fighting neck and neck with Umno for the Malay ground for more than five decades, continues to dwindle.

This was reflected yesterday in Barisan Nasional's double victory in Merlimau and Kerdau, two Malay-majority constituencies, and in the results of recent Umno-Pas electoral battles.

Nearly 90 per cent of voters in Kerdau were Malays while Malays comprise 65 per cent of voters in Merlimau.

Umno candidates who represented BN in the by-elections secured a 3,643 vote-majority in Merlimau and a 2,724 vote-majority in Kerdau, higher than the results in the 2008 polls.

In 2004, BN candidates won Merlimau by 2,154 votes and Kerdau by 1,615.

At the last Umno-Pas showdown in Tenang, Johor, 83 per cent of Malay votes went to the Umno candidate.

The battle between the two parties in Galas, Kelantan, saw Pas' support reduced to about 10 per cent while the by-election in the almost exclusive Malay constituency of Manek Urai, also in Pas' home base of Kelantan, saw Pas' previous 1,352-vote majority slashed to 65.

Why are Malays, particularly in rural areas, returning to Umno?

One reason is the lack of trust in Pas to guarantee their future and that of their children.

Many are not convinced that their religious, economic and political priorities can be taken care of by Pas under the alliance it entered with Parti Keadilan Rakyat and the secular DAP, despite continuous assurances from Pas.

Recently, party spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said his party had never forsaken Malay rights.

At a Pas convention on empowering Malays in Selangor, the Kelantan menteri besar of 20 years said Pas prioritised the needs of Malays because they were the largest Islamic race in Malaysia.

The convention hoped to silence critics who had derided the party for being anti-Malay in aligning itself with DAP.

Another reason was people's fear of Pas' new politics. Pas even scared away its activists when it embraced non-Muslims as members.

The more conservative members and supporters, mostly in rural areas, think the party had deviated from its original struggle as an Islamic movement.

The Malay vote has seen the biggest shift to the opposition over the last five general elections, with Pas being the chief beneficiary.

The party's share of votes increased three-fold from about 376,000 in 1990 to 1.1 million in 2008.

As for Umno winning the Malay middle ground, the younger and more educated Malay voters, in particular, are crucial.

Umno needs to woo them since they are the real players of the new politics.

Nonetheless, the results of the by-elections not only boosted the morale of BN members but also acted as an endorsement of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's leadership and policies.

-New Straits Times

Senyum Kambing

sumber:http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp

ANWAR SESUMPAH HINA BATIK MALAYSIA!!!

ANWAR SESUMPAH HINA BATIK MALAYSIA!!!

Anwar Ibrahim dan Sesumpah sangat sinonim dan tidak dapat dipisahkan lagi. Seperti yang telah dilakukannya di Semenanjung Malaysia dan Sabah serta Sarawak.

Terdahulu Anwar dalam setiap kempen politiknya di Semenanjung memberikan jaminan kepada orang Melayu bahawa Perdana Menteri akan tetap disandang orang Melayu dan calonnya pastinya Anwar sendiri. Demikian pula dengan kaum Cina yang dijanjikan jawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri. Jawatan itu tidak tertakluk kepada orang Melayu sahaja. Bagi orang India pula, Anwar menjanjikan langit dan bumi kepada mereka bagi meningkatkan taraf hidup mereka.

Di Sarawak dan Sabah sedikit berbeza tetapi banyak persamaan. Semasa Pilihan Raya Kecil N.29 Batang Air, Anwar yang berkempen di rumah-rumah panjang telah berjanji akan melantik kaum Iban sebagai Ketua Menteri Sarawak. Apabila berada di kawasan Melayu, Cina dan Orang Ulu mereka juga dijanjikan jawatan Ketua Menteri. Andai ini berlaku maka Sarawak akan mempunyai 4 orang Ketua Menteri. Jika begitu pastinya Sarawak akan huru-hara.

Melihat kepada sistem pentadbiran Pulau Pinang yang ketika ini kacau bilau semenjak Pakatan Pembangkang menguasai negeri itu pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 lalu. Menteri Besarnya, Lim Guan Eng yang berasal dari Melaka dan memerintah Pulau Pinang telah mewujudkan 2 jawatan Timbalan Ketua Menteri.

Terbaru, sikap jelek Anwar Ibrahim ini sekali lagi telah berjaya dihidu oleh rakyat Malaysia walaupun ianya berlaku di luar negara. Walaupun perkara atau kejadian ini nampak kecil namun ia memberi persepsi yang tidak baik kepada industri negara. Sewaktu Festival Salihara Ketiga di Jakarta, Anwar telah dan secara terang-terangan menghina dan memperlekehkan batik Malaysia.

Bersempena dengan Festival Salihara Ketiga itu, Anwar telah diminta untuk memberikan ucapannya dengan tajuknya Kebebasan dan Musuh-Musuhnya. Pada ketika hubungan Malaysia – Indonesia sedikit tegang, Anwar bijak dengan mengeksploitasikan hubungan ini demi meraih sokongan politik Indonesia. Tujuannya mudah sahaja, iaitu hendak menyelamatkan diri daripada perbicaraan kes liwat dan kedua membantu menjayakan hasratnya untuk menjadi Perdana Menteri.

Untuk itu, Anwar tanpa segan silu mengungkapkan kata-kata hina terhadap batik Malaysia, “Mahu pakai batik Indonesia dikatakan saya anti-nasional. Mahu pakai batik Malaysia, orang Indonesia bilang jelek. Sebab ciri keseniannya itu cukup rendah dan saya setuju. Tetapi saya tidak mahu sebut di Malaysia. jadi akhirnya saya memilih batik Afrika.’’

Kata-kata sinis Anwar itu terhadap batik Malaysia telah mendapat tepukan gemuruh dan sorakan daripada hadirin yang kebanyakan rakyat Indonesia dan pengunjung luar negara. Tindakan Anwar yang merendah-rendahkan batik Malaysia bukan sahaja menyebabkan tanggapan masyarakat luar negara berbeza malah secara langsung ‘membunuh’ industri batik Malaysia yang mengeksport perniagaan tersebut. Apakah maknanya kepada pereka, pengusaha batik dan puluhan ribu orang yang bekerja dalam industri tersebut termasuk di luar bandar?

Dicatat oleh WIRA KENYALANG™ di 00:14:00

MARDI majukan padi bukit

by Nick Fletcher. Posted on February 14, 2011, Monday

Projek mengguna pakai teknologi baru mulai menampakkan kejayaan: Fadillah

TUAI HASIL: Fadillah (tiga kanan) bersama salah seorang peserta projek, Bonnie Mbuh Udal (kanan) dan isteri, menuai hasil padi bukit di Tebedu.

TEBEDU: Pakej teknologi yang disyorkan dalam Projek Meningkatkan Potensi Hasil Padi Bukit diyakini mampu membawa hasil padi bukit menjadi entiti khusus kepada masyarakat di Sarawak.

Berbanding kaedah tanaman tradisional, pakej teknologi tersebut bukan sahaja dapat meningkatkan potensi hasil padi bukit negeri ini, malah membantu meningkatkan pendapatan para petani.

Timbalan Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI) Datuk Fadillah Yusof berkata pelaksanaan projek yang bermula September 2009 dan dijangka berakhir pada Ogos 2011 kini telah menampakkan hasil yang memberangsangkan.

Menurut beliau, musim pertama projek adalah melibatkan seramai 31 peserta iaitu 27 orang dari Kampung Gahat Tebedu dan empat orang dari Kampung Sepadah Bau.

Sehubungan itu, katanya kajian bagi musim pertama itu telah menunjukkan purata hasil yang diperolehi bagi kedua-dua kawasan adalah meningkat.

“Projek di Kampung Gahat memperolehi hasil purata sebanyak 916 kg/ha berbanding hasil petak kawalan sebanyak 737 kg/ ha.

“Sementara di Kampung Sepadah telah berjaya memperoleh hasil sebanyak 2,021 kg/ha berbanding 1,419 kg/ha untuk petak kawalan,” katanya dalam sidang media di sini semalam.

Terdahulu, Fadillah yang juga Ahli Parlimen Petra Jaya melawat tapak projek di Kampung Gahat, di sini bagi meninjau perkembangan serta potensi hasil padi bukit menggunakan teknologi penanaman oleh Institut Penyelidikan dan Kemajuan Pertanian Malaysia (MARDI).

Selepas itu, beliau menyempurnakan majlis penyampaian sijil kepada para peserta projek dari Kampung Gahat, sebelum merasmikan mesin pelerai padi yang disumbangkan oleh MARDI.

Pelaksanaan Projek Meningkatkan Potensi Hasil Padi Bukit yang direalisasikan oleh MARDI adalah dibiayai dengan dana sebanyak RM1.3 juta di bawah dana TechnoFund MOSTI.

Pakej teknologi yang diperkenalkan dan digunakan dalam projek tersebut adalah melibatkan penapakan tanaman, pengurusan pembajaan, pengurusan rumpai, pengurusan penyakit dan perosak serta mekanisme penanaman dan penuaian.

Susulan peningkatan hasil daripada projek berkenaan, Fadillah berkata hasil kajian dan penyelidikan tersebut akan diaplikasikan kepada para petani yang terlibat dalam penanaman padi bukit di seluruh negeri.

“Hasil kajian dan penyelidikan yang diperolehi daripada projek ini nanti akan kami sampaikan kepada para petani di seluruh Sarawak, iaitu seramai lebih 80,000 orang, selain menumpukan kawasan-kawasan yang sesuai,” katanya.

Sementara itu, katanya projek terbabit turut mengatasi pemusnahan alam sekitar oleh kaedah tradisional iaitu tebang dan bakar, selain penanaman berpindah-randah.

“Dengan mengamalkan teknologi yang diperkenalkan, petak padi bukit adalah lebih tersusun dan tidak berpindah-randah dan ini akan mengurangkan masalah pencemaran udara akibat pembakaran terbuka, selain kemusnahan alam sekitar,” katanya.

Hadir sama ialah Timbalan Ketua Pengarah (Penyelidikan) MARDI Datuk Dr Sharif Haron, Ketua Projek Meningkatkan Potensi Hasil Padi Bukit Dr Sariam Othman dan Ketua Pegawai Operasi Beras Corporation Sdn Bhd Sarawak Mohd Kamaluddin Mohd Effendie.

(sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=93297)

Bible Study

Re-introduction of Bible study proper and good’

by Churchill Edward. Posted on February 14, 2011, Monday

KUCHING: Schools have to make special arrangement for students who wish to study Bible knowledge, now that the government has allowed them to take the subject after regular school hours.

Other arrangements include qualified teachers who must be focused and able to manage a big group of students.

Sarawak Teachers Union president William Ghani Bina said this when lauding the government’s move to ‘re-introduce’ the subject in secondary schools throughout Malaysia yesterday.

“The move is proper and good. Since more and more social ills keep cropping up, the move is welcomed. If all students are taught their respective religion in schools, I hope this could calm them down and also help to discipline them,” said Ghani, who is a Christian himself.

“Now that the government has decided on the matter, the school authority should make proper arrangement to ensure that the subject is being taught in schools successfully. There must also be sufficient number of qualified teachers. I am sure the number of students will be big (if they are taking the lesson inside halls). So teachers must be focused so that they can manage them well,” he said.

Ghani believed the move is part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak 1Malaysia’s campaign.

“It is the 1Malaysia move where we accept Islam as the country’s official religion but we also can have other religions being practised by others peacefully. This is wonderful because we will be able to teach our children to realise that, apart from our own religion, there are others who practise theirs,” he said.

Malaysia is a country where various religions exist in harmony. Bible Knowledge used to be a subject being taught for public examination in most schools in Sarawak previously. As years went by, the subject received little or no attention at all, especially in schools in urban areas. After Najib took over the Malaysia premiership, he wanted more sense of religious harmony among Malaysians.

Last Saturday in Penampang, Sabah, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said Bible Knowledge could now be taught to Christian students in government and mission secondary schools throughout the country but only after regular school hours.

Dompok, who chaired the Technical Committee for Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputeras, said the landmark decision was reached at the first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputeras, chaired by Najib on Feb 7.

“We believe this decision will go a long way towards a full realisation of the 1Malysia concept,” he told reporters in Penampang.

He said he hoped that the decision would enable students concerned to sit for Bible Knowledge as elective subject examination at Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level.

The cabinet committee meeting had also agreed to several other resolutions submitted by the Federation of Christian Mission Schools Malaysia last year, Dompok said then.

When contacted yesterday, Land Development Minister Dao Sri Dr James Masing also welcomed the federal government’s move to enhance the teaching of Bible Study throughout Malaysia.

“It is a positive development and in line with the 1Malyasia concept where we are to respect each other’s faith or belief,” he said.

The move is good for the people who want to study and master the Bible, he added.

“It is also a good move because it means people can do what they want to do,” he explained.

Masing also shared with Ghani the concern that there should be enough number of qualified teachers otherwise the Bible principles would be compromised.

“There must be qualified teachers as we do not want them to teach different things later on. There should also be enough number of teachers to teach Bible knowledge,” said Masing who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak president cum Baleh assemblyman.

Malaysians, he said, should be grateful as the Prime Minister (Najib) is ensuring that all citizens would be moving in the right direction.

(sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=93393)

Pulang atau lari

Pulang atau lari

Oleh MOHD. ASRON MUSTAPHA
mohdasron.mustapha@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR 13 Feb. – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mendakwa beliau mempunyai dua pilihan sama ada mahu menetap di Washington atau kembali ke tanah air bagi menghadapi perbicaraan kes liwat.

Kenyataan tersebut hadir ketika pelbagai pihak kini mendedahkan ketua pembangkang itu sedang merancang melarikan diri ke luar negara bagi mengelak perbicaraan kes liwat kerana bimbang beliau akan dipenjara.

Anwar berkata demikian semasa berucap pada forum The Future of Democracy in the Islamic World, anjuran sebuah badan pemikir Amerika Syarikat, New America Foundation yang berpangkalan di Washington DC, Amerika Syarikat, Khamis lalu.

“Saya boleh pilih untuk tinggal di sini (Washington) dan tidak kembali ke Malaysia, tetapi pilihan telah dibuat. Satu kaki saya di Parlimen dan satu kaki lagi di penjara. Saya harus balik ke Malaysia esok dan perlu muncul di mahkamah pada 14 Februari.

“Muncul di mahkamah hanya sebagai satu syarat, sebab semua keputusan telah dirancang. Sekali anda didakwa, anda pasti akan dipenjarakan,” katanya seperti dipetik daripada laman blog http://www.anwaraidc.com. hari ini.

Dakwaan mengenai perancangan Anwar itu mula didedahkan sebuah blog, http://gerakan-anti-pkr.blogspot.com selepas ketua pembangkang tersebut berjaya menangguhkan kesnya sebanyak 50 kali.

Pendedahan itu kemudian disahut Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) dengan laporan polis dan pada masa sama, badan tersebut mendesak supaya pihak berkuasa menahan pasport Anwar dengan segera.

Turut menyokong desakan itu ialah Ummi Hafilda Ali yang mahu kerajaan bertindak tegas dengan menghalang Anwar daripada bebas untuk keluar dan masuk negara ini kerana ia boleh memberi imej buruk kepada negara.

Ummi Hafilda menambah, kerajaan tidak perlu berlembut dan memberi ruang kepada ketua pembangkang itu untuk berbuat demikian kerana sikapnya yang suka menyebarkan fitnah demi meraih simpati negara lain.

(sumber:http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?)

(sumber gambar: http://theunspinners.blogspot.com/2010/11/goncang-lebih-baik-anwar-lari-ke-luar.html)

Tattoo

Tattoo quests

by Marilyn Tan. Posted on February 13, 2011, Sunday

PEOPLE have practised the art of tattooing since the dawn of time to enhance their looks and to serve as a symbol of spirituality, ranks, talismans and amulets.

LAST IBAN TATTOO ARTIST: Maung and his ‘magical’ tattoos. — Photos by Dr Lars Krutak)

In his quests to research and document these body arts, American cultural anthropologist, photographer and writer, Dr Lars Krutak, has travelled the world for more than 15 years, meeting indigenous peoples to learn more about their unique tattoos and the magical beliefs behind them as well as to document the vanishing traditions of tribal tattooing.

Fascinated by tattoos ever since he was a graduate student, he has studied the 2,000-year-old tradition of St Lawrence Island Yupiget tattoo among the last generation of practitioners for his Master’s thesis at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Krutak was in Kuching recently to make a presentation at the Gathering of the Tribes 2011 – a Tribal and Tattoo Expo on various tattooing traditions from countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia.

He also travelled to the outskirts of Sarawak with a small film crew, to interview Maung, the last Iban tattoo artist in Skrang, Sri Aman Division.

“When we arrived there, we learned Maung was really ill — and dying of cancer,” Krutak said of his trip that included two Iban tattoo artists.

“Surrounded by his female relatives, he had refused food for the past two weeks as he was ready to travel to the ‘longhouse’ of his ancestors — ultimately.”

Lying on his deathbed, Muang gave Krutak an incredible three-hour interview on the magical tattoos he created for ‘every man’ in Skrang.

According to Muang, of these men, 55 were Iban Rangers who fought heavily-armed Japanese soldiers during World War II with only mandau swords, blowguns and spears.

He said his tattoos protected him and the Rangers from harm.

“The Japanese bullets just went around and through me and I was never wounded.”

As related to Krutak, Muang credited this feat to his tattoos, saying his ‘protector spirit’ had led him to a meteorite in the jungle and he would later dip the object into every tattooing pigment he created to invoke magical powers for the tattoos.

Remarkably, of the 55 Rangers from the Skrang River who fought in the war, all but one returned home alive, Krutak recalled Muang telling him.

On his observations of the traditional tattoos of Sarawak, Krutak said the local body arts were one of the most beautiful in the world.

“The motifs and meanings of Sarawak tattoos are incredible and the elements and meanings are all connected.

“What I’ve learnt is that if you know how to read the tattoos, you can tell what they are about,” he said, adding that the tattoos also served as identification marks for the wearer.

Krutak suggested the traditional tattoos in Sarawak be preserved to perpetuate their values and true meanings.

“Maybe the indigenous people could do a research on local tattoos or start a foundation to preserve the history behind them. In the long run, I believe this will inspire the younger generation to document them as well.”

Today, Krutak works in the Department of Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of National History in Washington, DC.

In his continued effort to understand how tattoos and other forms of body modifications ‘make’ the people who wear them, he has acquired many traditional tattoos, including hand-tapped works from the Ibans, Kalinga of the Philippines and Mentawai of Indonesia; hand-poked art from Theravada Buddhist monks in Thailand and hand-pricked designs from the Kayabi of the Brazilian Amazon.

He also wears about 1,000 razor and knife-cut scars across his body which he received from other groups like the Kaningara of Papua New Guinea, the Betamarribe of Benin, the Mamar of Ethiopia and the Makonde of Mozambique.

Krutak’s books include the Tattooing Arts of Tribal Women, and the large format coffee table book Kalinga Tattoo: Ancient and Modern Expressions of the Tribal, focusing on the Kalinga people of northern Philippines.

sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=93186

Mukah gears up to become SCORE Hq

by Gaing Kunding. Posted on February 14, 2011, Monday

MUKAH: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said yesterday that Mukah town would become the headquarters of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) with the completion of the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) building here soon.

MEMENTO: Taib (third right) receives a memento from Yeo as Ragad (fourth right), Fatimah (fourth left), Dr Muhammed Leo (right), Kang (second right) and others look on.

Speaking at a Chinese New Year celebration organised by the Mukah Chinese Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) at Kingwood Resort Mukah here, Taib said the chief executive officer (CEO) of RECODA would stay and work in Mukah once the RECODA building was completed.

He said the development would effectively transform Mukah town to become the administrative and operational capital of SCORE.

“This will not only facilitate better co-ordination and working relationship between the CEO and Mukah Resident, but would also enable them (CEO and Resident) to engage with the local people on any new economic and infrastructure development as well as economic spin-offs and job opportunities created by investments worth billions of ringgit in Mukah, Tanjung Manis and Samalaju in Bintulu Division. Taib stressed that Mukah, Tanjung Manis and Samalaju were poised to become the centres of development under SCORE.

Taib said, among others, a company has set up a food processing laboratory using biotechnology (chemical free) in Tanjung Manis Halal Hub costing about RM2 billion while in Samalaju nine big factories with modern facilities costing several billions of ringgit would be set up, with the first one constructed by Tokoyama to produce polysilicon recently.

The chief minister also said the government was in the process of designing a new master plan for Mukah, Tanjung Manis and Samalaju to accommodate the ever increasing population, adding that it would be implemented by next year.

Taib also pledged to give financial assistance to outstanding students from poor background to enable them to enter university and other higher learning institutions.

“Therefore, it is very important for the people to remain united at all times in order to enjoy the fruits of development together because any quarrel or conflict will only destroy the people’s livelihood,” he said.

In his speech, Mukah Member of Parliament Dato Sri Dr Muhammed Leo Toyad said the people of Mukah and Balingian strongly supported Taib as the chief minister and Balingian assemblyman.

Meanwhile, in his welcoming speech, MCCC chairman Yeo Tiong Ing said the Chinese community in Mukah fully supported Taib’s leadership to bring greater economic and infrastructural development to Mukah and the surrounding areas.

Dr Muhammed Leo and Yeo are joint-organising chairman of the celebration which was also attended by Taib’s wife Puan Sri Ragad Waleed Alkurdi Taib, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datin Fatimah Abdullah and her husband Datu Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah, Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie, Mukah Resident Saudi Narani and Kapitan Kang Boon Eong.

sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=93240

CM to keep Pelagus rep

Posted on February 14, 2011, Monday

KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said he planned to keep Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office Larry Sng around for some time.

FOR PROSPERITY: (from left) Hanifah, Jabu, Chan, Taib, Ragad, Catherine and Empiang tossing the ‘yee sang’ during the Chinese New Year Open House yesterday. – Photo by Jonathan Bullet

The state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said Sng is useful to the government and loyal to the BN.

“I can still keep him because he’s a very useful fellow. He works very well, and his loyalty to BN is unquestionable,” he told reporters yesterday.

Taib was met at the Chinese New Year Open House organised by Kuching City South Council (MBKS) and CATS FM at Dewan Masyarakat in Padungan here.

He was responding to a query on whether the BN has decided on Sng’s status as he is still partyless after being sacked by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) a few years ago. Sng was said to have applied to join BN as a direct member and direct candidate in the coming state election. Talks are rife that his application was rejected during last Friday’s BN supreme council meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

According to a BN leader who did not want to be named, the Pelagus assemblyman is in a unique position where his former party PRS does not want him but the state government still does.

Yesterday, Taib was accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Ragad Waleed Alkurdi Taib, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and wife Datin Patinggi Dato Sri Empiang Jabu.

Also present were event chairperson and CATS FM executive director Datin Hanifah Taib Alsree, MBKS mayor James Chan and wife Catherine Sng.

On the issue that Mayor James Chan might be aiming to be a politician, Taib said that would be up to Chan.
But when pressed further he said: “I don’t know but so far he doesn’t show any interest in politics.”
On another matter, Taib spoke on how smaller local governments need to focus on social and cultural leadership because they are the ones nearest to the ground.

“Society is always in a flux in the presence of rapid change. We have to provide people with an avenue to find out how they can participate and serve society in the way they think they are best at according to their talent and leadership patterns,” he said.

He encouraged budding leaders to step up and serve the city.

“Kuching has a lot of clever, professional people with leadership qualities that can get other people to come together. And they want to serve.”

Taib pointed out that Kuching is growing fast and yet most neighbours don’t even know each other. He urged people to be imaginative and create opportunities for neighbours to make friends.

In his speech, MBKS mayor James Chan said that the event was organised to bring companies and non-governmental organisations to work with the council and hold an open house for the people of Kuching.

“Through this unique open house, we hope to strengthen the neighourhood spirit, tolerance amongst people in our multi-racial and cultural society as well as foster and strengthen bonds amongst family members and friends,” he said.

sumber http://www.theborneopost.com/?attachment_id=93230

Patut letak jawatan

Khalid Ibrahim patut letak jawatan - TPM

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 25 Jan. - Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim sewajarnya melepaskan jawatan sebagai Menteri Besar Selangor setelah usul untuk meminda Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Selangor tidak diluluskan pada Sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) semalam.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin berkata, usul tersebut bukan sahaja tidak sepatutnya dibawa ke sidang DUN bahkan menimbulkan suasana kurang selesa masyarakat kerana terlalu banyak perkara yang dipolitikkan oleh pakatan pembangkang.

Katanya, sidang DUN itu diadakan hanya kerana Kerajaan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Selangor tidak bersetuju dengan pelantikan Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi sebagai Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri (SUK) yang baru walaupun mendapat perkenan Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

"Kenapa mesti bawa isu pelantikan SUK itu ke sidang DUN, kalau sudah kalah (usul ditolak) dia mesti meletakkan jawatan, keadaan sekarang ini semakin bercempera," katanya ketika menjawab soalan pada sesi dialog sempena majlis makan malam bersama kira-kira 250 rakyat Malaysia di Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Malaysia di sini malam ini.

Sebelum itu, seorang jemputan menyentuh tentang pelbagai perkara yang dipolitikkan di Malaysia sehingga menyebabkan suasana dalam negara dilihat sebagai 'panas'.

Muhyiddin mengakui, suasana politik sekarang memang terlalu panas kerana banyak sangat perkara yang dipolitikkan oleh pakatan pembangkang termasuk pelantikan SUK.

Katanya, kerajaan negeri di bawah pembangkang sepatutnya mengetepikan soal politik dan memberi tumpuan perkhidmatan kepada rakyat. - Utusan

sumber: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info

NCR land rights

Govt recognises NCR land rights

by Philip Kiew. Posted on January 26, 2011, Wednesday

LIMBANG: The state government is consistent in NCR land recognition as reflected in traditional village settlements, perimeter survey, new initiatives and compensation payment for land acquired.

THANK YOU: Awang Tengah (centre) presents cheque and newly minted land title to a recipient under the Tahai initiative of Limbang Division Land and Survey Department, witnessed by (from left) Dr Rahman, Hasbi, Henry, Paulus and Zamri in the background.

Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said this at the presentation of land compensation and issuance of land titles by Limbang Division Land and Survey Department at Kampung Meritam in Limbang yesterday.

The compensation was for the 26 hectares of land involving 75 lots and 25 lots acquired in Kampung Ipai and Kampung Telahak respectively for a drainage and irrigation system by the government to boost agriculture productivity.

He said the compensation underscored the government’s policy of paying for legitimate land owners for land acquisition for projects of public interest.

On the traditional village settlement, of which tens of thousands has been issued since it started in 1966 in Sarawak, he said Kampung Meritam would be included in this programme this year.

“This is a continuous programme and it is impossible to survey and issue individual titles overnight as this is time-consuming as it involved so many villages scattered throughout this big state, and the department has manpower constraint,” he said.

Tengah urged the people to have realistic expectations as the department also have other priorities.

The department has earmarked Kampung Kelapa Mawar, Kampung Ula, Kampung Meritam, Kampung Bung Abai in Limbang district for this programme this year.

Perimeter survey of NCR land, he said, required the people’s cooperation with the Land and Survey Department.

The 1.5 million hectares of NCR land for survey required time, and the RM20 million allocated last year has enabled 20,000 hectares spread out in 27 different locations in the state to be surveyed.

The state government has spread it out to include every community in the state. Other places earmarked in Limbang district include Paya Lakap and Batu Lapan.

“The Department has been told to move on to other villages if a village is embroiled in land disputes over petty issues as there are many waiting for their turn,” he said of the need for local cooperation.

Limbang Division Land and Survey superintendent Awang Zamhari said the drainage project involving land acquisition would boost agricultural activities in the area.

Also present were Limbang MP Hasbi Habibolah and his Lawas counterpart Datuk Henry Sum Agong, state assemblymen Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (Bukit Kota) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) and community leaders.

sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=89742

Ministry seizes controlled items

Ministry seizes controlled items near border

Posted on January 26, 2011, Wednesday

KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Sarawak branch scored a major success recently when it seized a total of 54.5 tonnes of subsidised sugar valued at more than RM189,000 bound for the border.

SEIZED: Wan Ahmad (third right) and his officers show reporters the gas cylinders seized from the wholesaler. — Bernama photo

State director Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman said the seizure came about in Tebedu near the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoint when officers detained a foreign-registered lorry as it was about to cross the border.

“The lorry was laden with 103 gunny sacks of subsidised sugar weighing 5.15 metric tonnes, worth RM81,330

“From there, we were led to a warehouse belonging to a wholesaler where a further 49.36 metric tonnes of subsidised sugar worth RM108,605 was found,” said Wan Ahmad during a press conference held at the ministry’s office here yesterday.

He revealed that at the time of the raid, workers at the warehouse were busy re-packing the subsidised sugar into generic gunny sacks and packets in an attempt to conceal their crime from authorities.

The wholesale company, he pointed out, had violated the Control Supply Act 1961 at it was only licensed to hold a maximum of 40 metric tonnes of subsidised sugar at any one time.

In addition to the sugar, ministry officers also seized 120 gas cylinders worth RM11,592 from the warehouse after it was found the company was not authorised to sell the item.

According to Wan Ahmad, the operation, which took place on January 22 and 23, came after three weeks of observation following numerous complaints from the public regarding the smuggling of controlled items such as sugar, cooking oil and gas cylinders across the border.

When asked, he conceded that the seized sugar was likely destined for a neighbouring country, where the retail price was RM3.80 per kg compared to RM2.20 here.

Wan Ahmad also added the wholesale company faces a fine not exceeding RM250,000, or RM500,000 for a second offence, if found guilty in court.

He called on the public to assist by providing tip-offs to the ministry regarding smuggling activities, and assured that his men would continue to monitor all land exit routes out of the country, particularly at all CIQ checkpoints, to curb the smuggling of controlled items.

sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=89711

Banjir/Flood

The worst’s not over yet

by Philip Kiew. Posted on January 20, 2011, Thursday

Dark skies continue to threaten much of Miri as authorities fly in aid to flood victims

THERE YOU GO: Jabu hands out relief assistance, which was airlifted by Hornbill Skyways helicopters to Ulu Niah, to folks of Rumah Rangong

BATU NIAH: Relief assistance was flown to flood hit areas in Niah, Tinjar, and the Tutoh-Apoh region as flood waters receded yesterday.

But, at press time, the gloomy-looking sky looked set to unleash another round of heavy rain.

Flood waters in Ulu Teru and Ulu Tinjar in Marudi district and Ulu Niah in Niah sub-district started receding yesterday.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, accompanied by Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Stephen Rundi and Miri Resident Antonio Kathi Galis, yesterday flew into Miri Division for the second consecutive day to spearhead the delivery of assistance to the flood victims.

Among the food supplies distributed yesterday were baby powder to 69-door Rumah Rangong and 63-door Rumah Belilie which were the worst affected in Ulu Niah.

As the roads were still impassable, the assistance was flown in by Nuri helicopters and those from Hornbill Skyways.

Longhouse residents in Rumah Rangong told Jabu that the flood waters rose so rapidly on Monday night that they were literally caught with their pants down.

They were torn between saving their properties, salvaging their livestock and moving their vehicles to higher grounds.

A lorry ferrying food to an oil palm estate was found submerged right to its rooftop, while vehicles parked at a bridge at Sungai Sepiki were deep under the flood waters.

“This is the worst in history, with water rising to a foot above the floor. It was so bad that I have to put my nine pigs in the ‘sadau’ (attic) for a night,” said Siba Ngelambong, 55, of Rumah Rangong.

The attempt by Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and his entourage to send supplies on Tuesday was thwarted by the swift flowing water across the flooded sections of Ulu Niah road, prompting a call to the Royal Malaysian Air Force to assist yesterday.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities Sylvester Entri Muran said the flood situation in the Tinjar basin was still bad although the water level had receded by about half a metre in Long Loyang and some longhouses in Ulu Tinjar.

He flew by helicopter yesterday with Telang Usan state assemblyman Lihan Jok for the second day to visit flood-hit areas in Tinjar and Tutoh-Apoh.

They managed to visit Ulu Teru and Long Bemang before bad weather forced them to abort their journey to Long Teran and return to Miri.

“I worry for those people in Sungai Tinjar. Although flood has started receding in the upper reaches, the heavy overcast sky yesterday evening might mean the flood waters could return,” he told The Borneo Post.

Entri said he would try to visit them by boat today after stopping by Bakong and Marudi.

sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=88528

Taib has decided but won’t tell

by Jacob Achoi. Posted on November 25, 2010, Thursday

CM says next state election could be held any time in the next few months

GOOD TO BE BACK: Taib cuddles his grandson as he is welcomed by Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu (right) and Tan Sri Dr George Chan (second right) upon his arrival at Hornbill Skyways hangar at Kuching International Airport.

KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud already has the date of the next state election in his mind.

However, although he had the inspiration, he would not disclose the date just yet.

He spoke to reporters yesterday at the Hornbill Skyways hangar after returning from his pilgrimage.

Taib, who is the state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the state election could be held in any of the 12 months of the year.

“Between now and the actual date of the election, it is a matter of getting prepared,” he said.

The term of the current State Legislative Assembly expires in July next year, but political observers have predicted that the state election would be held next month at the earliest and March or April at the latest.

The state BN has 62 seats out of 71 in the assembly, with 34 held by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), 12 by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP)(including Engkilili assemblyman – Dr Johnical Rayong), eight by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and eight by Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

The rest of the seats are held by DAP (nine), PKR (one) and Independent (one).

On his pilgrimage Taib said it was very good, adding that he was only thinking about the religion (Islam).

“I have a very good time, and the greatest change was the peaceful state of my mind because I was not working,” he said.

Both deputy chief ministers Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu were present to welcome Taib.

Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Dato Sri Awang Asfia Awang Nassar, Land Development Minister Dato Sri James Masing and other cabinet and assistant ministers were also present.

Sumber: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6695809137835682200)

Haircut before PMR examination

Parent unhappy with forced haircut before PMR examination

Posted on October 5, 2010, Tuesday

KOTA KINABALU: A concerned parent has called on the management of SMK Majakir, Papar to explain the action taken by them to force students to have a military style hair cut, yesterday.

The complainant said the school management had forced students, who would be sitting for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination beginning today, to do the military hair cut in front of other students.

“Is there any directive from the Education Department to force the PMR candidates to cut their hair short or bald before sitting for the PMR? If there was no such directive, then why take this kind of action without thinking of the students’ emotion?

“These students would sit for the PMR examination tomorrow (today) and action taken by the school would definitely affect the students’ emotion,” the complainant said.

He questioned whether it was the right time for the school to take action on disciplinary issues on those who would be sitting for the PMR examination.

“Teachers in this school should be professional in handling the disciplinary problems among their students and not to do that when the students are about to take their PMR examination.

“The education department should not allow this thing to happen because it will affect the emotions of the students,” he said.

The complainant added that because of embarrassment and anger caused by the action of the school management, some students, including his son, are reluctant to come and sit for examination, today.

“The school management should give a better explanation as their action involved the self-respect of the students,” he added.

(sumber: borneopost)

Power comes with great responsibility, says chief minister

Posted on October 5, 2010, Tuesday

BINTULU: Only those who are truly sincere and capable can bring greater changes and benefits to the rakyat, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said Sunday night.

He said it was not enough just to have power.

“With power come great responsibility,” he said, adding that politics was not just about debating policies.

“The implementation of projects and programmes for greater development also counts,” he said.

He said politicians should not look at how much power they had after an election, but look at how they could use that power to sort things out for the rakyat’s betterment.

“If one has the power, but does not know how to use, wisely, it’s going to be a waste, and it will badly affect the people who have given their trust and confidence with the hope for a better future,” he said when speaking at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House at Medan Niaga SEDC Jepak here.

He said the next state election would be a determinant for the people in Sarawak whether they wanted continued prosperity or just wanted to “play new politics” and end up chaotic as in some countries.

“There is no such thing as guaranteed peace or prosperity unless we work for it.

“No matter how successful or prosperous we are, if we can’t maintain our stability, our prosperity will erode,” he said.

He said the people should be thankful that under the Barisan Nasional (BN) government they had witnessed greater transformation and development.

(sumber: borneopost)

SUPP-It is going to be a vigorous party

Dr Chan: SUPP is gaining strength

(http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=66753)
KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Sunday night that he now felt a greater sense of confidence for the party following the admission of 5,000 new members.

This, according to him, proves that the 51-year-old party is still a strong entity despite recent setbacks and increasing political challenges.

He said the 5,000 new members, including 1,500 in Kuching, signed up with SUPP, a Barisan Nasional (BN) component, in the following two years after the 2008 general election.

“Tell me, is this a party that is dying? No way. It is going to be a vigorous party. All talks of us being ‘weak here, weak there’ are just propaganda (against us).

“We will let other people know the strength of SUPP today. SUPP is still indeed strong, and whoever comes (in our way), we will fight,” he said at the welcoming ceremony for the 1,500 new members at the party’s headquarters here.

According to Dr Chan, the trials and tribulations during the 51 years of existence have taught SUPP ‘one way or another’ on survival.

As such, he viewed the admission of many new members as injecting new blood and ideas so that SUPP could eventually be given a stronger representation in the state government.

In a feint reference to the peninsula-based opposition parties, he called on party members to unite and work as a team to fend off the ‘outsiders’.

“I love Sarawak, I don’t like outsiders to come and ‘kacau’ (disturb) us…Where did the 1Malaysia spirit come from? It is here in Sarawak.

“We don’t want people to come and propagate hate for us to hate each other,” he stressed.

On another matter, Dr Chan, who is a deputy chief minister, said he was furious with all sorts of allegations hurled by the opposition against the state government.

Among the accusations, he said, were the state government was ‘lauya’ (bad) while the state city capital was pale in comparison with other cities in the region.

“The Samajaya industrial estate in Kuching has attracted a lot of investors…We have also universities being set up here.

“As far as the state is concerned, it has the best foreign direct investments (RM19.35 billion)… If we are ‘lauya’, do you think we can achieve this? This is proof that we have good government, don’t let the opposition fool you,” he said.

SUPP secretary general Senator Datuk Sim Kheng Hui and Youth chief Sih Hua Tong, the organising chairman for Sunday night’s event, also spoke.

Sim said the party since its inception in 1959 had always been a multi-racial party although the majority of the members were Chinese.

“We also have many Bumiputera leaders among us. And we work together to help all races in the spirit of 1Malaysia,” he added.

Sih, on the other hand, said the admission of many new members also proved the opposition was wrong in claiming that nobody wanted to join SUPP.

Six new members were also selected to speak at the event.

All the new members also pledged their loyalty before they were presented with party badges.
(sumber:borneopost)

Hidup Pehin Sri Taib’, ‘Hidup Barisan Nasional’,

Sokongan padu 2,000 ahli parti kompenan BN sambut Taib

Posted on October 4, 2010, Monday

BINTULU: Kain rentang berbunyi ‘Hidup Pehin Sri Taib’, ‘Hidup Barisan Nasional’, ‘Kami ahli PBB masih perlu pimpinan Pehin Sri Taib’ dan ‘Kami mahu YAB Pehin Sri terus memimpin kerajaan BN Sarawak’ mengiringi ketibaan Ketua Menteri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud di Lapangan Terbang Bintulu semalam.

TERUSKAN PERJUANGAN: Barisan penyokong dan ahli-ahli parti komponen BN yang menyambut ketibaan Taib (gambar kanan) di Lapangan Terbang Bintulu, semalam. Turut kelihatan Talib (kanan).

Laungan ‘Hidup Pehin Sri’ dan ‘Hidup BN’ daripada kira-kira lebih 2,000 orang ahli parti-parti komponen Barisan Nasional (BN) menambah kemeriahan sambutan ketibaan beliau yang menghadiri majlis ramah-tamah Aidilfitri di Medan Niaga SEDC malam tadi.

Ahli-ahli dan pemimpin-pemimpin akar umbi daripada Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Demokratik Progresif Sarawak (SPDP), Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP) serta Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) membawa bendera parti masing-masing dan sepanduk sejak jam 4.30 petang.

Ketibaan beliau turut disambut Menteri Muda Pelancongan Datuk Talib Zulpilip dan Menteri Muda Kesihatan Awam Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

(sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=66597)

Be committed — Taib

by Lim How Pim. Posted on October 4, 2010, Monday

The army is always at the front line, so it must be alert to all possible threats

KUCHING: The Territorial Army in the state must be committed towards its regular training and fully understand its job and responsibilities.

FULLY COMMITTED: Taib (second right) receives the Brigadier General (Honorary) rank from Zahid. Looking on are Defence Forces chief General Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin (right) and Army chief General Datuk Zukifeli Mohd Zin (second left). — Bernama photo

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said it had to be well prepared for any kind of tasks assigned to it.

“As far as defence is concerned, we must remember that we have to be ever ready for any emergencies or incidents.

“As the army is always at the front line, it must be alert to all possible threats,” he said before receiving the Brigadier General (Honorary) rank from Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a simple ceremony here yesterday.

Taib, who is patron for the state Territorial Army Supporters’ Committee (JAKPAW), was glad to note that there were two such regiments in the state.

“Sarawak has shown strong commitment towards serving and defending the country. Our army selflessly risks its lives to protect the country, and we shall not take this for granted.

“We must also realise that as civilians we are also duty bound to defend the country,” he said.

He was also pleased that nine more Territorial Army squads had been launched in the parliamentary constituencies of Sibu, Igan, Lanang, Julau, Kanowit, Batang Sadong, Mambong, Batang Lupar and Tanjung Manis.

Earlier, Zahid called on the state government to build more camps for the Territorial Army in the state. He said Taib had done the state proud for he is the first in Malaysia to have been bestowed the rank.

“Although the Territorial Army represents the second level of defence of the country, it is elected through standard procedures and it takes pride in discharging its duties.

“It is doing all it can to provide a conducive environment for development and progress,” said Zahid.

He pointed out that the Territorial Army had nothing to do with politics and hence it discharged its duties without fear or favour.

“We also hope that more individuals would come forward to volunteer themselves to defend the country.” Zahid suggested that Taib help encourage the private sector to allow its employees to take part in more volunteerism programmes.

“If private corporations give the green light to their employees, more will become part of us. However, many of these corporations are quite stubborn,” lamented Zahid.

At the ceremony, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani was bestowed the rank of Colonel.

Morshidi is the chairman of the state JAKPAW and Commander for Territorial Army Regiment 511

(sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=66535)

No laps for warm laptops

• No laps for warm laptops; skin damage is possible

  In this undated photo provided by the journal Pediatrics, a 12 year-old boy is pictured using a laptop on balanced on his bare legs.

  http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20101004/news/101009952&tc=yahoo
• Laptop use could lead to 'toasted skin syndrome'

  Have you ever worked on your laptop computer with it sitting on your lap, heating up your legs? If so, you might want to rethink that habit.

  http://www.king5.com/health/Laptop-use-could-lead-to-toasted-skin-syndrome-104291469.html

KEMPEN KIBAR JALUR GEMILANG

KEMPEN KIBAR JALUR GEMILANG OLEH SPDP BAHAGIAN N 40 MERADONG

Pengawa Nyirika Padri Fr. Philip Hu & Fr. David Ho

PRIESTLY ORDINATION ON 8/9/2010 @ ST. TERESA CHURCH, SIBU
REV. FR. DAVID HO AND REV. FR. PHILIP HU

Lawatan YB Dato' Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim Rh Guntol, Ng Bekiok,Merurun, Julau

Program Merakyatkan Seni Dan Budaya (PMS) serta Pelancaran Kampung WiFi Dan Penyerahan Komputer Riba 1Malaysia Di Daerah Julau, Sarawak bertempat Rh.Guntol, Nanga Bekiok, Merurun, Julau pada 17/9/2010

Amaran TPM kepada MCA

Amaran TPM kepada MCA

Oleh TARMIZI ABDUL RAHIM
pengarang@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR 16 Ogos - Timbalan Perdana Menteri mengingatkan MCA supaya jangan terlalu ghairah menjuarai kepentingan dan tuntutan kaum sendiri sehingga boleh menjejaskan kestabilan dan keharmonian antara kaum di negara ini.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mengakui bahawa setiap kaum berhak memperjuangkan nasib kumpulan yang diwakili tetapi bagaimanapun perbuatan itu jangan sesekali dilihat boleh menjejaskan sensitiviti kaum lain.

Tegas beliau, MCA harus menginsafi bahawa ia merupakan sebahagian daripada komponen Barisan Nasional (BN) yang sudah tentu mempunyai prinsip yang perlu dihormati secara bersama.

"Saya tidak percaya MCA sanggup mengorbankan setiakawan yang dipupuk sejak sekian lama. Bagi saya ia amat penting sekali. UMNO pun memperjuangkan nasib Melayu tetapi pada masa sama ia turut menjaga kepentingan kaum lain.

"Jangan kita timbulkan kemarahan, keresahan hanya kerana kita nak pertahankan kaum kita atau resolusi kita hingga tidak mengambil kira sensitiviti dan hak kaum lain.

"Itu barulah adil namanya. Jika kita pertahankan kaum kita secara ekstrem dan perjuangan itu dilihat sebagai berat sebelah kerana tidak mengambil kira kepentingan lain, maka itu merupakan sesuatu yang tidak baik," katanya.

Beliau mengulas kenyataan Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek yang menegaskan, parti itu tidak takut berkongsi pandangan sama dengan DAP dalam hal yang memberi keuntungan kepada masyarakat Cina.

Soi Lek yang menjawab peringatan Naib Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein berkata, MCA yang kini diterajui kepimpinan baru percaya bahawa pendirian itu mempunyai asas dan wajar.

Sebelum itu, Hishammuddin mengingatkan agar MCA tidak mengambil pendirian menyimpang daripada perjuangan yang sudah disepakati sekian lama dalam BN.

Peringatan Naib Presiden UMNO itu dibuat ekoran kenyataan Soi Lek yang mendesak kerajaan supaya mementingkan keupayaan merit dan bukannya kuota dalam memastikan perkongsian tulen antara bumiputera dan bukan bumiputera.

Tambah Muhyiddin, soal sama ada MCA ingin bersama DAP merupakan perkara kedua kerana apa yang penting pendirian yang diambil mereka tidak sepatutnya boleh menimbulkan prasangka, buruk sangka, kemarahan dan mengguris sensitiviti kaum lain.

"Jika ia mempunyai hubung kait dengan dasar kerajaan, MCA harus tahu dan faham apakah pendirian kerajaan tentang soal hak istimewa bumiputera dan semangat menyeimbangkan pengagihan kekayaan dalam negara ini.

"Pendirian kerajaan adalah amat jelas dalam perkara ini iaitu kita tidak akan berkompromi terutama dalam soal menyentuh kepentingan kaum dan bumiputera," katanya.

Mengulas lanjut, Muhyiddin menjelaskan bahawa tuntutan Melayu untuk mendapat 30 peratus kekayaan bukannya satu tuntutan melampau kerana sasaran Dasar Ekonomi Baru itu sehingga kini masih belum tercapai.

Sedangkan, katanya, kaum Cina sudah menguasai lebih daripada 40 peratus kekayaan negara dan Melayu tidak pernah sekalipun iri hati.

"Kecualilah jika kekayaan Cina berbanding dahulu semakin menurun kerana diambil oleh Melayu, itu boleh kita faham dan pertimbang.

"Jadi adakah adil jika MCA tuntut supaya apa yang diperjuangkan Melayu untuk menguasai 30 peratus itu secara adil itu sebagai sesuatu yang tidak wajar," katanya.

Tegas Muhyiddin, desakan MCA itu tidak sepatutnya ditimbulkan kerana sejarah membuktikan bahawa kepincangan dalam masyarakat telah berlaku kerana pengagihan kekayaan tidak dilakukan secara adil dan saksama.

"Ia sebagaimana yang berlaku pada 1969. Kerajaan berharap ia tidak berlaku lagi. Oleh sebab itulah kita sasarkan ada perseimbangan penguasaan kekayaan negara secara adil dan saksama," katanya.

( sumber http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp)

Felda saman

Felda saman Wan Azizah, 5 lain RM200j

Peguam bagi pihak Felda, Mohd. Hafarizam Harun menunjukkan nota saman yang difailkan di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR 16 Ogos – Lembaga Kemajuan Tanah Persekutuan (Felda) dan sebuah syarikat pelaburannya hari ini memfailkan saman fitnah RM200 juta terhadap enam defendan termasuk penerbit serta pencetak akhbar rasmi Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Suara Keadilan ekoran penyiaran artikel bertajuk Felda Bangkrap.

Felda dan Felda Global Ventures Holdings Sdn. Bhd. selaku plaintif pertama dan kedua memfailkan writ saman tersebut melalui firma guaman, Tetuan Hafarizam, Wan & Aisha Mubarak di kaunter pendaftaran Mahkamah Tinggi di sini pada pukul 3.11 petang.

Pihak plaintif menamakan Presiden PKR, Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail dan Naib Presidennya, Dr. Syed Husin Ali yang disaman atas kapasiti pemegang jawatan dalam parti itu selaku defendan pertama dan kedua.

Penerbit akhbar tersebut, Pelita Koridor Sdn. Bhd. dan pencetaknya, Percetakan NPK Sdn. Bhd. selain penyunting, Dzulkarnain Taib serta penulis, Rusnizam Mahat pula masing-masing dinamakan sebagai defendan ketiga hingga keenam.

PKR dinamakan sebagai penerbit kepada Suara Keadilan tertakluk kepada Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN), permit yang telah tamat tempoh pada 30 Jun lalu.

Menurut pernyataan tuntutan, plaintif mendakwa, akhbar Suara Keadilan dalam edisi 22-29 Jun lalu telah menyiarkan artikel di muka depan bertajuk Felda Bangkrap yang didakwa mengandungi perkataan fitnah.

Selain itu, sebuah lagi artikel dalam edisi yang sama dengan keterangan di muka surat pertama bertajuk Kontroversi berserta gambar dan sambungannya di muka surat 3 bertajuk Bina bangunan RM662 juta hanya libatkan tiga individu turut didakwa mengandungi perkataan fitnah.

Plaintif menyatakan, defendan telah dan masih menerbitkan bahagian pertama perkataan fitnah yang membawa maksud bahawa mereka tidak berupaya membayar hutang, hutang melebihi asetnya, tidak mempunyai kelayakan kredit dan merupakan entiti yang tiada sesiapapun yang ingin melakukan perniagaan bersama.

Dakwa plaintif lagi, defendan telah menerbitkan dan masih lagi menerbitkan bahagian kedua dan ketiga artikel mengandungi perkataan fitnah yang serius dan merupakan fitnah bertulis yang amat memudaratkan serta menjejaskan reputasi plaintif.

Selain itu, fitnah tersebut merupakan suatu yang amat serius yang boleh menyebabkan penghinaan dan aib kepada plaintif di khalayak ramai, masyarakat negara ini dan luar negara selain menyebabkan kerugian yang maksimum.

Menurut plaintif, defendan dengan sengaja menerbitkan perkataan fitnah tersebut walaupun mempunyai pengetahuan bahawa perkara itu tidak benar atau palsu serta cuai dan mengabaikan kejujuran.

Plaintif juga menegaskan bahawa perkataan fitnah telah diterbitkan dengan sengaja dan berniat jahat untuk merosakkan dan memusnahkan reputasi kedua-dua syarikat tersebut.

Sehubungan itu, plaintif menuntut ganti rugi RM200 juta termasuk ganti rugi keterlaluan, teladan untuk fitnah bertulis atau kepalsuan berniat jahat dan mudarat.

Selain itu, plaintif menuntut faedah pada kadar lapan peratus setahun atas ganti rugi dari tarikh penghakiman sehingga tarikh pembayaran penuh serta injunksi bagi menghalang pihak defendan daripada bercakap atau menerbitkan perkataan fitnah secara lisan atau di media cetak atau Internet.

Plaintif juga memohon perintah supaya defendan menerbitkan permohonan maaf secara bertulis untuk diterbitkan di akhbar dan majalah dengan bentuknya serta terma akan ditentukan oleh plaintif, kos serta relif-relif lain.

(sumber: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.as)

To change SIBU name

To change SIBU name – showing no respect to natives

Taken from: Sarawak Inside

Dayakbaru

To the Dayak, Sibu name is actually MALING. Then it turns to be called SIBAU, as “buah sibau, a rambutan family fruit. As the urban people could not pronounce the word properly then it turn to become Sibu.

The Chinese started to arrive in Sibu only about a hundred odd years ago. What is so great about their history except that the Sibu Chinese are so great now because of the SUPP connection and got timber business licence and plantation. But that does not give them the right to change SIbu name as they wish.

I guessed that SUPP would want a new name for Sibu because SIBU bring them bad luck in the last election. Can you guess what has SUPP proposed Sibu name is?

The more reason why we should not vote for SUPP.

( sumber: http://dayakbaru.com/weblog08/ )

Remaja hamil luar nikah meningkat

Oleh JAMLIAH ABDULLAH
utusanN9@utusan.com.my

SEREMBAN 16 Ogos – Percaya atau tidak, sebuah hospital kerajaan di sini menerima dua hingga tiga kes remaja hamil luar nikah setiap hari.

Menurut Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Bertindak Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat negeri, Datuk Zainab Nasir, perkara tersebut membimbangkan pihaknya.

“Ini adalah laporan daripada Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) negeri. Kes-kes membabitkan remaja hamil luar nikah seperti ini dilihat semakin meningkat dan membimbangkan kita,” katanya di sini hari ini.

Zainab tidak menafikan terdapat kes membabitkan remaja dalam kalangan pelajar termasuk penuntut institusi pengajian tinggi di negeri ini.

Menurutnya, kerajaan negeri melalui jabatan berkaitan melaksanakan pelbagai program di bawah Jawatankuasa Gadis/Wanita Hamil Luar Nikah dalam usaha menangani permasalahan seperti itu sejak 2008.

“Pelbagai program dilaksanakan seperti seminar dan bengkel untuk remaja khususnya agar mereka menjauhi perkara-perkara seperti ini,” kata beliau.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, usaha tersebut bagaimana pun tidak akan berkesan tanpa pembabitan daripada akar umbi iaitu semua anggota keluarga.

“Dalam perkara seperti ini saya ingin menasihatkan ibu bapa agar sentiasa mengawasi pergerakan anak-anak gadis mereka. Tidak salah kita sedikit mengongkong dalam hal-hal seperti ini.

“Ibu bapa yang mempunyai anak gadis di kolej atau universiti selalulah jenguk mereka, jangan kita tinggalkan mereka pada hari pendaftaran kemudian biarkan begitu saja tanpa bertanya khabar.

“Elok juga jika kita selalu lakukan ‘pemeriksaan mengejut’ di tempat mereka belajar,” jelasnya.

Katanya, remaja yang hidup jauh daripada keluarga dan tanpa bimbingan ibu bapa akan mudah terpengaruh dengan anasir tidak baik akibat pengaruh rakan-rakan.

“Di sinilah institusi keluarga memainkan peranan, walau sebaik manapun program yang kerajaan buat, akhirnya anggota keluarga jugalah yang utama dalam memberi didikan,” katanya.

Mengenai kes buang bayi di negeri ini, katanya, sebanyak 24 kes dilaporkan sejak 2007 termasuk empat kes pada tahun lepas dan dua kes sehingga Ogos tahun ini.

“Kerajaan negeri sangat menyokong cadangan kerajaan agar mereka yang terbabit dengan kes pembuangan bayi disabitkan dengan hukuman mati.

“Sekurang-kurangnya hukuman ini akan menggerunkan mereka daripada melakukan perbuatan terkutuk itu,” tegasnya.

(sumber http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?)

50 sen setem Kad raya 50gm

Hanya 50 sen setem untuk kad raya 50g

17/08/2010 2:43pm

KUALA LUMPUR 17 Ogos - Sempena sambutan Hari Raya, Pos Malaysia tahun ini hanya mengenakan bayaran setem 50 sen bagi kad ucapan yang tidak melebihi 50 gram, berbanding harga biasa 70 sen berkuatkuasa 1 Ogos ini.

Ketua Sokongan Operasi PosMel, Zaidi Hussain berkata, kadar istimewa itu bagi semua destinasi di negara ini dan ia lebih rendah berbanding 80 sen pada tahun lepas.

Kadar itu berkuatkuasa sehingga 28 Februari tahun depan bagi meliputi perayaan utama di negara ini iaitu Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, Krismas dan Tahun Baru Cina, katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata, kadar setem yang rendah ini diharap dapat menghidupkan semula amalan menghantar kad ucapan yang semakin berkurangan berikutan perkembangan teknologi masa kini yang menggalakkan penggunaan internet dan SMS. - Bernama

Bank tempatan kedekut

by Patricia Gari

August 17, 2010, Tuesday

KUCHING:Kerajaan negeri terkilan dengan sikap bank-bank tempatan di negeri ini yang disifatkan ‘liat’ memberi sumbangan atau sokongan ke-pada program pemeliharaan dan pemuliharaan hidupan liar khasnya orang utan.

‘ANAK ANGKAT’: Gambar seekor anak orang utan yang diberi nama Ting San yang diangkat oleh syarikat Pusaka KTS diserahkan secara simbolik oleh Naroden kepada wakil syarikat yang juga Pengarah Vista Securco Sdn Bhd, Datuk Vincent Chapman (kanan) bagi pihak Pusaka KTS sambil diperhatikan (dari kiri) Len dan Ketua Warden Hidupan Liar SFC, Wilfred Landong.

Mereka ‘liat’ beri sumbangan kepada program pemeliharaan, pemuliharaan hidupan liar khasnya orang utan, kata Len Talif

Timbalan Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber yang juga Pengarah Urusan Sara-wak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Datu Len Talif Salleh berkata tidak ada satu pun bank-bank yang beroperasi di negeri ini mahu menyumbang bagi tujuan tersebut.

Len berkata inisiatif untuk menjalinkan kerjasama bagi tujuan itu dengan bank-bank tempatan termasuk beberapa bank antarabangsa sejak lebih dua tahun lalu semuanya me-nemui jalan buntu.

Beliau memberitahu kementerian menerusi beberapa agensi di bawahnya termasuk SFC cuba mendapat-kan sokongan serta bantuan daripada bank-bank tempatan dan jumlah sumbangan tidak ditetapkan bergantung kepada keikhlasan institusi-institusi berkenaan.

Bagaimanapun katanya, jelas bank-bank tempatan termasuk beberapa bank antarabangsa yang didekati tidak berminat atau tiada komitmen untuk menjadi sebahagian daripada progran konservasi hidupan liar.

“Saya boleh katakan di sini bahawa bank adalah kumpulan korporat yang paling ‘lokek’ apabila berkata mengenai penajaan… saya berani katakan begitu.

“Bank-bank ini lantang bercakap mengenai standard bank dunia dan sebagainya dan sering mahu dilihat sebagai hijau serta mesra alam tetapi apabila bercakap mengenai wang atau kewangan mereka adalah kumpulan kor-porat yang sangat kedekut. “Alasan lazim mereka berikan ialah tiada bajet,” ujarnya pada sidang media semalam.

Terdahulu beliau menghadiri majlis pelancaran Kempen Derma Untuk Orang Utan bagi Sekolah-sekolah di Sarawak yang diadakan di Pusat Hidupan Liar Semenggoh kira-kira 20 kilometer dari bandar raya ini.

Menteri Muda Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber Mohd Naroden Majais me-wakili Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber Ke-dua Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan menyempurnakan majlis tersebut.

Len yang juga Pengarah Jabatan Hutan Sarawak (JHS) berkata bank-bank tempatan khasnya perlu mencontohi sektor korporat lain yang sedia serta komited menjadi sebahagian daripada program memelihara dan memulihara hidupan liar di negeri ini.

“Ini suatu yang sangat menyedihkan kerana banyak badan korporat lain sangat aktif menyertai program ini dan ia tidak hanya dalam program menganak angkat orang utan tetapi membabitkan hidupan liar lain seperti penyu,” ujarnya.

Beliau memberitahu pihak-nya akan menjalinkan usaha sama melindungi serta memulihara hidupan liar khasnya orang utan dengan agensi-agensi pelancongan, syarikat penerbangan seperti MAS serta MASwings dan hotel seperti program ‘Heart-to-Heart with Orang Utan’ anjuran Hotel Pullman baru-baru ini.

“Ini usaha berterusan kita tambahan respons awal daripada pihak-pihak ini cukup menggalakkan,” katanya.

Naroden yang turut menghadiri sidang media itu juga mengakui kesukaran kerajaan mendapatkan sokongan mahupun sumbangan daripada bank-bank tempatan dalam usaha pemeliharaan alam se-kitar dan hidupan liar.

Beliau menambah adalah tidak salah untuk bank sebagai institusi yang memiliki kekuatan kewangan membantu kerajaan melindungi serta membiayai pusat hidupan liar.

“Ia harus dijadikan sebahagian daripada tanggungjawab sosial korporat institusi-institusi berkenaan,” katanya.

(sumber:http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=58893)

August, 2010 - Overview for the Month

August, 2010 - Overview for the Month The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage to heaven during which we hope for reward. The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of August 2010 General: That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties. Missionary: That the Church may be a “home” for all people, ready to open its doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger, or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries. (See also www.apostleshipofprayer.net) Feasts for August The feasts on the General Roman Calendar celebrated during the month of August are: 1. Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday 2. Eusebius of Vercelli; Peter Julian Eymard, Opt. Mem. 4. John Vianney, Memorial 5. Dedication of St. Mary Major, Opt. Mem. 6. Transfiguration, Feast 7. Sixtus II and companions; Cajetan, Opt. Mem. 8. Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday 9. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Opt. Mem. 10. Lawrence, Feast 11. Clare, Memorial 13. Pontian and Hippolytus, Opt. Mem. 14. Maximilian Kolbe, Memorial 15. Assumption, Solemnity 16. Stephen of Hungary, Opt. Mem. 19. John Eudes, Opt. Mem. 20. Bernard, Memorial 21. Pius X, Sunday 22. Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday 23. Rose of Lima, Opt. Mem. 24. Bartholomew, Feast 25. Louis of France; Joseph Calasanz, Opt. Mem. 27. Monica, Memorial 28. Augustine, Memorial 29. Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday Focus of the Liturgy The Gospel readings for the Sundays in August are taken from St. Luke and are from Year C, Cycle 2. August 1st - 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time Jesus tells the parable of the rich man. August 8th - 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time Jesus tells his disciples that the one who is given more, more will be demanded or him. August 15th - Solemnity of the Assumption This Gospel relates Mary's visit to Elizabeth. August 22nd - 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time Jesus talks about entering the kingdom through the narrow door. August 29th - 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time In today's Gospel parable about a banquet, Jesus teaches humility. Highlights of the Month August is often considered the transitional month in our seasonal calendar. It is the time of the year we begin to wind-down from our summer travels and vacations and prepare for Autumn — back to school, fall festivals, harvest time, etc. The Church in her holy wisdom has provided a cycle of events in its liturgical year which allow the faithful to celebrate the major feasts in the life of Christ and Mary. Most notably, during August, we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and the feast of the Assumption (August 15). The other main feasts of this month are, St. John Mary Vianney (August 4), Dedication of St. Mary Major (August 5), Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6), St. Sixtus II and Companions and St. Cajetan (August 7), St. Teresa Benedicta (August 9), St. Lawrence (August 10), St. Clare (August 11), Jane Frances de Chantal (August 12), Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus (August 13), St. Maximilian Kolbe (August 14), St. Stephen of Hungary (August 16), St. John Eudes (August 19), St. Bernard (August 20), St. Pius X (August 21), St. Bartholomew (August 24), St. Louis of France (August 25), St. Monica (August 27), and St. Augustine (August 28). The feasts of St. Alphonsus Ligouri (August 1), St. Dominic (August 8), the Queenship of Mary (August 22), and the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (August 29) fall on a Sunday so they are suppressed this year. A Time to Persevere The days of summer have provided a welcome change of pace. However, while vacations afford us the time to relax and refresh, the change of habits and routines can also have a negative impact on our spiritual lives. As if to re-ignite us, the Church offers us in the plethora of August feasts vivid examples of the virtue of perseverance: six martyrs — two who are named in Canon I of the Mass and two who were martyred during World War II; seven founders of religious congregations, as well as three popes and two kings; the apostle, St. Bartholomew; the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine and St. Monica, his mother; the humble patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney, and the patron of deacons, St. Lawrence, who joked with his executioners while being roasted alive. It is never too late to begin — as the life of the reformed sinner, St. Augustine teaches us — nor too difficult to begin again, as demonstrated by the conversion of the martyr, St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein). We present-day members of the Mystical Body are certain of the reward to which we are called, for Christ’s Transfigured body (August 6) is a preview of that glory. Moreover, in the Assumption of his Mother (August 15), Our Lord has demonstrated his fidelity to his promise. Her privilege is "the highest fruit of the Redemption" and "our consoling assurance of the coming of our final hope — the glorification which is Christ’s" (Enchiridion on Indulgences). The Blessed Virgin Mary is the most perfect example of Christian perseverance, but she is also our advocate in heaven where she is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth (August 22). Mary is the "Mother of Perpetual Help", the patroness of the Congregation founded by St. Alphonsus Ligouri (August 1). "No one who has fled to her protection is left unaided" is the claim of the Memorare of St. Bernard (August 20). Heretics have returned to the faith by the prayers of her Rosary, first preached by St. Dominic (August 8) in the twelfth Century, and hearts have been converted by the graces received while wearing her Miraculous Medal, promoted by St. Maximillian Kolbe (August 14) and adopted as the "badge" for the Pious Union he founded. Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope!

My heart hath rejoiced in God my Savior, because He that is mighty hath done great things for me. Highlights August 15 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption. He solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the end of her life on earth, was taken up body and soul, into the glory of heaven, definitively forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the apostles. Recipe of the Month Barbecue Pilaf The Eastern Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration with ceremonies and processions to the Church where sheaves of wheat, baskets of fruit, and clusters of flowers decorate the altar. When the religious celebration is over, a fair is held, and a pilaf made of cracked wheat is the feature of the feasting. This recipe tastes especially good when eaten out-of doors with barbecued chicken. Activity of the Month Celebrate the Feast of the Assumption Celebrate the feast day of the Assumption with a procession and the Blessing of Herbs and Flowers. Here are numerous ideas for this feast day, including an outdoor procession and tea. Symbols St. Bartholomew Armenia and India are believed to have been the areas of his missionary work. He is said to have been flayed alive and crucified. St. Augustine A native of North Africa, converted by St. Ambrose and educated at Carthage, the Bishop of Hippo was the writer of his "Confessions" and the "City of God." This symbol refers to his intense zeal and devotion to Christ. St. Clare The foundress of the Order of the Poor Clares, whose emblem refers to her dispersion of Saracen invaders by facing them, bearing the Blessed Sacrament, in defense of the convent. St. Lawrence The archdeacon of Rome who, when ordered to deliver the treasures of the Church to pagan authorities, produced the poor and sick of the Christian community as the richest treasures of the Church. He was condemned and burned to death over a gridiron, retaining his cheerful attitude to the end. With Mary Immaculate, let us adore, thank, implore and console the Most Beloved and Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

(http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/08.cfm)