Illegal railway crossing remains open until slip road, drain repaired

23rd May, 2012 PUTATAN: The illegal railway crossing fronting Jamilah Enterprise here will not be closed until the slip road and drainage system has been repaired and improved.Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Haji Hussin said this after meeting the traders and owners of business premises at Jalan Putatan who are affected by the closure of the illegal bypass connection yesterday.Later speaking to the media, Yahya who is also Minister of Agriculture & Food Industry said this measure will be temporary after taking into consideration the...

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KK to get “Green Library”

23rd May, 2012 KOTA KINABALU: A “Green Library” will be built in the city adjacent to the Perdana Park and Tanjung Aru Plaza, disclosed State Community and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun yesterday.The RM20 million-library which will also be disabled-friendly will begin construction this year with completion in 18 months from the date the project gets off the ground.She said the first-phase works would include building reading area, exhibition, conference room, café and surau.“This will be undertaken between the government...

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PM to announce RCI on illegal immigrants, says Ongkili

23rd May, 2012 KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is likely to announce the setting up of a royal commission of inquiry to look into the Sabah illegal immigrants’ problem next month, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said yesterday.He said the prime minister was expected to make the announcement when he visits the state during the Pesta Kaamatan (harvest festival).“The prime minister is coming to Sabah on June 9 in conjunction with the National Kaamatan. We hope to hear from him (Najib)...

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Archaeological find unearthed in Bingkor

23rd May, 2012 KENINGAU: Another archaeological find has been unearthed at Jalan Kuangoh in Bingkor indicating what used to be a site for making Palaeolithic stone tools.The archaeological site about 15 minutes from here had been identified earlier and as of last May 9, excavation work began and is expected to finish on May 29 next week.Within 10 days, the team consisting of researchers from the Global Archaeological Research Centre of University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Sabah Museum Department discovered several items. These included tools...

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80pc OF LOAN TAKERS ARE WOMEN

23rd May, 2012 KOTA KINABALU: More than 80 per cent of the people who have borrowed from licensed moneylenders in Sabah are women.The majority of them are Bumiputeras.And, 20 per cent of them who defaulted on their repayments have been getting “harassing” phone calls from the moneylenders.The enforcement chief of the Moneylenders & Pawnbrokers Division (MPD) under Ministry of Housing and Local Government Sabah Branch, Supt Haji Abdul Latif Haji Ibrahim told reporters this before launching a one-day workshop attended by 30 licensed moneylenders...

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RM700.1 million allocated for solar hybrids in Sabah

22nd May, 2012 BELURAN: Deputy Minister of Education II, Dr Haji Mohd Puad Zarkashi said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government has allocatedRM700.1 million for the provision of solar hybrids for 179 schools in Sabah to ensure that the schools will receive a 24-hour electricity supply.He said the first phase, the government allocated RM300.1 million to carry out the solar hybrid project in 78 schools in the state which has been completed.“Phase two of the project will involve RM400 million which will go to 101 schools, he said to...

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Sukau folks asked to help curb encroachment into riparian zones

22nd May, 2012 SUKAU: Folks in Sukau have been advised to be the eyes and ears of the authorities to help curb encroachment by outsiders into the riparian zone along the Sungai Kinabatangan riverbank at Mukim Batu Putih.“Everyone has a role to play, including the people of Sukau, to prevent individuals from encroaching and carrying out planting activities along the “Corridor of Life,” Sukau Assemblyman Datuk Saddi Haji Abdul Rahman said after officiating the tree planting programme with Borneo Samudera Sdn Bhd at Sungai Pin yesterday.Saddi said...

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Ronald: Support of selected BN candidate vital for victory

22nd May, 2012 BELURAN: One important asset to ensure victory for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming general election is the full support of all its component parties towards whoever the leadership chooses as candidate, said Beluran Member of Parliament, Datuk Ronald Kiandee.He said the BN candidate selected would have met the criteria set by the leadership and therefore would be a winnable choice.“In the spirit of BN, whoever is chosen to be candidate will be given full support because what matters most is that BN wins, whether it is defending...

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Hajiji: No local government election

22nd May, 2012 KOTA KINABALU: The posts of Mayor and district councillors will be appointed and not elected. To this effect, the provisions under Section 15 of the Local Government Ordinance will be maintained.Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor, said this to reporters after closing a five-day state level basic training for Rela Young Squad at the Sabah Rela Training Centre at Jalan Sulaman near here yesterday.He said the current law on the appointment of mayors and councilors for the local authorities and other related...

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2,500 rubber farmers next year

22nd May, 2012 KOTA KINABALU: About 2,500 smallholders will take part in a rubber planting project by the Sabah Rubber Industry Board next year.It will involve some 7,000 hectares of land at a cost of RM73 million, said the board chairman, Ahmad Haji Bujang. “This year, the board is in the midst of implementing planting and re-planting programmes on 6,392 hectares costing RM40.6 million,” he said.He was speaking at a lunch hosted by the board for media bureau chiefs and director generals with the Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Yahya...

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Musa praise for Progressive Insurance

22nd May, 2012 KOTA KINABALU: It cannot be denied that the insurance sector faces stiff competition, and constantly needs to address new challenges.And, coupled with periodical financial instability in different parts of the world, it is certainly not easy to be a player in the insurance sector.“But I must commend Progressive Insurance for its achievements over the years. The figures quoted by the chairman just a moment ago is testimony of how well this company is doing.“I believe that your achievement is a culmination of efficient management...

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Folks demand RM1m per unit over 'corpse water'

Published on: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Tawau: Residents of the Sri Titingan People's Housing Project (PPR) here staged a peaceful protest Monday following the discovery of a corpse inside one of its water tanks on May 12.They held posters claiming RM1 million compensation for each unit claiming they had consumed the contaminated water.Some of them also displayed posters calling for the relevant authorities to act in accordance with the 1Malaysia concept of "People's First, Performance Now".They conducted the protest before a dialogue and health...

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Coming polls to be the last for me: Max

Published on: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Kota Marudu: If Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili is chosen by the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership to defend his Kota Marudu parliamentary seat and wins it in the next general election, it will be his last term, he said.Ongkili, who is also PBS Deputy President, told delegates at the PBS Tandek 27th annual meeting, here, that he was ready to serve the constituency for the last time before making way for a younger, capable local leader...

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Sabah sees no need for local council elections

Published on: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Kota Kinabalu: There are no plans for the State government to have local government elections because the current system is working well.Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Hajiji Noor said even though there is room for improvement in the current local government administration system, there is no need for elections to change the existing structure."Penang is an opposition stateÉthe Sabah government and authorities do not have such suggestions or notion to follow suit."He said this after closing...

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Cuepacs decides on three-point proposal

Published on: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Kota Kinabalu: The Congress Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) decided on a three-point proposal following a dialogue session with State Government Grade 41 and 44 officers here, on Monday."The three proposals are reviewing on the issue of having similar time base implemented on teachers to be implemented on these groups, reviewing the maximum salary scale and taking seniority into consideration for appointment promotion."Its President, Dato Osman Omar said this at a dialogue...

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Rubber board makes RM30m pre-tax profit

Published on: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Rubber Industry Board (SRIB) generated a pre-tax profit of RM30 million last year, said its Chairman Ahmad Bujang here Monday.He said the agency was pleased with the performance as it has registered losses the past two to three years."The pre-tax profit of RM30 million is a good sign that the agency is beginning to progress after suffering losses for several years," Ahmad said during a media luncheon with news editors, bureau chiefs and journalists at a hotel here on Monday."Therefore,...

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Sabah may become No.1 ginger State

Published on: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is currently formulating strategies to make Sabah the biggest producer of ginger in the country.Assistant Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Musbah Haji Jamli said this was following the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's recommendation, considering Sabah's ginger is known to be the best of its kind in the country."This is part of the State Government's effort to ensure Sabah is no longer viewed as incapable to compete with the other states É the Chief Minister...

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BN govt will never break promises, assures Sabah MIC

Published on: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Kota Kinabalu: Sabah MIC on Monday assured that the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government will never break its promises.Its Liaison Chief, Datuk V Jothi said, the Barisan would also never disregard the people's requests."With 50 years of experience running the country, only the BN Government is capable of developing the country and its people," he said at the leader-with-people session in Lahad Datu.Citing Sabah, he said, the development enjoyed by the people such as electricity, water, roads, schools and...

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KL aware of Sabah's need for more funding

Published on: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Kota Kinabalu: The Federal Government is seriously looking into Sabah's need for more allocation for agriculture development and will strive to help fulfilling such needs, said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharum."What's important is that Barisan Nasional (BN) must win in Sabah (during the forthcoming General Election). If BN wins in Sabah, surely there would be no problem," he said."Like in Kedah, my place, we lost. So if we lose, it would be difficult, because...

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Pensions event in Likas

Published on: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Kota Kinabalu: The Pension Division of the Public Service Department will be conducting "a day with pensioners" programme at Dewan Kecil, Maksak, Likas on May 25.An important briefing on retirement will take place at the event.Problems pertaining to pension payment will also be highlighted.Feedback is required on each questionnaire form to assist in a study on the closing of the Public Service Department's Pension Processing unit here in Sabah.All pensioners, receivers of derivative pensions and their...

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Kota Marudu to see more projects

Kota Marudu: Once a backwater district with hardly any commercial centres, the Kota Marudu district has seen much progress in recent years. Basic amenities such as roads, electricity, water, housing and schools have been provided to many of the villages here with little sign of the development slowing down. Kota Marudu MP Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, however, said there were still more areas that needed attention from the Barisan Nasional government and it was imperative for the people to remain united. He said this during the launch of the district-level...

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ACCCIM impressed with Sabah

21st May, 2012 KOTA KINABALU: The President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia, Tan Sri William Cheng is impressed with the rapid economic development that has taken place in Sabah over the last couple of years.“I see a lot of changes in Sabah. It looks different…the economic landscape is different,” he said to reporters after a breakfast meeting hosted by the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman with members of ACCCIM.Attributing the positive changes to the leadership...

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College status for vocational schools

PILOT PROGRAMME: Move part of govt's efforts to transform education system NILAI: ALL vocational schools in the country will be upgraded to college status in stages by 2015 in line with the government's efforts to strengthen the national education system. Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said 15 vocational schools in each state had been upgraded to college status under a pilot programme to transform the education system. "The upgrading will focus on skills training. "Students will no longer have to wear uniforms. We will also...

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3 factors why investors love Sabah

21 May 2012 3 factors why investors love Sabah KOTA KINABALU: SABAH'S political stability, sound policies and focused economic directions  are three key factors that have caught the attention of the country's business community. Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia president Tan Sri William Cheng Heng Jem said this here yesterday after leading a delegation for a meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. "Rapid economic development has taken place in Sabah. It looks different and the economic landscape...

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Sabah ready for 13th General Election anytime - Musa Aman

TAWAU, -- Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman said Sabah BN was ready for the 13th general election anytime as it had made early preparations. The Chief Minister said Sabah BN's preparations had always been based on preparing early and serving the people at all times and anywhere, without waiting for the elections to be approaching. "We are prepared. From the beginning, I've told our assemblymen and members of parliament when they were chosen as elected representatives and given the mandate by the people, they should be...

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Astro gives RTM RM500m for better Sabah coverage

Published on: Sunday, May 20, 2012 Kota Kinabalu: Pay TV station Astro allocated RM500 million to Radio-Television Malaysia (RTM) as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to enable the government-owned broadcaster to widen its coverage especially in Sabah and Sarawak, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.He said Astro and RTM signed a memorandum of understanding for the purpsoe for a period of three years beginning this year."My Ministry thanks Astro for the gesture. This will put an...

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RCI must haul up anyone

Published on: Sunday, May 20, 2012 Kota Kinabalu: The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrant issues in Sabah must be kept short in order to keep its focus on the real objective.Suhakam Commissioner Jannie Lasimbang said it was important that the RCI be given the authority to subpoena anybody they want to facilitate in the investigations."What we want is investigation into the extraordinary population boom," she said at the Proham Round Table Discussion on Citizenship Issues in Sabah at the...

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