KDCA gets another RM250,000 from State Government

 

Kotobian Tadau Kaamatan! KDCA gets another good news again. 

The State Government has approved an extra allocation of RM250,000 to KDCA for its future cultural activities. Chief Minister said he is prepared to give more allocations as the celebration is very important to Sabahans. 

This contribution shows that the State Government is very attentive to the people's request as well as showing its commitment in providing and upholding the BN spirit in Sabah. 

This is a great way to show the people of Sabah that the BN Government is responding to them and at the same time, promoting the uniqueness of Kaamatan festival for both locals and internationals. We should be thankful and proud of. 

Let's continue and strive for the better Sabah! Kotohuadan! 

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Car prices will be reduced gradually until 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: Car prices will be reduced gradually until 2017, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

As outlined in the 13th General Election Barisan Nasional Manifesto, Mustapa said the government had promised to trim car prices between 20% and 30% over five years.

"In fact, since October last year, the price of 10 popular models in the country have come down an average 7.3 per cent," he told reporters after attending the ministry's monthly gathering, the first after Mustapa was re-appointed to the Cabinet.

He said the price reduction was part of the market process as a result of more efficient and competitive players in the automotive industry.

Mustapa said the price reduction exercise should be done in an orderly manner so as not to affect the industry's growth and existing jobs in the automotive and related industries.

"As such, we have had discussions with automotive manufacturers and they are aware of ongoing negotiations to conclude a free trade agreement which would be implemented soon," he said.

Mustapa also said industry players must now be ready to step up their competitiveness edge in tandem with the industry which was becoming more competitive in Malaysia and abroad.

Besides bringing down car prices, the government was also reducing traffic congestion by setting up a more efficient transport system in the country, he added.

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Kotobian Tadau Kaamatan!

 

Kopivosian! Kaamatan is just around the corner and I believe lots of people, be locals or international tourists are flocking to KDCA to experience the Kaamatan's festival. No doubt this festival is one of the busiest and greatest festivals in Sabah. Never forget the Unduk Ngadau competition as well, 40 " huminoduns " will be presenting themselves. Tell me which one you preferred. 

Never forget the true concept of Kaamatan is unity and culture sharing. Let us come this coming 30th and 31st to experience the ambiance of Sabahans' friendliness. Kotohuadan om kotobian om kounsikaan do tadau tagazo do Kaamatan!

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RCI Calls For Review Of Section In Sabah Ordinance

 KOTA KINABALU, May 27 (Bernama) -- The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Sabah's immigrant problem has called for a section of the Sabah Ordinance 1964 on the interpretation of natives to be reviewed at the annual native court conference.

When asked by RCI commissioner Tan Sri Herman J Luping if people from Indonesia, the Philippines or Singapore should be considered as Sabah natives, Kudat District Chief Harun Bidin said "No. There is a Suluk race in Sabah as well as in the Philippines but we do not recognise Suluk in the Philippines as Sabah natives."

Herman, who sat in the five-member panel chaired by former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong, also asked if chapter 64 of the Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance should be repealed and brought to the annual native court conference, Harun said it was a good idea.

The inquiry was told there was a draft proposal by the Attorney-General's Chambers on native family law in Sabah following then state attorney-general Datuk Roderic Fernandez's statement that the Native Court Enactment 1992 and all the rules made in 1995 had to be revised.

However, Herman said there was no development on it and suggested that Harun bring the matter up at the next native court conference and push for the draft to be realised.

Meanwhile, Kota Marudu native Charles Magada appealed to the government to provide him and his neighbours with houses under the Hardcore Poor Housing Programme (PPRT) in Kampung Bukit Punai.

He said the 100 families of Rungus and Dusuns in the squatter area had no where else to go once development on the new court complex takes place.

"Our land in Kota Marudu had been taken by oil palm plantation companies. If we have to evacuate the place (Kampung Bukit Punai), we need to find another place as we no longer have land in Kota Marudu to go home to."

The other panel members are former Universiti Malaysia Sabah vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Kamaruzzaman Ampon, former Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Henry Chin Poy Wu and former Sabah state secretary Datuk KY Mustapha.

The inquiry resumes Tuesday.

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Election petition process to be settled within a year

 

KUANTAN: The entire general election results petition process can be settled within a year if everything goes smoothly, said Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria.

He said judges who would be selected to preside over the cases had been advised to get ready and dispose of it within six months.

"Otherwise it will not go in line with the law and the decision will be late. This is because there is still the appeal process which will take another six months," Arifin told reporters after attending the opening ceremony of the new Kuantan Court Complex in Indera Mahkota here on Monday.

He added that so far, the judiciary had always complied with the provisions under the Elections Act.

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Sabah teacher invents pen to aid Physics students

 

KOTA KINABALU, May 23 (Bernama) -- A teacher of an interior school in Sabah has invented a pen that can help students of Physics to find the direction of the magnetic field without having to use their fingers under the traditional method.

The teacher, of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tandek in Kota Marudu, has named the instrument "Pen Android" (Android Pen) or Pen A. Ironically, the teacher's name is Androd (rpt) Androd Sadian.

"This pen can help students learning about the electro-magnetic force to determine the direction of the magnetic field without having to use their fingers under the traditional method," he told reporters at a state-level Teachers Day appreciation dinner here last night.

(Under the traditional method, known as the right-hand rule, one has to point the thumb in the direction of the current and the fingers would curl in the direction of the magnetic field.)

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, who is also the state executive councillor for education, had launched the pen at the event.

Androd said the pen had received the approval of the Education Ministry and was expected to be marketed next month at RM7.50 per unit.

Masidi said the creative and innovative capability of teachers in Sabah was unquestionable.

Also at the event, the minister launched a book on the development of education in Sabah from 1881 to 1981, written by Dr Dayu Sansalu, a senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

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Demonstrasi Pilihan Raya Umum

Demonstrasi jalanan yang berlaku selepas sahaja keputusan pilihanraya umum ke-13 diumumkan adalah semakin membimbangkan. Pihak pembangkang tetap meneruskan demonstrasi mereka walaupun penangkapan telah dilakukan ke atas pemimpin mereka. Terbaru, pemimpin-pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat (PR) iaitu Chua Tian Chang dan Tamrin Ghafar, serta aktivis politik Haris Ibrahim, ditahan di bawah akta hasutan di Lokap Berpusat Kuala Lumpur di Balai Jinjang. 

Menurut Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad meskipun demonstrasi dibolehkan di dalam amalan demokrasi, namun ia boleh meninggalkan kesan buruk bagi sesebuah negara terutama dalam bidang ekonomi.

Ini adalah kerana apabila terjadinya demonstrasi jalanan sudah tentu pemulihan ekonomi akan terganggu sekali gus akan menyebabkan kadar pengangguran meningkat dan mereka yang miskin bertambah derita. Hakikatnya, walaupun demonstrasi diterima dalam demokrasi, ia tidak boleh diguna dengan sewenang-wenangnya. Jauh daripada memberi manfaat kepada rakyat, malah akan menambah masalah kepada rakyat. 

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Foreigners with MyKas cannot vote, says NRD Director General

Petaling Jaya: The National Registration Department (NRD) has denied allegations that non-Malaysian citizens holding temporary residence identity card - also known as MyKas - were allowed to vote during the 13th general election.

NRD director-general Datuk Jariah Mohd Said said that the allegations spread on the social media websites that MyKas were issued to foreigners, thereby allowing them to vote, were untrue and baseless.

"It is a malicious allegation made against the Government, especially the NRD," she said in a statement Wednesday.

It was reported that pictures of fake identity cards displaying a green triangle symbol, were shared on Facebook and Twitter.

Jariah said the temporary residence ICs issued before 2009 looked similar to the blue MyKad issued to Malaysians.

"However, for MyKas, there is a difference on the front of the card. It carries an expiry date, a 'temporary residence' label, as well as five green triangle symbols.

"After 2008, MyKas cards produced were completely green in colour, with a 'temporary residence' label and clearly states that the holder of the card is a non-citizen" she said.

MyKas is valid for five years and renewable.

It is issued to those born in the country without documentation and unable to prove their citizenship.

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Official GE13 results gazetted, 21-day period for petitions begins Thursday

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) has gazetted the official results of the 13th General Election held on May 5, EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said.

Following the gazetting of the results, electoral candidates and political parties dissatisfied with the outcome have 21 days to file their objections or petitions.

"The 21-day period begins tomorrow (Thursday), May 23," he said in a statement. The petitions can be filed at the High Courts in the respective states, he added. - Bernama

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Security in east Sabah top priority- Hisammuddin

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Ensuring that the East Sabah Security Command (Esscomm) and the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) proceed smoothly will be Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's first order of business.

"It is what we have promised the people of Sabah whereby Esscomm and Esszone needs to be in operation.
"It is something the Defence Ministry and Home Ministry, particularly me and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, have understood from very early on.

"So that is something that I will personally give focus on," he told reporters on his first day at Wisma Pertahanan on Wednesday.

Hishammuddin said the welfare of officers serving in Esscomm and Esszone would also be priority.
He added that he was honoured to have been chosen to lead the Ministry, adding that he hoped plenty of initiatives would be implemented under his tenure.

He and his deputy, Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, were given a welcoming ceremony by the 1st Batallion of the Royal Malay Regiment Ceremonial.

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EC: Special team on why indelible ink was not indelible

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) has set up a special team to find out why the indelible ink used to mark voters in the 13th general election could be easily removed, said EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof on Tuesday. He said the team would look into, among others, the ingredients of the ink, the Health Ministry's conditions and how the ink was applied on the finger.

The team would also examine the outcome of tests conducted before and after the ink was brought into Malaysia, he said in a statement.

For the first time in a general election in Malaysia, the EC used the indelible ink to mark voters in the May 5 general election to prevent possible repeat voting, but received flak from political parties, electoral candidates and voters when it was learnt that the ink could be washed away easily.
Abdul Aziz said the team was expected to complete the investigation in a month.

He also said that the EC viewed with concern the distribution of video recordings, text and pictures on social websites and news portals and in the print media on all kinds of baseless accusations and allegations directed at the EC.

He said the allegations included claims of foreigners voting in the general election, blackouts at vote tallying centres, three ballot boxes missing from the vote-tallying centre in Putrajaya, ballot boxes airdropped from helicopters to ensure victory of certain candidates.

Further allegations were EC vehicles bringing ballot boxes to tallying centres to manipulate the election result, EC staff asking candidates' agents to sign the Borang 14 (Form 14) before the counting of votes had been completed and transporting of phantom voters from Sabah and Sarawak to vote in the peninsula.

Abdul Aziz said all these allegations were baseless and were aimed at confusing the people.
As such, he added, the EC had lodged a police report through its secretary, Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria, in a move to maintain its good name and integrity as an independent body under the Federal Constitution.

He also said that the EC would continue with its explanation of issues pertaining to the 13th general election, through the media and other means, to present the people with the correct information.

"The EC advises the people to filter the information that they garner from the social media. If necessary, they can contact the EC to get valid information on any issue," he said.

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Foreign nationals owe RM21.67mil in medical bills: RCI

 

KOTA KINABALU: Foreign nationals owe Sabah hospitals RM21.67 million in medical bills from 2007 to 2012, the Royal Commission Of Inquiry (RCI) heard Tuesday.

Principal assistant director of health (communicable diseases control), Sabah Health Department, Dr Maria Suleiman said it involved 42,092 foreigners, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia.
"When the Health Department referred payment to the addresses given, they were not there and could not be contacted by phone," she said.

The 75th witness said the cost of treatment was higher than the RM7,723,839.23 for Malaysians over the same period.

Conducting officer Datuk Azmi Arifin was told that between 2000 and 2011, some 1.3 million foreigners were given outpatient treatment in Sabah hospitals.

Dr Maria said some 295,053 foreign nationals were warded over the same period. A total of 122,882 births by foreigners were also recorded.

To receive treatment, foreigners only have to bring their passport, work permit and IMM13 (temporary identification receipt) but most did not have any personal documents.

She told observer lawyer John Sikayun of the Sabah Law Association that hospitals continued to treat foreigners as doctors could not turn away patients.

The inquiry was also told that the government spent RM614,355 on foreign juvenile detainees from 2007 to 2012.

It was the average cost of managing juvenile detainees at Keningau Henry Gurney School and Kota Kinabalu Henry Gurney School.

Deputy Superintendent of Kota Kinabalu Prisons Kalbin Mohd Said said the foreign detainees were from the Philippines and Indonesia.

The proceedings, held before a five-member panel headed by former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong, continues Wednesday.

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Geographical and Political Factors Cause Drastic Rise In Sabah Immigrants

 

 KOTA KINABALU, May 20 (Bernama) - Geographical and political factors caused Sabah's immigrant population to rise drastically from 1963 to 2012, the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) On Illegal Immigrants heard on Monday.

Sarawak Registration Department director Datuk Abu Bakar Mat said the factors led to a rise in the issuance of blue identity cards (IC) to Sabah immigrants over the last 49 years.

The 63rd witness testified that 5,753 blue ICs were issued to immigrants in Sarawak after they obtained citizenship from 1963 to end of 2012.

Asked by conducting officer Manoj Kurup why the number of IC issued in Sarawak was lower than the 66,000 issued in Sabah over the same period, he said it depended on circumstances.

"In my opinion, this is due to the location of Sarawak and Sabah. The geographical location of Sabah which is near the Philippines caused the population of immigrants in Sabah to see more increase compared to Sarawak."

Asked what could be done to check the problem, he said border security should be tightened and more entry points should be opened to encourage legal entry.

Abu Bakar said from 1966 to 1980, applications for IC in Sarawak must be accompanied by status recognition certificate and birth certificate.

However, after 1980, only birth certificates were required for IC application and status recognition certificates were no longer used.

The proceedings before a panel headed by former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong was told that the squattter problem caused social implications such as drug abuse, theft, health and hygiene.

The panel members are Prof Datuk Seri Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon (Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah), Datuk Henry Chin Poy Wu (former Kuala Lumpur police chief), Datuk Kee Mustafa (former Sabah state secretary) and Tan Sri Herman J.Luping (former Sabah deputy chief minister and former Sabah solicitor-general.

Kota Kinabalu City Hall asst director Mohammed Amir Izzat said it was monitoring the squatter problem and demolishing of the squatter houses.

"Until May this year, 253 squatter houses were demolished. In 2012, 324 houses were demolished, in 2011, 714 houses, in 2010, 510 houses and in 2009, 1,520 houses were demolished."

Mohammed Amir refuted alegation that the immigrants obtained business licence using fake IC adding they might be business partners.

Abd Rahim Katiman, an assitant enforcement officer of Tenom District Council testified the record of squatters were updated annually.

Tenom had only one squatter colony with 34 houses and 174 inhabitants comprising Pakistanis, Bajau Suluks, Javanese and Muruts.

Sandakan Municipal Council squatter unit head Kassim Selamat said 32,095 people were living in 43 squatter colonies and 19,370 were non Malaysian citizens.

However he was unsure of their countries of origin but most were from southern Philippines.

He said 4,620 houses were demolished from 2000 to 2008 and 1,080 were demolished from 2009 to 2012.

Majid Patola, an inspector with Tawau Municipal Council said Tawau had 19,455 squatters. Of the number, 11,904 were non-Malaysian citizens.

The proceedings continue Tuesday. Seven witnesses testified on Monday.

--BERNAMA

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Celebrate World Milk Day with Dutch Lady!

 

 Save the date folks! World Milk Day will hit Suria Sabah on this coming Friday until Sunday (24th May-26th May) at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall.

You can see various Dutch Lady products from the beginning of its establishment. I am sure with the coming school holidays, parents can bring their kids strolling around to the stalls, I bet your kids will love this!

To all milk lovers, see you there!

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World Turtle Day

 

In conjunction with the World Turtles Day, the BMRI will be conducting under water census of resident turtles on Mabul, on May 22-24. The 3 day event will take place in Uncle Chang's Resort. It is open for participation from volunteers and resort guests.

So turtle lovers, you can log on to Uncle Chang resort's website and get more info on this event. Have fun with the turtles.

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New Deputy Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from Sabah

Congratulations and well done Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin! The Sabahans are proud to have you as new IGP.This can be one of the things to be proud of, a deputy IGP from Sabah. 

Mohd Bakri, 59, who is from Penampang, Sabah, and holds a Diploma in Police Science from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), joined the police force on Nov 6, 1975 as a probationary inspector.

Mohd Bakri was the assistant director of the Crime Intelligence Unit (D4), Bukit Aman CID, before heading the Sabah CID in 2003 and in 2005, appointed Sabah deputy police commissionerIn 2006, he was appointed deputy director (Intelligence/Operation) of the Bukit Aman Narcotic CID and then the department’s director, before appointed Bukit Aman CID director in 2008.

Thus, to Sabah's police officers the appointment of Mohd Bakri as the second person in the Police Force should be fully utilised by giving their best service towards the county and nation.

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Welcome back Azizah!

Congratulations to Azizah Mohd Dun! She is back as the member of Federal Cabinet last Wednesday when the Prime Minister of Malaysia appointed her as the Deputy Minister Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. 

Azizah is the former Minister for Community Development and Consumer Affairs Sabah. Previously she served as Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government. In the GE-13 , she won the P.177 Beaufort against her rival Datuk Seri lajim Ukin with a majority of 673 votes. Her victory on the last May 5 allow her to return to Federal Cabinet and serves as deputy minister. 

After leaving primary school SRK Mempagar, Datuk Hjh Azizah Mohd Dun pursued her  studies at St Paul's Secondary School and graduated in Form 3 in 1971 before furthering his education at the College of Sabah from levels four to six lower levels. 

Then, she furthered her studies in England at A level and continue study law to get Bachelor in Laws before qualifying as a solicitor in Lincoln's Inn's England. Upon her return to Sabah, Azizah became the first woman appointed as a magistrate in 1981 until 1984. In 1985, she involved in politics and win DUN seats in Klias. However, a year later she lost in election but she continue active in politics. 

In 2004, she contested the parliamentary seat of Beaufort and was appointed as Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Malaysia. In the 2008 election, Azizah contest and win seats Klias and later appointed Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs until now. She is married to a corporate member, Haji Abdul Karim Paiman and has two children.

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Not Chinese representative- Paul Low

DATUK PAUL LOW SENG KUAN, 67 who was made Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department dismissed the claim that he is a Chinese representative, while Mary Yap Kain Ching from PBS, the new Deputy Education and Higher Education Minister I, said she is willing to sit down and discuss the education issues with Dong Zong, the Chinese press reported.

After the new cabinet was announced on Wednesday, it was widely highlighted in the Chinese newspapers that Transparency International Malaysia president Low and Yap were the only two Chinese representatives in the new cabinet as MCA and Gerakan refused cabinet positions following their poor showing in the 13th general election.

Low dismissed the claim that he is a Chinese representative in the Oriental Daily News, in which he said: "I’m not the Chinese representative in the cabinet. I’m not appointed because there’s no MCA minister, instead I’m appointed because Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak believes I can assist in his administration.”

Low emphasised that his main role was to boost the anti-corruption and integrity agenda while acting as a bridge between the government and the people, the daily highlighted today.

Meanwhile, Yap told Sin Chew Daily that she is willing to meet Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees Association) and other Chinese education groups to discuss the education issues rationally, in a friendly atmosphere.

However, she reminded the Chinese educationists that they must present all the data and materials instead of attacking each other in discussions, the daily quoted her in its headlines today.

Yap, who is English educated, conceded that she did not understand Mandarin. However, she said was born into a traditional Chinese family and was cultivated with its culture so she understands how important education is to the Chinese community.

"I don’t have a Chinese education background but I didn’t have a choice then. But I chose to let my three children experience a Chinese-based education, my four grandchildren also studied or are studying in Chinese schools,” said the retired headmistress-cum-Tawau MP who joined Barisan Nasional just five months ago under the invitation of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman.

Dong Zong has little hope of improvements

Meanwhile Dong Zong is pessimistic about the future of Chinese education under the Najib’s new administration.

Dong Zong chairman Yap Sin Tian said, he does not have much hope in the new cabinet in solving the Chinese education issues as the Education Act remained unchanged, Oriental Daily News reported.

On the appointment of Mary Yap, Yap commented, as long as the education policy remains status quo, the act of appointing a Chinese deputy minister does not help in solving the problems facing by Chinese education.

He pointed out that previous Chinese ministers and deputy ministers also promised to bring up the Chinese education issues in the cabinet but still there was not much improvements in the education policy.

“Only some minor problems were solved but it is not what the people and the Chinese want,” said the Chinese educationist who fought for recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) of the Chinese independent schools before general election.

Yap believed that future struggles of Chinese education will be harder than before as prolonged issues such as the lack of Chinese school teachers, establishment of Chinese independent schools and the UEC recognition has yet to be solved.

He also predicted that more conflicts will arise after this.

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Sabah folk in the mood to celebrate

KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia (AsiaOne) - A sense of jubilation is prevailing in Sabah with the state having its highest ever representation in the federal Cabinet.

Some of the six Sabahans in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's Cabinet were also appointed to portfolios considered strategic for the state like those overseeing water and energy, housing and local government as well as rural development.

Former Chief Minister Datuk Salleh Tun Said said these portfolios were close to the hearts of many Sabahans.

"The expectations among many Sabahans now are that these ministers should implement whatever projects earmarked for the state and for their views to be heard in the Cabinet," said Salleh.

With their bigger number in the Cabinet, he said Sabah ministers should now push for decentralisation, which would see funds for federal projects being channelled to the state government to ensure their effective and smooth implementation.

"The task of the various ministries will then be to monitor these projects," said Salleh, adding that it was crucial for the new Cabinet members to justify their appointments by properly carrying out their duties.

Federation of Sabah Manufacturers president Datuk Wong Ken Thau said having the biggest number of ministers from Sabah and Sarawak augured well for the development of these two states.

"These appointments should pave the way for both states to catch up with peninsular Malaysia in terms of development over the next five years," said Wong.

"If these two states cannot achieve significant progress with such a large representation in the Cabinet during that period, then we only have ourselves to blame."

On Wednesday, Najib had re-appointed Datuk Anifah Aman and Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal as the Foreign and Rural Development ministers, respectively.

He also moved Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili to the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry and promoted Tan Sri Joseph Kurup as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Najib also brought in Datuk Rahman Dahalan as Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister as well as Datuk Ewon Ebin as Science, Technology and Innovation Minister.

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Dons to help Government in national reconciliation programme

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Professors Council (MPN) has identified race, social class, age and gender as contributing factors to polarisation among Malaysians.

Its chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Seri Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid said it would form a working group of professors this month to help the Government in its national reconciliation programme by studying these four factors.

He said the group would research the polarising factors and needs of each community, and provide input to achieve national reconciliation.

“We used to have a National Unity Ministry but it has now been reduced to a department,’’ he pointed out.

MPN will reach out to experts in both private and public higher education institutions to create a platform for dialogues, said Dr Zakri.

He said the working group would be formed within the month and would be headed by MPN deputy chairman Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin.

He added that MPN had been carrying out public programmes to “increase political literacy” among the electorate as people were allowing themselves to be divided by political institutions rather than ideas.

“A lot of our differences are now expressed through political parties and arguments in various forms of media,’’ said Dr Zakri.

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List of newly appointed Cabinet ministers

F

Prime Minister: Datuk Seri Najib Razak

Deputy Prime Minister: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Prime Minister's Department:

Ministers:

Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom

Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar (to be appointed a senator)

Datuk Seri Idris Jala (to be appointed a senator)

Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim

Nancy Shukry

Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun

Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan (to be appointed a senator)

Deputy Ministers:

Datuk Razali Ibrahim

P. Waythamoorthy (to be appointed a senator)

Ministry of Finance:

Minister I: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Minister II: Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah

Deputy Minister:

Datuk Ahmad Maslan

Ministry of Education and Higher Learning:

Minister I: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Minister II Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh

Deputy Minister I: Datuk Mary Yap

Deputy Minister II: P. Kamalanathan

Ministry of Home Affairs:

Minister: Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Deputy Minister: Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar

Ministry of Communication and Multimedia

Minister: Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek

Deputy Minister: Datuk Jailani Johari

Ministry of International Trade and Industry:

Minister: Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed

Deputy Minister: Hamim Samuri

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Minister: Datuk Seri G. Palanivel

Deputy Minister: Datuk James Dawos Mamit

Ministry of Transport

Minister: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (acting)

Deputy Minister: Datuk Aziz Kaprawi

Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Minister: Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz

Deputy Minister: Datuk Joseph Salang

Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry

Minister: Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Deputy Minister: Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman

Ministry of Defence

Minister: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein

Deputy Minister: Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri

Ministry of Works

Minister: Datuk Fadillah Yusof

Deputy Minister: Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin

Ministry of Health

Minister: Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam

Deputy Minister: Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya

Ministry of Youth and Sports

Minister: Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar

Deputy Minister: Datuk M. Saravanan

Ministry of Human Resources

Minister: Datuk Richard Riot

Deputy Minister: Datuk Ismail Abdul Muttalib

Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism

Minister: Datuk Hasan Malek

Deputy Minister: Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (to be appointed a senator)

Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development

Minister: Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim

Deputy Minister: Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister: Datuk Seri Anifah Aman

Deputy Minister: Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin

Ministry of Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government

Minister: Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahalan

Deputy Minister: Datuk Halimah Sadique

Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities

Minister: Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas

Deputy Minister: Datuk Noriah Kasnon

Ministry of Rural and Regional Development

Minister: Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal

Deputy Minister: Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi

Ministry of Federal Territories

Minister: Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor

Deputy Minister: Datuk Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan

Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water

Minister: Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili

Deputy Minister: Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

Minister: Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin

Deputy Minister: Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah

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Wildlife experts want Malaysia, Indonesia to collaborate so that Sumatran rhinos can meet and mate

KOTA KINABALU: With just about 100 Sumatran rhinos around, wildlife researchers want Malaysia and Indonesia to urgently work together so that the rhinos get to meet each other, mate, reproduce and get off the critically endangered list.

“The Sumatran rhino population is facing a decreasing trend with the isolated populations in Indonesia (Sumatra and possibly Kalimantan) and Malaysia (Sabah)," said wildlife research NGO Borneo Rhino Alliance (BORA) executive director of BORA Dr Junaidi Payne."Although habitat loss and poaching are the reasons for the decline, today's reproductive isolation of individuals, too sparsely scattered even within protected areas, is the main threat to the survival of the species," he added.

Payne was the co-author of a paper published this week in the scientific journal Oryx, in which researchers demonstrate the vital necessity to consider the remaining populations of Sumatran rhinoceros in Sumatra and Borneo as a single conservation unit.The paper was the outcome of a joint study by BORA, the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Cardiff University and Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC).

DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens, the paper's lead author, said a cohesive approach in the Sumatran rhino conservation efforts made sense."For a species such as the Sumatran rhinoceros, where time is of the essence in preventing extinction, we must ask to what extent should genetic and geographical distances be taken into account in deciding the most urgently needed conservation interventions," said Goossens.

"Genetic differences are minimal and we strongly believe that the observed differences do not justify keeping the Sumatran and Bornean populations as separate management units,'' he said.
'A study of the Javan rhinoceros showed low genetic diversity in that population and that there was a critical need for population expansion for the species to survive,'' Goosens added.
He said despite clear results demonstrating that the Ujung Kulon (Indonesia) and Cat Tien (Vietnam) rhino populations represented separate evolutionary significant units it was argued that demographic considerations should override genetic issues in the short term.

'The Indonesian and Vietnamese governments were urged to exchange Javan rhinoceroses before it was too late. No action was taken and, in Cat Tien National Park, the last individual in Vietnam was found dead in April 2010," explained Goossens.

"We certainly do not want the same thing to happen to the Sumatran rhinoceros and we, therefore, strongly recommend to act now and exchange gametes such as semen and ovocytes (and possibly individuals) between the captive populations of Sumatran rhinoceros in Sabah (Tabin), Sumatra (Way Kambas) and Cincinnati Zoo, when it is still possible," said Goossens.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Datuk Dr Laurentius Ambu said state authorities had working with foreign researchers including rhino reproduction biologists from Leibniz Institute for Zoo & Wildlife Research.

"We understand the need to exchange gametes between countries, Malaysia and Indonesia. Actions to initiate genome resource banking and artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization are underway in Sabah and elsewhere," added Ambu.

"We are seriously considering sending Tam, our captive male rhinoceros, to Cincinnati Zoo in the US to breed with their mature female," added Ambu.

"By doing so, we will make an historical step towards the survival of one of the most charismatic, ancient and enigmatic large mammals; a species that Sabah is not prepared to see extinct," he added.

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Jamalul Kiram's nephew, woman among those charged over Sulu gunmen intrusion

 

KOTA KINABALU: A nephew of the self-styled Sulu Sultan Jamalalul Kiram III was among 10 people charged at the Tawau High Court for waging war against the king in relation to terrorism activities committed during the Lahad Datu intrusion.

Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram was among eight Filipino nationals who were charged at the High Court that sat for the first time at the Tawau prison complex yesterday.

Amirbahar was accused of waging war against the Yang DiPertuan Agong under Section 121 of the Penal Code that carries the death sentence and being a member of a terrorist group under Section 131(k)(a) of the same Act that carries a life imprisonment sentence.

The other Filipino nationals who similarly charged were Rijmal Salleh, Saidili Jaharul, Dani Ismail, Pabblo Alie, Mohamad Ali Ahmad, Basil Samiul and Rizman Gulan.

They were accused of committing the offences between Feb 9 and April 10 at various locations including Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Kampung Muanad at Beluran in Sandakan and Jalan Lihak-Lihak, Semporna.

Meanwhile, 46-year-old local woman became the first female to be charged for terrorism related activities in connection with the Sulu gunmen intrusion in Lahad Datu.

Norhaida Ibnahi was accused of harbouring a group of terrorists at an unnumbered house at Kampung Sri Melor at Bugaya in Semporna between Feb 9 and March 22 this year and faces life imprisonment if convicted.

Another local man, Abdul Majil Jubin, 41, was also charged for waging war against the king and being a member of terrorist group. Both offences were alleged to have been committed in Semporna between Feb 9 and March 13.

All 10 were charged before Justice Ravinthran Paramaguru with Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail leading the prosecution team.

No plea was recorded from any of the accused and Ravinthran fixed June 7 for the cases to be mentioned.

Following the proceeding, Gani informed the media that the cases of another 14 Filipino nationals and a local man who were also charged for terrorism related activities were heard before Ravinthran who also fixed June 7 for them to be heard again.

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