Bernard Dompok agrees recall of all ICs issued in Sabah needed : RCI

KOTA KINABALU: Tan Sri Bernard Dompok has agreed with the suggestion by several Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) witnesses including assemblymen, to recall all identity cards issued in Sabah to preserve the integrity of these documents.

The former Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister said recalling all the ICs was one of the methods to solve illegal immigrant issues in Sabah.

"Although this may sound extreme, it has to be done.

"I am sure people would not mind as long as the identities of true Sabahans can be revealed," he said while testifying at the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Friday.

"There was a study conducted on this issue and from the study we found that about 257,026 ICs are dubious," he said.

Dompok, who is the former Sabah Chief Minister and current United Pasokmomobun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president, also said laws must be changed and enforced if the government really wanted to solve the problem.

"All Malaysian documents which have been given out to non-Malaysians dubiously should be retracted and their names taken out of the electoral roll," he added.

Earlier, Dompok said he resigned from his post as chairman of the federal select committee after noticing that there were integrity issues within government officers and the committee.

"I was conducting an interview with government officers on issues pertaining to the immigrant problems faced in Sabah but the people were reluctant to speak.

"At one point, they were ordered not to attend the interviews anymore," he said.

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Dompok: Sabah issue not big enough to factor in the supply and demand for the palm oil

KUALA LUMPUR: The recent development in Sabah is not big enough to factor in the supply and demand for the palm oil industry, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

“I do not think refiners are affected as they are mostly in town areas,” Dompok said.

The affected area is about 1% or 1,000ha of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd's (FGVH) Sabah estates

The Malaysia Palm Oil Board, in its palm oil statistics for January, showed that Sabah was the biggest crude palm oil (CPO) producer in Malaysia accounting for 33% of the total production or 534,842 tonnes produce for the month.

Speaking to reporters after the launch of Palm and Lauric Oils Conference and Exhibition 2013 yesterday, Dompok said at the moment, Sabah held 1.4 million ha of plantation land area, which is almost 28.4%.

Meanwhile, Dompok said the export tax on the CPO for the following month depended on the market forces that would drive the price movement base on the demand and supply.

“At the moment, we have no new plans for this year to further strengthen market prices and reduce the high stockpile. It would not be more than what we have announced,” he said.

Besides the export tax changes, the Government has announced several programmes which include the replanting and biodiesel programme.

On its plan to tap in new markets for the industry this year, Dompok said Malaysia would continue to drive the growth of its markets by seeking opportunities to expand our partnerships.

Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, who was present at the press conference, said the palm oil price would increase gradually. “We expect the CPO price would be between RM2,200 and RM2,500 a tonne for this year,” he added.

He said exports had declined because of high competition and weake demand for CPO.

Based on statistics from independent surveyor Intertek, Malaysia's palm oil exports in February dropped 9% month-on-month.

“We are now trying to manage CPO production through replanting programme and increase consumption especially through the biodiesel programme,” he added.

Source : The Star Online

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The ball is now in RCI's court

Penampang: Component parties from both the Barisan Nasional and opposition Pakatan Rakyat feel former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his once deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should be called in by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to defend themselves over accusations linking them to the granting of Malaysian citizenship to illegal immigrants in Sabah.

"I think it is best that both be allowed to defend themselves at the ongoing hearing of RCI on illegal immigrant in Sabah and tell the RCI what they know about the accusation and counter accusation," said Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

"The only appropriate way for them to clarify (their roles) is by appearing before the Commission," he told Daily Express.

Dompok, who is also Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister and Penampang MP, was asked to comment on the accusations between Dr Mahathir and opposition leader Anwar over alleged involvement in "Operation Durian Buruk" (Ops rotten durian) regarding the issue.

Both have expressed willingness to testify before the RCI should they be called to do so.

When contacted by Daily Express, RCI Secretary Datuk Saripuddin Kasim declined comment.

In LABUAN, DAP Chairman Lau Seng Kiat, said the RCI findings would be incomplete if it does not call up both.

"This is in order to get the 'full story' behind the immigrant population explosion in Sabah," he said.

He said it is likely that the current hearing would be the only one commissioned to look into this issue and, therefore, it should not leave any stones unturned.

"Besides, one of the key so-called ringleaders (Datuk Megat Junid, the ex-Deputy Home Minister) has since died but others mentioned are late into their years. So, its now or never.

"The investigation would then be more comprehensive and when the inquiry is completed there would be no more missing pieces in Sabah's jigsaw puzzle," Lau said.

He added that apart from Dr Mahathir and Anwar, top officials like ex-Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji should also be summoned to find out what they knew about "Operation Durian Buruk."

It was during Dr Mahathir's administration that Sabah's population swelled substantially, especially following the PBS pullout from BN in 1990.

Dr Mahathir defended his decisions saying that he had acted legally just like first PM Tunku Abdul Rahman who had granted citizenships to one million Chinese and Indian immigrants at the time of Malaysia's independence.

Anwar, on the other hand, has denied any involvement, saying it was not discussed by the Cabinet.

He also said it was not him who set up the Special Task Force (STF) in the first place.

Lau said since both Dr Mahathir and Anwar have expressed willingness to appear before the panel the public may be disappointed if the RCI decides not to.

"Conclusions could only be made after the full picture of the issue was known.

The RCI should go beyond scratching the top layers," said Lau.

Regarding comments that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib should be applauded for establishing RCI, Lau said the applause may be in order only when the findings were completed and the solutions that have been suggested are taken up.

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Let Najib continue with development agenda — Dompok

KOTA KINABALU: United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok has described Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the man behind the visionary 1Malaysia concept, as a leader of change.

“Hence the people should rightly give him the mandate in the next general election to let him continue with the country’s development agenda,” he said at a leadership camp, and 1Malaysia logo drawing and colouring ‘1Malaysia Book of Records’ bid organised by KK High School here yesterday.

Speaking to reporters later, the Primary Industries and Commodities Minister said he also appreciated the assurance by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Education Minister, that mission schools would not be sidelined in the national education system.

According to him, Muhyiddin had also assured him and mission school representatives during a meeting that their application for special funds from the government for mission schools would be given consideration. — Bernama

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Dompok: BN is Sabah Christians only hope

Penampang: The Christian community in Sabah and Sarawak must continue to support the present Barisan Nasional (BN) government if they do not want this country to become an Islamic state, said Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

The Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister and Upko President said there is actually no reason for them to fear the BN going anywhere near what opposition PAS is planning to do when it comes to power.

"But I think the Christian community also recognises the present Government as always trying its best to see that the interests of everybody is looked after É (because) if you look at the alternative, what is it?," he said, when asked to comment on a news portal report quoting a local university researcher that Sabah and Sarawak are no longer a fixed deposit for BN because the Christian community in the two states have risen up against the coalition.

"You know like the 'Allah' issue raised by (DAP) Lim Guan Eng, actually this is already a non-issue," said Dompok, who is also Penampang MP, during the Penampang-level BN annual Chinese New Year walkabout in Lido, Saturday.

The Government has actually solved the said issue by allowing the importation and also reprinting of the Bibles into the State, he said.

"If you are allowed to import then certainly you are allowed to use it Éso it is already a non-issue," he added.

"Of course what happened was that all the opposition got together and said okay you can use the word 'Allah'. But three days later, PAS changed its mind.

"And there was a time when (DAP) Karpal Singh said the Hudud law over his dead body.

But they do not want to respect his body because the next day they said tak boleh (cannot) and that they want to implement it because they have already done so in Kelantan.

"And this is the thing that PAS wants because religion is part of their constitution or their core business," said Dompok.

"So once a party like PAS comes to power, believe me, there is going to be a move towards getting an Islamic state in this country and I think all of us will not want that Ébecause Malaysia was formed on secularism and not as an Islamic state."

He believed this is the reason why the Christian community must support the present Government if it does not want an Islamic state.

"There is no reason for the Christian community to fear the BN going anywhere near what the PAS is going to do.

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Be thankful we have a brave govt: Dompok

Kota Kinabalu: Barisan Nasional (BN) should be handed a thumping victory in the forthcoming elections on the account that it is a government which is brave enough to take chances to solve problems.
"The people must support the BN because we have a new leadership that is not afraid to tackle issues and has also set up the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI)," said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.
In this respect, Dompok, who is also Upko President, said the people of Sabah should therefore hand the coalition a handsome victory.
"The people of Sabah should be thankful that we have a brave government that is willing to take a risk to solve a problem and I see no reason for the BN votes to decrease on account of what the RCI is doing for the State and country. It would not make sense (for it to happen)."
He said this in response to a question on whether the support for BN in the coming general election would be effected following revelations that phantom voters were planted in certain areas, contributing to victories for some BN candidates during previous elections.
On a question regarding former State Secretary Tan Sri Simon Sipaun and DAP Adviser Lim Kit Siang alleging that the RCI would not be able to settle anything regarding the problem in the State, Dompok brushed aside their claims.
"That is what they say. They said 'the RCI would be stillborn and wouldn't even see the light of day', but now it has seen the light and is basking in the sunlight. And when the Pakistanis came out to testify, they said 'Oh the Government would'nt do anything about it.' Wait! Give the BN a thumping victory and we will prove what we can do."
To another question on whether opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would be called to testify in the RCI, Dompok said if indeed Anwar had something to say he should be called.
On whether former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad would be called to testify, Dompok said again it would be up to the RCI.
"I suppose the avenue for him to enlarge his statements could be at the RCI if he wants, but it's up to the RCI to call him or for him to volunteer."
On whether it was right for Mahathir to give citizenship to the illegals, Dompok said he was of the view that citizenship must follow the law and procedures have to be followed and that one cannot give citizenship to anybody and anytime they like.
"I saw a nice picture of the Australian Prime Minister kissing a new Australian citizen on Australia Day and this citizen had to recite the Australian anthem and there was a special ceremony to welcome them.
"So things like these should be done properly with proper procedures, so there is a meaning to citizenship. How can it be meaningful if you can just become a citizen overnight or it is given to just about everybody else under very dubious considerations?"
On the claims that 200 illegals were issued Malaysian identity cards within the framework of the law, Dompok said:
"That's why we have the RCI because obviously we would not be able to get the details. I've tried it before when in Parliament when I was Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity where I tried to inquire deeper into this issue but could not, so I'm very happy that the RCI has been set up so people can ask questions and anybody subpoenaed."
On the call by Perkasa leader Ibrahim Ali to burn Malay language Bibles contain the word 'Allah', Dompok said he was made to understand that Perkasa has now rescinded their call.
"I think Perkasa has now realised their folly. I understand today that they do not recommend it anymore and I think all right thinking Malaysians should condemn this type of threats which should not exist in Malaysia.
"How can you burn other people's religious books? You can burn a book that contains that particular word that you don't like but you can't burn it out of the hearts of people who use it."

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Bn will continue to rule after ge — dompok

TAWAU: United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok is optimistic the Barisan Nasional (BN) will continue to rule the country after the 13th General Election.

“This is because, the various policies, transformation programmes and initiatives undertaken by the BN government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, have been received well by the people,” he said.

He said the government had also managed to resolve issues affecting the population comprising different races such as the Kadazandusun, Malay, Chinese, Indian and others.

“Some of the issues had been addressed fully, partly or in the process of being resolved,” said Dompok, who is also plantation industries and commodities minister.

He was speaking to reporters after opening the party’s convention here yesterday. — Bernama

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Mission school body gets recognition

2nd October, 2012

PENAMPANG: The Federal government recognised the contribution made by the Federation of Councils of Christian Mission Schools Malaysia (FCCMSM) to improve the national education system.

And this was reflected in the 2013 Budget where the Prime Minister announced that RM100 million would be allocated for all mission schools, said Plantation Industries & Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

He also urged the Federal government to speed up the disbursement of the financial aid for these schools allocated under the 2012 Budget.

“The mission schools are fast getting recognition from the government as an organisation that can help in the education development of our country,” said Bernard, at the presentation of cash awards to SM St Michael top achievers in the 2011 SPM and PMR results yesterday.

He said the Federal government has also welcomed the mission schools offer to reform the education
system.


Read More : New Sabah Times

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It is ‘election budget’ – Dompok

 

PENAMPANG: A budget that is tabled before an election is an election budget, United Pasokmomogun Kadazan Dusun Murut Organization (UPKO) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok explained.
Dompok said this when asked to comment on claims by the opposition that Budget 2013 tabled by Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last Friday was an election budget.
“The last budget was also an election budget. I suppose if you are to be technical about it, any budget before an election is an election budget,” the Penampang member of parliament said when met after unveiling the new signage for SM St Michael here, yesterday.
STAR Sabah chief Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had described the budget as a tactic to buy votes as well as an election budget.
Jeffrey was of the opinion that the goodies given would provide short-term relief to the people.
“It is really an election budget with a lot of goodies but unfortunately not significant to Sabah and Sarawak. While the goodies are welcomed including the transportation rebate and uniformed process, we believe that the government should abolish the Cabotage policy to provide a long-term relief for the cost living in East Malaysia,” Jeffrey had said.
Dompok who was met after unveiling the new signage for SM St Michael and presentation of awards to students to excelled in their examinations as well as co-curriculum yesterday pointed out that those who did not like the budget would always have something negative to say about it.
“There will always be negative comments from people who do not like the budget but I think there are things that you can put in the budget and there are things that you cannot put in the budget.
“So there must be a time for some of these other things to find their place in the budget and I think the government would do all its best to ensure that what needs to be covered will be covered in the years ahead,” he stressed.

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/10/02/it-is-election-budget-dompok/

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New Govt action plan for crude palm oil

PETALING JAYA: Plantation companies with crude palm oil (CPO) export licence will soon be issued with an additional two million tonnes of duty-free CPO export quota by the Government, said an industry source.
The source said: “Surprisingly, the usual suspects top planters with palm oil refineries overseas such as IOI Corp, Sime Darby and Felda - are still not aware if they are getting the additional quota this time around.
“However, there is a prepared list and the official letter would soon be forwarded to the export licence holders,” the source told StarBiz.
According to the source, the Government typically would not issue additional quota in the middle of the year as the full year quota allocation would be decided in early January.
A quota of 3.6 million tonnes duty-free CPO was issued early this year. With the additional quota would translate into 5.6 million tonnes duty-free CPO export this year compared with 3.6 million tonnes last year.
The 5.6 million tonnes quota represents 27% of the country's total CPO production of 18.4 million tonnes, said the industry source.
The increase in the local duty-free CPO export quota was seen as the first pre-emptive measure by Malaysia to counter the impact from Indonesia's move to slash its export duty on refined palm oil products in September.
India responded to Indonesia's action last week by adjusting its import duty structure on refined palm oil products. It lifted the base price of refined palm oil imports to market prices from US$484 (RM1,535) per tonne.
The source said the rationale for the additional quota was an inventory management and price stabilisation mechanism given the current high CPO production, lower exports and the easing of CPO price to below RM3,000 per tonne.
“This move augurs well for pure CPO producers who can now look forward to higher short-term CPO prices but not so for standalone refiners who had been asking for the abolition of the duty-free CPO export quota,” he explained.
Palm oil refiners in Sabah are believed to be considering to charge a discount of RM100 per tonne CPO or more from CPO producers to enable their refineries to make some profit margin unlike their Indonesian peers who can sell refined products cheaper by RM300 to RM400 per tonne.
“So what will happen if the Sabahan oil palm growers refused to sell their CPO at a discount to the refiners? It will likely lead to higher CPO inventory in the country. This will nullify the Government's efforts to lower CPO inventory by giving higher duty-free CPO export quota,” he added.
It will be interesting to see Indonesia's next course of action in reaction to the latest moves by India and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, an industry observer said Malaysia would only agree to go beyond the stipulated 10% duty-free CPO export allowance if there are excess stocks which local refineries cannot take up.
However, the situation is peculiar because the standalone refineries in Malaysia were under-utilised, he pointed out.
Palm Oil Refiners Association (Poram) chief executive officer Mohammad Jaaffar Ahmad had said local refiners were affected by Indonesian export duty structure that provide advantage to exports of their processed oils.
Jaaffar said if the quota was to continueit would mean “slow death for some Malaysian refiners within one to two years.”
Malaysian Estate Owners Association (MEOA) president Boon Weng Siew also expressed disappointment over the Government's decision.
“I want to re-affirm MEOA's proposal to abolish the duty-free export quota for CPO and crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) and reduce the export duty for CPO and CPKO from the current 23% to 8%.
CIMB Research regional analyst Ivy Ng expected taxing times for refiners should Malaysia increased the tax-free CPO export quotas.
“It will be negative for local refiners as it would reduce the availability of domestic CPO and the already low refinery utilisation rate of 60.8% as at June.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/8/1/business/11766734&sec=business

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