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 School of Social Science, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Saturday.However, she does not believe that the Philippines and Indonesia are eager to welcome their nationals back since for as long as they are in Sabah the problem will not be theirs.She said political differences must be set aside in order for the RCI to do its job effectively. It was also pointed out during the discussion that in the case of the death of Teo Beng Hock, the Government had stated that it was not obliged to follow the recommendations of the RCI.In this respect, she said the Suhakam was open to any suggestion to be part of the RCI. Moderator, Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria said the setting up of the RCI is under the purview of the Commission of Inquiry Act and it has the power to subpoena any witness.Under the Act, it provides protection for witnesses and they cannot be sued or charged in court for their statements, similarly the commissioners are also immune to lawsuits, he said.Later, Dr Jayasooria said the roundtable discussion showed there was a consensus that the population growth in Sabah was not proportionate to those in other states in the country.There was also a consensus that the RCI was the best vehicle to address the issue and its main TOR is to investigate the reason for the extraordinary population boom in Sabah, to review all data, complaints, anomalies, examples or sightings that local people were being outnumbered and to make specific recommendations to the Government to solving this.He said there must also be transparency in terms of the people appointed to the RCI to ensure its credibility and independence in order to restore public confidence.The Human Rights Promotion Association (Proham) was set up in March last year to accommodate former Suhakam commissioners and the Royal Malaysian Police Commission of Inquiry commissioners.Proham Deputy Chairman, Datuk Prof Hamdan Adnan said the former commissioners felt they could still contribute through the vast experience accumulated during their service in the two commissions.Suhakam commissioners are only allowed to sit for a maximum two terms.

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Undergraduates should discharge responsibility before engaging in politics

20th May, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: Undergraduates should discharge their responsibility as students of knowledge at institutions of higher learning before engaging in politics. The advice comes from Information Communication & Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. He said, although the government did not prevent students from being involved in politics, the undergraduates should empower themselves with knowledge when studying at the institutions. “The right to oppose in politics, among students, should be accepted. So, let it be known that we did not say that all students must support the government. “We can differ in opinions but we should be responsible to our community,” he told reporters after presenting a talk on ‘Formation of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Staff & Students Identity from the Perspective of 1Malaysia Concept here yesterday. Rais also requested the younger generation to be discerning on information in the cyber world, and its applications, according to the situation in Malaysia. He said, the cyber world posed a tremendous influence in the thinking of the younger generation, which could not be controlled even by parents. “Most of our young children use comparison and experience through the cyber world for their own thinking,” Rais said. He said the younger generation should remember their respective responsibilities to build the nation, apart from merely criticising. Earlier, Rais said the level of community acceptance of the 1Malaysia concept currently, was about 80 per cent, according to a study carried out by the ministry last year. “With more than 80 per cent acceptance, we are proud that the community is beginning to appreciate what have been organised through welfare, unity, civic and social justice courses.

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Vital to inform people of govt policies

20th May, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman has urged all departments and agencies under the Information Communications & Culture Ministry to intensify efforts to disseminate information on the State government’s policies and programmes to the people.Speaking at the opening of the ministry’s integrated complex here yesterday, the Chief Minister said information should include the government’s success in developing the State and raising the socio-economic status of the people, especially in the rural areas. The new complex was opened by Head of State Tun Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin. At the same time, efforts to explain the government’s stand regarding certain issues, he said, was also crucial so that the people were given the right information. “We have achieved many successes which contributed to the increase in standard of living and boosted economic development. “However, I wish to stress that as a caring and responsible government, we will not be easily satisfied or rest on our laurels,” he said. Musa who is also Finance Minister said the government, especially Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, had carried out various initiatives and programmes for the good of the people in line with the 1Malaysia concept. “It has been proven that these efforts have helped to reduce the people’s burden. Therefore it is important for the people to continue to give their support and cooperation to the government, especially the programmes and activities hosted by the Information Ministry,” the Chief Minister said. Meanwhile, Musa said the State government appreciated the role and contribution of the department and agencies under the ministry in Sabah in boosting development of the various economic sectors. “In this context, it is obvious that the ministry plays a very important role in disseminating the latest information on what the government is doing,” he added. Musa also pointed out that accurate information and a creative and effective way of disseminating information was crucial. The Chief Minister said he believed that apart from disseminating information through the media, the “turun padang” activities to meet the people organised by the ministry, had brought about a positive impact. “I have personally attended several such programmes which succeeded in imbuing positive values and strengthen unity among the people,” he said. And, Musa added that it was the State government’s desire that this new integrated complex would motivate the ministry staff in Sabah to ensure effective dissemination of information to the people. “I believe the complex is not just a symbol of success and achievement but also reflects the rapid development taking place in the State which we are all proud of,” he said. Additionally, Musa said it also proved that the close cooperation between the Federal and State governments, especially in the field of information, communication and culture, was the key to progress. Also present at the opening were the Governor’s wife Toh Puan Hajah Norlidah RM Jasni, the Chief Minister’s wife Datin Seri Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin, Minister of Information Communications & Culture Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and wife Datin Seri Maznah as well as Sabah RTM director Abdul Jalani Mahmud, Sabah Information Department director Almain Ajirul, Jasa Sabah director Abdul Manap Lakariba and Bernama general manager Datuk Hasnul Hassan.

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Govt ensures poor students not deprived of education

18th May, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: The Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera (YPPB) or Bumiputera Education Leaders Foundation has collectedRM158 million from corporate companies and individuals to help students from poor families pursue higher education. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said scholarships awarded by the foundation are based on the types of course costing between RM100,000 to RM300,000 for the entire study duration.YPPB formed in November last year has a programme called “Peneraju Tunas Potensi” or Leaders of Budding Potential that offers students with good academic results but cannot afford to pursue higher education, the financial assistance to do so.

Nor Mohamed said the government was serious in making sure that poverty did not become an obstacle for children of poor families to gain tertiary education.“Many students from poor families get good results like 5As, 6As and 7As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exams even though they have no tuition classes, internet access or proper libraries.“We believe that with more conducive surroundings and adequate financial assistance, they have the potential to achieve greater things,” he said.He was speaking at a ceremony to hand over Offer Letters of Scholarship to recipients under the “Peneraju Tunas Potensi” programme at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu here yesterday.A total of 16 students from the rural parts of Sabah were among 225 across the country who were selected.The programme offers scholarships to SPM and STPM students as of this year.According to Nor Mohamed, some 8,000 had applied for the scholarship and finally 225 were chosen.The scholarship will allow the recipients to pursue their studies at either local or foreign institutions of higher learning.He believes the programme will encourage and inspire other bumiputera students to work harder in their studies.“Education is the stepping stone towards better socio-economic standards, poverty eradication and a better future for the nation,” he said.

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Minimum wage not linked to elections

18th May, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: The implementation of the minimum wage for workers is not linked with the coming general election. Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam said this in response to question from reporters after launching a dialogue on minimum wage with employers and employees from the various sectors at a leading hotel here yesterday. “It has nothing to do with the coming general election, whereby, minimum wage was being implemented for the welfare of workers and provide sufficient social protection to employees in Sabah in particular and the nation’s interest in general,” said the minister. He said based on studies there has been an increase in productivity in all sectors since 2004 and the government took initiative to implement the minimum wage for the benefit of workers and employers in the country. To a question, Subramaniam said the minimum wage’s objective is to help low income earners and the wage structure is expected to be implemented in January next year.

He said a small and medium enterprise (SME) with five workers or less is given 12 months timeframe to implement the wage structure. “However, professional firms such as legal, architectural, and consultancy firms, medical and dental clinics are not exempted in the 12-month period, these professional firms are required to implement minimum wage within six-month after implementation” said Suibramaniam.

The minimum wage covers local and foreign employees from all categories except for domestic helpers, gardener and others in similar sectors. He said the minimum wage was aimed to encourage industry to move up by investing in higher technology and to increase labour productivity as well as reducing the country’s dependence on unskilled foreign workers. The government has set RM800 minimum wage a month for Sabah and Sarawak and RM900 for workers in Peninsula. Subramaniam said the difference in minimum wage for Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsula was determined by NWCC after careful study of skill levels in the services and hospitality sectors in all three regions. He said in Sabah, the majority of workers are in agricultural and unskilled sectors. “The implementation of minimum wage is also aimed to achieve the nation’s vision as one of high income nation in Asia in 20202,” he added. Subramanian said employers failing to heed minimum wage implementation by the government would be penalized with fine and jail term under the Minimum Wage Act. Among those present were Minister of Resource & Information Technology Development, Datuk Yee Moh Chai and his assistant Dtk Jainab Ahmad, president of Federation of Sabah Manufacturers (FSM), Datuk Seri Panglima Wong Khen Thau, Malaysian Institute of Economic Research, Prof. Dr. Zakariah Abdul Rashid, and Sabah Labour department director Datuk Siti Aishah Mohd Asri.

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Probe into fake IDs

KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Special Task Force (FSTF), set up more than 10 years ago with the aim of rounding up illegal immigrants in Sabah, has started an in-depth probe to find the source of various kinds of false identification papers in the interior Keningau district.

This follows a series of raids on plantations, squatter colonies and nightspots in the district over the weekend.

Enforcers from the task force found illegal immigrants trying to pass off as legal workers, using documents purportedly approved by government departments.

Among the fake papers seized were identification cards purportedly issued by the task force and the Immigration Department as well as document receipts purportedly from the National Registration Department and letters allegedly from the Chief Minister’s Department.

More than 300 people were screened in the operations, codenamed Ops Tanduk, with the authorities detaining over 70 illegal immigrants.

FSTF Sabah director Datuk Suhaimi Salleh wants to get to the bottom of the matter, saying his men were already carrying out investigations.

“The illegal immigrants are claiming they do not know the supplier of the false documents.

“Yet, they claimed, they got their fake papers for as low as RM80 a piece,” he said.

FSTF Sabah principal assistant secretary (operations) Asst Comm Abdul Aziz Alwee said it had detected a rise in the number of illegal immigrants having fake documents.

Describing the situation as becoming serious, he urged the public to give any information they had on the issue to the authorities.

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Musa draws seven-point strategy to counter Opposition

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman has outlined a seven-point strategy to counter opposition attacks, with the first thrust emphasising that the ruling Barisan Nasional can be trusted to bring development and socio-economic changes to the people and state.

“Under Barisan, the state has undergone tremendous changes and its track record is for the people to see,” he said during a Yayasan Sabah road show in Kota Belud near here.

The other thrusts of the strategy are:

> Bringing hope to the people that Barisan's economic development programmes are geared for both the present and future generations;

> Ensuring and preserving peace, harmony and unity among all races;

> Explaining the halatuju (direction) of the Government in developing the state's economy;

> Putting in place an efficient management system to ensure better income for the people;

> Getting all leaders to focus on work ethics, and

> Ensuring the people understand the Government's intent to fulfil all its promises.

Musa said the strategy was aimed at countering the many unsubstantiated allegations as well as empty promises made by the Opposition at various levels.

“Everyone in Barisan from top leaders to the grassroots must work hard to explain to the people the various programmes that are being implemented and planned for them,” he said.

On development plans in Kota Belud, Musa said the state government was studying the feasibility of developing an oil and gas industry in the Kuala Abai coastal area, which is close to offshore oil fields.

He said the area had huge development potential that could create a lot of opportunities and jobs for the people.

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Palawan and Balikpapan next on MASWings' list

Published on: Thursday, May 10, 2012

Kota Kinabalu: MASwings plans to fly two new routes, namely Kota Kinabalu-Puerto Princessa, Palawan and Kuching-Balikpapan, under its second phase of expansion to the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.

This is apart from upgrading the existing Tawau-Tarakan thrice-weekly flight services to daily services effective July 1 and introducing a Coral Triangle Charter Flight for divers to world-class dive spots in the State, Philippines and Indonesia within the Coral Triangle (Celebes Sea).

These follow the encouraging response received from its first three destinations in BIMP-EAGA, namely Tawau-Tarakan, Kuching-Pontianak and Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Seri Bengawan, where altogether it has recorded a load factor average of 60-65 per cent. Its CEO Datuk Captain Mohd Nawawi Haji Awang, who announced this, said they expect to start flying the new Kuching-Balikpapan route, which would be thrice weekly, by the end of October.

"We are in the process of seeking approvals and clearances from the Philippine Government for the KK-Puerto Princessa route Éif everything goes well, we plan to start this new route by the end of October," he said, adding they are all very excited with these new developments.

They are also looking at aircraft utilisation aspects and adjusting timing and so on in preparing for the changes to the Tawau-Tarakan flight service schedules. The company might also increase the number of its aircraft if the need arises.

Mohd Nawawi said this at a press conference in conjunction with the MASwings BIMP-EAGA Golf Challenge 2012 at the MAS administration building in Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), Wednesday.

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Abuse victims: Dept admits partly to blame

Published on: Thursday, May 10, 2012

Kota Kinabalu: Poor communication among agencies is making it difficult for abuse victims to find help promptly.

Deputy State Health Director (Medical) Dr. Adlan Suhaimi Ahmad who raised this problem here Wednesday cited the case of a four-year-old who was raped over a period of four months to illustrate his point.

"It took about two days for the matter to finally reach our attention after the victim was sent from one place to another, imagine what the victim had to go through and what is saddening is that even on our side we do not respond soon enough," he said.

Dr. Adlan said this at the launching of a three-day seminar organised by the State Health Department in collaboration with the Women and Children's Hospital titled 'Handling of Violence Cases (One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC)) at the Federal Administrative Complex here.

"When a victim comes to OSCC for help, we are in crisis because we don't speak the same language due to lack of coordination within our facility, what more with other agencies and this is not what we want.

"It is therefore our role to establish communication with our local partners, namely the police, village chief, Welfare Department and non-governmental agencies in our respective area to make sure that the victims are swiftly sent to the main centre where there are specialists," he said.

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Sabah Tourist Association also against it

Published on: Thursday, May 10, 2012

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Tourist Association (STA) Chairman, Tonny Chew has expressed concern over the recent call for taxi and hired car associations to offer attractive packages and to double up as tour guides made by Federal Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen

The call was also objected to by the Sabah Tourist Association Guide (SGTA) and Malaysia Association of Tours and Travel Agent, Sabah (Matta).

"It's understandable that the move may be beneficial for taxi drivers and can boost their business in the transportation services with added advantages of selling travel packages and being guides for each client that they chauffeur. "Alas, in doing so, it renders the services of existing licensed tour operators and licensed car rental companies null," he said.

"It may become a big disadvantage and comes as significantly unfair to guides who have invested time and money to have their skills recognised and certified, during the learning process. "It is also a disadvantage for travel companies that have invested a lot to build their fleet of licensed guides," he said.

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CM: U.S. FIRM MULLS RM1bn SABAH STAKE

10th May, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: A U.S. food company, Dole is keen to invest overRM1 billion in the food and fruits industry in Sabah.Speaking to reporters after opening the Putatan Agriculture Expo here yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said further discussions were ongoing to pick a suitable joint venture partner from among the state agencies.A suitable location is also being identified.“They (Dole) – a big company in the food and fruits industry – have already expressed interest to have this partnership,” he added.He said the American firm was keen to invest in Sabah because the state was peaceful and conducive for investment.Musa also said Sabah could become a major food producing state in the country.Earlier in his speech, he said farmers, livestock breeders, planters as well as fishermen needed tointensify efforts and be adept in using technology for the sake of progress.“This is the hope of the state government so as to debunk the perception that they are backward but are people capable of earning a good income and whose socio-economic status has improved,” he said.He said the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry has implemented programmes to raise the socio-economic status of the people and this was made possible with new discoveries which resulted in higher agriculture yields and income for the farmers.Musa also said the government encouraged farmers to develop their land fully as there are many assistance schemes provided by the ministry.The Chief Minister said during the Ninth Malaysia Plan period, Sabah’s economy grew at a rate of five per cent annually, and that the agriculture sector contributed RM7.24 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010 as compared with RM3.8 billion in 2005.Agirulcure, he said, was a major contributor to the state’s economy.It is a key sector along with tourism and manufacturing under the Halatuju which was launched in 2003.And, this economic development plan (Halatuju) is aimed to increase production of food for domestic and export markets, and subsequently to reduce dependence on imported food and raise self-sufficiency.On the agriculture expo, Musa expressed confidence that it would benefit the target groups and all those involved.“The latest information and research discoveries available during the exhibition are useful for the developemnt of the sector,”he added.The Chief Minister also said cooperation from everyone was the key to making Sabah a major food producer in Malaysia.“It is my hope the expo will also be held in other districts so that the potential of these areas can be exploited,” he said matter-of-factly.Also president were Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin and his two deputies Datuk Bonney Suan and Datuk Musbah Jamli, State Secretary Datuk Sukarti Wakiman, the agriculture ministry’s permanent secretary Datuk Ujang Sulani and state agriculture director Datuk M.C. Ismail Salam.

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Term Of Reference (TOR)

What is TOR (Term of Reference)?
-TOR is the views and suggestion from all the component parties on the objective of Setting up the RCI.

Who is going to present The TOR and to whom?
-Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan will be going to present the TOR to the BN top leadership.

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