Education award propels rural students to success

 KOTA MARUDU: Among them were more than 200 students from this far-flung district, who have become respected members of the community and professionals in their chosen fields.

Kota Marudu member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the award had assisted the students in one way or another.

The award is given out to children of members of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), helmed by Pairin, who excelled in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah, Penilaian Menengah Rendah, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia examinations.

Ongkili, who is also science, technology and innovation minister, said many of the past recipients were now teachers, engineers, doctors, lawyers and civil servants.

"Education is the basis for success in life. It will equip one to become competitive and independent in seeking a livelihood."

Ongkili also revealed that he would spearhead the setting up of a formal education trust fund to be managed by the Kota Marudu KDCA on a long-term basis.

"The fund will be set up under the state trust enactment to ensure continuity and adequate financial base through charitable deeds and sponsorship."

He also pledged RM50,000 from his forthcoming government gratuity as a minister to kick-start the trust fund.

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EC seeks to reveal the facts

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) has launched a booklet to debunk a list of 12 allegations against it on the management of the country's electoral roll.

The booklet, titled The Facts Behind Allegations and Lies Against the EC, contains the EC's response to issues raised by the Opposition, from the alleged shifting of electoral boundaries to the presence of dubious and phantom voters on the roll.

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the purpose of the booklet was to help the public be better informed about the nation's electoral process.

“We want Malaysians to understand the actual situation, so the next time they hear a ceramah or (read) a blog, they can think for themselves and decide what is right and wrong,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

A total of 5,000 booklets have been printed at a cost of RM20,000, to be distributed to the media, political parties and government departments.

Abdul Aziz said much had been reported in the media and the ceramah circuit about the issues but many people appear not to understand how things are done by the commission. One example is the presence of over 42,000 voters whose status is unknown on the roll, which he said leaves the EC in a dilemma.

Abdul Aziz said the EC initially thought of deleting the names to clean up the roll but found that it could not do so legally unless it is certified that each and every one of them had either died or is no longer eligible to vote.

“At first we wanted to cut out the 42,000 names. We received objections from all corners, which is just as well as we cannot do so under the law. But when we did not delete the names, the same group which objected earlier demanded that they be removed,” he said.

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RM48.99 million for implementation of 330 projects

24th April, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Housing & Local Government has approved a substantial allocation of RM48.99 million for the implementation of 330 projects by all local authorities in Sabah until April this year.Its Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin said the amount is expected to help local authorities to resolve the existing problem of roads, ditches and drains in their respective area.“The ministry through the Department of Local Government is committed to provide funding in its efforts to create local authorities that are dynamic and competitive,” he said at the presentation of the 2012 Annual Grants & Contribution in lieu of Rates to the local authorities on Sunday night.“The ministry is prepared to provide additional allocations to local authorities in the State subject to the availability of funds and the performance of local authorities in implementing projects that had been approved,” he told reporters. At the event, Lajim handed over a total of RM63.31 million in Annual Grants and Assistance Rates Contribution to the 24 local authorities throughout Sabah.The amount comprised 2012 annual grants amounting to RM34.56 million and payment of contributions amounting to RM28.75 million.Lajim who is also the Member of Parliament for Beaufort hoped that the grants and contributions will be used to assist the local authorities in providing good services to the people.He also reminded local authorities to submit their annual audit reports on the implementation of projects undertaken during the year because the ministry will increase the allocation based on the commitment of respective local authority in the State. “Based on the commitment given by the ministry in distributing allocations, I hope that all local authorities can ensure that the projects implemented are monitored from time to time,” he said.“Each local authority should apply the element of monitoring as one of the local authorities’ commitment to ensure that all projects are implemented in line with the ‘Value for Money’ concept,” said Lajim.According to him, the monitoring process needs to be done starting from the planning stage through to the completion of a project with special focus on the activities and areas of work involved.“I am confident that by increasing monitoring frequency, the delay in the project will be addressed and this effort will hasten the project for the benefits of the people,” he remarked.Meanwhile, Local Government & Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor said the annual grants given to local authorities in Sabah are for the third time since 2010.“Distribution of this financial assistance will further enhance the respective local authorities’ efforts in the preparation and maintenance of public facilities, including, the cleanliness and beautification of area within the jurisdiction of respective local authority,” he said. Also present were both Assistant Ministers of Local Government & Housing Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah and Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar.

Source :  http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/58145

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7,202 youths benefited from 1Azam

27th March, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Minister of Agriculture & Food Industry Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin told the State Assembly here that a total of 7,202 youths have benefited from the 1Azam programme which had started since 2010.

Replying to the Sulabayan Assemblyman Datuk Haji Harman Haji Mohammad yesterday, he said an allocation of RM72,174,496.52 had been utilised up to now and the ministry expects another 7,000 participants will gain from this programme for this year with the total cost of RM71 million.

Harman wanted to know how many youths in the State had benefited from the 1Azam programme which is aimed to reduce the poverty rate among the poor and the allocation provided for the purpose.

To another question by Datuk Haji Zakaria Haji Mohd Edris, Yahya said for the year 2012, his ministry has allocated an allocation ofRM71 million to conduct similar like those being implemented last year.

“In addition, the implementing agencies under my ministry are also providing assistance to help improve their earnings such as the Chili and Tomato Planting Fertigation Assistance, Business Loan Assistance, Agricultural Equipment Assistance, Poultry Rearing Assistance and the Fisheries Equipment Assistance,” he said.

According to him, up to this year, the ministry and all implementing agencies are conducting the impact study on the effectiveness of the programmes and a complete detailed report is expected by April 2012.

However, he said his ministry had received feedbacks and some 274 youths had improved in their monthly earnings to RM1,050 after going through the business activity or employment.

There is some participant from the Tuaran Agriculture Department programmes who managed to earn RM9,000 a month.

The ministry’s target is at least 10 per cent or 1,250 youths out of the total 12,500 e-kasih participants to be taken out of the poor income bracket.

Source: New Sabah Times

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MUSA: 355,807 HAVE RECEIVED BR1M

27th March, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: A total of 355,807 people or 86.1 per cent of the 413,287 applicants have received the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) amounting to RM177,903,500 to date, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.

He said all the RM500 payment vouchers for the BR1M recipients have already been handed over to district offices for distribution.

Musa, who is also the Finance Minister said this when replying to a question from Kundasang Assemblyman, Dr Joachim Gunsalam at the State Assembly sitting here yesterday.

Dr Joachim had wanted to know the benefits of the programme.

“The Barisan Nasional government has always been implementing programmes that are beneficial to the people. Hence, the government is always ready to provide any type of assistance to ease the people’s burden.”

“This is important and even though the economic situation in the state and country as a whole, has improved, we realised that we cannot avoid the fact that the global economy will affect prices of goods in the country,” he said.

Hence, Musa said, the implementation of the RM500 BR1Mprogramme showed that the government was concerned and sincere in its efforts to help ease the financial burden of the low-income group.

“I believe this kind of programme has not been carried out by any other country,” he added.

He also said apart from benefiting the recipients, financial aid like the BR1M, would also generate local economic activities.

“In my opinion, the main objective of this BR1M programme has been achieved.

“Many among the recipients were grateful and thankful to the government, in particular, the Prime Minister for being concerned and sincere in helping the people,” he told the House.

Meanwhile, the 355,807 people in Sabah whose BR1M applications had been approved represented 9.51 per cent of the total recipients of 3.74 million families throughout the country.

However, those who were not successful could appeal and re-submit their application for the assistance. Most of the unsuccessful applicants have re-applied and the process of distributing the cash vouchers will continue until all have received it.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said the government realised that there were some people in the remote areas of Sabah who were eligible to receive the aid but were not able to register for it.

“In this case, the government will adopt a flexible approach to allow them to receive the aid so that they won’t be left out,” he said.

The government, he said, also realised that there were bound to be shortcomings, be it technical, data errors or wrong personal information provided and hence appropriate steps would be taken to rectify them.

“We we will conduct a postmortem on the distribution process of the BR1M. This one of the proactive steps taken by the government to improve the mechanism for channeling assistance,” he said.

Source: New Sabah Times (Online news)

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0.2pc improvement in Sabah’s STPM

8th March, 2012 

KOTA BELUD: Sabah achieved a slight improvement of 0.2 per cent or 88.71 per cent passes in the 2011 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) compared to 88.51 per cent in 2010.

The results saw 14 schools achieving 100 per cent pass.

These are SMK Benoni Papar, Sekolah Tinggi Kota Kinabalu, SMK Kunak (Kunak), SMK Agama Mohamad Ali (Ranau), SMK Jalan Apas (Tawau), SMK Agama Tun Sakaran (Semporna), SM La Salle (Kota Kinabalu), SMK Tenghilan (Tuaran), SMK Keningau II (Keningau), SMK Segama Lahad Datu (Lahad Datu), SMK Lohan (Ranau), SM Lok Yuk Likas (Kota Kinabalu), SM Sung Siew (Sandakan) and SMK Kota Klias (Beaufort).

Eight candidates scored 4As in their cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in the Arts stream and they are Nur Farah Nissa Mohd Effendy from SM La Salle, Jumriah Zairul (SMK Tansau), Santa Tresia Frances (SMK Mat Salleh, Ranau), Siti Nurshida Effendy (SMK Kota Marudu), Safianah Molepin (SMK Pinawantai, Kudat), Elpyanie Dungin (SMK Tawau), Winnie Kariza Bakri (SMK Balung, Tawau) and Asnita Rahman (SMK Kunak).

Three candidates obtained 4As in their CGPA in the Science stream and they are Chang Sin Fung (Sekolah Tinggi Kota Kinabalu), Lai Kar Ting and Siew Seok Li both from SM St Patrick, Tawau.

State Education Department deputy director Hajah Maimunah Suhaibul announced the results at SMK Arshad here yesterday.

The results also saw a marked improvement in 14 subjects taken last year with Bahasa Cina recording an increase of 8.12 per cent or 55 per cent passes compared to 46.88 per cent in 2010.

For two consecutive years, there have been 100 per cent pass in English Literature, Syariah 89.01 per cent (77.12 per cent in 2010); History 63.86 per cent (57.42 per cent in 2010); Geography 60.58 per cent (57.64 per cent in 2010); Economics 46.13 per cent (41.82 per cent in 2010); Accounting 54.43 per cent (36.84 per cent in 2010); Mathematics 43.45 per cent (39.86 per cent in 2010).

Further Mathematics 100 per cent pass; Computing 80.60 per cent (52 per cent in 2010); Chemistry 48.64 per cent (45.48 per cent in 2010); Biology 46.20 per cent (40.27 per cent in 2010); Sports Science 77.11 per cent (71.94 per cent in 2010) and Visual Arts 84.72 per cent (82.74 per cent in 2010).

Despite this, Maimunah said eight subjects recorded a slight decline in passes with Pengajian Am down by 0.29 per cent or 69.14 per cent (69.43 per cent in 2010); Bahasa Malaysia 61.74 per cent (62.86 per cent in 2010); Bahasa Arab 46.88 per cent (48.57 per cent in 2010); Kesusteraan Melayu 53 per cent (53.33 per cent in 2010); Usuluddin 67.74 per cent (74.70 per cent in 2010); Commercial Studies 61.28 per cent (62.12 per cent in 2010); Mathematics (950) 39.77 per cent (48.10 per cent in 2010) and Physics 54.31 per cent (75.29 per cent in 2010).

“All the results have been sent to the schools and students are advised to contact their school principals whilst independent candidates will have their results sent by post,” said Maimunah.

She also reminded independent candidates with any inquiry or wanting to review their results, to submit their application within two weeks after the results are announced.

School candidates can forward their inquiry to their respective school principals.

A total of 5,901 students sat for the exams last year compared to 5664 in 2010.

Although 6,695 candidates registered for the exams last year only 6,385 turned up.

A total of 113 candidates obtained 5P last year against 168 in 2010; 2,199 obtained 4P (2011) against 1,826 (2010); 1,357 obtained 3P (2011) against 1,293 (2010); 1,032 obtained 2P (2011) against 1,050 (2010); and 963 obtained 1P (2011) against 886 (2010).

Maimunah also congratulated three schools for doing well in Kota Belud namely SMK Pekan Kota Belud, SMK Narina and SMK Arshad for securing a passing rate of 97.4 per cent, 94.5 per cent and 83.56 per cent respectively, which is an improvement compared to 89.19 per cent, 93.5 per cent and 83.56 per cent in 2010.

“The good results we have achieved is due to our commitment to improve the UPSR, SPM and STPM results by implementing a five-year plan strategic plan called the Smart Planning Enhances Education Dynamics or Speed from 2010-2016,” she said.

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Hisham: DNA testing to resolve issue in Sabah.

KLUANG: The Home Ministry will use the latest technology, such as DNA testing, to resolve the issue of stateless children in Sabah, said its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Hishammuddin said this would also expedite the issuances of documents such as MyKad to those involved.
He pointed out that in some cases, stateless people had to wait for years to become citizens.

“The ground work has been done in Sabah and the ministry has deployed a team in Semporna to conduct DNA testing on stateless children
“The Government has prioritised this issue,” he said after launching the national-level Anti-Drug Day in Taman Seri Lambak, Sembrong here yesterday.
Hishammuddin added that cooperation between political parties and non-governmental organisations was needed to tackle the issue.
“We hope that concerned parties will work together with the National Registration Department instead of pointing fingers at the Government or my ministry.
“This issue occurs in rural areas where parents do not register their children after birth and face problems when trying to enrol their children in school,” he said.
It was recently reported that several Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders expressed concern and urged the ministry to tread carefully in resolving the matter.

So folks, do DNA really helps in this matter? Illegals strolling around, stateless children roaming around. 

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Upgrading Of Jalan Kalabakan-Sapulut Ahead Of Schedule - Shazima

TAWAU, Feb 28 (Bernama) - Works Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor says upgrading of Jalan Kalabakan-Sapulut over 145km is about 10 percent completed and ahead of schedule.

The RM270 million project that started in Oct last year will shorten traveling time from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu from three to four hours.

"When completed, the entire Jalan Kalabakan-Sapulut road upgrading project will cost RM920,000 or about RM1 million.

"The cost may be high, but we believe it will give substantial economic returns not only to people of Kalabakan and Tawau but also those on Sabah east coast, including Semporna," he said after visiting the project site in Kalabakan, about 100km from here.

Shaziman said when completed in Oct 2013, the road project will benefit people in the interior regions such as Keningau, Tambunan and Tenom.

So naysayers, what say you?

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Sabah a visible example of unity in diversity - Lee

1st March, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is a practical and visible example of unity in diversity.

Sabahans of all diverse ethnic groups are able to live, learn, work and play together in the spirit of 1Malaysia. “In fact the spirit of 1Malaysia has long existed in this ‘Land Below the Wind’,” said 1malaysia Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye in a statement yesterday.

Here i have quoted the above news from  http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my.

So, what you guys think about the  harmony in Sabah. Are we still having it now? Well,  in my point of view, we are  still practicing the good relationship among us. And of course, we have been practicing the 1Malaysia slogan before our PM introduced  it.  Feel free to jot down something here.

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Greater KK Flood Prevention Committee

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman is very concern about the heavy rain that causing flood in certain areas. There were some several areas hit by the flash floods 4 days ago (19 Nov 2011). In order to prevent the same situation to be occurred again and again, there will be a formation of the Greater Kota Kinabalu Flood Prevention Committee. This committee is to prevent further flooding. Datuk Musa Also instructed, the drainage system shall be planned before any housing project could proceed. 

In every problem there must be a way to solve it, we only have to think and make a move like jagger :))) Happy Day!.

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Tourism Sector Contribution to State's Economy

As up to September 2011 the tourism sector  has so far contributed RM 3.662 billion to the state's economy. A total 2,096,202 tourists (617,260 Foreign tourist and 1,478,942 local tourist) arrived since January this year. According to our Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, about 24,393 tourist has been staying in Mabul island, and Kapalai for scuba diving and snorkeling in Sipadan. These info was reported by Datuk Masidi at the State Legislative Assembly (Chaired by CM Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman) on last monday 21st November 2011.

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Sabahans Happy with Petronas

According to the report as at the state Assembly on the 22nd Nov 2011, Datuk Musa said,  effort by Petronas to develop the oil and Gas is on the right track. It was proven via the National oil corporation's huge investment in several mega upstream and downstream projects which worth more than RM45billion. In helping Sabahans to venture into oil and Gas sector, 29 Sabah-based licensed company has been awarded  contracts to undertake oil and gas-related work in the state, by Petronas (since January 2005 until Nov 10 2011) . Meanwhile a total 159 Sabahans  have been recruited to fill various posts at the Petronas Office (January-October 2011). Datuk Musa Also informed that 42 people have been appointed to executive position, 117 appointed to non-executive position, 40 hired as a permanent staff and 2 as contract employees. Up to september 2011, a total 470 Sabahans currently working under companies at the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) in Kimanis. The cost  for the massive project is RM4.6 billion. The 1st phase costing RM3.8 billion is schedule to be completed in 2013.

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