Lahad Datu terrorist intrusion a wake-up call for Malaysia – PM

13th March, 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has described the intrusion by Sulu terrorists in Lahad Datu as a wake-up call not only for the government but also for the people especially in Sabah on the need to be better prepared to face external threats.

Saying that the government would not take security for granted, the Prime Minister said no effort would be spared to ensure that the security forces were well-trained, well-equipped and prepared to deal with incidents of this nature.

“I think we’ve gone through a long phase of peace and stability in Malaysia.

The communist (terrorists) laid down their arms in 1989 and since then it has been a long period of peace and stability in Malaysia.

“That (attack on Lahad Datu and Semporna) is an external threat and we must deal with it. So, when we decide to spend on defence and security, people should not question it.

“They should see it as protecting our security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Najib said on the “Conversation with the PM” programme aired on TV3 last night.

Stressing that the government would not compromise when it came to Malaysia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Najib said: “We must do whatever we can to ensure that Malaysians anywhere, in any part of Malaysia, feel secure, safe and their future safeguarded by the government.”

Malaysian security forces launched the ‘Operasi Daulat’ offensive on March 5 after the Sulu terrorists killed eight policemen in Kampung Tanduo near Lahad Datu and Kampung Simunul in Semporna on March 1 and 2.

The terrorists had holed up in Kampung Tanduo since Feb 12 and ignored the government’s attempt to negotiate their surrender. So far, 54 militants have been killed and about 100 people detained for suspected links with the gunmen.

Commenting further, Najib stressed that ensuring security should not be the sole responsibility of security forces and the government as Malaysians too had a role to play, including in terms of supporting the government.

He also highlighted the fact that Malaysia had adequate capabilities and assets to safeguard its security.

“I think that in terms of dealing with the armed intrusion, we certainly have the assets but, as I said, this is a wake-up call, where there are gaps in terms of our capabilities; we hope that we’ll be able to close the gap,” Najib said.

Observing that Sabah’s eastern seaboard spanned over 1,000 kilometres, he said the state presented “a huge challenge” in the area of security, which needed to be tightened up.

“We certainly need to put more assets and a better surveillance system (there),” he said.

During his recent visit to Lahad Datu, Najib had announced the establishment of a special security area running from Kudat to Tawau - around 1,400 km in length - with a view to safeguarding the sovereignty and security of Sabah’s east coast.

He was also queried on claims by foreign media that the Sulu terrorists had been instigated by certain groups in the Philippines, including those opposed to its president.

He responded: “When I spoke to President (Benigno) Aquino, he told me that they’ll begin their investigations. He actually made some very interesting remarks, that these people are quite poor people.

“They certainly don’t have the means to launch such an operation against Malaysia and, therefore, he thinks that they are funded from somewhere,” he said.

“That appears to be a very strong suspicion but we need to investigate,” Najib said, adding that sufficient evidence was needed “before we point a finger at anyone”.

On whether the terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu would affect efforts by Malaysia in facilitating the peace process in the southern Philippines, Najib said these were separate issues as the peace process involved the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Najib said the case of the terrorists in Lahad Datu was quite different from that of the MILF; the terrorists were making outlandish claims that were not recognised by the Malaysian government.

“Therefore, they resorted to violence and that was unfortunate, but we will deal with it in a way that we think is appropriate,” he added.

Source : New Sabah TImes

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EC confident 13th GE can be held simultaneously nationwide

Kota Kinabalu: Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said he is confident that the upcoming 13th general election (13th GE) can be held simultaneously nationwide, including in Lahad Datu in Sabah, which was invaded by the Sulu terrorists recently.

He said the reason being that the situation in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, was improving and believed would be back to normal soon.

 

Abdul Aziz said there would be two polling centres in the area declared as the Red Zone following the intrusion by the Sulu terrorists last February, namely at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tanjung Labian and SK Tunku. 

 

The Red Zone encompasses areas in the Tunku state constituency, currently represented by Barisan Nasional's (BN) Datuk Mohd Suhaili Said.

Tunku is among the three state seats in the Silam parliamentary constituency. The other two are Lahad Datu and Kunak.

 

“I am confident that with the presence of our security forces there, the situation will return to normal and it is because of that I believe we can hold the general election simultaneously nationwide," he told reporters after holding a briefing on election preparations for election officers and election campaign enforcement teams, here today.

 

When asked whether the Electoral Roll which was gazetted on Feb 22 this year would be applicable if Parliament was to be dissolved at the end of the month, Abdul Aziz said it would be used for the 13th GE.

 

However, he said the process of updating the roll would continue until the dissolution of Parliament. 

 

Abdul Aziz said there were 982,644 registered voters in Sabah, while Labuan had 24,497 registered voters.

 

He said the EC had allocated RM50 million for the general election in Sabah and would involve 17,615 election workers.

 

The workers would include the returning officers, comprising 26 people, including for Labuan, and 124 assistant returning officers, three of them for Labuan.

 

There are 26 parliamentary seats, including Labuan, in Sabah, and 60 state seats.

 

On the use of helicopters for the election, especially in the remotes areas, Abdul Aziz said helicopters would be used at 86 polling centres and also to send and fetch EC staff from their work places.

 

As for boat service, he said it would be required at 55 polling centres.

 

Abdul Aziz advised political parties contesting in the coming general election to abide by regulations and not to raise sensitive issues, including on the intrusion in Sabah.

 

"We do not want any party to raise issues which can hurt the feelings of other people or races," he added.

 

He expressed confidence that the security team was capable of maintaining peace and public order during the election campaign and on polling.

 

He also advised voters in Sabah, especially in Lahad Datu, to exercise their rights by going out to vote in the coming general election.

 

Earlier in his speech, Abdul Aziz advised election workers to carry out their duties fairly and without fear or favour.

He hoped this coming general election would be the cleanest in the country's election history. - BERNAMA

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Felda launches Lahad Datu Heroes' Fund for widows of fallen cops, soldiers

KUALA LUMPUR: Felda today launched the Lahad Datu Heroes' Fund to help widows of fallen policemen and soldiers in their line of duty to defend the nation from the Sulu terrorists.

Felda Chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Isa Abdul Samad said the fund raising will start tomorrow in all the 317 Felda schemes nationwide.

 

"Money collected in the next two to three weeks will be disbursed to the widows through the Royal Malaysia Police," he said when launching the fund at the media appreciation night here tonight.

 

Mohamed Isa said Felda settlers were touched by the deeds and sacrifices of the policemen and soldiers to protect the nation's sovereignty until the last drop of their blood.

 

He said Felda also contributed food and drinks to the police, soldiers and other parties involved in the ongoing "Operasi Daulat" in Lahad Datu, Semporna and surrounding areas.

 

In the latest development today, a soldier was killed and three terrorists were shot dead in Kampung Sungai Nyamuk in Tanjung Batu.

 

To date, nine security forces have been killed since Ops Daulat was launched last Tuesday. -- BERNAMA

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Malaysia, UAE sign RM39bil joint ventures in petroleum and finance

                                                                              Courtesy of TheStar

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday inked agreements involving two joint venture investments worth RM39bil.

The first involved the establishment of a RM18bil Aabar-1MDB strategic partnership to focus on making sustainable investments in important high-impact projects

The other investment involved a RM21bil crude oil and petroleum storage facility off Tanjung Piai in johor.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Zayed al Nahyan, here on a one-day visit, witnessed the signing of the agreements.

Najib said the projects would create thousands of well-paying new jobs for Malaysians.

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Skills Development Fund borrowers to get discounts on repayments until March 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Those who repay their loans under the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) in a lump sum any time between March 1, 2013 and March 1, 2014 will enjoy a 20% discount on their total repayment.

During this period, those who repay their loans through monthly installments will also enjoy a 10% discount.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said those who have been paying consistently every month can also apply for the 10% discount.

"We know it can be quite burdensome for some borrowers to repay the loan.

"Therefore, we hope that these incentives will help somewhat and encourage them to repay their loans as soon as possible," he said.

He added that the current unpaid outstanding balance from the fund was more than RM500mil.
Dr Subramaniam was talking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Skills Development Department (JPK) and the Malaysian-German Chambers of Commerce, as well as the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI) here Tuesday.

He said the MoU was to seal the implementation of international skill-training programmes into the skill industries in Malaysia, as well as widen international recognition and accreditation of graduates from local training courses.

"We hope also that with this, there will be greater acceptance of our skills-training programmes among the industries in Malaysia.

"This will propel us towards becoming a highly-skilled nation," he said.

He added that there were currently about 100,000 trainees in more than 29 industries at any given time in the country.

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Temporary closure of Wawasan Bus Terminal and roads for parade on March 17

12th March, 2013

KOTA KINABALU: Several roads will be closed for the launching of the 1Malaysia Community PERWANI and 1 Million Women Purple Walk 2013 Sabah Stage on Sunday, March 17, 2013.

A press release to inform the public was issued on Monday by the Public Relations Division of DBKK.

The program organized by the State Ministry of Community Development and Consumer Affairs will be held at City Square, Kota Kinabalu (opposite Hotel Promenade) at 8.00 am.

Several roads will be closed starting at 5:00 am to make way for the procession which will start from City Square. The procession will then proceed along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Jalan Centre Point, Jalan Coastal, Jalan Wawasan and return to City Square.

Jalan Centre Point, Jalan Jalan Coastal and Jalan Wawasan will be fully open to the public at 10.30 am after the event ends. While Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens will be fully open to the public at 12.00 pm.

Meanwhile, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens will also be closed during a rehearsal on March 16, 2013 (Saturday) from 7.00 am to 12.00 pm.

In the meantime, the Wawasan Bus Terminal will also be closed temporarily on the day of the event, starting at 5.00 am till 10.00 am, to be used as an assembly point for participants of the parade.

Therefore, all bus operators will drop and pick up passengers at bus stops huts in and around Kota Kinabalu City and return to their bases during the closure.

Meanwhile, long-distance bus (19A, 19B and 19C) will use the public car lots near the Terminal along Jalan Padang.

To avoid inconveniences, motorists are advised to follow the instructions of security personnel and safety signs and to make use of alternative routes.

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Sabah Special Security Area To Be Called ESSCOM – Musa

KOTA KINABALU, March 11 – The Sabah Special Security Area announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is to be known as the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said today.

He said the name was decided by the Sabah Security Committee at a meeting which he had chaired earlier today.

Najib had agreed to the name and would announce further details on ESSCOM soon, Musa told reporters after the meeting.

The prime minister announced the establishment of the Sabah Special Security Area on Thursday after a visit to Sabah to have a close look at the “Ops Daulat” offensive launched by the security forces against Sulu militants in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.

The militants had holed up in the village since Feb 12 and had ignored government overtures to them lay down arms and surrender.

On March 1 and 2, the militants ambushed and killed eight policemen in Kampung Tanduo and Kampung Simunul, Semporna, prompting the government to launch the offensive.

Musa, in a video conference with Najib in Putrajaya today, said the people welcomed the prime minister’s announcement of the Sabah Special Security Area which stretched from Kudat to Tawau on the east coast and had Lahad Datu as the central command.

“I am sure this measure has raised the confidence of the people, investors and tourists in terms of safety, especially in the Sabah east coast,” he said.

Musa also expressed his appreciation for the sacrifices of the security forces in ensuring the safety of the people in Sabah, particularly Lahad Datu.

“The people of Sabah will hold in high regard the deeds and sacrifices of the security forces,” he said.

Source : Umno Online

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Plenty of business avenues under BN, says Musa

 

11th March, 2013

KOTA KINABALU: The government will continue to promote greater participation of Bumiputeras in business and entrepreneurship in line with its objective to create a successful and resilient Bumiputera Commercial and Industrial Community (BCIC), said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

“The federal and state governments are always looking for ways to help the traders and entrepreneurs in Sabah to thrive,” he said at an assembly of the National Business Venture Group Economic Fund (TEKUN Nasional) entrepreneurs here yesterday.

He said the BN government under the leadership of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would always provide opportunities to traders to grow their businesses such as providing them with the TEKUN loan.

“The government is also implementing various initiatives for the prosperity and wellbeing of the people.

“Thus, a variety of programmes have been and will be implemented by the state and federal governments to help realise our goal of becoming a high income, developed nation by the year 2020,” he said.

In this regard, Musa urged the entrepreneurs to assist one another not only to ensure their businesses continue to grow and be competitive but also to ensure that the government’s efforts to bring about prosperity and wellbeing to all sections of the people in Sabah and Malaysia would become successful.

Meanwhile, since its inception in 1998, TEKUN Nasional has given out RM2.5 billion in loans to 244,863 traders and entrepreneurs throughout the country, he said.

It has disbursed loans amounting to RM171.3 million to 20,762 entrepreneurs in Sabah alone during the same period, he added.

During the first two months of this year, TEKUN Nasional has disbursed loans totalling RM87 million to more than 7,690 entrepreneurs while RM8 million in loans were given to 851 entrepreneurs in Sabah.

On behalf of the state government, Musa thanked the federal government for giving a lot of TEKUN loans to Sabahans.

He advised the loanees to work hard to developing their business as well as to repay the loans

“If we have the determination, surely we will succeed… and we should be thrifty, work hard and manage our finance well,” Musa advised TEKUN Nasional entrepreneurs while sharing his experience as a businessman before he entered into politics.

Meanwhile, Musa also urged the people of Sabah to be thankful and grateful for all the help and facilities provided by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

“The people of Sabah know how to be grateful and they will repay the leaders’ kindness by voting for the BN in the 13th general election,” he said.

He said although recently the people of Sabah were shocked and saddened by the news of the Lahad Datu intrusion incident, the BN government is confident of resolving problem from the outset.

“At first we took the best approach of not wanting to spill any blood as this is the Malaysian way but they (the intruders) did not want to negotiate, and chose the bad way that cost the lives of our security personnel.

“We have launched the attack and now we will no longer compromise and so if anyone intrudes Sabah … this is how we defend our sovereignty,” he said.

In the meantime, Musa also denounced the action of some opposition leaders who like to spread lies and said that what happened was just a ‘drama’ by the government.

He said this was the difference in attitude between the opposition and the BN leaders.

“The opposition leaders are irresponsible and make treacherous remarks while the BN government is always ready to face whatever challenges that come its way,” said Musa.

He said while the people in Sabah continue to lead a normal and peaceful life, the sacrifices of security personnel who lost their lives would always be appreciated.

“We will continue to strengthen unity so that together with the security forces we will defend the sovereignty of the safety of our nation,” said Musa.

Meanwhile, 26 TEKUN entrepreneurs from each parliamentary constituency in Sabah and Labuan received Outstanding TEKUN Entrepreneur Awards while 709 Sabah entrepreneurs received TEKUN loans totalling more than RM6 million at the event.

TEKUN Nasional also donated RM20,000 to the widows of policemen killed in the Lahad Datu and Semporna shooting incidents at the function which was attended by about 4,000 TEKUN entrepreneurs.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin, Assistant Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology cum Karambunai Assemblyman Datuk Jainab Ahmad, Inanam Assemblyman Datuk Johnny Goh, CEO of TEKUN Nasional Datuk Abdul Rahim Hassan and Deputy Chairman of TEKUN Nasional cum Sepanggar Umno chief, Datuk Jumat Idris.

Source: New Sabah Times

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Rakyat menjadi keutamaan dalam konsep 1Malaysia

Keadaan di Lahad Datu sudah semakin pulih namun opreasi daulat masih dijalankan. Operasi Daulat juga dikenali sebagai "mopping" yang mana bertujuan untuk memburu sisa-sisa penceroboh. Operasi berjalan lancar dengan usaha sama pasukan keselamatan ATM (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia) dan juga PDRM (Polis DiRaja Malaysia). Bersyukur dengan adanya usaha sama ini keselamatan kita tetapnya terjamin.

Walaubagaimana pun keadaan di Lahad Datu terutamanya di Kg Tanduo sudah terjejas. Smua keluarga telah dipindahkan ke dewan bagi mengelak berlakunya insiden yang tidak diingini semasa pasukan keselamatan kita menjalankan Operasi Daulat. Terjejasnya aktiviti harian mereka membawa kepada masalah-masalah seperti sumber pendapatan. 

Sedar dengan keadaan yang tidak memberansangkan buat mereka yang terjejas, kerajaan persekutuan akan  menimbangkan kemungkinan memberi bantuan wang ehsan kepada penduduk yang terjejas. Perdana Menteri Kita Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak melaporkan bahawa isu ini sudah dibincangkan dengan Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Selaras dengan slogan 1Malaysia "Rakyat didahulukan, Pencapaian diutamakan" Datuk Seri Najib sememangnya berjiwa rakyat. 

Ketua Menteri, Datuk Musa Haji Aman juga tidak ketinggalan dalam memastikan rakyat sentiasa menjadi keutamaan. Berikut perbualan yang diadakan dengan Datuk Seri Najib melalui sidang video untuk membincangkan hal berkaitan dengan insiden di Lahad Datu. Berikut adalah pernyataan dari Datuk seri Najib:

"Saya difahamkan punca pendapatan ramai masyarakat tempatan terjejas termasuk nelayan yang tidak dapat turun ke laut kerana kawasan mereka diancam oleh kumpulan penceroboh,"

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20130311/dn_61/Lahad-Datu-Kerajaan-timbang-wang-ihsan-untuk-penduduk-terjejas#ixzz2NFoulapG
© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd 

Apa yang kita harapkan, dengan adanya bantuan ini mereka yang terjejas boleh menjalankan aktiviti mereka seperti biasa. Pastinya keselamatan kita pada masa akan datang terus terjamin.

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Civil servants to get one annual increment on July 1

Pic The Star

PUTRAJAYA: All civil servants will receive a salary movement benefit of one annual increment, to be paid out on July 1 this year.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who made the announcement, said this would mean every civil servant would receive between RM80 and RM320.

"This measure will involve an expenditure of RM1.5bil," he said at the "Transforming the Civil Service, Realising Vision 2020" gathering here.

The prime minister also said that effective Jan 1 this year, three additional annual increments would be provided after the maximum salary on the salary schedules.

This will benefit some 180,000 civil servants.

According to Bernama, the initiatives were part of the New Remuneration System, which would now be known as the Transformative Remuneration System (SST).

Najib said that in the event there was no salary adjustment or review to ensure that civil servants remained productive and performed well, the government agreed to give a special salary movement of three per cent to those on the maximum salary, provided they met the conditions of the stipulated annual salary movement and performance.

The prime minister also had good news for the almost 50,000 contract officers whose service would end on Dec 31 this year.

He said their service would be extended by another year pending an overall study.

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Lahad Datu: Tanduo declared clean, 97 militants captured in Ops Daulat

courtesy of PDRM 

LAHAD DATU: The police announced on Monday that Tanduo, the landing site of militant intruders a month ago, is free of the Sulu gunmen.

Security forces are now focusing on getting rid of the remaining militant intruders in the Tanjung Batu and Sungai Bilis areas.

On Sunday, a terrorist was shot dead in Kampung Tanjung Batu, making the total number of militant intruders killed 54.

Ninety-seven people were detained for suspected involvement with the gunmen, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib.

He said security forces also held 122 people for being in the prohibited zone of Ops Daulat.

On March 8, security forces launched an offensive against the terrorist group, followed by a search to hunt them down.

Speaking at a press conference with Army Infantry Division Commander Mej-Gen Datuk Ahmad Zaki Mokhtar here, Hamza said the bodies of 22 terrorists were sent to the hospital for post-mortem.

He also allowed journalists to take pictures of the bodies to preempt allegations of certain groups questioning the number of terrorists killed.

Hamza rubbished the claim that the self-proclaimed Raja Muda Azzimuddie Kiram, who headed the intrusion, had escaped the security forces dragnet in Semporna.

"If I knew he was in Semporna, I would have long captured him," he said, also denying reports that security forces subjected the Sulu community to brutality.

To date, no police report has been made against security forces that its members had used violence, he added.-Bernama

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