NSC: Cyber war is a crime

PETALING JAYA: Waging cyber war, even if done in the name of Malaysia, is still a crime.

National Security Council (NSC) secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab said that Malaysia outlawed cyber attacks and that anyone caught doing so, would be punished.

“In Malaysia, cyber hacking is a criminal offense against the laws of the country, irrespective of whether the it has been committed by citizens or by foreigners,” he said.

Mohamed was referring to the three-day cyber war between Malaysian and Filipino hackers from Mac 1 to 4.

Malaysian hackers first attacked Filipino Government and private websites, hours after after Sulu gunmen and security forces clashed outside Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu.

Filipino hackers responded in kind, and up to two hundred websites belonging to both countries were defaced before a “ceasefire” was called.

Mohamed said 36 local private websites were defaced, though he was mum about how many Government ones were affected.

He said that NSC alerted “critical agencies” as soon as the attacks started.

“None of these critical websites suffered any major problem,” he said, adding that Government sites were in the past, vulnerable to attacks.

Mohamed added that it was not easy to pinpoint the attacks, though he confirmed that neither Government was involved.

“We understand that the Philippine side suffered a bigger problem compared to the Malaysian side,” he said.

Mohamed said that it was up to the Attorney-General to take action against hackers, adding that locals could be tracked “eventually”, if not immediately.

“Tracking attackers from the Philippine side would require close cooperation with the authorities there,” he said.

Hackers can be charged under Section 4 of the Computer Crimes Act 1997, which carries a fine of not more than RM150,000, a jail term of not more than 10 years or both.

“Whether or not action will be taken against the perpetrators is another matter,” Mohamed said.
Hackers, he added, were getting more sophisticated, and that the Government was trying to keep up with the technology.

He said that there were systems in place for events like these, and that they were tested regularly.

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Lahad Datu: Dr M's surprise visit cheers the troops

 

LAHAD DATU: Hundreds of military and police personnel on duty to flush out foreign militants here had a pleasant surprise when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turned up to meet them.

Scores of them surged forward to shake the former prime minister's hand when he arrived at the Felda Desa Kencana community hall, where the security personnel were billeted.

Many of them took turns to take photographs with Dr Mahathir, who obliged their requests. The statesman also had tea with them.

Dr Mahathir was accompanied by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Armed Forces chief Jeneral Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor. Dr Mahathir also took time out to have to tea with the security personnel.

Speaking to the media later, Dr Mahathir said more equipment was needed to enable the security forces to respond faster to intrusions, especially in Sabah.

“For example in Lahad Datu, there are mangroves and shallow rivers that make it difficult for existing military or police boats to enter,” he added.

Dr Mahathir commended the action of the security forces in dealing with the attacks by the foreign militants.

“This (security offensive) was necessary as they (terrorists) have attacked our country and killed our people,” he added.

He said it was regrettable that some of those in the Southern Philippines had caused trouble to Malaysia although the country did not discriminate against its people of various races and ethnic groups.

“Now, we will not stop until all the terrorists are found or killed. Either way, they will be found,” Dr Mahathir said.

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PM launches new trust fund inheritance services under ASNB

 

Serdang: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Sunday launched new trust fund inheritance services under the Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), which will benefit over 11 million unit holders.

The services, Hibah Amanah and Pengisytiharan Amanah, which are for Muslim and non-Muslim holders respectively, is also in conjunction with Permodalan Nasional Berhad's (PNB) 35th anniversary celebration.

He said that registration for the two services will be available at all ASNB offices nationwide, starting Monday.

"This new service will assist ASNB unit holders in planning their property related to the ASNB trust unit, so that it would be distributed to their descendants in a faster and easier process," said Najib during a dinner at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).

Hibah Amanah is a service in accordance with Syariah that applies the concept of "trust and grant" in the management of properties, while Pengisytiharan Amanah applies the concept of trust, said PNB in a statement.

It said under the services, unit trust holders who have passed away will automatically have their assets transferred over to their family or loved ones.

To register, holders must be aged 18 and above. Beneficiaries can be Malaysians or foreigners but must be directly related to the holder.

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" Actions speak louder than words "- Musa

Musa consoled one of the widows of the killed policeman.

The oppositions have non stop attacking the government for not giving out their best in protecting the coastline along the East Coast of Sabah and caused the deaths of several security forces in Lahad Datu. While they are busy putting their fingers around, I would like to know whether they have done anything to help the victims.

Yet, the only thing I know is the worst ever remark by Tian Chua, who said that the intrusion is part of Umno's conspiracies. He is busying himself with nonsense statements, but thank you Tian Chua, now I know how much BN care about us, standing for us and take you to court.


Look, the State Government has done its part well by contributing RM100,000 each to the victims' families, members and their loved ones. This is what Musa said as " actions speak louder than words ". We do what we preach and we give what we able to.

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Game is on for GE13 addicts

Photo credit: The Star


PETALING JAYA: While we await the 13th general election, smartphone users can “help” their favourite politicians “conquer or retain” Putrajaya - in the video game world.

An election-themed game titled “Conquest of Putrajaya” which features Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat leaders battling it out for votes has hit the Web and App stores as a free download.

Players can choose to play the cartoon versions of politicians in states like Penang, Selangor, Johor and Sarawak before unlocking the final stage, which is Putrajaya.

Among the characters on the Barisan side are Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel and Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

On the Pakatan side, gamers can play as Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.
“The parties will engage on a battlefield to defend their territory while trying to take their enemy's territory.

“As they move forward, they unlock different states and characters to play,” said Game Pro International Sdn Bhd general manager Kenny Chua.

Kenny said the developer had initially designed the engine for a different game but after observing the keen interest in the general election among Malaysians, he decided to switch the theme.
The game took two weeks to develop and was released last week.

“Everyone is so serious come election time. What we wanted was something in a fun setting that people can enjoy,” he said, adding that the game also took jabs at some recent political gags.
The game had over 30,000 downloads and is ranked in the top 50 new Apps on the Google Play Store.
Kenny said netizens can also play the game on Facebook while an iOS version of the App would be ready in a few weeks.

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Najib congratulates Pope Francis

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Friday congratulated Pope Francis on his appointment as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

"On behalf of the Malaysian Government and the people of Malaysia, in particular Malaysians of the Roman Catholic faith, I am pleased to extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes on Your Holiness' election as the 266th Holy Roman Pontiff," he said in his letter to the Pope.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that the diplomatic relations established in 2011 between Malaysia and the Holy See, the universal government of the Catholic Church, would continue to prosper and strengthen under Pope Francis' papacy.

"Our bilateral ties have flourished since the historic establishment of our diplomatic relations in 2011.
"It is my sincere hope that under Your Holiness' papacy, our warm and cordial relations will continue to prosper and strengthen," said Najib.

Najib said Malaysia was keen to work with the Holy See to foster greater understanding and harmony among the different religions through Malaysia's initiative to promote moderation through the Global Movement of Moderates.

Pope Francis, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, is from Argentina.

He was elected the 266th Holy Roman Pontiff on Thursday and became the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years.

He succeeds Pope Benedict XVI who stepped down on Feb 28, after nearly eight years in office - the first pontiff to do so in 600 years. - Bernama

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Lahad Datu: Philippines to file criminal charges against "Sultan's royal army"

MANILA: The Department of Justice will file criminal charges against 38 people believed to be members of the self-styled Sulu Sultan's “royal army”.

Justice Secretary Leila DeLima said cases for illegal possession of firearms, violation of the Election Gun Ban and violation of Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code for Inciting to War or Giving Motives for reprisals would be filed before the Bongao, Tawi-Tawi Regional Trial Court on Friday.

She said inquest proceedings against the 38 were held Thursday evening.

An inquest proceeding is an informal and summary investigation conducted by the public prosecutor in a criminal case involving persons arrested without warrant for the purpose of determining whether he or she should remain under custody and correspondingly be charged in court.

The 38 will be detained in a naval facility in Panlima, Tawi-tawi, De Lima said.

They are said to be followers of Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram who were intercepted by the Navy off Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday with a cache of arms after apparently fleeing Sabah.

The interception of the group came a month after Agbimuddin Kiram and his men crossed by speedboats from Tawi-Tawi to Lahad Datu on Feb 9 to press the sultanate's claim to Sabah, triggering a standoff with Malaysian forces.

More than 60 people have been reported killed since then, nine of them members of the Malaysian security forces.

The Philippine Navy vessel PS38 intercepted the first boat of 18 men and one woman in the waters off Omapoy Island at 6:35am Wednesday. The second boat ferrying 18 others in the waters off Andulingan Island was stopped about an hour later. Both islands are in the Tawi-Tawi group, De Lima said.

De Lima said the boats' occupants identified themselves as members of the RSF, and this was confirmed by some witnesses. Agbimuddin was not among them.

“From all indications they are probablythey were part of the Raja Muda group who went there and then got involved in the conflict with Malaysian forces and then came back home, and one of them is wounded,'' De Lima told a press conference on Wednesday.

She said they were not “fall guys.''

Agbimuddin's followers were taken to a naval facility in Panglima Sugala town in Tawi-Tawi and interrogated by a team from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN

Source : The Star Online 

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Tian Chua charged with sedition over Sabah jibe

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Tian Chua was yesterday charged with making seditious statements in relation to the Sabah conflict.

He pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to accusing Umno of being behind the Lahad Datu intrusion.
"This is a politically motivated charge. I will answer this slander to clear my name," he said from the dock when asked to enter his plea by the court's interpreter.
Tian Chua, 50, was charged with making statements that:
THE shooting in Lahad Datu was believed to be a conspiracy of the Umno government to divert attention and intimidate the people;
THE incident had raised many questions and doubts as to the drama staged by the Umno government;
THE intrusion in Lahad Datu was described as a drama by the government to intimidate the people and to make it seem that Sabah is not peaceful; and,
THERE is a conspiracy by the Umno government to divert the attention of Sabahans, particularly over the issuance of identity cards to foreigners.
Tian Chua allegedly committed the offence at No. 62-2-A, Fraser Business Park, off Jalan Metro Pudu, Jalan Yew, here at 11am on March 1.
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or jail of not more than three years or both.
Deputy public prosecutor Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim proposed bail to be set at RM5,000 with one surety.
However, counsel N. Surendran, who appeared for Tian Chua, urged the court to release his client on a personal bond.
He also said that the charge had no merit and the prosecution had little possibility of proving its case.
Replying to the defence contention, Yusaini said the court must first hear evidence before deciding on the issue.
Judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat said it was premature to decide on the case at this stage and added that bail proposed by the prosecution was reasonable. He fixed bail at RM5,000 in one surety and set April 12 for mention.
Surendran also told the court that Tian Chua would file an application at the High Court to strike out the charge.

Read more: Tian Chua charged with sedition over Sabah jibe - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/tian-chua-charged-with-sedition-over-sabah-jibe-1.235194#ixzz2NaTfTw9G

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Families of heroes receive RM100,000

Published on: Friday, March 15, 2013

Kota Kinabalu: The State Government on Thursday presented RM100,000 to the family members of slain Sgt-Maj. Baharin Hamit at their home in Taman Inanam Laut here.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman presented the RM80,000 cheque and RM20,000 cash to Baharin's widow, Sumiati Suarah, 50, and their two children, Muhd Izzat Syafiq Baharin, 16, and Nur Izzaty Syafiqah Baharin, 11.

"Actions speak louder than words," said Musa, when approached by the media for comments after he presented the aid to the bereaved family.

Musa recently announced a donation of RM100,000 to each of the families affected as part of showing appreciation and acknowledging their sacrifices for the country.

"Their sacrifices for the country is very meaningful and it cannot be repaid with any amount of money," he said.

Also present were State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman, Resource Development and Information Technology Assistant Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad, Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sabah Rector Datuk Dr. Abdul Kadir Rosline, State Police Contingent Administration Department Head SAC Noor Azam Jamaludin and City Police Chief ACP Jauteh Dikun among others.

Meanwhile, Abdul Kadir said UiTM would provide tuition classes to all the children of the fallen heroes to ensure they do well in their studies.

"We give space and opportunity to these children by providing tuition classes which will be monitored by UiTM and we hope this would also be a platform for them to further their studies with UiTM," he said.

Sumiati expressed deepest gratitude to the State Government and Chief Minister for the donation. Her two children were also calm, particularly Nur Izzaty who had fainted and constantly broke down when met during the first few days of her father's death.

Sumiati also thanked UiTM for their offer to assist her children in their studies through tuition classes.

Meanwhile, Jainab who also donated an undisclosed amount to the family said she would discuss with the Kg Darau Menggatal village head on how they could assist Sumiati and her children, who have expressed their wish to move closer to their family in Kg Darau in Menggatal.

Meanwhile, the widows of two policemen similarly killed while pursuing the Filipino terrorists, received RM100,000 each from the State Government at their respective homes in Bandar Sri Indah in Tawau and Taman Pelangi in Semporna.

The widow of Cpl Salam Togiran, age 42, Marlinah Utan,38, and four of her children aged between one and 16, as well as widow of Sergeant Abd Azis Sarikon,52, Sitti Banddorah Mahalil, 39, together with her children aged between 18 and seven.

The donation was presented by State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman who was accompanied by senior civil officers and senior police officers.

The donation was presented by the State Government to lessen the burden of families whose loved ones were killed while protecting the country.

Sukarti who met with the widows gave them words of support and comfort.

Also present during the donation presentation, was District Police Chief ACP Awang Besar Dullah who also presented donations collected from the Tawau Police Station to Marlinah.

Source : Daily Express

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Top ten best things the state government have done

Photo credit: Daily Express

The State Government has finally decided the land lease to 99 years for the business operators in Kolombong. This news has certainly bring cheer to many of the business operators, whom most of them are Chinese operators.

Federation of Sabah Manufacturing (FSM) President Wong Khen Thau, who received the pledge, is delightful and praised the state government for their attentiveness in approving the land lease. In his speech , he has outlined 10 major best things that the state government have contributed to Sabah.

1. Sabah has been among the top states that have achieved sound financial management and received a clean bill by the Auditor-General at least five consecutive years.

2.  The State reserves exceed RM3 billion, its revenue surpassing RM4 billion, the highest in Sabah history.

3. 2013 Sabah budget of RM4.088 billion, the highest in the state’s budget history

4. Sabah Finance Ministry emerged as the only one to achieved 5-star ranking among the state ministries in the star rating system. The other nine state ministries received 4 stars.

5. Sabah with a total investment of RM13 billion in 2011 is ranked third after Sarawak and Penang.

6. Double-digit decline in Sabah’s poverty rate from 19.7 per cent in 2009 to 8.1 per cent in 2012, the highest reduction of poverty rate registered in the country.

7. The State Government had receive the largest funding from the federal government due to the good relationship with the federal leaders

8. The State Government had also convinced the federal government to set-up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI). We must congratulate the State Government for taking up a bravest step.

9. The State Government is very supportive on the call to reduce the cost of living and doing business in Sabah including highlighting the adverse effect of the infamous cabotage policy through the federal leaders.

10. The manufacturing sector and business community received the letters of extension of land leases en-bloc from the State Government.

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Buy certified wood for a successful global forest management

 

Photo credit: New Sabah Times

In this modern world, lesser and lesser people are interested to buy themselves woods. Yes, woods. Perhaps woods are considered as an old aged type of thing to think of, or somehow an outdated kind of stuff. Well, mind you, wood is still receiving a huge response from the buyers, in fact most of the houses in the modern countries are made of woods.

According to the Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) Head of Conservation and Research, Raymond Alfred, customers are encouraged to buy certified woods to ensure the success of the global sustainable forest management. Such efforts need strong policies and strong marketing mechanism in every country, in fact, BCT has implemented a three year conservation programme with a local logging company that supplies only certified wood, as part of the Sabah Mega Biodiversity Corridor Programme Initiative.

The initiative was one that supports the Sabah Wildlife Department’s (SWD) Species Action Plan which strives to enhance forest ecosystem connectivity and corridors for Orangutans and the Bornean Elephants in the Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve.

Interestingly, the recent visit by the Japanese students would also help raise awareness on the importance of utilizing certified wood for the sake of conservation and biodiversity management in Borneo’s forests.

Woods is one of the best material to built a house, and I strongly suggest that we should expose ourselves in this, to cope with the globalization.

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RM20,000 from PBS for police

Published on: Thursday, March 14, 2013

 Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) on Wednesday presented RM20,000 to the Royal Malaysian Police Welfare Fund following clashes in the East Coast of Sabah.

Its Secretary-General Datuk Henrynus Amin presented the cheque to Deputy State Police Commissioner SAC II Datuk Tan Kok Liang at the State Police Contingent Headquarters in Kepayan here.

Also present were PBS Youth Chief Datuk Jahid Jahim, PBS Vice-President Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan and PBS Wanita Exco Senator Datuk Jamilah Sulaiman, among others.

"We in PBS are deeply touched with the police role in protecting our country to ensure our peace and security.

"Sometimes we take for granted peace and stability and sometimes we, particularly politicians, are very quick in criticising the police but now we see sacrifices of our men who are willing to die to protect our country's security and sovereignty," said Henrynus.

"Thus, we in PBS are aware that all these sacrifices are done to protect the people of Malaysia, of SabahansÉwe are forever grateful and we will always support our security forces personnel," he added.

"On behalf of our President and PBS members, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our security forces personnel and we hope this small donation would assist our men," he said, adding that the funds were collected on March 5 in conjunction with PBS anniversary.

Meanwhile, Tan thanked PBS for their donation, concern and support for the security forces who are fighting to ensure the country's security and sovereignty is protected.

On another note, he said the Government has set up the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to safeguard the wide coastline in the East Coast of Sabah.

"The setting up of ESSCOM would strengthen our defence and increase security forces omnipresence along the eastern coastline," he said, adding that its implementation has already started.

He said this shows the Government is serious when it comes to ensuring the security and wellbeing of the country and its people.

Source : Daily Express

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