SAPP Blog

SAPP's Economic Plan for Sabah

2012-01-27T18:13:00.004+08:00

In accordance with the economics of the allocation of scarce resources to maximum effect, SAPP aims to achieve economic prosperity and financial self-reliance for Sabah.

The Economic Plan that we launch today serves to lay out the road map to a prosperous Sabah based on wealth creation for the people and empowerment of the business community.

Wealth must be created before it can be distributed. The engine of growth is the business community.

The business community must be empowered and enabled to generate economic growth through investments, trade and innovation and productivity.

We save for the future and invest in economic production.

SAPP has confidence that Sabah can once again become the premier state in Malaysia.

Until the RM544 million bond (loan) taken by the Sabah State Government two years ago, the Sabah Government had zero private borrowing. Even at the height of the Asian Financial Crisis from 1997 to 1999, Sabah had remained resilient without having to take out any loans.

All repayments to the Federal Government were on schedule, meaning that there were no arrears. Sabahans, over the years and in spite of four changes of State governments, have managed to stay clear of taking private loans or falling into arrears to the federal treasury. If you do not believe me, you can ask the most successful Finance Minister of Sabah, Datuk Hj. Mohd Noor Mansoor.

The RM544 million bond taken by this State Administration two years ago is a now burden to be borne by the next government. The bond is like spending tomorrow's money today.

SAPP promises that, upon the retirement of this bond in 2015 and the retirement of this Chief Minister this year, the Sabah State Government shall not take any more sovereign loans that is actually a direct risk to the State Treasury.

My own experience as Chief Minister from 28 May 1996 to 1998, which was in the midst of the Asian Financial Crisis, taught me that economic resilience is most important in sustaining a nation. For those who have forgotten, the Asian Financial Crisis from 1997 to 1999, which started as a Thai Baht problem, eventually brought down the Indonesian government leading to the independence of East Timor. Korea came under the International Monetary Fund. Hong Kong's financial sector went into free fall. Malaysia was forced to impose currency controls and recapitalize and then merge the banks. Asian stocks markets and currencies went haywire. The social, economic and political impact on ordinary people were serious.

China, which was only just emerging as an international economic player, had to come up with US1 billion to help ASEAN countries stabilise their economies.

As a member of the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) chaired by the Prime Minster and as chairman of the Sabah Economic Action Council formed specifically to face the Asian Financial Crisis, I participated in the crisis management of the time. I learned that Sabah must be economically prosperous, have huge reserves to face any future crisis and be financially self-reliant.

We have to depart from the culture of wealth distribution to wealth creation.

With the support of the people of Sabah and a strong mandate for SAPP, the new government of Sabah will bring new hope and a better Sabah for all Malaysians in Sabah...click here to view book on economic plan

Amdee: SAPP supports Anwar as next PM

2012-01-10T17:10:00.000+08:00

By Hj Amdee Sidik

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 10, 2012: Its sigh of relief now that there is clear at the end of the tunnel. The verdict by the High Court today signifies positive improvement whereby not judges can be bought and controlled by those in power. At the same time it also shows the government is losing integrity of poor judgment when this case shouldn't even be brought to High Court at the first place.

SAPP in full support of Anwar as Pakatan Rakyat leader to become the next Prime Minister.

SAPP has a good relationship with PR. The top leaders as well as local leaders in Sabah have always been in constant contact whilst, at the Federal level our two MPs have been discussing of how to make our relationship effective to topple BN government in Sabah.

Datuk Anwar himself had made it clear sometime ago that there is no issue with SAPP being not under Pakatan fold as our enemy is BN in particular UMNO.

So far, based of our MP Datuk Eric Majimbun with YB Azmin Ali and YB Tian Chua of Keadilan, SAPP may take two third of DUNs Sabah while PR takes one third, while In the case of MPs PR would like to have two third and SAPP may take one third and that is the kind of discussion SAPP leaders have with PR from time to time.

Sabah Umno's sincerity doubtful

2012-01-09T02:26:00.000+08:00

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is sceptical with Sabah Umno's support to the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the issuance of MyKad to foreigners through dubious means.

Vice President Jaafar Haji Ismail said Sabah Umno was only making its stand due to pressure after all the other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties and opposition parties have made their stand on the issue.

Furthermore, he said Sabah Umno Information Chief, Datuk Sapawi Ahmad came out with a vague statement saying that it was up to the Federal to decide.

"There was no commitment or a clear indication that Sabah Umno really wants the RCI to be set up. If Umno is really concerned and as the backbone of Sabah BN it should have been the first to call for the RCI.

"Sabah Umno representatives should have raised the issue at the party's recent general assembly but none did so," he said in a statement here Sunday.

On the proposal by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Penampang chief, Darell Leiking for the State Assembly to convene and discuss to call for the setting up of the RCI, he said SAPP had tried to move a motion to this effect in the last sitting but was rejected by the Speaker saying it was under the Federal jurisdiction.

Jaafar (right) claimed the Federal Government was reluctant to establish the RCI because many Umno leaders and government agencies were involved in the 'Project IC' as published in books such as by MD Mutalib, which had never been challenged by anybody.

It is expected that the BN would include the RCI as among its election manifesto in order to quell the claims for the loss of rights and sovereignty of the state, he said.

The BN government can called for the RCI quickly like in Teo Beng Hock's case and the lawyer Lingam, both concerning individual but it cannot call for an RCI to investigate issues that involve the rights and sovereignty of the people of Sabah, he said.

"I think it is time that the people of Sabah evaluate the sincerity of the Sabah BN government in resolving this issue. If the Federal government did not establish the RCI before the 13th General Election then it is clear that something is being concealed by the BN government," he said.

Racial tension if RCI call denied, says SAPP

2012-01-01T01:43:00.002+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: Racial tension may flare up in Sabah if the people's call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants and the Project IC is turned down by the government, said the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

Its Adviser Datuk Mohd Noor Mansur said contrary to what certain people believe the likelihood of a racial tension in Sabah would be greater if the government continues to ignore this matter (setting up of RCI) because "the natives in Sabah are already not very happy with it (the huge presence of illegal immigrants in the State)."

"This is my sincere opinion on this matter. I also would like to stress here that our party's intention in saying this, or our call for the setting up of a RCI, is not because we are against any race, but because of the fact that we must follow the law, even in becoming a citizen of this country," he said in a press conference held at the party's headquarters in Bornion Centre, Luyang, here Friday.

Deputy President Haji Amde Sidek, Vice President Dullie Haji Marie and other leaders representing about 10 different ethnic communities throughout Sabah were also present.

Mohd Noor said the party has since several years ago demanded together with various non-governmental organisations and political parties in Sabah the setting up of the said RCI.

"The demand has nothing to do with or does not involve the question of any race or religion at all, as it is only focused on the law of this country, rules and regulation and sovereignty...it does not touch, on the sensitivity of anyone especially Malaysians in Sabah. So one should not dare to make any statement to frighten the people in the State on the formation of RCI," he said.

The party's stand is that everyone has the right to apply for a Malaysian identity card (IC) but this must be through a legal and transparent process, he said.

He said the party's petition campaign has collected more than 50,000 signatures from Malaysians in Sabah who wanted the Federal Government to set up the said RCI to end the problem of illegal immigrants in the State whose figures have already reached at alarming hundreds of thousands.

He said the signed petition letter has already been submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Naiib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Parliament by the party's delegation led by Deputy President and Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun.

A copy of this letter had also been handed over to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Mohd Noor said the party demanded the government set up the said RCI because it wants it to do a comprehensive study on the illegal immigrant influx in Sabah, the drastic popularion increase and growth in the State as well as to clean, up the State's electoral roll and investigate thoroughly the so-called "Project IC".

He said the government as reported has set up several investigation bodies like a Lab on Illegal Immigrants, a Parliamentary Select Committee and launched the 5P and 6P programmes, but all of these seem to have no follow up action and ineffective in solving the long standing illegal immigrants problem in the State.

Because of this he said it is most appropriate for the government to set up the RCI in Sabah, so as to get an ultimate solution to this mother of all problems in the State.

Pekida objection to RCI and threat of civil unrest

2011-12-21T03:17:00.005+08:00

1. Peter Marajin
2. Dr Nicholas James Guntobon
3. Fredoline Edwin Lojingki
4. Daniel John Jambun

1. PETER MARAJIN, lawyer and SAPP supreme council member

KOTA KINABALU: It is obvious now that a political party is behind Akjan in objecting the establishment of RCI.

No wonder despite the calls by all parties and all concerned Sabahansto form the RCI, this particular party and its leaders from top to bottom are using every mean to dislodge any legitimate attempt to investigate the issuance of dubious citizenship to foreigners. Akjan himself a benefactor of this party has now allowed himself to be used by the party, for reasons best known to both.

Awarding citizenship to hundreds of thousands even millions people who came into our shores by illegal means is completely unacceptable practice by any civilised world. It is a criminal act at the highest order and yet this is exactly what Barisan Nasional government in Malaysia has been doing for the last 35 years or so.

Now the Pakatan Rakyat is of no help. PR has planned to give Permanent Resident status to these illegals when they are in power. If i were an Indonesian or Filipino muslim living in Sabah i would now quickly take with me all my other relatives and illegally come to Sabah because the moment PR becomes the government of Sabah, i and my relatives would now entitle to be Permanent Resident of Sabah.

Do we need to be a space scientist to know the difference between the BN policy and PR policy when it comes to political islamisation of Sabah?

2. DR NICHOLAS JAMES GUNTOBON, Medical doctor cum activist, and UBF Coordinator for Liawan, Keningau
KENINGAU: Datu Akjan and his Pekida is trying ti mislead the people by implying that the setting up of RCI is to instigate Sabahans to hate the Federal government. RCI is to look for answers and explanations on why the population of certain small groups in Sabah have increased drastically and the issuance of MyKads to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants from the southern Philippines and Indonesian muslim territories.

The Project IC is not a secret. Its existence has been exposed and revealed by numerous people in court cases, in statutory declarations and books and researched papers. Is Akjan coming up against the RCI now just because he is emboldened by inflated numbers of his community? I think this is more the reason for the RCI to be pursued, before some hard-headed people come to Putrajaya and demand to be recognised as sultan and qualify to be a future Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The only person or group that will oppose the formation of RCI are those PTI/PATAIs themselves. Why should a genuine Sabahan oppose against the RCI to investigate such an important issue that transgressed all good laws of this country and this state? Are they afraid that their real identity will eventually be exposed?

It's true that the decision to issue citizenship lies with the Federal government but how could the Federal give citizenship to those people who come here illegally in the first place?

The Borang Sijil Akuan that Akjan mentioned itself needs to be investigated. How can he use the sijil which is known to be heavily abused? This is among the things the proposed RCI needs to investigate.

There are no doubt that there are a lot of ethnic groups in Sabah, but we must also know the statistic and their distribution in Sabah. The average population increase is just above 100%. But if one population increase by a huge 300% to 1,500%, this should be investigated.

The IMM13 issuance to "war refugees" in Sabah also needs to be investigated as this should not be here as we are not signatory to certain UN accord and that there were no more war in the Philippines and that those refugees can go home already.

I agree that we should look into our history and the genesis of Sabah independence and Malaysia formation. This advise is as good for Akjan himself too. It is more important to set up RCI now in order to avoid any racial tension in the state. Sentiment is already boiling and RCI is the only proper way to solve this perennial problem of over-flooding Sabah with muslim immigrants.

3. FREDOLINE EDWIN LOJINGKI, 70, UNKO veteran activist

PENAMPANG : Akjan and his Pekida should not insinuate us with his UMNO-style of veiled threat of racial tension if we continue to pursue the RCI on illegal immigrants and fake IC in Sabah.

I, as a veteran of 70, do not care to go to "war" if it is to salvage the sovereignty of my state and the future of my generations. It is okay for me to die fighting for RCI and what is fair to genuine Sabahans. Akjan, you should better go back and research how many of you here in the 50s and 60s and how many of you there are now in Sabah, including those Suluk and Bugis who now call themselves Melayu !

The Federal leaders have been too much on us the natives in Sabah and Sarawak, especially the Christians. Cant they accept the fact that we were the majority here in East Malaysia that they, must islamise this two states. We have nothing against any religion, but this is just too much and deserved to be answered now this way.

We know now why Kuala Lumpur give citizenships to these people but not the non-muslims from other countries. Fine, but having seen it all from the 60s, it is time that something like RCI need to set up to do some justice to the Malaysia Agreement that we signed in 1963 to form a country named Malaysia.

If we cannot get justice here from our own land, then we Sabahans must call to the world for help, or else we will be eliminated, naturally. Marginalisation is already very obvious in Sabah...

4. DANIEL JOHN JAMBUN, Activist and Advisor to UK-based Human Rights Foundation Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU: RCI is the only way to end MyKad controversy in Sabah. Akjan can give evidence at RCI, no need to get worked up and be so defensive. No need to defend the Federal Government because it can defend itself.

Those who have eyes can see for themselves the evidences of the Federal Government illegal acts against us in Sabah. Can we explain why some are twice born in Sabah? It is a fraud. Look at a certain case of Salman the pakistani carpet dealer... or Salman the Idnian restaurant keeper. The Federral could not just give MyKads without citizenship to those born overseas...

The RCI should go back several generations to 1963 as this scheme by Kuala Lumpur began long time ago in small scale then.. Sure Akjan and Pekida would not just brush aside what Hassnar Ebrahim gave as testimony in court on his involvement in a Projek IC? And another thisng, how come is that a Kadazandusun require Surat Akuan to apply for citizenship?

Sand monopoly, the cronies are at it again

2011-12-18T02:38:00.001+08:00

By Datuk Yong Teck Lee (Kota Kinabalu, Dec 16, 2011)

The cronies are at it again. After failing to monopolise the scrap metal business three years ago, cronies have again reared their ugly heads to grab the extraction and supply of sand to the construction industry.

Using the same lame excuse of lax enforcement against "thefts of scrap metal", the political masters have now come up with thefts of sand as the excuse to put all the rights to sand extraction in the hands of Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO).

This is a repeat of the failed attempt in 2008 to let Superpanel Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary company of the Sabah Housing and Town Development Board (LPPB), monopolise the scrap metal business.

At the time, the scrap metal business was lucrative. The same excuse about metal thefts and protecting the government's interests was used for monopolising the business. But eventually, the idea was dropped due to the fall in scrap metal prices. The decision on the monopoly had nothing to do with the government's interests. It had all to do with greed and abuse of power.

This sand monopoly could hold the construction industry to ransom, impose arbitrary prices and payment terms, including hidden costs. Like the import of vehicles using APs (Approved Permits), quotas could be allocated to sub-cronies to buy and sell sand, thereby driving costs.

How can SEDCO enforce against sand thefts? It has zero enforcement personnel and no statutory power to seize machineries, investigate, arrest or prosecute. So, people are entitled to draw their own conclusions. Is it a coincidence that the Chairman of SEDCO, the assemblyman for Membakut, is a family member of the Chief Minister?

Monopolies fuel inefficiency, stifle economic growth, add to hidden costs and kills private sector initiative. All economists know this. This is why many countries have anti-monopoly laws. If the Sabah government were to go ahead with the sand monopoly, then sand operators and consumers can complain to the anti-monopoly Malaysia Competition Commission under Section 15 of the Competition Act 2010 that takes effect on January 1, 2012.

Our anti-monopoly laws seek to protect consumers, businesses and the economy. Under Section 4(2)(b), it is an offence to monopolise the market as well as the SOURCES OF SUPPLY, which in this case is sand supply. It is understood that the Competition Commission will investigate the MAS-Air Asia share swap deal that has created a super monopoly of the aviation industry, leading to reduced flights, reduced destinations, higher fares and cancellation of Tiger Air flights to Sabah.

Bad policies will affect the economic wellbeing of the whole state. After casting clouds over the heads of birds nest farmers and the failed implementation of the Money Lenders Act, the government now wants to impose a sand monopoly. This is another slap in the face for the business community which is already struggling against rising fuel prices, reduced banking credit and uncertainties over the global currency crisis.

The only sector sustaining the Sabah economy is oil palm, but which is now increasingly affected by foreign workers issues and worsening roads.

By Datuk Yong Teck Lee is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President

Housing Development Act should not be extended to Sabah

2011-12-15T01:59:00.003+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: Extending the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act to Sabah will be another erosion of the state's autonomy, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Vice President, Datuk Wong Yit Ming.

He said the proposal by DAP Kota Kinabalu MP Hiew King Cheu for the Act, which was recently amended in the Parliament, to be extended to Sabah as well did not merit consideration because Sabah already has its own Enactment that had successfully curbed abandoned housing development.

"Another extension of a federal law will not help. There are more abandoned housing projects in Malaya than Sabah and Sarawak has it success record or reviving abandoned projects," he said.

Wong said extending the Federal Act to Sabah would also cause the State Government to lose its authority on housing development since everything would have to go through the Federal.

"We do not want another federal law intruding into Sabah. Local developers will all have to get their licences from Putrajaya," he said.

If there is any weakness in the Sabah Housing Enactment, the State Government can improve upon it, no need for a federal law, he said.

He said extending Federal laws to the State had been proven to be non-beneficial just like when the government decided to spread the Money Lending Act to Sabah.

"With the Act in place, we can see more and more money lending companies that are known to charge extravagant interest fees sprouting throughout the State.

"We want a set of law that can control these alongs instead of promoting their existence," he said.

The Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966, which was amended to give more protection to housebuyers by allowing criminal proceedings to be taken against renegade developer should be applicable only to Semenanjung in view of the many cases happening there.

"In Sabah our law is sufficient to curb abandoned housing project … the Federal housing project that Hiew pointed out as being abandoned in Sabah should be pushed out to the Housing and Local Government Ministry," he said.

Wong said it was understandable that DAP as a peninsular-based party would want the Act to cover Sabah as well.

"I think DAP will let more federal laws take root in Sabah, like what Umno has done with the Money Lenders Act which loan sharks now follow into Sabah.

SAPP demands for establishment of RCI on illegals before GE13

2011-12-14T15:15:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 7, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has called for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the perennial issues of illegal immigrants and ‘Project IC’, before the 13th General Elections.

Urging this was its Deputy President cum MP for Seppangar, Datuk Eric Majimbun, stressing that such a move is crucial towards cleaning up of the much-tainted electoral rolls, in line with the Government’s pledge for electoral reforms.

"And those culprits who are involved in the Project IC too should be brought to justice according to the existing laws, as these people are the traitors of the country, Sabah in particular," he said.

"If the Government can allow for the establishment of RCI to probe into an individual-related issues like that of Teo Beng Hock’s mysterious death and a lawyer like Linggam, why can’t the same be done to resolve the perennial issue of the presence of hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who have obtained the Mykad, that is threatening the sovereignty of Sabah and affecting the wellbeing of its people?" he questioned.

Besides this, he also challenged UMNO and the Chief Minister as the Chairman of Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) and the State Security Council, to take a stand on the call for the establishment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the perennial illegal immigrants issue affecting Sabah.

Majimbun was responding to the recent statement by the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman, that the opposition were merely capitalizing on the RCI to score political mileage, and describing it as an unreasonable and irresponsible act.

"None of the Sabah delegates who spoke in the recent UMNO Annual General Assembly had supported the calls for the setting up of the RCI," he noted.

In a rebuttal issued here today, Majimbun contended that both the issues of illegal immigrants and ‘Project IC’ are close to the heart of the people of Sabah, and they have waited for many decades to resolve the issues.

"Almost all political parties in Sabah including several component parties of Barisan Nasional too have expressed their support demanding for the establishment of the RCI by the Federal government."

"SAPP Youth had also collected 100,000 signatures through its campaign and these signatures were later submitted together with a memorandum to the Prime Minister in the Parliament, and the Chief Minister at the State Legislative Assembly," he pointed out.

He added that SAPP had also moved a motion for the tabling of the said RCI in the State Legislative Assembly, but was rejected by the Speaker.

"During the recent public hearing conducted by the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms, the issue of RCI was also raised as a mean of cleaning the electoral rolls. This showed that the people of Sabah are one-hearted in demanding the Government to act on the issue. Unfortunately, the Government just can’t be bothered and continue to ignore the issue affecting the sovereignty of the State which is a major concern to the people," he lamented.

Majimbun continued that it has been proven that the situation has become more serious as reflected in the census conducted in 2010 whereby Sabah population has drastically increased to 3.2 million, as compared to Sarawak which only has a population of 2.4 million.

We'll resolve land ownership issue within 2 years if...

2011-12-14T15:13:00.001+08:00

We'll resolve land ownership issue within 2 years if SAPP is given mandate

RANAU, Dec 13, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) said it will resolve land ownership issues in Sabah within two years if given the mandate from the people to form the State Government.

Vice President, Japiril Suhaimin said SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee had shown that the party was capable in doing so when during his tenure as Chief Minister about 48,000 land application were processed and issued with titles.

"The land ownership problems in Sabah have been there for quite a long time and as though there is no solution to it," he said.

Responding to the statement by Rural Development Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin that the main problem for small holders to get assistance from the government was due to their land status as only those with land title would be entertained.

In this respect, Japiril said SAPP would prove that its Land Reformation Policy that was launched on Nov 8 this year was not a mere political gimmick but aimed at assisting the people to uplift their social and economic status.

PBS misleading the public again

2011-12-10T02:12:00.000+08:00

Herbert Timbon Lagadan, habitual liar

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Secretary-General Datuk Richard Yong We Kong told PBS to stop making excuses, finger-pointing and no more ugly rhetoric all intended to mislead the general public when it comes to the issue of illegal immigrants.

"PBS must stand up to their duty and obligation to resolve the Sabah problems particularly the illegal immigrants (PTI).

"Whenever this issue of illegal immigrants was brought up PBS leaders would try to blame others for their own failure, repeatedly saying solutions are on the way. PBS has been repeating the rhetoric for years while having the post of Chief Ministers for nine years, post of Deputy Chief Ministers and Federal Ministers and cabinet ministers yet they cannot provide a straight answer to the PTI problem.

"Datuk Herbert Timbon Lagadan said Datuk Yong Teck Lee was beneficiary of PTI phantom voters is a lie. In fact Datuk Yong Teck Lee was the victim of the phantom voters.

"Saying Datuk Yong Teck Lee proposed a border pass for Filipinos to enter Sabah easily was another lie. In fact the Border Pass was proposed by Malaysia/Philippines Joint Border Committee but later rejected by State Cabinet in 1997," Richard stressed.

"Saying only during Chief Ministership of Datuk Yong Teck Lee newly born PTI children were given birth certificates is yet another lie by Datuk Herbert. Birth certificates are issued for all births in any country, then and now. The certificates will show parents’ nationality. And for birth certificate of non citizen, it is stated in the birth certificate that the new born has no nationality.

"Datuk Herbert being an Assistant Minister hurling wild allegations, giving distorted information again and again does not reflect well on his holding a high position in the government.

"But now UMNO/PBS BN is giving even Mykads to foreigners, can Herbert deny? Why are all the Ministers so very silent on such gravely serious issue? Don’t they know at the rate it goes, some day the foreigners will outnumber the locals?

"Herbert knew who created the phantom voters yet he still doing stooge work for UMNO. Who does Datuk Herbert represent, UMNO or the people of Sabah?
"PBS must explain why they have refused or stopped Dr Chong Eng Leong from bringing up the illegal immigrant issues when Dr Chong was a PBS member.

"The disclosure of Dr Chong Eng Leong that PBS did not want him when he was a PBS member to be vocal on the illegal immigrants issues implied that whenever PBS touches on illegal immigrants issues is only lips service and their ministers are powerless and only good for window dressing. PBS announced at its 24th congress that PTI issues are expected to be resolved by year 2012, PBS must tell the people of Sabah what if come 2012 the issue is still not resolved but got worsen instead. What will PBS do next? " Richard asked.

Harris admits PBS recalled YS share certs

2011-11-18T03:35:00.000+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, 16 Nov 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) said former Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh finally admitted that it was Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) government who had recalled the Yayasan Sabah share certificate.

SAPP Treasurer General Dullie Marie said Harris had clearly admitted it during the latter's press conference, which was published in local dailies on Nov 16.

"In his first statement published on November 12, Harris claimed that SAPP President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee as Chief Minister between May 28, 1996 and May 27, 1998 withdrew the Yayasan Sabah share certificates in 1996.

"When pointed out to Harris that his own book published in 1996 had stated (three times in the book) that it was the 1990 PBS era (not Yong as CM in the BN era) that withdrew the YS shares certificate, he even denied that the 1996 book was his. He even said that "even a blind man can see that it was a government publication". But now he admitted that the book was his," Dullie added.

Dullie further said that Harris went on accusing Yong of a "mistake" in NBT shares causing Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) to lose RM 300 million.

"Harris even said that, if in China, it is a shooting case. When Yong offered to shoot himself if Harris's accusation is true, Harris quickly abandoned the SAS issue and repeated his earlier mistake that the 1996 ARNS issue was actually the 1990 YS shares certificates issue," Dullie said.

He said Harris is in no position to speak for the PBS Chief Minister in 1990 or the current CM on either the Yayasan Sabah shares certificate issues or the Amanah Rakyat Negeri Sabah (ARNS) issue.

"If Harris is so convinced about having Yayasan Sabah shares certificates or the new ARNS certificates, there is nothing to stop this government from issuing YS shares or ARNS certificates, whatever you call it," Dullie added.

He said, for the record, Yong did not comment on the records of our early leaders, irrespective of their educational backgrounds. The comments on early leaders were made by Prof. Danny Wong and local columnist Tan Sri Herman Luping, which were published in local dailies.

Dullie added that all Yong wanted was to correct another lie being spread about him.

"Yong's offer to shoot himself was a direct response to Harris's false accusation that the so-called SAS RM 300 million losses debacle was caused by the so-called NBT/Warisan Harta share swap. It had nothing to do with Yayasan Sabah. But if Harris really wants leaders to shoot themselves or commit harakiri, then he does not have to look far around him," he said.

He said after the idea "shooting oneself" came out, many people are now saying that the culprits who caused the issuance of hundreds of thousands of dubious documents to illegal immigrants should be shot instead.

SAPP sumbang kereta jenazah

2011-11-10T13:34:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, 7 Nov 2011: Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) menggesa kerajaan menaikkan kuota haji bagi negeri Sabah.

Naib Presidennya, Jaafar Haji Ismail berkata, kuota itu perlu diberi lebih kuota kerana ramai penduduk di negeri ini ingin menunaikan ibadah itu.

"Malangnya, banyak kuota yang diberi itu telah dirampas parti-parti politik pemerintah seperti UMNO sehingga menyebabkan mereka yang layak tersisih.

"Lebih menyedihkan lagi ialah terdapat ramai umat Islam di negeri ini yang terpaksa menunggu sehingga bertahun-tahun sebelum nama mereka tersenarai sebagai jemaah.

"Pengumuman Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak bahawa para Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kemajuan Kampung dan Ketua Kampung akan diberi keutamaan dan bantuan untuk menunaikan fardhu haji pada tahun hadapan bakal menambah masalah kepada perkara ini kerana bakal menyebabkan lebih ramai umat Islam terpaksa menunggu lebih lama lagi untuk menunaikan ibadah itu," katanya.

Beliau berucap merasmikan majlis penyerahan kereta jenazah sumbangan SAPP kepada para penduduk Likas di Kampung Chenderamata II di sini.

Kereta jenazah itu disampaikan oleh Wakil Urusan Aulis Auto Sdn. Bhd.

Majlis penyerahan itu di saksikan Presiden SAPP Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, Penasihat parti Datuk Mohd Noor Mansur, Ahli Parlimen Sepanggar selaku Timbalan Presiden Datuk Eric Majimbun, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Likas selaku Timbalan Presiden Datuk Liew Teck Chan dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Luyang Melanie Chia.

Hadir sama, Bendahari Agung Durie Haji Marie, Naib presiden Don Chin ,Ahli Majlis Tertinggi selaku Pengerusi Penganjur Majlis Mulkaseh Haji Renda dan Penolong Setiausaha Agung Suaib Mutalib.

Mulkaseh berkata, satu jawatankuasa akan ditubuhkan bagi mengurus kereta jenazah itu agar dapat memberi manfaat kepada para penduduk tidak kira bangsa atau fahaman politik.

Dr Hiew is now big-headed

2011-10-18T01:25:00.000+08:00

By Datuk Yong Teck Lee

Referring to YB Dr. Hiew King Cheu, Ph.D, MP for Kota Kinabalu challenging me to contest against him in the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat; my response:

In my 26 years in politics, this is my first time to hear anybody in Sabah challenging another person to contest against oneself. Therefore, I am very scared. Dr. Hiew is the most popular, friendly, humble, hard working and clean MP in Malaysia who is loved by the people. He is so strong that nobody can beat him because of his over whelming majority in the 2008 general elections. Even if he uses another symbol instead of the DAP rocket, he will still win and not end up like Dominique Ng Kim Ho of Kuching.

I only hope that the DAP top leaders in Kuala Lumpur similarly recognise Dr. Hiew's talent and popularity. Perhaps, DAP head quarters should find out what happened at the last Sabah DAP elections in December 2010, immediately after the Batu Sapi by-election, when Dr. Hiew was toppled by new comer Jimmy Wong Su Ping. It was humiliating for such a popular, hard working and talented leader like Dr. Hiew to receive a mere, rock bottom record two votes in the DAP elections.

No, I will not accept the challenge of Dr. Hiew to contest against him because Dr. Hiew is our top class MP whom everybody loves. So, Dr. Hiew, please stop worrying about me. I only hope that DAP will allow Dr. Hiew to contest the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary constituency again. You see, Dr. Hiew, I am not the one you should look out for.

On the threat of legal action against me, my response:

Oh, I am so fearful of the impending suit by Dr. Hiew King Cheu. Litigation is costly, tedious, tiring and time consuming. Because of the threat

Publish Post

of being sued, I have begun to lose sleep, lose weight and lose more hair. Don't forget, I am currently being sued by another ex-Chief Minister.

I ask Dr. Hiew to understand that I was only replying to his serious allegation that I had abused my power as the then Chief Minister which nearly cost the Sabah State government a whopping RM 1.7 billion! You see, I did not abuse my power and the government had lost nothing. Instead, I had prevented future abuses of power by proposing to the June 17, 1996 Legislative Assembly to transfer the powers of the Chief Minister over land, forests and mining to the Cabinet. As you said, Dr. Hiew, at the time you were an active member of the SAPP Supreme Council who knew all these things. But still you said I abused my powers. Why?

Datuk Yong Teck Lee is ex-CM, 28 May 1996 to 27 May 1998

Hiew confirmed linkage through own admission

2011-10-18T01:22:00.002+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 16, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Information Chief, Chong Pit Fah, in a press statement today said that Hiew King Cheu has confirmed his linkage to UMNO by his own admission when he revealed that he has received so-called documents from UMNO people that supposedly will expose Datuk Yong Teck Lee's misdeeds in government. In case Hiew has forgotten, Yong stepped down as Chief Minister more than 13 years ago.

"Whatever 'documents' that Hiew has got from his UMNO contacts are recycled fabrications that were previously made available to the then opposition people like Dr. Yee Moh Chai who was tasked by UMNO to single out Yong for attacks. Hiew tell should the people, other than UMNO/BN government people, who else can retrieve 'documents' from within the government?" Chong questioned.

"Can any man in the street get the SAS files? This is the reason why SAPP has always been calling for a white paper on the Saham Amanah Sabah issue, the minutes of meetings, the records of transactions and relevant papers. SAPP leaders and youths have had made several police reports and MACC reports over the years as widely reported in the newspapers. This is because SAPP believes that the real culprits must be punished and exposed. But Hiew's friends in UMNO and BN have refused to publish any white paper. Nothing has come out of the police or MACC investigations. SAPP and Yong have nothing to hide.

"Hiew thinks that he has in his possession a "treasure trove" of documents against Yong but in fact is a ticking time bomb that will explode in Hiew's face. Hiew must ask his UMNO handlers, why UMNO people like UMNO youth, dare not to reveal the documents themselves? Why did UMNO choose Hiew to do their dirty work against SAPP and Yong? Now that Hiew said he has some "documents", then he must reveal them or else he would be guilty of cover up. Do the "documents" implicate other past and present BN or UMNO leaders or only Yong?

"I would like to remind Hiew about the case of the phantom voters issue when fake IC operatives similarly sent evidence of fake ICs and phantom voters to Likas election petitioner Dr. Chong Eng Leong who diligently used the evidence to nullify Yong's 1999 election. All evidence in court on fake ICs and Project ICs pointed to operatives linked to UMNO, and not a shred of evidence implicate Yong or SAPP. In fact, the PBS witness in court testified that neither Yong nor SAPP leaders were involved in the project IC scam. But the end result was that Yong was unfairly punished and whereas the UMNO leaders got away scot free. As DAP and PKR have complained, there are many phantom voters in many constituencies but none of the guilty party has been punished. Instead, an innocent party, Yong and SAPP have been severely and unjustly punished.

"It seems that Hiew and Sabah DAP now happily fall into the game plan of UMNO and BN to attack SAPP on behalf of UMNO," Chong said.

Hiew confirmed linkage through own admission

2011-10-17T02:20:00.000+08:00

DAP Hiew's collusion with Sabah Umno

2011-10-12T01:12:00.000+08:00

By Datuk Yong Teck Lee

Kota Kinabalu, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 - The guarantee that no Chief Minister can sign away huge tracts of lands, forests and mines to private interests have been put in place on 17 June 1996 when the Sabah Legislative Assembly transferred the Chief Minister's powers to the Cabinet by amending the Sabah Land Ordinance, the Forest Enactment and the Mining Ordinance.

I was the Chief Minister to move the motion to amend the laws which was passed by the Legislative Assembly.

This Chief Minister's powers have since been transferred to the Cabinet. This was done three weeks after I was appointed as Chief Minister in view of the massive abuse of powers by previous chief ministers like the award of the 347 acres of sea front land to a company registered in the British Virgin Island which allowed secret shareholders. The land, now known as Sutera Harbour, was applied for in 1993 and land title was issued in super speed in the same year. The premium paid was about seven million ringgit. The same lands were then charged to a bank for more than 40 million US dollars.

All these were done towards the closing days of the PBS administration. Another piece of the sea, opposite the first beach near Shangri La Tanjong Aru Resort, was approved by the 1993 Chief Minister was to a KL company. Even the Maliau Basin, now a protected Heritage site, was approved for coal mine exploration permit to an Australian company. All these were never known to the Cabinet at the time. Hence, the need to transfer the powers to the Cabinet so that a future Chief Minister, including myself, was not able to abuse his powers over land, forests and mining.

Govt quarters land signed off before Yong became CM

Another approval of land for joint venture before the 17 June 1996 amendments to the law was the so-called government quarters land at second beach and third beach. This agreement was signed a few weeks before I became Chief Minister, in the closing days of the Chief Ministership of Datuk Salleh Tun Said as Chief Minister. But PBS and DAP characters collude to defame me and tell lies that the project was approved by me. PBS and DAP want to protect UMNO leaders and want to kill me politically. In return, both PBS and DAP have been rewarded.

No approval of project or to any private company

On the question of the so-called sea front lands that Hiew King Cheu has accused me of, there was never any approval of the project or to any private company. Any company may submit proposals and any person may sue. The fact that the government has won the case shows that the facts speak for themselves.

Collusion going on

DAP ex-Sabah chairman,Hiew King Chiew should stop being used by the UMNO Chief Minister to serve the UMNO's interests. As proven in the Batu Sapi by-election, Hiew and DAP had colluded with UMNO to attack only the SAPP and not to criticise the UMNO, especially the Sabah UMNO Chief Minister. This UMNO-DAP Hiew collusion is still going on.

Like in the recent 3-day SAPP flag raising to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of SAPP leaving the BN, Hiew got his side kick, Edward Mujie, to complain about the flags. Not even the DBKK or any other BN or UMNO leader had wanted to look foolish by complaining about the flags because of the fiasco over the July 11 DBKK/BOMBA attempt to remove the Sabahtv.net signboard. But UMNO got Hiew and Edward to do the dirty work for them. On the July 11 Sabahtv.net signboard case, Hiew and Edward Mujie again became the spokesmen for UMNO and DBKK by criticising SAPP on the issue.

SAS case kept under wraps

Like in the case of the Saham Amanah Sabah case, UMNO never dared to say anything because they know that the people involved are their own UMNO people. When pressed for an answer, the Chief Minister only brushed aside the SAS issue as "petty" and refused to publish a white paper to release the information on SAS and its dealings and who the real culprits are. After repeated delaying tactics by the BN Cabinet cowards, SAPP's assemblypersons, Datuk Liew Teck Chan and Melanie Chia, finally managed to debate on the SAS White Paper motion last August 2010. But in the Assembly, UMNO got the PBS puppets like Yee Moh Chai, Herbert Timbun Lagadan and turncoat Raymond Tan to speak for UMNO. It is most revealing that the Chief Minister and Finance Minister and all the UMNO YBs kept silent, in the same way that UMNO has been silent on the phantom voters issue, the illegals and fake ICs.

But UMNO has nothing to fear because they have the PBS cohorts to do their dirty work and divert the attack to SAPP, especially me, on the SAS issue. It is the same with the issue of phantom voters and illegal immigrants, when PBS was in the opposition, they kept attacking SAPP and particularly me but not touched UMNO. Does PBS honestly think that UMNO people are not involved? Now PBS has not only become completely deaf and dumb on the illegals issue, it is even answering on behalf of UMNO. Such is the control of the UMNO Chief Minister over PBS and Sabah DAP.

On land grabs

For instance, Sabah DAP never raised the crisis of land grabs, especially those linked to the Sabah Chief Minister. Everybody knows that Hiew's company business is involved in the ongoing KK Seafront project. That is why, when people complained about the KK Sea front project, Hiew went to the site and declared that the sea front project was "earth filling" of the sea and not "reclamation", as though there is a difference between earth filling and reclamation of the sea. No wonder people ask me how Hiew had got his Phd.D.

Hiew King Chiew is the one and only person who has volunteered his views that the Karamunsing Complex is safe and stable. Never mind that was even before the DBKK or JKR has been asked to look into matter. This has made people to think the Hiew has a hidden agenda. So, Hiew should stop being used by the UMNO Chief Minister. Everybody knows that the so-called sea front projects signed by MLGH Sdn. Bhd. are linked to UMNO, some of whom are still very active in BN today. All the names of the UMNO-linked personalities were mentioned in the trial. Hiew should not be misled by his UMNO handlers about the "CM Incorporated" shares as though there is something mischievous. In fact, most, if not all, government company shares are held in the name of "CM Incorporated" or "Ministry of Finance Incorporated" as a matter of legal requirement. The on-going sea front projects in KK which will block the sea view of Promenade and Marina apartments are also UMNO-linked.

Sri Libaran

SAPP leaders and myself will not stop in raising the issues of land grabs by the Chief Minister and his cronies. I have repeatedly pointed out that a land grab company in Sukau has its directors registered addresses as the Chief Minister's official residence known as "Sri Libaran" at Mile 7, Jalan Airport, Kampong Sungei Kayu, Sandakan. The genuine land owners were jailed for two weeks in Sandakan. In recent days, police harassment has intensified against the remaining villagers, who are native Orang Sungei, so that the company can take over the 400 plus acres of oil palm trees and fruits that have been planted for more than 25 years.The 50-odd families have toiled for years using their own hands, tools and fertiliser but now a big company wants to evict the genuine villagers and pluck the fruits of the poor villagers' labour. This is inhumanly cruel and will continue to be exposed. Land grabs in Kota Belud, TawauSerudong, Sandakan, Banggi, Papar, Keningau and eviction of villagers from forest reserves have reached a critical point that countless villagers have become refugees in their own country.

Yong Teck Lee, Chief Minister 28 May 1996 to 27 May 1998 ... (in commenting on Hiew King Chiew that there is no guarantee that a future CM will not approve sea front lands to private interests)

SAPP: Revert to original 999-year lease tenure now

2011-10-11T02:10:00.002+08:00

By Datuk Liew Teck Chan

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 11, 2011 - Referring to the requests by the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association to the Sabah State Government to revert the land leases for country leases and town leases to the original 999 tenure, actually, in fact the government can approve land leases for a term of 999 year, especially if the original master title of the land already has a tenure of 999 years. This has been done before without any need for changes to the law. There is no need for any delay because it is only a matter whether the government wants to honour the 999 tenure or not.

The Chief Minister was reported to have said that the Cabinet needs to discuss first because the 999-year lease requires legislation. In fact, in my Likas constituency, Taman Seputeh with 230 units of houses were issued land titles with 999-year lease by the then Chief Minister, Datuk Yong Teck Lee in 1997. The premium charged per house was RM 1000 and annual quit rent at RM 90. This reasonable rate has made it possible for the house owners to own the houses after the abandoned project was revived by the then State government.

"What is disturbing in recent years is that owners of land with 999-year leases were denied their rights when their land leases were cut short to only 99 years after their land was subdivided. It is unjust to cut short the original tenure of 999 years to 99 years. The people become more worried when they look at the Kolombong shop houses case which has been waiting for several years to renew their land titles which are about to expire soon. The appeal for extension was submitted in 2008 to the Chief Minister by the Datuk Sari Tan with a big news coverage. But until now, there is no news of the application, not even for 99 lease.

Without an extension of their land leases, their shops become worthless, banks refuse to lend money for renovations and insurance companies become reluctant to insure the properties. Shop owners similarly are scared to repair their shop houses as the government might arbitrarily become the new owners of the shops once the land leases have expired. Yesterday, some land owner at Kampong Sembulan Laut have protested at the refusal of the government to renew their land leases which are due to expire in seven to 20 years' time. With so many land grabs incidents occurring all over Sabah, whereby natives are being evicted from their customary lands, it is obvious that people are concerned that they will lose their homes and properties in the future.

We are worried when the Chief Minister said that his cabinet will look into the issue. This is because this cabinet has taken a lot of time to look into issues after issues without any outcome like the definition of natives, poverty eradication programmes and Borneonisation of the civil service.

Datuk Liew Teck Chan is Assemblyman for Likas, Deputy President SAPP

2012 budget a disappointment for Sabah

2011-10-09T00:08:00.003+08:00

By Datuk Yong Teck Lee
Kota Kinabalu, 7 October 2011

It is clear that the target groups for the RM 232.8 billion election budget for election purposes are teachers, civil servants, Felda settlers, military and police personnel and the Indian community. These are the voter groups that the BN is now trying to improve upon compared to the results of the last general elections in 2008.

However, for Sabah, what it is glaringly missing is the proposed 300 MW natural gas power plant in Lahad Datu to supply the east coast of Sabah when the controversial coal-fired power plant was cancelled earlier this year.
Another disappointment for Sabah is the long overdue upgrading of the Sandakan airport to international standard, as promised by the Sabah Chief Minister last October 2010. In the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011 to 2015), there is no mention of such plan for Sandakan. Now that the 2012 budget has missed out the Sandakan airport, the proposed Sandakan airport upgrading has been confirmed to be another empty promise of the BN government.

The Sabah business community will also be similarly disappointed that the Prime Minister makes no mention of any review of the Cabotage policy that unfairly causes higher prices in Sabah. Hence, the cabotage policy to protect a few shipping companies will continue to plague the manufacturing sector in Sabah. The BN continues to ignore Sabah's key concerns because Sabah is considered as "fixed deposit" for the BN.

The budget surprisingly misses out the urgent need of a comprehensive manpower policy to tackle the over dependence on the 2 million foreign workers in the country and a low wage regime in the country concurrent with the crisis of youth unemployment among local Malaysians. As such, I consider the high expectations of the 2012 budget have turned into disappointments for Sabah.

Pemuda SAPP selamatkan surau dari roboh

2011-10-05T12:08:00.001+08:00

BONGAWAN, Okt 5, 2011: Program amal Parti Maju Sabah melalui sayap Pemudanya bersama pemimpin setempat terus diadakan.

Kali ini Pemuda SAPP telah berkesempatan membantu penduduk kampung membaiki keadaan surau Kg. Jawa, Ulu Papar di dalam kawasan DUN N.23 Bongawan yang condong akibat struktur tanah yang lemah selain faktor usia surau tersebut.

Tindakan segera Pemuda ini telah menyelamatkan surau kampung tersebut daripada tumbang menyembah bumi.

Jamain Sarudin, Setiausaha Penganjur Pusat yang juga Naib Ketua Pemuda Kebangsaan berkata Pergerakan Pemuda telah menerima aduan penduduk kampung 2 minggu lalu, dan meminta kerjasama PZM kawasan berkenaan untuk memantau dan mengkaji keperluan surau bagi memudahkan khidmat bantuan dilaksanakan.

Bagaimanapun setelah mendengar laporan penduduk beliau amat terkejut apabila dimaklumkan telah membuat permohonan kepada wakil rakyat berkenaan lebih 2 tahun lalu tetapi sehingga sekarang belum diambil perhatian. Menurutnya lagi Pemuda mengambil pendekatan "Dengar, Lihat dan Selesai" melalui program tersebut.

Pak Dollah mantan Ketua kampung berkenaan berkata permohonan yang dibuat sudah basi dan tiada tindakan serta lawatan dilakukan oleh wakil rakyat mahupun pegawai-pegawainya.

Oleh itu, beliau telah meminta bantuan daripada Pergerakan Pemuda SAPP.

Menurut Dollah lagi keadaan membimbangkan surau tersebut akan runtuh bertambah serius semasa mengerjakan ibadah tarawih pada bulan ramadhan tahun ini.

Bagaimanapun disebabkan tiada alternatif lain setelah permohonan mereka terus dipandang sepi oleh wakil rakyat, maka mereka terpaksa menggunakan juga surau tersebut. Setiap kali mengerjakan solat mereka redha meskipun seperti telur dihujung tanduk.

Jamain yang kesal dengan keadaan itu berkata adalah sepatutnya wakiil rakyat yang mempunyai kakitangan yang ramai telah membuat pemantauan dan membantu segera penduduk kampung tersebut.

Beliau bersama dengan Naib Presiden SAPP En. Jaafar Hj Ismail dan Naib Pengerusi CLC Bongawan En. Jamil William Corie serta beberapa AJK CLC telah bersama-sama bergotong royong bersama penduduk dan pemuda setempat.

En. Jamil telah mendermakan simen dan batu pasir bagi membolehkan tiang surau itu diperkuatkan. Sementara Jaafar mendermakan kayu untuk mengganti tiang yang reput.

Usaha Pemuda SAPP dan pemimpin setempat ini kemudiannya diraikan di dalam majlis jamuan cara kampung.

Menurut Jamain lagi program gotong royong ini sebenarnya dapat memupuk perhubungan dan jalinan baik diantara pemimpin dan penduduk setempat.

Projek IC - Denial by Deputy Minister is to protect Umno

2011-10-01T02:20:00.003+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, Sep 30: The denial statement by Deputy Home Minister Dato' Lee Chee Leong on the existence of Project IC in Sabah is a slap on all the state Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties that have been raising the issues all this while.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun believed it was a pre-planned denial statement to protect Umno after a Sabah BN component party, Upko, which during its congress last weekend demanded for the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrant in Sabah in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Majimbun who is also Sepanggar MP said the denial was a big slap to Upko Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred Bumburing who had submitted a detailed report on the issue including Project IC to the Minister of Home Affairs a year ago that had never been answered.

"Now the answer comes from his deputy minister from MCA protecting Umno," he said here Friday.

Majimbun said that Lee asking for proof on the issue was also a blow to all BN component parties, especially Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) who always preferred to be vocal about the issue from within.

"Yet it's proven loud and clear that Umno as the major decision maker could not bother as long as they satisfied their need," he said.

He said that for Lee to ask for proof was absurd since the memorandum from Upko, books by Mutalib MD and Dr Chong Eng Leong were good enough.

"I have on several times highlighted the same issue in parliament and tabled the issue of ICs of Jerom Majimbun in BN meetings to the former and present PM but failed to take any action," he said, adding that the government still practice denial syndrome and purposely take side with the 'mother of all threats' .

Majimbun said this was a classical example of Federal leaders coming to Sabah to just do whatever they like as if Sabahans are ignorant of issues that affect their rights and livelihood.

In fact these kind of Federal leaders were ignorant of the issues that affected Sabahans, he said.

"The Deputy Minister's statement is a prelude to stop the formation of RCI ... now MCA as servant of Umno is trying to please its boss, by covering what is the reality of the Sabahans' problem," he said.

UBF can use SAPP as vehicle to contest

2011-10-01T02:19:00.002+08:00

TAWAU: The United Borneo Front (UBF) is welcome to use Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) as a vehicle to contest in the 13th general election as both parties share the same struggle.

SAPP vice president Datuk Chua Soon Bui said UBF is a non-governmental organisation and both parties already had a lot of dialogues and organised seminars on whether they are sharing the same mission and vision for the whole of Sabah, including the autonomy of Sabah.

"And we found out that we are very close along that mission and vision," she said yesterday.

"So if UBF want to use SAPP as a vehicle, they are always welcome and if they want to register a new political vehicle based on our struggle and principles, we also give our blessing," she said.

On whether SAPP and UBF will be a strong combination, Chua said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) also had their goal to achieve.

"We also hope eventually we can reach an agreement among all these political players. We don't want Sabah-based political parties to be marginalised and we hope eventually the negotiation is still open for one-to-one contest because it is the people's interest that is important," she added.

Chua pointed out a win by SAPP is also a victory for UBF because both share the same struggle, likewise a SAPP's victory is also a PR's win because of their common goal.

ISA abolition due to ineffectiveness as instrument of fear

2011-09-19T01:51:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, Sep 17, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the announcement by the Prime Minister on the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) is because it is no longer an effective instrument of fear.

He said the ISA abolition has got nothing to do with the BN government being suddenly enlightened on freedom for the people.

"It is shameful for BN leaders and ministers who now heap praises on the PM as though the PM or the BN government has only now awakened to the injustice of detention without trial allowed under the ISA.

"The fundamental purpose of the ISA is an instrument of fear. Like all instruments of fear, the ISA is to silence the minority in order to neutralise the majority. This is the psychology of fear tactics used in all countries, especially police states.

"What has happened in Malaysia in recent years, is that the people are no longer afraid of the ISA. Activists, media bloggers and politicians literally challenge the authorities to detain them under ISA. The latest display of the uselessness of ISA was the 709 July 9 Bersih Rally that challenged the ISA in its face. This shift in the evaporation of fear of ISA has made redundant the ISA.

"The last time that the ISA was used had back fired badly against the BN government. That was the September 12, 2008 detention of a Sin Chew Jit Po reporter," Yong said.

SAPP: Say No to Creative History

2011-09-14T01:27:00.000+08:00

SIPITANG: Leaders of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) celebrated the state level Hari Raya open house this year in Sipitang today (Sunday) held at Sabah Forest Industries-SFI Motel attended by about thousand people.

Tuan Haji Amdee Sidik the Chairman organizing committee who is also the State Southern Zone Chairman and the Deputy President of SAPP highlighted that there should be no compromise where history of the nation and specifically the history of Sabah is concerned.

History of Sabah especially in the formation of Malaysia has captured the headlines in recent weeks.

Tuan Haji Amdee is of the opinion historical records in our archives are the best source of understanding our past better.

"The director of the state - Datuk Tiga Belas archive is the appropriate authority to determine history without embellishing it. Creative history is often used to serve a greater purpose such as forging unity amongst the people of one nation.

"However, over-stretching creative history may deny others of their place in history and took their sensitivities for granted.

"This may lead discrimination and disenfranchisement of the identity, tradition, and culture and undermine the system of values in the segments of societies. As the result, instead of forging unity, it creates cleavages amongst the people.

Understanding history is never a futile exercise or a waste of time, according to Tuan Haji Amdee.

"Those who deny their history, deny their future and who are we to deny our children from their own future", he asked.

Tuan Haji Amdee is of the opinion that the decision to make 1957 as the starting point of Malaysia anniversary was never agreed upon by our past leaders.

"If such a decision was made, then the people of Sabah must be duly informed and such decision should be made a public record," he said.

"The controversy over the Malaysia anniversary reflects the cause of divergence between the Borneo states and Malaya. Is Malaysia 48 years old or 54 years old?" he questioned.

"Malaysia did not exist in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya achieved its independence from the British yet this year we are celebrating Malaysia's 54th birthday. The government-controlled mass media blatantly claim that Malaysia is 54 years old but to the people from the Borneo states believe that Malaysia is only 48 years old. It shows Malaya is insensitive towards the feelings of the people in the Borneo states. The problem becomes serious when such questions appear in school examinations. As the result, the people in Borneo are forcefully made to acknowledge the anniversary for the Federation of Malaya instead of Malaysia.

The written history of Malaysia has come under intense public scrutiny in recent weeks. People in Malaysia are accepting the fact that there are many distortions and discrepancies in our national history. Some feel it is time our national history need extensive review or perhaps rewritten.

Realizing these, SAPP as a responsible political party from Sabah feels that history must never be compromised and must acknowledge the struggle and sacrifices made by our own local heroes.

"As recent as during the Japanese occupation, we seldom hear references to our local heroes. The fallen heroes of Petagas, led by Albert Kwok, Mohammed Yassin from Sipitang, Corporal Koram from Keningau, Datu Mustapha and many more are not even mentioned in our history books" he says.

"These are our legacies which must be protected and preserved. One particular legacy, which deserves our special attention, is our very own State Anthem - "Sabah Tanah Airku". Many State Anthems have been changed and amended. The Sabah Tanah Airku however remain untouched an uncorrupted" says Tuan Haji Amdee.

"It is important for the people in Sabah to reflect on the lyrics of the State Anthem and understand the message it bears. Tuan Haji Amdee stressed, "It is about what it means to be a Sabahan - it is therefore critical that SAPP made the Sabah Tanah Airku as part of its struggle for the people in Sabah".

"To reflect today's scenario surely we have lost the real sense of Merdeka even to hire a small place like this we in fact struggled to get approval, initially denied to a hire a Hall because we opposition party members - and thanks to SFI Motel we found this.

"In Sipitang we're not allowed to hang our banners by the authority at the round about just after the bridge to Sipitang Town, but any one notices many UMNO's banners are hanging there. And only yesterday our party organizer who went to RELA office inquiring if we can hire RELA workers for this function only to be asked to write to Kuala Lumpur for approval, isn't this no ridiculous?

SAPP welcomes Anwar on "PR-SAPP can negotiate"

2011-09-06T12:35:00.001+08:00

By Datuk Yong Teck Lee

Kota Kinabalu, Monday, 5 September 2011, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) welcomes Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim's land mark statement that Pakatan can negotiate with SAPP and SAPP need not join the Pakatan Rakyat in achieving a one to one fight against the BN.

As de facto leader of PKR and PR, Anwar has re-set the button on the relationship between SAPP and Pakatan to the same positive footing that SAPP had with Pakatan in 2008.

On the policy framework, SAPP has been supportive of the national opposition agenda for change, clean elections, an independent judiciary and an efficient economy. In fact, SAPP's two MPs at the parliamentary level, Datuk Eric Majimbun and Datuk Chua Soon Bui, have been consistent on this matter.

Further, SAPP's 8 point declaration in June 2008 stated that the government shall be of the people based on good governance and civil society and non-racial politics based on a progressive, just and harmonious society.

At the same time, we also fight for Sabah autonomy, 20% oil royalties, return of Labuan, review of unfair federal laws in Sabah, Borneonisation of the civil service, solution to the illegal immigrants issue and redressing the socio-economic imbalances affecting Sabah.

Datuk Yong Teck Lee is President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)

Malaysia is only 48 years old!

2011-09-05T04:08:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, September 5, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) CLC Api Api Women Chief Priscilla Chong urges Junz Wong not to issue any statement which may not be representing the stand of DAP because his statement that Malaysia is 48 years old and not 54 years old is contradicting his party Secretary General Lim Guan Eng's statement.

"Everyone knows that Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman is mistaken to talk of Merdeka 54 years. As we all know, Musa as an Umno man, must follow the Umno stand that Malaysia is 54 years old.

"SAPP hopes Junz Wong will not only criticize Sabah Umno Chairman Datuk Musa Aman but also will be honest and criticize his own party leaders for also copying the Umno stand to call this year Merdeka 54 years.

"DAP Secretary-General and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's Merdeka message this year also mentioned National Day 54 years. Last year, Lim also said 53 years.

"In Sabah, especially Kota Kinabalu, we see party PAS banners proclaiming Merdeka 54 years. So, Sabah DAP assistant secretary should be honest and consistent to criticize his own DAP leaders and party PAS for ignoring Malaysian true history by misusing the year as 54 years of Merdeka instead of 48 years.

"On September 16 issue, people still remember sadly that on 1st September 2008 in response to Anwar Ibrahim to make September 16 a public holiday in the 5 Pakatan states, Penang CM and DAP Secretary General promised that September 16 in 2009 will definitely be a public holiday. But the promise was not fulfilled to the great disappointment of the people and Anwar.

"Pakatan lost this excellent chance to prove that it is different from UMNO-BN. But too late because in 2010, the Prime Minister made September 16 a national holiday day. DAP must now apologize to the people of Sabah and Sarawak for giving false hopes and for misleading the people on September 16.

Malaysia Agreement: One Country, Two Systems

2011-08-29T01:58:00.004+08:00

John Stephen Dionysius

As we went through our normal life, Sabah is about to celebrate Independence Day on August 31 and will be celebrating a Malaysia Day which falls on September 16 and the question now, where does Sabah go from here.

As a Malaysian youth in Sabah, I am very much obliged to share and would like to bring the people of Sabah back to an early days of Malaysia and ask whether Sabah is really a true Independent state in Malaysia after been 48 years since the colonization from the British.

I would like to give a scenario here:

People had asked me whether Sabah JOINED or FORMED Malaysia? I told them that there will be no Malaysia without the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak. Does Malaysia exist on 31st August 1957? The answer is NO. Malaysia only exists on the 16th September 1963 when Sabah and Sarawak together with Malaya formed MALAYSIA.

Since then on, Sabah has become what it is until today from the richest state to the poorest state in Malaysia. For 48 years Sabah has been too dependent to the Federal government in whatever matters come in the interest of Sabah future especially in politics and economics. In other words the future of the Sabah state lies in the hand of the Federal and not the people of Sabah. They decided what is best for Sabah but not through the wishes or voices of the people of Sabah.

During the formation of Malaysia, Sabah was very young, nice, humble and naïve trying to learn crawling and fragile but now after 48 years Sabah has transformed into not only being an adult but a matured state and for that reason Sabah must now rise up and let everyone know in Malaysia that Sabah can be managed and run by our own without the interference from the West Malaysia. What is saddening us is that the current leaders in Barisan Nasional especially parties representing the KadazanDusunMurut communities (PBS,UPKO and PBRS) are being too weak in putting every hopes and still continue maintaining the status quo of letting the Federal to lead and make decision.

What do I mean by interference from the West Malaysia? As I have said earlier, the administration of state was centralized with the status of no power in the hand to make a political and economic will and decision. In other words, Sabah has actually lost its autonomy since the formation of Malaysia which comes from the Federalism. Federalism and Colonization for the fact has no different meaning at all. It is the same but only a different type of terminology used. It is not that we forget about autonomy during the time but we have less people educated to understand what right lies with us. Now we have more people educated and well equipped with knowledge with the awareness of what is happening to our rights which was clearly stated on the formation of Malaysia through the Malaysian Agreement 1963.

We did not lose anything in the Malaysia Agreement but the Federal Government did not fulfill and adhere to the Malaysian Agreement.

Has the Federal breached the treaty signed between Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya in 1963 for not fulfilling the contents of the agreement? Up till today peoples of Sabah are still questioning the legality of the Malaysian Agreement 1963 as the clause inside the agreement is drafted to include Singapore and Brunei which saw Singapore was being kicked out and Brunei did not sign the agreement.

One good example ... the appointment of the Chief Minister is always been the prerogative of the State and its pride but now has been lost which we are entitled and adamant to reclaim it back. Point 13 of the Malaysian Agreement stated that “State Government :

a) the Chief Minister should be elected by unofficial members of Legislative Council;

b) There should be a proper Ministerial system in North Borneo”. It was never mentioned nor have/must getting any consent from the state legislative council that the appointment of Chief Minister was the prerogative of the Prime Minister.
In a statement dated July 21 (local daily news), by Datuk Masidi Manjun the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment and also the minister in responsible for the state education has claimed that even our education system has lost its autonomy and urging the Federal to cede some of the education ministry power and for the Sabah State Assembly Speaker, Datuk Seri Salleh Said is talking about giving the state government the education autonomy. Under the 20 points of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Points 15 read as “The existing educational system of North Borneo should be maintained and for this reason it should be under state control”. It is clearly stated that the education privilege is always under the prerogative and purview of the state since the formation. There is no question of asking, giving and demand but a matter of principle for the Federal to fulfill when it was enshrined under the agreement. This is the very reason why most of the young graduate teachers in Sabah nowadays are deprived from such maintenance, training and recruitments of teachers in job opportunity market. If today, the Federal Government by all means decided to declared that Sabah will be autonomous then Datuk Masidi Manjun will becomes the first Education Minister in Sabah, a local Sabahan himself and at the same time the title hold by Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin as the Yang – Dipertua Negeri will be uplifted to the highest Yang Di – Pertua Negara and Sabahans will be very much proud and honoured. Point 18 of the Malaysia Agreement read as “The Name of Head of State: Yang Di – Pertua Negara” which means that the title brings to an equal status to the Head of Nation.

I would like to mention also the in July 2011, two Sabahans by the name of Bernard Fung and Nazib Maidan has file a suit against the federal and the state government for failing to fulfill the Borneanisation under Point 8 of the Malaysian Agreement 1963 and it is pending to be heard by the court whether there is a basis. Point 8 read as “Borneanisation: Borneanisation of the public service should proceed as quickly as possible.” It takes a brave heart and patriotic for these two Sabahan in fighting a fair and just for the rest of Sabahans and we owe them for their sacrifices. As I have said earlier, now there are more people educated and aware of how imperative the Malaysia Agreement to be fulfilled by the Federal and let us give our undivided support on their cause because it is we, you and me and all Sabahans to be united and has the duty to protect what is ours failing which Sabahans will be at the losing end.

Perhaps people might forget and lets us refreshed the Sabah state anthem “SABAH TANAH AIRKU”. There is a line number 6 of the song saying “MERDEKA SEPANJANG MASA” and line number 8 “SABAH NEGERI MERDEKA”.

Whether one realize or not these two lines of words are very strong and it means very deep meaning to the patriotic heart of Sabah peoples.

This word brings the meaning that Sabah is an Independence State. If this phrases song are correctly interpreted then Sabah is independence by all respect and aspects and Sabah should have administer and making decision of what is best for itself for the next hundred of years. But what saddening us, for 48 years Federal government still tell us what should and should not be doing by Sabah.

The consequences from this practice in return of all the development is Sabah not only lost its autonomy but lost everything including its land, sea, state wealth natural resources such as oil and gas, timber, oil palm, lost of employment, state revenue and the lists goes on day to day and month to month to outside Sabah which is not benefiting the people as a whole especially poverty is still widely eminent in Sabah compare to the rest of the states in Malaysia.

In July 2011, yet we have seen another lost event to Sabah when our sole representation as board of director in Malaysia Airline System (MAS) has been thrown out after the MAS – AirAsia share swap deal materialized. It seems and very clear that everything that was been given privilege to Sabah has now been taken away without consenting to the state attention.

Does anyone ever thought what will happen to Sabah if tomorrow all the natural resources that Sabahans enjoyed have drain out? What is there left for the next Sabahans generation to enjoy?

Where is Barisan Nasional especially PBS, UPKO and PBRS leaders claiming in fighting and championing the interest of Sabah peoples when the peoples are putting high hopes on them?

Why Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan did not make a stand on the Sabah sole representation in MAS?

Why Tan Sri as “Huguon Siou” as paramount leader on native issues did not make a stand on land grabbing that is very rampant happen in Sabah during this time under Barisan Nasional administration that accounted more than 1000 cases compare to other states like Johor, Selangor and Pahang which was reported by Jennifer Lasimbang, Suhakam Commissioner (Reported in D.E. dated August 9, 2011).

What is the President of PBS, UPKO and PBRS stand on the suit against the state and federal government by the two Sabahan on the Borneonisation? The only stand that PBS President as Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan has made was the increased of electricity tariff which in favoured of Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water a federal minister despite pleas from the people of Sabah. Is he ignorant or make himself forgotten that Sabah is the poorest state with 40% poverty comes from the KDM communities and put more burden apart from the hike of good price and high cost of living effecting to this ethnic groups.

This practice of Federalism thru politics in making decision must be stop and that is the very reason why Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) pull out from the Barisan Nasional and sacrificing their perks and benefits in the government to be an opposition to continue to fight for the good cause outside the national alliance and believe that the people’s power must be return back to Sabah thru “AUTONOMY”.

Whether you like or not Sabah are still being hooked by colonization of federalism thru peninsula based parties UMNO/BN after the time of British and our mind still has not getting an independence.

Sabahans must now start to believe that they can administer and manage this land below the wind well ourselves with its vast natural resources in our hand be it independent and be independence citing an example from the two small countries Singapore and Brunei that can manage better and steady economics with a strong currency.

If one remembers, I have wrote an article (Nothing like this in Sarawak: D.E.September 16, 2010) concerning the future of local based parties and for the fact that Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Razak had turned down the requests by Tun Musthapa to expand UMNO to Sabah during the formation of Malaysia and that Sabah and Sarawak political future is best decided by the local-based parties which subscribed to the Alliance concept.

After the 12th General Election 2008, saw a tremendous political landscape has changed when the first time the Barisan Nasional (BN) was deny a 2/3 majority in Parliament and as a result the Pakatan Rakyat (PR – components parties comprise of PKR, DAP and PAS a peninsula based parties) are trying very hard and eager in conquering East Malaysia in order to quash the UMNO/BN in Sabah on the next 13th General Election by introducing a two-party system to face against the Barisan Nasional in ensuring them to capture Putrajaya and this is foreseeing as an intention of killing by not co-operating or compromising the local opposition based parties, giving one good example is SNAP party of Sarawak in just recently concluded Sarawak Election. For the record, a two-party system in Sarawak is deemed a failure when the non-bumiputera in the opposition and the bumiputera is in the government.

Whether the Barisan Nasional or the Pakatan Rakyat win the next 13th General Election and form a government the colonization of federalism is likely to continue. With the current political landscape that have dramatically changed, the proposal by SAPP to introduce the formula of “One Nation Two System” might be the answer or look into to the political scenario in Malaysia citing an example when Hong Kong returned to China in July 1, 1997 and gained a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs.

For the record, based on the Sino – British Joint Agreement (1984) and the Basic Law, Hong Kong will retain its political, economic and judicial system and will continue to participate in international agreement.

Quoting from the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman in the formation and birth of Malaysia said “The important aspects of the Malaysia Ideal, as I see it, is that it will enable the Borneo territories to transform their present colonial status to “self government” for themselves and ABSOLUTE INDEPENDENCE in Malaysia simultaneously. The days of imperialism are gone and it is not the intention of Malaya to perpetuate or revive them.

When the Borneo territories become part of Malaysia, they will cease to be a colony of Malaya, they will be PARTNERS OF EQUAL STATUS, no more no less than the other States” (Straight Times, October 2, 1962). Does these quote has any meaning at all to anyone in Malaysia especially to Sabah?

I would like to conclude on my earlier question whether we have achieved independence or not after 48 years. I have given the scenario and invite and welcome all politician, academician, journalist, NGO, historian and people of Sabah to have a say and hopes ones could be able to analyze it.

(Note: States referred to Sabah, Sarawak, Malaya and Singapore.)

Sabahans filed suit against govt

2011-08-10T15:12:00.001+08:00

In the suit to be filed later today, two Sabahans want the court to order Putrajaya and the Sabah government to strictly adhere to the Malaysia Agreement.

KOTA KINABALU, Aug: Two Sabahans today filed a summons at the High Court here against the federal and state governments over their rights as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement.

They are seeking eight declarations from the court regarding "Borneonisation" in the state, as assured and recommended in the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) in 1962 which precipitated the formation of Malaysia Federation a year later.

The summons by Mohd Nazib Maidan Dally, 35, and Bernard Fung Fon Chen, 70, was filed by counsel Peter Marajin through his legal firm in Kota Kinabalu.

The federal and state governments are the first and second defendants in the suit respectively.

Met after filing the summons at the court registry, Marajin said the matter will be heard before justice David Wong Dak Wah on Oct 10, 2011.

The plaintiffs are seeking:

A declaration that the federal government had failed and/or neglected to expeditiously and fully carry out the Borneonisation of the federal public services in Sabah;
A declaration that the state government had failed and/or neglected to take such legislative, executive and/or such other actions as may be required in furtherance of and to fully implement the assurances, undertakings and the recommendations contained in the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committe (IGC), 1962 dated Feb 27, 1963 in so far as the assurances, undertakings and the recommendaions relate to the Borneonisation of the federal public service in Sabah and which are not implemented by express provision of the Constitution of Malaysia;
A declaration that the federal government had failed and/or neglected to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under Article 153(2) of the Federal Constitution to ensure the reservation for the natives of Sabah such reasonable number of positions in the public services of the federal government, in particular in Sabah;
A declaration that the federal had failed to fully implement the specific assurance and recommendation in paragraph 7 of Annex B to the IGC Report that the Chief Minister of Sabah shall be consulted before the Federal Cabinet shall advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the reservation of reasonable number of positions in the federal public service for the Natives of Sabah;
A declaration that the amendment to the Federal Constitution by the repeal of Article 161A(3) by Section 8 of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 1971 (Act A30) is ultra vires Article 161E(2)(d) of the Federal Constitution as the said amendment did not receive the concurrence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah;
A declaration that the state government had failed to take such executive or other appropriate action as shall be necessary to implement the assurance and recommendation contained in paragraph 7 of Annex B to the IGC Report that before advice by the Federal Cabinet is given to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in respect of the exercise of his powers under Article 153 such advice in relation to Sabah shall be given only after consultation with the Chief Minister of Sabah;
A declaration that the natives of Sabah or the people belonging to Sabah have legitimate expectation that the Borneonisation of the federal public service in the state in terms of the assurances and undertakings in the IGC shall be fully and expeditiously implemented; and
Costs, or such further or other relief as the Court may deem fit and proper to grant.

Test case

The summons was supported by affidavits of the two plaintiffs, Nazib and Bernard, said their action was to stop further erosion of Sabah rights and privileges.

"We are doing this not only for ourselves and the state but for our future generations so that they will be given fair treatment as contained in Malaysia agreements…" said Bernard, a police pensioner.

This is the first time such a summons has been filed against the federal and state governments regarding the Borneonisation issue.

Observers believe this will be closely-watched as it has a huge effect on the country as a whole and on Sabah’s autonomy especially.

Groups in Sabah have been demanding that the governments invoke, reinstate and fulfil the terms of the Malaysia Agreement.

Leading the call has been the Borneo Heritage Foundation’s Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Not anti-federal feelings

Under the banner of United Borneo Front, he has repeatedly urged the federal government to adhere to assurances, undertakings and recommendation of the 1962 IGC Report as provided in Article 8 of the Malaysia Agreement when implementing the federalisation of agencies in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said Annex B of the 1962 IGC Report specifically prioritises the ‘Borneonisation’ of public services in the Borneo states as a ‘major objective of policy and the federal and state departments and agencies should not overlap their functions.

"What should be within the purview of the state should remain strictly within the state.

"Borneonisation should therefore take precedence over the policy of federalisation," he said adding that the increasing number of federal agencies setting up offices in Sabah had stoked fear among locals.

Earlier in December last year Tawau MP Chua Boon Bui said Borneonisation should not be read as an anti-federal government feelings.

"We are not asking more than what is stipulated in the 18-point agreement.

"We are also not asking the Malayans to kowtow to us. We are only asking what is righftfully ours," said Chua alluding primarily to the long-overdue Borneonisation of public services in Sabah.

Chong sidestepping key issue on phantom voters

2011-08-09T02:23:00.001+08:00

Dr. Chong Eng Leong is side stepping the key issue of phantom voters and illegal immigrants by repeatedly referring to Likas, Likas, Likas and only Likas. He does not acknowledge that it was UMNO operatives, some of whom are his close buddies, who have been behind the phantom voters issue.

Just like the Saham Amanah Sabah issue, there is no closure and no end to it because the real culprits are not identified by the critics like Dr. Yee Moh Chai and other PBS leaders. They know that UMNO is the cause of the SAS and phantom voters issue but still incessantly point their fingers at the wrong direction, towards me, because they want to protect their political master, UMNO, and to protect their positions in government.

In the 1999 Likas election petition, I had presented my documentary proof like the parliamentary hansard records of my debates in parliament on the illegals and phantom voters issue. Never once was any ounce of evidence produced by Dr. Chong on my involvement in phantom voters.

But Dr. Chong still chooses to try to link me to phantom voters because he could not get over his defeats at Likas and because he chose to divert attention away from UMNO towards me. I had remained silent on this diversionary tactic of Dr. Chong because I kept my focus on the main issue of illegals and phantom voters, not on Dr. Chong. But now, it seems, Dr. Chong himself has become a problem on the phantom voters issue because he is doing UMNO a favour by diverting attention from UMNO towards me.

The fact is Dr. Chong has lost elections after elections, from Tanjong Aru under PBS in 1986, Sembulan under BN-LDP (1994) and Likas in 1999 and 2001 (under PBS). Dr. Chong talks as though, without the phantom voters, he would have won. In the 1999 state elections, Dr. Chong, as PBS candidate, his votes dropped from 1994 PBS’s 5855 votes to 4148 votes (in 1999) and further collapsed to 2217 votes (at the Likas by-election in 2001). By claiming his repeated losses was due to phantom voters alone, he has trivialized the serious issue of phantom voters.

Nobody can presume who the "phantom voters" voted for in Likas in the 1999 state elections. There were five candidates, including the main contender, the then Bersekutu Presiden, Datuk Harris Mohd. Salleh who garnered 3,576 votes. AS Dr. Chong knows, Harris is the president of Yayasan Islam Sabah which has threatened to lodge police report against Dr. Chong over the phantom voters issue. Harris has always been championing the cause of new citizens. This is Tan Sri Harris’s right and we can disagree or agree.

But why is Dr. Chong silent on Datuk (Tan Sri) Harris’s role? Why is Dr. Chong silent on the role of UMNO and the phantom voters in UMNO constituencies like Kawang and other areas? What is Dr. Chong trying to hide?

As this is a paramount issue of concern to the people of Sabah, I am ever ready to have a public forum on the illegal immigrants issue and phantom voters with Dr. Chong Eng Leong, UMNO and other parties, preferably after Ramadhan.

Let us get to the bottom of phantom voters.

Datuk Yong Teck Lee, Ex-Chief Minister 28 May 1996 to 27 May 1998

Proper for Dr Chong to apologize

2011-08-07T03:57:00.000+08:00

By Datuk Richard Yong

It is good that Dr Chong Eng Leong finally admitted that Datuk Yong Teck Lee was not involved with phantom voters. It is only proper that Dr Chong should apologise to the people of Sabah for misleading them all these years.

SAPP and all the leaders of SAPP had always been consistently against the infiltration of illegal elements, fake ICs, phantom voters as this is a matter concerned by all right-thinking Malaysians.

The invitation to Dr. Chong to an open forum is to provide an avenue to fully discuss the issue and also the best place for Dr. Chong to disclose whatever information he has got on illegal immigrants and phantom voters of which Dr Chong claimed to have identified 70,000 names.

Explain full page misleading ads attacking Yong

During the Batu Sapi by-election, Dr Chong Eng Leong even spent money to buy a full page advertisement in a Chinese newspaper attacking only Yong Teck Lee and not BN when mentioning there are 6,000 phantom voters in the Batu Sapi Constituency. As a senior Sabah Party Keadilan Rakyat leader, Dr Chong has chosen to launch attack on fellow-opposition Datuk Yong instead of the BN candidate or UMNO on the issue of phantom voters. Why Dr. Chong published such attack only in Chinese newspaper? He should have put up advertisements also in English and Bahasa newspapers to query the BN-UMNO instead of campaigning against only Yong Teck Lee alone.

What was Dr Chong's true motive? Why he made scapegoat of Datuk Yong Teck Lee instead of the true culprits?

Why Dr Chong always link the subject of phantom voters to Datuk Yong Teck Lee instead of the manufacturers whom he claimed to have knowledge of? One can't help but wonder was it because of Sabah interest or Chong has got personal agenda.

Why Dr Chong never mentioned about the UMNO characters, past or present who were involved in the creation of phantom voters, was it because they are his close buddies?

In his book "Lest We Forget" Dr Chong mentioned about Sabah Umno task force was set up in 1991 and the job of the task force was to recruit foreigners who were then issued Malaysian ICs and then registered as UMNO members and registered in the Sabah electoral rolls. Now that Dr Chong is a PKR senior leader, did he ever asked any of the PKR leaders including Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who were in UMNO then about the creation of phantom voters between the period 1991- 1994. Lest Dr Chong Forget, Datuk Seri Anwar was the deputy prime minister in-charge of Sabah to topple the PBS government at that material time.

A forum of this nature is exactly one step forward in working together to seek solution to sort out this mega problem faced by Sabah not only with Datuk Yong Teck Lee but with the general public of Sabah. If Dr Chong sincerely got the interest of Sabah in mind and truly want to resolve this problem, don't just ride on the issue for popularity for wanting to be cherished and remembered, but hit hard on the issue and the right target, without fear or favour.

Datuk Richard Yong We Kong is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Secretary-General.

Sabah's jobless shocking

2011-08-02T16:33:00.001+08:00

By Dullie Haji Marie

Almost 30,000 who turned out to apply for jobs is a record of joblessness in Sabah.
Yet the Sabah BN Youth seemed to be so proud of the turnout. Are they treating this as a BN supporters' gathering?
The huge turnout only shows how desperate for jobs are our youth, school leavers and graduates.

The job seekers came from Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Ranau and other places. It is obvious that at least 23,000 of the applicants will go home remain jobless, disappointed and frustrated. What makes the BN youth so proud of the turnout?

The BN Youth even said the job fair 2011 organized by national BN Youth last March in Kuala Lumpur was so successful that they made it into the Malaysia Book of Records. How do they measure their success? by the number of turn-out or the number of jobs offered to the applicants? How many eventually got employed?

In the case of Sabah, there were 6,345 jobs offered as claimed by the BN Youth Chief Awang Kadin Tang. Do tell us where and what are the type of jobs being offered.

Awang also claimed that 29,950 applied for the jobs was an overwhelming response.

Indeed it is overwhelming because after the BN government had been talking about creation of 57,000 jobs by Sabah Development Corridor since 2008, there is still such a huge number of unemployment in Sabah.
Awang Kadin Tang, BN Youth Chief for Sabah had misconstrued the high number of unemployment to be the success of the job fair.

In the same tune, our State Secretary Datuk Sukarti Wakiman described the turnout of 300,000 illegal immigrants at the two-week 5 Ps registration exercise as good response. How ironical to say that the exercise is a success when in the first place the illegal immigrants should not be here? How many more are still in the hiding?

The huge number of illegal immigrants in fact shows how vulnerable is our defense at the boarder and how low is our sovereignty when we have such a huge number of illegal foreigners in our midst.

The State Security Council must decide what is best for the country and Sabah, decisively, firmly and without delay.

Dullie Hj Marie is Vice President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)

UMNO selfishness, PBS collusion cause phantom voters

2011-08-02T00:44:00.001+08:00

By Datuk Yong Teck Lee, Kota Kinabalu, Monday, August 1, 2011

It is possible to rid the electoral rolls of phantom voters because the legal mechanisms to protect the integrity of the rolls are available in the Federal Constitution, the Elections Act 1958, the Elections (Registration of Electors) Regulations 2002 and the National Registration Act 1959. But the first step is to remove the disease by taking action against the UMNO operatives who conspire in issuing dubious citizenship documents to foreigners.

This was done in 1995 when the Samsul Alang, Jabar Khan, Ajkan Ali, Bandi Bilo and other operatives were detained under Ops Kenal under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for the manufacturing of fake identity cards. This was followed by the Regularisation Exercise under the auspices of the National Security Council in 1996 that allowed genuine foreign workers to remain and the forcible deportation and voluntary exodus of illegals. That was the tipping point in Sabah's long standing efforts to solve the illegals problems and the existence of phantom voters.

But if the Election Commission pretends that there is no problem, then there is no hope of solution. In the 1980s, during the PBS state government era, the then Election Commission Secretary Datuk Hj. Abdul Rashid, had notoriously claimed that talk of phantom voters was "coffee shop talk".

So, at the time, with the help of Institute of Development Studies (IDS) headed by Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, I headed an Electoral Rolls Committee that scrutinised the entire electoral rolls and found 33,000 cases of duplicate and triplicate ICs in the Sabah electoral rolls. Some genuine locals found that their IC numbers are shared by strangers, including the embarrassing case of the missing "German boy" who somehow also got registered as a voter.

The issue of fake ICs and phantom voters has re-surfaced in recent years. A proof was the case of "Jerome Majimbon", a foreigner, in Inanam, sharing the address of Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun. Last week, a Taiwanese investor complained that a Mykad has been issued in his name to defraud him. In Sandakan, Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, adults queue up to collect their Mykads, some of which are obviously suspicious cases.

Employers find that their foreign workers suddenly possess Mykads. It is impossible that UMNO, PBS, UPKO, PBRS, Gerakan, MCA leaders are not aware of the on going issuance of Mykads to unqualified foreigners. It Is UMNO selfishness and PBS collusion with UMNO that the issuance of Mykads and registration of phantom voters have re-emerged.

UPKO President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok asserted that the EC must accept the registration of voters based on ICs/MYKADs issued by NRD. This shows that the deeper problem is not registration of voters but illegal issuance of Mykads to foreigners that is ultra vires the constitution. In the last parliament, Dompok's National Integrity Parliamentary Select Committee tried to probe but government officers refused to attend his meetings. This was contempt of parliament but none of the officers bothered and Dompok, a senior federal minister and BN component head, had to dissolve the committee. This is the reality of UMNO power today.

In the 1999 Likas election petition, which Dr. Chong Eng Leong highlighted again, the court judge found that that there were phantom voters. The court finding was against the Election Commission, not against me. I was a victim, not a cause of the phantom voters. Dr. Chong's PBS witnesses had testified clearly that it was UMNO operatives, not Yong Teck Lee or SAPP, who were responsible for false ICs.

The evidence of phantom voters and fake ICs were given to Dr. Chong Eng Leong by his close buddies in UMNO. This led to the most speedy election petition trial in Malaysian history, the only case ever when a parliamentary seat (Gaya) by-election was called by the Election Commission against the open declaration of the then Parliament Speaker that there was no vacancy.

Dr. Chong had conveniently and consistently ignored the existence of phantom voters in other places like Kawang, a seat used to be held by his pai kau and gin rummy gambling partner, Datuk Osu Sukam. Another UMNO leader who has a lot to answer for was the driving force of the then UMNO Task Force on pengundi luar, Datuk Karim Ghani.

On the part of SAPP, we pledge to override the perennial problem of dubious Mykads and protect genuine Malaysians in Sabah when a SAPP State Government will issue Sabah ICs to Sabahans and other genuine Malaysians permanently resident in Sabah.

Datuk Yong Teck Lee is Ex-CM 28 May 1996 to 27 May 1998

Sabahan capable to lead opposition parties

2011-07-29T02:20:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: There is no need for PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to lead the Sabah opposition parties in the fight against Barisan Nasional in the coming general election, as Sabahans are capable of doing it themselves, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president Amde Sidik.

He said this while commenting on the statement of Sabah People Front Party's (SPFP) President Berman Angkap yesterday, proposing Anwar to lead the opposition in Sabah.

"It would be ideal by leaving it to State based political parties, if they can combine among themselves to contest in the state, in the coming GE against the mighty BN as mentioned by the Sabah People Front Party's (SPFP) president Berman Angkap yesterday.

"But as to why Berman is proposing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to lead, I wouldn't really understand. Anwar Ibrahim has no power to decide what for us in Sabah and I'm of the opinion, Sabahans are able to lead individually or components parties in the event there is such thing given a chance," said Amde in a statement yesterday.

He also rebuked Berman for labelling SAPP as a Chinese based political party, suggesting that Berman should update his knowledge on the development of political parties in Sabah, in particular SAPP.

"I agree at the moment SAPP is being led by a Chinese leader in the name of Datuk Yong Teck Lee, this is just like Air Asia is being led by Datuk Tony Fernandez or Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow heads the Public Bank. Does it matter who lead what for the good of the people and the country? I'm talking about leaders with political maturity too.

"My question is, what wrong with a Chinese, Kadazan, Kadayan, Bajau, Brunai and the like? Penang has always had a Chinese Chief Minister even during BN.

"Now Malays are migrating to Australia, tell me who is the Prime Minister of Australia?" he argued.

Amde then clarified that SAPP has over the years developed into a full-fledge Sabahan-led non-racial political party.

"Name me one political party is Malaysia has constitution like SAPP, Umno and the rest surely are not. SAPP is no longer as it was made to do like during in BN time where everything else based on racial line," he said.

Noting that SAPP has started its restructuring and rebranding some five years ago, it is thus wrong for anyone to consider SAPP as a Chinese based political party.

He further noted that its constitution allows for all its members regardless of their race and religion, to contest for the highest post in the party, adding that it currently has more non-Chinese members than the Chinese members.

"We're almost come close to 50 years of having the same system of government; I think we in SAPP want to change this and make Sabah and its people forward looking, This is what we've to offer not the same old outdated political outfit," he said.

Don't push dam down people's throat

2011-07-25T01:30:00.004+08:00

Sufficient water for paddy fields in Kota Belud: SAPP

Sabah Progressive party (SAPP) said Friday it welcomed a pledge of RM600,000 as annual shares for the people of Kg Tambatuon annually should the dam be built, but feared that this is may be designed to push the dam down the people's throat.

Its, Supreme Council Member, Peter Marajin, said it still disagreed with Kadamaian Assemblyman Datuk Herbert Timbon Lagadan's statement on the need for the dam.

"We have to take this with a pinch of salt taking into consideration the pathetic facts on displaced natives in other similar situations including in neighbouring Sarawak," he said, in a statement.

He noted that Herbert was now talking about Tambatuon people's "shares" in the electricity power being generated from the water dam, which all this while was being promoted for irrigating paddy fields in Kota Belud, and not for electricity.

He said the party found out that the water is more than sufficient for the paddy fields in Kota Belud, both now and in the near future.

“I have surveyed and taken pictures of an irrigation (terusan) in Tempasuk near Kesapang where the farmers told us that water is more than sufficient throughout the year. Abundant even during drought season!

"What is needed is a better watering and pumping system and better control where by water is supplied to all fields," he said.

The irrigation in Kesapang which selves Kesapang, Pandasan, Jawi-Jawi and part of Taun Gusi areas has its source from the Wariu River and the water is available throughout the year, he said.

In fact farmers were lamenting that they have difficulty drying their paddy fields when water should be released from fields when paddy is fruiting and ripening, he added.

"We are talking about Wariu River, not yet the more popular bigger Kadamaian River. Actually, the Federal Government could just spend a few million to upgrade the existing irrigation system. There is no need for a half billion ringgit Water Dam in Tambatuon if just to supply water to paddy fields in Kota Belud," he said.

Or at least they can shift the dam to a less populated areas and not in Tambatuon, he added.
Adapted from DE

Can You Trust Them?

2011-07-14T02:11:00.001+08:00

DAP Sabah turned pro-BN govt

By Encik Dullie Hj Marie

SAPP is shocked that DAP turned its gun to attack SAPP on the Bersih signboard issue, doing the work for UMNO.

On the Bersih campaign in Sabah. Sabah DAP is talking like UMNO who claimed that people must "obey the law" and "not to challenge the laws". This is the same type of flimsy arguments that UMNO ministers Hishammudin, Rais Yatim and even Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali used against the brave Bersih activists.

Does it not look like Sabah DAP asking PAS's Mat Sabu, PKR's Anwar Ibrahim, Bersih's Ambiga Sreenavasan, MCLM's Haris Ibrahim and the tens of thousands of brave people in KL "not challenge the law" and not march to Stadium Merdeka?

What has DAP Sabah got against the SAPP signboard? Does the signboard contain any obscene words? Does the structure pose any danger to the public, block traffic or infringe on any other rights? Where is the urgency that required the signboard to be removed immediately? To the extent of engaging the service of BOMBA.

DAP Sabah is so supportive of DBKK's action, is DAP Sabah also asking for the thousands of advertisement signboards, and advertising banners without permit in Kota Kinabalu to be removed by DBKK immediately, without giving notice?

The fact is that the BN political leaders are panicky- that they even abused their powers to use DBKK and other government agencies to harass SAPP on the yellow signboard containing the word "BERSIH". DBKK officers pointed out that their instructions were only to remove the yellow signboard containing the word "Bersih". Why is Sabah DAP behaved like BN be upset with the word "Bersih"? Why did DAP not support the Bersih campaign? Is this an act of goodwill to the BN and to the Prime Minister?

Sabah DAP should not be anti-SAPP for the sake of anti-SAPP. The people of Sabah want to see a straight fight against BN.

Sabah DAP should recognize who the real enemy is, the BN. DAP should see the bigger picture and not repeatedly kill the possibility of co-operation with SAPP. At the insistence of Sabah DAP leader Jimmy Wong Su Pin, SAPP formed a negotiation team. But some DAP leaders, like Dr. Hiew King Chiew seems to be not happy.

DAP Sabah should not be obsessed with attacking SAPP, not to continue to betray the opposition cause like in Batu Sapi when Hiew and other DAP leaders colluded with the UMNO attacked only SAPP instead of UMNO or BN; sabotaging the friendly pact between PKR and SAPP. This arrogance have been bloated ever since the April Sarawak state elections, when DAP got their two parties system of Chinese opposition and Malay government, and 416 Taib Mahmud victory.

Dullie Hj Marie is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Vice President

Let us fight against Electoral Corruption

2011-07-09T03:25:00.001+08:00

We come to you today to give this statement on the latest development.

Over the past week, the MCLM Ad Hoc committee has been denied the police permits, facilities and venues to hold Bersih 2.0 Sabah. We have been denied our civil rights.

We would like to call all our supporters to continue to be brave and not to be discouraged. This is not the end of our fight. It will be ongoing. It will be continuous.

As previously stated, we will be joining the SAPP’s launching of their RadioSabahTV.net in their HQ at 1.30pm tomorrow and we welcome your presence there to show of solidarity.

Therefore our message is: 'Lets live to fight another day".

By Atama @ Andrew Ambrose Mudi is Co-ordinator Chairman for Bersih Sabah

SAPP supports free and fair election

2011-06-28T03:17:00.000+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, June 27, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Youth strongly support the efforts of Bersih on their 8 demands which should be acknowledged and respected.
It's Youth Leader, Edward Dagul said that it is the constitutional right of every Malaysian to voice his or her opinion, irrespective of the political inclinations.

"The 8 demands by Bersih should be respected and supported and if the voice is unheard, then the natural tendency of grouping takes over. The voices of the rakyat in wanting a free and fair election should not be stifled.

In the Bersih set up, the steering committee members have continuously stated that they are apolitical. Haris Ibrahim was quoted as saying, "We say again and again, Bersih is not pro-Pakatan Rakyat.. Neither are we anti-Barisan Nasional. We are pro-reform."
Edward emphasized that the image of a stronger, independent EC would only help to boost Malaysia's standing as being a proponent to fair, transparent and just governance. The demands by Bersih are similar to the 8 points declaration by the Party especially…"that the government shall be of the people and based on Good Governance and Civil Society."

"It is common knowledge to many that the current electoral system is riddled with faults to the extent of being biased to the government. The political gerrymandering of boundaries over the years, as well as the much talked continued presence of phantom voters within the electoral list are but a few of such examples in Sabah. Therefore, the demands by the Bersih organizers are justified and their proactive approach should be commended in making the country a more respected nation.
"Many have complained of the Election's Commission bias and our own experiences in Batu Sapi as well as the recently concluded Sarawak State elections are testament to this. SAPP has made numerous reports of election offences and other irregularities with the Election Commission but unfortunately, till now, no action has been taken.

SAPP: How oil royalties can be increased

2011-06-12T13:54:00.000+08:00

This press conference is called to explain how Petronas oil royalties can be increased from 5% to 20% and how it can be paid to Sabah. The latest disclosure of Petronas’s profits at RM 97.80 billion has added urgency to a fair sharing our Sabah’s oil resources. But the Sabah BN is failing in its duty to Sabah by not claiming 20% oil royalties. Instead, Sabah BN is engrossed in a "cold war" amidst "divide and rule" politics. If Sabah fights hard enough, we can succeed like the cancellation of the coal power plant and the closure of JPPS (federal department of development). With this information, SAPP hopes Sabahans will be confident of success and pressure the State Government to pursue this matter.

The Agreement between the Sabah State Government and Petronas signed on 14 June 1976 had fixed the cash payment (royalties) at 5% of the value of the petroleum extracted from Sabah. In order to obtain the 20% royalties, any one of the following methods will suffice:

1. Sign a new agreement, or amend the 1976 agreement, with Petronas so that the cash payment becomes 20%. In this case, the payment would be made by Petronas to Sabah,

2. The Federal Government can make cash payment equivalent to 15% of the royalties payable to Sabah. The original 5% continues to be paid by Petronas. As the federal government also receives 5% royalties from Petronas, the federal treasury actually has to fork out only the balance 10% from other revenue sources. One obvious source is the RM 30 billion in annual dividends received from Petronas. At today’s oil prices and production volumes, the 20% royalties amount to RM 3.2 billion which is well within the ability of Petronas to pay. It is also within the capacity of the federal government to give back RM 2.4 billion (15% royalties) to Sabah, which is the poorest state in Malaysia. After all, Petronas is making huge profits by piping our natural gas to their LNG plant in Bintulu.

SAPP knows that this method of cash payment in lieu of oil royalties can be done because of the precedent in 2000 whereby the federal government pays to the Sabah State Government an amount equivalent to the import and excise duties on petroleum and petroleum products that Sabah was entitled to under the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. When these import and excise duties were abolished on January 1, 2000 in compliance with the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement, the federal government made a commitment to compensate Sabah’s loss of revenues. The commitment was made in parliament in December 1999 when both myself as MP for Gaya and YB Melanie Chia as Senator at the time raised this issue. This cash payment in lieu of import and excise duties is about RM 120 million per year. If Sabah had not demanded this ten years ago, the amount that would have been lost to Sabah by now is RM1.2 billion! In other words, it is legally and administratively possible for the federal government to pay the Sabah State Government an amount equivalent to 20% of oil revenues.

Click here for: Petroleum Development Act, 1974, Agreement between Sabah Government and Petronas dated 14 June 1976, Parliament Hansard dated 23 Dec. 1999 and 28 Dec. 1999

Questions:

Q 1: Can the federal government afford 20% royalties to Sabah and other oil states?

A 1: Yes, with global oil prices staying high in the long term, Petronas will have no problem paying an annual dividend of RM 30 billion to the federal treasury. In any case, the royalty paid to Sabah and other states is subject to the global prices so, if Petronas’s profits fall due to lower prices, then the payments to the oil states will also be reduced. So, there is no real danger that either Petronas or the federal government cannot fulfill the 20% royalties to the oil states.

Q 2: Why was this 20% oil royalties not raised when you were Chief Minister?

A 2: In the 1990s, federal power was at its peak. Neither the timing nor the political environment was conducive for a review of the oil royalties. Like the return of Labuan, any demand would have zero chance of success. Remember that the Prime Minister was Dr. Mahathir and the Deputy Prime Minister cum Finance Minister was Anwar Ibrahim. In Sabah, we had to settle for more grants that can match the oil royalties. But after the political power equation shifted in favour of Sabah and Sarawak caused by the March 2008 election results, it has become viable to press for more oil royalties and other Sabah rights which are long overdue.

Also, in the 1980s and 1990s, the 5% royalties payable to the State Government amounted to only RM 80m to RM 150 m per annum depending on global prices. In the 1990s, oil prices were only 20 to 35 USD per barrel. Recent oil prices were 80 to 100 dollars, sometimes reaching 140 dollars. Today, with increased production and higher prices, the 5% royalties amount to RM 800m. Roughly, every 1% of royalties equal to RM 160m. This means 20% royalties amount to RM 3.2 billion. These are substantial sums that so far have benefited only Petronas.

Q 3: Has anybody else raised the oil royalties issue before?

A 3: Yes, in the 1990 general elections, the PBS state government tried. PBS was the only State government in Malaysia to have joined the opposition Gagasan Rakyat coalition led by Tengku Razaleigh and Lim Kit Siang. The State government had pushed for an upward revision of the 5% oil royalty. I recall that Tengku did not agree to Sabah’s demand on the ground that such a move (to increase Sabah’s oil royalties) would have an adverse impact on federal revenues because oil royalties also involved Sarawak and Trengganu. I think Tengku promised the return of Labuan to Sabah, but not on oil royalties. But Gagasan Rakyat lost the elections. Only Kelantan followed Sabah’s move into the opposition. Even Sarawak and Penang returned the BN government. The rest is history.

In October 2006, the 20% royalties issue was revived by Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan’s Tambunan Declaration. Pakatan leader Anwar Ibrahim made a commitment to me in May and in June 2008 that his government would honour the 20% royalty promise which was among SAPP’s Eight Points People’s Declaration For Change. But, we cannot assume that it is automatic that Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister will go ahead to give the 20% royalties to Sabah and other oil producing states. That is not how things work. How things work is, if the PM of the day needs your support, then he will fulfill his promise. History and bitter experience have taught us not to depend on charity and promises alone. We must have bargaining power, leverage and courage.

Q 4: Sabah DAP has said that SAPP has only two MPs and cannot make parliament amend the Petroleum Development Act 1974 to give Sabah the 20% royalties.

A 4: We do not have to touch the Petroleum Development Act 1974 which said nothing about percentage of royalties. Section 4 of the Act only stated that "cash payment" shall be made by Petronas to the state concerned in return for the ownership and rights in the petroleum. The percentage of royalties is stated only in the 1976 oil agreement. Payments to Sabah can be done through normal budgeting. If the federal government puts this 20% in the annual budget, then the entire budget will be approved by the parliament. If parliament does not approve the budget, then the government will fall, general elections will be held again. This is the law. There is no need for another law. At the moment SAPP does not have enough MPs. That is why we are working very hard so that after the general elections, with the people’s support, SAPP and Pakatan will have more MPs.

Q 5: But Sabah has only 25 MPs. Is that enough?

A 5: With Sarawak’s 31 MPs, Terengganu (14) and Kelantan (8), the oil producing states have 78 MPs. This is more than a third of the 222 MPs. All these states want the oil royalties to be 20% if Pakatan comes to power. Whether Sabah is under Pakatan or not, Pakatan will have to pay 20% to all the oil producing states. Look at Sarawak, they have just re-elected a non-Pakatan State government which are all Sarawak local parties.

If Pakatan captures Putrajaya, the Sarawak state government would still be the state parties, except no more BN. Pakatan becomes government at federal level but opposition at state level, like Kelantan, Penang, Selangor and Kedah today, except for reverse roles. Do you mean to say that a Pakatan federal government will not honour its promises of 20% to oil states?

Will Pakatan survive such a breach of promise? The answer is no. Look at the situation today, the federal and state governments belong to the same (BN) alliance. But still the 20% royalties is not fulfilled. Will Pakatan be different? Based on history and bitter experience, we know KL will not give 20% unless they have to. It is for their own survival that they have to give back to Sabah what rightly belongs to us.

SAPP buat lebih baik mengenai isu Bumiputera

2011-05-28T12:47:00.001+08:00

MASYARAKAT Sabah perlu mengubah sikap mereka jika inginkan kemajuan. Sikap segelintir masyarakat Bumiputera Kadazandusun dan Melayu pada hari ini yang masih lagi dengan mentaliti 'katak di bawah tempurung' perlu diubah.

Ini termasuklah tanggapan mereka terhadap parti SAPP yang sungguhpun merupakan sebuah parti Cina, tetapi parti inilah yang sebenarnya memperjuangkan hak Bumiputera Kadazandusun dan Melayu.

Bagi saya, hanya SAPP yang boleh membela kepentingan Bumiputera Kadazandusun dan Melayu di Sabah kerana parti tempatan yang lain tidak serius dalam memperjuangkannya.
Ringkasnya, pemimpin Bumiputera Kadazandusun dan Melayn sendiri sebenarnya menjual tanah hak adat penduduk kampung.

Peluang pekerjaan di Sabah juga tidak ada kerana pemimpin Kerajaan tidak pernah meminta kepada Kerajaan Persekutuan untuk mewujudkan pusat industri bagi menempatkan peluang pekerjaan anak-anak muda.

Rata-rata pemimpin kita dari Bumiputera Kadazandusun dan Melayu adalah penakut dimana mereka mudah dirasuah dan tidak berperidirian serta tidak cukup berani seperti orang Cina. Mereka tidak ikhlas memperjuangkan rakyat mereka. Mereka lebih suka mengumpul kekayaan sendiri dengan membeli tanah kampung dan menjualnya kepada syarikat luar untuk kepentingan mereka sendiri. Mereka seperti penyangak dan lintah darat.

Isu agama yang kita hadapi saat ini juga disebabkan oleh taktik politik kotor yang dimainkan oleh penyokong Kerajaan di Semenanjung dan pihak pembangkang. Kita tidak ingin terlibat dalam hal seperti ini dan banyak lagi masalah lain yang dibawa oleh mereka di Sabah dan Sarawak.

Rakyat Sabah seharusnya tidak mudah terpen garuh dengan kata-kata yang dilafazkan oleh pemimpin Kerajaan hari ini, yang hanya bertujuan untuk manfaat peribadi mereka sendiri.

Kebanyakan pemimpin tempatan kita hari ini memiliki rumah sendiri di Kuala Lumpur, manakala rakyat sendiri diabaikan.

Maslan Maginda (Berita Harian)

Reject extremism politics

2011-05-23T23:32:00.000+08:00

INANAM: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee urged party members and the people of Sabah to reject the culture of extremism politics, violence, racial and using religion as a tool for political gain from Peninsular into Sabah.
He said that such political culture in Sabah had never existed despite having changed several state governments since the formation of Malaysia.
Speaking at the SAPP KK Zone Pesta Kaamatan celebration in Kampung Kokol here Saturday, Yong said such attempt to bring the negative political culture into East Malaysia was evident during the recently concluded Sarawak State Election.
"Now there is an attempt to bring the culture of racial politics, extremism, violence and with tactics to split the people into Sabah. But, this does not exist in Sabah eventhough we have seen the state government changed from Usno to Berjaya then PBS but at the end of the day we are able to sit down and eat together," he said.
He hoped SAPP members and the people in Sabah would not be trapped into the culture that is imported from Peninsular Malaysia.
Yong was glad to note that SAPP Muslim leaders like Deputy President Datuk Amde Sidek and supreme council member, Dullie Marie dared to stand up by issuing statements saying that there is no place for such political culture in Sabah.
It was disappointing, he said that a Minister from Umno during his visit to Sabah in Pensiangan was reported as talking about the May 13 incident and also it was reported in the newspapers of another party accusing another as a communist party.
"But what has that got anything to do with Sabah. We have never had such incident and the Minister went to Pensiangan to talk about it and as though threatening the people there with the May 13 incident.
"Why must you bring this issue here in Sabah?" he asked.
Yong said he was also proud to note that Sabah has never experienced the communist insurgence as well as racial riot, hence raising the issue here would not be of no benefit.
"I want to take this opportunity to tell the people in Sabah not to be poisoned by such racial and extremist politics. As for SAPP, it is not fighting for racial politics but we fight to improve the livelihood of the people so that we can live together in prosperity," he said.
Furthermore, he said the culture in Sabah since pre-independence day until now and whoever is the State government, the people of Sabah will celebrate festival like Kaamatan together.
"We see not only SAPP but other parties and agencies are also holding similar celebration, which is attended by people of all races. This is the way of live in Sabah … not only Kaamatan but others like Chinese New Year.
"Like Datuk Md Noor Mansoor said even if there are differences in political ideology but at time of celebration we will go back to our relatives and friends. This is a culture what we should be proud of being Malaysians in Sabah," he said.
Meanwhile Yong said based on studies on the constitution and from the legal perspective there is nothing preventing a State government from issuing Identity Cards to Malaysian in its own state.
Before Malaysia, the people in Sabah were issued with Blue IC in Jesselton now known as Kota Kinabalu, he said.

Towards this end, he said SAPP had taken a stand that a Sabah ICs would be issued to all genuine Malaysians in Sabah when it formed the State Government after the General Election.

The move was one of the ways to ensure that illegal immigrants who have obtained MyKad through the backdoor would no longer enjoy the privilege as a native.

"What is the difference between my MyKad and their MyKad? If they go to the government offices with their (illegally acquired) MyKad they must be entertained furthermore it is stated there that they are natives," he said.

"That is why when SAPP formed the State Government, we will issue a Sabah IC for the people of Sabah so that he or she could apply for land and deal with Yayasan Sabah as well as apply for trading license among others.

"We have to do this because there is nothing to differentiate us with the illegal immigrants who are holding MyKad too. (With the Sabah IC) we can tell who are really eligible to receive scholarships or assistance … this is the only way," he said.

On another note, he said SAPP was ready to cooperate with other opposition parties but "not get married" with them.

"We can work together with other parties. We can be friends but not married. We must learn from past experience, if we were fools before we should not be fools again today," he said.

"This is my experience and it had also been experienced by Datuk Paul Wong (SAPP advisor) and Datuk Md Noor Mansoor as well as Datuk Eric Majimbun. These uncles already know this," he said, adding that youths must heed to their advice.

"Almost anything is promised before getting married but it’s a different story after married … this is coming from me a man," he quipped.

He said that SAPP would support PKR or DAP in places where the party is not active, having not many members and no local leaders.

"But in Karambunai, Inanam and Sepanggar we are definitely stronger and we have our candidates here," he said.

"And we hope and appeal that they (other opposition parties) will support us. What is wrong with that? In places they are strong we will support them but what is important that in the struggle for autonomy a local party must have sufficient majority in the State Assembly.

"Lest we would only become a buffalo tied with a noose … no we don’t want that," he said.

Also on hand were SAPP advisor Datuk Paul Wong, veteran politician Datuk Md Noor Mansoor, Deputy President cum Sepanggar MP, Datuk Eric Majimbun, Datuk Amde, Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui, organising chairman, Julian Goduli and SAPP committee members.

Umno arrogance and 'big brother' attitude

2011-05-18T01:39:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno divisions demanding seats currently being held by other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties is a clear example of how Sabah have always been treated since the formation of Malaysia, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun.

"Since the formation of Malaysia, Sabah have been treated as the small brother that can be bullied by the big brother from peninsula. These are leaders from both camps whether in the government or opposition," he said.

Majimbun who is also Sepanggar MP said even the British felt that Sabahans or at that time North Borneans would not have autonomy without the "big brothers".
"When Usno government tried to ignore the grip of the big brothers, they planted Sabahan leaders to topple the State government. While the same thing happened before that when the big brother claimed to have promoted a Sabahan as High Commissioner to Australia.

"In 1985 when Sabah voted for change, initially the Federal government even refused to acknowledge the people's mandate. It was also fused by riot incident supported by illegal immigrants.

"The State government was treated with hardship, administratively and financially as well as one-way communication," he said.

Majimbun said only the selected minority was given privilege but the majority were far from the treatment as that of their fellow Malaysian from peninsula.

"After 47 years, the difference and gap between the East and West Malaysia is very glaring … can Sabahans and Malaysians deny and ignore this?" he asked.

Majimbun said it was not Sabah who surrender the Immigration power because the matter have been studied the pros and cons thoroughly by the state's fore leaders prior to the formation of Malaysia.

"But due to sweet convincing talk by the big brother which is akin to the those big brothers refusing to be convinced and have little faith on Sabah leaders," he said.

What happened to land allocated to SUCCC?

2011-05-07T01:09:00.001+08:00

Status of land allocated to SUCCC, We Want straight answer, says group

Land scam

KOTA KINABALU: Association of Sabah National Type Chinese School Chairman, Datuk Wong Yit Ming said he raised the Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) land issue for the interest of the Chinese community.

"I do not deny that I am a politician but I raised the issue up not to gain popularity as claimed by former SUCCC President, Datuk Sari Nuar," he said.
In a press conference here, Wong who is also Sabah Prosressive Party (SAPP) Treasurer-General, denied that he had political agenda when he brought up the issue.

"The lands given to SUCCC by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government 13 years ago was supposed to be used to earn revenue for the Chinese community so that it does not have to depend too much on the Government to resolve its financial problems.

"But we have not heard anything about the lands since then. The Chinese community is asking whether SUCCC is still in possession of the land or has it been sold," he said.

Wong said in 1998, the then Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee had approved 20,000 acres of land to SUCCC, KCCI and the Sabah Bumiputera Chambers of Commerce and industries.

Based on a 30:30:40 per cent distribution system, SUCCC's given 40 per cent of the 20,000 acres while KCCI ed SBCCI received 30 per cent each. The land has been planted with oil palm. SUCCC was also given another piece of 200,000 acres of FMU land for re-forestation activities.

According to Wong, SUCCC under the leadership of the late Tan Sri Wong Chik Lim, during Bejaya time, was allocated a 10,000 acres piece of land and they set up the Kinabalu Foundation with the revenue from the land.

"Every year, the Kinabalu Foundation gives close to RM1 million to the Chinese community in Sabah so we are just wondering if the two tracts of land have been generating any revenue and if yes, why have the Chinese community not benefited from it?" he asked.

On Sari's statement that he will expose Wong's wrongdoings for the last 30 years if the latter keeps harping on the issue, Wong challenged Nuar to report to the relevant authorities if he (Wong) had committed any wrongdoings.

'Please don't deviate from the issue and drag politics into it. Just tell the Chinese community what they want to know if the Chinese community will benefit from the land," he said.

By: Chris Maskilone

SAPP Belia solidariti gesa kerajaan batal empangan Tambatuon, Kaiduan

2011-04-26T23:40:00.002+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, April 26, 2011: Badan bertindak Solidariti Belia Sabah (BERTINDAK) menggesa kerajaan khususnya Ketua Menteri Sabah Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman membatalkan pembinaan empangan Kg Tambatuon Kota Belud dan empangan Kg Kaiduan Papar kerana jika pembangunan yang kerajaan telah rancangkan itu diteruskan juga dikhuatiri akan menindas rakyat khususnya pemusnahan ekosistem dikawasan terbabit.

Pengerusi badan bertindak Solidariti Belia Sabah (BERTINDAK) Stephan Gaimin 38, menyatakan demikian kepada media ketika mengetuai beberapa belia mengadakan demonstrasi protes secara aman dikawasan jalan susur masuk ke perkarangan Dewan Undangan negeri (DUN) Sabah pada Isnin.
Gaimin menegaskan, jikalau keputusan pembatalan loji janakuasa arang batu di Sinakut Lahad Datu oleh kerajaan beberapa bulan lalu dapat dilakukan kerana mengambilkira keselamatan penduduk persekitaran nya daripada bahaya pencemaran alam persekitarannya.

Tambahnya lagi, mengapa pula masalah pembinaan empangan yang bakal memusnahkan sumber kehidupan penduduk dikawasan terbabit tidak diambil perhatian serius untuk pertimbangan kerajaan sedangkan rakyat dikawasan terbabit sebelum ini rata rata sudah menyatakan penentangan hasrat kerajaan itu.

"Pembatalan janakuasa arang batu di Sinakut pun menjadi suatu kelalaian kerajaan kerana ia seharusnya dilakukan lebih awal, tetapi terpaksa memakan masa tiga tahun cukup lama, malah bayangkan juga berapa banyak masa dan wang ringgit yang telah digunapakai," tegas Gaimin.

Dalam pada itu, Gaimin menjelaskan bahawa Solidariti belia sabah sebelum ini telah pun menghantar memorandum kepada Ketua Menteri Sabah setahun lalu, namun hampa tidak ada tindakan positif daripada Menteri yang bertanggungjawab ( Kementerian Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar Sabah).

Tambah Gaimin, malahan Solidarity Belia Sabah diberi kata-kata peribahasa kesat daripada seorang daripada Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar dengan menyatakan, "Jika anda mahu mengeringkan kolam ikan, haruskah anda meminta izin kepada katak di dalam kolam,. Apabila ditanya apakah 200 orang yang terlibat di Kg Kaiduan adalah katak, dengan sinis beliau menjawab apa boleh buat?" katanya sambil yakin bahawa kata kata itu menguatkan keyakinan mereka bahawa kerajaan tidak mempunyai niat untuk membatalkan projek pembinaan empangan disitu.

Namun matlamat sebenar demonstrasi protes secara aman oleh solidariti Belia Sabah mengesa kerajaan agar lebih serius untuk membatalkan pembinaan Empangan Kaiduan di Papar dan Empangan Tambatuon di Kota Belud berdasarkan kebimbangan rakyat akan berlaku kemusnahan serius terhadap ekosistem di situ secara jangka panjang.

Oleh: STEPHEN GAIMIN

Cloak and dagger game

2011-04-22T01:37:00.001+08:00

SAPP takes note of the DAP Sabah negotiation panel on seats sharing in preparing for the general elections. This panel was constituted in January this year. Has DAP actually negotiated with PKR and PAS in Sabah, as claimed by them?

SAPP confirms that Sabah deputy chairman Fred Fung who supposedly heads the so-called negotiation panel has spoken about this to me and our party President, Datuk Yong Teck Lee.
We are currently still waiting for answers to our enquiries put to Fred Fung in February (this year) i.e. what is the mandate of this DAP panel? Do they have to refer to "higher ups"? Is there a counterpart team in PKR and PAS to negotiate with?

SAPP wished to avoid the Sarawak situation whereby Pakatan member SNAP had already agreed with DAP and PAS on the seats arrangement. But PKR went for all the seats that DAP and PAS did not contest. Remember, SNAP is a member of Pakatan.

We also remind DAP about the fiasco in October last year, prior to the nomination of candidate for the Batu Sapi by election when PKR’s top delegation from KL and Sabah had an agreement with the SAPP delegation on 21st October in Kota Kinabalu. PKR said they represented Pakatan because they have been given the mandate to negotiate with SAPP. This was because PKR was chosen to contest the Batu Sapi by-election.
Unfortunately, immediately after the meeting, the then Sabah DAP chief Dr. Hiew King Cheu denied that the meeting was valid. He insulted both delegations by calling the meeting "mere coffee shop talk". And to make the matter worse, at the Batu Sapi by-election, Pakatan Campaigners from Sabah and west Malaysia ferociously attacked SAPP instead of BN. This was in spite of the mutual agreement not to criticize each other and to campaign against BN.

There is even proof to show that a DAP leader colluded with UMNO to make sure SAPP lost. It looked like DAP was competing with SAPP to be the opposition instead of co-operating with SAPP to topple BN. We hope these sad episodes will not be repeated by the new leadership in Sabah DAP.

By Chong Pit Fah, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Information Chief and Kepayan CLC Chief

50,000 Sabahans want RCI on illegals

2011-04-06T00:27:00.002+08:00

Sabah opposition party SAPP is bent on convincing NGOs and political groups across the divide to back calls for Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegals

Some 50,000 Malaysian citizens in Sabah have signed a petition demanding that the federal government set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants in the state.

The petition is to be handed to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak or his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin during the current parliamentary sitting.

Sabah Progressive Peoples Party (SAPP) said the petition was signed by 50,000 Malaysians who also gave their IC numbers.

Its Youth division chief Edward Dagul said that the signatures would only be handed to Najib or his deputy and they would be expecting a definitive answer from either of them.

"If I fail to give it to the prime minister or deputy prime minister, I will wait for another time to hand it to him, when they come to the state or during the next parliamentary sitting (in June).

"In the meantime, we will carry on and discuss with the other parties on the opposition front to make this a project for Sabahan youths until we get a definitive answer from the prime minister himself saying 'No, we will not have an RCI for this'… then I will leave it up to the people of Sabah to judge.

"Even after we hand over the petition, the initiative will not end there. We hope to include other parties and NGOs which are in favour of this (campaign).

"We are not compartmentalising people into political leanings," he told FMT.

Spin-off problem

Dagul said that they also planned to hand copies of the signed petition to Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman during the coming State Legislative Assembly sitting.

He said more than 50,000 signatures had been collected statewide but due to logistical problems they were not included.

"According to the secretariat (of the drive), there are probably another 20,000 more signatures," he said, adding that though they had missed the target by half, those who signed were from across the political spectrum.

"We know that Upko, in principle, is fighting for the same thing because it is frustrated by the attitude of the federal government which is not even willing to look into setting up the RCI," he said.

Dagul said that the Youth division had started the signature drive in early March after they had lodged a police report against Sulu Sultan Mohd Akjan Ali Muhammad whom they see as a spin-off problem of the illegal immigrants in Sabah, among many others.

However, Dagul also said that the campaign faced obstacles in the east coast where there was a higher concentration of illegal immigrants.

"Most of the signatures we collected were in Kota Kinabalu, the west coast and in Sandakan.

"Those who refused to sign were somehow linked to the government or whose family members are in public service and fear that they would be reprisal if they signed the petition," he said.

SAPP team threatened

The SAPP team was also unable to visit certain places due to logistic problems and in some cases they were threatened with physical violence.

"In Tawau, we paid to use the space at a building but we were asked to leave when they found out what we were doing.

"The fishmongers in the Penampang fish market also threaten to beat us if we held the drive there.

"If this happens over a signature drive, what more if it's something more concrete or serious?

"They dare to do this here; there's a real concern. This is a threat to national security and sovereignty. Everyone is expressing concern but why is it not being looked into?" he said.

Meanwhile, Dagul said that the SAPP Youth division would be sending teams to Sarawak to aid opposition parties while at the same time observing and learning from the state polls, in preparation for the general election.

"Our stand is that we will support persons or political parties whose common objective is to bring down the BN government," he said.

On the disagreement between Sarawak Nasional Party (SNAP) and PKR, Dagul said that he hoped there would be no misunderstanding as SAPP would not be involved in resolving their issues.

"It is a concern for us but we do not want to be part of that.

"We are not here to solve your problems but we will help you to get rid of BN in whatever capacity we can.

"That is the objective and it should be the common objective. We are still hopeful they can come to some amicable arrangement," he said.

Sabah rights under Malaysia Agreement upheld

2011-03-22T15:37:00.000+08:00

Landmark court decision High Court rules Article 122AB of Federal Constitution null and void

KOTA KINABALU: In a landmark decision, the High Court here has declared Article 122AB of the Federal Constitution on the appointment of Judicial Commissioners by the Heads of State (TYTs) for Sabah and Sarawak, null and void.
Justice Datuk David Wong Dak Wah ruled that the 1994 amendment to the provision for the removal of the power of the TYTs for Sabah and Sarawak to appoint Judicial Commissioner was invalid as it was done without the consent of the two states.
In allowing the suit brought by retired policeman Robert Linggi against the Federal Government, David also declared Section 37 of the Judicial Appointments Commission Act (JAC), which empowers the Prime Minister to amend any provisions of the Act by way of a gazette, null and void.
He however dismissed the claim by Robert, who is from Keningau, that the Judicial Appointments Commission Act (except for section 37) was unconstitutional.
In his suit filed on March 13, 2009 Robert, who was represented by counsel Datuk Lawrence Thien, had, among others, sought declaration from the court that the removal of the power of appointment of judicial commissioners to the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak by the heads of the two States null and void.

In his 39-page written judgement delivered on March 15, David said it was not disputed that no consent was obtained from the respective Heads of State for Sabah and Sarawak.
Prior to amendments to Article 122A (3) and (4) of the Federal Constitution on June 24, 1994, the appointment of judicial commissioners to the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak may be appointed by the respective TYTs acting on the advice of the Chief Justice (now known as Chief Judge) of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.
"What happened after 24th June 1994 is that the power of the respective Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah and Sarawak to appoint judicial commissioners has been taken away by the Constitution (Amendment) Act 1994 (1994 Amendments) which incorporated a new Article 122AB of the same constitution," he said.

David said that Article 161E(2) prohibits amendments to the Federal Constitution without the consent of the respective TYTs "if the amendment is such as to affect the operation of the (Federal) Constitution as regards the constitution and jurisdiction of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.
"The '1994 Amendment' in my mind had no doubt ‘affected the operation' of the Federal Constitution as it had removed the power of appointment of judicial commissioners to the High Court by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
"Hence, when the '1994 Amendment' was introduced without the consent of the respective Yang di-Pertua Negeri, it contravened Article 161E (2) (b) of the Federal Constitution," he held.
David said that the same conclusion can be reached by looking into the historical background of the Federal Constitution.
He pointed out that the starting point was the report of the Inter-Government Committee, 1962 (IGC) and the Malaysia Agreement dated July 8, 1963.
The IGC contained the terms and conditions in which Sabah and Sarawak agreed to form Malaysia and this is reflected in Article VIII of the Malaysia Agreement, said Wong, adding that the recommendation was entrenched in the repealed Article 122a(3) and (4) of the Federal Constitution.
"Hence, it can be said that the '1994 Amendment' had contravened the IGC Report which for all intent and purposes set out the rights of Sabah and Sarawak in the formation of Malaysia.
"These rights are protected rights and their protection lies in the consent of the respective States through the consent of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri. Thus, it can be inferred that the repealed Article 122A (3) and (4) of the Federal Constitution (which is paragraph 26 (15) of Chapter 3 of IGC) can only be repealed with the consent of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah and Sarawak.
"Accordingly, it is my view that the '1994 Amendment' is invalid and therefore, null and void in so far as it concerns the removal of the power to appoint judicial commissioners by the respective Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah and Sarawak," he said.
Touching on the issue whether the enactment of the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009 (Act 695) is unconstitutional, null and void, David held that the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009 (JAC Act) came into force on Feb 2, 2009.
"Through the JAC Act 2009, a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) was established mainly to make recommendation to the Prime Minister on the candidates to be appointed as judicial commissioners or judges or on the promotion of sitting judges to the higher courts.
"The JAC Act, I agree with counsel for the defendant, merely provides a process in which candidates for judgeship are vetted by the JAC," he said.
Having read the relevant provisions, David said one thing is clear and that is, all JAC do in their function is to recommend to the Prime Minister qualified candidates for judgeship and such recommendations remain as ‘recommendations' only in that the Prime Minister's discretion is completely untouched which is as provided in Article 122AB and 122B of the Federal Constitution.
"However, there is no provision in the JAC Act as to when this process of selecting suitable candidates is to occur. Is it before or after the consultation with the relevant judges?
"Article 122Ab and 122B of the Federal Constitution provides that ‘the Prime Minister shall consult' the relevant judges before he advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for any appointment of judges.
"This duty to consult is a constitutional duty and it can only be taken away by an express amendment to the Federal Constitution, that is, by votes of two-third of members of Parliament.
"Of course there was no such constitutional amendment and hence the JAC Act must be read subjected to that constitutional duty to consult," he said.
In other words, David held the recommendations of the Judicial Commission are subjected to the Prime Minister's duty to consult the relevant Judges.
"Accordingly, Section 28 of the JAC Act 2009 should not be read as if there is no requirement for the Prime Minister of the day to consult the relevant Judges before he tenders his advice in accordance with Article 122AB and 122B of the Federal Constitution and to read otherwise would make section 28 ultra vires the Federal Constitution.
"Lastly, as for Section 37 of the JAC Act, whichever way one reads it, it gives the power of the Prime Minister to amend any provisions of the JAC Act by way of a gazette. Any amendment to the JAC Act or for that matter any legislation is an exercise of legislative power.
"The doctrine of separation of powers embodied in the Federal Constitution dictates that only the Parliament can make or amend laws. Accordingly, I am left with no option but to hold that Section 37 of the JAC null and void as it contravenes the Federal Constitution.
"This finding is now of course academic as this provision has a sunset clause of two years and then the sun has since set on 9 Feb 2011," he added.
On the contention by Senior Federal Counsel Suzana Atan and Narkunavathy Sundereson who acted for the government that Robert had no locus standi to bring the suit, the judge ruled that "all Malaysians have a duty to protect our constitution."
He said Robert, as a Sabahan, was genuinely concerned with the erosion of the rights of Sabah in so far as the Constitution and jurisdiction of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak and the appointment, removal and suspension of judges of that court.
"I have no hesitation in finding that the plaintiff has the locus standi to bring this action.

"I am fully aware of the argument that this may encourage litigation but in my view when there is a challenge concerning and dismantling of the Supreme Law of the country, litigation should be encouraged," David added. by Kelimen Sawatan

Nuclear accidents and energy policy

2011-03-17T00:53:00.001+08:00

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, said with so much negative publicity generated by the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants in the aftermath of the earth quake and tsunami, it is has become highly unlikely that the Malaysian government will proceed with any final decision to build nuclear power plants for the foreseeable future.

"However, we should be concerned about other nuclear plants which are dangerously near to Sabah should a nuclear accident happen. For instance, the Philippines's Bataan Nuclear Plant near Manila. This Bataan plant is being mothballed but might be rehabilitated as the Philippines is running out of energy options. There are also several nuclear plants in Guangdong and other parts of Southern China.

"At the moment, the Malaysian government has no guidelines on precautions to be taken by citizens in the event of a regional nuclear accident. I doubt whether the authorities and the medical services have the resources, training and disaster management capabilities in tackling radiation risks coming a foreign country.
"Japan, China and other countries have little options for their energy needs. That is why they go nuclear.
"But Malaysia has the Four-Fuel strategy of using oil, hydropower, coal and natural gas. In the case of Sabah, it is very sad that we are still without an energy policy.

"Oil fuels have become prohibitively expensive, coal has been rejected and hydro power projects are not getting anywhere. The only viable option left is natural gas. But we are not allowed to use our natural gas because the gas is exported via Bintulu to give billions of ringgit in profit to Petronas. This is economic exploitation, pure and simple.

"Natural gas remains our most viable option for the next decade supported by bio-mass, mini-hydros and other sustainable energy sources. But Sabah wasted precious three years debating about the controversial coal power plant. Without any further delay, the government must commit itself to building a natural gas pipeline from Kinamis to Sandakan.

"Or else Sabahans will be condemned to suffer electric power shortages and high electric tariffs.

Sabah trapped by BN trickery

2011-03-09T00:51:00.001+08:00

Honest cooperation in any relationship is important and that includes state-federal ties, opines a former Sabah chief minister.

KOTA KINABALU: The state-federal relationship which is "more a collusion than cooperation" must be changed, former chief minister Yong Teck Lee said.

He said that considering the pivotal positions Sabah and Sarawak hold in determining the political course of the country, the relationship must be changed to that of true cooperation.

"The state-federal relationship status has changed. If before the state government cannot rule without the support of the federal government, today it is the federal government which cannot be formed without the support of Sabah and Sarawak," he added.
He was delivering a talk on "Special rights, autonomy and equal partnership status" at the United Borneo Front (UBF) inter-party seminar here on Saturday.

Said Yong: "We want to see a relationship in the form of cooperation and not kupsitsama (collusion) between the federal and state governments."

"Kupsitsama is like the case of the cancelled coal-fired power plant project. The project was actually announced by (Prime Minister) Najib (Tun Razak)… and all supported it.

"Melanie Chia (Luyang assemblywoman) and Liew Teck Chan (Likas) tabled a motion to object to this project during the State Legislative Assembly sitting," said Yong who is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president.

He pointed out, however, that BN representatives like Samsuddin Yahya (Sekong) and Mohd Suhaili Said (Tungku) fought for it.

"Samsuddin said that we are anti-development while Suhaili said the people wanted the coal-fired power plant, but the Chinese did now want it.

"When Sepanggar MP Eric Majimbun raised the matter in the Parliament, semua hantam (all rallied against him), saying the people in Sabah want the coal-fired power plant… it's clean coal and so on.

"Then when Chief Minister (Musa Aman) announced that the project was scrapped, all of them also supported it, saying the people come first, and that Musa loves the people of Sabah… What is this?" he asked.

No honesty

Yong said the same trend could be seen with the proposal to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants. "All the Barisan Nasional (BN) people refused to sign our signature campaign to call for the setting up of the commission."

"But if one month later Najib announces the setting of a Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants in Sabah, the same thing will happen (support for Najib)," he said.

He cited the Teoh Beng Hock case as an example.

"Najib had said that there was no need for a Royal Commission of Inquiry because an inquest had been carried out… but when a by-election came, such a commission was announced and all including (MCA president) Chua Soi Lek said it was good because he (Najib) loves the people and wants to know the truth.
"So that is what we call 'kupsit sama' because there is no honesty in it. We don't want this. We want a state-federal cooperation," said Yong.

On illegal immigrants, he said the issue had been repeatedly raised in the State Legislative Assembly and Parliament, but the Umno-led government was unsupportive despite its obvious importance.

"Have you heard anyone from Umno talk about this problem? Have you heard PAS talk about this? In PKR only one or two who are not Muslims (have supported the call)," he said, adding that even Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) was silent.

On the Borneo Agenda and Borneo Alliance objectives, Yong said they (proponents) have to work harder to unify the multiracial population of Sabah.

"If not, the divide-and-rule policy practised by Kuala Lumpur will continue to succeed," he said, adding that the tactic was common in developing nations.

Double-talking politicians

Citing an example, Yong said that when SAPP was still in the BN, a leader from the peninsula came to Sabah and told him: "'We Malays easy to work together with Chinese; in the peninsula Malays and Chinese have worked together like siblings for 50 years; the Kadazans are not easy to work with.

"The same leader then talked to Bernard Dompok (Upko president) and said, 'Tan Sri, we and Kadazan are Bumiputeras. The Chinese are not good.

"'In the Peninsula, the five million Chinese want so many things… We Bumiputeras need to be united.'
"Bernard Dompok and I are buddies. He told me what had happened, and I also told him what the leader told me… but many in Sabah feel trapped by this tactic, which will result in the people fighting among themselves," he said.

Yong added that such tactics were still prevalent in Malaysian politics.

"How do we overcome this? We need to avoid falling into this trap.

"We can belong to different parties, different non-governmental organisations, but we must have the same struggle," he said. (By Dominic Legeh)

Muhyddin: We should be grateful for not dying of starvation

2011-03-05T02:22:00.001+08:00

We Malaysians should be grateful that we are not dying of starvation, yet!

Now We Know What 'People 1st.' Means!
DPM Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin (photo) says Malaysians, the poor Sabahans in particular should not be complaining about their poor condition as no one has died of starvation yet, as compared to the people in China and India.

He also said the nation will go bankrupt if it fulfils the demands of all the people.

He also made a staggering revelation that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government has been unable to do much for the landless and hardcore poor in the country mainly due to incompetence of its leaders.

He took a swipe at ruling party political leaders for not doing their jobs and not articulating the problems they faced.

Sabah's new hope is SAPP

2011-03-03T00:07:00.002+08:00

By Amde Sidik

SAPP has always been prepared to sit down with other opposition political leaders in the State, no question about it so long as the agenda is to topple the present state government in Sabah.

While at the Federal level, SAPP leaders are supporting all out federal based opposition. It should be better that way, clear division of labour.

For those who are wary and worry should SAPP get a simple majority to form a government, the situation is no better than during PBS government where PBS was whacked left and right, in the end resorted to joining BN; in my view, the scenario is no longer the same. We are in different era.

For shorter explanation, Federal leaders need Sabah and Sarawak more to form the federal government.

Forty-eight years ago it was just the opposite where Sabah and Sarawak had given freely nearly all their parliamentary seats to enable BN to form Federal government.

Today if only Sabah and Sarawak voters open their eyes beyond the zincs, blue water tank and other forms of bribes, situation could be different. Sabah and Sarawak could have minimized the bullying game by the BN leaders.

hy are we being ignored and even called a fixed deposit? Largely because of our own ignorance and another is for monetary gains? I guarantee there is no real UMNO fighter in Sabah all are but because of the reasons I mentioned above. What have they to proof of their struggle in UMNO? USNO and UNKO, yes. Unfortunately our younger generation doesn't read this local history of ours anymore except UMNO.
For SAPP, the Chinese image has been shifting well into a multi-racial and multi religious Sabah. Bumiputra membership of the party outnumbered other races.

Bumiputra leaders comprised about half of the total numbers of party ‘s leaders, currently at the constituency level- Constituency Liaison Committee (CLC), Bumiputras are dominating leadership group.
For the first time in the history of the Party that it has a Muslim for Deputy President since it inception 18 eighteen years ago.

By constitution SAPP has always been a non-racial political party right from the beginning.
SAPP doesn't practice quota system as many people think it is. Whilst some find the ideas of non-quota system is unfair while another find is the most appropriate. When asked why quota system isn't practiced after all Sabah has many racial groups?

I'm of the opinion that the selection should be based on ability to lead not because of race and plus connection. Second, we can't afford to be thinking everything and every time we've to focus our mind based on race and religion. If God wants Sabah to have only one religion, God could have done it long time ago.
Every religious person says all races are equal but people made it unequal.

Political party based along racial line party, will one day find to have little followers. It simply is a divisive system, yet our leaders are talking about one Malaysia. Look around BN component political parties are but based along racial line.

Our young are actually no longer looking this way, but our leaders very many of them don't realize, see what we learn from Middle East.

Time has come that we have to chart our political destiny for Sabah and Sarawak and there is not shortcut and no easy way out surely not for faint-hearted leaders.

There is a choice now, those don't want to stay the same, support the opposition political parties and make them win in the General Election that would be my advice.

Hj Amde Sidik is Deputy President of SAPP

PBS deviating from real issues

2011-02-24T01:02:00.001+08:00

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Youth Chief Edward Dagul said the PBS leaders Johnny Mositun and Herbert Timbun Lagadan are so fast to condemn SAPP on every issue yet, these same leaders are strangely silent when UMNO's Home Affairs Minister Dato Hishammuddin Hussein declared that there is no need for a Royal Commission in Illegal Immigrants.

"Even more suspicious is why up till now, more than two weeks after the so-called installation of a "Sultan of Sulu" in Sabah, has PBS kept their silence on such crucial matters? Is it because "silence is golden" for PBS?

"What is so difficult for PBS to make a stand now for a Royal Commission on Illegal Immigrants and the "Sulu Sultan" installation? Is it because of PBS Secretary General's declaration that PBS is the "best friend" of UMNO? Increasingly, like the famous Atama sketch, PBS has become the stooge or Pak Turut of UMNO.

"Everybody knows that countless illegal immigrants are getting various types of documents to legalise their stay in Sabah, many even getting Mykads. These are the fixed deposits in the vote bank of BN-UMNO. Herbert is again complaining about the "Pulau Gaya voters". Does Herbert not know that Pulau Gaya has been within the PBS constituency of Tanjong Aru represented by PBS Vice President Edward Yong Oi Fah ever since 1999?

"As for Johnny Mositun's claim that upon rejoining BN, PBS had submitted a "detailed memorandum " to the then PM, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, does the question not arise on how long should you wait for concrete actions to be taken? For the record, SAPP had also submitted a "detailed memorandum" to the same PM. But upon realizing that the Federal government of the day is not serious in tackling the issue, SAPP quit from BN. But PBS leaders, on the other hand, continues to heap praises to the UMNO leaders, even after Datuk Idris Jala's disclosure that the PTI issue is not listed as a priority, ie not part of the NKRA.
That's why the people of Sabah think that the leaders of PBS are "main wayang". What's the point of doing a detailed memorandum and lodging various police reports if you are not really seeking a closure for this issue?
"In brushing aside Dr. Chong Eng Leong's exit from PBS, Johnny Mositun had proudly claimed that PBS is the respected member of the BN. Where is this respect if PBS cannot defend the rights of Sabah natives who used to look up to PBS for protection? What is PBS doing to save the thousands of natives who are being chased out of their native customary right lands and forest reserves? These poor natives have been abandoned by their leaders. Natives from Tenom and other districts have to resort to court to defend their legal rights. Some have had their houses and crops burned by the BN government. Some are forced to spend whatever little money they have in defending their freedom after being arrested by the authorities. This has never happened before in the history of Sabah. As revealed recently by UPKO MP Alliance Siringan Gubat, before September 1998, there was no issue of eviction of natives from their NCRs and forest reserves. But these days, such injustices against natives are common.

"If or when the mega dams come to Kaiduan in Papar and Tambotuan in Kota Belud, many Kadazandusun families will be forcibly uprooted from their ancestral homes. Johnny Mositun is from Papar, Herbert from Kota Belud. What can they do except to sing the praises of UMNO? Similarly, what are PBS leaders doing about the marginalization of KDMs in the civil service?

"PBS has also allowed itself to be used as tool to divide and rule the people. At the 23rd PBS congress in 2008, PBS gladly hosted the BN Chairman Dato Abdullah Badawi to announce that the Bintulu natural gas pipeline to pipe away Sabah's gas. This was a slap in the face of UPKO President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok who had staked his career on stopping the pipeline. Eventually, Bernard Dompok had to eat the humble pie because of PBS's betrayal of unity of the people for Sabah. If not for that act of betrayal, then Sabah would not have to worry about the unavailability of natural gas for our electric power plants, no issue of liquefied natural gas and no issue of shipping LNG to Sandakan.

Herbert, Johnny Mositun incurable ignorants

2011-02-23T02:50:00.001+08:00

Kota Kinabalu, Feb 22, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said that both Herbert Timbun Lagadan and Johnny Mositun have shown their incurable ignorance by harping on the official visit of Nur Misuari to Sabah in 1997 when he was Chief Minister.

"BN government leaders like Herbert Timbun Lagadan and Johnny Mositun have once again exposed their incurable ignorance. As a matter of fact, most of the current BN state and federal ministers were part of the host of Nur Misuari's visit to Sabah at the time.

"The 1997 official visit to Sabah of Nur Misuari as the then governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was part of the overall programme of the Malaysian and Sabah State governments to resolve the long standing issue of refugees who had fled the civil conflict in the Southern Philippines in the mid 1970s.

These refugees were recognized by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) office in Kota Kinabalu. Plans were afoot to resettle these refugees, their off springs and illegal immigrants in a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao under the supervision of international bodies. In Malaysia, this came under the National Security Council. In the Philippines, this came under their Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) under their President (Ramos).

"Malaysia at the time was preaching the "Prosper thy neighbor" and "smart partnership" concepts of our then Prime Minister. BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area) had just taken off with high hopes and firm commitments from Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Manila to bring long lasting harmony, development and prosperity to the neglected peoples of these "back yard provinces" of the three ASEAN member countries.

"Earlier, in September 1996, Nur Misuari's MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and the Philippines government had entered into a peace agreement that was recognized by Malaysia, Indonesia and other ASEAN countries, the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the international community.

"At the time in Sabah, the illegal syndicates manufacturing fake identity cards have been detained under the Internal Security Act, the notorious one being Akjan Ali. Other UMNO operatives, such as Hj. Jabar Khan, and some government officers were also detained under ISA for involvement in fake ICs.

"Foreign workers who were legitimately employed were given work passes under the Regularisation Programme. Illegals were deported in huge numbers using the superior logistics and transportation of the Malaysian armed forces. For the first time in many years, there was real hope that the issue of illegal immigrants would be finally resolved. That was thirteen years ago.

"Today, we see illegal immigrants and street kids roaming our streets day and night. Crime, drug trafficking and other vices related to illegal immigrant are rampant. Akjan Ali proclaimed himself "Sultan of Sulu" in Sabah right under the noses of our Ministers.

"PBS leaders like Tan Sri Joseph Pairin, Herbert, Johnny Mositun and Yee Moh Chai all know that SAPP is not involved in the issuance of fake identity cards to anybody. These same PBS leaders know that the real culprits are operatives associated with UMNO.

"Yet, Herbert talked again about the Likas election petition that proved the existence of phantom voters. The allegations were against the Election Commission, not me or SAPP. Evidence of fake ICs and phantom voters given by Dr. Chong Eng Leong in the Likas election petition pinpointed UMNO members, not me or SAPP. Explicitly and clearly, PBS's own witnesses in the court case said neither me nor SAPP was involved in the IC scam. Names and personalities were exposed in the court, mostly linked to UMNO.

"But why is Pairin, Herbert, Johnny Mositun, Yee Moh Chai and PBS leaders silent about UMNO? Why do these PBS leaders continue to falsely attack SAPP on the IC scam, phantom voters and illegals? This is because the PBS leaders want to do UMNO a big favour by covering up for UMNO, and the best way is to distract attention by maliciously blaming an innocent party like SAPP. Such is the power of UMNO over PBS that PBS leaders have become stooges of UMNO.

"From Sandakan and Tawau to Putrajaya and Labuan, Mykads are being issued to new immigrants residing in Sabah. Are Pairin, Mositun, Herbert, Yee, and the PBS federal minister in Putrajaya, Dr. Max Ongkili, really blind to these abuses happening under their noses? Or are they pretending not to know?

Establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry

2011-02-15T02:23:00.001+08:00

Kota Kinabalu, Feb 14, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has called for the Federal Government to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry on the hot issue on the installment of the new Sultan of Sulu in Likas, Sabah recently.

Its Deputy President, Datuk Eric Majimbun, today said that the Malaysian Sabahans have been consistently voicing out to the Federal Government on the threats of foreigners getting Malaysian citizenship which now has surfaced by its own and the threat has become more evident and worrying.

"Akjan claiming to be the Sultan of Sulu and having lots of followers whom are his countrymen from a neighbour country but also subjects of Malaysia by being given citizenships have shown their true self.
"The Malaysian government should explain to the people why this is happening and the purpose of it.

Eric is deeply appalled that the booming population of the 'new Malaysians' (having bumiputra and Melayu tags) have increased many folds which was only a small number back in the 1970s.

"These so-called countrymen of Malaysia especially in Sabah are mingling among the locals even holding government posts, wakil rakyat and members of political party like Umno, have raised enough suspicions in every true Malaysian and is a real threat to the nation.

"The duty of the government is to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry with urgency on this matter.

"The Sabah Commissioner of Police had even said the ISA should be invoked for such 'mischief' which meant the matter needed to be urgently attended to by the Federal Government.

Sultan Sulu coronation in Sabah

2011-02-08T15:48:00.001+08:00

The fact that there are innumerable claimants to the Sulu sultanate is public knowledge.

But to have a joker by the name of Abjan Ali to install himself in a self-styled coronation in Sabah as Sultan of Sulu is a direct and no joke challenge to Malaysia’s sovereignty over Sabah and an insult to the our Malaysian Sultans and our Sabah Head of State. This so-called “Sultan of Sulu”, complete with a “Prime Minster” of a government-in-exile expect people of Sulu descent to pledge loyalty to him, and not to our Malaysian Agung, our constitution and nation. The security implications are obvious and serious.

In 1995 or 1996, Abjan and several other UMNO operatives were detained under the Internal Security Act for the manufacturing of fake identity cards. I need say no more about this person except that Abjan is an active UMNO member. What is UMNO going to do about him?

If the Malaysian government does nothing to stop such flagrant violation of Malaysia’s sovereignty over Sabah, then Sabahans will being to wonder what it means to be a Malaysian.
Datuk Yong Teck Lee
Ex-Chief Minister of Sabah, May 1996 - May1998

"Pak Turut" of Umno

2011-01-31T23:57:00.003+08:00

It is apparent that Datuk Johnny Mositun has either not comprehend Datuk Yong Teck Lee's recent statement or chose to be ignorant of the facts presented.

It is the common belief in Sabah that PBS leaders as well as the other leaders in BN component parties may be in office, but not in power. The vehement denial by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan as PBS President and Deputy Chief Minister that he is simply a "Pak Turut" to UMNO leadership shows his concern and fear that this sad truth be known to Sabahans. The PBS Youth police report against the Atama sketch, which incidentally was definitely a viewpoint shared by many Sabahans, reinforces this line of thought.

PBS was once undeniably a formidable opposition in Sabah until it decided to rejoin BN. The excuse given by PBS leaders then was that to effectively rid Sabah of all problems plaguing the State, one needs to be in BN. Sabahans remembers that this act of rejoining BN was rewarded with high positions in both State and Federal governments. But despite these high posts, have the problems really been solved? Have the leaders in Kuala Lumpur even bothered responding to any PBS demands in solving Sabah's problems? In fact, what has PBS achieved for the people of Sabah since rejoining BN?

The PBS President had stated during PBS 24th Congress that the PTI issue must be resolved by 2012. It is interesting to note, though, that Tan Sri Pairin stopped short of what he will do if it is not resolved by the deadline proclaimed. After the announcement of the NKRA's was made by the current PM, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, there was uproar when the newly appointed Minister in charge of NKRA, Datuk Seri Idrus Jala admitted that the PTI issue was not listed. It was deemed not important enough to be included in the Federal government's list of priorities. As an afterthought, the setting up of a new Special Laboratory was hastily announced with the sole intention to pacify the Sabahans but alas, to date, still no results.

This "Mother of all threats" issue have been attributed by many to be the main contributing factor in Sabah's abnormal population increase in the years 1970 to 2000 from 636,431 people in 1970 to 2,449,389 in the year 2000. Or an increase of 285% compared to the nation's increase of 113% or even Sarawak's 106%. This highly irregular upsurge has meant that the indigenous natives have been displaced as the majority community in Sabah. Stories of how many natives, mainly KDMs lost ancestral lands, suffer forced evictions from forest reserves etc are becoming regular features in the news. Always proclaiming to be championing the KDM community's cause, what has PBS leaders done to assist them?

The continued silence by PBS leaders on this and other pertinent issues affecting especially the KDMs has left them feeling hopeless and abandoned. To many in the community, their being left out to dry is tantamount to an act of betrayal. The saying that "it is worse to witness a wrongful act and do nothing than the act itself" is most apt.

For the record, Datuk Yong was only a full Cabinet Minister for a period of 9 years and that was 12 years ago when compared to Tan Sri Pairin's 25 years. 2 years as the Chief Minister compared to Tan Sri Pairin's 9 years. So, it is natural for one to assume the longer one holds on to important posts, the more one is expected to achieve.

The question now of whether PBS leaders like Datuk Johnny Mositun or even Datuk Herbert Timbon Lagadan may still wish to remain as UMNO stooges or not is of little consequence. But we urge the other BN members to reflect on the facts, to fight for Sabah's autonomy and for what rightfully belongs to the people of Sabah. Edmund Burke once said that" All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing".

Issues such as the PTI issue may be an old issue but it is one that is close to the hearts of Sabahans. Therefore, SAPP will carry on pressing this as well as other issues until they are resolved, unlike PBS leaders like Datuk Johnny Mositun who will happily dance to any tune played by UMNO leaders. By Edward Dagul

Roused Borneo spirit reshaping politics?

2011-01-22T13:22:00.002+08:00

There had never been a period in our past during which the people of Borneo had collectively experienced a discernable Borneo consciousness. After all, Borneo never really became a singular entity, even when the Brunei Empire had its golden age from the 15th to the 17th centuries, when its hegemony extended to the whole Borneo and northward into the Philippines .

People in the west coastal areas of what is now Sabah referred to this period as the Tana' Brunei (Brunei rule), and had not made reference to Borneo . Brunei's control was nominal with the various native groups having little recognition of this dominion largely toothless empire. In fact, riverine communities who came within reach of Brunei tax collectors coming upriver by canoes, had much scorn for the Abais (Brunei people).

The closest we had come to being ‘Borneo’ was when Sabah and Sarawak were referred to as "the Borneo states" within the context of Malaysia . But even then, our consciousness were varied, being focused on our respective communal identities, or at the widest, our respective state's priorities, hence the 20 Point Agreement for Sabah, and the 18 Point Agreement for Sarawak. There was still no palpable Borneo spirit. But after 47 of losses of rights, of disenfranchisement (in part due to the manipulative politics of federalism, orchestrated earlier on in Sabah by the sleight of hands of Syed Kechik), Sabah and Sarawak had shared a common concern of being common victims.

The term "Borneo states" which excluded Brunei and Kalimantan, took a different meaning, this time with a strong tinge of discontent and a desire for restoration of the lost rights. Not coincidently, somewhere in the mid-2000s the idea of the Momoguns being part of a larger Borneo grouping called “Dayak” started to gain currency with the awareness that through this new definition of racial grouping, the Momoguns, the Kelabit, Ibans, Bidayuhs, the Lundayeh (or Lunbawangs) and so on would have greater national and international clout. The Borneo spirit which had been germinating then sprouted quietly into a definable form.

And not coincidently too, the deep-set neo-colonialist tendency within the national Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) manifested in numerous actions which convinced members of PKR Sabah and PKR Sarawak of the need to reevaluate the viability of the PKR deal.

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, then PKR's Vice President assigned with the task of strengthening the support for the party in the two Borneo states, consequently solidified the rapport between leader of Sabah and Sarawak, and took the sprout of the Borneo spirit to flower with the unifying forces of Borneo Heritage Foundation, Common Interest Group Malaysia , and Borneo Dayak Forum. Now, under the United Borneo Front (UBF), the Borneo spirit has taken on a fuller bloom.

But what indeed is the Borneo spirit? At the modern political level it is the desire of the Borneans for self-reliance, to take control own destiny, to forge the Borneo identity, character and concept of governance which is built on self-determination, rights and autonomy.

The ultimate socio-economic aim of the Borneo spirit is, of course, the achievement of the vision of the territory standing up to the global community as a region blessed with the Malaysian franchise, possessing a solid territorial integrity and prides itself in being socially vibrant, industrially dynamic and technologically innovative, hence prosperous and influential.

With our resources and with the elimination of corruption and patronage politics, and the institutionalization of full meritocracy (like what they have done in Singapore and Hong Kong) there is no reason why we cannot be an economic powerhouse comparable to the world's best.

But at the poetic, subliminal level, I see the Borneo spirit in the breathing of the rainforests in the hills and mountains, in the mists covering the mountain range, in the Kinabatangan and the Rajang, and in the traditional longhouse.

I see it in the cacophony of nocturnal sounds from the highly organized chaos of the vast rainforests. The Ecology of the primeval environment teems with visible and invisible life that, emanates a language of the power of the incomparable creator. I see too the Borneo spirit in the mother tongues, ancient songs and dances of the peoples of the vast island, in the beatings of their hearts and awakening of their minds to worlds beyond their borders, of inseparable ancientness woven into their psyches, of fond desires and multicolored dreams no outsiders can ever fathom.

I sense the sounds of pulse of patriotism in the plumes of hornbill feathers on the traditional hats of the Ibans and the Muruts, in the measured dance steps, rhythms and melody of the kulintangan, sompotons, and gongs, and the sharp beautiful melancholy of the sapek. I see and feel the Borneo spirit in the peoples' loving but hungry eyes, in their pensive faces, in their tattoed torsos, all still reflecting the prowess of ancient heroism. Truly, anyone hoping to capture the Borneo spirit must first comprehend and pay reverence to these desires and dreams bequeathed from bygone days. Borneo will move genuinely only with its own native spirit and not when the spirit of foreigners and alien motives are forced on their unique character.

For why else is the Borneo spirit now moving, and flowering to full blood-red bloom under the compelling ideology of the United Borneo Front. Some old political setups are forced to reshape their leadership structure and adjust their ideologies.

The immediate fallout is. Of course, Sabah PKR, which took the surprising step of appointing a political unknown to be its State Liaison Chief. The decision is a milestone in political regress as it forces many political seniors and veterans to line unawkwardly and incredulously behind a young and untested and ill-equipped general.

What made the PKR President decide on this apparently self-defeating misstep is difficult to comprehend. And in the confused reorganization of the house. widespread disillusionment rules. with more than a few Divisional Chiefs preparing to pack up and abandon ship on top of those who have already left to join UBF. And it's been said that a past leader and his close lieutenants are being set aside, causing another huge, debilitating split.

It will be interesting to observe what will further develop from the unbelievable situation.
Meanwhile the stirred up Borneo spirit awakened the Sarawak National Party (Snap), from its extended rest.

Snap is now actively with its President, Datuk Edmund Langgu ak Saga and other leaders regrouping to take up on the new challenges and prospect for a Borneo revival. Also, two prominent NGOs the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), the Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association are now members of UBF. Other personalities like PaulRaja, Dr. John Brian, Nicholas Bawin Anggat, and Datuk Daniel Tajim (Jeffrey's counterpart in Sarawak ) have long taken their seats on the UBF bandwagon.

Significantly, Baru Bian Anthony, a well-known land rights lawyer, as the Sarawak PKR State Liaison Chief, had declined the appointment as PKR's Vice President, an important post reserved for Sarawak . He had been reported as having expressed dissatisfaction over the party leadership and many read his declining the post as a pre-cursor to joining UBF.

Will the major events in Sarawak in 2011 be involving the Borneo spirit, which will chart a new political course? After all the infectious spirit has been let loose, like the proverbial cat that had escaped from the bag. And it is no small or tame spirit; it is hopping and scampering to set wheels and winds into motion on the political landscape, forcing redefinitions, awakening political animals from their slumber, and compelling fence sitters and the indifferent to see that their places in the Borneo alliance has been opened wide.

The Borneo spirit is now an undeniable political reality, which is turning the Borneo states into an exclusive territorial entity, to become another nerve center of the new and better Malaysia of the future. (By Raymond Tombung)

Rise or fall ... it's up to Sabah people

2011-01-12T01:19:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 10, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) said it is time for political leaders in Sabah who only care about their own interest but not the electorates to go.

President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said this was among the reasons many of the people problems remained unresolved until today.
He said the political leaders in Sabah, especially from the Barisan Nasional (BN) also did not dare to voice out for the people and asked for the rights of Sabah to be returned because they fear Kuala Lumpur.
"These are the reasons why Sabah becomes the poorest state, first they (the BN leaders) want to take care of themselves and busy lobbying for posts and projects, secondly they have a case. They fear being reprimanded and arrested," he said.

"If one day SAPP wins and form the State Government it is because we have the support. So, (taking care of) the people will be our main responsibility because they are the ones who voted for us.

"And should we fall it will also be due to the people and not Kuala Lumpur," he said, adding that it was for this reason that SAPP was fighting to regain the State autonomy.

"Today, whether the BN or Pakatan Rakyat both are the same … its leaders are appointed by Kuala Lumpur," he said.

In this respect, he said SAPP will be contesting to get majority in the State Assembly although he stressed the party never intended to contest in all the 60 state seats.

Therefore, a formula must be drawn up (by the opposition parties) for the coming 13th General Election or Sabah would continue to be split by the divide-and-rule tactics of the BN, he said.

"Umno, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and BN are all practicing the divide-and-rule … we must stop this by giving the people the power to choose their own State Government and leaders," he said.

Speaking at the meet-the-people session in Kampung Sembulan Tengah on Sunday, Yong also said that the BN has failed to keep the promises made during last year's Batu Sapi Parliamentary by-election.

Yong who was involved in the three-cornered fight by-election based his claims from the information of electorates and his personal observation during a return visit to Batu Sapi in Sandakan recently.

He found that many of the development projects that were launched by the BN during the by-election had yet to take off.

"For instance in Kampung Lupak Meluas, not only the foundation pillars of the project were missing but even the project's signboard was no where to be seen," he said.

"We have taken the pictures of all this as proof of Barisan Nasional's failure to fulfil its promises to the people," he said.

The people in Batu Sapi continued to be subjected to poverty and this was proven when he went to another village, Kampung Gas where the BN had distributed 30 zinc sheets to each family there.

Yong found out that some of the family despite their house roof still leaking decided to sell the zinc sheets because they don't have enough money to buy food.

Later, Yong received membership application forms from three new SAPP branches in Semporna namely Kampung Kuala Bibang 1 led by Asmarah Asmadi, Kampung Kuala Bibang II (Hasai Tudai) and Kampung Simunul (Utung Tanjung Baru)

Why No Royal Commission of Inquiry on Illegals?

2011-01-09T13:09:00.002+08:00

Kota Kinabalu, Friday, 7 January 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, said the Prime Minister should also consider a Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigration in Sabah.

"The Prime Minister has today announced the setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate the Teoh Beng Hock case in view of the inconclusive verdict of the coroner after the inquest.
"Everyone in Sabah is asking, how about a Royal Commission of Inquiry on the illegal immigration and the issuance of mykads to illegals in Sabah and the threat to national security?

"In the last few years, there have been the Royal Commission on the Police (2004), Royal Commission of Inquiry on the nude ear squat video clip of a woman (2005) and even the lawyer Lingam video clip (2007).

Surely, the illegal immigrant crisis, dubbed the Mother of All Threats, is equally, if not more, deserving of a Royal Commission of Inquiry? SAPP and some other political parties have repeatedly voiced demands for a royal commission. SAPP's MPs similarly have voiced the same in Parliament.

"SAPP calls on the federal Cabinet, which consists of four full ministers from Sabah, to immediately push for a Royal Commission on illegal immigration in Sabah.

"BN component party PBS has last year given a dateline 2012 to finally resolve the illegal immigration crisis in Sabah. PBS MPs and its leaders in the Sabah cabinet must similarly make a clear and unequivocal stand for the BN administration to form a Royal Commission and to resolve the illegal immigrant crisis without any further delay.

"In spite of repeated assurances by both state and federal ministers to tackle the illegal immigration crisis in Sabah, the illegals situation in Sabah has gone from bad to worse. What are our government leaders waiting for?

RON97 and kerosene prices up again!

2011-01-05T14:13:00.001+08:00

The prices of RON97 petrol and kerosene was increased by 10 sen respectively. Third month in a row

With the increase, RON97 petrol will cost RM2.40 per litre (previous RM2.30)while kerosene will be sold at RM2.50 per litre.

Hashim, when contacted by Bernama, said that he was informed about the increase by the authorities....

MP questions 'real agenda' behind native cert freeze

2011-01-03T16:09:00.002+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 2, 2010: The state government's reluctance to lift the freeze on the issuance of "native certificates" has come under scrutiny by opposition politicians.

Sepangar MP Eric Majimbun has questioned the real agenda behind the almost 30-year freeze on the "sijil anak negeri (SAN) also known as "native certificate", which was frozen since the Berjaya government era back in 1982.

He suspected that this could just be an attempt by the state government to safeguard certain individuals, especially foreigners who managed to gain native title land using their new status after they became Malaysian citizens and natives through dubious means.

He cited the case of Kedah-hailed Syed Kechik Syed Mohamed Al-Bukhary, the former Sabah strongman-cum-close aide of former chief Minister Mustapha Harun, who managed to purchase many parcels of prime native lands in the state using his native certificate.

Sabah MyKad issue: 'Umno-BN doesn't care'

2010-12-29T22:35:00.002+08:00

A Barisan Nasional MP's 100-page memorandum to the Home Ministry, complete with documented evidence to prove that foreigners in Sabah have gained Malaysian identification documents through dubious means, is a "wasted effort" and merely "window-dressing".

"It's unlikely to upset the Barisan Nasional applecart in the general election because as far as Umno-BN is concerned, it is a non-issue... they don't care," said Sabah Progressive Party deputy president Eric Majimbun, alluding to Tuaran MP Wilfred Bumburing's recent announcement that he had submitted sufficient proof to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as requested by the latter.

Majimbun, who is also Sepanggar MP, said nothing would come of Bumburing's United Pasukun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation's (Upko) brave act of collating evidence against abuse by coalition boss, Umno, in the contentious issue of citizenship for foreigners.

"Upko should know that the government is not going to suddenly turn around and acknowledge that a massive fraud had happened under their watch and without them knowing...
"We have ample proof and evidence that thousands of illegal immigrants in Sabah have been determining the outcome of the state and general elections all these years.

"The government has been ignoring and denying the existence of the issue due to its own agenda, which is an open secret.

“Foreigners prefer to discard their foreign nationality and embrace Malay as their race in order to have Malaysian citizens through the back door,” said Majimbun.

Own agenda

He pointed out that in 2007, the National Registration Department (NRD) had repeatedly snubbed and refused to appear before a parliamentary committee to explain the issuance of MyKads in Sabah. Coincidentally at the time Bernard Dompok, who is Upko president, happened to be the chairman of the parliamentary committee.

Dompok subsequently quit committee due to the snub.

“The officers concerned told Dompok that they had been ordered by their superiors not to appear before the parliamentary committee.

"The refusal of the officer surely confirms that the federal government has its own agenda and thus will be ruling forever,” he said.

Majimbun said that in 2008 he had handed a photocopy of an identity card bearing his name that was used by a foreigner, to former prime minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) and his deputy (Najib Tun Razak) who is the prime minister now, during a BN meeting in 2008, but it was set aside without discussion.
"I handed them a copy of my IC that was used by a foreigner to the former prime minister and his deputy... they set it aside.

"It was remarkable... it just showed that the federal leadership was uncomfortable with the truth and did not know how to deal with it," he said, adding that Upko and its leaders knew this but have remained in the coalition and continue to prop up the government.

Solve illegal immigrants problem before election?

2010-12-22T00:55:00.010+08:00

Datuk Wilfred Bumburing in his bold statement 'pressuring' the federal government to solve the illegal immigrants issue and dubious citizenship before the election. He admitted the federal scam has become an open secret and talk among the local people in Sabah.

This has in fact been voiced out by SAPP before when they were still in BN and memorandum passed to the then Prime Minister Tun Badawi but unfortunately was just brushed aside and zero action taken.

The recently concluded Batu Sapi by-election was a grim example of how the PATIs played the kingmaker enabling the BN to win with a handsome majority. By contrast, most of the urban voters consisting a majority of Chinese voted in favour of the opposition.

Question is...will the BN willing to forgo their dirty but valuable 'fixed deposit' and LET the genuine Sabah people decide their own POLITICAL DESTINY???

BN will do anything to retain power...Projek IC

2010-12-11T00:35:00.006+08:00

This is a good point I got from Daniel John...

"But come to think of it, who is worse in being willing to do anything for power? Who are really those destroying the nation for their own selfish ends? Who are those tripling the costs of projects awarded through negotiated tenders behind closed doors, and so sucking the nation of its resources?

Who are those willing to manipulate the laws and twist the arms of the judiciary to let criminals go scot-free and putting the country to shame in the international community? If an opposition leaders goes overseas to talk about these evils done by those in power, is that an act of treason or is that an act of trying to save the country?

Actually those embarrassed by the revelations of the opposition is not the country but the corrupted and evil leaders! But of course there is no ways they are going to admit that. They will simply accuse the whistleblowers for national sabotage.

And who are those who have been putting the security of the nation at risk by allowing in foreigners from neighbouring countries to become Bumiputeras overnight? Who are those willing to deceive the people, perpetrators of evil who do now think twice to carry out a most devilish ‘Projek IC’ to almost triple the population of Sabah in a matter of a few years – all for the sake of retaining power?

Yes, I ask, who are those evildoers destroying the country with their evil activities, and willing to do anything to retain power? What will BN do in the next general elections to make sure it is not toppled by the opposition?"

Sabahans will pay much more when GST kicks in (revisited)

2010-12-10T23:12:00.003+08:00

Sabahans will be at a losing end when the goods and services tax (GST) comes into effect in 2011, manufacturers here claimed.

Since prices of several goods in Sabah were already higher by about 20% compared to the peninsula, consumers here would have to pay more for the GST.

Consumers in smaller towns might have to pay even more due to transportation costs from Kota Kinabalu.

In this regard, he said the government should defer the implementation of the GST until such time prices between the peninsula and Sabah could be standardised.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal however disagreed, saying the GST would be in the region of 4%, thus it was far lower than the existing Sales and Service Tax that was between five and 10%.

In addition, GST would not be imposed on basic food items to ensure the poor would not be burdened by it.
The higher prices in Sabah has partly been attributed to the transportation costs of goods from the peninsula where they are either manufactured or imported from another country before being shipped to the state.

The price disparity has been a thorny issue with various leaders pledging to streamline prices between the various regions since the 1990s.

About Ketuanan Melayu

2010-12-03T01:39:00.001+08:00

Is ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy concept as a fraudulent ideology that has propped Umno up all these years?

Is the concept of Malay supremacy concept was used by Umno's elites to deceive the Malay masses for self-enrichment and to maintain political power?

The result is that the majority of the Malays and bumiputra have remained poor and neglected, despite 53 years of Umno rule.

Well, I agree with Wan Azizah in saying that.... "The concept of Malay supremacy must be left behind so that our children will grow up with the vision of a dignified race."

Yong Lodges Police Report Against Tham Over Cheating Claims

2010-12-01T01:51:00.003+08:00

SANDAKAN: A police report was lodged here yesterday by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee against former SAPP deputy president Datuk Tham Nyip Shen over alleged concealment of information on corruption from the authorities.

Yong, who is a former Chief Minister, made the report following press statements made by Tham on Nov 3 and Nov 15 that certain Forest Management Unit (FMU) applicants had claimed they were cheated of large sums of money.
Tham claimed that he had been reliably told on many occasions that there were people who received large sums of money after promising FMU deals to some people in Sandakan.
"I was shocked when told by some businessmen that despite payments in promise of FMU approval, they got nothing in the end. These people are my friends and I was forced to clarify that I had nothing to do with FMUs," he was quoted as saying by a local daily.

Yong said based on the statement made by Tham, he suspected the latter was in possession of material information on corruption and other criminal offences which he had been concealing from the ACA, now MACC and the police.

He said he suspected large sums of money were paid by his friends in Sandakan to persons known to Tham in return for FMUs.

"I lodge this report so that a full and thorough investigation will be conducted. I lodged the report here and not in Kota Kinabalu due to the fact that the offences seemed to be committed here," Yong said.

He said during the time that he was the Chief Minister (from May 28, 1996 to May 27, 1998), and there after until the press statements made by Tham, the latter had never mentioned such alleged payments of money to any persons for FMUs.

Sabah BN thanks DAP for Batu Sapi win

2010-11-26T13:18:00.005+08:00

Sabah DAP came in for some unusual praise from the state government at the on-going State Legislative Assembly sitting here following the Barisan Nasional's victory in the recent Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election.

Sekong Assemblyman Samsudin Yayah commended DAP for indirectly helping the government defeat the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) candidate, Yong Teck Lee, by drawing away opposition votes from him.

They "hantam SAPP dari belakang (hit SAPP from behind). It made it easy for BN… (there was) no need to go campaigning. Congratulations to DAP," he said to laughter in the House.

The snide remark aimed at DAP's Sri Tanjung Assemblyman, Jimmy Wong, prompted him to stand up and demand that Samsudin retract the words "hantam SAPP dari belakang" calling them "sensitive".

However, Samsudin refused, explaining that what he meant was that the DAP had stabbed SAPP in the back during the by-election won by BN's Linda Tsen.

What Happened to the RM544 million State Government Bond

2010-11-22T02:33:00.002+08:00

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) former Secretary-General, Datuk Richard Yong We Kong, questioned why there was no mention of the State Government Bond in the State Budget 2011.
State budget as presented to the State Assembly by the Minister of Finance Cum the Chief Minister of Sabah that the projected revenue of 2011 amount to RM 2,747.94 million. He explained that 2010 budgeted revenue was higher than the 2011 budget because of the proceeds from the issuance of bonds worth RM 544 million in 2010.
"The bond is a debt which has to be repaid in 5 years' time. In other words every Sabah citizen now has a debt of RM200 because of the bond," said Richard.

"We have been asking the Chief Minister who is also the minister of Finance to reveal the purpose of the bond. The answer given by Datuk Johnny Mositun, Information Chief of PBS was that the RM544 million fund had been channeled to projects investment. Was it used as a loan to finance a condominium project in Jalan Ampang of Kuala Lumpur?

Barisan Rakyat neither '3rd force' nor Zaid-backed

2010-11-21T14:18:00.001+08:00

The "Barisan Rakyat" initiative which aims to supply "quality candidates" for Pakatan Rakyat has nothing to do with former PKR supreme council member Zaid Ibrahim, according to the movement's coordinator Haris Ibrahim.

"There are a few individuals behind the initiative, but Zaid is not among them," he told Malaysiakini.

There is speculation that Zaid, a former law minister, might form a new political party with some activists, including Haris to act as a 'third force' between BN and Pakatan.

Coincidentally, Haris (left) also posted an article titled 'People, please guide your Barisan Rakyat' in his blog last week - that proposed fielding candidates in the coming general election - that had raised many eyebrows.

Haris, a human rights lawyer-cum-blogger, said he has not been in touch with Zaid for some time.
He, however, is willing to meet Zaid if he shares the same agenda with Barisan Rakyat.
"We are prepared to work with anyone who shares the same ground to replace BN government with Pakatan."

Take the World Bank's report as an impetus for improvement

2010-11-19T01:44:00.002+08:00

KOTA KINABALU, November 18, 2010: The State Government should take the recent World Bank's report that Sabah is still the poorest state in Malaysia as a constructive criticism and an impetus to double its efforts in poverty eradication, instead of being hostile and to swing into a 'total denial' state, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) supreme council, Chong Pit Fah.
He asserted that both the Federal and the State governments should acknowledge that there is still much to be done to address the high poverty rate in Sabah, and to quickly identify the problems hindering poverty eradication in Sabah.
He contended that the State Government should also stop blaming and accusing the media of twisting the facts when they were merely highlighting the facts, especially when they (and their families) too are feeling the pinch of the "inconvenient truth" of the sheer imbalance in their take home pay and the high cost of living in the state.
"As the matter of fact, many members of the local media organizations too had been complaining about difficulty to make ends meet due to their meager and stagnant salary, as compared to the high cost of living in Sabah which continues to escalate due to a high inflation rate," he said in a statement issued here Friday.

Tham's expertise on free computers and others going to jail

2010-11-13T00:55:00.002+08:00

Kota Kinabalu, Nov 12, 2010: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) ex-Assistant Secretary-General, Foo Fook Ming questioned the government whether that income level, occupation and political affiliation part of the conditions to receive a free computer.

"In recent months, the BN government has been dishing out tens of thousands of laptop computers to individuals. Are the computers given out in accordance with the specifications?

"SAPP advises the government officers handling the distribution of the computers to make sure that they do not become victims in being involved in dishing out illegal, substandard computers installed with pirated software.

"As a lesson to government officers, in 2007, a Pemimpin Kemajuan Rakyat (PKR) (Mr. Wong) of Elopura constituency was convicted and sentenced to two years' imprisonment and RM100,000 fine for failure to supply computers to a Sandakan school in December 1998. Wong was working as PKR under the direction of his assemblyman, Datuk Tham Nyip Shen, who was the Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Information Technology at the time of the offence being committed in December 1998. The immediate past PKR of Elopura is the current Elopura assemblyman, Au Kam Wah, who was also the political secretary to Datuk Tham at the time.

"The computer supplier was Elektronet Komputer Sdn. Bhd. which belongs to Tham Nyip Shen. Elektronet had received the payments for the computers. This was Tham's left hand selling to his right hand, using government funds. This itself is corruption that must be investigated...

Game of deceit and betrayal

2010-11-11T00:32:00.005+08:00

The Batu Sapi by-election hotly contested between three parties namely, BN, SAPP and PKR. The contested was actually focussed on BN against SAPP, but the unexpected results of SAPP behind the PKR on votes actually from deceit, character assasinations, massive bribery and votes buying.

SAPP was attacked both left and right by the BN and PKR+DAP. BN's campaign came in all sorts, from vote-buying, election promises of huge projects, controlling of the mainstream media, TV and newspapers, using Tham Dog strategy while the PKR and DAP hard hitting Yong and SAPP...even to extent of asking the voters during their final ceramah to either vote for BN or PKR.

The game plan of PKR was to get second place while SAPP hopes are sincere to topple the BN in Batu Sapi.

The real power behind the throne

2010-11-09T22:16:00.001+08:00

Malaysian Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s illness with chicken pox on the eve of the visit of two foreign dignitaries – Australian Prime minister Julia Gillard and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, is unfortunate but not as awkward as how events have unfolded whilst he is recuperating.
Najib first showed symptoms of illness at the 17th Asean Summit Meeting in Hanoi and according to his wife, Rosmah Mansor, has been asked to rest by his doctors.
Whilst at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, where she paid a visit to the accident victims of the Genting bus crash,

Rosmah was reported to be in ‘high spirits standing in for Najib at functions’.
Rosmah appears to be taking her role a bit too seriously.
Is she not overstretching her responsibilities when she says she will stand in for the PM by ‘officiating on Najib’s behalf’ at the ‘1Malaysia Deepavali Carnival’ at Little India in Brickfields a few days ago?
Yesterday, she repeated this prime-ministerial role at Sri Perdana for Julia Gillard.
Malaysians are confused for they would tend to believe that when the Prime minister is incapacitated or on holiday, it is his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin who takes over.

People will start to make comparisons and say, when Barack Obama is ill, Michelle does not stand in for him. When Julia Gillard is ill, her partner Tim Mathieson does not take over. When the British monarch falls sick, Prince Philip her consort, does not take over, but Prince Charles, the heir apparent to the throne, assumes her role.
There is speculation that Najib is not really ill but wants to avoid the two dignitaries, who are probably the two most powerful women in the world.
Does Najib not want to be pressured into concessions with both Clinton and Gillard? Or is his ‘sickie’ just him ‘playing hard to get’?
Clinton will meet civil society groups and also leaders of the opposition. Is Najib ‘upset’ and so snubs her because of this?

One of the major topics to be discussed by Gillard is about human-trafficking. Recently, seven Malaysian immigration officials were arrested for the part they played in people-smuggling.
Australia is the final destination for asylum seekers, principally from war-torn Afghanistan who fly into Malaysia before taking a boat to Indonesia and thence, to Timor Leste and Australia.
This year alone, over 5,500 refugees have ended up in Australia.
Is Najib reluctant to support Australia in setting up a processing centre for asylum seekers in Timor Leste, because he does not want to risk upsetting his counterparts in Timor Leste and Indonesia? Is he afraid to say ‘no’?
Is he also fearful of telling Gillard that human-trafficking is a rampant problem and that with high levels of corruption in the country, which his government appears not to deal with effectively, it is therefore impossible for him to tackle the issue?
Did he send his wife out to ‘soften’ both these women so that they would accept his views? He realises that Clinton and Gillard are both professionals in what they do but if Rosmah engaged them in small talk, he effectively employs delaying tactics to important issues present on their busy schedules, which only a decision from the Malaysian Prime minister would suffice.

Whatever the true reasons, Rosmah should never have assumed the PM’s role in public. It is highly unprecedented.
The image projected worldwide must be one of confusion. Does protocol not mean anything in Malaysia? Even if Rosmah was not in any formal discussion but was merely present in an ‘entertainment’ capacity like in a banquet or similar, it is awkward for the main players involved.

The mixed messages to the public, when Rosmah takes centre stage standing in for PM are confusing and damaging.
For the visiting dignitaries, they are not accorded the due respect which should be reserved for people of their seniority and importance.
Gillard and Clinton are important world players. Has Najib an ulterior motive for staying away and is using the chicken pox as a convenient excuse?
For Muhyiddin, people will wonder why he is perceived to be of lesser importance and not worthy of his deputy premiership. Has Rosmah usurped him?
For Rosmah, the people will think that she has delusions of grandeur. They will ask why she is ‘standing in’ when she is not even an elected person. She is only the PM’s wife.

They may well say she is not even the wife of an elected PM; nor is she a civil servant.
They might even suggest that if she fancies herself as PM that she should offer her candidacy at the next General Election.
Maybe these conjectures are all wrong and that she is truly the power behind the throne.

BN won Batu Sapi by-election

2010-11-05T03:00:00.000+08:00

As SAPP President, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, said, he will still continue to fight for a better deal for Sabah and Sabah's Autonomy.
Resilience and perseverance against the $$$ Might of BN, who recently won the by-election, considered one of the dirtiest by-election in the history of Sabah.

VOTE FOR A CHANGE FOR SABAH!

2010-10-28T14:55:00.006+08:00

SAPP is facing an uphill task in this by-election with both BN and PKR trying to undermine its chances of wrestling the Batu Sapi Parliamentary seat. Dap Hiew King Cheu with his team is going around distributing leaflets telling the people and voters that SAPP is an agent of BN which is absolutely a LIE .

SAPP is along very consistent with their stand on Sabah and offered to be friends with Pakatan, to conquer Putrajaya and corrupt BN but sadly to say we are on our own at the moment, unless Pakatan understands, that SAPP is fighting for Sabah. By not joining Pakatan, does not mean the bridge is broken.

While both opposition parties should be fighting the BN, the PKR and DAP chose to embark on a mission to kill off SAPP with their dirty tactics of smearing Yong and SAPP...So let us show them Our Voice from Batu Sapi.... more information in Batu Sapi Blog

PBS signed off Maliau Basin to Australian company for coal prospecting

2010-10-14T01:06:00.005+08:00

"I am beginning to enjoy the series of rash attacks on me by PBS leaders. It is like a badminton game when I return a bad serve from the other side with a smash. UMNO leaders are smarter than PBS leaders.

They cleverly shelter themselves behind clowns like PBS Vice President Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan and Datuk Johnny Mositun, two mouthpieces of UMNO.

But it is revealing enough for Johnny Mositun to admit that (protected) Maliau Basin was indeed signed off to an Australian company to prospect for coal by the PBS Chief Minister...In the news by Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan approved the State's first FMU to the KTS Group of Sarawak - at a time when the PBS rallying cry was of "Sabah For Sabahans" - without consulting the State Cabinet. Pairin, as PBS President, was the Chief Minister then

Malaysia Agreement enforceable in court of law

2010-10-11T02:13:00.002+08:00

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) pledged to bring the Federal Government and the British Government to the Court for dishonouring the Malaysia Agreement once getting the mandate from the people.

President Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said that among others, the clear breach of agreement was on the Borneonisation of the federal public service in Sabah in pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement that was signed in London on 9 July, 1963.

He said SAPP's legal team had studied the matter for quite a long time and after researching the speeches of leaders from all parties and relevant documents, especially the agreement's contents itself they opined that the Malaysia Agreement was enforceable in the court of law.

"The promise of Borneonisation of the public service is very well documented in the many memoranda submitted by the leaders of North Borneo and Sarawak, in the Memorandum of the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee, the Cobbold Report, the Inter-Governmental Report.

Isu Tanah agenda utama SAPP

2010-10-06T23:54:00.006+08:00

Kota Marudu: Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) akan melaksanakan reformasi tanah apabila mengambil alih pentadbiran Kerajaan Negeri Sabah selepas memenangi pilihanraya umum kali ke-13 akan datang.

Presiden SAPP Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee berkata, melalui reformasi itu, tanah pertanian hanya diberikan kepada penduduk tempatan saja dan tidak akan dipajakkan lagi kepada syarikat swasta terutamanya dari Semenanjung.

Katanya, pajakan tanah sesebuah syarikat swasta itu tidak akan disambung apabila tamat manakala tanah itu akan diberi kepada rakyat.

"PBS Vice President Datuk Herbert Timbon Lagadan in trying to force ahead with the Dam Project tries to equate state land with forest reserves seen as a feeble attempt to save 'his' PROJECT" Another idiot attempt by Herbert...

Sabah Govt flip-flops over Tower

2010-09-27T14:35:00.002+08:00

The state government only understood the consequences of its decision to approve a 16-storey commercial complex bordering the iconic Atkinson Clock Tower after it was pointed out that it may be against the law.

The plan hit a raw nerve in the city with many questioning the need for yet another mall and shopping complex within the city limits, while many such structures approved by the government lie half empty and under-utilised.

The outcry has shaken Chief Minister Musa Aman's administration to the core and forced both him and his Cabinet ministers to issue statements assuring that they would review the development plan put forward by the SHTDA.

Sabah Tidak Perlu 1Malaysia

2010-09-20T00:15:00.003+08:00

Sabah tidak memerlukan konsep 1Malaysia kerana perpaduan dikalangan rakyat sudah lama terjalin di negeri ini.

Bekas Menteri Kewangan Sabah Datuk Mohd Noor Mansoor berkata, perpaduan dikalangan rakyat berbilang kaum di Sabah bukan sesuatu perkara baru kerana keadaan itu sudah diamalkan sejak sekian lama.

"Kita di Sabah tidak memerlukan 1Malaysia. Perpaduan rakyat dari pelbagai suku kaum di negeri Sabah ini sudah lama ada dan kalau tidak silap saya sejak zaman nenek moyang kita dulu lagi," katanya.

Mohd Noor berkata, perpaduan rakyat Sabah yang terdiri dari pelbagai suku kaum sentiasa kukuh dan tidak pernah goyah.

Katanya, rusuhan kaum pernah berlaku di Semenanjung Malaysia pada 13 Mei 1969 sehingga menimbulkan keadaan tidak menentu.

Menurut beliau, peristiwa seumpama itu tidak pernah berlaku di Sabah kerana rakyat di negeri ini sentiasa menghormati antara satu sama lain sehingga mereka dapat tinggal bersama secara harmoni.

Sabah promised autonomy under Pakatan rule

2010-09-17T00:31:00.008+08:00

Autonomy will be granted to Sabah when Pakatan Rakyat comes to power, the top leaders of the opposition coalition promised yesterday, the eve of Malaysia Day.

Anwar Ibrahim followed by Lim Kit Siang and Nasharudin Mat Isa of PKR, DAP and PAS respectively also pledged to grant Sabah political independence during a special gathering here to formally launch Pakatan Sabah, the opposition coalition.

I think SAPP welcomes such a PROMISE, but I need to ask how about the Parties under Pakatan, are they also having their 'autonomy' ie. to elect their own leader instead of being appointed by the central leadership? If these posts are appointed ones, then it defeats the purpose of being having 'autonomy' which is I deemed as only window-dressing.

Who will be the next Chinese DCM this time?

2010-09-06T03:18:00.028+08:00

With the departure of Peter Pang from LDP, he will not be expected to hold on to the DCM post for long ... has to follow Raymond Tan's footsteps ... pick your choices - Gerakan, MCA, PBS, Upko, PBRS? Leap from Party to Party! or roll the dice!

Now, the Sabah-based parties are saying it should be given to a local party.
The equation is.....Pang cannot follow Raymond Tan's footsteps by joining Gerakan ....Gerakan never won any election in Sabah and furthermore cannot be given 2 ministerial posts. On the other hand, MCA cannot fill the DCM post because it is from Semenanjung as opposed by the other component parties, the option is to join the local parties available...PBS, Upko, PBRS.

PBS is holding the DCM post under the BN quota for KDM, so the Chinese DCM post cannot be given to PBS.

It is also ironic that Umno, being a Semenanjung Party can have a CM and DCM posts and these local parties crying out loud that the Chinese DCM slot be given to a local-based party. Does it sound silly???

UMNO is a disease in Sabah revisited

2010-09-01T23:44:00.002+08:00

Long-standing Sabah Barisan Nasional component party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is beginning to resemble a sitting duck in the ruling coalition.

The party is reeling from an onslaught by the coalition's linchpin, Umno Sabah, which has made it a habit to harass its coalition partner.

The continued baiting has put LDP leaders in a combative mood after yet another Umno division leader made a public demand for a state seat held by the party.

Now it's Kudat in the northern tip of Sabah. Bolkiah Ismail, the Umno assemblyman for Pitas, lays claim to the Tanjung Kapor seat held by LDP.

"Asking for a seat in front of Hishamuddin and Tanjung Kapor assemblyman Teo Chee Kang (LDP secretary general) reflects his immaturity and insensitivity to fellow comrades in the government.

LDP has consistently questioned Musa's leadership of the state BN, to which Sabah Umno responded by demanding the LDP "return" its Merotai seat to Umno for being "ungrateful".

All started from beginning of the Mazu Statue project....Chong, clearly angered by Musa for passing the blame on his ministry, promptly resigned in protest as tourism minister and said at a press conference later that he "helped put him (Musa) up, and I can bring him down".

Datuk Peter Pang, Deputy Chief Minister from LDP, resigned from his party, though a blow to LDP, was expected according to party sources.

Another Raymond Tan type for Gerakan?

SAPP will continue to be the voice of the people

2010-08-24T00:24:00.011+08:00

PBS Datuk Herbert Timbon Lagadan's outburst and asking SAPP to SHUT UP showed that they are arrogant and losing their direction.

"Projek IC", phantom voters and the unfair delineation of elections boundaries have suddenly turn to inaudible whimpers. That is what happened to 8 years of renewed loyalty in BN.

"The more recent much publicized disgruntled views of the various leaders from the BN component parties, the confusion with the Indonesian consulate as well as the various employers organizations is ample proof that there is a complete lack of comprehensive policies by the BN government with regards to this illegal immigrants (PTI) issue. This clearly shows that BN is directionless, lost and clueless as to how to best resolve this issue.

"Have PBS suddenly been pacified that the issues are no longer relevant? Why are they no longer pursuing these matters? Why are they no longer pushing for the Royal Commission of Inquiry? This was their promise to the voters of Sabah then, but it seems that "cakap tidak serupa bikin". Or is it because that "PBS is a close friend of UMNO" that these issues are deemed no longer high in their political priority list? Surely,this political compromise shows that PBS leaders have long given up on the rakyat's needs and aspirations. It seems that the order of the day is "every man for himself" before the next General Elections.

"The Kadamaian assemblyman had recently 'advised' Kg Tambotuan villagers to see the larger picture and sacrifice their ancestral lands to make way for the Rm450million Dam.

This continued collusion between PBS and UMNO has meant continued suffering for Sabah and Sabahans. On the other hand, SAPP has always and will continue to be the voice of the people of Sabah and as such will never be bullied to SHUT UP.

Coal plant DEIA rejected

2010-08-20T01:03:00.003+08:00

Kota Kinabalu, Aug 19, 2010: The Department of Environment (DOE) has rejected the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) for the controversial proposed 300MW coal-fired power plant at Sinakut, Dent Peninsular.

Sabah Environment Protection Department Director, Yabi Yangkat, said he was informed of the decision by the Director-General of DOE through a faxed message Wednesday afternoon.

A central reason DOE cited for rejecting the DEIA, prepared by a team of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Bakarunding consultants, was many important environmental parameters in respect to the proposed project were not addressed in the DEIA report, according to Yabi.

He said the DOE took note of the range of shortcomings and queries raised at the DEIA Panel of Review meeting on August 27 at the Kedah Room, Federal Building, here.

Now, we can ask for alternative power solutions.....example our SABAH GAS!

Dr Yee, an egocentric and liar (revisited)

2010-08-09T16:06:00.004+08:00

Dr Yee Moh Chai, who made false allegations that Datuk Yong Teck Lee was behind the issuance of fake identity cards to illegal immigrants is the greatest joke I heard.

How the hell did he get this idea? Yee even distributed PBS leaflets containing highly malicious cartoons of Yong and Philip, distributing ICs to Gaya islanders.

Yee had stooped so damned low to also made false and defamatory allegations that Yong was covering up phantom voters, but he was never concerned about the real culprits of the illegal ICs menace are linked to UMNO.

I will not say that Yee is stupid, he's got his Phd arrr...a Dr (from whatever means, I don't know) ... but when combined with Chin and Lim...it is from my childhood favorite....The Three Stoogers in B&W.

Illegal immigrants problem not a priority to BN

2010-08-07T01:03:00.003+08:00

Kota Kinabalu, Aug 5, 2010: SAPP Youth warns PBS not to think the public ignorant or gullible so as to believe the BN political mind games.

"Despite the bravado statement by PBS Secretary General, Henrynus Amin, the fact remains that BN is perceived by the public to still have huge vested interest in the continued illegal immigrant presence in the State," Youth Leader Edward Dagul said.

"When the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, disclosed the fact that the illegal immigrants problem in Sabah was not one of the country's top six order of priorities, it clearly supported our worries all this time that the oft described "Mother of All Threats" issue in Sabah is actually a non-issue to Putrajaya.

"The illegal immigrants problem is a security issue and this should be treated as such. When we as Malaysians talk of Security breach which may lead to the eventual erosion of our sovereignty, this issue should be given top priority irrespective of the fact that the security breach occurred in Sabah or anywhere else in Malaysia.

"As pointed out by Henrynus Amin, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin had been vocal on the call for the BN government to resolve the issue by 2012. This was a well known fact to all especially the Prime Minister, Datuk Najib, who officiated the 2009 PBS Annual Congress.

"Who could believe that even PBS's and UPKO's top leaders as senior ministers in the Federal Cabinet could not get the Prime Minister's attention on this illegal immigrants issue which is a threat to national sovereignty? Have these leaders compromised State interests for their own benefits?

"The special laboratory set up in Sabah was an after-thought. This was done to "appease the growing frustration and public discontent in Sabah". By the time the results of the special NKRA laboratory is known, the next 13th General Elections is over. And BN parties like PBS and UPKO still dancing to the tune of the master as if this problem can be solved just by a few statements calling for BN action. They have conveniently forgotten that they are part of the BN government.

"BN has ignored the issue because they are having the support of PBS. It is this, i.e. PBS's collusion with UMNO, that has further eroded Sabah's rights and autonomy.

Stop Kimanis-Bintulu gas siphoning

2010-07-25T23:13:00.002+08:00

SAPP maintains that Sabah should keep its natural gas for local industries

KOTA KINABALU, July 25, 2010: The State government should not have agreed to or allowed Petronas to siphon the natural gas from offshore of Sabah all the way to Bintulu, Sarawak in the first place, if it was really serious about developing the local industries, the oil and gas industry in particular, said Luyang State Assemblywoman, Melanie Chia.

For the same token, Petronas should not have even think of such a plan let alone pushing for it despite strong objection from the people of Sabah, besides Federal Cabinet's instruction (to Petronas) to give priority to Sabah if the State required the resources, as what has been noted by Plantation Industries and Commodity Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in his statement two months ago.

Dompok also noted that there was a guarantee that no gas will be transported to Sarawak through the Kimanis-Bintulu pipeline if there is a need for gas in Sabah.

Melanie who is also the Women Chief for Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) contended this while responding to a statement by State Industrial Development Minister, Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah on Friday, that Petronas will only agree to let Sabah keep a portion of the gas channeled to the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal if it is able to substantially build up its infrastructure and manpower to support the oil and gas industry in Sabah.

Issue of re-opening the Double 6 air crash

2010-07-24T01:35:00.004+08:00

Kota Kinabalu, April 9, 2010: Those who want the investigation files on the infamous "Double Six" tragedy remain secret risk being seen as the mischievous ones, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President, Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

He said this in response to the former Chief Minister Datuk Harris Salleh's comments that his (Yong) call to re-open the investigation into the Double Six air crash tragedy was mischievous.

Yong was the first person to made such a call following the disclosures made by the former Petronas Chairman, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, popularly known as Ku Li during his talk "Minyak Sabah Untuk Siapa" (Sabah's Oil for Whom) held at the Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang, on 2 April.

Yong who is also a former Chief Minister of Sabah contended that it is proper and nothing unusual to re-open an investigation into an old incident if new information surfaces. In this case, the new information is Tengku Razaleigh's version of events that is put on public record for the first time.

"Tengku Razaleigh was trying to tell us something from the past. In view of his revelations on the moments before the Nomad aircraft took off from Labuan, it is perfectly expected that the people will want to re-examine the air crash.

Maybe nothing new will come out of the re-investigation. Or maybe something big and explosive will surface from the depths of history," he noted in a statement issued here today.

BN no sincerity on illegal immigrants problem

2010-07-22T02:36:00.001+08:00

Kota Kinabalu, July 22, 2010: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Secretary-General Datuk Richard Yong We Kong today said the BN government which ruled Sabah for the last 16 years had all along shown no sincerity in helping Sabah resolve the illegal immigrants problem.

He said this when commenting on the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin who said, "perhaps, this was the first time the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah being looked at in holistic manner..." therefore suggesting that the Federal Government had never look at this problem seriously before.

"In fact the Federal and State Government had got all the information and data concerning the issues. As far back as during PBS's time as state government an amnesty exercise had been carried out and data on the immigrants had been collected.

"During BN regularization exercise the National Security Council has had the Indonesian Consulate setting up offices in various parts of Sabah to help process documents for the Indonesian to facilitate them in getting work permits. At the time the consulate officers from the Philippines Embassy were posted to Sabah to process documents for their citizens. The National Security Council help implemented the exercise and is having all the documents and data with them.

Fuel, Gas, Sugar prices hike!

2010-07-16T23:22:00.007+08:00

RON97 petrol will no longer be subsidised and is subjected to a managed float with a monthly automatic pricing mechanism.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced yesterday the government was reducing subsidies for petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas and sugar from today as a first step to the saving money for the BN government.

Following the reduction, the price of RON95 petrol went up by five sen to RM1.85 a litre and diesel price also increased by five sen to RM1.75 a litre.

While the rich umnoputras will say this is just 'chicken feed' to them but NOT to us!

So they are telling us to tighten our belts and face the increase of other goods and services, sparked by price hikes of petrol, gas and sugar. Malaysia is a oil and gas producing country and rich with natural resources...fertile lands for sugar, oil palm and various crops.

Coal-fired plant against green policy revisited

2010-07-13T00:51:00.000+08:00

A bid for an emergency motion to enable the House to debate a proposed 300mW coal-fired power plant at Tungku in the east coast Lahad Datu district was rejected by Speaker Datuk Juhar Mahiruddin.

The emergency motion was tabled by Melanie Chia Chui Ket (SAPP-Luyang) who said that the coal-fired plant was not in line with the Government's emphasis on green energy.

"Developed nations are abandoning coal-fired plants. Why are we in Sabah taking something that has been abandoned," she said.

Melanie said the idea of a coal-fired plant was unpopular and it had been relocated twice, from Silam in Lahad Datu initially and then from Seguntor in Sandakan before being fixed at Tungku.

"The people of Lahad Datu and Seguntor had rejected the coal-fired plant and now the majority of Sabahans do not want it as well," she added.

Is Perkasa an Umno tool?

2010-07-12T01:38:00.012+08:00

Perkasa's infamous racist, Ibrahim Ali, calling on the government to revoke the citizenship of other races had obviously tried to invoke or to ignite racial tensions in West Malaysia.

Is there something up this bigot's sleeve for raising such a sensitive issue?

Time and again, history had shown that BN's strategy of re-uniting the Malays was to create animosity amongst the races and in order to achieve that ... look for scapegoats.

Previously, MCA and MIC were too timid ever to raise their voices against the might of Umno. They have neither dignity nor guts to fight for their own races and that is why they lost terribly in the 2008 general elections.

But now, feeling that the BN is under possible threat of being eliminated in the coming elections, Umno is trying to get the Malay support, MCA the Chinese and MIC the Indians, but all ended up with crying racism, much to the chagrin of the general Malaysians.

Before GST, consider these!

2010-07-08T23:59:00.005+08:00

I think everything he wrote is fact. Cannot agree more

This was quoted as follows:

Now I have to pay an extra RM50 for each credit card. For what?
Extra GST (goods and services tax). Again, how does that benefit me?

Look at the long list:
I have to pay for security guards because the police are hopeless.

I have to install filters because the water supply is dirty.

I have to watch satellite tv because the government broadcasts crap.
Many kids have to go for tuition or to private schools because the government schools are bad.

We have to pay IPPs (independent power providers) because the government cannot provide consistent electricity.
We have to pay Indah Water to clean up the sewers.

We have to pay tax on foreign cars because Mahathir wants to keep his dying local car industry alive. ON top of it APs cost bcoz of his cronies.

Most have to drive because the government cannot provide good public transport.
We have to pay to sustain the government's affirmative action policies.

We have to pay for private health care because the public hospitals are crowded .
All in all, we have to pay a PREMIUM to stay in this country!

And in Sabah, we have to pay more (food essentials, cars, and almost every other things) becoz of the cabotage policy, we have to share government hospitals with PTIs, we have to compete business with the Pakistanis Curry Houses, Top posts go to Semenanjung in Federal agencies in Sabah, Petronas earns more than Sabah...

Questions on Blocks L & M not fully answered

2010-07-04T01:44:00.003+08:00

Member of Parliament for Tawau, Datuk Chua Soon Bui, said the federal government did not give a satisfactory answer on why the 3 million acres of oil block L and M were ceded to Brunei.

The federal government evaded her real question by quoting 'national interests', fairness to neighbours, boundary sharing, socio-economic and cultural ties being the factors for ceding of the oil blocks.

The federal government added that Malaysia's action at the time was to neutralize the tense situation that arose as a result of the oil and gas exploration.

Chua questioned why since it was the issue on the oil and gas exploration rights that created the tense situation, why didn't Malaysia negotiate for joint exploration and extraction rights rather than having to give up the sovereignty rights on the 3 million acres of marine territory?

"In any eventuality, why didn't Malaysia refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in resolving such an important issue of national interest?

"No other rational reasoning would be good enough for the people especially when the nation is so proud of the winning of the sovereignty rights of Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan on 17/12/2002 in ICJ as recorded in the Malaysia Maritime Realm Atlas.

Knight in Sham Armour

2010-07-03T02:05:00.004+08:00

In the Cardiff Law School, Sir Datuk Yee Moh Chai created his profile proudly as follows:"

Question to SIR Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai : "Have you received any awards, appointments or had any publications?"

Sir Yee's Answer: "I was awarded 'Young Malaysian of the Year' in 1994 and a Datukship (PGDK) in 2004 from the State Government of Sabah, carrying the title of 'Datuk' (the equivalent of a knighthood)"

Yee now, should be addressed as Sir Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, correct me if I'm wrong.

Sabah has One Third population Foreigners! Revisited

2010-06-25T01:35:00.001+08:00

Where in the world and of all countries, they got such a huge transient population!

It is estimated that foreigners now constitute about one-third of State population!

It is not difficult to imagine the burden the state and its people have to shoulder in terms of social economy, security and political risks.

The seriousness of the matter is so immense that it is surprise that is has slipped the attention of the planners of the 10th Malaysia Plan.

SAPP urge the Federal government to look into this issue seriously and come out with short and long term solutions towards illegal immigrant problem in this 10th Plan.

JK said 25 June 2010 that....an equivalent pool of the vulnerable in Sabah, alleged Jeffrey, are the illegal immigrants who have been given MyKads and placed on the electoral rolls to vote for Sabah Umno.

These voters are kept on a tight leash by the powers-that-be, he adds, "as they are not allowed to even travel outside the state. They would be stopped at the airport if they tried to leave".

Oh Mahathir Old Mahathir!

2010-06-23T23:35:00.002+08:00

The government should not have any doubts and go ahead with the issuing of the sports betting license to the Berjaya Group, former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad said today.

"If I were the government, I would approve it," he told the media after hosting an education-related event at his Perdana Leadership Foundation office in Putrajaya.

He said the government should not get in the way of those who have no prohibitions against gambling.

"The Chinese always gamble. To them it is not haram (prohibited by religion). Why should we prohibit them? We can't stop them from eating pork because for them it is not haram," he said.

What say you?

Corruption the No. 1 factor fo RM362 billion debt

2010-06-17T03:26:00.005+08:00

Bad governance and widespread corruption in the country are the cause of the massive RM362 billion debt the country has accumulated over the years.

“It is wrong to give the perception that the accumulated debt of RM362 billion is due mainly to the subsidies given to the people," Tawau MP Chua Soon Bui said.

She said the arguments by federal leaders for ending the subsidies were just a desperate measure to cover up for “their past recklessness in managing the country's resources”.

The government contends that its subsidy programme costs it RM74 billion annually.

Chua said by declaring that the country would go bankrupt if government aid is continued, the government is pinning the blame on the subsidy programme and holding the people to ransom.

Money laundering by Sabah politicians?

2010-06-13T22:57:00.004+08:00

Reports are rife on the detention of several people linked to a top ranking political personality from Sabah to facilitate investigations of money laundering activities by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).

It was published in the national Chinese daily, Nanyang Siang Pau and news portal Malaysiakini.

Nanyang Siang Pau on June 11 claimed eight people linked to the Chief Minister of Sabah had been detained by MACC to facilitate investigations into cases linked to the high profile case when a businessman with known business links to Sabah Umno was apprehended at the Hong Kong International Airport on Aug 18, 2006 with RM16 million in cash, which he could not accounted for.

Malaysia's National Service

2010-06-11T01:49:00.005+08:00

My daughter who is only 16 years old questioned me that why Malaysia government wants to involve girls into the National Service. She said she could not even stand a week of the National Service Training and the surprising question she asked is "Why the Singapore Government never involved girls in their National Service program but why in Malaysia".

You are right, my girl