Tuesday, February 26, 2008




BOOK REVIEW - How to Do Everything with PHOTOSHOP ALBUM


How to Do Everything with Photoshop Album
Imagine having a photo album you can access and arrange from anywhere. This handy guide shows you step-by-step how to manage your digital images— and organize and store more memories than you’ll have time to remember. Author and photography instructor Curt Simmons delivers simple instructions on how to import, organize, and fix your photos, how to share your photos through print or the Internet, how to create slide shows and photo books, and how to preserve your favorites for posterity. Discover all you can do with the power of Digital photography and your computer—then bring it to life with help from this book.

Import photos from hard drives, cameras, scanners, networks, and more.
Simplify picture sharing with automated slideshow and e-mail formatting
Find pictures immediately with tagging, searching, and cataloging techniques
Create your own cards and calendars
Organize pictures by subject, timeline, or location—even cross-reference
Change image colors or exposure with one click
Construct a Web page to share photos over the Internet
Retouch photos and correct common picture-taking problems
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TUESDAY-26TH FEBRUARY 2008- VEHICLES OCCUPY PATHWAY FOR PUPILS

Vehicles occupy pathway for pupils

The inconsiderate action of motorists parking their vehicles on the pathway in front of the St Agnes Primary School in Likas area is causing safety concern. According to the mother of a pupil there, the vehicles take up most of the space on the pathway, leaving only a narrow area for the children to walk on. “What if the children fall into the drain next to the pathway,” Mary said, pointing out that even school bus drivers park their vehicles on the pathway. “I have a daughter studying at St Agnes and every time I pick her up, I feel annoyed by the inconsiderate action of these motorists and school bus drivers,” she said. “The situation has been going on for a long time and even though numerous complaints have been made, no action has been taken,” she lamented. Mary pointed out that the pathway is for pedestrians to walk on and not a parking area for vehicles. “And what if the drivers are not careful when moving out of the area, they may hit a child walking between the vehicles,” she said, adding that the children are at risk of suffering serious injuries. “Is the authority concerned waiting for something like that to happen to one of the pupils before taking any action? Who is going to pay if something tragic should happen to the innocent pupils? Who will be able to give them a normal life back ,”she added. She told the Public Hotline that the situation happens daily especially in the afternoon. The city police traffic when contacted about the matter said, they will monitor the area to ensure motorist do not park there indiscriminately. “Action will be taken on those who flout the law and we appealed for cooperation from all motorists to ensure that they park in the designated areas,” the spokesperson said.

TUESDAY-26TH FEBRUARY 2008- NO MORE FLOOD, SMELLY DRAIN FOR LIKAS RESIDENTS

No more flood, smelly drain for Likas residents

KOTA KINABALU:

Residents living near the SRJK (C) Chung Hwa in Likas near here no longer have to worry about flooding and stench caused by a drain there. This is because the drain has been cleared and upgraded following numerous complaints by the residents. “Six months ago the drain was overgrown with grass and clogged up,” the Residents Committee chairman, Tay Chung Yu, said. He added that the clogged drain became a breeding ground for mosquitoes causing fear of dengue fever among the residents and pupils at the school. “We have been asking for the drain to be upgraded for a long time but it was never approved. This was a cause of concern for us as it was a matter of health of the residents and pupils here,” he said. Their request was finally answered after Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim and Api-Api Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai visited their area six months ago. Yee who inspected the drain upgrading project yesterday, said part of the allocation for the upgrading work came from his Member of Parliament fund. “The upgrading of the drain hopefully will reduce incidents of dengue fever caused by mosquitoes which were breeding in the drain and the local residents and students at the school don’t have to worry anymore,” he said. Also present were the Mayor, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kota Kinabalu Parliamentary seat Chin Teck Ming, and resident committee Datuk Nancy Ho.

TUESDAY-26TH FEBRUARY 2008- SABAH TO REPEAT SUCCESS IN RAT YEAR

Sabah to repeat success in Rat Year

KOTA KINABALU:

The Year of the Monkey 2004 promised merriment and prosperity and indeed brought luck to the Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. That year, the BN made an almost clean sweep of the 60 state and 25 parliamentary seats it contested in the 11th general election, losing only the Kuala Penyu state and Sandakan parliamentary seats. It is now the Year of the Rat — and the country is geared for another general election come March 8. The thought on everyone’s minds is whether the Year of the Rat will bring the same luck as the Year of the Monkey to Musa. According to Chinese beliefs, the rat symbolises diligence and hard work and those born on this auspicious year will be successful in life. For the Sabah BN, the Year of the Rat signifies a year of challenges along with the need to fulfil its responsibilities. Having won a state and two parliamentary seats unopposed after nominations yesterday, it could be an indication of BN not facing much problem to win the election comfortably. BN parliamentary candidates, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup and former deputy chief minister Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh won uncontested in Pensiangan and Kalabakan respectively while Datuk Ramlee Marahaban was announced the winner for the Bugaya state seat. Like the diligent rats, the BN is also serious in developing the state in all aspects for the benefit of the people, and in this case, Musa will be shouldered, yet again, with the task. He took over the state leadership in March 2003. With the implementation of various programmes under the state’s development master plan, which emphasised on agriculture, manufacturing and tourism since becoming the Chief Minister and the Sabah Development Corridor, which was launched last month, Musa has proven to the more than three million Sabah population of his political capability and prowess to steer the state. Musa’s ability in handling dissent and frustrations by incumbent members of parliaments and assemblymen, who were dropped for this election, also proved his credible leadership. Political observers are confident of BN’s victory in the election, especially with the launching of the Sabah Development Corridor by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, which promises holistic development, including creation of more jobs for the people. The re-entry of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) into the BN fold is also said to have further strengthened the coalition in Sabah. There are now seven component parties in Sabah BN - Umno, PBS, the United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO), United Sabah People’s Party (PBRS), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), MCA, Gerakan and MIC. A politician, Joos Galid, said he was confident that the Sabah people would vote for the BN in the election. “The people, especially rural residents, realise that only the BN government is capable of bringing development to their areas,” he said.

TUESDAY-26TH FEBRUARY 2008- IT WON'T BE SMOOTH SAILING FOR BN IN KENINGAU:PAIRIN

It won’t be smooth sailing for BN in Keningau:Pairin

KENINGAU:

The Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates here have strong connection and confidence to win in the general election despite facing strong opposition challengers, especially from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). The clash of PBS President Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan and PKR Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan for the Keningau parliamentary seat is considered a battle of the Kitingan brothers or battle of double J. Dr Jeffrey is also considered a big challenger to the BN candidates in the three state seats of Tambunan, Bingkor and Liawan which are included in the Keningau parliamentary constituency. Besides BN and PKR, DAP has also joined in the fray for the Keningau seat by fielding Peter Kadau. Pairin who is also defending the Tambunan seat, is not denying that BN has to work hard for victory in all the four seats. The Keningau BN chairman will face Moses Michael Iking from PKR and Francis Koh Kui Tze from the independent in the three-cornered fight. “There is no easy passage for BN without hard work from all the BN component leaders and members in Keningau. “I believe by having team work and close cooperation from all the components, the BN could win all the areas, including Keningau parliamentary seat even though it is facing a tough fight from PKR,” he said, adding that the people must be given explanation on the BN Government policies. Pairin who is also Deputy Chief Minister and Rural Development Minister, said the BN Government is also giving top priority to the development of rural people’s socio economy, education, health and poverty eradication through the Middle Region Sabah Development Corridor. Liawan BN candidate Datuk Haji Sairin Karno said the BN was ready for its campaigning. The incumbent is involved in a four-cornered fight with Jius Awang from PKR, Yapilin Nawawi from independent and Lawrence Mogidau from DAP. “I believe BN could win all the three state constituencies and Keningau parliament in view of better cooperation and relationship between the BN components namely, Umno, PBS, PBRS, UPKO, MCA and SAPP,” he said. Justin Guka, who is also defending the Bingkor seat for BN, is challenged by Jeffrey, Victor Leornadus from Setia and Thomas Anggan from independent. He said the Bingkor people still needed development and they should give him the opportunity to lead Bingkor for another five years. “I believe only the BN Government can give better services to the people in Bingkor and I hope the Bingkor people will continue to support the BN in this election,” he said. Among the issues raised by PKR are the approval of application for the 2,500-acre Bingkor Native Reserve by outsiders and illegal immigrants monopolising the business at the Keningau night market.

TUESDAY-26TH FEBRUARY 2008- CHIN GIVES HAND PHONE NUMBER TO PEOPLE

Chin gives hand phone number to people

KOTA KINABALU:

The Barisan Nasional (BN) Kota Kinabalu Parliamentary seat candidate, Chin Tek Ming, has urged the public to personally inform him of problems they have in the constituency. “They can do this by calling me on my hand phone. The number is 019-8521339,” he said when met yesterday. Chin is replacing incumbent Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai in the coming election. The lawyer who is also PBS Supreme council member and the party’s Likas divisional chief, has vowed to try his best to solve the problems faced by people in the Kota Kinabalu constituency. When asked what his focus will be if he wins in the election, Chin said it will be on continuing to improve existing development such as the schools and issues involving society and communities. “However, servicing the community will be my priority and we will concentrate on issues such as infrastructure and daily problems faced by the people. “I will make sure that Twill give my best ff1 am elected,” he said.

TUESDAY-26TH FEBRUARY 2008- NORMAL TO SEE MANY INSTANT POLITICIANS: PAIRIN

Normal to see many instant politicians: Pairin

KENINGAU:

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan has described the big number of ‘instant politicians’ emerging during election time as normal in a country like Malaysia which practises democracy. He said the country provides ample space and freedom for the people in voicing out their opinions and views. Pairin, who is defending the Keningau parliamentary and Tambunan state seats under the l3arisan Nasional (BN) ticket, said this during a meet-the-people gathering at Kampung Mottow near here yesterday. Also present were BN candidate for Liawan state seat Datuk Sairin Karno, MCA Keningau division head Peter Ma, and the Village Development and Security Committee Chairman Steven Klaus. The Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president is involved in a three- cornered fight for the Keningau seat with his younger brother Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president and independent Peter Kodou @ Peter Anthony. For the Tambunan seat, Pairin who has represented the constituency since 1976 is challenged by lawyer Moses @ Mozes Iking and former People Development Leader Koh Kui Tze @ Francis Koh Lui Tze. Pairin lamented that certain quarters abused the freedom as provided for under the laws by holding violent street demonstrations which were against the Malaysian way of life and culture. “This shows that these group of people have no love for peace and harmony,” he said. As such, Pairin expressed his confidence that the people would continue supporting the BN in the March 8 general election and would not be easily influenced by the opposition’s empty promises and baseless allegations levelled against the BN. “It is still not to late for this small group of individuals who are in the opposition to return to the BN folds because the doors are always opened to them,” he added.

TUESDAY-26TH FEBRUARY 2008- ELECTION FEVER PICKING UP SLOWLY

Election fever picking up slowly

KOTA KINABALU:

A day after the nominations, there is still no obvious sign the people are in election mood. It seems like the upcoming 12th general election is not as hot as the previous polls. In the past, election fever hits the nation almost immediately right from the dissolution of state legislative assemblies up to nomination day, and sometimes even after the polling day is over. Candidates’ posters and flags representing the contesting political parties would be put up almost as soon as the candidates’ nomination forms were accepted. May be the election fever has not started yet, or probably, intense campaigning has not taken place. There are, however, some little indications that the battle is on. A huge billboard bearing the images of top Barisan Nasional leaders has been put up in the Putatan township, reminding voters to make the right decision, and in some places, like along the roads in the City, Tuaran, Luyang and Kepayan, posters of candidates have also made their appearance. Several supporters of BN parties claimed that they have yet to receive campaign posters and flags, and most of the election paraphernalia was expected to arrive last night. On the opposition’s side, to date, they have yet to do their part to spice up the election in Sabah. However, in Beaufort town, flags of both BN and Parti Keadilan Rakyat are already seen side by side along the roads in the town area, as well as major towns such as Sandakan and Tawau.

TUESDAY-26TH FEBRUARY 2008- IMBAK CANYON TO BE FIRST CLASS FOREST RESERVE: CM

Imbak Canyon to be First Class Forest Reserve: CM

SANDAKAN:

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the Imbak Canyon forest conservation area which is made up of 17,000 hectares of virgin forest, will be gazetted as a First Class Forest Reserve. “The process to change the area from a Second Class(Commercial)status to a First Class Reserve is in its final stage,” Musa said after launching the Sabah Foundation’s mobile exhibition and the Sabah Development Corridor(SDC)road show here yesterday. Musa said the Sabah Foundation had been allocated not less then 500,000 hectares of forest for the purpose of conservation and protection, including Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Ulu Segama-Malua Forest Reserve. “The reclassification of Imbak Canyon will now increase the size of the totally protected areas to 865,000 hectares or 12 percent of the forest in Sabah,” he added. In his speech earlier, Musa said the people of Sabah should not sacrifice the progress and benefits they had enjoyed from the State’s development by falling for the promises made by the opposition. He said the country would not develop if there was no proper planning and vision. “The Barisan Nasional (BN)plans its projects well to benefit the people and it is crucial they ensure the BN helms the State so that it will be able to continue with its development projects,” he said. He said the people should give the BN Government a bigger mandate because only through a strong and stable government would they be able to benefit from continuous development as well as enjoy better living standards. “With undivided support from the people, the BN Government will not underestimate their trust and confidence. Instead, it will be more committed to provide the best service to the people,” he said. Musa said the SDC road show was to enlighten the people on the development programmes so that they would be able to take advantage of the opportunities available. The SDC, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last month, is a development project to be implemented over 18 years and involves four sectors — agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and logistics. Present at the function were Sabah Development Institute director Datuk Dr Yakob Johari, Sabah Foundation director Tan Sri Datu Khalil Datu Haji jamalul and Sandakan Municipal Council president Yeo Boon Hai.

TUESDAY-26TH FEBRUARY 2008- PKR TO CHALLENGE VALIDITY OF KURUP'S VICTORY: ANSARI

PKR to challenge validity of kurup’s victory: Ansari

KOTA KINABALU:

Parti Keadilan Rakyat State liaison committee chairman Hj Ansari Abdullah said they will file an election petition to challenge the validity of Tan Sri Joseph Kurup’s victory in the Pensiangan parliamentary constituency. He said the petition will be filed as soon as the Election Commission (EC) gazettes the victory for Kurup, who took the seat uncontested. “The moment the result is gazetted, PKR will file an election petition to declare Kurup’s win to be null and void,” he told a press conference here, yesterday. The Pensiangan seat was the centre of much controversy on Sunday when Keadilan’s candidate Danny Andipai was disallowed from registering as a candidate by the EC. The situation sparked a commotion among the crowd gathered at the nomination centre in Nabawan, leading to an assault on Kurup by a man as he was on the way to his vehicle after being declared the winner of the Pensiangan seat. Danny, who was at the press conference, claimed that the decision by returning officer (RO) Bubudan OT Mojilu to reject his and independent candidate Saineh Usau’s applications was unfair. “I was made to understand that the gate would be opened at 9am and closed at 1Oam, so I arrived at 9.35am,” he said. “I was given a number, number 10, and then paid the RM15,000 deposit as required for a parliamentary candidate. The independent candidate also did the same, and he was given number 11. “Why is it that a candidate who was holding number 12 was accepted as a candidate when those who came earlier were not?” he said, referring to fellow Keadilan candidate Paul Gitang, who is vying for the Sook state seat. Danny noted that the only candidates disallowed from registering were those who intended to contest the Pensiangan parliamentary seat, whereas there was no problem for candidates in the Sook and Nabawan state seats. “I was still in the(nomination)hall when they told me they were closed. What did they mean by closed? Were they talking about the gate or the nominations? “Just to accept the nomination papers does not take a lot of time. It’s not like we were still filling out the forms, we were just waiting to hand over completed forms. “You can see that Tan Sri Kurup knows he cannot cheat at the polls, so he decided to cheat during nomination day...he claims it was a Keadilan supporter who hit him but it wasn’t just our supporters who were unhappy, even the BN supporters felt revolted by his action,” he said. Danny said that following his disqualification, he lodged a police report on the alleged unfair treatment by the EC staff, and also lodged a report with the EC.