THURSDAY-28TH FEBRUARY 2008- EN BLOC RESIGNATION BLOW TO LDP'S BID IN SANDAKAN

En bloc resignation blow to LDP’s bid in Sandakan

SANDAKAN:

Nearly 200 Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members here announced their resignation on Tuesday night, dealing a blow to the party’s bid to recapture the Sandakan parliamentary seat for Barisan Nasional in next month’s general election. The en bloc resignation by Elopura division members led by the division Youth Chief Thien Lee Min came four days after State Deputy Youth Chief cum Tanjung Papat Youth Chief Fong Vun Fui quit his posts over the party leadership’s choice of an outsider to contest the Sandakan parliamentary seat. They pledged their support for Fong Vun Fui who is contesting on an independent ticket for the Sandakan parliamentary seat against Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Liew Vui Keong and Chong Chui Lin @ Shanty of DAP. Thien who is also the State Youth Wing vice chief, and his followers explained the move to resign from the party was taken after the party leadership’s decision to axe incumbent Merotai assemblyman Datuk Liew Yun Fah and pick an outsider to contest the Sandakan parliamentary seat. Meanwhile, The Borneo Post learnt more members who are unhappy with the leadership’s insensitivity to the views and feelings of the grassroots and Sandakan people, are quitting the party in the next days for similar reasons. Meanwhile, Sandakan Umno will support whoever is chosen as the BN candidate to contest the parliamentary seat here. “Sandakan Umno rejects the issue played up by certain quarters in calling the BN candidate Datuk Liew Vui Keong an outsider,” Sandakan Umno vice chairman Haji Alipuddin Haji Puyon said yesterday. This group were wrong if they think they could influence voters into not supporting him, he added. Alipuddin pointed out it was a non issue and Sandakan Umno would work to ensure BN recapture the Sandakan parliamentary seat. Meanwhile, Sandakan Umno division chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ampong Haji Puyon said a vote for BN is a vote for continual development. “Sandakan Umno will continue to give its support to Datuk Liew Vui Keong and is confident BN will win back the Sandakan parliamentary seat from the independent this election,” he said. Ampong said the independent member of parliament was incapable of bringing development to Sandakan in the last four years. “For the future of the younger generations in Sandakan, we must not choose the wrong candidate this time round. By voting for Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Liew Vui Keong means we will have continuity in progress and prosperity for this town,” he added.

THURSDAY-28TH FEBRUARY 2008- CHUA BETTER CANDIDATE THAN ME, SAYS YONG

Chua better candidate than me, says Yong

TAWAU:

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said that the party’s vice president, Datuk Chua Soon Bui, is a better candidate for the Tawau parliamentary seat than him. Yong said Chua continued to serve the people even though she was not their representative for nine years. “She is a political worker who still worked for the public even though she was not the Tawau Member of Parliament after the seat was taken over by Shim Paw Fatt,” he said at a lunch gathering with the Chinese community here yesterday. Yong noted that Chua had also handled the SAPP Apas and Balung divisions very well. “Therefore, I’m not suitable as a candidate for Tawau but I felt I will be more suitable to contest for the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat because I understand the system and needs there,” he said. Shim, who was also present, said he would continue to serve the people even though he is not contesting in the election.

THURSDAY-28TH FEBRUARY 2008- PKR WILL SUFFER HEAVY DEFEAT, SAYS MASIDI

PKR will suffer heavy defeat, says Masidi

RANAU:

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun strongly believes that the opposition Parti KeadilanRakyat (PKR) will slowly be “crushed” by the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 12th general election. Addressing BN supporters at Kampung Mumpait here yesterday, he said there is no stopping for the BN in making a resounding victory in the March 8 election. “The PKR will be crushed during this election as the people are not easily influenced by their baseless allegation levelled against the BN,” he said. Masidi, who is locked in a straight fight with Atin Naisin from the PKR for the Karanaan state seat, assured that the BN elected representatives will go down to the ground to fulfil their wishes if they win in the election and the BN form the Government. He said that Ranau is one of the districts in Sabah that has many schools. Commenting on PKR’s promise to reduce oil prices should they win, Masidi said that the fuel price hike is a global issue and even a powerful nation like the United States is unable to control the oil price. He said the people should be grateful to the Government which had spent RM4O billion to subsidize the fuel price in order to keep it low. “In fact, apart from Brunei Darussalam, fuel is still relatively cheap in Malaysia. So be thankful,” said Masidi during a meet-the-people gathering in his village-to-village campaign. Masidi also said that the Government had identified Kampung Mumpait and other areas in Ranau have the potential for coffee plantation development under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC).

THURSDAY-28TH FEBRUARY 2008- BN FACES UPHILL TASK TO RETAIN KK PARLIAMENTARY SEAT

BN faces uphill task to retain KK parliamentary seat

KOTA KINABALU:

Lawyer Chin Tek Ming, the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary constituency, said he is facing a tough battle to retain the seat for the BN. The 38-year-old lawyer from the ‘cowboy town’ of Kota Belud said there were numerous hurdles ahead including warding off the strong challenge from the opposition especially the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP. In the upcoming election, Chin will face DAP stalwart Hiew King Chiew, PKR’s Christina Liew Chin Jin and independent candidate Kong Yu Kiong. “I’m a new person in politics. What I have now is of course a very tough fight or uphill battle. “It’s a four-cornered fight between the PKR, DAP, an independent and myself. The DAP is represented by state DAP chairman, PKR is represented by the Sabah PKR deputy chairman who is another well-known figure, and a very experienced independent candidate... they are all much senior to me,” he told Bernama here yesterday. Despite the odds, Chin still believed he had a “50-50” chance of prevailing in the Kota Kinabalu Parliamentary seat although his opponents were bracing to create an upset against the mighty BN machinery. “I look at it positively, and most of the promises by the Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) have been implemented. Other things like renewal of the lease for land in the whole of Kota Kinabalu has been extended and contribution given to churches, temples, independent or private schools. “I believe our intelligent voters should be able to assess all that and not be fooled by the opposition by giving empty promises which they can’t deliver because they are not in the capacity to do so,” he said. In the 2004 election, Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai (BN) won the Kota Kinabalu seat with a majority of 10,860 votes. Chin, a debutant and former Kapitan Cina Likas, said Kota Kinabalu was a unique city “with a lot of modern facilities and comfortable way of living”. However, he said there was still much work to be done to further develop Kota Kinabalu, the state capital and gateway of Sabah. As such, he said the people of Kota Kinabalu should continue supporting the government for continued development, thus benefiting them in the long run. Asked on his vision for Kota Kinabalu, Chin said as a new person in the political arena and a graduate from a Chinese independent school, he would continue highlighting, among others, the problems faced by independent or private schools to the Government. -Bernama

THURSDAY-28TH FEBRUARY 2008- KEADILAN WILL REVIEW FEDERALISATION OF LABUAN

Keadilan will review federalisation of Labuan


KOTA KINABALU:

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) will review the federalisation of Labuan and return its administration to Sabah if it wins the general election next month. Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the tax-free island was federalised without the consent of Sabahans and therefore political and administrative control aver the island should be returned to Sabah. “We in Sabah seem to have forgotten about Labuan as if it was never part of Sabah. Come March 8, vote for us and give us the mandate and the status of the island will be reviewed and returned to Sabah,” he said when launching the PKR Sabah manifesto. About 300 party leaders and supporters attended the launching ceremony held at his house in Bukit Padang yesterday afternoon. Jeffrey in reading the manifesto, also promised that PKR will also reduce the fuel price and have the fuel royalty paid to Sabah increased to at least 20 percent should the people choose to put the party into power.

THURSDAY-28TH FEBRUARY 2008- PROBE ON KURUP ASSAULT CASE COMPLETED: POLICE

Probe on Kurup assault case completed: Police

KOTA KINABALU:

The police have completed their probe on the incident where PBRS president Datuk Joseph Kurup was allegedly punched after he was returned unopposed for the Pensiangan parliament seat on nomination day, Feb 24. Keningau Police Chief, Deputy Superintendent Zahari Mohamed yesterday said police had recorded the statement of a 41-year-old local farmer in connection with the incident, which occurred at about 1pm outside the Nabawan Community Hall. He said the case is investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for causing hurt, and anyone found guilty of such offence faces a maximum of one year’s jail or a fine up to RM2,000 or both. “Only a statement was recorded and there was no arrest,” Zahari said, adding that they would be submitting the investigation papers to Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office for further action. It was learned that the suspect is a former member of Kurup’s party and was standing among opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat flag-bearers outside the nomination centre before the alleged assault. Sabah PKR chief Ansari Abdullah said recently they would be filling an election petition to challenge the validity of the result in Pensiangan that saw BN candidate Kurup returned unopposed. He said PKR candidate Danny Andipai, his proposer and seconder claimed that they had entered the nomination hall by 9.35am on that day but Danny’s nomination was rejected on the grounds that his papers were filed after the legal time. Kurup, who is the incumbent state assemblyman of Sook, replaced incumbent member of parliament for Pensiangan Datuk Bernard Maraat in the election, which prompted the latter to quit all his posts in the party and threatened to challenge the former as an independent.

THURSDAY-28TH FEBRUARY 2008- PKR CANDIDATES OFFERED MILLIONS OF RINGGIT TO WITHDRAW: JEFFREY

PKR candidates offered millions of ringgit to withdraw: Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU:

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidates have been offered millions of ringgit by certain individuals trying to persuade them to withdraw from the March 8 general election, claimed party vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. He said many of the party’s 77 candidates vying for state and parliamentary seats, including himself, have been approached or contacted by these individuals. “I was told that some of them were offered up to millions of ringgit. I myself have been offered money,” he told reporters during the launch of the Sabah PKR manifesto at his residence in Bukit Padang here yesterday. According to him, the people offering him money have even gone to the extent of suggesting he use his health condition as an excuse not to contest in the election. “They suggested I tell my people that I want to rest and not contest in the election as I am not in good health,” said Jeffrey who did not reveal the identities of the people he was referring to. He said that, like the other PKR candidates who hold on to their commitment to bring about changes for the people in Sabah, he has rejected the offer. Jeffrey stressed that he and other PKR leaders who truly believe in the party’s struggle to fight for the people would firmly stick to their course and put the interest of the people above the opportunity to make a quick fortune. “So far none of the leaders took the offer and I hope this will continue for the sake of the party and the people,” he said. PKR State Liaison Chairman Ansari Abdullah supported Jeffrey’s claim, saying no candidate had abandoned the party so far and hopefully it would continue that way until the cooling period ended last night.

THURSDAY-28TH FEBRUARY 2008- BN TO MAKE CLEAN SWEEP IN TUARAN, SAYS MUSA

BN to make clean sweep in Tuaran, says Musa

TUARAN:

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said he is confident of a big win for all the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in Tuaran come polling day on March 8. He said the candidates were selected because the party leadership knows they are capable, committed, sincere and honest in their work. “I am confident of a big win because of my faith in our leaders here. We have always won by a big majority because the people of Sabah are smart. They will not be tricked (by the opposition),” he said in his speech at a talk with BN supporters in Kampung Kota here yesterday. Musa, who visited Tuaran after attending a roadshow for the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) in Ranau in the morning, said the BN has a clear mission and vision in developing Sabah for the benefit of its people. “The federal leadership has always been attentive to the needs of the people of Sabah, which is why they have given us RM2O billion to develop Sabah over the next 18 years through the SDC. 1f the government was corrupted, how could it come up with RM2O billion for Sabah? If Yayasan Sabah was corrupted how can it have RM 1.7 billion in reserves? “What is the plan of the opposition? All they are doing is telling lies and giving empty promises,” he said. Musa said he was doubtful that the opposition, particularly Parti Keadilan Rakyat, is capable of forming the Government here and stressed that should an opposition candidate be elected it would only break down the line of communication between the people and the State leadership. “If for example I serve another term as Chief Minister, they would probably be ashamed to see me because they are in the opposition and I may not see them, so this will break the line of communication. “When there is no communication then what will happen to the people? Nothing, and this (situation) saddens me,” he said, referring to fulfilling the people’s needs for development. Musa meanwhile was proud of the spirit of BN leaders in Sabah, especially those who readily accepted the party leadership’s decision to leave them out from the list of candidates for the coming elections. “I am proud with the spirit of the BN leaders here, who are not selfish and think only of the party struggle, which is the struggle for the people of Sabah,” he said while reminding BN candidates that winning a seat is a big responsibility in fulfilling the mandate of the people.

THURSDAY-28TH FEBRUARY 2008- PKR SABAH MANIFESTO PROMISES EQUAL REVENUE SHARING

PKR Sabah manifesto promises equal revenue sharing

KOTA KINABALU:

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah yesterday launched its manifesto promising a new and reformed State Government for Sabah. A supplement to the party’s national manifesto, the state manifesto emphasises on improving livelihood of Sabahans as well as restoring the just and equal revenue and power sharing between the State and the Federal Government. PKR Vice President, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan in launching the 15-page manifesto at his residence in Bukit Padang here yesterday afternoon, said it is specifically designed to address the various longstanding issues facing the people in the State, such as illegal immigrants and unchecked increase in prices that has resulted in an extremely high cost of living and worsening poverty. He stressed that the party’s national manifesto which focuses on five points aimed at reforming the country’s economic and political structures, is applicable to the whole nation but Sabah has been allowed to present its own specifically tailored manifesto to effectively bring about changes to the State’s current economic, social and political landscape. Jeffrey said the manifesto among others focuses on providing better education, health and welfare assistance for the people of Sabah apart from protecting the rights of the natives, especially the native customary rights land. He said that under the PKR land reform policy, the role of the Native Chiefs in approving applications for native customary rights land will be restored. The land approved for government agencies such as FELDA will be reviewed, with the uncultivated land belonging to these agencies to be given to the natives to actively involve them in agriculture and economic development. To ensure balanced economic development, focus will be given to ensuring rural development is not merely involving the provision of infrastructure and basic amenities but also creating opportunities for the rural people to actively participate in economic activities, he said. Apart from education, the health care for rural people will also be given attention to help improve their overall livelihood. Among the measures towards this objective, said Jeffrey, is providing free water supply and health care services for rural people. To help the poor cope with the high cost of living, the prices of fuel will be reduced. A better revenue sharing equation between Sabah and Federal governments will also be formulated so that the State can enjoy a better deal for its fuel royalty. The employment opportunities and distribution of senior positions in federal departments and agencies in Sabah will also be improved with more posts to be given to locals. According to Jeffrey, the PKR Sabah manifesto represents a long-waited revolution that will restore the rights of the people in Sabah as Malaysians, which have been long eroded under the total domination of the State Government by UMNO. “As usual, BN manifesto this year contains loads of sweet promises, similar to the promises they gave in their last manifesto. Last time, they promised Sabah Baru which until today they have not delivered. Now they promise the same thing in the form of Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), which they claimed will bring changes. But they are just fooling the people,” he said. Jefrrey said the BN manifesto, which emphasises on the BN Government economic credentials and promising development through SDC, is just another instrument that BN intends to use to get the people to keep them in power, but it should be totally rejected. On the contrary, he said, PKR through its manifesto promises the people a truly democratic and progressive Government that is transparent and focuses on protecting the rights of the people. Should PKR be given the mandate to govern the State, it would first and foremost restore the balance of representation in Parliament between the Peninsular and Sabah and Sarawak to ensure equal rights and power between the states in deciding national progress, he said. Under the PKR, he said, there will be better and significant roles for Sabahans in Federal Cabinet, foreign missions and federal agencies. Also, PKR would return to the State its authority in deciding its own development as well as its rights on certain aspects as stated in the 20 Points, the minimum safeguards that Sabah founding fathers demanded as a condition for joining the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. In this regard, he said PKR will adopt the Tambunan Declaration which highlights urgent issues including, among others, the imbalance in royalty distribution and representation in Federal Cabinet.

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WEDNESDAY-27TH FEBRUARY 2008- BN MANIFESTO IS COMPLETE, THOROUGH: CM

BN manifesto is complete, thorough: CM

KOTA KINABALU:

The Barisan Nasional manifesto unveiled by the Prime Minister in Kuala Lumpur on Monday was yesterday launched in Sabah by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman. Copies of the manifesto, which underlines Selamat, Aman and Makmur as the basis for national development under the BN Government, were distributed to all BN component parties’ leaders who gathered at the Chief Minister’s official residence Sri Gaya in Bukit Nenas during the launching ceremony. The eight aspects emphasized in the manifesto covering economic development, education, civil service, religious freedom and racial unity are not newly introduced but a continuation of what BN has achieved today, said Musa. He said the manifesto proves that BN Government is not only focusing on physical and economic development but also various other aspects, including developing human capital through education, achieving prosperity through social integration and ethnic unity, and improving public safety through thorough law enforcement. It also stresses that development, in all aspects, will be fairly distributed to ensure that no one will be left out, proving that the Government care about everyone regardless of their race or location, Musa said. “We have proved to the people that we can deliver to them what we promise and now, once again, we assure the people that we are capable and will deliver our promises. “We have the capability in terms Of finances. We have the experience, the political power and consensus of the people,” he said, adding the BN coalition which represents all ethnic groups, is the right choice for the people. He said the manifesto is consistent with what the BN Government has achieved and done for the people and explains that the BN Government are truly from people and for the people. He said the excellent track record of BN has been proven and cannot be denied by anyone, including the opposition who too has enjoyed the development brought by BN. Written in three languages - Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese .- the manifesto also emphasizes on BN economic credentials. “It is a manifesto that is complete and thorough, which comes from the people and for the people,” he said.

WEDNESDAY-27TH FEBRUARY 2008- MAKE RIGHT CHOICE FOR NOW AND FUTURE: MUSA

Make right choice for now and future: Musa

KOTA KINABALU:

It rained heavily at Kampung Gudon yesterday, but it did not stop Barisan Nasional supporters from thronging the community hail. Their display of support impressed Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who remarked: “This rain is a blessing; it is a good sign for BN. I am very proud of your presence here.” He said the people’s presence despite the wet weather showed that everyone is working hard to ensure victory for BN in the 12th general election. “There are many other development projects in store for the people and we are banking on your continuous support for the ruling coalition to ensure that all plans would proceed smoothly. All these are done to benefit not just the State and rakyat now, but also for our future generation,” said Musa. He also urged the electorate not to be influenced by the opposition’s promises that offer “the moon and the stars” in their effort to win votes, but in the end, nothing is going to materialise. “What can the opposition do? They can give you promises but it will never be fulfilled, but we in the Government has given our commitment to bring development to the people, be it in the urban or rural areas,” he said. “The Barisan Nasional chairman, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi once said that whatever we promise to the rakyat, we must fulfil. I hope all assemblymen would carry out their duties and responsibilities well; it is for the good of the people, the state and nation,” he said. Musa has full confidence that the people are mature enough to decide on the rightful government to lead them. “He does not want to see any district in Sabah to be undeveloped. Make the right choice come March 8, the polling day,” he said. Musa was speaking at a meet-the-people session at Kampung Gudon, which was also attended by Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun, the BN Sepanggar parliamentary candidate; Jainab Datuk Seri Panglima Ahmad Ayid (Karambunai state assembly candidate) and Johnny Goh (Inanam state assembly candidate). “I hope the voters in Sepanggar would support the three BN candidates, and ensure they win so that the planned development projects can be continued” said Musa. The three candidates, in their respective speeches, pledged their continuous support to BN and promised to carry out ‘ their responsibilities as what is expected of them. “We must make the right choice now as our decision today will affect the future generation. Choose wisely and do good for our children and our children’s children,” said Majimbun. Goh, meanwhile, shared the Government’s many successes in the last four years which among others include the revocation of the cremation centre in Inanam, the pig farm project which has been shifted to Sandakan after receiving strong objection from the people in his constituency, the projects done to overcome floods and also the setting up of a police station in Inanam. “This is all made possible thanks to the concern by our dear Chief Minister and the ruling government,” he said. Jainab, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of the Karambunai and Sepanggar constituencies and its potentials. “There are many higher learning institutions within the Karambunai constituency. This shows the Government’s commitment in developing our area for the good of the people and the state,” she said. “The launching ceremony of the Sabah Development Corridor in Sepanggar also shows the Government’s commitment in providing opportunities to the people living in the surrounding area. The SDC is also expanded throughout the State to share the benefits it would bring, to every individual,” she said.

WEDNESDAY-27TH FEBRUARY 2008- LIEW PROMISES UNIVERSITY FOR SANDAKAN

Liew promises university for Sandakan

SANDAKAN:

The Barisan Nasional candidate for the Sandakan parliamentary seat, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, said he would push for the setting up of a university in the district it given the mandate by the people of Sandakan in the March 8 polls. “The setting up of the university will complement the existing education facilities in Sandakan,” Liew who is also LDP president, told reporters after visiting constituents in Bandar Kim Fung on Tuesday. Liew added he would put in efforts to push for the setting up of the facility in Sandakan if the people give him the mandate to serve as their member of parliament. “The university will enable the schoolchildren to continue their higher education in Sandakan without having to go abroad to further their studies,” he said. He added the Barisan Nasional gives emphasis to providing the best education facilities for the people. “Education is the key to a better future and only a Barisan Nasional win in the March 8 general election can transform the pattern of development in Sandakan,” he said. Liew who is one of the new faces in the Barisan Nasional line-up for next month’s general election, said many issues affecting the Sandakan people could not be addressed by the independent member of parliament in the past four years. “The Barisan Nasional has brought progress and development to the country. The successes achieved by the nation today are testimony of the capability of the Barisan Nasional in delivering its promises to the people,” he said.

WEDNESDAY-27TH FEBRUARY 2008- I HAVE NEVER JOINED PKR, SAYS PATRICK

I have never joined PKR, says Patrick

KOTA KINABALU:

Papar independent candidate Datuk Patrick Sindu yesterday refuted claims by PKR Sabah chief Haji Ansari Abdullah that he was among nine PKR members facing disciplinary action for contesting as independent candidate. Patrick stressed that after leaving Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), he has never joined any other political party. “It is wrong for Ansari, who is a friend, to say I am a member of PKR,” he said yesterday. Patrick and two other candidates are challenging incumbent MP Rosnah Abd Rashid Shirlin of Barisan Nasional in the Papar parliamentary constituency in the March 8 general election. The others are Wahab Idris from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and another independent Mohd Hashim Yussup. He said Ansari should have thoroughly checked his facts and as an experienced lawyer, the latter knows the consequences of not telling the truth to the public, especially so during the election time. “He is a friend of mine ... I don’t want to jeopardise his participation in this election,” said Patrick. The President of Consumers Association for Sabah and Labuan (CASH) kick-started his campaign trial in Papar yesterday, using the extensive network of his family members to woo voters in the state seats of Pantai Manis and Kawang, which make up the Papar constituency. “I am already busy campaigning here in Papar,” said Patrick, who pledged to speak up for Sabahans, in particular the people in Papar, in the Parliament if he wins in the election. “I can voice out the problems affecting our fellow Sabahans directly in the Parliament without going through the political parties and their leaders who have failed to live up to their promises all this while.” Commenting on the recently launched BN election manifesto, Patrick said it is “an old story and merely a political gimmick”. He said the BN is talking about the old issues and promises made in the 2004 general election that have yet to be fulfilled by the ruling coalition. “Now, about four years later, the BN is coming up with yet another gimmick,” said Patrick who rated his chances of wresting the seat as very good.

WEDNESDAY-27TH FEBRUARY 2008- ONLY BN GOVT HELPS POOR STUDENTS: MASIDI

Only BN Govt helps poor students: Masidi

RANAU:

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the Barisan Nasional(BN) is the only Government in the world that provides financial aid to poor students. He said the various financial aids, including the Financial Assistance For The Poor Student Scheme or the KWAPM, are provided to students from poor families by the BN Government. “Such education aids are only available in Malaysia. There is nowhere else where one can find such government like the Barisan Nasional giving fmancial aid to the people,” he said during a meet-the-people gathering at Kampung Kesinsingon, Kampung Sumalang and Kampung Maukab here. Meanwhile, Masidi dismissed claims by the opposition that the ruling party was corrupted. He said that the development and progress in the State had improved tremendously since the BN came into power in 1994. While urging the people not to be easily influenced by the opposition’s dirty election tactics, Masidi said that under the able leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, the State’s reserves had improved and had now hit the RM2 billion mark. “How can we in the BN be corrupted? With the leadership of Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman as our CM, Sabah’s reserves have extremely improved from RM 168 million to RM2 billion,” he said “As such, the opposition should think carefully before making any accusations against the BN,” he said. Masidi, who is defending the Karanaan state seat in a straight fight with Atin @ Attin Naisin from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), took the opportunity to clarify certain issues that have been bothering the people such as the land ownership issue in the district and the increase in the price of fuel. On his opponent, he said he did not see the need to be little Attin for contesting under the PKR ticket. While giving the explanations on why the people here should continue supporting the BN, Masidi advised the voters to use their mentality to really decide who deserves to win.

WEDNESDAY-27TH FEBRUARY 2008- CM WANTS HALL SCRUTINIZE ALL DEVT PROJECTS

CM wants Hall to scrutinize all devt projects

KOTA KINABALU:

The City Hall must always be cautious when approving development projects and closely monitor the implementation, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. He said every development plan forwarded to the City Hall must be scrutinized to ensure that every related regulation and law is duly followed to avoid negative impact on the people and the environment. This move is in tandem with one of the aspects emphasized in the implementation of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), Musa said when officiating at the opening of the newly upgraded food court - Sri Selera Kampung Air. The open air food court, which was a disorganized, unappealing and filthy, has been turned into a popular tourist spot as it not only serves plenty of fresh seafood but also provides exciting cultural entertainment. Musa said that to ensure Kota Kinabalu and Sabah continue to attract visitors, quality varied services and infrastructure must be provided to cater to the latest trend and taste of not only the locals but the tourists as well. These include different types of accommodation featuring various class of hotels from the luxurious five-star to the cheap budget ones, as well as a variety of restaurants and eateries that suit customers of all races and religions, he said. At the ceremony, Musa announced that the State Government has approved RM2.363 million for the City Hall to fund its repairing and upgrading works at the Kota Kinabalu General Market and the adjacent fish market. He said the State Government will continue to assist the City Hall to further improve the image of the City, which is the main gateway to Sabah. According to him, the State Government has allocated a total of RM8.55 million to City Hall in 2007 and will be allocating another RM9 million to help it implement its 3K (Cleanliness, Beautification and Safety) programme. Also present at the opening ceremony were State Secretary Datuk Sukarti Wakiman, Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Edward Yong Oui Fah, incumbent Likas assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan, incumbent Kepayan assemblyman Datuk Edward Khoo, and other BN leaders.

WEDNESDAY-27TH FEBRUARY 2008- REDUCE RED TAPE TO BOOST DELIVERY SYSTEM, MUSA TELLS CIVIL SERVANTS

Reduce red tape to boost delivery system, Musa tells civil servants

KOTA KINABALU:

The public sector needs to be more efficient and effective to further strengthen tie government delivery system and boost development programmes in improving infrastructure and basic amenities. The public sector also must strive towards holistic management and protection of environment and natural resources, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. In addition, emphasis has to be given to making comprehensive human capital development an effective agent to catalyst development, quality improvement and prosperity, he said. These are among the aspects which have to be given priority by the public sector as Sabah moves towards achieving a developed status by 2015, he said. Speaking during the first combined monthly gathering of Federal and State civil servants here yesterday, Musa urged all civil servants in the State to work shoulder to shoulder with the State Government towards ensuring successful implementation of the development programmes under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and Sabah Development Corridor. To encourage participation from foreign investors, he sad the systems, procedures and work culture that contribute to red tape, must be studied and reduced. In this regard, he said, agencies involved should create a comfortable and conducive environment for investment activities by making full use of the Sabah Investment Authority (SEDIA), the one-stop authority agency for the implementation of SDC. With less than two weeks to the March 8 general election, Musa advised civil servants not to get carried away with their interest in following the election process to the extent of giving less attention to their duties. “While we are paying attention to the election process, we must not forget our responsibility because if we do we may risk jeopardizing the interest of the people,” he said. He urged public sector staff and officers to work as usual while fulfilling their responsibility as citizens by casting their votes come the polling day.

WEDNESDAY-27TH FEBRUARY 2008- ICT FACILITIES PROVIDED AT VILLAGE LIBRARIES

ICT facilities also provided at village libraries

KOTA KINABALU:

All communities and leaders need to fully utilise the facilities provided at the public libraries by the State and Federal governments to create a reading culture and knowledge society. Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Yahya Hussin, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, said if the facilities are not utilised, the objective of providing them could not be fulfilled. Officiating at the opening of new library in Ulu Putatan yesterday, he said that under the 9th Malaysia Plan, his ministry has focused on a program to build more libraries in Sabah with funds from both the State and Federal government. He said the libraries include those in Membakut, Nabawan, Beaufort, Kota Belud, Ranau and Semporna. In addition, 20 village libraries and two mobile libraries are also built with funds from the State Government. Yahya said the State Library has expanded the usage of information and communication technology (ICT) in all libraries, including those in villages and the mobile units. The facilities would help improve communication between rural and urban residents, he said.

WEDNESDAY-27TH FEBRUARY 2008- SDC WILL TRANSFORM SABAH, SAYS PAIRIN

SDC will transform Sabah, says Pairin

TAMBUNAN:

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan yesterday said the implementation of Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) will transform the State in the next 18 years. By 2025, Pairin said the State’s economy will see rapid development and Sabah’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to quadruple to RM63. 2 billion. “The State’s GDP per capita is also expected to triple to RM14,800,” he said when officiating an Upper Interior Village Small Entrepreneur dialogue and Small Industry Products exhibition held at the community centre here. Pairin who is also the Rural Development Minister, also said the number of job opportunities will increase to 900,000 and the employment rate is expected to reduce from 5.8 percent in 2006 to 3.5 percent in the next 18 years. He said the SDC development plan which encompasses every corner of the State, is aimed at providing equal opportunities as well as benefits to villagers and is in tandem with the Government’s aim to create a prosperous, peaceful and harmonious living environment for the people. “We will see Sabah becoming a developed and prosperous State through five aspects which will be implemented during the 18 years period,” he said. According to the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Tambunan state and Keningau parliamentary constituencies, the five aspects are: • Making Sabah as the main gateway in the region for trade, investment and tourism purposes; • To develop Sabah into a state where its people live in harmony and prosperity regardless of race and religion; • In ensuring a better quality of life, better usage and application of technology throughout the State; • Job opportunities for Sabahans and; • Sabah will have high quality life and culture, heritage and environment diversity. “The successful implementation of these five aspects will make Sabah a good place to live in and eradicating poverty in the State,” Pairin stressed. He further said the implementation of SDC gives priority to the welfare of the people and assured that no race or group will be left out in terms of development. To eradicate poverty, he said the Government will implement several programmes to improve the income of households that are in the hardcore poor group thus minimizing their numbers.