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Showing posts with label poor sabah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poor sabah. Show all posts

Verbal Approval Worthless: Send the RM1 billion allocation – Dr. Jeffrey

Kota Kinabalu: “The DPM and the federal government should stop hoodwinking and stop fooling the people of Sabah and Sarawak.   Sabahans and Sarawakians have awoken from their 50 years slumber and demanding Sabah and Sarawak to be treated as equal partners in Malaysia” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, commenting on the verbal promise of RM1 billion to rebuild dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak.

Opposition ‘spoilers’ giving Sabah BN quiet wins

By Luke Rintod of FMT
STAR and SAPP have reminded Sabah DAP and Sabahans that
voting for Pakatan would be a case of jumping from the
frying pan into fire situation.
KOTA KINABALU : Opposition parties DAP, SAPP and STAR have a common enemy in Barisan Nasional. Yet they seem unable to hold it together, constantly kniving each other instead of plotting against their enemy.
This in itself is intriguing and is telling of Sabah’s layered opposition politics which runs deep on distrust.
Yesterday, DAP’s sole parliamentarian Hiew King Chew, accused both State Reform Party (STAR) and Sabah Progressive Peoples Party (SAPP) of being “useless” parties that cannot do anything.
“It is a waste to vote STAR or SAPP,” he had said in statement that lumped the two parties as “spoilers” in the 13th general election.

Sabah’s economy on ‘Death Row’

Sabah is slipping down on living standards as
families continue to feel the pinch of high
inflation and low economic revival.
By the time this article is published, the Mayan calendar phenomenon is probably way behind us and like any other hoaxes of the last century, there was no apocalypse or Armageddon.
Let us go for something more real and imminent:
Upon this coming Chinese Lunar New Year in 2013, the zodiac snake will once again dawn the world. With so many political and fiscal uncertainties staring Sabah in the face, will she ever survive the python squeeze or will asphyxia be her final fate?
Or will the worst be reserved instead for the ruling coalition which has hogged the nation’s seat of power for more than half a century of dividing the people and rule, when the celestial serpent finally devour the entire Barisan Nasional in an election tipped to be held in or around February?

Najib gives KDMs a fair chance

PBS has urged its members not to gamble away the
future of the KadazanDusun and Murut (KDM)
communities by voting for Pakatan Rakyat.
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has reminded Sabahans that never before have they had such a “high representation” in the federal cabinet, including leaders from the KadazanDusun and Murut (KDM) communities.
PBS information chief Johnny Mositun pointed out that Barisan Nasional under Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had been inclusive and had given every community a hand in policy-making and governance of the country.
“Just look at the representations in the federal cabinet. Of the three Sabahan federal ministers, two are KDM (Dr Maximus Ongkili and Bernard Dompok).
“Joseph Kurup is also a KDM and he is a deputy federal minister.

Stop bullying NGOs, Sabah govt told

By Luke Rintod of FMT
A well known activists wants the Sabah state
government to stop harassing non-governmental
organisations in the state.
KOTA KINABALU: A long-serving Sabah human rights and social activist here has called on the Sabah government to be more accommodating to civil society groups in the state and not to apply unnecessary “pressure” on non-governmental organisations.
Patrick Sindu, said any “subtle pressure” from the government on these groups could be interpreted by the public and the international community, either rightly or wrongly, as interfering, manipulating, victimising or exploiting these NGOs in an effort to align them with the state government.

On Sabah’s ‘racism’

Erna Mahyuni,
The Malaysian Insider
There are areas in Kota Kinabalu that are “black areas” controlled by illegals, where locals fear to tread. Even our local law enforcement is forced to turn a blind eye. Some due to lack of manpower, some because they’re paid off by the illegals. Many Sabahans are afraid of illegals. They have good cause to be. My neighbourhood doctor was killed with parangs by Indonesians. Two-thirds of the women I know, including myself, have been molested by illegals.
“So it strikes me to ask, is Sabah as racism-free as it seems?” That’s what a LoyarBurok columnist asked, after a (brief) visit to Sabah and noting the distaste many locals have towards illegal immigrants.
The first problem I have is with the notion of Sabah being “racism-free.” No place in the world is free from racism, unless said place is filled with people of the same race. Even then, we human beings will find other reasons to oppress our fellows. Because we can.

Christians forced to become Muslims by NRD?

FMT LETTER: From P Ramakrishnan, via e-mail

Who determines one’s faith – the individual or the The National Registration Department (NRD? It is obvious that it has to be the individual concerned. The NRD has no business to disagree when a person lays claim to a certain faith.

The NRD’s function is to issue MyKad and it cannot act beyond this function. It is very clear. But why then is the NRD making the lives of Bumiputra Christians in Sabah and Sarawak miserable (as reported in the Malaysian Chronicle)?

Jeffrey paints bleak scenario on Sabah

The STAR chairman doesn't buy the BN propaganda that
the state is not in the grip of grinding poverty.
By Joe Fernandez
Sabah strongman Jeffrey Kitingan isn’t buying the increasingly shrill propaganda barrage emanating from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition… that the influx of foreign labour into Sabah provides the clearest proof that there’s continuing development in the state and that it isn’t the poorest in the country as depicted by recent figures.
It’s an issue being flogged to death by both sides of the political divide in Sabah and Sarawak.
Jeffrey surprisingly waxed more eloquently than usual late this week in the local media on a nightmare scenario in the state. He hesitated in the temptation, for once, to go as usual all over the place. The opposition, he hastened to add, wasn’t being blind to the reality and accused the state government of being in a state of denial on Sabah’s “grinding poverty”.

STAR: CM Must Take Responsibility for Sabah’s Poverty

Musa must take responsibility for Sabah’s poverty

It was very disturbing to read in the local papers on Thurs 15 Nov, 2012 that Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman continues to remain in a state of denial on the grinding poverty situation in Sabah.

This is really unbecoming on the part of the Chief Minister. His high-handed attitude should be deplored and roundly condemned by all Sabahans especially the vast majority who has been suffering for so long under the BN Government since 1994.

We are by no means entirely blaming Musa for the plight of Sabah but he must share a large part of the blame. He has been the Chief Executive for a good many years and shows no signs, if any, of going away anytime soon and giving others an opportunity to do a better job. 

Sabah’s oil curse strikes again

Poverty-riddled Sabah is the sixth biggest contributor to
the national economy, contributing more than a quarter of
the total oil and gas produced in the country.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah lost control of its oil wealth more than 30 years ago but the fallout of the widely acknowledged cock-eyed contract is continuing to roil business dealings in the state.
The state Barisan Nasional government is now facing more questions over how it is managing the Petronas-sponsored Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) project that began more than a year ago.
The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has accused Chief Minister Musa Aman’s Umno-led BN government of failing to safeguard the interest of the local companies in the ongoing multi-billion-ringgit project.
Melanie Chia, the party’s outspoken women’s wing chief, said there appeared to be no attempt by the state government to ensure locals get a bigger share of the spin-offs from the SOGT project.

‘AES not suitable for Sabah roads’

Sabah and federal authorities should first ensure that
state roads are in good condition before indulging in
road-safety campaigns.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah roads may not be suited for the expensive and controversial Automatic Enforcement System (AES) which the government is planning to install nationwide to reduce road accidents.
A Sabah MP pointed out that the poor infrastructure and conditions of roads in the east Malaysian state should be addressed first before the expensive AES project is implemented.
“It is pointless for the government to spend a huge sum of the taxpayers’ money to install such a sophisticated system, when in the first place it can’t even provide a good and safer road for the people to drive on,” said Kota Kinabalu MP Hiew King Cheu.
“We all know that our roads are bad, unsafe, not up to the required standard and in many places it is a killer.

Star: Petronas misses point – its ownership and responsibility

“Petronas is irresponsible and misses the point when it acted as if it is the sole custodian of Malaysia’s oil and gas resources.” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, in response to Petronas’ statement that Petronas cannot afford to increase the cash payment to 20% to the oil-producing States as offered by Pakatan Rakyat.

The federal government is also irresponsible in using Petronas as its mouth-piece to reject the claims of the oil-producing states for increases in the cash payment from the current 5%.

The federal government and Petronashas totally ignored the fact that the oil and gas resources belonged to the states, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak, in the first place.  It did not belong to the federal government and definitely not Petronas.

Potholes appear in coastal road plan

The premier's plan to build a new coastal road estimated to cost
RM1 billion has been panned by both pro-BN and opposition leaders.
KOTA KINABALU: The government’s plan to develop Sabah is beginning to take on the frantic air of a circus coming to town as the general election looms.
With more Sabahans questioning the snail-paced development of the state in contrast to the rest of the country, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak pledged to “look into” almost any state BN-representative’s proposal.
And one such proposal was to build a spanking new coastal road estimated to cost around RM1 billion to link Tuaran, Kota Marudu and Kudat to the state capital.

‘BN govt does not care for Sabah’

Former deputy minister Lajim Ukin told Parliament of the
failures of the BN government to Sabah voters.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno deputy minister Lajim Ukin told parliament that the Barisan Nasional government has no time for Sabah. He said this was despite the state’s loyalty to the federal government all these years.

Lajim, who is Beaufort MP, also indicated his support for the opposition after he had remained quiet over his political leanings since he quit the government, applauding Pakatan Rakyat’s promise to raise oil royalty payments to 20%.

Sabah is rich in oil and contributes some RM22 billion of oil revenue annually but enjoys a mere 5% return in royalty while government allocations to the state, one of the poorest in the country, is said to be comparatively low.

No major budget cheer for Sabah, Sarawak

Waiting for vital direct-benefit goodies,Sabahans
and Sarawakians were again left behind in Prime
Minister Najib Tun Razak's budget 2013.
KOTA KINABALU: Instead of lifting the crippling 1980 cabotage policy, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today announced a price uniformity scheme to neutralise costs differences between consumer products in West and East Malaysia.
The catch however is that the scheme is only applicable in Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) stores in Sabah, Sarawak  and Labuan.
Najib said 57 more stores will be set up throughout Sabah and Sarawak.
Sabah is the second largest state covering 73,997 sq km while Sarawak is sprawling comprising  124,450 km2.

Fix it, don't just mumble on plans, says Star man

STAR Ranau chief, Jalibin Paidi
RANAU : Today's explanation by the Sabah Water Department Director Ag Mohd Tahir Talip on the water supply problem in four kampungs in Ranau which staged a demonstraion last weekend speaks volume of our doomed condition.

Don't just acknowledge the problem and cite every plans and pledge that could be imagined. Fix the problem fast, treat this no water supply as urgent matter and don't drag this for another election time just to make some more promises to the marginalised natives.

The water authorities together with leaders of the ruling party should go really down on the grounds to examine where the problem lies and carry out some immediate remedy with passion and some seriousness. Don't play with the people's life and sanity.

BN rep urges Musa govt to fulfil promises

Ranau has had a string of elected representatives
at state and federal levels over the past 40
years but clean water has remained elusive.
KOTA KINABALU: A Barisan Nasional MP from Sabah has joined the chorus of criticism against the state government led by Chief Minister Musa Aman for failing to provide piped water to scores of villages in the interior of the state.

Ranau MP Siringan Gubat said villagers in his constituency have been relying on dirty water for their domestic use.

Speaking after a protest last week by some 60-odd villagers, Gubat said: “The people are relying on the water supply from the state-owned agency Rural Development Corporation (KPD) which is only meant for farming. This water is not fit for human consumption.”

Skandal Penyelewengan Wang HSBC – Masa Untuk Menjalankan Siasatan Ke Atas Salahlaku Musa Aman!

Salah seorang pegawai tertinggi bank HSBC telah meletak jawatan secara sukarela semalam, sambil mengumumkan bahawa bank itu telah membisu seribu bahasa terhadap kegiatan memindahkan wang sebanyak $38 trillion, yang melibatkan Ketua Menteri Sabah, Musa Aman. Laporan dari pihak Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) mengenai wang sogokan pembalakan (suatu kes yang, menurut Najib Razak, boleh disabitkan dengan Musa Aman) mengandungi banyak maklumat mengenai penglibatan HSBC memproses berjuta-juta ringgit yang akhirnya menjurus ke dalam akaun-akaun bank milik Musa Aman.

Begitu juga, Sarawak Report telah mendedahkan maklumat terperinci mengenai siri-siri akaun HSBC yang dikaitkan dengan Musa Aman, yang akhirnya terpaksa ditutup dalam tahun 2006 dahulu.

‘Govt must subsidise transport to Sabah’

The federal government must provide proof that
freight charges have no impact on the price of
consumer goods in Sabah.
By Azman Habu of FMT
TAWAU: The federal government must subsidise trans-shipment of goods to Sabah in order to standardise the prices of consumer goods in the state with that in Peninsular Malaysia.
Tawau MP Chua Soon Bui said talks have been going on for years with no solution in sight while consumers have been forced to cough up more money for goods that are cheaper in the peninsula.
“If the federal government can afford to subsidise the toll charges on federal highways for billions of ringgits, there’s no reason why the same cannot be done for transport to Sabah as a result of the cabotage policy,” she said over the weekend.

A sympathetic expose by a West Malaysian on Sabah's poverty-stricken folks

I read Dr Hams letter and cannot help but agree with many of his observations. I worked in Sabah for over seven years as a house officer and medical officer. After my housemanship, I was sent to Ranau to serve in the district hospital. What Dr Hams described in Kota Marudu is not something isolated to that district alone in Sabah . It is an often repeated story in the whole of Sabah .

My first introduction to the poverty in Sabah came during my first months there, when a sweet 70- year-old lady from Kota Marudu was sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with deep jaundice. She lived alone in a small village off Kota Marudu and noticed the jaundice about a month before.

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