Wednesday, October 8, 2008

SAPP: Do not force the coal fired power plant on the people of Sandakan

SAPP: Do not force the coal fired power plant on the people of Sandakan

Kota Kinabalu (7 October 2008): The disclosure by the Sarawak Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Seri Awang Tengah Awang Ali Hassan last Saturday (October 4) that Sabah was holding talks with Sarawak on the purchase of energy from Sarawak shows that there are viable alternatives to the Ringgit 1.3 billion 300 MW coal-fired power plant proposed to be sited in Sandakan soon.

By way of a transmission line from the 1000 MW Murum dam, Sarawak is also expected to supply up to 400 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Brunei by 2013.

Therefore, SAPP feels strongly that Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the 80% owner of Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. has not sufficiently considered non-coal options before embarking on the proposed coal power plant in the East Coast of Sabah.

In unprecedented full page advertisements in local newspapers in June this year, the Chairman of TNB, Tan Sri Leo Moggie, had claimed that coal was "the only viable option for eastern Sabah".

But by the TNB Chairman's own admission, natural gas was more environmentally friendly and faster to build than a coal power plant. Granted that solar power, wind power and bio-mass are not yet commercially viable, TNB has a basic duty to the people of Sabah to invest in hydroelectric power and natural gas energy. Official publications of TNB and SESB show that the TNB had advanced knowledge of the proposed combined cycle gas power plant in Kimanis, and had planned the Liwagu and Upper Padas hydroelectric dams and the options to purchase electric power from the proposed hydropower dams at Lawas and Limbang in Sarawak. Yet TNB and SESB have been stubbornly engrossed with coal "as the only viable option" for eastern Sabah.

In fact, two Hari Rayas ago in 2006, Tan Sri Leo had stated that, other than Silam in Lahad Datu, there was not that much option. How could it be that today Sandakan has become an option? If a coal-fired power plant is bad for Lahad Datu on environmental grounds, how could it be good for Sandakan, a neighbouring nature city?

The wide media coverage on climate change and the pollution of coal power in countries such as China has awakened Sabahans. Concerned citizens have come up with such convincing arguments against coal power that the State Government had to reject the proposed coal power plant in Lahad Datu on environmental grounds. The State Government's rejection of the Lahad Datu site in April this year has effectively made it illogical for anybody to justify Sandakan as a site. Sandakan is only two hours' drive from Lahad Datu. Clean coal technology could not have improved so dramatically ever since April. And, presumably, the contract signed by TNB with China contractors early this year is still the same one. Nothing has changed; so how can it be that what is bad for the Lahad Datu environment is good for the Sandakan environment?

Recent statements made by the elected representatives and other officials in Sandakan convey the impression that the people of Sandakan would be forced by the prospect of severe power blackouts by year 2011 to grudgingly accept the coal power plant. If so, such a crude way to force the coal power plant on the people is highly irresponsible.

In admitting that coal is a polluter, TNB has relied on the assumption that the management of the coal power plant will be faultless and with strict compliance with EIA conditions. The reality today is that the people of Sabah, including in Sandakan, face persistent power failures. Even SESB transmission towers have collapsed due to metal thefts. As for enforcement of EIA conditions, the people have a right to be skeptical. When rivers are openly polluted, huge logs smuggled under the noses of the authorities, illegal immigrants roam glaringly on the streets, turtle eggs freely available in the Sandakan market, Sandakan airport without water, our public delivery system is so weak and maintenance culture so lacking, how can the people be expected to take the risks of a potentially disastrous coal power plant in their neighbourhood?

Irrespective of what the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) might have to say, the social impact of the coal-fired power plant will be to cause much distress and anxiety to Sandakan residents and impact on the social-economic and tourism development of this future city leading to a crisis of confidence on the ability of their government to protect and promote their interests and livelihood.

It is for this reason that SAPP calls on the authorities, including the State and Federal governments, to urgently get TNB to embark on and invest in non-coal energy options such as:

1. The natural gas power plant in Kimanis. It does not make sense for Petronas to pipe Sabah's natural gas 500 km to Bintulu via a RM 3 billion pipeline and then make Sabah import hydroelectric power from Sarawak. What is so difficult for Petronas to build the natural gas plant in Kimanis?

2. Expedite the 200 MW Liwagu hydroelectric dam which is ideally located in the middle of the East-West Grid interconnection,

3. To fully utilize the existing under used 275 kilovolts (kV) East West Grid for power transfer from the West Coast to the East Coast,

4. If TNB insists to site a power plant in the East Coast for reasons of security of supply in an "islanded" network, then a gas pipeline from Kimanis to Tawau should be considered. After all, the pipeline distance from Kimanis to Tawau via Sapulut is shorter, less complicated and cheaper than that to Bintulu.

5. Import of power from Sarawak.

The duty is on TNB to explain why none of these options is possible. It is also the responsibility of the State Government to ensure sufficient supply of electric supply without compromising the environment and the health of the people.

Present at the press conference at SAPP HQ, President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, former Assistant Minister of Resource Development cum Women Wing Chief YB Melanie Chia Chui Ket, SAPP CLC Chairman for Tanjung Papat Poon Kee Yang, CLC Chairman for Sekong constituency Datuk Tain Fook En and Dr. Yeo Hock Huat.

Dr. Yeo, a Sabahan who used to work in Penang and the United States in the field of energy-related technology, is one of the professionals who have assisted SAPP in the research. He holds a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering (2000) and Masters of Engineering Physics (1996) from Cornell University and a First Class in Physics (1994) from York University in Canada. He is presently Technical Director responsible for renewable and energy-saving products with a local company. Dr. Yeo has published more than 10 papers in international journals and conferences.

Source: http://www.sapp.org.my/default.asp?page=ytl081007

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Aki Momogun: A New Party

Sabah United Party (SUP)

Sabah will get a new political party which will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister and Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah.

Tan, who is Tanjong Papat Assemblyman, is said to have submitted to the Registrar of Society (ROS) in Kuala Lumpur the application to register the party and expected to get the approval within a week.

The new party will be applying to join Barisan Nasional (BN).

According to a close aide of the former Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president, Tan had submitted at least five names for the new party for the ROS to scrutinise. The party will likely be registered as Sabah United Party (Parti Perpaduan Sabah).

Once the new party is registered, Tan and the pro-tem committee members are expected to be joined by 15,000 SAPP members who are ready to ditch the party headed by Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

Among those who are expected to be in the new party line-up are Elopura assemblyman Au Kam Wah, and Jimmy Wong, the former Chief Political Secretary to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Tham Nyip Shen, who like Au had resigned from SAPP, and former Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liew Yun Fah are among those likely to be teaming with Tan in the new party.

Tan and many founder leaders of SAPP are leaving the party formed in 1994 after Yong announced the party pulling out of Barisan Nasional on Sept 17, 2008.

Tan seemed to have taken Musa advice in forming a new political party as a vehicle to continue serve the people of Sabah through BN.

On Sept 21, Musa had said that SAPP members who had resigned from the party were welcome to join any of the BN component party or formed a new political party.

In another development, one elected representative who won on BN-SAPP ticket in the March 8, 2008 general elections is said to have met with top Umno leaders. The YB wanted to join the Kuala Lumpur-based party.

After the general election SAPP have two Members of Parliament - Datuk Eric majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) and Member of the Sabah Legislative Assembly - DDatuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah (Tanjong Papat), Datuk Liew Teck Chan (Likas) Melanie Chia (Luyang) and Au Kam Wah (Elopura).

Tan and Au had quit SAPP eventhough the party said it was yet to see their resignation letters.

Source: http://akimomogun.blogspot.com/2008/10/sabah-united-party-sup.html

Zaid Ibrahim- The Man with Pride

The honourable Zaid Ibrahim you are really a man with principles. You win a lot of respect from the rakyat of Malaysia.

It's in the history of Malaysia that you dare to quit the minster post. You are the 1st Minister to quit unlike those ministers thought they are (were) wrong but, never dare they quit!

You win the highest respect from the rakyat through out the country.

Keep on fighting for the sake of rakyat.

Background of Zaid Ibrahim

Background

Born in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Zaid started his law studies in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam (or Institut Teknologi Mara (ITM) as it was known then) by taking his LL.B (Hons.) External Programme which was conducted by the University of London. Upon graduating from ITM, he went to London and was accepted as a Barrister-at-Law, Inner Temple. In 1987 he founded Zaid Ibrahim & Co., which as of 2008 is the largest law firm in Malaysia with over 140 lawyers.^[1]

In 2000, he joined UMNO, becoming Kota Bharu UMNO division chief a year later. He was later suspended but became Kelantan Umno deputy liaison chief two years later. Zaid contested and won the Parliamentary seat of Kota Bharu in the 2004 general election.^[2] However, UMNO dropped him as a candidate in the 2008 general election. It suffered heavy losses, including the 2/3rds majority necessary in the Dewan Rakyat to pass amendments to the Constitution.

Zaid is known for his criticism of the government's handling of legal issues such as the judiciary, human rights and Islamic law. He supported the establishment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam Video Clip, criticising the government's initial response to the clip, which allegedly revealed fixing of judicial decisions and graft in the judiciary.^[3]

[edit] Becoming Minister

When Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reshuffled his Cabinet after the just concluded 2008 general election, he appointed Zaid as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department to oversee legal affairs and judicial reform.^[4]

Zaid succeeded Nazri Aziz, who had previously held the portfolio, but as of 2008 continues to be a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department tasked with parliamentary affairs. Zaid was also appointed as senator to the Dewan Negara on March 18 so he could take up his Cabinet posting.^[5] His appointment was greeted by The Economist as the "most promising" in the new Cabinet.^[3]

His appointment as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of reforming the judiciary, which has been riddled with scandals, especially following the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam Video Clip, is seen as an attempt by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to weed out corruption and instill public respect and confidence in the judiciary.

Following his appointment as a Minister, Zaid resigned from all his posts in Zaid Ibrahim & Co., and relinquished his shares in the company. He was replaced as chairman by Nik Norzul Thani, who said the firm was implementing a succession plan they drew up after Zaid's election in 2004.^[1]

Within days of his appointment as Minister, Zaid stated that the government had to openly apologise for its handling of the 1988 Judicial Crisis, which saw the sacking of the then Lord President of the Supreme Court, Tun Salleh Abas, from his seat. Zaid called it one of his three main goals: "In the eyes of the world, the judicial crisis has weakened our judiciary system."^[6] However, he rejected the idea of reviewing the decision: "I am not suggesting that we re-open the case. I am saying that it’s clear to everyone, to the world, that serious transgressions had been committed by the previous administration. And I believe that the prime minister is big enough and man enough to say that we had done wrong to these people and we are sorry."^[7]

The Bar Council welcomed the proposal. Newly-appointed Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad also voiced support: "The Government has apologised for so many other things to the people, such as the untimely destruction of temples and other issues. So, why not an apology to a former Lord President?"^[8]

After criticizing the arrests of three prominent individuals—Democratic Action Party MP Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, and journalist Tan Hoon Cheng—under the Internal Security Act, Zaid resigned from the Cabinet on September 15, 2008.^[9]

Family

Zaid is married to Datin Suliana Shamsuddin Alias; the couple have three children. In 2008, he was one of four Malaysians named by Forbes in its list of generous and interesting philanthropists in Asia.^[2]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b "Zaid quits his law firm", The Star (2008-03-24). Retrieved on 2008-03-24.
^ ^a ^b "New ministers and deputy ministers", The Star (2008-03-19). Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
^ ^a ^b "Shuffling deckchairs", The Economist (2008-03-19). Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
^ "Big surprises as Umno stalwarts dropped…and return", New Straits Times (2008-03-18). Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
^ Loh, Deborah (2008-03-18). "'It's going to be one hell of a Parliament'", New Straits Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
^ McIntyre, Ian (2008-03-23). "Zaid: Govt has to apologise to victims of 1988 judicial crisis", The Star. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
^ "Healing the judiciary - first serious move in 20 years welcomed by Bar Council", The Malaysian Insider (2008-03-23). Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
^ "Bar Council backs Salleh apology move", The Star (2008-03-24). Retrieved on 2008-03-24.
^ "Malaysian minister quits in furore over crackdown", AFP, September 15, 2008.

External links

Zaid Ibrahim & Co.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaid_Ibrahim

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/56/biz_philanthropy08_Zaid-Ibrahim_BBUS.html

Champion of Unpopular Causes

Ioannis Gatsiounis

Zaid Ibrahim, a Kuala Lumpur lawyer, stepped up to help the disabled. His fight for democracy is a tougher battle.

Zaid Ibrahim
02.27.08, 10:00 PM ET

©AP

Country: Malaysia
Age: 57

Owns the country's largest law firm, Zaid Ibrahim & Co.

Started the Kelantan Foundation for the Disabled in 1998. It serves 2,400 people suffering from Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/personalfinance/2008/02/27/asia-altruists-philanthropy-biz-philanthropy08-cx_jk_0227altruists_land.html?partner=whiteglove_google

Monday, October 6, 2008

A Man with Higher Calling

Raja Petra, Our Hero

He speaks and writes for Sabahan.
He speaks and writes for Sarawak.
He speaks and writes for West Malaysia.

Publish Post

He speaks and writes for Malaysia.

He speaks and writes for everyone of us.
He is our hero.

Separate but equal

15 Sep 08 : 9.00AM

By N Shashi Kala and Ooi Ying Nee
shashikala@thenutgraph.com, ooiyingnee@thenutgraph.com

THE establishment of Malaysia was much like a marriage. Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak entered into matrimony on 16 Sept 1963. Indonesia and the Philippines spoke out against the union instead of forever holding their peace.

Despite the opposition, the four regions pledged unity as a single, sovereign federation, promising to be faithful and equal partners in good times and in bad, in joy and in sorrow.

And they lived happily ever after.

Or didn’t.

Fast forward 45 years after the union. Singapore has, since 1965, seceded from Malaysia. The relationship between Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak is no longer sacrosanct, a marriage rocked with broken promises. The East Malaysian states have “descended” in ranks to become no more than a wronged spouse in an unfortunate union, with West Malaysia enjoying political supremacy and socio-economic advantage.

“Sarawak and Sabah feel that we have been sidelined. There is still that uneasy feeling [that begs us to question], ‘Are we really part of the three regions (i.e. Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak)?’” says Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Seri Dr James Jemut Masing.

Source: http://www.thenutgraph.com/separate-but-equal

Tham: MCA's Donald Lim arrogant

Aki Momogun http://akimomogun.blogspot.com/

Sabah former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Tham Nyib Shen said it was very arrogant for MCA Vice President Datuk Donald Lim to ask Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman to appoint Sabah MCA only Assemblyman Datuk Edward Khoo to replace Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah as Sabah Deputy Chief Minister.

"I know Datuk Edward Khoo is very keen to be Deputy Chief Minister but for Lim to demand for it publicly is an insult to the Chief Minister," Tham said in a statement Sunday.

Tham, who had resigned from Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), was responding to Lim's statement Saturday that the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister post should be given to Khoo and also MCA be allowed to contest 10 state and five parliamentary seats in Sabah.

"MCA should first look after its own backyard, especially to better unite its leaders and members, instead of demanding for the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister's post and more seats to contest, " Tham said.

He also said that it made no sense for Lim to demand for more seats in Sabah when MCA had done badly in its home base in Peninsula Malaysia during the March 8, 2008 general elections.

Tham also reminded Lim and Khoo not to use their respective government positions as a `bargaining chip' in their political pursuit yo gain supports, especially in the coming MCA election.

"It's very unethical, ungentlemen and wicked to use government post to fish for votes," he said.

Source: http://akimomogun.blogspot.com/

Donald Lim Directs the CM Of Sabah to change the DCM to MCA YB

MCA-vice President Donald Lim Directs the CM Of Sabah to change the DCM to MCA YB.

I wonder on what ground the Vice-President dared to order our Sabah CM to replace DCM Raymond Tan to MCA Edward Khoo. Who is he? If he is so daring why he doesnot dare to ask our PM to appoint the MCA chief to become a DPM? Don't dare you try to teach Sabahan what to do! Teach your own boss before you teach others!

Are you not shame your party has only 1 YB in Sabah and you ask the CM to appoint him as a DCM, how about party PBS? The party has more than one YBs.Please keep your month shut, this is Sabah it's not up to you to shout! Why don't you shout as tne MB or CM of Johore, Trengganu, Malaka, Pahang and states that rule by BN to appoint your party YBs.

Don't think you are thousand miles from KL then dare you shout. Show your braveness in front of PM!

You want MCA to stand for more seats in Sabah? Dare you ask UMNO in the West Malaysia to give more seats for your party to contest in the coming election. If UMNO refuses I recommend your party leave BN then you can stand for all the 222 parliamentary seats and all the states seats !

Good luck to you.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Former ISA detainee Dr Jeffrey Kitingan always hungry

ISA detainee Jeffrey always hungry

Joe Fernandez | Oct 4, 08 6:19pm

MalaysiaKini

Former Internal Security Act detainee Dr Jeffrey Gimpoi Kitingan remembers being hungry all the time while in two-year detention in the early 90s.

MCPX

“It was not because we were not given any food. Our rations were meagre,” recalled Kitingan, who is Sabah PKR chief. “So we had to supplement our rations.”

Supplementing the rations was easier said than done.
Unlike at the canteens in normal prisons, where one could buy food and drinks, the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak didn’t have any such facilities.

However, as luck would have it, Kitingan and four of his fellow inmates managed to catch a small snake on two occasions and a bird on a third occasion.

Barbecued snakes and bird

They set a trap to one side of the courtyard where they were allowed to exercise, and made a barbecue of the animals over a crude fire.

Their luck however ran out after that.

dr jeffrey kitingan They didn’t snare a single animal for the rest of their stay there. The animal population around Kamunting must have been depleted by the hundreds of thousands of hungry detainees who made their way through Kamunting over the years.

“During that time, you could see all of us in the camp getting skinny,” said Kitingan, who was held for allegedly planning to take Sabah out of Malaysia. He denied the charges.

Kitingan was briefing journalists on the growing controversy over the “food” that Seputeh parliamentarian Teresa Kok was given during her recent one-week ISA detention. The MP had described it as “similar to dog food”.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has rebutted, without giving any specific details, that ISA detainees are served with “standard fare according to established procedures”.

Marina Lee Abdullah, the wife of detained blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, has also complained that her husband has not been taking the food served to him because “it smells”.

According to Kitingan, the menu during his time in detention was:

Breakfast: A slice of bread, a bit of butter and sugar, and a plastic cup of coffee;

Lunch: A plastic “ta pau” of food wrapped in old newspapers which were a welcome read. The food was plain rice with either a small cut fish or chicken;

Dinner: Same as lunch.

The longer the detention, the worse the food gets

Kitingan, who has many times called for the ISA to be abolished, suggests the government review the food served to ISA detainees at all levels: the initial 60-day detention period; the two years’ detention; and the subsequent two years or more.

Apparently, the longer the detention period, the “worse” the food becomes. The Public Complaints Bureau has since vowed to look into complaints about the food served to ISA detainees but has come under flak from Hamid for “interfering in another ministry’s job”.

“Food is also a very subjective matter. It depends on the individual’s background,” said Kitingan. “We adapted to it because of our kampung background. Perhaps Kok was not used to such food.”

When Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) pulled out from the Barisan Nasional on the eve of General Elections in 1990, Kitingan was faulted as “the advisor”.
Then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had him incarcerated under the draconian ISA, which allows for detention without trial, on what was later referred to as “cooked-up charges”.

PBS is headed by Kitingan’s brother, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, and his nephew, Dr Maximus Jonity Ongkili, the federal minister for science, technology and innovation.

Ongkili also did a spell in detention under the ISA but was released early after his elder brother and a former Sabah deputy chief minister, the late Dr James Ongkili, saw Mahathir personally and appealed for his brother’s release.

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/90709

Dr Jeffrey Kitingan Blog

Petronas must be transparent on where billion$ went: PKR

Kota Kinabalu: Petronas needs to be fully transparent and correct the misperception that Sabahans have hardly gained from its operations and revenue.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said that in view of the sudden fuel price hike “it is pertinent to raise several issues pertaining to Petronas, which most people are unaware of.”

More so in the face of several revelations, such as that oil wells in Sabah will dry up six years from now.

He said in a statement Monday that since Petronas “could go bust in 2018″, Sabahans had the right to ask where all the huge amounts of Petronas money had gone to?”.

Dr Jeffrey questioned if Petronas was managed so badly that despite it being the nation’s biggest money earner, it was now facing the possibility of going bust.

“The main problem is that…the Petronas agreements have been classified secret. Why? What clauses are in the agreement that the people should not know?” he asked.

He said this secrecy also included Petronas’ annual report, which is shielded from public scrutiny, making it an organisation without public accountability.

“The other shocking revelation that has came to my knowledge is that 80 per cent of the oil produced by Petronas is not sold directly to the world market but channelled through six ‘option holders’ who obtain the supply from Petronas at below market prices.

“These option holder agents are the ones reaping the benefits in the oil price hikes. Who are these people? Why are they there in the first place?

Why had such a system been created for Petronas?” he asked.

Dr Jeffrey said he learnt that only 20 per cent of Petronas’ supply is sold through direct open bidding.

He claimed that through these arrangements, Petronas was sadly not maximising its revenue and incurred incalculable losses for the nation and for the people.

“The Members of Parliament and the State Government should boldly raise this issue in the Parliament and directly with the Federal Government, respectively for the benefit of Sabah,” he said.

He said leaders of the oil producing states should also seek for a review of the oil royalty rate and push for a differentiation of prices and benefits for between oil producing states and non-oil producing states.

“This review is being offered by the alternative government (Pakatan Rakyat), which is committed to giving the oil-producing states at least 20pc oil royalty,” he said.

Dr Jeffrey said PKR also demanded that the system of having the six option holders be abolished.

A new system should be created in which the three oil-producing states are in control of the marketing arm of Petronas, to make make Petronas trade directly in the world market with the aim of maximising revenue for the benefit of the nation.

“If the Federal Government truly wants to be responsible and accountable to the people as it claims it wants to be, it can begin to prove its sincerity for excellent governance by looking into the problems with Petronas,” he said.

Source: http://borneowarrior.com/drjeffrey/

Wiki of Yong Teck Lee:

Party SAPP quitting Barisan Nasional: The bold move of ex-CM of Sabah

Yong Teck Lee

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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10th Chief Minister of Sabah
Yong Teck Lee
In office 1996 – 1998
Preceded by	Datuk Salleh Mohd Said
Succeeded by	Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok

Born	3 October 1958 (1958-10-03) (age 50) Lahad Datu, Sabah
Political party	Sabah Progressive Party
Spouse	Datin Stella Kong Yin Kiun

Datuk Yong Teck Lee (born October 3, 1958) is a former Sabah Chief Minister. He is currently the president of the Sabah Progressive Party, one of the component parties that make up the ruling Barisan Nasional government coalition in Malaysia. He is currenly married to Datin Stella Kong Yin Kiun and they have four children.

Political History

He is a lawyer by profession and entered politics in 1985, by joining the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). He rose quickly to become party assistant information chief and Housing and Local Government Assistant Minister in the same year. He also served as Likas State Assemblyman before being appointed Assistant State Finance Minister and party deputy president in 1989.

He was soon made Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and MInister for Industrial Development one year later. In 1994, Yong resigned from PBS after a fallout with party president Joseph Pairin Kitingan over the selection of candidates for the general election that year.

One day after his resignation, Yong formed the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), together with PBS dissidents including Geoffrey Yee Lung Fook, Tham Nyip Shen, Au Kam Wah, Tan Kit Sher, Joseph Chia Swee Chung and Philip Yong Chiew Lip. In 1996, Yong became Sabah's 10th Chief Minister. He was appointed as such under the rotation system introduced by the then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed. He held the post until 1998, where the post was taken over by Bernard Dompok, also under the rotation system. In 1999, Yong stood for election for the Gaya Parliamentary seat and won with a 4,117 vote majority. He garnered 156,315 votes to defeat Goh Chin Lok @ Johnny Goh of PBS and Hamzah Haji Abdullah of PAS.

However Yong was charged by the Elections Court in 2002 with commiting corrupt practices in the 1999 state elections, of which he subsequently lost his Likas state seat and Gaya parliamentary seat. It was found by the High Court in 1999 that the electoral roll for the state assembly district of Likas tainted with illegal voters. The results of that election was declared void. Following this, Yong served a five year ban for an election offence, but tried to make a comeback in the 2008 general election, but failed to wrangle the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat held by Parti Bersatu Sabah.

No-confidence vote against Prime Minister

On June 19, 2008, Yong Teck Lee declared that his party had lost confidence in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He claimed that the party's two members of Parliament (Sepanggar and Tawau) would support a motion for a vote of no confidence against the prime minister in the coming Parliament. Speculation is rife that the party will pull out of the Barisan Nasional coalition and defect to the Pakatan Rakyat alliance. ^[1]

The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is currently investigating SAPP chief Datuk Yong Teck Lee over the alleged payment of RM5mil, from the sale of shares belonging to a state-owned company to his agents in 1996 when he was Sabah chief minister.

Blog of SAPP: http://sapphq.blogspot.com/

Are You Going? Open House of PKR

MAJLIS RUMAH TERBUKA EIDULFITR DATUK SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM & PIMPINAN KeADILan

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan seluruh pimpinan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KeADILan) berbesar hati menjemput saudara-saudari untuk sama-sama memeriahkan Majlis Rumah Terbuka Eidulfitr pada hari Ahad, 12 Oktober 2008.

Berikut adalah butiran Majlis Rumah Terbuka:

Tarikh: 12 Oktober (Ahad)
Masa: 2–5 petang
Tempat: Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur

Bagi mengelakkan kesesakan, digalakkan menggunakan pengangkutan awam:

1) Pengguna LRT boleh menggunakan stesen Kampung Baru dan berjalan ke arah ‘Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa’, sebelum melintasi jalan untuk ke KSS. Jarak berjalan kaki kira kira 250 meter.

2) Pengguna Monorail boleh menggunakan stesen Jalan Sultan Ismail (berhampiran Concorde Hotel) berjalan ke arah Kg. Baru - Hotel Renaissance. Jarak berjalan kaki kira 350 meter.

Pejabat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia Artist Unity: This Is My Home

HERE IN MY HOME

Verse 1

Hold on brother hold on

The road is long. We’re on stony ground

But I’m strong. You ain’t heavy

Verse 2

Oh there’s a misspoken truth that lies

Colors don’t bind, oh no.

What do they know? They speak falsely.

Chorus

Here in my home

I’ll tell you what its all about

There’s just one hope here in my heart

One love undivided

That’s what it’s all about

Please won’t you fall in one by one by one with me?

Verse 3

Push back sister won’t you push back?

Love won’t wait. Just keep pushing on.

Yes I’m strong. You ain’t heavy.

Verse 4

Oh don’t you worry about that…

What we have shadows can’t deny

Don’t you know it’s now or never?

Rap

[Bahasa Malaysia]

Bertubi asakan berkurun lamanya

Hati ke depan mencari yang sayang

translation: Years of fears and years of tribulation

The heart keeps searching for that endless devotion

[Mandarin]

手牵手大家一起走，我代表华人开口未来就没有丢走

phonetics: shou qian shou da jia yi qi zou

wo dai biao hua ren kai kou wei lai jiu mei you diu zou

translation: Hand in hand we’ll march like blood brothers

I speak for my people we’ll find peace forever

[Tamil]

இந்த பயணம் பயணம்.. என் வெற்றி தாகம்,

அந்த கனா காலம்.. நம் வெற்றி ராகம்,

நண்பா.. நண்

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Kickdefella and his Explosive News - What U Did In Raya

A Brave Man
2nd Oct

2007 Hari Raya

http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/about/

Background

Sheih or also fondly known amongst closed friends and school mates as Udeeng and Ghoip, born in 1970 and this Kelantanese kampong boy received his early education in Sekolah Rendah Sultan Ismail (2) Kota Bharu, before joining Sekolah Menengah Sains Kelantan (now Sekolah Menengah Sains Tengku Faris Petra) in Pengkalan Chepa Kelantan in 1983. He also spent a short time in Sekolah Menengah Sultan Ismail Kota Bharu before being accepted to Sekolah Menengah Teknik Kuala Lumpur in 1986.

In 1988, Sheih returned to Kelantan to do his form sixth in Sultan Ismail College Kota Bharu. In 1990, he was accepted to pursue his first degree under the School of Communication in Universiti Sains Pulau Pinang. Sheih spent 4 years in Pulau Pinang where he majored in Film and Television and Performing Arts and graduated in 1994 with Bachelor in Communications (Hons).

In year 2000, Sheih was accepted to do his Master in Arts (M.A) in Film Studies in University of Nottingham and Master in Science (M.Sc) in European Cinema in University of Edinburgh but due to the lack of fund, he has to forgo the opportunity.

Sheih begins his 14 years spell in the film industry by directing an experimental film Lautan di Waktu Subuh, the 16mm, 5 minutes movie tailored from the poetry by Zaihasra. In 1993, Sheih moves from experimental genre to drama with political theme that soon became his trademark. Karamnya Bahtera Merdeka a.k.a The Cries of An independent Child (again shot in 16mm) was screened in Tokyo and nominated for best picture. This was followed by the award winning Potret Seorang Patriot (16mm), which won the best feature in 1994. Potret Seorang Patriot is a movie about a deposed President combating for freedom from the revolutionary regime.

In his early days as filmmaker, Sheih was strongly influenced by Costa Gavras and his ‘Z’. In 1995, Sheih wrote Bicara Tentang Kita, a mini series based on the speculation regarding Mahathir-Anwar relationship and the power struggle in UMNO, which he then directed. Unfortunately, it was banned a year later. In 1999, Sheih was awarded the Best Story in The Malaysian Film Festival for his piece, Perempuan Melayu Terakhir. The Movie went on to win 5 other major awards and The Director, Puan Erma Fatima won recognition in Pyongyang for the film. Beginning year 2000, Sheih works on few less political subjects while concentrating in advancing his studies.

Sheih has toiled on more than 200 hrs of television series, feature film and non-fictional program. He also has written more than 40 scripts. Among his memorable works are television movies Earl Grey & Kopi Kampong, YB & Thuraya, Kuartet Merdeka and Neek Hardware & Muthu Schumacher. Sheih also add a 35mm feature film, Persona Non Grata to his credit in 2005, which won him the award for the Most Promising Director, a year later. The movie was then selected to represent Malaysia in the Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Taipei in 2006.

In the same year, Sheih joined Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) where he tutored Television Production and Screenplay. He left UTAR in April 2007 to return to his hometown in Kelantan.

Sheih is married to Bariah Ishak, his course mate in university and they are blessed with three sons and a daughter.

On 20th August 2008, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, The Prime Minister of Malaysia accused Sheih as being evil for running the campaign on flying the Malaysian flag up side down as a mark of ‘Nation in Distress’ in protest of the political and economic turmoil faced by the people of Malaysia due to dreadful policy and unwarranted action taken by the Government and too much time spent on politics by the Malaysian Members of Parliament. The Prime Minister had called the Police to scrutinize Sheih’s action, which followed by the statement by The Deputy Inspector General of Police announcing an investigation paper was opened to investigate Sheih under the Sedition Act.

However on 22nd August, Deputy Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah claimed that Sheih’s action is not a sign of disrespect towards the National Flags according to the existing law and called for the lawmakers to push of a new law.

On 17th September 2008, The Malaysian Police used the Sedition Act 1948 Section 4(1) to arrest Sheih in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Sheih is alleged of instigating other bloggers and blog readers to fly the National Flag up side down as a mark of ‘Nation in Distress’. He spent a night in Kota Bharu District Police’s lockup.

Sheih was brought to the Kota Bharu magistrate court on the next day where the Police tried to obtain a 4-day remand order. However, Police barely managed to obtain a one-day remand order from The Magistrate Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Amalin Aisyah Putri Ibni Tengku Ismail Petra.

Sheih was then transferred to Kuala Lumpur where he was ordered to be detained in the notorious Pudu Prison. However he was then moved to Dang Wangi Police lockup.

On the 19th September 2008, Police attempted to extend the remand order for another 3 days but was denied by the Jalan Duta Magistrate Court. The Magistrate Puan Fadzlin Suraya Dato’ Mohd Shah, however permitted a one-day extension.

Sheih was released on the 20th September 2008 on a one-month police bail due to end on the 17th October 2008.

FREE ALL ISA DETAINEE

FREE ALL ISA DETAINEE'S NOW!!!

THE DETAINEE'S:

Yazid Sufaat, Suhaimi Mokhtar, Dr Abdullah Daud, Shamsuddin Sulaiman, Mat Shah Mohd Satray, Abdul Murad Sudin, Zaini Zakaria, Zainun Rashid, Wan Amin Wan Hamat, Sulaiman Suramin, Sufian Salih, Mohd Khaider Kadran, Hasim Talib, Zakaria Samad, Ahmad Zakaria, Terhamid Dahalan, Abdul Rahman Ahmad, Mahfudi Saifudin, Mulyadi, Arifin, Mat Tarmizi Zakaria, Artas Burhanudin, Francis Indanan, Mohd Nazri Dollah, Mohd Arsad Patangari, Adzmi Pindatun, Idris Lanama, Aboud Ghafar Shahril, Jeknal Adil, Binsali Omar, Husin Alih, Yussof Mohd Salam, Ahmad Jamal Azahari, Pakana Selama, Kasem Dayama, Shaykinar Guat, Argadi Andoyok, Ng How Chuang, Ng Keat Seng, Mohd Azuan Aniffa, Mohd Faizol Shamsuddin, Zulfikli Abu Bakar, Zulfikli Marzuki, Amir Hussain, Mohd Nasir Ismail, Ahmad Kamil Hanafiah, Muh Amir Hanafiah, Tan Choon Chin, Mavalavan, Lian Kok Heng, Sundaraj Vijay, San Khaing, Shadul Islam, Abdul Sattar Sarjoon, Faycal Mamdouh, Mohamad Nakhrakhel, Muhammad Shuaib Hazral Bilal, Muhammad Zahid Zahir Shah, T Vasanthakumar, P Uthayakumar, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau, M Manoharan and YM Raja Petra Kamarudin.

Wee Choo Keong Blog Address

I like the design and tagline of this banner - serve people first. YB Wee's new address is http://weechookeong.wordpress.com/. His determination to serve people reminded me a song "Don't Give Up" by Josh Groban.

You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) lyrics

Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When your heart's heavy
I...I will lift it for you

Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I...I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When you're lost inside
I...I will be there to find you

Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I...I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

You are loved
Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
Don't give up
Every one needs to be heard
You are loved

Friday, October 3, 2008

BUM 2008 - Zorro and Rocky Bru

RPK: GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH

GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH

Posted by kasee

Tuesday, 30 September 2008 12:51

no-holds-barred

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

I was perturbed when I read YB Teresa Kok’s statement that the food under ISA detention is equivalent or slightly better than dog food. It costs RM8 to feed a dog, according to the Malay Mail survey and only RM4.50 to feed on ISA detainees.

I feed my cats and fish premium food such as science diet and would never dream of feeding my pets the food that we are fed here. I actually stopped eating the food here after the first couple of days because it gave me diarrhea.

A couple of nights ago I vomited after eating the food and now I cannot even stand the sight or smell of the trays that they send to our cell twice a day.

I now survive on dates and plain water and I suppose if that is good enough for camels to survive in the Arabian Desert, it should be good enough for me.

I was told camels have a healthy sex drive and I would like to believe it because of the date that is my staple food. Of cause, there is no way I can test this theory until I come safely out of this place.

Actually, food is the least of my worries at this point of time. I am presently in three months solitary confinement and the only pussy I get to see is this mangy cat that somehow has found its way into my cellblock to sleep outside my locked door.

It has not rained since I arrived here a week ago and I was told Kamunting has not seen any rain for the last few weeks.

The heat in the cell is unbearable and the air is very stuffy.

The uncomfortable environment does help to put your mind off your growling stomach.

I am what they call under orientation. This three months' orientation I suppose is to get me used to the 2 years I am going to spend here.

One of my favorite classics that I used to read in Standard 1 is the Tale of Two Cities, which is about the French Revolution. I can now better appreciate the battle cry “give me liberty or give me death”. They say you appreciate something only after it has been taken away from you. Today, my liberty is at the top of my priority list. But I know it shall not come soon and it shall not come easy and it shall only come if there is a change of government and if the new government fulfills its promise to abolish the ISA.

Source:http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/13266/84/