LABUAN NEW BUS TERMINAL STOPPED WORK

TERMINAL.....Half finished Labuan bus terminal idling with no work.

THE NEW Labuan bus terminal under construction has yet faced another stop work since the last time and the work site is at a total stand still for three months now. It is not sure when the work can be resumed.

The Labuan DAP Chief Lau Seng Kiat went to inspect the job site and found there are not work activities and some workers are sitting there playing with children. He asked what happened to the work and why the contractor is not finishing the work.

He was told that the workers are not being paid for three months now and they are not going to work without pay. The workers are given only some pocket money to buy food.

Judging on what we can be seen on site that the work progress there is already jammed and stuck. This is the second times that the construction of the bus terminal has stopped work, and it is obvious that there is something very wrong in this project.

Lau said that the completion of the new bus terminal is very important to solve the present bus parking problems and the traffic jam in the town centre. The new bus terminal also can effectively provide a more conducive condition for the commuters in Labuan town, especially when the new market is eventually completed next to it. This will be able to house all the buses on the island, and it is going to be big enough to cater for future increased number of buses.

The question is when can it be completed and it seems that there is going to be another long delay before it can be operational. What happen to the Ministry of Federal Territory, why are they not taking action on the contractor, or rather the government has no money to continue to pay the contractor?

No matter what it is, this has indicated that there is definitely something serious wrong with the execution of the contract. The government is to be blamed and held responsible for the foul arrangement and on the appointment of the contractor from last time till now.

The Sabah DAP KK Member of Parliament Hiew King Cheu shall raise the question on this issue in the coming sitting of the new Parliament session in March. Lau said this is a hot topic among the people in Labuan and the people here are beginning to wonder whether they will elect someone who can do the job properly or not. A simple job of building a bus shelter can stop work twice and that is unacceptable. - Sabahkini

PAIRIN SHOULD PAY 'SOGIT'

AS A VETERAN activist of Sabah issues, I would like to advise my old friend Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the President of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) who is also the Huguan Siou of the Kadazandusuns, to consider paying 'Sogit' to his younger bother Dr Jeffrey, if indeed he has uttered the word 'Mendiang' (the late) on his brother.

If Pairin really and actually did utter the word 'mendiang' on Jeffrey in Beluran as claimed by some, I advise Pairin to promptly do the honourable thing to pay 'sogit' in the form of one buffalo, a pig and a chicken as is the way of our custom when one utter such word on a living person.

As Chief Custodian of the Kadazandusuns Customs and Laws, Pairin knows best what to do in cases like this. So please be honourable so that everything is balanced again.

(NOTE : Lojingki, 71, was active together with the late Peter Mojuntin in now-defunct UNKO in the 1960s. Lojingki who claimed once a close friend of Pairin and many PBS leaders, had recently joined the State Reform Party (STAR) and was appointed its state committee member.) - Sabahkini

KG TOGUNG NOT IN BN CONSTITUENCY?

WOODEN.....Edward inspecting the small wooden bridge.

THE timber bridge in the remote Kg Togung next to the Kokol road in Menggatal is facing a potential collapse, and it is too small for bigger and heavy vehicles.

The people who live in this very remote village have requested for the help of the Sabah DAP vice chairman Edward Ewol Mujie in the DAP Inanam service centre yesterday for fear that one day a car will fall into the stream here.

The timber of the bridge is getting rotten fast. If the bridge is not replaced, they fear that they will be unable to reach to the other side of the village. There are at least 48 families live here.

Edward immediately went on site to inspect this small wooden bridge, and he took quite sometime to search for this remote village even with the map that was handed to him by the villagers. The condition of the village road is very poor and looks like never being maintained at all.

After speaking to the villagers here he said that the road is indeed needed upgraded and proper road surface should be done. At the moment it is half asphalt and half earth road with little bit of aggregates. It will be impossible for the villages to get home when it rains. It will be dangerous to drive and may anytime end up in the ditches or stream if not careful enough.

Edward urges the authorities like the JKR and the Rural Development office to come to see and plan immediately to upgrade the bridge and the road. He promised the people there he will come back to check to see whether the authorities do their job or not.

GRAVEL The village road leading to Kg Togung, Kokol road.

NFC: Cows, condos and now supermarkets! What will the Singaporeans think!

In today's unfettered world of cyberspace and social media, there are so many things to read and comment on. The only difference is whether we write and comment intelligently and not get too personal or to rebut too sensationally.

There are also those 'spoilers' who like to use reams of electronic space, which while free is still a waste, to impose their views on other readers. Those of you who spam grandiose-sounding but basically stupid comments into articles that are not your cup of tea should know who you are. In fact, there are many such trolls who frequent Malaysia Chronicle.

An overdone roasting by our own press, whatever their motive

But anyway, back to the main matter, which is the headline fronted by the Malay Mail and I quote, S'PORE SUPERMART 'INVESTMENT' POSER, etc, etc. We hear from the paper a furiously-worded one-sided presentation of the whole episode, which is basically the slew of new NFC allegations made by the two young PKR leaders, Rafizi Ramli and Zuraida Kamaruddin, while DAP and PAS sing in the chorus to add to the volume.

NFC directors, as usual, insist that their 'sideline business' does not constitute abuse but is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the RM250 million loan granted for the 'cow project'. To them, it is the frustrated people in the opposition who are accusing them of the "cows and condos" scandal to the extent that they are now accused of being in the "supermarket and restaurant business" in of all places, Singapore. Sigh, how the kiasu Singaporeans must be laughing at us!

I am wondering about the veracity of all this speculation from the 'brilliant' members of our opposition. But if it is true what's next? Not only do the people need to know the truth, but the government also needs to get to the bottom of such unbelievable and extensive abuse of corporate governance.

What are our next steps? Do we need a "White Paper" on this issue, like the one made famous by Uncle Lim Kit Siang? Will the Pakatan Rakyat next demand for another Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the matter, and will there henceforth be endless Commissions without focus or actions!

So much trouble when we already are so troubled by the global economic scenario. But can we close both eyes and not do anything? Can Prime Minister Najib Razak afford not to act on the NFC and the Shahrizats?

Not everything has to be a conspiracy, not all cases are intentionally delayed

I bear no malice against the Shahrizat family as I do not have any vested interest. I am just an ordinary blogger who cares and thinks fit to comment on such fantastic reports, which must be tracked down and be either proven or debunked.

At 69 years of age, I am just like Tan Sri Yuen, the former Special Branch chief. We are fed-up by the negative politicking and all that is going on this country since the dismissal of Anwar Ibrahim in 1998. Whether you agree he was guilty or not, the sacking harmed many innocent people and divided country.

But my point is, let the police complete their investigation and I urge the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to do their homework as well.Then, it is the responsibility of the Attorney-General to apply the relevant law, either to charge the NFC directors or to dismiss them without calling for their defense.

Sometimes, I do wonder whether the A-G's Chambers is short-handed and lacking in experienced officers with integrity and prudence. There are so many criminal cases piling up and they have to decide on the merits of each case, including those raised by the opposition members.

For example, can anyone count how many legal cases Anwar alone has raised, whether these were justifiable, true or malicious in nature? Sorry brother Anwar, I just wanted to raise a point in passing, relating to Gani Patail's dilemma. Not everything has to be a conspiracy, not all cases are intentionally delayed.

A case like the Shahrizats' is so huge, Malaysians can be sure the PM would want to have it resolved as quickly as possible and not have it dragged through mud like now, when our integrity has become an open target for our neighbors across the Johor Causeway.

I wonder when the Farmrhouse Supermarket is opened for business in the Rochester Mall, will the Singaporeans who shop there think to themselves when they queue up to pay, "Oh this is the one that is owned by the Malaysian cow and condo minister's family. I hear they are fabulously rich and brought over a lot of money to spend here.".

For Malaysia's sake, I pray not.

Datuk Mustapha Ong is an active commentator, a retired diplomat and an Umno supporter. He contributes articles to Malaysia Chronicle now and then.

BN used hospital hall for politics, says NGO

An official at Sungai Buloh Hospital confirms the allegation.

PETALING JAYA: A local NGO has accused Barisan Nasional of misusing a government hospital for political activities.

Furnishing photographs as proof, People’s Welfare and Rights Coalition (POWER) chairman S Gobi Krishnan said Selangor BN on Monday launched its Subang parliamentary election machinery at an auditorium in Sungai Buloh Hospital.

In one photograph, a crowd of people in BN T-shirts are seen gathered in a hall that has a projection screen displaying the words “Majlis Pelancaran Jentera Pilihanraya Barisan Nasional Subang P107″.

Gobi said he obtained the photograph from BN liaison deputy chief Noh Omar’s Tweeter account. He said he had confirmed that the venue was the auditorium at the hospital.

Another photograph shows what Gobi claimed were the same participants outside the hospital. He said he witnessed the event and took photographs.

“I am shocked that BN can misuse a hospital for such activities,” he said. “A hospital is a place for the rakyat to get medical attention. It is not appropriate for hospitals to be used for political activities.”

He is seeking an explanation from the Health Ministry.

“POWER would like to ask the Health Minister, Liow Tiong Lai, whether such activities are permitted by law. The hospital auditorium was built using taxpayer money for activities that are related to health care. So how did it come to be used for an activity of a political party?”

A spokesman for Sungai Buloh Hospital confirmed that BN booked the auditorium for the night of Feb 27.

“We do rent out our auditoriums to third parties, depending on suitability and the availability,” he said. “If it is from outside of the Health Ministry, we charge a standard rental fee of RM200 per hour.”

The spokesperson spoke on condition of anonymity, saying she feared repercussions.

“We were not sure of the reasons the hall was used that night,” she said. “We just provide the venue. We rarely, if ever, rent out to political parties. We usually do allow government agencies and NGOs to use the hall.”

‘The doctor of vile intentions’

Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam continues to draw flak, with the latest salvo coming from the the Railywaymen's Union.

PETALING JAYA: The Railwaymen’s Union of Malaya (RUM) has denounced Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam as a man of “vile intentions”.

RUM president Abdul Razak Md Hassan said that the minister could have stopped Maybank from forming its in-house union, the Maybank Non-Executive Union (Mayneu).

However, by allowing Mayneu to be registered, Abdul Razak claimed that Subramaniam was responsible for trying to divide Malaysia’s unionised workers.

“The forming of the in-house union as a national one is an action of vile intentions by the minister of human resources.

“This action is seen as a deliberate attempt to divide the unity of (Malaysia’s) unionised workers,” he said in a press statement.

Abdul Razak also accused Subramaniam of not taking a stand and allowing the issue to become a national problem.

Local unions, including the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC), have attacked the minister for seemingly supporting moves that would allegedly undermine the country’s workers.

They were angered by the minister’s failure to address the National Union of Bank Employees’ (NUBE) concerns over Maybank sacking two of its staff.

Last month, Maybank sacked NUBE vice-president Abdul Jamil Jalaludeen and its honorary treasurer Chen Ka Fatt for taking part in a trade union activity in Geneva, Switzerland last year.

At the time, the duo – both Maybank employees – had carried a banner that said: “Maybank robs poor Malaysian workers.”

RUM was also frustrated with Subramaniam’s tabling of controversial amendments to the Employment Act 1955, which MTUC said would allow third parties to employ workers.

Abdul Razak took Subramaniam to task for basing these nationwide amendments on the wishes of the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW).

“The union (RUM) wishes to ask if the NUPW is representative of all unions in this country, or if 51% of Malaysia’s workers come from the plantation sector?”

“The minister has to look at the wishes of all unions and workers in Malaysia, and not just at those of the plantation union,” he said.

Abdul Razak claimed that the minister had failed to protect the interests of Malaysia’s workers thus far.

Having enough with Subramaniam, RUM hoped that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak would intervene and restore industrial harmony.

Educate supporters on rule of law, Abim tells political parties

February 29, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 29 — Political leaders should take responsibility and educate their supporters on the rule of law to curb the rise of violence at public rallies, a group representing young Muslims said today.

The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) said the public has had enough of incidents of political violence, which have been on the rise the nearer it gets to fresh elections being called.

“From Abim’s observation, political violence is spreading, especially with this guessing game over the date of the 13th general elections,” Abim president Amidi Abd Manan said in a statement today.

“We do not want these incidents of political violence that frequently happen overseas to spread and corrupt our nation’s stability, peace and harmony,” he added.

Without referring to any specific incident, he pointed to increasing reports of disruptions of public political speeches and rallies, leading to physical injuries and the destruction of property, including incidents of break-ins at the premises and homes of political leaders that have alarmed not just political practitioners but the general public.

Such incidents demonstrate a clear lack of political maturity and understanding of democratic principles among supporters of political parties from both the ruling coalition and opposition pact, at the grassroots level, Amidi said.

He urged all parties to act responsibly and preserve the right to freedom of expression and assembly as provided in the Federal Constitution.

But, he also called on political leaders to educate and control the behaviour and attitude of their supporters to uphold the principles of the rule of law as underlined in the Rukun Negara (the National Philosophy), and to take stern but fair action against those who try to incite violence at those events.

“Truly, the public is repulsed by the political practice of ‘matlamat menghalalkan cara’ (ends justifying the means) that is spreading and we call on all parties to play their role and bring about the principle of a ‘Negara Barakah’ (Blessed Country) that upholds principles, moral values and ethics,” Amidi said.

Allegations of provocation and violent attacks by followers of politicians from both sides of the political divide have increased significantly in the last year.

The latest reports filed with the police come on the heels of a nationwide rally last Sunday to protest Putrajaya’s decision to allow Australian rare earth miner, Lynas Corp, to commence a test run of its controversial RM2.3 billion refinery in Gebeng, Kuantan.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng claimed today that Umno and Perkasa members attacked and injured reporters and press photographers at an anti-Lynas rally in George Town three days ago.

Lim, who is also secretary-general of the DAP, filed a police report yesterday over alleged threats against him by members of the two organisations.

He said today that the same people attacked two reporters who had to seek treatment at the Penang General Hospital.

“Two journalists from Kwong Wah Jit Poh, Chew Seng Tun dan Lee Hong Chun, were beaten and injured.

“This is the second time journalists and members of the public have been threatened by Umno and Perkasa troublemakers without any stern action from the police,” he wrote in an open letter to Inspector General Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

The Bagan MP said that on July 1 last year, two reporters were beaten by Umno and Perkasa demonstrators at Komtar and the Penang Bridge with no subsequent action by the police to date.

Lim alleged that the threats and attacks were made at the Speakers’ Corner in Padang Kota Lama, Penang where about 100 Umno and Perkasa members had tried to disrupt the rally protesting against Lynas Corp’s rare earth plant in Kuantan.

“They used foul language, curse words and racial epithets such as ‘Cina babi, Penang Cina bodoh, babi sokong Lim Guan Eng ketua menteri’.

“The Umno Perkasa members surged forward, pointing their fists at me, again using racist language and threatening words like ‘you jaga’,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Sunday’s rally in Penang was held in solidarity with Himpunan Hijau 2.0 in Kuantan, which saw thousands turn up to demonstrate against the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) in Gebeng on the outskirts of the east coast city.

He added in his letter to the police chief today that “it is clear the behaviour of policemen who kept silent and did not stop the attacks on Penang citizens is unacceptable.”

“I hope stern action will be taken by the police on the guilty parties and such incidences will not be repeated in Penang.”