PAS hits out at May 13 event over racist tones

PAS hits out at May 13 event over racist tones

Terengganu sabahdaily   8:10 AM

Terengganu PAS Youth has criticised a programme organised by the state's Institute for Integrity called ‘Melayu Bangkit’ (Malays Arise).

Saying the programme smacked of racism and a threat to racial harmony in the country, youth head Ustaz Mohd Nor Hamzah said fuelling such a suspicion was the fact that the programme will be held on May 13, 2010.

PIC: A billboard in Kuala Terengganu showing the event's special guest.

"Even more suspicious is that the programme will be held on May 13, a date which is synonym with the 1969 racial riots," he said.

Nor, who said PAS will lodge a police report over the move, urged the organisers to cancel the event.

The event will be held at the state's Sports Complex in Kuala Terengganu at 9.00 am on Thursday. A billboard announcing the event shows a large portrait of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who will be the special guest.

Nor, who is also Bukit Payung state assemblyman, said as a state-owned body, the Terengganu Institute for Integrity should not allign itself with political parties and politicians, such as Gerakan Kebangkitan Rakyat (GERTAK, or People's Awakening Movement), which is headed by Marang UMNO's division chairman.

“It seems that the Institute for Integrity has lost its own integrity," he added.

Nor said the theme 'Malays Arise' was a racist slogan and could not fit into prime minister Najib Razak's '1Malaysia' agenda, adding that the same theme had been used by UMNO in Penang to generate opposition against the Penang state government.

"Such a slogan creates discomfort among the people, especially the non-Malays and those Malays who are not UMNO members," he stressed.

'Uncivilized'

Meanwhile, PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub described the event as "unhealthy" and not suitable at a time when Malaysians were struggling to achieve greater unity.

Referring to a statement by Gertak chairman Razali Idris that May 13 was chosen to create awareness among Malays and remember the bloodshed in 1969, Salahuddin described the action as "uncivilized".

"This statement (by Razali) is serious and clearly shows the intentions behind the choice of the date. PAS views it as something that is very uncivilized," he told newsmen at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. -HD

Guan Eng sells Penang’s success to woo Sibu

Guan Eng sells Penang’s success to woo Sibu

Sarawak sabahdaily   8:39 AM

Lim Guan Eng promised that Pakatan Rakyat will implement Penang’s poverty eradication programme if the pact wins Sarawak, telling Sibu voters they could hasten the change by voting DAP on May 16.

The Penang chief minister had toured two rural Melanau villages and an Iban settlement an hour’s boat ride from the town, boasting of the success of his government’s policy and pledging to do the same for Malaysia’s largest state.

“If you support ‘rocket’ on May 16, we can start the process of change in Sarawak,” declared the DAP secretary-general in his campaign stops to support the party’s state chairman, Wong Ho Leng’s, fourth bid to be Sibu MP.

The Bukit Assek assemblyman is contesting against Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Robert Lau Hui Yew and independent Narawi Haron for the support of Sibu’s 54,695 voters. This is the first by-election contested by DAP since Election 2008. Sibu is also the 11th by-election since the last general election.

The rural villages in Sibu are said to be BN strongholds. In Election 2008, the ruling coalition retained the Sibu seat with the help of Malay/Melanau and Iban voters from villages as it was defeated in the Chinese-dominated town centre’s polling districts.

But Lim received a warm welcome and, at the Rumah Rassau longhouse, sat on a hand-woven screwpine mat, an honour reserved for important guests.

The riverside village has some 400 voters and was home to a small group of active DAP members.

“I am Lim Guan Eng, the chief minister of Penang,” the baby-faced politician introduced himself at all the campaign stops

During his 30-minute visit to the Iban longhouse, Lim said it is time for the community to switch their support to DAP.

Lim (far right) pledged to export Penang’s success story to Sarawak if PR takes over. — Picture by Jack Ooi “You have been under the same administration, under the same party for so many years. It is time for a change,” said Lim.

He described the May 16 by-election as the start of the process of taking over the Sarawak government in the next state election, which must be held by July next year.

Lim also spoke of how the rural community in the state had been neglected by the government despite its vast natural resources.

“This state has timber, oil but unfortunately there are a lot of crocodiles also,” he said to laughter from some 50 villagers who attended his talk.

“You see for yourself who catches the crocodiles, who have been protecting them,” added Lim in reference to corrupt government officials.

He then promised the villagers that Penang’s poverty eradication programme would be carried out in Sarawak if PR took over the state.

“In Penang, when I became the chief minister, the first thing I did was to eradicate hardcore poverty. Similarly here, I don’t want hardcore poverty in Sarawak,” said Lim, adding that his state government handed money to the poor every month.

The Penang has also begun giving RM100 to senior citizens annually, a gesture that has drawn criticisms from BN politicians who called it political bribery.

Lim has countered by saying that BN had spent more in by-elections to win over people, and pointed out that the ruling federal government had spent an estimated RM170 million in a combination of projects and cash handouts in last month’s Hulu Selangor by-election. The Sibu seat was vacated following five-term MP Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew’s death on April 9. He was deputy transport minister.

In Election 2008, Lau won the seat with a 3,549-vote majority, beating Ho Leng and Lim Chin Chuang of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in a three-cornered fight.

Sibu has 54,695 voters, comprising 52,158 ordinary voters and 2,537 postal voters made up of 1,910 military and 627 police personnel.

According to the electoral roll, updated as of April 9, Chinese voters make up almost 67 per cent of the total number of voters, followed by Malay/Melanau (10.5 per cent) and Sarawak Bumiputeras (22 per cent). -MI

DAP Launches Manifesto for Sibu By-Election

DAP Launches Manifesto for Sibu By-Election

Sarawak sabahdaily   8:32 AM

The Sarawak DAP today launched its manifesto for the Sibu parliamentary by-election which touches among other things the issue of employment in the state.

Its candidate Wong Ho Leng, who launched the manifesto here, claimed that there were not enough jobs for the state's youths, forcing them to seek employment elsewhere.

He also listed seven other agenda including a promise to solve Sibu's perennial flood problems within two years.

Wong said the party would invest in human capital and infrastructure to make the town a hub for shipping industry, marine engineering and tourism.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is DAP secretary-general, was among those present.

The by-election on May 16 will see a three-way fight between Barisan Nasional's Robert Lau Hui Yew, Wong and independent candidate Narawi Haron.


- Bernama

BN Candidate Wants to See Sibu Develop Further

BN Candidate Wants to See Sibu Develop Further

Sarawak sabahdaily   8:31 AM

The Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Sibu by-election has a vision.

Should he be elected, Robert Lau Hui Yew wants to further develop the parliamentary constituency.

"My vision is clear... I want Sibu to change, in terms of having better infrastructural developments, living standard and business opportunities to generate jobs and income.

It is my hope to make the town a better place for all, in terms of getting high income salaries and attracting more investments," he told a media conference here today.

Lau, 48, a University of Hull graduate, said although he was new to politics, as compared to his opponent, DAP Wong Ho Leng, 50, a veteran, he was well-nurtured in the field by his late cousin and five-term incumbent Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew.

"I have followed him for a long, long time. We were like brothers and at times, like son and father.

"I know how he had operated, his aspirations and uncompleted works politically, socially and in education development.

"But, this does not mean I am still walking in his shadow. I am my own. Although I want to continue with his good works, I have my own ideas and I belong to the new generation, as well," he said.

Lau, a lawyer, said like other leaders, he would rely on Facebook to interact with the new generation, in particular, and his supporters in general.

"I can get feedback from them, with regard to their aspirations, hope and grievances. In return, I can also use it to convey my message to them," he said.


- Bernama

ABUSE OF IBFC WORK PERMITS

ABUSE OF IBFC WORK PERMITS

Sabah sabahdaily   9:16 AM

THE International Business and Financial Centre (IBFC) formally the LOFSA means a jurisdiction that offers liberal operating environment and low rates of tax as well as ensures confidentiality of investors’ information. Currently, there are more than 70 IBFCs around the world and most of them are located in Europe and the Caribbean.

But is this true that the IBFC is also a bench mark for immigrants to come to the country and set up bogus offshore company while getting the approvals from the immigration departments to stay in the country legally and obtaining work permits to operate onshore business locally here?



It has been known that some foreigners are actually abusing their permits by doing this and the relevant departments are very much aware of it. It’s all under the umbrella of Labuan IBFC! There are a total of 130 expatriates given such Work Permits applied under the Labuan Trust Companies that entitles them to stay here and trade. Meaning once the permit is issued the holder can have his whole family here with him.

In general, Labuan companies are restricted from dealing with Malaysian residents in ringgit, except for defraying administrative and statutory expenses.

Quoted by the Labuan IBFC Chairman Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the offshore regulator has continued to exercise vigilance in anti-money laundering and also said that ‘concrete efforts have been taken, including regular monitoring to ensure that businesses are genuine. In its annual report released in Kuala Lumpur recently it was stated an increase to US$ 249.7 million from US$214.1 in 2008 before tax with its 54 active lenders

Labuan FSA is the role authority responsible for supervising Labuan business activities in Labuan and independent from domestic authorities, except for exchange control and tax matters which is administer by Central Bank of Malaysia and Inland Revenue Board, respectively.

Labuan FSA has implemented policies that facilitate the creation of a competitive and attractive business environment in Labuan. Labuan’s legislative framework is not only business-friendly but also prudent to safeguard Labuan’s international image as a clean and reputable international business and financial centre.

All these are extracts from the Labuan IBFC web sites that explain to us what it’s all about on the outside. Does anyone even bother to find out that what is being preached by them are actually even implemented?

One just has to dig a bit further and you will see more dirt under the carpet. What’s next we will be looking at a few drug cartels coming to invest here in Labuan or more money laundering companies operating as clearly they will be given a three year visa to stay here in Malaysia while also operation in business legally without having to worry from immigration department as its them that issues the final permit upon instructions from the Labuan IBFC and Labuan Trust Companies.

A trend that is already being practiced here and obviously being abused. Such acts would only tarnish the department more. How much the expatriates granted work permits in Labuan have invested here as we know some operates Hotels and Pubs.

It should be made clear that Labuan IBFC should make sure that it keep its name clean and not get involved with all the hanky panky that’s going around here in LABUAN.

By: GREAT LABUAN WARRIOR (GLW)

LANDMARK RULING ON SABAH NATIVE LAND

LANDMARK RULING ON SABAH NATIVE LAND

Sabah sabahdaily   9:10 AM

A NATIVE land case in Sabah that has dragged on in the courts for the last 20 years, the plaintiff passing away in the process, has finally come to an end in the Federal Court and opened the floodgates on thousands of similar cases in the state. The verdict was in favour of the native plaintiff, substituted by his daughter, against a non-native.

The Federal Court, in a landmark decision, has upheld a Court of Appeal decision that a bank is duty-bound to go beyond the Land Office register in matters that involve native land in Sabah.

Ascertaining the legality of ownership will avail itself of the protection given to a bona fide charge, the Federal Court further upheld.

The Federal Court's decision arose from two related questions of law which were referred to it. The resort to the Federal Court followed the granting of leave by the Court of Appeal on April 28, 2008 to International Bank Malaysia Bhd formerly known as Hock Hua Bank (Sabah) Bhd.

Federal Court Justices James Foong Cheng Yuen (left), Raus Sharif and Heliliah Mohd Yusof unanimously dismissed with costs an appeal brought by the bank against a decision of the Court of Appeal on Sept 17, 2007.

The Court of Appeal unanimously upheld a Kota Kinabalu High Court declaration on June 29, 2000.

REINSTATED AS OWNER

In the declaration after a full trial, the KK High Court ruled that Balantai Sinangau be reinstated as the registered owner of Native Title No. 213044378 measuring five acres in Kampung Nosoob, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu. Further, the Court ruled that a memorandum of transfer and memorandum of charge created for the land by Yeo Kee Seng, a non-native, and two other defendants be deleted from the Land Office register.

Balantai had contended that Yeo had become the “owner” of the land by way of a Power of Attorney, which he revoked earlier, and furthermore the latter was not a native. Therefore, the alleged transfer of the land to Yeo was null and void and consequently the charge created by Yeo in favour of the bank was therefore a nullity, Balantai pleaded.

The bank contended that Yeo, as owner of the land, had charged the native land to the bank to secure banking facilities and that the bank was at all material times acting as a bona fide charge of the native land. The land had been charged to the bank for a RM100,000 loan facility 20 years ago.

The bank had intervened and become a party to the suit after Balantai, subsequently substituted by his daughter Lovintih Balantai @ Betty after his death, sued Yeo and the two other defendants for the return of the land.

BANK SHOULD HAVE SUSPECTED YEO

In the 92-page grounds of the decision, delivered by Justice Mohd Ghazali Mohd Yusof sitting with Justice Mokhtar Sidin and Justice Abdul Wahab Patail, the Court of Appeal held that in a transaction involving the native title to be charged, the bank should have been put on guard that Yeo may not be a native and hence his position as a registered owner is suspect.

It said that this should have prompted the bank to seek legal advice from their solicitors to request from Yeo additional proof of ownership. The Court of Appeal cited as an example a copy of an appropriate declaration made by a Native Court pursuant to Section 2 (3) of the Interpretation Ordinance. However, Yeo did not furnish any evidence to show that he was a native, the Court of Appeal noted.

The Court of Appeal further held that, in the absence of any evidence to show that Yeo was a native, the High Court was correct in holding that the transfer of the native title to Yeo and the charge created by Yeo were a nullity by virtue of Section 17 (1) of the Land Ordinance. The Ordinance expressly states that all dealings in native land between non-natives and natives are extremely forbidden and no such dealings shall be valid or shall be recognised in any court of law.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the bank could not claim to be a bona fide charge as the bank had admitted at the trial that their solicitors had only conducted a search of the native title at the Land Office after the memorandum of charge had been lodged and registered.

NOT QUITE RIGHT

The Court of Appeal said that the search conducted on native title revealed past and present caveats, as acknowledged by the bank, and that should have alerted and put the bank on guard that something was not quite right.

It added that this should have prompted the bank to seek further legal advice from their solicitors to obtain additional proof of ownership relating to the native status of Yeo.

The Court of Appeal said that the bank must have knowledge of the restrictions in dealings over land held under native title pursuant to the land laws of Sabah. Hence, they cannot come to court and claim that the title to the said land is a clean title and maintain that they are a bona fide party of value without notice upon registration of a land dealing and indirectly ignoring the law relating to native lands in Sabah.

In the circumstances, the Court of Appeal held that the bank cannot be said to be acting bona fide, and therefore, the registration of the memorandum of Charge upon the Land Office register was a nullity.

By: JOE FERNANDEZ (sabahkini)

SUPP United in Facing Sibu By-election

SUPP United in Facing Sibu By-election

Sarawak sabahdaily   9:07 AM

The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) is united in facing the upcoming Sibu parliamentary by-election, party president Tan Sri Dr George Chan said today.

"We are very happy that the Sibu branch has got one voice. Now, we really need to go to the ground and redouble our ongoing efforts to win," he told a news conference at the party's Sibu branch office, here.


Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had yesterday confirmed SUPP's choice of Robert Lau Hui Yew as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the by-election, saying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had given his approval.

Hui Yew is a second cousin of Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, the federal deputy transport minister whose death on April 9 has necessitated the by-election, nomination for which is on May 8 and polling, on May 16.

"We are 110 per cent behind him (Hui Yew). He has been with the late Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, the five-term MP, for a long, long time. He knows his dreams... his ways of doing things. In his memory, we want to ensure that Robert Lau junior will accomplish all the unfulfilled dreams of Robert Lau senior," said Dr Chan.

Among those with him at the news conference were Sibu Branch chairman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King and Pelawan state assemblyman Vincent Goh Chung Siong.

Dr Chan said the SUPP machinery was unfazed by the challenge posed by the opposition which he added was banking on Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng to "duel" with Hui Yew.

Wong had stood against Hoi Chew in the constituency in 1995, 2004 and 2008 but lost each time.

Dr Chan said he was confident the Chinese voters would remember the good deeds of Hoi Chew and would want someone like Hui Yew to carry on with his unfinished dreams, particularly in education development.

Asked if this would translate into votes for the BN, he said: "Many of our people follow Confucius's values. One of the greatest values is gratitude. I think the Chinese people respect Confucius a lot. I am sure they will know what to do. We don't have to spell it out."


- Bernama

BY ELECTIONS WOULD BRING FUNDS TO SANDAKAN.

BY ELECTIONS WOULD BRING FUNDS TO SANDAKAN.

Sabah sabahdaily   9:07 AM

SABAH Progressive Party (SAPP) said only by-elections could address many problems in Sandakan including the worsening water supply.

SAPP Information Chief Chong Pit Fah said by-elections would forced the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) Government to approve funds immediately and works to rectify the water supply would be carried out on the double.

“Look at Hulu Selangor by-election, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim accused Barisan Nasional of giving huge funds to many resulting Keadilan lost the Parliament seat.

“Anwar claimed that two Chinese independent schools at Hulu Selangor received funds totaling RM4.5 million. It is bigger than the RM4 million grants to all Chinese schools in Sabah for this year.

“So it is worth to call by-elections particularly for Tanjung Papat and Elopura seats so that the government would channel funds immediately and the water problem could be addressed fast,” he said in a statement, here, today.

He said Tanjung Papat and Elopura assemblymen, Datuk Raymond Tan and Au Kam Wah, stay loyal with BN when SAPP pulled out of the coalition government.

However, many problems in Sandakan never been solved even after both of them remained with the ruling coalition, said Pit Fah.

He said, apart from constant energy disruptions and huge presence of illegal immigrants (PTI), Sandakan folks are now facing the worst water supply in decades.

Pit Fah said the Sandakan Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) had disclosed in a local daily that tap water were smelly and taste salty while the colour also not crystal clear.

The SCCCI had lamented that Sandakan folks were behind Barisan Nasional during the 2008 general election, which saw the ruling coalition sweep all the State and Parliament seats there.

He said both Raymond Tan and Au Kam Wah had said that they remained with BN because only BN could bring the much needed developments to the people especially Sandakan.

He added that both of them had promised Sandakan folks that they would strive to the best to ensure Sandakan are progresses.

However, both of them had failed based on the terrible tap water situations, Pit Fah said adding instant funds to address the problem would only be available if there are by-elections at Tanjung Papat and Elopura, respectively.

“If Raymond Tan and Au Kam Wah loves Sandakan folks and willing to sacrifice so I called on both of them to vacate their respective seat to pave the way for by-elections, which would surely bring huge funds at once and at the same time address the tap water problem,” Pit Fah said.

He said based on the quantum of funds given to only two Chinese independent schools during by-elections at Hulu Selangor as claimed by Anwar when compare to the grants to all Chinese schools in Sabah for the entire 2010, only by-elections could force the Federal Government to approve huge funds immediately and address the terrible tap water problem at once.

“Imagine the quantum of funds showering Sandakan when there are by-elections at both seats. Not only the worsening water supply problem could be addressed fast but many other problems like power shortages would also be solved,” he said.

Pit Fah said he is sure the Federal Government would immediately purchase new generator sets and not second hand or used one as measures to overcome the long standing power shortages in Sandakan.

He said Raymond Tan and Au Kam Wah should subscribe to the concept of Sandakan Folks First and Performance Now and let by-elections be held at Tanjung Papat and Elopura immediately. -Sabahkini

'Chinese voting trend bad news for BN in Sibu'

'Chinese voting trend bad news for BN in Sibu'

Sarawak sabahdaily   9:06 AM

PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali (pic) has predicted a disastrous by-election outcome in Sibu on May 16 for recently-victorious Barisan Nasional, provided the voting trend of the Chinese electorate in West Malaysia is repeated there.

"If the (voting) sentiment in Sarawak is the same as in the peninsula, BN is going to find it hard in Sibu," Mustafa, the former PAS election chairman, told reporters here.

The recent by-election in Hulu Selangor saw Chinese majority areas overwhelmingly voting for Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Zaid Ibrahim, who lost to P Kamalanathan of BN by a majority of 1,725 votes. A six-fold increase in Chinese support from the last general election was also seen in Kuala Kubu.

The next by-election, the eleventh since the 2008 general election, is being called in Sibu following the death of its MP Robert Lau Hoi Chew on April 9, who had won the seat by a margin of 3,235 against PKR and DAP candidates, both from Pakatan Rakyat. This time around, PR top leaders have endorsed DAP to represent the opposition coalition.

BN will be fielding Lau's second cousin Robert Lau Hui Yew against Sarawak DAP chairman and veteran politician Wong Ho Leng.

The Sibu constituency has 60 per cent Chinese voters, something Mustafa said worries BN leaders, especially with the almost total rejection of BN by Chinese voters in recent times.

Such a trend has led recently-launched right-wing Malay group Perkasa to lash at Chinese voters for not supporting BN, demanding that development funds be stopped to Chinese-majority areas. -Harakah

PAIRIN SHOULD EXPLAIN ON 800 METER ROAD

PAIRIN SHOULD EXPLAIN ON 800 METER ROAD

Sabah sabahdaily   11:07 AM

SABAH DAP Local Government & Housing bureau chief cum Vice Chairman Edward Ewol Mujie said that Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan did not explain the issue of the 800 meter road (Jalan Bersatu 1) costing RM2 million to be upgraded with a cost of another RM 10 million near the QH 2 (SMC) during the recent State Assembly sitting.

Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has make known his intention to explain this issue during a press conference at the Public Works Department (PWD) meeting room here on Monday February 22, 2010 and it was published in the local newspaper issued on Tuesday February 23, 2010. However he never gives that explanation during State Legislative Assembly sitting from April 15-22, 2010.

Edward said Datuk Pairin who was formerly the Chief Minister during PBS Government and now Deputy Chief Minster in the BN Governments, in fact should shown a good example to our young generation by fulfilling his promised.

Edward said that he is not surprised at all on why Datuk Pairin did not bothered to give that explanation as he promised because there are certain facts and reason that make him difficult to explain. For example, the retaining wall is encroaching into the road reserve.

Edward said since Pairin failed to explain in the State Assembly on this issue as he promised, Sabah DAP demands him to give details on why the supposed two lane road which had become a single lane road. He should not covered up on the reasons, because he as the Infrastructure Development Minister, he is the right person to explain so. -Sabahkini