We are not disrespectful of East Malaysians’ special rights — Tengku Razaliegh BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo |
- We are not disrespectful of East Malaysians’ special rights — Tengku Razaliegh
- 20 Points: A ‘bomb’ in backburner
- GOF officer seriously ill while training in Mount Kinabalu
- Teenager thinks business with Cellphone maintenance cert
- Alarming number of suicidal children – Befrienders
- 21 notices, compounds issued to errant contractors – CIDB
| We are not disrespectful of East Malaysians’ special rights — Tengku Razaliegh Posted: 29 Nov 2013 02:00 PM PST KOTA KINABALU: Peninsular Malaysians are not disrespecting the special rights of Sabah and Sarawak as stated in the Malaysian Agreement but are simply ignorant about the history of the formation of Malaysia, says Tengku Razaliegh Hamzah. The Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) president said those from Peninsular Malaysia had no intention to purposely brush aside the issues brought up by the people from the two states in regard to their rights. However, they lack the knowledge and understanding of historical facts that would enable them to grasp the significance of the issues being raised to Sabah and Sarawak, particularly the 20 Points and the 18 Points. "From my observation, I think it is not too much to say that most of the people from the middle-age group in Sabah and Sarawak do not know much about the formation of Malaysia, let alone the same age group in Semenanjung Malaysia," he said when delivering his keynote address for the Roundtable Forum on 'Malaysia and the Non-Fulfillment of the 20-Point Agreement with Sabah', here, yesterday. He reasoned that information on the formation of Malaysia in the public domain were either insufficient or none existent at all. This absence of information and the consequent ignorance and misconceptions, he said, had caused a lot of tension between Malaysians on the opposite sides of the South China Sea. Razaleigh, who in May presented a talk with the same topic for the Royal Asiatic Society in Kuala Lumpur, said there had been many complaints voiced out by the people and leaders from Sabah and Sarawak on the issue but they were never taken seriously. He regretted that the continuing outcry from Sabah and Sarawak on the matter over the years had not encouraged many people to find out and learn about the widely forgotten historical facts despite the availability of the Internet that has made accessing such information easier. Among the common misconceptions that irked East Malaysians the most, he noted, was the inaccurate labeling of Sabah and Sarawak as just another two states with the same state status like the 11 member states of Malaya. Even more saddening, the lack of knowledge was not limited to the people on the ground but also very common among leaders and those with political influences in Peninsular Malaysia, he said. "Certainly, this misconception is not on purpose but due to poor knowledge. I am confident that this misunderstanding (between East and West Malaysia) is not due to any ill intention or misgivings," he said. Razaleigh said Sabah and Sarawak had been voicing their dissatisfaction since the early 80s but the issue was never discussed in official forums and remained a ticking time bomb that could explode and cause chaos at any time. The current parliament, like the previous ones, has also seen the 20-Point Agreement being brought up by representative from Sabah but the issue was not given priority nor debated. He stressed that the issue must be addressed and all the misconceptions be corrected before they become a much more serious issue that could put the nation's stability in jeopardy. He suggested accurate and clear information on the formation of Malaysia, including the role and special rights of Sabah and Sarawak, should be made available and easier to access, by incorporating them into the school curriculum. "We need to explain that Aug 31 is not significant to Sabah and Sarawak, no matter how grandeur the celebration. It is only a date when Malaya gained its independence. "Sept 16, or Hari Malaysia on the other hand, is more important and should be celebrated as one of the important dates in Malaysia's history. "I must also say that even though the 20-Points and 18-Points have been incorporated into the constitution, it is not befitting to say that these two agreements no longer exist or relevant," he said. He noted both documents were supposed to be reviewed 10 years after the formation of Malaysia and a special committee was set up in 1973 to review the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Agreement. However, other pressing matters at that moment prevented the committee from completing the task, and the review was further delayed and eventually forgotten after Tun Dr Ismail, the chairman of the committee, died in 1973 followed by the passing of the then Prime Minister Tun Razak in 1976. "Tun Razak had a noble intention of preserving the good relationship between Malaya and Sabah/Sarawak, but this goodwill was put on hold due to pressing matters at the time. Perhaps, the review can be reconsidered in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia this year," he said.  To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.  |
| 20 Points: A ‘bomb’ in backburner Posted: 29 Nov 2013 10:13 AM PST by Murib Morpi. Posted on November 30, 2013, Saturday
The Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) president, who is affectionately known as Ku Li, said those from Peninsular Malaysia had no intention to purposely belittle or brush aside the issues brought up by the people from the two states in regard to their rights. However, they lack the knowledge and understanding of historical facts that could enable them to grasp the significance of the issues being raised to Sabah and Sarawak, particularly the 20 Points and the 18 Points. "From my observation, I think it is not too much to say that most of the people from the middle age group in Sabah and Sarawak do not know much about the formation of Malaysia, let alone the same age group in Semenanjung Malaysia," he said when delivering his keynote address for the Roundtable Forum on 'Malaysia and the Non-Fulfillment of the 20-Point Agreement with Sabah', here, yesterday. Razaleigh reasoned that information on the formation of Malaysia in the public domain were either insufficient or none existent at all. This absence of information and the consequent ignorance and misconceptions, he said, has caused a lot of tension between Malaysians on the opposite sides of the South China Sea. Razaleigh, who in May presented a talk on the same topic for the Royal Asiatic Society in Kuala Lumpur, said there had been many complaints voiced out by the people and leaders from Sabah and Sarawak on the issue but they were never taken seriously. He regretted that the continuing outcry from Sabah and Sarawak on the matter over the years had not encouraged many people to find out and learn about the widely forgotten historical facts despite the availability of the Internet that has made accessing such information much easier. Among the common misconceptions that irked east Malaysians the most, he noted, was the inaccurate labeling of Sabah and Sarawak as just another two states with the same state status like the 11 member states of Malaya. Even more saddening, the lack of knowledge was not limited to the people on the ground but also very common among leaders and those with political influences in Peninsular Malaysia, he said. "Certainly, this misconception is not on purpose but due to poor knowledge. I am confident that this misunderstanding (between east and west Malaysia) is not due to any ill intention or misgivings," he said. Razaleigh said Sabah and Sarawak had been voicing their dissatisfaction since the early 80s but the issue was never discussed in official forums and remained a ticking time bomb that could explode and cause chaos at any time. The current Parliament, like the previous ones, has also seen the 20-Point Agreement being brought up by representatives from Sabah but the issue was not given priority nor debated. He stressed that the issue must be addressed and all the misconceptions be corrected before they become a much more serious issue that could put the nation's stability in jeopardy. He suggested accurate and clear information on the formation of Malaysia, including the role and special rights of Sabah and Sarawak, should be made available and easier to access, by incorporating them into the school curriculum. "We need to explain that 31 August is not significant to Sabah and Sarawak, no matter how grandeur the celebration. It is only a date when Malaya gained its independence. "Sept 16, or Hari Malaysia on the other hand, is much more important and should be celebrated as one of the important dates in Malaysia's history. "I must also say that even though the 20-Points and 18-Points have been incorporated into the Constitution, it is not befitting to say that these two agreements no longer exist or relevant," he said. He noted both documents were supposed to be reviewed 10 years after the formation of Malaysia and a special committee was set up in 1973 to review the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Agreement. However other pressing matters at that moment prevented the committee from completing the task, and the review was further delayed and eventually forgotten after Tun Dr Ismail, the chairman of the committee, died in 1973 followed by the passing of the then Prime Minister Tun Razak in 1976. "Tun Razak had a noble intention of preserving the good relationship between Malaya and Sabah/Sarawak, but this goodwill was put on hold due to pressing matters at the time. Perhaps, the review can be reconsidered in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia this year," he said. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| GOF officer seriously ill while training in Mount Kinabalu Posted: 29 Nov 2013 10:12 AM PST by Elton Gomes. Posted on November 30, 2013, Saturday RANAU: A team from the General Operations Force (GOF) that was on a special operations training from Mesilou to Timpohon in Kinabalu National Park when one of its members suffered mountain sickness at an altitude of 3,200 meters above sea level on Wednesday. It is learnt that Inspector Mohd Zaiful Zahari, who suffered from high fever and hypertension, collapsed and fainted while ascending the mountain with 15 other GOF personnel and three Sabah Park staff at around 4.20pm on Wednesday (November 27). The incident forced the team to halt their training temporarily, but Mohd Zaiful had to spend the night on the mountain with his teammates while waiting for help to arrive. At around 8am the next day (Thursday), a helicopter from the Police Air Wing Unit was deployed to the location for a rescue operation but was forced to turn back due to thick fog. As a result, several GOF personnel and Sabah Park staff made their way up the mountain to provide assistance, reaching the victim a couple of hours later. Mohd Zaiful had regained consciousness by then but was forced to spend another night on the mountain. Around 9.30 am yesterday, the victim was reported to be in critical condition, having passed out six times. A mercy flight was then made by the police to the Kundasang clinic to bring glucose solution and an oxygen tank for the victim. The glucose solution and oxygen tank were then taken to a 'land point', about 200 meters from where the victim and his platoon were stranded. At press time, it is learnt that the helicopter was still not able to reach the victim due to thick fog. Meanwhile, Ranau police chief, DSP Abdul Rahman Kassim, when contacted yesterday, confirm the incident, saying all efforts are still being made to reach the victim. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| Teenager thinks business with Cellphone maintenance cert Posted: 29 Nov 2013 10:10 AM PST by Jenne Lajiun. Posted on November 30, 2013, Saturday KOTA KINABALU: Deel Bierron Donny is an 18-year-old who has big dreams. He aspires to start his own hand phone service and repair shop in his hometown in Tambunan. "I spent two months learning about hand phone repairs and servicing and I find it interesting. This is the career for me," said the young lad after receiving his certificate from the director of the Human Resource Development Department, Billy Yumbod, at the TH Hotel & Residence near here yesterday. My next move, said Deel, would be to apply for a business licence. "I have learned how to handle both the newest brands of hand phones and the old ones during the two months course," he said. Deel was one of the 20 trainees to complete the course on 'Mobile hand phone repair and maintenance' conducted by the CAL Computer Learning Centre. Like Deel, most of the other trainees are from the rural parts of Sabah. "We thought the course would attract youths from the city but surprisingly, we received more applications from rural youths than we did from those living in the city," said Yumbod. Like Deel, Yumbod is optimistic about the future in hand phone servicing and maintenance. "These trainees will never be jobless…everyone owns a hand phone, hence, their service will be needed anywhere," he said. However, he also stressed that without a capital to start a business, most of the trainees may have to start by working with other people. Or, they could start by working freelance, from their own home, he said. He reminded the trainees that they should treat the certificate that they received as something of big value to them. "Don't lose it because it is a huge asset," he said. For others who are keen on signing up for similar courses, Yumbod said that they would be organising another one next year. "It will be open to locals between 19 and 40 years old, irrespective of their marital status…we will advertise in the newspaper," he said. Among the skills imparted to the 20 trainees were technical training in mobile technology, skill knowledge for enhancement, skills and knowledge in ICT and its tools as well as social skills. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| Alarming number of suicidal children – Befrienders Posted: 29 Nov 2013 10:09 AM PST by Mariah Doksil. Posted on November 30, 2013, Saturday ANY child who expresses suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously, according to Befrienders. Although this issue is not discussed openly by parents, the 'heartbreaking' calls received by Befrienders Kota Kinabalu have been very alarming. According to Befrienders Kota Kinabalu call centre records, the youngest caller who attempted suicide in the city is 12-years-old. The boy claimed that his parents were not giving him full attention when he needed them the most. More than 300 calls were made to Befrienders Kota Kinabalu this year, mostly from children aged 12 to 18. Coordinator of South East Asia Befrienders Worldwide, Pornthip Yoskittiphat said there are so many reasons which can trigger someone to attempt suicide. "Depression is one of it. Some of us might think that there is no reason to attempt suicide over a small thing, but there is no small thing when it comes to someone wanting to take their own life. "The reasons behind it can be complex and there is no age limit for it. We have all read and heard many sad stories about young boys or girls, or even old men and women who were successful in their suicide attempts. "Children are very fragile, and they should be loved. Once they say that they are not happy with their life, parents should do something to show them how to appreciate the meaning of life. "Let the child talk and try to understand their feelings. There is no turning back once the incident has occurred. "The impact of suicide is very serious. At least four members of their family will feel very sad, and international research has shown that there is a possibility of a copycat, where a family member will follow suit by committing suicide too," she said. Pornthip, with her vast experience in Befrienders Worldwide, believes that someone who feels like committing suicide should speak out. "At Befrienders we are holding tight onto our tagline – You're Not Alone. You Matter. Regardless of how you feel, talk to us. All calls are confidential. Meaning we are not going ask their name and contact number. The caller will decide how long he or she wishes to talk and when they want to end the call. "We also do not follow-up on the calls we received to ensure all calls are confidential. We want to build trust so that callers are comfortable to talk and share," she added. Befrienders is a non-profit organisation offering emotional support to the depressed and suicidal through telephone, e-mail and by letters. Last year alone, Befrienders Kota Kinabalu received 270 calls mostly from suicidal people, while some of them called to seek confidential emotional support. Befrienders KK Publicity Officer, Jessie T. Yong said after receiving various calls from different backgrounds, the organization opened its Hotline number not only to the suicidal but also those who are looking for someone to talk to about their problems. "So far we have 27 well-trained volunteers handling the phone calls. We also have an increasing number of volunteers involved in our outreach programmes. "From what we read in the newspapers, there have been four suicide cases in the city over the past nine months. It is a huge number for Befrienders. That is why we are continuing our efforts by doing outdoor activities. "Our recent programmes catered for primary school children and their parents; and focused more on improving communication between parents and their children. "The response was good, especially when we managed to listen to a 16-year-old boy who wanted to commit sucide because his parents forced him to take the Chinese subject," said Yong. She explained that most adult callers who contacted Befrienders KK faced financial issues and unsolved relationship problems, while children aged 12 to 18 who called the Hotline number, messaged through Befrienders KK Facebook page or those who spoke to their trained-volunteers during outdoor activities were having communication problems with their parents. "Our role is not to solve their problem. We do not even follow up our callers to ensure confidentiality. Our role is to become a listener to them. We try to create an environment where they can feel that our life is very meaningful. "For those who have close relationships with their family members or friends, we will encourage them to talk about their loved ones so that they will be aware there are people who are concerned about them and might be badly affected if they commit suicide," she added. Pornthip is currently visiting Befrienders KK for the first time to share Befrienders Worldwide activities and interactive sessions. Yong said most of the discussions with Pornthip was basically to find various options of how to raise funds and create more awareness to encourage more volunteers to work with the Befrienders. By end of this year, Befrienders KK is expecting to train another six to nine volunteers for its Hotline. They will be the listening volunteers, who will take turns to answer all calls to 088 255788. The Hotline number operates everyday from 7 – 10pm. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| 21 notices, compounds issued to errant contractors – CIDB Posted: 29 Nov 2013 10:08 AM PST by Christy Chok. Posted on November 30, 2013, Saturday TAWAU: The Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) and four enforcement agencies issued 21 notices and compounds to contractors at two construction sites in Ranggu and the town area here during Ops Penguatkuasaan Bersepadu (OPB) on Wednesday. CIDB Tawau branch manager Rozaiman Bin Hj Hassan said it was the first operation carried out this year in collaboration with Tawau Municipal Council (TMC) and the Health, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), and Environment departments. He said 18 personnel were involved in seven-hour operation from 9am, which was aimed at creating awareness among the industry players on the importance of compliance with regulations. Rozaiman said CIDB issued two notices to the contractors whose workers did not have the Green Card (GC). Only 14 workers of a total of 50 workers were found to be in possession of GC and the rest did not have it, he added. "The contractors have been given 14 days to process the GC for their workers and report to CIDB about the progress," he said. He added that CIDB also issued five notices to the contractors for carrying out work without valid CIDB registration certificate and they were given seven days to do so. "Every contractor must have a valid CIDB registration certificate before being allowed to carry out any work," he stressed. Meanwhile, Tawau Occupational Safety and Health Department chief Muhammad Najib Bin Jaafar, said five prohibition notices were issued to the contractors during the operation. The prohibition notices were issued for not appointing a competent site supervisor, not installing safety net, using scaffolding without a competent operator to supervise, and non-partitioned open floor edge. He said his department also issued three improvement notices to the contractors for not providing personal protective equipment to employees, failure to provide written statement about safety and health, and failure to set up a safety and health committee at the construction site. He said the contractors concerned should respond to the department within one week and one month or action would be taken against them. The District Environment Department Assistant Senior Officer (Environmental Control), Ali Abdul Fata B Khalid, said they had issued a compound under Section 29 (a) of Environmental Quality Act 1974 which carries a fine of RM2,000 for open burning at the construction site. Ali Abdul Fata said a follow-up visit would be held anytime and the contractor would be fined RM5,000 or imprisonment or both, if convicted for the second time. He said contractors are prohibited to carry out open burning at construction site without referring to the department. The District Health Department which was led by its Assistant Officer, Rahim Nur Bin Musa issued two notices under Insecticide Carriers Act 1975 to the contractors. Meanwhile, the Council which was led by its enforcement officer, Abdullah B Ismail, issued a compound notice under Section 4(c) and Section 4(g) of the Anti-Rubbish Offence 2010 to a contractor in the operation. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
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