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&#39;Defections&#39; dampen <b>Sabah</b> opposition&#39;s gains – BorneoPost Online <b>...</b> Berita Sabah - News 2 Sabah

&#39;Defections&#39; dampen <b>Sabah</b> opposition&#39;s gains – BorneoPost Online <b>...</b>

Posted: 21 Dec 2013 02:43 PM PST

by Nancy Lai. Posted on December 22, 2013, Sunday

THE Opposition in Sabah made a very good showing at the 13th General Election which was held on May 5 this year where it won a total of 12 state constituencies and three parliamentary seats.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) component party Parti KeADILan Rakyat Sabah (PKR) won seven state and one parliamentary seats while its fellow component party DAP Sabah was voted as the elected representatives for four state and two parliamentary seats.

Sabah STAR won one seat making the total seats of 12 for the opposition.

The victorious PKR candidates were Datuk Jelani Hamdan (Matunggong), Jeremy Malajad @ Malazad (Kadamaian), Datuk Seri Pangliman Wilfred M Bumburing (Tamparuli), Dr Roland Chia (Inanam), Christina Liew (Api Api), Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin (Klias), Terrence Siambun (Moyog) and Darell Leiking (Penmpang).

DAP candidates who kept Barisan Nasional (BN) and the incumbents at bay were Junz Wong (Likas), Hiew King Cheu (Luyang), Dr Edwin Bosi (Kapayan), Chan Foong Hin (Sri Tanjong), Wong Thien Fatt (Sandakan) and Jimmy Wong (Kota Kinabalu).

Sabah STAR chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan won the Bingkor state seat.

But although it strengthened its footing in Sabah, the Opposition was dealt with a blow when three of Pakatan Rakyat's elected state assemblymen, namely Hiew, Jelani and Jeremy resigned from their respective parties in the coalition.

Jelani and Jeremy who resigned in November have announced their support for Barisan Nasional (BN) while Hiew who quit DAP in September has declared that he is an 'Independent' elected representative.

Speculations about Hiew leaving DAP was rife following his resignation as the state adviser on Aug 12 after four of DAP Sabah leaders called for disciplinary action to be taken against him for supporting Klias assemblyman Lajim as Sabah Opposition leader instead of the party's choice, Bumburing.

For Jelani and Jeremy, they claimed to have lost confidence in the opposition party as their reason for leaving and felt that only BN can bring development to Sabah.

Together with some divisional leaders who had attended PKR's special congress in Kuala Lumpur, they met with BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to inform the latter of their intention to resign from PKR and support BN.

Sabah PKR experienced its fair share on internal problems other than just the resignation of Jelani and Jeremy.

The state leadership saw a change when Lajim was appointed to replace Ahmad Thamrin Jaini as Sabah PKR Liaison chairman. Lajim in turn named Christina as deputy state liaison chief, Datuk James Ghani as secretary and Terrence as treasurer.

Jelani together with Dr Roland were appointed to fill two of the three vice chairmen posts while Jeremy was appointed as the state PKR information chief.

Jelani has also accused Lajim of sidelining the KDM in the state PKR line-up after the latter reshuffled the line-up following his appointment as Sabah PKR Liaison chief, replacing Ahmad Thamrin Jaini.

Lajim who claimed to have the support of most of the Sabah PKR divisional chiefs said that Jelani was wrong to say that because 40 per cent of the state leaders are KDM and the number may increase in the future, Lajim.

Lajim also said state PKR leaders and division heads had signed a resolution refuting Jelani's claim that he did not get any support from them.

"According to him I was appointed by de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim but that is far from the truth because I was given the mandate by the division heads who signed a memorandum which was handed to party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail," Lajim had told the media.

For Sabah STAR, its sole elected representative, Dr Jeffrey had been quoted as saying that he is an independent who is not supporting BN or PR.

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PKR <b>Sabah</b> launches relief fund - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 18 Dec 2013 09:46 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Parti KeADILan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah has launched a community and natural disaster relief fund so that it can help those affected by floods this rainy season.

According to Sabah PKR liaison chairman Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, based on past experiences, Sabahans know that floods usually occur in low lying areas in the state during December which is the rainy season.

"We know that flood happens in Sabah at the end of the year, especially in low lying areas like Beaufort, Kota Marudu, Tenom and Keningau.

"We have learnt a lesson from what had happened in the past and also the recent flooding in Kuantan which is why we are making early preparations to have ready funds to give immediate assistance to the victims of floods," he told reporters after officially launching it yesterday.

He pointed out that the swift action of Kuantan member of parliament Fuziah Salleh in rendering assistance to victims of the recent flood there was what gave Sabah PKR the motivation to set up the community and natural disaster relief fund.

Lajim also said donations to the fund would be sourced from PKR members as a permit was required to solicit donations from the public who were non-members of the party.

"We are also collecting food, clothing and basic necessities like toiletries to be distributed to the victims of floods, fire or any other unwanted incidents," he said, and urged all Sabah PKR members to dig deep into their pockets and donate generously to the fund.

"Your support is needed and highly appreciated," Lajim said adding that with the fund and donations of food and kind, Sabah PKR would be able to dispatch immediate assistance to the needy.

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Esscom D-G: No attempt by Abu Sayyaf, MNLF groups to intrude into <b>...</b>

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 09:35 AM PST

LAHAD DATU: Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek said there has been no attempt by members of the Abu Sayyaf group or the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)to penetrate into the coastal areas of eastern Sabah.

He said that the security situation in the area, also known as the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE), was safe and under control.

The zone encompasses 10 districts involving 1,733.7 kilometres from Kudat to Tawau. The districts are Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, and Tawau.

As such, Mohammad called on the people to be calm and not believe rumours that could make matters worse.

"Based on intelligence obtained by Esscom, there has been no attempt to enter the area by the Abu Sayaf group or the MNLF as claimed. As such, I wish to advise the people not to panic and refrain from spreading unfounded information including through the social media," he said in a statement, here yesterday.

On Monday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was quoted as saying that the security forces in the coastal areas of eastern Sabah were in a state of preparedness to face any eventuality, including the threat of any attack by foreigners.

Khalid disclosed this to reporters in Kuala Lumpur when asked on the claim that several militant groups including the Abu Sayyaf and MNLF wanted to attack three areas namely Pulau Selingan (Sandakan), Pulau Langkayan (Beluran) and Sukau Resort (Kinabatangan), tomorrow and on Christmas Day.

Mohammad said security measures in ESSZONE were being tightened including raising the number of patrols by the various defence and security agencies including the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Marine Operations Force (MOF).

In addition, Mohammad said ESSCOM, which is responsible for coordinating all the defence and security agencies in ESSZONE, had created and deployed the Quick Response Force in several strategic areas to cut off any attempt to enter Malaysian waters.

"We have utilised our defence and security assets such as aeroplanes and helicopters to strengthen security control in our maritime areas," he said.

In this regard, Mohammad warned those trying to collaborate with the enemy, including by giving information to the groups wishing to infiltrate into the country to refrain from doing so because stern action would be taken against those involved. — Bernama

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<b>Sabah</b> maritime industry urged to train locals as seafarers <b>...</b>

Posted: 09 Dec 2013 09:12 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah state government has called on relevant maritime industry players to find ways to encourage Sabahans to be trained as future seafarers.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the many opportunities in the shipping sector have not been taken up by the locals probably due to ignorance of what the maritime industry could offer.

"Sabah shares the government's aspiration for Malaysia to be a strong maritime nation and supports policies to increase the nation's participation in the maritime industry.

"More needs to be done to encourage the participation of Malaysians, in particular from Sabah, to own ships registered in Malaysia and to undertake the many opportunities available in the maritime transportation regime and the oil and gas sector," he said when opeing a seminar on Sabah maritime here today.

His speech was delivered by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

According to Musa, Sabah's vast 1,440 km. coastline with three seas surrounding the state holds great economic value, providing employment, valuable protein as well as oil and gas that are key contributors to the economy.

"In addition, the bulk of Malaysia's international trade, the lifeline of the country's economy, is transported by ships through major ports in the country including in Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah," he said.

Musa also said the government places great importance on its role in safeguarding Sabah's maritime borders against threats, curbing illicit trade such as drug and human trafficking, and preventing the entry of illegal immigrants.

"The immediate setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) was necessary to remove external threats that have damaging social and economic impacts and which could jeopardise national security, hence distracting investors in the process," he said. – Bernama

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