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Embrace moderation, Musa urges Muslims BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Embrace moderation, Musa urges Muslims

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 11:11 AM PST

TAWAU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has urged Muslims in the state to embrace the moderation or 'wasatiyyah' approach adopted by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and to study the biography of the Prophet to be used as a lifelong model.

Besides possessing good character and personality, the community must also emulate the competitive spirit shown by the Prophet in attaining Islamic excellence and success.

"This includes efficiency in the political and administrative system, economic success and social justice," he said at the state-Level Maulidur Rasul Gathering at the Tawau Municipal Council Field, here yesterday.

He said the birth of the Prophet PBUH as portrayed by Allah SWT in the Al-Quran was a "blessing to the whole world" and had translated many important messages, examples and teachings to all Muslims.

"If we look at history and current world developments, many nations that previously formed major powers and were rich in natural resources and were respected, had become weak due to internal conflicts which dragged on between them.

"Although we live in a multi-racial, multi-religion and multi-cultural society, we could develop the state together in a harmonious and united environment because we respect each other and accept the uniqueness and differences as our common strength," he added.

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Nod to new LDP line-up based on ‘solid grounds’

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 11:10 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: The endorsement of the new line-up under the leadership of Datuk Teo Chee Kang by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) is founded on strong and solid legal grounds, said Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) organizing secretary, Peter Chong Su Leong.

He said they did not intend to venture into the futile exercise of debating legal issues in the media.

However, he said it was very unbecoming of Loretto Padua Jr., being a lawyer, to just reveal the half truth in relation to what transpired in the meeting between the two factions in the presence of the Director General of RoS at their Putrajaya office last year.

"When he (Loretto) said that Datuk Teo Chee Kang refused to sign the mediation agreement at the end of the meeting, he conveniently chose to leave out the fact that there was an earlier draft agreement prepared on the advice of the RoS which, among others, recognizes the status quo of the Supreme Council prior to all purported terminations and suspensions by Liew, which Liew refused to sign," he said in a press statement issued yesterday.

From the outset, Chong said, Liew's faction had all along placed their reliance on the records of the RoS, which at that time still showed that Liew was the Party president.

However, when the RoS decided not in their favour, they (Liew's faction) said that the RoS had no authority to make decision.

"It is ironical that Datuk Liew Vui Keong is now asking for election by a democratic process, but he was the one who abused his power to purportedly sack and suspend everyone whom he deemed as a threat to stop them from contesting in the party elections, Chong concluded.

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UPKO against proposal to revive ISA – Donald

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 11:10 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusun Murut Organization (UPKO) is against any proposal to revive the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Its secretary general, Datuk Donald Mojuntin, said that UPKO unequivocally opposes any suggestions or proposals to bring back the ISA.

According to him, former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed's suggestion to re-introduce the ISA is a regression of where this country is heading to, a developed nation respected by other nations.

UPKO had always asked for a review of the draconian ISA whilst it existed, he pointed out, and added: "and when it was abolished, we were one of the first to sing praises.

Donald said that the present government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was correct to include the abolishment of the ISA as part of its Political and Government Transformation Program.

"Malaysia is a de facto and recognised parliamentary democracy. Its citizens are mature and knowledgeable. There is no place for an excessively harsh and so obviously unpopular law such as the ISA. Any notion from any government representative to support the return of the ISA will discredit the present government. It will show lack of conviction and commitment to a solid and wise decision," he stressed.

Donald opines that the existing laws are more than sufficient to ensure the internal security of the country. It is a question of how to efficiently and effectively enforce these existing laws.

If the relevant and responsible authorities can do this, without fear or favour, without bias and with fairness, the actions of the extremist minority can be sufficiently curbed and controlled.

"Therefore, UPKO unequivocally opposes any suggestions or proposals to bring back the ISA," Donald reiterated.

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I-Kad fee idea not going down well in Sabah

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 11:09 AM PST

by Jenne Lajiun. Posted on January 15, 2014, Wednesday

KOTA KINABALU: The RM110 fee for the proposed i-Kad for foreign workers in the country has not gone down well with those affected.

An expatriate residing in Sabah, Marcomini Romeni, sees the move as a means for the government to make more money and alleges that it probably won't reduce the presence of illegal immigrants in the country.

He said that the foreign levy charged in the country was more expensive than that charged in neighbouring Singapore.

"When I worked there, I was charged SGD75 for the foreign workers pass. As long as you have the necessary qualifications, they will issue you a foreign workers pass in Singapore," he said.

He added that a card is issued for foreign workers in Singapore and the cost is included in the SGD75 fee.

Marcomini said he has no idea yet as to how he should go about making an application for himself and his foreign workers for his factory here.

"Such issues must be attended to promptly for the smooth running of my factory," he said.

Meanwhile, DAP Sabah secretary, Dr Edwin Bosi, criticised the extra cost being imposed on employers of foreign workers in the country.

"I am just fed up with the government on this issue on foreign workers. So many fees have been imposed on employers and foreign workers. Now another one!

"Why don't the employers just issue cards to their workers? If they are caught, they have proof of their employment and the authorities can call the respective employers for verification. If they don't have any legal employment, then just biometric them and send them home," Dr. Bosi suggested.

Property developer, Denis Tan, also lamented the government's move.

"I don't suffer but my contractor is the one facing the brunt of the government's move to introduce the extra expenses for employing foreigners," he said, adding that this was because the contractors have to pay an extra RM110 for each foreign worker.

"They already have to fork out a high expense for the work pass/workers levy for their foreign workers to the immigration (department) and now they have to pay even more," he said.

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Hearing centre opens outlet in Sandakan

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 11:08 AM PST

by Rebecca Chong. Posted on January 15, 2014, Wednesday

SANDAKAN: The Best Hearing Aid Centre (BEST) launched its first centre in Sandakan at Bandar Maju, Mile 1.5 here, yesterday.

With BEST Sandakan branch being the second Best Hearing Aid Centre in Sabah after Kota Kinabalu, it offers a few comprehensive services to the people living in the East Coast area of the state.

The services offered by the centre include hearing aid fitting, rehabilitation and counseling, hearing aid accessories, ear protectors, service and repair of all types of hearing aid, speech therapy, speech test, tympanometry and free field audiometry services.

BEST was first established in 1995 and currently has a total of 11 branches nationwide, including in Sandakan.

According to the general manager of BEST Sandakan branch Joyce Chuah, BEST specializes in diagnosing and treatment of hearing loss.

"Our centre here is in a convenient location, with a complete range of the most advanced facilities. We believe in giving the best service and attention by providing patients with the latest hearing aid technology that meets the customers' needs at reasonable prices," she added.

Joyce further explained that a lot of people are not aware that they are having hearing problems and need to get a hearing check-up.

She said when someone hears better with one ear than the other, or when it is difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy environment or in a meeting, one should consider getting a hearing check-up.

Interested Sandakan folk are welcomed to visit the newly open Best Hearing Aid Centre located on the ground floor, Block BH, Bandar Maju, Jalan Utara, which is open from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays, 9am to 1.30pm on Saturdays.

In conjunction with the launching of the centre here, selected hearing aid and its accessories will also be sold at half price. For further information, please visit www.besthearing.com.my

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Re-align and fight for Sabah rights, Jeffrey tells ex-DAP leaders

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 11:08 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: DAP leaders who have left the party should re-align and re-focus their political aim towards assisting in the fight for the restoration of Sabah rights, said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan.

The STAR Sabah chief said Sabahans should no longer rely on parties and leaders from the Peninsula to champion the cause for Sabah.

Their priorities are not Sabah's priorities and their agenda to gain power in Putrajaya does not necessarily entail Sabah's agenda. In fact, some of their priorities and agenda appear to conflict with those of Sabah's," he said.

Jeffrey contended that the federation of Malaysia is not a standardized and homogeneous federal-state relationship for the 11 States in the Peninsula and for Sabah and Sarawak. This is because Sabah and Sarawak are equal to Malaya not the states in Malaya.

"It's a 2-tier federation, the lower tier being the federation of Malaya with 11 States and the higher tier between Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.

"As a result, a simplified two-party system will extinguish the rights and autonomy of Sabah, leaving Sabah and Sarawak as the 12th and 13th States forever," he asserted.

At the moment, he said, the Chinese community in Sabah are more focused on their businesses and career interests and are not strong advocates or supporters of Sabah's rights and autonomy.

He said the Chinese community needs to re-assess the situation and think about the future of their children and grandchildren in Sabah.

"They should not adopt the view that they can send their children overseas and then encourage them not to return home.

"Sabah is their homeland that their ancestors, grandparents and parents have helped build. They need to stand united with the other communities to seek the restoration of Sabah as an equal partner in Malaysia equal to Malaya and Sarawak. They need to help fight for the return of Sabah's oil and gas resources," he said.

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