» »Unlabelled » Dept identifies fake land certificate culprit BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

07:34:00

Dept identifies fake land certificate culprit BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Dept identifies fake land certificate culprit

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 08:47 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Fisheries Department is presently facing a deadlock in its development plans due to illegal occupation of its land by squatters in Sepanggar near here.

Deputy Chief minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said about 70 units of modern and traditional houses had been illegally built on 28 ha (70 acres) that had been earmarked in the Eighth Malaysia Plan for the construction of a fisheries training complex (40 acres or 16 ha) and an integrated fisheries commodity promotion centre (30 acres or 12 ha).

"Three hundred and eighty acres (154 ha) were gazetted for the department in 1973. A section of the land is believed to have been illegally occupied since 2001.

"We note that the construction of the houses had not been approved by the Land and Survey department. We have issued warnings to the squatters and lodged police reports, which were ignored," he told reporters after making a surprise visit to the area yesterday.

Yahya who is also state Agriculture and Food Industry minister said an investigation would be carried out, while the department had identified the culprit responsible for issuing fake land ownership certificates to the squatters.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Curb dangerous brew of politics, religion

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 08:47 AM PST

TENOM: Rural Development Minister Datuk Radin Malleh said unity and harmony of the people of various races should be preserved and enhanced.

He said this was to ensure the continuity of the rapid development and well-being of the people in the state.

"The actions of an irresponsible few to mix politics with religion to achieve their interests must be curbed," he said while speaking at a lau sang ceremony in conjunction with the Chinese New Year here, yesterday.

He described such actions could affect the unity and harmony of peace-loving citizens, and the spirit of friendship and goodwill.

In this context, Radin, who is also the Melalap assemblyman , is asking the people not to be swayed by the action of deliberately playing racial and religious sentiments, but rather to oppose such action in order to maintain family relationship that had long been the practice of the community in the state.

The vice president of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) added that the leadership of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government is working hard to implement the government's transformation program (GTP), especially in improving socio-economic development towards a developed nation by 2020.

"The lau sang ceremony is one of the Chinese traditions when celebrating the Chinese New Year and is an important means to strengthen ties among the various races in Sabah, particularly in this area.

"For me, the participation of other races in this event is a reflection of how strong our unity and also the sense of family, and we do not have any problems relating to racial and religious backgrounds.

"What is important for us is that we can cooperate in forming a nation that is truly 1 Malaysia, consisting of the various races and religions that can sit, discuss and work together to jointly develop our country, state and area ," he said.

Radin urged the Chinese community in the state, especially in this area to continue to support the efforts and policies of the government in implementing transformation programs that will benefit all parties – the people, the leaders, the government and the country.

He said the Chinese community's feedback on the government's transformation program was also important to ensure that all development programs planned and implemented by the government ran smoothly and were on the right track.

The event, organized by heads of the Chinese community or Chinese Kapitan in this district, was attended by Radin's wife Datin Angeline Tom, Tenom UPKO chief Senator Datuk Dr Lucas Umbul, Assistant District Officer Clarence Puin Pinduru, Melalap People Development Leader Simon Mamat, government officials, representatives of BN component leaders, businessmen and community leaders.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Max draws flak over opinion on ‘Allah’ issue

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 08:46 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sabah yesterday opined that Federal Minister, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili should have kept his personal view on the use of the word 'Allah' to his close friends and associate.

Kepayan assemblyman, Dr Edwin Bosi was commenting on Maximus statement of publicly distancing himself from the church action of seeking a court solution on the use of the word "Allah" in Christian worship.

Dr Edwin said that Maximus may be talking theology to justify his personal opinion and that they respected that.

"It is his right to call his God in any name he wants. Unfortunately as a Federal Minister, PBS Deputy President and a Christian, Maximus' statement although it is personal in nature, is not going to come down well with the people especially the predominantly non-Muslim natives in Sabah," he said.

He added that it was only two days ago that the State's Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Yahya Hussin, who was also the Agriculture and Food Industry minister, said that it did not matter to him if non-Muslims used the word "Tuhan", "God" or "Allah".

"The crux of the matter is that there has to be peace and harmony in Sabah," said Edwin.

Edwin further commented that Maximus should have been the first Christian Federal Minister to congratulate Yahya but instead he has come out with a statement which is driving a deeper wedge into society.

"It is therefore timely to ask what is the stand of PBS President and Huguan Siou, Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan on this issue?" he continued.

"Maximus has forgotten the circumstances when Sabah (formerly North Borneo) agreed to the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia with Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya in 1963. Religion was never an issue in Sabah then. It was never mentioned that the Malay-speaking natives who are Christians and using the Alkitab are not allowed to use the word 'Allah' in their worship. There was also never any imposition on the Christians not to use certain Arabic words that are found in the Quran then," he stressed.

"Maximus must be reminded that the Christians in Malaysia have always upheld the principle of 'Love thy Neighbour'. They have not only been tolerant of others of different faith but even go as far as accepting and respecting the differences. Because of these, there is a peaceful co-existence and harmony with others. Maximus' worry is therefore unfounded," said Edwin.

He said that Maximus should also be aware as a Federal Minister, that the Federal Constitution was the Supreme Law of the land.

"Any enactments by the States must be in line with the spirit of the Federal Constitution. This is already proven when the Sabah Assembly enacted the anti-hop law only to be declared ultra-vires the Federal Constitution," he said.

He also said that the question now was whether the BN government has the political will to resolve the issues relating to religion.

"The government of the day must be concerned about maintaining security for its citizens and the nation. The government must also monitor the activity of overzealous officers as mentioned by Maximus," he said.

He added that even rich countries will not prosper because of insecurity.

"It is pertinent that this concern should be viewed more seriously in the context of a globalised and borderless world," he said.

Meanwhile, Putatan member of parliament, Datuk Dr Marcus Makin Mojigoh said that the opinion published was a personal view and not the view of the Christian majority.

He said that the people of Sabah should be proud of leaders like Yahya and Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Resort launches self-sustaining food production system

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:45 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa has expanded its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to include aquaponics, a self-sustaining food production system.

The process combines aquaculture, the farming of fish and hydroponics, the farming of plants in water.

The resort's aquaponics project is a sustainable food production system constructed out of discarded materials found in and around the resort.

The system will soon be upgraded and powered by solely by solar energy. The resort will use this system to cultivate a variety of herbs and vegetables and to breed freshwater tilapia.

"We are excited to be the first hotel in Kota Kinabalu and the only hotel within the Shangri-La group to launch this aquaponics system. Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa is a strong advocate for environmental sustainability and this is proven by our recent awards won at the 2013 Prime Minister's Hibiscus Award for Exceptional Achievement Award in the environmental performance and the coveted Sabah State Award," said general manager Craig Powell.

Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa will be collaborating with a non-governmental organisation to introduce aquaponics to rural communities in needs as a means of providing an alternative sustainable livelihood.

The resort also intends to introduce aquaponics to schools as an educational tool to teach students on the mechanics and advantages of this system in promoting a better environment.

A medium-scale interactive model of the resort's aquaponics system can be viewed at STAR Marina for guests to discover the benefits of this alternate farming method through the expert knowledge of its resident marine biologist.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Sabah batik designers challenged to come up with creations that attract tourists

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:33 PM PST

by Sandra Sokial. Posted on February 7, 2014, Friday

KOTA KINABALU: Young batik designers in Sabah have been challenged to come up with new creations that would reflect the state's identity.

The creations should be unique and able to attract new tourists to come to Sabah, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said when posing the challenge at the closing of Yayasan Sabah Group's Membatik Course and presentation of awards to young batik designers.

Noting that the trainees had learned and mastered the art of making batik, Musa said, "While your learning session has ended, it is just the beginning for you, and your challenge now is to come up with new designs that reflect Sabah's culture and identity. We want it to be so good that it would lure tourists, both repeat and new ones, to come to our state to find these designs," he said.

The Chief Minister stressed that Sabahans have the potential to produce quality batiks if they have the right attitude, interest and determination to do so.

He expressed his confidence that with the level of creativity and innovations among Sabahans, it would ensure that their works are good and competitive not only in the local market, but also internationally.

"Apart from offering job opportunities, the handicraft industry also contributes towards the nation and state's economy, besides encouraging more Bumiputeras to take up the chances available," he said.

Batik is a method of producing designs on fabric by using a wax resist. Once the fabric is painted with wax, it is placed in a dye bath where the areas under the wax will remain undyed.

The batik masters can produce complex design by layering colors and using cracks in the painted wax to produce fine lines of detail.

At the event, Musa also encouraged corporate bodies and relevant authorities to conduct research and development works on the field.

"I welcome the move by Sabah Handicraft Centre to work closely with Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation and SIRIM Bhd in developing new products, and in R&D.

"As such I would like to call on all agencies and corporate bodies to develop strategic cooperation to share their views and expertise for the good and development of the local handicrafts," said Musa.

The event saw 33 trainees receiving their certificates after completing the 18-month Membatik Course.

Hazera Sabin stole the limelight after emerging top in the best young batik designers award, followed by Norzilah Jahan and Azmie Utoh @ Ismail, at second and third placings, respectively.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Ex-DCM Tham applauds Yahya’s stand on use of ‘Allah’

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:31 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Whatever may be said about the row over the word "Allah" in Malaysia, in Sabah the controversy has elicited a heartening response from the people.

Muslims have joined Christians in the state in support of their use of the word they both use for God, noted former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Tham Nyip Shen.

He emphasized this remarkable spirit of tolerance when he applauded Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin for showing Malaysian leaders in the peninsula that the people of Sabah are united with one voice when it comes to the Almighty.

"This type of outlook will guarantee continued peace and harmony among the multi-racial, multi-religious people of Sabah," the now retired politician said in a statement yesterday.

"I am sure such a statement by a government leader is fully appreciated by the people of Sabah," Tham added.

Yahya was reported Wednesday as saying that it did not matter to him that non-Muslims were using the word 'Allah" in their worship.

He said the belligerent stance "by others" was not a civilised or enlightened way of dealing with such things.

Tham said that for the state No. 2 leader to say that it was no big deal if Christians in the state used the word "Allah" to refer to their God should inspire both Christians and Muslims elsewhere to grasp the idea that rising religious tensions that are founded on such issues are absurd.

The former DCM also supported Yahya, his former colleague in the state cabinet, in urging the people in Peninsular Malaysia to emulate Sabahan Muslims who do not take offence if non-Muslims use the word "Tuhan" or "Allah" in calling "God" in their worship.

"This brave and open statement should be supported by all the other Sabah Cabinet Ministers," he said.

Tham said that there were other more pressing problems faced by the people and the quarrel over "what to call God" was something best left to individual worshippers.

Yahya's statement on the issue came as a reassurance by the state government following Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman's declaration in the State Legislative Assembly last year that the state government has no problem with the Catholic Church in Sabah using the word "Allah" in its Bahasa Malaysia publication of the mission's monthly newspaper, The Catholic Sabah.

Musa said this was the policy of the state government on the matter and cemented the assurance by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on Oct 21 last year that Christians in Sabah and Sarawak can use the word "Allah".

Najib's assurance came after the Court of Appeal ruling on October 14 that the word was reserved strictly for Muslims.

Musa's statement on the issue was made in a written reply to a question posed by Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing during the recent State Legislative Assembly sitting.

The opposition lawmaker had asked what the Sabah government's stand on the use of the word by the Catholic Sabah newspaper after the Court of Appeal banned The Herald, the national Catholic publication, from printing the word "Allah".

The Sarawak state government's view of the issue is in tandem with that of Sabah.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.