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Another merciless killing of sea turtles in <b>Sabah</b> – BorneoPost <b>...</b> Berita Sabah - News 2 Sabah

Another merciless killing of sea turtles in <b>Sabah</b> – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 10:06 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Another merciless killing of sea turtle has been detected, this time in the islands of Semporna after 50 dead sea turtles were found in Pulau Tiga, Kudat.

A Fisheries Department staff in Semporna district was on his way home on Tuesday when he saw four dead sea turtles floating at the sea between Bum-Bum Island and Kulapuan Island. He then took pictures and posted on his Facebook.

James Alin from the School of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said a report had been made by WWF-Malaysia Semporna team and the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) was investigating the case.

However, he suspected the competency of Wildlife Department.

"Do we have to wait for the SWD to complete their investigation to come up with the list of usual suspects?

"Top of list is the seaweed farmers. The re-occurrence of conflict between sea turtle ('Bokko' to the islanders) and the seaweed farmers has been recorded since 1990s. The authorities were in denial while conservation groups prefer to spread a romantic view that the islanders do not harm sea turtles. They even come up with a nonsense like the sea gypsies have strong taboo on harming the sea turtles. The Muslim islanders do not eat sea turtle meat so they say, but they love sea turtle eggs," he said in a statement yesterday.

James pointed out that it is not rare for the islanders who commute daily between Bum Bum Island and Semporna town to see sea turtles in the areas adjacent to Tun Mustapha Marine Park. These areas have been the favorite foraging habitat of Green Turtles long before the boom in seaweed farming. Sea turtle is a pest to seaweed farming; they can destroy the entire seaweed farm overnight.

"The truth is this; seaweed farmers are fed up complaining about it and if they can, will definitely take revenge by harming the animal.

The next usual suspect are the artisanal fishermen. Sea turtles are known to forage at the coral reef and sea grasses areas where artisanal fishing is likely to take place. Sea turtle caught in any type of fishing net will drown. When that happens, fishermen usually will dispose of the carcass, cut the net, tie the turtle and drag it away from their fishing ground. Who is there to find out when most fishing activities are done at midnight until early morning?" he said.

James added the third usual suspect are the fishing vessels which are taking advantage of richness of our sea and non-existent of enforcement by SWD.

"Some fishing vessels are poaching endangered, charismatic and migratory marine species like sea turtle, Dugong, Dolphin or whale shark. The crews of these vessels with the Flag of Convenience are Vietnamese or Chinese or Indonesian. They are given license to do deep sea fishing or long line (by the Federal Fisheries Department). If they are caught encroaching into coastal areas or in possession of protected species, they too will dispose of the evidence by throwing it to the sea. The local owners of this joint venture will declare that they did not authorize the illegal activities," he said.

"What is the probability of SWD solving this case? Zero! If we look at how they handled the case of 50 dead sea turtles in Pulau Tiga, Kudat. A week after my report appeared on social media and online news portal, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment made a press statement denying my earlier report.

"He said the enforcement agencies did not receive any reports from local people about the dead turtles.

"Later on the permanent secretary for the minister invited me to a special meeting attended by the enforcement agencies. During the meeting, the Maritime Agency admitted they knew about the sea turtle killing field in Pulau Tiga a few months before my field visit. The maritime officer showed us photos and announced their investigation was not conclusive (no one got arrested)," he added.

James claimed the SWD official was not only late coming to the meeting but also angry with him for not consulting his department before writing to the media.

"Furthermore, he said that his department is far way from Kudat and his office does not have speedboat to go the island. So much for his lame excuse, the next day SWD and Sabah Parks sent an investigative team to Pulau Tiga."

He also revealed one more reason why SWD will never solve the case of dead turtles in Semporna.

"At the beginning of that meeting I have shown slides of sea turtle kept alive inside a pen (fish cage) in Balambangan island, I asked if any of the enforcement agencies interested to arrest the owner. None of them seem to be interested!" claimed James.

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100Plus National Junior Circuit <b>Sabah</b> Sarawak Zone badminton <b>...</b>

Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:03 AM PDT

FULL RESULTS

Boys U18 singles

Champion: Clement Chieng Jia Yew (Sarawak)

Runner-up: Eric Jong Zie Sheng (Sarawak)

Third: Datu Mohd Saffuan Nizam Sardik (Sabah)

Fourth: Datu Mohd Shah Eizlan Sardik (Sabah)

Boys U18 doubles

Champion: Muhd Sharul Nazim Rahman-Muhd Sharul Nazim Rahman (Sabah)

Runner-up: Eric Jong Zie Sheng-Kam Sing Siong (Sarawak)

Third: Smith Robert-Steve Robert (Sabah)

Fourth: Mohd Hafeez Sazali-Mohd Nur Syazwansyah Suriansa (Sabah)

Girls U18 singles

Champion: Lydia Habirin Lapongan (Sabah)

Runner-up: Donnetta Avrelrica Moisol (Sabah)

Third: Joanne Chai Guan Jin (Sabah)

Fourth: Kourtney Kho Ker Yin (Sarawak)

Girls U18 doubles

Champion: Joanne Chai Guan Jin-Lydia Habirin Lapongan (Sabah)

Runner-up: Grace Lee Yi Jing-Nur Adilah Syafiqah Adiman (Sabah)

Third: Claudia Tsang Pei Xuan-Nurizzatil Farhana Kassin (Sabah)

Fourth: Kourtney Kho Ker Yin-Vivienne Kua Yun Jen (Sarawak)

Boys U16 singles

Champion: Wan Mohd Hidayat Wan Hassan (Sabah)

Runner-up: Wilson Lau Ngie Sing (Sarawak)

Third: Goh Ting Yu (Sabah)

Fourth: Eddrall Atek (Sabah)

Boys U16 doubles

Champion: Casey Yong-Yap Qar Siong (Sabah)

Runner-up: Jeremy Kho-Owen Ting Shih Wee (Sarawak)

Third: Eddrall Atek-Ting Si Ren (Sabah)

Fourth: Mohd Azrul Fyirhan Afzan Alam-Wan Mohd Hidayat Wan Hassan (Sabah)

Girls U16 singles

Champion: Kam Wei Li (Sarawak)

Runner-up: Yong Ping Ping (Sarawak)

Third: Kristy Tay Yong (Sarawak)

Fourth: Vanessa Chai Voon Ching (Sabah)

Girls U16 doubles

Champion: Kam Wei Li-Yong Ping Ping (Sarawak)

Runner-up: Jee Yu Fei-Kristy Tay Yong (Sarawak)

Third: Chan Pei Xin-Leonilla Alauni Molin (Sabah)

Fourth: Valerie Liong Xing Yuen-Yong Ying Xiu (Sarawak)

Boys U14 singles

Champion: Neville Baptist Luaran (Sabah)

Runner-up: Syafiq Azhar Haizan (Sarawak)

Third: Nik Azizi Murat (Sarawak)

Fourth: Wee Xiang Ming (Sarawak)

Boys U14 doubles

Champion: Ling Dai Hao-Nevilla Baptist Luaran (Sabah)

Runners-up: Jaykester Jenenius-Macvin Marvin Martin (Sabah)

Third: Gilbert Vieery-Syafiq Azahar Haizan (Sarawak)

Fourth: Andy Kok Yew Tung-Liew Yao June (Sabah)

Girls U14 singles

Champion: Petricia Eleng Samin (Sabah)

Runner-up: Felicia Fong Xin Hui (Sarawak)

Third: Felicia Fong Xin Jie (Sarawak)

Fourth: Sharon Thien Fang Jing (Sarawak)

Girls U14 doubles

Champion: Petricia Eleng Samin-Shannia Dedee Richard (Sabah)

Runners-up: Felicia Fong Sin Hui-Flora Fong Xin Jie (Sarawak)

Third: Jessica Calvin-Macnella Michael (Sabah)

Fourth: Lloyderyena Xalfira Simon-Sharon Thien Fang Jin (Sabah)

Boys U12 singles

Champion: Mohd Hamizan Mozes (Sabah)

Runner-up: Demond Anthony Samin (Sabah)

Third: Chuar Kia Yii (Sabah)

Fourth: Chen Khai Hoong (Sarawak)

Boys U12 doubles

Champion: Lincoln Isaac Shim-Mohd Hamizan Mozes (Sabah)

Runners-up: Demond Anthony Samin-Naldo Fong Kuo Yoong (Sabah)

Third: Chen Zi Quan-Joshua Voon Ern Hua (Sarawak)

Fourth: Chen Khai Hoong-Joden Atom (Sarawak)

Girls U12 singles

Champion: Arena Satu Samin (Sabah)

Runner-up: Goh Shuen Tong (Sabah)

Third: Erika Vallensia (Sarawak)

Fourth: Wong Ling Ching (Sarawak)

Girls U12 doubles

Champion: Erika Vallensia-Wong Ling Ching (Sarawak)

Runners-up: Kashley Kho Tze Yin-Yong En En (Sarawak)

Third: Adrisyah Adriana Omar Maya-Syasya Fairus Nasira Rino (Sabah)

Fourth: Arena Satu Samin-Goh Shuen Tong (Sabah)

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<b>Sabah</b> draws RM38 bln investment - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 11 Apr 2014 11:23 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has been emerging as one of the favoured investment destinations in Malaysia as indicated by the total investment planned in the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC).

In the first quarter of 2014, total planned investment had reached RM128 billion while realised investment was recorded at RM38 billion, said Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) Chief Executive Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Johari.

Mohd Yaakub said this during a briefing to a 10-member delegation of fund managers led by TA Enterprise who called on him here yesterday.

The ten-person delegation comprised TA Enterprise members from both TA Securities Holdings Bhd and TA Investment Management Bhd while also including representatives from the Employees Provident Fund, Permodanan Nasional Berhad, Retirement Fund Incorporated, and RHB Banking.

The delegation was briefed on the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) and the Entry Point Projects (EPPs) in Sabah, namely key focus areas in agriculture, tourism, logistics and manufacturing, oil gas and energy, education and palm oil.

The delegation was informed that the vibrant real estate sector in Sabah and Kota Kinabalu in particular has been driven by sound economic fundamentals and supported by the real economy.

They were informed of the Public-Private Partnership, of which Sabah had been the biggest recipient of its Facilitation Funds.

Mohd Yaakub said that EPPs under Greater KK, Palm Oil, and Oil Gas and Energy currently comprised 83 percent of the approved investment garnered.

The key interest had been in the projects that have progressed into the implementation stage, especially in the tourism and real estate sectors, and SDC projects that are directly benefiting the public such as the walkway and cycleway along the Likas Bay coastline.

Coming from the securities sector, the delegation showed much interest in matters such as employment and household income in Sabah, the current demand in Sabah properties, and foreign direct investment into the state.

During the meeting the delegation was also told that unlike Sarawak, Sabah has no restrictions for West Malaysians to buy property, as well as the high occupancy rate of hotels within the state capital and surrounding districts.

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Poverty rate in <b>Sabah</b> plunges – Teo - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 10 Apr 2014 02:52 PM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: The federal government, together with the state government, has made great efforts to eradicate poverty by offering skill-based programmes, improving basic infrastructures and providing access to knowledge.

Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang said the government had offered the 1AZAM programme, set up 1Malaysia Development Berhad that funded the 1M4U programme and provided WiFi access in major districts and villages as part of its efforts to eradicate poverty.

He said the government was also trying to boost the economy by providing soft loans and setting up several funds for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), new entrepreneurs and also programs to help the cottage industry.

"In ensuring the plans are carried out smoothly, the eKasih system was established.

"This is the centralised Malaysian National Poverty data bank set up for the purpose of planning, coordination and monitoring by all related agencies and received the first prize in the prestigious United Nations Service Award in 2012."

With these efforts, Sabah has seen a drop in poverty rate from 19.7 per cent to 8.1 per cent from 2009 to 2012.

In the same period, Teo said poverty rate in rural areas recorded a sharp decline from 32.8 per cent in 2009 to 12.9 per cent in 2012.

Poverty rate in the urban areas had also dropped from 9.8 per cent to 5.3 per cent in the same period, he added.

Teo said this at the signing and exchange of documents of Sabah Institute of Art (SIA) – Commission on Sabah's Affair (COSA) Caring Fund programme here yesterday.

The SIA-COSA Caring Fund programme gives an opportunity for students from needy families, especially Sabahan natives to pursue higher education.

Students under the programme will undertake a three-year diploma course on scholarships offered by SIA while COSA will assist the students in their transportation, accommodation and living allowances throughout their study.

Speaking of education, Teo said education was a universal dream, one that granted transformative seeds of opportunity to every child.

In the 1970, one third of Malaysia's population aged six and over had never attended school.

"Today, Malaysia is close to achieving the second Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education, with almost all school-age children completing six years of learning.

"Public investment in schools has been a key factor in successfully reducing poverty from the high levels seen in the 1970s to the level prevalent today," he said.

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<b>Sabah</b> Credit Corporation&#39;s achievements get top marks from Musa <b>...</b>

Posted: 07 Apr 2014 04:34 PM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC) has received accolades from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman for the success that it has achieved in making it a self-sustaining agency.

Musa, when launching SCC's RM1.5 billion 'Sukuk Musharakah' program yesterday, pointed out that SCC has transformed itself from being a government dependent organization to a self-sustaining agency and has shown steady and impressive financial performance over the years.

He added that since 2002, SCC has declared over RM185 million in dividends to the state government and that is an effort that must surely be commended.

According to Musa, it was through innovative strategies or synergizing of people, process and technology that SCC was able to improve its operational efficiency and effectiveness.

"Even with the quantum leap in financing, SCC has been able to maximize and enhance its limited human resources effectively. This is in line with the State Government's direction of developing human capital that are creative and innovative together with good entrepreneurial skills thus allowing for the maximizing of the value of resources for the continued sustainable development of Sabah.

"I must say also that beyond these positive steps, it is noteworthy that SCC does not subscribe to a culture that only focuses on making sure that everything is fine as long as there are no losses. Instead, SCC has worked to maximize profits and declare the best possible dividends," Musa said.

As the state Finance Minister, Musa also pointed out that this rich vein of entrepreneurship is shown through SCC's consistent and steady improvement in its financial performance over the last 20 years and it is a concrete assurance that provides confidence to stakeholders on the stability of the Corporation.

Musa added that he was also happy to note that SCC has continued to play a very active role in complementing the government in the socio-economic development of the state under the Corporation's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

"I was informed that you have contributed over RM17 million for 128 CSR projects and this is a testament that SCC is not just focused on profits but is also a caring and responsible government entity," he said.

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Maktab <b>Sabah</b> annual awards spur students to excel – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 09 Apr 2014 11:37 AM PDT

by Rebecca Chong. Posted on April 10, 2014, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: The annual outstanding award ceremony of Maktab Sabah here has proven to be effective in motivating their students to perform better in academic and co-curricular achievements.

The school's best achiever in the Sijil Pendidikan Malaysia (SPM) 2013 examination, Bryan Chong Kah Seng, said the ceremony had given him the drive to maintain his excellent performance in his studies each year.

Bryan said he received awards in his academic achievements every year, and each year he felt that his hard work had paid off, making him want to do even better the next year.

"A ceremony like this definitely had kept me working hard, and it had become my target every year to go up on stage to receive the outstanding award which reflected my hard work throughout the year," he added.

Bryan who achieved 9A's+ and 1A in his SPM 2013, also received the Students Figure of the Year Award yesterday at Maktab Sabah hall near here.

The ceremony this year presented awards including best academic achievements, best co-curricular achievements, and best internal examinations, to over 300 Maktab Sabah students.

According to the head of the school management sector of the state Education Department, Raisin Saidin, who graced the event, the award ceremony aimed to give recognition and appreciation to Maktab Sabah's students for their achievements and contribution which had given positive reputation to the school.

"An award ceremony such as this would encourage students to do their best in studies as well as in co-curricular activities," Raisin added.

Other award recipients yesterday included Best Sportsman Award winners, Mohd Yazid Abdul Rashid and Matlan Hasan; Best Sportswoman Award winners, Amanda Jane Jospin and Suhaila Muhamad; Outstanding Co-curricular Award winner, Nur Aqilah Alias; and Excellent Service Award by the Parents-Teachers Association which was won by Siti Nurfathini Muhammad Azrie, who also achieved 10A's and 1B in her SPM in 2013.

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