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Ministry to rotate ESSCom command between police and army, says Ahmad Zahid BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Ministry to rotate ESSCom command between police and army, says Ahmad Zahid

Posted: 19 Apr 2014 12:40 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is coordinating to rotate the responsibilities of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) commandant between the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the matter was also being studied in detail by the National Security Council before being presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak for the final decision.

"The Change of Command is usually referred to Bukit Aman Headquarters or Defence Ministry.

"As such, to ensure total security over the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), the commandant is better rotated for some years between police and the armed forces," he said after opening the Home Ministry Family Day at Kajang Prison Complex near here yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid said the coordination was important to prevent overlapping of authority and deployment of assets procured by the PDRM, ATM and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).

"In my opinion, what is important is the security of residents in the ESSZone and to prevent the intrusion of terrorists from neighbouring countries as well as smuggling activities," he said.

Asked on the authority of the ATM in making arrests as ESSCom commandant, Ahmad Zahid said: "They have the authority to apprehend but the detainees will be handed to police for action".

On the level of security at Sabah's east coast following the kidnapping incident in Semporna recently, Ahmad Zahid said the ministry had made it mandatory to install high definition closed circuit television at all 11 resorts to tighten security.

He said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be signed with the governments of Nepal and Bangladesh on the recruitment of workers to the country.

"I have invited the Bangladesh and Nepal Manpower Ministers to Kuala Lumpur to sign the MoU. Nonetheless, as the matter is under the ambit of the Human Resource Ministry, KDN would be a witness to ensure that it is implemented as planned," he said.

He was commenting on a report about the arrest of 15 illegal immigrants working at a resort in Sabah linked to the kidnapping in Singamata Adventures Reef and Resort, Semporna, Sabah.

In the report, Ahmad Zahid urged resort operators and employers not to hire foreigners or individuals without valid identification documents as this could lead to other problems in future.

"Foreign workers such as from Bangladesh and Nepal have complained of the high charges imposed by recruitment agencies. Actually we are imposing the minimal amount for biometric processing and so on," he said.

The problems arose when the recruitment agencies started charging very prohibitive payments of more than RM24,000.

"They had to pawn their valuables to get a loan…so I think there must be action not only between governments but agreement between the industry players," he said. — Bernama

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Visitors like Malaysian products – Masidi

Posted: 19 Apr 2014 10:16 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has the potential to become a destination for visitors to purchase affordable quality products, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.

"I am of the opinion that Kota Kinabalu can be made into a retail destination for local brands that are in the mid-price range, products which are not too expensive but is something that is not available anywhere else," Masidi said.

Masidi, when officiating at Suria Sabah shopping mall's Spring/Summer Fashion Week 2014 yesterday, said the feedback he received from visitors to Sabah revealed that they are interested to buy Malaysian made products which are not too expensive and cannot be found in their own countries.

"They told me that the quality of Malaysian products is good, in fact some say that it is better than international brands which can be found in their own home countries.

"Therefore I think that we must grab the opportunity to value-add the visitors to Sabah's vacation by offering them quality local products," he said.

Masidi was of the opinion that Sabah, being a retail destination for local brands which are in the mid-price range, can be an attraction on its own in the long run.

He said he is targeting China, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam as the main markets for such a destination in the future.

"All we need to do is to increase Sabah's connectivity to these places. I am confident that Sabah has the ability to provide products which are not too expensive but at the same time give satisfaction to visitors to Kota Kinabalu," he stressed.

According to Masidi, he was very impressed with the quality of clothing paraded in the fashion show and was of the opinion that the products are worth the price that buyers are paying.

"I believe that if we build up the industry well with good marketing, over time we can actually be a place which is famous for offering mid-range quality products.

"And I hope more shopping complexes will follow suit what Suria Sabah has done and continue to make Kota Kinabalu attractive not only as a place for holiday but also a place to purchase something which they can bring home.

"I congratulate the management of Suria Sabah for always being creative not only for business but also in improving the atmosphere and products available in the shopping mall," he said.

Meanwhile Suria Sabah Sdn Bhd General Manager, Tan King Way said that the Spring/Summer season at the shopping mall which runs from April 4 to May 4 will showcase 13 fashion brands and eight beauty and fashion counters.

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Yussof stays as Labuan chamber chief

Posted: 19 Apr 2014 10:15 AM PDT

LABUAN: The president of Labuan Malaysia Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMM Labuan), Datuk Yussof Mohammad said that the chamber has never sacked any of its members unless they break its constitution, which will result in their automatic disqualification as members.

In his speech before the chamber's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday at Labuan Corporation Tower, he expressed his gratitude that DPMM Labuan was finally able to hold its AGM after some legal issues against the chamber at court were settled.

"We could not carry out our AGM before as our former committee member summoned the chamber in court," he said, adding that the chamber had never summoned any of its members before.

Yussof, who did not mention the former committee member's name, explained that any DPMM member who brought legal action against the chamber in court will find his membership disqualified automatically.

"We uphold the constitution within the chamber, where we should discuss any rift among us for our best interest before proceeding the matter to court," he said.

Yussof disclosed that DPMM Labuan had to bear a huge cost due to the legal case at court.

"Some of our committee members contributed in paying for the legal costs as they want to see DPMM Labuan continue to play its role.

"I hope all these problems will settle soon, as we need to focus ahead on our main agenda to unite all the members to ensure DPMM Labuan is continuously relevant in its struggles for the members," he said.

Earlier, Yussof who is also one of the board of directors of the National Farmer Association (Nafas), had announced that he intended to hand over his position to his successor in DPMM Labuan.

However, due to the insistence from members of the chamber, he had to postpone his decision.

"This might be my last term to lead DPMM Labuan as I need to focus on my duty in Nafas after this. While, I am still in DPMM Labuan and in Nafas, I will ensure both of them fulfill the country's aspiration.

"This year, Nafas has allocated some RM10 million to Labuan for poultry farming to supply the products for Labuan Halal Hub," he said, adding that he hoped members would take the opportunity to get involved in the Labuan Halal Hub industry.

Before ending his speech, he said that the committee members of the chamber had mapped out their plans to empower the Malay Bumiputera entrepreneurs here.

Meanwhile, Labuan member of Parliament, Datuk Rozman Isli who was present to officiate the AGM said that Yussof's leadership was still much needed in DPMM Labuan at the moment to face the challenge of uniting its members.

"DPMM Labuan is the platform for Malay entrepreneurs here. We now see many Malays involved in the business sector in Labuan.

"Some of the members have shown their capabilities after going through ups and downs in their entrepreneurship.

"This is proof of the contribution made by the chamber to help the government to empower Malay entrepreneurs here," he said.

Rozman, who is also Labuan Corporation chairman, said that before he got involved in politics, he had gained much of his experience in DPMM Labuan as well as other non governmental bodies later.

"I can say that I am a product of DPMM Labuan. I want to congratulate him (Yussof) for being responsible in bringing the chamber to Labuan as he had contributed a lot to the members.

"Thank God, we have been blessed with unity and I do hope the total members of DPMM Labuan will continue to rise after this especially among the graduates intending to get involved in business," he said.

Rozman also said that some help and attention were needed for youths who had yet to be employed, but are interested to do businesses on their own.

"With their formal education background, I believe that their chances to succeed as entrepreneurs are there where in the end they will become the pride of Labuan.

"We do not want to see the Malays get left behind in the business sector, as the involvement in business will make our country more stable and peaceful due to the economic sharing among the citizens," he said.

During the AGM, Datuk Yussof Mohammad was retained as the president of DPMM Labuan, while the new deputy president was Hjh. Fauziah Datuk Mohd. Din and the vice president post went to Bongsu Hj. Mohammad.

Also present at the AGM was the deputy president of Central DPMM, Dato' Hj. Mohamad Alayuddin Che Hasan.

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Eight cars in pile-up after 4WD hits streetlight

Posted: 19 Apr 2014 10:15 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Eight vehicles were involved in a road accident after a four-wheel-drive vehicle rammed into a streetlight pole along Kolombong Road, just in front of City Mall shopping complex, here yesterday.

It was learnt that the 7.15pm incident happened when the four-wheel-drive vehicle, which was heading to Kolombong from Lintas, hit a streetlight pole on a road island as the driver tried to avoid hitting a Toyota Alphard that was making a u-turn back towards Kolombong.

The streetlight pole then fell onto the opposite lane, hitting another four-wheel-drive which was heading to Lintas from Kolombong, causing damage on the roof.

Five other vehicles, a Toyota Fortuner, Perodua Alza, Perodua Myvi, Perodua Viva and a Proton Saga which were tailing the four-wheel-drive vehicle respectively then rammed into the rear of the car in front in a pile-up.

No one was injured in the incident which caused a massive traffic jam on both lanes of the road.

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Govt needs to be serious on integrity – association

Posted: 19 Apr 2014 10:14 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Hokkien Association of Malaysia president Dato' Khoo Chai Kah last Friday night said the government should take the matter of integrity seriously as the 2013 audit report had shown that many government departments and agencies of the country had loopholes and that the government was not spending their expenses wisely.

"Purchasing was shown higher than normal price, construction projects are often delayed and over budgeted, and equipment purchased are often expensive, irrelevant and not utilized," he said during the 40th anniversary and 21st swearing-in ceremony held at the Hakka Hall, here.

He said it was a big issue and that the government should take the matter seriously and overcome the problem.

Meanwhile, president the Federation of Hokkien Association of Sabah and Labuan Datuk TC Goh thanked Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman for approving an one-acre land to the federation.

However, he said the federation had yet to receive the grant as it was still under process, and he hoped the Chief Minister would speed up the process so that the federation could have the premises in the shortest time.

In response to Goh's request the Chief Minister said in his speech that night that he would try his best to speed up the process of the grant for the federation.

Musa also called on the Hokkien clan to strengthen their commitment in assisting the government's efforts to further boost the economy of the state as well as the country.

"I believe such a move will not only improve business ties, but will also increase the potential for trade and entrepreneurship, creating a win-win situation. This in turn will augur well for overall economic growth in Sabah," he added.

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