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Plantation worker killed in freak accident BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Plantation worker killed in freak accident

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 12:50 PM PDT

LAHAD DATU: A Filipino plantation worker died after a sickle cut his net in a freak accident here yesterday.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner of Police Shamsudin Mat yesterday said the 33-year-old victim, Joel Lumactod, and his 19-year-old brother were heading to a plantation in Tambisan about 6.30am yesterday.

The victim was riding a motorcycle while his brother, who was riding pillion, was carrying a sickle on his shoulder.

"As they were passing through a volleyball court, the sickle stuck in the net and hit the siblings.

"The victim was hit on his neck, while his brother was hit on his face. They were rushed to the nearest hospital. The victim was pronounced dead while receiving treatment," he said, adding that his brother received seven stitches on his face.

Shamsudin said the case, classified as accident, would be investigated under Section 304A of the Penal Code.

The distict police also disclosed that 51 illegal immigrants were nabbed during Ops Cantas Khas which was carried out in the district from 2am to 8am yesterday.

Shamsudin said 165 individuals were inspected during the operation and 88 people were detained. After further inspection, 51 of them were nabbed after they failed to show identification documents.

"This operation aims to round up illegal immigrants in this district and to prevent crime activities. It will be carried out from time to time," he added.

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Teo should resign over hudud law issue – Liew

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 12:49 PM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk VK Liew has called for the resignation of Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang for contradicting the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman's stand on the hudud law issue.

Liew was of the opinion that Teo must review his position in the BN now that he has again made a strong repeated stand on his objection to the proposed tabling of the Private Members' Bills by PAS to pave way for the implementation of Hudud law in Kelantan.

"This is because he has contradicted himself with the stand taken by the BN chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who has recently made it clear that the Federal Government has never rejected the implementation of hudud law in Malaysia," he said.

According to Liew, the Prime Minister has gone on record to say recently that both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the country must be ready for the implementation of hudud.

Thus giving the clearest indication that it is only a matter of time before the country is faced with two chaotic criminal systems of law – one for the Muslims and the other for non-Muslims.

"The PM has drawn his card on hudud. It is as clear as day that the PM is not opposing the implementation of hudud. Indeed, the plan to implement hudud is not confined to just Kelantan but the entire country," said Liew.

"What then is the stand of this Minister of Special Tasks on the matter? As a member of an administration in a BN coalition, he should understand that the principle of collective responsibility comes into play.

"Basically, if Teo cannot agree with the Prime Minister of the country, he should know what to do without having to be told what to do," said Liew when asked what he thinks Teo should do under the circumstances.

"If he is a man of principle, he should resign," said Liew.

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World’s first biomass JV cluster to be launched in Sandakan

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 10:17 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: The world's first biomass joint-venture cluster will be launched at the fifth International Palm Oil Expo (PalmEx) 2014 in Sandakan on May 21 to 23.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is expected to launch the event which is jointly organised by the Ministry of Industrial Development (MID), Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR), Fireworks Event (M) Sdn Bhd, Palm Oil Industry Cluster (POIC) Sabah Sdn Bhd, Sandakan Bulkers Sdn Bhd and Sandakan Municipal Council.

During a press conference held at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephen here yesterday, organising chairman of the event, Patrick Tan, who is also director of DIDR, disclosed that the launching of the biomass joint-venture (JV) company would have a major impact in the realisation of a large scale oil palm biomass utilisation in Sabah, potentially worth billions of ringgit.

"The biomass JV company will be the culmination of the joint efforts of Agensi Inovasi Malaysia and state agencies in bringing together oil palm mill owners to aggregate biomass in volumes large enough to ensure the sustainability of downstream industries, including making pellets and bio-chemicals.

"Sabah produces more than 20 million tons of oil palm biomass but aggregating this valuable feedstock had been a big problem with no existing pricing mechanisms and transportation costs as being a major inhibitor because the mills are scattered over a wide area," said Tan.

He added that exhibitions such as PalmEx was vital as industry players in Sabah continued to push for value-adding industries using palm oil as well as biomass generated from the plantations and mills.

Chief executive officer of POIC Sabah, Datuk Dr Pang Teck Wai, noted that establishing a biomass JV in the state would expand the state's potential in the biomass industry to be fully explored.

Meanwhile, PalmEx was initiated five years ago by a peninsula-based company, Fireworks Event (M) Sdn Bhd, which chose Sabah as 'home' for PalmEx by virtue of Sabah being the biggest palm oil growing state in Malaysia.

The event will see big names in the industry taking part in the exhibition, showcasing products and technology of categories such as palm kernel oil expeller, empty fruit bunch machinery, soil stabilisation, soil road sealant, valves, bio-technology, palm oil chain, wastewater and dewatering pumps and bearings.

A one-day conference on the "New Business Opportunities in Biomass Downstream" will also be held on May 22 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Sandakan, featuring international and local speakers.

Seven papers by industry players, technology suppliers and policy makers are expected to be presented, including updates on the National Biomass Strategy by Agensi Inovasi Malaysia, and the experience of a Selangor-based company, Detik Aturan Sdn Bhd, in exporting pellets made from oil palm waste.

Admission to this event is complimentary and open only to trade visitors and educational institutes.

Visitors can also pre-register online at www.asiapalmoil.com.

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Call to change name of Keningau Music Festival

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 10:17 AM PDT

KENINGAU: Keningau Umno deputy chief Annuar Datuk Ayub has suggested that the Keningau Music Festival be changed to Crocker Range Music Carnival next year.

Annuar, who is also the patron of the festival, said the change is because Crocker Range is near Keningau town and could promote it to tourists from within and outside the country.

"Taking the name of Crocker Range is also appropriate as it embraces the love of nature away from pollution," he said when opening the Keningau Music Festival at Keningau Mall here on Saturday.

He said such a program was good as it could tap talents in singing and music from the youth in the district, and develop these to the next level.

Annuar expressed hope that through the program, young talents could be expanded and promoted.

He believes many young people in the area have extraordinary artistic talents, both in singing, music and dance performances.

"For me, this program can have an impact on the development of art and culture in this area.

"I also ask the organizers to further diversify the event which will interest all levels of society, from songs in the 1960s, Malay folk songs, to rock and R&B which are very well loved by the elders and youths," he said.

Annuar said parents should also support the arts development of their children as a career in arts has a bright future.

"Sabah has produced many popular artists through television reality shows, and I believe youths from this region may follow suit," he said.

He said the music festival program also gave youth the opportunity to show their talents in business.

He said many youth organizations had opened up business stalls during the program and this was good for youths to be independent.

Annuar also proposed that youth organizations, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the federal Department of Youth and Sports, provide career-oriented programs that could benefit them.

The inaugural program was jointly organized by Kiara College, led by its chief executive officer, Natalie Chow, and was well received by the people from around the district.

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Betitik Festival, Bajau Sama singing competition

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 10:17 AM PDT

TUARAN: More than 5,000 people packed the Seri Sulaman Hall here on Sunday to witness the finals of the Betitik Festival and Bajau Sama singing competition organised by the Welfare and Culture Bureau of the Tuaran Umno Division.

The two-day event which began on Saturday, was officiated by Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hj Hajiji Hj Noor who is also Tuaran Umno divisional chief.

Also present were Hajiji's wife, Datin Seri Hjh Juliah Salag; Tuaran district officer AM Ibnu AK Baba; Tuaran OCPD DSP Abdul Fuad Malek; and Hajiji's political secretary, Abdul Kassim Hj Razali.

Hajiji who is also Sulaman assemblyman, presented the prizes to the winners. He also handed over foodstuff to several senior citizens.

Fifteen teams took part in the Betitik competition in two categories.

The Batu Berani team from Mengkabong was declared champion in Category A, followed by the Seri Nongkolud, Bestari and Serarok teams.

In Category B, the champion was the Seni Penimbawan Satu team, followed by the Bunga Tenghilan, Seri Betutai, and Kindu teams.

The Baja Sama singing competition was won by Ahmad Hj Dullah. Runners-up were Madkamis @ Sekam Segar and Nurul Azyahtul Norkafli.

Meanwhile, Hajiji in his speech praised the bureau headed by Tuaran District Chief OKK Mohd Daud Sedek for taking the initiative to organise the festival which he described as timely.

"Culture can unite the people. In the context of multi-cultural Malaysia, it is called Unity in Diversity," he stressed.

He also pointed out that cultural traditions practised since time immemorial should be preserved at all costs before they become extinct.

On the singing competition, Hajiji said it was one way to ensure that the young grow up knowing how to speak their mother tongue.

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Chinese must have courage to change – assistant minister

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 10:16 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Studies have shown that the Chinese are generally more conventional and are reluctant to embrace new innovations, concepts and methodologies.

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah said the Chinese must have the courage to change and move forward, or they would lag behind in the midst of modernization, particularly in terms of doing business.

Yong said the Chinese played an active and significant role in the nation's development, particularly in Sabah.

However, he said conducting business the traditional way in today's highly technological, modern and borderless era was insufficient.

As such, Yong said the Chinese must change their mindset, be proactive and embrace innovations and new concepts.

Yong said this at the fifth Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry installation ceremony here on Sunday.

Speaking of the Chinese chamber, Yong said the Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry had faced a lot of hardships in its early years, such as difficulty in recruiting members as most of them had joined the Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry could not join Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) as Putatan is under the jurisdiction of the Penampang District Council.

"Since Putatan has become a district, its economy has thrived while commercial and residential units are mushrooming in the district.

"I believe more businesses will join Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry," he said.

He added the installation ceremony, which was attended by over 900 guests all over Sabah, was an indication of the wide network of Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Frankie Liew.

"I hope chamber's members will be united to face new challenges."

On the other hand, Yong called on the chamber to submit a list of recommended candidates as Putatan district councillors.

He said businessmen in the district would have a deeper understanding of the issues on the ground.

Yong pledged that he and Deputy Chief Minister cum Petagas assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin would continue to pursue basic infrastructures such as fire and rescue services, hospital and police station in the district.

"I hope we can achieve these during our tenure.

"I also hope the Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry will cooperate with the government and together put our efforts into this booming district."

Also present at the event were Yong's spouse Datin Mary Wong, Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Datuk Seri TC Goh, SUCCC president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah, SUCCC secretary general Datuk Ling Tiong Chai, SUCCC treasurer general Datuk Yap Yiw Sin, United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCA) president John Lim, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui, Datuk Paul Kong, Luyang assemblyman Hiew King Cheu, Tambunan Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Dato' Oi Thiam Beng, United Sabah and Labuan Hakka Association president Datuk Jimmy Tham Yuk Leong, See Hua Group Sabah area general operations manager Ngu Ngiong Hieng, Sabah Publishing House Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Clement Yeh, Datuk James Hwong, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah branch president Datuk Lau Kok Sing and organizing chairman Lo Su Fai.

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