» »Unlabelled » Malaysia to forge cross-border cooperation BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

06:08:00

Malaysia to forge cross-border cooperation BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Malaysia to forge cross-border cooperation

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 10:43 AM PDT

TAWAU: The Ministry of Defence will work closely with three neighbouring countries, namely the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei to strengthen security in Sabah, particularly in the east coast.

Its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said sharing of experience and information on security issues among the four countries was very important and helpful in terms of trainings, assets and intelligence.

He told the media this after visiting the Joint-Task-Force II, Kukusan Camp here yesterday together with the United States Marines Force Pacific Commanding General Lieutenant General Terry Robling.

"Terry spent one day to observe the complexity along the 1,700km coastline.

"Besides observing the complexity at the forward bases, ships, islands and resorts, Terry would also review the inland defence.

"Perhaps other parties (countries) would also wish to take part in monitoring for the safety of the people. The invasion and kidnapping cases that occurred not only affected Malaysia but also the neighbouring countries," Hishammuddin said.

Print Friendly
We encourage commenting on our stories to give readers a chance to express their opinions; please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. While the comments here reflect the views of the readers, they are not necessarily that of Borneo Post Online. Borneo Post Online reserves the right not to publish or to remove comments that are offensive or volatile. Please read the Commenting Rules.

School 30% built when site found unsuitable – senator

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 10:42 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: The contractor who was awarded the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Nabalu, Tuaran construction project is facing a complicated predicament when the Ministry of Education (MOE) issued a 'stop work' order for the project that has reached 30 per cent completion.

Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin said, the MOE had awarded the project to the contractor without waiting for result of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study of the site.

As the project neared 30 per cent completion, the MOE issued a 'stop work' order as the EIA study has found that the site was not suitable to build a school.

Chin said, more problems arose when the MOE failed to decide or officially inform the contractor on the status of the project, whether it would be continued, cancelled or relocated to a new site for over nine months since the stop work order was issued.

As a result, the contractor now has to bear a monthly fine of RM15,000 imposed by the bank as the advance bond for the project has expired, and also because the MOE had yet to issue a release letter to the contractor.

Chin said this during a debate on the  Yayasan Guru Tun Hussein Onn 2014 Bill at the Dewan Negara here recently.

Chin appealed to the MOE to look into its project management, especially on the issues faced by contractors in Sabah.

He pointed out that contractors were often blamed for the delay or failure to complete projects on schedule, but many of the problems were caused by weaknesses and bureaucracy in the MOE.

Chin said the MOE officials assigned to oversee the SMK Nabalu project were changed frequently, which meant that new officers in charge would have to take time to understand the status and problems of the project. This in turn slows down the decision making process and action by the MOE, he said.

"This problem is not only faced by the contractor (of SMK Nabalu), but also by many other contractors who undertake projects under the MOE.

"The MOE's delay in making decisions and issuing instructions has resulted in many projects failing to be completed on schedule."

If these problems persist, Chin said, the ministry would have to pay more compensation to the contractor involved, resulting in greater financial burden to be borne by the MOE. The ministry could also face legal action by contractors, he said.

"I urge the MOE to improve the efficiency of its staff immediately so that all the projects can be carried out well. Overcoming inefficiencies will also save a lot of taxpayers' money," he said.

On the Yayasan Guru Tun Hussein Onn 2014 Bill, Chin sought clarification from the Education Minister whether the foundation would provide assistance to teachers who pursue their studies to higher levels, the total amount of allocation and the number of teachers who would benefit from the assistance.

Chin also requested the Education Minister to explain the provision of scholarships for teachers' children under the foundation, whether the scholarships would be available for public and private higher learning institutions, as well as the allocation for those who wish to pursue their studies overseas.

Print Friendly

Community chiefs who backed opposition face dismissal

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 10:42 AM PDT

by Johan Aziz. Posted on June 27, 2014, Friday

NABAWAN: Community leaders proven to have supported the opposition and had sabotaged Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates during the 13th general election would be sacked immediately, said State Native Affairs (MHEAINS) president Mohamed Haji Alamin.

This included native chiefs, native chief representatives and village chiefs because their appointments were supported by the assemblymen or the BN chairman in their respective areas, he said at a MHEAINS ceremony at Youth Hall here yesterday.

Mohame said that when they were appointed to hold office, they should give their full support to the government.

"If they deviate or do not support the government, they will be fired immediately," he said.

Mohamad claimed to have received several reports that native chief representatives and village heads had supported the opposition during the last general election.

"All reports and a list of names of those involved are on my desk, but before taking action I will investigate. If there is evidence we will take appropriate action," he said.

Mohamad also requested that village heads attend official functions attended by elected representatives in their areas.

He said their presence was essential to enable them to get new information related to government policies, in addition to their role as leaders at grassroots level.

Talking about the lack of administrative support staff in the Native Courts in the districts, Mohamad said he intended to assign full-time native chief representatives in the office according to their qualifications.

"This is to overcome the lack of administrative support staff in some Native Courts in the state," he said.

He said he would look into this as it was an urgent requirement in some Native Courts.

Also present were Assistant District Officer Aloysius Anthony, District Chief OKK Sayau Tangkap, Nabawan Community Development Officer Barahim Andipoh, Pagalungan Sub-District Chief OKK Tinus Lindas, heads of departments and community leaders.

Print Friendly

MCA KK opposes bid to implement hudud law

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 10:42 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: MCA Kota Kinabalu division has passed a resolution objecting to PAS' plan to implement hudud law, the Islamic penal code.

The resolution was among the four resolutions unanimously passed during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held here, last Sunday.

In endorsing the resolution, its chief Datuk Agnes Shim stressed that this was in tandem with the party's aspiration to safeguard the contents and spirit of the Federal Constitution.

"We are doing this to protect our Federal Constitution; otherwise the implementation of hudud law will not only lead to a complete change of the country's legal system but also completely alter the spirit and intent of the formation of Malaysia under Malaysia Agreement 1963," she said in a statement issued here, Thursday.

She went on to note that in the near future, her division would coordinate with the party's legal bureau to coach its grass-root leaders here, to better explain to the public on the far-reaching implication of hudud, hence the reason they should oppose it, and also to reject its proposer, PAS and its allies in Pakatan Rakyat.

The other three resolutions passed in the AGM were:

1. To fully support MCA's transformation program that was initiated by MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai;

2. To oppose any form of extreme religious-related speeches that could damage harmony of this country; and

3. To fully support the appointment of MCA central leaders by the Prime Minister, as federal cabinet ministers.

During the AGM, Shim who is also Sabah MCA Women chief also emphasized on the importance and the need for MCA members to fully understand the spirit of the party's struggles, which is to always place the interest of the country and the people above personal interest.

She stressed that this was important towards bringing back the past glory of the party, and to achieve a breakthrough in the next general election.

Touching on the next general election, she expressed hope that the party leadership could identify and groom potential candidates early, so as not to repeat the mistakes in the last general election where a number of its candidates did not have enough time to connect with the voters.

Meanwhile, she also thanked party advisor cum her predecessor Datuk Chau Tet On, who was present to show support, for his guidance and contributions all these years.

Also present to show support to her division were Datuk Paul Kong, Sabah MCA advisor cum Penampang MCA chief; Datuk Chew Kok, MCA Sabah secretary-general; Ir. Jacob Yan, the Speaker for the AGM; and Pamela Yong, MCA Kota Kinabalu Women chief cum Sabah MCA Women deputy chief.

A total of 179 out of 208 delegates attended the AGM.

Print Friendly

Foster closer ties with China – CM

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 10:41 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman has urged the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) to foster closer bilateral ties with China to promote business and economic opportunities in Sabah.

Musa said USCCAKK was an active association that played an important role for the Chinese community in Kota Kinabalu, and like other Chinese associations, USCCAKK served as a bridge between the government and Chinese community.

Musa said this at the USCCAKK's 20th swearing-in ceremony, Women's Day and its 40th anniversary celebrations here yesterday. Musa was represented by the Minister of Special Tasks, Datuk Teo Chee Kang, who delivered his speech at the event.

Musa said the Chinese community lived in harmony within the multiracial, multi-religious and multicultural society in Sabah, in line with the 1Malaysia spirit.

"As a responsible and caring government, the State Government under the Barisan Nasional will always strive to meet the needs of the people, including the minority communities.

"I believe USCCAKK will be able to drive the efforts to strengthen unity and tolerance among the people."

As the Chinese community in Sabah have either familial or business ties with China, Musa said, they play an important and effective role as a link with China.

Musa said, China, the second largest economy in the world, has been the largest trading partner of Malaysia since 2009.

"I believe the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's visit to China last month not only strengthened the diplomatic relations between both countries, but also opened up more opportunities in cultural, diplomacy and investment."

Meanwhile, USCCAKK president, John Lim Yu Sin, said the association would cooperate with the government to ensure dissemination of information on government policies that would bring benefits to the people.

Lim said the association would also actively take part in activities organized by the government to boost the relationship between both parties.

On another note, Lim expressed his gratitude towards the advisors and past presidents of USCCAKK for building a strong foundation for the association to move forward

He also thanked Musa and Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir for approving the City Point Complex project, a joint venture development between USCCAKK and Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC). Lim further thanked the developer, Arah Permai Sdn Bhd headed by Francis Goh, for his strong support in the development.

Lim said USCCAKK supported the leadership of Musa who he believed would be able to bring more progress to Sabah.

Print Friendly