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Firm expands drilling operations in <b>Sabah</b> - The Borneo Post Online Berita Sabah - News 2 Sabah

Firm expands drilling operations in <b>Sabah</b> - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 26 Aug 2014 09:49 AM PDT

by Amy Dangin. Posted on August 27, 2014, Wednesday

KOTA KINABALU: Talisman Malaysia Limited is in the process of further developing its Kinabalu platform with plans to start the construction of a wellhead to link with the existing platform by next year.

"This is so that we can drill further production wells to maintain our production from the Kinabalu field," said its acting country manager, Duncan Smart.

On the oil and gas company's progress, Smart disclosed that its drilling rig left the Kinabalu platform beginning of August, having completed a drilling programme there.

"We drilled six new wells and are extremely pleased with the results because our production from the platform has increased by three times.

"So we are now producing at around 16 to 17 thousand barrels of oil per day, a progress we consider to be very successful," said Smart, when met at the company's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house here yesterday.

He added that Talisman Malaysia is also currently drilling its second exploration well in Block 309, where they will be drilling two more wells next year.

"And after we finish that exploration programme, we will be moving to Block 310 for further exploration drilling," added Smart.

He also noted how there are a lot of potential talents in Sabah to join the oil and gas industry, taking into account the state's significant contribution to the production of Malaysia's oil and gas.

"We've started with the sponsorship of the engineering undergraduates at the university. We hope that some of those undergraduates will progress and join the oil and gas business.

"We also do a lot of training support (programmes) with Petronas to develop talents both here in Sabah and the Peninsula. As we expand our activities and our operations, we will always look to see if there is any talent from Sabah to join our organisation," he pointed out.

Other than its contribution in the education department which includes the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to offer 30 scholarships to young Sabahans pursing engineering courses at the university, Talisman has also provided a grant to benefit some 80 single mothers through the Bongawan District Single Mothers Association in a sustainable capacity building project through collaboration with PACOS-trust.

"It has not been just about oil and gas operations for us in Talisman Malaysia, hence, we are also passionate about helping the local communities in which we do business," said Smart in his speech at the open house yesterday.

During the event, a total of RM100,000 was also equally donated to five charitable organisations, namely the Yayasan Nur Jauhar, Bukit Harapan, Don Bosco Children's Home, Sabah Thalassaemia Society and Pusat PDK Mutiara Labuan.

The event was attended by the Head of State, Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Juhar Datuk Mahiruddin and wife, Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Norlidah Tan Sri Datuk R.M. Jasni.

Some 70 children from various orphanages and special needs children homes around Sabah and Labuan were also present at the event.

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Those questioning ceremony to honour MH17 victims have &#39;certain <b>...</b>

Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:30 PM PDT

IPOH: Those accusing the government of denying the heroic deeds of warriors killed in the Lahad Datu skirmish with terrorists, with its honour ceremony and national mourning for victims of the doomed Malaysia Airlines MH17 aircraf,t have a 'certain agenda'.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said they were instigative, voracious in questioning the ceremony and inhumane in their lack of consideration.

"The families of the warriors of Lahad Datu know what the government is doing to look after and honour those who have died…(the accusation) is not too serious, but it tries to cast aspersions on the government's treatment of the warriors of Lahad Datu," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after opening the Ipoh Timor Umno division meeting here yesterday.

On the Lahad Datu warriors, Hishammuddin said national sovereignty medals were created for them, adding that they were specially designed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"How we took care of the bodies of the warriors who were killed…the government had also met their families who were at that time, in grief…so was I," he added.

He said the government would also continue to monitor development in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone, following the declaring of support by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters — a breakaway of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front — and the Abu Sayyaf group to  the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria group.

"This means there is no end yet to the issue of the intrusion in Lahad Datu. We will continue to monitor this and let's not fool around with security issues," he said.

As such, Hishammuddin stressed that the act of questioning the efforts of the government in giving the same honour to the victims of the MH17 and MH370 aircraft tragedies and the warriors of Lahad Datu should stop.

"If we don't explain, it will spill over into the social media. They don't know what had happened. In the end, the good we have done, recognised by the world on Friday, will be nullified," noted the minister.

He said from feedback received, including those from the international media and foreign embassies, the honour ceremony and national mourning were carried out in an orderly manner.

"It's not overly simple, but it was quite perfect," he said. On the statements of a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leader who deemed the soldiers who took part in the honour ceremony on Friday as 'slaves', Hishammuddin said in reality, the soldiers in question felt they were honoured to take part in the ceremony.

He said the PKR leader might not know that every one of the soldiers involved, when met, felt their involvement was an honour.

"It is a statement which is seen as capable of triggering anger in the army. Don't heed the voice of one or two, maybe there is an emptiness in their soul, they do not decide the dignity of Malaysian soldiers," he added. A news portal yesterday reported a PKR delegate from Perak, Admiral (Rtd) Imran Abdul Hamid as questioning the use of army personnel for the ceremony honouring the remains of the victims of the ill-fated MH17 aircraft. — Bernama

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Tourism Malaysia proposes VOA via Singapore – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 23 Aug 2014 09:37 AM PDT

BEIJING: Tourism Malaysia has proposed the Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) facility targeting Chinese and Indian tourists via land checkpoint for travellers visiting Malaysia from Singapore.

Currently, travellers can only apply for VOA at the following air checkpoints, namely KL International Airport (KLIA), Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT, KLIA), Penang Airport, Sultan Ismail Airport, Senai, Johor Baharu, Kota Kinabalu Airport, Sabah; and Kuching International Airport, Sarawak.

The facility aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Malaysia to boost the tourism industry compared with the neighbouring countries, said the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

For instance, she said Thailand had granted a three-month visa free policy for Chinese tourists beginning Aug 9 this year, some offered electronic visa (e-visa) or visa-free facilities.

Hence, Ng pointed out that the policy adjustment would definitely help in boosting Malaysia's tourism industry. She disclosed this to Malaysian reporters here on Saturday during her visit in China.

The disappearance of Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH370 on March 8, and kidnapping incidents in Sabah had dented Malaysia's tourism and shelved the Visit Malaysia 2014 campaign.  — Bernama

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Malaysia needs &#39;captain&#39; Najib in current admin — Shahidan <b>...</b>

Posted: 23 Aug 2014 09:41 AM PDT

IPOH: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has indeed created so many success stories for Malaysia during his administration, but Malaysia needs Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to be the strong captain in the current government's administration, Minister in the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said.

As such, he said all quarters should support Najib's leadership and administration without comparing and causing a clash between the two leaders.

"We have to support Najib, do not go to the extreme to cause a clash between Tun M and Najib, I totally disagree and will go against anyone who dares to do so.

"Whatever the problem is, solve it like we do in a family. There are bigger things ahead, Umno must win in the next general election," he told reporters after opening the meetings of Ipoh Timur Umno Youth, Puteri and Wanita Umno division here yesterday.

Shahidan said this in response to Dr Mahathir's blog, in which he said he had withdrawn his support for Najib because Najib's performance was worse than his predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Dr Mahathir said he would take it upon himself to criticise Najib because of his love for the people and the country.

Shahidan said it was only right for the current government to continue managing and improving the legacy left by Dr Mahathir.

"I love Tun M and look up to him as a father and a respectable leader who, despite being old, is still capable of giving good advice," he said.

Therefore, he said he would personally take an initiative to ensure that the 'dispute' would not continue to persist.

"I'm sure Najib will respond to Tun M's criticism in a courteous manner, I know he is a humble man and he always listen to the views of others," he said.

In Balik Pulau, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Idris Harun described Najib as a leader with an open heart and who was willing to listen to opinions of others, including those who disagreed with the government's policies.

"He is committed in discharging his duties as the country's top leader and I will continue to support my prime minister, just as I had supported the all the previous ones," he told reporters after opening the meeting of Balik Pulau Umno division here yesterday.

Idris, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, said all quarters should also support Najib's leadership and give him adequate rooms to prove himself and his team to create more success stories for the country.

In Ranau, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who is also Ranau Umno chief, reminded Umno members at all levels not to cause a clash between party leaders as it would only bring about negative impact to the party.

Speaking at the Ranau Umno division meeting, he said what was more important was for the people to continue giving their support to the current leadership.

"Let's not talk nonsense that would only cause a clash and disharmony between leaders in the country and in the party," he said. — Bernama

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Islam arrived in <b>Sabah</b> in 10th century - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:42 PM PDT

by Mariah Doksil. Posted on August 25, 2014, Monday

KOTA KINABALU: The arrival of Islam in Sabah started in the 10th century around the East Coast, influenced by Brunei and the Sulu government, according to a representative from the Sabah Iranun Graduates Association, Milus Abd Wahab.

"Refering to a book written by Muhiddin Yusin in 1990 'Islam di Sabah', someone by the name of Abdullah from Lahad Datu brought the teaching from Sulu to Sabah in 1408 after accepting Islam. However, there is another theory that there is no evidence of Islamization in Sabah and Sarawak, but it is linked to the Brunei Islamization.

"There are three corner categories to explain the arrival of Islam in Sabah, namely at the South West Coast which was influenced by the Brunei government, East Coast namely in Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan and Semporna and also at the Tawau area, where it was influenced by the people from Makasar of Indonesia.

"After that, a number of Iranun small governments emerged in north Borneo in line with the migration of this particular ethnic group around Sabah in the 1760s. The migration focused on areas from Tempasuk to Teluk Marudu and Tunku," said Milus at a public talk on the history of the advent of Islam in Borneo at Tabung Haji Hotel yesterday.

Referring his facts also from a statement made by writer Baszley Bee b. Basrah Bee in 2006, Milus explained that a small government in Tempasuk had been led by Raja Ismail in 1787 which was taken over by his son Raja Tebuk in the 1830s.

Milus, who is also a historian, said a small government was found in the East Coast of Sabah, particularly in Tunku in the 1830s to 1845, which was said by many people to denounce the western powers in the area.

"There are many references and theories on the history of Islam in Sabah, and names like Datu Miraja Dinda of the Iranun small government, Sharif Osman of Teluk Marudu and also Datu Paduka Mat Salleh in Inanam have been mentioned a number of times as important characters in the development of Islam in Sabah, followed by the colonial resistance.

"It is also important to acknowledge the role of a number of ethnic as the backbone in strengthening Islam in Sabah which was contributed by Brunei, Bajau, Suluk, Badjao, Ubian, Iranun, Idahan, Bisaya, Kadayan, Bugis and Sungai.

"It is also undeniable that the roles of the Syarifs and Sayyids are very important in placing Islam in the heart of Sabah, where most of them at that time believed in animism," he said.

A total of 215 participants from government agencies attended the half-day seminar.

Earlier during the event, a joint presentation was done by two researchers, Muddin Beting and Mustapha Sakmud, focusing on a brief history about Islamization in the archipelago.

Both researchers urged for more research to be carried out on the Islamization movement in Borneo, particularly in Sabah to know more important characters and roles in the development of the religion.

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Prawn disease in <b>Sabah</b> negligible, under control – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 25 Aug 2014 10:02 AM PDT

by Christy Chok. Posted on August 26, 2014, Tuesday

TAWAU: Incidence of disease affecting shrimps or prawns in Sabah is almost negligible and under control as there has been no reported outbreak of any such disease so far, says the Department of Fisheries Malaysia.

Its director general, Dato' Ahamad Sabki bin Mahmood, disclosed that a bio-survey unit had been set up in Sabah to monitor and carry out sample testing of prawn production from time to time to detect the disease, if any, on the prawns here. They will undertake sampling on soil, water and prawn for detection of any disease.

Besides that, the research and development (R & D) unit is also carrying out research to prevent or eliminate disease, such as the white spot disease on tiger prawns (penaeus monodon).

Ahamad Sabki said this at a press conference after officiating at the shipment of the 200th container of prawns for export under a National Key Economic Area project at Pegagau Specialty Farming Sdn Bhd, Umas-Umas near here yesterday morning.

"In recent years, we have initiated efforts to culture another species, called White Prawn (udang putih). We have, so far, not confronted any problem with this white prawn production (for phase one), but generally, we have achieved considerable success for almost 10 years now in this industry.

"We have also been carrying out R & D on the early mortality syndrome (EMS) of white prawns since two years ago and thus far, we have been able to control this disease from affecting production. Today, Pegagau Specialty Farming Sdn Bhd is able to maintain its high prawn production over the last six years and have not confronted any problem with disease affecting the prawns throughout its operation," Ahamad Sabki pointed out.

Touching on the effect of the curfew implementation in the east coast, he said it did not pose any problem or restrict the operation of the seaweed industry, especially in Semporna, as the seaweed cultivations were within three nautical miles. However, it would have some effect on the aquaculture market during the curfew period.

Sabah Fisheries Department deputy director Azhar Kassim disclosed that more than 100 permits have been issued to the fishermen recently to carry out commercial fishing within five to ten nautical miles off the coast.

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