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<b>Sabah</b> should have own section in 11th Malaysia Plan – BorneoPost <b>...</b> Berita Sabah - News 2 Sabah

<b>Sabah</b> should have own section in 11th Malaysia Plan – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 01 Aug 2014 11:33 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah should have it's own section in the upcoming 11th Malaysia Plan, which is scheduled to begin in 2015. This section should have specific policies and action plans to deal with the distinct requirements of Sabah. This recommendation was made by Arthur Joseph Kurup, the Youth Chief of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), when he chaired the Public Policy Roundtable Discussion that was recently organised by the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) under the Asian Strategic Leadership Institute (ASLI) at the Malaysian House of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur.

This Roundtable Policy Discussion was organised by CPPS & ASLI as a form of public consultation from professionals and field experts to study the success and progress of the previous Malaysia Plans, and to make recommendations for the drafting of the 11th Malaysia Plan. This is the first time that a Sabahan was invited to chair a Public Policy Roundtable Discussion by CPPS & ASLI, Malaysia's prominent independent think-tank that provides public policy recommendations to the government.

Arthur emphasised at the session that Sabah and Sarawak were still significantly lagging behind West Malaysia in terms of development. If Malaysia is to move forward as a unified country, then the two states must be brought up to par with West Malaysia. East Malaysia forms a significant part of Malaysia, not only in terms of geographical size but also in terms of population. Even if development is high in West Malaysia, the overall figure will be dragged down by the slow progress in East Malaysia because Malaysia as a country must be averaged together. For example, broadband penetration in West Malaysia is already at 88%, but is only at 35% in East Malaysia. When the average for the whole country is taken, Malaysia's broadband penetration is only at 62%. So when investors look at Malaysia they will be disappointed with those figures.

Further, in order to bring East Malaysia up to par, policies and action plans that are specific to us are needed and not those shared with West Malaysia, said Arthur. For example, we have the cabotage policy, we need aggressive basic infrastructure development, better border protection, higher broadband penetration and we need better education facilities, he added. Sabah also have specific economies such as tourism, plantation, and oil and gas that need specific attention.

Until East Malaysia is brought up to par with West Malaysia, we will continue to drag the country because when you average it out the figures will be less impressive then what it can be, stressed Arthur.

According to him, we have never been given any specific attention in any of the previous Malaysia Plans. We have always been given a one-size-fits-all solution which has resulted in many of our issues being overlooked. This has caused significant disparities between East and West Malaysia and this has become obvious in the last few decades. We now need to address this by having specific sections in the upcoming 11th Malaysia Plan for Sabah and Sarawak or our issues will continue to be overlooked.

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Nakri Tropical thunderstorm spotted 2,398km northeast of Kudat <b>...</b>

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 06:24 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department has spotted the Nakri tropical thunderstorm at Latitude 26.0 North and Longitude 127.3 East, approximately 2,398km Northeast of Kudat, Sabah at 11pm Thursday.

According to a statement from the Meteorological Department, winds with speeds of 40 to 50kph and waves rising up to 3.5 metres high was dangerous to small boats, recreation and sea sports in Phuket, Condore, Reef North, Layang-layang and Palawan and Sulu sea until Tuesday.

The statement said similar conditions would also affect waters in Perlis, Kedah and Sabah (Kudat and Pantai Barat) and dangerous for small boats, recreation and sea sports. — BERNAMA

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Pact to develop <b>Sabah&#39;s</b> human capital - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 09:22 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: HELP University and the developers of PacificCity in Likas yesterday signed an agreement to set up a comprehensive network of educational and training facilities to produce  professional, vocational and intellectual manpower to spur the economic development of Sabah.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, gave a speech on the occasion setting out his vision to develop the state's human capital and to equip Sabahans with skills and training to benefit from employment and business opportunities as the state's economy continues to grow.

The partnership between HELP and KK Pacific Enrichment is one such initiative. The collaboration will see a full range of educational institutions develop across Sabah, covering specialist vocational, academic, professional and executive courses that will increase the talent pool for accelerating the socio economic progress of the state.

In his speech yesterday, Pairin said he was pleased to support HELP Group's education and training initiative in Sabah. He has trust in the group as it is an exemplary model of educational entrepreneurship, starting small in humble ways.

"I am confident that the collaboration between a Sabah-based development group and HELP will elevate the quality of education and training in Sabah," he added.

Pairin who is also the Minister of Infrastructure Development stated that Sabah has the potential to become the fastest developing state in Malaysia.

"It has over 35 per cent of Malaysia's planted oil acreage, the lion's share of Malaysia's oil and gas reserves and the highest growth rate in tourist arrivals in the country.

"To support and sustain this rate of economic development, Sabah must rapidly develop its human capital," he said while concluding that Sabah would show an unprecedented level of economic growth over the next ten years – Sabah's 'Golden Years,' as he termed them.

"Without adequate human capital, no amount of money pouring into Sabah will result in development. Without home grown human capital, the people of Sabah will lose out. This is not what we want to see happen," Pairin stressed.

Datuk Dr Paul Chan, co-founder of  the HELP Group and president of HELP University, explained his vision for HELP's new venture in Sabah by saying that HELP believes in educating for employability.

"In pursuit of this goal we spare no effort in ensuring that our teaching quality is of global standard, that students are taught employable skills, values, leadership and communication abilities.

"Good character traits that make them stand out in the crowd are stressed. The same standard of excellence and an uncompromising emphasis on a high quality learning experience for students will distinguish our joint venture in Sabah," he added.

Chan believes  there are strong complementary synergies between HELP and the Pacific Group – shared values and a shared vision to use education to serve and improve the nation.

"They have the facilities and the hardware, and we have the experience and the software. We share the same family values on ethical practices and the need to help and to serve our people and the nation. We both believe that this is the moment we must accelerate our contributions to help our country to be a successful model nation," Chan said.

Meanwhile, the executive director of Pacific Sanctuary Holdings Sdn Bhd, Kuok Khoon Ping said the collaboration between Pacific Group and HELP Group was not a profit driven commercial venture.

"The key objective of this venture is to provide Sabah and Sabahans with quality, affordable, and practical education and training in fields that are pertinent and relevant to Sabah's economic development," he said.

Kuok also told reporters during a press conference that HELP University was chosen to collaborate with Pacific Group because it shared the same values, which is to contribute to the development of the state.

Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Rural Development, Datuk Radin Malleh; Mayor of KK City Datuk Abidin Madingkir; Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong; Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching; former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai; Parti Bersatu Sabah secretary general Datuk Johnny Mositun and member of parliament for Batu Sapi constituency, Datuk Linda Tsen.

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Man found burnt to death after fire destroys house in <b>Sabah</b> <b>...</b>

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 08:40 PM PDT

Posted on July 31, 2014, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: A man in his 50s was found burnt to death after his house in Kampung Seri Pandan, Putatan, was destroyed in a fire early today, according to the Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Department.

A spokesman said the body of Kadir Ghani was found in the living room of the house following the fire which occurred at about 3 am.

Twenty-four firemen rushed to the village in three trucks from the Putatan and Kota Kinabalu fire stations and put out the blaze by 4 am, he said. — BERNAMA

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<b>Sabah</b> durian firm targets 100 outlets in China – BorneoPost Online <b>...</b>

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 06:44 PM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Durian, the King of Fruits, is just as good as its name implies. But how do one go about making durian marketable or appealing to foreign tourists and the international market, like China?

At Durian King ARW at Gaya Street, durian is being sold in various forms – durian gourmet cake, dried durian, frozen fried durian, durian puree and coming soon, durian mooncake.

ARW Marketing Sdn Bhd chairman, Anther Liew, said his company has put its heart and soul into researching Malaysian durian and turning the creamy flesh of the fruit into quality products that are packaged nicely.

It should be noted that ARW stands for Alfred Russel Wallace, a 19th century British naturalist who described durian flesh as 'a rich custard highly flavoured with almonds'.

"My company's philosophy is to promote Sabah to the world through our products."

Durian, as Liew said, is the best Malaysian product, but more often durians are sold as raw material or as durian flesh.

"We want to promote durian to the world, that Malaysian durian is world number one," he said in the interview.

Liew believed that durian could be made into a specialty product of Malaysia, like pineapple cakes of Taiwan.

Before he ventured into the durian-themed shop business, Liew was a supplier of seafood and honey to West Malaysia. However, Liew later realized that many businesses were only concerned about the dollars-and-cents, or in his own words, lack 'spirit'.

Hence, he decided to open a durian-themed store to promote durian and Sabah to the world.

In order to achieve that, Liew has his son, Moses Liew, in the research and development (R&D) of durian products while his daughter, Bear Liew, now the manager of the Gaya Street outlet, will be put in charge of Durian King ARW outlets soon-to-be opened in China.

Liew is targeting to establish 10 outlets in Kuala Lumpur and at least 100 outlets in China next year.

At present ARW Marketing has four branches in Kota Kinabalu, located at Gaya Street, Warisan Square, Asia City and Centre Point.

The company is currently holding a Durian Fest in its Asia City outlet, where customers can eat as many durians as they can stomach for RM10 per person.

"Our Asia City outlet was full on Monday. I opened so many durians that my hand hurts."

While the outlets are patronised mostly by tourists from China, it was the Hong Kongers who first acquired a taste for durians.

"Hong Kongers know that Malaysian durians are better than Thailand durians or durians produced in other countries," he said.

Liew have also met a Westerner, who now lives in Shanghai, China, at his Asia City outlet on Monday. The Westerner, who ate a few durians all by himself, turned to Liew and said: "Did you think I don't know how to eat (durians)?"

The most popular durian product in Liew's outlets is dried durian, because the product is light and easier to carry along. Durian puree, which can be consumed as ice cream or durian paste, is popular among Hong Kongers.

In fact, the company supplies durian puree to Fong Ip, the coffee shop at Gaya Street, for use as spread for toasted bread.

"Fong Ip orders at least 40 kilogrammes of durian puree from us every month," he said.

Liew said he is optimistic about the potential of durian products, a fruit that has been around for over 100 years.

Because of the high calorie content, people's mindset has now shifted from eating more durian to eating quality durian, he said.

"The demand is increasing; the market is too big. We need to study how to package and present (our products) to attract customers.

"I even tell people that if you start planting durian now, you will be rich in the future."

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Help defend <b>Sabah</b>, Shafie urges youth - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 06:43 PM PDT

SEMPORNA: Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has called on the youth in the country to continue to fight for the Barisan Nasional and Umno so that the government can implement all its policies.

He said the youth in the east coast of Sabah must be committed in helping the government deal with security issues.

"Youth should play a role as the frontliners for the country by joining the security forces, volunteer police, Rela and Territorial Army as the government is determined to address the safety issue here," he told reporters after attending the Hari Raya open house of Semporna Umno Youth at Mara Poly-Tech College yesterday.

Shafie, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister and Semporna member of parliament, added the youth should always have the spirit to be champion in any field as it would benefit their future, family and country.

He pointed out that entrepreneurship offers a lot of opportunities to this group of people.

Semporna Umno Youth chief Mohd Aziz Jamman disclosed in his speech that Shafie has become a role model to the young people in the country due to his leadership and guidance.

He urged the members of 250 Umno branches here to take part in voluntary activities to help the people.

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