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Two-week curfew extension until Sept 19 BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Two-week curfew extension until Sept 19

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 10:06 AM PDT

by Elton Gomes. Posted on September 4, 2014, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: The curfew along the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) has been extended following threats of invasion and kidnapping planned by armed groups from neighbouring countries, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman.

The 7pm to 5am curfew will be extended from today, September 4 until September 19.

The 15-day curfew was first imposed on July 19 at six coastal areas and water borders of ESSZone districts, namely Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau

The first curfew extension was from August 3 until August 17, followed by the second phase on August 18 until September 2.

Jalaluddin said the third phase of the curfew extension was made after the Sabah police obtained consent from the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, based on four key factors.

"One of the reasons for the extension is that we have received information regarding attempted threats of invasions and kidnappings by armed groups from neighbouring countries.

"The second was information obtained in relation to smuggling of firearms into the country and smuggling activities of subsidised goods to neighbouring countries," he told a press conference at the state police headquarters in Kepayan here yesterday.

Also present was Sabah Crime Investigation Department (CID) chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Salehhudin Abdul Rahman.

The remaining two factors were support for fish farm and resort operators within the ESSZone areas, and to tighten security measures along Sabah waters, said Jalaluddin.

Meanwhile, Jalaluddin said throughout the curfew periods, 92 people were arrested for violating the curfew order.

He said from the figure, 14 people were charged under Section 31 (2) of the Police Act 1967, while 12 people were charged under Section 6 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act.

"So far, 20 people have been charged in court while 19 people were released after investigation was completed," he said.

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‘Bin’, ‘binti’ mix-up

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 10:05 AM PDT

by Jenne Lajiun. Posted on September 4, 2014, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans have a duty to make West Malaysians understand that the use of 'Bin' and 'Binti' in local names in the State is not indicative of their religion.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun who said this, stressed that West Malaysians and those working at the National Registration Department (NRD) have to be made aware that the use of 'Bin' and 'Binti' in Sabah was introduced by the British during the colonial era to differentiate between the male and the female amongst the natives.

"It is similar to the use of the term 's/o' which stands for 'son of' and 'd/o' which stands for 'daughter of' amongst the Indian people in West Malaysia," he said this in his speech and later during an interview at the closing ceremony of a workshop on the classification and identification of Sabah's population held at the Ming Garden Hotel and Residences yesterday.

He further said that the origin of the terms were Arabic, and reminded that not all Arabs were Moslems.

"In Lebanon, 50 percent of the people are Christians. Their Bible is written in Arabic," he said.

Masidi also said that Sabahans should not worry too much about the term 'bin' and 'binti' and the problem arising from the use of the two terms were mainly due to the lack of understanding of West Malaysians about Sabah.

"They assume that everyone (using 'bin' and 'binti' with their given name) is a Moslem. We have to make them understand. In India, the term 'daughter of' and 'son of' is widely used, and when translated to Malay, it becomes 'binti' and 'bin'," he said.

He described the problem relating to the use of 'bin' and 'binti' as merely a problem caused by confusion and the lack of effort undertaken to educate the National Registration Department on the particulars related to the people of Sabah.

The minister also said that the National Registration Department also does not have any source of reference regarding the ethnic people of Sabah.

He, however, believed that the matter would soon be resolved following the proposed resolutions which he received yesterday.

The proposals were received from various indigenous members who took part in the two-day workshop that ended yesterday, where some 80 participants from various indigenous groups in Sabah took part.

"The proposed resolutions will be sent to the State Cabinet for endorsement to become an official document and then submitted to the central government,"Masidi said.

He expressed confidence that the document will become an important source of reference for departments such as the National Registration Department with regards to the natives in Sabah.

Earlier in his speech, Masidi also mentioned that the government understood the issues faced by the people with regards to their culture and identity.

"The government is not quiet on these issues and problems, especially if the issues are against or hinder the efforts of the government to look after and further elevate our culture," he said.

At the same time, Masidi stressed that there were needs for further discussions with regard to the definition of each of the ethnic races in Sabah and the recent workshop has helped increase the number of ethnic races in the State.

"People see multi-ethnicity as a problem but I don't see it like that," he said.

The second phase of the workshop will be held again in Sabah early next year.

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No intention of ‘Malay-nizing’ people – Masidi

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 10:04 AM PDT

by Jenne Lajiun. Posted on September 4, 2014, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun yesterday cleared the air on his statement over the 'Rumpun Melayu' issue.

"I have no intention of 'Malay-nizing' (the people of Sabah)," Masidi said when referring to the 'Rumpun Melayu' issue in his speech yesterday.

"If there are people who say or think that I have the intention of 'Malay-nizing' the people here, be assured that it has never crossed my mind ever," he said at the closing ceremony of the Sabah workshop on population classification and identification held at the Ming Garden Hotel and Residences near here.

Masidi went on to explain that the term'Rumpun Melayu' or 'Malay Cluster/Race' has nothing to do with the ethnic Malay.

"So don't simply say I want to'Malay-nize'," he said.

He added that if anyone had gone to see the statue of Filipino nationalist, Jose Rizal, one would be able to read how proud he was to be a Malay warrior, referring to the Malay Archipelago.

"So before questioning, try to understand the concept which I am trying to put across,"he said.

Masidi also said he was aware of the sensitivity of the issue.

"Our constitution defines Malay as a person who embraces Islam, who was born in Malaya and has one parent who is a Malay. So, (according to the Constitution), Sabahans could never become a Malay even if we wanted to. The people in Sabah are called a different term and are referred to as natives. I need to clarify this so that no confusion arises. Don't curse me without any basis or because of emotions.

"I am a Dusun and will continue to be a Dusun. I am proud of being a Dusun," he exclaimed emphatically.

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Sustained performance only with good management – CM

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 10:03 AM PDT

by Murib Morpi. Posted on September 4, 2014, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman reminded all government and government-linked companies (GLCs) in the state to continuously improve their management and maintain a solid financial performance.

He said having a strong financial footing, which can only be made possible with good management, would allow the agencies to better carry out their duties and serve the people to the best quality they can.

"As I have always emphasized, every agency must make sure that they have good management as this will not only benefit their own organization and the state government but most importantly the people," he said when witnessing a presentation of loan repayment cheque from Sabah Rubber Industries Board (LIGS) to Sabah Development Bank (SDB) at Wisma Innoprise yesterday.

Musa said by improving their financial standing, government agencies and GLCs would be able to repay loans to the government and the money could be channeled for other development purposes that would benefit the people.

Meanwhile, commending on LIGS for its sustained performance, Musa said the agency had shown steady improvement after recovering from its financial problems a few years ago.

He said the RM5 million loan repayment was an indication of LIGS' strong and effective management.

"LIGS used to have problems but with good management they have managed to recover and overcome their problems. I call on all other agencies to ensure that they too have a sound management capable of delivering a good performance such as this," he added.

This was LIGS' second repayment after last year's RM20 million payment to SDB, to settle a RM60 million loan it acquired in 2011 to finance a major management and operational improvement exercise.

On a related note, Musa thanked the federal government for its continuous support and cooperation with the state agencies in serving the people in the state.

The central government, under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, he said, had always been very sensitive and concerned towards the interest and needs of the people in Sabah, especially the lower income group.

He noted that the RM500 assistance distributed to rubber smallholders had helped ease the burden of the planters affected by the fall of rubber prices.

He also assured that the state government would continue to assist and work with LIGS towards developing the rubber industry and improving the economy of rubber planters in Sabah.

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Not wrong to vie for KDCA presidency, says Maijol

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 10:02 AM PDT

KOTA MARUDU: It is not wrong if somebody offers to contest for the presidency of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) as Malaysia is a democratic country and KDCA subscribes to the democratic principles, said Datuk Maijol Mahap.

The life member and a former two-term elected Central Committee member of KDCA, said that it would make the contest lively and interesting.

"If somebody thinks he is a fit and proper person and ready to assume the post, then why not?" Maijol said when commenting on DAP Sabah secretary Dr Edwin Bosi's interest to vie for the presidency when the election for all the KDCA posts are due next year.

Maijol, however, felt that Bosi would be facing a real uphill battle in his quest to win the KDCA top post, which is held by Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

He said the presidency of the KDCA is a prestigious post and whoever becomes the president would normally, but not necessarily, be anointed as the Huguan Siou of the Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) community.

Maijol said he believes in the institution of the Huguan Siou and it should be respected by everybody, especially the KDM people. The Huguan Siou is the guardian of the cultural and traditions of the KDM in Sabah, he stressed.

"Based on our experiences in the last two decades or so, with due respect, there is a need to evolve and bring the Huguan Siou and Huguan Siou institution to greater heights.

"In order to achieve this, I would suggest the following. Firstly, the Huguan Siou institution must be preserved in perpetuity. Secondly, the Huguan Siou must be somebody who is above politics, meaning, he must not hold any political post or government post apart from being the Huguan Siou.

"Thirdly, the Huguan Siou must be officially recognised by the government, whereby he must be given salary, allowances, perks, staff etc, and also an official residence by the government. Fourthly, the Huguan Siou institution must be created under a statute by the Sabah State Assembly.

"Fifthly, the Huguan Siou and the institution must be immune from criticism and insinuation by the public, whereby anybody acting in contravention of this will be fined with heavy sogit. And sixthly, the Huguan Siou will be the official guardian of all the traditions, cultures and the native customary laws of the KDM whereby he will be accorded with the power to pardon any offender of native laws and native customary laws who were found guilty in the Native Court of Appeal, which is the apex court of the natives in Sabah," he said.

Maijol hopes that the KDCA will, in the long run, form a special committee to study this proposal and table it at a KDCA delegates conference.

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Only 280 psychiatrists for 28 mln people – Befrienders

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 10:01 AM PDT

by Rebecca Chong. Posted on September 4, 2014, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: With only five practising psychiatrists in Sabah and a population of 3.5 million, it is inherently insufficient to tackle the mental health problems here, said deputy chairman, Johan Amilin, of Befrienders Kota Kinabalu, a non-governmental organisation.

He also said that in Malaysia, there are only 280 psychiatrists for the 28 million population, which makes the ratio of psychiatrist to Malaysians at 1:100,000 today, and this is where the Befrienders come in, to fill the void.

Befrienders Kota Kinabalu is a six-year-old organisation which offers confidential emotional support through their telephone helpline, with 28 trained volunteers who lend their listening ears to people in need in their effort to prevent suicide and reduce the stigma of mental illness.

"Not all people who have problems need to be referred to the psychiatrists. Some only need people to listen to their problems, and for them to open up," he said.

Johan also revealed that in Malaysia, 12% of people aged 18-50 suffer from mental health problems, which include depression. It is predicted that by the year 2020, mental illness will become the leading cause of disability.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that each year, approximately one million people die from suicide, which represents a global mortality rate of 16 per 100,000 or one death every second.

According to Johan, the reason for the increasing suicide cases varies.

He said it is heartbreaking to see the recent suicide cases involving mostly teenagers of age 15 to 20 years.

"We see that the emotional resilience in our youths today is not as high as before. Some say that they are very sensitive and they do not have control over their emotions and easily lose control.

"It is very worrying as these people are from the most productive age group, so when this age group moves forward, we are worried what type of people would become the leaders of this society," he explained.

He also said that when some people do not have control over their own emotions, they may choose the wrong and irreversible move: suicide.

"The Ministry of Health is also very concerned over mental health issues, which has led them set up a Mental Health Advisory Council," he said at a press conference held here, yesterday.

During the press conference, the public director of Befrienders KK, Jessie Yong, announced that Befrienders KK will be working together with Puteri UMNO P.176 Kimanis, Saudah Sarzaman, to commemorate the World Suicide Prevention Day on September 13, 2014, at the Dewan Masyarakat Bongawan.

During this day, talks and seminar will be held for more than 300 local leaders, teachers and students from Bongawan, Kimanis and Membakut on suicide signs and prevention.

"It is our hope that the attendees of the talks and seminar will help play their role by becoming volunteers and offering emotional support for those who are depressed in the area. We also want it to be widely known that we (Befrienders) are only a phone call away," she said.

Befrienders KK is the first in Malaysia to commemorate the World Suicide Prevention Day this year, with the worldwide theme of 'Suicide Prevention: One World Connected' and the Sabah theme is 'Kau OK?' which means 'Are You Okay?'.

"We have adopted the theme 'Kau OK?' to encourage the society to be more open to ask 'are you okay?' to people who are depressed or isolated as connectivity is crucial to individuals who may be vulnerable and prone to suicide.

Members of the public are asked to join in the mission to prevent suicide by making a pledge to ask 'Kau OK?' to people around them including friends, family and neighbours.

Jessie is also calling on Sabahans to Like and Share their website at facebook.com/wspdsabahmalaysia and facecoon.com/befrienderskk.

"We also hope that everyone would keep on spreading and introducing our helpline number, 088-255788 which is open from 7 pm to 10 pm daily," she said.

For those who are interested to be a volunteer, please contact them at their Facebook page or call the helpline.

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