Tian Chua, Haris, Thamrin arrested

The trio have been detained in connection with the May 13 forum, where a call was made to topple the government through street rallies.

PETALING JAYA: PKR vice-president Tian Chua, Anything But Umno (ABU) leader Haris Ibrahim and PAS member Thamrin Ghaffar have been arrested.

It is learnt that the trio have been detained under the Sedition Act.

“Haris was approached by five police officers during lunch [in Segambut] just now and was arrested. He has been taken to the Jinjang detention,” said activist A Jayanath of Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, who was having lunch with Haris.

APS leaders looking at a local united opposition party

BUMBURING: Hoping that local opposition parties would consider a consolidation with his APS to form a new Sabah-based party.

KOTA KINABALU: Former deputy Chief Minister Datuk Wilfred Bumburing is seriously considering the possibility of registering the Sabah Movement of Change (Angkatan Perubahan Sabah or APS) as a political entity.

But he said he would explore all available options first, and that could include involving the Sabah Progressive Party as well as the Sabah STAR headed respectively by his one-time allies in PBS.

RCI: ‘Tanduo intrusion shows migrants pose security risk’

KOTA KINABALU: The foreign intrusion at Lahad Datu in February is a clear example of how the presence of foreign migrants in Sabah can pose a security threat, said the police.

Sabah police chief Hamza Taib in his evidence at the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into illegal migrants in Sabah said this is because the intruders had received support from migrants already settled in the state.

“The latest security implication (of foreign migrants) is the intrusion which had a deep impact, not only to security personnel, but also to the people of Sabah,” said Hamza (photo), who led the operations.

Sabah polls outcome surprises analysts

A political analyst disclosed that despite BN's overall win in Sabah, statistics showed the ruling coalition had lost to Pakatan on popular votes "even among the Malays".

PETALING JAYA: In the run up to the 13th general election, several parliamentary seats in Sabah were reportedly under severe threat from opposition Pakatan Rakyat.

In fact it was widely speculated that the outcome of these seats would be the “clincher” for Pakatan’s Putrajaya aspirations.

Yong lodges report against RM80 million slander

KOTA KINABALU: SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee today lodged a police report urging the police to investigate the widespread allegation that he and the party had been paid RM80 million to split the opposition.

Lodging the said report at the Karamunsing police station here, Yong urged the police to investigate the allegation which constitutes criminal defamation by individuals via such social media like Facebook and Twitter.

The allegation, which spread like wildfire and during campaigning for the 13th general election, alleged that Barisan Nasional Chairman cum Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman were responsible for giving the money.

EC, don't treat the indelible ink issue as an eyewash

At 1% Silver Nitrate concentration, the silver nitrate in the indelible ink is only good enough for use in an eyewash.

Tindak Malaysia’s founder, PY Wong calls on the Election Commission chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof to be upfront about the indelible ink.

He was responding to Abdul Aziz’s recent comments that the EC would set up a team to probe the indelible ink.

“The issue of indelible ink,” he said, “is an important step towards restoring the people’s confidence in the Election Commission, tasked with conducting a clean and fair election. However, the rakyat have raised doubts over the issue of the indelible ink and told the EC on how to best implement it based on world standards.”

'Lain Kali Lah' song a hit on internet

KOTA KINABALU - After just five days being posted on Youtube, the song “Lain Kali Lah” has become the latest Internet sensation garnering positive reviews from Internet users throughout the country.

Sung by iconic singer Peter Dicky Lee and featuring popular singers and rapper from Sabah like Juraidah Gaus, Dahlia Ramli, Haslinda Haniff, Alan Nee, and the Sabah Idol group, the song was composed by popular singer Janrywine Lusin famed for “Macam Di KK” with lyrics written by RTM’s Arnez Hamidi who also has a hand in Peter’s recent award-winning hit song “Mama”.

In a press statement release yesterday, Peter said “when I first heard the song I was immediately attracted by its lively melody and its hilarious Sabah-Malay lyrics”.

Muslim inter-marriage with foreigners in Sabah on the rise, RCI told

KOTA KINABALU - Muslim inter-marriages between locals in Sabah and foreigners have been increasing since 2000, numbering almost 20,000 marriages for the past 13 years, the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants heard today.

Baharuddin Alwi, chief registrar of marriage from the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department, testified today that there were 8,859 Muslim marriages between foreign men and local women in Sabah from 2000 to October 2012, as well as 10,922 Muslim marriages between foreign women and local men in the same period, totalling 19,781 marriages.

'Influx of migrants a burden on Sabah health services'

The Sabah Health Department considers the influx of migrants into the state a "threat to national security" and a "burden" to the state health services.

The department's deputy director for the contagious diseases division, Dr Maria Sulaiman, said treatment provided to foreigners was taking up resources which "can be used to treat the locals".

Testifying before the royal commission of inquiry on immigrants in Sabah, Maria said the fees outsanding from foreign patients treated at government hospitals and clinics from 2007 to 2012 totalled a whopping RM21.7 million.

In contrast, Malaysians during the same period owed the government hospitals and clinics about RM7 million in outstanding

Challenge validity of marriage

Jainab wants Welfare Department to challenge marriage and put 12-year old girl under protection

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Welfare Services Department (JPKA) has been directed to study the possibility of challenging the validity of marriage involving a man and his underage rape victim. (left - Riduan Masmud, involved)

In making the call, State Minister of Community and Consumer Affairs Datuk Jainab Ahmad said her ministry took a serious view of the matter as it involved public interest, especially in protecting children’s future.

In this regard, she ordered JPKA director to study the case in all aspects including the possibility of taking or giving protection to the girl under the Child Act 2001.

“We want the Welfare Services Department to challenge the marriage and put her under protection even though she has married the alleged rapist, that is why we still questioning the validity of the marriage.

Call to Boycott Chinese Businesses Dangerous - Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU:     The call by Malay-Muslim groups, including the Muslim Consumers' Society and Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia (PPIM) to boycott Chinese businesses is dangerous, says Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan.

In a statement here, the State Reform Party (STAR) Chairman said the development brought racism into a darker and more sinister level in Malaysia, and if left uncontrolled will lead Malaysia into turmoil and anarchy.

"The call is also a reflection of utter disregard to social harmony and is only the tip of the iceberg in emerging social conflicts in the nation," Jeffrey said. "This is all due to gross mismanagement and neglect on the part of the federal leaders."

He said it was shocking how the Prime Minister is keeping quiet about such a dangerous development despite his call for social harmony and unity under the concept of 1Malaysia.

EC sets up team to probe indelible ink issue

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) today set up a special team to find out why the indelible ink used to mark voters in the 13th general election could be easily removed, said EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

He said the team would look into, among others, the ingredients of the ink, the Health Ministry’s conditions and how the ink was applied on the finger.

The team would also examine the outcome of tests conducted before and after the ink was brought into Malaysia, he said in a statement.

For the first time in a general election in Malaysia, the EC used the indelible ink to mark voters in the May 5 general election to prevent possible repeat voting, but received flak from political parties, electoral candidates and voters when it was learnt that the ink could be washed away easily.

Sabah issued 12 times more ICs than Sarawak since 1963, RCI told

Abu Bakar said 5,373 immigrants in Sarawak have been issued blue ICs from 1963 to 2012

KOTA KINABALU - About 66,000 immigrants in Sabah have received blue ICs since 1963, a whopping 12 times more than those in Sarawak, the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants heard today.

Sarawak National Registration Department (NRD) director Datuk Abu Bakar Mat testified at the RCI here today that 5,373 immigrants in Sarawak have been issued blue ICs from 1963 to 2012.

“In Sabah, it’s 66,000. The difference is very stark,” said conducting officer Manoj Kurup in response.

“The location of Sarawak is different from Sabah...geography is the cause of the flood of immigrants. This did not happen in Sarawak,” said Abu Bakar.

'11 times more new citizens in Sabah than in Sarawak'

The number of foreigners awarded citizenship in Sabah from 1963 to 2012 was more than 11 times that in Sarawak, the royal commission of inquiry has been told.

The 63rd witness - Sarawak National Registration Department director Abu Bakar Mat - said in that period, 5,373 people became naturalised citizens in Sarawak.

"In Sabah, the number was about 66,000 in the same period," conducting officer Manoj Kurup said during the proceedings at the Kota Kinabalu High Court today.

Asked why he thought the difference was so vast, Abu Bakar said that it is likely due to Sabah's porous borders, especially along the coast.

“Exempt Sabah Sarawak from GST - Jeffrey”

KOTA KINABALU - “The people of Sabah and Sarawak should be exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that appears imminently to be implemented by the BN Federal government at any time” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, in a press statement released today.

Foremost, the PM need to practise what he says and start implementing his transparency programs by stop “testing the people” by using mouthpieces for feedbacks on the intended GST implementation.

The BN government should stop beating round the bush and just plainly say that it needs to raise another RM27 billion from GST, which is the equivalent to about RM1,000 per person per year, to cover the ballooning national debt which have been increased partly by the various Santa Clause programs to fish for votes in the recent general elections.

Sabah RCI hearing to resume on Monday

KOTA KINABALU: The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Sabah’s immigrant problem will resume its hearing on Monday.

RCI secretary Datuk Saripuddin Kasim said the inquiry will sit for eight days until May 29.

“The proceedings will take place from 9am at the Kota Kinabalu high court complex,” he said in a statement.

On June 1 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the setting up of the RCI, stressing that the Government was committed to resolving the issue which could affect the well-being of the people in the state.

Zahid urged to name Lahad Datu ‘traitors’

SAPP president Yong Teck Lee said the authorities should clear his name over allegations linking him to the Lahad Datu incursions.

KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee wants answers from new Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his election-period claims that three opposition leaders were linked to the Lahad Datu incursion that took place in February.

Yong said Saturday that Zahid should now disclose the names of the three, one of whom is from Sabah, who he had alleged were involved in the invasion that had led to so many deaths on both sides.

SAPP: GST a people’s nightmare

GST at 7% would amounts to an annual tax of RM1000 for every man, women and child in this country of 29 million people.

KOTA KINABALU: The 7% GST will only serve to push even more people to withdraw their support for the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

“Bearing in mind that this BN government only got 47% of the popular vote, such new taxes, which were omitted in the BN manifesto in the general elections earlier this month, would push even more people to withdraw their support and co-operation with this government,” said its Vice President Chin Hong Kiong (photo).

He was also convinced that the implementation of GST is bound to burden the people across the board, the ordinary folks in particular.

'They welcome Bangladeshis, but tell us to balik Cina'

Anger at new home minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who had told those dissatisfied with the 13th general election to leave the country, is fuelling the crowds at the Black 505 rally in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Participant Karen Ngoo, 46 (top photo), when met at the 30,000-strong rally last night said Zahid’s comment did not make sense, as there were many allegations of foreigners being allegedly brought in to vote.

“He wants to drive away us Malaysians, but Bangladeshis are being brought in to the country.

“He should show us respect. The Bangladeshi phantom voters are the ones who need to be sent away,” she said.

PRS tired of being ‘flower girls’

Parti Rakyat Sarawak says Prime Minister Najib 'should be smart enough and well-advised to know what the Dayaks need and where they can fit in'.

KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak vice-president Joseph Salang said the party’s supreme council took a firm stand on the cabinet posts because they were tired of “begging” and being treated like “flower arrangements”

Said Salang: “Najib offered us only two deputy ministers…Only after the president (James Masing) protested and some begging, only then the Prime Minister agreed for (Joseph) Entulu to be made a full minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

“Is that the way to treat PRS which has six seats, while a certain party which delivered only one seat is given a full minister?

“We have to come out and make our stand for it.

“The prime minister should be smart enough and well-advised to know what the Dayaks need and where the Dayaks can fit in.

Pakatan Sabah to form shadow cabinet

Opposition elected representatives to closely monitor all 11 ministries in the state

KEPAYAN: Pakatan Rakyat Sabah will be setting up a shadow cabinet to closely monitor the state government’s performance for the next five years.

The shadow cabinet will be headed by the opposition members of the state’s elected representatives, said Pakatan-friendly Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS) president Lajim Ukin.

The former Beaufort MP who narrowly lost to BN’s Azizah Mohd Dun said opposition state assembly reps had discussed and agreed to appoint an opposition whip for the coming state assembly sitting.

Speaking to reporters after chairing PPPS’ supreme council meeting on Friday, the Klias assemblyman said that they had discussed this at the state and federal level.

'GE13 exposed elements of PKR being a US puppet'

Aidila Razak

The 13th general election has elements fitting the hypothesis that Pakatan Rakyat, or PKR in particular, is a foreign stooge working to change the regime for the benefit of the United States of America.

However, whether PKR is indeed on the US payroll to do its bidding can only be confirmed by the party itself.

This is the argument put forth by blogger Ruhanie Ahmad (left) at a forum in Universiti Malaya today that discussed the way forward for the BN and Pakatan after GE13.

Yong Teck Lee: Beware the power of lies

By Matthias Hermes

KOTA KINABALU: The notorious lie that Yong Teck Lee was paid RM80 million by UMNO (to split opposition votes) was professionally invented by psychological warfare experts.

“They had also precisely calculated the amount, the timing and methods to turn a lie into a believable rumour among an urban population whose mind-set was already anti-BN,” said Yong Teck Lee who lost in the recently concluded elections.

“These “war room experts” had access to telephone numbers of voters and also made use of the rumour mill among the many loan sharks operatives on the ground,” stressed Yong (photo).

Another police report lodged by SAPP Youth over RM80 mil lie

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Youth Kota Kinabalu Zone has lodged a police report on 14th May 2013 following its SAPP Kudat youth’s step on the RM80 million allegations that went viral to the public before and during the 13th General Election.

A similar police report made in year 2011 under Report No: KOTA KINABALU/002781/11 regarding another politician who made a RM50 million allegation through his facebook was never taken seriously by the police to ensure that the culprit be brought to book. However, nothing happened until today.

SAPP Youth believes that if the police reports were viewed seriously and action taken when it was firstly reported, would have deterred these rumor mongering and lies by these unscrupulous and unethical politicians today.

Tindak Malaysia demands the EC Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Secretary resign over indelible ink fiasco

Election Commission’s Ajaran Sesat is seen from the way it is prepared to mislead the rakyat about the use of indelible ink. Here is the response from PY Wong (for the Chinese press, 黄炳耀), founder of Tindak Malaysia:

It was reported by The Malaysian Insider (http://bit.ly/TMIIndelibleInk) that EC Chairman Abdul Aziz had announced in Dec 2011 that the EC would use silver nitrate indelible ink for the general elections. Indonesian Election Watchdog, ANFREL, stated that silver nitrate up to 4% concentration was safe and that Indonesia spent US 2.7 million to buy 1,149,890 bottles of indelible ink for 574,945 polling stations (2 bottles per station) in the Indonesian Presidential Election, 2009. http://bit.ly/1011c46

 ANFREL Bangkok explained that the indelible ink needed 30 seconds to dry and can last up to 4 days. http://bit.ly/AnfrelBKKIndelibleInk Then India’s EC on 29th Sept 2011 warned that ink used on voters will be easily removable if poor quality indelible ink is used. http://bit.ly/IndelibleInkIndianEC

Survey: 81pct want Anwar to quit politics

An overwhelming 81.62 percent of the respondents in a survey want PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to step down since Pakatan Rakyat failed to wrest federal power on May 5.

A whopping 10,396 of the 12,736 people who participated on the online poll by business news website The Edge agreed that Anwar ‘should call it quits as he made this pledge’.

The other 18.38 percent felt that Anwar should remain as Pakatan leader as the coalition had won more seats compared with the 2008 general election.

Respondents were asked to respond to this question: ‘Pakatan Rakyat has failed to conquer Putrajaya in GE13. Should Anwar Ibrahim step down as leader?’

Police report lodged against DAP assemblyman

KOTA KINABALU: The hottest news item during the campaigns in the just-over general election was the Sabah Progressive Party purportedly getting RM80 million from the Barisan Nasional.

It was then alleged that SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee was paid off handsomely to split opposition votes. (Melanie (centre) with her husband Alvin (right) at Tuesday’s press conference to denounce vicious slander over social networking)

And according to SAPP Wanita chief, Datuk Melanie Chia, DAP assemblyman for Luyang, Hiew King Cheu was believed to be among the culprits, in spreading what she described as malicious lies.

On Tuesday, Chia (photo) lodged a police report at the Karamunsing police station and followed by one with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

‘BN will be toppled this year’

KUALA LUMPUR: Pro-Pakatan Rakyat groups have vowed to overthrow the Barisan Nasional government this year through a massive street rally.

Speakers at a forum held yesterday unanimously agreed that waiting for five years until the next
general election was too long, and vowed to overthrow BN this year through “force”.

The street rally is rumoured to be as early as May 17 or 18 to overthrow BN and capture Putrajaya.

“We will take to the streets and take over Putrajaya. If we really want to overthrow them, there is no other way. Democracy does not work,” Haris Ibrahim from ABU (Anything But Umno) told the 1,500-strong crowd here.

“The people cannot wait anymore. We don’t want to wait another five years. We will take the streets,” he added.

Sabah, S’wak Chinese MPs for cabinet?

Indications are strong that Sarawak's sole Chinese MP and two others from Sabah will be included in Prime Minister Najib's new cabinet

KOTA KINABALU: Chinese leaders from Sabah look set to nuetralise the shades in Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak impending federal cabinet, which has suffered from MCA and Gerakan’s dismal performance in the May general election.

While MCA retained only seven parliamentary seats of the 37 contested, Gerakan had only one – Simpang Rengam in Johor – to speak about.

Both parties have since declined to accept ministerial positions in the Cabinet in keeping with the Chinese community’s rejection of their representation.

Sabah court lambasted for approving child marriage

PETALING JAYA: The Child Rights Coalition Malaysia (CRCM) has criticised the sessions court in Sabah for ruling in favour of a child marriage between a 13-year-old girl and the 40-year-old man accused of raping her.

The coalition, comprising seven child-related NGOs, called the impending union a violation of the child’s rights and akin to sexual abuse and rape.

“It is unfortunate that marriage is seen as a solution for addressing the growing societal issue of rape,” CRCM stated in a press release yesterday.

“We strongly feel that the verdict may lead to more societal issues such as early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and broken families rather than preventing such issues from happening in the future.”

The accused had allegedly raped the girl inside a car parked by the roadside in Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, at 10am on Feb 18.

Barefaced lies haunt clerk via fb

PETALING JAYA: An administrative clerk found herself warding off unwanted attention when “nude” pictures of her circulated on the social media.

The photos, however, had been doctored as her face was superimposed onto someone else's body.

To top it off, the unscrupulous person created a fake Facebook page using the pictures and started soliciting for sex. (That’s not me: Tan showing two of the fake nude photos of her being circulated on Facebook.)

The 20-year-old, who wanted to be known only as Tan, said the Facebook page, created using the name “Jessy Serikembangan”, caught the attention of her friends and family in May.

The Facebook page also put up a “price list” ranging from RM200 to RM500 for sex services.

After she lodged a complaint with Facebook, the page was taken down or so she thought.

However, it resurfaced again in August.

Lajim resigns as Umno member only after GE13?

BEAUFORT - Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, who is also PKR's candidate for the Klias state seat and Beaufort parliamentary seat, officially announced Friday that he has quit UMNO after resigning as a supreme council member in July.

Lajim, who was also deputy minister of housing and local government, said he was still an UMNO member after resigning from all posts in the party and government.

"This is only an official announcement. However, since embracing Pakatan Rakyat, I consider myself to have quit UMNO as I was only waiting for the UMNO Disciplinary Board to expel me but until now they have not done so.

"Surprisingly, UMNO members contesting as independents in this election were expelled immediately for breaching party rules.

Malayan party Umno more dominant and further encroachment

The steady encroaching by Umno has seen the power-sharing formula among its BN partners in Sabah shift from a once equitable 4:4:2 balance to the current 6:3:2 combination.

KOTA KINABALU: Umno has shifted from being the dominant force in the Sabah administration to master-of-all it surveys in Sabah.

It now has even more party members in the state Cabinet giving them an unprecedented ratio of 6:3:2 in the ministerial line-up.

There are now six Umno ministers, three non-Muslim Bumiputeras and two ethnic Chinese in Chief Minister Musa Aman’s cabinet.

Make Sarawak, Sabah prominent in school history books, Federal Gov’t urged

MIRI: The Federal Cabinet that is to be formed soon has been urged to make it a top priority to amend the history books used in school so that they clearly reflect the fact that Sarawak and Sabah had again been pivotal in helping Barisan Nasional return to power at the federal level.

Rurum Kelabit Association chairman for Miri Division, Dick Bala, in suggesting this yesterday, said that it must be clearly printed that Sarawak and Sabah had during the 12th and 13th General Elections were the two states that had provided Barisan at the national level with the critical seats to form the Federal Government.

Sabah police receive 29 reports from voters unhappy over use of indelible ink

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah police have received 29 reports from voters who were not happy with the indelible ink used in the voting process for the 13th General Election (GE13) throughout Sabah.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said from the total Kota Belud recorded the highest number of complains with 9 followed by Beaufort, Kota Kinabalu (5), Beluran (5), Tuaran (4), Sandakan (2), Tawau (2) and Tenom (1).

Hamza said throughout the process of voting today, 10 reports were also received, related to misuse of identity cards.

"In all the 29 police reports, voters had alleged that the indelible ink could be removed easily unlike what was said of the ink earlier," he told reporters, here, today.

Karpal Singh issues quit threat if DAP joins forces with Barisan Nasional

(THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Democratic Action Party chairman Karpal Singh said he would leave the party if it were to join Barisan Nasional.

"Joining Barisan is completely out of the question. I'll be the first to walk out if that happens, and I'm sure 100 per cent of party members will walk out with me," he said.

However, Mr Karpal said DAP was prepared to work with Barisan if the ruling coalition was willing to fully accept the opposition Pakatan Rakyat's election manifesto.

"(DAP adviser) Lim Kit Siang said it would be better if Barisan joins Pakatan.

"We can work with Barisan, only if they accept the Pakatan manifesto, then we will give serious consideration (to collaborate)," he said in his speech at a DAP conference attended by its elected representatives.

Jan Chow arrested; out on police bail (Updated May 13, 2013)

KOTA KINABALU: Young civil rights activist Jan Chow, said ‘harassment’ by the police over her involvement in the ‘Silent Walk’ protest against alleged election fraud in the country, would not deter her from continuing with her activities.

Jan was picked from her house on Wednesday at around 4pm by a group of seven police personnel from the Karamunsing Police Station.

She was only released on police bail with two guarantors, at about 6.30pm, after her statement was recorded by a police officer.

When contacted for comment, Jan said even though this was the first time that she has been detained, she was nonetheless calm and was not really worried of what’s going to happened to her.

Tee Keat: Sex stigma still haunts Soi Lek and MCA

KUALA LUMPUR - The “stigma” of being linked to a sex scandal years ago still haunts MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and the party he leads, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has said.

Ong was commenting on the reasons for MCA’s dismal performance in Election 2013, where the party had won only seven federal seats and 11 state seats, a far poorer result compared to its 2008 win of 15 federal seats and 32 state seats.

Ong said it was unfair to comment on whether MCA could have had a better performance at the polls without Dr Chua, who yesterday said that he will be accountable for MCA’s results and will quit his post between this June and December.

Unfair for Sipaun to blame Star and SAPP: Yong

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said it is unfair to blame Star and his party for not adopting the one-on-one approach promoted by Desah under Tan Sri Simon Simon.

Instead, he said Sipaun lost sight of the “massive bribery and money politics, the not-so-indelible ink, the still tainted electoral rolls, the postal votes, the vicious lies (by both Umno and DAP), the crumbling PKR machinery due to intense sense by betrayal by their KL Leaders and the extreme lack of resources by local parties like SAPP and Star which had to fight this very tough battle on their own.

“SAPP was wiped out, as predicted by Sipaun, but SAPP retains our honour, our pride and our dignity as Sabahans who refused to be a kerbau dicucuk hidung. Sabahans with honour will fight another day.

SAPP’s struggle is not a personal agenda for a few leaders to become YBs but a struggle on Sabah issues.

PR Didn't Want To Work With Us -- Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU:  State Reform Party (STAR) said that it was the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) which didn't want to work with STAR to go for the one-to-one fights in the constituencies.

In response to Desah Chairman, Tan Sri Simon Sipaun, who said that the PR could have obtained eight to 10 seats more had STAR and SAPP  listened to Desah's urging for one-to-one fights against the Barisan Nasional, STAR's Chairman, Datuk Dr. Jeffrey said he respected Sipaun's concern but Sipaun had been misinformed about what really happened.

"It is not true that we didn't want to work with the PR. Nothing would be further from the truth," Jeffrey stressed. "On the contrary, it was PR who was not serious cooperating with STAR."

GE13: MAS denies flying in phantom voters

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) rubbished allegations that it transported phantom voters from Sabah and Sarawak to peninsular Malaysia during the 13th general election.

Its group chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said MAS had always been an airline with integrity and would not tolerate baseless allegations against the company.

“MAS operated commercial chartered flights to bring voters home to their constituencies so that they could exercise their right to vote.

Sabah, Sarawak Should Unite and Demand for Justice - Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU:    “Its time for Sabah and Sarawak to unite and leverage their position as “Kingmakers” to restore their full autonomy and rights under the 20/18-Points and the Malaysia Agreement”, said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan. STAR Sabah Chairman, when commenting on the results of GE-13.

The results of GE-13 are very similar to GE-12 in 2008 where the Borneo States ended up as “Kingmakers” and saviours of the BN federal government.  Without Sabah and Sarawak, BN would have lost power.

STAR to Continue Fight for Rights and Autonomy - Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU:  State Reform Party (STAR) will continue its political struggle for justice, change and for the recognition and implementation of Sabah's rights and autonomy, said its Sabah Chairman, Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan.

In a statement here, Jeffrey said that STAR will undergo internal change, firstly by re-organizing and re-strategizing the Party to empower its mission to educate Sabahans about Sabah's position within the Malaysian Federation.  He said this must be sustained for the future of the State.

"There are so many things to do ahead of us, one of which is to push even harder for land reform and institutional changes," he said.  "We had started the ball rolling on educating the people on critical issues affecting their lives and Sabah's future, and this process need to be continued and accelerated to fulfillment."

Sabah and Sarawak Plays Kingmaker!

Blogger Raja Petra insinuates Sabah and Sarawak MPs may go over to Anwar if Najib does not reward East Malaysia amply

KOTA KINABALU: “Sabah and Sarawak know they are now the Kingmakers.”

“If they stay with Barisan Nasional then Anwar (Ibrahim) is fixed (original word replaced). If they jump then Najib (Razak) is fixed (original word replaced),” states controversial blogger Raja Petra.

He writes: “But before they make the decision whether to stay or to jump, they want to know what’s in it for them.
“Can they get extra federal cabinet posts? One Deputy Prime Minister’s post maybe?

Can they see an increase in oil royalty from 5% to 20%? Can they get more autonomy like what the 18- and 20-Point Agreements promised them?”

Kampung Tanduo bears witness to Sulu militants' attack on Sabah

LAHAD DATU: Entering Kampung Tanduo, a red zone that had witnessed the arrival of Sulu militants in Sabah, this writer could not help but feel a sense of panic although she was accompanied by security forces.

On Monday, April 8, together with 10 other members of the media, we were part of the first group of crew members to enter the high alert area, where two members of the Malaysian police VAT 69 commando force had been killed by militants from southern Philippines.

The two commandos, downed during the attack on March 1, were ASP Zulkifli Mamat from Besut, Terengganu, and Sergeant Sabaruddin Daud from Sabak Bernam, Selangor.

5 May 2013 - Who are the real losers?

By voting for half past six candidates from Pakatan Rakyat and also for the existing Barisan Nasional, the people of Sabah have lost the opportunity to change the State Government.  Figuratively speaking, the people of Sabah have crashed into a ravine to avoid hitting a cat!

COMMENTARY

Dear Readers,

The people of Sabah were vanquished in the fight for political autonomy when they themselves rejected the one and only Sabah-based opposition party that is SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party).

Pakatan Rakyat has successfully split the opposition votes and now they can be the undisputed opposition with Barisan Nasional continuing to be the Sabah State Government exactly like what is happening in Sarawak presently.

Police report against RM80 million allegation

KUDAT - Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Tanjung Kapor Youth led by Chong Vui Fong, has lodged a police report at the Kudat District Police Station to urge the police to investigate the shocking allegation that SAPP president was bought off by Barisan Nasional (BN) with RM80 million to help BN win in the 13th General Election.

The rumour mongering spread widely in Sabah especially in the urban areas has discredited SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee and the party and was made the main topic among the general public of whom many believed it to be true.

This malicious and vicious lie spread by irresponsible rival politicians is one of the main factors affecting SAPP's credibility and contributed to its dismal performance in the recent polls.

It was also learnt from sources that DAP's Dr Hiew King Cheu, running as candidate for Luyang at the time was one of the main culprits involved by using whispering campaign in Kota Kinabalu, which later was spread to other areas through his agents.

What more do the Chinese want?

COMMENT: The Utusan headlines of May 7 posed an interesting and pertinent question of what more do the Chinese in Malaysia want. It is a pity that Utusan is unable to see that what the Chinese want is in fact what the educated urban Malaysian voter want, regardless of race or religion. There are three important characteristics lacking in the Barisan of today.

The Chinese comprise only 30% of Malaysian voters, yet Pakatan won 51% of the total votes cast. By saying that the election result was because of the Chinese voter, the Barisan leadership demonstrates an inability to objectively face reality.

Gerakan Penang throwing in the towel, felt cheated

MCA and its allies Gerakan and MIC were wiped out in the state, with Pakatan candidates winning by higher majorities in most seats.

As soon as the results were out and it was clear that Pakatan had enough seats to form the Penang government, state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow threw in the towel and announced his resignation, including as Gerakan secretary-general.

"I don't feel bad. I have accepted the fact that Penangites do not accept my leadership," he said in an SMS to Malaysiakini.

Teng (right in photo) contested the Bukit Tengah seat in a three-cornered fight with former BN coordinator A Mohan, and a virtually unknown PKR lawyer, Ong Chin Wen, who won by 5,190 votes.

Tiada Husam Tiada Tuntutan Minyak

KOTA KINABALU -  “Husam Musa sama dengan perjuangan untuk mendapatkan kembali hak minyak dan gas asli, tanpa Husam Musa bererti perjuangan untuk mendapatkan kembali hak minyak dan gas asli negeri-negeri pengeluar minyak dan gas asli akan terbantut”, tegas Zainnal Ajamain jurucakap Gerakan Nasionales Sabah atau singkatnya GANAS merangkap salah seorang plantif yang menyaman PETRONAS dan Kerajaan Negeri Sabah.

Mengikut beliau Husam Musa adalah satu satunya individu yang menjadi pemangkin kepada kumpulan GANAS untuk menuntunt hak minyak dan gas asli bukan saja di peringkat Negeri Sabah malah sampai ke peringkat Nasional dan Antarabangsa.

Ketiadaan Husam Musa diperingkat exco negeri Kelantan menunjukkan negeri Kelantan sudah tidak mementingkan hak minyak dan gas asli mereka sendiri dan ini sangat sangat mengecewakan pergerakan di peringkat negeri negeri pengeluar minyak dan gas asli.

Shocking stunt by EC officer

And they say there is no “phantom voters”. EC must explain who voted on her behalf and why she was allowed to “vote again” despite her name being crossed out

By Victor Ma

KOTA KINABALU: A woman was allowed to vote – again – despite her name being crossed out in the electoral rolls used by the polling clerk.

After she raised a ruckus with an official at the Likas Sports Complex polling district, journalist Apple Wong was finally allowed to vote – but the fact remains, someone had earlier voted in her place thing she may not turn up.