Friday, April 11, 2008

Multiple awards winning KLIA have inferior security

Posted by MD at 8:09 PM

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the gateway icon of Malaysia has been winning multiple awards for various category, The next award that they are going to win is the inferior security award.

Azmi Murad, the GM of Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd dismissed police statement saying that the CCTVs that monitor the driveway at the departure hall where the recent armed robbery occurred was switch off. Azmi claimed that those CCTVs was never switch off but he revealed that the CCTVs does not have recording functions.

For an international class airport like KLIA, a major entry point for foreigners, the icon of Barisan Nasional and winning various international awards, KLIA security must be level with international standard. Security equipment must be first class. The security staffs mentality must also be of first class.

I am beginning to speculate that there could be a scandal involving the tender to supply and install those CCTVs. The original tender could call for all CCTVs to have recording functions but when it come to actual delivery, "some" of the CCTVs is just for normal surveillance without record capability. Mmmm ... possible covered corruption.

Related post:
* Incompetency of Malaysia Airport Bhd security team

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Extracted from: nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2211405/Article/index_html (Apr 11, 2008)

Not all cameras at KLIA have recording mode

KUALA LUMPUR: Only 30 per cent of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) have recording functions.
The rest are only for surveillance purposes, said Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) senior general manager Datuk Azmi Murad.

He said CCTVs with recording functions were only installed at high security areas within the terminal.

Public areas or low-risk areas, such as the driveway outside the departure hall where the shoot-out took place, were only equipped with surveillance cameras without recording functions.

Azmi stressed that all cameras are switched on for 24 hours.
"Since the shoot-out occurred outside the terminal, the surveillance CCTVs at the area did not have any recordings," he said.

He said all these details were also explained to police.

Azmi said all the CCTVs were in working order and none were switched off on the day of the incident.

He was responding to Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin's claim that the CCTVs were switched off and were only turned on after the incident.

Asked whether MAHB plans to upgrade its surveillance cameras in view of the incident, Azmi declined comment.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said he would meet Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to discuss security at the airport.

 

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Incompetency of Malaysia Airport Bhd security team

Posted by MD at 7:30 PM

Initially I thought this is just another case of serious crime occured at a public place. Never mind, the location of the crime (i.e at glamorous Kuala Lumpur International Airport) since crimes can strike anywhere and anytime.

The sore issue that I want to highlight here is the fact that the multi-million Ringgit CCTVs system installed at the airport serve no purpose at all. It was reported that where the crime occurred was monitored by CCTVs but it were not switched on during the incident. Some how, those CCTVs were only switch on after the robber fled the scene with their loots.

The police could only suspect that those monitoring the CCTVs could be involved (pakat) with the robbers or on the other hand those monitoring the CCTVs are really dumb incompetent.

As such, this incident only add on to the list of Malaysian incompetency. The entire security team that monitor those CCTVs should be sack including their chief security officer. KLIA is a public place and also a major point of entry for foreigners coming to Malaysia and with the lack of security, how would Malaysian and visitors feel safe.

Malaysia Airport Holding Bhd, the company that operates KLIA mentioned that it was not a security breach. Tahi lembu. It is a security breach if the CCTVs was there but not switch on. Yes, another case of "First class infrastructure, third world mentality".

Related post:
* Slack security in KLIA

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Extracted from: nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2210531/Article/index_html (Apr 11, 2008)

KLIA Heist: CCTVs not switched on during shoot-out


KUALA LUMPUR: The closed-circuit television cameras outside the Kuala Lumpur International Airport departure hall were not switched on during the shoot-out.
And it was also revealed that the off-duty policeman, who was initially thought to have been caught in the crossfire, was involved in the shoot-out with the gunmen.

The policeman, however, was hit twice and his police-issued semi-automatic pistol was taken by the gunmen.

Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said checks showed the CCTVs were switched on again after the five-minute shoot-out.

"It has hampered police investigations. We were hoping that the footages from the CCTVs could have provided us with information about the gunmen," Bakri said.
"What's the point of having CCTVs if they are not switched on? It is not for decorative purposes."

Bakri declined to elaborate on the matter but said police were working on several leads, including photofits of the suspects, based on eye-witness accounts.

"We believe that at least two of the gunmen were injured in the shoot-out. We are on the lookout for those seeking treatment for gunshot wounds."

Police are pulling out files on Indian gangs who were linked to similar robberies in the past as the gunmen who shot the moneychangers on Wednesday were said to be of dark complexion and had shouted instructions in Tamil.

The gunmen were believed to have escaped in two four-wheel drives, believed to be a BMW and a Toyota Hilux. Until press time, no arrests have been made, nor have the vehicles been spotted.

Bakri did not discount the possibility that the robbery was an inside job as very few people knew of the moneychangers' movements on Wednesday.

Malaysia Airports Berhad senior general manager (operations) Da-tuk Azmi Murad refused to comment on the CCTVs.

"This is a police case. Let the police comment on this," he said, adding that it was helping police in the investigations.

When pressed further, he said the CCTVs were operated by it.

Two CCTVs are visible at the driveway outside the departure hall.


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Extracted from: nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Letters/2209764/Article/index_html (Apr 11, 2008

Airport shoot-out: Tighten security at KLIA

By : WILLIAM DENNIS, Subang Jaya

THE attack on moneychangers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Wednesday ("Shoot-out at KLIA" -- NST, April 10) is a reminder to the police and government agencies that security at the airport needs to be stepped up.
For a start, the no-waiting and no-parking rules outside the arrival and departure halls at the airport must be enforced.

This is one way to prevent undesirable elements, including touts, from hanging about in the area.

The use of the drop-off point for travellers arriving in taxis should be restricted to that class of public transport.

At present, it is used by all kinds of transport vehicles. Private vehicles dropping off people should do so only at (other) designated areas.
Private vehicles should not be allowed to use the pick-up point for taxis.

Motorists park where they please at the KLIA and at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal. This has been a major problem since the opening of KLIA and LCCT.

As a frequent traveller, I have noticed that the problem is getting worse by the day.

The police and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) security should also consider restrictions on those entering the check-in terminal. Perhaps only air travellers should be allowed in.

Security personnel should check the passenger's ticket against his passport at the entrance to the departure hall: no air ticket, no entry.

This may sound drastic but many airports, including those in the Philippines and China, have implemented this.

Implementing this at KLIA is likely to see the need for an increased workforce, hence an increase in security costs, but prevention is better than cure.

Put the additional cost on the traveller as a security charge but ensure that security is stepped up and that the airport is safe for travellers and workers.

On Tuesday, a passenger bound for Dhaka passed through security at KLIA with a fruit knife and boarded his flight. This is a breach of security. The following day, the robbery took place.

For two serious incidents to take place at the airport on consecutive days prompts me to ask: what next?

The robbery on Wednesday has not only tarnished the image of the airport but also that of the country. Let's hope the security cameras at the airport were functioning at the time of the robbery for the police and MAHB security division to view.




 

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Responses to NRD on Sarawak-born stateless (undetermined persons)

Posted by MD at 10:06 AM

Below are the responses to NRD on Sarawak-born stateless (undetermined persons). One time Sarawak-born without MyKad are referred by NRD as stateless. The other time, NRD referred them as undetermined persons.

NRD has been changing the terms instead of taking effort to resolve the complaints.

Related posts:
* NRD must settle the stateless cases fast
* Incompetent National Registration Department

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Extracted from: theborneopost.com/?p=33824 (Apr 11, 2008)

Call to settle ‘stateless’ issue

By Martin Yee

NRD urged to help close long and uncertain chapter in the lives of ‘undetermined persons’

KUCHING: Sarawak-born “undetermined persons” will continue to live like aliens in their place of domicile unless there is another statewide exercise to register them.

Such a move will go a long way towards resolving the lingering issue of so-called “stateless” citizens in Sarawak which was brought to light recently by Kenyah Association committee member Gerarrd Lalo Laeng.

Certainly, prompt action by the National Registration Department (NRD) will help close a long and uncertain chapter in the lives of two female “undetermined persons” — Urai Usang and Elon Bun — from Long Apu, Baram, as well as those of more than 50 others like them in several Kenyah longhouses in Baram District alone.

Gerarrd, a 55-year-old engineer from Long Pelutan, Julan, is grateful to the Education Department for allowing students without identity cards in the area to sit for public examinations. He also thanked Baram Member of Parliament, Datuk Jacob Sagan, and state assemblyman for Telang Usan, Lihan Jok, for their support.

Meanwhile, he took to task NRD Sarawak Customers’ Services officer, Hamid Takip, for alleging that some tua kampung were not genuine when they agreed to stand as referees for IC applications by the longhouse people.

“The tua kampung know the background of the people who live in the longhouse,” he said. The NRD officer also alleged it was possible that the longhouse headmen might allow foreigners to get MyKad and that when a third party was involved, there could be other motives.

“The rural people don’t do this kind of thing. Most Sarawakians don’t want foreigners to settle in their kampung to avoid problems and complications.

“How can he say I, as a third party, might have other motives. I do it for my people out of social obligation with nothing to gain,” Gerarrd stressed.

He said after highlighting the plight of the “stateless,” he received a lot of phone calls supporting moves to solve the problems of not only Urai Usang and Elon Bun but also about 10 others in Long Pelutan, Julan, 15 from Long Apu, 10 from Long Anap and 20 from Long Palai.

“I also know of a Penan longhouse in Palai whose occupants also face similar problems. I used to pass by the area and know the people there well,” Gerarrd added.

He believed communication breakdown and lack of tact on the NRD’s part in dealing with the longhouse people to be one of the reasons why the latter’s applications were not processed.

On the claim that the applicants, mostly illiterate longhouse folk were not sure when asked the reasons for their applications, he said: “You must remember these people cannot understand Bahasa Malaysia spoken by the Semenanjung officers, some of whom only know their own dialect and a smattering of local Malay.

“They should help these people by using interpreters. Many of them complained that when they asked when their ICs would be ready, the standard reply was ‘tunggu dulu’, or ‘tiga bulan’ or ‘boss pergi meeting’.

“Also, the NRD should not use the excuse that their replies cannot reach these people because longhouse people can also receive mail even from overseas.

“Imagine the inconvenience and expenses involved to travel say from the Long Pelutan longhouse to Miri. It costs RM1,000 to hire a four-wheel drive — what about other costs like food and lodging? How could these simple folk afford to come to Kuching?”

Gerarrd noted that Urai’s case was rather peculiar in that she had yet to receive a reply to her application even though she has a birth certificate.

According to him, she was also given a baptismal certificate from the Roman Catholic Mission in her area when she was baptised as a baby. Urai has three sons and a daughter. Her eldest boy, Stanley Lipau, 17, who is also IC-less but has a birth certificate, is still in school but his future is uncertain.

To settle the issue once and for all, Gerarrd proposed a re-registration exercise be organised, saying the NRD helicopter service could fly to a designated area in Long San where all the people without ICs from the neighbouring longhouses could converge for registration.

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Extracted from: theborneopost.com/?p=33806 (Apr 10, 2008)

Those without MyKad are ‘undetermined persons’: NRD

KUCHING: People without identity cards or MyKad are categorised as ‘undetermined persons’ and not ‘stateless’ people by the National Registration Department (NRD).

NRD Sarawak’s customer services officer Hamid Takip clarified this yesterday when asked to comment on the plight of two longhouse residents in Long Apu, Ulu Baram, was highlighted on the front page of thesundaypost.

The two Kenyah women in their 50s, Urai Usang and Elon Bun from Long Apu, Ulu Baram, who were born in Sarawak are frustrated because they do not have identity cards despite making two attempts to get one.

Kenyah Association treasurer and a member of the longhouse JKKK (Village Security and Development Committee) Gerard Lalo Leng was reported to have helped bring a group of people including Urai to NRD Miri office in 2002 to have their ICs made.

“For people who have lived in Sarawak for a long time and are born here, we recognise them as ‘undetermined persons’ because they do not have documents like birth certificates and identity cards,” said Hamid.

He said these people were mostly those who lived in the remote rural areas and were illiterate and did not understand the need to have any personal documents. Hamid said such people might have applied for MyKad but were unable to get them due to various reasons.

“They could have applied for the cards but did not submit complete documents as required by the department. Sometimes, we are unable to reach them in order to tell them to submit the necessary papers through the post.

“At other times, they did not come to our branches personally to apply for the MyKad themselves, but through a third party, who could be sincere and genuinely trying to help them but there are also devious people out there trying to use their ignorance to cheat them.

“We have to be extra careful when people apply for identity cards through a third party because we do not want them to get cheated,” Hamid said.

In another report published by The Borneo Post two days ago (April 8) , Telang Usan assemblyman Lihan Jok was quoted as saying that he understood that some officers were reluctant to approve these applications as there were stringent procedures to follow and therefore they were very careful.

However, Lihan said the officers should not question their applications, especially after their village headmen, penghulu and elected representatives had supported their applications.

Hamid said the state NRD had contacted its Marudi branch, and was now looking into the matter and studying the real situation in Urai’s case.

“Another reason could be that a person, after applying for the identity card, could have moved elsewhere and thus we were unable to trace him or her whereabouts,” said Hamid.

“Normally, if a person submits an application at our nearest office, say in Marudi, our staff there would check the application and forward it to our headquarters in Kuching for approval.

“We will process the application and if there is any problem like insufficient supporting documents, we will inform our Marudi office, which will in turn inform the applicant,” said Hamid.

He said the problem of contacting the person concerned might arise when he/she had moved elsewhere, and due to some miscommunication between both parties, the time taken to process a MyKad application was affected.

“We also have a mobile unit that goes to remote areas to provide services to save the rural folk time and expenses of going all the way to the nearest branches.

“In remote places like Long Busang in Ulu Belaga that are inaccessible by river or road transport, our mobile unit will go there by helicopter,” he added.

He said the mobile unit, based in Kuching, had schedules to follow when visiting the rural areas.

Hamid said the department always tried its best to help the people by making it convenient for them to apply for MyKad.

“As you can see in our office here, we have put up a lot of signages, posters, info television, suggestion box and pamphlets to inform, advise and educate the public on how to go about applying for a MyKad in our efforts to provide quality services.

“We also have a special counter to help senior citizens, people with special needs and expectant mothers,” he added. He said if the public had any complaints, suggestions or enquiries, they could call the department at 082-234054.


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Extracted from: theborneopost.com/?p=33805 (Apr 10, 2008)

Sagan wants ‘stateless’ issue solved fast

KUCHING: Baram Member of Parliament Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan (pictured right) wants the National Registration Department (NRD) to solve the stateless issue in Sarawak fast.

He said the department and other authorities concerned should buck up and solve the problem, which was affecting many people in the rural areas.

“I believe that if village heads or community leaders have already certified them (people who are stateless) as Malaysians, I don’t see why they cannot get their ICs processed.

“I suggest that the NRD look into the matter right away as without such document these people will not be able to enjoy government assistance like medical services while their children will not be able to go to school,” he said when contacted through an SMS interview yesterday.

Sagan, who is Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry said this in response to thesundaypost’s story that highlighted the plight of two stateless Kenyah women in their 50s, Urai Usang and Elon Bun, from Long Apu, Ulu Baram.

They are among the more than 20 people from the longhouse who are stateless because they still do not have any identity cards even after two attempts to apply for one, although born and bred in Sarawak.

Following the report, The Borneo Post received a call from a man in Kpg Benuk near here, who only wished to be known as John, claiming that his uncle had also been suffering the same fate for 70 years.

He said his illiterate uncle had tried to apply for an identity card many times in the past but was unsuccessful each time.

“Last year, I helped him to apply for one, and enclosed with the application form were recommendation letters from the village headman, penghulu and the local MP Datuk James Dawos Mamit.”

Six months have passed but there was still no news of the outcome of the application, he said, adding that he had visited the NRD counter here at least three times and also called them up more than 10 times in the last three months.

“If the department does not believe in the letters signed by the community leaders and the people’s elected representative, I suggest the department carry out DNA test on my uncle and the whole family to prove that he’s truly our relative and a local,” he said.

John said his uncle had been deprived of government assistance such as going to government clinics or any private clinic whenever he got sick.

“He does not have a birth certificate nor an identity card. He only has a receipt bearing his name certifying that he is a participant of a rubber-planting scheme issued during the British colonial rule.

“Being stateless, he can’t travel to anywhere, not even to the hospital. When he is sick, he relies on traditional medicine at the village,” he said.

His uncle’s two younger sisters all have their identity cards, he added.

He said if the NRD could not even solve the (stateless) problem among people living near the city, it would be worse for those living in the deep interior like the Baram.

The Borneo Post also received an email from one Luca Ceschin who claimed that he knew a Bidayuh family of 10 living just two hours’ drive from the city, who were also stateless.

This family experienced the same fate as the two Kenyah women in Ulu Baram.

He said the family had tried many times to apply for identity cards but had always been unsuccessful.

He said it was unfair that thieves, drug dealers and gangsters had more rights than the law-abiding albeit stateless people - just because they had their precious identity cards.

“The four words ‘You don’t have ID’ seem to be more powerful than a gun in hand,” he said.

He hoped the authorities would help these stateless people fast otherwise they would continue to be trampled upon and not enjoy their rights as citizens of this country.



 

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Grassroots confusions within Parti Rakyat Sarawak

Posted by MD at 2:02 AM

There seems to be some confusions within Parti Rakyat Sarawak grassroots. Initial report indicates that PRS have 28 registered divisions.

Now, the Masing faction indicates that there are 23 divisions supporting Masing (i.e agreed to expelled Larry from the party). Meanwhile, the faction aligned to Larry Sng mentioned that 19 divisions are supporting Larry. So is it 28 divisions or 42 divisions.

The support of Larry also have new meaning. Some of the divisions supporting Larry, agreed that Masing is the president of PRS and Larry should not be fired from the party. On the other hand. the other group of divisions supporting Larry, insist that Larry is the legitimate president of PRS.

This PRS leadership crisis is turning into a comedy saga. PRS leaders and their supreme council(S) are confused with the number of their divisions. And so are their supporters and observers (like your truly).

Related posts:
* PRS leadership disputes - Larry Sng not giving up yet
* Masing keeping Larry Sng for the money

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Extracted from: theborneopost.com/?p=33849

More PRS divisions want Larry expelled (Apr 11, 2008)

KUCHING: Three other Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) divisions, namely Dudong in Sibu, Bukit Sari and Ba Kelalan in Lawas have declared their rejection of Larry Sng.

Through a press statement yesterday, Dudong divisional chairman Petrus Ngelai and secretary Dr Johnny Kieh said they fully supported party president Dato Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.

“This division agrees that there is no need for PRS to take back Larry (Sng) and members of his faction because the party can work effectively without them,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Bukit Sari and BaKelalan divisions wanted Larry out of the party in a joint press statement signed by their respective chairmen Junaidi Kamit and William Sapak Agung.

PRS has only 28 divisions but on Thursday conflicting statements began to emerge from the grassroots, pointing to the simmering rivalry between Masing and Larry.

As 23 divisions said they wanted Larry expelled while 19 divisions claiming to be duly registered divisions of the party said Larry is still party president.

Grassroots decision is being solicited following the party’s May 5 supreme council meeting which agreed to sack Larry and nine others, including his father Datuk Sng Chee Hua, from the party.

But Masing put the expulsion on hold, saying the grassroots must first be consulted.

However, it now appears that PRS will have to contain with not just 28 but at least 42 party divisions!

 

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Thursday, April 10, 2008

Tambunan villages win suit against Sabah

Posted by MD at 7:14 AM

This is another case of government incompetency whereby complaints have been made to Keningau District Office but the problem (of illegal logging and encroachment) remained unsolved and the rakyat continue to suffer.

Even with authority, the government officials cannot take action against those responsible. Was it the parties involved are political immune to the law or was it the government officials were given hampers, cash envelop, air tickets, and what not.

When the case was taken to court and when they win the case, the state government will have to compensate the plaintiffs with government money, our money.

This thing would not have happen if the government officials act promptly when reports are initially lodged.

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Extracted from: dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=56807 (Apr 10, 2008)

Villagers win suit against State Govt

Kota Kinabalu: The residents of four villages in Tambunan will remember March 28, 2008, for the rest of their lives because it was the day in which they won a suit against the State Government.

High Court Judge Datuk Nurchaya Haji Arshad had ordered the defendants, the State Government of Sabah, a senior government officer and a government officer, to pay the sum of RM100,000 to the plaintiffs.

In the suit the residents were represented by Joannes Anggon, Dayong Unkong, Gapel Sondokiri and Eging Sasai.

The four had filed the suit at the High Court here on Oct. 2, 2003, on behalf of themselves and villagers of Kampung Donggiulang, Rantai, Bundu and Tiga, as they had only wanted their rights as citizens of this country protected.

The villagers' woes began on June 12, 2000, when the gravity pipe project at the four villages (jointly referred to as "Bundu Apin-Apin Area") was launched despite the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) saying it was not supposed to commence yet due to several reasons.

The joint Bundu JKKKs (G4JKKK) had applied for gravity pipe to be built in Kampung Donggiluang, Rantai, Bundu and Tiga to the Health Ministry via the Tambunan Health Department since 1988.

Joannes said their application was approved but could not be carried out due to insufficient funds. "The Tambunan Health Department informed us that the application would, however, be included in the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP)," he said.

But in May 2000, he said that the G4JKKK suddenly had a change of heart and applied that the gravity pipe project be built through the logging areas.

The area, he said, is located within the villages' water catchment that has also been gazetted as water catchment by the Government.

The construction of the gravity pipe through logging areas was officiated in June 17, 2000. However, Joannes said as time passed, about 3,000 acres of land had been logged but the construction of the gravity pipes was only 35 per cent completed.

"We've initiated several efforts to urge the Keningau District Office to take serious note of the matter but were unsuccessful," he said.

When the villagers had lodged protests and stopped the logging activities in 2001, the timber company was finally ordered to furnish deposit of RM100,000 to the Keningau District Office as collateral to ensure the gravity pipe project is completed.

Nevertheless, Joannes said this had not changed the situation a bit because the logging activities continued more fervently and the company also did not fulfil its promise to give the deposit to the District Office.

"The villagers then had no choice but to take the matter to court and filed the suit with the Kota Kinabalu High Court in Oct. 3, 2003," he said.

The villagers conducted three expeditions in the area to count the tree stumps as proof that there were rampant logging activities in the area while the construction of the gravity pipes was not running smoothly.

Nevertheless, Joannes said after waiting patiently for five years since the suit was filed in 2003, they were elated that the court ruled in favour of the people.

"I am really glad the case was settled. This has been an experience for us where throughout the case, we've gone through many challenges but our fighting spirit for justice overcome everything else," he said.

Secretary of Bundu Action Committee, Galus Ahtoi, urged government officers to be more professional and not take lightly the problems and needs of the society.

"I also hope this case will serve as a valuable experience to all communities in rural areas especially in handling problems that are related with basic needs of the society," he said.

He thanked legal advisor to Bundu Action Committee, Datuk Kong Hong Ming, Partners of Community Organisations (Pacos), the people at Apin-Apin and Merampong Keningau, government officers and the media.

Kong, however, said even though the plaintiffs were elated with the court's judgement, it would mean that taxpayers' money would be used to pay them.

Meanwhile, Galus said the gravity pipes had since been completed using funds obtained from elsewhere. He said that the RM100,000 would be kept as a trust fund for the benefit of the villagers.

 

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Slack security in KLIA

Posted by MD at 2:47 AM

Kuala Lumpur International Airport despite winning so many awards previously has been reported to have a lapsed in security (read: not security breach) when a Bangladeshi passenger was found to have smuggled a knife, a dangerous weapon and banned item.

The Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat is right when he blamed it on Malaysia Airport Bhd incompetency. Not so much on the system or procedure but the people (from security to management) who are suppose to watch and control over security matters at the airport.

This is yet another typical case of Malaysian syndrome of "First class infrastructure, third world mentality".

Related news:
* 6 hurt in KLIA shootout, robbers get away with RM3.5m

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Extracted from: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/10/nation/20080410163142&sec=nation (Apr 10, 2008)

MAB suspends three workers in fruit knife incident

By ROYCE CHEAH and AMANDA CHRISTI

KUALA LUMPUR: Three Malaysia Airport Bhd (MAB) workers have been suspended in connection with the incident of a Bangladeshi passenger who managed to sneak a fruit knife onto a GMG Airlines flight.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, caused panic among passengers and the Bangladeshi plane that was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Dhaka was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand.

The passenger was apprehended by Thai airport authorities and was subsequently released to board a flight to Dhaka.

Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said Malaysia Airport Bhd (MAB) was responsible for the breach of security for allowing the Bangladeshi to board the plane with a fruit knife.

"(MAB is) now working with its counterparts in Thailand to investigate the incident further.

"Kuala Lumpur International Airport should maintain its standards in the matter of security, especially in light of winning so many awards previously," he said.

He added that it was not the system that should be blamed. The staff should be more sensitive, aware and serious about security issues.

 

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Wednesday, April 9, 2008

PRS leadership disputes - Larry Sng not giving up yet

Posted by MD at 10:38 AM

After the Registrar of Societies has given the letter to both camps to announce that Parti Rakyat Sarawak will not be deregistered, the press to ROS Alias Md Kalil to inquire on the president seat (Alias Md Kalil verbally stated the Masing is still the president of PRS).

Alias confirmed that Masing is still the president and after that, Larry Sng conceded defeat. Being a gentleman, Masing opt for majority votes where the grassroots of PRS will determined whether Larry Sng should be booted out from the party.

The supreme council members of Larry Sng camp meanwhile are kicked out of the party without second thought by Masing and his supporters.

Larry Sng when conceding the defeat, has requested his faction member to recognize and support Masing. A dream come true for Masing. He has survived the party factional crisis, reinstated at the party president and regain support from this "arch enemy".

~!@%#) ... dream breaker. Suddenly, the faction behind Larry Sng take to the task to dispute the
pronouncements made by the Registrar of Societies, Datuk Alias Md Kalil, through the press that Masing was the PRS president. The big honcho in that faction are Jimmy Donald and Larry Sng's father (Sng Senior).

Now, it look like Masing and Larry Sng are relief that PRS is still around and Larry Sng has given up the presidency. But not when Jimmy Donald and Sng Senior is around. It seems that Jimmy Donald and Sng Senior will not give up hope for Larry to the president of PRS. It seems that Larry Sng is subject to puppetry move controlled by Jimmy Donald and Sng Senior.

Personally, I think Larry Sng is a nice fellow. And yang tamak haloba dan kuasa is not Masing or Larry, but Jimmy Donald and Sng Senior.

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References and related articles


PRS still divided over leadership (Apr 10, 2008)

By JACK WONG

KUCHING: Nineteen out of the 28 registered divisions of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) aligned to Larry Sng Wei Shien do not recognise Datuk Dr James Masing as party president.

Leaders of these divisions have unanimously agreed in a meeting here to continue supporting Larry as the party chief even though he has announced he accepts Dr Masing as party president.

They claimed that the supreme council headed by Larry is the valid one.

Larry did not attend the meeting at PRS registered headquarters at Green Height Commercial Centre but his father Datuk Sng Chee Hua, also advisor to the group, was present.

Former Sri Aman MP Jimmy Donald, Larry's righthand man, said the group had written to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to ask for a list of the rightful party supreme council members to clear the confusion.

Dr Masing has said that the recent reply by Registrar Datuk Md Alias Kalil that the ROS would not deregister PRS confirmed him as the party chief and that his supreme council was valid.

Dr Masing's supreme council had at its meeting last Saturday upheld an earlier decision to expel nine leaders aligned to Larry. They include Chee Hua, Donald, party's secretary-general Sidi Munan, deputy information chief Ernest Chua.

Dr Masing is seeking feedback from the party's grassroots on whether to remove or retain Larry, also state Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department, in the party.

Several divisions aligned to Dr Masing have since made a stand that they wanted Larry out of the party.

Donald demanded an apology from Dr Masing's supporters over what he claimed as defamatory remarks they have made against Larry’s camp.

''We treat them (Dr Masing's supporters) as party colleagues and our friends despite our political differences,'' he said.

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Larry still president of PRS: Faction aligned to Sng (Apr 10, 2008)

By Raynore Mering

KUCHING: The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) crisis is still not over as the faction led by Larry Sng yesterday claimed that theirs is still the legitimate supreme council and Sng still the president.

To add to that, 19 divisions, said to be legally registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) and aligned to Sng, had unanimously agreed not to recognise Dato Sri Dr James Masing as PRS president.

Heads of the 19 divisions met with members of Sng’s supreme council yesterday at the party’s registered headquarters at Green Heights Commercial Centre.

Larry could not attend the meeting but his father, Datuk Sng Chee Hua, was present.

The faction’s deputy president, Jimmy Donald, told a press conference after the meeting: “As far as we are concerned, our supreme council is still the legal one.”

He said they were not convinced by pronouncements made by the Registrar of Societies, Datuk Alias Md Kalil, through the press that Masing was the PRS president.

Therefore, he said they would be writing to Alias to ask for the legal list of PRS supreme council members.

He said their letter would be couriered to Alias after the press conference.

At the same time, Jimmy said the 19 divisions, which represent 23,768 members, would be writing to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on the same matter.

He added that the 19 divisions hoped that Masing would not manufacture overlapping and illegal divisions.

“We have read lately that there seems to be divisions coming up all over the place because the legal headquarters is here. The legal and recognised secretary general Sidi Munan is here,” said Jimmy.

He also asked leaders in Masing’s camp to apologise for making some allegedly “libelous” comments about them in the press.

He said he was saddened by their comments because they considered Masing’s people their friends and colleagues despite their political differences.

“They used words like ‘virus’ and ‘unhealthy bacteria’. We hope and we want them to apologise to us. If not we will be taking legal action against them. We should be friends so it is with much regret that we resort to this but we do not like extreme words to be used,” Jimmy said.

Alias had confirmed that Masing is still the president in a front-page report in The Borneo Post on April 4.

He made the confirmation after issuing a letter on April 1 on his decision not to deregister PRS.

Alias had explained that his decision was based on a reply to a showcause letter given by Masing in the latter’s capacity as PRS president on Sept 15, 2006.

“That’s how it is. Dato Sri Dr James Masing is still the president. I think my explanation in the letter is already clear enough and I do not want to add anything more,” he said when contacted in Kuala Lumpur.

Alias said in the letter that he was satisfied with the reply given by Masing on why he had sacked six principal office bearers in May 2006, which led to the showcause letter being issued.

Following Alias’ decision and confirmation, Masing had said that there was now no more dispute as to who was the president of PRS and which supreme council was legitimate.

His supreme council had upheld the expulsion of nine PRS members – Datuk Sng Chee Hua, Sidi Munan, Jimmy Donald, Munan Laja, Ernest Chua, George Lagong, Ong Lark Sai, Audie Chua and Josephine Randan Mawat - last Saturday.

However, Masing said they had decided to hold back Larry’s expulsion until the grassroots had given their opinion on whether Larry should be retained as a member.

Larry is the Pelagus assemblyman and an assistant minister.

All of PRS’ elected representatives, except Larry, are now members of Masing’s supreme council.

Despite questions about Masing’s position, the Barisan Nasional has accorded Masing recognition as a president of a component party.

The PRS crisis erupted soon after the May 2006 state polls.

Larry and Masing and their supreme councils were elected at separate triennial delegates conferences.

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Tamin, Kakus divisions also want Sng out (Apr 09, 2008)

SELANGAU: More and more Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) divisions now want the former president of its other faction, Larry Sng Wei Shien, expelled from the party.

Yesterday, the Tamin and Kakus divisions held their extraordinary meetings (EGMs) to join in the chorus of expulsion.

Earlier, nine other divisions namely Senadin, Pujut and Lambir in Miri, Tebedu in Kuching, Limbang, Pakan, Meluan and Meradong in Sarikei, and Ngemah had also held their EGMs to come up with similar resolutions.

The move came about after the Registrar of Societies (ROS) recognised Dato Sri Dr James Jemut Masing who is the Land Development Minister and Balleh assemblyman, as its legal president last week.

The ROS too, decided not to de-register the state’s youngest BN component member, following a two-year leadership struggle between Sng who is Pelagus assemblyman and an assistant minister in the Chief Minister’s Department and Masing and their respective supreme council members.

According to Dali Merawin, the chairman of the Tamin division, both his and the Kakus divisions were unanimous in their resolutions for Sng to be shown the door.

The Kakus branch was represented by its deputy chairman James Watt and the party vice-president Joseph Mauh Ikeh who is Tamin assemblyman and its Youth wing secretary general Alexander Kadir Dato were among those present.

Dali said they were confident Masing would helm PRS and take Dayak political unity to new and greater heights, now that he had no major obstacle standing in his way.

PRS, an off-shoot of the now-defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), was de-registered for similar leadership crisis, was formed on Oct 21, 2004, the same day the party was deregistered.

It has 28 divisions statewide and so far, only the Pelagus division has stood firm behind Sng. — Bernama

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PRS Senadin, Ngemah, Pujut and Lambir divisions say no to Sng (Apr 07, 2008)

By Samuel Aubrey

KUCHING: The Senadin, Ngemah, Pujut and Lambir divisions of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) yesterday unanimously agreed not to accept Pelagus assemblyman Larry Sng as a member of the party.

The four divisions became the first group to declare their stand on Sng following instructions from the PRS supreme council on Saturday to let the grassroots members decide on the future of Sng in the party.

Sng’s expulsion from the party had actually been unanimously decided during Saturday’s supreme council meeting, but party president Dato Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said it was being put on hold until after he received the decision from the grassroots.

PRS deputy information chief Richard Wil Uban, speaking on behalf of the four divisions, said the chairmen, deputy chairmen and other office-bearers of all these four divisions had met at the PRS Service Centre in Pujut, Miri yesterday afternoon.

Apart from Wil who is also the PRS Senadin chairman, the other chairmen present at the packed meeting were PRS Lambir chairman Pandang Semat, PRS Pujut chairman Bangga Tinggom and PRS Ngemah chairman Peter Talajan.

“Having received instructions from party headquarters to decide on Larry Sng’s status, we the following divisions – Senadin, Ngemah, Pujut and Lambir – have considered and unanimously agreed not to accept him as member of PRS,” he said when contacted. Wil issued a press statement on behalf of PRS Senadin, which was faxed to The Borneo Post yesterday evening.

Apart from reiterating that the division has resolved not to accept Sng as a PRS member, he said PRS Senadin members were relieved that the party’s leadership crisis had been resolved after the Registrar of Societies Datuk Md Alias Khalil decided against de-registering PRS.

The ROS in an April 1 letter noted that he had decided not to proceed with the action to de-register PRS after he accepted the explanation given by Masing, and a day later ROS confirmed that Masing was still the president.

“The Senadin division congratulates the president Dato Sri Dr James Jemut Masing on the settlement of the factional dispute in the party, and on the recent success in the just concluded parliamentary election,” read the statement.

Wil thanked the state BN leadership for their patience in bearing with PRS throughout this ordeal.

Meanwhile Talajan, on behalf of PRS Ngemah, said Masing and his supreme council members must be congratulated for their tireless effort in fighting for PRS not to be deregistered.

He said the Ngemah division was thankful to ROS for not only replying to Masing, but clarifying on Masing’s position as president of the party.

He added that the Sng camp failed to translate the ROS letter which was also sent to the party’s registered headquarters at Green Heights Commercial Centre which was being occupied by them.

“A prudent and diligent decision by ROS cancelled all doubts and queries pertaining to the PRS inhouse mess created by ambitious individuals through materialistic manipulation.

“Now there will be no more doubts on the legality of PRS and Dato Sri Dr James Jemut Masing as the legitimate party president,” noted the statement.

Talajan hoped the bitter months of crisis in the party would be taken as a lesson to remind party members, and as a future guideline so members and leaders would be cautious and careful in making judgements or decisions.

He said the Ngemah division committee members and supporters strongly oppose any acceptance of Larry Sng as a PRS member.

On another note, the PRS Ngemah division thanked Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for regarding PRS as a viable party even though it had been riddled with longterm internal crisis.

“PRS is now alive and a strong BN component partner. We have proved that in the just concluded election, we delivered all the six parliament seats to BN with two seats won uncontested – Selangau and Kanowit,” he said.

In the coming days, more statements are expected from PRS divisions as the grassroots leaders from all 29 divisions will want to have their say on the position of Sng, as well as express their relief and appreciation that the party is spared de-registration.

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Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Malaysia sending army for vacation to London

Posted by MD at 8:15 AM

RM2 million or more for sending our army to guard England's Buckingham Palace is an extreme waste of fund when that money could be used to protect our waters and borders. England is not short of protection for their home land security. Malaysia home security is riddled with holes.

Take Sabah waters for example, with rampant entry of illegal immigrants from the Philippines to Sabah, the government of the Defence Ministry is not doing anything to control the problem. Protect Sabah waters instead of sending our army for sight seeing to London.

In another example, the border between Sarawak and Kalimantan need more security to prevent unwanted entry of illegals from Indonesia to Sarawak. Kuching has been hit with spates of armed robberies and house-breakin by criminal gangs with members from Indonesia. Those crimes doesn't seem to be reduced. Why? Because there are still a lot of lubang tikus at the Sarawak-Kalimantan border. And what is the army doing ? Sending their troop for vacation to London.

MD Updates:
* Jun 13, 2008: Royal Malay Regiment tour of duty at Buckingham Palace ends

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Extracted from : sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21370

London public duties

Maria J.Dass

PETALING JAYA (April 8, 2008): The cost to send 122 members of the Royal Malay Regiment (RMR) to serve in “London public duties” in England for two months will be shared with the British government.

A Defence Ministry’s public relations division spokesman said it was a cost sharing mission between the two governments.

“They invited us there so they will bear some of the costs and we will pay the rest,” she said.

Earlier, the Defence Ministry in a press statement had said there were some mistakes in news reports on the cost of the mission. When asked, the spokesperson declined to reveal the actual cost.

On April 7, Bernama reported that the team will depart for London on April 16 and is expected to start their duty on April 18 until June 12. The trip (including insurance, attire, flight tickets) cost almost RM1.9 million, the report said.

The ministry said the cost mentioned in the article was not accurate but agreed that it was for insurance, attire and flight tickets.

The ministry also denied that the team will be attired in ceremonial temperate dress, comprising a red coat, black pants and a bearskin cap as stated in the report as they would be donning their army (Tentera Darat Malaysia) uniform.

The 1st Battalion of the RMR will be the fourth Commonwealth nation, after Canada, Australia and Jamaica, to be "honoured" in performing the Public Duties in England.

One of the tasks awaiting the RMR team is to guard Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British Monarch.

Acting director of the Malaysian Army public relations office Colonel Fadzlette Othman Merican said the idea was proposed by Chief of General Staff of the United Kingdom, Sir Richard Dannat during an official visit to Malaysia in February last year.

They will also participate in the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the forecourt of both palaces, as well as conducting night patrols, guarding the palace's check-posts and be a part of the quick reaction force. The team would be given accommodation in the Wellington Barracks in central London.

 

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