Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) pledged to bring the Federal Government and the British Government to Court for dishonouring the Malaysia Agreement once getting the mandate from the people.
President Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said that among others, the clear breach of agreement was on the Borneonisation of the federal public service in Sabah in pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement that was signed in London on July 9, 1963.
He said SAPP’s legal team had studied the matter for quite a long time and after researching the speeches of leaders from all parties and relevant documents, especially the agreement’s contents itself, they opined that the Malaysia Agreement was enforceable in the court of law.
“The promise of Borneonisation of the public service is very well documented in the many memoranda submitted by the leaders of North Borneo and Sarawak, in the Memorandum of the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee, the Cobbold Report, and the Inter-Governmental Report.
“Finally, it became a legally binding enforceable right of Sabah and Sarawak in the Malaysia Agreement,” he said when opening the annual general meeting for branches in SAPP Petagas CLC at its chief, Dullie Mari’s residence in Kampung Muhibbah here on Friday.
“Many Malaysians do not realise that Malaysia itself is a creation of the Malaysia Agreement signed in London on July 9, 1963. The parties to this international treaty were the United Kingdom, Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo (now Sabah),” he said.
He said that the Agreement contained 10 articles, which are clear and easy to understand.
On the other hand, everybody knew that those promises stipulated in the Agreement had been broken by both the Malayan and British governments.
“Until now, 47 years later, all we have been hearing are empty promises. It is no wonder that even the Federal Minister of Information found it so casual to “re-assure” Sabah on the Borneonisation of the public service during the last Malaysia Day,” he said.
On this note, he said SAPP was not talking about the Armed Forces and security personnel, medical, scientific other high-tech services that Sabah needs, but tens of thousands of officers and clerical staff in many federal departments and agencies in Sabah.
“It is as though there are no capable Sabahans,” he said, adding that an example of this was the posting of 76 computer technicians to Sabah schools in April, which was objected by the teachers’ unions in the state.
“The education minister does not even bother to explain. It is now learnt that more than 400 computer technicians are being posted to various schools in Sabah with costs of living and transport allowances, taking up the teachers’ quarters and depriving local staff. Is this job too difficult for Sabahans?” he asked.
Yong claimed that previous employment and promotions of locals had been reversed with a stroke of the pen and that even recently at the mini Putrajaya (Sabah Federal Administrative Complex) even clerks and drivers were sent from the Peninsula Malaysia.
“We want to make it clear that Malaysians in Sabah, known as Sabahans, have nothing against our fellows Malaysians from the Peninsular. We share their predicament caused by the failures of the BN-Umno government in the country.
“But, we worry also about the job opportunities of young Sabahans, increasing in numbers of whom face a bleak future. If even computer technicians are posted from the Peninsular what hope do the locals have?” he asked.
Yong said that as true Malaysians, the people of Sabah sincerely believed that the Federal Government must honour the letter and spirit of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, including the promise of Borneonisation of the public service.
The Inter-Governmental Report of 27 February, 1963 had referred to the famous Cobbold Report dated 21 June, 1962, which in Chapter 4, Para 148 (i) of the recommendations of the Cobbold Commission clearly stated that the Borneonisation of the public services should proceed as quickly as possible, he said.
He said Article VIII of the Agreement stipulated that “the Governments of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak will take such legislative, executive or other action as may be required to implement the assurances, undertakings and recommendations in Chapter 3 of, and Annexes A and B to, the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committee signed on 27 February 1963, is so far as they are not implemented by express provision of the Constitution of Malaysia”.
Yong said Lord Cobbold had recommended that “the Federal Services in the Borneo territories should be regionalised and officers should be appointed in the territories with sufficient authority to deal with local matters. I add a personal recommendation that, when expatriate officers are no longer needed for these posts, they should normally be filled by officers from the Borneo territories”.
“But where are all these promises?” he asked. Based on all these documents and evidence, it is clear that the people of Sabah can sue those involved in the Malaysia Agreement based on this legal binding commitment, he said.
Nonetheless, Yong said legally the only party that can represent the people of Sabah in the litigation is the State Government, while others even SAPP in its present state now doesn’t have enough locus standi to do so because they are not the State Government.
“So, I would like to state here that once SAPP form the new State Government after the 13th General Election, we will issue a six-month notice to the Federal Government to implement Borneonisation as agreed upon in the Malaysia Agreement 47 years ago,” he said.
Yong said that if after six months the Federal Government failed to make any substantial change, then the SAPP State Government would seek legal recourse.
“What is there to discuss? It is not like the Agreement was only signed today but it has already been for 47 years, so what else is there to negotiate,” he said to thunderous applause from the delegates.
To internationalise the matter, he said SAPP would go to London where the treaty was signed and sealed and take similar action against the British Government.
“They (British government) have to be responsible for what they have done,” he said.
In fact, the transfer of sovereignty of Sabah from the United Kngdom to Kuala Lumpur in Article IV of the Malaysia Agreement included thecondition that such transfer of sovereignty is in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement and the constitutional instruments that form part of the Agreement, he said.
Yong told the delegates here that the local leaders in the State cabinet who most of them are lawyers knew about this.
“But, they will not dare to voice it out because they are worried of losing their positions, projects and so on … they are answerable to Kuala Lumpur but for SAPP, no. We want an autonomous State Government that answers to no one but the people of Sabah,” he said.
The former Chief Minister pointed to the foresight of Lord Cobbold who in his words in the report said:
“It is a necessary condition that, from the outset, Malaysia should be regarded by all concerned as an association of partners, combining in the common interest to create a new nation but retaining their own individualities. If any idea were to take root that Malaysia would involve a “take-over” of the Borneo territories by the Federation of Malaya and the submersion of individualities of North Borneo and Sarawak, Malaysia would not, in my judgement, be generally acceptable or successful.”
Also on hand were deputy president Datuk Liew Teck Chan, former Finance Minister Datuk Mohd Noor Mansoor, vice president Amde Sidek, Wanita chief Melanie Chia, Youth chief Edward Dagul, Information chief Chong Pit Fah and supreme council members as well as the candidates for the upcoming SAPP party election.
While common Sabahan suffer due to rising living cost and fewer job opportunities, Sabah assemblymen unanimously approved an approximately 66% increase in their monthly salaries, from RM3,300 to RM5,300. 66% increment is way too high.
They also approved an increase of more than RM1,000 for the Chief Minister and his cabinet ministers as well as for the State Assembly Speaker, assistant ministers and political secretaries.
Under the amendment to the Members of the Administration and Members of the Legislative Assembly (Remuneration) Enactment 1981, the Chief Minister’s salary was revised from RM14,300 to RM15,730.
Simiarly, the salary of the Deputy Chief Minister was increased from RM12,500 to RM13,915, under the amendments tabled by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Radin Malleh.
Tabling the Bill at the Sabah State Assembly, Radin said the salary increases were necessary due to the higher cost of living.
The largest increase was for members of the Assembly whose salaries jumped by RM2,000.
Under the amendment, the salaries of ministers and the House Speaker were also revised from RM9,900 to RM10,890 while that of assistant ministers and the Deputy Speaker were also increased from RM7,700 to RM8,470.
Political secretaries would now be taking home RM3,630 a month, an increase of RM300. 
Unemployment rate in Sabah is on the rise.
If it is in West Malaysia, the rise in unemployment rate is probably due to weak economy.
But if it is in Sabah, the rise in unemployment rate is due to weak economy and compounded by the fact that illegal immigrants are also take the jobs in Sabah (thus depriving local Sabahans of work).
From TheStar
Sabah braces for unemployment
KOTA KINABALU: The unemployment rate in Sabah is likely to jump next year as the state begins to feel the impact of the economic crisis, Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai said.
The state’s employment bureau, the Sabah Job Centre, should gear up for an increase in the number of people seeking jobs, he said.
“The centre has an important role. It registers and assists the unemployed by matching them with work opportunities,” he said after launching the Career Expo 2008 at the Likas Sports Complex here.
Since it began operating last month, the centre had registered 5,474 job seekers and 300 employers, Dr Yee added.
In light of the present economic conditions, he said those seeking jobs should not be choosy.
Sabah’s unemployment rate had dropped from 6.3% in 2006 to 5.7% last year and most of the recorded jobless were youths aged between 16 and 24 years living in rural areas.
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This is another case of a local Sabahan born Malaysian but given a Permanent Resident (PR) status by the National Registration Department (NRD) instead of being a true citizen of Malaysia. The case was highlighted SAPP Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun. Read the story below.
Related posts:
* Problem Of Stateless Malaysians
* NRD Turning Local Sabahan Into Foreigners Said UPKO
From DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
Another case of Sabahan given PR is exposed
Kota Kinabalu: Another case of a Sabahan native given Permanent Resident (PR) status by the National Registration Department (NRD) has come to light, this time exposed by the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
The disclosure Saturday came on the heels of the first case which was raised by Upko last week involving 78-year-old Penampang resident Yong Lee Hua who lost her identity card (IC) which stated she was a Malaysian citizen. The latest case, brought up by SAPP Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun, has to do with 60-year-old Thien Kau Pah B Kian Kim, who was issued a PR IC card even though he was born and has been living in Sabah from pre-independence days.
"Thien came to my house after he read in the newspaper about me going to hold a press conference today. Everyone including in Thien's village, Kg Melaka along Jalan Kionsom, knows him as having been living here since then but he is still holding a PR IC," he said.
Eric, who is also Sepanggar MP, said Thien had informed him that he had tried to request for a change to his status when switching from the previous blue IC to MyKad but was not entertained.
Thien had been classified as a Permanent Resident even in his previous IC.
By continuing to hold the PR IC, he said Thien, who is a Sino-Dusun, has been denied his right to vote like other citizens.
"This and the other one as highlighted in the media through Upko are not the only such cases as I remember while I was serving as the Kota Kinabalu District Chief and Chief Judge of the Native Court, we had many local natives who came to us with similar problems. I handled many such cases then," said Eric.
He said these people were referred to the relevant authorities, but "I do not know what happened after that because they never came back to us."
"We can consider this as one way to marginalise the genuine natives of Sabah, considering the much better treatment given to foreigners in terms of issuance of citizenship identity cards, including those who may had just arrived," charged Eric.
As an example, he showed a copy of a MyKad bearing the name of Jerom Majimbon (560930-12-5739/H0540992) whose address was put at Kg Pomotodon, of Jalan Kiansom, Inanam, which he said was referred to the NRD and later confirmed to be a fake.
"This fake identity card holder had even used my family's name and my village name. I have checked around and confirmed no such person exists, even in my family," he said.
Eric, who had raised the matter in Parliament, was disappointed that the NRD appeared to be not taking the case seriously although it actually concerns national security.
"The NRD only confirmed it is fake and that's it, without any detailed explanation like how it happened and so on. I asked them (NRD) to investigate but until now nothing has happened," he said.
Eric said according to sources the person who went by the name Jerom Majimbon is actually of Filipino descent whose actual name is Jerom Maguil.
Eric, who is a member of the Special Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity, said apart from this, there have been cases of passport-holding foreigners who have had one or two of their children becoming Malaysian citizens, although the rest of their children are not citizens, after they obtained Malaysian citizenship status and hold the MyKad.
These cases involve foreigners from the Philippines and Indonesia, he revealed.
He said this raises a question as to how many Filipinos and Indonesians in Sabah have been awarded Malaysian citizenship and how easy it is for foreigners to obtain Malaysian citizenship status in Sabah.
"Even the IMM13 refugee document holders, the Government during the 1970s had stated that 65,000 IMM13 documents had been issued then to Filipino refugees. But recently we heard the Government also saying there are still 65,000 IMM13 document holders in Sabah. What we know is these refugees are productive but why is the number still the same?" he asked.
"So we want to know how many of these refugees had been awarded Malaysian citizenship, or Permanent Residence or Bumiputera status?" he said.
Towards this end, he queried the population census carried out by the Government in Sabah which showed a 236 per cent increase in the Kadazandusun population between 1960 and 2000, while for other bumiputeras, it increased by 631 per cent.
He said the 1970-2000 census revealed the population in Sabah increased to 2,449,389 from 636,431 (up by 285 per cent), compared to Sarawak's 2,012,616 from 976,269 (up by 106 per cent) and Malaysia's 22,202,614 from 10,439,430 (up by 113 per cent).
"Also what is the rationale behind the Government not wanting to carry out a population census in relation to bumiputera ethnicity since the 1990sÉ and why children born out of inter-marriages are classified as only sino native?" he said.
Eric also chairs his party's Illegal Immigrants and Identity Card (IC) Bureau, which was formed after it pulled out from Barisan Nasional (BN), to gather information related to the problems of illegal immigrants and identity card problems.
He said the information gathered would be brought up to the Government's attention, to let them know and take these matters seriously.
"This is because the Government has not taken action or given apt attention to these things. As we are now already being marginalised in all aspects, what will happen to our future generations. People should not simply say that we are touching on a sensitive issue just because we are talking about something concerning the future of our children and their next generation," he said.
"The situation we are in right now calls for a change in government," he said, inviting the people to come forward with relevant information for his bureau.
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United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) lead by its deputy president, Wilfred Bumburing lamented that UPKO will consider it's position within the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition after they were dissatisfied by action of NRD in the recent case whereby a local Sabahan is treated as a foreigner.
If the Barisan Nasional leadership did not deal with this "threat" seriously, UPKO will be following SAPP in quiting BN coalition.
Related posts:
* UPKO frustrated with Barisan Nasional
From The News Strait Times
When Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee announced the party’s decision to leave the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition on Sept 17, it did not surprise many people as it was expected.
This was because three months earlier, SAPP had given some indication of its intentions.
But when United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) yesterday threatened to review its position in Barisan Nasional, it came as a shock; as it was reminiscent of SAPP’s political move.
Upko is the second BN component party in Sabah to make a “strong statement” against BN after SAPP.
While SAPP unveiled Sabah-related issues as its political “weapon”, Upko appeared to be unhappy with the way the National Registration Department (NRD) handled the plight of 78-year-old Yong Lee Hua, a Sino-Kadazan, who was issued a red identiy card (IC) with the status of a permanent resident when she went to replace her blue IC that she lost in a supermarket in Penampang last year.
Surprised by the downgrading, Upko deputy president Datuk Wilfred Bumburing was quoted as saying yesterday that taking away the citizenship of a locally-born Bumiputera and forcing the person to take permanent resident status was a shocking display of incompetence from a department rigged with controversies, including dubious ICs issued to illegal immigrants via false Statutory Declarations.
“This action by the NRD infringes the basic rights of Malaysians in Sabah and if it is not rectified, Upko must seriously review its position in Barisan,” said Bumburing, who is member of Parliament for Tuaran.
So will Upko follow SAPP because of its dissatisfaction with the BN? A local political analyst, Iskandar Martin Gayo, believed that Upko may have no plans to pull out of BN for now although the Sabah-based party had been quite vocal of late in airing the grouses and grievances of the people of Sabah.
“I think what Upko wants is for the government to rectify the ’mistake’ of a federal government department and it’s not an ultimatum. There is nothing wrong with it. After all what Upko is fighting for is for the good of the local people in Sabah.
“It’s already an open secret that Sabah is inundated with illegal immigrants and some of them have even managed to acquire the MyKad through dubious means, which ultimately qualifies for citizenship.
“How can these people get citizenship so easily when our own people are struggling to get it?” he asked.
He urged the federal government to let Sabahans lead the NRD and Immigration Department in Sabah as they would be more familiar with problems affecting the local population.
Iskandar said the state government under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had been working hard, together with the federal government, to tackle the problem of illegal immigrants.
The issue of illegal immigrants, he said, should not arise anymore as the state and federal governments were serious about solving it once and for all by launching a massive operation to flush out illegals in Sabah recently.
“Recent operations had resulted in thousands of illegal immigrants being sent back to their country of origin. The local people should give the government a chance to complete this gigantic task; all this cannot be accomplished overnight,” he said.
Iskandar hoped the case involving Yong Lee Hua highlighted by Upko was an isolated one and without necessitating it having to think about its position in BN.
He said even Upko president and Penampang MP Tan Sri Bernard Dompok had previously denied that the party would leave BN.
Instead, Upko leaders would remain loyal to BN chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he said.
Upko has four MPs — Dompok, Bumburing, Datuk Dr Marcus Majigoh (Putatan) and Datuk Siringan Gubat (Ranau). — BERNAMA
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National Registration Department (NRD) is turning local Sabahan into foreigners and letting foreigners become citizens, claimed Wilfred Bumburing, the deputy president of United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO).
“This action by the NRD infringes the basic rights of Malaysians in Sabah and if it is not rectified, UPKO must seriously review its position in Barisan,” said Bumburing, who is member of Parliament for Tuaran.
Related posts:
* UPKO To Quit Barisan Nasional ?
* Incompetent National Registration Department
From TheStar
Upko may review position in BN over woman’s case
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Upko is threatening to review its position in Barisan Nasional if the National Registration Department (NRD) fails to rectify its mistake of registering an elderly bumiputra citizen as a permanent resident.
Upko deputy president Datuk Wilfred Bumburing said that taking away the citizenship of bumiputras and forcing them to take permanent resident status displayed incompetence of a department rigged with controversies.
He said this in reaction to the dilemma of 78-year-old Sino-Kadazan woman Yong Lee Hua @ Piang Lin who lost her identity card (IC) in May, but NRD issued her a red identity card and asked her to apply for citizenship again.
“This action by the NRD infringes on the basic rights of Malaysians in Sabah and if it is not rectified, Upko must seriously review its position in the Barisan.
“To me, this is the last straw of the mess in NRD, that is turning locals into foreigners and letting foreigners become citizens,” said Bumburing.
Yong holds a native certificate issued in 1963.
She lost her original identity card (IC) on Feb 12 and made an application for a replacement.
She was issued a red IC a few months later, with NRD officials saying that it was normal procedure.
However, the mother of seven children went back to the NRD with proof of citizenship documents.
To her shock, an official at the NRD office admitted there might have been a mistake but advised her to apply for citizenship instead of the department rectifying it.
-----------------------------
From DailyExpress News
Illegals gain citizenship; Sabahans lose theirs
Kota Kinabalu: The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) on Friday demanded that the National Registration Department (NRD) undo its mistake of turning a Sabahan Bumiputra into a Permanent Resident.
Its Deputy President Datuk Seri Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing said what had happened to 78-year-old Yong Lee Hua @ Piang Lin, a Sino-Kadazan, was simply outrageous and warrants Upko seriously reviewing its position in the Barisan Nasional if found to be not just an isolated case.
"How can this happen to a Malaysian citizen who was born here and holding a Native Certificate to prove her citizenship," he said.
He said that if the NRD had committed a genuine mistake, it should have reverted Yong's new status back to a Malaysian citizen right away.
"If the department had purposely committed the atrocious act, they must undo its gross mistake," he said, adding it is sending a bad signal across the nation, particularly to genuine citizens.
"Illegal immigrants can easily acquire MyKads that subsequently enable them to purchase Native Title (NT) lands.
"What is happening with the NRD? This is totally unacceptable. And if this is the tip of the iceberg, I'm afraid we cannot guarantee protection to the genuine citizens," he said.
He said if the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government is not willing to look into this matter as well as into how illegal immigrants could mysteriously acquire Malaysian Identity Cards, Upko will take up the matter and fight for the people.
"If the NRD or government has no satisfactory answer, I strongly urge Upko to seriously review its position in the BN because an identification document is a very important matter as it shows their sense of belonging."
Bumburing said if the NRD is unable to handle Yong's case, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar must intervene.
Yong's life had been turned upside down as a result of the NRD oversight and incompetence.
Her nightmare began when she lost her IC at a Supermarket at Penampang Baru on Feb. 12.
On the same day, she lodged a police report and subsequently on Feb 26, applied for a replacement IC at the NRD office in Donggongon.
After several months, she went and collected her replacement IC at the NRD office and was given a red IC.
She asked the officer why it was red and the lady officer said for senior citizens who lost their IC, the department normally replaced them with red ICs.
She didn't find anything amiss with the officer's explanation until she reached home when her children said red ICs were issued to people with Permanent Resident status.
With the help of her children, they brought the matter up with the NRD together with supporting documents such as her Native Certificate that was issued by the Native Court on Sept 24, 1963, bank books and passport.
The NRD officer admitted there could have been an error but instead of rectifying it, Yong was asked to "apply for Malaysian citizenship" which she duly complied by submitting an application form to the office on July 2, last year.
Her problem did not end there because soon after, her bank accounts at Amanah Saham Nasional and Alliance Bank were frozen making her unable to withdraw money for her daily expenses.
Fluent in Kadazan and Chinese, the mother of seven sons and one daughter can no longer travel outside the country as she could not renew her expired passport.
Strangely, she was allowed to cast her vote at Peak Nam Thong Kindergarten during the recent Mar 8 general elections using her driving license as identity document since her record in the polling list was still intact.
But her identification records at the Immigration Department, however, had completely "disappeared".
Everywhere Yong goes now, she only uses her driving license as proof of identity because she is too embarrassed with her predicament.
She now feared that her "new status" would have serious repercussion on her sons and daughter.
Resource Development and Information Technology Assistant Minister, Donald Peter Mojuntin who helped highlight Yong's case, said if it could happen to her, the children's citizenship could also be withdrawn.
"There has never been a case like this before when genuine Malaysians had their citizenship canceled. If this can happen to her, it can happen to anybody (Malaysians)," he said.
As Upko Bureau Chief for Citizenship and Security, the Moyog Assemblyman said he would be pursuing the matter with Sabah NRD Director and also with the Home Minister.
He said that for the NRD to admit their mistake and then asking Yong to reapply for citizenship is simply illogical.
-----------------------------
From DailyExpress News
'Let Sabahans head depts'
Kota Kinabalu: Both BN component PBS and opposition PKR said the case of a Sabahan Bumiputra being downgraded to that of a Permanent Resident highlights the need for both the State NRD and Immigration to be headed by Sabahans.
Parti Bersatu Sabah Chief Information officer Johnny Mositun said PBS had been calling for Sabahans to lead the two Federal agencies since they would be more familiar with problems affecting the local population.
At the same time, he said PBS had been lodging so many reports to the police and Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and also included lists of dubious Identity Cards (ICs) issued to illegal immigrants via false Statutory Declarations.
He said PBS is baffled that the National Registration Department could conveniently do so to a genuine citizen but not to illegal immigrants holding MyKads.
"Nothing seems to be done but now we have our own citizen having her citizenship reviewed easily and judging from the news reports her plight was also taken lightly by the NRD," he said in a statement, Saturday.
Mositun, who is a Deputy Speaker, was commenting on the plight of 78-year-old Yong Lee Hua @ Piang Lin, a Sino-Kadazan who was issued with a red IC with the status of a PR when she replaced her blue IC that she lost in a supermarket in Penampang Baru last year.
It was also reported that when the woman enquired about the mix up she was asked to "apply for Malaysian citizenship", instead.
This is despite a Sijil Anak Negeri (SAN or Native Certificate) issued on Dec. 5, 1963, verifying Yong's status as a Sino-Kadazan.
"We find Yong's case as appalling and unacceptable. It reflects badly on the system of the NRD. To me the information given by Yong should have been sufficient for her to get her original blue IC back," said Mositun.
He said if it was a case of the NRD playing by the book then "it should not be difficult for the NRD to do the same to review and revoke all the Malaysian ICs that have been issued to illegal immigrants".
"We want the Government to seriously look into this and rectify the glaring weaknesses in the NRD system urgently to safeguard the interest of Sabahans better," he said.
Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah Deputy Chairperson Christina Liew also said both these posts should be replaced by Sabahans in view of what happened.
She said all Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties should also quit the coalition in protest over the manner in which genuine Malaysians in Sabah are being treated by the Department.
Liew believed what was done to Yong smacked of a hidden agenda as it is common knowledge that illegal immigrants entering Sabah through the back door can easily acquire Malaysian citizenship via the MyKad, IMM13 or PR status through authentic or dubious channels.
According to her, those illegals now in possession of the MyKad are in a privileged position such that they can secure Bumiputra status or apply for or buy NT land in Sabah.
Yong revealed her predicament at a press conference called by Resource Development and Information Technology Assistant Minister, Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin on Thursday.
Liew concurred with Mojuntin that there was no reasonable explanation from the JPN as to why Yong's citizenship was changed to the status of a PR.
It is understood that applicants for red IC normally have to wait for 9-12 months for the outcome but in Yong's case it took merely a few months.
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FLASH !
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is no longer a member of BN to become an independent party.
------------
The party's deputy chief Datuk Raymond Tan said he would resign as deputy chief minister and state minister within the next 24 hours. He added that he is not quitting the party as of now.
Tan walked out of the meeting on Wednesday saying he disagrees with the party's decision. He added that Elopura assemblyman Au Kam Wah has quit the party.
From SAAP
SAPP Supreme Council declares that SAPP is no longer a member of the Barisan Nasional
Press statement by SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee after the SAPP Supreme Council Meeting at Party HQ, Kota Kinabalu on September 17, 2008.
1. The BN has lost its "BN spirit". It was not that the people who did not want the BN, it was the BN who abandoned the people. In spite of repeated appeals from some BN members to other BN leaders to be more sensitive to the peoples' feelings, these leaders continue to treat the people with contempt. Perhaps, after 50 years of uninterrupted government, some BN leaders have got it in their heads that they have a divine right to rule.
2. On March 8, the people had spoken out loud and clear. The BN paid a heavy price. But yet the BN refuses to learn. The ruthless increase in fuel prices on June 4 and the failure to tackle inflation and economic slowdown have dealt a severe blow to ordinary people. The recent blatant abuse of the ISA against an innocent journalist, an MP and a blogger only confirms that the BN leadership has not learned from their mistakes. The shameful Taiwan trip by 49 BN MPs and the instigation of racial animosities have aggravated the collapse of confidence among the people and leaders, not only on the PM but the BN as well. The PM's budget 2009 was totally uninspiring and has already been discredited even before it was debated in Parliament. The BN has lost its moral authority to rule. Numerical majority in Parliament means little if the people no longer respect you.
3. Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's resignation only confirms what many lawyers already knew that is that the Prime Minister and his government has never had the intention to reform the judiciary. Datuk Zaid's exposure about "the BN government being paralysed by internal strife and divisions" has also been known to many people in the BN. In many other countries, such paralysis of government will lead to fresh general elections.
4. The PM himself appeared drifting, not knowing what has been happening around him. SAPP has nothing personal against the PM and family. None of the matters raised by SAPP concerns his person, his family, son, daughter, son-in-law or businesses. SAPP is only concerned about the issues affecting the country such as the need for good governance, the dangers of racial polarization and injustice of economic imbalances to be tackled effectively.
5. SAPP hereby proudly dissociates ourselves from these shameful wrong doings of the BN government. SAPP further believes that the BN is not capable of practicing good governance and non-racial politics; that BN has no intention in granting autonomy to Sabah, returning 20% of oil royalties and Labuan to Sabah, implement Borneonisation, review unfair federal laws and departments in Sabah, solve the illegal immigrants problems and remove social and economic imbalances. The BN leadership even refused to recognize historical facts by denying September 16 as Malaysia Day, 45 years.
6. SAPP had only wanted to see that the legitimate rights of Sabah and the unfairness suffered by Malaysians in Sabah be given due attention with results. The BN must realize that, if not for Sabah and Sarawak, BN would be in the opposition today. But instead of sincerely working to solve the issues raised by SAPP, the BN has chosen to embark on a course of action to destroy SAPP. The SAPP Supreme Council hereby condemns the attempts of BN operatives to destroy SAPP through divide and rule tactics and by abusing the economic resources of the BN State and Federal Governments aimed at instigating SAPP members and leaders to destroy SAPP.
7. As a matter of fact, by deliberately excluding SAPP from four consecutive meetings of the Dewan Tertinggi and two meetings of the Management Committee ever since the announcement of no confidence on the Prime Minister on June 18, the BN has effectively terminated the membership of SAPP. The SAPP Supreme Council hereby declares that SAPP is no longer a member of the Barisan Nasional coalition of parties.
8. SAPP is now free from the BN. SAPP shall henceforth use this freedom to pursue our autonomous political path to fulfill our mission to establish a trustworthy government and a progressive, just and harmonious society. We are no longer subservient to BN. We now have the master key to our own house. We shall build a brighter future for our people and the younger generations to come.
9. SAPP members who hold political appointments in the executive branch of Government shall relinquish their posts by giving the due notice under the constitution and relevant rules and regulations, starting at the Cabinet level.
10. With our experienced MPs, ADUNs and other party colleagues, SAPP shall provide quality opposition in and outside the Parliament and State Legislative Assembly until the time comes when SAPP is ready to be back in government.
11. I call on our members to be brave. Do not despair. Remember that one of our party culture seven values is Resilience. From the day we join the party, we knew that things can get very rough for us. Yes, together we shall overcome this difficult period because the people are with us. With the strong encouragement and support of the people, SAPP will succeed in our struggle.
12. In view of the current fasting month of Ramadhan, SAPP shall only embark on a series of political activities two weeks after Hari Raya. We shall plan a road map to victory in future elections. We shall elaborate how we plan to achieve the eight-points declaration, namely:
(i) Good governance and non-racial politics,
(ii) Autonomy for Sabah,
(iii) 20% oil royalties,
(iv) Return of Labuan,
(v) Review of unfair laws and detrimental departments,
(vi) Borneonisation of the federal civil service,
(vii) Solution to the illegal immigrants issue, and
(viii) Redress economic and social imbalances.
Thank you.
Issued by SAPP HQ.
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Sabah Progressive Party in their Supreme Council meeting today will decide if SAPP will remain in the BN coalition.
Watch out for this space.
Updates:
04:40pm: Yes, SAPP Supreme Council has decided ! SAPP is OUT of Barisan Nasional.
Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee announced that the Supreme Council of the party will meet on the 17 September 2008.
"In view of the latest political development with major consequences, the SAPP Supreme Council shall meet sooner at the party headquarters, Kota Kinabalu on the 17 September 2008, " said Yong.
The developments in recent day are:
(1) the abuse of ISA against a member of parliament, a journalist and a blogger, and whether this abuse of ISA is the start of Ops Lallang 2.
(2) The disturbing rise in racial animosity which is really damaging for the national unity, adds Yong,
(3) The infamous Taiwan trip by the BNBBC for 49 MPs that has brought ridicule and disrepute to the institution of the Malaysian Parliament and the image of Malaysia.
Yong also said, "And the collapse of the confidence among the people and now even among the UMNO and BN leaders in the Prime Minister which vindicate the SAPP’s no confidence move against the PM announced on 18 June 2008."
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Flags of Negeri Sabah "di Bawah Bayu", State of Sabah "Land beneath the Wind"
The state Flag is in a rectangular shape and is in the proportion of 1:2. The canton which extends at the head half way to the fly and 2/3 at the hoist to the foot is in Icicle Blue as the background to a graphic silhouette of Mount Kinabalu which is in Royal Blue positioned at 1/4 of the height of the canton from end to end). The fly of the flag is divided equally into three bands of colours the foot division of which extends right to the hoist. The top band is in Zircon Blue the second band is in white and the third band is in Chilli Red.
In this flag, Zircon Blue symbolises peace and tranquility, White symbolizes purity and justice, Chilli Red symbolizes courage and conviction, Icicle Blue symbolises unity and prosperity and Royal Blue symbolizes strength and co-operation.
The five colours of the flag represent the five Divisions in the State. The silhouette shape of Mount Kinabala symbolizes the State of Sabah.
Sabah Flag Current 1988-2008
This flag was adopted on 16 September 1988. It is red, white and three different shades of blue. The mountain is in the canton as in the 1963 flag, but now in dark blue on a light blue background. The field is medium blue over white over red.
Sabah Flag 1982-1988
In between the 1963 flag and the 1988 (current) flag another flag was used, adopted January 1st 1982. It was a completely different design: blue over white with a red triangle on the hoist. It looked very much like the flag used by Sarawak.
Sabah Flag 1963-1981
On August 31st 1963 Sabah adopted a four striped flag, red over white over yellow over blue, and a green canton with a brown mountain.
Colony of North Borneo 1946-1963
North Borneo State Flag and Ensign 1882-1948
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Another by-election could be around the corner with the Kota Kinabalu election court today overruling the deputy minister's walkover win in this rural seat.
Kurup is out of the Parliament.
The Pensiangan parliamentary seat, won by Barisan Nasional's Joseph Kurup on March 8 general election, has been declared vacant by the Kota Kinabalu Election Court today.
Get updated news from MalaysiaKini.
----------------
Rumor says that the next to lose in the election petition is Dr. Yee Mo Chai of PBS for the KK constituency.
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From theStar
Election Court quashes Pensiangan result (updated)
KOTA KINABALU: The Election Court has quashed the result of Pensiangan parliamentary seat which was won uncontested by Barisan Nasional's Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
Kurup, who is Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president, can appeal the decision.
The Election Court on Monday brought forward the petition decision which was to be heard on Sept 17.
PKR's Danny Anthony Andipai had filed the petition seeking to nullify the results of the Pensiangan seat won by Kurup on the Feb 24 nomination day at the Nabawan community hall in the interior of Sabah.
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This post reflects the important dates for the independence of Sarawak. Yes, Sarawak Independence.
Sabah and Sarawak NEVER JOINED Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak, the two colonial regions from Borneo together with Federated States of Malaya formed Malaysia in 16th September 1963.
By right, Sabah and Sarawak are partners of Malaya. But in reality, Sabah and Sarawak which are blessed with rich natural resources has become a mere East Malaysia states and have been ranked among the poorer states in Malaysia.
Related posts:
* Sabah 20-point agreement prior to formation of Malaysia
Key moments before S’wak’s independence
Proclamation to mark self-rule was on 16 September
With the peace and prosperity that the state is enjoying today, 45 years since it formed Malaysia, it is easy to take things for granted and forget how it all began.
How many Sarawakians can name their first chief minister? How many actually know that Sarawak was an independent nation for some two months before it decided to be part of Malaysia? How many know why the formation of Malaysia had to be postponed?
At the launch of Sarawak’s 45th anniversary at the State Stadium on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud impressed upon the people that they were not just Sarawakians but ‘anak Sarawak (children of Sarawak)’.
He made it clear in his rousing speech that it was vital for ‘anak Sarawak’ to know how their country was born; who were the people who fought for it and what sacrifices had to be made before they can forge forward into the future.
“Without knowledge of our history and how our politics have moved; without knowing our economic struggle, without knowing how we have changed socially and culturally, we cannot fight for a future that will be better for our children,” said Taib.
“Let all the younger generation imbibe the lessons of history; try to emulate whatever they can from the success of our past to build a brighter and more glorious Sarawak in Malaysia.”
With that in mind, let’s journey back in time to revisit some of the important dates for the independence of Sarawak and the formation of Malaysia.
1961
27 May: Tunku Abdul Rahman, Prime Minister of Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, at a Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Southeast Asia press conference in Singapore, says the Federation of Malaya should have a close understanding with Britain and the people of Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah.
20 June: Sir Harold Macmillan, British Prime Minister, in a reply to a question in Parliament, says he is interested in the suggestion made by Tunku.
26 June: British officers from Singapore, Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah, consisting of governors, hold a meeting in Singapore until June 27.
1 July: Tunku Abdul Rahman accompanies the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya to officially visit Brunei and Sarawak.
9 July: Azahari (Partai Rakyat Brunei), Ong Kee Hui (Sarawak United People’s Party) and Donald Stephens (Sabah) establish the United Front and disagrees with the proposal by Tunku Abdul Rahman and Britain.
12 July: Tunku Abdul Rahman exposes communist threats in South East Asia as an important factor in his proposal.
22 July: Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore chief minister, proposes that representatives from Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah present their views at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) on the Malaysia proposal.
28 July: Establishment of the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee (MSCC) in Singapore during the CPA Conference.
12 August: First visit of leaders from Sarawak and Sabah - Datu Bandar Abang Mustapa, Temenggong Jugah, Donald Stephens and Dato Mustapha - to Malaya to see the progress for themselves. Many such visits are organised for leaders in Sarawak and Sabah up till the formation of Malaysia.
24 August: MSCC holds its first meeting in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) in North Borneo (Sabah). Brunei did not attend.
16 October: A motion for the formation of Malaysia is tabled in Parliament by Tunku Abdul Rahman and is approved.
23 November: Malaya negotiates with Britain to amend the Defence Agreement to expand British assistance when Malaysia is formed and to maintain their army camps. Malaya and Britain negotiate and agree on the setting up of an investigative commission on the formation of Malaysia.
December: Parti Barisan Anak Jati Sarawak (Barjasa) is registered. Political parties formed earlier are the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) on 12 June 1959, Parti Negara Sarawak (Panas) on 9 April 1960 and Sarawak National Party (SNAP) on 10 April 1961. These older parties are formed for local council and district elections that started in 1959.
18 December: MSCC holds its second meeting in Kuching. Brunei attends only as observer.
20 December: The stand of Sarawak and Sabah shifts from opposition to bargaining on issues such as representation in parliament, freedom of religion, national language, civil service, immigration and economic development as stated in a press statement at the end of the MSCC meeting.
30 December: During a conference in Jakarta, Partai Komunis Indonesia (PKI), the third largest communist party in the world, condemns the formation of Malaysia as a British neo-colonist ploy.
1962
4 January: British colonial government in Sarawak publishes a white paper on Sarawak’s consent for Malaysia and the establishment of an investigative commission proposed by the governments of Malaya and Britain on November 23, 1961. The White Paper is translated into local dialects and widely distributed in Sarawak.
8 January: MSCC holds its third meeting on constitution and politics in Kuala Lumpur. A decision is reached to produce all the proceedings for public consumption just as the British colonial government had done in Sarawak.
31 January: British colonial government in Sabah produces a white paper, similar to the one published in Sarawak. It is also translated into local languages and distributed widely.
1 February: MSCC holds its fourth and last meeting in Singapore.
3 February: All MSCC delegates sign a memorandum of proposals and recommendations which is then published in Sarawak and Sabah. The Cobbold Commission is set up to seek the views of the people of Sarawak and Sabah on the formation of Malaysia.
Members of the commission are Lord Cobbold (chairman), Sir Anthony Abell and Sir David Watheraton (British representatives) Dato Wong Pow and Ghazali Shafie (representatives of Malaya).
19 February: The Cobbold Commission arrives in Kuching to begin public hearings at 35 centres.
6 March: Deputy Prime Minister of Malaya, Tun Abdul Razak, said that at that time only Britain and the Philippines were involved in the territorial claims over Sabah.
17 April: The Cobbold Commission completes its task in Sarawak and flies to Jesselton to continue its investigations at 15 centres in Sabah.
24 April: The legislative assembly of the Philippines unanimously approve “Resolution No. 7 … the President of the Republic to take the necessary steps consistent with international law and procedure for the recovery of a certain portion of the Island of Borneo and adjacent islands which appertain to the Philippines”.
29 April: Sultan of Sulu hands over the rule of Sulu (which has never been colonised by Spain or the United States of America) to the Philippines until she was accepted as an independent sovereign country.
24 May: The British government sends a memorandum to the ruler of the Philippines on its claim to a part of Sabah. The other part was previously under the Brunei sultanate, particularly along the west coast.
22 June: The ruler of the Philippines sends a note to the British government on its claim over Sabah.
24 June: Donald Stephen, President United Kadazan Organisation (UNKO), says the people of Sabah challenge the claim by the Philippines.
27 June: Sarawak Chinese Association (SCA) Party formed.
July: The Cobbold Commission sends its report to the government of Malaya and Britain.
18 July: Sultan Omar Ali Saifudin, Sultan Brunei, declares that Brunei will join Malaysia separately from Sarawak and Sabah.
20 July: Parti Pesaka formed.
The ruler of the Philippines sends a note on its Sabah claim to the government of Malaya.
1 August: Negotiations on the Cobbold Report between Malaya led by Tunku Abdul Rahman and his colleague from Britain to announce the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on August 31, 1963 after it is approved by their respective legislatures.
30 August: Inter-Government Committee (IGC) holds a preparatory meeting in Jesselton, Sabah, and sets up its headquarters there.
Sabah political parties submit the Twenty Points claim to Deputy Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya Tun Abdul Razak and Lord Landsowne in Jesselton.
12 September: The Sabah State Legislative Assembly unanimously approves the formation of the Federation of Malaysia and the establishment of the IGC.
26 September: The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly unanimously approves the formation of the Federation of Malaysia and the establishment of the IGC.
The Sabah Alliance is set up by Pasok Momogun, Sabah United Party, United Kadazan Organization (UNKO) and United Sabah National Organization (USNO).
September: Philippines Vice President, Emmanuel Paleaez, declares his country’s claims to a part of Sabah at the United Nations, New York.
16 October: Sabah Alliance declares the opposition of the people of Sabah on the claim of the Philippines.
December: Sabah Alliance wins the election with 131 out of 137 contested constituencies with a manifesto based on the Twenty Points.
8 December: Partai Rakyat Brunei causes a revolt in Brunei, Limbang, Lawas and Miri.
9 December: A M Azahari, Partai Rakyat Brunei chairman, announces the North Kalimantan Revolution Government while in exile in Manila. He is actually a citizen of Lebanon; his father had married the daughter of Hugh Low, the British Governor of Labuan, who had married a Sarawakian woman, Dayang Loyang.
20 December: IGC holds its last meeting in Kuala Lumpur. It had held 24 meetings in Kuching, Jeselton, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
1963
5 January: Curfew from 6pm to 6am is enforced in Limbang.
8 January: The Governor declares as illegal the Sarawak Farmers’ Association, Kesatuan Rakyat Insaf Sarawak, Chung Hua Alumni Association Sibu, Tentera Nasional Kalimantan Utara, Angkatan Dosu Berantu and Angkatan Rakyat Anak Sabah.
28 January: British Foreign Secretary Lord Home and Philippines Vice President Emmanuel Palaez begins negotiations on claims over Sabah until February 1 with no results.
Diosado Macapagal, the President of the Philippines states for the first time his country’s opposition to the formation of Malaysia in his state-of-the-nation speech in the Philippines Congress.
11 February: Dr Subandario, Indonesia Foreign Minister, officially objects to the formation of Malaysia.
23 February: IGC submits Reports to the Governments of the Four Parties Concerned - Britain, Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah.
The IGC report is published.
8 March: Sarawak State Legislative Assembly unanimously adopts the recommendations in the IGC report.
13 March: Sabah State Legislative Assembly adopts recommendations in the IGC report.
April: Sarawak local council elections are held until June.
15 May: Third Rajah Sir Charles Vyner Brooke passes away in England.
31 May: Tunku Abdul Rahman, Prime Minister of Malaya and Sukarno, President of the Republic of Indonesia negotiate in Tokyo for an agreement on the formation of Malaysia and to stop Indonesia from sending her army into Sarawak and Sabah.
18 June: The Sarawak Flag will use the old flag with a crown in the centre.
19 June: The results of the election are announced - Alliance 78, Independent 67, SUPP 16 and Panas 11.
20 June: 31 Independent legislators join Alliance, bringing the tally to 119.
9 July: The Malaysia Agreement is reached by Britain, Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah. Brunei withdraws at the last moment. It is signed by Temenggong Jugah, Dato Bandar Abang Mustapa, Abang Openg, Ling Beng Siew and PEH Pike. From Sabah are Donald Stephens, Dato Mustapha, Khoo Siak Chiew, G S Sundang, WS Holley, and WKH Jones. From Singapore are Lee Kuan Yew, and the representatives of Malaya and Britain are Tunku Abdul Rahman and Harold Macmillan respectively.
19 July: British House of Commons approves the Malaysia Bill to enable Sarawak and Sabah to form Malaysia.
22 July: Stephen Kalong Ningkan chosen as the first Chief Minister of Sarawak along with the state’s first cabinet.
30 July: Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sukarno and Macapagal meet at the Manila Summit.
5 August: Manila Summit ends resulting in Manila Declaration in which the three countries agree to form a new confederation called Maphilindo (short for Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia). There is also a Manila Accord in which the three countries agree to work together in politics, economics, socially and culturally. Philippines and Indonesia request that the Secretary General of the United Nations get the views of the people of Sarawak and Sabah on the formation of Malaysia.
3 August: Governor Sir Alexander Waddel launches the 1962 uprising memorial for British commandos who were defeated in Limbang.
6 August: Teo Kui Seng, Natural Resources Minister, also the chairman of the Malaysia Day celebration, announces the programme.
8 August: Sabah Legislative Assembly unanimously passes the Merdeka motion to join Malaysia and also approves the Malaysia Agreement.
15 August: Parliament of the Federation of Malaysia approves the Malaysia Agreement.
16 August: United Nation Malaysia Mission (UNMM) arrives and carries out its task to get the opinion of the people of Sarawak and Sabah until September 5, 1963. Their arrival is also met with anti-Malaysia protestors at the Kuching Airport.
18 August: Indonesian soldiers and insurgents invade Sungai Bangkit in Song, resulting in a casualty.
19 August: Abdul Taib Mahmud, Communication and Works Minister, visits the headquarters of the Public Works Department in Kuching.
The merdeka celebration is postponed from August 31 to September 16.
26 August: Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya approves the Malaysian constitution.
27 August: Demonstrations against Malaysia in Sibu in connection with the arrival of the UNMM team.
29 August: Yang Di-Pertuan Agong signs the Malaysia Declaration, fixed on September 16, 1963.
Anti-Malaysia protest in Miri on the arrival of the UNMM team results in a clash with the police.
30 August: UNMM team arrives in Limbang, its last stop.
1 September: UNMM representative, Lawrence Michelmore, meets representatives from Alliance and SUPP at the State Legislative Assembly chambers.
4 September: Sarawak Legislative Assembly approves Malaysia motion with 38 votes for and five against. Stephen Kalong Ningkan tables the motion which states: “Be it resolved that this Council reaffirms its support for Malaysia, endorses the formal agreement which was signed in London on the 9th July and, while regretting that the Federation of Malaysia could not be brought into being on the 31st August, welcomes the decision to establish it on the 16th September, 1963.”
5 September: UNMM team leaves Sarawak.
11 September: Chief Minister, Stephen Kalong Ningkan, and three ministers as well as 10 members of the Alliance fly to Kuala Lumpur to meet the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Colony of Britain, Duncan Sandys.
13 September: UNMM presents its report.
“The Mission is satisfied that through its hearings it was able to reach a cross-section of the population in all walks of life and that the expressions of opinion that it heard represent the views of a sizeable majority of the population. The Mission is convinced that the time devoted to hearings and the number of localities visited was adequate and enabled it to fully carry out its terms of references.”
Sir Alexander Waddell announces that Datu Abang Openg is appointed by the Yang Di-Pertuan as the first Yang Di-Pertua of Sarawak beginning from Malaysia Day.
Temenggong Jugah Barieng is appointed to the Federal Cabinet as the Sarawak Affairs Minister.
14 September: Duncan Sandys arrives in Kuching for a brief visit.
15 September: Dr M Sockalingam is appointed as the Speaker of the Sarawak Dewan Undangan Negeri.
British colonial Governor, Sir Alexander Waddell, and wife leave Astana, the official Brooke residence and that of British governors since 1870, at exactly 12.30pm.
16 September: Tun Abang Openg is sworn in as the first Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak.
Prime Minister of Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman reads the Proclamation of Malaysia in front of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Raja-Raja Melayu and thousands of citizens at Stadium Merdeka to mark the birth of a new country named, the Federation of Malaysia. He says: “The great day we have long awaited has come at last - the birth of Malaysia. In a warm spirit of joy and hope ten million people of many races in all the states of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah now join hands in freedom and joy.”
Khir Johari reads Proclamation of Malaysia as the representative of the Prime Minister to mark the independence of Sarawak in the presence of Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Abang Openg, Chief Minister Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan, the State Cabinet and the people at Padang Sentral (now Padang Merdeka), Kuching, and in all divisions of Sarawak.
(Chronology is translated from the official 45th anniversary souvenir book, ‘Perayaan 45 Tahun Sarawak Maju Dalam Malaysia, 1963 - 2008).
RM50 million is required for illegals eradication in Sabah, for this year. And Musa Aman, the Chief Minister of Sabah is reminding everyone not to politicised the RM50 million allocation.
Bear in mind, the RM50million allocated is for the coming operation and we are not sure if RM50 million is required for every operation in the future.
The sore point for the RM50 million, is why the amount when Malaysia have various agencies that can be pull together to mount the operation. Such existing agencies are the Navy, the Army, RELA, Police, Field Force, Immigration and Marine Enforcement. Most of the time, those personnel are idling at their camps. Just coordinate a mission and deploy them and keep them busy. This will make Sabah safer and peaceful.
In addition to the allocation amount, the government is also been criticized for publishing the news weeks before the commencement of the operation. Najib being a big mouth, has spilled the beans and by this time, all the illegals probably disappeared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Extract from the New Sabah Times
DON’T PLAY POLITICS OVER SWOOP ON ILLEGALS
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the exercise to flush out illegal immigrants should not be politicised to gain political mileage.
He said some quarters are purposely being skeptical and even accused the government of merely paying lip service to the issue of ridding Sabah of illegal immigrants.
“Is spending RM50 million on this exercise just a lip service? This is a serious matter,” he said during a dialogue with chambers of commerce, NGOs as well as representatives from planters associations and the construction industry at the Federal Building here yesterday
Musa who is also the State Security Committee chairman added that the state and federal governments are both committed to tackling the problem,”
He said this commitment was clearly demonstrated by the fact that a high-powered committee chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister has been set up to tackle the problem in a systematic and coordinated manner.
“This is no ordinary exercise. It involves a lot of planning, manpower and funding.”
Musa also said for the exercise to achieve the desired results, there must be full cooperation from everyone including the private sector especially employers of migrant workers.
The government, he added, welcomed the views and feedbacks from the private sector, professional associations and NGOs.
“And, that is why we have this briefing and dialogue session. We want to hear what your concerns are,” he said.
Musa said the government was open to recommendations from the private sector including request for levy on foreign workers to be reduced.
And, he said the people of Sabah also have to accept the fact that the various sectors especially plantation and construction were dependent on foreign workers.
“We want this exercise to be effective but at the same time we do not want the sectors that are labour intensive to be adversely affected due to shortage of workers.
“We do not want the economic development of the state to be hampered,” he pointed out.
The Chief Minister also said cooperation from employers in only employing foreign workers with valid documents was crucial in overcoming the illegal immigrant problem in the state.
“As such, I hope there will be cooperation…don’t just expect the government alone to solve this problem,” he said.
The private sector too has a big role.” Also present at the dialogue session were State Secretary, Datuk Sukarti Wakiman, deputy secretary-general of the Home Ministry, Datuk Raja Azhar Raja Abdul Manaf, Federal Secretary to Sabah Datuk Ismail Wadin and state immigration director Datuk Baharom Talib.
Yes, that's right. Najib Tun Razak the DPM of Malaysia indeed has big mouth. I know he and his officials are working on the problem illegals immigrant in Sabah.
But don't lar announce to the world that there will be a massive cleaning operation against the illegals. And he did just that. This news has alerted the illegals and they have a couple of weeks to lay low or self-deport themselves out of Sabah and to return when the operation is over.
The media estimate of 100K to 150K illegals is also way off. The actual number is definitely more.
And get this, another RM50 million is required to kick start this operation. What the heck. The armed forces are around. The police forces are around. The Immigration enforcement are around. It just need a proper planning and coordination to mount the operation. Maybe that RM50 million is needed to mobilize the two submarines to Sabah water, huh.
And Najib is only taking about chasing the illegals away. There is no policy on who to secure Sabah water and to prevent the illegals from reentering the State. Another half-cooked effort from the government.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: TheStar
Massive swoop on illegals in Sabah next month
KUALA LUMPUR: A massive crackdown on illegal immigrants in Sabah will start next month, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
An estimated 100,000 to 150,000 illegal immigrants, those without documents or who have overstayed, will be deported. The crackdown would be open ended and continuous.
“This shows that the Government has the political will to resolve the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah. We do not want this problem to recur,” said Najib after chairing a meeting on illegal immigrants with Sabah political leaders, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and others at Parliament yesterday.
He also said the Cabinet, at its meeting last Friday, had approved RM50mil for the purchase of equipment and expenses for the operation to be led by the police and state secretary to co-ordinate the move.
The operation would involve multi agencies such immigration, armed forces, Rela and others.
“The Home Ministry has also had bilateral talks with the Philippines and Indonesia on the operation,” he said.
Najib also said the Home Ministry would discuss with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry on how to handle street children and to have a place to house them.
The operation would start from the west part of Sabah as a detention transit camp was ready, and move east, he said.
The last crackdown on illegal immigrants in Sabah was in 2001.
On Raja Petra Kamaruddin being slapped with criminal defamation charges, Najib said: “ I don’t decide.”
'Bitch' and 'running dog' battle between PBS, SAPP
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Barisan Nasional components SAPP and PBS have resorted to name-calling with SAPP think tank chief Datuk Tham Nyip Shen likening PBS to a "running dog".
It was in response to PBS Deputy President Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili's earlier description of SAPP as a "political bitch"
Tham said SAPP may be a "bitch" but it is not like the PBS which is like a "running dog" with its tail always between its legs.
"While I may have my own views on many things, for Dr Max to use insulting words is unacceptable", Tham said in a statement.
Tham, who is the State Science Adviser hoped Dr Maximus would make good use of his current position in the Federal Cabinet to push for the resolving of the perennial illegal immigrants issue.
He recalled that Dr Maximus once strongly objected to his proposal to introduce the border-pass (restricted passport) for foreign workers, which he (Tham) deemed as a better way to trace foreign workers and to prevent them from using Sabah as a "spring board" to other countries by obtaining a Malaysian passport.
Illegal immigrants from the Philippines and Indonesia kept coming to Sabah's shore while the Cabinet is debating on the issue.
Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is spot on when he suggested "What the Government must show is a firm political will and more resources, manpower and logistics by bringing in the military, enhancing RELA, special operations to detain the ring leaders (or snakeheads), transfer of the Malaysian Consulate from Davao to Zamboanga and the setting up of a Philippine Consulate in Sabah."
Right now, the Cabinet is haggling over the issue instead of going practical about the problem. In fact, it is the sole responsibility of the government to take action and not waiting for the Member of Parliaments to debate over it as this concern national security and border breach.
It seems that local ministers especially those from PBS, the Police, Military, Navy and Immigration Department are being mind-controlled by their UMNO masters from Putra Jaya. UMNO would not want to tackle the problem seriously because if the government deport the illegals, they will definitely lose their voters who are of illegal immigrant origin but have been Malaysianised or regularized with free MyKad.
Look at United States's Coast Guard, their objectives and duties are to protect U.S water or maritime territory. US Coast Guard do their duty without reminder from the citizen or the government. Don't tell me that our Navy only lepak at their Naval Base in Sepangar Bay.
If the government is not being practical about the illegal immigrants issue in Sabah, it just prove that UMNO have hidden agenda and will by all mean allow illegal immigrants to squat in Sabah and allow them to vote for UMNO once in every five years.
The pri-bumi of Sabah led by the KadazanDusu should be overzealous on their territory. Today, they are being slack and accommodative to the illegal immigrants. In the near future, don't be surprise if the illegal immigrants is the majority pri-bumi of Sabah.
Related posts:
* PBS leaders ignored illegal immigrants problem in Sabah
* Sabahan will address the illegals as TUAN in future
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Source: dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=57802
Action on illegals does not depend on commission: Yong
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee on Monday hoped the ongoing debate over a Royal Commission or a Select Committee will not defer urgent action against illegal immigrants, which is much more important, in Sabah.
"Do not allow the debate over a Royal Commission or a Select Committee to defer urgent action against illegal immigrants because the sovereignty of the nation and security of the people is a most basic duty of the Government," he said.
"The Government must not fail to defend the country's borders and protect the local citizens against huge numbers of illegal immigrants for instance, the authorities' plan to deport 500 illegals per month (or a meagre 6,000 per year) is a joke," added the former Chief Minister.
Yong said in debating the merits or otherwise of a Parliamentary Select Committee on illegal immigrants "we should recall our experiences and not waste time starting all over again."
He said the State Legislative Assembly had actually formed a Select Committee on May 15, 2001 to address the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
The members, he said, included Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh (now MP for Kalabakan), Datuk Wilfred M. Bumburing (now MP for Tuaran), Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (now MP for Kota Marudu and Federal Minister), Datuk Radin Malleh (now Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister), together with then Assemblymen Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (Bingkor) and Datuk Mohd Lan Allani (Sulabayan) and himself (Likas).
"My membership in the committee had become uncertain as a result of the election petition and Likas and Gaya by-elections at the time," said Yong in a statement.
The committee met twice - on June 12 and July 2, 2001 - and the final report containing facts and figures was dated October 13, 2001, he said, adding the said report (now available at www.sapp.org.my) is sufficient as an official document for further action, of which sadly there has been little.
"Therefore, I doubt whether another Select Committee, even at the Parliamentary level, will make any difference," he said.
Yong said the reality is that the formation of a Royal Commission, a favourite subject of the PBS before it re-joined BN in 2003, is up to the Federal Cabinet, not Parliament.
And as shockingly revealed by a PBS Supreme Councillor, he said it was the PBS Federal Cabinet Minister who lobbied against the motion on a Royal Commission.
"Hence, the only logical and remaining step is for the Ministers from Sabah to ask the Federal Cabinet to approve the formation of a Royal Commission similar to the commissions over the V. K. Lingham tape, the police, Anti- Corruption Agency and on judicial appointments," he said.
Having said that, he reminded the authorities that comprehensive action against illegal immigrants do not depend on a royal commission or parliamentary select committees of any sort.
Referring to SAPP's 14-point plan submitted to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Sabah Chief Minister in October 2006, Yong said:
"We have presented this many times at several meetings but to no avail.
The actions proposed in the 14-point plan do not require a royal commission, select committees or further debates.
"What the Government must show is a firm political will and more resources, manpower and logistics by bringing in the military, enhancing RELA, special operations to detain the ring leaders (or snakeheads), transfer of the Malaysian Consulate from Davao to Zamboanga and the setting up of a Philippine Consulate in Sabah," he said.
Malaysia should use more of its leverage in international bodies like Asean and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to get the Philippine Government to cooperate, he said.
"Malaysia can also suspend the Zamboanga-Sandakan ferry service, impose bonds on incoming visitors, requiring ferry passengers to possess return tickets and step up enforcement at all levels of government," said Yong.
There are also fresh developments in the Southern Philippines to worry about, he said, adding the withdrawal of the Malaysian peace monitors from Mindanao last month is a clear indication of failure of the peace process involving the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
"The weekend rumblings from Davao from freed rebel Prof. Nur Misuari over the Philippines Claim on Sabah and the re-grouping of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are matters that warrant the immediate attention of the National Security Council in Putrajaya and the Sabah State Security Committee," he said.
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok failed to get relevant agencies to give replies to hard questions on the identity card issue. Deputy president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili’s efforts is also a disappointment when he was a federal minister in 2004.
In addition, since Parti Bersatu Sabah has returned to Barisan Nasional, Dr Maximus had been advising Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan against PBS sending in memorandums to various groups as it was tantamount to stabbing Barisan in the back again.
Obviously, Dr Maximus is stabbing the back of KadazanDusun and the rest of Sabahan by refusing to put serious efforts in pushing for solution to the illegal immigrants problem in Sabah.
Related posts:
* Sabahan will address the illegals as TUAN in future
* Sabah being neglected by the federal government
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Source: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/25/nation/21358686&sec=nation (May 25, 2008)
PBS leaders at odds over immigrant issue
KOTA KINABALU: The issue of Sabah’s illegal immigrants appears to have put Parti Bersatu Sabah leaders at odds with each other.
Outspoken PBS supreme council member Dr Chong Eng Leong wants the party to support the opposition motion for a Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants associated with Project IC or more popularly dubbed 'Project Dr M'.
Chong said that the proposal for a commission of inquiry by DAP’s Lim Kit Siang was not anti-Barisan or pro-Pakatan Rakyat but a matter of defending the sovereignty of Sabah within Malaysia.
He said that a Parliamentary Select Committee on Sabah illegal immigrants was not going to work, as a previous similar committee headed by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok failed to get relevant agencies to give replies to hard questions on the identity card issue.
He described his party’s deputy president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili’s efforts in pushing for solutions to the illegal immigrant problem after becoming a federal minister in 2004 as a disappointment.
Chong said that Dr Maximus had blocked him from representing PBS to present memos on illegal immigrant papers to Suhakam and also the Parliamentary Select Committee on Unity between 2004 and 2006.
“Dr Maximus is only interested in self advancement,” he alleged and accused his deputy president of trying to stop Sabah MPs from voting for the Royal Commission of Inquiry motion that was disallowed by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee.
He said Dr Maximus had told him in late 2001 that once PBS returned to Barisan, the illegal immigrant problem would be solved but since becoming a minister he had been advising Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan against PBS sending in memorandums to various groups as it was tantamount to stabbing Barisan in the back again.
Source: dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=57765 (May 25, 2008)
Royal panel on illegals still the best approach: Sabah DAP
Kota Kinabalu: DAP Kota Kinabalu MP Dr Hiew King Cheu said a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) is still the best approach to solve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah.
He said contrary to Sabah MP BN Backbenchers Club chairman, Datuk Anifah Aman's belief, the Royal Commission that would come under the direct purview of the King has total authority in getting to the root of the problem affecting Sabah.
"Whereas, a Parliamentary Select Committee is under the Prime Minister and as shown during the last term, such committee was unable to function properly since it is not free to do its job," he said, Saturday.
Commenting on the statement by Anifah that he would be moving a motion at the next sitting of Parliament in June proposing for the establishment of the Parliamentary Select Committee to solve Sabah woes, particularly the illegal immigrants, Hiew said:
"He (Anifah) is going back into history because a Parliamentary Select Committee set up in the last term that was chaired by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok with DAP adviser, Lim Kit Siang as deputy chairman could not really function.
"In fact, the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah continued to worsen".
Hiew concurred with Parti Bersatu Sabah Supreme Council member Dr Chong Eng Leong that RCI was the best course of action.
"A Sabahan can be appointed as the chief of the royal inquiry so we strongly suggest that the RCI be considered instead," he said.
According to Hiew, it was also wrong for the Sabah BN MPs to say that they don't need Lim Kit Siang to voice pertinent issues concerning Sabah, especially to propose the formation of the RCI.
Hiew added that he had worked closely with Lim to get support from the MPs for the RCI but sadly it was rejected by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee.
"As a Sabahan MP I had been lobbying the MPs in Parliament to support the motion. The Deputy Speaker (Ronald) as a Sabahan should have at least allowed the motion to be debated," he said.
Hiew said the RCI is long overdue and must be formed quickly in order to solve the problem that had been affecting Sabah for the last four decades and worsening by the day.
