Sabah government refuted DAP's Hiew King Cheu allegations that RM10.9 Billion of fund for Sabah under 9th Malaysian Plain was not spent.

Source : Sabah Chief Minister Department Department

THE ALLEGATION BY LUYANG DAP ASSEMBLYMAN THAT HUGE AMOUNT OF 9TH MALAYSIA PLAN FEDERAL DEVELOPMENT ALLOCATIONS HAD REMAINED UNSPENT
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In a statement issued by the State Economic Planning Unit, Sabah, its Director, Datuk Ismail Abdullah, refuted allegations made by DAP Luyang Assemblyman, Hiew King Cheu that RM10.9 billion of federal development funds approved for Sabah under the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) was not spent.

'This is totally untrue', said Datuk Ismail. 'Hiew should check his facts and figures carefully before making such statement. Such unfounded allegation is misleading, and can be construed as being ill intentioned and meant to create a negative perception in people's mind that the State and Federal Governments are not serious about developing the Sabah.'

Hiew, in a twist to Datuk Jumat Idris's, the new Sepanggar MP's public criticism of Datuk Abidin Mandingkir, Kota Kinabalu City Mayor over his handling of development funds, said that out of RM16.9 billion of development allocations approved under the 9th Malaysia Plan, RM10.09 billion remained unspent. He also alleged that only 2,056 out of 3,690 development projects were completed.

The State EPU wished to set the record straight. According to Datuk Ismail Abdullah, the total development allocation approved for Sabah by the federal government during the 9th Malaysia Plan was in fact RM19.8 billion. This amount was for a total of 3,193 projects. Out of the total amount approved, 89% or RM17.69 billion was spent by the end of the 9th Malaysia Plan period. Meanwhile, out of the total projects approved, 2,511 projects (or 78.64%) were successfully implemented and completed, 678 projects were still in progress by the end of the plan period and carried over to the 10th Malaysia Plan, and nearly all had already been completed by now. Only 4 projects had not been implemented by the end of 2010 and was still at planning stage.

'89 % is an excellent achievement, and high by any standard because project planning and implementation has a very dynamic environment, and in a lot of cases, fraught with unforeseen implementation issues'.

For the first 3 years of the 10th Malaysia Plan, Sabah was allocated RM13.54 billion and 68% has been spent so far.

The State Government and YAB Ketua Menteri as Chairman of the State Action Council monitored the implementation progress of all development projects in the State very closely to ensure timely completion of projects and programs. In fact, YAB Ketua Menteri is constantly reminding heads of state and federal departments in Sabah to be fast and diligent in implementing development projects.

‘YAB Datuk Musa Haji Aman is a real task master. He simply has a very low tolerance for any inefficiency and complacency especially when it comes to the implementation of development projects for the rakyat', said Datuk Ismail.

At the same time, the federal government is constantly fine-tuning coordination and implementation process and procedures to ensure smoother implementation of projects.

Tuaran MP, Datuk Wilfred Bumburing quitting BN, 29th July 2012

Source : The Malaysian Insider :

Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing announced today, 29th July 2012, he is quitting the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and pledged to aid the rival Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact in the run-up to key national poll due soon.

The former Sabah deputy chief minister said he would kick off a state-wide tour in support of the federal opposition ahead of the 13th general elections, speculated will be called this year.

He cited the widespread influx of illegal immigrants into the eastern state and Putrajaya’s oversight on this issue as among the chief reasons prompting his exit.

“This is the mother of all problems in Sabah,” Bumburing (picture) said in a delayed video broadcast on the UStream TV Merdeka Rakyat website.

The deputy president of the BN component party, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation’s (UPKO), was speaking at the launch of Angkatan Perubahan Sabah, a new political entity aligned to PR in Tuaran, on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu earlier today

Bumburing pointed out that Sabah had seen an increase in illegal immigrants of 390 per cent, a rate that far surpasses neighbouring state Sarawak’s 146 per cent as well as the national rate.

“BN’s policy towards illegal immigrants is very dangerous because of (illegal immigrants committing) crime, making it difficult for citizens to get job opportunities, and threatening national security”.

“During Dr M’s (Mahathir) time, (there was a) policy to simply give identity cards to illegal immigrants, to foreigners,” said Bumburing, referring to allegations where BN had granted citizenship to illegal immigrants in exchange for votes.

“During the Parliament session, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that he will set up a royal commission about this illegal immigrant issue, but he’s been to Sabah three times already, but there were no announcements when he was in Sabah.”

“And these more than 250,000 illegal immigrants come voting under the guise of being a Sabah native such as Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, Bajau and so on,” he said.

His APS movement was earlier reported to be dominated by those from the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut communities.

He also said that the Sabah government’s approach had caused residents to be like refugees in their own state.

“When the people apply for land titles, the state government doesn’t give (them), but sends bulldozers to knock down houses,” said Bumburing, alluding to the native land rights’ issue in the state.

Also present was PKR’s de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar praised Bumburing for being brave and willing to let go of a comfortable life for the sake of Sabahans.

“I have previously said there will be a surprise from Sabah. But the surprise that I meant is not just Wilfred Bumburing or Lajim Ukin, the real surprise comes from Sabahans themselves,” he said after a warm reception by the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut communities in Tuaran today.

In Sabah, the deep-seated issue of illegal immigrants will likely be used as a key campaign issue in the coming polls, with the Najib administration holding the trump card for having finally agreed to investigate the issue by forming a royal commission of inquiry.

Federal seats in east Malaysia’s Sabah and Sarawak are expected to be PR’s focal point when the elections take place, as both states, including the federal territory of Labuan, make up a whopping 57 seats, or 25 per cent of the 222 parliamentary seats available.

In Election 2008, BN retained power over the Putrajaya administrative capital largely due to wins in east Malaysia and Labuan, where it made a near-clean sweep, winning 55 seats against PR’s two.

But the ruling pact lost its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority after only securing a five-seat margin ahead of PR in the peninsula, winning in just 85 constituencies while PR secured 80 seats.

What is the real value of Lajim Ukin and WIlfred Bumburing who quit BN?

Tuaran Member of Parliament cum UPKO Deputy President, Datuk Wilfred Bumburing



Beaufort Member of Parliament cum Janang Gayuh or the Paramount leader of the Bisayas, Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin

This is an article by Free Malaysia Today

KOTA KINABALU: As Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing and Lajim Ukin prepare to render their speeches for their respective functions today, Sunday 29th July, 2012 political analysts here have a mix reading of their decision to leave the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition for the opposition.

It is debatable whether their withdrawal is an act of betrayal of people’s mandate or a vote of no confidence on their former bosses.

For the record, today, July 29, 2012, the two Sabah BN parliamentarians are ‘officially’ set to throw their support for Pakatan Rakyat, witnessed by its leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Ending months of speculations, both Bumburing and Lajim had a few days ago made it clear they were leaving Upko and Umno respectively for the opposition but did not declare which party in the Pakatan coalition they would join. Pakatan comprises DAP, PAS and PKR.

Many here are of the opinion that while their act could be seen as betraying the people who voted them as BN candidates in 2008, they are also however in agreement that the duo were in fact “listening” to their respective electorates.

A good number of ardent observers of politics in Sabah are also saying their acts were actually a “vote of no confidence” against Chief Minister Musa Aman and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

“If they still have confidence in both leaders, they would have stuck with BN which had been their only party all these years,” said one observer who preferred to be known as Alex.

Lajim wants Musa out

He opined that this argument (lost of confidence) was further strengthened by the fact that Musa, Najib and to a certain extent Upko’s president Bernard Dompok, could do nothing to dissuade the duo from leaving the coalition.

Lajim had in fact declared a few weeks ago that Musa needed to be replaced. It was also said that Lajim had conveyed this view to Najib in their recent meeting.

While many Umno insiders claimed that Lajim actually has the tacit support of Umno vice president, Shafie Apdal (Musa’s rival in Sabah Umno), observers are of the opinion that Lajim wanted to portray a picture of being “independent-minded” and that he scorned the suggestion of him being Shafie’s lackey.

An insider told FMT that both Lajim and Shafie “clicked” and were Musa’s nemesis.

“There’s no traces that Lajim is leaving Umno without Shafie’s blessing.

“It was just speculation, but things could have been different if Shafie is the state Umno chief, and not Musa,” said an Umno insider.

Secretly, Lajim’s boys have been whispering that Musa wanted to replace Lajim with his own man and this has agitated the Bisaya’s in Beaufort who see Lajim as their Janang Gayuh or paramount chief.

“What we could say is that Musa has failed as Sabah BN chief. And this is a big blow to Najib from Sabah. So Musa is now held responsible…” Alex further argued.

‘No betrayal’

Both Bumburing and Lajim had respectively won Tuaran and Beaufort seats in 2008 general election with a comfortable majority. The seasoned duo are expected to return still strong if fielded in the coming election despite an increasing support for the opposition.

Lajim, especially, is believed to be as strong as ever in Beaufort and especially in Klias state constituency which he had been serving and servicing well ever since he first won the seat in 1985.

Another political analyst who also requested anonymity, said the duo cannot be accused of “betraying” the people or coalition as they are leaving their former parties towards the very end of their five year term.

“So they should be exempted from such conclusion. What they are doing actually is a manifestation of a growing dislike among the majority electorates of the corrupt-ridden and condescending BN,” he said, adding that it would be a different story if they had left soon after the 2008.

At that time Bumburing’s name was openly mentioned in private conversations of Pakatan leaders to be among the MPs that would likely jump to Pakatan to tilt the number in its favour to pave for a Pakatan take-over of the federal government from BN.

However it never did materialise, giving Najib time to sustain albeit precariously, with only a razor-thin majority in Parliament.

Now with the duo having left BN, the vacuum in their respective areas is left to Musa to manage.

It would be a new problem for Musa, already embattled with the on-going investigation related to Swiss bank accounts accused stuffed with laundered money.

All the best Lajim and Bumburing and Musa Aman...

Barisan Nasional Sabah tubuh 4 Jawatankuasa, 20 Sept 2011

Barisan Nasional, BN Sabah mewujudkan EMPAT jawatankuasa untuk memperkuatkan perpaduan dan kerjasama di kalangan parti komponen BN negeri itu.


Setiausaha BN Sabah, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan dalam satu kenyataan hari ini, Selasa 20 September 2011 berkata EMPAT jawatankuasa itu ialah :



Jawatankuasa mengenai hal ehwal tanah dipengerusikan Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Aman.



Jawatankuasa mengenai pendatang tanpa izin dipengerusikan Timbalan Ketua Menteri Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.



Jawatankuasa perlantikan jawatan politik dipengerusikan Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri Sabah, Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.



Serta Jawatankuasa anugerah pingat dipengerusikan Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan sendiri.

Setiap jawatankuasa dianggotai 2 wakil dari setiap komponen BN Sabah.

Parti komponen BN Sabah terdiri UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Parti Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Nunuk Ragang Kadazan-Dusun-Murut Bersatu atau UPKO DAN Parti Liberal Demoratik, LDP.

Menurut Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Aman telahpun mengarahkan semua jawatankuasa itu bermesyuarat segera supaya setiap maklumbalas dibentangkan pada mesyuarat BN Sabah akan datang untuk tindakan lanjut.

Penubuhan jawatankuasa itu menunjukkan BN amat komited untuk berkhidmat kepada rakyat dan membangunkan negeri bagi mencapai status negara maju menjelang 2020.



Untuk rekod, 4 isu dalam jawatankuasa itu yang mencakupi Jawatankuasa mengenai Tanah, Pendatang Tanpa Izin, Perlantikan Jawatan politik dan Anugerah Pingat, seringkali menjadi isu utama yang diperdebatkan di Sabah.

Isu Tanah milik penduduk kampung yang menjadi warisan sejak sekian lama tetapi tiba tiba dirampas syarikat milik orang bukan Bumiputra ataupun syarikat milik orang luar, sudah seringkali dilaporkan di media.

Antaranya berlaku di Beluran, Pitas, Beluran, Tangkarason, Paitan dan kawasan pedalaman Sabah yang lain.

Semoga penubuhan 4 jawatankuasa itu menepati penubuhannya, umpama moto Rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan.

Cold war in Sabah UMNO??

Is there a cold war brewing within Sabah UMNO, the backbone of the ruling Barisan Nasional government??

According to political observers, certain party leaders don't see eye to eye.

Certain leaders will not attend certain functions attended by certain other leaders..

This lead to public uncertainty on the current relationship between certain leaders of Sabah UMNO..

The local media has been reporting UMNO Vice President Datuk Shafie Apdal statements in which he categorically denied that he is power crazy or he has certain agendas while visiting various districts in Sabah in his capacity as the Federal Minister of Rural and Regional Development.



Shafie is the member of Parliament of Semporna in the east coast of Sabah and is the first ever Sabahan to be elected an UMNO Vice President - the third highest hierarchy in UMNO after the President who is the Prime Minister and Deputy President who is also the Deputy Prime Minister.

Sabah's leading English newspaper, the Daily Express reported on 18th May 2011 and 5th June 2011, Shafie's statement on this issue.

The Daily Express report on 18th May 2011 read like this :

Shafie denies ulterior motive in visits

Umno Vice President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is disappointed that his series of visits to several constituencies in the State have been implied by certain quarters as an attempt at a power grab.

He said the issue should not have arisen because he was only carrying out his duty.

"As a Minister, I am only doing my job and the visits were to look at the problems of the people at the grassroots level," he said when officiating the Umno Semporna annual delegates conference at the Community Centre, here, Tuesday.

Also present were Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin who was the representative from the Sabah Umno liaison body, Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran, Pantai Manis Assemblyman, Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail and division committee members.

Shafie also reminded party members to strengthen unity and forget their differences in facing the 13th General Election.

He said Umno members must not think only about positions and, instead, to make the effort to ensure the BN government continues to get the mandate from the people.

And on the 5th June 2011, Shafie again issued this statement below after officiating the Papar UMNO delegates meeting :

Shafie denies the claims

Umno Vice President Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has denied allegations that he is power crazy and planning to topple the present State leadership.

The Rural and Regional Development Minister said that on the issue of the so-called "cold war" among Umno leaders in Sabah, as far as he was concerned, he has no problem with other people.

"Unless they have problems with me," he said, when met after officiating the Umno Papar annual delegates' conference at Dewan Datuk Salleh Sulong, Saturday.

He was asked to comment on the statement by Umno Youth Chief, Khairy Jamaluddin that the change in the Sabah Umno Youth leadership happened because of a "cold war" between Umno leaders in Sabah and them (Youth wing) being caught in the middle.


UMNO Youth Chief, Khairy Jamaluddin


Former Sabah UMNO Youth Chief, Azman Ruslan

However, the following day, Sabah Umno Liaison deputy chairman Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak denied there was a "cold war" between certain leaders in State Umno.

"When I was Defence Deputy Minister, I used to come down to Semporna and when I was the Minister of (Domestic Trade and) Consumer I used to go to Semporna, too, until people claimed I only prioritise Semporna.

"So when I go to other villages, people say I want to overturn the government. How can it be because I want to build homes for the needy that I want to take over power?" he asked.

Shafie said it was up to the top leadership to make appointments because positions are not anybody's right nor it can be demanded although if given there should be no reason not to accept it.

"I am not saying that we must get this and not get that (because) this is up to the leadership," he said.

"Our position will not be forever and this is politics.

But I have no problems (with other Umno leaders)," he said, adding in this respect, he had proposed that major projects under his Ministry be launched by Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers to share the success.

Shafie said more importantly the leaders must resolve whatever problems they had in order to face the impending 13th General Election with confidence.

Earlier in his speech, Shafie said his Ministry was given the biggest allocation to the tune of more than RM16 billion to be channeled for development to all the states within three years.

"You say I am power crazy (but) my Ministry's allocation is so much bigger than the budget allocation for Sabah or Sarawak, Johor among others," he said.

Shafie said that as a Vice President of Umno he had been invited to officiate at several Umno divisional meetings in Semenanjung (peninsula) and there was no reason for him not to accept the invitation from Umno Papar.

"I am a man of clear conscience, I won't talk differently behind other people's back É it is important to be truthful, sincere and struggle for the people. To me politics is the best platform for us to work together and help the people."

He said one should not fear in fighting for the truth for the benefit of the rakyat as this was what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was doing through the reform exercises so that the people would support the government.

On the same day, Papar UMNO Division head Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail issued a strong statement that read like this :



PAPAR Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail said he will not back out from the struggle "to return Sabah Umno to its original political platform".

"Don't be surprised by the content of my speech today, everything is now out in the open," he told the delegates conference at Dewan Datuk Salleh Sulong that was officiated by Umno Vice President Datuk Seri Shafie, Saturday.

For this reason, he said, some could hate him and be angry at him, but not to his constituents in Pantai Manis, here.

"They also have the right to get all the facilities enjoyed by other people in the State, so don't punish my constituents," he said, adding his constituents expected him to do that, i.e. fight for them.

Rahim, who is also Pantai Manis Assemblyman, said all this while the State leadership had been feeling comfortable so much so taking for granted that the Barisan Nasional (BN) could win the general election easily because Sabah had been labelled as the ruling government's "fixed deposit".

However, he said fixed deposit when used as a political term should mean that the votes received by the BN is more than the previous one.

"But are we really confident of achieving this?" he asked. Rahim suggested that focus be given to the "Vote Bank" to ensure that BN is returned as government.

He cited Sarawak, which was also labelled as the fixed deposit of BN but could not stop the opposition taking away several seats in the recent election.

Political analysts stated that among the reasons was failure to listen to the people or Vote Bank who wanted change, he said, adding that based on the Election Commission (EC) statistics, 47 per cent of voters are young electorates.

"So we must listen to the younger generation," he said, adding there must not be any divide-and-rule.

Rahim also expressed disappointment that certain people were not taking pride in Sabahan Umno leader, Shafie Apdal, being an Umno Vice President.

He also said Shafie's noble intention of going on rounds in the State in his capacity as Rural and Regional Development Minister to look at how to channel assistance from Federal had received negative reactions and allegations.

"How will we face the 13th General Election if we continue to be suspicious?" he asked, adding that the people were now smarter because they could obtain knowledge as well as information easily from the Internet.

Rahim said it was also disappointing that certain development projects funded by Shafie's Ministry were being blocked.

He added that Sabah, which has the highest poverty rate in the country, really needs such assistance from Federal.

"Like the Chinese saying, genuine gold is not afraid of fire - and our genuine gold is Shafie," he said.


Rahim was wrong: Ministry

On 7th June 2011, the daily express reported that the State Rural Development Ministry categorically denied, Monday, the allegation by Papar Umno Division Chief Datuk Rahim Ismail that certain development projects funded by the Federal Rural and Regional Development Ministry are being blocked.


Datuk Ewon Ebin

On the contrary, its Minister, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin, said the State is one of the highest achievers in terms of implementing projects under the NKRA, in particular rural roads, rural electrification programme, rural water supply and housing assistance programme for the hardcore poor.

Progress of such projects are briefed almost monthly at State and Federal level committees, namely at the Ministry of Rural Development chaired by him, at Rural and Regional Development Ministry chaired by Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and at the Delivery Task Force meetings chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister.

He said the issue of blocking or non-implementation of such projects has never been brought up at these meetings and the State's implementing agencies have, in fact, been commended for achieving completion targets.

"Sabah's performance in completing the Housing Assistance Programme last year was almost 100 per cent where a total of 2,348 new housing units were built and 319 houses were repaired," he said.





This year, he said an allocation of RM103 million was approved for the construction of 2,439 new houses and to repair 77 houses.

He said all district officers in the State are currently implementing the projects and completion is expected to be according to schedule.

In fact, he said his Ministry has requested for more funds to build more houses for the hardcore poor but that the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development could only approve about RM103 million this year.

"Similarly, more funds have also been requested under the NKRA for rural roads, rural water supply and rural electrification programmes but perhaps due to financial constraints, not all requests were fulfilled," he said.

As for rural water supply, Ewon said the State Water Department is only authorised to tender and award projects for Class E and F contractors whereas those under Class D and above are decided by the Federal Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.

All rural electrification projects, he said, are decided by the same Ministry and implemented by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB).

The Ministry of Rural Development has, in fact, successfully appealed to the Deputy Prime Minister for the installation of electrical wiring for poor households.

"About 16,000 poor households in the State will benefit from the scheme involving monthly instalment of only RM14.20," he said.

Hence, he said there is no truth whatsoever in the claims that the State is blocking of delaying any project approved by the Federal Ministry concerned.

"(In fact) the State Government welcomes more funds from the Federal Ministry concerned for the implementation of projects beneficial to the people of Sabah," he said.

Ewon said that there is also no truth in the claim by the Pantai Manis elected representative that his constituents are being punished.

He said Papar district is among the biggest recipients of poverty alleviation projects from the State Ministry of Rural Development including the implementation of Mini Estet Sejahtera (Mesej) project at Kampung Kinosoludon where 500 acres of rubber are being planted and housing project costing RM3.9 million is under construction.

"The State Ministry also approved allocation amounting to RM517,700 last year and RM346,500 this year for the implementation of minor rural development projects in the district," he said.

To these leaders i say.. keep it cool.

Datuk Hajiji to Liberal Democratic Party - Don't practise Crab Culture

KOTA KINABALU 25th April 2011

Sabah Barisan Nasional and UMNO treasurer Datuk Haji Hajiji Haji Noor (above picture) has advised the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) not to practice what he calls ‘Crab Culture’ which is against the spirit of Barisan Nasional (BN).


“In crab culture, no one gets to the top because each crab is trying to pull the other down.

“As Sabah deputy chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Salleh Tun Said had pointed out, in Sabah BN and UMNO there is only one leader and that leader whom we support is Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj Aman,” added Hajiji who is also Sabah Minister for Local Government and Housing.

Hajiji pointed out that in politics one wins some and loses some and it is not easy to satisfy everybody, as in the case of BN which has many family members.

“As the saying goes, either you have the cake or you don’t, you can’t take the whole cake and eat it,” he stated.

Hajiji who is Tuaran UMNO divisional chief is the latest among State UMNO leaders who joined the chorus in coming to the defense of Musa following a recent statement by LDP deputy president Datuk Chin Su Phin calling on the Prime Minister to effect changes in the Sabah and Sarawak BN leadership.


The controversial LDP Deputy President, Datuk Chin Su Phin



The embattled LDP President, Datuk VK Liew

Yesterday, LDP president Datuk VK Liew said Musa “drew the line against the party by sidelining it” during the recent State Cabinet reshuffle due to some personal differences with the party’s members.

Hajiji reminded Liew that being a BN component party president and as a lawyer as he described himself, the latter should know better that the appointment of State Cabinet Ministers is the prerogative of the Chief Minister just as it is the right of the Prime Minister to choose his Federal Cabinet members.

Liew is a federal deputy minister in the Prime Minister Department.

He reminded that when a Minister is appointed, he is a Minister for all the people and not a Minister for members of a particular party only.

Thus, when no Minister is appointed from LDP, it does not mean that the Chinese are not represented. There are three Chinese members of the State Cabinet, with two from Gerakan and one from PBS.

Hajiji recalled that when former LDP president Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat was made Chief Minister despite the party having only three State Assemblymen, UMNO and other component parties supported both his appointment and choice of Cabinet members.

“We supported him all the way, be it as Chief Minister or State BN chairman, in line with BN spirit and principle. We did not question where he was from or how many seats his party got,” he stressed.

“Apart from Chong’s appointment, ever since BN took over the reins of the State Government, LDP leaders had also been appointed to various government positions including that of Cabinet Minister, Assistant Minister, Deputy Speaker, chairmanship of statutory bodies and so on. UMNO and other component parties never complained that they were sidelined,” he pointed out.

Hajiji also recalled that when cornered by reporters just before the Batu Sapi by-election late last year, Liew stated that LDP would work with and supported Musa’s leadership for the sake of BN solidarity, or something to that effect. He noted that Liew made that statement only after the LDP Congress in Tawau and not before.

Even then, Liew’s statement was once again ‘disputed’ by his deputy Datuk Chin who said that LDP was doing so only out of respect to and on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Hajiji advised that at a time when BN component parties are gearing up their machinery to prepare for the general election which may be held anytime, LDP should do likewise and not behave in such a way which may cause disunity among the components and the people as a whole.

“BN has proven to be the best formula for the multi-racial and multi-religious society of Malaysia so much so that even the opposition tried to copy us by forming a similar alliance.

“BN also practices politics of unity and goodwill among the various races. Let us together preserve this unity which is vital for the survival of the nation. It is therefore dangerous for LDP to tread along racial lines and try to create hatred of the Chinese community towards the Chief Minister.

“As Sabah BN Treasurer, as Sabah UMNO Treasurer and as Tuaran UMNO head, I unreservedly defend my leader and my Chief Minister – Datuk Musa Aman,” Hajiji concluded, saying that he was not defending blindly but more so because Musa has proven to be a good and effective leader, having brought economic progress to Sabah and the State Reserves to a healthy level.

He also noted that Musa led Sabah BN to election victory in 2008, making almost a cleansweep of both parliamentary and state seats.

All the best to Sabah!!!

Aftermath of the April 16th, 2011 Sarawak election, : Sabah is different says Sabah BN Leaders

The 10th Sarawak election held on 16th April 2011 showed that the majority of the Chinese voters, voted for the oppositions, and they did not give a damn on the ruling coalition, the mighty Barisan Nasional, BN.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and the long serving Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud, tried their best campaigning for the BN in the urban areas where the Chinese community dominates the number of voters.





However, how hard they tried, the Chinese voters had made up their mind.

No matter how much they announced to the tune of hundreds of millions of ringgits of special allocation to the Chinese community, Chinese schools and Chinese Chambers of Commerces, the Sarawakians Chinese voters won't budge.





They still chose the rocket (DAP) symbol, rather than the Dacing (BN) symbol.

The end result > BN won 55 out of 71 seats, The opposition won 16 seats in which the DAP won 12 seats, Parti Keadilan Rakyat 3 seats and an Independent candidate won 1 seat.

In the previous Sarawak state election in 2006, Taib Mahmud's BN won 62 seats and only lost 9 seats.

BN's popular votes also decreases from 65 % to 55 %.

Why did they do that??

One things is a sign of protest to the 30 years old reign of Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud as Chief Minister of Sarawak.

The other was the professionally and wonderfully done DAP campaign strategies.

The DAP slogan was "CHANGE" or UBAH in Malay.





The BN slogan was continous prosperity through development for all Sarawakians, regardless of races, religions and areas including in remote settlements.

In the end, the DAP won 12 out of 15 seats they contested while the Sarawak United People's Party, SUPP, a BN component party, fared miserably, losing 13 out of 16 seats!!!



Their biggest casualty is none other than the SUPP President himself, Tan Sri Dr George Chan who was undefeated in 6 succesive elections, but this time, he bowed tamely to an uknown DAP rookie and first-timer!!!

I wonder what will happen had DAP contested in all 71 seats in Sarawak???

Meanwhile Taib Mahmud's Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Sarawak, PBB regained their supremacy, winning all 35 seats that they contested including Taib who retained his seat in Balingian.

The 100% win echoes PBB's similar feat in the 2006 election.

After the Sarawak election, what did their BN counterparts in neighbouring Sabah have to say??

A Sabah BN leader said the BN should accept the decision by the people in Sarawak in the recent State election, especially in urban areas.



Gerakan Vice-President Datuk Raymond Tan said it was more important to find out why the Chinese in urban areas decided to vote for the opposition.

"They were very, very well prepared, what to say and what picture to put up. They planned everything. They did very well, were organised and very detailed," he said on Tuesday, 19 April 2011.

However, the peninsula-based Gerakan believes the "winds of change" as demonstrated by the Chinese community there would not blow over to Sabah.

"The party (Gerakan) had learnt well about what had transpired in Sarawak and, thus, will prepare for the general election that is expected to be held soon.

"When the time comes for Sabah, we will know what to do," Tan said.

During his trips to Sarawak, Tan said he found that the people there understood the scenario not just in Sarawak but also issues and challenges in the country, especially in urban areas.

The people are more open-minded to issues both in the state and also nationwide. Hence, Sabah must learn about what transpired in its neighbouring State, he said.

"This is something that we and I need to be aware of and learn from in order for us to prepare ourselves in the direction that we are going," he said.

Tan, who is also State Industrial Development Minister-cum-Tanjong Papat Assemblyman, said doing the routine during campaigning such as putting up posters, giving ceramah (public rally) and shaking hands with the constituents was not enough.

"They could not claim that are already popular after doing all these.

Each campaign process is different and they learn new things from it, he said, adding the Sarawak general election was no exception."

People in the State, particularly in urban areas, he said, would draw comparisons to the scenario that took place in Sarawak.

"So, if the people in Sarawak were discontented or unhappy with certain things there and the Government was not doing anything about it, and we face a similar situation, then we would probably end up in the same way," he said.

Thus, the party needs to be focused, he said, adding if certain things were raised by the people and not enough was done to address these, Sabah would probably face a similar fate.

From his observation, he said many people especially in Sarawak's urban areas are unhappy, discontented and also frustrated over some issues.

Certain things that the Government should have settled, he said, failed to be resolved.

However, Tan said the situation was not only faced by certain communities but felt across the board. It applied to the Chinese, Ibans and also Malays, he said, adding that it was not only confined to the Chinese.

It is for this reason that the opposition influence had spread from urban areas to rural areas.

"So, the Prime Minister was right in querying whether we are really in touch with the people and that if you are in touch with the people and know how to address their needs, you will get their support," he said.

He said that as leaders they could not just assume that the people would be contented after providing them with the necessities.

"You could have done it but they would still be unhappy.

So, it is important that whatever you do, it touches them or that it gets to them," he said.

Meanwhile a leader from the Liberal Democratic Party, LDP thinks otherwise, saying the BN is not fully aware of the needs of the people especially the Chinese community.



The controversial LDP Deputy President Datuk Chin Su Phin said despite retaining the two-third majority, Sarawak BN saw its votes dropping to 55 per cent from 65pc in the previous state election.

"This means almost half the popular votes went to the opposition," he said.

"In the Chinese majority seats, about 80 per cent of the votes went to the opposition, particularly DAP which won 12 of the 15 seats that are concentrated in the urban areas. Even Parti Keadilan Rakyat won three seats of which one is a predominantly Dayak area," he said.

According to Chin, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud should thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as well as the entire Federal Cabinet who went all out campaigning for the BN during the election.

"It was the first time we saw both the PM and DPM campaign together for one week. If not for the two leaders the result would have been different and the BN might have failed to get a two-third majority," he said.

On the defeat of SUPP President Tan Sri George Chan, he said the people there wanted Taib to step down as Chief Minister.

"As a result, SUPP became the victim. Had the issue been settled before the election, SUPP would not have lost heavily," he said.

He claimed the same leadership issue was adversely affecting the Sabah BN coalition and that the Prime Minister should be brave enough to effect changes in the BN leadership in the two states.

Chin claimed the Sabah BN leadership exploited powers and influence to gain the support from the Chinese chambers of commerce and religious bodies.

"It was sad that certain leaders from the Chinese chambers of commerce and religious bodies were involved in politics as well as issuing political statements to the media for their own agenda," he said.

"The Prime Minister should re-look the situation in Sabah and change the State BN leadership as soon as possible and not wait until the next general election. We believe Sabah Umno have adequate leaders from their own ranks to take over and effect the changes," he said.

"Apart from the Chinese, many from the other communities are also unhappy with the present State BN leadership. We all see the problems in Sabah and I hope other BN component parties are brave enough to speak up," he said.

"In the 2008 general election, Gerakan almost lost all the seats it contested due to the political tsunami and today, SUPP was dealt the same fate, so there is a great urgency to resolve the pressing BN leadership issue in Sabah before the next general election comes," he said.

He said the Chinese community in Sabah is not anti-BN government and in fact appreciated the government contributions including the allocation of financial grants to schools and religious bodies.

"I believe the issues such as concerning the Bible and the illegal immigrants are not the reason for the people to vote the opposition in Sabah and Sarawak. The main reason is that they have lost confidence in the BN leadership of the State.

"Another issue is the Chinese dislike for certain BN leaders who always raise sensitive issues in Parliament and to the media," he said, adding that he agreed with Umno Youth Chief, Khairy Jamaludin that "what we are facing now is the problem of leadership".

"The LDP will bring up issues affecting the BN and the people of Sabah in the next BN supreme council meeting," said Chin.

Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai appointed new Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah

Datuk Dr. Yee Moh Chai was born on 25 May 1955. He is married to Vicky Lai Nyat Yin, a practising lawyer and they have 5 children.

Datuk Dr. Yee is currently a member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Api-Api constituency.

He is currently one of the Deputy President of the Parti Bersatu Sabah, PBS and also heads the PBS Api-Api Division.

He is both a medical doctor and lawyer by background and yet ventures into politics, a unique feat in the history of Sabah.

Prior to his appointment as the Minister of Resource and Information Technology in the Sabah Cabinet since March 2004, he was practising as an Advocate and Solicitor with Dr. Yee and Associates.

Dr. Yee holds a LLB (Hons) degree and MB BCh degree from the United Kingdom.

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KOTA KINABALU 23rd March 2011 :

Parti Bersatu Sabah, PBS Deputy President, Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai has been appointed as Sabah’s new deputy chief minister for the Chinese quota.

Dr Yee who is alco Minister of Resource and Information Technology, replaces Datuk Peter Pang En Yin, who was removed exactly a week ago on 16th March 2011.

Dr Yee’s appointment, which will represent the Chinese community, was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman after the state’s weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday 23rd March 2011.

Musa said :

" we have thoroughly considered the matter from every perspective, in this instance the priority of what would be the best for the people, in this particular case the Chinese community was what took precedence. We are confident that his appointment will be welcomed positively"

PBS now has two deputy chief ministers; the other being Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

Pang, who quit his vice-president’s post in LDP and joined Sabah Gerakan on March 15, has however been retained by Musa as Youth and Sports Minister.

All the best sir...

UNITED BORNEO FRONT, UBF DEMANDS 90 SEATS IN PARLIAMENT FOR SABAH AND SARAWAK

PRESS STATEMENT FROM UNITED BORNEO FRONT, UBF, 27 FEBRUARY 2011

“UBF DEMANDS 90 SEATS IN PARLIAMENT FOR SABAH AND SARAWAK”

27TH FEBRUARY 2011

Pitas, Sabah—At a Borneo Tea Party held in Kampung Tambilidon, Pitas, on Saturday, 26th February 2011 which was organised by United Borneo Front (UBF) supporter and social activist Maklin Masiau, leader of UBF, Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan said he will continue to demand for at least 35% of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.

“West Malaysian leaders can continue to erode our rights or pass laws which could be deemed to be oppressive against Sabah and Sarawak because there are a total of 166 West Malaysian seats out of the total 222, with only 56 seats for Sabah and Sarawak at 25% of the total. This stops us from having even a 1/3 right of veto. We can no longer go back to the equation used in 1963 because if we were to pitch our seats against population, we should have more than Sarawak as we now have a larger population than them. The UBF therefore proposes that we increase parliamentary seats to 256, leaving the 166 for West Malaysia and giving 45 seats each to Sabah and Sarawak. We should do this before the 13th General Election,” Dr. Jeffrey said in his press statement.



He went on to add that the current 25% representation is a deliberate attempt to stop Sabah and Sarawak leaders from having a voice in parliament and that in the event of a unity government happening in West Malaysia, the 25% is an “unconscionable percentage for equitable representation.”





“If we continue to be denied a voice in parliament, Malaya has breached its promises under Article 8 of the Malaysia Agreement that was signed in London in 1963. This amounts to an abuse of our human rights as well as political oppression against the people of Sabah and Sarawak. This matter will be raised by the Common Interest Group Malaysia (CigMa) at the international level this year and will be one of the questions raised on the issue of whether or not the Malaysia Agreement has been breached so as to make it now null and void,” he stated.

Dr. Jeffrey is also the CigMa Chairman and is being represented at the international level by Daniel John Jambun.