Monday 5th Nov 2007 - Vote for your favourite dogs

KOTA KINABALU: Customers of Asia City Complex will be able to vote for their favourite dogs in the Dog Model Competition 2007 which was held at the shopping centre here yesterday.

According to the organiser, Song Chi Peng of GF Puppy House, the competition was divided info three categories, which were best grooming, best fashion and funny look.

GF Puppy House, which will be opening soon at Asia City Complex, will sell various kinds of pet accessories and food.

The event was fully sponsored by Nutri Source.





According to Song, the pictures of the dogs would be put up at the Asia City Complex for the public to judge through votes.

“Anyone can vote for the dogs. Those who want to do so must purchase an item at Asia City Complex. They can redeem the purchase receipts for voting coupons,” he said, adding the results of the contest would be based on the public votes.

“The results will be released on December 23 and the winner will get an attractive price from us. Voters also have the opportunity to win lucky draws,” he added.

Song hoped the event would be held continuously so that the pet lovers could exchange ideas on how to care for their animals.

Monday 5th Nov 2007 - Study of viability of cultivating bio-diesel crop

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government is currently studying the viability of large-scale cultivation of jatropha curcas as a cash crop, said chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
He said the Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB) had already launched a pilot project on jatropha cultivation as another branch to their poverty eradication programme.

“If we find that it is feasible, then why not? The Government can look into it seriously because the crop has potential in producing biodiesel,” he said at a press conference at the SLDB Hari Raya open house at Le Meridien Hotel here yesterday.

“This pilot project is to see whether it (jatropha) is economically viable or not... of course we can grow it but we have to look into other areas like labour, cost and maintenance.

“We will study (the potential). The State Government is in the process of looking into it and if it is feasible then I think they (SLDB) will proceed to plant in big acreage,” he said.

The SLDB recently launched three trial and research centres for jatropha cultivation in the State, including a two-acre plot in Binakaan, Keningau, a joint venture project with the Agriculture Department in Lugud Sebrang, Tenom and a 15- acre joint venture with Borneo Alam Ria in Sinua, Sook.

Musa said the SLDB’s efforts are a good step in diversifying help for poor people in improving their socioeconomic status and standard of living.


“This is one way of helping our people, especially in rural areas, to give them work and income. It is important to uplift the standard of living of our people, especially in rural areas,” he said.

Musa meanwhile said that the SLDB, which is also involved in the oil palm industry, remains relevant to the State’s socio-economic situation after the establishment of Sawit Kinabalu.

“There are different functions (for both entities) ... Sawit serves more as a commercial arm while SLDB focuses more on socio-economy, helping settlers opening up new land and setting up joint ventures with settlers.

“This is what they are doing and to us both are relevant and important to the socio-economic state of Sabah. They complement each other,” he said.

Musa added that he is happy with SLDB’s performance in the oil palm industry, where the Board made a revenue of RM10 million in 2006.

“This year with the good price of CPO (crude palm oil), we expect they will make RM20 million or even more than double that of last year and this is a good sign.

“This means the management is on the right track ... I have asked them to be very prudent and there must be transparency, accountability and efficiency in the management of SLDB,” he said.

Monday 5th Nov 2007 - RM32 million goes up in smoke

191 building fires recorded nationwide: Azizah

PAPAR: One hundred and ninety-one cases of fire that caused damage to structures or buildings have been recorded nationwide with losses amounting to RM32 million, said Deputy Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun.
She said the Government is taking proactive measures to address such tragedies, including organising awareness campaigns through the Fire and Rescue Services Department to impress on the public the importance of minimising the risk of fires.

“Among these campaigns is this fire prevention campaign which is held nationwide,” she said in her speech when officiating at the State-level fire prevention campaign at the Papar community hall here yesterday.

Azizah said the nationwide campaign’s main target group is the children, in efforts to form a generation with greater intellect and awareness to danger.

In line with this effort, she said the Fire and Rescue Services Department has introduced the Fire Safety Club (3K) in kindergartens nationwide.

Azizah, who is also the Beaufort Member of Parliament, noted that the State department had so far registered 10,244 children from 222 kindergartens a members of the club statewide.

“The club provides basic knowledge to children on the dangers of fire and also introduce them to the ‘stop, drop and roll’ technique in putting out fires by themselves.

“Hopefully with this kind of exposure we will create a generation that places more emphasis on fire safety in all aspects,” said Azizah, adding that she hoped in future the club will include all kindergartens here, including Tadika Kemas, Tadika Perpaduan and private kindergartens.

Azizah said it is also important to incorporate knowledge on fire risks and safety at secondary schools and higher education levels to develop a society which practises a culture of fire safety awareness.

Meanwhile, Azizah presented certificates to members of the volunteer fire brigade and prizes to winners of a fire prevention children drawing contest during the launch of the event.

Monday 5th Nov 2007 - Borneo Eagles lift title

Victory sweet for Sabah clubside who avenged defeats by strong opponents
KOTA KINABALU: The SRC Borneo Eagles showed their pedigree when they beat some of the best teams from around the world to win the Cup Championship title in the 7th Borne Cobra Rugby l0’s at the Likas Stadium here, yesterday.

The team, made up of all Fijian players, mesmerized Penguins International of the United Kingdom with swift attacking moves to clinch a 24-15 victory in the Cup final.
The victory was sweet for the Borneo Eagles as it avenged their defeat by the Penguins in last week’s 38th HSBC-Cobra l0s in Petaling Jaya.



“I’m very happy and proud of the team. They did very well and won on home ground... it was an excellent achievement,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who presented the prizes to the winners.

An equally happy Sabah Rugby Union (SRU) president Velayuthan Tan said the victory enabled the Borneo Eagles to settle some old scores.


Tan, who is also the organising chairman, was referring to the team’s 12-7 semifinal win over defending champions Davetalevu of Fiji, who edged the homesters in the 2006 final.

“It was payback time. We defeated Davetalevu in the semifinal and the final victory also enabled us to gain revenge on the Penguins who beat us (5-24) in the Group Stage of the 38th HSBC-Cobra 10’s,” he said.

“All in all, it was a proud moment for us, as we last won the title in 2004.

“In fact, it was a very fulfilling achievement as the tournament this year was of high standard with some of the top-notch foreign teams taking part.

“A lot of efforts have been put into the team and we are very happy to have won,” said Tan, adding that the tournament turned international last year.

In the final, the Borneo Eagles did not take long to draw first blood as they took a 7-0 lead in the second minute of the 15-minute per-half game.

Flyhalf Apenisa Vasutoga scored the first try of the game before Taniela Lovovou made an easy conversion.

There was no stopping the Borneo Eagles as Apenisa earned his second successive try in the ninth minute followed by another try by Viliame Tuinivanua and conversion by forward Eparaina Navale in the 13th minute to enable the home team to lead by 19-0.

Mania Parkinson scored a try for the Penguins International to make it 19-5 in the last minute of the first half.

The teams came out recharged in the second period Which saw the Penguins International scoring their second try through Toby Arnold in the 21st minute.

Semi Sovunidakua ensured the Borneo Eagles had one hand on the trophy with a try five minutes from time.

The Penguins International scored a late try through Steve Alfeld but it was no more than a consolation as the Borneo Eagles went on to win 24-15.

Meanwhile, COBRA thrashed Aotearoa Maori of New Zealand 17-0 to take the Plate Championship title, while the Armed Forces ‘A’ beat Armed Forces ‘B’ 34-7 to emerge as the Bowl Championship winners.

Apart from trophies, the respective whiners also received cash prizes that totaled USD15,500.

Among those present yesterday were Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Jahid Jahim and Deputy Permanent Secretary Suzannah Liaw, Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim and Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Sen Tengku Zainal Adlin.

Monday 5th Nov 2007 - Six paintings auctioned for RM21,500

KOTA KINABALU: Proceeds totalling RM21,500 were raised in a charity auction of six paintings during the Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu’s (PCAKK) annual charity dinner and concert 2007 at the Magellan Sutera here recently.

The event, attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman as the guest of honour, was a rousing success with a full house of some 1,000 people in attendance at the gala dinner.

The six paintings were contributed by several Sabah based artists, including Tina Rimmer who donated “A Mother’s Love and Discipline”, Zaimie Sahibil (Pasak Bumi), Edoen Kang (Lion Fish), Francis Cheong (Embrace), Suzani Suhaimi (Ethnic Unity) and Christianne Goonting
(Precious Life).

Monday 5th Nov 2007 - Rumours of Bernard to be dropped shock constituents

KENINGAU: Rumours of Datuk Bernard S Maraat to be dropped as the parliamentary candidate for Pensiangan in the general election has come as a big surprise to his constituents and members of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

“It will be a big loss for the Barisan Nasional if Bernard is dropped in the coming general election,” said Kampung Inakaak Pensiangan Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman Martin Galoi here on Saturday.

He said the Pensiangan people want the BN leadership in State and Federal levels to retain the incumbent member of parliament.

Martin said if the PBRS leadership, especially its president, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, wanted to see BN win easily in Pensiangan, he must retain his secretary general in the area.

“If the rumours were true that Kurup will contest in Pensiangan, PBRS will be buried in the constituency in the coming election,” said the PBRS Pensiangan member at the Hari Raya open house of Bernard’s family at the community centre here.

Kurup and PBRS Deputy President Datuk Elron Angin were not present at the function which was attended by the wife of the Chief Minister, Datin Seri Faridah Haji Tussin.

According to Martin, Bernard is a true Murut leader who has brought many changes to
Pensiangan, including changing the Murut community’s mindset.

“His leadership has been accepted by a majority of this community here. We describe
Bernard’s leadership as our daily breakfast and food.

“The people in this area become confused when they heard rumours that Bernard will be dropped in the coming general election,” he said when commenting on the news reported in the local papers last month.

Kurup had declined to comment on the rumours which said that the PBRS president would contest in Pensiangan while Elron would be fielded in Kurup’s current state constituency of Sook.

It is noted that Kurup has increased his visits to Pensiangan, particularly Nabawan, Pagalungan and several villages in Nabawan constituency.

During his Hari Raya Open House held in Sook last month, Kurup declined to comment whether he is going to replace Bernard in Pensiangan. He just smiled and said, “I will answer the question the next time.”

Martin said the rumours were spread by certain people in PBRS to unseat Bernard.

“It is conspiracy within the PBRS family which could destroy the party’s unity, especially in Pensiangan if the party president failed to handle this problem,” he said.

To calm down the members and settle this problem, he said Kurup should make his stand openly whether he is going to contest in Pensiangan.

Kampung Mempulut Sook Umno branch chief Charles Ambaras Ambirau here also called for the retention of Bernard as the candidate for Pensiangan.

Charles said it would be a big mistake if Bernard is dropped because he is good leader.

“They should come to Pensiangan and ask the people what Bernard has done as the MP for the past three years,” he said.

“Leaders who have worked hard and visited the villages regularly, like Bernard, are becoming victims of conspiracy. Elected representatives who have done little for the people should be dropped in the coming general election instead,” he said.

Monday 5th Nov 2007 - Senior citizen killed after boat crashes

KOTA K1NABALU: A senior citizen who went offshore fishing with his son, was killed after the boat they were in crashed into a reef and sunk near Dinawan Island off western Papar Town yesterday morning.

The victim, a 75-year old retiree from Kampung Gersil, Labuan was drowned after the boat cracked and flipped over while on their way back to Kampung Laut, Kinarut around 10.30am.

The victim who is a former Maritime Department employee was said to have faced difficulties staying afloat but managed to swim to a nearby rock with assistance from his son.

Both victims tried to cling onto the rock but strong waves smashed them onto the sharp surface of the rock and pulled them back into the water.

According to a source, the two left Kampung Laut Kinarut to fish near the island but decided to return home after the deceased complained of a serious headache.

“A big wave tossed them away from the rock. The son managed to find his father again and this time tried to get him to the island. But as they reached the shore, he found his father was already dead,” he said.

Resort operator at the island helped send the survivor and victim’s body to Kampung Laut. The body was then sent to the hospital for a post-mortem.

A police report has also been lodged on the incident, said the source. However the District Police Chief was not available for confirmation

Monday 5th Nov 2007 - Seats issue can come later: Musa

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is tight-lipped about the allocation of seats for the next general election.

“It is not the time to comment (on seats allocation) as it is not election time yet.

Election is still a long way to go,” said Musa who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional Liaison and Sabah Umno Chief.

Musa who was met after officiating the 7th Borneo Cobra Rugby 10’s was asked to comment whether Umno would consider not taking the lion’s share of state legislature seats in the coming elections.

According to an article, Umno gets to contest most of the seats in Sabah, be it State or Parliament, and it questioned the fairness and power-sharing principle in which Umnoled Barisan Nasional subscribes to and upholds.

The article also posed a question if the State Umno would be prepared to sacrifice some seats for other BN components in the true spirit of the BN.

The ideal spirit of Barisan Nasional (BN) in power-sharing would be a more equal and fair allocation of the state’s 60 seats among its component parties instead of one party getting the lion’s share, according to the article.

Umno is holding 32 of the 60 seats in the State Legislative Assembly and 13 of the 25 parliamentary seats.

Meanwhile, Musa said the State BN has yet to decide whether to accept into their fold leaders who opposed them in the previous elections.

Musa neither denied or confirmed that the State BN would accept leaders formerly opposed to the coalition, saying that they will “look into special cases”.

“For now we will look into each it when the time comes. We have to look into each case and the situation. So far there is no decision yet now... when the time comes, then we will make the decision,” he said at a press conference at the Sabah Land Development Board’s (SLDB) Hari Raya open house at Le Meridien Hotel here, yesterday.

Musa was asked to comment on PBRS’s recent acceptance of Martin Tommy, the political rival of party secretary-general and Pensiangan MP Datuk Bernard Maraat in the 2004 elections and the possible reentry of independent Kuala Penyu Assemblyman Datuk John Ghani into the BN.

PBRS President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said there is nothing wrong with accepting support from leaders who had gone against them in the past.

“We have accepted him (Martin). Even if they are from the opposition, if they come and support us, the BN, then why not?” said Kurup, who is also SLDB Chairman, at the open house.

He said the situation had not strained relations between himself and Bernard, despite the reported absence of his secretary-general in protest at the membership certificate presentation ceremony for Martin by Kurup.

“There is nothing wrong with Bernard. I think he himself mentioned it that there are no problems so we have no problem, no problem,” said Kurup.

On rumors that he would contest the Pensiangan seat and pass his Sook seat to party deputy president Datuk Elfron Alfred Angin, Kurup laughed off the suggestion saying that it had ‘not occurred to him”.

“It has not occurred to my mind so far. I have not decided, as my priority is to do my job as an assemblyman who becomes the calon (candidate) later 1or not, I have not thought about it,” he said.

Monday 5th Nov 2007 - Seats issue can come later: Musa

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is tight-lipped about the allocation of seats for the next general election.

“It is not the time to comment (on seats allocation) as it is not election time yet.

Election is still a long way to go,” said Musa who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional Liaison and Sabah Umno Chief.

Musa who was met after officiating the 7th Borneo Cobra Rugby 10’s was asked to comment whether Umno would consider not taking the lion’s share of state legislature seats in the coming elections.

According to an article, Umno gets to contest most of the seats in Sabah, be it State or Parliament, and it questioned the fairness and power-sharing principle in which Umnoled Barisan Nasional subscribes to and upholds.

The article also posed a question if the State Umno would be prepared to sacrifice some seats for other BN components in the true spirit of the BN.

The ideal spirit of Barisan Nasional (BN) in power-sharing would be a more equal and fair allocation of the state’s 60 seats among its component parties instead of one party getting the lion’s share, according to the article.

Umno is holding 32 of the 60 seats in the State Legislative Assembly and 13 of the 25 parliamentary seats.

Meanwhile, Musa said the State BN has yet to decide whether to accept into their fold leaders who opposed them in the previous elections.

Musa neither denied or confirmed that the State BN would accept leaders formerly opposed to the coalition, saying that they will “look into special cases”.

“For now we will look into each it when the time comes. We have to look into each case and the situation. So far there is no decision yet now... when the time comes, then we will make the decision,” he said at a press conference at the Sabah Land Development Board’s (SLDB) Hari Raya open house at Le Meridien Hotel here, yesterday.

Musa was asked to comment on PBRS’s recent acceptance of Martin Tommy, the political rival of party secretary-general and Pensiangan MP Datuk Bernard Maraat in the 2004 elections and the possible reentry of independent Kuala Penyu Assemblyman Datuk John Ghani into the BN.

PBRS President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said there is nothing wrong with accepting support from leaders who had gone against them in the past.

“We have accepted him (Martin). Even if they are from the opposition, if they come and support us, the BN, then why not?” said Kurup, who is also SLDB Chairman, at the open house.

He said the situation had not strained relations between himself and Bernard, despite the reported absence of his secretary-general in protest at the membership certificate presentation ceremony for Martin by Kurup.

“There is nothing wrong with Bernard. I think he himself mentioned it that there are no problems so we have no problem, no problem,” said Kurup.

On rumors that he would contest the Pensiangan seat and pass his Sook seat to party deputy president Datuk Elfron Alfred Angin, Kurup laughed off the suggestion saying that it had ‘not occurred to him”.

“It has not occurred to my mind so far. I have not decided, as my priority is to do my job as an assemblyman who becomes the calon (candidate) later 1or not, I have not thought about it,” he said.