Longhouse chiefs’ complaints backed up by proofs

November 12, 2015, Thursday

The poor condition of Rumah Marinda at Jambatan Teru because it has been denied government aid.

Road leading to Rumah Ambon that was supposed to be tar-sealed in September last year.

KUCHING: The 53 Tuai Rumah (longhouse chiefs) who brought up their grouses to president of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) Dato Seri Tiong King Sing on Oct 31 have solid proofs of the discrimination they and their people are suffering in the unfair implementation of rural projects.

SPDP Youth chief Robert Ayu said in a statement yesterday, the claim by five longhouse chief aligned to Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) that he must have been blind folded when he was in Marudi not to see the development there was misleading.

He said while it was true that some development had taken place there, the implementation of the projects was done selectively in places where the people support the incumbent State Assemblyman Datuk Sylvester Entri.

“This is a serious abuse of power and against the principle of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem who said he is a Chief Minister for all Sarawakians.

“Entri was elected the state assemblyman of Marudi not just of Teras members in Marudi and he shoulders the responsibility of looking after the whole constituency.”

Robert pointed out this practice would set a dangerous trend in the state with projects being implemented only in areas where the people are supporters of the incumbent assemblyman.

“I appeal to the chief minister to intervene in this unfair distribution of development projects and grants especially when Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters affected.”

On the contention by the five longhouse chiefs that as an outsider he did not know the actual situation in the area, the SPDP Youth chief said he had visited the constituency many times and seen with his own eyes the misery of the people who were denied development because of their political affiliation and had taken photographs of the poor condition of the roads and longhouses and spoke to the people affected.

He cited as an example the case of the road to Rumah Buan which was built some years ago but the stretch of about 500 metres from the main road was not tar sealed because the people in the area supported SPDP.

Robert added that some projects was being implemented at Rh Ingkas but the nearby longhouses of Rh Buan, Rh Louis,and Rh Seli all in Malang were neglected because the residents there supported SPDP.

He alleged that the 1Malaysia water tanks were given only to those who supported Teras as in the case in Rumah Buan.

Robert said he was informed by Tr Douglas Bungan Ak Timban that before his long house used to have 70 doors however after he was replaced as Tuai Rumah without consulting the residents they split into two long houses and those supporting him had not been given development and even denied of 1Malaysia water tank.

Another case pointed out by Robert is Rumah Marinda at Jambatan Teru, located about 500 meters from main road of Lapok – Long Lama Road.

“The road is muddy when rainy season. The long house is in very sorry condition. The electricity pole had been there for years but no power has been connected and there is no clean water supply forcing the people to rely on rainwater for drinking.”

Another longhouse suffering from discrimination in Marudi is Rumah Sporran at Tinjar where request for water tank was denied and financial support for the primary school SK Seputik withdrawn because the majority of the people there are SPDP members.

Another neglected longhouse Robert cited was Rumah Alam, Long Tisam, Tinjar with 3 long houses of 90 doors located about 3 Kilometers from Miri- Bakong Road where their request for tar sealed road was rejected as they are SPDP members.

The SPDP Youth leader added other Tuai Rumah he spoke in Marudi who claimed of discrimination were Tr Pengabang ak Janang, Sg Seruas, Bakong , Tr Larek Mat, Lapok Tinjar, Baram representing 6 Penan villages, Tr Sayun Ak Galam, Sg Arang, Bakong , Tr Mohsin ak Radin, Sg Sebatang Tinjar.

Tr Gasa Ak Pagon, Jambatan Sg Bok, Tinjar , Tr Budin Ak Namek, Sg Tuyut, Tinjar, Baram , Tr Ngumbang Ak Tia, Tr Enggah Ak Jalong, Sg Selulit, Sebatang, Bok and Tr Manggi, Long Tisam, Tinjar, Baram

Robert said the complaints brought up by so many longhouse chiefs showed that there is deep dissatisfaction among the people in Marudi over the conduct of the incumbent assemblyman.

“If indeed there is development in Marudi, why did representatives from SUPP, PRS and PBB in front of more than 1000 people voice their support for a new candidate from SPDP?

“The five Tuai Rumah themselves admitted Datuk Entri had failed the constituents of Marudi when they said SPDP had failed.

“They should ask who has been the state assemblyman of Marudi for the last 20 years. Is it not Datuk Entri?”

That is why SPDP wanted to field a new candidate to replace him in the next election Robert said.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/12/longhouse-chiefs-complaints-backed-up-by-proofs/#ixzz3rMjpzFxh

My comments:
What is true cannot be covered up anymore.  It is goodlah that nowadays with the convenience of modern technology everything can be captured in pictures to show to everybody everywhere in the world though it is still inconvenient to reach the longhouses by road or water.

US returns US$1 million stolen by former South Korean President Chun

November 12, 2015, Thursday

WASHINGTON: The United States has returned more than a million dollars to South Korea that were embezzled by a former dictator and hidden abroad, officials said Tuesday.

South Korea’s former president Chun Doo Hwan was convicted of corruption in 1996 in his own country, but it took US agents years to track down the assets.

The money was returned on Monday and, on Tuesday, US Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson met Korean Justice Minister Kim Hyun-Woong to congratulate him.

US officials said the return of the funds, US$1.13 million in today’s dollars, demonstrated Washington’s commitment to rooting out the profits of theft by foreign leaders.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch called the seizure “a powerful vindication of the rule of law and an important victory for the people of the Republic of Korea.”

The Department of Justice said FBI investigators had traced  726,951 to a California account linked to the sale of Orange County real estate by Chun’s son.

A second US$500,000 was traced to a Pennsylvania company found to be linked to Chun’s “corruption scheme.”

The former leader, now 84, seized power after the 1979 assassination of longtime military ruler Park Chung-Hee.

He led South Korea for eight turbulent years marred by extensive corruption.

In a judgment confirmed by South Korea’s Supreme Court in 1997, he was convicted of insurrection and corruption and ordered to repay 220 billion won (US$212 million).

Last year, art works belong to his family were sold off but he is still a long way short of repaying his debt to the nation.

President Park Geun-Hye, the daughter of the late Park Chung-Hee, has chided her predecessors for not pushing Chun hard enough to pay the rest of his fines.

Chun’s son and his brother-in-law were both given suspended jail sentences last year after being convicted of tax evasion. — AFP

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/12/us-returns-us1-million-stolen-by-former-south-korean-president-chun/#ixzz3rMXkbSv9

My comments:
I wonder how many % has been returned of the total embezzled.   He was supposed to pay back US212 million.

I hope to see the return of money embezzled by all the political thugs in Malaysia 1 day.

Give Ustaz chance to prove himself — Teachers’ unions

November 11, 2015, Wednesday Peter Boon, reporters@theborneopost.com

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SIBU: Teachers unions in the state hope the Ustaz from Kelantan who was recently appointed as a principal will be given a chance to prove himself.

Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) for one, being a professional organisation, is supportive of any teacher appointed as principal or headmaster in whichever school in this country.

Its president Ahmad Malie said this has been the practice in Sarawak.
Furthermore, he pointed out, such practice augurs well for Sarawak which is known as a melting pot of different races and religions in the country.

Therefore, KGBS hoped the local community would give the Ustaz a chance to lead and administer the school concerned with his experience and ability, he added.

“KGBS would appreciate it if the community at large can uphold the spirit of harmony which had long been practised besides not amplifying the appointment and placement of an Ustaz as principal of SMK Sungai Paoh into an issue.

“We, in fact, should receive the appointment with an open heart, treasuring that we are all Malaysians under the 1Malaysia concept besides strengthening the unity among us as Malaysians from all walks of life.

“We should not look at him as an ‘outsider from Sarawak’ but appreciate his contribution and sacrifice as he had served in Sarawak for over 20 years,” Ahmad said in a tele-conversation yesterday.

Recently, the media reported that the appointment of an Ustaz as SMK Sungai Paoh principal in Sarikei had created some uneasiness among certain quarters.

“Such matter had happened before and even now, there are still principals or headmasters appointed in schools, where majority of students are of different ethnic backgrounds from the principals or headmasters.

“Although such matter had happened before, it was never an issue,” he said.

In this regard, KGBS urged the general public to accept the posting without prejudice in the interest of unity among all Malaysians.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) received quite a number of complaints over the matter.

According to STU president Jisin Nyud, the locals were unhappy because there were locals who were fit for the post and worried that students would not be allowed to practise their religions freely.

He said they were also concerned about conversion and the imposition of Islamic values on dress, food and other restrictions over the practices of local people.

“They also asked if the new principal can accept the culture of the people there, especially the Iban community,” he added.

However, he further said, the new principal should be given the chance to prove himself and to do what is best for the school.

“All these years he has proven himself capable in his previous school in raising the school result, I believe he has his own ways and strategy.

“Therefore, the best way now is for the parents and the community to work hand in hand with him and give him the support that he needs to run the school.

“Looking at the principal’s qualification, besides being a graduate, he is qualified to be principal as he has undergone NPQEL (National Professional Qualification for Educational Leaders) which is the policy of the government to a teacher to be qualified as a headmaster or principal.

“There are also Peninsular Malaysian teachers like him who hold the post of a headmaster and principal and most are married to locals,” Jisin said.

He said some of them preferred to stay in Sarawak because it is peaceful.
Due to their long stay in the state, they have assimilated with the local community and can speak local dialects or languages, he pointed out.

However, with the issue going viral, he hoped the Education Ministry would look into the expectations of the people.

“For example, if there is vacancy in Sarikei, then try to look for candidates who are from Sarikei or nearby divisions,” suggested Jisin.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/11/give-ustaz-chance-to-prove-himself-teachers-unions/#ixzz3rEc3iGBh

My comments:
Sarawak has been pawned bit by bit  by  this kind of leaders who have no  principles of ownership and self-autonomy.

Objection to Ustaz as principal not due to his religion — Sadia branch chief

November 11, 2015, Wednesday

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KUCHING: The community of Sg Paoh, Sarikei rejects the appointment of an Ustaz to be the principal of SMK Sungai Paoh not because of his religion but because he is a non-Sarawakian.

Clement Hilary, chairman of Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia), Sarikei branch, claimed that the community wanted a Sarawakian and not someone from Peninsular Malaysia.

He told The Borneo Post that the continued appointment of Peninsular Malaysians to leadership posts in the state would deprive Sarawakians of the opportunity to climb up the promotion ladder.

“Many of our NPQEL (National Professional Qualification for Educational Leaders) graduates remain un-promoted or robbed of opportunities because these leadership posts have been given to the outsiders. And these have been going on for a long time.

“For any Sarawakian to defend the appointment means that it is Sarawakians who are killing the chances of potential Sarawakians to rise up the promotion ladder. Maybe it is time we open the can of worms,” said Clement.

He stressed that though Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has Initiative 90:10 as a vision, whereby by 2018 the ratio of teaching staff in Sarawak should be 90 locals to 10 from other states, what was happening on the ground was clearly not going towards that direction.

“There are many qualified teaching personnel in Sarawak. They can do as well if not better than those from Peninsular Malaysia,” Clement pointed out.

Saying the list could go on, he cited Leonard Martin Uning who holds the record of being the youngest principal (at age 29) of Kolej Tanjong Lobang and another accomplished educationalist Datuk Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah as examples of Sarawakians who were capable if not better than Peninsular Malaysians.

“We have qualified, experienced and high calibre educationalists around. Why must we get someone from Peninsular Malaysia? So don’t tell me there is no one in Sarawak of the calibre of these two.”

Clement was responding to the appointment of Ustaz Ruslin Che Mood from Kelantan to be the principal of SMK Sg Paoh.

Meanwhile, Hamidon Gani, the chairman of Parent-Teacher Association of SMK Sg Paoh when contacted, also asked for a local to be the school’s principal.

“I have no problem with the appointment. But since the parents are not happy with it, I am asking on behalf of the parents to have a local as the principal of the school,” said Hamidon.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/11/objection-to-ustaz-as-principal-not-due-to-his-religion-sadia-branch-chief/#ixzz3rEaxAY9N

Worry over appointment of Ustaz inevitable, says Masing

November 11, 2015, Wednesday

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KUCHING: Recent reported cases of Muslim teachers converting non-Muslim Bumiputera students in government schools have led to apprehension among parents of students over the appointment of an Ustaz to head SMK Sg Paoh near Sarikei.

Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said the school was not an Islamic religious school and the majority of the students were non-Muslim therefore it was inevitable that the students and their parents were disturbed by the appointment of an Ustaz from Kelantan as its principal.

“Besides, the islamisation of non-Muslim native students has been quite rampant in Sarawak lately. Thus the position of an Ustaz as head of the school is looked upon with suspicion,” Masing told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Masing was responding to the furore over the recent appointment of Ustaz Ruslin Che Mood from Kelantan as principal of SMK Sg Paoh which has an enrollment of 964 students, 72 per cent of whom are non-Muslim.

Masing further pointed out that the principal of a secondary school in the rural area was seen as a respected community leader and was often invited to social gatherings by the people.

“The principal will be invited to most of their ceremonial functions and activities. It would be good if the principal is someone who can participate or even conduct some of the ceremonies.

“For an ustaz to be the principal, it will be hard because it might be against his religion to be part of the ceremony, not to mention having to conduct the ceremonies,” said Masing.

He said Ministry of Education (MOE) should look at the appointment of SMK Sg Paoh from various angles such as religion and culture.

“The political announcement of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem should also be taken into consideration.

“Then there is also the financial aspect to be considered. If a local principal is engaged rather than one from Peninsular Malaysia, MOE does not have to spend more on flight expenses.”

Masing felt that MOE had made a mistake in appointing an Ustaz to head the school if all the aspects of his appointment were taken into account.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/11/worry-over-appointment-of-ustaz-inevitable-says-masing/#ixzz3rEWIi6lf

PBDS Baru joins other voices of dissent over SMK Sg Paoh principal issue

November 11, 2015, Wednesday

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MIRI: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru has become the latest to join those voicing dissatisfaction against the decision by the Education Ministry to appoint an ‘ustaz’ (Muslim religious teacher) as principal of predominantly-Dayak SMK Sungai Paoh.

PBDS Baru supreme council member Bobby William saw such a move as unfair to the local teaching fraternity in that they would be more deserving of the post.

He was also upset and saddened by the statement of Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah – who is in charge of education in Sarawak – who advised the Dayaks against being ‘too sensistive’ over the issue.

“It seems that the minister (Fatimah) has failed to understand the issue and sentiments voiced out by the Dayaks, whose main concern has nothing to do with racism at all.

“The community, as a whole, doesn’t care much about who is the ‘pengetua’ (school principal) — as long as they’re ‘Orang Sarawak’ (local Sarawakians),” he said in a press statement yesterday.

He said the SMK Sungai Paoh incident highlighted the marginalisation of not only local teachers, but also local civil servants.

“With so many civil servants ‘being exported’ to Sarawak from Peninsular Malaysia over the years, the locals cannot avoid feeling that they’re being marginalised — it’s like they’re not being given the opportunity for promotions,” he said.

On the justification that the new principal, Ruslin Che Mood, having undergone the necessary process that qualified him for the post, Bobby argued that many local teachers had also gone through the same procedure.

“Many have undergone the National Professional Qualification for Educational Leadership (NPQEL), which prepares them to become school principals.

“Why aren’t these experienced Sarawakian teachers get the post?”

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/11/pbds-baru-joins-other-voices-of-dissent-over-smk-sg-paoh-principal-issue/#ixzz3rEV0o3A6

Tweets 11/11/2015

Tweets   11/11/2015

It is the thought of a sickly mind to say that electronic cigarette is the innovation of Malay youths and should not be banned in any way even though it may cause of cancer of different natures. 

Saying that this innovation has created many job opportunities for Malay youths and banning the sales of this innovated cigarette may affect the results of elections.   He is really sick.

This is balantly sickly-minded thought without the care of the mass especially children and teenagers at the expense of their innovation.

Many countries have already banned e-cigarette having proved up to 70% that it causes cancer or it may explore without any warning.  What a shame to pay salary from tax to this sickly minded minister like Ismail Sabri.