Beware of your house foundation

Tweets   1/8/2017    Beware of your house foundation

If your house crack, the first thing you do is to check if the foundation of your house have the full length of  the piling poles.  Some developers may not pile the whole poles for the foundation.  People say that some developers only pile 30% - 40% of the poles and saw off the rest for other uses maybe. 

        So be careful and watchful if you have paid the deposit to buy any houses.  You had better go to sites to check every now and then just to be sure that the whole length of the piles goes into the land to form the foundation of your houses.    

theborneopost.com

Building Trusan Dam contrary to Adenan’s wish — Save Rivers

July 26, 2017, Wednesday

Peter Kallang

MIRI: Save Rivers is not agreeable to the decision to proceed with the construction of the Trusan Dam as recently announced by Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, saying it is contrary to what was announced by his predecessor the late Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem.

In a press statement yesterday, Peter Kallang, the chairman of SAVE Rivers, referred to a report in The Borneo Post on July 22 this year titled ‘Trusan Dam project to proceed as planned’, which quoted Abang Johari as saying the 100/200MW Trusan Dam in Lawas will be built after the completion of the 1295MW Baleh Dam in Kapit.
However, Kallang said in an interview with Channel News Asia in May 2016, Adenan had said the Baram Dam was scrapped as he had examined the matter, and there was no need to have another big dam.

He also said Adenan had mentioned: “We can have mini dams and so on, but not big dams especially when we don’t supply (power) to West Malaysia anymore.”
Thus, building another mega dam is not consistent with the wish of the late chief minister, Kallang pointed out, stressing that the modern and international trend is to build small hydroelectric dams that have minimum impact on the environment and the ecosystem.

He also said the late chief minister was really keen in renewable power source for the rural areas of Sarawak but questioned the need for Trusan Dam.
Kallang also quoted the then Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Peter Chin as saying that there should not be any worry about power shortage in Sarawak after the commissioning of Bakun Dam.

“Now not only do we have the 2400MW Bakun Dam but also the 944MW Murum Dam and soon the 1295MW Baleh Dam. So why do we want to build the Trusan Dam?” he asked.

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  My Comments:
  Sarawak is in the equatorial area and we have plenty of strong sunshine throughout the year.  I wonder why these political thugs are always so preoccupied of building more dams to damn us, Sarawak.  Why don't they develop solar power?
      If people opt solar lamps/solar lanterns for lighting and to have solar panels installed to get energy supply, how much will all these dams still serve the purpose besides those related factories to the ruling party and its cronies?
       We all know how much those involved can amass from each dam project proposed.  
       I hope all the Sarawakians will stay united to flush out these UMNO-BNised political thugs and parties for good. 

theborneopost.com

Sarawak Day more than just a celebration, say Mirians

Jude Toyat, reporters@theborneopost.com

Dennis (sixth left) leads members of Telang Usan PBB Youth in the cake-cutting ceremony to mark Sarawak Day 2017 celebration at Piasau Boat Club.

MIRI: The majority of Mirians see Sarawak Day as being more than just a celebration or a gazetted public holiday.
The date July 22 signifies the day when Sarawak was granted self-rule in 1963 before it partnered with North Borneo (Sabah), Singapore and Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) in forming Malaysia on Sept 16 that same year.
The state’s fifth chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem declared the day as a state holiday last year.
For local entrepreneur Sebastian Lim, Sarawak Day deals with ‘a matter of identity’.
“Acknowledging Sarawak Day equals to acknowledging our identity as well as the spirit of our motherland. These are the most important things to us, as Sarawakians,” the 26-year-old told thesundaypost.
Lim also hoped that after 54 years, the state would see more developments not just the physical ones, but also social developments.
“Sarawakians should be independent in their minds to speak up when things are not going in line, or those not for the best of their interest. I wish to call upon the younger generation to voice out their opinions or about changes that they want to see.
“When we say harmony, it means more than tolerance. We need to accept – acceptance only comes when everyone is free to express their opinions and able to voice out what they want. Although they may not necessarily get what they want, at least the people could hear them out and consider their opinions and ideas,” he added.
For Nurhadiatul Sukinah Jamali, Sarawak Day marks an achievement of a state that is united.
“Despite the many races and religions, we Sarawakians have been living harmoniously together since 1963. We would love to stay that way,” said the 27-year-old sales representative.
Nevertheless, she believed that there is a need for more individuals or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to take part in celebrating Sarawak Day.
“We must admit that there are still those who do not understand Sarawak Day. Through more involvements, we Sarawakians get to tell the story about how Sarawak got to have its own government, separate from the British colonial rule.”
Just like Lim, Bella also hoped for Sarawak to have more facilities, especially in education.
“I also hope that we would get high-speed Internet across Sarawak and also for us to receive more tourists,” she said.
Meanwhile, Aloysius Cornelius Susek said Sarawak Day serves to remind all Sarawakians the struggles of their forefathers.
“Without them, there would not be the Sarawak that we know of today,” said the 28-year-old lawyer and singer.
He also wished for the celebration to be as grand and festive as those meant for National Day and Malaysia Day.
“This, I believe, could help boost the tourism industry in Sarawak,” he added.
This city held many activities in celebration of Sarawak Day, including the ‘722 Run for Sarawak’ conducted by the Pujut, Piasau, Senadin, Bekenu and Lambir branches of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), as well as a gathering hosted by Telang Usan PBB Youth at the Piasau Boat Club, where Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau was present.

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theborneopost.com

Never take Sarawak Day for granted, Sarawakians reminded

Jeremy Veno, reporters@theborneopost.com

Peter (centre) holds a banner together with the gathering’s organising chairman Bill Jugah (left) at Sarawak Museum in Kuching.

KUCHING: Sarawakians should not take the Sarawak Day celebration for granted as the fight for full recognition under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is still in its beginning.
Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) spokesperson and activist Peter John Jaban said over the last three years, the state has seen enormous positive steps – from the establishment of a homegrown taskforce to address the issues involving stateless individuals, to the announcement of a team heading for London to examine the state’s legal position under MA63.
“We still face problems with finance from the federal government – from oil revenues, tourism tax to stamp duty; we still face attacks against our religious freedom; our cultural uniqueness is still being ignored, in view of a recent announcement stating that police personnel would be banned from having tattoos,” said Peter, who was one of the speakers at a peaceful gathering at Sarawak Museum ground here yesterday.
The rally, run by S4S together with Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia), gathered around 100 participants who were required to wear ‘red’ – both to signify solidarity and also the situation of which Sarawakians ‘are still seeing red over’.
“Sarawakians must stand together to show that we support the state government’s direction, that we still see the problems in our state and that we no longer accept the status quo,” Peter said.
According to him, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg has taken on the mantle of ‘Tok Nan’ – the state’s fifth chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who passed away on Jan 11 this year.
He said both leaders had created an atmosphere in which Sarawakians could openly consider their position in Malaysia and demand for their fair share.
“The Sarawak pride soars high with the flying of our flag, the promotion of our own languages and even the wearing of traditional tattoos.
“We have been given an example of what is possible when the state is given charge of its own issues,” he pointed out.
Peter said among the issues being addressed was those involving stateless individuals – the taskforce upon which was spearheaded by Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
This taskforce, added Peter, is actively seeking to redress the long-term stateless individuals in Sarawak, especially the children.
“We have also seen other representatives such as our Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah, who stands up for our rights and bravely faces up to the abuse from a federal minister on our behalf. Indeed, we should give thanks for this.
“However, the progress so far is largely in ideals – the concrete gains are yet to come.”
Peter said just recently, an edict issued by the Inspector-General of Police stated that policemen would be banned from having tattoos, despite the practice being age-old tradition of many tribes in Sarawak.
Sarawak, he stressed, is one of the oldest tattooing cultures in the world –one that is revered as a mark of a great warrior, communicating status and conferring protection on the wearers.
“Now, thankfully, the cultural importance of tattoos is being rediscovered and they are becoming one of our most important tourism exports. Yet, the police force is creating a rule that will prevent a new generation of young Sarawak ‘warriors’ from entering the service.
“This is like asking a Sikh to remove his turban – a lack of cultural understanding at best and cultural discrimination at worst,” he added.

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theborneopost.com

On Malaysian EnglishBy Tunku Zain Al-Abidin

TOO often I see depressing evidence that the standard of English being spoken in Malaysia is deteriorating ever further and quicker. It has of course been decades since the august halls of our Parliament switched to Malay (the old Hansards contain beautiful elucidations of policy and principle in perfect English), but all across Malaysian officialdom, English is suffering both as a result of explicit language policies, as well as indirectly because of the impact of policy decisions in other areas. Indeed, perhaps the most important institution in this country that has the ability and responsibility to transmit the speaking of good English to the next generation is failing to do so.

I often have occasion to address Malaysian students across the country: from government secondary schools to private international campuses, public universities and private colleges. And on many occasions when I try to engage with students – for example, about what they think it means to be a citizen, their understanding of the constitution or the role of national institutions, it is not just the content of their knowledge that is of concern, but also the way they express themselves. In some cases, there is an unwillingness to speak at all, let alone in English. The practice and virtues of confident public speaking have not been sufficiently inculcated.

An exception must be made for an active public speaking community in some schools that manifests in competitive tournaments that I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing: and where Malaysians perform well internationally. But it seems far too much like a particular extracurricular activity – like playing pétanque or the oboe – rather than a general skill that everyone should have.

This is a deficiency that can persist throughout the entire educational journey: and often, racial and religious polarisation can make that journey even more fractious and jeopardise economic opportunities. Far too many corporate leaders say they have to intensely train fresh graduates in terms of speaking English and interacting with people from different backgrounds. We also have to contend with competition from different methods of communication that renders proper sentence construction and enunciation irrelevant, as evidenced in chat apps and social media.

Having said that, Malaysian English does have many efficiencies, such as abbreviations including ‘x’ to negate something, and spellings like ‘oredi’ and ‘dun haf’ that convey additional meanings. Asking ‘u free?’, ‘got ah?’, and ‘where he go?’ are far briefer than their proper equivalents. Our patois is fertile for jokes too, like the one about Malaysians studying law because they “study lor”.

But beyond vocabulary and grammar, language is also about behaviour. The origins of words are intrinsically tied to culture and history, and English has the advantage of deriving so many words from both a Germanic and Latin heritage, resulting in a huge number of synonyms. In Malay, too some etymologies are very insightful: clearly in ancient times we didn’t reverse vehicles thus the need to create ‘gostan’ from ‘go astern’, and even place names have unexpected stories:

Mantin, near Seremban, was where to ‘mine tin’. However, one wonders about the import of some words like ‘globalisasi’ where logical root words (ie ‘dunia’) already exist.

The link between language and culture has societal implications too: an older generation points out that when we communicated properly (in Malay as well as English), we were also more tolerant, open-minded and optimistic. A political metaphor is provided by comparing the standard of English spoken – and the speaker’s own politics – at the United Nations from Tun Dr Ismail 60 years ago and one of his successors more recently. Our political and social regression is not, of course, caused by speaking worse English: but one of the root causes for both are similar, stemming from the personal agendas of politicians distorting the policymaking process.

Shamefully, in some classrooms in Malaysia today, students make fun of their peers who speak English, precisely because they see it as an attempt to appear superior or elitist. In some parts of the country it will require a new mindset to emerge before English is celebrated as a language to promote understanding and human achievement. The reality is that in this country, the issue of teaching English, and teaching in English, is deeply political.

As much as speaking English is important for economic, scientific and diplomatic reasons, it is even more important that we as Malaysians speak, in whatever language, of culture once again – with the same qualities of sopan and adat that early English-speaking travellers first observed of Malay-speakers – and for such qualities to be expressed throughout our institutions, and to be exhibited consistently by our leaders.

This is an abridgement of the Luncheon Talk for the English-Speaking Union of Malaysia.

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•  My comments:  The legacy of English created by the British Imperialist in the past in the Federation of Malaysia has been crippled by UMNO-BN.  Shame of them.

theborneopost.com

Baru: Bypassing Malanjum another slap for Sabah, Sarawak

KUCHING: State PKR chairman Baru Bian said he fully endorsed the statements by Pakatan Harapan leaders in Sabah and Sarawak about the extension of the Chief Justice’s current term depriving Tan Sri Panglima Richard Malanjum of the top position in the judiciary.

Baru, who is Ba Kelalan assemblyman, recalled that he made a statement supporting the recommendation by retired judge Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus that Malanjum be appointed the next Chief Justice.

“Richard Malanjum should rightly be appointed, by virtue of his seniority and his unquestionable qualification and calibre. This is what I said then: ‘If for any reason Richard Malanjum is sidelined, the people of Sabah and Sarawak will understandably feel slighted. It will be another indication that we are the second cousins, and not equal partners in the Federation of Malaysia as was envisioned by our forefathers. For too long, we have been neglected and for too long, we have accepted this shameful treatment without protest.’,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

According to Baru, it has now come to pass – the most suitable candidate is sidelined as a result of the unconstitutional extension of the current Chief Justice’s term.

“We must question why Sabah and Sarawak are treated with such disrespect. We have yet to hear from the Chief Ministers of Sabah and Sarawak, and the BN leaders their views on this grossly unfair sidelining of Tan Sri Richard Malanjum.

“We have yet to learn the rationale of the Prime Minister and the Conference of Rulers for the extension of the Chief Justice when expert opinions had been given on the undesirability and the unconstitutionality of an extension for the current Chief Justice.

“Is there any acceptable reason when we have in Richard Malanjum an ideal person for the post, in both seniority and capability? It is widely known that he is even more senior than the current Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal.”

Baru said: “In the absence of an acceptable explanation, the inescapable conclusion is that we are but the poor cousins and the fixed deposits, useful only to fund West Malaysian development and securing the BN victory during the elections and to be ignored the rest of the time.

“The question of suitability and qualification does not even arise as it is not in the contemplation of the powers that be that our talents are in the same pool and deserve equal consideration.”

Baru said in Federal Court there are no judges from Sabah and Sarawak and in the Court of Appeal, there are only three; one from Sabah and two from Sarawak.

“This is not because we lack qualified people – it is the conditioning that has silently taken place in the Malaysian psyche that Sarawakians and Sabahans are not good enough and that we are just contented to be sidelined, that we are second class Malaysians, having no rights to participate fully in the administration of this country except in the lower ranks. And the most humiliating thing is that our leaders have accepted this treatment for decades without so much as a whimper.

“It is the same in other fields. How many diplomats are appointed from Sabah and Sarawak? How many heads of Ministries and government-linked companies (GLCs)? Meritocracy appears to have no place in Malaysia.

“Our Sabahan and Sarawakian BN leaders must make a stand on this critical matter. Put our interests first, instead of your loyalty to your political masters. Speak up for fairness and justice, and for our rights as equal partners in the Federation of Malaysia. If you fail to speak up for Richard Malanjum, you fail all Sabahans and Sarawakians.”

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  My comments:  There is no way out as long as the people from Sabah and Sarawak still are still so docile /being so submissive to the dominating rule of the Malayan government.  Be prepared to secede for good.

陈超耀：独立日非831 教科书骗砂人54年

2017年7月21日

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（本报美里21日讯)卑尔骚州议员拿督陈超耀表示﹐砂政府组律师团前往英国伦敦考察﹐是正确明智的做法﹐只有透过研究﹑了解砂建国过程中的内容和结果相关文件记录﹐才能有条件争取属于砂拉越真正的自主权﹐揭开并庆祝砂拉越真正独立日–722重要日子。

他今日出席海港局举办的双佳节共庆活动后受访时表示﹐1963年7月22日是砂拉越人民最重要和值得纪念的日子﹐因为722才是砂拉越真正的独立日﹐并非历史课本上所记载的8月31日。因此﹐被课本”蒙骗”了54年后的今天﹐砂拉越子民是时候要醒觉﹐一定要谨记﹐7月22日才是砂拉越独立日﹐最重要的日子﹐身为砂拉越人民不可以不知道。

拿督陈超耀。

勿被历史瞒骗
“在1963年7月22日﹐砂拉越脱离英国殖民地﹐获英国移交职权。这意味着﹐砂拉越全权管理自己的领土﹐这就是砂拉越独立的日子。从722至9月15日﹐56天时间里﹐砂拉越是过着属于自己独立的日子。虽然有人质疑砂拉越原则上还不算独立﹐但是既然英国政府已经把权力交由砂拉越政府﹐就算还有其它相关等文件还没有正式签署﹐在砂拉越政府自行统治管理的那段期间﹐形式上我们认为是独立了。”
身兼砂人联党美里卑尔骚支部主席的拿督陈超耀指出﹐身为砂拉越人﹐不可以不记得和要搞清楚的三个重要日期﹐即7月22日﹑8月31日以及9月16日。8月31日﹐正确来说应该是庆祝联邦马来亚独立日﹐并非马来西亚日﹐因为在1957年8月31日时﹐马来西亚尚未成立。
他不忘强调﹐砂拉越并非如课本上所指的 “加入”马来西亚﹐砂拉越当初是以一个国家和马来亚﹑沙巴﹑砂拉越和新加坡共同组成﹐即在1963年9月16日。916这个重要日子﹐也经过了几十年后﹐终于在2010年获得首相纳吉的认可将其列为大马其中一个假期﹐从此彰显它的重要性。这意味着﹐9月16日才是马来西亚日。这也是许多时下年轻人不懂的历史﹐需要被纠正认清真正的历史背景﹐不要再被历史所瞒骗。

Mycomment：
这太令人可耻的事。这可耻的事是谁允许BN-UMNO霸权如此横行霸道。所谓的本土的政党跟BN-UMNO有挂钩的政客们，不管已经过世或还在世，都必须面对未来子孙的历史追究讨伐，唾弃，严厉苛责。 这可真的是会遗臭万面。