Veteran Fredoline Lojingki on Zahid

By Fredoline Edwin Lojingki

The Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Home Minister, had recently made couples of revelations on security issues affecting our country especially here in Sabah.

Zahid had said that the police has gleaned information that the dreaded Philippines Sulu sultanate has appointed his representatives or cell leader in every constituencies in Sabah, and that this is a threat to our security.

Now, two things came into my mind as a veteran politician or watch (i am 75 years old now).

Give Proof of Killing of 35 Gunment - Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU: STAR has challenged caretaker Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Zahid Hamidi to give proof that 35 terrorists have been killed by the Philippines security forces in Sibutu Island on nomination day.

STAR's State chairman, Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan said in a statement here that the denial by the Philippines that such a thing ever happened raises a lot of doubts in the minds of Malaysian people about the veracity of Zahid's claim.

"He seems to be quoting only Malaysian sources there is no corroborating evidence from any outside sources," Jeffrey said.

Lahad Datu: Malaysia rejects self-styled Sulu Sultan’s unilateral ceasefire

Defence Minister: Militants must
surrender unconditionally

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia rejects self-styled Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram's unilateral ceasefire offer, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid (pix) tweeted Thursday.

He said the ceasefire would only be accepted if all the militants surrendered unconditionally.

“Do not trust the ceasefire offer by Jamalul Kiram. In the interests of the people of Sabah and Malaysia, destroy all the militants,” he tweeted.(Jgn percaya dgn tawaran gencatan senjata oleh Jamalul Kiram. Demi kepentingn rakyat Sabah&seluruh rakyat Msia, hapuskan dulu semua militan)

Scorpene probe not a serious matter, says Anifah

The probe by French prosecutors into the alleged corruption over the purchase of the two Scorpene submarines is not a serious issue that Malaysia should now focus on, said Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

“This is not a serious matter that we need to follow, and it is being played up by certain parties,” he told reporters after attending a luncheon with representatives of Asean nations in Kuala Lumpur today.
He was asked about Malaysia’s preparations to face the case currently being investigated in Paris.

Anifah said that Malaysia will make the necessary preparations to face the trial when they are needed.

“So far we have not received any information from the (French) embassy. But if necessary, we are ready to defend ourselves,” Anifah added.
Local human rights NGO Suaram had filed a suit over alleged kickbacks from French defence contractor DCNS to Malaysian parties in the two submarine purchases.

Defence Ministry moves to soothe Dusun natives

By Luke Rintod of FMT

Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

KOTA BELUD: The local grapevine in Kota Belud is abuzz over a scheduled visit by Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, seen as an attempt to soothe uneasiness among the local Dusun natives ahead of a crucial general election.

Word is that Zahid is coming to Sabah to, among others, attend a briefing and visit areas in Kem Paradise that could be excised and later be “given back” to the surrounding Dusun Tindal villages in the area.

Kem Paradise is a huge army training base in Kota Belud. It’s probably the only military base in the world that shares its turf with densely populated villages.

Mindef says RM493.3m additional budget necessary to ‘maintain’ Scorpene subs

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — The Defence Ministry received an additional RM493.3 million allocation this year, and said today the amount was needed to maintain the country’s two Scorpene submarines.

The additional amount raises the ministry’s total budget to whopping total of RM11 billion.

“The main purpose is to maintain our Scorpene submarines as that expense was not included in the budget,” The Star quoted Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (picture) as saying.