BR1M is not the right economic solutions for the people

By Daniel John Jambun

DANIEL JOHN JAMBUN
Deputy Chairman, STAR Sabah

I feel it is rather amusing to read so many leaders calling for us not to politicize the RM500 BR1M handouts, some even going to the extend of warning people not to link it to any political motive, because the handouts are “the government’s sincere way of trying to assist the people in today’s difficult economic climate.” But the problem is, after so many BN leaders make this warning, we can’t help thinking this must be very political indeed! It is quite clear that their intention to warn us not to politicize the matter is their way of telling us that it is all actually political. Ironically, by warning us not to politicize the matter, they are the ones ending up politicizing it!

One Candidate, One Seat’ – Its Democracy, Stupid

By Kua Kia Soong, Director of SUARAM

Karpal Singh, Chairman of the DAP must be commended for his recent call to Pakatan Rakyat to practice a “one candidate, one seat” policy. At last, one leader in Pakatan Rakyat has finally spoken up against this undemocratic practice of the party elite monopolizing federal and state seats … a lion amongst the lambs?

When I criticized this practice a few years ago (Mkini, 18.4.2008), the “seat grabbers” tried to justify the practice by saying they COULD handle both federal and state constituencies: “All you need to do is employ more secretaries to look after the seats for you what,” was their pathetic reply. They failed to see the contradiction and fallacy in this undemocratic practice while criticizing the Barisan Nasional for not carrying out democratic reform.

Risda creates ‘a mess’ in Sabah

Hundreds of native farmers are angry with Risda
for 'abandoning' its pledge to cultivate
rubber plantations on their land.

By Luke Rintod of FMT

KOTA BELUD: Federal agency Rubber Industry Smallholders’ Development Authority (Risda) in Sabah has come under attack for leaving idle, stretches of land which they had cleared off trees two year ago, after promising native owners that they would re-cultivate the land for them.

The past two year have seen  price of rubber latex at a high and many farmers are angry with Risda for depriving them of additional earnings.

Demanding an explanation, opposition Sabah Progressive Peoples Party (SAPP), said it has received many complaints from affected farmers and that it was now obvious that Risda had created ‘a mess’ in Sabah.

It's already 2012, could the PM please tell us when the Beng Hock case will be given due attention?

We, the family of Teoh Beng Hock, will be in Putrajaya at 9 a.m., 2 February 2012 for a Court of Appeal decision on the Teoh Beng Hock case judicial review.

In 2012 we are about to usher in the third Chinese New Year without Beng Hock and with the truth nowhere in sight.

UBF: Petroleum Fund Better than Nothing But Not the Right Solution

Sabah only get 5% share of its oil production
while peninsula getting the most

By Edward Linggu

TAMPARULI: The proposed Petroleum Fund for Sabah suggested by Pakatan Rakyat is not the only right solution for Sabah.

Obviously, the Petroleum Fund is better than nothing under the BN Government, there are better ways to ensure the Government and people of Sabah benefit from its oil resources.

Although there have been reports of new oil and gas finds off the coast of Sabah including its inner waters and the inking of the RM37 billion joint venture by Petronas a few days ago, it has to be remembered that Sabah’s oil and gas resources are a depleting resource.

Ini Kali lah! – Jangan Melepaskan Peluang Keemasan Untuk Menyelamatkan Sabah

“Ini Kali lah! Rakyat Sabah mesti bersatu padu tanpa mengira ideology politik dan hendaklah mengambil peluang pada pilihanraya akan datang mengundi untuk membentuk Kerajaan Baru demi menyelamatkan Sabah daripada terus mengalami kerosakan dan kehancuran,” seru Awang Ahmad Sah Datuk Awang Sahari, Timbalan Pengerusi, Parti STAR Wilayah Sabah.

• Bayangkanlah jika Perjanjian Malaysia telah dilaksanakan!
• Bayangkanlah jika 20-Perkara telah dipatuhi!
• Bayangkanlah jika Sabah telah berkuasa memungut hasil, dana pembangunan dan tarIfnya!

Bishop calls on PM to match words with deeds

Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing said citizens of goodwill would not hesitate to support Prime Minister Najib Razak’s push for moderation if the latter himself was unequivocal in matching deed to word.

Citing examples over the past year where he said Christians have been “unjustifiably accused of a host of deeds that contravene inter-religious harmony,” he said the PM chose not to display his vaunted moderation when “that very quality would have gone a long distance in pacifying the situation.”

“Stop Fooling Sabahans - STAR”

By Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan
“Politicians and political parties from Peninsula should learn to respect the people of Sabah if they are sincere in helping them and the State instead of referring to them merely as political “fixed deposit” and as voters that can help them retain or conquer Putrajaya” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, the STAR Sabah Chief.

He said “Sabahans are now more politically matured”.

Upko to stay with BN for now

By Luke Rintod of FMT

While Upko president Bernard Dompok has said
that the party will remain with Sabah BN,
insiders are sceptical.

PENAMPANG: Upko, the largely Kadazandusun-based party in Sabah Barisan Nasional, is unlikely to leave the coalition “before the general election” despite the persistent rumblings of discontent within its rank and file over Umno’s shabby treatment of the party.

Party president Bernard Dompok, who is also a federal minister, had indicated so and has reportedly pacified his deputy Wilfred Bumburing who is said to be toying with “jumping ship”.

13th General Election demand: Eradicate institutional racism

By Kua Kia Soong
JAN 18 — With the 13th general elections just round the corner, it is time for Malaysians to bring the big issues before the prospective candidates and their parties and to register their commitments to these demands of the Malaysian people. These issues are what the politicians should be debating and each candidate and political party should register their stand on each of these concrete demands. Most of these concrete demands can be delivered very quickly and we will be monitoring closely to see if the candidates/parties carry them out.