Jeffrey set to form his own party?

By Luke Rintod of FMT
KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah PKR big shot Jeffrey Kitingan, who is now without a top post in the party, may be moving to set up his own political party.

"It pains my heart when I think on how PKR had treated me, treated us..." he said quietly during an interview over dinner at a shopping complex here on Thursday (Dec 2).

In a somber mood he reminisced how he had befriended and sought common grounds with Anwar Ibrahim, PKR de facto leader, three years ago on the various issues affecting the nation, especially those that had had direct impact on Sabah and Sarawak.

"He agreed with our views, rights and aspirations, and even promised to make amendments in the party's constitution. But nothing has been done...," he said.

Monolob ritual to appease the mountain spirit

By Luke Rintod of FMT
Kundasang is famous because here stands the soaring and majestic Mount Kinabalu, a Unesco World Heritage site. But one day in a year, this pristine site is closed to all except the native Kadazandusun community in Sabah. It is the day of the "monolob".

"Monolob" is an age-old ritual which literally means 'appeasing the spirits of the mountain'.

Years ago the mountain and its sprawling verdant foothills was native land but the area is now a gazetted park.

It is still however home to many indigenous people who have lived here for generations and who have a deep and intimate knowledge of the Kinabalu forest.

Ketuanan Melayu against Islamic teaching says scholar, says it is same as "Jews' chosen race"

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA: A renowned Islamic scholar silenced arguments today over the controversial “Malay supremacy” concept, charging that it was un-Islamic and akin to the Jewish’s “ chosen race” claim.

Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin wrote today that the act of placing the Malay race as more supreme than the others was against the teachings of Islam, which preaches tolerance and the equality of all races.

“If someone considers himself more noble simply because of race or ethnicity factors, or considers others lower than himself because they are not of the same race, such belief is wrong and goes against the teachings of Islam.

“Should this be the case, it can be likened to the Jewish claim that they are the 'chosen race',” he said.

For once Salleh shares common ground with Dompok, dismissing "ketuanan Melayu"

By Razlan Danial
KOTA BELUD: Seldom does it happen for UMNO's Salleh Said to share a common ground with UPKO's Bernard Giluk Dompok, especially on "sensitive" issue.

But today both the ex-chief ministers of Sabah agreed to each other on one issue, "sensitive" or otherwise, dismissing "ketuanan Melayu" from political landscape, at least in Sabah.

When approached by FMT on his take on Dompok's outburst against "ketuanan Melayu", Salleh agreed: "Ketuanan Melayu does not arise in Sabah. Sabahan politicians do not subscribe to politics of domination by race".

The UPKO President, had at UPKO's Convention in Penampang yesterday, lambasted at the "ketuanan Melayu" being propogated by certain parties in Sabah. It hit the frontpage headlines of local newspapers here today.

What a load ! Can you believe ?

Folks,

These pictures were taken by a French photographer, Alain Delorme in Shanghai throughout 2009 & 2010. He called the series, Totems.

These couriers - mostly migrant workers from other parts of China -
not only need strong legs but also acrobatic skills to balance these massive loads on their tricycles & bicycles while on the move.

A lot of you must be wondering where the centre of gravity is in each case.