Shake-up in Sabah STAR leadership

By Luke Rintod of FMT

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah chapter of Sarawak-based State Reform Party (STAR) top leadership has appointed its new state line-up in a presidential-decree style, shocking reform-minded leaders in the party.

With the absence of a clear proviso in the party constitution, Sabah STAR chairman, Jeffrey Kitingan, is apparently left with absolute power ‘to hire and fire’ in the party here.

He began his bid to overhaul the party following its shocking defeats in the recent 13th general election, by not reappointing all his five deputies.

De-gazetting Christian holidays ‘legal’

By Joseph Bingkasan

KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu High court has struck off with cost a suit against the Sabah Legislative Assembly for abolishing three Christian public holidays.

The High Court ruled yesterday that the Sabah Government’s decision to abolish Easter Monday, Holy Saturday and Boxing Day as public holidays 34 years ago was in accordance with the State Constitution.

Musa’s govt must push to abolish cabotage

KOTA KINABALU: Luyang assemblyman Hiew King Cheu has called on the Musa Aman administration to take more serious and effective approach in addressing the pressing issue of spiraling consumer goods prices in the state.

He especially urged the state government to strive to abolish the “Cabotage Policy” which many considered the ‘main culprit’ behind the high cost of living in Sabah.

K’jaan tarik balik Rang Undang-Undang Islam

KUALA LUMPUR: Jemaah Menteri hari ini bersetuju untuk menarik balik Rang Undang-Undang Pentadbiran Agama Islam (Wilayah-Wilayah Persekutuan) 2013, kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Rang Undang-Undang tersebut dibentangkan untuk bacaan kali pertama di Dewan Rakyat pada 26 Jun lalu oleh Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

BOPIM to go to court if child conversion Bill is passed -- Jambun

KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BOPIM) has decided to take the same stance as Gerakan that if the proposed amendment to Section 107(b) of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) is passed, it will go to court to sue the Federal Government.

The amendments, hinging on the use of the word ‘parent’ instead of ‘parents’, makes it legal for a father or a mother, or guardian, who converts to Islam, to convert to Islam his or her children below the age of 18.