TAIB MAHMUD CORRUPTIONS TRAIL

Kuching
Friday, 3rd September 2010

Samling, the giant logging company owned by the timber tycoon Yaw Teck Seng and favoured with numerous timber licences by the Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud, was at the heart of the housing bubble that led to the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the world economic crash, according to our exclusive research.

We have established that Mountain House, a major new-town development in San Joaquin California, currently labelled as the ‘epicentre’ of the housing crash, was a Yaw family project.

How US ‘Dream Homes’ became ‘Mortgage Nightmares’

Started in 2001, Mountain House was originally advertised as “The Town of Tomorrow” and ”The American Dream Made
Reality” with houses selling for over $800,000, mainly through sub-prime mortgages. But, in the aftermath of the crash, the part-built project has been abandoned by the original developer and the town has been identified as the most “underwater” community in America, with over 89% of the properties now worth far less than the amount of money borrowed to buy them.
The prices of these houses are now half what they were in 2006, leaving buyers in a repossession nightmare.

From environmental devastation in Sarawak to economic devastation in the US

Dream homes dived from over $800,000 to under $400,000

Samling’s extraordinary involvement at the centre of the world’s greatest financial scandal was the culmination of years of massive investment in real estate across the United States, according to our research. This investment came out of the profit from logging in Sarawak under heavily criticised permits granted by the Chief Minister and Resources Planning Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Following last week’s condemnation of Samling Global by the Norwegian Government as an ‘unethical’ company, involved in ‘illegal logging’ and ‘environmental devastation’ in Sarawak, we reported how a Yaw family subsidiary, CSY Investments, had passed two multi-million dollar mansions to the Taib family in Seattle, in what appeared to be an unrecorded property tranfer linked to a US $1 dollar Quit Claim deal.

‘Unethical’ and over in the US

Sunchase specialise in 'Master-Planned Communities' created from 'distressed real estate assets'

We can now further reveal that CSY Investments formed just part of a multi-million dollar web of Yaw-owned companies in the United States, primarily involved in property development. These companies were subsidiaries and affiliates of SunChase Holdings Inc, a California registered company incorporated in 1988 by Chee Siew Yaw, a son of the Samling boss.
With Chee S Yaw as its original President and Chief Executive, SunChase Holdings has been involved in a number of massive land-deals across the USA, including “the largest real estate partnership ever formed with the U.S. Government”, according to its own publicity.
The registered shareholder of SunChase Holdings was, until recently, Universe Limited, a Liberian company, which according to an investigation by the US Securities and Investment Commission (SEC), was ”controlled by Hiew Tek Seng and the Yaw family, all citizens of Malaysia”. The companies and subsidiaries linked to SunChase Holdings are mainly operated out of Phoenix, Arizona.

Chee S Yaw - youthful entrepreneur with deep pockets

Deep pockets that fuelled the Housing Bubble

SunChase Holdings has clearly been exceptional among United States development corporations in possessing an extraordinary level of shareholder capital from the very beginning. Straight after graduating from California State University, Sacramento, with a BSc in Real Estate, Land Use and Finance in 1986, the youthful Chee S Yaw immediately demonstrated his access to enormous sums for investment.

One his first subsidiary ventures was Trimark Communities LLC, set up in July 1988, with himself as President. This became the company behind the disastrous Mountain House town project. Documents released by San Joaquin County state that between 1990 and 1992 Trimark bought over 70% of the 7.8 square mile site outright and began seeking approval for an approximately half billion dollar development project comprising the largest housing scheme in California.

Business Partner - The US Federal Government

Approval was finally granted after two decades of lobbying and in the face of lawsuits filed by the State Department of Fish and Game over environmental concerns (environmental battles being nothing new for Samling). Meanwhile, SunChase had impressed the authorities with numerous other grand-scale projects in which it played the main investor. The company claims it specialises in building ‘large-scale, master-planned communities’ and ‘managing distressed real estate assets’ (repossessed property).
In particular SunChase emerged as the top bidder for Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) land auctioned off by the US Federal Government in the aftermath of the Savings and Loans crisis of the late 80s. The National Land Fund set up partnerships between the Government and private investors to take control of billions of dollars worth of ‘distressed real estate assets’ offloaded by troubled lending companies, usually at rock-bottom prices. Sunchase was the biggest private investor in the scheme, obtaining $2 billion of assets, according to the company.
A Federal Audit Report issued in 1999 confirms, ”In April 1993, the RTC selected SunChase Holdings, Inc., as the winning bidder for five of the six pools of assets offered in the National Land Fund I initiative”.

Indeed, Sunchase currently boasts:

“The company is proud of its heritage as the managing general partner in the National Land Fund, the largest real estate partnership ever formed with the U.S. Government”.

American Dream turns to a nightmare with Samling

Computer generated - the commercial centre not yet built

Mountain House finally gained planning permission on the basis that it promised to create a sustainable, self-contained new town that would create sufficient jobs for its inhabitants.
The original county Master Plan promised affordable housing to meet the Bay Area housing crisis, together with retail and business outlets. But from the start sceptics pointed out that the project looked more like a ‘get-rich-quick scheme’ by the developer with little provision for real employment.
Indeed, the promotional material by Trimark Communities clearly targeted the aspirations of middle-class Californians looking for grander accommodation in an area of housing shortages. The company marketed Mountain House, as the American Dream in the Town of Tomorrow, promising traditional-style, detached houses built around 14 separate ‘village’ settings, each with a school, leisure centre, open spaces and commercial heart for business enterprises. Although the San Joaquin authorities had understood that houses would be priced around an affordable $200,000, the demand for grander homes and the availability of dubious lending mechanisms and sub-prime loans meant that prices before the crash in 2007 were topping four times that amount.

Road to nowhere - Mountain House, Samling's California New Town

Within weeks of the crash all had changed. 16,000 houses were supposed be built, providing accommodation for 44,000 people, in the most ambitious development project in California for decades, but as the lending market collapsed, the Yaw family pulled out. Trimark Communities was dissolved in California and Chee Siew Yaw has returned to the Far East, claiming that he divested all his US interests in 2006. As a result, Mountain House has been left part-constructed and famous for being the repossession capital of the USA.
The main losers in the disaster have been the thousands of buyers who lost their their homes and the California Public Employees Retirement Scheme (CalPERS), which had invested heavily in the project on behalf of its future pensioners. CalPERS is believed to have lost $926 million of the value of its orignal $1.2 billion investment in the project. Those people who have remained in Mountain House have found themselves paying huge mortgages on low-value properties in a part-built town. According to one description:

“Landscaped lawns face fields of weeds. Sheep graze on the future golf course. While two schools [out of a promised 14] have been built and a third is under way, there’s just one retail business, a convenience store. The closest supermarket is five miles away. A multimillion-dollar bridge — designed to link the southern and northern halves of town — has been fenced off. It’s our bridge to nowhere”.

Bridge to nowhere

So, like the indigenous people of Sarawak, the people of Mountain House are now living with the devastation wreaked on their lives by Samling. According to one, ”all they did was build as many houses as they could as quickly as possible to cash in on profit before the bubble burst”.

Samling back in Sarawak

In 1991 a study by the World Bank concluded that only a fraction of the possible revenue that could have been raised from timber was coming to the State of Sarawak.
The problem was described as a major ‘leakage of public resources’, which explains why the people of Sarawak have received few benefits from the loss of their valuable rainforest and remain among the poorest in Malaysia. Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud has signally failed to rectify this problem of disappearing assets, meanwhile Samling has developed the resources to become one of the major players in United States real estate.

Beaten unconscious and left pregnant - this teenage victim blames loggers

The company has been notorious for its ruthless and unsustainable practices in Sarawak, as detailed by the Norwegian government report. Licensed by Taib, it has ripped out vast tracts of the world’s most ancient rainforest, leaving the indigenous people with little or no compensation.
These forced acquisitions of Native Customary Rights Lands have recently been ruled illegal by the Federal Court, but neither the company nor the Chief Minister Taib Mahmud have chosen to notice.
Just this week Samling demonstrated familiar ruthless tactics when managers were reported to have threatened native leaders to withdraw the numerous complaints of rape against women and young girls in the company’s concession areas, or else they will end all transport links. Taib’s government has likewise refused to investigate the reported crimes, despite widespread evidence and several independent reports.

Road blockades are no match for Samling as they target the last remaining trees in the 130 million year old rainfores (the oldest and most bio-diverse in the world)

Lately, the company, backed by armed police, has torn down more road blockades set up by the beleaguered Penan tribe (who are Asia’s last jungle nomads) in an attempt to protect their few remaining square miles of virgin forest and key hunting grounds. Samling are now boring into the region, which the Penan recently proclaimed as a protected Peace Park

Finally – Sterling Pacific Assets

Interesting questions still surround the transfer of the Yaw holdings in the United States. Following Chee S Yaw’s pronounced divestment of his US assets, Sunchase Holdings was transfered to the current ownership of Sterling Pacific Assets Inc (California).
Yet Sterling Pacific Assets was already part of the SunChase Group and had previously been described as ” an affiliated professional services company” in Sunchase promotional material. The 100% shareholder of Sterling Pacific Assets of is one of the SunChase’s own company Directors, William A. Pope, who joined the Management Team in 1990, two years after the Yaw family established the company. Nevertheless, the SunChase website currently implies that it was he who formed the company.

Lost rainforests of Sarawak

Notably, in spite of the takeover, SunChase Holdings Inc is still run out of the same offices and by the same Management Team established by Chee Siew Yaw before his abrupt departure in 2006. The circumstances that enabled a member of the Management Team to buy out such an enormous multi-million dollar company remain unclear.
Sarawak Report and doubtless the people of Sarawak, would be interested to know whether the Yaw family do in fact retain an interest in SunChase Holdings in the USA. Given the controversy surrounding the legality of the timber licenses issued by the Chief Minister, there is the likelihood that future enquiries that might result in the restitution of some of Sarawak’s lost profits from its many timber concessions. SunChase Holdings in the United States might be a good place to start looking.

To read more Please Visit SARAWAK REPORT under subject title SAMLING AT ‘EPICENTRE’ OF SUB-PRIME CRASH!

Mupok Aku

AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN

Taib's Daughter Hanifah Suspends Paul Si Over Publication Of Sensitive Article

Kuching
Thursday, 2nd September 2010

The editor of Sarawak Tribune, the state's oldest newspaper which returned to the newsstand in May after a four-year hiatus, has been suspended for publishing an unfaltering report on Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

The report, 'Is Taib Mahmud testing the waters?', which was from Bernama wire service, appeared on the front page of the newspaper on Monday.

It quoted a number of political analysts questioning the chief minister's motive in announcing his willingness to quit ahead of a state election.

According to the commentators interviewed by Bernama, Abdul Taib had no intention to step down after 29 years in power and the statement was carefully made to elicit support from local leaders.

"He will not step down. He just wants to know who is complaining. His remark is a calculated statement to find out who are against him," Bernama quoted James Chin of Monash University.

Malaysiakini has learned that Tribune executive editor Paul Si, who helmed the newspaper since it hit the streets three months ago, had been suspended for two weeks. There are unconfirmed reports that he was given the marching orders.

Taib's daughter livid

According to sources, Abdul Taib's youngest daughter Hanifah, stormed into the newspaper office on Monday night to berate the staff over the publication of the report.

Hanifah, a former managing editor of the Tribune, held a lengthy meeting with top editors until 2.30 the next morning.

Si, who has 25 years of journalism under his belt including stints with Malaysian Insider and The Star as well as Borneo Post, was at the office briefly on Tuesday morning.

He was subsequently summoned to the Chief Minister's Office and did not return to the office since.

Si did not answer telephone calls from Malaysiakini.

Since Tuesday, the newspaper has gone on a damage control exercise with reports after reports of local leaders calling on Taib to remain as chief minister.

Sarawak Tribune was suspended indefinitely on Feb 9, 2006 for reproducing the controversial caricature of Prophet Muhammad.

The management of the 61-year-old English daily resolved to close the newspaper despite that the suspension order was later rescinded and instead launched Eastern Times.

Eastern Times published its last edition on May 19, with the new Sarawak Tribune rolling off the press the next day, incidently, was launched by Taib.

Read More at Malaysia Chronicle

Siti Inshah Mansor -The Headmistress Becoming Celebrity In One Night

Kuching
Tuesday, 24th August 2010

Siti Inshah Mansor the Racist Headmistress

Let’s wait and see what action will be taken against Siti Inshah Mansor (pic above), the principal of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Kulai, for the racist remarks she allegedly made at the Merdeka celebrations in her school

The first time I read about this disgraced headmistress, I just could not believed with what I read. The headmisteress who has been given the responsibility to ensure that students from various races in the school to live harmoniously with each other, ever said such a racist comments.

If I am to be given the opportunity to mete the punishment against this racict headmistress, the only punishment that fit her is an exile to the outer world that is by banishing her to Mars.

According to the Free Malaysia Today report, the police will be concluding their investigations soon, under Section 504 of the Penal Code. If they have a case, Siti Inshah could be charged with provocation, which carries a maximum imprisonment of two years, a fine or both.

Meanwhile, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang has called for her to be sacked. MCA president Chua Soi Lek calls for her to be transferred to a desk job and given counselling. How generous of Chua. But what all the dayak leaders say about the case. As of when this article is written, the two vocal Iban leaders Masing and Jabu are still holding to their balls.

Siti Inshah is alleged to have said that Chinese students are not needed in the school and can go back to China or Sekolah Foon Yew (a private Chinese school in Johor), and that the prayer strings Indian students wear on their neck and wrist make them look like dogs, and only dogs would be tied this way. If the allegation is true, what could have possessed her to make her say such things? That is something that must be ascertained. Even if she had been provoked for some reason or other, it is still not her place to react this way to the students. She has a huge responsibility as a school principal to restrain her racist impulses.

Given the seriousness of the situation, if the allegation is true, how then can she be allowed to get away with it? If she were to be exonerated, imagine the damage she could further cause given her influential position.

If it is true that she behaved like a racist, her name should instead be remembered in the Hall of Shame.

Racial slurs

So far, however, among the Barisan Nasional parties, only the MCA and the MIC have criticised the action. Has any Umno leader come out to say anything against it? And if so, why not?  What about the dayak majority parties such as PRS, SPDP and PBB(Pesaka Wing) ? Being the supporter of harmony and peaceful Malaysia, I am urging all Iban's Ministers to come forward and condemn this racist headmistress.

More article on Siti Inshah Mansor can be read at Hornbill-hornbill

Mupok Aku

AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN

Tan Sri Ismail Omar will replace Tan Sri Musa Hassan as the Inspector-General of Police,

Kuching
Wednesday, 1st September 2010

Musa will relinquish his post on 12th September 2010

Tan Sri Ismail Omar will replace Tan Sri Musa Hassan as the country’s new Inspector-General of Police, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein announced today.

Ismail, who is currently the deputy IGP, will assume his new post on September 13.

Musa, who had his contract extended twice, leaves under a cloud as he had come into office with a Mr Clean reputation but now leaves amid allegations of wrongdoing.

Ismail will take over the IGP Post from Musa on 13th September 2010

The police force under Musa is also seen now as ineffective and demoralised.


“Today, I would like to announce that the period of contract for Tan Sri Musa as the Inspector-General of Police will end on September 12 and therefore Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar has been recommended as the new police chief,” Hishammuddin told reporters during a press conference here.


He added that Internal Security and Public Order Director Commissioner Datuk Hussin Ismail would be the new deputy IGP.


Hishammuddin denied Musa’s contract was not renewed due to public pressure and expressed hope that Musa would still be able to contribute to the police after retirement.

“Of course, nothing to do at all (with outside pressure). I think it is a continuity and struggle that we have to carry all our life. Because as you see Tan Sri Musa has been serving for 41 years and we cannot expect him to carry the responsibility. We have to find ways in which he can continue to contribute,” he said.

Musa, 59, reached retirement age in 2007 but had his tenure extended twice.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers have demanded that Musa step down as IGP, claiming that crime and corruption had escalated under his watch.

However Musa stressed that he had never felt disappointed during his tenure as the police chief.

“I never felt disappointed with the police and I have given everything to the police force. It is time for me to step down because of my age. I have also trained my deputy Tan Sri Ismail Omar and I hope Tan Sri Ismail Omar will ensure continuity in the police leadership to make the force better and plans that have been implemented should be continued,” said Musa.

Musa advised his successor to ensure the police fulfill its duties and regain public confidence.

“I advise the police force should be taken care of because we need the police to take care of the country. Therefore the police must be right in fulfilling its duties and get the confidence of the public. That is all I ask,” he said.

Musa said his greatest challenge as the IGP was to make strong and honest decisions without fear or favour.

“It is always a challenge to be an IGP. You have to be strong to face these challenges and as long we are sincere in our duties then we don’t have to be scared with anybody. I feel that I faced all of these challenges with sincerity. We must be true in what we say and not hide because then the people will not believe us,” he said.

Reports over Musa’s retirement came into the forefront after suspended Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusoff was acquitted of three corruption charges by the Sessions Court in March.

During Ramli’s trial in Kota Kinabalu, Musa had been described by a Sessions Court judge as an unreliable witness.

Ramli’s acquittal had sparked intense speculation surrounding his future because his relationship with Musa is understood to have been soured by events leading up to his prosecution.

A number of uncorroborated reports had also emerged on the Internet in recent years alleging the involvement of the criminal underworld leading up to Ramli being charged with corruption.

Ismail said today that he was grateful to Musa and would continue to listen to his opinions.

“I feel that I am blessed to have been able to work with Tan Sri Musa and I will continue to take note of his opinions to continue developing the police force and provide the best service to the public,” he said.

Hope for a better Malaysia under the new IGP

Mupok Aku

AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN

UMNO Semakin Berani Memainkan Isu Perkauman

Kuching, Sarawak
Wednesday, 1st September 2010

 UMNO Semakin Berani Mengorbankan Keamanan Malaysia Demi Untuk Politik Sempit Dengan Memainkan Isu Perkauman.

Apakah Motif UMNO sebenarnya? Dalam usaha untuk meraih undi Melayu mereka sanggup mengorbankan semangat toleransi anatara kaum. Terdahulu LGE telah dipersalahkan apabila namanya disebut semasa sembahyang Jumaat. Baru-baru ini Utusan Malaysia telah memainkan isu Teo Nie Ching memasuki surau, dengan harapan untuk menaikkan api kemarahan kaum. yang pelik kenapa tiada tindakan terhadap Utusan Malaysia? 

Marahpun ada, meluatpun ada apabila terbaca di Malaysiakini bahawa UMNO di dalam blog yang ditulis oleh penyokongnya dengan nama pena "PAS BERUK", memfitnah Lim Guan Eng dengan meletakkan gambar super impose beliau yang sedang menyembelih lembu.
Bodoh sangat ke LGE sampai sanggup melakukan benda yang beliau tahu yang beliau tak boleh lakukan? Sebagai rakyat Malaysia yang cintakan keamanan, saya menyeru UMNO agar menghindarkan diri daripada menggunakan platform perkauman untuk memenangi hati pengundi Melayu, dan mereka juga mesti ingat bahawa bukan semua kaum Melayu itu suka bersifat perkauman dan menyokong perbuatan mereka. UMNO perlu ingat bahawa Malaysia bukan lagi Malaya. Malaysia adalah sebuah gagasan yang terdiri daripada rakyat yang berbilang agama dan bangsa yang merangkumi kaum Cina, India dan pribumi Sabah dan Sarawak.
Dari segi pecahan kaum, Melayu hanya merangkumi 60 peratus sahaja daripada jumlah keseluruhan penduduk Malaysia. Daripada pecahan penduduk di atas adalah jelas sekiranya mana-mana kaum mahu memerintah Malaysia, mereka seharusnya mendapat sokongan daripada semua kaum. Untuk mendapat sokongan daripada semua kaum, pemimpin sesuatu kaum itu mestilah adil dan sanggup berkhidmat kepada semua rakyat Malaysia,  tidak mengira kaum.

Sehingga Sekarang pemimipin katak ini masih tidak diambil tindakan oleh pihak berkuasa atas ucapan dan tindakan "perkauman melampau" beliau sebagai pemimpin PERKASA. Apakah bezanya PERKASA dengan HINDRAF?

Semua orang tahu bahawa PERKASA adalah UMNO. Jadi UMNO jangan cuba berselindung dibelakang PERKASA. Kalaulah PERKASA itu bukan UMNO, nescaya sudah lama Ibrahim katak kena tahan di bawah ISA. Apa bezanya PERKASA dengan HINDRAF?
Ramai orang tahu bahawa HINDRAF adalah off-shoot MIC manakala PERKASA adalah off-shoot dari UMNO. Jadi PERKASA apapun alasannya orang tahu siapa sebenarnya mereka ini.

Bertindak sebagai "whistle Blower" tetapi telah dikritik oleh pemimpin UMNO serta dipanggil untuk siasatan oleh pihak PDRM. Besar sangatkah kesalahan beliau kalau dibandingkan dengan pengetua yang bersifat "perkauman melampau' yang bernama Siti Inshah ?

Dari kes yang melibatkan Siti Inshah. Beliau yang merupakan seorang pengetua boleh terlepas daripada tindakan cercaan daripada pemimpin UMNO tetapi NAMEWEE atau nama sebenar beliau Wee Meng Chee, yang hanya bertindak sebagai "whistle blower" tetapi telah mendapat kritikan dan kutukan daripada pemimpin UMNO. Kalau  tindakan tidak cukup, hanya dengan 3 laporan Polis beliau telah disiasat oleh polis dengan sert-merta. Tetapi apakah pula tindakan kerajaan pimpinan UMNO terhadap pengetua yang bersifat perkauman melampau ini?
Dari segi layanan terhadap semua kaum rakyat Malaysia, UMNO juga perlu ingat bahawa penduduk Malaysia yang berbangsa Cina dan India sekarang bukanlah terdiri daripada mereka yang dibawa masuk untuk tujuan berkerja di lombong timah serta ladang getah lagi. Mereka adalah generasi yang lahir dan membesar di Malaysia. Manusia jenis apakah kita yang memberi status warganegara yang berstatus bumiputera hanya kerana mereka mengamalkan hidup cara Melayu kepada pendatang Kemboja, Indonesia dan Selatan Filipina tetapi masih menganggap rakyat kita sendiri iaitu rakyat daripada kaum Cina dan India sebagai kelas kedua yang ditidakkan untuk menikmati "perk" sebagai rakyat Malaysia?

NEP Hanya Relevan Untuk Bumiputera Sabah , Sarawak dan Orang Asli di Semenanjung

NEP yang diperkenalkan lebih kurang 40 tahun lepas adalah bertujuan untuk menaikkan taraf hidup kaum Melayu agar ianya sama dengan penduduk yang lain dalam kes Malaysia, sama dengan kaum Cina.

NEP pada dasarnya telah berjaya mencapai objektifnya. Tetapi untuk kaum Melayu menyamai taraf pencapaian rakyat yang berbangsa Cina adalah mustahil. Kerana kaum Cina dan Yahudi merupakan kaum pilihan tuhan. Pepatah ada mengatakan bahawa kaum Cina kalau diletakkan di tengah-tengah pulau ataupun di tengah gurun pasir yang gersang , mereka akan dapat meneruskan kehidupan. Tetapi kalaulah bangsa Malaysia yang lain diletakkan di tempat yang sama akan mati kebuluran.

Di sebalik kejayaan NEP di dalam menaikkan taraf kaum Melayu, tetapi pemimpin yang terdahulu masih melakukan kesilapan kerana hanya memberikan tumpuan kepada kaum tertentu tetapi melupakan kaum India. Ini telah menyebabkan kaum India hidup melarat serta jauh ketinggalan kalau dibandingkan dengan kaum Cina dan Melayu. Perkara ini juga menyebabkan kadar jenayah yang tinggi dilakukan oleh kaum India.

NEP dari segi tujuannya masih diperlukan di Sabah dan Sarawak dan juga kepada kaum orang Asli di Semenanjung. Ketiga-tiga kaum ini masih memerlukan NEP kalau tidak Malaysia tidak akan dapat mencapai Wawasan 2020.

Salah sebuah daripada rumah panjang di kawasan N25-balai Ringin. Kalau kita tengok di dalam surat khabar Sarawak, hampir tiap hari kita akan dengar pemimpin-pemimpin BN terutama yang berbangsa Iban yang mengatakan hanya kerajaan BN yang dapat membawa kemajuan kepada penduduk rumah panjang. Inikah kemajuan yang dinyatakan? Dengan tiada kemudahan asas bekalan letrik, air bersih dan jalanraya..

  

Di dalam tulisan saya yang lepas, saya telah menyentuh kedaifan hidup penduduk rumah panjang iaitu kampung Gayau, yang terletak di bawah N25-balai Ringin . Semenjak mencapai kemerdekaa serta penyertaan di dalam Malaysia 43 tahun yang lampau, tidak ada perubahan yang ketara berlaku terhadap kaum Iban serta peribumi yang lain.

"Semenjak penubuhan Malaysia sehingga sekarang tidak ada perubahan yang berlaku. Kalau dulu tak ada letrik sekarangpun sama, kalau dulu tidak ada jalan raya, sekarangpun masih menggunakan jalan sungai, jadi apakah kemajuan yang kerajaan war-warkan ?" kata seorang penduduk daripada Ulu Baram semasa konvensyen PKR yang diadakan pada pertengahan tahun 2009.

Statistik mengatakan bahawa 90 peratus daripada keseluruhan rumah panjang di Sarawak masih tidak ada bekalan elektrik dan kemudahan jalan raya, dan 60 peratus daripada mereka masih lagi hidup di bawah paras kemiskinan. Oleh yang demikian, Malaysia seharusnya berusaha agar rakyat peribumi Sabah-Sarawak dapat meningkatkan taraf ekonomi dan sosial mereka setaraf dengan penduduk malaysia yang lain.

Dari segi kemudahan bekalan letrik, jalan raya dan air bersih, penduduk Orang Asli mempunyai nasib yang jauh lebih baik daripada penduduk peribumi Sabah-Sarawak. Walau bagaimanapun dari segi ekonomi, mereka tidak jauh ketinggalan daripada peribumi Sabah-Sarawak . Oleh itu usaha hendaklah dilakukan oleh kerajaan untuk menaikkan taraf ekonomi Orang Asli.

Kesimpulan

UMNO seharusnya tidak bersifat perkauman kerana rakyat berbilang kaum memerlukan antara satu sama lain. Pemimpin Malaysia seharusnya menjaga kepentingan semua kaum kerana keamanan Malaysia hanya dapat dikekalkan dengan kerja-sama serta semangat toleransi antara kaum.

Dasar NEP dalam keadaan sekarang hanya boleh dipakai untuk menaikkan taraf hidup kaum peribumi Sabah-Sarawak serta kaum Asli di Semenanjung .

UMNO merupakan parti rasis-melampau yang hanya menekankan kepentingan kaum Melayu semata-mata. Sekiranya rakyat Malaysia sayangkan keamanan di mana kaum yang berbilang kaum dapat berkerjasama serta menghapuskan syak wasangka terhadap satu sama lain, maka saya menyeru agar rakyat Malaysia semua berani untuk berubah.......SINGKIRKAN KERAJAAN BARISAN NASIONAL YANG DIPIMPINAN OLEH UMNO YANG BERSIFAT RASIS MELAMPAU DAN UNDILAH PAKATAN RAKYAT (PR)!

Mupok Aku AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN

The contrast of two countries-China and Pakistan in a time of great tragedy.

Kuching, Sarawak
Wednesday, 1st September 2010

I recieved yet another good article from Hornbill-Hornbill , and I would like to share it here in Bukittunggal.com.
Pakistan Vs China in a time of great tragedy.

Both China and Pakistan were devasted by disastrous flooding, landslides, massive destruction and loss of lives.

China does not rely on foreigns help

Look at China armies (PLA) helping the flood victims. You can't see this happen in Pakistan.

The Chinese responded by mobilising their own resources, thousand of the arm forces, police and volunteers systemmatically tackled the problems. You see Chinese all over the country giving donantions in all forms, cash and kinds. And whole prayed for the deaths.

The Chinese leaders were at the site of tragedy within 24 hours.

In Pakistan, the President was enjoying his holiday trip to London, and he has yet to make his first visit to the scene of tragedy.

In Pakistan, the only assistance that their armies can give to their people is the water. There is no body contact between the armies and their people.

Can you see any pakistan armies among the Flood Victims?

In Pakistan, we see the long lines of the affected and refugees, dressed in their long robs, blaming that the government for not coming to help them, and so they just sit down and wait and wait, and they are absolutely incapable of organising themselves to help themselves, because the suffering that befall them is God's will- inshaallah!

China has not asked for a single cent from other countries or international organisations for assistance.

In the meantime, the UN is seeking US$460 million for Pakistan.

The Talibans said it will give Pakistan $20 million if it rejects aids from the western infidels!

The US has pledged $50 million, Australia 9 million.

And the Arab countries?

Kuwait pledged $5 million, Turkey $0.28 million, and UAE $0.028 million which is less than the cost of a toy for an Arab Sheik! The rich Arabs have oil and cash to drown themselves, but none to spare to help their fellow Muslims!

In every tragedy, it is always the western infidels and wealthy Asian nations who respond to the sufferings of the Muslims!

Where is all the love and brotherhood that Muslims preach in their holy Koran? Each day we hear them pray so loud and clear, but how many reach out to their pockets to give something to their suffering Muslims?

Mupok Aku

AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN

The above essay is not belong to Remaung6Renjer. It is reproduced here in Bukittunggal just want to share the different between China which is ruled by a communist and Pakistan which is a democratic country. Please leave a comment if you like the essay! 

Samling Blacklisted By Norwegian Government

Kuching, Sarawak
Tuesday, 1st September 2010

Sarawakian Timber Giant Blacklisted by Norwegian Government On Ethical Ground

Norwegian government blacklists Malaysian timber giant

The Norwegian government has excluded the Malaysian timber giant Samling from its pension fund on ethical grounds. Samling is logging the last remaining forests of the hunter-gatherer Penan tribe.

Norway’s Ministry of Finance sold its shares in Samling on the recommendation of its pension fund’s Council on Ethics, which investigated Samling’s activities and found evidence of systematic illegal logging and ‘extensive damage to forests and the environment.’

Announcing the divestment from Samling and two other companies, Minister of Finance Sigbjørn Johnsen said, ‘The decision to exclude these companies… is based on the Council on Ethics assessment that they are contributing to or are themselves responsible for grossly unethical activity.’

Samling has devastated much of the land of the Penan tribe of Sarawak, in the Malaysian part of Borneo. The Penan rely on the forest for food and shelter, and its destruction by logging companies has left them impoverished.

In December 2009, five Penan communities filed two lawsuits against Samling subsidiaries. A case by other Penan communities has been pending since 1998.

One Penan man told Survival, ‘Samling is trying to log all the trees in our forest. When they enter the area we will lose everything.’

Survival International’s director Stephen Corry said today, ‘If all responsible investors, particularly those using public money, avoided companies which violate tribal peoples’ rights and destroy their lands, it would send a clear and long overdue signal to corporations around the world. These companies should simply be boycotted, so the Norwegian disinvestment is a very good step in the right direction.’

Mupok Aku

AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN

Power Broker For Candidacy In N25-Balai Ringin

Kuching
Tuesday, 31st August 2010

N25 Is the Iban Majority Area and Among the Most Undeveloped Constituency In Malaysia

After reading what has been written in Dayak Nation and from the information that I recieved from the ground, the coming state election in N25-Balai Ringin will see a power struggle among the PKR and other PR component party members

Ibi Uding Has Declared herself as Candidate for N25-Balai Ringin. Her declaration was not well received by the voters in N25-Balai Ringin

According to the article by Dayak Nation , Ibi Uding the PKR State Wanita Chief has been selected as a candidate for N25-Balai Ringin. This was announced by Ibi herself. Responding to Ibi self-declaration on her candidacy, Francis Uli one of the committee member of P202-Sri Aman disputed Ibi candidacy, as according to him, Ibi was not from N25-Balai Ringin thus was not suitable to become the candidate.

Already too old and his educational background insufficient to lead this remote and backward constituency. 

Many people inclusive of Bukittunggal believed that Uli statement was just to test the ground so that PKR could nominate him as a candidate for N25-Balai Ringin. But being the pensioner whose age is nearly 60 years, Uli is a bit of too old to represent the most backward and undeveloped constituency like N25-Balai Ringin. Bukittunggal strongly believed that N25-Balai Ringin must be represented by a younger and energetic candidate.

Ibi Uding who had lost in the 2006 election, and being a women is not fit to represent this rural constituency.

Datuk Daniel in his speech during the Meeting  had advised the committee to look for a good candidate to represent PKR in the coming state election. In my understanding, a good candidate  meant a person that has qualification, young, energetic and never been lost in the election.  Uli or Ibi definitely  does not match the criteria as set by Datuk Daniel Tajem.

Who Is The Best candidate for PKR in N25-Balai Ringin

The young shaman that follows Ibi whereever she goes, predicted that Ibi will win the election. She will defeat Snowdan lawan from PRS. She also predeicted that a PKR veteran member (Not Uli please)  who has been very active in that area will be also defeated by Ibi. 
But do we want to believe in what the shaman has predicted ? If we do than go ahead let's sacrifice and  nominate her as the candidate, if not than we must keep SEARCHING.......

DAP and SNAP also intertested With N25-balai Ringin

I also received the information from the ground that DAP has started to mobilize their elements  especially in Empaling, Isu, Gayau, Tekuyong and Ubah. So far DAP has been well received by the people here. 

Other than DAP, new PR member  SNAP has also shown their interest to compete in N25-Balai Ringin.

Based on these developments, if PKR still unable to find a suitable candidate, N25-Balai Ringin will see a corner fight between BN candidates and the PR candidates.

Mupok Aku

AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN

Teo Nie Ching Visit Mosque Was Not Against the Fatwa Council

Kuching
Sunday, 29th August 2010

Fatwa Council convened on March 1, 2010,that Non-Muslims allowed to Visit Mosque.

PAS vice president Mahfuz Omar said if the Selangor religious council or Mais were to charge Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching for entering a surau or Muslim prayer hall, then it should also summon the National Fatwa Council.

“It is in direct contravention to a decision made by Fatwa working committee at the Muzakarah Jawatankuasa Fatwa Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ehwal Ugama Islam Malaysia Kali Ke-90 which had convened on March 1, 2010,” Mahfuz told Malaysia Chronicle.

"It was decided then that non-Muslims should be allowed to enter mosques and suraus as this is one way we can propagate Islam. So if Mais thinks Nie Ching is wrong to enter the surau and want to give her a warning letter, then Mais should also send one to the National Fatwa Council.”

The PAS leader also slammed Umno for hatching the plot to roil the Pakatan Rakyat, saying that such a move ultimately hurt Islam the most as it scared off non-Muslims from the religion or even think about visiting Muslim places of worship.

“Now what Mais and Utusan has done has harmed Islam greatly. They have created the fear in non-Muslims of going to mosques and suraus. How do we spread Islam to them, how do we reach out to non-believers? I also dare to say Mais was manipulated by Umno and they deceived the Palace into thinking Nie Ching had given a political speech in the surau, which is totally false,” said Mahfuz.

PAS to sue Mais, Utusan

PAS has also asked its lawyers to look into suing Utusan and Mais for defaming their party over the surau visit.

“In its report Utusan wrote that Nie Ching gave aid to PAS members. This is not true at all. Nie Ching was handing over a cheque for a donation made by the Selangor government to the surau to help them repair a fence,” said Mahfuz.

“Secondly, Utusan said Nie Ching made a political speech which again is a lie. She only spoke after handing over the cheque and it was to explain the Selangor government’s education program. It was not a taksirah or a ceramah as it has been made out to be.”

Mahfuz said PAS would also offer legal assistance to the surau committee as Mais has threatened to take back the management of the prayer hall.

Meanwhile, Nie Ching has applied for an audience with the Selangor Sultan to explain her version of the incident. She is still waiting for a date.

Nik Aziz and Asri Say Non-Muslims Can Enter Mosque

Kuching
Sunday, 29th August 2010

Front Page Utusan Malaysia - Friday, 27th August 2010- Teo Nie talking to the muslim in a mosque was given the same coverage with the burning of Jalur Gemilang by Indonesians in Jakarta.

Both Nik Aziz and Asri Say that Non-Muslims can Enter Mosque.

About 26 years ago while I was studying in one of the boarding school in Telok Intan Perak, after prep-hours, I used to follow my muslim friends studying in the hostel's surau. I was told by them that I could enter the surau (prayer room) as long as I did not do anything forbid by their religion. This was going on  for almost two years 

My understanding about non-muslim entering the mosque stayed until I read the Utusan Malaysia on its Friday, 27th August 2010 publication, where the racist Utusan Malaysia condemned Teo Nee Ching the Serdang MP from DAP for entering the Surau Al-Huda. Her photo standing before a congregation at the Al-Huda surau in Kajang Sentral and delivering a ceramah in a kebaya and without a headscarf  was published in the front page of the paper side-by-side with government condemnation of  the Indonesians for burning the Jalur Gemilang in Jakarta. This racist UMNO own newspaper had tried to portray that the MP action in entering the mosque  after she delivered the fund to repair the mosque was treated as serious as the  the burning of the Jalur Gemilang by the Indonesian in Jakarta. 

Why Did Teo Nie Enter The Mosque?

In defending her action, Teo said she had visited the surau on Aug 22 to present financial aid from the state government for repairs to the gate. She then joined the committee and the congregation in breaking of fast.

“As I was invited to give a brief speech, I made a sincere effort to explain about the state’s education programme for the benefit of the people of Selangor.

What Did Asri and Nik Aziz Say?

Former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said that non-Muslims could enter a mosque as long as they did not besmirch the sanctity of the house of worship.

“Non-Muslims can enter the mosque if it is done with the right purpose to know Islam, understand or study it,” said Asri in a statement today.

“That is the same with Muslims, with the condition that they do not spoil the sanctity of the mosque. This is because during Nabi Muhammad’s time, non-Muslims entered the mosque to meet him,” added Asri, who is seen as a progressive scholar.

He further added that political parties using religion to cause racial strife are the actual culprits smearing the name of Islam.

In Kota Baharu Kelantan, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat today when asked by the reporters, defended the Serdang MP for visiting the mosque. The Chief Minister of Kelantan said that the action of Serdang MP was not not against the teaching of Islam. He added that it was the best way in enhancing the good rapport between muslims and non-muslim.

“It was not wrong for non-muslims inclusive the women to visit the mosque whether to deliver speech or any other things as long as they are properly dressed , and for the muslim women they must cover their private parts." said Nik Aziz.

He furthered comment that the action of Serdang MP look weird to the muslims nowaday because of their shallow understanding on the teaching of Islam. He said that during Prophet Mohamed pbuh he invited the Quarysh   to the mosque and even allowed them to sleep, eat and drink  in the mosque.

Contrary to UMNO leaders and Utusan Malaysia, both Asri and Nik Aziz who were  the top muslim scholars in Malaysia said that non-muslims were allowed to visit the mosque.

For Freedom Loving Malaysian Please Boycott Utusan Malaysia

I've been boycotted Utusan Malaysia for years and I am going to continue to do so as long as the paper does not change it approach from racist and irresponsible to a peaceful and freedom loving newspaper.

Just look at what the paper published on its Friday, 27th August 2010 edition below.

It is a sin to expose any wrongdoing made by the leader....That what this minister try to tell Malaysian. His comment was related to Nurul Izzah interviewed with foreign newspaper regarding the purchase of submarine that cannot swim .....

Lim Guan Eng name mentioned during Friday prayer in Penang...

An Insult to Islam?

With this type of newspaper, there is no way that the 1Malaysia can be achieved. Just imagined in the military or the police when the Commanding Officer or the OCPD are non-muslim whereby their visit to the mosque are not allowed, or their muslim subordinates not allowed to pray for their safety...What type of multi-racial nations are we?

Mupok Aku

AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN