We can win and we can govern

"We must believe in ourselves...we can win and we can govern"

KOTA KINABALU, June 25, 2011: To bring Sabah back to its past glory and to pull themselves out of the present doldrums, Sabahans must be determined to rally behind local party like Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), which is genuine and committed in fighting for political autonomy for Sabah.

This was the message of SAPP President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee while speaking at the political gathering cum dinner themed "Sunrise after Tonight", which was jointly organized by its Kota Kinabalu and Penampang youth wings, at the Promenade Hotel here, on Friday.

He explained that this is important citing the quandary that Sabahans are currently in under Barisan Nasional (BN) rule which, he described as a form of "Federal-State collusion" (to exploit both the State's rich natural and human resources).

"Sabah under BN rule today is not a "State-Federal cooperation" but a "State-Federal collusion"; bukan kerjasama, tapi "kap-sit sama"," he quipped. The term "kap-sit" is a Hakka word which means ‘in collusion', usually for a bad reason.

He cautioned that similarly, if Sabah comes under Pakatan Rakyat rule in future, the same fate may befall Sabah/Sabahans.

"It will still be the same - "kapsit sama", and not "kerjasama". We reject this "kapsit sama" set up. Therefore, we want genuine kerjasama and please don't think that they will give us autonomy as a matter of charity, but only because they have to," he said, stressing that this message is especially for all those ‘fence-sitters' out there who have yet to support SAPP.

He conceded that currently SAPP is facing a dilemma of having to face two different schools of thought, with one group of people determined to support local party like SAPP, and another one thought it's no point to support SAPP as it's just a ‘mosquito party' and can't form the State government even if it wins in the coming general election.

"This is the dilemma that we have to overcome, and this is where our sun will rise and shine. I put this to you, that you can do something to overcome this dilemma," he said.

To begin with, he stressed that it is important that Sabahans must start believing in themselves that they are capable of governing their own state, even better than now.

And to substantiate this, he cited the fine examples of Brunei and Singapore who despite their small size and not joining the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, are now clearly better off than Sabah and Sarawak who joined.

"Back in 1963, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined Malaya to form the Federation of Malaysia as, the British was saying that if you don't join Malaya, you will not be able to administer (your own state).

"From that time, it has been implanted in the mind of Sabahans that we cannot...that we must follow (Kuala Lumpur), from London to Kuala Lumpur we will follow. That was 1963.

"But, Brunei did not join and Singapore pulled out two years later. Lee Kuan Yew came to Sabah to persuade our leaders to join Malaysia. But after we joined Malaysia, he left without even saying good bye to us!

"Today, in Asia, which are the two smallest nations? None other than Brunei and Singapore and they are also the richest. Their currencies are also the strongest," he pointed out.

Yong further reminded that Sabah which is rich in natural resources like oil and gas, was once the richest state in Malaysia but now the poorest state.

"How could this be possible when Sabah is an oil and gas producing state? We should be better off today especially when the global oil price goes up, instead of becoming poorer.

"Hence, we must first convince ourselves that change must start with us. When the sun rises tomorrow, there will be a new era in Sabah. All the problems like poverty, land issue etc can be resolved. We must not be looked down upon by others!"

"Looking at that, that's why we come up with the slogan of "SAPP Boleh!" and the young people of Sabah Boleh!

"This is how we change our negative mindset to positive mindset i.e. from "cannot win, win also no point, to "we can win and we can govern"," he elaborated.

The former Chief Minister of Sabah went on to cite United Kingdom as another classic example of how a once small and weak nation could turn the table around to become the powerful British Empire, with colonies all over the world, including Malaya and Borneo, at one time.

"Once upon a time, England was a small island nation and it always come under attack of the neighbouring countries. But over the few hundred years, England developed a strong navy and later ventured out to concur other countries like Canada, America, India and Borneo to establish one of the world's greatest empires.

Hence, we must believe that like England, we too can turn the table around," he said.

Yong further reminded that the political equation in this country has changed after the March 2008 general elections.

"In the past, I repeat, you cannot form government in Sabah without Federal support, now the equation has changed, whereby you cannot form a central government without the support of Sabah and Sarawak. If not because of the MPs from Sabah and Sarawak, BN is now in the opposition. This is the new political equation of Malaysia," he reiterated.

"Hence, after 47 years of waiting, it is the right time now for the sun (SAPP youth leaders) to rise and to shine! SAPP Boleh!" he proclaimed to thunderous applauds from the audience.

"We in SAPP are very proud that the second generation of SAPP members are now in the front line in the fight for Sabah," he added.

Besides Yong, the event also featured three other speakers namely John Stephen Dionysius, SAPP Youth Exco and Assistant Secretary for SAPP KK Youth, Philicica Tong, SAPP Women Exco and Supreme Council member, and Yong Yit Yoong, SAPP KK Youth Chief.

They spoke on the various perennial and pressing issues affecting Sabah, such as the continuous presence of large number of illegal immigrants in the State; high unemployment rate among the people, the youth especially; high inflation versus low pay for the wage earners, etc.

Also present at the occasion were the various SAPP KK Zone CLC Chairmen, its Deputy President Datuk Liew Teck Chan, its Secretary-general Datuk Richard Yong, Treasurer-general Datuk Wong Yit Ming, Vice Presidents Don Chin and Melanie Chia who is also Wanita Chief, Youth Chief Edward Dagul, Information Chief Chong Pit Fah, former State Finance Minister Datuk Mohd Noor Mansor, and Conan Teo, the organizing chairman.

The guests were also entertained by local hip-hop singer Atama Katama and his group of dancers, and up-and-coming Sabah Hakka pop icon, Yee Tian Long.

PKR Karim keep on repeating the same mistake.

I am puzzled that SAPP did not issue any strong statement to reply PKR startegist Datuk Karim Ghani's remarks that SAPP must join Pakatan Rakyat on the old excuse that local Sabah parties are ineffective.

Karim's point is that only big national parties like PKR and the Pakatan coalition have the power to solve Sabah's problems. Wasn't that the same reason Karim used when campaigning for UMNO entry into Sabah?

Karim used to pride himself as the man who brought UMNO to Sabah and a party man whose only duty is to the party (UMNO). That was after he was sacked by USNO in the late 1980s.

He was very close to the than UMNO Deputy President Anwar Ibrahim, no doubt, but was also implicated in the murky world of UMNO politics in the 1990. It was reported that he was the head of UMNO's task force on "Pengundi Luar" (Outside Voters, aka Phantom Voters).

It is a mystery that PKR has not only accepted him but even made him "Director of Strategy". As chief strategist, his first strategy was to offend SAPP supporters and other Sabahans who have gotten fed up with "Big Brother" talk by West Malaysian parties.

As I recall, Karim's reason for leaving UMNO was because he said the Federal Government under PKR (Pakatan) would revive USNO, the party that he was responsible for putting an end to. Any USNO man today can vouch their regret for the dissolution of USNO in 1992.

Sabahan (Daily Express Sunday Forum)

Obedient Hubby Club

It is with great interest that I read the articles on the Obedient Wife Club and hereby would like to out my two cents worth of idea. I hope it get printed in your newspaper.

I am thinking of setting up an Obedient Husband Club. Following are the criteria for husbands in Malaysia who want to join this elite club. I am sure all the wives and femal in Malaysia will agree to the formation of the club.

Criteria for admission:

1. Must be able to do Washing (Clothes/Dishes)
2. Must be able to do General Cleaning.
3. Must be able to do Ironing.
4. Must be able to Cook.
5. Sex is not a must, but in the event required must be able to perform like a stud; although size does not matter but performance must be great and satisfying.
6. Last but not least, must be able to earn money to allow wife go shopping.

So to all you Husbands out there, if you can fulfil the above criteria, you are most welcome to join this elite club - The Obedient Husband Club.

Roland Ng (Daily Express Sunday Forum)

Wikileaks on Malaysia

Where the Malaysian Constitution and "Rukun Negara" tells us that there will be Freedom of Religion in Malaysia since the formation of Malaysia..and over the years, the Malaysians of all religions were subject to one rule....Umno rules and Malays cannot be of other religions other than Islam.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000020

SIPDIS

FROM THE AMBASSADOR FOR EAP A/S CAMPBELL, ACTING A/S

DONOVAN, DAS MARCIEL AND DRL PDAS GLAZE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2020

TAGS: MY, PGOV, PHUM, PREL

SUBJECT: WHAT IS GOING ON IN MALAYSIA?

REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 014 UPDATE ON THE ALLAH ISSUE
     B. KUALA LUMPUR 011 OVERNIGHT ATTACKS ON THREE CHURCHES
     C. KUALA LUMPUR 03 GOM APPEALS KUALA LUMPUR HIGH COURT RULING
     D. 09 KUALA LUMPUR 716 CANING PUNISHMENT POSTPONED

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES R. KEITH; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

1.  (C) Two fundamental issues arise in connection with the Malaysian authorities' handling of the "Allah" case in which a Malaysian court has ruled unconstitutional the Najib Administration's effort to ban the use of the word "Allah" by a Catholic newspaper, publishing in both English and Malaysian.

Freedom of Religion

2.  (C) Despite its extensive efforts to reassure expatriate and foreign audiences, the Malaysian Government has focused only on protection of property and persons, foregoing an opportunity to make a clear statement on the maintenance of freedom of religion in the country.

Rule of Law and the Independence of the Judiciary

3.  (C) The Najib Administration's intervention has not been solely to promote and protect order and social stability. The Government has underlined the tenuous nature of judicial independence in the country by intervening to arrange a stay of the judge's order that the Catholic publication was allowed to use the word "Allah" in its vernacular text.

Moreover, the Administration has arranged a series of public comments from figures of authority ranging from the King to the Sultan of Selangor conveying to Malaysian citizens the clear message that the authorities are opposed to the judge's decision and do not foresee a time when the Government would retreat from its ban of the use of the word "Allah" in Catholic or other Christian publications.

4.  (C) The Administration's unwillingness to stand clearly for freedom of religion and the forthright application of legitimate judicial power, even when it is less than palatable to UMNO, the ruling party, is of concern.  That is particularly the case given the imminent trial of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim set to begin on January 25.

There has long been conflict between the ruling party's commitment in principle to freedom of religion and toleration of diverse views in practice.  Christians and Hindus, especially, find it hard in some states at some times to build places of worship or keep them from being plowed under in the name of development.

Chinese Buddhist temples are less problematic for the established federal and state powers.  Jewish places of worship are strictly forbidden.  Similarly, the Malaysian authorities do not respect in practice the independence of the judiciary, at least not on a consistent basis in which an opponent to the ruling party can depend on justice being served.

5.  (C) There remains a debate in Malaysia as to whether the Prime Minister genuinely intends to enact significant political reform or, alternatively, whether he is merely giving lip service to reform objectives so as to coax as many conservative Malay voters as possible back into warm embrace of the ruling party after mass defections in the March, 2008 elections.

There is evidence that his Administration wishes to liberalize the economy and recognizes the concomitant requirement to achieve at least a minimal level of political reform.  He has spoken openly about the need to revise the New Economic Policy, which embodies affirmative action provisions for the majority Malays and is the target of opposition and popular criticism because it establishes the equivalent of second-class citizenship for the roughly one-third of Malaysia's population that is either ethnic Chinese or Indian.

Najib has similarly taken small steps to open up the economy and is on record suggesting the country must change or perish.

6.  (C) But his failure thus far to record much in the way of tangible results, beyond more forward-looking and liberal rhetoric, leads to popular suspicion.  The conventional wisdom among most non-ruling coalition Chinese and Indians, for example, seems to be that the ruling party has orchestrated the "Allah" issue so as to increase support among Malay voters by fomenting division between Muslims on one side and Christians or secularists on the other in the opposition coalition.

Few in the opposition credit the Government with a sincere commitment to freedom of religion or the rule of law.  They may go too far in their distrust of the Government's motives and they may give the Government too much credit in its purported ability to organize conspiracies, but the popular view is widely and deeply held among non-Malay, non-Muslims that the Government is antagonistic toward other religions and is engaged in a long-term effort to expand Islam's primacy in Malaysian society.

7.  (C) Najib's public relations efforts to downplay differences among the races and religions and promote the concepts of toleration and moderation notwithstanding, he appears to have hardened popular views since the advent of his Administration given the steps hardliners in the ruling party have forced on their fellow UMNO members.

The Kartika caning case and the cow-head incident (ref D), and a number of less prominent news events involving constraints on the practice of religious freedom have firmed up the views of those already in opposition.

It is difficult to say at this point how this latest controversy will affect the ongoing priority on the ruling party's part to woo back ethnic Malays before another general election must be held by 2013.  But it is clear that there are limits as to how far Najib will go to earn the characterization of Malaysia as a moderate voice in the Muslim world.

We should adjust expectations accordingly, and we will have to monitor closely the next likely test of Najib's political will, namely Anwar Ibrahim's January 25 trial.

KEITH

FREEDOM

Sex services to 'resume later'

FB accounts of students offering sex closed

The Facebook accounts allegedly belonging to secondary school students offering sex services had been closed after China Press reported about them in its front-page on Thursday.

The daily reported that the girls were afraid that the authorities might be able to track them down through the accounts.

The paper had earlier reported that some students used Facebook to earn money through sex.

One said she had listed her sex services on a website to earn money to buy an iPhone.

A 17-year-old student from Kepong, who had paid RM300 a month to advertise herself on a sex website, said due to the report she would temporarily stop the advertisement.

She said she would resume her “service” later.

The daily also found out that a netizen who claimed to be a 21-year-old girl from Malacca cheated potential customers after they banked in the money to her.

The girl asked for RM300 per session of sex and RM600 for an overnight rendezvous.

The girl closed down her account after she received the money from the daily's reporter who had posed as a customer.

China Press also reported that a Form Three student from Ampang, Selangor, skipped school several times to have sex with her Form Four boyfriend in a toilet at a mamak stall.

Her teacher, who was suspicious about her constant absence from school, hauled her in for questioning.

The girl decided to tell her teacher the truth after she was threatened by her boyfriend to pay RM150 or he would tell her family members and classmates about their sexual liaisons.

> Sin Chew Daily reported that Ella Chen, a member of Asia's top all-girl singing group S.H.E., denied that she would marry her Malaysian boyfriend Alvin Lai this year.

“I am very busy this year. I have no time to get married,” she said.

Previously, a magazine reported that Chen would marry in December or March next year.

KDM membership in Umno a moral surrender

Datuk John Ambrose, the Umno head for Penampang, has claimed that the Umno KDM task force has been in existence from the very beginning of Umno in Sabah, initially led by Tan Sri Kasitah Gadam and Datuk John Ghani, and yet the state Sabah BN Youth Treasurer, Bahrul Razha Chuprat does not recognize it, hence insisting that the movement be endorsed by the coming Umno general assembly, saying "We, the youth leaders, need to know whether this KDM task force has been given the blessing by party President Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak. And whether only a certain group of party leaders or all leaders can use it.” Wait, who is supposed to endorse this, the Umno assembly or the umno president? Already, there is confusion about the matter in the state BN.

Interestingly, John Ambrose, trying to justify his  membership in Umno, had implied that KDMs who are in Umno should no longer be seen as traitors to the KDM community.  And so now there is suddenly a new interest to revive the Umno Sabah KDM task force to garner more support from the KDM people. As a move in this direction Umno gave away a token gift of RM50,000 to poor students in nine schools in Papar last month, with the nice rationale from the task force's Treasurer Datuk Peter Anthony that “There is nothing wrong in wanting to help those in need” – yes, especially if you have an axe to grind (LOL)! But then, is this money for poor students taken from the government’s (the people’s) coffer, from the Umno bank account, or from the private sector? If it is from the government why is it not distributed by the Papar’s YBs under the state or federal budget, and why is this being doled out by Umno for Umno’s campaign purpose? Has Umno the right to use the people’s money for its own campaign? If it is from the private sector the Department of Inland Revenue should look into the account of this Santa Claus. I cannot help smelling a rat in the whole thing.

This sudden generousity by Umno through the KDM task force has raised several very important questions. Why this move to revive the task force suddenly after ruling Sabah for 17 years? Is Umno abandoning the BN spirit in Sabah, and now thinks that the KDM-based parties (PBS, Upko and PBRS) are no longer necessary for BN? Is Umno saying that these parties have failed to get the support of the KDMs for the BN, and now Umno is stepping in to get these KDMs to come into BN through Umno instead? Is Umno preparing to rule the state all by itself after getting the KDM support, and by that time it can say to PBS, Upko and PBRS that “Now, you can leave BN if you want!”? It looks like it. Umno has become so arrogant that it thinks it can rule the state all by itself soon, as indicated by its moves to ask for KDM and Chinese seats to be given to it in the next general election. Even Datuk Marcus Mojigoh had said, “Go ahead, take my seat!” and Tan Sri Joseph Kurup had threatened to reevaluate its position in BN if Umno insists on taking his sole and precious Pensiangan seat.

Does this mean Umno is trying to pinch away support from the KDM-based parties? But Umno itself had started whining recently accusing “other BN components” of pinching away its members! So is Umno saying it is alright for it to do this kind of thing to its fellow BN components but won’t stand for it if the other components do the same to Umno? There is a name for that kind of attitude – hypocrisy!

Another issue to the whole thing is the matter of morale for the KDM community. Let’s not forget what Umno does at every Umno general assembly. The number one emphasis is always for the future of the Malays – Malay this and Malay that – Malay future, Malay special rights, Malay privileges, Malay shares, Malay rulers, and of course, Malay superiority and supremacy. How does a KDM Umno member feel in the middle of those shouting and holding up of the kris during the general assemblies every year? Even just by watching the whole thing on TV, there is a whole lot of alienation and blatant discrimination against non-Malay members from Sabah in the whole tone of the assemblies. I can never forget the time Datuk John Ghani speaking with high spirit in one of the assemblies in his Kadazan costume because it was to incongruent and against the spirit of the KDMs. Datuk John, thankfully, has since withdrawn from the whole charade.

At one time Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek left the assembly hall saying, the whole thing did hurt his feelings. So far no KDM Umno leader had ever said anything about how they felt. I bet many are not happy, even ashamed of their own political struggle in Umno, but they are too cowardly to say it. Some may even try to psycho themselves into thinking that they are Malays. But we all know that the rationale of it all, even when using the “rumpun Melayu” rhetoric, KDMs are still KDMs, and Umno is still a Malay party from the Peninsular. Before independence there were no Malays in Sabah.

Let’s us not forget that Umno was established for the cause of the Malay history and struggle, with the unending shout of “Hidup Melayu!” and “Takkan Melayu hilang di dunia!” At one time many people suggested that Umno be change to United Malaysia National Organisation but it was rejected outright by those who believe that, do or die, Umno must remain as a Malay vehicle forever. It is only in Sabah that Umno has compromised on the terms of its membership by allowing non-Malays to become members (including Chinese!) all for political expedience. But the moment they step off the plane in Kuala Lumpur, they become anomalies among the Malays, and seen only as political instruments (or traitors) for the conquest of the stubborn Land Below the Wind.

We can see that now, because of our own weaknesses, we are splintered into so many political parties. Our own leaders who were too corrupt and easily swayed could not even unite us under own political umbrellas. The Huguan Siou has been a failure and is no longer fighting for our future. If only he had focused solely on uniting the KDM and not got himself embroiled in politics by leading another KDM party, our fate would have a lot different.

Is it too late for a revival of a true Huguan Siou leadership? Maybe, maybe not, but PBS is too much in a dilemma today to do what is right, which is to sever its ties with Umno/BN once again and start a new revolution. This is all despite the fact that it was Umno who robbed power from PBS and thereafter caused so many of our problems in Sabah. It implemented the infamous Projek IC and caused a drastic increased our population within a few years, and worse, it made Sabah the poorest state in Malaysia.

Whatever the KDMs’ excuse for being in Umno, we know very well that the arrangement will always lead to self-destruction for the community in the end. Many reason that “We need to move forward,” but joining Umno is a moral defeat and surrender for us. History has proven it, but we never seem to learn anything from the hard and painful lessons.

DANIEL JOHN JAMBUN