Bukit Tunggal: 11/01/2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Skandal NFC: Keluarga Sharizat Guna Dana Untuk Beli Mercedes

Kuching
Wednesday, 30th November 2011

Kalaulah Sharizat mempunyai "Kemaluan" (Meruah) sudah pasti dia meletak jawatannya serta merta....Remaung6Renjer

Menyamakan Dirinya dengan Dr Azizah.....Jauh Sekali. DSAI Didakwa Kerana Politic taertapi Kes NFC adalah Kerana Sharizat Politikus UMNO

Memandangkan Ketua Wanita UMNO langsung tidak menunjukkan tanda-tanda beliau insaf setelah KEADILAN membuat pelbagai pendedahan mengenai penyelewengan dana NFC, saya terpanggil untuk terus menyenaraikan perbelanjaan-perbelanjaan boros bersifat peribadi yang dibuat keluarga beliau:

1. Pada 9 Disember 2009, keluarga Shahrizat Jalil (gambar bawah) menggunakan wang dari pinjaman mudah RM250 juta untuk membeli sebuah kereta mewah Mercedes Benz CLS 350 CGI berharga RM534,622.

2. Dana sebanyak RM3,363,507 telah disalurkan melalui NMLC untuk membeli dua bidang tanah di Putrajaya iaitu PT1886 dan PT1887, Presint 10, Putrajaya. Kebarangkalian tanah-tanah ini dibeli untuk membuka ladang ternakan lembu di Putrajaya adalah tipis.

3. Semakan bayaran-bayaran yang dibuat melalui cek dari akaun 141640000066107 CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad di bawah nama NFC menunjukkan bayaran yang besar dan berulang kali dibuat kepada Impian Global Network Services (IGNS). Siasatan KEADILAN menunjukkan IGNS adalah sebuah syarikat pelancongan yang menawarkan pakej percutian di Phuket, Kuching, Banding, Singapura dan Bali (sila lawati laman http://impianglobalnetworkservices.blogspot.com/).

Antara bulan Januari hingga Julai 2010, 15 cek berjumlah RM455,423 dikeluarkan kepada IGNS. Ini menimbulkan tanda tanya bagaimanakah sebuah syarikat yang sepatutnya menguruskan ladang ternakan lembu menjadikan perbelanjaan pakej percutian sebagai perbelanjaan bulanan? Apakah ia telah disalahgunakan untuk membiayai percutian ahli keluarga menteri dan rakan-rakan mereka?

4. Pada 21 Julai 2010, NFC memindahkan sejumlah RM588,585 ke akaun milik Meatworks (Singapore) Pte Ltd milik keluarga menteri. Tindakan ini bertentangan dengan fungsi NFC tatkala Ketua Pemuda UMNO mendakwa bahawa NFC tidak mempunyai sebarang urusniaga dengan Singapura kerana daging mentah Malaysia tidak boleh dieksport ke Singapura. Jika itu keadaannya, kenapa sejumlah besar wang dipindahkan ke Singapura?

Shahrizat Jalil hanya ada dua pilihan - sama ada menjelaskan satu persatu perbelanjaan-perbelanjaan ini di Perhimpunan Agong UMNO dalam masa terdekat, atau terus mengheret UMNO dan Barisan Nasional ke dalam kancah skandal peribadi beliau.

KEADILAN akan mengaturkan beberapa siri laporan polis serentak di seluruh negara untuk mendesak pihak berkuasa segera menyiasat penyelewengan dalam pendedahan terbaru ini.

*Kenyataan media oleh Mohd Rafizi Ramli selaku Pengarah Strategi Keadilan.

Mupok Aku

Guan Eng Menyifatkan Perbuatan Muhyiddin dan Ahmad Maslan Memperalatkan Kaum Cina serta Agama Kristian Bagaikan Taktik Hitler

Kuching
Wednesday, 30th November 2011

Inilah sifat sebenar UMNO. Mereka sanggup menggadai toleransi kaum demi untuk menarik simpati kaum Melayu....Remaung6Renjer

Timbalan Presiden UMNO Muhyiddin Yassin dan Ketua Penerangan UMNO Ahmad Maslan sedang bermain dengan api dengan memangsakan kaum-kaum minoriti di Malaysia sebagai ancaman untuk menakutkan orang Melayu supaya kembali ke pangkuan UMNO. Kedua-dua pemimpin UMNO ini harus berhenti menggunakan kaum Cina dan penganut Kristian sebagai sasaran mudah untuk mencetuskan kebencian dan permusuhan terhadap rakyat Malaysia yang tidak bersalah.

Bagaimanakah seorang DPM dapat menjadi pemimpin sebuah negara sekiranya beliau mempunyai sifat perkauman yang tebal?

Mengikut laporan, Muhyiddin Yassin telah menggunakan isu perkauman untuk meniup semangat ahli-ahli UMNO untuk mempertahankan bangsa, budaya dan institusi negara daripada Pakatan Rakyat (PR), di samping memfitnahkan DAP sebagai anti-Islam dan anti-Melayu. DAP mencabar Muhyiddin untuk membuktikan dakwaannya bahawa agenda DAP adalah untuk membentukkan sebuah negara republik. Ini adalah hasutan dan penipuan semata-mata!

Adakah Muhyiddin dan UMNO sudah ketandusan idea sampai apa-apa skandal kerajaan yang dibongkarkan DAP akan dianggap sebagai serangan terhadap kaum Melayu? Bukankah wang awam yang terbabit dalam skandal-skandal kewangan itu kepunyaan orang Melayu juga? Adakah cukup dengan pendekatan Muhyiddin yang mengaku dirinya Melayu dahulu dan rakyat Malaysia kemudian, sampai prinsip-prinsip demokrasi, integriti, amanah dan ketelusan semuanya boleh diabaikan begitu sahaja?

DAP percaya bahawa majoriti rakyat Malaysia, sama ada Melayu atau bukan Melayu, akan menolak hujah yang mewajarkan penipuan dan skandal kewangan atas nama perkauman, seperti dalam skandal lembu dan kondo mewah seorang Menteri UMNO, ataupun pendedahan Laporan Ketua Audit Negara 2010 tentang terlebihan belanja oleh jabatan-jabatan kerajaan sebanyak RM3.7 bilion.

DAP tidak pernah mengambil pendirian anti-Melayu atau anti-Islam. Kenaikan berkali-kali ganda peruntukan untuk hal-ehwal agama Islam di Pulau Pinang serta penerusan peruntukan untuk sekolah-sekolah agama yang telah ditamatkan oleh UMNO menjadi bukti bahawa DAP menghormati Islam dan adil kepada semua. Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang tidak pernah mengusir walaupun sebuah rumah kampung Melayu. Satu-satunya rumah kampung Melayu yang pernah dirobohkan di Pulau Pinang telah diroboh oleh pemaju-kaitan-UMNO yang dipengerusikan seorang bekas ADUN UMNO.

Mungkin menjadi strategi politik yang berkesan bagi UMNO untuk mengambil pendirian anti-Cina, anti-India atau anti-Kristian, tetapi hanya parti yang ingin membunuh diri sahaja yang akan mengambil pendirian anti-Melayu atau anti-Islam. DAP tidak ingin membunuh diri tetapi komited ke arah perdamaian kebangsaan dan kerjasama antara semua.

Di manakah pendekatan sederhana yang dijanjikan konsep 1Malaysia Perdana Menteri, apabila Ketua Penerangan UMNO sendiri boleh mengugut Melayu dengan mengatakan bahawa mereka akan kehilangan hak kerana kononnya masyarakat Cina makin bertambah kuasa dari segi politik dan ekonomi, atau dengan mengatakan bahawa DAP tidak menghormati institusi raja kerana enggan menerima pingat atau darjah kebesaran yang membawa gelaran-gelaran seperti Datuk?

Pemimpin-pemimpin DAP tidak pernah mengejar gelaran-gelaran seperti Datuk, bukan macam pemimpin-pemimpin BN yang terhegeh-hegeh mengejarnya. Adakah ini bermakna kami tidak menghormati institusi Raja? Jika begitu, adakah mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Ghafar Baba juga seorang yang tidak menghormati institusi raja kerana allahyarham juga enggan menerima apa-apa gelaran semasa aktif berpolitik?

Tambahan pula, bagaimana masyarakat Cina boleh bertambah kuasa dari segi politik dan ekonomi apabila bilangan penjawat awam yang berbangsa Cina makin menurun? Di samping itu, masyarakat Cina sudah tidak lagi menguasai sektor-sektor ekonomi seperti perbankan, insuran, industri automobil, pembinaan, komunikasi dan pengangkutan.

Inilah pemimpin UMNO yang suatu hari kelak mungkin jadi pemimpin untuk rakyat Malaysia yang berbilang kaum?

Ahmad juga telah menyindir DAP sebagai "agen Kristian" kerana Ronnie Liu, Xavier, Elizabeth, Teresa Kok merupakan EXCO Kerajaan Negeri Selangor. Setelah disiasat berulang kali, pihak berkuasa sudah pun mengakui bahawa tidak ada berlaku sebarang penyebaran agama Kristian oleh DAP. Adakah seseorang itu tidak berlayak untuk menjadi ahli EXCO kerana beliau itu seorang penganut Kristian? Tambahan pula, Ronnie Liu bukan seorang penganut Kristian.

Tindakan Ahmad untuk mensasarkan kaum Cina dan penganut Kristian sebagai ancaman kepada orang Melayu adalah perbuatan yang tidak berbeza dengan taktik ketakutan yang digunakan oleh Hilter pada zaman Nazi di negara Jerman untuk mengekalkan kuasa mutlaknya sebagai diktator. Minoriti yang tidak bersalah di negara Jerman telah mengalami penderitaan di bawah pemerintahan Hitler. Adalah tidak berperikemanusiaan bagi UMNO untuk menggunakan penipuan dan fitnah yang serupa hanya untuk memenangi sokongan Melayu.

Iklim ketakutan, permusuhan dan kebencian yang digalakkan UMNO bukan sahaja bertentangan dengan 1Malaysia malah membinasakan perpaduan negara dan keharmonian kaum. Kita semua tahu kerosakan yang telah dibawa oleh Hitler kepada negara Jerman. Oleh itu, rakyat Malaysia hendaklah bersatu dalam pilihan raya umum yang akan datang untuk menghalang UMNO daripada melakukan kerosakan yang sama kepada negara Malaysia.

Mupok Aku

Monday, November 21, 2011

Malaysia Beat Indonesia In SEA Games Football Final By Penalty Kick

Kuching
Monday, 21st Nov 2011

Malaysia Champ!

In a very intense match tonight, Malaysia successfully defended the SEA Games Football Champion by defeating Indonesia by 5-4 in penalty kick.

Personally I would like to congratulate the Malaysian Team especially its goalkeeper who without his top performance Malaysia will not became the chanpion.

CONGRATULATIONS MALAYSIA

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Penyelewengan Satim dan Barisan Nasional Dibongkar MB Selangor

Kuching
Wednesday, 16th Nov 2011

Artikel di bawah dipetik daripada Wartawan Rasmi Laman Reformasi

Sebab Utama kenapa kadar Inflasi di Malaysia adalah tinggi adalah oleh kerana pemimpinnya yang korup!

Sesi penggulungan Belanjawan Selangor 2012 hari ini menjadi gempar berikutan pendedahan Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim berhubung pelbagai salah guna kuasa Barisan Nasional Selangor membabitkan kehilangan jutaan ringgit yang turut melibatkan Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Satim Diman.

Selain Satim, Abdul Khalid juga mendedahkan usaha pengambilan tanah oleh bekas menteri Besar Selangor, isteri Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani serta pemimpin politik setempat bagi mendapat beberapa lot tanah dikawasan elit.

Dalam sesi penggulungan itu, Khalid mendedahkan Ketua Pembangkang, Satim Diman telah membuat beberapa transaksi berhubung penjualan tanah di Science Park 2 semasa pentadbiran BN dulu.

Tanah tersebut merupakan tanah milik kerajaan negeri yang telah diberikan kepada Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Selangor (PKPS) untuk tujuan pembangunan pendidikan sains.

Menurut Khalid, pemberian tanah tersebut bagaimanapun dijual oleh Satim dengan harga murah kepada Nikmat Inai Sdn Bhd, di mana Satim adalah salah seorang pemegang saham dan Ahli Lembaga Pengarah.

"Belum selesai syarikat Satim membayar belian kepada PKPS, atas kuasa politik yang beliau pegang, tanah itu dijual kepada Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) dengan harga berlipat kali ganda.

"Inilah berjayanya Satim Diman menjadi orang tengah untuk mengaut untung atas angin atas dasar Bumiputera,"jelas Khalid.

Sidang DUN yang masuk hari kelima hari ini turut digemparkan dengan pendedahan Khalid berhubung tanah Revolusi Hijau di Alam Perdana yang melibatkan bekas Menteri Besar dan isteri Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani serta pemimpin politik setempat membolot beberapa lot tanah.

"Tanah ini telah menjual kepada Barisan Elit untuk taman penindustrian walaupun tanah itu masih berstatus pertanian.

"Meskipun Barisan Elit tidak boleh memulakan projek perindustrian, namun yang berkuasa adalah orang berkepentingan maka projek tersebut dijalankan sedangkan rakyat Selangor kerugian puluhan juta hasil bayaran premium," katanya.

Selain itu, ladang seluas 12,000 ekar di Sabah yang dikatakan dijual oleh PKPS pada 2006. Ladang ini djual RM8,000 seekar kepada syarikat Bumiputera.

Namun seperti juga kes Science Park 2, Khalid berkata, ladang ini dijual pula kepada Rimbunan Hijau, syarikat yang ada kaitan dengan parti komponen BN.

Mengulas lanjut salahlaku pembangkang ini, Khalid menjelaskan Kerajaan Negeri pada akhirnya berjaya memaksa Barisan Elit Sdn Bhd membayar RM29 juta untuk menukar syarat dari pertanian kepada perindustrian.

"Tiga contoh ini menunjukkan Umno-BN sentiasa menggunakan isu Bumiputera dan memperjuangkan hak Melayu namun mereka adalah dalang yang menghakis hak kepentingan rakyat Selangor,"kata Khalid lagi.

Beliau yang juga Adun Ijok berkata sejak Mac 2008, kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat telah mengamalkan reformasi dalam pentadbirannya yang amat mementingkan ketelusan, kecekapan dan pertanggungjawaban serta bersih dari amalan rasuah dan kronisma.

Kesan dari reformasi ini, kata Khalid telah memberi keuntungan yang berlipat kali ganda berbanding pentadbiran terdahulu, malah mampu mengembalikan hasil negeri untuk rakyat Selangor.

Lihatlah sama ada artikel ini ada disiarkan oleh suratkhabar milik UMNO terutamanya Utusan Malaysia ? Jawabnya, jangan mimpi!

Mupok Aku

Hanya Pemimpin Sabah Yang Bangkit Menentang PERKASA

Kuching
Wednesday, 16th Nov 2011

Orang macam ini tidak layak bermastautin di bumi berbilang kaum seperti Malaysia!

Di Dewan Rakyat Presiden PERKASA terkedu apabila soalan berkenaan desakan PERKASA mengharamkan guru beragama Kristian daripada mengajar di sekolah-sekolah kerajaan diajukan oleh pemimpin dari Sabah iaitu Bumburing yang juga timbalan presiden Pertubuhan Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Bersatu (Upko) . Tapi yang hairannya kenapa pemimpin-pemimpin beragama Kristian daripada Sarawak berdiam diri.

Melihat daripada sepanduk yang dikibarkan oleh ahli PERKASA yang menuntut agar guru-guru beragama Kristian tidak dibenarkan mengajar di sekolah kerajaan darah saya berderau kerana terlampau marah melihat tindakan eksterim pertubuhan pimpinan Ibrahim Ali ini. Kalau kerajaan tidak mengharamkan pertubuhan ini, saya percaya di dalam masa kurang dari 5 tahun, Malaysia akan hancur atau paling kurang akan jadi macam Afghanistan atau negara-negara Islam yang lain.

Saya tidak pernah membayangkan bahawa di Malaysia pertubuhan yang bertindak sehingga menyebabkan kemarahan rakyat Malaysia daripada Agama Kristiann tidak diharamkan oleh kerajaan. Kalau dibuat perbandingan di antara BERSIH 2.0 dan PERKASA pertubuhan yang manakah yang eksterim dan bersifat perkauman? Ya, saya bersetuju dengan pembaca yang lain, iaitu PERKASA. Tetapi yang peliknya kenapa BERSIH 2.0 yang diharamkan dan tidak PERKASA. Saya juga ingin ajukan persoalan yang sama kepada Keris Mudin menteri yang bertanggungjawab mengharamkan BERSIH 2.0.

Mengulas tentang isu cadangana pengharaman guru beragama Kristian ditempatkan di sekolah-sekolah kerajaan oleh PERKASA, Ibrahim Ali mengulas berikut :-

Saya presiden PERKASA. Kami tidak pernah membuat gesaan ini, seperti ditegaskan semasa ucapan dasar AGM baru-baru ini, kami berjuang untuk keharmonian kaum.

Seterusnya beliau cuba berdalih dengan berkata :-

"Saya percaya ini adalah satu soalan jahat dan tidak bertanggungjawab yang dibuat oleh mereka bagi mencipta pelbagai cerita dalam media baru. Ataupun ia telah dibuat oleh individu-individu tertentu sebagai pandangan peribadi mereka.

Tapi boleh ke kita percaya kepada Ibrahim Ali yang mempunyai peribadi yang penipu? Cuba lihat sendiri poster di bawah yang menunjukkan dengan jelas seruan PERKASA yang mengharamkan guru beragama Kristian daripada mengajar di sekolah-sekolah kerajaan :-

Ini berlaku di malaysiakah atau di Selatan Thailand atau Indonesia?

Suasana ini nampak asing berlaku di bumi Malaysia

Ah...Kenapa Keris Mudin tidak bertindak? Masih tidak jelaskah bahawa isu-isu sensitif sedang dibangkitkan?

Kita ingin mendengar pendirian pemimpin yang beragama Kristian terutamnya yang berasal dari Sarawak berkenaan dengan isu ini. Kita juga ingin tahu kenapa pemimpin-pemimpin ini masih berdiam diri? Di manakah semangat perjuangan "Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban" ? Adakah kedudukan lebih penting daripada membela bangsa sendiri daipada serangan pihak eksterim seperti PERKASA?

Mupok Aku

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Personal Encounter with Lim Guan Eng: Comparison Between BN CM and Pakatan Rakyat CM

Kuching
Tuesday, 15th November 2011

In the past we used to compared Datuk Nik Aziz house with the houses own by the BN leaders and we always found that BN leaders' own the houses beyond their financial capabilities. Today we are going to see how Lim Guan En Chif Minister, the Minister of Pulau Pinang aboard in an Economy Class and in the Airport qued with the rest of the passengers. Ask Taib Mahmud how he travelled to Australia for his colon treatment. This article is taken from Mrmanager.Blogspot.com

Lim Guan Eng: Good leaders that have humility are worth respecting...

As Ning and I were lining up to board our flight to Penang on Wednesday afternoon, I spotted a familiar face standing in front of us in the queue. So I whispered to Ning. Me: Look in front of us. It's Guan Eng.

Ning: Who?
Me: YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang.
Ning: No lah.
Me: Yes lah! I know how he looks lah. It's the CM lah.
Ning: Takkan CM jalan sorang sorang. If he's the CM, where's the bodyguards and the officers and the rombongan and kaum kerabat?
Me: Tak percaya? Watch and learn.
So I walked up to Yang Amat Berhormat, introduced myself and asked to take a picture. He smiled and obliged. YAB CM: Hey, I know you! You're Ning Baizura!
Ning: YAB Lim, good afternoon.
YAB CM: Come, come, we take a picture. Vernon, here's my card. Email me the pictures OK.
Me: Definitely, sir.

Ambik kau. CM pun peminat katanya!

Ning and I really felt honoured. But we felt more surprised that the Chief Minister of a state was travelling all by himself like any normal rakyat jelata. But the biggest surprise in store for us was yet to come.

As usual, we sat in First Class. I expected the CM to be seated somewhere in front of us but then I realised he wasn't in First Class. Where did he disappear to???

I popped my head round the curtain that veils First Class and Economy Class and guess who I saw sitting in the front row seat of Economy quietly reading the newspapers?

YAB Mr. Lim, you have my deepest respect. You have made history by being the first Chief Minister in this country to sit in Economy Class whilst in office as Chief Minister. You really mean what you say when you talk about cost-cutting. Sir, you have shown me leadership by example.

Ask Taib Mahmud How he travelled to Australia For His Colon Treatment?

Of course I asked permission to take his picture sitting in Economy and he laughed. And I said I'd blogged about it and he laughed some more, and gave permission. Ketua Menteri yang berjiwa rakyat.

Mupok Aku

Leaked cable Reveals Ex-EC chief issued 60,000 Fake ICs In Sabah

Kuching
Tuesday, 15th November 2011

People of Sabah especially the Kadazan/Dusun should ban these two traitors from entering their state if revelation by US Embassy is true.....www.Bukittunggal.Com

A leaked US Embassy cable carries an explosive charge against former Election Commission (EC) chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahim - that he admitted to issuing more than 60,000 fake Malaysian identity cards to foreign workers in Sabah in the 1990s - on Umno's orders.

The cable, posted on Wikileaks, quotes former Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) chief Malek Husin as claiming that Rashid confessed this to him during a private meeting at Rashid's house on Oct 25, 2006.

In the cable marked confidential, Malek is said to have told US Embassy officials that Rashid (left) also confirmed Umno's launch of a "shadowy" campaign in the 1990s to wrest political control of Sabah - held until 1994 by the then opposition front PBS.

"During that decade, Umno granted citizenship and Malaysian identity cards to over 600,000 foreign migrant workers (predominantly Muslims from Indonesia and Mindanao in the Philippines) in Sabah, in exchange for their votes in state assembly elections.

"According to Husin, Rashid 'admitted to personally issuing over 60,000 fraudulent Malaysian ICs in Sabah', to help Umno assume political control there," the cable says.

Instant citizenship and voting rights for illegal immigrants have long been an issue in Sabah, with local leaders in and outside the BN coalition having repeatedly demanded a solution from the federal government.

However, nothing has come out of their demands.

It is claimed that the situation became acute in the 1990s, with the blame placed on the then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly launching what is now called 'Projek IC' - a clandestine operation said to involve the National Registration Department, related government agencies and their agents - to artificially boosting votes in favour of Umno and the BN.

In the 1994 state election, PBS - which held Sabah as an independent opposition front since 1985 - saw its majority hold of the state assembly reduced to a razor-thin margin over the BN.

Although PBS was eventually toppled with a string of defections to the BN by party stalwarts, many blamed the contentious 'Projek IC' for playing a major role in the success of BN's hostile takeover of the Sabah.

Wan Ahmad is 'anti-reform'

The cable, created on March 16, 2007, also includes Malek's claim that Rashid had also described EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar as "an Umno member who is anti-reform".

Malek is said to have told US Embassy officials that Rashid had intended to stay on as EC chief until "the number two is gone", with the aim of easing in the then EC secretary, Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor, as his successor.

In a separate meeting with Kamaruzaman, the cable quoted him as telling US Embassy officials that the EC was not in a position to push for reforms, as each and every proposal must go through the Prime Minister's Office for approval.

Kamaruzaman is also reported to have said that the EC had no power to investigate election day abuses, with it having to refer allegations of fraud or election tampering to either the police or the Anti-Corruption Agency, the predecessor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Battle for polls reform 'very steep'

Based on meetings among US Embassy officials and the EC, Mafrel, Bersih and several academicians, the cable summarised that electoral reforms in Malaysia faced a "very steep uphill battle" as it moved towards the March 2008 general election - which ironically proved to be a watershed outing for opposition parties, which were able to deny the BN a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

The cable described the "Umno-led BN governing coalition" as keeping a tight rein over all important levers of power, including the EC, leaving little wiggle room for any efforts to open up the country's elections to greater transparency and fairness.

It pointed out that despite concerted efforts by Mafrel and Bersih to push for grassroots engagement in their bid for a revamp of an electoral system heavily tilted in BN's favour, "their best efforts will almost certainly not produce meaningful reforms", at least in the medium term.

"Umno, in power since independence, faces no effective public, opposition party or internal pressure to reduce its overwhelming powers of incumbency," the cable states.

Mupok Aku

Shafie Apdal ‘Caught’ With ‘Overpriced’ Projects

Kuching
Tuesday, 15th November 2011

Projects awarded in Sabah by Umno vice-president and federal minister Shafie Apdal cost '15 times higher' than their actual quote.

The opposition in Sabah armed with “evidence” is gunning for Rural and Regional Development Minister Shafie Apdal following shocking disclosures of irregularities in rural development projects awarded through his ministry in Sabah.

Some 209 development projects have been identified for Sabah between 2011 and 2012 and the bulk of these projects involved the rural water and power supply projects covering various parts of Sabah, from Pulau Banggi to Sipitang.

Of the 209 rural development projects awarded, only 129 projects had been announced and of this, 49 totalling RM1,276.60 million were “ridiculously overpriced”.

Revealing the massive overpriced payouts, Kota Kinabalu MP Dr Hiew King Cheu said some projects were awarded at 15 times or 1,500% higher than the normal price.

He demanded that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) step in immediately and investigate these claims.

He said most of these projects are either invited tenders, negotiated tenders, or directly awarded.

“None of these projects was properly done through the Tender Board.

“Most of the companies awarded the projects are RM2 companies and some of the contractors involved are found to be closely linked to certain senior BN-Umno politicians from Sabah,” Hiew told a news conference here yesterday.

Evidence in hand

Hiew said that a careful study of the detailed tender documents provided by an insider had indicated that the lowest tender bid did not get the job.
In most cases, someone with a higher tender price of almost 1,500% than the lowest bidder gets the job.
He cited the “rural power supply project for the connection of power grid No.1” (for 2011–2012) which was awarded at a price of RM41,736,809.77.
The lowest tender price, he added, was only RM7,775,000.00 – a difference of RM33,961,809.77.
He also cited the case of the “hybrid solar power system” for the Semporna islands.
He said the project was awarded at a tender price of RM95,282,322.00, which many deemed to be too high.
“With that amount of money, I can always get someone to build a power station,” Hiew said.
He added that a similar project was also awarded to another company for a whopping sum of RM81,475,281.42 to supply power to Pulau Banggi, off Kudat.
Hiew also drew attention to the infamous Pualau Gaya, which he said was in dire need of clean water supply.
“They need clean water more than electricity. In fact, they already have a power station there.
“But they’ve awarded a contract for the installation of a 4-km-long undersea power cable to generate power supply for Pulau Gaya at the cost of RM42 million.
“A random survey conducted with several qualified local contractors revealed that this can be done at just RM5 million,” he said, adding that the government would need another RM100 milion if a water supply project was to be implemented.

Silent Shafie

To substantiate his claims, Hiew also distributed copies of the detailed tender documents containing the list of projects and names of contractors to reporters.
He said that he received copies of the documents of the Sabah projects from Beruas MP (Perak) Ngeh Koo Han.
Hiew noted that Ngeh had questioned Shafie about the contracts, during the Budget 2012 debate session in the Parliament last week, but the minister refused to answer him.
Describing the irregularities as blatant corruption by those in power, Hiew urged the MACC to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
“We call on the MACC to immediately conduct a thorough investigation as we cannot tolerate the manner the taxpayers’ money was being misused.
“We strongly believe there is a strong element of corrupt practice and abuse of power,” he said.
MACC will investigate
In a later development, the MACC said it was ready to probe into alleged irregularities with regards to rural development projects in Sabah.
MACC chief Abu Kassim Mohamed asserted it was MACC’s duty to investigate all corruption cases regardless of “who they were, without fear or favour”.
“It is our policy to investigate corruption when there is a complaint,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MACC and government-linked company (GLC) Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), at Wisma SESB, near here today.
Abu Kassim was commenting on Hiew’s expose of alleged irregularities in rural Sabah projects.
Questioned as to whether Sabah DAP had lodged an official complaint with MACC, Abu Kassim said the state MACC only had the media report to go on so far.
He said it was not an easy task to fight corruption, saying “last year alone, out of 944 cases reported throughout the country, 424 cases involved the offering or giving of bribes.”
“So far this year, we have already recorded 357 similar cases,” he added.

Mupok Aku

Monday, November 7, 2011

Miss Venezula, Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares Crowned Miss World 2011.

Kuching
Monday, 7th November 2011

A woman who spent five years living in a nunnery and once dreamed of becoming a nun has been crowned Miss World 2011.

Miss Venezuela, Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares, beat contestants from 113 countries to the coveted title after impressing the judges in the categories of beach beauty, top model, talent, sports, and beauty with a purpose - where the contestants must demonstrate involvement in a charity project.
Ms Sarcos Colmenares, 21, one of 13 siblings, was orphaned at eight and spent five years studying at a nunnery. She dreamed of becoming a nun but her life took a different direction, as she gained a degree in human resources and worked for a broadcasting company before becoming a beauty queen.

She was the favourite for the Miss World title going into the final at Earls Court, London, yesterday evening but reacted with delight and disbelief when she was announced as the winner of the famous beauty pageant. Now she said she wants to use her title to help other people.

She said: 'Winning means everything to me and I hope to take advantage of being a winner in a productive manner. I’m unbelievably happy to have won and there are some incredible girls. I first and foremost want to help people in need. I would like to help people like me. I am an orphan. I would also like to help the elderly and troubled teenagers. As many people as I can.

'Unfortunately I lost both my parents at a very young age which led me to study for five years in a nunnery. I spent my five years in there and my dream was to become a nun.'

Over a billion viewers from around the world tuned into see her crowned the winner, with runner up prizes going to Miss Philippines and Miss Puerto Rico. Fans who were unable to follow the final on television were kept up-to-date on the internet via live streaming and Facebook updates and tweets.
Representing the UK, Miss England, Alize Mounter, and Miss Scotland, Jennifer Reogh, both made it into the top seven. But Miss Wales, Sara Manchipp, and Miss Northern Ireland, Finola Guinnane, did not make it to the semi-final.

This was the 60th year of the beauty pageant and to celebrate its diamond anniversary, it returned to the city where it all began. The first was held in London in 1951 during the Festival of Britain on the South Bank of the River Thames.

But throughout its 60 year history, the beauty competition has attracted critics as well as fans.
This year was no different and campaign groups, including London Feminist Network, Object and UK Feminista, voiced their opposition to the 'sexist contest'.

A statement on the London Feminist Network website rallied women to join a protest they held at Earls Court while the competition was taking place.

A statement on their website said: 'Let the organisers and all those profiting from the event know that we are all angry that such an event is once again being held here in London.

'Bring placards, banners and raise your voice against this appalling offence against women's equality. Let them know loud and clear that this event has no place in London in 2011.'

But Miss England director Angie Beasley disagreed with their sentiments and said the contest 'had changed with the times' because it was no longer just about looking good in swimwear.

She said: 'There is a talent, sports and Beauty With A Purpose round, which is the fundraising round, in the contest and the girls love taking part.

'Yes they have to look great to win but it's so much more than a beauty contest. These people should give it a chance instead of thinking it's just a bikini parade.

I'm all for women standing up for what they believe in which is why I run Miss England but I'm fed up of these protesters trying to bully us and push us around.

'We live in a free society where women have the right to choose. The contestants in Miss World are quite capable of making up their own minds if they want to enter or not and protesters shouldn't keep criticising the same decision. If you don't like it, don't watch it.'

The message that the competition is now about brains as well as beauty was shown by figures that revealed out of this year's contestants, more than half are studying for a degree, one in four are graduates and more than half speak at least three languages.

The contest was also revealed to have the support of Nelson Mandela. He sent a message which was read out during the final sending his greetings to all the contestants and congratulating them on their efforts for charities.

TV presenter Bruce Forsyth also took to the stage with his wife, Wilnelia Merced, who was crowned Miss World in 1975, while dance group Diversity and boyband Blue performed for the worldwide audience.
In her new role, Miss Venezuela will now spend the year visiting and supporting a range of global charity projects supported by Miss World's Beauty With A Purpose programme.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Forbes List of America's Most Surprising Six-Figure Jobs

Kuching
Sunday, 6th November 2011

We often associate hefty salaries with corner offices, scalpels and law degrees – but it turns out you can pull in a pretty penny working outside the financial, medical or legal fields. In fact, writers, elevator installers and ship captains are just a few of the professionals who surprisingly can score six-figure paychecks.

Forbes combed through data gathered annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a division of the Labor Department, to find the 15 most surprising six-figure jobs. The BLS culls its information from surveys it mails to businesses, and it releases its Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Data each May. The report shares information about hundreds of occupations, including hourly and annual wages, total numbers of workers in the profession, and the states and metro areas that pay the best. To make the cut for our list, at least 10% of employees in the profession had to earn more than $100,000 a year.

Human resources managers are the only ones on the list where most, not just some, earn six figures. These professionals, who are responsible for everything from interviewing candidates to handling personnel and implementing strategies and policies, earn a stellar average annual salary of $108,600. According to the BLS’ Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Data for 2010, the top 10% of H.R. managers earn more than $166,400 a year. The best-paying state for these professionals is New Jersey, where they pull in an average annual salary of $134,170.

An art director’s income isn’t too shabby, either. The mean annual wage for those talented professionals is $94,100. The top 10% make $163,430—almost four times the national average for all occupations, which is just $44,410. The top-paying state for art directors: New York. Those in the Big Apple earn a hefty $128,080 a year.

Some other surprising six-figure jobs, especially from the perspective of the fragile media industry, include broadcast news analysts, authors, and technical writers. Workers in the top-earning 10% of each of these professions earn more than $100,000, according to the BLS data. For broadcast news analysts, it’s $146,230; for writers and authors, $109,440; and for technical writers, $100,910.

Gaming managers, the people who supervise gambling operations, also make the cut, earning a handsome annual income of $73,940. Workers in the top 10% of that profession really hit the jackpot. These high rollers rake in $116,070 a year.

Pennsylvania pays its gaming managers better than any other state ($91,850 a year, on average), but it’s only got about 50 of them. In total, 3,230 Americans hold the job nationwide.

Water vessel captains, mates and pilots also make a boatload more than one might think. The top 10% earn an ample $117,310 a year, but on average they make $70,500. Boat captains in Tennessee earn $89,700, making it the best paying state.

The list doesn’t end there. There are plenty more surprising six-figure jobs that don’t require a necktie or lab coat. Astronomers, film editors and farm product buyers are some others we’ve singled out. Please see below for a complete list of the 15 most surprising six-figure jobs.

1. Human Resources Managers