15 November 2009

PKR Penampang yang diketuai Pemangku Ketua Cabang Dr Roland Chia & rombongan AJK Cabang Penampang P174 telah melawat masyarakat miskin yang dipinggirkan oleh BN di Kg. Putaton Inobong & Kg Kimbangbangan, Penampang.

Antara isu yang dibangkitkan ialah, masyarakat kampung masih bergantung kepada penanaman padi & ubi kayu. Hasil daripada penanaman itu dijual di tamu yang berhampiran. Kadang kala, hasil penanaman hanya jumlah RM500.00 sebulan tidak mencukupi untuk peruntukan sekeluarga.



PKR Penampang juga menyumbangkan sebuah mesin putung rumput kepada Kumpulan STM, justeru mengalakkan mereka mengguna mesin tersebut untuk mencari pendapatan tambahan.



Turut dalam anggota ialah : Sdr Ronny Ahanggai - Ketua AMK Penampang, Sdr Vincent Hee, Sdr Ricky Hee , Sdr Patrick Chia, Sdr Henry Liew, Sdr Donny, Sdr Brett Chua , Sdr Stanlinius & Sdr Bandu.

Would the Billions of Ringgit Malaysia benefit the rakyat of Sabah? Sabah State Budget 2010

PRESS STATEMENT WRT TO SABAH STATE BUDGET 2010.

PKR Sabah Treasurer Dr Roland Chia Ming Shen questioned the state government’s announcement of a higher state development fund for next year to the tune of estimated at RM1.109 billion, up RM69.35 million (6.67 per cent) as compared to this year, of the total, RM541.55 million is for project continuation while RM568.28 million has been allocated for new projects.

This is a very impressive figure but where have all the past billion-ringgit development funds for Sabah gone to over the last few years, and will the huge budget and massive develoment funds announced by the state government OF past funds translated into projects on the ground to directly benefit the people? In terms of poverty eradication, the poverty rate still stands at 20% i.e One in Five of Sabahan is living below poverty line , how Is the state government going to solve this problem. Many of our rural folks even as near as Kg. Terian, Penampang confessed that they cannot even earn RM50.00 per month. This is a serious problem especially the State Government aimed to be a developed state by 2015.

The BN led Sabah government should not talk about development in Sabah until he can resolve once and for all the basic infrastructure problems like regular and efficient power and water supply which is the cry of the people everywhere in Sabah especially in East Coast. I was in Lahad Datu last week, and the local traders told me , everyday there is power shutdown of 4hours daily. The water supply is always disrupted with nearly every households has a water pump equipped. This does not augur well with the so called future Rotterdam of the East as claimed by one of the state cabinet minister. These sentiments were similarly echoed by the rakyat in Sandakan and also Tawau. Every shop OWNER has to spend thousands of hard earned money to purchase equipments, to be equipped with generators. This definitely does not augur well with slogan Rakyat Diutamakan, Pencapaian Didahulukan. The development funds should be used instead to link the power supply from Bakun Dam to the various stations in Sabah without building the propose coal plant in FELDA.

PKR Sabah welcomed the special payment RM500 for all state civil service up to Grade 54, we appreciate their dedication and hard work, however we urge that the long standing issues like buyers having to wait ridiculously 20 years for strata titles, late delivery of rural projects for the hard core poor and effective delivery system of the various local councils will be given due urgent resolution.

PKR Sabah is sad that Rubber Smallholders were being sidelined again in the state budget 2010. If the state government can subsidize small palm oil holders RM50.00 per tonne last year, then why can’t the state government failed to come up with a mechanism in determining the price of raw rubber in Sabah, The raw rubber in Sabah as the pricing made by the Sabah Rubber Industrial Board (SRIB) is inconsistent. For instance, the price of sheet rubber should follow the price of SMR5 and SMR20 for crumbs. The price difference of rubber sheet and SMR5 is between RM2.50 and RM5.00 per kilo. Today the difference is RM3.50 per kilo and this indicates a lack of pricing mechanism by the SRIB. As such, small holders in Sabah has been losing out due to lack of a proper price fixing mechanism.

PUZZLED OVER KAIDUAN DAM

Wednesday, 04 November 2009 09:15

PKR Sabah Treasurer, Dr Roland Chia is puzzled by the recent revelation that all state and parliamentary elected representatives of Penampang are unaware of the ongoing propose Kaiduan Dam in Penampang.

They categorically denied and to register their ignorance of this controversial issue in public. It proves that either elected YBs concern and their subordinates failed to go to the ground and listen to the cry and plea of the rakyat or just playing dumb.

This does not augur well with PM Najib’s 1Malaysia Slogan, Rakyat Didahulukan Pencapaian Diutamakan. There seemed to be confusion among the BN elected representatives with regards to issues pertaining to development in Sabah in this case the Kaiduan Dam. Somehow and somewhere there is a communication breakdown among BN component parties in administering the state.

To make matters worse, none of the BN elected representatives were present in the 17 October 2009 to have the dialogue with the villagers in Kg. Tempayasah despite being invited to do so. PKR Sabah was the only political party who were there with the people to fight for their rights.

“We travelled one-way up to 4 hours due to bad road conditions. I believe if it is not the political pressure applied by us, the elected representatives and the BN government would just sweep this issue under the carpet and force the villagers concern to surrender their ancestral land and to be rendered homeless,” say Roland.

Instead they were asked to come to the district office to attend the meeting on the 30 October 2009, one villager Louya Limpat, aged 70 lady reported that, it will cost them at least RM60 for a return trip from Kg. Buayan to Donggongon town, this is added financial hardship for those who had to travel to Donggongon for the meeting on the 30 October 2009. These villagers do not have much source of income to start of with and relied heavily on their cash crops to make ends meet.

The report by SMHB Sdn Bhd stating 386 families from 4 villagers that will be affected by the dam construction is a good enough reason to relocate the dam site. Instead , SMHB Sdn Bhd was downplaying the numbers of villagers affected by the dam, this is another blatant arrogance for ignoring the plea of the people.

Whether it is 1000 villagers or 50 villagers, 11 villages or 4 villagers , there are still the rakyat whose rights are being taken away. Don’t they know that 386 families may translate to more than 1000 villagers if one family constitute 5 members per family?

PKR Sabah urged the relevant authorities concern to just stop the Kaiduan Dam and relocate to areas that will not affect the livelihood of the villagers. Dr Roland Chia led an entourage of Penampang PKR Leaders namely Joe Bosuin, Ronny Ahanggai, Ricky Hee, Felix Hee, Felix , Henry & Chua Man Kui. Present to receive us was Nousi Giun- Chairman of action committee.

Sabah PKR suspects both Federal Minister and Moyog YB are playing dumb

Published on: Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: Both Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah have questioned the sincerity of Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok's claim that he had no knowledge of the proposed RM2.8 billion Kaiduan Dam mega project.

They said it was unbelievable that the grassroots were more aware of what was going on in their areas instead of the Upko elected representatives there.

SAPP Youth Chief, Edward Dagul, said in a statement that this was both distressing and unbelievable, pointing out it was impossible for both the Panampang MP and the Moyog Assemblyman (Donald Mojuntin) to be completely in the dark over a project of such magnitude.

"Are we to understand that the affected villagers knew this much earlier than their wakil rakyat (elected representative)?

"As reported, the villagers brought this issue to the attention of the media.

It was only when the villagers organised a demonstration that we heard of an appearance by the wakil rakyat.

"It is ironic that when it is for the YBs to speak for the people, in this particular case, the villagers speak for the YBs," he noted. Dompok, who is also Upko President, had said elected representatives in the district were never informed of the project.

Towards this end, Edward was perplexed how Upko could remain a force in the Federal Government despite the latter neglecting concerns and proposals raised by the party.

"Is this not a contradiction in stand? How can a senior politician heap praise on the Government which refuses to consult him as a Member of Parliament on the Kaiduan Dam?," he asked.

"We hope the Minister will not repeat the Kimanis Oil and Gas project cry-baby issue. Dompok was concerned and vocal on the issue but became pacified, content with the explanations given, much to the public's disbelief."

Meanwhile, Sabah PKR also said it was puzzled with the revelation that all elected representatives in Penampang constituency were unaware of the proposed dam and Water Treatment Plant.

Its Treasurer Dr Roland Chia said this proves either the elected representatives failed to go to the ground and listen to the people or were just playing dumb.

"They categorically denied knowing about the mega project and registered their ignorance of this controversial issue in public.

"This certainly does not augur well with the Prime Minister's 1Malaysia slogan that People Comes First and Performance Now," he said in a statement.

He said there seemed to be confusion among the BN elected representatives with regards to issues pertaining to development in Sabah, in this case the Kaiduan Dam.

Somehow and somewhere, there is a communication breakdown among the BN component parties in the administration of the state.

To make matters worse, he said none of the BN elected representatives were present during a dialogue with the villagers at Kampung Timpayasah despite being invited to do so.

Dr Roland said PKR Sabah was the only party that turned up, as "we believe in being there for the people to fight for their rights".

He said they travelled four hours due to bad road conditions to reach Timpayasah. "I believe if not the political pressure applied by us, the elected representatives and the BN Government would just sweep this issue under the carpet and force the villagers concerned to surrender their ancestral land and to be rendered homeless."

He said it was also very unfortunate the villagers were asked to come to the District Office to attend the meeting on Oct. 30. One villager, Louya Limpat, a 70-year-old lady told him it cost them at least RM60 for a return trip from Kampung Buayan to Donggongon town.

"This surely added to the financial hardship of those who had to travel to Donggongon for the meeting on Oct. 30," he said. Most of the villagers do not have much source of income and relied heavily on their cash crops to make ends meet.

He said the report by consultant engineering company, SMHB Sdn Bhd, that only 386 families from four villagers would be affected by the dam construction was also probably not true.

He believed SMHB had downplayed the numbers. "Whether it is 1,000 villagers or 50 villagers, 11 villages or four villagers, they are still human beings whose rights are being taken away," he said.

He said that 386 families translate to more than 1, 000 villagers if one family constitute five members per family.

In this respect, PKR Sabah wants the relevant authorities to relocate Kaiduan Dam to an area that would not affect the livelihood of the villagers.

Penampang leader namely Joe Bosuin, Ronny Ahanggai, Ricky Hee, Felix Hee, Felix, Henry and Chua Man Kui accompanied Dr Roland Chia during the trip to Timpayasah.

Launching of book : “Anwar on Trial : In the Face of Injustice”

PKR Penampang leaders and members came in full force to support the event, since it was held in Lembah Impian- within the Parliamentary area of P174 Penampang. Leading the cabang was – Dr Roland Chia, Ronny Ahanggai, Brett Chua, Rickey Hee, Vincent Hee, Felix, Patrick Chia, Ng Fook Loi , Mickey Jingki, Smith Kodot, Francis Moyou Lee and many others.

This occasion is part of PKR SABAH with the collaboration of Publisher Gerak Budaya Enterprise & PKR National Headquarters today successfully launched the book entitled “Anwar On Trial : In the face of Injustice” authored by Pawancheek Marican. On hand to launch the book was former health minister Dato Chua Jui Meng who is also currently the PKR National Supreme Council. The occasion was held on 23 Oct 2009 in a leading resort hotel.

The occasion was followed by a discussion by a two panelists – PKR Supreme Council –Tuan Hj Ansari & PKR Sabah Legal Bureau – Datuk Chau Chin Tang. On hand to moderate the discussion was Sdr Azmi Obama.

PKR Sabah was represented by Datuk Dr Amir Hamzah (Deputy Chief), Datuk John Ghani (Deputy Chief), Ahmad Thamrin Jaini (Secretary), Dr. Roland Chia (Treasurer), Jonathan Yassin (Information Chief) & Ronnie Klassen(Director of Communication) and many divisional chiefs of PKR Sabah.

Below is the launching speech by Dato Chua Jui Meng

To understand why there was injustice towards Anwar in 1998 and 1999 and indeed why the judiciary is perceived negatively today, one must go back to 1988 .This was a tumultous time, UMNO's A&B teams' fight,UMNO declared illegal by the Courts.UMNO retaliated,tribunals were set up to try the judges,the Lord President Tun Salleh Abas was unceremoniously removed and after him other courageous Juges of the Supreme Court such as Tan Sri Datuk Wan Suleiman Pawan Teh and Datuk George Seah. It was a dreadful time of which Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj had this to say “ But nothing that happened in all those years from 1955 to 1970 when I headed the Government, or in the years of Tun Abdul Razak who succeeded me and later in the years of tun Hussein Onn,nothing occured in those years that so sullied the fair name of this country so completely as this sordid affair:it struck such a terrible blow, not only to the independence of the Malaysian Judiciary_-and ruined the careers of at least three honourable men-but to national pride itself.

Our judges are the guardians of the Constitution and thus our democratic system of Goverment.When they lose their independence our precious freedoms are at once threatened. and our judges were indeed deprived of their independence in the year 1988.We are therefore in great danger today". Those were prescient words and decribes our situation today 20 years down the road.

The death blow to a proud and highly esteemed Judiciary came in the same year. The Executive,the Govt introduced a Constitutional amendment bill which was dutifully passed by Parliment. Article 121 was amended by removing the very foundations of an independent Judiciary provided by Art 121:“ the Judicial authority of Malaysia is vested in the 2 High Courts of Malaya and Borneo" were deleted. Thereafter the Judiciary was subordinated by fact and law to the Executive.

It was in this environment that Anwar was tried before the High Court twice in 1998 and again in 1999.The full power of the Police,the Attorney General and the Judiciary was thrown against him.He was charged in the first trial before J. Augustine Paul for a corrupt practice not under the Prevention of Corruption Act but under an Emergency Law not for money but for allegedly giving instructions to the Special Branch to investigate parties that had made scurrilous accusations against him,which in itself brings to nought all subsequent rumours and accusations that Anwar was corrupt to the tune of billions. If he was, the Executive would not have hesitated in throwing the Anti Corruption Act at him. This trial was comprehensively and soberly presented in this book I am about to launch here in Sabah. We are indebted to its author Pawancheek Marican one of the lawyers in Anwar's trial team for bringing once again to the public domain the infamous trials against Anwar.As we read the book we are revulsed by the clear bias of the judge as though he was so eager to please his political masters. Anwar was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment, the sentence commencing from the date of conviction and not from the date of his remand into custody some 6 months before. The last word on the conduct of this trial must be the words of the victimised Anwar after conviction.“ I have been dealt with a judgment that stinks to high heaven.This is an absolute disgrace.An interpretation of corruption which is ludicrous,nauseating, in fact,when one considers how in Malaysia billions of Ringgit of the people's money are being squandered by its leaders to save their children and cronies.They have made greed and unethical behaviour their private domain,rendering themselves above the law.

This trial has been political persecution hiding behind the cloak of the law. Love Malaysia.And if we do love Malaysia then the fight against injustice,to establish justice and freedom must be invigorated."

The second trial covered by this book is the charge of sodomy against Anwar where he suffered injustice once again, being convicted and sentenced to a further 9 years imprisonment making a total of 15 years. The intent was clear. The Government under UMNO would broach no opposition to their interests.Anwar was finally given justice after Dato Sri Dr Mahathir stepped down from the premiership when the Federal Court finding courage again,upon Anwar's appeal acquitted him in 2004 remarking that the trial judge should not have called him to enter his defence, In short there was no case for him to answer.Yet the Executive has not relented in their desperate attempts to incarcerate him by bringing yet another charge of sodomy against him this year.The peopledid not believe in the sodomy charge in 1999,neither are they believing in it 10 years later!!. Despite the Federal Court's acquittal of Anwar, the damage to him had already been done. Anwar had already been stripped of his high position in the Executive,humiliated, brutalised by the police and by none other then the then IGP after he was blindfolded and handcuffed at the back, and after serving 6 years in prison under solitary confinement.The attack by the then IGP if it had not been restrained by other police officers might have taken Anwar's life.

God has preserved him, I believe.,for a purpose - to be a mighty general in the war against corruption and the Executive's abuses of power,and to restore the Rule of Law and the Independence of the Judiciary. A lesser man after such persecution and deprivation would have given up the struggle,but not for Anwar.He has been tested by fire and has come out as pure gold. For him as much as it is for me, the people and their welfare must come first.Sabah and Sarawak saved the BN Govt at the last General Elections.It is Pakatan Rakyat's fervent prayer that in the next General Elections, Sabahans and Sarawakians will stand together with us, your compatriates in the Peninsular to bring change to this nation that we love.When the dark night is ending, surely must come the light of dawn.

God bless Malaysia!