Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Perak vs Sabah, any difference?

Guong

Perak is now BN again.

The drama was so intense, it cause a huge traffic flow in 2 of Malaysia most popular (and also most reliable and unbias) news portal. Malaysiakini and MalaysianInsider. Everyone wants to know how this political drama will unfold. Well, the result is already there but will it stay as it is? It's all in the Sultan of Perak deccision now.

This drama reminds me of how Sabah was wrestle back from PBS (by BN) back in 1995. The drama in Perak was somewhat similar in many ways. But the difference it makes is huge.

-When Sabah was still an opposition, we were alone, ok, there was PAS in Kelantan but still, we were alone.
-When Perak was an opposition, they were not alone. 5 states have choose the opposition and dump BN.
-When Sabah defect (or should I say betray the people), it didn't made any impact to our nation political scene. BN was already strong to begin with. So, Sabah turning to BN state were merely seen as 'tambah koleksi' by Malaysian as a whole.
-Perak? It will cause quite an impact since they were not alone in being an opposition state. Something might happen. That something might not be so pleasant to watch.
-When Sabah turn BN, lots of Malaysian cheering.
-When Perak turn BN (again), lots of Malaysian querying.
-When Sabah tried to propose for a fresh state election, it was rejected.
-When Perak tried to propose for a fresh state election, they just announced it. Weather it will happen or not, it's yet to be decided.
-When Sabah turn BN, the news was buzzing..for a while.
-When Perak turn BN again, the news was buzzing and updated every hours.

Will this drama have any impact on Sabah political scene? That's another topic..
One thing for sure, it a shame that those four decided to become a fool (or frog).

Saturday, January 31, 2009

"Macamana bunyi katak?" ...kuuruuuupp..

Guong

Voicing his party’s support for an “anti-hopping” law, PBRS president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said a pact against crossovers between Barisan and the Opposition would be a viable alternative to any legislation requiring an elected representative to quit his seat if he resigned from the party he represented when he was elected. The star
I have mix feeling when reading this news about "anti-hopping" law since it is one of the "frog" himself who's supporting this law. Every Sabahan know that the reason UMNO/BN manage to slip in to Sabah political scene is all thanks to these "frogs" in 1995.

Tan Sri Joseph Kurup is one of them. There was even an hilarious cartoon sketch about him defecting from PBS to BN. PBS was an opposition party back then. I tried to search the cartoon but it is nowhere to be found in the world wide web. But I still remember the dialogue.

One man ask another man on how does a frog sound.
"Macamana bunyi katak?"

And the other man answer,
"Macam ini, kuuruup!"

Use your imagination.

Until now, only he have voice his support, I wonder what the other "frogs" have to say on this matter.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

SDC, now MSC...??!

Guong

Sabah is going for cyber development. Wow, nice plan...or..?

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 28 — The State government is expected to submit the Sabah Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Plan within the next three months, an initiative to spur the state’s information and communication technology (ICT) industry. The Malaysian Insider..
So, how's Sabah state government going to make it happen?

“We have a little bit of money still for the last two years, so I’m hoping they (Sabah government) can submit the MSC Plan within the next three months, in order to fit into the various economic packages by the government,” he told reporters after launching Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) research directory, here, today. The Malaysian Insider..
Great, but wait a minute, what about SDC? Have it started yet? What is Sabah state government priority? I'm confused. And 'have a little bit of money for the last two years'? Does that mean for the last two years, they kept the money instead of investing it on Sabah development? No wonder Sabah state yearly budget always has big numbers yet small development.

I'm not against this MSC plan. It's good, I know. But how is it going to became reality when in truth, Sabah basic infrastructures such as road, power grid, school etc are far from complete. Shouldn't they improve these need first? Even if MSC were to be done, it will only benefit those who are in a more urban area. What about the rural folks?

Speaking of which, SDC is still 'static' in term of implementation. Actually a lot of the plan are still in 'static' mode such as the allocation promised to solve the Illegal Immigrants issues.

And this MSC plan for Sabah is no new plan. It was already proposed back in 2004. read here

I can't help but wonder, how do they come out with these development plans for Sabah.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

What about Pensiangan?

Guong

It is official, PAS/PR wins and UMNO/BN lost in Kuala Terengganu by-election. Many have predicted this outcome. Well, now what about Pensiangan would be by-election. The case is still not yet resolve by the court.

Will it be the same?.... I doubt it...we'll just have to wait and see..

Why I doubt it? Too many wannabe candidates are setting their eyes on this seat. SAPP, PKR, Bebas and UMNO/BN. Not to mentions a different vibe of voters compared to West Malaysian.

Issues to bring in for Pensiangan by-election is an issue itself. They probably wouldn't give a damn about racial issues, NEP, religion or any of those 'Peninsular' stuff. All these issues doesn't really affecting Sabahan in the first place.

Racial issues? Never heard of any racially motivated clashes causing hundreds of casualties or death in Sabah. NEP? It didn't even happen (or exist?) in Sabah. If it does there would be a lot of rich Sabahan natives yet Sabah is the poorest state (with abundant of resources). Religion? One family tree in Sabah can consist of different religion, race and belief yet they can still keep a good and harmony relationship.

Development issues might be the key in gaining their vote. In fact, that is what most Sabahan need. So, if there were to be by-election in Pensiangan, expect a lot of "Janji-janji Manis" and "Projek-projek" for the F class contractors. Not forgetting free zinc roofs, blue toilets and upgrading the gravel road with... new gravel. Which will only last until the next election just so they can give it again as "sweet present".

Predictable...

Saturday, January 3, 2009

We Exist!

Guong

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — When the next issue of The Herald, a local Catholic newspaper comes out on Jan 11, it will be missing an entire section in the National Language.

Two days ago, the Home Ministry ordered it to close down its Bahasa Malaysia section, for fear that Malaysian Muslims would become confused over the newspaper’s use of the word “Allah” to mean God outside of Islam. More

This issue have been long drag since 2007. Resulting a court action taken against the government which still on going yet the Home Ministry already took this matter according to their own 'verdict'. Stop using it or no more 'The Herald'. The sad part is, it is politically motivated. The Herald is just collateral damage.

Is it true that this word is exclusive only for the Muslim? Read this article if you want to know. Or you can watch this sermon conducted in Arabic. You might hear a familiar word in it.

But really, why does Malaysian Christian community seems to fight back over this issue to the extent on taking this matter into court? Why not just accept it and stop using that word? Honestly, it doesn't really bothers me as a Christian even though we've used that word for decades (way back before Malaysia even born). They want the word back? Fine, they can have it. It is such a trivial matter. I'm sure the leader of Malaysian Christian community share the same thought as I am.

I'm guessing it is because to remind our government about religious freedom in Malaysia. To remind them on the diversity of belief in Malaysia. To remind them that we are the one that have been tolerating them, not the other way around. To remind them not to push us to much. To remind them on the non-English speaking Christians in Sabah and Sarawak.

So, it's not a matter of weather we win or lose the case but as a reminder for them that we exist.

Oh..and Happy New Year 2009.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Indonesian school in Sabah..for the better or..??

Guong

The Indonesian government is proposing for a land to build and relocate the present Sekolah Indonesia Kota Kinabalu (SIKK) at Alamesra. Actually, I didn't even know that such school exist in Sabah. So why did the Indonesian Government decided to relocate the current school? read here.

For me, this is actually a great idea. It is better to give these kids a proper education rather than being a street kids. But some issues come to mind. Will the pupils that are going to attend this school are those with legitimate paper or illegal immigrants as raised by PBS. It is a sound concern, even though it might be politically motivated, if you know what I mean.

And if these kids are not from paperless Indonesian family, why not just attend government school? Is it not there are laws that allows them to attend government school? Maybe economic problems..?

But whatever the reason for building SIKK, I hope it is done through the right channel.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Less than half is Sabahan in Sabah.

Guong

All Sabahan know of this situation but to know that the Native Sabahan have really become minority in our own land, it's like a nightmare turning into a reality. A situation that usually only happens in the movies.

What can we do? These new 'natives' have already rooted to deep in Sabah current situation. I have met a lot of these new 'natives' working not as labors but professional such as nurse, teacher, contractors, YB etc.

I can only see one solution. Compete. Yes, that is the only way out. We can't force them to go out from Sabah or Malaysia anymore. Unless they still haven't got any legal document yet which is very unlikely due to 'Projek I.C' decades ago. We can't just keep on blaming our government or Sabah state government for that matter. They wouldn't give a damn other that their own pocket.

So, Sabahan, get educated. Sought any opportunity to improve our self. (legal one la..)