On The Recent Attacks On Places Of Worship.

My guess is that there is in existence certain groups or individual(s), who will not stop these foolishness and dangerous stunts of theirs, whatever may be their motives, until there is a complete mayhem and blood-letting happening in this Country of ours.

However, I tend to believe that we are already matured and wise enough to not to resort to rash actions and fall into their sick ploy. It is much wiser then to remain calm and level headed and to just let the authorities do their job and to swiftly bring the culprits involved to justice.

From The Malaysian Insider - Husni: Malaysians ‘wrong’ to abandon country

Excerpt of an article from The Malaysian Insider today:-

The amount invested in overseas property also suggests a continuing trend of brain and money drain from the country, as those who can afford to purchase property in Australia and UK tend to be educated and skilled and many do so with an eye on migration, either for themselves or for their children.
Read more ...

Source: The Malaysian Insider

Self denial won't get us anywhere. The Government knew about this problem therefore I'm interested to know

how they are going to plug this "leaks".

Daily Express: KDCA pledges to help stranded Sabahans

Kota Kinabalu: The Kadazandusun Cultural Association's (KDCA) youth development movement on Monday pledged it will do its best to assist Sabahans stranded in Kuala Lumpur.

Its Chairman, Allan Guim Dumbong, gave the undertaking in response to Daily Express' front-page report Monday on jobless and homeless people from East Malaysia in the nation's capital.

This was based on checks with non-governmental organisations like the Kechara Soup Kitchen Society, A.H.O.D Bukit Nenas, Kuala Lumpur and Street Fellowship at Klang Bus Station, which revealed they are mostly from Sabah, comprising mainly those who went to the peninsula seeking fortune but who fell prey to those who had promised them jobs.

"The Sabahans concerned should consider coming home for good as there are many things that can be done to earn income in Sabah such as tapping rubber, cultivating vegetables and fruits or doing small businesses," he said in a statement.

The income in the beginning may not be high but the potential is there in the long run, he added, saying there is nothing better than being home and staying close with families and relatives.

"This will also ease the worries of the families," he said.

Allan also called on Sabahans in Kuala Lumpur, particularly Kadazandusuns, to approach the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Klang Valley branch on their predicaments and seek assistance.

He hoped the NGOs which highlighted the issue, Kechara & A.H.O.D Bukit Nanas, will also compile information about the youths and contact the KDCA. "If any of the Sabahans concerned is Kadazandusun, we will try to assist them to get in touch with their families," said Allan.

The KDCA can be reached at telephone 088- 713696 or via email: koisaan@kdca.org.my

Source : Daily Express

Don't just only talk. Act decisively on it as I believe this has been going on for years now. I had a friend who joined the rush to the Peninsula in the early 90's with the dream of having a better life there. Last I heard he was in Pahang after running away from his ex-employer over a dispute about his salary. It has been fifteen years now and we (his family and I) still haven't heard anything about him.

My Favourite Datuk Nazri's Words.

Excerpt from the Malaysian Insider article titled "Nazri says too late for dialogue on 'Allah' , I specifically chose these words supposedly quoted by Datuk Nazri himself:

The Umno man said in the Borneo states the people had embraced the “1 Malaysia” concept a long time ago, unlike in the west where racial lines are still very apparent.

Read more ...

Source: The Malaysia Insider

Being a Sabahan myself, I thank you very much Datuk. A straightforward admission. Wonder what will be the other Cabinet Ministers response to this.

myMetro: Hukum Sertai Facebook.

Berikut adalalah sebahagian daripada artikel yang dipetik daripada ruangan "Bimbingan myMetro" buat tatapan serta dan renungan kita bersama.

Tidak dinafikan lagi bahawa sifat musykil pada diri seseorang itu memang ada baiknya. Sifat musykil itu menjauhkan diri kita daripada melakukan atau melibatkan diri kita daripada perkara-perkara yang memudaratkan dan juga yang dilarang.

Namun di sebalik semua itu, janganlah sifat musykil kita itu sampai ketahap di mana ia menampakkan secara terang, kejahilan yang keterlaluan serta tidak masuk akal.

Hukum sertai Facebook

SAYA ditanya soalan: “Ustaz, syubhahkah menyertai Facebook? Saya terbaca artikel yang menyatakan pemiliknya, Mark Zucherberg menyumbangkan dana melalui penggunaan Facebook ini dari seluruh dunia kepada bangsanya, Yahudi. Mohon penjelasan ustaz?”

SAYA ditanya soalan: “Ustaz, syubhahkah menyertai Facebook? Saya terbaca artikel yang menyatakan pemiliknya, Mark Zucherberg menyumbangkan dana melalui penggunaan Facebook ini dari seluruh dunia kepada bangsanya, Yahudi. Mohon penjelasan ustaz?”

Soalan ini terlalu kerap dilontar kepada saya dan begitu banyak juga ditulis oleh pelbagai individu di forum juga blog. Dalam menentukan keputusan dan hukum menyertai Facebook, menurut pendapat saya, ada beberapa isu yang perlu diperhati:

1. Bolehkah menggunakan produk ciptaan Yahudi?

Kesimpulannya, dibenarkan untuk umat Islam membeli, menjual, mengguna pakai produk ciptaan bukan Islam termasuk Yahudi selagi mana ia dalam ruang lingkup yang halal. Nabi Muhammad SAW juga diriwayatkan dalam hadis sahih berurusan dan membuat transaksi jual beli juga cagaran dengan seorang Yahudi iaitu: “Sesungguhnya Nabi SAW membeli makanan daripada seorang Yahudi dengan pembayaran secara bertangguh, dan mencagarkan baju besi baginda.” ( Riwayat al-Bukhari, no 2326, 2/841).

2. Apa maksud penyoal dengan ayat 'menyumbang kepada bangsa Yahudi'?

Jual beli Muslim dengan seorang Yahudi hingga memberikan keuntungan kewangan kepada dirinya tidak bermasalah sama sekali di sisi Islam, malah Rasulullah SAW dan sahabat banyak yang berjual beli dengan Yahudi di Madinah. Cuma persoalannya adakah ia bermaksud menyumbang kepada keganasan Yahudi Zionis? Sejauh mana kebenaran dakwaan itu? Adakah sebarang bukti jelas atau hanya bersandarkan kepada latar belakang peribadi si pengasas?

Baca seterusnya ...

Sumber: myMetro

Millions Of Malaysians Yet To Register As Voters.

4.39 Million Malaysians Yet To Register As Voters

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Some 28 per cent or 4.39 million Malaysians over the age of 21 have yet to register as voters as of end of last year, Election Commission (EC) Deputy Chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said.

Of the total, Selangor has the highest number at 787,000 followed by Johor (605,000), Perak (526,000) and Sarawak (473,000).

Read more ...

Source: Bernama.com

This is serious. Something should be done to have these people or fence-sitters to come forward and register themselves as voters. BN should be worried and steps up their effort to find a solution to this problem. In fact, I think UMNO specifically should be really-really worried as majority of those not yet registered as voters are either Malay or Bumiputeras of Sabah and Sarawak.

New Sabah Times: Street crimes expected to rise due to global economic instability

KOTA KINABALU: Street crimes like robbery and snatch thefts are expected to rise in the country due to the unstable global economy, according to Internal Security and Public Order (ISPO) director Datuk Hussin Hj Ismail.

Read more ...

Source : New Sabah Times

This is the type of news which I do not like one bit.

An effective systematical approach to tackle this 'surge' in street crimes should be one of their(police) priorities since they have anticipated this thing to happen.

Nevertheless, I still think we should be shouldering the responsibility too in helping reduce street crimes by observing vital security precautions and heeding to the advices given by the police.

Reuters: US Warns Of Possible Attack In Malaysia's Sabah.

The US issued this:

U.S. warns of possible attack in Malaysia's Sabah
By Razak Ahmad and Royce Cheah

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Police stepped up security after the United States Embassy in Malaysia warned on Friday that criminal and terrorist groups were planning attacks against foreigners in the Borneo island state of Sabah.

A "warden notice" posted on the embassy's website (malaysia.usembassy.gov/), dated Friday, said resorts located in isolated areas of eastern Sabah, a state bordering the southern Philippines, were of "present concern."

Read more ...

Source : Reuters

While Malaysia responded:

1). Police Intensify Security Patrols In Sabah

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The police have given an assurance that security patrols in the coastal areas and islands of Sabah will be intensified as a precautionary measure following a "warden notice" issued by the United States' embassy here that foreign tourists might come under attack by irresponsible elements n the area.

Read more ...

2). Government Constantly Ensuring Security In Sabah - Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has allayed concerns over the security in Sabah, particularly in the state's east coast, saying the government is constantly ensuring security in the area.

"The Malaysian government has never issued any notice on any security threat in the area. We know the situation better.

Read more ...

Source :Bernama.com

I am now in Semporna and had been here since middle of last month. In fact, I will be here until my work assignment is completed. Things were as normal as they can be so far. Life goes on as usual. The coffee shops are seldom empty and same goes for the billiard saloons. ;)

I noticed too the arrival of tourists for their diving expeditions or for sightseeing activities are continuing as usual.

Well actually, the only thing I found spoiling the whole fun here the last few days were the weather. It has been raining almost non-stop on daily basis. Otherwise, I believe things would be more cheerful.

So no need to worry folks. Come and visit this place and enjoy your stay.

Malaysians Many Worries.

Besides politics, bad governance or corruptions; Malaysians are also worried about financial stability according to a survey conducted by Visa.

Survey: Cost of living, salary and debt main concerns for Malaysians

PETALING JAYA: Cost of living, salary changes and personal debt are the top three financial worries for Malaysians, a survey by global payment firm Visa found.

In the survey conducted between Aug 21 and Sept 23 last year, 69% of Malaysians said they were extremely concerned about the cost of living expenses while 62% and 59% were worried about salary changes and personal debt respectively. “Malaysians were less worried about the value of their retirement fund and portfolio, and fluctuating interest rates,” the company said in a statement here yesterday.

However, 25% of those surveyed also said they were more confident about their personal financial situation compared to six months earlier although 52% felt there would be no change.

Only 23% indicated they were less confident than earlier.

Sixty-six per cent of Malaysians also said they were more concerned about the impact of the global financial crisis on the local economy.

The survey involved 5,520 respondents aged between 18 and 65 years, of whom 500 were from Malaysia.

The rest were from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.

Visa country manager Stuart Tomlinson said Malaysians were being practical during the current economic climate by focusing on managing their concerns, providing themselves with a level of security and peace of mind.

“For Malaysians, potential changes in salary levels are also of concern,” he said, adding that across the region, consumers were looking to see how they could manage their expenses, savings and job security, rather than macro-economic conditions such as exchange and interest rates.

Source : The Star Online

Berita Mengaibkan.

SINGAPURA: Penyanyi rock Malaysia, Mamat, didenda S$1,000 (RM2,400) oleh Mahkamah Singapura semalam selepas mengaku bersalah terhadap tuduhan mencuri sebuah telefon bimbit dan seutas jam tangan.

Baca seterusnya ...

Sumber : Berita Harian Online

Banyak sudah terjadi perkara serta berita-berita yang mengaibkan Negara kita sejak akhir-akhir ini. Terkini adalah berita tentang mamat sorang ni.

Semporna New Library.

I was quite disappointed today after making a visit to the new Sabah State Library building in Semporna.

The building is still quite new and had only been in use less than three months now with a modern look but half empty or underutilized by the locals. Maybe they were not in the mood for reading today.

I noticed however the same cannot be said about the surrounding coffee shops or billiard saloons. The were mostly full as usual.

Another thing that caught my attention was the usage of the air conditioning units there. The weather outside was not so hot and with less people inside, it would really help if some of the units are turn-off which would have save the Government some money. Instead all the units were tuned on full blast.

As I cannot stand the cold, I gave up after two hours inside and left. The Officer-in-charge should take note of the unnecessary wastage.

1Malaysia Indeed.

This is a sad day for the country. Please just read this article here. I do not wish to make further comment but suffice to say that whatever the game they are trying to play, it is outright dangerous and cowardly at that. This is not in accordance with the PM's 1Malaysia concept.

First article for 2010.

This will be my first posting for the year 2010. Been unable to post anything worthwhile just yet. Being kept kept busy by the kids back to school chores the past few days. Hopefully next week will be less hectic for me and I shall be able to return to some form of normalcy. Sadly, the hope a better 2010 had already been dented by some recent ugly developments. Hopefully things will improve as the year progresses although I fear that will be only a wishful thinking.