Pig Farming Policy

"The Chinese always gamble. To them it is not haram (prohibited by religion). Why should we prohibit them? We can't stop them from eating pork because for them it is not “haram," Tun Dr. Mahathir said.

I was having a coffee with my friends at Donggongon this morning and I was informed that there is now a pig farming policy formulated by the Government that pig farming is only allowed at specific locations. In Sabah, the Department of Veterinary has identified Telupid as the location approved for large scale pig farming industry. Telupid is the central part of Sabah.

There are two main reasons given by the Sabah Director of Veterinary, among others, for not allowing pig breeders to carry out their pig farming industry at places other than at Telupid: For religious and health reasons.

This policy has met strong objections from the pig breeders who attended the meeting held on 23^rd June 2010 at Kota Kinabalu chaired by the Director himself. According to those local pig farmers who objected to this policy, their livelihood would be greatly affected since they could no longer rear pigs on their own pig farms on their own plot of land nearby.

It is even more disappointing for those small time pig farmers or kampong folks who depend on meat supply as well as getting extra income by rearing pigs at their backyards. They are actually dependent on pork for their own meat supply for consumption. If they are denied of this activity, then the Government is denying their extra income and regular meat supplies for their families.

Pig farming for non-muslims is not “haram”. Why should the Government restrict pig farming at specified locations? The policy may be applicable to a large scale pig farming industry for health (but not for religious reason), but it should not be applied to small scale or backyard industry.

We can’t stop the non-muslims from eating pork nor can we prohibit them from rearing pigs at their backyards on a small scale because it is not “haram” for them.

The Government should formulate a policy for small scale pig farming industry by limiting the number of pigs or piglets to be reared at any one time on their own plot of land, but subject to providing with proper waste disposal system for health reason. Kampung people should be allowed to rear pigs at their own back yards but with limited number of pigs for their own meat supplies to supplement their diet.

The Chinese or Kadazans are very particular about wasting foods. The left-over-foods are too good to be thrown away. Instead, the kampung folks in particular feed their pigs with their left-over-foods, and it is a great way to turn unwanted foods into meat supply. And it is perfectly 'HALAL' for the non-muslims.

With proper waste disposal system in pig farming, health hazard (as being one of the reasons of formulating such a policy) should not be a problem. Again, you can turn the pig wastes into fuel energy for cooking or even providing light energy for your house! The Government should therefore come up with the design of waste disposal system so that small pig farmers can turn the pig waste into energy.

WHAT TO DO IF STOPPED BY MALAYSIAN POLICE

This is a very useful information, especially for women folks! Who knows you might encounter the same problem when you step out from your house. Inform your loved ones and friends.

The next time you are stopped by persons who claimed they are plain clothes police, you are under no obligation to answer their questions or follow their orders, lawyers told Malaysiakini today.

'Policeman who is not wearing his uniform does not have the authority to stop anyone,' lawyer and human rights activist Sivarasa Rasiah said.

Procedures to follow in the event you are stopped by uniformed police Officers while driving:

1. Stop the car and wind down your window.

2. If the police officers ask for your documents, request to see their IDs first.

3. If you are satisfied about their identity, ask them if you are being summoned, and for what offence.

4. Produce your identity card and driver's license and wait to collect your summon ticket.

In the event that the police officers ask you to follow them to the police station:

1. Ask if you are under arrest and for what offence.

2. If you are not under arrest, you have the right to leave.

In the event you are flagged down by persons you believe could be plain clothes police: 1. Do not stop because plain clothes police officers do not have the authority to stop you.

2. Drive to the nearest police station and lodge a report. (The same procedure applies to pedestrians)

In the event the police come to your house:

1. Do not let them in before checking their IDs.

2. If you are not satisfied, phone the nearest police station and confirm if they had been sent to your house.

3. You are under no obligation to allow them into the house if they don't have a search warrant.

4. Do not go with them if you are not under arrest.

In the event persons who claimed to be plain clothes police come to your house:

1. Do not let him in because they do not have the authority to do so.

2. Lodge a report at the nearest police station.

Sivarasa was commenting on the alleged gang-rape of an 18-year-old Uni student by four men claiming to be police officers on New Year's Eve. The girl said that her car was stopped in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur and were asked by the men to open the car bonnet. She was then told that she had committed an offence and ordered to follow the men to a police station. The girl was driven in her car along the North-South expressway to the Tapah-Cameron Highlands road before she was raped in an oil palm estate.

This incident, and many others, have sparked confusion over the procedures which motorists must follow when flagged down by the police. The most common problem is that most people take instructions without determining if the other person is really a cop,' lawyer Annie Santiago said.

However, if you are stopped by a uniformed policeman, then you are required to stop. But you need not get out of the car because you are not expected to do so, Santiago said. He other rule to follow is to provide your identity card only when you are asked to do so. 'Even then, you should get his ID first to confirm if he is a cop. There is no harm in calling the relevant police station to verify if he is supposed to be on duty that day,' Sivarasa said.

Both lawyers said that motorists should never follow an officer to the police station unless one is under arrest . 'If you are not sure, and your instincts tell you that something is wrong, then drive off to the nearest police station and lodge a report,' Sivarasa said.

In response to the alleged gang-rape of the 18-year-old, Women's Aid Organisation executive-secretary Ivy Josiah called on the police to launch an education program to teach the public about their rights to prevent them from being victimised by bogus police officers.

Call to maintain peace and security

By Christian Federation of Malaysia

THE Christian Federation of Malaysia strongly and unreservedly condemns the violent attacks and attempted fire-bombing of several churches in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya in the early hours of 8 Jan 2010.

We are against such actions that seek to intimidate people and also to rend the country's peace and fabric of goodwill.

Thus far this afternoon, we have been informed that there were two torchings and another attempted torching of churches. The administrative office of Metro Tabernacle in Desa Melawati was completely gutted. The Molotov cocktail thrown at the Church of the Assumption along Jalan Templer in Petaling Jaya did not explode. But The Life Chapel in Section 17, Petaling Jaya suffered some damage to the church's front porch area.

We call on the government and all peace-loving Malaysians to stand against such violence and not to give way to extremists in our midst who want to throw our country into chaos.

We call on the police to continue to maintain peace and security in this land we all cherish and love. May the police bring to justice quickly those who have been involved in such acts of torching churches which is a violation of the houses of God.

Christians are a peace-loving people and so we will remain calm and rely on our police officers to investigate and arrest the criminals involved and to protect all Malaysians against violence and criminal intimidation. We are concerned that the hacking of the judiciary website is an act of criminal intimidation against the judiciary and this shameful act along with the acts of violence against churches must not be condoned.

Let us as Christians and with our fellow Malaysians pray that despite such atrocious acts perpetrated upon the churches, good sense will prevail. Let us not allow those who want to foment animosity among peoples and the religious communities to triumph in their plans. May we stand together against the tide of violent people and their evil plans.

We will continue to pray for peace in Malaysia.

Bishop Ng Moon Hing

Christian Federation of Malaysia

8 Jan 2010

Linundus says ...

As a Catholic-Christian, I am sad but surprisingly am not angry over the burning and bombing of Christian churches in West Malaysia. I am reminded by what Jesus has said to his prosecutors: 'Lord, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.' Luke 23:34

However, "the cowardly and utterly senseless act of a group of misguided, chauvinistic bigots in torching at least three churches in the Klang Valley this morning must be condemned in no uncertain terms by all peace-loving Malaysians" - The Nut Graph.

The story about woodpeckers......

Linundus received the following story from one of its ardent readers, which might explain why we have poor tourist arrivals to our country as compared to many other neighboring counties.

A Mexican woodpecker and a Canadian woodpecker were in Mexico arguing about which country had the toughest trees. The Mexican woodpecker claimed Mexico had a tree that no woodpecker could peck.

The Canadian woodpecker accepted his challenge and promptly pecked a hole in the tree with no problem. The Mexican woodpecker was amazed.

The Canadian woodpecker then challenged the Mexican woodpecker to peck a tree in Canada that was absolutely 'impeckable' (a term frequently used by all woodpeckers worldwide.) The Mexican woodpecker expressed confidence that he could do it and accepted the challenge.

The two of them flew to Canada where the Mexican woodpecker successfully pecked the so-called 'impeckable' tree almost without breaking a sweat.

Both woodpeckers were now terribly confused. How is it that the Canadian woodpecker was able to peck the Mexican tree, and the Mexican woodpecker was able to peck the Canadian tree, yet neither was able to peck the trees in their own country?

After much woodpecker pondering, they both came to the same conclusion that apparentlyTiger Woods was right when he said, "your pecker gets harder when you're away from home."

Comments by the reader …

Now you know why tourism is big big business nowadays. It's all about getting your pecker away from home isn't it? By the same token, the country that can make the pecker harder draws more tourists to it than the others. That is why tourist arrivals to our country is abysmal as compared to many other countries, even though our government tried to delude us by claiming tourists are coming here in large numbers.

Bung Moktar weds actress Zizie

Mkini

The truth on rumours of Kinabatangan member of parliament Bung Moktar Radin marrying actress Zizie Ezette is today when a close friend of the politician confirmed the marriage.

"It's settled. I pray that he will be happy. A friend's happiness is ours too," said Sri Gading MP Mohamad Aziz, adding that he had also advised Bung Moktar to not keep the marriage a secret anymore. The couple's wedding reception was said to be held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday night. Bung Moktar, who is the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club deputy chairman, has repeatedly denied he was marrying the actress.

However, contacted by reporters yesterday, he declined to confirm the marriage.

"This is not the best time. I have to consider the feelings of many people and I don't want to hurt anyone," he said.

Bung Moktar, 50, is married and has four children.

Zizie, 31, a popular actress in a number of television dramas, won the best aspiring actress award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2003.

Asked for his reason in not attending yesterday's Parliament sitting, Bung Moktar said he was in Kinabatangan, Sabah.

"I have obtained permission from the chief (Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz)," he added.

- Bernama

Lunar Eclipse on New Years Day, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians will be able to observe a partial lunar eclipse on Jan 1, between 1.17am and 5.28am, according to the National Space Agency (Angkasa).

It said in a statement today that the eclipse would start at 1.17am when the moon starts to pass the penumbral shadow of the Earth. However, it added, the eclipse could only be observed when the moon starts passing the umbra (the darkest part of a shadow) at 2.53am until the maximum phase at 3.24am. "The moon will totally leave the Earth's umbra shadow at 4.53am," the statement said, adding that the eclipse would last until 5.28am. A lunar eclipse generally occurs when the moon passes the Earth's shadow during full moon. Angkasa, with the cooperation of the National Mosque, will organise an eclipse observation session at the main entrance of the mosque from 1am to 6am on Jan 1, the statement said.

A live web cast of the partial lunar eclipse will be available on the Angkasa website at www.angkasa.gov.my. - Bernama

Gov't not ready to remove race from forms

Several factors and needs have to be considered before a proposal to remove the race column from government official forms can be implemented, Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong said this was because information like race and religion as contained in the MyKad chip was needed for statistics.

"Generally, we can identify the race from the name but this is not the case for some races in Sabah and Sarawak as the different is not clear and can be confusing," he said.

Liew was replying to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) who asked whether the government was serious in removing the race and religion column from government official forms.

He said the information was also needed by poverty eradication programmes aimed at restructuring the society.

"Developed countries like Australia, the United Kingdom and United States need information on race in certain forms for equal opportunities monitoring.

"It is also important in the enforcement of laws involving religion."

He said the 1Malaysia concept was based on unity in diversity and as such the cultures had to be respected, conserved and celebrated to nurture unity.

"Information on race and religion can be used for this and is not a problem to unity. The problem arises from a racial attitude and approach," he added.

- Bernama

Seditious Book

Letter from Farouq Omaro

“Dear Sir,

I had on the 9th of December the opportunity to visit the MPH Bookstore at the Mid-Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur. While browsing at the books there, one particular book caught my attention.

The title of the book is "Gerakan Orientalisme dan Kristianisasi" and was authored by Haji Nik Azran Muhamed and Haji Mohd Mahadi Hj Isa. The book was published by Hijjaz Records Publishing in May 2009. After going through the book, I have come to the conclusion that it is downright offensive and seditious.

On pages 163-182 of the book is a chapter entitled "Pengakuan Bekas Paderi Besar Sabah, Thomas Laiden". I believe this chapter is entirely fictional and is meant to insult the Christian faith as well as to incite Muslim hatred towards the Christian church, particularly the Roman Catholic church.

In other chapters the authors had come up with wild theories about the intentions of Christian groups around the world in giving aid to the needy. The authors have also referred to certain Christian organizations in Malaysia as "pertubuhan Kristianisasi".

As a concerned citizen myself, I would like to urge Christian leaders to call for a ban on the book as the book might cause Muslims to be unnecessarily suspicious of Christians. I also believe the book is highly seditious in nature.”

Linundus says …

The above letter was e-mailed to several people, including me today, 12^th Dec. 2009, by Faroug Omaro and copied to: enquiries, editor, cchurch, jmositun, Joebingkasan, jeffreykitingan, sabahdap, and me at 1:21 PM.

I have not read the book myself but from the way Farouq has described the contents in pages 163-183 of the book wherein a chapter entitled "Pengakuan Bekas Paderi Besar Sabah, Thomas Laiden" which he believes is entirely fictional and is meant to insult the Christian faith as well as to incite Muslim hatred towards the Christian church, particularly the Roman Catholic church, is highly seditious enough and warrants the authorities concerned to take necessary action to ban the book from further circulation.

Bumiputera contractors: A wasteful national mission to date

WRITTEN BY Columnist KOON YEW YIN

This article is too important not to be read by more people. It is written by Koon Yew Yin, one of the founders of the three larger construction companies listed in Bursa Malaysia. These are Gamuda Bhd, Mudajaya Group Bhd, and IJM Corporation Bhd.

We certainly do not need more contractors - we must ensure that our resources are put into creating value to industry and economy, not creating layers after layers of profits being hived off.

Producing competitive Bumiputera contractors

As reported on May 1, 2005, Malaysia had one contractor for every 614 persons. Most likely there are more contractors by now. This ratio is again likely to be amongst the highest in the world and is obviously costing the public a significant amount of money besides affecting our overall economic performance.

I would like to pose a few questions which may appear unkind or insensitive but nonetheless need to be asked.

Out of hundreds of high-rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur does anyone know of any Bumiputera contractor who has won any of the building contracts through an open competitive tender process? Out of hundreds of kilometers of highway in Malaysia, can any Bumiputera contractor who won any part of the highway contracts through open tender be identified?

The answer to the above questions unfortunately is in the negative. The evidence is that all the government’s well-intentioned efforts in trying to produce competitive Bumiputera contractors since 1957 have failed.

Why this has happened needs to be openly discussed rather than swept under the carpet. In this note, I share my experiences as a contractor and my knowledge of why Bumiputera contractors have failed in the past and what needs to be done by the government to correct this unhealthy situation.

Facts of life in the contracting business

Contracting is a very difficult business yet it is so easy to register as a contractor.

To register as a Class F contractor one has only to show that he has RM5,000. He does not even require a pass in Lower Certificate of Education (LCE). But it will take at least 10 years to learn how to overcome all the inherent difficulties and become competitive and efficient. Continuously giving out lucrative and over-priced contracts without open tenders will only make the recipients less competitive.

Secondly, studies have shown that there are more failures and bankruptcies in contracting than in any other business, and also almost all construction projects are NOT completed within the original scheduled time.

The delay will cost the contractor more and that is why you can often see uncompleted buildings and abandoned projects which have been undertaken by inefficient contractors. There are many reasons for this peculiar phenomenon.

Note on the Author

I am a 76-year-old chartered civil engineer and one of the founders of the three larger construction companies listed in Bursa Malaysia. These are Gamuda Bhd, Mudajaya Group Bhd, and IJM Corporation Bhd.

I was a member of the Board of Engineers, Malaysia for three terms. I was also on the Sirim Board responsible in writing the Malaysian standard specifications for cement and concrete. In addition, I was the Secretary General of Master Builders Association, Malaysia for nine years.

These days, I am completely retired. My intention in writing this article is honourable. Many people may not like reading what I have written and the truth may be difficult to accept. Nevertheless, this is my considered analysis for the benefit of my country, the Bumiputera contractors and the construction industry.

READ MORE HERE at Centre For Policy Initiatives

Fast Facts on Sabah’s Power Issues

by GreenSURF

How much power do we have?

• We officially have about 785 Mega Watts (MW) on the books, however in reality the dependable capacity is about 712 MW while the maximum demand is about 675 MW.

If that is the case why do we have power failures? These figures indicate we have enough supply at the moment?

• Because the reality of the situation is that our supply of electricity is inefficient due to age and lack of maintenance.
• It is estimated that they are running at 40% capacity at present!

Do we need a coal-fired power plant?

• ABSOLUTELY NOT!
• We have alternative energy solutions which were identified in the Sabah Energy Masterplan, this plan identifies hydro projects as a source of electricity generation and does not focus on coal at all.
• For hydro, Liwagu and Upper Padas were identified and feasibily studies and an Environmental Impact Assessments for the Upper Padas is being carried out, these projects just need to be fast tracked!
• Liwagu and Upper Padas would both generate 190 MW each!
• Also note that unlike the proposed Kaiduan hydro scheme which would drown out seven villages both Liwagu and Upper Padas would not and have been in the planning far longer than the coal fired power plant.
• Sabah has it’s OWN natural gas and if the Kimanis Natural Gas plant is fast-tracked we will have capacity of 300 MW, remember even the coal-fire power plant will take a minimum of three years to be built so why not Kimanis Natural Gas or Liwagu or Upper Padas?
• Hydro will come under the purview of the State whereas coal-fired power plant is under the purview at the Federal level.
• Another IPP called Rainhill in Sepanggar is scheduled to generate 190 MW (60 MW by April 2010).
• So the question should be, if we have this “cleaner” alternatives and we still have to wait for three years for the coal-fired power plants how does this solve our electricity issues? Which option could people, wildlife and nature of Sabah live with?

Let’s talk about renewable energies such as using palm oil empty fruit bunches, why can’t we just use this for a power source, after all Sabah is the number one producer of Malaysian palm oil?

• The first and major hurdle to any sort of renewable energy is the fact that the Malaysian Government has a policy in place that limits the amount of power that can be produce by using renewable energy!
• The Malaysian electricity legislation does not allow you to completely “go off the grid”.
• The same legislation limits the production of electricity via renewable sources to only 10 MW and their sell back price to the grid is lower than other power sources.
• Does, this make sense? A coal-fired power plant can produce 300 MW but a cleaner (and even cheaper as the source is located here unlike coal) may only produce 10 MW!
• Following the Prime Minister’s 2010 Budget speech which focussed on green technologies, the Federal Government needs to immediately review these types of outdated policies that are not good for the environment and makes absolutely no sense especially in Sabah for reasons described in number 5 below.

Tenaga National Berhad (TNB) who owns 80% of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd has repeatedly stated that they make no money from Sabah and that Sabah is part of their Social Corporate Responsibility, so why not let SESB and Sabah proceed with hydro and gas which Sabah has ample resources off? Maybe Sabah should work on certain areas being off the?

• We cannot answer this simple question, only TNB can.
• Once again, we note that hydro is under State purview and coal-fired power plant under Federal purview.

RM500 million was spent to do the Sabah grid which was completed in 2007. The head of TNB, Leo Moggie has stated that once the Sabah grid was completed Sabah would not have power problems. And now, he says once Sabah has a coal-fired power plant, Sabah will have no power problems…

• We as people living in this State should have the right to decide for ourselves!

The current identified location of the coal-fired plant is to the East of Lahad Datu township on the Dent Peninsula.

• FELDA who owns the land where the coal-fired power plant is to be located has been in the area since the 1980s, yet the local community have NEVER benefited as they still lack power supply (there is power to run the palm oil mills) and no access to fresh water (they rely on rain and ground water).
• This place has beautiful beaches and previous studies have already shown that the waters of this coastline is abundant with fish stocks and other marine life. And now even this access to abundant fish stocks is at risk for the locals once a coal-fired power plant begins operation and affects not only air quality but also water quality.
• An estimated RM400 million is needed for infrastructure alone with another RM200 million such to pull the grid to this area!

Five NGOs in Sabah cement anti-coal lobby efforts

Joe Fernandez reported that five leading NGOs came together to form a coalition called Green Surf, or Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future to help present positive ideas and contributions to solve Sabah's energy woes.

“They are Leap (Land Empowerment People and Animals), Pacos Trust (Partners of Community Organisations), Sepa (Sabah Environment Protection Association), the Malaysian Nature Society Sabah Branch, and the WWF-Malaysia (Worldwide Fund for Nature), Sabah chapter.”

Effects of Coal Burning

The world is investing too much cash and hope in carbon capture and storage.

"FACTORIES of death" is how James Hansen, a crusading American scientist, describes power stations that burn coal. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels, producing twice the carbon dioxide that natural gas does when it is burned. That makes it a big cause of global warming.

WWF objects coal-fired power plant

Meanwhile, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia will object to the setting up of a coal-fired power plant no matter where the location is in Sabah.

The organisation's first public statement on the issue was made by WWF Malaysia Borneo Programme Director, Dr Rahimatsah Amat, at a luncheon with the media in Centre Point Sabah, Tuesday, 16th June, 2009.

"As far as coal is concerned, our (WWF-Malaysia) stand is clearÉthere should be no coal-fired power plant in Sabah," he said.

Sign your Petition HERE