Sylvester Disimon appointed as new Penampang District Chief.

The State Government has appointed Sylvester Disimon as the new District Chief of Penampang, taking over from OKK Christopher Mojungkim who retires by end of this month.

The former General Manager of Housing and Town Development Authority, who retired on 31-05-2003 has been active in non-governmental organization even before he retired from the Government service.

He is the Deputy President of Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS) and Chairman of KSS Penampang District Branch.

He was also the elected Vice President of KDCA from 2001-2004.

Sylvester was also active in the Lions Club International Organization in 1980’s and had served as the President of Penampang Lions Club twice.

Through his outstanding contributions to the Lions Club International, Disimon was awarded the Melvin Jones Award in 1991/1992 which is the highest Lions Club International Award for outstanding services rendered.

His administrative experience with the Government service for 36 years has put him in good stead to take over from his predecessor, OKK Christopher Mojungkim who happens to be his second cousin of the Wong Sim Ting Clan.

Sylvester comes from a long lineage running for three generations as the custodian of Native Customary Law.

His grandfather Mogunting bin Batinjam was a Native Chief in the early 1930’s.

After he resigned as the Native Chief in the early 1950’s due to old age his eldest son, Gabriel Jominol Mogunting succeeded him as the Orang Tua of Kg. Hubah, Penampang.

OT Gabriel Jominol Mogunting resigned as Orang Tua in 1957 and his youngest brother, Datuk Jintol Mogunting was appointed to succeed him.

When Datuk Jintol Mogunting was appointed as Native Chief in 1970, he was succeeded by Martin Mojikul as Ketua Kampong. The passing of KK Martin Mojikul paved the way for the appointment of a new Ketua Kampong.

An election of Ketua Kampong was held in 1974 and Bernard B. Jominol, the second eldest son of OT Gabriel Jominol Mogunting was elected and then was appointed as Ketua Kampung.

KK Bernard B. Jominol is still serving as the Ketua Kampung of Kg. Hubah. Penampang.

In 1976, Datuk Jintol was appointed as the District Chief of Penampang and held this post until his passing on January 24, 2002.

Sylvester’s appointment as the new District Chief of Penampang is seen as the continuation of as the custodian of the Native Customary Law following the foot steps of his uncle, OKK Datuk Jintol Mogunting and his cousin OKK Christopher Mojungkim of the Wong Sim Ting Clan.

Yesterday, the newly appointed District Chief submitted his letter of acceptance to the Penampang District Officer, Encik William Sampil in his office.

Sylvester was accompanied by his KAN Marcus Johnioh, KK Bernard B. Jominol and Vice President of KSS, Encik Freddy Ekol.

Marcus brought Sylvester to the State Native Court office where the new District Chief was introduced to the Ketua-Ketua Anak Negeri, Wakil-Wakil KAN and Ketua-Ketua Kampong from the various Mukims under the Penampang District.

OKK Sylvester Disimon will assume his office as Penampang District Chief from September 2009.

Source: Borneo Post Tuesday, August 11. 2009

Association set up for KDMs in the filming industry

Penampang: Taking cue from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's advice, a group of people from here banded their act and formed an association to entice greater participation of the Kadazan community in the filming and entertainment industry.

Advisor to Tinungkusan Momogun Association Penampang Sabah, Jeoffrey Ekol, said the formation of the organisation was made possible through the far-sighted vision of several up-and-coming local actors and actresses.

Speaking in a media conference, here, Saturday, he said with the establishment of the Tinungkusan Momogun, budding actors and actresses of Kadazan, Dusun and Murut (KDM) origin will now have a proper group to guide them.

"This will enable them achieve better recognition and opportunities to advance themselves in the filming, music and entertainment and related industries," he said.

He said the organisation was also formed so that members of the KDM community in the industry would be provided with a sense of belonging in their zeal to promote their cultures.

In a broader sense, he said the objectives of the Tinungkusan Momogun are focused on filming, music and entertainment. However, he said it also encompasses other aspects of the industry such as script writing, song composing, emceeing, deejaying and news reporting, among others.

Looking far ahead, Jeoffrey said the organisation hopes to conduct its inaugural Tinungkusan Academy Award early next year to give due recognition to the contributions of the KDMs in the industry. With plans to set up one-stop film making centre in Sabah in the pipeline, he said the academy award would certainly spur those in the industry here to improve their respective trade. Planning even further, he said, "we will establish branches in other districts after the respective protem committees have been set up.

"And once everything is in place, we will eventually remove the word Penampang from the association's registered name," he said. In future, Jeoffrey said they would be organising clinics and workshops for the members so as to provide them with better knowledge on the importance of participating in the filming and entertainment industry.

He said inevitably they hope to provide employment to the people via the industry considering its potential to generate income. And it is very coincidental that the 22nd Film Festival Malaysia (FFM22) is being held here, he said. With the current scenario, he said they hope to join the list of recipients of government funding from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment.

"After the launching of the Tinungkusan Momogun Association by our patron Tan Sri Bernard Dompok on August 22 at Royal China Restaurant, we will make an appointment to meet with the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment," he said. President of the association, P. Dik Ganai, on the other hand, hoped KDM intellectuals would assist the association to grow and be recognised in the country.

Ganai, who is a telemovie maker-cum-actor, film director and producer by profession, is the only Sabahan among more than 200 entries who made the cut in the Short Film category of the FFM22 with his 16-minute "Damai Malam" film. The short-duration movie revolves around a family whose father is an alcoholic.

With his experience and network in the nation's film and entertainment industry, he hoped the KDM entry into the industry would be eased. In recognition, he has been asked to scout for scriptwriters from Sabah.

Source: DE

'Thank you, we love you, goodbye'

By Aurea Calica and Evelyn Macairan

Imee Marcos and her brother Ferdinand Marcos Jr., together with his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, view the remains of former President Corazon Aquino at the Manila Cathedral yesterday. They were greeted by Ballsy Aquino-Cruz (right photo), the eldest child of Mrs. Aquino. AP/Jonjon Vicencio | Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - Loved ones, friends and strangers showered messages of grief, gratitude and farewell on the late president and people power icon Corazon Aquino last night on the eve of her burial today.

One of the most touching eulogies was delivered by a security aide of 20 years – Inspector Melchor Mamaril – who said he felt he had lost a mother . After his eulogy, he walked closer to Mrs. Aquino’s casket and saluted.

“She shall always remain engraved in our hearts. Thank you, We love you. Goodbye,” Mamaril said.

Mrs. Aquino’s younger daughter Kris could be seen weeping hard as Mamaril was reading his eulogy in English and a few lines in Filipino.

Mamaril was one of the two security escorts of the Aquino family pulled out by the government. The Arroyo administration claimed no knowledge of the order to pull them out and has since apologized.

“I stand now with a deep sense of pride and gratitude as I bid goodbye to her whom I owe so much. My wife Judy and my four children, join me in paying our last respect to one who has become big part of our lives and one who considered us as part of her family,” Mamaril said.

Mamaril said Mrs. Aquino never made him feel like a mere employee but treated him like a son, a family member.

He related that one of her unforgettable memories of Mrs. Aquino’s kindness was in 1998 when she personally prepared noodles for her security aides after coming home one day with them and finding no food in the house.

“That’s how Ma’am Cory was. She takes care of people around her no matter how big or small, She treated us not as mere employees but like a mother tending to a son after a hard day’s work,” Mamaril said.

He said the goodness that Mrs. Aquino showed him made a strong impact on his life and made him a confident person.

“I feel a sense of wonder and at the same time, I realized that her treatment raised my dignity as a person. She gave me self-respect, self worth and self confidence,” Mamaril said.

“And even when she lay dying in bed, she was always very concerned about us. She would always ask if we had eaten already,” Mamaril said.

“One could always see her compassionate heart for all those in need,” Mamaril said.

He also said that Mrs. Aquino also drew him closer to God and to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“I can always remember those times when we have to go to churches. In those times he brought me to prayer and closer to God. I am praying the rosary now,” Mamaril said.

“She exhibited a deep sense of prayer, devotion that I believe was the foundation of her being a person of dignity and uprightness,” he said.

Mamaril also thanked Mrs. Aquino’s children and family

“We are all with you in prayer, may God continue to bless us all,” Mamaril said.

READ MORE HERE

FAQ About The Internal Security Act

By Anak Bangsa Malaysia

INTERNAL SECURITY ACT, 1960 (Act 82) is an Act to provide for the internal security of Malaysia, preventive detention, the prevention of subversion, the suppression of organised violence against persons and property in specified areas of Malaysia, and for matters incidental thereto. [West Malaysia - 1st August. 1960; East Malaysia - 16th September 1963.]

“WHEREAS action has been taken and further action is threatened by a substantial body of persons both inside and outside Malaysia-

(1) To cause, and to cause a substantial number of citizens to fear, organized violence against persons and property; and

(2) To procure the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of the lawful Government of Malaysia by law established;

AND WHEREAS the action taken and threatened is prejudicial to the security of Malaysia;

AND WHEREAS Parliament considers it necessary to stop or prevent that action;”

1. WHAT IS ISA?

• The Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia.

• Any person may be detained by the police for up to 60 days without trial for an act which allegedly prejudices the security of the country.

• After 60 days, one may be further detained for a period of two years each, to be approved by the Minister of Home Affairs, thus making indefinite detention without trial.

• In 1989, the powers of the Minister under the legislation were made immune to judicial review by virtue of amendments to the Act. Now, only the courts are ‘allowed’ to examine and review technical matters pertaining to the ISA arrest.

2. WHEN DID THE ISA BECOME LAW?

• The precursor to the ISA was the Emergency Ordinance 1948 -1960 promulgated by the British Colonial Regime to counter the then Communist Insurgency.

• The ISA came into force on 1^st August 1960.

3. WHY WAS THE ISA INTRODUCED?

• The Government of Malaya legislated the ISA as a continuation of the Emergency Ordinance 1948 to specifically deal with the threat of the Communist Insurgency.

• When the ISA was introduced in 1960, solemn promises were made in Parliament by then prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, his deputy Tun Abdul Razak and the Minister of Home Affairs Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, that the law will be used judiciously and only against communists, terrorists and subversives.

• The Communist Insurgency officially ended in 1989 with the signing of the Haadyai Peace Accord.

4. WHAT ARE THE GOVERNMENT’S REASONS FOR RETAINING ISA AFTER THE PEACE ACCORD OF 1989?

• No country can do without preventive detention laws to safeguard internal security.

• Security and stability are pre-requisites to ensure economic prosperity. Laws like the ISA are indispensable tools for maintaining the racial, religious and social harmony.

• Preventive laws like the ISA are needed to deal with the potential problems and conflicts in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural society.

• The ISA is not only about preventive detention. It deals with such matters as ban on quasi-military organizations and subversive publications, restriction on the movement of undesirable persons and proclamation of security areas.

• The ISA is needed in this age of cross-border terrorism to safeguard the sovereignty of the nation.

5. HOW MANY ARE IN DETENTION?

• Since August 1960, 10,662 people have been arrested under the various preventive detention laws.

• 4,139 were detained under Internal Security Act.

• 2,066 were served with restriction orders governing their activities and where they live.

• 12 people were executed for offences under the ISA between 1984 and 1993.

• As of July 2009, 13 people are still under detention.

6. WHO ARE THE PEOPLE MOST AFFECTED BY THE ISA DETENTIONS?

• The spouses, children and close family members who are deprived of their loved ones and; often times the primary source of their household income.

• The family members are faced with the social stigma, and in many cases are ostracised by relatives, neighbours, and friends.

• The family members have also known to face ‘harassment’ from the authorities.

7. WHY THE ISA IS CONSIDERED A DRACONIAN LAW BY CIVIL SOCIETY?

• The ISA is contrary to fundamental principles of international law, including the right to liberty of the person, to freedom from arbitrary arrest, to be informed of the reasons for arrest, to the presumption of innocence, and to a fair and open trial in a court of law.

• The ISA goes against the right of a person to defend himself in an open and fair trial. The person can be incarcerated up to 60 days of interrogation without access to legal counsel.

• A person detained under the ISA during the first 60 days is held incommunicado, with no access to the outside world.

• Torture goes concurrently with ISA detention. Former detainees have testified to being subjected to severe physical and psychological torture. This may include one or more of the following: physical assault, forced nudity, sleep deprivation, round-the-clock interrogation, death threats, threats of bodily harm to family members, including threats of rape and bodily harm to their children.

• Prolonged torture and deprivation have led to detainees signing state-manufactured ‘confessions’ under severe duress.

• The Internal Security Act (ISA) remains the core of the permanent, arbitrary powers to detain without trial available to the Executive.

• The ISA has been consistently used against people who criticise the government and defend human rights. The Act is an instrument maintained by the ruling government to control public life and civil society.

• Since 1960 when the Act was enacted, thousands of people including trade unionists, student leaders, labour activists, political activists, religious groups, academicians, NGO activists have been arrested under the ISA. Many political activists in the past have been detained for more than a decade.

• Beyond the violation of basic rights experienced by particular individuals, the ISA has had a wider, intimidating effect on civil society, and a marked influence on the nature of political participation and accountability in Malaysia.

• The ISA has been used to suppress peaceful political, academic and social activities, and legitimate constructive criticism by NGOs and other social pressure groups. It limits the political space for important debates on issues of economic policy, corruption and other social challenges.

8. WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR ABOLISHING THE ISA?

• The ISA permits the executive to detain any one it likes without a court trial, without any possibility of judicial review of the minister’s decision and without any limits on how many two-year periods of detention may be ordered.

• The ISA is a blatant violation of all international canons of rule of law, natural justice and due process.

• Article 149 of the Constitution under which the ISA is enacted permits special legislation when subversive action has been taken or threatened “by any substantial body of persons”. The use of the ISA to detain individual dissidents indulging in non-violent opposition to the Government in peace time is a violation of the letter and spirit of Article 149.

• National sovereignty is a shield against foreign aggression but it cannot be used as a weapon against one’s own people. There is a difference between national security and security of the government. The 1SA has often been used to safeguard the latter and not the former.

• The overall effect of the ISA is that the executive is allowed to play the role of accuser, investigator as well as adjudicator. No government can allow one man to exercise such complete power over another’s life and liberty.

9. HOW WILL THE NATION COUNTER THE THREAT OF CROSS-BORDER TERRORISM IF THE ISA IS ABOLISHED?

• The Government can introduce an Anti-Terrorism Act specifically designed to counter cross-border terrorism. However due process must be incorporated in this legislation to ensure the rights of the individual.

10. WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT TO ABOLISH THE ISA?

• You, your family, your friends are not ‘safe or immune’ from detention under ISA.

• A police officer with the rank of Inspector and above can arrest without a warrant and detain you for a period of 60 days with or without ‘good’ reasons for suspicion.

• You need to defend your democratic right to freedom of speech, assembly and association as guaranteed by Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

11. WHAT CAN I AS AN INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN DO TO SUPPORT THE “NO2ISA” MOVEMENT?

• Educate yourself first, then your family, friends and co-workers on the basics of the ISA.

• Lobby your MPs and Aduns to pressure the Government to abolish ISA.

• Join and contribute to initiatives organised by civil society groups to abolish ISA.

Pope : Broken wrist was part of God's plan

Benedict XVI bid farewell to the Italian Alps and those who helped him to make his holiday a pleasant one, but not before taking a light-hearted jab at his Guardian Angel for not keeping his vacation injury-free.

READ MORE HERE

Muslims burn 6 Christians to death after false allegations

Lahore, Pakistan, Aug 2, 2009 / 11:31 am (CNA).- Religious extremists struck again in Pakistan on Saturday when a violent mob of Muslims looted and burned a Christian neighborhood, killing six Christians by burning them to death. The attacks took place in reaction to a rumor that the Koran was desecrated in a nearby village.

The violence, which took place in the central Punjab town of Gorja City, occurred early on Saturday when a throng of Muslims surged into the Christian quarter, setting all 40 of the Christian houses and two churches aflame.

As the crowd of Muslims approached Gojra City, Christians fired shots at them in self-defense.

Six Christians—four women, a man and a 7 year-old child—were burned to death in the attacks.

The rioters were enraged by the alleged desecration of the Koran in the village of Koriyan, about two miles away.

However, Rana Sanaullah, provincial minister for law, who is also responsible for security matters of Punjab, said that an initial investigation found there was no desecration of the Koran. "It was just a rumor which was exploited by anti-state elements to create chaos," he said.

According to locals, the police observed the looting and burning, but took no action. “Though police was present at the time of attack, miscreants were not stopped by them,” local Christians complained. After some time, the police tried to stop the protesters, but the mob turned on the police, resulting in some injuries.

According to Minorities Concern of Pakistan, “this is the third incident in the last two months of this kind in Punjab province in which Christian localities were attacked due to alleged blasphemy.”

Christians make up just 1.5 percent of the total population of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

A Catholic’s perspective on the Al-Islam issue

Letter to The Editor of Herald Malaysia by Gregory Chan,

Roman Catholic Seminarian

For too long, the sensitivities of Catholics have been brushed aside by misinformed Muslims acting on the excuse of ferreting out murtad cases. In 2007, the Holy Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in Silibin was disrupted when a group of Muslims received a controversial sms that we were “converting” Muslims en masse. This was proved to be unequivocally false. The ceremony which was disrupted was one for first Holy Communicants, young children who are receiving the sacred host, something which the Catholics hold as sacred and sacrosanct. At that time, the Muslims stayed outside and staged a protest, and caused a great deal of fear, tension, and anxiety amongst the Catholics.

In 2009, Muslim journalists have come into our Church, unannounced and disguised as Catholics. This time, they participated in the Holy Eucharist and even received Holy Communion, which is reserved for Catholics alone, and had the audacity of spitting out and then photographing the expelled communion for all and sundry to see. And they even publish it in their magazine. What was their reason for acting in this manner? Again, to ferret out murtad cases.

Can we not see a progression in this? They have now entered our churches and participated in our ceremonies. The sensitivities of Catholics have been completely ignored. Indeed, the latest episode is but a blatant act of contempt towards our religion. What does this white communion wafer mean to us? Joachim Francis Xavier and Sudhagaran Stanley, the two people who have lodged a police report on this matter, subsequently had this to say:

“The ‘communion’ is held with great reverence and cannot in any way be mishandled or [treated] with a lack of respect. Even Catholics are not allowed to take home the ‘communion’ but are instructed to consume it immediately during the service. Catholics go through an elaborate process of preparing themselves to receive this ‘communion’ worthily and those who have not done so are advised to refrain from receiving it.”

Xavier and Stanley in a press statement said they were “outraged that these Muslim men consumed it [the communion] only to spit it out later, have it photographed, and have its image published”. The two Catholics said it was “total disrespect” for what Catholics regard as sacred.

READ MORE HERE

THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS DESTROY CHRISTIAN VILLAGE

JULY 31, 2009

Pakistan: Using firearms and explosives, thousands of Muslims destroyed the Christian village of Korian in the province of Punjab in eastern Pakistan. A Christian family in the village had been accused of blaspheming Islam.

“One cannot but weep upon seeing the trail of destruction left behind,” said Father Aftab James Paul, director of of the Diocese of Faisalabad’s commission for interfaith dialogue.

SOURCE: CCN

LINUNDUS says ...

You can deduce for yourself the difference of attitude between the two faiths.

Refugees and persecuted Christians in Pope's prayers for August

Vatican City, July 31 (CNA) .- Today, the Vatican published Pope Benedict's prayer intentions for August. The Pope will be praying for refugees and for those who are persecuted in Christ's name.

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for August is "That public opinion may be more aware of the problems of millions of displaced persons and refugees, and that concrete solutions may be found for their often tragic situation."

His mission intention is "That those Christians who are discriminated against and persecuted in many countries because of the name of Christ may have their human rights, equality and religious freedom recognized, in order to be able to live and profess their own faith freely".

Cory Aquino, Philippine democracy icon, dies at 76 (Updated)

MANILA, Philippines (Philstar) -- Former president President Corazon Aquino has passed away at dawn today (Aug. 1) due to complications from colon cancer, a statement from her family said. She was 76.

Mrs. Aquino, who has been confined at the Makati Medical Center for over a month, died around 3:18 a.m. after succumbing to cardio-respiratory arrest.

"She would have wanted us to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country," the Aquino family statement said.

"Hinihiling po ng aming pamilya ang konting panahon para makasama namin ang aming mahal na ina(Our family is requesting for some time to be with our beloved mother)."

The Aquino family members said they will be announcing further details of her wake.

Mrs. Aquino and former President of the Philippines (in her famous Yellow Colour for democracy), considered as an icon of democracy in the country, spearheaded the first People Power revolution in 1986 that ousted the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. She is the widow of former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

Supporters and close family members have been holding a 40-hour prayer vigil at the Edsa Shrine for Mrs. Aquino's recovery from her debilitating illness since Thursday night.

The latest prayer offering for the cancer-stricken Aquino will end noon today.

10-day mourning for Aquino

President Gloria Arroyo on Saturday declared a 10-day national mourning period for former leader Corazon Aquino, who died after a battle with colon cancer. Mrs Arroyo, in the United States on an official trip, praised Mrs Aquino for restoring ‘democracy and rule of law to our nation at a time of great peril’.‘The nation will mourn her passing,’ Mrs Arroyo said in a statement. ‘I am announcing that we will officially observe a 10-day period of national mourning. Our hearts go to the family in this hour of grief and sorrow.’

Mrs Aquino became president of a transitional government in 1986 after a bloodless ‘People Power’ revolt toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos’s 20-year regime. She framed a new constitution, overhauled the electoral process and opened peace talks with insurgent groups.

In retirement, she was a vocal critic of corruption in government and until she was diagnosed with cancer in March last year, led street protests against Mrs Arroyo. She had repeatedly called for the resignation of Mrs Arroyo, once a protege, whose nine-year presidency has been marked by massive corruption and allegations she has enriched her family using her office.

Former Aquino aide and press secretary Teodoro Locsin, who is also a close family friend, openly wept on television. ‘The purity, the nobility, never failed. She never asked for anything,’ in return, Mr Locsin said.

He said more than anything else, Mrs Aquino removed the ‘centre of corruption in government, because she would not be corrupt’. In the capital Manila, people attended vigils and lit candles as churches held requiem masses. — AFP