Jeffery Kitingan speaks.

by Roy Goh

He has the finger on the pulse of Sabah politics and he knows the issues close to the heart of Sabahans. But Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has also been called many things: a maverick, the man who party hops, an eccentric. ROY GOH talks to the man about his plans, now that he has resigned as Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president

In Sabah politics, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is very well known, though most of the time for the wrong reasons. He pulled yet another surprise recently by resigning as vice-president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat. He has left everyone guessing.

Jeffrey, who had joined four political parties in the past and was once held under the Internal Security Act, remains an ordinary member of PKR. He has, however, burned his bridges with the party. None of the options he has hinted at involved staying on in it.

Kitingan may have a penchant for switching camps but he is embraced by political parties because he knows the pulse of the people and the issues close to the heart of the people of Sabah.Jeffrey who had joined four political parties in the past and was once held under the Internal Security Act, remains an ordinary member of PKR.

Close calls for the Barisan Nasional in the last two elections, in Sook and Bingkor respectively, where he lost by small margins, attest to this. Attempts to get him to reveal his next move at an interview at his home in Sokid Villa in Luyang, Kota Kinabalu were met with a nonchalant “Bah, see lah.”

The word bah is a unique yet simple response from Sabahans to almost everything. It can mean yes, no, hello or goodbye and combined with different words can be an expression of anger, happiness, surprise or sadness. In short, it is as complicated as politics in Sabah.

Sabah folk may be able to understand what he is saying but peninsula-based PKR leaders will probably find his words hard to decipher. That is why it is felt that issues in Sabah should be resolved by a local.

A Sabah leader Ahmad Thamrin Jaini, formerly the state liaison committee secretary, replaces Azmin Ali as Sabah PKR chief. But the appointment, says Kitingan, was made by leaders from PKR headquarters. That only made things “more complicated”.

“It is not about the appointment but how it was made.” Considering he has gone from one party to another, will Kitingan be able to find a party that represents his true feelings, one that will enable him “to serve the people?”

Will he form a new party? “My brother (Pairin) did it bah when he formed PBS so why can’t I.” Or will he re-enter BN through PBS? It can happen but will it go down well with other PBS members?

Or maybe SAPP? Led by Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the former BN coalition party claims to have stealthily reached out to people of Sabah who wants equality in terms of progress and development. But like he said, he will need feedback from the grassroots first and until he makes his decision. “I am still an ordinary member bah.”

Excerpts from the interview:

Malaysian girls easily duped

By YENG AI CHUN

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian lasses are an easy lot to charm. They are easily smitten by sweet words and gifts, making them an easy target for drug-trafficking syndicates looking for mules.

This is the view of Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay, who said young Malaysian girls, some fresh graduates, were easily conned by men from the syndicates to travel abroad with a package.

“Some of the girls meet the men abroad and some meet them in Malaysia.

“There have been cases where girls just knew the men for a day and were willing to travel around with a bag, not knowing the contents,” he said at the launch of the Wanita MCA women and children’s aid and public complaints bureau in Kepong yesterday.

Also present at the event was Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

He said there were currently 1,565 Malaysians jailed abroad and 60% of the cases were drug mules.

“Thailand has the highest number of jailed Malaysians at 52. In Peru, 12 out of the 15 Malaysians jailed are girls,” he said, quoting 2007 statistics.

He added that 25 Malaysians were jailed in Taiwan, 11 in China, 12 in Spain and one in Chile.

“Six in China have been sentenced to death. Since 2007, about 30 Malaysians are in death row,” he said.

Kohilan added that the syndicates, mostly comprising African men, would give the young girls free flight tickets and cash for shopping as part of the trip abroad.

“There is no such thing as a free trip.

“Parents should be mindful of such trips and keep a close watch on their children,” Kohilan said.

Source: thestaronline

LINUNDUS says …

This expose by Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay is very disturbing and is an eye opener for all us, especially for those whose daughters have just completed their schools or graduated.

What could be the reason(s) why our Malaysian lasses are easily roped and duped into this appalling syndrome?

1) Is it because they cannot find immediate employment in our country after they have graduated?

2) Do we have enough vacant jobs that they can be employed?

3) Is it purely greed to venture into this dangerous undertaking albeit knowing the consequences?

The first two questions should be addressed by the Government, while the third rests with the individuals who decide for themselves.

'Be Safe, Use Protection, Wear a Rosary'

Posted by Laurence England

Perplexed by continued soaring rates of teenage pregnancies, abortions and STIs, a new Government advertising scheme is to roll out next summer. The campaign, 'Be Safe: Wear a Rosary' is a stunning change in direction from the Government. The advertising campaign will feature a young couple getting hot under the collar. The controversial advert, which has received over 500 million complaints from atheists already, before it has even been aired, will feature a conversation from the young couple on the benefits of the Rosary.

The teenage boy and the teenage girl are watching a film when the couple begin kissing and hands start moving to places which could lead to impurity and sin. The teenage girl then says, "Did you bring protection?"

The teenage boy then says, "Oh no...I can't find it. Do you have one?"

The girl says, "Hang on, I'll have a dig around in my bedside drawer....Yes, I've got one. Shall we use a blue one or a white one?"

The boy says, "A white one. Let's do it on the floor in the bedroom."

The girl says, "Yes, lets do that."

The boy then says, "Ready? I believe in One God, the Father the Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth..."

A ladies voiceover then comes in as the ad fades to a picture of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary and whispers, "Be Safe, Use Protection, Wear a Rosary."

Twelve pound nugget of gold!

You would probably have come across this piece sometime & somewhere in the past. But no harm in re-reposting it! Have a good & safe day! - Idrus al-Haj.

A husband and wife both were very happy over the twelve pound baby boy that was born to them. Mr. Brown who could not conceal his delight, called up the editor of a famous newspaper and reported that he became the proud owner of a twelve pound nugget of gold.

The editor upon hearing the seemingly extraordinary news was rather hesitant to accept it at its face value. So he sent his star reporter to interview Mr. Brown. When the reporter came, Mr. Brown was away and his wife was alone at home.

The following interesting conversation took place between the reporter and Mrs. Brown:

Reporter : Does Mr. Brown Live here?

Mrs. Brown : Oh! Yes.

Reporter : Is he in?

Mrs. Brown : Why no, he went somewhere.

Reporter : Is it true that he owns a twelve pound nugget of gold?

Mrs. Brown : (Seeing the joke) Yes, indeed.

Reporter : Can I see the place where he found it?

Mrs. Brown : I am afraid, not because Mr. Brown objects in as much as it is strictly private.

Reporter : Is the place far?

Mrs. Brown : No, it is quite near and convenient.

Reporter : How many years has Mr. Brown been digging the hole?

Mrs. Brown : Just for about ten months.

Reporter : Is the hole deep?

Mrs. Brown : Quite so...

Reporter : Has Mr. Brown reached the bottom of it?

Mrs. Brown : Not yet, but he is coming near...

Reporter : At about what time does Mr. Brown starts digging?

Mrs. Brown : Oh, he does his digging mostly at night.

Reporter : Does he work hard on it?

Mrs. Brown : You bet... and how he perspires.

Reporter : Is Mr. Brown the first to dig?

Mrs. Brown : He thought he was...

Reporter : How do you know there was someone ahead of him?

Mrs. Brown : I am in a good position to say so, because I own the place.

Reporter : Oh, I see, but you sold the place to Mr. Brown?

Mrs. Brown : No, but for the present, he has the legal title to the site, with my consent. Reporter : Has Mr. Brown any helper when he works on the claim?

Mrs. Brown : Yes, I work under him...

Reporter : When do you think Mr. Brown will sell the place?

Mrs. Brown : I think not because he enjoys working on it.

Reporter : Can I see the twelve pound nugget of gold?

Mrs. Brown : Yes, certainly (and she showed him the twelve pound baby boy :-)

The Reporter fainted!

Anglican bishop plans to convert to Catholicism

Hundreds of traditionalist clergy could join the exodus, though most are waiting for the exact details of the new apostolic constitution to be published Photo: CHRISTOPHER PLEDGER

Bishop John Hind of Chichester, described by The Telegraph as “the most senior traditionalist in the Church of England,” has announced his plans to convert to Catholicism.

“This is a remarkable new step from the Vatican,” he said, referring to Pope Benedict’s decision to permit members of Anglican communities to enter the Catholic Church as communities. “At long last there are some choices for Catholics in the Church of England. I'd be happy to be reordained into the Catholic Church.”

Source: READ HERE

M'sia Day declared a national holiday

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has declared

that Malaysia Day which falls on Sept 16 annually will be a national public holiday from next year.

He told Dewan Rakyat Monday that the formation of Malaysia as an independent and sovereign country was an important chapter in the nation's history.

"As such, Malaysians will celebrate a twin national holiday. Merdeka Day on Aug 31 which reminds us of the fight for independence from the colonialists will be celebrated with processions and so forth.

Malaysia Day is celebrated annually on Sept 16 to remind of the formation of the federation of Malaysia following the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak in 1963.

Najib was replying to a question by Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) who wanted to know about the people's acceptance of 1Malaysia and programmes needed to achieve it.

"The formation of Malaysia as an independent and sovereign country was an important chapter in the nation's history. We want the joy and sorrows of Sabah and Sarawak people to be felt by those in peninsula."

UPKO hails the announcement

United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) hailed the Prime Minister's announcement of Sept 16 as a national holiday as being long overdue.

The decision by the government goes a long way to putting right what I have always called a distortion of history," said its president, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in his blog.

It is time also to remember the founding fathers of this nation, Tun Fuad Stephens, the President of the then Upko, announced the Declaration of Malaysia on September 16, 1963 in Jesselton as Kota Kinabalu was then known.

"He had prior to this declaration, chaired the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) which had in its membership leaders from Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore. The IGC was the forum for the discussion of the terms and conditions for the formation of the new nation to be named Malaysia," he said.

In this respect, Dompok said Upko wished to restate that its guiding philosophy is the pursuit of the aspirations upon which this nation was formed.

"The Malaysia Agreement of 1963 and the consequential Federal Constitution contain the wishes of the people of Sabah expressed through various forum including the Twenty Points.

Study on TYT's b-day

A study will be conducted to see if it is necessary to shift Head of State's official birthday to another date now that September 16 has been recognised as Malaysia Day and a national holiday.

"We have expressed our appreciation to the Prime Minister's announcement. The Cabinet will have to study this matter before making any changes," said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman when asked for comment.

IDS: Shifting TYT’s Bday is a wise move

According to Institute Development Studies (IDS) Sabah Chairman, Datuk Clarence Bongkos Malakun, “shifting the present Head of State's official birthday to another date, now that September 16 has been declared as Malaysia Day, will be a wise move.”

"It (now) will not be proper to coincide the Head of State's birthday (because Sept. 16 is being celebrated as Malaysia Day)," he said.

"I support the Chief Minister saying that a study will be conducted whether to set a new date for Sabah to celebrate the Head of State's official birthday," he said Wednesday.

Malakun, who is also President of the National Council of the Justices of the Peace, Malaysia and President of the Council of Justices of the Peace, Sabah, said should the Government decide to set a new date, it should preferably not fall during the fasting month.

He added that credit should also be given to Putatan MP Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh as Najib made the announcement while replying to his question in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

"The fact that the Prime Minister and the Federal Cabinet now recognise September 16 as Malaysia Day and a public holiday for the whole country is a recognition of the importance of both Sabah and Sarawak within the Federation of Malaysia," he said.

Malakun said that the Prime Minister was indeed living up to his slogan of 1Malaysia.

"All leaders from Sabah and Sarawak, who have voiced support for (greater recognition from the Federal Government) September 16 should be congratulated for their perseverance on the matter," he said.

PBS: Two-in-one Celebration, not necessary for another public holiday

However, shifting the date of the Head of State's official birthday from September 16 to another day is not appropriate although it has been declared as Malaysia Day by the Federal Government, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Chief Information Officer, Datuk Johnny Mositun.

According to Mositun, “Sept. 16 should be a two-in-one celebration - to celebrate Malaysia Day and the Head of State's official birthday.”

KDCA Rebuttal

Meanwhile, Jeoffrey Ekol, KDCA Supreme Council member questioned the rationale for having and celebrating two national public holidays on August 31 and September 16. (BP Wednesday , October 21).

However, the KDCA distanced itself from the statement made its Supreme Council member Jeoffrey Ekol as his statement expressed was totally his own, and nothing to do with the association.

“KDCA wishes to clarify that whatever was expressed pertaining to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s declaration of both August 31 (Independence Day) and September 16 (Malaysia Day) as national public holidays worthy of national celebrations was completely Jeoffrey Ekol’s personal views and does not reflect the official viewa and stand of the KDCA’s as an association,” Suman Yasambun, KDCA Secretary General said. (DE Friday, October 23.)

15,000 Bible Copies Seized!

The Herald Malaysia Online reports that the Government of Malaysia through the Ministry of Home Affairs have seized a total of 15,000 copies of the Malay-language Bible, known as Alkitab.

On Sept 11, Gideons International consignment of 5,000 Indonesia Testaments (Vest) and 5,000 Indonesia/English Bilingual Testaments that Alpha Publisher sent from Jakarta to Kuching were detained by the Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry (Publication).

While in March this year, 5,100 Bibles in Bahasa Indonesia ordered by the Bible Society of Malaysia were also detained by the same ministry.

We would like to see what Christian leaders in Sabah namely Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Tan Sri Bernard Dompok have to say about this. It seems that many Christians leaders nowadays fear their political masters more than they fear God!

READ MORE HERE AND HERE

Related Article

Weekdays in BUNDULIWAN dialect.

I happen to stumble upon photos depicting weekdays in English, Bahasa and Kadazandusun (Bunduliwan) language posted in this blog ‘anakjagung’, and I remember a friend of mine, who, in conversation with his grandson studying the BUNDULIWAN dialect being taught in school, was puzzled with his grandson’s answers.

As a responsible grandfather who wanted his grandchildren to speak in Kadazan language proper, his own mother tongue, had the following conversation in Kadazan with his eldest grandson. To his consternation and amazement, he was puzzled and perplexed with what his grandson had learnt in school.

The conversation goes like this:

Grandfather: Oonu oh mangan nu do suvab?

Grandson: Suvab nopo nga Tontolu, om mugad zou sikul.

Grandfather: Oonu kanu dii? Tontolu? ‘Tontolu’ nopo mati nga boos do Dusun ih kikomozon do ‘Tontohu’ id boos do Kadazan.

Grandson: Okon, ‘Tontolu’ nopo nga tadau Koiso, … ‘Isnin’ ka do id Bahasa.

Grandfather: Odoi dogo! Isai oh minongi’ah diau diti? Kohohoingo' ku diti, au zou insan nokoko'ongou do ‘Tontolu’ nopo nga Tadau Koiso!

Grandson: Iziau nopo diti Apah, au ko iziau koiho do boos the Bunduliwan. Iti no oh po’ia’on dagai doid sikul.

Grandfather: Nondia, pokitono zou do buuk dino.

The grandson then produced the book Standard 5 and showed it to his Grandpa. Indeed, the book tells the following:

English Bahasa Bunduliwan

Monday Isnin Tontolu

Tuesday Selasa Mirod

Wednesday Rabu Madsa

Thursday Khamis Tadtaru

Friday Jumaat Kurudu

Saturday Sabtu Kukuak

Sunday Ahad Tiwang

Admittedly, language is a ‘living thing’, but we cannot simply start inventing or re-inventing words that have no relevance to the subject matter. Those invented or borrowed words such as the above, give different meaning in the real sense of the subject words altogether, e.g., the names of weekdays.

‘Tontolu’ or ‘Tontohu’ means ‘egg’; ‘Mirod’ or ‘Mi’od’ means making a slight movement to ease one’s body. These words have no relevance to Mondays and Tuesdays respectively. And so are the rest of the words depicting Wednesdays to Sundays.

I find it absurd to use those words to describe weekdays in my everyday conversation.

I have therefore tried to find out how those words to describe weekdays came about. I was told that those words were taken from the 7-day life cycle of a butterfly. This is not the correct way of inventing words to describe weekdays. Make it simple like the following:

Tadaukoiso (Monday); Tadaukoduvo or Tadaukoduwo (Tuesday); Tadaukotohu or Tadaukotolu (Wednesday); Tadaukaapat (Thursday); Tadaukohimo or Tadaukolimo (Friday); Tadaukoonom (Saturday); and Tadaukotuu or Tadaukoturu (Sunday).

The above words to describe weekdays are currently used by Daily Express in ‘Pangaan KadazanDusun’ and RTM (Kadazan Section). Why can’t we teach our children the correct way? They are perfectly relevant to our everyday usage in Kadazan or Bunduliwan!!