Issue a betrayal of Malaysia Agreements – ACS

UNITED WE STAND: (From left) John Ha, Bolly, Steward, Dr Su, Lawrence, Ng and Ambrose.

KUCHING: Churches in Sarawak yesterday affirmed in front of about 1,500 forum participants their stand on the recent ban of the word ‘Allah’ in the Catholic weekly bulletin ‘The Herald’.

Association of Churches (ACS) in Sarawak chairman Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok said the Bumiputera Church would continue to use the word ‘Allah’ as it is fundamental to all aspects of their profession and practice of the Christian faith.

“Any attempt to forbid the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims would be most regrettable and wholly unacceptable as it is a flagrant disregard and betrayal of the Malaysia Agreements that guarantee the inalienable rights of non-Muslims in Sarawak and Sabah to complete religious freedom.”

Bolly, who is also Archbishop of the Province of South East Asia, Council of Churches Malaysia acting president and Christian Federation of Malaysia deputy chairman, said these rights must be given its rightful place and that religious bigotry, racism and extremism must be contained.

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Malaysia Agreement back in the spotlight - AMANAH

In the wake of parliament's refusal to debate the Malaysia Agreement, Amanah has invited Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to talk about the "non-fulfillment" of the terms.

KOTA KINABALU: Parliament’s rejection of a motion by Sabah MP to debate the 18/20 points Malaysia Agreement has spurred Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) here to organize a public talk and a round table discussion on the issue.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah will present a keynote address at a discussion on the 20-Points Malaysia Agreement.

Amanah deputy president Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing said the forum follows parliament’s rejection of the motion which was brought by Penampang MP Darrel Leiking.

“Razaleigh has agreed to come and repeat a speech he gave at a forum held in Kuala Lumpur recently entitled “The Non-fulfillment of the 20 and 18 Point Agreement with Sabah and Sarawak,“ the Tamparuli assemblyman told FMT Friday.

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Credits: FMT

The mission of Amanah:

1. To rekindle the legacy, promise and ideals of Bapa Malaysia and the Founding Fathers so that all Malaysians may live together as members of a truly just, fair, progressive, united and happy national community

2. To earnestly acknowledge, affirm and respect the sovereignty of the constituent states of the Malaysian Federation, consistent with the principles of federalism, consistent with democratic principles and in true spirit of the Constitution

3. To ensure that our national institutions respect and uphold the rule of law, democratic principles, rights and universal values.

4. To support a government and administration that is:

- transparent and accountable,

- truly competent and efficient,

- free of corruption and cronyism,

- clean and honest,

- fair and trustworthy,

that will be fully able to serve its functions and meet its responsibilities, freely and fairly. An administration that will always be mindful of the rights and interests of the people in whose name and cause it is appointed to serve.

5. To promote the socioeconomic well-being of the people, so that all Malaysians may enjoy truly advanced, progressive, fair and equitable lives — individually upholding filial piety and other noble values and collectively joined together in sincere family kinship as members of our national community and as stakeholders in our common national destiny.

6. To support an economic policy that will help achieve and sustain a high standard of living for the people, based on the principle of justice, fairness and balance, consistent with the constitution and under a stable monetary condition.

Yours sincerely,

Wan Saiful Wan Jan

Amanah Central Committee Member

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PRESS STATEMENT: “Implement Verbal Support of Sabah as Far East Hub" - DATUK DR. JEFFREY KITINGAN

PRESS STATEMENT: “Implement Verbal Support of Sabah as Far East Hub – Dr. Jeffrey”

Kota Kinabalu: “The Sabah government should put its foot in its mouth and implement the proposed Plan of the Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI) (formerly Federation of Sabah Manufacturers – FSM) and turn Sabah into the “Hub of the Far East” as giving verbal support is of no use to the Plan" said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, commenting on the report that the Sabah government supports the said Plan.

“The Plan by FSI to turn Sabah into the “Hub of the Far East” or so-called “Dubai” of the Far East is realistic, achievable and very good for the long term economic development of Sabah and welfare of Sabahans based on my briefing from FSM then” added Dr. Jeffrey.

Considering the overall benefits of the Plan, the Sabah government should quickly establish an Implementation Committee with the FSI and all stakeholders to put the Plan into action.

Sabah occupies a strategic and central location in the Far East and is nearer to Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, even to the USA than Port Klang or Pasir Gudang in the Peninsula. 

It makes no business sense for goods from and to these countries from Sabah to go through Port Klang first. 

The detour to Port Klang costs more money and takes a longer journey time. 

In a comparative study, it cost RM3, 833 and at least 14 days to ship a container from Kota Kinabalu to Tokyo, Japan but only cost RM2, 082 and 11 days to ship the same container from Penang to Tokyo. A similar container from Kota Kinabalu to Auckland. New Zealand, will cost RM5, 033 and take 28 days compared to RM4, 197 and 20 days from Penang. 

By shipping direct from Kota Kinabalu to Tokyo will render costs to be cheaper and faster thereby making exports from Sabah immediately more competitive as an investment and manufacturing destination.

Based on an analysis done on the revenues of local shipping companies protected by the unfair and the crippling cabotage policy, Sabahans pay about RM1.2 billion a year based on 400,000 TEUs at RM3, 000 average shipping costs per 20 foot container. This works out to the equivalent of RM35 per Sabahan per month or RM175 per household of 5 persons.

RM175 per month may be loose change for corrupt leaders but it constitute 10% of the average Sabah household income of RM1, 751 based on figures from the Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia.

Therefore, it is imperative as part of the Sabah government initiative to make Sabah the Far East Hub, the Sabah government need to open up all the ports in Sabah to international shipping lines and bypass the Cabotage policy. 

This can be done by a Sabah law passed in the State Assembly.

By opening up the ports in Sabah, it will be a boon for local manufacturing activities and immediately render Sabah exports more competitive in the global markets especially to Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan and the USA.

From 2012, the income of shipping companies derived from the operation of Malaysian ships has been 70% exempted from tax and the income of any person employed on board a Malaysian ship is also exempted from tax. 

These incentives should be extended to Sabah manufacturers and industries with exports. They need to be compensated in order to enjoy the same shipping costs as their Peninsula counterparts. 

Therefore, the Sabah government needs to secure that Sabah manufacturers and industries with exports be granted a 100% tax incentive for their export value for a period of 10 years.

This move, amongst the various other measures that can be adopted to make the Far East Hub a success, will enable Sabah manufacturers and industries to re-capitalize and re-invest. It will also lure potential investors to invest in Sabah.

According to the Department of Statistics, in 2012 the manufacturing sector in Sabah contributed only 1.9% of Malaysia’s GDP with only Kelantan and Perlis having a lower contribution. 

Domestically, the manufacturing sector contributed only 7.9% of Sabah’s GDP compared to 27.0% in Sarawak, 31.5% in Selangor and 48.4% in Penang. There is much room for improvement in Sabah’s manufacturing sector.

If the Plan to turn Sabah into the “Hub of the Far East” is implemented and Sabah promoted as a competitive and investment destination, there will be much needed economic spin-offs. 

Employment opportunities will be generated, human capital development will be enhanced rendering no necessity to “export” our youths to the Peninsula and Singapore for factory jobs. 

Only then will Sabah be an economic powerhouse in line with the vision of the Sabah Development Corridor Blue Print 2008-2025. 

The promotion of Sabah as the Far East Hub will grow and eventually contribute to Sabah’s and Malaysia‘s economic progress and development. 

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan is the Chairman of STAR Sabah and State Assemblymen for N33, Bingkor, Sabah.

He also contested in P180, Keningau garnering 11900 strong votes

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan

Chairman, STAR Sabah

14 November 2013

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Imagine Musa tabling an RM40B 2014 Sabah Budget

By Matthias Hermes

KOTA KINABALU: STAR Sabah chief Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has proposed the Chief Minister to table a record-breaking RM40 billion Sabah Budget for 2014.

Such a proposal was made assuming the calls by Malay ultras to chase out Christian Malaysians and Sabah out of the Federation are to realize before year-end.

Jeffrey (photo) said the RM40 billion budget, a ten-fold increase from the historical RM4.048 billion spent for 2013, will set Sabah’s economy into lift-off into the super league of wealthy nations.

“It may be a record of sorts but RM40 billion revenue is a conservative estimate.  Oil revenue will contribute RM20 billion, half of the total revenue, which is not unexpected given the current world oil prices of above USD100 per barrel.

“The federal tax department announced it could collect up to RM40 billion for 2013 from Sabah,” he pointed out. (It must be pointed out that the Sabah IRB has since clarified that the figure of RM40 billion was erroneously quoted and have since said the amount is much lesser).

In addition, all the federal departments’ collections from Sabah could be another several billion ringgit.

He further noted that the corporate sector could contribute many billions more now that they will have to pay tax on revenue based on income derived from Sabah.

“Palm oil revenue could be very significant as Sabah is the world’s third biggest producer of crude palm oil, about 36% of Malaysia’s total of about RM73 billion a year,” he said.

He estimated that local contribution of State revenue would be another RM2.4 billion based on 2013’s estimated revenue of RM3.828 billion inclusive of RM1.42 billion from federal coffers.

“In fact, looking at the figures, the 2014 Budget could exceed RM60 billion all in,” he said.

“For 2013, the estimated expenditure was RM663.17 million for emoluments, recurrent expenditures of RM1,087.93 million and special expenditures of RM2,337.38 million (which formed the bulk of the RM2.42 billion development expenditure).

“Giving a 6% increase, the emoluments will rise to RM702.96 million and RM1,153.21 million for recurrent expenditures, totalling RM1,856.17 million,” he added.

The Bingkor assemblyman also suggested that to create a quantum leap in the economy and development, each of the 60 state constituencies could be allocated RM300 million each (RM25 million per month), totalling RM18 billion, a 7-1/2 times increase from 2013.

“In other words, Sabah will get development in a single year of what would take 7-1/2 years to achieve given the 2013 Budget.

“And to alleviate the people’s financial position, each of the 3.2 million Sabahans will be given a RM1,000 special dividend which will utilize another RM3.2 billion.

“The total Budget expenditure will total RM23.05717 billion leaving a surplus of RM16.94283 billion,” he said.

Assuming Sabah takes back control of the security forces comprising some 16,000 police, PGA and maritime personnel, which may cost Sabah another RM600 million, Dr Jeffrey opined that putting aside RM1.0 billion should be able to cover the additional costs of assuming State control of the security forces including 5,000 army personnel.

“That would still leave a healthy and hefty RM15.94 billion to be added to Sabah’s reserves which is said to be about RM3 billion currently,” he said.

He quipped that even with prudent financial planning, Selangor, the richest Malaysian state only managed to increase its State reserves from RM700 million in 2008 to RM3 billion in 2013.

“Imagine RM15.94 billion reserves in 2014 alone, Selangor would seem poor in comparison and probably take another 20 years to catch up.

“The RM15.94 billion reserves will result in each and every Sabahan having a healthy credit balance of RM4,981 compared to the national debt of some RM600 billion or RM21,000 debt for every Malaysian,” he pointed out.

Source: http://borneoinsider.com/2013/11/14/imagine-musa-tabling-an-rm40b-2014-sabah-budget/

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Enough with the threats, Jeffrey tells Najib’s men

He said the claims for the restoration of Sabah rights and autonomy do not mean cessation, or being anti-Malaya/Peninsula or promoting hatred for other Malaysians.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah opposition leader Jeffrey Kitingan wants the federal government to stop threatening those who have spoken up for Sabah’s rights in Malaysia.

He said it could not be denied that the two Borneo states had been overlooked in terms of development and their rights denied under the terms and conditions of the Malaysia Agreement and criticisms should not be construed as unpatriotic.

“The biggest threat to the security of the nation and the break-up of Malaysia is from the ruling government itself,” he said yesterday when urging the federal authorities to acknowledge its treatment of Sabah and Sarawak.

“The more the ruling government ignore and does not address the grievances of and the injustices inflicted on Sabahans and Sarawakians and implement the Malaysia Agreement, the 20/18 Points, the IGC Report and the recommendations of the Cobbold Commission, the louder will be the voice of the people in Sabah and Sarawak.

“The official slogan may be ‘Sabah Maju Jaya Dalam Malaysia’ but the stark reality on the ground and in the kampongs is ‘Sabah Termiskin Dalam Malaysia’,” the STAR Sabah chairman, who’s outspokenness on Sabah issues has landed him in trouble before, said.

Kitingan also contended that if the government wished to take action against perceived “threats to the security and well-being of the nation”, it should look into the statements and threats issued by personalities and groups in the name of Malay rights.

He said such jingoistic terms as Ketuanan Malayu as well as the religious bigots that incite religious hatred and racism are far more dangerous but have been ignored.

The failure of Minister of Defence Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to speak out on those issues, he said, could be construed as arrogance and an abuse of power to lord it over and control Sabahans to ensure Umno and Malaya’s dominance and colonisation over Sabah.

“There is nothing criminal or wrong in any Sabahan/Sarawakian to seek the restoration of the rights, privileges and autonomy of the Borneo States that were taken away or eroded since 1963,” he said.

“The Minister seems to have forgotten the facts of history that Sabah and Sarawak (with Singapore then) formed Malaysia in 1963 and were given various promises and assurances by the then Malayan leaders including the execution of the Malaysia Agreement to induce and entice the Borneo States to form Malaysia.

“Malaysia never existed before 1963 and Malaysia would not have existed even today without Sabah and Sarawak,” Kitingan pointed out.

Critics are not anti-Malaya

He said the claims for the restoration of Sabah rights and autonomy do not mean cessation, or being anti-Malaya/Peninsula or promoting hatred for other Malaysians.

“Claiming for Sabah rights is nothing more than the equivalent claim for Malay rights in the Peninsula.  Claiming for these rights also does not mean ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ or ‘Sarawak for Sarawakians’.

“It is not even a shadow of a threat to the security and well-being of the nation although it may seem to be a political threat to the political powers that be.

“A political threat just like the political threat posed by Pakatan Rakyat to the ruling regime does not mean a threat to the nation or security of the nation.

“Such a political situation is but part and parcel of a democracy.  However, the ruling regime does not see it that away and used every possible government machinery to bully, harass and intimidate the opposition,” he said.

The Bingkor assemblyman also advised the Minister concerned to take a lesson from the Prime Minister and realise the realities of the political power wielded by the Borneo States and its people including the local BN leaders.

“The people in the Borneo States have awakened from their slumber and now realise that their roles as kingmakers in determining the federal government in Putrajaya and along with it the God-given opportunity to voice and claim the restoration of the rights and autonomy of the Borneo States.

“Sack the ministers and deputy ministers from Sabah and Sarawak today and immediately the ruling BN regime will find itself in the opposition with the Minister himself as the “shadow” minister in the opposition cabinet,” he said.

Kitingan continued that the claims for restoration of Sabah rights and autonomy are beyond harassment and threats by the ministers and the government machinery.

He further noted that the people of Sabah including Sabah Umno/BN leaders and supporters are already joining the bandwagon to seek the restoration of the Sabah rights.

“Even the claims for the return of the oil rights and oil revenue, taken 95% by Petronas and the federal government with RM58 billion taken in 2012, can no longer be ignored.

“Promises of development, 1 or 2 ‘Tangki Biru 1-Malaysia’, a few pieces of zinc and timber, a few million here and there, a few hundred million of projects here and there, will no longer satisfy the people in Sabah and Sarawak. It will be more evident come the 14th general election,” he said.

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/09/24/enough-with-the-threats-jeffrey-tells-najibs-men/

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