WILL WE SEE ANOTHER FLIP FLOP HERE IN MABUL?

Do you remember the decision by the State Government to scrap the building of a coal fired plant in Lahad Datu on the basis of environment on 4 May 2008. Then in a news on 21 November 2008, Datuk Zakaria Idris (BN - Gum Gum) said that blackouts due to insufficient power supply were common and threatened economic development in the east coast. Sabah has no choice but to accept a 300mW coal-fired plant in Sandakan to ensure sufficient power supply in the state’s east coast, an assemblyman told the State Assembly. Have you ever wonder if what is not right for Lahad Datu can be right for Sandakan? So much for the flip-flop disease of our nation leadership. Is it as contagious? Before that is sorted out, we now have a new environmental issues on Mabul island. A proposed 33 hectare oceanarium resort will be build in Mabul Island, located in the East Coast of Sabah.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun had said that it will not destroy the coral reefs. Rather, it would help ease pressure from the diving crowd coming from neighbouring Sipadan island.

The question now is should we have development at the expense of environment? How much can Sabah benefit from the tourist who would "flock" to the oceanarium? Is it jus another "project" for the rakyat? I leave it for your the rakyat to call the shots, remember the next general elections, even a vote make the difference...........its in your hand now.

Najib: We will take steps to end money politics

By : Mustapha Kamil and Sajahan Abdul Waheed

LIMA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak said money politics in Umno cannot be eradicated overnight but the party will come up with measures to stop the menace.

Speaking after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting here on Sunday, the deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president said vote-buying in the party had to be fought with commitment and political will.

He was responding to criticism, including by former prime miniser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who said even Najib would find it difficult to stop money politics in Umno when the latter became prime minister.

Najib said: "During Tun's time, he did introduce steps to eradicate money politics in Umno. It is not easy but there must be the will and commitment to do so.

"The fight against money politics must be comprehensive and it is a process that will involve time."
In Kuala Lumpur, Umno disciplinary board chairman Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen Tengku Ismail said proposals for additional initiatives to curb corruption in the run-up to the March elections were being studied.

He said these included cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

"We have to find new ways to reduce money politics in the party. We cannot allow this disease to spread as it would have negative implications on the party."

However, he declined to elaborate on the measures.

The disciplinary board was established when Dr Mahathir was party president. In 2000, Umno held an extraordinary meeting to discuss amendments to its constitution.

These included the formation of the disciplinary board. Tengku Rithaudeen was appointed its first chairman in 2001.

The board, however, has had little effect on the reportedly widespread buying of votes at Umno elections.

Tengku Rithaudeen said Umno members had to be continually educated on the ills of money politics.

"Some members take it lightly and do not see the need to lodge reports. These are the things which we must correct."

On cooperation with the ACA, Tengku Rithaudeen said a few meetings had been held.

"Things are progressing smoothly. We are looking into how the disciplinary board and ACA can work together to overcome money politics."

Earlier this month, he met ACA investigations director Datuk Shukri Abdull about battling corruption in the party.

Meanwhile, sources said some divisional leaders who were elected during the divisional meeting recently were expected to be called up by the board.

They are said to have corruptly secured their positions during the divisional meetings which began on Oct 9.

As of Friday, the board has received 837 complaints, including reports of money politics.

So far, 181 cases have been investigated, 31 of which were called to show cause and 18 people found guilty.

Budget 2009: We have lost our competitive edge, says Anwar

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says there is nothing new in the budget

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was disappointed with Budget 2009, saying there was "nothing new" in it.

"The problem is, we've lost our competitive edge. There are no FDIs (foreign direct investments), management is slow and corruption is rampant. These issues were not dealt with (by the government)."

He also took exception to the fact that this year's budget is a deficit one.

"For an oil-producing country, it is an exceptional case for Malaysia to continue to register a deficit. It is understandable for a country that has no resources, but not this country."

He said the incentives given to Sabah and Sarawak as well as the poor would not help them in the long run.
He said the budget did not address the issue of competitiveness. "We failed to be more competitive because we are stuck with old policies."