BN perlu perubahan drastik: Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) kini melalui ujian paling getir dan gagasan pemerintahan itu mungkin menghadapi kemusnahan jika tiada tindakan drastik diambil untuk menangani kemerosotan sokongan maka, kata Naib Presiden Umno, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin berkata, walaupun BN merangkumi 13 parti komponen, Umno cuba memperbaiki imej parti untuk meningkatkan keyakinan rakyat dan lebih banyak usaha perlu dilakukan segera.

“Kita tidak bekerjasama dalam usaha kita. Oleh kerana kita lambat melakukan perubahan, ramai berpendapat Umno tidak akan berubah. Jika ambil masa terlalu lama untuk berubah maka orang tidak akan menunggu kita.

“Situasi kekalahan dua pertiga majoriti BN di Parlimen selepas pilihan raya umum Mac tahun lalu masih tidak berubah.

“Kita perlu lebih berkesan dan melaksanakan perkara luar biasa pada masa luar biasa,” katanya pada majlis penyampaian hadiah Kejohanan Golf Amal, Tan Sri Muhyiddin, di MINES Golf and Beach Resort di sini, hari ini.

Muhyiddin yang juga Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri berkata, bukan saja Umno sebagai tulang belakang BN yang perlu berubah, parti komponen lain juga perlu berbuat demikian.

“Situasi akan bertambah teruk jika kita menunggu lama untuk melaksanakan perubahan. Umno mesti memimpin dalam melakukan perubahan drastik. Kita khuatir dengan situasi ini,” katanya.Mengenai ekonomi negara, Muhyiddin berkata keadaan Malaysia adalah lebih baik dalam menghadapi krisis ekonomi global berbanding negara lain.

Beliau, yang baru kembali dari mengiringi Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, dalam rangka lawatan ke Bahrian, Qatar dan Emiriyah Arab Bersatu (UAE), berkata walaupun negara tidak mengalami kemelesatan ekonomi namum situasi ekonomi global tidak berkembang.

“Rakyat Malaysia harus tabah menghadapi perubahan. Walaupun kita tidak menghadapi kemelesatan ekonomi namun perlu mengambil langkah meringankan impak krisis ekonomi global,” katanya.

Sementara itu, kejohanan golf amal itu berjaya mengumpul RM20,000 yang disumbangkan kepada Tabung Bantuan Kemanusiaan Gaza, anjuran akhbar Berita Harian. - Bernama

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KURUP DARES PAIRIN TO DEBATE

23rd January, 2009 KOTA KINABALU: PBRS president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup has challenged his Barisan Nasional (BN) colleague Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan to an open debate over the candidacy for the much-anticipated Pensiangan by-election. Kurup who is the Deputy Minister of Rural Development urged Pairin who is the PBS president not to hide behind his secretary-general Datuk Radin Malleh and to face him as a gentleman. “I would like to meet Datuk Pairin face to face to debate on his recent statement on the candidacy in Pensiangan and the implications of that statement as well as what I said about his performance as a two-term Pensiangan MP and his “colourful and well documented history with BN,” he said here yesterday. He was responding to a statement issued by Radin on Wednesday questioning him (Kurup) on his chances of winning the Pensiangan seat, if and when a by-election was called. Radin especially reminded Kurup that the Pensiangan seat was never won by PBRS in the real sense of the word but was given a ‘free ride’ in the spirit of the BN. Radin was responding to Kurup’s attack on Pairin for ruling him out as the automatic choice of candidate for the by-election. And he even quipped that Kurup himself was the one who did not know how to read the political situation and local sentiments in Pensiangan which indicated that the voters wanted a local Murut to be the candidate. Kurup, according to Radin, should rule himself out of the running since he was neither a local of the area nor a Murut and he had lost before not only there but in other seats as well. Taking Kurup to task for questioning Pairin over his record of public service and ridiculing him in the media, Radin pointed out that Kurup had failed the people wherever he represented them and that it was evident from the talk on the ground. He cited for example when Kurup was the state assemblyman for Sook from 1985 to 1999 and again from 2004 to 2008 but failed to deliver his promises. In addition, he also held the post of state Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister during that period and now a federal Deputy Minister for Rural and Regional Development. He thus advised Kurup to think of the people of Pensiangan and not just of himself. “Kurup should do some soul-searching for the sake of the people in Pensiangan as well as the fate of the BN,” said Radin. Kurup was offended by Pairin’s remarks and retaliated by hitting him with remarks which did not go down well with PBS and state BN leaders. “As much as I would not like to say anything, I am compelled to do so in response to Pairin’s interference in this well-prepared machinery when he raised the question of the candidate for Pensiangan,” said Kurup. He said Pairin’s remarks would undoubtedly weaken, to an extent, their election machinery and his ill-conceived remarks were definitely not in line with the BN spirit. And, Kurup also claimed that the people knew who to vote for and that Pairin was out of touch with reality, lacked the BN spirit since he pulled out from the coalition two decades ago, and had a poor record of public service when he was Chief Minister (1985-1994). Radin’s remark that Kurup had failed the people was echoed by former Pensiangan MP Bernard S Maraat, who recently quit PBRS to join PBS. Bernard who has been appointed chairman of the Sandakan Sawit Palm Oil Industrial Cluster, was denied the chance to defend his seat in last year’s March 8 general election when Kurup decided that he wanted the seat for himself. “We don’t want Pensiangan to become the third opposition victim after the BN lost two parliamentary by-elections in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu,” said Maraat. He also conceded that the constituents of Pensiangan were no longer satisfied with such handouts like chainsaw, parang, cangkul, rice mill and grass cutter as inducement to vote for BN. “We have done all this previously,” he said. Bernard also urged the state government to see to it that all projects promised were promptly implemented in Pensiangan. “It is important for the federal government to start the projects without further delay. We don’t want any delay to be politicised by the opposition during the Pensiangan by-election. “All elected representatives and government departments should sit down together and settle the matter as quickly as possible. If not, the people will not only reject the BN in the Pensiangan by-election but also in the next general election,” he added. Kurup’s victory in Pensiangan at the last election was declared null and void last Sept 8 by the Election Court following a petition brought by PKR candidate Danny Anthony Andipai. Andipai is said to have the support of Pakatan Rakyat leaders to contest in the seat as the opposition candidate. “Sabah PKR deputy chief Ansari Abdullah is not the only one to favour Andipai as the candidate,” said PKR Tuaran division secretary, Jumin Jeffrey Masuling. “Other Pakatan components like DAP and PAS would not deny Andipai the chance to contest should he be selected as the candidate for the seat. It is obviously because of him that the seat fell vacant,” Jumin added. Sources : New Sabah Times.

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Obama steps into history as the first black US president

21st January, 2009

WASHINGTON: Stepping into history, Barack Hussein Obama grasps the reins of power as America’s first black president in a high-noon inauguration amid grave economic worries and high expectations.

Braving icy temperatures and possible snow flurries, hundreds of thousands of people descended on the heavily guarded capital city Tuesday for the first change of administrations since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Two years after beginning his improbable quest as a little-known, first-term Illinois senator with a foreign-sounding name, Obama moves into the Oval Office as the nation’s fourth youngest president, at 47, and the first African-American, a racial barrier-breaking achievement believed impossible by generations of minorities.

Around the world, Obama’s election electrified millions with the hope that America will be more embracing, more open to change.

The dawn of the new Democratic era — with Obama allies in charge of both houses of Congress — ends eight years of Republican control of the White House by George W. Bush. He leaves Washington as one of the nation’s most unpopular and divisive presidents, the architect of two unfinished wars and the man in charge at a time of economic calamity that swept away many Americans’ jobs, savings, homes and dreams — leaving behind a sickening feeling of insecurity.

The unfinished business of the Bush administration thrusts an enormous burden onto Obama’s shoulders. Pre-inauguration polls show Americans believe Obama is on track to succeed and are confident he can turn the economy around. He has cautioned that improvements will take time and that things will get worse before they get better.

Culminating four days of celebration, the script for Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden at the nation’s 56th inauguration was to begin with a traditional morning worship service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, across Lafayette Park from the White House, and end with dancing and partying at 10 inaugural balls lasting deep into the night.

By custom, Obama and his wife, Michelle, were invited to the White House for coffee with Bush and his wife, Laura, followed by a shared ride in a sleek, heavily armored Cadillac limousine to the U.S. Capitol for the transfer of power, an event flashed around the world in television and radio broadcasts, podcasts and Internet streaming. On Monday, Vice President Dick Cheney pulled a muscle in his back, leaving him in a wheelchair for the inauguration.

Before noon, Obama steps forward on the West Front of the Capitol to lay his left hand on the same Bible that President Abraham Lincoln used at his first inauguration in 1861. The 35-word oath of office, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts, has been uttered by every president since George Washington. Obama was one of 22 Democratic senators to vote against Roberts’ confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2005.

The son of a Kansas-born mother and Kenya-born father, Obama decided to use his full name in the swearing-in ceremony.

The Constitution says the clock — not the pomp, ceremony and oaths — signals the transfer of the office from the old president to the new one.

The 20th Amendment to the Constitution specifies that the terms of office of the president and vice president “shall end at noon on the 20th day of January … and the terms of their successors shall then begin.”

To the dismay of liberals, Obama invited conservative evangelical pastor Rick Warren — an opponent of gay rights — to give the inaugural invocation.

About a dozen members of Obama’s Cabinet and top appointees — including Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton — were ready for Senate confirmation Tuesday, provided no objections were raised.

More than 10,000 people from all 50 states — including bands and military units — were assembled to follow Obama and Biden from the Capitol on the 1.5-mile inaugural parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue, concluding at a bulletproof reviewing stand in front of the White House. Security was unprecedented. Most bridges into Washington and about 3.5 square miles of downtown were closed.

Obama’s inauguration represents a time of renewal and optimism for a nation gripped by fear and anxiety. Stark numbers tell the story of an economic debacle unrivaled since the 1930s:

_Eleven million people have lost their jobs, pushing the unemployment rate to 7.2 percent, a 16-year high.

Sources: New Sabah Times.

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BN Tewas Di Kuala Terangganu.

Kuala Terengganu:Selera pengundi PAS dan BN masih samaJanuary 18, 2009 : 09.24 AM--->
Walaupun PAS menawan semula kerusi Parlimen Kuala Terengganu namun kemenangan calon parti itu serta kekalahan calon Barisan Nasional masih menunjukkan sokongan pengundi kepada PAS serta BN tidak banyak berubah.

Sungguhpun Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut menang dengan majoriti 2,631 undi, calon PAS itu hanya berjaya menarik pengundi baru seramai 949 orang. Ini kerana jumlah undi diperolehi dalam pilihan raya kecil tersebut adalah 32,883 manakala Mohamad Sabu yang bertanding ketika pilihan raya umum Mac tahun lalu mendapat 31,934 undi.

Kekalahan calon BN, Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh pula menunjukkan kegagalan parti itu mengekalkan 32,562 undi yang diperolehi allahyarham Datuk Razali Ismail pada Mac tahu lalu. Beliau mendapat mendapat 30,252 undi iaitu kurang 2,310 berbanding Razali.
Peratusan keluar mengundi kali ini turut menurun dengan 79.3 peratus atau kira-kira 63,993 pengundi daripada 80,229 orang layak mengundi berbanding 82.3 peratus atau kira-kira 66,112 pengundi daripada sejumlah 80,325 pengundi yang layak pada pilihan raya umum lalu.
Kemerosotan 3 peratus pengundi ini bermakna seramai 2,119 pengundi yang keluar mengundi Mac lalu tidak keluar menunaikan tanggungjawab mereka dalam pilihanraya kecil ini.

Mengambilkira jumlah undi diperlolehi calon Bebas, Azharuddin Mamat@ Adam sebanyak 193 undi serta undi rosak direkodkan berjumlah 665 undi, kemungkinan bermakna ada diantara mereka yang mengundi Mak Cik Maimon Yusof tahun lalu mengalihkan undi mereka kepada Abdul Wahid.

Dalam pilhian raya umum Mac lalu, Maimon memperolehi 628 undi manakala undi rosak 931 undi. Kelebiihan 949 undi diperolehi Abdul Wahid kemungkinan disumbang oleh mereka yang dulunya mengundi Maimon dan jumlah yang merosakkan undi masing-masing.
Secara tidak langsung, jumlah perbezaan undi calon Bebas dan undi rosak berbanding tahun lalu dan pilihan raya kecil ini adalah sebanyak 691 undi yang memihak kepada calon PAS.

Apa yang jelas, PAS seolah-olah mempunyai pengundi tetap yang menyokong parti itu setiap pilihan raya dan faktor menang atau tewas parti itu kepada calon BN boleh dikaitkan dengan kekurangan jumlah keluar mengundi selain undi dipecahkan calon Bebas serta direkodkan rosak.
PAS juga beroleh kemenangan disebabkan faktor pengundi lama yang sudah sebati dengan parti itu dan generasi muda yang enggan keluar mengundi turut memberi kelebihan kepada mereka.
BN juga dilihat mempunyai pengundi tetap yang tidak banyak berubah dan jika menang atau kalah, ianya adalah disebabkan faktor sama seperti di atas. Punca Wan Ahmad Farid tewas boleh dikaitkan faktor di atas termasuk bilangan keluar mengundi yang merosot.

Sumber-sumber jentera BN yakin sekiranya peratusan keluar mengundi meningkat atau jumlahnya sama seperti pilihan raya umum lalu, Wan Ahmad Farid mempunyai peluang menang pada pilihan raya kecil ini walaupun majoritinya kecil. Ada juga yang mengandaikan pertarungan kedua-dua parti itu lebih sengit serta seimbang dan nasib PAS mungkin berubah seandainya jika bukan Wan Ahmad Farid yang menjadi calon BN. Selain faktor Wan Farid yang dinilai ‘ kurang mesra ‘ ramai kalangan pemerhati yang merasakan terdapat beberapa faktor seperti diatas yang ‘ menekan’ BN berbanding PAS dalam menghadapi pilihanraya kecil ini.

– 17/1/2009 Sources Agenda Daily.
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Pas rampas Parlimen Kuala Terengganu

KUALA TERENGGANU: Pas merampas kerusi Parlimen Kuala Terengganu daripada Barisan Nasional (BN) apabila calonnya, Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut, menang dengan majoriti 2,631 undi. Abdul Wahid yang juga Yang Dipertua Pas Kuala Terengganu memperoleh 32,883 undi menewaskan calon BN, Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, mendapat 30,252 undi manakala calon Bebas, Azharudin Mamat @ Adam, hanya menerima 193 undi, sekali gus hilang deposit.

Undi rosak pula sebanyak 665 undi manakala peratusan keluar mengundi ialah 79.9 peratus atau 63,993 pengundi. Keputusan itu diumumkan Pegawai Pengurus Pilihan Raya Kuala Terengganu, Wan Mustafa Wan Hassan, di Stadium Negeri jam 9.30 malam tadi. Sebanyak 144 saluran di 36 pusat pembuangan undi dibuka mulai jam 8 pagi dan ditutup jam 5 petang bagi membolehkan 80,229 pemilih berdaftar menunaikan tanggungjawab mereka.

Pilihan raya kecil itu diadakan berikutan kematian bekas Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Razali Ismail, akibat serangan jantung ketika bermain badminton di Institut Aminudin Baki (IAB), Genting Highlands, 28 November lalu. Pada pilihan raya umum Mac tahun lalu, Allahyarham Razali menewaskan calon Pas, Mohamad Sabu dan calon Bebas, Maimun Yusuf dengan majoriti 628 undi.

Sources: Berita Harian.

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Obama vows quick diplomatic action in Mideast

13th January, 2009 WASHINGTON: President-elect Barack Obama said he was prepared for immediate involvement in Mideast diplomacy toward a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but once again refused to show his hand about specifics that would lead him to success where his predecessors have failed for more than a half-century. Pressed on his silence about the raging war in the Gaza Strip, Obama quickly reverted to his contention that there can be only one president speaking for the United States on foreign policy issues, a position that has caused some to claim the incoming chief executive was being callous in the face of Palestinian suffering in the Israeli offensive to cripple the Hamas organization. Obama does not take office from President George W. Bush until Jan. 20. “I think that players in the region understand the compromises that are going to need to be made. But the politics of it are hard,” Obama said in an ABC television interview broadcast Sunday. “And the reason it’s so important for the United States to be engaged and involved immediately, not waiting until the end of their term, is because working through the politics of this requires a third party that everybody has confidence, wants to see a fair and just outcome.” Obama reiterated that the violence and suffering on both sides was “heartbreaking. And obviously what that does is it makes me much more determined to try to break a deadlock that has gone on for decades now.” The incoming leader, who has been receiving daily national security briefings since his election in November, also acknowledged that his campaign pledge to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay will be more of a challenge than he anticipated. Many of those held at the military site are suspected terrorists or potential witnesses in cases against them. “It is more difficult than I think a lot of people realize _ and we are going to get it done _ but part of the challenge that you have is that you have a bunch of folks that have been detained, many of whom may be very dangerous who have not been put on trial or have not gone through some adjudication,” he said. The president-elect said that while some evidence against terrorism suspects may be tainted by the tactics used to obtain it, that doesn’t change the fact they are “people who are intent on blowing us up.” Speaking in general terms, Obama said the country had made security progress since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, but dangers persist. He said national security remains a concern, but added: “We know exactly what they’re planning, where they’re positioned. If you have a small group of people in today’s world with today’s technology who are intent on doing harm and are willing to die, that is something that’s always going to be a challenge.” During the interview, Obama criticized the Bush administration for the lack of oversight in implementing the $700 billion federal bailout plan for the reeling U.S. financial system and called for tighter controls on how the remaining funds are spent. The incoming president’s economic team and the Bush administration are in consultations about release of the second $350 billion allocated under the bailout measure passed by Congress last fall. But the Treasury Department has come under criticism for failing to provide taxpayers and Congress with sufficient disclosure about or control over the massive infusion of money into the financial system. “Let’s lay out very specifically some of the things that we are going to do with the next $350 billion of money,” Obama said. “And I think that we can regain the confidence of both Congress and the American people that this is not just money that is being given to banks without any strings attached and nobody knows what happens, but rather that it is targeted very specifically at getting credit flowing again to businesses and families.” He also voiced dissatisfaction with how the first $350 billion was spent under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. “I, like many, are disappointed with how the whole TARP process has unfolded. There hasn’t been enough oversight. We found out this week in a report that we are not tracking where this money is going,” the president-elect said. Obama meets in Washington on Monday with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in a session that was expected to cover U.S. immigration policy, efforts to diminish the flow of elicit drugs out of Mexico and the violence raging there that is slopping over into the United States. Sources: New Sabah Times.

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Students can apply online now to UMS for July 2009 intake
9th January, 2009 KOTA KINABALU : Universiti Malaysia Sabah Registrar,Abdullah Hj Mohd Said has informed that applications for the various courses for its July intake is now open to qualified candidates. “The application process begins this month but courses for SPM and STPM school leavers will only be opened next month. “It can be done online and all the applicants need to do is buy a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at the nearest Bank Simpanan Nasional that costs RM11 each,” he said. “We have 13 schools with 60 programmes which among others include medicine,psychology,engineering,arts and commerce. “We also have two schools at our international campus in Labuan,” he told reporters after the launch of the registrar department’s web portal,which was held in conjunction with UMS Meet-the-Clients Day here yesterday. He said UMS hoped the programmes would help to produce more highly qualified and skilled human resource of the highest level. The university targets more Sabahans to enrol at UMS in pursuit of higher education. In another development,Abdullah said UMS was also in the process of recruiting more qualified staff to hold various academic and non-academic posts. UMS has some 100 job vacancies that have attracted more than 24,000 applicants. All applications will be screened to ensure only the most qualified are selected to help the university in its quest for excellence,said Abdullah. “At present,we have a total of 1,605 staff and over 600 of them are in the academic division while the rest are non-academic. “The number of academic staff is quite sufficient but we plan to recruit more so as to be able to provide better service in that department,” Abdullah added. – JOSEPH JUPIOL. Sources: New Sabah Times.

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Mississippi has highest teen birth rate, CDC says

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AP – CHANGES all percentages to rates per thousand; map shows the teen birth rate for 15- to -19 year olds …

ATLANTA – Mississippi now has the nation's highest teen birth rate, displacing Texas and New Mexico for that lamentable title, a new federal report says. Mississippi's rate was more than 60 percent higher than the national average in 2006, according to new state statistics released

Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The teen birth rate for that year in Texas and New Mexico was more than 50 percent higher.

The three states have large proportions of black and Hispanic teenagers — groups that traditionally have higher birth rates, experts noted.

The lowest teen birth rates continue to be in New England, where three states have rates at roughly half the national average, which is 42 births per 1,000 teen women.

It's not clear why Mississippi, with 68 births per 1,000, surged into first place. The state's one-year increase of nearly 1,000 teen births could be a statistical blip, said Ron Cossman, a Mississippi State University researcher who focuses on children's health statistics.

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer Mike Stobbe, Ap Medical Writer – Wed Jan 7, 5:08 pm ET

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RM1 mil drugs seized in raid

7th January, 2009

PENANG: Police on Sunday seized two types of drugs worth RM1 million during a raid on a house in Relau which was converted into a drugs processing laboratory. The raid was conducted following the arrest of a man in his 30’s in Georgetown at 2.45pm the same day following months of surveillance, said Penang chief police officer Datuk Ayub Yaakob.

“As a result of the arrest a team from the Penang Narcotics Investigations Department raided the house and seized the drugs and drugs processing equipment,” he said at a news conference yesterday. In the raid, police seized three kilogrammes of syabu and 1.5kg ecstasy worth RM1 million in all.

Initial investigation revealed that the unemployed man belonging to a syndicate, turned the rented house into a laboratory and distributed the drugs in the state. The man had a drug-related record.

Police believe the syndicate has been active for a few months and efforts are on-going to find the rest of the members. “We are also investigating if the man has links with other syndicates,” he said. The man has been remanded until Jan 10 to help in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Meanwhile, Ayub said last year Penang police arrested 12,230 people involved in various drugs cases and seized RM8.7 million worth of banned substances. “Last year we succeeded in busting five illegal drug processing laboratories and seized RM5.9 million of drug distributors’ property,” he said.

Sources: New Sabah Times.

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The Zionist Regime Of Israel.

ASSALAMMU'ALAIKUM WTB.

Our Muslim brothers and sisters in Gazza are being massacred by Zionist regime of Israel.They have surrounded the Masjid of Aqsa and probably they are going to attack it. May be we can't help them by physically but we can help them through our prayers. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said, " Prayer (Doa) is the weapon of Muslim". Therefore let us all pray for ALLAH's mercy and protection for the people of Gazza and may the military might of the Israelis be vanquished. Please remember them in your Doa's and if possible please perform the Hajat prayer for them. May Allah bless you for your efforts.

La Ilahaillallah...., Allahuakbar..........................!!!!!

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India gives Pakistan evidence over Mumbai attacks

6th January, 2009 NEW DELHI: India handed evidence Monday to Pakistan that it says links the deadly Mumbai attacks to Pakistani “elements” and called on authorities across the border to investigate further and help bring the culprits to justice. India has blamed the November attacks that killed 164 people on Pakistani-based militants, but Pakistan has denied the accusations saying India had yet to provide proof. Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon gave evidence to the Pakistani High Commissioner in New Delhi on Monday linking the attacks to “elements in Pakistan,” said Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The evidence included material from the interrogation of the lone surviving gunman, details of conversations between the gunmen and their alleged handlers in Pakistan, recovered weapons, and data from satellite phones. “This material is linked to elements in Pakistan,” an official statement said. “It is our expectation that the government of Pakistan will promptly undertake further investigations in Pakistan and share the results with us so as to bring the perpetrators to justice.” Pakistani officials could not immediately be reached for comment. India has blamed the three-day siege on Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant group based in Pakistan, where authorities have arrested at least two men accused of planning the attacks and launched a nationwide crackdown on a charity believed to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba. India has called on Pakistan to hand over the suspects and dismantle the terror network they say is based across the border. Pakistani leaders say they will try any suspects in the attacks in their own courts. In the wake of the attacks, tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals have been high, with Pakistan redeploying troops away from the Afghan border toward India. The two countries have fought three wars against each other since they gained independence in 1947. But India has been careful not to blame the attacks on the Pakistani government, and Monday’s statement again accused “elements in Pakistan,” an apparent reference to militant groups. Much of India’s evidence against the militants comes from interrogations of Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the only gunmen to survive the attacks. He has reportedly told authorities that he and nine others were Pakistani, and that he was trained in Pakistan and that his handlers are still there. Pakistan has said it has no record of Kasab as a Pakistani citizen. The Mumbai attacks began Nov. 26 and lasted for nearly three days. The 10 gunmen attacked 10 sites across India’s financial capital, including two five-star hotels, the main train station, popular restaurants and a Jewish center. Source: New Sabah Times.

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Keningau folks treasure FM radio for latest info

LIVE ON RADIO…Sairin (left) chatting with Keningau FM presenter Azroy

6th January, 2009

KENINGAU: While FM radio may be a service taken for granted by urban folks, the residents of Keningau should treasure it to keep themselves abreast with the development around Sabah and the country. Assistant Rural Development Minister Datuk Sarin Karno said the new service should be used by the folks to receive information. “We are grateful for the service which has been awaited by the folks of Keningau for a long time,” he told Keningau FM which interviewed him.

The Liawan assemblyman said for those who could not understand the national language well, the radio station also offers Dusun and Murut languages.“And this is a unique radio station which goes on the air 10 hours daily,” he added. According to Sairin, 70 per cent of the interior population was still relying on the radio to keep themselves informed.

The station went on the air five days ago and has received the thumbs-up from the people. It is headed by Lucy Goh as broadcasting officer and Ibrahim Diman as the programme head supported by 20 staff. It is the 33rd radio station in the country.
Source: New Sabah Times

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