Bp special supplement 2015

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

REVIEWING2014 special supplement

E2

Thursday, January 1, 2015

INSIDE

CONTENTS

A year marked by aviation tragedies <E3

Ebola outbreaks

Fireworks in topsy-turvy northern politics

<E4

Rape, murder and drug trafficking heard in court this year <E9 Bibles returned, goodwill restored

Sydney Siege <E5

Fiery, explosive incidents underline 2014 <E11

Editors

<E18 & E19

Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo

Phyllis Wong Francis Chan Margaret Apau Ghaz Ghazali Eikman Teo Ronnie Teo

A new era in Sarawak governance

2014 TOPSHOTS

<E7

<E20 & E21

<E23

10

Writers

Hassan Abang Tofek Izzudin Ajibah Noriezam Drahman Gregory Aaron Tan Norhazwan Afiq Zairizi Mohamad Mohd Faisal Ahmad Marlessa Martin Nurasyiqynn Mohd Haroun Desmond Puji Ramli Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Rafizi Mohd Sabri

Wedding luncheon ends in tragedy <E15

Remembering the dearly departed <E17

A year of headlines

CREDITS

Graphic Designers

<E10

Boko Haram continues to terrorise the countryside <E6

Cochlear implants give children the gift of hearing <E16

Philip Kiew Peter Sibon Raymond Tan Samuel Aubrey Lian Cheng Gary Adit Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith Danny Wong Margaret Ringgit Sharon Kong Yvonne Tuah Cindy Lai Jacob Achoi Lim How Pim Eve Sonary Heng Irene C Danielle Sendou Ringgit Jude Toyat Anthony Aga Antonia Chiam Cecilia Sman Karen Bong Marilyn Ten Georgette Tan Jonathan Chia

<E8

Top

most read news of 2014

The following is a top 10 list of stories between Jan 1 and Dec 29, 2014 that received the highest pageviews on Borneo Post’s online portal, BP Online.

1

E-cigarette explodes, killing smoker

3

Oct 6, 2014 Pageviews 164,521 A 53-year-old van driver dies from an explosion from what is believed to be an electronic cigarette in his pocket at Bintulu Tamu (Market). It is reported the next day that the e-cigarette is more likely to be a modified flare gun.

Two British nationals believed stabbed to death in early morning fracas

September 27,2014 Pageviews 28,959 Former resident of a small village in Dalat — Ho Yen Liang — proves that it only takes RM5,000 to complete a water supply project estimated to cost RM350,000 by the Public Works Department.

2

August 6, 2014 Pageviews 35,345 Two British medical students, aged 22 and 23, are stabbed to death by a group of local men following an encounter at Abell Road around 4 am on August 6.

RM5k solution to RM350k problem

4

Public teach girlfriend-beater a lesson

July 16, 2014 Pageviews 27,439 Man is left bloodied and bruised after being beaten up for beating his girlfriend at Jalan Song.

5

Controversial speaker coming to town

December 25, 2014 Pageviews 27,392 Batu Lintang Assemblyman See Chee How alerted the authorities of the scheduled talk of controversial columnist Ridhuan Tee Abdullah in Sematan scheduled for Boxing Day. Ridhuan was eventually barred from entering the state..

6

37-year-old fatally slashed after row

July 23, 2014 Pageviews 26,678 A 37-year-old man dies of serious injury after being slashed with machetes by two men near a budget hotel in Jalan Tritonia, Miri.

7

Tipu tutup kecurangan July 7, 2014 Pageviews 26,552

Adulterous wife tries to cover up her affair by lodging a false police report.

8

William Ghani Bina passes away October 25, 2014 Pageviews 23,102

Former Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) president William Ghani Bina passes away, three days after he was hit by a car while crossing the road at Mile 3, Kuching.

9

Senseless killings shock city August 7, 2014 Pageviews 22,910

Four suspects have been caught in the murder of two British students interning at a local hospital here on a three-month stint.

10

Suspected case of Ebola in Kuching September 15, 2014 Pageviews 20,589

A 24-year-old student foreign student suspected to be infected with the Ebola virus was transferred to the Sarawak General Hospital isolation ward.

The student’s lab tests later tested negative for the virus.

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Thursday, January 1, 2015

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A year marked by aviation tragedies MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) flight MH370, carrying 239 people, vanished on March 8 after inexplicably diverting from its Kuala Lumpur-Beijing course.

According to MAS’ first official statement issued on March 8, the aircraft carrying 227 passengers, including two infants, and 12 crew lost contact with Subang Air Traffic Control at 2.40am that day.

The B777-200 aircraft departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41am and was expected to land in Beijing 6.30am the same day.

Malaysian military radar continued to track MH370 as it deviated from its planned flight path and crossed Peninsular Malaysia. It then left the range of Malaysian military radar at 2:15am while over the Andaman Sea, 200 nautical miles (370 km) northwest of Penang in northwestern Malaysia.

Neither the crew nor the aircraft’s communication systems relayed a distress signal, indications of bad weather, or technical problems before the aircraft vanished.

A multinational search effort began in the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea, where the flight’s signal was lost on secondary surveillance radar, and was soon extended to the Strait of Malacca and Andaman Sea. Analyses of these communications by multiple agencies concluded that the flight ended in the southern Indian Ocean.

The focus of the search shifted to the southern part of the Indian Ocean, west of Australia and within its concurrent aeronautical and maritime search and rescue regions; accordingly, Australia took charge of the search effort on March 17 and later established the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) to coordinate the multinational search effort for MH370.

The current phase of the search is a comprehensive search of the seafloor, which began in October 2014 and expected to take up to 12 months at a cost of over AU$52 million; the seafloor search follows a bathymetric survey of the search area, also ongoing, which began in May 2014.

According to Reuters, the hunt for missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 is on track to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, becoming the most expensive search in aviation history with 26 countries contributing planes, ships, submarines and satellites to the international effort.

A month into the search for the jet, estimates compiled by Reuters show that at least $44 million has already been spent on the deployment of military ships and aircraft in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea by

This leads to the strong suspicion that a surfaceto-air missile brought MH17 down, but further investigative work is needed before we can be certain.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Trucks carrying wreckage from MH17 arrive at a Dutch airforce base. — Reuters photo

Members of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service search for bodies in a field near the crash site of the MH17 near the village of Hrabove (Grabove), in Donetsk region. — AFP photo

Local workers transport wreckage from the MH17 at the site of the plane crash. — Reuters photo Australia, China, the United States and Vietnam. The figure is based on defense force statistics on available hourly costs of various assets, estimates by defense analysts and costs reported by the Pentagon.

The $44 million estimate for MH370 did not cover all the defense assets being used by countries including Britain,

France, New Zealand and South Korea, nor numerous other costs such as civilian aircraft, accommodation for hundreds of personnel and expenses for intelligence analysts worldwide.

On March 24, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that ‘flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean’.

Another Malaysia Airlines plane went down on July 17 in rebellion-torn eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 aboard. It was believed to have been hit by a surface-to-air missile as it flew to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam.

The victims included 43 Malaysians and 195 Dutch nationals.

The Boeing 777-200 jetliner that went down in east Ukraine near the border with Russia did not make any distress calls, Najib said July 18, adding that its flight route had been declared safe by the global civil aviation body.

Najib, who addressed a middle-of-the-night news conference after speaking with leaders of Ukraine and the Netherlands and to US President Barack Obama, said “no stone

will be left unturned” in finding out what happened to MH17 and the 298 people on board.

Ukraine and the West accused Russia of supplying pro-Moscow rebels with the missile that shot down the Boeing 777 as it flew, in an incident that increased pressure on Moscow over its role in the conflict in Ukraine.

However, Najib won praise for brokering a deal with the pro-Russian separatists to allow for the return of all the bodies on MH17 and ensure international access to the black box flight recorders.

After five days of obstruction, the black boxes of the downed Malaysian jet were handed over

by Ukrainian rebels on July 22.

The separatists also allowed a train carrying the remains of 280

people killed in the crash to leave the rebel-held region.

The bodies and ashes of 20 Malaysians arrived home on Aug 22, the first day of national mourning in the country’s history. The whole nation observed a minute of silence between 10.30am and 11.30am.

Coffins draped in the Malaysian flag and urns were flown aboard a specially chartered Malaysian Airlines jet and received in a solemn ceremony on the tarmac of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The remains were carried by hearses from the airport to prayer sessions and funerals in mosques, churches and temples across the religiously diverse country.

Some were put aboard other aircraft for transport to their final resting places.

Seven of those Malaysian victims were from Sarawak. On Aug 22, the bodies of victims Ariza Ghazalee, 46 — wife of 49year-old victim Tambi Jee from Kampung Goebilt — and their son Muhammad Afif, 19, arrived at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) base here from Kuala Lumpur.

After being received at TUDM base, they were laid to rest at Semariang Muslim cemetery.

The remains of Tambi and his three other children Mohd Afzal, 19, Marsha Azmeena, 15, and Mohd Afruz, 13, as well as that of another Sarawak victim Meling Mula from Sg Plan Bintulu were still being verified at the time.

The government had urged people to wear black and observe a minute of silence and prayer to honour the victims.

According to Najib in a statement, the preliminary report issued by the Dutch Safety Board suggested that high energy objects penetrated the aircraft and led it to break up midair.

“This leads to the strong suspicion that a surface-to-air missile brought MH17 down, but further investigative work is needed before we can be certain,” he added.

Investigations into downed MH17 have been extended to Aug 2015. - Agencies

AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501 goes missing WHAT should have been a short two-hour flight between Surabaya and Singapore became another source of distress throughout the nation and across the globe, with families and friends wringing their hands praying for the safety of the 162 passengers on board AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the twin-engine aircraft around an hour after it left Juanda international airport at Surabaya in East Java at 5:20am local time on Dec 28.

Shortly before disappearing, AirAsia said the plane had asked permission from Jakarta air traffic control to deviate from its flight plan and climb above bad weather in an area noted for severe thunderstorms.

The last known position of the aircraft was between Pontianak and Belitung island.

The airline, giving a revised breakdown of nationalities, said

155 of those on board AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501 were Indonesians, with three South Koreans and one person each from Singapore, Malaysia, Britain and France.

The sole Malaysian passenger, Sii Chung Huei, was a supervisor at a timber company in Surabaya hailing from Bintangor. The 56-yearold was a father of three and his wife, Prof Madya Annie Wong Muk Ngiik, a UiTM Sarawak lecturer.

The Frenchman was the copilot.

Sixteen of those on board were children and one was an infant.

The missing AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501 had accumulated approximately 23,000 flying hours in some 13,600 flights, aircraft manufacturer Airbus said in a statement issued Dec 28.

The A320-200 is a twin-engine single-aisle aircraft, said Airbus, which is headquartered in

Family of passengers onboard AirAsia flight QZ8501 react at a waiting area in Juanda International Airport, Surabaya. — Reuters photo Toulouse, France.

The European aircraft maker also said that the A320-200 plane, with a total capacity of 180

passengers, was delivered to lowcost carrier AirAsia in October 2008.

It was registered as PK-AXC

with MSN (Manufacturer Serial Number) 3648 and operated on a scheduled service. AirAsia said the missing jet last underwent maintenance on November 16.

The company had never suffered a fatal accident.

Around 11 hours after it disappeared, Indonesian military aircraft had yet to find any sign of the Airbus A320-200 as dusk set in.

The search halted at 5.30pm but resumed at 7am on Dec 29.

AirAsia’s flamboyant boss Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, a former record industry executive who acquired the then-failing airline in 2001, arrived in Surabaya, where most of the passengers are from.

“My only thought(s) are with the passengers and my crew,” he added on his Twitter page.

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo said his nation was “praying for the safety” of those onboard.

Indonesia’s National Search and

Rescue Agency (Basarnas) chief said Monday (Dec 29) that the aircraft was likely at the bottom of the sea.

The search area was expanded eastward on Dec 29 to the sea between Bangka island and Kalimantan. The operation involved dozens of ships and aircraft from BASARNAS, the Indonesian armed forces, Singapore and Malaysia.

By Dec 30, reports of a ‘shadow’ and debris were found around 100 miles southwest of Pangkalan Bun, a town in Central Kalimantan.

Indonesian search and rescue officials then confirmed that more than one body had been found in the sea, along with a plane door and oxygen tanks.

At the time of writing, AFP reported that more than 40 bodies had been retrieved in the search.

The incident comes at the end of a disastrous year for Malaysian aviation.

REVIEWING2014 special supplement

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Thursday, January 1, 2015

WORLD New York police officers shot THE two New York City police officers who were ambushed and shot to death in their vehicle on Dec 20 were “quite simply, assassinated,” and the suspect had made Instagram posts that were very anti-police, the city’s police commissioner said.

William Bratton said the officers, Liu Wenjin and Raphael Ramos, were shot in the head without warning after the gunman approached the passenger window of a marked police car and opened fire.

The suspect, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, then ran inside a Brooklyn subway station and fatally shot himself in the

head.

Bratton said the suspect shot his ex-girlfriend earlier the same day in Baltimore and made posts from her Instagram account.

“This may be my final post,’’ said one that included an image of a silver handgun.

Two officials told The Associated Press that the suspect posted about shooting two ‘pigs’ in retaliation for the death of Eric Garner: “I’m putting wings on pigs today. They take 1 of ours, let’s take 2 of theirs.’’

He used the hashtags #Shootthepolice, #RIPErivGardner (sic) and #RIPMikeBrown.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

The shooting occurred hours later, around the time that Bratton said that New York police were receiving a warning fax from Baltimore authorities.

The last shooting death of a New York Police Department officer came in December 2011, after a report of a break-in at a Brooklyn apartment.

Obama said in a statement that police officers “deserve our respect and gratitude every single day.”

— AFP

A woman recites from a Bible while standing over a makeshift memorial during a prayer vigil at the site where two police officers were fatally shot in the Brooklyn borough of New York December 21, 2014. — Reuters photo

Ebola outbreaks EBOLA first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, one in a village near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the other in a remote area of Sudan.

In the current outbreak in West Africa, the majority of cases in humans have occurred as a result of human-to-human transmission and is the largest Ebola epidemic in history, affecting multiple countries in West Africa.

Two imported cases, including one death, and two locally acquired cases in healthcare workers have been reported in the United States.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and partners are taking precautions to prevent the further spread of Ebola within the United States.

CDC is working with other US government agencies, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and other domestic and international partners and has activated its Emergency Operations Center to help coordinate technical assistance and control activities with partners.

CDC has also deployed teams of public health experts to West Africa and will continue to send

experts to the affected countries.

According to CDC detailed statistics as of Dec 24, countries with widespread transmission included Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone with a total confirmed cases of 12,386 and total deaths 7,573.

Countries with initial cases as well as localised transmission include the United States of America and Mali with one death in the former and six in the latter.

Previously affected countries included Nigeria, Senegal and Spain with a total 21 confirmed cases and eight deaths so far.

According to CDC, the outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease in Senegal, Nigeria, and Spain were declared over on October 17, October 19, and December 2, 2014, respectively.

A national EVD outbreak is considered to be over when 42 days (double the 21-day

Ferguson riots

Sierra Leonean doctors practise wearing protective clothing in the Ebola Training Academy in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

— AFP photo incubation period of the Ebola virus) has elapsed since the last patient in isolation became laboratory negative for EVD.

Bystanders stand around the body of a suspected Ebola victim lying in the street in the town of Koidu, Kono district in Eastern Sierra Leone.

— Reuters photo

Hong Kong protests come to end

Joshua Wong, leader of the student movement.

— AFP photo HONG KONG: Activists occupied major traffic arteries after China said on August 31 that candidates for the city’s chief executive elections in 2017 would first be vetted by a loyalist committee, a move campaigners said will ensure a pro-Beijing stooge in the leadership role.

Police arrested protesters as they moved in on Dec 15 to clear Hong Kong’s last remaining pro-democracy site, with just a handful of demonstrators making a final peaceful stand, after the main camp was demolished a week before.

After more than two months of rallies, a committed core of around a dozen protesters staged a sit-in at the centre of the last site in the busy shopping district of Causeway Bay as police cut Pro-democracy protesters sing and wave their mobile phones as they block a main road during a rally outside government headquarters in Hong Kong. — Reuters photo

We must do it regardless of whether we can achieve anything.

We have to get back what they owe us.

Joshua Wong, Hong Kong Federation of Students member

away barricades and tore down banners and shelters.

Causeway Bay is the smallest of the three camps that sprang up in late September, paralysing sections of the city, as part of a student-led campaign for free leadership elections.

Police cleared the other major protest site in the working-class commercial district of Mongkok — scene of some of the most violent clashes since the campaign began — in late November.

Protesters had been given a 30-minute warning to disperse from Causeway Bay before police set up a cordon around the camp on Dec 15.

Five members of the Hong Kong Federation of Students,

THOUSANDS of mourners filled Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church Aug 25 for the funeral of Michael Brown, 18, who was shot dead in a fatal encounter with white police in Ferguson, Missouri, a St Louis suburb, on Aug 9.

Just days shy of starting college, Brown was walking down the street after leaving a convenience store where police say he stole a box of cigars, when he was shot by white policeman Darren Wilson at least six times.

Accounts of the shooting differ widely, with police alleging Brown was trying to grab Wilson’s gun, but witnesses, including Brown’s friend who was walking with him, said he was shot as he held his hands in the air in a clear sign of surrender.

Large lines formed outside the, as hundreds of people began filling its 5,000 seats.

After the funeral service, Brown was buried in a private ceremony in St Peter’s cemetery.

The protests in Ferguson had subsided by Aug 25, but the debate over his death and what it meant continued to rage.

“Hands up, don’t shoot” had become the refrain of demonstrators who gathered in Ferguson over the previous two week to demand an open and transparent investigation and justice.

At night, protests had erupted into vandalism, clashes with police and 60 arrests, but the intensity appeared to have waned by Monday’s funeral.

During the protests police used battle-grade hardware, including assault rifles, stun

A protester holds her hands up in front of a police car in Ferguson, Missouri.

— AFP photo grenades and body armor, sparking criticism of an overly aggressive approach.

US President Barack Obama sent Attorney General Eric Holder, the nation’s top law enforcement officer and an African American, to Ferguson, where he walked the streets and tried to reassure the community.

The US president later ordered a review of federal programs that sell military hardware to local police, to determine whether they are appropriate and whether there is enough training and oversight for the gear’s use.

The first wave of the Ferguson unrest spanned Aug 9-25 in protest of Brown’s shooting.

A grand jury in St Louis was charged with deciding whether to bring charges against Darren Wilson on Aug 20. On Nov 24, the jury decided not to indict Wilson, sparking the second wave of protests which are still ongoing.

While seven members of the public and four police officers have been injured from the riots, 205 members of the public had been arrested. — AFP

A protester (centre) raises his umbrellas in front of tear gas which was fired by riot police to disperse protesters blocking the main street to the financial Central district outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong. — Reuters photo which had spearheaded the street protests, were among the sit-in group and said they were willing to face arrest.

Those who were arrested were loaded onto a coach as supporters outside the cordon chanted “We want true universal suffrage!”.

A handful of protesters and around 30 tents remain near Hong Kong’s government complex, beside the former Admiralty site.

Demonstrators felt their lengthy occupation had put the democracy movement on the map with Beijing and the local administration, after it saw tens of thousands of supporters on the

streets at its height.

But it had achieved no political concessions from either Hong Kong’s leaders or the Chinese government, with both branding the protests ‘illegal’.

Chinese state-run media triumphantly declared the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement ‘defeated’ after the Admiralty site was cleared, and warned domestic and foreign ‘hostile forces’ against destabilising the city.

However, protesters have vowed to struggle on in their fight for fully free elections through various means including refusal to pay rent and taxes.

Hundreds had gathered at the neat Causeway Bay camp on Dec 14, many of them tourists and visitors wanting to capture the strings of paper umbrellas and artworks which decorate the site and have become symbols of the movement.

Some had commemorative T-shirts printed while others sang protest songs.

By Monday morning that number had dwindled to around 20 with some packing away tents and belongings. — AFP

Esaw Garner, the widow of Eric Garner, speaks during the National Action Network National March Against Police Violence in Washington. — Reuters photo

‘I can’t breathe’ ERIC GARNER, a father of six, had been accused of illegally selling cigarettes on a Staten Island sidewalk on July 17 when he was wrestled to the ground by police and put into a chokehold position, which is prohibited in New York.

The police claimed he had resisted arrest.

The episode, which was filmed by an onlooker, showed Garner pleading with the officers restraining him stating that he couldn’t breathe.

The officers ignored him, and he suffered a cardiac arrest and died.

The city’s medical examiner previously ruled the death a homicide.

The decision not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo over the killing of 43-year-old Garner in New York’s Staten Island drew immediate comparisons with a controversial ruling in Ferguson,

Missouri, which saw white police officer Darren Wilson cleared over the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown.

The onlooker posted the shocking video online, further fuelling outrage over his death.

Chanting “Hands up, don’t shoot” and “I can’t breathe”, thousands of protesters waved banners reading ‘Ferguson is everywhere’ and ‘jail killer cops’ as they marched towards Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, where thousands of holiday revellers had gathered to watch the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony.

The protesters swarmed towards the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, causing mass disruption in NYC. They were blocked by a heavy police presence. — AFP

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Thursday, January 1, 2015

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WORLD

Messages are left on flowers at a floral memorial at the scene of a dramatic siege which left two hostages dead, as people in Sydney expressed shock and grief that something like this could happen in their easy-going city.

Sydney Siege SYDNEY: Two hostages and the lone Iranian-born gunman Man Haron Monis were killed as heavily armed Australian police early Tuesday (Dec 16) dramatically stormed a central Sydney cafe to end a day-long siege sparked when the ‘self-styled sheikh’ took 17 people hostage.

Police in SWAT-style gear hurled percussion grenades and opened fire, unleashing a flurry of loud bangs and flashes in the eatery in the heart of Australia’s biggest city, after a number of the staff and customers managed to flee for their lives.

Some six hours into the siege which began early morning Dec 15, three men emerged from the cafe and ran for their lives. Around an hour later two women employees also fled, and then several more people managed to run out late in the night.

Police moved in after an exchange of gunfire, with the 49-year-old ‘lone gunman’ shot and killed, New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said at a press conference.

Johnson, the cafe’s 34-year-old manager, and 38-year-old lawyer Katrina Dawson were killed along with Monis. Johnson has since been lauded for his heroism, after unconfirmed reports emerged that he tried to wrestle the shotgun away from Monis, sacrificing his life and allowing several of his fellow hostages to escape before police moved in.

Monis had earlier unfurled an Islamic flag, which appeared to bear the shahada, or profession of faith in Arabic script ‘There is no God but Allah; Mohammed is his messenger’. He made a series of demands through Australian media but they were removed after police requested

Members of the civil society hold a placard as they chant slogans condemning and candles for the victims of the Pakistan Taliban attack on the Army Public School, during a rally in Lahore. — Reuters photo

they not be made public.

Monis was on bail for a series of violent offences. He was an Iranian refugee who faced several charges of sexual assault and was known for sending hate mail to the families of Australian soldiers killed overseas.

Monis, also known as Sheikh Haron, was charged last year with being an accessory to his ex-wife’s murder. She was stabbed and set on fire in a Sydney apartment block.

He was also found guilty in 2012 of sending threatening letters to the families of eight Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan as a protest against Australia’s involvement in the conflict, according to local media reports.

Earlier this year, Monis — who described himself as a ‘spiritual healer’ was charged with the sexual assault of a Sydney woman in 2002. Additional charges were brought against him in October.

The pre-Christmas siege of the Lindt chocolate cafe triggered a massive security lockdown in Sydney’s bustling financial district as hundreds of police surrounded the site.

The scene of the drama, Martin Place, is Sydney’s financial centre and houses several prominent buildings, including the New South Wales parliament, the US consulate, the country’s central bank and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Many shops and offices in the area shut early due to the scare, with only a trickle of people walking along usually bustling streets.

More than 40 Australian Muslim groups jointly condemned the hostage taking and the use of the flag, which they said had been hijacked by ‘misguided individuals that represent no one but themselves’.

— AFP

Pakistan lifts moratorium on death penalty as a result of Peshawar attack PAKISTAN hanged two convicted militants in its first executions since 2008, officials said, after the government ended a moratorium on the death penalty following a terror attack on a school that killed 149 people, mainly children.

Pakistan executed the two prominent militants on Dec 19, sources said, in a clear response to the Dec 16 massacre of more than 130 children at a school.

They were killed when at least six Taliban gunmen stormed an army-run school in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar in the morning hours.

An estimated 500 students and teachers were believed to be in the building at the time.

Troops quickly arrived at the scene, where heavy gunfire could reportedly be heard. Helicopters hovered overhead and ambulances ferried wounded children to the hospital as terrified parents searched for their children.

The hanged militants had no links to the Taliban’s assault in the city of Peshawar but their executions came at a time when a shocked Pakistani society is piling pressure on the government to do more to stem escalating violence.

Mohammed Aqeel and Arshad Mehmood were the first prisoners reported hanged under the new arrangements.

The announcement of their deaths came just hours after The UN human rights office appealed to Pakistan to refrain from resuming executions, saying this would not stop terrorism and might even feed a ‘cycle of revenge’.

“Aqeel alias Usman and Arshad were hanged in Faislabad Jail at 9:00 pm,” a source in a local government in Punjab province told Reuters.

Aqeel, also known as Dr. Usman, had been in jail for leading an attack on the Pakistani army headquarters in 2009 in which 20 people were killed.

He was a member of the radical sectarian Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group.

Mehmood, was arrested for trying to assassinate former President Pervez Musharraf.

Four other militants, currently in jail in the eastern city of Lahore, are also expected to be executed in coming days.

The Pakistan government brought in an unofficial moratorium on executions in 2008.

Until Dec 19, only one person had been executed — a soldier convicted by a military court of murdering a fellow officer. — Reuters

Beheading by Islamic State militants PRESIDENT Barack Obama on Nov 16 confirmed the death of American hostage Peter Kassig, saying the aid worker was killed ‘in an act of pure evil’ by Islamic State militants.

Kassig “was taken from us in an act of pure evil by a terrorist group that the world rightly associates with inhumanity,” said the president, who offered his condolences to the relief worker’s family.

Earlier on Nov 16, Kassig’s parents, Ed and Paula Kassig of Indiananapolis, had asked news organisations to refrain from distributing the video images, saying they wanted their ‘treasured son’ to be remembered for his humanitarian work.

“We are aware of the news reports being circulated about our treasured son and are waiting for confirmation from the government as to the authenticity of these reports,” Kassig’s parents said.

They referred to him as Abdul-Rahman, the name he took upon completing his conversion to Islam after being taken hostage.

According to his family, he was detained on Oct 1, 2013, as he traveled for a relief project in an ambulance headed to the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zor. Kassig, who briefly served in Iraq in 2007 during a year-long stint in the Army, returned to the Middle East in 2012 for a spring break trip while studying political science at Butler University, his family said.

Moved by the suffering of Syrian refugees displaced by war, Kassig relocated a couple months later to Lebanon to volunteer at a hospital as an emergency medical technician.

Kassig’s death comes on top of beheadings by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) which include an unknown number of Syrians, several Lebanese soldiers, at least 10 Kurds, two American journalists, one American and two British aid workers this year.

A Syrian refugee child plays with his Christmas gift from SAWA, a non-governmental organisation, in Bar-Elias in the Bekaa valley and militant Islamist fighters hold the flag of Islamic State (IS) while taking part in a military parade along the streets of northern Raqqa province in this June 30, 2014 file photo 2014 saw the rise of the Sunni militant group Islamic State, which has seized swathes of territory in both Syria and Iraq. — Reuters photo

REVIEWING2014 special supplement

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Thursday, January 1, 2015

WORLD A file picture taken on April 30, 2014 shows former Nigerian Education Minister and Vice-President of the World Bank’s Africa division (3rd L) Obiageli Ezekwesilieze speaking as she leads a march of Nigeria women and mothers of the kidnapped girls of Chibok, calling for their freedom in Abuja.

Boko Haram continues to terrorise the countryside BOKO HARAM kidnapped at least 185 other people, many of them women and children, in the Islamist group’s latest mass abduction targeting northeast Nigeria, officials and witnesses said Dec 18.

The attack, conducted Dec 14 by well-armed Islamist extremists in the town of Gumsuri, involved a convoy of gunmen throwing petrol bombs into buildings and leaving much of the village destroyed, two local officials and a witness said.

It recalled the April kidnappings in Chibok, where more than 200 girls were taken from the Chibok Government Secondary School in the northeastern state of Borno.

The students, aged between 15 and 18, were seized at gunpoint on April 14.

A group called ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ organised a series of protests around the country and online to demand that the Nigerian government and military do more to rescue the hostages.

At the time of writing, it has been 258 days since they have been kidnapped.

The Islamists have carried out a series of abductions this

year, boosting their supply of child fighters, porters and young women who have reportedly been used as sex slaves.

Boko Haram has not claimed the Gumsuri attack, but multiple sources in the village blamed the extremists whose five-year uprising has killed more than 13,000 people and forced more than 1.5 million others from their homes.

Northeast Nigeria has been the epicentre of the conflict, but unrest has also spread into neighbouring Cameroon, where the military claimed to have killed 116 insurgents while repelling a Wednesday attack on an army base in the border town of Amchide.

A vigilante leader based in the Borno state capital Maiduguri, Usman Kakani, told AFP that fighters who were in Gumsuri during the attack provided a figure of 191 abducted, including women, girls and boys.

Gumsuri is roughly 70 kilometres (40 miles) south of Maiduguri and falls on the road that leads to Chibok.

Details of the Gumsuri attack took four days to emerge because the mobile phone network in the

region has completely collapsed and many roads are impassable.

Those who fled the village said it was too dangerous to head directly to Maiduguri. Instead, they travelled several hundred kilometres in the opposite direction to connect with the main road that leads to the state capital.

Mukhtar Buba, a resident who fled to Maiduguri, also confirmed that women and children were taken.

The military and police were not immediately available to comment.

Witnesses said the hostages were carted away on trucks towards the Sambisa Forest, a notorious rebel stronghold, where the Chibok girls were also reportedly taken before being divided into smaller groups.

Founded in the northeastern city of Maiduguri around 2002, Boko Haram aims to overthrow the Nigerian government and establish an Islamic state.

The group is known by several different names but since its early years Maiduguri residents have dubbed it ‘Boko Haram’, which in the local Hausa language means, ‘Western education is forbidden’.

After killing our youths, the insurgents have taken away our wives and daughters.

Mukhtar Buba

The northeast Nigeria town of Chibok used to fill up before Christmas as people returned home to visit their families, but with the 219 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram still missing, few feel like celebrating this year. Chibok falls in Borno state, the epicentre of Boko Haram's five-year uprising which has killed more than 13,000 people and forced an estimated 1.5 million others from their homes. — AFP photo

Corporal Nathan Cirillo fatally shot while standing watch

Children attend a church service for eight children who were killed in the Cairns suburb of Manoora, December 21, 2014.

Eight children have been killed in the northern Australian city of Cairns, police said on Friday, in what several media outlets reported was a mass stabbing. — Reuters photo

Eight children slain in Cairns EIGHT children aged between 18 months and 15 years were found dead at a home in the Cairns suburb of Manoora in Australia on Dec 19, reportedly after a gruesome mass stabbing.

The mother of seven of the children, 37, was being treated for stab wounds to the chest and was in a stable condition.

She was put under arrest and

later charged on Dec 21 for the murder. The Australian Associated Press cited the injured woman’s cousin, Lisa Thaiday, as saying the children were all siblings and the woman was their mother.

It said another sibling, a 20year-old man, arrived home to find his brothers and sisters dead inside the house. — AFP

CORPORAL NATHAN CIRILLO, part of a detachment on ceremonial duties at Parliament Hill, the heart of Canada’s national government and home to its legislature, was fatally shot on October 22 while standing watch at the War Memorial in Ottawa.

His attacker, Michael ZehafBibeau, then stormed into parliament and exchanged fire with police before being shot dead. At least three people were admitted to hospital with minor injuries. The attacker was killed, reportedly by a shot fired by the bearer of the House of Commons’ ceremonial mace, Sergeant-AtArms Kevin Vickers, who was hailed as a hero by lawmakers.

The attack was one of two targeting Canadian soldiers just days apart. Another soldier, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, was killed on October 20 in a hit and run east of Montreal.

Both attacks came as Canada deployed fighter jets to join USled air strikes on the Islamic State group in Iraq. Police say both assailants were converts to Islam with alleged extremists views.

“Two of our own have made the ultimate sacrifice, and we

House of Commons security guard Samearn Son (front centre) is congratulated by fellow guards during a special ceremony to pay tribute to them following a shooting incident. celebrate their lives and mourn their deaths,” said Governor General David Johnston.

In his eulogy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the war memorial is a reminder that “freedom is never free. It has been earned by the soldier and then donated to all of us.”

“Most of us can never truly understand the significance to a soldier of the simple act of

standing reverently on guard at that place,” he said.

“Corporal Cirillo, who felt the calling of a soldier when he was just a 13-year-old cadet, he understood. He knew what he was protecting and what he was preserving. He died protecting and preserving it.”

Canada, a country proud of its reputation for openness and tolerance, has remained defiant in

the wake of the attacks.

It has been threatened in militant broadcasts over its role in the US-led campaign against Islamic State jihadists.

Some Canadians have travelled to the Middle East to join the group, and others are thought to have developed radical ideas at home, living among the country’s Muslim minority.

Police say the two attackers in Ottawa and Saint-Jean-surRichelieu, Quebec were tempted by the prospect of waging war in Syria, where IS is seeking to carve out a caliphate. Ottawa shooter Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, was described as a petty criminal who was estranged from his family and struggled with a drug addiction.

“He was very pious... but he seemed very extreme,” Abdel Kareem Abubakir, a volunteer at an Ottawa shelter that had taken in Zehaf-Bibeau, told the Globe and Mail newspaper.

The assailant in the Quebec attack, 25-year-old Martin Couture-Rouleau, had been on a watch list of suspected extremists before he used his car as a weapon to run over two soldiers in a parking lot, killing one of them before being shot dead by police.

Thousands protest in Mexico City over missing students

Activists gesture during a march to demand justice for the 43 missing students from Ayotzinapa Teacher Training in Mexico City December 26, 2014. — Reuters photo

SOME three thousand people took to the streets of downtown Mexico City on Friday Dec 26, three months after the disappearance and likely massacre of 43 students.

The students went missing on September 26, in an apparent massacre by a police-backed gang that sparked nationwide protests and caused a crisis for President Enrique Pena Nieto.

The latest marches in Mexico City were led by parents and other relatives and friends of the missing, including students from their teacher training college in southern Guerrero state.

"We want them alive," protesters chanted, walking behind gigantic portraits of the missing students and a huge

Mexican flag whose red and green colors were replaced by black.

"What does Ayotzinapa want?" protest leaders called out, referring to the name of the students' school. "Justice! Justice!" the crowd responded.

If all the students are confirmed dead, it would rank among the worst mass murders in a drug war that has killed more than 80,000 people and left 22,000 others missing since 2006 in Mexico.

Authorities say the aspiring teachers vanished after ganglinked police attacked their buses in the city of Iguala, allegedly under orders from the mayor and his wife in a night of terror that left six other people dead.

The police then delivered the young men to members of the

Guerreros Unidos drug gang, who told investigators they took them in two trucks to a landfill, killed them, burned their bodies and dumped them in a river. For now, only one of the students has been positively identified from charred remains, which leaves little hope of finding the 42 others.

On Christmas Eve, the students' parents had already protested under heavy rains in front of the Los Pinos presidential palace.

And in a sign of the violence that continues to reign in Guerrero state, the body of a priest was found with a bullet wound to the head. Gregorio Lopez Gorostieta was discovered in the Tierra Caliente region two months after another priest's body was found. — AFP

REVIEWING2014 special supplement

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Adenan in his first press conference after being announced as Taib’s successor three days earlier.

Tuanku Abdul Halim (right) presenting the Instrument of Appointment to Taib at the Istana Negara.

Ogilvy Ruekeith

By Geryl reporters@theborneopost.com DATUK Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s appointment as chief minister in February raised a new sense of optimism in the state’s political landscape and government leadership.

In his first press conference after being announced as the successor to Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud who stepped down after 33 years in office, Adenan vowed to be a chief minister to all Sarawakians.

He promised to bar racists and religious bigots from entering the state, declared that there would be no implementation of hudud laws in Sarawak and that no Bibles containing the word ‘Allah’ would be seized — all within his first 100 days in office.

Adenan had also pledged to protect the state autonomy, special rights and privileges under the Malaysian Agreement.

His bid to seek higher oil and gas royalty from the Federal Government and campaign against illegal logging and grafts in the state had earned the Tanjung Datu assemblyman a high level of public support.

He also assured the people that his cabinet members would sign the Integrity Pledge to disallow their immediate family members from applying for state land or logging concessions.

Adenan himself had signed the pledge following a recommendation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Taib named the 70-yearold veteran politician as his successor to a packed press conference at the Astana on Feb 12, after handing over his resignation to the then Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin a day earlier.

The long-serving chief minister announced his intention to resign at a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council meeting the weekend before.

Over the next few days, speculation was rife that party deputy president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg or senior vice-president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan would be appointed successor.

Long-serving Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, who is also PBB deputy president, was not mentioned among the front runners. Taib also vacated his Balingian seat held since 2001, paving way for a by-election.

Former Dalat district officer Yussibnosh Balo won the seat for Barisan Nasional (BN) with a majority of 6,911 votes on March 29.

After putting a political career spanning over 50 years to a close, Taib was appointed the state’s seventh Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

He received his instrument of appointment from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul

POLITICS

A new era in Sarawak governance Halim Shah Mu’adzam at the Istana Negara on Feb 28, the day Adenan took his oath at the Astana.

Taib was 45 when he assumed the post of chief minister on March 26, 1981.

He was sworn in as the new governor on March 1 at the state Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex.

Adenan was Special Functions Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office prior to his appointment.

He also assumed the post of state BN chairman, PBB president including Minister of Finance and Minister of Resource Planning and Environment.

Salahuddin waving to the crowd prior to his departure from the Astana.

The birth of a new political force In May, 10 state Barisan lawmakers led by beleaguered leaders Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom and Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh quit their respective parties — Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) — to join Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).

When addressing a packed press conference after the adjournment of the DUN sitting, Mawan said the decision to quit was due to him being ‘elbowed out’ by several SPDP leaders who were against the decision to reinstate the membership of former leaders

— Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran (Marudi) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) — who had been in a protracted rivalry with the party over the past two years.

E7

Wong (seventh left) together with other pioneer committee and branch members in front of UPP head office.

Najib leading SUPP members to shout 1Malaysia as a sign of support and solidarity after opening the delegates conference.

Along with Mawan and four SPDP elected representatives who quit the party that Wednesday was Baram MP Anyi Ngau who eventually made a U-turn on his decision weeks later.

Wong meanwhile was accompanied by SUPP elected representatives namely Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili) and Ranum Mina (Opar).

The group said they quit because there was nothing forthcoming from the peace plan proposed by the top BN leadership to reconcile the divided camps.

Wong has been at loggerheads with then SUPP president Tan Sri Peter Chin.

The height of the party leadership crisis occurred during the party’s

strengthen the Barisan coalition from opposition threat. Both Chin and Tiong were present.

PBB however, was not invited in the ‘merger of minds’ pact because its allocated seats were not affected

by Teras elected representatives.

PRS was traditionally allocated nine state seats, SPDP, eight and SUPP, 19. PBB meanwhile, was allocated 35 seats.

On July 17, the faction led by Wong in Teras left the SPDP breakaway party to join newly registered United People’s Party (UPP) whose registration was approved three days earlier by the registrar of societies (ROS).

He explained the move was the best strategy for both former SUPP and SPDP elected representatives to move forward on separate platforms and to better mobilise themselves in gathering support for the Barisan.

In Teras’ inaugural triennial general assembly on July 26, Mawan was elected president while Nansian, who got the ball rolling in the

from the Pakatan Rakyat coalition if PAS failed to make clear its plan on hudud law implementation here.

State DAP also resolved to stop attending all activities hosted

by Pakatan and PAS with immediate effect until the two conditions set by them for the latter were met, namely that PAS Malaysia reverted to the common policies of Pakatan’s manifesto in the last general election and that PAS would not pursue the implementation of hudud law here.

In July, state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen expressed his party’s frustration by

2011 triennial delegates conference in December, when the faction led

by Wong staged a walkout after claiming irregularities in some of the branch elections.

Joining the 10 Barisan YBs to join Teras that day was Pelagus assemblyman George Lagong who quit from Sarawak Workers Party (SWP).

The group immediately declared their pledge to stay loyal to BN. This incident had led to political unrest within the state Barisan, with both SUPP and SPDP calling for Teras YBs to quit their cabinet posts considering that the group is not considered BN members.

SUPP and SPDP also vowed that they would never agree to Teras joining Barisan.

War of words continue as SPDP and SUPP voiced the rights to the 10 state seats held by their former elected representatives.

Both Barisan component members were adamant that they had the rights to seat allocation at the affected constituencies come next state election.

The inclusion of Lagong in the Teras line-up did not go well with Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), where Pelagus is traditionally allocated to the party by the state Barisan.

During a Gawai ‘Ngiling Tikai’ hosted by PRS president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing at his residence, the Land Development Minister manifested the ‘merger of minds’ between PRS, SPDP and SUPP to

new party, became deputy.

George Lagong meanwhile, has been offloaded from the Teras bandwagon.

On August 24, Adenan announced that the state government would adopt a BNPlus formula to accommodate the Teras and UPP groups until the election.

This was to enable the two senior ministers and four assistant ministers currently not in Barisan to continue serving as cabinet ministers.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who officiated at the opening of SUPP 23rd Delegates Conference on Sept 8, has given his full backing that the Barisan will stick with the state’s oldest political party through thick and thin.

This sentiment was made out of his strong belief in politics of principal and that nobody was larger nor bigger than the interest of the party. The number one task was to always make sure that each and every BN component parties remain strong.

At the conference, SUPP secretary-general Senator Prof Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian was elected as the party’s new president.

stating that while PAS wanted to go ahead with the hudud law implementation, PKR had been keeping quiet.

DAP regretted the silence and non-committal of PKR over the matter.

State PKR chairman Baru Bian however countered that the party had made its stand on hudud implementation on the state on various occasions.

The issue has affected Pakatan’s seat allocation discussion for the next state election when DAP did not send any representatives for the third round of discussions in November.

Previous seat negotiations hit an impasse as PKR aimed to contest in 50 seats while DAP eyed 30.

PAS meanwhile is targetting 10 seats.

Baru mentioned that Keadilan had 13 overlapping seats with DAP and five with PAS. He was optimistic however, that the seat negotiation between the Pakatan partners could be finalised before April next year.

The scramble for seats had created an untenable situation for the opposition front as the total number of claimed seats is 90 as oppose to 71 current number of state constituencies.

In the 2011 state election, PKR won three out of 49 seats while DAP captured 12 out of 15.

PAS did not win any of the five seats it contested.

Taib signing the proclaimation letter.

Adenan signing his proclamation letter as the state’s fifth chief minister.

The four, along with former Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe known as the Group of Five (G5), were sacked in November 2011 and January 2012 for gross insubordination.

SPDP officially reinstated the membership of four G5 members March following an intervention from Adenan.

Dr Tiki was not reinstated having contested against the BN in the May 2013 general election as an independent in Mas Gading.

This led to months of media warfare between opposing camps within SPDP led by then deputy president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who voiced their discontent over the readmission.

Tiong had urged Mawan to immediately halt the process of re-instating the group, out of fear that their readmission would stoke anger and resentment among SPDP loyalists and cause a serious split in the party’s divisions and branches throughout the state.

State DAP threaten to quit Pakatan coalition Earlier this year at the opposition front, state Democratic Action Party (DAP) threatened to pull out

TIMELINE Feb 12

Taib names veteran politician Adenan as his successor. He also announces that he would quit his Balingian seat and retire from politics. Taib made his official announcement to step down during a PBB Supreme Council Meeting on Saturday, Feb 8.

Feb 21

Taib gives his final press conference as chief minister at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, giving assurance that he will not interfere with the state political affairs. He chaired his last cabinet meeting three days later

and officially stepped down on Feb 28.

Feb 28

Adenan sworn-in as the state’s fifth chief minister at the Astana. He receives his instrument of appointment and takes his oath in the presence of Salahuddin. After the ceremony, the out-going governor is given a red carpet ceremonial send-off at the Astana ground. Meanwhile at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Taib receives his instrument of appointment from his excellency Tuanku Abdul Halim to become the new Head of State.

March 1

Taib is sworn in as the state’s seventh Yang di-Pertua Negeri at the DUN complex.

March 29

Yussibnosh Balo wins the Balinigian by-election for Barisan Nasional (BN) with a majority of 6,911 votes.

May 15

Ten state Barisan lawmakers led by beleaguered leaders Mawan and Wong quit SPDP and SUPP respectively to join Teras.

June 23

Masing announces the ‘merger of minds’ pact between PRS, SPDP and SUPP to strengthen the state Barisan coalition and fend off opposition threat.

July 17

Wong, Dr Jerip, Rayong and Ranum leave Teras to set up UPP. The group maintain their relations with Teras and allegiance to the Barisan.

September 9

SUPP 23rd Delegates Conference

sees the party secretary-general Senator Prof Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian elected as president.

October 7

UPP launches new headquarters at Jalan Pending, Kuching. The party’s registration was approved by ROS on July 14.

August 24

Adenan announces that the state government would continue to run on a BN-Plus formula until the next state election.

REVIEWING2014 special supplement

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Thursday, January 1, 2015

POLITICS

UPP branches up and running in Miri with (from left) Datuk Hii King Chiong, Bruce Chai, Keith Chin and Haw Min Wai leading Piasau, Pujut, Senadin and Bekenu branches respectively.

Fireworks in topsy-turvy northern politics Kiew

By Phillip reporters@theborneopost.com MIRI: Topsy-turvy politics in northern Sarawak affected both the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition and the Opposition parties in 2014.

The temperature is set to climb higher in the coming year as the state election draws closer where these BN-bred rivals and Opposition parties compete with each other to stand on their respective platforms.

PKR On the Opposition front, PKR Miri branch saw contest for the first time for its office bearers, with Miri MP Dr Micheal Teo Yu Kheng easily defeating his deputy Zuihaidah Suboh to retain his post as branch chairman.

Zuhaidah was a former party candidate in Bekenu state constituency.

Teo downplayed the contest at the triennial general meeting (TGM) on April 27, calling it a ‘family affair’ and a healthy development which would enable PKR to grow with more new young faces in the line-up.

He was breathing fire in his fight against a developer and Miri City Council for taking away the parking lots at Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre, bringing them to court after a series of demonstrations and heated arguments culminating in a shove failed to get the results he wanted.

SPDP

Baram MP Anyi Ngau who was seen on Teras bandwagon at its debut announcement in Kuching later announced that he was staying put in SPDP. When asked why he was present at a press conference on May 15 when former SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan announced he was quitting SPDP for Teras, Anyi Ngau said: “I just

UPP the new kid on the block

New kid on the block United People’s Party (UPP) was fast off the block in setting up its office at Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre and electing office bearers for Piasau, Pujut, Senadin and Bekenu after receiving the green light from ROS, mirroring SUPP set-up

DAP

Fong Pau Teck’s sacking and Alan Ling Sie Kiong’s rise to the secretary post in DAP showed the shifting of ground for the opposition party. Fong became an Independent state assemblyman after his appeal was rejected on Feb 26 this year by the party central executive committee on grounds of insubordination.

He has since then declared himself PKRfriendly and CMfriendly.

and providing a political platform for all those who left SUPP during their crisis.

The inaugural AGM-elected office bearers of the respective branches on Nov 23 this year, marking the direction of this young political entity hoping to replace SUPP in wresting back Piasau and Pujut from the opposition.

UPP said it would be putting the people first in its political struggle and garnering support for BN Sarawak.

Fong Pau Teck UPP Miri office officially opened.

Teras is ready to roll

Mawan and Entri are back together in Teras and ready to roll.

happened to be there. You have to excuse me, I am very new in politics.”

Anyi is the sole SPDP-elected representative left in northern Sarawak after Paulus, Rosey and Entri were kicked out of the party

by SPDP led by Mawan then. Deputy party president Dato Seri Tiong King Sing who has taken over the helm, has sounded the warning that the party would not compromise on its seats allocation. His call was echoed by SUPP against UPP.

Political rivals in SPDP, Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom walked out of the party and patched up with his former Secretary-General Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran and the former G5 members under the new party Teras.

The new political re-alignment sees Mawan leading the party as president with northern leaders in Sylvester Entri (Secretary-General), Rosey Yunus (Vice-president), Paulus Palu Gumbang (Treasurer) together with Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie as deputy president who were paraded during the party’s roadshows in Marudi and Bekenu constituencies.

The Teras roadshow in Sungai Entulang on October 18 saw the biggest crowd for the party in a show of force that it has replaced SPDP in grassroots support in Marudi state constituency represented by Entri, prompting Mawan to endorse the latter as the party’s candidate in the next state election.

It is the epitome of the maxim that there are no permanent enemies or friends in politics.

SUPP Piasau and Bekenu

Shock and confusion hit UPP party members after SUPP Piasau and Bekenu branches, the cradle of power over the past two decades, were de-registered by the Registar of Societies (ROS) in the first week of 2014.

Gloom and sadness prevailed as Piasau branch chairman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chew Yew on January 10 announced that that the ROS decision came into effect on January 6 on charges of irregularities.

The branch was formerly chaired by ex-party president and ex-deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan Hong Nam who stepped

down after losing the Piasau seat to DAP newcomer Alan Ling Sie Kiong in the last state election.

Both branches appealed and were successfully reinstated five months later, while Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, a former chairman of Bekenu branch stepped down as president after the Triennial Delegates Conference as promised.

Senadin SUPP chairman Datuk Lee Kim Shin returned to the fold, breaking rank with Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh’s faction which went on to form United Peoples Party after a brief sojourn in Teras.

Ting went on to become the party’s secretary-general, marking a turnaround in fortunes and ready for more fireworks.

Heart-breaking moment on Jan 10 as Sebastian Ting (6th left) announced the de-registration of SUPP Piasau and Bekenu branches in SUPP Krokop sub-branch office.

REVIEWING2014 special supplement

Thursday, January 1, 2015

E9

2014 marked by murders and rioting North Korea, China, Indonesia, Myanmar and Bangladesh suffered various degrees of injuries including serious burns, which resulted in some being airlifted on mercy flights to hospitals all over the country due to the shortage of burn specialists in the state to handle the volume of the injured.

Graphic images of some of Police person the burnt miners arriving at n the victim bu el carrying the body of the the Sri Aman hospital in the ried in a shal low grave at elderly security guard afte immediate aftermath of the the Sarawak General Hosp r discovering blast were widely shared ital. online and published in the print media, generating an outpouring of shock and pity for the victims.

The safety of the mine was It was a black eye for football in called into question and many Sarawak when so-called fans Police forensic parties demanded for a probe An elderly security guard was found rioted following a Malaysia Cup tie s personnel insp Abell Road. ecting the body to be conducted to determine buried inside a small drain with blunt against Perak on August 30, which e th r of one of the m trial fo urdered Britons ger, currently on use within the underlying factors behind force trauma to the head and body on ended in a 1-1 draw and knocked m sh fi e Th along ed at his ho st re ar the blast, which was believed at a construction in the compound the Crocs out of the competition. as w , rs murde dent. ci to have been triggered of the Sarawak General Hospital Almost immediately after the in e th Gary Adit of s ur ho By reporters@theborneopost.com by sparks from a faulty in March 4 following an attack by a final whistle at 11pm, sections ventilation fan co-worker. of the crowd began hurling The deceased, 69-year-old Abdul FOR the southern region of at Sarawak General Hospital- was Condemnation of the firecrackers, bottles, flares and Razak Abu Hassan from Kampung crime, as well as assurances chased down by the same group Sarawak, 2014 will be remembered parts of the fencing onto the Lintang in Petra Jaya, was believed that the city and the state were and knifed to death by one member for murders most foul as two British pitch while others ran onto the to have been bludgeoned to death still safe to visit, came from several metres apart from each medical students were knifed to pitch and began damaging the by a co-worker during their night shift various quarters including state other. death in the middle of the road in advertising boards. at the partially-completed Clinical ministers and the police who, in The police, who described the Kuching, while a security guard was Spectators had, by then, Research Centre. view of Visit Sarawak Year 2014, 4.15am incident as one that was bludgeoned to death and buried in spilled outside the stadium A team of morning-shift guards made it a point to stress that the ‘fuelled by excessive alcohol a shallow grave at a construction and damaged three police arrived to take over from the pair case was strictly an isolated and consumption’ by both parties, site in the compound of the cars while torching a fourth, at 7am but instead found blood unfortunate incident. solved the case within hours by Sarawak General Hospital. prompting the deployment splattered on the walls and ground arresting the main suspect and It was also a year stained by the of the Federal Reserve Unit on the first and second floor of the three other men who were with him notoriety of individuals who rioted (FRU) to deal with chaos building. at the time of the incident. following a football match at the caused by the hooligans.

Police rushed to the scene after The prime suspect, 23-year-old Sarawak Stadium, and one which Five persons, including four being notified and subsequently fishmonger Zulkipli Abdullah of was marked by the tragic deaths teenagers, were subsequently Four foreign miners perished located a freshly-filled hole in the Kampung Gersik, is currently on of foreign miners in a coal mine arrested by police in while 29 others were left injured ground, which had been dug a week trial for the double murder and explosion in Sri Aman. connection with the incident, following an explosion at an earlier by workers to install pipes, faces being sent to the gallows if with several others turning underground tunnel at a coal and found Abdul Razak’s body convicted, while his accomplices themselves in after police wrapped in a plastic sheet inside. have agreed to become prosecution mine in Selantik, near Pantu in Sri released images of those ik nt la Aman, on November 22.

After spending three days on the witnesses and testify against him.

In the early hours of Aug 6, involved in the rioting that Se e th victims from Myanmar national Tun Tun run, police nabbed the 52-yearNews of the slayings made Newcastle University fourth-year night to the media.

Image of the burn ch drew widespread whi Win, 36, North Korean Pang old co-worker at a budget hotel in headlines in the United Kingdom medical students Neil Dalton and It had been said that coal mine blast m the public. fro ty pi d Chung-hyok, 29, and Indonesian Kuching following a public tip-off and other countries, and gave rise Aidan Brunger were at a bistro the fans’ anger had been shock an Kardianto, 38, succumbed to and were led to the murder weapon to questions as to why there were along Abell Road when they a result of some dodgy internal body injuries within and other evidence by the suspect. still night spots operating beyond became involved in a row with a refereeing decisions during the minutes of the explosion, while in the tunnel.

Initial investigation by police the permitted time, and whether or group of locals. match, as well as due to reports another Indonesian, Acmad Zidin, The last coal mine explosion in revealed the suspect had not been not the consumption of illicit drugs As they departed the premises that travelling Sarawak fans had 27, succumbed to severe brain the state occurred in Abok, also on good terms with the deceased, played a part in the incident after on foot back to their hostel, the been assaulted by Perak fans injuries three days later. near Pantu, in 2012 which claimed who often berated him for being lazy it was revealed the the locals had pair- both 22 and in the final week during the first leg of the tie in The surviving victims from the lives of four miners from China. and constantly arriving late for work. tested positive for syabu. of their six-week work placement Ipoh.

Football riot

Bludgeoned and buried

Selantik coal mine disaster

Senseless killings

CRIME AND COURT

‘Tragedy of unequal proportion’ tops cases heard last year Wong

By Danny reporters@theborneopost.com SIBU: In the roundup of cases heard at the courts here last year, the conviction of a businessman of murdering his wife and two children on Dec 17 by the High Court was the one that attracted the most attention here.

Jacob Tiang Lee Yee was sentenced to the gallows for murdering his wife Ling Yung Ming, teenage daughter Christine Tiang Soon Ai and toddler son Victor Tiang Soon Seng at their house at Pulau Li Hua on July 5 last year.

He was also found guilty of attempted murder of his 17-year-old eldest son Vincent.

Jason had planned to kill his whole family before killing himself to escape the clutches of loan sharks.

The plan went awry as his eldest son managed to escape while he failed to kill himself.

The sentencing which brought to a close a case that gripped the town was generally accepted as inevitable despite the tragic mitigation behind the horrendous crime.

Judge Supian summed up the case by saying, “This is the story of a man having amassed massive debts, falling into the hands of merciless creditors and in the end driven to make the totally evil decision of killing his

family.”

Another case which caught the eye of the public is that of a man convicted of raping his 68-year-old mother-in-law on Aug 22.

Mohammad Abdullah@ Su Ngiek Tiing, a father of eight, pleaded guilty to raping his mother-in-law on Aug 15 and was sentenced to 14 years’ jail and 10 strokes of the rottan by the Sessions Court.

Another curious case heard the Sessions Court last year was that of a youth sentenced to 10 years’ behind bars and 10 strokes of whipping for seriously injuring a middle-aged woman over an argument on catching frogs.

Tommy Lingga pleaded guilty to wounding the woman who was riding pillion on his motorcycle after she insisted on looking for her friend while he was bent on catching frogs in the area.

In the heat of their argument Tommy took out his parang and slashed her.

In a case of culpable homicide heard by the Sessions Court on Oct 21, Martin Ukol was sentenced to 18 years’ jail for killing Jana Jamit with a knife in a fight in a longhouse at Beleti, Ulu Sungei Pakan at about 3.30pm on Dec 26 2013.

The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge which was framed under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years

and fine.

In a drugs possession and trafficking case a man escaped the gallows after the High Court acquitted and discharged him on May 27.

Su Tieng Sin was indicted for an offence under section 39B(1) of dangerous Act 1952 and punishable under section 39B(2) of the same Act which carries a death penalty.

Su claimed trial to the charge of trafficking 73.25gm Methamphetamine at a house at Lorong Kong Yit Khim on Jan 16 2013.

In another drugs case a man was sentenced to 116 month’s jail and 10 strokes of the rottan for two charges of drugs possession.

Ling Leh Hoe, 30, was originally charged under section 39B(1) of the Dangerous Act 1952 which carries a death sentence.

He accepted an alternative charge in the first schedule of the dangerous Act 1952 for possessing 390.76grammes of cannabis and was sentenced to 80 months jail and 10 strokes.

Ling was also found guilty of possessing 0.26grammes of Nimetazepam and sentenced to 36 months jail.

The cases heard in the court had their usual drama and tragedies but 2014 will remembered for the death sentencing of Jacob Tiang in a case Judge Supian Lian aptly described a ‘tragedy of unequal proportions’.

Miri police force took more aggressive approach in attacking crime Ringgit

By Margaret reporters@theborneopost.com MIRI: The year 2014 has been a tremendous year for the Miri police force in combating crimes, especially against illegal online gambling in the city via continuous raids.

The year also saw how the force succeeded in foiling several major house-breaking groups and the most recent success reported was the rescue of foreign women allegedly forced to work as sex workers at two massage parlours in November.

The raids have been successfully held in collaboration with Bukit Aman Anti-Vice, Gaming and Gangsterism unit (D7), where they managed to rescue a total 18 female China nationals during the raids.

Under the leadership of new Miri police chief ACP Gan Tian Kee who began his duty on February 17 this year, the efforts in combating crimes has become more aggressive.

In May this year, Miri police force busted two robberies and snatch-theft gangs known as ‘Okaw’ (Black Dog) and ‘Amir’. With the arrest of the groups’ members including their ringleaders, some 10 cases in snatch-theft and armed robberies have been solved in the city.

The groups have been terrifying members of the public, as the group tended to harm their victims as the groups were armed with sharp objects during their heists.

In early April this year, Miri police forces

The ‘little vegas’ casino. once again achieved success by storming into a premise famously known as ‘Little Vegas’ in Bandar Baru Permyjaya operating illegal online gambling activities.

The premise was dubbed ‘Little Vegas’ as it was considered the most exclusive and expensive online gambling spot in the city, with interior décor comparable to casinos in the city of its namesake.

Upon receiving a tip-off on the illegal activities, Miri police launched a raid on the premise in April, successfully seizing 46 computers and arresting two suspects who are believed to be the premise’s workers.

The case was being investigated under Section 4B(a) of the Common Gaming House Act 1953 and Section 5(2) of the Entertainment Ordinance 2001 for operating without a valid license.

The year 2014 has also recorded several cases involving Indonesians who are working here.

One of the most memorable cases was of an Indonesian man who ran amok aboard a fishing

vessel, killing one of his colleagues and injuring several others including the vessel’s captain.

The captain was lucky to have survived the attack as he had suffered serious injuries to his body, while another crewmember, called ‘Jarup’ succumbed to injuries sustained to his stomach as the attacker, named ‘Udin’ attacked him first before continuing to the ship’s captain.

Con artists have also made several headlines in the printed media by conning people of their hardearned cash amounting to hundreds of thousands ringgit.

A female clerk, 52, lodged a police report after she fell victim to a con artist whom she befriended via Facebook, stunning Mirians with an estimated loss of around half a million Ringgit.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.

No arrests have been made yet pertaining the case.

Miri police chief, ACP Gan Tian Kee (third left) and his deputy superintendent (Supt) Stanley Jonathan Ringgit (second left) with other officers showing the seized exhibits from the ‘Okaw’ and ‘Amir’ groups during a press conference held the day after police successfully collared the groups’ members.

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Bibles returned, goodwill restored Aubrey

By Samuel reporters@theborneopost.com THE spirit of Muhibbah (goodwill), a trait so synonymous with multi-religious and multiracial Malaysia, seemed to be declining of late due to the many unsavoury remarks, actions and extremists views threatening the country’s social fabric.

For almost a year, we witnessed religious tensions after 351 copies of Bibles containing the word ‘Allah’ were seized from the Bible Society of Malaysia’s (BSM) premises in Selangor following a raid on January 2.

There was relief all over when the Bibles were released 11 months later, when the Selangor state government finally returned the seized copies of the Bible to the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) in a ceremony held at Istana Alam Shah, Klang and witnessed by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on November 14.

ACS chairman and Council of Churches Malaysia acting president the Most Reverend Datuk Bolly Lapok, who received the Bibles on behalf of BSM, hoped that the spirit of compromise underlying this resolution may be viewed as a step towards enhancing interfaith understanding and harmony in Malaysia.

He called on all parties to “work together to respect and celebrate the rich diversity of Malaysians in being able to set an example to the

world on how to live harmoniously together in a multiracial and multicultural country in accordance with the nation’s laws and constitution.”

Even where there was uproar in both traditional and social media few weeks later about the stamping on the recently released Bibles, Bolly again spoke about the Muhibbah spirit as he stressed there was no intention on the part of the authorities releasing the said Bibles to desecrate them or be otherwise disrespectful to the Christian community.

The association, he said, viewed the Sultan of Selangor’s intervention in gaining the release of the Bibles as a demonstration of the muhibbah spirit and an earnest call to Malaysia’s diverse religious communities to live in harmony together.

“Change is necessary as nations grow and develop.

The process must involve continuing dialogue and have it conducted in a manner which affirms mutual learning and respect – the

HUMAN INTEREST

principle of muhibbah,” he had said in a statement.

The recently-released Bibles, comprising Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia known as Al-Kitab, Bibles in Iban known as Bup Kudus and copies of Luke’s Gospel in Bahasa Malaysia, were stamped with a warning notice that the Bibles, which were returned to be distributed in Sarawak churches, were not to be used or distributed anywhere in

Selangor.

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, in an interview with a national daily, said the stamping of the Bibles was done because there was a violation of the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

It was also to ensure that the Bibles containing the word ‘Allah’ did not return to Selangor.

“To me, the main thing is not about the

stamping but to ensure that the Bibles were returned in good condition without any pages torn,” said the Sultan.

Selangor, and several other states in the Peninsula, ban the use of the word ‘Allah’ and other terms among non Muslim in the states’ respective religious enactments.

Bumiputera Christians from both Sarawak and Sabah working or studying in Peninsular Malaysia are feeling affected by this as they felt their rights had been encroached upon.

Ibans refer to God as ‘Allah Taala’ while Malayspeaking Bumiputera Christians refer to God as ‘Allah’.

The controversy over nonMuslim usage of the Arabic word for God erupted in 2007 when the federal government first banned the Catholic Church from publishing the word ‘Allah’ in

the Malay section of its weekly newspaper, Herald.

The Catholic Church responded by filing a legal suit against the government. A lengthy legal battle followed and Malaysia’s highest court ruled last year that the paper cannot use the word ‘Allah’ as it is not integral to Christianity.

There are worries that the ‘Allah’ ban on non-Muslims would extend to Sabah and Sarawak, despite assurance given by federal government that ruling only applied to the Herald and that the word ‘Allah’ can still be used during church services as well as in Bibles in Sabah and Sarawak.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who became the state’s fifth Chief Minister on March 1, has assured Christians in the state are free to use that word.

His predecessor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had also said that the use of the word ‘Allah’ is a non-issue.

Indeed, the spirit of Muhibbah is still strong in Sarawak and should stay that way.

And with the release of the confiscated Bibles in Selangor, it should start the ball rolling for more efforts for Malaysians to respect one another in 2015 and years beyond.

Bolly (left) symbolically receives the Bibles from Mohamad Adzib with Sultan Sharafuddin (second left) and Mohd Azmin witnessing the gesture of goodwill. — Photo courtesy of Jais Selangor

Brighter future for the Penans in Murum Sibon

By Peter reporters@theborneopost.com

A Penan girl playing with a smartphone at the Tegulang resettlement scheme in the background.

THE Penans of Sarawak continue to take the limelight this year as the charity-case for many domestic and foreign nongovernmental agencies.

Change might be in store for the Penans of Murum however, as they have been luckier than their counterparts in Baram and elsewhere as they are now having more settled lives with free housing and monthly allowances of RM800 per family after agreeing to be resettled at Metalun and Tegulang with the impoundment of the Murum hydro-electric power (HEP) Dam that has affected their previous settlements.

A total of 323 Penan families have been resettled at both Tegulang and Metalun.

And it was reported that the whole exercise cost the State Government a staggering amount of over RM1bil to implement.

Besides providing housing and other facilities and infrastructure such as roads, clinics and schools, the Murum resettlement scheme also took into consideration the needs of the elderly Penans who would have still preferred to have reserved land for hunting and food gathering by giving them two areas; namely in Tegulang and Metalun, with a combined area of some 30,000 hectares for the purpose.

It is believed that by combining the needs of the elderly with those of the youth it will provide the older generation a chance to adapt to their altered circumstances and

Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong handing a television set and Astro’s NJOI decoder to the longhouse folks at Tengulang resettlement scheme, Murum. provide the younger generation the opportunity to adapt to a modern lifestyle.

According to Belaga Assemblyman Liwan Lagang, the Penans of Metalun and Tegulang are now enjoying a much better quality of life.

“Before they moved to Tegulang and Metalun, they were having a difficult time as their staple food, the wild sago, is getting scarce in the jungle. There was many a time when we had to come to their rescue as they had no food to eat,” Liwan said.

He hoped that the Penans of both Metalun and Tegulang would slowly adapt to the new environment so that they can eventually become self-sufficient farmers and also have better job

opportunities along with access to better education in future.

Besides free housing, there are also primary schools, clean water supply, electricity supply and agriculture centres in both settlements.

“I really hoped that they can also be successful like other communities with much better opportunities available in their new settlements,” added Liwan.

However, the Penans of Metalun and Tegulang have courted controversy on few occasions when they erected a blockade along the Murum road leading to the Murum HEP Dam site to prevent workers from completing the project.

Meanwhile, Liwan, who is also the Assistant Minister of Culture

and Heritage also recommended to the government that the Penans, with a population of some 18,000 should have their own elected representative to look after them.

“It is high time that the Penans should be given the opportunity to have their own elected representative or at least a senator from among the community so that they will have someone speaking for them at the highest decision-making body either at the State or Federal level,” added Liwan.

Murum Dam is 70km upriver from Bakun HEP dam, which has been churning out 300MW of power since August 6.

Murum HEP can generate a total of 944 MW. Work on the project started on Oct 1, 2008.

TIMElINE Jan 12

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud launches the RM120 million Darul Hana development project which would clean the city of its ‘slum’ image and give affected villagers a better living environment.

Jan 15

Lawas Airport and part of Lawas town flooded.

Jan 25

History made for Miri Roman Catholic Diocese with the Episcopal Ordination of Rt Rev Bishop Richard Ng replacing Bishop Emeritus Rt Rev Anthony Lee Kok Hin who had been the bishop for the diocese over the last 36 years.

Feb 7

Joyous Chinese New Year celebrations for Long Lama, Baram when Head of State, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Salahuddin Abang Barieng visited for the first time since Long Lama town was established over 100 years ago.

Feb 15

The inaugural Miri Country Music Fest 2014 begins in Miri attracting eight bands such as ‘Country Road band’ from Miri, and Johnny Rodgers band (USA).

Mar 4

Hundreds bid farewell to the first woman engineer recruited by Sarawak Shell Berhad - Ir. Molly Sim

Lim Hong @ Lim-Lim Hong who died on March 2.

Mar 8

MH370 vanishes one hour after takeoff, together with 227 passengers and 12 crew members enroute to Beijing from KL. Among them were head steward and Sibu boy Andrew Nari, 49, as well as city police chief ASP Roslan Bek’s niece Suhaili Mustafa.

Mar 10

Maira Elizabeth, daughter of MH370 head steward Andrew Nari, emerges as a voice of hope as her Twitter messages asking her father to come home draws sympathy from across the globe.

Mar 14

Two explosions rock the Serian industrial zone, injuring 19.

Mar 18

Miri City not spared from the transboundary haze.

Mar 19

STPM 2013 results released.

Mar 20

SPM 2013 results released.

Results were the best in a decade.

Meanwhile, Education Minister announces an allocation of RM79 million to build schools in Mukah.

Mar 21

Adenan invokes immigration power

to bar bigots, racists and troublemakers from Sarawak.

Mar 22

Borneo Post International Education Fair (BPIEF) 2014 opens with 88 exhibitors and a strong New Zealand presence.

Mar 24

Immigration Department denies reports that Perkasa Chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali was recently in Sarawak.

Mar 28

Adenan tells Christians here that there is no law in Sarawak preventing them from using the term ‘Allah’ to refer to God.

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HUMAN INTEREST

Fiery, explosive incidents underline 2014 Kiew

By Philip reporters@theborneopost.com

SSGP explosion 1

THE hair-raising explosion and fire at 2 am of the RM 4.6 billion gas pipeline at Long Resina, Lawas on June 10 was visible from Lawas, Temburong and southern Sabah.

Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian demanded that Petronas conduct ‘a full and thorough’ investigation into the cause of the explosion and make their findings public to placate the fears of people living along the 512km-long pipeline.

Approximately 90km of the Sabah-Sarawak Gas (SSG) pipeline runs through Sabah with the remaining 442km in Sarawak.

Petronas gas pipeline explosion and fire.

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Water villages on fire

THE second fire at Kampung Manangah water village in August this year left 186 homeless and 14 houses destroyed, bringing the tally to over 320 homeless in a

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span of 10 months in the coastal Awat Awat settlement.

It was is a feeling of déjà vu of the earlier fire in October 2013 at Kampung Ujong next

door. Less than a month earlier in in Limbang, a morning fire at Kampung Seberang Kedai across river of Limbang town left 67 homeless on July 18.

Fiery Miri MP shoves and sues

MIRI MP Dr Micheal Teo Yu Kheng and Pujut state assemblyman Fong Pau Teck lost their cool in the sweltering heat on July 2 morning this year shouting and shoving at a representative of the Marina Park developer over parking lots at Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre.

First-term Miri MP Dr Micheal Teo Yu Kheng boiled over in the running dispute with Pantai Bayu over the car parks in Miri Waterfront Commercial

Centre, shoving a company’s representative once in the heated incident.

Teo, together with eight other applicants, had on Sept 17 filed an Application for Judicial Review, for and on behalf of themselves and other respective registered proprietors, tenants, business owners and stakeholders having an interest in the shop houses there.

On Sept 18 this year, a judge had slapped developers of Marina Park City in Miri with a

temporary restraining order to stop removing the car parks servicing the Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre.

Judge Datuk Yew Jen Kie granted an ex-parte interim injunction to stop Pantai Bayu Indah Sdn Bhd, from causing or allowing any further work or development on the car parks adjoining Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre without prior written consent of the applicants.

4 Historic Baram Regatta CHIEF MINISTER Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem declared at the historic Baram Regatta held in Marudi on August 22-24 this year that it would be a biennial event instead of once every three years.

The mother of Sarawak regattas spanning over a century, Baram Regatta unique attractions and

rich cultural heritage makes it an irresistible lure to locals and outsiders, The influx of visitors brings traffic in Marudi to a grinding halt as vehicles are parked along roadside from the ferry point to the town while competitors battle for glory in paddling, speedboat and pump-boat races.

Bishop Richard Ng Najib experiencing the Gawai joy in Long Silat in Ulu Baram.

5 Appointment of Bishop A HISTORIC new chapter was written for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Miri on January 25 this year with the Episcopal ordination of Bishop Richard Ng at Miri Indoor Stadium before a crowd of 6,000 people.

Rev Fr Richard Ng, 47, was born in the Archdiocese of Kuching, and his appointment was announced on Oct 30, 2013 at the Vatican. He replaces Rt Rev Anthony Lee Kok Hin, the charismatic Bishop Emeritus of Miri, who has been a bishop for the past 36 years.

The Mass for the Episcopal Ordination was held at 9.00am at the Miri Indoor Stadium and attended by at least seven Archbishops, 10 Bishops, 82 Priests, five Deacons, Heads of several Protestant Denominations, Politicians and about 6000 Catholics from all over Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei .

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Biggest Malaysia Day bash

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made two visits to Miri within three-and-a-half months, an unprecedented record for the division.

He headed straight to Sarawak on June 1 to join the Orang Ulu communities for the Gawai celebration at Long Silat in Ulu Baram in the morning and Rumah Jarek longhouse in Lambir and state level Gawai celebration at the Miri City Fan

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moving forward.

Starting next year, there would no mention of the anniversary of National Day celebrated to promote greater spirit of oneness and solidarity across the nation.

“The national day will be celebrated on August 31 while Malaysia Day would continue to be celebrated on Sept 16, both days gazetted as public holidays,” he said.

Parks galore in Miri

THE state government responded to a public call to turn the hornbill nesting place and surrounding areas in Piasau camp into the Piasau Nature Park.

This bird is synonymous with

Biennial event Baram Regatta is a riot of colours.

on June 2.

On Sept 16, he was back in Miri with a coterie of his federal cabinet ministers for the largest Malaysia Day celebration with a record crowd of nearly 40,000 turning up at Miri City Fan. The Prime Minister said there was no turning back for Sarawak and Sabah in the big federation of Malaysia and those threatening secession would face legal action as the country is committed to

Sarawak identity as the state is also known as the Land of the Hornbills, and the park was declared open

by Head of State Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud on May 10.

Next door, a proposed RM40

million Miri Central Park spread over 15.7 hectares at the Marina Park was also launched on May 18 this year to help transform Miri into a liveable resort city as it is a ‘green’ project.

TIMELINE APRIL ◆ Apr 1 Dr Julian Judson, the only son of Datuk Dr Judson Sakai Tagal who died in a helicopter crash in the thick jungle of Ba Kelalan in Lawas in 2004 offers words of comfort and encouragement to the MH370 families, particularly Maira Elizabeth and the family of chief steward Andrew Nari from Sarawak. ◆ Apr 3 Personnel of 20th Battalion of Royal Malay Regiment given rousing welcome at the camp after successfully carrying out Ops Pasir’s assignme nt in Semporna, Sabah.Authorities are baffled by the spike in in tuberculosis (TB) cases among young people in the state.

Meanwhile, the Kuching Resident’s Office confirmed that they have not issued any fund-raising licence to non-Sarawakians. ◆ Apr 4 The Second-Hand Dealers Act 1946 comes into effect in Sarawak, to the relief of councils who lose millions annually to metal theft. Malaysian Nature Society calls for an immediate evaluation study of Mount Santubong, after reported sightings of three highly endangered Clouded Leopards in the vicinity.

◆ Apr 9 Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) wants a Teachers’ Protection Act to protect teachers from legal suits initiated against them for taking reasonable action on students in maintaining order and discipline in school. ◆ Apr 11 Datuk Amar Dunstan Endawie Enchana, who served as deputy chief minister of Sarawak from 1977 to 1979, passed away at the age of 78 at Saratok Hospital following illness. ◆ Apr 14 Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg says the old Brooke Dockyard will be turned into a maritime museum. ◆ Apr 17: Local reps from both sides of the political divide pay homage to the late Karpal Singh, who died in a car crash yesterday.

◆ Apr 24 The state government confirms that they will pay part of Bukit Assek assemblyman Wong Ho Leng’s medical expenses. ◆ Apr 25 NREB and Santubong MP Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar reacts with surprise at the Santubong Cable Car project news, pointing out that the developer had not submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.

MAY ◆ May 7 Mid-morning fire in Kampung Tabuan Foochow razes seven houses, killing a young mother and two daughters.

◆ Apr 22 Pustaka Miri and partners join 1 million others nationwide to take part in a recordbreaking ‘Let’s Read Together for 10 Minutes’ programme.

◆ May 10 Piasau Nature Reserve launched to enhance its functions and historical value. Formerly known as Piasau Camp, synonymous with Miri’s oil and gas industry, is also famous for its hornbill, a totally protected species.

◆ Apr 23 Developers confirmed that the Mt Santubong cable car project is still on track. Meanwhile, Habitat for Humanity kicks off Borneo Blitz Build 2014, building 14 single storey semi-detached houses in the next 6 days.

◆ May 14 Chief Minister sharing a meal and fellowship with Pakatan Rakyat reps during a courtesy call at his office, pointing towards a common desire to work for a better Sarawak.

◆ May 15 Ten state Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers and Baram MP Anyi Ngau, led by beleaguered party leaders Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom and Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, have quit Sarawak Progressive Democratic Par ty (SPDP) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) to join newly-formed Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras). ◆ May 17 Miri City creates new record for Malaysia Book of Records, with the most number of sape players in a performance, at the launch of May Fest. ◆ May 26 The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah bestowed the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SMN) award, which carries the title ‘Tun’, on the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. ◆ May 30 The Education Ministry has issued a directive to all aided Chinese primary schools (SJKC) to set up their own boards of governors as stipulated under the Education Act 1996 (Act 550).

JUNE ◆ June 2 Gawai Dayak 2014 celebration in Miri is grander to cater to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s two-day visit.

◆ June 5 The Sarawak government transcends political divide by contributing RM1 million to the medical bills of ailing former DAP state chairman Wong Ho Leng. ◆ June 7 The commitment of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to stave off religious and racial extremists, strong stance on Sarawak’s position in the nation, call for oil and gas 20 per cent royalty for the state and reaching out to the opposition in his first 100 days has won him a resounding endorsement from the people. ◆ June 10 Pipeline explosion in Lawas at the underground Sabah-Sarawak gas pipeline (SSGP). ◆ June 11 11th Edition of Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race at Batu Danau featuring the unique culture and tradition of the Bisaya community attracting some 10,000 visitors annually. ◆ June 20 Rainforest World Music Festival weekend begins. ◆ June 21 Former DAP state chairman Wong Ho Leng passes away after struggle with cancer.

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Friday, January 1, 2015

Chronology of Major Movers and Shakers in Corporate Malaysia 1

Dec 31, 2013 - Cahya Mata Sarawak via its wholly owned subsidiary, Samalaju Industries Sdn Bhd entered into an agreement with Malaysian Phosphate Venture Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Phosphate Additives (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and Arif Enigma Sdn Bhd for the development of the country and Southeast Asia’s first integrated phosphate complex in Samalaju Industrial Park.

January 6 – Malayan Banking Bhd launched its cardless withdrawal service via automated teller machines, marking the first of such services in Malaysia.

disappointment with Wilmar International Ltd’s policy of “No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation” which could be deterimental to Sarawak’s oil palm industry.

February 6 – The World Halal Week was launched in Kuala Lumpur, with focus on ways to enhance sales of halal goods.

January 17- Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd announced the increase of prices for cement between five to nine per cent to offset production cost.

January 20 - Launching of Asean Tourism Forum in Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

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January 15 – IOI Properties Bhd made its debut on the main market of Bursa Malaysia, opening with a 70 sen premium.

February 12 - Bank Negara Malaysia announced gross domestic product growth of 4.7 per cent for 2013 and 5.1 per cent for the fourth quarter of 2013.

February 26 - Sarawak Energy Bhd inked an agreement for the 500kiloVolt backbone transmission project (Package B&C) with a joint venture of Sinohydro Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd and Trenergy Infrastructure Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Cable Bhd. February 27 - Sealink International Bhd announced that its financial performance for 2013 sailed back to the black with a net profit of in financial year 2013.

January 16 - Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (Soppoa) declared its

March 3 – The Palm and Lauric Oils Conference and Exhibition (POC 2014) organised by Bursa Malaysia started, addressing major issues such as environment, sustainable production and trade liberalisation in order to maintain Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global palm oil market.

witnessed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd general marketing manager Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah.

March 4 - Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) signed first renewable energy power purchase agreement for biomass energy with Olive Energy Sdn Bhd. Seen is SEB CEO Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit and Research and Development general manager Dr Chen Shiun.

March 11 - Cosmos Chemicals signed a technology equipment supply contract with GT Advanced Technologies Incorporation, USA for Cosmos’ new polysilicon facility complex to be built in Samalaju Industrial Park.

March 10 - Malaysian Airline System Bhd’s (MAS) shares sunk to a low of 20.5 sen on missing flight of MH370 incident.

March 11 - Routes Asia 2014 held in Sarawak concluded with the handover ceremony by permanent secretary of Ministry of Tourism Sarawak Datu Ik Pahon Joyik to Yunnan Airports Corp Co Ltd vice president Li Yinglin

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April 28 – History was made when major American corporations signed deals with Malaysian counterparts, namely AirAsia with GE Aviation, AmBank Group, AmLife Insurance Bhd and Metlife, as well as Sime Darby Bhd and Verdezyne Incorporation.

March 22 – The 5th Roundtable on Islamic Finance in Kuala Lumpur was organised to discuss the development of waqf and how it can contribute towards broadening the Islamic finance industry globally.

ENGINE PURCHASE: (Standing, from left) Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and US President Barack Obama witnessing the signing ceremony between AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (seated, left) and GE chairman John G Rice on Monday. Long haul carrier AirAsia X Bhd and GE Aviation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the selection of CF6-80E1 engines to power AirAsia X’s 25 new firm Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with options for an additional three A330 aircraft.

— Bernama photo

November 5 – The Sarawak Timber Association (STA) calls on the government to look at enhancing the scope of corporate social responsibility under the Goods and Services Tax for timber players especially in Sarawak as the sector has largely contributed to the local communities in remote areas.

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4

November 19 - Press Metal Bhd signed power term sheet with Sarawak Sesco Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Energy Bhd for additional 500 megawatt of power supply for the former’s new Phase 3 Smelter plant at Samalaju Industrial Park.

November 24 - Brooke Renewables and Biochemtex Agro Asia signed letter of intent to set up South East Asia’s first commercial scable second generation (2G) bioethanol and biochemical plant as part of the first phase of the Sarawak Biomass Hub project.

October 6-Nam Cheong Ltd (Nam Cheong) will invest US$30.7 million to subscribe to about 30 per cent of the enlarged share capital of PT Pelayaran Nasional Bina Buana Raya Tbk (BBR), an indirect subsidiary of Marco Polo Marine Ltd (MPML).

October 1-Sarawak Plantation Bhd (Sarawak Plantation) has requested for general banking facilities from AmIslamic Bank Bhd (AmIslamic Bank) totalling RM180 million.

October 1-Indonesia has approved a plantations bill that aims to maximise land usage and open up the sector to smallholders, with a controversial foreign ownership clause dropped from the final version.

October 4-Rubber gloves players may see an increase in demand following the first confirmed case of Ebola outside of Africa. According to historical epidemics episodes, the surge in demand for rubber gloves usually occurs before an epidemic.

October 9-Shell has started oil production from the Gumusut-Kakap floating platform off the coast of Sabah, the latest in a series of deep-water projects for the group. The platform is expected to reach an annual peak oil production of around 135,000 barrels a day, once fully ramped up, the group said in a statement Wednesday.

October 9 - Sarawak Cable Bhd announced that it has received a letter of award from Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd, the main contractor of the 2x300 megawatt (MW) Balingian coal-fired power plant for the engineering, procurement and construction works for the local portion of the project worth RM493 million.

October 10-Sarawak Cable Bhd has been awarded a contract for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works for the Balingian coal-fired power plant with a contract value of RM493 million.

Oct 14-Malaysia’s extension of tax-free exports of crude palm oil (CPO) until the year-end is intended to support prices and curb the buildup of reserves.

Oct 15-Malaysia is extending tax breaks on sukuk structures that are acceptable to Middle Eastern investors as it seeks to attract more money from the oil-rich region. Issuers of Ijarah and Wakalah bonds will be excluded from sales taxes for a further three years to 2018, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said in his October 10 budget speech that didn’t include the renewal of the incentive for Tawarruq.

September 9- KKB Engineering Bhd (KKB) has obtained a contract worth RM14.5 million for the provision of fabrication, hook-up and commissioning services for the Tanjong Baram wellhead platform.

September 12-Sabah aims to attract investments of up to RM5 billion in the manufacturing sector this year, says Sabah Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah on Thursday September 13-ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc, an ExxonMobil subsidiary, on Friday announced the startup of the Tapis enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project. Operations began with water-alternating-gas injection from the recently installed Tapis R central processing platform into targeted wells on the existing Tapis A platform.

September 10-Indonesia’s president is against a draft bill that would retroactively limit foreign ownership of plantations to no more than 30 per cent, the country’s investment chief said, on concerns it may expose the government to possible legal action.

September 10-Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz has been accorded “Grade A” among the heads of central banks for the 11th consecutive time by the Global Finance magazine.

September 15 – The Perodua Axia, Malaysia’s first energy efficient vehicle, was launched with 13,500 bookings received from the public.

September 16-Sarawak Cable Bhd’s (Sarawak Cable) accepted the conditional offer from HNG Capital Sdn Bhd for the proposed acquisition of the latter’s 100 pet cent stakes in Universal Cable (M) Bhd and Leader Cable Industry Bhd, with details yet to be confirmed, leaving analysts to maintain a hold on the group’s stock.

September 20-Sarawak Energy Bhd on Friday entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with IWATANI-SIG Industrial Gases Sdn Bhd, a one-stop industrial gas solutions and service company, for the supply of power to an industrial gas manufacturing plant located in Samalaju Industrial Park. The signing is a beginning of a new partnership between both sides and reflects the strong demand for energy in Sarawak.

September 19-Khazanah Nasional Bhd (Khazanah Nasional) is to set up a special centre to provide “outplacement support” to some 6,000 Malaysia Airlines (MAS) staff to be made redundant as part of its restructuring process.

September 23-Sarawak-based TAS Offshore Bhd (TAS Offshore) has entered into a joint venture agreement for the building and sale of offshore support vessels (OSVs).

8

11 INCREASING MARKET DEMAND: Najib and Obama witnessing the signing agreement between AmBank Group and Amlife Insurance Bhd chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim (left) and Metlife Asia president Christoper G Townsend (seated, right) on Monday. Ambank and Metlife completed the signing ofa stock purchase agreement, aimed at capturing an increasing market demand for life assurance and family Takaful in Malaysia.

June 5 – BNM and Malaysia Competition Commission signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate and cooperate in areas of common regulatory objectives.

6

June 9 – Boulevard Group of Companies launched four new establishments in Kuching, namely Imperial Hotel Kuching, Boulevard Shopping Mall, Lexus Kuching and Toyota 3S Centre which strengthen its presence here.

9

August 8 - Malaysian Airline System Bhd’s major shareholder Khazanah Nasional Bhd announced plan to take the national carrier private at 27 sen per share through selective capital reduction and repayment exercise which involved a total of RM1.38 billion.

August 15 – Bank Negara Malaysia announced second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.4 per cent, outperformed the performance of first quarter.

August 29 – Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd told Bursa Malaysia that it has proposed to acquire Asia Plantations Ltd (APL) for RM628 million which has a significant landbank size of 24,622 hectares of oil palm plantation landbank within Bintulu and Miri.

July 3 – Petronas, Petronas Carigali and Shell Malaysia have expanded the terms of the 2011 Baram Delta production sharing contract for enhanced oil recovery offshore Sarawak to include gas rights.

July 10 - Bank Negara Malaysia raised the overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 3.25 per cent, first rate hike since May 2011 as a normalisation of monetary conditions to mitigate the risk of broader economic and financial imbalances that could pose risk to the growth of the Malaysian economy.

7

July 17 – AirAsia Group and AirAsia X came away from this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards with a slew of accolades including ‘World’s Best Low Cost Airline’, ‘World’s Best Low Cost Airline - Premium Class Seat’ and ‘World’s Best Low Cost Airline - Premium Cabin’.

July 18 – The MH17 tragedy led to MAS’ shares dropping to another low of 18.5sen.

July 23 – Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) announced Wednesday that the Bentara field in the Balai Cluster Risk Service Contract (RSC) area located offshore Sarawak, has achieved its first oil production on May 25, 2014.

May 16 - Bank Negara Malaysia announced first quarter gross domestic product growth of 6.2 per cent.

May 30 – 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd re-listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia and was the most active stock on the day’s trading.

5

ACQUISITION AGREEMENT: Najib and Obama witnessing the signing agreement between Sime Darby Bhd (Sime Darby) president and chief executive Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salled (seated, left) and Verdezyne Incorporation (Verdezyne) chief executive officer Bill Radany on Monday. Sime Darby is acquiring a major stake in US-based Verdezyne, an industrial biotechnology company as part of an initiative to pursue strategic growth areas for its plantation business.

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REVIEWING2014 special supplement

E14

Thursday, January 1, 2015

A roller coaster year for plantation sector Lim

By Adrian adrianlim@theborneopost.com KUCHING: It was nothing short of a roller coaster ride for the plantation sector in Malaysia last year.

Rising optimism and hope for the recovery of the plantation sector in early part of the year were dashed by a series of events which limits the growth of the industry.

Towards the end of 2013, Wilmar International Ltd (Wilmar), a major palm oil company and Unilever signed a ‘no deforestation’ deal that commits Wilmar to produce more sustainable products.

As part of the agreement with Unilever, Wilmar signed a ‘No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation’ policy which establishes mechanisms to ensure both Wilmar’s own plantations

and companies from which the company sources will only provide products that are free from links to deforestation or abuse of human rights and local communities.

Wilmar noted the agreement also includes measures to protect high carbon stock such as peatlands and high conservation value landscapes.

In response, Sarawak Oil Palm

Plantation Owners Association (Soppoa) voiced its disappointment with Wilmar’s declaration it believed as the move could be deterimental to Sarawak’s oil palm industry.

Another matter was concerns arising over the occurrence of ‘El Nino’ which could lift crude palm oil (CPO) price did not materialise as the hot weather was short-lived.

At the same time, the slowdown of the Chinese economy which reduced demand for palm oil further put more pressure on the sector’s growth.

Meanwhile, an unexpected decrease in Malaysian palm oil output in September coupled with the world’s top two producing countries — Malaysia and Indonesia, which scrapped palm export duties have caused the CPO price to plunge to a five-and-a-half year low of RM1,914 per tonne.

The move has further dampen

Banking: It’s all about mergers and acquisitions Kong

By Sharon sharonkong@theborneopost.com KUCHING: Perhaps one of the most anticipated development in Malaysia’s banking scene is the proposed merger of the businesses and undertakings of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (CIMB Group), RHB Capital Bhd (RHB Capital), and Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB).

On July 10, CIMB Group, RHB Capital and MBSB unveiled the approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to commence discussions with the aim of merging the businesses of both RHB and CIMB as well as creating an enlarged Islamic Banking franchise with MBSB. All three parties made a joint application to seek BNM’s approval for the proposed merger on October 8, which encompasses the proposed disposal by CIMB Group of all its assets, liabilities, business and undertakings to RHB Capital for new RHB Capital shares and the proposed acquisition by CIMB Islamic Bank of the assets and liabilities of RHB Islamic Bank for new ordinary shares in CIMB Islamic.

It also covers the proposed merger of the assets and liabilities of CIMB Islamic, RHB Islamic and MBSB to create a mega Islamic Bank, which includes the acquisition by CIMB Islamic of all the assets and liabilities of MBSB in consideration for new

redeemable convertible preference shares in CIMB Islamic.

It has been envisaged that this newly-created mega Islamic bank will remain a subsidiary of the merged CIMB-RHB in partnership with ex-MBSB and/or new strategic shareholders.

Under this deal, CIMB Islamic will acquire all the assets and liabilities of MBSB at RM7.77 billion, or RM2.82 per share.

MBSB shareholders will have a choice either to accept cash or new shares in the unlisted CIMB Islamic group. At RM2.82 per MBSB share, this represents a price to book value (P/BV) of 1.91 times.

The mega bank merger of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, RHB Capital and MBSB will likely start in the first quarter of 2015 upon receiving the nod from Bursa Malaysia and shareholders.

‘Still in discussion stage’ RHB Islamic Bank Bhd managing director/chief executive officer (CEO), Ibrahim Hassan, had said in November that the banks were at the discussion stage to finalise the proposed merger.

“At this moment, we are working hard towards meeting the due diligence (investigation and audit of the proposed merger) and we are also conducting integration meetings,” he told a media conference at the 11th Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Forum 2014.

sentiment for the recovery of the plantation industry which is eyeing a catalyst growth.

Lately, the weakening crude oil prices has also dragged down the CPO price.

Analysts believe the decline in crude oil prices has significantly reduced CPO’s competitiveness as a source of energy in the form of biodiesel.

Using the movement of CPO price as the yardstick to view the growth of the industry, generally, the CPO price was on a downtrend for most of last year.

Looking back over the past one year, the CPO price which traded at about RM2,600 per tonne in early last year rose to more than RM2,900 per tonne last March before declined to below RM2,000 per tonne last September.

For the third quarter of 2014 (3Q14) financial reporting season

ended last September, earnings and corporate results for most plantation companies have missed analysts forecast.

Surprisingly, Sarawakian planters have registered better financial performance for 3Q14 than their counterpart in Peninsula due to more contribution from other segments such as timber.

Going forward, the implementation of the B7 biodiesel, an environmentally-friendly fuel which consists of seven per cent palm biodiesel and 93 per cent petroleum diesel is likely to create more demand for the usage of palm oil.

Nonetheless, the initiative is unlikely to boost strong demand for the consumption of palm oil.

Moving into 2015, analysts foresee the prospects of the plantation industry will continue to stay subdued.

Mega mergers to put Malaysian Islamic banking into limelight this year

As of time of writing, Ibrahim said the meetings were an ongoing process and they had not decided on the holding bank nor the ‘captain’ of the merger.

Commenting on the planned corporate merger between CIMB Group, RHB Capital and MBSB, Dato’ Ahmad Zaini Othman, MBSB president and CEO said, “We will continue with our business growth plans and operational improvements moving into year 2015 as these will only bring value to the new entity.

“Being the smallest entity amongst the three with far less employees, a lot of our time and efforts will substantially be expended on the corporate exercise, nevertheless we shall ensure any impact on business is well managed and minimised.”

He added that they are excited about the potentials of the corporate merger as MBSB will be part of a formation of the first mega Islamic Bank in the country.

“Such news should also be well received by the market considering the substantial benefits that can be gained by consumers and the country,” Ahmad said.

Other M&As possible

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Islamic banking sector is set to attract global limelight this year with the formation of the world’s first mega Islamic bank amid challenging times this year.

The proposed three-way merger between CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, RHB Capital Bhd and Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) will help internationalise the Malaysian model of Islamic finance thus positioning the country as the leader in Islamic banking.

“This is a positive industry development because it is market driven mergers and acquisitions (M&A),” Maybank Islamic Bank chief executive officer Muzaffar Hisham told Bernama.

Association of Islamic Banking Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) President Datuk Mohd Redza Shah Abdul Wahid was reported to have said that the creation of a

AllianceDBS Research Sdn Bhd (AllianceDBS Research) in an in-depth analysis on the proposed merger said there was still room for mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and bank consolidations, driven by further liberalisation by Bank Negara Malaysia as well as the need for banks to build up their domestic or regional scales to remain relevant and competitive.

It noted that the government has relaxed the foreign equity participation for Islamic banks, investment banks and insurance companies – up to 70 per cent foreign ownership – and recently, unit trust management companies (up to 100 per cent foreign ownership).

“For commercial banks, there is a 30 per cent limit on strategic foreign shareholdings. If this cap is raised (possibly on a case-to-case basis), it could spark M&A opportunities among Malaysian banks or open doors for new strategic partnerships,” analysts Hon Seow Mee and Lin Sue Lin said.

The research house said that banks such as AMMB Holdings Bhd, RHB Capital, Alliance Financial Group and Affin Holdings Bhd have foreign strategic shareholders with holdings

ranging from 15 to 25 per cent.

The analysts went on to highlight that competition is expected to continue to erode net interest margins (NIMs) and it will be increasingly challenging to enhance return on equities going forward.

Hence, it makes sense for banks to find good fits to strengthen their capabilities and franchises, and create synergies.

“Increasingly, M&As involving non-bank financial institutions, brokerage and insurance companies have dominated local news flow.

Undeniably, scale and balance sheet strength are crucial for these

during the regular session, the NYSE Arca airline index fell 2.6 per cent.

Shares of most major US carriers slid, with American Airlines Group Inc down 4.1 per cent at US$41.70 and United Continental Holdings Inc down 3.5 per cent at US$43.35, Reuters reported.

While investigations are ongoing for the missing MH370 and the downed MH17, on August 29, 2014, Khazanah unveiled a radical 12-point restructuring plan costing RM6 billion to save MAS. Khazanah said, it would undertake a selective capital reduction and repayment exercise (SCR) at an offer price of 27 sen per share and RM1.4 billion would be paid out to minority shareholders, if they

voted for the 27 sen offer.

Industry experts have viewed that the 27-sen offer was an “attractive price”, with all things considered, and the dire circumstances MAS has plunged into. “It is an attractive offer.

While not really much from where the share price is currently trading at, for the minority shareholders, it is an attractive exit offer,” they were quoted as saying.

As for the 12-point restructuring plan, key factors include the creation of new company, NewCo, which will house the new MAS, and migration of rightsized workforce and work practices into the NewCo. Aside from that, the timeline for the plan include a complete

mega Islamic bank in the country may spark further industry consolidation.

He also said some companies, however, may want to find their own market place and concentrate on their particular niche areas of business instead of embarking on M&As. Meanwhile, banking stocks depreciated recently after investors shifted their selling position from oil and gas sectors, due to falls in global crude oil prices and pressured by the weaker ringgit.

Affin Hwang Investment Bank vice-president/head of Retail Research Datuk Dr Nazri Khan opined that consolidation in the banking sector, which showcased synergistic benefits from the mega merger, would provide upside bias to the banking and finance stocks on Bursa Malaysia, going forward.

— Bernama

businesses.

“After all that is said, we think there is still room for pure domestic banks or small niche banks to survive.

Big is not necessarily better. At the end of the day, mergers must be synergistic and complementary,” the analysts said.

The last major domestic banking M&A deal involved Hong Leong Bank Bhd’s acquisition of EON Capital Bhd’s assets and liabilities in 2011. EON Bank group (EON Bank Bhd, EONCAP Islamic Bank Bhd and MIMB Investment Bank Bhd) then became part of Hong Leong Bank group.

2015 to be turning point for MAS Tuah

By Yvonne yvonnetuah@theborneopost.com It has been a turbulent year for Malaysia’s aviation industry in 2014, particularly for Malaysia’s national carrier; Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS).

Throughout the year, MAS made headlines and stirred markets far and wide, with the drastic dip in its financial performance and the tragedies of MH370 and MH17.

The year began the year the announcement of its financial year 2013 (FY13) results which came at a sizable core net loss of RM1.2 billion, three times higher than its results recorded in 2012.

According to RHB Research Sdn Bhd (RHB Research), while MAS’ attempts to gain market share in FY13 were successful – as it registered a 28.5 per cent year-on-year increase in passengers carried while its load factor reached a high of 81 per cent (from 74.7 per cent in FY12) – the national carrier still did not manage to strike a balance between enhancing yields and lowering unit costs.

Its share price took a dive from 30 sen to 28 sen following the announcement of its FY13

results. Shortly after that, MAS was hit by its first worst tragedy which shook the nation and the world.

On March 8, 2014, MH370, a B777 aircraft carrying over 200 multinational passengers, was scheduled to fly from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport. However, the aircraft had vanished off the grid and never reached its destination.

Its share price decreased about 19 per cent since the announcement of its FY13 results to 24 sen following the incident.

Subsequently, MAS’ shares dropped further to below 22 sen, after the announcement of its first quarter (1Q) results on May 15, 2014, which was a loss after tax of RM443.4 million.

Its shares subsequently dropped even further to below 16 sen, the lowest it has ever recorded in five years.

Analysts have suggested that the airline company; MAS, should go through a complete ‘back-end’ overhaul, mainly to cut costs and rightsize, in order to make it “sustainably competitive in the increasingly cutthroat airline world.”

They further viewed that the a

‘brand license agreement (BLAs)’ as well as the involvement of a third party is necessary for the ailing airline company.

On June 2014, MAS’ shares leaped more than 13 per cent to 25 sen following news of Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s (Khazanah) plans to formulate a revival plan for the airline, within a year.

However, just a few weeks later, on July 17, 2014, MAS was shaken yet again by another tragedy when MH17, carrying about 295 multinational passengers on a Boeing 777 aircraft en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam, crashed after it was presumably shot by a missile while flying over conflict-hit Russia-Ukraine region.

MAS stocks the next day was the most actively traded at 20 sen while worldwide, investors sold stocks in a move to avoid risk and poured money into safe-haven investments like gold and US government bonds as the crash stoked concerns that the conflict in Ukraine might widen after US sanctions against Russia were announced, according to Reuters.

US airlines were also reported to have endured repercussions from news. Reuters reported,

delisting of MAS from Bursa Malaysia by end of 2014, a formal transition into NewCo by July 1, 2015, NewCo to achieve profitability by end of 2017, and the relisting of NewCo between 2018 and 2020.

Meanwhile, on the overall aviation industry, analysts have projected that in view of the weakness in oil prices, coupled with the improved yields, the aviation sector’s outlook is set to see an improvement starting next year onwards.

RHB Research expects FY15 to be a turning point for the sector on the back of more capacity reduction by MAS. It added, the weakness in jet fuel price, which could be persistent in the year ahead, ought to further give a lift to earnings.

REVIEWING2014 special supplement

Thursday, January 1, 2015

E15

HUMAN INTEREST

Wedding luncheon ends in tragedy Tan

By Raymond reporters@theborneopost.com SIBU: The year 2014 opened with a black note in a river tragedy that killed 11 villagers of Bruit Island when a long boat carrying 27 villagers home from a wedding reception capsized.

The clock stood still at 1.30pm of January 18 - a Saturday - at the Rajang delta.

The passengers from Kampung Tekajong were making their way through the choppy water in the rain.

They were returning from Kampung Saai on the other side of the island after the wedding luncheon when the 40-foot by seven-foot vessel they were travelling in overturned.

According to the survivors, they had only set out 1.5km from Kampung Saai when they decided to turn back because the water was too choppy but they were hit by three-foot high waves and capsized.

The boat at that time was near Kampung Kut, another village on the island.

Accounts from Kampung Kut witnesses were chilling. They said they heard screams from the Batang Lassa river and were horrified to see people struggling weakly in the choppy waters.

They jumped into their boats and set out, only managing to save 16 passengers from the swiftly flowing river at high tide, but 11 vanished.

For the next 10 days, Bruit, about a 20-minute boat ride from Daro on the mainland, became an island of sorrow, but faith

Kampung folks keep watch at a jetty as they wait for news from the SAR team.

The SAR operation comprising personnel from Bomba, police, SRB, JPAM, Marine Operations Force, Marine Department and villagers went on for 10 days. and prayers pulled the islanders together.

Three bodies were found

by Kampung Kut folks: one body was found underneath the capsized boat and the other two nearby.

The first emergency responder to aid in the search-and-rescue operation was Bomba Mukah, which picked up the distress call from Melaka at 1.52pm after the national emergency centre received the SOS call.

Fire stations in Sibu, Mukah and Sarikei responded with four teams.

Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) despatched a team of six, and joining in the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation were Civil Defence Dept (JPAM) and voluntary fire personnel from Daro.

A helicopter from Bomba Miri and a bigger boat - a Kevler from Sungai Merah station - joined the swelling SAR team the next day.

SRB also sent another rescue boat from Tanjung Manis.

The SAR operation, comprising personnel from Bomba, police, Sarawak River Board (SRB), Civil Defence Dept (JPAM), Marine Operations Force, Marine Department and the villagers searched for 10 days in the rain.

The 11 who perished were Melati Zerae, 50, Kekiah Kipli, 47, Mulish Murni, 55, Nursiah Abdullah, 40, Naibi Saibi, 60, Borhan Berdan, 65, Riji Dalol, 60, Abu Bakar Mahli, 65, Kalsun Mat, 50, Ibong Rais, 60, and Mahdani Akim, 55.

Although the villagers struggled with deep pain and anxiety for 10 dark days, the kampung

folks displayed an exemplary community spirit.

The villagers stopped work and gathered at jetties and homes of the affected families to offer support, help and comfort.

The community spirit impressed Daro police chief DSP Warner Lisa Liput, who headed the SAR operation.

He said the villagers had come with 30 sampans and 40 men to join the SAR team.

“We have 76 rescuers from the various departments in 10 boats out there. With the good community spirit, more than 40 search and rescue boats are in the choppy waters everyday.”

The Bruit community spirit also touched SK Tekajong headmaster Amin Roslan, an outsider.

He said the close-knit community of Tekajong

Environment Board (NREB) suspends all open burning permits in view of the drought season. ● Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan announces that cloud seeding operations will be carried out to induce rain at affected water catchment areas in several parts of the state. ◆ Aug 6: Two British medical students from Newcastle University, Neil Dalton, 23 and Aidan Brunger, 22 are stabbed to death by a group of locals after a confrontation. ● The state Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) bids farewell to its chief Supt Firdaus Abdullah following five years at the helm. ◆ Aug 7: Four suspects involved in the killing of the two British medical students are arrested at different locations in the city. All four were produced in court and placed for a seven day remand order. ◆ Aug 8: Friends to the two deceased British medical students arrived at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) morgue to formally identify both victims.

The bodies were then flown from Malaysia to London, United Kingdom for burial. ● Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan reveals that twenty hot spots under the jurisdiction of the council will be installed with a closed- circuit television (CCTV) to deter crimes and identify badhats. ◆ Aug 10: Daital Yup, 26 an Indonesian-Iban is believed to be a victim of a crocodile attack in Batang Lupar at Kampung Temelan, Sri Aman.

It is understood that the victim was having her bath in the river before the alleged attack took place. ◆ Aug 11: A 55-year-old unemployed man is collared at Synergy Square, Matang in connection to the murder of the two British medical students making him as the fifth suspect. ● Datu Mustapa Han has officially taken over as the new Private Secretary to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud from ACP (Rtd) Dato Khir Busrah at the Astana Negeri. ● The annual Chinese tradition Hungry Ghost Festival was held at around 30 sites in Kuching to appease the wandering souls to be at peace with the living. ● Belaga Assemblyman Liwan Lagang voiced out his concerns over the ridiculous toll fees at the Metalun bridge built across the Murum HEP Dam flooded area which allegedly charged each vehicles RM300 per return trip and RM150 for a one way trip. ◆ Aug 13: Three murder suspects of the two British national medical had their respective remand orders extended for another seven days until Aug 20. The suspects were 35-year-old fishmonger, 23-year-old mechanic and

a 19-year-old youth. All the suspects were detained on the same day after the alleged muredr which the media had coined “sensesless killing”. ● Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem instructed the timber concessionaire to cease the collection of toll fees at the Metalun bridge built across the Murum HEP Dam flooded area. On the same day, the State Public Works Department (JKR) denies any involvement to the construction of the bridge. ● Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh’s residence in Sibu was shot between 8.15pm and 8.30pm.

Arrests of the culprits have been made by the police over the following days. ◆ Aug 13: Felda identifies 10,900 hectares of land in Kuala Medalam, Limbang for oil palm estate development to boost the local economy. ◆ Aug 14: The fourth suspect in the alleged murder case of the two British medical was placed on remand for another seven days following the expiry of the original remand order. ● Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud receives the Darjah Kerabat Laila Utama Yang Amat Dihormati from Brunei’s King Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, Istana Nurul Imam.

Aug 15: The fifth suspect in the murder case of two British medical students was placed on remand for another seven days following the expiry of the original remand order. ◆ Aug 16: United People’s Party (UPP) was officially launched at Crown Towers, Kuching. The launch registered a record attendance of 298 individuals. ● Temenggong Lu Kim Yong broke his three-year silence by announcing to withdraw from SUPP and rally behind UPP pioneer committee chairmandesignate Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. ● Pesta Belaga is launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Openg. ● Around 100 national service (PLKN) trainees from Kuching are mobilised to their camps in Kuala Langat and Sepang for a three month stint. ◆ Aug 17: The inaugural Kuching Marathon is launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Openg at Padang Merdeka. In a sad twist, a 54-year-old Bruneian died after collapsing at Jalan Muhibah while running for the five kilometre ‘fun run’ category. ◆ Aug 18: Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg announces that Housing Development Corporation (HDC) will soon be undergoing a restructuring process in preparation for the 11th Malaysian Plan. ● Today is International Orangutan Day and WWF-Malaysia together with WWF-Indonesia are calling on all timber companies and relevant stakeholders to

Kampung folk getting ready to join the SAR team. comprising approximately 500 villagers were like family members.

Kampung Kut village headman Taupi @ Saupi Pauwi said his folks had spared nothing as they laid down their work to help.

“We have never felt such pain on our island. We are coming together to give our best.”

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar also praised the villagers for their cooperation in the SAR

operations.

There are 13 villages in Bruit Island - Kampung Bruit, Kampung Tekajong, Kampung Semop, Kampung Penipah, Kampung Salah Kecil, Kampung Betanak, Kampung Penibong, Kampung Penuai, Kampung Sebako, Kampung Sedi, Kampung Kelai, Kampung Saai and Kampung Kut - with a population of 9,000, comprising mainly Malanaus who are fishermen and paddy planters.

strengthen conservation at the Borneo transboundary corridor. ◆ Aug 20: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem announced that the tenure period of timber licenses could be extended for up to 60 years from the date of issuance. Speaking at the Forest Management Certification (Natural Forest) Seminar in Kuching, the move he said is to encourage timber players to practice sustainable forest management. ● Five Sarawak supporters from the group ‘GB13’ were assaulted outside the compound of Stadium Perak during an away Malaysia Cup match. ◆ Aug 21: SUPP Central Working Committee (CWC) decide to sack Temenggong Lu Kim Yong and Pemanca Liu Thian Leong, who both declared support for and joined UPP at the new party’s launch on Aug 16. ◆ Aug 22: The whole nation observes a one-minute silence as a mark of respect to the victims of MH17 who arrives at the KLIA. In Kuching, the one minute of silence took place at Medan Niaga Satok organised by the State Information Department and Farmers Agriculture and Marketing Authority (Fama). ● MH17 victims, Ariza Ghazalee and her eldest son Afif Tambi was laid to rest at the Semariang Muslim cemetery after prayers at Masjid Jamek led by State Imam Datuk Jorji Suhaili. ● Four skulls from the Brooke era in safekeeping at Bangunan Abang Godam under the Sarawak Museum have been relocated to their original homes at Fort Margherita after a miring ceremony was held to appease the ‘antu pala’. ◆ Aug 23: Tasik Biru Festival 2014 was launched at Bau’s blue lake as a rebranding of the old Bau Jong Festival. ● Baram Regatta 2014 launched by Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem who said that the experience in Baram filled him with a sense of pride and satisfaction. ● Abu Zahid Ibrahim win the Bintang P. Ramlee Zon Sarawak 2014, held at Auditorium P. Ramlee, RTM with the song ‘Ku Rindu Padamu’. ◆ Aug 24: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem revealed that the state government will continue to run on a Barisan Nasional (BN)-Plus government until the next state election. He said this after chairing the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) central committee meeting at their headquarters in Jalan Bako. ◆ Aug 27: A baby boy is born onboard an express bus from Miri heading to Pontianak. His mother is thirty-two-year old Sumarni Abakar from Indonesia who was on her way to Indonesia from Bintulu. ◆ Aug 29: Satok Festival 2014 was launched by Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari who is also

Satok assemblyman at the Kuching Esplanade. ◆ Aug 30: Dewi Liana Seriestha, 25, a Bidayuh lass from Kampung Tematu is crowned the Miss Malaysia/ World 2014 in Kuala Lumpur. ● Chaos breaks out at the State Stadium around 11 pm when fans invaded the pitch following Sarawak’s 1-1 draw with Perak. During the riot, fans gathered outside the stadium’s main gate to block the Perak team bus from leaving. Two police vehicles were overturned with one being set alight. ◆ Aug 31: The state level Independence Day celebrations was held at Kapit Stadium graced by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib. Also present was Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and wife Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Anu. ● In Kuching, Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg flagged off cyclists who took part in the ‘Kayuhan Ambang Merdeka 2014’ at the Kuching Esplanade. ● The Pesta Merdeka 1Singai was graced by Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Datu Ik Pahon Joyik at the 1Singai Tondong commercial centre. ● Five youths are arrested in connection to the stadium riot at the state stadium after the Sarawak vs Perak Malaysia Cup match. All the suspect were remanded for four days under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting.

The suspects aged between 17 to 20 years old are from Kuching and Kota Samarahan.

TIMELINE JULY ◆ July 1: The Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents launched a nationwide exercise to make it compulsory for all registered Real Estate Negotiators (REN) to be issued an identification tag. ◆ July 4: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam applauds Sarawak for being the first state to carry out Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccinations on infants aged nine and 21 months. ● The annual Saberkas-Bernas Jerayawara Bubur Lambuk 2014 was launched by Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Haji Openg at the Waterfront Esplanade. ◆ July 5: The Rotary Club of Kuching Central (Rotary International District 3310) installs their new President Louis Yong Lin Lin who took over the helm from Patrick Luk. ◆ July 6: Indonesians in the state cast their votes ahead of their Presidential Election at the Consulate General of Indonesia, Jalan Stutong. ◆ July 7: Sargeant Bayong Burma is laid to rest at the the Stutong Anglican Christian Cemetary in Sri Aman after he was killed along with three others soldiers in a tank accident at KM232 at South PLUS highway at Kuala Kangsar, Perak on July 3. ◆ July 14: Under the New Driver’s Education Curriculum (KPP Baru), 16-year-olds are not allowed to sit for theory test for class D license. ◆ July 17: Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has left Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (TERAS) for United People’s Party (UPP). ◆ July 18: The whole world plunged in sorrow when MH17 is downed over Eastern Ukraine killing all 298 passengers. Among those perished were seven Sarawakians, a family of six from Kuching; Tambi Jiee, Ariza Ghazalee and their four children Alif, Afzal, Marsha Azmeena and Afruz.

Another victim is an offshore worker Meling Mula from Sg Plan, Bintulu. ◆ July 19: Around 100 individuals from all walks of life led by a group calling themselves the 722 Committee walked from Padang Merdeka to Reservoir Park to commemorate the historic day of July 22, 1963 when Sarawak gained independence from Britain. ◆ July 21: Human Resources Minister Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem announces that Social Security Organisation (Socso) will be giving RM1,500 per person as funeral expenses to MH17 victims who had Socso contributions during their lifetime. ● The family of late Kho Yong Oi, a former student of SMK Batu Lintang who drowned in a flash flood that hit Jalan Rock two years ago, lost in a negligence law suit filed against the government in the Sessions Court.

● Former France honorary consul in Sarawak Datin Brigitte Wan Ullok is bestowed the Insignia of ‘Chevalier de la Legion d’ honneur’ from France ambassador to Malaysia Martine Dorance. ◆ July 22: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud graces the commemoration of July 22 and Sarawak’s 50 years of Independence since the forming of the Malaysia Federation at the State Legislative Assembly building. ● Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem confers Golden Jubilee Commemorative medals to 104 recipients in an investiture ceremony held at the State Legislative Assembly building. ◆ July 23: Blood samples for DNA identifications conducted among the family members of the seven victims who perished in the MH17 tragedy. ◆ July 25: Travelling time from Miri to Marudi by road is RM30 cheaper and 15 minutes faster with the opening of the Sungai Arang bridge to public. ◆ July 26: SK St James’s Quop celebrate their centennial anniversary dinner at Crown Square. ◆ July 28: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri at the Astana for the first time since becoming the Head of State. ● Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem hosts his first Hari Raya Open House at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) since becoming the chief minister. He also reveals that a Cabinet Meeting will be held to assist families of the MH17 tragedy. ◆ July 30: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife make Raya visit to childhood friend, Datuk Wan Morshidi Tuanku Abdul Rahman and taken down memory lane of the former Kampung Dagang through the 40 miniature replicas of houses in the village.

AUGUST ◆ Aug 1: Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem launches the 26th commemoration of Kuching City Day as well as the Kuching Festival 2014 at Taman Kuching. ◆ Aug 3: The annual Padawan Raft Safari 2014 is flagged off from its starting point at Kampung Danu to Kampung Git. Among the participants this year was Assistant Minister Culture and Heritage Liwan Lagang. ● Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg discloses that the government is looking into intervening the housing market in a bid to control the supply and demand of houses developed by private sectors in the state to tackle the rising cost of houses. ◆ Aug 4: Natural Resources and

SEPTEMBER ◆ Sept 9: Remains of Tambi Jiee, one of 43 Malaysians who perished in the MH17 tragedy, arrives in Kuching and buried beside his wife Ariza Ghazalee and son Muhammad Afif at Semariang Muslim cemetery ◆ Sept 13: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem is conferred the state’s second highest award, Datuk Patinggi Bintang Kenyalang (DP), which carries the title ‘Datuk Patinggi’. ◆ Sept 15: Two Ebola scares hit Sarawak as a 24-year-old Zimbabwean student and a 26-year-old man in Sibu are now under quarantine as a precautionary measure against the deadly disease. ◆ Sept 16: Malaysia Day celebration at the Miri City Fan where Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak warn those advocating secession, promise to listen to aspirations and requests of Sarawakians and Sabahans. ◆ Sept 19: Three state-level events - Showcase Groom Big, Citrarasa and Citrawarna begin in Miri.

reviewing2014 special supplement

E16

human interest

Cochlear implants give children the gift of hearing

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy and Innocent.

The loss of hearing did not stop young Eunice (left) and Renee (right) from having a fun time.

Cheng

By Lian reporters@theborneopost.com Two young girls afflicted with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss have been given a chance to hear after the success of their cochlear implant surgeries on Dec 22. Through the efforts of The Borneo Post, after RM70,000 was handed to the Association for Children with Special Needs Sibu on oct 7 for the cochlear implants.

Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan came to the aid of the girls by footing half of the bill. His donation was matched by KTS Group whose managing director Dato Henry Lau handed over a cheque of RM35,000 during the presentation ceremony at Crown Towers in Kuching.

The donation came in time for the three-year-old girls Eunice Renalto and Renee Ngien.

There is a time window for the implants to work effectively for these two children. The earlier they get the implants, the higher the chance for them to hear ambient sounds and learn speech. The best time is before the children are around one to two years old.

The next golden time window would have been before the children turned four as their brains would still be able to adapt to the implants. After that, the effectiveness of the implants diminish and studies have shown there is a reduced chance for the children to speak properly despite improved hearing through Cochlear implants.

Ear Nose Throat specialist Dr Tang Ing Ping surgically installed the implants for Eunice and

Dr Tang Ing Ping Renee.

Assistant Public Health Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Community Services Assistant Minister Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie and Rural Development Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi who were invited to attend the function also pledged a total of RM60,000 to the association to help other children needing cochlear implants.

Dr Jerip generously promised to donate RM30,000 while Dr Rundi, Nansian and Julaihi all pledged RM10,000 each. Their donations were complemented by the KTS Group which pledged another RM60,000 to match the total pledges of the assistant ministers. Also present at the function were Awang Tengah’s wife Dato Dayang Morliah Awang Daud and Lau’s wife, Datin Wendy.

Later another RM10,000 was pledged by Assistant Minister

While Tengah (front, second left) and Lau (front, third left) made it possible for Renee (front left) and Eunice (front, right) to have their cochlear implants, (back row, from left) Dr Rundi, Dr Jerip, Nansian and Julaihi help to ensure that other children with the same problem have the same chance as the two young girls. in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputra Entrepreneur Devt) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais bringing the total amount raised to RM200,000.

Dr Tang, who is also a medical lecturer from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and serves as otologist and skull base surgeon for ENT Department, SGH said apart from Eunice and Renee two more children in Sibu and three more respectively in Miri and Kuching were on the waiting list for cochlear implants.

Global statistics showed among

1,000 newborns, one to five may be born with hearing loss and there are no identifiable risk factors in 50 per cent of these hearing-impaired children.

A general estimation of the population with this disability in Sarawak is impossible as some may be living in the rural areas where their cases are not reported.

In Sarawak, a universal newborn screening programme has started in three major hospitals since this year with the joint efforts of the ENT,

Audiology and Paediatric departments.

This programme will detect newborns with hearing loss earlier to allow definite intervention as soon as possible.

Each cochlear implant costs RM70,000. For the cases of Eunice and Renee cases, SGH will bear the rest of the cost of the surgery.

Eunice’s mother Priscilla Baginda, 29, and Renee’s mother Helen Ngu, 27, both thanked Awang Tengah and the KTS Group for their donations.

Eunice was born with hearing disability while Renee lost her hearing at about one and a half years old due to bouts of fever caused by chicken pox and later coxsackie. Presently, Renee can only utter two words – “bye-bye” and “papa” while Eunice only “mama”. Learning these words may be so simple for normal children but it took one year of hard work and practice for Renee to say bye-bye.

“It took me a year to teach her (Renee) to say bye-bye,” said Helen Ngu. It had been painful for both Helen, and Priscilla to witness daily the frustration of their children – having so much to say yet unable to express themselves.

“The implants are important to them. Only when they can hear, can they then learn to speak. Now it’s so difficult. They can only point with their fingers and cry but we don’t know what they want. If they can hear and talk, then we can give them what they want. They don’’ have to go through so much frustration,” Helen said.

Meanwhile, Dr Toh Teck Hock, secretary of the Association for Children with Special Needs, Sibu, who has referred the cases of Renee and Eunice to Dr Tang, cautioned the general public there must a correct understanding that cochlear implants are not answers to all hearing loss cases.

“The implants may be effective for some and not for others. Every case of a child with special needs is an individual case. If you have a special child at home, go to a specialist now. Early intervention will give a better chance for your children to live a normal life,” he said.

ice Bucket Challenge travels halfway across the world IN KUCHING, The Borneo Post created a wave of social awareness on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) after the largest English daily took up the Ice Bucket Challenge on Aug 28 at Crown Towers.

Nominated by Interhill Group of Companies, 14 of The Borneo Post staff members led by editorial director Phyllis Wong and its senior managing editor Francis Chan poured buckets of icy water over themselves before they passed the challenge on to Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Local Government and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and the Assistant Minister is Datuk Naroden Majais (Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Office in charge of Entrepreneur Development).

Culture and Heritage Assistant Minister Liwan Lagang and Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How who had joined The Borneo Post team nominated Batang Ai assemblyman Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong and Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent to take up similar challenge while

Naroden performed the Ice Bucket Challenge with the support of his support. (from left) His wife Datin Masnah Ahmad and eldest son Kamaruzaman Naroden dumped buckets of ice water over his head while his youngest son (not pictured) cheered them on.

Masing, Ugak and PRS leaders getting drenched with the Ice Bucket Challenge which took place in Kapit just one day before the Merdeka Celebration.

See named Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen to also take part in the good cause to the ALS patients.

Of those challenged by The Borneo Post, Naroden responded the next day. On Aug 29, two

buckets of icy cold water were poured over him in front of Bangunan Baitulmakmur. After enduring the shivers, instead of donating to ALS research in the United States, he preferred to commit RM10,000 to local charitable organisations Dyslexia Association of Sarawak, Peryatim in Semariang, the Old Folks Home and to pay for the passage

of two three-year-old girls with hearing loss — Eunice Renalto and Renee Ngieng — who sought treatment in Kuching.

From this stage, the Ice Bucket Challenge initiated by The Borneo Post took a turn where rather than taking ice bucket challenge to support ALS research in the US, our politicians preferred to donate to local charity bodies.

Apart from Naroden, another such politician was Masing.

Masing who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president led a

group of Kapit leaders including Ugak to perform the ice bucket challenge far in Kapit on Aug 30 as Masing was asked to take charge of the State Merdeka Celebration which would be held the next day. He said the Ice Bucket Challenge would be something interesting in addition to the whole series of activities they were planning in the run-up to the grand Merdeka celebration After accepting the challenge, Masing announced a donation of RM10,000 to Sarawak Children

Cancer Association.

Meanwhile, Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Local Government, Community Development Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and Social Development Minister turned down the ice bucket challenge thrown by The Borneo Post. The trio preferred to donate instead of accepting the ice cold challenge.

Better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS is a fatal progressive neuro-degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge first received attention on social media in US in June when US President Barack Obama was challenged declined but chose to donate to the cause instead.

The challenge that has gone viral and in Malaysia among the many who took up the challenge were Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Nasri Abdul Aziz .

Those being challenged will have to comply within 24 hours either by taking up the ice bucket challenge or opt for a donation of USD100 instead or both.

timeline OCTOBER

u Oct 1 RON95 pertrol and diesel subsidy reduced by 20 sen per liter effective today. u Oct 3 The remains of MH17 victims Afruz Tambi and Meling Mula arrive in Kuching and Bintulu respectively to be laid to rest. u Oct 4 Ras Muhamad — Indonesian Reggae ambassador join other artistes including those from SoulMate (India) and Salammusik (Malaysia) performing at the 2nd Asia Music Festival (AMF) in Miri.

u Oct 6 United People’s Party head office is launched, heralding a new chapter for the party led by its pioneer committee chairman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. u Oct 10 Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak presents the Budget 2015 which focused on easing the financial burden of the people in tandem with the efforts to grow the national economy. u Oct 22 The state government gives RM3 million to Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board to help fund the operation of 14 Chinese independent

schools in the state. u Oct 31 Curtin Sarawak receives Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Award 2014 for Innovation and Excellence.

NOVEMBER

u Nov 10 Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem tables the state budget for 2015 for the first time in the State Legislative Assembly Sitting following his appointment to the post in March this year. u Nov 11 The State Legislative Assembly passed the Dewan Undangan Negeri

(Composition of Membership) Bill 2014 to increase the number of constituencies in the state to 82, from the current 71. u Nov 14 The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) returns 351 Malay and Iban-language bibles containing the word ‘Allah’ to Christians in Sarawak through the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS).

l Nomadic Lions — David Atthowe from Norfolk England arrive in Miri for Sarawak, the last leg of his 2,500kilometre walk from Sabah through Brunei, to create greater awareness on environmental and humanitarian

causes. u Nov 17 Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem brings together the bosses of the state’s ‘big six’ logging firms to sign integrity pledges in his quest to stamp out illegal logging and corruption in the timber industry. u Nov 20 Domestic power consumers in Sarawak can enjoy lower electricity bill, following revised downward tariffs, effective January 2015. u Nov 27 Former Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament (MP) Sim Kwang Yang passes away.

u Nov 28 State Government comes back to jointly sponsor the prestigious Kenyalang Shell Press Awards (KSPA) with Shell Malaysia, in recognition of journalistic excellence and enhance journalism standards.

DECEMBER

u Dec 5 Police haul 115.8 kg of drug worth RM21-million at Miri Airport — the biggest seizure in Sarawak. u Dec 6 Annual Christmas Parade at the Miri City Fan where 20,000 Christians from different denominations take part.

REVIEWING2014 Remembering the dearly departed special supplement

Thursday, January 1, 2015 THE past year has seen the passing of many individuals who helped shape the world that we live in. Sombre as it is, there are times when death gets to unfold the story of the unknown or forgotten, uncovering truths previously untold.

In remembering those we lost, it is perhaps best to quote the wise words of the ‘Phenomenal Woman’ herself, Maya Angelou: “Be certain that you do not die without doing something wonderful for humanity.”

E17 If Heaven exists, to know that there’s laughter – that’d be a great thing.

Celebrating the lives of many and for some, unfolding their untold stories

ROBIN WILLIAMS (1951–2014)

Showbiz farewells Phil Everly (Jan 19, 1939–Jan 3, 2014) — singer/musician; the other half of the Everly Brothers, who were popular with songs like ‘All I Have to Do is Dream’, ‘Bye Bye Love’ and ‘Wake Up Little Susie’. They were among the first acts to be inducted in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Phil died due to pulmonary complications.

In their own words Maria Von Trapp (Sept 28, 1914–Feb 18, 2014) — singer/musician, missionary; the last of the singing children immortalised in movie musical ‘The Sound of Music’. Maria’s stepmother, Maria Kutschera Von Trapp, wrote a book entitled ‘Story of the Trapp Family Singers’, which sparked two German-made movies and their Hollywood award-winning version. The third eldest of the Von Trapp children died of natural causes.

Sir Run Run Shaw (born Nov 23, 1907) — Together with siblings Runme and Runde, he opened up Shaw Studios in Hong Kong and Singapore in the 30s and from thereon, established the mainstream action movie culture that has churned out the likes of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chow Yuen Fatt, Michelle Yeoh and Jet Li. He also founded TVB, Hong Kong’s most influential broadcasting station. The Shaw brothers were also instrumental in the Malay film industry’s ‘Renaissance’ between post-WWII and the mid-60s, discovering talents who would later become legends such as the late Tan Sri P Ramlee.

Run Run died on Jan 7.

Russell Johnson (Nov 10, 1924–Jan 16, 2014) — actor; famous for his role of ‘The Professor’ in 60s TV comedy ‘Gilligan’s Island’.

He died of natural causes.

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Jul 23, 1967–Feb 2, 2014) — actor; won the Oscar for his portrayal of the title role in 2005 movie ‘Capote’.

Shirley Temple (born April 23, 1928) — The legend, famous for her trademark curly golden hair, was truly a Hollywood child star.

She began performing when she was three and at one point in her career, overtook grown-up screen heavyweights like Clark Gable, Bing Crosby and Joan Crawford in breaking the box-office. She died of natural causes on Feb 10.

Sid Caesar (Sept 8, 1922– Feb 12, 2014) — actor/comedian/writer; long before reality TV, Caesar hit it off with the audience through live weekly comedy programme ‘Your Show of Shows’, which through the years introduced an impressive roster of comedy writers including Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Neil Simon and Carl Reiner.

John Henson (April 25, 1965–Feb 14, 2014) — actor/puppeteer; son of Muppets creator Jim Henson and the ‘hands’ behind the ogre Sweetums, John was also shareholder and board member of The Jim Henson Company.

He died of a sudden heart attack.

James Rebhorn (Sept 1, 1948–March 21, 2014) — actor; known for his role as the stubborn US Defence Secretary in 1996’s sci-fi box-office hit ‘Independence Day’, and as Claire Danes’ father in the TV drama ‘Homeland’. He died after a long battle with skin cancer.

Maya Angelou

McDuffie had long claimed to be the strapping sailor photographed in this classic WWII image. — Getty Image photo

Mickey Rooney

James Garner

Joan Rivers

(born Sept 23, 1920) — With a career spanning nine decades, he was probably best remembered as the all-American honest-to-goodness teenager Andy Hardy in the long-running namesake series, which earned him a special miniature Oscar in 1938. His last big screen appearance was in 2011, as a cameo in ‘The Muppets’. Rooney passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home on April 6.

(April 7, 1928–July 19, 2014) — actor; famous for his portrayal of Bret Maverick in the 60s Western TV comedy, and also in 1994 as Bret’s father in the big screen version, opposite Mel Gibson as the title character. He died of a heart attack.

(born June 8, 1933) — Born Joan Alexandra Molinsky, the actress/ comedienne and E!’s ‘Fashion Police’ anchor was famous for her trademark gravelly voice coupled with abrasive, quick-witted humour which aimed at rubbing insults upon herself as well as others.

She was the first woman to host a late night talk show in American network television history. Rivers died on Sept 4 after complications from a minor throat procedure at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

Peaches Geldof (March 13, 1989–April 7, 2014) — journalist/TV presenter and model; the second daughter of musician Bob Geldof and presenter Paula Yates was found dead at her home in Wrotham, Kent, UK. Cause of death was opiate intoxication.

James ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Hellwig (born June 16, 1959) — Having legally changed his name to ‘Warrior’ in 1993, he was one of the all-time greatest icons in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Warrior was inducted into WWE Hall of Fame just days before his sudden demise on April 8.

Robin Williams (born July 21, 1951) — The Oscar-winning comic earned his statuette playing a well-meaning psychologist in 1997’s ‘Good Will Hunting’, more than 20 years after his small-screen debut as the alien ‘Mork’ on an episode of 60scentric‘Happy Days’. Williams was found dead in his house in San Francisco on Aug 11, and his death was ruled a suicide by the coroner in Marin County, California late November.

Lauren Bacall (born Sept 16, 1924) — Known as one of America’s all-time greatest movie stars, the former fashion model was one-half of ‘Hollywood’s Greatest Love Story’ together with Humphrey Bogart. Among her most memorable roles was a gold-digger in ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’ alongside two other leading ladies of the Golden Era – Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable. Bacall died of suspected stroke on Aug 12.

Richard Attenborough Bob Hoskins (Oct 26, 1942–April 29, 2014) — actor; famous for his leading role in 80s animated whodunnit ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’. He was suffering from pneumonia.

Casey Kasem (April 27, 1932–June 15, 2014) — actor/music historian/DJ/ presenter; perhaps the most recognisable music countdown show hosts, Kasem was also the voice of Shaggy in the Scooby Doo franchise from 1969 up to 2009.

He died due to a host of medical problems.

(Aug 29, 1923–Aug 24, 2014) — actor/director; with a career spanning six decades, the British icon appeared in a string of highly celebrated films including The Great Escape, Brighton Rock and Jurassic Park. As a director, he was perhaps best known for 1982’s biopic ‘Gandhi’, which earned him two Oscars.

Richard Kiel (Sept 13, 1939– Sept 10, 2014) — actor; best known for his role as the towering, teeth-ofsteel villain Jaws in the James Bond movie franchise. He passed away a week after being hospitalised for a broken leg.

Glen A Larson (Jan 3, 1937–Nov 14, 2014) — TV producer/writer; the world would have to thank Larson for creating cult TV shows such as Magnum, P.I., Knight Rider, The Fall Guy and Battlestar Galactica. He died from esophageal cancer.

Mike Nichols (Nov 6, 1931– Nov 19, 2014) — actor/writer/director/producer; the husband of anchorwoman Diane Sawyer was among a handful of artists having won all five prestigious accolades for the performing arts – the Oscar (films), Emmy (television), Golden Globe (screen), Tony (theatre) and Grammy (music).

Nichols died of a heart attack almost two weeks after his 83rd birthday.

Ruby Dee (Oct 27, 1922–June 11, 2014) — actress, screenwriter/ playwright, civil rights activist; she was perhaps best known for starring in the 1961 film ‘A Raisin in the Sun’. She was also known for her civic work with husband Ossie Davis. Dee died of natural causes at her home in New York.

Phyllis Dorothy James (Aug 3, 1920–Nov 27, 2014) — novelist; known as PD James, she was an English crime writer known for her series of detective novels starring police commander and poet Adam Dalgliesh. She sold millions of books around the world, many of which got adapted to television and film.

The Queen of Crime passed away at the age of 94.

Newsmakers and trendsetters Ariel Sharon (born Feb 26, 1928) — The former Israel Prime Minister was a major figure in many defining events in the Middle East, including his call to invade Lebanon in 1982 (which earned him the moniker ‘Butcher of Beirut’), as well as turning over Gaza and parts of the West Bank to Palestinian control.

Sharon suffered a massive stroke in 2006, which left him comatose. He died on Jan 11.

Herbert B Hyman (Dec 6, 1931–April 28, 2014) — founder of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf chain; started the company in 1963 and saw it expand to nearly 1,000 stores in 29 countries. Said to be the ‘grandfather of specialty coffee in the US’. Hyman had heart disease.

Edward Shevardnadze

Tommy Ramone (Jan 29, 1952–July 11, 2014)) — musician/ producer; part of The Ramones, who were hailed as the ‘Founding Fathers of Punk Rock’.

The last surviving member of the band died due to bile cancer.

(born April 4, 1928) — Her girl-power anthem ‘Phenomenal Woman’ has been used countless of times in books, movies and TV series, as tributes to women’s empowerment. Known for her acclaimed 1969 memoir ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, the author and civil rights activist received several honours throughout her career, including two NAACP Image Awards in Outstanding Literary Work (NonFiction), in 2005 and 2009. She died on May 28.

Eileen at Ford Models’ Supermodel of the World’ contest in New York City in this file photo. — Getty Images photo

(Jan 25, 1928–July 7, 2014) — former Soviet foreign minister and president of Georgia; instrumental in ending the ‘Cold War’ between Soviet Union and the US and to an extent, opened the doors of the then-largest nation in the world to foreign investors. He died after a long illness.

Eileen Ford (born March 25, 1922) — Together with husband Jerry, she set up Ford Modelling Agency in 1947 which has since turned modelling into one profitable business with some US$1 million in contracts.

Many modelling greats such as Christie Brinkley, Jerry Hall, Naomi Campbell and Elle Macpherson got their start at Ford. Eileen passed away on July 9 due to complications from osteoporosis and meningioma.

Oscar De La Renta (born July 22, 1932) — Hailing from the Dominican Republic, the fashion mogul was an apprentice of Cristobal Balenciaga in Spain and worked for Lanvin before heading to New York for a position at Elizabeth Arden. He launched his own label in 1965, which has since grown into a US$150million business. Oscar was among the earliest proponents of the ready-to-wear (pret-a-porter) concept during a time when it was still considered ‘too novel’.

He died on Oct 20 after years of battling cancer.

Their stories unfold Glenn Edward McDuffie (born May 31, 1927) — In 2007, Houston Police forensics artist Lois Gibson concluded that the strapping US Navy sailor — whose random act of a kissing a nurse on Times Square in New York was immortalised

by Life magazine and has since been regarded as one of the most iconic images of World War II — was indeed McDuffie. The sailor and the nurse never got to meet each other after that memorable smooch on Aug 14, 1945 — the day of Japan’s surrender and also one when photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt happened to be around to capture the moment.

McDuffie died of a heart attack on March 9.

Alexander Shulgin (born June 17, 1925) — he chemist was a pioneering synthesiser of psychedelic drugs. It is reported that he tested the substance on himself, his wife Ann and his friends, then documented the effects.

While he did not actually invent the recreational drug ‘3, 4-methylenedioxy-N’ — more popularly known as Ecstasy — he was credited with coming up with an easier synthesis of it. Shulgin died on June 2, having suffered liver cancer.

Chester Nez (born Jan 23, 1921) — The last of the original Navajo code talkers who served in the US Marine Corps during World War II. In 2001, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W Bush.

In 2011, he wrote a memoir ‘Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir by One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII’ with Judith Avila. Nez died on June 4 from kidney failure.

reviewing2014 special supplement

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NAtIONAL

A YEAR OF HEADLINES

Thursday, January 1, 2015

s e d o s i p e m o C S eS

A number of happenings over the past 12 months managed to bring Malaysians together, while a few captured the masses’ fascination for scandals and controversies.

Of Bibles and bigots The confiscation of Bible copies containing the word ‘Allah’

by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) during the January 2014 raid on Bible Society of Malaysia’s premises in Petaling Jaya, triggered a year-long standoff between the religious authority and the Christian community, especially those in Sarawak and Sabah, which seemingly ended when the copies were returned to the community in December.

The impact derived from that very seizure came in various forms. On Jan 5, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir – daughter of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, together with some 40 Muslims held a peaceful gathering at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Klang during a Sunday mass, as a move of solidarity with Christians. Marina’s group stood out in stark contrast against another comprising Umno members who just a few metres away, were protesting against the Catholic Church continuing to use the word

‘Allah’ to refer to God. Things got even more heated when on Jan 19, Perkasa president and Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali called on Muslims to seize and burn copies of Bibles containing the word ‘Allah’ or other Arabic religious words during a speech at a university in Permatang Pauh.

His argument was that under the Non-Islamic Religion (Control on Expansion Among Muslims) Act 1988, non-Muslims were prohibited from using several Arabic religious terms, including Allah, in their prayers or scriptures.

Ibrahim’s remarks got him called in for questioning by Penang police, following several reports lodged against him – culminating in Ibrahim being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code for uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person, as well as the Sedition Act. In the end, however, the Attorney-General declared that Ibrahim’s Bible-burning threat lacked a ‘seditious tendency’.

DCP Abdul Rashid (second left) accompanying Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim to meet ESSCom members in Sandakan. — Bernama photo IT has been a trying year for Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) – the authoritative body tasked with overseeing Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) encompassing 1,400km of the east coast of Sabah, from Kudat to Tawau.

Established by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and unveiled by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman in March 2013, it strives to strengthen maritime security in that part of the state following terrorist attacks from the southern Philippines on Lahad Datu and Semporna, which killed eight members of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Its director-general then was Datuk Mohammad Mentek.

Year 2014 saw the security body having to deal with a series of cross-border kidnappings. Four cases were reported in the year, beginning with the kidnappings of Chinese national Gao Hua Yuan, 29, and a Filipina resort worker Marcy Danawan, 40, from Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort near Semporna town on April 2. Another Chinese national Yang Zailin, 34, was snatched from Pulau Baik in Lahad Datu on May 6.

In June, Malaysian fisheries operator Chan Sai Chuin, 32, was taken away from his fish farm in Kampung Sapang, Kunak. A month later on July 12, Marine Police constable Zakia Aleip, 26, was abducted from Mabul Water

Bungalows Resort in Semporna following an ambush which left his colleague, Cpl Ab Rajah Jamuan, 32, dead.

All victims have been released except Zakia, whose whereabouts are unknown but he is believed to still be alive. It is reported that kidnappers had demanded RM10 million for his release.

As part of efforts to address the situation, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman, who succeeded Datuk Hamza Taib on June 30, declared a night curfew beginning July 19 across the waters off six ‘hotspots’ – Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau.

Another initiative aimed at

bolstering security in the ESSZone was the restructuring of ESSCom as announced by Najib on July 15, which saw the appointment of its Security and Public Division director DCP Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun as commander, while Mohammad Mentek was assigned as Human Resource Management Division secretary under the Education Ministry on Oct 1.

Meanwhile, the trial of 27 Sulu gunmen and three locals responsible for the February 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion adjourned on Dec 9, after running for 100 days since Jan 6 with 58 witnesses having testified so far. It has been fixed for hearing between this Jan 12 and June 26.

Selangor saga

STILL STANDING:

Birds perching atop a McDonald’s sign in Arundel Mills, Maryland in the US in this file photo. On Aug 8, a nationwide 24-hour boycott was held against the fast-food chain outlets across Malaysia to protest against its alleged links to Israel. In response, McDonald’s Malaysia on July 11 denied having ever channelled its revenue from sales, profits or franchise fees from restaurants to support any form of political campaigns, violence or oppression. For the record, 67 of McDonald’s restaurants in Malaysia are owned and operated by 27 local franchisees – nearly half of whom are Malay-Muslims. — Reuters photo

Sedition sequel and other Acts THE announcement by Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to retain the Sedition Act during the 65th Umno general assembly on Nov 27, came as a surprise to many, given that he pledged to do away with the Act and replace it with the proposed National Harmony Act – not once, but twice; the first was in 2012 and the most recent was in September 2014.

He also declared that the Act would come with two extra provisions – one prohibiting insults against all religions, and another prohibiting talks of Sabah and Sarawak seceding from Malaysia.

As a result, Najib got the backlash from all corners, even from those on his side. The National Unity Consultative Council, which was supposed to outline a replacement for the Act, had expressed its disappointment, while MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam claimed that the federal cabinet was not informed of the decision.

In his winding-up session at the 2014 Umno assembly, Najib’s deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin clarified that the government still needed to reconsider the proposed

Harmony Act following the decision to keep the Sedition Act 1948.

Speaking of Acts, the Negeri Sembilan government and three others filed an application on Dec 5, seeking leave to appeal the appellate court’s ruling declaring invalid the state’s Shariah Enactment that criminalises transgender Muslims for cross-dressing.

The move saw two representatives from the Negeri Sembilan state legal adviser’s office filing the notice of motion at the Federal Court’s chief registrar office. The other three applicants were the state’s Islamic Religious Affairs Department, its director, and the state’s chief Shariah prosecutor.

This followed the Nov 7 decree by the Court of Appeal in stating that Section 66 of the Enactment – which penalises Muslim men who dressed or posed as women in public places – was ‘invalid and unconstitutional’, arguing that it ignored an exception for sufferers of a medical condition called gender identity disorder (GID).

A three-member panel chaired by Justice Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus held that the provision discriminated Muslim men with GID.

It was all about leadership crisis for Selangor the past year, beginning with the forced resignation of PKR’s Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim from his Menteri Besar (MB) post, which consequently went to fellow party member and political rival, Mohamed Azmin Ali. The in-fighting resulted in the party sacking Abdul Khalid on Aug 9 after he protested against its central leadership council’s call to nominate Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – wife of PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – as new Selangor MB. The Port Klang assemblyman was facing much heat from PKR to clarify issues pertaining to the MB’s new allowances, raised business licensing tax, his loan from Bank Islam and proposal to build the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway.

This pressured Abdul Khalid to call it quits but his decision was stalled when Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah postponed his resignation pending the search for a successor.

This sparked another drama within the Opposition – comprising PKR, PAS and DAP – when four executive council members of the Selangor government from PAS were called ‘traitors’ by DAP. This was because the four remained with Abdul Khalid in running the state’s affairs while the other six from DAP and PKR had already resigned. Palace officials were also brought in to intervene, in which Sultan Sharafuddin ordered each party to nominate at least two candidates for his consideration.

PKR and DAP insisted on Dr Wan Azizah as the sole nominee while PAS sent three names – none of which was hers.

Throughout the crisis, Abdul Khalid had remained stoic, having committed to his final duties as MB. On Sept 12, a master agreement to finalise the restructuring of Selangor’s water supply industry was sealed between the state and federal government under which, Air Selangor Sdn Bhd took over the operations and maintenance of water treatment plants as well as the supplying services, which were previously run by four concessionnaires.

On Sept 23, Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin took oath as Selangor’s 15th MB. So far, he seems to be taking a more popular approach in gaining Selangoreans’ trust by immediately addressing issues related to public interest such as roads and rubbish management.

Things appeared to be calm for a while until Sultan Sharafuddin made a rather shocking decision to strip Anwar of the state award which carried the title ‘Datuk Seri’ effective Nov 3.

It is stated that Seri Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Award which was conferred upon Anwar in 1992, was revoked due to the PKR leader’s repeated questioning of the integrity of the Selangor Sultan and the royal institution in dealing with the Selangor MB crisis. Another factor was Anwar’s questioning of issues related to Islam, by which it is known that the Sultan holds executive powers and is head of the religion under the Laws of the Selangor Constitution of 1959.

Nevertheless, Anwar can still be referred to as Datuk Seri, given that he has also received the award from seven other states, namely Pahang, Melaka, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah, Perak and Perlis.

A driver filling up his car at a petrol station in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama photo

Fuelling the fire THIS fuel issue has been around for years – usually against the pleasure of many Malaysians – but 2014 presented the biggest blow. The date Oct 2 marked the removal of fuel subsidy for RON95 petrol and diesel, resulting in retail prices of RM2.30 per litre for RON95 and RM2.20 per litre for diesel, from the respective previous prices of RM2.58 and RM2.52 per litre.

A statement from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, however, said even with the subsidy cut, the government would still need to spend more than RM21 billion on RON95, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas subsidies for this year.

“This move is in line with the government’s subsidy rationalisation plan to ensure that the country’s finance remained strong. The government also aimed to curb leakages and smuggling of fuel by irresponsible quarters,” the ministry said.

In what seemed to be a move to soften the blow, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan in late October assured those in the low-income bracket would continue to enjoy the subsidised rates once the petrol subsidy rationalisation mechanism got implemented in June 2015. The high-income earners, he said,

would need to start paying market price for RON95.

Ahmad Maslan was quoted saying that the mechanism, which might involve the use of MyKad or other cards, was still being refined by his ministry and Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry.

“When the system for subsidised diesel starts in January, fleet cards will be used for its purchase,” he said, adding that Malaysia produced 700 barrels of highquality petroleum a day for export while importing 600 barrels of regular petroleum for common use.

In late November, however, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry announced that effective Dec 1, prices for RON95 and RON97 would go down by four sen and nine sen, respectively, RM2.26 and RM2.46, respectively. On the other hand, diesel price would increase by three sen to RM2.23.

Minister Datuk Hasan Malik said that the government would continue to monitor the market price of petrol and diesel, as well as currency exchange rates, in the coming months. He also warned oil companies and petrol station owners to follow the new prices.

“Stern action will be taken against those who do not comply with the new pricing system,” he said in a statement.

REVIEWING2014 special supplement

Thursday, January 1, 2015

E19 An aerial view showing flooded streets of the National Park in Kuala Tahan, Pahang in this file photo. — Reuters photo

In deep water THE past few weeks have witnessed what is perhaps the worst flood ever in the nation’s history, with more than 200,000 people across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Johor having to leave their submerged homes.

Out of all these states, Kelantan was the worst hit, with more close to 120,000 victims being put up at relief centres (as at Dec 28). With regard to number of casualties due to the floods, it is still uncertain as National Security Council officials are unable to provide exact figures due to communication problems.

According to AFP, it is believed that 10 people died in floodwaters.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had pledged additional funding on top of an initial RM500 million set aside in aid for victims.

However, he insisted that there was no necessity to declare a state of emergency.

“If the government announces an emergency, the implications that will arise include the insurance companies being absolved from paying compensation, and compensation arising from damages to property and vehicles is enormous.“That’s

why if we declare (an emergency), this means it includes the ‘force majeure’ category, and insurance companies need not pay compensation (in this case),” he was quoted as having said in a news report by Bernama.

On Nov 29, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the postponement of the start of the 2015 school session for the whole country by one week due to the floods.

He said the new school session would begin on Jan 11 for Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor, and on Jan 12 for the other states.

A family evacuating from their home at Kampung Bukit Kolam, Ajil in Hulu Terengganu.

— Bernama photo

Swift trial and judgement through social network ONLINE social network, with the help of streaming and communication technology, has now evolved from being a platform for mere ‘socialising’, to becoming a ‘cyberspace vigilante’.

Almost every day, an onlooker witnesses an incident and records it before uploading the content on the Internet — and before you know it, the thing becomes viral.

Take Siti Fairrah Ashykin, for example. Known by her nickname Kiki, the 30-year-old businesswoman immediately

became infamous when a video clip of her striking a steering lock violently against the car of a very calm elderly man Sim Siak Hong while hurling abusive language at him was uploaded via YouTube.

Kiki also demanded RM2,000 from the 68-year-old after the latter accidentally bumped into her three-week-old Peugeot.

Unfortunately, the incident had cost Kiki her reputation and clean citizen’s record. On July 22, she was fined RM5,000 in default of three months’ jail, and ordered to

do 240 hours of community work, for her violent outburst.

On Nov 6, five of six students who were recorded in a video bullying and assaulting a smaller boy were charged in the Juvenile Court in Kangar, Perlis. The boys, aged between 13 and 14, together with another 15-yearold boy who is still at large, were jointly charged under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting. The five claimed trial to the charge of causing hurt and using violence against an 11-year-old boy

between May 31 and June 1 at an orphanage hostel in Jejawi. Their actions were recorded on a sevenminute video, which went viral on Nov 5, drawing criticism from the public who urged the police to act immediately.

On Nov 17, a 58-year-old man was arrested after photos of him spitting on the windscreen of a woman’s car and damaged it went viral. The victim, in her police report, said the incident came about after she honked the man for repeatedly switching

lanes. This angered the man, who then stopped his vehicle, got out and walked to her car before committing the acts.

The victim, however, managed to record all of it. The man, who is from Subang Jaya, is being investigated under Section 427 and 506 of the Penal Code for committing mischief, damages and criminal intimidation.

Speaking of social network, controversial blogger Alvin Tan had his passport — as well as that of political activist Ali Abdul Jalil

— revoked effective Dec 9. The case was the first involving the withdrawal of passports by the Immigration Department.

Tan fled to the United States to avoid being arrested by Malaysian authorities for making a mockery out of Islam and the fasting month of Ramadan as well as the monarchy through his Facebook postings. Ali, on the other hand, sought political asylum in Sweden after facing charges for allegedly insulting the Malaysian monarchy on Facebook.

Honouring the Malaysians we lost in 2014 DATUK AMAR DUNSTAN ENDAWIE (born July 25, 1937) – He was former deputy chief minister of Sarawak, serving from 1977 to 1979, and ex-Krian assemblyman. The man was also once president of the now-defunct Sarawak National Party (SNAP). He served in several posts under the Sarawak cabinet, as well as appointed as High Commissioner of Malaysia to Australia and New Zealand upon his retirement from active politics. Dunstan was a highly instrumental in realising SNAP’s entry into the state Barisan Nasional in 1976. The prominent political figure passed away at Saratok Hospital on April 11 at the age of 78.

DATUK AZIZ SATTAR (born Aug 8, 1925) – The Malay film legend died on May 6 following a heart attack.

He was the last surviving member of the classic ‘Bujang Lapok’ trio with the late Tan Sri P Ramlee and S Shamsuddin between the 50s and 60s. He was also among a handful of actors from the Malay movie heydey who were still active in showbiz long after Studio Jalan Ampas closed.

WONG HO LENG (born Dec 21, 1959) – Early January of 2013, the then-state DAP chairman, Bukit Assek assemblyman and former Sibu MP announced that he was

diagnosed with brain tumour. The Sungai Bidut-born lawyer began his political career when he joined DAP at the age of 26. He succumbed to cancer on June 21.

BUJANG TAHA (born in 1937) – The two-time Mr Asia bodybuilding champion breathed his last on Oct 12 after being admitted to Sarawak General Hospital for acute asthma attack. The veteran muscleman was among the state pioneer bodybuilders,

DATUK SHARIFAH AINI (born July 2, 1953) – The legendary singer passed away on July 5 after suffering from lung infection. She was accorded with the title ‘Biduanita Negara’ (National Songstress) – the highest national award for a female entertainer – in recognition of her contribution to the music industry.

She recorded her first album ‘Seri Dewi malam’ at 17, although she had been singing since she was seven.

Sharifah Aini was also an actress.

She received the Panglima Jasa Negara award in 2003, which earned her the title Datuk. She had one child, Aliff, from her first marriage to Ali Bakar in 1981.

KARPAL SINGH (born June 28, 1940) – The death of former DAP chairman came as a shock to many Malaysians. The Bukit Gelugor MP and his close aide Michael Cornelius were killed in an accident involving a multi-purpose vehicle and a lorry at KM306.1 of the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung in Kampar, around 1am on April 17. He was known as the ‘Tiger of Jelutong’ given his feat in defending the parliamentary seat for five consecutive terms from 1978. Known to be formidably vocal, the lawyerpolitician was highly respected by those from all political divides. Two of his sons, Jagdeep and Gobind, followed his footsteps as lawyers and politicians.

having made the nation proud by winning the Asian title twice, in 1980 and 1981.

LT GEN DATUK JAAFAR ONN (born on March 3, 1933 ) – The younger brother of former prime minister, the late Tun Huseein Onn, passed away on Oct 15 at his residence in Shah Alam. Jaafar joined the military in 1952 and retired in 1983. He was formerly the deputy chief of the Armed Forces.

WILLIAM GHANI BINA (born in 1964) – The former Sarawak Teachers Union president breathed

his last on Oct 25 – three days after he was hit by a car while crossing the road at Mile 3 in Kuching. The outspoken veteran educator presided over the union for 21 years before stepping down in 2013.

DATUK FUAD HASSAN (born on Nov 12, 1952) – Special Affairs Department (Jasa) directorgeneral passed away in Kuantan on Dec 7 after having heart attack while attending a Malaysian Communications and

Multimedia Commission function at Kemaman, Terengganu. He was a two-term Ulu Kelang assemblyman (1990-1999) and was appointed director-general of Jasa in 2009.

DATUK MUSTAPHA MAAROF (born Jan 1, 1935) – Another veteran actor from the golden era of the Malay movie industry died on Dec 15 due to lung complications. He was laid to rest beside the grave of his wife, Malay screen siren of the 1960s, Roseyatimah.

Among his early films were ‘Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang’, Yatim Mustapha’ and ‘Sri Mersing’.

Also a remembrance dedicated to 43 Malaysians who perished on board the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which crashed in Ukraine, some 50km from the Russian border, on July 17.

The flight was en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam, carrying 298 people. May their souls rest in peace.

REVIEWING2014 special supplement

E20 Teo

By Eikman reporters@theborneopost.com THE movie industry lost actor Eli Wallach in 2014 when he died at the age of 98.

Wallach was best remembered starring alongside ‘The Good’ Clint Eastwood, ‘The Bad’ Lee Van Cleef, while he played ‘The Ugly’, in the 1966 classic ‘spaghetti’ Western.

That movie title and theme aptly sum up the world of sports in 2014.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

a o, il brutto, il c t n t o i v u o b lI The Year in Sports

The Good 2014 was a feast for sports fans.

Every four years these three mega events happen within the same year: the World Cup (June 12 - July 14), Commonwealth Games (July 23 - Aug 3) and Asian Games (Sept 19 - Oct 4).

Amidst the media hype over Brazil’s ability to pull it off as hosts and on the field, the silly but stubborn myth that England start as one of the favourites, Messi’s hour of destiny — the 2014 World Cup eventually reminded fans and others who couldn’t care less that ‘Football is a simple game. 22 men chase the ball for 90 minutes and in the end, the Germans always win’.

2014 produced its share of dominant teams and brilliant stars: the All Blacks in rugby, Bayern Munich in club football, Serena Williams in tennis, Katie Ledecky in swimming, Rory McIlroy in golf and others.

There was drama when high jumpers Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Ukraine’s Bohdan Bondarenko battled each other in pursuit of the 21-year old world record of 2.45m.

But the achievements of two women — both from New Zealand — were the most compelling in 2014, one for her

enduring supremacy and the other for her precocious talent.

Two-time Olympic and fourtime world champion Valerie Adams was the only athlete, male or female, to win all seven of the Diamond League series which defined the elite track and field calendar.

By the end of 2014, she had remained unbeaten in the shot-put for four long years and extended her streak to 56 consecutive victories.

17 year-old Lydia Ko started the season as a rookie pro.

She went on to claim three LPGA Tour titles and a string of records including youngest ever to reach US$1 million and then US$2 million in prize money, recipient of the biggest payday in women’s golf when she took the inaugural ‘Race to CME Globe’ title with a US$1 million bonus and the youngest ‘Rookie of the Year’ in the history of the sport.

Malaysia’s Nicol David

by injury, continued to win medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the elite World Diving Circuit.

She was joined by Leong Mun Yee, Cheong Jun Heong, Ng Yan Yee, Loh Zhiayi, Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Ooi Tze Liang.

At the national level, two Sarawak teams distinguished themselves once again this year.

The state schools track and field contingent successfully defended their MSSM inter-state title.

Sarawak has won the national schools championships for five consecutive years, 12 of the last 13 years since 2002 and 18 of the last 22 years since 1993! This year’s batch included star throwers Grace Wong and Queenie Ting, sprinters Norris Foo and Quek Lee Yong, the Mohd Rizzuah hurdling brothers, and high jumper Jonathan Tinggang.

‘Amazing’ Grace, who took ‘Best Girl Athlete’ honours, followed that up with a Sukma gold medal.

Her hammer throw of 55.82m shot her up to the top of the charts for that event in Southeast Asia.

At the 11th National Paralympiad held in Perlis, Sarawak’s paralympic athletes emerged as overall champion again in the biennial event.

The latest win stretched their 20-year unbroken record as national title holders on every occasion since the inaugural edition in 1994! ◆ Turn to Page 21

Lydia Ko

Seventeen-year-old Jonathan Tinggang is only one inch from becoming the first Sarawakian to clear 7 feet in the high jump.

Germany players celebrate after winning the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. — AFP photo

continued her remarkable grip on women’s squash, winning her 8th world title in December.

She also claimed a new record in 2014.

Her fifth Asian Games gold allowed her to go one better than legends Mani Jegathesan (athletics) and Ng Boon Bee (badminton) as the Malaysian with the most number of Asiad gold medals.

By year end, Nicol had stayed as the world No.1 player for 101 consecutive months dating back to August 2006.

Malaysia’s best performing team of the year on the global stage was the Thomas Cup squad.

They provided that rare occasion when the whole nation was united in rooting for their national team.

The unfancied national shuttlers had surprised everyone including themselves to qualify for the final.

Malaysia had not won the Cup since 1992 and last qualified for

the final 22 years ago.

The team failed at the final hurdle.

Winning the coveted trophy was not Japan’s only achievement.

Their upset over China in the semi-final caused the first real crack in the latter’s long-standing dominance of the sport.

It broke through a psychological and historical barrier for the rest of the badminton world.

Five months later, the Koreans beat China in the men’s team event at the Asian Games.

In November, India’s Kidambi Srikanth and Saina Nehwal swept the China Open singles titles in Fuzhou.

2014 also represented a breakthrough for the national diving team.

Malaysia now has not just one or two, but a handful of divers who are making waves in this world-class competition.

Sarawak’s Pandelela Rinong, despite a year largely hampered

Valerie Adams

Pandelela Rinong

Sarawak is 11-time National Paralympic champions.

Sarawak is 18-time MSSM National Schools Track and Field champions.

No female athlete in Southeast Asia threw the hammer further than 14-year-old Grace Wong in 2014.

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Thursday, January 1, 2015

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u From Page 20

The Bad It gets awful. So let’s make this blacklist short.

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius topped the list here.

In a court trial that received world-wide television live coverage, the ex-poster boy of the Paralympics tagged ‘the Blade Runner’ was found guilty of culpable homicide for shooting dead his girlfriend.

He is serving a five-year jail sentence.

Riots emerged as a serious concern in Malaysian football in 2014.

On Saturday (August 30), the State Stadium at Petra Jaya, Kuching was the scene of the worst to ever occur in Sarawak.

It erupted following Sarawak’s elimination from the Malaysia Cup after a 1-1 draw with Perak.

Public property was vandalised and police vehicles torched and overturned.

Five culprits were immediately arrested in the rioting which reportedly involved 2,000 fans .

Meanwhile, Sarawak’s youngest age-group shuttlers got a rude shock at the end of the year.

They had competed in two state-level tournaments as preparation and selection to vie for the national Under-12 and Under-15 championships.

They had trained for months only to find out that the Sarawak Badminton Association did not even register them for the national tournament.

The Ugly Perhaps the most outrageous episode happened in football.

The Asian Football Confederation hailed Tony Popovic as Coach of the Year only to suspend him for two games for offensive behaviour.

Player of the Year Nasser Al Shamrani received an even longer eight-match ban for spitting and headbutting an opponent.

18-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps made a remarkable comeback following his retirement after the 2012 Olympic Games.

He is currently serving a 6month competitive swimming ban for driving offences.

In November, China announced that swimmer Sun Yang had failed a doping test in May. The report said the double gold medalist from the 2012 London Games had already served his three-month suspension imposed by his own national body.

He went on to win three gold medals at the Asian Games in September.

How convenient!

The famed distance runners of Kenya face mounting doping charges in 2014.

World top female marathoner Rita Jeptoo was the first big name caught for using the bloodboosting drug EPO. 2014 turned out to be Malaysia’s ‘annus horribilis’ in sports.

Doping scandals involving use of banned substances hit national and state star athletes.

No further details need to be reported here except to list the four major cases: 1) World No.1 shuttler Lee Chong Wei 2) National wushu athlete Tai Cheau Xuen who had initially picked up Malaysia’s first gold medal at the Asian Games 3) Sarawak weightlifter Jelinie Empera, ‘Best Sportswoman’ and winner of two gold medals at Sukma 2014 4) Eight bodybuilders who competed at Mr Malaysia 2014.

A vehicle torched outside Stadium Negeri.

Police trying to control the situation in the aftermath of the Malaysia Cup match between Sarawak and Perak.

Unsolved Mysteries Not necessarily considered as ‘bad’ or ‘ugly’, there was a long list of incidents in 2014 which can perhaps be called ‘unsolved mysteries’.

Is it the driver or the car that deserves credit? Lewis Hamilton was crowned F1 champion for 2014, winning 11 of 19 races.

Just a year ago, Sebastian Vettel was described as ‘peerless’ after winning the same title for four consecutive years.

The German driver was even booed by fans for his dominance in 2013, finishing on top of the podium in 13 races including the final nine.

Partly to break his dominance, significant rule changes on fuel and engine were implemented for the 2014 season.

For the record, Hamilton only won one race and was fourth overall in 2013 while Sebastian did not win a single race and finished fifth overall in 2014.

Malaysian bodybuilder Sazali Samad took his 10th Mr Universe title in 2014.

The reigning National Sportsman of the Year also won in 2013 but he only managed to get a silver medal in the SEA Games in that same year.

Surely, the Southeast Asian championship should be mere ‘jagoh kampong’ for the Master of the Universe?

Johor Darul Ta’zim was expected to conquer the 2014

Muamer Salibasic

Sazali Samad, reigning Sportsman of the Year, took his 10th Mr Universe title in 2014.

Malaysia football season.

They brought in a Spanish coach, an Argentine World Cup star and creamed off top players from all rivals.

At the end of the season, however, they only won one of the three major trophies on offer.

And they had to wait until the last match to be assured of the Super League title.

The national sports associations for sepak takraw and cycling remain as dysfunctional as they have ever been while supervising agencies only appear interested in bailing them out of financial and

performance embarrassments.

Volleyball powerhouse Sarawak remain at the receiving end of decisions made by the Malaysia Volleyball Association (MVA).

The national inter-state tournament, which Sarawak monopolised for decades, was only revived last year after a 10year suspension.

This year, Sarawak’s nominee was reportedly denied the chance to be MVA president.

Sarawak Volleyball Association complained of election irregularities.

At this year’s Sukma, Sarawak’s

It was not a Merry Christmas for Sarawak’s U12 and U15 shuttlers.

canoeing team was bugged by bizarre events.

Hosts Perlis ordered for the canoes to be quarantined months before the games.

When competition started, Sarawak canoeists performed poorly, went off course or their boats leaked and sank.

Assistant chef-de-mission Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah did not rule out the possibility of sabotage.

But no word on the matter has been heard since.

The city of Miri has no hockey field.

Local hockey officials and players have appealed, begged and cried for one for months and years.

Anyone would be puzzled by the silence from the relevant authorities.

After all, there is talk that Miri will be hosting some events for the 2016 Sukma and 2017 SEA Games.

Would the State Sports Council or Assistant Sports Minister Lee Kim Shin who is from Miri care to address the matter?

The Crocs finished a creditable 7th place in the 2014 Super League.

The achievement was even more remarkable when many matches were played with a depleted force of foreign import players.

On the fateful night of rioting, Sarawak actually played without any import player.

The biggest mystery of all was the case of Muamer Salibasic.

The Bosnian striker-midfielder was already injured in 2013.

He was virtually out for the entire 2014 season.

All that fans and the media heard from the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) was that he’s recovering, oh no! he’s still injured, he’s seeking medical advice again and again, repeated ad nauseum.

Coach Robert Alberts constantly spoke of Salibasic as if he was a lost brother or prodigal son.

He was touted as ‘the missing link’ that could propel the Crocs to new heights.

Yes, he was missing all right!

Until mid-October, with the football season over for two months, he was still in the payroll of FAS which still intended to sign him for the 2015 season!

FAS might have forgotten that import players are costly and they are supposed to make a big impact.

Dearly Departed

Officials towing a canoe belonging to the Sarawak team after it capsized at Timah Tasoh Lake during the Perlis Sukma, in this May 24 file photo. Sarawak’s canoeing team suffered another dismal Sukma campaign when they came up empty-handed, marking another Sukma outing without a medal.

The world lost two football icons in 2014.

Eusebio, 71, did not live to watch the 2014 World Cup. Rated alongside Pele and

Maradona as among the greatest to have played the game, Portugal’s ‘Black Pearl’ proved his worth at the 1966 World Cup when he was top scorer (9 goals) including a sensational four against North Korea.

Luis Aragones, 75, will be remembered as the architect of the ‘tiki-taka’ style of Spanish football which led his national team to dominate the world and Europe from 2008.

Eusebio He also missed the 2014 World Cup which coincidentally signalled the demise of the Spanish football brand.

Malaysia mourned the passing of their very own football legend Wong Choon Wah who died aged 66. He was the midfield maestro who combined with R Arumugam, Soh Chin Aun and Moktar Dahari in the historic national team which qualified and played in the 1972 Olympic Games.

Bujang Taha He was also among the pioneer batch of Malaysian football players who ventured to play professional football in Hong Kong.

Sarawak and Sabah each lost a beloved sporting son in 2014.

Bujang Taha, who was Mr Asia 1980, remains as one of three Sarawakians to have won that title. He was 77.

Peter Rajah played goalkeeper behind strikers James Wong and Hassan Sani as the Sabahan trio who also donned national colours in the late 1970s and 80s. He was 63.

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2014 TOPSHOTS

1 - A tourist jokes in front of an advertisement with the portrait of Uruguay’s Luis Suarez at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sportswear giant Adidas said it would stop using Luis Suarez, one of its key promotional stars, for World Cup adverts after his four-month ban from football activities for biting Italian Giorgio Chiellini. — AFP photos 2 - Uruguay’s Luis Suarez (left) reacts besides Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in their Group D match at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in June 24.

3 - France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (Front) runs after removing his jersey in the last meters,

on his way to win the Men’s 3000m steeplechase final, ahead of France’s Yoann Kowal (left) during the European Athletics Championships at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on August 14. Benabbad was stripped of his gold medal for his antic.

4 - Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari (right) celebrates with Brazil’s Neymar at the end of the Round of 16 match against Chile at The Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

5 - The car of Caterham-Renault driver Kamui Kobayashi of Japan veers off the track during an accident at the start of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

6 - Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) and Lukas Podolski take a ‘selfie’ after their victory in extra-time in the final against Argentina for the FIFA World Cup at The Maracana Stadium.

7 - US centre DeMarcus Cousins (right) vies with Serbia’s forward Nemanja Bjelica during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships final match at the Palacio de los Deportes in Madrid.

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The Crocs finished a creditable 7th place in the Malaysian Super League.

The Year in Pictures Kuching swept three of four titles at the 45th Sarawak Inter-Division Basketball Championships held at Kota Sentosa Stadium.

5,500 runners from 30 countries competed in the revived Kuching Marathon on Aug 17.

Local volleyball players made Sarawak proud again by retaining the national womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title and third for men.

Squash singles champion Sanjay Singh Chal picked Sarawakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first gold medal at the 2014 Sukma held in Perlis.

Participants at a local race in the fast growing sport of recreational and competitive cycling.

Mohd Aisamuddin Mohd won the Sukma 56kg boxing title on his third try.

16 year-old Norris Foo clocked 25.49s to shatter the state 200m record which had stood for 20 years.

Quek Lee Yong broke the national junior 400m hurdles record with a time of 53.2s.

W

hat do you think about when you start opening your diary to the first day of the year 2015?

That time flies? That you’re glad it’s finally 2015? Perhaps you didn’t even realise we’re already ringing in the new year?

If that’s so, we can bet you have not given much thoughts about new year wishes.

Is it time to ponder over what to achieve this year? Are you a little curious about what some people have wished for? The Borneo Post gathered some new year wishes from people you might recognise and also individuals you don’t know.

From all of us at The Borneo Post, we wish everybody a Happy New Year!

The year 2014 was an unfavorable year for Malaysia due to two incidents involving the national carriers Malaysia Airlines - the disappearance of MH370 on March 8 and the crashing of MH17 on July 17. Both incidents broke the hearts of all Malaysians in particular the families, relatives and friends of the victims.

“Nevertheless, these heartbreaking tragedies have strengthened the unity of all Malaysians. We have witnessed a very close bond between our people standing hand-in-hand to face the challenges and to support each other irrespective of their ethnicity and religious background.

“I believe we have become more resilient and we are better prepared to usher in the year 2015. Lower fuel prices globally would help to reduce the operation cost of the government.

We sincerely hope that the money saved would be channelled for good causes such as providing better infrastructure, public transportation, education and health care to the people that would truly benefit all the people.

“I would like to take this opportunity to offer best wishes and aspirations and may the New Year bring good fortune, health and success to all.”

— Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, president of Federation of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Chinese Associations.

We need the government to enrich us and not to burden us. Fairer and more caring policies have to be implemented, and the national wealth must be distributed fairly to the people as a whole.

“Government contracts should be awarded through open tender, land should be alienated to small estate owners and not only to big companies for agriculture purposes. There should be more allocations for education and religious bodies as well as subsidies to ease the burden of many.

“We also look forward to free bus services and user-friendly public transport, reduced electricity tariff, free tertiary education for all regardless of race to ensure every capable person has an equal chance. Wishing all a prosperous year.”

— Wong King Wei, Padungan assemblyman and chairman of state DAP Socialist Youth.

I wish to see more interactions between the community and the MPP and more sense of responsibility from each and every one of us.

“I hope road users will abide by traffic rules and parking laws, and that there will be less unauthorised constructions and extensions. I also wish to see a more efficient MPP, better motivated workforce through good human resource management.

“It will be even better to see even more united and hardworking Malaysians, who will continue to watch out for and help one another to prosper equally as one loving family. Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year.”

— Lo Khere Chiang, chairman of Padawan Municipal Council (MPP).

I look forward to making a breakthrough in my work while aspiring to publish a wider spectrum of novels. It is also my wish to travel to different countries

in the hope of seeking inspirations.

“I also hope senior members of my family will be in good health. In a global context, I pray for world peace and that everywhere could be free of diseases.”

— Teo Lee Sia, 34, journalistturned-novelist

I rarely give much thoughts about new year wishes or resolutions.

But if I had to wish for something, it would be saving enough money to organise yet another fun trip to Peninsular Malaysia with my friends.

“I am also hoping to achieve a major breakthrough in both cartooning and writing. Of utmost importance, I want to see everyone stay healthy and live in peace and harmony.”

— Teo Lee Wei, 21, cartoonist cum novelist

I hope I can get 7As in the UPSR examinations this year. I want to improve my badminton skills and be better at drawing. I pray for good health and happiness for my family too.”

—Brenda Lim, 11, student

I wish a happy new year to everyone, may the year 2015 bring us all good luck, happiness, peace and most important is love.

“I wish that we continue to have peace and no war, and lastly I would like to thank everyone who has prayed for my daughter Cecilia Juliette’s health.

“The past year 2014 we Malaysians have been through a lot of hard and good times, but I sincerely wish that the missing MH370 will be found soon to give closure to families affected.”

Wishes for a better year ahead W

— Connie Liew, 29, administration executive

My wish for the country is may this new year continue to bring unity and peace to all Malaysians.

Starting this year, living cost will increase and it may be a burden to some people.

But I believe the government will work out plans and programmes to help its people. So do put faith in our government.

“My wish for the world: I wish to see the world be in peace, where there are no more wars, where people can live happily and without fears.

“As for myself, I hope I will be successful in my career and continue to be in good health.”

— Alice Mica, 34, insurance agent.

Throughout the years, I have been through a lot and I have come to realise that the key to have a meaningful life is to have time freedom, good health, and good wealth.

“My wish is to seize the opportunity to live out the meaning of life. I wish everyone will do the same too. Because if we let the opportunity pass us by, feeling

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— Yannik Mohd Anuar, 25, student.

Time is like a flowing river, no water passes beneath your feet twice.

Much like the river, moments never pass you again, so cherish every moment that life gives you and have a wonderful New Year and 2015!

— Olivia Tnay, 22, model, dancer and actress

I wish the new year would bring along more happiness and erase all the pain of the past. May all

succeed in whatever their hearts thrive for and be content with what they have.

— Elle, 24, student

2014 has been a busy and productive year for me.

This year, my career as a broadcaster has been inspirational and I’ve met so many interesting people and gained a lot of experiences which I’m very grateful for.

I was also one of the finalists for the first-ever Anugerah Carta Sapa Juara (produced by WAIfm Iban, RTM Kuching) which was held in Betong on June 21, 2014.

My new single, ‘Enda Nyangka’ just came out and I’m very happy and grateful with the positive response I’ve received.

My new year’s resolutions are to spend more quality time with my family and be the best that I can be as a broadcaster, a singer and as a person.

Happy New Year everyone and may 2014 be your best year ever!

— Jeffrey Jack, 33, radio announcer and Iban singer.

It’s the start of the new year! Besides making New Year’s resolutions, what are you looking forward to this year?

By Jacob Achoi, Eve Sonary Heng, Irene C, Lim How Pim, Jude Toyat, Danielle Sendou Ringgit and Anthony Aga. reporters@theborneopost.com

regret will be too late.”

— Jasmine Wong, 35, piano instructor

My wish is to sell a lot of paintings and to have good health. Good health is the top priority, without it, nothing can be achieved. I also hope to produce more artwork.”

— Melton Kais, 54, artist and teacher

—Elizabeth Octovia, 32, junior supervisor

Like everyone else and like all the years, I continue to wish for continuous good health and hope to have more opportunities to earn better income.

“But my special wish for this new year is that Sarawak will continue to be the example to others where we can live in peace together even though we consist of various races and religions as well as beliefs.

“This is really a treasure that we all should cherish, for the betterment of our children and future generations.”

M I N G O L C

years to come. I am also an avid traveller and off-road enthusiast. I look forward to more travels and meeting new people. The Borneo Safari is something that I am hoping to participate in again as I have great memories of my last outing.

Lastly, I would like to wish to those who celebrate Christmas, a blessed Christmas and a happy new year.

pieces.”

I wish to get more artists to exhibit at Galleria and promotion of arts in general.

And of course, to sell more art

— Irene Lim, art gallery director

For 2015, I hope to be successful in my work.

As I have just started my life journey as a wife, I hope that we will be blessed with good health, and I would be very thankful if we can be blessed with a child this year.”

— Connie Tipong, 27, student management assistant

I wish for a big bonus and promotion for 2015.

But the most important, I want to have good health, anything else comes second.”

— Taib Thomas, 30, marketing assistant

Happy New Year 2015 to my family, my wife and friends. May the year 2015 give you a successful and glorious Happy New Year. A new year, a new start and a new way to go.

— Kerry Edison Edgar, 26, management officer AZAM Sarawak

Best wishes to all my beloved friends and families for an amazing year ahead! May the sunshine of happiness always shine above you and may good luck and good fortune always be with you! Happy New Year 2015 everyone!

— Khairunisa Abdul Kadir, 26, brand executive

Happy new year to families, friends and everyone else. May this year bring great blessings to each one of you. Forgive and forget. An entire water of the sea can’t sink a ship unless it gets

into the ship.

So let us start thinking positively and stay clear out of all the negatives.

— Wendy Laura Sumur, 24, entrepreneur

As this year is ending, I wish all the negativity and difficulties also end with this year and 2015 bring success and desired results for you. Happy New Year to friends and family from all over the place.

— Peter Henry Demong, 25, shirt distributor

Happy New Year to my dearest family and beloved friends. May the upcoming New Year bring you all happiness and prosperity through the days ahead. And don’t forget to fulfil your new year’s resolution, if you have one. Have a blessed New Year!

— John Cornelius, 23, aircraft maintenance personnel

New year is here: make yesterday a sweet memory and hope for a better tomorrow.

Love God, families and friends. Happy New Year 2015!

— Freddy Jimmy, 30, dealer management executive

I have several New Year’s wishes for 2015. Let me break them down into two aspects.

First, as a Malaysian, I hope that Malaysia remains peaceful and harmonious.

Malaysia is a melting pot of various races and cultures and this is truly unique. There are not many places in the world where you can celebrate so many different religious and cultural festivals in such openness and joy.

These festivals allow Malaysians from all walks of life and racial backgrounds to get together to appreciate each other’s cultures and food.

On another note, 2015 will be a challenging year for all Malaysians as the GST will be introduced in April and recently the government announced that fuel subsidies will be removed. These policies may trigger an increase in the cost of living. Therefore it is important for Malaysians to brace themselves for the worst and start spending their money more wisely.

Personally, I will be sitting for my CLP exams (Bar Exams). Through hard work and perseverance I hope to pass them and start my career as a lawyer in the

Richard Soo

Adam Yii

Dennis Yee

John Teo

Melissa Loh

Gearing up for the year of the Sheep

By Cindy Lai reporters@theborneopost.com

MIRI: As the world prepares to welcome 2015, Malaysians too are gearing up for the bashful Year of Sheep, as it is deemed the most anticipated year with GST and many other related issues.

Businessman Richard Soo is expecting a more conservative market to the extent of a slower economy compareed to previous years due to the slow acceptance of GST among Malaysian consumers.

“Months prior to the imposing of GST, rumours had been spreading virally among people. It is no doubt that it could mislead people, particularly pulling all stops to those who might want to buy houses or vehicles,” he shared with The Borneo Post.

However, looking on the brighter side, Soo reminded people to be fully prepared for next year’s economy.

“Surely, there are a lot of expectations towards the economy, with many uncertainties, but let’s keep our fingers crossed that everything will turn out alright,” Soo said.

Meanwhile, the newly elected SUPP Pujut branch chairman Adam Yii has positive expectations of next year.

“Implementing GST shows that Malaysia is heading to a brighter and modern future, whereby the goods and services are taxed in a more transparent way.

“No doubt, for the first couple of years the people need time to adapt to new policy, but it is certainly towards creating a better future for our country and the people,” Yii said.

Yii who is a businessman, also opined that the housing market in Miri, in particularly, could foresee more stability in the year 2015, following the government’s plan to offer affordable housing schemes to lower income families.

“More importantly, unity keeps the people together and with political stability, could attract more foreign investors which leading to better economy and improving the people’s

living quality,” he remarked.

Retiree and volunteer of Tzu Chi Foundation Miri branch, Dennis Yee hopes to see a clean and green Miri City when the city celebrates its 10th anniversary this year (2015).

“There are efforts by individuals who want to make Miri a better and cleaner city.

However, there is even more who neglected the nature treasure. To achieve the noble cause, everyone including the local government, corporate and public agencies must work hand in hand to make it a success,” he said.

John Teo who is the chief operation manager of Meritz Hotel and Bintang Megamall, is looking forward for a more happening year for Miri’s tourism.

For a start, Teo revealed that he has already confirmed that Miri will be hosting five international conferences of which each of them will expect about 1,000 delegates from some 20 countries in around the world to participate in the conference.

“Miri is still a virgin city awaiting to be made known to the outside world. These are just part of the effort to draw in more foreign people. Thus, it is very important to us, Mirians to work very hard to attract people to come visit Miri.

“There are so much to offer Miri, such like its natural resource and beautiful heritage.

Hopefully the whole Miri people could get involve to build up Miri as Resort City,” he said.

President of Zero Strays Miri, Melissa Loh hoped that the government could step in to support their efforts in rescuing and protect the innocent lives.

“In fact, these local breed (Telomian Breed) are as precious as those expensive breeds. Thus, they deserve the equal treatment.”

Adding to this, Loh also urged veterinarians to offer lower rates for their spaying and neutering services, in a bid to decrease and control the animal population.

“Last but not least, we hope that these abandoned animals could find their home with good Samaritans,” she remarked.

There have been a lot of guesses and assumptions made by various parties on what is in store in the coming year. Notably, 2015 is synonymous with the Goods and Service Tax (GST) as the taxation system is scheduled to be implemented effective April 1, 2015.

Although the government had put in effort to convince people that the GST is people-friendly and a lot better compared to its `predecessor’ (Sales and Service Tax), there are those who are skeptical about it. Nevertheless, I prefer to look at things from a positive angle, hence, my hope is that the cost of living will not escalate due to GST and the adoption of managed float system in determining the price of fuel (diesel and RON 95). May 2015 shower us with continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress,” — Erizeanne Anthony, executive (Production) at PETRONAS Carigali Sdn. Bhd., Kerteh, Terengganu.