SULU CLAIM – A SAD, TRAGIC LIE

Sulu claim – A sad, tragic lie

Raymond Tombung

Sabah became the vision of the last gold coin that could win back the possibility of rising again, getting back the worth of a name: the venerable House of Kiram.

23/03/2013: The Sabah claim will continue to be raised by the Phlippines and Sulu as it is powerful and emotive international issue which many leaders from Manila will find convenient to bleed for political mileage. And the many “sultans” in Sulu will continue to cast their hungry eyes at Sabah, considered to be “the last gold coin” and aspire, albeit hopelessly, to try and achieve the impossible.

But Malaysians, especially Sabahans, should be able to give a cogent argument on the issue of this claim and in favour of Sabah.

AS DEMAND FALLS, PENANG PLANTS CUT JOBS AND PRODUCTION

As demand falls, Penang plants cut jobs and production

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 13 ―  Falling global demand has forced Penang factories to freeze hiring, cut production and implement four-day weeks, even as analysts predicted Malaysia’s economy grew slower in the third quarter.

The Malaysian Insider understands that factories in Penang, the country’s main electronics manufacturing hub, have stopped hiring, and are not even replacing those who have retired or resigned.

Many plants have also reduced output to cut costs.

MALAYSIA’S CONSUMER CONFIDENCE SHAKEN BY UNCERTAIN GLOBAL ECONOMY, SURVEY SHOWS

Malaysia’s consumer confidence shaken by uncertain global economy, survey shows

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Consumers in Malaysia are less optimistic this quarter, their confidence rattled by a belief that demand and investments may not be as resilient due to the slowing economy in Europe, North America and China, according to the latest global online consumer confidence findings from Nielsen, a global provider of information into what consumers watch and buy.

Malaysia’s consumer confidence fell six points in the index to 105 in the third quarter of 2012 from 111 three months ago, despite seeing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growing by 5.4 per cent in the second quarter of the year and inflation at its slowest pace in September.

THE LARGEST MARINE PARK IN SEA WILL BE IN SABAH

Largest marine park in SEA soon

CONSERVATION: 1.02m-hectare Tun Mustapha Park may be gazetted by 2016

A group of scientists on their way to a 19-day expedition to Tun Mustapha Park in Kudat, Sabah, recently. Pic courtesy of WWF-Malaysia

KUDAT 19/10/2012: FOLLOWING an expedition and survey, a team of scientists has approved the idea of gazetting a 1.02 million hectare marine park, which covers the waters here to Pulau Banggi.

The 19-day expedition at Tun Mustapha Park last month yielded positive results.

They will propose that the Sabah government gazette the park by 2016, to ensure the conservation of marine life. The park also has the potential to become the largest marine park in Southeast Asia.

THE UNCONTROLLABLE, UNCOMFORTABLE REALITY OF SOCIAL MEDIA

The Uncontrollable, Uncomfortable Reality of Social Media

When I first started consulting clients on social media a number of years ago, most of the companies I encountered were new to the space. But that’s less often the case these days.

Now, most of the clients I work with have been down the social road before, usually with a large firm or agency guiding them. And they hit a roadblock on their journey that they were unable to move past. So, my job is to analyze this roadblock and to remove it.

DEMI KUASA DAN LUBUK MINYAK

Demi kuasa dan lubuk minyak

LIMA pulau gunung berapi dan tiga kawasan berbatu yang membentuk Kepulauan Senkaku menjadi subjek rebutan tiga negara iaitu China, Jepun dan Taiwan. Kawasan tidak berpenghuni berkeluasan tujuh kilometer (km) persegi itu terletak di timur laut Taiwan, timur China dan barat daya Jepun.

Rundingan San Francisco yang dimeterai pada tahun 1951 menyaksikan Kepulauan Nansei Shoto yang sebelum itu dipegang oleh Amerika Syarikat (AS) dipulangkan semula kepada Jepun pada tahun 1971.

TOUGH TO MEET 6-7PC GROWTH TARGET FOR 2012, SAYS HUSNI

Tough to meet 6-7pc growth target for 2012, says Husni

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Malaysia will find it “very tough” to meet Putrajaya’s initial six to seven per cent GDP growth target this year as top trade partners for its export-oriented economy continue to struggle, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Husni Hanadzlah said today.

He told reporters that the government would instead focus on the central bank’s revised target of between four and five per cent, which is lower than the growth of 7.2 per cent and 5.1 per cent in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

“It will definitely affect our growth. Our earlier projection of six to seven per cent will be very tough. The first quarter’s positive trade balance will be affected as export growth will be smaller compared to previous years.

“It will affect our trade but the quantum is not yet known,”

SKUAD ANGKAT BERAT WANITA MELAKAR SEJARAH KE OLIMPIK

Angkat berat wanita ke Olimpik

KUALA LUMPUR - Skuad angkat berat wanita melakar sejarah apabila kerana buat pertama kali bakal mempunyai wakil pada Sukan Olimpik, Julai ini.

Tiket sulung tersebut ditempah menerusi Kejohanan Asia yang melabuhkan tirainya di Pyeongtaek, Korea Selatan semalam.

MENGAPA PROJEK PERUMAHAN SPNB TAMAN SAUJANA KINABALU RANAU LEWAT SIAP?

Taman Saujana Kinabalu

Fred Tuh Yit Yu - Inilah keadaan perumahan di Taman Saujana Kinabalu yang saya andaikan boleh masuk kategori projek terbangkalai sudah. SPNB cakap boleh siap dalam tahun 2009, sekarang sudah masuk 2012... Keadaan masih serupa macam tiada rupa akan siap. Dari PRU 12 sekarang hampir PRU 13 masih gagal disiapkan.

BRUNEI NEGARA KELIMA PALING TERKAYA DI DUNIA HASIL DARI SUMBER MINYAK & GAS ASLI

Brunei kelima terkaya

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 25 Feb. - Brunei Darussalam menduduki tangga kelima senarai 182 negara paling kaya di dunia hasil daripada kekayaan sumber minyak dan gas asli negara itu yang menyumbang pendapatan per kapita sebanyak AS$48,000 (RM144,581).

Menurut majalah Forbes menerusi laporan dalam taliannya, kedudukan negara terkaya di dunia dinilai berdasarkan Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) per kapita yang diselaraskan dengan kuasa beli.

Forbes turut menggunakan data yang dikumpulkan dari Dana Kewangan Antarabangsa (IMF) bermula 2010 hingga yang terbaru.

"Kuasa beli yang disesuaikan dengan KDNK digunakan oleh pakar ekonomi ketika membuat perbandingan antarabangsa kerana ia mengambil kira perbezaan kos sara hidup dan kadar inflasi berbanding hanya membuat perbandingan kadar pertukaran asing yang memutarbelit perbezaan sebenar dalam nilai," lapor majalah itu.

UMS BERSEDIA UNTUK DIAUDIT UNTUK DAPATKAN STATUS AUTONOMI DALAM USAHA MENJADI INSTITUSI BERTARAF DUNIA

UMS sedia untuk status autonomi

KOTA KINABALU Feb 4, 2012: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) bersedia untuk diaudit bagi menentukan kesediaan universiti itu untuk mendapat status autonomi, kata Naib Canselornya Brig Jen Prof Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon.

Beliau berkata, Jawatankuasa Kerja berkaitan juga sedang berusaha membuat persediaan untuk proses audit kesediaan autonomi bagi fasa kedua pada tahun ini.

“Kerajaan telah memutuskan untuk menganugerah status autonomi kepada semua IPTA menjelang 2015 dengan semua IPTA perlu melalui proses pengauditan menjelang tahun terbabit.

GURU YANG PALING JUJUR & AMANAH DI DUNIA?

Guru terkejut akaun bank ada RM30.59 bilion

KOLKATA, India - Seorang guru sebuah sekolah tinggi di sini yang mempunyai gaji bulanan sebanyak AS$700 (RM2,170) terkejut apabila dalam pemeriksaan rutin dalam online yang dibuatnya mendapati akaun banknya mempunyai baki hampir AS$10 bilion (RM31 bilion).

Guru itu, Parijat Saha (gambar), 42, dari bandar Balurghat, negeri Bengal Barat berkata, dia memeriksa akaun Bank Negara India menerusi online pada Ahad lalu untuk mengesahkan penerimaan bayaran faedah sebanyak AS$200 (RM620).

"Saya terkejut melihat jumlah yang terlalu banyak," katanya.

Akaun itu menunjukkan baki sebanyak AS$9.87 bilion (RM30.59 bilion).

KADAR KEMISKINAN TERUS MENINGKAT

Kemiskinan terus meningkat

KUCHING: Kadar kemiskinan dijangka terus meningkat, kata Menteri Kebajikan, Wanita dan Pembangunan Keluarga Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.

Menurutnya, perkara tersebut adalah ekoran daripada keadaan ekonomi global dan peningkatan kos sara hidup di negara ini.

 “Sabah, Sarawak dan Kelantan merupakan negeri yang mencatat kadar kemiskinan tertinggi dan dijangkakan kadar kemiskinan pada tahun ini (2011) akan terus meningkat berikutan keadaan ekonomi global yang sudah berubah dan kos sara hidup yang semakin tinggi seperti harga makanan dan sebagainya,” katanya.

DIVERS FIND WRECK OF DUTCH WWII SUB OFF BORNEO

Divers find wreck of Dutch WWII sub off Borneo

Dutch World War II submarine HR. MS. KXVI

THE HAGUE Oct 26, 2011: Sport divers off the northern coast of Borneo have discovered the wreck of a Dutch World War II submarine, missing for the past 70 years, the Dutch defence ministry said Monday.

AKTIVIS PENCETUS GELOMBANG REVOLUSI ARAB MUNGKIN DAPAT HADIAH NOBEL KEAMANAN TAHUN INI

Revolusi Arab mungkin dapat Hadiah Nobel

OSLO - Aktivis yang membantu mencetuskan gelombang revolusi di Timur Tengah dan Afrika Utara semasa kebangkitan rakyat di rantau itu mungkin akan dipilih sebagai penerima Hadiah Nobel Keamanan tahun ini.

Bekas Timbalan Menteri Luar Norway, Jan Egeland berkata, beliau yakin jawatankuasa Nobel tahun ini mahu menyentuh isu antarabangsa terbesar yang menepati definisi keamanan lebih luas.

“Secara logiknya, anugerah Nobel mungkin diberikan kepada revolusi Arab kerana tiada detik lain yang lebih penting berlaku dalam tempoh itu,”

SUPERCOMPUTER PREDICTS REVOLUTION

Supercomputer predicts revolution

Sentiment mining showed a sharp change in tone around Egypt ahead of President Mubarak's ousting

Feeding a supercomputer with news stories could help predict major world events, according to US research.

A study, based on millions of articles, charted deteriorating national sentiment ahead of the recent revolutions in Libya and Egypt.

While the analysis was carried out retrospectively, scientists say the same processes could be used to anticipate upcoming conflict.

The system also picked up early clues about Osama Bin Laden's location.

Kalev Leetaru, from the University of Illinois' Institute for Computing in the Humanities, Arts and Social Science, presented his findings in the journal First Monday.

MALAYSIA'S Q2 ECONOMIC GROWTH MODERATES TO 4.0 PER CENT

Malaysia's Q2 Economic Growth Moderates To 4.0 Per Cent

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The pace of growth of Malaysia's economy moderated to 4.0 per cent in the second quarter this year from a revised growth of 4.9 per cent in the first quarter due to weaker external conditions and slower growth in public sector spending, Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, said Wednesday.

She said disruptions in the global manufacturing supply chain arising from the disaster in Japan and overall weakness in demand in advanced economies led to a slowdown in manufacturing, which grew by only 2.1 per cent.

DUNIA AKAN BERDEPAN KRISIS HUTANG LEBIH BAHAYA?

Dunia berdepan krisis hutang lebih bahaya: Bank Dunia

SYDNEY: Ketua Bank Dunia semalam memberi amaran, ekonomi global berdepan dengan ancaman “baru dan lebih berbahaya” ketika Eropah dilanda krisis hutang.

Robert Zoellick berkata, isu hutang yang membelenggu Eropah jauh lebih sukar berbanding masalah “jangka sederhana dan panjang” yang memperlihatkan taraf bebas kredit AS diturunkan pada minggu lalu.

“Kita berada di peringkat awal ribut baru dan berbeza. Ia tidak sama seperti apa yang berlaku pada 2008,” katanya merujuk kepada krisis kewangan global ketika itu.

INTERNET EXPLORER USERS HAVE LOWER IQ?

Internet Explorer users have lower IQ says study

Does your choice of browser determine intelligence?

Internet Explorer users have a lower than average IQ, according to research by Consulting firm AptiQuant.

The study gave web surfers an IQ test, then plotted their scores against the browser they used.

IE surfers were found to have an average IQ lower than people using Chrome, Firefox and Safari. Users of Camino and Opera rated highest.

The report has sparked anger from IE supporters, who have threatened AptiQuant with legal action.

Researchers gave over 100,000 web surfers a free online IQ test. Scores were stored in a database along with each person's web browser data.

The results suggested that Internet Explorer surfers had an average IQ in the low eighties. Chrome, Firefox and Safari rated over 100, while minority browsers Opera and Camino had an "exceptionally higher" score of over 120.

AptiQuant stressed that using IE doesn't mean you have low intelligence. "What it really says is that if you have a low IQ then there are high chances that you use Internet Explorer," said AptiQuant CEO Leonard Howard.

The findings have been treated with scepticism by Professor David Spiegelhalter of Cambridge University's Statistical Laboratory: "They've got IE6 users with an IQ of around eighty. That's borderline deficient, marginally able to cope with the adult world.

"I believe these figures are implausibly low - and an insult to IE users."

However, Mr Howard said he didn't feel threatened by a lawsuit: "A win in a court would only give a stamp of approval and more credibility to our report."

WARGA EMAS DIHALAU, DITUMBUK KELUARGA SENDIRI

Warga emas dihalau, ditumbuk keluarga sendiri

KUALA KUBU BHARU 18 Mac – Selama 18 tahun, Wong Soo Tian (gambar) sanggup merantau ke Indonesia bekerja di beberapa kem pembalakan di tengah hutan belantara semata-mata mahu mencari rezeki untuk menyara isteri dan tiga anak tercinta.

Sepanjang tempoh tersebut, Soo Tian tidak pernah melupakan tanggungjawab sebagai suami dan bapa apabila setiap bulan mengirim wang untuk perbelanjaan keluarga, malah sentiasa mencari kesempatan pulang ke tanah air menjenguk mereka jika ada kelapangan.

Namun, Soo Tian kini berusia 81 tahun tidak menyangka akan dibuang oleh isteri dan anak-anak selepas bersara hanya kerana mereka enggan menjaga dirinya yang sudah tua.

Lebih malang, lelaki warga emas ini bukan sahaja tidak dibenarkan tinggal di rumah sendiri di Kampung Chong 5, Rasa di sini, malah turut ditumbuk dan diugut bunuh oleh anak sulungnya semasa merayu untuk menumpang berteduh di situ, petang semalam.

Soo Tian ketika ditemui di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Hulu Selangor di sini hari ini memberitahu, sebelum kejadian beliau menumpang di rumah saudaranya.