Foul play: Who actually at fault?

THE issue of foul play in the May 16 Sibu by-election is hotly debated by DAP and SUPP leaders as well as other BN’s component parties including the president of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Dato Sr Dr James Masing Jemut.

The latest was when DAP State Assemblyman for Kota Sentosa Chong Chieng Jen advised Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh to stop telling lies and giving unbelievable excuses for SUPP’s loss in Sibu by-election.

Chong has asked Soon Koh to accept the fact that BN has failed the people after 47 years.

In a press statement, Chong said it has become blatantly obvious that SUPP is still clueless why BN lost the Sibu by-election, for they have clearly lost touch with the needs and interests of the voters.

In his winding up speech in the Sarawak State Assembly, Sooon Koh the Second Finance Minister made a litany of baseless and unbelievable accusations against the DAP.

But Chong said Soon Koh made no attempt to understand the fact that the people of Sibu has had enough of the decades of abuse, cronyism and corruption by the Barisan Nasional state government.

Chong further said that Soon Koh made the laughable claim that the DAP is now extremely rich for flying over hundreds of campaigners to Sibu to assist in the recent Sibu by-election.

“We would like to inform him (Soon Koh) that almost all DAP campaigners, be they Members of Parliament, State Assemblymen or ordinary members, took care of their own expenses without burdening the party,” he pointed out.

In addition, to save expenses, most of them stayed either with party members in Sibu or in low-budget hotels, he added.

“Unlike Barisan Nasional leaders, we do not fly first class, nor stay at 5-star hotels which are paid for by the federal or state government, under the pretext of carrying out their government duties, despite obviously campaigning for the SUPP candidate,” he stated.

Chong further highlighted that despite having nearly full control over the 3Ms, money, media and machinery, Wong Soon Koh has the cheek to accuse DAP of employing “dirty tactics” to win the Sibu by-election.

Despite Soon Koh claims, Chong said the SUPP leader has provided absolutely no evidence of foul play to date. On the other hand, according Chong it was BN which has handed out cash liberally to voters in order to entice votes.

“The DAP has consistently based our campaign on the fact that the State BN leaders have overstayed their welcome, that cronyism, corruption and nepotism are rampant in BN and that SUPP has failed to defend the key tenet of Sarawak’s 18-point agreement to join Malaysia, the guarantee of freedom of religion. Are these dirty tactics or are these the ugly truth that BN leader refuse to admit?” he asked.

Pointing out that it was ridiculous Soon Koh had also accused DAP of intimidation tactics to scare voters from voting resulting in the very low turnout of 59.8%.

“Soon Koh must be joking for DAP has neither the ability or the power to intimidate, but are instead victims of intimidation and injustice as BN has full control over the Election Commission and the police force.

“What is worse is that Wong Soon Koh is basing his claim on a wrong piece of information provided by the EC that the turnout is only 59.8% when in actual fact, the EC has already corrected this figure to 70% voter turnout, which is higher than the last general elections in 2008,” he said.

He said Soon Koh should admit that the BN’s defeat in Sibu is caused by the ineffectiveness of SUPP in BN, the oppressive policies of BN and the rampant corruption, nepotism and cronyism of BN.

“The denial syndrome that BN has failed the people of Sibu and Sarawak will only result in a bigger loss for BN come the next state elections in Sarawak,” he concluded.

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Gadis dari Mukah yang ditahan pihak berkuasa Indonesia selamat pulang

KUCHING: Seorang gadis bawah umur, Steffanie Liana anak Langka, 15, dari Mukah

selamat pulang ke Sarawak pagi ini selepas menempuh pelbagai pengalaman pahit

ketika ditahan oleh pihak berkuasa Indonesia kerana memasuki negara tersebut

secara tidak sah.

Steffanie atau nama Islamnya Liana Abdullah berasal dari Rumah Nangkai Nanga

Maga Mukah dikatakan mengikut "suaminya" Tohri Jadi Jaya, 22, ke Lombok Timur 26

Mac lalu selepas mereka dikahwinkan secara Islam oleh seorang rakan Tohri di

rumah panjang tempat Liana tinggal 10 Oktober tahun lalu.

Selepas hidup bersama Steffanie bersetuju dengan pelawaan Tohri untuk ke Lombok atas sebab untuk memperkenalkannya dengan keluarga Tohri di sana.

Bagaimanapun, apabila sampai di sana dia berhadapan dengan pelbagai

kesukaran hidup.

Steffanie tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) pada 1 pagi

dan tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuching (KIA) jam 9 pagi dengan ditemani

oleh Pengerusi Biro Aduan Komuniti Pemuda UMNO Datuk Muhd Khairun Aseh sebelum

meneruskan penerbangan ke Sibu petang ini.

Katanya, dia berkahwin dengan Tohri, pemandu jengkaut di sebuah ladang di

Mukah hanya selepas tiga hari berkenalan dan perkahwinan tersebut mendapat restu

daripada neneknya.

Steffanie yang kini mengandung lima bulan bagaimanapun berkata dia masih lagi

sayangkan suaminya namun buat masa sekarang dia hanya mahu tinggal bersama

keluarga di kampung dan terpulang kepada suaminya untuk datang ke Sarawak

selepas ini.

Sementara itu, Muhd Khairun berkata. Liana yang tidak mempunyai dokumen

peribadi yang lengkap berjaya dibawa balik ke Malaysia dengan kerjasama Jabatan

Imigresen Indonesia dan Kedutaan Malaysia yang mengeluarkan Pas Perakuan Cemas.

Katanya, pada 27 Mac lalu ibu Liana, Dimah anak Ingai telah membuat laporan

polis di Sibu mengatakan anaknya dilarikan ke Indonesia.

Berikutan itu pihaknya dengan kerjasama Pemuda Parti Rakyat Sarawak telah

berhubung dengan Interpol dan Polis Republik Indonesia (POLRI) untuk mengesan

Liana.

"Dengan kerjasama Interpol dan POLRI kami berjaya mengesan Liana sebelum

membawanya ke Jakarta untuk dibawa balik ke Malaysia," katanya.

Menurut Muhd Khairun, mengikut Akta Imigresen Indonesia, Liana boleh

dipenjara enam bulan dan denda kerana memasuki negara tersebut secara haram.

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Wan Junaidi mahu tindakan tegas untuk bela nasib dua beradik

KUCHING: Timbalan Speaker Dewan Rakyat Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar mahu pihak berkuasa mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap pihak yang bertanggungjawab menjadikan dua adik beradik pekerja paksaan tanpa dibayar walaupun sesen gajinya.

"Masyarakt antarabangsa akan mengeji kita jika kita tidak membendung masalah ini daripada berleluasa di negara ini," kata beliau yang diminta mengulas dakwaan dua adik beradik yang mendakwa mereka dipaksa bekerja di sebuah kilang membuat roti di Puchong, Selangor selama 15 tahun tanpa dibayar upah.

Dua adik-beradik terbabit, Simon Bangan, 31, dan Radin Bangan, 30, dari kampung Antayan Kropok, Serian sebelum ini bekerja di kilang roti berkenaan selepas dijanjikan pendapatan lumayan sebanyak RM2,000 seorang oleh seorang ejen pekerjaan.

Simon dan Radin memberitahu bahawa mereka telah dijanjikan upah bulanan sebanyak RM2,000 oleh seorang ejen yang bertanggungjawab membawa mereka ke bekerja di kilang yang terletak di Puchong, Selangor tanpa kebenaran ibu bapa mereka.

Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar yang meluahkan rasa simpati beliau terhadap mangsa yang diperlakukan sebegitu rupa berkata: "Kejadian seperti ini amat memalukan kerana perbuatan yang tidak bertamadun seperti ini boleh menjejaskan imej negara kita di mata dunia.

Sehubungan itu, beliau mahu pihak berkuasa bertindak membawa mereka yang bertanggungjawab memperlakukan dua adik beradik itu sedemikian rupa dihadapkan ke muka pengadilan.

Sambil menyifatkan perbuatan itu tidak berperikemanusiaan, beliau mahu mereka yang bertanggungjawab itu dikenakan hukuman setimpal dengan perbuatan yang dilakukan.

Wan Junaidi berkata, perkara seperti itu seharusnya diberi perhatian sepenuhnya bagi mengelakkan penganiayaan terhadap kedua adik-beradik itu berulang di masa depan.

"Bayangkan sepanjang tempoh 15 tahun tidak pernah keluar untuk melihat perubahan dunia dan bertapa seksanya mereka di tempat itu dan diperhambakan untuk bekerja setiap hari tanpa cuti.

Katanya, amat menyedihkan kerana masih ada segelintir masyarakat di negara ini mengamalkan bersikap tidak bertamadun sambil berkata mangsa berhak menerima pampasan yang sewajarnya dengan tempoh perkhidmatan mereka di kilang terbabit.

Mereka mendakwa dipaksa bekerja dari jam 8 pagi sehingga 5 petang, dan berhenti rehat untuk makan malam dan kemudiannya meneruskan kerja sehingga jam 10 malam.

Katanya, mereka juga dipaksa bekerja semasa cuti umum dan selama tempoh 15 tahun kami tidak pernah bercuti walaupun sehari.

Dua beradik itu kembali ke Kuching pada 12 Februari lepas, iaitu sebelum sambutan Tahun Baru Cina.

Tambang kapal terbang mereka telah dibayar oleh majikan dan apabila mereka meminta gaji, mereka hanya diberi 'ang pau' bernilai RM500.

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Two brothers force to work like slaves

KUCHING: Two brothers - Iban from Kampung Antayan Kropok, Serian claimed that they we forced to work like slaves in a dumpling factory in Puchong Selangor for 15 years without receiving their pay.

Radin Bagan, 31, and his younger sibling Simon, 30, are now back in Kuching to be reunited with their family in their village.

Yesterday afternoon accompanied by State Assemblyman for Padungan Dominque Ng, their father and an uncle lodged a police report at the Central Police Station here.

Radin and Simon claimed that they accepted the job at the alleged factory after being promised lucrative RM2,000 monthly salary each by an agent in Kuching.

They claimed both never being paid their salaries since working in the alleged factory for 15 years.

They were never allowed to go out from their hostel located within the factory premises for shopping and sightseeing although they were provided with proper meal.

Their working hours at the factory is from 8 am to 5pm, and will take their meal break before continuing their works until 10 pm.

They also worked during public holidays, claiming that they never take any leave during the 15 years.

However the two never attempted to run away unlike their other workers.

According to Radin, there are seven workers working in the factory – three Chinese, two Bidayuh plus he and his brother.

Their father Bangan Jelian, 60, went to look his two children in 2007 but didn’t have the opportunity to see them.

Radin and Simon were sent home in February this year with only RM500 ‘ang pau’ each. Their employer booked the air tickets for them.

They had also reported the case to the Labour Department but the hearing was due today in Selangor.

Ng said he would be assisting the two and asked the Labour Department there to postpone the case and bring the case to be heard in Sarawak as the abduction took place in Serian.

Ng called on the police to carry out a proper investigation and charged the agent who took them away and the owner of the factory for criminal charges.

He had also approached Selangor PR government to assist them after contacting YB Elizabeth Wong and YB Dr. Xavier Jayakumar.

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Dua beradik dakwa 'diperhampa' selama 15 tahun

KUCHING : Dua beradik berketurunan Iban dari Kampung Antayan Kropok, Serian dan dua Bidayuh dari Sarawak dipercayai dipaksa bekerja tanpa menerima sebarang gaji di sebuah kedai membuat roti (kuih pau) di Puchong, Selangor.

Nasib mereka yang bagaikan hamba itu didedahkan dua adik beradik itu pada sidang akhbar bersama Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Padungan, Dominique Ng semalam.

Radin Bangan dan adiknya Simon mendakwa mereka dijadikan ‘hamba’ selama 15 tahun semasa bekerja di sebuah kilang roti di Puchong, Selangor tanpa dibayar walaupun sesen gaji.

Radin dan Simon berkata, mereka dibawa bekerja di kilang tersebut selepas dijanjikan pendapatan lumayan RM2,000 seorang oleh seorang ejen pekerjaan dari Kuching.

Mereka mendakwa setiap kali mereka meminta upah, bos mereka akan mempersoalkan kenapa mereka perlu meminta banyak wang.

Mereka juga mendakwa tidak pernah keluar dari asrama pekerja kilang tersebut yang menempatkan tujuh pekerja termasuk mereka berdua, tetapi mengaku diberi makan dan minum yang mencukupi selain tempat tinggal yang selesa .

Katanya, mereka dipaksa bekerja dari jam 8 pagi sehingga 5 petang, dan berhenti rehat untuk makan malam dan kemudiannya meneruskan kerja sehingga jam 10 malam.

Malah semasa cuti umum dan selama tempoh 15 tahun mereka tidak pernah bercuti walaupun sehari.

Bagaimanapun, mereka berkata tidak pernah bertindak melarikan diri dari asrama pekerja yang didiami seperti rakan-rakan mereka yang lain.

Jelas mereka, hanya terdapat tujuh orang pekerja di kilang terbabit, iaitu tiga Cina, dua Bidayuh dan mereka dua beradik.

Mereka menarik nafas lega apabila berpeluang meraikan perayaan Gawai Dayak bersama keluarga mereka di kampung pada 1 Jun ini.

Ayah kepada dua beradik itu, Bangan Jelian, 60, berkata pernah cuba untuk pergi berjumpa dengan anak-anaknya dalam tahun 2007, namun gagal menjumpai mereka.

Katanya, beliau hanya dibenarkan bercakap kepada pengurus kilang terbabit.

Bangan, bagaimanapun diberitahu agar tidak terlalu risau dan kemudiannya diarah beredar dari kilang tersebut.

Dua beradik itu kembali ke Kuching pada 12 Februari lepas, iaitu sebelum sambutan Tahun Baru Cina.

Tambang kapal terbang mereka telah dibayar oleh majikan dan apabila mereka meminta gaji, mereka hanya diberi 'ang pau' bernilai RM500.

Semalam, ditemani Dominique Ng, mereka membuat laporan polis di Balai Polis Sentral di sini.

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Taib dakwa negara 'lingkup' jika DAP berkuasa

KETUA Menteri Sarawak Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud yang menyambut ulang tahun hari jadi beliau hari ini berkata, Malaysia boleh menjadi 'lingkup' jika DAP memerintah negara ini.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta oleh pemberita di Kuching untuk mengulas dakwaan DAP yang mengatakan kerajaan BN korup.

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Another DAP's reprsentative expected to be suspended

AFTER DAP's Chong Cheng Jen and PKR's Dominque Ng was suspended from attending the State Legislative Assembly sittings for a period of one year effecting last Wednesday, another DAP's elected representative is expected to face the same punishment.

Meradong assemblywoman Ting Tze Fui was referred to the legislative assembly’s Privileges Committee for failing to withdraw her allegations against the government outside the proceedings.

Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said Ting had committed a breach of privilege by violating Standing Order 32 (6) for alleging that millions and millions of ringgit were unaccounted for, during a debate on the state budget on Nov 12, last year.

A motion tabled by Wong during the State Lagislative Assembly sitting today was approved by the members from the BN's coalition.

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Pengantungan ADUN PKR dan DAP dikutuk

Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Padungan Dominque Ng (PKR) dan ADUN Sentosa Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) digantung daripada menghadiri persidangan DUN selama sebulan berkuat kuasa Rabu lalu.

Ia keputusan dan tindakan yang mendapat kritikan hebat di kalangan rakyat Sarawak. Ramai berpendapat tindakan itu terlalu keras.

"Kalau pengantungan enam bulan itu munasah dan boleh diterima rakyat," kata seorang ahli politik tempatan.

Sementara Khamis lalu, Ng yang cuba untuk memasuki pekarangan Bangunan Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak dihalang sehingga berlaku pergelutan antara Ng dan pengawal keselamatan.

Ia satu lagi tindakan yang dianggap tidak perlu kerana Ng bukannya datang untuk menghadiri persidangan sebagai anggota DUN, tetapi sekadar mahu berada di galeri awam untuk mengikuti perjalanan persidangan.

Pengerusi PKR Negeri, Baru Bain pada persidangan akhbar hari ini mengutuk pengantungan Ng dan Chong itu.

Menurut Baru, tindakan itu seperti kerajaan cuba menghukum parti pembangkang tetapi dalam yang sama dianggap satu perbuatan untuk menafikan suara dan perwakilan rakyat.

Sementara itu, Baru berkata PKR akan membuat laporan kepada Suruhanjaya Anti Rasuah Malaysia (MACC) terhadap Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun atas tuduhan cuba merasuahkan pengundi di Rejang Park pada malam sebelum pilihan raya kecil kerusi Parlimen pada 16 Mei lalu.

Baru berkata, ucapan Perdana Menteri yang berbunyi “Let’s make a deal. You help me, I help you,” (Mari kita buat perjanjian. Anda bantu saya, saya bantu anda) adalah sesuatu yang tidak seharus berlaku.

Beliau mendakwa pilihan raya kecil itu penuh dengan kejadian dan perbuatan yang bertentangan dengan undang-undang pilihan raya, ditambah pula dengan taktik kotor BN.

Baru menambah, apa yang amat dikesali ialah berlaku undi pos berlebihan serta kelewatan yang berlaku ketika penjumlahan undi pos.

Sementara itu, pemimpin-pemimpin BN Sarawak menyifatkan tindakan Ng yang cuba memasuki kawasan Bangunan DUN sehingga berlaku pergelutan antara beliau dan pengawal keselamatan Bangunan DUN sebagai publisiti murahan yang cuba untuk mendapat perhatian ramai.

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Molesting pupils: Teacher arrested and remanded

A teacher alleged molested five pupils in a primary school in Sungai Bunyan, Dalat was arrested and produced in the Majistret Court in Sibu today.

The court ordered the teacher to be remanded to facilitate police investigation into the case.

The Science teacher who had been teaching Science in the school for the last ten years was alleged to have molested a Primary Five and four Primary Six pupils in the lab of the school.

The teacher is married and stayed at the school’s quarters with his pregnant wife.

It was alleged that one of the pupils was raped but medical reports showed that none of the students were raped but molested.

The victims who were all staying in hostels reported the matter to a teacher who alerted the children’s parents. The report on the alleged molest was lodged at the Sibu Central Police Station by the five pupil accompanied by the school’s headmaster.

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SUPP defeat in Sibu and risk losing in the Bidayuh areas

Although it was only a by-election defeat but it was a serious setback for the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and the Barisan Nasional.

Newspapers reports and comments from the BN leaders all mentioned that it was a small majority for DAP candidate Wong Ho Leng.

But let us all accept the fact that it was not just a 398 votes majority that DAP candidate polled but 3, 633 votes. Remember that in the 2008 general election DAP lost by 3,235 votes. So in the just concluded by-election DAP won with 398 votes and at the same time was able to win back the 3,235 votes it lost to BN in 2008 election. Thus, with 3,235 votes the party won back plus 398 votes majority in the May 16 by-election meaning DAP has won 3,633 votes back from BN. Isn’t it bigger that the majority BN won in 2008 general election?

DAP’s victory in May 16 by-election should be taken seriously by BN’s leadership especially SUPP and the State Government.

The government has to realise that even with massive injection of money worth almost half a-billion ringgit and the promise of more to come for various development projects and other goodies pledged, BN still lost in the by-election.

Robert Lau Hui Yew secured 18,477 votes as against Wong Ho Leng 18,845 votes in one of the most hotly contested by-election.

The May 16 by-election was held after the death of Robert Lau Hoi Chew on April 9.

Many including BN strongman agreed that the defeat it is a serious setback for the BN especially for SUPP.

“It’s just to show that SUPP is no more popular among the people. The party will be finished in the coming State general election,” said a political observer who has been critical about SUPP.

More bitter especially after all federal ministers including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin put their hearts into the campaign.

BN leadership especially SUPP must be wondering what went wrong with their campaigns, their promises and their policies. Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has said it was the wrong campaign strategies that caused the defeat.

There was also report in national newspapers saying that Taib and his administration have been one of the core issues so much so that Taib appeared to be a liability.

It was also said that Najib had advised Taib not to campaign in the town areas, otherwise more Chinese would vote for DAP.

DAP has accused Taib’s politics of development as “politics of discrimination, nepotism and corruption”.

The policy on land and NCR land, the awarding of timber concessions and government contracts were examples of injustice and unfairness. And even Wisma Sanyan – the tallest building in town, which Taib’s brother owns – also became an issue.

And SUPP, being part of the government, is also to be blamed for the discriminatory policies in particular against the ordinary Chinese, while the wealthy and influential Chinese became richer.

It was also reported that the Ibans in the rural areas were badly affected by these policies. The lack of infrastructure, the absence of clean water and electricity supply in some of the 110 longhouses were examples of neglect.

The rejection especially among the Chinese voters in Sibu is an eye-opener for both the Iban and the Bidayuh or even the Orang Ulu. More troubles is expected to come for SUPP in the next State election.

The Bidayuh began to show their protest against SUPP even before the Sibu by-election when they demanded the Chairmanship of the Padawan Municpal Council (MPP) and the deputy minister post left vacant by the late Datuk Robert Lau to be given to the community.

SUPP is at risk losing the three constituencies (two State and one Parliament) in the Bidayuh area if the party leaders ignored the Bidayuh demand this time.

The two State seats under SUPP are Bengoh and Opar and Serian parliamentary seat.

More that three decades the Bidayuh has been neglected by SUPP. The party and its leaders did not do enough for the BIdayuh in its constituencies and that was why still many villages are still without the basic facilities like clean treated water supply, electricity and good roads.

The YBs in SUPP has been complaining that nothing much that they can do as their requests and suggestions are not being heard by the top leadership of the party.

In Penrissen, for example although just about 40 kilometres away from the city the villagers after Kampung Bratan at Mile 14 Jalan Puncak Borneo are still without clean treated water supply. The same happen to many villagers in Opar constituency and Serian Parliamentary constituency.

On electricity supply, still many Bidayuh villages are living without it. In this modern world of ICT, almost all the Bidayuh villages are still without the telephone lines. Luckily they have the wireless telecommunication facilities which enable the villagers to use their mobile phones.

But sadly most Bidayuh in their village are not accessible to internet because the broad band coverage is not up to satisfaction.

As such the Bidayuh will say “No To SUPP” in the coming State election, which is less than a year from now unless SUPP change and take good care of the Bidayuh.

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Ho Leng's victory speech

One small step in winning Sibu Parliamentary seat is one big step in winning power in Petrajaya, and a giant step forward in winning power in Putrajaya, said DAP Sarawak Chairman, Wong Ho Leng in his winning speech last night.

Ho Leng won the Sibu Parliamentary by-election yesterday with a narrow majority of 308 votes.

He polled 18,845 votes against Barisan Nasional’s Robert Lau Hui Yew who garnered 18,447 votes.

Independent candidate Narawi Haron only obtained 232 votes and lost his RM10,000 deposit.

“Change we can. Tonight, the people of Sibu has created history. Together we won an election that was deemed impossible just a week ago, against the full brunt of the Barisan Nasional money and government machinery.

“It is a miracle that we created together. Forever, the history of Malaysia will remember 16th May 2010 as the begining of the awakening of Sarawak, and Sibu as the bastion of hope for all Malaysians,” said Ho Leng.

“From now on, no one will take us – the people of Sarawak – for granted. The victory is not just a victory for DAP. It is a victory for the people of Sibu, Sarawak and Malaysia,” he added.

He thanked all voters of Sibu for making that bold and historic decision.

“Let me assure you that I will serve all voters of Sibu, regardless of whether you have voted for me or not. And I will speak up for all fellow Malaysians to bring about fundamental change for Sarawak and Malaysia,” he further said.

Finally he thanked all DAP members and leaders, partners in Pakatan Rakyat and all volunteers who worked tirelessly for this by-election.

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SIBU BY-ELECTION RESULT

OFFICIAL RESULT

Wong Ho Leng (DAP) :18,845
Robert Lau Hui Yew (BN) : 18, 447
Narawi Haron (Independent) : 232
Majority : 398
Total registered voters: 53,679
Chinese : 60%
Iban : 18%
Malay/Melanau: 20%
Others: 0.9%
Turnout:32,742

2008 ELECTION RESULT

Robert Lau Choi Chew (BN-SUPP): 19,138 VOTES
Wong Ho Leng (DAP) : 15,903 votes
Lim Chin Chuang (PKR) : 812 votes Votes
Majority : 3,235

DAP WON SIBU BY-ELECTION

DAP candidate Wong Ho Leng has won the Sibu Parliamentary by-election beating BN candidate Robert Lau Hui Yew and Independent candidate Narawi Haron with a majority of 398 votes.
Ho Leng, DAP Sarawak chairman garnered 18,845 votes while Robert Lau 18,447 votes. Narawi only managed 232 votes and lost his deposit.
The result was a surprise one and really a shameful one for BN. The efforts by all their big guns from the peninsula together with hundred millions of funds and allocations threw during the campaign did not help BN to retain the seat. The by-election was held following the demised of the incumbent Robert Lau Choi Chew.

Pengerusi SPR salahkan PR timbul kekecohan

PENGERUSI Suruhanjaya Pihan Raya (SPR) Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof menyalahkan Pakatan Rakyat (PR), yang didakwa beliau telah membawa budaya politik yang tidak sihat ke Sibu sehingga menimbulkan sedikit kekecohan semasa kempen pilihan raya kecil kerusi Parlimen Sibu.

Kenyataan beliau itu bagaimanapun tidak disenangi menyokong-penyokong PR yang meminta beliau siasat dahulu siapa yang memulakan kekecohan.

Sementara itu, Abdul Aziz berkata, SPR akan membuat siasatan terperinci untuk mengetahui punca jumlah pengundi keluar mengundi agak rendah pada pilihan raya kecil itu.

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Taib announced revised rates of land premium

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib during his round of campaign in Sibu on Friday night has announced a revision of rates to premiums for renewal of land leases for residential, commercial and agriculture purposes effective June 1, 2010.

Below are the revised rates:

Title renewal’s premium rates for land used for residential purposes will be:
(a) RM1,000 per unit of terraced house;
(b) RM3,000 per unit
(semi-detached house); and
(b) RM6,000 per unit (detached house).

Land use for commercial buildings will be:-
(a) in primary towns are rated at RM40,000 per unit;
(b) secondary towns (RM20,000 per unit); and
(c) rural towns (RM10,000 per unit).

Agriculture usage:
(a) RM5,000 per acre in town land,
(b)RM2,500 per acre (suburban land); and
(d) RM200 per acre (country land).

Taib said the rates are lowest compared to all other states in Malaysia.

"I doubt Penang will be able to come up with better rates than this, so if they cannot do it, its better for them to keep quiet and look for ways to contribute to the development of Sarawak,” said Taib.

Land premium and land lease has been the issue raised by DAP since the last State General Election, which helped the party to win eight seats.

This time they raised it again in their series of campaigns.

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