Cukup-Cukuplah Rakyat Sabah Tertipu!

Siapapun calon dari pihak BN pada PRU14 dan seterusnya, asal saja calon parti yang bersekongkol/bersubahat/bekerjasama dengan parti penjajah (BN-UMNO/PR(PH)), kita tetap tolak dan tentang habis-habisan! Sekali lagi, kita mesti tolak dan tentang habis-habisan!

Kita sudah 52 tahun (1963-2015) diperintah, diperalat, dimanipulasi, dipermainkan dan ditindas oleh "penjajah" (Persekutuan Tanah Melayu) yang sebenarnya bertopengkan nama "Persekutuan Malaysia".

• Cukup-cukuplah penjajahan Malaya itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah kita ditipu dalam IGC 1962, Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 dan Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia 1963!
• Cukup-cukuplah Sabah ditipu dalam Memorandum 20 Perkara!
• Cukup-cukuplah Sabah ditipu dalam Perjanjian Minyak 1976!
• Cukup-cukuplah Sabah ditipu dalam Pindaan Perlembagaan Negeri Sabah 1994!
• Cukup-cukuplah kekayaan Sabah dirompak atas nama "Persekutuan Malaysia" dan "Kerajaan Pusat"!
• Cukup-cukuplah tanah Sabah dirampas, tanah NCR dirampas!
• Cukup-cukuplah 'Orang Asal Sabah' menjadi pelarian dan pengemis di bumi sendiri!
• Cukup-cukuplah hak-hak, kuasa dan maruah Negara Bangsa Sabah dicabul!
• Cukup-cukuplah kebanjiran Warga Asing /PTI itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah Projek IC itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah Projek Sijil Lahir itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah Projek Pengundi Hantu itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah Kewarganegaraan Songsang itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah orang Sabah diperkuda, diperalat, dieksploitasi!
• Cukup-cukuplah orang Sabah dipecah-belahkan, dilaga-lagakan!
• Cukup-cukuplah penyakit perkauman dan ekstremisme agama yang Malaya bawa ke Sabah!
• Cukup-cukuplah Malaya rampas hak-hak perkhidmatan dan perjawatan di Sabah!
• Cukup-cukuplah Malaya membawa agensi-agensi/jabatan-jabatan Persekutuan Malaya ke Sabah!
• Cukup-cukuplah Malaya mencampuri hal-ehwal politik Sabah!
• Cukup-cukuplah kenaikan harga barangan dan perkhidmatan!
• Cukup-cukuplah kenaikan harga bahan api (minyak petrol, diesel dan gas)!
• Cukup-cukuplah kenaikan kos pengangkutan!
• Cukup-cukuplah kenaikan kos sara hidup itu!
• Cukup-cukupkah cukai-cukai pendapatan dan cukai GST itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah penurunan harga getah dan sawit itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah dasar kabotaj yang merugikan Sabah itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah penurunan nilai matawang RM itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah amalan rasuah dan penyalahgunaan kuasa itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah kemunduran dan kemiskinan Sabah itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah menjadi Pak Angguk, Pak Turut, Pak Unta dan Pak Hamba kepada penjajah!
• Cukup-cukuplah menghidap Penyakit Sidrom Takut dan Penyakit Sindrom Bisu!
• Cukup-cukuplah mengemis politik dari penjajah!
• Cukup-cukuplah menjual maruah dan harga diri!
• Cukup-cukuplah menjual  jati diri dan nasionalisme!
• Cukup-cukuplah menjual kedaulatan dan keselamatan Negara Bangsa Sabah!
• Cukup-cukuplah rakyat Sabah bercakaran, bersengketa, bergaduh sesama, bermusuhan sesama, benci-membenci, jatuh-menjatuh, buruk-memburuk, berpuak-puak dan berpecah-belah!
• Cukup-cukuplah Sabahan mengamalkan 'Budaya dan Mentaliti Tongkuyu' (Ketam)!
• Cukup-cukuplah menjadi proksi/ejen dan boneka kepada penjajah (Malaya)!
• Cukup-cukuplah menjadi petualang dan pengkhianat kepada Negara dan Bangsa Sabah!
• Cukup-cukuplah menjadi penakut,  pengecut, dan dayus!
• Cukup-cukuplah sistem dan dasar-dasar lama yang jumud dan haprak itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah sistem dan model politik lama yang ketinggalan zaman itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah pemikiran pemimpin dan kerajaan lama yang konservatif, feudal, monarki dan autokratik itu!
• Cukup-cukuplah Malaya mengubah fakta sejarah kenegaraan Negara Sabah!
• Cukup-cukuplah Malaya menjajah minda rakyat Sabah melalui sistem pendidikan!

Enough and enough..! We must stop the imperialism and colonizer..!

Tidak guna kita terus-menerus diperintah oleh penjajah dan ejen-ejen penjajah yang telah menjadi pengkhianat kepada Negara dan Bangsa Sabah!

Pemimpin-pemimpin serta parti-parti politik tempatan yang bersekongkol/bersubahat/bekerjasama dengan parti-parti dari Malaya mesti ditolak dan ditentang habis-habisan pada pilihanraya akan datang!

Kehidupan kita hari ini dan generasi yang akan datang bergantung kepada kebijaksanaan dan keputusan politik kita hari ini.

Justeru, berfikirlah! Buat kajian, analisis, penilaian dan keputusan dengan bijak! Kemudian  bertindaklah dengan bijak sebelum terlambat dan sebelum kehilangan semuanya!

"STAR SABAH MENANG, RAKYAT SABAH MENANG!"

"STAR SABAH MENANG, SABAH MAJU, SELAMAT DAN MAKMUR!"

Dr. Justin Ingin

CWC & Ketua Bahagian STAR N. 40 Labuk

Land Tribunal and Land Foundation Key to Protecting Native Land Rights

“The Sabah government has a moral and legal duty to protect native land rights and ought to be more proactive to safeguard the native customary rights to land for “land is life” for the indigenous natives in Sabah” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief and Bingkor Assemblyman in supporting whole-heartedly the call by the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak imploring the government to establish a Land Tribunal to resolve land disputes including empowering the native laws to be on par with the Muslim Syariah law.

The indigenous tribes in Sabah have existed long before other communities, certainly pre-historic compared to the existence of Malaysia which came into being only on 16th September 1963.

For the history buffs, in May 2012, archaeologists led by Prof Dr. Mokhtar Saidin from the Universiti Sains Malaysia Global Archeological Research Centre and members of the Sabah Museum discovered utensils in Kg. Lipasu, in the Bingkor sub-district.  They were said to be more than 200,000 years old, older than the previous known discoveries in Mansuli, Lahad Datu, said to be some 150,000 years old.

Even the United Nations has acknowledged indigenous native rights under the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People which has been universally adopted by many countries globally.

It is undisputed that the natives in Sabah are losing their customary lands, much of it due to wanton and unwarranted alienation and issuance of land titles to outsiders.  These outsiders get land in the tens of thousands of acres while the land applications of natives of 10-15 acres are not processed for many, many years.   

It was not surprising that the previous Director of Lands and Surveys and State Attorney General had announced that native customary rights did not exist after 1930 which reflected the state of land administration to the detriment of the natives.

As a result, the natives some of whom have been in occupation for generations are hounded out of their own lands with the aid of court orders and the presence of the police and government enforcement agencies.   

More often than not, the natives do not have the resources and ability, especially financially, to fight the injustice caused by the improper alienation of their lands to the outsiders.

The establishment of the SABAH LAND TRIBUNAL to look into, adjudicate and resolve the numerous land problems and disputes has been long overdue and should be a boon for the poor and long suffering native landowners.  And the proposal being repeated by the Chief Justice of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjun, is timely and should carry due weight and prominence.

“I see no reason why the Sabah government cannot and should not establish the Land Tribunal unless the Sabah government leaders including from the natives communities wish to see the land rights of the indigenous natives wiped out over time” said Dr. Jeffrey.

The British not only deemed it fit to respect native customary rights to land but also made numerous provisions to protect such native rights as can be seen throughout the Land Ordinance.    The same cannot be said of the present Umno-led Barisan Nasional Sabah government.

At the same time, a SABAH NATIVE LAND FOUNDATION should also be established to safeguard and protect native lands and the rights of the natives to their native lands.

All unalienated State land should be declared and designated as “Native Reserves” under Section 78 of the Land Ordinance and placed under the purview of the Native Land Foundation.   Similarly, if the State governments in Malaya can designate lands to be “Malay Reserves”, there is no reason why the Sabah government cannot similarly declare unalienated State lands to be “Native Reserves” unless the leaders have ulterior motives themselves and to deprive the natives of their legitimate land rights.

The declaration of Native Reserves and the Native Land Foundation will in a way prevent the recurrence of the loss of native lands as in Malaya where native customary rights are not recognized.    Over there, the poor Orang Asli, who are the legitimate “bumiputra” indigenous natives are deprived of their lands and very often the lands grabs are by the Umno/BN politicians and their cronies.

In addition, the 30% native requirement for commercial land alienations and plantations should be reserved for the Native Land Foundation which can also assist native landowners in times of need.   In such way, native lands will be preserved and safeguarded and will prevent the natives from being squatters on their own land which is already happening throughout Sabah.

The Sabah government should start cracking and instruct the Attorney General to draft the necessary laws for adoption at the next State Legislative Assembly sitting for the establishment of the Land Tribunal and the Native Land Foundation which is key to protecting native land rights.

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan

Chairman

STAR Sabah

23 January 2016

Manufacturing Sector Failure Partly Due to Cabotage

“The Sabah government ought to take a serious look into the cause

of the “failure” of the State’s manufacturing sector and its low GDP contribution rather than putting the blame on others.  If they do investigate, it would not be surprising that one of the contributing factors would be the National Cabotage Policy (NCP)” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief and Bingkor Assemblyman in response to the media report by the Minister of Industrial Development who had weighed in on the cabotage issue.

The Federation of Sabah Industries and its past president, Datuk Seri Wong Ken Thau, have done their homework and had voiced their opinions and suggestions on the abolishment of the NCP so that the manufacturing and industrial sectors in Sabah are not stifled from further growth.  They have also given other suggestions to boost the manufacturing and industrial sectors which include establishment of Kota Kinabalu as the regional shipping hub.

“If the Minister care to check, almost all the cooking oil on the shelves of supermarkets, mini-markets and provision shops in Sabah are manufactured in Malaya”.

“Why is this so when Sabah is the world’s 3rd biggest crude palm oil producer producing some 35% of Malaysia’s output with vast tracts of oil palm plantations spread throughout Sabah?” asked Dr. Jeffrey.

There was an instance of one of the world’s largest factories who wanted to consider setting up a factory in Sabah but eventually was put off by the additional shipping costs, both in bringing some raw material components as well as export of the final products via Port Klang.

There is no dispute to investors and manufacturers alike that the cabotage policy for Sabah and Sarawak need to be abolished.   It may not solve all the problems but at least it is a start which will also reduce some of the unnecessary transhipment costs via Malaya which have contributed to higher costs of goods in Sabah.

It has to be reiterated that if the federal government wish that the cabotage policy be continued, then it should adopt the 1-Country 2-System form of administration and maintain the cabotage policy for the ports in Malaya and exclude the ports in Sabah and Sarawak. 

As rightly pointed out by FSI, the removal of the cabotage policy could also lead to Sabah and Kota Kinabalu or Sepanggar Port being developed into the regional hub of the Far East.  Sadly to say, neither the federal government nor the Sabah government has done anything concrete to turn Kota Kinabalu into the regional hub.

Perhaps, the Minister of Industrial Development could get cracking and initiate moves for the regional hub to be turned into a reality in 2016 and in turn see that the manufacturing and industrial sectors grow and be an engine of growth for Sabah and Sabahans.

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan

Chairman

STAR Sabah

15 January 201

No myth on Cabotage: FSI

The Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI) proposed full liberalisation of the route between Port Klang and KK Port as one of the measures to create a more conducive economic environment for small-medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Sabah.

FSI President Datuk Mohd Basri Abd Gafar said the partial liberalisation currently implemented on the route is not sufficient and "the Minister has the power to liberalise the route."

"We are asking for the Port Klang and KK Port route to be exempted from the Cabotage Policy," Mohd Basri said at a press conference here, Wednesday.

He said the policy has affected FSI members where more than 90 per cent of its members are SMEs.

"As such, we believe that the SMEs in Sabah are unable to reach full potential in spite of the abundance of natural resources and strategic geographical location, and are inevitably left out of the regional trade value chain.

"Since Sabah is located the furthest from the centre of activity, it is the worst region in Malaysia affected by the Cabotage Policy…shipping line is our lifeline."

He also said according to studies conducted by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), the shipping cost in Sabah is RM800 million annually "and if you compare that figure with Sabah's expenditure budget, it is more or less the same."

"Cabotage Policy does not bring benefit to the industry or the majority of the people in Sabah. Its protectionist nature has only benefited the ship owners.

"The policy is lopsided in favour of the peninsula and it is outdated and warrants a review. It also retards the industry's efficiency, competitiveness and development.

"In echoing other trade chambers and associations in Sabah, FSI believes that the policy has directly or indirectly driven up the cost of living in Sabah," Mohd Basri said. As such, FSI proposed the establishment of a realistic timeframe for an eventual abolishment of Cabotage Policy.

"How long will the policy be implemented? We believe that all policies must have timeframes to see their effectiveness and also to conduct reviews on them."

Mohd Basri said Sepanggar Bay Container Terminal (SCBT) should be designated as Malaysia's other transshipment hub to serve the Far East region where Load Equalisation Scheme can be initiated to channel designated goods bound for Port Klang to SBCT to facilitate the hub status.

"The Government should also introduce Freight Equalisation Scheme in the form of cost compensation for Sabah businesses and also establish a Logistics Council to monitor the cost structure and efficiency of shipping companies."

Mohd Basri disclosed, to be more effective, FSI has also established a taskforce on Cabotage to be headed by FSI Honorary Life President Datuk Seri Wong Khen Thau.

"He is the right person for this position and they will conduct discussions with the stakeholders (on the issue)."

Meanwhile, Wong refuted claims made by a certain local exporter, Richard Wong, published in a local newspaper on Tuesday.

In the report, Richard claimed that the opposition and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are trying to demonise the Cabotage Policy and spreading rumours about the domestic industry which has resulted in 'myths' on the policy.

"There is no myth in FSI's stance or that of the opposition and NGOs on the Cabotage Policy issues. Instead, the claimant (Richard) had created the myths, judging by his statements.

"FSI has no reason whatsoever in demonising the Cabotage Policy as doing so would not benefit either its members or the people of Sabah," Wong said.

Rather, according to Wong, as a representative of the industry, especially the manufacturers, FSI is one with their feelings and carries their industry grievances and voices across so as to be heard, and so that they can get the help needed, grow, expand and contribute to the State's socio-economic development.

"We wonder whether the claimant is a representative of the shipping companies or an exporter.

"We would appreciate if he is a real".

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Ahli Jawatankuasa Majlis Tertinggi Pusat STAR Sabah 2015/16

Ahli Jawatankuasa Majlis Tertinggi Pusat

STAR Sabah 2015/16

Penasihat: 

1.Datuk Hj. Ismail Gimbad

2. Jackson G. Minto

Pengerusi : YB Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan

T/ Pengerusi:

1. Edward Linggu Bukut

2. Jalumin Bayogoh

3. Kong Fui Seng

Naib Pengerusi:

1. Feddrin Tuliang

2. Evelyn Gobilee

3. Hj. Baharudin Hj. Nayan

4. Jeffrey Kumin@John

Setiausaha: Guandee Kohoi

T/Setiausaha: Ardino Diris

Bendahari: Rubin Guribah

Setiausaha Penganjur: Terence Sinti

Ketua Penerangan: Evelyn Gobile

Ahli Jawatan Kuasa (AJK)

01. Robert Tawik

02. Susy Lojimit

03. Arlinsia Agang

04. Justin Lusah

05. Hjh. Halimah Othman

06. Jafery Jamion

07. Baritus Gungkit@Evaritus

08. Saban Sawayan

09. Lusin Bulangong

10. Hassan Hami

11. Tony Minggir

12. Nassir Samie

13. Joseph Gasis

14. Suwah Buleh

15. Jasmin Dulin

16. G. Jose G. Toledo

17. Bernard Lawrence Solibun

18. Jutirim Galabi

19. Jolly Majalap

20. Richard Katim

21. Clarence Chin

22. Fareed Edison Solimin

23. Nicholas Punai

24. James Bonok

25. Patrick Sikodol

26. Tingkon Bin Penimbol

27. Lojuin Bin Gintoron

28. Trijah@ Rediah Binti Limpakan

29. Rosalind Bion

30. Hairom Bin Datuk Ismail

31. Balon Bin Mujim@ Sylvester

32. V Chong Vin

33. James Ait

34. Fred V. Marukau

35. Johari Pongod

36. Joseph Sabayoi

37. Leo Lidi Okala

38. Willie Arimput

39. Lucy Liskin Batak

40. Justin Ingin

41. Jain Sauting

42. Prof.Dr. Martin Ho

43. Nawawi Saking

SENARAI KETUA-KETUA BIRO STAR SABAH

01. BIRO ADAT DAN HAL EHWAL ANAK NEGERI

      SUWAH BULEH

02. BIRO AKTIVITI NGO

      TONY MINGGIR

03. BIRO EKONOMI

      KONG FUI SENG

04. BIRO HAL EHWAL KEPENGGUNAAN

      JASMIN DULIN

05. BIRO KERAJAAN TEMPATAN

      ( BELUM ADA)

06. BIRO KESELAMATAN

      NAWAWI SAKING

07. BIRO KESIHATAN

      PROF. DR. MARTIN HO

08. BIRO KEUSAHAWANAN

      ( BELUM ADA)

09. BIRO LATIHAN DAN PEMBANGUNAN INSAN

      JALUMIN BAYOGOH

10. BIRO MEDIA DAN PUBLISITI

      FAREED EDDISON SOLIMIN

11. BIRO PELANCONGAM DAN ALAM SEKITAR

      RUBIN GURIBAH

12. BIRO PEMBANGUNAN LUAR BANDAR

      ROBERT TAWIK

13. BIRO PEMBANGUNAN MASYARAKAT

      FRED MARUKAU

14. BIRO PENDIDIKAN

      ALBERT MARK MAGURING

15. BIRO PERTANIAN DAN PERIKANAN

      HJ. BAHARUDIN  HJ. NAYAN

16. BIRO PROTOKOL

      SUSY LOJIMIT

17. BIRO SOSIAL DAN KEBAJIKAN

      ROSALIND BION

18. BIRO SUKAN DAN REKREASI

      JAFREY JAMION

19. BIRO SUNBER ASLI

      DR. MARCIAN  ANSELMUS

20. BIRO TENAGA, UTILITI DAN GAS

      IR. JOEL MASILUNG

21. BIRO UNDANG-UNDANG

      SABAN SAWAYAN

22. BIRO WANITA DAN KELUARGA

      (BELUM ADA)

STAR Sabah (State Reform Party)

Parti Reformasi Negeri atau State Reform Party (STAR) ditubuh pada 9 Oktober 1996 oleh Dr. Patau Rubis setelah beliau dipecat dari kabinet negeri Sarawak pada Oktober 1995 dan seterusnya dari Parti Kebangsaan Sarawak (SNAP). Beliau secara rasminya dipilih sebagai Pesiden parti yang pertama di dalam persidangan tiga tahunan parti STAR yang ulung pada 9 Mac 1997.

STAR Sabah

State Reform Party (STAR) Sabah telah dilancarkan secara rasminya pada 06 Januari 2012 (Jumaat) tepat jam 4 petang di Dewan KDCA, Penampang, Sabah.

STAR Sabah dipengerusikan oleh Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Pemilihan STAR sebagai platform politik memperjuangkan AGENDA BORNEO bertepatan dengan slogan Unity is Duty yang dilaung-laungkan beliau untuk menyatupadukan Sabahan dan Sarawakian dalam usaha menuntut dikembalikan HAK kemerdekaan Sabah dan Sarawak dalam Persekutuan Malaysia.

Sesuai dengan namanya, Parti Reformasi Negeri atau STAR, berhasrat untuk melakukan reformasi bukan sahaja kerajaan tetapi terlebih penting melakukan reformasi terhadap sistem pemerintahan, sistem penyampaian (delivery system) dan dasar-dasar kerajaan supaya lebih telus dan mesra rakyat.

Manifesto Parti akan diumumkan dalam masa terdekat ini untuk memberi lebih kefahaman mengenai halatuju dan perjuangan parti dalam mendepani Pilihanraya Umum ke-13 kelak.

USA-Gabungan

Matlamat Parti STAR

STAR wujud kerana mengambil berat terhadap masa depan negara Sabah dan rakyatnya. Kita harus selamatkan Negara kita daripada jajahan pihak luar yang menguasai kerajaan Sabah.

MATLAMAT PARTI STAR

* Membentuk Kerajaan Sabah

* Memulihkan Hak-hak dan Autonomi Sabah

* Memulihkan Keyakinan Rakyat

* Melaksanakan Reformasi, Menyelesaikan Permasalahan

   serta Memajukan Sabah

VISI

SABAH MERDEKA, SELAMAT

DAN MAKMUR

MISI

MEMULIHKAN HAK DAN

MEMAJUKAN SABAH

Better for Oil Price to Decline to USD20 And Preserve Resources?

“There are many benefits for Malaysians if the world oil price drops to USD20 per barrel” said Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Sabah STAR Chief, agreeing with the public who have started talks that it is better for the oil price to decline to USD20 so that the oil and gas extraction from Sabah will stop and reserved for future generations.

Global oil industry players and analysts have opined that the global oil price could drop to USD20 at any time.   Even the head of the World Bank seems to think that that the world price could be as low as USD10 to USD15 per barrel.

On the oil producers’ side, Saudi Arabia thinks that the oil price will only rise to USD70 in 2020, which is another long 5 years more.

From midnight 31 December 2015, the government lowered the pump petrol price by 10sen to RM1.85 per litre which works out to RM294.126 per 42 gallon barrel or USD68.40 at an exchange rate of USD1 to RM4.30.   In Houston, Texas, an oil producing State in USA, the pump price is only USD1.49 to USD1.52 per gallon which works out to RM1.69 to RM1.73 per litre which is much lower than Malaysia and makes one wonder why is it so?

If the oil price is USD20, generally, ordinary Malaysians will benefit from such low oil price.  Obviously, pump petrol prices could drop to RM1.00 per litre and all costs related to oil will be cheaper compared to the current prices.   Transportation and costs of transport for goods and services should be the first beneficiaries of low petrol prices.

The low oil prices will also impact a host of other consumer related items and services.   This will in turn reduce costs of living which recent increases, many of which are caused by government policies and decisions, have burdened the ordinary citizens.

However, a very important and unseen benefit will be that the low oil prices will reduce profitability and will probably cause Petronas and the federal government to stop or at least reduce the pumping of oil from Sabah and Sarawak.   Thus, the precious and depleting oil and gas resources, which was stated to run out in Sarawak in 25 years, will be left preserved for the benefit of future generations of Malaysians.

The hijacking of Sabah and Sarawak’s oil and gas resources since 1976 have seen little benefit for Sabahans and Sarawakians and have only benefited by way of much infrastructural development in Malaya.

“The people are right in talking of preserving Sabah’s oil and gas resources for future Sabahans” emphasized Dr. Jeffrey.

“Of course, the low oil prices will have negative implications too” added Dr. Jeffrey.

First and foremost, Malaysia will have lower national revenues as it depends some 40% of its national income from oil and gas and related industries.    Petronas alone contributed more than RM61 billion in 2014 and about RM45 billion in 2015 due to the drop in oil prices.   

The national budget for 2016 is based on world oil price at USD48 per barrel.  However, yesterday, the CEO of British Petroleum (BP) could hit record lows in 2016 which closed at about USD37.60 for Brent Crude on the last day of 2015.  

The drop in national revenues will impact the government’s spending.    But on the other hand, the reduced income will hopefully see a reduction in the amount of wastages through corruption and excessive spending by the government and their political leaders.

Apart from Petronas’ reserves, very little is left for future Malaysians from the hundreds of billions, if not trillions, that have been squandered by the BN government.

In comparison, Malaysians should take note that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has become the biggest in the world, surpassing the Middle East nations, with an estimated reserve of more than USD813 billion currently.    Norway has transformed its oil production to monetary and financial wealth held transparently and with accountability so much so that each Norwegian at birth is already a millionaire from its North Sea oil wealth, pumped out long before his or her birth.

Ordinary Malaysians have almost nothing from the nation’s oil wealth.  To top it all, Malaysia now has its national debt at its highest level, more than RM800 billion.  For Sabahans, it’s a nightmare, having produced more than 50% of Malaysia’s oil and yet the poorest in the country.  Perhaps, it is high time to ponder a change of government while hoping for further drops in world oil prices to keep their oil and gas from being further siphoned to fund Malaya’s development?

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan

Chairman, STAR Sabah

03 January 2016

Oil prices could hit record lows in 2016, says BP chief

Published: 2 January 2016 9:44 PM

Prices have particularly slumped since December 4 when the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries decided against limiting production as members fight to keep market share. – Reuters pic, January 2, 2016.

Struggling oil producers could suffer even more pain in 2016 with further plunges in already record-low prices, BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley warned today.

"A low point could be in the first quarter," Dudley told BBC radio.

Oil prices fell by 34% in 2015, battered by prolonged global oversupply and a slowdown in energy-hungry China's economy.

Dudley predicted that prices could stabilise towards the end of the year, but would remain low for the forseeable future.

"Prices are going to stay lower for longer, we have said it and I think we are in this for a couple of years. For sure, there is a boom-and-bust cycle here," Dudley said.

Prices have particularly slumped since December 4 when the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries decided against limiting production as members fight to keep market share.

Potentially adding to the supply worries was action by the US Congress last month to end the 40-year-old ban on exports of crude oil produced in the country. – AFP, January 2, 2016.

See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/oil-prices-could-hit-record-lows-in-2016-says-bp-chief#sthash.murzWDg7.dpuf

UBF Advocates “In Solidarity We Shall Strive” to Restore Sabah Rights

“Sabahans need to wake up from their comfort zone and realize that the time has come for all Malaysians in Sabah and Sabahans at heart to stand united to reclaim their rights as equal partners in Malaysia and not just as the 12th State of Malaya renamed as Malaysia” said Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Sabah STAR Chief and BIngkor Assemblyman in revealing the theme “IN SOLIDARITY WE SHALL TRUIMPH” or “Perpaduan Kunci Kejayaan” at the 5th anniversary celebration of the of United Borneo Front (UBF) last month.

Sabahans and Sarawakians also need to realize that they are the kingmakers as they have been since 2008.  Their 57 MPs can decide who the federal government in Putrajaya will be, as BN’s 87 MPs from Malaya or Pakatan’s 79’s MPs cannot meet the 112 majority to form the federal government on their own.

Instead, the kingmaker’s role has resulted in direct benefit to Sabah and Sarawak MPs with 11 of them appointed as full federal Ministers.  It has to be acknowledged that their appointments were due to them being from Sabah and Sarawak and not due to them being Umno or BN alone.  They need to be appeased lest they withdraw their support and let Pakatan into Putrajaya through the back-door.    

Recently, PKR President, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah, has even openly called the 47 BN MPs from Sabah and Sarawak to leave BN and form their own Borneo Block and negotiate for the best terms for Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.   This should be the way forward for Sabah and Sarawak’s rights to be restored.

UBF’s BTP, Borneo Tea Party, shares the same birthdate of the Boston Tea Party, launched on 16 December 1773, which eventually resulted in the independence of the United States of America on 4th July 1776.   The success of UBF and the BTPs have seen many NGOs such as SFM, SAPA, SSPR, HPM63, Mosik, NBFM, SSM, S4S, SSU-UK, being born and dedicated to fighting for the restoration of Sabah and Sarawak’s rights in Malaysia. 

The success of the Borneo Agenda advanced by UBF during the BTPs have seen many successful milestones being achieved.   In the past, it was taboo to mention the 20/18-Points but it is now in the mainstream discussions and recognized by Umno and BN leaders.

On equal partnership and autonomy, the Sarawak government has now officially recognized and celebrated Sarawak’s independence on 22 July and officially acknowledging that Sarawak formed Malaysia with Malaya and Sabah and calling for its full autonomy.  

This has been accepted by the Prime Minister who has agreed and instructed the Chief Secretary to commence devolution of autonomy powers to Sarawak.   Sadly, in Sabah, which is controlled by Umno with other components rather subservient, calls for its autonomy has been rather muted and limited to request for administrative management and not actual autonomy.

Other notable successes arising from the Borneo Agenda advocated by UBF include the setting up of the RCI and the special committees to look into the findings of the RCI and to make recommendations for their solution.  During the year, there was also the submission of the Memorandum on the return of the 40% net revenue derived from Sabah and other financial provisions assigned to Sabah to PM Najib.  Najib has in turn agreed to set up a special committee to look into the matter and to honour the same since it is provided in the Federal Constitution.

Dr. Jeffrey recorded a special thanks and appreciation to the UBF’s dedicated BTP teams who have worked tireless the last 5 years in Sabah, Sarawak, and several cities in Malaya, to enlighten the people on the basis of the formation of Malaysia and the special rights of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.   Their efforts and sacrifices, together with the unwavering support of thousands of hosts of the BTP events and UBF supporters and the countless attendees, Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak are beginning to be inspired to reclaim the special rights and position of Sabah and Sarawak.

Despite its successes, UBF is not resting on its laurels and are pushing for further success until the equal status of Sabah, who have been clearly cheated in the formation of Malaysia and ended up as a neo-colony of Malaya, and Sabah rights and autonomy are fully restored.   Until then, UBF and its fighters will not rest.    Earlier in the year, the UBF Academy with a Resource Centre was launched to initiate the new approach together with an updated BTP module complete with a Vision and Mission for Sabah and an updated Borneo Agenda with its 7 core objectives.

Sabahans and Sarawakians are beginning to realize the importance of unity and the leverage of their kingmaker position.   In Sabah,

the local political parties are galvanized into the formation of a common platform, the United Sabah Alliance (U.S.A.) or Gabungan Sabah to take on and replace the BN government.

UBF is advocating the people to adopt a united stand and combined strength through the theme “IN SOLIDARITY WE SHALL TRUIMPH” to ensure Sabah rights and autonomy can be achieved. Sabahans and Sarawakians have realized that others cannot be relied upon to fight for their rights and they have to do it themselves.  They need to speak with 1-voice, with 1-struggle for full autonomy and for a stronger Sabah and Sarawak.   The public are advised that in PRU-14 when “U.S.A. menang, Sabah Sarawak senang” with restoration of their rights and autonomy.

Amongst those present at the anniversary celebrations include Datuk Mohd Noor Mansor, chairman of Gabungan U.S.A., Datuk

Kalakau Untol from Parti Cinta Sabah, Mr. Amde Sidek and his SAPP entourage, activists led by Tony Minggir, Jeremiah Yee, and representatives from various NGOs.

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan

Chairman, 

UNITED BORNEO FRONT

03 January 2016

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