Ever since the government imposed quota system of diesel sale at petrol stations, people through out Malaysia has been questioning the credibility of Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Shafie Apdal, the former Sabah UMNO Youth Chief and the Member of Parliament for Semporna. His ministry's 'wise' move has caused lots of hardship, wasted valuable time and money of transporters and vehicle users.

When a measures taken to overcome some irregularities or illegal activities brought about more irregularities and gave rise to more illegal activities, it must be a poor action which was taken without detail studies. When a wrong move was taken, there is no use defending it no matter for what purpose. Wrong is wrong, admit it.

If Shafie is trying to defend his quota system, he is asking the public to access him more. The more the public scrutinise on him, the more trouble he is heading. So for goodness sake, think of the people of Semporna and Sabah, do something wise and do it quick.

Jangan kasi malu orang Sabah

DIESEL SHORTAGE
Public transport in jeopardy
By P. Selvarani


Thousands of commuters who depend on public transportation daily may find themselves stranded if the current quota on the sale of subsidised diesel is not reviewed, bus operators warned. P. SELVARANI reports THE public transportation services in the country could be crippled within the next few weeks.

This is due to the shortage of diesel brought on by the recently introduced quota system on the sale of subsidised diesel at petrol stations.

Expressing this fear yesterday, bus operators in the country have called on the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to review its decision to limit the sale of subsidised diesel, as it has created an acute shortage of the fuel, making it nearly impossible for operators to run their services as normal.

“A lot of our members are not getting enough petrol as whatever stock the petrol stations have been allocated are now fast depleting,” said Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) president Datuk Ashfar Ali. “And it is only just the beginning of the month. If the petrol stations run out of diesel before the end of the month, our services will definitely come to a halt.”

The association has 106 members nationwide with a fleet of 3,200 buses in total.

Ashfar said the worst affected were its members in Sabah and Sarawak, whose supply of diesel has been reduced by about 50 per cent following the introduction of the quota system this week.

“I have been receiving desperate calls from Sabah and Sarawak from members who are unable to get enough diesel to run their services as scheduled. The situation there is acute,” he said.

Ashfar fears that the situation would get worse towards the end of the month, more so with the coming festive season.

“The frequency of our services increases during this period, and with the Hari Raya Haji, Thaipusam and Chinese New Year festivities coming, our services will be disrupted if we cannot get enough diesel. The Ministry should seriously re-think its policy so that there is a fairer distribution of the fuel and the services are not disrupted,” he said, adding that PMBOA has suggested that the Ministry introduce a system where the sale of the fuel is limited to each vehicle, as was once practiced.

“For example, they can limit it to RM20 per car and RM50 per bus or lorry. That would be fairer as it would ensure continuous supply of diesel. The Ministry should also ensure that petrol stations which cater more for buses, lorries and taxis get adequate supply.

“Under the present system, even the petrol dealers are in a bind as they cannot withhold the sale of diesel to anyone as long as they have stock, as they risk having their licences revoked.”

The Ministry’s ruling, Ashfar said, also has an impact on the economy as people would have difficulty commuting to work if public transport services are disrupted.

He added that the problem of diesel smuggling mainly occurs in the border areas, and the Government should concentrate such measures in the affected areas and not in the towns and cities where there is less of a problem.

He said the association was now in the midst of getting more feedback from its members before submitting a memorandum to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal next week.

“We regret that the Ministry did not call us for a meeting before implementing this move. We believe it was only discussed with the oil companies,” said Ashfar.

Meanwhile, Federation of School Bus Operators Association president Chee Ah Tey also called on the Ministry to review the new system, adding that it is a burden on school bus operators, especially those who operate chartered bus services during weekends and holidays.

“How can they run these services on just RM60 worth of diesel? Why penalise the whole industry when a few black sheep are at fault?” asked Chee.

Last month, the Ministry announced that it would impose a limit on subsidised diesel sold at petrol stations to curb illegal sale to commercial users. Each petrol station has been allocated a limit on diesel supplied, depending on their proven capacity and traffic.

Shafie had said that the move would save the Government about RM234.7 million a year in diesel subsidy.


----

It’s under control, Shafie tells operators
By MOHD YAAKOB YUSOF


Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal has ensured petrol station operators that the Government will meet the diesel shortage. “We will also make sure the diesel supply is sufficient for the coming festive seasons of Hari Raya Haji and Chinese New Year,” he told The Malay Mail yesterday.

“I will be meeting Persatuan Pengedar Petroleum Malaysia (PDAM) representatives when they come to the Ministry tomorrow (today).”

Shafie said petrol station operators should inform the Government on the extent of the diesel shortage for the necessary action to be taken.

He also hoped that the diesel would be sold to the right quarters.

“We will monitor all activities involving subsidised diesel,” he added.

Shafie (left) was replying to yesterday’s statements by PDAM, Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) and Federation of School Bus Operators Association which were affected by the government’s decision to reduce the quota of subsidised diesel by 10 to 40 per cent.

The government’s action was to prevent the sale of illegal subsidised diesel to commercials users.

In the statement, PDAM president Alang Zari Ishak claimed that some of their members had run out of supply even before the end of the month.

PMBOA and the Federation of School Bus Operators Association also reported they could not operate their businesses with the limited diesel supply.

“I have been receiving desperate calls from Sabah and Sarawak members who are unable to get enough diesel to run their services as scheduled,” said PMBOA president Datuk Ashfar Ali.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright 2004 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.

 

What was reported in mainstream media…..

 

No Politician Arrested In Tawau Car Seizures

 

October 21, 2004 15:11 PM

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- No politician or businessman has been arrested in connection with the seizure of eight vehicles suspected to be stolen in Tawau on Monday, Sabah CID chief SAC II Mohamad Bakri Mohamad Zinin said Thursday.

 

He was refuting speculation that a Tawau politician-cum-businessman, who owns a logging company, had been detained for using stolen vehicles.

 

Mohamad Bakri said police were trying to identify whether the seven four-wheel-drive vehicles and a saloon car, seized from several areas including a logging camp, were actually stolen.

 

The seizures were made by a team from Bukit Aman national police headquarters but the case was being investigated by the Tawau police.

 

Nine people aged between 25 and 45, including two women, were earlier remanded in the investigation but were released on police bail yesterday.

 

Mohamad Bakri said the Chemistry Department was checking whether the vehicle chassis and engine numbers had been tampered with while the Road Transport Department was asked to confirm the vehicle documents.

 

What was not reported…… but of course known to the public

 

The logging company is Wawasan Gunung Emas Sdn. Bhd. Name and address of the company was sprayed on the vehicle seized, 7 4WD and one Proton Waja. Among those detained for investigation were the recently married relatives of Merotai State Assemblymen, Liew Yun Fah. Liew, the controversial BN candidate from Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has sought help from V.K. Liew who was recently awarded Justice of Peace.

 

According to reliable sources, Liew is not among the directors in Wawasan Gunung Emas Sdn. Bhd. but he is authorised to sign all the cheques. Whether his name was registered or not everyone knows Wawasan Gunung Emas Sdn. Bhd belongs to Liew.

 

Liew was said to have broken a promise made to a certain party and breaking others’ rice bowl, thus the resulting on reports being made to Bukit Aman instead of Tawau District Police Station.

 

We will see if money & power will overrule justice.

Now it is confirmed corruption and money politics among Sabah politicians especially those from UMNO is rampant. Silam Umno division deputy head Samsu Baharun Abdul Rahman who is also the Entrepreneurial and Co-operative Development Ministry parliamentary secretary has been suspended for three years by the party for money politics. 

 

The Umno disciplinary board found the Silam MP – who was elected Silam division deputy chief recently – guilty of money politics.  “He had given out RM50,” board chairman Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail told a press conference yesterday.  

 

Silam division chief Mohd Yusof Apdal, younger brother of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal, has also been suspended. The board found that Yusof had held gatherings with party members in a hotel in Lahad Datu and given out RM200 while contesting the division head's post. He was also found to be acting for somebody.

  

Two others from the Silam division in Sabah have been suspended – committee members Hakim Ghulam Hassan and Datu Ibrahim Datu Abd Karim.

 

This is the second time the division has been embroiled in such problems. In the last Umno elections in 2000, then division chief Yusof Jamlee, Samsu’s brother-in-law, was also suspended by the party. At that time, Samsu had assumed the acting division chief’s post. 

 

It is not a surprise that Samsu was slapped with the suspension. He has been taking much more than that. Besides money he is also a womanizer.

 

It was reported that during a trade mission to East Kalimantan, Indonesia last year, Samsu was given the honour to lead. With him were his wife and his assistants. However Samsu was always missing from the group. He excused himself for not feeling well. Inside sources revealed that he was having a good time with Indonesian prostitutes arranged by his assistants. Girls were delivered to his assistant’s room. His wife was kept busy by other assistants. His sexual fantasies also caused a few functions to be delayed.

 

Meanwhile, Yusof Apdal is the proxy for his brother, Shafie, in any business deals. It is not a secret that Shafie has lobbied for projects and passed them to UF Engineering of the Leeka Group. Due to his position, Shafie puts his brother as his representatives. Yusof has direct interests in the Leeka Group.

 

In fact it is also an open secret that Shafie receives his political funds for both General Election and Party campaigns from Leeka. These are kick backs from the projects which he has lobbied for using his influence as a minister/deputy minister.

 

RM200 paid by Yusof for a vote is only a small portion offered which were reported. The bigger sums have been given to bigger fish.

 

Are we going after the bigger fish?

Aiyoyo Samy
(London Bridge Is Falling Down)

Kepong Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
Kepong Bridge is falling down,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Take a gag and shut us up,
Shut us up, shut us up.
Take a gag and shut us up,
Aiyoyo Samy.

How will we build it up,
Build it up, build it up?
How will we build it up again,
Aiyoyo Samy?

Build it up with tax and toll,
Tax and toll, tax and toll.
Build it up with tax and toll,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Roads and bridges bend and break,
Bend and break, bend and break.
Roads and bridges bend and break,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Blame it on the Act of God,
Act of God, Act of God.
Blame it on the Act of God,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Rocks and blames will wash away,
Wash away, wash away.
Rocks and blames will wash away,
Aiyoyo Samy.

Author Unknown, but definitely Alert Malaysian

With the introduction of Code of Ethics for elected representatives, it was hope that state assemblymen (women) and members of parliament will contribute more in solving the people’s problem, bringing more progress to their constituencies, and help to bring Malaysia towards a more ‘Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang” nation.

 

After the March 2003 General Election and numerous pledges and promises made, was there any real results that could convince the rakyat? Was there any real actions mooted out to solve all kinds of problem faced by the people, electricity, water, land title, squatters, security, illegal immigrants, etc?

 

The UMNO politicians are so busy with the party election. Since there now appears a consortium to buy votes, being elected as a delegate to the UMNO General Assembly this September would give a big business opportunity. Don’t blame the press for focusing on UMNO election instead of state development because there was nothing said and done. Even small promises are hard to be fulfilled by those once promising politicians.

 

The Kadazan-Dusun based parties are busy talking about merger. It’s good to be in one big umbrella but let’s leave it to the party leaderships to discuss and work out the details. There is no use in getting everyone involved. The only reason was to divert the people’s attention and forget about the real business of these YBs.

 

Chinese party leaders especially LDP and SAPP are busy fighting like dog and cat. True, they might give the reasons that they are championing the rights of the Chinese community. The real truth is they are all running away from their actually responsibilities. They are fighting for their individual glories and survival.

 

Need examples? What has Datuk Ghapur done so far for the people of Kalabakan? He is staying in his big house in Tawau, one hundred Kilometer away from Kalabakan, partying away? Only porch vehicles are parked outside his house. No kampong folks allowed.

 

What has Datuk Dr Patawari done to the constituency of Sebatik? After failing to serve the people of Merotai, he moved to Sebatik, but nothing new. To be frank, he is more popular among the GROs in MTV, KTV and PUBs compared to the kampong folks in Sebatik. That tells where his real constituency is. When a YB, once an assistant minister, keep asking around for money from contractors, follow them more than the people in Sebatik, you could not expect anything good and fruitful from him.

 

Samson Chin, being elected for the third time, once as MP and twice as state assemblyman, could only make statements after things happen. Even his campaign leaflets are full of out dated statements. A YB with statements without action is as good as none. No action, no follow-up after the statements. When a non-performing YB being returned, you get a dead-wood.

 

The list will go on and on. If you think your elected representatives could help you, think twice. If you want things get done fast and efficient, better do it yourself.

 

Code of ethics or Code of antics?

Some people, especially politicians, think that as long as they dress like a holy man, behave well in public and speak against ill doings, they would be perceived as good and would be well respected.

 

Too bad, they are all wrong. They can only fool themselves, not others. Take this example of corruption and money politics.

 

09 July, 2004

Sabah Umno Liaison Chief Datuk Seri Musa Aman said party members are free to contest if they wish to do so in the party’s upcoming divisional delegates’ meetings, but reminded them to steer clear of money politics.

 

“I have already informed them about this...no money politics. There is no two ways about it. If there is contest, do so but refrain from resorting to money politics,” he told reporters here after attending a briefing by the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry.

 

21 July, 2004

On corruption, Musa said the State Government had revived the State Integrity Committee to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to wipe out corruption.

 

“The fight against abuse of power and corruption, promoting integrity, transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors should be carried out by all stakeholders, including the Government, private sector and NGOs,” he said.

 

04 August, 2004

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said all quarters should be involved in the prevention of corruption and not the relevant authorities alone.

 

Corruption, if left unchecked, would spread like cancer, he said while opening a State level Pre-U public-speaking competition on Prevention of Corruption, at the Maktab Sabah hall here, Tuesday.

 

He pointed out that corruption had resulted in economic and social chaos in certain countries, saying such kind of threat could also happen in this country if not totally eliminated.

 

18 August, 2004

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is upset over the statement by a Deputy Minister that money politics is being openly practised in Sabah.

 

Musa, who is also State Umno liaison chief, said the statement was an inaccurate assessment of the situation in the state as the leadership constantly advised leaders and members to refrain from money politics.

 

“Money politics does not benefit us as Umno leaders and members. We must protect Umno’s image and strive to enhance the party’s strength,” he told reporters Tuesday when asked to respond to the statement by International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah who implied that money politics was widespread in the State.

 

An English daily quoted him on Sunday as saying that money politics was rampant in Sabah and is being practised openly in the run-up to next month’s party elections to the extent that he dared not go to Sabah.

 

Asked whether the State Umno had received complaints on money politics during last month’s divisional polls, Musa said he had not received the report from the State Umno disciplinary committee on the matter.

 

He said Sabah Umno was closely monitoring the situation to ensure there was no unhealthy practices among party members in the run-up to Umno elections.

 

23 August 2004

From MGGPillai.com (http://www.mggpillai.com/article.php3?sid=1992)

When corruption rears its ugly head ...

 

For the UMNO supreme council, the Sabah chief minister, Dato' Musa Aman offers RM1,000 a delegate in three tranches of RM200, RM300 and RM500; the Selangor mentri besar, Dato' Mohamed Khir Toyo offers RM1,000 or RM500 a delegate, depending on where he is from; those offering RM500 a vote are the Titiwangsa MP, Dato' Astaman Aziz; the deputy finance minister, Tengku Putra Tengku Awang; the deputy tourism minister and a former UMNO youth chief, Dato' Zahid Hamidi; the works deputy minister, Dato' Mohamed Zain Mohamed; the deputy rural and territory development minister and the former Tenaga Nasional Berhad chairman, Dato' Awang Adek Hussein.

 

So, what say you, Musa Aman? You might have ‘aman’ (tamed) the delegates, but certainly not the general public, especially Sabahan.

One Sabah politician has never failed to amuse the people when he makes any statement. So far only one politician never learn his lesson and keep talking without even thinking. Maybe the brain is no longer functioning.

20 August, 2004

Yong: Bid to link SAS with Warisan deals will fail

 

SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the attempt to link the Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) debacle with the business dealings of Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd (WHSSB) in 1997 will fail.

 

He said his visit to the Saham Sabah Berhad (SSB) which manages the SAS had confirmed that the WHSSB composite share swap affecting several listed companies had nothing to do with the SAS, as claimed by Liberal Democratic Party President Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat.

“So what was reported today by the LDP President Tan Sri Chong in trying to link Warisan Harta and Saham Sabah is completely unfounded,” he told a press conference at the SAPP headquarters in Bornion, Luyang.

 

“I went to the SSB office first to get several prospectuses for my record and secondly to get clarification on the allegations, which were found to be not true,” he said.

 

In this respect, he said he had written a letter to Chong on the issue.

 

To a question, he agreed with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman that the SAS or any other issues should not be politicised (but) “this is a written letter from me so I leave it at that we will see how it develops”.

 

Musa had called on the two parties headed by two former chief ministers to put an end to the bickering on who should be blamed for the fall of the SAS shares.

 

Yong contended that SAPP had been keeping quiet all this while, especially during the past two months, when the attacks on the party leaders by LDP leaders heightened.

 

“These latest series of attacks in the newspapers by LDP leaders on SAPP leaders has been on-going. Every other week there are statements and we have been keeping quiet until the last one week,” he said.

 

In his letter to Chong, Yong thanked the former for his statement as published in the newspapers, which he said exposed the falsity of the accusations made against him by Chong’s party colleagues that he was responsible for the Saham Sabah losses.

 

“Your party divisions, Secretary General (Datuk Anthony Lai), youth and other leaders have been repeatedly attacking SAPP and its leaders, including myself, for months on all sorts of issues,” he said.

 

Yong said although none was substantiated, this had painted an ugly image of SAPP and its leaders, while adding that he broke his silence on Aug. 8, after a LDP leader accused him by name as being responsible for the SAS losses.

 

Yong said he had thought that the LDP leader had made a genuine mistake when accusing him, prompting him to tell SAPP members not to be angry with LDP members since he believed that Chong could explain better the matter to them.

 

“As a Federal Minister, State Minister, former CM and now a DCM at all material times you must have known about the collapse of the stock market, currency controls and the functioning of the National Economic Action Council in handling the financial crisis of 1997-1999 coinciding with my time as CM.

 

All state unit trusts have suffered,” he told Chong in the letter.

 

Yong also asked Chong whether his comment on Aug 11 that “even a child knows who is responsible (for the SAS losses) shows that you know who the culprit(s) are but that (in the Chinese newspapers), you do not want to reveal the culprit because you “want to give him face” was referring to a former CM or then Finance Minister or any other official.

 

“Too many people have got hit by your vague allegation. My statement on Aug 17 was asking you to expose the culprits and not saying that you are the culprit,” he said.

 

“If you feel wrongly accused, then you should realise how other people feel when they are similarly wrongly accused,” he said.

 

Yong also criticised Chong for attempting to link SAS and WHSSB and “to put the whole blame on me is highly irresponsible and calculated to cause maximum damage to my reputation.

 

“How could it be that you (a lawyer) and your secretary general (an accountant and Chairman of Sabah Credit Corporation) do not know the difference between Saham Amanah Sabah and Warisan Harta Sdn Bhd?” he asked.

 

Yong said Chong in his press conference attended by LDP Supreme Council members still failed to name any person responsible for the SAS losses.

 

“The 55,000 SAS investors are still waiting for you to expose the culprits who caused the SAS losses. If, as you said, every child knows who the culprit is, then why not name him? Whose face are you trying to save?” he asked.

 

On Chong’s demand that Yong explain the composite share swap involving NBT/Sugar Bun and MISC shares held by WHSSB, he said he had already done so on Jan. 16 1998 when the issues first arose.

 

“Under oath in a court of law, in March 2001, I took the witness stand to explain this matter in open court. Would I be so fool hardy to do so if my conduct could not withstand public scrutiny? Whether I am to be believed or not is for the people to decide,” Yong said.

 

According to Yong, Warisan Harta made profits and declared a dividend of RM7 million, which, he said, could be proven by looking at the WHSSB audited accounts before the end of his tenure as Chief Minister.

 

Yong claimed that Chong had been selective in releasing information to the 55,000 investors for the SAS losses and even told “my deputy Datuk Tham Nyip Shen that I have eaten the coffin money of the investors”.

 

Yong said he had no ill feelings towards those raising the Warisan Harta/NBT issue previously since the full facts were not available to them.

 

But, he contends Chong had access to all relevant documents during his tenure as Chief Minister and that furthermore, the agreements between WHSSB and Suniwang Sdn Bhd were prepared by Chong’s law firm.

 

“If there were anything wrong, you would have known much earlier. The big question is “Why only now?”” he said, claiming that Chong’s reference to the RM50 million cash was twisted to confuse the public as the RM50 million was paid to WHSSB, not the other way round.

 

Yong also stated in the letter that he did not believe that Chong was not researching the Warisan Harta issue to look for “evidence” to implicate him.

 

He said he assumed this by the “direct threats” allegedly made by Chong on him when Yong went to see him on Sept. 28, 2001 at Wisma Innoprise to discuss the gambling issue.

 

“I was there to state my party’s policy on gambling, which has been established ever since 1994, it was nothing against you”.

 

But, Yong said Chong responded that he would take action against him (and other ex-CMs) for so-called past wrongs and offences.

 

“It is a threat that reminds me of another more lethal threat made by the then Acting Prime Minister (former DPM in 1997).

 

On June 15, 1997 at the Sandakan Renaissance Hotel, (the former DPM) threatened myself and other State Ministers with actions unless the State Cabinet approve a gambling licence for operation in Sabah,” he said.

 

Yong said the property to explain the performance of SAS is the SSB itself.

 

“I believe that no CM or Minister or other politician, presently or in the past, are involved in SAS’ investment and management,” he concluded.

 

Also at the press conference were Vice President Datuk Wong Yit Ming, Secretary General Richard Yong and Supreme Council members.

 

20 August, 2004

Blame it on mart: SAS

 

Kota Kinabalu: Saham Sabah Berhad (SSB) the fund manager of the Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) said its share price plummet had nothing to do with Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd (WHSSB) or anyone else for that matter.

 

SSB Chief Executive Officer Datuk Hj Hassan Hj Otoi said if anyone was to be blamed for the estimated RM400 million losses that the 55,000 investors incurred, it should be the share market itself.

 

Everyone knew about the economic turmoil that hit this part of the region resulting in the downturn which affected not only the SAS but other State-owned trust funds.

 

At that time, he said a vacuum was created in the share market since there were no buyers at all and only sellers who were willing to sell at any price.

 

Met at his office after he met Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) leaders led by President Datuk Yong Teck Lee on Thursday, Hassan said investment of the SAS funds was made in accordance to strict procedures.

 

He said the investments were regulated by the Securities Commission (SC) and Investment Committee apart from the SSB external auditors, “therefore there was no room for any hanky panky.”

 

According to SSB Senior Investment Manager, Hassan Abbas so strict was the regulations that despite being a state-owned trust fund, SSB was not obliged to follow instructions even from the Chief Minister on which portfolios to invest.

 

The law and regulations set by the SC binds fund managers.

 

He said even in the SAS prospectus, it was clearly printed informing potential investors that there were elements of risk involved when they invest in SAS.

 

“In any investment, there is risk involved and even in property investment due to depreciation of value.”

 

Yong met Hassan at his office in CPS Tower Centre Point when they went there to get the SAS prospectus.

 

“He was kind enough to see us,” said Yong who was accompanied by Vice President Datuk Wong Yit Ming, Information Chief Norbert Chin and a Supreme Council member, Benny Low.

 

In 1996, the then Sabah Chief Minister Yong Teck Lee persuaded 55,000 Sabahans to invest in SAS – Saham Amanah Sabah – convincing them that it was a great buy which would multiply its value twice or thrice its original price of one ringgit!  Today, SAS has reached the point of no return, dropped from RM1 to below 20 sen, incurring over RM400 million losses! 

 

CM sorry about Saham
04 November, 2001

Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Chong Kah Kiat said the State Government is not giving up on the Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) but that any artificial interference on the stocks will not do it good.

However, Chong said he had full confidence on the capability of State Finance Minister Datuk Musa Aman in turning around the shares back to at least its original standings.

"I cannot bluff you, I cannot bluff the investors and we cannot promise (that the situation would return to normal soon)," he said, adding he believed it may take between two and three years.

Chong said he felt sad for all the investors, including government servants who are facing problems repaying the banks for loans taken to buy the shares. "It was just that the stocks were highly speculative".

Chong was asked to comment on the issue, brought up in the State Assembly which took a weekend break before continuing on Monday, after witnessing the presentation of RM4.734m Federal funds to 84 chinese schools at SM Kian Kok hall Saturday.

According to him, SAS was not the only government-owned shares doing badly, especially with the present world economic downturn.

"Whatever you do cannot bring it (the share price) up until the economy has become better…it is going to be difficult unless the world economy recovers," he said.

"Unless of course we jack it up and do something out of the economic norms," he said, adding this however would not be good.

"The question now is to ensure that the management comprised professionals and to make sure there is no unnecessary interference," he said.

Chong said it was very unfortunate that the counters invested turned out to be sour subsequently because of being highly speculative. "The market was robust but now suddenly boom it plunges. So now we must ensure that the fund has to be fundamentally sound and it cannot be speculative."

Musa is currently looking at all options to see where it can help in recovering the shares. PBS Api Api Assemblyman Dr Yee Moh Chai had in the State Assembly called on the State Government to disclose the full reasons of the disastrous performance of the shares.

He also requested that a salvage plan be implemented to restore the value of SAS to its original issued value of RM1 per share so that the sufferings of all the SAS investors will not be unduly prolonged.

Yee said the government should also ensure no similar pain and suffering would be inflicted onto any potential investors of unit trust if any similar scheme should be launched by the State Government in the future.

SAS records RM15.6m profit; giving 3pc dividend
20 January, 2004

Kota Kinabalu: Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) is finally seeing some profit. It recorded pre-tax profit of RM15,614,961.18 in the financial year ending Dec. 31, last year, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman announced, Monday.

This meant a three per cent net dividend for its 57,857 investors in 2003, involving cash payouts of RM14.07 million on 469 million units.

Of the number, 45,224 were individuals, 7,407 investors under the Hardcore Poor Development Project (PPRT), 2,178 investors on bank loans and 48 corporate investors.

“Some 79.82 per cent (43,790) are Bumiputera investors and 20.18 per cent (11,067) are non-Bumiputeras,” he said. The profits were achieved through investments in share markets (89.6 per cent), financial markets (6.85) and the dividend market (3.55).

SAS would not be trading from Jan. 2 to 25 in order to organise unit holders’ accounts. Musa, who is also State Finance Minister, said SAS could expect some kind of assistance from the State Government to improve its financial standing.

“But for the moment, SAS’ prospects depends solely on share and financial markets performance,” he said. He also hinted at a possibility of Sawit Kinabalu allocating a sizable portion of its oil palm estates for SAS to develop.

“We are not sure how large the land would be but it will be discussed in the State Cabinet later. It’s part of the restructuring to improve the income of SAS,” he said.

The dividend would be paid via the issue of warrant while the investors under the hardcore poor development programme (PPRT) would be paid in cash of RM100 each or through their Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) account if they have one.

“Since its inception more than nine years ago, SAS has given dividends on six occasions involving a total of RM237.454 million in cash,” said Musa.

The highest dividend payment was 13 per cent in 1995 and 1996.

He said that there were still 32.24 million units of SAS, of which 29.14 million units were for the Bumiputera and 3.10 million units for non-Bumiputera, which can be bought at current value.

Compared with other State-owned trust funds, the SAS was not doing too badly as it still managed to give out the 3 per cent dividends.

 

 

Public knows the answer: Chong
11 August, 2004

DEPUTY Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat said the people of Sabah know who is to be held responsible for the massive Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) losses.

He was asked to comment on Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee’s comment that he (Chong) is more knowledgeable about the SAS matter.

“If you really want to know, why not ask the 55,000 investors who took out their savings to invest in SAS, which now is worth only 20 sen per unit (compared to RM1 at the time of investment),” Chong remarked.

 

Lodging reports on SAS fiasco
15 August, 2004

Kota Kinabalu: Prompted by the bickering on who is to be blamed for the Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) debacle, opposition, DAP is lodging reports with the police and Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to get to the bottom of the matter.

Its Kota Kinabalu chief Hiew King Chiu said the party would lodge the report with the Commercial Crime Unit at the State police headquarters in Kepayan.

“At the same time, we will also file a report to the ACA on Monday. I have spoken to the Director Mohd Shukri and I will request that the ACA conduct a thorough investigation on whether there are really irregularities in the share investment,” he said.

Speaking here Saturday, Hiew said these allegations were highlighted by a senior member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in one of its exchanges with Barisan Nasional (BN) counterpart, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

The senior LDP party member had claimed irregularities in the SAS share investment in Warisan Harta, NBT and other listed companies, he said.

Hiew noted leaders from LDP and SAPP had during the past one week made statements pointing fingers at each other for the SAS debacle in the various newspapers.

“Both parties are headed by former Chief Ministers and both are pointing fingers on who was responsible for the plummet of share unit price from RM1 to a dismal 20 sen,” he said.

Neither the two ex-Chief Ministers nor their party senior members had denied when accusing each other of covering up the whole issue, he said.

On the losing end, he said, was the people of Sabah who were urged to invest in the SAS with many to the extent of taking up bank loans or using up their live savings as well as charging their pensions.

“A lot of civil servants had been encouraged to acquire the shares and now they are in the brink of bankruptcy since some are losing in the region of RM300,000 to RM500,000,” he said.

Hiew said since the State Government is managing the fund, the question remains who should be responsible for the total loss estimated to be between RM300 and RM400 million.

The DAP had been approached by many shareholders who requested the party to probe into the matter and find out the actual causes behind SAS’ miserable performance.

“It is only fair that the truth is made known to the suffering shareholders. We will leave the investigations to the police and ACA to give the shareholders the true picture of the situation,” he said.

Hiew said DAP also opined that it is incumbent of the BN State Government as well as the two former chief ministers to inform Sabahans, in particular the shareholders, on what had really happened.

“There should be no further cover-ups. Somebody should bear the responsibility,” he said.

 

Make public SAS probe findings: Yong
17 August, 2004

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee hoped findings of any investigation conducted on the Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) will be made public.

The former Chief Minister said the results of any investigation by the authorities, including by the Securities Commission, should be made public so that the truth would come out.

He said this when asked to comment on newspaper reports that the opposition DAP was lodging police and ACA reports to investigate the SAS debacle.

Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters in Bornion Luyang, near here, Monday, Yong expressed surprise when Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat declined to name the culprits behind the losses suffered by SAS investors.

Referring to the comments by the Chong reported on Aug. 11, Yong said he was glad that the LDP now admitted knowing the truth about the SAS issue.

“But his comment that he does not want to reveal the identity of the culprits shows he is deliberately concealing information at the expense of the 55,000 investors of Saham Sabah by saying he wants to give face to the persons who are responsible for the losses suffered by Saham Sabah investors,” said Yong.

“The people have a right to be suspicious who is he protecting and why,” asserted Yong.

“The people of Sabah, especially the 55,000 investors of Saham Sabah, have a right to know the identity of the person whom Chong now says he wants to give face to.

“If there is a culprit behind the losses of Saham Sabah, then these culprits must be exposed. The LDP leadership should not cover up for the culprits,” he said.

 

"I Am Not Politicising Share Issue"- Chong Kah Kiat

 

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Liberal Democratic Party President Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat said Thursday he was not politicising the issue over the fall in the value of the Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) Bhd shares but merely clearing the air on certain facts when making a statement Wednesday on this matter.

"This is not politicising, this is telling the world what should be told. This is explaining to the people what had happened...I'm talking about responsibility.

"If people can stop politicising other matters and if certain people themselves can behave then everyone else also can behave," he told reporters after launching the ICI Colour Solutions Centre in Jalan Bundusang, near here Thursday.

Chong, who is Deputy Chief Minister, was asked to comment on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's call for an end to the bickering on who should be held responsible for the fall in the value of the SAS shares.

Musa told a news conference after the cabinet meeting Wednesday that the state government was making efforts to increase the share value of the SAS and hoped the issue would not be overly politicised.

The SAS saga had been hitting the headlines for quite some time in the local press, with Chong urging former Chief Minister and Sabah Progressive Party President (SAPP) Datuk Yong Teck Lee to stop passing the buck.

Chong said Yong should be the one who should explain to the people the decrease in the value of the SAS shares as he (Chong) was not the Chief Minister at the material time (1996-1997).

Some 55,000 investors, who mostly took out their savings to invest in the SAS shares are bearing the brunt of the plummeting share price, now worth about 20 sen per unit compared to RM1 at the time of investment.

 

All barred: Mustafa

It was reported in Daily Express 24th July 2004 that, all State government officers are barred from political involvement, said State Secretary Datuk K. Y. Mustafa.

“Our policy is based on the General Orders Section D stating that no government officer is allowed to be involved in political activities. This is not something new and not only concerns Umno but other political parties as well,” he said.

Mustafa said he would be reminding all State government officers on this.

“I will announce this properly and then let them make a choice. If they want to do politics, we will ask them to retire or else stop (their) political activities. There is no compromise and no differentiation of grades (of who can and cannot), this is very clear,” he said.

Mustafa was asked about the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman asking him to investigate allegations by the Tenom Umno division that senior government officers were involved in the election campaign recently.

Datuk Rizalman Abdullah, who won the Tenom Umno division chief post, was reported as claiming that senior government officers had campaigned for his rival and in the process used government vehicles.

“That’s why if the allegations are true, all those things are not proper. We will investigate but it is not correct for me to name any person right nowÖ but it is under investigation,” said Mustafa.

Mustafa said he would announce the findings of the investigation but stressed that this was an ongoing process.

However, he acknowledged that it would also be a bit difficult to prove government officers were actively involved in politics because some might be present in the course of duty.

“Its a little bit difficult to identify but we will go into the details,” he said.

It was interesting to note that, the complaints of government officers missuing their position and authority only come about during the UMNO Divisions election and not during the last General Election. Of course it is not difficult to understand that some parties are being threatened by their own men from the government sectors. Their loyalty has been questioned.
 
It has been an old practice that Sabah Government (SG) vehicles are everywhere during unreasonable time and found at unreasonable places which has nothing to do with official duties.
 
Official vehicles are used for personal purpose; sending children to school, wives to work, entertaining family members, going on holiday and so many more examples. The public is tired and sicked of the irresponsible attitude of the government servant. Not only do they misuse their vehicle, they even go against traffic rules by over speeding, illegal parking and over loading.
 
Besides that, office hours are spent for drinking and golfing. Official telephone and faxes are used for personal purposes. Party meetings are held in government premises. Personal visit or leisure visit are made into official duties which later claim a big sum from the government.
 
No wonder the government, Sabah Government is so poor that they could not pay its debts, still making empty promises about bonuses. The truth is, it is itself poor not only in monetary wise but management.
 
If the head move sideway, so does the body. That is also why K.Y. Mustafa see difficulties even before he study the matter in details.