:STIA hand over contribution to three organizations

TAWAU, Three organizations became recipients from the fund collected in the charity golf event held by district’s Sabah Timber Industries Association (STIA) in a handling over of checks and goods held at the STIA office last Saturday.

Present in the handling over event was Chua Yeong Perng, the district branch chairman for STIA.

Chua, who is also the vice president of STIA Sabah presented a check each to representative from Society of the Deaf and Special Olympic Sabah worth RM30,444.25 and RM10,000 respectively while Sri Stella Visiting Board received goods worth RM20,000.

Also present during the presentation was Thomas Tiong Yong Yung, the organizing chairman for the charity golf event.

Chua said the generosity of the golfers had made the donation successful apart from a number of sponsors providing support as the event collected a total of RM60,444.25.

The event held in July was launched by Minister of Youth and Sport Sabah YB Datuk Peter Pang En Yin at Tawau Golf Club’s 18 hole course at Hot Spring.

CAPTION: Chua presenting a check to representative of the Special Olympic Sabah.

Political parties need to use alternative media

TAWAU, Political parties today need to make full use of the alternative media in the form of internet medias as an effort to continue to remain dynamic and relevant in channeling information to the general public especially among the young generation.

Assistant Minister of Youth and Sport Sabah and State Assemblyman for Tamparuli, YB Datuk Jahid Jahin said it is essential for such venture as the public need to know both side of a story and not merely relying on just one side on any issue.

Jahid who is also the president of the youth wing of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) in an interview said statistic shows that some 60 percent of young Malaysian tend to read news through alternative media such as blogs and not the current mainstream media such as newspaper, radio or television.

`We need to embrace the current technology and make use of it for the sake of the country’s wellbeing’, he added.

He congratulate the effort by the party’s of Sri Tanjong who had launched its’ own blog as an alternative in publicizing their activities as situation now demanded the usage of such blog as another mean of spreading information.

`It is a good effort and I welcome such move by the party’s Sri Tanjong’s bahagian chairman Fung Len Fui and his deputy Chong Hon Vun as messages need to be extended to the whole Malaysian at every level’, he stated.

Jahid reasoned that blogs can also be useful to obtain feedbacks from the young Malaysian surfing the net as it is the best channel for them to express their opinion on any matter.

`I am very happy with the involvement of young generation into ICT in what is now called cyber debate making our youth compatible with youth around the world’, he added.

Jahid said this during a dinner with PBS leaders of the district recently.

The PBS Sri Tanjong blog can be access at http://pbs-sri-tanjong-news.blogspot.com/ (English), http://pbs-sri-tanjong-berita.blogspot.com/ (bahasa Malaysia) and http://pbs-sri-tanjong.blogspot.com/ (Chinese).

Caption: Jahid (seated in white long sleeve shirt) with other PBS leaders of the district.

East Coast Sabah require food research lab

TAWAU, The authority is asked to seek way to solve the problem of vegetable samples taking some three months to be tested for safety purposes due to the absence of such testing lab nearby.

Councilor for the Tawau Municipal Council (TMC) Dato’ Yong Chi Fui made the request due to the long period of time needed to test the sample while the vegetable sampled would continue to be on sale to the general public.

`In three months, many would have purchased the sampled vegetable and unsafe vegetable would be well consumed before the result of the test is display so it is essential that testing period be shortened’, he stated at the full board meeting yesterday.

Yong added that there is only one such lab in the state located at kota Kinabalu and it does not bring any benefit for Malaysian living on the East Coast of Sabah.

`Sampled vegetable on sale pose a risk to consumers and I urge the necessary steps be taken by related authority to overcome the matter’, he added.

Caption: Yong.

Sri Tanjong community sport club praised for organizing sport event

TAWAU, The Sri Tanjong Community Sport Club (STCSC) received praise from Assistant Minister of Youth and Sport Sabah for continuing to organize event to promote a healthy lifestyle while enhancing co-operation between Malaysian.

Assistant Minister of Youth and Sport Sabah and State Assemblyman for Tamparuli, YB Datuk Jahid Jahin when launching the Unity cup here last Sunday held at the soccer field of Sabah Chinese High School said such an effort mirrored the effort by country in creating awareness for Malaysian to live a healthy lifestyle through involvement in sports.

`It is also an event to get young generation to use their free time for a useful purpose which will build up their physical and mental mind’, he stated in the competition.

Jahid at the same time also said that youth associations in the district need to come forward to the district’s Youth and Sport office to seek any kind of assistance from the officer-in-charge.

Earlier, STCSC chairman Fung Len Fui in his speech said the event would ensure that unity among the races in Malaysia will continue to be promoted while giving an avenue for them to enhance their soccer skills.

Caption: Jahid launching the event.

:Malaysian Chinese witnessed live firing exercise

TAWAU, Almost fifty members from various Chinese associations took part in witnessing at first hand the live firing of firearms by the 516th Regiment of the Territorial Army. The witnessing of the event came about from the invitation from the regiment’s commanding officer Brigadier Jeneral Datuk Liew Yun Fah as part of his effort to promote the territorial army to the Chinese Malaysian communities.

He said the new recruit took part in the live firing exercise held at the firing ranch of the Royal Malaysian Police ground at mile 10 Apas road which is part of the training syllabus required for new recruits to take part.

`I invite these Chinese associations to attend so that they can see what and how a life firing of weapons in particular the assault rifle usage is done to expose them’, Liew said at the event as part of his effort to encourage more Chinese to take part in joining the territorial army.

The training exercise was done on October 08.

Caption: Liew with his officers and personnel with the invited guests at the firing ranch.

: Territorial army does charity work

TAWAU, Youth are encourage to get involve in religious teaching as it is an essential thing to ensure that future generation could contribute affectively toward the development of the country.

This is important as it could help maintain the capability of the country to compete with the international communities and Malaysia with its’ people with diverse religious belief need to instill such education to the young generation.

Brigadier General Datuk Liew Yun Fah said this when he visited the Mahad Tafis Ashabisyadhid religious school at Bombalai recently citing that students of the school need to that they also need to continue to maintain a good relationship with Malaysian communities of other beliefs and not to be influenced by the racist issues now used by certain political groups.

`We in Malaysia does not have such a racial problem and we need to continue promoting such unity to ensure our country would continue to move forward and develop’, he stated.

Liew was at the school with his deputy commander Lieutenant Colonel Mohd. Samin Haji Mohd. Sih, officers and members of the 516th Regiment Territorial Army to give rice and money as part of the regiment’s effort in conducting community services.

At the same time, Liew who is the commander of the regiment also urges them to continue to play a role in helping the less fortunate and senior citizens.

The school has 84 students.

Among those present was the chairman of the JKKK Bombalai, Achok Sulong.

Caption: Liew witnessing the handling over of 20 bags of rice from Samin to Achok.

: No compromise when it comes to security: Syed Zahiruddin

TAWAU, The security of the country should not be compromised by any matter and the upgrading of the district KD Sri Tawau is no exception in any ways as the country need to be prepared despite peace time.

The recent conclusion of the OSTEX East 3/08 naval training has proven the capability of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in protecting the coast of Sabah, Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan from any possible threat involving around 800 officers and personnel.

Speaking during a press conference held at KD Sri Tawau, First Admiral Syed Zahiruddin Putra bin Syed Osman, the Panglima for Wilayah Laut 2, said all equipment used during the training which include seven warships and one tow ship went without any breakdown or facing difficulties thus proving the ability of the force in executing their duties.

`As stated, we include a training scenario on the recent hijacking case which occurred at Somalia and this is enhancing our ability’, he stated.

He said the Wilayah Laut 2 now has some seventeen ships, two helicopters and a dozen combat boats apart from the various support equipment and for the first time next year, the force will also obtain two submarines to compliment the existing equipment.

He also said the base defend scenarios which include the scene on the Somalia’s incident is aim at preventing intrusion and sabotage efforts.

He also said that KD Sri Tawau will become the third largest naval base in the state after Sepanggar and Sandakan naval base after upgrade which will begin to take place next year and will be expected to be completed in two years time.

Caption: Syed Zahiruddin (right) during the press conference with KD Sri Tawau commanding officer Lieutenant commander Wan Alias bin Wan Mamat.

: Navy conduct medical health check at Pasir Putih Baru

TAWAU, The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will close its last training exercise for the East Coast of Sabah under the theme `OSTEX East 3/08’ which is the largest and involved training to prevent similar incident taking place in Somalia where a ship hijacking took place.

The last training exercise for 2008 under this theme involves 7 warships and a single tug ship took on new training scenario which was the hijacking scenario to test the readiness of the naval force in the training which began on November 3.

First Admiral Syed Zahiruddin Putra bin Syed Osman who is the chief of the Wilayah Laut 2 stated the incident scenario which took place in Somali was taking into account as part of the effort to boost the capability of the force.

Syed Zahiruddin was in the district to close the training event on November 8 to be held at the ground of the district naval base KD Sri Tawau said the training would again show the readiness of the force in protecting the sea coast of Sabah and Sarawak with the available equipment.

At the same time, he also said the district naval base will be rebuild beginning next year at an undisclosed amount and is estimated to take two years for its’ completion.

Syed Zahiruddin added the newly completed buildings of the naval force is expected to compliment logistic and technical supports for the RMN forces in Sabah apart from providing training ground to the force’s reserve.

He is in the district to today to observe the Navy’s health check for villagers at Pasir Putih Baru village where the free service including providing free medicines catered for rural folks.


Caption: Syed Zahiruddin (standing in white naval uniform) looking at the service rendered.