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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

Cattle menace in Kota Belud
Muhyiddin braves the rain to meet Sabahans of all walks of life
Fishermen claim money allocated by Government to repair their homes being abused

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:01 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Local authorities in Sabah's 'cowboy' town are not taking the menace of cattle straying lightly.

They have literally lifted out cows using cranes as they crack down the entire problem blamed for numerous accidents and hygiene problems.

Sabah's east coast Kota Belud municipal council assistant executive officer Datu Jafrin Anggol said records from the past few years showed that about 70 cattles have been found 'loitering' around the district town.

"The cattle were taken in and their owners will be notified about it. A fine of RM30 is imposed for each cattle a day if the owners fails to collect their cattles from the municipal council," he said.

In a similar crack down over the weekend, the council officers caught four cattle, which were looking for food behind garbage bins.

Jafrin said operations to rid the town of cattle and other farm animals including horses and dogs have been carried out for quite some time, but owners seem not to care or fear it.

He said apart from ensuring an animal-free and safe town to live in, the municipal council is also enforcing the anti-litter campaign in the district.

Those found guilty of any offence under these campaigns and efforts would be compounded with a minimum of RM30 and up to RM500.

Offenders could be charged in court if they fail to pay the fines, and risk being penalised up to RM20,000 or imprisoned for not more than a year.

Repeat offenders could be fined up to RM500 a day, for every day of their offence.

Muhyiddin braves the rain to meet Sabahans of all walks of life

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:01 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: A heavy downpour did not stop the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from having a walkabout at the city's busy Jalan Pantai in town.

The Deputy Prime Minister spent about half an hour shaking hands and talking with the business community here.

Pedestrians as well as tenants living in the shophouses there were excited to catch a glimpse of Muhyiddin when he arrived at about 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Two women, Lee Su Loh, 83, and Chong Ah Kiau, 82, who were having their afternoon tea in one of the coffee shops were also glad to be able to see Muhyddin.

"I have never seen anyone important in my life and this is quite an experience meeting the Deputy Prime Minister," Lee said.

After the brief walkabout accompanied by Sabah's Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr. Yee Moh Chai, Kota Kinabalu city mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir and other Chinese community association leaders, the guests proceeded to the City Hall open space to have high tea.

Muhyddin then left at about 5.30pm to the Magellen Sutera not far from the city for a dinner, and will be heading to southwestern Sabah - Kuala Penyu district to meet locals there.

He is also scheduled to officiate at the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) conference at the Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang.

Fishermen claim money allocated by Government to repair their homes being abused

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 04:23 PM PST

JOHOR BARU: Some 100 fishermen in Mersing are up in arms with claims that the RM10,000 special allocation given by the Government to repair their homes was abused as only a portion is utilised for repairs.

They are also upset that they were forced to sign an agreement purportedly by the Agriculture Ministry not to question the allocation used to repair and build the homes, cost of work, materials used and the design of the work before the project commences.

One of the affected fisherman Ramli Yaacob, 70, who has been a fisherman for more than 50 years described the whole matter as "daylight robbery".

"They just painted my outside of the house and changed some zinc pieces along with several rotten planks," he said, adding that his home in Mersing continues to leak.

Ramli added that he estimates that the cost of repair was just about RM3,500 and was disappointed that the contractor had claimed RM10,000 for the job.

"My house used to leak and not it is still leaking after the repairs," he said during a press conference organised by Pusat Aduan Rakyat (PAR) Endau supervisor Mohd Azam Abd Razak and PAR Pasir Gudang supervisor Syed Othman Syed Abdullah.

Ramli, who has lodged a police report, added that many of his peers were scared to come out in the open after they were forced to sign letters acknowledging that renovations costing RM10,000 was done to the homes.

"I feel cheated and hope that the government will look into this matter. It is noble for the government for wanting to help fishermen like me but unscrupulous people were trying to take advantage and make huge profits," he said, adding that only his wife and him lived in the house.

Asked about the signing of the document, Ramli added that he just did what he was told to do as he did not know how to read and write.

Meanwhile Mohd Azam said that each fishermen had different needs including construction of a room, repairing of ceiling or flooring, roofs and even their home toilet.

"The Ministry has appointed 10 contractors for the job but the fishermen have no say in this matter. Why is the Ministry forcing them to sign an agreement before the work is done?" Mohd Azam questioned adding that they would also lodge a complaint with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) on the matter.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that fishermen throughout the country would get between RM5,000 and RM10,000 to repair their homes.

A total of RM300mil was allocated for three years under the project.

Johor Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) director Abdullah Ismail, when contacted refused to comment on the matter.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Khamis, 29 November 2012