The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- History buffs 'rediscover' WWII tunnel
- Mismanagement to blame for losses, says Idris
- Duo found dead in car not husband and wife
| History buffs 'rediscover' WWII tunnel Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:00 AM PST KOTA KINABALU: History buffs have "rediscovered" an entrance to a tunnel they believe was used during World War II at a hillside near the city's downtown area. It is understood that back in the 1980s, the tunnel was notorious as a refuge for vagrants and drug addicts, leading it to be sealed off and forgotten for more than 25 years. Heritage Sabah, a state-based heritage activist group, however, dismissed talk of the tunnel containing war treasures. "The most valuable aspect of this rediscovery is that it is proof of historical accounts in Jesselton (the old name of the capital city) during the Second World War," said Heritage Sabah president Richard Nelson Sokial. "This is an exciting discovery for Sabahans, as we now have an opportunity to uncover and validate more information about Sabah's history," he said. Group members are certain the tunnel was part of an extensive network of secret labyrinths used by the Japanese military forces in Jesselton during the war. Sokial said their research among long-time city residents indicated the Japanese troops occupying North Borneo (as Sabah was then known), had deployed tactical measures, such as bunkers and tunnels in the hillsides of the city as part of their strategic defences. "The rediscovery of this wartime military shelter could shed further light on WWII history in Jesselton as well as be a potential tourist attraction for Kota Kinabalu, just like the Chu Chi tunnels," said Sokial, referring to the war tunnels built during the Vietnam War by the Viet Cong resistance against the American soldiers. |
| Mismanagement to blame for losses, says Idris Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:00 AM PST MALACCA: Mismanagement has been found to be the major factor leading to several state government agencies incurring losses amounting to RM360mil. Commenting on yesterday's front-page report in The Star, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron (pic) said the losses could have been avoided if these agencies had prioritised effective and prudent management. "I knew about the financial situation and the need to intervene early. Hence, I embarked on the reshuffling exercise by appointing more credible and effective officials to helm the agencies. "The state government emphasises transparency and good governance, and never attempted to conceal or refute the losses when made public (by The Star)," he said here yesterday. Idris emphasised that the losses were due to mismanagement and not misappropriation or other criminal acts. Therefore, there was no need to involve the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "These are more related to managerial aspects of these agencies, and we see no need to lodge reports with MACC. "We have conducted internal probes and audits, and the outcome has been made public because the state government has no intention to cover up the losses," he said. Idris added that the state government would continue to ensure that its agencies were managed effectively and could generate significant revenue. Asked on his plans for the ailing agencies, Idris said he would start by placing responsible and accountable leaders inside these organisations. "We need time to make changes as well as to ensure that the agencies can generate revenue. "We have our own way of doing this," he added without providing further details. |
| Duo found dead in car not husband and wife Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:00 AM PST KUALA LUMPUR: A couple found dead in a silver Mercedes Benz at Taman Metropolitan Batu in Kampung Batu, Sentul, are not husband and wife as initially suspected. City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng clarified that the wife and son of the man have come forward to claim his body. "So far, we know that the man is from Jinjang and the woman is from Teluk Intan, Perak. "However, we are still unsure how they knew each other," he said during a press conference at the city police headquarters here yesterday. Both the deceased were aged 58. The security guard at the park, Faris Izham Kamaruddin, 21, said he had spotted the couple arriving at around noon on Tuesday. Five hours later, a few joggers came shouting for help, and when Fariz Izham went to the scene, he found the couple sprawled motionless inside the vehicle which was filled with black smoke. SAC Gan said that initial investigations showed no sign of foul play. "The case has been classified as sudden death, but we are not ruling out suicide." |
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