PENAMPANG COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY LEADERS TIGHTENED UP WEDDING ENGAGEMENT FORM

On July 24th 2015, the leaders of this council invited me to cover their meeting because they wanted to make a press release of their new resolution.

Due to so many problematic engagement some couples have signed in the presence of the village chief, such as not getting married within two years, such relationship sours and they will bring their disputes to the native court.

There was even a case where the couple never married after 7 years and then they brought their fight to the court which simply clog the court system with cases created by the weak agreement in their engagement form.

The details of news is published today after the editor held it for a few days because I got the scoop of the news anyway.

I will reproduce the Bahasa Version of the press release by the Council of Community Leaders who are also members of the Native Courts.

Another thing to note:  One Buffalo if monetized in value officially is now RM2500.00
Enforcement of existing rules.  Village Chief must be present during the engagement ceremony to sign on the form. If he is unable to attend for any reasons, then he can only delegate the duty to another village chief from the NEAREST village.  JKKK Chairman and any other are not allowed to certify this form.

Here is the Bahasa Text.

SYARAT-SYARAT DALAM SURAT PERJANJIAN PERTUNANGAN MENGIKUT ADAT ISTIADAT MAHKAMAH ANAK NEGERI PENAMPANG SABAH.  JULAI 2015

1.  Perjanjian Pertunangan yang disahkan akan berkuatkuasa mula pada tarikh hari pertunangan dalam tempoh setahun sahaja.

2.  Dimana sekiranya perkahwinan gagal dilangsungkan dalam tempoh setahun yang ditetapkan itu, maka satu perbincangan boleh diadakan diantara kedua-dua pihak untuk menentukan tarikh baru perkahwinan mereka.

3.  Bagaimanapun penetapan "Kali Kedua" tarikh perkahwinan ini hanya dalam tempoh setahun sahaja dalam tahun kedua.

4.  Sekiranya perkahwinan masih GAGAL lagi dilangsungkan dalam tempoh lanjutan setahun itu maka dengan tersendirinya TERBATAL perjanjian pertunangan ini.

5.  Walaubagaimana pun, sekiranya kedua-dua pihak masih berhasrat untuk berkahwin, maka satu PERJANJIAN PERTUNANGAN kali kedua dan TERAKHIR boleh diadakan untuk menetapkan tarikh perkahwinan dalam tempoh yang terdekat sahaja.

The 22 leaders who attended the meeting is as per the official photo below.

Standing from Left:
KK Elizabeth George Mojuntin, KK Rita John Goninu, KK Michael Segawal, KK James Mindong (Limbanak), WKAN Clarence Matalus, KK Kolugou Mositun (Terian), KK John Sabitang (Buayan), KK John Molingun (Babagon), KK Stephen Mojimin (Kimoligan), KK Luis Jalin (Kituau), KK Sipodo Ephraim Lojingon ( Madsiang), KK Charles Johnioh (Terawi), KK  Markus Limjoon (Hungab), KK Philip Toyu (Bukitas), KK John Gintos (Moyog).

Seated are from Left:

WKAN Pius Kunsung, KAN Andrew S Lidaun, KK Michael Bejuet, KK Michael Kubot (Putaton) OKK Bryan Matasing Lojingon, KK Wildy Moujing, KAN Markus Johnioh.

KK - Ketua Kampung or village chief
WKAN - Wakil Ketua Anak Negeri or Asst. Native Chief
KAN - Native Chief
OKK - Orang Kaya Kaya or District Chief

DISTRICT OFFICER OFFICIATED GIANT SUPERMARKET DONATION TO FIRE VICTIMS IN PENAMPANG

 

 On 23 May 2015, welfare officer Justine Jitamil informed me about Giant's Supermarket CSR for 5 families of fire victim from Penampang who are shown in the above photo where the brief handing over of donations were done at 10 am right after opening of business for the day.

 

This event was released to Daily Express, the news was on front page on 25 May but only as part of a bigger statement from the District Officer from the interview and news writing process.

Daily Express did not print this photograph because newspapers have a policy against publishing photographs that carries company logos as clearly shown in the above, unless they pay advertisement fee. Come to think of it they could just have cropped the photo and show the people only.

 

I also translated this into Kadazan Language, but was totally rejected.

 

Welfare officer wanted the publicity in order to encourage other big corporation on their CSR to assist the needy.

 

Here is an excerpt from the news.

 

District Officer Luvita Koisun was asked on these issues after a brief CSR program by a retail company “Giant” at Megalong Supermarket at Donggongon, Saturday. She thanked the management of Giant for including five families of fire victims in their program where all were donated domestic and kitchen goods such as mattresses, stoves and food together with shopping vouchers (RM500 each to family) to lighten their suffering.

 

According to Annie Johnny, Asst Manager of Corporate Affairs, the total donations amounted to RM10 thousand equally distributed to the families, four from Kg Kolopis and one from Kg Mogonibung. The accidental fires occurred recently where two invalids or OKUs lost their lives.

All donations by the company are channelled through the district welfare department which also comes under the purview of the District Officer.  Johnny also informed that they have adopted selected schools under their “Love our schools” program.

On hand to present the gifts was the Head of East Malaysia & Brunei “Giant” group Marius Knight.

 

Photo shows: Knight (centre), Koisun, Welfare Officer Walter John Luan (blue), Hypermarket Manager Daniel Ong (specs) together with fire victims.

Oh, and Justine is the little face between John Luan and Luvita Koisun, he he he



DISTRICT CHIEF BRYAN MATASING AND WKAN PIUS KUNSUNG INSPECTED MUDDY RIVER WATER OF MOYOG

 

Pius and Bryan inspecting the river from a suspension bridge

 

PENAMPANG.  Extremely muddy river water during the current dry spell is simply abnormal for the villages of upper Moyog River.

 

The gravity water supply has dried up and the villagers cannot fall back on the river which used to be crystal clear before.  A barrage of complaint from villagers, village chiefs, chairmen of JKKK and River Tagal leaders were received by District Chief Bryan Matasing. He conducted a whole morning inspection yesterday together with Asst Native Chief Pius Kunsung who hailed from Moyog. All the rivulets flowing into the river were found to be clean albeit with low flow except for one that flows through Kg Mongkusilad where the rivulet shares the same name. This rivulet was found covered with clay and mud. Above this rivulet is a massive land cutting that was the subject a dialogue at Kg Notorus community hall in December 2014. During this dialogue session, the owner of the project did not bother to attend prompting a lady from the village to ask the government officials what is so special about this person known with a three letter name that even the authorities cannot take action.

A hill farmer Poungi Gumas, 64 from Kg Rugading Baru has a farm house on the opposite side of the river said the exact location of this hill cutting is Mile 24 Tambunan Moyog Rd. He had cultivated a plot of land for rubber trees and fruits since 1982 and is now affected by the mud as his plot lies below the hill cutting. Gumas who was met on site said he had seen forestry officers and others coming to take photographs before but to date no further action.

Photographs taken during this inspection sufficiently proved the methodology of hill cutting was the culprit.

A retired engineer said hill cutting is not a problem provided mitigation measures as stated in the specification are followed. This is a private project and the owner could not care less about mitigations to protect the environment, he said. “Excess loose earth were simply pushed down the steep side of a tall cliff and the slightest rain will wash them down into the river. He might as well have dumped truck loads of clay straight into the river water.”

The engineer further opined that earthfill is now very expensive in Penampang, the market rate for earth alone without the transportation cost is around RM10 per truck so the man should have sold his excess earth and covered his GST. Even if the stop work order is really enforced now, it would take another 10 years for all that loose clay to be completely washed down the river, he added.

Matasing informed that apart from the villagers who used to take their water supply from the river, others affected are 28 tagal system, 5 eco-tourism and a supplementary water intake for the Water Department at Kg Madsiang.

The retired engineer suggested all those affected should combine their resources and claim for compensation in a class-action lawsuit while the evidences are still fresh.

 PROOF:  Mud and clay at the bottom of Mongkusilad River

EVIDENCE:  Very loose clay and soil on the steep slope above the Mongkusilad River

 Hill cutting as seen from the opposite side of the ravine

 Entrance to the land where hill cutting is carried out at M 24 Jln Tambunan fully barricaded by the owner to prevent the authorities to photograph evidence of environment violation

Even JETAMA water intake at Madsiang is grossly affected.

Ensuring 'Kobusak' and 'Nosoob' not forgotten

 

Binijin, Lidaun and Bejuet at the press conference

 

 

Penampang: Three community leaders here have issued a joint declaration to ensure that the unique name of their village will not disappear or get distorted due to development and modernisation.

  

Native Chief Andrew S Lidaun, Village Chief Michael F Bejuet and Chairman of Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) Delek Binijin from Kampung Kobusak Nosoob made the statement from Lidaun's office at the Mini Secretariat Building of Penampang. They insisted that the name be maintained now and forever.    Being adjacent to the city of Kota Kinabalu, they are pleased with the progress of development and economy where it has become a model village complete with shopping complex, halls, churches and even a medium size hotel.     "However, outside names have been imported as if another town is encroaching into the village. "The worse example is "Lido Square" as if the adjacent suburb had moved into the village, creating confusion on the locality. It should have been named Kobusak Nosoob Square," said Lidaun.    Regarding the two-word name of his village, Lidaun remembers clearly the history as passed down by his grandfather Dagul and grandmother Latinggah who came from Moyog to open up the forest as fruit orchards and padi land before the Japanese occupation during World War 2. At that time, the area did not have a name but the padi fields were already producing a bountiful yield.    During one of the droughts after harvesting, the area was burnt by a bush fire and the farmers then called the area "Nosoob" meaning scorched. When the rainy season came back, the area not only produced more rice and fruits but a bloom of flowers ("vusak" in KDM) appeared all over, thus the locals agreed to give it another name "Kobusak".    The Kobusak Nosoob village used to include the areas now named Kapazan, Koidupan and Bahang administrated by one village chief known as "Orang Tua". Lidaun gave their names in chronological order as follows: OT Sadangkat, OT Ubu Sadangkat and OT Vincent Mobilik Ubu. When Kapazan, Bahang and Koidupan separated to form their own villages, the inhabitants of Kobusak Nosoob requested the government for their own chief, now known as Ketua Kampung, and the first appointed was KK Albert Mojilis.     From 1984 to 2009, Lidaun was appointed and from 2009, KK Michael Bejuet took over until now. Lidaun also quoted a former radio broadcaster and deputy director of RTM, Wilfred Mojilis who said that the two names of Kobusak and Nosoob cannot be separated.    Hence, with their authority as community leaders of Kobusak Nosoob, the trio announced that from April 7, 2015, no other pollution of the name or slangy spelling such as "Kabasak, Kabisak" will be tolerated and any entity or individual who purposely do so may be sued in the Native Court. They also hoped that the local authorities and government agencies will take note.    The trio also said that their decision to fix the name of their village is not just for historical or sentimental reasons but for the benefit of everyone living in the modern world. "Confusing names of locality, buildings, roads and street signs can hamper emergency services such as ambulance, bomba and the police from giving a fast response time. For example, it would be a life and death for any person at Lido Square needing an ambulance and the driver got confused and headed for the Lido market instead.     "There have also been reports of fire trucks heading in the wrong direction because of the confusing names of villages," they said. Similarly, the utility agencies such as water and electricity services can provide better services when the people report any breakdown and the repair team can find the location fast due to proper naming of roads, buildings and villages. Hence, the JKKK will be seeking approval from the local council for the erection of entrance arches and other necessary signage for the village, they added

SABAHVFM KADAZAN POPULAR SONG CHART FOR 2013-2014 held at KDCA Hall 28 March 2015

And today is April fool 2015 when the GST or "gigit sampai tulang" is implemented in Malaysia.

Nevertheless, we are just posting the videos of the winners for this concert cum competition for the most popular song from this RTM radio station based in Kota Kinabalu.

The winner of the best Kadazan lyrics was as I expected to be.
"Doiti id pomogunan" literary means "In this world" a moral themed song with a touch of religious prayer, and written by Venitha Lojuti, sang by now 16 year old Maria Tatiomis Guntingan. She first recorded the song for RTM when she was 13 or 14. Her voice was already matured then and her diction is in perfect Kadazan of Penampang.

However the best performance and overall song was by diva like Anna Stanislaus "Hangad ku tomoimo" which could meant "Always yearning"
as chosen by the professional judges while the second also went to Maria Tatiomis.

The third song chosen was "Koginavaan ku" ( My Love)  by Petrus Boyd Pensin but performed by Malvin Kalbin in the absence of the original artist.

Peter Dicky Lee won the best performance with backing show with theme mother losing son to his girlfriend with an ending wail of "Inaa" by Peter.
That emotional show impressed the judges for an RM1000 prize.

Anyway here are the videos

Third place:



Second place:



First Place:



And the presentation of prizes here:

FIVE WAYS TO BE HAPPY, by Datuk Vincent Pung, CEO of Sabah Credit Corporation

During a simple party specially for the multi-racial senior citizens of Penampang, at SCC HQ at Donggongon today, 4 March 2015 the good Datuk gave this simple message.

 

 

Datuk Vincent, CEO

 

 

Quote: "There are five ways to be happy ...

 

1.  Love yourself

2.  Do good

3. Always forgive, or learn to forgive

4. Harm no one, wish no harm to others

5. Be positive. "

 

 

That was the good Datuk sharing with the seniors at the fourth floor gym area of his HQ and everyone present could not agree more.

 

There was a massive round of applause when he announced that the Corporation is 60 years old this year, just one year younger than he is, and it has been growing while other corporation has come and gone.

 

It was started with one million dollar fund, taken from the war reparation fund from the Japanese after the second world war.

 

As such Datuk Pung wish that it will continue to grow for another 60 years while giving back to the community such as the CSR on the Senior Citizens.

 

 

Now with such a happy and positive vision that this gentleman have, how I just wish every Malaysians especially the Leaders in Power will share his visions and principles.

 

 

And to be happy,  well, won't it be nice if somebody pass this message to the ISIS ??

 

 

Here is my favourite staff of SCC

 



 

Gong Xi Fa Cai

 

One for the album,  he he  he

 

P/S,   there was a simple lion dance competition too.  Three ladies team and one men team was formed, each team has 8 members, 4 on the drums and cymbals, and 4 on the 2 lions.

 

The men team was voted winners probably because the drumming was faster performed by Benjamin Matanjang of "Nombo No Ih Kalabau Ku" fame, and we got AngPows too.  I got short videos of the ladies at the lions but missed taking the mens team because I was busy trying to bang the cymbals.. ha ha ha

 

On the lion dance performances, the good Datuk thought that some of the dancing looked like Sumazau, but anyway the important thing is BE HAPPY.

 

Next time, we will do a thorough practice first, right men ??

 

Cheers  everyone.



SABAH FISHERIES DEPARTMENT CREATED HISTORY AT KG BABAGON RIVER WITH TAGAL SYSTEM

ON 13 Feb 2015, I was invited to cover the release of a thousand Pelian fish fry at Kg Babagon River where they have enforce some Tagal system of fish and environment preservation.

What is the big deal?

Well the State fisheries department claimed that they had created a first in history in Sabah for being able to breed the fish fry from the eggs after mating them with the sperm of the male fish and bred them in tanks until large enough to be released in the river where fishing is banned most of the time via their TAGAL system.

The fisheries deputy director said that the survival rate is near 100 percent due to the size when released in the river.

Such fisheries research with a half million grant from the State Government is to ensure the biodiversity of fish in the state is maintained.

Also the Pelian ("pohizan" in Kadazan dialect or scientific name according to Dr Ahemad Sade of State fisheries deputy director is "TOR DOURONENSIS" ) is highly valued and hence the first species to be researched. By this success, he said that this tasty fish will never disappear from our rivers for the benefit of the future generation.

The event was graced by the District Officer and other local community leaders and fisheries staff from the Babagon Fisheries Research Station.

here are some pics.

District Officer Pn Luvita Koisun hooking a pelian fish just after one throw of the fishing line.  And yes, our first female DO can also pass for a public officer cum model.

 

 Luvita releasing the fish back to the river immediately before it gasp its last breath.  he he he. That is in compliance with the TAGAL rule of the Kg Babagon Village.

 Luvita and Dr Sade releasing the Pelian fish fry,  a total of one thousand, and yes the fisheries officer said they have methods of counting them to be exact.

 A part of the fry just after being released.  They swim together for their protection.  Natural instinct of the fish for survival.

 

And finally the DO,  ex-DO cum People Development Leader, District Chief, Two fisheries deputy directors and their staff and other community leaders group pic for the record.  Good job Fisheries Dept !!