BSM apologized, to deliver more fuels supply via land and sea

BSM apologized, to deliver more fuels supply via land and sea
Resort launches self-sustaining food production system
Man denies attempt to murder cop
Sabah batik designers challenged to come up with creations that attract tourists
Ex-DCM Tham applauds Yahya’s stand on use of ‘Allah’
Indian with fake IC fined RM8,000

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:55 PM PST

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Shell Marketing Sdn Bhd (BSM) has clarified the interruption to fuel supply in Temburong District over the weekend period of January 31 to February 4, which has caused the difficulties to some customers recently in relation to the fuel supply in the Temburong District, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.

The reason was due to the closure of one of the two retail stations in Temburong District for the holidays which result the remaining one station to be overwhelmed by the higher than normal demand during the weekend. Efforts made on Tuesday, February 4, to provide additional fuel supply to the station were also temporarily affected as one of the delivery vehicles broken down.

Nevertheless the demand still exceeded the supply, prompting the stations to close early whilst waiting for supply to be replenish on the following day.

BSM said it was taking additional measures to increase the number of supply deliveries by utilising both road tankers and barge to ensure the fuel supply to Temburong District is suffice.

To avoid recurrence, any planned or unplanned closure of a station will be closely monitored. BSM said it will continue to work closely with the retailers to monitor fuel stock levels. Additionally, BSM is also considering using the combination of both road tanker and river barge delivery.

BSM has also conveyed its sincere regret for any inconvenience caused. BSM would like to assure its valued customers of its continuous commitment to provide the highest level of service. For further enquiries, member of the public can contact the BSM Hotline on 2244739 (Press 0) or the BSM Duty number 7194277.

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Resort launches self-sustaining food production system

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:45 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa has expanded its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to include aquaponics, a self-sustaining food production system.

The process combines aquaculture, the farming of fish and hydroponics, the farming of plants in water.

The resort's aquaponics project is a sustainable food production system constructed out of discarded materials found in and around the resort.

The system will soon be upgraded and powered by solely by solar energy. The resort will use this system to cultivate a variety of herbs and vegetables and to breed freshwater tilapia.

"We are excited to be the first hotel in Kota Kinabalu and the only hotel within the Shangri-La group to launch this aquaponics system. Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa is a strong advocate for environmental sustainability and this is proven by our recent awards won at the 2013 Prime Minister's Hibiscus Award for Exceptional Achievement Award in the environmental performance and the coveted Sabah State Award," said general manager Craig Powell.

Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa will be collaborating with a non-governmental organisation to introduce aquaponics to rural communities in needs as a means of providing an alternative sustainable livelihood.

The resort also intends to introduce aquaponics to schools as an educational tool to teach students on the mechanics and advantages of this system in promoting a better environment.

A medium-scale interactive model of the resort's aquaponics system can be viewed at STAR Marina for guests to discover the benefits of this alternate farming method through the expert knowledge of its resident marine biologist.

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Man denies attempt to murder cop

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:41 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: A jobless man was charged at the Sessions Court here yesterday with attempting to murder a local police officer with a vehicle.

Jerry Abdul Halim, 30, pleaded not guilty before Judge Dean Wayne Daly to the charge of attempt to run over Corporal Razi Gapar, 36, with a Toyota Land Cruiser on December 12, 2013 in front of Malar Hotel, Kampung Air.

The unrepresented accused was charged under Section 307 of the Penal Code which is punishable with up to 20 years jail, upon conviction.

The court fixed March 12, this year for the next mention of his case.

Deputy public prosecutor Nartiah F Mirchelle Sambatan had objected to the granting of bail on the grounds that the accused possesses no proper documents and therefore have a high probability of him absconding.

The court then ordered for the accused to be further remanded in custody, pending disposal of his case.

In a separate court, Azwan Basir, 18, claimed trial before Magistrate Herlina Muse to a charge of stealing a motorcycle.

The accused allegedly stole the motorcycle belonging to Syaid Al Basri, 18, on January 30, this year at Kedai Runcit Indah Permai, Jalan Sepanggar, Menggatal.

The penalty for the offence under Section 379A of the Penal Code is maximum seven years jail, and shall also be liable to a fine, on conviction.

The court fixed March 6, this year for his trial and denied bail for the accused under Section 259 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Inspector Azaman Hamat prosecuted in the case.

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Sabah batik designers challenged to come up with creations that attract tourists

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:33 PM PST

by Sandra Sokial. Posted on February 7, 2014, Friday

KOTA KINABALU: Young batik designers in Sabah have been challenged to come up with new creations that would reflect the state's identity.

The creations should be unique and able to attract new tourists to come to Sabah, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said when posing the challenge at the closing of Yayasan Sabah Group's Membatik Course and presentation of awards to young batik designers.

Noting that the trainees had learned and mastered the art of making batik, Musa said, "While your learning session has ended, it is just the beginning for you, and your challenge now is to come up with new designs that reflect Sabah's culture and identity. We want it to be so good that it would lure tourists, both repeat and new ones, to come to our state to find these designs," he said.

The Chief Minister stressed that Sabahans have the potential to produce quality batiks if they have the right attitude, interest and determination to do so.

He expressed his confidence that with the level of creativity and innovations among Sabahans, it would ensure that their works are good and competitive not only in the local market, but also internationally.

"Apart from offering job opportunities, the handicraft industry also contributes towards the nation and state's economy, besides encouraging more Bumiputeras to take up the chances available," he said.

Batik is a method of producing designs on fabric by using a wax resist. Once the fabric is painted with wax, it is placed in a dye bath where the areas under the wax will remain undyed.

The batik masters can produce complex design by layering colors and using cracks in the painted wax to produce fine lines of detail.

At the event, Musa also encouraged corporate bodies and relevant authorities to conduct research and development works on the field.

"I welcome the move by Sabah Handicraft Centre to work closely with Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation and SIRIM Bhd in developing new products, and in R&D.

"As such I would like to call on all agencies and corporate bodies to develop strategic cooperation to share their views and expertise for the good and development of the local handicrafts," said Musa.

The event saw 33 trainees receiving their certificates after completing the 18-month Membatik Course.

Hazera Sabin stole the limelight after emerging top in the best young batik designers award, followed by Norzilah Jahan and Azmie Utoh @ Ismail, at second and third placings, respectively.

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Ex-DCM Tham applauds Yahya’s stand on use of ‘Allah’

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:31 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Whatever may be said about the row over the word "Allah" in Malaysia, in Sabah the controversy has elicited a heartening response from the people.

Muslims have joined Christians in the state in support of their use of the word they both use for God, noted former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Tham Nyip Shen.

He emphasized this remarkable spirit of tolerance when he applauded Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin for showing Malaysian leaders in the peninsula that the people of Sabah are united with one voice when it comes to the Almighty.

"This type of outlook will guarantee continued peace and harmony among the multi-racial, multi-religious people of Sabah," the now retired politician said in a statement yesterday.

"I am sure such a statement by a government leader is fully appreciated by the people of Sabah," Tham added.

Yahya was reported Wednesday as saying that it did not matter to him that non-Muslims were using the word 'Allah" in their worship.

He said the belligerent stance "by others" was not a civilised or enlightened way of dealing with such things.

Tham said that for the state No. 2 leader to say that it was no big deal if Christians in the state used the word "Allah" to refer to their God should inspire both Christians and Muslims elsewhere to grasp the idea that rising religious tensions that are founded on such issues are absurd.

The former DCM also supported Yahya, his former colleague in the state cabinet, in urging the people in Peninsular Malaysia to emulate Sabahan Muslims who do not take offence if non-Muslims use the word "Tuhan" or "Allah" in calling "God" in their worship.

"This brave and open statement should be supported by all the other Sabah Cabinet Ministers," he said.

Tham said that there were other more pressing problems faced by the people and the quarrel over "what to call God" was something best left to individual worshippers.

Yahya's statement on the issue came as a reassurance by the state government following Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman's declaration in the State Legislative Assembly last year that the state government has no problem with the Catholic Church in Sabah using the word "Allah" in its Bahasa Malaysia publication of the mission's monthly newspaper, The Catholic Sabah.

Musa said this was the policy of the state government on the matter and cemented the assurance by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on Oct 21 last year that Christians in Sabah and Sarawak can use the word "Allah".

Najib's assurance came after the Court of Appeal ruling on October 14 that the word was reserved strictly for Muslims.

Musa's statement on the issue was made in a written reply to a question posed by Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing during the recent State Legislative Assembly sitting.

The opposition lawmaker had asked what the Sabah government's stand on the use of the word by the Catholic Sabah newspaper after the Court of Appeal banned The Herald, the national Catholic publication, from printing the word "Allah".

The Sarawak state government's view of the issue is in tandem with that of Sabah.

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Indian with fake IC fined RM8,000

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:20 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: An Indian man was fined RM8,000, in default, six months' jail by the Magistrate's Court here yesterday for possessing a fake identity card.

Hussain Sahul, 50, pleaded guilty before court registrar Ryan Sangiraan Rayner Jr, who sat as a magistrate, to having the fake MyKad bearing numbers 630520-12-5715 at a bank here at 4.15pm on November 28.

He was convicted under Regulation 25 (1) (o) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 which carries a maximum jail of three years or a fine of between RM3,000 and RM20,000, upon conviction.

The accused, who earns a living as a cook, was represented by counsel P.J Perira.

In a separate case, local Primus Yong claimed trial to a charge of carrying a knife at a public place.

The accused was charged under Section 6 (1) of the Corrosive, Explosive and Dangerous Weapons Act 1953 which carries a maximum jail of two years and whipping, upon conviction.

He was caught for allegedly having the dangerous weapon at a quarters building in Sepanggar, Menggatal at 4pm on January 29.

Rayner Jr reserved February 26 this year to re-mention the case and released the accused on bail of RM2,500 with two local sureties, pending disposal of the case.

Prosecuting officer Inspector Syahrin Ali prosecuted.

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