Pesta Kaamatan kicks off

Pesta Kaamatan kicks off

Pesta Kaamatan kicks off

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:01 AM PDT

31 May 2014| last updated at 12:41AM
By KRISTY INUS | kristy@nst.com.my

PENAMPANG: THE first day of Pesta Kaamatan yesterday saw Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman performing the monungkava kalabau (capturing buffalo using a rope) as a launching gimmick to the traditional sports competition.

He succeeded in securing the rope, tied to form a loop at the end, around a replica buffalo after two tries.

The monungkava activity was a testament of the importance of the animal as a symbol of wealth for the families back in the olden days.

Buffaloes are used in the padi planting process, and also served as dowry in engagement and wedding ceremonies.

Monungkava was practised when villagers needed to capture wild buffaloes to tame them for these purposes.

It is one of the traditional sports visitors get to see at the Harvest Festival held annually at Kadazandusun Cultural Association's (KDCA) Hongkod Koisaan building.

Other events featured are a slingshot challenge, arm wrestling or mipulos, tug of war and blowpipe competition.

Musa, when launching the exhibition and traditional sports in conjunction with Pesta Kaamatan, said such culturally-tied activities would help visitors gain deeper understanding about the culture of the people in Sabah.

He said stalls promoting local delicacies and handicraft would not only help generate income for traders but also showcase the uniqueness of the festival which was celebrated by the Kadazandusuns and Muruts.

In his message issued in conjunction with the celebration, Musa reminded the people to continue supporting the government in maintaining the prosperity and development in the state.

He reiterated the government's full commitment to enhancing the security in the waters off Sabah's east coast, and called on everyone to work together in strengthening peace and unity.

Present yesterday were his deputy, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is the Huguan Siou (paramount leader) for the Kadazandusun-Murut community and Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili as implementation and coordination committee chairman for the state-level Pesta Kaamatan.

Meanwhile, thousands are expected to throng the venue today with the culmination of the festival as an Unduk Ngadau (beauty queen) for 2014 will be crowned.

Datuk Seri Musa Aman (right) tossing a rope around the horns of a replica buffalo to mark the launching of Pesta Kaamatan or the Harvest Festival at the Hongkod Koisaan building in Penampang yesterday. Pic by Lano Lan

Cops search Sungai Klang for murder suspect

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:01 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: POLICE believe the man    who repeatedly struck a 21/2-year-old girl till her head was severed on Thursday night, had    jumped into Sungai Klang    and drowned  after a witness caught him in the act.

In the 9pm incident near a KTM station in Jalan Tun Sambanthan here, the man, in his 30s, had allegedly lured the girl away from an individual, whom her mother, Siti Salmy Suib, had asked to help keep an eye on her daughter, as she had to go to the restroom.

City police Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Gan Kong Meng said the woman, who was homeless, returned minutes later and failed to locate her daughter.

It was soon after that she learnt that her daughter had been abducted and murdered.

Gan said the suspect, believed to be dark-skinned, had first tried to drown the toddler in the river after having taken her to the river bank.

"The man is believed to have repeatedly struck the child on the head and neck with a ceramic tile, severing her head.

"When a passer-by spotted him attacking the toddler, the man jumped into the river to escape.

"The girl's severed head was found beside her body."

The toddler was only clad in a diaper.

The witness, who saw the suspect taking the victim towards the murder scene from a shopping complex near Pudu Sentral, had come forward to assist investigators in identifying the suspect.

"Police have disseminated the description of the suspect to all stations and officers, and a manhunt has been launched to track him.

"We are combing Sungai Klang for the suspect, who we believe had drowned. But, if there is no sign of his body in three days' time, his photofit will be released," Gan said, adding that police found a pair of slippers and a ceramic tile with bloodstains on it, believed to be the murder weapon.

He said police had recorded the statements of several people, including the victim's mother and friend.

Asked if the mother would be charged with negligence, his deputy, Khairi Ahrasa, did not rule out the possibility.

However, he said, it would be after the "mourning period".

Khairi denied that the girl was a victim of a ritual killing.

Gan said investigators had obtained images of the suspect from a closed-circuit television recording at the complex.

The city Fire and Rescue Department's operation to look for the suspect in Sungai Klang was halted at 4.30pm because of rain.

Its assistant director (operations), Azizan Ismail, said the operation would resume today and that colleagues from Selangor would be roped in to help in the search.

A security guard at Kota Raya Complex, who saw the child being taken away by the suspect, said the victim's mother would normally bring the child along wherever she went.

"This place is like their home and the child gets easily attached to those who approach her or give her food."

The man, in his 40s, said he did not suspect the worst when he saw the suspect walking away with the toddler from the fourth floor of the complex.

"The suspect might have lured the child by giving her food before abducting her."

The security guard, who only knew about the incident through the media yesterday, said he had never seen the suspect before and that the suspect was not among those usually seen with Siti Salmy.

At the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary yesterday, Siti Salmy refused to speak to the press.

She arrived at the morgue at 9am with friends. She was only allowed to claim her child's body at 3pm.

The girl was buried at the Raudhatul Sakinah Muslim cemetery in Gombak.

Family members of the dead toddler could not contain their sorrow at the scene of the crime in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Pic by Farizul Hafiz Awang

Najib, Xi reaffirm commitment

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT

31 May 2014| last updated at 01:01AM
By A. JALIL HAMID | jalil@nst.com.my

 BEIJING: CHINESE President Xi Jinping met  Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday and both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral diplomatic ties.

Xi received Najib and his delegation at the historic Diaoyutai State Guesthouse complex in the Haidian district here and held talks that lasted 90 minutes -- longer than originally scheduled.

In his opening remarks, Najib thanked Xi and the Chinese government for the "very warm, grand welcome" in conjunction with the momentous visit marking 40 years of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties.

"I carry not only the weight of the government, but also the legacy of what my late father (Tun Abdul Razak Hussein) started 40 years ago.

"I believe that whatever our leaders started 40 years ago, we can carry it forward and we can fulfil the vision and promise of what the past leaders had laid out."

Xi paid tribute to the late Razak and the then Chinese premier Chou En-Lai whom he said had opened a new chapter of friendship and stressed that it was an event "that we will not forget".

Najib said the strategic importance of the bilateral relations should not be affected by the MH370 incident.

"We will do our utmost to find answers to what happened to MH370.

"We owe it to the families and the next of kin that we find closure to this unfortunate and tragic event," Najib said, adding that Malaysia would work closely with Australia and China, among others, in the search efforts.

Xi said China hoped Malaysia would continue to coordinate the search efforts and manage the various aspects of the aftermath.

He hoped the plane would be located as soon as possible.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, later hosted Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, to a private dinner in the same complex.

On Thursday, Najib met Chinese premier Li Keqiang for similar talks.

Both Li and Najib are due to attend a special ceremony today to mark the anniversary, the exact day and also the exact room where Razak and Chou signed the instrument paving the way for Malaysia and China to establish diplomatic ties in 1974.

6 senators sworn in

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT

31 May 2014| last updated at 01:09AM

For four of the senators — Datuk Yunus Kurus, Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Kader, Datuk Chin Su Phin and Norliza Abdul Rahim — it was a reappointment, after having already served for a term.

The two new appointees to the august house for the most recent three-year term are Sungai Petani Umno division deputy head Shahanim Mohamad Yusoff, 41, and Jerai Umno former division chief Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah, 56. Bernama

Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang (fourth from left) meeting newly appointed senators (from left) Shahanim Mohamad Yusoff, Datuk Yunus Kurus, Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah, Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Kader and Datuk Chin Su Phin. (Below) Norliza Abdul Rahim. Bernama pix

Najib posts Kaamatan, Gawai greetings

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT

31 May 2014| last updated at 01:03AM

"We must be appreciative of the realities, where all Malaysians, regardless of background, race, religion and political affiliation, can come together and have the privilege to celebrate the blessings of our fellow Malaysians, together," the prime minister said in Gawai Dayak and Kaamatan greetings posted on his 1Malaysia Blog yesterday.

The Kadazandusun community in Sabah celebrates the two-day Kaamatan, which began yesterday, while the Dayak community in Sarawak will celebrate Gawai Dayak tomorrow and on Monday.

Both celebrations take place at the end of the harvest season, usually at the end of May or early June.

"As we approach the end of May, Malaysians of Kadazandusun and Dayak heritage will celebrate Kaamatan and Gawai, respectively.

"In the spirit of togetherness (as) encompassed in (the concept of) 1Malaysia, I wish all Sarawakians a very happy Gawai day and gayu guru gerai nyamai.

"To all Sabahans, I wish you Kotobian tadau tagazo do Kaamatan."

Najib said even though Malaysians ate rice daily, they tended to overlook its importance. He said padi farmers required ample water for cultivation and Malaysia was blessed with enough rainfall.

Cases of three linked to terror go to High Court

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT

31 May 2014| last updated at 12:45AM

Magistrate Erry Shahriman Nor Aripin made the decision following an application by deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad.

Azizah Md Yusof, 54, was charged on May 16 with two counts of supporting terrorism through two Facebook accounts.

She allegedly committed the offences at the Special Branch, E8 Division, Bukit Aman police headquarters at 2pm on April 24.

Azizah, a housewife and mother of five, was represented by counsel Nadzarin Wok Nordin and K.C. Suzalena Salleh.

It was reported recently that the police arrested a woman suspected of involvement with nine others in the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorism networks.

In Taiping, the cases of two men, who were charged with offences related to terrorism, were also transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Magistrate Eyu Ghim Siang transferred the cases after hearing an application by deputy public prosecutor Amril Buang.

Last Friday, Muhammad Armie Fatihah Mohd Hashim, 22, was charged with encouraging violence by promoting an ideology at Kampung Sungai Jernih in Ijok, between 10am and 12.30pm from April 4 to 6.

Mohammad Hafiz Zahri Suparyatnoh, 28, was charged with supporting terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syam, at the same place and time.

One of the two men charged with terrorism is led out of the Taiping magistrate's court yesterday. Pic by Supian Ahmad