Air passengers down in South Kalimantan

Air passengers down in South Kalimantan
3,000 Orang Ulus celebrate Gawai with PM
Secrets of the Black Arts: Practitioners of Black Magic are liable for punishments under Syariah Law
Umno sends show cause letter to Dyana Sofya’s mother
Dyana Sofya dismisses report she may leave DAP
Giant moths invade Kuantan

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 07:20 PM PDT

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: South Kalimantan Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that the number of air passengers, especially those leaving through airports in this province in April 2014 fell compared to March 2014, Antaranews reported.

"The number of air passengers departing through the airport in South Kalimantan in April 2014 recorded 144,726, down 5.41 percent from the previous month," said Head of local BPS Dyan Pramono Effendi here on Monday.

He said air passengers departing through Syamsudin Noor Airport Banjarmasin in April 2014 recorded 137, 531, down 5.36 percent compared to March 2014.

The decrease also occurred in passengers departing from Warukin Airport (236 km north of Banjarmasin) Tabalong District and Gusti Syamsir Alam Airport, Kotabaru District, and Basujud Airport, Tanah Bumbu District.

"The decline in the number of passengers departing from Warukin 0.30 percent, 8.45 percent in Gusti Syamsir and Basujud 0.12 per cent," he said.

The number of departing passengers through Warukin 332 people, Gt Syamsir Alam (300 km east Banjarmasin) 5,190 and Basujud Airport (260 km east Banjarmasin) recorded 1,673.

3,000 Orang Ulus celebrate Gawai with PM

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 05:49 PM PDT

by Jenifer Laeng reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 4, 2014, Wednesday

MIRI: About 3,000 Orang Ulus from the Kenyah, Kayan, Berawan, Penan, Sebob and Kelabit communities from over 30 villages across Baram constituency celebrated Gawai Dayak with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at Kampung Long Silat in Ulu Baram on Monday.

Those who came from other areas such as Kuching, Bintulu, and Belaga had travelled to the venue over the weekend as the journey took up to eight hours by four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle through logging roads from here.

Most of them wore their traditional costumes to show the uniqueness of their culture to visitors joining the celebration.

Najib arrived in Long Silat for his third visit to the Baram area around 10am by helicopter accompanied by Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun and Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran.

He was greeted by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Baram Member of Parliament Anyi Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and other community leaders before being lifted on a Kenyah longboat custom-made in honour of his visit to the main stage.

Najib was then welcomed by the Kelabit people from Bario, who presented him with pineapple juice from the highlands.

He was also given the honour to conduct the sacred Kenyah Pu'un Pengudip or Tree of Life ceremony, where he used a blowpipe symbolically.

Najib also received the Kenyah name Balan Nyanding – the greatest Orang Ulu (Kenyah) warrior.

He also planted rubber seedlings at the village before leaving at 2pm for Rumah Jarek Klambu in Lambir.

Secrets of the Black Arts: Practitioners of Black Magic are liable for punishments under Syariah Law

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 05:39 PM PDT

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Islam recognises the existence of black magic and other Left Hand Path ritualistic practices and gnosis that aimed to destroy a targeted individual by means of inflicting covert misfortune, destruction of sanity, even death, Brudirect reported.

Although this topic has been subjected to centuries-long debate in a world where science and technology conquered the minds of men, insidious worship of Iblis and his armies of darkness remained rampant in some parts of the world where superstition is first and foremost in primitive livelihood. The Sultanate is no exception when it comes to this type of discourse.

Hence, Islam has zero tolerance toward black magic and other arcane occultism. This issue was highlighted yesterday by the Syariah Court of Appeal Judge during a workshop on Black Magic: Prosecution and Evidence in a court case.

Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Awg Salim Hj Besar said satanic-consecrated black magic ritual will inflict negativity to the intended target, such as causing bouts of arguments in marriage life that eventually leads to divorce. Other forms of black magic are alleged to have rendered the husband impotent while he is actually of good constitution with clean bill of health. Such acts of mischief will certainly invoke the wrath of Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala, causing the practitioners of the black arts to forever be in a sinful state so grave that they are deemed as unbeliever primarily because of two things; evil witch doctors themselves are spellbound to carry out their wickedness in exchange of transient rewards promised by Iblis; and they are sowing discord between man and wife or society in general which is extremely discouraged by Islam for the faith promotes love and brotherhood in peaceful manner. The rewards mentioned earlier can come in a form of wealth, supernatural strength and deceptively alluring beauty.

Despite Islam condemning black magic or "ilmu hitam" as completely heinous and inhuman (no pun intended), many Malay Muslims continued to practise the arts of the underworld. Yang Dimuliakan Pehin said, in judging the black magic case in a court will totally eradicate it by imposing tough action against its practitioners.

In order to curb activities related to satanic rituals performed by adherents of the dark mysticisms, a number of regulations under the first phase of the Syariah Criminal Code Order 2013 have been enforced that it is an offence for a person to practise black magic under Section 208. If found guilty, a person could be fined not exceeding BND$20,000 or sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both. However, those who hire or seek assistance from black magicians (known in Malay speaking countries as "bomoh", "pawang", "dukun" or "orang pandai") also commit an offence that led to a fined of not more than BND$8,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

If the blasphemous black magic is used to murder a person, it is also an offence under Section 152 and is liable to death penalty. This includes an attempt to decimate person or persons by means of black arts or in conspiracy to kill using black magic is an offence under Sections 153 and 154.

A Workshop on 'Introduction to Black Magic, History and Related Regulations' was delivered by the Director of Islamic Centre and Human Development, University Malaysia Pahang, Dr Mahyudin Ismail. The workshop among others shared the issue of the use of sinister arts of darkness in human livelihood which is nothing new in the Malay speaking regions because it had been practised since the fall of Babylon when Harut and Marut were first sent by Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala to teach the arts as a test to mankind, to see who among them was pious enough to not fall for the trickery from the dark side. Yet, many fell for the temptation and learned black magic for their own selfish desire.

In a workshop on 'Understanding the Ways of Black Magic and Its Relation to Legal Aspect', Doctor Mahyudin said that such action will cause them to deviate from the real Islamic teaching especially in relation to the use of invisible spiritual creatures such as jin and syaitan. He said items and methods used black magic play the role in determining the desire and target of the practitioners. Moreover, placing hope or belief on talisman deemed magical while treating illnesses in secluded areas are against Islamic practice.

Over fifty participants comprising of Syariah Judges, Register, Syariah Court and government department officers and other agencies involved in the implementation of the Shari'ah Criminal Code Order 2013 attended the two-day workshop.

The workshop provide further explanation and information on the investigation procedure, arrest and raids in cases involving black arts including the handling of the case in the prosecution and trial level.

Umno sends show cause letter to Dyana Sofya’s mother

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 05:26 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno sent a show cause letter to Yammy Samat yesterday for allegedly campaigning for her daughter, Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, the DAP candidate in the recent Teluk Intan by-election.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said Yammy must reply to the letter within 14 days to consider further action as provided for in the Umno constitution.

"We have our own process and system before taking any action on any member.

"If there is no response, it is up to the party because I have carried out my job," he told reporters after attending a Teachers' Day celebration organised by the Cheras Education Foundation, here yesterday.

Tengku Adnan, who is also the Federal Territory Minister, was commenting on the call by certain groups that action be taken against Yammy who is alleged to have campaigned for Dyana Sofya.

Yammy was previously reported to have said that she hoped to remain in Umno and it was up to the party to decide on her position.

In the Teluk Intan by-election last Saturday, Dyana Sofia, 27, lost by a majority of 238 votes to the Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Mah Siew Keong, 53. — Bernama

Dyana Sofya dismisses report she may leave DAP

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 05:26 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, the defeated DAP candidate of the Teluk Intan parliamentary by-election, yesterday dismissed a report that she might leave the opposition political party.

She said DAP was a multiracial party and she would remain in the party to continue her political struggle despite having lost in the by-election.

Dyana Sofya, 27, lost by 238 votes to Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong, 53, of the Barisan Nasional in the by-election last Saturday.

She was asked to comment on the statement by former DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim that he believed she would leave the DAP.

"I will struggle with the DAP. I have no intention of leaving the DAP. If there is anyone who assumes that I am disappointed and will leave (the DAP), they are mistaken," she told reporters during a break at the 28th Asia Pacific Roundtable here.

Dyana Sofya is a participant of the conference. — Bernama

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Giant moths invade Kuantan

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 05:25 PM PDT

KUANTAN: This capital of Pahang has seen an invasion of giant moths over the past week, raising questions among residents and visitors alike.

They are active at night and often converge in areas with bright lights.

The Darul Makmur Stadium was a target during the Pahang-Johor Darul Takzim FA Cup semi-final match last Friday.

Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Biological Sciences entomology professor Che Salmah Mat Rawi said the insects went by the scientific name of lyssa zampa docile.

She said numerous theories could be tied to the emergence of these giant moths, among them a change in the weather.

"Normally, the insects are found in the highlands but there is a possibility they can be found in large numbers in agriculture or development areas, especially from May to August each year.

"This giant moth is nocturnal and easily attracted to bright lights. During the day, it will rest in a shaded and cool area, such as under the roof of a house or at the foot of large trees," she said.

Che Salmah said that other than a change in the weather and the bright lights, the presence of the moths could also be due to the ample food supply and lack of their natural enemy.

"Although studies indicate that the insect is not poisonous, the moth can cause one's skin to itch.

"The hair on their wings can also disturb respiration and this can be most sensitive to asthma sufferers," she said. — Bernama