Proposed Kaiduan Dam important to ensure enough water supply in several areas: Pairin

Proposed Kaiduan Dam important to ensure enough water supply in several areas: Pairin
Kenya says 30 Shebab rebels killed in Somalia air strike
Singapore monitoring new forms of illicit financing
The hidden beauty within Labuan Marine Park
Two Wisma Putra officers charged with deceiving Malaysian envoy to US involving US$126,681
India celebrates polio success, but sad legacy remains

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 02:20 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri
Joseph Pairin Kitingan today said it was vital for the proposed building of the
Kaiduan dam to proceed to ensure sufficient treated water supply to several
areas in Sabah until 2050.

The areas are around Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Papar, Tuaran and Putatan.

However, Pairin said the government's recent move to carry out a feasibility
study on building the Kaiduan dam received strong protest from certain quarters
who wanted the proposed project to be cancelled.

He said the government would continue to explain to the people, particularly
those who opposed the proposed project, so that they could view it in the right
perspective.

Pairin said the government would continue to give serious attention to the
issue of treated water supply as it was a problem of concern to the "rakyat", as
the supply system in the state was still inadequate to meet their aspirations.

"The issue will be tackled by the government through developing water
sources, providing a network of pipes statewide and reducing non-revenue water."

Pairin, who is also state Infrastructure Development Minister, said this
when addresssing a patriotic gathering of staff of the ministry and the
departments and agencies under it, here.

On another note, Pairin said the ministry's development programmes would
focus on strategic issues to provide efficient, quality connectivity such as
comprehensive road networks.

He said good road networks were not only required in the major towns but
also in the small towns and rural areas to provide access to a better life for
the people, besides ensuring smooth traffic flow. – Bernama

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Kenya says 30 Shebab rebels killed in Somalia air strike

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 02:07 AM PST

The raid on Thursday evening targeted a Shebab camp in Garbarahey in Gedo region, situated around 600 kilometres (390 miles) northwest of the Somali capital Mogadishu and near the border with Kenya and Ethiopia, the Kenyan military said.

"KDF (Kenya Defence Force) fighter jets attacked an Al Shebab camp, where a meeting was being held," a senior KDF official said.

"Initial battle damage assessment indicates more than 30 Al Shebab militants killed, including key commanders," the official added.

Another military official said the Kenyan armed forces were trying to determine the identities of those killed in the raid.

"We are yet to establish their identities, but they are definitely big shots in the militant group's hierarchy," the official said, adding that five vehicles and other "key assets" were destroyed in the raid.

Officials said they believed dozens of other militants were alo wounded.

Kenya has been battling the Al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab on Somali soil since October 2011, and has since joined the African Union force deployed in the country.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to maintain Kenya's military presence in the war-torn country despite Shebab attacks inside Kenya — including the attack on the Westgate shopping mall in September last year.

"Let them (Shebab) know that we will not relent on the war," Kenyatta said late last year.

"Our forces will remain in Somalia until such time when we are satisfied that there is peace." -AFP

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Singapore monitoring new forms of illicit financing

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 01:35 AM PST

Asian financial hub Singapore on Friday said it was scrutinising trade in virtual currencies such as Bitcoin as well as precious stones and metals to forestall new forms of illicit financing by criminals and terrorists.

In an inaugural report on money laundering and terrorist financing risks, the city-state said these sectors were identified for further study "as technology evolves and criminals become more sophisticated".

"Authorities will seek to better understand how money laundering and terrorist financing can be carried out through these channels," said the joint report by the finance and home affairs ministries as well as the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

It said the government would "review international best practices, to determine whether any safeguards and mitigating measures are needed".

The report said virtual money and precious metal-backed currencies carry the risk of being abused due to their anonymity, cross-border nature and low transaction costs.

The MAS, which serves as the city-state's central bank, "is closely monitoring developments in this area and will consider the need for regulation if necessary", the report said.

Bitcoin, the world's most popular form of electronic money, made headlines last year when US authorities closed the Silk Road website when it was found the currency was being used to buy illegal drugs, forged documents, hacker tools and even the services of hitmen.

The report also said Singapore was monitoring the trade in precious stones and metals.

"There are international typologies on the use of precious stones and metals as a tool to launder money, particularly as a store-of-value to move illicit proceeds easily," it added.

The bank said of 22 sectors that were assessed, the city's vast financial sector remained among the most vulnerable to abuse owing to the large number of transactions that take place and its wide international reach.

Singapore houses the regional offices of some of the world's top financial institutions and its total assets under management are now around Sg$1.4 trillion ($1.02 trillion), according to the MAS.

The report said "relevant controls are in place" for financial institutions, including supervision by MAS, record keeping, transaction monitoring and rigorous customer due diligence measures.

It identified remittance agents, money-changers, Internet-based stored value facility holders, pawnbrokers as well as corporate service providers as sectors where "controls are relatively less robust".

"Relevant government agencies will be strengthening the legislative and supervisory framework through the year to address the risks in these sectors more effectively," it said.

"The possibility that terrorist elements may seek to direct funds from abroad to support terrorism activities in Singapore or use Singapore as a conduit for foreign (terrorist financing) cannot be discounted," the report said.

Singapore in 2001 said it crippled a cell of the Southeast Asia-based militant network Jemaah Islamiyah with the arrest of suspects linked to an alleged plot to bomb local and foreign targets including Changi Airport.

Officials say the island republic is a prime target for extremist groups because of its close ties with the United States and major role in global finance and business.- AFP

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The hidden beauty within Labuan Marine Park

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 01:19 AM PST

LABUAN: The beautiful clear blue skies and the bright
sunshine completes the spectacular panorama of Labuan island.

As for those who step onto Labuan for the first time, they will certainly be
bowled over by its natural beauty, despite the island being the oil and gas
industry hub and an offshore financial centre.

Labuan's main natural attraction is around the three surrounding islands -
Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Rusukan Kecil and Pulau Rusukan Besar.

As the three remain free from pollution and development, and are a
relatively untouched, they could easily lure those who love nature.

THREE ISLANDS GAZETTED AS MARINE PARK

The three islands were gazetted as the Labuan Marine Park in 1994 and they
have a big potential in luring in the tourists.

Pulau Kuraman is located about 14 kilometers away or half an hour boat ride
from the Victoria Harbour in Labuan.

Located closely to Pulau Kuraman is Pulau Rusukan Kecil and Pulau Rusukan
Besar creating a cluster of islands covering about 10 square kilometres within
the Labuan Marine Park.

Kuraman is the main island within the cluster and is well known for its long
beautiful sandy beaches and clear waters.

Interestingly, the island covering 5.2 square kilometers is surrounded by
coral reefs made of the harder variant 'Acropora Tubinaria' that could be found
in depths from 8 to 13 meters.

KURAMAN A MAGNET FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Apart from being the heaven for photographers, Kuraman Island known for its
wealth of flora and fauna including the numerous butterfly species and birds
makes jungle tracking a wonderful experience.

While on the island one could also visit the historical lighthouse built by
the British in 1902 to help merchant ships locate the Labuan port especially
during the night.

Four diving locations nearby with wreckage of sunken ships will certainly
delight those who love diving activities.

Apart from that, since of late, the marine park is increasingly known for
the turtle activities.
THE PLACE WHERE TURTLE LANDS

The director of the Labuan Marine Park Mohd Fazli Long pointed out the
turtle hatchery on Pulau Rusukan Besar has been operating since the last three
years with the cooperation of Petronas Carigali.

It is a new attraction here.

There is a small hut that serves as the office and a marine ranger is
stationed there to take care and monitor the marine life around the
cluster of islands.

The centre also provides areas for the turtles to lay eggs and this also
ensures that the turtles keep returning to the place.

Among the turtles that land on the islands are the greenback and hawksbill.

Throughout 2012, the centre had set free 2,068 young turtles after hatching
2,225 eggs and the figure was much higher compared with 2011 where 1,163 eggs
were hatched and 796 hatchlings released to the sea.

The turtle landings happen in two seasons with the hawksbill coming in from
July to November while the greenback coming in from December to May.

Normally the hawksbill lays between 180 and 200 eggs while the greenback
lays between 100 and 160 eggs.

"After laying eggs, they will take a break for about a year moving as far as
Japan and Vietnam while the male will be moving around close by," said
kata Mohd Fazli.

The human threat on turtles is the biggest challenge faced by the centre in
ensuring the turtles return back to the marine park to lay their eggs.

SPOTTED SHARK ALSO FOUND IN THE PARK
Pulau Rusukan Besar is also the choice for those who like snorkeling
especially at the southern and western part of the island.

The clear waters and the abundant marine life creates a beautiful underwater
coral reef landscape.

According to Mohd Fazli, those who were lucky could spot the rare spotted
shark.

"Moreover, this is where the highly valued lobster breeds. Our role here is
to ensure the marine life forms are not disturbed or threatened," he said.

Apart from the clear waters, a small part of the beach on the island is
carpeted by black stones providing an impressive view.

Though yet to be fully developed as a tourist spot, Pulau Rusukan Besar is
already seeing big number of visitors though mostly being locals.

"Those who come here do not put up for the night as there are no hotels or
chalets developed here. Some do camp here," he said.

Any development on the island by the authorities may be difficult as the
land there is privately owned. – Bernama

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Two Wisma Putra officers charged with deceiving Malaysian envoy to US involving US$126,681

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 12:39 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Wisma Putra (Foreign Ministry)
officers were today charged in the Sessions Court here with deceiving the
Malaysian ambassador to the United States involving a sum of US$126,681 three
years ago.

Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany, 48, and Mohd Hadtamizi Abu Bakar, 47, pleaded not
guilty after the charge was read out to them before judge Rosbiahanin Arifin.

Shahril Effendi, who was at the time serving as the deputy chief of mission
at the Malaysian embassy in Washington DC, was charged with deceiving the
ambassador into believing that the false documents, which were the expenditure
statement on the advance money in conjunction with the APEC Summit 2011 in
Honolulu, Hawaii from Nov 3 to 16, 2011 and the official receipt from Aloha Way
Transportation dated Nov 3, 2011 for US$126,681 were authentic.

Based on the false documents, the accused had claimed and confirmed paying
US$126,681 as deposit for vehicle rental to Aloha Way Transportation during the
summit while the actual amount paid was US$88,500.

Shahril Effendi was charged with committing the offence at the Malaysian
embassy, 3516 International Court N.W., Washington DC, United States on Dec 8,
2011.

Mohd Hadtamizi, who was serving as an assistant administrative officer, was
charged with abetting Shahril Effendi in committing the offence at the same
place and time.

The two accused were charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commssion (MACC) Act 2009 and face a jail sentence of up to 20
years and a fine of not less than five times the sum involved under Section
24(2) of the same Act, upon conviction.

Rosbiahanin allowed each of the accused bail of RM30,000 in one surety and
ordered the two to surrender their passports to the court which fixed Feb 10 for
case remention.

DPP Mohd Asnawi Abu Hanipah appeared for the prosecution, while Shahril
Effendi was represented by counsel Shamsul Sulaiman and Mohd Hadtamizi by
counsel Ridha Abdah Subri. -Bernama

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India celebrates polio success, but sad legacy remains

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:09 PM PST

Teenage shoe-shiner Amit contracted polio as a toddler, leaving him with damaged legs and a twisted spine. He has never seen a doctor and the country's eradication of the disease came too late for him.

On Monday, India will mark three years since its last polio case, leaving it on the cusp of being declared free of the ancient scourge in what is arguably its, and one of the world's, biggest health success stories.

But the wretched sight of crippled street hawkers or beggars on trolleys, withered legs tucked underneath their bodies, will remain as a legacy of the infections that took hold during the country?s time as an epicentre of the disease.

Amit, who uses only one name, was sent out to work aged nine to help clear his family's debt and has squatted on a pavement outside a busy restaurant serving south Indian food for the past five years.

He says he was about three or four when he found suddenly that he was unable to sit up straight on a family trip and he toppled off his mother's lap while travelling on a bus.

"When we reached home, I still could not sit properly. Every time I would try to sit, I would keep tipping over and that's when my mother thought I've got polio," he told AFP in between serving customers.

"My parents never took me to a doctor, they took me to a temple instead, offered prayers and sought blessings from a priest for a cure so that I could walk properly."

The priest's prophecy that he would be cured of his problems by the age of 20 gave false hope. The contagious virus, once it attacks the nervous system, wreaks irreversible damage.

Estimates for the number of survivors left crippled in the country vary significantly.

In the absence of any official data, most experts agree it runs into several million given the history of the disease in India which affected up to 300,000 people each year before vaccinations began in the 1970s.

Even up to the mid-1990s, when eradication efforts began gaining momentum, 50,000-150,000 new cases were occurring annually, according to estimates from the World Health Organisation.

"I am one of the happiest people that new cases are not being seen," said Mathew Varghese, one of India's leading polio surgeons who has been operating at New Delhi's St. Stephen's hospital since 1987.

"Today we don't have a single one — that is a huge achievement — but having said that there is also a backlog of cases which needs to be planned for," he said at his polio ward, one of the country's only such facilities.

"These children who are stigmatised, hobbling or crawling or with crutches in their homes and villages, need to be brought to the mainstream."

Rather than young children, many of the patients he now sees are in their teens or older, whose muscles have wasted away and joints have locked due to constant sitting.

"They'll be here for another 30 or 40 years," he said.

His operations involve inserting multiple pins into the affected legs, which are then put under gentle but constant tension to stretch out the muscles and bones until the limb is straight.

It is a long and painful process, requiring up to four months of hospitalisation and many more of physiotherapy, which St. Stephens offers for free. At the end, the fortunate are able to walk, often with the use of callipers.

But as a result of shifting priorities, "the new surgeons which are coming out have no skills in doing polio surgeries", Varghese said.

Deepak Kapur from the Rotary charity, which funded the polio vaccination programme alongside the Indian government, UN children's agency UNICEF and the Gates Foundation, estimates there are three to four million Indians left crippled by the disease.

"We would encourage people all across the country and all across the world to look after the polio survivors because it is not an easy job for them," he said. "They all need the facilities to lead a dignified life."

For understandable reasons, the focus of India's fight against polio has so far been on ending new cases, something for years thought impossible in a vast country with poor sanitation.

While it was stamped out in Western nations more than 30 years ago, the highly contagious virus which spreads through faecal matter broke out annually in India and was carried to other countries by migrants.

But after billions of dollars and private and public investment in a vaccination programme, January 13, 2011, marked the last reported case when an 18-month-old girl in a Kolkata slum was found to be infected.

India was taken off a list compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of countries where polio is considered endemic, leaving just Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

Now, three years since the last infection, India will be certified by the WHO as having eradicated the disease once all records are checked around the country.

This announcement is expected some time in February or March.

For Amit though, the future holds more labour shining shoes on the tough streets of the capital.

"I had thought about studying, but my parents had to pay off debts that came from temple visits, prayers, ceremonies and various offerings for my treatment," he said.

"I don't like this work anymore. I used to like it initially, but now I don't like it so much. I want to learn how to read and write." – AFP

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