28 September 2012

Mount Tabai, Lee’s Final Resting Place

Firemen assisting fellow rescuers and civilian volunteers out of the tunnel due to the imminent collapse

BAU : The tunnel inside Mount Tabai in Taiton here is the final resting place of gold prospector Lee Sze Chun after a series of rock collapses yesterday made it impossible for the rescue operation t o continue.

The operation was officially called off at 4pm when the threat of a total collapse of the tunnel walls and ceiling forced rescuers comprising firemen and local volunteers to abandon plans to recover Lee’s remains for fear of being buried alive inside the 10 metre-deep shaft.

District police chief DSP Mohd Sabri Zainol, who apologised to the victim’s family on behalf of the rescuers for being unable to retrieve the body, said the high probability of a total collapse meant it was impossible for rescuers to proceed as it would endanger their own lives.

“The rescuers gave it their all to the point where a number of equipment belonging to the Fire and Rescue Department were lost inside the tunnel when part of the roof caved in.

“Let this tragic incident be a lesson to everyone to stay away from this area and not to risk their lives in the pursuit of easy money. We hope this is the last death to occur in this mountain,” he said.

Mohd Sabri explains to Lee’s family and relatives why the operation had to be called off

Body cannot be recovered despite two-day operation the victim’s family, including his wife, have accepted the fact that Lee’s body could not be recovered despite the two-day-long operation involving nearly 100 police personnel, firemen and local villagers.

Lee’s wife, who was present throughout the operation, initially remained hopeful that her husband’s body could be retrieved but broke down upon learning the operation had been halted, and had to be consoled by family members and relatives.

A local volunteer, Tapa Monya, 60, said rescuers were able to walk into the tunnel to where Lee’s body was located during the first day of the operation.

He said that a series of rock collapses from Wednesday night to early yesterday morning resulted in them being barely able to crawl in or out. Each attempt to chisel, break or shift the boulder atop Lee’s remains caused further cracks in the tunnel walls resulting in the ceiling to collapse.

By 3pm, Lee’s family were informed that it was impossible to remove his body in its entirety, leading them to give their consent to the rescuers to use rope to pull whatever they could
from underneath the large boulder.

However, when attempts to pull out Lee’s torso and leg triggered another round of rock collapse which landed directly on top of his body, the family was left with no other option but to make the tunnel his final resting place.

The incident happened around 2.30am on Wednesday when the 33-year-old Lee and several men were mining for gold inside a tunnel at Mount Tabai.

A large boulder the size of a Perodua Kancil car fell on top of him and killed him on the spot, prompting the others inside the tunnel to lodge a report of the incident.

On a related matter yesterday, police personnel patrolling a jungle footpath leading to the top of the mountain stumbled upon roughly 30 sacks of gold-rich earth, which had been mined by unknown individuals.

The sacks, each weighing about 8kg, were found stashed in a bush and were subsequently seized and sent to district police headquarters for further investigation.

Group Kills Father Searching For Son

Police personnel collect evidence at the scene of the murder

BINTULU: A man who was out looking for his son around midnight yesterday was killed in an attack by a group of five to 10 men near the night market here.

The victim was identified as 38-year-old Nual Mata, a tractor driver for an oil palm plantation in Sebauh. Nual originally came from Suai.

Bintulu police chief Supt Madang Usat confirmed the case and that the victim was looking for his son when he was attacked.

“During the search he was suddenly attacked by a group of men and sustained severe cuts on his face, believed to be caused by a blunt object,” he told reporters yesterday.

Madang said a 25-year-old man was arrested in a village nearby around 2.30am, while another five suspects were caught around 2pm.

The motive behind the attack has yet to be established. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code. - BORNEO POST


27 September 2012

All About Love


The sun shines in the day...
The moon shines in the night...
You shine in my heart every day and night...


All About Love


We were given...
Two hands to hold...
Two legs to walk...
Two eyes to see...
Two ears to listen...
But why only one heart...
Because the other was given to someone else for us to find...


Dance Again - Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull


Dance Again - Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull

Dance, yes 
Love, next
Dance, yes 
Love, next

Shimmy Shimmy yah, Shimmer yam...
Shimmer yay...
I'm a ol' dirty dog all day...
No way Jose...
Your girl only go one way, ay mi madre...
You should check that out...
Maybe you ain't turn her out...
Maybe it's none of my business...
But for now work it out...
Let's get this, dale...

Nobody knows what i'm feeling inside...
I find it so stupid...
So why should I hide...
That I love to make love to you baby...
(yeah make love to me)
So many ways wanna touch you tonight...
I'm a big girl got no secrets this time...
Yeah I love to make love to you baby...
(yeah make love to me)

If this would be a perfect world...
We'd be together then...
(let's do it do it do it)
Only got just one life this i've learned...
Who cares what they're gonna say...
(let's do it do it do it)

I wanna dance, and love, and dance again...
I wanna dance, and love, and dance again...

Dance, yes
Love, next
Dance, yes
Love, next

Baby your fire is lighting me up...
The way that you move boy is reason enough...
That I love to make love to you baby...
(yeah make love to me)
I can't behave...
Oh I want you so much...
Your lips taste like heaven...
So why should I stop?
Yeah I love to make love to you baby...
(yeah make love to me)

If this would be a perfect world...
We'd be together then...
(let's do it do it do it)
Only got just one life this i've learned...
Who cares what they're gonna say...
(let's do it do it do it)

I wanna dance, and love, and dance again...
I wanna dance, and love, and dance again...

Mr Worldwide, and the world's most beautiful woman...
Modern day hugh hed (uh, yes)
Playboy to the death (uh, yes)
Is he really worldwide? (uh, yes)
Mami let me open your treasure chest...
Play dates, we play mates...
I'm the king snatching queens, checkmate...
What you think?
It's a rumor...
I'm really out of this world...
Moon, luna...
Make woman comfortable...
Call me bloomer...
Can't even show love cause they'll sue ya...
But I told them, 'hallelujah, have a blessed day...
So ahead of myself...
Everyday's yesterday...
Want the recipe? it's real simple...
Little bit of vole, and she'll open sesame...

Now dance yes..
Love next
Dance yes
Love next

If this would be a perfect world...
We'd be together then...
(let's do it do it do it)
Only got just one life this i've learned...
Who cares what they're gonna say...
(let's do it do it do it)

I wanna dance, and love, and dance again...
I wanna dance, and love, and dance again...







Hot & Special !!










Sleeping Children Rescued From House Fire

Two children were fast asleep in one of the bedrooms

KUALA BELAIT: Two young children home alone and who were sleeping inside a bedroom were saved in the nick of time thanks to fire fighters from the Belait Fire and Rescue Department when the bedroom adjacent to theirs caught fire, Borneo Bulletin reported.

The department received a distress call at 2.30pm yesterday regarding the fire at No 227 Barrack ‘A’, Jln Puteri Brunei in Kuala Belait. Ten fire fighters and three fire engines were rushed to the scene led by Operation Officer DSO Hj Sulaiman bin Hj Mohd Yusuf

The Fire and Rescue personnel reached the scene at 2.34pm and the fire was brought under control in five minutes and it took 20 minutes to completely douse the flames.

The house was occupied by a family of 10 comprising eight children. At the time of the incident, only two of the youngest children were inside the house while the parents were at work and the older siblings were at school. Both parents are government servants.

An alert neighbour, who saw smoke coming out of the house, called the Fire and Rescue Department and also the mother of the children.

One of the bedrooms damaged in the fire

Wan Julaini inspecting an electric iron which was switched on and left unattended that triggered the fire

When the fire fighters arrived at the scene, they didn’t know the children were inside the house. The mother of the two children, who also arrived at the same time as the fire fighters, alerted them of her children inside the house.

The fire fighters rushed inside and carried the sleeping children to safety much to the relief of their mother. Waking up due to the commotion, one of the little ones claimed that she saw smoke but continued to sleep.

Also present at the scene were Assistant Superintendent of Fire and Rescue Department Zulkefli Alimas, Assistant Superintendent and Public Relations, Prevention and Fire Inspection Officer of Operation ‘B’ Wan Julaini bin Wan Ibrahim, Deputy Station Officer Reduan Duraman and Commanding Officer Operation ‘B’ Awg Abdul Aziz bin Hj Muhammad.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by an unattended iron box that was left switched on in one of the rooms in the house.

It was the second incident involving an unattended iron box that was left switched on this month. Members of the public have been urged to be cautious especially when handling home appliances such as iron box or cooking devices that could lead to a fire outbreak when left unattended.

All About Love


Nobody teaches a baby to crawl...
Nobody teaches birds to fly...
Nobody teaches the sun to rise...
And nobody teaches the fish to swim...
The same is with me...
Nobody teaches me to love you...
I just do...



Shila Amzah Proud To Showcase 1 Malaysia To The World


SEPANG: Back from her success in Shanghai, China where she won the Asian Wave 2012 competition recently, singer Shila Amzah, whose full name is Nur Shahila Amir Amzah, is determined to achieve bigger success for herself and Malaysia at the international level.

What makes the country very proud of her is that she chose to showcase the 1Malaysia concept by singing three songs in different languages, namely local singer Jaclyn Victor’s “Gemilang”, “Grenade” by Bruno Mars and “Zheng Fu” by popular Chinese singer Na Ying, in the competition final.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at the KL International Airport (KLIA) here Wednesday, Shila said the three songs were chosen to showcase her talent, as well as the beauty, uniqueness and harmony of multiracial Malaysia, which captivated the audience.

“1Malaysia really suited my performance that day. It was a colourful performance, afterall Malaysia is full of colours.

The competition was also participated by finalists from China, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and India.

Shila who went to a Chinese school during her first two years at primary level, has won many new fans, especially among the Chinese both in China and Malaysia after her perfect rendition of the Mandarin song.

She has received a few offers from China but has not made any decision on these yet.

Shila’s father, a popular singer known as ND Lala in the 1980′s, said the success in the competition was not just for her but for all Malaysians.


Two Friends On Way To Thailand Killed In Car-Lorry Crash

A police personnel inspects the car involved in the fatal accident at Km21.8 Leburaya Utara Selatan to Bukit Kayu Hitam.

JITRA: Two friends on their way to Hatyai, Thailand were killed when their car skidded and hit the rear of a lorry at Km21.8 of the North South Expressway, heading toward Bukit Kayu Hitam, at 11.15am.

The victims, Khaw Chun Seong, 21, from Taman Simpang Jaya, Simpang Empat, Alor Setar and Lee Guang Shyoung, 25, from Kota Permai, Bukit Mertajam, Penang died at the scene from serious head injuries.

Kubang Pasu police chief Supt Ibrahim Mohamed Yusuf said moments before the accident, several Projek Penyelenggaraan Lebuhraya Berhad (Propel) workers saw a Toyota Vios being driven very fast before skidding and spinning several times before hitting their company lorry.

He said the vehicle driven by Khaw was believed to be trying to avoid crashing into the Propel lorry which was on the left side of the highway as it was carrying out highway maintenance works.

Several Propel workers involved were not unhurt and the work maintenance signage were set up 50 meters away to warn motorists.

It is believed that the two victims who were working at a finance company in Kuala Lumpur were on their way to Hatyai to spend the holiday with other colleagues who were waiting in Thailand.

The bodies of the two victims have been sent to the Jitra Hospital for post-mortem. - Bernama


Rumour Mongers Warned Not To Play With Fire

Law (right) and Fauzilan fielding questions from reporters at Lawas Police Station yesterday

LAWAS: Police are keeping close tabs on all broadcasts, reports, messages and rumours concerning the murder of 19-year-old Edwin Singa here last Friday as seditious content could jeopardise public order.

State Deputy Police Commissioner Dato Law Hung Soon cautioned that anyone with ill intent could be hauled up under Section 506 of the Penal Code which provides for a penalty not exceeding two years imprisonment or fine, or both upon conviction.

“We have received information on many SMS, blogs and word of mouth which are inaccurate speculations that could jeopardise public order. All these must stop as this is an offence,” Law said when met by reporters at Lawas Police Station yesterday.

Also present were OCPD Lawas DSP Fauzilan Abdul Aziz.

Law said that while action had yet to be taken against those involved, investigations were under way and those found flouting the law would be charged, including under the Multimedia Act for those spreading falsehoods and seditious materials.

When asked for updates on the murder investigation, he said investigation papers would be forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Office for a decision once the probe was completed.

“I am happy with the investigation process.”

Meanwhile, Fauzilan declined to comment on the suspects that had been arrested thus far, saying his men was still tracking down more suspects.

The peaceful atmosphere in Lawas was shattered last weekend after speculations and rumours spread like wildfire through the social media and SMSes. The picture painted was that there was racial tension in Lawas following the murder of Edwin.

On Tuesday, a group staged a demonstration and later handed over a memorandum to Lawas police calling for justice and fair investigation into the tragic case.

Law said he was happy with the peace prevailing here. He said the situation was a far cry from the chaotic picture painted in the social media.

“We can see that it is business as usual and the people are getting on with their lives as usual. If there are any problems, the people could also call the OCPD here directly.”

Law said it was important that in a multi-racial society everyone is able to enjoy peace. He added that the law is there for people to seek legal redress while the police would safeguard security and peace for everyone, irrespective of their backgrounds.

Meanwhile, Lawas District Officer Mohd Supaih Hamdan has called upon all communities here to pray for solidarity, peace, and security.

He said the unfortunate incident in Lawas represented a test of the spirit of solidarity of the society in Lawas district, and hoped it would continue to prevail to enable them to move forward towards their common goals and aspirations.

Supaih slammed the acts of certain individuals who exploited the situation to incite racial tension.

“We should be thinking about the future of our succeeding generations, and inculcating virtuous and religious values in them as the foundation of living in peace and harmony.” - BORNEO POST


Don’t Turn Murder Into Racial, Religious Issue

Edwin Singa Pelipus

MIRI: Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian has advised the people of Lawas to remain calm as the death of Edwin Singa Pelipus, 19, last Friday is a criminal case and not a race or religious issue.

“Let us all allow the police to investigate the matter and let the law takes its course. This is not a race or religious issue, and we must not allow this incident to become one,” said Baru in a press statement emailed to The Borneo Post yesterday.

Baru, who is also a lawyer and state PKR chief, said the murder of Edwin in Lawas was tragic and extended his condolences to Edwin’s family.

He noted that the protest in Lawas last Monday wanted justice done, and added that the organisers had alleged there were two other cases of physical violence and stabbings – one resulting in grievous bodily injuries and the other turning the victim into a physical handicap.

Baru said it was alleged these incidents occurred in Lawas from as far back as 2005, and they were all linked to a drug known as Syabu (methamphetamine).

It was further alleged that all these criminal acts were perpetrated by the same group of people.

Baru commended Lawas police chief DSP Fauzilan Abdul Aziz for giving his personal assurance to the protesters that the case would be fully investigated.

He added that the protesters also wanted to highlight the Syabu menace that had been plaguing Lawas and demanded that the authorities put a stop to it.

“They want to make it known that their protest was not based on racial or religious sentiments, unlike those suggested by some bloggers and irresponsible quarters seeking to stoke or incite racial and religious sensitivities by reporting twisted facts.

“Let no party or persons claim that racial or religious sensitivities have been affected. Let us be clear that this is strictly a criminal case and that as peace loving citizens we shall let the authorities do their work unhindered.”

Baru claimed he had sent a text message calling for calm and advising the protesters not take the law into
their own hands, and he was grateful that they dispersed peacefully after the protest.

“I have raised the issue of Syabu in Lawas during the DUN sitting this year, and it is unfortunate that it takes a killing for the authorities to finally agree to act.” - BORNEO POST


Boy steals from adoptive mother


SIBU: A 16-year-old boy suspected of stealing his adoptive mother’s jewellery from their house at Mile 11, Pasai Bon was arrested Tuesday night.

The incident came to light when the woman discovered that her two gold necklaces and a gold ring were not in her safety case at home.

She estimated the missing items to be worth about RM6,000.

She lodged a police report when the suspect refused to come clean upon being questioned by his adoptive father.

After interrogation, the suspect led the police to a pawnshop in Maju Road at about 11am yesterday where he pawned the jewellery for only RM1,800.

It was said that the suspect used the money to pay his debt at a mechanic’s shop.


Newborn Baby Girl Left At Roadside

The baby is being placed in the incubator

SIBU: A new-born baby girl believed to be less than a day old and weighing 2.16kg was found abandoned inside a box by the roadside at Mile 11, Oya Road yesterday.

An old lady who happened to be at the area at about 8am heard something which sounded like a baby crying and went on the search for it.

She stopped a couple who was on a motorcycle and asked them to help with the search. To their surprise, they found a baby wrapped in a towel surrounded by ants.

The couple then brought the baby to Sibu Hospital, arriving there at about 9.15am.

Upon inspection, the baby seemed to be very healthy and the hospital suspected that the baby was born the night before.

The Welfare Department is currently handling the case.


Nurse Loses RM1,000 To Snatch Thieves


KUCHING: A nurse was made RM1,000 poorer after falling victim to snatch thieves minutes after withdrawing the cash from an automated teller machine on Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old withdrew the money which was meant to pay her monthly car instalment from an ATM machine in Padungan around 11pm before making her way to the Petanak Market to buy vegetables.

Two men on a motorcycle, who were believed to have been trailing her when she was withdrawing the cash, grabbed her handbag from behind as she was walking along the road and sped off.

The incident happened so fast that the victim was unable to get a description of the machine or its licence plate number.

A police report has been lodged.


Crushed to death

Firemen lowering themselves into the opening leading to the makeshift tunnel at Gunung Tabai in Taiton, Bau

BAU: The illegal gold mining activities taking place at Gunung Tabai in Taiton here has claimed the life of another man after he was crushed by a boulder while inside a makeshift underground tunnel early yesterday.

The victim, identified as Lee Sze Chun, 33, was about 25 feet inside the shaft when a boulder- said to be roughly the size of a Perodua Kancil car – fell on top of him and killed him on the spot. The deceased was part of a group of 10 men who made their way down the tunnel to illegally mine gold.

Three of them made their way back up about half an hour prior to the 2.30am incident, while the remaining six managed to find their way up after the tragic incident unfolded.

District police chief DSP Mohd Sabri Zainol said police received a report of the incident at 5.30am, and quickly notified the Fire and Rescue Services Department before launching a rescue operation at 7.30am.

“A team of firemen were initially unable to locate the body due to the shaft branching off in several directions.

“Once the body was located, it was discovered that the deceased had been crushed by a boulder the size of a Perodua Kancil car, making it extremely difficult to extricate,” said Mohd Sabri, who was at the scene to monitor the operation.

He added that five local villagers were roped in to help secure the tunnel walls from potentially collapsing while firemen strived to extricate the body.

Rescuers and local villagers discussing the location of the trapped body inside the tunnel

It is learned that Lee used to stay in Taman Desa Wira in Batu Kawah but had moved here together with his wife, who hails from Buso. His wife who was present at the scene declined to be interviewed by reporters.

Commenting on the latest illegal gold mining-related death, Mohd Sabri said it was unfortunate that there were those who were willing to put their lives at great risk in search of quick money.

“The police have repeatedly advised and also warned the people not to involve themselves in this activity, but they choose to disregard what we tell them.

“Once again, I am pleading with parents who have sons doing this (illegal gold mining), or wives whose husbands are involved, to tell them to stop risking their lives and think of their loved ones instead of looking for easy money,” said the OCPD.

At 5.30pm yesterday, rescuers were still unable to extricate Lee’s trapped body, with Mohd Sabri revealing efforts were underway to chisel the boulder after attempts to move it proved futile.

The latest ‘gold rush’ death follows two known incidents in 2011 which cost the lives of three men.

The first incident occurred on March 16 in which a 28-year-old man from Paku was buried alive some 80 feet inside an underground makeshift tunnel which collapsed.

The second incident happened on July 2 the same year which claimed the lives of two men- a 19-year-old from Krokong and his 37-year-old relative.

Despite the many measures taken by the police as well as the company holding the rights to the mountain to secure the area from trespassers, illegal miners- spurred by the high price of gold- continue to find ways to make their way up via foot paths in the surrounding jungle.

The prospectors would then make their way down makeshift shafts- some said to be up to 100 feet deep- to dig for earth which they would then sell to middlemen for an average of RM60 for every 10kg bag.

As of press time yesterday, Mohd Sabri said rescuers had managed to chip away almost half of the boulder, but were still unable to retrieve Lee’s body, adding also that the operation will be put on hold if the dark conditions posed a danger to those inside the tunnel.


Hit And Run: One Killed, Another Seriously Hurt

KUCHING: A student of a higher learning institute from Sabah was killed while a local teen was seriously injured when their motorcycles collided with a lorry in a hit-and-run incident here yesterday.

The 4.15pm accident claimed the life of 20-year-old Ahmad Yahzam, who was pronounced dead at the scene, while the 17-year-old boy was admitted to Sarawak General Hospital for serious injuries.

The incident occurred at Mile 9, Jalan Matang when Ahmad was on his way back to his flat while the teenager was heading to his workplace at Kuching Waterfront.

Local residents said the duo was struck by a six-tonne lorry from the opposite direction after the driver had attempted an overtaking manoeuvre.

Instead of stopping, the heavy vehicle sped off, prompting a local teen to chase it using his motorcycle and signalling the driver to stop.

However, the lorry continued rumbling on until the pursuer gave up his chase, but not before he noted down the vehicle’s licence plate number.

Traffic police were present to investigate the fatal crash, and are making efforts to trace the runaway lorry.


All About Love


The day I fell in love with you is the day...
I knew what was truly true... 
The day I found you is when...
I found myself for you have help me become the best...
You are mine and I am yours and forever shall it be...


26 September 2012

All About Love


Without you I'm nothing...
With you I am everything...


Appeal For Peace

A family member of the murdered youth appealing to the crowd to disperse and not aggravate their grief by taking the law into their own hands.


Edwin Singa

LAWAS: Family members of the 19-year-old Lun Bawang youth, Edwin Singa, from Long Lopeng who was killed in a fight appealed for calm and urged people here not let his death spark a communal unrest.

An uncle of the deceased appealed to the crowd who converged here for the last two days to let the authorities handle the case.

A group of Edwin’s friends, relatives and people from Long Lopeng, Sipitang and Ba Kelalan converged here over the last two days to demand justice for him.

Their presence raised tension here as the local Malay community felt threatened and reacted by gathering their own people and friends and relatives from nearby towns and villages to confront the Lun Bawang crowd.

The stand-off was tense and the police here had to rope in personnel from the General Operation Force from Limbang to help control the situation.

However, intervention from elected representatives, community and religious leaders and the assurance from the police chief here DSP Fauzilan Abdul Aziz that the murder would be investigated thoroughly and fairly calmed the situation.

He confirmed that 11 suspects have been already been arrested, including six on the night of incident when Edwin was stabbed to death with a screw-driver by a group of youths on motorcycles. Five were arrested on the following day, followed by another two on Monday noon.

“All the suspects are in police custody and efforts are made to collect evidence to complete investigations for prosecution of those who are guilty,” he said.

He also called for any eye witness to step forward to facilitate the investigation.

Tension here subsided further when a procession of 500 people declaring that the killing was purely criminal in nature and was not racially motivated went to police station here yesterday morning to hand over a memorandum asking the police to take stern action against criminal elements in the district.

Meanwhile, sources told the Borneo Post yesterday that the body of the deceased would be sent to Miri for postmortem to ascertain the actual cause of death.

Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, who is in parliament, urged community leaders to help maintain security here and stop the people from taking the law in their own hands.

The MP also called on the police to step up patrol in hotspots where youths gathered in town or residential areas as a deterrent against crimes in the district.

Meanwhile, Ba kelalan state assemblyman Baru Bian, who is abroad issued a statement calling for calm and urging the people to let the police handle situation. - BORNEO POST


Uproar Over Poor Public Security Cause Of Tension

The crowd in Lawas protesting against lack of law enforcement and poor public security

LAWAS: The tension that gripped communities here over the last few days was never about racial or religious issues but was fuelled by public dissatisfaction on the perceived lack of law enforcement and poor security.

This was the conclusion of yesterday’s meeting between community leaders and family of Edwin Singa Pelipus of Long Lopeng whose murder sparked the public gatherings.

The meeting called on the police to act decisively against criminals and beef up security in the district.

All agreed that the security level here was unsatisfactory with drugs as the root of the problem in the district while gambling and entertainment outlets operate without restrictions.

DSP Fauzilan receiving the memorandum while assuring the crowd that police would strive to act fairly in its investigation into the murder case and work to improve security in the district

Limbang Resident Maria Hasman who chaired the meeting slammed those who turned it into a communal issue which could harm the solidarity among the multi-racial community in Lawas District.

“Everyone must play their role to ensure that peace and solidarity remain as strong as in the past, and I am happy that the situation in Lawas is still peaceful and under control, and not the opposite as spread in the Internet, and other electronic media,” he said.

Maria said reports of riots and racial clashes posted in the internet must cease immediately as they were false.

He added that a memorandum on the grievances and dissatisfaction of the people had been channelled to the relevant authorities.

“We will ensure that each grievance and disappointment of the people are forwarded to the higher authority for further action,“ he said.

Lawas district officer Mohd Supaih Hamdan who was also at the meeting expressed sadness over Edwin’s death and stressed that it was a criminal act and not racially motivated.

The meeting was told that face-off between the different communities here was a misunderstanding as the Lun Bawang crowd which converged here was to express their disappointment with the police who they alleged failed to take serious action on every report lodged.

Some blogs and netizens, however, painted a picture of chaos and racial clashes here which Maria said was untrue as different communities here still interacted normally and there was no racial animosity. - BORNEO POST


Murder Suspects To Be Charged


Edwin Singa Pelipus

KUCHING: The police will be charging three suspects on Friday for the murder of 19-year-old Lun Bawang youth Edwin Singa Pelipus in Lawas last Friday evening.

State Commissioner of Police Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said with that the police considered the case closed.

He called on all quarters to remain calm and rational before giving a stern warning to the people in Lawas not to take the law into their hands.

“Do not take the law into your own hands. The police will make sure that whoever breaks the laws will pay the price, regardless of who they are. We will not compromise on this principle.

“On the same principle, we will also not compromise on whoever is trying to take the law into their own hands,” Acryl stressed.

When asked if the tension was due to long standing feuds between two communities, he confirmed that it was the case.

He thus urged all quarters involved to solve their disputes through the proper channel set up by the state government which was through community leaders such as Temenggong, Pemanca and Penghulu.

“Do not spill your quarrel over to the public but settle it through your community leaders and headmen,” said Acryl.

He told The Borneo Post yesterday that the police had beefed up its force in Lawas by deploying an additional platoon of General Operations Force and 45 more police personnel from Miri and Limbang.

“We hope with extra police personnel around, the people will think twice about taking the law into their own hands,” warned Acryl.

On ground zero, he said emotions were still running high but so far the situation had been under control.

“The public must not panic but remain calm. I urge them to play their civic responsibility by not passing on rumours through short messaging system (SMS) to make matters worse,” added Acryl.

Former Lun Bawang Association president William Ghani Bina described the incident as isolated and urged the Lun Bawang community who had come as far as Sabah and Kalimantan to disperse.

“We all understand that the family members of the deceased are emotional at the moment but we must not add fuel to the already tense situation there. We must be rational in addressing the matter,” said William.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Native Adat and Penan Affairs) Datuk John Sikie said his ministry would investigate the root cause of the problem.

“I can’t comment further as the matter is still under investigation by all the relevant authorities,” said Sikie. - BORNEO POST

Association Warns Against Sowing Fear Among People


KUCHING: The Sarawak Lun Bawang Association (SLBA) warns irresponsible quarters who sow fear among the people to stop as it would stoke public anger and create havoc among communities in Lawas.

SLBA secretary-general Yuhanis Rugu urged the Lun Bawang community to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands.

The association appealed to the community to continue to cooperate with the police to solve the murder of Edwin Singa Pelipus, 19, who was murdered in Lawas last Friday.

The association expressed concern that the murder could be linked to the consumption of drugs by the suspects because the distribution of drugs especially Syabu in Lawas was alleged to be rampant.

“The association takes this rampant drug abuse in Lawas very seriously and, as such, it calls on the police to investigate the matter,” the statement said.

The association also asked the police to increase patrols in the town area where the murder took place and praised the police for their swift action in nabbing the suspects within hours of the incident.

The press release was also forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Department, the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters, Limbang Resident’s Office and the Lawas district police station. - BORNEO POST


All About Love


There are 3 great things that happened in my life...
The first thing is that I fell in love with you...
The second thing is that you fell in love with me...
And the third thing is that we stayed in love with each other...
Through all these years...