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PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Keningau floods related to oath stone?
- Admin UKK
- Berita
KOTA KINABALU (Feb 7): United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) Penampang Youth chief Billy Joe Dominic has accused Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s wife of trying to divert the attention of the Keningau community regarding the real cause of the recent floods in the district.
He was responding to a Facebook post by Datin Seri Cecilia Edwin, who feared that the recent flash floods in Keningau had anything with the Keningau Oath Stone.
It is understood that Cecilia was talking about a January 25 visit to the historic site by Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick, where he was seen splashing water on the stone using a dipper.
Ewon’s action had apparently sparked outrage among certain parties, who argued that it was done without proper ceremonial rites and has breached local customs.
In a statement, Billy clarified that he was there during the visit and everything was arranged by the organiser.
He said all the people’s representatives and leaders who were there did not ask for a bucket of water to pour on the oath stone, and it is the organiser who should respond to this issue.
“Here I would like to give my personal opinion based on the statement of the wife of the Keningau MP, who tried to divert the attention of the Keningau community regarding the real cause of the flood issue.
“Datin Seri, don’t ask on Facebook for the answer to why there was a flash flood in Keningau – you can ask your husband to ask government officials and those who are experts on flooding.
“I also want to know, and I’m sure all Keningau people also want to know, if the flood related to the oath stone or some other reason. Don’t confuse the community with assumptions that are full of uncertainty,” he said.
Billy said he respects customs, and if there truly was a violation of them during the visit, the Keningau Customs Chief would have long called the organiser to account and maybe even take it to the Native Court, since they are more knowledgeable on the matter.
He stressed that respect does not mean “believing in mystical things that have power”, as he chooses to believe in his religion as a moral compass and a way of life and the laws of science as the logical basis of everyday life.
“As a religious person born in the age of science and technology, the thought that the act of pouring water on the stone would cause floods or natural disasters never even crossed my mind during the visit.
“I am sure there is a scientific explanation for why natural disasters such as floods occur.
“Regarding the issue of pouring water on the oath stone, if there is a violation of any custom, ask the Ketua Adat to call the organiser and discuss.
“If any wrongs are found, we will pay the ‘sogit’, as a sign that we uphold and respect customs,” he said.
Billy said upholding customary laws is one of the struggles of Upko, as the laws are enshrined and guaranteed in the national constitution.
He said the party has fought to upgrade Native Courts in all districts as a place of trial and the office of the districts’ community and custom chiefs.
In addition, he said Upko has also inspired the Native Court Training Institute to train community leaders and traditional practitioners so that the Native Courts are on par with courts such as Syariah.
Permanent Representative to the United Nations for the Dayak International Organisation, Dato Petinggi Atama Katama in a recent interview with a local daily had said that the Keningau Oath Stone incident, which has been linked by the community to the recent floods in Keningau, was seen as a breach of sacred customs.
Atama said this has led to a police report by DRAF (Dayak Ritual Authentic Fellowship) and GOASS (The Alliance of Sabah Sarawak Indigenous Peoples Organisation), who are seeking intervention from the Keningau Native Court to address this “cultural violation”.
He stressed the deep spiritual significance of both the Keningau Oath Stone and Mount Kinabalu to Sabah’s natives, suggesting that acts of disrespect can invoke nature’s wrath, as seen historically with the 2015 earthquake.
Atama emphasised that indigenous people worldwide, as per the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), are custodians of their sacred domains and any infringement on these rights should be addressed with utmost seriousness.
He urged the Sabah Government to pay close attention to the customs and beliefs of its indigenous population, who are living in a modern world yet holding onto their cultural heritage.
Atama also called upon all Sabahans to take pride in their heritage, reinforcing that cultural heritage must endure through time.
“These police reports and legal actions are not about retribution but about restoration – restoring balance with nature, honoring our sacred spaces and ensuring our cultural practices are respected.
“They are corrective measures for healing, a call for peace and appeasement with the spiritual entities that have watched over us for generations.
“Let this be a reminder to all of us to live in harmony with our environment and each other, safeguarding the rich tapestry of our indigenous heritage for future generations,” he said.
Bentong heli crash: Site investigation complete, wreckage handed over to MHS Aviation
- Admin UKK
- Berita
KUANTAN: The Transport Ministry's Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has completed its Investigations at the site where a helicopter crashed on landing at Batu 9, Jalan Lama Bentong-Kuala Lumpur, according to police.
Bentong OCPD Supt Zaiham Mohd Kahar said AAIB completed its on-site work at around 3.30 pm Friday (Feb 7).
He said police and AAIB have handed over the aircraft wreckage to MHS Aviation Bhd for further action.
"I can only confirm that AAIB was present at the crash site, conducted their investigation and have completed it. As for the aircraft wreckage, my team and AAIB have handed it over to MHS Aviation Bhd," he told Bernama.
The accident involved a Bell 206L4 helicopter, which reportedly overturned and caught fire while landing to refuel.
The incident claimed the life of an Indonesian ground crew, engineer Finsen Reskey Sembiring, 27, who was struck by the helicopter’s rotor blades. However, the Indonesian pilot survived the incident.
On Thursday (Feb 6), the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia said AAIB would conduct further investigations under Part XXVI of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.
Supt Zaiham said the autopsy on the engineer was completed at Bentong Hospital at 3pm Friday.
He said the hospital confirmed that the victim’s cause of death was "rotor blade crush injury of the head due to a helicopter crash".
"The victim’s body was also identified by his uncle at 3.30pm today," he added.
A check at Bentong Hospital this afternoon found several individuals, believed to be representatives from the victim’s company, waiting to obtain the autopsy results.
However, they declined to be interviewed. - Bernama
DAP S’wak secretary backs Stampin MP’s call to raise flood aid from RM1,000 to RM3,000
- Admin UKK
- Berita
MIRI (Feb 7): Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak secretary Alan Ling has voiced full support for Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen’s proposal to increase the initial flood aid from RM1,000 per household to RM3,000.
Ling stressed that the current RM1,000 aid per affected household is insufficient, given the devastating losses caused by the massive floods across the state.
“We saw the photos circulating in the media; not only the houses were flooded, but also the cars that were severely flood-damaged.
“In fact, household appliances and furniture such as refrigerators, washing machines, televisions and other electrical and electronic items were also damaged.
“For families living in single-storey houses, many of their furniture and household appliances could not be rescued in time and were damaged by the floods,” Ling pointed out.
Chong made the proposal during a debate on the emergency motion submitted by Miri MP Chiew Choon Man regarding the recent floods and landslides that severely impacted several areas in Sarawak and Sabah.
The flood-affected victims, Ling emphasised, would need much support to cope with the losses.
“With the RM3000 assistance, it can, to some extent, ease the burden of the flood victims and to enable them to start a new life after this natural disaster,” he said.
He also urged the government to extend assistance to families who did not relocate to temporary evacuation centres (PPS), as they, too, faced significant challenges.
“Families who did not move to PPS were most probably facing difficulties in moving, perhaps due to the large number of family members or other factors such as having unhealthy family members.
“They may also worry of experiencing loss of property and for this, I hope the federal government will be more concerned about the victims’ welfare and accept this proposal as RM1,000 is indeed not enough to bear the cost of the damage caused,” said Ling.
BENTONG: A security guard is thankful that his quick action in sprinting towards a helicopter that crashed while landing to refuel in Bentong on Thursday meant saving the pilot's life.
Muhammad Solehhin Zainal Ariffin, 38, who has only been on the job at the landing site for slightly over a month, said the weather at that time was good and he was on duty with another colleague.
"The landing site is used by helicopters owned by the company I work for to refuel and I normally would go out from the guard room to ensure the area is safe when refueling is being carried out.
"At first, everything seemed normal but when the helicopter was at a low level and was about to land, it suddenly overturned, causing one of its rotor blades to strike a ground crew and the helicopter then caught fire,” he said when met here on Friday.
Muhammad Solehhin said he ran straight towards the front part of the helicopter and found the pilot, who was in shock, before quickly pulling him to safety as the fire began to spread.
"While I was pulling him out, I could feel the searing heat but I continued to try to get him out as he was still alive and I also consider him a friend because I've known him for the past few weeks.
"I managed to look at the ground crew who was struck by the helicopter's rotor blade before calling up all the phone numbers that I had been told to call should such an incident occur,” he said.
Yesterday, the media reported that the incident claimed the life of an Indonesian ground crew, engineer Finsen Reskey Sembiring, 27, while the rescued pilot, also an Indonesian, was identified as Kustiyadi, 44.
Muhammad Solehhin said he got to know both men over the last few weeks as they would often chat with him while taking a break at the landing site.
"I enjoyed talking with them almost daily as they would tell me so many fascinating things, including about helicopters. Finsen once told me that anyone struck by the rotor blades would have no chance of survival. I'm sad and never expected it to happen to him,” he said.
The Bell 206L4 helicopter was reported to have caught fire while landing for refuelling at Batu 9 in Jalan Lama Bentong-Kuala Lumpur in the 10.20 am incident on Thursday.
Police confirmed that the autopsy on the engineer was completed Friday while investigations by the Transport Ministry's Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are expected to be completed the same day. - Bernama
BINTULU, 7 Feb: Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (BPHB) menerusi Yayasan Bintulu Port menghulurkan sumbangan kepada mangsa banjir di Bintulu dalam usaha membantu meringankan beban mereka yang terjejas.
Setiausaha Kerajaan Sarawak, merangkap Pengerusi BPHB, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, menyaksikan penyerahan sumbangan itu kepada Residen Bintulu, Universiti Putra Malaysia Kampus Bintulu dan Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) Bintulu dalam satu majlis di Dewan Suarah pada Khamis.
“Bintulu Port merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki atas kepimpinan dan sokongan beliau yang amat bermakna.
“Kami tetap teguh dalam komitmen untuk berkhidmat kepada masyarakat dan memacu pertumbuhan mampan bagi Sarawak serta seterusnya,” kata Bintulu Port dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Setiausaha Kerajaan Sarawak turut diiringi presiden merangkap Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Bintulu Port, Ruslan Abdul Ghani, serta barisan kepimpinan syarikat dalam lawatan rasmi ke kawasan operasi pelabuhan.
Lawatan itu merangkumi tinjauan ke tapak tangki takungan air Bintulu Port yang terjejas akibat tanah runtuh susulan banjir.