Lajim Ukin relinquished three Umno posts

KOTA KINABALU:  After seven months keeping mum about his future in Umno, Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin finally took the bold move to relinquish his three positions in the party on July 28, 2012.

  Liken himself as a 'candle, willing to be burned for the good of the people', the Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister announced his resignation as the Umno Supreme Council Member, Beaufort Division Umno chief and Beaufort Barisan Nasional chairman with immediate effect.

  “I did not rush to make this decision, and instead I have given it much thought. This political move is not for my own gain, but the decision was made based on the interest of the people that hungers for change.

  “For now, I have at least cleared the path for those who wish to vote for change, who is hunger for development, and to be at par with other states , who no longer wish to be treated differently … this resignation today (July 28, 2012) is for the people of Sabah, and it is important to strengthen our struggles to ensure the state will continue to be on the right track towards greater heights,” said Lajim, making his special announcement cum breaking of fast before hundreds wellwishers at his residence in Likas, near here.

  However, despite relinquishing the three posts, Lajim, who has been with Umno for 28 years and the Beaufort Member of Parliament, said he would leave it to the party leadership to decide on his fate in Umno, as well as the ministerial post.

  “I have my own principle, and I believe that it is not impossible that Umno would take action against me. It is up to them to decide on my Umno membership and my post in the cabinet, they can sack me anytime, and whatever their decisions are, I am ready,” said Lajim.

  He also claimed that at least 23 other Umno leaders have voiced out their interest to also leave the party.

  Currently in a movement, dubbed the Sabah Reform Front (SRF), Lajim said that he is partyless and was thinking of whether to continue his four decades involvement in politics.

  “If we wish to continue our political struggles, we would discuss with any parties under the Pakatan Rakyat who are willing to accept us. I do not know whether I would be defending my seat as I would leave it to my supporters to decide. If they want me, I would, If not, I will just assist the future candidate” he said.

  He also refuted rumours that he was offered the Chief Minister's post, adding that: “We are in the opposition, not the government.”

  Lajim also said that he was not forced to leave BN as there were rumours that he would be dropped from the coalition.

  “All I know is that I have raised my grouses to the Prime Minister over matters concerning the Sabah leadership, and my action today is to show them that I was not making false accusations,” he told reporters.

  Earlier in his speech, Lajim said it was time for the people to move forward and not be misguided on the myth that only Umno and BN that could bring peace and harmony to them.

  “Realities lie on the leadership in states like Selangor, Kedah, Kelantan and Penang, as they are better off than Sabah today.

  “I have let myself burnt before, when I sacrificed myself and left Parti Bersatu Sabah on Mar 12, 1994. Many has regarded me as 'katak' (frog), but my decision to leave PBS has helped to formation of the BN government till today.

  “But I realise that although Malaysia was formed for almost 50 years now, Sabah is still behind, in terms of development, our voices have fallen to deaf ears in the federal government. Many resolutions and memorandum were forwarded to the top leaderships by the many political parties from sabah and yet, nothing concrete has been done to materialise them.

  “That is why Sabahans are getting tired and we come up with slogans such as 'Ini kalilah' (This is it) and 'Mari tukar' (Lets change), and deep down their heart, they wish that Putrajaya would be toppled by a new government through Pakatan Rakyat.

  “Having said that, we continue to make calls for the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry to overcome issues concerning the illegal immigrants, and many other matters, as we all want a new hope which is more positive, for the good of Sabahans.

  “We should not longer allow ourselves to be treated like a sheep, left in the barn, waiting for instructions from its master and probably one day be slaughtered. We have our morals and pride. In politics, ideology alone is not enough, we need to have a principle, and it is more meaningful. A person who is equipped with an ideology without principle is like a seaman without a compass. Only with compass would we be able to reach our destination,” he said.


(pix source: sinarharian.com.my)

2012 - yet another interesting and challenging year

  Just six days into the New Year and already I can't wait for it to end, but time is flying real slow. But having said that, I have reasons to be happy as some of what I wished to do this year has kicked off and hopefully it will be consistent.
  Twenty-twelve is expected to be an interesting yet challenging year for me, it involves a lot of things - physically, mentally and spiritually - and I am not quite sure I am ready for these tasks. Everyone hopes for happy ending, but no one can guarantee you that life would be as sweet as that in fairytales. While some of us hate gambling, we cannot run away from the fact that as some point in our life, we need to have the courage to gamble.
  Last year was a challenging year as well, but there were sweet memories to compensate the heartaches and sadness. I lost an uncle last year. A dear one. And how I wish he was with us as we celebrated the joy of moving into a new home. He could have been a regular in the house, much to the delight of my parents. But God loves him more.
  Of course, Korea tops the sweet memory list. It was a fun fun fun trip. Planned some trips this year, and hopefully we will get there someday, somehow.
  I made three resolutions this year, one may be a 'brought forward' material, but this time, I am determine to make it happen. All three involves a lot of commitments, and I believe with the support I get, I will be able to do it.
  With this, I pray to God that He would lead me to the right path, to guide me towards doing the right thing, to help me decide what is best for me...and I pray that He would help all my parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces, aunties, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends wishes come true too.

Happy New Year people and may 2012 brings us greater health, wealth and laughter.  
 

it is time...

There are times when we look back and think what we've achieved, what we fail to achieve and what we are still hoping to achieve ... all these makes who we are today, what we are today, what we've become.

I always think that I am still learning. The world, after all, is a classroom and at certain point we still need to look back at those days when you were just you.

I'm always thankful to my parents, for teaching me the values of life, for guiding me and help shape me to be who I am today.

 Of course, I should also give thanks to my former teachers, superiors at work, my mentors, my friends ... they played their part to help me to be what I am today.

I've passed on what I gained from my mentors to my fellow colleagues. Its been over a decade now with the journalism line, and I believe it is a learning process everyday, still. There are a lot of things out there that interest us. I just wish I get to share my passion and let my friends see what I see. It is wrong to think that we're in a glamourous line, it's not! We're in this line for a reason. A good reporter can smell a good story. And I believe I've shared with my fellow colleagues how to deal with certain stories. But of course, there is very little we can do and it is always up to the person to absorb what we've shared.

So for the stubborn ones, congratulations, you're on your own ... I give up!

the meaning of respect

It amazes me to see how our Muslim friends could abstain themselves from food and water for the whole day. I mean the challenges are there - the heat, the smell of food, the smell of nicotine (for smokers of course) ... it is superly hard work to ignore all temptations, at least for me.

I tried fasting, well to be precise, abstaining from food since I do take water, for the second day today, and it is such a struggle. Honestly, it brings a whole new level of respect to our fasting friends.

The best part was that I had the privilege to break fast with my Muslims friends, thanks to Promenade Hotel for the great Buka Puasa buffet dinner. Not that I have never joined them during such functions, this time it is extra memorable since I half-fasted. It was so much fun, waiting for the azan and to see them pray before taking the meals. I did my prayers too, according to my beliefs and religion. Traditionally, they'll start with kurma (dates) and I did just that, followed by a sip of water or syrup, which ever fancies you, but I must admit, it was a heavenly feeling.

This is a whole new experience for me too, I realise that it makes us to appreciate food and drinks more, it makes us realise that we can control our minds to refrain from doing things, self-control. It brings truth to the saying "it's all in the mind".

Well, it is entering the third day of Ramadhan. I've tried abstaining food for two days now, may be slowly I will join Muslims to abstain both food and drinks ... SLOWLY. A friend of mine told me that "just think it as your diet,", may be I should take his words and tune my mind to do just that.

So, to all my Muslim friends, happy Ramadhan. Kudos for your strong will to rejecting all temptations. Thanks for this valuable lesson.

a little bit of golfers' jargon

10 things in golf that sound dirty...

1. Look at the size of his putter. 2. Oh, dang, my shaft's all bent. 3. You really wacked the hell out of that sucker. 4. After 18 holes I can barely walk. 5. My hands are so sweaty I can't get a good grip. 6. Lift your head and spread your legs. 7. You have a nice stroke, but your follow through leaves a lot to be desired. 8. Just turn your back and drop it. 9. Hold up. I've got to wash my balls. 10. Damn, I missed the hole again.

sometimes all we need is a good laugh ...

Funny Quote

Writers Quotes The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense. Tom Clancy I never know what I think about something until I read what I've written on it. William Faulkner I handed in a script last year and the studio didn't change one word. The word they didn't change was on page 87. Steve Martin I have always been a huge admirer of my own work. I'm one of the funniest and most entertaining writers I know. Mel Brooks It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up because by that time I was too famous. Robert Benchley A writer is congenitally unable to tell the truth and that is why we call what he writes fiction. William Faulkner The free-lance writer is the person who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps. Robert Benchley Work quotes

The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work. Robert Frost The easiest job in the world has to be coroner. Surgery on dead people. What's the worst thing that could happen? If everything went wrong, maybe you'd get a pulse Dennis Miller Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance? Edgar Bergen Doing nothing is very hard to do...you never know when you're finished. Leslie Nielsen The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning you're on the job. Slappy White I only go to work on days that don't end in a 'y'. Robert Paul It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up. Muhammad Ali A good rule of thumb is if you've made it to thirty-five and your job still requires you to wear a name tag, you've made a serious vocational error. Dennis Miller I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours. Jerome K Jerome

Wisdom Quotes

Whenever I'm caught between two evils, I take the one I've never tried. Mae West Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens. Jimi Hendrix The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with. Marty Feldman How to make a million dollars: First, get a million dollars. Steve Martin If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it. W.C. Fields Wise men make proverbs, but fools repeat them. Samuel Palmer

For more funny quotes, click here

the response ...

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun responded to the Terengganu Turtle Sanctuary Advisory Board (TTSAB), demanding them to furnish evidence that indeed the turtle eggs found sold at their markets came from Sabah.

  Guess the man with the bionic eyes has to prepare an answer to support his claim.

  To know more, click here for the article on Masidi's response.