Sabah Transferred to the Philippines?

Many Sabahans are unaware that the Sultanate of Sulu's claim to Sabah is not merely the Sultanate's claim. Some argue that since the Sultanate of Sulu no longer exists, then there is nothing to worry about.

But what many do not know is that the Sultanate of Sulu had officially signed a document surrendering sovereignity over Sabah to the Republic of the Philippines prior to the formation of Malaysia.

The treaty signed by the Sultanate of Sulu transferring Sabah to the government of the Philippines can be read here. And since the Federal Constitution of Malaysia also does not define the Federation of Malaysia as including Sabah and Sarawak (see Article 160), the status of Sabah is very worrying. It is high time the Sabah issue is explained once and for all.

For those who cannot access the link, just go directly to this http://www.royalsulu.com/transfer.html

Daily Express Proven Right

The Daily Express today ran a story headlined We Are Proven Right which told the story of Sabahan youths being stranded and homeless in Kuala Lumpur.

According to the report, there are dozens of Sabahan youths who are homeless and unemployed. Most of them depend on charity for food. Some of them sleep on sidewalks.

Every year hundreds of Sabahan youths go to Malaya expecting lucrative jobs. Unfortunately many are cheated by their so-called employers while others find underpaid jobs where they have to work like dogs.

This is not a new issue and thankfully the Daily Express has brought it to light. This leaves us wondering where are the so-called National Economic Policy (NEP) which is supposed to help natives.

Every year we see many Malayans being posted to Sabah to fill in various vacancies in the government sector while many Sabahans are turned away. You will find Malayans being employed as drivers, post office clerks and other positions which could easily be filled up by Sabahans.

Even the Borneonisation policy which was espoused by the late Datuk Donald Stephens (who later became Tun Fuad Stephens) has never materialised despite Sabah having many different governments since 1963.

It is high time the state government seriously engages itself with the Federal government in this aspect.

Happy Lunar New Year

The North Borneo Herald wishes all readers a very Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year. Let us hope the year of the Tiger would bring positive changes to our country. Just do not indulge in too much Tiger-beer drinking!

Beware The Voting Refugee

The New Straits Times reported on February the 3rd that the Home Ministry would be issuing identity cards to foreign refugees registered under the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Its Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam said this is to help the authorities keep track of the refugees' whereabouts.

This is a good move, but these refugees should not end up with Malaysian citizenship like many of the so-called refugees from the Philippines in Sabah. The danger that these refugees once issued identity cards, would end up as voters in elections is real, as been proven in Sabah.

It is hoped that our politicians on both sides of the divide check up on the procedures involved in the issuance of identity cards to these refugees. Let us hope that these new batch of refugees would not be competing with us for scholarships, land titles, government jobs, government aid and political posts. We have too many foreigners to compete with as it is. We don't need another batch.

Traffic Offenders Better Pay Up

The Sabah Times reported today that the police will hunt all traffic offenders who have not paid their traffic fines past the due dates and arrest them.

Therefore those who have been fined by the police or the Road Transport Department better pay their fines quickly. For those of you who did not receive any tickets but are worried that you might have flouted traffic laws, you could go and check with the nearest police station by simply giving your licence plate numbers.

Those who have bought used cars especially cars with Malayan-registered licence plates, better go and check if their cars have outstanding fines. This is because there were cases in the past where people have bought used cars without realising that these cars have outstanding fines. Many of such cases involved Malayan-registered vehicles.

The North Borneo Herald believes that it is better to pay up now rather than facing embarrassment with a police arrest.