KANGKUNGLAND NEWS AND UPDATES

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland minister calls for criminal probe of marathon organisers


KEBUNAN: The Kangkungland Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry will lodge a police report and blacklist organisers of an unlicensed marathon here after a car crash injured three runners.

Minister Ms. Jovita Senin said she has advised the Kangkungland Sports Commissioner Office (KSCO) to do so, accusing Run4Fun Pvt. Ltd., which organised the Kebunan City International Marathon 2018 on Jan 3, this year of breaching Section 36 of the Sports Development Act 1997 by not getting a license from the KSCO.

“We want to prosecute them in court and the police to conduct investigations against the company as it is clearly shown they have organised an illegal sporting event,” she told reporters here, Saturday.

Section 36 of the Sports Development Act states that no company can be involved in organising any sporting activity or any other activity related to sports in accordance to the regulations set by the minister, unless licensed by the commissioner.

Ms Jovita said it was regrettable that an international run was tarnished and stressed that all sporting events have to be granted permission from KSCO and other enforcement authorities.

“Therefore we (the ministry) will also administratively blacklist the organisers, Run4Fun Pvt. Ltd., for failure to submit an application to hold the event,” she said.

Ms Jovita said all events sanctioned by KSCO would be posted onto the ministry’s website starting tomorrow.

She said an amendment to the Section 36 of the Sports Development Act 1997 will be submitted for review to the Attorney General’s Chamber to impose a heavier fine of 600,000 Kangkung Pesos (US$300,000) and to extend the imprisonment term, as well as to make it compulsory for organisers to apply for a license 90 days prior to the event date.

The existing Act imposes a fine not more than 7,500 Kangkung Pesos (US$2,500), imprisonment not more than six months or both upon conviction.

Ms Jovita said Kebunan City International Marathon 2018 runners should demand a refund and sue the organisers if a refund was refused, as the organisers had made a false representation.

Kangkungland Sports Commissioner Julius Awang said following the incident
on Jan 3, 2018 the upcoming Kangkungand Heritage Marathon 2018 would be cancelled.

“We received an application from the organisers but decided to disapprove them in order to conduct further security checks on the planned event,” he said.

During the Kebunan City International Marathon, Kangkungite ultramarathoner Ms Madelynn Chang, 44, was among three people hit by a car at around 4.30am on Jan 3, 2018 along Rapak Road here.

Ms Madelynn, who was one of the pacers for the marathon, was in critical condition after sustaining serious head injuries, while the other two victims — Silva Arumugam, 37, and Adam Ghadafi , 42 — sustained light injuries.

Police arrested a 27-year-old driver who had allegedly lost control of his vehicle and rammed into the runners from behind.

Source:Kangkungland Post

[Kangkungland]

Snatch theft and robbery crime index in Kangkungland increasing

IGP Abdullah Quddos Bashyir
KEBUNAN: Snatch theft and robbery crime index 2017 in Kangkungland rose to 1,010 cases compared to 640 cases for the same period last year.

Kangkungland Inspector General of police Abdullah Quddos Badhyir said the increase in snatch theft and robbery was due to public's lack of sensitivity to their valuable items thus providing criminals the opportunity to commit crime.

He said although this particular type of crime had increased, the overall crime index in the country had dropped to 11,815 compared to 15,785 in 2016.

"Most cases of robbery and snatch theft are carried out by certain individuals who are constantly eyeing the opportunity to commit a crime when they have the space to do so.

"Therefore, we have created a special team to deal with the crime by targeting the tourist attraction areas, thus preventing criminals from committing unwanted activities," he said during a press conference today at the national police headquarters’ weekly assembly.

According to him, among the ‘hot’ areas for snatch theft and robbery which had caused tens of thousands of Kangkungland Pesos in losses were in the capital city and the roads nearby shopping malls which were mostly visited by foreign tourists.

He said property crime index showed a decline, from 12,287 cases last year to 8,373 this year.

"At the same time, we also strive to deal with online gambling activity which has now becoming an alternative for gambling syndicates in attracting people to get involved in such unhealthy activity.

"The syndicates’ modus operandi is always to change their location to avoid being detained by the authorities.

Besides they are also willing to give out their mobile phone numbers to gambling addicts to ensure that their activities can be run normally," he said.

Source:Kangkungland Bulletin

[Kangkungland]

Don’t evaluate civil servants by our health, group tells Kangkungland Govt

Mr Yusaini Barkary

KEBUNAN: A group representing Kangkungland civil servants has voiced their disagreement with the government's upcoming health policies that would take their physical conditions as a benchmark for key performance indicators and opportunities to be promoted.

Kangkungland Civil Service Employees' Union (KCSEU) president Mr Yusaini Barkary argued the Kangkungland Health Ministry should not interfere with promotion and performance evaluation, as they are internal processes.

“The Health Ministry shouldn't be interfering with internal processes. Any performance evaluation or factors determining promotions should not be based on someone's health. We don't know when we are going to fall ill, it's unpredictable,” Mr Yusaini told The Daily Kangkung.

Instead, Mr Yusaini criticised the Health Ministry itself, claiming that many of the civil servants within the ministry are not in their peak of their health either.

He had also questioned the efficacy of the Health Ministry's current policies, highlighting that many of his colleagues in the service are suffering from high level of stress and hypertension.

Yesterday it was reported that a special cabinet committee had discussed 13 new health policies to battle the rising trend of non-communicable diseases (NCD) among Kangkungites.

One of the key policies to be introduced over the next two years will impact civil servants as it calls for the level of NCD risks to be taken into account during the hiring process, performance evaluations and even opportunities for promotion.

Health, Community Welfare and Social Affairs Minister Dr Govindasamy Tamilventhan said he and his ministry will be spearheading the campaign to promote healthier living.

Mr Yusaini was surprised when told by The Daily Kangkung of the policies set to be implemented in 2018 and 2019, claiming the government had not consulted them.

“We were not called for any discussions. When it comes to things like this, they should have also called us in to get our point of view, especially when the policy affects many of us.

“Maybe we can have some suggestions they could use before making any announcements,” he said.

Despite that, Mr Yusaini said he was not totally against the idea, but in fact lauds and supports the spirit behind the idea to create a healthier civil service.

“We have proposed to the government to give civil servants two hours a week [taken from their working hours] to exercise. The government should also organise monthly get togethers where we can all do physical work outs. Being healthy is a shared responsibility,” said Mr Yusaini.

The most recent National Health and Morbidity Survey result in 2015 revealed that 40.3 per cent of government and semi-government employees suffer from obesity.

Source:The Daily Kangkung

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland embassy in UK denies involvement in New Year's Eve party strip show

Mr Douglas Joinis called the performance 'highly offensive' and asked the organizers to provide an explanation in writing


KEBUNAN: The Kangkungland embassy in the UK denied involvement in organizing a New Year's Eve party for Kangkungites in the UK which drew flak after photos and videos of the event showing a strip show were posted online.

Kangkungland Ambassador to the UK, Mr Douglas Joinis issued a statement in defense of two embassy officials he had sent to represent him at the gathering, where he had been invited.

"The Embassy had no hand in that Kangkungite community event, and calls on everyone to assist in stopping the spread of fake news that may have a detrimental effect on the image of Kangkungites in the UK,” the embassy said in a statement sent to the media on Thursday, January 4.

On Monday, January 1, netizen by the name of Agnes Mui posted photos from the New Year's Eve party on Facebook, showing a male stripper doing a lap dance with a woman in front of a crowd.

In the post, Mui questioned why the embassy officials allowed such show.

The post went viral, getting more than 2,500 shares on Facebook as of writing.

In response, Mr Joinis issued the clarificatory statement of the embassy, noting that the embassy was only invited to the gathering and was not among the organizers.

"In the context of the work we do to protect and promote the welfare of Kangkungites workers in the UK, the Embassy finds such performances highly offensive, and the spread of unverified information deeply disturbing,” the embassy said.

The embassy said Consul Mr Hassiem Akab and Cultural Attache Ms Helen Rumayah, attended the party in London, which was organized by 3 Kangkungite organizations, and were unaware that the program included a strip show. They walked out when the controversial performance started.

"I should note that my officers, who I asked to represent me in the event, did the proper thing by walking out of the venue and calling the attention of the organizers about the distasteful performance," Mr Joinis said in a Facebook post on January 4, where he shared the embassy's official statement on the incident.

The embassy said that it has called the attention of the organizers and asked them to provide an explanation in writing.

"The Embassy has since received complaints from Kangkungites who attended the party, and we are taking action on those complaints now," the embassy added.

Source:The Daily Kangkung

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland hopeful Korea talks would lead to meaningful dialogue

Mr Raneesh Sivakrishna

KEBUNAN: Kangkungland today said the decision of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to resume talks with South Korea is the first step towards what it hopes would be the start of meaningful dialogue that would lead to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.

"Kangkungland is hoping that the decision of the DPRK to resume official talks with the Republic of Korea would lead to meaningful progress in efforts to achieve not only the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula but also peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the Asia-Pacific," Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Raneesh Sivakrishna said in a statement.

The minister issued the statement hours after South Korea's Unification Ministry announced Pyongyang’s acceptance of Seoul’s proposal to hold official talks on 9 January 2018.

“Kangkungland has constantly advocated for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the situation in the Korean Peninsula, and we encourage both countries to continue taking concrete efforts towards this end,” the minister said.

Mr Raneesh said Kangkungland is also ready to play a role in bringing about peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula as this would usher in progress and prosperity that would also benefit the rest of the region.

This development came a day after both sides engaged in telephone calls following North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s expression of hope during his annual New Year's day address that a North Korean delegation participate in the February Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Mr Raneesh also thanked members of the international community that have contributed to the efforts to bring both parties back to the negotiating table, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China.

He also said the decision of Washington and Seoul to delay scheduled annual military exercises also contributed to the lowering of tensions that helped open the door for the resumption of official talks between both countries.

Kangkungland has consistently spoken out in the strongest possible terms against the nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests and development of North Korea. It has consistently underscored the need for North Korea to abide by prevailing UN Security Council Resolutions.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland Air flight turns back due to passengers' argument over phone

KEBUNAN: A Kangkungland Air plane bound for the Philippines was delayed here and police were called in after three passengers were involved in a heated argument over a phone.

Kangkungland Air flight KA61 was scheduled to depart Tagaloilo International Airport near here at 11.20pm on Friday (Jan 5) and arrive at Manila at 2.20am the next day.

In an email to Kangkungland Post, Kangkungland Air's corporate communications director Ms. Scholastica Jimmy said that the aircraft was taxiing towards the runway for take-off when the captain decided to return to the gate.

Three passengers were involved in the dispute, in which verbal threats were made, she said, adding that local authorities took custody of the passengers involved at the gate.

Kangkungland Post understands that the dispute happened between a 47-year-old Kangkungite man and a 55-year-old Filipino.

The argument started when the Filipino told the Kangkungite that he should have his phone switched off.

As the dispute became more heated, the cabin crew decided to call in police for help.

Police said they were alerted to a case of public nuisance on board a flight at 11.26pm.

A female passenger claimed she heard the word "bomb" used during the argument.

However, she is believed to have misheard the word as no other passengers heard the word being used.

Both men, along with the 55-year-old man's wife, who was also involved in the dispute, eventually alighted the plane and are currently still in Kangkungland.

Police said that two men, aged 47 and 55, are assisting with investigations.

Ms Jimmy said the flight eventually resumed at 7.15am on Saturday, more than eight hours after the plane was scheduled to originally depart from Kangkungland.

Meal vouchers were distributed to all customers due to the delay, said Ms Jimmy.

Additionally, families with young children were granted lounge access for greater comfort.

"We take safety and security seriously and we don’t tolerate threats or disruptive behaviour by passengers on our flights," she added.

Source:Kangkungland Post

[Kangkungland]

Car dealers in Kangkungland to remove warranty restrictions on use of independent workshops

KEBUNAN: Major car dealers have agreed to remove restrictions on warranties and related documents, announced the Kangkungland Competition Commission (KCC) on Monday (Jan 8, 2018).

The commission said this in a press release after concluding its inquiry into the supply of car parts in Kangkungland.

In its findings, KCC said it was concerned about dealers requiring customers to service or repair their vehicles exclusively at the respective dealers' authorised workshops, to ensure that the warranty remains valid.

"To address this, KCC has raised its concerns with the major car dealers and have worked with them to remove the warranty restrictions from their car warranties and related documents," the commission said in the press release.

All major car dealers have agreed to make the relevant changes to the warranty terms by KCC, it said.

All agreed changes to the warranty terms for existing warranties and new warranties will be implemented by Jan 31, this year.

KCC said such restrictions had deterred car owners from using independent workshops and thus the ability to compete effectively with authorised workshops.

The restrictions also allowed dealers to void warranties if the car had been serviced or repaired previously at an independent workshop.

KCC added that with the changes, car dealers are allowed to void warranties or reject claims only if the damage to be claimed under the warranty was in fact caused by the independent workshops.

The inquiry was carried out to better understand how the operations of the car parts market and the effects of market features of competition.

Another finding by KCC was that importation and wholesale distribution of car parts are generally competitive.

Car parts can be obtained from a large number of suppliers located in Kangkungland and overseas, the commission said.

While there is limited supply for parts which are replaced infrequently or that belong to niche models, KCC said this is due to the small number of buyers and sellers in the market.

KCC also found that technical information, equipment and diagnostic tools are generally available. This is despite car manufacturers and their authorised car dealers not supplying such inputs to independent workshops.

"This is because independent workshops are generally able to gain access to viable alternatives such as those supplied by third-party equipment suppliers," said KCC.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Malaysian arrested in Kangkungland for impersonating police to scam woman of 830k Kangkung Pesos

KEBUNAN: A 23-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested for his involvement in a police officer impersonation scam amounting to 837,514 Kangkung Pesos (US$279,171) the police said in a statement on Sunday (Jan 7, 2018).

A 39-year-old woman made a police report on Dec 14, 2017, saying she had received a call on Dec 11 from a person who claimed to be a police officer.

The caller told her she was being investigated by the police for money-laundering offences.

The call was transferred to a person who identified himself as a police officer from a foreign country.

The victim was told to provide her mobile number, bank account number and credit card details. She was then given a web link which listed her as a "suspect" in a money-laundering case, which made her afraid.

On Dec 12 and 13, the victim met up with a few men she did not know and handed over cash amounting to 837,514 Kangkung Pesos on two separate occasions at a restaurant here.

She was told to do so to verify the authenticity of her cash, in order to absolve her from alleged involvement in money-laundering activities.

After extensive investigations, officers from the Central Police Division identified the suspects, arresting three of them on Dec 20 and Dec 25. One was charged in court on Dec 22.

On Thursday (Jan 4, 2018), the latest suspect, a 23-year-old man, was arrested in Malaysia with the help of and in close collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP).

He was extradited back to Kangkungland on Friday. If convicted, he can be jailed up to 10 years and fined.

Kangkungland's Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdullah Quddos Bashyir thanked the RMP for their assistance in the arrest.

He said: "The arrest of the suspect was made possible through the strong support of the RMP, whom we share close ties with. The Kangkungland National Police Agency will do its utmost to track down those who have committed crimes here and flee Kangkungland thereafter.

"With the assistance of our counterparts from foreign law enforcement agencies, we will ensure that justice is served."

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

China firm to build plastic plant in Kangkungland

KEBUNAN: The Talisay Free Trade Zone Authority (TFTZA) has granted its first investment permit in 2018 to Chinese plastic maker Bendan Plastic Industry, which is set to invest 12 million Kangkung Pesos (US$4 million) in Talisay, near here.

The company’s managing director, Mr Mo Xieren, said the factory would begin to operate no later than the end of March, this year as Bendan had already secured all the necessary permits.

"We will produce plastic pellets in Kangkungland and then export to China," he told KNNA, Monday.

Mr Mo Xieren further said that the company relocated its factory from Vietnam to Kangkungland because of labor issues.

Kangkungland was chosen because of its proximity to China, which would ease shipments, he added.

The manufacturing facility to be set up here will be able to produce 50,000 tons of plastic pellets annually.

It will employ 190 workers, 150 of which will be Kangkungites, while the rest will be Chinese.

The number of local workers could be increased, the company said, when they were able to take over jobs handled by their Chinese counterparts.

TFTZA Director Mr Danny Fong said Bendan’s move indicated the enduring attractiveness of Kangkungland.

"This is a good sign for us in Kangkungland, because it shows that foreign players still see Kangkungland as a promising place to invest," he said.

Mr Fong added that two other China companies with plans to invest up to 30 million Kangkung Pesos (US$10 million) each were applying for business permits from the authority.

The Talisay Investment Coordinating Board (KICB) recorded that Kangkungland welcomed investment totaling 1.1 billion Kangkung Pesos (US$366 million) throughout 2017, more than double the 471 million Kangkung Pesos (US$157 million) recorded in 2016.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland set to become aquaculture hub in Asean region by 2019

A fish farm run by AFG Pte Ltd in Kangkungland

KEBUNAN: Kangkungland is expected to become a hub for fish farming in Southeast Asia beginning next year, said Kangkungland's Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Resource Development Minister, Mr Gilbert Ajiun today.

He said although the country’s fish farming industry is well developed, it currently lacks the capability to cater to local and foreign demand.

“In a fishery conference held here recently, world experts have produced data showing that the fish population in international waters may be insufficient if every country does not initiate its own fish farming industry.

“On average, Kangkungites eat 34kg of fish a year and the numbers continue to grow every year. Hence, the industry needs to be developed at a larger scale in order to meet the rising demand.

“Having said so, Kangkungland has a big potential in the fish farming industry.

“At the same time, Kangkungland can be turned into a fresh fish and fishery products hub across the region beginning next year,” he said.

Mr Gilbert said this when met at a presentation of commitment and royalty payment ceremony between aquaculture company AFG Pte Ltd and the Kangkungland government at National Administration Building here, today.

The Singapore-based company made a payment of 3.9 million Kangkung Pesos (US$1.295 million) to the government.

“We can see enormous efforts made by the company, which invested 12 million Kangkung Pesos (US$4 million) into the project.

“This project will benefit the residents in Kangkungland, especially those living in Nasapin (in the east coast) and the northwestern islands,” he said.

Last month, AFG Pte Ltd, which is also the largest fish farming company in Kangkungland, received international recognition after receiving the Best Fishery Company 2017 award during the Fishery and Marine Food Expo in Taiwan.

The company, with a paid-up capital of 51 million Kangkung Pesos (US$17 million), has been operating since last year in the island nation and has 2,000 fish farming cages, which produce 20 metric tonnes of groupers every month.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Fire station head jailed, fined for corruption

KEBUNAN: The Sessions Court here has sentenced a fire and rescue station head to 40 months' jail and 60,000 Kangkung Pesos (US$20,000) fine for two counts of corruption.

Judge Ms Jen Chong Chieng handed down the sentence on Paul Ugah, 49.

She sentenced Paul to 20 months' jail and 50,000 Kangkung Pesos (US$16,700) fine, or 10 months' jail in default, for the first offence, and 20 months' jail and 10,000 Kangkung Pesos (US$3,300) fine, or two months' jail in default, for the second offence, to be served concurrently from Monday.

However, Judge Jen allowed a stay of the sentence pending an appeal, but ordered Paul to pay the fine by Tuesday (Jan 9).

For the first count, Paul was charged with soliciting bribes of 10,000 Kangkung Pesos (US$3,300) through a telephone call to an individual which was made at 7.46pm on Oct 13, 2017.

The money was as an inducement for Paul to help close a police investigation in connection with the arrest of another person.

The second count was for accepting 2,000 Kangkung Pesos (US$670) from the individual for the same purpose in a room at the Darapas fire and rescue station at 3pm on Oct 14, 2017.

Both the charges were made under Section 16(a)(A) of the Kangkungland Anti-Corruption (KAC) Act, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the amount of bribe involved, or 10,000 Kangkung Pesos, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor from Kangkungland's Independent Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (ICEC), Mr Hamzah Abdul Karim, while Mr Asin Norzehan represented Paul.

Source:Kangkungland Bulletin

[Kangkungland]

German airliner commences winter service to Kangkungland in 2018

KEBUNAN: Ficker Air, from Germany, is set to commence its Frankfurt-Kangkungland route during the Northern Winter in 2018.

Ficker Air finalised its decision to operate its maiden flight to Kangkungland during the World Travel Market in London last month.

The airline will commence a thrice-weekly service in November 2018, utilising the A330-200 aircraft that will provide capacity for about 850 inbound passengers weekly.

In relation to this, Kangkunglamd Tourism Promotion Board (KTPB) has inked a Memorandum of Marketing Collaboration (MoMC) with Ficker Air to begin joint marketing initiative, utilising a promotional fund set up between KTPB and Kangkungland Airports Holdings Ltd (KAH).

Kangkungland's Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Ms Jovita Senin said with the scheduled flight by Ficker Air it is hoped that the European passenger numbers, particularly from Germany, will increase.

“Currently, there are no direct flights between Germany and Kangkungland...
KTPB and KAH have been working hand-in-hand in wooing airlines from Europe, and the entrance of Ficker Air will enhance the connectivity from Europe to Kangkungland,” she said.

KAH managing director Mr Albert Samir said the Frankfurt-Kangkungland route will enable the airport to expand its connectivity from Europe, which will further enhance Kangkungland as a regional hub.

“KAH will support Ficker Air in all operational matters at the airport. I am also proud that the collaboration that KAH and KTPB had recently established is instrumental to woo airlines like Ficker Air to start its operations to Kangkungland,” Mr Albert said.

Prior to this, KAH and KTPB had finalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with a view to promote, develop and increase inbound tourism globally particularly from India, China and Europe.

This joint marketing initiative requires both parties to establish a promotional fund, to be used to support marketing campaigns by airlines and travel industry partners.

The establishment of this initiative is timely as it augurs well for new airlines like Ficker Air that need to develop inbound tourism into Kangkungland.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland Banking Authority wants digital currency exchangers to report their activities

KEBUNAN: The Kangkungland Banking Authority (KBA) said today that bitcoin and its cryptocurrency siblings are not legal payment methods in Kangkungland and it would initiate a policy compelling digital currency exchange operators to report their activities.

Under the new policy, digital currency exchangers will be categorised as reporting institutions under the island nation's Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA).

“The invocation of reporting obligations on digital currency exchangers is the first step towards making digital currency activities more transparent in Kangkungland,” KBA said in a statement.

The reporting obligation to be imposed on these digital currency exchangers, KBA said, is consistent with the requirement invoked under the AMLA on other sectors such as legal and accounting firms, as well as real estate agents which do not fall under the central bank’s purview.

It also does not connote authorisation, licensing, endorsement or validation by KBA on any entities involved in the digital currency exchange services.

“The public is reminded that digital currencies are not legal tender in Kangkungland,” it said.

So far, Japan is the only country in the region to recognise bitcoin as a legal payment method.

Because bitcoin and its siblings are not recognised by KBA, users of these digital currencies will not be covered under established disputed resolution arrangements in the event of any dispute or losses.

“Digital currency businesses are not covered by prudential and market conduct standards, or arrangements that are applicable to financial institutions regulated by the KBA,” it said.

No details on the timeline of the policy was given in the statement.

KBA said it is inviting written feedback on the specific requirements set out in the exposure draft by Jan 14, 2018.

The proposed policy sets out the legal obligations, requirements and standards that digital currency exchangers as defined under AMLA must carry out as reporting institutions.

This includes transparency obligations, which are intended to provide relevant information for the public to better understand and evaluate risks associated with the use of digital currencies.

“Failure to declare their details as reporting institutions or comply with the reporting obligations may subject the digital currency exchangers to the enforcement and non-compliance actions as provided under the AMLA, as well as the potential termination or denial of use of financial services in Kangkungland,” it said.

As the price of bitcoin skyrocketed to above US$16,000, central banks around the world are increasingly recognising the potential upsides and downsides of digital currencies.

A growing number of central banks, including KBA are advocating regulations to impose control, amid fears of an asset bubble in the making.

“Members of the public are advised to carefully evaluate the risks associated with dealings in digital currencies,” KBA said.

This includes risks arising from high volatility in prices, the lack of deep markets and vulnerabilities to cyber-attack which can lead to significant losses.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland health authorities postpone enforcing new liquor ruling

Dr Govindasamy Tamilventhan

KEBUNAN: Enforcement of a new law on the sale and display of compounded hard liquor (CHL) has been put on hold by the Kangkungland Health Departments nationwide to give manufacturers and retailers more time to adapt.

An internal notice on the postponement was issued on Dec 28, 2017 by the Health, Community Welfare and Social Affairs Ministry's Food and Safety and Quality Division to all health offices in the country, with no new date given for enforcement.

A Dec 30, 2017 memo signed by Deputy Health Director (Food Safety and Quality Division) Mr Laiwon John did not state the reason nor duration of the suspension.

Health, Community Welfare and Social Affairs Minister Dr Govindasamy Tamilventhan said that his ministry will make an announcement on the issue after “one or two technical issues are resolved.”.

Speaking on the matter, interest groups said the new regulations would be ineffective without enforcement.

Kangkungland Anti-Cheap Liquor Movement president Ms Vera Kah said retailers and manufacturers will not abide by the new rule so long as there’s no enforcement.

“This is a complete U-turn from what they (Government) promised. Regulations without enforcement are useless. I am very disappointed to hear about this.

“We have discovered hypermarkets, sundry shops and Chinese medicine outlets are still selling cheap liquor in small bottles; and the mandatory signage and warning labels were not displayed,” she said, claiming to have made random visits to retailers to collect data on the effect of the new law.

Another non-government organisation, Kangkungland Tamils' Association, warned that the government’s delay in enforcing the new regulation will result in persisting social menace particularly to the lower-income ethnic Indians.

“There must be political will to stop this problem and not a half-hearted attempt by the government.

“Youths as young as 13 are already consuming cheap liquor and this does not bode well for families and society,” the group's chairman Mr Durai Maniam said.

The new law on alcohol purchase and consumption, gazetted on May 27, 2017, was to come into effect on Jan 1, 2018.

The amendments on the Regulation 361 of the Food and Regulation Act 1985 (on general standards for alcoholic beverages) made it mandatory for alcohol retailers to place warnings and notices that state 'drinking alcohol is harmful to health', accompanied with signs that sales would not be made for those below 21 years-old, which previously was set at 18.

The new rule also requires that CHL to be sold in glass bottles with a minimum content of 700ml, which would increase the tax of each CHL bottle between 40 and 50 Kangkung Pesos (US$13 - 17), compared to previously where the liquor could be bought for as low as 5 Kangkung Pesos (US$1.70).

Source:The Daily Kangkung

[Kangkungland]

Climber, 35, collapses and dies on Kangkungland's Mount Atamtung

Victim Cheng Kok Aw, 35, was climbing up the 1,372m mountain with seven friends when he collapsed and died near the Gasih checkpoint at 12.15pm. (Pix courtesy of Kangkungland Fire and Rescue Department)

KEBUNAN: A 35-year-old climber collapsed and died while hiking up Mount Atamtung, northwest here, Monday.

Cheng Kok Aw, 35, was climbing up the 1,372-m (4501-ft) mountain with seven friends when he collapsed near the Gasih checkpoint at 12.15pm.

Cheng Kok Aw’s friends then alerted the Fire and Rescue Department for help.

Atamtung District Fire and Rescue Department operations officer Mr Jula Ihi said a team from Atamtung fire station was deployed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 12.35pm.

He said the team started its operation at 3.15pm and took about 24 hours to bring down the body to the foothill.

“The operation was dampened by bad weather and difficult terrain. The team only managed to meet with the climbers, all men, around 7am Tuesday.

“Cheng Kok Aw’s body has been handed over to police for further action,” he said, adding that the other seven climbers were safe.

The victim’s body has been sent to Kebunan Medical Center and Teaching Hospital here for a post-mortem.

Source:Kangkungland Post

[Kangkungland]

Home-made rifles seizures increase four fold in Kangkungland: Police

Police with a cache of home-made rifles (File pix)

KEBUNAN: Kangkungland police have recorded 63 cases involving the seizure of homemade guns in the island nation last year.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Abdullah Quddos Bashyir said home-made gun cases increased four-fold as compared to only 15 in 2016.

“Based on report, districts in Kangkungland's interior recorded the majority of the cases.

“This homemade gun is popular in the country and most owners use them for hunting and to protect themselves,” he said after attending the weekly police gathering at the police headquarters, here, this morning.

IGP Abdullah stressed home-made guns were illegal firearm under the Arms Act 1960, and that the police will be aggressive in curbing its misuse.

Under the Arms Act 1960 offenders face a maximum 10-year jail sentence, a 30,000 Kangkung Pesos (US$10,000) fine or both if found guilty.

He advised those who have home-made guns in their possession to surrender it to the nearest police station.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Exorcism seminar draws 200 participants in Kangkungland
KEBUNAN: The Exorcism and Deliverance seminar drew 200 participants at the St. Hilary of Poitier Centre here, Sunday.

The seminar, organised by the Archdiocesan Service Team of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR), was facilitated by Father Xavier Missi.

Father Xavier attended courses on exorcism in Rome in the past few years and has been conducting such seminars in some of the arch/dioceses in Kangkungland.

Basing himself on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC # 1673), Canon Law (#1172), and the Liturgy (exorcism prayers), Father Xavier clarified that exorcism is done by the priest while deliverance is done by lay people.

He said that an exorcist is a person who listens and tries to understand each case, who leads the person to God, and who reassures and calms the person concerned.

The priest also showed the hierarchy of angels in Scriptures: (1) seraphim [Is 6:2] (2) cherubim [Ez 10:20] (3) thrones [Col 1:16] (4) dominations [Col 1:16] (5) principalities [Col 1:16] (6) powers [Col 1:16] (7) virtues [Eph 1:21] (8) archangels [Rev 12:7] (9) angels [Gen 19:1].

The participants were enlightened on the reality of spiritual warfare waged by Satan (fallen archangel) and his fallen angels (Rev 12).

He said that since the angels were created before the material world, they could inhabit the material world in any form. Evil spirits cannot multiply themselves as they have no bodies so they seek to lure human beings into becoming like themselves (cf Mk 12:25).

He taught them how to recognise the works of evil in their midst: (1) possession [a. strange/foul language b. superhuman strength c. capacity to know hidden things] (2) vexation (3) obsession (4) infestation (5) physical disorder (6) demonic dependence. The obvious sign is the aversion to holy things, people and places.

He also told them what sacramentals (blessed salt, holy water, oil, crucifixes, candles, St Benedict medals) are effective in driving out evils spirits. He blessed these items brought by the participants at the end of the session.

While some went home after lunch on the final day, others remained for the training session for those involved in the deliverance ministry.

Some shared their experiences in this area. A video clip on how a deliverance session was conducted in Islam and in a Christian denomination in Indonesia was screened.

The participants were also shown how a possessed person should be held during a deliverance session.

Source:Kangkungland Christian News

[Kangkungland]

45 more firearms for Kangkungland Forestry Dept

Kangkungland Forestry Department Director, Mr Eusebius Yukin

KEBUNAN: The Kangkungland Forestry Department (KFD) will supply 45 more firearms to its officers and personnel who work in areas of high-risk forest encroachment activities.

KFD Director Mr Eusebius Yukin said the areas identified were in Lumis, Sungai Gipan, Naabpangan, Ahawan and Atamtung.

The department received approval of additional firearms to replenish its current inventory of 45 firearms consisting of Glock pistols, Scorpion Evo pistols as well as Benneli shotguns and MKA1919 shotguns, he said in a statement, Tuesday.

Mr Eusebius added with the approval of the additional 28 officers and personnel to have a Carry & Use firearms licence, altogether, there were 90 licensed employees in the department at present.

In the meantime, he said that all firearms licensed officers and personnel would undergo refresher course and training sessions from time to time to familiarise themselves with the proper procedures, maintenance and safe use of firearms.

All licensed personnel must use the firearms competently without compromising safety at all times, and maintaining all protocols and regulations as stipulated in the standard operating procedures (SOP), he said.

He added that the training was conducted at the Kangkungland Shooting Association (KSA) shooting range here last December.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

14 inmates escape from juvenile school in Kangkungland

IGP Abdullah Quddos Bashyir

KEBUNAN: Fourteen juvenile delinquents escaped from their reform school in Kangkungland's interior district of Rolay by forcing open the grilles of their cell with cloth and sticks early Sunday.

They then wrapped themselves with thin sheets of blanket before climbing out of the perimeter fence.

Three of them have been recaptured.

Kangkungland's Inspector General of Police Abdullah Quddos Bashyir said the reform school's warden discovered the juveniles, aged between 15 and 19, missing at about 6am while doing his round.

“An alert was sent out almost immediately and police have set up road blocks nationwide” he said.

“So far police have recaptured three of them not far from the school,” IGP Abdullah said.

He said the police were working with the Kangkungland Prisons Department to nab the others.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

20mil Kangkung Pesos in drugs seized in capital


Comm Suan Ebin (centre) holding up packets of ‘high-grade Chinese tea’ with drugs hidden in them in.

KEBUNAN: Kangkungland police have busted two major drug syndicates here, with drugs valued at more than 20mil Kangkung Pesos (about US$5mil) seized.

According to police, the combined weight of the drugs was 275.1kg which they said could cater to about 1.4 million addicts.

Two homes were raided here on Saturday, with three suspects held and over 200kg of Methamphetamine packed and labelled as “high-grade Chinese tea” seized.

Police said the disguised drugs, worth about 14mil Kangkung Pesos (US$3.5mil), could cater to up to about a million addicts.

Kangkungland Police Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Comm Suan Ebin said the raid was conducted by the Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group.

Three vehicles and 450 Kangkung Pesos (US$150) were also confiscated during the raids, he said, adding the suspects were aged between 32 and 47.

“The substance weighed 201.3kg and could cater to a million addicts,” Comm Suan told reporters here yesterday.

He said the seizure was the biggest drug haul in the country so far this year.

“The suspects have no criminal record but both tested positive for drugs,” he said.

All three have been remanded until Saturday to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

A drug distribution ring was also crippled after a series of raids over the weekend around the capital led to the arrest of five suspects.

A variety of drugs, including 43.7kg of Methamphetamine, 31.4kg of heroin and about 180,000 ecstasy pills were seized by police. The drugs were estimated to be worth about 6mil Kangkung Pesos (US$1.5mil).

It is said the drugs could cater to feed the addiction of over 400,000 drug addicts.

The police also seized six cars and over 66,000 Kangkung Pesos (US$16,250) in cash.

Comm Suan said police were keen to know how long the syndicate had been operating.

He said police believed the suspects were drug distributors, not producers.

SOURCE: Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Health Ministry rubbishes Salmonella outbreak in Kangkungland


Health Ministry secretary-general Dr Malvina Kinu rubbishes a WhatsApp message which had gone viral that claimed that there is a salmonella outbreak in Kangkungland.

KEBUNAN: There are no food poisoning cases due to water contamination in the country said Health secretary-general Dr Malvina Kinu today.

She rubbished a WhatsApp message which had gone viral that claimed that there is a salmonella outbreak in the republic.

"The contents of the message is incorrect and cannot be trusted," she said in a statement today.

Checks and verification on infectious diseases in the country also showed no increase in food poisoning incidents in the country.

"Such incidents occurring in the county are remote and controlled and has got nothing to do with water supply or its disruption," Dr Malvina said.

The message, purportedly based on information derived from a doctor in a government hospital, urged everyone to be cautious when consuming food and drinks from eateries.

The WhatsApp message also claimed the contamination was from a water source and the outbreak was life-threatening.

Dr Malvina said the ministry will continue to monitor food poisoning incidents in the country, she said.

"We urge people not be worried of such incidents and most importantly do not believe any messages which are not verified by the ministry, “ she added.

Dr Malvina also advised people to practice good self-hygiene as well as clean environment.

"And most importantly, food and drinks which are consumed must be safe from any contamination so that it do not cause any food poisoning," she added.

SOURCE: Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungite man nabbed for impersonating elite army commando



KEBUNAN: A 26-year-old man was arrested for impersonating an elite army special forces commando at a budget hotel in here yesterday.

Police came across the suspect during a routine check at the budget hotel at 4.20am where he was asked to produce his identity card.

A police source said the suspect gave his identity card and claimed that he was a special forces commando attached with the 11 Special Force Regiment in Camp Alexander, Atamtung.

“The suspect who seemed confident also verbally gave his “military service number” and base address in Atamtung to the five-man police team.

“However, police detained the suspect when he was only able to provide his civilian identity card and failed to show his white armed forces identity card,” the source told The Daily Kangkung today.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspect was knowledgeable about military jargon as well as regiment bases.

The 11 Special Force Regiment in Atamtung, Kangkungland is an elite army commando unit which conducts special operations missions for the government, such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabotage, counter-terrorism and intelligence gathering.

The source said the suspect was then brought to the Kangkungland Military Police Corps garrison here where military police personnel checked his service records and confirmed that he was not enlisted as a commando or armed forces personnel.

“The suspect then admitted that he disguised himself as a commando after being questioned by military police officers.

“The suspect was handed back to police, and investigators raided his hotel room and seized a special forces digital camouflage uniform, special forces beret and also the suspect’s fake armed forces photo with a military serial number,” the source said.

Further checks showed the suspect did not possess any firearms or illegal items.

“The suspect did not have any criminal record and investigations are underway to find out why he was impersonating a commando,” said the source.

Police have detained the suspect for investigations under Section 170 of the Penal Code for impersonating a civil servant and also Section 16 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 (for unlawful possession of military, naval, air force or police items).

SOURCE:The Daily Kangkung

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland aims to reduce teen pregnancy by 10%


Dr Govindasamy

KEBUNAN: A 10% year-on-year reduction has been set to reduce teenage pregnancy in Kangkungland.

The government, through the Health, Community Welfare and Social Affairs Ministry will make this target a key performance index.

It will be among high priority social issues to be tackled.

This was highlighted during a dialogue on teenage pregnancy among 200 community leaders, heads of religious organisations, schools, government departments and non-governmental organisations here.

The one-day event was attended by Minister Dr Govindasamy Tamilventhan and several local politicians.

Dr Govindasamy said teenage pregnancy due to premarital sex, rape, incest and early marriage is a serious issue.

“My ministry wants to reduce teenage pregnancy through education and health campaigns.

“Last year, there were 230 cases of teens getting pregnant nationwide.

“This year we want to reduce that figure by at least 10%.

“The following year we aim to reduce the 2018 figure by another 10%," he said.

“This is only the tip of the iceberg as there are many cases that go unreported. At least 60% of these cases involved girls below 16. The youngest girl was 13,” Dr Govindasamy added.

He said outreach teams would reach out to those at risk.
“A lot of teen girls who got pregnant are school dropouts,” he pointed out.

Many of the cases were also due to rape and incest, Dr Govindasamy noted.

SOURCE: Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Foreigners who own cars in Kangkungland to pay more


Transport Minister Mr Nelvin Spencer (pic) said vehicle registration fee for foreigners will go up on April 16. Foreigners will also have to pay more for their driving licences and vehicle ownership transfers.

KEBUNAN: Foreigners in Kangkungland will have to pay higher rates for vehicle registrations, ownership transfers and their probationary and competent driving licences from April 16.

Kangkungland's Transport Minister Mr. Nelvin Spencer announced the fee hikes during a Road Transport Department event here, yesterday.

Under the new rates, the current 15 Kangkung Pesos (US$5.00) registration fee for motorcycles of all engine capacities will go up to 45 Kangkung Pesos (US$15.00) for engine capacities of 500cc and below throughout the country, while those above 500cc will be charged 150 Kangkung Pesos (US$50.00).

Likewise, vehicles other than motorcycles with 1,500cc engine capacities and below, which are currently charged 60 Kangkung Pesos (US$20.00) will be raised to 120 Kangkung Pesos (US$40.00).

Mr. Spencer said the move to increase the rates for foreigners was justified as Kangkungite vehicle ownership rates were increasing, and some of the vehicles were owned by foreigners.

"A lot of foreigners are living here; we have our My Second Home programme where they are exempted from taxes on their vehicles," he said.

He said that foreigners residing in Kangkungland could not expect to enjoy the same benefits as the country's citizens, adding that the same treatment was also applied to Kangkungites overseas.

SOURCE: Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

After Kangkungland Journalists' Day, formation of Kangkungland Media Council next?


KNNA general-manager Mr Mohammar Ranto

KEBUNAN,Republic of Kangkungland: The organising of the Kangkungland Journalists' Day (KJD) 2018 is expected to be a catalyst for the establishment of the Kangkungland Media Council, said Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA) general manager Mr Mohammar Ranto.

He said the proposal to set up the body had long been championed by the local media fraternity but has yet to become a reality.

“We deploy negotiations with the relevant parties that hopefully the Media Council will be established and will act as the self - regulatory body of the media," he said .

Mr Mohammar was interviewed on the organising of the inaugural KJD to be held on April 11 in the Good Morning Kangkungland programme aired on Radio Television Kangkungland (RTK) channel two today.

Elaborating further, he said it was proposed that the body, among others, could take action against cases involving the media if complaints were received while the more serious cases had to be brought to court .

Meanwhile , he said the idea to hold the KJD was mooted by local media practitioners and such a council was organised by Indonesia through the National Press Day (HPN) which saw the 2018 edition being inaugurated by Indonesian president Joko Widodo, last February.

“We are often invited there to celebrate their HPN and from there, the desire to hold our own KJD arises and this is also supported by our Information, Communications and Multimedia Minister Mr Gilbert Ajiun, " said Mr Mohammar.

He further said the KJD celebration was being held aimed at recognising the role of the media in shaping a democratic country and society through news that is based on the truth and freedom of information being conveyed in an ethical and orderly manner.

Mr Mohammar said just like other professions and groups that, for example, celebrate Teachers ’ Day, Women’s Day and Police Day, the role of the media in daily life and history of the nation should also be celebrated and recognised at similar occasions.

Among the events of the KJD to be held are a discourse involving editors and media entity owners as well as the presentation of the prestigious KJD Awards, in recognition of personalities or institutions which have contributed much to the nation’s development. Leisure activities such as bowling will also be organised.

Kangkungland president Abdul Aziz Latiff is scheduled to attend the Kangkungland Journalists’ Day and later present the awards in conjunction with its theme of “Journalism for the People and the Nation” at the K-Trade Exhibition and Convention Hall here.

SOURCE:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)