KANGKUNGLAND NEWS AND UPDATES

[Kangkungland]

DEPUTY PRESIDENT SALLEH ON LEAVE AFTER SON,AIDE ARRESTED FOR CORRUPTION PROBE

KEBUNAN: Kangkungland Deputy President Salleh Muhammad Hamid (pic below) who is also the Minister for Public Works,Housing and Infrastructure has taken indefinite leave from his posts, starting today.



Members of the media were made to understand that Salleh, whose son and special officer were arrested by the country's Independent Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (ICEC) for alleged involvement in corruption and a property scam in the state, had asked for the leave approval from President Abdul Aziz Latif this morning.

Salleh was said to have held a brief meeting with the president at the latter’s office at 9.30am before the scheduled executive cabinet meeting took place.

“He (Salleh) will go on leave to settle all issues involving his family and officer,” said Information,Multimedia and Communication Minister Gilbert Ajiun, who confirmed the matter to the media.

Gilbert said all matters concerning Salleh’s portfolios were suspended. Administrative-related matters would be referred to the state secretary and other policy-related matters would be handled by the president.

Elaborating, Gilbert said the leave application did not mean that Salleh was involved in the issue.

“He (Salleh) is neither involved in the investigations nor the accusation. We have to be clear about that," said Gilbert adding that the corruption issue was not even discussed at the cabinet meeting today.

Instead, he said the president had only informed the cabinet members about Salleh’s leave application.

On Feb 24, six men, including the deputy president’s son and special officer, were arrested by the ICEC for alleged involvement in a corruption and a property scam in the state.

The ICEC also seized 21 luxury cars and five high-powered motorcycles – from luxury names such as Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Range Rover and Harley Davidson – during a swoop that began on Friday morning.


Some of the luxury vehicles seized from the suspects.

Besides the son and special officer, two developers, a lawyer and another person were also arrested.

A total of 45 bank accounts which contained 15.5 million Kangkung Peso (about US$5.2 million) belonging to the six suspects has been frozen.

Foreign currency amounting to 500,000 Kangkung Peso (about US$167,000) as well as stacks of documents were also seized.

It is believed that the suspects, aged between 25 and 50, have allegedly been getting kickbacks for reducing land premiums on land approved for housing projects and industries.

They are also involved in converting the status of buildings around Kangkungland.

Sources said the lawyer was involved in preparing the legal documents for the projects.


Suspects being led away from court.

It is learnt that the ICEC, which has been probing the land scandal for the past six months, is expecting to make more arrests.

In a statement, ICEC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Mazalan Ikab said the alleged corrupt practices are believed to have led to millions of ringgit in losses to the government’s coffers.

“We are now examining the seized documents,” he said, adding that witnesses are expected to be called in.

The ICEC has obtained a seven-day remand order on the six suspects starting yesterday.

The case is being investigated under Section 1(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act, which carries a jail term of up to 30 years and a fine of 100,000 Kangkung Peso (about US$34,000) or five times the value of the bribe, or whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Source:Kangkungland Bulletin

[Kangkungland]

Financial Aid Not A Bribe, Even U.S.A Gives Similar Financial Aid - President Abdul Aziz Latif

KEBUNAN: The Kangkungland People's Aid (KPA) is not a bribe because even the USA distributes financial aid to its poor, Kangkungland President,Abdul Aziz Latif said today.

The president said the distribution of the aid included channelling money directly into the bank accounts of the needy.

"When we (the government) do something, there are people who say it is a bribe (corruption)," he said in reference to the opposition parties having likened the KPA to bribery.

"KPA is not a bribe, it is an aid for the people," said Abdul Aziz in his address at the official opening of the People's National Housing Project and KPA handout ceremony at the opposition-held parliamentary constituency of Selansim in Kangkungland's northern coast.


President Abdul Aziz Latif (centre,yellow shirt with spectacles) greeting the crowd at the event.

The President reminded all quarters against confusing the people over the measures implemented by the government because, he said, they were in the people's interest in the short and long term.

KPA which was introduced by the president in 2015 is a financial aid distributed annually to selected low-income households throughout the country.

Eligible households receive a one-off payment of 1,500 Kangkung Peso (US$500) as part of the government's effort to assist low-income families in view of the increasing cost of living.

SOURCE:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland Teen Who 'Liked' Israel on Facebook may face sedition charges.
KEBUNAN: A teenager who turned to police for protection after receiving death threats for "liking" a pro-Israel Facebook post now faces jail time.

The 14-year-old in the small town of Rapap,east of Kangkungland had "liked" a post that declared "I love Israel" and featured a picture of the Jewish state's flag, Rapap town's police chief Wasry Tilai was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

According to Wasry, the teen's teacher linked an image of his page liking the pro-Israel page and wrote, "My student likes Israel? How shameful for me."

Her post triggered immolation threats against the boy, such as one teacher who wrote, "We just burn hahaha."

The student, who feared returning to school, in turn sought police protection.

However, the police began investigating him for sedition, which can result in a 15-year jail sentence in Kangkungland, although they say they are also investigating the death threats against him.

The student, who has not been identified, deactivated his Facebook account.

He claimed that he hit the"like" button by accident, according to the police chief.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Kangkungland Education Department, Mattius Binson, said Wednesday his department viewed the incident gravely and was considering transferring the teacher to another school.

"Let this also be a warning to all teachers in Kangkungland not to go to Facebook and post rants against their students there," he told the Kangkungland National Post.

"We live in Kangkungland, so we must have mutual respect for each other despite our differences so the students also should be made aware of this," he said.

Mattius added his department was offering the student counseling because he has been traumatized.

The affair has also sparked criticism against the teacher.

Kangkungland,of which around 49 per cent of its 1.6 million population are Muslim, has no diplomatic relations with Israel, and any conflict between Israel and Palestine can trigger strong reactions among Kangkungland Muslims.

Source:Kangkungland National Post

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland journalist sentenced to 17 years in prison
KEBUNAN:The Kangkungland High Court here on Tuesday convicted local journalist,Brenda Arawo of several financial crimes and sentenced her to 17 years in prison,in a case widely criticized by human rights organizations.

Brenda and her supporters say the charges were retribution for her reports on alleged corruption involving Kangkungland President Abdul Aziz Latif and his family in the oil-rich island republic.


Brenda escorted out of the court by policewomen after her sentencing.

Several other journalists and rights activists also have been imprisoned in Kangkungland in what has been widely seen as an effort by the authoritarian government to stifle dissent.

The court convicted Brenda of embezzlement, illegal business activity, tax evasion and abuse of power.

The prison sentence was slightly less than the 20 years requested by prosecutors for 32-year-old Brenda,a single mother who contributes to the anti-government Radio Liberty Kangkungland.

“Brenda Arawo’s trial has been a farce, yet the consequences for her, and for all Kangkungland journalists, are gravely serious,” Baharin Peters, president of the Dublin-based Free Kangkungland Journalists' Association (FKJA),said in a statement.

He called on Kangkungland to overturn the conviction on appeal and “for Kangkungland’s international partners to stop turning a blind eye to the country’s human rights abuses.”

Kangkungland is holding at least four other journalists in jail, FKJA claims.

Other rights groups also condemned the verdict.

“The government has stepped up its brutal crackdown on political activists, journalists, human rights defenders — indeed anyone who dares to publicly raise a critical voice,” Shobri al-Ramdan of Global Amnesty ,a human rights watch group,said in a statement.

Source:Radio Liberty Kangkungland Online

[Kangkungland]

Federal Minister's Brother Jailed for Armed Assault
KEBUNAN: The brother of a Federal minister was jailed five years by the Sessions Court here for causing hurt to a mechanic last year.

Ramo Ahmad Nasir, 41, also known as Mat Ramo, was found guilty under Section 324 of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt to mechanic Calitus Orsen, 26, by using a firearm.

He committed the offence at an vehicle servicing centre along the Baru Jumpa Bypass at about 3pm on October 15, 2016.

Sessions Court judge Prisca Alaine Michael ruled that Ramo had failed to cast reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case during the trial.

She also ordered Ramo to serve his jail term from the date of his remand last year and denied his application for a stay.

In pressing for a deterrent sentence, Deputy Public Prosecutor, Ms. Koh Mui Tien said Ramo was convicted of a serious offence. In this case, the weapon involved was a pistol.

The weapon was not easily available and Ramo, being a former member of the Kangkungland military, should have known better than to use the pistol without lawful justification against the victim, Ms. Koh added.

The court was also told that Calitus sustained two gunshots to his right leg and had to undergo surgery.


To prison: Mat Ramo (right) being escorted by a policeman after his sentencing at the Sessions Court.

Ramo's counsel Rodney Arumugam sought a minimum jail sentence for his client whom he said had been released from the main charge under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempt to murder.

Mat Ramo is the younger brother of Musayid Nasir,Kangkungland's Minister for Agriculture,Fisheries and Human Resource Development.

Source:Kangkungland Bulletin

[Kangkungland]

Election Commission Posts Notice of 13 New Parliament Seats
KEBUNAN:Kangkungland's Independent National Election Commission (INEC) posted today notices of 13 proposed new parliamentary constituencies.

In notices issued to the public via media, the new seats are:
*P.02 Akokeb
*P.06 Siragnem
*P.08 Nasapin
*P.13 Pantai Tilad
*P.17 Uarad
*P.24 Tanjung Lipmud
*P.27 Mangampai
*P.44 Otulid
*P.47 Dipulet
*P.51 Sungai Alinam
*P.58 Ramaitulun
*P.61 Amages
*P.70 Kibungkusan.

According to the notice, the total number of voters in Kangkungland stands at 705,729.


The full list of the new constituencies and the number of voters can also be viewed at the district offices and some post offices across the state from today till October 14.

Objections to the proposed recommendation can be made to the INEC office but must be in accordance to constitution.



INEC Director Mrs. Jahnvi Aaradhya (pic above) said that the new constituencies took into account the large number of voters in some areas and others that required elected representatives to cross over boundaries.

She said the public could submit their objections to his office, if they obtain no fewer than 100 supporting names, before October 14.

These will then be brought up at a public hearing, estimated to be sometime at the end of October.

“We will ask those groups with legitimate objections to speak, and take into consideration their recommendations. The second and final proposal will be displayed in December,” said Jahnvi.

The Parliament sitting in August last year approved a motion for the creation of the 13 new seats.

Kangkungland's Parliament currently has 82 seats.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Opposition Parties Sign Pact for 2020 General Election
KEBUNAN:It’s all systems go for Kangkungland's two-party opposition front,United Kangkungland Progressive Alliance (UKPA), as the leaders of the two main opposition parties inked a joint declaration to work together in the next General Election slated for the year 2020.


UPP President Jackson Anthony

United People's Party (UPP) president Jackson Anthony and Workers' Progressive Party (WPP) president Jawhar Omar signed the declaration on Tuesday night ahead of Sunday’s launching of the coalition.


WPP President Jawhar Omar

The deal will see the two parties work out a formula to share parliamentary seats while ensuring that no one contest against each other.

UKPA protem national chairman Nathaniel Garimpang said they would also adopt a common election manifesto while deciding on the possibility of having common symbol to reflect the opposition alliance.

The move, he said, was to realise the people’s wish to see a “one on one contest” against the ruling Democratic Front (DF) led by President Abdul Aziz Latiff.

The DF currently holds 70 seats in the 82-seat Kangkungland Parliament while UPP and WPP has eight and three,respectively.

The Islamist United Muslim Alliance (UMA) headed by Fawzi M. Shariff has one parliamentary seat.

Source:Kangkungland National Post

[Kangkungland]

UKPA Says Yes but Islamists Says No To Cooperation
KEBUNAN:The newly formed United Kangkungland Progressive Alliance (UKPA) is prepared to cooperate with the United Muslim Alliance (UMA) in the 2020 General Election if the aim of the Islamist party is realigned to save Kangkungland from becoming a kleptocracy.

UKPA protem national chairman Nathaniel Garimpang said UKPA was ready to work with UMA and its president Fawzi M. Shariff.


UKPA Protem chairman Nathaniel Garimpang

Nathaniel who is Rolay MP however said cooperation could only happen if Fawzi made saving the country from becoming a rogue state as a top priority as part of the national agenda for the next 10 years.

"Is he (Fawzi) prepared to make such a commitment?," he asked in a press conference today before visiting several areas within the Rolay constituency.

Nathaniel was responding to Fawzi who reportedly said any cooperation UMA was to have with other parties had to adhere to the agenda of the Islamist party.


UMA President Fawzi M. Shariff

Meanwhile,Fawzi said UMA will not negotiate with UKPA in the bid to create one-to-one contest against the ruling Democratic Front (DF) at the 2020 general election.

“We have answered this question before. There will be no negotiation with UKPA,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby here today.

He also claimed that his earlier statement that the party was open to joining opposition parties to topple the DF, had been exaggerated.

Fawzi was reported as saying that UMA had no problem to cooperate with any parties in the opposition bloc, including UKPA, to ensure straight fights against DF in the next general election, but UKPA should keep their noses out of UMA’s internal affairs.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland plans to buy Chinese submarine this year:Defence Minister
KEBUNAN:Kangkungland's Defence Minister Taufik Azzam on Wednesday confirmed the Kangkungland Navy would buy a Chinese-built submarine this year after country's legislators approved a special budget.

The Navy earlier proposed to buy three Chinese-built submarines for a combined price of 3.5 billion Kangkung Peso (about US$1.1 billion). The plan features the acquisition of S26T diesel-electric submarines, which is a modified export version of the Yuanclass (Type 041).


File picture of a Type 041 submarine

The first submarine would cost around 1.3 billion Kangkung Peso (about US$405 million) under its fiscal 2017 budget, according to the Kangkungland Navy.

“The Kangkungland Navy requires the submarines to maintain military balance in the region because other neighbouring countries already have them. It will help protect sovereignty as well as explore marine resource in the Celebes sea,” he said.


Defence Minister Taufik Azzam said that two more submarines would be purchased under future budget years because only one submarine could do nothing.

However, the proposal has not been approve by the Cabinet, he said.

Last year, the Kangkungland Navy's proposal to procure the three S26T submarines from China was put on hold.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

KNU Signs MoU with DPR Korea's Academy of Sciences To Develop Biosciences
KEBUNAN:Intensive development in bioscience will be one of the main areas of focus in an agreement of collaboration between Kangkungland National University (KNU) and the Academy of Sciences of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (ASDPRK).

As a starting point, the collaboration will focus on the development of biomaterials for medical applications, as this area of research holds vast potential for knowledge development and enhancement of global human welfare.

KNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Arny Dyana M. Bagheri stated that KNU had several specialists in these areas and as such he believed that collaboration with ASDPRK would enrich the research process.

She added that ASDPRK had also expressed interest to collaborate in other areas such as chemistry, physics, nano technology, electrical engineering as well as other niche research areas of KNU.

“I would say that this is a very unique and fitting collaboration as both our institutions, KNU and ASDPRK, share similar goals in the pursuit of excellence.

“ASDPRK, one of the best and oldest science-based institutions in the Far East region and KNU, Kangkungland’s premier university, will hold a series of discussions in the near future to iron out the details and ensure that the objectives of our collaboration are met,” she added.

Dr.Arny was speaking at a press conference held in conjunction with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between KNU and ASDPRK here, today.


Dr.Arny (2nd from right) chats with ASDPRK delegates after the signing of the MoU.

ASDPRK meanwhile was represented by its President,Pyon Yon-rip. Also present were senior lecturers and principal officers of the both institutions.

Yon-rip stated that collaboration with KNU was a welcome development as ASDPRK and KNU, the oldest university in Kangkungland were very similar in several aspects.

“ASDPRK was established in 1952 and to date we have gone through many phases of development. We have recently undertaken several initiatives as a research institution in the effort to be ranked among the best in the world,” he added.

Yon-rip also acknowledged that KNU had achieved significant accomplishments and was recognised for these achievements both locally and globally.

Research in medical biomaterials for medical applications enables scientists to seek alternatives and make new discoveries that can improve the quality of life and medicine in general.

An example of advancement in biomaterials in medical applications is the use of absorbable, biodegradable sutures in the operation theatre which means that patients no longer require the removal of surgical stitches thereby hastening the healing process.

However, with the availability of biomaterial research, scientists can produce bio-compatible and bio-assimilative sutures which can be absorbed by the body, providing ease of use.

Source:www.knu1.edu.kk/news

[Kangkungland]

Minister Urge Calm,Caution Against Abusive Attack Amid Probe Into Imam's Remarks
KEBUNAN, March 6 — The Home Affairs minister has called for calm and cautioned against abusive attacks on the Mufti and the Islamic authorities here, as a viral video of an imam allegedly insulting Christians and Jews “sparked a storm” in Kangkungland's Malay-Muslim community.


Home Affairs Minister Omar Izzadeen Yousuf

In a Facebook posts on Saturday, Omar Izzadeen Yousuf,who is also Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs noted how the case had whipped up strong emotions on and offline.

Omar said the case had “sparked a storm” in the Malay-Muslim community, adding: “Many in our community felt angry, because they believe that the postings could be used to cast aspersions on Islam and the asatizah in our mosques.”

He said that the Islamic Religious Council of Kangkungland (MAIK) and the Mufti of Kangkungland, Dr Salain Abdul Hadi, had come under attack by those who disagreed with their positions on the case involving the imam.


Mufti of Kangkungland Dr. Salain Abdul Hadi

Omar added: “The Mufti himself has been attacked, in rude and unacceptable language. Just because these people may not agree with the Mufti, or the Islamic authorities, does not mean they should use rude and abusive language against them.

“I find that very saddening and ill-mannered. We are keeping a close watch on people who do these things. If the conduct crosses over and becomes criminal, action will be taken.”

The imam’s alleged comments first came to light on March 1, when a Facebook user who signed off as Roza Lynn posted details of the offending remarks and a video of the imam. The post said the imam had made the insulting remarks during his Friday sermons on Feb 6 and Feb 24 at the Al-Bakr Mosque in Kebunan,the capital city.

The imam was said to have repeatedly quoted a verse from the Quran along the lines of “God grant us victory over Jews and Christians”, among other things.

The minister added that the police was investigating the case and interviewing all parties involved, including those who “filmed and publicised the video”.

Omar made clear that there was no room for divisive religious preaching in Kangkungland, or language and actions that would foster ill will among communities.

But he also suggested, given the sensitivities involved, that future whistle blowers should alert the authorities first instead of posting any potentially inflammatory material online.

“While it is correct to whistle blow when one sees wrongdoing, one must also ask whether the manner in which this is done is appropriate, or if it sows more discord and causes tension in our society,” he wrote.

“The right thing to do though, is that when a matter like this is encountered, it should be reported to the Police, and not put out on social media. That will allow police to focus their investigations on the subject of the complaint.

“If instead, the matter is publicly posted, it could lead to a ground swell of feelings, in this case, both from Muslims as well as non-Muslims. It could cause confusion about religion, and increase tensions and so on. We don’t want that in Kangkungland.”

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

KP114mil Seized From National Water Department Director and Deputy
KEBUNAN:It came as a shock to even the most seasoned graft-busters.

In the biggest ever seizure in its 57-year history, the Kangkungland's Independent Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (ICEC) recovered 114 million Kangkung Peso (about US$38 mil) from the top two officials of the National Water Department – including KP53.7mil (about US$17.9 mil) in cold hard cash that took more than 30 officers 15 hours to count.


The part of the seized cash on display.

Also recovered from the homes and offices of the department’s director and his deputy were nine mostly luxury vehicles, expensive watches, jewellery and 94 high-end handbags.

The cash – KP45mil seized from the director and KP7.5mil from his deputy – was found stashed inside safes, cupboards, drawers and also a car boot,according to the ICEC.Also seized was KP1.18 mil in over half-a-dozen foreign currencies.

The two senior civil officers were arrested yesterday and remanded for a week for investigations into alleged kickbacks involving KP3.3bil (about US$1.1 billion) worth of government projects.

“It is the highest amount of cash ever recovered in ICEC history,” ICEC Chief Commissioner Mr. Lieu Yeh Tong told a news conference here.


Lap of luxury: The ICEC displaying the cars seized from both the director and his deputy.

A 55-year-old businessman, who is believed to be the brother of the deputy director, and his company accountant have also been arrested in connection with the probe.

In what is shaping up to be the nation’s biggest corruption and money laundering investigations, the ICEC has frozen some KP60mil in accounts of the two officials and also the company they purportedly have links to.

“In cash and bank accounts, we have seized KP114mil in total,” Yeh Tong said adding that ICEC believed that a large sum of money might also have been channelled to bank accounts in a neighbouring country.


ICEC Chief Commissioner Lieu Yeh Tong

“We will make an effort to get the moneyback,” he said without disclosing the country or the suspected amount in the accounts.

ICEC is also in the process of trying to open five safes at a bank where they expect to recover more cash, said Yeh Tong, adding that they needed to follow bank rules to access the safes.

The ICEC team also found 127 land titles worth millions of Kangkung Pesoes.

In all, the seized cars total some KP3mil in value.The luxury watches comprised brands like Patek Philippe, Tag Heuer, Rolex, Cartier and Guess while the handbags included Chanel, Burberry, Versace, Louis Vuitton and Hermes.

“We are checking the authenticity of the branded goods and jewellery. We can’t put a value to them now.

“The amount of money we have seized does not commensurate with their salaries,” said the Chief Commisioner without disclosing the identity of the two government officers.

“We are also calling in more individuals to help facilitate investigations,” he said,adding that the suspects and all those who had been called in so far gave their full co­operation.

ICEC, he added, hoped that more people would come out and assist in its investigations as it would not hesitate to arrest them if they failed to cooperate.

Yeh Tong said ICEC started its investigations about a year ago following reports from the public.

“We have been carrying out intelligence gathering and surveillance on the duo and their business associates.

“The suspects have allowed for the monopoly of projects and prevented other contractors from getting a fair share of business,” said Yeh Tong.

He said ICEC believed their activity had been going on since 2010 and the two were suspected of giving out contracts to certain companies owned by their relatives, resulting in many other contractors not getting jobs for water-related projects involving some KP3.3bil from the Government.

“There have been many complaints by other contractors that they were not able to get projects,” he said.

On the cash and other funds recovered, Yeh Tong said if the court found the money to be ill-gotten, it would be returned to the Government.

Earlier yesterday, magistrate Leoni Fernandes granted seven days’ remand for the four after an application was made by ICEC.


The suspects escorted out of the court after the ICEC's remand application was granted.

Yeh Tong said the ICEC would apply to extend their remand if it was unable to complete its investigations within the week.

“We are still working out the money trail, and it will take some time as it is a complex investigation,” he said.

Source:Radio Liberty Kangkungland Online

[Kangkungland]

Deputy President Arrested Over Land Scandal

Salleh at the ICEC headquarters for questioning.

   
KEBUNAN:Kangkungland Deputy President has been arrested over the controversial massive housing and land scandal.

Salleh Muhammad Hamid was detained at about 11am on Thursday at the Independent Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (ICEC) office here when he was summoned there for questioning.

ICEC chief commissioner Lieu Yeh Tong,when contacted confirmed the arrest.

Salleh who is also the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Infrastructure had opted to go on leave pending an investigation into the case.

Last week, the the deputy president's son and his special officer were detained by the ICEC in a swoop.

Salleh had kept mum on the matter and had not been seen in public since then.

About 15 million Kangkung Peso (around US$5 million) in more than 45 accounts had been frozen as part of the probe.

Also seized were 21 luxury cars and five high-powered motorcycles.

A lawyer, two developers and another suspect were also arrested in a series of raids that day.

They were all released from remand.

ICEC has so far called in 15 people to have their statements recorded.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Ex-Water Department Director and Deputy Claims Trial To Money Laundeering Charges
KEBUNAN:A former National Water Department director and his deputy pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to a total of 37 counts of money laundering involving cash and bank savings of 61.48 million Kangkung Peso (around US$21 million), as well as unlawful possession of luxury goods.

The former director, Majid Jais, 54, pleaded not guilty to eight counts of possessing 56.9 million Kangkung Peso in cash and in four bank accounts, two charges for unlawful possession of six luxury vehicles and another charge with unlawful possession of 86 branded wrist watches.


Majid Jais

Another accused, former NWD deputy director Hazir Baharom, 52, was charged with unlawful possession of a vehicle and three counts of possessing a total of RM2.38 million in cash.


Hazir Baharom

They were charged under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Under Section 4 of the Anti Money Laundeering Act, any person who commits a money laundering offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 25 years and shall also be liable to a fine of not less than 5 times the sum or value of the proceeds of an unlawful activity or instrumentalities of an offence at the time the offence was committed or five million Kangkung Peso, whichever is the higher.

Judge Mohammad Said Mohammad Yusoff allowed Majid and Hazir bail of 10 million and 2 million Kangkung Peso with two local sureties, respectively.

They were also ordered to surrender their travel documents to the court.

Earlier, lawyers Zaini Matisa, representing Majid, and Hazara Singh, who represented Hazir, objected to the amount, as requested by the prosecution, as their clients had yet to be proven guilty.

Zaini also told the court that his client had three children, including one studying abroad and financially dependent on their parents.

Mohammad Said set March 28 for case management.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutors from the Independent Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (ICEC) comprising Ms. Noor Asyikin Ahmad, Ms. Hsiung Mao Tham, Shakir Abdul Wahid, Ali Ruzi and Jefferson Konas.

The ICEC, in a statement, said Majid failed to post bail up to this evening and were sent to the Mauwa Prison near here while Hazir was released after he posted bail by means of a bank draft.

Meanwhile,the government has appointed a new head for the National Water Department (NWD).


Basil Marinus

Basil Marinus was promoted from being the deputy director of the Public Works Department (PWD) to interim director of the NWD.

Basil’s transfer and new post takes effect from March 6, according to the statement signed by Civil Service Secretary Mesro Taib Manaf.

Basil, 50, has an engineering degree from the Kangkungland National University.

SOURCE:Kangkungland National Post

[Kangkungland]

Corruption Barometer Does Not Show Truth,says Minister
KEBUNAN:The 2017 Global Corruption Barometer report by Global Transparency-Kangkungland (GT-K) is merely a measure of how Kangkungites perceive corruption and does not show the truth, says Information,Multimedia and Communications Minister Gilbert Ajiun.

“We are not worried because it is only perception. There is no truth in it. People can believe what they want to believe.

“For many years we have been ranked very low by GT-K,” he said.

The 2017 Global Corruption Barometer report yesterday revealed that 60% of 1,009 respondents polled felt that the level of corruption in the country had increased in the past year.

Speaking during a press conference here, Gilbert said he was more interested in fighting corruption than in referring to a perception index.


“It is more important to fight corruption than to influence Kangkungites’ thinking. Kangkungites are people who like to complain and whine.": Gilbert Ajiun

“So, of course, I have to say that I am not bothered at all by the perception index.

“I’m more interested in fighting real corruption, as ICEC (Independent Commission for the Eradication of Corruption) is doing now.”

Gilbert praised the ICEC, saying Kangkungites should support its efforts to combat graft in the country.

“We should all give our fullest support to the ICEC and not demoralise them by perceiving that corruption has doubled.

SOURCE:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

President Says Will Leave It To ICEC On The Investigation On Deputy
KEBUNAN:President Abdul Aziz Latiff said today he leaves it entirely to the Independent Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (ICEC) on the investigation on Deputy President Salleh Hamid who was detained today.


President Abdul Aziz Latiff

He said he sympathised with Salleh regarding the investigation on the corruption and misappropriation case involving assets in the country.

“We sympathise but I believe we leave it to the ICEC to achieve justice in the matter (on corruption and asset misappropriation),” the President said when approached by reporters after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting, here today.

Salleh,who is also Public Works,Housing and Infrastructure Minister, was detained about 11am when appearing at the ICEC headquarters here.

On Feb 24, the ICEC detained six individuals namely the son and a special officer to the deputy president, two developers, a lawyer and a member of the public who were believed to be involved in a corruption and asset misappropriation scandal.

Salleh is now on leave from official duties until the case on the alleged corruption and asset misappropriation are completed.

All the individuals who were remanded were later released on ICEC bail on March 3 and 7.

SOURCEKangkungland Bulletin

[Kangkungland]

Kangkungland Eyes Nuclear Power Use By 2030
Kangkungland will start relying on nuclear power by 2030 if the green light is given for construction of two nuclear plants here.

Environment, Energy, Water and Natural Resources Minister Mrs. Aida Amir Sabreen said no decision had been made yet as feasibility studies were still being carried out.


Mrs. Aida Amir Sabreen

“The decision will be based on findings of the Kangkungland Nuclear Power Corporation and include the views of citizens,” Aida said in a written reply to a question raised by Syaiful Rizan Ahmad (UPP-Vukazaan).

She said a detailed timeframe for the actual construction of the nuclear power plants had not been finalised.

“The earliest (date) for the nuclear power plants to be operational is by 2030,” she said, adding that the plans for nuclear power were under the 2017 National Plan to generate public awareness on the nation’s future energy needs.

She said the estimated cost for developing two nuclear plants was 21 billion Kangkung Peso (about US$7 billion) based on current global costs.

“The plans are part of the Kangkungland Economic Transformation Programme and the plants will be able to generate 1,000 megawatts,” she said.

Aida said the estimate cost was merely the “overnight” cost to develop the plants, which did not include financing for the project.

SOURCE:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Commercial Poaching Threatens Kangkungland's Wildlife
KEBUNAN:Poaching for commercial gain is the latest challenge faced by the authorities protecting wildlife in Kangkungland.


Carl Iji,Director of National Wildlife Conservation Department said foxes, wild cats, snakes and panthers were being poached to be sold as exotic food.

The menace, he said, was causing some species to be on the verge of becoming extinct and hindered the government's efforts to protect endangered animals.

"We accept hunting is a culture among several ethnic groups in the country but they do it for subsistence. But wildlife poaching for commercial gain is something we will not tolerate," he told a press conference after officiating the 20th anniversary celebration of the Otulid Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre today.

He said the problem was most acute in forest reserves in the interiors and that the authorities would enlist the help of locals to ensure it is tackled effectively.

Carl said logging activities did not adversely affect the orangutan population in Kangkungland unlike opening of land for plantations.

He suggested that plantation developers alienate some land to facilitate protection of wildlife especially orangutan.

According to him, the orangutan population in the state now stood at 1,100.

SOURCE:Kangkungland National Post

[Kangkungland]

Build Underground City in The Capital, Says Ex-MP
KEBUNAN:Former Kebunan Member of Parliament Mr. Kuan Peng Yee has suggested that an underground city be developed here.

He said with limited land and the capital seeing an explosion of development and population growth, an underground city was an ideal alternative if it can be realised.


Mr. Kuan Peng Yee

“Buildings below ground level can be up to two to three storeys and can house offices, malls and parking lots. Naturally an effective ventilation system will be needed.

“With activities like shopping and movement of vehicles going below ground level, land above can be developed to be green lungs for recreation activities by city dwellers both in the mornings and evenings,” he told KNNA after making a courtesy call on KNNA chairman Isaac Suan at KNNA Headquarters here today.

Peng Yee also said in terms of transport infrastructure, a Light Transit Train (LRT) system could be expanded to cover the entire city so that more Kebunites can use public transport which in turn would reduce traffic congestion.

“Underground trains should be moving all the time to link city folks from one area to another without heavily depending on cars,” he said.

Peng Yee, 80, who served as Kebunan MP (representing the Democratic Front) from 1980 to 1995 , also proposed that there should be no roads on top of the underground city as land is limited.

“On top of the underground city, there should be no roads and traffic should go underground with the construction of good air ventilation system,” he said.

The underground municipal system also required careful planning as all activities carried out underground would take into consideration the drainage system and flood management, he said.

“Planning for the underground drainage system should be meticulous to ensure smooth drainage of water underground into rivers and canals to overcome flood problems,” he said.

He said if Kebunan City Hall (KCH) intended to develop an underground city, proper planning should be made to take into consideration the redevelopment of old buildings in the capital.

“Old traditional houses with no historical value should be demolished and modern Malay traditional houses could be built underground and turned into chalets or hotels.

“Redevelop houses and buildings that are more than 50 years old into a traditional village which is more orderly with more innovative designs underground,” said Peng Yee, who wanted the traditional characteristics of Malay housing to be retained.

Apart from that, he also called on KCH to focus on increasing the construction of affordable houses in urban areas at reasonable prices.

“It is my wish to have more people living in the city and I do not want to see a dead city such as (American city) Chicago. That is why I encourage affordable condominiums to be built in the city,” he said.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Millionaire Cosmetic Company Owner Pays KP12 Million In Owed Taxes,Plans Vacation
KEBUNAN:Flamboyant beauty products entrepreneur Ms. Diyana Yabin, said she planned to go on a vacation after the Kangkungland Customs and Excise Department dropped 16 charges of failing to remit 12 million Kangkung Peso (about US$3 million) in Goods and Services Tax (GST).


Ms. Diyana Yabin is ranked among the richest people in Kangkungland.

Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, Diyana said she was relieved the case was finally over.

“Now I want to go on a holiday,” the 36-year-old Ashanty Beauty Pvt Ltd chief executive officer said as she flashed her passport that was seized by the court when she was charged.

Her lawyer Mr. Yow Eain Ng told the Sessions Court his client paid the amount through a bankers draft.

“Payment of KP12,246,029.10 was made this morning. Based on this reason, I apply to the deputy public prosecutor to consider dropping the charges,” Eain Ng told judge Dean Ampeng here yesterday.

“We believe our request will be considered by the deputy public prosecutor,” he added.

In confirming the payment, deputy public prosecutor Kairi Nizam said the prosecution would like to retract all charges.

Judge Dean then allowed the retraction and the return of bail money to Diyana.

The judge quipped he was disappointed he could not hear the case.

“I was looking forward to it,” he said.

He also remarked the department did not give discounts for paying up.

Diyana had committed the offences between April 2015 and July 2016, and was charged under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1994.

On December 15, last year she was fined KP5,800,000 by the same court after she pleaded guilty to 16 counts of failing to submit statements for GST.

Court officials took the opportunity to take selfies with Diyana and her signature pose of putting two fingers to her left cheek, before she left the court.

Source:Kangkungland Bulletin

[Kangkungland]

Man Slashed Over Lizard Meat Dish
A 40-year-old farmer was slashed on his head on Thursday morning because he refused to eat lizard meat served to him.

The incident happened at a Dayak longhouse in Kangkungland's interior constituency of Bangkaak.

Police said the man was drinking liquor with a friend at the longhouse and a police report has been lodged by the victim who only suffered minor injuries.

According to police, the victim made fun of the dish which angered his friend, who then slashed the victim on the head with a machete.

Bangkaak police chief ACP Jabiril Abau when contacted confirmed the arrest of the 32-year-old suspect at 5.30pm on Thursday.

During the arrest, Gabriel said a team led by Insp Kaylyn Marrusin seized a machete measuring approximately 33cm used during the incident.

The case is classified under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.

Source:Kangkungland Bulletin

[Kangkungland]

Special team to probe issuance of fake IDs in Kangkungland
A special team will be set up to investigate syndicates issuing fake identity cards in the country.

This was announced by theHome Affairs Ministry in a statement in conjunction with the meeting of the steering committee on the Management of Foreign Nationals in Kangkungland (MFNK) held in the capital today.

The statement said that the government took a serious view on cases of issuing and distributing false identity cards that were still being carried out by certain syndicates.

In order to intensify enforcement, the government via the MNFK decided on the formation of the special team to investigate in detail syndicates issuing the false identity cards as had happened in the constituencies of Malebin and Mibok.

“A more comprehensive investigation must be initiated until the real masterminds can be identified and legal action taken,” the statement said.

It said the documents issued were illegal as they would not exist in the national registration system and record, yet more aggressive and firm action must be initiated.

“It not only involved cheating the recipients but affected the government’s image,” said the statement.

It also emphasised that the government was focusing on the entry of illegal immigrants especially in the country’s waters.

Taking into account security and public interest, the government had taken the initiative by intensifying patrols at entry points in the Kangkungland the statement said.

According to the statement, proactive actions had been taken by the Kangkungland Immigration Department (KID) such as taking biometric information on every foreigner entering and leaving the country and installation of an image recognition system at all entry points in Kangkungland.

The statement said that based on the records of the Kangkungland National Security Council (KNSC), the total number of illegal immigrants expelled since 2000 until March 3, this year (2017) was 53,692.

For the year 2017 alone, the number of expulsions until March 3 was 1,020 immigrants, he said.

The statement also dislcosed that the government had decided that transhipment activities be resumed effective last Feb 1 (2017) to boost economic activities in Kangkungland.

“It involved normal trade activities namely the import and export of goods only and excluded the petroleum trade,” it said.

However, the joint statement said that the government still maintained the ban on Barter Trade activities.

Source:Kangkungland National News Agency (KNNA)

[Kangkungland]

Uber Services Illegal,Says Government

The The Kangkungland government acknowledges that Uber is legal as “service matching” businesses, but the manner they operate is not.

Kangkungland's Tranportation Minister Romulius S. Lucas said yesterday although the government was unable to take any legal action against Uber, it was carrying out enforcement on unlicensed vehicles and drivers.


Kangkungland Tranportation Minister Mr. Romulius S. Lucas

“ Uber uses unlicensed vehicles to ferry passengers and these vehicles are deemed illegal,” he said at the launching of the ministry’s new mobile operation vehicles at the Intergrated City Bus Terminal in the capital.

“Look, we have no problem with people creating new systems to improve the business,” he said.

“However, they must not forget that we do not regulate the business itself.”

Forty-six Uber vehicles have been towed away during enforcement operations by the ministry's Road Transport Department.

Romulius said the main problem with Uber was that they tried to replace local legitimate taxis.

“They are denying the ordinary taxi drivers from earning an income,” he said.

“They cause the local taxi industry to suffer in many other countries as well, which is why they are in trouble.”

He said several private vehicles had been towed for being a part of the Uber services.

“Even university students have come to me to ask for help to get their cars back after being towed,” he said.

“I cannot do that because I do not have the power to release the cars once they are towed away.

“If an accident happens, the driver will be held responsible. Even the insurance company can deny liability because the insurance does not cover ferrying passengers.”

The ministry’s new mobile operation vehicles come equipped with workstations, car video recorder, closed-circuit television (CCTV) recorder, night vision cameras, internet connectivity and motorised awning for enforcement activities.

“We are quite happy because we will be able to conduct investigations in and around the van,” Romulius said.

“I think it is quite efficient. We will see how this works and if it is good, then we will request for more.”

The two vehicle units will be stationed in Kangkungland's capital Kebunan and in the city of Tagaloilo where the country's international airport is located.

Source:Kangkungland National Post

[Kangkungland]

Why Charge Water Department Duo For Money Laundering?,Asks Opposition MP
Why are the suspects in the National Water Department scandal charged for money laundering instead of corruption, asks opposition MP Jawhar Omar.


Jawhar Omar,leader of the opposition Workers' Progressive Party (WPP) and Selansim MP.

“I know it (the case) is still under investigation. But why, when it was taken to court, was the charge money laundering and not corruption?

“The money was found in the house (of the suspect),” said Jawhar.

He had interjected with the question during Assistant Home Affairs Minister Arbaki Durajip Latiff’s speech in the Kangkungland Parliament today.

Arbaki, prior to Jawhar’s question, was asked by Fauziah Rinador (UPP-Kalacha) about the status of the case, dubbed the Kangkungland's Watergate Scandal, and the action the government had taken.

According to Arbaki, investigations under the country's Independent Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (ICEC) Act 2009 were still on-going.

“There are several other charges that can be filed (against the suspects), based on information obtained from the investigation.

“One of them is criminal breach of trust, and there are also charges involving corruption.

“When the ICEC completes the investigation, the investigation paper will be presented to the attorney-general (and the charges filed will) depend on the information received,” he said in response to Jawhar.

Last February, ICEC made what was said to be its biggest ever seizure with the recovery of 114 million Kangkung Peso (about US$38 mil) from the homes of the National Water Department senior officials.

Former director Majid Jais and his deputy Hazir Baharom were subsequently taken into police custody and charged under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Act 2001.

They pleaded not guilty to all 37 charges filed against them.

The trial dates were fixed for July and August, this year.

Source:Radio Liberty Kangkungland Online

[Kangkungland]

Garden Islands Developer Suspends China Sales To Halt Capital Outflow


The planned Garden Islands project by China developer Loi Yeu Corp. in Kangkungland.-File picture

Beijing's clampdown on capital outflows may have forced Garden Islands' developer to close down all its showrooms in mainland China to stop sales to local buyers, the New China Post reported.

The Hong Kong paper said a spokesman from Loi Yeu Corp. confirmed that all its showrooms have been closed down after its reporter found the company's flagship showroom in Shanghai locked and closed during a visit yesterday.

However, the spokesman said the close down was for renovation and not due to Beijing's capital policy.

“A Loi Yeu Corp. spokesman confirmed with the Post that it had shut all the sales centres in mainland China for renovation, but said the move had nothing to do with China’s capital controls.

“The spokesman estimated there were dozens of Loi Yeu sales centres in China, without giving the exact number,” the paper said.

The closedown came amid the Chinese government's ban on its citizens from converting yuan into other currencies for overseas property purchases. The ban order was issued in January.

In the same month, the general manager of Loi Yeu’s finance centre, Ju Binwu told NCP that its projects in Kangkungland had been affected by the government’s crackdown on capital outflows.

At the same time the paper quoted Jason St. Claude, a Hong Kong-based property analyst at BS Securities, as saying that Beijing's tightening measures on capital flows will severely affect sales in China.

“The project doesn’t have much appeal to Kangkungites while China’s crackdown on capital outflows will certainly slow its sales in China,” he said.

But St. Claude was also quoted saying that there would be insufficient demand from Chinese buyers to keep sales going anyway.

The Garden Islands project covers a 14 square kilometres of land on four artificial islands in Kangkungland's southwestern coast.

NCP reported that the project is one of the best-known overseas properties among mainland Chinese residents due to Loi Yeu’s widespread promotion, including heavy advertising on state-owned television.

The development had been successful in attracting Chinese buyers by offering affordable prices and access to Kangkungland’s visa programme for long-term stays, the paper added.

90 per cent of Garden Islands buyers were reported to be from China.

Source:Kangkungland Bulletin