<b>At the Sarawak Assembly:</b> Stop bringing up racial issues, says CM

CHIEF Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has slammed the opposition for raising issues with racial undertones during the debate on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's address. He said they spoke of issues which could fan suspicion and misunderstanding among the people of various races.

"Such racial undertones must be avoided as they could destroy the state which is still developing," he said when he wound up the debate in the state assembly on Wednesday.

He added that the government was trying its best to take care of the people by improving their livelihood and tackling their problems.

"Now, when I listen to the trend of debate, I am saddened by the fact that some raise racist sentiments.

"I hope this trend stops. If it doesn't, we will suffer a great deal of racial strife."

Taib also said the Barisan Nasional and the opposition should not consider themselves enemies.

"I have never regarded the opposition as my enemies and that is why I can be quite tolerant. If they know how to conduct themselves, we can even be friends."

He said since becoming chief minister in 1981, the state's economy had continued to grow.

"I am sure that if the opposition wants to do something for the people, they must first acknowledge all the government policies that have benefited the rakyat."

When Dominique Ng (PKR-Padungan) stood up to seek clarification, Taib shouted at him, saying it was not a debate.

Speaker Datuk Seri Asfia Awang Nasar told Ng to sit down.

Taib said if there was consistent interference, he would regard it as an effort by the opposition to stifle the voice of the majority.

On Native Customary Rights (NCR) land, Taib said the government would only entertain bona fide claims based on the law.

"All NCR land is recognised as long as it was occupied before 1958. After that year, no claims can be made without a letter of permission to settle on the land from the Resident's Office. If you don't have this, then it is not a valid claim. That is the law," he said.

He added that 70 per cent of land claims had been tackled by the government.

The state assembly was adjourned after sitting for eight days.

Taib told reporters later that the state government would donate RM200,000 to the China earthquake fund and RM50,000 to the Myanmar cyclone fund.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu and Sarawak United People's Party each donated RM100,000 to the China earthquake fund and RM30,000 to the Myanmar cylone fund.

The donations will be handed over to the Prime Minister's Department to be forwarded to the two countries.

Increasing crime rate worrying

DEPUTY Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said it was understandable that the people were feeling insecure in view of the frequent house break-ins and robberies in the state.

He said the fear of crime was the major concern for policy makers, more so, when there was a marked and sudden increase in violent and property crimes.

"Robbers now have no fear of the law. They just walk into homes regardless of the time and rob people," he said when winding up the debate on points raised in the state assembly.

He said based on police statistics, the crime rate in the state went up by 15 per cent in the first three months of this year, with 3,514 cases reported, compared with 3,053 cases in the same period last year.

Dr Chan said the state government had also raised the issue of security at the Sarawak-West Kalimantan border areas with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi early this year and he had promised to look into the matter.

He added that the state government had appealed to federal enforcement agencies to increase their manpower and improve their infrastructure in Sarawak to address security and crime issues.

He said under the Ninth Malaysia Plan two new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complexes would be built in Lubok Antu and Biawak.

He said nine border posts had also been planned for implementation under the 9MP at Stass, Sapit, Kerangas Gayau, Batu Lintang, Long Busang, Long Singut, Long Banga, Pa'Dalih and Ba'Kelalan.

In the meantime, he said the state government was requesting the assistance of the military to increase its personnel and border patrols.

Much ado over 2 German Shepherds

THE DAP assemblyman for Bukit Assek, Wong Ho Leng, yesterday apologised to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam over an issue about two dogs.

Wong had earlier said that Dr Chan bought two German Shepherds for RM70,000 after his house was broken into early this year.

Dr Chan took exception to the allegation and wanted Wong to apologise and withdraw the statement.

Wong tried to wriggle his way out of the situation, saying: "It is not worth arguing over dogs."

Dr Chan told Wong that he had violated Standing Order 32(6) by making allegations based merely on rumours.

Wong said he had heard the rumours in town. "I am prepared to bring one or two persons here as witnesses."

He said if the rumours that the dogs were bought for RM70,000 were untrue, he wanted to know whether Dr Chan had indeed bought the dogs.

Speaker Datuk Seri Asfia Awang Nasar ruled that the question on the purchase of the dogs did not arise.

The speaker said the burden of proof that Dr Chan had bought the dogs for RM70,000 was on Wong, and then asked him whether he was prepared to apologise to the deputy chief minister.

"The deputy chief minister is asking you to substantiate in compliance with Standing Order 22(6) that no members shall impute improper motive to another member or to make allegations which the said member is not prepared to substantiate."

"If not, I will proceed to the next step," he told Wong.

Wong again said he had heard rumours that Dr Chan had bought the two dogs.

Dr Chan: I just want an answer. Yes or no? Do you want to apologise?

Wong: Can you be patient with me? Too much anger is not good for the health.

Wong said by bringing up the rumour, he was doing Dr Chan a favour in that he could deny it.

"Since the deputy chief minister says there is no truth in the rumours that he had bought the dogs for RM70,000, and that the rumours are unfounded, I have no choice, but be man enough, to withdraw what I have said."

The way he apologised, however, did not go down well with Barisan Nasional backbenchers and Dr Chan, who booed Wong.

"Okay, I am sorry what I said was based on misinformation," he said.

At the Sarawak Assembly: Stop bringing up racial issues, says CM