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• PR Strategy Not To Dissolve State Assemblies In Four States?
• DAP, PAS 'agree to disagree' on hudud issue
• Mahathir: Malays will lose power in 10 years if they don't unite
• Malay votes in Penang may swing to Umno
• Free economy will lead to political and social freedom, say economists
• KL land row threatens to derail MRT project
• Malaysia's new generation steps forward
• Recession risk high and rising, says RHB
• ‘Gambler’ Najib will ‘break the bank’
• More controversy with Taib-linked Ta Ann
• ‘Najib’s handouts bad for the country’
• RM4.7 billion spent on National Service
• Wee defends MCA ‘glam girls’
• MACC urged to probe Ananda Krishnan
• Probe may hurt Ananda Krishnan’s Aircel loan plans, says Indian daily
• Missing: The Auditor-General’s report
• Home Ministry under siege, mentally
• Firefly must be sold to avoid price fixing, says Pakatan
• Secret order to snoop on WikiLeaks
• Sarawak tycoon’s firm hired PNG cops to bash up locals, ABC reports
• Organisors slam police, question PM’s sincerity
• Malaysia 'better for refugees'
• Sexual diversion from Najib’s weak budget
• Sultan’s ruling given cautionary welcome
• Ibrahim says Pemandu has ‘hidden agenda’
• Paid cyber troopers
• Putrajaya paid RM94m to FBC Media for global airtime
• Raja Nazrin asks Islamic religious council to review programmes
• Malaysia sultan says Muslims who attended church dinner will get counseling to ‘restore faith’
• Mindef plans to market defence products globally
• Indian police ‘book’ tycoon Ananda Krishnan, Ralph Marshall in telco graft scandal
• UK's Cameron says to tighten up immigration rules
• PAS to start petition calling for royal panel to probe A-G
• Mat Zain: Panel probe on A-G ‘unconstitutional’
• Will Najib's election goodies be enough?
• Detainee Dies In Kota Baharu Court Lock-Up
• 'Money will not fall from sky'
• ‘Where’s the Auditor-General’s report?’
• Zahid says no cash for BAE warship deal
• Selangor Sultan backs Jais church raid, no one to be charged
• Lawyer: PAS cannot go hudud
• Navaratnam: Budget must protect against declining world economy
• Najib says BN not just for rural folk
• Putting Pakatan's "Flawed Budget" Under Scrutiny
• Utusan says Manoharan let off hook to save Guan Eng
• Bersih: Police corporal ‘scapegoat’ in Tung Shin scandal
• Police, protesters clash at US capital museum
• Malaysia asked for more information on nude squat case
• No joy for Sarawak
• In quest to regain Selangor, Najib uses Budget as soapbox

PR Strategy Not To Dissolve State Assemblies In Four States? Posted: 12 Oct 2011 05:43 AM PDT (Bernama) - The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) may not dissolve the legislative assemblies in the states under its rule simultaneously with the dissolution of Parliament in conjunction with the 13th general election, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. e said this could be one of the strategies of the opposition pact to focus its attention and strength to the states under Barisan Nasional (BN) rule. "The election at the state assembly level will depend on the respective state governments whether to dissolve the assembly or otherwise. If all the state legislative assemblies in the four states under the PR are not dissolved, we will see the election being confined only to the states under BN rule. "As such, they (PR) already have four states under their rule. They will concentrate on the other states to expand their domination. "However, if the general election is held too close to the expiry of the five-year mandate, they (PR) will have no choice (but to dissolve the state assemblies)," he told reporters after meeting with the organisers of the Sahara Run at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, here. Suwaibah Mohd Nasir, a former Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) personnel, will start the 1,112 kilometre solo run across the Sahara Desert from Aswan to Port Said for 35 days beginning Feb 1, next year. Dr Mahathir said the BN government did not have to be hasty in holding the general election because the current mandate only expired in March 2013.

DAP, PAS 'agree to disagree' on hudud issue Posted: 11 Oct 2011 09:30 PM PDT (The Star) - DAP and PAS have agreed to disagree on the hudud issue, following a high-level meeting between Pakatan Rakyat allies Monday. "Hudud is not the common agenda of Pakatan Rakyat for the forthcoming general election," DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said, adding it would not be a common policy even after the next general election. He said "the meeting concluded with both DAP and PAS agreeing to disagree on the hudud law." It was the second such meeting held within a span of two weeks to end the deadlock. Among the Pakatan top guns present at the meeting were Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Azmin Ali, Dr Mohd Nur Manuty, Mohamad Sabu, and Datuk Mustafa Ali. Stressing that hudud was not part of Pakatan Rakyat's policy, Lim said it was neither included in the Common Policy Framework nor in Buku Jungga. Lim said the Pakatan government would only implement policies agreed upon by the three component parties.

Mahathir: Malays will lose power in 10 years if they don't unite Posted: 11 Oct 2011 07:07 PM PDT (The Star) - BANGI: Malays will lose their power in the country in the next 10 years if they do not unite now, said former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He said if the community were to split into different factions, they would become minority groups in the country. "The minority cannot rule the country in a democratic framework, under which the majority rules," said Dr Mahathir, urging the Malay community to be united based on their Islamic faith. Dr Mahathir said this in his speech when launching the Ummah Unity and Economy Seminar organised by the Malaysia Islamic Welfare Organisation (Perkim) and Malay Chamber of Commerce here Wednesday. Dr Mahathir, who is also Perkim president, said Muslims in the country were not taught the importance of uniting when they were young. He also urged the Malay community not to look forward to receiving "free things" but instead work hard to reap rewards. He added that Muslims, which were among the poorest communities in the Malaysia, should work hard to be financially stable.

Malay votes in Penang may swing to Umno Posted: 11 Oct 2011 06:58 PM PDT MCA and Gerakan may be wiped out again unless they changed their political outlook and strategies, says a NGO. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Malay votes in Penang may largely swing to Umno while the DAP will get the lion's share of the Chinese electorate in the coming general election, says a NGO here. Persatuan Anak Jati Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pajim) said the prediction is based on feedback from the grassroots and conversations with interest groups. Pajim adviser Ahmad Mokhtar Muhammad said this trend is unhealthy for multi-ethnic Penang where a party wins entirely on support from only one race. "It is unhealthy for a state as diverse as Penang. The mixed seats would definitely be up for grabs but essentially the battle is between Umno and DAP. It is not good as either side has the traditional support of only one race," he said in a statement sent via SMS. He said a state cannot be progressive if it is bogged down by a perceived lack of harmony among its inhabitants. Mokhtar also claims that support for PAS and PKR in Penang is eroding because their supporters are abandoning them due to their tolerance of DAP's alleged aggressive style of governance in Penang. He said DAP, in its haste to appease its traditional base of supporters, tends to overlook the interests of other groups such as hawkers, squatters, and the low-income earners. Such groups are mainly Malays, and hence their gradual shift to Umno, although the party may remain as the opposition here. "PAS and PKR may pay the price for being docile over certain DAP policies which are seen as an affront to the Malays," Mokhtar said. He added that the Malays may gravitate back to Umno because they believe that the party can solve their problems such as stable jobs and affordable housing. He said it remains to be seen if Umno's partners – MCA, MIC and Gerakan – can survive in the next general election in Penang. READ MORE HERE

Free economy will lead to political and social freedom, say economists Posted: 11 Oct 2011 06:52 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - Without a free economy a country is less likely to achieve political and social freedom, contrary to the impression most activists have in Malaysia, economists said here today. Dr Tom Palmer from the Atlas Economic Research Foundation emphasised that political liberalisation is very important for maintaining economical liberalisation. "One must understand the freedom of competition as a process, not as a stake of the market," he said during the Economic Freedom Network Asia Conference 2011 today. He suggested that it is important to build a regional free trade agreement and promote free trade on a unilateral basis like in Singapore. The emphasis on a free economy was also pointed out by Wan Saiful Wan Jan, chief executive of Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), one of the conference organisers. "Maybe it is time to suggest that we have a free and prosperous economy before achieving political and social freedom in Malaysia. This is because when the people are comfortable with the quality of life, they will also fight for political and social reform in the country. "To change, we need a bigger middle class, and this will only exist if our economy is free," according to Wan Saiful in the foreword of the Economic Freedom of The World 2011 annual report by the Fraser Institute. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has liberalised foreign investment in 17 sub-sectors, which critics said had for years forced foreigners to partner Bumiputeras before being allowed to set up businesses in the country. Critics, however, said the reform measure will not have much impact because few of the workers hired in those sectors were Malays, who form the majority population and were the target of affirmative-action policies. The report also pointed out that a lot of activism in the country focuses too much on the political and social angles, while neglecting the importance of fighting for economic freedom. "If the people live in conditions that force them to constantly think of how to cope with the cost of living, there would be a high possibility that they do not have enough time to work on political transformation, or get involved in the civil society arena. "So if we want to shape a country which is politically and socially free, we have to ensure that our economical system is also free. The concerns about political and social freedom, and effective activism in all angles only exist and flourish once the economy needs are fulfilled," Wan Saiful said. READ MORE HERE

KL land row threatens to derail MRT project Posted: 11 Oct 2011 05:15 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — The ongoing land rights dispute between the MRT project owner and city traders here has turned into a political hot potato that could see the country's most expensive infrastructure project delayed. The months of discussions, public engagement talks, court challenges, street protests and interventions by civil society groups and politicians across the divide have made no headway in resolving the issue. Today, Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang traders — backed by former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and DAP's Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun — attempted to up the ante by threatening to raise their grouses directly with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak if their demands are not met. The ad hoc committees encompassing traders from both streets have also banded together to form the "Committee of preserving Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang", a special joint taskforce aimed at pressuring the government into considering a realignment to the MRT's Sungai Buloh-Kajang line. But a meeting held last Thursday with MRT Co already gave the group clear indication that the project owner was just as unwilling to budge from its planned acquisition of prime properties located along both the iconic streets. According to Ong, MRT Co officials gave "not one chance" to the traders to present their alternative route, which would see their properties saved. "The realignment proposal was shot down, or rather, it was not allowed to be presented at all. Not one chance was given, leaving no room for alternative views," he lamented today. People protest against the proposed land acquisition in Bukit Bintang, October 12, 2011. — Picture by Jack Ooi MRT Co has also allegedly approached individual traders with offers of attractive compensation packages aimed at enticing them into giving up their properties. The move has spread fear among traders that their struggle to keep their properties would eventually fall apart. "Do not tell me that this is the only line available and we cannot even consider an alternative route," the joint taskforce's chairman Tan Yew Sing told press conference held at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) this afternoon. Co-chairman Stanley Yong also gave a detailed briefing on the proposed alternative route, which would see the SBK line rerouted from Jalan Sultan to Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and include integrated terminals with the LRT Pasar Seni station and KTMB line and another with the Puduraya bus terminal. The alternative line, he said, may force a 200m extension to the original route but would reap in more benefits in terms of attracting more tourists into Chinatown, reviving Plaza Rakyat beside Puduraya, improving inter-transport connectivity and saving the heritage structures along Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang. "Also, with the original line, the tunnelling would have to go through limestone... this is more tedious and takes longer. Furthermore, there will be vibration and cracks to the old buildings, affecting the safety of structures above ground," he said.   READ MORE HERE.

Malaysia's new generation steps forward Posted: 11 Oct 2011 05:11 PM PDT By ABC Radio Australia News Malaysia's youngest sitting politician says his generation of leaders is ready to move away from race-based politics. Politics in Malaysia is centred on race and religion, with the Malay UMNO dominating a multiracial political coalition. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific program the opposition coalition, the Pakatan Rakyat, is ready to take power. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad: 'The younger Malays come back and they start to question the analysis that Malays . . . need political protection in order to survive.' [Australia Network] Nik Nazmi, who is 29, is a member of the assembly in Selangor state, Malaysia, and communications director for the opposition Parti Keadilan. He says all signs are pointing to an early election - as soon as November this year, or in the first quarter of 2012. He also called for a more equitable distribution of wealth in Malaysia. NIK NAZMI: The problem we have today is that the economic policy we have in Malaysia is very much a trickle-down one for the ordinary people, regardless of race. Of course, the politicians would like us to see in terms of racial paradigms, but in reality the ordinary Malaysians, regardless of race, lose out, whereas those who are politically connected, regardless of race, benefit. So I think that currently the government talks about liberalising the NEP (New Economic Policy), moving away from the NEP, adopting our own rhetoric, which is good, but in terms of reality, we think that it also means an over-emphasis on liberalisation, without a balance in terms of social justice, which is bad I think for the country as a whole. SEN LAM (PRESENTER): But in politics appearances count for a lot as well. How do you think that will sit with your Malay constituents, who might feel that they're losing their rights? NIK NAZMI: It is, the problem for the ruling coalition is that they have shaped the debate for so long in terms of race-based analysis. If a Chinese gains, then that means the Malays and Indians lose, and vise versa. Whereas our emphasis has always been about the ordinary people against the powerful. Even the One-Malaysia campaign (of Prime Minister Najib Razak) is not being accepted by their own (UMNO) party, because they've always been talking about Malay supremacy - Ketuanan Melayu. So I think that's where the government faces a problem, as a result of they've become the victim of their own rhetoric. The children of those who benefited from the NEP, the younger Malays, who, their parents, studied in Australia, in the US and in the UK, come back and they start to question the analysis, that Malays are naturally weak and that the Malays need political protection in order to survive. So in that sense, I believe that rather than being a headache for us, it's actually a headache for everyone in the country, because this is your 'Gen Y', which is shaped by a different mindset than the previous generations. They tend to be critical of the government, which means BN (Barisan Nasional) rather than the (opposition) Pakatan. But they're not as loyal in terms of party politics as their parents were. You know, I think that's a phenomenon across the world, where in the past, our parents' time, where they would vote for a certain party from cradle to grave, but today the younger generation are more interested in voting along the lines of issues. LAM: So are you saying, that the future in Malaysian democracy and in a more vibrant political landscape, lies in this current and future generations of younger people? NIK NAZMI: Definitely, I mean, Malaysia especially being a very young country - the population pyramid in Malaysia is very broad-based because of the number of young people. So in that sense, definitely, the young people are the ones we should focus on. They are shaped by a very different view and things are changing so fast, the tools that are out there, we cannot take them for granted any more, definitely. LAM: If elections were called in early 2012, how do you think the Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition coalition, how do you think you'll fare? Do you think you'll get more than five states? NIK NAZMI: Predictions are not my thing, but I would think that generally, the two coalition systems are here to stay. Malaysians do not want the time where one coalition knew best or one party knew best, or during Mahathir's time, perhaps one man knew best. I think those times are over. People see the benefit because now, both parties, the Opposition coalition has just been elected. I think there's a greater desire, younger more energetic, they work harder but at the same time, the ruling coalition has been to a certain extent, woken up from their slumber. And they're trying to win (voters) over. At the end of the day, the people benefit. So I think the people are smart enough to realise that. The government has lost the monopoly of information. LAM: Through new and social media? NIK NAZMI: New and social media, definitely. People are more interested to hear both sides of the view. LAM: So, is the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition . . . are you prepared to take over federal politics? To take over government? NIK NAZMI: We are better prepared than we were in 2008, definitely. It was a loose coalition in 2008, there was no formal coalition between Keadilan, the Islamic PAS and the DAP. And we have come out with a common "Orange Book" which details our common policies. Yes, there are differences, I will admit that, but it's natural. There is no coalition or party in Malaysia that would not have differences, because it's a reflection of the diverse spectrum of Malaysian society. LAM: Well, some people might argue that the Barisan Nasional stayed in power for so long because it had UMNO at the helm, it had a galvanising factor, a party that's strong enough to hold everyone together. It might be argued that Pakatan Rakyat lacks that cohesiveness -what do you say to that? NIK NAZMI: Well, that model worked in the 20th century. It worked in 1955, it worked all the way until 2008. But I think the Big Brother model of politics, where you have one dominant partner, is not relevant for the 21st century. People want a partnership of equals. And I think it has to go out from the race-based political situation that you have today. Definitely, there have been differences, issues, but I think at the end of the day, all the three parties have accepted the constitutional concensus in Malaysia, where Islam is the religion of the federation, but the rights of other adherents to practise their faith are fully respected. We need to stick to things that we agree on, rather than harp on the things that divide us. I mean, I think we're all learning here. It's all a maturing process. The "Arab Spring" has shown whether you're Islamist or whether you're a liberal, that democracy is ultimately the most important thing to fight for, because it's something that we need to run governments. At the end of the day, without a functioning democracy, then countries cannot function, nation states cannot have peaceful transitions of power. LAM: I read in one blog, that recommended you as a politician of the future, and as the sort of politician that Malaysia needs, because, the argument of the blog goes, you are Malay and ultimately, Malaysia still needs Malay leaders because the Malays are the majority. So that's still race-based though, isn't it? NIK NAZMI: That is the reality in Malaysia, because I think you want to talk about political change. It used to be about Malay supremacy, I think the opposition has rejected that. We talk about "people's supremacy" but I think at this point of time, change still needs to be Malay-led because people still vote along racial lines, that's a reality. I think all countries have this - I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's a political reality. But what is better is that enlightened Malay leadership is better than this ignorant Malay leadership. But I would say that, while there are those challenges, the good thing is that because of social media, because of the internet, people are better-informed. This is the Reformasi, the Bersih generation, you know, the concerns are different. So in that sense, the parameters are different, that provides an opportunity. The problem is that some politicians still want to dumb down old politics, but I think if we keep making the argument for a Malaysia that moves forward, then I believe that the younger generation is ready to step into the 21st century.

Recession risk high and rising, says RHB Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:54 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - Malaysia's economic growth could slow to just 3.6 per cent next year from a projected 4.3 per cent this year due to the increasing risk of a double dip global recession, said the RHB Research Institute. The RHB unit's growth projection issued yesterday is significantly lower than Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's forecast of five to six per cent growth for 2012 in his proposed RM232 billion Budget 2012 tabled last Friday. The research house said that the risk of a double-dip global recession is high and rising as both the US and Europe cannot withstand another shock although a recession could be averted if leaders in both continents act fast enough to contain the debt crises and avert a contagion that could lead to a complete meltdown in confidence. It also expected businesses to cut spending in view of rising uncertainties although some growth will come from the implementation of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). Private investment growth is projected to soften further to 4.6 per cent in 2012, after slowing to an estimated 5.7 per cent for 2011, the report added. Exports, meanwhile, are expected to grow at just 1.1 per cent compared to 3.4 per cent this year due to dampened foreign demand for electronics and electrical items. Domestic demand is projected to grow at a slower pace of 5.1 per cent in 2012, compared with an estimated 5.8 per cent for 2011. RHB said, however, that consumer spending is expected to remain "reasonably resilient" and grow at around 5.3 per cent in 2012, compared with 6.0 per cent for 2011, given high savings, rising consumerism and an increase in salary. Most research houses have lowered their 2012 growth projections for Malaysia despite Najib's optimism in the Budget proposals, which critics have say is primed for the next general election that must be called by early 2013. Bank of America Global Research estimated Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) to grow at 4.2 per cent in 2012 while Maybank Investment Bank said it expected Malaysia's GDP to expand at between 3.5-4 per cent. CIMB Investment Bank forecast a GDP growth of 3.8 per cent next year. READ MORE HERE

‘Gambler’ Najib will ‘break the bank’ Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:42 PM PDT The language Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak used when presenting the budget was the kind often used by gamblers. Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz, Free Malaysia Today I don't understand why there is so much hype over the unveiling of a budget. It seems the politics is more important than the contents, ramifications and implications of a budget. There is always this funfair atmosphere surrounding the presentation of our national budget. Everyone thumps the table upon hearing this group will receive a one-off payment, that group another lump sum payment. The loudest response of course came when Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is also Finance Minister, announced that the allowances of all Members of Parliament would also be revised. A budget is a solemn document. It's an account of how much this country earned as revenue, its sources and the proposals to commit that income. It's both a revelation and reflection of an exercise in financial management and discipline. Those are the things we must direct our attention to. Biggest deficit in history For example, everyone clapped when Najib, said: "This year's budget is a lower proportion of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product)." Yes, but isn't our GDP this year bigger than last year's? Look at the absolute figure too. It's still a deficit, suggesting perhaps financial indiscipline and, even worse, unjustifiable leakages. Have the leakages been dealt with? The budget is humongous – RM232.8 billion which is a lot of money, especially with a 9.4 percent rise in expenditure. Despite the country's deficit being reduced to 4.7 percent from 5.4 percent of GDP, the fact remains that in terms of absolute amount, it would be the biggest deficit in Malaysian history. Hear this – "biggest deficit" in Malaysian history! While our finance minister is confident that Malaysia will do a five to six percent growth rate, the rest of the world will grow from a negative figure to maybe three percent at the maximum. So is the finance minister's five to six percent growth rate realistic and achievable? Or is he pulling wool over our eyes? Language of a gambler I would usually refrain from giving a spontaneous response; I would rather prefer giving further analysis of the budget. People can easily be overwhelmed by the feel-good nature of an election budget. Did I say an election budget? That's what it is really despite the Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's usual dour rejection of suggestions that it is. But nowadays not many people take the DPM seriously. READ MORE HERE

More controversy with Taib-linked Ta Ann Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:37 PM PDT An advert countering Ta Ann's claim to producing 'eco-wood' from Tasmania has drawn a response from the Australian Election Commission. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has dismissed a complaint by the Liberal Party about an advertisement which clarified the status of the Tasmanian wood produced and marketed by controversial Sarawak timber company Ta Ann. Liberal Party state director Sam McQuestin said he had received a five-page response from the AEC to his complaint about an advert headlined "Truth in Advertising", which he claimed promoted Australia's Green Party. The AEC, however, was of the view that the advert was not an attempt to promote the Greens. The advert published in Tasmania's largest-circulating daily newspaper, The Mercury, last week was placed by online Sarawak Report founder-editor Clare Rewcastle Brown. Rewcastle Brown had placed the advert to counter Ta Ann's claims that its Tasmanian produce was "eco-wood". In the advert, RewcastleBrown states that Ta Ann has accused the Green Party of not telling the truth in advertising when in fact it was Ta Ann's company advertisements promoting its timber as eco-wood which is a "lie". In an e-mail to FMT, Rewcastle Brown said: "The 'Truth in Advertising' was the story I placed. "Our reports have shown that adverts describing Ta Ann's wood from Tasmania as eco-wood are false. "None of it is eco-wood. It is all taken from valuable old growth jungle that the Australian government has been trying to put a protection order over. "The logging of much of the wood is in defiance of an agreement between the state of Tasmania and the Australian federal government to protect these areas in return for a grant of millions of dollars." Ta Ann 'on notice' Meanwhile, a disappointed McQuestin said he would accept the AEC's decision. Another Tasmanian publication "The Examiner" quoted McQuestin as saying that AEC chief legal officer Paul Pirani had noted in his five-page letter that "the advert did not constitute electoral material". The AEC also said it was beyond its jurisdiction to act on the complaint "because it was organised overseas". Ta Ann has been mired in controversy over its involvement in the Tasmanian timber industry. Early this month, the Green Party had put Ta Ann Tasmania "on notice" over its logging activities and six years of losses despite being awarded "numerous perks and subsidies" by the state. Rewcastle Brown in her FMT column said the "tactics of Sarawak's logging industry are causing increasing dismay in Australia, where Chief Minister Taib Mahmud-linked Ta Ann group has opened two major timber processing mills. "There has been a level of intrigue ever since 2005 as to how it was that Tasmania's state government was persuaded to welcome this foreign company at what have been clearly give-away rates." READ MORE HERE

‘Najib’s handouts bad for the country’ Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:30 PM PDT The Wall Street Journal says the combination of temporary handouts and tax breaks doesn't help Malaysia's competitiveness. (Free Malaysia Today) - US business paper Wall Street Journal said today Najib's Budget 2012 handouts is bad for the country as it will not boost competitiveness. "This combination of temporary handouts and tax breaks on one hand and welfare spending on the other doesn't help Malaysia's competitiveness. "The export-dependent economy is already hurting from weak markets abroad and a rising cost of living at home—GDP growth fell below 5% in year-on-year terms for the last two quarters—and needs long-term incentives to invest and build a stronger domestic consumer market," stated the paper in an article today. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who also holds the finance portfolio was also criticised as the government failed to do away with food and fuel subsidies despite pledging to do so earlier. "He even likened subsidies to "opium" and made small but noteworthy cuts last year. He could have continued that rehab this year by incrementally raising regulated prices to bring them closer to market levels. In addition, WSJ also predicted that the 9.4% rise in expenditure only indicates wastage in resource because Najib did not propose permanent changes to tax structure. He also did not reduce regulation and spending. WSJ also had less than kind words for Najib on the reforms for 27 subsectors and instead called for reforms in major industries. "These are small industries that don't hire many Malays. The government needs to tackle bigger reforms in industries like manufacturing, where regulations still gives Malays dominance. READ MORE HERE

RM4.7 billion spent on National Service Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:22 PM PDT The Defence Ministry says there was no follow up on the training scheme, stressing that the programme was a success. (Free Malaysia Today) - The question members of Parliament wanted to know was how effective is the National Service programme since RM4.7billion has been spent on it over seven years. All they got was evasive answers from the Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad. He told the Dewan Rakyat that RM4.7 billion was spent but there was no follow up done to see how effective the programme was. Abdul Latiff Ahmad confirmed that the government did not conduct any studies in regards to NS trainees still being involved in crimes after their programmes ended. "No detailed studies linking the National Service (trainees) to crime have been conducted, but we will consider this in future studies." he said. Abdul Latiff, who is also Mersing MP, then defended the programme, and claimed that it was successful in instilling good values in NS trainees. He said this in response to a query by Tanah Merah MP (PKR) Amran Ab Ghani, who asked about the amount of money allocated by the Defence Ministry since the NS programme was introduced. The PKR MP had also asked if the NS programme was successful in creating an "early awareness" among youths, and if former trainees were still involved in crime. Amran then asked if these NS camps were still getting allocations from the government. Question of auditing At this stage the deputy defence minister lost his cool and insulted Amran by saying: "He is deaf, but good thing (for him) that he is not mute." This prompted Pakatan Rakyat MPs to demand that the Mersing MP withdrew his comment, which he eventually did after being advised by Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee. Abdul Latiff said that the 87 NS camps in operation were not owned by the government. READ MORE HERE

Wee defends MCA ‘glam girls’ Posted: 10 Oct 2011 07:43 PM PDT By Tarani Palani, FMT Are we so chauvinistic that we can't stomach pretty women in politics? KUALA LUMPUR: A rattled MCA Youth chief, Wee Ka Siong, has slammed PKR over lurid photos of several girls whose presence at the party's recent Youth AGM on Oct 2 had sparked a debate on whether they were brought in as "eye-candy". Labelled MCA's 'glam girls', photos of what appeared to be these girls were photo-shopped and posted on some blogs. Wee told reporters today that lurid photos of five of the MCA 'glam girls' had surfaced on pro-PKR blogs. Slamming the party for engaging in such slanderous acts, he said: "I am very saddened that the party has embarked on such unethical acts. "Pictures of these girls have been superimposed on naked bodies and posted on some blogs. "There has been numerous complaints from the Beliawanis (MCA's women youth wing) on this matter." Wee claimed the matter had become a hot issue after PKR youth wing, AMK had picked it up. He said MCA took such matters seriously and had already engaged lawyers to deal with the issue of the lurid photos. "They are contemplating taking the matter up with Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), " he said. Does occupation matter? The presence of the 10 girls at party's convention had caused a stir, with some quarters asking if it was a publicity stunt arranged by the party to promote the its women youth wing. Doubts were also raised if they were genuine MCA party members. Wee, when asked if he was aware of the girl's professions, answered in the negative. "Many people attended the party's ceramah … it is impossible to know the occupation of every single attendee. "I knew the occupation of some of the girls. Some were property negotiators and some worked in banks. "Why does it matter what their occupations are if they have genuine interest in politics?," he asked. He denied that the girls were 'eye-candy' saying that they were all there as observers. "What is wrong in the girls attending the event to gain exposure about the political process?" he asked and urged all parties to act "gentlemanly" and not engage in gutter politics.   READ MORE HERE.

MACC urged to probe Ananda Krishnan Posted: 10 Oct 2011 07:38 PM PDT By Patrick Lee, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: A formal investigation by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Maxis Communications Bhd tycoon T Ananda Krishnan and its director Ralph Marshall should spur its Malaysian counterpart to do the same, according to PKR. Subang MP R Sivarasa said that there was no excuse for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to claim ignorance over the matter. "It would be a bit difficult for the MACC to say that they don't know about this," he told reporters st the Parliament lobby here today. Sivarasa said this while holding today's edition of the Sun newspaper, with the headline: "India Probes Tycoon" on its cover. The paper was referring to a New Indian Express report – an Indian newspaper – that both Ananda and Marshall were being investigated on charges of criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. India's telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanidhi as well as three companies (Astro, Maxis and Sun TV) were also implicated in the scandal. Citing the MACC Act, Sivarasa said that Malaysians guilty of bribery or corruption out of the country could be charged in Malaysia. "The MACC should treat this report as a report to them. They should not wait for us to go to them and lodge a report," he said.   READ MORE HERE.

Probe may hurt Ananda Krishnan’s Aircel loan plans, says Indian daily Posted: 10 Oct 2011 07:33 PM PDT By Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — India's fifth-largest mobile operator Aircel will find it tough to get banks to fund its expansion with police investigating its biggest shareholder T. Ananda Krishnan for criminal conspiracy over his stake in the company, the Times of India reported today. Indian investigators have named Ananda (picture), his top executive Ralph Marshall and two Malaysian companies, Maxis Communications Bhd (Maxis Communications) and Astro All-Asia Networks (Astro) in their probe which centres on graft allegations against former Indian telecommunications minister Dayadhini Maran and his media mogul brother, Kalainidhi. "Naming Aircel in the FIR is not significant. But with others like [Ananda] and Marshall named in the FIR, it would become difficult for Aircel to raise funds from banks," a lawyer told India's top English-language paper today, referring to the First Investigation Report. Aircel, which has 55 million subscribers, recently partnered Virtela — the world's largest independently-managed network in security and cloud computing services — to boost their global business operations through faster, safer and more mobile networks. The Indian telecommunications company had budgeted US$1.4 billion (RM4.4 billion) for its nationwide coverage expansion in June last year. Aircel planned to double its India investment to US$10 billion over the next four years to rollout new services and expand its existing network to include wireless broadband coverage nationwide. "We have already invested US$5 billion, including 3G spectrum price and network rollout, and by 2014, we will pump another similar amount to take up our investment to US$10 billion to ramp up our capacity," Aircel chief operating officer Gurdeep Singh was reported saying in February this year by several Indian media Ananda owns a 74 per cent stake in Aircel through Maxis Communications which also has a 70 per cent stake in Malaysia's telecommunications giant, Maxis Bhd. The 73-year-old telecommunications, media and property tycoon is reported to be worth US$9.6 billion and is ranked by Forbes as Southeast Asia's second-richest man and the world's 89th. The controversy centres on Maxis' 74 per cent stake in Aircel, which was said to have been bought for Rs78.81 billion (about RM506,556,185). Apart from the case filed against the Maran brothers, Ananda, Marshall and the Malaysian companies, India's Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has named the Maran brothers' Sun TV Network.   READ MORE HERE.

Missing: The Auditor-General’s report Posted: 10 Oct 2011 04:12 PM PDT (Harakah Daily) - Something has been missing prior to the debate of the 2012 Budget in parliament yesterday, as pointed out by Opposition Leader who is also the former Finance minister, Anwar Ibrahim. "Unfortunately, we are debating the budget today, but the Auditor-General's report has not been presented," Anwar told Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He questioned whether the delay was deliberate to prevent members of parliament from discussing the Auditor-General's contents. In his response to the budget tabled by prime minister Najib Razak last Friday, Anwar accused Najib of repackaging past failed programmes and unfulfilled promises under new names requiring large amounts of money. The Permatang Pauh MP also lashed out at Najib's growth projection of 5 to 6 percent for 2012, saying that the number was way too high based on various analysis and research. Anwar also said the 4.7 percent deficit prediction was without basis, saying such a projection must be based on economic growth in 2011 and the projected growth total national income for 2012, and added a country making unrealistic growth and revenue projection would suffer the repercussion. "First, it will worsen the country's deficit. Secondly it will also sideline the critical need to adhere to physical discipline and prudent spending of public funds," said Anwar, who also echoes an earlier statement by PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man that BN would table a supplementary budget bill by mid of 2012. As such, Anwar said if the forecast GDP could not be achieved, Parliament should convene a special sitting to take Najib to task.

Home Ministry under siege, mentally Posted: 10 Oct 2011 04:08 PM PDT By John Inbaraj, Aliran In an earlier article which appeared under this section entitled "Something is rotten about migrant workers' entry rules" (19 September 2011), I had quite openly implied that the government lacked the will to fight the undocumented workers problem in the country and that rampant corruption had blurred the vision of the authorities from within and without the country in creating a clean and safe environment for locals hiring foreign workers and for foreign workers themselves. I had also called for the authorities to stop the flood of undocumented workers and to keep our shores safe from health-related and social problems and "undocumented" criminals roaming in our midst without fear. It did not take long for all of the above to be reinforced in the media in the days that followed. theSun (21 September) carried a front page article which shouted "Unapproved labour"! The Star and New Straits Times carried similar articles. The Home Minister revealed that 2320034 foreign workers were registered via the biometric system. Of these 1303120 were illegals (almost 50 per cent), some 327991 of whom were employed in mining, car workshops, fast food restaurant and food stalls and as fishermen and newspaper vendors. Some of these illegals are self-employed and some have become employers. These areas are not in the approved list of work for foreigners. The saddest part of this whole episode is that Hishammuddin, whose Home Ministry was accorded No. 1 status for Key Performance Indicators (KPI) achievements, is quoted as saying "Even though the scenario is not new, it is difficult for the authorities to take action against them due to falsification of documents and identities and other abuses of work permits and passes." And mind you, he adds, "As such, the Home Ministry is considering suggestions by employers who have pleaded that special permission be given for the illegal workers in the non-approved sectors, to be included in the legalisation process." I am exasperated, breathless and completely lost. People who challenge conditions set by the Home Ministry, falsify documents, cheat, lie and abuse are granted a reprieve? You even have fast food chains – "respected" and probably internationally recognised food outlets – employing illegal workers? And you condone that! Hey Minister, have you any respect for yourself? Doesn't it anger you when foreigners and especially local employers don't give a damn for your rules and regulations and what you say? At this point let me digress a little and draw our readers attention to an incident that happened to a friend of mine some time back. This was over an sms informing him of a substantial cash winning. My friend, recognising that it was a scam originating from an Indonesian mobile number, called to threaten the sender with a police report but the response he got was "Report-lah! Malaysian punya polis semua bodoh-lah!" As a Malaysian how did I feel? Anger yes, but at the same time wasn't he right? Has this scourge now spread to the Home Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister too?   READ MORE HERE.

Firefly must be sold to avoid price fixing, says Pakatan Posted: 10 Oct 2011 04:04 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers have told Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to dispose of its subsidiary Firefly to ensure competition for air travel after the national carrier's share swap with AirAsia. DAP publicity chief Tony Pua said the August 9 deal, which saw Tune Air Sdn Bhd hand over 10 per cent of the low-cost airline to Khazanah Nasional Bhd in exchange for 20.5 per cent of the flag carrier, will see "a collusive duopoly seeking to protect profits instead of being dictated by market forces." The Petaling Jaya Utara MP said even if there was no active price fixing "there will be collusion as 'I don't reduce, you don't reduce, we all make money'." He pointed out that despite fuel prices increasing by over five times since AirAsia began operations 10 years ago, passengers have enjoyed more than a 50 per cent reduction in domestic and regional air tickets. The controversial share swap has come under fire from politicians on both sides of the divide. MAS has said that Firefly will be turned into a full-service regional airline following the deal under the "Comprehensive Collaboration Framework" between MAS and AirAsia. PAS research chief Dzulkefly Ahmad said unless Firefly was sold to the highest bidder, "it is a case of one step forward, two steps back for Datuk Seri Najib Razak's liberalisation." The prime minister has introduced market reforms since taking office in 2009 but a recent spate of takeover bids by government-linked companies has raised questions over his administration's commitment to freeing the market for private sector players. Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) has made a mandatory offer to take property development giant SP Setia private after increasing its stake to over 33 per cent. Sime Darby Bhd's recent acquisition of 30 per cent of property developer Eastern and Oriental (E&O) for RM766 million from a group of businessmen has also sparked concerns of insider trading and both counters were suspended this morning. Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly said these moves reduced competition and were a "bottleneck to an efficient market" which would lead to capital flight.

Secret order to snoop on WikiLeaks Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:59 PM PDT (Reuters) - WASHINGTON: The U.S. government obtained secret court orders to force Google Inc and a small Internet provider to hand over information from email accounts of a WikiLeaks volunteer, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. The U.S. request included email addresses of people that Jacob Appelbaum, a volunteer for the campaigning website, had corresponded with in the past two years, but not the full emails, the newspaper said, citing documents it had reviewed. Internet provider Sonic said it fought the government order legally and lost, and was forced to turn over information, the company's chief executive, Dane Jasper, told the newspaper. Appelbaum, 28, has not been charged with any wrongdoing, the daily said. Google, the world's No.1 Web-search engine, declined to comment on the matter, the Wall Street Journal said. WikiLeaks last year angered the U.S. government by making public tens of thousands of secret U.S. files and diplomatic cables that embarrassed Washington, as well as a classified video of a contested American military operation in Iraq. The Google order dated January 4, 2011, directed the search giant to turn over IP address from which Appelbaum logged into his Gmail.com account and the email and IP addresses of the users with whom he communicated dating back to November 1, 2009. It isn't clear whether Google fought the order or turned over documents, the Journal said. The controversial court orders are expected to add fuel to a growing debate over a controversial law -- the Electronic Communications Privacy Act -- that allows the U.S. government to secretly obtain information from people's email and cellphones without a search warrant. This year, micro-blogging website Twitter fought a similar court order to hand over details of the accounts of several WikiLeaks supporters, including Appelbaum, as part of a criminal investigation launched by the Department of Justice into the major leaking of confidential U.S. documents. Appelbaum is a developer for the Tor Project Inc., a nonprofit organisation that provides free tools that help people maintain their anonymity online, the Wall Street Journal reported. Twitter has not turned over information from the accounts of the Wikileaks supporters, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with the investigation.

Sarawak tycoon’s firm hired PNG cops to bash up locals, ABC reports Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:49 PM PDT By Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider Papua New Guinea (PNG) police admitted they were paid by a company owned by Sarawak tycoon Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King to crack down on locals protesting against a controversial oil palm project there, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported today. The state-owned media channel's "The World Today" programme reported that villagers in PNG's East New Britain province were arrested and beaten last week by a squad of police officers under orders from Rimbunan Hijau (RH). RH is Tiong's multi-industry company with the biggest logging and oil palm plantation shares in the South Pacific country. The 76-year-old is said to be worth US$1.1 billion (RM3.5 billion) and is ranked by Forbes to be the world's 840th richest man. The villagers were protesting the clearing of 44,000 hectares for an oil palm plantation by a company called Gilford Limited without their permission, the news agency said. The locals suspect Gilford is a front for RH as the hired security guards don the logging giant's uniform. According to ABC News, PNG's police assistant commissioner Anton Billy accused the protestors of trespassing into the plantation's work camp in another district, Pomio, and assaulting workers. Billy also said RH flew the police officers to the area and was paying their allowances and providing accommodation. But he did not see anything wrong with the arrangement. "We don't have any funds to get these people there and pay them allowances and all this stuff. That's normal," Billy was cited as saying by ABC News. A PNG local has refuted the police's claim, saying the officers were drunk that night when they acted against the protestors. "What they did is they bashed up the people in the village, young men and elderly men, this in front of us, and three of them said let's go because they were under arrest," said Paul Pavol, reportedly one of the protest leaders. PNG's top police commissioner has ordered an investigation into claims of police harassment, saying officers found guilty of abusing their powers will be dealt with. But RH has yet to respond to questions about its involvement with the police action or its connection to the oil palm plantation, ABC News said. READ MORE HERE

Organisors slam police, question PM’s sincerity Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:43 PM PDT By Michael Kaung, FMT KUANTAN: The protest against Lynas Corporation Ltd's plans to open a rare earth processing plant here is rapidly gathering steam forcing another display of force by the authorities just months after the Bersih rally for clean and fair elections. The organisors of the Himpunan Hijau 109 (Green Solidarity 109) gathering in Taman Gelora here hit out at Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for allowing the police to intimidate the thousands who attended the peaceful meet on Oct 9. "We question the sincerity of our PM. Only less than a month ago, he said Malaysia should move towards a more open society and that peaceful assembly would be allowed but that was not reflected in Kuantan last week," they complained. "Police and the local town council took unnecessary actions to interrupt the event and intimidate the organizer and participants,"  said Wong Tack, chairman of the national steering committee formed to protest the construction of the plant. The plant is currently under construction and protesters say the disposal of radioactive waste from its operations will be damaging. On Sunday, protesters chanted "long live the people" whilst holding up umbrellas with an anti-nuclear sign and waved banners reading "Lynas get out" and were confronted by rows of police personnel. 'Instructions from above' According to Wong, permits from both the police and local council were withdrawn at the eleventh hour. "Temporary tents and stage that were already set up by the organizers at the event venue were dismantled in the middle of the night. "Uniformed armed personnels were at the site. Roadblocks were set up and parking areas were sealed. "This is blatant abuse of power. The only reason given was 'instructions from above'," said Wong, who added he had tried to find out who had given the order and believed the crackdown was orchestrated. He stressed that the 'Himpunan Hijau 109′ event was a people's movement and organised by the local community. "It is a movement that transcends political boundaries," said Wong who was upset with how the government-controlled media distorted and misreported the event. "The national television (station) lied to the whole nation by saying that the event was a failure and was organized and backed by the opposition. "On the contrary … the event marked a major victory of the people and they know this is not the climax of our struggle. "It is only the first wave hitting the shore. We assure you that if nothing changes we will bound to see the greatest tsunami. "We want everyone to know that we will walk the streets one way or another. "Either to celebrate victory or to express the strongest anger. The people have already decided. "Now it's up to the authorities," he said. READ MORE HERE

Malaysia 'better for refugees' Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:39 PM PDT By Kirsty Needham and Michelle Grattan, The Age JULIA Gillard has received a rare boost ahead of this week's parliamentary vote on the Malaysia people swap plan, with the United Nations refugee agency saying asylum seekers would get better protection in Malaysia under her proposal than if held in indefinite mandatory detention in Australia. The House of Representatives will vote on Thursday on the legislation to bypass a High Court ban on sending asylum seekers to Malaysia. Greens MP Adam Bandt and independent Andrew Wilkie have flagged they will vote against the bill on human rights grounds, leaving its lower house fate in the hands of West Australian National MP Tony Crook. Mr Crook, who is not saying which way he is leaning, is preparing to meet the government and opposition today. Amid speculation about a possible return of Kevin Rudd as leader, how Mr Crook's vote falls will be crucially important for the embattled Prime Minister. If she loses the vote, it will be the first time a government has been defeated in the House of Representatives on a legislative vote since 1929, when the then government called an election - which it lost. The opposition would argue a loss was a defacto vote of no confidence and Ms Gillard should go to the polls. The regional office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in response to questions from a Greens and opposition-led inquiry, has offered its strongest support yet for the Malaysia swap. The UNHCR has scrutinised Australia's own treatment of asylum seekers, saying mandatory detention does not allow asylum seekers to work or live in the community - whereas Malaysia would. Australia also denies asylum seekers the right to lawful stay, and is punitive to people arriving by boat. ''In the context of the Malaysian arrangements, the assurances of legal stay and community-based reception for all transferees can be seen as a more positive protection environment than protracted - and in some cases indefinite - detention that many face here in Australia, provided the assurances are carefully monitored,'' wrote the UNHCR regional representative, Richard Towle. The High Court struck down the refugee swap partly because Malaysia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention. But Mr Towle says many Refugee Convention signatories did not meet ''the fundamental protection safeguards that were expected of Malaysia'' under the plan. The UNHCR has also dismissed what it said was a ''misperception'' that asylum seekers could be caned, saying the document to be issued to transferees to prove their legal status would have been ''a significant safeguard''. Mr Towle said Malaysia also planned to extend legal work rights to all refugees, not just those sent from Australia. ''All refugees in Malaysia would … be registered within the government's immigration database and thus protected from arbitrary arrest and detention. It would also mean that all refugees in Malaysia would have the right to work on a par with legal migrants in the country.'' This would allow them to access insurance and health schemes. When asked why the UNHCR hadn't endorsed or signed the Malaysia deal, Mr Towle replied that it was never envisaged the UNHCR sign or endorse it. ''No inference can reasonably be drawn from this,'' he wrote. The manager of opposition business, Christopher Pyne, said yesterday that Ms Gillard had stated the vote on the bill was about an executive's ability to govern effectively. ''On that basis alone, you would assume that if the government fails to convince the Parliament to pass the amendment, it would follow the last precedent in 1929 and advise the Governor-General of the need for an election'', Mr Pyne said. But Mr Crook told The Age he would not be swayed by whether the vote would be seen as a vote of confidence. ''I don't feel any pressure in that regard.'' He said the issues were border security, the welfare of people taking the risk of getting on boats, breaking the people smugglers' business model and giving the government the right to make decisions. Ms Gillard is already under criticism from some Labor MPs for persisting with the Malaysia legislation, which faces defeat in the Senate if it is passed by the lower house. Caucus sources continued to deny any move on Ms Gillard's leadership was likely soon. Mr Bandt said mandatory detention was ''appalling'' and ruined lives ''but Labor's soul-destroying practices at home don't mean we should start sending fairness offshore … If some other countries are said to treat asylum seekers a little better, that should make us lift our game, not make our laws worse.'' Mr Wilkie said: ''I do not support offshore processing in any circumstances. Nor do I support mandatory detention in Australia. One is not better than the other - both are fundamentally unethical and at odds with our obligations as a signatory to the refugee convention.'' Refugee lawyer David Manne, who stopped the Malaysia deal in the High Court said: ''The fact is that the Malaysia deal was unlawful. It doesn't provide adequate protections for refugees in law.''

Sexual diversion from Najib’s weak budget Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:27 PM PDT The latest video allegedly showing Anwar Ibrahim in a Thai hotel room is another attempt to divert people's attention from the weak budget. (Free Malaysia Today) - The latest video allegedly showing Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim being in a hotel room in Thailand is an attempt to divert people's attention from the weak Budget 2012. In a statement today, PKR vice president N Surendran said it was not surprising that the video was uploaded just days after Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced next year's budget. "It's no coincidence that the video was uploaded at a time Najib is trying hard to defend his budget. Economists and the public are unhappy with his budget," said Surendran. Yesterday, pro-Umno blogger Papagomo uploaded a clip allegedly showing Anwar, clad in a bath robe, walking around in a hotel room with a cell phone in his hand. The blogger claimed the video was shot on Jan 13 this year while Anwar was on a trip to Patpong, Thailand. However, the video failed to show the identity of the man clearly and the video was shot in black and white. Responding to the sex video, Surendran said such attacks against Anwar were nothing new as the current government was repeating the same attack done during the premiership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad. READ MORE HERE

Sultan’s ruling given cautionary welcome Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:24 PM PDT Harapan Komuniti's lawyer says that the Sultan's statement suggests that proselytising did take place during the NGO's Thanksgiving dinner. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Sultan of Selangor's ruling that no group should be prosecuted over the controversial raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on Aug 3 has been cautiously welcomed by a lawyer of one of the accused parties. The Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) raided a Thanksgiving dinner organised by NGO Harapan Komuniti following a tip-off that proselytising activities were taking place during the event. Harapan Komuniti denied this and insisted that the event was a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS supporters. In a statement yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ruled that the JAIS report on the raid indicated that its actions were correct and had not breached any state laws. The sultan also ordered JAIS to provide counselling to the Muslims present at the dinner to restore their belief and faith in the religion. While DUMC has "warmly welcomed" the sultan's ruling, Annou Xavier of Messrs Azri, Lee Swee Seng & Co who represents Harapan Komuniti has refrained from expressing the same sentiments. "I can't say if I'm happy or not because the sultan's statement was neither here nor there," he told FMT. "If you read it carefully the sultan appears to have alluded to the fact that proselytising had indeed taken place during the dinner. "Also the manner in which JAIS had conducted the raid was thoroughly unprofessional in its casting of aspersions and leaking details of the initial findings of its investigations." Death threat on Harapan Komuniti A six-minute video clip showing scenes of the raid surfaced on pro-Umno blogs two weeks after the raid followed by photographs and personal details of the Muslim dinner guests. Questions were raised as to how supposedly confidential JAIS evidence had fallen into these bloggers' hands. Xavier also said that he hadn't yet seen JAIS' final report and wasn't privy to any of the details. "Since we are the accused party, the least JAIS could do is give us a copy of the final report," he said. "I'll have to ask the DUMC lawyers whether they have already requested one from JAIS." READ MORE HERE

Ibrahim says Pemandu has ‘hidden agenda’ Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:20 PM PDT Opening up the economy to foreign ownership is also an opposition idea, according to the Perkasa chief. (Free Malaysia Today) - The government's liberalisation efforts took another beating from influential Malay rights group Perkasa which warned today against opening up the economy to foreign ownership. At the unveiling of Budget 2012, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced the opening up 100 percent foreign ownership of 17 sub-sectors aimed at recapturing straying investments. Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, a staunch advocate of Mahathir-era protectionist policies, said the move would sideline Bumiputera businesses, adding that liberalisation is an opposition idea. He also took a swipe at the Performance and Management Delivery Unit (Pemandu) for advocating the move to open the 17 sub-sectors. Ibrahim, the independent Pasir Mas MP, in his speech during the Budget 2012 debate in the Dewan Rakyat, said Pemandu had a "hidden agenda" in promoting liberalisation. "Liberalisation is an idea promoted by the opposition… the Malay Chamber of Commerce had even made a strong statement against it but it is not heeded. "I urge the government not to listen to Pemandu because if it implements liberalisation (as advocated by Pemandu), the latter's hidden agenda would take place," he said. Key sectors remain caged Najib is trying to make liberalisation a key aspect of his New Economic Model (NEM) as he aims to resuscitate the country's ailing economy. Race-based affirmative action and Bumiputera protectionist policies have prompted capital flight and caused a deep drop in foreign investments, forcing Malaysia to play catch-up with its neighbours despite being Asean's economic powerhouse once. READ MORE HERE

Paid cyber troopers Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:09 PM PDT By Gomen Man via The Malaysian Insider I caution Malaysiakini, The Malaysian Insider and other websites that the Barisan Nasional government has hired about 200 cyber troopers to try and influence opinion on portals, social networking sites like Facebook. These paid hands will post inane comments and even challenge webmasters to put up their comments. The idea is to create the impression that there are many supporters of Najib Razak and his government in cyberspace and intimidate others. But in truth, they number about 200 and are paid by taxpayers. I urge the new sites not to put up their comments because they are paid hands and are not interested in any principles or in a better Malaysia. Their sole aim is to perpetuate the present system despite all its flaws. The Najib government has apparently been advised by its good friends in Singapore that it needs to influence opinions in social networking sites and the Internet. That is why they have hired these cyber troopers. So, please beware, Malaysiakini and others.

Putrajaya paid RM94m to FBC Media for global airtime Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:06 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) government paid RM94 million to raise its international profile over three years to FBC Media, which is under probe by British regulators for producing content on Malaysia without revealing that Putrajaya was its client. But the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) denied any involvement in how FBC Media secured coverage in the international press. In a written reply to a question in Parliament, Datuk Seri Najib Razak's office said that the 12-month contract that was signed in 2007 was renewed twice for a total cost of €19.6 million. "It is the responsibility of FBC Media to obtain airtime in international media and the government has no control over this matter. "This is a matter of discussions between FBC Media and the BBC," the PMO replied to Batu MP Chua Tian Chang's question posed last Thursday. Malaysia ended its contract with the public relations firm last month after it was revealed that government leaders routinely appeared in paid-for interviews on global television programmes on CNBC. FBC is now being investigated by British media regulator Office of Communications (Ofcom) as well as the BBC and CNBC for producing content on Malaysia without revealing it received money from Putrajaya. Both broadcasters have dropped FBC programmes from their lineup. The PMO terminated FBC Media's contract last month, the second PR deal it has ended in recent months after US-based APCO Worldwide was dropped for alleged links to Israel. Whistleblower website Sarawak Report had claimed that interviews and other programmes produced by FBC had cost the ruling BN coalition millions of ringgit as part of its bid to boost its international image. The deal came to light after supplementary supply Bills showed that the PMO paid RM57.7 million between 2008 and 2009 to FBC for a "Global Strategic Communications Campaign". READ MORE HERE.

Raja Nazrin asks Islamic religious council to review programmes Posted: 09 Oct 2011 07:56 PM PDT (Bernama) - IPOH: The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, wants the State Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIP) and Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) to review their programmes towards developing the Muslim community's economy in a sustainable manner. He said greater attention should be given to economic activities involving the role of the Perak Islamic Economic Development Corporatision, zakat and Baitulmal, and managing of funds to ensure viability and high impact of every programme implemented. Speaking at the 177th MAIP Conference here on Monday, Raja Nazrin said he not only wanted to see figures on vouchers and receipts audited, but also evaluation of programmes in terms of quality and impact towards achieving the objectives. He said for a meaningful impact, MAIP and JAIP needed to place the Key Performance Indicators at a more dynamic level. "The existing management culture needs to be revamped and the work culture of 'business as usual' be changed in every activity organised. "Each year, I attend functions organised by MAIP and JAIP such as the Maulidur Rasul and Maal Hijrah celebrations. A lot of time and money were spent on organising these events, but each year the programmes were the same without the injection of innovative ideas to make them more dynamic. "Such programmes have become ritual, merely to fill the calendar of events, and devoid of the spirit to touch the hearts of the attendees, thus not meeting the objectives." In fact, he said, those who came were just obliging the invitations and returned home spiritually unfulfilled. Raja Nazrin said MAIP and JAIP needed to take a new approach by giving a new image and content to the programmes to be organised in 2012. He said the content and venues for the programmes should be planned early and carefully and after approval by the committee, be presented to him for his views and consent, especially on the financial implications. The MAIP conference on Monday also recorded its condolences to the Raja Kecil Besar of Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah, on the demise of his mother, Raja Perempuan Muzwin, on Oct 6. Raja Nazrin also presented the letter of appointment to State Financial Officer Datuk Ghazali Jalal as a member of MAIP, replacing Datuk Jamaluddin Al-Amini who has gone on compulsory retirement. - Bernama

Malaysia sultan says Muslims who attended church dinner will get counseling to ‘restore faith’ Posted: 09 Oct 2011 05:42 PM PDT (Washington Post) — Islamic authorities will provide counseling to a dozen Malaysian Muslims to "restore their belief and faith" after they attended a community dinner at a church hall, a royal sultan said Monday. The case has triggered worries among officials in Muslim-majority Malaysia that some non-Muslims were trying to convert Muslims. Proselytizing of Muslims is punishable by prison terms of various lengths in most Malaysian states. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the constitutional ruler of Malaysia's central Selangor state, said Islamic officials who inspected a dinner at a Methodist church hall in early August found "evidence that there were attempts to subvert the faith and belief of Muslims." The sultan did not elaborate on the evidence or mention Christians in his statement, but said the evidence was "insufficient for further legal actions to be taken." Church officials had repeatedly denied any proselytization occurred at the dinner, which they described as a multiethnic gathering to celebrate the work of a community organization that worked with women, children and HIV patients. Christian leaders had also criticized Islamic state enforcement officials for what they called an unauthorized raid. Malaysia's state sultans command immense moral clout particularly among Malaysia's ethnic Malay Muslims, who regard them as the top authorities on Islamic issues. Muslims, who comprise nearly two-thirds of the country's 28 million people, are not legally permitted to change religion. "We command that (Islamic officials) provide counseling to Muslims who were involved in the said dinner, to restore their belief and faith in the religion of Islam," Sultan Sharafuddin said. Rev. Hermen Shastri, the general secretary of Malaysia's Council of Churches, said the sultan's statement "brings closure to the case." "No one should speculate or aggravate the situation further," he told The Associated Press. The sultan added Monday he was "gravely concerned and extremely offended by the attempts of certain parties to weaken the faith and belief of Muslims." "We hope that after this, any and all activities ... for the purposes of spreading other religions to Muslims in Selangor must be ceased immediately," he said. Malaysia's non-Muslims mainly comprise Christians, Buddhists and Hindus, some of whom have complained in recent years that enforcement officials are often overzealous in trying to uphold Islam and fail to respect the rights of minorities.

Mindef plans to market defence products globally Posted: 09 Oct 2011 05:39 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — The government said today it will set up a new agency to promote Malaysian defence products internationally. The defence ministry said that a marketing company would be set up jointly with the main players in the industry. "Our products have international recognition but there is no integrated support," Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi told reporters today. He said the move would allow Malaysia to showcase its defence products with more visibility, such as having its own pavilion at international arms shows. The Umno vice president said that details such as contributions to paid-up capital will be announced later. He added that the move will allow "cross-fertilisation" between the main companies and the ministry to exchange defence expertise and business knowhow. The government has handed billion-ringgit procurement deals to local companies recently with the stated objective of developing the local defence industry. DRB-HICOM and Boustead have secured deals worth RM8 billion and RM6 billion to deliver vehicles and naval vessels respectively this year alone.

Indian police ‘book’ tycoon Ananda Krishnan, Ralph Marshall in telco graft scandal Posted: 09 Oct 2011 05:06 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - Indian investigators have filed a case against Malaysian tycoon Tan Sri T. Ananda Krishnan, his trusted executive Ralph Marshall together with a former Indian telecom minister and his brother on charges of criminal conspiracy over a controversial deal involving telecommunication giant Maxis and India's Aircel. A Maxis spokesman told The Malaysian Insider the company is aware of the case when contacted this afternoon. "We're aware of that and we'll get back to you," the corporate communications official said. State news agency Press Trust of India said three companies, including Maxis, have also been listed in the case. The other companies are India's Aspro and Sun TV. The former Indian minister is Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi. PTI said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today conducted raids at the premises of the Maran brothers in Delhi and Chennai. "The CBI has registered case against Maran brothers, Ralph Marshall and T. Ananda Krishnan (picture) and three companies under section 120b of IPC read with 13(2) with 13 (1)(d) and also sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The case was registered on 9th October. Searches were conducted at Delhi and Chennai," CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra said here. It has been alleged by former Aircel chief C. Sivasankaran that Dayanidhi Maran as the then-telecom minister favoured the Maxis group in the takeover of his company and in return investments were made by the company through Astro network in Sun TV owned by the Maran family. The CBI, in its recent status report to the Supreme Court, had said that during Dayanidhi Maran's tenure there was "deliberate delay" to provide a letter of intent to Sivasankaran. The agency had said that after Aircel was sold to Maxis investments were made by the Malaysian firm into the family business of the Marans. The Aircel group is a joint venture between Malaysia's Maxis Communications Berhad and India's Sindya Securities & Investments Private Limited and has the largest service in Tamil Nadu.

UK's Cameron says to tighten up immigration rules Posted: 09 Oct 2011 04:30 PM PDT (Reuters) - Britain plans to tighten up rules on admitting relatives of migrants, cracking down on abuses used to gain entry to the country such as sham and forced marriages, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday. Cameron, who wants to prevent newcomers from relying on Britain's comprehensive welfare system, said that family migration accounted for almost a fifth of total non-EU immigration to Britain last year. The Conservatives want to reduce net migration to Britain from around 200,000 people per year to a figure of tens of thousands which they argue is more manageable. Restricting migration is seen as a way of reducing pressure on public spending at a time when the Conservative-led coalition is making deep cuts in public spending. The policy appeals to the right-wing of the Conservatives but has caused friction with the Liberal Democrats, the junior coalition partner. Cameron said the government wanted to ensure that people bringing their relatives into Britain had enough money to support them. "We're going to look at further measures to ensure financial independence: discounting promises of support from family and friends, and whether a financial bond would be appropriate in some cases," he said in advance excerpts of a speech he will make on Monday. "We're also consulting on how to tackle abuse of the system, to make sure that family migrants who come here are in a genuine relationship with their partner." Cameron gave an example of a Pakistani man granted a visa on the basis of his marriage to someone settled in Britain. "He obtained indefinite leave to remain and then immediately divorced his UK-based spouse. He returned to Pakistan and re-married and then applied for entry clearance for his new spouse," he added. "We simply cannot sit back and allow the system to be abused in this way. So we will make migrants wait longer, to show they really are in a genuine relationship before they can get settlement." Cameron said breaching rules intended to prevent forced marriage would be made a criminal offence and tougher controls could follow. "I am also asking the Home Secretary to consult on making forcing someone to marry an offence in its own right - working closely with those who provide support to women forced into marriage to make sure that such a step would not prevent or hinder them from reporting what has happened to them," he said.

PAS to start petition calling for royal panel to probe A-G Posted: 09 Oct 2011 04:12 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - PAS will press through a petition for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the Attorney-General during the current parliamentary sitting, rejecting Putrajaya's refusal to charge Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail with corruption. PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar told The Malaysian Insider today the petition aims to pressure the government into action, saying it was unacceptable it has chosen repeatedly to ignore the countless allegations of misconduct against the country's top lawyer. He reiterated that if Abdul Gani (picture) was being absolved of blame in all the allegations, defamation charges should be slapped on all the latter's accusers, including former senior police officer Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin. "To me, this shows the government has no stand in this issue. Their refusal to take action shows their unwillingness to clean up the institution. "It is not a matter of charging the A-G personally, but the entire institution of the A-G's Chambers itself appears to be lacking integrity and credibility," he said when met at the Parliament lobby here this morning. "I will start the petition soon, during this parliamentary sitting, and we will push for the RCI," he added. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz told The Malaysian Insider last week that last year's decision to close the door on the A-G's alleged involvement in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's 1998 "black eye" case still stands. "Same reply, same reply. I replied to (DAP adviser Lim) Kit Siang in Parliament before. The reply is the same," he said when asked if Putrajaya would act on the renewed allegations against Abdul Gani. Asked to state if the government would take action against Abdul Gani's accusers, Nazri repeated: "Same reply." In Parliament on December 14 last year, the government side-stepped the damning accusations made by Mat Zain that Abdul Gani had falsified documents in the "black eye" case, brushing aside several open letters and appeals issued by the former. Instead, Nazri had told the House there was no need for Mat Zain to complain that the independent panel formed to investigate the evidence fabrication had failed to clear his name in the incident. This, said Nazri, was because Mat Zain had never been the subject of the panel's probe and had merely been called as a witness to testify. READ MORE HERE

Mat Zain: Panel probe on A-G ‘unconstitutional’ Posted: 09 Oct 2011 04:06 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - The independent panel which absolved Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was unconstitutional, claimed the ex-senior police officer who has campaigned tirelessly to remove the attorney-general. Former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahims said that the panel was unconstitutionally set-up in 2009. The panel went on to rule the allegations against Abdul Gani were baseless. Mat Zain who has mounted a one-man campaign against Abdul Gani, charged that only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may order such a tribunal, and therefore it was not in the purview of the solicitor-general or even any Cabinet minister. "The provisions in the Constitution are very clear. When the conduct of the attorney general becomes an issue, only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is empowered to establish a Tribunal upon a representation presented to His Majesty by the Prime Minister. There's no other option. "This is a matter strictly between the PM and the Agong," Mat Zain said in a statement. The former policeman said the findings of the independent panel that cleared Abdul Gani (picture) of falsifying evidence in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's 1998 "black eye" case should therefore be considered null and void. Mat Zain said that although the panel had decided on March 1, 2009, Dewan Rakyat was informed ten days later on March 11 that one member of the independent panel had found evidence to "prove" the A-G's involvements in the alleged wrongdoings. Mat Zain also said he informed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on October 2008 regarding the matter but said that no action had been taken against Abdul Gani till today. The government has said it will not take action against the A-G despite renewed allegations of corruption and fabricating evidence made against the country's top lawyer. READ MORE HERE

Will Najib's election goodies be enough? Posted: 09 Oct 2011 03:36 PM PDT By Ooi Kee Beng, TODAYonline The annual budget is a powerful weapon for the Malaysian government, and never more so than when national elections are impending. Mr Najib Razak's third budget as Prime Minister, announced last Friday, definitely signals that elections are indeed on the way. Beleaguered as his government must feel - after the Bersih demonstration in July turned into a bigger anti-government event than it needed to be - when major economic indicators are all pointing the wrong way and with only one and a half years left before a General Election has to be held, it was wiser for Mr Najib not to postpone the use of this weapon until next October.  In fact, there is no reason for him to believe that the political and the economic situation will improve over the coming year. Political scepticism runs high in Malaysia and even his recent initiative to repeal the unpopular Internal Security Act (ISA), to lift three declarations of emergency and end the requirement for annual renewal of printing licences, was given a lukewarm reception. What the public is concerned with is what the government will replace the ISA with. Few believe the repeal is motivated by a humanitarian wish to increase civil liberties.  After two-and-a-half years as Prime Minister, Mr Najib continues to suffer from a credibility problem, which has been aggravated by his penchant for using foreign consultants for public relations exercises and his piecemeal reform initiatives. PR exercises threaten to overshadow serious policy debate in Malaysia. Given this political milieu, the annual budget announced last week was expected by most to be full of goodies for as many constituencies as possible. In that respect, Mr Najib exceeded expectations. Not only will 1.3 million civil servants get pay increases of between 7 and 13 per cent, their retirement age is being raised from 58 years to 60. Cheap loans for first-time house owners making less than RM3,000 (S$1,230) a month are being made available for properties up to RM400,000 while taxi drivers are being given various monetary aids.  Significantly, cash handouts to poorer households will benefit as many as 3.4 million families. That's 53 per cent of all households. And not only will subsidies for food and fuel be retained, as many as 85 subsidised grocery stores are to be set up throughout the country. The goodies list goes on. While one should not fault the government for helping the needy, it is difficult to see how with the 10 per cent increase in expenditure, the GDP deficit can still be brought down from 5.4 per cent to 4.7 per cent as is predicted. But those are figures for the future. For now, the stream of goodies flow. Something like 1.3 million students above the age of 17 will be given RM200 vouchers. These will include the many first-time voters that the opposition has for three years been trying to get to register to vote. Despite all this, the government still denies that what it has presented is an election budget. In fact, what the two-coalition system that has developed in Malaysian politics seems to have done is to put the country in a perpetual campaigning mode. So there is little need to deny that this most important of political weapons is not being used at this crucial time. Mr Najib is obviously aiming for numbers, structuring his budget to positively affect the wallets of as many voters as possible. He is targeting the Malay community where the battle for votes in the General Election will be strongest. The big question is whether it is enough. Will voters take the money and support the opposition anyway or will they think that the time for reforms is past and the piecemeal measures that Mr Najib is taking is all they should expect? As it is, these costly measures are bound to show tangible gains for the government. The resources available to the incumbent party should never be underestimated, and Mr Najib is now using them to generate immediate effect.  Nevertheless, the ball is now in the opposition's court. Pakatan Rakyat's strength lies in the promise of significant betterment of Malaysian life and it has to project a vision that takes voters beyond the tiresome slugging that characterises the country's day-to-day politics.  The coming campaign period is going to be an interesting one.

Detainee Dies In Kota Baharu Court Lock-Up Posted: 09 Oct 2011 03:32 PM PDT (Bernama) KOTA BAHARU -- A detainee was found dead in the Kota Baharu court lock-up, here on Sunday. Kota Baharu police deputy chief Supt Idris Abd Rafar said the 43-year-old detainee was found unconscious in the lock-up by a policeman on duty at 3pm. "The policeman had gone to the lock-up to bring him to Pengkalan Chepa Prison when he saw the detainee lying unconscious," he said. Idris said the body was sent to Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital, here. "Our investigation found there was no foul play involved and we have classified the case as sudden death." He said the detainee, from Kampung Badang, here, was arrested on Wednesday and charged in court today for an offence under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

'Money will not fall from sky' Posted: 09 Oct 2011 03:16 PM PDT (Harakah Daily) - Money will not fall from the sky. This is the reminder from PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, urging the public to be wary of the government 2012 budget which was focused on spending without income-generating plans. Tuan Ibrahim (right) repeated the description of the budget tabled by prime minister Najib Razak last Friday as 'morphine budget', and said Barisan Nasional was presently concealing any drastic plans to raise revenue until it won the 13th general election. "What has been given will be taken back immediately after 13th GE if they continue to be in power, because by then, the people will be forced to be under the BN government for another five years," he said. He expected BN to table more supplementary budget bills after the general election, saying this was to regenerate income to cover the 2012 budget expenses which was geared towards winning the election. Besides the goods and services tax (GST), Tuan Ibrahim said there was a high possibility that the six percent tax on prepaid mobile phones recently suspended would be reverted. Last week, Najib tabled RM238 billion budget, with RM181 billion for expenditure, and an economic projection of between 5 to 6 percent, as well as a shrinking of deficit to 4.2 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product) compared to 5.4 percent in 2011. "Regardless of its theme, the people are aware of the UNNO-BN's tricks and must not be fooled by this morphine injection," added Tuan Ibrahim.

‘Where’s the Auditor-General’s report?’ Posted: 09 Oct 2011 02:50 PM PDT By Patrick Lee, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat wants to know what has happened to the Auditor-General's (A-G) report which should have been presented in the Dewan Rakyat before the debate on Budget 2012. Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said that it was strange for Parliament to debate the budget before the A-G's report was presented. "Unfortunately, we are debating the budget today, but the Auditor-General's report has not been presented," Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat today. He said this while presenting his response to Najib's Friday announcement of Budget 2012. "To my understanding, perhaps the house secretary can check; (this has) not happened before… that the Auditor-General's report has not been presented before the budget was debated," he added. Anwar, the PKR-Permatang Pauh MP, asked if this was a government tactic to prevent MPs from discussing the A-G report's contents. The A-G's report is an internal audit of the government's departments. In previous years, the report has revealed financial irregularities and excesses in a number of government procurement processes.   READ MORE HERE.

Zahid says no cash for BAE warship deal Posted: 09 Oct 2011 02:07 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — The government will not proceed with plans to jointly develop navy ships with UK-based BAE Systems, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi said today. "They have proposed but because of financial constraints, we will not be proceeding," the defence minister said. British newspaper The Times reported last month that Malaysia was considering a number of defence joint ventures with the UK including the development of warships with BAE Systems. The UK paper reported however that the Malaysian government would want assurances that it would be protected from the type of budget overruns that had hit previous BAE projects. Zahid also said there was no progress on plans to replace the 10 MiG-29 fighter jets with the Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft.   READ MORE HERE.

Selangor Sultan backs Jais church raid, no one to be charged Posted: 09 Oct 2011 02:02 PM PDT By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider SHAH ALAM, Oct 10 — The Selangor Sultan ruled that the state religious authority's raid on Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on August 3 was legitimate. But Sultan Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said today that although the Selangor Islamic Religious department (Jais) had found evidence of attempts to subvert Muslims, it was "insufficient" for further legal actions. The state ruler said therefore no one would be prosecuted, and Jais will provide counselling to the Muslims who were present in the church during the raid. "Jais has submitted to Us the full report of the search carried out at the Dream Centre Complex, Section 13, Petaling Jaya as well as the subsequent actions taken by Jais. We have thoroughly read in detail the said report and We are satisfied that the actions of Jais were correct and did not breach any laws enforceable in Selangor," said a statement from the Selangor Sultan. The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) disrupted a charity dinner at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on August 3. Jais has said that it "inspected" the evangelical church — based in Petaling Jaya — after acting on a complaint that participants at the dinner were trying to convert the 12 Muslims present at the function to Christianity. Proselytising Muslims is against the law in Malaysia. The contentious raid has escalated religious conflict between Muslims and Christians in the country, with Malay newspapers highlighting allegations of Christians trying to convert Muslims through welfare work. The Selangor hearing working group recently met Jais and representatives from NGO Harapan Komuniti — which organised the dinner at DUMC — in a bid to resolve the debacle that has incensed Muslims and Christians against the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) administration. Harapan Komuniti — which helps AIDS patients and impoverished single mothers — has said it featured prayer, religious songs and a quiz on Islam at its dinner, but denied it was proselytising. MORE TO COME

Lawyer: PAS cannot go hudud Posted: 09 Oct 2011 03:27 AM PDT (The Star) - Despite the PAS bravado about implementing the hudud law in Kelantan without the approval of the Federal Government, it cannot be done unless the Federal Constitution and other laws are amended. Human rights and constitutional lawyer Syahredzan Johan said the barriers set by the Federal Constitution and other legal provisions governing Islamic laws made it impossible for PAS to make its hudud plan a reality. He said the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 provided limits to the jurisdiction of Syariah Courts in meting out punishment. "Under the Act, Syariah Courts cannot mete out punishment of a jail term exceeding three years, fine of more than RM5,000 or whipping of more than six strokes, or any combination thereof. "Under hudud, there are punishments such as stoning or amputation," he said. Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat had said that the state government would set up a special technical committee to implement the hudud law. Syahredzan said hudud law also violated the provision on equality under the Federal Constitution that stipulates everyone is equal before the law. "The punishment for a Muslim under hudud could be more severe than for a non-Muslim for the same offence," he said. Since the hudud jurisdiction is non-discretionary, Syahredzan said any person convicted would have no room for appeal. "Although it takes a lot to convict a person since the evidential burden is quite high, it may also expose a Muslim suspect to double prosecution and punishment, one under the civil law and one under hudud," he said. DAP national chairman Karpal Singh also said it was wrong for the Kelantan government to say that it was ready to implement hudud without the approval of the Federal Government. He said it was not the Federal Government's place to sanction hudud as it was the Constitution which must be amended. "As for DAP, we have reiterated that hudud is unconstitutional. Pakatan Rakyat leadership needs to sit down and find ways to overcome this," he said. MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong called on Pakatan to come clean and inform the people of its stand on PAS. "Is Kelantan a Pakatan or PAS government. Pakatan must answer this question. Is PAS part of Pakatan?" he questioned.

Navaratnam: Budget must protect against declining world economy Posted: 08 Oct 2011 07:43 PM PDT By Pauline Wong, The Sun PETALING JAYA (Oct 9, 2011): While the 2012 Budget is full of goodies obviously intended to prepare for the next General Election, it must also protect the Malaysian economy against the declining global economy. Centre for Public Policy Studies chairman Tan Sri Dr Ramon Navaratnam (pix) said it was a "goodie budget" aimed at the lower income group. "That is right and proper, but the budget should also look into longer term measures to defend the resilience of the Malaysian economy," he told theSun. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in tabling the budget, provided optimistic figures as to the expected growth of the economy, with per capita income expected to increase to RM28,725 in 2011 compared to RM26,175 in 2010, said Navaratnam. The premier also estimated economic growth to remain strong in face of world economic slowdown, with growth of 55 to 5.5% in 2011. However, Navaratnam cautioned that the Prime Minister cannot take Malaysia's financial strength for granted. "Najib must ensure that he maintains fiscal and financial discipline to withstand the global decline, because if the economy continues its downward slide, the figures may change. "Revenue must be increased, and the goods and services tax must be considered after the Elections. Expenditure must also be cut in non-priority sectors, for while it is beautiful to build castles, we cannot ignore the poor or afford to give less priority to the lower income bracket," he said. The prominent economist and former Transparency International Malaysia president also said he would have liked to have seen more allocations made to strengthen government institutions. "For example, more funds to the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission to counter corruption, which had an adverse effect on the economy; or more allocations to strengthen the judiciary to build investor confidence. "The budget needs to also focus not only on expenditure but must be concerned with the benefits thereof," he urged. He called on Najib to further liberalise the budget to increase meritocracy, competition, and productivity so that the ensuing output would be enhanced to counter growing inflationary pressures.

Najib says BN not just for rural folk Posted: 08 Oct 2011 06:18 PM PDT By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak called on Barisan Nasional (BN) to not only be a "rural party" and reach out to the middle class and intellectuals. "We don't want BN to be a party only supported by rural folk. We want the middle class and intellectual groups to support us as well. "We want BN to be supported by all groups," the prime minister said at the BN Federal Territory Information session here, attended by about 8,000 of its members. Najib has announced a raft of reforms over the past few months, including a Malaysia Day address where he pledged to amend and repeal several security and press laws including the controversial Internal Security Act. He has also set up a parliamentary select committee to look into improving the electoral system in what is seen as a major concession to electoral reform movement Bersih. His administration had come under heavy fire for its clampdown on the Bersih 2.0 rally for electoral reform on July 9, which saw thousands of middle class Malaysians join the march in the capital. Bersih has claimed some 50,000 people took part in the street demonstration but official police figures place the number closer to 6,000. Police fired water cannon and tear gas to disperse the marches in chaotic scenes that resulted in over 1,500 people arrested, scores injured and the death of an ex-soldier. Najib earlier highlighted the importance of only fielding "winnable candidates" in the next general election. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassan had previously acknowledged that there may be dissatisfaction among Umno leaders who are not chosen or are dropped as candidates, but maintained that the party leadership will be able to keep things under control. "If we play, we play to win," Najib said today. The Umno president said the ruling coalition should put forth a set of criteria for candidates in order to find the "winnable" individuals that will power them to victory in the next elections.   READ MORE HERE.

Putting Pakatan's "Flawed Budget" Under Scrutiny Posted: 08 Oct 2011 05:59 PM PDT (Bernama) - KUALA LUMPUR, 9 OCTOBER, 2011: In trying not to miss the boat, the opposition has also scrambled to bring out what it called "a budget that ensures prosperity for all". But beyond the lofty promises and glossy numbers, the so-called shadow budget, if ever it is implemented, could hurt rather than benefit ordinary Malaysians. Unlike Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak's all-encompassing Budget 2012, which deliberately opted for a mildly expansionary approach to ensure economic growth continues, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has taken a more cautious and hawkish stance.   Under Najib's budget, the economy is forecast to grow at a respectable 5.0 to 6.0 per cent. Under Pakatan's plan, the growth momentum could slow sharply to 4.0 to 4.5 per cent, down from 5.0 to 5.5 per cent in 2011. In fact, political analysts said the opposition's budget document had the hallmarks of the orthodox International Monetary Fund (IMF) prescriptions for Malaysia when Anwar was the finance minister during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis before he was sacked. Those bitter pills include pushing interest rates sky high, tightening bank lending, raising import duties and sharply cutting back on public infrastructure spending, thus putting sharp brakes on the economy.  Malaysians who lived through the crisis more than a decade ago will not easily forget those gripping pains they had to endure. For a start, Pakatan Rakyat, the coalition of opposition parties, has envisaged a RM220-billion budget for 2012, much smaller than the government's RM232.8-billion budget. But its forecast of government revenue of RM181 billion is way off the mark. The government had said that its revenue could top RM187 billion next year. Najib opted to spend more in 2012 (up from this year's RM212 billion) to stimulate domestic demand and investments. Furthermore, the country's economic fundamentals remain on a strong and solid footing. Inflows of foreign direct investment have regained momentum. Foreign Direct Investment increased six-fold to RM29 billion in 2010, the highest growth in Asia. In the first half of 2011, FDI surged further by 75 per cent to RM21.2 billion compared with RM12.1 billion for the corresponding period in 2010. However, Najib has given an assurance that the government would continue to remain fiscally prudent and keep a tight rein on the fiscal deficit. There are a few other examples how life would be difficult under the opposition budget plan. Firstly, the relatively smaller subsidy allocation of RM22 billion against the government's RM33.2 billion would mean more people, especially the poor, would have to struggle to make ends meet amid the rising cost of living. In his "People's Budget", the prime minister deliberately outlined each essential item that would continue to be subsidised by the government. It is not unusual for Malaysians, including the rich, to take these subsidies for granted. These subsidies include petrol, diesel, cooking gas, natural gas, sugar, rice, flour, and electricity bills.   And Pakatan's proposed cut of a whopping RM10 billion off the Prime Minister's Department (JPM) allocation next year could deprive thousands of JPM staff of their monthly salaries. JPM forms the backbone of the nation's economic and government policy-making and implementation. Perhaps the most controversial of Pakatan's budget proposals was to set the minimum wage at RM1,100 to wean off the over-dependence on foreign workers. However, many commentators felt that the threshold was blunt and socio-economically flawed. The threshold, as it stands, is way above the current market rate for unskilled labour. It is absurd to expect a sudden big jump in wages even for unskilled labour without taking into consideration any direct and indirect impact on labour demand, inflation and productivity.  A better approach would be to allow gradual increase in the minimum wage level over a three-year period. Interestingly, the RM1,100 minimum wage will also benefit some 300,000 civil servants who are in the lower-income group. This proposal and other special welfare payments plans for children, senior citizens and women, all to be paid annually, have raised concerns of the country's financial sustainability under Pakatan.    "We can only distribute money when we are having a fiscal surplus or it might further burden the country," columnist Lim Sue Goan wrote in the MySinChew.com column. Paying special attention to the civil service by dangling a RM5.9-billion carrot to them is also puzzling as Pakatan had made it clear from the start that the civil service is already bloated and needs to be trimmed. Perhaps one would question the true motivation of Pakatan in taking such a populist posture to woo back civil servants. At the end of the day, it's a case of Pakatan spending cash that it doesn't have and its budget remains overshadowed by the Barisan Nasional government's pragmatic socio-economic blueprint.

Utusan says Manoharan let off hook to save Guan Eng Posted: 08 Oct 2011 05:57 PM PDT By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Utusan Malaysia said today DAP's lifting of assemblyman M. Manoharan's suspension was to "save" Lim Guan Eng from facing disciplinary action over his recent Johor remarks. The Umno-owned newspaper said that suspending the Kota Alam Shah representative "will invite pressure from a lot of people" especially Indians. "Manoharan has only been freed to save him. The party had missed the opportunity to show that they are not racist. DAP's leadership can sense that the suspension will spark more dissatisfaction among Indian members and supporters. "Guan Eng is again shielded. Other than being Kit Siang's son, and holding an important position, his skin is lighter than Manoharan's," Awang Selamat, a pseudonym used by the newspaper's editors, wrote in its weekend edition Mingguan Malaysia. Awang said the DAP secretary general had committed a much more serious offence as compared to Manoharan who had called for the national flag to be changed. "There are people who saw Guan Eng's actions as an attempt to sabotage Johor's economy and to ruin the country's image. "Guan Eng's actions shocked Malaysians especially Johor residents. A lot of people were hurt including the Johor Sultan, and the police who have worked hard to reduce the crime rate in the state," he said in his column. Although Lim had apologised on September 30, Awang said his method was "not gentlemanly" as the Bagan MP had blamed the media for playing up the issue. READ MORE HERE.

Bersih: Police corporal ‘scapegoat’ in Tung Shin scandal Posted: 08 Oct 2011 05:55 PM PDT By Lisa J Ariffin, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Bersih 2.0 said today authorities have made a scapegoat of the policeman held solely responsible for firing tear gas into Tung Shin Hospital during the July 9 rally for free and fair elections. "This is ridiculous. Everyone saw ... the whole world saw the video. The poor guy is the scapegoat. "If you say just one, did they really do a proper investigation? How can they say it's one?" Bersih steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah told The Malaysian Insider. Kuala Lumpur police had said yesterday that the police corporal who breached standard operating procedure (SOP) during the rally would be disciplined. "Just like the minister of health (Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai) who denied Tung Shin was attacked by police, this is a denial that more than one police officer was involved," Chin added. In a report made public on Tuesday, the Health Ministry had determined that police acted in an unethical manner and breached SOP when dispersing demonstrators who had converged on the hospital to escape riot police. The report prompted a statement from Home Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Mahmood Adam that the matter would be referred to the police disciplinary committee.   READ MORE HERE.

Police, protesters clash at US capital museum Posted: 08 Oct 2011 03:40 PM PDT (Reuters) - Authorities shut down Washington's popular National Air and Space Museum yesterday afternoon after antiwar protesters tried to enter the building and clashed with guards, a museum spokeswoman said. One person was arrested during the melee at the Smithsonian museum involving between 150 and 200 protesters and six guards, museum spokeswoman Isabel Lara said. "There was a lot of shoving going on," Lara said, adding one of the guards was surrounded and used pepper spray before the demonstrators were moved outside. She said she was not aware of any injuries. The shoving match broke out in a vestibule between two glass doors at the museum entrance after guards told the protesters they could not enter with signs, Lara said. Protest organisers said the attempt to enter the museum on the National Mall was part of the Occupy D.C. antiwar demonstrations that began on Thursday on the 10th anniversary of the start of the Afghanistan war. "Along with the Occupy Wall Street movement, it represents an upswell of people taking to the street around the country to demand social and economic justice as well as an end to the immoral wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," organisers said in an e-mail sent to Reuters. "It is outrageous that the security guard of a major museum in America pepper sprayed Americans as they entered the museum. The drones housed in this museum and the pepper spraying of Americans at the door are clear evidence of repression in America," Retired Colonel Ann Wright said in the e-mail. Drones are armed tactical unmanned planes used by the US government to track and attack insurgents overseas. The museum, which draws 8 million visitors a year and is the most visited Smithsonian Institution museum, was shut down at 3:15pm (1915 GMT). Lara said it would reopen today. NYC protesters may expand Anti-Wall Street protests continued in New York City yesterday and in other US cities, although crowds outside New York have been much smaller. "We're tired of other people controlling, or thinking they control, our lives and our livelihoods," said Kristin Thompson, a 22-year-old preschool teacher and one of 100 protesters in Mobile, Alabama. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, about 250 protesters lined the streets outside a Bank of America branch, waving signs at passing vehicles. Participants said they had been summoned via social network Internet sites, labor organisers, the liberal website MoveOn.org and members of the local Green Party. "We are all in this together," said Ramona Beene, 45, who owns a cake company. She said her two college-age children were "spending thousands of dollars and won't have jobs after they graduate." In New York, hundreds of protesters marched from lower Manhattan to Washington Square Park in the Greenwich Village neighbourhood — the site of protests against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s — to discuss expanding their encampment to other sites. Lucas Vasquez, a student leading the march, said protesters were looking at expanding into Washington Square and Battery Parks, but stressed, "We're not going to give up Liberty Plaza" — the protesters' name for Zuccotti Park near Wall Street, where about 250 have camped out around the clock. "It's sometimes hard to move around there. We have a lot of people," he said.

Malaysia asked for more information on nude squat case Posted: 08 Oct 2011 02:03 PM PDT (The Straits Time/Asia News Network)- Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA) has written to the Malaysian High Commission seeking details of an investigation into how two Singaporean women were treated while in detention in a Johor lock-up. An MFA statement released on Friday said there was an understanding with the Malaysian authorities that they would let Singapore know the results of the investigations as soon as it was ready, but they had not received any to date. Instead, findings of Malaysia's probe into the highly-publicised matter were announced in their parliament session earlier this week, when a Home Ministry statement cleared the officers involved in the June incident of any wrongdoing. "Following media reports in Malaysia that the Malaysian authorities have provided a reply to a Parliamentary question on the same case, MFA has asked the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore to provide more information," the statement said. The two Singaporean women were driving into Johor Baru for supper on June 9 when they went through an unmanned checkpoint lane and entered Malaysia without getting their passports stamped. Realising what had happened, the pair did a U-turn and approached some Malaysian officers who questioned them and sent them to a detention centre in Pontian. There, the women claimed they were made to strip and asked to do 10 squats each while pulling their ears – acts which have been roundly criticised on both sides of the Causeway as inhumane and humiliating. But, on Wednesday, Malaysia's Home Ministry, in a written reply to a question by opposition Member of Parliament Fong Po Kuan, said the checks were done in a "good and orderly fashion". According to online newspaper Malaysian Insider, the ministry said the inspection was carried out according to standard operating procedures, such as having the women examined by a female officer. — The Straits Times /Asia News Network

No joy for Sarawak Posted: 08 Oct 2011 01:31 PM PDT By Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING:  Sarawak has not been given much attention by the Barisan Nasional-led government in the Budget 2012 although the state's rural areas are being touted as the coalition's 'fixed deposit',  claimed Sarawak DAP. Said state DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen: "There is nothing much in the budget, except for the mention of building some roads, supply of electricity and water to the rural areas. "Even then we don't know the amount as we have to share with Sabah. Given 20% of the RM232 billion of the total expenditure is for development, how much can Sarawak get for its development? "In this type of budget, Sarawak roads will remain substandard forever. The amount of money given to Sarawak for its development does not commensurate with its contribution to the national coffers." Chong, who is the Bandar Kuching MP, was commenting on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's   Budget 2012 announcement on Friday. "For the past 14 years, the nation has (accumulated) a total deficit amounting to more than RM436 billion. "The next year's budget has lot of goodies. Where will money for all these come from? And I think the only way for the government to finance all these is to obtain loans. "We expect to incur RM45 billion deficit, and if you add this, our deficit will easily come to RM500 billion. "This will be more than 50% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product)," he said. Unhealthy budget Reflecting on Greece's experience, Chong said the country went bankrupt when its deficits reached 67% of its GDP. "We are very near towards that direction… this budget is  a very unhealthy one. "Eighty percent of the nation's budget is for administrative operations and emolument, while only 20% is for the development fund," he said. Chong believes a balance budget should be one that allocates 60% for administrative operations and 40% for development. He said development projects such as roads will help to stimulate the economy adding that the current imbalanced budget had been going on for the past few years due to the over-sized civil service. "For this year, we see the emolument of 1.2 million civil servants, and the amount spent on this is more than the whole amount of development fund for the whole country. "This is very inefficient use of money. That is really shocking," he added. Deafening silence on anti-corruption Chong welcomed the government's allocations of fund for Chinese and mission schools and RM500 for a poor family, RM100 for each school child  and RM200 each for university students, pointing out that the only good feeling is that something is better than nothing. "But the government can't really solve the financial burden of the poor.  It does not address the poverty issue unlike our Alternative Budget.   READ MORE HERE.

In quest to regain Selangor, Najib uses Budget as soapbox Posted: 08 Oct 2011 11:51 AM PDT By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA SELANGOR, Oct 9 — Two hours before Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim showed up in Ijok yesterday, Datuk Seri Najib Razak was already in the Selangor mentri besar's constituency, promising pay increases and clean water and electricity. Just the day before, the prime minister has tabled a record RM230 billion budget. Yesterday, Najib talked mostly in terms of hundreds and thousands of ringgit instead to voters who handed Malaysia's richest state to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in 2008 on the back of rising costs and unhappiness over government wastage. Najib told Ladang Tuan Mee estate workers in Ijok, where Khalid won by less than 2,000 votes in 2008, that they would see their pay rise by RM200 per month after "approaching every estate owner to increase their salaries." To much applause, he reiterated his budget promises, telling those in estates that they will receive clean water and electricity. From Ijok, to Rawang and then Gombak — all PR-held constituencies — he repeated the same script, touching on the RM500 payment to all households earning below RM3,000, RM100 to students and hikes in civil servant wages and pensions. Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim also visited his Ijok constituency yesterday. — Picture by Choo Choy May Despite doubts over Budget 2012's growth and deficit forecasts, Najib is brandishing it to convince fence-sitters in semi-rural areas to swing back to the ruling coalition. Khalid, on the other hand, arrived late to meet old folks from Ijok for the Jom Shopping programme which hands out RM100 shopping vouchers to those aged over 60. According to the state government, some 170,000 senior citizens, which the mentri besar admitted "are our weak link," are registered under the programme. Instead, he left his wife, Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut, at Tesco Kuala Selangor to mingle while he rushed off to Gombak, defending yet another seat from Najib's onslaught.   READ MORE HERE.

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