Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Chua Soi Lek challenges Islam
- Seksualiti Merdeka not a 'free sex party', says Marina
- Hands off Islamic rituals, Muslim NGOs tell faith council
- Marina Mahathir livid over ‘free sex’ slur on Seksualiti Merdeka
- Taib’s son awarded millions in govt contracts
- China to inject over 1 trln yuan into money market
- Malaysia remains rich but also intolerant, says new study
- GE13: Bersih backs MCLM’s stand
- Boycotting polls not the answer, says Fuziah Salleh
- Tenaga faces cash shortage
- The battle for Malaysia starts with Selangor
| Posted: 07 Nov 2011 04:08 AM PST
(The Star) - The DAP must first explain how hudud law will not affect the Chinese community before it asks for their support in the general election, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said. In throwing the challenge, he pointed out that the Federal Constitution should be amended if the country was to be turned into an Islamic state that paved the way for hudud's implementation. "As such, how can the DAP say that the Chinese will not be affected by such amendments?" he asked, adding that the DAP was either insulting the people's intelligence or blinded by its quest for power – both done at the expense of the community.  Popular leader: Dr Chua greeting a party member while Kong looks on at the Lido Restaurant in Sitiawan yesterday. Speaking at a luncheon with Lumut MCA division members here yesterday, Dr Chua said the DAP should not offer the excuse that PAS needed at least two-thirds in Parliament to pass any amendment to the Constitution, and that the DAP would not support such an amendment. "There is no valid reason for the Chinese to support DAP, PAS or Parti Keadilan Rakyat as by doing so, the community is only helping to make PAS' dream of a hudud state nearer to reality," he said. Dr Chua said the DAP did not have the interest of the Chinese at heart when it collaborated with PAS. "The DAP wanted the Chinese votes to survive, and at the same time it worked with its enemy (PAS)," he said. Dr Chua also challenged the DAP to name Pakatan Rakyat's prime minister should the Opposition come to power. He said until and unless the DAP could do this, it was not in a position to assure the Chinese that their interests would be taken care of. Meanwhile, Lumut MP Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the people should know the consequences, if not the risks, if they supported Pakatan. He said the DAP could give excuses to gain the people's support but the facts speak louder. He, too, pointed out the hudud issue as a good example. Kong, who is also the Perak MCA deputy chairman, said if Pakatan came into power, it would table the proposed amendments to the Constitution in Parliament and pave the way for hudud's implementation. He said the DAP should explain to the people what the reality was if such a proposal was tabled. "Can the DAP guarantee that they could not get the two-thirds support to pass the Bill?"
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| Seksualiti Merdeka not a 'free sex party', says Marina Posted: 06 Nov 2011 08:23 PM PST
(The Star) - Seksualiti Merdeka is about discussion and spreading awareness on the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender (LBGT) community and not a free sex party, said Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir. Marina, who has launched the event the past two years, said she was upset with the unfair reporting by certain quarters, portraying the event as a "pesta seks bebas". "In the past two years, the event was held without a hitch. It only discussed human rights from the LBGT (lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender) community," said Marina. She added that the event was filled with talks and activities to spread awareness on the LBGT and also sexual orientation. She said this after police recorded statements from former Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga, Tenaganita executive director Irene Fernandez, Empower Malaysia executive director Maria Chin Abdullah, and Seksualiti Merdeka co-founder Pang Khee Teik. All of them had their statements taken at the Tenaganita office here Sunday. Ambiga said the LBGT community is a minority that faces discrimination daily and such irresponsible reporting could cause more harm than good. "The Mak Nyah (transexuals) are one of the minorities, who face a lot of discrimination and some of them even get beaten up for being themselves. "I am seriously concerned that labelling them negatively can lead to them being abused more frequently," she said adding that she would take legal action if such reporting continued. Pang said he would meet with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar in the next three days to clarify the intentions of the event. "We are not a perhimpunan haram (illegal gathering) or a pesta seks bebas like certain quarters have suggested," he said. Seksualiti Merdeka, an event organised by a coalition of NGOs, artistes, activists and individuals, have described themselves as "Malaysia's only festival celebrating the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientation". The event has been held annually since 2008, and was supposed to host a series of activities to last until Nov 13 at the Annexe Gallery of Central Market here.
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| Hands off Islamic rituals, Muslim NGOs tell faith council Posted: 06 Nov 2011 08:07 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Three Muslim groups cautioned the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) against interfering in Islamic matters after the national faith council questioned the slaughter of cows in school grounds for Aidil Adha. Last Friday, the non-Muslim faith council called on the authorities to end the ritualistic sacrifice of cows in school grounds and institutes of higher learning, saying such public spaces were unsuitable for a ceremony that was observed by only one community. "MCCBCHST should appreciate Muslims' tolerance and not interfere in the affairs of other religions," Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) and Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (PUM) said in a joint-statement today. "MCCBCHST should also co-operate as Muslims co-operate with followers of other religions, such as when Hindus celebrate Thaipusam, the Chinese celebrate the lantern festival, the Taoists celebrate the hungry ghost festival," they added. The trio advised the non-Muslim faith council to follow the examples of their peers in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia and not to raise "trivial matters that shamed society here". But the MCCBCHST said the activity ignored the sensitivity of Malaysia's multiracial and multicultural student population, and warned it could "escalate into something undesirable in the future". Aidil Adha, also called Hari Raya Korban locally, is among the biggest religious events celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It marks the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah. Frequently, livestock such as goats and cows are sacrificed during the festival to commemorate the animals Allah provided for Ibrahim to give up in place of Ismail. But Hindus regard the cow as a sacred animal.
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| Marina Mahathir livid over ‘free sex’ slur on Seksualiti Merdeka Posted: 06 Nov 2011 07:34 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - An emotional Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir lashed out today at media reports describing "Seksualiti Merdeka" as a "free sex festival", and threatened to sue if the matter was not clarified. She told a media conference that "no words could describe" her anger at hearing the event being described as such on television station TV3 last night, and warned a reporter from the station of consequences if her statement today is misreported. "I have been looking at your face and we know who you are," the eldest daughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said during the press conference on the front porch of Tenaganita's headquarters here, visibly shaking with anger. Marina had turned up at the NGO's single-storey office on Jalan Gasing this evening to lend support to four fellow human rights activists who were being questioned by police over their involvement in the recently-banned sexuality rights festival. The four are Seksualiti Merdeka founder Pang Khee Teik, Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenavasan, Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez, and Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah. "I am here only as a supporter because two years ago, I officiated Seksualiti Merdeka without any incident," she said. Marina explained the event was not to promote free sex, but to help the marginalised lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community understand their legal rights. "It is an event to explain and educate them of their rights within the laws, and not outside. "So I am very angry, very angry, there are no words to describe, at certain parties calling this a free sex festival. You have nothing better to do? Nowhere here is free sex allowed... are you crazy to imagine this?" she charged.
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| Taib’s son awarded millions in govt contracts Posted: 06 Nov 2011 03:43 PM PST Most of the contracts were awarded without an open tender being called, claims the DAP. (Free Malaysia Today) - KUCHING: For the past five years, Chief Minister Taib Mahmud's son Abu Bekir has been the main beneficiary of millions of ringgit worth of government contracts awarded by the state government. Confirming widely speculated rumours here, the state government recently disclosed in its written answer to a DAP assemblyman that most contracts were awarded without an open tender being called. The contracts were awarded to two companies – Titanium Project Management Sdn Bhd and Woodville Construction Sdn Bhd. Titanium is linked to Abu Bekir. The revelations, according to Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, were "really shocking". "These details which are contained in the answers to my questions (submitted to the State Legislative Assembly) are really shocking," he said. Chong, who is also state DAP secretary, had put in his questions during the assembly's June sitting. He had written to ask the State Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister for a list of all contractors awarded by the state and federal governments for the construction and completion of bridges in Sarawak in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. He had also asked for the respective contract sums and actual sums of each bridge. Contracts to Titanium Chong also wanted to know whether the awards of these contracts were carried out pursuant to an open tender process and, if so, what were the criteria and consideration for appointment of these contractors as the main contractors for these bridges. "Basically, there are two companies given the state projects to build bridges in Sarawak without open tender. "One was Woodville Construction which is owned by Shin Yang group of companies and the other was Titanium Project Management which is owned by Abu Bekir, son of the chief minister," he said. Woodville Construction was given two projects worth RM217,500,000 while Titanium Project Management was awarded one contract. In 2008, the Titanium Project Management was awarded a contract to design, construct and complete bridges and culverts to replace temporary and semi-permanent council bridges and some Public Work Department bridges in Sarawak. "Under this contract, a few hundred bridges were given to Titanium Project Management to construct, and the value of the contract is RM1,178,410,000," he said, pointing out that this was "almost a monopoly" in the construction of bridges. "What is shocking is that the state projects were awarded to Abu Bekir and Shin Yang companies not through open tenders unlike the federal projects. "This is totally against the principle of fairness and transparency in awarding government contracts. "If you remember in 2001, the government contract was given to Titanium Management to construct 384 bridges at the cost of RM500 million. "In 2006, the company constructed only 332 bridges or about 80 percent of the bridges, but the government has to pay the company RM948 million," he said.
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| China to inject over 1 trln yuan into money market Posted: 06 Nov 2011 02:09 PM PST (Reuters) - China is likely to inject more than 1 trillion yuan ($158 billion) into the money market in the next two months via annual subsidies from the Ministry of Finance, the official China Securities Journal on Monday quoted a research report as saying. The injection will help improve liquidity, which has been impacted by the government's tight monetary policy in place since October last year, the newspaper quoted the report by China International Capital Corp (CICC) as saying. The Finance Ministry typically offers subsidies to various industries and sectors in the last two months of each year as part of distribution of the government's annual tax income. The ministry does not publicise these subsidies but the market estimated they totalled 1 trillion-2 trillion yuan in 2010. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has not raised interest rates or bank reserve requirement ratios (RRR) since July in a sign that the government may be considering loosening its tight monetary stance amid the market turmoil sparked by the euro zone debt crisis. The central bank previously instituted a slew of rate and RRR hikes as inflation repeatedly hit three-year highs. Those steps offset the impact of liquidity injections via Finance Ministry subsidies late last year, but the market widely expects the PBOC will leave the subsidies to improve market liquidity this year, traders have said. ($1=6.34 Yuan) |
| Malaysia remains rich but also intolerant, says new study Posted: 06 Nov 2011 02:03 PM PST By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — Malaysia maintained its rank as the 43rd most prosperous nation, trailing behind Singapore at 16th but the latest index of overall wealth also ranked the country among the worst countries for personal freedom and democracy, while it also scored poorly for security and the educational levels of workers. It was also found that Malaysians did not trust each other and generally did not welcome outsiders. Overall, Malaysia was a more prosperous nation than its other Asean neighbours such as Thailand which came in at 45 out of 110 countries. The London-based think-tank Legatum's Prosperity Index assesses 110 countries based on performance in eight areas such as economy, personal freedom, health and social capital. This year, Norway tops the list of 110 countries while Central African Republic came in last. Norway also topped the previous year's list. Malaysia's economy is ranked at 17th, the strongest sub-sector, and the report said Malaysia's economy performed well and there is a "high level of public confidence" in the financial sector. Despite Malaysia's positive ranking in the economy sub-sector, the country scored 35th in the governance sub-sector. The report said that objective and subjective indicators give a mixed account of Malaysia's governance. "Malaysia places 72nd, globally, for the strength of its democracy. The bureaucracy is the 28th most efficient in the world; however, following a period of significant political unrest in 2008 the political system underwent substantial change," the report said. On entrepreneurship and opportunity, Malaysia ranked at 36th. The report said Malaysia's ICT infrastructure encourages commercial activity. "Although only 1 per cent of GDP is spent on R&D, Malaysia maintains a very high level of ICT exports, placing it third on this variable both globally and regionally," the report said. On the education and health indicator, Malaysia ranked 46th. The report said the limited enrolment at high education levels means Malaysian workers are relatively poorly educated. The report also said that perhaps the low health expenditure per capita contributed to only "moderately good" indicators of public health, the report said. However, Malaysia was let down by personal freedom — its worst-performing indicator — ranking only 96th in the sub-index. The report said although Malaysians enjoy a fairly high level of civic choice, they do not welcome "outsiders". "In a 2010 survey, 77 per cent of respondents expressed satisfaction with their level of individual freedom, placing Malaysia in the top 50 countries of the index on this variable. However, this level of freedom does not create a tolerant society," it said. Malaysia is considered under the "weak" category in this sub-sector, along with Thailand, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Pakistan. The safety and security as well as social capital categories also dragged down Malaysia's overall ranking, with the country placing 53rd and 75th respectively. The report said despite overall stability, Malaysia experiences some political pressures, and citizens feel unsafe. "The average levels of internal displacement and communal conflict place Malaysia 53rd for demographic instability, which may result from border disputes, ownership or occupancy of land, access to transportation outlets, control of religious or historical sites, or proximity to environmental hazards," it said. The report also said Malaysians feel "unable to trust or rely on others", indicating a lack of social cohesion.
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| GE13: Bersih backs MCLM’s stand Posted: 06 Nov 2011 01:46 PM PST By Stephanie Sta Maria, FMT PETALING JAYA: Bersih 2.0 chairperson, S Ambiga, has thrown her support behind the Malaysia Civil Liberties Movement's (MCLM) stand to prevent the next general elections from proceeding before the necessary reforms are put in place. On Saturday MCLM president, Haris Ibrahim, said that MCLM had received "credible information" that Parliament will be dissolved on November 11 and that polling day would be fixed for December 10. He pointed out that any elections called before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) had completed its work will not be free and fair. Haris said MCLM will take all steps necessary to stop the general elections from proceeding before reforms are put in place. "Bersih 2.0 completely understands why MCLM has taken this stand," Ambiga told FMT. "They had done so based on information that the prime minister (Najib Tun Razak) will be calling for elections before implementing electoral reforms." 'PSC an eyewash' Last week the Election Commission (EC) told an online news portal that it would be conducting a briefing exercise for its electoral officers and is expected to complete it by the end of this month. Previously the nation went to the polls five months after the training was completed but the EC has remained mum over whether it is at the tail-end of preparations for the next general elections. Ambiga heavily stressed the importance of electoral reform and that Malaysia cannot go to the polls with the electoral roll in its current state. "There is certainly a feeling that there was no genuine intention to reform and that the PSC was just an eyewash. "The rakyat will definitely feel misled." "We accepted the setting up of the PSC in good faith and it will be a letdown for the rakyat if the elections proceed without any electoral reform," she said grimly. Ambiga confirmed that she, as well as other Bersih 2.0 Steering Committee members, will be turning up at Parliament on November 11 when the PSC holds its first public hearing there. 'Rakyat will rise' Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) meanwhile has warned of the "largest mobilisation of rakyat" if polls are held before any reforms are in place. In a press statement SAMM reminded the government of the rising power of the people as clearly seen in Middle East earlier this year.
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| Boycotting polls not the answer, says Fuziah Salleh Posted: 06 Nov 2011 01:40 PM PST By Queville To, FMT PENAMPANG: Boycotting the general election as a means of expressing their dissatisfaction against the Barisan Nasional government is not the answer, said Kuantan parliamentarian Fuziah Salleh. "A boycott is out of the question…We believe in the power of the people, the voice of the rakyat. "So we would like to say to the government of day to think about the rakyat and do not underestimate or belittle the rakyat as they know better. "They want to see a fair election," said Fuziah, who was here recently. She did not rule out the possibility of Bersih 3.0 (rally) taking place, if the government and the Election Commission (EC) failed to meet the peoples' demand for genuine electoral reform, before the 13th General Election. She was responding to speculations that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak would likely dissolve parliament on Nov 11 and call for the 13th general election in December before electoral reforms are implemented. She said among the far-reaching reforms that were proposed was the the use of indelible ink to prevent the casting of votes by phantom voters. "By the time (if EC fails to carry out electoral reform) things will no longer be in our hands but in the peoples' hands. "The rakyat have shown what they are capable of (Bersih 1.0 and 2.0) so we don't know what will happen. "They want to see a fair election. It is not just Pakatan (Rakyat) but the people asking for it," said Fuziah who is also a PKR vice-president recently. Rakyat Reform Agenda PKR is not the first group to warn of further demonstrations to press for electoral reform in the country. Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) president, Haris Ibrahim, during a road show to introduce the group's "Rakyat Reform Agenda" (RARA) here in late September also warned of an imminent Bersih 3.0 if the government falters on the issue.
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| Posted: 06 Nov 2011 11:38 AM PST
(The Star) - The situation confronting the power sector is becoming more convoluted by the day. Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is crying foul over its cash running out as it struggles to pay for the high cost of alternative fuels. This follows another gas supply shortage occurring this time on a larger scale. There were suggestions of cost-sharing, based on the previous experience in 2002, on a ratio of 40:30:30, to be borne by the gas supplier Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), TNB itself and the independent power producers (IPPs). But that seems to have fallen on deaf ears. While TNB says it is no longer able to pay, the IPPs are saying there is obligation to pay. Meanwhile, Petronas says that up to August this year, it has already paid RM143.4bil in price differential, out of which RM103.2bil was for gas supplied to the power sector. Back in 2002, the country also experienced a gas supply shortage albeit on a smaller scale. The IPPs were forced to pay back based on the ratio of payment. "In those days, the perception was that IPPs made a lot of money at the expense of TNB,'' an analyst said, adding that the current situation was looking worse than before. "Now, the first generation IPPs are about to expire in 2015, so there is no need to squeeze them further.'' TNB is said to be paying RM400mil per month on the price differential between using distillates and gas as fuel. Research houses like Maybank Investment Bank (IB) Research are projecting that TNB's cash will run out in three to four quarters. "The IPPs are just offtakers of gas from TNB,'' said an analyst with a bank-backed brokerage. "The negotiations on gas prices are between TNB, Petronas and the Energy Commission. The shortage is so acute, with supply of less than 1,000 million std cu ft per day (mmscfd), this time. Due to the usage of distillates and oil, there is faster wear and tear. So the IPPs are also unhappy.'' The analyst suggested that TNB and Petronas each foot half of the bill as it was within its (TNB) right to ask Petronas to bear the cost. "The Economic Planning Unit had given the undertaking that TNB gets a certain amount of gas (1,250 mmscfd) from 2009 to 2011, and the power structure was based on that understanding. "By right, the Government has to pay the difference and TNB should be able to claim from Petronas,'' said the analyst. A source told StarBiz that the matter related to payment by the IPPs did not arise anymore, especially since TNB and the IPPs came together to issue a joint letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last week. Moreover, TNB did not seem to be pursuing the matter with the IPPs anymore, the source said. "The Government can raise tariffs, provide a subsidy to TNB and ask Petronas to pay for the gas shortfall. However, for TNB to make a cash call or do a rights issue to service working capital is a sure sign that things are not looking good. "As a monopoly company, they should not be making a cash call for working capital. The Government should take over the extra cost,'' said the analyst from Maybank IB Research. |
| The battle for Malaysia starts with Selangor Posted: 06 Nov 2011 11:25 AM PST By Shannon Teoh, Clara Chooi and Sheridan Mahavera, TMI KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — An inscription on a monument in Malacca describes how important the port city was to Europe in the 16th century: "Whoever holds Malacca, holds the throat of Venice". Four hundred years later, the same could be said of Selangor and its relation to Putrajaya. In May, Barisan Nasional supremo Datuk Seri Najib Razak told a gathering in the Selangor capital, Shah Alam, that the coalition must win the state back "with any weapon". Besides being the country's richest state, a quarter of Selangor's population are migrants as far as Perlis, Sabah and Kelantan. The money and the ideas that gestate in the Klang Valley are taken back to the most remote corners of Malaysia where they can be translated into votes. It is why Pakatan Rakyat (PR) activists are passing out packets of propaganda to youths and families travelling back to their kampungs so that the pact's message gets spread far and wide. "One of the ways we get old folks in the kampung to support us is to get our supporters, who work in the Klang Valley, to persuade their parents and relatives when they balik kampung," said Rosli Md Nor, a PAS activist in northern Johor when talking about strategy in rural areas. Political odds-makers like to claim that the PR can still retain Selangor. Their arguments are based on the assumption that the more urbanised a state, the more its residents have access to new ideas, hence the more pliable they are to PR propaganda. But this claim underestimates the complexity of the state's social landscape. As the movement of people, the competition for opportunities and the legacy of racialism interact in unexpected ways to influence how a Selangor resident votes. So while the profile of a Selangor voter can still be broken down by race, class and geography, the state's unique landscape makes it hard to stereotype them. Migration The industries and businesses in the Klang Valley pull between 20 and 25 per cent of the populations in what is considered the state's countryside such as Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Langat to work and reside in central Selangor. Dr Badrulamin Baharon, of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), said these migrants, 60 per cent of whom are young adults, are still registered as voters in their kampungs. Living in cities exposes them to new ideas and experiences which shape their political attitudes or, in many cases, challenge the presumptions that they were taught in their villages. During weekends, these youths bring these new perspectives back to their villages and spread them to their parents and relatives. This makes every area in Selangor a mixed constituency as the divide shrinks between urban and rural in terms of political attitudes. PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said that many urban poor in Batu Caves and Shah Alam, for instance, have been retrenched. This has consequences when they return to the rural areas to vote. "Those working-class Malays and Indians who come to the city have no other way out. They are affected most directly by inflation," said the Selangor PKR chief. Competition At the same time, being exposed to new ideas does not guarantee their acceptance as PAS and PKR has found out among urban, young Malays. The core PR concept introduced in the 2008 elections is its needs-based, colour-blind approach to policy, whether it's awarding contracts, civil service positions, scholarships or welfare handouts. This is in contrast to the BN, whose policies involve carving out allocating quotas based on race. Despite promoting its non-racial philosophy in Selangor, the PR still finds it hard to change mindsets rooted in the BN race-first paradigm, says Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad. "Malays can see the corruption and the wastefulness in BN. But they are unsure that voting for PR is the right solution. They have been told for 50 years that only Umno can help the Malays," said Khalid. The insecurity runs across racial boundaries. DAP central working committee member Gobind Singh Deo said poor Indians also feel the same way. "The fact is they cannot communicate. Poor Indians cannot speak anything but Tamil and it's the same with other races so it still leads to racial insecurity," the Puchong MP said. Many band together in their ethnic groups as they come from mono-racial villages and are thrust into a landscape where they come face-to-face and must compete with other races for opportunities, said Gobind. He added that the lack of mutual understanding at close quarters led to conflicts that voters looked to both BN and PR to solve.
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