| What are the Tans up to? Posted: 24 Aug 2011 05:02 AM PDT 
According to those close to Umno, this 'vote of confidence' by the Tan Brothers is proof that MCA is finished. The Tans, because of their very close association with Dr Mahathir, must know that MCA is going to be completely wiped out come November. So they can discount MCA and start working with Pakatan Rakyat, which is going to be the government in Selangor and Penang for some time to come. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin It is interesting to note that Danny Tan is making inroads in Selangor while Vincent Tan is returning to Penang after a 20-year absence from the state. And what is even more interesting is to see the Tans praise the Pakatan Rakyat state governments of Selangor and Penang.
To the Tans, this is merely business. Their RM850 million acquisitions will translate to RM4 billion worth of development projects. So it is all about making money, the thing closest to the hearts of the Tans. But to the Barisan Nasional politicians, especially to those in MCA, this is not just about making money. They are reading more into this exercise.
MCA is feeling rather worried. The MCA leaders smell a rat. This appears to be more than just about making money. This is about the Tans giving the Pakatan Rakyat state governments of Selangor a Penang what can be interpreted as a vote of confidence.
If, as many say, Barisan Nasional is going to grab back Selangor and Penang in the next general election expected on 11 November 2011 (11.11.11), soon after the October budget, why would the Tans want to do a deal with the Pakatan Rakyat state governments? The election is only three months away. Why not wait until Barisan Nasional kicks out Pakatan Rakyat and then make a deal with the new Barisan Nasional state governments? Why make a deal with the Pakatan Rakyat state governments just to see the government change even before the projects can get off the ground?
That is the question the MCA leaders are asking. And the fact that the Tans are seen as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's 'boys' makes this question even more relevant.
The MCA leaders feel they know the answer. And the answer is because the Tans think that Barisan Nasional is not going to grab back Selangor and Penang. Pakatan Rakyat is going to retain Selangor and Penang. And that is why, say the MCA leaders, the Tans are making deals with the Pakatan Rakyat state governments of Selangor and Penang.
A most interesting hypothesis indeed. Knowing that the Tans only make deals with those in power and not otherwise, this theory can be considered very sound and would make sense.
Say what you like, the Tans have a nose for smelling out power. They can smell power like the blue-arse fly can smell fresh shit. And if the Tans are prepared to make deals with the Pakatan Rakyat state governments of Selangor and Penang, then this can only mean that this is because Pakatan Rakyat is going to continue to rule Selangor and Penang come the next general election.
According to those close to Umno, this 'vote of confidence' by the Tan Brothers is proof that MCA is finished. The Tans, because of their very close association with Dr Mahathir, must know that MCA is going to be completely wiped out come November. So they can discount MCA and start working with Pakatan Rakyat, which is going to be the government in Selangor and Penang for some time to come. And if MCA is dead and buried, then Barisan Nasional can't possibly take back Selangor and Penang, two states that depend on Chinese votes, because Umno, on its own, and depending just on Malay votes, can't win states like Selangor and Penang.
MCA is also worried about one other thing. They are worried that once MCA is buried, DAP will emerge as the legitimate party to represent Chinese interests. And Barisan Nasional may invite DAP to become a component member of the ruling coalition like what happened to Gerakan soon after 1969.
That makes sense. The Sarawak state election has proven that DAP has the support of the Chinese. So, if MCA is killed off and DAP emerges as the party representing Chinese interests, then Umno will have to make a deal with DAP. And with DAP in Barisan Nasional, Umno does not need MCA or Gerakan.
All eyes are on PAS, watching whether that party will accept Umno's offer to form a unity government. Umno, however, realises that this is not going to happen. So they might as well not waste any more time with PAS. But while all eyes are on PAS, it may be DAP instead that Umno courts to join Barisan Nasional to make this unity government a reality.
We can pooh-pooh the idea and say that DAP will never join Barisan Nasional in a million years. But that does not stop Umno from thinking about it. And that also does not stop MCA from worrying about it. After all, in politics anything is possible and anything can happen.
It would not be impossible for the Tan Brothers to play the role of Dr Mahathir's emissary and act as the bridge between DAP and Umno. DAP is a realistic and practical party. With so many problems being faced by Pakatan Rakyat, in particular the ding-donging of PAS and the personal problems of Anwar Ibrahim, it appears like DAP is the only solid party in the opposition coalition. And this makes DAP a prize catch, especially with the possible demise of MCA and Gerakan.
So stay tuned and watch the hands of the Tan Brothers. Is this deal in Selangor and Penang only about business and only about making money? Or is it about "lets start with business and see whether it can extend to other things later"?
In the meantime, MCA is biting its nails and praying that this is not the beginning of the end for them. But with the PKFZ case about to become very embarrassing, this may not be that possible.
Dr Mahathir is going to have to decide whether he wants to clear his name or try to save MCA. If Dr Mahathir says he was not aware of what was happening and did not endorse the shenanigans, then MCA is dead because many of its leaders are going to go to jail. However, if Dr Mahathir tries to save MCA by saying he approved of what was happening, then Dr Mahathir will have his head in the noose instead.
The AG may have outdone himself here. We all know he is not the cleverest AG Malaysia has ever had. But he is certainly the most crooked in history. And with the help of the AG we may be seeing the death of either MCA or Dr Mahathir. And most likely Dr Mahathir would rather save his own neck at the expense of MCA's head.
And because of this the Tan brothers are making deals with the Pakatan Rakyat state governments. They are not going to wait for the government to change because they know it is not going to change. And with the vote of confidence they have given Selangor and Penang, we can assume Barisan Nasional is going to fail in its efforts to grab back these two states, which are the jewels in the crown. *****************************************
Dijaya to develop RM2.5b worth of projects in Subang
Dijaya Corp Bhd plans to develop properties valued at RM2.5 billion on its newly acquired land in Subang, Selangor.
Tropicana Subang Development Sdn Bhd, a Dijaya subsidiary, purchased four parcels of freehold land measuring 14.5ha from Chunghwa Picture Tubes (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for RM385.5 million on 9 June.
The property developer plans to convert the land sites at Pekan Country Heights Selangor into a mixed commercial and residential development.
"The residential development consists of condominiums, linked houses, semi-dees and bungalows, while the commercial development will feature retail, shopping mall and office lots as well as serviced apartments," it said.
"Development within the vicinity still offers an upside in terms of capital appreciation and yield due to the limited supply of sizeable development land that would allow a developer to plan for a comprehensive development."
Dijaya, which is famous for its flagship Tropicana Golf & Country Resort and Tropicana Indah Resort Homes development in the Klang Valley, said it is always searching for investment opportunities to expand the company's landbank.
"We will continue to build upon the group's signature resort-living concept. By following a plan of measured and sensible growth, we can bring our brand values to a wider scope of emerging markets," said Tan Sri Datuk Danny Tan, Group Chief Executive at Dijaya Corp. ****************************************
Berjaya Land returns to Penang
After staying away from the Penang property scene for more than 20 years, Berjaya Land Bhd (BLand) is returning in a big way. And it is picking up arguably the most controversial piece of real estate on the island to mark its return — a part of the Penang Turf Club (PNTC).
Opposition to an earlier planned redevelopment at PNTC was said to be one of the causes of the downfall of the previous state government.
The PNTC on Tuesday, Aug 16 sold a 57.3-acre (23.2ha) site on its grounds for RM459 million to BLand, which works out to RM184 per sq ft. BLand is said to have made the highest bid for the land parcel, which also saw other developers making equally competitive bids.
Berjaya group chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan said at the signing of the sale and purchase agreement between BLand unit Berjaya Land Development Sdn Bhd and the PNTC that BLand proposed to develop a low-density exclusive guarded and gated housing development comprising bungalows, semi-detached homes, two blocks of 10-storey condominiums and low-cost housing units. The project will have a gross development value of RM1.52 billion.
Tan is excited about his return to the Penang property scene after more than two decades.
"We were active in the property development scene in Penang during the time of the late Tun Lim Chong Eu. After his tenure, we were put off by the state leadership and I decided not to invest in Penang ever again.
"However, now, we have decided to come back here again. If there are any other opportunities, if the price is right and the location is right, we will invest in other projects here. We have every good reason to do so now," he said.
Tan said he was impressed with the level of cleanliness in Penang and that the state has done very well economically over the past few years, having attained the highest level in terms of investments in the country last year with RM12.2 billion.
He added that with Penang being an attractive location for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme and the strong demand for high-end landed properties in the state, the exclusive residences planned by BLand will further boost the value of the refined suburban housing in the area.
The PNTC borders Jesselton Heights, one of the most exclusive residential areas on Penang island.
The 57.3-acre site sold to BLand forms less than a quarter of the entire 259-acre turf club. The RM459 million paid by BLand is close to the RM488 million that the entire turf club was earlier proposed to be sold for, to privately-held Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd.
At that time, Abad Naluri was 25%-owned by Equine Capital Bhd, a Kuala Lumpur-based developer then helmed by well-connected businessman Patrick Lim.
Abad Naluri had signed an agreement with the PNTC in 2004 and paid an advance of RM10 million to acquire the entire 259 acres. In return, the company was supposed to build an equestrian and race course on a 300-acre site in Batu Kawan, on mainland Penang, for RM375 million, and hand it over to the PNTC by 2007. The balance of RM113 million was to be paid in cash to the club.
The turf club's 259-acre parcel had included about 60 acres of hill land that cannot be developed. The Abad Naluri deal valued the entire land at about RM43 psf. Based on the net developable land of about 175 acres, however, it worked out to around RM64 psf — a third of what BLand paid.
In 2004, Abad Naluri then planned a controversial RM25 billion development called Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) on the site. The high-density development was vehemently opposed by Penangites. It eventually died a natural death after the 2008 general election which saw the fall of the Gerakan-led Barisan Nasional state government.
Abad Naluri was given an extension of two years by the PNTC to complete the equestrian and race course in Batu Kawan after the initial deadline was not met.
The plans had been previously submitted to the Gerakan-led state government for the PGCC. However, the developer had failed to meet conditions set by the local authorities and was asked to resubmit its plan which it failed to do before the 2008 general election.
As there were no plans resubmitted to the local council under the new state government, the PGCC project failed to take off and Abad Naluri could not embark on the facilities in Batu Kawan.
Under the Penang Island Municipal Council's (MPPP) guidelines for the area, the proposed density, without taking into account hill land, is six units per acre with a height control of two stories. PGCC's earlier proposal was 36 units per acre inclusive of hill land and 54 units per acre excluding hill land.
Under the guidelines, the area nearest to Jesselton Heights must only have low-density development and only bungalows must be built. Abad Naluri had reportedly proposed to build almost 7,000 luxury units in 38 towers, including two iconic towers.
It was also reported that Abad Naluri had failed to include the affordable housing policy in the original development plan, and had only proposed to improve the six existing blocks of flats in Rifle Range and build 1,334 low-medium cost units to fulfil its obligations on MPPP-owned land in Rifle Range.
As the deal with Abad Naluri could not be fulfilled, PNTC called for new open tenders, paving the way for BLand's entry.
Berjaya's Tan expressed confidence that there would be no controversies arising from the proposed development.
Unlike the PGCC project which had featured two iconic towers each standing 200m high, Tan said this project has no commercial components and only consists of residential units.
"There is no controversy surrounding this project as we are not building high-rise towers and this project is strictly residential.
"We planned this project in accordance to the guidelines given by the authorities and I am confident that this property project will be developed," Tan said, adding that plans have yet to be submitted to the relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, PNTC operations advisor Robin Rizal P H Tan said there are no plans to relocate the turf club whose operations would not be affected by the project.
However, the proposed sale will affect the club's existing golf course. Nine of the 18 holes are part of the sale but the balance nine holes will still be maintained by the club.
|
| Hishammuddin receives two live bullets, death threat Posted: 24 Aug 2011 04:10 AM PDT 
The home minister says the items were in an envelope posted to his office in Putrajaya. (Bernama) - Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today received two live bullets with a threatening note in an envelope posted to his office in Putrajaya. The envelope, which was received at 2pm, also contained a booklet in which the handwritten note was slipped in. Met by reporters after attending a breaking of fast at the Al-Ikhlasiyah mosque di Pantai Dalam here, Hishammuddin, however, declined to say what were the contents of the note. "I can confirm that I received two live bullets together with a threatening note today. This is the first time I have experienced such a thing. "The envelope was received by an aide of mine and he has since lodged a police report," he said. Hishammuddin, however, said it would not dampen his spirit to continue discharging his duties as entrusted to him. "I view this as something serious. However, it will not deter me from carrying out my duties as entrusted to me by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. "This might be the work of some frustrated people, probably because they are not happy with the work we (home ministry) are doing. But I am unfazed by this threat," he added. |
| Poser over sperm survival: 36 or 65 hours? Posted: 23 Aug 2011 07:42 PM PDT 
By Teoh El Sen, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: An Australian forensic expert agrees today that sperm cells can be discovered inside a person's body up to 65 hours after sexual intercourse when testifying in the Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy II trial. Dr David Lawrence Noel Wells concurred with lead prosecutor Solicitor-General II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden when the latter pointed to a United Kingdom study published in the "Forensic Science International" journal in 1982. This contradicted Well's testimony yesterday which stated that sperm could only survive up to 36 hours. However, Wells, the head of forensic medicine at the Victoria Institute of Medicine, quickly cautioned that he, as well as most of those experts in his field, would put "reservations" on that finding as it was the only published case for over 30 years. "This particular 1982 paper is often quoted and it is quite depressing that in 30 years there's only one case. I would like to hear of one other case. The question is, how much weight should we put on this? Should we base all of our forensic findings on a single untested case?" asked Wells. Mohd Yusof also referred to an article in "Clinical Forensic Medicine" by WDS Mclay. The paper said research showed sperm may be identified and rectal swabs taken up to three days after anal intercourse even when defecation has occurred. The article also suggested that samples could be obtained even if an individual has showered. However, Wells stuck to his previous stand. "From my experience, to get an extraction after more than 20 to 36 hours is very rare. I have never heard of such a case. The single case was in 1982. The question is how much weight do you put on that case," said the expert in the field of sexual assault cases. Wells: It is exceedingly rare to get any results beyond 20 to 36 hours. Mohd Yusof: Then why do you think doctors suggest that swabs can be taken from the anus after three days up to 65 hours? This sample can even be taken when the victim has showered. Wells: The article you are quoting from also refers to the single 1982 case. Mohd Yusof: But can you say it's not possible. Wells: No I can't say. Doctor stumped Wells added that "in medicine, you sometimes have to be realistic. Why don't we collect toxicological samples from patients who consumed something two to three months ago? There's a reason for it". "I would not base a scientific premise on a single case; with some confidence I can say (in Anwar's case) that already we have a sample that is not dried and not frozen and kept at room temperature; the possibility is very small that you can extract a foreign DNA," said Wells. Wells added that there have been numerous attempts to test for sperm specimens 36 hours later, with "zero" results. READ MORE HERE. |
| ‘Pray Anwar does not become PM’ Posted: 23 Aug 2011 07:35 PM PDT  By Stephanie Sta Maria, FMT PETALING JAYA: Oposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's recent conduct in the High Court has so incensed Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali that the latter has put out a call for Malaysians to pray for the fomer's political demise. Anwar had delivered a hour-long statement from the dock on Monday denying that he had sodomised his aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, in 2008. His decision to make his statement from the dock meant that he could not be cross-examined. But numerous quarters questioned this move with his detractors surmising that his avoidance of cross-examination was reflective of his guilt. Ibrahim joined the criticism by branding this scenario as "truly insane". "Saiful took an oath sat in the witness stand and was questioned by Anwar's defence team. Anwar didn't take an oath, sat in the dock and delivered a speech about (fomer Russian dictator) Joseph Stalin, (former South African president) Nelson Mandela and conspiracy… all of which could not be cross-examined," he said. In his statement, Anwar had quoted the words of Mandela in his speech made from the dock during the Rivonia trial of 1963. His reference to Stalin was used to explain that Saiful was made to play helpless victim because the public would no longer believe the 1998 method of employing Stalin-like confessions. READ MORE HERE. |
| Putrajaya doles out RM1.4b to the underprivileged Posted: 23 Aug 2011 07:28 PM PDT  By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider PUTRAJAYA, Aug 24 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced today a RM1.4 billion welfare allocation to around 500,000 underprivileged recipients including senior citizens, the disabled and widows of army and police personnel. The allocation, to be disbursed monthly under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry's newly-launched initiative called Program Kebajikan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (KAR1SMA), was increased by RM200 million from last year's RM1.2 billion for 424,000 identified recipients. Najib (picture) said the increase in aid to the needy is in line with one of the main pillars of his administration's philosophy which is to uphold social justice. "The underprivileged represent a large group and without intervention, they will remain a marginalised and we would have failed to uphold social justice. "Today, now that we have changed the direction and focus of the government through the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), we have identified that a large part of our community consist of the marginalised and they need help so they can become independent... not always depending on the government but independent," he said during his speech at the launch. Najib added that despite the global economic crisis, Malaysia still remains in the position to not only offer but increase financial aid to the underprivileged. "In some countries, they have had to slash their pensioner funds and cut back on welfare aid. "So I hope now that those receiving aid will be inspired with new hope, skills and spirit, enabling them to contribute to their futures and that of the country," he said. READ MORE HERE. |
| THE JASMINE REVOLUTION IN SE ASIA: FACEBOOKED, TWITTERED AND RECAPPED Posted: 23 Aug 2011 07:20 PM PDT 
By Aid Nethelands Former deputy Prime Minister and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim however had a different take remarking that the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt should be a warning signal to other autocracies "whether in the Middle East, Pakistan or Southeast Asia". Anwar continued noting that the demise of regimes where corruption and nepotism flourished, should remind Malaysians that governments built on the suppression of citizens are always temporary. With the war in Libya reaching its conclusion, it now looks as if Colonel Gaddafi will be the next authoritarian leader in North Africa to fall as a result the remarkable events dubbed the Arab Spring or Jasmine Revolutions. As I noted back in March many both within Asia and beyond have asked whether such 'blossoming' of dissent and revolt could occur in the authoritarian and semi-authoritarian regimes of Northeast, Southeast and Central Asia. T his week the Center for Asian Democracy at the University of Louisville will host a workshop that will explore precisely that question. Entitled "The Jasmine Revolution and the 'Bamboo' Firewall: The impact of the Internet and new social media on political change in East Asia.", the workshop will host 13 scholars from prestigious academic institutions and non-profit organizations around the country to participate and explore the potential impact of technology on democracy in Asia. Next week I hope to share some of the workshop's findings with you, but for this week I am reposting the original blog entry from March… (with a few very minor amendments).
Over the past few months the international community has witnessed unprecedented political opposition and revolutions in the Middle East. Already this so called 'Jasmine Revolution' or 'Arab Spring' has overturned two of the countries long-standing political regimes, the Ben-Ali regime in Tunisia and more surprisingly the 30 year rule of strongman Hosni Mubarak in Egypt. In Libya it resulted in the descent to near Civil War between Muammar Qaddafi and pro-democracy rebels while its demonstration effects have incited and continue to incite protest in countries from Bahrain to Oman, and from Jordan to Morocco and Syria. Much of this caught everyone by surprise, be they academics, diplomats, journalists or policy advisors. Nevertheless this outburst of popular discontent reflects a number of long-term trends, most specifically a demographic explosion in the 1970s and 1980s means that an estimated 65 per cent of the region's population is under 30. While significant sums of money have been poured into education, both secondary and tertiary, youth unemployment is a major socio-economic problem with an estimated one in four unemployed. Such high levels of unemployment combined with pervasive levels of corruption, authoritarian political systems with extensive security surveillance and harassment, and the huge growth in the number of users of social network sites (Egypt has for example over 5 millon Facebook users of whom 58% are under 25) provided a potent combination the repercussions of which are still playing out as we speak. This begs the question as to whether such a popular uprising could happen in that other bastion of authoritarian and quasi-democratic regimes, Southeast Asia. Could the demonstration effects spread to countries as diverse as Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, among others? Leaders in these countries are clearly worried. Inn February the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib issued a stark warning saying "Don't think what is happening in Tunisia and Egypt will also happen in Malaysia.. We will not allow it to happen here". Former deputy Prime Minister and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim however had a different take remarking that the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt should be a warning signal to other autocracies "whether in the Middle East, Pakistan or Southeast Asia". Anwar continued noting that the demise of regimes where corruption and nepotism flourished, should remind Malaysians that governments built on the suppression of citizens are always temporary. In Cambodia, strongman Hun Sen, who has dominated national politics since 1989 and been Prime Minister since 1998, was even starker in his warnings stating on January 20th, in response to comments on a Radio Free Asia report that a Tunisian-like protest could occur in Cambodia. Hun Sen lashed out stating "I have to send a message to people who want to inspire a riot (like) in Tunisia … I will close the door and beat the dog," Again in contrast the embattled long-standing anti-corruption opposition figure Sam Rainsy echoed Anwar's views stated on February 2nd, the day pro-Mubarak forces attacked anti-Mubarak supporters in Tahir square, that "I see that it is not long … that there would be such a situation in Cambodia that is the same as Egypt and Tunisia, where people have ousted leaders from power." READ MORE HERE. |
| Contract in Malaysia helps Petrofac outshine forecasts Posted: 23 Aug 2011 07:10 PM PDT  By Yorkshire Post OIL services firm Petrofac has posted a forecast-beating first-half profit, after receiving a boost from its business in Malaysia. The company said it was confident that demand from national oil firms would continue to fuel future growth. Petrofac, which designs and builds oil and gas infrastructure and also invests alongside oil firms in oil fields, posted net profit of $246.3m for the first six months of the year, a 6.6 per cent rise on the previous year. This compared to a consensus forecast of $238m from a company-supplied poll of eight analysts. Profits in the FTSE 100 company's offshore engineering and operations business soared by more than 700 per cent reflecting strong activity levels in Malaysia, where it has a contract to develop oil and gas facilities for the country's state oil firm Petronas. The company said it was on track to double its 2010 earnings by 2015, a goal it announced in June. The company believes a recent contract win in Mexico validated its strategy of building up the part of its business which invests in oil fields to help national oil companies develop their reserves. "We are increasingly seeing resource holders who don't want to give up the title to reserves but do need expertise to help improve or develop their resources," chief financial officer Keith Roberts said. "Whether it's Malaysia, Petrom in Romania, now Mexico. This is a long-term systemic trend," he said, adding that the company also saw future opportunities for that part of the business in Iraq and Turkmenistan. "These positive results follow the potentially transformational production enhancement contract awards in Mexico... which will go some way toward delivering the group earnings growth target," said Evolution analyst Keith Morris. He added that Petrofac looks undervalued after recent poor share price performance. Shares in the company have fallen almost 20 per cent over the last month, broadly in line with recent sell-offs across the oil and gas sector. Petrofac also said it was on course to meet market forecasts for the full-year and it expected to deliver like-for-like net profit growth of at least 15 per cent in 2011. Numis analyst Sanjeev Bahl said he believed the company could beat that target given the first-half results |
| Multiracial Malaysia caught at economic crossroads Posted: 23 Aug 2011 06:57 PM PDT 
By Jennifer Pak, BBC News Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers have become a symbol of rapid development - but can Malaysia's rise to prosperity overcome cultural, religious and economic challenges? Malaysia is a complex country where race and religion are inextricably linked.
More than half of its 28 million people are Malay and, according to the constitution, must be Muslim.
Despite boasts about the country's diversity, there is little interaction between the different races, leading to an escalation of tensions in recent years.
Young Muslims in Malaysia are suffering from an identity crisis, says Amin Rahman from the Young Muslims Project.
The 29-year-old says he grew up bombarded with the message that Malay-Muslims need to protect their own interests from the Chinese and Indians.
That view is now being challenged by a stronger opposition party and easier access to alternative news sources.
"Suddenly we realize that Islam can be more inclusive of other races," Amin tells me.
"It is a lot of re-learning and re-understanding of our principles and our beliefs."
But many scholars say the ethnic divide is entrenched by an affirmative action policy favouring Malays.
Malay priority
Although they make up the majority, Malays are consistently poorer compared to other ethnic groups.
This led to race riots in 1969, in which dozens of people died and a state of emergency was called.
As an ethnic Chinese, Tony Pua was not allowed into the same elite schools as his Malay friends
To correct this wealth imbalance, the government gives Malays and indigenous groups privileges over ethnic minorities such as cheaper housing and priority allocation of university scholarships and civil service jobs.
The policy has created a new Malay middle class. But after four decades of affirmative action, the average Malay family still earns less than ethnic minorities.
Prime Minister Najib Razak admits the delivery of the policy has been manipulated to benefit only a handful of people.
He has pledged to revamp the scheme but insists affirmative action for Malays needs to stay.
This continues to breed resentment among many Chinese and Indians, who say the policy treats them like second-class citizens.
Tony Pua of the Democratic Action Party says this feeling begins at a young age.
As an ethnic Chinese, he saw Malay classmates who excelled sent off to attend elite schools that were not open to him.
Later, he was rejected for a government scholarship despite achieving grades good enough to study at Oxford University in the UK.
Continue reading the main story
"
Start Quote
Our racial, religious mix can be a wonderful asset - you have the whole United Nations here"
Ramon Navaratnam
Malaysian economist
While the government says the number of scholarships they give out corresponds to the ethnic make-up in the country, Tony believes there is sufficient anecdotal evidence that Malays with lower grades are getting scholarships over high-achieving Chinese and Indians.
Aside from the quota system, he says the schools themselves have also been politicised.
"The history books today try to eliminate the influences of any races other than Malays in the founding or building of the country," he says.
But it wasn't always like this. Tony remembers learning about the contribution of all three races in history class as a child.
"That entire chapter has now been reduced to one line," he says.
Ethnic exodus
Ethnic minorities showed their discontent in the 2008 election by largely turning away from the governing Barisan Nasional coalition, denying it a two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time in four decades.
Since then the prime minister has campaigned for unity under the slogan of 1Malaysia.
The message has suffered some setbacks within his party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), and among his core Malay-Muslim supporters.
Senior Malay civil servants and teachers have been accused of making derogatory comments about other races, calling ethnic Chinese and Indians "immigrants" despite the fact that many have been settled in the country for generations.
Many ethnic Chinese and Indian Malaysians are voting with their feet to seek fairer policies abroad
It will take time to transform the mentality of the party's three million members, says UMNO youth information chief Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who believes the party needs "a new mould of thinking."
"Gone are the days when the government was always right," he says.
Meanwhile, many ethnic minorities are voting with their feet.
In 2010, a World Bank report estimated that around one million Malaysians have left the country. A third of these are well educated and most are Chinese and Indians.
"Discontent with Malaysia's inclusiveness policies is a critical factor," senior economist Philip Schellekens writes.
This outflow of talent casts doubts on whether the country can achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020.
For now, it is stuck in the middle income level, and losing competitiveness to neighbouring countries in the region.
There is a sense of frustration among economists like former government minister Ramon Navaratnam.
"Our racial, religious mix can be a wonderful asset because you have the whole United Nations here," he says.
"Yet we do not know how to maximize or optimise it because of political expediency."
Ramon believes Malaysia will eventually become a high income economy.
It might just take longer than the country's leaders had planned. |
| Fuel cost burdens airlines Posted: 23 Aug 2011 06:52 PM PDT By Joy Lee, The Edge KUALA LUMPUR: High fuel cost continues to weigh on airlines as low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd saw its 2QFY11 net profit shrink 48% year-on-year (y-o-y) while national carrier Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) languished in the red. AirAsia posted net profit of RM104.3 million for 2QFY11 ended June 30, from RM198.9 million in the previous corresponding quarter. Revenue, however, rose 15% to RM1.1 billion from RM933.4 million previously, supported by a 15% growth in passenger volume.
According to notes accompanying its quarterly results, fuel expenses rose 39% y-o-y resulting in a 12% y-o-y increase in cost per available seat kilometre (ASK) to 13.38 sen from 11.96 sen previously.
Its Thailand subsidiary made an impressive showing, though, posting profit after tax of 384.4 million baht (RM38 million) for 2QFY11, eight times its profit after tax of 39.4 million baht in the previous corresponding quarter, boosted by improved yields despite an 11% increase in cost per ASK.
AirAsia Indonesia, however, saw its profit after tax halved to 41.7 billion rupiah (RM14.5 million) from 80.4 billion rupiah a year earlier with cost per ASK up 14% y-o-y.
As for MAS, its losses narrowed in 2QFY11 ended June 30 with a net loss of RM526.7 million compared with a net loss of RM534.7 million in 2QFY10. Its losses include a derivative loss of RM56 million which was smaller than RM217 million in 2QFY10.
Both airlines had earlier introduced fuel surcharges to offset higher fuel prices. Although oil prices have come off their peaks, AirAsia CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the budget airline would not remove its surcharge for the time being due to high volatility in fuel prices.
"Our aim is to get rid of it but until there is some stability at the US$100 level, we will keep it in," Fernandes said during a tele-conference yesterday.
AirAsia's net gearing, which has been a concern, has also been reduced to 1.48 times from 1.57 times previously as cash and cash equivalents rose to RM1.8 billion as at end-June from RM1.5 billion in the previous corresponding quarter.
Fernandes is optimistic yields could improve as its peak period is coming up. AirAsia is also looking at increasing its ancillary income via duty free shopping soon, which is expected to be a "good earner".
He added that there is still a lot of upside for AirAsia's domestic operations despite the local market coming to maturity.
The outlook for AirAsia's regional operations was certainly more bullish as Fernandes said the airline is short on planes and is trying to accelerate the delivery of aircraft and may resort to leasing planes to expand in Vietnam.
Fernandes is also eyeing the opportunity to set up a much-desired hub in Singapore in order to cement its expansion in Asean. The low-cost carrier could be looking at more joint ventures in other Asean countries.
Full-service carrier MAS is looking at reviewing its network to adjust its capacity. In the notes to its results, MAS said the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that the outlook for the airline industry remains bearish as fuel prices could remain high, coupled with fears of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe and the possibility of a recession in the US.
MAS said its current forward booking profile indicates key challenges for the Europe, US and Japan markets while forward booking trends for other major regional destinations remain normal.
"In response to the tough operating environment, MAS is moderating its short-term capacity growth. The management team shall have a serious review of its current network and shall adjust deployed capacity accordingly," it said.
MAS' much talked about cash and cash equivalents were still at a comfortable level at RM1.5 billion as at end-June.
MAS has tied up with AirAsia as part of its turnaround efforts. The two airlines signed a collaboration and shareholders agreement two weeks ago, under which Khazanah Nasional Bhd will take up a 10% stake in AirAsia while Tune Air Sdn Bhd will hold 20.5% equity interest in MAS.
Following the share swap between MAS and AirAsia, an executive committee was set up to oversee the management of MAS until the national carrier appoints a new managing director to replace Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin. The exco is chaired by MAS' current chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof and comprises Datuk Mohamed Azman Yahya, Mohamed Rashdan Mohd Yusof, AirAsia deputy CEO Datuk Kamaruddin Meranun and Fernandes.
"I think within the next two to three weeks, Kamaruddin and myself will be leaving the exco. I believe the search for a CEO is coming to a conclusion," Fernandes said.
The collaboration is expected to save both airlines as much as RM1 billion annually, which Fernandes noted would be easily achieved.
On the possible increase of parking and landing charges by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), Fernandes said AirAsia and MAS have written "strong" letters to MAHB to put their case forward.
"We think the case is very weak for MAHB to raise its charges. I am quite optimistic this won't happen," he said.
Fernandes also remarked that AirAsia expects a delay in the completion of the KLIA2 terminal and has opened more hubs in Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in anticipation. He expects the new airport to be ready in 2013.
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| Petronas, Partners Plan $5 Billion Malaysia Gas Investment to Boost Supply Posted: 23 Aug 2011 06:47 PM PDT By Barry Porter, Bloomberg Petroleum Nasional Bhd., Malaysia's state oil and gas company, plans to invest 15 billion ringgit ($5 billion) with partners to develop natural gas fields off the country's eastern coast in a move to help replenish the Southeast Asian nation's shrinking energy reserves. The so-called North Malay Basin project aims to extract gas with high carbon dioxide content from nine discovered fields to help meet rising demand on Peninsular Malaysia, according to a statement today from Petronas, as the company is known. A 200 kilometer-pipeline (124 miles) will be laid to transport the fuel to Kerteh, in Terengganu state, it said. "The development of the North Malay basin project follows recently introduced incentives by the government, particularly for the development of marginal fields," Petronas said. "The gradual revision of gas prices to domestic customers, as recently announced by the government, also makes the project more economically feasible for industry players." The state utility has traditionally sold gas at a discount to power distributor Tenaga Nasional Bhd. (TNB) to help keep business and consumer costs low in Malaysia. On May 30, the government allowed it to reduce that subsidy, acknowledging that this had limited Petronas's ability to reinvest and pay dividends. 'Minimal' Investment"These subsidized gas prices have resulted in minimal investments in the exploration of gas projects by oil and gas players, constraining growth in supply capacity," Petronas said in today's statement. "In recent years, demand for gas has increased by more than 30 percent, buoyed by the introduction of regulated prices in 1997 that has lagged concomitant increases in market prices." The nation's crude and natural gas production has fallen for two straight years, declining to the equivalent of 1.63 million barrels of oil a day in the year ended March 31 from 1.66 million a day a year earlier, according to Petronas's annual report. It didn't name its production-sharing partners for the North Malay Basin project. The gas fields are located within Blocks PM301 and PM302 in the Bergading contract area, about 300 kilometers off the country's peninsula, it said. The investment will be undertaken on an "accelerated" basis, with the first delivery of 100 million cubic feet of gas per day expected by early 2013, rising to 250 million by 2015, according to the e-mailed statement. |
| Che'GuBard tidak perlu mohon maaf sebaliknya Rosmah harus tampil memberi penjelasan Posted: 23 Aug 2011 04:47 PM PDT 
Sejak semalam che'GuBard dihubungi ramai wartawan dan teman khususnya apabila media arus perdana digunakan untuk 'menyerang' che'GuBard dalam isu pendedahan berlian bernilai RM24.45 juta yang dikaitkan dengan Rosmah Mansor. che'GuBard dituntut mohon maaf dan dituduh diam dan gagal menjawab apabila kononya didedahkan menipu. Persoalan penting ialah adakah media arus perdana berani mengeluarkan kenyataan che'GuBard mengenai perkara ini. Sudah hampir sebulan pendedahan mengenai wujud satu kemasukan berlian bernilai RM24.45 j terkait nama 'Imelda' Rosmah. Sejak itu dia diam dan membisu cuma 'pengampu-pengampu' dia yang sibuk bertungkus lumus menjawab. Cuma sekali dia menjawab itupun hanya menuduh ia fitnah tanpa sebarang penjelasan. Menarik perlu diperhatikan di sini. Mulanya pengampu Imelda mengatakan bukti tersebut palsu dan akhirnya sudah tidak boleh menyangkal setelah SPRM mengesahkan dokumen tersebut maka muncul pula borang kastam kedua kononya belian itu dibawa keluar 4 hari selepas itu. Kononya belian itu untuk satu pameran berlian yang diadakan secara sulit, di tempat yang sulit dengan tetamu-tetamu yang sulit. Semua yang sulit itu sedang diusahakan dan disusun skripnya. Mungkin gagal menyusun skrip pameran sulit maka seorang lagi pengampu muncul dan mengatakan belian tersebut bukan milik Rosmah tetapi milik besannya. Jadi mana yang betul sebenarnya. Klik bahan - bahan di bawah untuk membaca mengenainya. |
| Pakatan rahsia Najib-Anwar 1998 - John Malott Posted: 23 Aug 2011 04:25 PM PDT 
(Harakah Daily) - Hari ini saya membaca kenyataan Anwar Ibrahim dari kandang tertuduh. Anwar mendakwa semua ini adalah konspirasi politik. Dan saya bersetuju. Sememangnya, saya adalah bekas Duta Amerika ke Malaysia semasa semua perkara ini berlaku untuk kali pertama. Sebagaimana yang diketahui ramai, kedutaan Amerika mempunyai banyak sumber maklumat.
Tanyalah Wikileaks.
Orang Malaysia suka bercakap…
Ramai kawan saya di Malaysia tahu, saya amat lantang dalam menyatakan sokongan terhadap kebebasan Anwar untuk satu dekad lebih. Ini kerana saya tahu perkara yang sebenar. Saya berada di tempat kejadian ketika semuanya ini berlaku untuk kali pertama.
Pada 1998 – untuk kali pertama bagi Anwar – kedutaan saya mendengar dan melaporkan banyak benda. Kita tahu perkara sebenar. Kerana orang Malaysia – di tempat tertinggi – memberitahu kita.
Semasa saya di KL, penasihat (think thank) Najib dipanggil Malaysian Strategic Research Centre atau MSRC. MSRC sebenarnya hanyalah dua orang ialah Rohanna Mahmood dan Razak Baginda.
Namun, Rohanna mahupun Razak bukanlah pegawai kerajaan, jadi saya tidak melanggar mana-mana undang Amerika Syarikat untuk meledakkan apa yang mereka beritahu saya dan kedutaan saya pada masa dulu.
Satu pakatan rahsia Pada tahun 1998, Rohanna telah bersama saya untuk satu makan tengahari pertemuan empat mata peribadi di kediaman duta. Pada masa itu ialah waktu Anwar mula mencabar Mahathir (mantan Perdana Menteri), secara halus namun amat jelas kelihatan.
Rohanna memberitahu saya bahawa Najib dan Anwar telah mencapai satu perjanjian rahsia. Apabila Mahathir keluar, Anwar akan jadi PM dan Najib akan jadi Timbalan PM. Itulah perjanjiannya. Namun, sememangnya perkara itu tidak berlaku. Semasa perjalanan menjadi sengit, Najib berdiri dan membiarkan Anwar ke penjara.
Bagaimana pula dengan Razak Baginda? Beliau memberitahu seorang pegawai senior di kedutaan, "Keputusan sudah dibuat. Mereka akan "nuke" (membunuh) Anwar secara politik untuk keseluruhan masa akan datang. Sehingga beliau tidak boleh berdiri lagi dalam politik."
100 tahun
Bermaksud, ini adalah satu keputusan politik – untuk memusnahkan Anwar. Itu yang Razak – yang sekarang ini membuangkan diri di London – katakan. Selepas itu, seorang pegawai daripada Special Branch (SB) memberitahu satu pegawai di kedutaan, "Kita akan terus menfailkan dakwaan demi dakwaan terhadap Anwar supaya beliau berada di dalam penjara untuk 100 tahun akan datang.
Masih bolehkah disangsi apa yang berlaku dulu – dan apa yang berlaku kini? |
| 4 jailed for gang-rape of Malaysian student Posted: 23 Aug 2011 04:09 PM PDT (New Straits Times) - Four wealthy Russians cheered a gang rape like "professional footballers celebrating the scoring of a goal", a judge said today as he jailed them for a total of 36 years. 
(Clockwise, from top left) Oleg Ivanov, 23, Norayr Davtyan, 22, Armen Simonyan, 19, and Gregory Melnikov, 23, denied raping the teenager but were unanimously convicted yesterday after an eight-week trial. Oleg Ivanov and Gregory Andreev Melnikov, both 23, Norayr Davtyan, 22, and Armen Simonyan, 19, filmed the sickening attack on an 18-year old Malaysian fellow student at their £30,000 (RM147,000)-a-year boarding school using an iPhone.
Jurors unanimously convicted the "minigarchs" of rape after viewing the video. Ringleader Davtyan was jailed for 10 years, Melnikov for nine years and Ivanov and Simonyan for eight years apiece at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday. In the course of the "disgusting" attack they egged each other on by saying: "You're not going to marry her."
They later showed the iPhone footage of their victim's ordeal to friends at their exclusive college in south London. Judge Peter Murphy said: "The iPhone footage shows what can only be described as a callous disregard for the victim as a human being and indeed as anything other than an object of their own pleasure.
"Although there was no pre-existing plan, once the sequence of events started, they were encouraging each other to do more and more and were clearly seen on the iPhone celebrating their triumph almost in the manner of professional footballers celebrating the scoring of a goal.
"They also boasted that they would show the footage to anyone in Moscow. "(The victim) in my judgment certainly is heard to utter the word 'no' on a number of occasions. Whatever the case of her condition, it is clear as I think it must have been to the defendants that she was in no position to decide whether to consent or not to consent, or to resist what was going on. No one who has seen that footage can leave this trial without feeling complete disgust towards it."
On the night of Jan 21, the college put on a disco for its students, while Davtyan also held an impromptu party in his room.
The group of Russians filmed the whole attack on a mobile phone
The victim went to the room between 7pm and 8pm and downed a shot of whisky before going back to the main building.
She thought her drink had been spiked and felt dizzy.
Closed-circuit television cameras captured her stumbling though the main entrance before later filming her in an outdoor smoking area talking to Ivanov and Melnikov.
She was later seen walking away from the smoking area with Melnikov when she was taken to the party in Davtyan's room.
Once there, she was seen to vomit and lie down on the floor, and as the party wound down she was eventually left alone with the four men.
Video footage recovered from Davtyan's iPhone taken between 12.38am and 3.10am then showed all four men raping the girl.
"At one point, Ivanov said he felt pity for her, but this was only after he and the others had sex with her," prosecutor Peter Clement said.
The footage also showed that the rapists took regular cigarette breaks.
Ivanov, Melnikov, Davtyan, Simonyan, all of Deptford, southeast London, all denied two counts of rape.
In their evidence, they claimed that the sex had been consensual.
The jury of seven men and four women unanimously convicted Davtyan of two counts of rape.
They convicted Melnikov of one count of rape. Ivanov and Simonyan were both convicted of one rape count. |
| Vell Paari’s Aussie firm crisis Posted: 23 Aug 2011 03:53 PM PDT 
Claims of misappropriation of funds, missing files, non-payment of salaries (The Malay Mail) - An internal financial crackdown of MIC central working committee member S. Vell Paari's Western Australia-based 4WD auto company is underway following allegations of misappropriation of millions of ringgit, missing accounting files and "stolen" intellectual property manuals. Three Australian authorities, in the meantime, are investigating his company for non-payment of staff salaries, unpaid superannuation — a retirement and pensions programme — and alleged violation of investment procedures. Vell Paari told The Malay Mail international audit firm KPMG was conducting forensic examination on the finances of OKA Motor Co., the trading name of Reymer Pty Ltd, that Vell Paari controls. The audit is also to protect the company's intellectual property in the form of manuals to manufacture all-terrain trucks and tour buses. The manuals, valued at RM80 million, were discovered missing recently, he said. Vell Paari said millions in company funds have also been siphoned out of Australia into a private account in Europe. In the case of the manuals, he said, sabotage was suspected. "The manuals that were stored in a computer server are currently being rebuilt." On the missing accounting files, he said except for those over the past two years, files from previous years had gone missing. The son of former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu was speaking to The Malay Mail on claims his auto company had collapsed. "The company has not collapsed. Matters have come to a standstill until we have cleared this mess," he declared. He said: "Majority of the employees have now been paid their salaries except for those whose claims have to be verified by the auditors. "Payments to certain creditors are also disputable and I suspect their accounts are shady. We are putting everything in order and are co-operating with the authorities to get to the root of the problems." He said the irregularities came to light in an internal investigation into complaints of nonpayment of staff salaries over the past two-and-a-half-months. Vell Paari said an email sent to him by an employee raising concerns over non-payment of salaries triggered the internal action. "I suspected irregularities as we had money from sales of allterrain vehicles while the company was still focused on research and development on a new range of vehicles. "It was then we discovered millions have been siphoned out of Australia into a private account." He claimed OKA chief financial officer Tom Ksserkas had owned up to the auditors that he had misappropriated company funds. The chief executive officer, Arthur Gold, resigned soon after the forensics audit was commissioned, he added. He accused both men for the current state of affairs. "I was not responsible for the unpaid wages. "I might be company chairman and have other ventures in Australia but I don't get involved in daily operations as I spend most of my time in Kuala Lumpur. Further, I don't have a working visa there." Vell Paari said he expected a full report from the auditors soon after which he would make police reports against those responsible. In the meantime, he said, operations at the plant in Bibra Lake have ground to a halt to facilitate investigations. At least 20 workers have been retrenched. He said he was liaising with Fair Work Ombudsman that is looking into allegations of unpaid salaries. "I am aware the workers had also lodged a claim with the Australian Taxation office for unpaid superannuation. "A complaint has also been filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and I am in touch with the authorities." Vell Paari said moves were in progress to relocate the manufacturing plant to Malaysia. He said he has hired a new COO, an Indian national with expertise in armoured and non-armoured vehicles for Indonesian military, to head the operations in Malaysia from October. |
| From POLITICO - Justin Smith steps down from FBC Media board Posted: 23 Aug 2011 03:39 PM PDT 
Ben Smith and I report on the main site how The Atlantic has become the latest media company to get tangled in the scandal surrounding FBC Media, a British company on whose board Atlantic Media Co. President Justin Smith sat until the bad press moved him to resign. The Atlantic is the latest media organization to launch an internal investigation into its connections with a British company that has provided editorial content on foreign subjects while doing public relations work for some of the same governments it was reporting on, a spokeswoman acknowledged to POLITICO.
In addition to the internal review, the magazine also said Justin Smith, president of Atlantic Media Co., has resigned from the board of FBC Media, the firm at the center of a controversy over whether it improperly mixed its journalism and PR businesses. It was Smith who connected FBC Media with The Atlantic.
The disclosure that FBC Media had a contract with the Malaysian government at the same time it was producing positive television segments about Malaysia for CNBC, BBC and other major broadcasters, led CNBC and BBC to pull all FBC Media-produced content and launch their own internal investigations in the past month.
The Atlantic is in a similar position because FBC Chairman Alan Friedman blogged about governments that may have been current or onetime FBC Media clients in his dispatches for The Atlantic from the World Economic Forum in Davos in January. Friedman also approached The Atlantic about hosting an event featuring his client, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. The event, held in March, was moderated by Atlantic national correspondent James Fallows.
Smith has sat on FBC Media's board since 2007. He told POLITICO on Sunday that he informed Friedman two weeks ago of his desire to step down and was in the process of formalizing the request when POLITICO asked about it.
"The truth is that Alan Friedman has been a friend of mine for nearly twenty years," Smith said. "In light of this friendship and my past association with the company, I am very disturbed to learn of the serious allegations being raised about FBC and Alan's conduct. What I would particularly regret, should these accusations directed at FBC be proven true, is my role in having introduced Alan to The Atlantic's editors and event planners.
"I have directed a full review of The Atlantic's dealings with him, and the responsibility at The Atlantic for any problems it might uncover will be mine. It is my job to safeguard at all costs The Atlantic's reputation for editorial integrity." |
| Beng Hock’s family challenges RCI suicide verdict Posted: 23 Aug 2011 02:13 PM PDT 
By Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 — Teoh Beng Hock's family applied for a judicial review against the royal commission of inquiry's (RCI) conclusion that the political aide committed suicide in 2009. The application was made at the High Court today. The family's lawyer Gobind Singh Deo pointed out that there was no testimony on what happened to Teoh, between 3.30am and 7am on July 16, 2009, the crucial hours before he was eventually found dead outside the then Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam. "If you do not know for sure what happened, how can you come to these findings?" asked Gobind at a press conference after filing the application for leave today. The RCI, which was chaired by sitting Federal Court judge Tan Sri James Foong, found that Teoh was driven to suicide after relentless questioning by anti-graft officers. The five-man panel wrapped up its report on June 15 after having heard testimony from 70 witnesses in its bid to unravel the mysterious circumstances behind Teoh's death. Former Court of Appeal judge Datuk N.H. Chan has called the three judges on the five-man panel "three blind mice" for concluding that Teoh killed himself despite lacking expert opinion. A copy of the judicial review provided to the press today quoted the RCI as saying in its report: "We believe something had happened between 3.30am (after Teoh Beng Hock's statement was recorded) and 7.00am (the earliest estimate of his time of death) on July 16, 2009, that drove Teoh Beng Hock to suicide." Teoh's family said it was obvious that the RCI did not know what had happened to Teoh at that time before the former aide to Selangor executive councillor, Ean Yong Hian Wah, plunged nine floors to his death. Gobind also questioned the lack of action against three MACC officers whom the RCI said had pressured Teoh into committing suicide. READ MORE HERE. |
| PAS ready to face lawsuit over 'UMNO hand' in church affair Posted: 23 Aug 2011 01:07 PM PDT  (Harakah Daily) - PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang has given his backing to secretary general Mustafa Ali over the latter's claim that UMNO had a hand in the controversy surrounding the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC). The claim has infuriated Selangor UMNO, who threatened to file a RM10 million suit against Mustafa if he refused to apologise. Mustafa however twice rejected the demand for apology, saying he had ample proof to be presented in court.
When asked by reporters, Hadi said the party was ready to face the defamation suit.
"We are ready. It's their right to file the suit, and it's our right to defend ourselves," he added.
Earlier, Mustafa said he had wanted to present evidences of UMNO's hand in the JAIS-DUMC affair at the scheduled meeting between JAIS officials and PAS leaders. The meeting however was cancelled by JAIS, while another meeting between PAS and DUMC was postponed at the latter's request.
Mustafa had urged PAS members not to fall into UMNO's trap in the JAIS-DUMC issue, saying he had reliable information that UMNO had a role in the JAIS operation during a dinner event at the church on August 3. Selangor UMNO has strongly denied the allegation. READ MORE HERE. |
| Strengthening English By Improving The Teaching Of English Posted: 23 Aug 2011 12:56 PM PDT  By Dato' Dr. Toh Kin Woon (via Malaysian Mirror) LLG Cultural Development Centre views with grave concern the recent statement made by Deputy Prime Minister, who concurrently is also the Minister of Education that the government is mulling the possibility of allowing schools to decide on their own whether to continue using English as the medium of instruction for the teaching of science and mathematics. The aim of this move, if adopted widely, is possibly to raise the standard of English in primary schools. We are, however, of the view that such a move, besides representing yet another flip-flop in the government's education policy, is also unprofessional in its approach towards strengthening the level of English. This will in turn lead to erosion in the effectiveness of the teaching and learning of the English language, thereby bringing immense difficulties to both teachers and students alike. Once again, our children's future will be sacrificed. To us, the proper approach towards improving the standard of any language should be through improving its teaching, rather than using it as a medium of instruction for other academic subjects. This is a simple and straight forward fundamental principle of education. Hence to strengthen the level of English, the government should focus on improving the teaching of English in Malaysian schools. This encompasses reforming its syllabus and methodology of teaching English as a second language, as well as recruiting more professionally qualified teachers. From the perspective of the Minister of Education, using English to teach science and mathematics may ostensibly improve a student's grasp of English through greater exposure to, and more contact with, the use of the language. This implies that teaching science and mathematics in English brings dual benefits to students, that is learning science and mathematics, while at the same time raising the standard of English. Except for the academically competent, this may be difficult to realize in practice, however. This is because for a great majority, whose first language is not English, they will first have to attain a certain level of competence in the English language, and this in a very short while, before they can even follow, let alone be able to comprehend and absorb the concepts in science and mathematics. LLG Cultural Development Centre is thus of the view that allowing schools to choose English as a medium of instruction to teach science and mathematics will ultimately benefit only the urban, largely English-educated elites. On the other hand, those who grow up in a non-English speaking and poor socio-economic environment will be greatly disadvantaged, learning neither science and mathematics nor English. The use of English as a medium of instruction in science and mathematics is, in our view, an elitist approach that benefits the elites, while sacrificing the poor. In such a context, education will become a tool for the inter-generational transfer of elite status, rather than as a democratic tool for effecting upward social mobility for the bottom strata of society. The already grave and yawning social disparity between the rich and poor in Malaysian society will be further widened. Given these likely developments, we are strongly opposed to the proposal by the Minister of Education to allow schools a choice in the use of English to teach science and mathematics. Our opposition is premised on the belief that such an approach fails to address the root causes in the decline of both the standard of English and education in our country. We thus urge the government to re-think this proposal, look thoroughly and professionally into the factors that have caused a decline the standard of both English and education and to come forth with proposals to address these causes. We regard these as imperative steps in order to develop the necessary human capital that is proficient in several languages deemed so important for the socio-economic advancement of our country. TOH KIN WOON is President of LLG Cultural Development Centre |
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