Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Reply to all Pakatan Rakyat Troopers in Raja Petra's Malaysia Today
- Why are the Malays running away?
- Rela member in a group or not, woman falls victim to snatch theft
- PKR wants Faekah sacked
- French lawyer: No Scorpene trial in France
- Singaporean turfed for racist rant against Malays
- George Soros bukan sekutu kami, kata Pakatan Rakyat
- ‘BN govt does not care for Sabah’
- Are they lining up Anwar for a fall?
- The cost of living in Malaysia
- Penang PKR wrapping up ‘cocky and arrogant Lim’ case
- DAP’s Karpal chides ‘presumptuous’ PKR deputy president
- Nazri: EC to implement most PSC recommendations in GE13
- Musa’s ‘monopoly’ of Sabah may lead to BN’s downfall, says ex-Umno man
- Pakatan’s budget ‘no better’
- Ex-DAP man’s criticism has Kok fuming
- Migrants, church may end BN’s Borneo vote bank
- Beyond the fight to be Lembah Pantai MP
- Exposed! Soros RM120m for regime change devils
- Britain's brutal rule in Kenya on the docks
- Muhyiddin supporters can't wait for the PM's exit
- Why Najib has to watch his back
- Assaulted DAP man receives ‘threat’ calls
- A tough battle in Lembah Pantai
- Does Nazri want to turn Sabah into a Filindo state?
- Is Pakatan afraid of its own shadow?
- How parents can unite, where politicians divide
- The V-neck battle goes on
- Mustafa hits back at PKR deputy president over Selangor MB remark
- Stubborn Umno ‘killing’ race relations
- Talam under MACC probe
- Zahid: AG confirms legitimacy of Scorpene purchase
- Does Najib really want feedback?
- Sign of desperation for Najib
- Putrajaya tightens screws on SUARAM, probing alleged civil service snitch
- 6 NGOs lodge reports against Anwar, 3 MPs
- It’s a threesome now as Faekah Husin joins in feud!
- Malaysia Week kicks off in London
- Faekah comes under fire from PKR
- Pakatan’s floor wage may cause RM7.2b outflow
- Politics in Malaysia is the most profitable business
- Malaysian Youth Right Movement Urge Malaysian Youth To Reject Pakatan Rakyat Extemenism
- Selangor under siege?
- Son's wedding was 'cheap to organise'
- Land grab, Malaysian-style
- Seeking the Right to Be Female in Malaysia
- LGE accused of ignoring gangsterism in DAP
- Probe JMM allegations, urges Cuepacs
- Johor to overtake Selangor as richest state
- PKR berubah nada, mahu teruskan projek RAPID
| Reply to all Pakatan Rakyat Troopers in Raja Petra's Malaysia Today Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:55 PM PDT
I wonder why Pakatan Rakyat always shouted for freedom of expression where now they ask me to shut up when I speak up? I cannot never get rid of BN until the day where Pakatan Rakyat is proven to be a way better entity to replaced BN. I seriously do not want to replace a Proton Iswara with Proton Wira. Is not worth the change. Shen Yee Aun http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/51992-malaysian-youth-right-movement-urge-malaysian-youth-to-reject-pakatan-rakyat-extemenism talk cock. You look more like a running DOG. ( Malaysian should look at how Pakatan Rakyat troopers behave in the Cyber World ? Instead of having an intellectual exchange of thoughts regarding the issue that I had posted they end up choose to make it so personal. I wonder is Anwar and Azmin Ali not a running dog from UMNO? I wonder is Chua Jui Meng not a running dog from MCA ? I wonder half of current PKR members are not formerly the running dog from UMNO ? ) written by Reza Shahputra, October 06, 2012 12:23:15 Lets hear your stands on these articles before moving on to other issues: http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/newscommentaries/51990-sons-wedding-was-cheap-to-organise- and http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/guest-columnists/51989-land-grab-malaysian-style I'm just an average Joe of Malaysia and Not a PR or BN supporter. Are you able to get answers for these 2 articles and get actions from the SPRM for an average Joe like me? ( Look at how typical Pakatan Rakyat Cyber Troopers behave in the cyber world ? They will always urge people to reply to their allegations where the allegations throw right to their face they will just divert it. I am not like any of them that will deny the facts that there weakness , flaws and problems in Barisan Nasional because my stand is very simple. As bad as BN can be and if they need to be change then make sure they be changed by a real qualified entity that is proven to be way better than BN. If they are exactly like BN or almost the same that what changes are we really shouting for? This posting is nothing about corruption because there also list of corruption that I would like to share it our with the public about PR corruption after Mac 2008. ) written by kaum_lanoon, October 06, 2012 12:44:38 This asshole still doesn't realise he's a second class citizen whom will never enjoy real citizenship in the eyes of the racist-corruptive regime. He should just shut-up and go collect his $500 ( Even if I am really a second class citizen under Barisan Nasional then what makes you think that I will be the first class citizen under Pakatan Rakyat? Unless Pakatan Rakyat is willing to pledge to remove 152 and 153 in our constitution then only they are qualified to go on further attacking Barisan Nasional regarding the racial and citizen status quo in Malaysia. What type of enjoyment that I will receive from the same half UMNO type of leadership under Anwar and PKR also also a list of corrupted leaders in Pakatan Rakyat after Mac 2008 ? ) written by Happyfamily, October 06, 2012 12:50:13 Yee Aun, you are one nut with a screwed mind. Why use Kelantan or Kedah? Why not take Penang or Selangor as the example? Next time be more intelligent with your analysis. ( Selangor? I thought Selangor did raid alcohol in 7/11 once PR took over power after Mac 2008? I thought Selangor had shut down a Cinema in Banggi ? I also thought Selangor had earlier suggested to segregate the Gender in Cinema in Hulu Langat ? Penang? I thought after Mac 2008 Lim Guan Eng had just demolished a Tua Pek Kwong temple in Penang ? ) written by Maravan2004, October 06, 2012 13:17:55 Shut up lah Shen Yee Aun..Get rid of BN first then talk about Pakatan. ( I wonder why Pakatan Rakyat always shouted for freedom of expression where now they ask me to shut up when I speak up? I cannot never get rid of BN until the day where Pakatan Rakyat is proven to be a way better entity to replaced BN. I seriously do not want to replace a Proton Iswara with Proton Wira. Is not worth the change ) written by Sanny, October 06, 2012 13:24:18 Yalah tu. Lu boleh tak pakai apa pon. Tak da yang larang. Suka hatilah. Nak telanjang kah. Up to you if you say its good for Malaysians to want or do it. Ask the PM lah if he also share the same idea as you. Just have your sweet and leasure time maaah. Probably KJ pon suka tengok perempuan pakai bikini! ( Is not a stripping show as stripping show is not allowed in Malaysia. Is just a Fashion Show. There nothing to ask Najib about it because Najib had never voice out to oppose to it like how PAS Youth did against it. Please do not degrade and drag others leaders who are not related in this issue. There should be certain ethnic and integrity in political battle ) written by zhaoxi, October 06, 2012 13:33:26 the geist of the speach is,vote BN for our contineous freedom.what freedom does our youth wants? freedom to walk naked in the street? freedom to go fucking around? freedom to tske dope? freedom to just doing anything? and what restriction you fear of if pakatan rule? who raided bookstore to confiscate books of irshad manji? who restricted thr freedom to gsin knowledge by reading? who raided niteclub and massege parlour to rrstrict our youth to get sex?isnt it every humsn needs? why BN banned LBGT?isnt it our right to practise what we like?sftersll we dont disturb the life of others. or what freedom you yearn for. ( You look at smart or perhaps stupid PR troopers that is trying to divert from this issue. What I had posted is only freedom to Organize A Fashion Show. As simple as that. Look at how they manipulate it to walking naked , fucking around and all his entire allegations. As simple as freedom to organize a Fashion Show why PAS Youth need to voice out to ban it ? ) written by narkas, October 06, 2012 13:54:57 HOI, CHINESE WHY ARE U SO STUPID,HAVE UNOT LEARNT WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT YOUR GENERATION .THEY FORGOT EVERYTHING DONE FOR THIS BEUTIFUL COUNTRY.REMBEMBER U ARE A PENADATANG .DONT BE SO THICK SKIN U STUPID SHEN YEE AUN ( You look Pakatan Rakyat. They are selling about racial unity. They are going against UMNO for being racist. But now they themselves being so racial in their comments. Look at how vulgar they can be sometimes when the truth of reality about Pakatan Rakyat flaws is throw right at their face and it is so bitter for them to swallow the truth ) Read more at: http://1sya.com/?p=2449 | |||
| Why are the Malays running away? Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:49 PM PDT
A stinging satire on Mahathir's latest call for the Malays to stop being ungrateful, lazy and stupid to vote against Umno. Iskandar Dzulkarnain, FMTDr Mahathir Mohamad's recent message is timely. The Malays simply must change. They must reform, transform or whatever you call it! Yes, the Malays are ungrateful and lacking intelligence, especially the few power-hungry ones in the opposition. Luckily, Tengku Aziz got out in time from the DAP. We cannot expect greedy, ungrateful and dim-witted politicians like Anwar Ibrahim and Hadi Awang to do the same. Imagine, the country's dominant race losing its political power because of a few ungrateful and moronic Malays who are greedy for political power. Mahathir also warned that "Malay (opposition) parties who win the elections and form the government would have to follow the dictates of others (races). They will lose dominance in the government because of their willingness to share with others," he said in a special column titled 'Suara Hati Mahathir' published in Mingguan Malaysia. Yes, Umno has become weak since the last election. It can no longer dish out enough crutches for the Malays. And because of this the Malays are abandoning Umno in droves. Very soon, there will be very little Malay support left for Umno. For so long, Umno had been busy looking out for the Malays. It was focused and it created immense wealth and channelled it to their cronies to be dispensed to the Malay masses. But the Malays refused to save what they received, and spent every last cent of it. Today, many still wallow in poverty, and blame Umno for not doing enough to address their plight. Many have threatened to vote the Opposition if Umno does not arrest the situation. From farmers, civil servants to taxi drivers, everyone is crying out for handouts or else! Some are lazy, lack intelligence and plain greedy and will sell their souls to the highest bidder. Umno has been too kind in the past, and relented to their demands. But Umno's superb handling of the economy, even under such tremendous pressure is commendable, as it managed to do its bit for the Malays while suppressing the national debt from ballooning to a mere RM500 billion. Most governments in other countries would have gone bankrupt by now. Is it a surprise, that the 2013 budget sees more goodies for everyone, especially the Malays? Malays can continue to wallow in despair A national organisation to unite the Malays, Umno had always put the Malays first. It has even invited other races to become Bumiputeras as long as they abide by its constitution. Thus far there has been lukewarm response from the Chinese and the Indians. It has even offered citizenships to legible foreigners who could speak Bahasa Malaysia and be loyal to the Malay cause. What more has Umno not done for the Malays? Today, many Malays are blinded by religion, greed and power, so they join the opposition because they feel that Umno is less Islamic than PAS. PAS refuses to join Umno to jointly implement an Islamic state, but rather cohabit with the opposition, so that they can gain more power to rule, rather than to play second fiddle to Umno. And yes again, the Malays simply have to see through the insignificant corruption, and support Umno and its leaders, who are sworn to protect the Malays from themselves. At least with Umno, the Malays can continue to wallow in despair until one fine day, they can evolve into more productive humans without the fear that the Malay power base will be eroded. Today, Umno is populated by the best Malay minds in the world, superior intelligence beyond compare and you can find them in the likes of Rais Yatim, Ibrahim Ali and Zahid Hamidi. It will be a waste if these leaders are not given more time to work their magic. Imagine the horrific scenario, if Umno loses. What will become of the great leaders like Najib and Muhyiddin, Mahathir, Taib Mahmud and Shafie Apdal? The young Hishammuddin Hussein, Khairy Jamaluddin and Mukhriz Mahathir, who are slated to carry on the torch as future Prime Ministers of this land? Who will take care of the Malays? Who is going to protect the royalty and who is going to uphold the religion? Pakatan Rakyat is too preoccupied with a Malaysian Malaysia and would sell out the majority to please the minority. Bumiputeraship will lose its meaning and lustre. The Malays would become ordinary citizens like everyone else. And imagine if the Malays would have to compete on a level playing field without the NEP, it would take another 200 years before they are on par with the rest of the races. Even the Sabahans and Sarawakians have overtaken the Malays on their home ground. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2012/10/09/why-are-the-malays-running-away/
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| Rela member in a group or not, woman falls victim to snatch theft Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:44 PM PDT
(The Star) - Julie Lam thought she was pretty safe walking with several MCA members and Rela officers to a gotong-royong event at about 7am in Jalan Ampang. However, her sense of security was short-lived though as she fell victim to snatch thieves. "I felt a jerk on my right arm and saw two men on a motorcycle sped past, holding my handbag," said the 49-year-old. "I screamed for help and MCA lawyer P.Y Leong chased the men," said Lam, an Inland Revenue Board assistant director, who is also an honorary Rela lieutenant-colonel. She added that the snatch thieves even turned around and dared the group to come after them. "They challenged Leong and shouted expletives at us," Lam said at the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department yesterday. Department chairman Datuk Seri Michael Chong, said he, too, was shocked at the boldness of the men during the incident which "happened very quickly". "Another two men on a motorcycle came from behind and joined the first two before speeding off. "This shows that they had a back-up plan in case the first two were caught." Lam lost RM2,500, her MyKad, driver's licence and car keys. She has lodged a report at the Kepong police station. Chong added that snatch thefts and robberies were becoming more rampant these days. "Just last week, a seafood restaurant in Taman Mayang was held up by eight parang-wielding men at around 8pm. "The customers were forced to surrender their cash and valuables," Chong said. He urged the police to step up efforts to curb crime as robbers were becoming more "aggressive" and "daring" . Statistics from Bukit Aman showed that 22,929 street crimes were reported last year, with 3,323 being snatch thefts. | |||
| Posted: 07 Oct 2012 11:02 PM PDT
(The Sun Daily) - A Selangor PKR state leader has called for the sacking of Selangor Mentri Besar's political secretary Faekah Husin for allegedly overstepping her role by voicing out against PKR deputy president Azmin Ali. Selangor PKR election director Borhan Aman Shah, in calling for her removal from her current post, said Faekah has not toed the party line in voicing her criticism against Azmin. "She is reminded that her current role was given to her with support from PKR. On what capacity is Faekah criticising Azmin openly as an ordinary member of the party with no political position?" he said at a press conference in Selangor PKR headquarters today. He was referring to a report by Sinar Harian which quoted Azmin as saying Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim may be given a federal minister's post if Pakatan Rakyat takes over Putrajaya, implying that Selangor may have a new Mentri Besar. Faekah, who serves as political secretary to Abdul Khalid, then reportedly questioned Azmin's jurisdiction as deputy president in making the statement, saying the power to appoint a Mentri Besar lies solely with the Sultan of Selangor, according to news portal Malaysian Digest. Borhan also said Faekah should refer to the party before making statements that could cause misunderstandings between party leaders. "It would be good for her to understand the organisational structure of the party or communicate with us before proceeding to make statements," he said. He added that the council will leave the matter to Khalid as he is the Selangor MB, which gives him full authority to sack Faekah. Meanwhile, Faekah reportedly said that she will no longer comment on the issue after she was told not to make any statements by top PKR leaders. "I have also been advised by former PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali not to make any statements unless necessary, so I will no longer address this issue," she told Sinar Harian two days ago.
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| French lawyer: No Scorpene trial in France Posted: 07 Oct 2012 06:52 PM PDT
The lawyer said two 'independent judges' started investigating after a complaint filed by Suaram. (Bernama) - A prominent French government prosecutor has denied reports circulating among some Malaysian online news portals of an ongoing trial in France, on allegations of corruption by a French company over the purchase of two French-made Scorpene submarines by Malaysia in 2002. Yves Charpenel said the media in Malaysia should be able to distinguish between rumours and facts, and between investigations and a trial. "I am aware about all the fuss kicked up by certain media (organisations) in Malaysia over this matter but what I can say is that this is nothing more than a trial by the media," he told Bernama here today. Charpenel, who was a former head of prosecution in France and now a state prosecutor and an executive member of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), was here to attend the four-day IAACA conference and general meeting which ended yesterday. Following a complaint filed in 2009 by Suaram, a Malaysian human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO), that a French company had allegedly paid bribes to a Malaysian firm for the submarine deal, he revealed that two independent "investigating judges" started their investigations earlier this year. Charpenel said that in France, as in other countries practising the rule of law, all investigations were done in absolute secret. He said, it was anybody's right to file a complaint and due to the secret nature of the investigations, some resorted to complaining to the media. He explained that for specific cases in France, the Justice Ministry would ask an independent judge, called an "investigating judge", to investigate. "He is just an investigator. This is an old system that started from the Napolean era. If the investigating judge wants someone to come to Malaysia, he has to ask from your government because we have what is called the Treaty of Mutual Legal Assistance. And the Malaysian government can say 'yes' or 'no'. It has to be decided by the Malaysian authorities. "A French investigating judge cannot take his luggage, take a plane and go to Malaysia and ask someone to answer his questions. It is impossible, it is against the French law and it is also against international law," stressed Charpenel. In April this year, local opposition politicians here had even called for Malaysian officials to testify in Paris or risk being ostracised in the European Union. "A trial is a trial with all the rules. Investigation is another thing," said Charpenel of the misinformation generated by certain news portals over allegations that a trial was already underway. Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said over the weekend that the Auditor-General had declared the Scorpene deal was done in accordance with legal procedures.
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| Singaporean turfed for racist rant against Malays Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:57 PM PDT
(The Standard) - Singapore's state-linked labor movement sacked a senior executive after she posted expletive-laden and racially charged comments on Facebook that triggered outrage. Amy Cheong, an ethnic Chinese assistant director of membership at the National Trades Union Congress, was sacked a day after posting remarks on the social networking site about the country's Malay minority, AFP reports. NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say (picture), who holds the rank of minister in the office of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, announced the sacking on the organization's Facebook page, which was bombarded with complaints about Cheong. "We will not accept and have zero tolerance towards any words used or actions taken by our staff that are racially offensive,'' Lim said. "We are sorry that this has happened.'' Cheong's Facebook page could not be accessed today after her remarks caused a furor in Singapore's internet community, but an apology she wrote on microblogging site Twitter was still visible after she was fired. "I am truly sorry for making that stupid comment. I really didn't mean it that way. I am truly sorry,'' she said. In her Facebook rant, Cheong commented on the length of Malay wedding celebrations and derided the community's divorce rates. Multi-ethnic Singapore, which suffered racial riots in the 1960s and is surrounded by larger Muslim neighbours Indonesia and Malaysia, takes a hard line against acts stoking racial and religious hatred. Singapore's population is 74 percent ethnic Chinese, 13 percent Muslim Malay and nine per cent Indian, with the rest made up of other immigrant groups. Seditious acts including fostering racial hatred are punishable by a fine of up to S$5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both. Last year a member of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) was forced to quit after describing local Muslim children photographed in a school bus as terrorists in training.
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| George Soros bukan sekutu kami, kata Pakatan Rakyat Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:48 PM PDT
Setiausaha Publisiti Kebangsaan DAP Tony Pua berkata, Pakatan sama sekali tidak mempunyai kaitan, malah tidak mengenali individu bernama Soros. Jamilah Kamarudin, FMT Pakatan Rakyat menyelar dakwaan mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad yang menyifatkan undi kepada pembangkang seperti memberi undi kepada penyangak mata wang antarabangsa berketurunan Yahudi, George Soros. Perkara itu sama sekali ditepis pemimpin veteran DAP Lim Kit Siang yang menyifatkan Mahathir takut kepada Pakatan Rakyat. "Dia paranoid," katanya ringkas kepada pemberita di lobi Parlimen di sini hari ini. Sementara itu, Setiausaha Publisiti Kebangsaan DAP Tony Pua berkata Pakatan sama sekali tidak mempunyai kaitan, malah tidak mengenali individu bernama Soros. "Dia (Dr Mahathir) tidak lagi relevan dalam konflik ini kerana ia hanya kata-kata seseorang yang telah nyanyuk," katanya. Ahli Parlimen Petaling Jaya Utara itu berkata, kenyataan Dr Mahathir itu hanya mencemarkan nama baiknya sendiri sebagai negarawan dimata rakyat. Takut bayang-bayang "Pakatan berpendirian tegas mengutuk tindakan kejam Yahudi ke atas rakyat Palestin. Jadi bagaimana beliau boleh kata sebaliknya pula," soalnya. Naib Presiden PAS Salahuddin Ayub pula menyifatkan Dr Mahathir seperti takut kepada bayang-bayang sendiri apabila menjalin persahabatan dengan Soros semasa menjadi Perdana Menteri dahulu. "Negara kita tak menerima sebarang bentuk penjajahan asing dan kita sama sekali tak akan mengizinkan isu Soros berbangkit," katanya. Manakala Ahli Parlimen DAP-Klang Charles Santiago berkata Dr Mahathir tidak telus mempertahankan kedaulatan negara daripada ancaman Yahudi apabila membenarkan Malaysia menandatangani Perjanjian Dagangan Antarabangsa (FTA). Menurut Charles, dibawah perjanjian itu Malaysia boleh diheret ke mahkamah antarabangsa oleh firma gergasi antarabangsa yang dikuasai Amerika dan Kesatuan Eropah (EU) jika wujud sebarang pelanggaran persefahaman yang dimeterai. "Kalau Tun nak timbulkan pasal isu kedaulatan beliau sepatutnya menghalang negara daripada menandatangani FTA," katanya.
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| ‘BN govt does not care for Sabah’ Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:46 PM PDT
Former deputy minister Lajim Ukin told Parliament of the failures of the BN government to Sabah voters. Syed Jaymal Zahiid, FMT Former Umno deputy minister Lajim Ukin told parliament that the Barisan Nasional government has no time for Sabah. He said this was despite the state's loyalty to the federal government all these years. Lajim, who is Beaufort MP, also indicated his support for the opposition after he had remained quiet over his political leanings after he quit the government, applauding Pakatan Rakyat's promise to raise oil royalty payments to 20%. Sabah is rich in oil and contributes some RM22 billion of oil revenue annually but enjoys a mere 5% return in royalty while government allocations to the state, one of the poorest in the country, is said to be comparatively low. Lajim's insinuation of support for Pakatan could see BN taking on a united opposition in the Sabah. In his speech during the 2013 Budget debate in parliament, Lajim said the ruling coalition had failed to bring development in the state. Compared to the 85% rate of completed paved roads in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah has only 35%. Connectivity is a key issue in the state which is why Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had announced increased allocations for road projects there. But the former deputy minister, who was among the few other Sabah leaders who recently defected following disillusionment with the Najib administration's failure to address the problems in Sabah, said none of the promises have been fulfilled so far. "For 55 years BN have ruled and Sabah had contributed so much to the Malaysian economy since then but still it is one of the poorest state in the country. "This shows that Sabah and Sarawak are never the government's priority despite us being the fixed deposit for the ruling coalition. The Sabahan people have been sidelined," he said. Other Sabah BN leaders had also admitted recently that more must be done to improve the socio-economic situation in the state but so far none of them have been upfront about who is to be blamed for Sabah's underdevelopment. A Merdeka Center survey released on Friday showed that 57% were dissatisfied with the state's economic performance and only 56% of Sabah voters were satisfied with the state government, a 6% drop from 62% in November 2009. The report also showed a significant drop in the state's chief minister Musa Aman's rating. From 60% in November 2009, it dropped to to 45% in September. The decline was most marked among Muslim-Bumiputera voters who are the backbone of the state's Umno support, with a drop from 72% in November 2009 to 51% last month. Analysts believe the recent defections in the state will alter the state's and the national political landscape there, suggesting BN will face some hurdles in its stronghold in the upcoming polls.
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| Are they lining up Anwar for a fall? Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:19 PM PDT
Some within PKR are not too happy that DAP is pursuing this matter because it can backfire on Anwar and can open up a can or worms that many younger voters may have forgotten or may not be aware of. While they may successfully implicate Dr Mahathir in this scandal, Anwar, too, is going to get implicated. But then Anwar and not Dr Mahathir wants to become Prime Minister so is it worth going for Dr Mahathir and in the same breath bring Anwar down? THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcop Must Come Clean On The Bank Negara Foreign Exchange (Forex) Scandal And Fully Account For The Losses Of RM15.8 Billion From 1992-3 But Estimated To Reach RM30 Billion. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcop must come clean on the Bank Negara forex scandal and fully account for the losses of RM15.8 billion from 1992-3 but estimated to reach RM30 billion. According to the Bank Negara'S financial report, Bank Negara recorded losses of RM10.1 billion in 1992 and RM5.7 billion in 1993. However when replying to my question in Parliament 2 weeks ago, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim only admitted to the RM5.7 billion in losses in 1993. This gives rise to question about the RM10.1 billion losses in 1992 or even a total loss of up to RM30 billion as former Bank Negara senior officer Dr Rosli Yakcop who had worked under Tan Sri Nor had estimated. Tan Sri Nor was identified as the principal forex trader for Bank Negara with huge bets of hundreds of millions of US$ at single bets. So far he has refused to explain his role or why he gambled with the nation's treasury so recklessly in the largest financial scandal in Malaysian history. At a time when the Malaysian government is condemning forex currency speculators like George Soros, why is the Malaysian government practicing double-standards by protecting Malaysian forex currency speculators like Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcop. Worse the Malaysian government is sending the wrong message by not only failing to punish those responsible for such huge losses or demanding full accountability but even promoting forex currency speculators like Tan Sri Nor to a full Cabinet Minister. With the coming general elections, Tan Sri Nor has to fully explain this financial scandal as public interest demands that voters be fully informed what type of person or government that they are voting for when we suffered the largest financial losses in Malaysian history. Failing to do so would show that the BN government is only giving lip service to public accountability and transparency. LIM GUAN ENG *************************************** My sources within Pakatan Rakyat tell me that in the event Barisan Nasional gets kicked out in the coming general election and Pakatan Rakyat gets to form the next government, it is not sure yet whether Anwar Ibrahim is going to become the Prime Minister in spite of all the rhetoric. According to these people, DAP is very sore with Anwar regarding the CAT (cocky, arrogant, tok-kong) issue. It is not so much what Deputy Chief Minister Mansor Othman said but more what Anwar is NOT saying. Anwar's 'elegant silence' is deafening -- as is his 'deafening silence' regarding what Azmin Ali said about Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and also the 'deafening silence' regarding the goings-on in Kedah and the attacks on Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abu Bakar. Those attacking Guan Eng, Khalid and Azizan are Anwar die-hards. Hence, they ask, can't Anwar control his boys? Or has Anwar endorsed the attacks on Guan Eng, Khalid and Azizan? According to the PKR people, in a meeting that Azizan had with his PAS boys, he said that he believes Anwar is guilty of all the sexual misconduct allegations -- even from back in the 'Sodomy 1' days. Mat Sabu himself, now an Anwar die-hard, used to say the same thing when Anwar was still with the 'other side' (and Mat Sabu does not deny saying it but only explains it as 'that was then, when Anwar was the enemy'). Those close to Guan Eng have told Anwar that the Penang Chief Minister believes that 'Anwar may not be quite innocent' of the sexual misconduct allegations. Other top leaders in PAS have said the same thing. The DAP and PAS leaders are prepared to downplay this issue for the sake of Pakatan Rakyat solidarity. But whether they will support Anwar as the Prime Minister in the event that Pakatan Rakyat takes over is another thing altogether. That, they will have to 'wait and see' first. DAP appears to be pressing the issue of the FOREX scandal of around 20 years or so ago. No doubt it appears like the target is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. But is Dr Mahathir really going to get hurt by this? We must remember that apart from the fact that Dr Mahathir was the then Prime Minister it was Anwar who was the Finance Minister and the one who misled Parliament. There is nothing to directly link Dr Mahathir to this scandal other than the fact he was the Prime Minister at that time. In fact, Lim Kit Siang, who was the then Opposition Leader in Parliament, held Anwar personally accountable for this scandal. It was Anwar and not Dr Mahathir who Kit Siang whacked. Hence, if this matter is resurrected, is it going to be Dr Mahathir or Anwar who is going to get hurt? Some within PKR are not too happy that DAP is pursuing this matter because it can backfire on Anwar and can open up a can or worms that many younger voters may have forgotten or may not be aware of. While they may successfully implicate Dr Mahathir in this scandal, Anwar, too, is going to get implicated. But then Anwar and not Dr Mahathir wants to become Prime Minister so is it worth going for Dr Mahathir and in the same breath bring Anwar down? The PKR people are of the opinion that DAP is sending Anwar a message: which is, control your boys or else get embarrassed by the RM30 billion FOREX scandal. And maybe Lim Kit Siang's speech in Parliament of 11th April 1994 can demonstrate in what way Anwar can get hurt. *************************************** Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Tanjong, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat (Malaysian Parliament) on the Royal Address debate on Monday, April 11, 1994 Bank Negara's forex losses in the past two years could total as high as RM30 billion, making it the biggest financial scandal in Malaysia as well as a world-class financial scandal. There was in fact a conspiracy of disinformation and misinformation to 'cover up' the real nature, cause and magnitude of Bank Negara forex losses in the past two years which I will show in the course of my speech could total as high as RM30 billion. It is not only the greatest financial scandal in Malaysia, but has reached the standing to be a world-class financial scandal! In the special DAP motion on the Bank Negara forex losses in Parliament last April, the Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim strenuously denied that Bank Negara had "speculated" or "gambled" in foreign exchange. Anwar said that as Finance Minister, he was "fully satisfied with the reasons" goven by Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein for the Bank Negara's forex losses. However, truth cannot be concealed forever, as it would always find some way of declaring itself. This time, it is the Economic Adviser to the Government, Tun Daim Zainuddin, who had got the 'cat out of the bag'. On Monday, April 4, 1994, Daim Zainuddin was reported in the press as saying that "Central bank s must not play with the risks or losses are high". The Daim said that while those responsible for the huge forex losses of Bank Negara had accounted for their mistake by resigning, central banks should never go into such ventures. Anwar must also bear responsibility for the colossal Bank Negara forex losses. However, the person who must also bear responsibility for the colossal Bank Negara forex losses, apart from Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein, must be the Finance Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, himself. As Anwar had assured Parliament last April that he was 'satisfied' with Tan Sri Jaffar's explanation for the 1992 Bank Negara forex losses, why had Tan Sri Jaffar done differently in 1993 with regard to the 1993 Bank Negara forex losses to require his resignation? In Fact, if the Prime Minister is right that the Bank Negara's RM5.7 billion forex losses last year are from profits made in forex dealings made in preceding years, there is no need for Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein to resign at all. Jaffar should be made a Tun instead of having to resign in ignominy if it could be shown that over the years, Bank Negara had cumulatively made more profits from forex speculation despite the colossal losses in the past two years. If it could be shown that since it ventured into speculative forex trading under his Governorship, Bank Negara had cumulatively made more profits from such speculative forward forex trading despite the colossal losses in the past two years, Jaffar should be rewarded with a Tun instead of having to resign in ignominy! This is why the DAP had called on the Government to present a White Paper to give full details of its annual profits or losses from forex dealings in the preceding years, so that Malaysians can know whether the cumulative profits from Bank Negara forward forex dealings are able to absorb the RM5.7 billion forex losses- let alone the RM30 billion which could be the total forex losses in the past two years! There are two other reasons why Anwar Ibrahim must bear personal responsibility for Bank Negara's forex losses. Anwar Ibrahim said last week that he had directed Bank Negara to stop forward foreign exchange trading when he discovered its forex losses 18 months ago. If Bank Negara had followed his instructions to stop forward forex trading in 1992, then how could Bank Negara suffer RM5.7 billion losses in 1993, on top of the RM10.1 billion to RM13.1 billion losses in 1992? Furthermore, Anwar Ibrahim had misled Parliament last July when I questioned him whether Bank Negara had suffered more forex losses. Anwar said that this was not true as he had been monitoring the Bank Negara's forex dealings weekly. On July 19, 1993, I asked Anwar Ibrahim a supplementary question during question time as to whether at that date, Bank Negara's provision of Rm2.7 billion contingent liability for forward forex trading in the 1992 Bank Negara accounts had not only been confirmed, but even more forex losses had been incurred. This is Anwar's reply, from the Hansard of 19th July 1993(p. 28): "Dato Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim: Tua Yang di-Pertua, dukacita saya memaklumkan ini satu berita yang kurang baik bagi Yang Berhormat dari Tanjong. Kerugian yang dimaksudkan itu tidak berlaku dan tidak bertambah. Yang Berhormat mahu percaya atau tidak, tetapi saya ada maklumat yang sebenar tentang keadaan tersebut. Saya juga meneliti tiap-tiap minggu perkembangan kerana masalah yang dihadapi sebelum ini…. Saya ingin member jaminan kepada Yang Berhormat bagi Tanjong bahawa perkara ini kita teliti lebih dekat dan kita lebih waspada kerana pengalaman yang lalu." In this one short answer, Anwar Ibrahim had misled Parliament and the nation on three matters: * that by July 1993, the provision in the 1992 Bank Negara accounts for RM2.7 billion contingent liability for forward forex trading had not been confirmed; * that Bank Negara had not suffered more forex losses; and * that his weekly monitoring of Bank Negara's forex dealings would prevent further colossal losses arising from Bank Negara's forward forex trading. If Anwar Ibrahim claims that he had directed Bank Negara to stop forward forex trading 18 months ago, and that "there are no new trading arrangements" last year as the central bank unwound its forward positions in the market last year (Business Times April 6, 1994), then Bank Negara should not have incurred RM5.7 billion when its contingent liability provision for such forward forex trading in end- 1992 was RM2.7 billion. Anwar's claim that there were no new forward forex trading by Bank Negara in 1993 had been contradicted by Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein, who said in his press conference on March 31 as well in his foreword to the 1993 Bank Negara report: "In the Bank's 1993 accounts, a net deficiency in foreign exchange transactions of RM5.7 billion is reported, an amount which will be written off against the Bank's future profits. This loss reflected errors in judgement involving commitments made with the best of intentions to protect the national interest prior to the publication of the Bank's 1992 accounts towards the end of March 1993. As these forward transactions were unwound, losses unfolded in the course of 1993. In this regard, global developments over the past year had not been easy for the Bank; indeed, they made it increasingly difficult for the Bank to unwind these positions without some losses. For the most part, time was not on the Bank's side. Nevertheless, this exercise is now complete- there is at this time, no more contingent liability on the Bank's forward foreign exchange transactions on this account. An unfortunate chapter in the Bank's history is now closed. " This is an admission that until late March 1993, Bank Negara was still dabbling in new forward foreign exchange transactions, with the suggestion that after March, all these forward transactions were unwound. But the provision of RM1.4 billion contingent liability for forward forex trading in the end-1993 account (Note 12) shows that new forex trading were still being entered into well after March 1993. Clearly Datuk Seri Anwar and Tan Sri Jaffar are not telling the truth as to when Bank Negara ceased new forward forex trading.
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| The cost of living in Malaysia Posted: 07 Oct 2012 03:49 PM PDT
Malaysia's Approved Permit (AP) process, which restricts importing cars to government approved permit holders, is intended to favour Bumiputeras (ethnic Malay's and members of native tribes) by enabling Bumiputeras to set up automobile sales and service operations. Instead, the AP process has become a lucrative "middleman" operation, where many Malay AP holders sell their permits to non-Malays and keep the cash. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin
On 16th December 2009, the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur sent the report below to Washington. Basically, it is a report regarding Malaysia's automobile industry. Now, while both Barisan Nasional as well as Pakatan Rakyat whack each other and condemn each other's '2013 Budget', what we should be discussing instead is: what are both sides going to do about what was reported below? What is the policy regarding the automobile industry? Malaysians, like most Asians, have a 'love affair' with their car. Sometimes the car(s) parked outside their house cost more than the house itself. However, while the house may appreciate in value, the same cannot be said about the car. The car is a depreciating asset and sometimes you cannot even dispose of your car for more than what you owe the finance company. How many times have you heard people grumble that when they sold their car they actually had to 'top up' the full-settlement payment to the finance company? In countries that have a good/efficient public transport system, you can get by without a car. Bankers, managers and even Members of Parliament can use public transport to get to work. In Malaysia, even clerks need to drive to work. Hence cars are not only a status symbol but also a necessity. However, while in some countries (like the UK) your car can be equivalent of 1-2 years of your monthly salary, in Malaysia it can be 5-10 years of your monthly salary depending on your salary and what car you buy. That is just too much. The car should be working for you, not you work for your car, which is what is happening in Malaysia.
In the UK this car costs less than one year of your monthly salary while in Malaysia it is 6-7 years if you work as a security guard, waiter, driver, clerk, etc. No doubt car prices in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, etc., are about the same as in Malaysia (in fact, Malaysia is about 10% cheaper), but that is not a good argument to use to defend car prices in Malaysia. Malaysia has to decide whether it wants a free market policy or a protectionist policy. A free market, no doubt, favours the capitalists. But then in a protectionist environment, although it helps protect the weak from the powerful, invariably the consumer ends up paying. I would go for a free market and may the fittest survive. Certainly, in a free market, the weak are going to die. But is that not the law of nature -- the survival of the fittest? Anyway, I am not going to be contesting the election or wish to form the next government. Hence what I think does not matter. What we, the voters, should be concerned about is: what do those who are offering themselves for election think? Can we hear from them before Malaysians go to the polls to vote in the coming election, which Anwar Ibrahim said last night is going to be held later this year? ************************************************ In October 2009, GOM announced revisions to its National Auto Policy (NAP), in effect since 2005, which will be implemented in January 2010. The revised NAP lifts the freeze on some Manufacturing Licenses, and reduces intra-ASEAN duties and excise taxes, and sets aside tax exemptions for high-value added exports. However, the policy extends the Approved Permit (AP) system for another 10 years (effectively extending quota restrictions), expands import restrictions especially on used vehicles, and does not significantly change subsidies to the industry. U.S. firms will find little to cheer about in the changes to the NAP because there is no significant departure from the past in terms of opening up the market for imports or reducing subsidies to the "national" automakers. Importers of passenger vehicles complain that the measures Malaysia maintains are protectionist, opaque, and potentially inconsistent with Malaysia's obligations under the WTO. According to one American manufacturer's regional representative, the NAP, even after these revisions, seriously restricts the ability of importers to compete on a level playing field. The key policy preferences for bumiputera ownership and high local content remain in place. The small liberalization measures, i.e. duty and excise reductions, are mostly in categories where "national" brands do not compete, or where the infrastructure does not exist (i.e. electric cars). National Auto Policy (NAP) - Objectives Malaysia has protected its automobile manufacturing industry from foreign competition using both high tariffs and non-tariff barriers for the past 20 years. Even for cars produced in Malaysia, Malaysian government policies distinguish between "national" cars, (e.g., domestic producers Proton and Perodua) and "non-national" cars, which include most vehicles manufactured in Malaysia by non-Malaysian owned firms. Malaysia's current National Auto Policy (NAP) has been in effect since 2005. The NAP framework is intended to encourage increased foreign investment in Malaysia's auto sector, while simultaneously strengthening national car-makers Proton and Perodua. The NAP Framework's five major objectives have been: "-- to promote a competitive and viable automobile sector, in particular national car manufacturers; -- to become a regional hub for manufacturing, assembly and distribution for automotive vehicles; -- to enhance value added and local capabilities in the automotive sector; -- to promote export-oriented Malaysian manufacturers as well as component and parts vendors; -- to promote competitive and broad-based Bumiputera participation in vehicle manufacturing, distribution and importation as well as in component and parts manufacturing." Review of the NAP In November 2008, the (then) Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak (currently prime minister) announced that the GOM would review the NAP to potentially liberalize the sector. In October 2009, the GOM announced the completion of its review of the NAP. The new measures will be implemented in January 2010. According to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the primary objectives of the review were to ensure the long-term viability and competitiveness of the industry, and to ensure that consumer interests, safety, and the environment were protected. Additional objectives included promoting new and existing investment, promoting utilization of the latest technology, and continued expansion of Bumiputera participation in the industry. Based on the review, the GOM introduced 18 new policy measures or revisions. The policy measures covered adjustments to licensing, duties, incentives, technology, environment, safety, standards, and the Approved Permits (AP) system. Manufacturing Licenses The NAP lifts the freeze on Manufacturing Licenses for luxury vehicles, pick-up trucks, commercial vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and motorcycles with engine capacity over 200 cc. Also, there will not be any bumiputra equity requirements imposed on new manufacturing licenses. The current freeze on new licenses for rebuild activities, however, will remain in force. Duty and excise taxes selectively reduced The new policy reduces the intra-ASEAN duty rate from 5 percent to zero by January 2010. Electric / hybrid vehicles will be exempt from duty and the excise tax reduced to 50 percent (from the usual 105 percent). Duties and excise taxes for other imports from non-ASEAN countries will remain unchanged. Tax exemptions for high value added exports The revised NAP increases the income tax exemption for high-value added exports of vehicles and parts. Tax exemption on statutory income is based on the percentage increase in value-added of exports: if the value-added is at least 30 percent, 30 percent of the value is exempt from income tax (as compared to the previous 10 percent); if the value-added exceeds 50 percent, 50 percent is exempt (as compared to the previous 30 percent). Gazette prices expanded to used vehicles Malaysia currently uses gazette prices (determined by MITI) for the purpose of computing the duty on the value of new imported vehicles. In that past, importers of used vehicles have reportedly under-declared the value of used cars. The NAP addresses this problem by establishing gazette prices for imported used motor vehicles. Approved Permit (AP) system extended Malaysia's Approved Permit (AP) process, which restricts importing cars to government approved permit holders, is intended to favor Bumiputera (ethnic Malay's and members of native tribes) by enabling Bumiputera to set up automobile sales and service operations. Instead, the AP process has become a lucrative "middle man" operation, where many Malay AP holders sell their permits to non-Malays and keep the cash. According to MITI statistics, 156 companies out of 254 have lost their APs since 1986 because of misuse or resale of their APs. This system adds thousands of dollars to the retail cost of imported cars. The revised NAP extends the planned phase-out of AP system to 2020 (from the previous planned 2010), and maintains the minimum 70 percent bumiputera equity requirement for prospective importers. (NOTE: GOM announced in January 2009 that they planned to extend the deadline for the phase-out, but probably not more than five years.) The revised NAP also further restricts importation of used vehicles, by terminating the open APs for used vehicles by December 31, 2015. Automotive Development Fund (ADF) Malaysia's fiscal stimulus package set aside USD56 million for Malaysia's Automotive Development Fund. The purpose of the fund is to support the development of Malaysian auto manufacturers and auto dealers. Under the revised NAP, both the ADF and separate Industrial Adjustment Fund (IAF) will continue providing soft loans, grants and subsidies. The stated purpose of ADF is to "improve competitiveness of parts and components manufacturers through soft loans and grants," whereas the IAF grants are made available to "companies that create significant economic contribution."
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| Penang PKR wrapping up ‘cocky and arrogant Lim’ case Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:34 PM PDT
(The Star) - Penang PKR is expected to make an announcement on the outcome of its investigation into the alleged leaked recording of Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mansor Othman branding his superior Lim Guan Eng as an arrogant and cocky leader. State PKR vice-chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussein said the issue was largely an internal matter where an element of an unethical practice (leakage of the recording) occurred. "We should stop speculating about it until we make an announcement. Just wait for it," he said in reference to the guessing game on who was the culprit behind the leakage. Mansor is alleged to have uttered the words "cocky" and "arrogant" earlier this year when describing Lim, who is the Chief Minister, during a conversation with fellow PKR leaders here. Two state executive councillors here have played down the significance of the alleged leaked recording. State Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong said even the weekly state exco meetings could not be fortified. "Sometimes, before we even announce decisions from our exco meetings, the information was already made known (elsewhere). We have nothing to hide," Ong said after flagging off a cycling event at Gurney Paragon. Penang Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Kassim, who was also present, said he was not worried about the alleged recording, as "there will always be black sheep who are out to sabotage others". Separately, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said this incident exemplified one of the many weaknesses in Pakatan Rakyat.
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| DAP’s Karpal chides ‘presumptuous’ PKR deputy president Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:28 PM PDT
(The Star) - The feud between Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and his party boss Azmin Ali has worsened with more Pakatan Rakyat leaders joining in the fray to chide the PKR deputy president. The latest Pakatan leader to do so is DAP chairman Karpal Singh who reminded Azmin that he was not in any position to unilaterally announce anything affecting the coalition, including on who should be the Selangor mentri besar if the coalition retained power in the state. "Azmin has exceeded the bounds of opinion, because this matter is beyond PKR. It involves the Pakatan Rakyat leadership," Karpal said yesterday. Karpal was asked to comment on Azmin's recent statement in a Malay daily that implied that Khalid would not be re-appointed as Mentri Besar should Pakatan retain power in Selangor. Azmin had said that Khalid's services were needed at the federal level if Pakatan succeeded in capturing Putrajaya. Karpal said it was not proper for Azmin to express such an opinion because the decision was not in the hands of PKR alone. PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali also affirmed that the matter was never discussed at the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council meetings. He had described Azmin as "over ambitious" for making such a statement. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former private secretary, Annuar Shaari also said the feud between Azmin and Khalid had always been an "open secret" within the party circle. "Azmin had wanted the mentri besar's post in 2008, but he kept silent after Anwar convinced him they could take over Putrajaya in 2009," he said. He said it was also known that PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was not in favour of Azmin, while her husband Anwar favoured him. Khalid's political secretary Faekah Husin said Azmin had prematurely dropped the bomb. She said Khalid had laughed off the matter because he did not mind whether he was fielded or dropped from the list of candidates in the next elections. In an unrelated development, Khalid admitted that some PKR members still found fault with the party and doubted the viability of Pakatan. "This is happening because the members are more concerned about their own interests. This is not right. We should show more maturity towards attaining the party's goals," he said at the opening of the party's Kuala Selangor division's annual general meeting in Ijok yesterday.
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| Nazri: EC to implement most PSC recommendations in GE13 Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:19 PM PDT
Hafidz Baharom, The Malaysian Insider Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told Parliament today that the Election Commission (EC) will implement most of the recommendations made by a select committee on electoral reforms in April, in the next general election. Out of the 32 recommendations made by the parliamentary select committee (PSC), only six could not be implemented because of existing laws and the extra cost involved, the minister in the prime minister's department said in response to a question from Tanjong MP Chow Kon Yeow. Electoral reform group Bersih's rally on July 9 last year had forced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's government to accept the need for reforms. The government moved quickly to enact the Peaceful Assembly Act after the event and formed a parliamentary select committee for electoral reforms. In April, the PSC report was released and Parliament approved the report with no debate between the opposition and ruling parties. An opposition minority report was not included in the final report. Bersih maintained that reforms were inadequate and subsequently announced the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally. The first rally, held in 2007, was partly credited for Barisan Nasional's worst electoral performance during Election 2008, when it lost its traditional parliamentary supermajority and five states to the fledgling Pakatan Rakyat pact. "As we know, the Dewan Rakyat passed ten recommendations in December last year and 22 more in April this year. "The EC has informed us that most of the recommendations have been or will be implemented. "From the 32, only six could not be implemented due to factors regarding laws and large costs," Nazri said today. However, Nazri said that this did not mean the EC would not implement the remaining recommendations in the future. Among the recommendations that would be implemented in the 13th general election is the use of indelible ink, continuous review of the electoral roll, allowing postal voting for media personnel and the improvement of polling stations to ensure that votes remain secret.
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| Musa’s ‘monopoly’ of Sabah may lead to BN’s downfall, says ex-Umno man Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:15 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's iron-clad control of the state, which led to a monopoly of government that brooks no dissent was the last stroke for Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, the Beaufort MP told Sinar Harian in an interview published today. The veteran lawmaker's decision to quit his powerful Umno supreme council position last July is seen to have strengthened the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact's foothold in Malaysia's easternmost state in the run-up to the 13th general elections, despite it being long regarded as a reliable vote bank for the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. "Sabah Umno has already been controlled by its own state Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman. "Whatever he does is a monopoly and no one else can criticise," Lajim told the Malay daily, nearly three months after he quit. He acknowledged that there was tension between him and the chief minister, but attributed it to Musa's personal feelings. "I respect him as state Umno liaison chief but in personal matters, perhaps he took what I said to heart because I am too vocal in voicing the rakyat's problems and the question of party unity," he told the paper. He also suggested that Musa had been behind an attempt to remove him from a position of power in 2008, when Beaufort Umno Wanita chief Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun had challenged him for the party division chief position. "If he felt a grave responsibility, he should have advised the Women's chief not to contest," he was quoted saying. Lajim told the paper that he had tried to raise the problems within Sabah Umno with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also party president previously, but said no action was taken to resolve them despite his reports. "The prime minister asked me to be patient, but I had a good reason to give him. "I met the prime minister on December 20 last year and I resigned on July 29 this year. "Meaning, I had been patient for eight months," the man who had once-proclaimed himself to be a "winnable candidate" told Sinar Harian. Lajim predicted that many other Sabah BN leaders will quit the coalition once Parliament is dissolved to pave the way for national elections and once the lawmakers find out they have not been nominated to run despite being "winnable candidates". He told the paper he also believes that PR's policies can help resolve the state's economic and social woes within three years if elected to power, giving as example hiking the state's oil royalties to 20 per cent from the current five per cent it is given by the federal government. He added that the income from the oil money will help boost wages and state infrastructure, saying Sabah will have a state budget of RM10 billion. He also said he is confident the opposition bloc will win at least 35 state seats in the general elections that must be called by April next year when the BN's mandate expires.
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| Posted: 07 Oct 2012 01:45 PM PDT
Pakatan Rakyat for all its 'show' also delivered a equally inadequate shadow budget for 2013. Awang Abdillah, FMT Pakatan Rakyat has presented its' alternative budget 2013 which fails to score any better points. In fact it is a dismal one indicating that they too do not have better ways to improve the economy but are merely claiming to have one. Let us examine the two main items in the budgets of the two coalitions: i) Barisan Nasional budget – The expected revenue is RM208.6 billion and the projected expenditure is RM251.6 billion with a deficit of RM43 billion. ii) Pakatan budget – The expected revenue is RM197.1 billion and the projected expenditure is RM238 billion with a deficit of RM40.9 billion. a) Revenue Since 1997 when Malaysia was badly hit by the financial crisis that originated from Thailand, Malaysia's budget has been operating at a deficit . In plain language the government's annual revenue is insufficient to cover the cost of its expenditure. Surely if Pakatan wants to take over the government it should work out a plan to overcome this serious recurrent financial woe. A surplus revenue over expenditure reflects a government ability to deliver more goods and services to the people without borrowing. But this is not possible given Malaysia's long standing economic ills since the Mahathir era. Hence Pakatan should present a rescue budget plan to tackle the financial misfortunes of the country by tabling a budget with a much higher expected revenue than that of BN. Malaysia is blessed with many resources and with better governance the economy should be able to recover. Colossal illicit outflow Many VIPs , exporters and importers are evading paying the full income tax, tariffs and duties resulting in the government losing billions of ringgit in revenue uncollected. Every year billions in foreign currencies are transferred overseas by BN politicians, their cronies and businessmen without going through Bank Negara to evade paying income tax. The central bank should impose better controls on the transfer of illegal funds out of the country as outflow of colossal amount of foreign currencies will have a negative impact on the economy and the ringgit value. With better control , the IRB can then assess the value of the earnings and wealth of these people and tax them accordingly. Based on latest reports the Chief Minister of Sarawak is tagged as the richest billionaire in Malaysia whose wealth is valued at RM45 billion qualifying him to possibly be the second richest man in South East Asia after the sultan of Brunei. The IRB can collect billions of ringgit in income tax if the government authorizes it to go after these people. Pakatan can step up efforts to recover the ill-gotten wealth including those stashed overseas. For the years 2012 and 2013 the expected annual total exports and imports are valued at more than a trillion ringgit each. Similarly had the tariffs and duties on these goods and services been paid in full based on the full declaration of their value instead of under-declared value, the past years' revenues collected by the relevant agencies would have been be much higher. Thus the relevant departments namely the customs and other agencies must be revamped. Hidden earnings For both taxes on the hidden earnings and under-declared goods the government should be able to collect another RM10-15 billion in revenue. Therefore Pakatan should have presented an expected higher revenue say RM220 bil based on a projected expenditure of RM238 thereby reducing the deficit, debt and borrowings. Pakatan should propose to revamp the current tax collection system to cover the loopholes. The Budget 2013 is the last one before the 13th general election, hence Pakatan should have presented a convincing budget to win the hearts and minds of the people and to counter Najib's psy-war budget. However it did not seize this golden opportunity. Pakatan is fortunate to meet an opponent whose political masters are so engrossed in their greed for power and immersed in so many ills that will lead to their own downfall. b) Expenditure Pakatan should ensure that all public projects and services for the year 2013 go through the open tender system to ensure the most qualified contractors with the lowest/best prices are awarded the contracts and that all contracts that are already awarded by the BN government directly to the crony companies are cancelled or reviewed . Additionally all mega projects will be reviewed or cancelled to avoid waste of public funds. These measures will save the government billions in savings.
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| Ex-DAP man’s criticism has Kok fuming Posted: 07 Oct 2012 01:41 PM PDT
DAP's Teresa Kok lashes out at sacked party man Tan Tuan Tat, who accused the former of being a weak and incompetent politician. Athi Shankar, FMT Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has taken an ex-DAP man to task for labelling her as a weak leader. She said Tan Tuan Tat hardly knew anything about what she had done and performed since he was not in the Selangor DAP committee and Pakatan Rakyat state government. Apart from weak, Tan claimed that Kok was an "incompetent politician lacking the capability to head Selangor DAP." Kok said ever since she helmed Selangor DAP, she had forged close working ties with all state committee members and elected representatives. The state executive councillor said they would all be updated on meetings and issues pertaining to the state government, Pakatan and DAP. "Tan has never been informed of these meetings and decisions because he is not a wakil rakyat, a councillor or a DAP state committee member. "So on what grounds did he make such an accusation against me?" asked the Kinrara state representative, in a text message. To prove his point, Tan, the former DAP Taman Seri Sungai Pelek branch chairman, said that Kok did not receive a strong grassroots' mandate during the 2010 state party convention. He recalled that Kok, despite being an exco in the Selangor government, could only secure 437 of the 803 delegates' votes to finish at 11th in a list of 15 elected members. In the subsequent state committee meeting, Kok managed to defeat state legislative assembly speaker Teng Chang Kim by 8-7 vote margin to become the Selangor DAP chairman. Tan said she managed to head Selangor DAP despite weak support from the members because "she was a loyalist to the Lim Dynasty and blue-eyed girl of Lim Kit Siang." Lim Dynasty was a political odium coined by DAP grassroots members and critics to portray the powerful internal faction headed by Ipoh Timur MP Kit Siang and his son, Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary general Guan Eng. 'Playing second fiddle'
Despite her elevation to state party chief, Tan said he sympathised with Kok for having to always play second fiddle to DAP's Pandamaran assemblyman Ronnie Liu. Tan recalled that Liu, a state executive councillor, once mocked the party protocol to amend the state leadership-approved list of councillor appointees. He said Liu replaced certain state-endorsed nominees with his own people and got them approved by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, all without Kok's knowledge. When she knew about it, Tan claimed that Kok shouted at Liu right in front of Khalid. "But Liu went unscathed because he was the Lim Dynasty's main admiral. No disciplinary action was taken against him and Kok was powerless to do anything. "She only ended up embarrassing herself," he said. To this, Kok questioned whether Tan knew what she had done after Liu amended the councillor list. But she did not deliberate further. Tan also accused Kok of negligence in resolving the grouses and issues raised by party members. Since Kok helmed the state party leadership, Tan said factionalism had also crept into Selangor DAP, breaking into three main divisions headed by herself, Liu and Teng. "The main factions have also split into sub-factions. She is the main cause for many disgruntled grassroots leaders and members to leave the party," he claimed.
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| Migrants, church may end BN’s Borneo vote bank Posted: 07 Oct 2012 12:21 PM PDT
Sabah Christians walk during a procession ahead of Sunday Mass to celebrate Malaysia Day in Tambunan on September 16, 2012. With a general election due within seven months, the ruling BN is banking on Sabah and Sarawak state to prolong its 55-year grip on power. — Reuters pic Fawziah said she was a beneficiary of a secret plan said to have been approved by Dr Mahathir that has helped fuel a five-fold surge in Sabah's population since the 1970s and turned it into a vote bank for the ruling coalition. The Malaysian Insider Housewife Fawziah Abdul wants to thank former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for making her a citizen 10 years after she illegally slipped into Borneo from the southern Philippines in search of a better life. The 50-year-old lives on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, where her tin-roofed shack jostles for space with more than 1,000 others in a slum where children play beside heaps of rubbish. She is hopeful that her three children will get a new home and identity cards if she votes for the government again. With a general election due within seven months, the 13-party ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition is banking on Sabah and neighbouring Sarawak to prolong its 55-year grip on power. But its support in the two Borneo states, which account for a quarter of Parliament seats, is showing signs of slipping.  Residents of Pulau Gaya's water village, who are mostly Filipino migrants, gather outside their houses on the sea outside Kota Kinabalu on September 17, 2012. — Reuters pic Fawziah said she was a beneficiary of a secret plan said to have been approved by Dr Mahathir that has helped fuel a five-fold surge in Sabah's population since the 1970s and turned it into a vote bank for the ruling coalition. "I am part of Project Mahathir," she said, referring to the plan. "I was told to turn up at an office with two photographs and some money," added Fawziah, who showed her identity card that lists her as a Sabah-born citizen. Without support in the two eastern states, the ruling coalition would have lost power in the last general election, in 2008, when a resurgent opposition won a majority of votes on Peninsular Malaysia. Now that support looks fragile. Residents of Sabah complain about competition from Filipino and Indonesian migrants for jobs in the oil and gas-rich region, whose revenues are mostly channelled to the federal government and where one in five people lives on less than US$1 (RM3.10) a day. Christians, mostly members of indigenous groups such as the Kadazandusun in Sabah and the Dayaks and Ibans in Sarawak, once made up nearly half of Sabah's population but now form less than a third of its 3.2 million people. But they can still give a potentially vital boost to the opposition, which won a majority of votes in mainland Malaysia in 2008 but only got three of 56 seats in Sabah and Sarawak. FLEXING POLITICAL MUSCLES The election is expected to be the closest in the former British colony's history after the coalition lost its two-thirds majority for the first time in 2008. This is partly due to Christian, Buddhist and Hindu minorities in the mostly Muslim country abandoning the coalition, complaining of discrimination over issues such as the airing of Islamic programmes on state television. Arnold Puyok, a political scientist at Universiti Teknologi Mara Sabah, says the frustration could translate into votes for the opposition led by Dr Mahathir's former deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which could pick up at least 10 seats out of 25 in Sabah. Opposition strategists say they need to win an extra 10 seats each in Sabah, Sarawak and mainland Malaysia to win the election with a simple majority of 112 seats. The opposition — a coalition of Borneo parties and a mainland alliance that campaigns for greater transparency — won 15 seats from the ruling bloc in Sarawak state elections for its best showing in 24 years. It got votes from indigenous Christians as well as from the ethnic Chinese minority. As Christian frustration grows over Muslim migrants, churches are becoming more vocal. Malaysia's largest evangelical group held a 40 day-fast last month, which included prayers for the resolution of what they see as the immigrant problem.  A Sabah Christian reads from a prayer book with the Arabic word 'Allah' in reference to God, at a church in Tambunan on September 16, 2012. — Reuters pic "There are quite a few unhappy Sabah people. Sabahans do not usually show it openly, they are doing it through prayer," Stephanie Rainier, a Kadazandusun among 7,000 worshippers at a stadium in Kota Kinabalu, said of people's frustration. "They are taking over businesses. They are everywhere," she said of migrants. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/migrants-church-may-end-bns-borneo-vote-bank/
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| Beyond the fight to be Lembah Pantai MP Posted: 07 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT
The next general election is expected to be the closest fight to form the new Malaysian government. And several seats across the nation are likely to be heated battles with the slimmest of majorities. The Malaysian Insider takes a look at some of these hot seats in what will be an intense election for control of Malaysia. Joan Lau, The Malaysian Insider Bangsar Baru with its leafy affluent neighbourhoods and trendy cafes serving artisanal coffee is a far cry from Kampung Kerinchi and Pantai Dalam where the residents are more accustomed to teh tarik and sup ekor. Yet these two areas are part of the federal constituency of Lembah Pantai, one of the next general election's hot seats. The incumbent is PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. She is touted to be the future opposition leader so there is much talk in Barisan Nasional (BN) circles that it is important she be "taken down." To be denied re-election to the seat she won as a rank novice back in 2008. Her opponent — even though it is still unofficial — is Raja Datuk Nong Chik Zainal Abidin, who is the federal territories and urban well-being minister. Although Raja Nong Chik, 59, an accountant, is more well-known in the corporate scene than the political arena, he has taken to his role as Lembah Pantai challenger rather well with a mix of on-the-ground events and social media. There is the perennial accusation of phantom voters and a suspicion that some 14,000 Umno members have been relocated to Lembah Pantai from bordering seats of course. All this will purportedly bump up the number of votes the BN candidate — whoever it is — will receive of course.  Nurul Izzah has found it a tough to carry out events and hold ceramahs within her own constituency. Still, Nurul Izzah, 31, has found it a hard slog trying to carry out events and hold ceramahs within her own constituency. "Yes, it is practically impossible for the current Lembah Pantai MP to use any Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) facilities," said one of her aides, referring to Kuala Lumpur City Hall. "We are stonewalled." Getting permits for her events has been particularly difficult in the Kampung Kerinchi and Pantai Dalam areas. Very often Nurul Izzah has had to cancel ceramahs planned for the People's Housing Project flats neighbourhood and hold them in private homes, using their compounds, instead. "Yes, her programmes have been blocked many times. Sometimes directly, others indirectly," said another aide. "We've been told that those who host her programmes — especially those in the low-cost housing area — are often harassed by DBKL or other agencies afterwards." The stonewalling takes on various forms: she has been blocked from presenting aid to students at a school in Pantai Dalam; not permitted to distribute dates and her MP newsletter at the Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As Siddiq in Bangsar during Ramadan (she had to retreat to a nearby carpark) and so on. The more affluent middle-class component of Lembah Pantai — Bangsar, Bukit Travers and Pantai Baru — is home to the chattering masses. These are well-educated, highly opinionated Malaysians who used to be content to just chatter and complain. But in the past two years, many of them have walked their talk... attending both Coalition for Free and Fair Election (Bersih) rallies, for example.  Raja Datuk Nong Chik is expected to be the BN candidate for Lembah Pantai. They will very likely vote for the incumbent but across at the land of low-cost flats and blue-collar workers, the largesse a BN candidate will very likely bring may just be too tempting. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/beyond-the-fight-to-be-lembah-pantai-mp/ | |||
| Exposed! Soros RM120m for regime change devils Posted: 07 Oct 2012 12:17 PM PDT | |||
| Britain's brutal rule in Kenya on the docks Posted: 07 Oct 2012 12:10 PM PDT
(Al Jazeera) - Also closely following McCombe's decision were Indians, Malaysians, Cypriots, and Guyanese - others who lived and suffered under British rule. Cases have been filed across the former British empire's vast expanse seeking reparations for colonial-era abuses. The British colonial officers ordered the Kenyans off the crowded bus, hunting for insurgents who had brazenly challenged the empire's rule.
Naomi Kimweli did not think, as she lay for weeks in King George hospital in Nairobi, that the men who tortured her and her husband would ever be held accountable. In Nairobi, elderly Kenyans - many the victims of torture under British rule - waited anxiously at the Kenya Human Rights Commission for the verdict. George Morara, the commission's officer in charge of the case, received the call from London. Naomi Kimweli sits at a table on the south bank of the River Thames leafing through an Olympics pamphlet. It is just after 5pm and Londoners are gathering for a glass of Pimms and some rare sunshine. Naomi and three other elderly Kenyan torture victims spent two weeks at the Royal Courts of Justice in July 2012. For six hours a day they watched men and women in powdered wigs read aloud evidence of their rapes and castrations in a language they could not understand. In 2003, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki lifted the 40-year-old ban on the Mau Mau, ending their political marginalisation. About the same time, historians researching the Mau Mau uprising gained access to secret colonial archives detailing the extent to which the colonial authorities systematically used torture to suppress the rebel movement. The old horror stories of the Kimwelis and thousands of other Kenyans found new legal footing. Thus began the legal battle that would challenge the impunity of empire. "We are not talking about phantoms," said Morara of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission. "We are talking about real men and women who exist and still bear scars." During the second hearing last July, the Foreign Office faced growing piles of evidence - oral testimony, medical records, and diplomatic wires from London. In their opening statements, lawyers representing the British government admitted torture had occurred. Read more at: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/10/201210610143126968.html | |||
| Muhyiddin supporters can't wait for the PM's exit Posted: 06 Oct 2012 08:58 PM PDT
IT'S TOFFEE'S TURN Muhyiddin Yassin's supporters have finally come out to stake the claim for their chief as the next PM of Malaysia, and it is not really surprising as so many things have gone weirdly wrong with Najib's running of the country, the party, and most of all the elections campaign, that most of the people in the BN seem to be sure that with Najib at the helm the BN will suffer an agonising and humiliating defeat when he calls for elections this time around. To Muhyiddin, and in fact the majority at UMNO, Najib has and is taking the party in the wrong direction, he has not asserted his authority sufficiently to maim the opposition, to them he does not have enough, "fire in the belly" to win the elections they way his predecessors did. Najib's deputy has scarce respect for him, he has displayed that time and again by deliberately contradicting so many directives of Najib's, as one observer noticed, "the other so called "heavyweights" in UMNO - Nazri, Rais Yatim, Khairy, and even the likes of Sharizat seem to leaning towards Muhyiddin almost to say that there is this general feel in UMNO that Najib has to go."
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| Why Najib has to watch his back Posted: 06 Oct 2012 06:02 PM PDT
Hence Najib's career all depends on how well he performs in the coming general election. Unless he can do better than what Abdullah Badawi did in March 2008 then he would have to go. Winning the general election is not good enough. He would have to ensure that Pakatan Rakyat does not win more than 80 Parliament seats and Selangor falls back to Barisan Nasional plus Barisan Nasional retains Perak. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
UMNO President and PM Abdullah announced on July 10 he will step down as Prime Minister in June 2010 and hand over power to his deputy Najib Tun Razak. He also will relinquish his positions as president of United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) and as chairman of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to Najib. The PM added that he would not lead BN into the next general election, which has to be held by May 2013, as at that time the country would have Najib as its new Prime Minister. At a press conference after chairing the UMNO Supreme Council and a briefing to around 1,000 UMNO grassroots leaders, Abdullah added that he would defend his UMNO President's post, with Najib as his running mate, at the national party elections scheduled in December. Abdullah stated at the press conference that during the two-year transition process, he would consolidate and restore the people's confidence in UMNO and BN. The PM also stated that he chose the time frame to ensure he will be able to implement to the programs outlined in the Ninth Malaysian Plan (2006-2010), particularly hardcore poverty eradication and the judicial reforms he had earlier announced. The Prime Minister noted that he would give Najib more tasks and duties to prepare him for the leadership take-over and to face the next general election. Abdullah told reporters that UMNO grassroots leaders at the July 10 closed-door briefing had welcomed his transition proposal. One Johor UMNO delegate who spoke with us said those attending the briefing applauded the Prime Minister's announcement as they had no choice, in the meeting at least, particularly given Najib's acceptance of the deal. The UMNO delegate clarified that the UMNO Supreme Council had not precluded a contest for the top two slots (a decision the Supreme Council has taken in certain past elections). It remained to be seen whether branches and divisions would fully support the transition deal, or endorse other nominations. Standing beside Abdullah at the press conference, Najib expressed his gratitude and reiterated his loyalty to Abdullah. The DPM described the transition as in accordance with UMNO's tradition, and hoped that UMNO grassroots would accept and support the plan. One UMNO divisional leader told us that Najib knew that many grassroots leaders were not happy with the deal, but Najib had explained he had never challenged the party president before and was not about to change that record. PM Abdullah supporters in the UMNO Supreme Council echoed Najib's view that the transition announcement was in keeping with UMNO party tradition. Party Information Chief Muhammad Taib stated that the plan was the best way to strengthen UMNO, particularly as history has shown that a contest for top posts will only divide the party. Youth Chief and Najib's cousin Hishammuddin and Deputy Youth Chief and Abdullah's ambitious son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin both stated that the transition plan will help unite the party and enable BN to concentrate on fulfilling its election promises. UMNO Women's Chief Rafidah said, with support for the transition plan, party leaders could focus on tackling the challenges arising out of current global economic problems. Not all UMNO leaders rushed to endorse Abdullah's hand-over plan. Veteran UMNO leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who has been campaigning for the party presidency, described the transition plan as a "wrong move" and "unconstitutional". Razaleigh claimed he was confident of getting sufficient nominations to contest the presidency, as he would now attract the support of those who previously backed Najib to oust Abdullah. Three-term UMNO Vice President and Minister of International Trade and Industry, Muhyiddin Yassin, who aspires to the deputy president slot, voiced disappoint with the transition plan describing it to reporters as "too long". Previously, Muhyiddin publicly urged Abdullah to step down sooner rather than later. Muhyiddin stated categorically that the decision on the transition should be left to UMNO members during the branch and division meetings, hinting that the deal may not be acceptable to the UMNO grassroots. Stirring the pot, Former Prime Minister Mahathir, now a strong critic of Abdullah, took exception to the transition plan and predicted that in the end Abdullah would not allow Najib to become Prime Minister. Writing in his blog, Dr. Mahathir said Najib would be purposefully weakened by damaging allegations, so much so that Najib would no longer appear suitable for office. Some party activists took exception to the autocratic nature of Abdullah's pronouncement. John Pang, an advisor to Tengku Razaleigh, described Abdullah's plan as arrogant and undemocratic. He told us that the "feudal culture in UMNO in directing the grassroots" is destroying the party. In support of Razaleigh's statement (and political ambitions), Pang claimed that Najib's supporters were "rabidly" unhappy with the transition deal. Abdullah's announcement was clearly timed to influence the UMNO grassroots immediately prior to party branch meetings, scheduled for 17 through August 24, which start the nomination process for the top UMNO posts. Following the party's unprecedented set-back in the March general elections, Abdullah has come under pressure to resign in favour of Najib or not seek party re-election in December. By confirming a hand-over date and Najib as his successor, Abdullah hopes to cement his re-election bid and head off any grassroots mobilisation in favour of challengers, including Najib, Muhyiddin, and Razaleigh. Currently, Najib is in no position to reject Abdullah's proposal, given Najib's vulnerability to unconfirmed but widely believed allegations of his connection to the Altantuya murder case. The UMNO grassroots will have the opportunity in the next few weeks to signal whether they acquiesce to Abdullah's plan. The reaction of senior UMNO figures who lose in this deal, like Tengku Razaleigh and UMNO vice president Muhyiddin, also will be important to gauge. ********************************************** That (above) was the confidential report that the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur sent to Washington on 11th July 2008. This report was regarding Umno's closed-door meeting to resolve the succession issue. Basically, the then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was not prepared to resign immediately. He wanted a 'transition period' where he would 'eventually' had over power to his Deputy, Najib Tun Razak. The Umno grass-roots leaders plus the top leadership did not agree to this. And amongst those 'top leadership' of Umno who also did not agree to this was ex-Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who did not see the need for the delay. He wanted Abdullah Badawi out straight away. Dr Mahathir wanted Najib to challenge Abdullah Badawi for the Umno Presidency, and hence that would mean for the Prime Ministership of Malaysia as well. Najib, however, refused to do that and even publicly stated that he supports Abdullah Badawi and is loyal to him. This upset Dr Mahathir. But then Najib has never had to challenge anyone in the past. Even his post of Umno Youth Leader was handed to him on a silver platter -- by no other than Anwar Ibrahim. So Najib is not the fighter that Dr Mahathir had hoped he would be. Dr Mahathir made it very clear that if Najib did not want to challenge Abdullah Badawi for the leadership, then he (Dr Mahathir) will back another 'horse'. And this 'dark horse', so to speak, would be Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. And to push the point home, Dr Mahathir started 'flirting' with Tengku Razaleigh. This spooked Najib who saw his chances of taking over fading. But there was one issue that was the stumbling block for Tengku Razaleigh. And that stumbling block was: Tengku Razaleigh refused to be Dr Mahathir's proxy with the latter being the de facto Prime Minister who will 'guide' the former. Tengku Razaleigh was adamant that if he became Prime Minister then he would be 'independent' and will not be under the control of Dr Mahathir. That, in fact, was supposed to have been the arrangement between Dr Mahathir and Abdullah Badawi. However, as soon as he became Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi all but ignored Dr Mahahir's wishes. And that was Abdullah Badawi's downfall -- his refusal to honour the deal he had made with Dr Mahathir. Abdullah Badawi was smart, though. He agreed to all the 'terms and conditions' and then after taking office he did a U-turn. Tengku Razaleigh was not so smart. He rejected the terms and conditions so Dr Mahathir had no choice but to dump Tengku Razaleigh and revert to Najib -- who agreed to comply with whatever terms and conditions to become Prime Minister. Technically, Najib is Prime Minister at the pleasure of Dr Mahathir. If it is displeases Dr Mahathir then he can no longer become Prime Minister. And it would certainly displease Dr Mahathir if Najib cannot do better than Abdullah Badawi did in the March 2008 general election. Hence Najib's career all depends on how well he performs in the coming general election. Unless he can do better than what Abdullah Badawi did in March 2008 then he would have to go. Winning the general election is not good enough. He would have to ensure that Pakatan Rakyat does not win more than 80 Parliament seats and Selangor falls back to Barisan Nasional plus Barisan Nasional retains Perak. Furthermore, even if Pakatan Rakyat gets to retain Penang, Kedah and Kelantan, it has to be with a reduced majority. So this is not just about whether Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat gets to win the coming general election. Barisan Nasional is not concerned about losing the general election because they are confident of winning it. It is about how impressive a win. And whether Najib remains the Prime Minister would all depend on his election performance. But not everyone is happy with Najib. Many within Umno would like to see him fall. The question is: would they play certain 'tricks' to make sure that Barisan Nasional wins with a lesser majority than in March 2008? Umno is worried that it may see elements of internal sabotage in the coming general election. After all, this is what they did in 2008 to force Abdullah Badawi out of office. So they have done this before. And Umno is worried that they may do it again so that Najib can be forced out off office just like Abdullah Badawi was. Sometimes, in politics, we need to make alliances with the other side. And many alliances across the political divide are going to be made in this coming general election. Enemies are going to become temporary friends based on a common goal. All through history this has been the case where enemies ally themselves to defeat another but common enemy. Of course, once this common enemy has been defeated that does not mean the alliance will continue. But that is a matter to be resolved once you need to cross that bridge. For the meantime, the battle lines are not too clear. Expect enemies to ally and friends to sabotage each other. No doubt, if Umno thought it was going to lose the election then they would close ranks to deny Pakatan Rakyat the government. But if they thought they were going to win and there was no threat of a Pakatan Rakyat take over, then Umno with turn on itself and the warlords in Umno will try to kill each other off. Hence it does not serve Pakatan Rakyat's interest to demonstrate too much confidence. That would just strengthen Umno's unity. Only if Umno thought that Pakatan Rakyat posed no danger to it would we see a house divided and a house divided is a house that will fall. This, however, appears to be something that I can't get across to Pakatan Rakyat. The response I get from the Pakatan Rakyat supporters over the last two years is the opposite of what they should be saying. And that, I suppose, can only work in Umno's favour.
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| Assaulted DAP man receives ‘threat’ calls Posted: 06 Oct 2012 04:13 PM PDT
Taman Murni DAP branch chairman, A Thirumalvalavan received two calls that threaten to injure him. K Pragalath, FMT A DAP member who alleged that he was assaulted by gangsters in a party meet last week has received calls from unknown people who want to assault him. "I received the first phone call at 10.23pm from an unknown Indian man. The caller wanted to kick, beat and chop me up. "I also received another threatening call, this time from a private number about 26 minutes later," said Taman Murni DAP branch chairman, A Thirumalvalavan in his police report. The police report was lodged a short while later at Sepang district police headquarters in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi. He claimed that the threatening calls were made as a result of his allegations that DAP has gangsters within the party fold. "The man threatened me because I spoke to the media on Friday," said Thirumalvalavan. On Friday, he and another party member R Selvan alleged that they were assaulted by gangsters when they attempted to give a memorandum that also included allegations of gangsterism within the party. Both Thirumalvalavan and Selvan along with Pantai Putra Sepang branch secretary Rashid Md Gani also questioned the DAP secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng and Selangor DAP chief, Teresa Kok for ignoring the issue even though both Lim and Kok had witnessed the incident on Monday.
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| A tough battle in Lembah Pantai Posted: 06 Oct 2012 03:47 PM PDT
SHOWDOWN: Barisan Nasional is going all out to wrest the hottest urban seat in Kuala Lumpur back from the opposition, which it won by a narrow margin in the 2008 general election, writes Carisma Kapoor | |||
| Does Nazri want to turn Sabah into a Filindo state? Posted: 06 Oct 2012 03:10 PM PDT
Daniel John Jambun The comment by Datuk Nazri Aziz that the immigrants in Sabah are under control and are not a threat to the state is another proof that the Federal Government is not interested to solve this mother of all problem. What is painful about this comment is that we can smell a dirty rat, a mala fide (bad intention) and the underlying reality that the Federal Government is actually supporting the presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah as part of some sinister plan to continue changing the demography of the state. What he said was outrageous and unacceptable and should have been condemned by everyone and every party, including the leaders and parties of the Barisan Nasional. Unfortunately only PBS, through its Secretary General, Datuk Henrynus Amin was daring enough to protest, saying Nazri "was politically insensitive to grassroots sentiment in Sabah, especially their fears and concern for the future wellbeing posed by the huge presence of illegal immigrants" and that the statement fuelled "speculations in the streets as the genuine commitment of the Barisan Nasional Government to resolve the perennial problem of illegal immigrants in the state." He demanded that the minister clarify and correct his statement. The response is still total silence. What is amazing is Nazri's continuous denial of the problem. How do we get him to behave like a responsible leader? How do we get this stubborn minister to retract his words and change his attitude about the issue? Obviously diplomacy and polite tones like the ones used by the BN component parties do not work. What Nazri needs is outright condemnation in the strongest words to make him realize that the people of Sabah are thirsty and hungry for the defence and protection of the federal government from non-military invasions which continues to this very day. We can't accept that he is ignorant. He is too educated and too well-informed by the various security branches of the police and army to be ignorant of what are really going on in Sabah. Our only reasonable conclusion is that Nazri is purposefully saying his offensive remarks because he is bullying Sabahans, to let us know that he is boss. We can see that he has been telling us indirectly to shut up about this issue, to let it go, to allow the illegals to grow and increase. Dear Sabahans, please pay attention to the fact that the illegals (Filipinos and Indonesians) are already the majority group in Sabah (27.79%), compared to KDMs which are now only 21.2%. And they are still increasing through continued arrival, and much more rapid birth rate. And in spite of this the federal leaders, including Tun Mahathir are campaigning for them to be legalised, on top of those hundreds of thousands who already have genuine MyKads! Leaders like Nazri must be gloating and laughing in glee to see that this has happened, to see that the KDMs, "the most stubborn people in Malaysia" (bangsa yang paling degil di Malaysia) have been and are being taught a powerful lesson! But in case Nazri is actually ignorant, I would like to offer him a free tour of the illegals situation in Sabah, with a package tour including the following: the illegals squatters being allowed by the authorities to spawn and expand in areas KK like Likas, Tebobon, Signal Hill (these are all stealing water and electricity to the tune of millions of ringgits per year); the congested hospital lobbies where a huge proportion of outpatients are illegals; to the Likas Hospital where the maternity wards continues to record that the highest number of births are among Filipino mothers (some of them have three kids within two years!); to the streets of KK where naked children are harassing motorists and pedestrians with begging, and these pests retaliate by hitting cars if not given anything; to the stairways of the Sinsuran and Segama shophouses where foreigners piss and defecate like there is not tomorrow; to the sprawling Filipino handcraft market, the dry and wet fist markets, and open-air restaurants in Sinsuran and Segama in KK, and the smuggled cigarette peddlers in Inanam, and the dirty, dark and smelly tamu in Inanam where Filipinos rule at the blessing of the DBKK and the local YBs; the newspaper reports of crimes committed by illegals (rapes, muggings, thefts, snatching, slashing, drug pushing, murders, etc.); the "free-ports" of the East Coast where illegals can come and in out without much difficulty; to the East Coast towns like Semporna where illegals have outnumbered locals five to one; to even the Interior areas like Keningau, where illegals have gone into the jungle to cut down the trees to start new settlements and plant crops, and so on and so on. But the irony of this offer is that, in case Nazri takes it, he would most likely be smiling and rubbing his hands in glee at the sight of all these because these are what he wants for his grand scheme to turn Sabah into a Filipino and Indonesian state! Can Nazri deny that this is his real intention for Sabah? Is his intention to turn Sabah into a new Filipino-Indonesian (Filindo) state? Now to talk about security, and Nazri continued stupid assertion that the illegals pose no security threat, doesn't he know that all the major cities and towns in Sabah are already surrounded by illegal settlements? Doesn't he know that in the nearby Sulu islands, the tradition among people of power and influence is to keep a lot of weapons (pistols, M16s) in the house, and these weapons can easily be smuggle into Sabah? If these heavily populated settlements launch an attack for some reasons the consequences will be too horrid to describe. Remember the Corregidor Incidence which almost caused a war to erupt between Malaysia and the Philippines. Remember that during the 1970s and later, Sabah was a channel for transfer of weapons to the southern Mindanao. Remember the Philippines' claim on Sabah is still in effect. Remember that the Indonesian government is still very much anti-Malaysia. Remember sukarno's "Ganyang Malaysia," the Ambalat island conflict, the Sebatik boundary argument, and the new ongoing protests against Malaysia's stealing of Indonesian dances. Nazri needs to be sober up and stop treating Sabahans as if we are idiots.
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| Is Pakatan afraid of its own shadow? Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:59 PM PDT
ABOUT-TURN: The opposition's failure to form a shadow cabinet shows the three Pakatan parties don't see eye to eye on many issues The issue was reignited when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last week challenged the opposition to form its much-promised shadow cabinet. The Barisan Nasional chairman said the most fundamental thing any opposition should do was to have a shadow cabinet, but Pakatan could not even do this. A Jalil Hamid, NST BY definition, a shadow cabinet represents a group of senior opposition figures in the Westminster system of government which forms an alternative cabinet to the government, and whose members "shadow" each minister to provide a system of checks and balances. According to Prof Rodney Brazier, a United Kingdom constitutional law expert, the convention of having a shadow cabinet in Britain is not new. Throughout the 19th century, they were simply known as former cabinet ministers. The word "former" was replaced by "shadow" in 1880, hence the shadow cabinet. Shadow cabinets are the norm in mature parliamentary democracies, such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Turkey and many other countries. In the case of Malaysia, the opposition appears to go against its word or contradicts itself every time the issue of shadow cabinet is raised and debated, raising doubts about its credibility. Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who went on record for a few times since the March 2008 general election promising a shadow cabinet, now has said there will not be a shadow cabinet. His latest contention that Pakatan Rakyat does not need a shadow cabinet because it is not a common practice in other countries, such as Indonesia or Thailand, simply does not hold water. Why a change of heart after all this while? The issue was reignited when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last week challenged the opposition to form its much-promised shadow cabinet. The Barisan Nasional chairman said the most fundamental thing any opposition should do was to have a shadow cabinet, but Pakatan could not even do this. "You must show your team. You must show your cabinet. Don't talk about forming the government, form a shadow cabinet first," he said at the Gerakan annual delegates' conference. Anwar has now gone against his word. "A shadow cabinet is only practised in the United Kingdom and Australia. Not in the United States, France, Indonesia or Thailand," he responded later. His excuse in the past was that Pakatan's parliamentary panels had been undertaking some of the functions as a shadow cabinet. But these committees, which are made up of representatives from each party, are not a good substitute for a shadow cabinet. Perhaps the real reason why Anwar (we are assuming he is the shadow prime minister) refused to unveil his shadow cabinet is because the three Pakatan parties, with widely differing agendas and ideologies, do not see eye to eye on many issues. There is no real unity in the opposition and there is lack of consensus on issues such as hudud, let alone power-sharing. If they cannot be transparent on things that matter most to the rakyat, then how can the people have confidence in their leadership? The cracks between Pas and DAP over the hudud issue certainly reflect the vulnerability of the opposition pact and no amount of smokescreens can camouflage that. Even with a shadow cabinet, the three parties -- including Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat -- are bound to face a fractious tussle for ministerial positions if they ever win power at the federal level. We see that happening in Selangor now. A mere mention by PKR vice-president Azmin Ali of the possibility of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim being promoted to a federal position from being Selangor menteri besar has sparked an uproar within Pakatan. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has brushed aside an initial list of shadow cabinet ministers purportedly released by PKR. He instead suggested that should Pakatan form the next Federal Government, each ministerial portfolio would have three members, one each from each party. "PR is more concerned about policies that benefit the people and not personality or position," he was quoted as saying. "We are not crazy for position." Does this mean the potential Pakatan cabinet, already littered with political dynasties, will be so unwieldy and cumbersome just to accommodate each party? It must be setting a new world record for cabinet size. Pakatan leaders know that to cobble together a realistic list of shadow cabinet members now is politically risky as it could start fresh bickering among them and undermine their electoral chances. So it is better to agree to disagree and sweep the problem under the carpet, at least for now. Returning to the issue of political dynasties, the Anwar, Karpal and Lim families are set to rule the cabinet if Pakatan ever comes to power. Voters will have to decide then between real democracy and Pakatan's brand of political dynasty. | |||
| How parents can unite, where politicians divide Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:45 PM PDT
Dr Lee Yu Chuang, The Star MY grandparents came to Malaysia from Guangdong province in China with the clothes on their backs, and not much else. My paternal grandmother toiled as an itinerant hawker selling lai fun (rice noodles) until she could not work anymore. In spite of their disadvantages in life, my parents were the first in their families to complete a university education, both graduating as teachers of the Chinese language, which they imparted to generations of students. They both served faithfully in government schools until they retired. My father and mother decided to bring us up in Penang, where we kids had a simple, happy childhood. We spent the evenings cycling around the neighbourhood with the local kids, having water-pistol fights in the backlanes at night, and kicking the ball around the playground whilst trying to avoid piles of cow pat that littered the field. Like most first-generation immigrants everywhere, my parents were somewhat ambivalent in their feelings towards their motherland and their adopted land. For instance, when it came to badminton matches, they would vociferously support the Chinese team whenever they played on TV. But they never demanded that we shared their allegiance in sports, and in all other matters, they resolutely put their nose to the grindstone and concentrated on the business of putting food on the table. Most importantly, I never heard them belittle other races or people who were different from us. Through his actions, I came to learn that my father was a man of principles. Once, while taking a detour through a narrow kampung road, our car hit and killed a goat which strayed into our path. Although it would be more convenient to drive off and avoid any possible confrontations, my father alighted from the car to seek the owner of the cow, to make recompense. My father may not have realised it at the time, but this lesson left a powerful impression on me precisely because it was not meant to instruct. When it was time to start formal schooling, our neighbour suggested that putting us in an English-medium school would give us a competitive edge in life. And thus, my elder brother and I were enrolled in St Xavier's branch school. Novel experience Growing up with an array of friends with names like Porramate, Ahmad Roslan, Surendra, Ronald Nieukey and Hua Ghee, I learnt not to give a hoot about somebody's skin colour but rather, whether they were decent folks and whether we could get along. And if we dropped by each other's houses during festivals, we would not feel any acute social discomfort. Rather, we would look forward to it with child-like anticipation of a novel experience – much like going to a candy store for the first time. I imbibed the pleasure of diversity as naturally as if it were fresh air. After getting good results and in deference to my parents' wishes, I continued my secondary education at Penang Free School. Although I missed my old friends, I quickly settled into my new surroundings and led a busy life with plenty of activities, especially with the Scouts. With a never-say-die attitude, my Scouting buddies Hup, Prasert, George and I learnt that although you may need to take the tasks you perform seriously, you never need to take yourself too seriously. I sat next to a boy named Hussain in Form Four, and apart from sharing the odd Hudson sweet in class (which I would break into two at the edge of our desk to share equally between us), we could also be found sharing the answers to our homework and scribbling all manner of nonsense in our little notebook, all while the teacher was conducting her lesson – oblivious to our shenanigans. Oh yes, we still keep in touch, most recently for some paediatric advice, the man having been blessed with yet another baby in his ripe old age! Form Six was memorable, probably because we had girls studying alongside us for the first time. I made many life-long friendships during that phase. When my close buddy Vijay got married later in life, I was deemed good enough to be his best man. And even though Azilah left for further studies in the US after only a few months of sixth form, we nurtured a kinship that continues between her family and mine until today. Vicky and I got into the same medical school, and now she is my boss when it comes to child neurology. Being a paediatrician enabled me to be of some use to friends who decided to start their own families, and allows me to remain relevant in their lives, even with the distances that divide us. With such an assortment of friends in my formative years, I had a mild cultural shock when I entered university and found the student population rather ethnically polarised. I observed that most students preferred to stick to their comfort zones and not venture outside their cultural perimeters. Nonetheless, it was an excellent opportunity to mingle and learn. I found that beneath the conservative dressing and orthodoxy of my Muslim course-mates, were some really sweet and gentle human beings who would be gracious and generous to a fault. Not that this should be confused with being pliant, I would hasten to point out, for people like Ghazaime and Haseenah could give as good as they got – both in humour and wisdom. We were bonded by the common task of getting through medical school without burning out. In reflection, perhaps that is what it takes to get people together – a common goal that transcends superficial differences. Anyway, one thing that I can be sure of: being a doctor is a good way of becoming colour-blind. All doctors and nurses can attest that after you have witnessed enough sickness and death, you cannot help but realise that this is the fate of everyone of us. Thus, with our scripts already written out and within the time that remains for all of us, how can we justify treating a fellow human being with less than deferential dignity? When you have seen children battered to death by their parents or molested by trusted religious elders, you awake to the truth that good and evil is present in all of us, regardless of race, religion, gender or any other term we use to divide ourselves. In the end, we are merely mortal beings with our mortal failings. All we can hope for is the chance to redeem ourselves with acts of kindness towards a fellow human being. Now that I have children of my own, I pray that I am also imparting the right values and outlook to them. I try to speak of good individuals and good acts, bad individuals and bad acts, and I never use stereotypes. I want to impress upon them that kindness is the basic tenet of all true religions. I hope they never grow up to speak uncharitably of any group of people by virtue of their external differences. Our true value At the most basic level, my children must know that we are all humans in need of the same things. For this reason, I want my children to understand that nobody should feel that they are above the poorest, most wretched people in the street. Nor for that matter should anyone feel that they are beneath the richest, most powerful royalty on earth. All are the same; all are human beings. Only our character will reveal our true value. Neither the colour of our skin nor the depth of our wallets will compensate for any moral deficiency. Of course, as they grow, my children will bear witness to the disparities and unfairness inherent in society and life, and I will encourage their moral outrage to right these wrongs. They would need to be courageous in dealing with those who try to bully their way through, given that the person who shouts the loudest is not necessarily right. I would want my children to have a humble understanding of the human condition, and thus act with kindness in their dealings with all around them. As a parent, and learning from other parents and my own, it is clear that our children's prejudices are modelled by and taught by us. If we consistently denigrate others with labels and derogatory words, it is only a matter of time before the poison seeps into our children's hearts, and breeds a generation filled with hatred and discontent. Compounded by the politician's tongue which is skilled but not necessarily wise, we will not only miss the forest for the trees, but in the tragic finale, set fire to our common abode – just to prove who's right. We must change the only thing that we truly can – ourselves, to be the light that illuminates a better path for our children. We can drop the unproductive attitudes that we grew up with, and choose instead to promote goodwill and kindness in a society where all can win and all who need help will get help, regardless of class, creed or ethnicity. For all the politicians who have gotten it wrong, we can be parents who say: "No! You will not impose your vile prejudices onto my family, and we will not submit to leaders who do not make us stronger as a nation." When we accept what true power we hold in our hands – the power to enlighten our children in their perception and thinking – then we will do the right things and say the right things to our children because their future depends on the direction that we set their sails to. It all starts with us. It is ironic that now, with the passing of the years, and having dealt with thousands of children and their families, I have come to revisit the universal truth: that young children – if left alone – get along splendidly with almost any other young children. They see others with a clear eye and an open heart. They do not even bother to ask each other's names, only knowing that they delight in each other's company and that they will play to their hearts' content in their limited time together. Theirs is a truly inclusive brotherhood. Theirs is the wisdom of the innocent. It is the parents who hurrily grab them away, who tell them who they can and cannot play with, and who must be shunned – and thereafter, this child is forever stained with the pockmark of prejudice which is not easy to erase. In the final analysis, it is clear that if there is one thing children can teach us, it is to strive to see with child-like clarity. For in the kingdom of the coloured, perhaps there is an advantage in being colour-blind.
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| Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:39 PM PDT
Dr Mohd Puad: I don't want to be drawn into the debate of whether it (LGBT) is a lifestyle or natural instinct. That is why we want to bring it out in the open because it can be debated on. Reiterating the Government's commitment, Dr Mohd Puad stresses that it is crucial for parents to get exposure and knowledge of the LGBT trend so that they can be more vigilant of the signs and tackle the threat early. The Star V-neck Day and free Briyani for those in V-neck shirts? "It should not be a joking matter," Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi bemoans, commenting on some of the reactions to his effort of highlighting the "dangers" posed by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) phenomenon on the youth in Malaysia. But Dr Mohd Puad is determined to walk down the unpopular road of curbing the trend of LGBT in schools. As he puts it, the trend seems to be prevalent in society and popular media, making it imperative for the Government to prevent it from penetrating schools. "It is not prevalent in school yet but preventive action is needed to ensure that it does not spread among students," he says. When asked how prevalent the phenomenon is in schools, he says, the ministry does not have any data. "I don't know because we don't have the facts. We don't have the data to show how serious it is," he tells Sunday Star. He adds that when the issue "exploded" - specifically the disputed LGBT-symptom guidelines - he received a lot of flak, but it has only made his belief that the LGBT lifestyle is not a healthy way of life. "There are two reasons: it is the biggest cause of HIV after drugs. It also causes a lot of social problems such as broken marriages. That is why we need to nip it in the bud," he says. And that is why, Dr Mohd Puad points out, we need to raise parents' awareness. "They have to be exposed to what it is all about, many parents don't even know what the terms mean; they say that they are confused by the terms." For those who need a reminder, the deputy minister was slammed last month for purportedly supporting a list spelling out some definitions and identifiable LGBT traits, at a seminar in Penang, aimed at helping parents recognise "symptoms" of LGBT in children. The seminar, "Parents Handling LGBT Issues", organised by Yayasan Guru Malaysia Berhad and Putrajaya Consultative Council of Parent-Teacher Association, has since been held in Kedah and Trengganu. Although it is independent of the Education Ministry, the deputy minister had officiated at the seminars. The list reportedly says that gay men have muscular bodies that they like to show off in V-neck and sleeveless clothes, or tight and light-coloured clothing; and that they like to carry big handbags similar to those used by women. Lesbians are said to be attracted to women, and like to eat, sleep and hang out in the company of other women and have no affection for men. Reiterating the Government's commitment, Dr Mohd Puad stresses that it is crucial for parents to get exposure and knowledge of the LGBT trend so that they can be more vigilant of the signs and tackle the threat early. However, he declines to elaborate on what the Government would do to "correct" or "prevent" LGBT in schools, conceding that the science of it is debatable. "I don't want to be drawn into the debate of whether it (LGBT) is a lifestyle or natural instinct. That is why we want to bring it out in the open because it can be debated on. However, it is not something that should be joked about," he says. When pointed out that there are many studies disputing the effectiveness of corrective therapies, Dr Mohd Puad cites the case of "two ex-gays" presented by the seminar. "If the two can change and become straight, I don't see why others cannot." When asked about the dangers of discrimination and bullying in school, he declines to answer. Dr Mohd Puad shares that the ministry is looking at equipping school counsellors with the necessary knowledge and understanding as well as training to deal with LGBT. However, he denies that the Ministry will be taking a hardline stance - "We are not looking at identifying LGBT students or punishing them," he says. "We in the Ministry of Education look at this LGBT issue seriously, and all we wish to do is to educate people, parents especially, on how to overcome this issue, how to prevent it as well as early corrective measures," he says.
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| Mustafa hits back at PKR deputy president over Selangor MB remark Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:36 PM PDT
(The Star) - PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali has hit back at Azmin Ali, who has stirred controversy with his Selangor Mentri Besar remark, by calling the PKR deputy president as being "too ambitious". "I don't have to make any comment but as an old man, I understand the feelings and ambitions of a young leader. Let him be," he wrote via an SMS to Utusan Malaysia. This is the second time in a week that Mustafa had locked horns with Azmin. The first was when he warned Azmin against making statements on matters that had never come up for discussion at the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council. Azmin had earlier reacted to Mustafa's warning by tweeting: "The age factor has made him confused and shoot his mouth." The Gombak MP had told a Malay daily that Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim might be made a Federal Minister if Pakatan won Putrajaya in the general election, implying that the state would have a new mentri besar. His statement had come under fire from his own party members, with PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar describing it as "just an opinion" and Khalid's aide Faekah Husin expressing her disappointment. Meanwhile, Selangor Barisan Nasional coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed said he expected the infighting in Pakatan to continue, adding that Azmin was keen on displacing Khalid as Mentri Besar. The infighting, he added, was an "open secret", with many in PKR wanting Azmin to be Mentri Besar, although this move was objected to by DAP and PAS. With Barisan's strong revival in Selangor, Mohd Zin said there were those in PKR who felt that Khalid was politically not strong enough to defend the state. Meanwhile, Selangor PKR deputy chief Zuraida Kamaruddin had criticised Faekah for describing Azmin's statement as "not politically smart". "She should concentrate on improving the political relationship between the MB and party leaders and not cause instability by unnecessarily jumping the gun," said Zuraida, claiming that Azmin had often voiced his support for Khalid's leadership as MB.
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| Stubborn Umno ‘killing’ race relations Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:20 PM PDT
Umno's refusal to adapt to the changing socio-political setting in the country is its own doom. Umno's approach to 'unity' is something like the Nazi final solution. It thinks it can achieve national unity by pitting one race against one another. Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz, FMT The Malaysian people have already shown that they no longer accept the Umno solution. The coming together of various races during Bersih 3.0 earlier this year sent shivers along the spine of the Umno leadership unless of course they misread or simply refused to read the signals sent by the tens and thousands of participants who voluntarily rallied. Umno's approach to 'unity' is something like the Nazi final solution. It thinks it can achieve national unity by pitting one race against one another. Today the Chinese, tomorrow the Indians and later all other non-Malay Malaysians. Eventually, it will apply the same gas-chambering treatment to the Malays who dared challenge and reject Umno. The Malays who are opposed and reject Umno are classed as either not having sufficient Malayness or apostates. The majority of us reject this fascism. The socio-political setting in the country has changed but Umno refuses to adapt. And those who don't adapt will perish. As a DAP member, I am also ready to concede that in the long run, DAP will lose its wider relevance if it also refuses to adapt to the new social setting. The new social setting demands recognition that despite being of different races, heterogeneity does not prevent the sharing of universal and common values. Different races value the same freedom and economic justice. Being of different races does not preclude sharing similar ideas about equality or sharing the same idea about a common future. You think the right thinking Malay is unmoved to see Umno abuse the Malay definition? The ordinary Malay finds it reprehensible when Umno exploits the Malay name to enrich the elite and selected few among the Malays. Vilifying the Chinese Look at the general vilification on Malaysian Chinese who are now more readily associated with DAP. Let me ask you, who is the closest Malaysian Chinese to the Prime Minister these days? It's a Malaysian Chinese who just secured a RM1 billion contract to do the Ampang LRT extension works. In that sense, the Umno president is selling out the Malays. It is certain now that Najib had interceded on behalf of George Kent to award the Ampang LRT extension project to a Malaysian Chinese. The company failed the technical and financial pre-qualification requirements but for Najib's intercession, got the project anyway. Mind you, this is the same Malaysian Chinese who was rumoured to have brokered the contract for the double tracking project for China Harbors. Additionally, this same Malaysian Chinese was rumoured to have asked US$500 million from the Chinese government allegedly for the benefit of Najib.
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| Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:46 AM PDT
(Bernama) - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has conducted preliminary investigations into allegations of questionable deals worth over RM1 billion between the Selangor government and Talam Corp, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operation) Mohd Shukri Abdull said today. "We investigate without fear or favour all information that we receive. If there is a sufficient basis that offences have been committed under the MACC Act, we will proceed with further investigations," he told Bernama here today. Shukri, however, refused to eloborate. He was commenting on a statement by MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Chua Tee Yong that the Selangor government had bailed out financially distressed Talam and had acquired the company's assets in a debt restructuring exercise at a much higher price than officially valued. Chua had challenged the state government to explain how its exercise to recover a RM382 million debt from Talam ended in questionsble deals worth over RM1 billion.
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| Zahid: AG confirms legitimacy of Scorpene purchase Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:40 AM PDT
(Bernama) - Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Auditor-General has already explained that the purchase of Scorpene submarines was made according to legal procedures and his official report must be accepted by all quarters. In response to the opposition's plan to bring in a French lawyer, William Bourdon, to brief the Malaysian lawmakers on court proceedings in France on the purchase of the submarines, Ahmad Zahid (picture) hopes no quarters would twist the existing facts on the matter. He was also of the opinion that the lawyer was invited to Malaysia by the opposition merely with political motive and not so much for legal business. Ahmad Zahid said this to reporters after opening the Sekolah Agama Rakyat Al-Ulum Al Tarbiah's Sports Day in Kampung Tanah Lalang here today. The purchase of the submarines should be seen from the aspects of an offset programme, training, and performance assurance for certain period of time, he said, adding that it was really an old issue brought up to create public anger and confusion. On the request for the government to pay a monthly allowance of RM500 to army veteran who served during the emergency era, Ahmad Zahid said it was up to the prime minister to decide according to the government's financial ability. "It is quite difficult for the government to meet the request, but we have to be grateful that during the tabling of the 2013 budget the government had announced the one-off payment of RM1,000 for the army veterans as a token of appreciation for their contribution during the emergency era," he added.
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| Does Najib really want feedback? Posted: 05 Oct 2012 06:32 PM PDT
Now can you see why Najib is desperate? And now can you see why Najib needs to do better than what Abdullah Badawi did in March 2008? And now can you see why that makes Najib a very dangerous person? A person fighting for his life is more desperate and dangerous than a person fighting for his dinner. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin PM admits mistakes over Anwar BARRY PORTER in Singapore Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad has admitted making some fundamental mistakes in his heavy-handed treatment of his sacked former deputy Anwar Ibrahim. During a secret meeting with some of his closest political allies, Dr Mahathir confessed his hard-line strategy had partly backfired and said he and his colleagues should adopt a more diplomatic approach, acknowledging Anwar's good deeds while portraying him as a man of many weaknesses. A leaked document from the meeting Dr Mahathir had secretly with a circle of trusted supporters from his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in November has just been obtained by the Singapore Business Times. Citing party intelligence, Dr Mahathir pointed to almost daily defections of UMNO members to the Anwar camp as well as to the opposition for a need to change tack. "UMNO members are angry with the party leadership whom they view as having mistreated Anwar," he said, directing his colleagues to try to find means to pacify UMNO members within the party. "Do anything so that they can let off their steam on UMNO - in UMNO." Anwar, who is being tried for sexual misconduct and corruption, appears to have won considerable popular support for his accusation that he was victim to a political conspiracy. UMNO has 17 months in which to win sufficient public support to stage a general election. Dr Mahathir said the party had erred in being too graphic in its accusations about Anwar's sexual deeds. "People found it difficult to believe," the Prime Minister said. "It seems from the reports I received, this strategy doesn't really work, maybe because when we hentam [attack], the more sympathetic people will be towards Anwar." Dr Mahathir expressed shock that pro-UMNO newspapers, particularly the Malay-language Utusan Malaysia, had lost up to 40 per cent of their readership while 10 million Internet surfers had logged on to pro-Anwar Web sites. He urged pro-government newspapers to give more space to "pro-Anwar" stories to draw readers back to the establishment. This may explain the recent more balanced coverage of the Anwar trial. In another shift in stance, Dr Mahathir said greater concern should be given to international public opinion if Malaysia was to continue to attract investments. He cited criticism by futurist management guru Alvin Toffler, who threatened to quit as an adviser on Malaysia's Multi-media Supercorridor project in protest at Anwar's treatment. Dr Mahathir said: "If an adviser says 'don't invest in Malaysia', what's going to happen?" Dr Mahathir told Japan's Mainichi Shimbun yesterday that Anwar could become active in politics again if he was found not guilty. (SCMP, 14 Jan 1999) ******************************************** Najib wants a strong mandate Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak hopes that he will be given a strong mandate in the upcoming 13th general election to continue to deliver to the people and make Malaysia a fully developed nation by 2020. Najib, speaking in an interview with "CNBC Conversation" hosted by renowned anchor Martin Soong that was aired on Astro CNBC (Channel 518) today, said the next five years were very crucial for the government to fulfil commitments and promises made by previous leaders to the nation. "I'd like to have a strong mandate, Martin, because to achieve our vision of a fully developed nation by 2020, the next five years would be very crucial. Crucial, because you're talking about the last lap." "You're talking about going down the stretch and this is the most critical part because we really have to deliver, " he said. Najib was responding to a question as to how important the upcoming election was for him and also the importance of receiving a fresh mandate, especially in transforming Malaysia into a developed country by 2020. He said the transformation was a firm commitment made by the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the early 1990s with his (Najib's) predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi implementing part of it, and now it was his turn to deliver to the people. To a question, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, agreed that achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth without upsetting the political landscape too much was one the challenges Malaysia faced in becoming a developed nation. However, he stressed that the key to make Malaysian society more equitable was to get growth to redistribute income back to the people. "Without growth, it will be a lose-lose situation. So if we get 5% to 6% within the time frame, then we will able to at the same time, ensure a more fair and equitable distribution of wealth in this country." In the 30-minute interview, Najib said the move (to get growth) was working and that the numbers were looking more positive in terms of Bumiputera participation. "…but it's not just about the equity numbers. We must also make sure that there is a fair distribution of income between the different levels of income groups in this country," he said. (Bernama, 6 Oct 2012) ******************************************** Last night, TV3 reported that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak welcomes feedback and criticism. Well, I do not know whether this is just a political statement or something that Najib really means. According to Free Malaysia Today, Najib is getting very desperate (read here: Sign of desperation for Najib). I have been aware of that for some time. The question is, though, what is Najib doing about it? Read the two pieces above. One piece is called PM admits mistakes over Anwar from SCMP dated 14th January 1999, and another called Najib wants a strong mandate of today's date. Actually, Najib's main concern is not Pakatan Rakyat. In the 2008 general election, Pakatan Rakyat won 82 Parliament seats and five states. And that saw Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi getting ousted from office. If Najib does as bad, or worse, then for sure he too is going to be ousted from office (even if Barisan Nasional wins the election). So, while most of us think that Najib's 'enemy' is Anwar Ibrahim and/or Pakatan Rakyat, that is not who Najib considers his real enemy. Najib's enemy is Umno and ex-Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Najib needs to do better than what Abdullah Badawi did in March 2008. And that means he cannot afford to lose five states and 82 Parliament seats (or more than that). He has to make sure that Pakatan Rakyat gets less than 80 seats in Parliament and less than five states. Then Najib can claim a 'victory' and would still remain Prime Minister right until the 14th General Election expected to be held around 2018 or so. As I said in a previous article, he who runs for his dinner is not as desperate as he who runs for his life. He who runs for his dinner merely misses a meal if he fails. He who runs for his life will die if he fails. Anwar Ibrahim is the Opposition Leader and Pakatan Rakyat is the Opposition party. If they fail to win enough seats to form the federal government nothing changes. Anwar will still remain Opposition Leader and Pakatan Rakyat will still remain the Opposition party. But the same can't be said for Najib. If Najib fails, he gets kicked out. And if he succeeds but with not enough seats to better the 2008 election performance, he will still get kicked out. Hence winning is not good enough. It has to be a win better than in 2008. Winning as bad or worse than in 2008 means Najib is dead either way. And the man who will decide whether Najib remains the Prime Minister is Dr Mahathir. And Dr Mahathir will not accept just a win. Just a win is not good enough. It has to be a win better than March 2008. Now can you see why Najib is desperate? And now can you see why Najib needs to do better than what Abdullah Badawi did in March 2008? And now can you see why that makes Najib a very dangerous person? A person fighting for his life is more desperate and dangerous than a person fighting for his dinner. Anwar has nothing to lose and everything to gain if he fails. Life will remain the same for Anwar even if he fails. Najib, however, cannot claim to be in that same situation. Do you think Pakatan Rakyat will leave Najib, Dr Mahathir, Umno, etc., alone if Barisan Nasional gets kicked out? So this is not just about winning or losing an election. It extends beyond just an election. And this is what GE13 is all about. So now can you understand what is going on and why it is a no holds barred situation? Come hell or high water, Barisan Nasional must not only win but must perform better than it did in March 2008. | |||
| Posted: 05 Oct 2012 05:27 PM PDT
The Economist says the prime minister has been keeping the country on an 'election footing' ever since he took over the helm. Free Malaysia Today Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is showing a "sign of desperation" besides acquiring a reputation for dithering over the election date, according to international weekly The Economist. "He now has the regrettable distinction of being Malaysia's second-longest-serving unelected prime minister, just behind his own father, the country's second prime minister [Tun Razak]," said the paper. Najib must call for an election by April the latest, but he has kept the country guessing on the actual date for the 13th general election. The paper noted that latest survey conducted by Merdeka Centre gave the prime minister an approval rating of 64%, "down from the high point of his popularity in the middle of 2010". But the popularity of the ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional, "is much lower than the prime minister's own", it said. The weekly added that the prime minister's options are now diminishing fast. The paper also said that Najib is becoming more like former British prime minister George Brown who, instead of calling for an early election and securing his own mandate while he was still popular, preferred to play a waiting game. Brown had succeeded in pushing aside his predecessor Tony Blair, but "Mr Brown, unelected and indecisive, watched his authority drain away…", said The Economist. When Brown finally called for an election at the end of his term, he lost. Likewise, The Economist said, Najib took over the premiership after "an internal party coup in April 2009 against the then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi". Ever since he took over the reins, Najib has been keeping the country on an "election footing". "All along, Malaysia has been on an election footing, with the cautious Najib ponderously cultivating the voters," said The Economist. Busy wooing voters The paper noted that in the meantime, Najib has been busy wooing voters. "He has crafted new policies for Malaysia's younger, unaligned citizens while giving away plenty of money to retain his party's traditional supporters, especially among the ethnic-Malay (and Muslim) majority," it said.
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| Putrajaya tightens screws on SUARAM, probing alleged civil service snitch Posted: 05 Oct 2012 03:50 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) — Putrajaya will investigate claims that a civil servant has received bribes from Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) in return for national secrets, the latest move against the human rights group, which is already under probe for having "misleading accounts". SUARAM has been at the forefront of exposing alleged corruption in the multibillion ringgit Scorpene submarine deal this past year but has in turn been the subject of investigation into its funding, along with several other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and news portal Malaysiakini. "I cannot confirm or deny the allegations but we will monitor sensitive matters pertaining to national interest be it information, funds or outsiders," Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters after launching a Women's Safety Campaign at a school here yesterday. The minister was commenting on Thursday's newspaper statement by Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) president Azwanddin Hamzah, who claimed that RM100 million in foreign funds were believed to have been brought into the country since the human rights group was set up. Azwanddin had claimed several government servants were also believed to have been bribed with the funds to make decisions in favour of SUARAM associates and for government information and secrets. SUARAM has denied the statement that it bribed government officials to cover up information on its foreign funding and to gather information related to national security and government secrets from the Prime Minister's Department, Finance Ministry and the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM). It has also asked JMM to substantiate its allegations, and demanded an immediate apology and retraction of the allegations. Several groups and Putrajaya have focused on SUARAM after it revealed that former political aide Abdul Razak Baginda had sold Malaysian naval secrets to France. In April this year, the Tribunal de Grand Instance in Paris began its inquiry into SUARAM's claim that French naval firm DCNS had paid some RM452 million as a bribe to Malaysian officials to obtain a contract for two submarines. SUARAM had filed the complaint with the French courts in 2009. In a May 30 press conference in Bangkok, French lawyer Joseph Breham had revealed that a classified government document on the Malaysian navy's evaluation of the Scorpene submarines it was then planning to buy had been sold by Terasasi (Hong Kong) Ltd to DCNS for RM142 million. Abdul Razak, a former think-tank head who was at the centre of the 2006 investigation into the murder of former Mongolian model and translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, is listed as a director of Terasasi with his father, Abdul Malim Baginda. Weeks after the revelation, SUARAM came under close scrutiny of the CCM over its foreign funding sources, and the government agency said last week that it plans to charge the activist group for its "misleading accounts". Yesterday, the Young Journalists Club lodged a police report against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers Chua Tian Chang, Datuk Mahfuz Omar and R. Sivarasa for bringing three foreign lawyers to Parliament to discuss the Scorpene submarine issue, and demanded to know SUARAM's link to the case. Club president Dzulkarnain Taib said the organisation did not want foreign interference in the country's affairs. "What is the opposition's right to bring foreign lawyers to give a briefing in Parliament? "What is SUARAM's locus standi in the case?" Dzulkarnain said after lodging a report at the Dang Wangi police station here. The former Suara Keadilan editor identified the three lawyers as William Bourdon, the French lawyer who was deported from Malaysia earlier this year, Breham and Oliver Netzer. The journalist also asked about the ties between the opposition and SUARAM as well as the funds to bring the three lawyers here.
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| 6 NGOs lodge reports against Anwar, 3 MPs Posted: 05 Oct 2012 03:38 PM PDT
(Clockwise, from top left) Datuk Mahfuz Omar, Tian Chua, William Bourdon and R. Sivarasa (NST) - Six organisations, including five non-governmental organisations (NGOs), lodged police reports against opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and three members of parliament at the Dang Wangi police headquarters yesterday urging the home minister to investigate Anwar, Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar, Subang MP R. Sivarasa and Batu MP Tian Chua for planning to bring three lawyers, including two from France, to represent Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) in briefing the Parliament on the Scorpene issue. The group's representative, Young Malaysian Journalists Club (YMJC) president Dzulkarnain Taib, said the three MPs had announced this during a press conference at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday. They said Anwar had given a written invitation to the lawyers to talk about the judicial inquiry on the purchase of Scorpene submarines. "The Scorpene issue is an internal matter. What is the opposition's plan in bringing in foreigners to talk about our country's matter?" One of the lawyers invited was Frenchman William Bourdon, who was arrested and deported in July last year for a visa violation. "We believe the opposition leaders attention was an attempt to mock and ridicule our Federal Constitution and our King." He said Anwar and the three MPs should also be questioned by the Parliament's disciplinary board. "This is a matter of principle. Outsiders should not interfere in our country's internal matter. Let the government handle it." He said YMJC and five other NGOs -- Jaringan Melayu Malaysia, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa, Lembaga Kesedaran Pencegah Jenayah, Lembaga Pelindung Kebajikan Pengguna Malaysia and Muslim Consumer Association -- believed the move by the opposition leader could also disrupt harmony in the country. | |||
| It’s a threesome now as Faekah Husin joins in feud! Posted: 05 Oct 2012 03:32 PM PDT
(mynewshub) - The Azmin Ali-Khalid Ibrahim fued has grown more exciting! The plot has thicken! The Mentri Besar's ever so loyal political secretary Faekah Husin has joined in the fray by hammering the PKR number two, describing him as not so politically smart. "Politically, that is not a smart move. That alone can cause instability in the state administration," she was reported as saying. Instability in the state administration – these are powerful words. That's insubordination for sure. Actually, Faekah is telling Azmin to go and fly kite. But we know what emotions can do. Azmin was simply speaking up his mind. He wanted Khalid out of Selangor. It is an open secret he wants to replace Khalid. Well, good for Faekah. She better speaks up and defends her boss because if Azmin takes over as MB, she will be kicked out of Shah Alam too. She shouldn't be traveling so much in a private jet with Tian Chua and the other PR leaders. Better worry about your own seat in Shah Alam, stop jet setting to Sabah and Sarawak. The fight for the MB has started because Pakatan Rakyat seems cock sure of retaining Selangor. The jockeying for positions have started and knives have been sharpened as the various factions ensure only their men gets in. It's the same old story like how the warlords in Umno tries to sabotage their enemies during the polls. We can expect to see more of the same in PKR. Watch this space for more updates on the bitter feud in PKR.
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| Malaysia Week kicks off in London Posted: 05 Oct 2012 03:28 PM PDT
(Bernama) - LONDON: Malaysia Week 2012 in London kicked off with Malaysia Night, an event to showcase the vibrant culture and traditions of Malaysia to Britons, especially tourists visiting London, yesterday. Hosted by Malaysia Kitchen, it was held for the third time at Trafalgar Square, the prestigious landmark in London, from 12pm to 10pm and was opened by Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) Dr Wong Lai Sum. The event was held in collaboration with the five-day Malaysia Week celebration beginning today at South Bank, here. Also present was Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. Others present were Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Datuk Seri Zakaria Sulong, famous Malaysian shoe designer Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo, Member of London Assembly, Greater London Authority, James Cleverly and United Kingdom Member of the European Parliament, Dr Syed Kamall. Besides providing Malaysian delicacies by 17 of London's leading Malaysian restaurants, visitors were also entertained to cultural performances, fashion shows and had the opportunity to buy textiles, crafts and art works. Dr Wong in her speech said organising such an event was to share the best of Malaysia, from its enchanting cuisine and quality products, to its mesmerising culture and tourism attractions. "For the past two years, the Malaysia Kitchen programme that has been run in London and various other parts of the United Kingdom has made a great leap and been a huge success in promoting and creating greater awareness about Malaysia," she said. She said the government had taken the opportunity to showcase Malaysia further and invite people to visit the country. "We want to introduce you the enchantment of Malaysia so that you can see for yourself and to get firsthand experience of this multi-ethnic and diverse culture and even while doing business in Malaysia," she said. She said Malaysia was a great place to do business in as well as a great place to do business with. "By the end of tonight, I hope you will have a better perspective of our country and you would want to visit Malaysia," she said. | |||
| Faekah comes under fire from PKR Posted: 05 Oct 2012 03:16 PM PDT
Selangor PKR says that the Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's political secretary should not have commented on PKR deputy president Azmin Ali's statement recently. K Pragalath, FMT Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's political secretary, Faekah Husin, has come under fire for defending her boss recently. "Selangor PKR leadership council is very disappointed with the unnecessary comments from Khalid 's political secretary which could have been made much more positively if she had taken the trouble to communicate with Azmin [Ali, the PKR deputy president] over the matter. "As far as Azmin is concerned, he has openly shown his full support in favour of Khalid," Selangor PKR deputy president Zuraida Kamaruddin said in a statement today. She was reacting to a statement by Faekah earlier this week that Azmin should not be deciding on the political fate of Khalid after the next general election. Azmin, PKR deputy president, had previously announced that Khalid would be offered a federal minister's post if Pakatan Rakyat were to form the next federal government after the 13th general election.
Zuraida, who is also Ampang MP and national PKR women's wing chief, said Faekah had "misunderstood" Azmin's statement. "Khalid's role at the federal level was unwisely misinterpreted by Faekah. If only Faekah held her breath for a second and finished reading the news report in good faith, she would understand the message that Khalid is a valuable asset to Pakatan," Zuraida added. She also advised Faekah to communicate with the state PKR leadership more frequently to avoid frictions within the party. "As an effective political secretary to the menteri besar, Faekah should concentrate on improving the political relationship between menteri besar and party leaders and not cause instability by unnecessarily jumping the gun," said Zuraida.
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| Pakatan’s floor wage may cause RM7.2b outflow Posted: 05 Oct 2012 03:10 PM PDT
Chua Tee Yong says the floor wage would benefit some three million foreign workers here, who send the money back to their countries of origin. Leven Woon, FMT MCA Young Professional Bureau chairman Chua Tee Yong has joined the fray over Pakatan Rakyat's RM1,100 floor wage proposal, claiming that it would cause RM7.2 billion capital outflow every year. Commenting on Pakatan's shadow budget 2013 in a statement today, Chua said the move to increase minimum wage from the current RM900 to RM1,100 would further add to the national debt burden. He pointed out that there are three million foreign workers in Malaysia, and a RM200 increase in salary would cost the market an extra RM600 million per month. "In one year, RM7.2 billion will be spent on these foreign workers. "The RM7.2 billion will be an outflow, as the money will be transferred out from the country to the respective countries of where the foreign workers reside," he said. Chua, who is also Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister, said the rakyat would eventually bear the consequences of this outflow. "The business owners will definitely pass all the incurred cost from the increase in the minimum wage to the rakyat and the rakyat will be the one to suffer from it. "The so-called facilitation fund from Pakatan [to help the employers], is only sufficient to last for less than two months. After that, the people will have to bear all the sufferings," he said. He noted that RM7.2 billion is equivalent to twice of the Barisan Nasional government's Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) programmes, which only cost RM3 billion under the Budget 2013. Meanwhile, Chua also pointed out Pakatan's failure to include a mechanism to reduce oil price and highway tolls in its shadow budget. "How would they be able to reduce the petrol price? Where's the calculation?" he asked. Earlier this week, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin also criticised Pakatan's proposed minimum wage of RM1,100, saying it would bankrupt the small and medium industries (SMIs) and destroy the economy. However, Pakatan MPs insisted that this was not true as their floor wage comes hand-in-hand with financial assistance to the employers and a policy to stop dependence on foreign, unskilled labour.
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| Politics in Malaysia is the most profitable business Posted: 05 Oct 2012 02:59 PM PDT
Steve Oh, CPI I am sure most Malaysians will agree with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in a recent speech that there is more to corruption than government abuses. What more is not conjecture as much of it is in the public domain. Surely it must be evident from the various writings in Malaysiakini, CPI and other weblogs unless someone is so out of touch with the present reality and fails to recognise the angst and anger of many civic-minded Malaysians who see their country sliding down the slippery slope. It is true what Najib said that "What is often neglected, however, is the fact that corruption and corrupt behaviour is entangled deep with the moral fabric of all societies." He went on to say, "It is critical, therefore, people in positions of power and authority to exemplify the values they wish their constituents would follow". But does Najib believe what he says? And more importantly where is the walk besides the talk? All we have seen seems to be in the contrary. We are wont to ask, "Where is the example from the people in positions of power and authority?" Instead many blame successive BN administrations for the decrepit moral state of their country because of corruption and abuses of power, which Najib admits implicitly. And Najib has yet to shake off the ghost of Altantuya Shaaribuu whose murder still leaves the public with the question: "Who ordered the killing?" The incumbent government has much to answer for its failure to inspire the rest of the nation to higher moral conduct when it fails to apply the rule of law objectively across the board and involves its politicians and proxies in unbecoming acts such as the publishing of 'dirty videos' and other acts of political subterfuge. If inspiring is too much to ask, Najib will sound more convincing if he can stop his government from picking on Malaysians whose only crime is they want to see the greed he describes and the obsession with profit diminished. Excuses, excuses Najib's suggestion that "in some countries where severe punishment was meted out for corruption, it has not proven entirely effective" may explain why his administration is coy about allegations of corruption by some of his cabinet colleagues and the Sarawak Chief Minister Mahmud Taib. However I am not aware of the failure of strong measures to curb corruption that has not succeeded anywhere. Since Najib did not mention the countries, it is hard to substantiate the statement. However there is irrefutable and strong evidence we know that proves severe punishment works. Singapore is one success story worth noting. Singapore did not become what it is today – among the top nations on the global corruption index for squeaky clean governance – by making flimsy excuses like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for not having the power to take corrupt politicians to court. The Singapore no-nonsense approach has proven corruption does not pay, and where it is found it is dealt with harshly by the authorities and we have even seen a senior politician charged commit suicide. Surely the MACC's excuse of having no power in the light of much global evidence in the allegations of corruption by the political bigwig must send every anti-corruption agency around the globe scratching their heads. The truth is countries ensure there are laws to plug legal loopholes and every ploy by anyone to evade prosecution. Those governments ensure no one is above the law or out of its reach. There is even Interpol to help countries catch their criminals across borders. Let us not forget Dr Mahahtir Mohammed went to extreme lengths to change the country's constitution to get what he wanted and members of the royal family came under the scope of the law when he made it possible for them to be taken to court over civil and criminal matters where once they enjoyed legal impunity from prosecution. But if a government lacks the moral and political will, then it will give dishonest and lame excuses. And sadly that is the problem with the Najib administration that seems bent on punishing those who want to see improvements in the moral fibre of their politicians, and even a constructive group like Aliran is not spared from harassment. It begins with govt and its actions The government can't shirk its role in having created a political culture and society that has seen national integrity decline because of its corruption. Abuses of power filter outside of Putrajaya into the corridors of power and into the streets where cops are seen collecting bribes from illegal migrants and errant motorists. The people in their daily lives are confronted with corruption everywhere. With such moral insight that Najib exhibits in his speech, he ought to use his office and inspire his cabinet colleagues to lead Malaysia onto higher moral ground. After all, he espouses the virtues that Malaysians want to see badly after observing their nation bastardized by successive BN administrations. Even one that was relatively decent under Pak Lah was damned by Dr Mahathir Mohammed as "rotten".
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| Malaysian Youth Right Movement Urge Malaysian Youth To Reject Pakatan Rakyat Extemenism Posted: 05 Oct 2012 12:19 PM PDT
Dearest Malaysian Youth, beware of voting for Pakatan Rakyat into power. I am pretty sure you do not want to live another 4 or 5 years with all our freedom, rights and choices to be restricted by them. All Freedom and personal lifestyle liberty existed all this while because of Barisan Nasional Government and I am sure none of you would like to end up living the lifestyle like Pakatan Rakyat Islamic Kelantan and Kedah. PAS Youth has demanded the immediate withdrawal of a permit given to an international modelling agency to hold a bikini fashion show in Malaysia. Selangor PAS Youth chief Hasbullah Mohd Ridzuan said holding a bikini show in an Islamic country was a major insult, referring to the planned Bello Model Management bikini fashion event at the Grand Millennium Hotel on Saturday.
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| Posted: 05 Oct 2012 12:14 PM PDT
The Talam issue is still being spun this way and that while the issue concerning the PJ mayor is orchestrated to jam up the works and smooth-running of the state government's daily administrative process. What all these shenanigans mean is that the rakyat's choice at the ballot box in March 2008 is not respected but treated as rubbish! Selena Tay, Free Malaysia TodayEnemy forces are not letting up their assault on the Pakatan-led state in their determination to see it fall in the coming general election. "Defend till the end! Fight to the last!" was the angry response of this columnist's uncle who is a Selangorian when he heard that Petaling Jaya mayor, Mohamad Roslan Sakiman, is to be transferred to another department. This is despite the fact that PJ City councillor Derek Fernandez, who is also a lawyer by profession, remarked that the transfer decision by the PSD (Public Services Department) is illegal and ultra vires (as reported in a local English daily). This columnist's relatives who stay in Selangor are of the view that Barisan Nasional's shenanigans have started again in Selangor. Under heavy bombardment and continuous shelling, Selangor is bound to fall. This is called a "political siege". So far since the beginning of this year, the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor government had to contend with these four main issues: garbage collection, water, Talam and now the latest is the Petaling Jaya mayor issue. There has been no let-up from the enemy forces since the previous general election in March 2008. The first issue – garbage collection – had seen garbage trucks being blocked by hostile forces and broken furniture and tree branches being made into rubbish and dumped here and there in order to portray Selangor as a dirty state. When the garbage collection trucks are hindered, inevitably rubbish will start to pile up. All this just because the Selangor government wants to save RM20 million from garbage collection services by awarding the contract to new contractors! As for the water issue, a 40-second infomercial was last month filmed to show residents from a flat lining up to collect buckets of water while, at the same time, complaining about the so-called water shortage. It is a no-brainer as to who is behind this "entertaining movie". Diabolical forces The Talam issue is still being spun this way and that while the issue concerning the PJ mayor is orchestrated to jam up the works and smooth-running of the state government's daily administrative process. What all these shenanigans mean is that the rakyat's choice at the ballot box in March 2008 is not respected but treated as rubbish! The diabolical forces are hellbent on regaining Selangor by hook or by crook because in the view of these evil forces, might is definitely right. There is only one thing that can be done by Pakatan in this matter and that is to hold the Selangor state election in May as the State Legislative Assembly will be automatically dissolved by then. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2012/10/06/selangor-under-siege/
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| Son's wedding was 'cheap to organise' Posted: 05 Oct 2012 12:12 PM PDT
(Asia One) - A leaked document from the Malacca State Development Corporation (PKNM) allegedly shows that state agencies had sponsored the wedding ceremony. Did the catering for the wedding cost RM1.3 million (S$524,000), RM13 million or a mere RM600,000? Whatever the cost, the grandiose scale of the wedding of the eldest son of Malacca's chief minister has grabbed headlines in Malaysia. About 130,000 people are believed to have attended the wedding banquet of Mr Mohd Ridhwan and his wife Nur Azieha Mohd Ali, both 26. And the wedding entered the Malaysia Book of Records for the huge turnout, The Star reported. Opposition lawmakers have demanded that the chief minister, Mr Mohd Ali Rustam, reveal how much he spent on Sunday's wedding and where the funding came from. But Mr Mohd Ali, who is on a working trip to Indonesia, dismissed the talk about extravagance. "It was cheap to organise. The wedding just looked grand because of the number of people who attended," he said. The chief minister, who is also a Umno vice-president, told Malay Mail that he had hired 30 chefs who could whip up the wedding reception's nasi briyani campur dishes for 60,000 people, at RM10 per head. Each serving could feed three people, he said. It comes to RM600,000 for a wedding feast that could be served to about 180,000 guests, he said. He dismissed allegations that the reception, which lasted eight hours, cost millions of ringgit. Meanwhile, a leaked document from the Malacca State Development Corporation (PKNM) allegedly shows that state agencies had sponsored the wedding ceremony. Debating the federal budget in Parliament yesterday, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia lawmaker Mahfuz Omar said the document showed that a meeting hosted by PKNM was especially called to discuss the "logistics of the ceremony" on Sunday. "The CM's special officer admitted that the event was sponsored to the tune of RM10 per guest and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission must look into this (as) this is a personal event. "The meeting minutes mention the government departments involved and state that no bills should be claimed from the chief minister, everything is free." The minutes also allegedly stated that 100 tents were sponsored by four local councils and the armed forces could be approached for more tents. Read more at: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20121005-375724/2.html | |||
| Posted: 05 Oct 2012 12:08 PM PDT
Before Act A804, land could only be acquired for public purposes or for public utilities like building of roads, schools, hospitals, pipelines, water or power plants, etc. With the addition of "…for any purpose which in the opinion of the State Authority is beneficial to the economic development of Malaysia", no land is safe. Thomas Fann This is not a new issue, in fact it is 21 years old. It all began when the Barisan Nasional government, with its overwhelming majority in Parliament, passed by 99 to 25 votes the 1991 Land Acquisition Amendment Bill, or Act A804. The rephrasing of sections of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 basically gave incontestable power to state governments to seize private land for development by private companies and individuals. Lands originally acquired for public purposes can also be used for private development. Before Act A804, land could only be acquired for public purposes or for public utilities like building of roads, schools, hospitals, pipelines, water or power plants, etc. With the addition of "…for any purpose which in the opinion of the State Authority is beneficial to the economic development of Malaysia", no land is safe. The term "beneficial to the economic development of Malaysia" is as subjective as you can get. A piece of land can be acquired to build a posh five-star hotel, an amusement park or a golf resort because in the opinion of the government it would bring in the tourist dollar and create jobs for locals, not to mention enriching the private companies which would, of course, be paying taxes. To really make the Land Acquisition Act water-tight for the acquirer, Section 68A says that acquisitions cannot be invalidated by reason of any kind of subsequent disposal or use (etc) of the acquired land. This new provision aims at preventing the acquirer or the purported purpose from being challenged in court. You can only challenge the quantum of the compensation offered, the measurement of the land area, the person whom compensation is payable to, and the apportionment of the compensation. The leader of the opposition then, Lim Kit Siang, in opposing Act A804, gave this dire warning: "When it becomes law, it will destroy the constitutional right to property enjoyed by Malaysians for 34 years since Merdeka, and become the mother of all corruption, abuses of power, conflicts-of-interest and unethical malpractices in Malaysia…" Was Kit Siang just over-reacting or scare-mongering when he said that or is it a prophecy that was and is being fulfilled till today? A new ball game The impetus for the passing of Act A804 was for the acquisition of 33,000 acres of land in the Gelang Patah area for the construction of the second link with Singapore and the construction of a new township by UEM, wiping out 19 villages and displacing 10,000 people. The Johor state government offered the affected smallholders compensation averaging RM26,000 per acre or 64 sen per sqe ft, far below the then market value of RM100,000 per acre for agricultural land. In a subsequent civil suit by one of the affected landowners against the government of Johor in 1995, it was revealed that a subsidiary of Renong was offering the intended development for sale at RM17 per sq ft, a whopping 28 times more than what the original landowners got! For a glimpse into some of the backroom wheeling and dealing that went on with these deals, one should read the court papers of cases like "Honan Plantations vs Govt of Johor'; and "Stamford Holdings vs Govt of Johor". Names of notable personalities like Muhyiddin Yassin, Syed Mokhtar Albukhary and Yahya Talib in secret meetings were mentioned. For the Second Link and the highway that linked it to the North-South Expressway to be built, the Land Acquisition Act was necessary. To be fair, compensation had to not only take into account the then prevailing market value but also the loss of livelihood for the people who used to live off the land. With Act A804, the government seized a lot more land than was required for the custom and immigration complex and the highway. We can safely say it seized almost 24,000 acres more for a private corporation, UEM, albeit it is a GLC (government-linked corporation). Today, UEM Land, as the master developer of the 23,875-acre Nusajaya (as the acquired land is now called) boasts of its enormous landbank and potential billions in profit from its development. We want to ask this simple poignant question: whose lands were these originally, and what about the 10,000 over affected villagers? Shouldn't these people be beneficiaries of development and not its victims? Perhaps some of the villagers are now working in Legoland, who knows? While some of the people behind the scenes went on to achieve high office and some made it to the top 10 billionaires list, thousands of other nameless Malaysians are without land and opportunities. Land grab is non-discriminatory: Malaysians from all racial, religious and social strata are affected. Gelang Patah was just the precursor to a new ball game called Land Grab and the same modus operandi was used for Seremban 2, Bandar Aman Jaya in Sungai Petani, Pantai Kundor/Pantai Tanah Merah and Paya Mengkuang in Melaka, Kerpan in Kedah, Sepang in Selangor, lands acquired for the MRT project, Jalan Sultan, native customary lands in the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, and many, many more. Of course, not all compulsory acquisitions are unjust or not justifiable; but there should be a fair and unskewed avenue for aggrieved landowners through the justice system to question certain acquisitions. The courts now are somewhat constrained by Act A804, and in almost all cases such acquisitions are not reversed. The Pengerang grab Twenty years on, the same script is being acted out in Johor again (a BN stronghold), this time to the east in Pengerang. A total of 22,500 acres of land are being acquired for the development of the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC). The anchor project in this proposal is Petronas' RAPID project which requires a sizeable 6,424 acres. Smallholders and plantations are being offered between RM1.80 psf and RM8 psf for their land. Can Pengerang be called Gelang Patah 2.0 where again, on the pretext of development, a huge tract of land is being taken from their original landowners and placed in the hands of one or a few wealthy individuals and corporations? Is the PIPC the main play or is property speculation the main play? Would the same prime minister who mooted the Third Link to Singapore in 2009 make the announcement again after all the land has been acquired? Who are the direct beneficiaries of such development? All these are so "legal" that one government official after another is spewing out that it is done properly under the terms of the Land Acquisition Act 1960. It may be legal, but is it moral? Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak made a statement during the launch of the sixth International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities Conference in Kuala Lumpur on the Oct 4, 2012: "Is the unbridled and ruthless pursuit of extraordinary profits a form of corruption? I believe that if we see corruption as fundamentally a moral problem, therefore anything that promotes selfish interest at the expense of the well-being of others is morally wrong. It was vapid [tasteless] self-interest and greed that was truly at the heart of corruption. " Mr Prime Minister, I could not agree with you more. How much is enough for the greedy? How many more poor and defenseless villagers must be forcibly displaced and robbed of the fruits of development to satisfy the insatiable appetites of the greedy who uses the Land Acquisition Act to enrich themselves? Who will speak up for the thousands who will be landless and many without a means of livelihood? It is evil when a law is crafted to take away land from the poor without their consent, fair compensation or share in its benefits so that a few might make it to Forbes' list of billionaires. We should all be foaming at our mouth with anger at this injustice but instead we just thank God daily that it is not our land they have come to take, at least not yet. Thomas Fann blogs at www.newmalaysia.org | |||
| Seeking the Right to Be Female in Malaysia Posted: 05 Oct 2012 12:04 PM PDT
Adam Shazrul Bin Mohammad Yusoff dressed in her room in Seremban, Malaysia. (The New York Times) - Nisha Ayub was jailed for three months after her first arrest for dressing as a woman 14 years ago. Ms. Nisha, who was 20 at the time, said prison wardens forced her to walk naked in front of the male inmates. "It's something I can't forget until today," she said. The feminine figure dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, makeup carefully applied, drew little attention from other customers at the fast-food restaurant in Seremban, a city about an hour's drive south of Kuala Lumpur. The 26-year-old began wearing women's clothing at age 13. Thanks to plastic surgery in neighboring Thailand, a daily dose of hormones and a feminine nickname, she is able to present herself as female to the outside world. But her official identification card — which Malaysians must produce in dealings like job interviews — declares that her name is Adam Shazrul Bin Mohammad Yusoff and that she is male. The discrepancy between her appearance and her officially recognized gender presents much more than just awkward moments in Malaysia, where Shariah, or Islamic law, bans Muslim men from dressing or posing as women. Penalties differ in individual states, but in Negri Sembilan, where the 26-year-old lives, convicted offenders may be sentenced to up to six months in prison, fined as much as 1,000 ringgit, about $325, or both. Tired of living in fear of prosecution, the 26-year-old — who has been arrested twice and was once fined 900 ringgit — and three other transgender people are challenging the law in the secular courts, arguing that it violates the Malaysian Constitution, which bans discrimination based on gender and protects freedom of expression. A verdict in their case — the first time anyone has sought to overturn the law — is expected next Thursday. "It's for freedom — to be like everybody else, to wear what we like," said the 26-year-old, explaining why she is taking part in the case. "This shouldn't happen. It's an unjust law. We are just human beings. We are not doing anything wrong." Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/06/world/asia/seeking-the-right-to-be-female-in-malaysia.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&_r=0
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| LGE accused of ignoring gangsterism in DAP Posted: 04 Oct 2012 07:26 PM PDT
Alleged victims say they were beaten up in the party chief's presence. K Pragalath, FMT Two men who claim they were physically assaulted in the presence of DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng have accused him of being indifferent to the issue of gangsterism in the party. A Thirumalvalavan (photo, left) and R Selvan (in white shirt), who are both branch-level officials in DAP, have lodged a police report about the attack, but they told reporters today that they were disappointed by Lim's silence over it. The incident allegedly happened last Monday during a meeting organised by Selangor DAP in Pekan Salak, Sepang. The two, together with Pantai Putra Sepang branch secretary Rashid Md Gani (photo, middle), were about to submit a memorandum to Lim when they were attacked, they said. Ironically, one of the points of the memorandum was gangsterism in the party. "Lim and (Selangor DAP chief) Teresa Kok were present when Thirumalvalavan and Selvan were dragged and bashed up by gangsters," Rashid told this morning's press conference. "Why didn't he stop the violence? "We are also very disappointed with Kok's leadership. She has also kept silent." The Monday meeting was a regular Selangor DAP parliamentary liaison session, but a discussion of election strategies was also on the agenda. "After delivering his speech, Lim had to leave the hall to attend a funeral," Rashid said. "We wanted to have dialogue session and hand over a memorandum to him." The memorandum complained that:
Thirumalvalavan, who leads DAP's Taman Murni branch, was in tears when he recalled Monday's incident. "I was dragged by gangsters who are not DAP members," he said. "They slapped and kicked me." Selvan, a member of the party's Pantai Sepang Putra committee, said he suffered the same treatment. The attackers snatched his DAP membership card and destroyed it, he added. Both displayed to reporters bruises on their shoulders and arms. Contacted after the press conference, Sivakumar denied that he used gangsters. He told FMT that everyone at the Monday meeting, including the alleged attackers, were DAP members. "The state committee ensured that only members would attend the meeting," he said, adding that Thirumalvalavan, Selvan and Rashid were there only to cause trouble. "Some party members had to stop them to protect Lim," he said.
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| Probe JMM allegations, urges Cuepacs Posted: 04 Oct 2012 07:20 PM PDT
(Bernama) -- The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has asked the authorities to investigate allegations that Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) had bribed civil servants to cover up information on its foreign funding and to gather information related to national security and government secrets. Its president, Datuk Omar Osman, said any civil servant found to have been involved should be given the appropriate punishment. "It is up to the authorities (to take action). Civil servants should not be accepting bribes. We have ethics which we must adhere to," he told Bernama. Omar was commenting on a statement by Azwanddin Hamzah, president of the non-governmental organisation Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM), yesterday that Suaram had received more than US$100 million (about RM305.35 million) to organise street protests and that it had also bribed government officers. Suaram has categorically denied the allegations that it had bribed government officers to cover up information on its foreign funding and to gather information related to national security and government secrets. It also challenged JMM to substantiate its allegations and demanded an immediate apology and retraction of the allegations should JMM fail to do so. Omar said he was not sure why JMM had hurled the allegations at civil servants. "Nevertheless, we advise civil servants to distance themselves from bribery to maintain the integrity of the civil service and secure their own future," he said.
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| Johor to overtake Selangor as richest state Posted: 04 Oct 2012 07:15 PM PDT
(Bernama) -- Johor is to emerge as the richest state in Malaysia by 2025, overtaking Selangor, if the current trend of development pace and investment inflows continues, an analyst with an investment bank said today. Dr Nazri Khan, Affin Investment Bank Vice-President and Retail Research Head, said the projection was not something impossible to achieve with Iskandar Malaysia, one of the five economic corridors in Malaysia, having attracted more than one-fourth of the RM383 billion total investment target by 2025. He said the economic growth brought to Johor by Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the government's investment arm, is seen as among concerted initiatives by the government to establish an economic hub in Johor outside the Klang Valley. "We will see Johor transform into an Orlando in Florida and become Asia's Theme Park Hub with the presence of at least four theme parks in the state. "They include Legoland Malaysia which opened recently, Puteri Harbour Family Entertainment Centre and Austin Heights Water Theme Park is due to open its doors soon. All these parks will provide ample jobs to our youths," he said. The 2012/2013 Economic Report issued by the Finance Ministry on Sept 28 said job opportunities in Johor are expected to double when some projects come on stream in the next five years such as Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios, MSC Cyberport City and Urban and Resort Wellness. At the same time, Nazri said efforts to attract cash-rich Middle Eastern investors, who have the capital to invest, must be pursued to maintain the development momentum in Johor. He said the massive oil and gas project in Pengerang is being initiated at a timely juncture when the world demand for oil and gas was spiralling. "Moreover, Pengerang's demographic location in the middle of the international shipping route to Indonesia and Singapore provided an added advantage to us than to our neighbours," he added. Meanwhile, a restaurateur in Skudai, Mohd Kassim Ali, 52, readily acknowledged that he could feel the spinoffs emanating from Iskandar Malaysia development. "When I first started this restaurant business 10 years ago, there were not many customers then, but now I can sense the change over the last one year as a result of the development impact brought about by the government. "My income has also increased by about 30 per cent now, more so after Legoland Malaysia was opened. I think the development pace in this city will accelerate further when more development projects planned by the government get off the ground such as the Puteri Harbour," he said. He said the number of Singaporean customers has also increased since Legoland Malaysia, the country's first theme park of its kind, was opened to the people on Sept 1. The feverish pace of development in this state will provide more job opportunities for Johoreans, he added. A Johorean, Mohd Salleh Ali, 46, said at one time, the youths, including from Johor, have to move to Kuala Lumpur to find jobs but now that trend is slowly and surely changing. With the oil and gas project in Pengerang and with various other development projects in the drawing board under the Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor, Johor has become the latest trade focus in Malaysia, he said. "Johor has become the focal point now as people from throughout the country are flocking to the state in search of high-paying jobs," he said. Development projects implemented by the state government with the support of the federal government have given an "assurance" to Johor-born school leavers of ample job prospects and a decent income, he added.
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| PKR berubah nada, mahu teruskan projek RAPID Posted: 04 Oct 2012 06:46 PM PDT
(Malaysian Digest) - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) hari ini berubah nada berhubung isu Projek Pembangunan Bersepadu Penapisan Minyak dan Petrokimia (RAPID) di Pengerang, Johor dan mahu melanjutkan tempoh masa penilaian serta mengkaji semula pertimbangan asas ekonomi projek ini. Ketua Biro Pelaburan dan Perdagangan PKR, Wong Chen berkata PKR akan menjalankan program melibatkan masyarakat tempatan secara trasparen dan telus, serta akan melambatkan tarikh Keputusan Akhir (FID). "Kami akan memberikan rakyat Pengerang masa yang mencukupi untuk menyuarakan pandangan mereka. Dengan pengetahuan yang penuh dan jelas, mereka boleh membuat pilihan yang bebas.
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