Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Mixed response to coins
- Coin makeover
- False Reports - Face the Music
- Guna sistem biometrik tolak dakwaan pembangkang
- Bersih suppression for public good, says Najib
- Nazrin: Rulers must be told the real story
- Coming soon this September: Third person in Scorpene scandal
- RCI findings flawed, says Teoh’s ex-boss
- ‘No political agenda in deporting French lawyer’
- Christian plot: What have police uncovered?
- ‘Anti-Islam bloggers in US on Najib/BN payroll’
- 1Care medical scheme – a crony treatment?
- Wilting SUPP searching for unity within
- WWF accused of failing to regulate sustainable timber scheme
- Jeffrey warns of creeping xenophobia
- DPM hints at early polls
- Pakatan keeps Bersih torch burning in Selangor
- BN could bear brunt of voter anger over rising costs
| Posted: 25 Jul 2011 10:03 AM PDT By Qishin Tariq, The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Getting folks used to the new series of coins will not be an issue if enough time is given, Fomca CEO Datuk Paul Selvaraj said. "The six months meant to facilitate the change-over is sufficient if Bank Negara holds roadshows and makes repeated media announcements to raise public awareness," he said when commenting on the introduction of new series of coins early next year. He cautioned that not all coin machines might be recalibrated on time and might cause consumers great inconvenience. "There will be a confusion period. "I believe the most important thing is education to ensure the transition is smooth," Paul said. He also said the reason for the change must be properly explained. "If the new features do make the coins more convenient for consumers, perhaps it's a good move," he added. However, Organisation for Advancement of the Blind (PPOBM) was disappointed with the change. "I don't see how the changes in the new series will make it easier for the visually impaired. "The difference in colours are of little use to those who can't see well," organisation president Jaafar Md Isa, 40, said. "While adding features like patterns and indentations on the coin's edge and different colours for different denominations is appreciated, we question how it is really useful to us," he said. Jaafar said the primary method for the blind to differentiate the coins was through the size and thickness of the coin. "It would have been better if they had consulted us first. "We would have given some useful suggestions to make sure the coins can be easily used by the blind," he said.
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| Posted: 25 Jul 2011 09:57 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: New user-friendly Malaysian coins that are smaller and lighter will be available for circulation from early next year. The coins, third in a series minted thus far, will replace the current series which is 20 years old. They will be issued in the denominations of five sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen. Sparkling new: The newly-minted coin series that will be circulated starting next year. Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said the yellow- and silver-coloured coins with designs along their edges would make it easier for the public and especially the visually impaired to differentiate between the different denominations. The new coins also have more security features like latent images and indentations to make counterfeiting more difficult, she said. Bank Negara yesterday launched commemorative coin sets to mark the new series of coins. A total of 500,000 sets of the commemorative coins comprising all the denominations in special packaging are available for RM10. "The new coins are legal tender and will co-circulate with the existing series. "The existing series will be gradually phased out," Dr Zeti said when launching the commemorative coins. Dr Zeti holding the commemorative coin set. She said although the new coins would only go into general circulation from next year, the bank would start selling the commemorative coins from today at its headquarters here and at all its branches in Penang, Johor Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. The bank is also working with financial institutions, businesses and cash-handling vendors to ensure a smooth transition, she said. The six-month notice would also enable coin-machine operators to recalibrate their machines to accept both new and old coins. "To raise awareness about the new coins, we will also run nationwide education programmes together with the release of the commemorative coins," she said. She added that phasing out the old coins would start next year. She said the coins were designed by a Malaysian and wholly minted by Bank Negara's mint in Malaysia. "The coin's design draws inspiration from the distinct elements that define Malaysian heritage and culture. "The theme Distinctly Malaysia' features motifs like the jasmine and hibiscus flowers and weaving patterns of the indigenous people," Dr Zeti said. The motif for the five-sen, 10-sen and 20-sen denominations feature 14 dots representing the 13 states and the Federal Territory, while the motif for the 50-sen coin has five horizontal lines representing the five principles of the Rukun Negara.
RELATED STORY: MIXED RESPONSE TO COINS
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| False Reports - Face the Music Posted: 25 Jul 2011 09:28 AM PDT (Bernama) - KUALA LUMPUR -- The authorities will not hesitate to charge anyone under Section 182 of the Penal Code for making a false report against police action during the July 9 illegal rally. Criminal Investigation Department deputy director Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said they could be imprisoned for up to six months or fined a maximum of RM2,000 or both, upon conviction. |
| Guna sistem biometrik tolak dakwaan pembangkang Posted: 25 Jul 2011 09:01 AM PDT (Utusan Malaysia) - Penggunaan sistem pengimbas cap jari atau biometrik kini menjadi isu perbincangan masyarakat. Kepada kerajaan ia adalah salah satu usaha untuk memastikan pilihan raya di negara ini dijalankan secara telus dan adil.
Tetapi kepada pakatan pembangkang, mereka melihat sudut negatif kerana bimbang sistem itu boleh disalahgunakan untuk warga asing turut menjadi pengundi. Pemikiran sebegini seolah-olah mahu menafikan apa sahaja pembaharuan untuk menambahbaik sistem pilihan raya negara kita. Sedangkan pihak pembangkang yang beria-ia mahu satu sistem yang lebih baik digunakan untuk pilihan raya akan datang. Mereka juga yang sering mendakwa wujudnya pengundi hantu pada pilihan raya di negara ini. Jadi, Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) mahu laksanakan sistem biometrik ini agar dapat mengatasi dakwaan-dakwaan berkenaan. Kepada kerajaan, teruskan usaha untuk menambahbaik SPR. Kerajaan pun sudah bersetuju memberi peruntukan kepada SPR bagi mewujudkan sistem biometrik dalam mengesahkan pengundi berdaftar pada pilihan raya nanti. Pun begitu, pembangkang tidak akan bersetuju dengan cadangan dan buah fikiran kerajaan dan SPR selagi ia bukan datang daripada idea mereka. Bagi mereka pilihan raya yang adil mesti memenuhi lapan perkara dalam tuntutan Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 2). Sebenarnya, tanpa demonstrasi atau perhimpunan Bersih pun kerajaan akan sentiasa berusaha menambahbaik sistem pilihan raya di negara ini dari semasa ke semasa. Oleh kerana sistem biometrik ini masih baru di negara kita, maka elok SPR memberi taklimat bagaimana proses operasi, apa tindakan pencegahan penipuan dan apa keberkesanannya kepada masyarakat. Lakukan kajian secara terperinci mengenai sistem biometrik. Antara perkara yang SPR perlu buat kajian ialah kecekapan infrastruktur jalur lebar dan talian internet ketika berlangsungnya hari pengundian. Mungkin di kawasan bandar tiada masalah tetapi bagaimana kawasan pedalaman Sabah dan Sarawak, malah kawasan luar bandar di Semenanjung pun ada yang masih belum menerima kemudahan jalur lebar. Perkara penting yang perlu dielakkan ialah jangan diulangi kegagalan penggunaan dakwat kekal di peringkat akhir pada pilihan raya umum lalu setelah dihebohkan pelaksanaannya. Penggunaan dakwat kekal nampaknya masih menjadi salah satu tuntutan Bersih 2. Kita harap sistem biometrik dapat membolehkan proses pengesahan pengundi dilakukan secara elektronik dan pantas. Sistem biometrik Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) yang akan digunakan oleh SPR dikatakan tidak boleh ditembusi kepada penyalahgunaan oleh pihak berkepentingan untuk menipu ketika pilihan raya. Namun begitu pakatan pembangkang awal-awal lagi berkeras menolak penggunaan sistem biometrik dalam pilihan raya umum akan datang. Kebimbangan pembangkang ialah bolehkah masalah isu pengundi hantu atau mengundi lebih daripada sekali dikesan. Dalam operasi pilihan raya, semua wakil parti politik yang bertanding turut menjadi pemerhati pilihan raya. Mungkin seseorang pengundi boleh memberi kad pengenalan palsu, atau bercukur janggutnya tetapi dia tidak boleh menukar maklumat dalam biometrik. Kita berharap pelaksanaan sistem biometrik ini dapat berjalan lancar. |
| Bersih suppression for public good, says Najib Posted: 25 Jul 2011 08:56 AM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Still training his sights on Bersih, Datuk Seri Najib Razak today justified his administration's response to the July 9 rally by saying it was the government's duty to safeguard public property and interests.
Making specific reference to May 13, 1969, the prime minister wrote on his blog at 1malaysia.com.my that the country held on to a "delicate balance [that] needs to be protected and preserved at all times." "Recent events that unfolded in Kuala Lumpur put us through an important test. Our decision as government was to protect the interests and property of the larger community that depend on Kuala Lumpur for their livelihood," Najib continued. His administration's handling of the Bersih rally has left a blemish on Najib's image as a moderate Muslim leader, with global media delivering harsh criticism over the suppression of the electoral reform movement. Speaking after his return from an eight-day tour of Europe on Friday, Najib also claimed the Bersih movement was a veiled attempt to topple his administration through street demonstrations akin to those that are now claiming Middle Eastern despots. "It's not so much about electoral reform. They want to show us as though we're like the Arab Spring governments in the Middle East," he said. |
| Nazrin: Rulers must be told the real story Posted: 25 Jul 2011 08:08 AM PDT
(Bernama) - The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, said today rulers should not be shielded from the truth and must be told the real story. In addition, rulers should never be surrounded by people with personal interests who are willing to use them as tools.
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| Coming soon this September: Third person in Scorpene scandal Posted: 25 Jul 2011 12:08 AM PDT
(Harakah Daily) - Details of a 'third commission' in the controversial purchase of Scorpene submarines, said to have been paid to a high-ranking Malaysian government officer, is set to be revealed when a corruption trial involving the French arms supplier begins in France this September. Cynthia Gabriel of rights group Suaram, who is spearhering efforts to compile facts and bring the matter to French courts under its "Ops Scorpene" project, recently revealed new evidence that a third commission, allegedly bigger than the first two commissions paid to Perimekar Sdn Bhd at RM540 million, PKR's online organ KeadilanDaily reported.
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| RCI findings flawed, says Teoh’s ex-boss Posted: 24 Jul 2011 05:23 PM PDT
Report contains inconsistencies and contradicts evidence previously adduced at inquest, says Ean Yong Hian Wah. (Free Malaysia Today) - The DAP has found several inconsistencies in the Royal Commission of Inquiry's (RCI) report on Teoh Beng Hock's death, saying that a number of its findings contradicted what was produced as evidence in during proceedings. Selangor exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah, Teoh's former boss, asked: "Why the inconsistencies in the evidence adduced and what's contained the RCI report? "The RCI report is supposed to shed light on the cause of his (Teoh's) death but instead it raises more questions and uncertainties about his death," said Ean Yong. The Seri Kembangan state assemblyman said the RCI's "unconvincing attempt" to "spin" a result of suicide, shows that the BN government wanted to cover up the truth. "Why did the RCI question the involvement of DAP's Serdang Aman branch in giving contractors and suppliers advances for small projects and programmes?" asked Ean Yong. "We do not pay advances for projects such as the repair of drains and so on. The branch only foots bill for programmes which it is involved it as co-organiser," said Ean Yong. "We said many times that DAP does not pay advances for projects. DAP only foots bills for community programmes which it later claims from the Land Office. "The witness testimonies by contractors Wong Hong Chae and Lee Wye Wing and myself, during RCI proceedings attests to and supports this," he added. Ean Yong said he also did not understand why the RCI went so as far as to venture an opinion that political parties should not be involved in government projects. "What is wrong with that? Why can't a political party aide the government in their programmes when it is in service of the rakyat and community? "That is not the point, but the RCI went too far to give its opinion on such things," he said. The RCI found that none of the receipts for DAP's programmes had matched the amount reimbursed to DAP. However, Ean Yong said: "(Investigating officer Ahmad ) Shafik (Abdul Rahman), of the MACC told the RCI that his investigations showed reimbursements from the district land office and the receipts matched and that the projects were indeed carried out.
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| ‘No political agenda in deporting French lawyer’ Posted: 24 Jul 2011 04:49 PM PDT
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says William Bourdon was deported due to visa violation like making a speech in Penang. (Free Malaysia Today) - Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that there was no political agenda in the deportation of French human rights lawyer William Bourdon. The minister said he was deported due to "visa non-compliance" and for making a speech in Penang. "It's due to a visa violation. There are certain things tourists cannot do. I don't know what it is, but one cannot give a speech," he told reporters today. French lawyer William Bourdon was deported on Friday upon landing in KLIA from Penang, where he had spoken about the controversial Scorpene submarines deal which allegedly involved millions of ringgit in kickbacks to Malaysian government officials. However, Hishammuddin denied that Bourdon's deportation had any political agenda behind it. "People get deported everyday, but people have selectively chosen this case to say that it is political," he said. According to Suaram director Cynthia Gabriel, immigration officials boarded the plane and detained Bourdon after his plane touched down at KLIA. Bourdon was served a deportation order for violating the terms of his social visit pass and left the country at about 11pm on Friday. The renowned human rights lawyer was due to speak at a fundraising dinner in Petaling Jaya on Friday night, and at another in Ipoh on Saturday.
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| Christian plot: What have police uncovered? Posted: 24 Jul 2011 04:19 PM PDT
DAP demands public disclosure of the outcome of investigations. (Free Malaysia Today) - DAP has demanded that police reveal the outcome of their investigation into an alleged conspiracy to make Christianity the official religion of Malaysia. Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said police wrapped up the investigation some time ago and should have informed the public what they had found out. The seriousness of the allegation and the uproar it caused warranted the public disclosure, he added. The allegation surfaced on the Internet early last May and went largely unnoticed until Utusan Malaysia reported it on its front page under the headline "Malaysia a Christian nation?" The Umno-owned daily alleged that Christians at a closed-door gathering in Penang had spoken about Christianity replacing Islam as the official religion and the possibility of Malaysia being led by a Christian prime minister. Christian leaders denied the allegation, but pro-Umno groups, including the far right Perkasa, lodged police reports demanding an investigation into what they alleged was a threat to Islam. Jelutong MP and DAP member Jeff Ooi, who said he was at the gathering, also lodged a police report, stating that the report was a fabrication. However, the controversy took a surprising turn when Mohamed Razali Abdul Rahman, another DAP member who said he too was at the meeting, lodged another report, claiming that there was some truth to the allegation. DAP subsequently expelled Razali for refusing to clarify his stand and for working against the party's interest.
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| ‘Anti-Islam bloggers in US on Najib/BN payroll’ Posted: 24 Jul 2011 04:15 PM PDT
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who sees himself as the 'great protector of Islam' in Malaysia must explain link to anti-Islam promoters. (Free Malaysia Today) - A team of American bloggers allegedly hired by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud to improve their respective images, are in fact pro-Israel and known to publicly slander Islam. One member of the team, Caleb Howe, indulged in a sustained, childish rant on his public Twitter page on April 23 last year, in which he said: "I drew a picture of Mohammed today. I showed him marrying a pre-tween. Might as well be historically correct right?" Eighteen minutes later on the same twitter message, he posted: "Did I say marrying a pre-tween? Sorry.. that was my typo.I meant raping." Caleb's outburst against Islam is not an isolated incident (see image below). He and his team have indulged in a number of such anti-Islamic rants on Twitter that are clearly designed to give extreme offence to Muslims. Few would dream of engaging in such an unpleasant and offensive attack. It thus comes as a surprise that Najib and Taib would hire Howe and his colleagues who sustain other blogs such as Red State, New Ledger, Sarawak Report(s), Malaysia Matters as their professional promoters. It seems somewhat a misjudgement that Najib, who sees himself as the great protector of his own Muslim religion, continues to be associated with this team of Americans. Pro-Israeli views Howe [photo below] is closely linked to Josh Trevino, the right-wing blogger behind the American 'Red State' and 'New Ledger' blogs and also a PR company called Rogue Strategic Services. Rogue Services have been in employ with Barisan Nasional since the days of former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Now their portfolio includes Najib and Taib. They have been allegedly hired to create 'positive publicity' on their behalf.
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| 1Care medical scheme – a crony treatment? Posted: 24 Jul 2011 02:54 PM PDT (FMT) - TAWAU: A proposed medical insurance scheme by the government has raised concern among private practioners here and across the peninsular.
Suspicion has risen over the 1Care scheme which many believe will only benefit a few private companies at the expense of patients and doctors. The doctors fear that healthcare expenses will increase as 1Care will become a monopoly through a giant managed-care organisation (MCO). Although the government is yet to reveal the full details of the 1Care scheme, initial disclosures have raised concerns. According to doctors here, in theory the scheme appears to save money for the consumers but in reality it is otherwise. "It should save consumers from having to pay out of their pockets for their primary healthcare and thus protect them from excessive healthcare expenses, but in reality 1Care will come under a new company and thus a middleman.The middle man will profit from patients and their caregivers. "This will result in healthcare costs going up, the standard of treatment may drop and the public will be burdened with a new healthcare tax," said a private doctor who requested anonymity. The doctor said most fraternity members are worried that their ability as medical practioners to provide quality medical care will be compromised by the scheme which will collect fixed funds from all working adults and their employers. They are also preparing to face criticism from the establishment who may see their opposition to the plan as trying to protect their income first. Scheme may lead to 'undertreatment' Meanwhile in a letter obtained by FMT, a group of doctors from the peninsular have also listed their concerns and are urging the government to engage all parties, including patients and the public before deciding to introduce the scheme. They said it is important that dialogues be intiated and stakeholders respond to valid questions on the scheme. Spelling out their concerns and worries, former Penang Medical Practitioners' Society (PMS) presidents Dr Ong Hean Teik and Dr Haniffah Abdul Gafoor along with ex-Penang branch leader of the Malaysian Medical Association Dr SP Palaniappan, said the scheme is being promoted as having an immediate impact on improving the country's healthcare system while also addressing the poor government medical facilities in Sabah and Sarawak. "The experience worldwide is that a fixed capitation fee per patient will lead to inadequate and under-treatment since physicians tend to conserve resources to prevent financial loss. "Although patients do not directly pay for their treatment, they are still indirectly paying since a portion of their income will automatically be deducted and given to the insurance company running this programme.
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| Wilting SUPP searching for unity within Posted: 24 Jul 2011 02:48 PM PDT
By Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: An ailing and deeply divided Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) has made a desperate call to its party leaders to 'urgently' carry out the restructing process in the party and win back the people's support. "We must create a new image for the party based on the inspirations and needs of the people. We must rise again," said the party's deputy secretary-general Wong Soon Koh. "The restructuring must involve significant improvement in administration, including a complete system that could shape the party's organisation. "We must promptly pump in new blood to give the party a new look." Wong was speaking at a SUPP roadshow in Sibu on the weekend. Sibu is the first of a series of road shows to be carried in the state before the party's triennial delegates conference (TDC) in December this year. The TDC is expected to elect new leaders after the current leaders, who claimed responsibility for the party's poor performances in the April 16 state elections, step down. SUPP lost 13 of its 19 seats to opposition DAP in the polls. SUPP president George Chan, who was leading the road show, was however not very happy with the absence of three principal figures of the party. For some unknown reasons the three key leaders Sim Kheng Hui (secretary-general), David Teng (treasurer-general) and Alfred Yap (publicity and information secretary) did not turn up for the dialogue with Siburians. Angry Chan Asked by reporters why they were absent, Chan retorted: "Go and ask them yourself. I don't know why they did not come for the dialogue." Their absence has triggered speculation of an ever deepening dissent in the party. They are believed to be at logger-heads with Chan. It was learnt that Chan had earlier demanded that all the leaders whom he described as 'old guards' resign and give way to new blood and this included the trio. He said that they should leave together with him at the TDC. "Now we should leave the party to new and young people who can work together without thinking of racialism, regionalism and of being clannish," Chan said. But certain quarters including 28 branch chairmen do not agree with Chan. They have laid the blame for the party's poor performances in the state election solely on the president. "Chan, being the president, should have the courage to claim responsibility for the party's blunders. He cannot drag other leaders to step down with him. "Instead we want David Teng to take over the leadership," said a leader aligned to Teng. No big deal Meanwhile Sarawak DAP is unperturbed by SUPP's effort to redeem itself through the statewide roadshow.
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| WWF accused of failing to regulate sustainable timber scheme Posted: 24 Jul 2011 02:23 PM PDT
By John Vidal, The Guardian One is the Malaysian logging company Ta Ann Holdings Berhad, which has clear-felled rainforest in Borneo equivalent to nearly 20 football pitches a day while a member of the WWF scheme. Investigations by Global Witness show it working legally within the boundaries of a WWF conservation project that WWF bills as, "crucial to the survival of Borneo's endangered species including orangutans and clouded leopards". Conservation group WWF let timber companies use its panda brand logo while they were razing some of the world's most biologically rich rainforests or trading in potentially illegally sourced timber, according to the investigative group Global Witness. The WWF's flagship Global forest and trade network (Gftn), which is part-subsidised by the US government and EU, promotes sustainable timber, bringing together more than 70 international logging companies and large numbers of timber sellers. The WWF says the 20-year-old scheme is now responsible for nearly 19% of forest products bought or sold internationally, with members' combined annual sales approaching $70bn (£43bn). However, Global Witness's report, Pandering to the Loggers, claims Gftn's membership and participation rules are inadequate, allowing companies to systematically abuse the scheme. "There are few minimum standards required for companies joining Gftn," says the report. "Meaning even companies involved in highly destructive activities, such as clearing natural forests to make way for plantations or buying wood products from illegal sources can join and benefit." WWF rejects that. The report, which is billed as a "basic evaluation of the operation and effectiveness of the scheme", looks in detail at three case studies. One is the Malaysian logging company Ta Ann Holdings Berhad, which has clear-felled rainforest in Borneo equivalent to nearly 20 football pitches a day while a member of the WWF scheme. Investigations by Global Witness show it working legally within the boundaries of a WWF conservation project that WWF bills as, "crucial to the survival of Borneo's endangered species including orangutans and clouded leopards". Another member of the scheme, UK building supplier Jewson, failed to ensure all its timber came from legal sources for nearly 10 years after joining. WWF said Jewson had changed its timber sourcing practices after problems had been found. Global Witness also claims that a third timber company, the Swiss-German Danzer Group, has a subsidiary working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which has been allegedly involved in conflicts with local communities. "Gftn rules are less stringent than US and EU laws prohibiting the import of illegal timber," said Tom Picken, a forest campaigner at Global Witness in a press release. "When a landmark scheme created in the name of conservation tolerates one of its member companies destroying orangutan habitat, something is going seriously wrong." WWF said many of the allegations were misleading. "Gftn has made a major contribution to conservation through its ability to engage with industry. Participants make clear commitments that demonstrate they reject illegal or suspicious timber. Trade participants report on an annual basis, and sites are inspected on an annual basis where appropriate." WWF said that only Ta Ann's processing facilities were included in the WWF scheme. "The first year of work with Ta Ann's mills has resulted in improvements in their sourcing profile. As with all participants, longer term compliance with the agreed action plan will be critical to their continued participation." hat only Ta Ann's processing facilities were included in the WWF scheme. "The first year of work with Ta Ann's mills has resulted in improvements in their sourcing profile. As with all participants, longer term compliance with the agreed action plan will be critical to their continued participation.". It added that it was investigating allegations of an incident involving a community associated with the Danzer subsidiary in Congo. "Whilst WWF-drc continues to investigate the case, no further engagement will be taken [with the subsidiary]." WWF, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, makes about $500m a year from donations and corporate endorsements but has been criticised by other environment groups and NGOs for its links to forestry, mining, tobacco, banks, palm oil, biofuel and other companies. Last month a German public broadcaster accused WWF of being too close to GM food companies working in Latin America. The charge was strongly denied by WWF, which argues that it seeks a "constructive dialogue" with industries. GM soybeans have been certified as "sustainable" by the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS), an organisation instigated by the WWF. Global Witness has called on WWF to rigorously evaluate the scheme with a comprehensive independent audit. "Donor governments using public-sector funds to finance Gftn should make further support conditional on such an evaluation being carried out, along with the implementation of any resulting recommendations being realised," said Picken. |
| Jeffrey warns of creeping xenophobia Posted: 24 Jul 2011 12:26 PM PDT By Queville To, FMT KOTA KINABALU: Umno parliamentarians in Sabah must lead the way in addressing the issue of illegal immigrants in parliament or face the inevitability of a short lived political career. United Borneo Front (UBF) chiarman Jeffrey Kitingan said even if a policy is in place to prioritise locals for jobs and welfare, the immigirants or PTIs (the Bahasa Malaysia acronym for immigrants), have equal access to such opportunities if they have Malaysian identity documents. "We must not ignore this issue as it's creating a very xenophobic environment in Sabah against the foreigners and against West Malaysians, who are being blamed by locals for turning a blind eye to the plight of Sabahans," he said. Jeffrey urged all Sabah MPs to present the people with a detailed plan of action for addressing the PTI (illegal immigrants) issue in parliament. "If all 25 Sabah MPs have the grit to raise this issue in parliament en bloc, it will awaken the concern of our Federal big boys. "Umno MPs in Sabah must lead the way in addressing the PTI issue in parliament. "It may hurt the big boss to hear the painful truth from his own camp in Sabah but it is better to address the hole in the boat now than to let the boat sink in the election. "The sentiment of the people will turn against the tide if their complaints continue to be ignored. "I have informed our supporters that if they have any evidence of PTI wrongdoing, they should work with the police force and we will highlight these problems to the government on their behalf. "Dead-duck MPs who are not willing to address fundamental common interests should be replaced by the next election. "The people need effective leaders, not just popular ones who are lazy, complacent or ignorant of current affairs," he said in a statement. Jeffrey, who is the younger brother of deputy chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, told a UBF Borneo Tea Party in Keningau over the weekend that the illegal immigrant issue is grating on the nerves of the voters and causing xenophobia against immigrants. "The results of the 2008 parliamentary and state elections in Sabah mean that our Barisan Nasional (government) is very confident of winning the next round. "Of 25 parliamentary seats, the BN won 24 and of 60 state seats, they won 59. "The BN may easily win the next elections in Sabah, but the point is that every MP in Sabah must now be accountable to their voters and show us what they have individually done to either raise or address the issue of the PTI problem in parliament. "Some Sabah MPs have been very vocal the past three years, but there are others who have almost disappeared into the background with their electoral win," he said. He reminded that all the MPs are under oath to the King and the nation to secure the integrity of gaining citizenships pursuant to Part III of the Federal Constitution. |
| Posted: 24 Jul 2011 10:56 AM PDT
(The Star) - KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has given the clearest indication yet that the next general election is just a few months away. He also called for all Barisan Nasional parties and affiliate members to strengthen unity and move as a single team from now. "The core issue of unity is critical. We may have had Team One and Team Two before but from now, there has to be only Team Barisan. "There is not much time left. In the months ahead, we have to show that we are united. "The people are watching us," the Barisan deputy chief said when opening the 19th Indian Progressive Front (IPF) annual general assembly in Seri Kembangan, near here, yesterday. The IPF, founded by the late Tan Sri M.G. Pandithan in 1991, is an affiliate member of Barisan since early this year. Present at the assembly was his widow and immediate IPF past president Puan Seri Jayashree Pandithan. Muhyiddin, who is Deputy Prime Minister, spoke on the Barisan's "people first, performance now" policy, saying this must be given attention and practised by all members. He reminded them that the desire to champion the cause of the people had long been the core objective behind the setting up of Barisan. "The same goes with the IPF. "The struggle is not for the late Pandithan but for the people, for their betterment. And this effort must continue," he said. Calling for continuous efforts to improve and defend national unity, he said the people should stick together against any element out to disrupt harmony in the country. Drawing the delegates attention to the twin attacks in Norway that killed over 90 people, Muhyiddin said: "Irresponsible people have caused the loss of many lives. "We do not want such a thing to happen here. We must stay united." Regarding the IPF, he said Barisan appreciated its support over the past two decades although they have yet to become a full-fledged Barisan component. "We thank them for their support and urge them to continue to work hard for the people," he said, adding the IPF was just a step away from being a full-fledged Barisan component party. Party president M. Sambanthan said the IPF would continue to apply to become a Barisan member and hoped the party would be given a Senator's post to better serve the people. "We see the MIC as our big brother. "We hope the door will open for us to become a component member. "We will continue to support Barisan and work hard in the general election," he said. |
| Pakatan keeps Bersih torch burning in Selangor Posted: 24 Jul 2011 10:46 AM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider SHAH ALAM, July 25 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders have refuted the police version of events that they had not used excessive force when clamping down on Bersih 2.0's July 9 rally and reminded supporters that their struggles were far from over. At the launch of the Selangor government's "Selangorku" logo at Stadium Malawati here, the leaders took turns to explain to the audience the events that transpired on July 9, drawing focus to the death of one rally participant and purported incidences of police brutality.
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| BN could bear brunt of voter anger over rising costs Posted: 24 Jul 2011 10:33 AM PDT By Alexis See Tho and Lisa J Ariffin KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — The rising cost of living could hit the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government hard in the next polls as Malaysians,especially urbanites, face falling living standards as they struggle with stagnant incomes and soaring inflation. A street poll of 100 city dwellers by The Malaysian Insider conducted in and around Kuala Lumpur had 44 per cent of people surveyed blaming the government for the rising cost of living as compared with 41 per cent attributing it to global factors and only 5 per cent blaming it on business owners. Putrajaya announced last week that the rate of inflation in Malaysia rose to 3.5 per cent in June from the same month the previous year. The inflation rate in May 2011 was 3.3 per cent, still below the government's acceptable rate of 5.0 per cent. The Najib administration has not said when it will call snap polls but Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday told Umno party members to prepare as elections could be held anytime soon before the government's mandate expires in 2013. Of the 86 people surveyed who were registered voters, 40 said that the cost of living was likely to affect how they voted as compared with 31 who said otherwise. Fifteen said it would be a neutral factor. Retiree Rohani Saad, 57, said she believed voting in an election was the only way she could voice her discontent over the rising costs of living. "If the government says harga tak naik, harga tentu naik (the price will not go up, prices will definitely go up)," said Rohani, who lives on her savings. Even though Rohani is frugal, spending less than RM100 a week on groceries for herself and her husband, she still feels financially worse off this year. Even the relatively well off are feeling poorer now due to inflation. An office manager who wanted to be known only as Anne, said the government should monitor prices, especially necessities such as food, to help Malaysians keep their cost of living at bay. Although the combined income of Anne and her husband is more than RM10,000 a month, she said she had to cut down on buying fish because of its high price. "We love eating fish, but that's also where we feel the pinch," she said. Despite rosy projections of economic expansion under the Najib administration's reforms and transformation programmes, it has yet to be felt by the public as prices, especially in urban areas, have raced ahead of income growth. This was reflected in the responses in the street poll.
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