Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Perkasa to reject new laws if too unlike ISA
- PBS still trying to justify return to BN
- More trouble brewing in Sabah BN
- Several key Sarawak PKR men resign
- Najib told to release detainees of outgoing ISA
- Number of Bangladeshi takers of Malaysian residency offer falls
- DPM rubbishes Bangladeshi votes-for-citizenship claim
- Stop infighting or risk losing, BN leaders told
- 270 000 Illegal Bangladeshi workers enlisted in KL
| Perkasa to reject new laws if too unlike ISA Posted: 17 Sep 2011 07:59 PM PDT By Yow Hong Chieh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 – Perkasa will reject the new anti-terrorism laws the prime minister has proposed if they do not keep to the "preventive spirit" of the recently scrapped Internal Security Act (ISA). Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali(picture) said it was necessary to preserve or even improve upon the preventive aspects of the ISA to ensure security forces have a viable "instrument" with which to quickly stamp out subversive activities and keep the nation safe. The Malay rights leader cited alleged insults to Islam and increasing criticism of Article 153, which accords a special position to Bumiputeras, as examples of activities that could threaten the stability and safety of the people. "We know who did it but it's difficult to prove in court. But security (forces) know who is responsible," he told reporters here after Perkasa concluded an emergency meeting to discuss the ISA's repeal. Ibrahim stressed that there should be no compromises when formulating the new laws as Malaysia's development and progress hinged entirely on its security, adding that the ISA was one of the most effective tools to ensure the nation's peace. He urged the government to discuss the new laws with stakeholders, especially the police, before deciding on the contents of the proposed anti-terrorism laws. "I hope the government doesn't bend to political sentiment from any party when creating these new laws... What's key is that the people should decide on their own security. This is the people's right," he said. Perkasa will meet with Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein soon to discuss the details of the new laws, Ibrahim added. On Thursday night, the prime minister announced that the repeal of the ISA and the three Emergency Declarations when both the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat have their next sitting. Datuk Seri Najib Razak said new laws will be enacted to protect the peace, harmony and security of the country.
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| PBS still trying to justify return to BN Posted: 17 Sep 2011 07:12 PM PDT Observers note that PBS leaders are becoming worried that supporters don't think much of them. (Free Malaysia Today) - Former Sabah political powerhouse, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), is still struggling to explain its re-entry into BN coalition government that had robbed them of power almost two decades ago. On Saturday, the party latched on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's recent decision to repeal the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) as justification for their re-entry into the BN fold in 2002 despite misgivings by supporters. "Today Pairin's faith in the BN to do the right things for the people and nation has been proven correct," PBS information chief, Johnny Mositun said after opening its Kuamut division annual general meeting here. "These important reforms vindicate the decision by our president, Joseph Pairin Kitingan, to rejoin the BN 10 years ago. He stood by his convictions despite all the criticism and uncharitable remarks Mositun was commenting on Najib's announcement on Malaysia Day that the harsh colonial era law would be repealed while the powers of detention now vested in the police would be reviewed and transferred to the judiciary. "These and other recent changes made by our Prime Minister since assuming office two years ago prove that the BN is listening to the people. The people should no longer question the Prime Minister's commitment and political will to transform this country for the better." Mositun, however, also touched on outstanding matters to be resolved such as illegal immigrants, Borneonisation of the civil service in Sabah, the status of Sino-Natives and NCR land, issues which have riled up Sabahans for decades but have been ignored. LDP under fire Appearing to take credit for solving the impasse, Mositun said: "I am also happy that a similar dispute that I raised at PPRT Tongod Scheme affecting 700 villagers in 2006 has been settled amicably. "Not only are the villagers allowed to remain on their land, they are receiving RM450 per month each from SLDB which has also developed the land for them with oil palm," he said. Mositun said PBS had been quietly and consistently pursuing such problems within the BN along with its partners in the state BN. He praised Chief Minister Musa Aman for being helpful in seeking solutions to these problems and said the party was confident most of Sabah's outstanding problems could be resolved through cooperation and dialogue and not confrontation. Mositun also took time out to criticise LDP deputy president Chin Su Phin for suggesting that the terms of office for chief ministers and menteris besar be limited to two terms, an idea mooted by Jeffrey Kitingan, the the younger brother of the PBS president, who is now chairman of two Sabah NGOs – Borneo Heritage Foundation and United Borneo Front. He said LDP had exceeded the bounds of decorum expected of a BN component party by making such a suggestion. "Chin Su Phin has an axe to grind against Musa Aman. He finds this a convenient excuse to cover his real purpose which is to see our chief minister replaced. "I find this very abhorrent and unethical. He deserves to be dealt with appropriately, either by his own party or the state BN."
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| More trouble brewing in Sabah BN Posted: 17 Sep 2011 07:10 PM PDT State BN coalition partners are upset with peninsula-based Gerakan's maneuvering to gain a foothold in Sabah. (Free Malaysia Today) - An audacious move by non-Sabah based party Gerakan to muscle its way into state politics has been rebuffed by fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) component, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Gerakan, the Penang-based party which has already got a foot in the door of state politics through defections from Sabah-based parties is now demanding they be given constituencies in the state that were previously under Sabah-based BN component parties. LDP which has borne the brunt of the entry of Gerakan in state politics is furious that the peninsula-based party, which has gained Sabah Cabinet representation through the back door, has become presumptuous enough to believe that it has support in the state. LDP leaders have been outspoken about the gradual takeover of state affairs by peninsula-based parties who they claim have used national influence to muscle their way into state politics and even engineer the migration of assemblymen from other BN parties. LDP publicity chief Albert Kok said by right the three assemblymen in Sabah Gerakan, namely Peter Pang (Karamunting), Raymond Tan (Tanjung Papat) and Au Kam Wah (Elopura) "should resign before even asking for seats if they are men of principle". "Gerakan did not even contest in the state election in 2008 and their three assemblymen are now under different tickets. They cannot even understand this basic Barisan Nasional spirit and now they unashamedly asked for the seats to be given. "Gerakan should put their house in order first and look at themselves before making such ridiculous demands," he said.
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| Several key Sarawak PKR men resign Posted: 17 Sep 2011 07:06 PM PDT While they gave no reasons for their resignations, the talk is that they are in the midst of forming a new party. (Free Malaysia Today) - Several PKR leaders, including three chairmen of party divisions, announced their resignations from the party. No reasons were given for their sudden resignations, but it is speculated that they are involved in the formation of a new party. The leader of the group Jimmy Donald, the Sri Aman PKR division chairman, said that others who resigned included Serian division chief Jonas Anak Reong, Kapit division head Munan Laja, senior leader of Serian division Matthew American and Dr John Brian Anthony, the PKR defeated candidate for Meluan in the last state polls in April. "Our resignations are supported by many committee members and ordinary members of the respective divisions," said Donald, who was also a former vice-chairman of Sarawak PKR. "We want to relax first and you wait and see what our next move is," he told reporters. He however dismissed talk that they were involved in the formation of a new party. Brian was not present at the press conference held by the others but Donald said that the former had informed him of the resignation. Speculation is rife that the group is linked to the formation of a new party. The Registrar of Societies has received a number of applications from Sarawak to register new parties. According to sources, the independent state assemblyman for Pelagus George Lagong is said to be the pro-tem president of the proposed party. Lagong is a BN-friendly independent. Apart from Brian, those resigning with Donald were associated with Sng Chee Hua and his son Larry Sng in the formation of Parti Rakyat Sarawak in 2004. Two years later they were the same people sacked from the party when they tried to overthrow James Masing as PRS president. Some of them like Sng and his son Larry remained partyless, but others including Donald, Munan, and Matthew joined PKR. Although Donald denied about forming a new party, a PKR leader said that their resignations appear to show that they are regrouping, and the possibility of them forming a new party is really there.
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| Najib told to release detainees of outgoing ISA Posted: 17 Sep 2011 03:53 PM PDT (Harakah Daily) - Sep 18: Now that the Internal Security Act is on the way out following prime minister Najib Razak's promise last week, PAS said the remaining detainees under the draconian act should be either released or be charged in court. "If they (ISA detainees) cannot be released immediately, PAS urges those who are detained without trial to be brought to court immediately so that they can defend themselves if the government has concrete evidences to prove they are terrorists," information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said in a statement. |
| Number of Bangladeshi takers of Malaysian residency offer falls Posted: 17 Sep 2011 03:47 PM PDT By Ismail Hossain, The Financial Express The number of Bangladeshi citizens accepting 'Malaysian My Second Home Programme' (MM2H) declined in last four years after a sudden rise in between 2004 and 2006. According to the MM2H official statistics, 1867 Bangladeshi citizens so far have taken the offer until February 2011. Though the programme was launched in 1996, Bangladeshi citizens started taking the offer since 2003. For the first time 32 Bangladeshi citizens listed their names under the programme in 2003, followed by 204 in 2004, 852 in 2005, 341 in 2006, 149 in 2007, 68 in 2008, 86 in 2009, 74 in 2010 and 61 until February in 2011 and availed the offer. Under the programme, some 16,000 foreign citizens availed the offer for settling down in the newly industrialised country because of the high living standards at comparatively lower cost. Beside Bangladesh, other top ten countries are China, the United Kingdom, Japan, Iran, Singapore, Taiwan, India, Pakistan and Indonesia. Local people who accepted the offers told the FE that the reasons behind the declining rate of Bangladeshi citizens taking the offer are government's rigid monetary policy, tougher money laundering law and also strict rules enforced by Malaysian authority. Two-thirds of the Bangladeshi citizens who sought Malaysian citizenship recently under the programme have been refused due to their bad law-abiding records in Malaysia, said one person, preferring anonymity, who himself took the offer and helped many to follow him. The individual who owns two travel agencies in Bangladesh, said mostly politicians, businesspersons and government officials, have made substantial investments under 'Malaysia My Second Home Programme'. He said some Bangladeshi citizens availed themselves the offer have breached the Malaysian laws frequently. As a result Malaysian authority is now reluctant to select Bangladeshi citizens under the programme. According to the programme criteria, applicants up to 50-year old are required to open a fixed deposit account in Malaysian ringit of 300,000.00 (Tk 72,82,771.36) with any local branch of an international bank. After a period of one year, the participant can withdraw up to RM150,000.00 (Tk 36,41,385.68) for approved expenses relating to house purchase,education for children in Malaysia and medical purposes. However, a minimum balance of RM150,000.00 must be maintained from the second year onwards and throughout stay in Malaysia under this programme. Applicants of 50 years old and above fall in different category. They have to open a fixed deposit account of RM150,000.00 (Tk 36,413,85.68) with a local branch; or show proof of monthly off-shore government pension of at least RM10,000.00 (Tk 2,42,759.05). The applicants aged below 50 years are required to show proof of liquid assets worth a minimum of RM 500,000 and offshore income of RM 10,000 (Tk 2,42,759.05) per month. For certified copy(s) of Current Account submitted as financial proof, applicants must provide the latest 3 months' statement with each month's credit balance of RM 500,000. In addition to the above, all applicants are required to show that they have sufficient funds to bear expenses for the duration of the 10-year visa. In practice this means showing at least RM 500,000 (Tk 2,42,759.05) in the bank, and a monthly income of RM10,000. He said most Bangladeshis who took the offer invested large amount of money exceeding the limit. "Some of them own garments and different factories there. Their spouses and children are leading a very luxurious life. They study in most expensive schools and colleges there," he added. |
| DPM rubbishes Bangladeshi votes-for-citizenship claim Posted: 17 Sep 2011 03:42 PM PDT By Yow Hong Chieh, The Malaysia Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has denied claims that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government has given Bangladeshi workers here citizenship in exchange for their votes. PKR called for a probe into claims in a Bangladesh government website that its citizens were offered Malaysian nationality for their support, adding it reinforced earlier complaints made to the Election Commission (EC). "It's not true. I don't know whether the sources are trusted or not but obviously (it is) something which is not true," the deputy prime minister told reporters after opening the Makkal Sakti Convention at the Putra World Trade Centre here. He said the government adhered to strict procedures when granting citizenship to foreigners and stressed that no special consideration had been given to Bangladeshis. Muhyiddin also said BN was not so desperate as to give the green light to the wholesale naturalisation of Bangladeshis in exchange for their votes in the next election. "Even if they vote, when it goes into the (ballot) box, no one will know who they voted for," he pointed out. He added that the government will seek further clarification from the Malaysian embassy in Bangladesh on the issue. A unit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office claimed yesterday that its citizens working in Malaysia had been asked to vote for BN, prompting PKR vice president Fuziah Salleh to call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the contentious issue. According to the NGO Affairs Bureau of the Prime Minister's Office website, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met her Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Najib Razak last year where they discussed "long standing issues, including legalising Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia". Both met while attending the 66th World Islamic Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur in May 2010. It said highly-placed sources claimed that during the meeting, Najib had assured Sheikh Hasina that he would consider the issue of legalising Bangladeshis working in Malaysia with the utmost sincerity. "Today, the prime minister's office has allegedly received confirmation from some of our citizens working in several sectors in Malaysia since last year that they were given more than citizenship from the Malaysian Government. In fact, they now have been given a right to be a voter in upcoming Malaysian general elections. "Another highly placed source from the prime minister's office has confirmed that Bangladeshi workers may be easily conferred with Malaysian citizenship with the condition that they vote for the party that represents the government in power," the site said. The page has since been removed from the NGO Affairs Bureau site.
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| Stop infighting or risk losing, BN leaders told Posted: 17 Sep 2011 11:07 AM PDT By V. Shankar Ganesh, Minderjeet Kaur and G. Surach, NST SHAH ALAM: Barisan Nasional leaders in Selangor have been urged to sign a pledge that they will not be involved in any internal fights or between component parties. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the leaders should also declare that they would not sabotage BN candidates if they were not chosen to contest in the coming elections. |
| 270 000 Illegal Bangladeshi workers enlisted in KL Posted: 17 Sep 2011 10:30 AM PDT By Sheikh Shahariar Zaman, bdnews24.com Dhaka, Sept 17 (bdnews24.com) –About 270,000 illegal Bangladeshi workers have been registered with the Bangladeshi embassy in Kuala Lumpur to get their status right. Bangladesh high commissioner to Kuala Lumpur AKM Atiqur Rahman told the bdnews24.com on Saturday that the mission officials enlisted them in August as the illegal workers were expecting amnesty from the Malaysian government. Currently about half a million Bangladeshi workers that include the illegal ones live in Malaysia. "The Malaysian government will start the amnesty process from next month (October) and they can again work here legally," he said. The enlistment process began on August 1 and continued till Aug 31 while only 2,000 workers chose to return home. "They can go back home without facing any fines or imprisonment," the high commissioner said. Those who will stay will have to submit their passports with the Malaysian government with the appointment letter from their employers to obtain permission to work legally, Atiq said. Some 23,000 do not have any employers and they would be assigned in different government projects in Malaysia, he said. CONFUSION OVER CITIZENSHIP When asked about a media report that the Malaysian government was giving citizenship to Bangladeshis to retain power, the high commissioner said, "I don't have any knowledge about the report." "I didn't read the report. An hour ago I was told about the report," he said. When asked how many Bangladeshis got Malaysian citizenship, he said, "I have been working here since 2009 and during this period 10 to 12 Bangladeshis got citizenship." He said the election date of Malaysia is yet to be decided but it would probably be held next year. "The citizenship issue is a continuous process and those who are living in Malaysia for long can apply for that," he said. Citizenship is granted to only professionals and big businessmen, and it is not open to workers, he added. The Malaysia Chronicle, a newspaper, in a report on Saturday alleged that Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was giving citizenships to foreigners in order 'to retain political power'. It also said that the official website of a unit in the Bangladesh prime minister's office had confirmed that Bangladesh workers in Malaysia were asked to vote for Najib's BN coalition. Another news portal, Malaysian Insider, has falsely claimed that 'Bangladesh NGO Bureau' made such appeals to Bangladesh workers. But no such appeal was found. bdnews24.com/ssz/jr/1716h. |
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