Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Now write your election manifesto
- SUBJECT: INDONESIAN TIES WITH MALAYSIA FALL VICTIM TO ANOTHER DUST-UP
- Malaysia's youth energises political landscape
- Wee defends MCA ‘glam girls’
- MACC urged to probe Ananda Krishnan
- Probe may hurt Ananda Krishnan’s Aircel loan plans, says Indian daily
- RM1 juta untuk PM ke Kazakhstan
- A philosophical comparison of the budgets
- Missing: The Auditor-General’s report
- Home Ministry under siege, mentally
- Firefly must be sold to avoid price fixing, says Pakatan
- Secret order to snoop on WikiLeaks
- Sarawak tycoon’s firm hired PNG cops to bash up locals, ABC reports
- Organisors slam police, question PM’s sincerity
- Malaysia 'better for refugees'
- Sexual diversion from Najib’s weak budget
- 'New' video: UMNO-BN must abandon guttter politics
- Sultan’s ruling given cautionary welcome
- Reason To Vote
- Ibrahim says Pemandu has ‘hidden agenda’
- MACC track record poor, public confidence low
- Paid cyber troopers
- Putrajaya paid RM94m to FBC Media for global airtime
| Now write your election manifesto Posted: 11 Oct 2011 02:45 AM PDT
We have discussed what we want to see in a government and what we want to see implemented in Malaysia. We have also discussed about our understanding of ethics. Assuming a political party appointed you to be in charge of drafting its election manifesto, what will this election manifesto look like? Now let's see you write your election manifesto. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin POST YOUR COMMENTS HERE
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| SUBJECT: INDONESIAN TIES WITH MALAYSIA FALL VICTIM TO ANOTHER DUST-UP Posted: 11 Oct 2011 01:00 AM PDT
On October 6, members of a private, volunteer Malaysian militia (RELA) detained the wife of Indonesia's cultural attache to Malaysia. The latest incident follows on the heels of several cases of alleged mistreatment of Indonesian migrants working in Indonesia. For example, Indonesians were outraged when an Indonesian soccer coach was roughed up in August and when a young Indonesian woman, 20-year-old Suriyani Nas, alleged that in April she was bound, gagged and raped for a month by a Rela volunteer. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b)(d). 1. (U) This message was coordinated with Embassy Kuala Lumpur. 2. (C) SUMMARY: The brief detention--on illegal immigration charges--of an Indonesian diplomat's wife based in Malaysia has sparked an uproar in Indonesia. Despite a formal apology, the Indonesian national legislature (DPR) has demanded that the GOI take steps to freeze ties with Malaysia. The Indonesian government has rebuffed those demands and ties remain stable, but Indonesians--who are already inflamed over cases of alleged migrant labor abuse in Malaysia--are feeling increasingly touchy toward their neighbor. END SUMMARY. A BRIEF DETENTION 3. (U) On October 6, members of a private, volunteer Malaysian militia (RELA) detained the wife of Indonesia's cultural attache to Malaysia. The uniformed personnel--officially authorized to pick up illegal immigrants and deliver them to detention centers--reportedly failed to recognize Nurdin's diplomatic ID. Rela detained the woman for about two hours while her daughter fetched her passport, according to media reports. The Indonesian Embassy filed a formal protest. Embassy official Shanti Utami Retnaningsih was quoted as saying -- "They treated her like an illegal immigrant...It's unacceptable. This incident shows disrespect to members of our embassy." MALAYSIANS APOLOGIZE 4. (SBU) Reacting to the incident, Malaysia's Ambassador to Indonesia gave an official apology on October 10. Despite this, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak went on to deny publicly that Nurdin was detained at all, claiming that she was merely asked to wait while authorities verified her credentials, according to a Malaysian media report which also received coverage in Indonesia. BACKLASH IN INDONESIA 5. (C) For their part, Indonesian legislators reacted strongly in the week following the incident. Several DPR members spoke out publicly, calling for withdrawal of the Indonesian ambassador to Kuala Lumpur, freezing the export of Indonesian migrant labor to Indonesia, and halting annual joint military exercises. Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said--given the official protest and official apology--the matter should now be laid to rest. Based on Pol/C's soundings over the October 13-14 weekend, Indonesian politicians were still angry over the incident, claiming that it shows that Malaysians have "no respect" for Indonesians. 6. (SBU) Sentiments of bruised nationalism have spilled over into culture as well, with recent calls by prominent Indonesians to boycott Malaysian products because of allegations that Malaysia has infringed upon the copyrights of popular Indonesian folk song "Rasa Sayang" ("Feeling of Love"). A song with the same tune and near identical lyrics has recently been employed to promote Malaysian tourism. Theo Sambuaga, Chairman of the DPR's Commission I which deals with foreign and security affairs, stated publicly on October 9 -- "We ask Malaysia, its apparatus and the media, to stop denigrating Indonesians." TIES A BIT BRUISED -- BUT STABLE 7. (C) The latest incident follows on the heels of several cases of alleged mistreatment of Indonesian migrants working in Indonesia. For example, Indonesians were outraged when an Indonesian soccer coach was roughed up in August (ref B) and when a young Indonesian woman, 20-year-old Suriyani Nas, alleged that in April she was bound, gagged and raped for a month by a Rela volunteer (ref A). 8. (C) In spite of all the problems, Indonesian-Malaysian ties remain stable. The perception is growing among Indonesians that they are somehow not being treated with respect, however. At the heart of the matter, is sentiment among Indonesians that Malaysians have a superiority complex and treat Indonesians as if they are second-class citizens. A bit embittered, Indonesians increasingly are taking a touchy, nationalistic stance toward their cousins across the strait -- "They just treat us like dirt," said one official to Dep/Pol/C. HUME (October 2007)
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| Malaysia's youth energises political landscape Posted: 10 Oct 2011 08:47 PM PDT
Malaysia's youngest sitting politician says his generation of leaders is ready to move away from race-based politics. Politics in Malaysia is centred on race and religion, with the Malay UMNO dominating a multi-racial political coalition. 29 year old Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad says all signs are pointing to an early election - as soon as November this year, or in the first quarter of 2012. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also calls for a more equitable distribution of wealth in Malaysia. Sen Lam, Radio Australia Presenter: Sen LamSpeaker: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Selangor state assemblyman, Malaysia and Communications Director for the opposition Parti Keadilan. He was in Melbourne as a guest of the Asia Institute, Asialink and the Asia Society
NIK NAZMI: The problem we have today is that the economic policy we have in Malaysia is very much a trickle-down one for the ordinary people, regardless of race. Of course, the politicians would like us to see in terms of racial paradigms but in reality, the ordinary Malaysians regardless of race, lose out, whereas those who are politically-connected, regardless of race benefit. So I think that currently, the government talks about liberalising the NEP (New Economic Policy), moving away from the NEP adopting our own rhetoric, which is good, but in terms of reality, we think that it also means an over-emphasis on liberalisation, without a balance in terms of social justice, which is bad I think, for the country as a whole.
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| Posted: 10 Oct 2011 07:43 PM PDT By Tarani Palani, FMT Are we so chauvinistic that we can't stomach pretty women in politics?
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| MACC urged to probe Ananda Krishnan Posted: 10 Oct 2011 07:38 PM PDT By Patrick Lee, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: A formal investigation by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Maxis Communications Bhd tycoon T Ananda Krishnan and its director Ralph Marshall should spur its Malaysian counterpart to do the same, according to PKR. Subang MP R Sivarasa said that there was no excuse for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to claim ignorance over the matter. "It would be a bit difficult for the MACC to say that they don't know about this," he told reporters st the Parliament lobby here today. Sivarasa said this while holding today's edition of the Sun newspaper, with the headline: "India Probes Tycoon" on its cover. The paper was referring to a New Indian Express report – an Indian newspaper – that both Ananda and Marshall were being investigated on charges of criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. India's telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanidhi as well as three companies (Astro, Maxis and Sun TV) were also implicated in the scandal. Citing the MACC Act, Sivarasa said that Malaysians guilty of bribery or corruption out of the country could be charged in Malaysia."The MACC should treat this report as a report to them. They should not wait for us to go to them and lodge a report," he said.
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| Probe may hurt Ananda Krishnan’s Aircel loan plans, says Indian daily Posted: 10 Oct 2011 07:33 PM PDT By Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — India's fifth-largest mobile operator Aircel will find it tough to get banks to fund its expansion with police investigating its biggest shareholder T. Ananda Krishnan for criminal conspiracy over his stake in the company, the Times of India reported today. Indian investigators have named Ananda (picture), his top executive Ralph Marshall and two Malaysian companies, Maxis Communications Bhd (Maxis Communications) and Astro All-Asia Networks (Astro) in their probe which centres on graft allegations against former Indian telecommunications minister Dayadhini Maran and his media mogul brother, Kalainidhi. "Naming Aircel in the FIR is not significant. But with others like [Ananda] and Marshall named in the FIR, it would become difficult for Aircel to raise funds from banks," a lawyer told India's top English-language paper today, referring to the First Investigation Report. Aircel, which has 55 million subscribers, recently partnered Virtela — the world's largest independently-managed network in security and cloud computing services — to boost their global business operations through faster, safer and more mobile networks. The Indian telecommunications company had budgeted US$1.4 billion (RM4.4 billion) for its nationwide coverage expansion in June last year. Aircel planned to double its India investment to US$10 billion over the next four years to rollout new services and expand its existing network to include wireless broadband coverage nationwide. "We have already invested US$5 billion, including 3G spectrum price and network rollout, and by 2014, we will pump another similar amount to take up our investment to US$10 billion to ramp up our capacity," Aircel chief operating officer Gurdeep Singh was reported saying in February this year by several Indian media Ananda owns a 74 per cent stake in Aircel through Maxis Communications which also has a 70 per cent stake in Malaysia's telecommunications giant, Maxis Bhd. The 73-year-old telecommunications, media and property tycoon is reported to be worth US$9.6 billion and is ranked by Forbes as Southeast Asia's second-richest man and the world's 89th. The controversy centres on Maxis' 74 per cent stake in Aircel, which was said to have been bought for Rs78.81 billion (about RM506,556,185). Apart from the case filed against the Maran brothers, Ananda, Marshall and the Malaysian companies, India's Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has named the Maran brothers' Sun TV Network.
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| RM1 juta untuk PM ke Kazakhstan Posted: 10 Oct 2011 05:53 PM PDT
(Harakah Daily) - Kerajaan membelanjakan RM1,072,213.22 untuk lawatan rasmi Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak ke Kazakhstan Jun lalu. Dalam satu jawapan bertulis hari ni, kerajaan memaklumkan lawatan 5 dan 6 Jun itu di atas jemputan Presiden Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazabayev.
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| A philosophical comparison of the budgets Posted: 10 Oct 2011 04:18 PM PDT
On the surface, both appear to be quite similar in intent and target, namely, to help alleviate the rising cost of living particularly amongst the lower-income groups. Yet the philosophical formulation of the two documents cannot be more divergent. Breaking through the sheath of populist pronouncements, one would discover a sharp contrast between the underlying ideologies that define the two budgets. Zairil Khir Johari, The Malaysian Insider And so it has come to this. The last push. With the general election expected soon, both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional are preparing themselves for the final assault. Barricades have been erected, cannons lined up and guns trained on the other side. In the last week, we have witnessed the opening salvos launched by both sides. First to the tilt was Pakatan Rakyat with a modest offering encapsulated in the title "kesejahteraan untuk semua" or "prosperity for all'. And just as it was about to gain traction the ruling Barisan Nasional descended with a no-holds-barred mega welfare budget, coincidentally called "bajet membela rakyat, mensejahtera negara", or "defending the people and prosperity for the country". Without a doubt, both sides have angled the budget with an election in mind. Thus, there is no escaping the menial comparisons between the two sets of proffered "goodies" — RM500 for lower-income households compared to RM1,000 for lower-income housewives, or cash and book voucher bonuses for students compared to RM700 childcare allowances, or a restructuring of teachers' salary schemes compared to an outright increase in teachers' allowances. In short, most comparative discourse has been about whose sack contains bigger and better presents — Santa Najib or Santa. On the surface, both appear to be quite similar in intent and target, namely, to help alleviate the rising cost of living particularly amongst the lower-income groups. Yet the philosophical formulation of the two documents cannot be more divergent. Breaking through the sheath of populist pronouncements, one would discover a sharp contrast between the underlying ideologies that define the two budgets. Take the position on expenditures. Again, both appear similar on paper — BN's RM232 billion compared to PR's RM220 billion, with BN curtailing the long-running national deficit to 4.7 per cent of GDP compared to 4.4 per cent for PR, though the latter is based on a more conservative GDP projection. However, closer inspection would reveal that the essence of PR's spending policy is necessarily tempered by a commitment to prudence, efficiency and sustainability. For example, the PR document promises to issue Approved Permits (APs) at market value, thus raising RM1.2 billion in what can only be described as lost revenue. In addition, an open tender system as well as an Unfair Public Contracts Act is promised in order to increase value-for-money and to ensure public interest is protected. More importantly, there is also a commitment to reducing the Petronas dividend to 40 per cent of projected net profits, thus ensuring our national cash cow is able to plough its profits back for reinvestment. The BN's spending approach, on the other hand, is really just about spending. In this case, reducing the deficit merely means spending controls and reallocation of resources without necessarily addressing wastefulness, inefficiency and the need for sustainable economics. Another key difference is the discretionary budget of the Prime Minister's Department (PMD). The BN's budget has carved out RM13.5 billion for the prime minister's use, while PR has pledged to reduce that amount by a third, returning it to the levels of half a decade ago. Reducing the prime minister's spending is only half the story — the true intention of this exercise is to take steps towards decentralisation of power. Over the last few years, multiple new agencies have been created and parked under the blossoming aegis of the PMD. This has not only served to consolidate power under the prime minister, it has also emasculated various ministries which have seen their functions replicated and usurped. Seen in this context, PR's reduction of PMD expenditure is therefore not only an attempt to return power to its rightful ministries, but more importantly to reduce the arbitrary power of the prime minister. Following this, a promise was also made by the opposition leader, coincidentally also the last finance minister to table a surplus budget nearly 15 years ago, that a PR prime minister would not concurrently sign the treasury cheques — another clear commitment to devolvement and decentralisation of power. Both budgets also apparently target a very specific group — households with cumulative incomes of below RM3,000 — representing nearly 60 per cent of our population. To assist this group, BN is doling out cash bonuses of RM500 for each family, RM100 for schoolchildren and RM200 for tertiary students as a means of riding out the expected economic storm. The PR budget, while also promising assistance in the form of a RM1,000 homemaker allowance and a RM1,000 bonus for the elderly, will also grant childcare allowances of RM700 a year in addition to the facilitation and establishment of certified childcare centres. This incentive is designed to encourage female participation in the workforce, thus increasing productivity and income of the targeted households.
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| Missing: The Auditor-General’s report Posted: 10 Oct 2011 04:12 PM PDT (Harakah Daily) - Something has been missing prior to the debate of the 2012 Budget in parliament yesterday, as pointed out by Opposition Leader who is also the former Finance minister, Anwar Ibrahim. "Unfortunately, we are debating the budget today, but the Auditor-General's report has not been presented," Anwar told Dewan Rakyat yesterday.He questioned whether the delay was deliberate to prevent members of parliament from discussing the Auditor-General's contents. In his response to the budget tabled by prime minister Najib Razak last Friday, Anwar accused Najib of repackaging past failed programmes and unfulfilled promises under new names requiring large amounts of money. The Permatang Pauh MP also lashed out at Najib's growth projection of 5 to 6 percent for 2012, saying that the number was way too high based on various analysis and research. Anwar also said the 4.7 percent deficit prediction was without basis, saying such a projection must be based on economic growth in 2011 and the projected growth total national income for 2012, and added a country making unrealistic growth and revenue projection would suffer the repercussion. "First, it will worsen the country's deficit. Secondly it will also sideline the critical need to adhere to physical discipline and prudent spending of public funds," said Anwar, who also echoes an earlier statement by PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man that BN would table a supplementary budget bill by mid of 2012. As such, Anwar said if the forecast GDP could not be achieved, Parliament should convene a special sitting to take Najib to task.
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| Home Ministry under siege, mentally Posted: 10 Oct 2011 04:08 PM PDT By John Inbaraj, Aliran In an earlier article which appeared under this section entitled "Something is rotten about migrant workers' entry rules" (19 September 2011), I had quite openly implied that the government lacked the will to fight the undocumented workers problem in the country and that rampant corruption had blurred the vision of the authorities from within and without the country in creating a clean and safe environment for locals hiring foreign workers and for foreign workers themselves. I had also called for the authorities to stop the flood of undocumented workers and to keep our shores safe from health-related and social problems and "undocumented" criminals roaming in our midst without fear. It did not take long for all of the above to be reinforced in the media in the days that followed. theSun (21 September) carried a front page article which shouted "Unapproved labour"! The Star and New Straits Times carried similar articles. The Home Minister revealed that 2320034 foreign workers were registered via the biometric system. Of these 1303120 were illegals (almost 50 per cent), some 327991 of whom were employed in mining, car workshops, fast food restaurant and food stalls and as fishermen and newspaper vendors. Some of these illegals are self-employed and some have become employers. These areas are not in the approved list of work for foreigners. The saddest part of this whole episode is that Hishammuddin, whose Home Ministry was accorded No. 1 status for Key Performance Indicators (KPI) achievements, is quoted as saying "Even though the scenario is not new, it is difficult for the authorities to take action against them due to falsification of documents and identities and other abuses of work permits and passes." And mind you, he adds, "As such, the Home Ministry is considering suggestions by employers who have pleaded that special permission be given for the illegal workers in the non-approved sectors, to be included in the legalisation process." I am exasperated, breathless and completely lost. People who challenge conditions set by the Home Ministry, falsify documents, cheat, lie and abuse are granted a reprieve? You even have fast food chains – "respected" and probably internationally recognised food outlets – employing illegal workers? And you condone that! Hey Minister, have you any respect for yourself? Doesn't it anger you when foreigners and especially local employers don't give a damn for your rules and regulations and what you say? At this point let me digress a little and draw our readers attention to an incident that happened to a friend of mine some time back. This was over an sms informing him of a substantial cash winning. My friend, recognising that it was a scam originating from an Indonesian mobile number, called to threaten the sender with a police report but the response he got was "Report-lah! Malaysian punya polis semua bodoh-lah!" As a Malaysian how did I feel? Anger yes, but at the same time wasn't he right? Has this scourge now spread to the Home Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister too?
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| Firefly must be sold to avoid price fixing, says Pakatan Posted: 10 Oct 2011 04:04 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers have told Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to dispose of its subsidiary Firefly to ensure competition for air travel after the national carrier's share swap with AirAsia. DAP publicity chief Tony Pua said the August 9 deal, which saw Tune Air Sdn Bhd hand over 10 per cent of the low-cost airline to Khazanah Nasional Bhd in exchange for 20.5 per cent of the flag carrier, will see "a collusive duopoly seeking to protect profits instead of being dictated by market forces." The Petaling Jaya Utara MP said even if there was no active price fixing "there will be collusion as 'I don't reduce, you don't reduce, we all make money'." He pointed out that despite fuel prices increasing by over five times since AirAsia began operations 10 years ago, passengers have enjoyed more than a 50 per cent reduction in domestic and regional air tickets. The controversial share swap has come under fire from politicians on both sides of the divide. MAS has said that Firefly will be turned into a full-service regional airline following the deal under the "Comprehensive Collaboration Framework" between MAS and AirAsia. PAS research chief Dzulkefly Ahmad said unless Firefly was sold to the highest bidder, "it is a case of one step forward, two steps back for Datuk Seri Najib Razak's liberalisation." The prime minister has introduced market reforms since taking office in 2009 but a recent spate of takeover bids by government-linked companies has raised questions over his administration's commitment to freeing the market for private sector players. Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) has made a mandatory offer to take property development giant SP Setia private after increasing its stake to over 33 per cent. Sime Darby Bhd's recent acquisition of 30 per cent of property developer Eastern and Oriental (E&O) for RM766 million from a group of businessmen has also sparked concerns of insider trading and both counters were suspended this morning. Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly said these moves reduced competition and were a "bottleneck to an efficient market" which would lead to capital flight. | |||||||||||||||
| Secret order to snoop on WikiLeaks Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:59 PM PDT
(Reuters) - WASHINGTON: The U.S. government obtained secret court orders to force Google Inc and a small Internet provider to hand over information from email accounts of a WikiLeaks volunteer, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. The U.S. request included email addresses of people that Jacob Appelbaum, a volunteer for the campaigning website, had corresponded with in the past two years, but not the full emails, the newspaper said, citing documents it had reviewed. Internet provider Sonic said it fought the government order legally and lost, and was forced to turn over information, the company's chief executive, Dane Jasper, told the newspaper. Appelbaum, 28, has not been charged with any wrongdoing, the daily said. Google, the world's No.1 Web-search engine, declined to comment on the matter, the Wall Street Journal said. WikiLeaks last year angered the U.S. government by making public tens of thousands of secret U.S. files and diplomatic cables that embarrassed Washington, as well as a classified video of a contested American military operation in Iraq. The Google order dated January 4, 2011, directed the search giant to turn over IP address from which Appelbaum logged into his Gmail.com account and the email and IP addresses of the users with whom he communicated dating back to November 1, 2009. It isn't clear whether Google fought the order or turned over documents, the Journal said. The controversial court orders are expected to add fuel to a growing debate over a controversial law -- the Electronic Communications Privacy Act -- that allows the U.S. government to secretly obtain information from people's email and cellphones without a search warrant. This year, micro-blogging website Twitter fought a similar court order to hand over details of the accounts of several WikiLeaks supporters, including Appelbaum, as part of a criminal investigation launched by the Department of Justice into the major leaking of confidential U.S. documents. Appelbaum is a developer for the Tor Project Inc., a nonprofit organisation that provides free tools that help people maintain their anonymity online, the Wall Street Journal reported. Twitter has not turned over information from the accounts of the Wikileaks supporters, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with the investigation.
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| Sarawak tycoon’s firm hired PNG cops to bash up locals, ABC reports Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:49 PM PDT
By Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider Papua New Guinea (PNG) police admitted they were paid by a company owned by Sarawak tycoon Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King to crack down on locals protesting against a controversial oil palm project there, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported today. The state-owned media channel's "The World Today" programme reported that villagers in PNG's East New Britain province were arrested and beaten last week by a squad of police officers under orders from Rimbunan Hijau (RH). RH is Tiong's multi-industry company with the biggest logging and oil palm plantation shares in the South Pacific country. The 76-year-old is said to be worth US$1.1 billion (RM3.5 billion) and is ranked by Forbes to be the world's 840th richest man. The villagers were protesting the clearing of 44,000 hectares for an oil palm plantation by a company called Gilford Limited without their permission, the news agency said. The locals suspect Gilford is a front for RH as the hired security guards don the logging giant's uniform. According to ABC News, PNG's police assistant commissioner Anton Billy accused the protestors of trespassing into the plantation's work camp in another district, Pomio, and assaulting workers. Billy also said RH flew the police officers to the area and was paying their allowances and providing accommodation. But he did not see anything wrong with the arrangement. "We don't have any funds to get these people there and pay them allowances and all this stuff. That's normal," Billy was cited as saying by ABC News. A PNG local has refuted the police's claim, saying the officers were drunk that night when they acted against the protestors. "What they did is they bashed up the people in the village, young men and elderly men, this in front of us, and three of them said let's go because they were under arrest," said Paul Pavol, reportedly one of the protest leaders. PNG's top police commissioner has ordered an investigation into claims of police harassment, saying officers found guilty of abusing their powers will be dealt with. But RH has yet to respond to questions about its involvement with the police action or its connection to the oil palm plantation, ABC News said.
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| Organisors slam police, question PM’s sincerity Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:43 PM PDT
By Michael Kaung, FMT KUANTAN: The protest against Lynas Corporation Ltd's plans to open a rare earth processing plant here is rapidly gathering steam forcing another display of force by the authorities just months after the Bersih rally for clean and fair elections. The organisors of the Himpunan Hijau 109 (Green Solidarity 109) gathering in Taman Gelora here hit out at Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for allowing the police to intimidate the thousands who attended the peaceful meet on Oct 9. "We question the sincerity of our PM. Only less than a month ago, he said Malaysia should move towards a more open society and that peaceful assembly would be allowed but that was not reflected in Kuantan last week," they complained. "Police and the local town council took unnecessary actions to interrupt the event and intimidate the organizer and participants," said Wong Tack, chairman of the national steering committee formed to protest the construction of the plant. The plant is currently under construction and protesters say the disposal of radioactive waste from its operations will be damaging. On Sunday, protesters chanted "long live the people" whilst holding up umbrellas with an anti-nuclear sign and waved banners reading "Lynas get out" and were confronted by rows of police personnel. According to Wong, permits from both the police and local council were withdrawn at the eleventh hour. "Temporary tents and stage that were already set up by the organizers at the event venue were dismantled in the middle of the night. "Uniformed armed personnels were at the site. Roadblocks were set up and parking areas were sealed. "This is blatant abuse of power. The only reason given was 'instructions from above'," said Wong, who added he had tried to find out who had given the order and believed the crackdown was orchestrated. He stressed that the 'Himpunan Hijau 109′ event was a people's movement and organised by the local community. "It is a movement that transcends political boundaries," said Wong who was upset with how the government-controlled media distorted and misreported the event. "The national television (station) lied to the whole nation by saying that the event was a failure and was organized and backed by the opposition. "On the contrary … the event marked a major victory of the people and they know this is not the climax of our struggle. "It is only the first wave hitting the shore. We assure you that if nothing changes we will bound to see the greatest tsunami. "We want everyone to know that we will walk the streets one way or another. "Either to celebrate victory or to express the strongest anger. The people have already decided. "Now it's up to the authorities," he said.
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| Malaysia 'better for refugees' Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:39 PM PDT
By Kirsty Needham and Michelle Grattan, The Age JULIA Gillard has received a rare boost ahead of this week's parliamentary vote on the Malaysia people swap plan, with the United Nations refugee agency saying asylum seekers would get better protection in Malaysia under her proposal than if held in indefinite mandatory detention in Australia. The House of Representatives will vote on Thursday on the legislation to bypass a High Court ban on sending asylum seekers to Malaysia. Greens MP Adam Bandt and independent Andrew Wilkie have flagged they will vote against the bill on human rights grounds, leaving its lower house fate in the hands of West Australian National MP Tony Crook. Mr Crook, who is not saying which way he is leaning, is preparing to meet the government and opposition today. Amid speculation about a possible return of Kevin Rudd as leader, how Mr Crook's vote falls will be crucially important for the embattled Prime Minister. If she loses the vote, it will be the first time a government has been defeated in the House of Representatives on a legislative vote since 1929, when the then government called an election - which it lost. The opposition would argue a loss was a defacto vote of no confidence and Ms Gillard should go to the polls. The regional office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in response to questions from a Greens and opposition-led inquiry, has offered its strongest support yet for the Malaysia swap. The UNHCR has scrutinised Australia's own treatment of asylum seekers, saying mandatory detention does not allow asylum seekers to work or live in the community - whereas Malaysia would. Australia also denies asylum seekers the right to lawful stay, and is punitive to people arriving by boat. ''In the context of the Malaysian arrangements, the assurances of legal stay and community-based reception for all transferees can be seen as a more positive protection environment than protracted - and in some cases indefinite - detention that many face here in Australia, provided the assurances are carefully monitored,'' wrote the UNHCR regional representative, Richard Towle. The High Court struck down the refugee swap partly because Malaysia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention. But Mr Towle says many Refugee Convention signatories did not meet ''the fundamental protection safeguards that were expected of Malaysia'' under the plan. The UNHCR has also dismissed what it said was a ''misperception'' that asylum seekers could be caned, saying the document to be issued to transferees to prove their legal status would have been ''a significant safeguard''. Mr Towle said Malaysia also planned to extend legal work rights to all refugees, not just those sent from Australia. ''All refugees in Malaysia would … be registered within the government's immigration database and thus protected from arbitrary arrest and detention. It would also mean that all refugees in Malaysia would have the right to work on a par with legal migrants in the country.'' This would allow them to access insurance and health schemes. When asked why the UNHCR hadn't endorsed or signed the Malaysia deal, Mr Towle replied that it was never envisaged the UNHCR sign or endorse it. ''No inference can reasonably be drawn from this,'' he wrote. The manager of opposition business, Christopher Pyne, said yesterday that Ms Gillard had stated the vote on the bill was about an executive's ability to govern effectively. ''On that basis alone, you would assume that if the government fails to convince the Parliament to pass the amendment, it would follow the last precedent in 1929 and advise the Governor-General of the need for an election'', Mr Pyne said. But Mr Crook told The Age he would not be swayed by whether the vote would be seen as a vote of confidence. ''I don't feel any pressure in that regard.'' He said the issues were border security, the welfare of people taking the risk of getting on boats, breaking the people smugglers' business model and giving the government the right to make decisions. Ms Gillard is already under criticism from some Labor MPs for persisting with the Malaysia legislation, which faces defeat in the Senate if it is passed by the lower house. Caucus sources continued to deny any move on Ms Gillard's leadership was likely soon. Mr Bandt said mandatory detention was ''appalling'' and ruined lives ''but Labor's soul-destroying practices at home don't mean we should start sending fairness offshore … If some other countries are said to treat asylum seekers a little better, that should make us lift our game, not make our laws worse.'' Mr Wilkie said: ''I do not support offshore processing in any circumstances. Nor do I support mandatory detention in Australia. One is not better than the other - both are fundamentally unethical and at odds with our obligations as a signatory to the refugee convention.'' Refugee lawyer David Manne, who stopped the Malaysia deal in the High Court said: ''The fact is that the Malaysia deal was unlawful. It doesn't provide adequate protections for refugees in law.''
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| Sexual diversion from Najib’s weak budget Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:27 PM PDT
The latest video allegedly showing Anwar Ibrahim in a Thai hotel room is another attempt to divert people's attention from the weak budget. (Free Malaysia Today) - The latest video allegedly showing Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim being in a hotel room in Thailand is an attempt to divert people's attention from the weak Budget 2012. In a statement today, PKR vice president N Surendran said it was not surprising that the video was uploaded just days after Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced next year's budget. "It's no coincidence that the video was uploaded at a time Najib is trying hard to defend his budget. Economists and the public are unhappy with his budget," said Surendran. Yesterday, pro-Umno blogger Papagomo uploaded a clip allegedly showing Anwar, clad in a bath robe, walking around in a hotel room with a cell phone in his hand. The blogger claimed the video was shot on Jan 13 this year while Anwar was on a trip to Patpong, Thailand. However, the video failed to show the identity of the man clearly and the video was shot in black and white. Responding to the sex video, Surendran said such attacks against Anwar were nothing new as the current government was repeating the same attack done during the premiership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
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| 'New' video: UMNO-BN must abandon guttter politics Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:26 PM PDT By N Surendran This type of sex-fixated smear politics was initiated by UMNO-BN during the Mahathir administration, when massive state resources were used to fabricate incredible sex-related charges and allegations against then Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Innocent individuals like Dr.Munawar Anees were arrested and tortured under the dreaded Internal Security Act, and forced to falsely implicate Anwar Ibrahim. Continuing in this distasteful tradition, UMNO-BN now tries to hide its economic mismanagement, abuse of power and corrupt practices by conniving at fabricated sex videos. These videos are released periodically by a sleazy website which is aligned to UMNO and heaps vile abuse on the opposition. During the earlier 'Datuk T' sex video fiasco, it was shocking to see the synchronised way in which public statements were being issued by the 'Datuk T trio, top Umno leaders and the police force leadership. It was nothing less than a carefully concerted effort to destroy the political career of Anwar Ibrahim and halt Pakatan Rakyat's march to Putrajaya. It is surely no coincidence that this new video comes at a time when Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his government are desperately trying to defend the recently tabled Budget 2012. The government's budget proposal has been convincingly exposed as dangerously weak and based on wildly optimistic growth projections. The budget does nothing to address longstanding imbalances and distortions in the economy, and one-off handouts are irresponsibly promised in order to create a feel-good factor in the run-up to the 13th general election. Respected analysts and economists have slammed it, and the public is extremely disappointed. The government should withdraw and drastically amend their budget proposal, and not seek to distract the rakyat by condoning and conniving at the dissemination of more fabricated sex-videos. We urgently call upon the Prime Minister, his government and top UMNO-BN leaders to abandon gutter politics, and dedicate themselves to the politics of rational debate and discourse. Issued by: N SURENDRAN VICE PRESIDENT KEADILAN | |||||||||||||||
| Sultan’s ruling given cautionary welcome Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:24 PM PDT
Harapan Komuniti's lawyer says that the Sultan's statement suggests that proselytising did take place during the NGO's Thanksgiving dinner. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Sultan of Selangor's ruling that no group should be prosecuted over the controversial raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on Aug 3 has been cautiously welcomed by a lawyer of one of the accused parties. The Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) raided a Thanksgiving dinner organised by NGO Harapan Komuniti following a tip-off that proselytising activities were taking place during the event. Harapan Komuniti denied this and insisted that the event was a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS supporters. In a statement yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ruled that the JAIS report on the raid indicated that its actions were correct and had not breached any state laws. The sultan also ordered JAIS to provide counselling to the Muslims present at the dinner to restore their belief and faith in the religion. While DUMC has "warmly welcomed" the sultan's ruling, Annou Xavier of Messrs Azri, Lee Swee Seng & Co who represents Harapan Komuniti has refrained from expressing the same sentiments. "I can't say if I'm happy or not because the sultan's statement was neither here nor there," he told FMT. "If you read it carefully the sultan appears to have alluded to the fact that proselytising had indeed taken place during the dinner. "Also the manner in which JAIS had conducted the raid was thoroughly unprofessional in its casting of aspersions and leaking details of the initial findings of its investigations." Death threat on Harapan Komuniti A six-minute video clip showing scenes of the raid surfaced on pro-Umno blogs two weeks after the raid followed by photographs and personal details of the Muslim dinner guests. Questions were raised as to how supposedly confidential JAIS evidence had fallen into these bloggers' hands. Xavier also said that he hadn't yet seen JAIS' final report and wasn't privy to any of the details. "Since we are the accused party, the least JAIS could do is give us a copy of the final report," he said. "I'll have to ask the DUMC lawyers whether they have already requested one from JAIS."
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| Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:24 PM PDT
By IkhlasMalaysia First of all, is casting a vote a 'right' (hak) or a responsibilty (tanggungjawab)? In some countries (including Singapore), casting a vote is a citizen's responsibility. If you don't cast your vote you will be fined. In Malaysia, the TV used to air the 'Mari Mengundi' song which sings, " Marilah mari, pergi mengundi.. jangan lupa KEWAJIPAN (responsibility), pada negara". Is the government sending the correct message to the people?
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| Ibrahim says Pemandu has ‘hidden agenda’ Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:20 PM PDT
Opening up the economy to foreign ownership is also an opposition idea, according to the Perkasa chief. (Free Malaysia Today) - The government's liberalisation efforts took another beating from influential Malay rights group Perkasa which warned today against opening up the economy to foreign ownership. At the unveiling of Budget 2012, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced the opening up 100 percent foreign ownership of 17 sub-sectors aimed at recapturing straying investments. Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, a staunch advocate of Mahathir-era protectionist policies, said the move would sideline Bumiputera businesses, adding that liberalisation is an opposition idea. He also took a swipe at the Performance and Management Delivery Unit (Pemandu) for advocating the move to open the 17 sub-sectors. Ibrahim, the independent Pasir Mas MP, in his speech during the Budget 2012 debate in the Dewan Rakyat, said Pemandu had a "hidden agenda" in promoting liberalisation. "Liberalisation is an idea promoted by the opposition… the Malay Chamber of Commerce had even made a strong statement against it but it is not heeded. "I urge the government not to listen to Pemandu because if it implements liberalisation (as advocated by Pemandu), the latter's hidden agenda would take place," he said. Key sectors remain caged Najib is trying to make liberalisation a key aspect of his New Economic Model (NEM) as he aims to resuscitate the country's ailing economy. Race-based affirmative action and Bumiputera protectionist policies have prompted capital flight and caused a deep drop in foreign investments, forcing Malaysia to play catch-up with its neighbours despite being Asean's economic powerhouse once.
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| MACC track record poor, public confidence low Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:12 PM PDT
By Teo Nie Ching Last Wednesday, I questioned the Prime Minister in Parliament about the expenses incurred by the MACC in hiring: 1. The famous forensic expert from England, Peter Vanezis; and 2. Representing solicitor Datuk Seri Muhamad Shafee Abdullah According to the written reply from the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz, the total expenditure incurred by MACC for Peter Vanezis, including air fare, accommodation, food and beverage, transportation and professional fees, amounted to RM90,680; whereas the professional fees paid to Datuk Seri Muhamad Shafee Abdullah was RM150,000. Without a doubt, forensics and law are both highly specialised and complicated fields hence Professor Dr. Peter Vanezis and Datuk Seri Muhamad Shafee Abdullah can justify their high consultation fees. In light of that, their high charges make the voluntary and selfless contributions by renowned Thai forensic expert Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand and the solicitors representing the Teoh family, Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh, stand out even more. Their invaluable contributions are testament to their commitment and outstanding integrity. In order to seek truth and justice, Dr. Pornthip came to Malaysia 4 times to testify in the coroner's court and the Royal Commission of Inquiry, and participated in the 2nd autopsy on Teoh Beng Hock's remains. For all her efforts, she did not charge a single cent for her professional services because she is driven by her conscience. Both Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh have been fighting on behalf of the Teoh family in court since 2009, from the coroner's court to the current ongoing appeal and judicial review – a period of three long, painstaking years. The father-and-son team is also fighting for justice for the Teoh family on a completely pro bono basis. The operating expenditure for the MACC for 2010 and 2011 amounted to RM168 million and RM202 million respectively, and the federal allocation for 2012 has been increased to a whopping RM211 million. Therefore, the high fees charged by Peter Vanezis and Datuk Seri Muhamad Shafee Abdullah are not a big deal for the MACC. However, seeing as a huge amount of taxpayers' money has been spent by the MACC, it is only right that the people demand a satisfactory performance from the anti-corruption institution. Compared to conviction rates of almost 100% in Indonesia, 85% in Singapore and 95% in Hong Kong, the conviction rate in Malaysia is a pathetic 73% -- a poor track record when compared with its peers in the region.
For the year 2010 and 2011, resolved cases numbered 435 and 403 respectively. With a conviction rate of 73%, the average cost of a successful persecution was RM529,050 and RM457,754 for 2010 and 2011 respectively. Since its inception on 1 January 2009, the MACC has been implicated in 2 suspicious deaths within its premises. But until today, we do not see any "big fishes" being brought to book. As former MCA President Ling Liong Sik, former Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy and former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo are currently being prosecuted, will they fall within range of the 73% that will be convicted, or will they be part of the 27% who are acquitted? TEO NIE CHING Assistant National Publicity Secretary-cum-Serdang MP
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| Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:09 PM PDT
By Gomen Man via The Malaysian Insider I caution Malaysiakini, The Malaysian Insider and other websites that the Barisan Nasional government has hired about 200 cyber troopers to try and influence opinion on portals, social networking sites like Facebook. These paid hands will post inane comments and even challenge webmasters to put up their comments. The idea is to create the impression that there are many supporters of Najib Razak and his government in cyberspace and intimidate others. But in truth, they number about 200 and are paid by taxpayers. I urge the new sites not to put up their comments because they are paid hands and are not interested in any principles or in a better Malaysia. Their sole aim is to perpetuate the present system despite all its flaws. The Najib government has apparently been advised by its good friends in Singapore that it needs to influence opinions in social networking sites and the Internet. That is why they have hired these cyber troopers. So, please beware, Malaysiakini and others.
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| Putrajaya paid RM94m to FBC Media for global airtime Posted: 10 Oct 2011 03:06 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) government paid RM94 million to raise its international profile over three years to FBC Media, which is under probe by British regulators for producing content on Malaysia without revealing that Putrajaya was its client. But the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) denied any involvement in how FBC Media secured coverage in the international press. In a written reply to a question in Parliament, Datuk Seri Najib Razak's office said that the 12-month contract that was signed in 2007 was renewed twice for a total cost of €19.6 million. "It is the responsibility of FBC Media to obtain airtime in international media and the government has no control over this matter. "This is a matter of discussions between FBC Media and the BBC," the PMO replied to Batu MP Chua Tian Chang's question posed last Thursday. Malaysia ended its contract with the public relations firm last month after it was revealed that government leaders routinely appeared in paid-for interviews on global television programmes on CNBC. FBC is now being investigated by British media regulator Office of Communications (Ofcom) as well as the BBC and CNBC for producing content on Malaysia without revealing it received money from Putrajaya. Both broadcasters have dropped FBC programmes from their lineup. The PMO terminated FBC Media's contract last month, the second PR deal it has ended in recent months after US-based APCO Worldwide was dropped for alleged links to Israel. Whistleblower website Sarawak Report had claimed that interviews and other programmes produced by FBC had cost the ruling BN coalition millions of ringgit as part of its bid to boost its international image. The deal came to light after supplementary supply Bills showed that the PMO paid RM57.7 million between 2008 and 2009 to FBC for a "Global Strategic Communications Campaign". |
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