Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- PAS will ask Hu to explain statements
- Home Ministry asked to explain illegal registration claims
- Within a year, 300% increase in new voters
- Dr M: Make laws, regulations innovation-friendly
- Perkasa claws at Suhakam’s Bersih rally rights probe
- OWC book urges Muslim women to have joint sex
- Malays must change freebie mindset, says Dr M
- Hu defies party gag order
- ‘Govt holding on to Auditor’s report’
- Najib urged to give details of RM10.1m travel bill
- Fuziah: Lynas sending rare earth to Kuantan this month
- IMF: Asia at risk from Europe, US spillover, outflows
- MIER trims GDP estimates as global economic slump bites
- PR Strategy Not To Dissolve State Assemblies In Four States?
- DAP, PAS 'agree to disagree' on hudud issue
- Mahathir: Malays will lose power in 10 years if they don't unite
- Malay votes in Penang may swing to Umno
- Free economy will lead to political and social freedom, say economists
- KL land row threatens to derail MRT project
- Malaysia's new generation steps forward
- Recession risk high and rising, says RHB
- ‘Gambler’ Najib will ‘break the bank’
- More controversy with Taib-linked Ta Ann
- ‘Najib’s handouts bad for the country’
- RM4.7 billion spent on National Service
- Wee defends MCA ‘glam girls’
- MACC urged to probe Ananda Krishnan
- Probe may hurt Ananda Krishnan’s Aircel loan plans, says Indian daily
- 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
- Sultan’s ruling given cautionary welcome
- Ibrahim says Pemandu has ‘hidden agenda’
- Paid cyber troopers
- Putrajaya paid RM94m to FBC Media for global airtime
| PAS will ask Hu to explain statements Posted: 13 Oct 2011 01:38 AM PDT
(Bernama) - The PAS Central Committee will be calling up PAS Supporters Congress head Hu Pang Chaw to explain certain media statements he made which were not consistent with the party's policy. PAS information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said even though the party practised democracy in dealing with members, when it came to internal issues, they were urged to resolve them within the party. "Undeniably PAS as a major party cannot run away from internal challenges, hence the various channels for the party to obtain feedback and explanation on any disagreeable issue," he said in a statement here Thursday. On Wednesday Hu was reported as saying the media in the country had the right to get the real picture of what was happening in PAS, especially with regard to implementation of hudud laws.
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| Home Ministry asked to explain illegal registration claims Posted: 13 Oct 2011 01:18 AM PDT
(The Sun Daily) - The Home Ministry has been pressed to address allegations concerning the illegal operations of a syndicate registering foreigners as voters. PAS leaders suspect that there is a syndicate, possibly involving civil servants, which conducts this illegal operation of granting citizenship to Indonesians, Bangladeshis and Cambodians in Putrajaya. "There have been disclosure after disclosure but we still do not have an answer from the Home Ministry on this issue," said PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian). "Pakatan Rakyat (PR) members of Parliament (MP) will bring up this issue in Parliament for a concrete explanation from the ministry," he told a press conference at Parliament lobby. He claimed that there are eye-witnesses and visual evidence to support the claims. "Yesterday (Oct 12), six buses from Johor spotted at the Putrajaya mosque in the morning, were later sighted at Astana Dugang Country Resort at Kg Desa Putra, near the Putrajaya International Convention Centre," he said. "The buses were spotted dropping of passengers at a private training centre." He said witnesses confirmed that the passengers were Indonesians, Bangladeshis and Cambodians from their appearances and accents. Salahuddin said one eye-witness, the party's Youth treasurer, Mohd Adram Musa, who was also present at the press conference, claimed to have seen several government vehicles and civil servants, mainly police officers and Health Department officers from Senai, Johor, allegedly assisting the passengers. "This was a very suspicious scenario. The government has to explain what these officers were doing there and what sort of activity was held at the centre," Salahuddin said, claiming that there are attempts to register foreigners as voters. Mohd Adram claimed that there are attempts to grant citizenship to foreigners who are permanent residents. It was reported that PAS members had gathered outside a resort in Bangi, believed to be Astana Dugang, after being tipped off that six buses had brought some 240 foreigners from Kulai in Johor to Putrajaya. Mohd Adram said PAS had formed a group to investigate the alleged incident and it had more or less succeeded in proving the allegations. "We have identified an individual suspected to be heading the operation," Salahuddin said. "The individual claimed that the foreigners were brought in for an entrepreneurial course at the centre," Salahuddin said showing a picture of the man to reporters. Mohd Adram said, "But when we asked some of the Indonesians (at the centre), they said they came to receive identification cards (MyKad)." However, he said the group did not spot any officials from the Immigration Department or the National Registration Department. Salahuddin said that even if the foreigners were permanent residents, the government must "follow the proper procedures in granting citizenship" instead of transporting them in buses to a remote locations.
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| Within a year, 300% increase in new voters Posted: 12 Oct 2011 07:27 PM PDT
(Harakah Daily) - Even as the controversy surrounding various revelations about electoral fraud continues, minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz dropped a shocking figure of newly registered voters, showing a three-fold increase in 2010 compared to 2009. In his parliamentary reply to Bukit Bendera member of parliament Liew Chin Tong, Nazri revealed that a total of 820,156 people had been registered as voters in 2010 compared to 276,621 in 2009.
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| Dr M: Make laws, regulations innovation-friendly Posted: 12 Oct 2011 05:22 PM PDT
(Bernama) - The government must re-examine all the laws and regulations and update them if necessary to make them innovation-friendly, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed. He said the government should review its policy to ensure it is still relevant to the current business conditions and fast changing environment.
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| Perkasa claws at Suhakam’s Bersih rally rights probe Posted: 12 Oct 2011 04:49 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali demanded today the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) justify its inquiry into allegations of rights violations during the Bersih 2.0 rally, saying the commission should not entertain complaints by illegal groups. The commission's inquiry commenced on Tuesday with witnesses testifying that riot police had fired tear gas directly at a crowd of peaceful and "non-hostile" Bersih supporters and that demonstrators were violently shoved to the ground and kicked by police personnel during July 9 rally. The rally for free and fair elections turned chaotic when police fired tear gas and water cannons at thousands of demonstrators, resulting in nearly 1,700 arrests, scores injured and the death of ex-soldier Baharuddin Ahmad, 59. Today, Ibrahim told Suhakam to explain why it considered human rights violations to have occurred during the rally, when the both the event and its organiser were deemed illegal by the government. "By entertaining the complaints by illegal groups like Bersih 2.0, Suhakam has given recognition to other illegal groups as well," he said in a statement. The Pasir Mas MP insisted that human rights "cannot go above our country's laws". "I hope Suhakam, which has a role to uphold human rights, also understands the issue that I'm bringing up and that the people who do not like chaos on the road also have human rights," he said. The outspoken Malay rights group leader then said human rights are not just for Bersih supporters. "What about the rights of people who hated Bersih's actions? Where are their human rights?" he asked. Suhakam said it had received the names of 26 individuals who had agreed to record their statements and testify. Three witnesses have testified so far. The inquiry has set itself three terms of reference — to identify human rights violations on or before July 9; to determine how the violations occurred as well as the process and agency involved; and to make recommendations to prevent any recurrence.
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| OWC book urges Muslim women to have joint sex Posted: 12 Oct 2011 04:39 PM PDT
(The Star) - The controversial Obedient Wives Club (OWC) has set off another round of public outrage with an "explicit sex book" which encourages a Muslim husband to have joint sex with all his wives. The 115-page book titled Seks Islam, Perangi Yahudi untuk Kembalikan Seks Islam kepada Dunia (Islamic Sex, fighting Jews to return Islamic sex to the world), has a picture of the late Asaari Muhammad, the banned Al-Arqam leader, on the cover. An excerpt from a passage printed on the back encouraged Muslims husbands to have sex simultaneously with their wives. The book stated that research showed women only gave their husbands 10% of what they wanted from their wives' bodies, a local daily reported yesterday. According to the report, chapter eight titled Bagaimana seks menjadi ibadah (How sex becomes worship), contained explicit descriptions of sexual acts. Facebook page "We do not want sexist nonsense from Global Ikhwan Sdn Bhd" founder Matthew Ong expressed outrage over the book and urged Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to intervene.
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| Malays must change freebie mindset, says Dr M Posted: 12 Oct 2011 04:36 PM PDT
(The Star) - The Malay community should work hard to reap rewards, instead of merely looking forward to receiving "free things", said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. "I know many people in this country go for free things. But we should feel ashamed when we take something for free," he said in his speech when launching the Ummah Unity and Economy Seminar organised by the Malaysia Islamic Welfare Organisation (Perkim) and Malay Chamber of Commerce here yesterday. Dr Mahathir, who is the Perkim president, added that Muslims, who were among the poorest communities in Malaysia, should work hard to be financially stable. "When you are wealthy, you can help develop your religion. "For example, if you are rich, you would have the means to donate to the construction of mosques and so on. "However, Muslims must know how to manage their finances well. "There is no use being a billionaire if you spend more than what you have. You will only end up owing the bank," he said. Dr Mahathir added that the Malays would lose their power in the country in the next 10 years if they did not unite now. He said if the community was to split into different factions, they would become minority groups in the country. "The minority cannot rule the country in a democratic framework, under which the majority rules," said Dr Mahathir, urging the Malay community to be united based on their Islamic faith. Dr Mahathir regretted Muslims in the country were not taught the importance of uniting from young. "When we were young, our religious teachings taught us to be devout. However, these did not stress on unity among Muslims. "The reasons as to why we should be united were not imparted to us either."
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| Posted: 12 Oct 2011 04:34 PM PDT
(The Star) - PAS Supporters Congress chairman Hu Pang Chaw, who opposes the hudud law championed by the party, said he has been warned not to talk about the issue to the press. He said, however, he would not stop talking about the possible effects the hudud law will have on non-Muslims. "The media has the right to know what is happening in the party. I am not afraid to face disciplinary action as what I am doing is for the good of our congress members," he said in an interview here. Kelantan PAS Youth chief Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman in a statement published by Harakahdaily.net had reportedly told Hu not to threaten the state government or the party over the issue. Abdul Latif said Hu, a former journalist with a Chinese daily here, should discuss his grouses within the party and not go to the media to air his grievances. "This is the problem, the party is not transparent on this issue," said Hu. "It is my opinion that Kelantan PAS should have done the proper groundwork to explain the mechanics of implementing the hudud laws before announcing it to the country," he said. "I leave my fate to the top leaders and they can take any action they wish," he said. The congress stemmed from the setting up of the PAS Supporters Club at the start of the 2004 general election to draw non-Muslims to the party and to break the hoodoo that the party is against them. The club became the PAS Supporters Congress and was recognised as a full-fledged party wing in May last year to promote the party's re-branded "PAS for All" image. In another development, Kelantan Umno chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad said more disillusioned PAS members were expected to join Umno. He said they were not happy that their party seemed more concerned about the hudud law than addressing the bread and butter needs of the people. "Previously, they kept away from Umno. Now that the political scenario has changed, they have shown interest by attending Umno programmes," added the International Trade and Industry Minister. He was speaking to reporters at a function where more than 300 PAS members handed their applications to join Umno at Kampung Kursial Baru in Tanah Merah on Tuesday. Former Kampung Baru Kursial Baru PAS branch secretary Zahari Hamat, 46, said he was fed up with the empty promises made by party leaders to champion the cause of the people.
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| ‘Govt holding on to Auditor’s report’ Posted: 12 Oct 2011 04:19 PM PDT
Pakatan Rakyat MPs claim that the government is deliberately delaying the release of the Auditor-General's Report. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Auditor-General (A-G) Report is apparently being held back by the government despite being completed prior to the Budget 2012, Pakatan Rakyat MPs claimed. Sungai Petani MP (PKR) Johari Abdul said that he called the A-G's office yesterday, only to be told that the report was already sent out. "The A-G's office said they finished it (the report) much earlier than last year. They said they've done a better job (too), but the reports are not here," he told reporters in the Parliament lobby today. "The A-G's office was shocked when they heard that MPs did not get it… where is it (the report)? Is it in the A-G's office, in the Prime Minister's Office or in Parliament?" he asked. Johari was also accompanied by Balik Pulau MP (PKR) Yusmadi Yusoff, Pokok Sena MP (PAS) Mahfuz Omar and Tumpat MP (PAS) Kamaruddin Jaafar. At the same time, Mahfuz confirmed that some states, including Kelantan, had already received a copy of the individual state audit reports. "There are some states that have gotten a copy of the report but Parliament hasn't gotten it yet," he said. Earlier this week, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz said that the report would be released after a go-ahead from the Cabinet this Friday. It is expected that the report, which is usually given out before the annual Budget is announced, would only be released two weeks after this Friday.
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| Najib urged to give details of RM10.1m travel bill Posted: 12 Oct 2011 03:55 PM PDT
The admission that RM10.1 million was spent for trips this year by prime minister Najib Razak has prompted PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution to reveal a breakdown of the expenses. "Najib must give every detail (of the amount) in the parliament so that Pakatan Rakyat can check every cent that has been spent," said Saifuddin as quoted by PKR's online organ KeadilanDaily.
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| Fuziah: Lynas sending rare earth to Kuantan this month Posted: 12 Oct 2011 03:18 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider Lynas Corp will ship its rare earth ore to Kuantan this month despite not having met government requirements to do so, PKR vice president Fuziah Salleh said today. The Kuantan MP, who has led protests against the Australian miner's controversial RM1.3 billion refinery, said the Kuantan Port Consortium told land occupants of the port area "that Malaysia can expect the rare earth oxide from Mount Weld to arrive in Kuantan by the end of this month." She said this was mentioned in the monthly Health Safety and Environment Committee meeting held last week. This comes despite Lynas not having fulfilled the 11 conditions recommended by an expert review panel from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Putrajaya have adopted. The federal government has said that "there will be no importation of raw materials into the country, and no operational activities will be allowed on site" until Lynas meets the conditions. Among others, these include a comprehensive, long-term and detailed plan for waste management that extended to the decommissioning and remediation levels. As of yesterday, local regulators Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) said that it has received the waste management plan but has yet to analyse it. "I do not consider it submitted until we make sure it is in accordance with international standards," AELB director-general Raja Datuk Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan was quoted as saying. "Lynas Corp must not be allowed to bully us Malaysian, neither the citizens, nor the authorities. They have been behaving as if this is their father's country," Fuziah told reporters today. The rare earth refinery being built in the Gebeng industrial zone has raised fears of radiation pollution among local residents and environmental activists. But the mining giant has gone ahead with a deal with Thai engineering firm to complete a second phase of the plant by the last quarter of 2012, subject to approval from local authorities. Lynas says that its plant — which will extract rare earth metals crucial for high-technology products like smartphones, hybrid cars and wind turbines — will create a RM4 billion multiplier effect annually and 350 jobs for skilled workers.
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| IMF: Asia at risk from Europe, US spillover, outflows Posted: 12 Oct 2011 02:58 PM PDT (Reuters) — Near-term risks to Asia's economies are "decidedly" rising due to Europe's debt woes and a slowdown in the US, requiring policymakers to be nimble and prepared to rapidly reverse course, the International Monetary Fund said today. The IMF also warned about a risk of capital outflows from the region, saying foreign investors from advanced economies could reverse the large positions they had built in Asian markets since 2009. |
| MIER trims GDP estimates as global economic slump bites Posted: 12 Oct 2011 02:52 PM PDT By Lee Wei Lian, The Malaysian Insider The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) cut to 4.6 per cent, from 5.2 per cent, its projection for the country's economic growth this year, citing a sliding global economy that it said could hurt exports. The government-funded MIER also downgraded its estimates for 2012 to 5.5 per cent, which is within the Najib administration's projected growth range of between five and six per cent. Some market and bank analysts have described next year's projections as too rosy, with RHB Research Institute saying this week that Malaysia's economic growth could slow to just 3.6 per cent next year, from a projected 4.3 per cent, this year due to the increasing risk of a double dip global recession. MIER executive director Zakariah Abdul Rashid said today that while the 2012 Budget unveiled last Friday will help boost private consumption, it will not be able to offset a slump in external demand. "The 2012 Budget is insufficient to overcome external weakness," he said in a briefing today. Zakariah said that MIER's tentative forecast for next year was five per cent, pending the collection of more data at the upcoming National Economic Outlook Conference meeting next month. "We will not be able to say confidently it is five per cent," he added. Most research houses have estimated growth at less than five per cent for next year, with Bank of America Global Research predicting Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) to grow at 4.2 per cent in 2012. Maybank Investment Bank said it expected Malaysia's GDP to expand at between 3.5 and four per cent, and CIMB Investment Bank forecast a GDP growth of 3.8 per cent next year. MIER's Business Conditions Index, which tracks domestic manufacturing, dropped by 9.6 points to 104.5 in the third quarter from the second quarter. The CEO Confidence Index, meanwhile, also fell from 111.9 to and 93.3 points. The Consumer Sentiment Index rose slightly, however, to 108.7 points but remained below the 115.8 point level seen during the same period last year. In his Budget 2012 proposals, Datuk Seri Najib Razak promised cash handouts, more money for civil servants, schools and a fund for "high-impact development" projects as part of measures to put money in the pockets of the majority of Malaysians who live in the lower income group.
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| PR Strategy Not To Dissolve State Assemblies In Four States? Posted: 12 Oct 2011 05:43 AM PDT
(Bernama) - The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) may not dissolve the legislative assemblies in the states under its rule simultaneously with the dissolution of Parliament in conjunction with the 13th general election, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. e said this could be one of the strategies of the opposition pact to focus its attention and strength to the states under Barisan Nasional (BN) rule.
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| DAP, PAS 'agree to disagree' on hudud issue Posted: 11 Oct 2011 09:30 PM PDT
(The Star) - DAP and PAS have agreed to disagree on the hudud issue, following a high-level meeting between Pakatan Rakyat allies Monday. "Hudud is not the common agenda of Pakatan Rakyat for the forthcoming general election," DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said, adding it would not be a common policy even after the next general election. He said "the meeting concluded with both DAP and PAS agreeing to disagree on the hudud law." It was the second such meeting held within a span of two weeks to end the deadlock. Among the Pakatan top guns present at the meeting were Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Azmin Ali, Dr Mohd Nur Manuty, Mohamad Sabu, and Datuk Mustafa Ali. Stressing that hudud was not part of Pakatan Rakyat's policy, Lim said it was neither included in the Common Policy Framework nor in Buku Jungga. Lim said the Pakatan government would only implement policies agreed upon by the three component parties.
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| Mahathir: Malays will lose power in 10 years if they don't unite Posted: 11 Oct 2011 07:07 PM PDT
(The Star) - BANGI: Malays will lose their power in the country in the next 10 years if they do not unite now, said former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He said if the community were to split into different factions, they would become minority groups in the country. "The minority cannot rule the country in a democratic framework, under which the majority rules," said Dr Mahathir, urging the Malay community to be united based on their Islamic faith. Dr Mahathir said this in his speech when launching the Ummah Unity and Economy Seminar organised by the Malaysia Islamic Welfare Organisation (Perkim) and Malay Chamber of Commerce here Wednesday. Dr Mahathir, who is also Perkim president, said Muslims in the country were not taught the importance of uniting when they were young. He also urged the Malay community not to look forward to receiving "free things" but instead work hard to reap rewards. He added that Muslims, which were among the poorest communities in the Malaysia, should work hard to be financially stable.
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| Malay votes in Penang may swing to Umno Posted: 11 Oct 2011 06:58 PM PDT
MCA and Gerakan may be wiped out again unless they changed their political outlook and strategies, says a NGO. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Malay votes in Penang may largely swing to Umno while the DAP will get the lion's share of the Chinese electorate in the coming general election, says a NGO here. Persatuan Anak Jati Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pajim) said the prediction is based on feedback from the grassroots and conversations with interest groups. Pajim adviser Ahmad Mokhtar Muhammad said this trend is unhealthy for multi-ethnic Penang where a party wins entirely on support from only one race. "It is unhealthy for a state as diverse as Penang. The mixed seats would definitely be up for grabs but essentially the battle is between Umno and DAP. It is not good as either side has the traditional support of only one race," he said in a statement sent via SMS. He said a state cannot be progressive if it is bogged down by a perceived lack of harmony among its inhabitants. Mokhtar also claims that support for PAS and PKR in Penang is eroding because their supporters are abandoning them due to their tolerance of DAP's alleged aggressive style of governance in Penang. He said DAP, in its haste to appease its traditional base of supporters, tends to overlook the interests of other groups such as hawkers, squatters, and the low-income earners. Such groups are mainly Malays, and hence their gradual shift to Umno, although the party may remain as the opposition here. "PAS and PKR may pay the price for being docile over certain DAP policies which are seen as an affront to the Malays," Mokhtar said. He added that the Malays may gravitate back to Umno because they believe that the party can solve their problems such as stable jobs and affordable housing. He said it remains to be seen if Umno's partners – MCA, MIC and Gerakan – can survive in the next general election in Penang.
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| Free economy will lead to political and social freedom, say economists Posted: 11 Oct 2011 06:52 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Without a free economy a country is less likely to achieve political and social freedom, contrary to the impression most activists have in Malaysia, economists said here today. Dr Tom Palmer from the Atlas Economic Research Foundation emphasised that political liberalisation is very important for maintaining economical liberalisation. "One must understand the freedom of competition as a process, not as a stake of the market," he said during the Economic Freedom Network Asia Conference 2011 today. He suggested that it is important to build a regional free trade agreement and promote free trade on a unilateral basis like in Singapore. The emphasis on a free economy was also pointed out by Wan Saiful Wan Jan, chief executive of Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), one of the conference organisers. "Maybe it is time to suggest that we have a free and prosperous economy before achieving political and social freedom in Malaysia. This is because when the people are comfortable with the quality of life, they will also fight for political and social reform in the country. "To change, we need a bigger middle class, and this will only exist if our economy is free," according to Wan Saiful in the foreword of the Economic Freedom of The World 2011 annual report by the Fraser Institute. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has liberalised foreign investment in 17 sub-sectors, which critics said had for years forced foreigners to partner Bumiputeras before being allowed to set up businesses in the country. Critics, however, said the reform measure will not have much impact because few of the workers hired in those sectors were Malays, who form the majority population and were the target of affirmative-action policies. The report also pointed out that a lot of activism in the country focuses too much on the political and social angles, while neglecting the importance of fighting for economic freedom. "If the people live in conditions that force them to constantly think of how to cope with the cost of living, there would be a high possibility that they do not have enough time to work on political transformation, or get involved in the civil society arena. "So if we want to shape a country which is politically and socially free, we have to ensure that our economical system is also free. The concerns about political and social freedom, and effective activism in all angles only exist and flourish once the economy needs are fulfilled," Wan Saiful said.
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| KL land row threatens to derail MRT project Posted: 11 Oct 2011 05:15 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — The ongoing land rights dispute between the MRT project owner and city traders here has turned into a political hot potato that could see the country's most expensive infrastructure project delayed. The months of discussions, public engagement talks, court challenges, street protests and interventions by civil society groups and politicians across the divide have made no headway in resolving the issue.
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| Malaysia's new generation steps forward Posted: 11 Oct 2011 05:11 PM PDT By ABC Radio Australia News 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 multiracial political coalition. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad: 'The younger Malays come back and they start to question the analysis that Malays . . . need political protection in order to survive.' [Australia Network] |
| Recession risk high and rising, says RHB Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:54 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Malaysia's economic growth could slow to just 3.6 per cent next year from a projected 4.3 per cent this year due to the increasing risk of a double dip global recession, said the RHB Research Institute. The RHB unit's growth projection issued yesterday is significantly lower than Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's forecast of five to six per cent growth for 2012 in his proposed RM232 billion Budget 2012 tabled last Friday. The research house said that the risk of a double-dip global recession is high and rising as both the US and Europe cannot withstand another shock although a recession could be averted if leaders in both continents act fast enough to contain the debt crises and avert a contagion that could lead to a complete meltdown in confidence. It also expected businesses to cut spending in view of rising uncertainties although some growth will come from the implementation of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). Private investment growth is projected to soften further to 4.6 per cent in 2012, after slowing to an estimated 5.7 per cent for 2011, the report added. Exports, meanwhile, are expected to grow at just 1.1 per cent compared to 3.4 per cent this year due to dampened foreign demand for electronics and electrical items. Domestic demand is projected to grow at a slower pace of 5.1 per cent in 2012, compared with an estimated 5.8 per cent for 2011. RHB said, however, that consumer spending is expected to remain "reasonably resilient" and grow at around 5.3 per cent in 2012, compared with 6.0 per cent for 2011, given high savings, rising consumerism and an increase in salary. Most research houses have lowered their 2012 growth projections for Malaysia despite Najib's optimism in the Budget proposals, which critics have say is primed for the next general election that must be called by early 2013. Bank of America Global Research estimated Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) to grow at 4.2 per cent in 2012 while Maybank Investment Bank said it expected Malaysia's GDP to expand at between 3.5-4 per cent. CIMB Investment Bank forecast a GDP growth of 3.8 per cent next year.
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| ‘Gambler’ Najib will ‘break the bank’ Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:42 PM PDT
The language Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak used when presenting the budget was the kind often used by gamblers. Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz, Free Malaysia Today I don't understand why there is so much hype over the unveiling of a budget. It seems the politics is more important than the contents, ramifications and implications of a budget. There is always this funfair atmosphere surrounding the presentation of our national budget. Everyone thumps the table upon hearing this group will receive a one-off payment, that group another lump sum payment. The loudest response of course came when Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is also Finance Minister, announced that the allowances of all Members of Parliament would also be revised. A budget is a solemn document. It's an account of how much this country earned as revenue, its sources and the proposals to commit that income. It's both a revelation and reflection of an exercise in financial management and discipline. Those are the things we must direct our attention to. Biggest deficit in history For example, everyone clapped when Najib, said: "This year's budget is a lower proportion of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product)." Yes, but isn't our GDP this year bigger than last year's? Look at the absolute figure too. It's still a deficit, suggesting perhaps financial indiscipline and, even worse, unjustifiable leakages. Have the leakages been dealt with? The budget is humongous – RM232.8 billion which is a lot of money, especially with a 9.4 percent rise in expenditure. Despite the country's deficit being reduced to 4.7 percent from 5.4 percent of GDP, the fact remains that in terms of absolute amount, it would be the biggest deficit in Malaysian history. Hear this – "biggest deficit" in Malaysian history! While our finance minister is confident that Malaysia will do a five to six percent growth rate, the rest of the world will grow from a negative figure to maybe three percent at the maximum. So is the finance minister's five to six percent growth rate realistic and achievable? Or is he pulling wool over our eyes? Language of a gambler I would usually refrain from giving a spontaneous response; I would rather prefer giving further analysis of the budget. People can easily be overwhelmed by the feel-good nature of an election budget. Did I say an election budget? That's what it is really despite the Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's usual dour rejection of suggestions that it is. But nowadays not many people take the DPM seriously.
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| More controversy with Taib-linked Ta Ann Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:37 PM PDT
An advert countering Ta Ann's claim to producing 'eco-wood' from Tasmania has drawn a response from the Australian Election Commission. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has dismissed a complaint by the Liberal Party about an advertisement which clarified the status of the Tasmanian wood produced and marketed by controversial Sarawak timber company Ta Ann. Liberal Party state director Sam McQuestin said he had received a five-page response from the AEC to his complaint about an advert headlined "Truth in Advertising", which he claimed promoted Australia's Green Party. The AEC, however, was of the view that the advert was not an attempt to promote the Greens. The advert published in Tasmania's largest-circulating daily newspaper, The Mercury, last week was placed by online Sarawak Report founder-editor Clare Rewcastle Brown. Rewcastle Brown had placed the advert to counter Ta Ann's claims that its Tasmanian produce was "eco-wood". In the advert, RewcastleBrown states that Ta Ann has accused the Green Party of not telling the truth in advertising when in fact it was Ta Ann's company advertisements promoting its timber as eco-wood which is a "lie". In an e-mail to FMT, Rewcastle Brown said: "The 'Truth in Advertising' was the story I placed. "Our reports have shown that adverts describing Ta Ann's wood from Tasmania as eco-wood are false. "None of it is eco-wood. It is all taken from valuable old growth jungle that the Australian government has been trying to put a protection order over. "The logging of much of the wood is in defiance of an agreement between the state of Tasmania and the Australian federal government to protect these areas in return for a grant of millions of dollars." Meanwhile, a disappointed McQuestin said he would accept the AEC's decision. Another Tasmanian publication "The Examiner" quoted McQuestin as saying that AEC chief legal officer Paul Pirani had noted in his five-page letter that "the advert did not constitute electoral material". The AEC also said it was beyond its jurisdiction to act on the complaint "because it was organised overseas". Ta Ann has been mired in controversy over its involvement in the Tasmanian timber industry. Early this month, the Green Party had put Ta Ann Tasmania "on notice" over its logging activities and six years of losses despite being awarded "numerous perks and subsidies" by the state. Rewcastle Brown in her FMT column said the "tactics of Sarawak's logging industry are causing increasing dismay in Australia, where Chief Minister Taib Mahmud-linked Ta Ann group has opened two major timber processing mills. "There has been a level of intrigue ever since 2005 as to how it was that Tasmania's state government was persuaded to welcome this foreign company at what have been clearly give-away rates."
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| ‘Najib’s handouts bad for the country’ Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:30 PM PDT
The Wall Street Journal says the combination of temporary handouts and tax breaks doesn't help Malaysia's competitiveness. (Free Malaysia Today) - US business paper Wall Street Journal said today Najib's Budget 2012 handouts is bad for the country as it will not boost competitiveness. "This combination of temporary handouts and tax breaks on one hand and welfare spending on the other doesn't help Malaysia's competitiveness. "The export-dependent economy is already hurting from weak markets abroad and a rising cost of living at home—GDP growth fell below 5% in year-on-year terms for the last two quarters—and needs long-term incentives to invest and build a stronger domestic consumer market," stated the paper in an article today. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who also holds the finance portfolio was also criticised as the government failed to do away with food and fuel subsidies despite pledging to do so earlier. "He even likened subsidies to "opium" and made small but noteworthy cuts last year. He could have continued that rehab this year by incrementally raising regulated prices to bring them closer to market levels. In addition, WSJ also predicted that the 9.4% rise in expenditure only indicates wastage in resource because Najib did not propose permanent changes to tax structure. He also did not reduce regulation and spending. WSJ also had less than kind words for Najib on the reforms for 27 subsectors and instead called for reforms in major industries. "These are small industries that don't hire many Malays. The government needs to tackle bigger reforms in industries like manufacturing, where regulations still gives Malays dominance.
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| RM4.7 billion spent on National Service Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:22 PM PDT
The Defence Ministry says there was no follow up on the training scheme, stressing that the programme was a success. (Free Malaysia Today) - The question members of Parliament wanted to know was how effective is the National Service programme since RM4.7billion has been spent on it over seven years. All they got was evasive answers from the Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad. He told the Dewan Rakyat that RM4.7 billion was spent but there was no follow up done to see how effective the programme was. Abdul Latiff Ahmad confirmed that the government did not conduct any studies in regards to NS trainees still being involved in crimes after their programmes ended. "No detailed studies linking the National Service (trainees) to crime have been conducted, but we will consider this in future studies." he said. Abdul Latiff, who is also Mersing MP, then defended the programme, and claimed that it was successful in instilling good values in NS trainees. He said this in response to a query by Tanah Merah MP (PKR) Amran Ab Ghani, who asked about the amount of money allocated by the Defence Ministry since the NS programme was introduced. The PKR MP had also asked if the NS programme was successful in creating an "early awareness" among youths, and if former trainees were still involved in crime. Amran then asked if these NS camps were still getting allocations from the government. Question of auditing At this stage the deputy defence minister lost his cool and insulted Amran by saying: "He is deaf, but good thing (for him) that he is not mute." This prompted Pakatan Rakyat MPs to demand that the Mersing MP withdrew his comment, which he eventually did after being advised by Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee. Abdul Latiff said that the 87 NS camps in operation were not owned by the government.
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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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| 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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| 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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| 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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| 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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