Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- PKR and DAP yet to reach consensus on S'wak seats allocation
- Police fired tear gas, broke rules in Tung Shin incident
- Tun M: Pakatan's Alternative Budget is like an "Empty Pocket"
- ‘Cops sought money for detainee’s release’
- Bersih 2.0 warns of bigger wave
- Give NGOs 15% of seats, Pakatan told
- Nazri: No case on Rosmah’s RM73m ring
- Hudud: MCA wants debate with Guan Eng
- More than RM1 mil a month for VVIP plane
- No judicial review for Teoh suicide verdict, court rules
- Of subliminal indoctrination and inept social media strategies
- Despite cheap China loan, local funds underwrite Second Penang Bridge
| PKR and DAP yet to reach consensus on S'wak seats allocation Posted: 04 Oct 2011 07:27 AM PDT
(The Sun Daily) - Sarawak PKR and DAP are still unable to agree on the allocation of seats for each party to contest in the coming general election due to overlapping claims. Despite having the second round of meeting on Sunday to finalise the allocation issue, both parties were unable to agree on "a small number of seats". Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian, however, expressed confidence that the allocations would be settled before the general elections. "But we are in an advanced stage of coming up with solutions," he said today at a press conference. "The overlapping claims involved a small number of seats." Baru, who is also the state assemblyman for Ba'Kelalan, said the negotiations between PKR and DAP was a lot easier this time around compared to the run-up to the April state elections. He said PAS was not represented at the second meeting as it had no overlapping claim on seats with the DAP. "However, PKR and PAS are both claiming a few seats. So, PKR will hold separate meeting with PAS later," he added. Baru also dismissed reports that he will contest in the Baram parliamentary constituency in the coming election. "I want to make is very clear here that I am not a candidate. We have two qualified persons in mind, one is a lawyer and the other, a soil scientist," he added. He said the two had been very active on the ground, trying to get the feedback. PKR and DAP are eyeing between 12 to 15 seats each, out of 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak. PAS is expected to contest two or three Muslim/Malay areas.
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| Police fired tear gas, broke rules in Tung Shin incident Posted: 03 Oct 2011 10:56 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Riot police broke their own standard operating procedures (SOP) by firing tear gas when dispersing Bersih 2.0 rally marchers at the Tung Shin Hospital on July 9, a Health Ministry investigation has concluded. Home Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Mahmood Adam said tonight that errant policemen would be referred to the police's disciplinary board."The investigation results concluded that there were unethical actions which were beyond the SOP of the Royal Malaysian Police when enforcement was performed on rally participants who were wrongly using the hospital premises," Mahmood said in a statement. Putrajaya and police had earlier denied any wrongdoing despite proof given by Bersih and those at the rally. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is now waiting for police to answer questions into the incident after a complaint from Bersih, which held the rally to call for free and fair elections. Police had absolved themselves of any wrongdoing during the July 9 rally after setting up six internal teams to investigate claims of police brutality that followed after nearly 1,700 were arrested, scores injured and an ex-soldier died during chaotic scenes in the capital.
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| Tun M: Pakatan's Alternative Budget is like an "Empty Pocket" Posted: 03 Oct 2011 06:17 PM PDT
(Bernama) - "It's easy when we want to spend the money which we don't have," is what former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said when asked to comment on the tabling of the alternative Budget by the opposition Pakatan Rakyat. It was reported that Pakatan Rakyat would table its annual budget today, three days ahead before the federal government presents its 2012 Budget. The opposition coalition's budget is said to be an alternative budget before the 2012 Budget is tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Parliament on Friday. Najib is also Finance Minister. "It's always easy to spend the money which is not under our control. We can do anything (like) promising to give 20 percent oil royalty. "Yes, we can make the promise as we are not the government. Make promises, so long you win the elections (general election). "It is common, even (US President Barack) Obama promised to close Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, but until now the detention center has not been closed yet. But he was elected," said Dr Mahathir to reporters after delivering a keynote address at the 8th Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Forum 2011 here today. Dr Mahathir also served as finance minister when he was the prime minister for 22 years.
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| ‘Cops sought money for detainee’s release’ Posted: 03 Oct 2011 03:56 PM PDT
A businesswoman claims that several police officers threatened to detain her brother under the Emergency Ordinance if she fails to pay them. (Free Malaysia Today) - A businesswoman has lodged a police report alleging extortion by several police officers. In her report lodged in Klang, Chong Choi Yoke, 31, claimed that policemen from the USJ district police headquarters wanted money from her to ensure that her brother was not detained for two years under the Emergency Ordinance. Relating the matter on behalf of Choi Yoke, her lawyer Keppy Wong (photo) said her brother, Chong Voon Han, was detained by the USJ police on Sept 22 after he had gone to the IPD (police district headquarters) to assist in an investigation. "Voon Han went there after he was told that the police were looking for him in his office to assist in a probe. He voluntarily went to the police station and was detained on the spot," said Wong. Hearing of Voon Han's arrest from his girlfriend, Choi Yoke went to the IPD but was denied permission to see him. On Sept 25, a group of policemen brought Voon Han to his sister's house on the pretext of searching for something. However, she was shocked to see bruises and swelling on her brother's face. "Voon Han told his sister that he was assaulted in detention and asked her to give the officers RM500 so that the beating will stop. "However, she managed to fork out only RM200 and bought a few packs of cigarettes for them (officers)," said Wong, who is also Kampung Cheras Baru DAP chairman. Later the same day, she received a call from her brother asking her to bank in RM100 to an account which she complied with. Also on the same day, Choi Yoke received a call from an officer known as ASP Rony who told her to meet him at the Taipan police station. There, Wong said, Choi Yoke was told by Rony that the police had no case against Voon Han as the latter had a strong alibi. "Instead of releasing him, Rony threatened to detain Voon Han under the EO unless his sister agreed to pay him some money. Feeling helpless, Choi Yoke told Rony that she can only afford about RM3,000," claimed Wong. Bleeding from the head Two days later, Voon Han was brought to the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court to get his remand extended. There, Wong said, Choi Yoke saw her brother was bleeding from the head. "The officers also told Choi Yoke to buy food fit for 10 men and deliver it to the Taipan police station," alleged Wong. She was also told by her brother at the court that Rony wanted about RM10,000 to secure his release.
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| Bersih 2.0 warns of bigger wave Posted: 03 Oct 2011 03:52 PM PDT
If the election is called before reforms are implemented, Bersih 2.0's Wong Chin Huat says Malaysians will be irked and a 'greater tsunami' may happen. (Free Malaysia Today) - Bersih 2.0 has warned the government that if the general election is called without electoral reforms put in place, another wave will come crashing. Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Wong Chin Huat said Malaysians would not take kindly to elections being held before recommendations by the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms were implemented. "You'd probably see Bersih 3.0 in whatever form, and it'll turn out to be a greater tsunami," he told reporters in the Parliament lobby today. "The government should respect the institutions of Parliament and (allow them to) run its course… If you call for elections in the next six months before the PSC actually finishes its work, you are killing the PSC," he said. Yesterday, the government moved a motion to set up a nine-member panel to look into electoral reforms. The move, which was promised by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak followed the heavy-handed crackdown against the July 9 Bersih 2.0 protest, which saw more than 1,700 people arrested. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili (Kota Marudu MP) was named as the panel's chairman while the other four were Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi, Kangar MP Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Alor Gajah MP Dr Fong Chan Onn and Hulu Selangor MP P Kamalanathan. Opposition MPs sitting on the panel are PKR deputy president Azmin Ali (Gombak MP), PAS treasurer Hatta Ramli (Kuala Krai MP) and DAP Youth chief Antony Loke (Rasah MP). Independent MP, Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju), would also be on the panel. The committee had its first meeting this morning.
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| Give NGOs 15% of seats, Pakatan told Posted: 03 Oct 2011 03:47 PM PDT
A NGO leader says the time has come for the opposition bloc to form a power-sharing alliance with these groups. (Free Malaysia Today) - Pakatan Rakyat has been urged to consider allocating seats for NGOs to contest in the coming general election. In making the call, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (MIPAS) president A Rajaretnam said that Pakatan should earmark 15% of seats both at the federal and state levels. Speaking to FMT, he explained that NGOs were important to form a government and therefore Pakatan must join forces with them. Rajaretnam also pointed out that NGOs had played a crucial role in helping the opposition secure its biggest ever victory in the last general election. "However, after the election, Pakatan overlooked the NGOs," he said. Three-cornered fights He said that in the next general-election, there would probably be three-cornered fights due to the emergence of a third force. He explained that the third force came about after Pakatan-friendly NGOs grew fed-up with the opposition bloc. "The NGOs were upset when several Pakatan MPs became BN-friendly, the Pakatan state governments' refusal to give space and voice to NGO's and certain Pakatan leaders becoming too arrogant after winning in the election. "For example, after Pakatan won Selangor, they promised to allocate 40 seats in 10 local councils for NGOs. However, a report shows that half of the so-called NGO seats are occupied by party members. "We strongly believe Pakatan can form a better government compared to BN, but they must return to the grassroots," he added.
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| Nazri: No case on Rosmah’s RM73m ring Posted: 03 Oct 2011 03:44 PM PDT
Customs Department has confirmed to the MACC that no such ring was purchased. (Free Malaysia Today) - Rosmah Mansor is not being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the US$24 million (RM73 million) diamond ring fiasco. Minister in the Prime Minister Department Nazri Aziz said in a written reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP- Segambut) that the MACC, after checking with the Customs Department, "confirmed that there was no such purchase of the ring". "After a few days, the ring was returned to the company owner," the reply added. On July 13, pro-Pakatan Rakyat NGO Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) president Badrul Hisham Shaharin lodged a report with the MACC over the US$24 million ring allegedly acquired by Rosmah. Just a day before, pro-opposition bloggers claimed that the ring, known as "Natural Fancy Blue Gray Cushion Cut Diamond Ring", was sent to the premier's wife by the New York-based fine jewellers Jacob & Co in April this year. The ring allegedly passed through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Customs and was cleared by a Customs operations manager known as A Krishnan. Screenshots of the alleged Customs computer displays also revealed that the ring did not have import duties imposed on it. The same display also indicated the value of the ring to be US$24.4 million.
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| Hudud: MCA wants debate with Guan Eng Posted: 03 Oct 2011 03:41 PM PDT
MCA is keen to know how DAP will stop PAS from its stated desire to implement the law. (Free Malaysia Today) - MCA vice president Gan Ping Sieu has challenged DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to debate hudud now that Pakatan Rakyat has failed to reach a consensus on it. "He can name the place and time, but he should not take too long to respond," said Gan told reporters at the parliament lobby today. Gan said that DAP has always portrayed itself to be a democratic, liberal and professional party. However it needs to explain PAS' insistence on implementing hudud, a stance at odds with DAP's principles. Gan also added that the MCA has always been accused of undermining and demonising PAS, but the latter's stand on hudud shows that it still haboured aspirations for a theocratic state. "It is serious matter. It is unfair to Muslims and also non-Muslims. This is an issue close to the hearts of the people, especially the Chinese community," said Gan. "During campaigns at by-elections, the DAP promotes PAS as moderate, inclusive and open- minded, but its stand on hudud shows that the party is back to its old ways," he said. 'Only Karpal has been vocal' Asked why Lim was the candidate chosen, Gan said that Lim was constantly throwing challenges to others. Gan said that he had already made the offer to debate the issue but since there was no reply from Lim, he said a registered letter via mail will be forwarded to him. Gan also took a stab at the DAP leaders, most of whom he said have been silent over the matter.
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| More than RM1 mil a month for VVIP plane Posted: 03 Oct 2011 03:38 PM PDT
The government spends more than RM1 million every month on a rented aircraft for ferrying VVIPs. (Free Malaysia Today) - In the first eight months of the year, the government has spent more than RM9.1 million in flight costs on a single aircraft to ferry official VVIPs. In a written response, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said that the government had been renting an Airbus A319 from Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) Berhad since Aug 3, 2007. The airplane, he added was for the use of "government VVIPs" such as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. "From January to August 2011, the frequency of use of this plane covered 155 sectors in the country and abroad with costs totalling RM9,158,430.45, which cover the plane's fuel costs, parking and handling charges, meals and flight crew logistics," he said. Nazri was responding to Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, who asked the PM's Department, which rented the aircraft, to state the costs incurred. It is not known if these flight costs included Najib's travel expenses for this year, which were also revealed in Parliament. FMT previously reported that Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor spent slightly more than RM17 million from 2008 to June this year. Up to RM5.42 million was spent for Najib's travels from January to June this year.
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| No judicial review for Teoh suicide verdict, court rules Posted: 03 Oct 2011 01:13 PM PDT By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — The family of the late Teoh Beng Hock today failed to challenge the Royal Commission of Inquiry's (RCI) conclusion that the Selangor DAP political aide committed suicide in 2009. Teoh's family filed the application for judicial review against the RCI on August 24. The RCI, which was chaired by sitting Federal Court judge Tan Sri James Foong, found that Teoh had been driven to suicide after relentless questioning by investigators from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). The five-man panel wrapped up its report on June 15 after hearing testimony from 70 witnesses in its bid to unravel the mysterious circumstances behind Teoh's death at the then Selangor MACC headquarters on July 16, 2009.
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| Of subliminal indoctrination and inept social media strategies Posted: 03 Oct 2011 09:09 AM PDT
By Edwin Yapp, ZDnet In a report I filed a couple of weeks ago, the Malaysian government, through ICT industry regulator, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), blocked the airing of a public service announcement (PSA) urging citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote in Malaysia's next general election. The PSA, called "Undilah," (which means "Please Vote" in Malay), is an attempt by an independent film maker and musician Pete Teo to highlight the need of all Malaysians above the voting age of 21-years of age to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
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| Despite cheap China loan, local funds underwrite Second Penang Bridge Posted: 03 Oct 2011 08:56 AM PDT
By Jahabar Sadiq, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Putrajaya has decided to forgo a cheap US$800 million (RM2.6 billion) loan from China to build the Second Penang Bridge, and has instead asked the state-owned Bank Pembangunan to further underwrite the construction of the 24km bridge which is now due in 2013. The Malaysian Insider understands that the RM4.3 billion Malaysia-China joint-venture project has not drawn any funds from the loan granted in July 2007 when Tun Abdullah Badawi was prime minister. The interest rate for the loan was set at three per cent for 20 years. "The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has not taken one sen of the loan but has asked local banks to provide the balance of the funds," a source told The Malaysian Insider. No reason was given for not taking the loan, which was seen as a sign of closer ties between the Asian giant and Malaysia, especially for Penang, which has a sizeable Chinese population. Another source confirmed that Bank Pembangunan has been told to give out a further loan apart from the RM1.7 billion issued to the joint-venture between the Beijing-owned China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Ltd and UEM Builders Bhd, which is owned by state asset manager Khazanah Nasional Berhad. "Bank Pembangunan is now providing most of the money in place of the Chinese loan," he added. It is not known if the use of local funds could be a crimp for loans for other infrastructural projects in the country including the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) for which the first line linking Sungai Buloh and Kajang could cost up to RM50 billion. The Second Penang Bridge is managed by the Finance Ministry's Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd and has been fraught with issues over a lack of urgency in its construction by the Chinese, who were keen to show their engineering capabilities beyond the Middle Kingdom. The final figure of RM4.3 billion was agreed upon after the government had to put its foot down and set a benchmark after initial calculations showed that the cost of the project could go as high as RM4.8 billion. Both UEM and CHEC have argued that the cost of the bridge has increased from RM3.6 billion in 2006 because of the sharp increase in the cost of materials, especially steel.
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