Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Perak’s debt reaching a dizzying billion ringgit
- Shahril to be president, group CEO of merged Sapura-Kencana group
- Crisis in the Chambers
- Don organises assembly to protest Bill
- Race-based affirmative action needed for now
- Emergency laws lifted, EO void
- Students allowed to join political parties
- Najib urged to consult Anwar on election date
- Sabah, Sarawak to be major shareholders of MasWings
- PAC tells govt to buck up
- Return BN to power if you want development, Kedah folk told
- Opposition riles Taib with questions on contracts
- Finance Minister II dodges NFC query
- PM calls new assembly law ‘revolutionary’
| Perak’s debt reaching a dizzying billion ringgit Posted: 24 Nov 2011 12:25 AM PST (Harakah Daily) - Perak's state debt has sky-rocketed some 535 percent from RM182 million in 2000 to RM975 million currently, with a RM72 million increase in the past 12 months.
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| Shahril to be president, group CEO of merged Sapura-Kencana group Posted: 23 Nov 2011 04:15 PM PST (The Edge) - Sapura Group president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shahril Shamsuddin will be the president and group chief executive officer of the merged SAPURACREST PETROLEUM BHD and KENCANA PETROLEUM BHD. According to documents sighted by The Edge FinancialDaily, Sapura group chairman Datuk Hamzah Bakar will be the chairman of the new board while Kenaca's executive chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir will be appointed the executive vice chairman. Both the president & group CEO and executive vice chairman will report directly to the board. Currently, the integration committee for the merger exercise is jointly chaired by Shahril and Mokhzani. Both companies will be seeking shareholders' approval at an EGM on Dec 14 for the proposed merger. The Securities Commission has already given its go-ahead for the merger. In July, the petroleum-related companies announced the merger which would be undertaken by Integral Key Sdn Bhd (IKSB), a special purpose vehicle. IKSB had then made a RM11.85-billion offer to acquire all their assets and liabilities in a share swap. The merger of equals will have a combined market capitalisation in excess of RM10 billion. According to the documents, Shahril said the integration committee was set up to achieve a successful merger and to formulate the strategic direction of the new merged entity moving forward. He had also said that it is "critical that we put in place a strong and dynamic organisational structure that would ensure business continuity and realisation of the synergies we hope to derive as a merged entity. I would like to assure each and everyone of you that you will continue to be an important part of the new organisation moving forward".
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| Posted: 23 Nov 2011 04:02 PM PST More and more senior DPPs are throwing in the towel and the list includes Solicior-General II Mohd Yusof. Sources claim that the AG is to be blamed for this. (Free Malaysia Today) - Allegations of internal politicking, nepotism and cronyism are swirling in the Attorney-General's Chambers and fed-up deputy public prosecutors (DPPs) are tendering their letters for optional retirement. Those interviewed by FMT agreed to voice their grievances on condition of anonymity. These legal eagles believe that the rot is beyond repair and pin the blame on Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail himself. According to them, it is an open secret that those loyal to Gani rise up the ranks and are given key tasks irrespective of whether they are qualified for the job or otherwise. Those considered hostile or critical of the AG's decisions often land in cold storage. "The only criteria (required) is that the DPP must be close to him (Gani) and not go against his or his men's word," said a former senior DPP who served for nearly 30 years. Initially, only a handful felt upset with Gani but the number has grown over the years and they are tendering their application for optional retirement. "The AG in his capacity as the head of the department is approving the applications without the slightest of hesitation," said another vexed DPP. In their application, most of the DPPS cite "personal reasons" for their decision. "It's very difficult for them to state the actual reason since only the AG has the discretionary power whether to approve their applications or not. They will be asking for trouble if they state 'AG's conduct' as being the reason," said the DPP. Quizzed on their grouses regarding Gani and his men, one DPP cited the management of the International Centre for Law and Legal Studies (ICELLS), where the AG's son and daughter-in-law are attached to. "Both of them have less than five years experience in the service but have already been promoted to Grades L48 and L52 respectively. In our service, there was never such a promotion exercise. "As far as I know, it is only in Malaysia that the AG and his next-of-kin are working in the same department and same building," he said. He added that initially research division head K Muniandy was slated to helm ICELLS. "Muniandy was the former deputy head of prosecution and highly respected in the legal fraternity but he was sidelined, prompting him to put in his optional retirement papers at the age of 50. "He was the only 'Jusa A' Indian officer in the Chambers and probably in the entire civil service. So there must be something seriously wrong when someone of his calibre and experience chooses to quit," he added. For the record, besides Muniandy, other senior DPPs who have left the service are S Devanandan, Ahmad Firuz Zainal Abidin, Dr Sabirin Jaafar, Shamsul Sulaiman and Sallehuddin Saidin.
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| Don organises assembly to protest Bill Posted: 23 Nov 2011 03:50 PM PST Wong Chin Huat of Monash University says that the Bill has tested his 'tolerance for idiocy'. (Free Malaysia Today) - An academic has decided to thumb his nose at the recently tabled Peaceful Assembly Bill by doing exactly what the Bill aims to prohibit. Wong Chin Huat of Monash University has organised a peaceful assembly called "Malaysians Can Walk Freely In KLCC Without Police Permit" to take place this Saturday afternoon at the mall. As of last night, 300 people have indicated their attendance via the event's Facebook page. But Wong isn't out to recreate Bersih 2.0. For him even 50 people would be enough to drive home the absurdity of the Bill and show the government that the people will not accept the Bill in its current form. Touted by the opposition and NGOs as being even more repressive than the Police Act 1967, the Bill seeks to ban street protests and empowers the police to impose restrictions on public assemblies. "My tolerance for idiocy has reached its limit with that Bill," an exasperated Wong told FMT. "Would you need a police permit to hold a wedding dinner or to go to the pasar malam with friends?" "So why do you need one for an assembly with a cause attached to it? The government isn't banning personal and professional assemblies, so why ban political ones?" Wong explained that he also wanted the public to rethink their notion of a demonstration in that it needn't involve banners, placards and shouting. "That just gives the police a legit excuse to stop the demonstration," he pointed out. "So we will show them that we can still demonstrate without any of that." "If the people feel strongly enough they can bring a flag because we are there for our country. Or they can bring balloons or flowes because rallies are meant to be fun."
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| Race-based affirmative action needed for now Posted: 23 Nov 2011 03:49 PM PST In saying this, an academic however adds that its programmes must be made more effective so that they can one day be removed. (Free Malaysia Today) - An academic believes that while race-based affirmative action has failed in its mission to unify the country, it can never be replaced by need-based considerations. Lee Hock Aun, a senior lecturer of development studies at the Faculty of Economics and Administration in Universiti Malaya, said that need-based considerations should in fact be enforced within race-based actions so as to achieve the best results. "Need-based considerations complement measures to redress racial under-representation by targeting the socio-economically needy with the beneficiary group. "Addressing need-based issues alone isn't going to engender a change in upward mobility sufficiently or at a politically acceptable pace. And politics are important here for a symbolic and substantial change, " he added during a talk entitled "Affirmative Action in Malaysia versus Affirmative Action in South Africa" at the LoyarBurok Community Centre here last night. Lee explained that while need-based considerations would be feasible in the realm of education, it would be a tangled mess where employment and business dealings are concerned. He pointed out that it is universally acceptable that children should not be denied an education just because they are born into unfortunate circumstances. Need-based considerations, therefore, would seamlessly factor into this situation. But he questioned whether an employer would then also be expected to give preference to candidates based on their socio-economic background and an assessment of their needs. Or whether a contract should be awarded to the vendor who is deemed to be in greater need of business. "It's practically very difficult," Lee said. "If need-based considerations are replacing race-based actions, then a framework with thorough guidelines is needed." "But perhaps more importantly is to make the current race-based actions more effective so that one day it will be no longer needed and can be removed entirely." Here the executive director of the Research for Social Enhancement (Refsa), Teh Chi-Chang, interjected with an observation that the implemantation of Article 153 is arguable. He pointed out that the second provision refers to the reservation of places for the Malays in institutions of higher learning. "But the approach today has been the establishment of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) colleges that are strictly for Bumiputeras," Teh said. "It's not reservational any longer since there is now a whole new section that excludes other communities. In a different climate you could challenge that as unconstitutional. " Another participant then pointed out that many students from Mara colleges floundered upon entering public universities as their educational foundation proved to be weak.
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| Emergency laws lifted, EO void Posted: 23 Nov 2011 03:46 PM PST The government lifts the existing three emergency proclamations which in effect makes the Emergency Ordinance void. (Free Malaysia Today) - The government today lifted the three existing emergency proclamations, rendering the Emergency Public Order and Prevention of Crime Ordinance 1969 (EO) void. In accordance with clause (7) Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, the EO would lapse in May, six months after the proclamations are lifted. The three proclamations are:
1977 Emergency Proclamation issued in Kelantan on Nov 8, 1977 to resolve the state's political disputes. "The reason the proclamations are lifted is because the emergency situation which threatens the security, economic livelihood and public order does not exist at the present moment," Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak told the Dewan Rakyat. He also informed the House that with the EO rendered void, a need arises for the government to take the necessary steps to ensure that there would be no difficulties or obstacles for the authorities to control crime, protect economic livelihood and ensure public order. The existence of the proclamations also gave the government, under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, to make laws without passing them through Parliament. However, Najib said with the lifting of these proclamations, the government no longer has the power to make laws under Article 150.
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| Students allowed to join political parties Posted: 23 Nov 2011 03:37 PM PST Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak says the undergraduates are mature enough as they had reached the legal age. (Free Malaysia Today) - Prime Minister Najib Razak today annouced that Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) will be amended to allow undergraduates to be members of political parties. Najib said this in the Dewan Rakyat today while tabling a motion to lift the emergency proclamations. He said that the undergraduates were mature enough as they had reached a legal age. "The government believes in the maturity and intelligence of the undergraduates. In order to respect the constitutional right of the undergrads who have reached the legal age, or age of majority, the government will amend Section 15 of UUCA to allow them to become members of political parties." "But we will be strict in not allowing politics to enter the campuses," he said. This effectively allows undergraduates above the age of 21 to participate in political activities, barring that activities are not held on university grounds. Najib, the Pekan MP, however, said that the government will appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision's on Oct 31, which ruled that the UUCA was unconstitutional as it violates freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. "The government will file an appeal as the decision has far-reaching implications on the principles of law in the country," he said. In April 2010, four Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) students were caught campaigning during the Hulu Selangor by-election, which was in breach of the UUCA. The four then challenged UKM in the High Court for allegedly violating their freedom of expression, which is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. However, the High Court dismissed their case, prompting them to appeal against the decision. Many student activists have claimed that the UUCA restricts them as adults of legal age to their right to participate actively in politics, if they wish to do so. Najib's said that his announcement was in line with spirit of the Government Transformation Program (GTP), which provides for a more open society.
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| Najib urged to consult Anwar on election date Posted: 23 Nov 2011 03:35 PM PST A consensus between BN and Pakatan makes greater democratic sense and shows political maturity, says PKR man. (Free Malaysia Today) - A PKR leader wants Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to meet with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to jointly fix the date of the next general election. "It will settle the question of whether the four Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states should hold separate elections from the parliamentary one," said Sim Tze Tzin, Penang PKR's info chief. "The way forward for Malaysia is a bipartisan consensus on when to hold elections as this reflects political maturity and a greater democratic sense," he said. The country is heading towards a two-party system where neither side have absolute power. A check and balance system can eventually lead to good governance, Sim said. Therefore, an important milestone such as a general election, should be decided on a consensus between BN and Pakatan, he added. "It's unfair for one man to decide the fate of 27 million citizens on the date of an important event such as an election. Once the date is known, people would settle down unlike now, where there are intense lobbying and politicking." Sim cited the example of former British premier Gordon Brown, who after consulation with all stakeholders, set an early election date for his country. This, he said, reflects Britain's recognition of due electoral process, and it is an element which Malaysia can also adopt since both share similar Commonwealth constitutional law. Sim said an early election date would also boost the economy as the markets would react positively to the news. "Businessmen and investors hate uncertainty. An early date would spill over to the markets and bring about more economic activities." Sim said if Pakatan refuses to hold concurrent state elections with a parliamentary one, both political blocs would lose out while the people would shoulder the burden of voting twice. Having separate elections can benefit either BN or Pakatan, he contended, as both blocs have their own advantages if there are separate elections in the four states. Speculation is that the BN-led federal government may dissolve Parliament anytime from now, paving the way for a national-level election for 222 parliamentary seats. Pakatan states do not plan to follow the parliamentary-level election, creating a possibility that voters in Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Kelantan may end up voting twice, one for parliament and at a later date for their respective states. Meanwhile, DAP leaders here seemed to be in two minds over whether the four Pakatan states should hold a separate state election. DAP chairman Karpal Singh said both state and parliamentary elections should be held at the same time to save costs but in a recent statement, Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow begged to differ after a challenge by MCA Youth head Wee Ka Siong. His reason was separate polls will be a waste of the taxpayers' money, a logistical nightmare, and troublesome for voters who will have to travel to their constituencies twice.
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| Sabah, Sarawak to be major shareholders of MasWings Posted: 23 Nov 2011 01:55 PM PST By Marhalim Abas and Sulok Tawie, The Sun PETALING JAYA (Nov 23, 2011): Sabah and Sarawak state governments will be the major shareholders of MasWings when the airline becomes a regional airline. Aviation industry sources told theSun yesterday that the several prominent businessmen from both states have also agreed to buy stakes in the airline which was expected to be relaunched by the middle of next year. The sources however said that the both state governments will continue to hold a major share of the new airline to ensure that the service would not suffer to 'whims and fancies of the owners". The sources said negotiations were being conducted and were expected to be made public soon. It was learnt that the plans for the new airline was put in motion after Malaysia Airlines took over the jet service of its subsidiary, Firefly, last month. The takeover meant Firefly no longer services Sabah and Sarawak, handing back the low fare sector to Air Asia. Sources told theSun, the decision to end the Firefly service was taken poorly by the people in Sabah and Sarawak, prompting both state governments to lobby Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to acquire MasWings. It was learnt that negotiations were being carried to wet-lease at four narrow body jets so the airline could start servicing the Sabah/Sarawak to peninsula route soon. (The wet lease of an aircraft is an arrangement whereby the lessor provides at least some crew, maintenance and fuel.) Initially it was planned that the airline was to make two daily flights from both Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur. Other routes for the airline may include KK to Tawau, Kuching to Bintulu/Miri and Kuching to KK. The airline may also lease turbo-props planes to add to the six ATR-72s turbo-props already operated by MASWings for flights in both states. Meanwhile, in Kuching, Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Openg confirmed that the state may become the major shareholder of the airline. "At this moment, it is still too premature to say much, but definitely, we will have something in mind," he told reporters when launching the Sarawak Tourism Calender for 2012 at the Media Room of the State Legislative Assembly. He said with more shares, the State would have better say in the running of MasWings in its operations. Abang Johari said if all goes according to plan, MasWings will start operating as a regional airline next year. "But first, it must acquire at least four jetliners before it can start operating at a regional airline," he said, adding that currently MASWings is operating a fleet of ATR turbo-prop aircraft. "As a regional airline, MASWings will have to fly to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong. These are important hubs in the region," he added when asked to elaborate on his statement when winding up the debate in the State Legislative Assembly today. On the Sarawak Tourism Calender, Abang Johari said that his ministry will organise a series of events next year as a prelude to the state's 50th anniversary in the formation of Malaysia. "We have declared the year 2013 as a special year to mark the 50th anniversary," he said. "Events and festivals will be our major attraction to entice immediate arrivals into the state," he added. |
| Posted: 23 Nov 2011 01:34 PM PST (The Sun) - GEORGE TOWN (Nov 23, 2011): The Penang state government wants an amicable solution to resolve a deadlock in implementing the newly gazetted State Housing Board. The obstacle in the setting-up of the housing board is due to the federal Public Services Department (PSD) holding back the appointments of the essential personnel to serve in the board. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state is still waiting for a positive response from the PSD, so that the state could activate the board to start implementing its housing policy, programme and projects. "Our efforts to provide affordable quality housing for the poor is being frustrated because of the PSD failure to make the appointments of personnel. We want an amicable solution, and we hope to have further discussions." Lim said this after handing over emergency aid cheques to three families whose houses were destroyed by fire here on Tuesday. The funds were provided through a policy put in place since 2008 for aid to be given to fire victims within 24 hours of the incident Lim said the affordable housing issue was too important to be politicised and that other states like Sabah and Sarawak have successfully formed similar housing boards. The Penang version was started through an enactment passed by the State Assembly last year. But the Special Committee to Study Higher Level Posts decided to postpone making any appointment to serve in the Penang board. Asked if the state can go ahead and appoint its own staff, Lim said it may not be legally possible, adding that "we don't want to come down to that." Lim said that the Penang state government will, however, proceed with plans to have an affordable housing project in Batu Kawan, despite the setback with the board. Lim also said that the state government has also launched a RM500 million Affordable Quality Home Fund to serve the whole state. |
| Return BN to power if you want development, Kedah folk told Posted: 23 Nov 2011 01:33 PM PST (Bernama) - SUNGAI PETANI (Nov 24, 2011): Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today advised the people of Kedah to return the Barisan Nasional to power in the state if they want development. It is hoped that the people will consider well before picking the party to administer Kedah, he said in his speech after breakfast with the people in Sungai Lalang Lama town here as he kicked off his day-long visit to the state. "The federal government will continue to help the people of Kedah to lead a comfortable life. The people have a choice ... to seek aid from the prime minister or the menteri besar," he said. Muhyiddin arrived at the town by express bus from Butterworth at 8.50 am and was greeted by leaders and members of BN component parties MCA, MIC, PPP and Gerakan. He had flown into the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Butterworth at 8.15 am and was welcomed by Kedah Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and Kedah BN leaders. Also with Muhyiddin at the breakfast were Ahmad Bashah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Merbok Umno Division chief Datuk Tajul Urus Mohd Zain. Muhyiddin pledged to give due consideration to the request from the people of the town for aid to build a mosque and toilets. After alighting from the bus, Muhyiddin entered Yi Ding Xian Restaurant and chatted with the patrons. Then he visited each of the shops nearby. He also met the people at the market and the staff of the rural clinic before having breakfast with about 1,000 people. Tajul Urus, in his speech, pledged that the voters of Merbok parliamentary constituency will not disappoint the BN in the next general election. At about 10 am the deputy prime minister left for Universiti Teknoloji Mara (UiTM) in Merbok where he is scheduled to have a meeting with the people and retired teachers and present aid to religious schools as well as the one-off |
| Opposition riles Taib with questions on contracts Posted: 23 Nov 2011 01:26 PM PST By Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: Sarawak's Chief Minister Taib Mahmud lost his cool in the State Legislative Assembly yesterday when an opposition assemblyman sought clarification over contracts awarded to his son Abu Bekir Mahmud's company Titanium Management Project Sdn Bhd. Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen hit a raw nerve in Taib when he stood up to raise a point of order, interjecting Taib's winding-up speech during the final day sitting of the state assembly. Chong wanted to know from Taib himself the number of contracts given to Abu Bekir's company. A visibly angry Taib challenged Chong to repeat the allegation outside the house. Chong, who has been exposing irregularities in the awarding of contracts by the state government, accepted the challenge. At a press conference later, Chong repeated what he said in the state assembly. He said Titanium Project Management had been awarded construction of a few hundred bridges worth RM1,178,410,000 without open tender. The five-year contract for the bridges was awarded in 2008. In 2001, the government awarded the construction of 384 bridges to Titanium Management Sdn Bhd for RM500 million. The company managed to complete 332 bridges or 80 percent of the job, but over the years the cost had spiralled. According to Chong, the government now has to pay the company RM948 million. He reiterated that Titanium Management belonged to Abu Bekir. Chong had submitted questions on the awarding of the government contracts to Titanium Project Management, but Speaker Awang Asfia Nassar had rejected them. Hansard tampered Meanwhile, the House also rejected a motion by Padungan (DAP) assemblyman Wong King Wei seeking to reinstate his statement involving Daya Syukra Sdn Bhd into the official Hansard dated Nov 18, 2011, at page 63. According to Wong, his statement: "Daya Syukra Sdn Bhd is owned by four children of Yang Amat Berhormat Chief Minister in equal shares of 100,000 each namely Jamilah Hamidah Taib, Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, Hanifar Hajah Taib and Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib" had been removed from the Hansard. That part of Wong's speech was expunged from the Hansard when he spoke during the debate on the state budget last week on the subject of businesses owned by Taib's four children. When Wong sought clarification from Asfia as to why that part of his speech was expunged, a heated argument ensued resulting in the speaker giving Wong the marching order. Wong was advised to give a notice of motion to the Dewan if he wanted to raise a point of order regarding the matter. Wong then submitted the notice early on Wednesday morning and was heard in the afternoon after the chief minister had concluded his winding-up speech. During the debate on Nov 18, Wong had said that a company named Shoreline Development Sdn Bhd had been alienated parcels of state land situated at Tanjung Lobang in Miri.
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| Finance Minister II dodges NFC query Posted: 23 Nov 2011 01:22 PM PST By Yow Hong Chieh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — Datuk Seri Husni Hanadzlah today declined to elaborate on the standard procedure for disbursing government loans in the wake of allegations that a publicly-funded cattle venture had misused its federal funds. "The National Feedlot issue is already under police investigation. Let that be completed... "This is under their jurisdiction. Let them handle it," the second finance minister told reporters after delivering his keynote address at the 16th Malaysian Capital Market Summit here. The National Feedlot Centre (NFC) has been dogged by allegations of corruption and fund misappropriation after it made it into the pages of this year's Auditor-General's Report, which described the project "as a mess". PKR has alleged that NFC funds were used for minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil's personal expenses and that of her family, as well as to purchase two condominium units at the luxurious One Menerung in Bangsar for RM13.8 million. Shahrizat's husband and NFC chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail broke his silence last week to defend the property buy as an investment and to deny that the project was a failure. Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar has also said the NFC was never brought up in Cabinet during the previous Abdullah Ahmad Badawi administration, as it was under the purview of the Cabinet Committee for High-Impact Projects, then chaired by Datuk Seri Najib Razak. PKR further alleged on Monday that the funds meant for the NFC were used to pay for umrah packages and set up two Singapore-based companies, both owned by Shahrizat's family. The opposition party claimed to have proof that Mohamed Salleh had ordered a payment of RM31,580 to be made for his haj pilgrimage and that of his son Izran in 2010. PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution has urged the police and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to probe all transactions between the NFC and its associated companies, the National Meat and Livestocks Corporation (NMLC) and Real Food Company (RFC). Both NMLC and RFC are majority-owned by Mohamad Salleh and his children Izran and Izmir.
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| PM calls new assembly law ‘revolutionary’ Posted: 23 Nov 2011 01:20 PM PST By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider Rubbishing accusations that the Peaceful Assembly Bill was repressive, Datuk Seri Najib Razak today instead declared it a "revolutionary" law and a "giant leap" towards improving individual freedom.
The prime minister pointed out to opposition lawmakers in Parliament that, under the new legislation, the powers of the police would be capped and punitive action against protestors reduced to only fines instead of jail sentences. "We aware, however, that no matter how noble the government's intentions are, the opposition has already objected to the law. "Supposedly, it chokes freedom to assemble. Is this allegation true? The answer: Not true at all," he said when tabling a motion to lift three Emergency declarations here today. |
Reacting to this, Taiping member of parliament Nga Kor Ming (pic) said the state's debt for last year was greater than the budget for all state projects such as the micro scheme credit, housing aid, food aid, festival aid, Tabaruk scheme and family economic cluster scheme.
Nga said some 192,000 families in the state earned less than RM2,300 a month, representing 12.2 percent of all families in the country under the poverty group.| You are subscribed to email updates from Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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