Ahad, 18 September 2011

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

0 ulasan 9:37 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

BN confident of recapturing Selangor in next GE
Stop the Charade!
Jalur Gemilang approved by King George VI
Why push for a Rakyat Reform Agenda?
Invitation to the MCLM forums on Rakyat Reform Agenda (RARA)
Can we look at this instead, a Bill of Rights?
Perkasa to reject new laws if too unlike ISA
PBS still trying to justify return to BN
More trouble brewing in Sabah BN
Several key Sarawak PKR men resign
Najib told to release detainees of outgoing ISA
Number of Bangladeshi takers of Malaysian residency offer falls
DPM rubbishes Bangladeshi votes-for-citizenship claim
WIKILEAKS: Ringgit Rises as Proton Flounders: Malaysia Economic Update for May 2007

BN confident of recapturing Selangor in next GE

Posted: 18 Sep 2011 09:57 AM PDT

By Kong See Hoh, The Sun

PETALING JAYA (Sept 18, 2011): Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) is quite confident of recapturing the Selangor state government in the next general election, Oriental Daily News reported today.

A survey done by the coalition showed that there is a swing in support back to BN among Malay and Indian voters although the Chinese are still taking a wait-and-see attitude.

A BN grassroots leader who spoke on condition of anonymity told the daily that the Selangor Barisan Nasional convention in Shah Alam on Saturday looked at BN's chances in the 56 state seats.

It was revealed that the majority of seats still regarded as "black" (less than 50% chance of winning) are located in predominantly Chinese areas, and that of all seats traditionally given to MCA to contest, only one is categorised as "white" (no risk of losing), ie Sungai Pelek.

"Even so, many leaders and even the prime minister in his speech (at the convention) believed that although the Chinese voters are taking the 'wait-and-see' stand, things are looking up for the BN.

"They feel a further change in BN leaders' attitudes would help win back the Chinese votes," said the grassroots leader.

Apart from the opening address by Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak (pix), who is Selangor BN chief, several other events took place behind closed doors, including a question and answer session, a winding-up by Najib; a meeting with the chiefs and deputy chiefs of the four state BN component parties.

The main objective of the convention was to unite the component parties as the next general election draws near.

Najib has emphasised that BN leaders should not clamour for party positions but focus their efforts towards wresting back the state from the Opposition.

He said there must not be any internal bickering among and within component parties.

"Everyone must be willing to accept and support candidates chosen by the party leadership.

"Whoever the candidate, or whichever party he represents is not important. We must give our wholehearted support to ensure a Barisan win," he said.

It is understood that the state BN leaders will meet soon, to come up with new strategies aimed at retaking Selangor in the upcoming general election.

Meanwhile, Selangor MCA chief Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai urged BN top leadership to identify as soon as possible its candidates for constituencies where the coalition only has a 50% chance of winning. This is to give them enough time to serve the people and to gain exposure.

"If the candidates are only named three weeks before the polls, they may not have enough time to make preparations," Sin Chew Daily quoted him as saying.

"The prime minister has already said we must field winnable candidates. But sometimes, the suitable candidates are not the division chiefs. This are among questions that have to be considered and resolved wisely."

He said MCA's target in the next general election is to win half the number of seats it contests.

Lim disclosed that MCA has proposed that both the federal and state governments build more Chinese primary schools in areas such as Puchong and Klang where there is a large concentration of Chinese.

At the state BN convention, Lim urged BN's top leadership to take disciplinary action against leaders who make remarks that go against the BN spirit.

He said Selangor MCA also urged the BN leadership to advise government-linked companies not to implement policies that will further burden the people.

Stop the Charade!

Posted: 18 Sep 2011 09:37 AM PDT

By Lim Kit Siang

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is outdoing himself every day with taller and ever incredible claims – yesterday claiming that no one else but Barisan Nasional should take credit for the repeal of the Internal Security Act and other law reforms he announced in his Malaysia Day message and today reiterating that the repeal of the ISA is not due to pressure from any quarter but an effort to make Malaysia the "best democracy in the world".

Najib should stop the charade of claiming to want to be the "best democracy in the world" when what he should do is to immediately end Malaysia's ranking as a "flawed democracy" before Malaysia could qualify to rank among the full democracies in the world.

The third edition of the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Democracy Index 2010 released early this year categorised Malaysia as a "flawed democracy" due to "a gradual erosion of civil liberties and political culture in the past year" with Malaysia's aggregate score dropping 0.17 to 6.19 out of 10 from the previous index in 2008, and the overall country ranking falling from 68th to 71st out of 167 countries.

Twenty-six countries, headed by Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand,Australia, Finland, Switzerland, Canada and Netherlands in the top 10, were in the first category of 26 "Full democracies" – which includes two Asian countries, South Korea (20) and Japan (22).

Malaysia with the overall 71st ranking, is in the second category of "Flawed Democracies", trailing behind South Africa (30), Chile (34), Taiwan (36), Israel (37), India (40), Timor-Leste (42), Jamaica (43), Panama (46), Brazil (47), Mexico (50), Argentina (51), Sri Lanka (55), Thailand (57), Indonesia (60) and Mongolia (64).

Who advised Najib that the repeal of the ISA (which is be replaced with two new laws raising concerns whether they would be ISA type of substitutes) and other reforms, Malaysia will catapult not only from the ranks of "Flawed Democracies" but to top the ranking of "Full Democracies" as to be the "best democracy in the world"?

The EIU's Democracy Index is based on five categories: electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture.

The condition of having free and fair competitive elections, and satisfying related aspects of political freedom, is regarded as the sine quo non of all definitions of a democracy.

On "electoral process and pluralism", Malaysia trails behind 88 other countries – 26 "Full Democracies" and 62 "Flawed Democracies".

Posted: 18 Sep 2011 07:42 AM PDT

KTemoc Konsiders

Low brow ethnic pseudo-warrior Muhyiddin Yassin has condemned a DAP Selangor ADUN, M Manoharan, for showing disrespect to (what Muhyiddin termed) as 'national heritage' when the ADUN called for a redesign of the Malaysian flag.

National heritage?

Really, any commonsense understanding would tell us that a national flag, while a symbol of national identity, pride and belonging, is not exempt from changes, as shown by a number of countries.

For example, Canada has made one of the most improved changes to national flags to enhance its Canadian identity – see below and understand how the maple leaf design stands out remarkably and uniquely as Canadian, making the Canadian flag renowned as one of the best flag designs – a design which came about through deliberate change.

READ MORE HERE

Why push for a Rakyat Reform Agenda?

Posted: 18 Sep 2011 06:05 AM PDT

THE PEOPLE'S PARLIAMENT

In early February, 2008, civil society came out with 2 documents.

The People's Voice & The People's Declaration.

If to-date, you have not seen either document, you can view both HERE.

You will see that the People's Voice is a 4-page "what we don't want in our country" list.

The People's Declaration, on the other hand, is a 19-page 'wish list' blueprint for nation-building.

Both documents were sent out to political parties on both sides of the divide, with a request that the same be studied and, thereafter, to publicly announce if they would indorse the same.

With the exception of the United Pasok Nunukragang National Organisation (Pasok) from Sabah, all other BN parties never responded.

Pasok confirmed their support and indorsement of the two documents.

As did DAP, PAS, PKR, PSM and MDP.

On 23rd February, 2008, 2 weeks before we went to the polls, a historic event was hosted at what was once Blog House ( now Rumah Anak Bangsa Malaysia ). Malaysiakini has a report of the event which you can read HERE

Given the indorsement by DAP, PAS and PKR of the People's Declaration, many, including Raja Petra and myself, went to ground to campaign for these parties during the 12th GE.

Our objective : kick BN out, see DAP, PAS and PKR installed in Putrajaya as the 12th federal government and, we hoped, the beginning of the rehabilitation of the nation premised upon the People's Declaration.

However, things did not quite turn out the way we had hoped.

With the abuse of the postal vote, phantom voters, vote buying and the benefit of shameless gerrymandering, we found ourselves still lumbered with BN in Putrajaya post 8th March, 2008.

Needless to say, nothing that has been laid out in the People's Declaration has seen the light of the day.

BN will not give us the reforms the nation so badly needs.

However, some of us have looked closely again at the People's Declaration and feel that this blueprint for reform probably envisages nation-building spanning over some 30 years.

We felt that what was needed was a reform agenda that could be seen through during a 5-year period, that i, the full term of an elected federal government.

An agenda that the non-BN political parties could not just pledge to implement but, if given the mandate to form the next federal government at the 13th general election, deliver these reforms to the people during their term in office.

With this end in mind, MCLM wishes to share with the rakyat and the non-BN political parties the RAKYAT REFORM AGENDA (RARA).

Posted: 18 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT

The Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement will be officially launching a series of forums nationwide on the 'Rakyat Reform Agenda' beginning from Monday 19th September 2011 in Kuala Lumpur at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) from 7pm - 11pm.

It is MCLM's fervent hope that in order for Malaysia to be the great inclusive nation envisioned by our founding fathers, we must return to basic principles.

How will we achieve this? The answer - Through the Rakyat Reform Agenda (RARA), which is a four-point plan to:

1. Honour the agreements made in 1963 between the Federation of Malaya and Sabah and Sarawak prior to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia

2. Restore the national institutions to the Rakyat – the judiciary, Election Commission, police force, Attorney-General, etc.

3. Restore the liberties guaranteed to the Rakyat under the Federal Constitution by repealing the ISA, OSA, PPPA, UUCA and Sedition Act

4. Adopt the Social Inclusion Agenda, designed to raise the living standards of all marginalised persons in Malaysia.

Apart from Kuala Lumpur, the MCLM RARA forums will also be held in Kota Kinabalu (27th Sep), Sandakan (29th Sep), Kuching (1st Oct), Penang (24th Oct), Ipoh (25th Oct) culminating in Johor Baru (27th Oct). Details on the time and exact venues at these locations will be provided in due course.

We would appreciate if you can send your journalist to cover the KL event.

MCLM Secretariat

For further information, please contact the MCLM Secretariat at Tel: 03-79827101/79712244 or Fax: 03-79829097 or Email: admin@mclm.org.uk

Can we look at this instead, a Bill of Rights?

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 09:26 PM PDT

The current debate raging throughout Malaysia is on the reforms that Najib Tun Razak is introducing and the repeal of the ISA. I wrote about this matter in an earlier article two days ago (READ HERE). Maybe it is time we discussed some of those details which we should be looking at as part of this reform agenda. Of course, this is not complete but can be the beginning of the foundation of Malaysia's new Bill of Rights. I hope Najib will sincerely consider these proposals, which have been given in good faith.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

I. Equality

1. Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.

2. Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken.

3. The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.

II. Freedom and security of the person

Everyone has the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right:

i. not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause;

ii. not to be detained without trial;

iii. to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources;

iv. not to be tortured in any way;

v. not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way.

III. Privacy

Everyone has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have:

i. their person or home searched;

ii. their property searched;

iii. their possessions seized;

iv. the privacy of their communications infringed.

IV. Freedom of religion, belief and opinion

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.

2. Religious observances may be conducted at state or state-aided institutions, provided that:

i. those observances follow rules made by the appropriate public authorities;

ii. they are conducted on an equitable basis;

iii. attendance at them is free and voluntary and without compulsion or force.

V. Freedom of expression

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes:

i. freedom of the press and other media;

ii. freedom to receive or impart information or ideas;

iii. freedom of artistic creativity;

iv. academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.

2. The right in subsection (1) above does not extend to:

i. propaganda for war;

ii. incitement of imminent violence;

iii. advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm.

VI. Freedom of assembly, demonstration, picket and petition

Everyone has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions.

VII. Freedom of association

Everyone has the right to freedom of association.

VIII. Political rights

1. Every citizen is free to make political choices, which includes the right:

i. to form a political party;

ii. to participate in the activities of, or recruit members for, a political party;

iii. to campaign for a political party or cause.

2. Every citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections for any legislative body established in terms of the Constitution.

3. Every adult citizen has the right:

i. to vote in elections for any legislative body established in terms of the Constitution, and to do so in secret;

ii. to stand for public office and, if elected, to hold office.

IX. Citizenship

No citizen may be deprived of citizenship.

X. Freedom of movement and residence

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement.

2. Everyone has the right to leave the country.

3. Every citizen has the right to enter, to remain in and to reside anywhere in, the country.

4. Every citizen has the right to a passport.

XI. Labour relations

1. Everyone has the right to fair labour practices.

2. Every worker has the right:

i. to form and join a trade union;

ii. to participate in the activities and programmes of a trade union;

iii. to strike.

3. Every employer has the right:

i. to form and join an employers' organisation;

ii. to participate in the activities and programmes of an employers' organisation.

4. Every trade union and every employers' organisation has the right:

i. to determine its own administration, programmes and activities;

ii. to organise;

iii. to form and join a federation.

5. Every trade union, employers' organisation and employer has the right to engage in collective bargaining.

XII. Arrested, detained and accused persons

1. Everyone who is arrested for allegedly committing an offence has the right:

i. to remain silent;

ii. to be informed promptly:

a. of the right to remain silent; and

b. of the consequences of not remaining silent;

iii. not to be compelled to make any confession or admission that could be used in evidence against that person;

iv. to be brought before a court as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than:

a. 24 hours after the arrest; or

b. the end of the first court day after the expiry of the 24 hours, if the 24 hours expire outside ordinary court hours or on a day which is not an ordinary court day;

v. at the first court appearance after being arrested, to be charged or to be informed of the reason for the detention to continue, or to be released.

2. Everyone who is detained, including every sentenced prisoner, has the right:

i. to be informed promptly of the reason for being detained;

ii. to choose, and to consult with, a legal practitioner, and to be informed of this right promptly;

iii. to have a legal practitioner assigned to the detained person by the state and at state expense, if substantial injustice would otherwise result, and to be informed of this right promptly;

iv. to challenge the lawfulness of the detention in person before a court and, if the detention is unlawful, to be released;

v. to conditions of detention that are consistent with human dignity, including at least exercise and the provision, at state expense, of adequate accommodation, nutrition, reading material and medical treatment;

vi. to communicate with, and be visited by, that person's

a. spouse or partner;

b. next of kin;

c. chosen religious counsellor; and

d. chosen medical practitioner.

3. Every accused person has a right to a fair trial, which includes the right:

i. to be informed of the charge with sufficient detail to answer it;

ii. to have adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence;

iii. to a public trial before an ordinary court;

iv. to have their trial begin and conclude without unreasonable delay;

v. to be present when being tried;

vi. to choose, and be represented by, a legal practitioner, and to be informed of this right promptly;

vii. to have a legal practitioner assigned to the accused person by the state and at state expense, if substantial injustice would otherwise result, and to be informed of this right promptly;

viii. to be presumed innocent, to remain silent, and not to testify during the proceedings;

ix. to adduce and challenge evidence;

x. not to be compelled to give self-incriminating evidence;

xi. to be tried in a language that the accused person understands or, if that is not practicable, to have the proceedings interpreted in that language;

xii. not to be convicted for an act or omission that was not an offence under either national or international law at the time it was committed or omitted;

xiii. not to be tried for an offence in respect of an act or omission for which that person has previously been either acquitted or convicted;

xiv. to the benefit of the least severe of the prescribed punishments if the prescribed punishment for the offence has been changed between the time that the offence was committed and the time of sentencing;

xv. of appeal to, or review by, a higher court.

4. Whenever this section requires information to be given to a person, that information must be given in a language that the person understands.

5. Evidence obtained in a manner that violates any right in the Bill of Rights must be excluded if the admission of that evidence would render the trial unfair or otherwise be detrimental to the administration of justice.

XIII. State of emergency

A state of emergency may be declared only in terms of an Act of Parliament, and only when:

1. the nation is threatened by war, invasion, general insurrection, disorder, natural disaster or other public emergency; and

2. the declaration is necessary to restore peace and order.

Perkasa to reject new laws if too unlike ISA

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 07:59 PM PDT

By Yow Hong Chieh, The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 – Perkasa will reject the new anti-terrorism laws the prime minister has proposed if they do not keep to the "preventive spirit" of the recently scrapped Internal Security Act (ISA).

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali(picture) said it was necessary to preserve or even improve upon the preventive aspects of the ISA to ensure security forces have a viable "instrument" with which to quickly stamp out subversive activities and keep the nation safe.

The Malay rights leader cited alleged insults to Islam and increasing criticism of Article 153, which accords a special position to Bumiputeras, as examples of activities that could threaten the stability and safety of the people.

"We know who did it but it's difficult to prove in court. But security (forces) know who is responsible," he told reporters here after Perkasa concluded an emergency meeting to discuss the ISA's repeal.

Ibrahim stressed that there should be no compromises when formulating the new laws as Malaysia's development and progress hinged entirely on its security, adding that the ISA was one of the most effective tools to ensure the nation's peace.

He urged the government to discuss the new laws with stakeholders, especially the police, before deciding on the contents of the proposed anti-terrorism laws.

"I hope the government doesn't bend to political sentiment from any party when creating these new laws... What's key is that the people should decide on their own security. This is the people's right," he said.

Perkasa will meet with Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein soon to discuss the details of the new laws, Ibrahim added.

On Thursday night, the prime minister announced that the repeal of the ISA and the three Emergency Declarations when both the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat have their next sitting.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said new laws will be enacted to protect the peace, harmony and security of the country.

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 07:12 PM PDT

Observers note that PBS leaders are becoming worried that supporters don't think much of them.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Former Sabah political powerhouse, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), is still struggling to explain its re-entry into BN coalition government that had robbed them of power almost two decades ago.

On Saturday, the party latched on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's recent decision to repeal the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) as justification for their re-entry into the BN fold in 2002 despite misgivings by supporters.

"Today Pairin's faith in the BN to do the right things for the people and nation has been proven correct," PBS information chief, Johnny Mositun said after opening its Kuamut division annual general meeting here.

"These important reforms vindicate the decision by our president, Joseph Pairin Kitingan, to rejoin the BN 10 years ago. He stood by his convictions despite all the criticism and uncharitable remarks
directed at him by his detractors then.

Mositun was commenting on Najib's announcement on Malaysia Day that the harsh colonial era law would be repealed while the powers of detention now vested in the police would be reviewed and transferred to the judiciary.

"These and other recent changes made by our Prime Minister since assuming office two years ago prove that the BN is listening to the people. The people should no longer question the Prime Minister's commitment and political will to transform this country for the better."

Mositun, however, also touched on outstanding matters to be resolved such as illegal immigrants, Borneonisation of the civil service in Sabah, the status of Sino-Natives and NCR land, issues which have riled up Sabahans for decades but have been ignored.

LDP under fire

The state BN coalition is aware that they are treading a tightrope on these grievances and recently moved to resolve a longstanding dispute over NCR land in Kota Marudu to the satisfaction of all parties.

Appearing to take credit for solving the impasse, Mositun said: "I am also happy that a similar dispute that I raised at PPRT Tongod Scheme affecting 700 villagers in 2006 has been settled amicably.

"Not only are the villagers allowed to remain on their land, they are receiving RM450 per month each from SLDB which has also developed the land for them with oil palm," he said.

Mositun said PBS had been quietly and consistently pursuing such problems within the BN along with its partners in the state BN.

He praised Chief Minister Musa Aman for being helpful in seeking solutions to these problems and said the party was confident most of Sabah's outstanding problems could be resolved through cooperation and dialogue and not confrontation.

Mositun also took time out to criticise LDP deputy president Chin Su Phin for suggesting that the terms of office for chief ministers and menteris besar be limited to two terms, an idea mooted by Jeffrey Kitingan, the the younger brother of the PBS president, who is now chairman of two Sabah NGOs – Borneo Heritage Foundation and United Borneo Front.

He said LDP had exceeded the bounds of decorum expected of a BN component party by making such a suggestion.

"Chin Su Phin has an axe to grind against Musa Aman. He finds this a convenient excuse to cover his real purpose which is to see our chief minister replaced.

"I find this very abhorrent and unethical. He deserves to be dealt with appropriately, either by his own party or the state BN."

READ MORE HERE

More trouble brewing in Sabah BN

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 07:10 PM PDT

State BN coalition partners are upset with peninsula-based Gerakan's maneuvering to gain a foothold in Sabah.

(Free Malaysia Today) - An audacious move by non-Sabah based party Gerakan to muscle its way into state politics has been rebuffed by fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) component, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Gerakan, the Penang-based party which has already got a foot in the door of state politics through defections from Sabah-based parties is now demanding they be given constituencies in the state that were previously under Sabah-based BN component parties.

LDP which has borne the brunt of the entry of Gerakan in state politics is furious that the peninsula-based party, which has gained Sabah Cabinet representation through the back door, has become presumptuous enough to believe that it has support in the state.

LDP leaders have been outspoken about the gradual takeover of state affairs by peninsula-based parties who they claim have used national influence to muscle their way into state politics and even engineer the migration of assemblymen from other BN parties.

LDP publicity chief Albert Kok said by right the three assemblymen in Sabah Gerakan, namely Peter Pang (Karamunting), Raymond Tan (Tanjung Papat) and Au Kam Wah (Elopura) "should resign before even asking for seats if they are men of principle".

"Gerakan did not even contest in the state election in 2008 and their three assemblymen are now under different tickets. They cannot even understand this basic Barisan Nasional spirit and now they unashamedly asked for the seats to be given.

"Gerakan should put their house in order first and look at themselves before making such ridiculous demands," he said.

READ MORE HERE

Several key Sarawak PKR men resign

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 07:06 PM PDT

While they gave no reasons for their resignations, the talk is that they are in the midst of forming a new party.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Several PKR leaders, including three chairmen of party divisions, announced their resignations from the party.

No reasons were given for their sudden resignations, but it is speculated that they are involved in the formation of a new party.

The leader of the group Jimmy Donald, the Sri Aman PKR division chairman, said that others who resigned included Serian division chief Jonas Anak Reong, Kapit division head Munan Laja, senior leader of Serian division Matthew American and Dr John Brian Anthony, the PKR defeated candidate for Meluan in the last state polls in April.

"Our resignations are supported by many committee members and ordinary members of the respective divisions," said Donald, who was also a former vice-chairman of Sarawak PKR.

"We want to relax first and you wait and see what our next move is," he told reporters. He however dismissed talk that they were involved in the formation of a new party.

Brian was not present at the press conference held by the others but Donald said that the former had informed him of the resignation.

Speculation is rife that the group is linked to the formation of a new party. The Registrar of Societies has received a number of applications from Sarawak to register new parties.

According to sources, the independent state assemblyman for Pelagus George Lagong is said to be the pro-tem president of the proposed party. Lagong is a BN-friendly independent.

Apart from Brian, those resigning with Donald were associated with Sng Chee Hua and his son Larry Sng in the formation of Parti Rakyat Sarawak in 2004. Two years later they were the same people sacked from the party when they tried to overthrow James Masing as PRS president.

Some of them like Sng and his son Larry remained partyless, but others including Donald, Munan, and Matthew joined PKR.

Although Donald denied about forming a new party, a PKR leader said that their resignations appear to show that they are regrouping, and the possibility of them forming a new party is really there.

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 03:53 PM PDT

(Harakah Daily) - Sep 18: Now that the Internal Security Act is on the way out following prime minister Najib Razak's promise last week, PAS said the remaining detainees under the draconian act should be either released or be charged in court.

"If they (ISA detainees) cannot be released immediately, PAS urges those who are detained without trial to be brought to court immediately so that they can defend themselves if the government has concrete evidences to prove they are terrorists," information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said in a statement.

Najib's announcement of the end of ISA however was followed by a statement by Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein that present detainees would continue to be detained until two new acts were introduced to replace the draconian law.

According to Hishamuddin, the detainees were suspected to have links to terrorist networks.

The euphoria over Najib's speech also seemed to have been silenced by the fact that the ISA would only be repealed next year when the two new acts were tabled as stated by minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz.

In reaction, PAS said it was disappointed with the statements which did not reflect Najib's pledge.

"The two new laws will only be tabled next year according to Nazri and all these will add the suffering to the family of ISA detainees who had high hopes after Najib's announcement two days ago," stressed Tuan Ibrahim.

He urged Hishamuddin to act wisely by releasing all ISA detainees as a gesture of sincerity, adding that it would only help regain people's confidence in the current administration.

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 03:47 PM PDT

By Ismail Hossain, The Financial Express

The number of Bangladeshi citizens accepting 'Malaysian My Second Home Programme' (MM2H) declined in last four years after a sudden rise in between 2004 and 2006.

However, according to the website of 'MM2H', Bangladeshis still maintain the second position, in terms of total number of foreigners who have accepted the Malaysian offer. The programme is an international residency scheme enacted by the government of Malaysia in 1996 to allow foreigners to live in that country on a long-stay up to 10 years on renewable multiple entry visa.

According to the MM2H official statistics, 1867 Bangladeshi citizens so far have taken the offer until February 2011. Though the programme was launched in 1996, Bangladeshi citizens started taking the offer since 2003.

For the first time 32 Bangladeshi citizens listed their names under the programme in 2003, followed by 204 in 2004, 852 in 2005, 341 in 2006, 149 in 2007, 68 in 2008, 86 in 2009, 74 in 2010 and 61 until February in 2011 and availed the offer.

Under the programme, some 16,000 foreign citizens availed the offer for settling down in the newly industrialised country because of the high living standards at comparatively lower cost.

Beside Bangladesh, other top ten countries are China, the United Kingdom, Japan, Iran, Singapore, Taiwan, India, Pakistan and Indonesia.

Local people who accepted the offers told the FE that the reasons behind the declining rate of Bangladeshi citizens taking the offer are government's rigid monetary policy, tougher money laundering law and also strict rules enforced by Malaysian authority.

Two-thirds of the Bangladeshi citizens who sought Malaysian citizenship recently under the programme have been refused due to their bad law-abiding records in Malaysia, said one person, preferring anonymity, who himself took the offer and helped many to follow him.

The individual who owns two travel agencies in Bangladesh, said mostly politicians, businesspersons and government officials, have made substantial investments under 'Malaysia My Second Home Programme'.

He said some Bangladeshi citizens availed themselves the offer have breached the Malaysian laws frequently. As a result Malaysian authority is now reluctant to select Bangladeshi citizens under the programme.

According to the programme criteria, applicants up to 50-year old are required to open a fixed deposit account in Malaysian ringit of 300,000.00 (Tk 72,82,771.36) with any local branch of an international bank.

After a period of one year, the participant can withdraw up to RM150,000.00 (Tk 36,41,385.68) for approved expenses relating to house purchase,education for children in Malaysia and medical purposes. However, a minimum balance of RM150,000.00 must be maintained from the second year onwards and throughout stay in Malaysia under this programme.

Applicants of 50 years old and above fall in different category. They have to open a fixed deposit account of RM150,000.00 (Tk 36,413,85.68) with a local branch; or show proof of monthly off-shore government pension of at least RM10,000.00 (Tk 2,42,759.05).

The applicants aged below 50 years are required to show proof of liquid assets worth a minimum of RM 500,000 and offshore income of RM 10,000 (Tk 2,42,759.05) per month. For certified copy(s) of Current Account submitted as financial proof, applicants must provide the latest 3 months' statement with each month's credit balance of RM 500,000.

In addition to the above, all applicants are required to show that they have sufficient funds to bear expenses for the duration of the 10-year visa. In practice this means showing at least RM 500,000 (Tk 2,42,759.05) in the bank, and a monthly income of RM10,000.

He said most Bangladeshis who took the offer invested large amount of money exceeding the limit. "Some of them own garments and different factories there. Their spouses and children are leading a very luxurious life. They study in most expensive schools and colleges there," he added.

Source: HERE

DPM rubbishes Bangladeshi votes-for-citizenship claim

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 03:42 PM PDT

By Yow Hong Chieh, The Malaysia Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has denied claims that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government has given Bangladeshi workers here citizenship in exchange for their votes.

PKR called for a probe into claims in a Bangladesh government website that its citizens were offered Malaysian nationality for their support, adding it reinforced earlier complaints made to the Election Commission (EC).

"It's not true. I don't know whether the sources are trusted or not but obviously (it is) something which is not true," the deputy prime minister told reporters after opening the Makkal Sakti Convention at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

He said the government adhered to strict procedures when granting citizenship to foreigners and stressed that no special consideration had been given to Bangladeshis.

Muhyiddin also said BN was not so desperate as to give the green light to the wholesale naturalisation of Bangladeshis in exchange for their votes in the next election.

"Even if they vote, when it goes into the (ballot) box, no one will know who they voted for," he pointed out.

He added that the government will seek further clarification from the Malaysian embassy in Bangladesh on the issue.

A unit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office claimed yesterday that its citizens working in Malaysia had been asked to vote for BN, prompting PKR vice president Fuziah Salleh to call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the contentious issue.

According to the NGO Affairs Bureau of the Prime Minister's Office website, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met her Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Najib Razak last year where they discussed "long standing issues, including legalising Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia".

Both met while attending the 66th World Islamic Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur in May 2010.

It said highly-placed sources claimed that during the meeting, Najib had assured Sheikh Hasina that he would consider the issue of legalising Bangladeshis working in Malaysia with the utmost sincerity.

"Today, the prime minister's office has allegedly received confirmation from some of our citizens working in several sectors in Malaysia since last year that they were given more than citizenship from the Malaysian Government. In fact, they now have been given a right to be a voter in upcoming Malaysian general elections.

"Another highly placed source from the prime minister's office has confirmed that Bangladeshi workers may be easily conferred with Malaysian citizenship with the condition that they vote for the party that represents the government in power," the site said.

The page has since been removed from the NGO Affairs Bureau site.

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT

The brainchild of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Proton has seen its market share slide to 32% from 60% at the start of the decade and shrinking almost 10% in 2006 alone. This is having a devastating effect on Malaysia's major Proton dealerships, 93% of whom did not break even in the first quarter of 2007, according to Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia president Wan Ahmad Sepwan. According to industry insiders here, Proton, which is 43%-owned by the GOM via Khazanah Nasional Bhd, is hamstrung when it comes to major decision making due to lack of direction at the top.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

1. Summary:

- Malaysia's currency continued its gradual rise against the U.S. dollar to reach a near 10 year high.

- The Malaysian cabinet, reacting to loud protests from non-Malays, ordered the country's largest commercial bank to withdraw a requirement that law firms conducting business with the bank have at least one Malay partner with at least a 50% equity interest.

- Malaysia has proposed building a trans-peninsula crude oil pipeline to ease congestion in the Straits of Malacca and to provide an alternative route for getting Middle East oil to buyers in East Asia.

- At the 4th Malaysian International Halal Showcase Prime Minister called on Malaysian producers of halal food to improve their practices in order to boost the country's goal of becoming a "halal hub".

- A GOM official said the government will not bail out Proton, Malaysia's national carmaker, which continues to bleed cash as it searches for a foreign strategic partner. End Summary.

The Ringgit Strengthens to 10-year High

2. The Malaysian ringgit rose to a near 10-year high of 3.388 to the U.S. dollar on May 21, appreciating 0.13% soon after China raised interest rates and widened the yuan trading band to a range of 0.5% from 0.3% previously. The currency also broke the psychological barrier of 3.4 to the dollar. Since early January, the ringgit has gained 4.1% against the U.S. dollar but has depreciated 2% against the yuan and most of other regional currencies.

The Malaysian currency had been pegged at a rate of 3.8 to the dollar from September 1998 (in the wake of the Asian financial crisis) to July 2005, when the GOM announced that it would allow the currency to appreciate by switching to a managed float system.

3. Bank Negara Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz rushed to clarify that the ringgit was moving in line with the Malaysian economy and not in tandem with the yuan. However, many traders and speculators thought otherwise, saying that as long as the yuan strengthened they would rush to buy ringgit in anticipation of the ringgit's appreciation.

Governor Zeti said on May 29 that the central bank is not targeting the ringgit to appreciate to any specific level but to move in an orderly manner in line with market conditions.

4. Analysts generally expect the ringgit to continue strengthening, possibly to between 3.35 and 3.3 against the U.S. dollar by year-end, and at a pace tempered by Bank Negara's cautious intervention. Many local analysts also believe that the ringgit remains competitive with other regional currencies, though Rating Agency Malaysia's (RAM) chief economist Yeah Kim Leng said the government's current strong ringgit policy encourages speculators to enter the currency market.

For the first two weeks in May alone, Malaysia's foreign reserves rose by nearly USD 3 billion to USD 94.5 billion, equivalent to 8.6 months of retained imports and 9.6 times the short-term external debt.

Largest Local Bank Withdraws Race-Based Lawyer Rule

5. The Malaysian Cabinet has ordered Maybank, the country's largest commercial bank, to withdraw a requirement that law firms conducting business with the bank have at least one bumiputera partner and that bumiputera partners collectively hold at least a 50% equity stake in the firm ("bumiputera", literally "sons of the soil", is a term the GOM uses to describe majority ethnic Malays and Malaysia's minority indigenous tribe people, mainly as means of distinguishing this group from Chinese-Malaysians and Indian-Malaysians).

Following the Cabinet's order, Maybank issued a statement saying that with immediate effect all solicitor firms, whether with bumiputera or non-bumiputera equity ownership, are eligible for consideration to do business with the bank.

6. Maybank had earlier sent letters to lawyers demanding compliance with the bumiputera equity requirement if they wanted to be or remain on its legal panel, generating much controversy and criticism from the non-bumiputera community as being discriminatory.

After loud protests from the Malaysian Chinese Association (a component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional, or National Front, party) as well as the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Malaysian Bar Council, the Cabinet decided at its weekly meeting on May 9 to order Maybank to withdraw the policy.

The opposition party Democratic Action Party (DAP) took the opportunity to call for the public's support for a boycott of the bank. Senior government officials from the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance denied the government had anything to do with the race-based requirement issued by Maybank, a government linked corporation (GLC) that is 2/3rds owned by other GLCs.

Malaysia's Ambitious Oil Pipeline Project

7. Malaysia has proposed building a 320 km trans-peninsula crude oil pipeline from Yan, in Kedah state in northwestern peninsular Malaysia, to Bachok, a town in Kelantan state in northeastern peninsular Malaysia. The project is expected to kick-off with a USD 2.3 billion pipeline with a capacity to transfer two million barrels of oil per day.

The project eventually would include three pipelines with a total cost of USD 7 billion. Syed Izhar Al-Idrus, the director of the project's promoter, Trans Peninsula Petroleum Sdn Bhd (TPP), said the pipeline will provide an alternative route for transporting crude oil from Middle East suppliers to buyers in East Asia.

It is also expected to help ease congestion in the busy Straits of Malacca. Kuala Lumpur-based construction giant Ranhill Berhad announced on May 28 that its subsidiary, Ranhill Engineers and Constructors Sdn Bhd, has entered into an agreement with TPP and Jakarta-based P.T. Tripatra Engineers and Consultants for the design, engineering, procurement, construction and testing of the project, which is expected to begin in 2008 and be completed in 2014.

PM Exhorts Halal Industry to Achieve Best Practices

8. Prime Minister Abdullah has called on Malaysian producers and manufacturers of halal food (i.e., food prepared in accordance with or permitted under Islamic law) to meet the GOM's best practice requirements in safety, health and quality in order for Malaysian halal brands to achieve premium status.

Abdullah, who attended the May 10 opening of the 4th Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2007), said achieving these requirements will boost acceptance and marketability of halal food to non-Muslim markets. Malaysia's commitment to become a "Halal Hub", which was set forth in the Ninth Malaysia plan and the Third Industrial Master Plan, includes engaging local universities to develop and offer academic programs in halal related areas.

9. The organizer of MIHAS 2007 said exhibitors at this year's convention recorded RM 213.9 million (US 63 million) in immediate sales as a result of their participation compared with RM 168 million (US 49.4 million) in sales at last year's convention, prompting many exhibitors to place bookings for next year's event.

The official said MIHAS is planning to pull together resources from the government and private sector to cover a wider span of economic activities related to halal products, from farming, manufacturing, and processing to the importing and exporting of commodities and finance.

Proton Desperately Seeking Savior

10. On May 22 Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the Malaysian government will not bail out Proton Holdings Bhd (Proton), creating even more pressure for the ailing carmaker to find a strategic partner. Proton, which has been engaged in talks with a number of potential foreign players including General Motors, Volkswagen and, PSA Peugeot Citroen, saw its cash reserves dwindle from RM 3 billion ringgit ($882 million) at year-end 2004 to an estimated RM 500 million at present with some analysts predicting that the company will be cashless by 2008 if not sooner.

On May 31 Proton announced a loss for the quarter ending March 31, the fourth straight quarterly loss. Also on May 31, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi announced the effective end of talks between Volkswagen and Proton, reportedly due to Volkswagen's lack of interest in the equity terms Proton was willing to offer.

11. The brainchild of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Proton has seen its market share slide to 32% from 60% at the start of the decade and shrinking almost 10% in 2006 alone. This is having a devastating effect on Malaysia's major Proton dealerships, 93% of whom did not break even in the first quarter of 2007, according to Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia president Wan Ahmad Sepwan.

According to industry insiders here, Proton, which is 43%-owned by the GOM via Khazanah Nasional Bhd, is hamstrung when it comes to major decision making due to lack of direction at the top. Corporate management does not feel it has government support to make policy changes, while the government appears to be afraid of a political backlash if it pushes for cost reducing layoffs or appears to give too many concessions to potential foreign partners.

12. A manufacturing executive who supplies the industry said Proton purchasing agents cannot even get approval to make major parts buys in a timely fashion. Both executives cited quality control as a pervasive and intractable problem for Proton.

The industry representative told us how he once saw two Proton quality control inspectors wearing full tool belts lean over the hood of a finished vehicle. One inspector subsequently tossed a clipboard across the hood of the vehicle to his partner, thereby scratching the paint. The executives reported that both of their firms have offered quality control training to Proton in the past, but the lessons never seem to make it from the classroom to the factory floor.

LAFLEUR

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net