Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- My political thoughts during the Hunger Viratham Day Thirteen
- Urge the government to abolish the Federal Constitution 121(1A)
- Taib Mahmud Dynasty: A Regime Changing Time Bomb
- 500 ahli NGO desak Guan Eng tunai janji manifesto
- Sabah claim: History on Malaysia’s side
- Anwar ‘running away’ from defeat in Permatang Pauh, says Dr M
- Talking to a ten-year old
- Penang Forum Opposes Tunnel Vision
- Political rivals in a strategic battle
- Sulu Sultanate to sue KL in International Court
- Singapore MOF: Lawyer’s claim ‘simply false’
- ‘Sabah affairs a cruel joke’
- Cracks appearing in Sabah Umno?
- ASEAN non-interference and the Sabah conflict
- A two-year election campaign nears its climax
- Indecent Haste that Ignored Tunnel Project's Viability Within a Risk-based Framework
- Some thoughts on the Bar Council AGM 16 March 2013
- Ini Kali Kah? It's touch-and-go for the Opposition
- Only crumbs left for MIC in Perak
- Never a Suluk Filipino for CM
- Agbimuddin a ‘hero’ to Muslim Filipinos, says columnist
- Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan haram selepas 26 Mac - Dr Aziz Bari
| My political thoughts during the Hunger Viratham Day Thirteen Posted: 22 Mar 2013 01:43 AM PDT
This is the thirteenth day of my Hunger Viratham. The visitors are streaming in and it is becoming more difficult to stay focused on my writing. It has somewhat slowed down my writing. Still, therere is no let up in my resolve to achieve our goals of obtaining binding endorsement and commitment to implement Hindraf's proposals and I continue with my Hunger Viratham.
By P. Waythamoorthy More people are beginning to ask just where the BN and the PR political leaders are. Do they not care? Well, I will let them answer the people.
For today I will discuss the question of the costs of implementation of Hindraf's 5 year Blue Print proposals.
PART SEVEN
IS 4.5 BILLION RINGGITS EXCESSIVE FOR CORRECTING A LONG STANDING PROBLEM?
The Politicians in power go to great length to propose, promote and implement mega project like the MRT, the High Speed Rail Link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and the Undersea Tunnel linking Penang to the mainland. These projects can cost when done, from RM10 Billion to RM80 Billion.
The politicians will tell you that these are infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and which anyway has a multiplier effect on the economy. But what they will not tell you is how this also plentifully fills the pockets of the elites. In these projects, there is abundant opportunity for rentier commissions, for bribes, for project super profit, for operational super profits, for high interests on low risk loans. All these significant financial benefits just flow in the large part to the elite. They say it creates wealth for the country. That is great, watch the GDP numbers.
On the other hand spending on making the lives of the people at the bottom end of society becomes only a passing priority for he political elite. The nation at large may benefit, but if the benefit is to be shared more equitably with the people, it becomes sacrilege – distribution of wealth cannot be a driver of policy. Creation of wealth can be the only driver of policy. This is conventional wisdom with the elite. If it cannot be justified on the basis of returns on investment or on what is considered a pressing need by the elite then the investment becomes a low priority project or a no priority project.
4.5 Billion Ringgits, the annual budgetary need for 5 years for Hindraf's Blueprint proposals is spread out on several key socio-economic projects which we say addresses a pressing need of our society. We say there are significant returns in these investments for the nation as a whole. But it meets with significant resistance from the elite because it does not meet the resource allocation criteria of the elite. The real issue is that the benefits from the projects are spread over too many people and becomes too thin. That does not serve the interest of the elite – they do not stand to gain from such allocations. So it cannot be a good investment or allocation. Unfortunately for the nation, it is the elite who decide this. They have total control over national policy. So they try every argument in the book to put such projects on the back burner. And they succeed most of the time.
Look at if another way. The annual budget of the government is about RM 250 Billion. RM 4.5 Billion is only 1.8 % of that. That still leaves 245.5 Billion for everything else, while a critical problem of our society gets resolved. In the last 47 years 1,155 Billions have been spent on socio- economic development. If the Indian poor had got even 10% that would be 115 Billion Ringgits. We surely would not be having the problem we have today had that expenditure been made. But it was not made. We have a problem today as a result and we need to solve it. If that takes 20% of the allocation that should have been made, can that be considered excessive? It all depends on how you want to look at it. To kill off the request, the elite do not look at it this way. They just play up the size of the absolute number without looking at it in all these other related ways.
In the final analysis allocation of the national resource all comes down to national priorities. Today these priorities are determined by the elite. So, the system will continue to behave the way it does unless the decision makers change, The true representatives of the people or the people themselves have to become the decision makers for the national resource to be allocated more in the interest of the people.
The 5 years Blueprint is a bottom up document and an attempt to make the people the decision makers for the allocation of the resources needed to open up new life opportunities, by the members of a segment of society. This is a first of its kind. Others will soon follow suit, if this attempt is successful.
This is also a major worry of the elite and an oft repeated argument that if we do this for one minority or marginalized community, then the others will also start making similar demands. How can we deal with that? Simple, allocate resources truly on the basis of need – do not just say it, do it. But that will not happen. The elite will say it, but they will not do it. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with al such segments making such demands. We just have to plan the demands in and allocate the resources appropriately... The people are the true owners of the resource of the nation. They have every right to make these demands.
RM 4.5 Billion for the resolution of the socio-economic woes of the impoverished Indian community cannot be excessive. It is an important allocation and has significant positive implications for our society. All those who block it or argue against it are doing it because of faulty and self serving economic logic. It is not as if they are right and we are wrong. They are wrong and they are deceitful.
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| Urge the government to abolish the Federal Constitution 121(1A) Posted: 22 Mar 2013 01:39 AM PDT Non-Islamic affairs should not be managed by Syariah court. Its setup is limited to hear only Islamic cases. Whenever it involves non-Islamic matters it should be heard in the Civil Court. If non-Islamic cases were heard in the Syariah Court, then it raises the suspicion that religious beliefs are abused, thereby also raising public doubts against judiciary fairness. Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia In view of the issue where recently 72 Hindu organisations urged the government to amend the constitution -The rule that the Syariah court cannot handle non-Islamic affairs, a joint press release is issued from the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM), Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Malaysian Chapter, Malaysia Christian Youth Association (MCYA), The Federation of Clans and Guilds Youth Association of Malaysia, Gerakan Belia Bersatu Malaysia and Persatuan Graduan Muda Malaysia, to support such urge. Malaysia's Constitution ensures religious freedom of belief and worship to every citizen when Islam is the official religion thus ensures every religion can develop in a fair and free environment. Non-Islamic affairs should not be managed by Syariah court. Its setup is limited to hear only Islamic cases. Whenever it involves non-Islamic matters it should be heard in the Civil Court. If non-Islamic cases were heard in the Syariah Court, then it raises the suspicion that religious beliefs are abused, thereby also raising public doubts against judiciary fairness. In the past there were many non-Islamic cases that were heard in the Syariah Court including 'Snatching National Hero Corpse' case, Renouncing Islam when One-half died or Application of renouncing child's religion and once very Hot 'Lina Joy' case, etc. These have already caused mis-trust against Malaysian Judiciary, especially Interpreting'Freedom of Religious Belief'clauses in the Constitution has raised a lot of doubts and worries. Federal Constitution 121(1A) clause was formed to let Syariah Court has the same judicial status as the Civil Court that is, Civil Court cannot review whatever decision made by the Syariah Court. This kind of judicial Double-Track phenomenon has made people doubtful of who has the ultimate power in the final decisions made. This also causes the nation to drop into limitless debates and protests. In the end, it will let our national judiciary falling into Confidence Crisis. In addition, on the legal cases that involves both Muslims and non-Muslims, whether the Syariah Court or Civil Court possess the power of final verdict is something questionable. The loopholes in the legal provisions will lead the country into an endless controversy and confrontation, and in the worse scenario, broken trust in the national judicial. The government should be more sensitive towards the needs of various religions in this multicultural and multi religious country; the government should also realise the implication that arises following from this problem, how it brings to the disharmony among the people and religions. The joint bodies urge the government to abolish the Federal Constitution 121(1A) clause as to resume the power of Civil Court for the final verdict.
May the Blessings of the Triple Gem be with you and your family always. With Metta, Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia
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| Taib Mahmud Dynasty: A Regime Changing Time Bomb Posted: 22 Mar 2013 01:31 AM PDT
The lives and way of life of the indigenous are threatened, forcing them into the vicious cycle of poverty of "civilized" culture. Their heritage destroyed and burned to the ground. All for the sake of the greedy few with hands made of Velcro. Dipping their sticky fingers into coffers and taking what does not belong to them. Think tank Political Studies for Change (KPRU) An investigator for an international non governmental organisation (NGO), Global Witness went undercover posed as a foreign investor in an undercover sting to expose the corrupted and fraudulent activities of the family members and business partners of Sarawak's chief minister (CM), Taib Mahmud that was committed at the expense of the people of Sarawak in order to gain illegal profits worth millions if not billions of Malaysian ringgit. Global Witness published an approximately 16-minute long short film, with a title aptly named Inside Malaysia's Shadow State, perfectly describing the beastly corruption of Sarawak CM Taib, his administration, family and business associates. Although during the course of the film Global Witness investigators did not negotiate with Taib himself, the Global Witness investigator did negotiate with the other family members of Taib, which claimed to have a close relationship with him and those close acquaintances include his cousins, lawyers, and others. Those negotiations with his close acquaintances proved that those individuals had heavy backing from Taib Mahmud himself. Public discussion roared post video being published and also after the investigation was picked up and reported by Malaysiakini. Taib Mahmud was subsequently interviewed by reporters in which he denied having a close relationship with his cousins featured in the video. His denial is however, a mere denial in which the video still proves that his family members are involved in serious illegal business transactions that breach both criminal and civil law of Malaysia. And those criminal activities unfortunately are conducted by none other than the Sarawak's Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment, which is headed by Taib. As a political think tank, Political Studies for Change (KPRU – Kajian Politik untuk Perubahan) opines that the video released by Global Witness records Taib's family as honestly and truthfully as possible without being slanderous. But, even with the expose on Taib, Najib's administration seems to be disappointingly indifferent and at the same time, as usual, blaming the rest of the world instead of reflecting deeply inwards. Even the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) seems to be suspiciously unaffected and neutral considering the gravity of the crimes committed by Taib and his cronies. The Richest Chief Minister cum Malaysian – Taib Mahmud Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, an outback of bountiful natural wealth and resources such as pepper, cocoa, palm oil, timber and oil and yet Sarawak holds one of the highest poverty rate in Malaysia. 40 percent household of Sarawakian's income the per capita are only worth RM 312 in which is a horrifying contrast to its richest individual - Taib Mahmud worth at RM 45.9 billion. Barisan Nasional (BN) has held the ruling political power over half a century creating a one-party political system rife with corruption and cronyism. The administrative power of Taib Mahmud in Sarawak has remained unchanged for 30 years. The only change felt in Sarawak is the increasing gap of the Gini Coefficient, in which the income gap between the rich and the poor has unfortunately grown over the years. The GiNI Coefficient rate rose from 0.441 in 1989 to 0.445 in 2002, and 0.448 in 2009. (Gini index: 0 for equal, 1 for inequality). According to the report "The Taib Timber Mafia- Facts and Figures on Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) from Sarawak, Malaysia" released by the Bruno Manser Fund pointed out that Taib's wealth is estimated at $15 billion (RM 45.9 billion), enough to surpass the top richest man in Malaysia, Robert Kuok ($12.5 billion). And the Taib family's assets is estimated to top at $21 billion (RM64.2 billion), in which the wealth is distributed in 400 companies across the globe. The report also pointed out that Taib, who is also the Chief Minister of Sarawak of 30 years, holds the monopoly over timber harvesting and planting contracts, export of timber, providing services to other countries for the maintenance of public roads as well as the production and sale of cement, as well as other construction materials, in order to accumulate wealth for his family members and cronies. The Taib family holds a 29.3 percent stake in Cahaya Mata or CMS. CMS is the main contractor for several state construction projects; including the construction of the new Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building worth RM300 million, the maintenance contract over 4,000 km of roads throughout Sarawak, and the maintenance contract over 600 km of federal roads in Sarawak under a 15-year concession awarded by the State Government. In a stark contrast, the Taib's family reign has left the public infrastructure of Sarawak to remain at a snail-pace. Sarawakians are left with a public infrastructure 20 years behind the public infrastructure felt in the Peninsular of Malaysia. More than 70 percent of long house residents are living without water and electricity; the state's roads development index has remained at a low 0.38 percent, meaning, while Taib's family drive around in fancy cars, the local residents particularly Sarawakians living in remote villages still rely on the river and boats as their main transportation mode. This is turn causes the students to travel long distances and to walk kilometres of road every single day in order to go to school. Sarawak's lack of basic infrastructure is one of the main causes of Sarawakians poverty in turn, negatively affects the economy of the locals to remain steadily behind the infrastructure development felt in the Peninsular. In other words, Sarawakians are stuck in the past while Taib Mahmud's family bathe themselves in billions of Malaysian ringgit belonging to the Sarawakians. Sarawakians Stuck in Extreme Poverty Deputy Prime Minister and also Minister of Education, Muhyiddin bin Yassin claimed that Sarawakians are blissfully living and working in content during his three day trip to Sarawak (February 27 to February 29). However, as shown by relevant data, Sarawak has one of the highest percentage of families living in extreme poverty in Malaysia. According to the speech by Minister in Welfare, Women and Family Development Sarawak, Fatimah Abdullah on January 31, 2013, 20,392 people are living in hardcore poverty with incomes of less than RM 590 a month. Meanwhile, 26,432 people are living below the poverty line with incomes of less than RM910 a month and 15,425 people are stuck in a low income household with income of less than RM2,000 a month. The minister said that in the present situation, poverty and hardcore poverty rates in the state is recorded at 4.3 percent and 1.0 percent respectively as compared to 3.8 percent and 0.7 percent respectively at the national level. This means that Sarawakians live below the official poverty rate. According to the 10th Malaysia Plan in 2004, 34,800 Sarawak family household earn incomes per month less than RM912 with their monthly per capita income of RM167. By 2009, the poverty rate has fallen from 7.5 percent (2004) to 5.3 percent. However, out of 27,100 from 513,400 household earn an income less than RM912 with a monthly per capita income of only RM208. It also means that during the 5-year plan, only 7,700 households are lifted out from poverty with their per capita income enchanced at only RM41. Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak on June 12, 2012, in a written reply to the Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching, Chong Chieng Jen also pointed out, according to the The Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey (HIS/BA) 2009 report, Sarawak's per capita income, the bottom 40 percent of household earn a monthly per capita income of RM312; whilst 40 percent of the middle-level families earn a monthly per capita income of RM822, and 20 percent of the upper household earn a monthly per capita income of RM2,600. Based on that data, a total of 80 percent of Sarawakians earn an income per capita of less than RM1000 per month. Comparing that to the data from Department of Statistic Malaysia by 2011 to calculate the inflation rate of 3 percent per year, between 2004 and 2009/2010, Malaysians suffer an increase of 102 percent on residential, utilities and other expenses with transportation costs rose to 94.6 percent, and food and non-alcoholic beverages 60.9 percent. The average monthly expenditure per household stands at RM2,190. It can be seen that even a family with two wage-earners, the standard of living is beyond their financial capabilities. According to the data provided by the Sarawak police, crime occurrences in Sarawak in 2012 stands at a total of 9,456, an increase 7.9 percent lower in previous years. However, the latest reports also pointed out that, in January 2013, the crime rate in Sibu, Sarawak as compared to January last year, jumped as much as 63.04 percent in the same period. In other words, Muhyiddin is disconnected with the realities of Malaysians on the streets living in fear and living in poverty caused by greedy politicians and dirty politics. Muhyiddin fails to see eye to eye and understand the difficulties faced by the ordinary Malaysians. Where is the Allocations for Infrastructure Development? Sarawak receives over RM41.8 billion for the infrastructure development under the 8th, 9th and 10th Malaysia Plan. Furthermore, allocation to Sarawak under the 9th Malaysia Plan accounts for 7 percent of the entire federal development cost, with majority of the allocation channeled to the development of basic infrastructure and the Sarawak Renewable Energy Corridor (SCORE). Najib introduced a series of key performance indicators (KPIs) in order to strengthen the infrastructure of rural areas after replacing Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister of Malaysia. Hence, Sarawak becoming the focus of development under the 10th Malaysia Plan. In the 15 years from 2001 till 2015, Sarawak has received federal funding totaling at RM41.8 billion. Yet, within those 15 years, the citizens of Sarawak have not felt the development in public infrastructure as opposed to what was occurring in the Peninsular of Malaysia. According to the 2011 Auditor-General's Report, the ministry approved a total of RM1.727 billion to implement 175 road projects in Sarawak from 2006 to 2010. From the total approved funds, as of December 31st, 2011 only RM1.024 billion (59.3 percent) has been spent. Of the 175 road projects in Sarawak planned, only 101 projects have been completed. 38 projects suffered delays of 15 to 242 days from the original schedule, and 74 projects have not yet been completed. Amongst them, 13 projects valued at RM229.27 million (17.6 percent) are classified as problematic projects. In addition, the 2011 Auditor-General's Report also exposed projects handled without strict supervision, as well as several contractors found cutting corners in order to save money, resulting in badly designed roads and damages on the roads built incurred in just a short span of time post completion. Millions of ringgit have been spent on badly designed and lack of, if not, absent of quality infrastructures in which, fail to benefit the citizens of Sarawak. Hence, the lives of ordinary Sarawakians are arbitrarily jeopardised every single day, using those roads constructed by the greed of the few, affluent and influential. Sarawak: The State of Dams Sarawak State is Malaysia's largest state with a dinosaur infrastructure. The BN lead government introduced the controversial project Sarawak Energy Corridor (SCORE) in 2008, with the plan to construct 18 large dams all over Sarawak, coal mining quarries, and oil and gas refineries. A relative to the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), in which it was planned to develop Sabah into a center of trade and commerce, Sarawak's implementation of the SCORE is visibly aimed to milk Sarawak dry of its rich natural resources at the expense of the Sarawakians and the environment. SCORE was launched by Former Prime Minister and Finance Minister Abdullah Badawi in 2008 before the 12th general election. It is one of the five regional development corridors planned throughout the country. SCORE was expected to be completed after 23 years (2008-2030), at a total cost of RM334 billion. But the biggest beneficiaries are the Sarawak State Government-owned Sarawak energy corporation (Sarawak Energy) which received billions of ringgit worth of memorandums. Under SCORE, those 18 dams include 9 dams equivalent to 8 Singapore landsize, which is to be completed before 2022. Another 7 dams are expected to be completed post 2022. The rest two dams were completed before start the project SCORE. Those two damns are the Batang Ai dam, completed in 1985 and the controversial Bakun Dam completed in 2011. The contstruction 18 large dams are expected to cost RM 44 billion. These large dams were constructed and planned to increase electricity supply. Yet the question is whether Malaysia is in need of that much wasteful energy? These plans do not even include nuclear power plant as proposed under Najib's administration. As expected with mega projects, huge portions of land are needed. Hence, native lands are robbed, illegally seized and sold. Prime million year old rain forests are destroyed; rare flora and fauna are killed and chased out of their homes; thus increasing the chances of human and animal confrontation. Lives are lost and at stake. The environment is notoriously raped without remorse. The lives and way of life of the indigenous are threatened, forcing them into the vicious cycle of poverty of "civilized" culture. Their heritage destroyed and burned to the ground. All for the sake of the greedy few with hands made of Velcro. Dipping their sticky fingers into coffers and taking what does not belong to them. In their feeble attempt to protect their lives and way of life, they resort to protests in which those protests and participants are treated like insects by Najib's administration. Under the banner of development, Najib's administration trample over these Malaysian citizens, ignoring their pleas, crushing their hopes with the law. Hence, the development championed by Najib's administration is no more than hypocritical, rhetorical and a sham. Those so called development and high income society are only felt by Najib's and Taib's cronies and not the Sarawakians nor the Sarawak indigenous people.
Conclusion As per the words of Muhyiddin; "Under the governance of the Barisan National, have not heard of people starve to death, but there is a part of the encounter the problem of obesity." Muhyiddin confidently believes BN will regain Sibu parliamentary seats in the 13th general election. However, behind every smile is a secret. The secret of Muhyiddin and those like him are greed and the fear of losing power. Sarawak is known as the bastion of BN Due to poverty and the lack of access to knowledge and infrastructure, Taib Mahmud may have the added advantage over the poor of Sarawak, particularly those in the remote villages of Sarawak. To Taib, Sarawakians are easily bought over and bullied. To Taib, Sarawakian votes are his and only his. The relationship between Taib and his votes cannot be broken. But he forgets, all that is will not always be. Sarawakians are not blind; they are just precluded from their basic rights under his iron fists. The BN regime may have the administrative power for 55 years and Taib Mahmud's family have clutched 30 years worth of administrative power in Sarawak. They are blind to the beauty of Sarawak. Their blindness is caused by greed. The greed to rob, plunder and destroy. Their greed haunts them. As shown by Global Witness, Taib's family are frauds with their fraudulent and illegal activities are laid bare for the world to see. According to the MACC, "With the emergence of new evidence, the anti-corruption and will take appropriate action." In other words, the MACC will not take any action towards Taib nor his cronies. It would seem the only way to rid Sarawak of Taib and his cronies is for the citizens of Sarawak to rise up and realize only they themselves can save Sarawak from Taib as the Najib's administration has no intention of saving Sarawak.
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| 500 ahli NGO desak Guan Eng tunai janji manifesto Posted: 21 Mar 2013 09:43 PM PDT (Agenda Daily) - Kira-kira 500 anggota lapan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) hari ini mengadakan demonstrasi aman secara berasingan bagi mendesak Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Lim Guan Eng menunaikan janji pakatan pembangkang dalam manifesto pilihan raya umum ke-12 lalu. Kira-kira 300 anggota Malaysian Youth Rights Movements, 1Malaysia Brothers dan Pertubuhan Belia Komuniti Pulau Pinang berkumpul pada 1.30 tengah hari di Jalan Macalister di sini dan berarak sejauh dua kilometer ke Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (Komtar) di sini yang turut menempatkan pejabat Ketua Menteri. Presiden Malaysian Youth Rights Movement, Shen Yee Aun kemudiannya menyerahkan memorandum kepada Pegawai Penerangan Ketua Menteri, Shum Jian Wei. Shen berkata memorandum itu mengandungi 10 perkara, antaranya bantahan terhadap projek terowong dasar laut, menuntut janji penghapusan tol, memperbaiki akses Penang Free Wifi, peruntukan kebajikan untuk kaum India dan isu kos rumah rendah. "Kami minta ketua menteri beri jawapan dalam tempoh seminggu jika tidak kami akan mempertimbangkan mengambil tindakan undang-undang terhadap beliau kerana isu-isu yang dikemukakan itu berkaitan hak rakyat," katanya kepada pemberita. Shen turut menggesa Lim menyiasat ugutan membunuh dan merogol di laman-laman sosial oleh 'cybertroopers' propembangkang yang didakwanya semakin berleluasa terhadap individu tertentu yang dianggap tidak menyokong perjuangan mereka. NGO berkenaan ialah Warisan Anak Merdeka, Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Pulau Pinang, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Al-Ehsan Islamiyah Pulau Pinang dan Suara Anak-anak Malaysia. Wakil NGO itu, Abdul Ghani Harun menyerahkan surat untuk ditandatangani oleh Lim sebagai tanda persetujuan untuk menarik semula kenyataannya berhubung penggunaan kalimah Allah dalam Bible versi bahasa Melayu. Surat itu diterima Penolong Pegawai Penerangan Ketua Menteri, Watawa Nataf Zulkifli. Perhimpunan yang berakhir kira-kira 3 petang itu turut dikawal ketat pasukan keselamatan termasuk Unit Tindakan Ringan (LSF) yang diketuai Ketua Polis Daerah Timur Laut, Asisten Komisioner Gan Kong Meng.
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| Sabah claim: History on Malaysia’s side Posted: 21 Mar 2013 08:46 PM PDT A scholar gives three reasons why the Sulu Sultanate cannot assert sovereignty over the state. Anisah Shukry, FMT A scholar has urged Putrajaya to reject any call for a negotiation on the Sulu claim over Sabah, saying the issue was settled decades ago. "Neither the Sulu Sultanate nor the Filipino government has a claim over the North Borneo state," said DS Ranjit Singh, an expert on Southeast Asian political history who is now a visiting professor at Universiti Utara Malaysia. "The moment we negotiate with them, we compromise our sovereignty," he said in a talk at Universiti Malaya today. He said the Sulu claim was futile for three reasons: the Philippine government's predecessors renounced all claims over the state, the Sulu court has never administered the state, and the people of Sabah agreed to form Malaysia. He said the sultanate lost its status as an independent entity after its capture by the Spaniards, which happened six months after the signing of the 1878 treaty stipulating that the British administrators of Sabah must pay cession fees to the Sulu court. "Instead, the Spaniards became the sovereign rulers of the Philippines and it was they who renounced all claims of sovereignty over the territory in Borneo." When the United States took over the Philippines from the Spaniards, the American administrators in turn signed documents defining the international boundary of the country, Ranjit added. "The Republic of the Philippines then inherited the Philippines from its predecessor, the US. So how can they claim in 1962 that Sabah is theirs when the predecessor has renounced that claim?" According to him, these circumstances also give good reason for Malaysia to stop the monthly cession payment of RM5,300 to the sultanate. He urged Putrajaya to do so immediately. Principle of effectivity Ranjit also cited what he called the "principle of effectivity" as a reason why Sabah belonged to Malaysia and not the Philippines.
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| Anwar ‘running away’ from defeat in Permatang Pauh, says Dr M Posted: 21 Mar 2013 06:53 PM PDT
(TMI) - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad chided today opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's plan to possibly contest away from his Permatang Pauh seat in Penang, saying his archrival is "running away" from possible defeat. The former prime minister said the PKR de facto leader's decision to contest a different seat stemmed from his "doubts" that he could defend Permatang Pauh, a known Anwar stronghold since he first took up the seat in the 1982 national polls. "This is a free country, he is free to go and contest anywhere... If he wants to, run away from Permatang Pauh. "Yes, he is running away. Maybe he's not confident of winning the seat," a news portal quoted Dr Mahathir as saying. Two days ago, Anwar said he may not defend his Permatang Pauh federal seat and instead may stand in Perak or Selangor in the coming general elections. "There is a likelihood, but it means… I haven't made a definite decision because there have been suggestions that I should go down to Perak or Selangor, and I'm weighing the possibility of going down to Perak," the PKR advisor said. Anwar did not say, however, who would replace him in Permatang Pauh, which has traditionally been his political stronghold.
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| Posted: 21 Mar 2013 06:19 PM PDT
The NEP is not just about stocks and shares and listings on the stock exchange. The NEP is about the aspirations of a two-prong attack: reducing the gap between the haves and the haves-not and reducing the disparity between the different races. Hence, while the Bumiputera ownership of stocks and shares or listed companies may have met a shortfall, what about the rest of us, which the NEP is also about? Are we still short in those areas as well, as we may be in corporate wealth? THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin Never mind whether I write a short article (The Chinese and Indians screwed up) or a longer article (Conjecture, imagination and suspicion), the average Malaysian still does not understand what I am trying to say. This only goes to show the low comprehension level of most Malaysians. And these are the same people we are depending on to make the right decision in the coming general election. God help Malaysia when we need to put the lunatics in charge of the asylum and the monkeys in charge of the zoo. Now, allow me to speak to you as I would to a ten-year old. The events of 1982 and 1992 that I talked about in the two previous articles regarding the New Economic Policy (NEP) were specific to the Malay Chamber of Commerce, which I was not only a member of but I also sat in the Central Committee. Hence the discussion focused on issues of concern to the Malay Chamber -- and that would be the Bumiputera share of the corporate wealth of Malaysia. It does not involve other issues such as land, housing, education, jobs, etc. The Malay Chamber represents the Malay business community and the job of the Chamber (just like in any Chamber of Commerce anywhere else in the world) is to focus on the needs and aspirations of its members. Hence it speaks on behalf of only the members of the Chamber. It would not, for example, be speaking on behalf of the taxi drivers, trishaw pullers, lorry owners, petty traders, teachers, bank employees, civil servants, ex-servicemen, ex-policemen, etc., who all have their own associations to represent their interests. It is like, say, the Association of Chinese Barbers. This association does not represent all Chinese or all barbers. It represents only its members. So to say that the association should not speak on behalf of all Chinese or on behalf of all barbers (the Malay and Indian barbers included) is silly. And in that same spirit to say that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce does not represent all the Chinese in Malaysia is equally silly. Of course it does not. If you are not a member of that Chamber then it does not and cannot represent your interest or your views. Now, what Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tried to do in 1982 was to act as matchmaker between the Malay and Chinese Chambers of Commerce so that both Chambers can work closely to resolve issues of concern to the Malay businessmen and women. If the business community can work together to resolve their issues, then the government can ease off and not get involved with what were clearly 'business issues'. And if the relationship works and there is close cooperation between both business communities, then the government can leave the businessmen and women alone and not force policies down their throats. When it did not work, ten years later in 1992, the government organised a Bumiputera Economic Congress where everyone can get involved. This was not to be a Congress where the Malays make demands and hold the government to ransom. It was to be a Congress where everyone can come to a mutual agreement on what to do. This is not about what the Malays want. It is about what the Malays, Chinese, Indians and others jointly want. It was to seek a consensus of all the races and not listen to the demands of just the Malay business community, and only those who are members of the Malay Chamber on top of that. The Malay argument was that after so many years of the NEP the Malay share of the corporate wealth increased from just 1% to 4% while that of the Chinese increased from 30% to 60%. The Chinese, however, argued that, in terms of percentage, the Chinese corporate wealth only doubled while that of the Malays increased four times. Hence the Malays saw four times the growth that the Chinese saw. In terms of growth the Chinese are, of course, correct. The Malay wealth increased four times while that of the Chinese only doubled. In absolute figures, though, the Chinese are far ahead of the Malays at 60% compared to only 4% for the Malays. Then there was another issue that the Chinese raised. Are you looking at Malay wealth based on par value at the time the shares were issued or at market capitalisation? At par value, say RM1.00 per share, the figure would be lower compared to market capitalisation, say, RM10.00 per share. Hence, are we comparing apples to apples? The second point was: are you looking at Malay wealth based on what they currently still hold or based on what they were originally given, which had already been sold and at a huge profit on top of that. In other words, is your calculation based on current shareholdings or based on what has passed through the hands of the Malays? What the Malays currently hold in terms of stocks and shares may be only 10% or less of what they originally received. And the 90% or more, which the Malays have since sold, would have been sold at a profit, which is not reflected in the calculation of the corporate wealth of the Malays. Hence, in short, what formula do we use to decide how wealthy the Malays are? And unless we can agree on that formula, and hence arrive at the correct bottom-line, how do we even begin to resolve the problem when we do not even know what the problem is. (Now do you see why short articles do not work? There are many issues to an argument that need to be raised). Now, remember that we are still talking about just the corporate wealth or corporate share of the Malays in comparison to the other races. But not all of us have stocks and shares or own companies listed on the stock exchange. Hence this debate, argument, disagreement, or whatever, does not involve all of us. What if you are a makan gaji (salaried employee), student, farmer, smallholder, fisherman, trishaw puller, food stall operator, etc? Whether it is 4%, 19%, 30% or 60% is of no concern to you. This is merely the concern of the Malay, Chinese and Indian Chambers of Commerce, and in particular to the members of those Chambers. The NEP is not just about stocks and shares and listings on the stock exchange. The NEP is about the aspirations of a two-prong attack: reducing the gap between the haves and the haves-not and reducing the disparity between the different races. Hence, while the Bumiputera ownership of stocks and shares or listed companies may have met a shortfall, what about the rest of us, which the NEP is also about? Are we still short in those areas as well, as we may be in corporate wealth? Yes, those are social issues that the social scientists need to address and which the Chambers of Commerce does not talk about. Do more Malays receive an education now than before? Do more Malays get to go to university now than before? Are more Malays employed now than before? Are more Malays living above the poverty level now than before? Do more Malays own homes now than before? Do more Malays own cars now than before? Do more Malays live in the urban areas now than before? Are there more Malay professionals now than before? And so on and so forth. So there is more to the NEP than just stocks, shares and listed companies. But the story I told you in the previous two articles concerns the Malay and Chinese Chambers of Commerce and even then specific to events in 1982 and 1992. But it appears like many of you just do not understand this. And this is why many of you posted comments that had nothing to do with the issue. First understand what is being written and then comment. And the issue was regarding the Malay and Chinese Chambers of Commerce and the events of 1982 and 1992 and what Dr Mahathir tried but did not work out mainly because the Malays and Chinese could not agree on the formula to apply and hence what the solution should therefore be. And instead of trying to find the middle ground -- as in any 'peace process' there would always be a middle ground -- the Chinese chose to remain silent and not participate and allowed the government to do what it wanted. That, in a nutshell, is the message I am delivering. However, those wearing blinkers would be hard-pressed to see this message. |
| Penang Forum Opposes Tunnel Vision Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:48 PM PDT
Khoo Kay Peng The Penang Forum Steering Committee opposes the proposed road-based undersea tunnel and the state government's emphasis on highway construction over improvements in public transport. (The tunnel would be the fourth cross-channel link, after the ferries and the first and second Penang bridges.)
Here are our reasons for opposing the tunnel project and our reservations about the highway building spree. Questions About the vision: Shouldn't important public policies be based on evidence and analysis? Will building more roads solve traffic problems? Is the public being given an alternative based on sustainable transport? Are we moving to the 21st century or moving back to the 20th century with the state government's emphasis on building infrastructure for private motor vehicles? Does creating dependency on private transport help the poor? About the process of making public policy The formal agreement for the (Transport Masterplan) TMP was signed in mid 2011. In the same week, the CM announced the signing of MOUs for four major road projects with Chinese companies. Does it make sense to have the solution before the study has started? Does this not ignore evidenced based analysis and policies? Concurrent negotiations for the tunnel and highway projects started in 2011 held while the TMP study was underway. Why were awards for the projects given out even before the TMP is finalised and made public? Doesn't this pre-empt the significance of the report's recommendations? TMP calls for a balanced approach to solving transport problems. It suggested short and medium term measures and recommended major road construction as longer term solutions commencing after the short/medium-term measures. Are we putting the cart before the horse by reversing the priorities suggested in the TMP? Have there been independent feasibility studies, cost benefit analysis, traffic demand simulation etc done for ALL the four projects before they were tendered? Isn't it standard best practice to conduct such studies BEFORE tender and award, rather than after? The TMP is based on the assumption that the population will be 2.5m by 2030 and that by this time a sea tunnel may be justified. The Department of Statistics released a population projection last year which projects a population of 1.8 million by 2030. It appears that Halcrow has not done any modelling of the population; they have just assumed historical growth rates will continue, which would suggest that the tunnel will not be required even by 2030.
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| Political rivals in a strategic battle Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:37 PM PDT
Based on BN's election preparation progress, the changes in Pakatan Rakyat's strategy and Najib's cautious style, the date to dissolve the Parliament might be further postponed as the BN wants to make a sally only when it has greatest confidence. Lim Sue Goan, Sin Chew Daily BN has made an all-out effort to create a feel-good atmosphere but its political strategy is not as flexible as Pakatan Rakyat's. Pakatan Rakyat has started to unveil its candidates and display its strength. BN, meanwhile, is still carefully selecting candidates and considering constituency exchanges, causing election campaign activities in some constituencies to now lag behind. Take the DAP as an example. Some candidates have been decided such as Negri Sembilan DAP chairman and Lobak state assemblymen Anthony Loke, who will be contesting the Chennah state seat, party parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang will contest the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat and Himpunan Hijau chairman Wong Tack will contest the Bentong parliamentary seat. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also announced on Wednesday some PKR parliamentary candidates. His daughter Nurul Izzah will seek re-election in Lembah Pantai and PKR strategic director Mohd Rafizi Ramli will contest the Pandan parliamentary seat. Also, five Sarawak parliamentary candidates have also been decided. There are also some signs showing the deployment of PAS candidates, including party vice-president Salahuddin Ayub who will be contesting in Johor while former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin will be contesting the Changkat Jering state seat. As for the BN, the candidate list remains unclear. It was reported that MCA vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Gan Ping Sieu would not be contesting in their original or preferred parliamentary constituencies. Gan's supporters even rushed to the MCA headquarters with the hope to change the situation. There might be undercurrents in Kluang forcing Gan to shift and contest in Tebrau. However, he has been rejected by members of the local division. Umno is eyeballing the Wangsa Maju parliamentary seat while the MCA is not willing to make a concession. Regardless of who is going to be fielded to contest the seat, it will trigger discontentment of the other party. If this is not suppressed, it would be unfavourable to BN, and PKR candidate Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong could then wait for redemption. In addition, there are also different views on whether former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat will seek re-election in the Pandan parliamentary constituency under the BN banner. Pakatan Rakyat leaders are also taking the strategy of making a breakthrough to drive its election campaign. The decision to field Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah has disrupted the MCA's original plans. Who would be fielded by BN to counter the DAP's attacks in Chinese-majority constituencies? No one among MCA candidates can rival Lim. The MCA is now hastily defending against the DAP's strong attack. Lim has started to canvass for votes in Gelang Patah and once the Parliament is dissolved, he can then help his compatriots in other states or constituencies. After Lim shifted to contest in Johor, Anwar said he might not seek re-election in Permatang Pauh and instead may contest in Perak or Selangor. Permatang Pauh is the political base of Anwar and thus, regardless of who is contesting, the seat will be kept. It can help to create a momentum and seek an additional seat if Anwar contests in other states. It might be a move to confuse BN when Anwar said he might leave Penang to contest in other states, but it has reflected that the Pakatan Rakyat's strategy is more flexible. If Pakatan Rakyat leaders disperse to different frontline states, BN will have to develop a different strategy to cope. Basically, the three component parties of the Pakatan Rakyat have placed their leaders in different states, while Umno's mentri besar candidate for Selangor remains a mystery. BN has been too dependent on coalition chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak's personal charm while the image of individual leaders is not obvious enough. Another example showing that Pakatan Rakyat's election preparation progress is ahead of BN's is that Pakatan Rakyat revealed its election manifesto on February 25. Based on BN's election preparation progress, the changes in Pakatan Rakyat's strategy and Najib's cautious style, the date to dissolve the Parliament might be further postponed as the BN wants to make a sally only when it has greatest confidence.
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| Sulu Sultanate to sue KL in International Court Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:30 PM PDT A spokesman for the sultanate says there is no basis for Malaysia to file charges against eight Filipinos because it does not own Sabah. (Agencies) - MANILA: The Sulu Sultanate will sue the Malaysian government before the International Court of Justice in response to its filing of terrorism charges against eight of the sultan's followers who were captured in Sabah, a crime punishable by death. The spokesman of the sultanate, Abraham Idjirani, said their legal team was preparing to file a complaint of usurpation of authority and illegal development of natural wealth in Sabah against Malaysia. "There is no basis for Malaysia to file charges against those eight Filipinos because it does not own Sabah. We are the rightful owners," Idjirani said at the residence of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in Taguig City. This will be the third time the Sulu Sultanate will file a lawsuit against Malaysia. The first was filed in 1992 before the United Nations and the second was filed in 2004 before the International Court of Justice. Idjirani said both cases were still pending because the ownership of Sabah had not been resolved. Maintaining that the Malaysia's move was illegal, Idjirani said the moves to file terrorism charges against the sultan's followers violated the 1963 agreement signed by the heads of Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. The 1963 Manila accord states that "the inclusion of Sabah into the Federation of Malaysia will not prejudice the interest of parties concerned until the issue of the Sabah claim is finally resolved by the United Nations." "Malaysia is only an occupant of Sabah, so they have no right to file charges against those Filipinos," Idjirani added. He said the sultanate had no way to confirm whether the eight Filipinos were indeed members of the Sulu Royal Army that occupied Lahad Datu. President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday said the government would help the eight Filipinos charged with terrorism and waging war in Sabah. "It is our obligation to protect the rights of our citizens," the President said. Aquino said he had already instructed the Foreign Affairs and Justice Departments to give the Filipinos legal assistance. Under Malaysian laws, terrorism charges carry a jail term of up to 30 years while waging war against the King is punishable with death. A group of Sabah-based lawyers have also expressed their intention to help the eight followers of the sultanate. The Sabah Law Association, in a report carried by the Malaysian press, said it was ready to ensure that the eight Filipinos are accorded due process. Aquino earlier ordered an inter-agency team led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. to come up with a roadmap to resolve the Sabah conflict peacefully. Aquino said the Philippines was open to negotiating with Malaysia and embarking on a rules-based approach to resolve the Sabah claim similar to the case filed by Manila against Beijing to address the territorial dispute over Panatag Shoal. The sultanate on Thursday slammed the Palace for dismissing an alleged assassination plot against the sultan and his family. Idjirani said President Aquino should have at least ordered an investigation into the reported arrival in the country of the Malaysian hit squad to liquidate the sultanate officials.
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| Singapore MOF: Lawyer’s claim ‘simply false’ Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:27 PM PDT 'Contrary to what was claimed in the video, Singapore has to date provided fully the information requested by Malaysia for tax purposes,' says Monetary Authority of Singapore. (FMT) - Singapore has categorically denied video allegations that Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud and his family hid their illicit wealth, spawned from "illegal" land deals, in the island republic. In the covertly shot video by London-based NGO Global Witness, Kuching-based lawyer Alvin Chong had allegedly spoken about "ways" to dodge Real Property Gain Tax (RPGT) in Malaysia and how to circumvent the local laws involving a mandatory 51% Bumiputera stake. Chong had candidly spoken about "two contracts" to be drawn – one which details minimum payments in Malaysia and the other for the bulk disbursements made in Singapore. He further allegedly said that Singapore was the next Switzerland and that the republic's administration "will not tell the Malaysian government nothing…" eventhough the transactions were illegal. The video, which has gone viral and garnered 440,000 viewers, drew a strong response from Singapore's Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Both have described the claims in the "sting video" as "simply false". Singapore daily Today Online, quoting a statement from the authorities, reported that both Malaysia and Singapore governments had a good working relationship on tax matters. Singapore, they said, had provided full information on tax matters whenever requested by Malaysia. "The allegation is simply false. Contrary to what was claimed in the video, Singapore has to date provided fully the information requested by Malaysia for tax purposes. "In addition, Singapore has designated a wide range of crimes as predicate offences to money laundering — including corruption, bribery and fraud. This is in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force." Singapore "has been and remains able to provide mutual legal assistance to the fullest extent permitted under our laws where there are requests from Malaysia", they added.
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| Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:24 PM PDT Sabahans can no longer rely on Malaya for welfare and must stand up and be counted, says SAPP Queville To, FMT KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is not letting up on hammering home its message that Sabah will remain a losing proposition as long as Malaya-centric politics holds sway in the state. "Because of Malaya, Sabah is today the poorest state in Malaysia. Such is our pathetic state of affairs. This is so shameful and a cruel joke against Sabah," said Wilfred Gaban, the party's Progressive Institute of Public Policy Analysis (PIPPA) director. Speaking at a political gathering in Luyang here on Wednesday, Gaban urged Sabahans to reject all the peninsula-based political parties as they had done nothing much for Sabah except siphon off its wealth. He said that it was time for Sabahans to stand up to fight for their rights and for a better future. "It is time for Sabahans to wake up. We cannot rely on Malaya for welfare. We must take the initiative to do a better job of running our own government. Malaya should not interfere in the affairs of Sabah governance," he said. A potential candidate for the coming general election, Gaban also blamed federal leaders for causing Malaysia to lag behind economically as compared to other Asean nations such as Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore. "As a very tiny nation, barely the size of Keningau, Singapore managed to surpass Malaysia GDP by over five billion dollars," he pointed out. Gaban also reminded that in 1970, Malaysia had even sent technical experts to South Korea to assist the Koreans. "But today, South Korea's economy has eclipsed Malaysia's economy 10-fold. Today, South Korea is a global player whose manufacturing industries are some of the top producers in the world. "What has happened to Malaysia? Why has Malaysia lagged so far behind even when Malaysia gets help from the vast natural resources output of Sabah?" he asked.
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| Cracks appearing in Sabah Umno? Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:19 PM PDT A Sabah NGO - United Suluk Community Organisation (USCO) - has, strangely enough, decided to move into 'active' politics. Luke Rintod, FMT KUDAT: Speculation is high that former deputy chief minister under a PBS-plus government, Amir Kahar Mustapha, is about to quit Umno and join an opposition group. The former Banggi assemblyman, who is the eldest son of ex- Sabah chief minister, the late Tun Mustapha Harun, is said to have been approached by the members of the Suluk community here to represent them in the opposition in the coming election. Sources said there had been calls for Amir Kahar to stand again in Banggi which is currently represented by Umno's Mijul Unaini. "We may join a party soon if everything is alright," a source said, adding that they preferred a local party as vehicle but have not ruled out a national party. Sources close to the politician also said that apart from Banggi, four other state seats and one parliamentary constituency in the west coast – Tanjung Kapur, Karambunai, Likas, Tanjung Aru and Sepanggar respectively – are being eyed by those in his circle. There has also been talk that Amir Kahar had met with State Reform Party (STAR) chairman Jeffrey Kitingan recently. Amir Kahar could not be reached for comment. A younger brother of Amir Kahar, Badarudin, who heads Usno club, has already teamed up with Jeffrey under the United Borneo Alliance (UBA) and is likely to stand in one of the east-coast seats on a STAR ticket. Another Usno leader, Abdullah Sani Mohd Salleh, is likely to stand in the Bugaya state seat which is currently held by Umno's Ramlee Marahaban. Suluk group moves in Meanwhile, a NGO catering for the Suluk community, United Suluk Community Organsition (USCO), has decided to move into 'active' politics.
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| ASEAN non-interference and the Sabah conflict Posted: 21 Mar 2013 02:08 PM PDT
Yet while the regional organisation has trumpeted its 'central role' in maintaining peace, security and stability in a region which has experienced both internal and intra-member conflicts since post-independence, it is has so far been 'silent' on the Sabah crisis. Imelda Deinla, New Mandala The recent incursion into Sabah of more than 200 armed groups styling themselves as the Royal Army of the Sultan of Sulu has put another challenge to ASEAN's claim to its centrality in the region. There seems to be consensus that the Sabah conflict has become another flashpoint that has broader regional security implications for members of ASEAN. Yet while the regional organisation has trumpeted its 'central role' in maintaining peace, security and stability in a region which has experienced both internal and intra-member conflicts since post-independence, it is has so far been 'silent' on the Sabah crisis. The United Nations through Ban Ki Moon issued a statement two weeks after the incursion urging parties to end the violence through dialogue and to seek a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Member countries were more adamant in not expressing their views with the exception of Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who remarked during a state visit to Hungary on 6 March 2013 that a diplomatic approach must be pursued in the future and called on ASEAN's current chair, Brunei Darussalam, to take a proactive move to resolve the conflict peacefully. There are two ways to interpret ASEAN's lack of visibility in the Sabah crisis. One is that there is no willingness among member countries to 'regionalise' the conflict and a preference for treating it purely as an internal security matter primarily for Malaysia. In this way, the principle of non-interference on sovereignty is maintained. The fact however that the conflict involves cross-border actions and personalities from Malaysia and the Philippines belies its characterisation as an 'internal' matter. However, this is also indicative of an evolving pattern following the failure to reach a consensus on the South China last year, and the muted statements of ASEAN involving the skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian forces at the Preah Vijear temple in 2011. Read more at: http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2013/03/22/asean-non-interference-and-the-sabah-conflict/
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| A two-year election campaign nears its climax Posted: 21 Mar 2013 02:05 PM PDT
(The Economist) - That he still has some chance of becoming prime minister is testimony to widespread anger at the corruption endemic in Malaysia. WITH a tight election coming up, it is politics as usual in Malaysia—only more so. This month alone has seen the opposition accused of colluding in a foreign invasion of the state of Sabah in Borneo; the death of a private investigator, reviving stories of the grisly murder in 2006 of a beautiful Mongolian woman linked to a friend of the prime minister, Najib Razak; the leader of the opposition, Anwar Ibrahim, denying that he was one of two men appearing in grainy pictures online in an affectionate clinch; and a film shot on hidden cameras that appears to show large-scale corruption in the government of the other Malaysian state in Borneo, Sarawak. Sailing blithely above the mud and filth that make Malaysian political waters so murky, Mr Najib went on national television on March 19th to deliver the scorecard on the "transformation programme" his government has implemented. He had a good story to tell, of robust economic growth of 5.6% in 2012, poverty virtually eliminated, inequality reduced and 400 legal cases against corruption initiated. And he was able to announce that a scheme to give cash handouts to poorer households will become an annual event. All should be set fair, you might think, for Mr Najib's ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional (BN), to romp home again at the election, as it has done in every ballot since independence in 1957. Mr Najib is expected to dissolve parliament any day now, with the voting to follow in mid-April after a brief official campaign period (the unofficial one has now lasted two years or more). If he does not dissolve parliament, its term will expire at the end of April, and the election must then be held by the end of June. In fact, the outcome is in doubt, for the first time in Malaysia's history. In the election five years ago the opposition coalition, the Pakatan Rakyat, for the first time deprived the BN of the two-thirds majority that allows it to change the constitution. That led to the downfall of the BN prime minister of the day, Abdullah Badawi. His replacement by Mr Najib was decided by their party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which represents the Malays (who make up about 55% of the population) and dominates the BN. In 2008 Pakatan actually won a slight majority of the popular vote in peninsular Malaysia (ie, excluding Sabah and Sarawak). Affirmative-action policies introduced more than 40 years ago to favour Malays and other indigenous groups over the Chinese and Indian minorities were no longer enough to ensure an overwhelming victory for the ruling coalition. The BN says it would like to campaign on Mr Najib's record of relative economic success, modest liberalising reform and statesmanship. The opposition wants to keep the focus on issues of fairness and corruption. It can boast of good performances by governments in some of the four (out of 13) states it controls in Malaysia's federal system. But its best hope is that, after more than five decades of BN rule, many Malaysians want change. Read more at: http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21574013-two-year-election-campaign-nears-its-climax-video-nasties
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| Indecent Haste that Ignored Tunnel Project's Viability Within a Risk-based Framework Posted: 21 Mar 2013 01:57 PM PDT
For a technically challenging project, the proposed tunnel has not been through the required public selection processes for consultants and bidders, environmental studies, public hearings, design completion and independent reviews. It does not have a detailed, bottom-up cost estimate. It does not even spell out the number of lanes it going to build.
Ong Eu Soon Lim Guan Eng refuted claims that the tender and subsequent award was a "rush job". Let see is it true or not.
For a technically challenging project, the proposed tunnel has not been through the required public selection processes for consultants and bidders, environmental studies, public hearings, design completion and independent reviews. It does not have a detailed, bottom-up cost estimate. It does not even spell out the number of lanes it going to build. If this is not a rush job, why has the state government opted for a short cut to bulldoze through the award of letter of intent?
Underground construction presents unique risks that are not typically encountered on other types of heavy civil construction. It is industry practice to evaluate any tunnel project's viability within a risk-based framework. This has not been done for the tunnel and it is not accounted for in the tendering process.
Until today there is no effort to carry out additional subsurface exploration and testing or revisit designs, construction sequences, and associated costs and schedules to mitigate the risks reflected in the anticipated subsurface conditions, and identify other elements including agency, owner/operator or local requirements, which could cause major scope increases during final design or construction.
Without preliminary engineering study, there is insufficient info to complete a level of tunnel design that can be used to conclude the selection of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) and arrive at a credible estimate of the TBM advance rate. One of the largest cost factors associated with tunnel construction is determining what kinds of geological conditions exist between the portals or shafts of a tunnel. Modern geotechnical engineers utilize a variety of imaging technologies and boring samples to determine rock type and groundwater penetration. These technologies can provide an acceptable level of confidence in the type of rock that needs to be bored through. The major geological and geotechnical factors that pose a high level of uncertainty to the current design and estimates of schedule and cost are totally ignored by Lim Guan Eng administration throughout the tendering process.
The developer is obligated to provide safety equipment and high levels of insurance. For example of a construction safety cost which must be considered is proper ventilation, which is necessary to provide for the health of workers during construction. These costs can be very high which often results in construction management companies making the bare minimum investment in safety required.
Since there is no preliminary engineering study, no normal operations ventilation analysis has been performed. This would normally be expected in order to give confidence in the sizing of ventilation system components, particularly the ventilation shafts. In the absence of this analysis, ventilation shaft sizes remain unconfirmed. An increase in shaft size will have significant cost implications.
Additionally, there are costs associated with providing for the safety of people using a tunnel after construction. All transportation tunnels will require more portals and ventilation shafts than may be necessary during the construction phase. One of the largest safety costs is associated with preventing and suppressing tunnel fires. Protecting against fire involves detection and communication systems to determine the source of a fire. Tunnel fires and smoke can spread rapidly, which necessitates fire suppression and ventilation systems. In addition, there is a need for a means of egress and regular intervals to allow for the swift exit of individuals using the tunnel in question.
Lastly, there is a cost associated with protecting structural elements from fire so that the tunnel will not immediately collapse in the event of a fire.
There have been cases of unexpected water penetration which have drastically increased the price of tunnelling and severely reduced the profit for the contractor. One such case was during the construction of the Burnley tunnel, part of Melbourne's CityLink project. The Burnley tunnel passes deep beneath the Yarra River, and consequentially resulted in having a very high water pressure surrounding the tunnel. As a result of unforeseen condition in the design stage, some of the 1.8m thick concrete floor panels or inverts were lifted out of place by the water pressure, causing the contractor to lose $154m in damages (Samuel, 2007). Problems like the Burnley tunnel cause contractors to place higher percentage contingencies into the bid price than any other infrastructure projects. This variance in the type of substrate present in different countries has a profound effect on the cost of tunnelling.
In the case of cost overrun, what should we do? Abandon the project? Bailout the developer at our expenses? Allow the developer to build sub-standard tunnel and ignore safety requirement in order to prevent cost overrun? Lim Guan Eng need to clarify how he going to handling issues of cost overrun and safety if he insists that the tunnel project should proceed as planned.
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| Some thoughts on the Bar Council AGM 16 March 2013 Posted: 21 Mar 2013 01:38 PM PDT
But what concerns me is that [Americk] Singh's statement was accepted as the gospel truth by the all the lawyers present without any verification or collaboration. Desiderata The Bar Council AGM was certainly one of more exciting meetings in the history of the Malaysian Bar, particularly the revelations by Americk Singh Siddhu, who rose to prominence for drafting SD 1. But what concerns me is that Singh's statement was accepted as the gospel truth by the all the lawyers present without any verification or collaboration. Singh claimed he met Abraham at a restaurant, where he confessed to drafting SD 2 at the behest of the Prime Minister. Singh also maintained that this was done in the presence of another lawyer who accompanied him (ie Singh). Why did not this lawyer speak up and collaborate Singh's accusation? Just going by Singh's statement is surely not enough to set up a disciplinary proceedings against Abraham. Why did Singh not name his collaborator? His case would have been stronger! Deepak Jaikishen has so far refused to co operate with the Bar Council. By a strange turn of fate, PI Bala, Singh's star witness has gone to meet his Maker. Should not the newly elected Bar Committee have written to Abraham and given him two weeks to reply, which is normal procedure. Based on just Singh's statement the committee decided to refer Abraham to the Disciplinary Committee. Singh is being considered by the Bar Committee to be the fount of truth and all moral authority. Further, Abraham is not even given the courtesy of the right to reply. Those, particularly in the legal fraternity who know Abraham well would vouch that Abraham and Singh are not fraternity buddies or have legal matters in common to discuss. They would also vouch Abraham is capable of keeping his own counsel and it is very unlikely that 'he would apologise to Singh and presumably to his silent collaborator too, and confess that he drafted SD 2' as claimed by Singh. In the first place, why should Abraham apologise to Singh? It is not surprising that the new committee and particularly the Chairman, Christopher Leong, are eager to show themselves as being pro active. Nailing Abraham may be a feather in your cap, Mr President, but at least follow the set procedures. Crying aloud for justice is good, but justice must be also seen to be done, for all parties concerned. Is not the axiom, 'a man is innocent until proven guilty" one of the first things taught in Law School? Please be more considered in your actions, less haste and impulsiveness would augur a good year for the new President and his committee. Best of Luck!
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| Ini Kali Kah? It's touch-and-go for the Opposition Posted: 21 Mar 2013 01:34 PM PDT
Between Umno and PKR/Pas, the great majority of the older generation Malays would vote for the former. The majority of the younger generation and new voters remain to be seen. Will they buy the pemimpin yang di sanjung tinggi crap? Joe Fernandez We are forgetting the older generation Malays who want 100 per cent the NEP to be retained although the majority of them have nothing but their two you know what. But like gamblers or lottery ticket buyers or alcoholics, they all hope to benefit someday when they become YBs or even PM and can put their hands in the National Cookie Jar under the guise of affirmative action and/or bringing so-called development to the people. East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet. The great majority of the Malays in Malaya will not vote the same way as the great majority of non-Malays. Malays think that to vote as the non-Malays would only benefit the latter and thereby it's a loss to them somehow. Between Umno and PKR/Pas, the great majority of the older generation Malays would vote for the former. The majority of the younger generation and new voters remain to be seen. Will they buy the pemimpin yang di sanjung tinggi crap? The Indians, who decided in 67 of the parliamentary seats in 2008, remain an unknown quantity this time except for the younger generation and new voters who are all largely anti-government. In 2008, 85 per cent of the Indians voted against BN. Yet BN still managed to form the Federal Government with the help of Sabah and Sarawak where they lost only two parliamentary seats. This time BN can lose 14 parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak in a delayed tsunami provided the Opposition -- read Anwar -- can get their act together. Anwar's thinking in Sabah: "Never mind if I lose. Jeffrey must not win so that Muslim domination of Sabah can continue." He expects Umno in Sabah to cross over to PKR if PR seizes Putrajaya. Sarawak is one-to-one but what about Sabah? Anwar is being bull-headed in Sabah instead of withdrawing gracefully in favour of the local parties. Sabah does not need PR or BN. PKR and Pas will not win even one seat in Sabah. In Sarawak, PKR will win only one parliamentary seat -- Mas Gading -- if Star doesn't take it, Dap six and Pas none. If PKR and Pas withdraw from Sabah, the Opposition can win seven parliamentary seats including two by Dap. At the same time, if left alone or ignored by PR, less Indians can be expected to vote against BN this time. The Indians should vote against all incumbents. They don't need MIC or Hindraf because the Indians will not benefit whoever -- whether BN or PR -- is in power. Hindraf should remain an NGO and apolitical. Even more Chinese this time will vote for the Opposition. The Chinese don't need the BN or its development. What is important is that the ruling party does not get a two-third majority. The Opposition will retain Kelantan and Penang but what about their other two states and Perak? It's 50:50. That's why Kit Siang is moving to Johor and Anwar may move to Perak, if not Selangor. There's a need to rattle Umno. The Opposition has a chance to seize Terengganu, Perak and Negri Sembilan. Change in Malaysia will depend on the younger generation and new voters, the Indians and Sabah and Sarawak. At least BN in Malaya can be wiped out. Umno will survive. BN's free money policy is merely saving some of the money that would have otherwise been lost to corruption. Better to make the majority happy than the corrupt minority. BN will not stop the corruption completely because that's why they are in politics. The GE will be sometime between May 10 and mid-Oct after Parliament expires on April 28 undissolved. Just as not more than six months must lapse between one parliamentary sitting and another parliamentary sitting, not more than six months must lapse between one parliament and another if it expires undissolved. The GE needs to be called within two months only if Parliament is dissolved. The longer the GE is delayed, the better for Umno in Malaya but not in Sabah and the worse for BN in the country. The longer that the GE is delayed, the worse for PR including Dap in Sabah and the better for the local Opposition parties.
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| Only crumbs left for MIC in Perak Posted: 21 Mar 2013 01:05 PM PDT
(Free Malaysia Today) - The party, under G Palanivel, is being given the cold shoulder and told to stand in queue for the leftovers of state seats in Perak. The MIC is facing an uphill battle in its struggle to secure four state seats in Perak. In the 2008 general election, the party lost in Sungkai, Hutang Melintang, Pasir Panjang and Behrang. That miserable performance provided grist to Umno's mill to flex its muscles, and the long-time Barisan Nasional component party is now fighting to pick up whatever is left of the crumbs. As an equal partner of BN during the tenure of S Samy Vellu, the party enjoyed cordial relationship with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and had some measure of respect. Samy Vellu's combative personality and aggressive nature ensured that he got what he wanted but the political equation has changed with his exit. The MIC, under G Palanivel, is being given the cold shoulder and told to stand in the queue for the leftovers of state seats in Perak. Umno has taken over the Malay-majority state seats of Pasir Panjang and Behrang and the MIC is being compensated for these seats with the promise of the posts of senator and state speaker. MIC, realising that with the loss of these two seats to Umno, it may be politically vulnerable, has demanded another two state seats as replacements from Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir. Umno obliged with the state seats of Sungkai and Tronoh held by MCA, which had earlier agreed to give up its Buntong seat, which has the highest number of Indian voters, to MIC. But the giving away of these two MCA seats did not go down well with its (MCA's) grassroots and state leaders, and they started to demand back these two Chinese-majority seats. According to MIC sources, Umno has agreed to MCA's demand, but has offered the Gerakan-held Aulong state seat and MCA-held Sitiawan state seat as alternatives to MIC. Gerakan chief Koh Tsu Koon made a hurried trip down to Taiping to cool frayed nerves of Gerakan Aulong branch members who refused to let go of the state seat to MIC. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/03/22/only-crumbs-left-for-mic-in-perak/ |
| Posted: 21 Mar 2013 01:01 PM PDT
Even if there are circumstantial cases against the Amans in Sabah, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is unlikely to rock his 'fixed deposit'. Selvaraja Somiah, FMTThe Suluk Filipinos are after Musa Aman's head in their renewed bid for the Chief Minister's post. But this time, Musa is not alone. He is taking Foreign Minister and brother Anifah Aman along for the ride. Many want to see Anifah destroyed along with Musa to minimise any possibility of the younger brother taking up the challenge of being the chief minister if ever the opportunity presents itself. Anifah is getting closer by the day to the chief minister's post as he has since chalked up an enviable record as foreign minister. Having made his money and tonnes of it before he went into politics, Anifah has since stayed out of business and professional dealings which would cast aspersions on his character and his integrity in public service. So, the critics would appear to be barking up the wrong tree on Anifah. Both the Suluk Filipinos and opposition PKR have alleged that Anifah is Musa's "real nominee", who is involved in all sorts of shady dealings involving timber. Even the recent arrest of Manuel Amalilo aka Mohammad Suffian Syed, who scammed 15,000 Filipinos of 12 billion pesos (RM895 million) in a ponzi scheme in the Philippines, is purportedly engineered by the Aman brothers. But those who know Anifah will swear that the Kimanis MP is one shrewd operator and scrupulous about the way he arranges his public and private life. Aside from Anifah, Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan is the only other leader who will get Musa's support as his successor. But Pairin was chief minister from 1985 to 1994 and is unlikely to accept his old post even if offered. So even if there are circumstantial cases against Musa and Anifah, current Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is unlikely to rock his "fixed deposit" state of Sabah just because some Suluk Filipino (read: Semporna MP Shafie Apdal) got too big for his boots and wants to be chief minister. Dream on It is common knowledge here that Shafie, who is also a federal-level minister and an Umno vice- president, is eyeing the chief minister's seat. Shafie is a Suluk and his "turf" Semporna is undoubtedly infested with illegal immigrants, from the nearby Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. But be assured no Suluk Filipino will ever become chief minister of Sabah. Why? Because the local native Dusuns in particular — including the Kadazans and Muruts – would not allow it. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/03/22/never-a-suluk-filipino-for-cm/ |
| Agbimuddin a ‘hero’ to Muslim Filipinos, says columnist Posted: 21 Mar 2013 01:00 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Agbimuddin Kiram is now a revered legend and hero among Muslim Filipinos as he continues to elude capture despite being vastly outnumbered by Malaysian security forces, a columnist with the Philippine Daily Inquirer has said. In his "As I see It" column, veteran newsman Neal H. Cruz likened the Sulu "crown prince" and the alleged persecution of Filipinos in Sabah to the struggles of the American Indians and African Americans, who suffered decades of mistreatment at the hands of immigrant settlers from Europe. Cruz said if Agbimuddin were to be found dead, the millitant leader would become an even bigger hero, anointed the crown by the Malaysian and Philippine governments due to their handling of the sensitive and emotive Sabah issue.
"Years from now, the story of the Sultanate of Sulu and its heroes and how they were oppressed and persecuted by the Malaysian and Philippine governments will be told and retold in Muslim Filipino homes," the columnist wrote. "Books will be written about them and movies will be filmed about them, the same way the plight of the American Indians and African Americans in the past has been told." Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/agbimuddin-a-hero-to-muslim-filipinos-says-columnist/
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| Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan haram selepas 26 Mac - Dr Aziz Bari Posted: 21 Mar 2013 12:58 PM PDT
(Keadilan Daily) - Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan akan menjadi kerajaan haram jika ia terus beroperasi selepas 26 Mac, kata pakar perlembagaan, Profesor Dr Abdul Aziz Bari. Mengikut Undang-undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri, DUN Negeri Sembilan akan bubar dengan sendiri pada tarikh tersebut jika tiada pembubaran DUN dilakukan sebelum itu. "Sekiranya kerajaan Negeri Sembilan terus beroperasi selepas Selasa, 26 Mac ini, kita boleh katakan yang ia haram. Ini kerana pada tarikh itu DUN Negeri Sembilan bubar secara automatik. "Dalam sistem demokrasi berparlimen - atau Westminster - hayat kerajaan bergantung kepada dewan. Bila dewan bubar kerajaan pun ikut bubar. "Sebuah kerajaan sementara (caretaker government) perlu dilantik oleh Yam Tuan Besar. Menteri Besar (MB) yang ada boleh dilantik sebagai MB sementara," katanya kepada Keadilan Daily. Untuk rekod, sidang pertama Dewan Rakyat adalah pada 28 April 2008, manakala sidang DUN pertama pula bermula dengan Negeri Sembilan iaitu pada 26 Mac dan diikuti DUN-DUN lain pada bulan April 2008. Menurut Aziz, adalah tidak bermoral bagi kerajaan negeri atau pusat terus berkuasa kerana ia telah melebihi tarikh 8 Mac, iaitu melepasi tempoh mandat lima tahun yang diberikan sejak pilihan raya umum (PRU) 2008. "Kalau dulu taklah menonjol sangat sebab dewan (Dewan Rakyat dan DUN) dibubar sebelum 5 tahun. Sekurang-kurangnya adalah hujah moral untuk tidak melantik kerajaan sementara secara formal, "Tetapi sekarang ini lain, tarikh 8 Mac sudah jauh ditinggalkan. Tempat berpijak yang ada hanyalah tarikh dewan bersidang buat kali pertama selepas PRU yang lalu. Kalau tarikh yang itu pun sudah luput, apalagi alasan untuk kerajaan ini berada di situ dan menggunakan kemudahan serta wang rakyat," katanya. Justeru katanya, kerajaan sementara yang dilantik di Negeri Sembilan selepas 26 Mac perlu melaksanakan prinsip tersebut dengan menjalankan fungsi terhad sebagai sebuah kerajaan. Ia katanya, termasuk tidak membuat sebarang keputusan kritikal seperti meluluskan tanah, projek kerajaan atau menyampaikan bantuan kerajaan. "Kerajaan sementara ini sekadar buat kerja rutin dan tak boleh buat inisiatif penting. Guna kemudahan awam lagilah tak boleh. Naikkan gaji pun menimbulkan persoalan," ujarnya. Menyifatkan tempoh yang ada pada kerajaan ibarat 'simpanan petrol' dalam tangki minyak sebuah kereta, Aziz menggesa parlimen segera dibubar agar mandat baru diberikan oleh rakyat. "Tarikh 26 Mac itu - atau 28 April dalam konteks Dewan Rakyat - ibarat petrol reserve. "Maknanya kalau minyak habis, kereta kena berhenti dan isi minyak. Isi minyak di sini bermaksud bubar dewan dan adakan pilihan raya umum bagi mendapatkan mandat atau autoriti baru dari rakyat," kata Aziz.
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He singled out Philippine President Benigno Aquino(picture) as the one to blame, saying his behaviour regarding the Sabah crisis was "really infuriating".
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