Sabtu, 4 Jun 2011

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Malaysian women urge wives to be 'whores in bed'

Posted: 04 Jun 2011 03:05 AM PDT

(AFP) - A group of Malaysian women launched an "Obedient Wife Club" on Saturday, urging members to be "whores in bed" and obey their husbands to curb social ills like divorce and domestic violence.

Islamic group Global Ikhwan held the club's inaugural meeting in Kuala Lumpur, giving women tips on how to keep their men satisfied and prevent them straying.

"A good wife is perceived to be prim and proper -- you just take care of the children -- but not much is emphasised on fulfilling sexual needs of the husband. If he needs sex, obey him," Rohaya Mohamad, the club's vice-president told AFP.

Rohaya said 30 percent of the club members were in polygamous marriages while the rest were in monogamous relationships and that the club was open to non-Muslims.

"You must satisfy your husband. A good wife should be a whore in bed," said 46-year-old doctor, whose husband has three other wives.

She said the club boasted 800 Malaysian members so far with another 200 from across the Middle East.

Over 1,000 guests and supporters turned up for the launch in a leafy suburb, held in conjunction with a mass wedding of ten couples, with the brides all members of the new club.

"If the wife is obedient, then the husband feels good and is entertained and this builds a closer relationship and greater love and no one strays," said groom Mohamad Shurahbil Amran, 23.

His bride Umuhani Lokman Hakim, 19, dressed in a golden white Arabic wedding gown, was unforthcoming when asked why she joined the club and would only say: "It is the right thing to do to keep the family together."

The club has come under criticism from Malaysian women's groups who say the onus on keeping a family together is being unfairly placed on women.

"With obedience comes submission, which may lead to domestic violence and marital rape," Women's Aid Organisation head Ivy Josiah told AFP.

"We should really be forming equality in marriage clubs," she added.

Women's rights group EMPOWER said the club was a step back for the progress of the equality movement.

"We cannot go back to caveman days where the man pulls the woman by the hair and takes her to the cave to have his way. We must recognise that women contribute a lot more than just being a sex toy," the group's executive director Maria Chin Abdullah told AFP.

Polygamy is legal for Muslims, who make up more than 60 percent of Malaysia's population, allowing Muslim men to take up to four wives.

In 2010, a study by a Muslim activist group found men in polygamous relationships find it difficult to meet the needs of all their wives and children, and that the result is often unhappy and cash-strapped families.

 

Dominance of Non-Ulama Group Shows PAS' Openness

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 09:41 PM PDT

 

(Bernama) - The dominance of the non-ulama group in the PAS' central leadership this time shows the party's openness, said its vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

"What's the problem? PAS is very open and in its constitution, there is no mention that the party is exclusively for any group.

"The selection (made in the party election) proves that the members understand the party's constitution and the slogan, 'PAS For All'.

"They (delegates) not only looked at the academic background of each candidate but also their capability," he said when met at the PAS 57th Muktamar, here, today.

Another party vice-president, Salahuddin Ayub, said he would be focusing on preparing for the 13th general election.

"The party will be better prepared, more efficient, committed and focused in facing the challenges," he said.

The party's new deputy president, Mohamad Sabu, said there did not exist a  professional group and an ulama group in PAS as there was already a clear role between the executive and ulama in the party.

"The ulama are still much in control, especially in the Syura (Consultative) Council and Ulama wing. As an Islamic party, we are unlike Umno where it groups the ulama in a bureau but the role of our ulama takes the form of the Syura Council in determining party policies and discipline," he said.

Mohamad is also determined to help the opposition pact win more support from the public, especially the non-Muslims.

He said non-Muslims' support was important, especially in facing the next general election as the party could not solely depend on its members for votes.

"For us, this change does not bring with it a change in party policies and direction; only the work will be stepped up from time to time," he said.

Mohamad thanked the delegates for their support and the media for the publicity, whether positive or negative, on the party election. "All are greatly appreciated," he added.

The outcome of the election was that Mohamad, 56, better known as Mat Sabu, obtained 420 votes, defeating the incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa (224 votes) and  Pahang PAS commissioner Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (399).

The three vice-president posts also went to the non-ulama group when  Salahuddin, Mahfuz and Kelantan state executive council member Datuk Husam Musa emerged the winners in the six-cornered contest.

Salahuddin, 50, garnered the highest number of votes at 753, while Husam, 52, obtained 660 votes and Mahfuz, 54, had 616.

 

Nasharuddin: Delegates voted for a GE line-up

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 08:41 PM PDT

 

Three term incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa graciously accepted his defeat in PAS party elections saying it is a 'democratic process.'

(Free Malaysia Today) -  Incumbent deputy president, Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who held the seat for six years has accepted his defeat saying that he had to 'respect' the delegates' choice.

"We leave it to the delegates to decide and they have decided. They have voiced out their choice and you have to respect that choice," said Nasharuddin.

"There is no issue of blaming anyone. The party election is a very democratic process…and we have to respect the rights of the delegates," he added.

He was speaking to journalists at the sidelines of the party's 57th muktamar in Taman Melewar here.

The fight for the deputy president's post was considered to be a battle royale as Nasharuddin was pitted against grassroot leaders Mohamad Sabu and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Mat.

In a surprising turn, Mat Sabu swept to victory by securing a total of 420 votes. Tuan Ibrahim was second garnering 399 votes. Nasharuddin trailed behind both candidates with 224 votes.

When asked why he did not win, Nasharuddin cheekily answered: " Because the delegates didn't vote for me. Maybe the delegates wanted leaders who are more vocal."

He dismissed speculations that the contensios 'unity' government issue had caused him his deputy president post, saying it was a  "stale issue".

Nasharuddin had been one of the main characters in the issue over unity talks between PAS and Umno.

The matter had dominated the party's muktamar in 2009.

Although the issue was still talked-about, PAS party leaders have kept a conscious distance from the matter ever since.

Split votes

In the runup to the polls, many had predicted that votes from the ulama faction will be split between the two candidates, Nasharuddin and Tuan Ibrahim.

Both are perceived to be from this camp.

Concurring with the view, Nasharuddin said: "It is not new to have votes that split in a three corner fight.

"Yes…the ulama votes may have been split here."

Asked for his views on the newly elected 2011-2013 national leadership lineup, which surprisingly comprised more moderates than ulamas, Nasharudin said 'both sides were well represented.'

"Those voted in represent the different backgrounds from the two camps that have been called the ulama and the non-ulama.

"Even if the representation is not there (in terms of numbers), the spirit of the ulama is still very palpable.

"We still have the Syurah Council which is very influential," he said.

In what is considered a 'historic' election, delegates voted in more progressives and professionals into key posts.

Aside from Mat Sabu, other 'Erdogans' whom delegates voted in were incumbents Salahudin Ayub,  Mahfuz Omar and Husam Musa for vice presidents.

READ MORE HERE

 

PAS urged to field non-Muslim supporters in general election

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:58 PM PDT

 

This was to realise the party's central leaders' expressed wish to give such an opportunity to its non-Muslim supporters and to enhance the wing's role in the party

(Bernama) -  A delegate at the PAS general assembly today proposed that the party field its non-Muslim supporters in the next general election.

Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil, from Johor, said the PAS Supporters wing comprising non-Muslim supporters should be given the opportunity to contest in the 13th general election.

He said this was to realise the party's central leaders' expressed wish to give such an opportunity to its non-Muslim supporters and to enhance the wing's role in the party.

"In each state, there should be at least one member from the party's Supporters wing contesting a parliamentary or state seat," he proposed when debating on the party president's policy speech at the PAS' 57th Muktamar in Taman Melewar, Gombak, near here, today.

Khairul Faizi said to ensure that the wing had a place in the party, the PAS central leadership must provide a special allocation for the wing to enhance its role.

He said logistic problems like the absence of an office to operate from, and staff, had resulted in the wing being unable to register 20,000 supporters with the party.

"The secretary of the PAS Johor Supporters wing had often phoned me on this matter, so the party needs to provide an allocation for the wing," he said.

He also proposed that the party strengthen its information bureau, including providing it with an annual allocation of at least RM1 million.

He said the information bureau appeared to be weak, especially in countering baseless accusations against the party, besides being unable to deliver accurate information to the people.

"The information bureau should be treated as an important department of the party. It should be upgraded to the same level of the party's general election department," he suggested.

 

Anwar’s absence seen as a slap in PAS’ face

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:47 PM PDT

 

(The Star) - PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not attend the opening of the PAS 57th Muktamar yesterday despite PAS leaders, including some ulama, defending him over the sex video issue.

PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim claimed her husband could not attend the event because he was abroad.

Anwar's absence was seen by many as a slap in PAS' face as the party had stood by him through thick and thin as he faced one allegation after another.

Although most PAS leaders remained nonchalant, some said Anwar was being disrespectful towards the party that had remained strong in its defence of the Opposition Leader.

Among PAS ulama who had openly spoken in defence of Anwar included Nik Razi Nik Mat of Kelantan who blamed the media for playing up the sex video issue implicating Anwar.

On March 21, the Datuk T trio comprising businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik and former Perkasa treasurer-general Datuk Shuaib Lazim had exposed the existence of a sex video showing a man resembling Anwar having sex with a woman believed to be a prostitute.

Anwar had lodged a police report claiming that he was not the man in the video.

A delegate who spoke on condition of anonymity said he was not bothered by Anwar's absence.

"Perhaps it is best he did not come," he said.

 

 

Hudud law no longer a priority, says Nasrudin

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:45 PM PDT

 

(The Star) - PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan said the party would continue to advocate the hudud law but it is no longer considered a priority.

He said the fact that the issue was not mentioned at all in president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's policy speech at the opening of the party's 57th Muktamar did not mean that it was forgotten.

"Islam is a religion which encompasses all aspects of human life. There are still so many other issues for us to resolve and we have to prioritise them to suit the changing times.

"But in doing so, we will never deviate from the party's policies that are based on Islam," he said when commenting on Hadi's policy speech which set the tone of PAS' campaign for the 13th general election.

PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is Kelantan Mentri Besar, had previously called on parties to agree to the implementation of the law if the alliance succeeded in forming the Federal Government.

The call drew a lot of flak from the DAP, with party stalwarts Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh fiercely defending the view that Malaysia is a secular state and that any policy changes in the Pakatan could only be made with the mutual agreement of all component parties.

Selangor PAS chief Datuk Dr Hasan Ali, meanwhile, said the fight for justice was a common ground shared by all Pakatan leaders regardless of their religious beliefs.

"We cannot abandon our Islamic principles but there is always room for discussion when there are differences in opinions," he said.

 

Obedient Wives Club to offer sex lessons on how to pleasure husbands

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:40 PM PDT

 

(The Star) - Sex lessons to help wives "serve their husbands better than a first-class prostitute" will be among the courses provided by the Obedient Wives Club (OWC) to help promote harmonious marriages and counter social ills.

Its vice-president Dr Rohaya Mohamad said it was time sexual prowess took a front seat in marriage beyond the traditional "good mother or good cook" roles.

"A good or religious wife is also sexually good in bed," she told reporters after the launch of the club's Malaysian chapter at the Perangsang Templer Golf Club Saturday.

A husband who was kept happy in the bedroom would have no reason to stray or seek out prostitutes or indulge in other social vices, said Dr Rohaya, who was a medical doctor for 15 years in the Health Ministry before taking a leadership role in the club.

"The family institution is protected and we can curb social ills like prostitution, domestic violence, human trafficking and abandoned babies," she said, adding that she believed these problems stemmed from unfulfilled sexual needs at home.

Dr Rohaya, said the club would also offer counselling and lecture sessions for wives, husbands or couples.

She said the Malaysian chapter had around 800 members while its Jordan chapter had 200, with the Indonesian chapter set to be launched on June 19 in Jakarta.

When questioned whether wives should remain obedient if their husbands still abused or cheated on them with prostitutes, Dr Rohaya said everyone was subject to God's rule.

"God has his ways and is fair to all. A husband is also subject to God's rule, meaning he can go to hell too. But a woman must be a good wife to the end," she said, adding that according to Islam, women should pray, fast during Ramadhan, protect their chastity and obey their husbands if they wanted to enter Heaven.

OWC and the Polygamy Club was formed by Global Ikhwan Sdn Bhd, an organisation founded by former members of the banned Al-Arqam Islamic group.

A mass wedding reception for eight couples was also held during the launch.

The brides were aged 18 to 22 while the grooms were aged 20 to 48. All are OWC members and agreed that disobedient wives were the cause of many social ills.

 

Victorious Mat Sabu seeks to widen PAS’s appeal

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:21 PM PDT

 

(The Malaysian Insider) - Newly elected PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu believes his new position will see the party strengthening its image as a national party, and stressed today the importance of the non-Malay electorate in the coming general election.

The Penang-born Mohamad also took pains to assure members that the new leadership will not change the party's direction and denied that PAS is divided between the different factions.

"Ulama still have a great influence in the party especially with the ulama and shura council. We are an Islamist party and unlike Umno where the religious scholars are placed under a bureau. We have a shura council where they can control the party's direction.

"I think the new leadership will bring any new momentum but what we want is to win the 13th general election, not only from the vote of our supporters but we must get the support of many including the non-Muslims," he told reporters here.

The popular PAS leader won the party deputy presidency with 420 votes, leading a group of progressive leaders to counter conservatives who prefer to link up with Umno.

The 56-year-old defeated incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa who received only 224 votes and vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man who came second with 399 votes. A total of 1,100 delegates voted in this year's party elections.

Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, was contesting the post for the second straight time against the three-term deputy president, who together with Tuan Ibrahim, are seen as leaders from the ulama or scholars' group.

The three-cornered contest was billed as a contest between the party's conservative ulama faction and the professionals (dubbed the Erdogans in a reference to progressive Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan).

Today, Mohamad said that the third candidate, Tuan Ibrahim, was a significant factor in him winning the post.

READ MORE HERE

 

Sabu is new deputy, Husam joins Salahuddin, Mahfuz as VPs

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:02 PM PDT

Mohamad Sabu (pic) has been elected as the new deputy president, beating the incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa and fellow challenger Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Results of the polls held yesterday were announced by PAS's election commitee charman Abdul Halim Abd Rahman, this morning.

Out of 1,045 votes cast, Sabu obtained 420 votes, while Tuan Ibrahim 399 and Nasharuddin 224.

Vice presidents

Meanwhile, the vice president's contest saw two incumbents remaining in their posts. They are Salahudin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar. They are now joined by Kelantan Exco member Husam Musa (left).

Salahuddin gained the highest number of votes at 753, followed by Husam (660) and Mahfuz (616).

Three other vice presidency candidates who failed to occupy the posts are Idris Ahmad who gained 491 votes, Mohd Amar Abdullah (321) and Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin (217).

Another former vice president Tuan Ibrahim, who in the last polls gained the most number of votes, did not join the race following his acceptance of the deputy president's contest.

Meanwhile, 18 candidates have been appointed as Central Committee members, with the highest number of votes obtained by Mazlan Aliman (right), chairman of the Felda whistleblower group ANAK. The following is the full list:

1) Mazlan Aliman (804)
2) Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli (765)
3) Kamarudin Jaafar (739)
4) Hanipa Maidin (735)
5) Azizan Abdul Razak (721)
6) Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (702)
7) Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (651)
8) Khalid Samad (643)
9) Abdul Ghani shamsuddin (579)
10) Amiruddin Hamzah (576)
11) Abdul Wahid Endut (556)
12) Abu Bakar Chik (527)
13) Mohd Amar Abdullah (470)
14) Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (445)
15) Mahfodz Mohamed (449)
16) Hassan Ali (437)
17) Abdul Ghani Abd Rahman (430)
18) Nuridah Salleh (416)

 

No Compromise With Groups Acting For Own Interests, Says Najib

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:44 PM PDT

(Bernama) - The government will not compromise with groups which act for their own interests without regard for the consequences their measures will have on the nation, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

The prime minister said the government wanted to remind these irresponsible people that they were playing with fire in fanning racial and religious sentiments openly or subtly.

"They are gambling with the future of our children and grandchildren and, eventually, both the victors and the vanquished will be the losers," he said in his speech at the investiture in conjunction with the birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at the Istana Negara.

Najib said that if this was what they coveted, then it would be a failed and disunited Malaysia that they would leave behind for the coming generations.

"Shouldn't we learn from what's happening elsewhere, such as in the Balkans in the continent of Europe? Let us also not forget to learn from the tragedy which befell our beloved country," he said.

The prime minister reminded that one should not also fish in troubled waters.

"We have painstakingly built and nurtured our powerful relationship over decades. As such, we will not compromise on, and will reject, any attempt by specific groups to act for themselves without regard for the consequences their actions will have on the majority of Malaysians and the country," he said.

Najib said that like it or not, before anything was undone, the government would be cautious and adopt corrective measures without hesitation.

"Certainly, such a noble effort demands moral and political courage from all quarters in the name of Malaysia," he said.

Najib said that the government, in formulating any policy, always took into account the existing differences as an important factor of consideration.

"In fact, expecting unity to continue to blossom without any proactive role by the government and community leaders of all the races will only invite tragedy."

Najib said a major effort of the government was to continue to drive development, avert cultural confrontation, enhance understanding and celebrate differences that exist among the people through sharing what they had.

He said the unity of the various races in the country did not occur naturally, but was shaped by the environment and historical events and episodes, and cosmopolitan Malaysia was a reality.

"The question before us now is whether we want to use it as a catalyst for better prosperity for us and our children and grandchildren or as an unending source of polarisation. It all depends on us," he said.

 

‘Stop scholarships to students from vernacular schools’

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:38 PM PDT

 

Perkasa is courting yet another controversy with its latest call to the government to further tighten the conditions for scholarships to non-Malays.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Malay rights group, Perkasa has suggested that the government limit its Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships 'strictly' to non-Malay students who have completed their education 'exclusively in national school's.

In making this call Perkasa secretary general, Syed Hassan Syed Ali said it would be unfair to award scholarships to students whose parents have no faith in the national education system.

He urged the government to make this a condition for those wanting to apply for scholarships from the Malaysian government.

"Non-bumiputra parents who want their children to obtain national and PSD scholarships should place them in a national school from standard one until Form 5.

"Parents who don't trust the nations school system and send their children to vernacular schools should not ask for scholarships from the government.

"They should ask for scholarships from the Indian and Chinese based fundations and corporate companies instead," Syed Hussein said alluding to the Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools in the country.

According to Wikipedia there are some 60 Chinese schools in Malaysia offering secondary education, some 23 of these schools are in East Malaysia.

Primary level Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools in the country are government-aided.

Courting controversy

Syed Hussein said the 300 seats (which includes the bumiputras) set aside for national and PSD scholarships should be given based on merit.

He was commenting on the controversy over scholarships following Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong's disclosure, last month, that 363 straight A+ students failed to obtain PSD scholarships.

The disclosure led to a spate between Wee and Minister in Prime Minister's Department, Nazri Aziz.

READ MORE HERE

 

Defamation suit: Hisham wants Anwar’s defence struck off

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:16 PM PDT

(Bernama) - Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has claimed that Anwar Ibrahim had ill intentions when he uttered  malicious words at a press conference in connection with a sex video featuring someone resembling the opposition leader.

Hishammuddin said the words which were later widely reported in the media and the Internet, were not published in good faith and that the main motive of Anwar was to injure his (Hishammuddin's) reputation as a minister and politician.

In his reply to Anwar's statement of defence filed on June 1, Hishammuddin said Anwar was indifferent to the falsity of words spoken.

He contended that the tone of language used by Anwar was reckless without any care whether the aspersions cast on him were true or false.

Hishammuddin said the words were not factual, pure conjecture and grossly inaccurate.

As such Hishamuddin said he wants the statement of defence filed by Anwar on May 16 to be struck out.

In his reply to Anwar's counter-claim, Hishammuddin said the words uttered by him (Hishammuddin) relating to the sex video were made in discharging his public duties as Home Minister to the public, who had a corresponding and a legitimate interest in receiving the same.

He also denied any misuse or malfeasance of his position or office or any action which was contrary to his duties and responsiblities and that he was asking the court to dismiss the counter-claim.

On April 26, Hishammuddin had filed a defamation suit against Anwar for uttering defamatory words against him during an interview with the media on March 22 after Anwar had lodged a report on the video with the Dang Wangi police here.

Hishammuddin, 50, said the words were understood to mean that he was responsible for screening the video to a group of editors and journalists at Carcosa Seri Negara Hotel on March 21.

The Minister said the words were also understood to mean that he arranged for the screening of the video and plotted with the Prime Minister and the police top brass to have it done.

Anwar defended that the words uttered by him were published on an occasion of qualified privilege and published in the reasonable protection of his own legitimate interest as opposition leader to the public who had a corresponding interest in receiving the information.

In his counter-claim, Anwar contended that Hishammuddin's words in his press conference on March 21, gave weight to the assertion by the three persons who exposed the video that it was him (Anwar) in it.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera set July 25 for case management to allow Anwar to counter Hishammuddin's reply.

He set the date after meeting counsel Cecil Abraham and Sunil Abraham representing Hishammuddin and S Ambiga and J Leela for Anwar, when the case came up for case management today.

 

Malaysia police slammed for cattle-branding women

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 04:26 PM PDT

(AP) - KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian lawyers, politicians and activists lambasted the police Saturday, accusing them of abusing their power in chaining up and marking the bodies of 30 foreign women detained for alleged prostitution.

Police raided a high-end nightclub in northern Penang state late Thursday and arrested 29 women from China and one from Vietnam, along with eight Malaysian men. Local media reported police officers went undercover at the club for a week before the raid.

It triggered an outcry after local newspapers carried photos of the women bound up with a long chain and marked with either a tick or an X on their chest and forehead.

"The police branded the detained women as though they are cattle," opposition lawmaker Teresa Kok said in a statement. "It is sickening that the police would employ such dehumanizing tactics as a show of power and moral superiority over their detainees."

Women's rights group Tenaganita said the detainees had been victimized and called for an investigation into the police conduct.

Another rights group, Lawyers for Liberty, said the police action was "very unusual and inhumane" as the women were merely suspects and not convicted of any crime.

Police have defended their action, saying the markings served as a way to identify the women.

Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob told the New Straits Times that the situation was chaotic, with the suspects trying to escape. He said police were forced to mark the women after some donned new clothes to try and blend in with other female patrons of the club.

READ MORE HERE.

‘Yayasan is facing losses’

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 12:51 PM PDT

By Martin Carvalho, The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Government's decision to reject temporary occupation licence (TOL) applications by nursery operators in Sungai Buloh and instead award it to Yayasan Selangor is to save the foundation from financial losses, the Federal Government charged.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Indus-tries Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said prior to 2010, the foundation was said to have RM80mil in its coffers.

He claimed a recent audit revealed that Yayasan Selangor was RM7.4mil in the red.

Noh said his ministry was willing to assist the 50 nursery operators if their plight remained unsolved.

"I am willing to meet them to discuss the matter," he told The Star.

Yesterday, The Star highlighted the plight of the nursery operators and reported that their applications were rejected on May 25 although they were advised by their elected representatives to apply for TOLs three years ago.

Noh said the state government's action to reject the applications and award the TOLs to the foundation ran counter to its election promise to help the people.

"The nursery operators have contributed a lot towards the development of horticulture and landscaping industries," he added.

Noh, who is also the Selangor Umno deputy chief, cited the state government's recent attempts to evict villagers on TOL land in Kampung Sungai Kerandang, Hulu Selangor as another example where land was being acquired at the expense of the people.

Selangor MCA secretary and Kuala Kubu Baru assemblyman Wong Koon Mun said the TOLs in Sungai Buloh could have been awarded to the foundation as a pretext for the state government to develop the land in the future.

"They (the Pakatan Rakyat-state government) know that the nurseries are located on prime land as there are plans to develop the Sungai Buloh Rubber Research Institute," he added.

Khaled: PAS will eventually break up with DAP

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 12:48 PM PDT

By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Datuk Seri Mohamad Khaled Nordin expressed confidence that PAS will not stay with the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance for too long, despite the party president's assurance today.

The Umno supreme council member spoke to reporters after the first National Student Consultative (MPPK) meeting of the year, stopping short of saying that PAS will unite with Umno.

"Last time they said PAS will not cooperate with DAP. Now they cooperate. Today they say they will never break up with DAP. One day they will break up.

"It's the same thing, all these are political rhetoric. Why take it so seriously?" he said.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang earlier today had put an end to any question of the party leaving PR for Umno despite whispers of unity talks between the Malay parties emerging early this year.

Abdul Hadi stressed that the difference between PAS in PR and Umno in Barisan Nasional (BN) was that the latter sacrifices Islamic principles.

The subject of unity talks between PAS and Umno had dominated the 2009 PAS muktamar, which saw a number of leaders keen on exploring talks with Umno emerging big winners.

READ MORE HERE

 

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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Some lessons from PAS muktamar

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:30 PM PDT

 

What you heard during the presidential address was some idea about a welfare state which PAS wants to introduce if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power; on how Umno had corrupted and made Malays unthinking, etc. Basically, you did not have table thumping and fire and brimstone speeches and threatening gestures you find at the Umno assembly.

The Malaysian Insider

Beyond the headlines in the past few days, some interesting facts and storylines have been thrown up by the PAS elections. These include:

Lesson Number 1: For all the stereotyping of PAS as a party of backward religious types, these elections have shown that the Islamic political party is committed to democratic principles.

In the months before the polls, it was clear that this was going to be a tough and possibly acrimonious polls between the religious class and the progressives. Some argued that the PAS leadership should have postponed the bruising elections in view of coming general elections.

No way.

PAS went ahead with the party elections, believing that electing leaders is a crucial part of democracy. Unlike Umno who has postponed its party elections for fear of infighting. Unlike the MCA which has also postponed its party election.

Sure, the PAS leadership may have their work cut out in bridging gap between the ulamas and the progressives but would you prefer politicians who delay tackling an issue or those who confront issues headlong?

Lesson Number 2: Calling all future election candidates: if you want to win a contest, engineer it so that Utusan Malaysia and the mainstream media will campaign for your opponent.

In the run up to the PAS elections, Utusan Malaysia campaigned for Nasharuddin Mat Isa and others in the ulama class, believing that this group was more amenable to working with Umno.

Not a day went by without Utusan Malaysia talking up the need for PAS to be run by the ulamas (a curious happening given that the paper's owner ridicules PAS's brand of Islam).

So what happens? Nasharuddin the incumbent number 2 is soundly beaten by Mat Sabu, a PAS veteran who enjoys close ties with Lim Guan Eng and Anwar Ibrahim. Also, Husam Musa — a favourite target of Utusan Malaysia — got in as one of the three vice-presidents.

Perhaps this is another sign of the waning influence of Utusan, a paper read and believed only by Umno members. This fact should worry Umno because its mouthpiece is losing the ability to shape opinion outside hardcore party supporters.

Lesson Number 3: You didn't hear Ustaz Hadi Awang speaking about Malay rights, about apportioning contracts to Malay business, about banning the Bible, about crushing Christians.

What you heard during the presidential address was some idea about a welfare state which PAS wants to introduce if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power; on how Umno had corrupted and made Malays unthinking, etc.

Basically, you did not have table thumping and fire and brimstone speeches and threatening gestures you find at the Umno assembly.

Point is that the PAS leaders may not come across as urbane or sophisticated but they seem to dislike playing the race card. That is refreshing in this racially polarised country.

And reflects what Islam is all about. Or for that matter, the PAS that wants to govern Malaysia.

 

Perkasa’s pro-Malay antics bordering on insanity

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:09 PM PDT

 

We have been tolerating this injustice for 47 years. It started with the pro-Muslim policies of Tunku Abdul Rahman (which victimized Donald Stephens and Peter Mojuntin), and it cannot continue any longer. The present BN government is perpetuating this injustice and there is no indication of this ever going to stop in spite of all the big talk about national unity, national integration and now 1Malaysia. We can only stop this injustice by changing the system, by changing the government, and building a new Malaysia.

DANIEL JOHN JAMBUN

The noises made by Perkasa about Malay rights have by now been testing the patience of right thinking Malaysians. The ideas they have been harping on are getting very tiring and boring, and yet they keep throwing them around, trying to make them sound logical. But how long can they shout and scream about the same things before they prove themselves to be really out of their minds – wild crackpots who should be relegated to the lower ranks of the human species. And why not, for the antics of this strange movement called Perkasa is now so twisted that it is really bordering on insanity!

 

The latest 'logic' from Perkasa, as reported by one online media, is that its Secretary General, Syed Hassan said national unity could only be forged if all Malaysians respected the special privileges accorded to the Malays under the Federal Constitution. He disputed MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek's call yesterday to think as Malaysians first to work together to maintain a peaceful nation.

This begs the question of when did we ever tried to or managed to infringe on Malay rights in Malaysia. As I remember it, the Chinese got peeved off when the Malays keep calling them 'immigrants" (pendatang) and accused the Malays as immigrants as well. But the real roots of the Malays' unhappiness is the inability of the Malays to compete with the Chinese no matter what the Malays do to favor and benefit themselves. Somebody has to be blamed for the failures of the Malays in commerce and industry, so it must be the 'greedy' Chinese. But the fact is, this is a twisted way of looking at history and current realities in Malaysia.

We all know this is not true. In one open letter (available online) to Tun Mahathir, the patron of Perkasa, one "Bryant of India" writes: "As you are aware, the Malays control the rights to all the lands and natural resources in this country. They control all government institutions, GLC and state-owned companies. The Malays also dominate the lawmaking process in Malaysia including the decision-making processes in the formulation of the country's economy policies.

"From statistics we also know now that the Malays not only own the largest national assets but are also freely – and without conditions – allocated shares in public-listed companies. The Malays have also been accorded all kind of priorities when it comes to buying properties, awarding of public contracts, tertiary education opportunities including the granting of scholarships and even securing jobs in any of the government departments and agencies.

"Yet with all these privileges and rights enjoyed by the Malays, you still complain that not enough is done to help the Malays to catch up with the other ethnic groups, principally the Chinese? Then what else should Malaysia do to satisfy the Malays? Did the Chinese seize or rob anything away from the Malays or were their accomplishments the result of their hard work?

"If it is all due to their diligence, why do you say it is unfair? Many of us don't quite get your point here. May I therefore ask you what you expect the Chinese to do in the event that your so-called NEP fail to achieve the desired result? Would the Malays be happier if the ethnic Chinese in your country do any of the followings:

(1) Surrender their assets and hard earned money to the Malays unconditionally;

(2) Not to engage in any business activities;

(3) Not to do well in all sort of school, college and tertiary examinations;

(4) Not to earn more income or achieve greater than the Malays;

(5) Not to advance to higher education; or

(6) Renounce their citizenship and return to China or migrate to somewhere else? Have you ever stopped to think why 30 years of implementing the NEP had not brought about the desired results or should I say, not achieved the principal objectives and that is to economically equip ALL the Malays in the country?

Maybe the NEP could have but you and your cronies denied it the ability to; instead allowed the system to carry on for more years than it ought to so that others can call you god because of the illicit money you funnelled to them.

"Under the NEP there is a complex series of policies that favours the Malays. And despite these policies, the Malays still can't get what they want – again the question is what else do you want the Chinese to do? Do you blame the Chinese simply because they are industrious and focused? Or should you level your blame at those Malays who do not treasure the opportunities that you claim you have given them? Having asked that did you or did you not give them these opportunities?"

Why does Perkasa believe that only the Malays should be respected in Malaysia? To say that unity can only be forged in Malaysia if all Malaysians respected the special privileges accorded to the Malays under the Federal Constitution is ridiculous because the Malays have already been accorded more privileges than they deserve. We also need to remember that Article 153 of the Federal Constitution says that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is responsible for protecting the special position of the Malay AND THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF ANY OF THE STATES OF SABAH AND SARAWAK AND THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF OTHER COMMUNITIES.

 

Even in the Sabah State Constitution the Tuan Yang Terutama is made responsible (dipertanggungjawabkan) for the special rights of the natives. So it is really downright silly and a deliberate lie to say that the Federal Constitution guarantees the "special privileges" of the Malays (actually it is "special position")! Note that the natives of Sabah and Sarawak HAVE THE SAME POSITION as the Malays of the Peninsular. Take this as a reminder that respect must be earned through merit and not by threat or force. So, big-mouthed Perkasa, shut up and grow up! We are sick and tired of you!

Because of this Malay mentality which have been promoted by a lot of Malay supremacist groups long before the existence of Perkasa, even the so-called Malays in Sabah and Sarawak have become arrogant and think that the Malay/Muslims have bigger rights than the non-Muslims in the Borneo states. That is why the PSD officers have been discriminating against job and scholarship applicants who are non-Muslim Kadazandusuns and Muruts.

We have been tolerating this injustice for 47 years. It started with the pro-Muslim policies of Tunku Abdul Rahman (which victimized Donald Stephens and Peter Mojuntin), and it cannot continue any longer. The present BN government is perpetuating this injustice and there is no indication of this ever going to stop in spite of all the big talk about national unity, national integration and now 1Malaysia. We can only stop this injustice by changing the system, by changing the government, and building a new Malaysia.

 

Maybank or CIMB, EPF?

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 12:54 PM PDT

By P Gunasegaram, The Star

THE Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will soon be in a happy predicament, if it is not already. That's because it will be negotiating to sell its 45% stake in RHB Capital to one of the two largest groups in the country – Malayan Banking or CIMB Group.

It is a stake that EPF did not really want but nevertheless acquired after warding off other parties in a takeover battle in 2007. It did that to protect its interests in RHB Cap but ended up with majority control and in a a situation in which it controlled a large commercial banking group.

That's not a good position to be in because it is better that a provident fund should concentrate on fund management instead of managing a bank and all the problems and potential conflicts that come with it because the EPF is after all the largest player in the local capital markets.

Thus, the EPF cannot hope to be in a happier position than this where two of the largest banking groups in the country and among the largest regional players want to get their hands on RHB Capital.

That accomplishes three things for EPF immediately. First, it no longer has to involve itself in the running of a banking group. Next, if there is a share exchange involved, it offers it the opportunity to have a meaningful but not controlling stake in the largest Malaysian banking group, thereby allowing it to be a passive investor as funds should be. And finally, it can expect to get a fair deal and withdraw its investments in RHB Capital at a considerable profit.

Both Maybank and CIMB have been given Bank Negara approval to negotiate with RHB Capital and its major shareholders. Indications are that the preferred route that either banking group will take is the asset and liability method.

Under this, RHB Capital shareholder approval will be sought for the sale of the business. Under recently revised requirements, the sale will require the approval of 75% of shareholders, which means the deal cannot be done without EPF approval.

The other substantial shareholder of RHB Capital, with a 25% stake, is Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank or ADCB. ADCB wants to sell its stake and is already looking for buyers.

It would be prudent for it to wait to see how Maybank's and CIMB's offer pans out before it makes its mind up.

On the surface, it would seem logical that EPF (and ADCB) simply take the best offer and be done with it. That would be the right thing to do if the deal was going for cash.

But what would EPF do with all the cash that it would get – more than RM10 billion? EPF would plausibly like to be invested in the enlarged entity via a share exchange, a smaller stake in a much larger bank with a strong regional presence.

If that is the case, then it has no choice but to consider who will make the better fit with RBH Capital in terms of the merger – Maybank or CIMB. If it is a share exchange, valuations are unlikely to be very different.

It will be foolhardy to accept a proposal because the dowry is highest. Happiness, well-being and prosperity in the long-term will depend even more on the characteristics of the bride and the one who would be groom – compatibility in other words. As in all marriages, one can never be sure.

That's why the EPF (and perhaps ADCB too) should not necessarily choose the higher bidder. And that's why Maybank and CIMB should not bid their prices up to astronomical levels and put the very merger itself at risk.

Lay down your reasonable bids and let the better, not necessarily richer, man win.


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Mohamad Sabu, Salahudin, Husam, Mahfuz menang

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:52 PM PDT

Mohamad mendapat 420 undi berbanding Tuan Ibrahim 399 dan Nasha 224 daripada jumlah keseluruhan 1045 undi.

Manakala untuk jawatan Naib Presiden pula dimenangi Salahudin Ayub, Datuk Husam Musa dan Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

Ketiga-tiga mereka mendapat undi paling tinggi menewaskan tiga lagi calon iaitu Ust Idris Ahmad, Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah dan Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin.

Salahudin mendapat 753 undi, Husam (660), Mahfuz (616), Idris (491), Nik Amar (321) dan Nizar (217).

Kesemua mereka akan menerajui kepimpinan PAS bersama Presiden, Tuan Guru Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang yang menang tanpa bertanding.

Keputusan rasmi itu dibacakan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pemilihan PAS 2011-2013, Datuk Abdul Halim Abd Rahman kira-kira jam 10.15 pagi tadi.

Berikut adalah senarai Ahli Jawatankuasa PAS Pusat sesi 2011-2013:

1) Mazlan Aliman (804)
2) Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli (765)
3) Datuk Kamarudin Jaafar (739)
4) Hanipa Maidin (735)
5) Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak (721)
6) Dr Zulkefly Ahmad (702)
7) Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (651)
8) Khalid Samad (643)
9) Abdul Ghani shamsuddin (579)
10) Amiruddin Hamzah (576)
11) Abdul Wahid Endut (556)
12) Abu Bakar Chik (527)
13) Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah (470)
14) Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (445)
15) Datuk Mahfodz Mohamed (449)
16) Datuk Hassan Ali (437)
17) Abdul Ghani Abd Rahm

 

Saya bernasib baik menang Timbalan Presiden – Mat Sabu

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:33 PM PDT

Beliau yang juga dikenali sebagai Mat Sabu berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai pertandingan tiga penjuru antara dirinya dengan mengalahkan penyandang selama dua penggal berturut-turut Nasharuddin Mat Isa serta bekas Naib Presiden Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man yang dilihat hanya bertanding untuk memecahkan undi.

Beliau berjaya memperoleh 420 undi manakala Nasharudin dengan 224 undi dan Tuan Ibrahim pula mendapat 399 undi.

Mat Sabu berkata pemilihannya bagaimanapun tidak membawa sebarang kesan terhadap dasar atau arah tuju parti, malah berazam akan terus membantu Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang mempertingkatkan gerak kerja bagi mendapatkan sokongan orang ramai dan bukan Melayu menuju pilihan raya umum ke-13 akan datang.

"Terima kasih kepada perwakilan dan wartawan yang menyiarkan tulisan yang positif mahupun negatif terhadap saya.

"Tak banyak momentum baru mahu pun pemahaman 'abc' yang akan diperjuangkan tetapi barangkali usaha untuk menarik orang ramai mencapai matlamat negara berkebajikan.

"Saya akan memainkan peranan membantu Presiden dalam hal ini," katanya yang turut memuji keberanian PAS mengadakan pemilihan sebelum PRU13 berbanding parti politik yang lain.

READ MORE HERE

 

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Battle For Sabah

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 02:16 AM PDT

According to Chief Minister Musa Aman and the Barisan National led by him, Sabah has witnessed a social, political and economic paradigm shift in the last eight years under his rule. Musa Aman contends that this shift will be reflected in new political parameters with development as the key factor, pushing aside considerations based on Kuala Lumpur's dominance and interference that have for decades dominated the State's electoral politics.The Barisan National's coalition partners in the state, largely shares this perception, though some sections in the party are sceptical.

The Pakatan Rakyat and the SAPP led by Taiko Yong Teck Lee, which constitute the main opposition, dismiss the "paradigm shift" premise as baseless and assert that these elections will, as always, be dominated by "Sabah For Sabahan" (Sabah Rights) sentiments and community considerations and illegal immigrants.

"Sabah for Sabahan" sentiments and illegal immigrants, of course, have traditionally dominated elections in Sabah. Elections have been fought and won on the basis of careful manoeuvreing of "Sabah for Sabahan" sentiments coupled with some deft social engineering via illegal immgrants. This time, however, a significant number of political activists and observers agree with the Chief Minister's assessment. Governance under the Barisan National government in the past eight years, they say, has changed society and politics in the State, allowing the urge for "development" to sideline "Sabah for Sabahan" considerations.

At a ceramah recently, Musa Aman said: "In the past eight years, the whole political grammar of Sabah has changed. The beginnings of the same were seen even in the 2008 polls when Sabahans decidedly voted for a change and gave Barisan National 59 State seats out of the 60 State seats and 24 Parliament seats out of 25. Over the past eight years, more and more sections of society have joined that process on account of the policies and governance we had adopted and the net result has been the concretisation of the change in political grammar." He added that despite this obvious change, his principal adversaries, Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and Taiko Yong Teck Lee and even Chong Kah Kiat now, were clinging to the "old syllabus" based on sentiments, confrontation, race permutations and combinations. "They will soon be brought to realisation with a thud," he said.

A large number of people in and outside the State endorse his view. They believe that development has been brought firmly on the State's radar and that nobody would want to upset that. However, the other side sees the Chief Minister's claims as just so much rhetoric. For Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and Taiko Yong Teck Lee, the "development" story is a creation of a pliant media rather than a realistic assessment of the situation on the ground.

As for the UMNO, which heads the ruling Barisan National at the Centre, it is ready to admit that the State has witnessed better development under Musa Aman than under earlier governments since 1963. But it asserts that this was made possible by the substantial funds that Kuala Lumpur made available, the political stability and the security factor "The Feds" has provided his government.

READ MORE HERE

 

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MalaysianYouth4Change: Dear Mom and Dad, What's my future?

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:08 PM PDT

The video from this young lady is sounding the alarm: MalaysianYouth4Change.

By pywong

Good day. Thank you to everybody who helped to promote our 1st video, Malaysians4Change Part 1. Because of your help, we have recorded almost 300,000 views in YouTube, Facebook, tindakmalaysia.com.

Since our first appeal went out last year through the videos Malaysians4Change, things have got much worse in Malaysia. On 13th Jan 2011, Thompson Reuters Eikon released an alarming report which detailed the bonds sold by Malaysia amounting to USD 179.8 Billion! That has pushed us beyond the 80% Debt/GDP mark. Add in another USD 19.6 Billion for some of the GLC liabilities and the RM 6.5Billion that the Govt undertook to pay on behalf of the Selangor Water Concessionaires, we have almost reached 100% of Debt/GDP.

(Earlier videos: YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=malaysians4change&aq=f

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=467200176723

Tindakmalaysia:http://www.tindakmalaysia.com/forumdisplay.php/71-Malaysians4Change-Towards-A-2-Party-State-amp-A-Fairer-Rat-Race-System)

The video from this young lady is sounding the alarm: MalaysianYouth4Change.

If you agree that the message is important, please help to distribute to your friends. Thank you for your help.

Arrest of vice girls

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:06 PM PDT

Where in the world do we witness such derogatory behaviour? And why are we doing such dehumanized deeds?
 
By J. D. Lovrenciear
 
Malaysia's dignity lost
 
It is shocking! It is heart rending! It is now so very frightening to imagine what next will befall this nation.
 
How on earth can a nation that has the world's two powerful nations as its trading partners ever behave so disgracefully in the eyes of the world community?
 
The rakyat is in disbelief as to how could the law enforcement authorities of Malaysia raid, arrest, detain and above all insult and hurt the very human dignity of the women in the raid carried out in Penang this week.
 
It is beyond the imagination of all dignified and honourable citizens of the world to witness how the Malaysian authorities chain-bound their seeming 'dragnet catch' and to add salt to this wound they even defaced the girls under detention with markings on their bodies.
 
Where in the world do we witness such derogatory behaviour? And why are we doing such dehumanized deeds?
 
Look, if you want to arrest illegals at a night club the question that is crucial is: Why in the first place are you licensing and allowing an operator to function knowing full well they are flouting the law?
 
Why do we not go after the owner of such sinful outlets and just shut down the flouting premises? Why are we instead going after the seeming vice-girls all the time?
 
Even if you say that it is a way to curtail others from coming into the country with thoughts of doing the flesh trade, why do you have to treat them like animals at the abattoir?
 
What has the Head of the nation, the PM have got to say? Or is he going to keep mum? Or is he going to tell the world that this is what we will do without any cares for civil liberties, human dignity and universal code of ethical conduct?
 
In any other civilized nation, the Head of the erring authority would have resigned or even sacked in disgrace for such horrible, inhuman mistakes.
 
Indeed we thought we would have learnt our lessons from the C4 incident of the Mongolian national; we thought we would have learnt our lesson from the expose of how we treat detainees all this while as reported in the international media before. But no! We are adamant. We continue to breach all sense of human sanity. Now we shudder to imagine what next?
 

Well-connected IPPs, Badly Conned Consumers

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 01:24 PM PDT

After being "royally screwed" by the IPPs, of course TNB passes the cost on to us consumers. The other method for TNB to turn around is to encourage higher consumption of electricity which is why the hectic rush to build more and more hydroelectric power dams all over the place.

By Dr Kua Kia Soong, Director of SUARAM

 

As a result of the 1992 energy crisis during Mahathir's term in office, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were foisted on the country and TNB as a fait accompli. These well-connected IPPs have managed to secure a pretty good deal out of the power purchase agreements with TNB and brokered by the Economic Planning Unit. The problems and contradictions within TNB have been exacerbated as a result of the entry of these IPPs and this has affected TNB's share market performance through the years.

I brought up the scandal at Tenaga Nasional in Parliament in November 1990 alleging that this privatised energy was riddled with corruption, cronyism and mismanagement. This and other aspects of the Malaysian energy industry can be read in my 1996 title: "Malaysia's Energy Crisis: the Real Issues". 

Twenty years later, we are counting the costs and still bearing the burden of the BN government's cosy relationship with these IPPs as reflected in the power purchase agreements contracted and the increase in electricity tariffs.

For a start, the IPPs are getting fuel supplied by TNB who then use the IPPs to produce electricity and sell it back to TNB. So they should be able to control prices there too. But TNB is taking the risk but not the profit of operation.

The prime minister announced recently that Bakun tariff is 6.5-7 sen/kWh. IPPs are selling electricity in Malaysia for at least 16 sen. In the US the hydro electric tariff is 1.2 US cents/kWh; in China it is US 1.2-1.5 cents/kWh.

 

The Failure of our Privatised Services

While the IPPs have reaped millions through Mahathir's privatisation exercises, for privatisation to be in the rakyat's interest, certain criteria must maintain:

(i) The privatised service must be cheaper and better than that formerly provided by the state. If not, what benefit is it to the people?
(ii) The privatised service must be more efficient than that provided by the Government.
(iii) The privatised industry must not have assistance from the Government in order to be viable.

Here, the IPPs have been relying on their connections with the ruling elite for access to licences and other conveniences, especially sources of funding. They have failed to get international banking sources and have instead relied on EPF, the pension funds of Malaysian workers for funding. The control over the EPF by genuine workers' representatives who invest the funds in their interests is long overdue.

In terms of unit cost, the electricity which these IPPs produce is more expensive and thus fails the first criterion set out above.

 

Contradiction of Viability and Conservation

Caught in the bind of the heavily IPP-biased power purchase agreements, TNB could only think of one way to be viable, namely, encouraging Malaysians to "use more power". Indeed in 1994, the executive chairman of TNB Tan Sri Ani Arope was quoted in the press as saying:

"We hope to get more people staying in condominiums to dry their clothes using electricity." (The Star, 19 Oct 1994)

This exposes the hypocrisy displayed by the government over conserving one hour's energy on Earth Day.

Among the government's panic measures since the 1992 energy crisis when the Big Blackout happened, has been the indiscriminate granting of licences to IPPs to build power stations. The country was told that this excess capacity is a wonderful thing and that it can be exported:

"IPPs generate, Tenaga buys. This is like buying under duress. We have excess power now. This doesn't solve stability problems. Also, the IPPs built stations at sites of their choice, not necessarily where they were needed and stable for the system, such as areas of high power consumption." (Sunday Star, 1 Sept 1996)

The total lack of planning and a total energy policy was exposed when the Energy Minister suddenly announced in late 1994 that TNB would maintain 70 per cent of power supply while the IPPs would be restricted to only 30 per cent. The price of TNB shares dropped so drastically because economic analysts could see that "Tenaga has been royally screwed." (Malaysian Business, 16 November 1994) TNB's plunge also affected the slide in the KLSE's Composite Index at the time.

After being "royally screwed" by the IPPs, of course TNB passes the cost on to us consumers. The other method for TNB to turn around is to encourage higher consumption of electricity which is why the hectic rush to build more and more hydroelectric power dams all over the place. We can see why the government is in no great hurry to implement a national energy policy which encourages energy conservation.

 

Lack of Planning and Energy policy

The country is told that excess capacity can be exported. The on-off submarine cable project to transmit Bakun energy to the peninsula since it was first brought up in the Eighties shows the alarming lack of planning and total energy policy. The on-off contracts with the aluminium smelters since the Seventies reveal the complete absence of concrete energy demand projections. If the highly toxic aluminium smelter projects are approved, we will no doubt see yet another protest by the people just as at Lynas and Bukit Merah. The hypothetical demand for Bakun energy by the Indonesians in Kalimantan likewise exposes the indiscriminate hunger for mega projects without the required feasibility studies and realistic demand projections.

The Perlis power plant was also meant to supply excess energy to the Thais. But was there a study done to see if the Thais needed this power? And if they did need power, what was there to prevent them from making use of their own IPPs to do the job? IPPs are by no means a Malaysian innovation!

The Bakun dam with its 2400 MW generating capacity and many more dams in the pipeline when the total demand in Sarawak is not more than 1000MW is another example of wanton profligacy. The World bank has recommended reserve margins of not more than 10 per cent otherwise all that plant is sitting idle and costing us a lot of money.

Thus it looks as if those in power are more interested in making mega bucks out of the mega projects rather than a responsible and sustainable energy policy and plan.

In Malaysia, we do not have a prudent energy policy. We do not even have a proper energy needs inventory giving us reliable data on the possible sources of renewable energy and detailed breakdown of domestic and industrial consumption. All that we are given by the Government whenever energy needs are discussed are total production and consumption patterns. This is not good enough. 

 

A Golden Age of Mediocrity

Disaffected by such a culture in our infrastructure ministries exacerbated by the racialist excesses of the New Economic Policy, many of our top engineers and scientists who were responsible for building the infrastructure in the first place have left in disgust. They are now helping other countries such as China, India, South America, and Eastern Europe to develop their industries, using their skills which could help Malaysian industries.

Thus, while the rest of the world is powering ahead, with even countries like Vietnam and Cambodia aspiring to be the next tigers, we seem content to remain in what I call, "a golden age of mediocrity".     

Takeover the IPPs, Not Renegotiate

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 01:21 PM PDT

Why are contract negotiations being carried out with IPPs which have been a drain on the resources of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and a burden to the consumers? Why not let TNB take over the IPPs?

By S.M.Mohamed Idris (President)

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is concerned that the government is already renegotiating with independent power producers (IPPs) whose contracts will be expiring soon.

Why are contract negotiations being carried out with IPPs which have been a drain on the resources of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and a burden to the consumers? Why not let TNB take over the IPPs?

This is not a radical suggestion considering that in 1982 the National Electricity Board (the predecessor of TNB) took over the Perak River Hydro Electric Power company (PRHEP) and its subsidiary Kinta Electrical Distribution Co Ltd. PRHEP which built the hydro-electric station and dam at Chenderoh, was at one time the largest power supplier
in Malaya.

In 1976, National Electricity Board had also replaced the Penang Municipality in supplying electricity to areas serviced by Huttenbach Ltd, a private power company which had earlier been taken over by the Penang Municipality.

TNB, with decades of experience in energy production has the capacity to produce energy more efficiently and at a lower cost than the IPPs. Moreover, profits coming to TNB, a government-controlled company, will benefit the people and the nation rather than private companies.

‘The Gods must be crazy’ in Malaysia

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 01:17 PM PDT

Suddenly everyone is springing up as an authority of sorts in representing God. Some are even going the distance to be the interpreters of God. It is no surprise to be hearing from politicians today what the respective followers of a faith must do and to do it all in the name of their God.

 

By J. D. Lovrenciear

 

In this age and time, believe it or not, we have got ourselves all entangled in the God-war. When nations elsewhere are fighting tooth and nail to keep their territorial borders intact we who have no border wars are instead using God as the currency to pit one against the other over God related matters, i.e. religion.

 

We are trying by all means to rile people up within the country by raising issues and concerns that hinge on God-issues. We are so busy debating whether a Muslim or a non-Muslim can lead the country. Meanwhile other nations are coming together focussed on getting just the best man for the top job. We on the other hand are so God centred.

 

Other nations are busy battling erratic weather patterns to keep their crops but we are just too darn busy about issuing edicts and debating what this God is saying and the other God must listen. And so we had the Christian Bible fracas.

 

Suddenly everyone is springing up as an authority of sorts in representing God. Some are even going the distance to be the interpreters of God. It is no surprise to be hearing from politicians today what the respective followers of a faith must do and to do it all in the name of their God. Meanwhile other nations' politicians are busy seeking the support and agreement of followers – irrespective of which God they follow to believe their offer of socio, political, economic and environmental solutions.

 

In short we are playing God but other nationals are playing plain mortal man.

 

God-labels are increasingly given importance. That is already enshrined permanently in your IDs, Birth Certs and many more documentations. The State has become the monitor for God and needs to know in no uncertain terms which God label you carry. Other governments only want to know which is your country that you call homeland. It is just nationality for them but for us being a citizen is not enough; we must also have an official God label.

 

How you choose to pray to your God is also a preoccupation in Malaysia at national level. Politicians will not lose out in capitalizing on this God matter too. If it can be drummed up for political mileage it will, at all costs, be done. We have seen it in the past. We will continue to witness it in the future. In other countries it is purely a religious matter left to leaders of the respective faiths to lead their followers. For them it is never an issue. For us we are so God focussed that it is a biggie-sort of an issue that must be exploited.

 

Politicians must therefore stay clear and out of any God debate. Leave it to those who are qualified, sanctioned by the faithful and learned in their respective faiths.  

 


Crusaders for Cruelty

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 01:12 PM PDT

New and "improved" laws with enhanced sentences and fines are worthless without competent and impartial enforcement of said laws

By Shenaaz Khan (President, Malaysian Animal Welfare Society)

Rulers often give a rather realistic imitation of altruism. They purge pluralistic promises to mask their innate ruthlessness. In Malaysia, prominent among the false whiskers wearers is the Department of Veterinary Services. Of all the malingering and slothful Government agencies, the DVS has proven to be amongst the most ineffective and worthless of the lot.

The perfect rot that they are, they appear to also be the most competent of liars. So marvellous is this prowess that they've consistently used it for decades to detract, defuse and dictate the welfare of animals in this inhumane country. With their moribund state of practices, dwindling with obsolescence, they have made dead sure that almost all animal abusers, animal killers and animal neglecters enjoy punitive immunity and eternal freedom.

Of course, their blatant ineptitude has been aided by a government and system that thrives on corruption and cruelty. Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, the Director General of the DVS, is undoubtedly the proud product of such a government. He is utterly useless, besmirched and ever ready to cool simmering public opinion by spewing media friendly untruths!

Case in point is the supposed BAN on dog shooting in Malaysia. In November 2010, following the ghastly council killing of a pet dog in Ipoh, Dr. Aziz smugly announced a ban on dog shooting in Malaysia. Animal lovers celebrated with hopeful hurrahs. How ignorant they were for Dr. Aziz was yet again doing what he does best - telling a barefaced lie. Truth be told, the ban merely applied to DVS officers. (Note: DVS officers have not shot dogs since rabies was eradicated some 50 years ago).

The ban, however, DID NOT apply to council dog catchers, whom many a decent Malaysian would recognise as monstrous murderers of innocent animals. Alas, amidst his grand announcement and nauseating smirks of accomplishment, Dr. Aziz failed to ooze out this vital piece of information. So for all intents and purposes, the dog shooting ban was no ban at all!

Thus, the statement by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Noh Omar on a shiny smashing new law holds very little promise for animals of this country. New and "improved" laws with enhanced sentences and fines are worthless without competent and impartial enforcement of said laws! But competence and impartiality is clearly beyond the skill set of the Malaysian government, hence their unrelenting reluctance to act against real criminals committing real crimes.

The continued barbarianism perpetrated by councils and individuals speaks volumes of the government's effectiveness in combating cruelty. Periodical rhetoric on animal welfare, be it at open dialogues or closed door meetings, can best be described as political posturing and has no real value or worth.

The Serdang kitten killer, the poodle abuser and the Batu Pahat Council dog catchers, all of whose hideous acts were videotaped, are still at large. Despite such gripping evidence, the DVS and the Attorney Generals Chambers seem to think bringing these criminals to book a rather superfluous exercise. And so these monsters continue to roam our streets, unpunished and unrepentant. And the grisly plight of animals remains unchanged.

With Noh, Aziz and their repellent gang of callous colleagues at the helm of animal protection laws, cruel councils and animal annihilators will be allowed to further nourish the inhumane tide engulfing this country. And the crusaders of cruelty shall continue their wickedness with a wink and a nod from the powers that be.

Powerless or Powerful?

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 11:58 AM PDT

By Tony Pua

The Minister of Energy, Water and Green Technologies, Peter Chin had earlier in the week expressed that the Government is helpless in "declassifying" the Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) between the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) in the light of the demand by the public.

The Ministry's reply to me back in 29 February 2009 for my parliamentary question said the exact same thing, which at the very least showed that they are steadfast and consistent in backing the interest of the IPPs.

The Minister then had replied to me that "dokumen Perjanjian Jual Beli Tenaga (PPA) merupakan satu dokumen perjanjian antara dua entiti swasta, iaitu di antara Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) dan pihak penjana bebas (IPP) yang terbabit. Di bawah perjanjian tersebut, kedua-dua pihak perlu memberikan persetujuan terlebih dahulu sebelum mana-mana kandungan perjanjian tersebut boleh diumumkan. Sekiranya pihka TNB bercadang untuk menamatkan perjanjian PPA tanpa sebab yang kukuh, TNB perlu memberi pampasan penuh kepada pihak IPP."

The Ministry's reply to me on 23 March 2010 again emphasized the Government's sheer reluctance to right the wrong in the PPAs which make the rakyat pay significantly more for its electricity.

"Kerajaan sentiasa menghormati sebarang perjanjian atau kontrak yang telah ditandatangani oleh pihak Kerajaan. Oleh yang demikian, Kerajaan tiada rancangan untuk merombak semula atau menamatkan kontrak Perjanjian Pembelian Tenaga (PPA) secara unilateral dengan pihak IPP sebelum tamat tempoh kontrak tersebut. Sebaliknya, pendekatan yang diambil oleh Kerajaan ialah supaya PPA tersebut dirundingkan semula.Memandangkan rundingan semula PPA merupakan perkara yang rumit dan memerlukan tempoh masa yang agak lama untuk menentukan hasilnya, ia akan ditangani secara berasingan."

The "powerless" nature of the BN government when it comes to declassifying and renegotiating the PPAs, is in direct contrast to the "powerful" role it played to ensure that the IPPs were ensure astronomical profits.

In a revealing interview published by The Star on 26 June 2006,  former TNB chairman, Ani Anope who was "involved" in the power agreements with the IPPs had said:

"There was no negotiation. Absolutely none. Instead of talking directly with the IPPs, TNB was sitting down with the EPU. And we were harassed, humiliated and talked down every time we went there. After that, my team was disappointed. The EPU just gave us the terms and asked us to agree. I said no way I would."

As for the pricing and terms of the contracts, "It was all fixed up. (They said) this is the price, this is the capacity charge and this is the number of years. They said you just take it..."

Hence when TNB was forced to sign these lobsided PPAs, it was the Prime Minister's all-powerful Economic Planning Unit (EPU) which dictated all terms. But when it comes to making public these PPAs, its now TNB's own choice as a "private company" and there's not the Government can do about it.

The responses from the Minister are at best "misleading" and at worst a lie, for the Government has a vested interest in not declassifying these contracts, for it was the BN government itself who dictated the terms of these contracts to be signed. Now it just does not want the public to know what it did, and the fact that it prioritised the astronomical profits of these IPPs at the expense of the man-on-the-street.

In fact Ani Anope disclosed that an agreement has been struck between TNB and an IPP, understood to be Genting Sanyen for the former to purchase electricity at 12 sen per kWh. However the "EPU said that unless the IPP raised its price, the contract would not be given to the IPP. So he got it for 14 sen per unit," while other first generation IPPs got 16 sen per kWh.

Now that the interest of the IPPs have been served, the Government reverts to its meek and timid role using the excuse that its an agreement between "private entities" and that any renegotiations can only be done after the existing contracts expire.

On the contrary, as there is no "contract" between the Government and the rakyat, the Government can choose to raise electricity tariffs any time it so chooses, even if it were to mean that these IPPs were to continue to profit at the expense of increased sufferings of the rakyat.

The Prime Minister, Najib Razak must demonstrate moral and economic leadership by doing what is right and just for the people, instead of dithering over the declassification of the PPAs as well as their renegotiation.  Otherwise, all the rhetoric of "transformation" becomes just a facade for continuity and business as usual, where political cronyism comes first.

 

TONY PUA is DAP National Publicity Secretary and MP for Petaling Jaya Utara

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net
 

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