By YENG AI CHUN
aichun@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: The Southern Integrated Transportation Terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan could be ready by July, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. He said the developer hinted that there could be an early completion for the project by middle this year. The project was originally scheduled to be completed in November this year.
“The terminal will cater to all types of transportation. We will have the bus services, taxi and rail services including the light rail transit, Keretapi Tanah Melayu’s commuter train service and Express Rail Link under one roof.
“This terminal is also connected to the Sungai Besi Highway, Kuala Lumpur Seremban Highway, and the Middle Ring Road II,” he told newsmen after visiting the project site in Bandar Tasik Selatan here Monday.
The RM570mil terminal is located on 19.8ha site adjacent to the Tasik Selatan’s LRT station and the Tasik Selatan KTM Komuter station. It has a handling capacity of about 40,000 passengers a day.
It will handle all express buses serving the southern part of Peninsula Malaysia. Ong said the terminal would help divert express buses from the city and ease traffic congestion in the process.
“The southern sector receives nearly 550 departures and arrivals in a day. There are more than 170 movements in an hour during peak hours,” he said.
Ong said the comfort level for passengers was similar to an airport terminal.
“There is 2.8 square metre per person in the terminal whereas in an airport, there is 2.3 square metre per person,” he explained.
Ong added he was optimistic the terminal and other measures such as the streamlining of bus stops, increasing the number of carriages for the LRTs as well as the impending introduction of new rail services would increase the use of public transport in the city from 16% to 25% by 2012.
When asked if the terminal would eventually take over the south bound express buses in Puduraya, Ong replied that it would be under the jurisdiction of the Federal Territories Minister to redesignate the movement of the buses.
However, he said all south bound public transport services would be centred at the new terminal.
The terminal is equipped with ICT facilities and is disabled friendly. There will be 100 bus waiting bays, 21 departure bays and 18 arrival bays which has the capacity of 130 departures and arrivals in an hour.
It will also have 16 bus platforms for city routes, 100 bus parking bays, 150 taxi bays and 1,000 public parking bays.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Pakatan accuses BN of exploiting " brute majority "
themalaysianinsider
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 — Lim Kit Siang attacked Barisan Nasional (BN) today for using what he called its “brute majority” in Parliament to persecute Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Together with his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) colleagues, he urged BN lawmakers to look into their conscience when deciding whether to refer the opposition leader to powerful Parliament’s Rights and Privileges Committee.
The DAP parliamentary leader also asked Parliament why Anwar’s claim that 1 Malaysia was linked to One Israel, was so “heinous.”
“This is dark day in Parliament. I am very saddened. What is so heinous about the accusation that 1 Malaysia is a carbon copy of One Israel? What is so big [about it]?
“If I say 1 Malaysia is [a] carbon copy of Malaysian Malaysia, then will I be referred to the committee? This is politically motivated through their brute majority” he said.
He was speaking during today’s special debate on whether Anwar should face disciplinary action under Standing Orders 18 (2) over his claim that the prime minister’s 1 Malaysia concept was linked to former Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak’s One Israel campaign.
Lim claimed that the House was no longer a court of justice but gladiatorial arena.
“Parliament is like [the] Roman Coliseum and not a court of justice. They do not want to hear what is right but only the brute majority will decide. There has been an utter [and] complete interference in the separation of power because the Cabinet made their decision and everyone just follows.
“That is why we cannot allow brute majority [to decide]. Barisan Nasional must not be allowed brute majority. They are a rude majority, blind majority, stupid majority,” his attacks continued.
Lim then said that BN was being hypocritical, citing the case of Pasir Salak MP Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who was not reprimanded by the House when he accused the DAP of allegedly selling state secrets to Hong Kong and Singapore.
He asked if the House was willing to take action against Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who had back-tracked from an earlier statement that APCO Worldwide had arranged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s meeting with US President Barack Obama.
“There is hypocrisy in Barisan Nasional on what they say outside and inside the House. Outside the prime minister talks about 1 Malaysia but I have not yet heard any ministers say that they are Malaysian first.
“Outside, they attack Datuk Zaid Ibrahim over his drinking habit but in Parliament, none of the ministers are brave [enough] to say that they had drunk before.
“I know the prime minister drinks, the minister of information drinks, and the home minister drinks. I am saying that it is wrong to drink, but why make a big deal out of it?” he said.
He added if the allegation that 1 Malaysia was related to One Israel did indeed affect national security, then Parliament should approve a royal commission on the issue instead of going after Anwar.
Raising the stakes further, Lim then challenged the prime minister to face the disciplinary committee on the matter.
“Is the PM willing to face the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee and explain the origins of 1 Malaysia? Is he willing to provide detailed explanations?” he said.
Gombak MP Azmin Ali said that the points in contention went beyond whether 1 Malaysia was the same as One Israel and, more importantly, involved national security.
“This is not only an issue of 1 Malaysia/One Isreal, but the serious question is the national security that has been breached by APCO representing the Zionist leaders. The government has limited the debate to 1 Malaysia. These are efforts by Umno to discard the allegations by the Permatang Pauh MP (Anwar) regarding the security of the country,” he said.
The PKR vice president added that Anwar had challenged the prime minister to provide an explanation to the House and along with reassurance that no individual from APCO was involved with 1 Malaysia.
“The prime minister is more interested in the Hulu Selangor by-election. Where is he [now]? This shows that the government does not care that national security is being breached by Zionists.
Azmin further charged that Umno were unable to separate the two issues and instead, chose to react by “using its sheer majority to punish the opposition.”
“They must make decisions with their conscience. Don’t become the prime minister’s stooges. Umno should not become slaves to APCO and Zionist Israel. They are broken and slaves to the foreigners,” he said.
Monday, April 19, 2010
" Whiskey " Zaid photo doctored , PKR show proof
freemalaysiatoday
By FMT staff
KUALA LUMPUR: In a startling new development, "evidence" has emerged to suggest that the photo of PKR's Hulu Selangor by-election candidate Zaid Ibrahim clutching a bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey could have been doctored.
In an e-mail to FMT, PKR communications director Jonson Chong attached another photo of Zaid wearing the same shirt with the same background, but without the bottle.
FMT learnt that the photo was taken during an interview with a news portal.
Earlier, FMT reported that a photo of Zaid holding the whiskey bottle had been posted on the Gerakan Anti-PKR blog this afternoon.
The photo was in response to PKR vice-president Azmin Ali's challenge to prove that Zaid was an alcoholic, which has become one of the central themes of the Barisan Nasional campaign for the by-election.
Azmin had accused BN of deliberately raising the issue to character asassinate Zaid, who has since revealed that his drinking days are over and that he has repented.
'Clear case of gutter politics'
Commenting on the "doctored" photo, Chong dismissed it as a "clear case of gutter politics" employed by BN and the people aligned to the coalition.
Chong said the voters should look at the capability of the PKR candidate and what he can do for this constituency as a result of his working relationship with Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and the state government.
According to the "Gerakan Anti-PKR blog", the photo was provided by a source from the opposition party.
“Just as promised, I have exposed a photograph of Zaid and (a bottle of) whiskey. Whether it is beer or whiskey, it is still considered the urine of the Devil, and it is haram (forbidden by Islam) just like sodomy. The prophet (Muhammad) will never consider a sodomite as one of his followers,” said its webmaster.
The reference to sodomy was an obvious attack on PKR supremo and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is currently on trial for allegedly sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Anwar, who was charged with a similar offence in 1998, has claimed, like before, that it is a political conspiracy masterminded by his rivals.
Eight-minute video clip
Meanwhile, the webmaster said his "PKR source" has revealed that there are eight photographs and an eight-minute video clip involving three PKR leaders in an "embarrassing" situation.
“They are just waiting to hand them (the photos and videos) over to GAP (Gerakan-Anti PKR). One of them (in the video) flew to Taiwan during the Sept 16 lie,” he added.
Following Pakatan Rakyat's sterling performance in the March 2008 general election, Anwar had threatened to take over the federal government on Sept 16 that year with the help of defections.
During this episode, 49 BN MPs were flown to Taiwan on Sept 7 for a purported study tour, which some claimed was an attempt to thwart the defections.
Five PKR leaders -- Selangor exco Elizabeth Wong, PKR director of strategies Tian Chua, secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, supreme council member Low Chee Cheong and elections director Fuziah Salleh -- had trailed them.
Meanwhile, Zaid told FMT earlier that he was not perturbed by the incident.
“I have already responded to this matter, and publicly said that I have repented. I have already explained the matter to the voters, so I will let them decide.
“I am more interested in focusing my efforts on developing Hulu Selangor if elected as MP,” he told FMT.
Also read:
'Whiskey' Zaid photo appears on anti-PKR blog
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Kuala Lumpur named rising global city
themalaysianinsider
By Lee Wei Lian
KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 — Malaysia’s capital city was one of the 10 cities identified in a report by international property consultancy, Frank Knight, as a rising global city with growing economic power, but lacking in terms of knowledge and quality of life.
Kuala Lumpur had the eight biggest gain in aggregate scores in the 2010 survey of the world’s top cities, tied with Sydney, Shanghai and Mumbai but behind Singapore, Beijing, Tel Aviv and Berlin.
The Frank Knight annual survey ranks world cities according to their influence in economic activity, political power, knowledge, and quality of life.
While it experienced a jump in aggregate scores last year, Kuala Lumpur was still ranked only 34th overall, and trails far behind other key Asian cities such as Tokyo (4), Singapore (7), Beijing (9), Seoul (13), Hong Kong (14), Bangkok (18), Shanghai (19) and Taipei (23).
“Unsurprisingly, one of the key themes this year is the strengthening power of the emerging centres, with big gains experienced by the likes of Beijing, Singapore, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur and Mumbai,” said the report.
It noted, however, that while emerging centres like Kuala Lumpur and Beijing are gaining ground in economic and political power, they still fall short on the softer issues such as quality of life and knowledge and intellectual influence, which were the strong points of cities in developed countries such as Berlin, Paris and Zurich.
“For the rising cities of Asia, economic growth and greater political clout on their own will not succeed in propelling them to the top of the table in terms of locations where the world’s most influential citizens want to have a first or even a second home,” said the report.
The report added “contenders” should take note of top cities such as New York, London, Paris and Tokyo.
“They needed a broad base of appeal — something clearly demonstrated by both Paris and Tokyo. World cities are connected, in terms of transport and communications, but, more importantly, in terms of ideas,” said the report.
“These are the locations where the world’s most influential people want to congregate because these are the locations where the ideas and values that define the global agenda and shape the world are settled.”
It noted that even Shanghai, which experienced phenomenal economic expansion, is struggling to move rapidly up the world cities table.
“To be successful, cites must attract the best and the brightest and influence the world. The ability to react to changing circumstances is also critical.”
The world’s top five most influential cities according to the survey are New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Los Angeles — with New York overtaking London last year due to the troubles faced by the latter’s financial sector.
The survey of the world’s top cities was part of Frank Knight’s Wealth Report 2010, which was developed together with Citi Private Bank and published in March.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Dr Pornthip makes about-turn , now willing to testify
By Neville Spykerman
SHAH ALAM, April 14 — Selangor government officials today welcomed news that Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand is now willing to testify at Teoh Beng Hock’s inquest.
“We welcome the news and we are taking steps to contact the Thai Ministry of Justice.” said one of the officials.
Dr Pornthip had said on Sunday that she had come under “political pressure” from Putrajaya and would not testify at the inquest which is scheduled to resume on April 20.
However, she was reported today as saying that she would testify as long as she received a guarantee of her safety from the Malaysian government.
According to online news portal Malaysiakini, Dr Pornthip wants an official guarantee from both the government and the Attorney-General's Chambers that she will have the “freedom to perform her professional duty as an independent witness."
However, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, A-G Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and even the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have already announced that that she is welcome to testify and that her security would be guaranteed.
The 54-year-old pathologist, who is a civil servant attached to the Thai Justice Ministry, had earlier testified that Teoh's death was “80 per cent homicide” and contradicted earlier findings by local experts that his death was likely a suicide.
She claims to have been advised by authorities in her own country to cease participating in the inquest so as not to jeopardise ties between Thailand and Malaysia.
The Selangor government, who hired Dr Pornthip as an independent witness, had hoped that she would be allowed to testify via video conferencing if she did not feel safe coming to Malaysia.
However, her latest about-turn now makes this unnecessary.
Shafie Apdal not fit to be Cabinet Minister and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Chairman
blog.limktisiang.com
Shafie Apdal not fit to be Cabinet Minister and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Chairman if he does not know that an amendment to motion of thanks for royal address is customary parliamentary practice and not an assault on the institution of monarchy
Mingguan Malaysia on Sunday, 11th April 2010 carried the following report under the headline “Kit Siang wajar di kenankan tindakan”:
“HULU SELANGOR 10 April – Ahli Parlimen Ipoh Timur, Lim Kit Siang wajar dikenakan tindakan atas perbuatannya yang disifatkan sebagai mengganggu-gugat institusi diraja apabila cuba meminda titah ucapan Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin di Dewan Rakyat, 1 April lepas.
“Naib Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal berkata, langkah itu perlu kerana perbuatan Penasihat DAP tersebut dianggap melampau dan keterlaluan.
“Beliau mengakui sebagai seorang ahli Parlimen, Kit Siang berhak serta bebas untuk bercakap tetapi ia tidak harus sehingga ke tahap tidak menghormati institusi tertinggi di negara ini.
”’Perbuatan ini tidak sesuai untuk seseorang yang kononnya bergelar Yang Berhormat. Jika di United Kingdom mereka boleh dianggap cuba meminda ucapan Ratu.
”’Saya sebenarnya bimbang dengan trend yang dibawa oleh pihak pembangkang ini dan bagi saya ia harus segera dibendung bagi mengelakkan kejadian berulang,” kata Mohd. Shafie yang juga merupakan Pengerusi Persatuan Parlimen Komanwel.
“Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas menyampaikan dividen dan melancarkan tahun produktiviti RISDA kepada para peserta agensi itu di Hulu Bernam dekat sini hari ini.”
This is a most irresponsible and despicable politics by a top Umno leader and senior Cabinet Minister as well as current Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
In the first place, I did not try to amend the Royal Address. What I moved was an amendment to the motion of thanks for the royal address.
Shafie is not fit to be Cabinet Minister and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Chairman if he does not know that an amendment to the motion of thanks for royal address is customary parliamentary practice and not an assault on the institution of monarchy.
For the information of the CPA Chairman, motion of thanks for the royal address or its equivalent are regularly amended in established Commonwealth Parliaments, for the Royal Address is not the monarch’s personal address but the policy speech of the government-of-the-day setting out its programme for the year.
Any amendment to a motion of thanks is not an attack on the monarch or head of state but an opportunity to table new policies, programmes or perspectives that should have been included in the government’s policy speech.
In Lok Sabha in India, hundreds of amendments are moved every year to the Motion of Thanks for the President’s Address. For instance, for the year 1993, there were 932 amendments to the motion of thanks for the President’s Address.
Similarly, such amendments are regularly made to motions of thanks in Commonwealth Parliaments, whether House of Commons in United Kingdom or the Parliaments of Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
Even in Malaysia, I had occasion to move an amendment to the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address in the Parliament meeting of October 1982, although it was rejected at the voting stage.
But is Shafie suggesting that the previous Prime Ministers, Umno Ministers and Parliament Speakers were traitors to the country and the Malay Rulers in attacking the institution of monarchy in allowing amendments to be moved in Parliament to motion of thanks in the past?
I do not think Shafie is so ignorant of parliamentary practices, procedures, convents and traditions, which makes his attempt to twist and distort my amendment to the motion of thanks in the current meeting of Parliament even more heinous and unforgivable.
He knows that my amendment to the motion of thanks constituted no attack whatsoever on the institution of Malay Rulers but he could be so without scruples, unprincipled and opportunistic as to distort the issue to mislead rural Malays to make them believe that I am anti-Malay and anti-Malay Rulers – all just to secure Malay votes in the forthcoming Hulu Selangor by-election.
This shows the desperate extremes UMNO leaders are prepared to resort to for political advantage for themselves and or Umno, which is facing a crisis of relevance and survival.
Whatever the reason, there can be no justification for the irresponsible and despicable politics practised by Shafie who should have the decency and honesty to admit that he was wrong in resorting to racist politics and distorting customary parliamentary practices in Malaysia and Commonwealth countries as an attack on the institution of Malay Rulers.
Shafie should apologise for his transgressions.
[Speech (2) on the first 2010 Supplementary estimates in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday April 13, 2010]
Shafie Apdal not fit to be Cabinet Minister and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Chairman if he does not know that an amendment to motion of thanks for royal address is customary parliamentary practice and not an assault on the institution of monarchy
Mingguan Malaysia on Sunday, 11th April 2010 carried the following report under the headline “Kit Siang wajar di kenankan tindakan”:
“HULU SELANGOR 10 April – Ahli Parlimen Ipoh Timur, Lim Kit Siang wajar dikenakan tindakan atas perbuatannya yang disifatkan sebagai mengganggu-gugat institusi diraja apabila cuba meminda titah ucapan Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin di Dewan Rakyat, 1 April lepas.
“Naib Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal berkata, langkah itu perlu kerana perbuatan Penasihat DAP tersebut dianggap melampau dan keterlaluan.
“Beliau mengakui sebagai seorang ahli Parlimen, Kit Siang berhak serta bebas untuk bercakap tetapi ia tidak harus sehingga ke tahap tidak menghormati institusi tertinggi di negara ini.
”’Perbuatan ini tidak sesuai untuk seseorang yang kononnya bergelar Yang Berhormat. Jika di United Kingdom mereka boleh dianggap cuba meminda ucapan Ratu.
”’Saya sebenarnya bimbang dengan trend yang dibawa oleh pihak pembangkang ini dan bagi saya ia harus segera dibendung bagi mengelakkan kejadian berulang,” kata Mohd. Shafie yang juga merupakan Pengerusi Persatuan Parlimen Komanwel.
“Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas menyampaikan dividen dan melancarkan tahun produktiviti RISDA kepada para peserta agensi itu di Hulu Bernam dekat sini hari ini.”
This is a most irresponsible and despicable politics by a top Umno leader and senior Cabinet Minister as well as current Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
In the first place, I did not try to amend the Royal Address. What I moved was an amendment to the motion of thanks for the royal address.
Shafie is not fit to be Cabinet Minister and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Chairman if he does not know that an amendment to the motion of thanks for royal address is customary parliamentary practice and not an assault on the institution of monarchy.
For the information of the CPA Chairman, motion of thanks for the royal address or its equivalent are regularly amended in established Commonwealth Parliaments, for the Royal Address is not the monarch’s personal address but the policy speech of the government-of-the-day setting out its programme for the year.
Any amendment to a motion of thanks is not an attack on the monarch or head of state but an opportunity to table new policies, programmes or perspectives that should have been included in the government’s policy speech.
In Lok Sabha in India, hundreds of amendments are moved every year to the Motion of Thanks for the President’s Address. For instance, for the year 1993, there were 932 amendments to the motion of thanks for the President’s Address.
Similarly, such amendments are regularly made to motions of thanks in Commonwealth Parliaments, whether House of Commons in United Kingdom or the Parliaments of Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
Even in Malaysia, I had occasion to move an amendment to the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address in the Parliament meeting of October 1982, although it was rejected at the voting stage.
But is Shafie suggesting that the previous Prime Ministers, Umno Ministers and Parliament Speakers were traitors to the country and the Malay Rulers in attacking the institution of monarchy in allowing amendments to be moved in Parliament to motion of thanks in the past?
I do not think Shafie is so ignorant of parliamentary practices, procedures, convents and traditions, which makes his attempt to twist and distort my amendment to the motion of thanks in the current meeting of Parliament even more heinous and unforgivable.
He knows that my amendment to the motion of thanks constituted no attack whatsoever on the institution of Malay Rulers but he could be so without scruples, unprincipled and opportunistic as to distort the issue to mislead rural Malays to make them believe that I am anti-Malay and anti-Malay Rulers – all just to secure Malay votes in the forthcoming Hulu Selangor by-election.
This shows the desperate extremes UMNO leaders are prepared to resort to for political advantage for themselves and or Umno, which is facing a crisis of relevance and survival.
Whatever the reason, there can be no justification for the irresponsible and despicable politics practised by Shafie who should have the decency and honesty to admit that he was wrong in resorting to racist politics and distorting customary parliamentary practices in Malaysia and Commonwealth countries as an attack on the institution of Malay Rulers.
Shafie should apologise for his transgressions.
[Speech (2) on the first 2010 Supplementary estimates in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday April 13, 2010]
US President Obama's praise of Najib during their Washington meeting which was blacked out in all Malaysian mainstream media
blog.limkitsiang.com
Today’s mainstream media continues the publicity blitz of how successful is the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s visit to the United States, with front-page photograph of what has been described as the “historic bilateral meeting” between him and United States President Barack Obama.
However, a strange thing happened. Obama praised Najib in their meeting but this praise from United States President has been completely blacked out by the Malaysian mainstream media when it would normally be trumpeted not only nationally but also internationally.
I have here the statement issued by the United States White House on the duo’s bilateral meeting.
It said: “The President congratulated Prime Minister Najib for recent action on the Strategic Goods Act, which will strengthen the ability of Malaysian authorities to take action against individuals and entities engaged in proliferation.”
One would have thought that such praise from the US President to the Malaysian Prime Minister would have become the screaming headlines of the Malaysian mainstream media, but no, there was not a word of the US President’s praise for the Malaysian Prime Minister in the mainstream media in Malaysia, whether New Straits Times, Star, Utusan Malaysia or Berita Harian.
Najib seems to be embarrassed by such praise from the US President that it is blacked out by the Malaysian mainstream media. Why?
One reason is the revelation that Parliament had been treated shabbily as it had rush through the enactment of the Strategic Goods Act to time it for Najib’s visit to the United States to meet with President Obama – and this fact was hidden from knowledge of Parliament.
This is shame, disrespect and contempt of Parliament.
The Strategic Trade Bill 2010 was first tabled in Parliament on a Thursday (1st April) and its debate and passage was rushed through on the following Monday (5th April) – not giving MPs adequate time to study its implications and ramifications, all to suit the Prime Minister’s timetable of meeting the US President in his Washington visit.
In the event, Najib was given praise by Obama but which had to be blacked out in all the mainstream media!
On the eve of Najib’s visit to the United States, the Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Datuk Seri Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis boasted about his publicity success with the US media, showing off a whole-page newspaper coverage for Malaysia in conjunction with Najib’s visit.
But this full-page coverage for Malaysia is not in the two leading US dailies, Washington Post or New York Times but the little-known Washington Times. Washingtion Post has a daily circulation of 673,180 copies and on Sunday, 890,163 while New York Times has a daily circulation of 1 million which shoots up to 1.4 million on Sunday.
What is Washington Times’ circulation? A paltry 102,258 copies.
Washington Times is a struggling low-circulation newspaper which was founded by Rev. Moon from South Korea and is now looking for a new buyer.
Is Malaysia, through its world-wide publicity consultant agency, APCO, considering buying over Washington Times?
The full-page coverage of Malaysia by Washington Times appears to be an advertorial, which means it was paid to publish it. How much did the full-page advertorial on Malaysia in Washington Times cost and was it paid by Malaysian taxpayers, directly or indirectly?
Najib is scheduled to launch the Malaysia-United States (Congressional) Caucus in Washington tomorrow.
I call on the Prime Minister to postpone the launching of the Malaysia-United States (Congressional) Caucus until there could be Pakatan Rakyat parliamentary representation or the caucus he would be launching would merely be a Barisan Nasional-US (Congressional) Caucus, which would only embarrass himself and the nation making him and the country the butt of jokes in the Washington cocktail circuit.
I have received information from Washington through email which does not throw a flattering light on the so-called launching of the Malaysia-US (Congressional) caucus.
Let me read from this email:
The launching of the Malaysia – United States Parliamentary Caucus about which you have posted on your blog is a most curious animal! I did a Google and also a search on the US Congress website but found nothing about this “great entity” ; nor did I see any references to the upcoming event other than from Malaysian sources!
The only reference I could find was a brief one on the homepage of Congressman Gregory W. Meeks’ (which reads as below) and also a reference to Congresswoman Barbara Lee being a member. Neither of these are very senior in the Congressional leadership hierarchy. Both are Democrats. Thus it does not appear to be a bi-partisan group.
“Malaysia Caucus:
“As a Member concerned with maintaining and promoting a close, positive relationship with Malaysia, we are expanding the Congressional Malaysia Trade, Security and Economic Caucus. This Caucus will promote a mature political relationship between the U.S. and Malaysia. Also, it will serve as an independent vehicle for Members of Congress to articulate their views on U.S. – Malaysia relations and as a source of information on political, security, and economic related issues. Finally, it will work to strengthen the discourse on bilateral and regional issues by engaging Malaysia perspectives on issues of mutual interest.”
This description, vague as it is, says little about the practical ways it will contribute to enhancing relationships. As I understand it, these Caucuses have no role in the legislative or other congressional/parliamentary processes. In a sense they are contact points for lobbyists and they operate as talk shops. The bottom line is: they represent no big deal and I do not understand why Najib, Nazri & company are making a big song and dance. It is also far from clear how the Malaysian side will operate in what is largely a US entity. On the other hand if there is going to be Malaysian participation in the Caucus, it is far from clear what it will entail. Cynically, one can assume that there will be visits, golf tournaments and other forms of entertainment at the tax-payer’s expense.
In the interest of our international reputation as well as the Prime Minister’s good name, Najib should cancel the launching of the unrepresentative Malaysian-US (Congressional) caucus only represented by BN and “independent” MPs from Malaysia on the one side and low-level Congress representatives on the part of the United States.
[Speech on the first 2010 Supplementary estimates in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday April 13, 2010]
Today’s mainstream media continues the publicity blitz of how successful is the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s visit to the United States, with front-page photograph of what has been described as the “historic bilateral meeting” between him and United States President Barack Obama.
However, a strange thing happened. Obama praised Najib in their meeting but this praise from United States President has been completely blacked out by the Malaysian mainstream media when it would normally be trumpeted not only nationally but also internationally.
I have here the statement issued by the United States White House on the duo’s bilateral meeting.
It said: “The President congratulated Prime Minister Najib for recent action on the Strategic Goods Act, which will strengthen the ability of Malaysian authorities to take action against individuals and entities engaged in proliferation.”
One would have thought that such praise from the US President to the Malaysian Prime Minister would have become the screaming headlines of the Malaysian mainstream media, but no, there was not a word of the US President’s praise for the Malaysian Prime Minister in the mainstream media in Malaysia, whether New Straits Times, Star, Utusan Malaysia or Berita Harian.
Najib seems to be embarrassed by such praise from the US President that it is blacked out by the Malaysian mainstream media. Why?
One reason is the revelation that Parliament had been treated shabbily as it had rush through the enactment of the Strategic Goods Act to time it for Najib’s visit to the United States to meet with President Obama – and this fact was hidden from knowledge of Parliament.
This is shame, disrespect and contempt of Parliament.
The Strategic Trade Bill 2010 was first tabled in Parliament on a Thursday (1st April) and its debate and passage was rushed through on the following Monday (5th April) – not giving MPs adequate time to study its implications and ramifications, all to suit the Prime Minister’s timetable of meeting the US President in his Washington visit.
In the event, Najib was given praise by Obama but which had to be blacked out in all the mainstream media!
On the eve of Najib’s visit to the United States, the Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Datuk Seri Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis boasted about his publicity success with the US media, showing off a whole-page newspaper coverage for Malaysia in conjunction with Najib’s visit.
But this full-page coverage for Malaysia is not in the two leading US dailies, Washington Post or New York Times but the little-known Washington Times. Washingtion Post has a daily circulation of 673,180 copies and on Sunday, 890,163 while New York Times has a daily circulation of 1 million which shoots up to 1.4 million on Sunday.
What is Washington Times’ circulation? A paltry 102,258 copies.
Washington Times is a struggling low-circulation newspaper which was founded by Rev. Moon from South Korea and is now looking for a new buyer.
Is Malaysia, through its world-wide publicity consultant agency, APCO, considering buying over Washington Times?
The full-page coverage of Malaysia by Washington Times appears to be an advertorial, which means it was paid to publish it. How much did the full-page advertorial on Malaysia in Washington Times cost and was it paid by Malaysian taxpayers, directly or indirectly?
Najib is scheduled to launch the Malaysia-United States (Congressional) Caucus in Washington tomorrow.
I call on the Prime Minister to postpone the launching of the Malaysia-United States (Congressional) Caucus until there could be Pakatan Rakyat parliamentary representation or the caucus he would be launching would merely be a Barisan Nasional-US (Congressional) Caucus, which would only embarrass himself and the nation making him and the country the butt of jokes in the Washington cocktail circuit.
I have received information from Washington through email which does not throw a flattering light on the so-called launching of the Malaysia-US (Congressional) caucus.
Let me read from this email:
The launching of the Malaysia – United States Parliamentary Caucus about which you have posted on your blog is a most curious animal! I did a Google and also a search on the US Congress website but found nothing about this “great entity” ; nor did I see any references to the upcoming event other than from Malaysian sources!
The only reference I could find was a brief one on the homepage of Congressman Gregory W. Meeks’ (which reads as below) and also a reference to Congresswoman Barbara Lee being a member. Neither of these are very senior in the Congressional leadership hierarchy. Both are Democrats. Thus it does not appear to be a bi-partisan group.
“Malaysia Caucus:
“As a Member concerned with maintaining and promoting a close, positive relationship with Malaysia, we are expanding the Congressional Malaysia Trade, Security and Economic Caucus. This Caucus will promote a mature political relationship between the U.S. and Malaysia. Also, it will serve as an independent vehicle for Members of Congress to articulate their views on U.S. – Malaysia relations and as a source of information on political, security, and economic related issues. Finally, it will work to strengthen the discourse on bilateral and regional issues by engaging Malaysia perspectives on issues of mutual interest.”
This description, vague as it is, says little about the practical ways it will contribute to enhancing relationships. As I understand it, these Caucuses have no role in the legislative or other congressional/parliamentary processes. In a sense they are contact points for lobbyists and they operate as talk shops. The bottom line is: they represent no big deal and I do not understand why Najib, Nazri & company are making a big song and dance. It is also far from clear how the Malaysian side will operate in what is largely a US entity. On the other hand if there is going to be Malaysian participation in the Caucus, it is far from clear what it will entail. Cynically, one can assume that there will be visits, golf tournaments and other forms of entertainment at the tax-payer’s expense.
In the interest of our international reputation as well as the Prime Minister’s good name, Najib should cancel the launching of the unrepresentative Malaysian-US (Congressional) caucus only represented by BN and “independent” MPs from Malaysia on the one side and low-level Congress representatives on the part of the United States.
[Speech on the first 2010 Supplementary estimates in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday April 13, 2010]
Refer Lim Kit Siang to the right and Privileges Committee
P Ramakrishnan
13 April 2010
Barisan MP for Pasir Salak Tajuddin Abdul Rahman had alleged in Parliament on 6 April 2010 that Lim Kit Siang had served as a political officer to former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Tajuddin had also alleged that “a leader in Penang” was selling state secrets to Hong Kong and Singapore .
We can presume that he was referring to Lim Guan Eng, the Penang Chief Minister.
Kit Siang reacted by flatly stating, “This is not true, so he (Tajuddin) should be referred to the committee.”
Accordingly, Kit Siang moved a motion to refer Tajuddin to the Rights and Privileges Committee. But Tajuddin was adamant in his allegation and countered Kit Siang’s denial by claiming in the House, “I don’t like to lie or make slanderous statements with malicious intent. I am responsible for what I say.”
In responding to Kit Siang’s motion, Tajuddin took an uncompromising position. He stated, “If the House thinks I should be referred to the committee, no problem. I will take it. I’m prepared to face all the consequences. If you want to suspend me, go ahead but I believe in what I said.”
In this case, both of them could not be lying – but one of them definitely did. The question is: Who was lying?
When Kit Siang’s motion was put to the vote, it was defeated by 82 to 56 votes.
What was the implication of this voting?
Simply put, the Barisan Nasional MPs took a position that Tajuddin was telling the truth and that Kit Siang was lying. It meant that they did not believe Kit Siang’s denial that he did not serve as a political officer to Lee Kuan Yew. It meant that Tajuddin did not mislead the House but it was Kit Siang who was guilty of misleading.
This being the case, the BN MPs should refer Kit Siang to the Rights and Privileges Committee. They have no other course or choice except to compel the Rights and Privileges Committee to take action against Kit Siang for misleading the House. Failure to do so would imply that the BN dominated Parliament is trying to cover up a lie – worse still, it may be construed that Parliament is protecting a lie.
They must also take action to suspend Lim Guan Eng from Parliament because he has been accused of selling state secrets to foreign countries. This is a treasonable action and the person guilty of this conduct is a traitor to this nation. No traitor should be sitting in our Parliament.
The IGP, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, must give priority to investigating this serious allegation. He should drop all other cases and concentrate on this as a matter of urgency. The AG, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, must start framing charges against Guan Eng at once. The hands of the IGP and the AG have been strengthened by Parliament’s voting.
Both of them should spring into action now that they have Parliament’s backing.
Obviously, Tajuddin has the evidence to back up his allegations. That’s why he didn’t mind being referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee. This case, therefore, should be wrapped up in a jiffy.
If Parliament fails to act, then Tajuddin must publicly make his allegations outside Parliament because he has the evidence. Remember what he said: “I don’t like to lie…” In other words, he was telling the truth and that he has the evidence to back up his accusation.
Under the circumstances, would Kit Siang or Guan Eng dare to sue him? Even if they did, Tajuddin should be able to provide the evidence in the court of law and fix them for good.
We cannot have a liar and a traitor smugly sitting in Parliament, making a mockery of our democratic process.
Parliament, Tajuddin, the IGP and the AG all owe it to the nation to act in the national interest.
They must not fail us.
Challenges for Dr Chua Soi Lek - Lim Sue Goan
themalaysianinsider
APRIL 13 — MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is a strong man in MCA, but there are differences between getting along with the grassroots and leading a party representing Malaysian Chinese.
There are only thousands of grassroot members but he has to face over a million of people from Umno, the Chinese community and voters of various races.
Whether he can lead MCA to revive and win the respect of BN, it all depends on the next general elections.
Dr Chua has been actively dealing with the party’s affairs and Chinese community issues since the fresh polls on 28 March. He also went campaigning in Hulu Selangor. However, he was hit by two incidents, namely the resignation of Wanita MCA Chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun and the refusal of Chinese organisations to attend the MCA Presidential Council meeting.
The resignation of Chew and the announcement of Gurun state assemblyman Datuk Dr Leong Yong Kong to take a year’s leave from party affairs are the first wave of protest within the party. If Dr Chua is unable to integrate the party in a short time, the voices of discontentment within the party will become louder and louder. He received, after all, only 39 per cent of votes in the fresh polls.
However, with Dr Chua’s strategies and means, the discontentment within the party is not a problem as he has the ability to solve it. The most severe challenge comes from external parties.
MCA has wasted more than a year in its party crisis. Therefore, time is running out for Dr Chua to get prepared for the next general elections. He must race against time to perform and change the party’s and his negative images.
The first challenge is the Hulu Selangor by-election, followed by the second phase of the New Economic Model (NEM) scheduled to be announced in June and the 10th Malaysian Plan. If he fails to retrieve Chinese votes in the by-election, it will be a blow to his leadership prestige. If the NEM does not release more space for small and medium enterprises, Dr Chua will have to face a lot of pressure.
MCA’s political opponent is now stronger than before. DAP is currently controlling state power and it is backed by Pakatan Rakyat. DAP is now equally matched with MCA in terms of political resources and talents.
Therefore, Dr Chua is anxious. He invited main Chinese organisations to attend the Presidential Council meeting, hoping to repair the crack with Chinese organisations formed during the party crisis, as well as to expand the influence of MCA. However, he has neglected the “sabotage” of DAP.
As for the issue of the relocation and new locations for Chinese primary school, he has got entangled with the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor government. If MCA fails to complete the promise made during the March 8 general elections last year before the next general elections, it will then turn into a political burden.
However, the sign of improvement in the political environment under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak favours Dr Chua. The liberal image and high efficiency of Najib is able to retrieve the people’s support.
Umno is the main factor of MCA’s great defeat in the 8 March general elections. If Najib is able to suppress the conservative right-wing forces and voices within the party and create a more harmonious political atmosphere, then Dr Chua will be more than equal to the challenges.
However, MCA must first solve the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, mysterious death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock and Chinese schools issues before the next general elections.
In order to perform better than the former president, Dr Chua can no longer use de-politicisation strategies. Instead, he should be courageously fight politics. The more he can get from Umno, the more he can increase his own political chips.
It is unfair to judge Dr Chua now and it is still too early to do so. But there is no honeymoon period for him and the inescapable truth is to perform well. — mysinchew
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.
APRIL 13 — MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is a strong man in MCA, but there are differences between getting along with the grassroots and leading a party representing Malaysian Chinese.
There are only thousands of grassroot members but he has to face over a million of people from Umno, the Chinese community and voters of various races.
Whether he can lead MCA to revive and win the respect of BN, it all depends on the next general elections.
Dr Chua has been actively dealing with the party’s affairs and Chinese community issues since the fresh polls on 28 March. He also went campaigning in Hulu Selangor. However, he was hit by two incidents, namely the resignation of Wanita MCA Chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun and the refusal of Chinese organisations to attend the MCA Presidential Council meeting.
The resignation of Chew and the announcement of Gurun state assemblyman Datuk Dr Leong Yong Kong to take a year’s leave from party affairs are the first wave of protest within the party. If Dr Chua is unable to integrate the party in a short time, the voices of discontentment within the party will become louder and louder. He received, after all, only 39 per cent of votes in the fresh polls.
However, with Dr Chua’s strategies and means, the discontentment within the party is not a problem as he has the ability to solve it. The most severe challenge comes from external parties.
MCA has wasted more than a year in its party crisis. Therefore, time is running out for Dr Chua to get prepared for the next general elections. He must race against time to perform and change the party’s and his negative images.
The first challenge is the Hulu Selangor by-election, followed by the second phase of the New Economic Model (NEM) scheduled to be announced in June and the 10th Malaysian Plan. If he fails to retrieve Chinese votes in the by-election, it will be a blow to his leadership prestige. If the NEM does not release more space for small and medium enterprises, Dr Chua will have to face a lot of pressure.
MCA’s political opponent is now stronger than before. DAP is currently controlling state power and it is backed by Pakatan Rakyat. DAP is now equally matched with MCA in terms of political resources and talents.
Therefore, Dr Chua is anxious. He invited main Chinese organisations to attend the Presidential Council meeting, hoping to repair the crack with Chinese organisations formed during the party crisis, as well as to expand the influence of MCA. However, he has neglected the “sabotage” of DAP.
As for the issue of the relocation and new locations for Chinese primary school, he has got entangled with the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor government. If MCA fails to complete the promise made during the March 8 general elections last year before the next general elections, it will then turn into a political burden.
However, the sign of improvement in the political environment under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak favours Dr Chua. The liberal image and high efficiency of Najib is able to retrieve the people’s support.
Umno is the main factor of MCA’s great defeat in the 8 March general elections. If Najib is able to suppress the conservative right-wing forces and voices within the party and create a more harmonious political atmosphere, then Dr Chua will be more than equal to the challenges.
However, MCA must first solve the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, mysterious death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock and Chinese schools issues before the next general elections.
In order to perform better than the former president, Dr Chua can no longer use de-politicisation strategies. Instead, he should be courageously fight politics. The more he can get from Umno, the more he can increase his own political chips.
It is unfair to judge Dr Chua now and it is still too early to do so. But there is no honeymoon period for him and the inescapable truth is to perform well. — mysinchew
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.
DAP rep pans Chua over Chinese schools issue
themalaysianinsider
By Neville Spykerman
SHAH ALAM, April 13 — Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim today accused the MCA president of “lying” and trying to “exploit” the issue of land available for Chinese schools in the state ahead of the Hulu Selangor by-election.
While debating the Royal Address, Ng hit out at Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek for claiming that five new Chinese schools, planned by the Education Ministry, could not be built due to land issues which have not been solved by the Selangor government.
“This is a lie because all land reserved for schools, irrespective of whether they are national or vernacular, had been surrendered to a land bank managed by the Education Ministry,” the DAP politician told the state assembly, adding the state no longer has jurisdiction over such land.
“If MCA fails to get the Education Ministry to approve new schools from the land bank, it’s a failure on the part of the party,”
He pointed out MCA had representatives in the federal government and that its youth chief was also the deputy education minister.
“The MCA president should not have twisted the facts just to win the by-election,” Ng added.
He also took exception to Dr Chua’s accusation that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) did not have a mechanism to address the issue, pointing out that Barisan Nasional (BN) had not solved the problem in the last 50 years.
“I challenge him to show us the sites of the five schools which could not be built.”
Ng also said the state government would consider giving approvals within 24 hours upon receiving written requests for the five sites, if indeed the land had not already been transferred to the ministry.
He pointed out that Dr Chua, having been a minister, should know about administrative procedures between Federal and state governments.
“I urge him to do his homework before making unsubstantiated claims,” Ng said.
The politics of issues and the issue of politicising
Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:59
By Stanley Koh
COMMENT Politicians seldom forget what a tongue is for. And MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek proved that he was no exception when newsmen pressed him to respond to Lim Guan Eng’s recent message to Chinese guilds and associations.
The Penang Chief Minister had reminded the associations of their self-proclaimed independence and integrity, saying they should not accept the MCA invitation to a meeting of its presidential council.
Chua retorted with sound bites worthy of a politician: “We are not in the politics of politicising issues; we are in the politics of solving issues.”
But why would such a dispassionate reminder be so irritating and unwelcoming to MCA? It is not as if it has never indulged in the politics of politicising issues. Indeed, the party’s history tells us otherwise.
Of course, MCA cannot survive without Chinese support, and it must do all it can to harvest goodwill. This is only politically expedient. The show must go on, especially in wooing influential associations, whose membership can be pervasive, embracing all types of trades, clans and walks of life.
Dialogues between MCA and the Chinese associations have never been blindingly successful. They have not resulted in changes to economic policies detrimental to non-Malay communities or even managed to bring about a meaningful correction of deviant implementation of policies. Nevertheless, there is a consensus that the party must continue to play what role it can with its limited voice in the Cabinet.
But why a sudden change from open dialogues—as practised under previous presidents—to private discussions in an internal party council?
MCA would have pulled off this sort of a political move in the good old days, when the Malaysian political landscape was still a happy fairy tale of justice, good governance and fair play. (At least that is what it would seem like when contrasted against present realities.)
Furthermore, that kind of old-school politics is becoming passé as the nation witnesses the emergence of a two-party system, with the parliamentary opposition even ruling some states.
In need of breakthrough ideas
Yes, times are changing; yet there are desperate quarters engaged in bizarre and pathetic ways of trying to divert the nation’s attention from the changes taking place in Malaysian politics.
( Dialogues with Chinese associations and guilds have all along shown that MCA does it fire fighting on an ad hoc basis when reacting to complaints about economic policies and implementation. )
Under the present political circumstances, wisdom demands that Chinese associations maintain their independence, integrity and non-partisan approaches in cooperating with political parties.
They must especially avoid being mistaken for sham organisations that are prey to a political party dancing to tunes played by another political party.
This point is particularly pertinent to the relationship between MCA and the Chinese guilds and associations as well as between MCA and Dong Jaio Zhong (Chinese educationist movements).
Conscientious Malaysians generally seem to agree that a more uncertain economic picture only heightens the need for a new deal under a revolutionary economic development plan that would stop the backward slide of our economy and boost the wellbeing of all Malaysians. It is important to meet social needs and to fight poverty on a non-racial ticket.
MCA is in sore need of breakthrough ideas and the moral courage to oppose injustice and discriminative policies.
Can it overcome these weaknesses by working with Chinese associations?
What seems to have escaped many is history.
MCA leaders used to have a towkay image. In the early days—between 1949 and 1965—about half of the Central Working Committee (CWC) members held posts in the guilds and the chambers of commerce.
According to Prof Chan Heng Chee, author of 'The Malayan Chinese Association', “at no time were there fewer than 30 percent of the MCA’s CWC members overlapping with either the chambers of commerce or the Chinese guilds.”
MCA was built upon the Chinese chambers of commerce and guilds. Typically, a state leader was also an office bearer in the chamber of commerce of his state.
“The fact that Chinese association leaders were the founders and promoters of the MCA resulted in the party being physically accommodated on the premises of Chinese associations, most notably the chambers of commerce,” Prof Heng Pek Koon writes in her book, 'Chinese Politics in Malaysia: The MCA'.
“The administration of party affairs was often attended to by employees of Chinese chambers of commerce or huay kuan, which accommodated the party branch.”
The party also had closely-knit links with the Chinese education movements, the United Chinese School Teachers Association (Jiao Zhong) and the United Chinese School Management Committee (Dong Zhong). But this is no longer true.
Prof Chan writes: “Between 1949 and 1964, the MCA shifted from the position of an insistent spokesman for Chinese rights to that of a comprising negotiator. In 1961, Tan Siew Sin told the (Chinese) association members plainly that two choices lay before the MCA.
“It could choose to submit to the jingoistic minority and retain a short-lived popularity, or it could continue on the road that had served it well: being race friendly and tolerant.
“The more communal elements in the party complained that the Chinese were expected to sacrifice their hard work to appease the Malay Mammon.”
Prof Heng writes: “Even from as early as the 1959 debacle, the MCA has never again regained the same level of support it had earlier commanded from the Chinese community.”
Ad hoc fire-fighting
( At the end of the day, after more than 50 years, these economic plans have failed to bring our country forward to where it should be. Now the nation is at a crossroads again. )
Today, Chinese politics and MCA are continuing to move to the periphery in an atmosphere of one-race dominance and discriminative-based politics, fanned by the chauvinistic support of dubious organizations.
Part of the blame should go to MCA’s accommodationist role in the past.
However, what is important now is for Chinese associations to provide a conscientious third channel of articulation towards a multiracial integrationist approach in handling economic and social issues.
Dialogues with Chinese associations and guilds have all along shown that MCA does it fire fighting on an ad hoc basis when reacting to complaints about economic policies and implementation.
The record shows that MCA leaders have been prone to heaping praise on the prevailing system, fully supporting economic plans whose contents were often decorated with beautiful rhetoric composed by the Barisan Nasional government.
This was despite maladministration, implementation deviations, corruption, power abuses and the shenanigans of little Napoleons. The party seems powerless to act against race-based policies.
At the end of the day, after more than 50 years, these economic plans have failed to bring our country forward to where it should be. Now the nation is at a crossroads again.
Malaysians need to be constantly reminded that the New Economic Model is supposed to be need-based and not race-based. If it fails, we will recall the quip that a British MP once made about a baker saying, “I’m really sorry I poisoned your daughter with that cream horn. No manslaughter was intended, but it was merely a result of bad baking.”
Perhaps, Malaysians must decide not to hold their tongues.
Fortunately, in defiance of our submissive culture, Malaysians are gradually waking up. And they should be wagging their tongues, calling for a change under a two-party system.
Yes, it is time that Malaysians should actively engage in the politics of politicising issues and not leave the job to politicians alone. It is time for the people to lead the government because we have had enough of the government leading us nowhere.
Government paid APCO RM76 million , Nazri showa
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
Chua revealed that Nazri’s new figure outstripped the previously claimed RM28 million. — file pic
KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 — The government paid US$24.2 million (RM76.8 million) to APCO Worldwide, the international public relations consultancy linked by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders to Israel, for its services from last July until June this year.
The amount was revealed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, in a written reply to a question in Parliament from PKR MP, Chua Tian Chang.
Chua disclosed this today to reporters, and pointed out that the amount far exceeded the RM28 million mentioned by Nazri previously.
The minister’s written reply provided a breakdown of the fee paid by the government to APCO, starting from July 15, 2009 until June 4, 2010.
“I want the minister to explain the expenses concerning APCO Worldwide. The payment was just for APCO’s services, not even for the 1 Malaysia concept,” Chua told reporters today in Parliament.
“How did Nazri end up with RM28 million, when the total amount was US$24,207,158 which is in US dollars. Change it to Malaysian ringgit and you get RM76,820,653,” said Chua.
Monday, April 12, 2010
MPSP turns around after 8 years of deficits
anilnetto
12-4-2010
The Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) has turned around after eight years of deficits. It posted a surplus of RM14.6 million in 2009, after a marginal surplus in 2008 and deficits from 2000 to 2007 under BN rule.
Well done to the new administration. It is not difficult to understand why the local government had been saddled with deficits and dwindling reserves previously. It embarked on a costly series of building and so-called ‘beautification’ projects: the building complex at the Butterworth padang, the forlorn fountain and rock garden next to the padang, the lavish MPSP office in Bandar Perda, the Batu Kawan Stadium (now a white elephant), the large MPSP court complex, the ornate lamp-posts (with hanging flower pots) in Butterworth, expensive floral decorations, the re-surfacing of pavements…
Moreover, the MPSP is believed to have spent a fortune in excessive rubbish disposal costs by external contractors.
And all the while, mainland Penang residents have had to put up with lousy drains with stagnant water, frequent flooding in some areas, dirty and polluted beaches and rivers, the loss of sporting and recreational spaces (access to the whole beach-front in Butterworth has been cut off by the Butterworth Outer Ring Road and the North Butterworth Container Terminal), and unresolved urban settlers’ issues. The quality of life has dropped; and all these issues need to be looked at.
This report from theSun:
Council records RM14.57mil in surplus
by Himanshu Bhatt
SEBERANG PERAI (April 11, 2010): The Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) has managed to chalk up a surplus of about RM14.57 million in 2009, following a series of deficits it had incurred under the Barisan Nasional government from 2000 to 2007.
Council president Mokhtar Mohd Jait today revealed a final accounting statement that showed the MPSP’s reserves soaring by more than 50%, from RM29.07 million in 2008 to RM43.67 million in 2009.
The RM14.57 million surplus compared well with the eight consecutive years of losses the council had experienced.
According to the accounting record, the council incurred losses worth RM5.06 million in 2000, and that rose steadily to RM39.04 million in 2003, peaking at RM57.08 million in 2005.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the council’s recovery was due to resourcefulness in collecting revenue and saving on costs.
“This has been a painful process, but now the council’s financial condition has been treated and it is well under recovery,” he said after a meeting of MPSP heads at its headquarters today.
In June last year the Pakatan Rakyat state government, which had taken power in March 2008, ordered MPSP to appoint an independent audit committee to look into losses worth RM230 million incurred from 2000 to 2007.
The team was to report its findings and recommendations to State Financial Officer Farizan Darus, who was the council’s previous president, for follow-up action.
Asked on the audit team’s findings, Lim said Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow would announce the matter later.
He said the MPSP would now go ahead with necessary expenditures worth almost RM5 million to increase its facilities, including special vehicles for cleaning and maintenance.
Lim also announced that applications for renovations to houses in Seberang Perai, if done according to the MPSP’s standard plan, will in the future take only 24 hours to be approved.
Applications for special renovations that have details not within the standard plan would take five weeks to approve, he said.
He pointed out that under the previous administration, applicants had to wait four to five months for approval.
The new time frame would be implemented once approved by the MPSP full-council meeting at the end of this month, he said. — theSun
Updated: 07:19PM Sun, 11 Apr 2010
That said, I hope the MPSP will carefully scrutinise all applications for renovations to ensure that setback and other requirements are strictly observed. It also has to be vigilant to ensure that contractors do not get too cosy with Council staff.
Another area that needs to be monitored is the conversion of residential houses to commercial units.
The other thing I would like to see is for both the MPPP and the MPSP to put their latest financial statements on their websites in the interests of transparency and accountability. (The MPPP has a breakdown of its income for 2007 and 2008 but not the financial statements.)
12-4-2010
The Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) has turned around after eight years of deficits. It posted a surplus of RM14.6 million in 2009, after a marginal surplus in 2008 and deficits from 2000 to 2007 under BN rule.
Well done to the new administration. It is not difficult to understand why the local government had been saddled with deficits and dwindling reserves previously. It embarked on a costly series of building and so-called ‘beautification’ projects: the building complex at the Butterworth padang, the forlorn fountain and rock garden next to the padang, the lavish MPSP office in Bandar Perda, the Batu Kawan Stadium (now a white elephant), the large MPSP court complex, the ornate lamp-posts (with hanging flower pots) in Butterworth, expensive floral decorations, the re-surfacing of pavements…
Moreover, the MPSP is believed to have spent a fortune in excessive rubbish disposal costs by external contractors.
And all the while, mainland Penang residents have had to put up with lousy drains with stagnant water, frequent flooding in some areas, dirty and polluted beaches and rivers, the loss of sporting and recreational spaces (access to the whole beach-front in Butterworth has been cut off by the Butterworth Outer Ring Road and the North Butterworth Container Terminal), and unresolved urban settlers’ issues. The quality of life has dropped; and all these issues need to be looked at.
This report from theSun:
Council records RM14.57mil in surplus
by Himanshu Bhatt
SEBERANG PERAI (April 11, 2010): The Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) has managed to chalk up a surplus of about RM14.57 million in 2009, following a series of deficits it had incurred under the Barisan Nasional government from 2000 to 2007.
Council president Mokhtar Mohd Jait today revealed a final accounting statement that showed the MPSP’s reserves soaring by more than 50%, from RM29.07 million in 2008 to RM43.67 million in 2009.
The RM14.57 million surplus compared well with the eight consecutive years of losses the council had experienced.
According to the accounting record, the council incurred losses worth RM5.06 million in 2000, and that rose steadily to RM39.04 million in 2003, peaking at RM57.08 million in 2005.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the council’s recovery was due to resourcefulness in collecting revenue and saving on costs.
“This has been a painful process, but now the council’s financial condition has been treated and it is well under recovery,” he said after a meeting of MPSP heads at its headquarters today.
In June last year the Pakatan Rakyat state government, which had taken power in March 2008, ordered MPSP to appoint an independent audit committee to look into losses worth RM230 million incurred from 2000 to 2007.
The team was to report its findings and recommendations to State Financial Officer Farizan Darus, who was the council’s previous president, for follow-up action.
Asked on the audit team’s findings, Lim said Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow would announce the matter later.
He said the MPSP would now go ahead with necessary expenditures worth almost RM5 million to increase its facilities, including special vehicles for cleaning and maintenance.
Lim also announced that applications for renovations to houses in Seberang Perai, if done according to the MPSP’s standard plan, will in the future take only 24 hours to be approved.
Applications for special renovations that have details not within the standard plan would take five weeks to approve, he said.
He pointed out that under the previous administration, applicants had to wait four to five months for approval.
The new time frame would be implemented once approved by the MPSP full-council meeting at the end of this month, he said. — theSun
Updated: 07:19PM Sun, 11 Apr 2010
That said, I hope the MPSP will carefully scrutinise all applications for renovations to ensure that setback and other requirements are strictly observed. It also has to be vigilant to ensure that contractors do not get too cosy with Council staff.
Another area that needs to be monitored is the conversion of residential houses to commercial units.
The other thing I would like to see is for both the MPPP and the MPSP to put their latest financial statements on their websites in the interests of transparency and accountability. (The MPPP has a breakdown of its income for 2007 and 2008 but not the financial statements.)
Penang Turf Club : Having cake and eating it too
12-4-2010
The Penang Turf Club is baulking at the idea of paying quit rent at commercial rates after its Batu Gantung land was controversially rezoned from ‘recreational’ land to ‘mixed development’ in June 2007.
The Director of Land and Mines has issued a bill for quit rent for 2008-2010 totalling RM6.1 million (less amounts already paid), which works out to about RM2.4 million a year (or RM2.58/sq metre). The Turf Club had previously been paying RM0.5 million a year in quit rent (or RM0.54/sq metre).
The Turf Club wants the old rate to be used, arguing that the land is still being used for horse racing.
The state government, on the other hand, says the Turf Club can afford to pay the new rates – and it definitely has a point. The club has RM48.5 million in fixed deposit, and it generated a surplus before tax of RM3.9 million in 2009.
Incidentally, the Turf Club plans to develop two parcels of its land and has submitted an application to the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) and another to the Land Office. It has plans to build mansions on one end of its property and rent them out to generate even more income.
If the Turf Club still wants to pay quit rent at the old non-commercial rate, then there is a simple solution: Get the land rezoned back to recreational status and all will be fine. Such a move would also secure the area as a green lung for future generations – and there would still be hope for a public park some time down the road. A win-win solution.
The state government should use that as a carrot to get the land rezoned back to recreational status. The MPPP can also use similar considerations when it comes to billing assessment.
" Under fire " Nazri : Who's pressuring Pornthip ?
Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:27
freemalaysiatoday
By S Rutra and Fazy Sahir
FULL REPORT KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Aziz has refuted an allegation by renowned Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand that she was under "political pressure" from the Malaysian government to not testify in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest.
While dismissing the allegation as false, Nazri said Pornthip must name the people who she alleged put pressue on her as the government will not take action if there was no solid proof.
"Tell me who? Nazri or others. We want to know, if not how are we to help her? Anybody can say I have been pressured. But who put the pressure, we want to know," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
The Teoh inquest will resume on April 20. Previously, Pornthip had suggested that there is a strong possibility that the former DAP political aide could have been murdered.
Meanwhile, Nazri also denied an allegation that the Thai expert was not allowed to enter Malaysia earlier this year, as according to him there was no reason for that as she had been allowed in earlier.
"I do not believe that the government and our officers harassed her and stopped her from entering the country," he said.
Nazri said if that had happened, he would have been informed.
"The attorney-general has never met me to say that we will not allow her in. I feel she is just scared. I believe that her testimony in the inquest is not correct, which she cannot defend now and is looking for reasons to not attend," he said.
Nazri comes under fire
Meanwhile, lawyer Gobind Singh, who is representing Teoh's family, asked Nazri to provide proof to back up his allegation yesterday that Pornthip had lied.
“Nazri’s accusation against Pornthip is serious and issued at his pleasure,” he said, inviting the minister to participate in the Teoh inquest.
DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, speaking at a press conference with Gobind, urged the government to call for an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss Pornthip's claim of being pressured.
Another lawyer representing Teoh's family, Lim Lip Eng, said his client may initiate a contempt of court proceedings against Nazri.
“Does Nazri have proof to support his allegation. If he doesn’t than isn’t his statement in contempt of court?” asked the Segambut MP.
Lim has also filed a notice to debate the issue in Parliament.
“The people have the right to know if there is any truth in the allegation (Pornthip's claim). Why was she stopped from entering Kelantan early this year?
“What kind of threats are we exposed to? Is she a terrorist or a spy?” he asked.
Karpal Singh, who is also acting for the family, said publicly attributing a lie to a witness who has given evidence in an on-going inquest amounts to a serious contempt of court.
"The matter is further compounded by the fact that the charge against Pornthip does not come from a personality of mean rank.
“Nazri is a lawyer by training and a minister of considerable seniority,” he said in a statement.
Karpal said the coroner conducting the inquest has sufficient powers under the Third Schedule of the Subordinate Courts Act, 1948 to take cognizance of the contempt committed by Nazri.
“Whether Pornthip is a truthful witness or not is an issue for the magistrate (coroner) to decide,” he said.
The DAP MP urged the coroner to issue a notice to Nazri to show cause on April 20, when the inquest resumes, on why he should not be cited for contempt.
"The magistrate should act without fear or favour. The dignity of his court demands that he cites Nazri for contempt," he said.
MB: Testify via Internet
Selangor state appointed lawyer for the inquest, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, also took Nazri to task for labelling Pornthip a liar.
“This was not a nice thing to say, especially when the minister was reacting to a news report. I have sent an email to Pornthip to get a clearer picture.
"Its very unfortunate for someone to make such an accusation when we have yet to understand what the real issue is,” he told FMT.
Hisham , Gani guarantee Pornthip's safety here
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani and Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 — The government will guarantee Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand’s safety should she continue to testify in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest, both the Home Minister and Attorney-General have said today.
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also urged the Thai pathologist to provide details to the relevant authorities regarding her allegation that she faced “political pressure” from Putrajaya not to continue with her testimony.
Dr Pornthip’s withdrawal from testifying in the Teoh inquest next week, reportedly due to political interference, has raised fears among the Teoh family and the DAP that the case was being tampered with at the highest level.
The Selangor government has confirmed the Thai pathologist is not returning when the inquest resumes on April 20 but they want the Coroner’s Court to agree to testimony via video-conferencing.
“We will guarantee the safety of everybody, not only Malaysians but also non-Malaysians and tourists. It is our duty to protect their security.
“If there is any suspicion on their part or worry about their security then they can come forward to the relevant agencies, especially the police. But you must come to us with details and facts,” Hishammuddin told reporters in Parliament today.
Echoing the minister’s remarks separately, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail invited the pathologist to attend the inquest and complete her testimony without fear for her personal well-being.
“As far as I am concerned, I stand on the ground that she is welcome to come and I want her to come, to give evidence in peace,” said the A-G.
He added that he would personally ensure that the Malaysian authorities protected her welfare for the duration of her stay.
“Professionally, I think if there is any cause to doubt her security or security at stake, I will make sure that the authorities will provide the security. No problems,” said Gani.
Hishammuddin aso said he was expecting reports on Dr Pornthip’s allegation from related agencies.
“The issue here concerns one or two agencies, the police, immigration and I have asked for a report. I will be in a better position to inform the public within a day or two.
“This is an allegation which needs to be investigated and it can only be answered by the agency in which the allegation has been directed to. I have asked the agencies to provide me with the answer,” he added.
Dr Pornthip, 54, the director-general of Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science, had reportedly pulled out from the ongoing case, claiming she was forced to do so because of “political pressure” from Putrajaya that could affect her work in southern Thailand.
The flashy pathologist had testified during the inquest here that Teoh’s death was “80 per cent homicide”, contradicting Malaysian pathologists who say the political aide could have fallen to his death or suicide.
Her second testimony will be crucial to the inquest, and to prove allegations that there was foul play in death of the political aide.
Parkatan to mull strategies against Anwar suspension
themalaysianinsider
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 — The Pakatan Rakyat leadership will discuss this Wednesday possible strategies to take if a parliament panel suspends Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for linking 1 Malaysia to One Israel.
The opposition leader insists that APCO Worldwide was the brains behind both Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia and Ehud Barak’s One Israel campaign.
The Barisan Nasional government will refer Anwar to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee on April 22 over his inability to provide concrete evidence to support his allegations that the two concepts were related.
The Malaysian Insider understands the leaders will discuss the possible strategies when the motion to suspend Anwar is tabled.
APCO has denied its link with Barak’s One Israel, and said that the 1 Malaysia initiative was conceived prior to the company’s appointment by the Najib administration.
However, Singapore’s The Straits Times has revealed that filings with the US Justice Department showed that the international public relations firm had entered into an agreement to provide services for Israel in 1992.
Selangor MB cautious law minister on " liar " remarks
By Neville Spykerman
SHAH ALAM, April 12 — Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim today urged Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz “to be careful” with his remarks after he called Thai pathologist Dr.Pornthip Rojanasunand a liar for claiming she was pressured to abandon the Teoh Beng Hock inquest.
Nazri, who is the de facto law minister, made the comments yesterday when reacting to Dr. Pornthip’s claims that she had to choose her work in the southern Thailand insurgency over the inquest due to “political pressure” from Malaysia.
“Diplomatically it’s not a good idea to call those outside our country liars,” the Selangor mentri besar said in response to Nazri’s comments.
The Khalid administration had hired the renowned Thai pathologist as an independent expert to ascertain the cause of Teoh’s mysterious death last July 16. She had concluded it was “80 per cent homicide” contradicting official reports that claim the political aide might have committed suicide.
“He (Nazri) has to be careful. She deals with dead bodies,” quipped Khalid, referring to Dr. Pornthip’s work to identify the dead in the 2004 Asian tsunami.
Khalid added he hoped Dr Pornthip’s allegations were not true because it was not in the best interest of any government to hide the truth surrounding Teoh’s death after overnight questioning at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Selangor office.
In the event Dr Pornthip is unable or unwilling to attend the inquest, Khalid reiterated the state’s stand that she be allowed to testify and be crossed examined on her findings via video-conferencing.
“We want to ensure that the truth prevails,” he said.
The 54-year-old director-general of Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science reportedly pulled out from the ongoing case, claiming she was forced to do so because of pressure from the Malaysian Government that could affect her work in southern Thailand.
The inquest resumes on April 20 but the state wants the coroner to agree to testimony via video-conferencing.
Her reluctance to attend the inquest has raised fears among the Teoh family and the DAP that the case is being tampered with at the highest level.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Chua : Life goes on without Chiew
themalaysianinsider
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said today that Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun will not be missed, after she quit as the party’s Wanita chief.
Dr Chua explained that it was normal for leaders to “come and go” in a democracy.
“I would like to thank her for her contribution to the party. MCA practises democracy and leaders can come and go but the party’s agenda will continue,” he told reporters at party headquarters.
The Wanita MCA chief resigned from her party posts yesterday, which included her post as wing chairman, Wanita MCA Selangor chairman, and the party’s Crisis Relief Squad chief.
It also means that she will relinquish her post as a senator and as the Deputy Minister of the Women, Family and Community Development.
Dr Chua said Chew’s resignation would not be a setback to his leadership.
“We have one million members ... this is will not affect the image of my leadership,” he said.
Chew made a pledge in Parliament in November last year, during the peak of the party crisis, declaring that she would resign if Dr Chua were to become party president.
Her words were not forgotten and when Dr Chua cruised to a win during the March 28 party polls, her words came back to haunt her.
Chew, however, decided to stick to her guns and, after a short meeting yesterday, resigned as she had promised to, despite pleas from her central committee members.
In apparent reference to Chew, Dr Chua said the he was powerless if certain leaders refused to accept the results of the recent party poll.
“I am confident that the newly election committee members know their responsibility. Their responsibility is to unite members, stabilise the party and strengthen the organisation so that we can face the coming election. If there are leaders that cannot respect the decision made by the delegates then we cannot do anything,” he said.
The former health minister clinched the top post in the party when he polled 901 votes against former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting’s 833 votes, and incumbent Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s 578.
Despite the slim vote majority, Dr Chua’s victory clearly shows — for the second time — that the party’s over 2,000 central delegates have long forgiven him for his past mistakes.
Dr Chua was once sacked from the party over his involvement in a 2007 sex scandal.
He also said that leaders should set aside their individual grouses and pull together for the sake of the party.
“I, as a leader, practise the principle of ‘open doors’ where anybody can meet me, and not only the supporters of certain leaders. They say that Datuk Dr Wee (Ka Siong) is not my supporter but in the matter of solving the party’s problem, we have the same goal. That is important.
“If you have a different opinion and you are not willing to co-operate due to [a] difference of opinions then I feel the leader will not achieve success. What is important is the party’s goal. You can have your own opinions but that should not be an issue even if he is from a different faction,” said Dr Chua, with an uncomfortable-looking Wee seated beside him.
The remarks seemed directed at his deputy, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who clashed with Dr Chua over the appointment of the party’s state chairmen.
Liow had always been vocal in his disapproval of Dr Chua, and was one of the leaders who backed former president Tee Keat during a row over Dr Chua’s sacking.
In fact, prior to his election as deputy president, Liow had conveyed the message that he could not work with Dr Chua.
During the party poll on March 28, Liow had thrown his support behind Dr Chua’s biggest contender, former party president Ka Ting
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Possibility of Home Minister and IGP subject to under arrest under the ISA
malaysiatoday.net
Thursday, 08 April 2010 admin-s
(Tranungkite Online) The absolute powers of the Home Ministry calls into question the possibility of the Home Minister himself or the Inspector General of Police being subjected to arrest under ISA when clear proof of national security being compromised by these officials are revealed.
There are enough reasons to suspect the possibility for the Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to be arrested under the Internal Security Act for compromising national security. In response to the allegation that ex-Israeli intelligence personnel, under the guise of IT personnel has infiltrated the police headquarters communication room and gained access to servers, the IGP feigned ignorance of the Israeli involvement, stating that proof must be presented before action can be taken.
However, in a Star report dated 5 August 2008, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said police were aware of the involvement of the Israelis in their communications systems upgrading project, contradicting his recent statement. Statements were also forthcoming from the Police Director of Logistics, a Special Branch Director, and Johari Ismail, a journalist confirming the involvement of Israeli intelligence in Bukit Aman.
In October 2008, opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang had raised the same issue in the House but was brushed aside by the Home Minister then.
An air of secrecy revolving around the whole episode persists. Apart from the above comments, no response were forthcoming from either the Home Minister or Musa Hassan despite being brought up in parliament.
The MACC is also investigating how the little-known IT company, AsiaSoft Sdn Bhd with little experience became the local partner in the RM1bil project to upgrade the Royal Malaysian Police's communication systems from analogue-based to digital. Despite almost 2 years into the project, no action has been made with regards to the breach of security elements in awarding of the contract.
The previous Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar was a fierce proponent of the ISA. Under his stewardship, Teresa Kok, member of parliament for Seputeh, and Tan Hoon Cheng, a journalist for Sin Chew Jit Poh were arrested under the ISA for allegedly insulting Islam and inciting hatred respectively although no evidence were produced.
The police security breach is much harder to conceal as it clearly involves national security.
Any police officer may arrest without warrant anyone suspected of being prejudicial to the security of Malaysia, with powers for the Home Ministry to decide on the order of detention. As the ISA was frequently invoked for lesser causes, the current conundrum may call into question the subjective use of the law.
The absolute powers of the Home Ministry also calls into question the possibility of the Home Minister himself or the IGP being subjected to arrest under ISA.
As detention orders are decided by the Home Minister, the ISA does not address the possibility that the Home Minister, who if involved in the fiasco, be subjected to arrest. Malaysian laws invest and centralize powers to the Ministers, enabling indiscreet decisions to be made with limited judicial intervention.
Political will to change the draconian law also remains weak, particularly among government officials within the ruling coalition.
The fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, went on the record in 1988 to state "If we want to save Malaysia and UMNO, Dr Mahathir (then Prime Minister) must be removed. He uses draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act to silence his critics." The year before, he had also stated "Laws such as the Internal Security Act have no place in modern Malaysia. It is a draconian and barbaric law."
In 2003 when he became Prime Minister, however, Abdullah called the ISA "a necessary law," and argued "We have never misused the Internal Security Act. All those detained under the Internal Security Act are proven threats to society."
The question remains whether the Malaysian Government is willing to use the law against high ranking officials, including the IGP and Home Minister when the threat to national security is real.
Thursday, 08 April 2010 admin-s
(Tranungkite Online) The absolute powers of the Home Ministry calls into question the possibility of the Home Minister himself or the Inspector General of Police being subjected to arrest under ISA when clear proof of national security being compromised by these officials are revealed.
There are enough reasons to suspect the possibility for the Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to be arrested under the Internal Security Act for compromising national security. In response to the allegation that ex-Israeli intelligence personnel, under the guise of IT personnel has infiltrated the police headquarters communication room and gained access to servers, the IGP feigned ignorance of the Israeli involvement, stating that proof must be presented before action can be taken.
However, in a Star report dated 5 August 2008, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said police were aware of the involvement of the Israelis in their communications systems upgrading project, contradicting his recent statement. Statements were also forthcoming from the Police Director of Logistics, a Special Branch Director, and Johari Ismail, a journalist confirming the involvement of Israeli intelligence in Bukit Aman.
In October 2008, opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang had raised the same issue in the House but was brushed aside by the Home Minister then.
An air of secrecy revolving around the whole episode persists. Apart from the above comments, no response were forthcoming from either the Home Minister or Musa Hassan despite being brought up in parliament.
The MACC is also investigating how the little-known IT company, AsiaSoft Sdn Bhd with little experience became the local partner in the RM1bil project to upgrade the Royal Malaysian Police's communication systems from analogue-based to digital. Despite almost 2 years into the project, no action has been made with regards to the breach of security elements in awarding of the contract.
The previous Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar was a fierce proponent of the ISA. Under his stewardship, Teresa Kok, member of parliament for Seputeh, and Tan Hoon Cheng, a journalist for Sin Chew Jit Poh were arrested under the ISA for allegedly insulting Islam and inciting hatred respectively although no evidence were produced.
The police security breach is much harder to conceal as it clearly involves national security.
Any police officer may arrest without warrant anyone suspected of being prejudicial to the security of Malaysia, with powers for the Home Ministry to decide on the order of detention. As the ISA was frequently invoked for lesser causes, the current conundrum may call into question the subjective use of the law.
The absolute powers of the Home Ministry also calls into question the possibility of the Home Minister himself or the IGP being subjected to arrest under ISA.
As detention orders are decided by the Home Minister, the ISA does not address the possibility that the Home Minister, who if involved in the fiasco, be subjected to arrest. Malaysian laws invest and centralize powers to the Ministers, enabling indiscreet decisions to be made with limited judicial intervention.
Political will to change the draconian law also remains weak, particularly among government officials within the ruling coalition.
The fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, went on the record in 1988 to state "If we want to save Malaysia and UMNO, Dr Mahathir (then Prime Minister) must be removed. He uses draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act to silence his critics." The year before, he had also stated "Laws such as the Internal Security Act have no place in modern Malaysia. It is a draconian and barbaric law."
In 2003 when he became Prime Minister, however, Abdullah called the ISA "a necessary law," and argued "We have never misused the Internal Security Act. All those detained under the Internal Security Act are proven threats to society."
The question remains whether the Malaysian Government is willing to use the law against high ranking officials, including the IGP and Home Minister when the threat to national security is real.
Anwar will be PM , ex-police interrogator says
By Clara Chooi
Kudus first met Anwar when tasked to interrogate the latter in 1974. — Picture by Choo Choy May
HULU SELANGOR, April 9 — At 70, Abdul Kudus Omar, even with his thinning shock of white hair, cuts a slim, trim and youthful figure.
His eyes, now crinkled at the corners, tell of stories long past and experiences that, although sometimes bitter, have also become the potion of life that has kept him fuelled throughout the years.
To Abdul Kudus, it is not the number of years in one’s life that matters — it is how much life one injects into those years that really counts. And for the grandfather of 11, the very essence of that life was his unfaltering faith and belief in the struggles of one man — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Ironically, Abdul Kudus’ friendship with the fiery opposition leader, dating as far back as 1974, had sparked off from a rather bizarre setting — in the interrogation room of the Bukit Aman police headquarters.
Then a corporal with the force’s Special Branch unit, Abdul Kudus who is today the division chairman for PKR Tanjung Karang, was tasked with interrogating the young student leader Anwar, who had been detained — for the first time — under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for rallying against rural poverty and hunger.
“It was a 60-day long interrogation. I was assigned to the duty with two others but I did most of the questioning for the others often found ways to get out of it,” Abdul Kudus told The Malaysian Insider in an exclusive interview here this week.
The septuagenarian gestured energetically as he recalled the details of his early friendship with Anwar and looked right at home in the tiny coffee shop nestled at the fringes of Desa Maju, Kampung Sungai Tengi. Despite his advanced years, the pint-sized activist commutes at least one hour daily to the village, known to be an Umno stronghold, to spearhead activities for his party’s campaign in the Hulu Selangor by-election on April 25.
“I had already known of Anwar before, as the leader of Abim (Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement), but we only met when he got arrested. It was too bad that he got arrested. At the time, the Home Ministry claimed that his actions had been under the influence and instigation of Parti Komunis Malaya — they were trying to implicate him with the communist party.
>“Anwar was placed under solitary confinement for his involvement in the protests and my job was to speak with him every day for 60 days, to determine if he was indeed a threat to national security,” said Abdul Kudus.
In the 60 days, he said, his admiration for the young Anwar grew.
“He was co-operative, there was no exchange of harsh words or violence. We discussed things; education policies, politics, everything,” he said.
It was during that time, said Abdul Kudus, that he “fell in love” with Anwar’s courage and powerful convictions.
“There was something inside this guy, something in his style that told me: this man will be the prime minister of Malaysia one day,” he said.
Abdul Kudus said that although Anwar was sent to serve a 20-month sentence at the Kamunting detention camp, his friendship with him never wavered.
“We stayed in touch and when he was released, we would meet up, sometimes as often as once a week. We spoke extensively about the future of Islam, the wellbeing of the people and the future of the country,” he said.
Anwar’s powerful convictions have earned him a staunch supporter in Abdul Kudus. — file pic
Despite his uneasiness at the proposition, Abdul Kudus said his support for Anwar continued throughout the years, until the leader reached the pinnacle of his career in the Federal Government — he had become the country’s second-in-line to the premiership as the deputy prime minister.
Anwar’s steady climb to the top came to an abrupt stop, however, when he was suddenly sacked in 1998 over allegations of sodomy and corruption, and subsequently sent to jail until 2004.
“In Sept 2, 1998, I was in Seremban visiting my children when I heard the news — Anwar had been removed. I knew immediately he had been framed. I knew it without a doubt.
“Since that day, I joined the reformasi (reformation) movement and never looked back,” he said.
Abdul Kudus admitted that although his faith in Anwar had already become an impenetrable fortress, it had not been an easy transition to move from his cushy life as a pro-establishment supporter to the opposition camp.
“I had joined Umno in 1996 already. I was in the party as a member for almost two years when Anwar was removed. But it mattered little for I knew, and I strongly believed, that this man had been framed,” he said.
In Sept 16, 1998, Abdul Kudus organised a mammoth rally for Anwar at his home in Tanjung Karang, giving the leader the platform to explain his predicament to the people.
“Thousands gathered to hear him. It was surreal,” he said.
On Sept 20, Anwar was arrested. A few days later, Abdul Kudus, and many of his family members were sacked from Umno.
“Anyone with the ‘bin Omar’ name was sacked. But it was funny — we laughed until our stomachs exploded,” he said.
Abdul Kudus went on to explain that even his contract for an excavator service business that he had just started at the time, was also taken away.
“They took everything from us, from me. Even my brother, who was not an Umno member, was apparently sacked from Umno. Do not ask me how, we received the letters and we just laughed,” he said.
The losses, however, never once dampened Abdul Kudus’ resolve to stand strong for the reformasi movement, and his blind faith in Anwar even withstood the test of whopping offers of gifts and monetary rewards.
“I am quite somebody in Selangor. And they (Umno) knew that. I am very valuable to them because the people of Selangor know me,” he said.
He claimed that he had been approached with contract offers and cash rewards in exchange for his return to Umno and his departure from the reformasi movement.
“They asked me — how many million ringgit worth of contract do you want? I was asked also to hand over my membership form to Umno to a prominent politician onstage during one function and when I descended from the stage, I was to receive RM5 million upfront,” he said, smiling coyly.
“After 34 years of clean service with the force... I never once accepted corrupt offers... and now, when I am old and decrepit, why should I sacrifice all those years?” he said.
Instead, Abdul Kudus said he chose to follow his heart.
“And I had already, from years before, fallen in love with Anwar’s fight. What Anwar is preaching is the very value I admire... I fall in love with people who preach the universal values of mankind — that mankind is equal, that we are all one people.
“I see that he is not only a leader to his family, to the people but also, he is a leader of the world. When Anwar speaks, everyone listens — the Muslims, the Christians, the Buddhists, everyone,” he said.
Abdul Kudus expressed disgust at leaders who ruled only for the sake of holding on to power and not to use that power to improve society.
“They do not care, they would do anything to stay up on that pedestal,” he said.
He noted that Anwar, however, had not only gone to the far corners of power but had also been dragged mercilessly from the throne and thrown into the dark recesses of incarceration.
Even then, he said, the now 62-year-old leader had still emerged upholding the very same principles he had admired in the young student leader whom he met in 1974.
It was this determination, concluded Abdul Kudus, that would make his prediction, made within the four walls of the dank interrogation room at Bukit Aman more than 30 years ago, come true.
“Anwar will become the prime minister of Malaysia one day.”
Chua's line-up reflects political reality
Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:00
By Stanley Koh
COMMENT Is Dr Chua Soi Lek a man in a hurry? As a seasoned professional politician, he knows that political futures can be frighteningly uncertain and that no politician is immune to anxiety.
He knows too that it is not just styles and methods that change with the times, but also allegiances and loyalties, and that nowhere is this more evident than in MCA, the party he now leads.
One of his biggest burdens is to regain the confidence of Malaysians in Barisan Nasional’s second largest component party. To accomplish that mission, he first has to restore unity and stability in MCA. And time is short.
Chua knows that he cannot afford the luxury of gliding over the reality that flexing political muscle is the only way to win—and therefore acceptable—in the modern game of party politicking.Maybe Providence is on his side. His presidential election victory over Ong Ka Ting and Ong Tee Keat was virtually predicted in the number of nominations they received. He was first, Ka Ting second and Tee Keat third. And the placing was duplicated in the election results.
Did Heaven intervene again yesterday at the inaugural meeting of the new central committee? There was a blackout and the meeting had to be held at a hotel instead of the party headquarters.
Nobody bothered to interpret the signs, probably because most were in a festive and buoyant mood, awaiting confirmation of their appointments. It was a thanksgiving meeting of sorts, with the members feeling gratified that the new president was rewarding them for their loyalty and the votes that they cast to give him his marginal victory.
Was the change of venue a kind of divine intervention, or is all this just nonsensical speculation?
Power play
Unlike previous central committee meetings, which were characterised by Mexican stand-offs, yesterday’s meeting took place in a changed environment under unforeseen circumstances. Was it a sign of a new beginning?
Perhaps not all is destiny, after all. MCA’s power play is like a football match to a team that has had a disappointing season and is desperately trying to make a comeback. The party leadership is certainly going to battle valiantly for an equaliser in the next 15 months or so of injury time.
With the party now in Chua’s hands, there is no need for any element of surprise or a wow factor in the appointment of the new leadership line-up. He simply had to get a credible team back into business.
All Chua needs is a team that has the spirit to go all the way to the final match—the next general election.
He has no option but to reward his closest aides, those who have shown constant loyalty to him and his mission and brought his political agenda to fruition.
Chua has also given due recognition to those who garnered collective votes in his support in the various states. This was exactly as some pundits have speculated.
There is also some indication that Chua has kept to his word about ensuring that MCA under him would be an “inclusive” party. He has positioned leaders of various loyalty leanings in the party’s 14 bureaux.Firstly, his sidekicks Kong Cho Ha and Tan Chai Ho were appointed secretary-general and treasurer-general respectively. A supporter from Sabah, Edward Khoo Keok Hai, was slotted in as deputy to Chai Ho and Hou Kok Chung as Kong's deputy.
Another close Chua aide, Tee Siew Kiong, was appointed as the national organising secretary. Deputy Information and Culture Minister Heng Sai Kie, formerly aligned to Ong Tee Keat’s camp, is Tee’s deputy.
Adequate representation
Chua sized up his support following feedback from the ground and has tried to ensure that there is adequate representation from the various states in appointing the additional eight central committee members: Mah Hang Soon (Perak), Tan Chin Meng (Perak), Ei Kim Hock (Selangor), Edward Khoo (Sabah), Koay Kar Huah (Penang), Yeow Chai Thiam (Negeri Sembilan), Khoo Soo Seang (Johor) and Lau Cheek Tuan (Penang).
As for appointments to the chairmanship of the state committees, Chua made sure he would not be firing blank shots by slotting in featherweights or unpopular leaders as this would derail his effort to stabilise the party at state level.
Taking upon himself the functions of chairman for Johor and Perak, Chua fulfilled his own aspiration to make Johor his political home front and to take charge of Perak, a problematic state divided along factional camps.
For Perlis, he appointed Por Choo Chor and in Kedah, Chong Itt Chew takes charge with Chor Chee Heung as state adviser.
As for MCA Penang and Kelantan, Dr Ng Yen Yen was placed in command because two states, according to Chua, preferred to have a minister to lead them.
Donald Lim returned to his power seat in Selangor.
In Pahang, Liow Tiong Lai takes charge, and it is left to be seen whether he will use this opportunity to build his own power base instead of drawing on support from his previous political masters like Lim Ah Lek and Chan Kong Choy.
Other state chairmen are Chai Ho (Kulala Lumpur), Toh Chin Yaw (Terengganu) and Gan Tian Loo (Malacca), son of party veteran Gan Boon Leong.
Fong Chan Onn has been brought back to head the economic bureau and the party’s think-tank, INSAP.
Ka Chuan is given the religious bureau and Chew Mei Fun the crisis relief squad.
Chua himself heads the political bureau.
Other bureau chairmen are Tiong Lai (Chinese Guilds and Associations), Ng (1Malaysia consultative bureau), Donald Lim Siang Chai (SME bureau), Chor Chee Heung (international affairs), Gan Ping Sieu (cadre training), Wee Ka Siong (education), Kong Cho Ha (science and technology, Wong Koon Mun (public services and complaints) and Heng Seai Kie (information and communications).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
