Politik dan Ehwal Semasa

Najib: MCA needs to consider BN's interest

2009-12-07T00:22:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants the MCA leaders to take into account the interests of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in resolving the crisis faced by the component party currently. Najib, who is also the BN chairman, said he did not want to pressure anyone in the MCA by giving a deadline for the annual general meeting (AGM), but hoped it could be held soon. "Some groups want it to be held quickly, while others want it to be held later. We try to reach a compromise so that the transition can be resolved and we can move forward with a stronger line-up. "It's only a question of time, when to hold the AGM. The time is being negotiated by several MCA leaders, I hope a compromise on the date for the AGM could be reached soon," he told reporters here today. The Prime Minister was asked to comment on the internal crisis which had been plaguing the MCA for the past three months without any sign of an immediate solution although the leaders concerned had agreed to hold fresh party polls. Following the MCA Central Committee (CC) meeting at the end of November, the leaders embroiled in the dispute are now seen to be undergoing a 'cooling off' period although no agreement had been reached on the date for the AGM. Najib earlier gave away special aid to 363 flood victims from 10 evacuation centres in the Kuala Terengganu district at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Kompleks Gong Badak, here today. All the flood victims received an advanced payment of RM300 each to ease their burden while the balance of the aid payment would be determined by the National Security Council and the District Office, and would be paid out later.

Dua Senator Angkat Sumpah di Dewan Negara

2009-11-16T17:00:00.001-08:00

KUALA LUMPUR 16 Nov. - Timbalan Menteri Penerangan, Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan, Heng Seai Kie dan Ketua UMNO Bahagian Ipoh Timur, Datuk Azian Osman mengangkat sumpah sebagai Ahli Dewan Negara di Parlimen hari ini.
Upacara angkat sumpah sebagai Ahli Dewan Negara bagi tempoh tiga tahun itu dibuat di hadapan Timbalan Yang Dipertua Dewan Negara, Datuk Armani Mahiruddin.
Seai Kie, 47, yang juga Setiausaha Agung Wanita MCA dilantik ke jawatan itu oleh Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Perak dan kini menerima lantikan baru oleh Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin untuk penggal kedua.
Beliau yang memperoleh Sarjana Pentadbiran Perniagaan (MBA) dari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) pernah berkhidmat sebagai pensyarah di Politeknik Ungku Omar, Perak sebelum menumpukan sepenuh perhatian kepada politik.
Timbalan menteri itu juga bergiat aktif dalam pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) seperti Persatuan Kemajuan Wanita Cina Perak dan Persatuan Ibu Tunggal Cina Perak.
Azian, 50, pula memulakan kerjaya sebagai peguam bela dan peguam cara selepas memperoleh Ijazah Sarjana Muda Undang-Undang dengan Kepujian dari Universiti Malaya (UM).
Beliau bergiat sebagai ahli politik sejak 1981 selain berkecimpung dalam dunia perniagaan termasuk kini merupakan Pengerusi Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) dan Ahli Lembaga Pengarah Perak Corporation Berhad (PCB).
Sementara itu, Armani dalam ucapannya selepas istiadat tersebut berharap Ahli Dewan Negara terus melaksanakan peranan masing-masing selain memberi sumbangan terbaik demi manfaat rakyat Malaysia.
"Tahniah atas pelantikan ini. Diharap Yang Berhormat juga berjaya mendukung peranan

EGM kedua tetap diadakan 28 November - Ka Siong

2009-11-16T16:56:00.000-08:00

EGM kedua tetap diadakan 28 November - Ka Siong
KUALA LUMPUR 16 Nov. - Kumpulan 16 ahli Jawatankuasa Pusat (CC) MCA hari ini menegaskan Mesyuarat Agung Luar Biasa (EGM) kali kedua parti itu akan tetap diadakan mengikut jadual pada 28 November ini.
Ketua Pemuda MCA, Datuk Dr. Wee Ka Siong mempertahankan pendirian pihaknya bahawa EGM merupakan hak perwakilan walaupun banyak pihak cuba menghalang dengan mencetuskan pelbagai kontroversi.
Tambahan pula, katanya, EGM itu sahih ekoran ia dibuat berdasarkan keputusan satu pertiga oleh CC.
"EGM ini bukan soal siapa yang akan digulingkan tetapi ia bertujuan menyemarakkan semangat ahli demi memulihkan integriti MCA. Kita hanya nak selamatkan parti, oleh itu kita perlu jelaskan perkara ini, ini soal prinsip.
"Saya merayu ahli-ahli jawatankuasa hadir pada EGM nanti, jangan kita panjangkan kemelut kepimpinan ini. Saya tidak hentam sesiapa cuma menekankan bahawa kita perlu beri perwakilan satu hak," katanya pada sidang akhbar di lobi Parlimen hari ini.
Beliau mengulas kenyataan Timbalan Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek semalam selepas mempengerusikan taklimat khas kepimpinan tertinggi parti MCA bahawa sebarang keputusan CC menerusi EGM kedua minggu depan tidak akan diterima berikutan usul EGM itu tidak sah.
Semalam, kira-kira 70 peratus pemimpin bahagian MCA hadir pada taklimat itu yang bertujuan membincangkan kemelut dalaman parti selain menyokong Pelan Perpaduan Menyeluruh yang dibentangkan Presiden parti, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
Dalam taklimat tersebut, Tee Keat dan Soi Lek sependapat mereka tidak akan menghalang hasrat kumpulan 16 anggota CC parti yang ingin menjalankan EGM pada 28 November.
Namun pada masa sama, Soi Lek mendakwa, perwakilan yang hadir pada sesi taklimat berkenaan juga bersetuju untuk tidak akan hadir pada EGM itu.
Mengenai resolusi dalam EGM sama ada boleh diguna atau tidak berikutan ia bercanggah dengan perlembagaan MCA, Ka Siong berkata:
"Jika resolusi itu tidak boleh diguna atau dilaksanakan maka usul undi tidak percaya terhadap presiden parti, pada 10 Oktober lalu juga tidak boleh dilaksanakan."
Katanya, paling penting budaya hormat-menghormati terutama kepada perwakilan.
"Seandainya terdapat perkara yang tidak perlu dipatuhi daripada keputusan yang dibuat oleh perwakilan, maka tidak perlu diikuti.
"Tetapi apa yang saya nampak ialah pihak-pihak tertentu cuba menimbulkan kontroversi untuk menghalang perwakilan daripada datang ke EGM, itu menyebabkan perwakilan tidak yakin dengan EGM tersebut," kata beliau.
Mengulas lanjut, beliau berkata, tidak semestinya EGM itu boleh membawa kepada perpecahan di dalam parti.
Oleh itu, katanya, semua ahli parti seharusnya bersikap rasional tanpa perlu membuat pelbagai andaian.
"Cuba lihat pada 10 Oktober lalu, saya bangga kerana EGM pada hari tersebut mendapat sambutan, ia bermakna EGM tidak mendatangkan sebarang masalah. Oleh itu biarlah perwakilan yang membuat pilihan," katanya.
Mengulas keputusan taklimat MCA semalam yang mahukan parti itu mengikut jejak UMNO meminda perlembagaan bagi membolehkan lebih ramai ahli akar umbi memilih kepimpinan tertinggi, Ka Siong berkata, itu bukan perkara mudah.
"Kita perlu berbalik kepada perkara asas, banyak lagi perkara yang perlu kita atasi.
"Apabila ada idea macam itu, kita kena lihat dari segi perinciannya pula, macam mana kita hendak buat, apa caranya, ia bukan perkara yang mudah kerana kita perlu perhalusi terlebih dahulu," ujarnya.

Penulis blog tidak minat bincang isu bai'ah PAS

2009-11-12T19:41:00.001-08:00

Penulis blog tidak minat bincang isu bai'ah PAS

Penulis blog yang selama ini kritis terhadap kepimpinan PAS dan sering mendedahkan pergeseran dalamannya, kini dilihat ‘tidak berminat' untuk berpolemik mengenai isu bai'ah talak tiga yang rancak didebatkan sekarang.Semakan Malaysiakini mendapati, kebanyakan blog, termasuk yang diusahakan pemimpin kanan PAS - seperti naib presidennya Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man dan Datuk Mahfuz Omar - tidak menyentuh isu tersebut.Isu tersebut tercetus ekoran pendedahan ahli parlimen Shah Alam Khalid Samad baru-baru ini bahawa ia diamal dalam parti PAS.Khalid mengakui wujudnya syarat yang menghendaki pemimpin parti itu melafazkan bai'ah iaitu sumpah taat setia bahawa akan jatuh talak tiga terhadap isteri masing-masing jika mereka mengkhianati parti.Pemimpin utama PAS, termasuk presidennya Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang dan mursyidul am Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat bagaimanapun dilaporkan menafikan wujudnya amalan bai'ah talak tersebut.Ketika dihubungi Malaysiakini hari ini, penulis blog Malaysian Waves berkata, isu tersebut tidak diendahkan kerana "ia perkara yang membuang masa"."Lebih baik (kita) sentuh mengenai politik wang dan rasuah pemimpin BN. Saya pun malas hendak sentuh isu yang bukan isu," kata penulisnya yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Tulang Besi.Mengulas kesahihan dakwaan bai'ah talak itu, Tulang Besi berkata, setahunya bai'ah yang melibatkan talak tidak diamalkan sejak kaedah itu mula diperkenalkan selepas 2004.Bagaimanapun, beliau tidak pasti dengan situasi sekarang."Yang saya tahu ada (bai'ah talak), tetapi saya tidak nampak dan cuma dengar orang kata. Kalaupun ia wujud isunya adalah politik wang BN," katanya.Sementara itu, exco Dewan Ulama PAS, Zolkharnain Abidin - yang mengulas isu tersebut dalam blognya - turut dilihat tidak pasti dengan status kewujudan bai'ah tersebut."Polemiknya ialah, adakah wujud bai'ah talak tiga itu? Nampaknya (ia) cenderung ke arah wujud kerana ada pihak yang mengakuinya. "Cuma, adakah ia wujud secara rasmi atau sekadar inisiatif (sendiri)?" coretnya hari ini.Beliau turut bersetuju dengan pandangan Tulang Besi bahawa itu tersebut "tidaklah sebesar mana berbanding dengan isu penyelewengan, perampasan royalti minyak, (dan) peletupan sehingga berkecai" .Isu tersebut mendapat perhatian kerana melibatkan PAS dan membabitkan isu agama, tambahnya yang juga bekas ADUN Santan.Sementara itu, penulis blog Alhusseyn51 berpendapat, pemimpin tertinggi PAS dilihat tidak sepakat dan seolah-olah cuba mengelak daripada membuat ulasan tentang isu tersebut."Seorang (pemimpin) itu kata, ‘akan disiasat'. Dan seorang lagi kata, ‘tidak ada dalam kepala saya'.Tetapi Khalid Samad telah terlajak perahu... Bukan salah dia. "Perkara (dakwaan) itu mula tersebar selepas satu majlis dialog antara beberapa pimpinan PAS di Selangor dengan sembilan penulis blog," coretnya dalam artikel bertajuk "Bai'ah Talaq - Umno sedang berpesta".Setiausaha Agung PAS Datuk Mustafa Ali dijadual mengadakan sidang akhbar bagi menjelaskan isu terbabit pagi esok di ibu pejabatnya di Kuala Lumpur.

Asri May Join Politics As A Platform To Preach

2009-11-10T18:41:00.001-08:00

KOTA BAHARU, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainol Abidin today indicated that he may join politics so that he can continue with his dakwah (preaching) activities.Although he had no prior intention of joining politics as he was more interested in the propagation of Islamic thinking, he said, he would do so as a last resort if that could provide him with a platform to continue engaging in dakwah activities."If all avenues are closed and I cannot speak unless I am doing so on a political platform, then I will have to rethink my next move. I hope this won't happen," he told reporters after meeting Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat at the latter's office in Kota Darulnaim, here on Monday.He was responding to reporters' question whether he would join politics to pursue his preaching activities following his detention by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) on Nov 2 for conducting a religious class without a certification of authority.Meanwhile, Dr Mohd Asri denied that the meeting with Nik Abdul Aziz was a prelude of him joining politics.He said that he met Nik Abdul Aziz a show of respect as the Kelantan menteri besar was supportive of his dakwah movement.He also denied that he subscribed to Wahhabism, saying the accusation was not new.-- BERNAMA

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2009-11-04T20:07:00.000-08:00

My Sinchew/ The PKFZ scandal
PKFZ: PAC wants Chan Kong Choy, OC Phang investigated for CBT
News
The PKFZ scandal 2009-11-04 16:56
The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that former Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy and Port Klang Authority (PKA) former general manager Datin Paduka O.C. Phang be investigated for criminal breach of trust over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
Report on PKFZ to be submitted to Parliament next Wednesday
News
The PKFZ scandal 2009-10-29 17:50
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will submit its report on the findings pertaining to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal to Parliament next week, its chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said today.
Government Announces 11 PKFZ Task Force Members
News
The PKFZ scandal 2009-10-08 09:43
The government Wednesday announced an 11-member Special Task Force headed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan to restore the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project and identify measures for its development.
Ong's defamation suit against Tiong set for case management on Nov 4
News
The PKFZ scandal 2009-10-02 15:01
The High Court here today fixed Nov 4 for case management in a RM500 million defamation suit brought by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat against Bintulu Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
PKA sues KDSB, BTA Architect for RM920m
News
The PKFZ scandal 2009-09-25 15:18
The Port Klang Authority (PKA) has filed RM920 million suits against Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), the turnkey contractor for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), and the project consultant, BTA Architect, over key development and supplemental agreements signed between February 2003 and November 2006.

The “revolving door” of Malaysia
Opinion
The PKFZ scandal 2009-09-25 12:35
“Corruption is a way of life in Malaysia.” It is a fact that almost everyone knows. But surprisingly, not many people know that “several UMNO politicians are involved in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) Project.”
Minister among those to be hauled up in leaked PKFZ Cabinet paper case
News
The PKFZ scandal 2009-09-23 17:57
A minister is expected to be among a number of individuals to be hauled up by police for questioning, in connection with the leaked 'Cabinet Papers' on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) case, said Federal Police Chief Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
PKFZ scandal a challenge to revamp and ensure more transparency
News
The PKFZ scandal 2009-09-23 16:21
The Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal would be a positive challenge to revamp and ensure more transparency in the country's system.
Police to investigate PKFZ Cabinet paper posted on Internet: PM
News
The PKFZ scandal 2009-09-18 16:04
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the police will investigate the matter of the Cabinet paper on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) that was posted on the Internet as it (the Cabinet paper) came under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
PAS proposes special parliamentary session on PKFZ
News
The PKFZ scandal 2009-09-14 16:21
Pas has proposed for a special parliamentary session to ask the government to explain its refusal to set up a Royal Commission to investigate the issue on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).

2009-11-04T19:57:00.001-08:00

Dr M oversaw PKFZ land valuation

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Former transport minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik appeared to pass the buck over the costing and valuation of the Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) land to his former boss, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In the verbatim of the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) meeting procedures released yesterday, Ling said his ministry could only “state the fact that we wanted the land.”
However, Ling pointed out that the costing and valuation of the land was determined by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) which was chaired by former prime minister and finance minister, Dr Mahathir.
“Our job in Ministry of Transport is to only state the fact that we want the land. Costings, valuations and all that, it is not the function of the Ministry of Transport. We do not have a Valuation Department.
“Costings and valuations is a question for the Treasury to deal with. They have the Valuation Department and everything is there, not in Ministry of Transport. I think Tun Dr Mahathir who chaired it, and he was the Finance Minister also. He saw it very clearly. That was the fact of the case,” he said in the verbatim.
Dr Mahathir has remained relatively silent on the scandal which could cost taxpayers RM12.453 billion.
The PAC recommended yesterday that former transport minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and former Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager Datin Paduka OC Phang be investigated for criminal breach of trust in the PKFZ scandal.
PAC reported that the government would have spent RM442.13 and saved RM645.87 million if the land had been acquired for PKFZ in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act 1960.
It also reported that the cost of the land was RM47.76 per square foot, or 67 per cent higher than the RM25 fixed by the JPPH.
The 405ha PKFZ transhipment hub, which has warehouses, office blocks and a four-star hotel, has been dogged by controversy ever since it was revealed that its original development cost had ballooned from less than RM2.5 billion to up to RM4.6 billion.
There were also questions about the possible kickbacks after it was disclosed that several individuals acquired the piece of land where the PKFZ now sits at RM3 per sq ft in 1999.
Dr Mahathir had said that he heard that the project was being plagued by problems but claimed that nobody reported to him of any wrongdoing.
PKFZ ran into further problems when the management company, Jebel Ali Free Zone International, terminated its contract in 2007.
Chan was dropped as Barisan Nasional candidate for the last general election and subsequently lost his job largely due to the way the PKFZ debacle was handled.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) also reported that the project outlay of RM4.947 billion will go up to RM7.453 billion due to interest payments and Port Klang Authority (PKA) must restructure the loan or it will balloon to RM12.453 billion by 2051.

2009-11-04T19:57:00.000-08:00

Malaysia
Nizar gets 5 judges, not 11

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — A five-man panel of Federal Court judges today dismissed toppled Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaludin's application for an 11-man Bench to hear his appeal to be reinstated, without cost.
Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff ordered Nizar's lawyers to continue with arguments of the main case immediately.

2009-11-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

Ahli MCA perlu sokong Ong, Dr Chua - Tun M

PUTRAJAYA: Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad berkata ahli MCA perlu kembali bersatu dan memberi sokongan yang padu terhadap kepimpinan presiden parti itu, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat dan timbalannya, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Menurut beliau, memandangkan kedua-dua pemimpin itu telah kembali bersama, maka pemimpin lain dan semua ahli parti harus memberikan sokongan demi kepentingan MCA.
"Soi Lek dan Tee Keat dah kembali bersama, yang lain sepatutnya menyokong di belakang dan beri sokongan," katanya kepada media selepas menyampaikan ucaptama siri syarahan perdana mengenai Peranan Wanita dan Belia dalam Pembangunan Nasional di Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana hari ini.
Beliau berkata demikian bagi mengulas mengenai krisis kepimpinan yang terus melanda MCA apabila parti itu kini mempunyai 'dua' Timbalan Presiden selepas parti itu menerima keputusan Pendaftar Pertubuhan (ROS) bahawa Dr Chua kembali memegang jawatannya.
Manakala Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai yang sebelum ini dilantik ke jawatan itu menggantikan Dr Chua menyatakan pendirian untuk mencabar keputusan ROS itu di mahkamah.
Liow berkata keputusan ROS itu melanggar perlembagaan parti kerana ROS tidak mempunyai hak mencampuri keputusan mesyuarat agung luar biasa (EGM) MCA pada 10 Oktober lalu apabila menolak resolusi ketiga supaya mengembalikan jawatan Timbalan Presiden kepada Dr Chua.
Mengulas lanjut, Dr Mahathir berkata, perasaan tidak puas hati hanya akan merugikan MCA.
"Mereka perlu beri sokongan, tapi sekarang ada orang yang tak gembira, Tee Keat pula perlu ambil tindakan pecat orang, ini semua perkara yang tidak sihat.
"Dr Mahathir juga mengulangi nasihatnya kepada MCA agar parti itu tidak mengadakan EGM yang baru kerana perkara itu hanya menimbulkan perpecahan dalam parti.
"EGM tak akan selesaikan apa-apa, EGM hanya akan tentukan siapa yang menang dan siapa yang kalah.
"Dan kebiasaannya, dalam setiap kes, yang kalah tidak akan sokong yang menang dan ia akan pecah belahkan parti... kita ada pengalaman itu dalam Umno," katanya.
Terdahulu dalam sesi soal jawab pada majlis berkenaan, Dr Mahathir berkata Umno perlu membuka ruang kepada generasi muda jika parti itu benar-benar mahukan melakukan perubahan.
Jelasnya perubahan tersebut perlu dilakukan terutamanya di peringkat pemimpin akar umbi.
"Saya fikir kepimpinan Umno mesti percaya bahawa Umno menjadi semakin kecil kerana pemimpin peringkat bawah sebenarnya menghalang orang untuk menyertai Umno.
"Jadi tak ada pembaharuan kerana pemimpin yang ada sekarang akan menjadi semakin tua dan akhirnya dikalangan mereka sahaja yang akan dipilih menjadi pemimpin kerana mereka sahaja yang ada untuk dipilih," katanya.

2009-11-03T23:14:00.001-08:00

马华中委会11月3日论战内容结果如下：
》堤前革除曹智雄、蔡金星、姚伟豪和颜丰守的受委中委职位后，翁诗杰另委林祥才、蔡智勇、陈进明为中委。林鸿昌取代被撤职的梁邓忠出任法律局主任。挺翁到底，情义相随的王赛芝成为新闻局主任。
》针对16名中委上书要求召开特大，由於提案的内容违反党章，遭到驳回。
》蔡细历於今早获得社团注册局确认，他是合法的马华署理总会长。经过表决，22票赞成，12票反对，4票弃权，蔡细历由中委会重新接纳，此时，大势已去，只担任18天署总的廖中莱回到副总会长应有的座位，那张椅子换上蔡细历的屁股坐上去了，还有廖中莱的余温。
不过，心不甘愿的廖中莱表示，保留追究署理双胞的权力，或采取行动上诉。
较早时，他不愿意以票决来决定蔡的回归。但，有中委指出，10月15日的中委会议早就劝告勿仓促补位，但廖派当时人强马壮，执意票决通过让他上位。今日也应该重复昨天的故事，所以，一经票决，老蔡登岸了，摇呀摇，又摇到外婆家了。
》廖中莱在中委会中，用很无辜的表情，用很多的时间表达他与魏家祥和周美芬并没有逼宫谋位。不必说可以想像，有蔡细历撑腰后，翁诗杰有点自信，并不怎么鸟他，任廖如何说，不为所动。
》至於大团结方案的内容，当然爽了翁与蔡，就让廖与魏非常不快。没有问题，民主精神少数服从多数，举手：24票对17票通过。礼成。

2009-11-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

PAC: Probe ex-transport minister for CBT
Nov 4, 09 11:17am
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that former transport minister Chan Kong Choy to be investigated for criminal breach of trust in relation to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.

2009-10-31T15:44:00.000-07:00

Salvaged speaker's robe part to be auctioned
Humayun Kabir Oct 31, 09 5:21pm
As the adage goes one man’s meat is another man’s poison, and what BN has destroyed, Pakatan will make good use of.The humiliation and suffering that Pakatan speaker V Sivakumar underwent at the hands of the police when they forcefully disrobed him of his official speaker’s garb, may not have been in vain after all, as there is a plan to auction the piece of the robe that he managed to hold on to during the scuffle.

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2009-10-31T15:39:00.000-07:00

Liow goes for jugular, calls for CC to quit en masse
Oct 31, 09 6:17pm
MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai has called on all central committee members to resign en masse to force a re-election of top party posts.

Kuala Terengganu Parliamentary by-election

2009-01-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

The Barisan Nasional's defeat in the Kuala Terengganu by-election on 16 January(Saturday) drew mixed reactions from politicians across the divide.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the result -which saw PAS candidate Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut win with a 2,631 vote majority over BN's Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh -was merely a set back and would not have any bearing on the national political landscape. The loss does not mean they will in any way waver in their commitment to the people. They will redouble their efforts to serve the peoplr even better and take this nation to a higher level of success.

Many factors could have influenced the by-election's outcome and local factors could not be read as having a great bearing at the national level.

2. MCA president datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the by-election saw an increase in support for the BN from the chinese community. Chinese viters renained with BN and MCA members had worked tirely during the campaign period. Despite the unfavourable result, he would like to thank the Chinese voters for staying with MCA diring these difficult times. MCA would not take the trust shown by them lightly. The people have, through the ballot demonstrated to us that aspirations of yesterday can be diffeent from today or tomorrow. We are now even more determined to work harder to serve the people the way they want to be served. We can no longer think we know better. The outcome strenthens our courage to change and accept that what we strive for for the nation may not totally reflect what the people want.

There are differences as well as common ground. We must learn and appreciate better these differences in order to shape a better tomorrow.

Chinese votors make up 10.9% of Kuala Terengganu's 80,229 voters.

3. Umno stalwart and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah decribed the loss as a " humiliation for the BN" at the polls for the third time in 10 months. He has full admiration for hardworking party members who toiled for two weeks on a local struggle. But they lost because of national problems. The rakyat rejected Umno in its present form and style, and they rejected its leadership. Despite ringing signals the the rakyat through March 8 and Permatang Pauh, Umno has either not heard the call for fundamendal change or is unable to respond to it.

Money, machiney and incumbency could not trump the call for change. BN will lose, and will in the end lose everything , untill we respond fully and sincerely. But the respond from the leadership yet again is that this should not be interpreted as the the voters spurned BN. Their leadership remains in denial. Loyal Umono members and the BN will feel they are on the sinking ship. Tengku Razaleigh said Umno had lost by a large majority in a constituency in which 90% of voters are Malay despite throwing the national resources of a party in federal power into the by-election. This was more than a referendum on the leadership. It was a test of the relevance of Umno in its present form. If Umbno is no longer relevant to the Malays, the BN formular is dead. The Chinese will have no reason to support MCA. The power- sharing consensual bargain on which their political system has been based since independence is broken.

4. Opposition Leader datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the victory would motivate others in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition to work harder and bring about much needed changes in the country.

5. DAP stalwart and Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang said the by-election had lived up to the historic significabce of the March 8 general election and delivered two important messages.First, the political tsunami in on course, confirming that the paradigm shift in Malaysian politics 10 months ago was not a fluke-shot but represented the wide-ranging political aspirations of malaysians. Secandly, a dire warning to Umno and soon-to-be prime minister datuk Seri najib, if they refuse to heed the people's call for hange.

No more village elections

2009-01-07T20:11:00.002-08:00

There will be no more elections for heads of new villages in Perak.
Menteri Besar, datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the state government had discussed the matter with Parti Keadilan Rakyat(PKR) leaders last week and the latter had agreed not to pursue it.
On New Year's day, PKR leaders held village head election at Kampung Baru Gunung rapat despite a directive from the stste government three weeks earlier that all 134 new village heads in tghe state would be appointed.
PKR leaders Dr Lee Boon Chye, who is Gopeng MP and PKR vice-president and Gunung Rapat state assemblyman Chang Meng kai defief the directive and held t6he election in Gunung rapat which was won by Gunung Rapat PKR branch chairman Ten Chon g Yong.
They later announced that four more new village head elections would be held in Simpang Pulai, Ampang Baru, Lawan Kuda and Kopisan. These villages are located in Dr. Lee and Chang's
constituencies.
"There will be no more new village head elections.The stste government however accepts the kampung baru Gunung Rapat election as a test-case to see if the idea is acceptable by the people," he said after chairing the stste executive council meeting in Ipoh yesterday.
On whether the state government was prepared to accept Ten as the village head, Nizar said that wouldb be decided later, adding that the state government would wait for a report from Chang.

No more village elections

2009-01-07T20:11:00.001-08:00

Perak blames federal govt for costly Toyota Camry

2008-12-14T19:46:00.000-08:00

Senior state executive councillor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham has blamed the federal government for the high cost of the state's purchase of 16 units of Toyota Camry 2.4 for the stste exco members and senior officers.
He said the refusal of the federal government to give tax exemption resulted in the stste government5 having to pay RM167,000 for each Toyota Camry compared with the actual price of only RM97,000.
The cars will replace the Proton Perdana V6 Executive as the official cars for the state.
Pointing out that the allocation for the purchase was approved by the previous Basrisan nasional(BN) state government, Ngeh said the decision was to avoid wastage of public funds in terms of the high maintenance cost for the existing official cars.
It is more cost-effective to maintain Toyota Camry cars than the present fleet of Proton Perdana V6. Wewant to save more by buying new cars as the maintenance cost will not be that high," he told reporters after the Perak DAP convention, in Ipoh testerday.
On Friday, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddn said the state would fork out RM2.7 million to acquire the new cars, saying it was costly to maintain the Perdana fleet.
Pangkor assemblyman datuk Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir described the state government as not fulfilling its promose to spend prudently.

PM on why defence spending must continue

2008-12-09T16:54:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Datuk Ser Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday said defence spending must continue despite the gloomy economic outlook as the nation's security cannot be compromised.
Speaking at the launch of the Langkawi International Matritime and Aerospace Exhibition(LIMA'09),Abdullah, who is also defence minister, said the recent incident in the Gulf of Aden where two Malaysian tankers were seized and their crews taken hostage showed that governments cannot afford to relax when it concerns national security and the lives of their citizens.
"We need to be vigilant and continue to improve the overall defence and security, especially along the Straits of Malacca and in East Malaysia," he said.
He said despite the gloomy economic outlook, analysts believe Asean's defence and security spending will exceed US$350million in years leading to 2020.
Abdullah said Asia's defence market poses many opportunities in the medium and long term for suppliers over the next 15 years as regional governments seek to modernise their navies, airforces and security agencies.
LIMA '09 is scheduled to be held in Langkawi from Dec 1-5 next year.

Residents plan to sue for compensation

2008-12-09T16:35:00.001-08:00

Residents in Bukit Antarabangsa affected by Saturday's landslide plan to sue the authorities and claim compensation.
The chairman of the Bukit Antarabangsa Action Committee, Datuk N.Muneandy, said yesterday the committee will seek legal advice because they are confident of having strong evidence to pursue their claims.
"We have the evidence like photographs taken before the landlide and complaints lodged with the local authority," he told reporters.
Without stating the amount of compensation to be claimed, Muneandy said some residents had notified the local authority about the possibility of landslides happening.
"they had reported fallen trees, which indicated that something undesirable could happen but the local authority only sent people to cut the trees and there were no other preventive measures taken," he said.
Muneandy also urged the government to immediately form a special committee, including representatives of the residents, sothat they could be kept informed of any development in Bukit Antarabangsa.
"This is important as the problem involves our safety and our homes and, therefore, we want the government to act fast," he said.
Ealier, representatives of the Bukit Antarabangsa residents held a discussion with the landslide search and rescure operations chief, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, to get the details of the operations.
Khalid promised to intensify the security surveilance in the landslide area to prevent looting. He also urged residents to lodge police reports.
"We did get requests from residents who wanted to come in to get their belongings, including their cars stuck in the rubble , but we cannot allow them to do it now as the ground is still unstable and could endanger their ives," he said.

Don't interfere, politicians told

2008-11-27T18:05:00.001-08:00

Politicians should not interfere while police personnel are carrying out their duties, said Inspector-General of Police tan Sri Musa hassan
"One politician recently sent 100 traffic sommonses and told me to cancel them. He claimed the offenders were his constittuents and did not have money to settle the summonses.
"There are also policians whp tell my OCPDs not to summon those ridding their motorcycles in thr kampung areas without helmets. How can we do that?" he asked.
Musa, who was speaking at a national forum on crime and policing, said the police would not be able to carry out their duties effectively if these politicians continued to interfere.
Earlier, he admitted that the country's crime rate was on the rise but was not as bad as reported in the media and blods.
"last year's crime rate per 100,000 population was only 772 cases caopared to Hong Kong (1,166), Japan(1,569) and Australia(4,270). The rising crime rate is actually a global problem but iat is still at a manageable level.
"I have already taken steps to counter the rise in crime rate like improving the response time to a crime scene, building police stations in new housing estates and installing CCTV cameras in crime-prone arreas."
On the small number of chinese joining the police force, Musa said most wanted to be officers and not constables.
"There is still a shortage of policemen despite recruiting over 7000 people a few months ago.
The force now has over 97,000 personnel and needs at least 40,000 more.
"I have asked for another 60,000 to be recruited over the next five years but this still will not be enough as there are hundreds of retirements annually," he added.
Musa said he also wanted the national crime solving rate to be at least 40%.
"From today, the public can lodge reports at the various marine police bases nationawide. I have also directed the marine police personnel to be involved in crime prevention on land instead in crime prevention on land instead of just the high seas.
"The General OperationsForce, whose duties ised used to be only in the jungles, now have awider scope of work. They are responsible for security in airports and certain islands in the country,"he said.
On the police force being biased against yhe participants of illegal gatherings in Kuala LUMPUR, HE SAID THE POLICE ONTRY ACTED BECAUSE it was getting a bit out of hand.

Don't interfere, politicians told

2008-11-27T18:05:00.000-08:00

Team of Bloggers to explain Perak govt policies

2008-11-27T17:24:00.000-08:00

The Pakatan Rakyat state government will soon have its own team of bloggers to help it disseminate information.
Menteri Besar Datuk seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the state government was setting up u a "bloggers' secretariat" to ensure accurate information was being channelled to the rakyat.
It will help the state counter accusations and inform the public about government policies.
The secretariat will be headed by Nizar's press secretary Anuar Hashim.
Nizar said the move to set up the secretariat was made after a meeting on Wednesday with 26 bloggers who agreed to assist the state disseminate information on policy matters and programmes.
"This is also to counter and defend the state's stand on certain issues and policies which have been played up by the opposition," he said in his speech at a dinner organised by the state Parti Keadilan Rakyat Youth(Angkatan Muda Keadilan ) on Wednesday.
Also present were DAP national Youth chief Nga Kor Ming, PKR national youth chief Shamsul Iskandar, Perak PKR Youth head Anuar Zakaria and Perak PKR chairman Ismail Yusoff.
Nga said he was disappointed with RTM as it had not not invited the menteri besar to go on air and explain state policies to the people.
"It has been nine months since Pakatan Rakyat took over the administration of the state but RTM has yet to invite the menteri besar and has only been criticising the state government."

Lodge Report on vandalised signs, CM tells MPPP

2008-11-24T16:21:00.000-08:00

The Penang Island Municipal Council(MPPP) has been instructed to lodge police reports on the vandalisation of two bilingual road signs, both in Malay and Arabic.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said this was necessary to prevent further sabotage of bilingual road signs meant to help tourists.
In a statement yesterday, he noted that other signs with Mandarin and Tamil were not affected.
The vandalised road sign were found sprayed with red paint on Sunday morning and have since been cleaned up.
An MPPP wprker who spotted the defaced road signs lodged a report at the Campbell Street police station yesterday afternoon.
In a separate statement, state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said the worker had taken photographs of the road signs with his mobile phone before he helped to clean them.

ACA probing 82 cases of money politics

2008-11-22T14:12:00.000-08:00

The Anti-Corruption Agency involving money politics with charges of bribery taken against some of the culprits and others referred to yhe respective partive party,s disciplinary boards.
Its director-general Datuk Ahmad said Hamdan confirmed that the agency had received som 280 reports of which 82 cases had basis for the ACA to conduct investigation.
"If there is sufficient evidence then we will take action by either bringing them to court or referring them to their respective disciplinary boards," he told reporters in Alor gajah after closing the agency's training course for 87 investigatig officers yesterday.
Ahmad Said did not name the political affiliation of those under investigations and stressed that the agency didi not label such cases as one of money politics but simply as bribery.
For the ACA, there is no such thing as money politics as anything to do with a bribe is considered corruption,he added.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said that the agency had received 14,817 reports as of Nov 19 compared to the estimated 13,900 reports for the whole of last year.
He noted that the increase in the number of reports is a good indication that the public supports the ACA's efforts to combat corruption and abuse of power.
He added that the agency is beefing up its manpower capabilities fromthe current 1800 officers to 2700 next year.
He said the agency hopes to increase ists strenth to 5,000 officers with plans to open up branches in Kuala Kubu Baru, Limbang and Gua Musang.
Ahamd Said also said the agency would be cracking down on syndicates involved with bribery and corruption, in partivular those with regard to illegal logging and enviromental degradation.

Stop Obsession with cabinet Posts: Tee Keat

2008-11-18T18:12:00.000-08:00

MCA members should stop their obsession with holding cabinet posts and focus instead on resolving the woes of the grassroots , party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said yesterday.
"Having the people's aspirations in mind would be something more positive than being obsessed with personal political gains, particularly in relation to ministership," he said.
Ong praised his deputy, Datuk Dr Shua Soi Lek, for his willingness to head the party's government policy monitoring bureau, which will keep tabs on the ministries headed by MCA ministers.
"This is in line with what I said earlier because when I said that we needed to form such a bureau to handle the people's feedback, we must keep the people's aspirations in mind," h e said.
"I am glad he shares my view."
Ong said Chua, a former health minister, was "perhaps the best person" to advise new ministers appointed after the March 8 general election.
"As a former minister, he would be in a very good position to tell us about some of the issues currently confronting us. Issues do not come into place suddenly or abruptly," he said.
Ong , who is the transport minister, told a press conference his ministry is re-examining the e-Kesihatan Programme, which it cancelled earlier.
"For now, the concessionaire has been informed of the government's decision to discontinue with the agreement," he said.
"The project has been reffered back to the Road Transport Department(RTD) to re-look at the format as well as the details of the agreement. We need to look at it again, to look at the limitations and at the same time, we need to come up with something that will serve the public's purpose.
"We need to ensure medical certification of the fitness of public transport drivers, that is a must.
But we do not want to make it burdensome. So we have to strike the right balance between both."
Respondinh to calls to use the Emergency Ordinance to curb the mat rempai menace, Ong said:" In my opinion, the nations is not short of laws. If we,as a nation, were able to defeat a militant insurgency, we should be able to handle a social ill like this."
Asked about the mobes by PAS to open up to chinese supportes, Ong said such overtures were not new.
"Any party, including PAS, has a right to reach out to any segment of the populace. We shouldn't have qualms about it." he said.
"The current outreach proposal is not something new.... if we were to trace back 2 years, 10 1986, when the Chinese Consultative Council(CCC) was mooted and formed by PAS. The CCC has been defunct for years, without an explanation. It would be good for PAS to explain why the CCC was defunct before they came to a new iniative."
Ong had earlier launched Jalan Multimedia in i-City and and welcome the initial batch of tenants to i-City at Concierge@i-City here.

Toll Discount

2008-11-18T17:38:00.000-08:00

Toll discount of 10% will be given to owners of private cars and light vehicles who used the North-South Expressway Central Link(Elite) Highway during low traffic hours from Jan 1 to end of 2010, with additional discount during festive seasons.

More incentives are expected from other highway concessionaires soon.
Yesterday, the country's biggest highway concessionaire, Plus Expressway Bhd. announced incentives for travel on the two highways, the result of negitiations in recent months with the government which had been pushing for toll reductions.
"Plus's initiative is in line with the government's call to give added value to highway users, especially during the current economic situation," said Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad at the launch of the Plus Travel Incentive Programme yesterday.
The icng on the incentive cake is that all Class 1(private cars and light vehicles) highways between midnight and 7.00 am will get a 10 % toll discount. This could mean a saving of about Rm4 for the journey from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. Together with the other incentives(see table), the savings would amount to more than 20%.
Mohd. Zin said the incentives went through an indepth study and evaluation by a Malaysian Highway Authority(L.L.M) committee from May."This iniative is part of Plus's corporate social responsibility(CSR) and does not require the government paying compensation," he said, adding that previously the government paid huge compensation to the concessionaires to maintain or reduce toll rates.
He said although the companies made good profit, the terms of the concession agreement called for compensation to redice toll rates or to maintain them although they were to be increased.
On the other 20 highways , Mohd. Zin said eight of them could not reduce their toll rates for various reasons: going through financial problems. debt restructuring, newly operating, concession period ending next year and some were under receiver and manager. He did not name the eight.
Mohd. Zin hoped the rest will come up with toll reductions soon.
He also announced in a stetement that all toll highway operators, except one, had agreed to make public their consession agreements, confirming a report in the Sun on Monday that the government had diclassified the agreements.
LLM directir-general Datuk Mohamad Razali Othman urged other concessionaires to make toll reduction their CSR iniative.He also said that since 1988 compensation paid to highway operators was aboutRM 2 billion.

Tidak logik banding kemenangan Obama

2008-11-09T18:28:00.000-08:00

Sebarang percubaan untuk membandingkan atau menyamakan kemenangan Presiden kulit hitam pertama Amerika Syarikat(AS), Barack Obama dengan sentimen politik Malaysia bukan sesuatu yang logik dan ia di luar realiti.
Menteri Luar, Datuk Seri Dr. rais Yatim berkata, beliau hairan dengan tindak tanduk pihak terbabit yang cuba'tumpang semangkok' kemenangan Obama agar dapat dikaitkan dengan senario politik negara.
Tegas beliau, hakikatnya banyak peruntukan yang berkait dengan pelbagai kaum. Politik dan masyarakat kita berbeza dengan negara itu walaupun nilai demokrasi serba sedikit boleh dikaitkan.
"Malah AS sudah menjadi negara bebas sejak tahun 1777 sedangkan kita 1957," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di Putrajaya hari ini.
Beliau mengulas kolum Bisik-Bisik Awang Selamat Utusan Malaysia analisis tertentu mengaitkan pemilihan Obama yang juga warna kulit hitam pertama sebagai presiden AS dengan politik Malaysia.
Menurut kolum itu, sudah kedengaran suara pemimpin bukan Melayu yang mahukan bukan Melayu diberi peluang menjadi Perdana Menteri.
Semalam, Presiden MCA, datuk Ong Tee Keat berkata, sudak sampai masanya bagi rakyat malaysia membebaskan diri merea dari belenggu isu perkauman. Dengan mengambil Obama sebagai contoh , Tee Keat berkata:"Sedihnya do Malaysia, kita masih berbalah dalam soal remeh berhubung pelantikan seorang wanita Cina sebagai Pemangku Pengurus Besar Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor(PKNS)."
Tindakan kerajaan negeri Selangor yang diterahui Pakatan rakyat melantik Low Siew Moi sebagai Pemangku Pengurus Besar PKNS dipersoalkan banyak pihak kerana dikatakan tidak memenuhi aspirasi penubuhan PKNS bagi membantu meningkatkan soal sosial dan ekonomi bumiputra.

Govt to appeal Raja Petra's release

2008-11-09T18:09:00.000-08:00

The Home Ministry will appeal against the Shah Alam High Court decision to release Raja Petra Kamarudin from detention under the Internal Security Act, the prime minister said.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government respected the court's decision but would nevertheless mount an appeal.

Asked if the government would be more carefulbefore making future ISA arrests, Abdullah said:

"The Home Ministry is always careful. The power of ISA detention is not to be used carelessly.

"Tere is a reason for all the arrests made under the ISA."

Raja Petra, 58 who was detained under the ISA on Sept. 12, was released on Thursday by the Shah Alam High Court.

Judge Datuk Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahnad accepted the habeas corpus application filed by the blogger. He ruled that the grounds given by Home Minister datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar for Raja Pettra's detention did not fall within the scope of Section 8(1) of the ISA.

raja Petra was arrested as he was deemed a security threat.

Penang Gerakan has urged the government not to filed an appeal.

State Gerakan chairman Datuk doktor Teng Hock Nan said rhe party was happy with the court's decision, which had shown the jidicial system was tansparent.

"We should respect the High Court's decision that Raja Petra is not a direct threat to the nation."

Dr. Teng said Gerakan also wanted the government toreview the ISA to review the ISA and replace it with an anti-terrorism act.

Shorsighted to turn BN multiracial

2008-11-09T17:55:00.000-08:00

calls to turn Barisan nasional into a multiracial party are shorsighted as raced-based parties are crucial to the development of every community, Umno supreme council member Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said.
He said Gerakan and the People's Progressive Party were not right to make the proposal in view of the composition of Malaysian society.
"Our country is race-based with Malays, Chinese and Indians living in their own areas. How can we reach these people if we are not seen as one of them or don't know their mother tongue?" asked the Tambun MO after presenting uniforms to 285 Federal Village Security and Development Committe members for Manjoi and Ulu Kinta in Ipoh. Husni said, the presidents of every BN race-based party had more power to effect change by reaching out to their own communities."If a person is just a committee member in a single race-based party, he would not be able to raise the interests for a community which he may or may not belong to, said Husni, who is seeking re-election to the supreme council.
The Tambun Umno chief pointed out that Parti Keadilan Rakyat, DAP and Pas were dominated by an ethnic group.

Perak bars KL-appointed village chairman from district meetings

2008-11-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

Village Development and Security Committe(JKKP) chairmen appointed by the Federal Government are barred from attending district action committees,says Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar jamaluddin.
The JKKP is not an entity recognised by the state government.
The JKKP was formed by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in states ruled by Pakatan rakyat after the March 8 general election. Each JKKP chairman receives a monthly allowance of RM400.
"The only legal entity the stste government recognised is the village development and security committee, or JKKK, whose chairmenwere chosen by the people," Mohammad Nizar told reporters yesterday after presenting ahe annual dividend of RM650 to 51 participants of a"Ladang Rakyat." The project is an oil palm estate managed by the state Agriculture Development Corporation in Batu Kurau.
The Menteri Besar said the ban was effective Aug 1 when the state-sanctioned JKKK chairmen officially assumed office.
To a question, Mohammad Nizar said the ban was imposed because the state government felt that the formation of the JKKP would cause disunity.
"The people are bound to be divided as most of the JKKP chairmen comprised former JKKK chairmen(appointed by the previous Barisan Nasional-led state government),"he said.

Akta Hubungan Kaum Malaysia elak sejarah hitam berulang

2008-09-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

Persoalan sama ada perlu atau tidak Akta Hubungan Kaum diwujudkan di negara kita adalah sangat subjektif dan memerlukan kajian lanjut yang komprehensif serta tidak mempunyai agenda politik tertentu. Ini adalah kerana penggubalan akta ini bukanlah satu ancaman atau ugutan perkauaman di negara kita tetapi hanya akan digunakan sekiranya terdapat pelanggaran dalam hubungan antara kaumyang boleh menjejaskan perpaduan rakyat.
Pada dasarnya akta berkenaan penting bagi memastikan negara sentiasa berada dalam keadaan aman tenteram dan rakyat pelbagai kaum dapat hidup dengan harmoni dan tolaransi.
Di samping itu, akata ini boleh bertindak sebagai mekanisme merapatkan perpaduan dan kesepakatan antara etnik di negara kita.
Kewujudan akta ini juga adalah salah satu bentuk usaha penguatkuasaan kerajaan bagi memastikan keselamatan dan kesejahteraan negara terkawal dan dipelihara sebaik mungkin.
Akta ini kelak diharapkan dapat menjadi landasan pembentukan sebuah masyarakat berbilang kaum yang bersatu hati dengan mengambilkira keadilan dan kesamarataan serta mengelak berlakunya konflik dan perselisehan kaum.
Memalui akta ini juga diharapkan hasrat kerajaan merealisasikan sebuah masyarakat Malaysia ang teguh persefahaman, penuh semangat perpaduan, bersaing secara sihat ke arah melahirkan suasana integrasi kaum yang bersatupadu dan realistik di negara kita dapat dicapai.
Dalam soal perpaduan kaum ini, ramai tokoh pemimpin dan pemikir negara menyambut pemimpin dan pemikir negara menyambut baik cadangan penggubalan akta berkenaan.

Race Relations Models in United Kingdom

2008-09-22T01:23:00.000-07:00

The Race Relation Act 1976 was established by the British Parliment tp prevent discrimination on the grounds of race and was later amended by the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 by including a statutory duty on public bodies to promote race equality, and to demonstrate that procedures to prevent race discrimination are effective.
Items that are covered include discrimination on the grounds of race, colour,nationality, ethnic and national origin in the fields of employment, the provision of goods and services, education and public functions. The amendments covered:

Discrinination by police and other public authorities;
Specified authorities: general statutory duty;
Certain appointment functions oputside the employment field;
Police: extension of liability of chief officers,etc;
Criminal investigations and proceedings; and
immigration and asylum appeals.

The Act also established the Commission for racial Equality with a view to review the legislation. In 2003, additional regulation made certain forms of discrimination due to religious beliefs illegal.

Change on Sept.16 "Won't Happen"

2008-09-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

Terengganu Pas commissioner Datuk Mustafa Ali said the Sept. 16 date set by Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for a change in the Federal Government would not occur because of technical and political reasons.
Mustafa said he was speaking as a political observer and was not representing the party.
He said the change could not be effected without a vote of no-confidence on the prime minister or without his resignation.
"Parliment adjourns during Ramadan, there is no one who can cast a vote of no-confidence. Not wvwn having the right numbers of parliment crossing over can have an effect.
"Sept.16 won't see a change in government as I don't see a vote of no-confidence happening now. It. can happen at another sitting."
"Tere is a theory that with the approriate number of signatures presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the government could be changed, but the prime minister was appointed by the king and as such, he cannot appoint a new prime minister while he is still. Once appointted, he cannot be fired" he said at a press conference.
Anwar has often stated that he needed about 30 Barisan Nasional MPs to jump ship to form a new government.
Mustafa said fro his experience, a defection by MPs to the opposition had never happened.
Usually, it was the opposition members who crossed over to the government side, hust as it occured in 1994. On why he decided to speak out, Mustafa said he was asked by many people about the change in goverment.

Dr Mahathir 's Return to UMNO

2008-09-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

Kedah UMNO will not stand in the way of Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad if he wishes to rejoin Umno and will welcome the man who led the party for 22 yaers.
"We hope this move by Dr Mahathir will help strengthen Umno," its liason chief , datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, told Bernama.
UMNO vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday the former prime minister, who had announced in May that he was quitting the aprty, had agreed to rejoin UMNO when they met on Saturday. Kubang Pasu UMNO chief Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom, who is deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, also said he did not have any problem accepting Dr. mahathir back.
"However,it is up to the supreme council to accept or turn down Dr. mahathir's application"
In Ipoh, supreme council member datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Dr. mahathir should be accepted back into the fold as this would strengthen the party.As a former party president, we have to value hima and his credibility. All grassroot members should receive him back into the party as his advice and guidance are needed."
Negeri Sembelan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan also welcomed Dr. Mahathir's return, aying h even willing to offer his UMNO Rantau branch chief's post to the latter if he was interested . I am confident that his presence in the party would help to further strengthen and unite UMNO." Hasan said after chairing the state executive council meeting at Wisma Negeri.

Jui Meng declares he's going for MCA presidency

2008-09-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

Former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng has decided to contes the post of president in the party elections next month.
He will face vice-president datuk Ong Tee Keat, who had announced his intention in July to vie for the top post, following incumbent Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting's decision not to seek re-election.
"Ive deliberated on this matter for a long time and have been getting feed-back from the grassroots. I strongly feel that the only post that I should go for is the president's post in order to bring about total change and transformatio to the party,"he said at a press conference.
Chua, who took on ka Ting three years ago and lost, said he would be campaigning on a transformation platform, as there was an urgent need to rebuild and restore the party as well as to return it to relevance.
"I contest not out to disrespect to Tee Keat,who is still a good friend and whom I hold in good regard but because the risk is too great for MCA if it did not transform itselve in the next three years."
The former health minister said he was offering himselve as a presidential candidate with experience, passion and who would also bring chjange required to transform MCA.
The Bakri division chief vowed that if elected president, he would swear in front of every member and the media that he will not be corrupt.
"The rest of the party leaders will have to follow suit. Corruption is the worst crime in the eyes of the Chinese and with this, the community will realise our seriousness in tackling graft. Once this is done, we can encourage othe parties to follow suit."
He also said he was not to teaming up with any leaders."My team is the MCA delegates and their votes will determine the party leadership. However, I will welcome the support of anyone."

Amaran Polis terhadap penyebar isu perkauman

2008-09-10T19:35:00.000-07:00

Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar hari ini memberi amaran akan mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap mereka yang cuba menggugat keselamatan dan ketenteraman negara menerusi penyebaran isu berunsur perkauman.
Beliau berkata, tindakan sama turut akan diambil ke atas individu yang cuba mengesploitasi kenyataan berkenaan dalam bentuk blog, khidmata pesanan ringkas(SMS atau khidmat pesanan multimedia(MMS)
Beliau bagi amaran yang keras kepada semua pihak tidak kira siapa mereka itu supaya berhenti membua apa-apa kenyataan berbaur perkauman sama ada dalam media cetak atau media elektronik kerana perbuatan tersebut melanggar undang-undang.
Ismail juga menyarankan orang ramai supaya tidak mengambil sebarang tindakan berdasarklan emosi dan perasaan kerana ia akan menimbulkan suasana kurang selasa di kalangan penduduk pelbagai kaum.
Berhubung kenyataan Ketua UMNO Nahagian Bukit Bendera, Datuk Ahmad Ismail, beliau berkata, polis masih menjalankan siasatanberhubungan kenyataan itu. Beliau jawab pihak polis akan menyiapkan siasatan itu secepat mungkin untuk tindakan selanjutnya.
Beliau meminta orang ramai supaya tidak mudah terpedaya dengan penyebaran kenyataan berbaur perkauman sebaliknya mendapat gambaran yang sebenar-benarnya dengan daripada pihak polis.
Orangramai ramai boleh menghubung Ketua Polis Negara Negeru atau ketua Polig daerah untuk mengetahui keadaan semasa pada bila-bila masa.
Serentak dengan perkembangan semasa juga, beliau telah mengeluarkan arahan kepada Ketua Polis Negeri dan Ketua Polis Daerah supaya meningkatkan pemantauan di tempat-tempat awam.
Beliau menggesa orang ramai supaya menyemai rasa tanggungjawab sebagai rakyat Malaysia dadalam sanubari mereka dan sentiasa mematuhi undangan-undang bagi mengelak sebarang gambaran perkara ti diingini berlaku.
Katanya Malaysia adalah sebuah negara yang berdaulat serta mempunyai undang-undang. Setiap rakyat perlu menghormatinya kerana hanya dengan itu kita dapat menjamin kestabilan
negara.

Penulis blog Singapura didakwa Hina Hakim

2008-09-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

Seorang penulis blog, Gopalan Nair yang didakwa menghina seorang hakim, mengaku tidak bersalah di mahkamah, pada 8 September.
Nair dihadapkan ke mahkamah kerana menuduh seorang hakim 'melacurkan diri' apabila bersekongkol dengan Perdana Menteri, Lee Hsien Loong dan bapanya bekas Perdana Menteri, Lee Kuan Yew dalam kes saman fitnah ke atas seorang pemimpin pembangkang.Nair yang mengaku tidak bersalah mewakili dirinya sendiri ketika dipanggil hakim untuk membela diri.
Hakim Belinda Ang juga pernah mengadili kes terhadap Presiden Parti Demokratik, Chee Soon Juan.
Nair, bekas peguam dan mendapat kerakyatan Amerika Syarikat, dituduh secara menulis di dalam blognya bahawa Ang bertindak tidak lebih sebagai pekerja kepada Lee Kuan Yew dengan melaksanakan setiapa arahannya.
Perbicaraan kes ini akan berlangsung selama 10 hari dan Nair juga akan berhadapan dengan beberapa kes lain di mahkamah.

Gerakan Putuskan Hubungan dengan UMNO P.Pinang

2008-09-08T20:26:00.000-07:00

Gerakan P.Pinang membuat keputusan memutuskan hubungan dengan UMNO Pulau Pinang berkuatkuasa serta- merta berikutan tindakan Ketua OMNO bahagian Bukit Bendera, datuk Ahmad ismail mengeluarkan kenyataan yang didakwa berbau perkauman.
UMNO Pulau Pinang dipengerusikan oleh Perdana Menteri , datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Pemangku Presiden gerakan, tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon berkata, keputusan itu dipersetujui dalam satu mesyuarat tergempar yang dihadiri oleh semua ahli jawatankuasa perhubungan negeri. beliau berkata, ahli Ggerakan berasa amat terkeju dan marah serta mengutuk tindakan dan tingkah laku Ahmad yang disifatkan tidak bertanggungjawab itu.
Beliau memberitahu pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat tergempar jawatankuasa perhubungan Gerakan Pulau Pinang pada malan 8 Sept. Tsu Koon turut menyelar tindakan Ahmad yang menyifatkan masyarakat Cina di Malaysia sebagai sama dengan kaum Yahudi di Amerika Syarikat yang menguasai ekonomi dan selanjutnya ingin menguasai politik, sebagai tidak bertanggungjawab.
Sementara itu, Pengerusi MCA Pulau Pinang, Datuk Liow Tiong Lai turut menegaskan bahawa MCA Pulau Pinang memutuskan hubungan dengan Ahmad dan tidak akan meyertai mana-mana aktiviti anjuran UMNO Bahagian Bukit Bendera sehingga isu tersebut duselesaikan. katanya, MCA juga akan berbuat perkara sama kepada mana-mana UMNO bahagian lain di negeri Pulau Pinang yang turut sekongkol dengan Ahmad Ismail. katanya MCA berasa marah,tersinggung, kesal dan hampa dengan tingkah laku angkuh beliau yang enggan menarik balik kenyataan dan mminta maaf terhadap kata-katanya yang telahmenyakitkan hati adan perasaan orang Cina di negara ini.

Information Technology Officer claims trial to changing land title details

2008-09-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

A 54 year-old Information Technology Officer with Natural Resources and Enviroment Ministry was charged at the Sessions Court in Ipoh yesterday with making unauthrised changes in a land registration database.
Mohd.Radzi Mohd ramli, who was the department's technical officer, allegedly made the changes in the database of the Perak Land and Mines Department last year, changing the ownership of four plots of land and releaseing two of them from their mortgages.
He allegedly committed the offences at the computer training room of the Perak land and Mines Department's IT division in Ipoh.
Judge Rasidah Chik set bail at RM12,000 in one surety for all four counts, pending mention on Oct. 9

Make sure budget plans reach the people

2008-09-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday reminded civil servants to carry out all plans outlined in Budget 2009 with zest and commitment.
The prime minister said plans must be carried out without delay or excuse. We are not short of ideas or good plans but we are short in implementation. We have proven in the Auditor-General's Report 2007 that we can do it.
Recently the Auditor-General said the financial management of majority of government agencies at federal and stste levels was good.
Abdullah expressed confidence that with the civil service's combined resources, all budget plans would be implemented for the sake of the people and country.Abdullah said Budget 2009 was aimed at helping the people and not at boosting the government's popularity. The budget was geared towards the lower-income group and had somthing for everyone at a time when the nation is dealing with high inflation. Reminding civil servants of their duties, ABDULLAH SAID AS CONSUMRS THEMSELVES, THEY SHOULD OFFER THE BEST SERVICE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE. Attention must also be paid to the administrative system and work procedures to minimise bureaucracy..

Malaysians are all equal

2008-09-07T22:31:00.000-07:00

All malaysians should be treated as equal citizens of the country and not be caregorised as A,B or C-level citizens, MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said yesterday.
"After 51 years of independence,we are all citizens of malaysia and there is no class A,B or C. There should be no classification of citizenship as all races are equal and all people enjoy the benefits,. We have to work together and weed out the mischief caused by racially biased viewpoints that will destrok racial harmony in the country."
He said there should not be any questions raised about racial backgrounds and loyalty to Malaysia as all races including Malays, Chinese and Indians had sacrificed their blood to free the country from Japanese occupation in the 1940s.
About 300,000 Chinese died defending the country during the Japanese Cccupation when the British witrhdrew their troops and left the country defenceless. The British had acknowledged this hact and granted the Chinese community citizenship," he said in Ipoh.
he said this in reference to Umno Bukit Bendera division chief datuk Ahmad Ismail's alleged alleged statement that Chinese ar e only squatters and immigrants and it is impossible for them to achieve equal rights among the races.
The Alliance party 'house' was originally formed by Malays, Chinese and Indians which later la\ed to the formation of the BArisan National.
Datuk Seri Ong callrd on BN leaders to oromate BN leaders to promote the concept and spirit of muhibah among the various races. among the various races.

UMNO members provide evidence to ACA

2008-09-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

Two Umno members have submitted to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) photographic evidence that they say supports their report against party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for alleged abuse of power.
Formar Selangor youth leader Mazlan Harun dan Muar branch leader Datuk Kadar Shah handed over between 20 and 30 copies of photographs to the ACA office in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Kadar Shah, the son of the late Umno permanent chairman Tun Sulaiman Ninam Shah, said the pictures showed Abdulah allegedly holding closed-door meetings with Umno members and leaders.
According to the duo, they have other evidence,which they have not given... if this second report is not takened seriously, they will lodge another report or may be take legal action.
Asked what was shown in the pictures,he said:" Of Course he was campaigning... what else?
Kadar Shah claimed that Abdullah had met several statr Umno leaders several times between May 3 and June 29

Police summon Ahmad Ismail over alleged seditious remarks

2008-09-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

Umno Bukit Bendera division head Datuk Ahmad ismail has been summoned by the police to give his statement following a string of reports lodged against him for allegedly uttering seditious remarks in public.
Penang State deputy police chief SAC(1) Datuk Salleh Mat Rashid confirmed yesterday police have traced Ahmas, who had kept a low profile since he was reported by vernacula newspapers to have made an anti-Chinese statement at a ceramah during Permatang Pauh by-election campaign on Aug. 25.
Ahmad had allegedly said the Chinese are pendatang(immigrants) in Malaysia and therefore, could not enjoy equality with others.
DAP.MCA and Gerakan have since lodged police reports against Ahmad, and also asked him to apologise.
Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO Deputy president Datuk Sri Najib Abdul Razak had apologised
on Tuesday for the remark,calling it"unwarranted" and not reflective of UMNO's stand,
Salleh told reporters Ahmad was being investigated under section under section 4(1)(B) of Sedition Act 1948. for uttering seditious words and they hope to wrap up the probe by this week.

Problematic department to be queried after Raya

2008-09-02T16:53:00.000-07:00

Several government departments, agencies and federal statutory bodies will be called up by the auditor-general's office after Hari raya to answer "discrepancies" mentioned in the 2007 Auditor-General's Report.
Parliment's Public Accounts Committee(PAC) chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid told reporters yesterday an audit on 123 agencies,departments and bodies found 5% of them to be problematic.They will call the problematic ones to give their sides of the story to ascertain what went wrong and this will be done immediately after Hari Raya. PAC wants to prevent a recurrencce because the pevious trend of discrepancies highlighted in the report has always been the same. Azmi said the PAC strongly recommended to the government to appoint more internal auditors in ministries, departments,agencies and statutory bodies. They want to see more internal auditors, as front-liners, doing their work on a daily basis and they must be empowered to do more things.He added proper checks will prevent losses.
Azmi said that overall, the report was satisfactory as 117 of the 123 audited in 2007 were given a "clean bill of health".
He said those to be called for questioning include the Home; Natural Resources and Enviroment; Health; Education; and Defence Ministries and Kuala Lumpur City hall. Among projects and companies involved in the "discrepancies" highlighted in the report are Teluk Sepanggar naval base project in Sabah, CTRM(Composite Technology Research Malaysia Sdn. Bhd), which is 90% owned by the Ministry of Finance Inc. and the SMART Tunnel project in Sungai Besi.
Azmi also said that while the number of problematic agencies, department and bodies is small, the losses in terms of money could be big

Cuepacs kecewa janji ITP,Cola tak ditepati

2008-09-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

Cuepacs yang gembira dengan pemberian bonus dalam bajet 2009 telah kecewa apabila dua permintaan kesatuan itu berhubung kenaikan Imbuhan Tetap Perumahan(ITP) dan penyelarasan elaun kos sara hidup(Cola) kepada kakitangan awam tidak disenaraikan dalam belanjawan kali ini.
Sehubungan itu, Cuepacs yang mewakili hampir 1.2 juta kakitangan sektor awam akan bertemu Perdana Menteri pada bulan depan bagi membincangkan kedua-dua perkara itu.
Presidennya, Omar Osman berkata sebelum ini kerajaan secara dasarnya bersetuju memberi elaun Cola dan turut memaklumkan perkara berkenaan kepada Cuepacs dalam surat maklum balas. Beliau bagaimanapun berkata, Cuepacs tidak berniat mengugut kerajaan dalam perkara itu tetapi percaya sekiranya permintaan berkenaan dilaksanakan ia dapat membantu mereka yang berpendapatan rendah. Pihaknya akan membuat temujanji untuk bertemu Perdana menteri dan menerangkan secara rasional berhubung permintaan Cuepacs itu bagi manfaat anggota sektor awam.
Cuepacs sebelum ini meminta kerajaan menaikkan ITP daripada RM180 sebulan kepada RM230 dan menyelaraskan elaun Cola kepada RM500 sebulan di seluruh negara.

Malaysia Today disekat

2008-09-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

Menteri Dakam Negeri datuk Seri Syed hamid Albar berkata, adalah wajar bagi Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia malaysia(SKMM) bertindak dan mengarahkan pembekal perkhidmatan Internet(ISP) di negara ini menyekat laman web Malaysia Today. Kata menteri,sudah terlalu banyak peluang dan amaran diberikan kepada laman web itu yang tidak dipedulikan dan beliau yakin SKMM telah menjalankan kuasanya dengan baik dan mwengikut undang-undang.
Datuk menteri berkata, kerajaan tidak pernah berniat menyekat kebebasan rakyat untuk berdebat dan memberi maklumat. Apabila seseorang menerbitkan kandungan yang dianggap menghina atau memfitnah kuasa SKMM untuk memelihara undang-undang danperaturan dalam negara ini, bagi mereka mengambil tindakan yang dianggap perlu.

BPR serbu Puspakom

2008-08-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

Badan Pencegah rasuah(BPR) menahan 47 orang, termasuk 28 kakitangan Puspakom Sdn.Bhd. dan 19 perantara atau runners dalam operasi besar-besaran bagi membantu siasatan rasuah membabitkan kelulusan pmeriksaan kenderaan.
Tangkapan mulai kelmarin hingga petang semalam dalam operasi bersepadu 'Ops Compact' di seluruh negara itu adalah hasil pengawasan dan risikan BPR sejak beberapa bulan lalu.
Mereka yang ditahan ialah tujuh kakitangan Puspakom dan empat perantara di Johor, tujuh kakitangan Puspakom dan 2 perantara di Perak, tujuh kakitangan Puspakom dan seorang perantara di Pulau Pinang serta 6 kakitangan Puspakom dan 1 orang perantara di Negeri Sembilan.
Pengarah Siasatan BPR, Datuk Shukri Abdull, berkata kakitangan Puspakom ditahan membabitkan pegawai bawahan dengan jawatan Warden Trafik serta Pemeriksa Kenderaan.
Siasatan BPR mendapati bayaran sogokan RM80 dikenakan bagi meluluskan pemeriksaan setiapa kenderaan bermasalah tanpa mengikut prosedur, makala RM400 untuk meluluskan pemeriksaan tanpa membawa kenderaan ke pusat itu. Ketua Eksekutif Puspakom, Datuk Salamat Wahit menjelaskan, Puspakom menjalin kerjasama dengan BPR bagi membanteras rasuah dan penyelewengan sejak lebih setahun lalu. Hasil kerjasama itu , 10 kakitangan Puspakom ditangkap dan diberhentikan pada Januari lalu. Katanya jika kes membabitkan kakitangan, mudah mereka bertindak, tetapi perantara sukar kerana mereka bukan pekerja dengan Puspakom dan pihaknya tidak bolh kawal.Katanya lagi kerjasama yang amat baik ini antara Puspakom dengan BPR dapat menangkap mereka yang tidak bertanggungjawab sehingga mempengaruhi kakitangan Puspakom untuk melakukannya.
Senarai nama kakitangan yang disyaki terbabit dalam kegiatan itu diserah kepada BPR selepas audit dalaman dijalankan selain siasatan oleh unit penguatkuasa Puspakom.
Siasatan kini menjurus kepada kegiatan orang tengah yang diupah syarikat tertentu untuk menyogok kakitangan Puspakom ketika membuat pemeriksaan kenderaan. Ada antaranya meletakkan sejumlah wang dalam kereta yang hendak diperiksa.
Ketua Eksekutif itu turut menggalakkan orang ramai menghantar sendiri kenderaan untuk pemeriksaan di Puspakom dan tidak menggunakan orang tengah bagi mengelak penipuan.
Pihak Puspakom sudah melancarkan kempen 'Kenal Puspakom' dan pengguna diberi peluang melihat sendiri pemeriksaan yang dibuat secara telus dan cekap.

Kibarkan Jalur Gemilang

2008-08-25T17:10:00.000-07:00

Seminggu lagi rakyat Malaysia seluruh negara akan menyambut ulang tahun kemerdekaan negara yang ke-51.Tahun ini kerajaan memutuskan sekola menjadi sasaran kempen mengibar Jalur Gemilang bagi menyemarakkan lagi sambutan Hari Kebangsaan. Sambutan tahun ini bertemakan'Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan'.
Sebagai tanda menyokong hasrat kerajaan dan membuktikan perasaan cintakan negara, setiap rumah kediaman dan premis perniagaan, sama ada di bandar atau luar bandar harus mengibarkan Jalur Gemilang.
Bagi generasi muda terutama pelajar, cara paling mudah untuk menunjukkan semangat patriotik dan cintakan negara ialah dengan mengibarkan Jalur Gemilang, tidak kira di mana sahaja berada.
Menurut seorang Guru Besar,Encik Lim Leow Chee, Sek. Keb St. John(1) Kuala Lumpur, kempen kibar Jalur gemilang adalah satu daripada acara yang diadakan sepanjang sambutan itu kerana bendera kebangsaan adalah simbol kebanggaan dan kedaulatan negara.Katanya, pengibaran Jalur gemilang membuktikan semangat patriotik seluruh warga sekolah dan kesediaan mengkalkan keharmonian rakyat berbilang kaum yang telah menjadi lambang kemakmuran Malaysia sejak berpuluh tahun lalu.
Semantara itu, aktivis sosial, Tan Sri Lee lam Thye, berkata pengibaran Jalur Gemilang mampu menterjemahkan semangat kasih dan cintakan negara. Katanya rakyat tidak harus terlalu bergantung kepada pihak lain untuk memberi sumbangan secara percuma Jalur gemilang sebaliknya sedia mengeluarkan sedikit wang untuk membeli bendera Malaysia dan mengibarnya di premis masing-masing.Kata Tan Sri Lee, salah satu cara untuk menjadikan generasi muda kita patriotik dan bersemangat nasionalisme ialah dengan mendidik mereka menghormati dan mencintai Jalur Gemilang dengan menganjurkan Kempen Cintakan Bendera Kita di sekolah-sekolah.Kempen ini penting bagi memberi kefahaman kepada murid tentang kepentingan bendera kebangsaan dan maksud di sebaliknya seterusnya menjadikan warga yang prihatin dan sentiasa berusaha mengekalkan kemakmuran negara. Katanya semasa berucap merasmikan Kelab Pencegahan Jenayah dan Pelancaran Bulan kemerdekaan di sekoah tersebut baru-baru ini.
Tan Sri Lee berkata lagi, generasi muda perlu diingatkan bahawa Hari Kebangsaan membawa ingatan kegigihan dan perjuangan generasi terdahulu menentang penjajah dalam usaha mencapai kemerdekaan. Justeru itu, buktikan semangat patriotik kita mulai sekarang dan tunjukkan kepada dunia bahawa kita berbangga dengan negara sendiri. Semangat itu hendaklah ditunjukkan secara menyeluruh di seluruh negara, bukan setakat di bandar besar. Semangat mengibarkan Jalur Gemilang adalah tanggungjawab setiap warga negara.
Jangan kibarkan bendera kerana terpaksa. Lakukannya kerana kita mencintai Malaysia.Selamat menyambut ulang Tahun Kemerdekaan ke-51. Merdeka!

Enough Evidence To Charga the 5 in Court

2008-08-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Two Perak state Exco who have demanded an apology from the ACA over allegations of corruption involving a RM180mil housing ptoject will be charged in the Sessions Court togather with three others tomorrow.
ACA director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said hamdan said there was enough evidence to charge the five who were nabbed with another individual recently for alleged graft.
He confirmed that the rwo executive councillors , jama;uddin Mohd. radzi and Kapt.(Rtd.) Mohd. Osman Mohd. Jailu) are among those to be charged.
Jamaluddin, 52 is the Behrang assemblyman while 57-year-old Mohd.Osman is the Changkat Jering assemblyman.
They will be charged at the Ipoh Sessions Court on monday. Ahmad Said said the ACA had concluded its investigations against the six people detained this week and was satisfied there was sufficient evidence to pro secute five of them.
ACA recently picked up six men including Jmaluddin and Mohd. Osman for alleged graft involving a housing project in Seri Iskandar. Osman and 4 others aged 30 to 57 were picked up in Ipoh on Tuesday wile Jamaluddin was detained when he went to the state ACA office on Wednesday to give his ststement,It was reported that the ACA recovered RM100,000 from the men. Asked if the ACA would issued an apology over the arrests, Ahmad Said said the agency would not apologise to the Behrang and Chabgkat Jering assemblymen as there was no reason to.

Harga Minyak Turun

2008-08-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

Kerajaan menurunkan harga runcit petrol RON97 dan RON92 masing-masing 15 sen dan 22 sen kepada RM2.55 dan RM2.40 seliter. manakala harga diesel sebanyak lapan sen kepada RM2.50 seliter, berkuatkuasa jam 12 tengah malam 23 Ogos 2008.
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata keputusan semalam selaras penurunan harga minyak dunia sejak beberapa minggu lalu dan bagi mengimbangi kenaikan kadar inflasi.Mengikut PM, Jemaah menteri hari ini mengambil keputusan mempercepatkan tarikh penguatkusaan pelarasan harga baru petrol dan ia dibuat dengan mengambil kira harga sebenar daripada 1 hingga 21 Ogos lalu serta penetapan subsidi 30 sen seliter bagi kedua-dua RON97 dan RON92.

Bonus Kakitangan Kerajaan Tahun 2008

2008-08-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Kakitangan kerajaan diminta menunggu pembentangan bajet pada 29 ogos ini untuk mengetahui sama ada mereka akan menerima atau tidak bonus untuk tahun ini.
ketua setiausaha negara Tan sri Mohd. Sidek hassan ketika ditanya oleh media samada kerajaan akan membayar bonus pada tahun ini enggan memberi sebarang bayangan.
Sebelum ini Cuepacs meminta kerajaan memberi bonus dan mengkaji semula kadar pemberian Elaun Kos Sara Hidup(COLA) untuk kakitangan awam pada pembentangan Bajet 2009.
Mengenai penglibatan kakitangan awam berkempen dalam pilihanraya kecil Permatang Pauh, beliau berkata tindakan tegas diambil sekiranya kakitangan qwam terbabit melanggar peraturan yang termaktub dalam pekeliling kerajaan.

Dua Exco Perak ditahan kerana rasuah

2008-08-21T20:18:00.000-07:00

Rakayat Perak harus membuka mata kerana kesilapan mereka tidak memilih Bariasan nasional (BN) untuk memerintah negeri itu pada PRU ke -12 yang lalu.
Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, rakyat Perak juga perlu sedar harga mahal yang telah mereka bayar kerana memberi mandat kepada kerajaan campuran Perak untuk memerintah negeri itu.
Menurut beliau, penehanan dua Exco kerajaan negeri Perak oleh Badan Pencegah Rasuah(BPR) menunjukkan bukti, pemerintahan oleh pakatan pembangkang itu semakin lama akan terus menimbulkan pelbagai masalah. Beliau fikir makin lama mereka memerintah lagi banyak masalah akan timbul dan beliau berharap rakyat Perak akan sedar mengenai perkara ini dan kerajaan ini perlu ditukar. Beliau yang juga Ahli Parlimen Bagan Datuh mengenai penehanan 2 Exco kerajaan negeri Perak oleh BPR kerana disyaki terlibat dalam sigokan wang lebih RM100,000 dan seks bagi mempercepatkan kelulusan satu projek perumahan bernilai RM80 juta di Seri Iskandar. Beliau berkata kes ini membuktikan kerajaan campuran Perak tidak telus seperti yang dilaung-laungkan sewaktu pilihanraya lalu.

Sex and bribes

2008-08-20T21:14:00.000-07:00

Two Perak state executive councillors are among six people arrested by the Anti-Corruption Agency(ACA) for alleged graft involving a proposed housing project in Seri Iskandar worth RM180 million.
The two exco members are Changkat Jering assemblyman Kapt.(Rtd) Mohd Osman Mohd jailu, and Behrang assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd. radzi.
State Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director Samsiah Abu bakar confirmed the arrests.
Magistrate Noor Aini Yusof issued a three day remand order against each of the five pending investigation under the Anti Corruction Act.
Prime Minister says ACA's latest arrest of six people including 2 Perak state exco members is proof of the agency's increased efficiency due to improvements to it's enforcement capacity.He brushed off comments by some PKY people who questioned the timing of arrest coming during the Permatang pauh by-election campaign, and said it was a mere coincidence.

Pak Lah slam bloggers

2008-08-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

Bloggers who fly the jalur Gemilang upside down as a sign of protest are rude and malicious, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. They are troublemakers who are fond of criticising but hardly contribute positively towards nation building.
He was commenting on a recent posting urging Malaysian bloggers to fly the Jalur Gemilang upsidedown in their blos as a sign of frustration and a sign that the nation was in distress.
Though accepted internationally as a sign of a nation's distress, yhe campaign drew mixed reactions from local bloggers, with many against it.
There were not merely mischievous but also a malicious act. It shows disrespect for our flag. He hopes the po9lice will take cation.
He added that there were also bloggers who in putting forward their views, created untrue stories at the expense of others.

Pakatan Leaders concerned over Pas' conditions

2008-08-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

Party Keadilan rakyat and DAP leaders are unhappy with pas' stand not to be part of any federal government where a majority of the members of parliment are non-Muslim.
DAP chairman Karpal Singh said the stand would not be for the betterment of Pakatan Rakyat, of which Pas is also a member. He said if Pas imposes such conditions, DAP and PKR will have difficulty keeping their multiracial agenda. According to him, Pakatan Rakyat's agenda is to cater to all races and therefore should always be maintained on a multi racial basis.
karpal said pas should not worry about the number of Muslim MPs on parliment as Pakatan government would continue to abide by the Pederal Conastitution.
Pas president daruk Seri Abdul hadi Awang reportedly told the party's Penang convention they would not be part of a Pakatan federal government if non-Muslim MPs formed the majority.
The statement contrasts with the position with the position adopted by yhe Pakatan Rakayat Consultative Council, which is represented by leaders of the three component parties, according to PKR vice- president Azmin Ali.(Ref: NST 14 Aug.2008)

PTPTPN

2008-08-13T21:04:00.000-07:00

The New sservice fee for national Higer Education Corparation loans is now a falt rate of one percent, down from 3 to 5 percent.
In making the decision yesterday, the cabinet decided that effective June 1, the new rate would be extended to borrowers for all undergradute and postgraduate studies. They include all future and existing borrowers as well as those servicing their loans following the completion of their studies. Students applying for loans before the new system is implemented will have their applications processed and approved according to existing rates and an adjustment will be made later when the new system is developed by December.
In line with the change, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin says borrowers will receive new agreements by early 2009. they will then have one month to complete the new agreement and return them to PTPTN

80% of complaints involve Land matters

2008-08-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

80 % of public complaints and grouses received by the Perak Pakatan Rakyat government involved land matters. Menteri Besar Datuk SERI NIZAR jamaluddin said: "Land matters are sentive because they are close to the hearts of Perakians and we will ensure that the delivery of service on land matters is speeded up.""We intend to put land matters in the proper perspective by cutting red tape and speeding up the process of giving land titles for land that have no problems. All government agencies involved in land matters will be directed to attend to such problems with urgency and stop giving the public the run around.
Nizar said that there will be open tender for some nine areas of land in Hulu Kinta to show that the PR government is above board and at yhe same time ahigh reserve price at market rate will be fixed for the land to optimise the income for the state.
On the issuance of mining certificates for mining areas in Perak, he said the matter was being sorted out and an announcement would be made soon.

Kenaikan Harga Minyak

2008-08-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

Kenaikan harga minyak sebanyak 40% yang diumumkan oleh kerajaan Malaysia dari segi ekonomi adalah munasabah akan tetapi kadar kenaikan itu terlalu tinggi dan mengejutkan semua piak. Rebat tunai yang diberikan mengakibatkan kebergantungan rakyat kepada kerajaan. Dalam pada itu pihak kerajaan hendaklah menggunakan rebat yang dijimatkan untuk tujuan pembangunan negara.

Sehubungan itu tambang pengangkutan telah meningkat sebanyak 20-30%. Rakyat terpaksa menghadapi kesan dan beban inflasi khususnya mereka yang duduk di bandar.

Pihak kerajaan bertanggungjawab bagi menguruskan hutang negara dengan bijak!