Tag: Accomplishments & Governance

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NASIONAL

Media lebih meriah jika PAKATAN menang

OLEH NAZLI IBRAHIM

SUNGAI BULOH, 2 MEI: Industri media di negara ini dijangka lebih meriah jika Pakatan Harapan (PAKATAN) menang Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-14 (PRU-14) kali ini.

Calon kerusi Parlimen Sungai Buloh, R. Sivarasa berkata, hal ini berikutan PAKATAN akan memansuhkan akta yang dianggap mencabuli kebebasan demokrasi dan bertentangan dengan Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

“Antara akta ini termasuklah akta berkaitan percetakan di mana langkah ini akan membebaskan media untuk menyampaikan suara rakyat.

“Jika ada yang difitnah mereka boleh memfailkan saman fitnah, namun kita memahami jika ianya memakan kos tinggi kita mengkaji apakah saluran yang boleh digunakan,” katanya ketika ditemui SelangorKini di Pusat Khidmat Masyarakat (PKM) Parlimen Sungai Buloh di sini, semalam.

Jelasnya, langkah ini juga mampu membuka peluang lebih besar kepada pengamal media negara ini untuk mengembangkan kerjaya masing-masing.

Katanya, selain itu ianya turut memberi kesan positif kepada industri penerbitan lain.

“Kita tidak akan menyekat media yang mengkritik kerajaan seperti yang dilakukan Kerajaan Barisan Nasional hari ini,” katanya.

=EZY=

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SELANGOR

Selangor sekali lagi catat surplus RM351.3 juta

OLEH NAZLI IBRAHIM

SHAH ALAM, 31 OKT: Kerajaan Selangor sekali lagi mencatatkan belanjawan surplus apabila kedudukan kewangannya sehingga 14 Oktober berjaya mencatatkan lebihan RM351.38 juta.

Dato’ Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali berkata, kejayaan ini bukan helah untuk mengambil sikap selesa tetapi merupakan berkat kewangan yang kukuh.

Katanya ia sekaligus membolehkan Kerajaan Negeri merangka Belanjawan 2017 untuk membangun bangsa, memakmur negeri dan dasar mesra pasaran yang mampu meningkatkan pelaburan domestik dan luar negara.

“Pada 30 Oktober 2015 yang lalu, saya membentangkan belanjawan defisit RM630 juta untuk menjana pembangunan demi kesejahteraan rakyat dan kemakmuran negeri.

“Kita bersyukur sehingga 14 Oktober 2016 kedudukan kewangan negeri berada pada tahap lebihan sebanyak RM351.38 juta,” kata Mohamed Azmin.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika Belanjawan Kerajaan Selangor 2017 di Dewan Negeri Selangor (DNS) di sini, hari ini.

Jelasnya, ketika ini kutipan hasil negeri mencecah 96.9 peratus, belanja pembangunan sudah mencapai tahap 60.0 peratus manakala belanja mengurus pula pada tahap 77.1 peratus.

Sementara itu rizab Kerajaan Negeri pula mencatatkan RM3.62 bilion.

EZY

Malaysia Should Build a Sports Institute of Higher Learning

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SHAH ALAM, 8 Nov: The federal government should at least establish one institute of higher learning (IHL) dedicated to sports development in order to improve athlete’s’ level of professionalism in Malaysia.

The Exco in charge of Selangor Youth and Sports, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, said that planned development of sports institutions will provide an opportunity for national athletes to continue their studies at the highest level, thus making sports as an important industry that will benefit the country.

He said that athletes can also improve their skills in events and games pursued more consistently with physical and scientific equipment through the establishment of the sports IHL.

“We will also be able to educate the public that sports is not just a side activity, but involves a good future career with a high level of certification,” he said when contacted by Selangor Kini today.

He was asked to comment on the motion presented by the Member of Parliament for Kota Bharu, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who suggested in the House of Representatives yesterday for the federal government to establish a sports university college to produce athletes that are not only excellent, but are of high intellect.

Ahmad Yunus said that he also proposed for the Bukit Jalil area to be the location of the IHL development to reduce the cost of construction if the central government agrees.

“Perhaps the development of the first sports IHL in the country can be done in Selangor, as the focus state in the development of Malaysia. We also have the Shah Alam Stadium which is recognised as the best stadium in the country.

“Therefore, I hope that the central government will consider this proposal and make it happen, at least before year 2020,” he said.

Malaysia’s Economic Development Must be Implemented in a Free and Fair Fashion

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SHAH ALAM, 8 Nov: The economic development in Malaysia still requires international investment and trade; however its implementation should be done freely and fairly.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that over 60 percent of economic opportunities are still dependent on international trade due to the country’s small internal market since the Malaysian economy began to grow till now.

He said that the matter can be seen if we refer to the Trans-Pacific Agreement (TPPA) which is now in the process of negotiations with the federal government.

“Each person must accept the fact and agree that we cannot run away from making international trade relations and it looks like no one is objecting to it.

“However, it should be noted that although it is accepted, responsible parties should ensure the the trade agreement which is signed is fair to us,” he said.

He said this in front of about 100 participants comprising of state employees, government linked companies (GLCs) and local authorities at a TPPA Briefing event held here at the Silver Jubilee Hall today.

The TPPA Briefing session was presented by a three-member panel consisting of Professor Gus Van Harten (Canada), Pablo Solon (Bolivia) and Cecilia Olivet (Uruguay), and was also participated by Member of Parliament for Klang, Charles Santiago.

Commenting of the TPPA, Abdul Khalid said that the agreement which is to be signed by the Central Government early next year may also have an impact on the state government.

“For example, if the TPPA states that the awarding of contracts should be open to all, including multinational corporations, but the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) gives the opportunity to Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the name of wanting to help the community, we could be sued.

“They can also take Selangor to court for failing to comply with the conditions set in the agreement and we might be sued and cause losses to the people,” he said.

Abdul Khalid, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bandar Tun Razak, hopes that the briefing held would provide knowledge to the public in understanding the effects of the TPPA, in addition to asking the Central Government to make a decision which will benefit the people.

Selangor the First State to Approve Swiftlet Licence

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SHAH ALAM, 8 Nov: Selangor became the first state to approve the granting of licence for the farming and operating industry of swiftlet nests through an intensive package offer that is fair to existing farmers and operators, with effect from 1 January 2014.

Executive Councillor for Local Government, Studies and Research, Datuk Teng Chang Khim, said that implementation of the policy was decided by the State Government Council Meeting (MMKN) after holding a dialogue session with associations and operators of the industry on 25 September.

He said that the implementation will be done through the enforcement of Rearing of Swiftlet and Manufacturing of Swiftlets’ Nest By-laws 2013 in all Local Authorities in the state of Selangor.

“In the consideration process, the state government took into account several factors including the interests and problems of operators, in addition to the interest of the public in terms of hygiene, disease control, sound pollution, negative impact on property prices as well and building a comfortable city,” he said in a press statement at his office here today.

At the same time, Teng explained several key points of the implementation of the licencing policy which needs to be observed by swiftlet farmers and operators as decided at the MMKN.

“All breeders and operators on agricultural land will be granted licence starting 1 January, 2014. Breeders and operators of existing business premises will receive licences starting form 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016, while breeders and operators on paddy fields will be given licences from 1 January 2014 to 1 December 2020.

“For breeders and operators in business premises as well as paddy fields, they will be given incentives which includes licensing fees, free quite rent and assessment for five years at the new site if they move their premises to existing farming sites within the period the licence is granted,” he said.

Chang Kim said that the granting of licence is subject to conditions provided for under the by-laws and all operators and breeders have to submit licence application no lter than 31 December this year.

“Licence application for operation in business premises and paddy fields, whether existing or new, will not be considered after 31 December this year and all applications will be submitted to the relevant local authorities.

“We hope that with the granting of this licence, breeders and operators of the swiftlet nest industry in Selangor will grow in an orderly manner, thus benefiting the economic development of the state,” he said.

Selangor to Begin Klang River Development in March 2014

5

SHAH ALAM, 8 Nov: The state government will start the redevelopment of the Klang river, including cleaning and upgrading, in March 2014.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the first effort which is to be taken seriously is the cleaning of the river and currently, there are several planning to be initiated in 2014.

Abdul Khalid said that the state government should first wait and examine the development of the Klang river because many have come forward to help in the upgrading, including several companies from Korea and China.

“I think that this development would likely occur in March 2014. Currently there are several work papers, (and) our first effort is to clean up the Klang river because there is a lot of garbage in it,” he said.

Abdul Khalid said this at a press conference after attending the Selangor State Headman (Penghulu), Traditional Village Heads and Members of Village Development and Security (JKKK) Assembly here at the Silver Jubilee Hall in the State Secretariat Building today.

However, Abdul Khalid said that the conditions imposed on the governments cannot be met by the state government for several reasons.

“Too many people want to help us fix the Kang river, including some from abroad. But they do not really want to develop the Klang river, but they are dreaming of the land next to the area, so I have postponed it.

“If I consented to it, I fear that we will not have the land. They want to beautify the Klang river so that is anyone wants to go to Kuala Lumpur from Port Klang to Masjid Jamek can do so by boat.

“However, to fund this development, the land next to the river would have to be handed over to them. The village people would be angry with me,” he said.

Abdul Khalid said that the state government is waiting for cleaning and upgrading of the river in Kuala Lumpur to finish before starting the Klang river clean-up efforts.

“I will wait for Kuala Lumpur to upgrade the upper part of the river. If we start cleaning, dirt from that area would reach here. But plans are ready and next year, it can begin,” he said.

Norazita Asked Her Children to Study Hard Before She Was Shot

4.1

SHAH ALAM, 8 Nov: “Mom asked me and my brother to study hard,” said the eldest son of the late banker, Norazita Abu Talib, who was shot by a security guard at the USJ Ambank on 23 October.

4.2

Nurisa Nabilah Irwan, 12, said that her late mother’s message still remains in her memory and her brother’s, Muhammad Hazimi Irwan, 8, and it will continue to be the strength for them to excel in their studies.

Nurisa, who just finished taking the Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR), said that the loss of Norazita is a blow to her and Hazim, but support from their father, Irwan Kamaruddin, makes them strong.

Meanwhile, Irwan, 37, who works as a personal driver, also expressed his gratitude for the contributions and concern of the state government which is trying to help ease the burden of their family.

“All tasks previously shouldered by my late wife is now my responsibility. Now, I have the responsibility as both, a mother and father to my children.

4.3

“I hope that the police could quickly solve this case as find a solution so it does not recur and no other family would have to face this situation,” he said.

Irwan said this when meeting with Selangor Kini after the state government’s contribution of RM5,000 was delivered by the Exco for Welfare and Women’s Affairs, Rodziah Ismail, and was also attended by the Assemblywoman for Taman Medan, Haniza Talhah, here at their home yesterday.

Rodziah said that the state government is ready to help in the form of legal advice if Irwan takes the matter to court for a lawsuit.

“This lawsuit is not meant for revenge, but it is more towards ensuring that all parties, especially the management of companies, are more sensitive in the selection of security members so that such an incident will not recur.

“We will also provide assistance in the form of legal advice and counsel so that Irwan will get a comprehensive explanation on this case,” said Rodziah.

4.4

PKR Criticises 2 Assemblymen in Sabah who Jumped Party

3

SHAH ALAM, 8 Nov: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vehemently criticised the unethical actions of two PKR leaders from Sabah who left the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) component party recently.

PKR Vice-President, Tian Chua, said that the action of the two leaders, who are also Assemblymen, is deemed as a huge betrayal to the people of Malaysia, especially Sabah.

He said that the irresponsible attitude clearly betrays the trust given by the people of Sabah during the 13th General Election (GE-13).

“Their claim that they had both lost confidence in the party leadership is just a ploy and a simple excuse to justify their betrayal.

“The actions of these Assemblymen who jumped party is the usual modus operandi of Barisan Nasional (BN) in Sabah to weaken the fighting spirit of the people who want change,” he said.

Thus, he said, PKR urges the people of Sabah to be united and not let the dirty tricks of BN divide the fighting spirit and reformation of PR.

Rumours that the desire of Assemblyman of Matunggong, Jailani Hamdan, and the Assemblyman of Kadamaian, Jeremy Malajad @ Malazah, to leave the party has been brought to attention when they were absent in a meeting with PKR General Chief, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, last week.

Jeremy, in a statement, stressed his move to leave PKR and support BN is to enable the constituency that he represents to enjoy development.

He announced his decision to become an independent MP and also resigned as the state’s PKR Information Chief, with immediate effect, recently.

MACC’s Proposal to Examine Government Contracts through Direct Negotiations is Meaningless as long as BN is in Power

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SHAH ALAM, 8 Nov: The recommendations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for government projects that were awarded through direct negotiations and involve soft loans to be examined by the cabinet can be considered futile as long as Barisan Nasional (BN) remains in power.

BN is seen as making the awarding of contracts through direct negotiations their source of political funds that are able to reach millions of ringgit per project.

The Coordinator of Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM), Badrul Hisham Shaharin, said that the situation makes MACC a toothless commission.

“This is still happening because there is no political will as BN’s machinery funds come from government contracts awarded through direct negotiations.

“As long as BN is in power, MACC’s proposal is almost impossible to be implemented, and it does not mean anything,” he said when contacted by Selangor Kini today.

Badrul Hisham said that the BN machinery requires a high amount of funding to finance their party programmes, much different from Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Earlier, the MACC, in their report, recommended that government projects which were awarded through direct negotiations and involve soft loans to be examined by the cabinet, especially if it involves ‘families and allies’.

The MACC also recommended declaring conflict of interest when family members receive government loans, guidelines for soft loans for the finance ministry, and the role and responsibilities of those representing the government in board of directors of the companies.

The report also mentioned some problems in the project awarding of the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) to the companies owned and managed by the Wanita Umno Chief, who was also a former minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

According to the MACC in the 2012 report, the NFC was also given a soft loan of RM250 million despite not having any financial of technical skills.

Busted Edition: SMS ‘Vote PAS to Enter Heaven, Vote BN to go to Hell’ Came from BN

1

SHAH ALAM, 8 Nov: A Short Message System (SMS) text ‘calling’ for voters to vote for PAS in the 13th General Election (GE-13) as a ‘ticket to heaven’ was not actually sent by the PAS election machinery, instead, it was sent by Barisan Nasional (BN).

The message also claimed that choosing UMNO would cause the individual to enter hell, it it was clearly aimed to show that the message was purportedly sent by PAS, thus giving the impression that it is an extremist party.

The BN machinery tactic to gain votes in a dirty manner, despite being read by some of the people, has yet to be proven.

However, such tactics were ultimately proved by the Coordinator of Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM), Badrul Hisham Shaharin, when Muslims in Malaysia were set out to celebrate the new year of the Islamic calendar; 1435 Hijra.

The tactic was uncovered when a member of SAMM in Kedah received two different messages from the same number, 019-5791297, which i believed to have been sent by the BN campaign machinery.

“The first message was received during the GE-13 campaign period and I believe that the forgot or assumed that no one would notice the second message before the recent Ma’al Hijra celebration.

“For mobile phones that are using the Android system, every SMS received will cause the previous message to also be displayed if it is not deleted.

“Indeed, God wanted to show this when the SAMM member did not delete the first message and when they sent the second message, automatically the previous message was displayed. This is known as ‘sepandai-pandai tupai melompat’ (as clever as the squirrel hops, it will one day, eat dirt),” said Badrul Hisham when contacted by Selangor Kini yesterday.

The first message received in May, says, “Think of heaven when voting. Vote PAS to enter heaven, vote Umno to go to hell. PAS is Allah’s party (Hezbollah), Umno is the devil’s party”.

The second message received before the Ma’al Hijra read, “Salaam. Happy Ma’al Hijrah 1435H from Barisan Nasional “United Together in Moving Forward”.

Badrul Hisham said that BN should have thought of a smarter tactic compared to the defamatory text.

“Voters are now smart, many know this tactic but BN likes sending tactics that instigates PAS ulamas. The same method was used to instigate PAS leaders by sending SMS messages in the recent Bukit Limau By-Election,” he said.

Malaysia to Face Lawsuit if TPPA is Signed

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KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Nov: The Malaysian Government will face the risk of lawsuits from giant firms if they insist on implementing the investment dispute settlement (ISDS) by signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai, Nurul Izzah, said that although many believe that the ISDS is important because it has been adopted in many countries, but the mechanism would only benefit foreign investors and cause local investors to fall into the second class.

She said that the government has been urged to create a special fund in case Malaysia is sued by giant companies at a high cost, in addition to advising them to accept the TPPA post-signing risk.

“This is a serious problem if the agreement is signed without knowing the burden to be shouldered by the country and it would affect future generations as well as the Malaysian economy.

“Leaders of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) have met with ISDS experts and we think that we cannot accept it without carefully looking at the black and white of every chapter of the TPPA to be signed by Malaysia,” she said in a press conference at Parliament today.

She said that PR has never rejected any trade dealings; however the implementation of the law may entrap many parties and should not be adopted.

She said that the TPPA should be stopped, especially since the United States have been found to be spying on Malaysia by using their embassy and high commission in Kuala Lumpur.

“We must stop this, especially after finding out what is being done by the US to Malaysia, and the government should seek clarification.

“Malaysia should emulate the European Union and stop US banking access after knowing that they were conducting surveillance on the country,” she said.

Residents Representative Committee has Political Aims and to Seize Power from Local Authorities

7

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Nov: The Residents Representative Committee (JPP) which was established by the federal government to support community development programmes is deemed to have political aims and attempts a coup from the state government and local authorities.

Member of Parliament for Bayan Baru, Sim Tze Tzin, said that the function of the JPP which is proposed by the central government is similar to the duties of council members and may be in violation of the Constitution.

He said that the JPP which is concentrated in urban areas will target local authorities in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state and may be aimed at competing with council members appointed by the state government.

“The establishment of the JPP was decided after Barisan Nasional (BN) failed to win the majority vote from the population of urban areas during the 13th General Election.

“We suspect that the federal government wants to centralise power by establishing the JPP as ‘Appointed Council Members of the Federal Government’ which is clearly in contradiction with the Constitution because local authorities are under the jurisdiction of the state government.

“I urge for the local government and state government to take not on this initiative,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

He said that it would be better is the government allows for the implementation of local government elections to be held to give a larger mandate to the administration of local authorities.

He said that the election will be guaranteed to make existing council members more effective in administration and municipality.

“The establishment of the JPP is just a waste of time and provisions because it would limit the power of local authorities, which are actually under the jurisdiction of the state government. The federal government should take heed that the power of local authorities lies under the state government and avoid from breach of power,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a budget allocation of RM63 million to set up 24 JPP zones in every local authority on 2 October.

The JPP will act as a single entity consisting of representatives of the local community to support community development programmes, while addressing urban issues in local authority areas, and the latest initiative is the result of feedback indicating that most of the urban population do not clearly understand government funded programmes during the GE-13.