Tag: Equitable Distribution

Utusan Malaysia Urged to be More Ethical

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SHAH ALAM, 24 Oct: The Umno-controlled newspaper, Utusan Malaysia, has been urged to be more responsible and ethical when reporting news by prioritising journalistic professionalism.

Senator Syed Husin Ali said the apology by the newspaper today proves that the allegation against him is unfounded.

He said, Utusan’s apology is for the defamation suit against the newspaper on the defaming accusation that he received RM500,000 to dissolve Parti Rakyat Malaysia and join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) early year 2000.

Syed Husin who is also the former Vice President (PKR) said the condition was for Utusan to apologise by publishing an apology in the newspaper within 10 days from today.

“I leave the follow-up to my lawyer, L Bani Prakash and the amount of compensation to be received,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor today.

He said that there are two other defamation cases involving Utusan Malaysia regarding Zulkifli Nordin’s statement and expects the newspaper to make an appeal.

The case was over an article on page eight of the March 6, 2010 edition of the Utusan Malaysia under the headline “RM500,000: Syed Husin dicabar lapor polis” (RM500,000: Syed Husin challenged to report to police) and two other individuals regarding the article which defamed him.

Justice Su Geok Yam recorded the settlement statement Thursday in the presence of all parties.

Selangor and Penang PR Governments Step Forward to Strengthen Democracy

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Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM) congratulated the Selangor and Penang PR Governments for moving another step to strengthen democracy in their administration radar.

On 18 September, the Penang Pakatan Rakyat Government, through the State Government Exco meeting, approved in principle the provisions for Assemblymen from the Opposition in Penang (read: Barisan Nasional) and the subsequent approval from the Exco Meeting will be tabled in the Penang State Budget 2014.

Meanwhile, on 10 October, the Selangor PR Government announced special allowances and privileges for the Selangor State Legislative Assembly Opposition Leader.

For Samm, this are valiant efforts in strengthening and educating the meaning of true democracy in Malaysia, in fact, understanding in the long history of oppression in translating the BN-style democracy system, actions such as this is hard to be accepted by various quarters in PR itself.

But if we are talking about a mature democracy, this is the best time to show that PR is different from the oppression politics of BN. We see all this while how PR representatives, especially Parliamentarians, are denied the right to serve the people without even a single cent of allocation being channelled through PR representatives who were voted by the people.

Now, it is a tremendous blow for BN Assemblymen in Penang. Do they want to receive provisions given to them despite Do they want to receive their allocation to them despite their opposition?

If they accept it, then they acknowledge the practice of the BN Government in other states and even the Federal level BN government as wrong to not channel allocations through representatives of the people who were elected by the people. But if they reject it, they will continue to be remembered for their narrow partisan politics and they can no longer complain in front of their voters that they do not have allocations.

Through the Penang State Government, PR proved that political clash is a different matter, but in matters of democratic state governance, the people’s choice should be respected and Penang PR has acknowledged that.

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the House (be it the House of Representatives or the state legislative assembly) is very important. But since the independence of Malaysia, it has not been honoured like other countries of mature democracy acknowledge the post.

The Selangor PR Government made a tremendous stride when they allocated RM8,260 per month with plenty other privileges to the Opposition Leader in the State Legislative Assembly.

With this, this position which is upheld through the democratic pr In this position he also transported through the democratic process of the people’s voice can be used to jointly develop the state. Opposition leaders can have complete office efficiency with enough research officers and Opposition leaders can have a complete office efficiency with enough research officer and able to debate and make constructive criticism to state that ultimately benefit the people.

The question now is would the Opposition Leader from BN in Selangor receive the allowances and privileges or will he reject with narrow political party thinking.

If he accepts it, he would admit the wrong practice of the Central and State Governments under BN in denying the role of Opposition Leaders elected by the people.

This is how the politics of the nation should be practiced with policy competition and competition in improvements which will ultimately strengthen democracy and benefit the people.

SAMM has greats hopes to see the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, to make the word ‘transformation’ as his daily chant when tabling the Budget 2014 this Friday which can truly welcome the moves taken by the Penang and Selangor PR Governments.

This move is also positive and everyone should move to strengthen democracy by acknowledging the role of PR members of parliament by taking into account the channeling of provisions through those elected by the people and uphold the role of the Malaysian Parliament by acknowledging privileges for Malaysian Opposition Leaders.

Without that, the ‘transformation’ chant will continue being a rhetoric laughed by those from the country and abroad.

Badrul Hisham Shaharin
Youth Solidarity Malaysia

Shah Alam City Centre Developments Feature Islamic Elements

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SHAH ALAM, 23 Oct: The Shah Alam City Centre will be revitalised by featuring Islamic designs as the main thrust of development.

The move will touch on standardisation of colour, design, attractive building facade and identity, public facilities as well as other measures involving development around the city centre in Section 14.

The Mayor of Shah Alam, Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan said the development plan should be carried out immediately before property owners develop their projects.

“Since before, Shah Alam has been developed without following a real plan, so we must start the vision to redesign development in this city before it is too late.

“Usually, landowners do not want to bear costs for too long and wish to develop their projects immediately. So we must be quick,” he said after inaugurating the Shah Alam CIty Centre Development Workshop in Section 14 at the Grand Bluewave Hotel this morning.

The workshop organised by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) also touched on planning involving the issues of peace and prosperity, thus increasing the population’s joy index in Shah Alam in addition to the tabling of the work papers for the development of the city centre based on the concept of Islamic characteristics.

A total of 120 participants consisting of developers, landowners, government agencies, institutes of higher learning, Council members and the MBSA Technical Department took part in the workshop.

Jaafar said that they will discuss with the state government to establish guidelines that need to be enforced in effort to provide parking for women and additional lights in several locations identified.

“There are parking areas that are dark and scary, especially at night. These locations should have lights and special parking for women close to entrances. We will propose this to the state government,” he said.

MACC Fails to Solve 99.3 Percent of Corruption Cases Despite Spending RM1 Billion

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KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Oct: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has still filed to solve 99.3 percent of corruption cases despite receiving provisions of almost RM1 billion since 2009.

Member of Parliament for Kampar, Ko Chung Sen said based on the statement from the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, only 75 percent or 1274 of the cases have been convicted compared to the 1692 c

He said, despite the increase in provisions and MACC staff, the number of prosecuted and convicted cases has decreased in the last three years.

“This is not a problem is there is no corruption in Malaysia. However, Malaysia has been identified as one of the countries with high corruption rates based on a report by the Wall Street Journal (December 2012) and Earnest and Young in September,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby this morning.

He said, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has also failed to eliminate corruption cases in Malaysia despite promising to do it in his speech at Commonwealth Club in San Fransisco, USA, in September.

“Reducing corruption is one of the six National Key Result Areas (NKRA) announced in January 2012.

“He promised to make corruption a matter of ‘the past’ in Malaysia,” he said.

Abolish AES: Do Not Confuse the People

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SHAH ALAM, 23 Oct: The proposal to cancel all outstanding summonses of the Automated Enforcement System (AES) by the acting Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, only adds confusion to the already burdened people.

The idea by the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government is claimed to be unfair to the people when they proposed to cancel summonses issued prior to 18 September and will only reduce the compound from RM300 to RM150 after that date.

The Legal Adviser for the Anti Postal Summons Campaign (KASE), Zulhazmi Sharif said that the government should wait until a comprehensive review on the implementation of the AES by the AES Steering Committee is complete before issuing any misleading statements.

“The proposal is premature and unfair. This is because the comprehensive review of the implementation of the AES is still pending and is incomplete. The announcement is only to reassure the people who already burdened and confused with the implementation of the AES since 22 September 2012,” he told TVSelangor today.

He was commenting on a statement made by Hishammuddin that there are other options that will be forwarded to the Cabinet by the Ministry of Transport to give justice and public interest on the issue of AES summons dated before 18 September.

At the House of Representatives yesterday, the ministry stated that 882,298 AES summons have been issued, and 91,457 from the amount has been paid involving the collection of RM27.4 million as of 8 October.

In relation to that, Zulhalmi said all summonses issued since 22 September should be cancelled and the entire execution should be halted until the review is completed by the committee, if the AES is to be cancelled.

“When all the summons are cancelled, the amount of compound fees and fines that have been paid should be refunded to recipients of the summonses. Until now, BN has failed to respond to my challenge to prove that there is a line in the AES summon, or the Road Transport Act 1987, that states that it is mandatory to pay summons and compounds.

“If there is, I will pay all the summons. But the government should cancel all summons and refund the collected money when it is proven what is claimed is true,” he said.

Budget 2014: National Deficit Expected to Increase by One Percent

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SHAH ALAM, 23 Oct: The Budget 2014 is expected to reach RM270 billion, involving an increase of nine percent compared to RM260 billion for the Budget 2013.

The increase is expected to cause the national fiscal deficit to increase by about 0.5 percent to one percent.

Terengganu PKR Chairman, Azan Ismail said the budget which will be tabled by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak on 25 October will record a deficit for the 16th time in a row.

“This year, the amount if RM260 billion, but it may increase by about RM10 billion for 2014. This increase would cause the national deficit to increase by about one percent or at least 0.5 percent,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Azan said the approach used by Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, proves that the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government has failed in controlling spending by being responsible and prudent.

“For Pakatan Rakyat (PR), we will not guarantee a balanced budget, but we will try to present a budget where the deficit is not too high.

“If the increase in expenditure is RM10 billion to RM15 billion, we too have to increase to curb a higher increase in deficit,” he said.

Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, presented the Alternative Budget summary which amounts to RM262 billion, compared to an estimated revenue of RM228 billion, with the deficit of RM34 billion, on 21 October.

Among the contributing factor involved in the reduction is that the emoluments that are reduced by 10 percent involves operating expenses that do not include emoluments and the effort is a part of the long-term measures to reduce the country’s debt of over RM500 billion.

Pakatan Rakyat’s Alternative Budget the Manifestation of Caring for the People

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SHAH ALAM, 23 Oct: Jingga 13 fully supports the tabling of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Alternative Budget 2014 which is evidently the ‘Budget that Cares about the People’ which is able to lift the country’s economy, reduce deficit and is realistic.

The presentation which was done by Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Member of Parliament for Bagan, Lim Guan Eng and Member of Parliament for Tumpat, Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar, proves that PR is consistent in efforts to reduce the burdens of the people as well as prioritising welfare as the main thrust towards improving the country’s financial management.

The Chief Coordinator for Jingga 13, Fariz Musa, said that the tabling also witnesses PR’s efforts to steer the people’s economy towards improving the people’s wellbeing and quality of life.

“Leakages, wastage, abuse of power, corruption and transformation failure under the administration of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also the Finance Minister, can be seen every time he Auditor-General’s Report is presented.

“The rising deficit and national debt is impacting the economic growth and the people have to shoulder it as a result of bias practiced by the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government,” he said in a press statement today.

He said that Jingga 13 also welcomed the move to review and postpone the National Service (NS) programme which is not showing resounding success through its implementation.

“Not one study has been carried out by the government to ensure the success that can be obtained from the programme despite its implementation costing RM800 million every year.

“The Auditor-General’s Report each year is like ‘pouring water on yam leaves’. Till now, the Government has failed to address, prevent and improve so that the people’s money is used well and prudently.

“The decisive action in the PR Alternative Budget 2014 to ensure that action is taken against misconduct, wastage and abuse of power of certain ministries also proves serious commitment in ensuring that the country’s finances are responsibly managed. This budget is a manifestation of ‘Caring for the People’ which is very effective and conducive for the people of Malaysia,” he said.

Two Corner Clash for Sungai Limau By-Elections

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SHAH ALAM, 23 Oct: The Sungai Limau State Legislative Assembly (DUN) By-Election will witness a straight fight between PAS candidate, Mohd Azam Abd Samad and BN candidate, Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim.

The announcement was made by the By-Election Management Officer, Abdul Rashid Othman at the nomination centre in Dato’ Madi Hall in Yan, Kedah, this morning.

The Sungai Limau DUN which is under the Jerai Parliament has 27,287 registered voters, with 40 percent of them being young voters, and the Election Commission (EC) has set 4 November as the polling day.

Mohd Azam in a Harakah Daily report said that he is ready to take on the responsibility entrusted by the party and will continue the legacy left by the former Assemblyman of the area, the late Tan Sri Azizan Abd Razak.

He said the responsibility is heavy and is large enough to continue PAS victory for five term in the said constituency.

“I am overwhelmed to be entrusted by the party leadership to represent PAS in the By-Elections this time.

“This is a heavy responsibility for me, especially to maintain the victory obtained by PAS for five terms,” he said.

Earlier, the PAS President, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang led a procession with the top leadership of Pakatan Rakyat, which included the Kedah PAS Commissioner Datuk Mahfuz Omar, the Deputy President of PKR Mohd Azmin Ali and the Member of Parliament for Sungai Petani, Datuk Johari Abdul.

The Sungai Limau By-Election is being carried out following Azizan’s death due to heart disease and diabetes on 26 September.

Selangor Government Targets for 35,000 RMM in Five Years

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SHAH ALAM, 22 Oct: The Selangor Government is targeting for 35,000 affordable housing units (RMM) in the next five years.

The Executive Councillor in charge of Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement, Iskandar Abdul Samad, said that the government will increase the number of affordable homes through the Housing & Development Board (HDB) or but existing affordable homes and place it under the HDB.

Through the Harakah Daily portal, he said the RM450 million allocation is aimed to involve the construction of 5,000 to 7,000 affordable housing units over the next five years.

“From the total projects of private and subsidiary companies of the state government, we target for 35,000 units of affordable homes to be built in Selangor in the stipulated period.

“We will not sell all the units because a part of it will be rented out to those who cannot afford to buy a house,” he said.

Iskandar said the State Government is focusing on private companies by placing requirements to build affordable housing in the first term of the Pakatan Rakyat administration.

“The housing problem is not just in terms of house prices, but the low income of the people. So to accommodate the number of people who cannot afford to buy a home, we will create homes to be rented to them, such as council homes,” he said.

Parliament: RM52 Billion Bumiputera Shares Issue ‘Trivial’

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KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Oct: The House of Representatives rejected an oral question by the Member of Parliament for Bagan, Lim Guan Eng, on the issue of the RM52 billion shares which were supposed to be given to Bumiputeras because the matter was deemed ‘trivial’ and ‘superficial’.

The refusal, as stated in a letter, was on grounds that a query cannot contain any argument, thought, accusation, praise or vilification or contain any misleading words, sarcastic or offensive, or regarding anything superficial or requesting information on trivial matters.

Guan Eng, who is also the Chief Minister of Penang, said that the reason for the refusal is unreasonable and contrary to the principles of democracy.

“What has happened pollutes the smooth operation of Parliament as the supreme body in the government. If they (House of Representatives) think certain sentences are inappropriate, they can filter sentences which they deem offensive.

“The issue of lost shares is not trivial, so why is the question rejected with the same reason? They gave their own trivial reasons to questions raised,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Prior to this, Guan Eng asked the government to explain why a Royal Commission of Inquiry was not established to investigate the biggest scandal in Malaysia involving the loss of RM52 billion shares which should have been given to Bumiputeras.

“It is not because we want these shares, but it is a big issue which needs to be investigated so that the missing shares can be found and distributed to the poor,” he said.

He said that the application was made based on an article published by Bernama dated 20 June 2009, where the Prime Minister had been quoted as saying that of the RM54 billion in shares allocated, only RM2 billion worth of shares were left in the hands of Bumiputeras.

Residents of PJS 9 Confused with the Change in Postcode

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SUBANG JAYA, 18 Oct: The residents of Petaling Jaya Selatan (PJS) 9 are confused with the change in postcode by Pos Malaysia for Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya.

Based on the notice issued by Pos Malaysia earlier this month, the new postcode for Subang Jaya, which also involved PJS 9 and PJS 11, is 47500.

The change is due to the Election constituency division which set for PJS 7, PJS 9 and PJS 11, which is located in Bandar Sunway, to be placed under the Subang Jaya State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).

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Meanwhile, the Desa Mentari area involving PJS 8 and PJS 10, is placed under the Seri Setia DUN and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

The Deputy Chairman of the PJS 9 Rukun Tetangga (Neighbourhood Watch), Mohamad Noor said that he is confused by the change in the postcode as his identity card still uses the 46150 postcode, and states that it is in the area of Subang Jaya, while the same postcode printed on his driving licence but is registered as being in Petaling Jaya.

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“The new changes to the 47500 Subang Jaya postcode will burden residents, especially in matters involving correspondence address,” he said in a press conference here at the PJS 9/14 field today.

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The Chairman of the PJS 9 Rukun Tetangga, Goh Hai Thun said that his identity card and driving licence still uses the 46150 postcode which is registered as being in Petaling and can be contacted for correspondence.

“As a committee member for the residents, we would like to know the main reason for this postcode change which occurred without informing the residents. We live in PJS, which means Petaling Jaya Selatan and if we are to be put under Subang Jaya, it should be changed to SS.

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Meanwhile, the Subang Jaya Assemblywoman, Hannah Yeoh, who was also present at the press conference, said that the latest announcement confused residents, especially when involving important documents because several agencies should be notified regarding the change in postcode.

“We have a sophisticated MyKad system and residents do not have to go to the National Registration Department (JPN) to change their postcode. Instead, JPN should automatically inform about the change.

“Pos Malaysia should inform the residents of this change, however, until now, we do not know whether they are changing it or not, including informing important agencies such as Bank Negara and the Land Office to change the postcode in their systems,” she said.

KSSB Intensifies Sand Mining Monitoring

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DENGKIL, 17 Oct: Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) will intensify monitoring of sand mining areas to ensure the quality of river water is preserved.

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The Chief Executive Officer of KSSB, Datuk Dr Azimuddin Bahari said that they have set up a Monitoring Committee tasked to monitor all sand mining activities by providing reports every two weeks.

“We will conduct tight monitoring to ensure that appointed contractors do not break the rules set,” he told TVSelangor at the Ibadah Korban (Sacrificial) Ceremony organised by KSSB here at the As-Shariff Mosque.

Azimuddin said KSSB’s role is to assist the State Government in maintaining the river water irrigation system from flooding.

“KSSB assists in terms of flood mooring and sand dredging to smoothen the river water flow,” he said,

Azimuddin said the three appointed contractors have been terminated for violating regulations.

The Korban ceremony was attended by over 300 staff of KSSB and local residents, with six cows being sacrificed.