Tag: Equitable Distribution

KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 7: PKR alleges that there is yet another sinister contrivance to manipulate the voter registry by not going through Rang Daftar Pemilih Tambahan (RDPT) that is displayed in every quarter of the year.

This is revealed by Kuantan MP, Fuziah Salleh in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

According to her, such inconsistency in the voter registry can be regarded as a sheer failure on the part of the Election Commission (EC) while not ruling out the possibility that this has been manipulated by it (EC).

‘RDPT is an ‘audit trail’ in the voter registry and EC should be able to tally up the number of confirmed voters in the voter registry in every quarter of the year via this method.’

‘Instead, it is discovered that EC failed to do so. It simply takes in and out any names without first displaying their names’, she said in the company of Gombak MP, Azmin Ali.

For example, the outcome of the voter registry audit in the fourth quarter of 2011 and voter registry in the first quarter of 2012 as provided by the EC to PAC for Kuantan Parliament (P083) reveals that there are 155 names that have been entered into the voter registry without first going through RDPT.

‘We have discovered that the struck-out names displayed have been re-entered into the voter registry P083 despite no objection.’

There are 40, 000 names throughout the country. As many as 15 postal votes (police and army) have been entered without having their names displayed.

‘There are names that have been entered in without having their names displayed. Normally, they were voters from other areas previously’, she said.

According to Fuziah, there are 433 voters’ names that are not in the voter registry without first being displayed.

‘We found out that a huge number of voters are not in the record. Even if they had passed away, it would not possibly reach more than 400 names.’

‘Apart from that, a huge number have been moved to other parliaments without having their names displayed and the number of voters whose names have been displayed out of the record consist mainly of public and postal voters’, she added.

Therefore, she demands that EC come forward and clarify.

She said this proved that EC did not clear up the names and further hinted that it was likely that it was done intentionally.

SABAK BERNAM, NOV 7: UMNO-BN are being very hypocritical when it pillories PKR Deputy President, Nurul Izzah over her statement that is deemed insulting to Islam yet the party chooses to keep silent about the atrocity happening within the party caused by its leaders themselves.

The Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that UMNO-BN had made an unfounded allegation against Nurul Izzah and that he accused the party of pretending to be a defender of Malays and Islam.

However UMNO-BN itself are being cagey about others issues involving its leaders.

‘Go investigate and ask her (Nurul Izzah) if it is true or otherwise, if you must. I am wondering why they (UMNO-BN) are completely silent about the San Miguel factory belonging to Mahathir’s (former Prime Minister) son.’

‘They have been very critical of her and emphatically insist that the Islamic Religious Department take action against her immediately, but I am wondering what stand they are likely to be inclined to take if it is one that involves UMNO-BN leaders’, he said during a speech in Dataran Tanah Lesen Parit Baru, Sabak Bernam, last night.

While sitting on a panel during a forum ‘Islamic Country: Whose Version? Whose Responsibility’ in Subang Jaya last Saturday, Nuruh Izzah said that Malaysia should not impose on its citizens a specific religious values in spite of themselves.

When her statement was published in the front page of Utusan Malaysia newspaper, several NGOs such as Perkasa and Puteri UMNO had since endlessly urged her to repent and retract her misleading statement which could reflect badly on the society generally and Islam specifically.

However, Nurul Izzah insisted that her statements had been manipulated and that she had instructed her lawyers, Hanipa Maidin and Sulaiman Abdullah to file a suit against Utusan Malaysia newspaper, Berita Harian newspaper, and others.

Previously, MCA President, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had repeatedly made a confusing statement regarding the implementation of Hudud law in Malaysia. Nevertheless, UMNO-BN main leaders including Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak had never said a word but instead remained completely silent about it.

Also present during the speech were Batu Caves State Assemblyman, Amirudin Shari, Director of Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), Badrul Hisham and the former senior lecturer in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Dr. Abdul Aziz Bari.

On another issue, Dr. Aziz Bari hoped that all residents in Sabak Bernam would give PR a chance in the upcoming General Election to implement beneficial policies that PR had been determinedly working on.

Previously, Dr. Abdul Aziz was declared his candidacy in Sabak Bernam parliament.

‘Even though there are some minor spats in the PR-led states, such spats are not due to projects.’

‘Rather, it is because of some discussion concerning the welfare of the people’, he said while delivering a speech in front of hundreds of residents who were present despite the torrential rain.

SHAH ALAM, NOV 7: Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA) or Shah Alam Municipal Council is offering RM 20, 000 to the winner of the short film video competition with its theme on cleanliness and environmental care.

MBSA Corporate Department’s Deputy Director, Shahrin Ahmad says that the competition is divided into 2 categories. The first one is open to all while the second one is open to all students from public and private universities.

He said that the competition commencing from 7th November 2012 until 7th January 2013 aimed at educating the public in general so that everyone would realise the responsibility of taking good care of the cleanliness of Shah Alam city.

‘For the first category, the winner will bring home RM 5, 000 cash, followed by the first runner-up with RM 3, 000 cash, the second runner-up with RM 2, 000 cash, as well as other 5 who will receive RM 500 cash each as a consolation prize with certificates of participation for all participants.’

‘For the IPTA/IPTS category, RM 3, 000 will be given away to the winner, RM 2, 000 to the first runner-up, RM 1, 000 to the second runner-up alongside other 5 consolation prizes worth RM 300 with certificates of participation for all participants’, he said.

He further added that the rules and regulations of the competitions were, among others, the duration of the video that must not exceed 10 minutes, and that all participants were at liberty to produce a video in a form of animation, short film, or documentary, whichever best suited to their creativity.

Each video must depict commendable elements of cleanliness and that it must contain a video-formatted synopsis in the form of mpeg, he explained.

SHAH ALAM, NOV 7: According to the State Government, it has so far relocated seven farmers whom it considers ‘critical’ while the remaining four are still awaiting to be moved to Hulu Selangor.

Those 11 farmers are regarded as ‘critical’ and will be relocated to a 100 acre land in Taman Kekal Pengeluaran Makanan (TKPM) at Sungai Nilam, Hulu Selangor.

Agricultural Modernisation, Natural Resources Management and Entrepreneurial Development Exco, Dr. Yaakob Sapari said that the relocation had involved 698 cows.

He said that out of the above-mentioned number, 563 cows had been relocated while the remaining 135 cows had yet to be moved.

The farmers who are under the ‘critical’ category involve those from Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, and Subang Jaya.

For the record, 11 farmers involve those under the ‘critical’ category while a number of 282 farmers are under the ‘problematic’ category.

‘In a meanwhile, we are only relocating those who are under the ‘critical’ category. It includes those who have been rearing cattle in the housing areas, mosques, and other places that could potentially cause disturbance to the public’, he said.

Previously, approximately 300 farmers were faced with location issue.

Most of them are facing land and location problems to carry out their activities. This flows from the fact that they have been carry out their activities in the reserved land belonging to the government, developers and other government agencies such as Drainage and Irrigation Department.

They urge the State Government to grant them a piece of land as promised so that they can carry out their activities without let or hindrance.

Responding to that, Yaakob explained that the State Government would relocate the farmers in stages.

He further added that the State Government had already planned to relocate them to other areas.

‘They (farmers) must understand that in Selangor, the land is strictly limited. Therefore the process might be slightly time-consuming.’

‘Should there be other problem, we would consider other options which is ‘modern farming’. For the time being, it is only in Kuala Selangor. However, if we receive any complaints that the area is not suitable for them because of ravine, we would consider reclaiming the area.’

‘Furthermore, not all farmers fall under such ‘critical’ category’, he added.

Previously, Yaakob informed that the second phase would involve a relocation of other 20 farmers to two 120 acre lands in Sungai Gumut and Rasah respectively. Hulu Selangor is still under consideration due to some problems.

The allocation of RM 400, 000 to build and develop those two areas are still at the infrastructure development phase.

PETALING JAYA, NOV 6: Nearly 500 residents of Taman Desaria, Kelana Jaya have to endure the strong smell coming from an illegal refuse disposal site everyday. It is believed that the site is located less than 100 metres from their houses.

The said site is located near the Sungai Penchala riverbank and it is believed that it has been operating for a month and that it has been frequented by nearly 30 waste vehicles.

According to the Zone 24 council member of Petaling Jaya Municipal Council, Azman Yusof, the one who is responsible to open up the site is believed to have disposed off the garbage by fire in the evening thereby causing unbearable smell.

The garbage trucks are also known to have frequented the place at night to avoid suspicion by the authority.

‘The residents, especially the elderly are terribly disturbed by the smell which could jeopardise their health.’

‘I urge that immediate action be taken so that the illegal disposal site be closed down’, he said.

Kelana Jaya MP, Loh Gwo-Burne alleged that the site belonged to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and he hoped that TNB would take necessary action to solve the issue.

Gwo-Burne said when he went to the site after having received the complaint from the Taman Desaria PJS 5 residents.
‘We hope that TNB could cooperate to solve this problem as the land belongs to it’, he added.

He also urged the PJ Municipal Council to close down the site.

Also present was Seri Setia State Assemblyman, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and a group of enforcement officers from PJ Municipal Council.

According to Nik Azmi, residents are encouraged to cooperate with PJ Municipal Council by providing information on the garbage trucks that frequent the site.

It is hoped that it could be done so that appropriate action could be taken against them.

‘We hope that identification of the refuse vehicles through their registration number could be made at the PJ Municipal Council database.’

‘If they are registered under PJ Municipal Council, then immediate action could be taken against them’, he concluded.

KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 6: Pakatan Rakyat’s Education Committee urges the Education Ministry to explain about the contradiction in the budget between National Education Blueprint (NEB) and development expenditure 2006-2010 of the Education Ministry.

Lembah Pantai MP, Nurul Izzah Anwar said that such contradiction must be clarified because it would determine the success or failure of NEB.

In a press interview at the Parliament lobby today, Nurul Izzah explained that initially the development expenditure from 2006 until 2010 was RM 17.9 billion, but the actual expenditure was RM 8.6 million.

‘It is unfortunate that the figure is inconsistent with RM 19, 771 billion that had been allocated as development expenditure and therefore it must be clarified by the responsible ministry’, she emphasised.

She also expressed her concern over the failure to curb over-spending and other unnecessary expenses incurred.
She added that based on the World Bank Public Expenditure Review 2011, the management expenditure outweighed development expenditure at the rate of 10 percent from 2006 to 20120.

Therefore, she said that NEB had never indicated specific actions to be taken to deal with the issue of lack of spending in the development expenditure and over-spending in the management expenditure.

SHAH ALAM, NOV 6: Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) Selangor rails against the uncivilised attempt to instigate provocation during the Siri Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat program in Selangor recently.

Selangor SAMM Coordinator, Azhar Achil said that the attempts to throw a monkey wrench into the program by hiring some thugs to remove and put the PR flags on fire were totally irresponsible.

According to him, such acts were done at around 4 am in the morning while the program was being held in the northern part of Selangor.

‘As youths who reside in a developed state, they should work together towards expanding ideas among them which would eventually benefit the progress of both individuals and the state in all disciplines.’

‘Young people should not be fooled by some politically-driven quarters. They are advised to not cause provocation and disturbance in any program organised by anyone’, he said in a media interview here today.

Azhar urged the youths to join and be part of any peaceful demonstration with relevant issues to be championed upon such as insult against religion, corruption and misappropriation of money involving leaders in the country including those in the Scorpene case and the ‘dishonestly-secured’ contract of paddy seed purchase.

Despite the unwanted provocation, he said that Siri Jelajah Merdeka had received positive response as the event kicked off at Bandar Tun Razak Parliament (Pekan Sungai Besi), Tanjung Karang Parliament (Warung Ibu Nasi Ambeng), Sungai Besar Parliament (Tapak Uptown Sungai Besar), Sabak Bernam Parliament (Bagan Nakhoda Omar) Hulu Selangor Parliament (Felda Sungai Tengi, Bukit Beruntung, Pekan Rasa and Baru Batang Kali City Centre).

He further added that Selangor SAMM would urge the youths to stop doing such uncivilised action and that he advised them to work hard in order that the progress of the nation to a higher level would be possible.

SHAH ALAM, NOV 6: As many as 800 flood victims in Dengkil constituency have been relocated by the rescue teams to several temporary relief centres.

In this regard, Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Exco, Dr. Xavier Jayakumar has made a trip to visit and spend time with the victims. He has also been briefed on the matter by the Sepang District Officer who is also a Chairman of the District Natural Disaster Committee, Haris Kassim.

The briefing was held at the main relief centre in Dewan Orang Ramai Dengkil (Public Hall of Dengkil) where Dr. Xavier had been briefed on the rescue operation, aid and updates on the flood.

Dr. Xavier expressed the gratitude of the State Government towards the Social Welfare Department, RELA and Civil Defence Department, Sepang Municipal Council, and the police for staying alert around the clock to provide humanitarian aid to the victims.

He however expressed his concern because based on the forecast released by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (Weather Forecast), the rain would continue to persist for another 7 days and this would require those quarters involved to provide more relief centres to accommodate the victims throughout this period.

Apart from that, another relief centre for flood victims is Dewan Orang Ramai Desa Gemilang Dengkil.
After the session, Dr. Xavier was shown around the badly affected areas caused the flood in Kampung Ampar Tenang, Taman Permata flat house, and its neighbouring areas.

Also present was the Service Centre Coordinator of Dengkil constituency, Borhan Aman Shah.

KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 6: UMNO-BN is desperate for attention when it starts placing the religious card in its attempt to politicise the issue thereby causing an unhealthy political sphere in the country, said the Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to him, pluralism issue is being manipulated to distract public attention on the much serious issues of corruption and misappropriation of money that have never been disclosed to public at large.

He said these issues were never raised for clarification within the UMNO-BN leadership itself and that the prevalent manipulation of facts must be dealt with seriously.

‘I have explained many times that Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) has been sent down as the greatest blessing for all universally. That is by itself plural in nature.’

‘Pluralism means equalling all religions on the same basis. That is a question of faith. How would I explain that all religions are just the same? For example, I pray according to the teachings of Islam. I do not pray in Church.’

‘It is just a political stunt. At the end of the day, they are just trying to flex their muscle by pointing out our weaknesses when there are, as a matter of fact other more important issues like corruption and misappropriation of money that UMNO-BN religious leaders have been silent about. They are merely politicising the issue of pluralism’, he said while admitting that he was one of the victims in the manipulated article on religion.

He further added that Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself was incapable of fending off the attack by its ally, MCA that, in his opinion, was very cynical about religion.

‘(Datuk Seri) Chua Soi Lek made such statement in the presence of Datuk Seri Najib.’

‘Does he (Najib) have a gut to respond? He does not even have a stomach to speak out against (Datuk Seri) Chua’s statement. So they (UMNO-BN) end up lambasting our statements’, he said.

He further added that Islamic Religious Department must take actions against those who make misleading statements and those who are involved in the vice activities such as gambling and ‘San Miguel’.

‘Pluralism in religion happens when a person denigrates Islam. This includes rejecting any Islamic principles and regarding all religions as the same.’

‘I have never mentioned ‘pluralism’. What is wrong with respecting other religions?’, he questioned.

KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 6: PKR Vice President, Nurul Izzah Anwar is willing to co-operate with Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) in regards to her statement in a forum ‘Islamic State: Which Version? Whose Responsibility?’ if requested by the latter to clarify.

At the same time, she said, Utusan Malaysia newspaper must also be called to assist the investigation for manipulating her statement.

‘Yes, I hope JAIS will call Utusan Malaysia too for having published a defamatory statement on the issue of faith among Moslems’, she said at the Parliament lobby.

She added that she had been advised by her lawyer to not issue any statement regarding the matter.

‘I would urge that everyone refer to my statement in my blog as I have been advised by my lawyer to not issue any statement because he (my lawyer) will take further necessary action’, added the Lembah Pantai MP.

Yesterday, an article was published in the Utusan Malaysia front page with its headline that read ‘Melayu Bebas Pilih Agama?’ (Malays are free to profess any religion of their choice) quoting her statement in the Malaysiakini portal.

Quoting Sinar Harian newspaper today, JAIS Director, Datuk Marzuki Hussin said that she would only be called to come forward and clarify should JAIS receive other information that would further assist the investigation.

SHAH ALAM, NOV 6: Government authorities are advised to constantly be wary of unwanted incidents like flood and landslides in Selangor throughout this rainy reason so that it could be avoided.

Sri Muda, State Assemblyman, Shuhaimi Shafiei said that the flood incidents in his constituency on the last 27th October and a few day thereafter were very alarming.

He hoped that those responsible agencies namely, Majlis Perbandaran Shah Alam (Shah Alam Municipal Council), Majlis Perbandaran Klang (Klang Municipal Council) or State Council, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) and Public Works Department (JKR) would work hand in hand to resolve this issue.

‘We would advise that these agencies keep a weather eye on such possibilities so that actions could be taken accordingly if it happens.’

‘In our endeavour to curb it, it is hoped that Shah Alam Municipal Council, Klang Municipal Council, JPS and JKR expedite the plan to build a temporary retention pond in Sri Muda constituency so that it could manage the excess runoff before it goes through the normal irrigation’, he said during an interview with the Selangor TV here today.

Shuhaimi said that during the unfortunate flood incident on the last 27th October, 20 families had been relocated to Rumah Kebajikan Sri Munirah in Sri Muda constituency.

However, there was no relocation during the subsequent flood incident on the 31th October until 1st of November 2012.
‘We start distributing foods from morning until night to all victims and approximately, there were 530 families who had received the aid.’

‘I wish to express my gratitude to all parties especially Shah Alam Municipal Council, Klang Municipal Council, JKR, JPS, the office of Kota Raja MP, Village Council presided by a Village Head who are involved in the rescue of the victims.’

He further added that other areas in the Sri Muda constituency that were adversely affected were Kampung Johan Setia, Kampung Teluk Gong, Kampung Sri Nadi, Kampung Sri Gambut, Kampung Baru Satu and Dua, Kota Kemuning, Kampung Bukit Rimau, Kampung Bukit Naga, Kampung Jalan Kebun dan Kampung Harun Estate.

He requested that the State Government immediately provide help to the victims through Selangorku Grant not only in the Sri Muda Constituency but in all Klang areas entirely.

‘All parties must work closely to deal with this issue because based on the survey, it is discovered that the root of the problem is the attitude of the public at large especially developers.’

‘There are drainage and irrigation construction projects that are improperly managed. Public are also known to dispose of the waste at the improper places.’ he concluded.

SHAH ALAM, NOV 6: Taking for granted the very grave issue of integrity will cause UMNO-BN to go downhill during the upcoming 13th General Election.

According to the study conducted by the University Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL) recently, 66 percent respondent believed that the bad integrity demonstrated in the UMNO-BN leadership would adversely affect the party during the said election.

The study conducted from the 1st until 16th Sepetember 2012 also indicates a number of 60 percent respondents who believe that the issue of uncontrollable number of illegal immigrants into this country is bound to backfire UMNO-BN during the election.

Among other issues likely to reflect badly on UMNO-BN are Lynas issue with 59 percent, National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) with 55 percent, followed by 54 percent on the issue of UMNO-BN failure to reduce the crime rates in this country.

The study involving a whopping number of 1536 respondents also reveals that as many as 52 percent of the respondents believe that BERSIH Demonstration issue explains the deteriorating support towards UMNO-BN.

The study also concludes that the citizens are getting skeptical about the widespread media reports highlighting the weaknesses of the states under the administration of Pakatan Rakyat.

‘There is serious doubt about conflicting stands in PR leadership and the shortcomings in the administration as alleged by the media’, reads the summary of the report.’

On the same issue, Shah Alam MP, Khalid Samad, while commenting on the study expected that the voters during the GE-13 would take into account the issue of integrity and PR capability to take the helm of the county if it was given the chance.

‘Yes, I believe integrity and credibility are the key issues in the upcoming General Election.’

‘It is neither a question of racial feud between Chinese and Malay nor religious divide between Moslems and Non-Moslems. It is and always has been an issue of having a leader with good integrity whose capability in shaping a country into a bribery-free country is unquestionable’, he said during an interview with the Selangor TV.