Tag: Focus Rakyat

Wong Chen: Tackle Crime Holistically

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SHAH ALAM, 31 Oct: The crime problem should be addressed holistically instead of only focusing on law enforcement alone, stressed the Member of Parliament for Kelana Jaya, Wong Chen.

Wong Chen said, the economic aspect should also be given serious attention, like the enforcement of law, in curbing criminal activity in the country.

“Suppose one criminal commits armed robbery every day, the country will witness 365 criminal cases throughout the year.

“Imagine if 10 thousand criminals have the same commitment. How many police officers are required to handle this problem?” he asked when contacted by TVSelangor.

Wong Chen said that he urges for the Federal Government to be more concerned with a more efficient administrative management in providing a better economic environment for the masses.

The lives of the people, which is becoming more pressing due to the growing economic pressure, should be taken into account.

Wong Chen said, criminals in this country are committed in making crime a permanent career to a point of smuggling firearms from neighbouring countries.

“People who are desperate enough to risk tremendously would fall into the criminal arena. If the government continues to not be concerned with this matter, more people will fall into criminal activities.

“On this factor, the economy plays an important role because if job opportunities for the people are more secure, with favourable returns, crime will no longer be a career option,” he said.

MBPJ Adds CCTV to Enhance Security

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KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is taking proactive measures to add more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at pedestrian walks around the Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations near Taman Mayang.

The move is being made following the death of a student, Dickson Wong from Sarawak, who was attacked by snatch thieves near the LRT station two days ago.

The MBPJ Public Relations Unit, in a statement, said that the effort to add CCTVs at the area has received approval from the Mayor, Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad and will be done within two weeks.

“The Council will also require for commercial premises, in their renewal of licence, to provide and install CCTVs at their premises to help maintain security together,” stated the press release.

In addition to the installation of CCTVs, the Council will also work with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to patrol around the area.

Dickson, who is in a coma, was found covered in blood near the LRT station in Taman Mayang after being attacked by snatch thieves.

Eliminating Subsidies is a Severe Punishment to the People

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GOMBAK, 31 Oct: The central government’s move to eliminate subsidies on essential goods in the Budget 2014 is a ‘severe punishment’ to the people seeing that the government does not adopt prudent spending, thus costing billions of the people’s money.

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The Assemblyman for Gombak Setia, Hasbullah Ridzwan said the low to middle-income earners will continue to be squeezed by economic constraints as a result of the elimination of the subsidies.

“We see this as a disaster for the people when the recent budget retracted subsidies of essential goods such as sugar, especially when a festive celebration is coming up,” he told TVSelangor.

Hasbullah said, the central government should adopt the concept of prudent spending and find ways to overcome the national deficit.

“The government should think of finding alternative measures to reduce the deficit and their weaknesses in administration.

“Let not the people, who are already suffering from rising prices of goods, be punished again in the budget,” said Hasbullah.

Prior to that, Hasbullah accompanied participants of the Diwali Jom Shopping (Let’s Go Shopping) programme organised by the Gombak Setia State Legislative Assembly and took the opportunity to mingle with other visitors at the Batu Caves Giant mall.

A total of 300 participants received shopping vouchers worth RM100.

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Malaysiakini’s Victory Good News for National Media Freedom

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: The victory of the news portal, Malaysiakini, in the appeal case against the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), which did not want to issue a publishing permit to the online news portal, is good news thus opening a new chapter of media freedom in the country.

The former President of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mohd Hatta Wahari said, the decision made by the Court of Appeal today is an important point in preparing the people and national leaders towards a mentality that is equivalent to that of first world countries.

Mohd Hatta also hopes that Malaysiakini’s victory will encourage other media to publish a variety of media materials to convey more transparent information to the people.

“This is good news, the recognition of media freedom, because previously what was implemented by the current government does not follow the new world order in freedom of information.

“Freedom of information is also very important so that accurate information can be delivered and it is left to the people to evaluate the move by the government or the opposition.

“Through media freedom, our country can be led towards being a developed country, not just in terms of development, but also in its mentality,” Mohd Hatta said when contacted by TVSelangor today.

Mohd Hatta also considers the decision today as a protest against the leadership pattern of the government led by BN since 56 years ago towards the country’s media practitioners.

The Court of Appeal today unanimously dismissed the Home Ministry and government’s appeal against a High Court judgment that Malaysiakini portal operator Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd be issued a publication permit and also allowed a costs of RM5,000 to be paid to Mkini Dotcom.

The decision was made after the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed the KDN’s order to not issue a publication licence to the publisher of Malaysiakini, Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd.

House of MIC Chief’s Widow Burned, Receives Support from Melawati CSC

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: Despite her late husband being known for serving MIC when he was alive, the suffering due to a fire at the house occupied by Devi a/p Raman, 66, three months ago was ignored by the party representing the Indian community.

However, Devi was fortunate when the Coordinator of the Melawati constituency Community Service Centre (CSC), S.Manikavasagam, together with the Api-Api Parish Headman, Husain Idris, came forward to offer help to the single mother.

Manikavasagam said, among the assistance provided includes a cash contribution of RM500 presented by the Kuala Selangor District and Land Office, as well as building materials such as wood and Nypa leafs from the Melawati CSC.

“The late S.Anandan, the former Kampung Telok Piah MIC Branch Chief, used to serve in the MIC and was previously given a medal of honour by Tan Sri V.Manickavasagam for his services.

“However now, when his wife encounters difficulties and her house was damaged by fire, not on of the MIC leaders came to visit or help out. Where is the slogan ‘MIC Cares’,” Manikavasagam said to TVSelangor.

Manikavasagam said, as a result of the fire which brought an estimated loss of about RM75,000, Devi also lost her source of income from a small food business she ran out of her house.

Devi, who will be celebrating Deepavali soon, has also been included in the ‘Jom Shopping’ (Let’s Go Shopping) programme in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration which is being held at the Giant hypermarket in Pasir Penampang today.

“All the assistance rendered is actually not enough, but at least it is able to ease the suffering and burden shouldered by Devi,” added Manikavasagam.

PR Urges Central Government to Revoke Protection of Companies Monopolising the Sugar Market

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KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Oct: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) urges the Central Government to revoke the raw sugar procurement system and the protection of companies monopolising the sugar market in this country resulting in the higher price of sugar.

Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua, said that the action to revoke would allow for the government to offer a lower sugar price for the people after opening up the market involving sugar companies in the country.

He said, with the elimination of the monopoly, the people will enjoy lower prices for sugar and sugar companies will become more efficient by not having to rely on government assistance.

“Pakatan Rakyat is of the opinion that the monopoly of sugar companies does not benefit the people at all.

“It is better to open the sugar market and let the price of sugar be determined by competition between companies and suppliers of sugar,” said Tony Pua in a press statement at the Parliament lobby.

Tony Pua said the method of importing raw sugar from companies abroad is just a trick to get a lower cost, enabling the company involved to gain handsomely.

“If sugar prices are set by the government, it should not increase their (companies) profits by so much.

“We suspect that the government is importing raw sugar to enable these companies to gain more profit,” he said.

Yesterday, Tony Pua revealed that the sugar price hike is not on the basis of subsidy cuts, rather it stems from the Central Government’s move to sign the raw sugar agreement at a high price.

In January 2012, the Minister of Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives (KPDNKK), Datuk Ismail Sabri, announced that the government has signed a three-year deal to import raw sugar at the price of USD25 per 100lbs.

As a result, the people are forced to enjoy sugar that is more expensive due to the agreement signed by the KPDNKK last year.

Student: Government in a Hurry to Implement GST

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: The Central Government is in a hurry to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will burden the people when there is no mechanism to increase the people’s income.

The President of Student Solidarity Malaysia (SMM) Safwan Anang, said that the Central Government has been urged to first solve the problem of corruption, leakages and improvidence occurring in expenses, as reported in the Auditor-General’s Report before the GST is implemented.

He said students will be affected and impacted from the implementation of the GST at the rate of 6 percent starting from 1 April 2015 because they are also consumers who buy goods and necessities.

“If the federal government does not want to hear the sound of protest, together, students are ready to mobilise this voice of protest,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor.

Safwan hopes that students will enhance awareness and understanding of the implementation of the GST so that they are able to be the people’s spokespeople.

“When the campus elections are still hot, it is hoped that the GST will also be debated. But unfortunately, this did not happen due to external political interference which has caused the GST issue to be quiet,” he said.

The introduction of the GST at a rate of six percent will be more burdensome for the young people because 82.5 percent of them earn RM3,000 and below.

The impact will be felt by the young people when the rate of inflation rises due to the increase in price of goods and services while income has not changed much.

RM3.14 Million Allocated to Improve Traffic Flow at Jalan Othman, Petaling Jaya

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PETALING JAYA, 30 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) decided to spend RM3.14 million to demolish the roundabout at Jalan Othman and replace it with traffic lights to solve the traffic congestion faced by motorists.

Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Selatan, Hee Loy Sian said the project which will be completed within the next 10 months is expected to improve traffic flow in the area.

“Originally, this project would take eight months. However, because technical issues caused by piping and wiring in the area, we expect for the project to be completed in September (next year),” he said.

“Currently, motorists in the area would need to take an hour to pass through the roundabout.

After the project is completed, we expect motorists to save 80 percent of the time taken currently,” said Loy Sian.

Hee Loy said this during the ground breaking ceremony of the Jalan Othman Roundabout Upgrading Project, together with the Assemblyman for Bukit Gasing, Rajiv Rishyakaran.

He said, this upgrading project will benefit residents of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 18, as well as those using the road leading to Puchong, Kota Damansara and Serdang.

Loy Sian urged the public to be patient at this point while waiting for the traffic lights to be set up in the specified period.

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CM Visits SP Setia Bhd Housing Project

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim spent over half an hour visiting the latest apartment housing project using the ‘prefabricated’ method which is being developed by a leading property developer, SP Setia Berhad.

During the visit to the project site, Abdul Khalid, who was accompanied by Selangor State Excos, was given detailed descriptions regarding the housing project by the Chief Operating Officer of SP Setia, Datuk Voon Tin Yow.

The housing project, among others, is being built near the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and Jalan Meru, Klang, with house area estimated at 850 square feet each.

A total of 3,960 apartment units at the 11-storey buildings are being offered at the market price of RM220,000, and has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and other facilities such as a swimming pool.

The medium-cost apartment project commenced building over a year ago and targets families with a household income of about RM3,000 per month.

It is understood that the housing project has been fully sold to the public.

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Selangor Provides Opportunity for University Students to be ‘Representatives of the People’

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SHAH ALAM, 29 Oct: Students of institutes of higher learning (IPT) have the opportunity to experience the real proceedings at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly (DUN) as ‘representatives of the people’ through the Selangor Young Assemblyman 2013 Programme from 16 to 18 December.

The programme, which is being organised for the first time, is a state government initiative to educate the younger generation on the role and responsibility of an Assemblyman, as well as provide exposure to the political world at an early stage.

The Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker, Hannah Yeoh, said the objective of the programme is to foster the attitude of leadership and cooperation between participants as well as to produce future leaders who have calibre and are responsible.

“The Selangor Young Assemblyman Programme organised by the Speaker’s Office and the DUN Office is especially for IPT students around Selangor to provide them a chance to experience real proceedings of the council,” she said in a press statement at her office this today.

Also present was the DUN Deputy Speaker, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad; the Assemblywoman of Damansara Utama, Yeo Bee Yin; the Assemblyman for Bukit Gasing, Rajiv Rishyakaran and the Assemblyman for Gombak Setia Hasbullah Mohd Ridzwan.

Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi said the programme is open to students between 18 to 24 years from public and private institutes of higher learning, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and student associations.

“This year, only 30 students will be chosen to participate in this programme. If the response is encouraging, we plan to run this programme two times a year,” he said.

He said participants will be given the opportunity to voice their opinions and ask the government about policies, especially those impacting the younger generation, in addition to providing the opportunity to bring up suggestions to introduce new laws in Selangor.

“Participants will play the role of an Assemblyman in the council session, together with the Speaker and I, the Deputy Speaker. The programme also received the attention of state government executive councillors who are expected to take part in the session.

In relation to that, those interested in participating in the programme can apply online at www.adunmudaselangor.com before 8 November.

Reduction in JPM Contract Worker’s Income Helps Avoid Wastage

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KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Oct: The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Run Razak, has been urged to reduce the income of contract workers under the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) which is far higher from the income of civil servants.

The Member of Parliament for Serdang, Dr Ong Kian Ming said the reduction in the income of contract workers can reduce JPM’s expanses which will leap to the highest level next year.

He said the reduction can be seen as avoiding wastage in the high payment for the department.

“If Najib is serious in asking the people to change their lifestyles by shouldering the high cost of living because subsidies have been reduced, in addition to the goods and services (GST) being introduced, he too should reduce JPM’s expanses,” he said in a press conference here at the Parliament lobby today.

Kian Ming gave the example where the wage and allowance of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Innovation Agency Malaysia amounts to RM830,500 per year, which is about RM69,000 per month.

In addition to that, the CEO of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is paid a wage and allowance of RM622,000 a year, while the CEO of TalentCorp is paid RM420,000 a year.

He said that the income of the three CEOs are far higher compared to the National Secretary-General who receives RM23,577 per month.

“These examples involve a portion of agencies under the JPM, in fact there are more CEOs that receive incomes that far exceed that of Senior Managers of the same rank with Grade 54, but are paid far higher,” he said.

In relation to that, Kian Ming said Najib should also stop the establishment of new agencies such as Green Foundation (Yayasan Hijau) because existing agencies such as Malaysia GreenTech has the same function as the foundation which is to be developed.

The JPM budget leaped by 13 percent, making the amount RM16.45 billion and the amount is the highest allocation, breaking the previous record of RM15.62 billion (2011), which was announced in the National Budget 2014 on 25 October.

The Poor too have to Pay the GST

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SHAH ALAM, 29 Oct: The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) may bring about negative effects to the poor who have to pay it once it is implemented on 1 April 2015.

The former Assistant Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Dr Rosli Yaakob said the impact of the GST is comprehensive and would affect all economic networks, thus bringing about the impact of an increase in prices for a majority of basic food.

“The poor also become a victim of the GST because they are forced to pay it and this will only add to the tax burden on all levels of society because they are all consumers.

“Although the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that several basic food will not be imposed the GST, but it is not a guarantee that the price of the goods involved will be maintained,” he said in the Harakah Daily portal.

Yaakob, who is also the PAS Economic Expert, said the announcement of the implementation of the GST is also deliberately done at a period where it is still a long way before the 14th General Election (GE-14).

“Barisan Nasional (BN) assumes by the time of the GE-14, the impact of the GST which initially outraged the people would have settled and they would continue to support BN,” he said.

Dr Rosli said Najib’s claim that GST rate in Malaysia is the lowest, at the rate of six percent compared to Singapore and Indonesia, is not supported by any other statement.

“One fact that Najib failed to mention is that in Singapore, corporate and personal taxes are lower, between 16 to 17 percent.

“In Malaysia, despite announcing that it may go down by one to two percent, is that the rates of both the taxes are still high, between 23 to 24 percent,” he said.