Tag: Government Bodies

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

PKNS Asked to take Action to Overcome Problems of the Solid Waste System

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PETALING JAYA SELATAN, 17 Oct: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has been asked to take immediate action to overcome the solid waste system faced by the residents of the PKNS Apartments here in PJS 6.

The Assemblyman for Seri Setia, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said till now, there is still no consensus on the problem of solid waste management due to conflicts of jurisdiction between PKNS and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

According to him, immediate action must be taken to prevent residents of the apartment from facing health problems.

“We have found that there is a serious trash situation. We brought along representatives from PKNS and MBPJ. So far there has been no coordination.

“Because this is a huge apartment, I am worried that other health problems will arise,” he said.

A survey by TVSelangor found that the small trash hut reserved for the disposal of solid waste has failed to be managed well seeing that there are domestic waste disposal such as household goods and vehicle frames.

This situation invites an uncomfortable feel for residents and will lead to the breeding of rats which can threaten the health of local residents.

A local resident, Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Nasir, who lives in Block 5 said that the problem of trash heaps which has been happening since two years ago, has resulted in the breeding of mice.

“I hope there will be help from the government and cooperation between residents so that harmony can be maintained,” he said.

FOMCA Discovers Three Hypermarkets Selling Expired Food

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PETALING JAYA, 10 Oct: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) discovered three popular hypermarkets around the Klang Valley selling 75 expired food products.

At a press conference this morning, the FOMCA Communications Director, Saravanan Thambirajah, said the discovery was the result of an operation carried out from 2 to 7 October.

“Expired consumer products, especially food and medicines, may cause health problems to consumers.

“The risk related to expired products may be associated with harmful chemical and biological substances from bacteria, mould or fungus,” he said.

He said FOMCA has also found that the hypermarkets also sold food products which have no expiry dates, despite the requirements by the Food Regulations 1985 to label food products and mark the date.

“Labelling is the minimum requirement for food to ensure consumer rights to receive information for their safety,” he said.

Thus, Saravanan urged the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, to enforce the Food Regulations 1985 so that expired goods are taken off shelves.

IGP Should be hauled before the Chief Secretary’s Special Committee

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SHAH ALAM, 9 Oct: The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, should be hauled before the Chief Secretary’s Special Committee regarding the Auditor-General’s Report 2012 to explain about the loss of firearms and police assets instead of being made a member of the committee.

DAP Parliamentary Chief, Lim Kit Siang said, this matter is important because the Auditor-General, Tan Sri Ambrin Buang, denies that the police has given an explanation to the Audit Department about the loss of 44 firearms and other police assets.

“Ambrin refuted reports quoting the Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi that the Ministry had submitted a report to the Auditor-General on the missing police items but this explanation was not included in the 2012 Auditor-General’s Report.

“For this reason, the Inspector-General of Police should be hauled before the Special Committee to give a full and satisfactory explanation for the RM1.33 million worth of police assets which included 44 firearms, 29 vehicles, 156 handcuffs, 26 walkie-talkies, 22 radios and other equipment especially after his earlier dismissive and ludicrous response that the missing guns could have “fallen into the sea”!”

Kit Siang said, it is rather disturbing that there are no signs that the PAC proposes to haul up the IGP to account for the loss of the RM1.33 million worth of police assets, particularly 44 firearms, 156 handcuffs and 29 vehicles.

“Conspicuously absent from the immediate menu of PAC investigations is the loss of RM1.33 million worth of police assets.

“Which is completely against public expectations which would want this item to top the PAC’s priority list of investigations,” he said.

Najib Finally Realises the Danger of the TPPA after the Insistence of the People

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(PRESS STATEMENT)

Najib Razak has finally realised, due to the insistence of the people, that the TPPA ‘trespasses’ the sovereign rights in formulating regulations and policies, or in a more precise language – Pawning the sovereignty of the nation.

Thankfully, despite the mainstream media not carrying out their proper role in providing specific information about the dangers of the TPPA, effort from various parties have managed to gather the people to put pressure so that the TPPA is not implemented.

SAMM, through working together with the Task Force Against TPPA (BANTAH), is currently touring 12 of the 13 locations throughout the country as a responsibility to provide public awareness about the TPPA. It indirectly has an effect of its own when more and more people understand the complications that may be encountered if the country signs the TPPA.

The last location of the Anti-TPPA Tour will be held this evening at Sekinchan, Selangor, before the premier stage, which will bring together two leading figures of the nation, takes place on 10 October at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur.

The TPPA issue is not over. MITI is seen as very fervently trying to distort and manipulate facts to cover their weaknesses. At this moment, MITI is also trying to counter the BANTAH-SAMM roadshow. In fact, they are also conducting a propaganda programme at a police college, in order to get support from the police on the TPPA issue.

In similar developments, SAMM has warned that although Najib Razak has apparently ‘realised’ the dangers of the TPPA, Najib’s statement still shows his interest in implementing the TPPA when he said that “the TPP agreement is expected to take a longer time to be finalised”. This means a delay, do not be trapped.

From a different angle, is Najib trying to be a hero when he finally rejects the TPPA? His specious ‘flip-flop’ attitude is very dangerous and is hard to believe. Najib is also seen as not having a stand in the issue of the TPPA.

Therefore, let us join our voices in unison and together reject the TPPA in both of the assemblies;

1. Anti-TPPA Premier Stage: Save Our Nations Sovereignty, Reject TPP | 10 October | 8.30pm| Kg Baru Sultan Sulaiman Club, KL

2. #BantahTPPA Assembly and ‘Welcome’ US Representatives as a sign of Protest | 11 October | 2.00 pm | KLCC Mosque

SAMM invites all Malaysian to not miss the opportunity to show the strength of the people to the government which dares to gamble the fate of the people and the sovereignty of our country.

Che’GuBard
Founder
Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM)

Bar Council: Zahid Hamidi Does Not Respect the Law

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SHAH ALAM, 9 Oct: The Bar Council slammed Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi because of his attitude of showing disregard for the law and fundamental human rights.

President of the Bar Council, Christopher Leong said, Zahid’s actions seemed to disregard the country and the government following the disclosure of a recording of the Minister of Home Affair’s speech in Malacca by the media recently.

Previously, Ahmad Zahid, during the Joint Security Briefing Meeting with Community Leaders in Malacca, talked about several sensitive issues including the issue of gangsters being from the Indian community and defending illegal Malay groups associated with criminal activities.

The Bar Council pointed out that three of his confessions in the speech can be considered an offence and is a complete disrespect for the rule of law.

It is related to the order to shoot without warning, admitting that the amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 providing for detention without trial was his own law and in the event there is no evidence or there is insufficient evidence, the suspects would be put away for two years.

“The statements by the Home Minister are shameful and have brought the Government and the country into disrepute,” said Leong in a statement.

According to Leong, Ahmad Zahid’s action appears to have overstepped the line and possibly committed an offence under the Sedition Act.

“The Home Minister appears to have overstepped the line and possibly committed an offence under the Sedition Act,” he added.