Tag: Improvements and Upgrading

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.

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.

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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Stall and Restaurant Owners Must Enhance Cleanliness

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SUBANG JAYA, 25 Oct: Owners of stalls and restaurants under the area of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) have been urged to ensure cleanliness of their premises to avoid from any action being taken against them.

The President of MPSJ, Datuk Asmawi Kasbi, said stern action will be taken, including closing down dirty premises of stubborn owners who refuse to comply with the rules set.

He said that as of now, three restaurants have been given compounds and warning to improve their level of cleanliness and adherence to regulations.

“We hope that owners of premises will follow regulations set by MPSJ and to not rules imposed on them.

“MPSJ will take action by issuing a compound of those who carry out many offences. We also hope that this action will be a lesson to other premises owners,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after launching the My@MPSJ Registration Campaign which was held here at the MPSJ headquarters this morning.

Asmawi said on-going operation against stalls and restaurant premises will be performed more frequently to ensure the parties concerned abide by the law.

He said traders should also follow the rules and not place tables and chairs outside the premises.

“The compound set is at RM2,000 without discount or appeals because MPSJ wants to teach traders to be more disciplined,” he said.

Pakatan Budget: PWD and Senior Citizens will be given Emphasis

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KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Oct: The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Budget 2014 announced RM500 million per year to carry out development for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

Among the initiatives is to increase subsistence allowance from RM300 to RM500 per month for PWD who work but with a monthly income below RM1,200 and to provide special allocation for those with severe disabilities, up to a maximum of RM1,000 per month.

To carry that our, PR aims to register 400,000 PWD a year beginning 2014 so that the total registered will be 80% within five years’ time, to ensure this community receive the full benefits entitled to them.

PR will also continue to emphasise in increasing access for PWD to facilities, amenities, services and public transport to enforce the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 which is rights-based.

This includes ensuring that the total number of car park bays for PWD follows UN standards, which is one PWD car park bay per 50 ordinary car park bays, with the appropriate car park size and location.

In addition, PR will improve road surfaces so that non-step buses can be fully utilised by PWD.

PR outlines to strengthen benefits for seniors by increasing the total number of geriatricians from approximately 16 today to at least 1,000 by 2030.

The effort is in preparing for an aging population including healthcare and welfare which will increase by a single fold from 7% to 14% in 28 years’ time.

Pakatan Budget: MyKad Replacement of Cash for JKM Recipients to Purchase Essentials

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KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Oct: The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Alternative Budget 2014 proposed the use of the MyKad to replace the cash system by depositing directly into recipients’ accounts as payment method at designated stores.

The current Social Welfare Department (JKM) welfare distribution system should be replaced with a cashless payment system which enables qualified recipients to select payment for exactly what they need without utilising cash.

It is an effort to ensure a fairer and better targeted subsidy regime and encompassing welfare system.

The credit contained in the recipients’ MyKad is used to purchase essentials such as rice, flour, sugar and other necessary goods.

PR also suggests for the MyKad to be used to track expenditure made by recipients and it can be combined with other programmes with other ministries such as keeping kids in schools and additional tutoring for single mothers.

Over 8% of Malaysians live below the existing Poverty Line Income (PLI) that does not address the hardship of current realities where thousands of households earn less than RM1,000 a month.

The usual practice by the Social Welfare Department (JKM – Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) is to credit cash directly into recipients’ accounts which sometimes leads to problems of consistent delays in cash transfer and the inability to properly ascertain whether the intended outcomes are met in the first place.

Pakatan Budget: Establish Parliamentary Oversight Committee to Review Defence Expenditure

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KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Oct: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has proposed the establishment of a bipartisan Defence Accounts Committee to look into defence expenditure

This is in view of the huge budget allocation for defence and security worth RM23 billion under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

With the establishment of the committee, PR estimates a total savings of nearly RM3.5 billion in defence procurement.

The budget presented also showed that there is no oversight over defence purchases and procurement. The Public Accounts Committee only oversees all other types of government spending not classified as official secrets.

Pakatan Rakyat reiterated that the procurement process, including the decision making committees, should consist of members of the ruling coalition and opposition in consultation with civilian expert groups.

Negotiations should be done to avoid potential corrupt practices and purchase of ‘unnecessary’ equipment that are not strategic at any point of time, especially when taking account the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA).

The Budget also cited the example that the prospect of a conventional military attack on Malaysia has diminished under the FPDA, which may not warrant the purchase of certain new equipment for the next three to five years and in turn would save the country billions of ringgit.

These savings can be used for the development of in-house defence research and development that will help reduce over-dependence on foreign military equipment.

Another potential saving is by leveraging on civilian defence experts who can provide useful insight into the latest defence technology and equipments, thus maximising tactical strategy and the use of capital resources.

BERSIH 2.0: No SOSMA Amendments Without Consultation

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PRESS STATEMENT

Statement on Section 203A of the Penal Code and Amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA)

BERSIH 2.0 is gravely concerned over the effects of recently-passed and upcoming legislation on the increasingly fragile human rights situation in Malaysia. Yesterday, Section 203A of the Penal Code was passed by Dewan Rakyat, despite strenuous objection over the broad nature of its wording and its effect on the fight against corruption. The new section effectively penalises whistleblowers who expose corruption and government misconduct, all of which are clearly matters of public interest, while protecting wrongdoers under legislatively mandated secrecy.

Today, yet another draconian bill is set to be rammed through Parliament in the same manner. This bill seeks to extend the scope of to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) by bringing offences under Chapters VI, VIA and VIB of the Penal Code and anti-trafficking laws into the ambit of special security offences.

We view with repugnance the manner in which such bills that curtail fundamental freedoms are being rushed through Parliament, without consulting all stakeholders including the citizens whom the Government claim to protect. The conduct of this Government after the 13th General Election goes against all representations made by the Prime Minister that Malaysia is becoming the “best democracy” in the world.

We demand that this Government act responsibly and engage in full consultation with all stakeholders over the recently-passed legislation as well as any upcoming amendments before they are brought into force. We are watching closely as to whether the Government will be following up on the statement by Hajjah Nancy Shukri, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Law, that she is seeking further amendments to Section 203A, recognizing that the provision was too general.

No new law should be made without proper consultation. Anything less will mean that the Government has scant regard for individual freedoms and for the views of the rakyat. It further throws into doubt the Government’s will to fulfill promises made to uphold human rights in this country.

The rakyat is committed to transparency and accountability. Will the Government follow our lead?

BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee
Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0)

Selangor Channels RM50,000 to Help Victims of Cameron Highlands Disaster

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SHAH ALAM, 24 Oct: The Selangor State Government today announced that immediate assistance of RM50,000 will be channeled to victims of the disaster and destruction in Bertam Valley, Cameron Highlands.

Exco for Selangor State Government Welfare, Rodziah Ismail said that the assistance is aimed at reducing the burden of victims because of the property damage suffered in the flash floods early yesterday morning.

“The Government and the people of Selangor would like to express empathy towards all victims, whether dead or alive, and their families.

May God give them the courage and patience for them to get through and bounce back from the disaster that hit,” she said in a press statement today.

Rodziah said she hopes that the responsible parties will take heed to comply with safety measures and give priority to save human lives.

“The death of three people as a result of the flash floods that hit Bertam Valley is very sad. Procedures and safety measures, and saving lives should be given priority to overcoming other matters.

“The residents around the area are shocked and trapped because they did not have enough time to save themselves, and this should be a lesson so that the same thing does not happen again,” she said.

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

Desire to Manage Lynas, Failure to Supervise Dam

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SHAH ALAM, 24 Oct: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is disappointed with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in providing a proper early warning system before opening the dam gates, thus causing flash floods in Cameron Highlands early yesterday morning.

Member of the PKR Central Council, Chang Lih Kang said several residents informed that the warning siren sounded by TNB was not audible due to rain early yesterday morning.

He said it was worse because the siren was only sounded 10 to 15 minutes before the Sultan Abu Bakar hydroelectric dam gates opened, causing many residents to not have enough time to save themselves.

“The residents I met blamed TNB for failing to give notice, and the siren was sounded in too short a time, causing them to not have enough time to save themselves.

“Some told me that they could not hear the siren which sounded in the morning because of heavy rain last night (Wednesday). The government should be serious in this matter, if the dam cannot be managed, how can Lynas be supervised,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor yesterday.

He said this when commenting on the flash flood in Cameron Highlands when TNB opened the hydroelectric dam gates causing about 80 houses near Sungai Bertam to be hit by strong currents early yesterday morning.

In the incident, Lih Kang claimed that at least three were killed, while another victim is still missing.

Lih Kang who visited the scene yesterday also demanded that an independent inquiry committee be established to identify the cause of the incident, this ensuring similar incidents do not recur.

“This is a very sad incident. PKR will meet with the residents to see what assistance can be distributed to affected families. I estimate high losses to be shouldered by families involved based on the property damage,” he said.

Government urged to Investigate Loss of RM2 Billion in Tax Revenue due to Cigarette Smuggling

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KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Oct: The Central Government has been urged to increase enforcement on cases of cigarette smuggling because the country has lost almost RM2 billion in duty tax revenue in a year.

Member of Parliament for Taiping, Nga Kor Ming said the loss does not include tax losses due to the smuggling of liquor into the country, which is expected to be greater than the amount mentioned.

He said based on a study by British American Tobacco Co, Malaysia has the highest rate in cigarette smuggling; one-third of cigarettes in the market are products of massive smuggling.

“Considering that the price of a box of cigarettes in the market is RM12.50, many smokers would choose to smoke smuggled cigarettes because it is cheaper although detrimental to their health.

“This phenomenon clearly shows that the government’s move to raise duty taxes on cigarettes or alcohol is ineffective in controlling smuggling of the goods,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Kor Ming said the expensive price of cigarettes indirectly intensifies further smuggling causing consumers and the government to incur losses due to the weakness of authorities such as the Customs Department, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Immigration Department.

He said that the government should continue to place Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) agents in all law enforcement agencies to solve the problem.

“Based on the announcement by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Robert Low, the government will hire 500 integrity officers next year to be placed in government agencies.

“To prevent smuggling, law enforcement agencies should be given priority to receive the placement of such officers to conduct internal checking so that they can provide useful information to prevent the growing concern of smuggling,” he said.