Tag: Improvements and Upgrading

Budget 2014: National Deficit Expected to Increase by One Percent

4

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

3

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

1

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.

Parliament: RM52 Billion Bumiputera Shares Issue ‘Trivial’

5

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.

PR Postpones GST: Help Improve the People’s Disposable Income

7

SHAH ALAM, 21 Oct: The move to postpone the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Pakatan Rakyat’s Alternative 2014 Budget would allow for the people’s disposable income to increase, especially the low and middle income earners.

The increase in disposable income for the said group would cause the purchasing power of the people to be high, thus increasing production which would ultimately have a positive impact on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Assemblyman for Bandar in Pahang, Azan Ismail said the postponement in the implementation of the GST would directly help strengthen the country’s economic growth for 2014 by 5.2 percent, as predicted by PR.

“The postponement of the GST will not only help protect the interests of the people, but in reality, it can stimulate our economy,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor today.

Azan said this when he was asked to comment on the summary of the PR Alternative Budget 2014 by Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament today.

Azan who also an economist said the implementation of the GST is often the preferred choice of the middle class because they assume that the GST can possibly reduce their burden in paying taxes to the government.

“The rich consider the GST system as ‘fairer’ because they want to transfer the tax burden to all, including low and moderate income earners.

“The reality is the rich often get various tax breaks, either legally or otherwise, in many ways. We also know that there are big companies that get huge tax breaks as a deduction for donations given to Barisan Nasional (BN),” he said.

Azan said the 5.2 percent GDP forecast made by PR is based on studies and forecasts of global economic growth.

“I was initially quite surprised with the forecast of 5.2 percent, but this evidence is seen based on responsible projections based on the global economic growth and for the positive growth of the country’s economy, not on a whim,” he said.

PR’s 2014 Alternative Budget: 24-Hour SOCSO Coverage to Protect the Welfare of Workers

6

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Oct: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) proposed for the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) scheme to be expanded for 24-hours of coverage.

DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said the 24-hour coverage scheme involves a RM1 contribution by employers, employees and the Central Government.

He said that the existing scheme only protects employees only during their working hours and does not cover out-of-office hours in the event of an accident.

“The implementation of this coverage involves a contribution of RM3 a month, far from what is currently being contributed by the employee on average,” he said when presenting the PR Alternative Budget 2014 in Parliament today.

Guan Eng said the lack of insurance coverage for employees should be given due attention and should be expanded in efforts to ensure the welfare of employees is protected.

“We see fewer alternatives involving insurance schemes that protect the welfare of the employee. Therefore, this policy is suggested so that 24-hour coverage is given and is not limited to working hours only,” he said.

Select Committee Able to Overcome Ministry of Defence’s Wastefulness

5

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Oct: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) proposed the establishment of a select committee to examine all matters concerning national defence.

Member of Parliament for Tumpat, Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar said that the committee will consist of all parties of the House of Representatives, whether from the government or the opposition, to examine the expenses incurred and to be incurred in respect of defence affairs.

He said the proposed formation of the committee is because the Ministry of Defence spent excessively and wastefully in the Auditor-General’s Report 2012 which was presented recently.

“A lot of issues have been happening lately, especially on the waste and fraud concerning the Ministry of Defence.

“All of this can be seen in the case of the ministry’s expenses involving the purchase of weapons, submarines and missing fighter jet engines,” he said in a press conference of the Alternative Budget 2014 presentation in Parliament today.

At the same time, Kamarudin said PR also suggested for the Farmers and Fishermen Insurance Scheme (SIPNP) to be created involving an allocation of RM30 million to provide comprehensive protection to people living in rural areas who have various problems apart from unexpected incidents.

He said that the scheme covers financing between the government and fishermen and farmers and is estimated to benefit over 700,000 people.

“PR also suggested for People with Disabilities (PWD) earning below RM1,200 per month to be assisted through special programmes to reduce their burden,” he said.

PJS 6 Residents’ Problem Solved by PKNS

1.1

SHAH ALAM, 21 Oct: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has already directed the contractor responsible to take action and clear up the heap of trash at the Petaling Jaya Selatan (PJS) 6 apartment area.

PKNS Public Relations Managed, Ishak Hashim said that the trash pile that occurred in the area is caused by dumping of trash by outsiders because the apartment is near a site for the night market and food stalls.

TVSelangor found that a small hut reserved for solid waste disposal in the area failed to be properly managed and domestic waste such as household goods and vehicle frames are dumped there.

The problem caused discomfort to the residents and led to the breeding of rats which can threaten the health of the local residents.

“We have received the complaint and appropriate action will be taken to address the problem faced by the residents in the area,” he said in a press statement.

1.2

Meanwhile, Ishak said that reparation works to the wastewater channel that overflowed in Block 2, 3, 4 and 5 at the PKNS Apartments in PJS 8/14, Bandar Sunway, will also be done immediately.

He said PKNS and Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) will work together to ensure that the issue is resolved as soon as possible despite IWK previously claiming that the broken sewage pipe in the PKNS apartment happened when the maintenance was handed over to the sewerage company.

“PKNS has appointed a technical consultant to identify the real cause of the sewage overflow. Robotic camera methods will be used to examine whether the condition of the sewage pipe is broken or otherwise,” he said.

He added that the full report of the investigation will be used to repair the pump causing the sewage overflow so that residents in the apartment no longer have to deal with the problem.

Central Government Ignores BERSIH 3.0 in UN Report

4

SHAH ALAM, 19 Oct: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) is disappointed with the Central Government for denying an attack on the public and members of the media during the assembly in its report on fundamental rights to the United Nations (UN) recently.

Bersih steering committee member, Maria Chin Abdullah said the Central Government should be brave enough to admit their wrongs and be responsible for the violence against civilians in addition to working to improve human rights.

She also described the Central Government’s presentation of the report as ‘simple’ and empty because it did not touch on the issue of human rights comprehensively.

“We are disappointed because violence did happen during the assembly when the police beat up journalists and civilians who were peacefully assembling.

“If they want to send a report, the Government must take responsibility and admit if mistakes were made. We are disappointed because the Government promised many things but failed to carry them out,” she said when contacted by TVSelangor.

Maria said that she is disappointed because the Government did not mention the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) inquiry into the violence that took place during the Bersih rally in its report.

She said the Government has always ignored suggestions or recommendations by Suhakam on this matter and considers it as something negative.

“The Government should examine Suhakam’s report and try to fix weaknesses raised about human rights because this independent body was set up in Parliament,” she added.

In its 21-page report submitted to the UN in July, ahead of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Malaysia in Geneva this Saturday, the government presented a rather clean image about the country’s human rights issues.

Despite mentioning the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) inquiry into the violence that took place during Bersih, the government left out Suhakam’s findings and also the background behind the inquiry.

Malaysia will face peer nations in front of the HRC on 24 October, under the UPR that takes place once every four-and-a-half years.

MBPJ Ez-Pay Counter Opens in Six Areas

3

PETALING JAYA, 19 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will open mobile ez-pay counters in October 2013.

This is an effort and a move by the council to reduce congestion at the counter at the headquarters, especially during peak hours.

In addition, it is hoped that the ez-pay mobile counters would encourage and facilitate the public to use the mobile counter that is close to where they live.

MBPJ Implements Time-Limit Parking System

2.1

SHAH ALAM, 19 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) approved the implementation of a time-limit parking system on a three-month trial basis at Dataran Sunway City Centre in PJU 5, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

The MBPJ Media Secretariat said the two-hour time limit set began on 15 October and will carry on till 14 January 2014.

The statement said that the system is being implemented to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre due to vehicles double parking.

“It aims to encourage motorists who park for long periods to use the parking facilities at the Parking Complex available,” the statement said.

It also said that motorists who park for short periods of less than two hours are recommended on street parking.

The parking facilities available at Dataran Sunway City Centre as follows:-

2.2

Members of the public are asked to fully cooperate and comply with the set time limit.

Failure to comply with this time limit will result in vehicles being clamped and MBPJ will take action by towing cars parked outside the box.

Views from the public about the implementation of the time-limit parking system can be channelled directly to the following e-mail address:- [email protected] or contact the Engineering Department of MBPJ at 013-79584221.

PWD Continue to be Assisted in Selangor’s 2014 Budget

1

SHAH ALAM, 19 Oct: The Selangor State Government will implement the People With Disabilities (PWD) Special Assistance Scheme as an incentive to this group to be able to independently raise their living standards.

The Executive Councillor in charge of Women’s Affairs, Rodziah Ismail said the implementation of this scheme will be presented in the 2014 Budget in November which provides for various programmes benefiting PWD in the long run.

Rodziah said this scheme aims to provide equal opportunities to all parties in hopes that the group will achieve success together.

“PWD will be given a clear direction for their future shortly after graduating by taking up, for example, the Urban Micro Credit Scheme (MiMBAR) which has successfully produced entrepreneurs with small loans.

“I want PWD to emulate the success through their own effort,” she said after visiting the Ramah Daily Care and Rehabilitation Centre here in Section 10.

During the visit, Rodziah spent time mingling with 20 special children and presented contributions in the form of toys for learning from the State Government.

In other developments, Rodziah who is also the Assemblywoman for Batu Tiga said she will discuss with local authorities to provide a more comfortable area for the convenience of PWD children at the care centre.

She said halls, buildings or state government quarters which are unused will be considered as a new location for the care centre.

“The Council hopes that any unused halls may be proposed to replace the existing care centre.

“We will also discuss for any unused government buildings to be given to those who need it,” she said.