Tag: Local Authorities

Azmin: Najib Most Spendthrift PM in Spending Petronas Funds

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Nov: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is the most spendthrift Finance Minister, by forcing Petronas to contribute the highest dividend rates in the country’s history.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali accounted that, except for Najib, there has never been a Finance Minister or Prime Minister who has extensively used Petronas funds.

Based on the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Statics, throughout Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s term as Finance Minister, Petronas had contributed a dividend of RM3.1 billion from 1992 until 1997.

The amount of dividends Petronas contributed when Tun Abdullah Badawi was the Finance Minister was RM9.1 billion in 2004, RM11.0 billion in 2005, RM18.0 for 2006 and RM24.0 billion for 2007.

Meanwhile, during Najib’s term, a sum of RM30.0 billion in dividends have been contributed consistently from 2009 to 2011.

“When Anwar had worked to reduce the national debt, the country spent prudently resulting in income surpassing spending without burdening Petronas and had driven economic growth up to 10 percent. Datuk Seri Najib had taken 10 times more out of Petronas funds.

“The national debt increased five-fold, the budget deficit lasted for 14 years and the economic growth rate is still sluggish at the rate of around four to five per cent,” he said at a press conference at PKR headquarters.

Azmin came forward today to maintain the credibility and ability of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in steering the economy following Najib’s attack yesterday at the Umno general assembly.

Azmin explained that Najib’s economic performance has not once ever surpassed Anwar’s in successfully accelerating economic growth in reaching 9-10 percent during his term as the Minister of Finance.

During Najib’s appointment as the Minister of Finance since 2009, he has reversed the economy’s direction and lead it towards crisis while neighbouring countries such as Indonesia continues to grow rapidly.

In addition, Najib Razak has also failed to overcome debt problems although Anwar had left it in a pretty good shape.

Azmin also said the modus operandi of the attacks against Anwar regarding his economic governance credibility is to use it again for the 13th General Elections (GE-13) to intimidate the people that the country will go bankrupt if Umno-BN is not given the power to rule.

“For the GE-13, people will still choose Pakatan Rakyat. This means that mature people will not be influenced by Umno-BN political propaganda in underestimating the people’s ability to evaluate the performance of the economy under the leadership of Anwar as Finance Minister.



Umno Deputy Women Chief of Semporna Joins PKR

PETALING JAYA, 30 November – Deputy Women Chief of Umno’s Semporna Division, Sabah Kalasahan Abdul Salam declared her withdrawal from the party and resigns from all her positions in the party with immediate effect today, to join PKR.

This decision was made due to the breakdown of leadership in the Umno Semporna Division particularly the Division Head held by Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, one of the three Vice Presidents of Umno.

According Kalasahan, she has served for two terms since 2004 to 2012 and found that the leadership of Shafie is that of a dictatorship rule which makes Umno Sempoerna seem privately owned.

She added that the Sempoerna Division of Umno’s leadership leans towards participating in division, exclusion and marginalisation which is contradictory to the party’s concept.

“The nature of favoritism, cronyism and nepostism continues to be a practice and is denser in the Semporna Umno leadership pattern. They (Umno division) are far off track.

“Umno Semporna is also not managed based on the party’s constitution. The lack in transparency is too much in the administration and divisional meetings as well as in the Umno Semporna Division,” she said witnessed by PKR Deputy President, Azmin Ali.

She also explained that as the Minister of Rural Development, Shafie has also failed as a whole in his duty to develop Semporna.

“I also regret and repent regarding the sabotage carried out by the party leaders towards BN Bugaya State Assembly candidate in the 11th General Elections (2004) and the BN Sulabayan State Assembly candidate in the 12th General Elections in 2008.

“Those who had committed this sabotage were given special protection from the Umno leader of Samporna who also holds the position of the Semporna Umno Division Chief,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kalasahan’s husband, Abdul Habi Mustpha insisted that the issue of his ‘sacking’ which was in the media should be corrected as he had already left Umno on the 17th of November.

“Five days after my resignation, the announcement was made which involves a wide broadcast stating that I have been sacked from Umno.

“Why should I be sacked when I had already left Umno. This shows rapacity in Umno,” he said.

He also said that Shafie’s failure in developing the community of Samporna is clearly revealed when the district ranked last in the results for primary and secondary school examinations.

CM: Benefits of the Talam Debt Collection is for the People’s Welfare

SHAH ALAM, 30 Nov: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid stressed that the Talam Corporation debt proceeds, valued at RM392 million will be channelled to benefit the welfare of the people.

During the winding up speech at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS), Abdul Khalid said that the land purchases of this GLC is capable of delivering high-value returns through residential and commercial development projects to be planned in the future.

“The results of the collection will save these lands from being confiscated and sold by the bank.

“In fact, we will use these assets to recover the Talam debts to GLCs through Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI),” he said.

He explained that to make sure the debt is guaranteed to be collected, a comprehensive settlement agreement will be signed with Talam.

So far, the overall Gross Development Value (GDV) is worth RM4,146 million for lands purchased by Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) and the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).

The lands are at Bukit Beruntung (PKNS) worth RM133 million, Bukit Beruntung (PNSB) worth RM2,378 million and Bestari Jaya (PNSB) worth RM1,635 million.

He further explained that the latest assessment on the land at Bukit Beruntung by the Selangor Land and Mines Office on the 26th of November found that the land is estimated to be worth RM475 million based on mixed land status.

This situation altogether reflects the State Government’s success in producing economic and social value through the Talam debt amortisation process.

Minister Lied, DOE Never Supported the Batu Caves 29-Storey Condo Project

SHAH ALAM, 29 Nov: Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Chor Chee Heung lied when he claimed that the Department of Environment (DOE) had supported the 29-storey condominium project in Batu Caves.

Instead the DOE, in a press release dated January 24, 2007, clearly did not support the project that is being developed by Dolomite Industries Sdn Bhd.

However, the project developer stubbornly wants to continue the development regardless of DOE’s stance.

This was according to Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Exco member, Elizabeth Wong in her press conference at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) Annex building lobby today.

“DOE never issued the letter of support as claimed by the Minister of Housing in the Malaysiakini report entitled “Chor: Dolomite submits engineering solutions” dated 19 November 2012,” said Elizabeth.

Elizabeth also showed the DOE report which was signed by the Selangor DOE Director, Rosli Zul, that clearly opposed the development as it could potentially cause landslide problems.

Elizabeth also said that until now, nine blocks of the commercial building project has been completed but still unoccupied as it has yet to received the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC).

Previously, during the era of the Umno-BN administration, Selayang Municipal Council had given the planning permission for project, located about 180 metres from the Mahamariamman Temple in Batu Caves.

However, the project has received objection from Hindus who are concerned that it will affect Batu Caves’ soil structure as it is their place of worship.

State Government Framework Includes Various Programmes for Single Mothers

SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov: A total of 24,009 women in Selangor under the category of single mothers have been given the opportunity to improve their standard of living as the State Government has planned various programmes to take them out of poverty.

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture Exco member, Rodziah Ismail said that the initiative is taken so that they are not left behind in the development of the state.

“Among the programmes carried out is the Selangor Women’s Empowerment project through the Women’s Centre of Culture (PWB), the Rural Microcredit Sheme (SkimSel), Urban Microcredit Scheme (Mimbar), Women’s Farming Microcredit Scheme (Wala), Single Parent Empowerment Program SOHO Selangor (PET-SOHO- S), People Care Assistance Scheme (SiKembar), Selangor Kindergarten Assistance Scheme (Tunas) as well as the Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) and the Selangor Welfare Department.

“All the programs and schemes offered are to attract single mothers in Selangor to join and sign up to participate,” she said when answering questions from Kota Alam Shah Assemblyman, M Manoharan in the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session here, today.

Rodziah said that from the amount specified, single mothers among the Malays recorded the highest number of 18,011 people, Indians (1,574), Chinese (792), indigenous peoples (two) and others (3,630).

She said that studies conducted by higher education institutions as well as local and international NGOs have found that among the problems that are faced is the financial difficulty to meet the their’s and their family’s daily needs.

Besides that, she added, it also involves problems with court dealings such as not receiving maintenance from divorce settlements as well as having to go through the cumbersome process of court proceedings in the long run.

“Problems regarding proper care children while earning a living and psychological effects, especially in the first three months as a single mother also plagues them,” she said.

Former IGP Accuses Hishammuddin of ‘Interfering’ in Police Duties

PETALING JAYA, 28 Nov: Former Chief of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan today accused the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein of ‘interfering’ in the duties of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP or PDRM in Malay).

He said that Hishammuddin had given orders directly to junior officers and a district police chief without his knowledge when he served as Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Previously, Musa had worked for four decades in the RPM and had led the police force for four years since 2006 before being replaced by Tan Sri Ismail Omar on 13 September 2010.

Musa said that the actions of the Minister to give directions to police officers is not appropriate because it is against the provisions of the law.

“So, I had highlighted to him (Hishammuddin) Section 4 (1) of the Police Act (1967, stating) that the direction and control of the police is under the IGP and not under the authority of the Minister.

“Of course, I cannot be rude to him because Hishammuddin is a minister.

“I spoke to him very politely. He did not like it, “said Musa.

He said this in the Increased Crime Rate Special Press Conference at a hotel here.

Also participating in the press conference was the Chairman of the Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWATCH), R Sri Sanjevan, of which Musa has became a patron of.

He said that there had been complaints from police officers who said that they had received orders not from (their police superiors) but from the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN).

“In fact, the ministry may issue directions now … Who has the power now?”

“Something has to be done by the top management of the police to correct the issue; which is not right,” he said.

According to Musa, he is giving this advice so that the police force will improve the quality of their work and maintain the image of professionalism.

When asked whether the current IGP, Ismail Omar had lost control of the police force, he said that the IGP himself should give an explanation.

“Tan Sri Ismail Omar himself, as the Chief of Police, should and (can) correct the situation,” he said.

Owners of Low-Cost Flats Receive 25% Tax Deductions

SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov: Owners of Low-Cost Flats can receive a 25% tax deduction off the assessment rate from Local Authorities (PBT) even though there is no Joint Management Body (JMB) or a Joint Management Committee (JMC) at their flats.

According to the Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco member, Iskandar Abdul Samad, the deductions will be given directly to the owners when they make PBT assessment payments together with the special form.

He said that the discount will be given without needing all the owners of the flat buildings apply for it.

“Even if only one owner applies, he will get a cut of 25%.

“Each application must be accompanied with a special form approved by the JMC chairman or the MC, the PBT Commissioner of Buildings (COB) or a PBT council member,” he said.

He added that the cuts were only for flats occupied by the owner or the owner’s heirs.

He explained that the State Government does not have the total number of owners who have been given the discount because this policy was just enacted in September.

“This data will be obtained from the Local Authorities at the end of this year.

“From this data, a study will also be conducted by the State Government to determine whether with the tax cuts, more apartment owners will pay their building maintenance fees,” he said.

If the Federal Government Has No Money, The State Government is Ready to Advance It

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: Selangor is ready advance the state reserve funds for the maintenance of infrastructure to provide comfort to the people should the Federal Government issue a letter of guarantee in black and white to repay the sum.

However, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim urged the Federal Government to fulfil its obligations as these are part of its responsibilities.

To smoothly facilitate this, the State Government will set up a special team consisting of the Chief Minister, the State Financial Officer, the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) and the Public Works Department (JKR).

“The special team will present to the Federal Government any projects or infrastructure which have to be developed by the Federal Government.

“If the Federal Government gives an approval letter in black and white to a project using state reserves and agrees to return the money, the State Government is ready to advance the state’s money,” he said.

Abdul Khalid, who is also the Ijok Assemblyman said this during his winding up speech concerning the development allocation of RM59.6 million for the year 2013 which has been approved for the Public Works Department (JKR) .

He also defended the open tender system in the awarding projects adopted by the State Government since taking over the state.

He added that the practice has proven to save about 20 percent of JKR’s allocated funds.

He explained that each contractor is only allowed to profit around eight to ten percent to avoid them from distributing projects to sub-contractors.

“Once an acquaintance told me that he had won a contract worth RM2 million but did not know anything about how the project was carried out.

“This is because according to him, he had won the tender because he knew the Chief Minister (at the time) and had just divided the work to sub-contractors.

“The is the practice that we are changing,” said Abdul Khalid.

BN Assemblymen Have to Urge the Federal Government to Channel Allocations to JPS

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The State Government has urged the Selangor Umno-BN Assemblyman persuade the Federal Government to provide adequate provisions to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) to overcome the flooding problem in the state.

Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco member, Ronnie Liu said that JPS is now operating with a lack of funds by only receiving an allocation of not more than RM1 million a year from the Federal Government.

As a result, JPS is facing difficulty in carrying out its responsibility to properly maintain the irrigation and drainage systems in the state.

“It is understood that in 2009, JPS had only received a total of RM8 million from the federal government for maintenance work, while for other years, JPS only received an allocation of not more than RM1 million.

“Recognising that fact, the State Government has allocated JPS funds totaling between RM5 to RM8 million a year. JPS also asked for RM1.2 billion to solve the flood problem in the Klang from the federal government, but until now the funds have still not arrived,” he said.

Ronnie said this when answering questions by Lee Kim Sin (PKR-Kajang) during the Committee Stage of the 2013 Budget debate at the Selangor State Assembly today.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Bukit Antarabangsa) urged JPS to take proactive steps in submitting a list of priorities to the State Government during the Executive Council Meeting (MTES) in implementing flood mitigation programmes.

He said that it was to enable the State Government to examine the urgent need for the implementation of the programme.

“If action is not taken, it will burden the State Government and the Local Authorities (PBT) who have to increasingly deal with frequent flooding that has been occurring in the state,” he said.

State Government Opposes Mangrove Timber Smuggling

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The Selangor Government is using satellite systems to monitor and control trespassing of the Selangor mangrove forests as well as mangrove timber smuggling attempts.

Environment Exco member, Elizabeth Wong said the implementation of the satellite control system began over a year ago and has helped curb such activities.

“It is the latest system and it makes the monitoring process easier to conduct.

“In addition, we also have officers who will conduct fieldwork to monitor the area and provide air control from time to time,” she said when met at the Selangor State Assembly sitting today.

Commenting on mangrove timber smuggling incidences around Klang, he explains that legal prosecution have been imposed on the people involved.

“Usually, when there are smuggling cases, the public will immediately complain to us (the forest department).

“We have successfully taken action against all the cases and those who are guilty of smuggling have also been sentenced,” said Elizabeth, who is also Bukit Lanjan’s assemblywoman.

She added that most of the smuggling cases are done by Indonesian foreigners who trespass by using small boats.

“Thus, the State Government through the Forestry Department have designed a collaboration with all relevant agencies to carry out monitoring and enforcement to curb this issue,” she said.

Tax Cut for Practicing Low-Pollution Lifestyle

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: Various incentives have been offered to the people of Selangor should they practice a lifestyle that minimises environmental pollution.

These incentives include a savings on assessment rates for ‘green’ residences, free parking for hybrid cars among others.

Apart from that, efforts to reduce carbon emissions will be carried out through several Micro Hydro projects and the provision of facilities that are able to generate energy from residual waste (RDF, Refuse Derived Fuel).

This is according to the media statement by Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment Exco member, Elizabeth Wong today.

“In Selangor, the State Government is making efforts to provide suitable sites as well as to invite the private sector to set up solar generator sites,” she said following the statement.

The State Government is also making efforts to reduce the amount of carbon emissions through several Micro Hydro projects and the provision of facilities that are able to generate energy from residual waste (RDF, Refuse Derived Fuel).

Micro Hydro projects that are being carried out with the cooperation of non-governmental organisations (NGO), Shell and UNDP, is being implemented in Orang Asli Villages in Hulu Selangor and the facility to generate energy from residual waste is being executed in Kajang.

Apart from that, the State Government is also actively cooperating with Local Authorities (PBT) and the State Investment Exco to encourage efforts to restore the environment.

The statement also mentioned the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning Peninsular Malaysia (JPDB) will also be providing the Green Neighbourhood Planning Guidelines for green buildings while the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will be endeavouring development projects that meet the Green Building Index (GBI) ratings.

The MBPJ’s accomplishment in acquiring the GBI ratings has altogether qualified it to receive a cut from the Improvement Service Fund (ISF) and an increase in its plot ratio.

The State Government has also signed the Cancun Statement of 2010 agreement which has been endeavoured by The Climate Group as a sign of commitment in efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

TALAM Spokespersons: Economics and Law Experts

SUBANG JAYA, 25 Nov: The four relevant official spokespersons regarding the Talam Corporation Berhad (Talam) debt settlement by the State Government were selected because they have expertise in the fields of economics and law.

They are also among the individuals who have delved into the Talam issue in detail since 2010 when the State Government had begun implementing the debt collection process.

Selangor State Investment, Industry and Trade Exco member, Teresa Kok said that the international independent audit firm, KPMG was also appointed to examine the debt collection process to ensure that it is done professionally and efficiently.

Teresa said this to refute allegations of Umno-BN assemblymen questioning the appointment recently at the Selangor State Assembly conference.

“This transaction is conducted professionally and carried out using professional advisers, but they (Umno-BN) insult their expertise.”

“When the State Government asked them to officially make a statement, they did not want to come and now they are talking nonsense behind our backs.”

“They even insulted the professional auditors KPMG’s report,” she said when met at the kampung carnival program, which is a tradition at Kampung Tengah A, Puchong, yesterday.

Early September 2012, the State Government had appointed four individuals as official spokespersons to explain the Talam issue to the public.

They are the Kuala Selangor MP, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Selayang MP, William Leong, North Petaling Jaya, MP, Tony Pua and Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of Selangor, Faekah Husin

Tony Pua, before getting involved in politics, was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cyber Village Sdn Bhd, a company listed on the second board of the Singapore stock exchange.

He holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economy from Keble College, Oxford University.

Earlier this year, Tony had written a book entitled “The Tiger That Lost Its Roar”, a tale on Malaysia’s political economy.” which is about the backwardness of Malaysian economy.

Dr Dzulkefly is a PAS leader who often writes and debates about economic issues in the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Faekah was a lawyer before he was appointed as Political Secretary.