Tag: Members of Parliament

CM Asks to Intensify Efforts to Fight Drug Abuse

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SUBANG JAYA, 28 Oct: The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim called on all parties, including government agencies and the private sector, to work hard to combat drug abuse in the country.

Abdul Khalid said cooperation from all agencies involved would be able to realise the government’s desire to make Malaysia drug free by 2015.

“The period is too short and I will ask State Executive Councillors, together with the Coordinating Chairman of the Selangor National Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Malaysia (PEMADAM), Dr Abdul Rani Osman to work hard in providing support in implementation efforts to combat drugs and make Malaysia drug free.

“We must work together and provide support, especially in efforts to prevent, combat and eradicate drugs in Selangor and Malaysia,” he said.

Abdul Khalid said this in a speech at a dinner in conjunction with the 38th PEMADAM Annual General Assembly at the Summit Hotel here in USJ last night.

Also present was the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, the National PEMADAM President, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, state Exco, Rodziah Ismail and Dr Abdul Rani and over 5,000 PEMADAM members from around the country.

At the same time, Abdul Khalid expressed his confidence in the Selangor PEMADAM which is always striving to ensure that drug abuse can be controlled and eradicated.

He said the statics of drug abuse in Malaysia shows that the problem has increased and has led to an unhealthy sign.

“According to statistics, around 1.27 percent from 5.4 million students in the country are involved in disciplinary problems, including involvement in drugs, as of January till June 2011.

“Meanwhile, a total of 4,474 children, some as young as seven, have been arrested in various criminal cases, including 1,847 being school children.

“The report by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) found a total of 137 students in Institutes of Higher Learning are involved in drug abuse, especially in Selangor since January till April last year,” he said.

Abdul Khalid: Establish a Commission to Increase Government’s Ability

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KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Oct: The Federal Government should set up an independent commission to conduct research so that administrative costs and bureaucracy in the government can be reduced.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that it is necessary because every year, there is an increase in government spending and at the same time, it is shown that there is no increase in revenue.

“This budget shows that the BN government’s budget methods and strategies are still following the old ways.

“That is why we need to study not only how revenue can be improved, but the cost and expenses which can be stopped from increasing,” said Abdul Khalid, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bandar Tun Razak, in Parliament today.

Abdul Khalid said he opposed the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) until the income of the people is increased and there is a fair distribution of wealth.

“So if the cost is already five percent, the government should only increase by one percent, that is if we are to implement it, we need a rate to increase income, and not the GST,” said Abdul Khalid.

Budget 2014, PR Leaders Criticise GST Implementation, Failure to Fulfil the People’s Aspirations

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KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Oct: The Pakatan Rakyat leadership’s concern on the reduction of subsidies and the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) has been finally answered after the Budget 2014 was announced by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Overall, PR leaders slammed the budget which was presented and is of the opinion that the tabling this time did not give full attention on the development aspirations of the people.

Fuziah Salleh

The following is a brief reaction from several PR MPs:

Member of Parliament for Marang, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang:

“Overall, the tabling of the budget this time does not take into account the people. What is only taken into account is revenue for a government that is not balanced in the increase of tax and revenue to address the problem of inflation.”

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Member of Parliament for Kuantan, Fuziah Salleh:

“I was intrigued by the Green Foundation and I think their first task is to shut Lynas.

“I see that there is little allocation for women, only RM100 million and this is not sufficient. Furthermore, there are no programmes for women, the same as last year, programmes for women directors and so on, compared for what we suggested in the Pakatan Rakyat Budget.”

Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai, Nurul Izzah Anwar:

“There is nothing new in the budget this time. We are worried that Malaysia will be ‘Shopping and Fashion Heaven’ with the government’s desire to attract tourists to come for shopping in Malaysia.

“What is important is infrastructural development, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, which we can see and not just hear about.”.

Budget 2014 Fails to Correct Leakages of Billions in Public Funds

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KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Oct: The Budget 2014 presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak failed to correct the leakage of tens of billions of public money from happening, stressed Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said the announcement of the Federal Government to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on 1 April 2015 at a rate of 6 percent will only add to the people’s burden.

“There is no question of judgement to correct the issue of leakages, leakages of tens of billion, no question to rectify wastages and improve Government management.

“What they have done for the weak fiscal position is taxation. The GST will only burden the lower class and will add to the gap between the rich and the poor.

“Secondly, the increase in sugar prices, with weak and trivial arguments,” he said when met outside the House of Representatives today.

DAP Secretary-General, Lim Guan Eng said the implementation of the GST will only burden those who have never paid taxes (and) are now forced to pay taxes.

“In Malaysia, only six percent of the people pay taxes. In Malaysia, only 15 percent of workers pay taxes. Now everyone has to pay taxes,” he said when met.

He said the Federal Government is being unfair to low-income earners because those who never had to pay taxes all this while are forced to do so.

“They (the Government) will not only impose the GST in 2015, but has removed 30 percent of sugar subsidies. I do now know what this amount will save but it only increases the burden of the people,” said the Member of Parliament for Bagan.

Sugar Price Rises Tomorrow

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SHAH ALAM, 25 Oct: The price of sugar is expected to rise by 34 cents tomorrow following the abolition of the sugar subsidy as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today.

Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, when tabling the Budget 2014 at the House of Representatives said the move is aimed at reducing the alarming number of diabetics in the country.

“According to statistics, there are 2.6 million Malaysians aged 30 years and above suffering from diabetes,” he said.

He said if the situation is not controlled, it will lead to various complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and feet being amputated.

“Let us together care about health, reduce sugar in food and beverages. Add sweetness to smiles,” he said.

Pakatan Budget: RM50 Million to Implement Youth Employment Measures

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KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Oct: The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Budget 2014 will allocate RM50 million to implement youth employment measures in phases with the objective of reducing the youth unemployment rate to around the national unemployment rate of 3 percent.

The budget aims to enhance the employability and marketability of youth in the 15-29 age bracket in order to reduce the mismatch of knowledge, skills and competence, in addition to helping them make better-informed decisions about their future.

These efforts involve the organising of career guidance programmes for youth at schools, vocational training institutes, and higher learning institutions in collaboration with future employers and education providers.

For public and private sector employers, all employers are encouraged to provide practical or industrial training or internship programmes such as “Student Adoption Programmes” as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda to enable the youth to gain experience and exposure to the working world.

In addition, national-level job fairs should be organised on a regular basis as a platform for youth of all education backgrounds and levels to look for job opportunities and “job centres” should be set up at each district to facilitate job placements in the long run.

PR also proposes organising entrepreneurial workshops specifically tailored to develop young entrepreneurs as well as to establish closer cooperation with specialised financial institutions such as SME Bank to give out micro-credit as seed capital for youth to start a viable business venture.

Tax and non-tax incentives should be offered to SMEs/micro-enterprises, medium-sized companies or big corporations to encourage youth employment and enhance greater participation of the youth in the workforce such as double tax deduction for companies that hire the local youth and train them to reduce over-reliance on foreign workers.

Emphasis on technical skills and the right attitude to land a job should be done so that education providers are not too focused on paper qualifications but spend more effort in preparing students to face the reality of what the job market is looking for.

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

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.

MACC Fails to Solve 99.3 Percent of Corruption Cases Despite Spending RM1 Billion

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KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Oct: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has still filed to solve 99.3 percent of corruption cases despite receiving provisions of almost RM1 billion since 2009.

Member of Parliament for Kampar, Ko Chung Sen said based on the statement from the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, only 75 percent or 1274 of the cases have been convicted compared to the 1692 c

He said, despite the increase in provisions and MACC staff, the number of prosecuted and convicted cases has decreased in the last three years.

“This is not a problem is there is no corruption in Malaysia. However, Malaysia has been identified as one of the countries with high corruption rates based on a report by the Wall Street Journal (December 2012) and Earnest and Young in September,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby this morning.

He said, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has also failed to eliminate corruption cases in Malaysia despite promising to do it in his speech at Commonwealth Club in San Fransisco, USA, in September.

“Reducing corruption is one of the six National Key Result Areas (NKRA) announced in January 2012.

“He promised to make corruption a matter of ‘the past’ in Malaysia,” he said.

Pakatan Rakyat’s Alternative Budget the Manifestation of Caring for the People

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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.

GST Imposed Before Implemented

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KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Oct: A car park management company in a Wholesale Market in Kuala Lumpur is allegedly charging the goods and services tax (GST), with an additional six percent, to the public despite the fact that it has not yet been implemented by the Central Government.

Member of Parliament for Batu, Tian Chua, claimed that the company, SportsIn Sdn Bhd, started imposing the GST to car park users about half a year ago.

Tian said that many car park management companies in the Klang Valley have also started doing the same even though the Central Government has said that the GST will not be implemented in the 2014 Budget.

“The question is; has the GST reached the Government? Does the Government have a record of receiving this GST?

“Is DBKL conducting an audit inspection on this company? If yes, how can this matter be missed?” asked Tian, who is also a PKR Vice-President at the Parliament lobby today.

In this regard, he urged the public, especially those in urban areas, to check their receipt after making payment for goods or services.

He also asked the public to detect the matter so that complaints can be made to the authorities immediately.

“The government is urged to take this matter seriously and the company found to be imposing the GST must be punished,” he said.

PR Continues to Urge Putrajaya to Retract Clause Preventing Civil Servants from Revealing Information

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KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Oct: Today, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) repeated its stance to continue to urge Putrajaya to retract the proposed amendment to Clause 11 of the Penal Code which prevents public servants from disclosing internal government information.

Member of Parliament for Padang Serai, N Surendran said the provision is similar to the Official Secrets Act (OSA) which is only appropriate to be used in autocratic countries such as North Korea.

He said the proposal which is to be implemented shows that the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration is trying to conceal abuse of power by introducing the provision.

“Clause 11 is the latest OSA in our country because government employees cannot disclose any information. Although PR MPs have produces a good argument, the government still refuses to retract the provision.

“PR would like to ask the government to review this matter because its implementation is irrelevant and it is an attempt to cover up existing mistakes,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Surendran, who is also a Vice-President of PKR, confirmed that the Central Government withdrew two clauses in the proposed amendment to the Penal Code regarding vandalism and contempt of the Jalur Gemilang (national flag).

He said they received a notice of withdrawal of the two clauses (5 and 33) after a debate in the House of Representatives yesterday.

“We do not support any attempt to change the Jalur Gemilang, but we oppose any sentence that is too heavy to be imposed on anyone who allegedly insult the country’s official flag.

“We cannot force the people to not do this and in my opinion, the Central Government is too sensitive,” he said.