Tag: National News

State Government to Inspect Batu Caves Condo Project Planning Permission before Making a Decision

SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: Decisions regarding the condominium project in front of Batu Caves will be made after thorough inspection to prevent any negative effects to the rakyat and the Selangor Government.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that this approach is different from the Umno-BN Federal Government that is now promising to cancel the project although it was approved by the previous Umno-BN Selangor government.

He said that every project cancellation has to be done professionally, transparently and responsibly by following procedures to avoid negative consequences to the state.

It is being understood that should the project be cancelled without following procedures, the State Government will have to compensate the project developer, Dolomite Park Avenue.

“We are committed in fixing any carelessness and mistakes which had been made by the Umno-BN government before this.”

“However, this has to be done in order and in accordance with policies of the state government which is fair and just,” he said in a press conference after chairing the Exco meeting here, today.

Recently, the English language newspaper, The Sun, had exposed the approval of the 29 storey condominium project by the Selayang Municipal Council during the Umno-BN governance in 2007.

At the Batu Caves Deepavali celebrations last night, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had declared that Umno-BN will cancel the project should they return to govern Selangor.

In Abdul Khalid’s reply to Najib’s announcement, he said that the Umno president was not professional and that it was a cheap publicity stunt.

“Najib’s actions may bring about negative outcomes to the integrity and respectable administration because any cancellation to the project should be done according to procedure,” he added.

Simultaneously, Abdul Khalid has announced the appointment of Datuk N. Sadasivan as chairman of the Independent Taskforce to study the aforementioned project’s approval.

Abdul Khalid said that Sadasivan, who was the former Head of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) will be assisted by a group of professionals to work freely in the taskforce.

“Among taskforce’s scope of duties is to re-investigate all development projects which have been planned and carried out at Batu Caves taking several aspects into consideration such as, the people’s welfare, the Hindu community’s priorities and the law,” he continued.

Dayangku Intan Wants the Rakyat to Rise Up and Tumble Umno-BN

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Nov: The full support from artists to Umno-BN for more than 50 years has oppressed them and their welfare has been ignored.

41 year old popular 90s singer, Dayangku Intan Tengku Hamid, better known as Dayangku Intan, shared her experience.

“As an artist I am experiencing such a fate while all this time I’ve been supporting Umno-BN.”

“They take advantage of us. Umno-BN only cares about themselves and elite groups involved with them,” she said in her speech at the Pakatan Rakyat talks in Setapak last night.

She said that Umno-BN only puts effort into caring about artists’ welfare when they see how many from the group has risen and are opposing their rule.

“Now with the people’s uprising, they realise that they have to look after the rakyat’s welfare including the artists’ by giving aid and promising various things to ensure further support,” she said.

Because of that, she said, the rakyat has to rise up and topple the Umno-BN government in the upcoming elections to ensure that their future is taken care of.

Dayangku Intan also entertained the 3, 000 attendees of the talks with several of her popular songs like “Berpaut Di Dahan Cinta”.

Dayangku Intan joined PKR last April.

Najib Repeats ‘Sibu’ Offer Regarding the Batu Caves Condominium

SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: Once again Datuk Seri Najib Razak is seen to repeat the ‘Sibu’ bargain when he said that he will cancel the construction of the 29 story condominium project in Batu Caves should the people vote Umno-BN in the upcoming 13th General Election.

Ronnie Liu, Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco said that the Prime Minister should not have made such a statement because if the project cannot be passed then it should be cancelled without having to make any offers.

He said that the PR-led Selangor Government is ready to cancel the project after research and examination is carried out.

“Najib should not have a ‘help you, help me’ attitude and make a ‘deal’ with the people”

“If the project is wrong, win or lose it has to be cancelled,” he told TV Selangor.

He says that if Najib is serious about cancelling the project, he has to mention that the Umno-BN government would compensate the parties involved should the project be cancelled.

“If he (Najib) is serious, he should mention that because this project was approved previously during the rule of the Umno-BN government, they would compensate where necessary.”

“Had it been put that way by Najib, then it’s alright,” the Pandamaran Assemblyman said.

Ronnie was asked to give his opinion regarding Najib’s announcement during his speech at the Deepavali open house festival at Batu Caves Complex sponsored by MIC last night.

During the 2010 by-elections in Sibu, Najib had made a promise to the voters in the area that RM5 million would be allocated to flood-mitigation projects in Sibu should they win. PR eventually won the by-election.

FGVH Stock Drops, Felda Staff Become Victims

SHAH ALAM, 13 Nov: 60 percent of Felda employees have become victims of huge losses when Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGVH) stock price dramatically fell.

Chairman of National Felda Children’s Association (ANAK), Mazlan Aliman said, this is happening because the unit rates and share lots offered to them were much bigger than Felda settlers.

He said the department received complaints from some Felda employees who complained of needing to repay bank loans at the rate of RM400 per month while share prices fall.

He said the situation will continue to burden the settlers and staff for having to bear the losses of bank loan payments when the interest rate charged is more expensive than the dividends earned.

“Up till now, 60 percent of Felda staff have yet to sell their shares.

“They’ve signed bank loans involving tens of stock lots, so the amount of their loans reach tens of thousands, therefore at the same time they are also burdened,” he said when contacted.

Yesterday, the FGVH agricultural giant shares traded below the listing price (RM4.55) for the first time.

The shares began trading at a price of RM4.60 then dropped to RM4.53 at 10:46am before rising.

Final market price of the shares was RM4.57 at the 12.30pm break.

Elaborating, Mazlan said Felda shareholders will begin to incur losses when the share price stood at RM4.78.

“When prices fall now, the situation is very bad. For the settlers, should they bear loss, they will at least have a repayment package of RM50 per month to the bank.

“But it is different with Felda staff, they will be burdened with bank loans. However, they are forced to cover their losses, they do not show that they are already at loss because they were eagerly forcing settlers to sign the loan previously,” he said.

However, he said, the repayment of RM50 per month to the bank by the settlers is not a long term solution.

Obviously, if the stock continues to weaken, more settlers will incur losses and repayment will take quite a long time.

“Probably more than 10 years. Settlers have to incur the debt apart from cost of living, replanting and Felda housing should they apply. It is not beneficial to the settlers, “he said.

Anwar: Rising Support for PR from the Indian Community

PETALING JAYA, 13 Nov: Policies introduced by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states, particularly Selangor can be seen to successfully increase support from the Indian Community for the coalition in the approaching 13th General Elections.

This is according to PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when asked about Indian support for PR at the PKR headquarters here.

He said the response from the Indian community regarding the programmes and schemes organized by the Selangor State Government for example, has drawn the attention of those who have been often ignored previously during the Umno-BN state government.

“Selangor under the PR’s leadership has been working to look after the Indian community in this state by providing a variety of assistance programmes including educational assistance amounting to RM4 million in all National-type Tamil Schools (SJKT).”

“PR is also trying to obtain identification cards for some of the Indians living in rural areas for decades but still have not been given citizenship,” said the Selangor State Economic Advisor.

Previously, Anwar had promised that PR would not abandon all races, including Indians if successful in taking over the Federal Government after the next General Election.

Anwar’s announced this during a visit to the Deepavali festival organized by the State Government in Jalan Kelana, Klang, which is also known as ‘Little India’ last Saturday.

He said that the Indians who have claimed to be ignored by the Umno-BN government for the past 50 years will be given equal attention, that includes all other races in this country.

“I do not want to hear any more fights about racial disputes, we will take care of all races and citizens in this country,” he said in his speech at the party.

Nurul Izzah Victimised To Protect Najib in Soi Lek Insults Islam Gathering

COMMENTS recarding MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in his speech at the 59th MCA general assembly on October 21st and said eight of the 11 countries that implement Hudud are considered among the most corrupt, unstable and unsafe countrues.

In the speech which was attended Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Soi Lek claimed that 1.2 million Malaysians will lose their jobs should PAS implement Hudud in Malaysia.

Following Soi Lek’s statement Soi Lek, for more than two weeks, the media, political leaders, academics and Islamic theologians protested and condemned Soi Lek’s statement.

The worst effect from Soi Lek’s statement was that Najib was at the rally.

Openly and indirectly and Najib is perceived as a leader who lets his religion and race be insulted in front of him.

Najib’s attitude and silence is regarded as a cowardice and a traitor to his race and religion even though he is the leader of the party which is supposed to defend the Malay race and Islam.

While Soi Lek’s statement is very sensitive not only to the Malays and Islam, in fact it is able become a threat to national security.

Certainly if any of the leaders of the Pakatan Rakyat had made that statement, they will be detained under ISA or any other related Acts.

Soi Lek’s action was not only an insult to the Malay race and Islam but it is also considered as trying to interfere with Islam.

The British way of previously of not interfering with Islam but interfering with other affairs is evidence that the British recognised the sensitivity of Malays and Muslims.

Perak Mufti, Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria had said that Soi Lek is not entitled to make the statement and that Soi Lek’s statement is considered rude, an insult and humiliating Islam.

Soi Lek’s statement that had hurt Muslims especially the Malays would be a very big issue should Umno fail to address it.

What was more unfortunate is that Najib bore witness to all these insults from Soi Lek mouth.

Meanwhile, the action of the PAS Youth bringing the issue up to the Yang Di Pertuan Agung can also be seen to cause the confidence of Malays towards Umno whose leader is Najib.

Najib aware of Lost Support

In the political context, everyone realises that Umno relies on the support of Malays. His action regarding Soi Lek insulting Islamic law will benefit PAS and Pakatan Rakyat.

Najib also realises that the issue’s potential will be used as soon as possible by PR to sway Malay voters into leaving the party.

Umno’s ‘Think Tank’ may share the same stance.

Najib and the Umno ‘Think Tank’ is finding it serious enough for Umno to continue their survival in the upcoming 13th General Elections.

Reports from the Army, police, JASA and Kemas has forced him to postpone the 13th General Elections to and indeterminate time.

Nurul Izzah Becomes the Black Sheep

Recognizing the ‘danger’ of the issue, making someone else a black sheep has to be done to cover-up the issue.

The culture of running away from the real issue is known by the people by practicing defamation and ‘whatever’ is part and parcel of what Umno has been practicing for over half a century.

It is very stupid, not intelligent and moronic if an educated politician such as Nurul Izzah Anwar made a statement to legalize apostasy.

To anyone who heard her statements in the forum entitled “Islamic State: Which version? Whose responsibility?” will find that the leader of the opposition’s daughter had never said that.

The forum that used English as a medium can be easily manipulated by the Umno-owned media to the majority of Malays in villages who do not understand the language.

Nurul Izzah’s action in instructing her lawyer to take legal action and make a report to JAIS regarding the defamation which was issued by the Umno-owned media was the best approach.

Yaakob – Farmers Income Targeted at RM3, 000

KUALA LANGAT, 12 Nov: To continue the development of agriculture in Selangor, the State Government targets farmers to earn RM 3,000 and above per month from the proceeds of their cultivation.

Selangor Agricultural Modernisation, Natural Resources Management and Entrepreneurial Development Exco, Dr. Yaakob Sapari said that this would be done through research to modernise and improve crop harvest.

Yaakob said that the State Government would also ensure that only farmers get agricultural land and not those who were not involved in the industry.

To achieve this goal, the State Government also hopes that the farmers would market their produce without a middle man to save costs.

He said that this approach can reduce the cost of expenditure as much as RM 500 to RM 700 per month.

Agriculture is a field that will provide handsome returns should farmers pay serious attention to it,” Yaakob said in during the visitation session at the Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM) here at Kampung Sungai Kelambu.

“We also want the youth to participate in agriculture especially university graduates.”

“This way agriculture can be developed because of participation from the educated,” he said.

“With the determination from the State and all parties involved, it has been recorded that Selangor produces about 60 percent of the country’s agriculture.”

Apostasy Happened in the Umno-BN Era, They Should Blame Themselves, says Tuan Ibrahim

SHAH ALAM, 12 Nov: The Umno-BN government should blame themselves on the issue of Muslim apostasy because as history proves it happened at the time of their administration when some Muslims’ applications were approved for the very same purpose.

PAS Information Chief, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said apostasy in Islam is a big offence and should not be allowed.

According to him, the statement made by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, that last year there were 168 apostasy applications approved, and should be seriously contemplated by the Umno-BN government before blaming others with issues of which legitimacy is still unconfirmed.

“We too feel strange at how religious councils can approve apostasy because if taken from the viewpoint of Islam, apostasy is a capital offense and it should not be religious departments or ministers that are responsible for making the approval.”

“Instead those who want to renounce should be guided and faith should be preserved through guidance councils or faith strengthening programs. We feel disappointed with the statement when their application is approved, that is precisely the clarification we need from him (Jamil Khir),” he told TV Selangor when contacted here today.

Tuan Ibrahim said, for PAS leaders, the issue regarding PKR Vice-President, Nurul Izzah Anwar, was suddenly amplified by Umno-BN leaders with reports in mainstream media that is under their control.

He said that the issue should not be politicised and Nurul Izzah herself should respond to clarify the statement she made.

“What exactly was said? When we reviewed the report by Utusan Malaysia, Utusan Malaysia clearly slandered and manipulated the truth.”

“I think this issue is not to prevent and preserve the faith because previously Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who insulted Islam, was not criticized by Umno-BN leaders at all and the also statement by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) who reject Hudud law,” he said.

In a forum entitled “Islamic State: Which version? Whose responsibility?” that took place recently, Nurul Izzah as a panelist was alleged for making a statement that freedom of religion should apply to all, including the Malays.

Nurul Izzah, however, denied the matter and appeared to clarify things at the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) last Saturday.

Tee Yong Not Qualified to Challenge Bandar Tun Razak Seat

KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 9: Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry 2, Datuk Chua Tee Yong is not qualified to challenge the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat because he is said to have a track record far minuscule compared to Abdul Khalid’s excellent accomplishment as Minister of Selangor.

Tee Yong has also failed in ensuring that the ministry under him has successfully collected debts of RM250 million from the Wanita Umno chief Datuk Sharizat Jalil’s family controlled company National Feedlot Corporation (NFC), that was supposed to commence payments last January.

On the other hand, Abdul Khalid does not only have an excellent track record over the past four years in leading the Pakatan Rakyat’s Government in Selangor, but he had even managed to collect every sen of the RM392 million debt from Talam Corporation left by the previous BN government.

The following was said by the Petaling Jaya Utara MP, Tony Phua at the People’s Freedom Tour program held at Flat Sri Labuan, Cheras last night.

“He says we did not successfully collect the debt from Talam Corporation, however (independent auditor) KPMG confirmed that we have successfully collected it, but for this cattle project, the government had prioritised in issuing the loan amounting to RM250 million to the family of Datuk Sharizat Abdul Jalil, and until today the Federal Government has yet to collect a single sen from the NFC.

“I would like to ask the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Datuk Chua Tee Yong from MCA, who is competing for Bandar Tun Razak, can they guarantee that they will be able collect every sen from the RM250 million of the public’s money given to the family of Datuk Sharizat Jalil to buy luxury condos in Bangsar, Singapore, Kazakhstan and other places we are not aware of.”

“They have no right to contest in Bandar Tun Razak because they are not equal to the success, achievement and transparency of Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who will be competing in Bandar Tun Razak,” said Tony Phua.

Phua also reminded voters of Bandar Tun Razak regarding Abdul Khalid action in blocking the increase in water tariffs twice; 35 percent in 2009 and 25 percent in 2012, because he did not want to burden the people.

Additionally Abdul Khalid also managed to save RM100 million of public funds each year when he made the decision to terminate the Alam Flora’s contract and replace them with a new contractor through open tender.

The People’s Freedom Tour which was held in rainy conditions received more than 2,500 people from Bandar Tun Razak.

Aside from Tony Phua, the program also featured PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Abdul Khalid and Pokok Sena MP, Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

500 Gather in Protest Against AES

MANJUNG, 9 NOV: “AES Protest” urged Transportation Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha to cancel commencement of the Automatic Enforcement System (AES) within a week.

Joint Coordinator, AES Protest, Saifullah Zulkifli stressed that any efforts to combat the issue of accidents are welcomed.

Nevertheless, AES implementation is suspicious and a burden to the people.
“Protest AES gives a duration of a week to Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha to cancel implementations of the AES and to respond to the protests.”

“If the reverse happens, another gathering of ‘AES Protest’ with leaders of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will be held at parliament,” she said in a press statement.

She said this after the People’s Gathering in Protest of AES that was attended by 500 supporters in Setiawan, Perak today.

The first gathered at Masjid An-Nasyirah, Sitiawan after Friday evening prayers and later moved towards the Cho Ha’s office who is the Lumut Member of Parliament.

A memorandum of protest against AES has proposed four reasons for the system’s rejection.

The four factors stated in the memorandum are the background of the two companies chosen and the suspicious deal of privatization.

The memorandum also states that accidents are not only caused by speed and that the implementation of AES will only add to the people’s burdens.

“Protest AES state their regret at the cowardly attitude of Lumut Member of Parliament, Datok Seri Kong Cho Ha in not facing the people directly and only sending an office clerk to accept the memorandum,” he added.

The gathering was attended by Pakatan Rakyar, NGOs and social leaders.

Amongst the leaders present who gave speeches were representatives of PKR Perak, Chang Lih Kang, Dr Raja Ahmad Iskandar who represented PAS Youth Assembly of Perak, Siti Aisyah Sheik Ismail as representative of PKR and few other NGO leaders.


Selangor Government Denies Developing Selangor Foundation Land.

Klang, 09 NOV: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid deniesd charges of former Selangor Foundation alumni regarding a plot of land belonging to the said Foundation in Klang which is to be developed as a Chinese Cultural Centre.

According to him, the State government has yet to decide on any plans regarding the development of the said land.

Also, it is clear that the 7.49 hectares of land officially belongs to the State government.

He explained that previously, the land had been given to a private company in 2002 by the Umno-BN government at the time.

Since the company failed to develop the land, the Selangor government nullified the deal and reclaimed the land.

Abdul Khalid also denied permission had been given to develop the land into a Chinese Cultural Centre.

“The company empowered by the Selangor Foundation failed to develop the land privately.”

“Additionally, five to six people including individuals from Umno has written letters to me requesting to develop the land,” he explained in a press conference following the opening of the Halal Fest at Masjid As Syariff, here.

Obviously, the deal was nullified due to its one-sided nature.

“It is stated in the deal that the Selangor Foundation had transferred its powers to the company.”

“We will develop the land except that we have no plans at the moment,” he said.

One newspaper reported that the Children of Selangor Foundation Acting Members Chairman, Badrulzaman claimed that the said land belongs to the Foundation and will be developed as a Chinese Cultural Centre.

They also claimed that permission had been given in a rushed manner to back up the Selangor Foundation.