‘PJ Safe, Safety 4 All’, Enhances Safety in Petaling Jaya

PETALING JAYA, 28 Nov: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has created the ‘PJ Safe…Safety 4 All’ programme to ensure that the city is safe and comfortable to live in by all.

The Enforcement Director of MBPJ, Fauzi Maarop, said that the programme is a result of the initiative by MBPJ to join two safety programmes; the Petaling Jaya Neighbourhood Team (PKKPJ) and the Security Patrolling Programme (PRK), as well as providing special vehicles consisting of two patrol cars and five motorcycles.

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“Each patrol is divided into two groups consisting of two police officers and two enforcement officers from MBPJ.”

“MBPJ is very grateful to the Petaling Jaya Police Headquarters (IPD) which always gives full cooperation in this programme, as well as positive feedback,” he said.

He was met during an event where leaflets of this safety programme was distributed to the public and said that the public, especially residents of MBPJ, need to know how this programme is carried out.

“Starting January 2014, we will ready MBPK enforcement officers in terms of increasing the number of officers and equipment, such as adequate amount of pepper spray.

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“This matter will be discussed with the police because every patrol requires the involvement of the police,” he said.

This programme is also not only aimed at identified areas where crime often happens, but it also involves public areas such as public service areas and so on.

“It is important for every resident in Petaling Jaya to feel safe wherever they are by seeing presence of the police and MBPJ enforcement officers at every location.

“This way, the mission to make Petaling Jaya a safe and comfortable city will be attainable,” he said.

Also present at the programme was MBPJ Council Member, Derek John, and also members of the Petaling Jaya IPD.

FOMCA: Emulate Selangor in Providing Free Bus Service

SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) fully supports Selangor’s move to implement providing free bus services to the people and that it should be emulated by other states.

The Honorary Secretary of FOMCA, Mohd Shani Abdullah, said that the approach taken by Selangor should be praised and that it shows attentiveness in relation to problems faced by the people, who are currently burdened by a high cost of living.

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“Selangor’s move is a right step at the right time and other states should emulate this. All governments have to understand and use the social sector financing, including public transportation, to help the low-income group.

“This is FOMCA’s suggestion in budget tabling sessions every year, where we urge the government to provide additional allocations to all social sectors including public transportation,” he said when contacted by Selangor Kini yesterday,

Mohd Shani said that public transportation is one of the services used by the people who do not have their own transport or those earning a low-income.

He said that the group that uses the service can save a part of their living cost and help bear the expenses which are increasing in other areas such as basic necessities and education.

He said, whether locals or foreigners, the government should not differentiate them because they are users who have rights to services provided.

“From the aspect of fundamental human rights, a service should not discriminate race or status. It is important to respect it.

“This is because foreigners also pay taxes. Although they do not pay income tax because they do not earn enough for that, but they pay taxes in the form of the items bought. So, they have the right to receive this service,” he said.

Housing Minister Failed to Reply 3 Letters by the Selangor Housing Exco

SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov: The issue of abandoned housing and strata housing problems are important issues that require cooperation between the state government and the central government to be solved.

The Executive Councillor in charge of Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement, Iskandar Abdul Samad (PAS-Chempaka), said that he has already sent three letters to the Minister of Housing and Local Government to make the desire a reality since Pakatan Rakyat (PR) took over the administration of Selangor in 2008.

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He said that the desire has still not become a reality because no response regarding the proposal to cooperate for the interests of the people.

“I actually welcome discussions and cooperation from the central government and the state. That is why I have sent two separate letters to the Minister of Housing. But the problem is, there has been no reply to the letters since the first term PR took over the administration of Selangor.

“It is now a new term and the minister under the ministry is also new. I have expressed my desires through representatives who always hold meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

“So, I urge the new minister to hold a meeting between the Exco and the minister so that discussions and cooperation can be carried out more comprehensively,” he said when met by Selangor Kini at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) lobby yesterday.

Iskandar said that among the issues that are a problem to the people is the abandoned housing projects which the central government should take responsibility for.

“Abandoned housing projects are the responsibility of the central government. However, the state government has also put in effort to solve this problem; such as completing the abandoned housing project in Bukit Botak.

“More importantly, we should cooperate and contribute to one another to solve this problem instead of using separate strategies,” he said.

Iskandar said that he believes that Selangor’s experience as a state that has many strata development projects can provide effective ideas to overcome this issue.

Previously, the people who were residing in strata housing, or better known as tiered housing such as apartments, condominiums and shop-houses, often face various problems such as maintenance cost, difficulty of obtaining grants and building damage.

Selangor Opposition Leader Deems Salary Hike Appropriate

SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov: The Selangor Opposition Leader, Datuk Mohd Shamsuddin (BN-Sungai Burong) deems the salary hike for members of the state administration, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, as well as Assemblymen in the state as appropriate and fair.

Shamsuddin said that this is because the last increase done in 2011 needs to be reviewed to be in line with the increase in duties, regardless of time and expense, for the people represented and the increasing cost of living.

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“It is appropriate because it is in line from the perspective of salary adjustments made for the Dewan Rakyat, the Dewan Negara and also the aspect of revenue collection which is continuously increasing in Selangor.

“Selangor Assemblymen’s pay will be raised, but not exceeding 70 percent of the increase received by Assemblymen in Sarawak,” he said at the Selangor State Assembly lobby today.

Shamsuddin deems the increase as a motivation to all involved in providing the best service to the people in their respective areas.

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Assemblyman (PKR-Seri Muda) Shuhaimi Shafiei said that the decision is an initiative to all parties involved in making a success of the state government’s policies.

“It is a review since the last time it was done in 2010 only involved Assemblymen. However now, it is more comprehensive, including the salary of the Chief Minister, Executive Councillors, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. We hope that this will boost the spirit of all members of the government and legislative in administering better,” he said.

Opposition Leader Admits Failing to Abide by Rules

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The Opposition Leader of the Selangor State Assembly (DNS), Datuk Mohd Shamsuddin Lias (BN-Sungai Burong) finally admitted that his one-day suspension from participating in the Assembly session last Friday was justified.

He was replying to a statement by Ng Suee Lim (DAP-Sekinchan) who claimed that the move to suspend Datuk Teng Chang Khim (DAP-Sungai Pinang) of his allowance and from attending DNS sessions for 30 months when he was the DNS Opposition Leader was a brutal action by the BN administration in 2004.

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“Just like I was suspended from sessions because I did not abide by the rules and orders of the Speaker,” he said when interjecting Suee Lim’s debate on the Administrative Members and Assemblyman Enactment Bill (Remuneration) (Amendment) 2013 at the DNS today.

Shamsuddin was ordered to leave the hall in accordance with the Standing Order 36 (6) for trying to intervene to defend Halimathon Saadiah Bohan (BN-Kota Damansara) who issued an evil intended statement when debating in the DNS session on 22 November.

Shamsuddin’s action did not comply with the meeting rules when he failed to refer to any Standing Orders of the DSN session.

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Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the DNS, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, said that he always leaves enough room for each member of the State Assembly (Assemblymen), whether from the government or the opposition, to debate.

When he was asked to comment on the incident, he expressed disappointment that Shamsuddin’s actions were contrary to his statement of thanking the DNS Speaker for giving him fair opportunity to debate.

“As the Deputy Speaker, I was disappointed that such a thing could happen, however there was no other choice,” he said.

MBSA to Implement Underground Waste Disposal System

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The Shah Alam City Council will be using the underground waste disposal system which has been used in the city of Hanam, South Korea, which is expected to be able to overcome a variety of problems, especially in relation to rubbish and pollution.

The Mayor, Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan, said that the effort would have a big impact on Shah Alam in realising efforts to make it a green and environmentally friendly city.

“I find the city of Hanam very clean and its residents make the space outside their homes a place to cultivate vegetables, including tomatoes, when I visited the city last June.

“On top of the dumping area, they created a recreation area, complete with amenities, to beautify the environment,” he said.

He said this during the signing of the bilateral agreement between Shah Alam and Hanam, which took place at the Setia Jaya Convention Centre today.

Also present were 23 delegates, including the Mayor of Hanam, Lee Kyo Bum, and MBSA representatives. Meanwhile, the delegation will be in Shah Alam for four days and will pay an honorary visit to the Chief Minister of Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Jaafar said that the agreement will benefit both sides in terms of education, culture and business, which can further develop the respective cities.

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“This motion will be discussed with the Local Government Standing Committee Chairman, Datuk Teng Chang Kim, and subsequently, a visitation with him will take place for him to personally look at the underground waste disposal concept in Hanam,” he said.

Two Premises Selling Pornographic VCDs Raided by MPSJ

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: Two premises were raided by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) in an operation recently for violating licence restrictions by selling illegal DVDs and VCDs .

The operation was led by the Assistant Chief Enforcement Officer, Ravithran Raman and the 19 enforcement officers managed to seize 2,885 VCDs at the premises located at Bandar Puteri, Puchong.

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The MPSJ Enforcement Department Director, Major (Rtd) Mohd Rasip Rasul, said that investigations found that the two premises have valid business licences from MPSJ, however violated the conditions imposed by selling illegal and pornographic VCDs.

“The premises were seized and ordered to shut down under the By-Law 10(1)(a) of the MPSJ Licencing, Business Trade and Industry Laws 2007, for violating licence restrictions.

“The premises were also fined the maximum fine of RM1,000,” he told Selangor Kini today.

In the meantime, MPSJ recorded 16,426 seized VCD throughout 2011 and 33,597 VCDs (2012). Meanwhile, action was taken against 51 premises and 28,744 VCDs were seized as of the middle of this month.

Stop Delineation Until Problems Are Solved

BERSIH 2.0 is deeply troubled to read statements made by the former Election Commission chair, Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, upon publicly declaring his membership in Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa).

According to news reports, during his time in the Election Commission as secretary and chair, three re-delineation exercises “ensured Malays remained in power.” (“Ex-Election Commission chief joins Perkasa, says goal is to help Malays retain power”, The Malaysian Insider, 25 November 2013).

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He further stated, “We did it in a proper way. Not illegally. The people who lost in the past general elections claimed that we did it wrong. But if we did, how did Barisan Nasional lose to the opposition in Kelantan, Penang and Selangor?”

Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman’s statement that the EC’s ethnicity-based re-drawing of electoral boundaries was done “in a proper way” and “not illegally” is, at best, disingenuous.

Under the Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, one of the principles governing the delineation or delimitation of electoral boundaries was that “the number of electors within each constituency in a State ought to be approximately equal except that, having regard to the greater difficulty of reaching electors in the country districts and the other disadvantages facing rural constituencies, a measure of weightage for area ought to be given to such constituencies.”

How this was supposed to be carried out in practice was that a rural constituency may have fewer voters compared to an urban constituency of a similar or smaller geographic size, on the basis of logistical difficulties of serving rural voters.

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BERSIH 2.0 recognises that the provision on rural weightage is widely interpreted as an implicit pro-Malay weightage, but the real picture is more complex.

We would like to point out Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman’s claims, setting aside their ethically and constitutionally dubious nature, are not borne out by the numbers.

The largest state seats in Selangor and Perak are Malay-majority – for example, the Malay-majority and previously BN-held Seri Serdang is twice the size of Chinese-majority and PR-held Kinrara.

With one assemblyman to serve the 72,769 registered voters of Seri Serdang (and even more non-voting residents), can this be said to have given the Malay voters of that constituency an advantage?

The provision on rural weightage is not even adhered to by the EC, as the rural Parliamentary seat of Baling (93,376 in 2013) has considerably more voters than the urban Parliamentary seat of Alor Setar (69,189 voters in 2013).

Both are Malay-majority seats. It appears, in fact, that political rather than ethnic factors were at play in previous re-delineation exercises.

As BERSIH 2.0 has long suspected, the gerrymandering and malapportionment served the interests of the political party in power.

The EC is bound by principles set down in the Federal Constitution and international standards in conducting its duties, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s 1994 Declaration on Criteria for Free and Election.

The measure of the EC’s success is not the victory of any particular political party, but whether their actions can meet these standards.

Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman’s statements lend credence to BERSIH 2.0’s long-running contention that the Malaysian Election Commission (EC) is not an independent, non-partisan election management body.

That the former EC chair felt he could make these statements openly, with not even the barest recognition of public accountability, speaks volumes about the political culture which the current EC inherited and continues to perpetuate.

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BERSIH 2.0 has severe reservations about the ability of the current EC to succeed where its predecessors failed, in exercising its responsibilities in an ethical, non-partisan, and independent manner.

Testimonies during the People’s Tribunal in September 2013 spoke of active political party members serving as EC staff during the 13th General Election (GE13). It was previously reported that the current chair and deputy chair of the EC are UMNO party members.

The EC’s reluctance to clean the electoral rolls despite repeated evidence casting doubt over their integrity has been noted. Further, observations by Pemantau Pilihan Raya Rakyat (PEMANTAU) during GE13 noted that flagrant violations of election-related laws happened with impunity, in addition to the EC’s complete lack of accountability over the issue of the indelible ink.

BERSIH 2.0 strongly urges that the current re-delineation exercise be halted until the electoral rolls are cleaned and new Election Commission members appointed with the participation of civil society.

Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman’s statements join a long line of disappointing and troubling revelations on the conduct of the EC, but the rot can and should stop here.

Salam BERSIH!

91 Percent of Development Allocations Have Been Successfully Used Over the Past 5 Years

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The state government explained that the RM3.2 billion from the RM3.5 billion allocation has been used for development expenditure from 2008 till 2012.

The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that 91 percent of the development budget has successfully been used over the past five years that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) governed Selangor.

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He said that the state government has also allocated an annual allocation for each department to implement various development projects and programmes as planned.

However, there have been some department which did not reach the level of 80 percent in development costs.

“This is because of a number of constraints concerning land, utilities and so on, causing some departments to not reach the level of 80 percent in development costs,” he said.

Abdul Khalid was responding to questions by Dr Yaakob Sapari (PKR-Kota Anggerik) during the State Assembly (DNS) session today.

Abdul Khalid said that RM65 million was allocated for the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), however only RM45 million was uses; 69 percent, in 2009.

The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) was given an allocation of RM123 million but only spent RM97 million, 78 percent. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice and Sharia (JAKESS) was allocated RM872,000 and only spent RM388,740, 44 percent, in 2010.

The Public Works Department (JKR) was allocated RM153 million and only spent RM113 million, 74 percent, and JAIS only used RM66 million from the RM110 million while JAKESS used RM3.1 million from the RM12.5 million in 2011.

JAKESS also only spent RM9.9 million from the RM12.5 million, 79 percent, from the total allocation for 2012.

Abdul Khalid said that the state government is always monitoring the spending performance of department to ensure that the spending targets set will be achieved and projects planned will be implemented.

“Among them is through the Selangor State Technical Working Committee (JKTN) and the Technical Committee for State Development Projects managed by the Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN). It is to discuss issues, problems and to find effective solutions to ensure that planning and the implementation of a project progresses well,” he said.

Selangor Offers RM1 Land Premium for Charities

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: Selangor will only charge RM1 for land premiums to companies or organisations conducting business activities for charity on the land owned.

The RM1 premium is charged to charities for the purpose of encouraging and facilitating the organisations involved in carrying out their activities.

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The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (PKR-Port Klang) said that this was different from other businesses that conduct business activities for the purpose of profit on commercial land.

“We cannot give discounts on land premium recklessly. There should be certain guidelines, otherwise, everyone would want a discount.

“Companies and organisations conducting charitable activities or businesses where the profit is for the welfare of the people of Selangor, such as for persons with disabilities (PWD), we can give the RM1 premium,” he said when replying Gan Pei Nei (PKR-Rawang).

Abdul Khalid explained, full payment will be charged if if those offered titles sell the residential land, when touching on the RM1,000 premium imposed on those offered ownership titles for residential land.

“However, if the owner transfers the ownership to their children or beneficiaries, no charges will be imposed,” he said.

Anwar: Rejecting Motion on Spying Shows Weakness in Najib’s Government

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Nov: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) objects to the government’s rejection of the motion condemning spying by the United States (US), Australia and Singapore on Malaysia.

The General Chief of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said that the government’s weak attitude on the issue shows the weaknesses of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s leadership.

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“We do not agree with the weak ways of the government. I repeat that the government is submissive in handling this issue, as I mentioned last week.

“I object to this serious issue, which touches on interests, security and reputation of the country, that can be wilfully rejected,” said Anwar to Keadilan Daily today.

The urgent motion tabled yesterday by the Member of Parliament for Bukit Katil, Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, was rejected by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia on grounds that it need not be discussed urgently.

The motion was tabled in accordance to the Standing Order 18(1) was to condemn the actions by the three countries for allegedly working together to intercept Malaysia’s radio, telecommunication and internet information to spy on the Malaysian Government and the nation’s leadership.

Shamsul, when reading the motion, said that that Australian newspapers, Der Spiegel and the Sydney Morning Herald, reported that intelligence collection was being conducted on Malaysia by the US and Australian embassies, as disclosed by the former US security contractor, Edward Snowden.

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“The latest, as reported by the Netherlands media, the NRC Handelsblad, revealed that Singapore was also helping provide access to communication and was a key partner in the ’5-Eves’ intelligence group led by the US for the purpose of recording phone conversations and to monitor the communications network in Kuala Lumpur.

“Meanwhile, Fairfax (Australia) revealed that Singapore is a friend to the Australian electronic intelligence agency, the “Defence Signals Directorate” to bypass the SEA-ME-WE 3 cables; the longest telecommunications cables in the world managed by Singtel, a telecommunications company owned by the Singapore government.

“While we recognise diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the US, Australia and Singapore is based on the key element of trust, activities of espionage and spying on each of the country’s leadership certainly violates Malaysia’s sovereignty and independence,” said Shamsul who is also the Chief of the PKR Youth Wing.

He said that Malaysia should emulate Brazil, Germany and Indonesia, which expressed their objections by demanding an apology and recalling their ambassadors from Australia.

Greece Bankrupt Despite Implementing the GST

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Nov: Three Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Members of Parliament said that the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will not be the cure to save Malaysia from plunging into the depths of bankruptcy.

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They also urged the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, to explain the country’s financial position and to reveal if Malaysia facing the risk of going bankrupt or is in a comfortable position.

According to Malaysiakini, the call was made by Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan), Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara) and Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) during a press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

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Yesterday, Najib said that the country will go bankrupt if the GST is not implemented, and at the same time, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Datuk Ahmad Maslan, revealed that the country’s financial position is still strong.

“The GST will not cure everything. Hong Kong and the US do not have GSTs in place, yet they are not bankrupt. It is however different from Spain and Greece which implements the GST but is bankrupt,” said Tony Pua.