Tag: Political and National News

TERAS: What’s The Rationale Behind The RM1.1b Savings?

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SHAH ALAM, Sept 4th: The NGO Teras Pengupayaan Melayu (Teras) plans to arrange a direct meeting with the government in the near future with regards to the subsidy management system, a question that has been plaguing everyone’s minds.

The Chairman, Azmi Hamid, better known as Cikgu Azmi said this involves questions on the integrity of subsidy managements. Clearly, the people are disappointed as the previous money-saving strategies (subsidies) had failed to show any improvements in some sectors of the country.

“Our anxiety is mainly about this supposed RM1.1billion savings for the oil subsidy, yet we have not seen exactly which sector that needs boosting for the money to be channelled to,” he told TV Selangor.

Prior to this, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Razak said through this rationalisation policy by the government, the fuel subsidy will save a total of RM1.1 billion this year.

Sufficed to say, the government’s words that they will control the prices of goods and services from rising ring hollow.

Cikgu Azmi further added that the impact of rising oil prices should not be made a reason for particular parties to take advantage, considering that the common people are already burdened enough as it is.

RON97 Increases 15 sen Effective Midnight

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The retail price of RON97 petrol will rise by 15 sen per litre to RM2.85 a litre from the previous RM2.70 per litre effective midnight nationwide, Malaysiakini reported.

This was confirmed by Perak Petroleum Operators Association’s President, Lee Chee Seng, when contacted by Malaysiakini earlier.

The increase was lower than the 20 sen for the price of RON95 petrol and diesel announced by the government yesterday.

The market price of RON97 is usually determined through a “managed float regime” that involves changes based on market factors and does not involve government subsidies.

The government sets a subsidy at 63 sen per litre for RON95 and 80 sen per litre for diesel.

This is the first price increase for RON97 petrol since the 20 sen retail price hike last March.

The retail price went down by 20 sen after the election on May 5th.

RON97’s price peaked at RM3 per litre in September 2012.

-malaysiakini.com

Why Does RON97 Cost Less Than RON95?

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SHAH ALAM Sept 4th: The government should explain to the people why the price of RON97 petrol is much cheaper compared to RON 95, said the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA).

According to FOMCA’s Communications Director, Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, people are confused by the situation because the price of RON95 should be much cheaper if the government is serious about helping the low-income groups in the fuel subsidy.

“It shows that the government is not transparent in their subsidy restructuring,” said Mohd Yusof, when contacted by TV Selangor.

Previously, the price of RON95, after a RM0.20 sen bump to RM2.10 per litre plus a subsidy of RM0.63 per litre, was RM2.73 per litre. RON97, priced at RM2.70 per litre, was of higher quality but cheaper by RM0.03 per litre in comparison which would have saved the government more money at RM0.03 per litre of subsidised oil.

Mohd Yusof believes BN government’s action of increasing the price of RM0.20 sen will dramatically trigger a chain reaction of increased prices of goods and services that are high enough to affect the cost of living.

He said the government could have done things in stages at a particular time so as to ensure that the impact would not have been too great to affect people’s lives.

He also added that the government’s proposal to reintroduce the use of RON92 is regressive as RON92 is known to have a negative impact on the environment.

“The government should maintain RON95 by taking steps that will not not burden the people as the fuel is largely used for transportation by the lower income group,” said beliau.

-MZA

Tian: There’s No Need To Fool The People

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SHAH ALAM, Sept 4th: Thanks to the impact of ‘care’ and ‘efficiency’ of UMNO-BN administration, people will be increasingly burdened since the announcement of increase in oil prices of RON95 petrol and diesel at RM0.20 hit the headlines.

This is evident from the sudden emergence of several parties from various sectors that are clamouring to raise service charges as well, citing increased fuel prices as an excuse.

PKR Vice-President Tian Chua, in his reaction, said the situation is a poor reflection of Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Razak’s administration, even though he previously denied that the oil price will not be increased.

Tian Chua commented that if Najib Razak, as the Finance Minister, did not anticipate this automatic hike up to follow, then clearly he did not pass his Economy 101.

According to Tian, Najib’s statement was a vain effort that intended to fool the people, who have long-experienced the burden that often accompanies increased oil prices that was recently announced by the government.

“This is an insult to people’s intelligence when he said the increase (in oil prices) will not cause an increase in market prices of other goods on a large scale,” he told TV Selangor.

As MP for Batu, Tian argued that Najib’s speech was illogical, given the effects of inflation will also complicate the present situation further.

Distributing the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) has nothing to do with this matter, as they were merely ‘candies for votes’.

Tian also believes that the middle and lower class people will soon be facing dire straits. -MZA

Anwar: Midnight Arrest of A. Samad Said Is Vile

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SHAH ALAM Sept 4th: PKR de factor leader, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim demands for an apology from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the arrest of National Literary Laureate, Dato’ A. Samad Said, in the middle of the night.

According to Anwar’s tweets, it was considered to be police brutality because A. Samad Said is an 80-year old man and should not have been treated with aggression.

“Couldn’t the interrogations have waited till midday?” Anwar asked.

Prior to this, A. Samad said he was willing to cooperate with investigations if there was an official letter presented.

He was arrested at his home and brought to the Dang Wangi Police Headquarters at 1 a.m. by three police officers.

The detention is believed to be related to the flying of the Sang Saka Malaya flag on the night A. Samad Said was reciting his poetry on Merdeka Eve.

He was released around 2:30 a.m. after two hours of questionings. – mza

RON95: Broken Promises, Burdened Nation

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Shah Alam, 4th September – Dato’ Seri Najib Razak’s administration once again has failed to fulfil the promises made prior to the 13th General Election (GE-13) when they announced the increase in oil prices.

MP for Bayan Baru, Sim Tze Tzin said the increase in fuel prices will have long term effects on people who will also be facing rising prices of essential goods that are bound to follow, bringing negative impact on the socio-economic development of the people.

“It will cause long-term burden on the people. Change effect will follow, causing a jump in water transportation costs that even coffee prices will go up. People’s socio-economic alter,” he said.

Speaking to TV Selangor, Sim said, the policy to raise fuel prices shows Najib’s desperation in protecting the interests of his cronies while allowing the nation to bear the burden.

“Najib favours his cronies, such as the Independent Power Producers (IPPs). People are in misery but corporates will profit. In contrasts with the Coalition, we have the best policy to reduce oil prices. Given the opportunity to administer the last general election, we would have taken an alternative step,” he said.

– FZL

Challenge for Najib and Cabinet To Pay For Petrol Without Subsidy

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Dato’ Seri Najib Razak and his Cabinet are challenged to pay their for own petrol that they have been consuming at people’s expenses.

The KEADILAN Strategy Director, Rafizi Ramli, made the challenge following the RON95 and diesel price 20 sen hike that went into effect midnight last night.

With the increase, RON95 is now RM2.10 per litre while diesel is RM2.00 per litre.

“Najib is responsible for the price hike, therefore it would make sense that he should direct all of his 70-odd Cabinet Ministers to pay for their own petrol money. They should be fair to the people who have been footing their own consumptions,” he said during a media conference at the party’s headquarters today.

Yesterday, Najib claimed the price hike was due to subsidy rationalisation and long and short-term economics consolidation process by the government aimed to provide a positive impact on the people.

Quoting the Keadilan daily, the Member of Parliament for Pandan rejected the excuse, citing Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) and Household Survey 2009/10, that the price increase would only give adverse effect on the people, particularly the poor.

“Those earning below RM500 per month spend 35 percent of their income on gasoline and diesel alone. Those who earn more than RM4,000 a month spend 10 percent of their income for the same things,” he said.

He also refuted the statement by the Deputy Chairman of BN Supporters Club in Parliament, Dato’ Bung Mokhtar Radin, who described the increase as non-detrimental to the village people as car owners are mostly rich.

” People, including the poor drive, not by choice, but as a necessity,” said Rafizi.

Coalition Opposes Redelimitation of Electoral Boundaries

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The People’s Coalition (PKR) will oppose any proposals for redelimitation of electoral boundaries as long as the present Electoral Committee (EC) leadership are not removed from their posts.

“The redelimitation of electoral boundaries which was expected this year will be repudiated as long as the EC leadership remains,” said PKR Secretary General, Dato’ Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

“The people demand that the current EC members should be relegated. There is no wisdom in addressing questions of redelimitation which are feared to be an advantage for UMNO-BN,” he said to Keadilan Daily.

He also said that the EC had failed the people in the 13th General Elections, particularly with their ambivalent behaviour and deceit over the supposedly “indelible” electoral ink.

“The EC failed to handle the electoral ink issue with contradicting excuses,” said Saifuddin.

He also revealed that the dozens of election petition filed in the court were evidence of no-confidence in political parties, including BN.

“Many of the filed petitions are evidence of EC failure,” he said.

RON95 Diesel 20 Sen Hike Per Litre, BN’s Gift To The People

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KUALA LUMPUR, SEPT 2nd: It almost seemed as though the fuel price increase is UMNO-BN government’s idea of a gift to the people, which prompts a nationwide tightening of purse strings, the Keadilan Daily suggested.

The Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Razak announced that the diesel and RON95 prices will increase up to 20 sen per litre effective midnight.

The Prime Minister made the announcement in a media conference at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya earlier.

The announcement was likened as a GE gift to the people, particularly for those who voted for the party in the last election.

Since Najib’s tenure as the PM on April 2009, this is the third increase for RON95. Previously, on July 16th 2010, the fuel increased by 5 sen, pricing it at RM1.85 per litre. On December 2010, another 5 sen increase marked the price up to RM1.90 per litre.

Meanwhile, the diesel increased four times, at RM1.70 on 1st September 2009, RM1.75 on July 16th 2010, RM1.80 on 3rd December 2010 respectively. Now, it has jumped to a hefty RM2.00 per litre.

-keadilandaily.com

PKR Leaders Convinced of DBKL Conspiracy With Developers To Demolish Century Old Temple

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SHAH ALAM, SEPT 1st: The UMNO-BN government broke the promise they made prior to the elections when the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) started demolition works on Sri Muneswarar Kaliyaman Temple in Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur today.

The 100-year old temple, besides receiving visits from Hindu devotees every day, is also considered to be a historical site.

The PKR Vice President N. Surendran suspects a conspiracy between DBKL and a private development company to make way for the constructions of additional buildings.

“We demand the government to stop the demolition works on the temple as they had promised. We urge for an immediate release of those detained. The arrest is absurd because they only wanted to negotiate with DBKL but they were strong-armed before being taken into custody. It was an aggressive police action,” he said to TV Selangor today.

PKR leader S. Jayathas and the temple representatives were held in custody until 3 p.m.

According to Surendran, three deities at the temple, not including the large ones, had been destroyed by the DBKL using sledgehammers by afternoon.

On 20th October last year, the Minister Secretary General of the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing, Datuk Adnan Md Ikhsan, said DBKL had to withdraw their notice of vacating and demolishing the temple.

However, DBKL, under police monitoring, is taking action by starting with the demolishing works on the temple which is located in the golden triangle of the capital city.

– FZL

Invite Coalition To A Round Table To Address Issues – Anwar (Updated)

The Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak should consider holding a round table discussion between the UMNO-BN government and People’s Coalition (PKR) in order to discuss various issues of concerns and to formulate a comprehensive solution immediately.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Coalition is prepared to set aside their political differences to formulate a comprehensive solution for the sake of the country’s future and well-being.

“The spirit of independence is not just about tolerance or compromise. It’s also about achieving a greater understanding, accepting differences, and creating equality. We should be moving the country forward and face the challenges ahead together,” he said.

Anwar was delivering his speech in conjunction with the celebration of Independence Day, a day which he firmly upholds against the validity of the election result of the 13th General Election (GE13).

Earlier, Anwar asserted that independence means freedom from tyranny and oppression, and leading the country toward justice, freedom, democracy and dignity.

“Many have agreed that we still have a long way to go to achieve it. What good is independence if even the most basic constitutional right is being violated with such impunity?” he asked.

He also regrets the fact that some leaders are turning the situation around by exploiting religion and sensitive issues for their own benefits.

“Fifty-six years of independence, and there are still more racial provocations and incitement of hatred towards religious beliefs. Hate speech as well as seditious-writings are still being published in the print media.

“It is not just a mere weakness in leadership, but it also appears as if the government is provoking this phenomenon to worsen,” he said, referring to the recent screening of a racist film.

Anwar also said the recent escalation in shooting cases and serious crimes is very worrying. Graft remains to be a cancer while corrupted top leaders remained untouched without getting prosecuted.

“We support police efforts in combating and preventing crime. It is also important for them to carry out their duties with proper due process,” he said.

Anwar deplores the government for their economic dishonesty by stating half-truths and providing obscure statistics to cover up extravagant expenses.

“The international financial ratings agency, Fitch Ratings, has revealed the country’s deteriorating economical outlook. By right, that should be enough to galvanise the government into becoming more transparent in confronting the real challenges of the economy, ” he said.

“Instead,” Anwar continued, “the government dismissed the assessment – describing it as the work of ‘young analysts who refused to listen to the government’.”

100 Days Of Selangor People’s Coalition

Synopsis:
A sincerely 100 days of ruling by the People’s Coalition Governance.

The 100-day rule is still too soon to witness all of the achievements. However the Selangor People’s Coalition has been effective in carrying forward a few agendas from the start of their ruling into the second term, as opposed to Barisan Nasional which motivation is still the same as before: to protect their interests.

Watch our Special Reports on http://www.selangorku.com