Tag: Politics & National News

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.

Politicise Talam Report: Assemblyman Accused of Insulting Civil Servants

SHAH ALAM, 23 Nov: The Selangor State Assembly (DNS) became chaotic when Sulaiman Razak (BN-Permatang) was accused of insulting civil servants by politicising the Talam report.

Disputes between the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Sulaiman occurred when the Umno assemblyman began disputing the ability of the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) in the evaluating the land at Bukit Beruntung.

“Permatang, do not insult public servants, I have ordered them to re-evaluate the issue. The assessed land is based on agriculture.”

“If you were in my place, between commercial and agriculture, I’m sure you too would choose commercial. There is a difference between evaluating according to assumptions. That is why there is a difference,” said Abdul Khalid.

In the debate, Abdul Khalid said that Sulaiman is deliberately trying to provoke the emotions of the people regarding the issue of restructuring the Talam debt.

“I have no intention to degrade the quality, but you are deliberately trying to aggravate emotions.”

“It’s not like before. Previously, the Chief Minister can just pass it. Civil servants would faint. The District Officers are more important than the Chief Minister.”

“Do not turn this into a political issue. I have collected RM392 million to help the people unlike the last administration that did not collect it (debt).”

“So much theatrics, however, the debt has yet to be collected. If Umno-BN really wants settle it like the Talam issue, I challenge them (to do the same) for the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC),” Abdul Khalid said sarcastically.

More Than 80% of PR Selangor Manifesto Accomplished

SHAH ALAM, 23 Nov: The State Government has stressed that almost the entire Selangor Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Manifesto made during the 12th General Elections (GE-12) has been accomplished by focusing on the people’s welfare.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid said that it is estimated that more than 80 percent of the manifesto, which includes social programs that the State Government, has been implemented gradually since 2008 until now.

He firmly said that the state’s economic growth has been the focus to ensure that all promises made in the manifesto can be implemented as soon as possible and that the results of the state development can be felt by every citizen of this state.

“In fact the whole manifesto or rather all programs that have promised by PR during the 2008 general election can be wholly realised to benefit the people.”

“From the figures we have already implemented more than 80 percent. In fact, if we look at and examine the Umno-BN manifesto in GE 2008; include fighting corruption, till now, such activities are still prevalent.”

“The implementation of this manifesto has taken place, but it will take time to be fully realised,” he said during his winding up speech of the debate on the 2013 Budget during the State Assembly (DNS) sitting today.

Earlier, DNS Opposition Leader , Datuk Mohamad Satim Diman claimed that the State Government had failed in fulfilling the GE-12 and that in fact, new issues have risen highlighting the shortcomings of the Selangor PR government administration.

Besides characterising the 2013 Selangor Budget as described by Abdul Khalid in his retort, Satim said that there are still many issues that have not been answered involving the welfare of the people in Selangor.

Elizabeth: Forest Reserves in Selangor Safe

SHAH ALAM, 22 Nov: Former Umno-BN leaders claimed to own land in Tampler Forest.

This was exposed by Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment Exco member, Elizabeth Wong and the names of the Umno leaders involved, owning land in the area concerned, have already been identified.

“I am surprised that a lot of reputable people are in the list of bungalow owners, including former ministers, former Gombak MP, former Gombak Setia Assemblyman, former Sungai Burong Assemblyman, former Rawang Assemblyman and others. These are some of the people who have bought land there to build luxury homes, “she said in the State Assembly sitting (DNS) today.

This issue arose when the an Umno-BN opposition claimed that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Selangor had allowed felling of the Templer Park Forest Reserve to build interchanges and luxury bungalows.

The Star newspaper had previously reported that apparently the State Government has been ravaging the Forest Reserve and had displayed wrong pictures trying to confuse readers.

Instead, Elizabeth said that the forest reserves in Templer Park had been given by the Umno-BN government in 1987 to SAP Leisure and Resort Sdn Bhd.

She said that 454 acres of land was given to the company to be developed as Templer Golf and Country Club (PTGC).

“On August 2, 1990, a groundbreaking ceremony for PTGC was officiated by the Chief Minister of Selangor, then on December 13, 1992, an 18-hole golf course was opened and officiated (golf club) by the Sultan of Selangor on 4 November 1995.”

“The plans were approved by the State Executive Council on 17 July 1991. This story is 20 years ago, in fact Templer Park is no longer a reserve. Is Umno-BN trying to obscure the eyes of the people by saying the Selangor PR government had seized the reserve? We never did that.”

“However, Templer Forest measuring 853.30 hectares, still remains and has not been touched since 2008, in fact the State Government insists on not giving ownership to any developer for the purpose of housing developments,” she said.

The Star newspaper report recently claimed that the State Government is responsible for destroying the Templer Park Forest Reserve by constructing the 60 metre tall Rawang elevated highway and 60 luxury bungalows.

The newspaper’s claim regarding the project is opposite of the State Government’s determination to stop logging in the forest reserve and talks have been held before any development can take place in the green areas.

“Since 2008 till now, the State Government has not given the forest reserve to anyone. The reserve acreage has even increased by one percent under PR,” she added.

CM: Change PKNS Management Traditions

SHAH ALAM, 22 Nov: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim informed that the State Government will now change the management traditions of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) to be more competitive compared to the Umno-BN era.

He said that previously, the culture of withdrawing PKNS assets and giving them to a third party happened under the Umno-BN administration.

“For example, previously PKNS had acquired a few hundred acres of land in Kota Damansara however, only developed 10 percent of it. The rest were developed by different party,” he said.

He explained that previously, PKNS had more assets than Sunway and SP Setia but now, PKNS has been long left behind by the two developers.

This problem arose because PKNS accounts were not managed properly.

“Only when they receive money, should they write it down. There were times that PKNS did not pay the State Government. When they receive money, then only should they write it down. Only then will we they have records.”

“Because of that, I want to change the old ways, I want to change the Umno-BN ways. I have managed to develop Permodalan Nasional Berhad previously, even before PKNS. But now look, the investment is exponentially more than PKNS because the records are correct.”

“So do not say that I am not being concerned about bumiputera development,” he said when answering questions from Sulaiman Razak (BN-Permatang) regarding the total amount of PKNS assets that were assumingly ‘lost’ from PKNS during the Umno-BN administration previously.

Further answering additional questions regarding the sales of PKNS assets by Umno-BN, Abdul Khalid stressed that PKNS will not sell five of their commercial assets at the price of RM321 million as claimed.

Instead, all of the assets collected will be transferred to a new wholly-owned subsidiary corporation; Private Real Estate Company (PREC).

“This is a form of reshuffling. The assets will be put into the company. If it involves a corporation, it is not selling because it involves the same company, a joint account. No issue of selling.”

“We will combine the assets to develop the assets. It is common practice in the management of assets.”

“According to the old tradition, when it (assets) is already in the company, there are ‘ghosts’ who want to be share partners. This is no longer so because we are transparent. I purposely want to let everyone see this, let everyone be smart (about it).”

“So if Kuang and Permatang is interested, I can ask the Chief Director and the Deputy Director of PKNS to explain it to whoever wants it to be explained to,” he said.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Selangor Low

SHAH ALAM, 22 Nov: The unemployment rate in Selangor is low and still remains below 4 percent as a result of the increase in the service sector of the state.

Malay Customs, Youth and Sports Exco member, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi said that the estimate given by the Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) states that the unemployment rate in Selangor is at 3.9 percent, the same as the year before.

He said that the service sector in Selangor is moving positively, contributing 55 percent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by providing more than 20,000 job opportunities each year.

“The low unemployment rate is driven by the expansion of the industrial, manufacturing and service sector, providing jobs including skilled, semi-skilled and less-skilled work as well as professional jobs,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Yunus said this when answering questions from Datuk Marsum Paing (BN-Dengkil) regarding job opportunities for youths in Selangor.

Since January till July 2012, a total of 142 investment projects have come in to Selangor and 13,197 job opportunities have been made available for the youth of the state.

According to the total sum of job opportunities since 2008 till 2011, as many as 102,288 job opportunities have been created in Selangor.

Meanwhile, the State Government is continuously intensifying programs to create job opportunities in Selangor by organising ‘Let’s Work’ (Jom Kerja) programmes every year.

Dr Ahmad Yunus said that to create a group of pro-active youths, the State Government has created a technical training scheme to train youths held at technical colleges in Selangor.

“For example, INPENS college in Selangor is providing technical courses to assist youths from middle (income) to lower (income) groups so that the youth in the state will be able to acquire suitable jobs,” the Sijangkang Assemblyman said.

Selangor Should Hurry Local Government Elections

SHAH ALAM, 22 Nov: Subang Jaya Assemblyman, Hannah Yeoh is urging the State Government to not delay Local Government Elections.

She said that a few years ago, the State Government had already spent money on researching the implementation of Local Government elections in Selangor.

However, the results of the research and the estimated cost to implement it are not known.

She said that Penang is already in the process of implementing local government elections in January next year.

“In relation to that, it is fair; considering that the state is rich and developed, that the State Government stops delaying the matter because the local residents have the power to choose their council members.”

“Local Government Elections will ensure that the best person is picked to serve in the Local Authorities.”

“Therefore, the State Government should stop delaying the implementation of local state elections,” she said in the Selangor State Assembly sitting.

Azmin: State Government Should Investigate PKPS Forest Reserves

SHAH ALAM, 21 Nov: The State Government has been asked to investigate the Bukit Tarik and Rantau Panjang forest reserve land lease agreement which has been claimed to be ‘biased’ and profiting parties with ties to Umno-BN leaders.

Bukit Antarabangsa Assemblyman, Azmin Ali said that he had previously brought up the issue in the State Assembly sitting in regards to the 2012 Budget.

“The response revealed that on the 22nd of February 2001, the State Government had signed a concession and lease agreement with the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS).”

“PKPS was given the concession to the Bukit Tarik and Rantau Panjang forest reserve land with the area of 5,000 hectares and a 60-year lease.”

“From there, PKPS had join-ventured with several companies, some of which involves Umno-BN leaders,” he said.

Azmin said that the join-venture was in favour of lessee companies that were engaging in plantation projects on the forest reserve.

“According to my inspection, PKPS will acquire returns of RM40 million from the leasing of land measuring 10,000 hectares where else the lessee company would profit more than 4 percent.”

“I came to understand that the total amount that PKPS received was only RM700,000 in 2009 from the proceeds of the Bukit Tarik and Rantau Panjang forest reserve,” he said.

Potholes on Pandamaran Roads Cause Accident & Death

SHAH ALAM, 22 Nov: Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco member, Ronnie Liu claims that the failure to maintain and close potholes on several federal roads in the Pandamaran area has caused road accidents lately.

According to Ronnie, lately an accident happened at Jalan Kim Chuan, a road under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (JKR) and has claimed the life of a senior citizen.

Two weeks ago, there was another accident on Jalan Banting, in the Pandamaran area, due to the terrible condition of the road.

In the incident, a woman died while her child was seriously injured.

Ronnie said that as the State Assemblyman of Pandamaran, he has written a letter to JKR to repair the roads in the areas around Pandamaran.

“I have already informed JKR. JKR Director, Datur Ir Abdullah Abd Rahman said that he is unable to obtain allocations.”

“According to the law, state funds cannot be used (to repair roads) under Federal JKR.”

“In Banting, factories have to perform Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However, (for CSR) they have to get the cooperation of JKR,” he said.

Ronnie will be providing assistance to both families of the accident victims to find lawyers to take legal action against JKR.

Meanwhile, Ronnie also slammed the Works minister, Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor, regarding the allocation needed to repair the roads in the country for the year 2012, which was very small.

According to Ronnie, for the year 2012, the federal government has allocated RM870 million to repair roads in the whole of Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak.

He explained that the responsibility of JKR does not just involve roads, but also encompasses traffic lights, drains and pavements.

“I’m shocked as RM870 (million) to repair roads under JKR is very small.”

“It’s no wonder many roads, especially in Selangor under (the jurisdiction of) JKR including Pandamaran are in a terrible state. There are potholes everywhere resulting in many accidents,” he said in a media conference in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly lobby.

Ronnie also urged Datuk Seri Shaziman to take this matter to the Cabinet to ensure that the allocation made to repair roads is increased immediately as well as to provide compensation to the two families mentioned.

“I want Shaziman to immediately take this before the Cabinet for two reasons; increase the allocated funds to repair roads under (the jurisdiction of) JKR.”

“Second, to compensate the two victim’s families. If he is willing, I would bring the families to meet him.”

“He should also give instructions to repair the roads with many terrible potholes. I believe many more victims (accidents) will happen,” he added.

Apart from that, he also asked the Ministry of Works to review the appointment of the three primary contractors repairing roads in the Peninsular and the five contractors in Sabah and Sarawak which have failed to repair the roads properly.

Ronnie stressed that should JKR fail to act, he will instruct every Local Authority (PBT) to put up signs saying ‘This is a JKR road’ so that the people will know of the federal government’s failure to repair roads under their jurisdiction.

PR Commitment Boost Department, State Agency Performance

SHAH ALAM, 21 Nov: A strong commitment by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to give the best service to the people of Selangor has caused the performance of the State Government departments and agencies to increase dramatically after 2008.

Finally, all efforts have borne fruit when the Auditor General’s report proved a significant increase.

This is according to Batu Caves Assemblyman, Amirudin Shari during the debate on the Supply Bill in the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) today.

Commenting further when met after the third day of the DNS sittings, he said that this could be improved further.

“For example, for the level of financial performance in 2007, none of the departments or agencies for were successful in being rated ‘very good’, but we got one in 2008 and 2009, and four ‘very good’ in 2010 and 2011. A total of eight departments got ‘very good’.”

“For the rating of ‘good’ there were just eight in 2007. Now it’s 10. Previously, there were two departments that had managed to get a ‘satisfactory’ rating. Now that no longer exists because there are only ‘best’ and ‘good’ (ratings),” he said.

In the 2011 Auditor General’s Report recently, states under PR administration were praised by the Auditor-General, Tan Sri Ariffin Remove for the various achievements brought about by the PR government.

These include reports of the Selangor Consolidated Fund which has increased from RM266.91 million (20.2 percent) to RM1, 586.88 million in 2010.

Appoint Independent Experts to Assess Slope Status

SHAH ALAM, 21 nov: Hulu Kelang Assemblyman, Shaari Sungib urged the State Government to set-up a team of independent experts to assess the status of the slope in Taman Sri Ukay and Hillview Park near Highland Towers.

He firmly said that if the slope is not safe, the State Government should gazette the area and ban any development in the area.

“In the past there have been studies saying that the Highland Towers incident was caused by underground water flow.”

“And now, the construction of the planned condo is only a few meters from the scene. This situation is obviously troubling,” he said during the 2013 Budget debate in the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting just now.

Recently, Shaari and 50 residents from Taman Sri Ukay and Hillview Park held a peaceful demonstration to express their opposition regarding the two high-profile projects on the slope near their homes.

One of the projects involving three blocks of 40-storey buildings will be built at Lot 847, near Taman Hillview, while the other project on Lot 5 involves the construction of five blocks of 17-storey buildings near the ruins of the Highland Towers condominium.

It is understood that the two projects will be implemented by two different developers.

State Government’s Wisdom Saves PKNS from Bearing the Bukit Botak Subsidy

SHAH ALAM, 21 Nov: The wisdom of the State Government in redeveloping the stalled housing project in Bukit Botak did not only safeguard the fate of more than 700 families but also succeeded in reducing the subsidy sum which the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) would have to shoulder.

During the 2013 Budget debate at the State Assembly (DNS) sitting, Bukit Antarabangsa Assemblyman, Azmin Ali said that under the Umno-BN administration previously, PKNS had to bear subsidies up to RM140 million.

In 2005, Umno-BN had taken over private projects and had instructed PKNS to be involved in completing the project with a sales value of RM42,000 per unit.

Instead, under the administration of Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the State Government had acted to assess the current value and increased the value of that particular residential property by 52 percent.

The total amount of subsidy PKNS shouldered reduced to RM80 million for 1,422 housing units.

The Bukit Botak Housing Project which is estimated to complete fully in December will be sold at the rate of RM99,000 per unit although the market value is RM250,000.

“With this new scheme, PKNS will not have to shoulder subsidies that are too high and also complete the housing project.”

“Buyers will also realise that they will be able to profit exponentially should they resell the house,” Azmin explained.

Last April, 707 city settlers who were promised land under the Bukit Botak relocation scheme by the Selangor Umno-BN almost 30 years ago had taken place in a draw to determine their house number.