Tag: Politics & National News

Selangor Government Maintains RM9.65 Billion Offer

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(PRESS STATEMENT)

The Selangor State Government does not intend to revise the RM9.65 billion amount offered to water concessionaires in February 2013 to finalise the restructuring of water supply services in the state.

Chief Minister, YAB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said, the state government considers that the offer to give 12 percent of profits to shareholders is fairer towards concessionaires.

“The privatisation of water (services) aims to provide more efficient water service at a reasonable rate. This policy is not aimed at allowing concessionaires to profit excessively from the distress of the people, who are the consumers.

However, the offer we provide is more reasonable if compared to corporate practices,” he said.

The Chief Minister made this clarification following media reports recently stating that the state government is revising the offer price for concessionaires.

He said that senior state officials held a meeting with the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, as well as other Federal agencies such as the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and Water Asset Management Company (WAMCO), to ensure that the year-end deadline to end negotiations will be achieved.

“During these meetings, the Federal Government has responded positively to our calculations we provided to enable us to buy the concessionaires and go on to restructure the water industry,” the Chief Minister said.

Tan Sri Abdul Khalid expressed his hope for the Federal Government to continue to support the efforts of the Selangor Government so that all stalled negotiations over the past few years can be resolved as soon as possible.

Released by
PRESS SECRETARIAT
OFFICE OF THE DATO’ MENTERI BESAR OF SELANGOR

Deepavali 2013 Message – Anwar Ibrahim

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The festival of lights that celebrates the victory of justice over tyranny is once again being celebrated by the Hindu community in Malaysia in the spirit of family and the tightening of relationships between family and friends.

This joy is emitted through a variety of decoration, various food, and colourful traditional clothing.

In celebrating this ‘victory’, let us not forget the lesson behind the Deepavali celebration which is continuation of the struggle to uphold goodness and justice, as well as full resistance against evil and tyranny.

The struggle to improve the living standards of the Indian community in Malaysia, especially in the issue of education and welfare of people living in rural areas, should continue to be fought for by all Malaysians.

This is important to ensure that the gap problem between the rich and the poor – regardless of race, of course – can be overcome.

While we celebrate this festival in joy, let us not forget our neighbours and friends who are less fortunate. Share you joy with them as much as possible.

Finally, I take this opportunity to wish “Deepavali Nal Valthukal” in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration this year.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Malaysian Parliamentary Opposition Leader
Parti Keadilan Rakyat

PDRM Urged to Improve Existing System

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SHAH ALAM, 2 Nov: The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has been asked to improve their existing system in order to curb crime.

Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar recommended it, in addition to requesting a review be done on all security officers.

Crime Analyst, Datuk Akhbar Satar, said that he welcomed Khalid’s recommendation. However, he said that it should be done holistically, significantly and tighter.

“In addition, the police should ensure that each member is given sufficient training, as well as to be equipped well with equipment and other needs such as weapons and logistics. If this criteria is met, the crime figures may go down,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor yesterday.

Yesterday, Khalid said that PDRM will be performing immediate checks of all security officers, as well as check their firearms licence as a short-term measure to curb identity fraud.

He said that PDRM will also design long-term plans in granting firearm licences to security officers, including tightening requirements for the renewal of licences, and the move will be made specifically to prevent occurrences of bank officers being shot in robberies from recurring.

In an incident, Norazita Abu Talib, 37, died after being shot in the head at close range by a security officer, believed to be an Indonesian national using a fake identity card, at USJ Central here in Subang Jaya at 6.20pm on 23 October.

Meanwhile, the Assemblywoman for Damansara Utama, Yeo Bee Yin, said that a restructuring of the police force should be carried out if we want rime statistics to go down.

“In cases of maddening crimes, it is time for the government to make changes in the division of duties by increasing police officers for crime prevention.

“At the moment, only a percentage of police officers are assigned to control crime, while the rest are assigned to other duties,” she said.

State Government Promotes Selangor as a Health Hub in Indonesia

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SHAH ALAM, 1 Nov: the State Government under the Exco of Health, Entrepreneur Development, Science, Technology and Innovation, made a stride in introducing Selangor as a Malaysian health hub in our neighbouring country, Indonesia.

The joint programme which was jointly organised by Tourism Selangor also led a delegation of representatives from private medical and health centres in Selangor for the success of the International Healthcare Tourism Expo 2013 in Jakarta, as well as the Selangor Meets Indonesia programme launch in Surabaya.

The Executive Councillor in charge, Dr Daroyah Alwi, said that the state government arranged this step forward to promote Selangor as a state with prestigious medical expertise in achieving its target.

She said that the opportunity was used to meet target groups and local tour operators to explain in detail about medical facilities and other attractions in Selangor.

“Our intention was clearly to attract Indonesians to come to Selangor to receive quality medical and health service at a cheaper rate and convenience.

“The package involved various parties that will facilitate patients so that they do not have to worry about the location where their family lives at, how to get halal food and drinks, attractive tourist sites and shopping centres,” she said.

Among the private medical and health centres that sent representatives were Sunway Medical Centre, DEMC Specialist Hospital, Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre and Columbia Asia Hospital.

Dr Daroyah said that Selangor is also famous for its interesting tourist sites that cater to the preferences of visitors, in addition to having expertise, qualified doctors, hospitals and advanced medical infrastructure.

“There, we received a very positive response because most of them already know Selangor and know the advantages as well as locations of interest here.

“We are confident that the various packages offered are able to attract tourists to seek medical care in Selangor,” she said.

CM Denies it is Difficult for Developers to Build Housing Projects in Selangor

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KLANG, 1 Nov: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has denied allegations that some developers find it difficult to build housing projects in the state.

Abdul Khalid stressed that development in Selangor has increased after Pakatan Rakyat (PR) led the state administration in 2008.

He said that he had recently announced that RM38 billion in developments will take place in Selangor for the long term.

“The statement is not true because development in the state has increased since PR has been leading Selangor,” he said when met after inaugurating the Deepavali Celebration here at Little India yesterday.

Abdul Khalid said, good infrastructure must also be standardised in any form of development.

“Now, it is time for us to set for every developer to contribute to the infrastructure. Developers also need to ensure good drainage system and roads.

“This aspect was not included in previous planning, but now we include it to ensure that the future of home-buyers is cared for,” he said.

Previously, the Chief Executive of Glomac Bhd, Datuk Fateh Iskandar Mohamed Mansor, claimed that the state government is exerting pressure on housing developers, in addition to including various additional costs, causing their business cost to increase.

Premises Demolishing Spun into Racial Issue

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SHAH ALAM, 1 Nov: Datuk Teng Chang Khim is disappointed with those connecting the action by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) to demolish an additional building of a restaurant in Serdang Perdana, with racial issues.

The Executive Councillor in charge of the Selangor Local Government, Studies and Research said that the issue is brought up to discredit Pakatan Rakyat (PR) by giving the impression that the Selangor Government is not helping Malay businessmen.

Instead, he said, the demolition was based on provisions of Local Government law that knows no colour difference.

“In this country, there are three main races; Malays, Chinese and Indians, in addition to other ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Every action, if not done to Malays, can be said to be done to Chinese or Indians.

“When action is taken against a Malay person, they accuse the government for being racist. If action is taken against a Chinese or Indian, the racial issue is still played.

“So, when will it end?” he said at a press conference at his office here at the State Secretariat Building (SUK) today.

Apart from the premises in Serdang Perdana, several food stalls owned by Malays were demolished by the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKJ) at Taman Mesra Batu 13, Jalan Cheras in Kajang, and the mainstream media has made an issue of it on 30 October.

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Vendors claimed that enforcement officers were biased when carrying out the action, however MPKJ denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, the MPSJ Director of Public Relations, Asfarizal Abdul Rashid said that the demolition had been done as the additional building was leased to foreign traders.

He said, the new building structure was built without permission, and was found to be a risk to the public because it was located near the main road.

“We act based on complaints received from the public because it endangers motorists passing through the area. The demolition was carried out on 28 October,” he said.

Last week, two houses in Kampung Chubadak were demolished by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) because the land was said to be owned by the Federal Land Commissioner.

Apart from the two houses, there are still about 200 houses in the village that would receive the same fate, and is now being monitored by the Member of Parliament of Batu, Tian Chua.

However, in contrast to the restaurant in Serdang Perdana, the issue of the demolition of the village houses, where the majority of residents are Malay, was deliberately not publicised by the mainstream media since the village is located under the jurisdiction of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Abdul Khalid Asks the Media to Stop Regarding the Chief Minister’s Position Issue

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KLANG, 1 Nov: The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim asked the mass media to stop harping on his relationship with the Vice-President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Azmin Ali, on the issue of taking over office.

He described the action as being ‘disgusting’ and asks editors to immediately stop.

Abdul Khalid said that he has no problem if his position as Chief Minister of Selangor is replaced by someone else.

“If the approach (of the supposed clash) is a way to sell newspapers, then such mentality shows that we have reached the level of developed countries,” he said when met at the Deepavali Celebration Opening Ceremony here in Little India yesterday.

Prior to this, there were rumours that Khalid’s performance had declined and the position of Chief Minister will be replaced by a new representative.

Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid also denied that there were Assemblymen who are not satisfied with him in their meeting session on 29 October.

“Not only did I look into every suggestion they raised, but also the long-term effects.

“We need to see the current and future impact if we want to develop Selangor in the next 20 years, not just the current (impact). So the reason for every proposal should be strong,” he said.

Previously, several local media reports have given the impression that Azmin would be leading the state; however the Bukit Antarabangsa Assemblyman and the PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, denied the rumours.

PJ Senior Citizen’s Run 2013

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PETALING JAYA, 1 Nov: The PJ Senior Citizen’s Run 2013 which was held at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) compound received encouraging response, with 300 people from all walks of life participated in the programme on 27 October.

The programme is part of initiative under the MBPJ community development programme in conjunction with the National Senior Citizen’s Day which is celebrated on 1 October every year.

MBPJ Council Member, Ahmad Akhir Pawan Chik, said that the programme is able to instil the spirit of social responsibility and is an effective idea, especially for senior citizens.

“Participants were also given tips in caring for their health. In addition, values among the community can be instilled so as to bridge the gap between the elderly and the young,” he said.

Also held at the event was the programme for Healthy, Quality and Increase in Self-Potential for Senior Citizens as well as a Fun Exercise, choir performances, games and a lucky draw contest.

Participants also received information on weight loss, blood pressure levels, strength of hands and legs, nutrition advice and special exercises throughout the programme.

The programme was in collaboration with the University of Malaya’s Melor Project (Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research), consisting of physicians and academics from various faculties such as medicine, law, economics and administration, education, architecture, engineering, computer science, as well as information technology and sports science.

The Melor Project involves groups that conduct research projects to be used and applied by the elderly in efforts to improve their quality of life.

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Nepal Government’s Mentality More Advanced, Possesses 127 Newspapers Compared to Malaysia

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SHAH ALAM, 1 Nov: Nepal is seen as more transparent and open as they have 127 newspapers compared to Malaysia, which is seen as giving less press freedom.

The Nepal government believes that by giving media freedom, it may lead to progress in the mentality of the South Asian country’s leaders and people.

Although Nepal is still categorised as a third world country in terms of physical development, but the mentality of the country’s leaders are considered to be more advanced than Barisan Nasional (BN).

The former President of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Hatta Wahari said, the matter has been proved when as of today, Nepal has 127 newspapers, excluding those published at the state level.

“Although we are developing and possess infrastructure like those of developed countries, the mentality of the government is still at the level of third world countries because they want to control the media. In fact, the government wants to control it all without giving freedom to the media and the community,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor today.

Hatta also condemned the action of the Minister of Home Affairs (MOHA) Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who issued the threatening statement to shut down media that published his statement in a programme in Malacca recently.

“This is the most brazen statement coming from a leader and he has a third world mentality by assuming that he has power and can control freedom of the press. It is leaders like this that we have to reject,” he said.

Commenting on the victory of the Malaysiakini news portal in the MOHA appeal to reject its publication permit, Hatta hopes that the victory will be an example to other media to be brave in publishing balanced and transparent media.

“Malaysiakini’s victory should be an example to other media and I hope that the media industry would be free and advanced,” he said.

Najib and MOHA Urged to Respond on Issue of American Intelligence

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KUALA LUMOUR, 31 Oct: Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his surprise because the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) did not issue a statement on the report regarding the U.S. Embassy being used for spying activities.

He said, the action by Najib and the MOHA is seen as being “too submissive” even though the matter is gravely serious.

“This is a serious matter for the country. We ask for the Prime Minister and the MOHA to respond on this matter so that we do not seem too submissive.

“No country, not even the US itself, would condone or tolerate a spying agency within its shores,” he said at a press conference in Parliament here today.

Two days ago, documents leaked by intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed that the US and Australia was tapping into telephones and monitoring communication networks in Malaysia through its Kuala Lumpur embassy.

According to reports, the countries that are the targets of the spying activities include the European and Asian continents.

Government Should Reduce Fuel Price Following the World Market

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KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Oct: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) questions the government’s move to raise fuel subsidies to RM2.326 billion in the National Budget 2014 because the government targets savings of RM3.3 billion next year.

Member of Parliament for Tanjong, Ng Wei Aik said, the subsidy increase would increase the total expenses to RM22.341 billion, however, only RM20.015 was allocated in the National Budget 2013.

“Fuel subsidies for next year will increase by 11.62 percent, from RM20 billion to RM22 billion. Fuel subsidies should be increased, not reduced.

“So we have a big question, why does the subsidy need to be increased dramatically when the announcement by the Prime Minister explained in September that the increase of 20 cents for RON95 and Diesel would result in savings of RM3.3 billion to be recorded in 2014,” he said in a press conference here in Parliament today.

Wei Aik said, the oil price has fallen as diplomacy aimed at Syria and Iran eased concerns about Middle East supplies after climbing to over USD110 in the late August, and the oil price even dipped below USD102 per barrel after parts of the US Government were ordered to shut down because of a budget impasse in Washington.

“The price of fuel is a major problem that burdens the people because they want the price to be lowered, not increased,” he said.

Among the countries that have reduced the price of oil are India, Taiwan, Ghana, Vietnam, Bermuda, South Africa, Georgia and China, in the last three months.

Anwar: The People’s Income should be raised to implement GST

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KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Oct: Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, insisted that all forms of leakages, corruption and monopoly, which rampant in the country, must be stopped before thinking about implementing the goods and services tax (GST).

He said, if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was ruling, the GST would be implemented with conditions. However, it will not be a priority that has to be implemented urgently because it requires special consideration in advance.

He said, the people’s income should be given attention and increased before the implementation of the GST, which is seen as to be burdensome to the people, especially low and middle-income earners.

“I am not saying that I object the GST principle in my budget speech. I am stressing from the point that the implementation of the GST system should be done transparently and efficiently.

“The two conditions we are emphasising on is to firstly remove leakages by saving the money to spend,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Anwar said that the second condition is that the income levels of the people should be improved and he acknowledged that the GST system would be efficient, with the country recording a surplus, when he was the Finance Minister.

“But now, the deficit is serious, and I would not have implemented it that time, despite studies on the system was fine, but the implementation is not appropriate,” he said.

Regarding his argument by making Singapore an example in the implementation of the GST, Anwar answered that the country implemented the GST with a time line, in addition to ensuring an increase in the people’s income.

“It is not that I do not support the basic principle, but Singapore implemented it a three percent, guaranteeing that it will not rise in seven to nine years,” he said.

“All PR component parties will pursue information sessions for the people on the GST so that they understand why this cannot be implemented now,” he said.

Previously, various quarters disputed Anwar’s statement and claimed that PR supports the implementation of the GST as a whole. However, this matter was denied.