Tag: Press Statement

DAP Urges PMO to Explain the Actual Costs of Ad Expenditure

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KULAI, August 22: DAP Member of Parliament for Kulai, Teo Nie Ching demended for the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim to explain the spending made by the department for advertisements and publicity from year 2008 to 2013, roketkini.com reported yesterday.

“In a brief reply at the last Parliamentary session, Shahidan stated that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) did not give provisions for advertising and publicity in the years mentioned, but to 13 agencies under the department, totalling to RM8,342,057.75, while the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and the Bumiputera Agenda Driving Unit (TERAJU) each totaled to RM82,402,800 and RM12,146,255..

“In short, the PMO’s expanses for advertising and publicity from 2008 to 2013 amounted to RM102,892,112.75.

“There is a huge difference with PMD ad spending. If in the first six months of this year PMO has spent RM264 for advertisements, it is impossible that the total spending on advertisements for PMD from 2008 to 2013 only amounts to RM102 million. Did Shahidan provide inaccurate numbers with the intention of misleading the Parliament and the public?” she asked in a statement today.

Malay Mail Online, on 16 August reported that according to the international media buying agency, Vizeum Media, the PMO made a huge spending from government allocations, totalling to RM264 million for the period of the first six months of this year, five times more from year 2012.

Nie Ching, who is also the DAP National Publicity Secretary Assistant, said that Vizeum Media is not the only organisation that exposed the leakages in the government.

“Earlier this year, a study conducted by AC Nielsen revealed that the PMO spent RM170 million for advertisements in the first quarter of 2013. This makes the report by Vizeum Media all the more convincing.

“So I asked Shahidan to explain the difference immediately. If not, I will not hesitate to state that he is misleading the House and refer the matter to the (Parliament’s) Privileges Committee, as provided by Rule 36 (12) of the Standing Order at the next Parliamentary session which starts on 23 September.

In the meantime, Nie Ching also urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the advertising campaign during before the 13th General Election (GE-13) because it is a clear ‘misuse of public funds’.

-Roketkini.com

When will Malaysia have a low crime rate?

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(PRESS STATEMENT)

KUALA LUMPUR, August 21: DAP Parliamentary Leader, Lim Kit Siang wants to know when will regional and international magazines front-page Malaysia for being “lucky country” and for “low-crime”? Roketkini portal reports today,

This is because the cover stories of two international magazines in the past month should have given considerable food for thought for Malaysians to ponder as to what has happened to Malaysia, more than 100 days after the recent general elections and which is to celebrate our 56th National Day in eleven day’s time.

According to him, the 20th July 2013 edition of The Economist “The Curious Case of the Fall in Crime”, reporting that “The rich world is seeing less and less crime, even in the face of high unemployment and economic stagnation”.

The Economist “briefing” article states: “Across the developed world, the crime wave that began in the 1950s is in broad retreat.

“Both police records (which underestimate some types of crime) and surveys of victims (which should not, but are not as regularly available a source of data) show crime against the person and against property falling over the past ten years in most rich countries.

In America the fall began around 1991; in Britain it began around 1995, though the murder rate followed only in the mid-2000s. In France, property crime rose until 2001—but it has fallen by a third since. Some crimes are all but disappearing. In 1997, some 400,000 cars were reported stolen in England and Wales: in 2012, just 86,000.

“Cities have seen the greatest progress. The number of violent crimes has fallen by 32% since 1990 across America as a whole; in the biggest cities, it has fallen by 64%. In New York, the area around Times Square on 42nd Street, where pornographers once mingled with muggers, is now a family oriented tourist trap. On London’s housing estates, children play in concrete corridors once used by heroin addicts to shoot up.

In Tallinn you can walk home from the theatre unmolested as late as you like.”

The Gelang Patah Member of Parliament in his press statement said, while the debate is ongoing as to what is behind this spectacular and widespread improvement in the crime scene in the developed countries, what hit Malaysians in the face 100 days after the 13th General Elections and 11 days before the 56th National Day Celebrations is the worst crime situation in the nation’s history, with Malaysians suffering from the worst “fear of crime” in the country with the easy availability of firearms and the frequency of deadly firearm crimes.

“What has gone wrong with Malaysia with the country reduced to such a state of lawlessness?

“Time magazine cover story last week on “WE ARE AUSTRALIA: THE TRUE FACE OF THE LUCKY COUNTRY”.

“Is it conceivable that Malaysia could have been the subject of national and international magazines in the past three months as “The True Face of the Lucky Country?” he asked.

He said the matter is totally inconceivable with the upsurge and escalation of unprecedented language and politics of hate and intolerance revolving particularly around race and religion, trying to negate the conventional belief that the diversity of the people, languages, cultures and religions in Malaysia is the country’s greatest asset rather than its greatest weakness.

He said more than a hundred days after the 13th general elections, and eleven days to the 56th National Day celebrations, Malaysians must ask when, and what Malaysians must do, for regional and international publications to front-page Malaysia for being a “lucky country” and being “low-crime country”.

Graduates PTPTN Loan Listed Under the CCRIS, Umno-BN Cronies Go Free

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SHAH ALAM, August 20: The Umno-BN Government has failed to defend the rights of its citizens when they made the decision to list PTPTN defaulters under the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS), but let corruption, leakages and loans by cronies grow.

PKR Communications Director, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that the announcement by the Second Minister of Education, Idris Jusoh, is yet another failure of the Umno-BN government in implementing pro-people national education policies.

He said that while low-income students are chased and hounded for debt collection, the Umno-BN government has not taken any decisive action to overcome the problem of illegal money flows in the country which is the third highest in the world from 2001-2010, totaling to over RM800 billion.

Previously, Pakatan leaders revealed corporate loan scandals such as the loan by Datuk Tajudin Ramli amounting to RM584 million which was written off and the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal associated with Datuk Shahrizat Jalil’s family amounting to RM250 million, both of which did not incur any stern action by the government.

At the same time, university student’s debts of only tens of thousands are incessantly demanded for and chased under any circumstances, including not being allowed to go out of the country.

According to Nik Nazmi, the PTPTN policy which is attached with the liberalisation and corporatisation of higher education has become a burden faced by the younger generation in this country.

“In addition to low wages and salaries, as well as high home and car prices, they are faced with various prolonged debt,” said Nik Nazmi in a press statement.

He said, according to the Bank Negara (National Bank), household debt has increased by 12 percent every year over the last five years.

“The bankruptcy rate has also continued to increase from year to year, and among the main group who fall victim are the young people,” he said.

Nik Nazmi explained that most students who use the PTPTN facility are those from low and low-medium income families.

“If their family could afford it, of course they would not take a loan from the PTPTN fund,” he stressed.

He added that Pakatan leaders do not dispute the need for borrowers who are able and have good income to repay their PTPTN loan.

However, what is being disputed is the fate of the majority of borrowers who have been struggling with the high cost of living and come from ordinary families.

“The policy of giving discounts to those who repay their entire PTPTN debts in a lump sum made in the 203 budget is unfair because those who benefit from it have good financial positions.

“As a result, education can no longer be a catalyst for social mobility to enable those from low-income families to have an opportunity of a better life, instead it widens the gap between the rich and the poor in our country,” he said.

Nik Nazmi added that this new policy proves that Umno-BN still wants to make education a commodity and privilege for those who can afford it.

“There is only one real solution to this issue which is to abolish the PTPTN and provide free education as an investment for the future of our children,” he said.

Why does DS Zahid want the EO when there is the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Amendment 1983)?

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In reference to the statement by the Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, who revealed that the police has the authority under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Amendment 1983) to detain suspects for a period of 72 days to assist in investigations, and the statement by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak who does not agree in reviving the law allowing for detention without trial to curb the increase in crime.

Both the aforementioned statements caused a blow to the Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has been arguing for the need to reinstate the Emergency Ordinance Act (EO) to combat the increase in serious crimes serious crime that is getting worse.

Firstly, the Inspector General of Police proved that Zahid has been wrong to fight for the EO as a solution to crime and the people have been made aware that there is another act equivalent to the ISA and EO which allows detention for 72 days or two and a half months with a court order!

Second, PM Najib has proven that the cabinet does not agree with Zahid’s recommendations to bring back the EO. Such contradictory statements have further undermined public confidence in Zahid and his ministry. The most important question is, what is the reason behind Zahid wanting to bring back the EO? Is it because the power to use the EO lies in the hands of the minister, while other acts need a court order, or is it merely an implied interview to defend his post as the Vice-President of Umno in the upcoming election?

PAS supports the stand taken by the former Chief Justice, Tun Zaki Azmi for the existing Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (revised 1983) to be amended so as to give power to the police to fight serious crime. PAS hopes that the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Amendment 1983) will not be abused against the innocent and for any nefarious political purposes.

PAS would also like to congratulate the Royal Malaysian Police on their success of arresting 200 suspects who are believed to have been involved in serious crimes recently. Crime prevention has to be carried out at all times. Crime prevention which is carried out seasonally and not periodically may cause criminals to continue to commit crimes because they feel that their operations can be easily carried out.

Concerned Men can Eradicate Violence Against Women

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By Rodziah Ismail

(PRESS STATEMENT)

Men who are responsible and sensitive to women’s rights awarded by God and the law has much helped women receive redress and justice when they are vilified, discriminated against, abused and terrorised mentally, physically, emotionally and sexually.

The history of human civilization has proven this. In the case where a video showed a woman being beaten by her husband which has become an issue currently was published onto social media sites by the victim’s male family members is a significant example of the responsibility felt by men who are sensitive and concerned to ensure that women under their care receive justice and are not at all treated with impunity by men who have lost all guidance and intentionally want to hurt and harm women’s lives, even though men are claimed to be entrusted to do the opposite.

The video which went viral published reaction from the authorities as required. Teachings in life which are shaped by the belief that humans are created by Allah the Almighty clarifies that whatever the fault of the woman wife, he (husband) is not entitled to terrorise by any means; much less if no mistake was made.

What is the solution to such social ills in a developing society and may become tyranny? It is not a question easily answered, but not impossible to be answered and implemented as best possible. Determination to do it rests largely on the power capable of moving all machinery and trustworthy personnel to implement it.

The Federal Government is urged to stop all discrimination on the maximum mobilisation of members of law enforcement in addressing all forms of violence against people, especially women in the state of Selangor. Pending the decision of the Federal Government, the Selangor State Government has planned to implement a community policy and installing surveillance devices (CCTV) as a measure to safeguard the safety of the people in relevant areas.

In addition is the intensification of the advocacy (RM500 thousand has been allocated for this purpose) of the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) and enhancing its services for victims of violence as well as adding shelters in collaboration with the LPHS. Parallel efforts of gender advocacy (also involving the understanding of the sensitivity of masculinity and manhood), protection and prosecution are also the focus of eliminating all forms of violence against women. The Selangor Government is working to start the Men Anti-Violence Against Women movement. The issue of violence against women should not be sensationalised to receive justice and reaction from enforcement personnel. It is the basis of enforcement action.

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The Selangor State Government wants to do the maximum effort of prevention, protection and prosecution, to address the crime of violence against women. It requires close cooperation with the Federal Government in an organised and systematic manner (refer to my Press Statement dated 26 July 2012). Carelessness and failure will put the people, especially women, in stressful and unsafe situations.

* Rodziah is the Batu Tiga Assemblywoman cum Deputy Chief of the PKR Central Woman’s Wing and the Women Chief of the Selangor PKR