CM Witnesses PKNS Recite the CIP

SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) emerged today as the first State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) in Malaysia to recite the Corporate Integrity Pledge (CIP) as an effort to fight against corruption in the business place.

The CIP is a document that allows an organisation to commit to upholding anti-corruption principals by establishing fair and transparent trade free from corruption.

The pledge was signed by the Head Director of PKNS, Othman Omar and was overseen by the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Deputy Head Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (Prevention), Datuk Sutinah Sutan.

In his speech, Abdul Khalid said that the ministry is able to reinforce accountability and administration while altogether being committed in creating an organisation that is transparent and absent of corruption.

“I believe with the existence of this system, PKNS can be trusted, and with integrity and honour, clients of PKNS will trust them and with this trust, PKNS will have the opportunity to progress more in developments.”

“This shows the worker’s preparedness to serve with a high efficiency rate as well as being able to follow orders and regulations while keeping employer and company secrets,” he said.

Parallel to the ministry, Abdul Khalid also launched the PKNS Whistle-Blowing Policy which is a channel to receive complaints and give the public and PKNS staff the opportunity to report any discrepancies in implementation activities or disciplinary offences.

Also appointed as the Whistle-Blowing Committee Chairman is the Chairman of the Audit Integrity Committee, Datuk Mohd Salleh Mahmud.

Previously, PKNS has carried out various initiatives to strengthen the management structure.

Among which is the establishment of the Department of Administration and Integrity (JKTI), the establishment of the Department of Procurement, Department of Organisational Management and Integrity, the appointment of the Accredited Integrity Officer and formation of the ‘No Gift Policy’ that discourages the giving of gifts and hospitality.

For the record, approximately 130 Government Linked Companies (GLC), private or organisations, around the country have signed the CIP.

State Government to Inspect Batu Caves Condo Project Planning Permission before Making a Decision

SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: Decisions regarding the condominium project in front of Batu Caves will be made after thorough inspection to prevent any negative effects to the rakyat and the Selangor Government.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that this approach is different from the Umno-BN Federal Government that is now promising to cancel the project although it was approved by the previous Umno-BN Selangor government.

He said that every project cancellation has to be done professionally, transparently and responsibly by following procedures to avoid negative consequences to the state.

It is being understood that should the project be cancelled without following procedures, the State Government will have to compensate the project developer, Dolomite Park Avenue.

“We are committed in fixing any carelessness and mistakes which had been made by the Umno-BN government before this.”

“However, this has to be done in order and in accordance with policies of the state government which is fair and just,” he said in a press conference after chairing the Exco meeting here, today.

Recently, the English language newspaper, The Sun, had exposed the approval of the 29 storey condominium project by the Selayang Municipal Council during the Umno-BN governance in 2007.

At the Batu Caves Deepavali celebrations last night, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had declared that Umno-BN will cancel the project should they return to govern Selangor.

In Abdul Khalid’s reply to Najib’s announcement, he said that the Umno president was not professional and that it was a cheap publicity stunt.

“Najib’s actions may bring about negative outcomes to the integrity and respectable administration because any cancellation to the project should be done according to procedure,” he added.

Simultaneously, Abdul Khalid has announced the appointment of Datuk N. Sadasivan as chairman of the Independent Taskforce to study the aforementioned project’s approval.

Abdul Khalid said that Sadasivan, who was the former Head of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) will be assisted by a group of professionals to work freely in the taskforce.

“Among taskforce’s scope of duties is to re-investigate all development projects which have been planned and carried out at Batu Caves taking several aspects into consideration such as, the people’s welfare, the Hindu community’s priorities and the law,” he continued.

Anwar: Rising Support for PR from the Indian Community

PETALING JAYA, 13 Nov: Policies introduced by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states, particularly Selangor can be seen to successfully increase support from the Indian Community for the coalition in the approaching 13th General Elections.

This is according to PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when asked about Indian support for PR at the PKR headquarters here.

He said the response from the Indian community regarding the programmes and schemes organized by the Selangor State Government for example, has drawn the attention of those who have been often ignored previously during the Umno-BN state government.

“Selangor under the PR’s leadership has been working to look after the Indian community in this state by providing a variety of assistance programmes including educational assistance amounting to RM4 million in all National-type Tamil Schools (SJKT).”

“PR is also trying to obtain identification cards for some of the Indians living in rural areas for decades but still have not been given citizenship,” said the Selangor State Economic Advisor.

Previously, Anwar had promised that PR would not abandon all races, including Indians if successful in taking over the Federal Government after the next General Election.

Anwar’s announced this during a visit to the Deepavali festival organized by the State Government in Jalan Kelana, Klang, which is also known as ‘Little India’ last Saturday.

He said that the Indians who have claimed to be ignored by the Umno-BN government for the past 50 years will be given equal attention, that includes all other races in this country.

“I do not want to hear any more fights about racial disputes, we will take care of all races and citizens in this country,” he said in his speech at the party.

Yaakob – Farmers Income Targeted at RM3, 000

KUALA LANGAT, 12 Nov: To continue the development of agriculture in Selangor, the State Government targets farmers to earn RM 3,000 and above per month from the proceeds of their cultivation.

Selangor Agricultural Modernisation, Natural Resources Management and Entrepreneurial Development Exco, Dr. Yaakob Sapari said that this would be done through research to modernise and improve crop harvest.

Yaakob said that the State Government would also ensure that only farmers get agricultural land and not those who were not involved in the industry.

To achieve this goal, the State Government also hopes that the farmers would market their produce without a middle man to save costs.

He said that this approach can reduce the cost of expenditure as much as RM 500 to RM 700 per month.

Agriculture is a field that will provide handsome returns should farmers pay serious attention to it,” Yaakob said in during the visitation session at the Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM) here at Kampung Sungai Kelambu.

“We also want the youth to participate in agriculture especially university graduates.”

“This way agriculture can be developed because of participation from the educated,” he said.

“With the determination from the State and all parties involved, it has been recorded that Selangor produces about 60 percent of the country’s agriculture.”

The Number of Flood Victims in Selangor Rises

SHAH ALAM, 12 Nov: Selangor recorded an increase in flood victims amounting to 1,327 victims in three districts, Kuala Langat, Sepang and Kuala Selangor in comparison to 1,273 people victims last night.

According to the National Security Council (MKN) flood web portal, Kuala Langat district recorded the highest number of victims, 954 victims, who have been placed in four evacuation centres till 9 o’clock this morning.

A total of seven evacuation centres have been setup to accommodate the increasing number of flood victims with the highest number of victims in Sekolah Kebangsaan Rancangan Tanah Belia Bukit Changgang amounting to 772 victims.

Meanwhile, heavy rain in Bestari Jaya since a few days has caused the total of flood victims to increase from 15 to 33 people until 12 o’clock noon yesterday.

All the victims have been placed in Kampung Seri Makmur Evacuation Centre, Bestari Jaya involving eight families.

Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) web portal reported, water levels of the two main rivers, Sungai Langat in Bukit Changgang and Sungai Selangor in Kuala Badong, have exceeded the warning levels and people in the surrounding areas have been asked to be careful.

CM: No Need for Elections to Help the Rakyat

KLANG, 12 Nov: Improving the quality of life of the rakyat should be done completely without alienating or denying the rights of certain races, says Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

He said that only with a balanced development, racial and cultural harmony can exist and be enjoyed together.

“The people of Selangor are feeling the economic development made by Pakatan Rakyat (PR). Selangor people have already been feeling the distribution of allocation consistently to each race since 2008.

“We do not need to wait for the elections to allocate funds, but it is given every year because it is the right of the people,” he said while attending the Deepavali Celebration at Jalan Tengku Kelana, here yesterday evening.

The ceremony was organized by the Selangor State Government in collaboration with Digi Telecommunications.

Also present, was Selangor Excos, Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Ronnie Liu and Dr. Yaakob Sapari, MPs and Selangor assemblyman as well as the Head of Klang Municipal Council (MPK), Ikhsan Mukri and MPK Council members.

At the same event, the State Government also contributed a total of RM1.2 million to a number of non-Muslim places of worship around Klang.

In the meantime, the Chief Minister said that the State Government along with several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have devised strategies to implement programs for the development of Tamil schools in Selangor.

“Hopefully, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the Tamil Schools Board of Governors make use of the opportunity and the space available to help these governmental initiatives for the benefit of children who are studying in Tamil schools,” he said.

MB: Muslim Entrepreneurs Should Be More Brave

KLANG, NOV 10: Selangor Chief Minister (Menteri Besar) Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim advised Muslim halal industry entrepreneurs to be more daring in exploring other areas of production that has a high demand other than food.

Other areas for example would be production of ingredients, cosmetics and pharmasuitacals.

He said, based on the statistical count of Halal Certificate applications, non-Muslim companies go into these fields and non-Malay entrepreneurs are monopolising the food and beverage production as well as the slaughter houses in the country.

“We must learn to be Muslims who are more advanced in these areas in order to accommodate local demand,” he said when at the Halal Festival opening ceremony at Masjid As Sharif, here.

In relation to that, he asks Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) to come up with measures to help entrepreneurs develop the industry.

“I also hope this program will be continued and spread in other mosques around the country,” he said.

Up till 2011, as many as 4,787 halal certificates have been issued to factories, premises and slaughter houses in the country.

A total of 701 companies have been approved Halal certification to export production overseas.

At the Halal Festival at As Sharif mosque that went on for three days, a total of 30 outlets exhibited food, drink and clothing.

The festival that was organised by JAIS was the extension of the Halal carnival in the Selangor State last year.


State Government Distributes Deepavali Hampers to Poor Families

SHAH ALAM, Nov 10: The state government will be providing 39,000 food hampers to be distributed to the 56 State Legislative Assembly (DUN) across Selangor in conjunction with Deepavali celebrations this.

Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Exco, Dr Xavier Jayakumar said almost all the items will be donated to the low-income Indian community.

He said each constituency (DUN) would receive between 500 to 700 hampers depending on the population of the DUN.

“Amongst the contents of the hamper is five kilograms of rice, two kilograms of cooking oil, meehun, maruku flour and packets of chicken curry powder, goat curry powder and Kurma powder,” he said in a press statement here today.

According to him, the distribution will be carried out by officers and personnel of the Section Sectoral and Macro Unit, and the Privatisation Unit of the State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) of Selangor.

“The State Legislative Assembly and Service Centre will distribute all hampers to residents within their area when the hampers are received.”

More Tadika Rakyat, Proposed State Government

PETALING JAYA, NOV 10: The State Government has proposed to build three more Tadika Rakyats in Serendah, Kampar and Dengkil to facilitate children from low income families to receive preschool education.

The constructions of these kindergartens are the continuation of the two existing kindergartens in Taman Sentosa, Klang and Kampung Lindungan in Petaling Jaya.

Hence, Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Exco, Dr. Xavier Jayakumar, welcomed parents who cannot afford preschool education to send their children to these kindergartens.

“This kindergarten is open to all races. Therefore, people in this area, do not miss the chance to register your children.”

“In addition to the low fees, children will also be exposed to early childhood education,” he added.

He said, pre-school education is the first step to prepare children before the commencement of
statutory education.

“Based on research, there are still 30 percent of children who are not enrolled in any preschool because they cannot afford the monthly fee.”

As a result, many children are left behind in terms of education like not knowing how to write, count or read.

This causes them to fall behind their peers when they eventually enter primary school and this causes serious problems in the long term.

“Lack of exposure to education in the early stages is among the factors that contribute to social problems,” he said during the Tadika Rakyat Kampung Lindungan launching ceremony here, early this morning.

The Tadika Rakyat at Kampung Lindungan is the second branch that has been built by the State Government along with the non-governmental organization (NGO), Child Information, Learning and Development Centre (Child).

The kindergarten is reserved for families earning below RM 1,500.

In addition to providing comfortable learning, students are only charged as low as RM 20 per month.

The kindergarten costing about RM 460,000 has been equipped with eight classes and is able to accommodate about 20 students per class.

The State Government has provided RM 50,000 for each of the kindergartens.

Also present was Local Government, Research and Development Exco, Ronnie Liu, Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Taman Medan assemblyman, Haniza Talha, Kelana Jaya MP, Gwo Burne Loh and Deputy Mayor of Petaling Jaya, Puasa Md Taib.

5th December Assembly at Putrajaya for MyKad, Birth Certificate Issue

SHAH ALAM, 9 NOV: An assembly organised by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will be held in the compound of the National Registration Department (JPN) headquarters in Putrajaya, 5th December next year if the government does not solve the case of missing MyKads and birth certificates involving the Indian community in this country soon.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President N. Surendran said there are almost 300,000 reported cases of the missing documents among the community so far.

“We will allow a period for the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the government to solve this matter as soon as possible or we will go through with this large assembly,” he said when contacted by TV Selangor here today.

He said many Indian communities are denied the ownership of MyKads and birth certificates even though they were born in this country and are citizens.

Following that, he added that the community had to face many problems, such as children not being able to participate in the school environment.

“In one case, 10-year-old S. Logeswaran’s mother has a MyKad, but her father does not even though he is born in this country. As a result the government refused to issue Logeswaran a birth certificate.

“Logeswaran was not able to participate in the school environment. In three years she has only attended school for three weeks when she was forced to stop,” he said, convinced that there are still many cases like this involving other children who are denied the right to education.

Surendran said his party demands that the UMNO-BN-led government solves the matter immediately or they will face the people’s resurgence.

“Today, we are announcing that PKR, together with other PR allies, will have a large assembly at JPN Putrajaya next December. We will not leave until we receive a clear answer from the authorities at JPN,” he further added.

National Zoo Vist Organised by Sungai Pinang State Assembly Cultivates Interest in Nature

AMPANG, 9 NOV: Cheer was evident on the faces of the Standard 3 students of SRJK Pin Hwa when they were taken to visit the National Zoo.

The school’s first excursion under the ‘Ranger Kancil Zoo Negara Tour’ program organised by the Sungai Pinang State Assembly Office had provided exposure and cultivated the students’ interest in nature.

According to their Mandarin (language) teacher, Loo Boon Pei, there were those amongst the students that were visiting the National Zoo for the first time.

Physical Education and Science teacher, Shawn Khor Joo Huat was of the opinion that activities such as this have the capability to further expand students’ minds so as to be more actively involved in the learning process.

“A worthwhile program. I can see the students so excited and happy during the visit.”

“Services provided by the zookeeper were also good. They explain about what is available students were able to actively participate.”

“For the students, this is something worthwhile and meaningful. They do not just leisurely walk around, but they get to learn new things, “he said.

190 students attended this third program.

Previously, this program was organized by the State Assembly (DUN) office for SJKC Pin Hwa and SJKC Kong Hoe.
Overall, a total of 525 students and 56 teachers from DUN Sungai Pinang have benefited from this program.

The DUN has allocated nearly RM 29,000 for the three visits to the National Zoo; this includes the cost of the bus rental and food.

According to the Sungai Pinang assemblyman Datuk Teng Chang Kim, this program gives students the opportunity experience first-hand what is available National Zoo.

“This program is one way to help schools fill in the gaps in the education curriculum.”

“We have seen a positive reaction from students’ that are excited when they are brought here”.

“There are probably busy parents, so we are of the opinion that this program is beneficial to them,” he said when met at the foyer of the ‘Show Amphitheatre’, at the National Zoo”.

Teng, who is also the Speaker of the State House, said that he would recommend that this program be part of the Selangor state education program.

Meanwhile, the Department Head of Education at the National Zoo, Junaidi Omar said he welcomes this kind of interactive programs with schools.

“We provide message and education. This is a platform to communicate with the concept of recreation and education”, he said.

Selangor Government Denies Developing Selangor Foundation Land.

Klang, 09 NOV: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid deniesd charges of former Selangor Foundation alumni regarding a plot of land belonging to the said Foundation in Klang which is to be developed as a Chinese Cultural Centre.

According to him, the State government has yet to decide on any plans regarding the development of the said land.

Also, it is clear that the 7.49 hectares of land officially belongs to the State government.

He explained that previously, the land had been given to a private company in 2002 by the Umno-BN government at the time.

Since the company failed to develop the land, the Selangor government nullified the deal and reclaimed the land.

Abdul Khalid also denied permission had been given to develop the land into a Chinese Cultural Centre.

“The company empowered by the Selangor Foundation failed to develop the land privately.”

“Additionally, five to six people including individuals from Umno has written letters to me requesting to develop the land,” he explained in a press conference following the opening of the Halal Fest at Masjid As Syariff, here.

Obviously, the deal was nullified due to its one-sided nature.

“It is stated in the deal that the Selangor Foundation had transferred its powers to the company.”

“We will develop the land except that we have no plans at the moment,” he said.

One newspaper reported that the Children of Selangor Foundation Acting Members Chairman, Badrulzaman claimed that the said land belongs to the Foundation and will be developed as a Chinese Cultural Centre.

They also claimed that permission had been given in a rushed manner to back up the Selangor Foundation.