Tag: State Institutions

Azmin: Najib Most Spendthrift PM in Spending Petronas Funds

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Nov: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is the most spendthrift Finance Minister, by forcing Petronas to contribute the highest dividend rates in the country’s history.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali accounted that, except for Najib, there has never been a Finance Minister or Prime Minister who has extensively used Petronas funds.

Based on the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Statics, throughout Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s term as Finance Minister, Petronas had contributed a dividend of RM3.1 billion from 1992 until 1997.

The amount of dividends Petronas contributed when Tun Abdullah Badawi was the Finance Minister was RM9.1 billion in 2004, RM11.0 billion in 2005, RM18.0 for 2006 and RM24.0 billion for 2007.

Meanwhile, during Najib’s term, a sum of RM30.0 billion in dividends have been contributed consistently from 2009 to 2011.

“When Anwar had worked to reduce the national debt, the country spent prudently resulting in income surpassing spending without burdening Petronas and had driven economic growth up to 10 percent. Datuk Seri Najib had taken 10 times more out of Petronas funds.

“The national debt increased five-fold, the budget deficit lasted for 14 years and the economic growth rate is still sluggish at the rate of around four to five per cent,” he said at a press conference at PKR headquarters.

Azmin came forward today to maintain the credibility and ability of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in steering the economy following Najib’s attack yesterday at the Umno general assembly.

Azmin explained that Najib’s economic performance has not once ever surpassed Anwar’s in successfully accelerating economic growth in reaching 9-10 percent during his term as the Minister of Finance.

During Najib’s appointment as the Minister of Finance since 2009, he has reversed the economy’s direction and lead it towards crisis while neighbouring countries such as Indonesia continues to grow rapidly.

In addition, Najib Razak has also failed to overcome debt problems although Anwar had left it in a pretty good shape.

Azmin also said the modus operandi of the attacks against Anwar regarding his economic governance credibility is to use it again for the 13th General Elections (GE-13) to intimidate the people that the country will go bankrupt if Umno-BN is not given the power to rule.

“For the GE-13, people will still choose Pakatan Rakyat. This means that mature people will not be influenced by Umno-BN political propaganda in underestimating the people’s ability to evaluate the performance of the economy under the leadership of Anwar as Finance Minister.



Umno Deputy Women Chief of Semporna Joins PKR

PETALING JAYA, 30 November – Deputy Women Chief of Umno’s Semporna Division, Sabah Kalasahan Abdul Salam declared her withdrawal from the party and resigns from all her positions in the party with immediate effect today, to join PKR.

This decision was made due to the breakdown of leadership in the Umno Semporna Division particularly the Division Head held by Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, one of the three Vice Presidents of Umno.

According Kalasahan, she has served for two terms since 2004 to 2012 and found that the leadership of Shafie is that of a dictatorship rule which makes Umno Sempoerna seem privately owned.

She added that the Sempoerna Division of Umno’s leadership leans towards participating in division, exclusion and marginalisation which is contradictory to the party’s concept.

“The nature of favoritism, cronyism and nepostism continues to be a practice and is denser in the Semporna Umno leadership pattern. They (Umno division) are far off track.

“Umno Semporna is also not managed based on the party’s constitution. The lack in transparency is too much in the administration and divisional meetings as well as in the Umno Semporna Division,” she said witnessed by PKR Deputy President, Azmin Ali.

She also explained that as the Minister of Rural Development, Shafie has also failed as a whole in his duty to develop Semporna.

“I also regret and repent regarding the sabotage carried out by the party leaders towards BN Bugaya State Assembly candidate in the 11th General Elections (2004) and the BN Sulabayan State Assembly candidate in the 12th General Elections in 2008.

“Those who had committed this sabotage were given special protection from the Umno leader of Samporna who also holds the position of the Semporna Umno Division Chief,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kalasahan’s husband, Abdul Habi Mustpha insisted that the issue of his ‘sacking’ which was in the media should be corrected as he had already left Umno on the 17th of November.

“Five days after my resignation, the announcement was made which involves a wide broadcast stating that I have been sacked from Umno.

“Why should I be sacked when I had already left Umno. This shows rapacity in Umno,” he said.

He also said that Shafie’s failure in developing the community of Samporna is clearly revealed when the district ranked last in the results for primary and secondary school examinations.

State Government Framework Includes Various Programmes for Single Mothers

SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov: A total of 24,009 women in Selangor under the category of single mothers have been given the opportunity to improve their standard of living as the State Government has planned various programmes to take them out of poverty.

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture Exco member, Rodziah Ismail said that the initiative is taken so that they are not left behind in the development of the state.

“Among the programmes carried out is the Selangor Women’s Empowerment project through the Women’s Centre of Culture (PWB), the Rural Microcredit Sheme (SkimSel), Urban Microcredit Scheme (Mimbar), Women’s Farming Microcredit Scheme (Wala), Single Parent Empowerment Program SOHO Selangor (PET-SOHO- S), People Care Assistance Scheme (SiKembar), Selangor Kindergarten Assistance Scheme (Tunas) as well as the Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) and the Selangor Welfare Department.

“All the programs and schemes offered are to attract single mothers in Selangor to join and sign up to participate,” she said when answering questions from Kota Alam Shah Assemblyman, M Manoharan in the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session here, today.

Rodziah said that from the amount specified, single mothers among the Malays recorded the highest number of 18,011 people, Indians (1,574), Chinese (792), indigenous peoples (two) and others (3,630).

She said that studies conducted by higher education institutions as well as local and international NGOs have found that among the problems that are faced is the financial difficulty to meet the their’s and their family’s daily needs.

Besides that, she added, it also involves problems with court dealings such as not receiving maintenance from divorce settlements as well as having to go through the cumbersome process of court proceedings in the long run.

“Problems regarding proper care children while earning a living and psychological effects, especially in the first three months as a single mother also plagues them,” she said.

Cancel Development on PKNS Field: CM Discuss With Excos

SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov: Seri Setia Assemblyman, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s motion of wanting the State Government to just cancel the application of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) Field Land Development in Kelana Jaya will be discussed with the Excos and parties involved, says Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

According to Nik Nazmi, the application under the Petaling Jaya Local Plan 2 (RTPJ2) also does not have to be brought before the board of appeals because it has been proven that there has been document falsification regarding the application.

“If possible, the State Government should stop the application immediately because the people clearly want the field to be saved.

“For me it would be best if the State Government is able show a good example by retracting the application for the PKNS land development,” he said.

Elaborating further, Abdul Khalid said that he would take into consideration the opinion of the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (SELCAT) as well as the Board of Appeals.

The SELCAT report last week had found no evidence to say that there is an element of deception regarding the issue of the field development.

However, the SELCAT Chairman, Datuk Teng Chang Kim did not deny in the report that the officers in the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Planning Department were reckless in carrying out their duties, incompetent and unprofessional in drafting the RTPJ 2.

Previously, the issue was raised when the PKNS wanted to develop the PKNS field in SS7 Kelana Jaya near the Damansara Puchong Expressway into a commercial project.

The State Government then decided to bring the issue to the SELCAT public hearing after being proposed by the Seri Setia Assemblyman in June.

Former IGP Accuses Hishammuddin of ‘Interfering’ in Police Duties

PETALING JAYA, 28 Nov: Former Chief of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan today accused the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein of ‘interfering’ in the duties of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP or PDRM in Malay).

He said that Hishammuddin had given orders directly to junior officers and a district police chief without his knowledge when he served as Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Previously, Musa had worked for four decades in the RPM and had led the police force for four years since 2006 before being replaced by Tan Sri Ismail Omar on 13 September 2010.

Musa said that the actions of the Minister to give directions to police officers is not appropriate because it is against the provisions of the law.

“So, I had highlighted to him (Hishammuddin) Section 4 (1) of the Police Act (1967, stating) that the direction and control of the police is under the IGP and not under the authority of the Minister.

“Of course, I cannot be rude to him because Hishammuddin is a minister.

“I spoke to him very politely. He did not like it, “said Musa.

He said this in the Increased Crime Rate Special Press Conference at a hotel here.

Also participating in the press conference was the Chairman of the Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWATCH), R Sri Sanjevan, of which Musa has became a patron of.

He said that there had been complaints from police officers who said that they had received orders not from (their police superiors) but from the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN).

“In fact, the ministry may issue directions now … Who has the power now?”

“Something has to be done by the top management of the police to correct the issue; which is not right,” he said.

According to Musa, he is giving this advice so that the police force will improve the quality of their work and maintain the image of professionalism.

When asked whether the current IGP, Ismail Omar had lost control of the police force, he said that the IGP himself should give an explanation.

“Tan Sri Ismail Omar himself, as the Chief of Police, should and (can) correct the situation,” he said.

Over 83.000 join Selangorku Shopping Bonus

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The “Jom Shopping Bonus Selangorku” (Selangorku Let’s Go Shopping Bonus) included participants of the Selangor Children Heritage Fund (Tawas) and had received an overwhelming response with the attendance of about 65% of participants from the programme organized so far.

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture Exco member, Rodziah Ismail said that a total of 83,551 participants have been approved for the programme as of the 2nd of November.

According to her, the Jom Shopping Bonus Selangor benefits are awarded based on birth year of the participants.

“Now Tawas is distributing the benefits to members who were born in 2008 amounting to 16,000, as estimated and the benefit is divided according to race.

“This programme is a ‘one-off’ gift given during the Tawas participant’s 4th birthday whose registrations have been approved in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011,” she said.

She said this in response to queries by Sekinchan assemblyman, Ng Suee Lim at the Selangor State Assembly session today.

Rodziah said that the RM7.5 million allocation has been provided by Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) for the programme in which RM 1.6 million has been channeled to the Selangor Children Heritage Fund (Tawas).

State Government Opposes Mangrove Timber Smuggling

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The Selangor Government is using satellite systems to monitor and control trespassing of the Selangor mangrove forests as well as mangrove timber smuggling attempts.

Environment Exco member, Elizabeth Wong said the implementation of the satellite control system began over a year ago and has helped curb such activities.

“It is the latest system and it makes the monitoring process easier to conduct.

“In addition, we also have officers who will conduct fieldwork to monitor the area and provide air control from time to time,” she said when met at the Selangor State Assembly sitting today.

Commenting on mangrove timber smuggling incidences around Klang, he explains that legal prosecution have been imposed on the people involved.

“Usually, when there are smuggling cases, the public will immediately complain to us (the forest department).

“We have successfully taken action against all the cases and those who are guilty of smuggling have also been sentenced,” said Elizabeth, who is also Bukit Lanjan’s assemblywoman.

She added that most of the smuggling cases are done by Indonesian foreigners who trespass by using small boats.

“Thus, the State Government through the Forestry Department have designed a collaboration with all relevant agencies to carry out monitoring and enforcement to curb this issue,” she said.

Syabas has No Right to Approve New Project in Selangor

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The Selangor Government has issued a directive to the Local Authority (PBT) to resume with the planning permission which has been applied by developers to implement new projects.

The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid said that the duty of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) is to supply and distribute treated water only.

Hence Syabas has nothing to do with the approval of the new factory, housing and commercial centre projects in the state.

“This is because we believe that if Syabas cannot execute the water supply services, then Syabas will be taken over by the state government,” said Abdul Khalid.

He said this at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting debates concerning the Public Works Department (JKR).

Before that, the Permatang Assemblyman, Sulaiman Abdul Razak has appealed for an explanation regarding Syabas’ actions of not approving the new factory, housing and the commercial centre projects.

Syabas was found to refuse approval for the new commercial and housing projects giving the excuse that there is not enough water supply in Selangor.

“The State Government has provided a team to assist in the distribution of water in Selangor,” said Abdul Khalid.

Indonesian Artists Bring Anti Human Trafficking Message to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Nov: Lembah Pantai MP, Nurul Izzah Anwar attended a morning tea session to celebrate the presence of Indonesian artist who bring anti human trafficking messages through their concert in Malaysia.

Groups D’Masiv and Adara had been specially brought by Tourism Selangor Sdn Bhd for a concert in Shah Alam I-City Square tonight.

In addition to anti human trafficking messages, this concert is to celebrate the opening of a new theme park at I-City.

Speaking to TV Selangor, Nurul Izzah said that the people in the country still lack awareness and knowledge regarding the issue of human trafficking which is a serious crime.

She said that the artists bring humanity messages to help enlighten the public regarding the on-going campaign in the country.

Statistics from the National Anti Human Trafficking Council shows that 591 individuals were arrested between 2008 and 2011 for their involvement in the crime.

Meanwhile a total of 924 victims have been rescued. Malaysia is still in the blacklist of the USA Foreign Ministry which recorded a high number of human trafficking cases.

“For example, D’Masiv has a lot of songs that carry the message of peace and prosperity for all people.

“(And) they can pass on the messages to all who attend the concert,” she said when met at Restoran Anis Puteri, Pantai Dalam today.

In the meantime, member of the group D’Masiv, Rayyi Kurniawan Iskandar Dinata expects a lot of people to enliven their concert while describing Malaysia as a peaceful nation although the people have political differences.

“The messages which we intend to bring through this concert is for the people of Indonesia, especially in this country, to know and understand serious problems such as human trafficking and alien smuggling into the country,” said the bass guitarist of D’Masiv.

In addition, among the local artists who will be performing at the opening are Sixth Sense, Black Gamma, Ito Blues Gang, Fraudisputescapade and a special appearance by the Group SayWho from Maharaja Lawak Mega.

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.

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.

State Reserve Funds are only for Special Projects NOT for Administration Expenditures

SHAH ALAM, 19 Nov: The State Government will only use state reserves to fund special projects and not to shoulder administration costs, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Reserve funds also cannot be used to pay for management expenditures and other such expenses by the State Government because it reflects inefficient financial management.

The presentation of the budget’s deficit to cover administrative expenses also reflects the failure of efficient financial management and demonstrates the failure to control spending.

Abdul Khalid said this when explaining the State Government actions in using state reserve funds to finance four projects at a cost of RM500 million.

“The project we are doing is separate so that its (the reserve funds) usage is more transparent.”

“The people do not want the reserves to be used to cover administrative expenses.”

“If this happens, people will think that the government can spend extravagantly, so with the separation, we cannot spend extravagantly,” said Abdul Khalid in a press conference at the State Assembly Annex Building lobby.

Abdul Khalid presented the 2012 Budget today, the first day of the Third Meeting of the Fifth Session. The Budget is themed ‘Selangor, Leader of Malaysian Economy’.

When presenting the budget, Abdul Khalid announced the decision to build the third bridge in Klang costing RM300 million, the implementation of Storm Water (RM100 million), upgrading and repairs of drainage systems (RM50 million) and the building of fully-furnished affordable housing (RM50 million).

However, these projects are not included in the 2013 Budget, instead it will be using State reserves.