Tag: State Linked Companies

Selangor and Penang PR Governments Step Forward to Strengthen Democracy

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Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM) congratulated the Selangor and Penang PR Governments for moving another step to strengthen democracy in their administration radar.

On 18 September, the Penang Pakatan Rakyat Government, through the State Government Exco meeting, approved in principle the provisions for Assemblymen from the Opposition in Penang (read: Barisan Nasional) and the subsequent approval from the Exco Meeting will be tabled in the Penang State Budget 2014.

Meanwhile, on 10 October, the Selangor PR Government announced special allowances and privileges for the Selangor State Legislative Assembly Opposition Leader.

For Samm, this are valiant efforts in strengthening and educating the meaning of true democracy in Malaysia, in fact, understanding in the long history of oppression in translating the BN-style democracy system, actions such as this is hard to be accepted by various quarters in PR itself.

But if we are talking about a mature democracy, this is the best time to show that PR is different from the oppression politics of BN. We see all this while how PR representatives, especially Parliamentarians, are denied the right to serve the people without even a single cent of allocation being channelled through PR representatives who were voted by the people.

Now, it is a tremendous blow for BN Assemblymen in Penang. Do they want to receive provisions given to them despite Do they want to receive their allocation to them despite their opposition?

If they accept it, then they acknowledge the practice of the BN Government in other states and even the Federal level BN government as wrong to not channel allocations through representatives of the people who were elected by the people. But if they reject it, they will continue to be remembered for their narrow partisan politics and they can no longer complain in front of their voters that they do not have allocations.

Through the Penang State Government, PR proved that political clash is a different matter, but in matters of democratic state governance, the people’s choice should be respected and Penang PR has acknowledged that.

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the House (be it the House of Representatives or the state legislative assembly) is very important. But since the independence of Malaysia, it has not been honoured like other countries of mature democracy acknowledge the post.

The Selangor PR Government made a tremendous stride when they allocated RM8,260 per month with plenty other privileges to the Opposition Leader in the State Legislative Assembly.

With this, this position which is upheld through the democratic pr In this position he also transported through the democratic process of the people’s voice can be used to jointly develop the state. Opposition leaders can have complete office efficiency with enough research officers and Opposition leaders can have a complete office efficiency with enough research officer and able to debate and make constructive criticism to state that ultimately benefit the people.

The question now is would the Opposition Leader from BN in Selangor receive the allowances and privileges or will he reject with narrow political party thinking.

If he accepts it, he would admit the wrong practice of the Central and State Governments under BN in denying the role of Opposition Leaders elected by the people.

This is how the politics of the nation should be practiced with policy competition and competition in improvements which will ultimately strengthen democracy and benefit the people.

SAMM has greats hopes to see the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, to make the word ‘transformation’ as his daily chant when tabling the Budget 2014 this Friday which can truly welcome the moves taken by the Penang and Selangor PR Governments.

This move is also positive and everyone should move to strengthen democracy by acknowledging the role of PR members of parliament by taking into account the channeling of provisions through those elected by the people and uphold the role of the Malaysian Parliament by acknowledging privileges for Malaysian Opposition Leaders.

Without that, the ‘transformation’ chant will continue being a rhetoric laughed by those from the country and abroad.

Badrul Hisham Shaharin
Youth Solidarity Malaysia

CM: 3 Million Land Records Replace Filing System to Avoid Fraud

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SHAH ALAM, 20 Oct: The Selangor Government managed to record a total of three million land ownership files in the state into a digital computerised system to ensure a more effective storing and retrieval system.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said through the ‘Land Bank’ problems of loss and difficulty in finding files on land ownership can be resolved because now it can be found quickly and accurately.

Abdul Khalid said the system which was implemented since a year ago also helps the State Government identify the land owned and also can plan land development better.

“Now I can know the actual number of land owned by the State Government which was previously unknown,” said Abdul Khalid.

He said this when he inaugurated the Land Convention and National Municipality which was held here at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Building Silver Jubilee Hall.

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Abdul Khalid said that management of land using filing system was changed because it did not benefit the people and it was open to fraud.

“The three million files have been placed in that Shah Alam Stadium, so there are no more missing files and we can find out more efficiently.

“We are open and transparent on the issue of land ownership. Everyone deserves to know who the landowner is. Because of that, land ownership records are very important,” he said.

About 300 people attended the convention, which was also attended by PAS Vice-President, Salahuddin Ayub, Mahfuz Omar and the Exco in charge of Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement, Iskandar Abdul Samad.

KPRU: ‘Crippled’ Enforcement the Cause of the Increase of Serious Criminal Cases

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SHAH ALAM, August 3: The increase in serious criminal cases is due to the crippled law enforcement process and the judicial process in this country, said the Political Studies for Change (KPRU) think tank.

Thus, KPRU urged the authorities to review and improve weaknesses in the process of law enforcement which included investigation, evidence collection, prosecution and also judicial proceedings.

“It was found that a total of 31 cases of assault or murder involving firearms have happened in the short period of four months, from April to July 2013.

“Where 43 were victimised; including 22 lives lost and 21 injured.

“And in the month of July alone, there has been 14 cases of shootouts,” said KPRU in a media statement.

KPRU explained that studies being carried out by the Penang Institute show that in the first four months of 2013, there have been more shooting cases than in 2012, with a record of 38 cases.

KPRU this averages it to two shooting cases in a week.

“By considering both studies, from KPRU and Penang Institute, it is clear that shoot-and-murder cases have been happening consistently throughout the first seven months of this year, without a break, on an average of two cases per week.

“The high frequency triggers anxiety and fear among the community,” explained the think tank.

KPRU added that the government is urged to focus on improving police investigation and not to create new prevention laws to solve serious crimes in Malaysia.

“The disproportionate distribution of police force is the factor of police failure in solving the crisis of increased crime which has gotten more serious in this country,” said KPRU.

Selangor Civil Servants Happy to Receive Raya Bonus

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SHAH ALAM, July 30: Civil servants of Selangor expressed joy when the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim announced the Raya Bonus of one month’s salary for them last week.

Most of them who were met, whether they are single or have a family, were thankful for the bonus which can be used in preparation to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eif al-Fitr) soon.

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For Nurul Amirah Razaly, 22, from the Drainage and Irrigation Department, said that she was thrilled with the gift as it is the first bonus she has received.

“I feel excited because this is the first time I am receiving a special Hari Raya assistance since I started working,” she said.

She added that the assistance would help her ease the parent’s burden.

“This year would exactly one year since I have worked here, I didn’t expect to receive it. Previously, I have only heard of a half month’s salary bonus, so this time is more that expected. With this contribution, I am able to give it to my parents who are now retired,” she said when met.

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Civil servant in the Law Office, Azlan Mansor, 32, said that Raya contribution would help heads of households to spend in the early preparation of the celebration.

“I am grateful to be given this special assistance, especially now that it is close to the Hari Raya celebration. So I can use the money to buy Hari Raya necessities for both my children and my wife.

Also sharing the joy was Ahmad Fadli Yahya, 31, a staff in the Office of the State Government Press Secretary who said that the assistance was a relief and eases the burdens of civil servants, especially the middle-income group.

He said that the amount is also sufficient to support civil servants across the state to spend in lieu of the festive season.

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“I hope that with this gift, recipients can spend wisely and prudently,” he said.
Additionally, Hamidah Hamid, 52, a staff at the Department of the Auditor General described this assistance as contribution and attentiveness from the State Government.

However, the mother of four hopes that the Federal Government will provide the same assistance as the State Government.

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“In Selangor, we get more. Other states only receive it from the Central Government. So it is not fair to other civil servants. Seeing that goods are now expensive, let the contribution be done equally. However, I am still happy and grateful,” she said.

Last week, the State Government allocated RM30 million to pay a bonus of one month’s salary to 21,776 permanent, contract and part-time staff.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister only announced a special assistance of RM500 to civil servants for Grade 1 to Grade 54 at the central level.

Financial Records of EC Cap Supplier Suspicious

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KUALA LUMPUR, July 18: Nash Ventures Sdn Bhd (Nash Ventures), a company confirmed to have been awarded a contract to supply caps to the Election Commission (EC) for the 13th General Election (GE-13) by the Federal Government via direct negotiations allegedly has dubious financial records.

Pandan MP, Rafizi Ramli claimed that based on the 2009 accounts statement filed by the company, the company has not had any business activity or revenue.

“Nash Ventures was awarded the contract by the EC this year when the company has not acquired any revenue in 2009. This reinforces the claim that this company, which I have disclosed, has good relations with the EC,” said the PKR Strategy Director in a press conference at Parliament today.

Prior to this, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said that Nash Ventures is a company that supplied caps to the EC during the GE-13.

According to Rafizi, Nash Ventures is controlled by businessman Mohamad Salleh Mohamad Ali, who also owns another company that won the contract to supply the indelible ink for the GE-13 through direct negotiations.

Rafizi explained that the criterion to be awarded a direct negotiations contract is that the company must have strong finances.

He added Shahidan’s confirmation confirmed the disclosure he made in Parliament yesterday. That the company controlled by Mohamad Salleh received the contract to supply caps, t-shirts and indelible ink via direct negotiations with the EC.

This includes the main company, Integrated Challenger (M) Sdn Bhd (Integrated Challenger), which allegedly was awarded the indelible ink contract.

Rafizi said despite the fact that Shahidan did not deny the information regarding Integrated Challenger, it has reinforced the assumption that the company was awarded the contract to supply the indelible ink.

“One of the directors of the company (Nash Ventures) is Shamsia Mansoor. He is also the director of the company and a shareholder of Allisons Corp Sdn Bhd. Other shareholders and directors of the company (Allisons Corp) is Mohamed Salleh Mohd Ali.

“Both Mohamad Salleh Mohd Ali and Shamsia Mansoor have the same address in Section 2, Shah Alam. Based on information and investigations, they are likely to be husband and wife.”

“If you following standard accounting reports, because the two companies have the same directors, both companies (Nash Ventures and Allison Corp) are considered linked companies where both directors are considered related.”

Rafizi added that all three; Integrated Challenger, Allisons Corp and Nash Ventures, are also registered at the same address of No. 44A & 44B, Jalan Tengku Ampuan Zabedah A 9/A, Section 9, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor.

PKNS Corporate Culture Revolution Boosts Work Culture and Competitiveness

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SHAH ALAM, July 18: As a company that requires close relationship with customers, the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) organised a Corporate Culture Revolution Programme especially for its staff.

The programme is believed to improve work culture, operations, administration, matter linked with the appointment of PKNS members, so that it is always seen as a company that moves forward positively.

PKNS Academy General Manager, Idris Ishak said, through this programme, every employee of PKNS would be free to submit ideas to further improve PKNS in the future.

“Our aim is to make PKNS a fun working environment thus motivating its members to carry out their duties,” he told TVSelangor.

In the meantime, over 1,040 PKNS employees from various capacities participated in the programme, with 60 individuals appointed as ‘Key Influencers’ to ensure the success of this programme.

According to Ishak, many PKNS members welcomed the ‘No Blame’ culture which is one of the main goals to be achieved through this programme.

“Most of the participants felt happy when tabling proposals for improvement received by the management, promising to consider the proposed improvements given,” added the Programme Coordinator.

Prepare Alternative Placement for Residents of Kampung Desa Pengasih

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SUBANG JAYA, June 16: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim informed that the Selangor District and Land Officer has submitted a proposal to resolve the issue of the residents of Kampung Desa Pengasih who were ordered to leave their placement last May.

According to Abdul Khalid, among the contents of the proposal is to provide alternative placement for the affected residents in the near future.

“The District Officer did not allow the demolition to take place and there have been discussions between residents and the developer so that this problem can be solved,” he said in a press conference here after officiating the Opening Ceremony and Branding of the 3C Complex yesterday evening.

It was reported that the villagers began to receive notices of a court order asking them to vacate the area in 2012, and the company began to file initial summons against the residents on 14 May 2013 through the Shah Alam High Court.

The notice stated that all affected residents need to vacate the area no later than 28 May.

However, residents appealed to postpone the evacuation by pleading for kindness from the involved parties to provide a placement for them as well as to claim for compensation for crops cultivated over the years.

The residents also claimed to have not received the compensation of RM7,500 by a Federal Government Linked Company (GLC) as promised from the land their homes are on.

It is understood that the land area of 217.5794 hectares was requested by the residents when Selangor was under BN and former Chief Minister, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib on 8 September 1992.

However, the residents’ application status was unknown until 2004, when the land was requested by the GLC.

The application was then approved by Dr Mohd Khir, for the purpose of building a university. However, the development of the university had not been pursued.

SAMER Relieved, Received a Van as Contribution for School Use

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RAWANG, 13 Apr: The people of Rawang Religious Secondary School (SAMER) do not have to worry about transportation to send their students to the hospital in case of an emergency anymore.

Today the school received a contribution of a school van worth RM90,000 from the Selangor State Government through the Selangorku Grant.

The school principal, Zainul Arifien Mohd Jaid said that previously, the school administration had to use vehicles owned by teachers to take students to the hospital or for out of school activities.

“Previously there was a bus provided by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), but it cannot be used anymore because it is too old.

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“So we were forced to use teachers’ cars to go to the hospital even when some students throw up in the car,” said Zainul Arifien at the School Van Presentation ceremony to the School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) here.

The van presentation ceremony which was officiated by the Selangor Chief Minister’s wife, Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut was held at the school hall and was also attended by parents and around 300 people of the school.

Apart from being used to take students to the hospital, the van can also be used for school trips and to transport students to participate in sports activities or co-curricular activities at other schools.

In similar developments, the President of SAMER PTA, Mohd Subki Abdul Hamid also said that he did not expect that his application would result in the school receiving the contribution from the State Government which was approved very quickly.

“Three days after I visited the Chief Minister’s Office, I received a call saying that the application was approved,” he said.

Salbiah, when delivering her speech said that she hopes that the school PTA continues to actively seek contributions to receive education facilities regardless if it is from the State Government or the Federal Government.

Abdul Khalid: PR Targets 45 Seats for the Selangor State Legislative Assembly

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KLANG, 12 Apr: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said Selangor Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) is able to reach their target of winning up to 45 State Legislative Assembly seats in the 13th General Elections (GE-13).

“Now we have won 36 seats, our goal is to get 45, that is our target,” he said that PR has to work as a team to reach the target.

Abdul Khalid said this at a press conference at the Education Fund Presentation to the Selangor Islamic Education Foundation (YAPIS) Ceremony held at the Tahfiz Al-Quran Sofiuddin Complex (KOMTAS), Kampung Sungai Delek, Klang, here today.

In the meantime, PKR will announce the list of candidates who will be contesting in Selangor on 14 April at the AU2 Football Field in Hulu Klang.

Next, Selangor PR will announce all the candidates of the coalition, including the presentation of the manifesto on 17 April, at the Shah Alam Independence Square.

During the GE-12, Selangor PR beat Umno-BN, which only won 20 State Legislative Seats, to form the State Government in 2008.

The People of the Federal Territory Will Receive Water Shares If PR Conquers Putrajaya

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BANDAR TUN RAZAK, 11 Apr: The residents of Federal Territory has the opportunity of acquiring water shares as a result of the restructuring of Selangor’s water industry if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) successfully gains control of the country’s administration after the 13th General Elections (GE-13).

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that this effort can be implemented based on his experience as the Chief Executive Officer of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB).

When he was in PNB, he successfully implemented giving out eight million shares to Malaysians, including the famous schemes, Amanah Saham Nasional and Amanah Saham Bumiputera.

“So this is not a dream but why could it not be done by them (BN) who did not do this because they are not interested in the interests of the people.

“Today, we have chosen two teams, one from Pakatan Rakyat and another from Umno-BN”.

“Where one is thinking about corporate profits (BN) and another thinks about the people’s profit (Pakatan Rakyat),” said Abdul Khalid.

He said this curing the Pakatan Rakyat talk held at the Jalan Jujur football here yesterday.

Previously, Abdul Khalid announced his intention to distribute Selangor water shares to five million Selangorians if PR is given the mandate to govern again.

The offer of this water share is another translation of his ambition as a Chief Minister who wants the people of Selangor to own the wealth of the state.

40 Percent of Malays Remain Poor Under Umno

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BANDAR TUN Razak, 11 Apr: Umno-BN has allegedly failed to defend and fight for the rights and interests of Malays and Bumiputeras when facts have proven that about 40 percent of the said community only earns below RM1,400.

PKR De Facto Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that although Umno-BN has ruled for more than 50 years, it has still failed to reduce the income disparity between the rich and the poor.

“The majority earn RM1,400 and below…but Umno still says: Long Live Malays! But Umno Malays are rich. They receive shares, taxi permits, timber and land,” he said.

Anwar said this in front of more than 5,000 people in a talk at the football field in Jalan Jujur here.

Anwar stressed that the economic disparity exists due to BN policies that adopts the practice of cronyism so much so that the national wealth lingers around corporate elites who are close to political leaders of the country.

“Syed Mohktar, RM10 billion, Mokhzani Mahathir RM2.2 billion, Mirzan Mahathir RM2.9 billion, Najibs brothers are also worth billions, Taib Mahmud, tens of billions. The People? RM2, 000. This means they are poor,” he said.

Anwar also revealed how Umno leaders are willing to cheat the people by hiding their weaknesses so much so that the main problem faced by the people has never been resolved.

“Ask Umno-BN leaders, What about prices? The answer is that it is controlled. The people’s income? The people are all happy, Corruption? Only a little.

“This are Umno leaders, they do not understand the suffering of the people. Who does not know that this country is rich? Oil revenues reach RM80 billion per year but the income is still at the old level,” he said.

EC: “Can Use Government Cars Until 20 April”

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PUTRAJAYA, 10 Apr: The Chairman of the Election Commission (EC), Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said that government vehicles can be used until 20 April, the date the campaigning period starts for the 13th General Elections (GE-13).

“I do not want to comment on this question. I do not know the details.

“In general, all government assets cannot be used for campaigning. But the campaigning period has not started yet.

“It only starts after the nomination. There is no campaigning now. The caretaker government can do anything which is covered under the law.

“Campaigning only starts on 20 April,” he answered briefly when asked about the use of government assets by the Umno-BN Caretaker Government after the date of the dissolution of Parliament on 3 April.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders previously vowed to return state government vehicles and to not use state government assets for election campaign purposes.

The action is one of the principles of the PR interim government code of ethics.

Until now, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Umno-BN leaders refused to follow suit and have even been alleged to have violated the ethics of the caretaker government when announcing mega projects and new spending of public funds.

Abdul Aziz said that the campaigning period only starts after the nomination of candidates on 20 April and ends at 12.00 midnight on 4 May 2013.

The EC also reminded all political parties to take care of their respective members during the campaigning period to ensure the smooth running of the GE-13.

The GE-13 to be held on 5 May will see the battle for 22 Parliamentary seats and 505 State Legislative seats by the two Malaysian political superpowers, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Barisan Nasional (BN) to form the Federal Government at the State Governments