Tag: State Linked Companies

MBPJ: Submit Application Before Putting Up Election Ads

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PETALING JAYA, 10 Apr: The Petaling City Council (MBPJ) urged all political parties that intend to display election advertisements to submit an application prior to it to the Local Authorities (PBT).

MBPJ media secretariat in a statement informed that the application must be made through the coordination of the party according to respective Assemblymen and Parliaments.

According to the statement, the application must be made as an election advertising control mechanism in the Petaling Jaya area.

“We want to note that the conditions specified are intended to ensure that all election advertisements displayed are in accordance to rules set by the council.

“In addition, MBPJ would like to clarify about the enforcement action that may be taken, including prosecution of the offenses committed,” it stated.

Among the conditions imposed are as follows;

1. Required to fill out an election advertisement form which is available at the Licencing Division, 6th Floor, Menara MBPJ, 46200 Petaling Jaya.

2. Settling advertising collateral fee and cleaning as follows:

i. RM 1,000 for every State Legislative Assembly (DUN)

ii. RM 2,000 for each House of Representatives

iii. RM 3,000 for waste clearing

3. Political parties have to remove all election advertisement displayed and any signs or other structures erected within 14 days after the polling day.

4. The way to display election advertisements where an election advertisement shall be displayed in any of the following ways:-

i. By pasting on a billboard or any other structure erected or placed by the permit holder.

ii. By hanging election advertisements along any streets at stakes put up by the permit holder.

iii. By planting election advertising props onto any ground level apart from any paved sidewalks or five-foot-ways, or

iv. By any other manner as specified by the Mayor in the permit

5. There is a prohibition on displaying election advertising at certain places:

i. Exhibiting any election advertisement or constructing or erecting any signs or other structures in any way that covers or hides any traffic signs, direction signs, street lamps or decorative lighting

ii. Displaying any election advertisement on or across any street; or

iii. Exhibiting any election advertisement on any public building or other structures with nails, glue or other adhesive material, or by any other means that will damage or disfigure the surface of the building or structure.

6. The Council may forfeit the deposit if the licence holder fails to comply with conditions laid down and risks are at the expense of the licence holder.

7. It should be notes that the office of Councillors cannot be used as an operations room or to store party goods and it is prohibited to place a cabin as a store or operations room in any free area of the Council.

Any questions or for further information, the public may contact the Secretariat of Advertising Permit, Licensing Division, 6th Floor, Menara MBPJ, Jalan Tengah, 46300 Petaling Jaya or call 03-7960 4667, 03-7960 9026

Humorous Transformation, PR 10 Minutes, Umno-BN Live Broadcast

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SHAH ALAM, 6 Apr: When Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is tirelessly travelling across the country to present the election manifesto to the people; Umno-BN has an easy way when its manifesto was broadcast live by government-owned and mainstream media.

This scenario is rather humorous when the assessment is made on the promise of mass media transformation, which is often propagated by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“It is quite humorous when they (Umno-BN) offered 10 minutes to Pakatan Rakyat to present the manifesto (recorded),” said former Sungai Petani Member of Parliament, Datuk Johari Abdul to TV Selangor today on the matter.

The launch of the BN manifesto for the 13th General Elections (GE-13) by Najib at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in a special ceremony will be broadcast live by the mainstream media of the country.

Johari also questioned the live broadcast because the existing government is an interim government where Umno-BN as the administrator cannot use any government agencies or machinery for the party.

“I want to ask if Umno-BN is paying RTM or not for using government facilities. Legally, they (Umno-BN) cannot use it for the purpose of party work,” he said.

Johari claimed that Umno is making changes to its manifesto which is believed to have completed early but pulled back when PR launched their manifesto earlier.

For example, he said, the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) was never debated in Parliament for the 2010, 2011 or even the 2012 budget.

“When PR prepared the Orange Book in 2010, which clearly stated therein the assistance of RM1,000 per year for the low-income Malaysian in particular, Umno-BN then launched the BR1M even though no budget was approved by Parliament.

“This shows that Umno-BN has run out of ideas. They will make adjustments to what they have and according to what has been proposed by PR. To me, Umno-BN has no originality and is merely a copycat,” he said.

PR Proves 5 Years without Corruption and Abuse of Power in Selangor

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KUALA LANGAT, 6 Apr: The people of Selangor have been asked to assess the capabilities and changes brought about by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) for the past five years.

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According to Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, PR has proven that in the five years of its administration, Selangor has been free from corruption and abuse of power.

In fact, claims by Umno-BN have been proven to be wrong when they said that Selangor will bankrupt under PR’s administration.

“State savings prior to 2008 did not even reach RM500 million. Now, we have more than RM2.6 billion. Administration capabilities are clearly evident. In terms of investment in these five years, it has reached RM50 billion.

“So far, we have also allocated more than RM700 million of state revenues which has been returned to the people through the ‘Localising the Selangor Economy’ (Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor) programmes, which is very different from the previous administration.

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“We have carried out the concept of state revenue for the people to give the people the opportunity to enjoy the overflowing prosperity regardless of political ideology,” he said in a speech at the Surau and Religious Primary School construction Thanksgiving Feast here at Kampung Medan.

Abdul Khalid added that under the PR administration, changes have also been brought about for Islamic schools and other religious schools through the channelling of provision of RM6 million per year compared to the administration prior to 2008.

“In the past, even though the state Islamic Religious Department is in charge of the People’s Religious Schools (SRA), they (Umno-BN) did not channel provisions directly to the SRAs. Many children were marginalised.

“Now under PR, we have proven that we do not ignore them. The allowance of teachers of religious schools have been increased from RM700 to RM1,200 per month. Through education, it is clear that many efforts have been undertaken, even applications for admission to religious schools have increased.

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“We also do not differentiate education. All types of schools, including Chinese, Tamil and Islamic schools, we have helped because we believe it is through education that will determine the development of the state.

In this regard, he hopes that all the people of the state especially, will choose leaders who prioritise the people and not only campaign about welfare as the election approaches.

“When the time of election comes, choose anyone but do not quarrel. Quarrelling is shameful. There should be maturity. Politics is politics, but do not turn it into enmity. This is not right.

“Show religious responsibility in choosing the right person. There is no need to tear up flags or take down the flag of any party. That way, we can have a peaceful election,” he said.

BERSIH Not Satisfied That EC Has Not Fulfilled Demands

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KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Apr: The Coalition for Clean Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) expressed their dissatisfaction with the Election Commission (EC) for having yet to implement their demands.

This is because in BERSIH 2.0’s eight demands since its launch in 2011, only the use of indelible ink is being used in the 13th General Elections (GE-13).

BERSIH 2.0 Co-Chairman, Datuk S Ambiga said that they are dissatisfied with the way the EC implemented the use of indelible ink.

“(We are) dissatisfied, so far only one demand have been fulfilled which is regarding the usage of indelible ink, and BERSIH is not satisfied with the way this was implemented.

When asked about concerns of voters abroad, the former Bar Council member was evidently disappointed again with the EC’s action.

“We do not even know whether they (overseas voters) have the opportunity to register; not enough information was given.

“They (EC) promised to make (claim fill) a year ago but it was done too close to the elections,” she said.

Among the other demands by BERSIH 2.0 is to clean up the electoral roll, reform the postal ballot, a 21-day minimum campaigning period, free and fair media access, strengthening public institutions, to stop corruption and dirty politics.

She said that free media access for all parties, including for the people, is the main demand in BERSIH 2.0’s list of demands that have yet to be implemented.

“The government is offering 10 minutes. You do the calculations.

“Is it enough? This is a joke,” she said.

She added that now is the best time for the Information Minister, Datuk Seri Rais Yatim to open media space freely for all political parties contesting in accordance with the guidelines contained in the provisional government guidelines and not ‘merely make announcements’.

It was further suggested to have an open discussion between Pakatan Rakyat and BN which will be chaired by a moderator to explain the offer in their respective manifestos.

BERSIH Launches Provisional Government Guideline

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KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Apr: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) has launched an ethics code for the 13th General Elections (GE-13) and a guideline for the provisional government today.

This action is in line with the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday.

The launch today was officiated by the Co-Chairman of BERSIH 2.0, who is also a National Laureate, Datuk A Samad Said.

The six ethical codes involved in the GE-13 outlines the minimum standards of ethics for all political parties, candidates, campaign staff, volunteers and supporters in the general election which is in accordance with the norms adopted internationally.

BERSIH 2.0 Co-Chairman, Datuk S Ambiga said that Malaysia is a member of the Human Rights Council since 1967, became a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and is bound by the high standards of election ethical codes.

“The 1994 IPU Declaration related to the Criteria for Free and Fair Elections has set universally accepted standards on how to conduct a free and fair election.

“The IPU Resolution adopted on 20 April 2011 in Panama emphasises the need to establish a framework for an effective election.

“That should be centred on a few basic elements, including a free and fair election which is held at regular intervals, secrecy of the vote, a competitive and inclusive elections, media access as well as fair and equal access to the country’s resources for all political parties.

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“Holistic voting rights, a reliable voter registration process and an independent and impartial body that is entrusted to manage the elections in a free and fair manner,” she said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall (KLCAH).

She explained that it is the responsibility of all political parties and candidates to ensure compliance with this ethical code by respective campaigners, volunteers and supporters.

The six ethic codes in the GE-13 raised by BERSIH 2.0 is the prohibition on speeches that incites or encourages hostility, the ban on smear campaign, and independence of journalists and election observers to carry out their duties.

Three other ethical codes is the prohibition of intimidating and acting violently, electoral and campaigning offences.

Ambiga said that as a guide, campaigns that contains elements that are not fit for children, has abusive language or behaviour, contains contamination and contempt against any individual due to ethnicity, gender, religion and social status is altogether prohibited.

Furthermore, in the interim government guidelines, it explain the role of the federal government and the state government after the dissolution where they cannot make any policy decisions, make important appointments or sign any big contracts.

Apart from that, the provisional government cannot announce any new financial grants of any form or agreements related to it, as well as to not make any new promises to build infrastructure or implement public projects.

“The federal government or the State Exco cannot combine their official visits with election work.

“They also cannot use resources, vehicles, personnel or government machinery during the election campaign work,” she said.

In the interim government guidelines are also stated that media access and broadcast should be done freely and fairly.

MPKj Rewards RM500 to Illegal Trash Informants

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BALAKONG, 4 Apr: Five more residents in the area of the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) today received a reward of RM500 for providing information that allows for MPKj to take action against those who throw rubbish illegally.

Those who received the reward managed to take pictures or videos and obtained the vehicle number of those illegally throwing bulk rubbish at the MPKj area.

According to MPJk Council Member, Lai Wai Chong, previously, 13 people received the same reward.

“This (effort) started in 2010 with a reward of RM200 per information, but only two people came forward to provide information.

“Last year we raised it to RM500 per case and after that MPKj received 20 applications (informants) from October last year till January of which 13 have received their respective rewards,” said Wai Chong.

According to Wai Chong, the reward is given to encourage the public to take part in keeping the environment clean.

He added that last year, 123 people paid the RM1,000 fine when found guilty of illegally littering.

Meanwhile five paid summons of RM2,000 after losing their case in court. Meanwhile, 89 people have yet to settle their compound.

Additionally, MPJk managed to take action in seizing 39 vehicles which were caught while throwing rubbish illegally.

One of the recipients of the reward, Michael Yew, 41, said that he did not expect any reward when he channeled information to MPJk.

“This is a shared responsibility and I, as a member of the community who is concerned about cleanliness, should take on this role,” said Michael.

Serdang Parliamentary Office Detected Shadow Voters

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BALAKONG, 3 Apr: Shadow voters are believed to be among the main contributors to the sharp increase of voters in Balakong and Bangi constituencies after the 12th General Elections.

Voters whose status raised doubt have been detected when a man from Indonesia came to the Serdang Member of Parliament’s office to obtain letters of support for a business permit from the Kajan Municipal Council (MPKj).

According to Serdang Member of Parliament, Teo Nie Ching, she said she was surprised when a gentleman named Hotim bin Abdul Jalil showed his MyKad.

“After he left, I checked on the Election Commission (EC) website and what frightened me the most was when I found that he was a voter in my constituency,” said Nie Ching in a press statement which was held at the DAP Office here in Kampung Baru.

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Apart from Hotim, subsequent checking with the Serdang Member of Parliament Office also managed to detect at least 31 individuals registered with the EC whose status were questionable or cannot be traced in the Serdang Parliament.

What is more shocking is when the checks found that a majority of dubious voters were registered by the Special Affairs Department (JASA), a body under the Ministry of Information Communication and Culture.

“Registering voters does not fall into JASA’s work scope, this is suspicious,” added Teo.

Teo added that the number of voters in the Serdang area has increased by 42 percent over the past five years starting from 2008. This is from 94,877 to 134,888 in the fourth quarter of last year.

This increase involves an increase of 23 percent for the Sri Kembangan constituency, 51 percent for the Balakong constituency and 50 percent for the Bangi constituency.

In the same press conference, MPKj Council Member, Mohammad Ali Khair Abdil Ghafar expressed regret with the government’s action of easily giving out citizenship to foreigners who do not have professional qualifications.

“Citizenship should be given to professionals who have specific expertise, not to labourers,” said Mohammad Ali Khair.

He added that the granting of citizenship to non-professionals will narrow the job market and business opportunities for local residents.

Over Half a Million Spent to Assist Pre-Schools

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SHAH ALAM, 3 Apr: As of now, the State Government has spent over RM600,000 to provide pre-school assistance to low-income families.

This indicates claims and actions of some parties in suing the State Government for allegedly failing to fulfill promises made for the 2008 election to provide pre-school assistance.

For the year 2012, the Selangor Kindergarten Assistance Scheme (Tunas) was first launched in July the same year managed to attract participation of 1,903 children from 217 kindergartens participating in the scheme.

Last year, RM210,475 was spent on the Tunas scheme, where families with a monthly income of RM1,500 and below received RM50 per month to send their children to kindergarten.

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However, due to the demands of society, this year the State Government will extend the condition to families earning RM2,500 per month.

The new condition managed to attract 2,420 children from 406 kindergartens up till the end of March, with provisions totaling RM430,220.

For the Si Kembar scheme, starting from early this year till March, a total of 164 children aged four and below were eligible to receive assistance of RM100 per month which will be paid directly to 34 nurseries registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM).

Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Exco, Dr Halimah Ali said that the lawsuit should not have arisen because assistance had already been channelled.

“Many who qualified and met the conditions set have already received benefits from the Tunas Assistance Scheme.

“We will certainly continue this scheme in years to come with improvement so that the people can continue to benefit from this programme,” she explained.

Pakatan Rakyat Ready to Defend Selangor

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SHAH ALAM, 3 Apr: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is ready to defend Selangor from being snatched by Umno-BN in the 13th General Elections (GE-13) because they have been ready for some time now for the elections.

Component parties of Pakatan also expect that this election will be the most intense in history and full of challenges such as a dubious electoral roll.

Selangor PKR Information Chief, Suhaimi Shafiei said that all divisions will be mobilised by PKR starting from today to ensure that all preparations in facing the elections will run smoothly.

“At the Selangor administrative level, we are fully ready to ensure that the victory in 2008 repeats with some additional seats such as in Permatang, Dengkil, Sementa and Port Klang, as well as to help increase the number of Parliamentary seats in Selangor such as Sepang, Pandan and Hulu Selangor.

“In terms of preparations, we have already activated in stages. The state leadership has already instructed all district voting committees in every Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies to open operations rooms for 24 hours to make preparations to face nominations and the polling date which is believed to be end of the month or early nect month,” he said to TV Selangor today.

Selangor PAS Commissioner, Dr Abdul Rani Osman said that PAS is more than confident that the coalition will be able to defend Selangor and receive a new mandate in this election.

“We have been ready since last year. Indeed, this election is highly anticipated. Tomorrow there will be a meeting with the Chief Minister and discussions will be held,” he said.

The Meru Assemblyman explained that indeed this election are expected to be the most intense and challenging because of various hot issues happening in Selangor such as the dubious electoral roll and alleged involvement of foreigners.

“We have made police reports and also to the EC. This includes what was stated by Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament, Nurul Izzah Anwar on what has been reported to happen in her area,” he said.

Today, Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the dissolution of Parliament at about 11.30 this morning.

State Assembly Dissolution Ceremony Tomorrow

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SHAH ALAM, 3 Apr: DYMM the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has consented to hold a ceremony for the dissolution of the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) tomorrow at the Alam Shah Palace in Klang at 2.30pm.

The ceremony is following the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak today.

In a statement, Selangor Chief Minister,Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that he has already seen the Sultan of Selangor at the Alam Shah Palace at 1.30pm just now to inform him the Parliament has dissolved.

The vehicle Abdul Khalid went in was seen leaving the palace at 2.30pm today after the one-hour meeting.

In a statement, the dissolution ceremony will be witnessed by the State Executive Council of Selangor as well as the Royal Council.

The dissolution of Parliament will pave way for the 13th General Elections (GE-13) which will commence within 60 days.

Previously Abdul Khalid said that the DNS will be dissolved on 22 April if Parliament is not dissolved before that date.

It is understood that the Selangor Government wants the elections for 56 state assembly seats to carry out simultaneously with the elections for Parliamentary seats.

In the 12th General Elections five years ago, Pakatan Rakyat managed to form the State Government after winning 36 constituency seats.

‘Claims Land Grant In Kg Tiram Jaya Was Settled By BN. Noh Omar Cheats Village People’

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SHAH ALAM, 2 Apr: Noh Omar’s statement that Umno-BN helped the residents of Kampung Tiram Jaya in Permatang to obtain land grants and denied the efforts of the State Government has not changed like nodding in murky waters.

The statement is also seen as an effort by the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries to mislead and fool villagers, said Permatang State Legislative Assembly Coordinator, Yahya Sahri.

“He should speak like a minister, and not to issue statements a primary school child. He should speak with arguments and clear facts and evidence, not just emptily.

“The statement issued is childish, unwise, stupid and arrogant, not in par at all with his status as a minister and a Member of Parliament with five-terms of experience,” said Yahya when contacted by Selangor Kini.

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Instead, Yahya explained the wisdom, transparency and efficiency of the current Pakatan Rakyat in managing to resolve the land ownership issues in Selangor, which for decades was not successfully resolved by the BN Government.

“This is because the previous government’s administration was dilapidated and had its own interests, in fact there were sinister efforts to acquire land which should belong to the people,” he added.

On March 12, a total of 139 residents of Kampung Seri Tiram Jaya received land grants from the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

In the meantime, Yahya challenged Noh to resolve the land ownership issues in Kampung Lembak Pantai Sungai Kajang, which has been on-going for more than 40 years.

“It is within his area, in these two weeks, if he is really the people’s champion as he goes around boasting, solve this problem,” he challenged.

Noh, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tanjong Karang in a post on ‘Facebook’, the social networking site, stated that the State Government only issued the grants to the residents, but the effort and premium payments were made during the BN administration.

Chegu Bard: 75 Percent Of Umno Branches Are Illegal

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KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Mar: Did you know that the Umno branch in your area might be an illegal branch?

This is because it may not have been re-registered with the Registry of Societies Malaysia (ROS) after the party was banned in February 1988.

The Chief Coordinator of Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM), Badrul Hisham Shaharin said that almost 75 percent of the many thousands of Umno branches in Malaysia have never been registered with ROS since the former New Umno was established in 1988.

Therefore, SAMM is inviting the public to join its campaign to take legal action against Umno by checking the status of Umno branches in their residence area with POS.

Badrul Hisham said that Umno feels that they are powerful; therefore thousands of Umno branches throughout the country chose to not re-register their political organisation as required in the Societies Act 1966.

“Surely 3/4 Umno branches throughout the country are illegal branches, in fact there are also Umno divisions that consist of divisions with invalid registration,” he added.

For example, in 2008 there was an upheaval at the Tanah Merah Umno division in Kelantan where they wanted to contest for main positions but did not pay their fees and consist of members from illegal branches.

“This was admitted personally by the Umno General Secretary (Tengku AdnanTengku Mansor) and the Registrar of Societies.

“Only court cases were thrown out because the complainant was an ex-Umno Member who was fired through a back-dated termination letter.

“(Therefore) The complainant lost his legal status as an Umno member to bring the case to court,” he said in a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) today.

According to Badrul Hisham, through the court process, a total of 126 Umno branches in Tanah Merah were found to be branches not registered with the ROS.

However, the Tanah Merah Umno continued to meet with representatives of illegal Umno branches (126 branches) and representation from the illegal meeting sent a representative to the Umno General Assembly that year (2008).

“It implied that the Umno General Assembly that year was also illegal because it was attended by illegal representatives from illegal Umno branches,” he added.

He said that up till now, there are more than 2,181 Umno branches in Kelantan that are illegal including those in Jeli, Bachok, Tumpat and also in Kota Bharu.

SAMM and the 13 Blogger Revolution Coalition invites the people of this country to help gather information on the total number of Umno branches that are not registered so that legal action can be taken against them.

“You can also go to the Registry of Societies Office in your respective states, take the Societies 27 form, fill it out and make a search of Umno branches in your area. Channel the information to us so that we can refuse illegal organisations as our country’s rulers.

“According to Section 10 of the Societies Act 1966, all citizens of Malaysia are given the right to inspect registration documents of any organisation registered in Malaysia, with the exemption of confidential documents such as financial reports,” he added.