Tag: Unity

Wong Chen: Tackle Crime Holistically

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SHAH ALAM, 31 Oct: The crime problem should be addressed holistically instead of only focusing on law enforcement alone, stressed the Member of Parliament for Kelana Jaya, Wong Chen.

Wong Chen said, the economic aspect should also be given serious attention, like the enforcement of law, in curbing criminal activity in the country.

“Suppose one criminal commits armed robbery every day, the country will witness 365 criminal cases throughout the year.

“Imagine if 10 thousand criminals have the same commitment. How many police officers are required to handle this problem?” he asked when contacted by TVSelangor.

Wong Chen said that he urges for the Federal Government to be more concerned with a more efficient administrative management in providing a better economic environment for the masses.

The lives of the people, which is becoming more pressing due to the growing economic pressure, should be taken into account.

Wong Chen said, criminals in this country are committed in making crime a permanent career to a point of smuggling firearms from neighbouring countries.

“People who are desperate enough to risk tremendously would fall into the criminal arena. If the government continues to not be concerned with this matter, more people will fall into criminal activities.

“On this factor, the economy plays an important role because if job opportunities for the people are more secure, with favourable returns, crime will no longer be a career option,” he said.

MBPJ Adds CCTV to Enhance Security

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KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is taking proactive measures to add more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at pedestrian walks around the Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations near Taman Mayang.

The move is being made following the death of a student, Dickson Wong from Sarawak, who was attacked by snatch thieves near the LRT station two days ago.

The MBPJ Public Relations Unit, in a statement, said that the effort to add CCTVs at the area has received approval from the Mayor, Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad and will be done within two weeks.

“The Council will also require for commercial premises, in their renewal of licence, to provide and install CCTVs at their premises to help maintain security together,” stated the press release.

In addition to the installation of CCTVs, the Council will also work with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to patrol around the area.

Dickson, who is in a coma, was found covered in blood near the LRT station in Taman Mayang after being attacked by snatch thieves.

Eliminating Subsidies is a Severe Punishment to the People

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GOMBAK, 31 Oct: The central government’s move to eliminate subsidies on essential goods in the Budget 2014 is a ‘severe punishment’ to the people seeing that the government does not adopt prudent spending, thus costing billions of the people’s money.

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The Assemblyman for Gombak Setia, Hasbullah Ridzwan said the low to middle-income earners will continue to be squeezed by economic constraints as a result of the elimination of the subsidies.

“We see this as a disaster for the people when the recent budget retracted subsidies of essential goods such as sugar, especially when a festive celebration is coming up,” he told TVSelangor.

Hasbullah said, the central government should adopt the concept of prudent spending and find ways to overcome the national deficit.

“The government should think of finding alternative measures to reduce the deficit and their weaknesses in administration.

“Let not the people, who are already suffering from rising prices of goods, be punished again in the budget,” said Hasbullah.

Prior to that, Hasbullah accompanied participants of the Diwali Jom Shopping (Let’s Go Shopping) programme organised by the Gombak Setia State Legislative Assembly and took the opportunity to mingle with other visitors at the Batu Caves Giant mall.

A total of 300 participants received shopping vouchers worth RM100.

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Malaysiakini’s Victory Good News for National Media Freedom

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: The victory of the news portal, Malaysiakini, in the appeal case against the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), which did not want to issue a publishing permit to the online news portal, is good news thus opening a new chapter of media freedom in the country.

The former President of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mohd Hatta Wahari said, the decision made by the Court of Appeal today is an important point in preparing the people and national leaders towards a mentality that is equivalent to that of first world countries.

Mohd Hatta also hopes that Malaysiakini’s victory will encourage other media to publish a variety of media materials to convey more transparent information to the people.

“This is good news, the recognition of media freedom, because previously what was implemented by the current government does not follow the new world order in freedom of information.

“Freedom of information is also very important so that accurate information can be delivered and it is left to the people to evaluate the move by the government or the opposition.

“Through media freedom, our country can be led towards being a developed country, not just in terms of development, but also in its mentality,” Mohd Hatta said when contacted by TVSelangor today.

Mohd Hatta also considers the decision today as a protest against the leadership pattern of the government led by BN since 56 years ago towards the country’s media practitioners.

The Court of Appeal today unanimously dismissed the Home Ministry and government’s appeal against a High Court judgment that Malaysiakini portal operator Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd be issued a publication permit and also allowed a costs of RM5,000 to be paid to Mkini Dotcom.

The decision was made after the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed the KDN’s order to not issue a publication licence to the publisher of Malaysiakini, Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd.

House of MIC Chief’s Widow Burned, Receives Support from Melawati CSC

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: Despite her late husband being known for serving MIC when he was alive, the suffering due to a fire at the house occupied by Devi a/p Raman, 66, three months ago was ignored by the party representing the Indian community.

However, Devi was fortunate when the Coordinator of the Melawati constituency Community Service Centre (CSC), S.Manikavasagam, together with the Api-Api Parish Headman, Husain Idris, came forward to offer help to the single mother.

Manikavasagam said, among the assistance provided includes a cash contribution of RM500 presented by the Kuala Selangor District and Land Office, as well as building materials such as wood and Nypa leafs from the Melawati CSC.

“The late S.Anandan, the former Kampung Telok Piah MIC Branch Chief, used to serve in the MIC and was previously given a medal of honour by Tan Sri V.Manickavasagam for his services.

“However now, when his wife encounters difficulties and her house was damaged by fire, not on of the MIC leaders came to visit or help out. Where is the slogan ‘MIC Cares’,” Manikavasagam said to TVSelangor.

Manikavasagam said, as a result of the fire which brought an estimated loss of about RM75,000, Devi also lost her source of income from a small food business she ran out of her house.

Devi, who will be celebrating Deepavali soon, has also been included in the ‘Jom Shopping’ (Let’s Go Shopping) programme in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration which is being held at the Giant hypermarket in Pasir Penampang today.

“All the assistance rendered is actually not enough, but at least it is able to ease the suffering and burden shouldered by Devi,” added Manikavasagam.

Student: Government in a Hurry to Implement GST

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: The Central Government is in a hurry to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will burden the people when there is no mechanism to increase the people’s income.

The President of Student Solidarity Malaysia (SMM) Safwan Anang, said that the Central Government has been urged to first solve the problem of corruption, leakages and improvidence occurring in expenses, as reported in the Auditor-General’s Report before the GST is implemented.

He said students will be affected and impacted from the implementation of the GST at the rate of 6 percent starting from 1 April 2015 because they are also consumers who buy goods and necessities.

“If the federal government does not want to hear the sound of protest, together, students are ready to mobilise this voice of protest,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor.

Safwan hopes that students will enhance awareness and understanding of the implementation of the GST so that they are able to be the people’s spokespeople.

“When the campus elections are still hot, it is hoped that the GST will also be debated. But unfortunately, this did not happen due to external political interference which has caused the GST issue to be quiet,” he said.

The introduction of the GST at a rate of six percent will be more burdensome for the young people because 82.5 percent of them earn RM3,000 and below.

The impact will be felt by the young people when the rate of inflation rises due to the increase in price of goods and services while income has not changed much.

The People Should Practice Cleanliness and Environmental Care

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: The people have been urged to always practice cleanliness, which is the central to the well-being of a family in creating a culture where the community is responsible towards environmental care.

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Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said effort towards cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility which should be implemented, especially in urban communities.

He said that communities should have the attitude of ensuring that their families and neighbours live in a clean and protected environment.

“The Selangor Government will continue to support all efforts and activities related to loving a green and clean environment,” said Abdul Khalid.

Abdul Khalid said that the aspect of cleanliness is to overcome political interests that need to be nurtured by all members of society, regardless of their background.

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He said this during the opening speech of the “Enhancement of IQ vs the Strengthening of Immunity” which was held here at the Setia City Convention Centre.

About 500 people attended the programme, including the Chairman of Top Glove, Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai and the Vice-President of SP Setia, Datuk Khor Chap Jen.

The programme was organised by three companies; Top Glove Corporation Berhad, SP Setia Berhad and Khind Holding Berhad, in conjunction with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the companies in preserving a greener environment.

Implement GST, More People are Burdened

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: The implementation of the GST will only increase the price of goods and the tax burden would have to be shouldered even after the abolition of the Sales and Service Tax (SST).

Serdang Member of Parliament, Dr Ong Kian Ming said that the Umno-BN Government is misleading the people by giving the impression that most of the prices of goods and the taxes paid by consumers will be reduced after the introduction of the GST.

“The truth is that the tax imposed under the SST is far less than what is taxable under the GST,” he said in a statement.

Kian Ming said among other things claimed to not be under the sales tax but will be under the GST includes many non-luxury items such as milk, tea, mineral water, canned fruit, newspaper, stationery, school bags and boxes.

He said consumers of electricity below 200kWh (any amount exceeding RM50) will also be charges the GST. The price of these items will definitely increase after the GST because the abolishing of the SST has an impact on price.

Currently, the sales tax is limited to certain restaurants and professional services such as accountants, architects, motor vehicle service and repair centres, telecommunication services, security services, real estate agents, car park operators and legal services.

“The broader coverage under the GST means that more services will be subject to the GST compared to the current service tax. This would mean that the price of services will increase.

“The truth is that the GST will increase the price of the majority of goods and services even after removing the SST, the financial burden of the people will increase,” he said.

Umno-BN Government Improvident, People Incur the GST and Reduction of Subsidies

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: The reduction of subsidies and the imposing of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not a solution to the country’s economic problems which stems from the improvident attitude in Umno-BN’s spending.

PAS Information Chief, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the implementation of the GST can only be done when the Umno-BN takes responsibility to reduce its operational management and not continue to be improvident with public money.

He said that the people are not given a period to adjust to the GST when it is announced at the high rate of 6 percent starting from 1 April 201.

“With the GST, those who do not have cars and do not have permanent jobs so as to not quality to pay taxed on every purchase,” he said in a statement.

Tuan Ibrahim said, in Singapore, the GST was introduced at a rate of 3 percent before gradually increasing to 7 percent.

“Some say that villagers will not feel the burden of the GST. It should be reminded that most of the items sold in grocery stores in villages come from suppliers in the city.

“The goods would already be subject to the GST when they arrive at the grocery store. Although small grocery stores are exempt from the GST because it does not exceed the minimum procurement, goods sold to village communities would certainly be more expensive because it would already been subject to the GST by suppliers,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua said that the government’s move to impose the GST is not able to hide their failure in controlling excessive spending since the deficit remains the same.

The additional collection in tax as specified in the Economic Report 2013/2014 should help alleviate the chronic deficit to 2.6 percent, but instead it remains unchanged at the four percent forecast.

“Although the government collects much higher that the revenues expected, the deficit for 2013 remains unchanged at RM39.3 billion.

“This means that every cent of additional revenue collected by the government is immediately spent, rather than contributing to reduce the debt,” he said.

Shah Alam to Receive Investment of RM35 Billion

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: Foreign investors to invest RM35 million in Shah Alam in the next five years in various fields, thus boosting the Selangor economy.

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Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the forecast is based on positive feedback given by investors during his visit to Singapore recently.

“Shah Alam will become the most prominent city in Malaysia as having the most potential to be developed,” he said.

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Abdul Khalid said, thus to ensure progress, efficiency of public transport needs to be improved to reduce traffic congestion.

“Any development in the future should emphasise the aspect of public transportation. It is time for use to use public transportation compared to personal transportation.

“Personal transportation has become ineffective seeing the time we spend in traffic jams,” said Abdul Khalid.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Cahaya SPK flyover bridge and the “Flag Off 5km Fun Run” here at the SPK Sahaya Club

Abdul Khalid said that the state government’s long term plans is to upgrade the public transport network.

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“At this time, the network of public transportation is less than 7 percent. We strive to improve it so that we can reach 60 percent in 10 years,” he said.

Earlier, Abdul Khalid inaugurated the 536 metre Chaya SPK Flyover which cost RM12 million to complete in early 2013 to reduce traffic in the area and to facilitate 20,000 residents.

Also present at the ceremony was the Mayor of Shah Alam, Datuk Jaafar Mohd Atan and the Executive Director of Group Cahaya SPK, Saiful Aznir Shahabudin.

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Pakatan Budget: PWD and Senior Citizens will be given Emphasis

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KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Oct: The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Budget 2014 announced RM500 million per year to carry out development for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

Among the initiatives is to increase subsistence allowance from RM300 to RM500 per month for PWD who work but with a monthly income below RM1,200 and to provide special allocation for those with severe disabilities, up to a maximum of RM1,000 per month.

To carry that our, PR aims to register 400,000 PWD a year beginning 2014 so that the total registered will be 80% within five years’ time, to ensure this community receive the full benefits entitled to them.

PR will also continue to emphasise in increasing access for PWD to facilities, amenities, services and public transport to enforce the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 which is rights-based.

This includes ensuring that the total number of car park bays for PWD follows UN standards, which is one PWD car park bay per 50 ordinary car park bays, with the appropriate car park size and location.

In addition, PR will improve road surfaces so that non-step buses can be fully utilised by PWD.

PR outlines to strengthen benefits for seniors by increasing the total number of geriatricians from approximately 16 today to at least 1,000 by 2030.

The effort is in preparing for an aging population including healthcare and welfare which will increase by a single fold from 7% to 14% in 28 years’ time.

Pakatan Budget: MyKad Replacement of Cash for JKM Recipients to Purchase Essentials

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KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Oct: The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Alternative Budget 2014 proposed the use of the MyKad to replace the cash system by depositing directly into recipients’ accounts as payment method at designated stores.

The current Social Welfare Department (JKM) welfare distribution system should be replaced with a cashless payment system which enables qualified recipients to select payment for exactly what they need without utilising cash.

It is an effort to ensure a fairer and better targeted subsidy regime and encompassing welfare system.

The credit contained in the recipients’ MyKad is used to purchase essentials such as rice, flour, sugar and other necessary goods.

PR also suggests for the MyKad to be used to track expenditure made by recipients and it can be combined with other programmes with other ministries such as keeping kids in schools and additional tutoring for single mothers.

Over 8% of Malaysians live below the existing Poverty Line Income (PLI) that does not address the hardship of current realities where thousands of households earn less than RM1,000 a month.

The usual practice by the Social Welfare Department (JKM – Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) is to credit cash directly into recipients’ accounts which sometimes leads to problems of consistent delays in cash transfer and the inability to properly ascertain whether the intended outcomes are met in the first place.