Government departments named in the recently released Auditor-General’s Report to have abused their power and indulged in financial irregularities would be investigated and those responsible would have to face the law, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.
“Those who deliberately broke the rules will be brought to book through investigations to be conducted by a special task force, which has just been set up,” he said today in his speech at a dinner at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre for retiring civil servants and those who have been promoted to the senior level.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the setting up a high-powered task force, headed by Mohd Sidek, to study the 2008 Auditor-General’s Report and initiate appropriate action against those responsible for financial irregularities and abuse of power mentioned in the report.
Najib said the setting up of the task force had received the green light from the Cabinet, which met today, and was in line with the government’s effort to realise a high performance culture in the civil service.
The task force will also include Finance Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, Public Service Department Director-General Tan Sri Ismail Adam and Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang himself.
They will have the power to rope in Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission if the need arises.
Mohd Sidek said the task force would have its first meeting on Monday
comment
Isn't Sidek the guy who was supposed to investigate PKFZ last time but didn't do so? Quoted from DAP website:
He should explain to the Malaysian public why he had failed in the past two years to carry out the Cabinet decision in July 2007 when it resolved on the RM4.6 billion bailout of PKFZ, including giving retrospective approval to the four illegal Letters of Support unlawfully given by the two previous Transport Ministers, Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik and Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, that the Chief Secretary should conduct an inquiry as to how the four Letters of Support could have issued unlawfully and to take the necessary disciplinary actions against the culprits who have now landed the country with a RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal.
It's very easy to stop these thievery once and for all. Just book those who committed an act of dishonesty and throw them in jail. I can guarantee you that all the nonsense will stop immediately. The reason why this is repeating every year is that those who stole from us, and they are no small fish, got away scot free. Simple as that.
31 October 2009
Umno’s penchant for disgraced lawmakers
Port Klang assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah quit PKR yesterday and was almost immediately welcomed by Selangor Umno, who said it would help him with allocations for the state seat.
This isn't the first time that Umno is so keen to adopt the riff-raff from PKR.
It began in February with PKR assemblymen Jamaludidn Mohd Radzi (Behrang) and Osman Jailu (Changkat Jering) who together with DAP's Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) brought down the Perak Pakatan Rakyat government.
Both PKR lawmakers were facing corruption charges in a court case which has been postponed repeatedly since their defection and one witness has now recanted his evidence.
In August, PKR's Lunas assemblyman Mohd Radzhi Salleh also quit the party but wanted to keep his state executive councillor post after allegations of tweaking his mileage and allowance claims. The Kedah Sultan removed him but he was later cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)
In Badrul's case, he won the seat but was absent from the constituency since Election 2008 due to a medical condition. In resigning from the party, the first-time assemblyman claimed that all allocations for the constituency went through other channels and not through him.
Much will be made of he says in the aftermath of the latest PKR casualty and Umno's keenness to exploit it for its own gains in a state that used to be its political fortresses.
But it is people like Jamaluddin, Osman, Radzhi and Badrul and the stench of corruption and laziness around them that pushed people to vote for the opposition in the March 2008 polls.
Umno's eager embrace of these tainted lawmakers says so much about the value system in the party. It fielded disbarred lawyer Rohaizat Othman in Permatang Pasir and lost, but won Bagan Pinang with disgraced party vice-president Tan Sri Isa Samad.
While Umno has reformed its party election rules to prevent corruption, people in the street will just look at these characters who are now in the party's good books to wonder whether their next vote will help form a clean government.
Thus far, there is no reason to give Umno that vote.
But Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his allies had made the first mistake of fielding these clowns in the last general election. And now Umno is compounding it by supporting them for their friendliness.
It goes without saying that it will be easier for PKR to get rid of such lawmakers ahead of the next general election or face the same problem in the future.
And for all of Umno's talk and bluster, its acceptance of such people reflects Datuk Seri Najib Razak's arduous task of cleaning up his party has yet to get traction.
comments
To the public especially those Port Klang constituents this Badrul did not quit PKR but more like he was sacked because of non performance. The stories of him not servicing his constituents are known long time ago. His disappearing acts even at party meetings are also known and even written openly by bloggers. His close association with UMNO people is also no secret. Before the next general election PKR must weed out all representatives who do not perform. Make them submit reports regularly on their activities on the ground. Better to treat them like school children if they do not know the responsibilities of a representative.
They should know they were nobody in UMNO and do not dream to be nominated as a representative let alone elected by the people to be the representative. After being elected they get big headed and will do work only if they get funds. This is typical UMNO mentality. There are so many opposition representatives before who do not have funds and yet they take care of their constituents. Remember Cikgu Jabbar of Batu Laut a lone ranger in a backward constituency but was elected many times not because he was a generous representative who is willing to splash cash to the constituents. Even Lee Lam Thye with a typewriter on a motorbike can also service his constituents in a very populated area.
As it is difficult to topple the Selangor Gvt by defection. The next best alternative is to tarnish the PR Gvt by asking the Port Klang Assembly man not to perform his duty. Thanks god, our Tan Sri is alerted and called to sack him. That should be the way.
This isn't the first time that Umno is so keen to adopt the riff-raff from PKR.
It began in February with PKR assemblymen Jamaludidn Mohd Radzi (Behrang) and Osman Jailu (Changkat Jering) who together with DAP's Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) brought down the Perak Pakatan Rakyat government.
Both PKR lawmakers were facing corruption charges in a court case which has been postponed repeatedly since their defection and one witness has now recanted his evidence.
In August, PKR's Lunas assemblyman Mohd Radzhi Salleh also quit the party but wanted to keep his state executive councillor post after allegations of tweaking his mileage and allowance claims. The Kedah Sultan removed him but he was later cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)
In Badrul's case, he won the seat but was absent from the constituency since Election 2008 due to a medical condition. In resigning from the party, the first-time assemblyman claimed that all allocations for the constituency went through other channels and not through him.
Much will be made of he says in the aftermath of the latest PKR casualty and Umno's keenness to exploit it for its own gains in a state that used to be its political fortresses.
But it is people like Jamaluddin, Osman, Radzhi and Badrul and the stench of corruption and laziness around them that pushed people to vote for the opposition in the March 2008 polls.
Umno's eager embrace of these tainted lawmakers says so much about the value system in the party. It fielded disbarred lawyer Rohaizat Othman in Permatang Pasir and lost, but won Bagan Pinang with disgraced party vice-president Tan Sri Isa Samad.
While Umno has reformed its party election rules to prevent corruption, people in the street will just look at these characters who are now in the party's good books to wonder whether their next vote will help form a clean government.
Thus far, there is no reason to give Umno that vote.
But Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his allies had made the first mistake of fielding these clowns in the last general election. And now Umno is compounding it by supporting them for their friendliness.
It goes without saying that it will be easier for PKR to get rid of such lawmakers ahead of the next general election or face the same problem in the future.
And for all of Umno's talk and bluster, its acceptance of such people reflects Datuk Seri Najib Razak's arduous task of cleaning up his party has yet to get traction.
comments
To the public especially those Port Klang constituents this Badrul did not quit PKR but more like he was sacked because of non performance. The stories of him not servicing his constituents are known long time ago. His disappearing acts even at party meetings are also known and even written openly by bloggers. His close association with UMNO people is also no secret. Before the next general election PKR must weed out all representatives who do not perform. Make them submit reports regularly on their activities on the ground. Better to treat them like school children if they do not know the responsibilities of a representative.
They should know they were nobody in UMNO and do not dream to be nominated as a representative let alone elected by the people to be the representative. After being elected they get big headed and will do work only if they get funds. This is typical UMNO mentality. There are so many opposition representatives before who do not have funds and yet they take care of their constituents. Remember Cikgu Jabbar of Batu Laut a lone ranger in a backward constituency but was elected many times not because he was a generous representative who is willing to splash cash to the constituents. Even Lee Lam Thye with a typewriter on a motorbike can also service his constituents in a very populated area.
As it is difficult to topple the Selangor Gvt by defection. The next best alternative is to tarnish the PR Gvt by asking the Port Klang Assembly man not to perform his duty. Thanks god, our Tan Sri is alerted and called to sack him. That should be the way.
30 October 2009
Badrul blames Anwar’s sodomy case as part of reasons he quit PKR
Badrul Hisham Abdullah, the Port Klang Assemblyman took a swipe at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, quoting that the Anwar’s sodomy case is one of the reasons he is quitting the PKR. Badrul came into the limelight after it was reported that the Mentri Besar of Selangor Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim will be calling him to quit his post. Badurul said "As a Muslim who steadfastly holds to Islamic principles, a leader's morals is paramount in gaining my support. This is the main reason for my decision (to quit PKR) because I'm a Muslim and a public figure. I cannot compromise on moral issues, such as the ones faced by PKR leaders,"
He also added that he is being victimized by the PKR in the Selangor administration saying that he is treated like a ‘step-child’ where they refused to coordinate the disbursement of funds to him. "It is as though I have been made a step-child, compared to other state assemblypersons... This is an attempt to sideline me as an elected representative of the area.” He added that "How can I serve? I'm not a state executive council. There is another coordinator, meaning there are two service centres in the area. The allocations were taken over by the menteri besar's secretary. What can I do? I still go out and meet the public. I'm not the type who likes fanfare. I just go with my driver to look at the situation in my area,"
comments
Unreasonable answer by person that never have himself but others...
His reason is really funny...
I think anyboby knows what happen...
poor rakyat who choose him base on PKR not on his capability..
THis fellas is contain no morality...
Hope that Malaysian know how to choose ADUN or MP...
This is among our failure....
Malaysian should avoid this kind of people...
Money sure talks these days in M'sia. Wonder how much Najib paid to buy him over.
Hai Yah - BN friendly independent?? No integrity and credibility all blinded by money and he talks about being a Muslim.
Some people claim to have seen Najis with Badrul in Sheraton Imperial two days before his resignation.Another one of Najis's contribution...1 Malaysia.
He also added that he is being victimized by the PKR in the Selangor administration saying that he is treated like a ‘step-child’ where they refused to coordinate the disbursement of funds to him. "It is as though I have been made a step-child, compared to other state assemblypersons... This is an attempt to sideline me as an elected representative of the area.” He added that "How can I serve? I'm not a state executive council. There is another coordinator, meaning there are two service centres in the area. The allocations were taken over by the menteri besar's secretary. What can I do? I still go out and meet the public. I'm not the type who likes fanfare. I just go with my driver to look at the situation in my area,"
comments
Unreasonable answer by person that never have himself but others...
His reason is really funny...
I think anyboby knows what happen...
poor rakyat who choose him base on PKR not on his capability..
THis fellas is contain no morality...
Hope that Malaysian know how to choose ADUN or MP...
This is among our failure....
Malaysian should avoid this kind of people...
Money sure talks these days in M'sia. Wonder how much Najib paid to buy him over.
Hai Yah - BN friendly independent?? No integrity and credibility all blinded by money and he talks about being a Muslim.
Some people claim to have seen Najis with Badrul in Sheraton Imperial two days before his resignation.Another one of Najis's contribution...1 Malaysia.
DSP: Ronnie Liu arrested for arguing with police
A major prosecution witness in the case against Selangor executive councillor (exco) Ronnie Liu today admitted the politician was speaking on behalf of customers of a hotel when he was arrested on Nov 2, 2007.
DSP Lim Meng Seah, who was Subang district Criminal Investigation Department chief at the time, made the admission after being shown his own police report which he lodged against Liu (picture) after the arrest.
The Selangor exco is accused of abetting clients and customers of Chile Hotel in intentionally preventing Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) assistant enforcement officer Hadzim Zulkapli from closing the hotel, which was suspected of carrying out vice activities.
In another major contradiction, Lim also admitted that Liu was arrested for acting aggressively, arguing with the police and for refusing an order to leave the hotel and not for preventing any MPSJ officer from carrying out his duty.
Lim also admitted during cross-examination by defence lawyer Gobind Sing Deo that he was in the dark over what Liu was actually charged with.
Lim said he went to the hotel after receiving a call from his subordinate that a DAP politician was causing a disturbance by asking customers and the public not to leave.
Upon reaching at 6.30pm, he saw that the lobby was noisy and filled with many people including police and MPSJ officers.
Lim said he saw Liu speaking in a corner and asking the crowd to ignore MPSJ orders to vacate the hotel.
He subsequently directed his subordinates to order all members of the public to leave the hotel but said customers could stay and negotiate with MPSJ.
However he said Liu also told the crowd that both police and MPSJ enforcement officers did not have the powers to ask them to leave.
Under further cross examination, Lim agreed it was not fair for the customers to leave the hotel while their belongings were still in their room, while other had paid to stay for an extended period.
He agreed that he arrested Liu for disobeying his orders and said he did not see him preventing the MPSJ officer from carrying out his duty.
Magistrate Mohammad Ibrahim Mohammad Ghulam scheduled the trial to continue on April 5 and April 6.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Noorin Badaruddin and Azlina Rasdi appeared for the prosecution.
comments
Ronnie Liu was just doing his duty as the Representative of his constitution. Is it criminally wrong to argue with Police? Are police officers above the law that no one should argue with. Or is it that Ronnie is from DAP and he must be treat harshly. If Ronnie is from BN the police will not hesitate to protect him when he goes around doing his offical duty. This is the disparity between an Elected Representatives of BN and PR. There is no respect for PR Representatives whereas those crooks and cheats from BN, are given 1st class treatment.
Now you can get arrested for arguing with police? The police pay our salaries or we pay theirs?
DSP Lim Meng Seah, who was Subang district Criminal Investigation Department chief at the time, made the admission after being shown his own police report which he lodged against Liu (picture) after the arrest.
The Selangor exco is accused of abetting clients and customers of Chile Hotel in intentionally preventing Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) assistant enforcement officer Hadzim Zulkapli from closing the hotel, which was suspected of carrying out vice activities.
In another major contradiction, Lim also admitted that Liu was arrested for acting aggressively, arguing with the police and for refusing an order to leave the hotel and not for preventing any MPSJ officer from carrying out his duty.
Lim also admitted during cross-examination by defence lawyer Gobind Sing Deo that he was in the dark over what Liu was actually charged with.
Lim said he went to the hotel after receiving a call from his subordinate that a DAP politician was causing a disturbance by asking customers and the public not to leave.
Upon reaching at 6.30pm, he saw that the lobby was noisy and filled with many people including police and MPSJ officers.
Lim said he saw Liu speaking in a corner and asking the crowd to ignore MPSJ orders to vacate the hotel.
He subsequently directed his subordinates to order all members of the public to leave the hotel but said customers could stay and negotiate with MPSJ.
However he said Liu also told the crowd that both police and MPSJ enforcement officers did not have the powers to ask them to leave.
Under further cross examination, Lim agreed it was not fair for the customers to leave the hotel while their belongings were still in their room, while other had paid to stay for an extended period.
He agreed that he arrested Liu for disobeying his orders and said he did not see him preventing the MPSJ officer from carrying out his duty.
Magistrate Mohammad Ibrahim Mohammad Ghulam scheduled the trial to continue on April 5 and April 6.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Noorin Badaruddin and Azlina Rasdi appeared for the prosecution.
comments
Ronnie Liu was just doing his duty as the Representative of his constitution. Is it criminally wrong to argue with Police? Are police officers above the law that no one should argue with. Or is it that Ronnie is from DAP and he must be treat harshly. If Ronnie is from BN the police will not hesitate to protect him when he goes around doing his offical duty. This is the disparity between an Elected Representatives of BN and PR. There is no respect for PR Representatives whereas those crooks and cheats from BN, are given 1st class treatment.
Now you can get arrested for arguing with police? The police pay our salaries or we pay theirs?
Now Hisham says Lingam still under probe
There was confusion in Parliament today when Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (picture) said that the V.K. Lingam case was still under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).“The investigation in relation to V. K. Lingam’s video case is still under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police are no longer handling the case,” he said in a written reply to Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong.
Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had in a written reply last week to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that no action would be taken against Lingam.
He said Attorney General Tan Sri Gani Patail had found “no case” against the senior lawyer.
Nazri explained today that he never said that the case was closed and blamed the media for misinterpreting his words.
“That is your reading. I never said it. That is why I was wondering if the case was closed. You all concluded that it is closed,” he told reporters in Parliament.
He said that there was “no further action” but it was not closed and added that the case can be reopened if there are new witnesses.
PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah had this week promised to present the missing key witness in Datuk V.K. Lingam’s infamous New Zealand trip with the former Chief Justice Tun Eusoff Chin in Parliament soon.
The MACC had said that it was unable to proceed with the investigation into the New Zealand trip because it could not locate a key witness.
Nazri said today that he was still waiting for Sivarasa to bring the witness
comments
Witness will go missing. What happen to PI Bala, teresa kok issue witness.
Of course there will be no charge against this chap. The Police have stop the investigation and eventually MACC will do the same. Don't forget those in the judiciary are more or less appointed by him. They are obligated to him. Malaysia boleh.
Hello Ministers, pse dont play with words, we rakyat can read and write and also think. Dont think we are fools. Its always the same excuse, papers misquoted you, why dont you sue the papers or at least ask for correction the next day????.
First you say no action will be taken Against VKL, then when Sivarasa says he has got witness then you say VK is still under investigation. Look here its not a joke, be serious in stamping out corruption, cause people willing to stick their neck out and testify to the truth, while you guys push it under the carpet and say NFA.
The Rakyat will not trust you again, never, never again full stop
29 October 2009
Port Klang assemblyman Badrul quits PKR, now BN-friendly
Port Klang assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah has quit PKR, citing a loss of faith in the party leadership and unhappiness over financial allocations, in a move that could spark a crisis in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government.
Badrul Hisham said he would now be a Barisan Nasional (BN) friendly independent lawmaker.
He did not say if he would eventually be joining Umno or any other political party, but he asserted that he would not relinquish his state seat.
His announcement comes just hours after Selangor Mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had said he wanted the lawmaker to resign as assemblyman for non-performance.
Badrul Hisham won the Port Klang state seat in Election 2008 with 12,397 votes against Barisan Nasional’s Roselinda Abdul Jamil who got 7,990 votes and independent Nazir Mansor with 580.
Early this month, Khalid had said he would decide on Badrul Hisham’s status by the end of October.
Speculation had been rife for months now that Badrul Hisham planned to defect to Umno and controversy has plagued the first-term lawmaker since the general election last year due to complaints by voters in his constituency that he was never around and could not be contacted.
“I was elected by the people and not by the Mentri Besar of Selangor,” said Badrul in a three page statement in response to Khalid’s call for him to quit.
“I am no longer a PKR member but will remain an independent representative supporting Barisan Nasional,” he added.
Khalid had also alleged that Badrul Hisham has been incommunicado and did not respond to the show cause letter sent by the state government.
“For your information I have given my explanation through a letter dated Aug 28 2009,” said Badrul.
He claimed that he had been sidelined by the state government which made it difficult for him to perform his duties.
“The refusal of the PKR-led Selangor government to assist me in coordinating financial allocation for my constituency made me feel marginalised,” said Badrul Hisham.
Badrul Hisham also cited Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s actions in causing his sodomy trial to be postponed several times as another reason for his loss of confidence in PKR.
“I am having doubts on the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for not having the courage to face trial for the Saiful Bukhari sodomy case,” said Badrul Hisham.
“He has been avoiding from giving explanation to party members,” he added.
“I take seriously the allegation of moral misconduct against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
comments
another drama and episode .. giving the UMNO n BN a big chance to create numerous issues.. the question is, did Badrul join PKR genuinely not because of upholding 'keadilan' and not dreaming to have a certain position n live in his own comfort zone, just like what the UMNO leaders experienced?
Let this be a lesson to PKR. Vet your candidates wisely. We do not want candidates who have no principles and who betray the people after having been elected into office. They are worse than prostitutes. LEt them join BN and the Toyol, a party of crooks.
this hide and seek joker is forced to do this BN friendly admission now, since too many things is going against BN recently...latest being the bridge collapse in Perak killing 3 pupils.
believe me... tomorrow we will have a front page report on the MSM on this guy!
Badrul said “I was elected by the people and not by the Mentri Besar of Selangor”. Yeah! How did you serve the voters in your constituency the last 20 months playing hide & seek and without a service center.
Do you think you are still wanted by the voters??? You are such craps that BN/UMNO always wanted.
Go join UMNO lah you will be rewarded handsomely. Shameless morons. tak tahu malu ke?
He should be sacked. He has many more questions to answer in front of Allah. Betraying the people who trusted you to represent them is a very serious offence. Think of the thousands who are cursing him.
Badrul Hisham said he would now be a Barisan Nasional (BN) friendly independent lawmaker.
He did not say if he would eventually be joining Umno or any other political party, but he asserted that he would not relinquish his state seat.
His announcement comes just hours after Selangor Mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had said he wanted the lawmaker to resign as assemblyman for non-performance.
Badrul Hisham won the Port Klang state seat in Election 2008 with 12,397 votes against Barisan Nasional’s Roselinda Abdul Jamil who got 7,990 votes and independent Nazir Mansor with 580.
Early this month, Khalid had said he would decide on Badrul Hisham’s status by the end of October.
Speculation had been rife for months now that Badrul Hisham planned to defect to Umno and controversy has plagued the first-term lawmaker since the general election last year due to complaints by voters in his constituency that he was never around and could not be contacted.
“I was elected by the people and not by the Mentri Besar of Selangor,” said Badrul in a three page statement in response to Khalid’s call for him to quit.
“I am no longer a PKR member but will remain an independent representative supporting Barisan Nasional,” he added.
Khalid had also alleged that Badrul Hisham has been incommunicado and did not respond to the show cause letter sent by the state government.
“For your information I have given my explanation through a letter dated Aug 28 2009,” said Badrul.
He claimed that he had been sidelined by the state government which made it difficult for him to perform his duties.
“The refusal of the PKR-led Selangor government to assist me in coordinating financial allocation for my constituency made me feel marginalised,” said Badrul Hisham.
Badrul Hisham also cited Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s actions in causing his sodomy trial to be postponed several times as another reason for his loss of confidence in PKR.
“I am having doubts on the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for not having the courage to face trial for the Saiful Bukhari sodomy case,” said Badrul Hisham.
“He has been avoiding from giving explanation to party members,” he added.
“I take seriously the allegation of moral misconduct against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
comments
another drama and episode .. giving the UMNO n BN a big chance to create numerous issues.. the question is, did Badrul join PKR genuinely not because of upholding 'keadilan' and not dreaming to have a certain position n live in his own comfort zone, just like what the UMNO leaders experienced?
Let this be a lesson to PKR. Vet your candidates wisely. We do not want candidates who have no principles and who betray the people after having been elected into office. They are worse than prostitutes. LEt them join BN and the Toyol, a party of crooks.
this hide and seek joker is forced to do this BN friendly admission now, since too many things is going against BN recently...latest being the bridge collapse in Perak killing 3 pupils.
believe me... tomorrow we will have a front page report on the MSM on this guy!
Badrul said “I was elected by the people and not by the Mentri Besar of Selangor”. Yeah! How did you serve the voters in your constituency the last 20 months playing hide & seek and without a service center.
Do you think you are still wanted by the voters??? You are such craps that BN/UMNO always wanted.
Go join UMNO lah you will be rewarded handsomely. Shameless morons. tak tahu malu ke?
He should be sacked. He has many more questions to answer in front of Allah. Betraying the people who trusted you to represent them is a very serious offence. Think of the thousands who are cursing him.
Azmin claims Kitingan was an obstacle to younger leaders
Former PKR Sabah Chief Azmin Ali said today he was not surprised that Jeffrey Kitingan had resigned as PKR vice-president and as a member of the supreme council
Azmin pointed out that the strength of the party was not from a few individuals but from the support of voters.
“I do not agree if the strength is dependent on any individual. When I was leading Sabah, I was inclined to recognise new faces among the new generation who are committed to the party and this was certain to disturb certain individuals who have been there for a long time.
"But my principle is not to defend any individuals but to strengthen the party so that the support base can be larger. So I needed the new generation to support Keadilan,” he told reporters in Parliament.
PKR chieftains in Sabah and Sarawak were in open revolt recently and were demanding that local leaders be appointed to head the party.
In Sabah, factions aligned to the appointed party vice-president Jeffrey Kitingan had launched a mutiny against Azmin by submitting a memorandum which, among other matters, claimed that Azmin had under-performed.
Ahmad Thamrin Jai has now been appointed the new Sabah chief, replacing Azmin.
Azmin was reappointed as party chief for Federal Territory.
He said today that the people of Sabah were politically mature and ready to lead their own state.
“Jeffrey has not been long in any party so I appreciate any contribution from any individual but the party must grow and move on. So how do you move on when you take the decision not to expand the base of the party?” He asked.
Azmin said that during his tenure as Sabah chief, he emphasised the importance of new leaders from the younger generation to increase the party’s support base.
“I saw the emergence of younger leaders as very good and this caused some leaders who are old and have been there for a long time to feel their position was in jeopardy. So that is not my problem,” he said.
PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today acknowledged that the party was facing difficulties but promised to continue with its struggle.
The admission was made in response to the protest over the appointment of the new Sabah PKR chief, Ahmad Thamrin Jai.
The protest has resulted in the resignation of two Sabahan leaders, vice-president Kitingan and supreme council member Christina Liew.
comment
Not a problem at all. If the old bloods won't go, new bloods will never come. Let them leave. If they still here, it won't help much. Better to get a new person which can contribute well for the people, but not those fat snake anymor
Azmin pointed out that the strength of the party was not from a few individuals but from the support of voters.
“I do not agree if the strength is dependent on any individual. When I was leading Sabah, I was inclined to recognise new faces among the new generation who are committed to the party and this was certain to disturb certain individuals who have been there for a long time.
"But my principle is not to defend any individuals but to strengthen the party so that the support base can be larger. So I needed the new generation to support Keadilan,” he told reporters in Parliament.
PKR chieftains in Sabah and Sarawak were in open revolt recently and were demanding that local leaders be appointed to head the party.
In Sabah, factions aligned to the appointed party vice-president Jeffrey Kitingan had launched a mutiny against Azmin by submitting a memorandum which, among other matters, claimed that Azmin had under-performed.
Ahmad Thamrin Jai has now been appointed the new Sabah chief, replacing Azmin.
Azmin was reappointed as party chief for Federal Territory.
He said today that the people of Sabah were politically mature and ready to lead their own state.
“Jeffrey has not been long in any party so I appreciate any contribution from any individual but the party must grow and move on. So how do you move on when you take the decision not to expand the base of the party?” He asked.
Azmin said that during his tenure as Sabah chief, he emphasised the importance of new leaders from the younger generation to increase the party’s support base.
“I saw the emergence of younger leaders as very good and this caused some leaders who are old and have been there for a long time to feel their position was in jeopardy. So that is not my problem,” he said.
PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today acknowledged that the party was facing difficulties but promised to continue with its struggle.
The admission was made in response to the protest over the appointment of the new Sabah PKR chief, Ahmad Thamrin Jai.
The protest has resulted in the resignation of two Sabahan leaders, vice-president Kitingan and supreme council member Christina Liew.
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Not a problem at all. If the old bloods won't go, new bloods will never come. Let them leave. If they still here, it won't help much. Better to get a new person which can contribute well for the people, but not those fat snake anymor
Noh: Welcome Badrul, we are ready to fund you
Selangor Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar has welcomed the decision by Port Klang assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah to quit Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) today, describing it as a brave and wise move.
“He knows his right as an assemblyman. No one can force him to relinquish his post,” he said when asked to comment on the move by Badrul Hisham who not only quit PKR but also announced that the would be a Barisan Nasional-friendly independent assemblyman.
Now that Badrul Hisham had expressed his support towards the BN, he could apply for allocation from the federal government to implement development projects in the Port Klang area, said Noh, who is Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister.
He told Bernama that as an independent assemblyman, Badrul Hisham would need funds to discharge his duties and that was why the BN was ready to assist him.
Although the move by Badrul Hisham did not change the political equation in Selangor, Noh said, it was nevertheless a sign that he was not comfortable being part of the Pakatan government.
With the decision, Pakatan now holds 35 seats of the 56-seat state assembly, with BN holding 20 and independent, one.
Five Selangor BN assemblymen, however, are serving suspension from the state assembly since July this year for criticising the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat).
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was suspended for a year while four others, namely Datuk Marsum Paing (Dengkil), Datuk Mohamed Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam), Mohd Isa Abu Kasim (Batang Kali) and Datuk Warno Dogol (Sabak) were suspended for six months.
Selangor MIC Youth chief Shanker Raj Ayanger said Badrul Hisham’s decision showed that there were lack of compromise among leaders of the Pakatan government in Selangor.
The move by Badrul Hisham to support the BN was a wise decision as the BN had a strong structure and had proven its capabilities, he said.
Klang MCA division chief Datuk Dr Teh Kim Poo said Badrul Hisham’s departure would not leave a huge impact on the Pakatan government in Selangor.
“I was told that the PKR had been pressurising him to leave the party,” he said
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now we know that the federal has no intention to develop klang until BN wins it. What happen to this 1Malaysia? Looks like is 1 for us none for you. enough said, wait till the next GE.
“He knows his right as an assemblyman. No one can force him to relinquish his post,” he said when asked to comment on the move by Badrul Hisham who not only quit PKR but also announced that the would be a Barisan Nasional-friendly independent assemblyman.
Now that Badrul Hisham had expressed his support towards the BN, he could apply for allocation from the federal government to implement development projects in the Port Klang area, said Noh, who is Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister.
He told Bernama that as an independent assemblyman, Badrul Hisham would need funds to discharge his duties and that was why the BN was ready to assist him.
Although the move by Badrul Hisham did not change the political equation in Selangor, Noh said, it was nevertheless a sign that he was not comfortable being part of the Pakatan government.
With the decision, Pakatan now holds 35 seats of the 56-seat state assembly, with BN holding 20 and independent, one.
Five Selangor BN assemblymen, however, are serving suspension from the state assembly since July this year for criticising the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat).
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was suspended for a year while four others, namely Datuk Marsum Paing (Dengkil), Datuk Mohamed Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam), Mohd Isa Abu Kasim (Batang Kali) and Datuk Warno Dogol (Sabak) were suspended for six months.
Selangor MIC Youth chief Shanker Raj Ayanger said Badrul Hisham’s decision showed that there were lack of compromise among leaders of the Pakatan government in Selangor.
The move by Badrul Hisham to support the BN was a wise decision as the BN had a strong structure and had proven its capabilities, he said.
Klang MCA division chief Datuk Dr Teh Kim Poo said Badrul Hisham’s departure would not leave a huge impact on the Pakatan government in Selangor.
“I was told that the PKR had been pressurising him to leave the party,” he said
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now we know that the federal has no intention to develop klang until BN wins it. What happen to this 1Malaysia? Looks like is 1 for us none for you. enough said, wait till the next GE.
28 October 2009
Dewan Rakyat rejects motion to discuss bridge collapse
The Dewan Rakyat today rejected a motion to discuss the bridge collapse in Perak on Monday brought by Dr Lee Boon Chye (PKR-Gopeng), with Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee saying the rule did not allow an issue rejected in chambers to be raised again in the House.
"The speaker had made a decision (in chambers) and the matter was rejected in chambers," he said, adding that the motion could be included as an issue to be raised at the ongoing debate on the 2010 Supply Bill.
Kiandee also said that action had been taken in the matter of the bridge collapse as Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had ordered the setting up of a committee to conduct an investigation.
A primary schoolgirl drowned and two others are missing after a suspension bridge across the Kampar River at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Dipang collapsed when pupils participating in a unity camp were crossing it on Monday night.
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We are not surprised. It is either not of Public interest or Urgent. If their children were involved, then it is a different storey!!! What can condolences do in situation like this. Save it.
What is more important than a live of a young girl????? We are talking about a death here of a young girl while attending a camp organised y the government. Does'nt the Speaker weigh this point before rejecting this motion? And the government still say "Rakyat didahulukan"
Remember the Rakyat is watching. There has been far too many motions raised by the Opposition which are being rejected. The Opposition also represent the rakyat..and these rakyats are also tax payers. So when an Opposition leader files a motion, it means the rakyat is filing that motion.
"The speaker had made a decision (in chambers) and the matter was rejected in chambers," he said, adding that the motion could be included as an issue to be raised at the ongoing debate on the 2010 Supply Bill.
Kiandee also said that action had been taken in the matter of the bridge collapse as Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had ordered the setting up of a committee to conduct an investigation.
A primary schoolgirl drowned and two others are missing after a suspension bridge across the Kampar River at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Dipang collapsed when pupils participating in a unity camp were crossing it on Monday night.
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We are not surprised. It is either not of Public interest or Urgent. If their children were involved, then it is a different storey!!! What can condolences do in situation like this. Save it.
What is more important than a live of a young girl????? We are talking about a death here of a young girl while attending a camp organised y the government. Does'nt the Speaker weigh this point before rejecting this motion? And the government still say "Rakyat didahulukan"
Remember the Rakyat is watching. There has been far too many motions raised by the Opposition which are being rejected. The Opposition also represent the rakyat..and these rakyats are also tax payers. So when an Opposition leader files a motion, it means the rakyat is filing that motion.
Two sittings, scuffles and a lot of shouting at the Perak assembly
Policemen roll out barbed wire and set up a barricade outside the assembly this morning to prevent unwanted people from enteringThe Perak state assembly proceedings turned farcical again, just as it did on May 7, with both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) holding separate proceedings in the same hall amid shouts and screams.
Both BN and PR held simultaneous sittings in the same hall presided over by the current Speaker Datuk R. Ganesan and the man who was physically ousted on May 7, V. Sivakumar.
The proceedings began at 10am by Ganesan, who was seated in the speaker's chair even before the media were allowed into the hall at 9.30am.
At the time, BN assemblymen too were seated and ready.
When the proceedings began, however, the PR assemblymen were nowhere in sight.
It was learned later that they were accosted at basement parking lot of the State Secretariat by policemen who tried to rip off the speaker's ceremonial robes, which former speaker Sivakumar had put on.
According to PR assemblymen, the scuffle was violent and turned into something of a fist fight as some in the group of 28 attempted to protect Sivakumar from being harassed.
Despite this however, the robe as well as the speaker's songkok were successfully confiscated by the police. Sivakumar only managed to salvage a ripped piece of his robe.
Simpang Pulai assemblyman Chan Ming Kai was dragged on the floor when two policemen grabbed on to both of his hands and tried to pull him away from the fray.
As chaos reigned downstairs, an unsettling calm had settled inside the assembly hall as Ganesan carried out the proceedings, unperturbed by the absence of the PR lawmakers.
The first item on the agenda was a call by Ganesan for all those present in the hall to stand and observe a minute of silence to mark the tragedy in Kampar yesterday, when one girl died after a suspension bridge collapsed.
Next, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir stood to push for a motion to change the order of the day.
No one knew where the PR assemblymen were and those stationed outside the State Secretariat had already reported that the group had been allowed in without much ceremony.
Earlier, there was tight security outside the assembly hall with police imposing checks on anyone entering.
PR state lawmakers, led by ousted Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin and Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, were carefully screened first before they were allowed to pass the police blockade.
No untoward incident took place however when PR assemblymen passed the blockade. They acted courteously while their supporters obeyed police instruction to disperse after their leaders were allowed to pass.
Both Nizar and Ngeh had earlier gathered and marched alongside all the PR assemblymen from the Perak DAP office situated just a few hundred metres from the state building.
They were also accompanied by some 100 supporters chanting “Long live the rakyat”. A huge number of curious onlookers were seen at a nearby restaurant watching the drama unfold before them.
Just before 10.30am, a loud commotion was heard outside the assembly hall coming from the back entrance, which was designated specifically for the PR assemblymen.
At the time, Ganesan had just decided to adjourn the sitting to 11.20am.
Sivakumar and his PR colleagues then marched into the hall, all sweating and panting after their violent run-in with the law.
Knowing full well that all eyes in the hall were on them, they angrily yelled names at Ganesan. Nizar, gave his signature wave and smile to the crowd and nodded at everyone. Meanwhile, even without his robe, the ousted Speaker Sivakumar proceeded to call the assembly to order.
Nizar then tabled a motion calling for all 1 Malaysia and National Service camps to be suspended following the Kampar tragedy.
A separate motion was also tabled, calling for the dissolution of the assembly.
The final motion was to appoint former Perak PKR chairman Osman Abdul Rahman as a Senator in the Dewan Negara.
All three motions were approved by PR representatives while their BN colleagues ignored them and chatted with each other. Ganesan looked on but did not stop the PR representatives.
Sivakumar then adjourned the PR “assembly”.
But all hell broke loose again when Ganesan called to order his assembly at 11.30am and Sivakumar proceeded to do the same.
Both BN and PR assemblymen then engaged in a deafening war of words with one another and with two assemblies going on at the same time, the legislature descended into a theatre of absurdity.
Amid shouting from PR lawmakers, BN tabled the state Budget. As Zambry stood to speak, he was greeted by shouts of “lanun” (pirate).
PR assemblymen also stand up to speak while their BN colleagues drown them with shouts of their own.
Eventually, the BN government approves the state Budget despite protests from PR lawmakers.
At this point, Sivakumar “adjourned” the sitting and PR lawmakers stroll out.
They walked past the Speaker’s chair on the way out and several assemblymen waved at him and offered an ironic greeting of “Happy Deepavali” to Ganesan, who ignored them and moved on with the business of the House.
At 1pm, Zambry proposed for an adjournment sine die and Ganesan granted it. As BN assemblymen prepared to leave the hall, they were heard congratulating each other.
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Hahahaaa..good job! Give me 2!!!
Sivakumar, keep it on that way and make it a 2-Malaysia concept! Two seating with two speakers, two agenda, two MB, two senators, and all with two, two,two....! The world citizens will be greatly amused with this unique system only Bolehland has!
Bravo! Malaysia Boleh!
The rakyat are watching very closely the arrogance and antics of those HARAM ones who are not supposed to be in the Assembly in the first place. With all the civil machinery in your favour, you may win the battle by brute force but it will be another story in GE13.
Sivakumar lodges report on fake letter
Ousted Speaker V. Sivakumar has lodged a police report over the distribution of a “fake letter” using his actual signature, which was sent out to Perak state assemblymen.
The letter, which contained the stamp of the Mentri Besar’s office, as well as the Speaker’s official letterhead, told the recipient that today’s assembly sitting had been adjourned to 11am at the Heritage Hotel here.
“In reference to the notice summoning the state assembly sitting that was sent on October 13 and due to several illegal actions taken by the Barisan Nasional government, the sitting will be held at 11am in Heritage Hotel,” the letter said.
It also claimed that former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin would be tabling the budget and a motion to call for the dissolution of the assembly.
“The Pakatan Rakyat leadership council, led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and Lim Kit Siang, will also be present (at the assembly),” said the letter.
The letter also claimed that the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah had granted former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin an audience at 3pm in Istana Kinta here today, for the purpose of the dissolution of the state assembly.
“In view of this, you are requested to be present at the assembly,” the letter said.
After today’s fractious assembly sitting, Sivakumar told pressmen that he had never sent nor was aware of such a letter.
“It contains my signature, however. I believe my signature was pasted into the letter,” he said.
He lodged the police report, along with another on how he was attacked before the actual assembly in the State Secretariat here, at the Ipoh district police headquarters after the sitting was over in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Perak DAP chief and former senior state executive councillor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham also lodged a report at the police station.
He cited Section 124 of the Penal Code against the police, claiming he and the other 27 PR assemblymen had been blocked from entering the state assembly hall.
Another report was also lodged by Pantai Remis assemblyman Nga Kor Ming, who claimed he had his genitals attacked by one Chief Inspector Khairul as he was making his way into the assembly today.
The letter, which contained the stamp of the Mentri Besar’s office, as well as the Speaker’s official letterhead, told the recipient that today’s assembly sitting had been adjourned to 11am at the Heritage Hotel here.
“In reference to the notice summoning the state assembly sitting that was sent on October 13 and due to several illegal actions taken by the Barisan Nasional government, the sitting will be held at 11am in Heritage Hotel,” the letter said.
It also claimed that former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin would be tabling the budget and a motion to call for the dissolution of the assembly.
“The Pakatan Rakyat leadership council, led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and Lim Kit Siang, will also be present (at the assembly),” said the letter.
The letter also claimed that the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah had granted former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin an audience at 3pm in Istana Kinta here today, for the purpose of the dissolution of the state assembly.
“In view of this, you are requested to be present at the assembly,” the letter said.
After today’s fractious assembly sitting, Sivakumar told pressmen that he had never sent nor was aware of such a letter.
“It contains my signature, however. I believe my signature was pasted into the letter,” he said.
He lodged the police report, along with another on how he was attacked before the actual assembly in the State Secretariat here, at the Ipoh district police headquarters after the sitting was over in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Perak DAP chief and former senior state executive councillor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham also lodged a report at the police station.
He cited Section 124 of the Penal Code against the police, claiming he and the other 27 PR assemblymen had been blocked from entering the state assembly hall.
Another report was also lodged by Pantai Remis assemblyman Nga Kor Ming, who claimed he had his genitals attacked by one Chief Inspector Khairul as he was making his way into the assembly today.
Phasing out of jet-fighters will save RM260m for govt
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Defence Minister the jet-fighters currently used by the Air Force, the MiG-29N will be phased out by the end of next year. Once that is done, it will save the government RM260million per year and the money will then be used to channel into the maintenance of its current aircraft and systems.
He said “The MiG-29N fighter jets would be phased out as it was difficult and costly to maintain some old components and systems for the fighter jets. The weaponry for the fighter jets has reached the end of its lifespan and extending the lifespan would be costly and would not be viable,"
He was responding to Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, the Kota Belud BN representative who asked for the rationale of phasing out the Russian jet fighters where he added that “”The RMAF planned to replace the MiG-29N fighter jets with the 'Multi Role Combat Aircraft' (MRCA) for air operations. After the MiG-29N fighter jets have been phased out, their role would be carried out by the Sukhoi SU-30MKM which are among the most sophisticated long-range fighter jets,"
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To think that one fine day this bastard will be the Deputy Premier of Malaysia is indeed scary.This bastard does not flinch an inch when he lies.
This is pathetic. Singapore/Indonesia/Thailand, all used F16s since 1986. All still in use and will only retire in 2020+. F16 was seleced based capability, long term cost and price.
Of course, Malaysian mind-set is different, we buy from the parties that PAY(RASUAH) the most.
Phasing out BN will save the government BILLIONS !!
He said “The MiG-29N fighter jets would be phased out as it was difficult and costly to maintain some old components and systems for the fighter jets. The weaponry for the fighter jets has reached the end of its lifespan and extending the lifespan would be costly and would not be viable,"
He was responding to Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, the Kota Belud BN representative who asked for the rationale of phasing out the Russian jet fighters where he added that “”The RMAF planned to replace the MiG-29N fighter jets with the 'Multi Role Combat Aircraft' (MRCA) for air operations. After the MiG-29N fighter jets have been phased out, their role would be carried out by the Sukhoi SU-30MKM which are among the most sophisticated long-range fighter jets,"
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To think that one fine day this bastard will be the Deputy Premier of Malaysia is indeed scary.This bastard does not flinch an inch when he lies.
This is pathetic. Singapore/Indonesia/Thailand, all used F16s since 1986. All still in use and will only retire in 2020+. F16 was seleced based capability, long term cost and price.
Of course, Malaysian mind-set is different, we buy from the parties that PAY(RASUAH) the most.
Phasing out BN will save the government BILLIONS !!
Sivakumar’s act is treachery against the Sultan – Defence Minister
The Perak State Legislative Assembly Sitting took place as scheduled with drama happening coming from both sides of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat coalitions respectively. It all seemed pretty straight forward when the Pakatan elected speaker V Sivakumar appeared at the sitting wearing the speaker’s official robe. This drew flak from the BN front and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Defence Minister called the act treachery against the Sultan of Perak. He said “This could not be accepted and Sivakumar, the Tronoh assemblyman, did not respect the laws of the state. Any Perakian or state assemblyman who wants to hold a meeting in the name of the majority, or in any other circumstance, has to acknowledge that the law gives power to the Sultan to recognise that, so it is clear that Sivakumar has committed treachery towards the Sultan of Perak. I think we cannot tolerate any more the actions of Sivakumar and his cronies,"
He also said that “The opposition must respect the democratic principles practised in the country that say that the majority forms a government.”
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enough of your sultan story.
Dont forget that all the states in our country was "sold" to British by some foolish kings in the past. You trust them if u want to be sold again.
remember...
UMNO USING THE SULTAN NAME AGAIN & AGAIN TARNISHING THEIR POSITION. MAKING THE RAKYAAT TO THINK THE SULTAN DONT HAVE BRAIN.
WE SHOULD THROW THE BOOK AT ZAHIDI FOR ISA.
THE GAME IS UP FOR UMNO ....... MALAYSIANS ARE NO MORE BUYING YOUR
He also said that “The opposition must respect the democratic principles practised in the country that say that the majority forms a government.”
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enough of your sultan story.
Dont forget that all the states in our country was "sold" to British by some foolish kings in the past. You trust them if u want to be sold again.
remember...
UMNO USING THE SULTAN NAME AGAIN & AGAIN TARNISHING THEIR POSITION. MAKING THE RAKYAAT TO THINK THE SULTAN DONT HAVE BRAIN.
WE SHOULD THROW THE BOOK AT ZAHIDI FOR ISA.
THE GAME IS UP FOR UMNO ....... MALAYSIANS ARE NO MORE BUYING YOUR
Former Sec-Gen of MOSTI charged with accepting bribes
Datuk Abdul Hanan Alang Endut, the former secretary-general of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has claimed trial at the Shah Alam Sessions Court where he is being charged on 10 counts of corruption. The 57 year old man was charged for accepting bribes amounting to RM59,390.60 in blank UOB bank cheques issued by Adam Omar for the approval for his company, Global Goodway (M) Sdn Bhd under the Technofund at No 25, Jalan 17/21 Section 17 Petaling Jaya, between Dec 1 and Dec 15, 2008. As the fund approval committee of MOSTI, he is alleged to have received the cheques from Adam and then cashed them for among many others, payments for house repair (RM15,024), tithe (RM25,000), credit cards (RM9,275), assessment and quit rent (RM15.00) and as deposit in his wife's account (RM8,000). Judge Syafeera Mohd Said allowed bail at RM10,000 at one surety and fixed December 2 for the mention of the case. Hanan is currently with the Public Service Department.
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CHICKEN FEED
SUCH A POOR CATCH...MACAI ONLY...WE WANT THE BIG ONES....THE M OTHER OF ALL CORRUPTERS
POOR FARKER ANOTHER SCAPE GOAT
This is the result of NEP. Their minds are filled with total disregard for others and money only matters to them.This is Ketuanan Melayu at it's very best.1 Malaysia and Malaysia Boleh!
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CHICKEN FEED
SUCH A POOR CATCH...MACAI ONLY...WE WANT THE BIG ONES....THE M OTHER OF ALL CORRUPTERS
POOR FARKER ANOTHER SCAPE GOAT
This is the result of NEP. Their minds are filled with total disregard for others and money only matters to them.This is Ketuanan Melayu at it's very best.1 Malaysia and Malaysia Boleh!
Nizar calls for fresh elections to save the political crisis in Perak
atuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, the former Mentri Besar of Perak has called for snap elections 8 months on after he has been ousted from his post. He said that in order to save the political crisis in the state, snap elections would be the best way. He was speaking to local news portal Malaysiakini where he said “It is absolutely crucial for voters to be allowed to go back to the ballot box because of the economic and constitutional havoc the crisis has wreaked. There is no other remedy. Investors are putting on the brakes.
Life may seem quite normal, but internally, there are financial constraints and economic activities are being hampered," The Federal Court is schedule to hear Nizar’s suit on the legitimate Menteri Besar of the state next month and so far, Nizar has yet to admit defeat. He has called on the current BN appointed MB Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to dissolve the state assembly and call fresh elections. He said "My humble request to Zambry - if he wants to save Perak, help Perakians and put them first. He should seek the consent of the sultan to dissolve the state assembly. This will put him in a much more dignified position. I did that the minute the Kuala Lumpur High Court made a landmark decision. That is my commitment if the decision of the apex court is favourable to me. We want to show that we are not going to cling to power, but instead want the public to decide,"
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This is the only solution but najis will surely disagree as this will drop his waterface. So 3rd force needed.
Life may seem quite normal, but internally, there are financial constraints and economic activities are being hampered," The Federal Court is schedule to hear Nizar’s suit on the legitimate Menteri Besar of the state next month and so far, Nizar has yet to admit defeat. He has called on the current BN appointed MB Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to dissolve the state assembly and call fresh elections. He said "My humble request to Zambry - if he wants to save Perak, help Perakians and put them first. He should seek the consent of the sultan to dissolve the state assembly. This will put him in a much more dignified position. I did that the minute the Kuala Lumpur High Court made a landmark decision. That is my commitment if the decision of the apex court is favourable to me. We want to show that we are not going to cling to power, but instead want the public to decide,"
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This is the only solution but najis will surely disagree as this will drop his waterface. So 3rd force needed.
PAS closes door on talks to form unity govt
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said today the party had closed the door on talks to form a unity government with Umno.
He said there had been a change in the national leadership, and PAS had yet to evaluate the attitude adopted by the current national leader.
"The unity government is no longer viable. We have closed the book on it. [Former] Prime Minister (Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has already stepped down.
"As for the existing leader, we don't know what is his attitude and position, the situation has also changed," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here.
He said Umno, too, had stopped raising the issue on the unity government, and instead the party and the Barisan Nasional (BN) were currently tackling the crises faced by the BN component parties.
When asked to comment on the advice by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat relinquished his party posts, Abdul Hadi said the former prime minister had no right to interfere in the affairs of PAS.
He said PAS could determine its own leadership, and was confident that Nik Aziz was still capable of playing his role as the PAS spiritual leader. He added that there was no necessity for Nik Aziz to step down.
"We practise democracy in PAS. Everyone can give their opinion, and we have been practising it all the while and we can resolve party problems amicably," he said.
Meanwhile, party sources believed that the special meeting of the PAS Central Committee tomorrow could resolve the leadership problem that had been plaguing the party for quite some time, although there were talks that the special meeting was merely to "sweep the dirt under the carpet".
A source told Bernama that it would be difficult for the top leadership to resolve the real issue because the problem involved a leader who was respected by the grassroots on one side, and the party leadership chosen by the delegates to steer the party on the other.
It was not the first time that Nik Aziz has voiced his unhappiness over several party leaders, and he had clearly named the leaders concerned in the run-up to the PAS election last June.
Ironically, the individuals named had been chosen by the delegates to lead PAS for the next three years, while the candidates from the professional group supported by Nik Aziz had lost.
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some in PAS have fallen into UMNO trap and now have caused problems for PAS and PR. Hadi is speaking out again as he did many months ago but yet he has not taken action against Hasan in Selangor and has been doing things halfheartedly when involving PR. Seems a few in PAS want to play both side. TGNA is doing the right, either you with PR or with UMNO, decide the few in PAS and decide now.
a split PAS is better than a PAS with enemies within
He said there had been a change in the national leadership, and PAS had yet to evaluate the attitude adopted by the current national leader.
"The unity government is no longer viable. We have closed the book on it. [Former] Prime Minister (Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has already stepped down.
"As for the existing leader, we don't know what is his attitude and position, the situation has also changed," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here.
He said Umno, too, had stopped raising the issue on the unity government, and instead the party and the Barisan Nasional (BN) were currently tackling the crises faced by the BN component parties.
When asked to comment on the advice by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat relinquished his party posts, Abdul Hadi said the former prime minister had no right to interfere in the affairs of PAS.
He said PAS could determine its own leadership, and was confident that Nik Aziz was still capable of playing his role as the PAS spiritual leader. He added that there was no necessity for Nik Aziz to step down.
"We practise democracy in PAS. Everyone can give their opinion, and we have been practising it all the while and we can resolve party problems amicably," he said.
Meanwhile, party sources believed that the special meeting of the PAS Central Committee tomorrow could resolve the leadership problem that had been plaguing the party for quite some time, although there were talks that the special meeting was merely to "sweep the dirt under the carpet".
A source told Bernama that it would be difficult for the top leadership to resolve the real issue because the problem involved a leader who was respected by the grassroots on one side, and the party leadership chosen by the delegates to steer the party on the other.
It was not the first time that Nik Aziz has voiced his unhappiness over several party leaders, and he had clearly named the leaders concerned in the run-up to the PAS election last June.
Ironically, the individuals named had been chosen by the delegates to lead PAS for the next three years, while the candidates from the professional group supported by Nik Aziz had lost.
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some in PAS have fallen into UMNO trap and now have caused problems for PAS and PR. Hadi is speaking out again as he did many months ago but yet he has not taken action against Hasan in Selangor and has been doing things halfheartedly when involving PR. Seems a few in PAS want to play both side. TGNA is doing the right, either you with PR or with UMNO, decide the few in PAS and decide now.
a split PAS is better than a PAS with enemies within
Perak Speaker moves to prevent chaos
Far from being the placid idyllic place this city is known as, yet another war is brewing in the hall where the state’s lawmakers meet.
Eight months after the state's takeover by Barisan Nasional and despite the flurry of lawsuits and counter claims lodged in the courts, law and order continues to elude Perak’s legislative assembly.
With the chaos of May 7 still fresh in his mind, newly-appointed Speaker Datuk Ganesan Retanam is pulling out all the stops to prevent a repeat of the earlier sitting.
Besides replacing the sergeant-at-arms, Ganesan has also scheduled all arrivals to the Perak legislative assembly tomorrow morning.
The Perak sitting had been called by Ganesan as Barisan Nasional needs to pass the state’s budget for 2010. Ganesan’s counterpart and arch-nemesis V Sivakumar (Tronoh-DAP) had also issued notices to convene a sitting to pass the opposition's state budget.
“I will use the authority vested in me as the Speaker to ensure peace and safety to everyone attending the sitting ,” said Ganesan during a press conference in his office in the Perak state government office yesterday.
According to Ganesan, a string of new rules will also take effect today to help him maintain calm in the legislative assembly.
“With the assistance of the state secretary, all those attending the sitting will enter the state government office and then the legislative assembly in accordance to a schedule,” he explained.
The schedule was divided into three groups.
The first group, consisting of government officers, invited guests and media personnel, will be allowed to enter the state office compounds from 9am onwards.
This group will then be allowed to enter the Perak legislative assembly from 9.30am.
Barisan Nasional state representatives are scheduled to enter the state office before 9.30am and must enter the legislative assembly before 9.55am.
Their counterparts from Pakatan Rakyat will only be allowed into the state office after 9.30am and then the legislative assembly after 9.55am.
Apart from the schedule, Ganesan said that state representatives cannot bring in any recording items such as cameras, video cameras, laptops or other media items into the assembly.
“The representatives must also not email or use their telephones to take pictures. These items must be left outside the hall,” he added.
He said that he has installed sufficient video cameras in the hall to “record each representative’s actions”.
“The recordings are to enable us to construct a better Hansard. It will also prevent the opposition from making false accusations later or confusing the public with the wrong sort of images,” Ganesan explained.
During the press conference, Ganesan alleged that it was the PR lawmakers who had crossed over to where the BN side to start the fracas which marked the May 7 sitting.
“Besides assaulting the Menteri Besar [Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir] and deputy speaker [Hee Yit Foong], the PR representatives had broken 10 microphones and I couldn’t give proper instructions.
“They should know the Standing Orders but they have repeatedly disputed court decisions and appointments,” Ganesan lamented.
“They have even accused me of bringing thugs into the assembly.”
Pressing home his point, Ganesan said that Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (Sitiawan-DAP) and Thomas Su (Pasir Pinji-DAP) had “broken into the state assembly and audio room”.
However, he did not elaborate on what the two DAP politicians were doing there.
During the question-and-answer session, Ganesan was asked if the newly appointed sergeants-at-arms were policemen.
“The new appointees are government security staff,” he answered without elaborating.
When asked why the PR representatives were scheduled to enter the assembly last, Ganesan said it was the Speaker’s prerogative.
The former Sungkai assemblyman repeated the answer when he was asked if the move was designed to prevent a tussle for seats in the assembly.
“It is the Speaker’s power to allocate seats and traditionally the government of the day and backbenchers sit on the right of the Speaker while the opposition is seated on the left.”
Despite the new arrangements, it is expected to be a busy day at the assembly.
And while the rest of Perak continues to go through the daily grind of putting sufficient food on the table, another round of controversy is likely to take place in its hallowed halls.
Neither BN nor PR state lawmakers are ready to back down from their claims of being the rightful government and leader of the assembly, to the detriment of the people of Perak.
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Ganesan is not the Speaker of the State Assembly and has no locus standii to govern and conduct the Assembly. Only SIvakumar has the right as he was elected by the people for the people. Ganesan is selected by the Sultan of Perak. So he and his Sergeat at Arms together with the Sultan of Perak's MB should be sitting in the Istana with the Sultan and do whatever they know best for themselves. I dont care.
Ganesan is now digging his own grave because he knowingly brings disrepute to the Perak Legislative Assembly by continuing to pose and act as the Speaker.
Currently, he is only able to act as the "Speaker" through the unlawful use of "legalised" brute force.
The day will come when he will find out just how serious the people of Perak values their rights to be serviced only by their own elected representatives.
Ganesan will be served the rightful punishment in due course for daring to pose as the Speaker of the Perak Legislative Assembly undermining the highest laws of the land!
The time will come!
BN this is the end of you and UMNO. Whatever you do on Wednesday will start the ball rolling which will result in every BN rep being kicked out by the people in a matter of time and that will include everyone involved in the making of the Perak problem-it is time the police themselves seek protection because you cannot be in uniform all the time....
UMNO should dissolve the state assembly. they will surely win the snap election as "cina mudah lupa" will vote for them simply because they are not happy with PAS's stand on beer and beyonce
yeah...forget about corruption, being fourth class citizen and teoh beng hock
this is the simple-thinking attitude that belongs to the chinese in this country
and yet you cry for reform...piirah!!!
Pakatan reps calling for emergency motion in Parliament on collapsed bridge
The bridge tragedy in Kampar where its collapse caused 1 pupil to drown and another 2 missing has caused many to protest for its cause. The Pakatan Rakyat Members of Parliament has called on an emergency motion to debate it in Parliament. M Kulasegaran and Lee Boon Chye, the Ipoh Barat DAP and Gopeng PKR representatives filed the motion and called on all 1Malaysia camping programmes to be halted until investigations complete. Kulasegaran asked "Why were the students allowed to cross the river that has such a strong current at night time?"
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SINCE YOU GUYS ARE THE RIGHTFUL ELECTED PERAK GOVERNMENT - PLEASE SEEK FURTHER CLARIFICATION WHY THE KAMPAR'S BRIDGE COLLAPSE.
IS IT BECAUSE THE SO-CALLED AWARDED CONTRACTOR/S ARE NOT QUALIFIED, CORRUPTED, USED LOW-GRADE SANDS/CEMENTS AND BRICKS, IF SO. IT WILL NICE TO SEE WHETHER MACC WILL ARREST THE CRONIES.
GET THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIAS INVOLVE AND SEEK A ROYAL COMMISSION.
A 10K GIFT TO THE DECEASED PARENT IS DISGRACEFUL - THEY MUST SUE THE GOVERNMENT FOR RM100 MILLION.
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SINCE YOU GUYS ARE THE RIGHTFUL ELECTED PERAK GOVERNMENT - PLEASE SEEK FURTHER CLARIFICATION WHY THE KAMPAR'S BRIDGE COLLAPSE.
IS IT BECAUSE THE SO-CALLED AWARDED CONTRACTOR/S ARE NOT QUALIFIED, CORRUPTED, USED LOW-GRADE SANDS/CEMENTS AND BRICKS, IF SO. IT WILL NICE TO SEE WHETHER MACC WILL ARREST THE CRONIES.
GET THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIAS INVOLVE AND SEEK A ROYAL COMMISSION.
A 10K GIFT TO THE DECEASED PARENT IS DISGRACEFUL - THEY MUST SUE THE GOVERNMENT FOR RM100 MILLION.
Parliament: 'Filter AG’s report'
Before the Auditor-General’s (AG) annual report is made public, the Government should filter it so that the country is not embarrassed by it, said Datuk Wira Ahmad Hamzah (Jasin-BN).
“I support the AG’s report but what has happened now is that it gives a very bad impression and it is meloyakan (nauseating).
“If possible, the Government should filter the report before making it a public document,” he said on Tuesday during the Budget 2010 debate in Parliament.
He suggested that the auditors should not only be responsible for digging out information on the mismanagement of public funds but also “teach” and “guide” those who might have done wrong.
“The auditors should demand an explanation on the spot. Instead, they conduct the audit, disappear and then ask for an explanation via a letter.
“After a long lapse of time, the report comes out. By then, the damage is done,” he said.
At this point, Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan-PKR) stood up and said that the role to correct these cases lies on the executor (pelaksana) and if one has not done anything wrong, there should be no cover-up.
“We are not scared. The auditors’ work is excellent, I give it an A1 (grade). What we want is not have an embarrassing perception which would cause our competitiveness to drop,” he said.
Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng-PKR) replied: “The AG’s report does provide a chance for them to explain. I think the reason for this audit is to improve the management system in (government) departments.
“Unfortunately, we do not see action being taken even though the report is so thick.
“If the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has no work, it can look through the reports and have enough work for decades. And I do not see how anybody can justify the purchase of a RM42,320 laptop computer,” he said.
In Ahmad’s reply, he said no one was stopping or criticising the report but said there should be a proper reporting system.
“After doing the audit, ask the department head for an explanation. If there is no satisfactory explanation, then make the report. But now, who will audit the auditor?” he said.
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Hei, how come there is no news on the bridge collapse posted in MT? AG must check the expenses of the bridge construction too. What pissed me off is the statement made by moo-eee-din. He was quoted by saying, "Dengan pengalaman ini..." pookeepak dia, berapa lagi pengalaman dia nak. Not enuff ke?
1.Coming from a BN MP that the AG report should be filtered is no surprise.
2.It looks like the debate amongst the MPs is more of how the report is to be released to the public, not the purpose of the report.
Sounds very similar to Najib setting up 2 committees ( RCIs ) to handle the TBH murder case.
What nonsense!
I can't believe this Dato Wira nincompook said this in Parliament.
Let me paraphrase what he meant:
The AG should cover up all the mismanagement of public funds so that it is not known to anyone because it is very malu.
Now, is anybody still wondering why foreign investments has nose-dived in Malaysia. It is precisely this lack of transparency and cover-ups that is keeping investments away.
If the government sanctions the cover up of the AG annual report, what other things have the government instructed for cover ups?
I can name a few straight away: Altantuya's murder, Kugan's murder, TBH's murder, PKFTZ scandal ....
Anybody still have doubts whether we need a change in government?
“I support the AG’s report but what has happened now is that it gives a very bad impression and it is meloyakan (nauseating).
“If possible, the Government should filter the report before making it a public document,” he said on Tuesday during the Budget 2010 debate in Parliament.
He suggested that the auditors should not only be responsible for digging out information on the mismanagement of public funds but also “teach” and “guide” those who might have done wrong.
“The auditors should demand an explanation on the spot. Instead, they conduct the audit, disappear and then ask for an explanation via a letter.
“After a long lapse of time, the report comes out. By then, the damage is done,” he said.
At this point, Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan-PKR) stood up and said that the role to correct these cases lies on the executor (pelaksana) and if one has not done anything wrong, there should be no cover-up.
“We are not scared. The auditors’ work is excellent, I give it an A1 (grade). What we want is not have an embarrassing perception which would cause our competitiveness to drop,” he said.
Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng-PKR) replied: “The AG’s report does provide a chance for them to explain. I think the reason for this audit is to improve the management system in (government) departments.
“Unfortunately, we do not see action being taken even though the report is so thick.
“If the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has no work, it can look through the reports and have enough work for decades. And I do not see how anybody can justify the purchase of a RM42,320 laptop computer,” he said.
In Ahmad’s reply, he said no one was stopping or criticising the report but said there should be a proper reporting system.
“After doing the audit, ask the department head for an explanation. If there is no satisfactory explanation, then make the report. But now, who will audit the auditor?” he said.
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Hei, how come there is no news on the bridge collapse posted in MT? AG must check the expenses of the bridge construction too. What pissed me off is the statement made by moo-eee-din. He was quoted by saying, "Dengan pengalaman ini..." pookeepak dia, berapa lagi pengalaman dia nak. Not enuff ke?
1.Coming from a BN MP that the AG report should be filtered is no surprise.
2.It looks like the debate amongst the MPs is more of how the report is to be released to the public, not the purpose of the report.
Sounds very similar to Najib setting up 2 committees ( RCIs ) to handle the TBH murder case.
What nonsense!
I can't believe this Dato Wira nincompook said this in Parliament.
Let me paraphrase what he meant:
The AG should cover up all the mismanagement of public funds so that it is not known to anyone because it is very malu.
Now, is anybody still wondering why foreign investments has nose-dived in Malaysia. It is precisely this lack of transparency and cover-ups that is keeping investments away.
If the government sanctions the cover up of the AG annual report, what other things have the government instructed for cover ups?
I can name a few straight away: Altantuya's murder, Kugan's murder, TBH's murder, PKFTZ scandal ....
Anybody still have doubts whether we need a change in government?
DPM worried for Pakatan-led states
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Deputy Prime Minister has voiced his concern over the Pakatan Rakyat-run states that they could suffer due to its poor administration particularly from the leaders of the opposition front. He said “This is what I’m worried about. If they administer the Pakatan-controlled states for two or three years, certainly there will be setbacks to the states’ progress which was brought about by Barisan Nasional in the past. We, outside the Pakatan Rakyat, have known that they cannot work together although they have tried to show that they have forged a close cooperation among themselves,” He commented on the blog posted by Lim Kit Siang that the public’s confidence on the Pakatan Rakyat is declining where Lim said “Pakatan Rakyat had suffered a prolonged and unceasing bout of loss of public confidence over the past eight months. The rakyat should look at the current Prime Minister’s leadership and Barisan government, which has had vast experience and was capable of developing the nation.”
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SURELY BARISAN NATIOAL IS A GOOD ADMINISTRATOR IN CORRUPTION, KILLING PERSONS IN CUSTODY, BLEED THE COFFER OF THE COUNTRY. BUT CAN'T ADMINISTER RACE RELATIONSHIP AND RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDING.
THIS THE CAPABILITY OF BARISAN NATIONAL.
Nik Aziz is the best man of choice. Another is Lim Kit Siang. They are spiritual men. It is not easy for and to him to make our country a better place to live. Human being has became a devil already. Money is the root to all evils.
Mooohideen,you shouldn't be concerned with the Pakatan ruled states. The people there are very satisfied,save for your croonies.The people there need not worry about corrupted MBs who made millions and built grand mansions. These only happened in the past,only in the states ran by the BN.
Today,people need not worry of being evicted from their homes,because the present Pakatan ruled states adminstered the states honourably,unlike in Penang-the great EUNUCH Ah Khoon sold off their land and pointed his finger at LGE. He thought that the people of Penang were born yesteday.
Now, the people from the Pakatan ruled states can also cross bridges with confidence,unlike your Barisan rogues who built bridges to last only two weeks.
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SURELY BARISAN NATIOAL IS A GOOD ADMINISTRATOR IN CORRUPTION, KILLING PERSONS IN CUSTODY, BLEED THE COFFER OF THE COUNTRY. BUT CAN'T ADMINISTER RACE RELATIONSHIP AND RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDING.
THIS THE CAPABILITY OF BARISAN NATIONAL.
Nik Aziz is the best man of choice. Another is Lim Kit Siang. They are spiritual men. It is not easy for and to him to make our country a better place to live. Human being has became a devil already. Money is the root to all evils.
Mooohideen,you shouldn't be concerned with the Pakatan ruled states. The people there are very satisfied,save for your croonies.The people there need not worry about corrupted MBs who made millions and built grand mansions. These only happened in the past,only in the states ran by the BN.
Today,people need not worry of being evicted from their homes,because the present Pakatan ruled states adminstered the states honourably,unlike in Penang-the great EUNUCH Ah Khoon sold off their land and pointed his finger at LGE. He thought that the people of Penang were born yesteday.
Now, the people from the Pakatan ruled states can also cross bridges with confidence,unlike your Barisan rogues who built bridges to last only two weeks.
Partyless Tajem helps out PKR
Veteran Iban leader Daniel Tajem is not even a PKR member but he has accepted an appointment to sit in the PKR national integration council to help improve East-West Malaysia ties.
A former president of the defunct PBDS, Tajem who is now partyless said “that makes me free to accept any appointment and attend any function organized by any party if I want to. I'm a free man”.
Contacted by the Malaysian Mirror today, Tajem said he has agreed to sit in the council, asking “why not, if my services are required to help improve ties between the East Malaysian states and the peninsula”.
He added that PKR’s objectives and his are similar in many ways.
Expose Taib's land-grabbing policy
Taib_Mahmud.jpg“As long as Abdul Taib Mahmud’s (Sarawak chief minister) policy of extremism especially with regard to the grabbing of NCR land and selling them to cronies and plantation companies, I will find some ways to help expose such a policy.
“PKR is one of them, although I hope it could be the Malaysian Dayak Congress but sadly, MDC cannot be registered by the authorities following strong objections from state leaders”, he said.
This government’s policy is a process of disempowerment of the natives by taking away their basic asset - land - in order to reduce them to a situation where they would be forever depending on them, he said.
daniel-tajim.pngThe appointment of Tajem, 74, to the PKR national integration council was revealed by a news online portal as one of six personalities appointed to the council whose aim is to help improve ties between the peninsula and the East Malaysian states.
Sabahan’s Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has been named the coordinator. The other members are PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali and former Gerakan stalwart Dr Toh Kin Woon, both representing the peninsula, Tajem and former state minister Hafsah Harun from Sarawak and another Sabahan.
Tajem has described his appointment as very challenging, adding that he would give his best input to the council.
Lately, Tajem has been very busy on the political front; having lunch with PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and having tea on the same day with a PKR leader, Zaid Ibrahim. Later he addressed a gathering organised by PKR.
All these activities have prompted his supporters especially those who have remained partyless following the de-registration of PBDS in October 2004 that Tajem might return to the political scene.
Colourful political career
The veteran Iban leader has a colourful political career having served 23 years as state assemblyman and nine years as MP. He had also served as Sarawak deputy chief minister but chose to take part in the infamous Ming Court revolt against Taib in 1987. When the coup failed, Tajem retreated into the political wilderness. But CM Taib has been 'sored' with him ever since..
In 1996 he was appointed as High Commissioner to New Zealand and returned to Kuching in 2000 to defend his deputy president’s post in the PBDS party election.
In 2003, he was challenged by Dr James Masing for the top post of the party. Masing’s challenge caused a leadership crisis in the party that led to PBDS’ deregistration in October 2004.
Masing went on to form Parti Rakyat Sarawak that same year but Tajem has been partyless ever since.
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Focus focus focus. The purpose is to help poor and helpless RAKYAT regardless race or religion. BN government failed to do that and that is the goal here. PR is our only platform now that can do that. So,,,,, focus on that and ignore all the propaganda BN is doing now.
Search extended 15km for bridge collapse victims
In KOTA KINABALU, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the commission was prepared to conduct a probe should there be elements of irregularity in the construction of the bridge.
The search and rescue operation following the collapse of a suspension bridge across the Kampar River at a school in Kuala Dipang near here has been extended 15km downriver.
Kampar police chief Supt Abdul Aziz Salleh said the rescuers were looking for two primary schoolgirls who went missing after the bridge collapsed at 10:30pm yesterday as pupils participating in a camp were crossing it.
The two pupils have been identified as Diryasree a/p Vasudevan, 12, of Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Gopeng, and Davadharshini a/p Maheswaran, 11, of SJKT Mambang Di Awan near here.
Another schoolgirl of SJKT Mambang Di Awan, Dina Deve a/p Nathan, 11, drowned in the incident. Her body was recovered from the river at 8:40am today.
Abdul Aziz said the Kampar River was swift-flowing, but the rescuers would continue with their search until they found the two girls.
Abdul Aziz said the police had received a report that a teacher was assaulted by the father of a pupil early today.
The bridge, built about two weeks ago to replace an old one that had collapsed, gave way when between 30 and 50 pupils were on it, some on their way to the school from the campsite for dinner, and others returning to the campsite after their meal.
The pupils were among 298 pupils from 64 primary schools in Tronoh, Batu Gajah and Kampar enlisted to participate in a 1Malaysia camp organised by the Kinta Selatan District Education Department.
Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who visited the scene today, has ordered the setting-up of a committee to probe the bridge collapse.
A villager said the way the bridge was constructed had given rise to questions, especially pertaining to the size of the base concrete block, which did not match the metal pillars that held the cables.
In KOTA KINABALU, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the commission was prepared to conduct a probe should there be elements of irregularity in the construction of the bridge.
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"The bridge, built about two weeks ago to replace an old one that had collapsed,..."
Another project by corrupted UMNO/BN.
Tell me the truth - Who got the contract?
My guesses are: a. Frog Hee - ex DAP Jelapang
b. The 2 Ex PKR Corrupted Missing Links
c. The Fake Speaker who stole the Speaker's Chair and Robe
d. The Quack Dr Menteri Besar
Without the 1Malaysia camp nothing happens.
Anything to do with 1Malaysia and involves a lot of people please be careful especially children.
Henceforth my children are banned from anythng 1Malaysia.
What's wrong with the old bridge? If it ain't broken don't fixed it lah. That is the old wise saying, but in Malaysia, the Fukimaks are too eager to spend Raayat's money for no good rhyme or reason but just to fill their own pockets.
The families of the poor victims will grieve till no end at the loss of their children, but the developer will probably get off scot-free. Because this is Bolehland, where victims are the guilty ones, for example .... "who told them to use the bridge in such huge numbers all at the same time", etc.
Poor workmanship, corruption, illegal award of the tender/job, lack of bridge-building expertise, etc. all are not important. Because this is Bolehland! Malaysia ...... BOLEH!
Abdul Aziz said the police had received a report that a teacher was assaulted by the father of a pupil early today.
This parent should have slapped the DPM or the PeeM for mooting this stupid 1Malaysia program.
27 October 2009
Sexual Abuse Of Penan Girls And Women True - Shahrizat
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the committee set up to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of Penan girls and women had concluded that such abuse was true.
Shahrizat however said the committee does not have detailed statistics on the number of Penan women who were raped or the actual number of girls who had become under aged mothers after being raped by workers and lorry drivers of logging companies in Sarawak.
She was responding to a question raised by Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-DAP) in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, as to the number of Penan women, girls raped and the number of under aged mothers (Under-16) and the action taken on those involved.
Shahrizat said that investigations on the sexual abuse allegations were under the jurisdiction of the police and that a special task force had been formed to spearhead the investigations.
The minister added that the ministry, through the committee, was taking various actions and measures to create awareness among the Penans and also increase patrolling in the affected areas, as well as looking into the transport problems faced by the Penan people.
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These ministers not yet wake up lah. If the Penan girls and women did not get rape, you think it is fun to make up story and shame yourself kah?
Sure or not Sharp lizard?
Chibai pecah still not proof? What more you want?
Some baby already come out...go and test the DNA lah Sharp Lizard!
Dopid or what?
Leave it to the police.
They sure will be able to solve the problem. Typical UMNO attitude: Passing the buck and not brave enough to acknowledge the problem and finding a solution to it.
And in this case we also have a typical answer: Leave it to the police.
Where have we hear this before? Oh yeah... when Altantuya was murdered... when Kugan was murdered.... when TBH was murdered...
They were all left to the police....
Ministry of women affair, just a put up show....
just to appease the women wing of UMNO so they keep voting for the regime...
It brings no benefits to women in general..
Leave it to the police... ka ka kah kah kah....
Leave it to the police so they can RAPE MORE WOMEN ? KAk kah kah kah..... muaaahahaha
How irresponsible,INHUMAN,un woman-like for a Minister in charge of a WOMEN'S AFFAIRs!!!!!!!! Rape must be 'normal' for people 'who sleep around' but not to decent females. It must be a normal to females like her,no wonder she had denied ealier.Now she has the audacity to point her fingers at the police,instead of taking an interest in helping the Penan girls!!!!! In any other country,the Minister will resign for such GROSS mistakes BUT here the the corrupted and shameless are the Ministers!!!!
Shahrizat however said the committee does not have detailed statistics on the number of Penan women who were raped or the actual number of girls who had become under aged mothers after being raped by workers and lorry drivers of logging companies in Sarawak.
She was responding to a question raised by Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-DAP) in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, as to the number of Penan women, girls raped and the number of under aged mothers (Under-16) and the action taken on those involved.
Shahrizat said that investigations on the sexual abuse allegations were under the jurisdiction of the police and that a special task force had been formed to spearhead the investigations.
The minister added that the ministry, through the committee, was taking various actions and measures to create awareness among the Penans and also increase patrolling in the affected areas, as well as looking into the transport problems faced by the Penan people.
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These ministers not yet wake up lah. If the Penan girls and women did not get rape, you think it is fun to make up story and shame yourself kah?
Sure or not Sharp lizard?
Chibai pecah still not proof? What more you want?
Some baby already come out...go and test the DNA lah Sharp Lizard!
Dopid or what?
Leave it to the police.
They sure will be able to solve the problem. Typical UMNO attitude: Passing the buck and not brave enough to acknowledge the problem and finding a solution to it.
And in this case we also have a typical answer: Leave it to the police.
Where have we hear this before? Oh yeah... when Altantuya was murdered... when Kugan was murdered.... when TBH was murdered...
They were all left to the police....
Ministry of women affair, just a put up show....
just to appease the women wing of UMNO so they keep voting for the regime...
It brings no benefits to women in general..
Leave it to the police... ka ka kah kah kah....
Leave it to the police so they can RAPE MORE WOMEN ? KAk kah kah kah..... muaaahahaha
How irresponsible,INHUMAN,un woman-like for a Minister in charge of a WOMEN'S AFFAIRs!!!!!!!! Rape must be 'normal' for people 'who sleep around' but not to decent females. It must be a normal to females like her,no wonder she had denied ealier.Now she has the audacity to point her fingers at the police,instead of taking an interest in helping the Penan girls!!!!! In any other country,the Minister will resign for such GROSS mistakes BUT here the the corrupted and shameless are the Ministers!!!!
26 October 2009
Sivakumar subpoenas Bar reps to make case against Ganesan
Ousted Perak Speaker V. Sivakumar has subpoenaed three people from the Malaysian Bar to attend the Oct 28 state assembly sitting and bring with them documents proving why Speaker Datuk R. Ganesan should be disqualified from his post.
The Tronoh assemblyman, as well as all his colleagues from Pakatan Rakyat (PR), have been harping on Ganesan’s validity as the state’s Speaker for the past two months and have claimed that the latter had infringed Article 36A of the Perak Constitution.
They said Ganesan had failed to resign as a practising lawyer by Aug 7, three months after his appointment as a Speaker on May 7, which they claimed was already illegal.
Sivakumar issued the subpoena this evening via facsimile transmission to the offices of Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan, vice-president Lim Chee Wee and secretary George Varughese.
The writs ordered the three to be present, personally or through agents, at the state assembly hall at 10am on Oct 28 and the subsequent days of the sitting until its adjournment.
It also ordered the three to bring with them Ganesan’s Notice of Cessation of Practice as an advocate and solicitor dated Aug 17, 2009, his statutory declaration on the same date and any other documents from the Bar’s records pertaining to his resignation as a practising lawyer.
When contacted however, Ragunath said he would not be in the country during the day of the sitting and hence, would not be able to adhere to the subpoena.
He also said there was a question mark over whether Sivakumar had the jurisdiction to summon witnesses into the state assembly hall.
“Firstly, there is the question mark over his legality as the Speaker. And then, even if he were the legal Speaker, I am unsure if he has the power to call for witnesses to enter the state assembly hall to give evidence on a certain matter.”
“Unless they are initiating some kind of contempt proceedings, I do not think a Speaker has the right to issue such subpoenas,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted this evening.
He added that he would reserve his comment on whether the Malaysian Bar would send agents into the state assembly sitting and adhere to the subpoena since the matter needed to be studied first.
“We will seek advice on this before deciding what to do. We need to see if a Speaker has the power under the rules of the state assembly or within the context of the Perak Constitution to issue subpoenas such as these,” said Ragunath.
Meanwhile, Ragunath also confirmed Sivakumar’s worst fear – that the Bar had indeed accepted Ganesan’s resignation as a lawyer as at Aug 6, 2009.
According to the Bar Council’s records, Ganesan had faxed a letter on Aug 13 which stated that he had already quit as a lawyer as of Aug 6. The letter, despite being faxed on Aug 13, was dated Aug 6.
“We have accepted it as such because this is a practice that we have used for all lawyers, not just Ganesan, meaning that if you fax us a letter on Aug 15, telling us that you quit on Aug 1, we will accept it as you had quit on Aug 1. We will give you the benefit of the doubt,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
Ragunath added that an offence would have been committed only if Ganesan had actually resumed his practice between the date of his letter (Aug 13) and the date that he claimed he had ceased his duties (Aug 6).
“If he, for example, attended a court hearing, or signed any documents in his capacity as a legal practitioner, or if his office was open and running, then one can say that he had committed an offence,” said Ragunath.
As it stands however, he added, the Bar’s opinion was that Ganesan’s resignation on Aug 6 was valid.
The matter has been heavily contended by PR lawmakers, who claim that since Ganesan had only notified the Bar of his resignation on Aug 13, he had missed his Aug 7 deadline.
Furthermore, records also show that Ganesan had only filed his Notice of Cessation of Practice as an advocate and solicitor and a statutory declaration on Aug 17, 10 days past his deadline.
A check by PR’s lawyer Chan Kok Keong in August showed that Ganesan, with his firm Messrs Ganesan and Associates, was still a legal practitioner with a valid Sijil Annual and Practising Certificate as of Aug 11, 2009.
Meanwhile, besides summoning the Bar’s representatives, Sivakumar has also invited other guests to attend the Oct 28 sitting, namely individuals from the Perak Bar Council, Suhakam, Hakam, Transparency International and several other non-governmental organisations.
In a press conference at the Perak PR headquarters here this evening, state PR Backbenchers Club chairman Drs Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah, who read out Sivakumar’s statement, said that the invitations would be sent out by today.
Whether or not the group would be allowed into the state assembly hall is another matter altogether.
The Malaysian Insider understands that no outsiders, including spouses, personal assistants, political secretaries, friends or even MPs, will be allowed into the assembly hall on Oct 28.
On whether PR assemblymen planned to table any emergency motion during the assembly to question the legality of Ganesan’s position as the Speaker, Khalil Idham said the matter had not yet been decided.
comments
The fact that Ganesan never denied that the Sergent-at-arm had been replaced by a group of samsengs shows that Nizar's claims and fears are very likely true and I hope those invited or subpoenaed will make an effort to attend.
The Tronoh assemblyman, as well as all his colleagues from Pakatan Rakyat (PR), have been harping on Ganesan’s validity as the state’s Speaker for the past two months and have claimed that the latter had infringed Article 36A of the Perak Constitution.
They said Ganesan had failed to resign as a practising lawyer by Aug 7, three months after his appointment as a Speaker on May 7, which they claimed was already illegal.
Sivakumar issued the subpoena this evening via facsimile transmission to the offices of Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan, vice-president Lim Chee Wee and secretary George Varughese.
The writs ordered the three to be present, personally or through agents, at the state assembly hall at 10am on Oct 28 and the subsequent days of the sitting until its adjournment.
It also ordered the three to bring with them Ganesan’s Notice of Cessation of Practice as an advocate and solicitor dated Aug 17, 2009, his statutory declaration on the same date and any other documents from the Bar’s records pertaining to his resignation as a practising lawyer.
When contacted however, Ragunath said he would not be in the country during the day of the sitting and hence, would not be able to adhere to the subpoena.
He also said there was a question mark over whether Sivakumar had the jurisdiction to summon witnesses into the state assembly hall.
“Firstly, there is the question mark over his legality as the Speaker. And then, even if he were the legal Speaker, I am unsure if he has the power to call for witnesses to enter the state assembly hall to give evidence on a certain matter.”
“Unless they are initiating some kind of contempt proceedings, I do not think a Speaker has the right to issue such subpoenas,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted this evening.
He added that he would reserve his comment on whether the Malaysian Bar would send agents into the state assembly sitting and adhere to the subpoena since the matter needed to be studied first.
“We will seek advice on this before deciding what to do. We need to see if a Speaker has the power under the rules of the state assembly or within the context of the Perak Constitution to issue subpoenas such as these,” said Ragunath.
Meanwhile, Ragunath also confirmed Sivakumar’s worst fear – that the Bar had indeed accepted Ganesan’s resignation as a lawyer as at Aug 6, 2009.
According to the Bar Council’s records, Ganesan had faxed a letter on Aug 13 which stated that he had already quit as a lawyer as of Aug 6. The letter, despite being faxed on Aug 13, was dated Aug 6.
“We have accepted it as such because this is a practice that we have used for all lawyers, not just Ganesan, meaning that if you fax us a letter on Aug 15, telling us that you quit on Aug 1, we will accept it as you had quit on Aug 1. We will give you the benefit of the doubt,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
Ragunath added that an offence would have been committed only if Ganesan had actually resumed his practice between the date of his letter (Aug 13) and the date that he claimed he had ceased his duties (Aug 6).
“If he, for example, attended a court hearing, or signed any documents in his capacity as a legal practitioner, or if his office was open and running, then one can say that he had committed an offence,” said Ragunath.
As it stands however, he added, the Bar’s opinion was that Ganesan’s resignation on Aug 6 was valid.
The matter has been heavily contended by PR lawmakers, who claim that since Ganesan had only notified the Bar of his resignation on Aug 13, he had missed his Aug 7 deadline.
Furthermore, records also show that Ganesan had only filed his Notice of Cessation of Practice as an advocate and solicitor and a statutory declaration on Aug 17, 10 days past his deadline.
A check by PR’s lawyer Chan Kok Keong in August showed that Ganesan, with his firm Messrs Ganesan and Associates, was still a legal practitioner with a valid Sijil Annual and Practising Certificate as of Aug 11, 2009.
Meanwhile, besides summoning the Bar’s representatives, Sivakumar has also invited other guests to attend the Oct 28 sitting, namely individuals from the Perak Bar Council, Suhakam, Hakam, Transparency International and several other non-governmental organisations.
In a press conference at the Perak PR headquarters here this evening, state PR Backbenchers Club chairman Drs Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah, who read out Sivakumar’s statement, said that the invitations would be sent out by today.
Whether or not the group would be allowed into the state assembly hall is another matter altogether.
The Malaysian Insider understands that no outsiders, including spouses, personal assistants, political secretaries, friends or even MPs, will be allowed into the assembly hall on Oct 28.
On whether PR assemblymen planned to table any emergency motion during the assembly to question the legality of Ganesan’s position as the Speaker, Khalil Idham said the matter had not yet been decided.
comments
The fact that Ganesan never denied that the Sergent-at-arm had been replaced by a group of samsengs shows that Nizar's claims and fears are very likely true and I hope those invited or subpoenaed will make an effort to attend.
PKA goes after PKFZ consultants
The Port Klang Authority (PKA) has lodged complaints with the relevant professional bodies against three of its consultants involved in the scandal-hit Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.
The PKA said in a statement issued by chairman Lee Hwa Beng that it had lodged a complaint with the Advocates & Solicitors Disciplinary Board of the Malaysian Bar against Messrs Rashid Asari & Co (RA), the solicitors who had acted for PKA in the PKFZ land purchase and the development agreements between PKA and Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB).
RA had acted for KDSB prior to acting for PKA, the statement said on Monday.
"PKA contends that there was professional misconduct on the part of RA in that RA had put itself in a position of conflict of interest, which resulted in biasness in favour of KDSB and to the detriment of PKA," said the statement.
It said PKA had also lodged a complaint with the Quantity Surveyors Board of Malaysia against Perunding BE Sdn Bhd for, amongst others, its failure to "exercise reasonable skill and care in undertaking a proper evaluation of the project costing and in the discharge of its professional responsibilities towards PKA".
The statement said the third complaint was lodged with the Board of Architects Malaysia against BTA Architect Sdn Bhd, for, amongst others, various representations made negligently to PKA in the exercise of its professional duty as an architect.
PKFZ, a transshipment hub built on a 405-hectare site in Port Klang, is embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that the development cost had shot up from RM2.5bil to RM4.6bil.
The PKFZ was an idea mooted by the government in the 1990s to provide improved facilities for international cargo distribution and consolidation at Port Klang, the world's 16th busiest port.
The government had early this month announced an 11-member special task force, headed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, to restore the PKFZ project and identify measures for its development.
The task force would, among others, determine the type of misconduct or criminal element on the part of individuals or entities involved in the project and recommend the action to be taken against them.
comments
About time somebody take action. The consultants were obviously in cahoot with the contractors and PKA managers to squeeze the maximum profit from the projects. Profits that they don't deserve and entitled to. In other words, it's a scam and a con job. It's not just PKFZ but other government projects are also in the same situation.
The PKA said in a statement issued by chairman Lee Hwa Beng that it had lodged a complaint with the Advocates & Solicitors Disciplinary Board of the Malaysian Bar against Messrs Rashid Asari & Co (RA), the solicitors who had acted for PKA in the PKFZ land purchase and the development agreements between PKA and Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB).
RA had acted for KDSB prior to acting for PKA, the statement said on Monday.
"PKA contends that there was professional misconduct on the part of RA in that RA had put itself in a position of conflict of interest, which resulted in biasness in favour of KDSB and to the detriment of PKA," said the statement.
It said PKA had also lodged a complaint with the Quantity Surveyors Board of Malaysia against Perunding BE Sdn Bhd for, amongst others, its failure to "exercise reasonable skill and care in undertaking a proper evaluation of the project costing and in the discharge of its professional responsibilities towards PKA".
The statement said the third complaint was lodged with the Board of Architects Malaysia against BTA Architect Sdn Bhd, for, amongst others, various representations made negligently to PKA in the exercise of its professional duty as an architect.
PKFZ, a transshipment hub built on a 405-hectare site in Port Klang, is embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that the development cost had shot up from RM2.5bil to RM4.6bil.
The PKFZ was an idea mooted by the government in the 1990s to provide improved facilities for international cargo distribution and consolidation at Port Klang, the world's 16th busiest port.
The government had early this month announced an 11-member special task force, headed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, to restore the PKFZ project and identify measures for its development.
The task force would, among others, determine the type of misconduct or criminal element on the part of individuals or entities involved in the project and recommend the action to be taken against them.
comments
About time somebody take action. The consultants were obviously in cahoot with the contractors and PKA managers to squeeze the maximum profit from the projects. Profits that they don't deserve and entitled to. In other words, it's a scam and a con job. It's not just PKFZ but other government projects are also in the same situation.
Billions gone due to bad spending
Water tunnels, IT contracts and buying computers – billions of ringgit are being over-spent on these and other things every year, denoting poor financial management at every level of government.
Estimates based on government spending indicate that - if one assumes overpayment on contracts is just 20% - the losses could come up to as much as RM28bil a year, according to a probe by national daily, The Star.
Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah acknowledged that the amount is a lot but could not give an exact figure.
The paper’s investigation team found, among others:
● Hundreds of millions of ringgit in overcharging are taking place for ICT, which is a multi-billion-ringgit industry.
Contract prices can sometimes be more than 50% than if the deals were done on a tender basis.
● Project finance on favourable terms from foreign countries – the so-called soft loans – can result in contractors being restricted largely to those from the country providing financing, resulting in considerably higher costs.
● Open tenders, done properly and with appropriate evaluation, are one of the most effective ways of reducing the costs to government.
At least two state governments – Johor and Penang - see great benefits in open tenders.
● Malaysia falls short in comparison with some other countries in terms of calling for and disclosure of open tenders and their details. There is no centralised system.
How Johor does it....
Johor Mentri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman said the issue of non-transparency does not arise in the state when awarding public projects or tenders to successful bidders or contractors as it is done via an open tender.
He said the guidelines and procedures are based on directives stated circulars by the Treasury Department (circular No: 5, 2007) and the Works Department (Circular No: 4, 1993).
He said the tender notice for projects would be advertised in major newspapers and that contractors had 21 days to tender their applications to the Works Department.
cybercafe.pngGhani said the Works Department would also submit the estimated cost of the projects which would be used as a yardstick for awarding the contracts.
All applications would be opened and verified by two members appointed by the state Works Department director and applications (only the bidding prices and not the name of the contractors) would be posted on the notice board for public viewing.
“The open-tender system practised by us is to get projects with the most competitive cost. However, it does not mean that we have to offer the tender to
the lowest bidder,’’ he told StarProbe.
Ghani said awarding of a tender was based on comparing one tender against another and also the estimated cost of the project submitted by the Works Department.
Others factors taken into account include good track record, financial capability, technical ability and time taken to complete the project.
Ghani said Johor was strict when awarding projects to contractors to ensure that there would be no “short cuts” or “cutting corners” or else they would deliver inferior projects.
He said it would be better to have a small number of competent and reliable contractors than to have many who were not able to perform satisfactorily.
...and Penang too shows the way
Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the cost of a state government project can differ by over 50% in an open tender.
Citing a recent state government project in Seberang Prai, he said the difference between the highest and lowest bid was about RM100mil.
“The highest bid was over RM160mil, while the lowest and winning bid was RM75mil. If the project was not openly tendered, the state would have had to spend about RM100mil more for the same project,” Lim told the paper.
“The lack of visibility in the tendering process is a key reason why previous state government projects were expensive. Now that we have adopted an open bidding process, a substantial amount of money has been saved,” he said.
Guan Eng said the state government would usually seek advice from an in-house consultant on the cost of a project.
Under the current state government’s transparency system, details of these jobs and their costs are posted on the state government website, www.penang.gov.my.
Meanwhile, the Auditor-General’s Report for 2008, which was tabled in Parliament on Oct 19, reveals that weaknesses highlighted in previous years’ reports continue to be a thorn in the side of proper financial management in the government.
Delays in project completion seem to be a perennial problem and the lack of oversight by various ministries and departments in the procurement of goods and services continue to cost the Government hundreds of millions of ringgit.
Report shows non-compliance of regulations
Auditor-General Ambrin Buang said in the preface to the 2008 report that the audit revealed the non-compliance of various financial regulations in the management of Federal Government finances.
Among projects and programmes named as showing weaknesses of government spending were:
- Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara Balik Pulau in Penang paid RM84,640 for two laptops or RM42,320 per laptop and spent RM2.08mil on computer software that was not used, among other things.
- Over RM15mil was spent by the Perak government on buying cars and maintaining them over the past four years and still not being able to manage its vehicles properly.
- The Finance Ministry’s public infrastructure maintenance programme, basic infrastructure programme and parliamentary constituency rural development projects involving RM4.59bil for 92,687 projects from 2005 to November 2008 are not satisfactorily implemented.
There were delays in project completion, work not done in accordance with the original scope of works, increased project costs due to the inclusion of procurement of equipment and assets in the scope of works, un-utilised facilities upon completion, improper payments made for works not done and shortage of officers in project supervision.
-The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry’s Tanjung Manis integrated deep-sea fishing port in Mukah, Sarawak, built at a cost of RM313.62mil, did not achieve its “main objective” because of project delay, unsatisfactory work quality and non-completion or non-construction of certain basic facilities
- The Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s Infodesa programme was also singled out for mention due not only to the perennial problem of project delays but also to the delay in operating the completed Infodesa Centres.
A total of RM68.38mil had been spent on the programme as at Dec 31, 2008, but 156 completed centres were still not registered in the name of the Federal Land Commissioner. The programme has been ongoing since the
Eighth Malaysia Plan (2001 to 2005).
- The Works Ministry’s poor planning of the Federal Government administrative centre in Muadzam Shah, Kedah resulted in the complex not occupied earlier.
“As at Dec 31, 2008, 95% of the Federal Government administrative centre was completed and a total of RM243.53mil was spent.
-Weaknesses were also noted in the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry’s human capital development programme where targets of schemes were not fully achieved, payments were made to unqualified recipients as well as inefficient monitoring and evaluation of the programme. The programme cost the Government RM153.73mil from 2006 to 2008.
comment
his is corruption.. not bad spending... All bullshit! Can MACC do something about it ? Opps...nearly forgotten... They are belong to the same gang... so NFA...
The one reason that those who are responsible for expenditure are so blatant in immersing themselves in corruption is simple. They know the chances of their being prosecuted is very minimal because their bosses are also in the same league and will not dare touch them without repercation on themselves. That's why they don't even bother to hide their crimes. Their attitude is if I get caught, I'll bring you down with me.
It's time of the year again when all Malaysians would be gasping for fresh air after reading the AG's annual report over cases upon cases of financial improprieties & mismanagement, outrageous procurement of goods and services by those people who are put into jobs that to work for the welfare of all citizens.
Cases revealed that there so many thieves, robbers and highwaymen in the government service; people who have "license to steal rakyats' money".
So what now then?
Will action be taken by the PDRM & MACC on all those exposed perpetrators and corrupt officials? Or will they be allowed to continue stealing peoples' money?
Estimates based on government spending indicate that - if one assumes overpayment on contracts is just 20% - the losses could come up to as much as RM28bil a year, according to a probe by national daily, The Star.
Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah acknowledged that the amount is a lot but could not give an exact figure.The paper’s investigation team found, among others:
● Hundreds of millions of ringgit in overcharging are taking place for ICT, which is a multi-billion-ringgit industry.
Contract prices can sometimes be more than 50% than if the deals were done on a tender basis.
● Project finance on favourable terms from foreign countries – the so-called soft loans – can result in contractors being restricted largely to those from the country providing financing, resulting in considerably higher costs.
● Open tenders, done properly and with appropriate evaluation, are one of the most effective ways of reducing the costs to government.
At least two state governments – Johor and Penang - see great benefits in open tenders.
● Malaysia falls short in comparison with some other countries in terms of calling for and disclosure of open tenders and their details. There is no centralised system.
How Johor does it....
Johor Mentri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman said the issue of non-transparency does not arise in the state when awarding public projects or tenders to successful bidders or contractors as it is done via an open tender.
He said the guidelines and procedures are based on directives stated circulars by the Treasury Department (circular No: 5, 2007) and the Works Department (Circular No: 4, 1993).
He said the tender notice for projects would be advertised in major newspapers and that contractors had 21 days to tender their applications to the Works Department.
cybercafe.pngGhani said the Works Department would also submit the estimated cost of the projects which would be used as a yardstick for awarding the contracts.
All applications would be opened and verified by two members appointed by the state Works Department director and applications (only the bidding prices and not the name of the contractors) would be posted on the notice board for public viewing.
“The open-tender system practised by us is to get projects with the most competitive cost. However, it does not mean that we have to offer the tender to
the lowest bidder,’’ he told StarProbe.
Ghani said awarding of a tender was based on comparing one tender against another and also the estimated cost of the project submitted by the Works Department.
Others factors taken into account include good track record, financial capability, technical ability and time taken to complete the project.
Ghani said Johor was strict when awarding projects to contractors to ensure that there would be no “short cuts” or “cutting corners” or else they would deliver inferior projects.
He said it would be better to have a small number of competent and reliable contractors than to have many who were not able to perform satisfactorily.
...and Penang too shows the way
Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the cost of a state government project can differ by over 50% in an open tender.
Citing a recent state government project in Seberang Prai, he said the difference between the highest and lowest bid was about RM100mil.
“The highest bid was over RM160mil, while the lowest and winning bid was RM75mil. If the project was not openly tendered, the state would have had to spend about RM100mil more for the same project,” Lim told the paper.
“The lack of visibility in the tendering process is a key reason why previous state government projects were expensive. Now that we have adopted an open bidding process, a substantial amount of money has been saved,” he said.
Guan Eng said the state government would usually seek advice from an in-house consultant on the cost of a project.
Under the current state government’s transparency system, details of these jobs and their costs are posted on the state government website, www.penang.gov.my.
Meanwhile, the Auditor-General’s Report for 2008, which was tabled in Parliament on Oct 19, reveals that weaknesses highlighted in previous years’ reports continue to be a thorn in the side of proper financial management in the government.
Delays in project completion seem to be a perennial problem and the lack of oversight by various ministries and departments in the procurement of goods and services continue to cost the Government hundreds of millions of ringgit.
Report shows non-compliance of regulations
Auditor-General Ambrin Buang said in the preface to the 2008 report that the audit revealed the non-compliance of various financial regulations in the management of Federal Government finances.
Among projects and programmes named as showing weaknesses of government spending were:
- Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara Balik Pulau in Penang paid RM84,640 for two laptops or RM42,320 per laptop and spent RM2.08mil on computer software that was not used, among other things.
- Over RM15mil was spent by the Perak government on buying cars and maintaining them over the past four years and still not being able to manage its vehicles properly.
- The Finance Ministry’s public infrastructure maintenance programme, basic infrastructure programme and parliamentary constituency rural development projects involving RM4.59bil for 92,687 projects from 2005 to November 2008 are not satisfactorily implemented.
There were delays in project completion, work not done in accordance with the original scope of works, increased project costs due to the inclusion of procurement of equipment and assets in the scope of works, un-utilised facilities upon completion, improper payments made for works not done and shortage of officers in project supervision.
-The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry’s Tanjung Manis integrated deep-sea fishing port in Mukah, Sarawak, built at a cost of RM313.62mil, did not achieve its “main objective” because of project delay, unsatisfactory work quality and non-completion or non-construction of certain basic facilities
- The Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s Infodesa programme was also singled out for mention due not only to the perennial problem of project delays but also to the delay in operating the completed Infodesa Centres.
A total of RM68.38mil had been spent on the programme as at Dec 31, 2008, but 156 completed centres were still not registered in the name of the Federal Land Commissioner. The programme has been ongoing since the
Eighth Malaysia Plan (2001 to 2005).
- The Works Ministry’s poor planning of the Federal Government administrative centre in Muadzam Shah, Kedah resulted in the complex not occupied earlier.
“As at Dec 31, 2008, 95% of the Federal Government administrative centre was completed and a total of RM243.53mil was spent.
-Weaknesses were also noted in the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry’s human capital development programme where targets of schemes were not fully achieved, payments were made to unqualified recipients as well as inefficient monitoring and evaluation of the programme. The programme cost the Government RM153.73mil from 2006 to 2008.
comment
his is corruption.. not bad spending... All bullshit! Can MACC do something about it ? Opps...nearly forgotten... They are belong to the same gang... so NFA...
The one reason that those who are responsible for expenditure are so blatant in immersing themselves in corruption is simple. They know the chances of their being prosecuted is very minimal because their bosses are also in the same league and will not dare touch them without repercation on themselves. That's why they don't even bother to hide their crimes. Their attitude is if I get caught, I'll bring you down with me.
It's time of the year again when all Malaysians would be gasping for fresh air after reading the AG's annual report over cases upon cases of financial improprieties & mismanagement, outrageous procurement of goods and services by those people who are put into jobs that to work for the welfare of all citizens.
Cases revealed that there so many thieves, robbers and highwaymen in the government service; people who have "license to steal rakyats' money".
So what now then?
Will action be taken by the PDRM & MACC on all those exposed perpetrators and corrupt officials? Or will they be allowed to continue stealing peoples' money?
Beng Hock's bank account: It's you, MACC, that's broke
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Ean Yong furious Teoh's bank account revealed.
I've always wondered who it is that frequent five-star shopping malls like the Pavilion or browse in those posh bungalow boutiques. Now I know it's not Teoh Beng Hock. He was a lot like me, an ordinary wage earner.
We learn from the MACC that Beng Hock had slim savings amounting to RM3,611.36. Counsel for MACC at the inquest, Abdul Razak Musa inferred this to support his contention that Beng Hock was in dire need of money to get married at short notice...to what purpose this insinuation by the authorities, I do not know.
But here is a case of Razak being unfamiliar with Chinese urban lifestyle. Of all the Chinese weddings I know of, every single one has made a profit from the reception dinner. The 'ang pow' collection, more often than not, generously exceeds the cost of the banquet. After paying the restaurant bill, the bride and groom hosts usually have change left over.
The mainstream media and Umno bloggers have tried hard to push the theory that Beng Hock committed suicide, and financial problems being one of the triggers. Since Malaysia has a teeming working class, then it follows (if we concur with this Umnonista line of thought) that we must be a highly suicidal country with 30-year-olds plunging out of high-rise windows every three seconds.
We're also told that Beng Hock's pay was RM1,800 a month. After income tax, EPF and other deductions, it'll be certainly somewhat less. Salaries for graduates have remained stagnant while the price of things have doubled and tripled.
What Beng Hock earns puts him in the salary range of the vast majority of Malaysian households. The Household Income Survey said 27.1 percent of households fall in the income bracket of RM1,000-RM1,999 (Statistics Department preliminary findings for year 2008.)
The next biggest category is 20 percent for the RM1,999-RM2,999 bracket.
Those earning less than RM1,000 make up 8.5 percent of households. Overall, 55.6 percent of Malaysian households earn less than RM3,000 monthly. Beng Hock was very much Encik Average in terms of income class.
Beng Hock's fiancé is a schoolteacher. It's not a career that rakes in big money either. But they had each other. And they had the happiness of expecting a child, and soon building a home.
Never mind that the cost of a piece of Italian tile from Mohd Khir Toyo's RM24 million ringgit mansion is likely more than Beng Hock's monthly disposable income. Not everyone can be the chief minister of an Umno 'developed state'.
These two young people, Beng Hock and his fiancé, looked like a loving couple in the photographs we see. They would have had their own modest dreams and hopes for the future.
Nonetheless, Generation X in Malaysia are comparatively worse off compared to their parents' generation – a bygone era when petrol prices did not keep going boing, boing like a pogo stick.
Today, for instance, many young newlyweds would be hard-pressed to afford a honeymoon abroad because of the ringgit's adverse currency exchange rate. That is unless they or their parents belong to the 1.1 percent of Malaysian households earning between RM10k and RM11k a month.
The rich, those earning RM10,000 and above, comprise a total of 5.2 percent populating the upper reaches of household income. Hence we can see that the BN government, through its mismanagement of our economy the past decades, has truly benefitted only about five percent of materially successful Malaysians.
Whereas more than 50 percent have trouble making ends meet on RM3,000 or less a month due to our poor purchasing power.
In power for 52 years and squandering the country's immense oil wealth, the Barisan Nasional government clearly has not done well by its people at all. If MACC is implying – by its line of questioning witnesses in the inquest – that the deceased was depressingly cash-strapped, then half of Malaysia is in the same boat when going by salary scale.
We're talking here about the majority of Malaysians who make an honest living. They put in long hours at the office. Do overtime. Some even take on second jobs. That's the sad lot of the Everyman.
Pictures of Beng Hock show him as a wholesome-looking young man. It would seem he was a prudent one too. At least he put enough by to afford a car.
Many Malaysians take the bus, crowd in standing-room only LRTs and even ride the KL highways on their motorcycles. In rain, under the sun, they're exposed to soaking or scorching elements of nature. Should a traffic accident happen, flesh and bone will mesh with mangled metal for these motorcyclists and their pillion riders.
Indeed, given the atrocious state of our public transport system, I'd say the BN government's
Infrastructure plans were ill-thought out. This has led to Malaysian roads becoming saddled not only with the ubiquitous 'kap cai' (but crispy Kancils that give rise to the same 'body-meets-mangled-metal' scenario when cars collide.
The sad plight of our nation could well be one of the reasons that Beng Hock chose, rather optimistically, to take a job with the Pakatan Rakyat state government. He'd wanted to help bring about reform because BN rule had dismally failed the common folk.
While I'm not aware of his personal financial circumstances, I am acquainted with someone else who took a pay cut moving from the private sector to work for Pakatan. Before signing on as the YB's aide, Beng Hock used to be a reporter (a job that pays more).
While the mainstream media such as Utusan Malaysia has gone all out to portray the Chinese community as 'ultra kiasu' and avaricious, young idealists like Beng Hock and my friend mentioned above dispel their malicious and fallacious ethnic stereotyping.
When Beng Hock's child grows older, I hope its mother Ms Soh Cher Wei will tell the boy or girl that whatever it says on Beng Hock's payslip, whatever it says in his bank balance, all right- thinking Malaysians honour and respect Papa's idealism.
So thank you, MACC, for your revelations which serve as a timely reminder on why we need to fight for justice for Teoh Beng Hock. He was clearly Everyman – one of our own.
By Helen Ang.
I've always wondered who it is that frequent five-star shopping malls like the Pavilion or browse in those posh bungalow boutiques. Now I know it's not Teoh Beng Hock. He was a lot like me, an ordinary wage earner.
We learn from the MACC that Beng Hock had slim savings amounting to RM3,611.36. Counsel for MACC at the inquest, Abdul Razak Musa inferred this to support his contention that Beng Hock was in dire need of money to get married at short notice...to what purpose this insinuation by the authorities, I do not know.
But here is a case of Razak being unfamiliar with Chinese urban lifestyle. Of all the Chinese weddings I know of, every single one has made a profit from the reception dinner. The 'ang pow' collection, more often than not, generously exceeds the cost of the banquet. After paying the restaurant bill, the bride and groom hosts usually have change left over.
The mainstream media and Umno bloggers have tried hard to push the theory that Beng Hock committed suicide, and financial problems being one of the triggers. Since Malaysia has a teeming working class, then it follows (if we concur with this Umnonista line of thought) that we must be a highly suicidal country with 30-year-olds plunging out of high-rise windows every three seconds.
We're also told that Beng Hock's pay was RM1,800 a month. After income tax, EPF and other deductions, it'll be certainly somewhat less. Salaries for graduates have remained stagnant while the price of things have doubled and tripled.
What Beng Hock earns puts him in the salary range of the vast majority of Malaysian households. The Household Income Survey said 27.1 percent of households fall in the income bracket of RM1,000-RM1,999 (Statistics Department preliminary findings for year 2008.)
The next biggest category is 20 percent for the RM1,999-RM2,999 bracket.
Those earning less than RM1,000 make up 8.5 percent of households. Overall, 55.6 percent of Malaysian households earn less than RM3,000 monthly. Beng Hock was very much Encik Average in terms of income class.
Beng Hock's fiancé is a schoolteacher. It's not a career that rakes in big money either. But they had each other. And they had the happiness of expecting a child, and soon building a home.
Never mind that the cost of a piece of Italian tile from Mohd Khir Toyo's RM24 million ringgit mansion is likely more than Beng Hock's monthly disposable income. Not everyone can be the chief minister of an Umno 'developed state'.
These two young people, Beng Hock and his fiancé, looked like a loving couple in the photographs we see. They would have had their own modest dreams and hopes for the future.
Nonetheless, Generation X in Malaysia are comparatively worse off compared to their parents' generation – a bygone era when petrol prices did not keep going boing, boing like a pogo stick.
Today, for instance, many young newlyweds would be hard-pressed to afford a honeymoon abroad because of the ringgit's adverse currency exchange rate. That is unless they or their parents belong to the 1.1 percent of Malaysian households earning between RM10k and RM11k a month.
The rich, those earning RM10,000 and above, comprise a total of 5.2 percent populating the upper reaches of household income. Hence we can see that the BN government, through its mismanagement of our economy the past decades, has truly benefitted only about five percent of materially successful Malaysians.
Whereas more than 50 percent have trouble making ends meet on RM3,000 or less a month due to our poor purchasing power.
In power for 52 years and squandering the country's immense oil wealth, the Barisan Nasional government clearly has not done well by its people at all. If MACC is implying – by its line of questioning witnesses in the inquest – that the deceased was depressingly cash-strapped, then half of Malaysia is in the same boat when going by salary scale.
We're talking here about the majority of Malaysians who make an honest living. They put in long hours at the office. Do overtime. Some even take on second jobs. That's the sad lot of the Everyman.
Pictures of Beng Hock show him as a wholesome-looking young man. It would seem he was a prudent one too. At least he put enough by to afford a car.
Many Malaysians take the bus, crowd in standing-room only LRTs and even ride the KL highways on their motorcycles. In rain, under the sun, they're exposed to soaking or scorching elements of nature. Should a traffic accident happen, flesh and bone will mesh with mangled metal for these motorcyclists and their pillion riders.
Indeed, given the atrocious state of our public transport system, I'd say the BN government's
Infrastructure plans were ill-thought out. This has led to Malaysian roads becoming saddled not only with the ubiquitous 'kap cai' (but crispy Kancils that give rise to the same 'body-meets-mangled-metal' scenario when cars collide.
The sad plight of our nation could well be one of the reasons that Beng Hock chose, rather optimistically, to take a job with the Pakatan Rakyat state government. He'd wanted to help bring about reform because BN rule had dismally failed the common folk.
While I'm not aware of his personal financial circumstances, I am acquainted with someone else who took a pay cut moving from the private sector to work for Pakatan. Before signing on as the YB's aide, Beng Hock used to be a reporter (a job that pays more).
While the mainstream media such as Utusan Malaysia has gone all out to portray the Chinese community as 'ultra kiasu' and avaricious, young idealists like Beng Hock and my friend mentioned above dispel their malicious and fallacious ethnic stereotyping.
When Beng Hock's child grows older, I hope its mother Ms Soh Cher Wei will tell the boy or girl that whatever it says on Beng Hock's payslip, whatever it says in his bank balance, all right- thinking Malaysians honour and respect Papa's idealism.
So thank you, MACC, for your revelations which serve as a timely reminder on why we need to fight for justice for Teoh Beng Hock. He was clearly Everyman – one of our own.
By Helen Ang.
Beng Hock's bank account: It's you, MACC, that's broke
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Ean Yong furious Teoh's bank account revealed.
I've always wondered who it is that frequent five-star shopping malls like the Pavilion or browse in those posh bungalow boutiques. Now I know it's not Teoh Beng Hock. He was a lot like me, an ordinary wage earner.
We learn from the MACC that Beng Hock had slim savings amounting to RM3,611.36. Counsel for MACC at the inquest, Abdul Razak Musa inferred this to support his contention that Beng Hock was in dire need of money to get married at short notice...to what purpose this insinuation by the authorities, I do not know.
But here is a case of Razak being unfamiliar with Chinese urban lifestyle. Of all the Chinese weddings I know of, every single one has made a profit from the reception dinner. The 'ang pow' collection, more often than not, generously exceeds the cost of the banquet. After paying the restaurant bill, the bride and groom hosts usually have change left over.
The mainstream media and Umno bloggers have tried hard to push the theory that Beng Hock committed suicide, and financial problems being one of the triggers. Since Malaysia has a teeming working class, then it follows (if we concur with this Umnonista line of thought) that we must be a highly suicidal country with 30-year-olds plunging out of high-rise windows every three seconds.
We're also told that Beng Hock's pay was RM1,800 a month. After income tax, EPF and other deductions, it'll be certainly somewhat less. Salaries for graduates have remained stagnant while the price of things have doubled and tripled.
What Beng Hock earns puts him in the salary range of the vast majority of Malaysian households. The Household Income Survey said 27.1 percent of households fall in the income bracket of RM1,000-RM1,999 (Statistics Department preliminary findings for year 2008.)
The next biggest category is 20 percent for the RM1,999-RM2,999 bracket.
Those earning less than RM1,000 make up 8.5 percent of households. Overall, 55.6 percent of Malaysian households earn less than RM3,000 monthly. Beng Hock was very much Encik Average in terms of income class.
Beng Hock's fiancé is a schoolteacher. It's not a career that rakes in big money either. But they had each other. And they had the happiness of expecting a child, and soon building a home.
Never mind that the cost of a piece of Italian tile from Mohd Khir Toyo's RM24 million ringgit mansion is likely more than Beng Hock's monthly disposable income. Not everyone can be the chief minister of an Umno 'developed state'.
These two young people, Beng Hock and his fiancé, looked like a loving couple in the photographs we see. They would have had their own modest dreams and hopes for the future.
Nonetheless, Generation X in Malaysia are comparatively worse off compared to their parents' generation – a bygone era when petrol prices did not keep going boing, boing like a pogo stick.
Today, for instance, many young newlyweds would be hard-pressed to afford a honeymoon abroad because of the ringgit's adverse currency exchange rate. That is unless they or their parents belong to the 1.1 percent of Malaysian households earning between RM10k and RM11k a month.
The rich, those earning RM10,000 and above, comprise a total of 5.2 percent populating the upper reaches of household income. Hence we can see that the BN government, through its mismanagement of our economy the past decades, has truly benefitted only about five percent of materially successful Malaysians.
Whereas more than 50 percent have trouble making ends meet on RM3,000 or less a month due to our poor purchasing power.
In power for 52 years and squandering the country's immense oil wealth, the Barisan Nasional government clearly has not done well by its people at all. If MACC is implying – by its line of questioning witnesses in the inquest – that the deceased was depressingly cash-strapped, then half of Malaysia is in the same boat when going by salary scale.
We're talking here about the majority of Malaysians who make an honest living. They put in long hours at the office. Do overtime. Some even take on second jobs. That's the sad lot of the Everyman.
Pictures of Beng Hock show him as a wholesome-looking young man. It would seem he was a prudent one too. At least he put enough by to afford a car.
Many Malaysians take the bus, crowd in standing-room only LRTs and even ride the KL highways on their motorcycles. In rain, under the sun, they're exposed to soaking or scorching elements of nature. Should a traffic accident happen, flesh and bone will mesh with mangled metal for these motorcyclists and their pillion riders.
Indeed, given the atrocious state of our public transport system, I'd say the BN government's
Infrastructure plans were ill-thought out. This has led to Malaysian roads becoming saddled not only with the ubiquitous 'kap cai' (but crispy Kancils that give rise to the same 'body-meets-mangled-metal' scenario when cars collide.
The sad plight of our nation could well be one of the reasons that Beng Hock chose, rather optimistically, to take a job with the Pakatan Rakyat state government. He'd wanted to help bring about reform because BN rule had dismally failed the common folk.
While I'm not aware of his personal financial circumstances, I am acquainted with someone else who took a pay cut moving from the private sector to work for Pakatan. Before signing on as the YB's aide, Beng Hock used to be a reporter (a job that pays more).
While the mainstream media such as Utusan Malaysia has gone all out to portray the Chinese community as 'ultra kiasu' and avaricious, young idealists like Beng Hock and my friend mentioned above dispel their malicious and fallacious ethnic stereotyping.
When Beng Hock's child grows older, I hope its mother Ms Soh Cher Wei will tell the boy or girl that whatever it says on Beng Hock's payslip, whatever it says in his bank balance, all right- thinking Malaysians honour and respect Papa's idealism.
So thank you, MACC, for your revelations which serve as a timely reminder on why we need to fight for justice for Teoh Beng Hock. He was clearly Everyman – one of our own.
By Helen Ang.
I've always wondered who it is that frequent five-star shopping malls like the Pavilion or browse in those posh bungalow boutiques. Now I know it's not Teoh Beng Hock. He was a lot like me, an ordinary wage earner.
We learn from the MACC that Beng Hock had slim savings amounting to RM3,611.36. Counsel for MACC at the inquest, Abdul Razak Musa inferred this to support his contention that Beng Hock was in dire need of money to get married at short notice...to what purpose this insinuation by the authorities, I do not know.
But here is a case of Razak being unfamiliar with Chinese urban lifestyle. Of all the Chinese weddings I know of, every single one has made a profit from the reception dinner. The 'ang pow' collection, more often than not, generously exceeds the cost of the banquet. After paying the restaurant bill, the bride and groom hosts usually have change left over.
The mainstream media and Umno bloggers have tried hard to push the theory that Beng Hock committed suicide, and financial problems being one of the triggers. Since Malaysia has a teeming working class, then it follows (if we concur with this Umnonista line of thought) that we must be a highly suicidal country with 30-year-olds plunging out of high-rise windows every three seconds.
We're also told that Beng Hock's pay was RM1,800 a month. After income tax, EPF and other deductions, it'll be certainly somewhat less. Salaries for graduates have remained stagnant while the price of things have doubled and tripled.
What Beng Hock earns puts him in the salary range of the vast majority of Malaysian households. The Household Income Survey said 27.1 percent of households fall in the income bracket of RM1,000-RM1,999 (Statistics Department preliminary findings for year 2008.)
The next biggest category is 20 percent for the RM1,999-RM2,999 bracket.
Those earning less than RM1,000 make up 8.5 percent of households. Overall, 55.6 percent of Malaysian households earn less than RM3,000 monthly. Beng Hock was very much Encik Average in terms of income class.
Beng Hock's fiancé is a schoolteacher. It's not a career that rakes in big money either. But they had each other. And they had the happiness of expecting a child, and soon building a home.
Never mind that the cost of a piece of Italian tile from Mohd Khir Toyo's RM24 million ringgit mansion is likely more than Beng Hock's monthly disposable income. Not everyone can be the chief minister of an Umno 'developed state'.
These two young people, Beng Hock and his fiancé, looked like a loving couple in the photographs we see. They would have had their own modest dreams and hopes for the future.
Nonetheless, Generation X in Malaysia are comparatively worse off compared to their parents' generation – a bygone era when petrol prices did not keep going boing, boing like a pogo stick.
Today, for instance, many young newlyweds would be hard-pressed to afford a honeymoon abroad because of the ringgit's adverse currency exchange rate. That is unless they or their parents belong to the 1.1 percent of Malaysian households earning between RM10k and RM11k a month.
The rich, those earning RM10,000 and above, comprise a total of 5.2 percent populating the upper reaches of household income. Hence we can see that the BN government, through its mismanagement of our economy the past decades, has truly benefitted only about five percent of materially successful Malaysians.
Whereas more than 50 percent have trouble making ends meet on RM3,000 or less a month due to our poor purchasing power.
In power for 52 years and squandering the country's immense oil wealth, the Barisan Nasional government clearly has not done well by its people at all. If MACC is implying – by its line of questioning witnesses in the inquest – that the deceased was depressingly cash-strapped, then half of Malaysia is in the same boat when going by salary scale.
We're talking here about the majority of Malaysians who make an honest living. They put in long hours at the office. Do overtime. Some even take on second jobs. That's the sad lot of the Everyman.
Pictures of Beng Hock show him as a wholesome-looking young man. It would seem he was a prudent one too. At least he put enough by to afford a car.
Many Malaysians take the bus, crowd in standing-room only LRTs and even ride the KL highways on their motorcycles. In rain, under the sun, they're exposed to soaking or scorching elements of nature. Should a traffic accident happen, flesh and bone will mesh with mangled metal for these motorcyclists and their pillion riders.
Indeed, given the atrocious state of our public transport system, I'd say the BN government's
Infrastructure plans were ill-thought out. This has led to Malaysian roads becoming saddled not only with the ubiquitous 'kap cai' (but crispy Kancils that give rise to the same 'body-meets-mangled-metal' scenario when cars collide.
The sad plight of our nation could well be one of the reasons that Beng Hock chose, rather optimistically, to take a job with the Pakatan Rakyat state government. He'd wanted to help bring about reform because BN rule had dismally failed the common folk.
While I'm not aware of his personal financial circumstances, I am acquainted with someone else who took a pay cut moving from the private sector to work for Pakatan. Before signing on as the YB's aide, Beng Hock used to be a reporter (a job that pays more).
While the mainstream media such as Utusan Malaysia has gone all out to portray the Chinese community as 'ultra kiasu' and avaricious, young idealists like Beng Hock and my friend mentioned above dispel their malicious and fallacious ethnic stereotyping.
When Beng Hock's child grows older, I hope its mother Ms Soh Cher Wei will tell the boy or girl that whatever it says on Beng Hock's payslip, whatever it says in his bank balance, all right- thinking Malaysians honour and respect Papa's idealism.
So thank you, MACC, for your revelations which serve as a timely reminder on why we need to fight for justice for Teoh Beng Hock. He was clearly Everyman – one of our own.
By Helen Ang.
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