Questions over MACC-lawyer link to Bala’s second SD

Zaid noted the apparent conflict of the lawyer preparing Balasubramaniam’s second declaration to also be on the MACC panel that later reviews it. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 ― The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was today dragged into a row over questions surrounding a lawyer on its operations panel who is alleged to have drafted private investigator P. Balasubramaniam’s controversial second sworn statement on the 2006 death of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim suggested today that a key member of the MACC’s five check-and-balance mechanism responsible for closing the file on the case may have had a direct hand in doing so, fuelling questions on the extent of a possible cover-up into the explosive crime that has put two elite police commandos on death row and sent the private investigator into exile.

The lawyer-turned-politician wrote in his blog that both the Attorney-General and the MACC have “conveniently refused to investigate the allegations made by the private investigator P. Balasubramaniam, who apparently got the information from Abdul Razak Baginda, and whose claims have been corroborated by carpet merchant Deepak Jaikishan”.

He reminded Malaysians that Balasubramaniam ― popularly known as PI Bala ― had made a second statutory declaration (SD) cancelling his first sworn statement made a day earlier that the police had suppressed key evidence.

“This second declaration was prepared by a well-known lawyer whom he did not know. Deepak named this famous lawyer in an interview with Harakah.

“If one probes a little further, one will find that the same famous lawyer sits as a member of the MACC’s operations review panel,” Zaid, a one-time de facto law minister during the Abdullah administration, wrote.

However, he stopped short of naming the lawyer.

“It was this panel that decided there was no evidence to investigate the allegations made by either Bala or Deepak,” Zaid added.

Lawyer Americk Singh Sidhu, who represents the private detective now in hiding, told The Malaysian Insider when contacted that Balasubramaniam had never told him the identity of the lawyer as the latter was unaware of the person’s occupation.

However, he said the identity of the lawyer could be found out easily from the MACC’s website, which lists eight people as members of its Operations Review Panel.

“One of those eight is a lawyer,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted.

Zaid’s allegation comes on the heels of political activist Haris Ibrahim saying yesterday he will lobby the Bar Council to reveal the identity of the senior lawyer he said had drafted Balasubramaniam’s second SD.

Haris, who no longer practises law, said he will file a request with the council today, citing grounds that the senior lawyer had committed “the gravest of sins” by drafting the statutory declaration (SD) without first consulting Balasubramaniam.

“There is sufficient evidence to allow the Bar Council to investigate this matter. If the council views this as seriously as I do and many other senior lawyers (do), they will get to the bottom of this fiasco once and for all,” Haris told The Malaysian Insider when contacted here.

Haris explained that while in the past the identity of the lawyer behind the SD had remained “mysterious”, it was recently openly revealed by Deepak himself, during his disclosure in an interview with PAS organ Harakah.

During the interview, which was recorded and uploaded by Harakah on its “TVPAS” channel on YouTube, the carpet dealer had let slip the lawyer’s name when explaining his role in the second SD.

But in the 14:39s clip, the name was muted out.

“Still, this means that enough individuals know the identity of this lawyer ― Deepak, PAS TV, and definitely, the editorial team. We can now kick off an investigation and reveal this person,” Haris said.

On the activist’s blog on Friday, Haris detailed his intention to write to the Bar Council and also threatened to reveal the lawyer’s name if his request is not met after 14 days.

He said he knows the identity of the “Tan Sri” lawyer from three independent and reliable sources, and would not hesitate to spill the beans if needed.

Balasubramaniam’s second sworn statement came a day after his first on July 3, 2008, regarding Altantuya’s 2006 murder, for which two elite police commandos have been convicted and are facing death sentences.

In a harried press conference then, Balasubramaniam, accompanied by lawyer M. Arulampalam, came out to withdraw his first SD, claiming it had been signed under duress.

He then produced a second document, which he claimed later in 2009 had been prepared by another lawyer without his consultation.

Deepak hit the headlines when blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin exposed his role in facilitating the private detective’s second SD to repudiate the first statement.

Senior lawyer latest ‘player’ in Bala’s SD2

Lawyer-activist Haris Ibrahim said the senior lawyer allegedly involved in drafting the SD had committed “the gravest of sins”.

PETALING JAYA: A senior lawyer is the latest “player” allegedly involved in the drafting of the second statutory declaration (SD2) by private investigator P Balasubramaniam.

And the Bar Council has been urged to investigate the role of this lawyer.

The lawyer, who apparently holds the title of “Tan Sri”, and his son were recently revealed by businessman Deepak Jaikishan in an interview to have been allegedly responsible for the preparation of documents for Balasubramaniam before he signed the “SD2″.

The “SD2″ had reversed an earlier one which implicated Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in the murder of Mongolioan national Altantuya Shaarribuu.

In an official letter sent to the Bar Council secretary Tony Woon yesterday, lawyer-activist Haris Ibrahim asked that the bar to launch an investigation to identify the solicitor (s) concerned and to “ascertain if there was any impropriety in the preparation of SD2”.

Speaking to FMT before sending the letter, Haris said that he hopes the Bar Council would be as vigorous as it was when the VK Linggam scandal broke in 2007, as the latest revelations are “serious” if it was indeed true that the lawyer had not consulted Balasubramaniam before drafting the SD.

“It points at a very senior member of the bar potentially involved in a dishonest act. I think every member of the Bar should go up in arms and be very concerned.”

“Any practitioner worth his salt knows that when drafting an SD or affidavit one has to seek instruction from his client. Was the person aware of the purpose and objective of this SD? It could mean that the lawyer was privy to a conspiracy to subvert the course of justice, subvert the disclosure of truth. Officers of the court are to aid in the truth, not suppressing it,” he said.

“I’m very sure that the nature of this impropriety could amount to the lawyer being struck off the roll… he obviously is a dishonest practitioner,” he added.

In a blog post yesterday, Haris said the senior lawyer had committed “the gravest of sins” and threatened that if the Bar Council does not properly probe the matter, he would reveal the name of the “scumbag” in two weeks and allow the matter to be taken up in court.

Motive never established

On July, 3, 2008, Balasubramaniam emerged with a SD which linked Najib to Altantuya’s 2006 murder. However, the private investigator reversed his first SD via a second SD the next day in the presence of lawyer M Arunampalam. He then disappeared.

On Oct 27, 2009, Balasubramaniam came out of hiding and reaffirmed that his first statutory declaration was true. He claimed he was offered RM5 million to retract it by Deepak together with Najib’s brother Nazim.

In the past few weeks, Deepak has claimed, among other things, that Rosmah was the person who instructed him to seek out Balasubramaniam to change his SD.

In confirming his role in the second SD, Deepak claimed he met Najib and Rosmah at their residence to discuss the second statutory declaration and that Nazim was sent to negotiate with Balasubramaniam.

Deepak also claimed that Najib had chosen the “Tan Sri laywer and his son” to prepare the SD before Balasubramaniam was told to sign it. He also said that Arulampalam was not involved in the making of the second SD.

Attempts by FMT to contact the “Tan Sri lawyer” have been unsuccessful.

Altantuya was shot and murdered in October 2006, with her remains destroyed by C-4 explosives.

Her alleged lover and political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, a close friend of Najib, was charged with the murder with two other policemen.

Abdul Razak was acquitted while the policemen were convicted, though the motive was never established.

‘Dr M, a damning book and prostitutes’

Former KL CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim says Mahathir admitted in his memoirs of having interfered in the police investigation concerning a book on Anwar.

PETALING JAYA: The revelations of former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan regarding political intervention in police work continues to stir the hornet’s nest.

In the latest twist to the saga, a former high-ranking police officer criticised Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein over the latter’s reaction and also roped in Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In an open letter to Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar, copies of which were also sent to Hishammuddin and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Mat Zain Ibrahim recalled Mahathir’s role in the investigation concerning a book which contained a slew of allegations against Anwar Ibrahim.

The book, which cited 50 reasons why Anwar should not become prime minister, was the catalyst for the subsequent sacking and jailing of the ex-deputy prime minister.

Mat Zain, the former Kuala Lumpur CID chief, pointed out that Mahathir, who was then both prime minister and home minister, had admitted in his memoirs, “A Doctor in the House”, of having interfered in the investigation concerning the book.

“In Chapter 53, he explains his role when the police were investigating the book, clearly proving that he not only interfered in the probe but also issued orders to Musa Hassan, to the point that it is believed to have influenced the outcome of the investigation.

“Mahathir admitted interviewing several witnesses at his official residence in Sri Perdana. Among them was star witness [in Anwar's sodomy trial] Azizan Abu Bakar and four women,” he said.

Mat Zain said it is believed that Musa had briefed Mahathir that the women were prostitutes who were, through the connection of businessman KS Nallakaruppan, used for the sexual gratification of a particular VIP.

“If these prostitutes were willing to have sex with anyone for a fee, then they would also be willing to admit having sex with anyone or provide any witness testimony required, as long as they get paid.

“What more if the prime minister himself guaranteed their personal safety and to keep their identities a secret as well as other benefits,” he added.

Mahathir had vested interest

Mahathir himself, Mat Zain said, revealed that he had control over the investigation and witnesses.

“He gave the assurance that he would instruct the police to bring the witnesses to Sri Perdana again if the chief ministers, menteris besar and state Umno liaison committee chairmen wanted to interview them.

“Musa should have objected and prevented Mahathir from having access to the witnesses, what more take them to Sri Perdana.

“Musa must have realised that Mahathir had a vested interest in the probe on the premise of being the Umno president, home minister and prime minister who was being challenged [at the time],” he said.

“Whether indirectly or directly, Mahathir had placed undue mental stress on the witnesses. By having this confidential meeting and striking whatever deals with these prostitues in Sri Perdana, Mahathir had tainted the good name of the prime minister’s official residence,” he added.

Anwar had always maintained that the charges against him were trumped up by Mahathir and his confidants, a charge which the former premier denied.

Hisham should investigate

Meanwhile, Mat Zain said he hoped Hishammuddin would not dimiss this episode as something personal between Musa and Mahathir therefore negating the need for his intervention.

He was referring to the home minister’s statement that the crisis between Musa and former Commercial Crimes Department director Ramli Yusuff was a personal matter.

On the contrary, Mat Zain said Hishammuddin should identify the root cause of the problem between the two former senior policemen.

He also noted that the disclosures of both Musa and Ramli pointed to criminal wrongdoings.

“Whatever the public perception is towards Musa, his allegations as the former IGP on ministerial interference in police work, especially by Hishammuddin, must be given serious attention.

“Hishammuddin’s question as to why Musa is making the claims only now is not something that a home minister should ask,” he said, adding that the minister should know that there was no time limit to expose criminal wrongdoings.

‘MIC boss deprives 145 Tamil schools of aid’

A MIC branch leader alleges that G Palanivel altered a Cabinet list on providing funds to partially-aided Tamil schools.

PETALING JAYA: A MIC branch leader has accused party president G Palanivel of depriving 145 partially-aided Tamil schools of allocations this year.

SS2 Tengah MIC branch chairman S Padnmanagan said in February, the Cabinet had approved RM100 million for partially-aided Tamil schools nationwide.

“In the original list presented to the Cabinet in February, it was stated that the money would be channelled to 369 partially-aided Tamil schools nationwide for three categories, namely maintenance and upgrade, building additional blocks and building new schools.

“But in a revision done by MIC in May, the party leadership reduced the number of schools to 224 only. What happened to the rest?” he asked.

Although the number of schools in the list were reduced, the allocation remained at RM100 million.

In the original list, the money divided for the three categories were as follows:

1) Maintenance and upgrade – RM20,200,000

2) Additional blokcs – RM39,800,000

3) New schools – RM40,000.000

But in the revised list, the fund was divided as following:

1) Maintenance and upgrade – RM16,255,000

2) Additional blokcs – RM39,700,000

3) New schools – RM44,045.000

The revised list also showed that a substantial number of partially-aided Tamil schools supposed to receive aid for maintenance and upgrade were reduced.

The schools affected were in Johor (48 to 29), Malacca (11 to 3), Negeri Sembilan (43 to 17), Pahang (23 to 13), Perak (80 to 33), Penang (19 to 8) and Selangor (55 to 29).

Padnmanagan urged Palanivel to explain the matter to the public as many students were affected by this.

He also claimed that the party leadership only took the funds from the government in September, while aid for other vernacular schools were released early this year.

“Palanivel single-handedly deprived allocation for many Tamil schools. I can’t blame the party central working committee (CWC) because the party president holds veto power.

“Even if the CWC approves something, the party president has the authority to overule the decision. But how can one man decide the fate of Tamil schools in the nation?” he asked.

Name the students

He also challenged Palanivel to list out the names of hardcore poor Indians students who received aid under the party’s Reach and Teach Programme.

The programme, a brainchild of MIC, was to provide basic aid such as books, bags, schools uniform and others to poor Indian students.

“The president must be transparent about this. In my area alone, many poor Indian students did not receive the aid,” claimed Padnmanagan.

Two days ago, Bernama reported Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nor Mohamed Yakcop saying that the government allocated about RM340 million as aid to 523 Tamil schools nationwide since 2009.

“Overall, the government set aside RM500 million till 2013 to uplift the Tamil schools in the country,” the Tasil Gelugor MP said.

Mat Zain: Probe Musa for fabricating evidence

The former KL CID chief urges IGP Ismail Omar to investigate ex-IGP Musa Hassan for allegedly fabricating evidence in Anwar's Sodomy 1 trial.

PETALING JAYA: The former inspector-general of police (IGP) Musa Hassan should be investigated for fabricating evidence during the Anwar Ibrahim Sodomy l trial, said former KL CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim.

In an open letter to IGP Ismail Omar, the former senior policeman said that this was a perfect opportunity for the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to prove that it was truly a credible institution.

“It will also prove to the people that the PDRM is neutral and is able to carry out its as professionals,” said Mat Zain.

Early this month, Musa had alleged that criminal elements had infiltrated the police force during Ismail’s tenure, with good officers being put in cold storage for being defiant.

He also claimed that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had meddled in police affairs despite the law saying that only the IGP could give orders to his officers.

Training his guns against Musa, Mat Zain said that the former had admitted in an interview with an online portal in May this year that he had unlawfully obtained former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s blood sample to conduct a DNA test.

“And the Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s Dr Zahari Noor testified on the matter in court on Dec 31,1998.

“In fact, even I had mentioned the matter to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail and the police in my open letter on Dec 27, 2010,” he said.

Mat Zain added that in the past letter, he has given details on how Musa had stolen the blood sample after the latter had failed to convince the former to do so.

“From the way I see it, the police can investigate Musa for giving a false affidavit and giving false testimony on the DNA evidence,” he said.

Mat Zain said that it was vital for the police to initiate investigations against Musa as soon as possible as the latter’s expose had tarnished the image of PDRM and the IGP’s office.

“But the probe against Musa is not about retribution. It’s about showing the public that the police is still a neutral institution that will always carry out its duties without fear and favour,” he said.

PSM, PKR at loggerheads in Sg Siput

The two parties are squabbling over the use of PSM logo for the coming general election.

PETALING JAYA: A three-cornered fight is likely for the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat at the upcoming general election.

This is because Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), which contested the seat at the 2008 general election under the PKR banner, wants to use its own logo to fight for the seat – much to the dismay of PKR.

This infighting between PSM and PKR has brightened MIC’s chances of winning back the seat, which it lost at the 2008 general election.

A PKR insider told FMT that the party could field its own candidate at the next general election since PSM had rejected several attempts by PKR to ensure that its logo is used by PSM candidates at the polls.

“It looks like PSM is not keen on contesting under the PKR banner. Instead, it wants to use its own logo at the next election. We are still having discussions with PSM on the matter. If it insists, then we have no choice but to nominate our own candidate.

“PKR fears that the PSM symbol will drive away Malay votes due to its leftist significance,” said the source.

PSM is a socialist political party established in 1998. At the 2008 polls, the party contested one parliamentary and three state assembly seats.

Since the party has yet to receive recognition from the Register of Society (ROS), its three candidates contested under the PKR banner while in one state seat (Jelapang, Perak), it contested as an independent.

Jackpot for BN


The party won the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat when its candidate Dr Micheal Jayakumar defeated former MIC president S Samy Vellu. PSM president Dr Nasir Hashim won the Kota Damansara state seat in Selangor.

The Sungai Siput constituency in Perak had been under the helm of Samy Vellu since 1974. Jayakumar beat the MIC chief with a 1,821 vote majority.

The seat has 47,424 voters. The Chinese form the majority in the seat accounting for 41% of total voters. They are followed by Malays (31%), Indians (21%) and Orang Asli (seven percent.

PSM lost the other two state assembly seats, namely Jelapang and Semenyih, Selangor.

Despite being Pakatan Rakyat-friendly, PSM has yet to be officially declared as the opposition pact’s component party.

“If PKR decides to field its own candidates in PSM constituencies, then it would be a jackpot for Barisan Nasional,” said the PKR source.

He said without doubt any MIC candidate in Sungai Siput would “cruise to an easy win” if there was a three-cornered tussle.

“It is clear that Malays will play a vital role in deciding the next member of parliament. Formerly the seat was under the 50-50 category. But if there is a three-cornered fight, it will definitely favour the BN,” said the source.

Tangkap Musa, selamatkan duit rakyat Sabah!

Sebuah NGO membuat laporan SPRM bagi pihak anak muda Sabah terhadap Musa yang didakwa menerima wang sebanyak RM40 juta.

PETALING JAYA: Pelbagai badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan parti politik silih berganti membuat laporan polis dan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) berhubung dakwaan salah laku Ketua Menteri Sabah Dato’ Seri Musa Aman.

Kelmarin, Penyelaras Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) Sabah Boby Lewat @ Ewat membuat laporan SPRM bagi pihak anak muda Sabah terhadap Musa yang didakwa menerima wang sebanyak RM40 juta berbentuk rasuah untuk kekayaan peribadi.

“Kami merujuk kepada kenyataan bersumpah (Ahli Parlimen Beaufort dan juga bekas Timbalan Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan) Datuk Seri Lajim Ukim pada 11 Disember lalu,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

Menurut beliau, SAMM juga dalam masa yang sama turut membuat laporan SPRM terhadap Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz yang punyai hubungkait dengan ahli perniagaan, Michael Chia.

“Ini berikutan pendedahan dari pelbagai sumber media bahawa anak Nazri, Nedim Nazri dan keluarganya mendapat manfaat melalui sebuah kenderaan mewah jenis Hummer hitam dengan nombor pendaftaran WNX 9776.

“Kenderaan mewah ini dianggarkan berharga lebih RM459,000 dan dimiliki oleh Michael Chia disahkan melalui carian saman di laman MyEG,” katanya.

Lesen pembalakan

Micheal Chia yang rapat dengan Musa ditahan di Hong Kong berikutan disyaki terlibat dalam penggubahan wang haram RM40 juta turut dituduh terlibat rasuah berhubung lesen pembalakan yang juga melibatkan Musa.

Menurut Lajim dalam akuan bersumpahnya, pada 9 Oktober 2012, Nazri telah mengumumkan bahawa dakwaan rasuah terhadap Musa dan Michael Chia berhubung dakwaan wang rasuah berjumlah RM40 juta telah digugurkan.

“Ini adalah atas alasan wang RM40 juta yang disiasat itu merupakan derma politik kepada Umno Sabah dan bukannya untuk kegunaan peribadi Ketua Menteri.

“Namun kenyataan bersumpah Lajim menceritakan sebaliknya apabila beliau mengesahkan Umno Sabah tidak pernah menerima sebarang derma politik sebesar jumlah RM40 juta, seperti yang didakwa oleh Nazri di Parlimen.

“Apakah ini satu komplot terancang Musa dan Nazri untuk menyelamatkan antara satu sama lain?,” soal Boby.

Sebagai Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Umno dan Anggota Badan Perhubungan Umno Sabah, Lajim yang terlibat secara langsung dengan apa jua aktiviti Umno di Sabah termasuk perihal kewangan, memperakui tiada sebarang urusniaga dan transaksi yang membuktikan Umno Sabah penerima dana RM40 juta tersebut.

Jika ada, pasti ia dibentangkan kepada Majlis Tertinggi Umno atau Badan Perhubungan Umno Sabah, menurut Lajim.

Perkembangan terbaru ini jelas menunjukkan berlaku percanggahan daripada apa yang diumum oleh Nazri dan menerbitkan unsur penipuan yang membabitkan wang rakyat sebanyak RM40 juta.

Pengumuman Nazri juga didapati menyeleweng dan berniat untuk menutup isu yang lebih besar iaitu dakwaan salahguna kuasa dalam anugerah lesen pembalakan di Sabah.

“Dengan perkembangan ini juga SAMM mendesak SPRM supaya membuka satu kertas siasatan baru melibatkan Musa Aman dan Nazri Aziz.

“Kesediaan Lajim untuk memberi kenyataan kepada mana-mana pihak berkuasa bagi menyiasat skandal RM40 juta ini merupakan satu kelebihan dan kesempatan ini harus diambil oleh SPRM,” ujar Boby.

MIC wants willing families to adopt abused boy

The police have wrapped up investigations on the matter and are awaiting reply from the Attorney-General's Chambers.

PETALING JAYA: The MIC Youth would interview families interested in adopting Pugalenthi, the three-year-old, who was abused by his step-father in Klang recently

The boy was discharged from the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah General Hospital in Klang today and is now under the care of the State Welfare Department.

“MIC Youth information chief S Subramaniam would be visiting potential families who have shown interest in adopting the boy, today. We want to find the best suited family for the boy.

“We are not keen in having him placed at a welfare home or a childcare centre,” MIC Youth chief T Mohan told FMT when contacted.

He said giving up the boy for adoption would be the best available solution as he would be able to lead a family life.

Pugalenthi’s plight came to light last week after a video of him being abused by the step-father was uploaded on Facebook.

The video created a furore among Malaysians and the step-father was arrested while the boy was sent to the hospital for observation.

The boy, who spent the last few days under the supervision of the State Welfare Department at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah hospital, is doing well and is happy, according to a hospital source.

The source added that the boy has no remaining injuries and is physically and mentally stable.

Meanwhile, Klang police deputy chief Supt Jani Ahmad said the police have completed investigations in the case.

“We have sent the investigations papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers. We will wait for further instructions from the A-G’s Chambers… hopefully, a decision will be made in the next few days,” he told FMT.

The father is expected to be charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a punishment of a maximum 10 years imprisonment or a maximum fine of RM 20,000, or both.

The man is expected to be in remand awaiting the AG’s Chambers next course of action.

Batu Caves condo: What they’re not telling you

Batu Caves (Wiki commons)

A LOT of accusations and allegations have been made in the recent case of the condominium development near Batu Caves. On one hand, the current Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Selangor government has accused the former Barisan Nasional (BN) government of approving the Dolomite Park Avenue condominium project. This was why, they said, the PR government allowed the project to continue.
The BN’s response was that they only gave planning approval, which isn’t a development order. According to the BN, the Selangor government had every right to stop the project if it wanted to. The BN also noted that approval to build the condominium was given on 26 June 2008, after the PR had come into power in Selangor.
Which coalition is telling the truth? What’s the difference between a planning approval and a development order? And what else aren’t they telling us?
Planning permission
The approval that the BN government gave is called a “planning permission”. The Town and Country Planning Act describes the process in which a planning permission is applied for. The extensive plans that need to be submitted for this planning permission include a geotechnical report and a survey of all forms of vegetation and trees. It also includes a land use analysis and its effects on adjoining land.
The developer must also submit “layout plans”, which include measures for the protection and improvement of the land’s physical environment and the trees in the area, and the allocation of public parks. If the application does not violate any of the automatic rejection clauses, the local council can grant planning permission either absolutely or subject to such conditions as it thinks fit. The council can also consult residents and ratepayers before giving this approval.
This entire process only deals with the submission of technical documentation and studies, with proposals based on those submissions. Planning permission is approved when these documents are in order. Hence, approvals given at this stage do not yet constitute permission to carry out development works.
Take, for example, the planning permission given by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to redevelop the PKNS building in Section 52, PJ. Among the conditions the developer had yet to obtain at the time of approval was:
(B) xiv. Merujuk serta mendapatkan kelulusan dari JKR Selangor bagi tambahan satu lorong di interchange bersebelahan PJ Hilton dari arah KL ke Jalan Barat.
Land conversion
The next step is land conversion, which is covered under the National Land Code. In most cases, land earmarked for development is categorised for agricultural use. Or a land owner with land meant for residential use may want to build something bigger and convert the land use for commercial purposes.
At this stage, the prepared and submitted plans detailed above must be presented to the state government’s Land Office for further deliberation. If the government denies the land conversion at this stage, the development cannot proceed.

Those who protest the condominium’s construction claim the work is an environmental risk that will jeopardise the temple grounds (Wiki commons)

On the other hand, if the land conversion is approved, the developer must pay a premium for land conversion. This premium is calculated based on the number of units and the type of units that will be built, minus the portion of land that will be surrendered to the government for public use. Land lot numbers for all the units to be built and for designated public spaces are also assigned at this stage.
It is important to note here that once this premium is calculated and paid, the development plans cannot change. This is because any attempt to add structures or units would mean that the developer is cheating the government out of the premium it deserves.
In the case of the Batu Caves condominium, I am made to understand that the land was originally mining land. So, land conversion had to happen before the development could proceed.
Permission to build
Once all that is done, the developer needs two things. One, a developer’s licence from the Housing and Local Government Ministry as stipulated under the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act. And two, a development order from the local council, as stipulated under the Streets, Drainage and Building Act, to proceed with actual construction.
At this stage, details of the buildings to be constructed are submitted to the local council engineers for approval. Control of the construction site, passage of heavy vehicles, and even limitation of construction hours are some of the conditions that the local council can impose on developers.
Since the approval to build the Batu Caves condominium was reportedly given on 26 June 2008, this suggests that the double-checking of facts, the project’s viability, and land use conversion were already completed at this juncture.
Show me your vote
From a technical standpoint, if due process had been followed, the PR government would have no problems whatsoever in explaining why they approved the development order for the Batu Caves condominium. They would also not have any need to blame the previous government for the earlier planning permission.
A commission to study the matter is also unnecessary if all the technical departments had done their job and were able to provide the justification for their decisions at a moment’s notice. (Side rant: if you need an independent commission to check the work of your own staff, you are in serious trouble.)
Apart from that, what we also have are both political coalitions promising to cancel the project. Clearly, because the Indian vote matters in what will be a hotly contested impending general election, neither coalition can risk the ire of the Batu Caves temple committee and their supporters.
Here’s the thing though – both the BN and PR have been coy about how exactly they will cancel the development and what the cost will be to ratepayers.
From BN to PR
To understand how things can go quite wrong, it would be instructive to direct our attention to Damansara Jaya, where the Atria Shopping Centre used to stand. During the 2008 election campaign, Tony Pua and Dr Cheah Wing Yin brandished MBPJ meeting minutes at their ceramah to show that the BN had approved the redevelopment of the shopping centre, which residents were unhappy about. The duo promised that the DAP would stop the redevelopment if they were voted in.

The Atria Shopping Centre which has since been torn down to be redeveloped (Source: pjnet.com.my)

Today, it’s clear the DAP was unable to keep that promise. The redevelopment of the Atria Shopping Complex is well underway. Why did the DAP fail to keep its promise to voters? Because planning permission for the complex’s redevelopment was issued on 28 Feb 2008 before the PR came into power.
But wait. Didn’t I say that planning permission is not the same as the actual development order? Yes I did, and that is exactly how the process is meant to work.
However, the BN government made it a standard that once a local council gives planning permission, a development is considered approved and all other permissions or approvals can be obtained during construction. Here are a couple of projects that were approved and developed under BN rule that did not follow due process:
Ken Damansara III did not convert the land title use from “fruit orchard” to “residential” until a few months before the building was issued a certificate of fitness.
The commercial developments in Section 13, PJ still have land titles with the land use category of “industrial” even though the buildings there are up and running today as commercial properties.
Unfortunately, the PR government inherited from the BN this understanding of how development rules work. Subsequently, they apologised to Damansara Jaya residents by saying the developer had to be allowed to continue with the redevelopment of Atria Shopping Centre. Otherwise, MBPJ would be hit with a lawsuit and PJ ratepayers would bear the cost. As a compromise to residents, MBPJ scaled down the redevelopment of the shopping centre.
But here is where the logic fails. If planning permission was given and guaranteed approval for development was implied, the PR government would not be able to even scale down the project, not legally at least. In truth, the development process as practised by the state government under both the BN and PR is so mired with haphazard inconsistencies that the various government departments can’t even keep their records straight.
So what are we left with? Correcting the system would be too tedious and involve stepping on too many toes. It is much easier for our politicians, especially when the polls are so close, to point fingers at each other and make promises that they cannot legally implement.
Will the Batu Caves condominium be a repeat of what the Damansara Jaya residents experienced? We will know after the next general election.

Cop's son gunned down by police

(The Sun Daily) - The son of a police corporal was shot dead when he tried to attack police detectives in a botched robbery at a 24-hour convenience store in Wangsa Maju early today.

The 19-year-old – with an accomplice – was reported to have held a machete to a worker's neck and demanded the day's takings at the KK store in Taman Sri Rampai at about 4.30am. There were four workers in the store.

Luck ran out for the two robbers when minutes later, a police team patrolling the area arrived at the store. On seeing the detectives, the duo dashed out in an attempt to escape. When they were ordered to surrender, the teenage robber charged with his machete at a detective. The police opened fire, hitting him on the chest. He died on the spot.

The teenager's accomplice, also armed with a machete, was believed to have suffered a gunshot wound, but managed to escape on foot.

Kuala Lumpur deputy CID chief ACP Khairi Ahrasa said police were forced to open fire at the 19-year-old as he had tried to attack a detective.

Investigators believe the duo were involved in another robbery, also at a KK store in Danau Kota, Setapak, a day earlier where they escaped with RM900.

A total of 31 cases involving 24-hour convenience stores were reported in Wangsa Maju since early this year.

In a separate case in Selangor, police solved the Dec 8 murder cum robbery case of a 36-year-old computer engineer with the arrest of five suspects, aged between 17 and 30, in Puchong and Segamat, Johor.

Selangor deputy CID chief ACP Rosli Mohd Isa said in a press conference that other than the five suspects, another five men who bought the stolen items were also held last week.

He added that police recovered several items, including a TV, smartphone and car belonging to the victim and the murder weapon.

I have formally placed the “Who is the Tan Sri lawyer?” matter before the Bar Council

“I write now to formally put this matter before the Bar Council and to ask that an investigation be

launched forthwith to :-
 
 1. identify the solicitor(s) concerned; and
 2. ascertain if there was any impropriety in the preparation of SD2″.

This was the closing paragraph of my letter to the Bar Council delivered today at 3.40pm in relation to the matter of  the preparation of the second statutory declaration sworn by P.I. Bala.
The letter, in full, less my address and fixed phone line details, in PDF, is linked below.
Letter to Bar Council

Apology to Najib and UMNO/BN leaders for being elected into DAP CEC at the 16th DAP National Congress and with highest votes

I wish to apologise to the Prime Minister and UMNO President, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the UMNO/BN leaders that I was elected into the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) at the 16th DAP National Congress – and with the highest votes.

UMNO leaders, including Najib, had been going round the country castigating the DAP for being undemocratic, alleging that I was in the DAP national leadership although I was not an elected DAP leader.

At the recent 66th UMNO General Assembly at the end of last month, Najib returned to the same theme in his UMNO Presidential Address when he flayed the Pakatan Rakyat parties of PKR, PAS and DAP.

This is what he said about me: “Although only holding the position of member of parliament despite not being an elected leader, Lim Kit Siang is evidently quite a powerful individual in the opposition party”.

It had always amused me when Najib made these attacks against me in his political tours up and down the country, wondering whether he had been misled by his cohorts of political advisers and aides or whether he had deliberately lied although he knew the truth.

I had stood for every elections to the CEC since the party formation in 1966. In the last DAP 15th Congress, I also stood for election to the CEC and was fortunate to top the votes.

I had deliberately refrained from rebutting Najib for his baseless attack that I was not an elected DAP leader as I wanted to test the degree of the Prime Minister’s respect for fact and truth or the quality of intelligence of the Prime Minister’s army of advisers and aides.

If Malaysia has a Prime Minister who has no respect for fact or truth, continuing to tell untruths like his allegation that I was an unelected leader in DAP, or his cohorts and aides are so atrocious in their political intelligence as not to know that I had contested in every DAP CEC election and that I had polled the highest votes in the 2008 DAP National Congress, then the Malaysian public cannot put too much trust and confidence in the Prime Minister’s speeches, statements and assurances.

Now, what is the truth? Was Najib wrongly advised by his advisers and aides, or did he deliberately repeat a lie against me?

Would apologise Najib for lying about me for not being an elected DAP leader in the past four years? I am not asking for any apology from Najib as I do not think it is worth asking it from him. If he wants to apologise, he would have to do it on his own volition.
Now Najib has changed his tune after the press reports that I had received the highest votes at Saturday’s DAP Congress.

Yesterday in Sandakan, Najib said DAP was undemocratic because “the father (Lim Kit Siang) received the highest number of votes and his son (Lim Guan Eng) came in second”.

Previously, Najib said DAP was undemocratic as I was not an elected DAP leader. Now he charged DAP for being undemocratic because I had secured the most votes.

What a cheap Prime Minister we have – a “heads I win, tails you lose” complex!

Again, I say sorry to Najib and the UMNO/BN leaders for being elected again into the CEC, and like the previous DAP Congress, with the highest votes.

Coming to the 47th year of my commitment in the DAP to help bring about a more united, just, democratic and prosperous Malaysia, I will continue to do my utmost in the 13GE to realize the hitherto impossible dream in Malaysia of changing the Federal Government in the 13GE.

I call on Najib to set a personal example to end the hate politics of race, religion, lies and fear which UMNO/BN leaders have been spreading to perpetuate UMNO/BN power and undertake to ensure that the 13GE will be smooth, clean, free and fair elections.

Furthermore, Najib should publicly distance himself from and condemn whoever raised the spectre of May 13 or “chaos” after the 13GE if UMNO/BN loses.

He should demonstrate that he is serious and sincere when he repeatedly said after becoming Prime Minister in April 2009 that “The era the government knows best is over” and give firm and categorical assurance that UMNO/BN would peacefully transfer power in Putrajaya to Pakatan Rakyat if this is the verdict of electorate – a position which should be formalized in the form of a resolution by the UMNO and BN Supreme Councils.

Farming Community Must Make Agriculture Sector As Part Of Global Supply Network - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- The farming community in the country needs to make the agriculture sector as part of the global supply chain to expand the local agriculture products market to the international level and generate more lucrative income.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this could be achieved if elements of innovation and boosting research and development (R&D) could be instilled across all levels of society and covering all value chains of the agriculture sector.

"I want to see elements of innovation absorbed in agriculture because I am confident and believe the agriculture sector can still boost its production and productivity to an optimum level and not through the opening of land, which is limited.

"But by applying technology through (R&D) and innovation and best practice to boost output or productivity," he said when opening the 39th annual general meeting of the National Farmers Association (Nafas), here, Monday night.

The prime minister said the government had also introduced several new initiatives for the development and progress of the agriculture sector including through the Rural Transformation Centres (RTCs) early this year.

"Through the RTC, we can turn a place into a centre to purchase and to stock up on all types of agricultural goods from the surrounding areas."

He said to meet the food demand of the nation, the agriculture sector could no longer be too dependent on imported food sources.

As such, he said clear policies and proactive measures must be taken to ensure the nation's food supply adequacy and security.

"On this demand, the government has expanded the focus of the agriculture sector under the National Key Economic Area (NKEA), the National Agrofood Policy (DAN) and the 10th Malaysia Plan.

"Under the agriculture sector NKEA, 16 entry point projects (EPP) have been identified and three involve the rice and padi sector. The other agriculture sectors which are the focus of the government include herbal plants, livestock and aquaculture," said Najib.

He said DAN, formulated by the ministry, was a continuation of the National Agriculture Policy (DPN) which complemented the NKEA.

"Two main objectives of the policy are to boost the income of the target groups and to increase the contribution of the agrofood sector to the national income," he said.

According to Najib, the efforts and initiatives carried out by the government was also to face the food supply crisis which was experiencing a surge and was worrying.

"Since 2002 until 2008 alone, the basic food index in the global market rose 190 per cent for maize, 162 per cent for flour, 318 per cent for rice and 246 for soya beans.

"More serious, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations reported that for 2012, the food imports for poor countries has risen by 11 per cent while for food producing nations, the value of their food imports has gone up by 20 per cent," he said.

Earlier, Najib launched the first transformation of the Nafas corporate plan, namely the National Agriculture Fund (DPK) which will enable members to directly invest in business activities carried out by the organisation and to subsequently generate income to continue their farming efforts.

At the same time, Najib who is also Finance Minister, also announced he would consider at the cabinet level, the request of Nafas for a grant of RM100 million to DPK.

He also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Nafas and the ministry for management and practical training cooperation and handed over premier awards to children of farmers who received excellent results in their examinations.

DAP Not Anti-Malay Party, Says Guan Eng

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said on Monday the party was not anti-Malay just because no Malay candidate was elected to its central executive committee (CEC).

He said the DAP was open to all the races.

At the party's elections at its national congress last Saturday, none of the eight Malay candidates got elected to the CEC, but two of them, Senator Ariffin S.M. Omar and Zairil Khir Johari, were appointed to the CEC later.

Lim, who is the Penang chief minister, urged the media to stop carrying reports which could incite hatred in the people towards the party.

"We do not control who the delegates choose. We accept the results (of the elections). This is democracy.

"...and yet these are the parties who criticise the DAP just because we appoint two Malay members to the CEC. We accept the result and decision made by the delegates at the national congress," he told reporters here.

Ramli: Is Musa jealous of my official send-off?

Former CCID director Ramli Yusuff believes former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan could be jealous that present IGP Ismail Omar had given him a proper retirement ceremony last month.

"I believe (that Musa) was envious as when he retired, Ismail did not give him anything (a proper send-off). But I got that honour."
Ramli reached compulsory retirement age on March 1, 2008. But he was embroiled in a court case where he was accused of non-disclosure of his assets.
After five years, the courts cleared him, clearing the way for his official sendoff.

"I think that was why Musa (left) was bitter with Ismail. If Musa wants to be accorded the same ceremony, please ask the IGP nicely. Why must Musa attack Ismail in the open?" he quipped, adding that both Musa and Ismail had served under him in the CID for six years.

Ramli also said that during his time there was no intervention by the executive nor the home minister as police were able to do their job professionally.

"As policemen, we can advise the cabinet ministers but they cannot tell us what to do. We are professionals and we are trained policemen, we are not politicians. Politicians, as lawmakers, have to work together with the police.

"During my time there was no interference from the Home Ministry. There was no such thing that you have to do this and do that," he retorted.

Musa had previously revealed that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had interfered with the police by giving directions to his subordinates.

Hishammuddin responded by asking why Musa had raised the issue only now, just as the general election was approaching and claimed what was brought up was a big lie.

Unreliable witness

Ramli said that former IGP Musa's Sabah case which was related to abuse of power, where the Sessions judge decided Musa was an unreliable witness when his testimony contradicted with other junior officers, showed what he was capable off.

"If this court's decision was made outside Malaysia, the person would have resigned like what had happened with the Singapore Parliament speaker who stepped down recently following allegations of a sex scandal."

Ramli claims that the former IGP is trying to re-invent his image with the recent public disclosure.

"My men have documents to show that Musa has links to the underworld through the likes of the Goh Cheng Poh (Tengku Goh) and BK Tan, who are his good friends.
"Musa was saying CCID cannot open case files against gambling operators. He should read the law carefully because all police officers with the required rank, have the powers to investigate."

The Tengku Goh and BK Tan links has been reported previously as the Copgate affair.

Ill-feelings
On the question as to why Musa had ill-feelings against him, Ramli disclosed that he had once issued a show-cause letter to Musa in 2001, for agreeing to disband police prosecuting officers.

"Musa represented me in that meeting which was chaired by his good friend Abdul Gani Patail, who was then head of prosecution in the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).
"There, Musa agreed that young deputy public prosecutors from the AGC could conduct the prosecution in the magistrates and sessions court without consulting me or the then IGP, Norian Mai.

"Norian was upset with me following the decision as this involves policy matters and Musa should have consulted with the head of department or the IGP over this. As a result I had to issue the letter to Musa. The police protested heavily with the AGC.

"As a former officer in charge of the Kuala Lumpur courts with the rank of superintendent, I had handled 200 policemen including the police prosecutors and we are professional in our jobs and performed better than some of the young DPPs.
"Nevertheless, when Musa became IGP he pushed through the idea, resulting in the disbanding of police prosecutors," he said.

Ramli said as a result of him protesting the move to replace the police prosecutors, Musa and even Abdul Gani were unhappy with him.

Pakistan police battle militants after deadly airport raid

Four people were killed when militants attacked the airport in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Saturday and traded gunfire with soldiers(Reuters).

Peshawar: Police battled militants armed with automatic weapons, grenades and mortars in northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar on Sunday, a day after a deadly Taliban raid on the city's airport.

Fierce firing broke out after officers acting on an intelligence report tried to storm a house near the airport, where a suicide and rocket attack on Saturday evening killed five civilians and the five attackers and wounded 50 other people.

The assault late Saturday, claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, sparked prolonged gunfire and forced authorities to close the airport, a commercial hub and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in Peshawar on the edge of the tribal belt.

It was the second Islamist militant attack in four months on a military air base in nuclear-armed Pakistan. In August 11 people were killed when heavily-armed insurgents wearing suicide vests stormed a facility in the northwestern town of Kamra.

Two police officers were wounded in Sunday’s renewed fighting during which militants threw a hand grenade, senior police officer Imtiaz Altaf told AFP.

“A militant has been killed. The encounter is still continuing. Militants are fully equipped with automatic weapons, hand grenades and mortars,” Altaf said.

Imran Shahid, a second police official, confirmed the shootout but said it was not yet clear how many attackers were involved.

Live television footage showed troops and police entering a street amid gunfire, while an AFP reporter heard fierce firing in the area.

A PAF statement said five attackers were killed on Saturday and no damage was done to air force equipment or personnel.

Doctor Umar Ayub, chief of Khyber Teaching Hospital near the airport, said five civilians had also been killed and some 50 wounded.

“The Base is in total control and normal operations have resumed. The security alert was also raised on other PAF air bases as well,” the air force added.

Peshawar airport is a joint military-civilian facility. Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Pervez George said the passenger side remained closed but there had been no damage to the terminals.

The air force said Saturday’s attackers used two vehicles loaded with explosives, hand grenades, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. One vehicle was destroyed and the second badly damaged.

Security forces found three suicide jackets near one of the vehicles, it said.

“Security forces consisting of Pakistan Air Force and Army personnel who were on full alert, cordoned off the Base and effectively repulsed the attack,” the air force said.

Television pictures showed a vehicle with a smashed windscreen, another damaged car, bushes on fire and what appeared to be a large breach in a wall.

Five nearby houses were destroyed after rockets landed on them and several other houses developed cracks, while the bomb squad detonated five out of eight bombs found near the base after the attack.

Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location that the group would continue to target the airport.

“Our target was jet fighter plans and gunship helicopters and soon we will target them again,” he said.

The armed forces have been waging a bloody campaign against the Taliban in the country’s northwest in recent years and the militants frequently attack military targets.

Aside from the August attack on Kamra, in May 2011 it took 17 hours to quell an assault on an air base in Karachi claimed by the Taliban. The attack piled embarrassment on the armed forces just three weeks after US troops killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

Pakistan says more than 35,000 people have been killed as a result of terrorism in the country since the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Its forces have for years been battling homegrown militants in the northwest.

Brutal Caning Under Sharia Law In Indonesia

View with discretion | Indonesia is home to the world’s largest population of self-described faithful Muslims. More than 200 million citizens of the Asian nation embrace Islam. Indonesian Muslims have long been thought of as “moderate Muslims” and the nation is extremely proud of its inclusive, secular nature. Officially, Indonesia is not an Islamic State, but since the start of the 21st century, areas of the country are much less tolerant of other religions. Aceh Province has imposed Sharia Law on its citizens since 2001 and they utilize corporal punishment on a regular basis. This practice, which includes public caning of both sexes, finally came to the attention of the world when word spread about the brutal caning of 10 citizens in Meulaboh, West Aceh, on Wednesday for violating Shariah law with offenses including gambling and adultery.

Jhon Aswir, head of the West Aceh Public Order Agency and Shariah Police, spoke about the punishments:

“They are convicts in the cases of maisir (gambling) and khalwat (adultery), which had been processed since 2009. The caning was part of the West Aceh administration’s commitment to uphold Shariah law in Aceh.”

Muhammad Azim, one of the officials from the West Aceh Shariah Law Agency who was directly involved in the caning procession, emphasized the severity of the punishment with pride as he spoke about three of the victims who fainted from the beating.

“They collapsed and fainted, including the woman.”

The brutality of the punishment is evidenced by the photograph of one caning victim. It is truly hard and sickening to imagine the force needed to do that much damage to a person’s body with the eight or 9 strokes that each victim was given. The size of the wounds, the damage to the skin and the amount of bleeding indicate that an extreme amount of force was used. It is important to remember that this punishment is imposed on both men and women and it can lead to severe, permanent scarring.

Indonesia’s leading newspaper, The Jakarta Globe, described the public caning, which is called a “Caning Procession:”

“The caning procession was held at the yard of the Grand Baitul Makmur Mosque in Meulaboh and witnessed by thousands of residents as well as the Meulaboh district head, regional legislative council members and ulemas (Muslim legal scholars).”

The Globe also spoke about one innocent young woman who committed suicide after being arrested by the Sharia Police for attending a musical concert and was terrified of the punishment:

“A 16-year-old girl committed suicide in September after the Aceh Shariah police wrongly arrested her while she attended a music concert and accused her of committing prostitution.”

Human Rights organizations are outraged by the punishments applied only under Shariah Law, including caning, amputation of limbs, blinding, stoning for adultery and decapitation for such offenses as Witchcraft. They severly criticized the Government of Indonesia for failing once again to prosecute the parties responsible for these terrible violations of human decency and accepted worldwide standards of criminal law.

To know the economy, ask the housewives

Many are venturing farther and farther from home in search of lower prices. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 ― Who knows better than the female half of a couple the ups and downs of the economy?

It may be that most husbands are the ones who bear the financial burden but it is the wives and mothers who feel the pinch before their spouses. They deal with school fees, groceries, maid salaries, and know instantly when the price of electricity shoots up.

The Malaysian Insider conducted an informal straw poll among acquaintances and friends whose ages range from 30 to 40, who are educated, and either work from home or have taken a sabbatical from work.

Budgeting is an on-going battle even though some come from upper middle-class families. Some are professionals or freelancers and stay-at-home mothers.

The first thing that came to mind was the quality and cost of education in the country. They all agreed that affordable education meant enrolling their children in government schools, but after-school activities and tuition can burn a hole in the wallet. There is always something to pay, and at what price when many of them feel the education system has slipped tremendously from their schooldays?

The property question

Most agree that property and the rising cost of education, as well as health, are out of control and “illogical.” Property prices are spiralling upwards, but there is a glut of residences and offices spaces all over Klang Valley and Selangor.

Vacant properties are abundant but these are only targeted at those in the higher income bracket.

Sazlin Daud, a one-time practising lawyer who is now a stay-at-home mother of two, commented that “We’re not talking just one to two developers in one to two areas, it’s everywhere, spreading its tentacles all across the Klang Valley!”

“How illogical is it that the only new landed properties available now within the suburbs are superlinks, semi-detached homes and bungalows with prices that start at above RM1.5 million? What happened to plain old terrace homes?

“And what is even more ridiculous is that existing landed properties, even run-down terrace homes in Subang Jaya can sell for RM700,000-800,000, in Bandar Utama for RM800,000-RM1 million and in Mutiara Damansara for RM1.2 million?”

Many agree that even older houses in need of repair are selling at RM700,000-800,000; similar homes in Bandar Utama are almost RM1 million. The current climate is not conducive for young couples with growing families. The question is, where will they be able to move when the children have grown up?

For some, renting property is the way to go. It is more affordable and practical. Yet this route has caused them some stress; renting is still stigmatised by many Asians.

The budget review

One reason why petrol expenses have shot up is because the wives will drive just about anywhere to score a bargain. It no longer makes sense to shop at a certain place “to be seen” because the price fluctuation is too obvious.

A wife whose husband earns a five-figure income watches the family grocery bills like a hawk. What does she think of grocery expenses in the Klang Valley?

“I think it’s schizophrenic. My son’s formula and baby products are cheaper at Ben’s in Publika, and the same ones cost more in Tesco. I don’t know if the ticketer ‘silap tampal’ the price tag!

“People think we have the money but I will not spend unnecessarily. I can tell you ― sometimes the pasar in Keramat is as expensive as the one in TTDI, and I have found reasonably-priced dragon fruit at the Mont Kiara Thursday night market. Selayang is okay… but we don’t eat that much fish or chicken in a week! I don’t know who sets the prices! Our economy is crazy-lah.”

For KP (pseudonym), the interview actually drove her to write down all the expenses her family incurs and she is shocked. A frugal homemaker, it was eye-opening to see what was being spent. Her notes reveal that she and her husband spend over RM1,000 for their three children, and the expenses go to their education and activities.

Her children wear hand-me-downs. She is looking for a Bahasa Malaysia tutor but is intimidated by the fees. Their personal expenses go to medication, sports and range about RM1,000. Because they have a 90-year-old relative living with them, they have had to invest in a properly-trained maid whose salary is RM1,000 a month.

It is an on-going battle among the two spouses, trying to cope with the costs of a growing family, medical expenses and also some treats in between. Both of them rarely indulge in personal luxuries, and their children are not treated lavishly.

Still, she wonders if there will be a limit to all this. Medication for her husband’s ailment is increasing; actually, everything is becoming more expensive. How long can they be frugal and deny themselves some luxuries?

The one constant battle she and her husband has is where they shop for groceries. She would rather go all the way to Tesco Puchong because there is more variety and it is cheaper. However, her husband would rather shop at Village Grocer, Bangsar Village, because it’s more convenient.

Let’s trade

So how do the mothers cut corners and yet enjoy some? Angelia Ong barters.

“For example, in exchange for your garden produce, whatever I make from it, I send it over or sell the excess. That works in terms of skills and teaching options too. Teach my kids Bahasa twice a week, I exchange for bread, babysitting, whatever. I find that the idea of community (not necessarily living in the exact same location) is coming back.”

And, yes, bartering groups have cropped up on Facebook and is not just a more affordable way of living, but has become a social activity. The Barter Exchange Group Malaysia is one.

The banter among the members reminds one of a country farm with neighbours popping by for a chat. It may sound strange to a consumerist society, but it makes sense to the members. And the members in the group range from professionals, stay-at-home parents, educators, to name a few.

Women hankering for branded goods at affordable prices also turn to informal Facebook groups, which have lead members based in the US or Europe, who buy their goods during sales and then ship them back to Malaysia.

The difference is significant ― this cuts out the middleman and store overheads. These groups are also fashion savvy ― the customer will get the original and the latest trend if she so wants.

What do they think of the current economic climate?

They are very leery.

“The cost of living has skyrocketed but our incomes have not changed. Not good,” one working wife commented.

‘Don’t vote for the wrong Ah Jib Gor’

Najib hopes the youths would not make a mistake when electing a prime minister in the coming general election.

SANDAKAN: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak promised to continue to work hard for the people, especially the younger generation who are the country’s future.

He said it was important for the government to pass the reins of leadership when the country had prospered and developed.

“Thank you for believing in me and I hope you will continue to support the Barisan Nasional.

“The government is very serious to engage with youths because you will become the leaders of our country one day,” he told his ardent fans connected to him through his Facebook page called Ah Jib Gor or big brother Najib in Mandarin, here, today.

Najib hoped the youths would not make a mistake when electing a prime minister in the coming general election.

“Please support BN if you still want me in my present position or you will get the wrong Ah Jib Gor or big brother,” he said to cheers from his fans who chanted ‘Ah Jib Gor’.

Najib, who also presented the fan club’s membership certificates, hoped the 300-member fan club in Sandakan, which was launched in September, would continue in strength.

- Bernama

Wrong religion classification: Act fast on MyKad fiasco

A Christian movement wants the NRD to start correcting their errors in scores of MyKads of Christians in Sabah who have been wrongfully classified as Muslims.

KOTA KINABALU: The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) Commission on Sabah Affairs (COSA) has urged the National Registration Department to start correcting their errors in scores of MyKads of Christians in Sabah who have been wrongfully classified as Muslims.

Chairman of COSA, Jerry Dusing, said the federal cabinet’s decision to resolve the long-standing dilemma of Christians in Sabah wrongly classified as Muslims in their MyKad must be acted upon with urgency and should not be dragged on.

He stressed that this is important, so that the Syariah Court is not forced to make any judgment or order which may further complicate the problem.

“This is a step in the right direction to avoid further confusion over the status of Bumiputera Christians in Sabah,” said Dusing in a statement issued here.

COSA is also monitoring a protracted dispute in the Kudat Syariah High Court which is hearing the case of three Christians who have been forced by the NRD to prove in the Islamic courts that they are not Muslims.

The case was mounted by a 53-year-old widow of Banggi ethnicity, Intim Lambatan, and her two adult daughters, Norina Nuhudan, 28, and Listin Nuhudan, 22, after they were arbitrarily classified as Muslims in their MyKad when all three are baptised Christians belonging to the Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) denomination.

The case is interesting given that the Sabah Islamic Affair Department or Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Sabah (JHEAINS) has acknowledged that their names were not on the department’s register and yet the NRD had classified them as such.

In a further twist, when the error was pointed out, the NRD refused to rectify its mistake and asked Intim to go the Kudat Syariah High Court for a declaration that she is not a Muslim.

The case came up for hearing on Oct 29 but both JHEAINS and the NRD did not turn up, forcing a postponement.

The United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) has since jumped into the fray with its president Bernard Dompok leading the charge and offering his assistance, perhaps aware of the sensitivity of the case so close to general election and the threatening public relations disaster for the BN.

However, the Upko chief’s announcement last week that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had given the NRD the go-ahead to rectify the errors instead of having to go through the Syariah Court as had been insisted for decades was met with some contempt.

Technical glitches

Various government leaders and departments involved are all now backing away from the controversy that has been a festering sore in a state known for its religious tolerance and harmony.

After years of the department saying otherwise, it fell to the man in charge of the NRD in Sabah, Ismail Ahmad, to trot out the excuses and say the errors were caused by “technical glitches.”

He said that for now, all those spotting such ‘errors’ only need to go to his office and point it out for it to be rectified on the spot.

Meanwhile, a Barisan Nasional state representative has urged the department to formulate proper guidelines so that officers can be guided accordingly in what may be regarded as grey areas in amending erroneous MyKads, especially those that have ‘converted’ Christians to Muslims at NRD’s offices.

Tanjung Kapor assemblyman, Teo Chee Kang said “it is fundamentally wrong for officers in NRD to require an order issued by the Syariah Court for an application by a non-Muslim to amend his or her religion which is inadvertently or mistakenly registered as ‘Islam’.”

“In such cases, by making Syariah Court order a requisite for an application to rectify a non-Muslim MyKad holder’s religion status tantamount to requiring non-Muslims to surrender to the jurisdiction of the Syariah Courts.

“Constitutionally, Syariah Courts only have jurisdiction over citizens who subscribe to the Islamic faith,” he said at the annual Christmas Candlelight gathering organised by the Council of Churches of Kudat held at Dewan Tun Mustapha, Kudat.

In this respect, Teo who is also Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secretary general said the decision of the federal cabinet, as disclosed by Dompok that such rectification would not involve the Syariah Courts and that it could be done at the NRD was a welcoming news.

“Sabah is very unique in the sense that it is so common for our non-Muslim natives to have a ‘bin’ or ‘binti’ in their names. Names are by no means an indicator of one’s religion. I even know a Sabahan Muslim friend who possess a Christian name,” he said.

Prime Minister Najib is currently in Sandakan to attend a meeting with Christian leaders.

Manikavasagam all out to save temples

He blames three Pakatan state exco members for having failed to do their duty in protecting non-Muslim places of worship.

PETALING JAYA: Kapar MP S Manikavasagam has taken it upon himself to protect the non-Muslim places of worship in Selangor in his capacity as the PKR public complaints bureau director.

“Although Selangor executive councillors (excos) Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Teresa Kok and Ronnie Liu are in charge. I am only helping them to do their work,” he told FMT today.

The three exco members are in the Selangor non-Muslim Houses of Worship Committee.

“When Pakatan came into power in 2008, we promised that they would be no more temple demolitions. The Indian community had taken our word for granted.

“We don’t want another Kampung Padang Jawa,” said the outspoken first-term MP in reference to the demolition of a temple in Kampung Padang Jawa, Klang in 2008.

The demolition and a host of other factors led the Indians to vote the Pakatan Rakyat coalition into power in Selangor.

“When I push the matter to the excos, they don’t seem to act. The party should appreaciate what I am doing,” he said, giving examples of temples in Kajang and Jeram that received demolition notices from local authorities.

He expressed his anger at local councils that demolished temples without first informing the state excos. He also took the three excos to task.

“If there were clear guidelines from the excos, the local councils would not demolish temples. The state government should come up with a guideline on whether private homes can be allowed to have its own shrines or altars,” said Manikavasagam.

He added that his actions of assisting temples from being demolished benefitted PKR as it would retain the Indians votes for Pakatan Rakyat. Most of the Indians are Hindus.

When asked to comment on Jayakumar’s reaction over a video that showed Manikavasagam allegedly using the words ‘idiot’ and ‘bastard’ against the former, he said he was disappointed that Jayakumar did not clarify with him first before speaking to the media.

“I know him for more than 15 years. He could have just give me a call and clarified. How can Xavier trust (MIC Youth chief) T Mohan more than me?

“I am ready to face the party’s disciplinary committee. If they act against me, it means they trust Mohan more than they trust me,” he said in reaction to Jayakumar who accused him of being unprofessional for having uttered those words in a video clip that was taken by MIC Youth.

Jayakumar also told FMT that the matter have been referred to the party’s disciplinary committee.

Hidup peneroka Gatco atau hidup Hindraf?

Peneroka Gatco sebenarnya bukanlah ahli Hindraf, Barisan Nasional mahu pun Pakatan Rakyat.
COMMENT

Bahagian Akhir

(Komen ini merupakan sambungan dari komen yang kami siarkan semalam yang bertajuk “Kemelut Gatco masih tiada kesudahan”.)

Apa sebenarnya yang berlaku pada 5 Disember lepas? Selain daripada bantahan dan kegagalan menyerahkan memorandum kepada Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan, Mohamad Hasan pada 5 Disember, ada sesuatu perkara yang menarik berlaku yang tidak diketahui oleh umum.

Ketika lebih 150 peneroka sudah pun berkumpul di hadapan Wisma Negeri, beberapa ‘orang kuat’ Hindraf secara tiba-tiba mengedarkan t-shirt rasmi Hindraf berwarna oren kepada peneroka Gatco. Selepas hampir semua peneroka mengenakan t- shirt Hindraf, berlangsung sesi bergambar bersama sepanduk.

Agak mengejutkan sebelum Pengerusi Hindraf P Waytha Moorthy memulakan ucapan, beliau meminta Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Senawang, P Gunasekaran (DAP) supaya berdiri jauh daripada tempat beliau berucap.

Waytha berkata lebih kurang begini kepada Gunasekaran: “Sebenarnya saya menunggu untuk anda. Kalau anda dah pergi sana, saya boleh mulakan ucapan saya. Saya tidak mahu isu Kampung Gatco menjadi seperti isu Kampung Buah Pala”.

Waytha berkata demikian mungkin merujuk kepada isu Kampung Buah Pala yang DAP sebagai peneraju Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang yang gagal pertahankan sebuah perkampungan India yang berusia lebih 100 tahun.

Insiden itu membuatkan Gunasekaran; ADUN Paroi, Mohd Taufek Abdul Ghani (PAS) dan beberapa ADUN DAP yang lain berada di situ tersentak.

Tidak lama selepas itu Gunasekaran bersama beberapa ADUN DAP kelihatan beredar dari situ mungkin kerana perasaan malu.

Walaubagaimanapun Waytha membenarkan Mohd Taufek dan Ketua Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) Negeri Sembilan, Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus berucap.

Apa yang menghairankan ialah selepas Waytha dan peneroka gagal menyerahkan memorandum selepas menanti tiga jam, Waytha melaungkan “Hidup Hindraf! Hidup Hindraf!” berkali-kali dan peneroka Gatco turut sama melaungkan slogan tersebut.

Kenapa laung ‘Hidup Hindraf’

Kenapa tidak laung “Hidup Peneroka Gatco!”? Persoalannya apa kena mengena laungan “Hidup Hindraf” dengan isu peneroka Gatco?

Peneroka Gatco sebenarnya bukanlah ahli Hindraf, Barisan Nasional (BN) mahu pun Pakatan Rakyat. Sebilangan kecil daripada mereka ada yang ahli Umno dan MIC.

Tetapi hampir semua peneroka Gatco boleh dikatakan sebagai peneroka yang tidak berparti walaupun sejak
tiga pilihan raya umum yang lalu mereka menyokong penuh calon BN dengan harapan calon BN yang menang akan membantu mereka menyelesaikan kemelut hak milik tanah perladangan yang berlanjutan sejak sekian lama.

Tidak salah Hindraf turut sama perjuangkan hak peneroka Gatco tetapi mengapa Waytha dan orang kanan Hindraf tidak melaungkan “Hidup Peneroka Gatco! “Hidup Peneroka Gatco!”?

Apa tujuan Waytha dan pemimpin Hindraf yang hadir pada pagi itu mengedarkan t-shirt Hindraf berwarna oren? Perhimpunan di hadapan Pejabat Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan pada pagi 5 Disember lalu seolah-olah seperti perhimpunan Hindraf.

Senario pada pagi itu ternyata jauh berbeza berbanding himpunan pada 28 Mac tahun ini apabila peneroka tidak memakai baju mana-mana parti atau organisasi.

Survival Hindraf

Dari kaca mata media dan orang berkecuali, apa yang boleh dikatakan Hindraf telah menggunakan peneroka Gatco untuk publisiti dan survival Hindraf itu sendiri pada pagi tersebut. Seramai 150 peneroka Gatco yang hadir pada pagi itu tiba-tiba menjadi penyokong Hindraf tanpa mereka sedari.

Tetapi peneroka Gatco yang merupakan warga emas tidak boleh disalahkan sepenuhnya kerana mereka berada dalam keadaan yang terdesak dan mungkin akan ikut sesiapa sahaja yang menjanjikan bantuan dan pertolongan untuk mendapatkan kembali lapan ekar tanah perladangan.

Seorang wartawan media arus perdana berbahasa Melayu bertanya kepada FMT kenapa peneroka semua memakai t-shirt Hindraf. Malah beliau menyatakan keberatan beliau untuk memberi liputan maksima. Tidak diketahui apa yang bermain di dalam kepala wartawan muda tersebut.

Berbanding pada 28 Mac lalu, apabila Mohamad turun dan menerima memorandum peneroka Gatco, kali ini Mohamad tidak datang berjumpa dengan peneroka dengan alasan mesyuarat Exco belum selesai. Beliau hanya menghantar Pegawai Khas beliau Zulkefli Awang untuk menerima memorandum tersebut.

Ada kemungkinan Mohamad tidak mahu melayan peneroka Gatco kali ini kerana tidak menyenangi kehadiran Hindraf.

Waytha dan penyokong Hindraf harus tahu, bagaimana orang Cina dan India umumnya membenci Perkasa kerana menganggap pertubuhan tersebut terlalu ekstrim Melayu. Begitu juga orang Melayu secara umumnya turut membenci Hindraf kerana Hindraf juga dilabel sebagai terlalu ekstrim India.

Ada juga pengundi atas pagar yang menganggap Hindraf adalah Perkasa versi kaum India. Bagi mereka perjuangan Perkasa dan Hindraf adalah sama sahaja iaitu atas teras satu bangsa sahaja.

Mampukah Hindraf atasi masalah Gatco?

Ada sebuah sepanduk yang dibawa oleh pemimpin Hindraf yang dipegang oleh peneroka Gatco berbunyi “Kalau Menteri Besar tak boleh, biar Hindraf selesaikan masalah ini”.

Bagaimana Hindraf ingin menyelesaikan masalah hak milik tanah Gatco tidak pula diketahui.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Bertindak Peneroka Kampung Serampang Indah (Gatco) sekarang, K Krishnan dan Setiausaha Jawatankuasa, C John sepatutnya bertegas dengan Hindraf atau mana-mana parti politik bahawa peneroka tidak ada masalah jika sesiapa sahaja yang memperjuangkan isu Gatco. Tetapi mereka tidak seharusnya merelakan peneroka Gatco dipergunakan oleh Hindraf atau parti politik untuk publisiti murahan dan kepentingan politik (political mileage).

Krishnan dan John sepatutnya menghalang pemimpin Hindraf daripada mengedarkan t- shirt Hindraf dan juga menegah Waytha daripada menyuruh Gunasekaran menjauhkan diri daripada tempat Waytha berucap.

Ini ialah kerana semua pihak yang memperjuangkan isu Gatco termasuk Hindraf dan pemimpin parti politik berhak berada di situ melainkan Krishnan dan John sendiri yang menyuruh Gunasekaran beredar dari situ.

‘Menangguk di air keruh’

Kelakuan Hindraf umpama ‘menangguk di air keruh’ pada 5 Disember bukanlah kelakuan yang kali pertama berlaku.

Pada 29 September lalu, ibubapa dan bekas murid Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Kuala Pilah mengadakan satu bantahan di hadapan sekolah tersebut menuntut kerajaan bina segera sebuah bangunan sekolah baru, memandangkan bangunan sedia ada sempit dan tidak kondusif.

Bantahan itu turut disertai oleh kepimpinan Pakatan Rakyat Negeri Sembilan dan pemimpin Hindraf. Sejurus selepas ibubapa dan kepimpinan Pakatan Rakyat menamatkan sidang akhbar di hadapan sekolah tersebut, sekumpulan kecil pemimpin Hindraf melaungkan slogan “berjuang!” dan “berjuang sehingga saat akhir!”. Tiba-tiba mereka turut melaungkan “Hidup Hindraf!”.

Tidak difahami apa kena mengena “Hidup Hindraf!” dengan isu di SJKT Kuala Pilah.

Alangkah molek kalau pemimpin Hindraf tersebut melaungkan slogan seperti “Hidup SJKT Kuala Pilah!”.

MIC beri harapan baru

Dalam perkembangan terbaru MIC pula muncul memberi satu harapan baru kepada peneroka Gatco apabila Pengerusi MIC Negeri Sembilan, Dato’ T Rajagopalu mengumumkan beberapa keputusan MIC Negeri Sembilan dan kerajaan negeri yang memihak kepada peneroka Gatco.

Rajagopalu berkata seramai 283 peneroka asal Gatco telah ditawarkan empat ekar tanah perladangan manakala 115 peneroka peringkat kedua yang membeli tanah perladangan daripada peneroka asal telah ditawarkan dua ekar tanah perladangan.

Kos penanaman getah semula dan mengukur lot tanah perladangan akan ditanggung sepenuhnya oleh kerajaan sama ada melalui Risda atau Felcra.

Selain daripada itu Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan juga telah melanjutkan tempoh pajakan (leasehold) tanah perladangan Gatco yang sepatutnya berakhir pada tahun 2042; untuk tempoh 99 tahun lagi.

“Dalam mesyuarat MIC negeri yang diadakan pada 10 Disember, yang turut dihadiri oleh wakil peneroka Gatco; kami juga telah memutuskan agar surat tawaran hak milik tanah perladangan Gatco harus diberikan kepada peneroka dengan kadar segera.

“Saya telah memohon kepada Menteri Besar untuk menyegerakan pemberian surat tawaran hak milik tanah perladangan peneroka Gatco”, kata Rajagopalu kepada FMT.

Lapan ekar tanah

Rajagopalu juga berkata jika ada peneroka Gatco tetap mahukan lapan ekar tanah perladangan, maka beliau akan berunding dengan Syarikat Thamarai Holdings berhubung urusan jual beli tanah perladangan tersebut.

“MIC Negeri Sembilan akan melantik sebuah syarikat Jurunilai untuk menilai pasaran semasa setiap se ekar tanah perladangan tersebut dan akan menanggung kos perunding Jurunilai tersebut.

“Maka mana-mana peneroka yang ingin memiliki lebih daripada empat ekar tanah perladangan, maka mereka perlu membayar harga pasaran semasa tanah di situ untuk empat ekar tanah selebihnya.

“Peneroka yang mampu, boleh membeli enam, tujuh atau lapan ekar tanah perladangan setiap seorang mengikut kemampuan masing-masing”, jelas Rajagopalu.

FMT gagal hubungi Rajagopalu untuk mendapatkan maklum balas beliau untuk mengetahui status terkini berhubung rundingan beliau dengan Syarikat Thamarai Holdings berkaitan tawaran mengizinkan peneroka Gatco membeli lebih dari empat ekar tanah perladangan daripada Syarikat Thamarai Holdings.

Kata pendapat FMT

Sebenarnya kemelut ini tidak sepatutnya berlaku jika Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan mengambil tindakan sewajarnya sejak kawasan penempatan dan perladangan Gatco ini dibuka pada tahun 1977.

Peneroka membawa masalah ini kepada dua bekas Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan, Dato’ Sri Rais Yatim dan Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad ketika tempoh kedua-dua pemimpin Umno itu menjadi Menteri Besar dahulu.

Sekarang giliran Mohamad pula untuk mendengar keluhan peneroka Gatco.

Kemelut ini mungkin boleh diselesaikan jika Menteri Besar mempunyai ‘political will’ dengan mengguna pakai Seksyen 3 Akta Pemilikan Tanah yang memberi kuasa kepada Kerajaan Negeri memiliki sebarang tanah untuk kepentingan awam melalui sesiapa atau organisasi di mana Kerajaan Negeri berpendapat ia menguntungkan perkembangan ekonomi di Malaysia.

Lagi pun asalnya Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan memberikan tanah ini kepada Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Negeri Sembilan (PKNNS) melalui pajakan 99 tahun. PKNNS pula memberikan tanah ini kepada Gatco melalui pajakan 66 tahun.

Peneroka mendakwa di dalam perjanjian antara PKNNS dengan Gatco, jelas disebut bahawa tanah ini diberikan kepada Gatco dan tanah ini mesti dibangunkan untuk peneroka.

Atas sebab itu Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan dan PKNNS tidak boleh lari dari tanggungjawab mereka dalam memastikan nasib dan hak peneroka dibela dan dijamin.

Kini satu-satunya saluran yang tinggal untuk peneroka Gatco ialah melalui pintu rundingan. Setakat ini yang berjanji membuat rundingan dengan Syarikat Thamarai Holdings ialah Timbalan Ketua Menteri 2 Pulau Pinang, Prof P Ramasamy (DAP) dan Rajagopalu.

Mohamad juga boleh melakukan keajaiban dengan kuasa dan pengaruh beliau sebagai orang No.1 di Negeri Sembilan.

Walabagaimanapun semua itu bergantung pada Mohamad dan Syarikat Thamarai Holdings itu sendiri.

Mungkin satu-satunya jalan terakhir untuk peneroka Gatco mendapatkan hak mereka semula ialah dengan menukar Kerajaan Negeri pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU-13) nanti, dengan harapan Kerajaan Negeri baru (Pakatan Rakyat) menggunakan segala kuasa yang ada pada mereka menyerahkan kembali hak peneroka dan membayar pampasan sewajarnya kepada Syarikat Thamarai Holdings.

Diharap pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat Negeri Sembilan yang sering melaung-laungkan bahawa mereka akan kembalikan hak peneroka Gatco jika berjaya mengambil alih Wisma Negeri mengotakan janji mereka sekiranya berjaya membentuk kerajaan baru pada PRU-13 nanti.

Untuk berlaku adil, Syarikat Thamarai Holdings tidak boleh disalahkan dalam kemelut
ini kerana mereka membeli tanah perladangan Gatco ini mengikut lunas undang-undang
yang betul.