SHAH ALAM, Nov 12 – Reforestation projects touted by former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo (pic) to bring in RM800 million revenue within 20 years has so far contributed barely RM500,000 in revenue to Selangor, declassified state documents showed.
The projects, initiated by Dr Khir during his tenure, were meant to “balance physical development and the environment” in Selangor, the country’s most developed state.
But the state documents, declassified by the current Pakatan Rakyat government, revealed these joint-venture projects between the Selangor Agriculture Development Corporation (PKPK) and private companies are lopsided with little benefits to the state.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the income generated from these ventures have been meagre.
“We cannot even say it reached a million ringgit,” said Khalid, who used provisions under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) to declassify the files.
He said the documents would show “a pattern” in the way the slew of joint-venture projects were awarded, to the same people, in different companies.
Some of these were farmed out to dormant companies, which he noted did not have either the skills or expertise to carry out reforestation.
“There is no justification for why these people were chosen and there were no tenders,” said Khalid, whose Pakatan Rakyat government swept out Dr Khir’s Barisan Nasional administration in Election 2008.
These lopsided projects, he added, amounts to a huge opportunity loss to tax-payers in the state.
“Selangor would have been better off not destroying the forest,” Khalid said.
According to the documents, the four joint venture projects signed between 2001 and 2007 involved almost 11,000 hectares at the forest reserves in Bukit Tarek, Rantau Panjang, Sungai Jeloh and Bukit Belata.
The parcels of land were leased to the companies for between 50 and 60 years for projects including reforesting the areas with commercial trees, including teak, Sentang and rubber.
Despite early concerns that the deals were questionable, nothing was done to stop the ventures.
Notable politicians who were mentioned as directors of these companies, currently or at the time the deals were signed, includes former Agriculture Minister Tan Sri Sanusi Junid and Sementa assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rahman Palil, who was a Selangor executive councillor in Dr Khir’s administration.
Khalid added today’s revelation was intended to drive home the point that there was a need for a Freedom of Information law so political leaders will be more careful in their decision making.
“Transparency protects taxpayers from the misuse of power by leaders,” he said.
Minister of Human Resources and MIC Vice President Datuk Dr S Subramaniam stated very clearly today that the Malaysian Police Force would have to immediately review its policy since it has been widely established that our police force are judge, jury and executioners without serious looking at the plight of the people involved. The Police force need to realise that everyone in law is not guilty until the courts proves them otherwise and for the police force to take the laws into their own hands has created a bad image to the police force and to the ruling Barisan Nasional government, whom the rakyat things are just accomodating them.
It is sincerely hoped that the police force will review their procedures immediately so that public confidence on the police force could be restored.
The police force would have to follow the guidelines on Malaysian laws and ensure every citizen is given their right to plead their claim.
Do you think the police force will adhere to the advise of Datuk Dr S Subramaniam?
The statement by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will investigate the double-tracking rail project that has resulted in more than RM1 billion losses, as reported by Malaysian Insider “Nazri confirms MACC to probe double-tracking project” yesterday, is intriguing and perplexing.
The Malaysian Insider reported:
The MACC investigations come after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) announced last week it wanted to probe the RM6 billion double-tracking project when the Auditor-General’s Report said poor project management led to the losses.
“MACC will investigate PAC‘s minutes. PAC is the parliament’s committee so certainly … As I have said, MACC has informed me that they will investigate based on the allegations made by the PAC so there will be no dispute so don’t worry,” the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department told reporters in Parliament.
Nazri said that the MACC had assured him that they would pursue the PAC’s recommendations.
“The fact that it was tabled in the Parliament and there is no debate about it because the PAC is a extension of the Parliament and their decision is our decision,” he added.
MACC cannot possibly be probing the double-tracking rail project based on PAC proceedings as the PAC has yet to start investigation into the RM1.43 billion escalation of the Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking contract and there is neither any PAC meeting nor PAC minutes on it.
What is this phantom PAC proceeding on the Rawang-Ipoh double tracking project that Nazri and MACC are talking about?
Former Transport Minister, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy had mentioned that the double-tracking project was “three times the size” of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) when he appeared before the PAC on PAC probe into the RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal.
As Chan had told the PAC: “No, it is not the biggest (project under the Ministry of Transport). Double-tracking project is much bigger. It is 12 almost 13 billion? It is three times the size of this project (PKFZ).”
Is this tangential reference by Chan in his testimony about the double-tracking project before the PAC sufficient to found a MACC investigation purportedly based on the PAC minutes?
In any event, why is it necessary for the MACC to wait and depend on the PAC minutes and recommendations to initiate anti-corruption investigations?
Or was Nazri actually referring to the calls by UMNO MPs for MACC investigation into the current Transport Minister and MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for purchasing four 20-year-old diesel multiple unit (DMUs) trains at RM30 million for the Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking route?
SOMETHING feels horribly amiss in the government's recent declaration that lawyer VK Lingam won't be charged for his role in brokering the appointment of top judges.
The government's focus on whether to charge Lingam or not feels like a red herring. After all, the Royal Commission of Inquiry clearly found ethical and criminal misbehaviour by some of Malaysia's top judges, businesspeople and politicians.
While it is certainly legitimate to press for Lingam's prosecution, looking at the big picture, he is just another individual who tried to influence the judicial appointment process.
The more important issue is this: Lingam succeeded.
Hence, the question the government should ask is this — how could the judicial appointment process be so corrupted that a few individuals could determine the appointments of judges?
Instead of harping on the identity of mysterious key witnesses, shouldn't the focus be on assessing how one of the pillars of government was so easily compromised? Or has the standard of accountability in Malaysia sunk so low that judges jockeying for promotions by hobnobbing with politicians and businesspeople aren't really worthy of scrutiny or comment?
Essential reading for those with ambitions to control the judiciary
Most importantly, who's focusing on making sure that this debacle never occurs again? Does the government believe that the setting up of a Judicial Appointments Commission is going to suddenly make all the dodgy wheeling and dealing within the judiciary go away? Or does it think that this miserable state of affairs was all due to one solitary lawyer with a phenomenal little black book?
Government insincerity
The government's response to this expose of judicial corruption seriously calls into question its sincerity in tackling corruption.
First, there's the assertion by the Attorney-General (AG)'s Chambers and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission that there's insufficient evidence and no specific law to even charge Lingam. This is despite a 191-page royal commission report specifically spelling out the serious misconduct on the part of Lingam, several judges and politicians and the laws that could be invoked to charge them. Other than Lingam, there wasn't even talk of whether anyone else would be charged.
Secondly, the tenor of the statements issued by government ministers in relation to this issue has been lukewarm at best and deliberately evasive, at worst.
In Parliament, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz was clearly trying to juggle away how Lingam's actions undermined judicial integrity and was "morally wrong", but was somehow legally right.
Even Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin weighed in. Muhyiddin defended the AG's conclusion of "no case" against Lingam, saying there was a strong basis for the conclusion and that the government stood by it.
These statements are not indicative of a government that says eliminating corruption is one of its Key Result Areas.
Najib Razak has not spoken up about the issueIf that was really the case, where are the indignant statements condemning the blatant attempts at interference within the judiciary? Where are the outraged remarks about declining judicial integrity? Where are the pledges to get to the bottom of the matter and make sure those responsible for corruption are charged? Where are the promises that there will be a systematic review of judicial structures to ensure that there can be no more future tampering of judicial appointments?
If indeed the government is so committed to tackling corruption, why hasn't Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak spoken up about this instead of letting his underlings do the talking?
A bad precedent
If no action is finally taken on those implicated in the Lingam video clip, it will set a bad precedent for the fight against corruption.
Trying an individual and finding him or her guilty of a crime does two things. It punishes the individual involved and acts as a deterrent for others thinking of committing the same crime.
The royal commission findings fingered high ranking individuals involved in improper conduct which the commission said could only have been "self-serving". That constitutes corruption.
Letting Lingam and his cohort, including in the judiciary, go scot-free sends a strong message that corruption is tolerated in this country, especially corruption among the powerful. Nabbing any number of Barisan Nasional (BN) or Pakatan Rakyat (PR) members of Parliament or aides won't be able to counter that. Neither will the setting up of special corruption courts, as proposed by the government, if the integrity of the judges who sit in those courts can so easily be called into question.
It is not possible that Lingam managed to inadvertently corrupt the highest-ranking judges in the country. Someone or more than someone must have been responsible for giving him access so that he could systematically work his way through the system. It's obviously not just about Lingam because he could not have acted alone without collusion from within political and judicial circles. In fact, he may be the least of the culprits.
Until those responsible for misbehaving and corrupting the judiciary's integrity are named by the government and held responsible for their actions, the damage done will not be repaired.
For certain, the government is smart enough to know this. Which is why its kid glove treatment over the whole affair raises questions: What is the government afraid of? Or more pertinently, whom, among themselves, are they trying to protect?
Updated: The permit for The Herald will be renewed, according to its editor after he emerged from a meeting this evening with government officials. He added that both sides agreed that the August letter still stands.
The plight of the Herald Catholic weekly newspaper in Malaysia must be a public relations nightmare for the Najib administration – as if it doesn’t have enough problems as it is.
If the government has really cancelled the permit (which it now reportedly denies), what does that say for the 1Malaysia concept and the government’s credibility internationally?
On the other hand, this development could have been the result of a bureaucratic bungle and confusion. In a letter in August, the government had turned down the application by the Church for an additional language – Kadazan-Dusun – to be included, but had otherwise approved the existing languages (Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil). The Church duly paid the annual publishing permit fee of RM800.
Later, the Ministry informed the Church that the “change of language” had not been approved and wanted to return the annual publishing permit fee. Why would it want to return the fee if it was not cancelling the permit?
I would imagine that the public relations folks – and even administration officials – must be scrambling behind the scenes to contain the negative publicity.
Meanwhile, Herald editor Fr Lawrence Andrew has been called for a meeting with government officials at 4.30pm.
I am hopeful that good sense will prevail and the Herald will continue to be published despite the numerous hurdles in its path.
Can’t say I am surprised to see this in the Borneo Post. I am also not surprised that the alleged victims were relucant to provide statements.
Penan rape case closed: Deputy IGP By Gary Adit
Nation’s No. 2 cop says police have done all they can and probe over
KUCHING: The police have done all they can to investigate the recent allegations of rapes of Penan women and though no one has been prosecuted, they now consider the issue over.Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, who said this, pointed out that the police had thoroughly investigated every reported case to separate genuine cases from those that had been sensationalised.
Speaking at a press conference following the official opening ceremony of the General Operations Force (GOF) headquarters in Batu Kawah yesterday, he said they did their best, including setting a task force to investigate the claims.
However, Ismail said there were cases which could not be investigated due to lack of evidence, or the reluctance of the alleged victims to provide statements to the police.
He pointed out that although the police had responded to the issue, there was simply not enough evidence from a law perspective to arrest or prosecute anyone in relation to the alleged incidents.
“We did not push it (the alleged rape issue) away nor did we try to hide anything. We were very open about the investigation and cooperated with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as federal agencies like Datuk Seri Sharizat Jalil’s (Women, Family and Community Development) to uncover the truth. There is no need to bring up this issue any more,” he stressed, in an apparent response to criticisms from some quarters that the police were slow in conducting their investigations.
The Deputy IGP said what was important now was for all parties to work together to make sure such incidents do not recur in the future.
“We (police) are also taking our own measures now, but we need the cooperation and obligation of everyone – families, friends, and the community as a whole – to prevent such acts from happening again in the future,” he said.
The allegations of rape or sexual abuse of Penan women surfaced in September 2008 following a media release by Swiss-based Bruno Manser Foundation.
They claimed that workers from two timber companies were sexually exploiting women in various settlements in the Middle Baram area within the companies’ operation areas.
Consequently, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development set up a task force to look into the claims and its report was released in September.
It caused a national outcry and was taken by some quarters as a confirmation of the claims although no one had come forward to point out the alleged rapists.
Last month, federal CID director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin revealed that the police had not been able to complete its investigations because those who made the allegations had not given their cooperation and this, in turn, had raised doubts as to the truth of their claims.
“The people cannot blame us for that because if you really want the cases to be completed then give us information, even the non-governmental organisations who initially brought the issue to the public have given us zero cooperation,” he told reporters in Bintulu then.
He also revealed that the police had investigated 14 cases in nine settlements in Ulu Baram, but that only four cases involved the Penans.
One person was subsequently charged in connection with one case, but the other three cases had no witnesses to enable the police to take legal action.
BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA MENYIASAT SEGERA TERHADAP MOHD HASSAN, MENTERI BESAR NEGERI SEMBILAN YANG MENGIRIM DANA SEBANYAK RM 10 JUTA KE LUAR NEGARA
Pada 26 Okt 2009, Bank Negara Malaysia telah mengumumkan pembatalan sebanyak 20 lesen perniagaan pengurupan wang di bawah Akta Pengurupan Wang 1998. Bank Negara tidak memberi alasan dan sebab pembatalan lesen-lesen yang dinyatakan.
Antara bukti-bukti diperolehi BNM, didapati maklumat yang menunjukkan Datuk Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hassan, Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan melalui Salamath Ali Money Changer Sdn Bhd (salah satu lesen perniagaan pengurupan wang yang dibatalkan) telah mengirim sejumlah wang yang bernilai RM10 juta ke London pada tahun 2008.
Kegiatan ini telah melanggar Akta Pengurupan Wang 1998 antaranya,
Seksyen 30(1)(b), “… perbuatan yang melibatkan, yang berkaitan dengan, atau sebagai persediaan bagi, pengiriman atau pemindahan dana ke luar Malaysia…” dan;
Seksyen 35(b), “memberikan apa-apa maklumat yang palsu dalam sesuatu butir material bagi mana-mana Akta ini”.
Persoalannya, adakah MB Datuk Seri Mohd Hassan bersedia menjelaskan sama ada transaksi ini dijalankan melalui saluran sah mengikut Undang-undang Malaysia? Bolehkah beliau secara telus menerangkan dari mana datangnya dana sebanyak RM10 juta dan apakah tujuan transaksi tersebut?
Saya menyeru kepada Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz menyiasat segera terhadap Salamath Ali Money Changer Sdn Bhd serta mengumumkan siapa penerima dan pengirim yang berkaitan serta tujuan transaksi yang dijalankan.
Saya turut menyeru Suruhanjaya Pencegah Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) menyiasat segera terhadap punca-punca dana sebanyak RM 10 juta yang dikirim oleh Mohd Hassan dan penerima transaksi yangditujukan.
Dari maklumat yang saya perolehi, terdapat banyak tokoh-tokoh pernigaan serta ahli-ahli politik sering mengguna langkah ini mengirim dana ke luar negara. Saya percaya dana sedemikian datang dari punca-punca yang melanggar undang-undang.
Perniagaan pengurupan wang merupakan bidang perniagaan yang multi-billion. Berikut merupakan statistik yang diperolehi daripada BNM
Jumlah Kes yang disiasat oleh Bank Negara Malaysia yang disyaki melanggar seksyen 30 adalah seperti berikut:
Tahun No. Kes
2006 3
2007 7
2008 12
2009 92
Jumlah 144
Pada tahun 2009, telah berlaku 92 kes yang melanggar seksyen 30 dalam Akta tersebut. Perkembangan ini (pada tahun 2008, 12 kes telah meningkatkan kepada 92 kes pada tahun 2009) adalah satu fenomena yang membimbangkan. Ini menunjukkan bahawa pengiriman wang secara haram makin tidak terkawal.
Manakala maklumat yang ada mendedahkan bahwa BNM mengenakan tindakan terhadap hanya satu pengirim dana yang melanggar Seksyen 30 Akta Pengurupan Wang 1998. Pengurupan wang ini telah dikompaun sebanyak RM50,000.00 pada tahun 2006.
Saya ingin tahu kenapa BNM tidak menyiasat kes-kes yang lain dan tiada sebarang perkembangan dalam siasatan semua ini. Saya harap Gabenor BNM menjelaskan perkara ini.
Akhir sekali, saya menegaskan sekali lagi BNM dan SPRM harus ambil tindakan undang-undang yang tegas untuk melindung kedudukan ekonomi negara kita daripada korupsi dan kegiatan jenayah. Hanya siasatan yang adil dan telus dapat mengembalikan keyakinan awam terhadap institusi-institusi pentabiran negara.
Saya dan Azizah ke Bangsar menziarah sahabat Father OC Lim yang sedang pulih kesihatannya setelah pembedahan jantung. Beliau merupakan paderi yang tegas memperjuangkan hak asasi dan keadilan. Malah semasa saya merengkok di penjara, beliau sering mendoakan kesejahteraan saya dan moga segera dibebaskan dari cengkaman kezaliman.
Ada secebis kisah menyayat hati tatkala beliau masuk ke kamar bedah IJN. Adik perempuannya menanyakan samada tanda salib boleh diletakkan di samping adiknya. Doktor Muslim tersebut membenarkan dengan syarat dimasukkan dalam sampul plastik yg disediakan. Namun sebelum dimasukkan bius (anestatik), doktor membisikkan ke telinga Father OC Lim, “biasanya bagi pesakit Muslim, saya bacakan Al Quran; dan saudara seorang Nasrani, sila beritahu bahagian mana dari kitab Injil yang harus saya bacakan?”
Father OC menjawab sayu,”dari Psalm 23.”
Maka segera dibacakan doktor peringatan Tuhan agar tidak gentar dan meyakini kudrat Tuhan. Pesakit khusyuk dan tenang sehinggalah sedarkan diri 4 hari kemudiannya.
Kami mendoakan semoga beliau segera sembuh, berjuang sambil mencatat pengalamannya.
The Bar Council must pay RM70,000 in costs to lawyer VK Lingam in connection with the decision to set up a tribunal to investigate a complaint against him over an alleged vacation to New Zealand with former chief justice Mohd Eusoff Chin in 1994.
The quantum was awarded to Lingam, following the Federal Court’s refusal of the Bar Council’s appeal over the Advocates & Solicitors’ Disciplinary Board’s decision to set up a tribunal after Lingam failed to reply to the Bar’s complaint over the New Zealand holiday trip.
Wah, is Malaysia trying to win some sorta prize for unbelievability? FML.
SHAH ALAM, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Reforestation projects, touted by the previous Selangor government to yield RM800 million in revenue in 20 years through land taxation, premium, royalty and logging, did not even contribute RM1 million to the state coffers, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said on Friday.
He said the projects, initiated by former Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, during his tenure, were meant to "balance physical development with the environment" in Selangor, the country's most developed state.
He said the reforestation projects, involved a total of 11,000 hectares of land in Bukit Tarek in Hulu Langat, Rantau Panjang in Hulu Selangor, Sungai Jeloh and Bukit Belata, beginning from 2001 to 2007.
"Khir had said in 2001 that the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) was expected to get RM800 million in revenue from the projects in 20 years through land taxation, premium and royalty as well as income from logging.
"Selangor would have been better off not destroying the forest," he told a press conference at the State Secretariat building near here.
This secret document entitled "The Story Behind the Reforestation for Commercial Purposes in Selangor: A Revealation by the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat" would be the second set of "secret" documents that was declassified by Khalid in accordance with Section 2c of the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
On Wednesday, the Selangor government released the first set of "secret" documents -- the controversial "Green Revolution Plan and "Bandar Alam Perdana: Lost Lands and Houses".
Khalid also said that a list of companies involved in all the projects would be attached with the documents.
"The public can find out what had happened, who got the projects and how the Selangor government earned from the projects from the documents," he said.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The People's Progressive Party (PPP) wants Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk T. Murugiah to refrain from making statements pertaining to the party as he is no longer a member.
PPP information chief A. Chandrakumanan said today that the Registrar of Societies had confirmed Murugiah's dismissal from the party and declared the extraordinary general meeting which he convened, as invalid.
In relation to this, he said there was no need for the deputy minister to issue statements regarding the party as it only confused party members and the public, apart from damaging the image of the party which is a component of the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Chandrakumanan wanted the BN leadership to act against Murugiah if he continued making statements on the PPP.
SHAH ALAM, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Selangor state executive councillor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali on Friday denied ordering the State Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to arrest former Perlis Mufti Dr Asri Zainul Abidin for giving a religious talk without authorisation on Nov 1.
The state Islamic Affairs, Malay Customs, Infrastructure and Public Amenities Committee chairman also clarified that the palace, Menteri Besar's Office and other state exco members were not involved.
"The 'invisible hand' claimed by Asri to be behind his arrest, is actually the Selangor Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2003 and Certification Regulation 2008 (which he had contravened)," he said during the winding-up of the debate on the Selangor 2010 Budget at the state assembly sitting, here.
Earlier, Hulu Klang assemblyman Saari Sungib claimed the existence of the invisible hand in the case of Asri's arrest while giving a religious talk at a bungalow in Taman Seri Ukay, Hulu Klang on Nov 1.
Hasan said Jais enforcement officers carried no weapon when arresting Asri and it was done in a courteous manner.
He said the Jais officers were forced to seek the assistance of 20 policemen to face any eventuality as there were about 100 people at the talk who were uncooperative.
On Asri's claim that he was treated like a terrorist or criminal, Hasan said it was not true as he was not handcuffed but was only accompanied to the police station.
Hasan admitted that the certification regulation "mentions that ulama and mufti can be exempted from the stipulated condition, but the word 'can' is subjective and depends on the certification committee".
KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said his position was not affected although certain quarters had portrayed otherwise.
He said the grassroots and party leaders, including spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's support for him was still strong.
Abdul Hadi said although he had differences of opinions with Nik Abdul Aziz, they had been resolved.
"We are very close as we stick through thick and thin. Although we have differences of opinions, we stand united. It gets better when he (Nik Abdul Aziz) accepted the resolutions passed at a PAS seminar recently," he told reporters here on Friday.
Nik Abdul Aziz had asked PAS to convene an extraordinary general meeting to allow delegates to decide on the position of certain leaders regarded as problematic, including those seen as pro-Umno.
Instead, a political seminar was held on Nov 7 to address the issue.
On bai'ah (pledge) of loyalty to the party, Abdul Hadi said it was not against Islam.
"Bai'ah 'talak tiga' (three counts of utterances to divorce the wife) is not a policy or concept in PAS." he said.
You trust this guy?A lot of people seemed excited about the re-appearance of P. Balasubramaniam (pic from the Star) in a 88-sec video clip shown in RPK's Malaysia Today. In the clip, Bala claimed to have been offered a RM5 million bribe by a person called Deepak. And Bala now wants us to trust him when he said that the first Statutory Declaration was true, not the second one.
You trust him? I don't. This was the guy whose own assistant was spending nights with Altantuya and her friends at their hotel instead of keeping them under surveillance. He didn't know if Altantuya "was susceptible to anal intercourse" but still included it in his first SD [see para 25.2 of first SD posted on Anwar Ibrahim's blog h e r e].
sumber gambar klik sini Kata 1 Malaysia tetapi undang - undang berbeza.....
Gambar dibawah ialah bagaimana TPM menunjukkan contoh tidak baik iaitu menaiki motorsikal dengan tidak memakai helmet.
Masih ingat lagi sebuah filem box office yang dilakukan penyanyi terkenal dipotong adegan bermotorsikal oleh pihak pemotong dan penapis filem hanya kerana watak utama dalam filem tersebut menaiki motorsikal tetapi tidak memakai helmet kononya jangan beri contoh tak baik pada orang ramai..... tetapi kali ini semua akhbar utama siarkan pula gambar TPm tak pakai helmet.....
kedua tak ada ke polis dio kawasan itu yang nak tangkap dan saman kerana kesalahan undang - undang jalanraya.....
haha.... lepas nie ada tak anak muda berani buat report polis ke atas TPM kerana salah langgar undang - undang..... hahaha ...
kalau makcik pergi kedai naik motor tanpa helmet disaman tetapi ini...? Atau apakah pemakaian topi keledar hanya di kuatkuasakan secara berpilih-pilih!
The surging price of gold has done little to dent India's appetite for the precious metal or dim its lustre in their eyes.
India is the world's largest private gold consumer, accounting for about 20 per cent of global demand.
India's cultural affinity for gold is legendary.
Indian brides are traditionally bedecked in heavy gold jewellery - seen as a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and also security.
It is estimated that two-thirds of the gold consumption is related to Indian weddings
With around 10 million marriages a year in the country of 1.1 billion people, wedding-related demand is huge, especially during the nuptial season between October and January, April and May.
But this wedding season, gold prices are at an all-time high, forcing many people to cut back on their purchases.
The rise in the price of gold is a reflection of the loss of confidence in foreign currencies, especially the strength of the US dollar.
However, prices have been boosted by India purchasing 200 tonnes of gold from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Al Jazeera's Prerna Suri reports from New Delhi, on the impact volatile prices are having on India's long love of gold.
NASA calls discovery of water on the moon "a new chapter."
(CNN) -- NASA said Friday it had discovered water on the moon, opening "a new chapter" that could allow for the development of a lunar space station.
The discovery was announced by project scientist Anthony Colaprete at a midday news conference. "Indeed, yes, we found water," he said.
The find is based on preliminary data collected when the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, intentionally crashed October 9 into the permanently shadowed region of Cabeus crater near the moon's south pole.
After the satellite struck, a rocket flew through the debris cloud, measuring the amount of water and providing a host of other data, Colaprete said.
The project team concentrated on data from the satellite's spectrometers, which provide the best information about the presence of water, Colaprete said. A spectrometer helps identify the composition of materials by examining light they emit or absorb.
Although the goal of the $79 million mission was to determine whether there is water on the moon, discoveries in other areas are expected as studies progress, Colaprete and other scientists said at the briefing at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field near San Francisco, California.
"The discovery opens a new chapter in our understanding of the moon," the space agency said in a written statement shortly after the briefing began.
Michael Wargo, chief lunar scientist at NASA headquarters in Washington, said the latest discovery also could unlock the mysteries of the solar system.
He listed several options as sources for the water, including solar winds, comets, giant molecular clouds or even the moon itself through some kind of internal activity. The Earth also may have a role, Wargo said.
"If the water that was formed or deposited is billions of years old, these polar cold traps could hold a key to the history and evolution of the solar system, much as an ice core sample taken on Earth reveals ancient data," NASA said in its statement.
"In addition, water and other compounds represent potential resources that could sustain future lunar exploration."
NASA calls discovery of water on the moon "a new chapter."
(CNN) -- NASA said Friday it had discovered water on the moon, opening "a new chapter" that could allow for the development of a lunar space station.
The discovery was announced by project scientist Anthony Colaprete at a midday news conference. "Indeed, yes, we found water," he said.
The find is based on preliminary data collected when the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, intentionally crashed October 9 into the permanently shadowed region of Cabeus crater near the moon's south pole.
After the satellite struck, a rocket flew through the debris cloud, measuring the amount of water and providing a host of other data, Colaprete said.
The project team concentrated on data from the satellite's spectrometers, which provide the best information about the presence of water, Colaprete said. A spectrometer helps identify the composition of materials by examining light they emit or absorb.
Although the goal of the $79 million mission was to determine whether there is water on the moon, discoveries in other areas are expected as studies progress, Colaprete and other scientists said at the briefing at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field near San Francisco, California.
"The discovery opens a new chapter in our understanding of the moon," the space agency said in a written statement shortly after the briefing began.
Michael Wargo, chief lunar scientist at NASA headquarters in Washington, said the latest discovery also could unlock the mysteries of the solar system.
He listed several options as sources for the water, including solar winds, comets, giant molecular clouds or even the moon itself through some kind of internal activity. The Earth also may have a role, Wargo said.
"If the water that was formed or deposited is billions of years old, these polar cold traps could hold a key to the history and evolution of the solar system, much as an ice core sample taken on Earth reveals ancient data," NASA said in its statement.
"In addition, water and other compounds represent potential resources that could sustain future lunar exploration."
I have no choice but to write about Indian again as some commenter’s on my facebook feels why arising issues about one community rather then as a Malaysian. Well, they too Malaysian, unfortunately “Shoot and Kill” on the spot and brutal killing while under custody happens primarily to a particular group in Malaysia.
Today, one of my oral parliamentary question happen to be related to Indian youth , i.e:
Tuan Manikavasagam A/L Sundaram [ Kapar ] minta MENTERI BELIA DAN SUKAN menyatakan :-
(a) apakah langkah-langkah yang telah diambil untuk memastikan lebih ramai belia terutamanya belia dari masyarakat India untuk mengambil bahagian dalam program-program Kementerian; dan
(b) berikan pecahan mengikut kaum bagi tahun 2006-2009 peserta yang mengambil bahagian dalam program anjuran Kementerian dan jumlah perbelanjaan.
and asked additional question to the Deputy Minister as below :
Terima Kasih Yang Di Pertua and Yang Berhormat Timbalan Menteri. Seperti mana sedia maklum masyarakat India menduduki tangga teratas dalam kegiatan Jenayah Jalanan (atau street Criminal) dan sering menjadi Mangsa Tembakan Hantu oleh pihak Polis, sebagaimana terjadi di Kapar baru ini dengan 3 orang adik-beradik dari sekeluarga menjadi Mangsa bersama-sama dua orang rakan mereka.
Kalau terlepas Tembakan pun golongan ini akan merengukdi Penjara mengakibatkan masa depan mereka gelap selama-lamanya . Manakala, golongan penghisap najis Dadah yang lebih berbisa serta mengakibatkan kerugian ekonomi lebih serius diberi peluang untuk kembali kepangkuan masyarakat melalui pelbagai rawatan serta latihan kemahiran diri.
Soalan saya ialah kenapakan Kementerian tidak memberi penekanan kepada mereka yang terlibat dalam kegiatan jenayah jalanan terutamanya belia-belia peluang untuk memperbetulkan diri mereka serta latihan-latihan kemahiran diri sama seperti penagih-penagih dadah.
Unfortunately, just minutes after that received a call informing that Sister of Surendran a victim of recent police shootout incident Susheela drank paraquat whom feed her children the same after mixing some sugar on it.
The doctor treating Susheela and her children believe her chance survive is very slim as paraquat kills slowly. Whom to blame? The Police, the community or the politicians.
First , it the Politicians whom failed to develop proper social micro uplifting plan especially when Rubber/oil palm plantations earmarked for development. The poor’s whom woke up as early as 4am in morning and earns about RM200 per month suddenly found their so called ‘home” no longer secured and simply thrown out into urban slum. .No basic education, lack of government job opportunities, private employers too prefer other Malaysian in meeting rules and regulations, even place to lie down. How do they survive, gangsterism the only option as some politicians need them to create tense when necessary.
Second , the police whom most eager to meet their annual quota so that their statistical figure shows full colour. Street criminals whom majority are Indians as they have no income to feed their loved ones become their victim.No one, will voice out as it’s Indians whom was shot dead as Malaysian trust news reports by the main stream media.They fired towards us first so to protect we counter fire, the same old story to continue for centuries to come probably.
Now we need to blame the community, whom continue to pour oil into burning fire. That’s the case of Susheela and her children from Seremban. Despite, my advise to the father of late Surendran we shall find legal avenue against the police after their family complete all religious matters, traumatize Susheela attempt to find truth from her late brother.
No doubt there was one criminal among them whom become more violent after punishment.
If Susheela and her children dies, that means Malaysia has failed. Join me to pray to the almight requesting HIS blessing to grace Susheela and her children return to their normal live.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — Missing private investigator P. Balasubramaniam has claimed in a video clip that he was offered RM5 million to retract his statutory declaration that linked Datuk Seri Najib Razak to murdered Mongolian model Altantuya Shaaribuu, reigniting allegations that the prime minister has vehemently denied.
Balasubramaniam's claims were aired in an undated 88-second video clip today hosted by the Malaysia-Today.net website whose main contributor is the fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin. The first statutory declaration (SD) was also put up with the video clip.
"Deepak actually came to see me because he want me to retract my first SD... After that he offered me RM5 million for me to retract the SD," Balasubramaniam said in the video clip, referring to a person whom Raja Petra says is linked to Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
Balasubramaniam, a former police officer, disappeared with his family on July 4, 2008 after making a second SD that overturned the first declaration. His location remains unknown until now.
The Malaysia-Today.net website said there will be more video clips featuring the Balasubramaniam interview. In the first part, the private investigator also claimed he was asked to go to Putrajaya to meet certain individuals over his SD.
"He was asking me to go to Putrajaya with him but he never mentioned whom he wanted me to meet in Putrajaya," Balasubramaniam said, referring to the country's administrative capital.
July 3, 2008 file photo of Balasubramaniam at a news conference in Petaling Jaya. He disappeared with his family the next day. — Reuters pic
Balasubramaniam's two SDs had rocked the murder trial of Altantuya, who was killed on Oct 19, 2006. Three people, including political and defence strategist Abdul Razak Baginda, were arrested for plotting her death.
Abdul Razak, who admitted to an affair with the Mongolian model who also acted as an interpreter, claimed he did not order her death but wanted the policemen to stop her from harassing or blackmailing him over their affair.
He was acquitted without his defence being called while the two policemen charged, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, were sentenced to the gallows for killing her.
Balasubramaniam was initially hired by Abdul Razak to keep watch over Altantuya's movements when she was in Kuala Lumpur to allegedly blackmail the political strategist, who is a known close associate of then Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib.
His first SD was announced in a press conference with opposition leaders on July 2, 2008 but a day later, he stunned the country when a different lawyer brandished a second SD that overturned the contents of the first declaration.
Balasubramaniam then went missing, according to his nephew who claims his uncle is now in an undisclosed location.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — The opposition bloc should name Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat to be chairman of the Pakatan Rakyat Malaysia to foil any further attempts by Umno to have “unity government” talks with PAS, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said today.
The maverick politician also wondered aloud why none of the three parties making up the Pakatan have mentioned the coalition except to clarify that he is the pro-tem chairman.
Writing in his blog today, Zaid also asked the coalition to review its ambitious plans to capture the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak and instead asked them to support local parties there.
He also confirmed The Malaysian Insider's report that the Pakatan Rakyat Malaysia submitted its registration on Nov 3.
"To make these efforts a success, we need 'sacrifices' from Anwar Ibrahim. Abdul Hadi Awang can also make a big contribution by asking Tok Guru Nik Aziz to be the leader or chairman of Pakatan Rakyat, just like Mahatma Gandhi was spiritual leader to the Congress Party," said Zaid, referring to the leaders of PKR and PAS who are seen as less popular than respected PAS spiritual leader.
He also said veteran DAP leader Lim Kit Siang could prove his "statesmanship" by agreeing to his suggestion and to be adviser for democratic and human rights affairs.
"In one stroke, this will silence any agenda for a 'unity government' with Umno," Zaid stressed.
The head of the Pakatan Common Policy Platform secretariat also asked for a review of the bloc's push to win Sabah and Sarawak.
"Political reality shows it is a heavy effort and we have seen negative reaction with the tussle for seats like in the 2008 general election.
"Political wisdom also shows its better for Pakatan to play its role by supporting parties that are in tune with it in Sabah and Sarawak," he said, adding that step would show respect to the locals and make them equal partners in the coalition.
"Isn't this more realistic?" he asked.
"Only a grand coalition like this can overcome the Barisan Nasional giant," Zaid said.
On the flip side, he said capturing Putrajaya would remain a daydream if the leaders of the three parties felt they were strong enough and wanted to continue using old ways such as electoral pacts to form the federal government.
Saying he hoped not to offend anyone, Zaid noted the important issue was to achieve change and it will not happen if the allies only prioritised their parties and positions.
"They are not change agents. This group only wants power for themselves.
"The people will see that this group is no different from Umno and Barisan Nasional leaders," said Zaid, who is noted for being blunt and outspoken.
Zaid is the pro-tem chairman of Pakatan Rakyat Malaysia. — File pic
He said they must make the same sacrifices that they demand from the people for reforms to happen.
"If the leaders are still stubborn, the people will punish us in the next general election," Zaid wrote.
He also noted it was the first time three major opposition parties in Malaysia united in a legal entity with a common logo and single political aim.
But Zaid lamented the joy for the historic moment has not been shared by leaders from PKR, DAP and PAS.
"There hasn't been an encouraging statement from the top leadership of the three parties. It is as if they don't want it made public," he said, noting the only statement made was to deny that he was the chairman of the coalition.
Zaid sarcastically thanked them for the clarification, saying Malaysians know that registering a group or party would require the name of sponsors or a pro-tem committee.
"Of course, it doesn't make sense for me to be leader to top leaders like Anwar Ibrahim, Abdul Hadi Awang and Lim Kit Siang.
"What the people want to hear but has yet to be told is the aim and hope of forming Pakatan Rakyat Malaysia as an alternative to Barisan Nasional," he said.
Zaid said explaining the substance was more important than the form of the organisation, adding that people want to know the aim, vision and joint strategies of Pakatan.
He noted the plans remained vague but Pakatan should work with like-minded individuals such as Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah as another "striker" to strengthen the pact.
"Ku Li might be a veteran but he has integrity and contemporary political views," he said, adding that the Gua Musang MP need not jump from Umno to still help Pakatan.
Zaid said the Kelantan prince could still be invited to speak at political ceramahs as his aims were similar — to eliminate corruption and move the country forward.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali today swiftly ended a brewing controversy over the “divorce oath” or bai'ah taken by Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad by calling it an isolated case.
Khalid had said last week he took the oath to divorce his wife should he quit the party after winning in the general election last year.
But Mustafa explained that all PAS candidates have to take an oath of loyalty before the state party leadership to show their commitment to the party and its Islamic struggle, but it does not include divorcing their wives.
Reading out the oath he took before Election 2008, Mustafa said all PAS candidates vowed to God that they will not “betray the party and Islam”.
“We do not separate politics from Islam, we are not only accountable to the people, but also to God,” he said at a press conference here.
He said it is a common practice among political parties in Malaysia to take action to prevent defections.
“Almost all political parties except for PAS demand that their candidates sign an undated letter addressed to the Speakers of Parliament or state assemblies, stating their intention to quit, and the letter will be used in the event of defection,” he said.
“But because PAS is an Islamic party, we have our own mechanism,” he added.
However, he admitted that the oath taken by the Shah Alam MP was different from the standard pledge drawn up by the party central leadership.
“Except for Selangor, the oath is slightly different and Khalid admitted he took a different oath. He did not elaborate, he said it is between him and the God,” Mustafa said.
He added that while the PAS central committee disagreed with the oath taken by Khalid, the party respected his choice and hoped that all candidates will use the standard oath.
“We look at it as his personal choice taken based on his belief,” said Mustafa.
He agreed to a suggestion that the divorce-linked oath is an insult to women.
On Tuesday, Khalid admitted that he was mistaken for his controversial statement that PAS candidates must pledge a loyalty oath or bai’ah to divorce their wives if they leave the party.
But, he added, his wife was honoured because the strength of their marriage could prevent him from being bribed.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will monitor personally the implementation of the first budget under his administration, namely the 2010 Budget which he tabled in Parliament on Oct 23.
He said the progress of the projects listed under the budget would be closely monitored by the Project Management Unit of the Finance Ministry with the support of the Implementation Coordination Unit to identify and resolve any “roadblocks delaying the completion of these projects”.
"I have also impressed upon the custodians of these initiatives the importance of maintaining proper communications between federal and state authorities to quickly resolve land issues or other issues concerning the state government," said Najib, who is also Finance Minister, in his blog www.1malaysia.com.my.
The 2010 Budget was Najib's maiden budget after taking his oath of office as the country’s sixth Prime Minister on April 3.
Najib said that to ensure the integrity of the implementation, all findings tabled by the Implementation Coordination Unit would be reported via the Economic Council.
"All these efforts are put in place so that the country remains on course to achieve its 2010 GDP (Gross Domestic Product) target.
"It is also in line with the government's commitment to deliver according to the People First, Performance Now concept," he said.
Najib said he had called for a meeting to discuss the budget implementation while attending the Asean Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand, just hours after the 2010 Budget presentation in Parliament.
"This decision is unprecedented. Usually the budget implementation is left up to the Ministry of Finance to execute and monitor.
"However, I believe that as the Prime Minister of all Malaysians, it is vital that I personally supervise the effectuation of the first budget under my administration," he said.
Najib said the main objective of the meeting was to study the implementation strategy for the 2010 Budget and to troubleshoot problem areas at the start.
Present at the meeting were all Cabinet ministers and representatives of the relevant agencies including the Securities Commission, the Governor of Bank Negara, as well as representatives from development corridors and regions, Telecom, Petronas and other major government-linked companies (GLCs).
"It was an arduous task to personally study each initiative, project by project, line by line, but I wanted to ensure all accountable parties are clear on the objectives and goals of each initiative, hence ensuring proper implementation," he said.
Najib also said he hoped that from the meeting there would be no doubt about his serious intention to see the goals of the 2010 Budget were achieved and the government delivery system improved for the long-term benefit of the people. — Bernama
This is the latest video from Youtube and Malaysiatoday, which clearly shows P. Balasubramaniam the missing private investigator speaking and claiming that he was offerred RM5 Million to keep quiet and retract the Statutory Declaration that was made in connection with the involvement of PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the Altantuya Shariibuu murder.
The following recent article caught my attention: “Universiti Malaysia Pahang has invested RM5 million in a state-of-the-art central laboratory that will focus on developmental research and industrial collaborations …. On financial grants for researchers, Prof Daing Nasir [Vice Chancellor] said they were entitled to a sum of up to RM40,000.” (The Star, 5 November 2009)
Whilst UMP is to be congratulated for having secured generous public funding, the article also raises a number of questions that are of interest to the public in view of the recent concerns raised by the Auditor General’s report focusing on irregularities in the procurement process and supply of equipment at illogically high prices.
These questions include:
What is the selection process used to determine investment in R & D in the country’s universities?
Is there a fully competitive, transparent and accountable process in determining which universities/individuals receive funding?
Who are involved in the selection process and how rigorous are the selection procedures at the university and individual researcher level?
How is the monitoring of the scientific and commercial outcomes and deliverables conducted?
What has been the return on investment in the R & D allocations to date?
Are there issues related to leakages, wastage or inefficiencies of the allocations?
Are reforms necessary in the way public funds are being disbursed for R & D in the universities?
Who has benefitted from massive R and D allocations?
These questions are applicable not only to the universities but also to all the privileged institutional recipients of public funds for R & D. If these questions are not asked and answered then the danger of such allocations becoming part of an unaccountable public gravy train rapidly going downhill is going to be very real, if it has not already happened. We know that closed non-competitive tenders have for a long time been the norm in the Government and that this has led to cronyism and corruption on a massive scale. Is this also the case with R & D allocations?
These questions are more urgent now in view of the substantial increase in public funding for R & D. With the quantum increase comes also an increase in the scope for possible abuse. The allocation provided to UMP of $5 million is just a miniscule part of the allocations provided in the past decade for R & D, much of which has gone to the public universities.
Budget for R&D (9th Malaysia Plan)
Area
Period (year)
Amount (RM)
Science & technology and innovation
2001-2010
8.59 billion
Public expenditure on R&D
2005
1.5 billion
IRPA programme
2005
837 million
Increased expenditure on biotechnology initiatives
Period (year)
Amount (RM)
2000-2005
574.4 million
2006-2010
2.02 billion
Note: It cannot be ascertained whether these figures overlap or not.
According to the 9th Malaysia Plan document, RM574.4 million was allocated between 2000-2005 solely for biotechnology initiatives with the allocation soaring to RM2.02 billion for 2006-2010 (Table 6-3, p.168). How much of this went into R and D specifically allocated to the public universities is not easy to work out. Other data in the 9th Plan document indicate that sectors other than biotechnology also received similarly generous support. Though it is not possible to compute the exact allocations provided to public universities on the basis of currently available data, there is some evidence that the sums are not small or inconsequential.
In the year 2005 alone, for example, public expenditure on R and D was estimated at RM1.5 billion (Table 12-1, p.264). At the same time, the Intensification of Research in Priority Areas (IRPA) programme funding mechanism approved RM837 million to fund 2,139 research projects (Table 12-2, p.265). Finally, it should be noted that the total development expenditure and allocation for science and technology and innovation for the period 2001-2010 amounted to RM8.59 billion! By way of comparison the sector budget for housing – a basic need in short supply for millions of poor Malaysians – was only RM17 billion for the same period.
Questions of how much funding allocation has gone to the public universities for R and D; the impact of these allocations; and related issues of possible leakages and inefficiencies are not the only ones that should receive scrutiny. The treatment meted out to the private higher educational system in the allocation of R & D funding also deserves re-examination.
Despite the role of the private higher education system in providing higher educational opportunities to a very large number of young Malaysians, it is a well known – though not widely discussed – fact that the private system is discriminated against in the higher education policies of the country.
Lack of support or discriminatory treatment of the private universities is manifested in many ways including in the array of unnecessary or unreasonable administrative requirements and processes, delays in government approval of courses, over stringent requirements relating to teaching permits, the accreditation process and other important areas.
One of the most important areas of policy discrimination is the lack of equitable access of the private universities to the public expenditure on R & D. Discrimination against private universities or bias in favour of the public universities takes the following forms.
Most selection committees for R and D funding are dominated by public sector officials, including representatives from the public universities
Private universities receive little or no support for the construction of research laboratories or other similar infrastructure such as that provided for public universities.
Academic staff from private universities are not available for the same generous public sector scholarships or leave time to undertake post-graduate studies.
This anomaly is found not only in the field of science and technology but also in the social sciences. For example, millions of dollars of public funds have been lavished on various special programmes and projects benefitting primarily researchers and staff of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Perhaps the most distressing development in this sorry state of affairs is that students in the private sector universities appear to be subject to the same discriminatory treatment that their lecturers and professors are subject to. Not only are these undergraduates not subsidized by public funds in the same way in which students in the public universities are in terms of tuition fees but they are also excluded from funds allocated for undergraduate research, etc. Such institutionalized discrimination going all the way down to the undergraduate level is deplorable and cannot be justified in any way.
We are fully cognizant that the development of the private higher education industry has not taken place solely due to altruistic reasons of wanting to spread knowledge or education. Nor are our educational entrepreneurs engaging in some kind of national or personal mission. The same may be said about the public higher education system even though its mission statement is more couched in the spin of serving national development objectives.
The owners of the private education industry in Malaysia are in the industry to generate profits for themselves and their shareholders. In the process of running a business and profit making, let us not forget that these entrepreneurs have taken enormous risks and also helped hundreds of thousands of young Malaysians who for various reasons were not able to find admission into the public universities. They are also responsible for attracting a growing number of international students to Malaysia; they pay taxes on their profits and they generate much needed income and jobs.
Level the playing field
At the same time as providing private educational institutions fair and equitable scope to expand, it is also necessary for our policy makers not to marginalize or discriminate against them especially in the vital area of R and D support and training.
It is not simply the interests of the owners of capital that will be served by fair government policies. Many tens of thousands of capable academic staff members and undergraduates of these institutions – some of them with higher research potential or capability when compared with their counterparts in the public universities will benefit – and when they benefit so too will the nation.
Most academic staff members from private universities already experience inferior service conditions compared to their counterparts from the public universities. These differences in job security, remuneration, leave and other career provisions could be made more bearable if they were provided equal opportunity to public funds for R and D. By way of example, it should be emphasized that many private universities elsewhere in the world routinely receive huge grants from Governments on the basis of competitive bidding.
A new policy that provides an even playing field for staff and researchers from public and private universities in R and D needs to be urgently implemented if the country is to fully harness and optimally utilize its higher level human resources.
This new policy needs to be based on principles of competence and performance. It should not be based on non-transparent politicized agendas of exclusion or whether the institution or individual is from the public or private sector higher education institution. When is this long overdue policy reform coming?
Note: This is the first of a two part commentary. The second will provide proposals for policy reform of R & D and private higher educational institutions.
IN 2006, then Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched on behalf of the prime minister a manual on gender budgeting in Malaysia. The manual was published a year earlier after the completion of a gender budgeting pilot project with five key ministries.
Gender budgeting seems to have dropped off the government radar
Since then however, gender budgeting seems to have dropped off the government radar. Budgets, previous and current, demonstrate no gender framework. Additionally, there seems to be a lack of political will, both within the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat, about the importance of gender budgeting.
Fair distribution
A 1998 Commonwealth Secretariat report on gender budgeting says that gender budgeting is about breaking down data. With the disaggregated data, analysis can be done to determine how the subsidies and resources stated in the budget are allocated to women as compared to men. In this way, a government's commitment to gender issues can be evaluated in terms of dollars and cents.
"The budget reflects the values of a country — who it values, whose work it values and who it rewards ... and who and what and whose work it doesn't," the Commonwealth report says.
At the same time, the Malaysian government manual adds that gender budget work does not mean having a separate budget for women or even separate budgets for women and men. "Instead, it looks at the impact of every part of the budget on women and men, girls and boys," the manual, published by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme, explains.
What gender budgeting?
According to the Malaysian report, the ministries of education, higher education, human resources, health, and rural and regional development were to implement gender-responsive budgeting from 2006 onwards.
However, obtaining information on the progress of gender sensitive budgeting and how it has influenced Budget 2010 proved to be challenging.
"I have no idea," said a Finance Ministry corporate communications official when asked about gender budgeting in the various ministries. "Call the budget management division."
Calls to the budget management division were also fruitless. Budget department officials were either away, claimed ignorance or referred the call to another official. Seven to eight calls later, an official agreed to respond. However a week later, he had still not done so.
The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry proved no different. When contacted by phone to comment on whether Budget 2010 was gender sensitive, the Women's Development Department director-general said she was in Sabah and was "busy". Although The Nut Graph was later informed that a response was being prepared, a week later, no response was forthcoming.
Khalid Ibrahim
Not PR's priority either
Gender sensitive budgeting also does not seem to be a focus for Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim seemed to be caught off guard when questioned about gender sensitive budgeting for Selangor at a recent PR forum about Budget 2010.
When asked whether he thought the federal government was committed to improving women's participation in the labour force and to achieving gender equality through the budget, Khalid responded: "I think if the economy moves towards a direction where it is based on high skills and services, gender inequality will become less."
Tony PuaThe two other forum participants, Petaling Jaya Utara Member of Parliament (MP) Tony Pua from the DAP and Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad from PAS did not respond to the questions.
Allocations too general
Budget 2010 does provide allocations for training in entrepreneurial skills for a mere 3,000 women. But women's rights advocate Rozana Isa argues additionally that as far as she can see, there was no gender analysis in Budget 2010 about the different ways that expenditure would affect men and women.
The Sisters in Islam Musawah coordinator says that Budget 2010's key result areas of crime, corruption, affordable education, standard of living and transport did not specify how it would assist women, especially those who are vulnerable.
"For example, for single mothers, a lot of them may not have gone into employment before and during marriage. When something happens, they are left to fend for themselves. How much is allocated to providing training, education and skills for them so they can be economically independent?" she asks.
Rozana says that even where an allocation was made, for example RM100 million for a corporate social responsibility fund for community services, it was hard to tell how much would benefit women.
"How is it targeted to help women? The community is very wide — [senior citizens], children, communities with disabilities. How will this fund be divided and disbursed, according to the states or the corporations? Among the 14 states, how much is that per state?"
Rozana also observes that although RM100 million could look like a lot of money, when divided between districts and communities, the portion actually allocated to women could be very small.
Zuraida Kamaruddin (file pic)
PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin agrees that Budget 2010 is not at all gender sensitive. "They talk about cross-cutting, that the budget for women is placed in all the other ministries. No doubt, but there is no specific plan. There is no monitoring on how much is allocated to women," she says in a phone interview.
Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng also released a press statement that gender provisions were missing in the budget. The DAP Wanita chief's statement, however, only made reference to more direct expenditure for women and did not touch on gender sensitive budgeting per se.
Gender insensitive
Rozana says that gender sensitive budgeting is not just about allocating money specifically for women but also on educating society about gender issues. "There should be an allocation for gender sensitisation programmes nationwide for the police, immigration, judges and [all the government training institutes]."
"At the end of the day, if women use public services like the hospital or the police, will the first person they meet have the sensitivity to understand what they've gone through and provide the support and services accordingly? If she's been beaten up [at home], what do they need to do to help? If they are not gender sensitive, they might not have empathy for the woman."
Zuraida notes that Malaysia has been slipping in the rankings of the World Economic Forum's global gender gap report. Out of over 130 countries, Malaysia ranked 92nd in 2006. Since then however, it has progressively slipped to the 96th, 99th and 101st position every year after.
"This shows that there's no political will to monitor or keep a close watch on this," Zuraida says. Truth is, she is likely to be right.
Pada hari Jumaat, 13 November 2009, kita akan mengorak langkah yang sepatutnya kita ambil lama dahulu. Pada hari tersebut, Kempen PerlembagaanKu / MyConstitution akan dilancarkan pada pukul 3.00 petang, di Oditorium Majlis Peguam.
Ramai yang bertanya, apakah sebab Jawatankuasa Undang-Undang Perlembagaan, di bawah naungan Majlis Peguam, mengambil inisiatif ini? Sebenarnya Jawatankuasa ini baru ditubuhkan pada awal tahun 2009 sebagai reaksi kepada isu-isu perlembagaan yang timbul sejak beberapa tahun yang lepas. Lebih-lebih lagi selepas pilihanraya umum yang ke-12, rakyat Malaysia semakin ingin tahu tentang hak-hak mereka yang terkandung di dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan (“Perlembagaan”).
Mungkin ada yang berpendapat bahawa Perlembagaan itu banyak kelemahannya. Mungkin ada yang mempunyai pandangan bahawa Perlembagaan itu hanyalah bayang-bayang lesu Perlembagaan yang asal yang dirangka beberapa dekad dahulu. Saya sendiri merasakan bahawa Perlembagaan itu sememangnya boleh diperbaiki. Banyak peruntukan yang terkandung di dalamnya mungkin harus dipinda. Tetapi kita juga harus ingat, undang-undang buatan manusia tiada yang sempurna. Perlembagaan itu seharusnya menjadi dokumen yang ‘hidup’ dan mencerminkan aspirasi rakyat mengikut aliran masa.
Namun sebelum kita boleh berhujah mengenai bagaimana kita boleh menjadikan Perlembagaan itu lebih baik, kita sendiri harus kenalinya dahulu. Mustahil untuk kita berwacana tentang Perlembagaan jika kita tidak tahu apa itu Perlembagaan.
Malangnya, apa yang rakyat tahu tentang Perlembagaan dibentuk oleh apa yang dilaporkan di media. Dan apa yang dilaporkan adalah pandangan-pandangan ahli politik dan juga pertubuhan-pertubuhan yang selalunya mempunyai kepentingan sendiri. Maka maklumat yang diterima oleh rakyat, oleh kerana disalurkan daripada pihak-pihak yang berkepentingan, menjadi tidak tepat, berat sebelah dan kadangkala palsu!
Ini semua berlaku kerana tahap kesedaran kita tentang Perlembagaan masih di tahap yang tidak memuaskan. Kita, sebagai rakyat Malaysia, masih tidak melihat Perlembagaan itu secara menyeluruh. Apa yang kita tahu hanyalah peruntukan-peruntukan tertentu dan yang selalu mengundang kontroversi. Pandangan kita tentang apa itu Perlembagaan bergantung pada apa yang kita fikir kita tahu dan apa yang disajikan kepada kita. Bagaikan cerita orang buta dengan gajah, jika kita umpamakan Perlembagaan itu sebagai gajah di dalam cerita, maka kita bagaikan orang buta yang membuat kesimpulan tentang Perlembagaan hanya berdasarkan dengan apa yang didedahkan kepada kita.
Kita semua dahagakan maklumat tentang Perlembagaan. Tetapi dokumen tersebut bukanlah dokumen yang mudah untuk difahami. Seperti undang-undang yang lain, ia mengandungi perkataan-perkataan yang sukar dan konsep-konsep yang kompleks. Di kalangan para peguam sendiri, yang dikatakan sebagai ‘pakar’ undang-undang, ramai yang tidak mengetahui tentang peruntukan-peruntakan, bahagian-bahagian, perkara-perkara dan jadual-jadual yang terkandung di dalam dokumen tersebut. Apatah lagi rakyat di luar sana, yang sememangnya tidak mendapat pendidikan dalam bidang perundangan?
Apa yang kami ingin lakukan dengan kempen ini adalah membawa Perlembagaan itu kepada rakyat. Kami mahu rakyat mengenali Perlembagaan itu. Kami mahu rakyat faham tentang apa yang terkandung di dalamnya. Kami berharap, satu hari, kita semua akan menyanjungi dan menghormati Perlembagaan. Orang kata, kalau tak kenal maka tak cinta, maka bagaimanakah hendak kita sanjung dan hormat Perlembagaan jika kita tidak dekati ia?
Ramai juga yang bertanya, bagaimana pula dengan masalah interpretasi? Jika sesuatu perkara itu itu mempunyai interpretasi yang berbeza-beza, apakah interpretasi yang akan digunapakai oleh kempen ini?
Tujuan kempen ini bukanlah untuk memberitahu rakyat apakah interpretasi yang harus diterimapakai. Tidak adil jika kami mengatakan ‘nah, ini maksud baris itu, jangan dengar pandangan lain!’. Kita hanya mahu rakyat tahu apa yang terkandung di dalam Perlembagaan. Jika terdapat isu interpretasi, dengan adanya pengetahuan asas rakyat akan dapat membuat kesimpulan yang berpengetahuan. Dengan forum, debat dan kuliah “Bual-bual Perlembagaan”, salah satu daripada komponen kempen ini, kami juga berharap untuk membincangkan isu-isu tersebut di dalam suasana yang ilmiah. Forum “Bual-bual Perlembagaan: Apa itu Perlembagaan Persekutuan?” akan dilangsungkan sejurus selepas pelancaran kempen ini.
Secara peribadi, penglibatan saya di dalam kempen ini adalah satu keputusan yang saya ambil setelah saya tidak sanggup lagi duduk di kedai kopi atau di hadapan komputer dan mengeluh tentang apa yang sedang berlaku di negara kita. Saya mengambil keputusan untuk memberi sumbangan kepada perjuangan untuk menjadikan negara ini negara ini lebih baik. Apa gunanya hanya bersembang di kedai kopi atau menulis blog di internet, jika kita tidak bangun dari kerusi selesa kita dan menyalurkan usaha kepada sesuatu yang kita percaya?
Jadi saya nekad untuk menyumbangkan daya usaha saya kepada kempen ini. Saya mahu terlibat di dalam satu pergerakan yang bertujuan memartabatkan Perlembagaan, meletakkan ia di paksi yang sewajarnya sebagai undang-undang utama dan tertinggi di Malaysia.
Saya berharap begitu ramai lagi pendukung-pendukung Perlembagaan, yang telah berikrar untuk meluhurkannya, sama-sama terlibat di dalam pergerakan ini. Datanglah ke Oditorium Majlis Peguam. Penuhkan ia, sehinggakan kami terpaksa menyediakan kerusi-kerusi tambahan.
Jadikan Majlis Pelancaran Kempen PerlembagaanKu sebagai satu titik tolak perjuangan suci dan murni, supaya setiap seorang daripada 27 juta rakyat Malaysia akan menjadikan Perlembagaan itu hakmilik kita.
*Majlis Pelancaran Kempen PerlembagaanKu akan diadakan pada 13 November 2009, jam 3 petang, di Oditorium Majlis Peguam. Orang ramai dijemput hadir. Masuk adalah percuma.
They are not doing this with East- timor delegates but it is just piece of low class mentality that they want to show other. This country will appear as Pakistan , Sudan and Somalia one day.
By Neville Spykerman - The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will monitor personally the implementation of the first budget under his administration, namely the 2010 Budget which he tabled in Parliament on Oct 23.
oleh Syahredzan Johan