Copgate: Here’s what you must do, Phang tells cops

KUALA LUMPUR: Robert Phang, the philanthropist turned social activist, has drawn up a series of steps to help the government dispel the growing notion that it has something to hide in the affair that is now known as ‘copgate’.He said the reports made by former CCID director Ramli Yusuff against Attorney-General Gani Patail and former IGP Musa Hassan “that have now come into the public domain” must be investigated by the police without bias.

“The integrity of AG Abdul Gani Patail impacts on the whole system of justice in this country,” Phang said in a statement.He said the police must show they are indeed capable of conducting a probe without bias by putting together an investigative team that is totally independent of all that has transpired.
“Exclude CID director, Bakri Zinin, from this investigation. This is to protect Bakri from any allegations of being connected to AG Gani Patail,” said Phang.

Mr PM, let me tell you why we are worried: Cow-gate, Cop-gate, AG-gate and now Anak-gate

Prime Minister Najib Razak must lead the way, show true reforms and avoid cover-ups. The government’s objective of making crime reduction one of the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) is now showing results. According to the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2011 Report, Malaysia was ranked the safest country in the Asia Pacific Region.

All these are marked improvements of the image of the PDRM than when it was under the previous IGP, Musa Hassan. During Musa Hassan’s time, the PDRM was despised, the Along money-lending syndicate became a national menace and the crime rate was high especially street crimes. In short, Malaysians feel unsafe then. Some may say that was all in the past. But the past shapes the present and the future.

Police need to buck or fall behind

In that regard I feel compelled to remind the PDRM that the positive image now can slide back to what it was before. I feel compelled to remind PDRM that it must not be a law enforcement agency that is involved in cover-ups in protecting only the rich and powerful. As such, current CCID Director, Dato’ Syed Ismail Syed Azizan, must be commended for announcing that the police had recommended for prosecution action in the NFC “Cowgate” scandal. This had forced AG Gani Patail to finally charge Shahrizat Jalil’s husband, the Chairman of the NFC, for CBT.

 That unconventional announcement was a very brave and smart move by Syed Ismail so that there cannot be a cover-up for which the police will be made to take the blame. That really helped improve the image of the PDRM in the eyes of the Rakyat.

PM MUST SHOW TRUE REFORMS AND AVOID COVER UPS!

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation
27th March 2012
 
1. I am honored that during the 205th Police Day celebrations last Saturday, I was given the Friends of the Police Award 2012 presented by the Home Minister, Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. I am gratified that despite my criticisms of the Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM), the current leadership of YDH Tan Sri Ismail Omar still deems me fit to receive this award. This shows his resolve to reform the police force.

2. The government’s objective of making crime reduction one of the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) is now showing results. According to the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2011 Report, Malaysia was ranked the safest country in the Asia Pacific Region. All these are marked improvements of the image of the PDRM than when it was under the previous IGP, Musa Hassan. During Musa Hassan’s time, the PDRM was despised, the Along money-lending syndicate became a national menace and the crime rate was high especially street crimes. In short, Malaysians feel unsafe then. Some may say that was all in the past. But the past shapes the present and the future.

3. In that regard I feel compelled to remind the PDRM that the positive image now can slide back to what it was before. I feel compelled to remind PDRM that it must not be a law enforcement agency that is involved in cover-ups in protecting only the rich and powerful. As such, current CCID Director, Dato’ Syed Ismail Syed Azizan, must be commended for announcing that the police had recommended for prosecution action in the NFC “Cowgate” scandal. This had forced AG Gani Patail to finally charge Shahrizat Jalil’s husband, the Chairman of the NFC, for CBT. That unconventional announcement was a very brave and smart move by Syed Ismail so that there cannot be a cover-up for which the police will be made to take the blame. That really helped improve the image of the PDRM in the eyes of the Rakyat.

4. As a Friend of the Police, I call on the Rakyat not to misconstrue the statement made by the Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein about the revelations made by former CCID Director Dato Ramli Yusuff of the cover-ups, fixing-ups, fabrications and abuses of power by Musa Hassan and AG Gani Patail in what is now known as the “CopGate Affair”. What Minister Hishammuddin had really said was “Prove it, and we will take action. No one is above the law”. Thus, we must take that positively.

Listen to the people and close Lynas plant, says NGO

The government was today asked to close Lynas' RM700 million rare earths processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan, or face serious consequences in the form of another ‘Reformasi' campaign.

"If the government fails to heed to the wishes of the people, the odds would be against the Barisan Nasional. Another "Reformasi" campaign will emerge," Social Care Foundation chairperson Robert Phang said.

The people, Phang said, have given a very clear message that they do not want rare earths processed by the Lynas plant to endanger their health and deteriorate the environment.

The former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission adviser said a people-centred government would not pursue its interests that will cost the health of the citizens, as Malaysians were strongly opposed to the Lynas Adbanced Materials Plant (Lamp).

"Approving the Lynas project at all risks means arousing the suspicion of corruption in the project.

"Our prime minister used to say that we must change or be changed. Such a situation may materialise and we should be mindful of that," Phang added.

Nearly 15,000 people rallied in Kuantan last Sunday, after the Atomic Energy Licensing Board approved a temporary operations licence for Lamp.

Activists are concerned that the wastes produced by the plant, which will contain radioactive thorium and uranium, may leak and threaten the health of local residents.

Source : http://malaysiakini.com/news/190880

“GOVERNMENT” STOP THE LYNAS RARE EARTH PLANT – URGES TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG.

Tan Sri Datuk Robert Phang, chairman of Social Care Foundation, has urged the government to heed to the people’s wishes by turning down the construction of a rare earth plant in Malaysia by the Australian company Lynas Corporation Ltd to give the people the peace of mind.

He said the government should also withdraw the temporary operating license issued to Lynas to completely allay the people’s worries over the Lynas refinery.

Commenting on the nationwide objection against the Lynas rare earth project, Phang said the people had given a very clear message that they do not want the Lynas project as rare earth endangers their health, and definitely will deteriorate the overall environmental situation.

He stressed that the opposition towards Lynas was justified and reflected the people’s wishes. Hence, Prime Minister Dato’s Seri Najib Tun Razak should carefully weigh the serious implications of going against the people’s wishes.

He said that the odds would be against Barisan Nasional if the government failed to heed to the wishes of the people coupled with the fact that BN was expected to face severe challenges in the next general election.

Phang, who is also an executive council member of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation and a former member of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel, said “If the government approves the Lynas facility at all risks, it will inevitably arouse suspicion of corruption in the project.”

He pointed out that Australia had turned down the request by the Malaysian authority to ship the rare earth waste back to Australia for disposal. This, he said also showed that the Australians were wary of the obvious danger posed by rare earth.

“If the rare earth processed by Lynas is not toxic, it would require a different method of disposal. But toxicity is a subjective matter and should not be taken lightly.

“Australia is many time larger than Malaysia but how come it does not allow such a facility on its land？The reason is very obvious. As such Malaysia should not and cannot allow itself to be used by Australia as a toxic rare earth dumping ground.”

Phang said Malaysians would certainly reach a consensus to strongly oppose the Lynas plant in Malaysia. A people-centred government would not pursue its interest at the expense of the people’s health.

He said the strong objection expressed by Malaysians nationwide should not be overlooked and the government should listen to the people by putting an end to the controversy before the emergence of another “Reformasi” campaign.

He said Green 2.0 had sent a very clear and strong message and the government should not invite popular anger (by allowing the Lynas facility).

“Our Prime Minister used to say that we must change or be changed. Such a situation may materialise and we should be mindful of that,” he added.


“HUMBLENESS IS GOOD VIRTUE, ARROGANCE SHALL FALL, THE MEEK WILL RULE THE WORLD”.

Tan Sri Robert Phang urges VK Liew to heed PM's call

KUALA LUMPUR, February 29, 2012: Social activist Tan Sri Robert Phang has urged all senior politicians and government servants in the country to heed the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s instruction, to voluntarily declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Phang who is the Founder cum Chairman of Social Care Foundation, especially reminded Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri B. Abdul Aziz and the Deputy Minister Datuk VK Liew to adhere to such instruction.

He was obviously referring to Liew’s previous statement that, it is inappropriate for MACC to keep records of properties of ministers and deputy ministers. 

“If you still have much to hide, then quit.  Needless to say, VK Liew and other politicians should be reminded that they are elected by the people to serve in public office and their salaries come from law-abiding taxpayers.  Therefore they are accountable to the people at all times and can be made answerable to MACC when needed. People are their bosses,” he stressed.

He stressed this in a brief statement issued in Kuala Lumpur, while welcoming Najib’s instruction issued on Monday.

On Monday, Najib declared that the MACC is to have full access to the declaration of assets of all members of the federal administration, from ministers downwards, and their families.

The information, previously available only to the Prime Minister, will now be passed on to the commission in a continuing move towards greater government transparency.

This was following a recent suggestion by MACC advisory panel that it be given copies of the statutory declaration of assets of the members of the administration and their families.