Straight Talk 實話直說

Listen to the people and close Lynas plant, says NGO

2012-03-02T17:34:00.000+08:00

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.

2012-03-01T15:18:00.000+08:00

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

2012-03-01T13:09:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, February 29, 2012: Social activistTan Sri Robert Phang has urged all senior politicians and government servants inthe country to heed the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’sinstruction, to voluntarily declare their assets to the MalaysianAnti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

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

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

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

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

On Monday, Najib declared that the MACC is to havefull access to the declaration of assets of all members of the federaladministration, from ministers downwards, and their families.

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

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

DECLARE YOUR ASSETS TO MACC AS INSTRUCTED BY PM YAB DATUK SERI NAJIB TUN RAZAK

2012-02-29T10:58:00.001+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation
29th Feb 2012

I hail the decision by PM YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the 27th February 2012 that “MACC GETS RIGHT TO VIEW ASSETS DECLARATION OF TOP LEADERSHIP”.

It is therefore very clear that all Politicians and including government servants must declare their assets to MACC or MACC has the right to demand their declaration.

I wish to recapitulate, some so called Chinese leaders like Y.B. VK. Liew’s irrational stand, that it is inappropriate for MACC to keep records of properties of ministers and deputy ministers. PM YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s decision is loud and clear. May I remind YB VK Liew and YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri to adhere the instruction given by BN’s paramount leader PM YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

If you still have much to hide, then quit. Needless to say, YB 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.

Please follow PM YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s instruction.

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

Najib: MACC chief to gain full access to assets of ministers, deputies

2012-02-28T12:50:00.003+08:00

Dear Chief Commissioner MACC,

Congrats, you are gaining ground. MACC needs to move forward to achieve full Authority in Investigation / Prosecution.

This stage will soon surface. Otherwise , the common perception is, MACC - 100% under AG's Direction - not independent at all.

Move On.

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PUTRAJAYA, Feb 27 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) chief commissioner will have full access to information on assets owned by all members of the federal administration, the prime minister said today.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said all current ministers and deputy ministers had personally declared their assets to him via statutory declarations (SD).

“I agreed with the recommendation made by the advisory panel of the MACC that the chief commissioner be granted full access to documents on assets of any member of the administration,” he said today.

“I would like to explain that the Barisan Nasional government has practised the process of declaring assets earlier than anyone else.

“Every member of the administration is required to declare his/her as well as [the] family’s assets to the prime minister,” added Najib.

The MACC said last month that spouses and family members of Cabinet ministers may soon be required to declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to ensure integrity in the government, and that the PM had agreed to the recommendation “in principle.”

But de facto law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has spoken against such a move, saying that a declaration to the PM should suffice.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-macc-chief-to-gain-full-access-to-assets-of-ministers-deputies/

Yes, the AG must act to charge NFC directors

2012-02-28T12:38:00.005+08:00

COMMENT The director of Bukit Aman’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department Syed Ismail Syed Azizan is a brave man. Why?

Because he has said clearly and categorically that there is enough evidence to charge the directors of the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) with criminal breach of trust.

I like a brave Malaysian, especially if he or she is a civil servant. I believe that it’s only when civil servants show courage and integrity that the rakyat can hope to get justice and fair play in their dealings with the government.

Syed Ismail (left) knows that the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission - or any enforcement agency in the country for that matter - do not have the power to lay charges regardless of the evidence.

That is the prerogative of the attorney-general. Despite this, Syed Ismail has been willing to tell the people there is in fact enough evidence to charge someone.

This is an act of courage. It is not the action of someone with an ulterior motive, as has been suggested by the family involved in the NFC.

In my years at the Bar and in government, I often heard that “such-and-such a case was presented to the Attorney-General’s Office but no action was taken”.

No one knows the actual reason for this inaction - we are told only that under the constitution, the attorney-general has absolute discretion whether or not to charge someone.
So it is possible that, in many cases, enforcement agencies such as the police have recommended prosecution but the attorney-general has refused to pursue the case.

Crown prosecution services

Our practice is entirely different from that of other Commonwealth countries, where there are crown prosecution services consisting of lawyers who act independently of the attorney-general.

Their independence is based on the trust given to them that they will work in the public’s interest.

They work in close collaboration with the police, so when the police in the United Kingdom (for example) say that they have evidence, it would be unthinkable for anyone else, even the prime minister, to suggest that the attorney-general might decide differently.

On the other hand, our Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has made remarks that cast doubt on whether the family of Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (the Women, Family, and Community Development Minister) will ever be prosecuted. Najib has talked about the “absolute power” of the attorney-general, and not the police, to determine if the government will prefer a charge against Shahrizat’s family.

The past has shown that when political leaders speak like that, we know that no charge is forthcoming. It would indeed be disappointing if our “reformist” prime minister should prefer to pre-empt the attorney-general’s decision.

Najib should instead give full support and praise to the police for an investigation into a case involving at least one powerful politician. But somehow, Najib always seems to get the wrong end of the stick.

So to Syed Ismail, I don’t think you will ever become the inspector-general of police, but it may be a small comfort to know that your decision to make your investigation public sets a good precedent.

After this, we hope to hear more from the heads of investigating teams. We hope to see them declare their findings publicly. We can then see how far the prime minister will go to defend his attorney-general’s discretion.

Syed Ismail, I will shake your hand anywhere I see you. And there are thousands like me who will do the same.

ZAID IBRAHIM, a former law minister, is the Parti Kita president.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/190421

“Lim-Chua Debate a Waste of Time”

2012-02-21T13:27:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 FEBRUARY, 2012: The President of the Federation of Malaysia Peng Clan Association Tan Sri Robert Phang Miow Sin said that the debate between MCA president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng last Saturday was a waste of time.

Phang said that the debate diverted from its original topic and both speakers used the platform to repeat what they have already said previously.“Both of them aggravated from the main topic of the debate,” said Phang when contacted by Malaysian Digest today.Commenting further on the much-awaited debate, Phang said DAP has nothing to lose, contrasting the MCA which had to put everything into the debate to remain relevant to the rakyat.

“The debate should have been addressed by the MCA more accordingly. After the debate, the audiences and also the Chinese community all over Malaysia were left puzzled. Many Chinese are asking among themselves, ‘where do we go from this debate?’” said Phang.

Phang, who is also former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) panel, said Chua had failed to highlight the problems faced by the Chinese community and what MCA will do to apprehend their problems.

“Instead, Soi Lek kept on repeating things that he had said before this during the debate,” he said.
He opines that neither speaker emerged as the winner of any sort from the debate though both had succeeded in “insulting the intelligence of the Chinese”.

“The Chinese are well known for being quiet, but that doesn’t mean you can insult their intelligence just like what both of the speakers did during the debate.“Both of them have not emerged as winners. For me, the rakyat is the winner from the debate,” said Phang.

Phang also criticized the attitude of the MCA supporters during the debate which described as arrogant.
“MCA supporters showed no respect to the speaker (Lim),” said Phang.“They booed and jeered every time the speaker (Lim) was trying to talk. This is not good. It shows that they are arrogant,” Phang added.

Phang however said that, if there is going to be another round of debate, he hopes that the debate will bring a much better-defined topic.

Source :http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/40293-lim-chua-debate-a-waste-of-time.html

I Reproduce The Quote Of The Day

2012-02-20T18:20:00.002+08:00

"No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life and breeds ill will and suspicion –
it is an evil government". - Eric Hoffer,

The Passionate State of Mind 1954

God Bless.

ENCHANCING CRIME PREVENTION TO BUILD SAFER CITIES.

2012-02-15T17:27:00.003+08:00

I forward herewith my article on enhancing crime prevention to building safer cities, which I shared during my speech at the International Conference on Principled Policing on the 13th and 14th February 2012 at Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa.

A point to note, I wish to share a very famous Chinese philosophy - WHEN THE UPPER BEAM IS NOT PUT RIGHT, THE LOWER BEAM WILL NEVER BE RIGHT”. This is a golden rule to us all, more so the discipline forces. The new regime and leadership of PDRM must truly commit and show good example to move forward.

1. INTRODUCTION.

1.1.In every part of the world, today’s government are challenged by many and varied-responsibilities. In Malaysia, the government of PM Najib Razak is burdened not only with the tasks of just governing the country politically and economically. The government is also held responsible for preventing crime and fostering a sense of public safety.

1.2.Since the PDRM is the prime law enforcement agency, the incidents of crime is blamed on the PDRM. That is fully justified because of the PDRM is tasked with maintaining public safety and order under the Police Act.

1.3.Bad Perception – can be created. Let me share the actual incident.

1.4. The image of the PDRM is most important. Under the previous Inspector General of Police (IGP), both real crimes and crime rates were high. The Police image was at its worst. Various allegations have been made against the former IGP , not least the fact that six (6) rank and file policemen were charged for exposing the former IGP’s complicity in the “ALONG” loan shark issues.

1.5.For the first time in Malaysian history, the IGP’s name was openly exposed in affidavits filed by a known criminal and RR detainee. In the end, the PDRM’s Director of the Criminal Investigations (CID) was charged and the criminal was released. The former IGP even gave evidence against Dato’ Ramli Yusuff to contradict the evidence by all the other Police witnesses. In the end, the former IGP was condemned by the court as an incredible witness whose evidence is not to be believed which is the legal euphemism for calling someone a “LIAR”. These were the black days for PDRM, and had definitely caused bad perception for PDRM.

1.6.In the light of the above foregoing, unfortunately and inevitably, the perception on PDRM is not good and healthy. It was made worst further, there was no concern or love from the top leader to the fellow officers. Creating a very bad perception for PDRM. It has definitely demoralize the PDRM officers.

1.7.That is the scenario when the new IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar took over leadership of PDRM. The government made crime reduction as one the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) and we now see the results. Under the new IGP, crime rates are reported to be declining, yet it seems the fear of crime has not abated. The former IGP even gave a press statement doubting if the declining crime rate statistics is genuine or accurate. I see that as the former IGP being jealous and a sour grape of the achievements of IGP Ismail Omar and his Deputy IGP Dato’ Seri Khalid Abu Bakar. That is not healthy. A former IGP with such a bad image should not undermine his successor’s achievements.

2. SAFE CITY.

2.1 The topic is about “Safe City”. What is a safe city”

2.2 In definition, a safe city is where crime is on the decline, the number of people who feel safe in their neighbourhoods and downtown is increasing, people know their neighbours and use neighbourhood services, people have confidence in government provided services, people are tolerant of diversity and feel that everyone is treated fairly and people are optimistic about the future of the city.

2.3 So, do the cities in Malaysia enjoy these features or characteristics? That is something that is to be judged by the community – the Rakyat. If we as the Rakyat today, certainly they feel safe now with PDRM under IGP Ismail Omar than they do during Musa Hassan’s time which was controversial and scandalous. But we are not talking about the bigger picture. Is Malaysia a safe country that Foreign Direct Investors (FDI) would invest in?

2.4 That issue could be settled by a community safety survey. A safety audit is an effective way for community groups to identify unsafe neighbourhoods and determine how they can be improved.

2.5 Yet, despite a declining crime rate, the Malaysian Rakyat still have residual fear of crime in Kuala Lumpur and other big cities in Malaysia. Why is that so?

2.6 Therefore, we have to develop strategies for improving crime prevention efforts and diminishing the fear of crime. To me, five main direction for action deal with strengthening neighbourhoods; investing in children, youth and families; policing and justice; information and co-ordination; and implementing, evaluating and monitoring crime prevention programs.

3. PRECEPTIONS.

3.1 I started by saying that “the government is also held responsible for preventing crime and fostering a sense of public safety.” That is about perceptions. How do we manage perceptions?

3.2 The subject matter is very real, practical, very challenging and is not impossible, provided every measure should be deliberated, solutions be derived and if found realistic and operative, we should appeal to all the Rakyat and authorities to come together and implement the solution to prevent crime.

3.3 My proposal will be as follows:

3.3.1 There have been critics and reports to say that corruption in PDRM is very rife. Furthermore, it is not only people in our country but the International communities too have been watching us. Since these are identified issues, let us confer and look to reaching an amicable solution that will allow us to achieve the goal of – crime prevention. To be clear, corruption exists everywhere, in every part of the world, Malaysia is no exception but the severity and nature of corruption is what we must critically analyse and sustainably rectify. It has been said, that the law enforcement agencies in Malaysia including PDRM is corrupted. This may just be as a result of “perception”. Yet, in today’s society, perception is very important.

3.3.2 E.g.: when one is driving along the highway and happen to notice there are policemen stopping motorcyclist or motorist by the road side. The first impression that many of us will conclude is, “INI POLIS CARI MAKAN”, even though the policemen are honorably serving their duties. Sadly, this is the truth in the current Rakyat perception. In this respect, I am compelled to reiterate, that we cannot blame the Rakyat as the past performance of PDRM has been dismal, which hs left the Rakyat with a tainted image of PDRM. This sour taste has remained in the mouths of the Rakyat for far too long to expect the Rakyat to change this perception overnight.be fair to the situation. Past performance of PDRM has never been good or up to the mark. Therefore it is very difficult for us to expect the Rakyat to change this perception overnight. It is therefore imperative to untie this knot; we must go revert to the original source which is to consider the solution that PDRM must commit with strong conviction to revamp this perception by adopting the following measures. Significantly and seriously we must address these issues without fear of favor.

3.3.3. There are bound to be bad apples and good apples in any organization. Fortunately, PDRM is currently under the leadership of IGP YDH Tan Sri Haji Ismail, DIGP YDH Dato’ Sri Khalid and his team, who have pledged and with strong conviction to fight crime. This is a new team of leadership. I appeal to the Rakyat to give time and extend full support toward this direction. The paramount importance is the Rakyat’s participation with PDRM, working together in marching towards the goal. To do this, PDRM must present constructive positive proposals and plans, with strong execution plans to ensure the Rakyat understand and are convinced to close ranks and walk hand in hand towards a better Malaysia. Without the participation by the Rakyat, there is no way crime can be eliminated. As such, PDRM must insist and ensure professionalism of the highest order is practiced, efficiency of the greatest quality is demonstrated, impartiality of unbending principle is epitomised, practicality, neutrality and transparency of the utmost affirmation is evinced irrespective of whether the areas in question belongs to the opposition or ruling parties. QUOTE – DO NOT PRACTICE SELECTIVE POLICY”.

3.3.4. PDRM under all circumstances should not be unduly pressured, interfered, influenced or directed by politicians or higher up individuals or invisible hands. Nobody is above the law hence nobody should be allowed to interfere in the execution of PDRM duties and performance. It must always be remembered, that the Executive power and Authority in keeping the law and order only rest with PDRM. KDN which is the Home Affairs Ministry should reduce and restrain their action to govern the direction of PDRM. KDN is in fact a ministry to ensure, monitor and co-ordinate the performance of PDRM. They should not be seen to act or to speak on matters which are in fact directly and indirectly under the PDRM jurisdiction. This is crucial to avoid passing the buck in the case of any fault or lapse in PDRM’s performance such as to prevent KDN from absolving themselves by saying they had nothing to do with PDRM’s decision. “MANY A TIMES”, statements should have been made by PDRM on the aspect of the performance. In short, PDRM should be allowed to implement and execute the policies in order to reach the expected results leading to good performance.

3.3.5. “THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT BY KDN TO CONSIDER TAKING IN MEMBERS FROM RELA, JPAM AND RUKUN TETANGGA TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE PDRM IN CRIME PREVENTION. IN FACT, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD ONLY BE MADE BY THE IGP BECAUSE THIS IS HIS BABY”. The education standard, more so in the intake of new recruits must be raised. There should be classes aimed at reforming and refining the good morale, conduct, and public relation even for the Police Personnal to remind them of the obligation of their duties. Supervision by PDRM has to be very closely monitored on any investigation or other assignments because this will lead to efficiency which will definitely improve the blemished image of PDRM to the Rakyat. Efficiency should not be compromised and recruit of new breed should continue at the same time monitor and improve the intended control of good Governance. “DISCIPLINED IS MANDATORY”. The leaders of PDRM should show their concern, to an extent of love and welfare for their officers. The relationship with the MEDIA/PRESS and the Rakyat must continue to build and improve. The PDRM should make it known to the Rakyat, it is useless to believe in speculations but instead, trust must be placed in the faithful duties borne on the shoulders of Police investigation officers. PDRM should always take the full responsibility and accountability to the Rakyat.

3.3.6 NAME/SHARE – when action and decision needed to be taken against any misconduct of Police Officers, it should be made public and to practice transparency. In order to establish good relationship between the Rakyat and PDRM, careful consideration must be given to orchestrate a concerted effort with the quadrumvirate of “IGP / CPOs / OCPD / OCS. These four (4) areas form the crux that is considered to be the pillars and bridge between the Rakyat and PDRM. The Executive Authority is always with PDRM and therefore they should always act without fear or favor to establish real, in meaning and appearance, - independence and transparency of PDRM, in its truest essence.

4. CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES.

4.1 Once we have addressed the fundamental issues that I have outline above, then the rest will be a natural follow through and we can then achieve the three (3) long-term goals of a Community Safety Strategy;

a) To see reported and unreported crimes against both people and property decline over time.

b) To see fear of crime decline over time.

c) To increase people’s knowledge of and involvement in community organization working to promote a safer Malaysia and all kits big cities.

5. PDRM needs to work very closely with other agencies and also good NGOs, such as Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF). MCPF in fact has contributed in highlighting the awareness and the importance of crime prevention. An interesting point to know, PDRM members also are Tax Payers. To a certain degree, you can say PDRM are self-employed and yet are doing a very challenging and dangerous task. Sometimes, subject to humiliation and insults by members of the Rakyat.

6. PDRM and Rakyat must change their mindset, more so the Rakyat must come forward to participate in the war against crime. Remember during the Emergency, we fought against the communist. The Rakyat participated together with the authorities and won the war. As such, the participation from the Rakyat is definitely necessary.

7. It would be ideal for PDRM to hold weekly meeting with the Press and the Rakyat for the latest updates of the events. This indeed will be the best way to interact with the Rakyat and to show transparency, independence and neutrality.

Lastly, allow me to remind again the famous Chinese philosophy - WHEN THE UPPER BEAM IS NOT PUT RIGHT, THE LOWER BEAM WILL NEVER BE RIGHT”.

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

Hisham: Crime index down, but public still feel unsafe

2012-02-14T09:38:00.005+08:00

Two years after the implementation of the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) to combat crime, there has a significant drop in the crime index but the public still do not feel safe.In presenting the 2011 report card on crime, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said today that overall crime index and street crime index for 2011 had dropped by 11.1 and 39.7 percent respectively.

However, an independent survey indicates that 52.9 percent of Malaysians are still fearful of becoming a victim of crime, which is 2.9 percent off from the 50 percent target.“We acknowledge that there is still work to be done,” he said during his keynote address at the International Conference on Principled Policing at Subang Jaya, Selangor this morning.

At a press conference later, Hishammuddin said he was not satisfied with the results because the public was still fearful of crime and that the police were taking measures to overcome this.

Earlier in his speech, Hishammuddin said that the satisfaction index had rose to 70.5 percent, well above the 60 percent target set. The original satisfaction index before the NKRA was not mentioned in the speech.
"Achievements were also seen in our effort to improve the criminal justice process by increasing the number of arrest cases brought to court, where we achieved 23.5 percent against the 20 percent target," he added.

Meeting global standards

Beaming with pride, Hishammuddin also cited several global rankings to back his claim that the police and the government had performed well in crime fighting since the Government Transformation Programme kicked off in 2010.

"According to the World Justice Report, Malaysia is ranked first among 19 upper-middle income countries and 12th safest overall in the world, ahead of US and Great Britain."While in the Global Peace Index, we were ranked the safest and most peaceful ranked country in South-East Asia, fourth in the Asia Pacific and 19th worldwide.

"Separately, in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report - the main indicator of comparative economic strengths, we have moved up 30 spots from 2010, to number 63 in the rankings for 'business cost of crime and violence'.

"It is our hope we will rank in the top 50 in the WEF's assessments which is based on global survey of world's key business players and corporate dealers," he said.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/188982

Soi Lek vs Guan Eng debate is on

2012-02-10T11:09:00.002+08:00

The show is on! MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng have both agreed to debate on the political future of the Chinese come the next general election.The one-hour debate is scheduled to take place at 5pm on Feb 18 at Berjaya Times Square Hotel and will be conducted bilingually in Mandarin and English.The debate is entitle ‘Chinese at a Crossroads - Is the Two Party System Becoming a Two Race System?

Malaysiakini has learnt that the debate is co-organised by the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (Asli) and the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap) - an MCA think tank - as one of the sessions during a political conference.The conference, titled ‘Malaysian Chinese at the Political Crossroads’, will be officially opened by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and attended by MCA leaders like deputy president Liow Tiong Lai and its veeps Chor Chee Heung, Gan Ping Sieu and Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Soi Lek has also confirmed a Twitter posting that he will be debating with Guan Eng.It is learnt that both parties agree that the debate should be telecast live, and most probably it will be broadcast live on a TV station owned by the Media Prima Group.According to the MCA Online website, the forum is open to the public but due to the venue’s limited seating capacity, the organisers are trying to accommodate members of the parties invited as well as others.“I wish to thank Lim Guan Eng for accepting the debate,” said Soi Lek at a press conference after chairing the MCA central committee meeting at the party headquarters.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/188678

WHY ARE SOME BN LEADERS AFRAID TO MAKE OPEN DECLARATION?

2012-01-31T16:30:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation
31st Jan 2012

1. In the last few weeks, I have openly condemned the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency’s (MACC) inaction over the NFC Scandal and the blazen shameless admission of acceptance of gratification by Awang Adek. Since then, Malaysians have witnessed another “rejected” Minister, Azalina Othman Said, making a similar admission.

2. It seems that instead of being embarrassed, apologetic and standing down from public office, these shameless BN ministers are being emboldened to use the propaganda tools of their party and the mainstream media to make their misconducts look innocent. Like most Malaysians, I am appalled and find this most repulsive.

3. My call for Shahrizat and Awang Adek to resign from all posts in the party and the government is exactly to prevent what is happening now. I knew they would use all their resources to spin fabulous stories of how they have been victimized and how the whole fiasco is a misunderstanding.

4. You can clearly see that happening when Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali comes to Shahrizat’s defence and tries to make the Auditor-General a political scapegoat. You then see the jantan minister Nazri Aziz explaining why there cannot be a public declaration of assets by those holding high public office. To make it appear that the Chinese community also share this “aspiration” for secrecy, Nazri’s deputy, VK Liew, echoes his boss’s sentiments by saying that that it is inappropriate for the MACC to keep records of properties of ministers and deputy ministers.

5. That to me amounts to abusing the 1Malysia concept to cover up for wrong doings by government leaders. That is against the Islamic principles of “Amr Ma’aruf Nahy Mungkar” i.e. encourage righteousness and discourage evil. That it is done by the highest echelons of our government leaders is public display of arrogance of the highest order.

6. Let us remind ourselves that Teoh Beng Hock died over allegations of a mere RM 2,400/-. Ahmad Sarbaini died because of similar minor allegations which until today have just gone silent. Yet, when the riches of the powerful are involved, the MACC either drag its feet or behave like eunuchs emasculated of all their powers. I ask the MACC – why the discrimination?

7. But I cannot stomach it if so called Chinese leaders like VK Liew speaks with a forked tongue just to please his political masters. Let me say this to VK Liew - “IF YOU HAVE TO FART, PLEASE DO IT IN THE COMFORT AND PRIVACY OF YOUR HOME. IF YOU HAVE MUCH TO HIDE, THEN QUIT”

8. It is on record and for reasons best known to MACC, they had acted in a very high handed manner against Lawyer Rosli Dahlan in asking him to declare his assets whereas he had never even served in any public office. He had been a private practitioner all along and despite his innocence, he was humiliated, abused and charged just because he acted professionally to defend his client. Yet, we now have a senior UMNO Minister and his Chinese deputy saying that MACC cannot be entitled to keep records of Ministers’ wealth. What is it that these UMNO and BN Chinese leaders so afraid of in making and open declaration of their wealth if all their accumulated wealth are legitimate?

9. I wish to remind VK Liew that he is elected by the people to serve in public office and his salary comes from law-abiding taxpayers.The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president is therefore accountable to the people at all times and can be made answerable the MACC when needed. If you have nothing to hide or what the Chinese would say, “Something that cannot see the daylight”, then what is there to fear?

10. As a former MACC advisory panel member, I fully support MACC Advisory Panel Chairman, Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh, over the commission’s proposal to the government as follows:

a) to obtain a copy of the declaration of assets of Cabinet members and their spouses and other family members;

b) that a copy of the declaration of assets of all members of the federal administration be given to the commission;

c) that their spouses and other family members be required to disclose their assets through a statutory declaration and a record of it be kept by the MACC.

11. It is most appropriate for MACC to know the assets of all who hold high public office. That is what accountability and transparency is about in the public sector. Liew is, therefore, seriously flawed in his argument that MACC’s main role is only to receive and investigate complaints on corruption in the country.

12. To be an effective enforcement agency, the MACC must have reliable records to enable it to gather reliable and solid evidence for a successful prosecution. If Liew, cannot understand such basic logic in the fight against corruption, it is time for him to step down or for the people to elect another more intelligent leader.

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

NAZRI – ERADICATE CORRUPTION. MOVE ON POSITIVELY.

2012-01-21T13:40:00.001+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation
21st Jan 2012

GONG XI FA CAI

I extend my full support to Transparencey International Malaysia President Y.Bhg Datuk Paul Lau’s article appeared on Free Malaysia Today and also endorse the same therein by Y.Bhg.Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.

YB Nazri, if the Government is serious to combat and eradicate corruption more so in at hearence to the call by YAB PM Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd. Najib. As you are a minister in the PM’s Department should come forward openly and boldly to endorse this political will by our YAB PM Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd. Najib. Unless otherwise, you have other hidden reasons best known to yourself. Please share with us the Rakyat.

Please be informed, the Rakyat’s intelligence and wisdom should not be further humiliated and abused. Remember you are a BN Member of Parlimen. At the same time, it is very obvious that you are not supporting the call by Y.Bhg Datuk Paul Low, President of Transparence International Malaysia. Any constructive call by any responsible organization to whole heartedly support and eradicate corruption, must be supported at all cost.

Move on Nazri with the right perspective and direction.

I think MACC and PDRM should be given full independent investigatory authority. No one is above the law. MACC and PDRM, both organization should therefore perform their duties without fear or favor or unlikely interference by the invisible hands.

In the meanwhile, I wish everyone A Happy Lunar New Year.

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

Wishing You A Happy And Prosperous New Year

2012-01-20T18:52:00.000+08:00

丹斯里拿督太平局绅彭茂燊阖家恭祝

新年快乐！恭喜发财！身体健康！万事如意！

SHAHRIZAT & AWANG ADEK – THE ONLY ABSOLUTE HONORABLE WAY IS TO RESIGN – PENDING INVESTIGATION.

2012-01-17T10:43:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation
17th Jan 2012

1. The wisdom and intelligence of the rakyat should not be further insulted. The rakyat are the only absolute masters of all politicians. In this respect, I appeal that no interference whether political or administrative from all sectors on this investigation by MACC or PDRM. Let the rakyat feel that the least the INVESTIGATORY POWER with MACC or PDRM are absolutely INDEPENDENT.

2. On the 31st December 2011, I held a press conference calling for Shahrizat and Awang Adek to resign frrm all posts. The reason for my call obvious. To allow proper audit of any allegation pertaining to malpractices, abuse of powers and corruption against Ministers and politicians, the proper things to do is to resign completely.

3. By not resigning, there will be a suspicion by the rakyat that you are holding onto power to influence the investigation. Sharizat and Awang Adek must remember, if they are innocent, the authorities namely MACC or PDRM will clear you. There is nothing to fear.

4. In that regard, the rakyat and I welcome the PM’s announcement that Shahrizat has taken three (3) weeks leave to facilitate the MACC or PDRM investigation into the NFC issue. But that is not good enough and certainly not enough to convince the rakyat that you are sincere to facilitate the investigation. As I have said, the absolutely honorable thing to do is to resign from your Ministerial post.

5. By remaining in the Government, they seriously discredit the government’s pronouncements made by both the PM and DPM. Both Shahrizat and Awang Adek who did not win the last elections and who entered the cabinet by back door methods, should not be liabilities for the Government of Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak.

6. To recap what I said during my last press conference, the principal point is that both Shahrizat and Awang Adek have contravened MACC Act. In the case of Awang Adek, it is so blatant when he admitted to receiving the gratification in his personal account but felt that there was nothing wrong in that. There is clearly a fundamental flaw in his character and integrity to be able to say that without any feeling of contrition.

7. In the case of Shahrizat, she made it so base by openly asking the Press- “WHO IN THE BN LEADERS HAVE NO PROBLEMS?” This is a most damaging statement to other BN Leaders, Ministers and both YAB PM and DPM like the proverbial “Se-sekor lembu membawa lumpur, semua yang lain terpalit ”.

8. My advice to Shahrizat and Awang Adek – Do not seek to justify your conduct. The less you both talk, the better it is. In conclusion I repeat my call that Shahrizat and Awang Adek have no other alternative but to resign from all posts. Otherwise, this will be one of the many hot topics during GE 13 campaign

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

Wanted: Jan 9 bombers, reward RM10,000

2012-01-13T09:31:00.004+08:00

Police are offering a reward of RM10,000 for information on the culprit or cluprits behind the three explosions during the pro-Anwar Ibrahim rally on Monday.In a brief statement on their Facebook page, the police say the reward will be granted to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the person or group responsible for the incident.Anyone with information on the matter is advised to contact DSP Yahya Abd Rahman at 019-470 8947 or contact the police contingent headquarters at 03-2146 0584/0585.

Alternatively, members of the public can also contact the Bukit Aman operations centre at 03-2031 9999 / 03-2266 3444 or go to any nearby police station.Police announced earlier that the case was being investigated under Section 6 of the Explosives Act 1957, which carries a maximum seven-year jail term, a fine of RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.

Selangor exco member Elizabeth Wong (right), whose official car was damaged in the first explosion, urged the police to expedite the probe.
“The bombings can be considered a terrorist action intended to cause chaos. Such things must not be allowed to be repeated.

“Those responsible for the bombings must be brought to justice immediately,” Wong said.In addition, she condemned media reports accusing the rally participants of planting the bombs as “irresponsible” and “not making sense”.

The bombings occurred outside the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, where PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was acquitted of sodomy charges about an hour before the first bomb exploded at 10.20am.Five people were injured in the bombings, in addition to four motorcycles and several cars, including a car belonging to a Malaysiakini journalist, being damaged.Police believe that the explosions were caused by home-made time bombs hidden in traffic cones.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/186453

POLITICAL SANITY MUST RETURN TO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES IN MALAYSIA.

2012-01-09T16:49:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation
09th Jan 2012

The verdict on Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s acquittal signifies the following:-

The Rakyat must congratulate that our JUDICIARY has shown to be independent and heralding a new beginning for our country. The Rakyat must also congratulate this verdict for Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim so as to enable him to seriously move forward his political struggles and reformation. Equally, the Rakyat must congratulate YAB PM Dato’ Sri Najib reformation agenda is genuine.

It would appear that the YAB PM has neutralized PKR and is showing the whole world that the JUDICIARY in Malaysia is definitely independent. In the light of these events, the writer holds the view that it is not going to be easy or perhaps very challenging for Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim to lead PKR in the next GE 13.

The Police must be commended for handling this current issue with absolute professionalism and transparency. However the acquittal of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not enough to convince the majority of fence sitters to throw their whole hearted support to BN and UMNO. BN-UMNO must seriously show more political will to display its genuine intention to reform and lead into a future that is truly democratic featuring FAIRPLAY, JUSTICE and INTOLERANCE to corrupt practices. More people holding high positions who have been exposed in corrupt allegations must be dealt with without fear or favor by the authorities governed by the laws of our country.

In the meanwhile, I pray that POLITICAL SANITY will return to all POLITICAL PARTIES in our country. A strong reminder, AG’s office must be more professional and wake-up in their performance as the country should be governed by the rules and order of the laws of our country.

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

Follow my example, Phang tells Shahrizat

2012-01-03T11:13:00.001+08:00

Below is the article & Comments from Malaysia Kini

Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisor Robert Phang today called on Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin to follow his example, and resign in the face of corruption allegations.

"When I was in the MACC advisory board, I highlighted a lot of irregularities against former Selangor Menteri Besar Khir Toyo and former MAS chairperson Tajudin Ramli, then a blogger came out and accused me of bribery for government contracts.

"I stood up and offered to resign from the advisory board because the MACC have to investigate. I cannot be there or people would say that I am trying to influence the investigation, " he said.

Similarly the honourable thing for Shahrizat and Awang to do would be to resign, said Phang (right) at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.He added that the two should remain outside the government until cleared as their presence discredits Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's administration.

"Najib is working very hard to attract foreign direct investment but every time he comes back to Malaysia he has to worry about damage control," he said.

'Duo have contravened MACC act'

Frustrated at the lack of action, the anti-graft activist who is pursuing a law degree quoted sections of the MACC Act in which he says the two are guilty of:

For Shahrizat - Section 23(1) of MACC Act reads: "Any officer of public body who uses his office or position for gratification, whether for himself, his relative or associate, commits an offence."; and,

The section adds that the officer is presumed to have abused his position until proven otherwise if he has made any decision in which he or his relatives or associates have a vested interest.

For Awang - Section 21(1) of the MACC Act reads: "Any officer of any public body who solicits or accepts any gratification as inducement or reward for aiding in procuring, expediting, delaying, hindering or preventing the performance of any official or to show favour or disfavour has committed an offence."

Shahrizat's husband Mohamad Salleh Ismail who is executive chairperson of National Feedlot Corporation is accused of mismanaging a RM250 million government soft loan while Awang is alleged to have received cash contribution through his personal bank account.

"Awang's case is the worst, he has admitted taking money, how can someone receive money without getting anything in return?" said Phang.

MACC blitz a distraction

He also questioned whether the recent year-end corruption prosecution blitz, including the conviction of former Selangor Menteri Besar Khir Toyo (right), was intended to distract the public from the corruption allegations against the duo.

"I hope when there is consensus in the MACC to prosecute someone, the Attorney-General chambers will respect that decision instead of doing selective prosecution."

The outspoken social activist has been a fierce critic of Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail.During his tenure as MACC advisor, Phang in 2010, had urged Abdul Gani to explain his alleged close ties with former Malaysia Airlines chairperson Tajudin Ramli who was then being investigated for graft.

However, Phang resigned from the MACC advisory panel early this year after an anonymous blogger accused him of attempts to bribe senior government officials in exchange for contracts.The MACC has since cleared him of any wrongdoing.Phang said he will compile all information on the allegations against Shahrizat and Awang and submit them to Najib on Jan 10.

Comments

Trumpetcall Praise God for people of high integrity like Tan Sri Robertwho is not afraid to be challenged and in the final analysis, come throughclean and stronger. People like him can speak with their heads held up high andwe all listen unlike the crooked politicians we have who abused their highoffice for dirty money. When the corrupted Ministers make their speeches,people despise them and even curse them under their breath. No matter how richthey are, it's all ill gotten gains that cannot see the light of day. Shame onthem all!

Gen.Half Track Mr Phang, Thankfully there arestill honorable people like you around. Any one who can catch Ghani by thepa-tail has to have guts. We need more people like you.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/185365

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

2012-01-03T09:58:00.001+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation
31st Dec 2011

PLEASE DO NOT INSULT THE WISDOM AND INTELLIGENCE OF THE TAX PAYERS AND RAKYAT OR THEY MAY JUST TURN AWAY FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY.

1. In the past few weeks, the MACC has been very prolific. Many advertorials have been published in the main stream newspapers of the MACC’s achievements in eradicating corruption. The conviction of former Selangor MB Dato Seri Khir Toyo to 1 year imprisonment seems to boost the MACC’s image.

2. The MACC blazed the trail again when on the 21st December 2011, the MACC announced the arrest of five (5) civil servants for bribery in separate places in Kedah. On Tuesday 27th December 2011, the husband of the ex-CEO of the Iskandar Investment Board (IIB), Mohd Amin Suhaimi, was charged in Johor Bharu for corruption. It seems strange that the ex-CEO herself was not charged. Then on Wednesday 29th December, a former IIB senior V-P, Rostam Razali, was fined RM20,000 after he pleaded guilty for abuse of power in disclosing confidential tender price information.

3. Meanwhile in KL, the Permanent Chairman of Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organisation (Perkim) Selangor branch who was also the former International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Deputy Rector, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Ariffin Suhaimi, was charged with two other Perkim members, Dato’ Baharin Baba, 58, and Abas Adam, 60 for Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) by the MACC. The offence was alleged to have happened in the early 2000s.

4. While all these seem to show that the MACC would have the stamina and resolve to dig at old records to uncover corruption, abuse of power and CBT, the public has not forgotten the persecution of Dato’ Ramli Yusuff, the former Director CCID, and his lawyer, Rosli Dahlan. The public considers this as a fix-up job by former IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan and A-G Gani Patail achieved with the collusions of the MACC. Musa Hassan was exposed as an incredible witness which is a legal euphemism for calling him a liar. Because of that, the public considers the MACC as a tool of oppression that would do the biddings of A–G Gani Patail and their political masters.

5. Thus, some skeptics say that these recent events are merely to allow the MACC to end 2011 on a high note. It is as if the MACC is trying to erase all the bad publicity for causing the deaths of Teoh Beng Hock and customs officer Ahmad Sarbaini while in the MACC’s custody. The outcome of the Royal Commission of Inquiry and the Inquest have not satisfied the public’s thirst for the truth and justice. Rightly or wrongly, that is the public perception. And perception counts if the government of PM Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak is to lead BN to a successful GE 13.

6. In that regard, I feel compelled to raise the two blatant cases involving YB Senator Dato’ Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Minister for Women and Family Development, in the NFC episode and YB Senator Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Hussein, Deputy Minister of Finance, for admitting he received cash into his private accounts but justified it as for political donations towards social program.

7. Like the rest of the Rakyat, I am astounded and appalled by the reasons put up by both these two politicians who were rejected by the Rakyat in GE 12 and had to be smuggled into the Cabinet by back door appointments through the Dewan Negara. Their mere presence as Ministers in the Government betrays everything that PM Najib has been saying about winnable candidates. These two were rejected by the Rakyat in GE12 and their involvement in these two scandals will certainly not endear them any closer to the electorates in GE 13.

8. In the case of Dato’ Seri Shahrizat, the evidence are already in the public domain of the misappropriation of the NFC funds granted for the national cattle project instead being used to purchase luxurious condominiums, super cars and fantastic salaries for Shahrizat’s husband and children.

9. The initial statement by the MACC that they only investigate corruption cases and referred the matter to the Police is seen as a feeble attempt to pass the bucket. That was the same thing that happened in the Khir Toyo’s case until I pursued it that led to Khir Toyo being charged. Even so, the Rakyat questioned why Khir Toyo was charged under the Penal Code where the maximum penalty is only 2 years whereas punishments under the MACC Act would extend to 20 years. The Rakyat sees this as a cover up!

10. In the case of Datuk Dr. Awang Adek, his open admission of having received such monies to fund his own “social” programs actually constitute political gratification. That an offence of corruption has been established could not be clearer. But most worrisome to me is the inability of Awang Adek, as our Finance Minister, to realise that what he had done was wrong. For him to justify his conduct spells doom for the country if our national finance is to be managed by a man of such moral fabric.

11. I invite the MACC Chief Commissioner, Dato’ Sri Abu Kasssim, to deliver to both Shahrizat and Awang Adek the lectures that he had delivered to me when I was on the MACC Advisory Panel about the meaning of gratification. Since I am now pursuing a law degree, for these Ministers’ benefit I reproduce s. 3 on Interpretation in the MACC Act:

"gratification" means-
(a) money, donation, gift, loan, fee, reward, valuable security, property or interest in property being property of any description whether movable or immovable, financial benefit, or any other similar advantage;

12. For Sharizat to maintain that her family is justified to get the contracts goes against the provisions of the MACC Act:

23. Offence of using office or position for gratification

(1) Any officer of a public body who uses his office or position for any gratification, whether for himself, his relative or associate, commits an offence.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an officer of a public body shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, to use his office or position for any gratification, whether for himself, his relative or associate, when he makes any decision, or takes any action, in relation to any matter in which such officer, or any relative or associate of his, has an interest, whether directly or indirectly.

13. To make matters worse for Shahrizat, on 30/12/2011 the MACC charged Datuk Shamsulbahrin Ismail with cheating under s. 420 Penal Code. The facts disclosed in the newspapers showed that the NFC Chairman and Shahrizat’s husband, Datuk Dr Mohamad Salleh, had paid this Datuk who is a Mr Fixit a sum of RM 1.755 million to ensure that the investigations into the impropriety in the NFC scandal can be buried. It seems Shahrizat’s family is now trying to distance themselves from this Datuk. The Rakyat ask – was that why the MACC initially declined to investigate the NFC scandal and passed it to the police? Why is Shahrizat’s husband not charged for attempted bribery since he appears to now be the prosecution witness for having paid the RM 1.755million? Something is not right here.

14. Let me ask Awang Adek, if he is not the Deputy Finance Minister whether these companies and associates would give him those monies to fund his political programs. The case of Dato’ Harun Idris is on point. That makes it clear that Awang Adek had accepted gratification as defined by s. 16 MACC Act:

16. Offence of accepting gratification

    Any person who by himself, or by or in conjunction with any other person--

(a) corruptly solicits or receives or agrees to receive for himself or for any other person; or
(b) corruptly gives, promises or offers to any person whether for the benefit of that person or of another person,
    any gratification as an inducement to or a reward for, or otherwise on account of--

(A) any person doing or forbearing to do anything in respect of any matter or transaction, actual or proposed or likely to take place; or

(B) any officer of a public body doing or forbearing to do anything in respect of any matter or transaction, actual or proposed or likely to take place, in which the public body is concerned,
commits an offence.

15. As a Minister, Awang Adek is a public officer. Thus, his acceptance of such monies into his personal account constitutes bribery:

    21. Bribery of officer of public body

Any person who offers to an officer of any public body, or being an officer of any public body solicits or accepts, any gratification as an inducement or a reward for--

(a) the officer voting or abstaining from voting at any meeting of the public body in favour of or against any measure, resolution or question submitted to the public body;

(b) the officer performing or abstaining from performing or aiding in procuring, expediting, delaying, hindering or preventing the performance of, any official act;

(c) the officer aiding in procuring or preventing the passing of any vote or the granting of any contract or advantage in favour of any person; or

(d) the officer showing or forbearing to show any favour or disfavour in his capacity as such officer,
commits an offence, notwithstanding that the officer did not have the power, right or opportunity so to do, show or forbear, or accepted the gratification without intending so to do, show or forbear, or did not in fact so do, show or forbear, or that the inducement or reward was not in relation to the affairs of the public body.

16. Once Awang Adek admitted that he had accepted gratification, then there is a presumption that it is corrupt gratification:

       50. Presumption in certain offences.

(1) Where in any proceedings against any person for an offence under section 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 or 23 it is proved that any gratification has been received or agreed to be received, accepted or agreed to be accepted, obtained or attempted to be obtained, solicited, given or agreed to be given, promised, or offered, by or to the accused, the gratification shall be presumed to have been corruptly received or agreed to be received, accepted or agreed to be accepted, obtained or attempted to be obtained, solicited, given or agreed to be given, promised, or offered as an inducement or a reward for or on account of the matters set out in the particulars of the offence, unless the contrary is proved.

17. It is abundantly clear that the actions of Shahrizat and Anwang Adek are not defensible. The MACC does itself discredit if it continuously refuse to act with the same speed and efficiency when it involve members of the ruling party. The Rakyat is tired of excuses. In the interest of the BN Government, Shahrizat and Awang Adek should resign and offer themselves for investigation by MACC and other authorities. By resigning, only then can investigations against them be done without the undue influence which cannot be the case if they remain in the Cabinet.

18. As we celebrate New Year, the Rakyat expect a new resolve by the Government and the MACC. If the fight to eradicate corruption is seen as mere lip service, the Rakyat will rise and teach the government a lesson at the ballot box. Before that happens, I urge the government to wake up to today’s realities before the Rakyat say enough is enough!

Happy New Year 2012!

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

What should the MACC do?

2011-12-22T18:59:00.001+08:00

By LIM SUE GOAN
Translated by Soong Phui Jee
Sin Chew Daily

ANSWER :

Time for the Law To Be Changed To Empower MACC To "PROSECUTE"

It seems that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is out of idea of how to improve the country's ranking in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). It might need advices from those with insight to reverse in the shortest possible time the stereotype that the country is ineffective in curbing corruption.

Being ranked 60th in the Transparency International (TI) CPI 2011, Malaysia has suffered a decline for three consecutive years and this year is the worst since the first TI CPI ranking in 1995.

On 21 April 2008, the then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi announced that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) would be made a fully independent body and be answerable to the Parliament. It has been upgraded to the MACC, but its performance has been declining. It has also been entangled by scandals, including the deaths of former DAP political aid Teoh Beng Hock and Customs officer Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed, as well as a case involving three MACC officers alleged to have robbed a money changer of US$300,000 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.

Instead of just keep asking for additional manpower, the MACC should start from improving its qualitative aspects. I hereby put forward a few recommendations:

Firstly, let the MACC enjoy a fully independent status. Although the government claimed during the transformation of the MACC that it has to table an annual report and be directly answerable to the Parliament, its management and administration are still governed by the Prime Minister's Department.

The so-called answering to the Parliament should grant the commission independence and autonomous authority. For example, in the investigation of tax evasion cases, the MACC could ignore the pressure from the government and the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) and launch a thorough investigation.

The Parliamentary Committee should have the right to summon the MACC chief commissioner for notarisation and pressuring, to effectively monitor the MACC.

Secondly, let the MACC enjoy the power of prosecution to prevent the abuse of power.

Nowadays, only the Attorney General's Office has the right to prosecute. There is nothing the MACC can do if the Attorney General's Office decides not to charge a suspect even if the commission is sure that the suspect is involved in corruption.

The Attorney General's Office does not enjoy an independent status either. Who can then play the role of maintaining justice?

With an independent status and prosecution power, the MACC can then catch big fish and launch a massive anti-corruption operation.

Thirdly, reinvestigate old cases. The fall of the country's CPI ranking was because many big cases in Malaysia has been left unsettled. To thoroughly change the outside world's impression of our country, we must show them an impressive performance and reinvestigating old cases would be one of the most effective ways.

For example, the culprits of the RM2.5bil BMF scandal in 1983, where powerful individuals were channelling the money from the bank into their private accounts and the nine-year-delayed completion of the Matrade building should be found out and charged.

Fourthly, implement the Sunshine Policy. The Sunshine Policy was introduced by former South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and was meant to soften North Korea's attitudes towards the South by encouraging interaction and economic assistance. The Sunshine Policy here is referring to improve transparency in public administration and eliminate corruption through management reform.

Measures to improve transparency include open tender, open procurement and publishing contractor and project details online. Sunshine can always drive ghosts and devils away.

If no action is taken by the MACC, corrupt officials will have nothing to fear and I'm afraid that the CPI ranking next year might further decline.

Source : http://www.mysinchew.com/node/67457

MACC forms special team to probe NFC

2011-12-22T12:49:00.005+08:00

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has set up a special team to investigate the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal involving cabinet minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's family.This is despite the commission saying last week that it had found no elements of corruption in the case, and had forwarded the matter to the police.

In a statement today, the anti-graft body said that the team is led by its investigation director Mustafar Ali (right).Confirming that it had received a new complaint on the matter yesterday, MACC said that it has in fact been collecting evidence since the issue was highlighted in the 2010 Auditor General 's Report.

"Most of the issues raised in the new complaint have been dealt with... The commission takes all complaints seriously and takes stern action without fear or favour," it said.

Standard don't politicise issue call

However, the MACC said that it cannot reveal evidence garnered during investigation in accordance with Section 29(4) of the MACC Act 2009.
The commission also called on parties involved to extend their cooperation and "not politicise the issue to the extent that it raises all sorts of speculation that could effect MACC's actions".

Yesterday, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had denied speculation that Shahrizat, who is women, family and community development minister, had tendered her resignation.The PM, who has been keeping mum on the issue, however said that he will comment further on the matter "in due course".

Shahrizat has been under fire over the RM250 million government loan given to NFC, run by her husband Mohamed Salleh Ismail and their children Wan Shaninur Izran and Wan Izzana Fatimah Zabedah.
The Auditor-General had described the project as being in a "mess", while the PKR had exposed that NFC funds were used, among others, to purchase two luxury condominiums in Bangsar.

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/184768

Ex-IGP accused of 'sour grapes' over crime index

2011-12-15T10:05:00.001+08:00

Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation executive council member Robert Phang today took issue with the former inspector-general of police for allegedly casting aspersions over the performance of the police force.
Phang said in a statement that Musa Hassan had done so by calling for an independent body to measure the crime rates in Malaysia, to ensure independence and integrity of the index.

According to Phang (right), Musa has no standing to criticise the efforts of the police force today as it was during his leadership that crime rates were at an all-time high.“In effect, Musa is questioning the credibility of the statistics provided by the PDRM and Home Ministry about the reduction of crime rates in this country.

“It should be noted that the image of the PDRM was at its lowest during the time that Musa was the IGP,” he said.Accusing Musa of “sour grapes”, Phang said that by doubting the official crime index, the former top cop was attacking IGP Ismail Omar and his deputy Khalid Abu Bakar, who had succeded in “reducing crimes and in making the country safer”.
Phang, who is also chairperson of the Social Care Foundation, added that it was Musa's failure that forced the Home Ministry to develop “innvotive crime prevention measures” and make the matter a National Key Results Area.

“Yet, Musa Hassan (right in photo) accused (Home Minister) Hishammuddin Hussein of interference with the internal affairs of the PDRM when his contract as IGP was not renewed,” he said.

Phang added that Musa had also ignored the Global Peace Index 2011, which ranked Malaysia as the safest country in Southeast Asia and the 19th most secure among the 153 countries ranked.

The former IGP had, at a forum on a Dec 4, said that Malaysians still felt unsafe as they were sceptical of the improving crime index, and called for an independent index.“We often read or hear about crime rate reductions, but the rakyat still feel unsafe as they are not confident of the information received,” Utusan Malaysia quoted Musa as saying.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/184119

MUSA HASSAN SHOULD STOP DEMEANING POLICE LEADERSHIP

2011-12-14T14:48:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation

1. On 3 December 2011, Utusan Malaysia reported that the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan was a keynote speaker at the 25th Media Criticism Colloquium organised by the Faculty of Communication & Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). Tan Sri Musa is reported to have said:

"Kita selalu membaca atau mendengar mengenai penurunan kadar jenayah, tetapi rakyat masih berasa tidak selamat kerana tidak yakin dengan maklumat penurunannya yang diterima itu,"

2. In effect, Musa Hassan is questioning the credibility of the statistics provided by the Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM) and the Home Ministry about the reduction of crimes in the country. In effect, he is questioning the integrity of the present leadership of PDRM under current IGP Tan Sri Haji Ismail Omar and the Deputy IGP Dato’ Seri Khalid Abu Bakar in reducing crimes and in making the country safer

3. It should be noted that the image of the PDRM was at its lowest during the time that Musa Hassan was the IGP. Crime rate was very high and on the rise. He was embroiled in many controversies. His ADC wrote an open letter of allegation accusing him of creating a fictitious blog to frame Deputy Home Minister, Dato’ Johari Baharom, and called him a “pengkhianat bangsa”. Former OCCI KL Dato Mat Zin also accused him of fabricating evidence and perjury. There were allegations of corruption against him
including his complicity with an underworld operator Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku Goh in the loan shark menace during that time. That resulted in six rank and file policemen and even the Director CCID, Dato Ramli Yusuff, being charged by AG Gani Patail. They have all been acquitted.

4. Musa Hassan is the first IGP in the history of the county and the PDRM to appear in court to give evidence against his own Director CCID, Dato Ramli Yusuff. In acquitting Dato Ramli, the Sessions Judge in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah delivered a damning judgment calling Musa Hassan in effect as a liar.

5. It was because of his failure to control the rising crime rate that the government tasked the Home Minister, Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, to develop innovative crime prevention measures and making it one of the National Key Result Area (NKRA). It was through this initiative that the crime rate had been successfully reduced. Yet, Musa Hassan accused Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Hussein of interference with the internal affairs of the PDRM when his contract as IGP was not further renewed. All these are still fresh in the minds of most Malaysians.

6. Thus, it is very mischievous of Musa Hassan to question the accuracy of the national crime index to discredit the efforts of the PDRM. The fact is this, the current Deputy Home Minister, Dato Abu Seman Yusop, has just disclosed a recent study on Global Peace Index 2011 by an Australian based Institute for Economics and Peace which rated Malaysia as 19th among 153 countries in terms of being secure. This is also the highest ranking within South-East Asia. Musa Hassan should accept and recognise such internationally conducted and respected study instead of sounding like a sour grape.

7. Musa Hassan should not use a media colloquium to cast aspersions on the Police Force that he once led. As a Principal Lecturer of the Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), he ought to know the impact of such mischievous statement and journalistic slant. My Muslim friends tell me that there is even a chapter in the Holy Quran that forbids Muslims from sowing the seeds of suspicions and discord:

“ Say: I seek refuge with the Lord ...from the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who withdraws (after his whisper),... ”

8. Musa Hassan should know all these things better as had just been a victim of false rumour mongering about his marriage to an artist with a huge multi-million ringgit dowry. That is of course false and I applaud him for lodging a police report against these mischief-maker. I would also encourage him to sue them for defamation to clear his name. Thus, Musa Hassan should not do the same thing to others, as in the Christian saying:

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (The Bible-Matthews 7:12)

9. In the spirit of Christmas, I ask that we, Malaysians, stop all these suspicion, back-biting, casting aspersions and from creating dissensions that would cause divisiveness and chaos in our society. We should stand as one united people – as 1Malaysia!

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

PKFZ embroiled in corruption poser again

2011-12-06T09:31:00.001+08:00

Fresh allegations of corruption have risen over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), with Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairperson Teh Kim Poo saying the corruption allegations hurled at him are the work of a PKFZ senior manager who has been receiving bribes.

Teh (left), an MCA politician who took over the helm of PKA, the statutory body governing PKFZ, accused the senior officer of making at least RM18,000 in “under-table money” every month from his cronies, over the past five years .

He said the officer has been overseeing the PKFZ tender board and granting tenders to his proxies at higher prices.

“He earns a monthly salary of RM6,000 to RM7,000, but owns a big bungalow and drives a Mercedes Benz,” Teh told Malaysiakini when asked about the corruption allegations against him.
Recently, several media organisations received an anonymous email saying Teh had breached the tender procedures in granting landscaping and housekeeping work to two unqualified companies.

The companies were said to have been formed this year, and allegedly had no experience in landscaping and housekeeping and had been absent during the site visit, which is a tender condition.

Other allegations include that the companies belong to the same owner, who has close relationship with Teh, and the tender prices offered were too low to allow for decent work to be carried out.

Teh, who is now overseas, vehemently denied the allegations and stressed that his decision to grant the tenders had significantly reduced PKFZ’s costs.

“I’m very clean, I’m a big time businessman, why do I want this kacang putih (peanut) thing?

“How can he accuse me of corruption when I made a decision that saves PKFZ RM1.2 million every year?”

Teh admitted that the owners of the two companies were his friends. As a former Pandaraman state assemblyperson whose constituency includes the area where PKFZ operates, he added, he knew many local people there.

‘They are all local people’

“They are all local people. The price they tendered is so much lower than his (the senior officer’s) proxies and cronies... (I gave the tender) as long as they can do the job at a low price. I don’t have any personal interest in the companies.

“I won’t get myself involved with any corruption. There had been a scandal before, so I don’t want to to be involved in any scandal,” Teh said, stressing that he could show this reporter all the relevant documents to prove his words.

Teh also said that a special board meeting would be called next Monday to discuss the action to be taken against the senior officer over the alleged bribery and for making false allegations against him.

PKFZ made headlines in 2007 when it was reported that the cost of the mega project could balloon to RM7.5 billion, and eventually to RM12.5 billion.

An investigation into the scandal was launched when the then MCA president, Ong Tee Keat, took over the Transport Ministry in 2008, which led to charges being brought against several key personnel, including former PKFZ general managers and two former transport ministers. The trials are still going on.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/183248

I SHARE WITH YOU THE FOLLOWINGS

2011-11-30T11:22:00.001+08:00

" I am not bound to win, but i am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed , but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong." - Abraham Lincoln.
Please enjoy reading , God Bless.

Congrats, Tan Sri Robert Phang

2011-11-29T12:12:00.001+08:00

Below is the article & comments from http://dinmerican.wordpress.com

Robert Phang received the Master Class Award in Anti-Corruption 2011

My friend Tan Sri Robert Phang recently received the Master Class Award in Anti- Corruption while his Social Care Foundation was granted the Socially Responsible Company Award 2011.

Congratulations Tan Sri and may he continue in this worthy cause of fighting rampant corruption in our country. In his honour, I am posting “Corruption Spawns Violence”, an article from GW Business, a publication of The George Washington School of Business, The George Washington University (Fall, 2011 issue). –Din Merican

Comments

The National Feedlot Corporation ( NFC) is a clear example of a company that is unethical and utterly corrupt. Yet our leaders are not prepared to come down heavy of its management. This is because an UMNO Minister who came to the Cabinet via the back door (as Senator) after losing the 2008 elections is involved in this scandal.
Maybe at the forthcoming UMNO General Assembly, some delegates will raise this matter and pass a resolution to remove the Minister and to commence a full investigation into the major national fiasco, involving rm250 million of taxpayers’ money.–

We all echo the same chorus here that Dato Din Merican deserves the same kind of Award & Recognition. Why Not?
The problem with our Government esp those in UMNO, they would only recognise and confer Trans-shit-ship to those who ” gravitate ” almost on bended knees, around dumb-No people who greatly suffer from Inferiority Complex/es…..
Congratulations to Tan Sri Robert Phang!

and yet he was “removed” from MACC panel because he has the guts and conviction to go against the AG for the latter’s indiscretion. hello, I thought this BN govt is bringing us revolutionary laws and get rid of corruption?
well done, Tan Sri> Be steadfast and you have my greatest respect. God bless you always and your family.
_________
Robert Phang has conviction and lots of guts. He is passionate about his mission.–

Special Parliament Committee on Anti Corruption Submits Report on MACC to PM

2011-11-25T09:26:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 NOVEMBER, 2011: The Special Parliament Committee on Anti Corruption under MACC today has sent their report on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for 2010 to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.Speaking to reporters during a press conference at Paliament lobby today, Kangar member of parliament Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said they have also discussed with Najib on matters to improve the commission.

"We had a discussion with the PM...among them is about the budget where we asked him as Finance Minister to increase MACC's staff to 150 per year in order to have enough manpower and funds to fight corruption," said Radzi.He said this is the second time the committee has presented its suggestion and asked that freedom to be given to MACC to employ whoever they want including forensic scientists.

Radzi said this is the committee's second report where since its formation and that prime minister was very receptive towards the suggestions.Besides that, he also told that the MACC has been experiencing vast improvements since the report.

"Before we finish the report we have called upon their (MACC) advisers, consulted and from that we did the report," said Radzi.The committee also urge the government to increase MACC's funds, install CCTV and for officers be given enough training because if they're not competent enough it'll be difficult to win the case.Meanwhile, Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan when met by Malaysian Digest told said besides meeting the prime minister, they have also told about the achievements of MACC and what should be improved especially regarding the allocation of funds.

"We have told the prime minister that every cent we spend to MACC, the return is big in terms of cost-savings, reduction of leakages and mismanagement of federal funds," said Rahman who is also a member of the Special Parliament Committee on Anti Corruption under MACC.He said it is worth it if the government spends more towards the MACC as it ensures a big return towards the country.

Source :http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/35986-special-parliament-committee-on-anti-corruption-submits-report-on-macc-to-pm.html

IGP: Give us ideas on how to reduce crime

2011-11-21T09:40:00.001+08:00

Inspector-general of police Ismail Omar has urged the public to provide police with new ideas or proposals on how to reduce crime rates in the country.Ismail said these could be forwarded to the respective state or district police chiefs, the police public relations officer or through Facebook."Perhaps, there are some measures that we (police) have not thought about.

"If feasible, we will implement them and give the individuals concerned prizes as as a token of our appreciation," he said after launching the Selangor-level Crime Prevention Awareness at the Curve shopping mall in Mutiara Damansara, near Kuala Lumpur, today.

The programme is jointly organised by the Selangor police contingent headquarters, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation and the Youth and Sports Ministry.Ismail said with help and support from the public, the crime index could be further reduced.He said the 26 police initiatives under the National Key Result Area had shown some positive results, with the people themselves asking the police how they could help to reduce crime.

"This means they are more focused and willing to cooperate with police for public safety," he said, adding that the success of the initiatives had placed Malaysia 19th in ranking out of 153 countries on the Global Peace Index.

Earlier, Ismail launched the book, 'Beyond Policing-The Strategic Shift' written by Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah with independent speaker Khoo Kheng Hor.The 179-page book priced at RM25, contains tips on how the community can cooperate in combating crime. The book is available at all MPH outlets nationwide.

- Bernama

MACC study: Students prepared to fight corruption

2011-11-21T09:36:00.001+08:00

A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) study on the effectiveness of the Corruption Prevention Secretariat set up at institutions of higher learnings (IPT) found that 73.2 per cent of students are prepared to report corruption cases.

MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed said it also proved the effectiveness of the programme set up since 2007 which was operated by students from 20 public IPT.

"The functions and roles of the secretariat are to disseminate the importance of anti-corruption, abuse of power and misappropriation among IPT students and educate them on corruption prevention programmes," he said when opening an MACC IPT convention at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia tonight.

Abu Kassim said as future leaders of the country, all students should be educated from the young so that they would not be influenced by corruption.

Source : Bernama

BN’s disgusting international standards

2011-11-21T09:23:00.001+08:00

By Jackson Ng, Retired Journalist

REMEMBER how Tan Sri Robert Phang was ousted as an advisory panel member of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission?Phang was one of the pioneer members of the panel upon the formation of the MACC. However, his outspokenness has been a thorn to the corridors of power.Unlike the majority of the “Yes Man” MACC panel members who chose to accept their appointment but remained muted throughout their tenure, Phang spoke up against corruption and abuse of power.

Phang openly took on the likes of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz, former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan (for alleged abuse of power and conspiracy with the underworld) and those who benefitted from the multi-billion ringgit Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) financial scandal.Phang’s ouster in the MACC panel was sparked when he took on the all-powerful Attorney-General (A-G) Tan Sri Gani Patail.

That was too much for Phang to chew as Gani’s office can decide whether to prosecute an accused, with or without evidence; with authentic or fabricated evidence as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy I and II hearings have revealed thus far.And all Phang did was to call on Gani to rebut allegations linking him to high-profile but shady corporate figures who allegedly paid for his haj trip. The allegations were backed by documents.

Of course there were many other allegations against the A-G but the documentary evidence posted in the public electronic domain was just too embarrassing and overwhelming.So what happened?
Gani ordered a probe on allegations of corruption, posted ANONYMOUSLY in a blog, which eventually led to nowhere and Phang was cleared by the MACC.Phang had voluntary quit as a MACC panel member to facilitate the investigations against him and to uphold the integrity of the MACC.After Phang was cleared, he was not reappointed to the MACC panel.

Boring? Hold your horses man! Read on and I can assure you that it is becoming both amusing and disgusting.What I find most amusing is the fact that Phang was recently the recipient of the Socially Responsible Company (SRC) Awards 2011’s Master Class Awards in Anti-Corruption.

So what’s the big deal, you may ask?

Well, the SRC 2011 Awards are sanctioned by:

* The United Nations;

* The United Nations Global Impact; and

* Audited by McMillan Woods.

And, now for the best laugh! The award presentation, organised by JCI Malaysia and hosted by JCI E-Metro KL, was supported by:

* Malaysia’s Prime Minister’s Department;

* Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Ministry; and

* Malaysia’s Human Resources Department.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) government sure has a funny way of recognising international achievers. It kicks them out of office when they start performing with international standards.Phang better watch his next step and not be too delighted with the UN-recognition or the BN government will start treating him like a public pariah.

What am I talking about? Look how the BN government is treating former Bar Council president and Bersih 2 leader Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.

For those suffering from amnesia (especially those from BN-Umno), U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton awarded Ambiga the Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage at the US State Department on March 11, 2009 in Washington, DC.

The awards were given to eight women from around the world who have shown leadership while struggling for social justice and human rights.

There you have it, Malaysians. The BN government sure have strange ways to reward or recognise talent and international achievers.

Protecting cow breeders who use public funds allocated for beef production to buy multi-million-ringgit condominiums is international standard and supreme achievers.

Source : http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/45101-bns-disgusting-international-standards

Najib Has Shown Great Leadership, Says Obama

2011-11-19T09:24:00.001+08:00

NUSA DUA -- United States President Barack Obama said Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has shown great leadership not only in continuing to boost Malaysia's economy but also in showing leadership on a wide range of multilateral foray.The American leader said "we want to be a strong partner with Malaysia".I appreciate the extraordinary cooperation that we've received on a whole range of issues," he said.

"...So, thank you very much, Prime Minister," Obama said in his remarks at a bilateral meeting with Najib here on Friday ahead of the East Asia Summit scheduled for Saturday.The US president said the bilateral meeting would allow both countries to discuss how they could best use the East Asia Summit to ensure shared prosperity and shared security across the region.Obama said the meeting also allowed both sides to expand discussions on their bilateral relationship, describing it as "strong", as well the cooperation seen on issues like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

He also alluded to his interaction with Najib at the recently-concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Hawaii."I just want to say how much of a pleasure it is to be able to see, once again, Prime Minister Najib. We just had excellent conversations and consultations at the APEC conference that we hosted in Honolulu," he said.Meanwhile, Najib, in his statement, noted that the US was Malaysia's fourth largest trading partner and, on a comparative basis, still the largest investor in Malaysia."We certainly look forward to expanding trade and investment linkages. And with the TPP, hopefully, we can meet the deadline next year," he said.

Najib said Kuala Lumpur saw great prospects in terms of enhancing trade and investment between the two countries."And certainly we look forward to working in other areas concerned," he said.In addition, Najib stressed that Malaysia was very committed to ensuring peace and stability, pointing out that the Southeast Asian nation was working with the US in the area of nuclear non-proliferation."We're doing our part to ensure that Malaysia is not a transit point for illicit goods that can be used for nuclear proliferation," he said.He said Malaysia was looking at new areas of cooperation, including receiving 50 English teachers from the US in January.

Najib mentioned that Malaysia was also helping out in Afghanistan, in reference to its capacity-building efforts in the war-torn country.The bilateral meeting was also attended by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Nancy-Ann DeParle, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon and Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State, Kurt Campbell.The Malaysian delegation included Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Wisma Putra (Foreign Ministry) secretary-general Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahman and Malaysian ambassador to the US Dr Jamaludin Jarjis.

Source : Bernama

Socially Responsible Company Award 2011 - Master Class Award in Anti Corruption

2011-11-18T16:01:00.001+08:00

China Press - 18-11-2011

Kerjasama strategik MCPF , swasta dan penduduk

2011-11-18T13:38:00.001+08:00

Usaha bagi mempertingkatkan kesedaran masyarakat terhadap pencegahan jenayah sentiasa dilaksanakan kerajaan dan pihak berkaitan bagi memastikan kegiatan jenayah tidak terus menggugat keselamatan orang ramai. Yayasan Pencegahan Jenayah Malaysia (MCPF) misalnya, berusaha ke arah itu dengan mengadakan kerjasama strategik bersama sektor swasta dan persatuan penduduk.

Satu daripada program dilaksanakan adalah Prevention Will Save The Day (PWSTD) (Pencegahan Menyelamatkan Hari Anda) dan memperoleh dana sebanyak USD56,000 (kira-kira RM 173,600) daripada Motorola Foundation bagi memacu usahan menjayakannya.

Persatuan Penduduk yang disenarai pendek akan dijemput untuk menyertai Voluntary Surveillance Observation Point (VSOP) sistem yang digabungkan dengan Voluntary Patrolling Scheme (SRS) yang terletak di bawah Jabatan Perpaduan dan Integerasi.

Untuk jangka pendek , program ini mensasarkan 12 kawasan kediaman yang terletak di empat negeri hotspot (Kuala Lumpur , Selangor , Johor & Pulau Pinang ). Anggota MCPF , Tan Sri Robert Phang (atas), berkata : "Untuk jangka panjang, rakyat Malaysia akan dibekalkan dengan pengetahuan pencegahan yang membolehkan mereka bertindak lebih proaktif terhadap sesuatu situasi atau kejadian.

"Ia juga adalah untuk membentuk keyakinan diri dan apa yang lebih penting projek ini bertindak membentuk golongan dewasa menjadi mereka yang dapat memberikan perlindungan di dalam komuniti mereka."

Source : Berita Harian ( 18-11-2011) page 17

We must work together to anti crime

2011-11-16T10:19:00.001+08:00

China Press ( 15-11-2011)

PKA cannot repay government loan for PKFZ project, Ling trial told

2011-11-16T09:22:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — The Port Klang Authority (PKA) cannot afford to pay back its RM4.6 billion loan for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project to the government, a witness told Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s cheating trial today.The prosecution’s 21st witness, Adnan Abidin, said that PKA could only afford to repay the loan owed to the Finance Ministry for the first two years — this year and the next.The PKA financial manager said the loan was to be paid over a period of 17 years from this year onwards.PKA was supposed to have made the first payment of RM82.4 million on June 30 this year.

“We did not pay ... in our view we can only make repayments for the first two years. We have made an appeal to the MOF to review the terms of the loan agreement.“It is not settled yet, we are still waiting for it to go through,” Adnan told the court today.The development cost of the scandal-hit PKFZ project ballooned from RM1.088 billion to RM4.6 billion in 2007, which Dr Ling’s lawyers claimed yesterday the Cabinet had given their retrospective approval for.Defence lawyer Wong Kian Kheong cited the approval of the cost increase to RM4,632,732,000 from Cabinet meeting minutes dated June 24, 2007.

In 2002, the Cabinet was told that RM1.088 billion was the total cost of the project on the 999.5-acre piece of land in Pulau Indah that comprised the land value, infrastructure cost and a six per cent interest rate.
Dr Ling, a former transport minister, is charged with deceiving the government by concealing the fact that the interest rate of 7.5 per cent per annum was surplus to the purchase of Lot 67894 at RM25 psf — amounting to a total of RM1,088,456,000 — despite knowing that the government’s Valuation and Property Service Department’s (JPPH) had already taken that interest into account when it valued the land at RM25 psf.

The prosecution has argued that the additional interest of 7.5 per cent per annum, amounting to some RM720 million, had pushed the Port Klang Authority’s (PKA) land purchase cost from RM1.09 billion to RM1.88 billion for the port project.Dr Ling faces up to seven years’ jail and a fine if convicted of the principal charge under section 418 of the Penal Code. The trial resumes today.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pka-cannot-pay-back-government-loan-for-pkfz-project-ling-trial-told/

Reducing crime at hot spots

2011-11-15T09:53:00.001+08:00

TWELVE residential areas have been shortlisted to be part of a crime prevention pilot project.

The project is the initiative of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF).The 12 identified areas are located within the four crime hot spot states of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Penang.“It is hoped that through supporting these 12 Residents' Associations for five years and fostering a support network of Residents Associations and Community based organisations, these will lead to more effective networks nationwide,” said Tan Sri Robert Phang,(left) exco member and chairman for MCPF Neighbourhood Initiative.

“In the long run, Malaysians will be equipped with preventive knowledge that will allow them to be more proactive rather then reactive towards the situation.It is also aimed at building self-esteem and long-term healthy relationships.Most importantly, the project works to empower adults to be effective protectors by advocating for protective mechanisms to be implemented in the communities,” he said.

The MCPF also received a boost, thanks to the Motorola Foundation, which donated US$56,000 (RM175,447.994) to help MCPF spearhead its programme “Prevention Will Save the Day”.MCPF is hoping the programme will be the starting point for other business organisations which are interested in providing support to the community-based sector.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/15/nation/9862610&sec=nation

Nazri: Some ministers opposed the PKFZ project

2011-11-15T09:37:00.001+08:00

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, that many members of the cabinet were against the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

This happened during a meeting in 2002, he said, adding that although there was no notes on it in any documents or minutes of the meeting, he could still recall that many ministers opposed the project, but in the end agreed to it for fear of it becoming a big issue.

"At the meeting, when the matter (PKFZ project) came up, many said that the project might not succeed. At that time, we did not want to interfere because the land price was high. RM1 billion was a huge amount then (2002).

"Many knew the land was sold for RM25 per sq foot (psf), whoever sells will make huge profit," he said when cross-examined by lawyer Wong Kian Kheong, who represented former Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik, who is charged with cheating the Malaysian government.
Nazri, who was then the Entrepreneur Development Minister, said that some ministers felt that something was wrong with the project.Questioned by Wong whether he raised any objection to the Nov 6, 2002 cabinet decision to purchase the land in Pulau Indah for the PKFZ project, Nazri, who is the 20th prosecution witness, said he brought the matter, but did not protest.

Ling (below), 68, is charged with cheating the government by not disclosing to the cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5 per cent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.

He also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally omitting from the cabinet that the 7.5 per cent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.The offences were allegedly committed at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.

At the early stage of proceeding, Nazri told the court that to his understanding, the PKFZ project cost RM1.088 million, including interest.

He said the cabinet agreed to give a soft loan of RM4.6 billion to the Port Klang Authority (PKA) in 2007 to save the PKFZ project."Five years earlier (in 2002 before the loan was given in 2007), we (cabinet) did not want the government's money to be involved because they (PKA) promised to use internal funds," he added.

Nazri said that had he known the project involved government funds in 2002, he would have opposed the project implementation.

When re-examined by deputy public prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, Nazri said that the decision on the PKFZ project was made by the cabinet and not by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Meanwhile, former Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop (middle, in photo) said that in 2005, the Transport Ministry had requested for financial assistance, but was not approved.

The hearing before Justice Ahmadi Asnawi continues today.

Source- Bernama

Witness: Liong Sik support letter helped win AAA rating

2011-11-10T17:26:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — A letter of support from former transport minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik helped secure a top-tier rating for bonds raised for the construction of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) and sold for RM40 million in profit, a witness told the High Court today.Mohd Izzuddin Yusof, 52, the eighteenth witness for the trial, was formerly with the Malaysian Rating Corporation (MARC) Berhad from August 1996 to July 2006. He was the chief operating officer when he left the company.

“In my opinion, without the letter of support, it is possible that the rating given by MARC is lower than AAA because the letter has high weightage in determining the rating of the bond,” he told the cheating trial of Dr Ling today.Putrajaya had earlier proposed that the Port Klang Authority issue bonds with a six per cent yield to pay for 1,000 acres of Pulau Indah land for the PKFZ.Dr Ling’s letter of support for bonds raised by the turnkey contractor through one of the SPVs — Special Port Vehicle Bhd (SPVB) — was publicised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the press in 2007.

Critics allege that the letter of support penned by the then-transport minister on May 28, 2003 — which coincided with his last day in office — and three others by his successor, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, were seen by the market as government guarantees to fulfil PKA’s obligations to landowner Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB).

In his testimony today, Mohd Izzuddin said KDSB had used a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to raise bonds for the project because it was too heavily indebted.He also said that in order to secure the AAA rating, there needed to be a letter of support from the Ministry of Transport, approval from the MARC’s rating review committee, and legal documentation related to the bonds security obtained by the ratings agency.
“With the letter, MARC can give the highest rating, AAA and give confidence to the investors in the bond market on the ability Port Klang Authority to fulfil its obligations under the agreement with Kuala Dimensi,” Mohd Izzuddin said.

Defence lawyer Wong Kian Kheong asked the witness if there was any default or downgrade of the rating.
“To my knowledge, no,” he said, to both questions.Another witness, Ismadi Isenin, 46, formerly a senior vice-president and the head of department of the capital market at the Malaysian International Merchant Bankers Berhad (MIMB), disagreed with the defence counsel that MIMB had any other interests other than being the lead arranger, facility agent and the primary subscriber.

However, he agreed that all conditions of the bond issuance including the legality of the bond was complied with, as approved by the Securities Commission Malaysia.“When MIMB subscribed to this bond, they have to gauge, anticipate the market condition. If they cannot sell down the bonds, the bonds will end up in MIMB’s book.“They may make money, they may lose money. That’s the risk they had taken at that point in time,” Ismadi explained to the court.He added that in this case, the market had moved towards their favour, resulting in the sale of all the bonds.

The Malaysian Insider understands that MIMB had paid RM1.31 billion to obtain the bonds, and sold them to 17 secondary subscribers for RM1.35 billion, amounting to RM40 million in trading gains.
Former transport minister Dr Ling was charged in July last year with knowingly deceiving the Cabinet into approving the land purchase for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), which resulted in wrongful losses for the government.

The prosecution has argued that the additional interest of 7.5 per cent per annum, amounting to some RM720 million, had pushed PKA’s land purchase from RM1.09 billion to RM1.88 billion for the port project.Dr Ling, a former MCA president, also faces two alternative charges of deceiving the Cabinet into believing that the purchase at RM25 psf and the 7.5 per cent interest rate were acknowledged and agreed to by the government’s Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) despite knowing that there was no such agreement.Dr Ling faces up to seven years’ jail and a fine if convicted of the principal charge under Section 418 of the Penal Code. The trial resumes on November 14.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/witness-liong-sik-support-letter-helped-win-aaa-rating/

Marina Mahathir: Why go after Ambiga, come after me if you dare!

2011-11-08T11:31:00.001+08:00

Marina Mahathir, the high-profile daughter of ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad, has warned the authorities and troublemakers alike not to make Bersih chief Ambiga Sreenevasan and other activists scapegoats for the Seksualiti Merdeka event slated for November 9 to 13.“For the struggle, ask me. I have been defending the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community’s rights for over 20 years now. In fact, I defend the rights of all who have been discriminated against, the poor and everyone else. So if there is any discrimination or violence against anyone, I will continue to defend their rights. That’s it. Do you understand?” a seething Marina told a press conference on Monday.

So far, Ambiga has been the especial target of the police and other Umno-led groups, which have been accused of stirring up a ruckus in a bid to make use of the country's homophobia to galvanize the conservative Muslims to their side.Indeed, it has been an eye-opener to watch rival Malay parties Umno and PAS trying to out-Islamize each other over the event until both sides unwittingly revealed their extremist selves. Some of their leaders even questioned the LGBT's right to call itself a community.

Free sex festival? I'll sue!

In fine fettle, Marina also threatened to sue Umno-controlled TV3 for describing Seksualiti Merdeka as a "free sex festival".“I have been looking at your face and we know who you are,” said Marina, warning the reporter from the TV station not to misreport her remarks.Marina said she was there to show her solidarity with 4 activists hauled up by the police for questioning over the event. They are Bersih 2.0 chairman Ambiga Sreenavasan and steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah, Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez and Seksualiti Merdeka founder Pang Khee Teik.
“I am here only as a supporter because two years ago, I officiated Seksualiti Merdeka without any incident. It is an event to explain and educate them of their rights within the laws, and not outside," said Marina.
“So I am very angry, very angry, there are no words to describe, at certain parties calling this a free sex festival. You have nothing better to do? Nowhere here is free sex allowed. Are you crazy to imagine this?”

Bersih deja-vu

In a series of moves reminiscent of the Bersih crackdown, police had banned the event, summoned Ambiga and the others to be questioned while the BN-controlled press especially Utusan rushed to paint the LGBT community as being 'animals' without morals. While Malaysia is for most part is largely homophobic, there is growing disquiet that the Umno groups as well as PAS have over-reached their boundaries, and needed to be reined and taken to task for their fanaticism.

Perkasa and other Umno-linked groups have held noisy protests, hurling nasty invective against them including calling them 'animals'.Seksualiti Merdeka has been holding its yearly event since 2008 and the unprecedented attacks by the police and Muslim groups have shocked its organizing committee. Police have already banned their event, citing a threat to public order.

Dishonest charade

Inspector General of Police, Ismail Omar, has agreed to meet the organizers of Seksualiti Merdeka. The organizers on their part have also agreed to stop all public events pending the meeting. But pundits warned that Ismail was unlikely to give the organizers a fair hearing."This meeting is a dishonest charade on the part of the police. This show is put on to pretend to the people that they are not high-handed," PKR vice president N Surendran told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Police had no business banning the event in the first place. They acted unlawfully and stupidly. The BN Home Ministry and police leadership are a major threat to the freedom of the people. They treat the Constitution like trash, while pretending to uphold the law. In due course, they will have to answer for their misdeeds."

Source : http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=22513:marina-mahathir-why-go-after-ambiga-come-after-me-if-you-dare&Itemid=2

Court denies bid to forfeit property over PKFZ project

2011-11-04T15:40:00.003+08:00

The High Court today dismissed an application by the government to forfeit property valued at more than RM32 million owned by two individuals and seven companies that had managed the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.Judge Ghazali Cha arrived at the decision after finding that the federal counsel representing the government failed to show proof that the property was linked to any illegal activity.Ghazali ordered that the freeze on the property, which is in the form of cash, cheques and land, be removed and the assets be returned to the respondents. The judge said the counsel had only depended on an affidavit without any supporting document to show that the property was obtained illegally, and that the affidavit was based on the probe by an investigating officer without any recording of statements from witnesses.

On Nov 23 last year, the government had applied to have the property of Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing and Law Ka Hing as well as Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), Transshipment Megahub Berhad, Coastal Skyline Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Baru Aviation Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Baru Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Baru Construction Sdn Bhd and the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) to be sealed and forfeited.Ghazali also dismissed an application of the federal counsel to defer his decision.

Source - Bernama

MCA headquarters splashed with red paint

2011-11-03T12:05:00.001+08:00

The MCA headquarters in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, was found splashed with red paint this morning.
The wall and floor near the side entrance, which is beside a restaurant at the ground floor, was found splashed with paint.When contacted, Giam Say Khoon, the press secretary to the MCA president, said that a security guard found the area vandalised at around 7am today.He said that this is the first time that MCA headquarters has been splashed with paint.

According to Giam, police personnel came to inspect the scene after the paint was found.However, he was unable to say who was behind the incident and the motive behind it.Met at Serdang later, MCA president Chua Soi Lek said that he has instructed the party administration to lodge a police report.

While careful not to point fingers, he said that there is “speculation that this is because MCA is against PAS’ intentions to implement hudud”.“I am not saying this is related... this is the first time in MCA’s history that this has happened,” he said.

Chua, who has been vocal against the Islamic law, again urged DAP and PKR make public their stand on the hudud, especially the DAP which has “passionately supported PAS”.He said DAP should explain if the implementation of hudud impacts non-Muslims and if it has a negative effect on “the socioeconomics and political system”.“The rakyat would benefit from DAP’s explanation,” he said.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/180373

Reforming the A-G’s Office

2011-11-02T13:26:00.000+08:00

By Zaid Ibrahim (a former law minister, in the president of Kita)

Abdul Gani Patail has been the Attorney General (A-G) for many years now. He assumed office at an early age, and it is his good fortune that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (who was prime minister at the time) liked him.During my short stint working with him, I found him cooperative and a hardworking civil servant.Abdul Gani will probably remain A-G for a while more, even though he has received a lot of flak and criticism. Some are justified, and some are not.The list of cases and complaints is too long for me to recite here but everyone knows that no one has been brought to book for the MAS scandal that caused losses of billions of ringgit.

Everyone knows that those responsible for the death of Teoh Beng Hock, and Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed have not been held accountable. Everyone remembers the “no further action” against those implicated in the judge-fixing (i.e., the Lingam Videotape) scandal.There are many other cases involving high-profile personalities who were acquitted or had their charges dropped without the public being given satisfactory explanation of why those cases were not successful.This happened in the 2007 prosecution of Tan Sri Eric Chia for criminal breach of trust. It happened again in the 2009 prosecution of former Land and Cooperative Development Minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam for corruption and cheating.

It happened again this year in the high-profile case against Constable V Navindran, who was charged with causing grievous hurt to A Kugan who died in the Taipan police lock-up two years ago.The person who holds the office of AG must be one who make himself transparent and accountable. He must not be the the type who is reluctant to engage with the public. He must not remain below the radar, a personality trait common among those who like fishing.Its true that he is the chief legal adviser to the government and the Prime Minister, and in a sense its true that for as long as his employer is happy with him, why should he care about what the public thinks.

But he is wrong to take this attitude. He is no ordinary civil servant. He is ex-officio the Public Prosecutor with powers conferred to him by the Federal Constitution.Malaysian Attorneys-General assume a dual role: they are simultaneously the legal adviser to the government and the Public Prosecutor.

Taking responsibility

As Public Prosecutor the A-G is entrusted with making sure that the criminal justice system works well and functions with integrity and fairness. As a legal adviser, the A-G makes sure that the activities of the government are legally defensible.The A-G works for the government of the day to make sure that all government actions are in accordance with the law – a good legal adviser will also put his or her foot down when the government transgresses the law.

This is easier said than done when there are politicians in the Cabinet who place politics first and law second. Usually the AG will relent in such situation.However as a Public Prosecutor, the A-G works not for the government but for the public at large.He serves the public in providing a justice system that serve them well. As Public Prosecutor, the A-G is a public institution empowered by the constitution with all the discretionary powers in the world to charge or not to charge anyone for any offence or crime.e is the barometer by which we measure our success as a country governed by the Rule of Law.Unfortunately whist he is responsible for the well being of the justice system in the country, he has no control over other stakeholders.

He has no say in how the police force should be managed. He has no say in how the investigation team could be improved. He has little say in the efficiency of the court system.He has to accept the quality of politicians managing the country. So its not fair to blame him soley for the weakness and defects in the overall administration of justice in the country.Still he has to assume some responsibility. When a public official has such wide discretionary powers, he or she must exercise them with care, based on established principles and with integrity and fairness.

This is where the A-G must be transparent, must engage with the public, and must provide reasons for all his or her actions and decisions.The A-G cannot say “it’s my power and that’s the end of the matter”. The A-G is a public institution and, as such, must be held accountable and answerable to the public.I tried to convince former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that the A-G’s post should be made a political position and that the incumbent must be made a Cabinet member.The Attorney General, in my view, must be prepared to stand in Parliament and be held fully accountable. I was of, course, unsuccessful in pursuing this.

Are the politicians ready?

Making the A-G a political position does not mean that the A-G’s Office automatically becomes somehow “better” than if it were non-political.The character and personality of the person appointed as A-G would still be the most important factor, but as a political office the incumbent would not be able to escape enquiry and questioning in Parliament.Some who opposed my idea said that a politically-appointed A-G would be motivated or influenced by political considerations.The fact is that, in the old days when the A-G was a member of the Cabinet, there was a lot more more confidence by members of the public in the AG office.
The Solicitor-General (S-G) was effectively the Public Prosecutor and the S-G’s team pursued prosecutions without interference from political bosses while the A-G remained the nominal Prosecutor and also chief legal adviser to the government.

Why can’t we do this today? Indeed, it is possible that we can do other, better, things to make the criminal justice system more transparent and accountable.But the A-G’s Office will not improve if political parties forming the government (regardless of which parties) are reluctant to reform the police; reform the laws or continue to exert political influence over the A-G’s role as Public Prosecutor.The question will always be: how prepared and willing are politicians to share power with other state institutions such as the A-G’s Office in order to provide proper checks and balances to our system of government?

Will the politicians be willing to establish an independent Prosecutors Office which ; of course, will make them somewhat “vulnerable”?The weakness in the present criminal justice system is not the sole fault of the AG. Criminal investigation and case preparations are not done by the AG office but by the police, and yet the weakness in the investigation will reflect on the Attorney General.Also the lack of evidence can be attributed to unwillingness of key witnesses to come forward; again we cannot blame the AG for this situation.

I have not heard from the Prime Minister or Pakatan Rakyat about how, or even if, they intend to reform this important institution called the AG Office in order to make our justice system better.They should think seriously about it if they want reforms and and improve our justice system as much as they say they do.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/11/02/reforming-the-a-g%e2%80%99s-office/

Phang gives Nazri’s non-Malay PM remark thumbs up

2011-10-31T17:25:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Tan Sri Robert Phang has saluted Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz for saying a non-Malay could be prime minister if he was right for the job.Phang, a former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) adviser, said the de facto law minister’s statement was “very meaningful” and would help towards building a truly multiracial nation.“I must congratulate him for his farsightedness and conviction, which will transmit a very positive message to the people that the 1 Malaysia concept introduced by the PM is alive and well.

“For Datuk Nazri to have given this statement clearly illustrates that his true leadership is governed by the 1 Malaysia spirit... Well said, and well put,” the Social Care Foundation chairman told The Malaysian Insider.In an interview with The Edge Financial Daily published today, Nazri said he had no objection to a non-Malay prime minister so long as the best man got the job.“If it happens that the best person is a non-Malay, so be it,” the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said.“I cannot say, ‘I’m Malaysian first, but the prime minister must be Malay.’ You can’t have your cake and eat it (too).”

Last year, Nazri became the first Umno minister to declare he was Malaysian first and Malay second, in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia concept.His words appeared to be a direct snub to his superior in Umno, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who once famously declared himself to be Malay first and Malaysian second.But Nazri stressed today it was crucial for a Malay leader to lead the charge for greater inclusivity as non-Malay leaders would have a hard time garnering broad support.
He also said it was unacceptable for ethnic minorities to be told to go back to China or India more than half a century after Merdeka, and that Malaysians must instead respect cultural differences while celebrating what they had in common.“For heaven’s sake, after 50 years we should accept each other now,” he said.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/phang-gives-nazris-non-malay-pm-remark-thumbs-up/

Najib: Leave families out of politics

2011-10-24T10:28:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak moved today to end allegations of sexual harassment levelled against Lim Guan Eng’s son by calling on politicians to leave family members out of politics.“That is ideal in a modern democracy where you concentrate on policy matters.“You can debate the differences in policies in terms of weaknesses of implementation but you leave aside family, or the exploitation of family matters for your own political gain,” the prime minister told reporters today.Pro-Umno bloggers had claimed that the DAP Secretary-General’s son had assaulted a 16-year-old schoolmate and had tried to escape punishment by using his father’s name.
The Penang chief minister denied the allegations, saying he was furious with the “barbaric lies” made about his teenage son by “pro-Umno ferocious beasts”.The DAP later said the picture of the purported victim used by pro-Umno bloggers was that of 21-year-old chess grandmaster Anya Sun Corke, who is studying at Wellesley College in the US.On Friday, Corke denied ever having met or hearing of Lim’s son.
Lim’s colleagues in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) also came out strongly in support of the DAP secretary-general against what they called “the lowest gutter politics” seen in decades.

But Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday called on Lim to let the police investigate the claims if he had nothing to hide.Najib today said, “You have to agree on certain ethics. It works both ways.“I do not know the facts of this case but if you want to abide by certain ethics, to exclude families, then everybody should adhere to it, including the Opposition,” he said, appearing to refer to attacks against his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-leave-families-out-of-politics/

Somali report on slain BernamaTV cameraman with PM

2011-10-19T09:37:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — A copy of the report by the Somali government on the death of a BernamaTV cameraman in the Somali capital of Mogadishu is now with the prime minister, Bernama Online reported tonight.The news portal said that Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Mohammud H. Ibrahim had personally given the report to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the latter’s office in Parliament House yesterday.BernamaTV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor was fatally shot on September 2 while on assignment with a humanitarian mission by the Putera 1 Malaysia Club to famine-stricken Somalia. TV3 cameraman Aji Sarigar Mazlan was injured in the incident.At the meeting, Mohamed, who is also Somalia’s foreign minister, conveyed his government’s open apology to Malaysians over the incident.He also gave his assurance at a news conference later that his government will make every effort to protect Malaysians should they venture to Somalia in the future.

Cabinet never said Ling cheated in PKFZ project, says ex-minister

2011-10-14T18:14:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Cabinet ministers have never complained or lodged a police report against Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik over the RM1.088 billion land buy in the scandal-hit Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project, a former federal minister said today.Senator Datuk Seri Mohd Effendi Norwawi, who was Agriculture Minister from 1999 to 2004, told the cheating trial of Dr Ling that no minister had complained or accused the former transport minister of cheating the Cabinet at any time after the land deal was sealed.
Cross-examined by defence lawyer Wong Kian Kheong, Mohd Effendi went on to say that then-Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had “personal knowledge” of plans to compulsorily acquire the said land for the PKFZ project.

Wong: Have you reported to the police that the accused cheated Cabinet? (in the PKFZ project)

Mohd Effendi: No.

Wong: Have you receive complaints from other ministers that the accused had cheated Cabinet?

Mohd Effendi: No.

The former minister said yesterday that the Cabinet had dithered on its purchase of the PKFZ land, after originally agreeing to buy it on October 2, 2002.Citing delays, Mohd Effendi had said it was “normal” practice for Cabinet to change its mind over such matters, and that the government had on October 9 postponed the purchase pending the Finance Ministry’s presentation of a report from the Attorney-General’s chambers.

Former Transport Minister Dr Ling was charged in July last year with knowingly deceiving the Cabinet into approving the land purchase for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), which resulted in wrongful losses for the government.The prosecution has argued that the additional interest of 7.5 per cent per annum, amounting to some RM720 million, had pushed PKA’s land purchase from RM1.09 billion to RM1.88 billion for the port project.

This was despite knowing that the government’s Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) had already taken the interest into account when it valued the land at RM25 psf.Dr Ling, a former MCA president, also faces two alternative charges of deceiving the Cabinet into believing that the purchase at RM25 psf and the 7.5 per cent interest rate were acknowledged and agreed to by JPPH despite knowing that there was no such agreement.

The veteran politician faces up to seven years’ jail and a fine if convicted of the principal charge under section 418 of the Penal Code.Another witness — Lim Kean Chan, a chief financial officer with public listed company Silver Rich Holdings Bhd also testified today.
Chan, who previously worked as an accountant for a Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) used by PKFZ landowner Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) to raise bonds for the project, was shown a letter of support signed by Dr Ling.

When asked whether he knew the purpose of the support letter, Chan said “no.”
He said he assumed a support letter was standard practice when dealing with the government concerning the issuance of bonds.“It is part of the bonds issuance exercise,” he said.Putrajaya had earlier proposed that the Port Klang Authority issue bonds with a six per cent yield to pay for 1,000 acres of Pulau Indah land for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).

The government’s Valuation and Property Service Department’s (JPPH) had priced the deal at RM25 psf, including interest and the cost bond issuance.However, former Port Klang Authority general manager O.C Phang and then-PKA chairman Tan Sri Ting Chew Peh later inked a deal in November 2002 with landowner Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) for RM25 psf excluding interest and without plans to issue bonds.Dr Ling’s letter of support for bonds raised by the turnkey contractor through one of the SPVs — Special Port Vehicle Bhd (SPVB) — was publicised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the press in 2007.

Critics allege that the letter of support penned by the then-transport minister on May 28, 2003 — which coincided with his last day in office — and three others by his successor, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, were seen by the market as government guarantees to fulfil PKA’s obligations to KDSB.They claim this had allowed KDSB to raise RM4 billion in AAA-rated bonds through SPVB and three other SPVs even after the initial RM1.5 billion cost of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project more than tripled, despite PKA’s weak financial standing. The trial resumes on November 10.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/cabinet-never-said-ling-cheated-in-pkfz-project-says-ex-minister/

No Letter States That RM25 Includes Interest, Says O.C Phang

2011-10-12T09:18:00.004+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 - Former Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager, O.C. Phang, told the High Court here today that she never received any letter from the Transport Ministry stating that the RM25 per sq ft (psf) land in Pulau Indah included interest.She said the Finance Ministry and Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), the company which sold the land, also did not give her such a letter.Phang, 65, who is involved in the development of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project since 1998, said she only knew that the price included interest in January this year after being informed by two investigating officers.

However, she maintained the price did not include interest when cross-examined by lawyer Wong Kian Kheong, who represented former Transport Minister Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is charged with cheating the Malaysian Government.Dr Ling, 68, is charged with cheating the Malaysian Government by not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5 per cent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.

He also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally hiding from the Cabinet that the 7.5 per cent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.Dr Ling allegedly committed the offences at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.Phang, who is the 14th prosecution witness, said that a letter sent by Dr Ling to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also stated that the price of RM24 per sq ft did not include interest.

According to the court exhibit, the letter from Dr Ling, which contained the terms jointly agreed by KDSB on the land price at RM25 psf, as verified by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH)and the Finance Ministry, was sent on June 29, 2002.

Also stated was the total price of RM1.08 million and the interest rate of 7.5 per cent for the 400 hectare piece of land.Meanwhile, under re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, Phang said her statement pertaining to the issuance of bonds over the PKFZ land deal was based on her memory and report she received.Yesterday, Phang said that the issue on the bonds was never discussed and that she did not know that JPPH suggested the land value of RM25 for bond issuance.

The hearing before Justice Ahmadi Asnawi continues on Thursday.

Source : Bernama

Veteran singer Ahmad Jais dies

2011-10-11T13:47:00.003+08:00

Veteran singer Mohd Jais Ahmad or popularly known as Ahmad Jais, died at the Darul Ehsan Medical Centre at about 9.20am today, believed to be due to lung complications. He was 75.

His son-in-law Amirul Izwan Razak, 28, said his remains would be brought to the Shah Alam Mosque for prayers. He would be buried at the Seksyen 21 Muslim Cemetery in Shah Alam today.

Ahmad Jais, who was popular with such songs as ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ and ‘Budi Setahun Segunung Intan’ - a duet with Kartina Dahari - had been admitted to the hospital two weeks ago after complaining of breathing difficulties.

He is survived by five children. His wife, Mas Halilah Mas Nayeem, died on June 22, 2009.

The singer, who had been active since the 60s, complained of lethargy after coming back from a show in Batu Pahat, Johor, on Sept 8. His conditions worsened on Sept 20 and had been put on a respirator at KPJ Specialist Hospital in Selangor.

His last performance was at the national Aidilfitri open house in Permatang Pauh, Penang, on Sept 11, attended by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Source - Bernama

Two Per Cent Payment Made To KDSB To Prove PKA's Commitment To Develop PKFZ - Phang

2011-10-11T09:27:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR -- Former general manager of Port Klang Authority (PKA), O.C Phang, told the High Court here that the downpayment of two per cent to Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) was to prove PKA's commitment to develop the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.She also said that soon after being informed about the cabinet's approval for the purchase of the 1,000 acre (404.7 hectare) site at Pulau Indah by former Transport Ministry deputy secretary-general (planning), Abdul Rahman Mohd Noor, he told PKA assistant general manager (administration), Paul Seo Tet Cheng, to make the necessary preparations for the project.

Phang said this when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Tun Majid Tun Hamzah.Phang also told the court that she was later informed by PKA finance manager Rohasnah Othman that the two per cent downpayment could not be made as there were certain procedures which had to be observed before making the payment.Phang said she took responsibility for making the payment because she did not regard it as something which was not right.

Prior to this, Rohasnah, who is the 10th prosecution witness, said Phang was insistent in wanting to make the two per cent downpayment, totalling RM21 million, and that she was prepared to take full responsibility for the directive issued to her.Phang, who is the 14th prosecution witness, was testifying in the trial of former Transport Minister Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is charged with cheating the Malaysian Government by not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5 per cent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.

Dr Ling, 68, also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally hiding from the Cabinet that the 7.5 per cent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.He allegedly committed the offences at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.The hearing before Judge Ahmadi Asnawi continues today.

Source : Bernama

2012 Budget Highlights

2011-10-08T09:36:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR -- The following are the highlights of the 2012 Budget tabled by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is also Finance Minister, at the Dewan Rakyat on Friday:

* Government will introduce other transformation programmes, culminating in the National Transformation Policy, effective 2011-2020.

* RM232.8 billion allocated to implement all government development plans, focusing on the well-being of the rakyat, with RM181.6 billion for operating expenditure and RM51.2 billion for development expenditure.

* RM13.6 billion allocated to the social sector, including education, training, health, welfare, housing and community development.

* Government will implement a special stimulus package through private financing initiative, through which total projects amounting RM6 billion will be carried out.

* 2012 announced as the year of National Innovation Movement, with a RM100 million allocation to implement several strategic initiatives.

* RM50.2 billion for the education sector, with a development allocation of RM1.9 billion for the Education Ministry to be spent on all types of schools.

* RM1 billion to be provided through a special fund for the construction, improvement and maintenance of schools, particularly to cater to their immediate needs.

* Abolition of RM24.50 and RM33.50 for co-curriculum, internal test papers, Malaysian Schools Sports Council fees and insurance premium involving students in primary and secondary schools respectively, beginning the 2012 school year.

* Financial contributions from companies and individuals to upgrade school facilities to be eligible for tax deductions, to encourage more charitable activities.

* Existing National Agrobusiness Terminal (TEMAN) in Wakaf Che Yeh (Kelantan) and Gopeng (Perak) will be developed as Rural Transformation Centres pilot projects, with four more RTCs to be developed in Kedah, Johor, sabah and Sarawak.

* Establishment of Professional Services Fund to encourage professionals such as lawyers, doctors and accountants to set up firms in small towns, with BSN providing RM100 million for soft loans with an interest of 4 per cent.

* RM110 million for the implementation of the Rural Mega Leap Programme covering 6,500 hectares in 11 Agropolitan Projects nationwide for the cultivation of commodity and cash crops as well as cage fish culture.

* RM140 million to implement RISDA's new planting and rubber re-planting programmes benefiting 20,000 smallholders.

* RM5 billion proposed to strengthen the development of rural basic infrastructure in a more comprehensive manner.

* RM500 million to continue implementing projects to upgrade basic infrastructure under "Projek Penyelenggaraan Infrastruktur Awam" and "Projek Infrastruktur Asas", providing opportunities for 29,000 Class F contractors registered with the Contractor Service Sector.

* RM50 million to expand rainwater harvesting programme to Sabah.

* RM400 million to upgrade water supply infrastructure in selected Felda areas, besides RM50 million to connect the reticulation system in estates to the main pipes.

* RM150 million to be provided to the Public Transport Development Fund in the SME Bank to enhance bus services for the rural community.

* RM90 million for the provision of basic necessities which includes expanding the clean water supply project as well as income generating programmes for the Orang Asli community.

* Introduction of the New Civil Service Remuneration Scheme (SBPA) to replace the current scheme.

* Improving the salary of civil servants through a single-tier structure with additional increments to enable civil servants to continue receiving annual increments over a longer period.

* Annual increment of civil servants to be increased between RM80 and RM320 according to their grades, beginning 2012. Those who opt for the SBPA will receive an annual increment of between 7 per cent and 13 per cent.

* With the implementation of SBPA, more than 600,000 government pensioners will benefit from a pension adjustment involving an allocation of RM600 million.

* Effective 2013, the government will implement an annual pension increment of 2 per cent without having to wait for any review of the remuneration system or salary adjustments.

* Extension of compulsory retirement age from 58 to 60 years old to optimise civil servants' contribution.

* Additional bonus of half-month salary with a minimum payment of RM500 for civil servants and an assistance of RM500 for government pensioners, to be paid together with December 2011 salary.

* RM120 million to offer 5,000 Masters and 500 doctoral scholarships for eligible civil servants, including teachers.

* The government will offer 20,000 places for diploma teachers to pursue undergraduate studies.

* A special one-off payment of RM3,000 to 4,300 individuals who have completed their contracts with the Department of Special Affairs (JASA) and Social Development Department (KEMAS).

* RM442 million for the development expenditure of the Royal Malaysia Police, including for police housing quarters, purchase of communication and technical equipment as well as upgrading of headquarters, stations and training centres.

* RM500 million to upgrade and maintain army camps and quarters nationwide under the Army Care programme.

* RM50 million for the introduction of a special programme to enable army personnel who retired with less than 21 years of service and are not eligible for pension, to venture into businesses and obtain jobs in the public and private sectors.

* A one-off payment of RM3,000 to each ex-member as well as widows and widowers of special constable and auxiliary police who served in protecting the country during the emergency era.

* Agriculture sector development allocated RM1.1 billion.

* Expansion of the scope of the Commercial Agriculture Fund to include innovative agriculture projects with an allocation of RM300 million.

* The government to continue providing subsidy to households with electricity bill of RM20 per month or less, benefiting 1 million households.

* Over RM1 billion for the 1Malaysia Rakyat's Welfare Programme (KAR1SMA) to assist, among others, poor senior citizens, poor children, disabled people. 500,000 people to benefit from KAR1SMA.

* Opening of 85 more Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia with an allocation of RM40 million.

* Expansion of the My First Home Scheme with a proposal to increase the limit of house prices from a maximum of RM220,000 to RM400,000. Improved scheme will be available to housebuyers through joint loans of husband and wife beginning January 2012.

* RM443 million to build 8,000 units for sale and 7,000 units for rental under the Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR).

* RM63 million to rehabilitate 1,270 abandoned houses. Another RM40 million to restore and maintain public and private low-cost housing.

* Establishment of the Special Housing Fund for Fishermen with an allocation of RM300 million.

* Health Ministry allocated RM15 billion for operating expenditure and RM1.8 billion for developing expenditure.

* Kuala Lumpur Hospital to be upgraded to be the country's premier hospital with an allocation of RM300 million, of which RM50 million to be spent for the construction of a new outpatient block.

* Budget taxi owners to be given 100 per cent excise duty and sales tax exemptions for the purchase of new locally-made taxis.

* Abolition of road tax on all individually owned budget taxis.

* Providing assistance of RM3,000 for the disposal of old taxis exceeding 7 years but less than 10 years, and RM1,000 for vehicles of 10 years and above.

* RM320 million to implement various activities involving young people.

* An additional 150 futsal courts to be built with an allocation of RM15 million to achieve the "One Court for One Mukim" target, as well as another RM50 million to build football fields with artificial turfs, equipped with flood lights, at 30 selected locations nationwide.

* From Jan 1, 2012, all senior citizens aged 60 and above to be exempted from paying outpatient registration fee at all government hospitals, health clinics including 1Malaysia clinics as well as government dental clinics.

They will also be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on LRT and Monorail fares.

* One-off cash assistance of RM500 to households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and below to reflect the government's commitment to reducing the impact of the increasing cost of living on the low-income group. RM1.8 billion allocated for this purpose.

* Schooling assistance of RM100 for all primary and secondary students from Year 1 to Form 5 nationwide, as well book voucher worth RM200 to all Malaysian students in public and private local institutions of higher learning, matriculation and Form 6 students.

* Helping intending haj pilgrims to register early for the haj by ring-fencing RM1,300 from Account 2 of EPF contributors for registration purposes.

Source : Bernama

PKFZ project not viable at RM2.44b, says ex-Treasury official

2011-10-07T15:52:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — The proposed Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project was not viable at RM2.44 billion, a former Treasury official told Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s cheating trial today.However, Datuk Abdul Rahim Mokti, who was at one time deputy secretary-general in the Ministry of Finance (MoF), admitted he failed to impart this vital detail to his immediate superior or to the Port Klang Authority (PKA) board members before the deal was signed in November 2002.Abdul Rahim, 61, added he did not disclose the information to Parliament’s bipartisan Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when it held an inquiry into the port scandal two years, saying police investigators had not asked him about when they took up the case against Ling last year.

The High Court was previously told that an economic adviser to the then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had found the Pulau Indah land to be viable for development into a trans-shipment hub.
Grilled by both Dr Ling’s defence lawyer and the trial judge on this point, Abdul Rahim replied: “At RM2.44 billion, the project is not viable.”Abdul Rahim, who was also a PKA board member between November 15, 2002, and 2004, said he was not told of any problems with the land purchase.Former transport minister Dr Ling was charged in July last year with knowingly deceiving the Cabinet into approving the land purchase for the mammoth port hub, which resulted in wrongful losses for the government that has ballooned to RM12.5 billion.

The prosecution has argued that the additional interest of 7.5 per cent per annum, amounting to some RM720 million, had pushed PKA’s land purchase from RM1.09 billion to RM1.88 billion for the port project.This was despite knowing that the government’s Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) had already taken the interest into account when it valued the land at RM25 per square foot.
Dr Ling, an ex-MCA president, also faces two alternative charges of deceiving Cabinet into believing that the purchase at RM25 psf and the 7.5 per cent interest rate were acknowledged and agreed to by JPPH despite knowing that there was no such agreement.The veteran politician faces up to seven years’ jail and a fine if convicted of the principal charge under section 418 of the Penal Code. The trial resumes on Monday morning.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pkfz-project-not-viable-at-rm2.44b-says-ex-treasury-official/

Putrajaya stands by refusal to charge A-G

2011-10-07T09:54:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Putrajaya has insisted it will not take action against Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail despite renewed allegations of corruption and fabricating evidence made against the country’s top lawyer.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said that last year’s decision to close the door on the A-G’s alleged involvement in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s 1998 “black eye” case still stands.“Same reply, same reply. I replied to (DAP adviser Lim) Kit Siang in Parliament before. The reply is the same,” he told The Malaysian Insider when asked if Putrajaya would act on the latest allegations against Abdul Gani.

When asked to state if the government would take action against Abdul Gani’s accusers, Nazri repeated, “Same reply.”In Parliament last December 14, the government side-stepped the damning accusations made by former investigating officer Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim that Abdul Gani had falsified documents in the “black eye” case, brushing aside several open letters and appeals issued by the retired policeman..Instead, Nazri had told the House that there was no need for Mat Zain to complain that the independent panel formed to investigate the claimed evidence fabrication had failed to clear his name in the incident.

This, said Nazri, was because Mat Zain had never been the subject of the panel’s probe and had merely been called forth as a witness to testify.“The MACC’s (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) advisory board, though its letter to Datuk Mat Zain on July 23, 2009, had already stressed that there was no need for the independent panel or the MACC to clear Mat Zain’s name, seeing as he was not the subject of the investigation in the first place,” he said.Nazri also said that the panel had been constitutional, despite Mat Zain’s claim that the Solicitor-General had no right to appoint the members.

In his first open letter to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Mat Zain had claimed that the right to appoint a tribunal only lay with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, based on the prime minister’s advice.
Despite Nazri’s response, Mat Zain continued his relentless pursuit to convince the government to charge Abdul Gani in court and, over recent months, penned more letters to IGP Ismail.The former senior police officer also went a step further recently by accusing Putrajaya of admitting to Abdul Gani’s role in allegedly falsifying evidence when Nazri appeared to back the independent panel’s findings on the case.
He said with Putrajaya’s endorsement, there was no longer a need to form a royal commission of inquiry or a tribunal to investigate Abdul Gani’s involvement.

Mat Zain also claimed that Najib was aware of Abdul Gani’s involvement as the prime minister had been briefed and was provided “complete evidence” in October 2008, when he was still the country’s deputy premier.Mat Zain said he had briefed Najib at the latter’s Finance Ministry office in Putrajaya, adding that he had “assumed” the leader would take appropriate action once he took up the prime minister’s post.
PAS recently stepped into the fray, demanding Putrajaya form a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the numerous allegations of misconduct against Abdul Gani or prosecute the latter’s accusers for issuing false accusations.

PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar asked why the government and Abdul Gani had chosen to ignore the allegations, which include several claims of corruption and evidence fabrication.Failure to act on the accusations, he added, would only further tarnish the image, reputation and integrity of the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the post of the Attorney-General, who serves as the country’s highest-ranking public prosecutor.“If the government fails to take any action within an acceptable timeframe, PAS will initiate a petition calling for the formation of an RCI and submit it to the Agong,” Mahfuz told a press conference.

The PAS MP had also listed several other accusations against Abdul Gani such as claims made by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin that construction company Ho Hup Bhd paid for renovations to the Attorney-General’s house; the latter’s purported relationship with Shahidan Shafie, an alleged proxy to former Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chairman Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli; and also his alleged role in the case of murdered Mongolian model Altantuya Shaaribuu.Abdul Gani has denied all of Raja Petra’s accusations and had his name cleared by the authorities.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/putrajaya-stands-by-refusal-to-charge-a-g/

PKA GM Issued Directive To Proceed With Payment, High Court Told

2011-10-06T09:59:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR -- A former finanical manager of the Port Klang Authority (PKA) told the High Court here on Wednesday that a PKA general manager issued a directive to pay RM21 million downpayment to Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) for the purchase of land in Pulau Indah despite the absence of a letter of approval from the Cabinet.Rohasnah Othman, 55, said even though the process did not follow certain procedures, the general manager, OC Phang, was insistent on the payment.

"She said she was prepared to take full responsibility for the payment on the land purchase for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) development project," Rohasnah said.According to Roshasnah, the process was incomplete because there was no sale and purchase agreement between KDSB and PKA, no approval from the PKA board and PKA also did not have the funds."Apart from that, to withdraw from the fixed deposit that had not matured would cause PKA a loss," she said during examination in-chief by Deputy Public Prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah.

Rohasnah is the prosecution's 10 witness in the trial of former Transport Minister Dr Ling liong Sik, who is charged with cheating the Malaysian Government by not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5 percent per annum on the land price for the PKFZ project which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.Dr Ling, 68, also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally hiding from the Cabinet the fact that the interest rate of 7.5 per cent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.

He allegedly committed the offences on the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.Earlier, Rohasnah had said she received a payment voucher from PKA assistant general manager (administration) Paul Seo Tet Cheng for processing but told Paul that it could not be done because of certain procedures."But Paul said the payment was on the directive of Phang and I proceeded with the payment on Nov 7, 2002 after meeting with Phang a day earlier (Nov 6, 2002) to explain the procedures that had not been followed including prospects of loss," she testified.Rohasnah said this was because a letter of approval from the Cabinet was necessary as it involved a large sum and it should normally accompany the payment voucher.

She said she also reminded Phang that PKA did not have the amount to settle the payment.

"In this case (PKFZ project), there is no budget," she said.Rohasnah said PKA nevertheless paid out 10 per cent of the total RM1,088,456,000 to KDSB for the land covering 1,000 acres in three instalments.

"The first payout was RM21,769,100 on Nov 7 2002, the second, RM65,576,500 on Dec 17, 2002 and the third, RM21.5 million on Jan 28, 2003," she said.

Former Treasury secretary-general Abdul Rahim Mokti who was called as the prosecution's 13th witness also testified that PKA did not have its own funds to implement the PKFZ project.He knew this to be so as the Transport Ministry had contacted him to obtain a loan.Abdul Rahman said the Cabinet on March 24, 1999 had agreed that PKA and the Finance Ministry were to hold negotiations on the purchase of the land concerned with terms set by the government that valuation be done through the JPPH.Meanwhile, the prosecution's third witness, former JPPH deputy director-general Mani Usilapan, who was recalled by the court, still maintained his testimony that the JPPH valued the land in Pulau Indah at RM21 oper sq ft.

He said the RM25 per sq ft value was not what the department had recommended.

Hearing continues today before justice Ahmadi Asnawi.

Source : Bernama

PKA legal adviser: OC Phang refused to consult AG

2011-10-05T09:23:00.003+08:00

A Port Klang Authority (PKA) legal adviser told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today in the corruption trial of former transport minister Dr Ling Liong Sik, that its former general manager OC Phang had refused to consult the attorney-general (AG) on the terms of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) land deal.

Ninth prosecution witness, Fazilah Surkisah Mohammad, 47, said she advised Phang to do so, before and after the sale and purchase agreement was signed to ensure there was no conflict in the document.“I raised it with Phang. She didn't agree due to several reasons. First, it was not the norm for PKA to send any sale and purchase agreement to the AG.

“Second, the matter took such a long time to be resolved that the Jabel Ali company, a party to the project, had threatened to withdraw, and third, because Phang was of the view that PKA's request will not be given priority by the AG's office as PKA was a statutory body,” she said during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Manoj Kurup.
Fazilah said, although PKA had always funded itself, she gave the advice based on the fact that PKA did not have the funds for PKFZ which would ultimately, be managed by the government.

Apart from that, she added, the sale and purchase terms between PKA and Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) were entirely according to Phang's orders and she was only asked to check if it was in alignment with the decision of the board of directors.

Fazilah said there was no amendment to the agreement drafted by Rashid Asari & Co which was appointed by Phang and the PKA board of directors, and she had merely made spelling corrections before handing it back to the lawyers for the respective signatures.

'I only acted as a secretary during meetings'

Earlier in the proceedings, Fazillah said she was never consulted on legal matters during the PKFZ project meetings and was not informed of the agendas in advance.

She said, although her designation was legal adviser, she only acted as a secretary during the meetings and took down minutes.

Meanwhile, former PKA chairman Dr Ting Chew Peh, 68, said the Authority made the decision to purchase the land in December 2001, despite the increase in the interest rate to 7.5 percent.

However, he said the increase was due to the longer loan term of 15 years, as compared to 10, earlier.

He said throughout the meetings, no one from the Finance Ministry objected to the 7.5 percent interest rate.Ling, 68, is charged with cheating the Malaysian government by misleading the Cabinet into approving the Pulau Indah land deal for the mega distribution hub project in Port Klang, based on the terms agreed upon by KDSB and the PKA.

The charge, under Section 418 of the Penal Code, carries a sentence of up to seven years imprisonment and fine.Ling also faces an alternative charge of deliberately concealing facts related to the project, from the Cabinet, under Section 417 of the Penal Code, which provides imprisonment of up to five years and a fine. He is alleged to have committed the offences between Sept 25, 2002, and Nov 6, 2002, at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office at the Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya.

The trial resumes tomorrow before Judge Ahmadi Asnawi.

Source - Bernama

"LONG LIVE OUR PRESIDENT”????

2011-10-03T15:39:00.000+08:00

Nanyang Siang Pau ( 03-10-2011)

This picture, gives us the belief that Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek appears to be a “SULTAN” that all his subjects must "SEMBAH"

Please interpret by your self.

Comments Welcome.

Tajudin vs GLCs suit not resolved yet

2011-09-30T09:09:00.000+08:00

The suits by various government-linked corporations (GLCs) against tycoon and former Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chairperson Tajudin Ramli have not been resolved yet, and the court in Kuala Lumpur has fixed Nov 3 for further case management.

This was confirmed by Tajudin's lawyer Lim Kian Leong when met by reporters today.The case was initially fixed before newly-appointed President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Md Raus Sharif, who is the managing judge for the appellate court.

At the last session, Justice Md Raus fixed today for case management for the tabling of a global settlement.Today, it was to have been heard before lone Court of Appeal judge Justice Zaharah Ibrahim.

However, there was no sign of Umno lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun, who has been designated by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz as counsel for the GLCs to resolve the settlement, as per the minister's Aug 8 letter.

It is learnt that the GLCs have taken no decision on Mohd Hafarizam's appointment and hence he did not have reason to be present.

GLCs want to know terms of settlement

Sources from some of the GLCs familiar with the case said they still needed to know the terms of the global settlement that Tajudin intends to propose to settle the suits against him.

MAS, Telekom Malaysia and Axiata Group Bhd, which manages Celcom, declared to Bursa Malaysia last month that they were yet to receive any proposal for the global settlement.

The boards of directors of the GLCs also found that there was nothing before them to consider in order to reach a settlement.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court had in 2009 ordered Tajudin to pay RM589 million to Pengurusan Danaharta Bhd, which manages outstanding debt.

It had also dismissed Tajudin's RM13 billion counter claim against the GLCs and the government.

Tajudin has appealed against this decision and in October last year, proposed the idea of a “global settlment” and since then there, have been several postponements of his appeal before the Court of Appeal.

There has been no indication at all about what the much-hyped global settlement is about or the amount of money it will involve.

Bar Council chairperson Lim Chee Wee, and recently even the former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zaid Ibrahim, have criticised the “directive” Nazri issued to the GLCs to settle the matter with Tajudin.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/177191

IGP: Cops recover part of KLIA robbery loot

2011-09-27T18:15:00.001+08:00

The police have recovered a sum of money, believed to be part of the loot of a robbery allegedly committed by three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers at the KL International Airport (KLIA) on Sept 15.Inspector-general of police Ismail Omar has however, declined to disclose the amount of money recovered.“Investigations are proceeding smoothly and there are still some issues which need to be resolved, including tracking down two men who are believed to be linked to the case,” he said after attending a Hari Raya gathering at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

On the three MACC officers whose remand ended yesterday, Ismail said it was extended by another three days, beginning today.The trio, attached to the Putrajaya MACC headquarters, were detained by police on suspicion of robbing a money-changer of foreign currencies amounting to about RM900,000.

They comprised an acting assistant commissioner, a senior assistant superintendent and an assistant superintendent.The MACC, in a statement recently, said the three officers had been suspended from investigation work while awaiting the outcome of police investigations.Meanwhile, to a question on two brothers linked to a bomb explosion in Sungai Golok and said to be in Malaysia, Ismail said the police were in the midst of tracking down the duo, aged 26 and 27.

“We have ongoing cooperation with the Thai police and take care of each other's interests in resolving this matter.“We have an understanding with the Thai security forces to ensure the security of the border between the two countries,” he added.In the bomb explosion on Sept 16, four Malaysians were killed and 19 others injured.

Source : Bernama

China Press ( 27-09-2011)

2011-09-27T12:34:00.002+08:00

Lawyer for Sarbaini's kin: Decision hard to believe ( UPDATE )

2011-09-27T09:29:00.004+08:00

The family of Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed wants more time before commenting officially on the finding of the inquest into his death.His brother-in-law Mohd Shah Jaafar said Ahmad Sarbaini's widow was tired today as she had gone to the Tabung Haji.

Masiah @ Maziah Manap (right) and Ahmad Sarbaini were slated to perform the haj this year.Following Sarbaini's death, her son will be accompanying her to the Holy Land.

The family's lawyer, Awtar Singh, in commenting on the finding, said it is hard to believe the late Sarbaini had climbed out of the window to run away.

“Why must he do that? He (went there) on his own free will. Furthermore, there are no visible fingerprints near the window and they did not take the clothing of the MACC KL head of investigations, Mohamad Fauzi (Husin), to conduct a DNA test.”

Awtar said the MACC should be held liable for Sarbaini's death as it occurred within its premises.

“We are thinking of filing a judicial review but I will await instructions from my client.”

Awtar also pointed out that Sarbaini was not the kind of person to run away as he was a responsible and religious person.

The verdict defies logic, said the lawyer from Perak, from where Sarbaini also came from.The MACC Kuala Lumpur office, located on Jalan Cochrane, is within a gated compound and is also guarded by security.

We must respect the court's decision headed by the Coroner Aizatul Akmal Maharani yesterday, pertaining to the late Ahmad Sarbani death as misadventure but it does not absolve MACC.

Social Care Foundation chairperson Robert Phang, who was present, said that, while he respects the coroner's decision, it does not absolve MACC of blame.

“We have had one incident in (the case of) Teoh (Beng Hock) and again with Ahmad Sarbaini and I feel the authorities should get to the bottom of the matter," Phang (left) said.“Abu Kassim (Mohammed), the MACC chief commissioner, should really do some housekeeping to bring it to good repute.

There are many good hats as there are bad hats in the MACC. The public is clearly watching closely what is happening.”The social activist who was formerly a member of the MACC Consultation and Corruption Prevention panel, said justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.

He said Abu Kassim should engage with the public to clear many of the misconception of how the graft commission is run.

Phang falso said those in the chain of command at the Kuala Lumpur MACC office on that day should also be held responsible for Sarbaini's death, despite the ruling having only found an MACC named Kamal Awang Besar to be negligent for allowing Ahmad Sarbaini to be left alone in the witness room.

Shafee: There's no foul play

MACC's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the coroner had dismissed any finding of foul play against the graft busting commission as the inquest did not find any element of crime.

Shafee said the coroner finding that MACC officer Kamal was negligent for leaving Ahmad Sarbaini alone in the witness room was something for the MACC to look into, and he noted that Kamal was suspended after the incident.

Sarbaini was found dead after he fell from the third floor of the Kuala Lumpur MACC building on April 6.

He was initially detained for two days and was released on April 4 as part of the 'Project 3B' operation on corruption and money laundering conducted by the MACC.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/176916

PAS wants royal panel to probe AG for graft

2011-09-27T09:20:00.003+08:00

In light of serious allegations of graft and judicial abuse made against Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, PAS wants the public official to be investigated by a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI)."This is a black mark against the AG's Chambers, as a national institution enacted by constitutional provisions," PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

The allegations, said Mahfuz, were made by former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) panel member Robert Phang, self-exiled blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and even former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim in a series of open letters.An RCI is vital to look into the matter, the Pokok Sena MP added, since the institution Gani heads has a direct connection with the federal constitution, appointed as he is by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Elaborating further, Mahfuz said the allegations against Gani included falsifying facts and evidence in Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's infamous 'black-eye' incident, the graft case against Shahidan Shafie and "judicial abuses" in the Altantuyaa Shaaribuu murder trial.Mahfuz said he saw no indication on Gani's part to sue those who have levelled the allegations.It's not difficut for the attorney-general to take legal action against, for example, Mat Zain, as the latter is within the country, as opposed to Raja Petra who is overseas.

Various interpretations

"Because Tan Sri Gani Patail looks like he is not prepared to take legal action against these people, it means the accusations can be interpreted in various ways, which does not give a good image to the country," he added.Mahfuz insisted that it was the government's responsibility to "clean up the situation" by setting up an RCI to protect the good name and eminence of the royal institution and federal constitution.

If that was not done immediately, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong would be petitioned himself over the matter, he warned.This "not a political issue" but one of the integrity and credibility of the attorney-general and the AG's Chambers."For me, the reports are sufficient. They have been posted on the Internet, in open letters by the former KL CID chief... I feel these are strong enough for those in authority in the country to take the necessary steps," Mahfuz added.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/176926

Lawyer for Sarbaini's kin: Decision hard to believe

2011-09-26T17:27:00.001+08:00

Following Ahmad Sarbaini's death, her son will be accompanying her to the Holy Land. The family's lawyer, Awtar Singh, in commenting on the finding, said it is hard to believe the late Sarbaini had climbed out of the window to run away.

“Why must he do that? He (went there) on his own free will. Furthermore, there are no visible fingerprints near the window and they did not take the clothing of the MACC KL head of investigations, Ahmad Fauzi (Husin), to conduct a DNA test.”

Awtar said the MACC should be held liable for his death as it occurred within its premises. “We are thinking of filing a judicial review but I will await instructions from my client.” Social Care Foundation chairperson Robert Phang, who was present, said that, while he respects the coroner's decision, it does not absolve MACC of blame.

“We have had one incident in (the case of) Teoh (Beng Hock) and again with Ahmad Sarbaini and I feel the authorities should get to the bottom of the matter," he said.“Abu Kassim (Mohammed), the MACC chief commissioner, should really do some housekeeping to bring it to good repute. The public is clearly watching closely what is happening.”

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/176916

IGP: BN may lose power if ISA issue not addressed

2011-09-23T10:50:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — Barisan Nasional (BN) may lose the next general election if the ruling coalition does not tackle issues surrounding the Internal Security Act (ISA), says top cop Tan Sri Ismail Omar.The Inspector-General of Police wrote this in a book that was published before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced plans to repeal the security law last week.In the book titled “1 Malaysia Menjana Negara Sejahtera dan Bahagia Menjelang 2020”, Ismail said the law, introduced in 1960, would continue to be a hotly-debated political issue, increasing support for the opposition.

“The government is said to continue using the double-edged sword of the ISA. For the government, it is important to maintain peace and national security but the opposition will continue to gain public sympathy and voter support,” he wrote.He said “if the government does not manage this issue well, it will lead to defeat in the next general election.”Ismail, who replaced Tan Sri Musa Hassan as police chief in September 2010, said that even though the government had promised to review the ISA when Najib became prime minister in April 2009, many had doubted this pledge.

But Najib announced on September 15, the eve of Malaysia Day, that his administration would repeal the ISA and other security laws to give more freedom to the public.The prime minister said the law, which allows for preventive detention, would be replaced by two laws that he promised would be limited to acts of terrorism and would never be used for political reasons.In the chapter titled “Peace and Security Towards Forming a Developed Nation,” Ismail wrote that he expected the post-2008 election landscape to continue in the future.He said that after Pakatan Rakyat (PR) gained four states and denied BN its customary two-thirds majority of Parliament, “the political situation at the state level has been uncertain and fragile. This is expected to prolong into the future.”

He cited as an example the BN takeover of Perak in February 2009 after three assemblymen left PR.
Ismail also wrote that pre-emptive action taken by the police to nab key men in groups such as Jemaah Islamiah, Darul Islam, Al-Qaeda and Abu Sayyaf since the 9/11 attack in 2001 was the main factor in keeping Malaysia safe from militant threats.The ISA allows for detentions without trial and was enacted for use against communist terrorists but has been criticised over the years when it was deployed against other activities.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/igp-bn-may-lose-power-if-isa-issue-not-addressed/

Najib announces rural change scheme, RM50m grant

2011-09-22T13:46:00.000+08:00

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 22 — The government will soon launch the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) to spur economic development in rural areas, starting with a multi-million ringgit distribution centre in Gopeng, Perak.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) will help small-scale rural entrepreneurs forge better links with the market in order to boost demand for their products.“It will be used as an agro-food and agro-business supply centre that will connect suppliers with consumers,” he told some 2,000 entrepreneurs and their families here.

Najib also announced an early allocation of RM50 million to some 10,000 rural businesses under the Usahawan Kecil Dinamik (Dynamic Small Entrepreneurs) programme that will be administered by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara).He added that there were other RTP programmes in the pipeline but said he would only announce them at the upcoming Budget 2012 next month.Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal later told reporters that, in addition to helping entrepreneurs reach a wider market, the RTC will also be a one-stop centre for business financing and training.

“We have provided kiosks kitted out by the Rural Development Ministry with all the information entrepreneurs need,” he said.“The kiosk is a place where you can have access to all sorts of information, with regards to how to get loans and training.”Shafie said the centre, which will service rural businesses within a 100km radius, will be ready in “two of three months”, adding that his ministry had already identified at least four other locations for future RTCs, including in East Malaysia.The RTP is a cross-ministry effort to drive economic development in rural areas that also involves the agriculture and agro-business, health, education, home affairs and defence ministries.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-announces-rural-change-scheme-rm50m-grant/

MACC officers held for RM1 mil ‘robbery’

2011-09-21T16:50:00.003+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) senior officers have been arrested in connection with an extortion-cum-robbery case involving RM1 million.The alleged victims were said to be three money changers from Singapore.According to a source familiar with the case, the money changers were at KLIA last Thursday night to board a flight to Singapore.

The source said the trio were carrying foreign currencies amounting to about RM2 million which they had declared to the customs authorities.“When they alighted from the satelite train, the money changers were confronted by five men who identified themselves as MACC officers.

“The trio were then taken to a nearby eatery, where the MACC officers had demanded for US$100,000 from each money changer.“When they refused, the officers took them to a toilet, where there are no CCTV cameras, and opened the bags containing the cash. The officers then took three bundles of US$100,000.

“The officers also warned the money changers not to report the matter,” claimed the source.When contacted, Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah confirmed that three senior MACC officers were arrested. He told FMT that the trio have been remanded for seven days to facilitate investigations and added that the incident had turned from extortion into robbery.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/09/21/macc-officers-held-for-rm1-mil-robbery/

AG’s Chambers to host open seminar on sedition

2011-09-21T15:58:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 — The Attorney-General’s (AG) Chambers is holding an open seminar to discuss the law on sedition and its usefulness in societies, according to Bernama Online.The seminar titled “Efficacy of the Sedition Act 1948” intends to give the public a better understanding of the law, therefore there will be greater awareness to balance the right to express and the harms that may be present in speech.
The seminar will deal with seditious content in print media and also the Internet, which will make it appealing especially to bloggers to attend, according to a statement released by the AG chambers.It stated that sometimes satire and parody ends up defaming individuals.

The speakers slated are AG chambers’ own prosecutor Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah and UiTM legal professor Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi.Joining them will be deputy head of the civil division in the AG’S chambers, S. Amarjeet Singh, Media Prima chairman and newspaper columnist, Datuk Johan Jaaffar, and executive director of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Mustaffa Fazil Mohd Abdan.Some prominent bloggers are expected to attend and present their views at the seminar.It will be held on September 26 and 27 at Dewan Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Yusof, Level 3, AG’s Chambers in Precinct 4, Putrajaya.

Those interested to attend the seminar can contact Hamidi Mohd. Noh at 03-88855111 or email to hamidi@agc.gov.my, Izazi Muhamedin (03-88722239 or izazi@agc.gov.my), or T. Deepa Nair (03-8872 2231 or deepa@agc.gov.my) of the AG’s Chambers.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ags-chambers-to-host-open-seminar-on-sedition/

PKFZ: Ex-MCA minister's case sent to KL High Court

2011-09-15T12:33:00.000+08:00

The Putrajaya Sessions Court has transferred former transport minister Chan Kong Choy's cheating case to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Nordin Hassan sought the transfer under Section 418A (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

Chan, 55, who served in the position from 2003 to 2008 in former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's cabinet, was charged with cheating the latter over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) multi-billion ringgit fiasco. Judge Azhaniz Ateh Azman allowed the prosecution's application for transfer but asked Chan's lawyer, Tan Hock Chuan for his views on the stay application the defence had applied for last month.

Chan wanted to a stay to his case, pending disposal of former transport minister Dr Ling Liong Sik's ongoing cheating trial at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. "We have the option of filing a fresh application of stay in the High Court," said Tan, agreeing to deal with the matter at there.

However, the defence counsel requested to have the mention date fixed some time in October as he will travelling abroad this month.Azhaniz agreed to their requests, saying that the dates would be fixed by the High Court's deputy registrar, and also struck out Chan's stay application at the Sessions Court "with the liberty to file afresh" at the higher court.

Outside the courtroom, Nordin told reporters that the prosecution had pursued the transfer at the request of the defence to the Attorney-General's (AG) Chambers.

The billion ringgit debacle

On Feb 28, Chan pleaded not guilty to three counts of deceiving Abdullah into approving Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) as the turnkey developer to carry out development of the mega transhipment hub project at the Pulau Indah and renovation works at the PKFZ site between 2004 and 2006.

Chan is accused of committing the offence at the fourth floor of the main block of the former prime minister's office at the Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya. He faces a jail term of five years or a fine, or both on each of the three charges under Section 417 of the Penal Code, if convicted.

Chan is the second VVIP charged in connection with the project, which has been plagued by massive cost overruns and according to an audit report, could potentially cost taxpayers a mind blowing RM12.5 billion.

On July 29 last year, Chan's predecessor Ling, who held the post of transport minister for 14 years from January 1986 to May 2000, was charged with committing deception knowing that it could cause wrongful losses to the government despite being bound by the fiduciary duty to protect the adminstration.

Four others prominent figures, including former PKFZ general-manager Phang Oi Choo @ Phang Ai Tu, better known as OC Phang, have been charged with various offences for their alleged involvement in the project.Phang's case was also adjourned until the disposal of Ling's on the grounds that it would be prejudicial to the latter's ongoing trial.

In December last year, Phang was charged with criminal breach of trust involving RM254.85 million in the PKFZ debacle, along with PKFZ turnkey contractor KDSB's chief operating officer Stephen Abok and architect Bernard Tan Seng Swee of BTA Architect with criminal breach of trust and cheating amounting to about RM380 million.

Also charged was former KDSB project director Law Jenn Dong, for allegedly making 24 fraudulent claims for a total sum of RM116.85 million.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/175869

Dr Ling signed but didn’t write letter to PM, witness reveals

2011-09-15T10:07:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — At Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s cheating trial today, the spotlight fell on a three-page letter he signed and sent to the then prime minister in 2002 that appeared to set the outcome of the now scandal-tainted Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.A former senior transport ministry official revealed today that Dr Ling, then the minister in charge of the port project, had played no part in writing or even drafting the letter, which had been heavily revised on certain facts that are now being disputed.

Datuk Zaharaah Shaari, who was the Ministry of Transport’s (MoT) secretary-general at that time and was tasked with preparing the letter, told the High Court her ex-boss had read the letter dated April 3, 2002 to which he affixed his signature, but “was not involved” in writing or drafting its contents.She admitted, after persistent questioning by Dr Ling’s lawyer, Wong Kian Kheong, that she had made several “corrections” to an original draft by former Port Klang Authority (PKA) chief Datin O.C. Phang.“The biggest amendment I remember was to paragraph five,” she told the High Court, referring to a lengthy explanation over the problem of obtaining the required 1,000 acres of land from Pulau Indah landowner Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) for the project that was to turn Port Klang into a mega distribution hub.

Then Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was asked to “reconsider a proposal for direct purchase from KDSB” after the land price was renegotiated.Zaharaah said she had amended Phang’s draft to “correct” the land acquisition issue over the land price of RM25 per square foot (psf) as calculated by the government’s Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH), which she insisted included the overall development cost and interest, and amounted to RM1.088 billion payable over a 10-year period with payment for the first two years suspended.Wong, however, contested this particular point.

Dr Ling’s lead defence counsel contended that Zaharaah’s argument did not hold water and that she was in fact, very much aware of it.He brought the court’s attention to the Treasury’s then secretary-general, Datuk Samsuddin Hitam’s letter to Zaharaah dating back a whole year earlier to February 24, 2001, which highlighted that the RM25 psf price tag on the land was not inclusive of interest, as claimed.Then Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was asked to “reconsider a proposal for direct purchase from KDSB” after the land price was renegotiated.Dr Ling is accused of duping the Malaysian government into embarking on the PKFZ project and triggering a costly financial mess, by double-billing the Cabinet.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dr-ling-signed-but-didnt-write-letter-to-pm-witness-reveals/

Ex-Transport Ministry official claims ignorance over PKFZ valuation report

2011-09-13T16:35:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 — A former senior Transport Ministry official whose job was to take care of all financial and administrative paperwork appeared to have been kept in the dark over crucial dealings of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s trial heard today.Datuk Zaharah Shaari was secretary-general of the Ministry of Transport (MoT) from June 1999 to July 2005 when the PKFZ deal was sealed.But she testified in the High Court today that she had not seen or was not told of the contents of a number of letters and memos, including a much-disputed valuation letter on a piece of land on Pulau Indah the government wanted for the project; an initial ministry offer letter to Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) for the land dated October 2, 2000; as well as KDSB’s subsequent letter of acceptance three days later.

Now retired, Zaharah said that all paperwork sent to the ministry would first be gathered at a central registry before being delivered to her office for distribution, except for those sent by hand.“Those letters don’t arrive at my office... They are taken direct to the rooms of the respective officials,” the 62-year-old said.The court had previously been told that the federal government’s Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) had written to the ministry, in a letter dated September 29, 2000, putting a price tag of RM25 per square foot (psf) for the PKFZ land.Copies of the valuation letter bore a stamp “Dengan Tangan (Hand Delivered)”, and addressed “for the attention of En Abdul Rahman Mohd Noor”.

Zaharah also said she only knew about the September 2000 valuation report during a meeting with then-de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, chaired by Dr Ling, who was then Transport Minister.She said she could not remember when the meeting was held or if it had been recorded, but seemed well-versed with the issue raised.“The issue raised was the cost of ‘willing-buyer-willing-seller’ and the (offer) letter from MoT to the company (KDSB) which is a binding letter. That’s all I remember was discussed,” Zaharah replied to deputy public prosecutor Adilla Ahmad.Dr Ling is accused of misleading the government into embarking on the multi-million project to turn Port Klang into a competitive regional distribution hub.
The trial was adjourned to tomorrow.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ex-transport-ministry-official-claims-ignorance-over-pkfz-valuation-report/

Nazri: MACC to probe any report lodged with them

2011-09-13T13:56:00.003+08:00

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will investigate any report lodged with them, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.He was responding to a question from the press on behalf of the MACC chief commissioner, Abu Kassim Mohamed, regarding whether the anti-graft agency had started investigations against attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, who is allegedly involved in a corruption case concerning a construction company.

“I think, put it this way, any information or report made to the MACC, the MACC will investigate it without fear or favour. I think that's fair to the role of MACC,” said Nazri at a press conference after launching the 'Waging War against Corruption through Taxies' campaign in Putrajaya today.Under Section 29(4) of the MACC Act 2009, Nazri said, that the agency has the right not to reveal any information when an investigation is ongoing.

Abu Kassim remained mum during the press conference.

When asked about what is the progress of the investigations over the 3B anti-graft operation, Nazri merely said that “they will come out a statement” after Abu Kassim whispered to him.

MACC 'visit' to Ho Hup's headquarters

It was reported that the MACC were at the headquarters of Ho Hup Construction Company Bhd, a company alleged to have done renovations for Abdul Gani's house.The Ho Hup-Gani link was first raised by the Malaysia Today website, which claimed the attorney-general had helped the company's former director, Vincent Lye, to topple his rival Low Tuck Choy.

On Jan 26, Low was charged in court with non-timely disclosure of his interests in the company.Malaysia Today alleged that Gani had received gratification in the form of a RM18,000 renovation job for a bungalow in Seremban. Copies of invoices and cheques were posted on the site to back the claims.

Gani has since denied the allegations and said he does not own any property in Seremban.

Earlier, in launching the 'Waging War against Corruption through Taxies' campaign, Abu Kassim hoped that taxi drivers can become the “eyes and ears” of the MACC to report any suspected corruption allegation to the agency.

“You often get information through phone calls or conversation between passengers in taxi, or via chit-chat between the driver and passenger or witness any corruption transaction that happened in a taxi.

“I believe that that if all the groups in society play their own role against corruption, we can achieve zero corruption or at least zero tolerance against corruption,” he said to the about 100 taxi drivers who were present today.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/175654

Transport ministry ignored MoF fears over PKFZ

2011-09-12T17:42:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — The Transport Ministry had climbed into the bed of the now scandalised Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) despite grave misgivings by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) just three weeks before the deal was inked in November 2002, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s trial heard today.The MoF had then also accused Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) — the owner of 1,000 acres of land on Pulau Indah and the main contract to develop the port project — of “fraudulent representation” and had demanded the Ministry of Transport (MoT) clear the air over these allegations.

A former transport ministry official, in charge of logistics in the maritime division, told the High Court the MoF had been confused by several points in the Pulau Indah land deal that was to be got for the PKFZ project, and had sought an explanation from it.“The confusion was actually MoF had alleged there were many encumbrances on the land,” he replied when questioned by Dr Ling’s lawyer, K.K. Wong.
In property, the word “encumbrance” carries a technical meaning and refers to anything that affects or limits the title of the property, such as mortgages, leases, easements, and restrictions.

Chandrasekaran, who was chief secretary of the maritime division and had attended several round of meetings between the MoT and the MoF, also agreed with Wong’s suggestion that there had been claims of “fraudulent representation by KDSB”.Wong had wanted to know why the MoT was asked to prepare several documents raised in a Cabinet meeting on October 29, 2002.Chandrasekaran had previously told the court there was a mistake in the valuation of the price per square foot (psf) over the land deal.
Wong attempted to show that the “misunderstanding” had not been conveyed to Dr Ling.But Chandrasekaran, who is the prosecution’s fifth witness, appeared confused by the defence lawyer’s roundabout questioning and was uncertain in his answers.

At one point, he told Wong that he had not read the sale-and-purchase agreement inked between KDSB and the Port Klang Authority, despite having received it.Wong seemed to find the answer incredulous, and asked if he had handed it to his superiors in the maritime division as well as the MoT deputy chief secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohd Noor.“I can’t remember,” Chandrasekaran replied, after a long pause.
Wong’s cross-examination of Chandrasekaran will continue tomorrow morning.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/transport-ministry-ignored-mof-fears-over-pkfz/

MACC OFFICERS MUST NOT BE DISHEARTENED BY CRITICISMS BUT MUST RISE TO THE OCCASION!

2011-09-09T13:31:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation

Following the revelation by Malaysia Today pertaining to allegations of corruption against AG Gani Patail involving Ho Hup Berhad, on 26th August 2011, I had issued a statement captioned “AG GANI PATAIL: MACC MUST SHOW INDEPENDENCE AND NOT IMPOTENCE”.

I am made to understand that my statement had caused many MACC officers to feel disheartened and demoralized believing that I had accused them of “IMPOTENCE” whereas I was once an Advisory member of the MACC Panel.

Let me clarify that my statement was never intended to demean nor demoralize the MACC or its officers. After all, I still regard myself as part of the MACC support group. Far from demeaning the MACC, my statement was intended to challenge, motivate, provoke and fire-up the MACC and its officers to act vigilantly in the genuine fight against corruption.

Thus, I am happy to note that the mainstream media has reported of the recent visit by MACC to Ho Hup’s office. This shows that an investigation is under way despite there being no official statement to that effect. It would be better if the MACC Chief Commissioner, Dato Seri Abu Kassim, issues a statement in conformity with his pledge that the MACC would not be intimidated or influenced by any person and that action would be taken to investigate any allegation regardless that the subject or suspect may be a “big fish” and not just some “ikan bilis”.

If only Dato Seri Abu Kassim would make that announcement, that would allay all public cynicism and skepticism. That would assure the public not to worry because MACC is vigilant and alert of allegations that are already circulating in the public domain. Thus, I call on all Malaysians to applaud the MACC’s quiet role in this new development. Let us give these officers a pat on the back and say “BRAVO to them with the hope that would spur them to act without fear or favor. This is the only way that MACC can regain the Rakyat’s trust and confidence.

It is noted that AG Gani Patail has now publicly denied the allegations. That is in consonant with the rules of natural justice that a person must be given the right to defend himself against allegations. It would be more commendable for all parties if the investigation can be shown to be transparent. Already talk is rife that the visit and seizure of Ho Hup’s documents are to achieve some other ulterior objective namely to destroy evidence of any misconduct by the AG. That perception is unfortunate.

Thus, one way in which AG Gani Patail, the MACC and the government can show transparency in this mater is to ask AG Gani Patail to go on on leave of absence until the investigations is completed. This would sweep away all the dust of suspicion that otherwise would linger on. I ask AG Gani Patail to be selfless in this and do what I had done when an unfounded allegation was made against me earlier this year. Then, AG Gani Patail would earn my respect as a true patriot.

Finally, I ask that the MACC officers must face up to reality that indeed its reputation is at its worst now. However, they must not be disheartened by these criticisms but must instead rise to the occasion!

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

MACC 'visits' Ho Hup's office

2011-09-08T12:58:00.002+08:00

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) officers were at the headquarters of the Ho Hup Construction Company Bhd, a company alleged to have done renovations for Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail's house. Popular political blog Malaysia Today broke the news late yesterday evening, calling the incident yesterday afternoon a “raid”.

When contacted, a Ho Hup official who requested anonymity said the incident was merely a short visit. “It was not a raid as portrayed and they were here to question my boss. However, as he was not around they waited for 10 minutes until he arrive.

“After having a short discussion, they left,” the official said, adding that the MACC spent less than 30 minutes at the scene. When asked whether the MACC took any documents with them as alleged, the official replied in the negative and the source said he does not know what the visit was about.Phone calls and text messages to MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali and chief commissioner Abu Kasim Mohamed to obtain a clarification went unanswered.

The Ho Hup-Abdul Gani link was first drawn by Malaysia Today who alleged that the attorney-general had helped the company's former director Vincent Lye to topple his rival Low Tuck Choy. On Jan 26, Low was charged in court for non-timely disclosure of his interests in the company.

Malaysia Today alleged that Abdul Gani had received gratification in form of a RM18,000 renovation job for a bungalow in Seremban. Alleged copies of the invoices and cheques were used to back the claims. Abdul Gani has since denied the allegations and said he does not own properties in Seremban.

Meanwhile, social activist and former MACC advisor Robert Phang told Malaysiakini that Abdul Gani should go on leave pending investigations.

“This is what I did when I resigned from the MACC advisory board member, as allegation surfaced in a blog that I was involved in corrupt practices. “I resigned as I did not want to bring the MACC into it and disrupt investigations. Abdul Gani should do the same and maintain the good name of the AG's Chambers. A mere denial does not absolve him,” he said.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/175144

DPM To Name Five BN MPs Of Parliamentary Committee Soon, Says Nazri

2011-09-08T09:40:00.002+08:00

PUTRAJAYA - Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will name the five Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs of the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on the electoral process soon, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz said on Wednesday.Muhyiddin would submit the list of names to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee chaired by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia, he added.

"The three opposition MPs and the sole independent MP could also submit their names to Pandikar before I table the motion at the next sitting of the Dewan Rakyat, in October," told a news conference at the Legal Affairs Division in the Prime Minister's Department, here.

Last month, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that a PSC would be formed to look into ways to improve the country's electoral process.The committee is to be chaired by a cabinet minister.Nazri said he tabled a memorandum prepared by the Election Commission (EC) on the formation of the PSC at yesterday's meeting of the cabinet."The cabinet has agreed to the framework. If you look at the framework, it is very wide... to look into matters which will strengthen the EC to ensure free and fair elections.

"If you go on specifics, then we are limited to the specifics only. But here, anything to strengthen the EC and to ensure free and fair elections can be discussed... anything to improve the country's electoral process," he said.

Nazri said the cabinet also agreed that the PSC would have six months to deliberate on the framework.

"However, if needed, it (the period) can be extended," he said.Nazri said the cabinet also agreed that the matters discussed by the PSC could be implemented as soon as possible without having to wait for all the reports as long as it got the consensus without any amendment to the acts or constitution.Asked what would happen if the opposition boycotted the PSC, Nazri said the committee would go on regardless as the government wanted free and fair elections.

"It was the request from the opposition and NGOs to form the PSC. So, if they don't want to take part, then it is weird," he said.When asked if the PSC would be dissolved if the next general election was called early, before the full term of parliament, Nazri said "we are working on the premise that the lifespan of parliament will expire in April 2013 and, after that, another 60 days to call for the general election".

"I can't work on speculation," he said.

Source : Bernama

Noramfaizul's kin to get RM50,000 in insurance

2011-09-07T09:42:00.001+08:00

Bernama chairman Abdul Rahman Sulaiman said RM50,000 would be paid out by the insurance company where Bernama had taken a term life insurance policy for the late BernamaTV cameraperson Noramfaizul Mohd Nor.In a statement today to clear the air about insurance coverage for Bernama employees, he said the term life policy covered death and also partial or total permanent disablement, and the next of kin of the insured would receive a maximum of RM50,000.

“In the case of our late Noramfaizul, the insurance company has agreed to the payment of RM50,000 not only as a matter of honouring the policy but also in full compliance with it,” he said.Last Friday, Noramfaizul was shot dead while covering a Malaysian humanitarian mission in Mogadishu, Somalia. Abdul Rahman said Bernama provided two types of 24-hour worldwide insurance coverage for its employees - term life policy and group personal accident policy.

As for the group personal accident policy, he said, it also covered death, partial and total permanent disablement and had similar exclusion clauses like the term life policy.“The only difference is that it does not cover death caused directly or indirectly by war, invasion, hostility or civil war where the insured has taken part directly or indirectly.

“Nonetheless, we have filed a claim with the insurance company. We are pleased that the company has agreed to pay some form of compensation and we will be told of the amount later.”Abdul Rahman said besides these policies, Bernama employees were also accorded benefits under the Group Hospitalisation and Surgical Benefit Insurance Scheme.

“In summary, I would like to state that we have one of the best medical and insurance coverage for staff in this country,” he said.Abdul Rahman said Bernama had also been informed that aid for the family of the late Noramfaizul would also be provided by Socso, the Defence Ministry via a special fund set up in the mid-1980s and 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

In addition, Putera 1Malaysia Club president, Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, announced yesterday that Noramfaizul's family would receive RM200,000 via a group insurance coverage while Social Care Foundation chairman Robert Phang had also donated RM50,000.

Source- Bernama

REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY

2011-09-06T15:51:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN
Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation
On Chinese Representation in the Government

I am amused by the statement made by Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, the so-called de facto Minister for Law, who declared that he would fight tooth and nail to ensure Chinese representation in a Barisan Nasional (BN) government even if the Chinese component party, namely MCA fails to secure a single parliamentary seat in the coming polls.

That seems to be a truly “Jantan” statement in championing the Chinese cause. If that statement is supposed to elevate Nazri Aziz in the eyes of the Chinese community, then he is mistaken. That statement would in fact constitute an insult to the Chinese electorates.

Who is Nazri to make such offers if the Chinese voters have rejected this Chinese-centric component party? Who appointed Nazri to be the Chinese champion on this issue? Since it is a historical fact that the BN political parties are race-based parties, it is best that Nazri look into his own backyard. I am sure my Malay brothers and sisters would appreciate to have their welfare being continuously taken care of by a vocal Malay Minister like Nazri Aziz, and not only during elections time.

There is more than meets the eye to Nazri’s statement. I have said it before that the statement by MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is nothing more than a cheap political gimmick. Soi Lek loses nothing by making that statement. He knew that his “pornographic” background makes him unsuitable to be a government Minister. Thus, Soi Lek is actually sacrificing the government posts of other MCA leaders who could pose a threat to his MCA Presidency. The Chinese community is not stupid to not see Soi Lek’s objectives.

It was only recently that Nazri Aziz was seen interfering with GLCs by instructing them to appoint a favored legal firm in order to cause a withdrawal of the cases that these GLCS have against former MAS Chairman, Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli. The public uproar showed that Nazri had miscalculated the public intelligence and reaction.

But more than that, I am told that it showed Nazri’s failure to comprehend basic principles of corporate law. I am also told that Nazri’s directive offends the Rule of Law because a government Minister cannot suborn the board of directors of a GLC which is a public listed company in that manner. I believe that Nazri Aziz should know these things better as he is a lawyer, while I am not.

By the same reasoning, Nazri’s statement on Chinese representation in the government offends basic logic on the purpose and objective of elections. A general elections is part of the democratic process to allow the electorates to select the leaders whom they would want to govern over them and the country. If the Chinese electorates have rejected the Chinese leaders from MCA, who is Nazri to force upon us to accept such leaders as our representatives in government?

It is more alarming to note the second part of Nazri’s statement that “The system allows us to appoint senators and we need to have representatives of the non-Malay community.” This confirms the public skepticism that appointments to the Senate have been abused as a backdoor entry into government. This is preposterous. More than that, this statement coming from a senior Minister who is a lawyer, displays sheer arrogance which will be deservedly punished in the coming GE 13.

Let us be reminded that the being elected to form the government is part of the democratic process. It erodes the fundamentals of democracy when a government is formed not from elected representatives but by back door appointments from politicians who have failed. A government post is not a trophy for political gratification.

I hope that as a person trained in the law, Nazri would recant his statement as it demeans the democracy that we hope to nurture as we mature as a nation. Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

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

'Create special fund for welfare of scribes'

2011-09-06T15:20:00.003+08:00

A SPECIAL fund should be set up to protect journalists in the course of duty.This, according to Social Care Foundation chairman Tan Sri Robert Phang, is vital in ensuring they are provided for if something untoward happens to them in the line of duty.Phang was speaking to the media present at the house of the late Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, a Bernama TV cameraman who was shot dead while on a humanitarian mission in Somalia.Phang had earlier donated a sum of RM 50,000 to Noramfaizul's family."It is sad enough to lose a loved one, and more so if it happens during the Raya festivities.Most people choose to stay back home during festive seasons. But here was a man who went on a humanitarian mission instead," Phang said.

Earlier, former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's department, Datuk T. Murugiah, visited Noramfaizul's family in Taman Serdang Raya.Murugiah, representing the Malaysian Tamil Schools Development Foundation , said he personally knew Noramfaizul during his tenure in the PM's Department."I met him several times when he came over to do news coverage there."Murugiah also handed contributions to Noramfaizul's family.

Source : http://www.mmail.com.my/content/81573-create-special-fund-welfare-scribes

National Press Club donates RM3,000 to family

2011-09-06T09:34:00.000+08:00

Slain BernamaTV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor’s mother, Naemah Abdul Majid (centre), and his widow, Norazrina Jaafar (right), receiving a

donation of RM3,000 from National Press Club adviser Datuk Nuraina A. Samad at the family’s house in Serdang Raya yesterday

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Press Club (NPC) yesterday donated RM3,000 to the family of BernamaTV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor.NPC president Mokhtar Hussain said the aid was raised under the Journalist Welfare Fund to help pay expenses for the slain cameraman's family.

"We hope the donation would at least help ease their burden for now," he said after the donation was handed over to Noramfaizul's widow, Norazrina Jaafar, 37.He said the club would soon launch a campaign to collect donations from the public for the BernamaTV cameraman's family.

"I hope Malaysians, whom we claim to be generous people, will lend a helping hand to assist the family."

Social Care Foundation chairman Tan Sri Robert Phang Miow Sin also came to the house yesterday to donate RM50,000 to the family."It is for the family of a fallen Malaysian who deserves not only our sympathies but also our financial support to go through life," he said.

Source : http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/4ahnpc/Article

LET US UNITE IN SHOWING SYMPATHY FOR A TRAGEDY

2011-09-05T13:38:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN Justice of Peace
Chairman – Social Care Foundation
On the Donation of RM50,000/- to the Noramfaizul Fund

Over national TV yesterday, Malaysians saw Bernama TV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor (left) being given a hero’s burial. In this morning’s national newspapers, we hear the PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak calling on all Malaysians to stop the blame game. So let us be clear on one thing - the death of Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, was for a noble and worthy cause. His shooting, on Friday 2nd September, while covering a Malaysian humanitarian aid mission in famine-hit Somalia by Putera 1Malaysia Club, should not be politicized. Only by honoring his death can we find honor and respectability for ourselves as one united people, one nation- 1Malaysia!

His death is made more poignant by the fact that while most Muslims and Malaysians here were celebrating and feasting for the Hari Raya AidilFitri, these selfless patriots sacrificed their family time to spread Malaysian goodwill in a far away war torn and famine stricken country. So, let us not scar the memory of the great deeds of a simple ordinary man by our divisiveness.

It is now time for us to care for his family- his wife, Puan Norazrina Jaafar, who has now become a single mother and his two small sons, Mohd Irfan and Mohd Naufal. I hereby make a humble donation of RM50,000/- with the hope that the government and all Malaysians will join me in setting up a fund that will ease their pain and allow them to live an ordinary life.

I hope this donation would not be politicized because I recall that when I made a similar donation to the Teoh Beng Hock Foundation, I was reviled by the BN parties for supporting a DAP cause. Let me state this clearly - I donated to the TBH Foundation not for DAP. And I am not doing this now for UMNO or Putera UMNO! It is for the family of a fallen Malaysian who deserves not just our sympathies but also our financial support in order to go through life. It is to ensure that single mothers and their dependents are fended for when their breadwinner is lost for a noble cause or through no fault of theirs. That is one of the social justice that I believe in and will fight for.

We should also thank our PM YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd. Najib, DPM YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin Bin Mohd, Minister of Foreign Affairs YB Dato’ Sri Anifah Bin Hj. Aman, Minister of Defence YB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development YB Senator Dato’ Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and other leaders of this country for having shown sympathy and concern over this tragedy. I always care for single mothers’ and their children welfare.

On that point, I have just been reminded that I should do the same for the family of the late Ahmad Sarbaini, the Customs officer who died while in the custody of the MACC. I agree not enough is being done there. Instead, the mainstream media appears to have caused more anguish to his family just because he was the subject of an investigation. A man is innocent until proven guilty. Even if you want to defend a public institution for political expediency, that agenda should not predominate the news reportings. We saw that in the Shah Alam police shootings of youths as well. The time has come for us to stop this culture of maligning the memory of the dead. On this occasion of Hari Raya, I extend again to the Ahmad Sarbaini’s family my deepest condolences and I promise to look into their plight shortly.

I also call on all future humanitarian missions to dangerous places like Somalia to heed the cautionary statement by our Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman that safety measures must be taken prior to such missions. In that regard, I hope that the Putera 1Malaysia Club head of this Somalia Aid mission, Dato’Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, would accept criticisms with full accountability but do not be daunted by this setback. Malaysians should not point fingers over this incident as to erode this commendable effort.

As we bury the body of an ordinary but great Malaysian, let us keep the memory of his deeds alive. Let us be united in this moment of tragedy.

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

MACC’s Silence on A-G Gani Patail is Deafening

2011-08-29T11:54:00.000+08:00

Below is the article from dinmerican's blog together with the comments from the readers.

Ramadan has special significance for Muslims the world over. The Hadith says that the night of Lailatul Qadr, which appears during the last ten nights of Ramadan, is better than a thousand months. Thus most Muslims show heightened piety and many go to Makkah for Umrah in what they think is an act of cleansing during Ramadan.

Also, Muslims who go to Makkah for Haj are expected to return to a more serene blessed life. But, not so for A-G Gani Patail. His Haj Trip with Tajuddin Ramli’s proxy, one Shahidan Shafie, the ex-policeman who was charged for bribery and now turned lawyer and businessman, is anything but serene and blessed. A-G Gani Patail’s Haj became a subject of controversy which has dogged him ever since. Is that an indication of God’s ire?

Self-appointed crusader against social injustice and corruption, Tan Sri Robert Phang , lambasted A-G Gani for inappropriate conduct in consorting with Tajuddin’s proxy at a time when public pressure is mounting why there is no action taken against Tajuddin. Because of that, Phang came under attack and was investigated by the MACC.Something is also obviously wrong when A-G Gani disregarded the investigation report by former Director CCID, Dato’ Ramli Yusuff, who had made strong recommendations to former PM Abdullah Badawi that Tajuddin should be prosecuted.

Instead, Dato’ Ramli was stripped of his rank, suspended and charged in court. And when Dato’ Ramli was acquitted by the courts, A-G Gani Patail continued to pursue appeals against his acquittals which are still going on in an attempt to prevent Dato’ Ramli from being reinstated and getting his pensions.As pointed out by Raja Petra Kamaruddin (RPK), the Tajuddin’s case is bizzare in that the Opposition Bloggers would say that they trust the Police while the UMNO Bloggers are calling the Police a bunch of liars: http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/no-holds-barred/43092-the-mas-loss-discrepancy

Suspicions were already abound that Tajuddin Ramli was receiving preferential treatment from the MACC and A-G Chambers. Now that suspicion is confirmed when de facto Justice Minister, Dato Seri Nazri Azizi, announced that he had been mandated by the government to appoint new lawyers for the government linked companies (GLCs) and to close the cases by a Global Settlement which simply means the cases are to be withdrawn.Thus, I wrote on August 13, 2011 about THE MAS STORY: OF PLUNDER, ABUSES AND LIES http://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/the-malaysia-airlines-mas-story-of-plunder-abuses-and-lies/ because I was alarmed to note that Tan Sri Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah has now entered the MAS Board of Directors.

The corporate world is fully aware of Wan Azmi’s closeness to Tajuddin Ramli. They are both Tun Daim’s boys drawn from the Peremba clique who had benefited from Tun Dr Mahathir’s bumiputera privatisation initiatives. Wan Azmi’s presence in the MAS Board is ill-timed and will continue to fuel more suspicions. This will certainly be an election issue come GE-13. Barely has that controversy subsided, A-G Gani Patail is again embroiled in another controversy when RPK produced documents which showed that A-G Gani was being bribed by former Ho Hup Construction Bhd Deputy Executive Chairman Datuk Vincent Lye in exchange for help in a boardroom tussle involving his corporate rival, Dato‘ TC Low. Vincent Lye was ousted during an EGM in March this year and the documents of the bribery became exposed. The allegations is strengthened by a photograph of A-G Gani with Vincent Lye at Ho Hup’s office . That certainly begs the question- why was A-G Gani Patail there?

Following this recent revelation, Robert Phang has asked the MACC to show independence and not impotence when dealing with A-G Gani Patail. Phang is justified to demand swift action from the MACC especially given the absolute manner in which A-G Gani was cleared over the Haj Trip affair but Phang himself was only given a conditional clearance over an unfounded allegation. That certainly smacks of preferential treatment and selective prosecution.

The MACC’s silence on this matter is also deafening. The investigations against the Selangor opposition assemblymen involving only RM2,400 which led to the death of Teoh Beng Hock was widely sensationalised. So was the investigations against Customs officers in the much touted Ops 3B which led to the death of Ahmad Sarbaini.The government has also been buying advertorial spaces in the main stream media to laud the MACC’s anti-corruption drive in the government’s transformation plan (GTP), yet a matter as serious as A-G Gani Patail’s bribery seems to receive the silent treatment from the MACC. What is happening here? Is this an attempt to bury an otherwise explosive story?

Dato’ TC Low left for Sydney in a huff

My friends in the corporate circles tell me that when this story broke, Dato’ TC Low left the country in a huff for Sydney, Australia. Is there something that Dato’ TC Low is afraid of? Was he fearful of retaliation from A-G Gani Patail? Why has the MACC not stepped in to give him protection? Why hasn’t the MACC interviewed the Managing Director of Ho Hup, Mr Derek Wong? Or for that matter the rest of the Ho Hup Board of Directors which includes senior lawyer Felix Dorairaj? Are all these people afraid because it involves A-G Gani Patail?

All Quiet on the MACC Front

All these information about Ho Hup is easily available on the company’s website and yet all is quiet on the MACC front. My research disclosed even more interesting facts. The Chairman of Ho Hup is former Kuala Lumpur City Mayor Tan Sri Dato Kamaruzzaman Sharif. And guess who is Ho Hup’s Deputy Chairman? Does the name Dato’ Ramli Yusuff ring a bell? I was astounded. Could it be?Initially, I wasn’t sure if he is the same former Director of CCID. But, after checking, I am now absolutely sure that this is the same Dato’ Ramli Yusuff (left) who was stripped of his rank and was charged by A-G Gani Patail over the MAS scandal and the Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku Goh loan shark Along case. The man who was charged by A-G Gani Patail is now the Deputy Chairman of the company that has information about A-G Gani Patail’s alleged corrupt activities. This is what you call destiny!

It seems that after the last EGM that saw Vincent Lye being booted out of Ho Hup, the minority shareholders achieved a consensus to install a new Board of Directors that would help clean up the company and take it out of its PN17 status. Thus, the minority shareholders elected Tan Sri Kamaruzzaman and Dato’ Ramli to steer the company out of its muddled past.When this story first broke, I tried to call Dato’ Ramli to clarify all the doubts, but I was told that he was in Makkah performing the Umrah. Whatever may have been his prayers, it seems that God has answered it. Now, Dato’ Ramli, as Deputy Chairman of Ho Hup would be able to reveal all about A-G Gani Patail’s dealings. This was exactly the same position that Dato Ramli was in when he was Director CCID and discovered Tajuddin Ramli’s fraudulent activities against MAS that caused MAS multi-billion ringgit losses that MAS could never recover from until now.

Given these disclosures, is that why the MACC did not want to interview Dato’ Ramli or any of the new Ho Hup Board of directors. Because it would open up a bigger can of worms on A-G Gani Patail? Or did A-G Gani Patail already know this and therefore forbade the MACC from investigating this matter from the new Ho Hup Board? Whatever it is, it seems like providence is delivering A-G Gani Patail’s head on a platter to Dato’ Ramli.

The Abu Kassim Pledge

My point in all this is that if I can do all these simple investigations and make these discoveries, surely it is not too difficult for the MACC to dig deeper and discover more. I would remind Dato’ Seri Abu Kassim of the pledge he made at the 15th Malaysian Law Conference that he would investigate any corruption regardless whether it involves a big fish or a small fish.Abu Kassim also pledged that if he failed to investigate those in the corridors of power, then he would resign. He was then the newly installed MACC Chief Commissioner, and earned the applause of the audience with that bold pledge.

Before writing this piece, I tried again to call Dato’ Ramli to make various verifications, but this time I was told that he has gone back to Sabah to celebrate Hari Raya with his wife’s family in Kota Kinabalu. I hope he will make a statement when he returns Kuala Lumpur after Hari Raya like the bold press statement that he made in 2007 to defend his men, which resulted in him being instantly suspended.I am sure that Dato’ Ramli would not be tempted by the Sabah connection or any Sabah elements to cut any deal with A-G Gani Patail who would also be going back to Sabah for the Hari Raya celebration. I know everything is possible. But I also know that Dato’ Ramli is a man of integrity who had suffered much and would not compromise on his principles.

He should be more fortified to do the right thing as his Umrah prayers have yielded him this enviable position of now sitting on a moral high horse over A-G Gani Patail.On this last two days before Ramadan ends where the last nights are anticipated to be the much awaited Lailatul Qadr, I remind A-G Gani Patail to reflect on his Haj and why all these are happening to him, as if he has earned God’s wrath. I also remind Dato’ Seri Abu Kassim of his pledge to take action without fear or favour, and that he fulfils his pledge lest he becomes a victim of his own oath.

Comments from the readers

“Phang is justified to demand swift action from the MACC especially given the absolute manner in which A-G Gani was cleared over the Haj Trip affair but Phang himself was only given a conditional clearance over an unfounded allegation.”

Mr.Bean

“Tan Sri Robert Phang lambasted A-G Gani for inappropriate conduct in consorting with Tajuddin’s proxy at a time when public pressure is mounting why there is no action taken against Tajuddin. Because of that, Phang came under attack and was investigated by the MACC.”Very brave Tan Sri Phang! But remember AG can do a lot of damage to you like what he did last time forcing you to resign. Until now, you are not fully cleared. So, be careful. Come GE13 make your political stand known.Better still, contest as DAP candidate and speak in Parliament.

suptweewee -