Paul Low is 'immature and childish', says Rafizi

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low is being "childish and immature" by saying that publicity-hungry politicians lodge reports with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), says Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli.

Low was reported as saying yesterday that such politicians "do not provide facts", thus making it difficult for MACC to open investigation files.

"Paul Low should state, out of all reports that have been lodged with MACC, how many of them are lodged by these politicians," Rafizi, who is also PKR director of strategy, told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
“This is a very irresponsible statement, you cannot make partisan statements like these,” Rafizi (left) said.

“He was brought into the cabinet to bring credibility into the cabinet,” he added.

He said that the statement made by Low contributes to the “sentiment” of the people not to go to MACC to report corruption.

“I would understand if this statement had come from Bung Moktar (Radin, BN-Kinabatangan), but not from Paul Low, who had a background in fighting corruption,” Rafizi slammed.

He also said that among the people, it is politicians who have the least confidence in MACC’s capability to investigate complaints.

“We from Pakatan have the least confidence in them. In the past four years, I have only lodged two MACC complaints. That is why we often investigate matters ourselves,” he added.

However, Rafizi said that such politicians who file such complaints are probably from “BN itself”.


Source :  http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/235173

Paul Low’s appointment a ‘constitutional blunder’, says lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Prominent lawyer Tommy Thomas accused Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of a “blunder” today when he appointed five ministers and deputy ministers without them being MPs or senators in the first place.

Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) chief Datuk Paul Low (picture) and Maybank CEO Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar were both sworn in as ministers on May 16 together with three deputy ministers despite none of them being appointed senators.

“Under the Federal Constitution, the sequence is plain and clear: one must first be elected by the people or be appointed to the Senate before one can become a minister; and not the other way.

“If these ministers and deputy ministers have been discharging the functions of their office since May 16, they have been acting unconstitutionally,” said Thomas in a commentary piece run by online news portal Malaysiakini.

According to Thomas, the five men had told an untruth if they had taken the oath of office and allegiance under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in front of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The oath reads: “I, ......., having been appointed as a member of the Senate, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge my duties as such to the best of my ability, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Malaysia, and will preserve, protect and defend its constitution.”

Article 43(2)(b) of the Federal Constitution states that a minister must be a member of either House of Parliament.

Articles 43A(1) and 43B(1) state that deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries must be parliamentarians, and only political secretaries are exempt from the rule.

Thomas also called for the respective parties to take immediate corrective steps for the “monumental blunder”, including by apologising to Malaysians.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh had last month said the Federal Constitution should be amended to abolish the Senate.

“There is no need for the Senate. It is an unnecessary expense required to be borne by the people. It does not serve a useful purpose.

“It only encourages those who have been rejected by the people or others to be brought into Parliament through the back door via the Senate as in law Parliament also includes the Senate,” he told a press conference.

His remark had been criticised by Senator Datuk Boon Som Inong who regarded it as ridiculing the Federal Constitution, and insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who appointed members of the Senate.


Source :  http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/paul-lows-appointment-a-constitutional-blunder-says-lawyer/

Low's early fumbles are costly, says Phang

INTERVIEW Former Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) head Paul Low had made some costly mistakes early into his foray as a cabinet minister, said Robert Phang, who was once a TI-M exco member.

Phang said Low should have followed due process prior to his departure as TI-M president on May 24 in order for the organisation's exco to take the necessary measures.

Instead, Phang said the sudden departure had caused "turmoil" in TI-M's leadership.

“His sudden resignation to become a Cabinet minister had led to a chaotic situation not because he was indispensable but because he has deviated from the real code in TI namely transparency and integrity," he said.

Phang said that Low could have called for an emergency TI-M exco meeting to inform them of his decision to accept the appointment to cabinet and not resign only when he was sworn-in as a minister.

Big task ahead for PM
 

He said that this had shown a lack of integrity and described it as a "big insult" to TI-M, which is meant to promote transparency and integrity in governance.

Simple But Sincere Mandatory Reminder To Datuk Paul Low

I refer to an article written by Mr. Francis Paul Siah , appeared on Malaysiakini today.

I would like to correct Francis Paul Siah’s statement on which he has stated that I have said that Paul Low violated Transparency International’s code of ethics by accepting his appointment as minister.

Francis Paul Siah should have completed , my complete statement which is that Paul Low should have briefed and discussed with Transparency International Executive Council , no matter how confidential the matter, first before accepting the Minister Appointment, Paul Low must be seen practicing this codes of ethics :- two (2) main ingredients – Transparency with Integrity (mandatory).

I am given to understand , the Committee was never informed in this respect. Another point to note , transparency and integrity has to be practiced. Paul Low should have resigned first and be sworn is as a Senator , only then accept the post of Minister. I hold the view that this is mandatory. This is not a bomb-shell but simple reminder to the authorities & TI Exco members that this procedures be strictly & truly adhered.

Imagine till now Paul Low has not resigned yet.

Henceforth , the TI Malaysia not only will continue to monitor on the Government and authorities concerned but also monitor Paul Low’s performance. If this is put in place, I also appeal to the Rakyat to give Paul Low six (6) months before we judge him. Let us pray for him too.

In conclusion I will urge Paul Low and authorities not to make unnecessary and silly mistakes which may directly and indirectly, become a problem for YAB PM Datuk Seri Najib to solve.

‘Low’s appointment against TI-M ethics’

KUALA LUMPUR: Paul Low violated Transparency International’s code of ethics when he accepted his appointment as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, former MACC advisor Robert Phang said today.

He said Low, who has yet to quit his post as Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) chief, caused shock among the organisation’s executives when he accepted his new job.

“His appointment is a violation and serious breach of the TI-M code of ethics,” he added. “I’m sure there’ll be outcries from TI-M members.”

Recently, Low explained that his job in the Prime Minister’s Department was to propose changes to government systems, procedures and processes to reduce opportunities for corruption.

He said he had no enforcement powers and was hoping to rely on the Prime Minister’s stature to enable him to fight corruption.

Referring to that statement, Phang said it was an admission by Low that he was a lame duck.
“So what can the rakyat expect from him?”

Phang claimed that TI-M members were already questioning Low’s integrity. He said the anti-graft watchdog would now have to monitor the new minister’s performance.

He said Low would now face a set of challenges that were different from the ones he had to deal with as TI-M chief.

“Monitoring and implementing are totally different ball games.”

Commenting on the cabinet line-up, Phang said the high number of new faces caused him some concern. It could mean that a high proportion of the cabinet did not have enough experience in governance, he added.

“Their performances will be put to a real test and this will reflect on the efficiency of the cabinet and government machinery,” he said.


Source :  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/05/20/%E2%80%98low%E2%80%99s-appointment-against-ti-m-ethics%E2%80%99/

Kit Siang: Paul Low must display integrity as minister

DAP senior leader Lim Kit Siang has set out several challenges for newly minted Minister in the Prime Minister's (PM) department, Paul Low.

Lim said Prime Minister Najib Razak had signed the Integrity pledge with Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) on Feb 20 when Low was the organisation's president.

"The pledge was for a clean, transparent and fair election but we all know that the 2013 polls was the dirtiest with incidents of vote buying, what with offers of free food, drinks and lucky draws," said Lim at Penang Pakatan Rakyat's thanksgiving event last night.

"This is a total breach of the integrity pledge which Najib had signed. What does Paul Low have to say to that?" he asked during his speech at Padang Kota attended by thousands of supporters.

"In the first Parliament meeting, which will be held soon, I would ask Low to present a full report on the violations of the integrity pledge during the elections," vowed the Gelang Patah MP.

Lim (right) said he agreed with Najib that there was a need for national reconciliation.

However, he urged that royal commission of inquiries (RCI) be held to probe several issues to reveal the truth so that the country can have a meaningful reconciliation.