Month: June 2007

Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar should present a Ministerial statement in Parliament on Monday giving a detailed rebuttal to the United States government’s inclusion of Malaysia on its list of human trafficking offenders.

It is not enough for Syed Hamid to brush aside the US government report as one-sided for not taking into account what Malaysia had been doing or just to express amazement as to how the US government could come up with such a report.

The listing of Malaysia in the US government list of human trafficking offenders must not be taken lightly.

Malaysians should not be left with having to accept either the Malaysian government or the US government claim without the facts, and this is why Hamid should present a detailed Ministerial statement in Parliament fully stating the case for Malaysia as to why it should not be included in any list, whether US government or otherwise, of human trafficking offenders.

In the Ministerial statement, Hamid should give a full report of the exchanges between the two governments on the issue, as there must be considerable interaction between the two governments before the inclusion of Malaysia in the US government list of human trafficking offenders. Let the entire file of the bilateral exchanges be made public. Continue reading “Malaysia in US govt list of human trafficking offenders – Hamid should give full details in Ministerial statement to Parliament”

by Martin Jalleh

Samy had proudly sent to Jeanne and Badawi,
A congratulatory statement in perfect poetry,
So spellbound was Bolehland by his originality.

But damn, a sharp reader of Malaysiakini
Spotted Samy’s true and hidden capability
For from two poems, the Minister did copy.

As shame no longer exists in our country
Slowly but surely, silently, subtly and slyly
Samy sends in his handy press secretary.

“Blame not my master,” said he slavishly
“But blame rather on my lapse of memory.
“The authors I have left out inadvertently!”

Our sympathies, dear Jeanne and Badawi
For being treated to Samy’s cheap publicity
and pathetic excuses of his press secretary. Continue reading “Samy’s Cheap Wedding Greetings”

The National Integrity Plan has become a joke with the three-month dilly-dallying in clearing or charging Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum over RM5.5 million corruption allegations when investigations had been completed in the past three months.

It was some 14 weeks ago that news reports of “Freedom for RM5m” (Star 3.3.07), “Pemimpin politik terima sogokan RM5j disiasat” (Utusan Malaysia 3.3.07) and “Probe on ‘VIP’ for Graft” (New Sunday Times 4.3.07) of the RM5.5 million “Freedom for Sale” allegations that Johari had released three men held under the Emergency Ordinance shocked Malaysians.

The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director-general, Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan, was reported by the New Straits Times of April 21, 2007 as saying that the ACA had completed its investigations into the RM5.5 million “Freedom for Sale” allegations “shortly after” the deputy minister was questioned by ACA officials on March 19 and that the investigation papers were in the hands of the prosecution division.

Yesterday, the Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail said he was still looking into investigation papers on Johari and the former ACA director-general Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor, adding: “I have nothing else to say. I have to look at certain things more this afternoon.” (Sun)

This is totally unsatisfactory, unacceptable and intolerable, raising the question whether the Attorney-General is fully committed to the National Integrity Plan and has placed the upholding of national integrity particularly among the top government leadership as top priority in the agenda of the AG’s Chambers. Continue reading “Procrastinations over Johari/Zulkipli allegations – AG treating NIP as a joke”

MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu confessed yesterday that he is too ashamed to meet people, attend meetings or go overseas as he would be asked about the deplorable state of construction highlighted by the series of government building or public construction mishaps and defects, like collapsing ceilings, cracked walls and internal flooding from burst water or sewerage pipes.

Samy Vellu does not seem to realize that he is not the only victim of the recent spate of construction mishaps and defects as they have also brought shame, infamy and dishonour to the government, 26 million Malaysians and the nation with Malaysia becoming the laughing stock in the world as a country which boasts of having the world’s tallest twin towers but yet incapable of building or maintaining safe structures like ceilings, walls, water and sewerage piping.

It is sad and pathetic that the culmination of Samy Vellu’s 22 years as Works Minister (his first stint from 1979 to 1989 and second stint from 1995 till now with six years as Minister for Energy, Telecommunications and Posts from 1989 to 1995, totaling close to 28 years as Cabinet Minister) is so shameful and dishonourable, not only for him but also for the government, people and nation.

Shouldn’t Samy Vellu step down from the Cabinet to set an example of culture of responsibility for such a dishonourable culmination of his 22 years as Works Minister — failing which, shouldn’t the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dismiss Samy Vellu as Works Minister to allow Malaysia to turn over a new page? Continue reading “Shame and dishonour the culmination of 22 yrs as Works Minister – will Samy resign?”

Two Saturdays ago on 2nd June 2007, New Straits Times carried a Bernama report quoting the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as disclosing that a new government delivery system would be implemented in 13 days’ time, i.e. Thursday June 14, 2007.

Addressing Kuala Lumpur City Hall officials during a one-day tour of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 1st June, 2007, Abdullah said he had instructed the National Physical Planning Committee attended by all Mentris Besar, Chief Ministers and several Ministers in Putrajaya two days earlier “to ensure that the government machinery is prepared to implement the new government delivery system in 13 days”.

The Prime Minister said:

“I hope the ministers will follow up on this matter. This is important as we only have 13 days to go. We want them to monitor the state of preparedness to carry out the new government delivery system.

“We want them to call up department heads to make sure that everything is in place for the implementation.”

Abdullah said that it was necessary to ensure there were no glitches that could frustrate the people who harboured high hopes following the government’s announcement two months ago that the delivery system would be improved.

With less than 48 hours to go, what is this new public service delivery system which Abdullah had promised 11 days ago?

It is most disconcerting that there are absolutely no signs that any new government delivery system will be launched on Thursday, as all the publicity build-up which would precede any major government initiative have been completely absent.

Have Abdullah’s promise of a new public service delivery system been drowned by the Kuala Lumpur floods on Sunday, which made a total mockery of the RM1.9 billion SMART Tunnel, or has it been buried under the debris of the litany of public building mishaps with ceilings collapsing, walls cracking and internal floodings from burst water and sewerage pipes? Continue reading “New govt delivery system drowned by KL floods or buried by debris of public building mishaps?”

An all-party Parliamentary Select Committee on International Affairs should be formed when Parliament meets next week which should have as its first task the lobby for support of other Commonwealth Parliaments for the appointment of Datuk Dr. Rais Yatim as the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.

At the April meeting of Parliament, I had first raised the issue of a Malaysian candidate for the post for Commonwealth Secretary-General to replace the incumbent Donald C. McKinnon, whose term ends in March next year.

Although two contenders have been announced before Malaysia declared its candidacy, namely Maltese Foreign Minister Michael Frendo and Indian diplomat Kamlesh Sharma, it will basically be a two-horse race for the leadership of the 53-nation organization in view of the general understanding that it’s Asia’s turn to hold the post.

The previous Commonwealth secretary-generals have come from other regions, viz:

1. Arnold Smith (Canada) 1965 — 1975. (10 yrs)
2. Shridath Ramphal (Guyana) 1975 — 1990. (15 yrs)
3. Chief Emeka Anyaoku (Nigeria) 1990 — 1999. (9 yrs)
4. Don McKinnon (New Zealand) 1999 — 2007. (9 years)

The appointment of Rais as Commonwealth Secretary-General will not only be an international credit for Malaysia, but will be good for the country’s future as a full player on the global stage, whether on the great issues of war and peace, democracy, human rights, inter-civilisational and inter-religious dialogue, development or environment. Continue reading “PSC on International Affairs to support Rais’ candidature as Commonwealth SG”

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum has again called for the outcome of investigations into the “Freedom for Sale” allegations that he received RM5 million to release three men held under the Emergency Ordinance should be made public.

This is a most extraordinary situation as almost two months have passed since Johari first made a similar call.

The ACA director-general Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan had said previously when he was acting head of ACA that investigations on the graft allegations against Johari had been completed by the ACA shortly after the deputy minister was questioned by ACA officials on March 19 and that the investigation papers were in the hands of the prosecution division.

Why is there a three-month procrastination on Johari’s investigations, when ACA had completed their work as far back as March? Continue reading “White Paper – corruption allegations on Johari Baharum and Zulkipli Mat Noor”

DAP MP for Seputeh, Teresa Kok, who is currently in Sabah on a political visit together with Member of Parliament Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah), has drawn my attention to the following Daily Express report yesterday quoting the Malacca Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali Rustam as saying “It is easy to become a Malay”:

Easy to become a Malay, says MB

Kota Kinabalu: Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali Rustam said a person who is a Muslim, converses in Malay and follows the Malay traditions is considered a Malay.

“It is easy to become a Malay, ” he told a Press conference after Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman opened the Dunia Muslim Dunia Islam (DMDI) seminar, here, Saturday.

Elaborating on why Musa had said that more than 50 per cent of the State’s nearly three million population are Malays, Mohd Ali, who is also DMDI president, said:

“Even if that person is Chinese or Indian or Kadazan,if they are Muslim or have converted, converse in Malay and follow the Malay tradition, then they are Malays.”

“The Kadazans if they are a Muslim, we considered them as Malays, and if they have not embraced Islam, they are Bumiputeras. It is easy to become a Malay.” Continue reading ““It is easy to become a Malay””

In a week or two, the new student intake for 2007/2008 into the public universities will be announced and Malaysia will again go through the agonizing annual racial polarization caused by the “fraudulent meritocracy” as a result of the use of two completely different examinations to decide on the higher educational future of our children — the STPM and matriculation.

I understand that 40,016 places in public universities will be offered for the new academic year, with racial breakdown of 24,957 or 62.36 per cent for bumiputeras, 12,616 or 31.53 per cent for Chinese and 2,443 or 6.11 per cent for Indians.

DAP MPs have repeatedly called in Parliament for the end of the “fraudulent meritocracy” in the use of two completely different examinations for university intake and it is a matter of grave regret that no Barisan Nasional MPs, particularly from MCA, Gerakan, MIC, SUPP, PBS and other component parties in Sabah and Sarawak have dared to support such a call.

The use of two completely different examinations for university student intake – with the STPM universally recognized as very much more difficult and of higher standard than matriculation — has the most adverse long-term effects for Malaysia in at least four senses:

• Setback for national unity and nation-building in plural Malaysia, as it provides an annual event causing racial polarization;
• Undermines university quality and academic excellence which have seen Malaysian public universities plunging in international rankings for top world-class universities;
• Grave impediment in the drive to enhance the nation’s international competitiveness to face the world challenges of globalization; and
• Promotes public deceit and lack of integrity by perpetuating the fraud that there is no difference between STPM and matriculation.

Continue reading “50th Merdeka – end annual “racial polarisation” caused by “fraudulent meritocracy” of varsity student intake”

At the official opening of the third session of Parliament on March 19, the new Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin called for the elimination of corruption and said the monitoring of government projects must be reinforced to ensure they benefited the target groups, particularly the poor and marginalized.

“Wipe out graft, ensure projects well monitored” was the headline of the New Straits Times report the next day, but in the past three months, the Yang di Pertuan Agong’s call have been ignored by the public service itself.

On the anti-corruption front, Malaysia is losing out to other countries in the war against corruption undermining the country’s international competitiveness.

For instance, Malaysia had been well ahead of China in international corruption perception surveys, but China is making leaps and bounds in its anti-corruption drive as compared to Malaysia which had been backsliding despite the pledge by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to make anti-corruption the main plank of his premiership when he assumed the highest office in the land some 44 months ago.

In one recent corruption survey of Asian nations, the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risks Consultancy (PERC) survey, China has almost caught up with Malaysia and unless Malaysia pulls up its bootstraps, demonstrates a political will to wipe out corruption and produces results, it will not be long before Malaysia will be trailing behind China in regional or international corruption perception surveys.

Recent developments do not give cause for optimism that Malaysia can fight off the challenge from China. For instance, in the past few days alone, there have been news reinforcing the image that China is indeed serious in its anti-corruption drive, however formidable the problem. Continue reading “King’s two important calls ignored by public service for 3 months”

The media blackout or self-censorship of unpleasant or unfavourable news under the Abdullah administration is getting as bad or even worse than the 22-year Mahathir premiership.

The latest example is the blackout in the local media of a survey by the Singapore American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) released on Friday that executives of United States companies in Southeast Asia say corruption is a “major impediment” to doing business in five countries in the region, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Singapore was the only country in the survey where corruption was not considered a major issue.

The lack of predictability and stability in government regulations were also major concerns for American companies doing business in ASEAN countries. Continue reading “Media blackout/self-censorship under Abdullah as bad or even worse than under Mahathir”

[Chong Eng, MP for Bukit Mertajam, has forwarded me the following email on spotting the signs of a stroke. If a life can be saved, the posting of this email will be worth it.]

New Sign of a Stroke
Stick out Your Tongue.
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters .. S.T.R.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall – she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food – while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Ingrid’s husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital – (at 6:00pm , Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ.

Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don’t die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this… Continue reading “Spot the signs of a stroke”

Housing Development at foothills in Ulu Kelang Area
by Seri Naga Leong Loong Hee

With the collapse of Highland Tower and the landslide that happened in a retired general’s house in Ulu Kelang area, I thought the government has issued a statement that there will be no longer development being allowed to be carried out in foothill near that area.

However today as I was cycling in that area, I notice they are clearing the land at a hill near Jalan Melawati 4.

I have attached the pictures for your easy reference. I think it’s time for our government to really learn from the past. With such indiscriminate clearing of land near foothills, we are having a Highland Tower incident in the making.

Not to mention it’s a waste of land by just building less than 100 houses and they are destroying the environment at the same time. Continue reading “Another “Highland Tower” in the making?”

All religions teach mankind the virtues of charity, goodwill, compassion, tolerance and equality towards a world of peace, harmony and compassion.

However, religions have also been the cause of human strife and misunderstanding evident from recent events in the country, whether the Lina Joy case or the controversy over the Mazu statue in Kudat, Sabah.

As a multi-religious nation, religion must play a more proactive role in nation-building to create an united, harmonious and progressive Malaysia. Let me make two suggestions as to how this could be done:

Firstly, by inculcating in every Malaysian citizen the quality of respecting all religions in the country and not just honouring their own religion — which must be regarded as a distinctive quality of Malaysian citizenship and consciousness; and

Secondly, all religions working together under one framework at all levels of the nation to contribute positively to nation-building by promoting inter-religious understanding, goodwill and harmony and demonstrating the power of inter-religious co-operation as a good and positive force to foster inter-racial and inter-religious solidarity and reduce racial and religious polarization.

For this reason, I call on the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to convene a 50th Merdeka Anniversary Religious Leaders Summit on National Unity to harness the power of religion in a positive manner in nation-building for the next half century. Continue reading “PM should convene 50th Merdeka Anniversary Religious Leaders Summit on National Unity”

by Sara Wak

The Seef Flyover, Manama, Bahrain – RM100 million, The Kuching Flyover – More than RM 200 million – Why?

The differences are –

The Seef Flyover, Manama, Bahrain was built by WCT Engineering Bhd. from west Malaysia.

The Kuching Flyover was built by Global Upline Sdn Bhd.

You can see the difference in quality also. The Seef Flyover is of international standard, whereas the Kuching Flyover is on a much lower standard.

Why did it cost so much more to build the Kuching Flyover?

Abdullah Badawi has to explain. Our Dear Samy Vellu will also have to explain.

There is no other better day for him to explain other than his wedding day today! Continue reading “Bahrain flyover RM100 million – why Kuching flyover RM200 million?”

Let me start with two preliminary observations:

Firstly, this dialogue on “Malaysia after Lina Joy” has not been organized by the DAP to mock or ridicule Islam or any other religion.

I am bold to say that Malaysians from all faiths and races who have produced this more-than-capacity turnout to this dialogue tonight have come not to indulge in Islam-bashing or bashing of any other religion.

We are gathered here as Malaysians who love our country and are concerned that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of our nation, religious polarization has become a great threat to the unity, well-being and future of Malaysia and we want to find ways and means to surmount this challenge.

Whatever our religious, political or personal differences, there must be one common and unifying bond, that as citizens of multi-racial and multi-religious nation, everyone of us respect all the religions which have made religious pluralism a distinctive characteristic of our country.

We must all be conscious that this respect for all religions in Malaysia by every Malaysian is an essential prerequisite for the success and future well-being for the country.

Secondly, this inter-religious dialogue tonight is a history of sorts for Malaysia, some form of substitute for the “Building Bridges Inter-faith Dialogue” which had to be aborted recently.

It proves that it is possible to hold a public dialogue to address in a rational, cool and collected manner the delicate and sensitive issues of religious differences and polarization in the country, as such public discourse had been virtually banned and driven underground in the past two years.

Religion has become a major cause of national disunity and polarization after half-a-century of nationhood and these issues should be brought into the open to be dialogued in a rational manner instead of being driven underground causing divisions to fester and become increasingly explosive.

The overwhelming success of tonight’s dialogue is a signal to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that the time has come to do what he had avoided doing in the past two years — to provide leadership for inter-religious dialogues to be held in the country to find a solution to close the national divide caused by religious polarization.

The Prime Minister has said that “a happy prime minister can do a lot of great work” and let us hope that this is one “great work” Malaysians can look forward to from him. Continue reading “Bring rational inter-religious dialogues into the open instead of allowing religious polarisation to fester underground”

Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail is to be commended for conceding to public demands for accountability and transparency to explain the reason for the last-minute change of the prosecution team in the Mongolian Altantunya Shaariibuu murder trial.

Gani said the DPP Salehuddin Saidin, who was leading the prosecution team had been seen playing badminton with trial judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin and the matter was only brought to his attention last Thursday.

Gani said realizing the sensitivity of the case, he decided to withdraw Salehuddin from leading the prosecution team. Given the time constraint of only three days for a new DPP to take over, he had no choice but to request for adequate time to prepare the case.

Whether Gani’s explanation would be fully accepted is another matter, at least he has given what can be regarded by some as adequate and acceptable explanation for the extraordinary turn of events at the start of the high-profile murder trial.

This is because there will be those who will ask why the judge Datuk Mohd
Zaki had not recused himself from the trial instead.

Questions will be asked as to why the initial judge to preside over the trial, Datuk K.N. Segara, was taken off the case as the reason given, that he had more party-heard cases, is weak and unconvincing, and whether Judge Segara should be allowed to preside over the trial. Continue reading “Why is Gani Patail not leading the prosecution in Altantunya Shaariibuu murder trial?”

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will have the blessings and prayers of all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political beliefs for a happy and contented marriage which will be an inspiration for him to begin to fulfill his reform pledges aned agenda when he became Prime Minister.

Abdullah’s announcement that he would be marrying Jeane Abdullah is good news and Malaysians are happy for him, believing that Jeane can bring him happiness, taking care of him and be his companion.

Abdullah cannot be more right when he remarked yesterday that “a happy prime minister can do a lot of great work” and Malaysians are looking forwards to him starting his “great work” as the fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia.

I personally hope that Abdullah’s “great work” as a happily married man again can start next Thursday, the date he had promised last week for the launching of a new government delivery system after the earlier announcement of a RM8 billion salary revision for civil servants in the country. Continue reading “Abdullah’s wedding – blessings and prayers from all Malaysians”

CUEPACS President Omar Osman has reiterated the stand of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services before and after the recent RM8 billion public service pay revision that civil servants should immediately stop “moonlighting” and give up part-time jobs to focus 100 per cent on their jobs, as they will be taking home a much larger pay packet.

Utusan Malaysia in its report today “Hentikan segera kerja sambilan — CUEPACS”, Omar said CUEPACS takes a serious view of “moonlighting” by civil servants after the RM8 billion pay revision and fully agrees if departments concerned take disciplinary action against civil servants who continue to be obstinate.

Admitting that hitherto, the departments concerned had “closed an eye” to “moonlighting” by lower-paid civil servants as their pay were not adequate to meet their needs, Omar said firm action should be taken against those who still hold second jobs as the government had been fair in raising their incomes in the recent salary revision.

Omar said: “Melakukan kerja sambilan merupakan satu kesalahan di dalam sector awam dan perkara ini terdapat di dalam akujanji dan peraturan.

“Bagi CUEPACS sekiranya perkara ini dibiarkan tanpa ada usaha untuk mencegahnya ia sememangnya boleh menjejaskan productivity.”

The time has come for the government to give a clear position on the question of “moonlighting” by civil servants or the RM8 billion salary increase beginning on July 1 will become an expensive farce. Continue reading ““Moonlighting” by civil servants – PM advocates “close one eye”?”

The Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail must come forward to give proper explanation to end the thousand-and-one questions swirling around the last-minute change of prosecution team in the high-profile Mongolian Altantunya Shaariibuu murder trial or Malaysia’s system of justice is in for another chapter of adverse publicity both nationally and internationally, ending up as the greatest casualty.

Gani should know that his explanation that the last-minute switch of prosecution was to enable “a fair trial” raises more questions than giving an answer.

It explains not only nothing, but implies that continuing with the original prosecution team of DPPs Salehuddin Saidin and Noorin Badaruddin could be against the interests of ensuring “a fair trial” and if so, clearly the Attorney-General must explain why, since it casts a serious reflection on the professionalism and integrity of Salehuddin and Noorin.

Furthermore, why if there has to be a switch of the prosecution team for whatever reasons, the change was not made earlier as the charges of murder against the three accused were first made in November 15 last year while the trial dates for 25 days starting on Monday was fixed by the Shah Alam High Court as far back as March 9, 2007.

Gani should explain whether the last-minute switch of the prosecution team was to strengthen the chances of securing convictions in the Altantunya Shaariibuu trial and if so, how.

Why was the whole prosecution team switched, instead of directing DPP Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah to lead the prosecution team but still comprising Salehuddin and Noorin since they had been involved in the preparation of the trial right from the beginning?

Gani should be aware of the political implications of and the world-wide interests in the trial and should be wary of taking any steps which can only give wing to speculation of political interference in the conduct of the trial. Continue reading “Altantunya trial – Malaysia’s justice system the casualty with AG’s continued silence”