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Let us end 50 years of BN rule

by Richard Teo

For the first time in more than fifty years, when the next General Election comes, I am going to abandon the edict that it is better to vote for the devil that I know rather than the devil that I don’t Know.

This time round there will be no hesitation. I will be like the proverbial saying throw caution to the wind. There will be no turning back. There will be no second thoughts.

For the last fifty years I have faithfully chosen the safe path. I voted for the race-based party that belonged to the Barisan National.

I even encouraged and persuaded my relatives to vote along the same racial line to ensure a strong stable govt that will protect the interests of all races. But events of late has proven me wrong.

This govt that I and many others who placed their faith in is a corrupt, short-sighted, manipulative, racist and incompetent one. After fifty years they have not shown their abiltiy to govern with wisdom.

Instead they squandered our nation’s coffers, encouraged and perpetuated a corrupt civil service and continue to formulate economic and fiscal policies that will take our country down the road to destruction. Continue reading “Let us end 50 years of BN rule”

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Port Klang Free Zone — Forlorn and pathetic air of another failed multi-billion ringgit mega-project

This morning, together with Ronnie Liu, Peter Tan, Tee Boon Hock and other DAP Klang leaders, I visited the multi-billion ringgit Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), which has been shrouded in such secrecy despite being open to operation more than six months ago on November 1, 2006.

The PKFZ has the forlorn and pathetic air of another failed multi-billion ringgit mega project and Malaysiakini reporters Fauwaz Abdul Aziz and Sabrina Chan are right in coining the term “mega ghost-town” for it.

The PKFZ offers 512 standardised warehouse units, 260 ha of open land and four blocks of eight-storey office complexes. After seven months of opening, there are only signs of two of the 512 warehouse units being taken up but not yet utilized. The only company that has visible presence of operations is the Norwegian oil and gas company Aker Kvaerner. Otherwise, the 1,000-acre PKFZ is an expanse of empty office blocks, warehouse units and land blocks.

There is no vibration of activity or even sense of commercial life!

No wonder the authorities concerned were so upset when they received word that I was going to visit the Westports and a security detail was very rude in demanding to know what I was doing at PKFZ, inviting an earful as to why a visit by the Parliamentary Opposition Leader should be regarded as akin to trespass especially when Parliamentary sanction will have to be sought if there is to be a billion-ringgit bailout of the failed PKFZ.

Many questions swirl around the PKFZ for the past few years without answers, and it is time that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s pledge to lead an open, accountable and transparent administration be respected by his subordinates, particularly the following personalities: Continue reading “Port Klang Free Zone — Forlorn and pathetic air of another failed multi-billion ringgit mega-project”

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Double productivity of 1,800 JB police to fight crime apart from deploying 400 more cops

The Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance will meet on Monday and two items on top of its agenda will be the worsening crime situation in the country particularly in the crime capitals like Johor Baru and Malaysia’s inclusion by the United States Government in “Tier 3” of the worst human trafficking offenders.

The challenge of the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance is to ensure that the increased police presence in Johor Baru after the spate of brutal robbery-gang rape crimes that shook the nation is not short-lived, but sustained and results in daily improvement of the crime situation in Johore and country.

The secretary of the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance, Chong Eng (DAP MP for Bukit Mertajam) has proposed that the caucus visit Johor Baru to hold a public hearing to help the people of Johor Baru ensure that the war against crime will always be the priority concern of the government and police, and not when there is a public outcry after public patience had been stretched to the limit and snapped with one brutal crime after another.

Although the people of Johor Baru welcome the deployment of an additional 400 cops, 200 police vehicles and establishment of temporary police stations, an equally important question is what strategy is there to ensure the doubling of the productivity of the present 1,800-strong police contingent in Johor Baru. Continue reading “Double productivity of 1,800 JB police to fight crime apart from deploying 400 more cops”

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Nazri acting as Super-ACA and Super-AG to declare Johari innocent of RM5.5 million corruption allegations

The “bohong” and “bodoh” outbursts of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz in Parliament yesterday during question time on corruption in Malaysia (video clip here) was most shocking, but even more shocking should be his “day-dreaming” that Malaysia is in the “premier league” among the 50 countries with the least corruption in the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2006 when it is actually in “Tier 3”.

What should be most shocking of all is his mental preparedness for Malaysia to plunge further in the TI CPI 2007 towards the 50th ranking on the occasion of Malaysia’s 50th Merdeka anniversary.

This is the Bernama report of what Nazri said during question-time yesterday:

Malaysia In The `Premier League’ Of CPI

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (Bernama) — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said although the preception on corruption in this country is considered to be unfavourable, Malaysia is still included in the `premier league’ comprising 50 countries with the least corruption.

“When we have reached (the group of) 50, how can we go up further? We are already in the premier league, it is not easy to improve,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat when responding to a question from Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Keadilan-Permatang Pauh) who wanted to know the measures taken by the government in view of the decline in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for Malaysia prepared by Transparency International compared to countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore.

In the first place, Malaysia’s is not in the “premier league” of TI CPI 2006 — which can only be reserved for the Top Ten countries regarded as least corrupt, namely Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Denmark, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Australia and Netherlands.

Tier 2 will be the band of 20 countries led by Austria, Luxembourg.and United Kingdom ranked from No. 11 to No. 30 while Tier 3 for the countries, including Malaysia from No. 31 to 50 as Malaysia’s ranking is No. 44.

Secondly, Nazri appeared to be quite proud that Malaysia is ranked No. 44, even if lower so long as among the top 50 countries. Continue reading “Nazri acting as Super-ACA and Super-AG to declare Johari innocent of RM5.5 million corruption allegations”

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Rampant crime and lawlessness – I apologise to JB people that Parliament has failed them

As Parliamentary Opposition Leader, I apologise to the people of Johore Baru that Parliament had failed them abysmally in the past week to articulate their deepest fears and anxieties about their personal safety and those of their loved ones and the loss of their most fundamental citizenship right to be able to feel safe whether at home or out in the streets.

In my 33 years as Member of Parliament, I had never felt more ashamed as a MP when my urgent motion to get Parliament to debate the rampant crime and lawlessness in Johor Baru was rejected, for I felt that I had terribly let down the people of Johor Baru and Malaysia as Parliament has again proved to be utterly irrelevant and even indifferent to the most burning concerns of the people.

I had tried not once but twice in the first week of Parliament which ended yesterday to bring the crisis of public confidence in police failure to control and reduce crime to the floor of Parliament for emergency debate by way of two urgent motions, but both were rejected.

When the Speaker, Tan Sri Ramli Ngah, rejected my urgent motion yesterday, I felt a great sense of personal failure.

I also could not believe or understand why Barisan Nasonal MPs, particularly those from Johor Baru and Johore, could be so indifferent to the recent spate of brutal crimes such as robbery-cum-gang rapes that they do not want Parliament to be in the forefront to demand an immediate and concrete action plan to restore law and order to Johor Baru and wipe out its notoriety as the nation’s capital of crime.

These MPs from JB and Johore have not uttered a single word in Parliament for the whole of past week on the rampant crime and lawlessness which had become a daylight nightmare of everyone in Johor Baru and Johore? Can they explain why?

My sadness and sense of failure as an MP when my motion was rejected yesterday was compounded by two other factors:

  • the media reports yesterday of another two brutal crimes in Johor Baru the day before, involving gang rapes of a Malay and Chinese girl, bearing out the truth of a media headline “Any race could be a victim”, that this is not a race or political problem but one of fundamental human and citizenship right; and
  • the disappointing result of the Wednesday Cabinet meeting which did not declare anything new apart from talk of a crackdown on crime in JB, as the announcement of 400 more cops in the streets in JB and new temporary police stations had already been announced two days earlier in JB by the Health Minister, Datuk Chua Soi Lek.

What the people of JB and Malaysia want are no more verbal assurances from the Cabinet that actions would be taken but immediate and concrete action where they and their loved ones could immediately feel safe in the streets, public places and the privacy of their homes — today and tomorrow and not in the future, whether three or six months’ time! Continue reading “Rampant crime and lawlessness – I apologise to JB people that Parliament has failed them”

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“Bocor” scandal – spread of culture of impunity

All Ministers and Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs should digest the statement of the European Commission Ambassador to Malaysia, Thierry Rommel that there is no proper closure of the sexist “bocor” outrage in Parliament by two Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs, Datuk Mohd Said Yusuf (Jasin) and Datuk Bung Mohtar Radin (Kinabatangan) and that it is most damaging to Malaysia’s international reputation.

In a letter to Malaysiakini yesterday, Thierry wrote:

I would wish to convey a third party opinion, prodded by internal discussions, on the possible effects of sexist remarks made by prominent Malaysian citizens on Malaysia’s international reputation.

The short answer to this pertinent question is yes, for a number of reasons.

It is a violation of the spirit of the Universal Human Rights Declaration more so coming from persons who are in a position of influence and power.

Malaysia is a member of the UN Human Rights Commission, further raising expectations of exemplary and ambitious approach to upholding human rights, including gender equality, and fundamental freedoms.

Finally, such remarks have a far greater and adverse impact than some people in position of power care to admit. Witnessing moreover the impunity that has accompanied such remarks, astonishment and disbelief prevail.

This is one further example rebutting the answer by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz to my question in Parliament on Tuesday that the Cabinet regards the “bocor” scandal involving Mohd Said and Bung Mohtar as settled is wrong, ill-advised as well as completely unsatisfactory and unacceptable. Continue reading ““Bocor” scandal – spread of culture of impunity”

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Abdullah leading a government in disarray

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz is guilty of the height of Ministerial irresponsibility in Parliament when he defended the Deputy Internal Security Minister, Datuk Johari Baharum from RM5.5 million corruption allegations while admitting that he knew nothing about the outcome of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) investigations which have been sumitted to the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Gani Patail.

I am shocked that Nazri could also turn Ministerial responsibility to Parliament “upside down” when he retorted to my query as to the Attorney-General’s decision on the ACA investigations into the RM5.5 million corruption allegations at Johari, by asking why he was being asked in Parliament about the Attorney-General and why I could not ask the question outside.

This is the first time in my experience in Parliament where a Cabinet Minister could be so brazen in his irresponsibility as to challenge an MP why he is posing a question to him on a matter which comes directly under his Ministerial and parliamentary responsibility and why he did not pose the question to the officer concerned outside the House.

This is a most deplorable precedent in the development of parliamentary democracy and accountability on the occasion of the nation commemorating 50th anniversary of nationhood. Continue reading “Abdullah leading a government in disarray”

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Third urgent motion knocked out — no debate on rampant crime and lawlessness in JB and Malaysia

My third of three urgent motions for Parliament this week was rejected by the Speaker Tan Si Ramli Ngah this morning.

My motion today is to have an urgent parliamentary debate on the recent spate of brutal robbery-cum-gang rapes in Johor Baru which had sparked public outcry nationwide over police failure to control and reduce crime with Malaysians feeling very unsafe in the streets, public places and the privacy of their homes.

I have never felt more ashamed as a MP when my urgent motion was rejected.

For the past week, Malaysians had been haunted by the spectre of rampant crime and lawlessness which had been highlighted almost on a daily basis by the brutal crimes in the nation’s capital of crime — Johor Baru.

The Cabinet yesterday discussed about the problem of crime and lawlessness in Johor Baru and the country. Everyone is concerned except Parliament!

Why is Parliament so blissfully unconcerned and indifferent about the rampant crime and lawlessness in JB and Malaysia?

All responsible and conscientious MPs regardless of party must feel very ashamed that Parliament has proved to be so irrelevant and impervious about the crying concerns of Malaysians regardless of race and religion, whether in Johor Baru or anywhere in the country — about their personal safety and those of their loved ones, not to be victims of the crime wave and lawlessness sweeping the country.

Today’s press reported another two brutal crimes in Johor Baru yesterday — gang rape of a Malay girl and a Chinese girl, bearing out the headline of Sin Chew Daily today “Any race could be a victim”!

The Cabinet was a great disappointment yesterday, as apart from newspaper headlines of Cabinet orders to crackdown on crime in JB, there was nothing new.

The announcement of 400 more cops in the streets in JB and new temporary police stations had already been announced two days earlier by the Health Minister, Datuk Chua Soi Lek.

The people of JB and Malaysia had expected more concrete action from yesterday’s Cabinet meeting but none was forthcoming. Continue reading “Third urgent motion knocked out — no debate on rampant crime and lawlessness in JB and Malaysia”

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“Bocor” scandal not ended – Mohd Said and Bung Mohtar must apologise in Parliament

The answer by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz yesterday that the Cabinet regards the “bocor” scandal involving Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs, Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (Jasin) and Datuk Bung Mohtar Radin (Kinabatangan) as settled is completely unsatisfactory and unacceptable.

In a written reply to my question, Nazri said:

“The government has reminded everyone, especially members of parliament, and those in high positions to always be mindful and responsible in their actions.

“We hope the issue will serve as an example to all. We regret that the episode happened but we regard this matter as closed.”

It is no use the government expressing “regret” for the episode when the two culprits, Mohd Said and Bung Moktar are openly defiant and unrepentant as evident from their fake apologies, on six grounds:

Firstly, Both of them refused to make a personal apology to Fong Po Kuan (MP for Batu Gajah), the target of their crude, derogatory, sexist and gender-offensive remarks which women groups have described as “sexual harassment in Parliament”.

Secondly, there was no remorse or contrition in making the apology, even to Malaysian women. Both tendered their apology “if women were offended” — implying that there was nothing wrong with their remarks but with women if they were offended!

Thirdly, they justified their sexist and male-chauvinist attacks at Po Kuan on the ground that they were necessary to defend the government during debates.

Fourthly, the above statement was as good as a declaration that they would have no hesitation in repeating their crude, derogatory, sexist and gender-offensive remarks in similar circumstances in future if they deem it necessary to defend the Barisan Nasional and the Government.

Fifthly, both had lied when they claimed that they had been “provoked” to make the crude, derogatory, sexist and gender-offensive attacks on Po Kuan. The video footage of this disgraceful parliamentary conduct is up on YouTube, Google and many blogs. On YouTube alone, which received a four-and-a-half star rating, it was viewed more than 61,551 times. Continue reading ““Bocor” scandal not ended – Mohd Said and Bung Mohtar must apologise in Parliament”

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Malay keris – Hishmmuddin does not know he was subtly criticised by CYCL 1st Sec Hu Chunhua

During the debate on the Environmental Quality Act Amendment Bill this morning, I had raised the episode during the recent visit to China by the Education Minister and UMNO Youth leader, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and his meeting with the First Secretary of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), Hu Chunhua, when the issue of Malay keris was raised.

As the BN MP for Ketereh, Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad had again raised the issue of the Malay keris, particularly about its cultural significance, I referred to the Sin Chew Daily report of 26th May 2007, on Hishammuddin’s hour-long meeting with Hu in Beijing.

During the discussion, Hishammuddin explained that the Malay keris symbolized leadership and unity, and Hu responded, saying what was important was not the Malay keris but the one who wielded it.

This account of the exchange between Hishammuddin and Hu was given by the MP for Puchong, Lau Yeng Peng, who as Gerakan Youth Education chief, was also present at the meeting in Beijing.

This report was taken by readers as a very subtle and pointed criticism of Hishammuddin by Hu, who had clearly been briefed of the raging and divisive controversy surrounding Hishammuddin’s unsheathing the Malay keris at two recent UMNO Youth general assemblies heedless of the rights and sensitivities of different communities in the country.

However, it is clear from the exchanges in Parliament this morning, Hishammuddin, Lau and the BN Youth leaders and MPs did not realize that Hishammuddin was being subtly criticized by the First Secretary of the Communist Youth League of China, but took it as a compliment.

I am told that Hishammuddin and the BN Youth leaders were very proud of Hu’s remark. Continue reading “Malay keris – Hishmmuddin does not know he was subtly criticised by CYCL 1st Sec Hu Chunhua”

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Second urgent motion knocked out — no debate on Malaysia listed as “worst human traffic offender”

My second of three urgent motions for Parliament this week was rejected by the Deputy Speaker Datuk Lim Si Cheng this morning.

My motion to urgently debate Malaysia’s inclusion in the United States Government’s 2007 Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Report in the Tier 3 list of the worst human trafficking offenders together with 15 other nations including Burma, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.was rejected on the ground that it was not urgent.

Most shocking of all, the rejection was received with table-thumping by Barisan Nasional MPs as if they were overjoyed that Parliament is denied an opportunity to clear Malaysia’s good name which had been stained internationally by the shameful listing of the country mong the worst human trafficking offenders.

When Dewan Rakyat debated the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Bill on May 9, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who piloted the bill through Parliament, referred to Malaysia’s being ranked as Tier 2 Watch List in the US Government’s 2006 TIP Report released in June last year.

Nazri did not condemn or challenge the right of the US Government to issue any TIP Report.

In January 2007, the US Government issued a Trafficking in Persons Interim Assessment “to serve as a tool by which to gauge the anti-trafficking progress of countries which may be in danger of slipping a tier in the upcoming June 2007 TIP Report and to give them guidance on how to avoid a Tier 3 ranking”.

Yet, despite the TIP Interim Assessment and guidance, Malaysia fell into Tier 3 ranking in the TIP 2007 report.

The Malaysian government is not bounden to justify its record to the US Government but it is duty-bound to vindicate its record to Parliament and the Malaysian people. Continue reading “Second urgent motion knocked out — no debate on Malaysia listed as “worst human traffic offender””

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Samy Vellu playing the fool as Works Minister for 22 years?

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usWorks Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu told Parliament during question time that he would not allow any person to “play the fool” whether in the Public Works Department or among contractors after the disgraceful litany of government building defects and public construction mishaps – with collapsing ceilings, cracking walls and floodings in new buildings from burst water or sewerage piping.

This prompted me to ask Samy Vellu whether he had been “playing the fool” for 22 years as Works Minister to explain the nation’s regression from “First-World Infrastructure, Third-World Mentality” to “Third-World Infrastructure, Fourth-rate Mentality and Ninth-class Maintenance”, with Malaysia facing shocking drop in public delivery standards which were unimaginable two or three decades ago.

Samy Vellu had been a Cabinet Minister for almost 28 years, with 22 years as Works Minister.

I asked Samy Vellu whether it was not time for the country to have another Works Minister.

At my supplementary question, Samy Vellu blew his top, exclaiming that Ipoh Timur should appoint a new Member of Parliament.

He boasted that whether he had been a Minister for 22 years, 28 years or even 48 years, it was all because of his capability.

I shot back to remark that whether Ipoh Timur should have a new MP is not for Samy Vellu to say, and this cannot be excuse for Samy Vellu to run away from his responsibility to be a competent Works Minister instead of seeing standards of public works falling year after year.

I also pointed out that under his leadership, the Indians have become the new underclass in the country with the most political, socio-economic, educational and citizenship problems. Continue reading “Samy Vellu playing the fool as Works Minister for 22 years?”

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First urgent motion knocked out — no debate on Internet allegations of top cop corruption

The Speaker, Tan Sri Ramli Ngah has rejected the first of my three urgent motions this week to get Parliament to be relevant and debate issues of grave public importance.

My first urgent motion to debate Internet allegations of top cop corruption was chucked out on the ground that it was not urgent, that the Anti-Corruption Agency was investigating, although it is not clear whether the Speaker was referring to the allegations against the Deputy Internal Security Minister, Datuk Johari Baharom or the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

The subject of my urgent motion was – serious allegations of corruption and abuses of power against Johari and Musa on the Internet by both named and anonymous websites, and the failure to take satisfactory action to protect government credibility, integrity and authority.

There was no explanation why there was prompt investigation in the case of the RM5.5 million “Freedom for Sale” allegations against the Deputy Internal Security Minister for releasing three men held under the Emergency Ordinance although it was from anonymous websites, but no sign of any investigation in the case of serious and specific corruption allegations against the Inspector-General of Police although made by a known Internet source — on the Malaysia-Today news portal by Raja Petra Kamaruddin in his series “The Corridor of Power”.

This is all the more regrettable as the former Inspector-General of Police, Tun Hanif Omar was reported in the Sun today, “Act if allegations untrue, says Hanif”, telling Musa to “take action if the allegations are untrue”. Continue reading “First urgent motion knocked out — no debate on Internet allegations of top cop corruption”

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University student intake – season for frus and despair

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University intake for this year is out and its a season for frustration and despair at the injustices of the system.

I received the following sad letter from Clare:

I am writing to voice my dissatisfaction towards the Ministry of Higher Education who rejected my brother’s application into a local university.

When my brother told me that his application was “tidak berjaya”, I was very disappointed. Not that his result is bad, in fact, his result is very good compared to many other students (even better than mine). He got a CGPA of about 3.2 (I got 2.9 back then) and applied for ‘not-so-popular’ business-related courses and he was rejected.

I do not know what to tell my mum when she called to announce the result just now. My parents must be very disappointed, not with my brother, but with the higher education ministry. My brother has gone into exile because of that. I am not surprised if he has developed a mentality that the government is biased towards the handicapped (my brother is handicapped with cerebral palsy-as stated in one of the links in my post)

I do not know who else to turn to, Uncle Lim. Please advise.

Continue reading “University student intake – season for frus and despair”

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Police lost control of crime – JB & Malaysia: Notice for urgent motion

19th June 2007
Yang di Pertua,
Dewan Rakyat,
Parlimen,
Malaysia.

YB Tan Sri,

S.O. 18 motion of urgent, definite public importance: Recent brutal robbery-cum-gang rapes in Johor Baru sparking public outcry nationwide over police failure to control and reduce crime with Malaysians feeling very unsafe in the streets, public places and privacy of their homes
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This is to give notice under S.O. 18(2) to move a motion of urgent definite public importance for the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Thursday, 21st June 2007, as follows:

“That under Standing Order 18(1), the House gives leave to Ketua Pembangkang YB Lim Kit Siang to move a motion of urgent, definite public importance, viz Recent brutal robbery-cum-gang rapes in Johor Baru sparking public outcry nationwide over police failure to control and reduce crime with Malaysians feeling very unsafe in the streets, public places and privacy of their homes.

“In the campaign for 100,000 signatures to restore to the people of Johor Baru their fundamental right to be free from crime and the fear of crime, some 80,000 signatures have been collected from all over the country from Malaysians in a matter of three days — an expression of frustration and despair that despite repeated promises of a war against crime whether by the Prime Minister and the Inspector-General of Police, the establishment of the Royal Police Commission as well as increased allocations and salary revision for the police, the violent crime index had worsened in the past three years.

“Unless the rampant crime and lawlessness not only in Johor Baru, which has become the capital of crime of the nation, but also in the various ‘black areas” like in Klang Valley and Penang are wiped out, even Visit Malaysia Year 2007 and all programmes to attract foreign investors, especially as multi-billion ringgit Iskandar Development Region project will be undermined. Continue reading “Police lost control of crime – JB & Malaysia: Notice for urgent motion”

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Malaysia “worst human trafficking offender” – notice for urgent motion

18th June 2007
Yang di Pertua,
Dewan Rakyat,
Parlimen,
Malaysia

YB Tan Sri,

S.O. 18 motion of urgent, definite public importance: Inclusion of Malaysia in the United States Government’s 2007 “Tier 3” list of the worst human trafficking offenders together with nations such as Burma, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Sudan and Saudi Arabia
_____________________________________________________________________

This is to give notice under S.O. 18(2) to move a motion of urgent definite public importance for the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Wednesday, 20th June 2007, as follows:

“That under Standing Order 18(1), the House gives leave to Ketua Pembangkang YB Lim Kit Siang to move a motion of urgent, definite public importance, viz the inclusion of Malaysia in the United States Government’s 2007 Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Report in the Tier 3 list of the worst human trafficking offenders together with 15 other nations including Burma, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us“The inclusion of Malaysia in the Tier 3 list of the worst human trafficking offenders is a matter of grave shame and dishonour to the nation, which had recently the signal honour of being Chair of three international organizations simultaneously, i.e. ASEAN, Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Conference and is seriously proposing a candidate to be the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

“The reasons cited for Malaysia’s inclusion in the US Government list of the worst human trafficking offenders are:

  • The government of Malaysia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so.
  • Failure to show satisfactory progress in combating trafficking in persons, particularly in areas of punishing acts of trafficking, providing adequate shelters and social services to victims, protecting migrant workers from involuntary servitude and for not prosecuting traffickers who were arrested and detained under preventive laws.
  • The government needs to demonstrate stronger political will to tackle Malaysia’s ‘significant’ forced labour and sex trafficking problems.

    “The Foreign Minister has lambasted as ‘ill-informed’ Malaysia’s inclusion in the US trafficking blacklist while the Prime Minister has promised severe punishment for human traffickers. Continue reading “Malaysia “worst human trafficking offender” – notice for urgent motion”

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Internet allegations of top-notch graft – notice for urgent motion

15th June 2007
Yang di Pertua,
Dewan Rakyat,
Parlimen.

YB Tan Sri,

Notice under S.O. 18 — Serious allegations of corruption and abuses of power against Deputy Internal Security Minister, Inspector-General of Police and top police officers on the internet by both named and anonymous websites and the failure to take satisfactory action to protect government credibility, integrity and authority

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usThis is to give notice under Standing Order 18(2) to move a motion of urgent, definite public importance for the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 as follows:

“That under Standing Order 18(1) the House gives leave to Ketua Pembangkang YB Lim Kit Siang to move a motion of urgent definite public importance, viz: serious allegations of corruption and abuses of power against Deputy Internal Security Minister, YB Johari Baharom (Kubang Pasu), Inspector-General of Police and other top police officers on the Internet by both named and anonymous websites, and the failure to take satisfactory action to protect government credibility, integrity and authority.

“Some 14 weeks ago Malaysians were shocked by news reports of RM5.5 million ‘Freedom for Sale’ allegations accusing the Deputy Internal Security Minister of releasing three men held under the Emergency Ordinance which appeared on an anonymous website with the heading: “Datuk Johari — The Most Powerful But Corrupted Deputy Minister”.

“Immediately, the IGP called for an ‘open and fair’ investigation into the allegations, declaring that the allegations cannot be dismissed as baseless, until the investigation was completed.

“However, although the Anti-Corruption Agency 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, and the Deputy Minister himself had repeatedly called for the outcome of the investigations to be made public, the country is still kept in the dark about the outcome of the ACA investigations.

“On June 3 and 9, 2007 the Malaysia-Today news portal carried two articles by Raja Petra Kamaruddin in his seires ‘The Corridor of Power’ on organized crime and the Police, alleging corruption and abuses power implicating the IGP and top police officers, including a RM2 million corruption allegation against the IGP. Continue reading “Internet allegations of top-notch graft – notice for urgent motion”

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Socialising with prosecution – Can Altantunya murder trial judge be sanctioned?

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usThe admission by the Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail that it was a mistake when he decided not to give the court a reason for replacing the entire prosecution team in the Altantunya Shaariibuu murder trial has raised further questions.

Gani said he had replaced the entire team of prosecutors to ensure a “fair trial” to all parties concerned. He said he had taken Deputy Public Prosecutor Salehuddin Saidin out because he was seen playing “badminton” with trial judge Justice Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin.

He was going to replace Salehuddin with the Chamber’s head of prosecution Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, but later realized that the latter socialized with the judge as well.

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Two immediate questions are:

(1) How many of the DPPs in the AG’s Chambers now play badminton or socialize with judges? Is Gani Patail going to issue a Code of Conduct for his prosecutors and officers forbidding them from playing badminton or socializing with judges?

(2) Why didn’t Justice Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin recuse himself from the trial for having socialized with the prosecution? Does the Judges’ Code of Ethics forbid judges from playing badminton or socializing with prosecutors?

If so, can disciplinary action be taken against Justice Mohd Zaki under Article 125(3B) which was amended last year to provide for sanctions to be imposed on judges for breaching provisions of the Code of Ethics? Continue reading “Socialising with prosecution – Can Altantunya murder trial judge be sanctioned?”

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Wipe out JB’s notoriety as capital of crime of Malaysia – 1st step to ensure success of IDR

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usI will seek an urgent meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance when Parliament reconvenes tomorrow over the worsening crime, particularly with Johor Baru gaining further notoriety as the capital of crime, depriving Malaysians of their most fundamental liberty of being free from crime and the fear of crime to be assured of personal safety and security, whether in the streets, public places or the privacy of their homes.

I will propose that the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance ask for a meeting with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan for a special action plan to wipe out Johor Baru’s notoriety as the nation’s capital of crime

It is most regrettable that the Johore Police have blamed the Chinese media for the public outrage over the horrendous crimes in Johor Baru, following three shocking gang rape-cum-abduction/robbery in the last month, viz:

  • Early May – 28 year old pregnant woman robbed and gang-raped in Plentong in the presence of three-year-old son, after robbers had forced their way and drove off the car at a petrol station near Tampoi where the husband had stopped to answer nature’s call.
  • 5th June around 10 pm – A construction contractor and female companion at a petrol station at Pasir Gudang highway overpowered by three armed robbers who drove off with them as hostages. Both robbed and female victim gang-raped at Kempas area.
  • 11th June, around 10 pm. — Armed robbery by three men who ganged-raped 19-year-old girl and her 22-year-old boyfriend could only watch helplessly because he had been slashed twice.

The police representative who turned up late for the Johore Baru dialogue yesterday held in conjunction with the 100,000-signature campaign to reduce crime and restore personal safety and property security to Johore Baru blamed the Chinese media for blowing up the crime issue, claiming that there had been a 7.9 per cent decline in incidence of crime in Johor Baru.

The Johore Police would lose all respect, credibility and confidence of the people of Johor Baru if the police authorities maintain the denial syndrome or try to dismiss and trivialize widespread public concerns and outrage over the crime situation in the Johore capital, either blaming the Chinese media or looking for other scapegoats. Continue reading “Wipe out JB’s notoriety as capital of crime of Malaysia – 1st step to ensure success of IDR”

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Lina Joy case and cancelled “Building Bridges” Conference to feature on 1st day of Parliament

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usThe far-reaching consequences of the Lina Joy case, which was reported in over 1,000 foreign media in the first 48 hours of the judgment, and the last-minute cancellation of the “Building Bridges” Islam-Christianity Interfaith Conference in May will feature on the first day of the Parliamentary question time on Monday.

I will be raising both issues during question time on Monday when asking the Prime Minister what had been done to repair the damage to Malaysia’s international reputation as a model multi-religious nation with the last-minute cancellation of the “Building Bridges” Islam-Christianity Inter-faith Conference in early May.

Members of Parliament regardless of political party should come forward in the forthcoming parliamentary meeting to ensure that on the occasion of the 50th Merdeka anniversary of the nation, religion should become a positive force for nation-building in promoting inter-racial and inter-religious understanding, goodwill and harmony instead of becoming the reverse.

It must be a matter of concern to all Malaysians that religious polarization of Malaysians is increasingly a major threat to nation building in the past decade, unless the first three decades of nationhood when the problem of religious polarization was quite unheard of.

What has gone wrong. Why has religious polarization become worse instead of better, especially when the Islam Hadhari advocated by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is to promote justice, integrity and harmony.

Among the questions which I will be raising in forthcoming Parliament are: Continue reading “Lina Joy case and cancelled “Building Bridges” Conference to feature on 1st day of Parliament”