The Penang Echo

After 100 days,Guan Eng moves into official residence. Is he here to stay ?

2008-06-22T07:58:00.006+08:00

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has moved into Rumah Tetamu, the Chief Minister’s official residence, in Macalister Road.

Lim, who moved in at 8am yesterday, said he recently found out that the RM300,000 estimate given by the state government and Public Works Department to repair the mansion had been “grossly overstated”.

He has also been told the roof was not leaking.

“It was only water dripping from the air-conditioning vents. I don’t understand how they could include repairing a leaking roof in their evaluation when the roof is not leaking.

“I think we only need to do some minor touch-up like a bit of repainting,” Lim told newsmen when opening the Silver Jubilee Rehabilitation Centre for Stroke Patients at the Silver Jubilee Home here yesterday.

He said the state government would investigate how the RM300,000 estimate had come about.

Courtesy: The Star

Less Traffiic on Penang Brige

2008-06-22T07:50:00.002+08:00

The daily commute along the Penang Bridge has become less stressful for project manager Jessie Teo.

Ever since fuel prices went up early this month, she noticed there were fewer cars on the bridge.

“Though there are traffic jams at peak hours, traffic flow is smoother,” said Teo who drives to the factory on the mainland where she works.

She added that many of her colleagues had started carpooling to cut transport cost.

Supervisor Omar Awang, 47, has switched to riding a motorcycle.

“Tak boleh tahan (Cannot take it). How can we drive everywhere with the recent hike in fuel prices?

“The roads are less congested these days and I’m not surprised that many have opted to ride a motorcycle,” he said.

A spokesman for Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd (PBSB) said some 67,000 vehicles traversed the bridge a day.

“But traffic reduced by 7% a few days after the fuel price increase. The traffic volume at peak times such as Monday morning and Friday evening has also gone down,” she said

Courtesy: Thed Star

Penang Public Transport Woes

2008-06-21T14:20:00.002+08:00

Penang folk are frustrated that promises to regulate bus operators have yet to be fulfilled.

THE roads are choked, motorists just do not bother to follow the most basic of traffic rules and heaven help those who have to rely on public transport in Penang.

This is not an exaggeration of the situation, although the public bus service has somewhat improved following the entry of RapidPenang since late last year.

The problem of a pathetic public transportation system on the island once regarded as the Pearl of the Orient has been widely talked about, debated and dissected. However, nothing much has been done in solving the problem.

The boneshakers that pass off as public buses are still on the road and taxi drivers have stubbornly refused to meter their fares despite the warnings which date back to the 1990s by licensing authorities.

The thing that frustrates people the most about the mess are all the empty promises of better things ahead.
Penangites have been promised that public bus operators would be regulated and the bus leasing system would be stopped, but this has yet to happen.

If anything, the bus operators have become more brazen in breaking every rule in the book since RapidPenang came into the picture.

As for taxis, locals can hardly afford to hop into one these days, even if it is to travel short distances due to the exorbitant fares the drivers demand.

Most taxi drivers in Penang have the mentality that they are only providing their services to foreigners flush with pounds, euros and US dollars.

Ask any taxi driver about the high fares and one is sure to get the answer: "We are here for the tourists. It doesn't matter if locals cannot afford us."

It is due to such narrow-mindedness that the taxi drivers are willing to resort to violence to get the tourists.

This was demonstrated recently when a group of 20 limousine drivers surrounded two vans carrying Indonesian tourists who had just arrived on a package holiday here.

The limousine drivers were angry that the hotels the tourists were lodging at had arranged for vans to pick the visitors up at the airport.

The limousine drivers subsequently beat the van drivers up before bundling the tourists into their limousines to be driven to the hotels.

It doesn't take much to figure out that public transport providers in Penang have become kings on the road, thanks to the lackadaisical attitude of enforcement authorities.

The people here are still waiting to see if promises will finally turn into a reality.

However, everyone is keeping their fingers crossed now that there is greater urgency to address the problem following the rise in fuel prices.

Courtesy: NST

Penang land woes

2008-06-20T10:25:00.000+08:00

The new land reform policy put into effect by the Penang state government four days ago has hit a snag – incomplete and incorrect application forms are being distributed online and at the state’s five district offices.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said this yesterday after conducting a spot check at the North-East District Land Office in Komtar.

“We decided to conduct a spot check after receiving complaints from several applicants.

“Unfortunately, the complaints proved to be true and we have found that the North-East District Land Office has been distributing incorrect and incomplete forms along with forms that request unneeded information,” he told a press conference after the spot check.

Lim said more than 100 applicants from the North-East District Office were affected and believed that the same situation was happening at the four other land offices.

The oversight involved commercial applicants who wanted to extend their leasehold to 99 years and residential ones who applied to convert their land status from leasehold to freehold, he said.

“I have also checked the downloadable version of the forms and found that one form is incomplete,” Lim said.

“The online version of the forms found at ptg.penang.gov.my will be corrected and made more easily accessible on the website,” he said, adding that correct and complete forms will be made available today on the website and at all district offices.

Lim advised all the applicants to compare their forms with the online version and reminded that location plans required for applications could only be obtained from land offices in the vicinity of the respective properties.

Applicants can also contact the Land and Mines Department at 04-261 5459 for assistance.

Courtesy: The Star

Second Bridge: UEM still the contractor

2008-06-19T18:15:00.003+08:00

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop today said that UEM Builders Bhd remains the contractor of the second Penang bridge project but declined to comment on a report that the company will not manage and collect tolls.

Online news provider The Malaysian Insider recently reported that the government was overhauling the project by breaking up the key elements, namely, the construction and concession to collect tolls.

Citing unnamed government officials, the report said the toll concession portion would be decided through an open tender, and the winning party would have to share revenue with the government.

It also said the move could save the government up to RM18 billion over 45 years, and lead to greater flexibility in levying toll charges.

Speaking to newsmen after delivering his keynote address at the Malaysia Islamic Capital Market Conference 2008 here, Nor Mohamed said he would discuss the issue with the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's Department.

"I will discuss with the EPU and will issue a proper statement soon, but on the issue of the bridge's contractor, at this point in time certainly UEM is on as a contractor," he said.

He stressed that construction of the Second Bridge, which connects Penang to the mainland, was still on.

"I don't think the project will be cancelled and UEM is still the contractor," he said.

Earlier this month, UEM Builders said the government had approved an increase in the construction cost for the bridge above the original cost of RM4.3 billion due to rising prices of oil and building materials.

It also said preliminary work on the construction of the bridge had started and the project was on track to be completed as planned by 2011.

The 24km bridge project is being undertaken by UEM Builders, in a joint venture with China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd.

Malaysian Insider on Anwar Ibrahim

2008-06-19T13:52:00.002+08:00

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is, among other things, the Energizer Bunny. Like the battery mascot in the television commercial, he keeps going and going and and going...about transforming from prime minister-in-waiting to actually being prime minister.

Arguably and easily Malaysia's hardest working politician in the past 100 days, Anwar – who holds no political office but is the de facto leader of the federal opposition – has spent time since March 8 criss-crossing the nation and travelling to foreign cities to talk of efforts to helm Malayisa.

With Opposition parties winning 82 parliamentary seats and control of four more states, Anwar has expended time and energy to cobble together state governments and iron out issues within a nascent coalition that co-operates with mutual suspicion.

At the same time, he has been flirting, charming and coaxing lawmakers from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to jump ship even as he flaunts his political renaissance and taunts Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's coalition with the threat to topple them.

He has also travelled outside Malaysia to meet with potential investors and friends he made during his time in power to

impress upon them his potentially quick return to Putrajaya, while hinting of secretive meetings abroad with power brokers in the Malaysian political scene.

Not a day goes without his www.anwaribrahimblog.com revealing the who, what, when, where, why and how of his political life, from meetings with foreign politicians to tea with the main players in the Philippines and his thoughts on slashing the pump price if Malaysia's oil money is not used for bailouts and national projects.

"I cannot accept an oil-producing nation like Malaysia increasing petroleum prices by 46 percent in one go," he said recently in Dubai, promising to cut pump price when he takes power – a populist move to keep the momentum going against an increasingly unpopular Abdullah, who cut fuel subsidies this month to prevent runaway deficits.

This promise to cut petrol prices brings him closer to ending his days as prime minister-in-waiting, a sobriquet that was once before bestowed on him when he was deputy prime minister and Mahathir's protégé by none other than Opposition veteran Lim Kit Siang. Ironically, Lim is now an ally in the putative Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

Acquitted of sodomy charges exactly seven years to the day of his sacking, a wheelchair-bound Anwar has worked hard to find his legs so he can walk and run metaphorically and literally back to Putrajaya, ignoring potshots from Abdullah, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and especially his one-time-mentor-turned nemesis Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"It is not individual. It is not about Abdullah Badawi or Najib Razak. It is about the system," Anwar said in Dubai when commenting on a leadership change pact between the Umno top two after Barisan Nasional was mauled in the recent general elections.

Anwar, a guaranteed crowd magnet.

Anwar is confident that Pakatan Rakyat can take over by Sept 16 – Malaysia Day – with lawmakers crossing over from Barisan Nasional especially from Sabah and Sarawak despite sweeteners to stay from Abdullah.

"We have adequate numbers to secure a simple majority in the House. What we need, of course, is a comfortable majority... There is a general sentiment among the general population wanting this change," Anwar added. In recent days, his aides have identified two parties keen to cross over, one of which was said to be the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) that formed the original Alliance with Umno in 1955.

Yesterday he congratulated Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) move to initiate or support a no-confidence motion against Abdullah's leadership when Parliament meets next Monday.

"I am happy with these early actions and call upon other friends to act quickly in order to guarantee stable politics and efficient economic management that will lead to dynamic growth and equitable distribution," Anwar said, disclosing two previous talks with SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

His hard work will continue in the coming days to convince others, especially Umno lawmakers, to take the leap of faith and allay suspicions from all – including coalition members – that he is a political chameleon interested in power for itself.

"Chameleon means you say different things to different people," he told Bloomberg recently. "My message is consistent; the examples must be different to cater to the audience. I go to the urban area, I quote Shakespeare; I go to the village, I quote the Quran; you quote Confucius to the Chinese; to the Hindus, I quote the Ramayana."

It will take another 100 days to see what Anwar will reap from what he has sown – a bumper crop or a bitter harvest. But notwithstanding the results, he will continue to work hard. Like the Energizer Bunny.

THE PIGEON KEEPER

2008-06-19T13:40:00.005+08:00

THE MAN WHO THREW THE CAT AMONGST THE BN PIGEONS

The End is Near

2008-06-15T14:22:00.004+08:00

Has outspoken Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee finally left Barisan Nasional?

After a series of strong statements, including an ultimatum that the BN government resolve long-standing issues in Sabah, rumours are rife that the former Member of Parliament and chief minister has resigned from the ruling coalition.

Not spared from the rumour mill is Sepanggar MP Eric Majimbun and Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui.

Asked yesterday whether there was any truth in the rumour, Yong evaded the question .

He had once said that he would give BN until August to resolve the issues in Sabah or SAPP members might leave the coalition.

Courtesy: NST

Jaguh Kampong at Middle Rocks

2008-06-15T14:12:00.001+08:00

Barisan practises double standards

2008-06-15T14:05:00.002+08:00

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has hit out at Barisan Nasional for allowing its members to receive titles recommended from Pakatan Rakyat state governments.

He said Barisan did not allow its component parties to be involved in any way with Pakatan administered states, but receiving awards seemed to be all right.

He was referring to a vernacular newspaper report quoting Gerakan and MCA leaders as saying they did not object to their members receiving such awards.

The newspaper had quoted Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and Penang MCA deputy chairman Lau Chiek Tuan as saying that their parties did not object to their members receiving the titles.

Lim said political parties should put the people’s interest first and allow their members to serve the community.

Rembau MP Khairi tries his hand at spinning

2008-06-15T13:36:00.004+08:00

PM AAB's son in law, Khairi Jamalauddin has called upon Petronas to disclose its profits as ell as its sources of revenue..

The question is does he not really know. It is hard to believe, being the mover and shaker that he is known to be.

More likely an attempt is being made to sho that he too is not privy to the Petronas secrets although he is the most favored offspring in UMNO if not BN.

Is wool being pulled over the eyes of the rakyat again? Or is sil jumping on the new bandagon, now that the ol one is fast being derailed. According to Tenku Li a BN component party is about to jump ship.

Well, well, times they area changing.

Echo

Whom are the police trying to con?

2008-06-14T16:36:00.003+08:00

Malaysiakini reports the OCPD os Dang Wangi as claiming that thr police had a "sucess" in managing the PAS demonstration yesterday against the fuel hike.

He is qquoted as having said ""We managed to keep the protestors at bay and we also managed to stop them from marching towards KLCC,"

On the other hand, the alternative media portal also reported that PAS leader Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad appeared elated and said the march was a success although the police had blocked their route to the KLCC.

"We were still able to express our dissatisfaction," he told Malaysiakini.

WHO ARE WE THE RAKYAT TO BELIEVE?

The police have undeniably a huge credibility problem. Qute obviously the dumb cop from Dang Wangi was putting a spin on the afternoon's events. A demonstration of quite inconsiderable proportions did take place. The message they had has got through. As the Kedah Malay is wont to say "POLIS HAPRAK"!

Free bus service for inner city

2008-06-14T13:49:00.002+08:00

Today's NST reports that the state government is looking at implementing the central area transport (CAT) system within the inner city here to ease the people's burden following the recent fuel price hike.

The system will take after the free shuttle bus service introduced by the previous Gerakan-led administration.

The shuttle service has been taken over by RapidPenang buses since last year.

The free shuttle bus service was started in 2001 and also covered tourist spots including Fort Cornwallis and Padang Kota Lama.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said a study was under way to determine the system's viability.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting yesterday, Lim said the government would also seek other ways to help the needy.

PAKATAN RALLY Against Fuel Hike at City Stadium on Sunday Night

2008-06-14T11:20:00.002+08:00

The loose coalition known as Pakatan Rakyat will kick off their nationwide protest against the "insane" fuel price hike on Sunday at the City Stadium in Penang.

"The roadshow is organised by Pakatan Rakyat. It will start in Penang and will move from state to state," said Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, the PAS MP for Kuala Terengganu at a press conference held at the PAS office in downtown Jalan Raja Laut after a successful street protest organised by the Pakatan youth leaders today.

All of Pakatan's bigshots are expected to attend the night-time affair, including PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Penang Land Scams: Guan Eng set to go public

2008-06-14T10:29:00.008+08:00

At long last after initial gung-ho revelations that never materialised after dares and counter dares, Guan Eng is set to make public the revelations of improper land deals by the previous BN government..

Although the Gerakan Adviser as previous CM has a lot to explain, the actual man on the firing line is his Deputy who was in charge of land administration.

The Star reported today that former deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah had failed to give an explanation before the April 28 deadline sset by present CM Lim Guan Eng.

Spculation has been rife all this while whether Guaqn Eng really had the stuff that would point to maladministration by Tsu Khoon. It appeared until now that he was guilty of shooting his mouth off and was merely scoring political points.

The land scams, it is thought involves conversion of land from leasehold to freehold that involved payment of millions in conversion fees that were allegedly forgone by the State from cronies close to the BN government or involving in certain instances, public companies. One piece of land involved is a golf course in the Bayan Lepas area.

It isleft to be seen whether the scandal can be explained away by errors of judgment by the politicians or state officers involved or more seriously as suspected, whether they reveal elements of criminality and corruption.

Be that as it may, the non revelations after the initial bruha was affecting Guan Eng's credibility in th eyes of the island's incisive political observers and pundits, not to mention the rakyat

The Echo

New Deal for Penang Second Bridge

2008-06-14T10:08:00.003+08:00

Malaysia has overhauled the planned construction and management of the second bridge in Penang, a move that could radically alter how the government awards contracts for large infrastructure projects under its privatisation programme.

Government officials say that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has decided to break up the key elements of the project ─ the construction of the bridge and the concession to collect tolls.

Under the current plan, state-controlled United Engineers Malaysia (UEM) and China Harbour Engineering, owned by the Chinese government, will jointly carry out the project.

UEM also has a preliminary agreement with the government for rights to collect tolls on the second link.

Under the new plan, the government will scrap that agreement and open the rights to collect tolls and operate the bridge to public tender.

Courtesy: Malaysian Insider

http://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/home/42-lead-stories/360-deal-for-second-penang-bridge-revamped

Justice Ian Chin tells of threats and indoctrination attempt

2008-06-11T16:20:00.002+08:00

PETALING JAYA: A High Court judge here revealed that a former prime minister had threatened judges. Justice Datuk Ian H. C. Chin also said he and selected judges were sent to a boot camp to ensure they got the message.

Justice Chin said this before hearing an election petition challenging the results of the Sarikei parliamentary seat which was won by a Barisan Nasional candidate by just 51 votes.

In a report in the Borneo Post yesterday, that comes hot on the heels of the findings of the Royal Commission on the V.K. Lingam video clip, Justice Chin said the threat from the former prime minister came after he handed down two judgments in 1997.

One was a judgment on a libel case involving MGG Pillai and Tan Sri Vincent Tan where he refused to give what he considered to be an astronomical award.

Justice Datuk Ian H. C. Chin... he and selected judges were sent to a boot camp to ensure they got the message

Justice Chin said the other judgment was in an election petition on Bukit Bangunan in the Sri Aman Division that he ruled in favour of Independent candidate Donald Lawan against Barisan Nasional candidate Mong Dagang.

“Shortly after the two judgments, the Judges Conference was held from April 24, 1997 where the then prime minister issued a thinly veiled threat to remove judges by referring them to a tribunal and stating that, though it may be difficult to do so, it was still done.”

Justice Chin said the former prime minister expressed unhappiness with what he termed ‘the Borneo Case’.

Courtesy: The Star
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/11/nation/21512634&sec=nation

Pulau Pisang: The Jaguh Kampung Mentality Rears Its Ugly Head

2008-06-09T05:48:00.004+08:00

Pontian MP, Ahmad Maslan announced yesterday that Malaysia is reasserting its sovereignty over Pulau Pisang symbolically by constructing a surau on the 446 acre island.

This is in order to prevent any claim or challange from Singapore that operates the lighthouse on the island taht lies in the straits of Malacca.

The plain stupidity of the MP is reflected by the fact that he himself acknowledges that the lighthouse is being operated by Singapore pursuant to a treaty enetred into in 1990.

If this be the case how does the building of a surau enhance Malaysia's sovereignty?

Or is it that Ahmad Maslan wishes the kampong folk and poor fisherman who may occassionally use the surau to believe that if not for the heroic efforts of this wira kampong, Siingapore, by some unknown sleight of hand would eventually gain surreptious sovereignty over the desolate island?

How stupid !!!

Anwar: I will roll back fuel hike

2008-06-09T04:50:00.007+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Adding fuel to public resentment over the latest round of petrol price hike, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today promised to bring down prices once the Pakatan Rakyat assume control of the central government.

How strong is this commitment? Well, the man dubbed Malaysia's prime minister-in-waiting said "I will resign immediately" if a Pakatan government is unable to roll back the subsidy cuts which have produced a steep 78 sen rise for unleaded petrol to RM2.78 a litre and diesel by RM1 to RM2.58 a litre.

Anwar, also regarded as the de facto Opposition leader, has capitalised on a Malaysian ground swell of displeasure, speaking out against the fuel hike in regional and international media. He returned today from Manila where he was lionised by
Philippine TV broadcasters and newspapers.

In a press conference at Parti Keadilan Rakyat head office in Petaling Jaya, he announced new members – former Abim president Dr Mohd Noor Manuti and Felicia Lim, who had served in the MCA exco – for the party supreme council. PKR has also been strengthened by 50,000 new members.

Anwar stuck to his guns that there will be the required number of at least 30 MPs who will cross over giving Pakatan Rakyat a simple majority in Parliament to topple the ruling Barisan Nasional government soon. He also confidently re-stated that the defections will take place by Sept 16 or Malaysia Day.

For the moment, he explained that secrecy was necessary because the system is still "quite repressive" in the country and hence, divulging details of the MPs ready to switch camps might compromise their security. He said he has been meeting some of them outside the country.

The former deputy prime minister also said he can now openly participate in Malaysian politics – the registrar of society has given him a letter to that effect. This means Anwar's ban from politics expired on April 14 this year and he added that he doesn't require the attorney-general's approval to stand in a by-election.

Courtesy: Malaysian Insider

UMNO Supreme Council Retreat Begins Today

2008-06-05T16:41:00.002+08:00

The retreat by 52 UMNO Supreme Council begins in Dhal Alam today for the next two daysm

The retreat is meant to discuss UMNO;s performance before and after the 8th March elections.

PM Abdullah Badawi, Deputy PM Najib Tun Razak and UMNO Secretary General Tengku Adnan will address the retreat.

The retreat will aso plan strategies for UMNO to regain the support of the rakyat.

Utusan Malaysia Online - Politik: Mb to contest VP

2008-06-05T16:20:00.003+08:00

Another V.P. contestant for the December UMNO polls. Negri Sembilan MB announce today hiis readiness to do so. He says he wishes to strength UMNO to its former glory.His entry to day brings to six, the confirmed contenders and he if the third MB to do so after Malacca, Pahang andPerlis (ex MB Ahahidan Kassim.The latest entrant muddies the waters further as it is ot known which camp he comes from or whicch "team" he is in. The full Utusan Melayu report can be read here:

http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0605&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_02.htm

Fuel hike: 78 sen more to RM2.70 per litre

2008-06-04T18:23:00.003+08:00

BREAKING NEWS !

The government has just announced that petrol price will go up by 78 sen at midnight - a 40.6 percent jump from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70.

MCPX

The price of diesel will go up RM1, or 63.3 percent - from RM1.58 per litre to RM2.58.

Petrol: Pump price at market levels by August?

2008-06-03T15:49:00.007+08:00

BREAKING NEWS!

The price of petrol at the pumps is expected to be about RM 4.00 per litre once subsidies are removed. This is expected to take place in August, thiis year.

Consumer Affairs Minister made the announcement in KL this afternoon. The impending move is expected to further destabilize the delicate political situation facing the country and will bolster Anwar Ibrahim's chances of becoming PM this year.

Rais Yatim To Stand For V.P.'s Post

2008-06-03T08:07:00.007+08:00

Utusan Melayu today (03.06.08) reports that Foreign Minister Dr. Rais Yatim has offered himaseld as a contender for one of the three OMNO Vice-Prsidents posts in the party's elections in December this year.

This brings to seven the number of contenders so fsr.

The other contenders are Malacca CM, Mohd Ali Rudtam; outgoing Pemuda Chief and Education Minister, Hishamuddin Hussein Onn; Supreme Coucil member,Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamiidi; Menteri Besar Pahang, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob;ex MB Perlis Shahidan Kassim; MB Pahang Adnan Yaacob and ex Malacca CM Rahim Thamby Chik.

Former Selangor CM Khir Mohd. Toyo is also expected to throw in his lot soon.

Ku Li moves up a gear in tough drive for support

2008-06-02T18:14:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has stepped up his campaign to obtain the 58 nominations from Umno divisions to contest party president’s position in December.

He openly asked branch officials to support his candidacy when he made the rounds in Kelantan on Friday and Saturday. The Umno veteran also asked branch officials to pass resolutions supporting him during their meetings and elections which will begin in 6 weeks. He knows that once a branch passes a resolution, it will have to be tabled and discussed when the all important division meetings are held.

An aide told the Malaysian Insider: "Ku Li is still facing obstacles on the ground. Party members are being stopped from attending his functions. But if branches pass resolutions giving him their support, the division chiefs will have no choice but to allow their members to debate the resolution and consider nominating Ku Li."

Courtesy Malaysian Insider (02/06/08)

http://themalaysianinsider.com/mni/

Ride off into the sunset, Koh told

2008-06-02T17:51:00.003+08:00

DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh has told Gerakan acting president Koh Tsu Koon to heed public opinion and accept the electoral defeat that his party sustained in the general election on March 8.

MCPX

Koh should not continue to claim credit for “the few good things” done during his 18-year tenure as Penang chief minister, said Karpal (right), but accept the reality that the days of his “pomp and splendour have come and gone”.

He claimed that Koh has been interfering in the state through Gerakan members, to belittle the achievements of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“Koh should cease and desist from interfering in state political governance. It’s the prerogative of Penangites, given to Lim to govern the state towards its own destiny,” he said.

Courtesy: The Star (02/06/08)
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/83814

Sabah crossovers: The date keeps changing

2008-05-31T13:41:00.002+08:00

Eight days ago, the date given was at the end of May. Yesterday, it was after the Gawai festival.

This is the message from Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, PKR vice-president.

Yesterday, he was asked by this correspondent over his earlier declared date. Jeffrey responded in a SMS, “We have rescheduled the announcement till after the Gawai harvest festival.

Indeed, the air of anticipation of any elected representative in Sabah crossing over to Pakatan by the end of this month (May) has died down after the claim by Jeffrey.

Courtesy: Malaysia Today

Comment: Jeffrey's announcements have the effect of undermining Anwqar's credibility concerning cross overs. Does he really, really have the numbers?

Abim Asks Government To Explain Rise In Scholarships For Non-bumiputeras

2008-05-31T13:12:00.005+08:00

(Bernama) -- The Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) has called on the government to clarify the necessity for the Public Service Department (PSD) to increase the ratio of scholarships for non-Bumiputeras from 10 percent to 45 percent.

Abim secretary-general, Khairul Arifin Mohd Munir, said in view that the education quota issue was closely related to provisions in the federal constitution like Articles 153(2) and 153(3) it was therefore necessary that Malaysians be given an explanation for the move.

He said the matter was important as till now the percentage of Bumiputeras was much higher than non-Bumiputeras, the poverty rate among Bumiputeras was also higher than other races and the number of professional Bumiputeras was low especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

Khairul Arifin said in resolving the problem of poverty and having social justice, new methods and mechanisms needed to be implemented to reduce and eradicate poverty among non-Bumiputeras.

"Using the scholarship quota in resolving the (poverty) problem is not a proper step and deviates from the purpose in the constitution that the scholarship quota for Bumiputeras is a written special right for Bumiputeras for having social balance," he said.

Therefore, he said, Abim suggested that the government increased the number of scholarships so that more excellent students could pursue higher studies at the best institutions of higher learning in the world.

Khairul Arifin said awarding scholarships to non-Bumiputeras must also be given priority especially to those who excelled and were from the underprivileged group.

"A new approach has to be studied and formulated to help underprivileged non-Bumiputeras without denying Bumiputera rights," he said.

Khairul Arifin also said scholarships should not only be limited to education in the West but rather the government should consider increasing scholarhips in strategic fields in the Middle East.

Comment: It is time for Malaysians to reread the Federal Constitution as far as special privileges for Bumis go. The constitution does not set any quotas or percentages for scholarships to Bumis or non Bumis. It will therefore be perfectly in order for the government to award even 49% of scholarchips to non Bumis.

What About Dad?

2008-05-31T10:50:00.005+08:00

Mokhzani told to quit as Sepang circuit chairman PUTRAJAYA, May 31 ─ Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob has asked Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir to resign as Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman, citing the post as a government appointment.

"The post belongs to the government. As he (Mokhzani) has left Umno, in principle he has to relinquish the position," said Ismail Sabri, citing the SIC as a subsidiary of Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) which is controlled by the government through Khazanah Holdings.

Following the move by his father and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Mokhzani resigned from Umno on May 21.

Courtesy: Malaysian Insider (31/05/08)

Query?

Following Sabri Yaacob's logic, should not Dr.M rseign as Advisor to Petronas?

PedroBianca: Rough seas or calm ahead?

2008-05-31T10:22:00.002+08:00

After a 30-year tussle, the world court last week awarded the island of Pedra Branca to Singapore and nearby Middle Rocks to Malaysia. How has the judgment changed the state of play in the Singapore Strait, and ties between the two neighbours? Straits Times senior political correspondent Lydia Lim writes.

SINGAPORE, May 31 — A week after the world court's judgment that Pedra Branca belongs to Singapore, the strategising over competing maritime claims in the area has shifted gear.

With the issue of ownership settled, the issue that now seems in contention is the meaning of the terms island and rock.

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry apparently wants a subtle name change.

It has asked the media on its side of the Causeway to drop the word “Pulau” and stick to “Batu Puteh” or “Pedra Branca” — white rock in Malay and Portuguese respectively.

Alternative news website The Malaysian Insider reported on Monday that checks with two national dailies confirmed such a request.

Singapore, on its part, maintains that Pedra Branca is an island.

Why make a mountain out of what seems a molehill?

One possible reason: the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) says that islands generate exclusive economic zones but rocks do not.

And right now, both sides are gearing up for talks to delimit their maritime boundary in the Singapore Strait.

So, did last Friday's judgment by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) bring closure to the issue of sovereignty over Pedra Branca, only to set the stage for a fresh tussle over maritime boundaries?

Did the judgment clarify matters or complicate them?

And what lessons can be drawn from this episode about turning to international courts to settle bilateral disputes?

Sorting out the basics

Set high on a cliff on the border between Cambodia and northeastern Thailand is the ancient Khmer temple of Preah Vihear, which both countries once claimed.

In 1962, the ICJ ruled that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia.

The Thais, whose ancestors had worshipped for centuries at the temple they call Khao Phra Viharn, accepted the decision with a heavy heart.

Yet, today, the two governments continue to squabble over the land around the temple, most recently over a 4.6km area that Cambodia had included in its proposal to Unesco to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site.

That issue is not likely to be resolved until the Joint Boundary Commission finishes demarcating the entire 640km-long border between the two countries, a task that is expected to take another decade.

The ICJ judgment on Preah Vihear dates back to before Singapore became an independent nation.

That gives a sense of how long it can take to sort out boundary issues even after an international court rules on what's most contentious.

Closer to home are the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan — the subject of a former territorial dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia.

In December 2002, the ICJ awarded the islands to Malaysia.

Six years have passed but Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta have yet to settle their maritime boundary in that part of the Sulawesi Sea, east of Borneo island.

The stakes are high because oil and gas reserves have been found in the Ambalat area, just south of Sipadan and Ligitan.

There were some tense moments last year when Indonesia accused Malaysian planes and warships of encroaching into its territory in the disputed zone.

Following last week's ICJ judgment on Pedra Branca, are Singapore and Malaysia's discussions on their maritime boundary likely to be as long-drawn-out and convoluted?

It is hard to say.

The key point to note, says Dr Robert Beckman, associate professor of law at the National University of Singapore (NUS), is that “it was impossible to negotiate the maritime boundary in this area until it was decided which state had sovereignty over the three features”.

The three are Pedra Branca and the two maritime features closest to it, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.

Under Unclos, the extent of a state's territorial seas depends on where its land and island holdings end.

A state can claim a territorial sea of up to 12 nautical miles (one nautical mile = 1.852km) and an exclusive economic zone of up to 200 nautical miles from the edge of its lands and islands.

Within the first, a state has the right to set laws and regulate the use of the seas.

Within the second, it has the right to explore and exploit any resource in the waters and seabed, including the use of the currents and winds to generate energy.

The tricky part of the ICJ judgment is that it awards Pedra Branca to Singapore, and two clusters of granite just 0.6 nautical miles to its south — known as Middle Rocks — to Malaysia.

The court also ruled that South Ledge, which is visible only at low tide and does not generate its own territorial waters, belongs to the state in whose territorial seas it lies.

The court was asked to decide only on sovereignty and not on the maritime boundary.

Singapore has made it clear that it would have preferred to have been awarded all three features but that it accepts the court's judgment.

The outcome seems to complicate the delimitation of a maritime boundary in an area where the territorial-sea claims of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia overlap.

After all, Pedra Branca is only 7.6 nautical miles away from the Indonesian island of Bintan and 7.7 nautical miles from the Johor coast.

Institute of Southeast Asian Studies director K. Kesavapany says that as far as implementation details are concerned, “the water is still somewhat murky”.

The former Singapore high commissioner to Malaysia adds that “much would depend on how the officials from both sides sort out the basics for co-existence within the waters surrounding Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge”.

The Joint Technical Committee tasked with ensuring a smooth implementation of the court's judgment is due to meet soon.

Its members will need to iron out issues such as naval patrols and fishing rights in the waters around Pedra Branca and Middle Rocks.

It is unclear whether this same committee will be in charge of delimiting the maritime boundary, or whether another group will be set up to do so since that negotiation will also need to involve Indonesia.

Courtesy: Malaysian Insider (31/05/08)

Guan Eng: I won’t engage in verbal war with predecessor

2008-05-31T09:44:00.002+08:00

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has declined to be embroiled in a “verbal war” with his predecessor Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and his assistants on the new Penang Government’s successes in attracting foreign investments.

He said he would not respond to the personal attacks made by Dr Koh and his assistants.

“I do not wish to engage at the level of those who tried to claim credit as the people of Penang can judge this on their own,” he said in response to questions by reporters on the remarks made by Dr Koh’s former political secretary Mark Ooi Swee Hing that Lim had claimed credit for two high-profile foreign direct investments (FDI) into Penang.

Courtesy: The Star (31/05/08)

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/31/nation/21414004&sec=nation

Perak: What was RM8mil used for?

2008-05-31T09:28:00.001+08:00

IPOH: Perak wants the previous Barisan Nasional government to explain how this year’s RM8mil development fund was spent in less than three months.

State senior executive council member Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said the Pakatan Rakyat government was shocked at the way the fund, meant for small projects, had been spent before or during the March 8 general election campaign period.

The fund, he said, was made up of a RM75,000 allocation to each Barisan assemblyman with an additional RM100,000 given to each state exco member.

“The people are suspicious that it was spent on the election campaign.

Courtesy: The Star(1/05/08)

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/31/nation/21413903&sec=nation

The Rats Abandoning The Sinking Ship

2008-05-31T09:17:00.002+08:00

PETALING JAYA: A defiant Federal Territory Gerakan chief Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong called on those who had asked him to resign for taking up a post in Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor to rise above politics.

He said with many issues currently troubling the people, it was time to rise above political interests for the greater good of the country.

Dr Tan, who was issued a show-cause letter by his party for taking up the post as co-chairman of Selangor’s special task force on land issues, said he had yet to decide whether to reply to the letter.

He told The Star that he fully understood the implications of the letter.

“As a former vice-president, I have previously taken part in many disciplinary actions, including sending out show cause letters.

“I have until June 7 to respond. I have not decided (whether to reply),” he said.

Dr Tan is the second Gerakan leader to take up a post with a Pakatan Rakyat-led state after deputy secretary-general Lee Kah Choon.

Last month, Lee accepted the Penang Government’s offer to take up the posts of InvestPenang executive chairman and Penang Development Corporation director.

He then resigned from Gerakan.

Courtesy: The Star (1/05/08)

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/31/nation/21413845&sec=nation

Another Maika Scandal In The Making

2008-05-30T16:18:00.005+08:00

Privilege cards for MIC members

By MARTIN CARVALHO

MALACCA: A privilege card will be issued to the 630,000 MIC members as part of the party’s rebranding exercise in creating a corporate image apart from rewarding them, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

He said the card, called the “Dhana” or Wealth Cards in Sanskrit, would allow each member to enjoy at least 20 benefits and privileges.

They include special healthcare programmes, mobile phone offers and discounts on newspaper advertisements, motorcycles, automobile, entertainment and retail outlets as well as travel.

Speaking at the opening of the 62nd Malacca MIC delegates conference here, Samy Vellu said MIC would be the first political party to offer a discount and privilege card to its members when it is implemented.

Courtesy: The Star (30/05/08)

2008-05-29T16:17:00.001+08:00

A different House for all who enter

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — How the Dewan has changed.

Not too long a ago, the only time when the Dewan Rakyat was packed to the brim was during the annual budget or when the House was mulling a constitutional amendment.

Not anymore. Now everyday is Budget Day.

With 82 Opposition deputies and perpetual talk that the Barisan Nasional is on the verge of a collapse, things are not business as usual in Dewan Rakyat. Here are some noticeable changes:

Read Malaysian Insider http://themalaysianinsider.com/mni/a-different-house-for-all-who-enter.html

Ezam: I believe in Umno's reforms; So does Nalla the Turncoat

2008-05-29T16:07:00.004+08:00

Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor (right) with K.S. Nallakaruppan at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today. — picture by Choo Choy May

PETALING JAYA, May 29 — So the prodigal son returns. Now that it is official that former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor has rejoined Umno, many are curious as to why now? After all, the party is in a bit of a shambles with in-fighting that political observers insist is Umno’s tradition.

Cathay Pacific launches fourth Penang-Hong Kong non-stop flight

2008-05-29T15:50:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Cathay Pacific Airways announced today that it will be launching its fourth non-stop flight from Penang to Hong Kong beginning June 6, 2008.

The new additional A330 non-stop flight will start its service from June 5 with an incoming flight from Hong Kong to Penang, the airline said in a statement.

The new flight will further enhance the current daily flights seven times a week from Penang to Hong Kong.

Flight from Penang to Hong Kong will depart at 0915 and arrive at 1305 on Friday while that from Hong Kong to Penang will depart at 1600 and arrive at 1935 on Thursday.

There will be no change to Cathay Pacific’s existing service on other days of the week departing from Penang to Hong Kong.

Courtesy: NST Online

PGCC: Penang Turf Club Statement

2008-05-28T12:33:00.000+08:00

Penang, May 24: The Penang Turf Club today broke its silence over the plethora of allegations made against it by Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping over the proposed relocation of the club to Batu Kawan.

The club said that it did not want to engage in a media war with Tan Sri Tan because many of his accusations are subject matter of police report which he lodged against the president and committee members of the club. The PTC was also advised by its lawyers that it would be prudent and respectful to respond fully to all the inaccuracies and disinformation once the police had completed the probe.

But Mr. Leow Khin Ming, the club’s assistant general manager and secretary, said that it was necessary to respond to the latest round of allegations and criticisms made by Tan Sri Tan in an article in the Star on May 22.

This move is necessary to prevent confusion among club members and the public over the decision to relocate the club to Batu Kawan.

“The decision to relocate the club from its present site to Batu Kawan was made by the majority members of the club at a duly convened extraordinary general meeting held in November 2002. Tan Sri should not attempt to impose his personal views on the majority decision by the club members,” said Mr. Leow.

Below are some extracts of Tan Sri Tan’s comments in the newspaper article and the club’s response:-

“The Batu Gantong racecourse is a well-known landmark in Penang and it is a real shame to destroy an iconic heritage ...“

The PTC said that Tan Sri Tan and his friend have since April 2008 attempted to convince members to develop bungalow units for sale at the club’s present site and use the profits to build a new racecourse in Batu Kawan. “This is contrary to his public stance that the club should be maintained as an iconic heritage,” said Mr. Leow.

“I voted against the extraordinary general meeting resolution (to relocate the club) when it was mooted in 2002.”

The PTC said that it was interesting to note that there is no record in the minutes of Tan Sri having spoken against the resolutions although there were other minority members who had opposed the move.

One of the resolutions was to pay every ordinary member RM20,000.00 each for hardship when the racecourse is relocated to Batu Kawan. “Three cheques amounting to RM20,000.00 were sent to Tan Sri in his name and according to the club’s bank statements, these cheques were cleared,” noted Leow.

Tan Sri Tan’s allegation that the PTC president and two of his staff members signed a supplementary agreement which granted a renewable extension of three years till March 2011 for Abad Naluri to complete building the new racecourse in Batu Kawan.

The PTC said that the club committee did not renew the 2004 agreement with Abad Naluri by a supplementary agreement in 2008 as alleged by Tan Sri Tan but “merely imposed a definite time frame for the completion of the new racecourse in Batu Kawan by March 2011.

“If the Penang Global City Centre project cannot be carried out for any reason by Abad Naluri, then the committee and members of the club can consider any new proposal for the development of the club by open tender,” said Mr. Leow.

Tan Sri Tan said he had no intention of running for the PTC presidency or for a committee post.

The PTC noted that in 1992 Tan Sri Tan tried unsuccessfully to get elected to the club’s committee. In 1993 he was part of the “Vision” team that sought election to the club’s committee. He was defeated.

It saddens the Committee that Tan Sri has lodged a police report against the Committee over differences in opinion over the proposed relocation exercise which the Committee is carrying out in accordance with the resolution passed by members at the duly convened Extraordinary General Meeting and in accordance to the Club’s constitution.

The club said that it will respond to the catalogue of accusations and inaccuracies once the police have completed its investigations.

2008-05-28T12:32:00.001+08:00

Things Begin To Fall Apart

2008-05-25T13:29:00.003+08:00

Muhyuddin reveals his hand. He wants Pak Lah to go.

The charade is over. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants Abdullah to step aside. At least that was the sting of the words he used when speaking to Federal Territory party members yesterday. "Pak Lah is my friend, but can he manage the current situation? He's a good man, but the situation has changed. I am being sincere," said the Umno vice-president, who has been ambivalent at best since Election 2008 on the prospect of Abdullah remaining in power.

His Cabinet colleagues have expected this day to come soon, noting that his body language and comments during meetings have been that of someone who was not on the same page with the prime minister. Muhyiddin was supposed to speak to the FT politicians about code of ethics but instead launched into an analysis of Abdullah's leadership and the challenging political landscape.

In his speech to the FT politicians, he sketched the current scenario in the country, noting that Umno and Barisan fared badly in the polls and lost the support of the young. The only consolation was that the BN snared 140 seats, eight short of its customary two-third majority in Parliament. He quoted liberally from Dr Mahathir’s criticism of Abdullah, saying that there must be drastic action in the party and leadership.

"We need to change, so that we don't go down and down. I'm quoting Dr M because he is a veteran leader who is worried that the Malays will lose power," he said, adding that neither Abdullah nor Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak nor supreme council members have framed the current political situation in these stark terms.

To manage this situation, Umno must be strong, he said.

"We cannot have a weak leader managing challenging circumstances. I am not saying this about present leadership, you can decide for yourself," he said.

Muhyiddin then went on to give instances of weak leadership. He said that he brought to Abdullah’s attention the need for Sabah and Sarawak to have adequate representation in the Cabinet.

"But now look at situation," he said, referring to disappointment by Sabah BN over the allocation of only three ministerial positions to the state.

Then Muhyiddin turned to the standoff over the appointment of the menteris besar of Perlis and Terengganu with the Malay Rulers which eventually resulted in Abdullah backing down.

"Why? Because of weak leadership. You say you're strong, but you're weak. I am going to speak as I'm a vice-president. Many people are still in denial," he said.

By taking this position, Muhyiddin is clearly throwing his name forward to party members as someone who can be considered for either the party president or deputy president at the Umno elections in December. Supporters of Datuk Seri Najib and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said that intermediaries said to be acting on behalf of the Minister of International Trade and Industry has reached out to them recently over the possibility of forming a tag team for the elections.

But they did not get any joy from either camp. Najib remains loyal to Abdullah while Tengku Razaleigh is content to push for his reform agenda on his own steam. Still, Muhyiddin has other options. He can lead the opposition against Abdullah and offer himself as the next party president.

Alternatively, he can quit Cabinet, the government and offer to return only after Abdullah has relinquished power.

For Abdullah, the signs are clear. This could be the beginning of a revolt against his leadership by some power brokers in Umno. Since Election 2008, he has had to fend off calls for his resignation. But none of these critics were from the supreme council, the party’s highest decision-making body.

Muhyiddin’s comments yesterday could embolden other senior party officials to come forward and speak out against the current leadership and give strength to Dr Mahathir’s campaign to oust Abdullah.

Abdullah has only two choices: use all the powers of incumbency and fight like never before to stay in office. Or set an earlier date for the transition of power to Najib.

Courtesy: Malaysian Insider

Tokyo’s top college honours Jeanne Abdullah

2008-05-25T13:12:00.004+08:00

Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was yesterday conferred the highest honorary award by the renowned Soka Women’s College in Tokyo.

The Soka Joshi Tanki Daigaku Saiko A Yosho award is given to people who have made significant contributions to human development.

Highest honour: Jeanne receiving a medal after being bestowed the Soka Joshi Tanki Daigaku Saiko A Yosho award from Fukushima at the Soka Women’s College in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday.

Query?: What significant contribution has Jeanne AAB made to human development? Any ideas?

School Uniforms: PAS View

2008-05-24T06:59:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The baju kurung worn by schoolgirls to government schools is not that sexy, Pas said today. Pas Youth chief Salahudin Ayub said there was no problem with the school uniforms from an Islamic perspective.

“As long as the baju kurung is tailored according to the traditional Malay interpretations of the garment and not too tightly, I don’t see any problem,” he said.

On Wednesday, National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia vice-president Munirah Bahari was reported as saying that the school uniform worn by schoolgirls was sexy.

Her comments generated a furore of responses from teachers, students as well as various women groups, who said that her claims were baseless.

Munirah was reported as saying: “The white blouse is too transparent for girls and it becomes a source of attraction”, and that it could encourage “rape, sexual harassment and even premarital sex”.
Salahudin said, however, said it was unlikely that the school uniform contributed to such social ills.

“Cases of rape and free sex are not caused by one or two simple factors. Teenagers today are exposed to all kinds of influences, including all sorts of pornographic material due the borderless nature of information today,” he said.

END

2008-05-22T08:02:00.003+08:00

Thursday May 22, 2008

School uniform sexy, says group

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian group condemned the uniform worn by girls at government schools, saying it encouraged rape and pre-marital sex.

“The white blouse is too transparent for girls and it becomes a source of attraction,” National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia vice-president Munirah Bahari said in a statement.

“It becomes a distraction to men, who are drawn to it, whether or not they like looking at it,” she said, calling for a review of uniform policy so that it did not violate Islamic ideals.

In multicultural Malaysia, home to majority-Muslim Malays as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians, female students at government schools have a choice of wearing a white blouse with a knee-length skirt or pinafore.

They may also wear a “baju kurung” and a headscarf is optional for Malay students.

Munirah said that “covering up” according to Islamic precepts was important to fend off social ills, including “rape, sexual harassment and even premarital sex.”

“This leads to babies born out of wedlock and, to an extent, even prostitution,” she said.

“Decent clothes which are not revealing can prevent and protect women from any untoward situations,” she said, suggesting that girls wear a blouse of a different colour or with an undergarment.

However, the girls themselves also came in for criticism, with the association saying that some used the white blouse to lure men.

“This is the source of the problem, where we can see that schoolgirls themselves are capable of using this to attract men to them,” Munirah said.

“This could see them getting molested, having premarital sex and all sorts of things.” – AFP

Courtesy: The Star (22/05/09)

Comment:

Of all the pea brained things!

The Malaysian school uniform is already so uninspiring and unimaginative that at best it can be described as of 3rd world class.

One wonders if this purdah clad Munirah Bahari of the nondescript National Islamic Students Association has got no other work rather than spend her energy on the perceived sexual mores of Malaysian students.

Obviously she has failed to see that sexual misbehavior is more the result of weaknesses in the mind rather than outward manifestations of dress codes. Has she bothered t ask for the niews of the students themselves or is a guilt ridden mind telling her to do her quota to save guile less souls.

Is this mindless thinking or Malaysia Boleh?

Things Fall Apart

2008-05-20T15:21:00.004+08:00

Those of us who did English literature in the late sixties will remember the title above as the text of our modern literature course.

It was written by a Commonwealth author from Nigeria by the name of Chinhua Achebe.

It looks like things have begun to fall aprt for UMNO now.

Dr, M's karma has come full circle.

Anwar Ibrahim is smacking his lips in anticipation.

The irony is that Dr, M is unwittingly helping his nemesis become the next PM of Malaysia.

Dr. Mahathir Quits UMNO

2008-05-19T14:58:00.002+08:00

Mahathir quits Umno

Dr Mahathir Mohamad urges party members to follow suit. — Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — News reports say former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has quit the ruling party after a long feud with his successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Star online and Malaysiakini news portals say Mahathir is quitting the United Malays National Organisation party with immediate effect. He is urging other members to do the same.

Malaysiakini said Dr Mahathir announced this at a speech in Kedah earlier today.

It quoted him as saying: "I will only come back to the party when there is a change in leadership." He said his decision is a sign of no-confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib was reported to be surprised at Dr Mahathir's decision, but said it was the former prime minister's right to do so. "Every member has the right to join or leave the party," he said.

Muhammad, a former Umno vice-president and Selangor Menteri Besar, said that "we will wait and see" on whether Umno will call for an emergency meeting.

Dr Mahathir appointed Abdullah to succeed him in 2003 when he retired after 22 years as prime minister. But the two fell out within a year.

Dr Mahathir joined the Umno at its inception in 1946 and was known for his

outspoken views from the very start. He became an MP in 1964 and narrowly lost the Kota Setar Selatan seat the following election in 1969 after declaring he didn't need Chinese votes to win.

Following the May 13, 1969 riots, he was sacked from the Umno Supreme Council on July 12. While in political wilderness, he wrote his book, "The Malay Dilemma", which was promptly banned. Malaysia's next prime minister Tun Abdul Razak incorporated some of Mahathir's proposals from the book in his New Economic Policy.

Dr Mahathir rejoined Umno on March 7, 1972 and the ban on his book was lifted when he became prime minister in 1981, wielding power for 22 years before retiring in 2003.

Never one to shy away from controversy, he was credited for engineering Malaysia's rapid modernisation, promoting so-called Asian values and known for his strident criticisms of western and developed countries. He was considered as one of Asia's most influential leaders.

Courtesy: Maalaysian Insider

Indelible Ink, EC, Rashid and Gomen

2008-05-18T15:22:00.003+08:00

PM: No order for EC to scrap indelible ink

Abdullah Badawi...an opinion, not instruction

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — The government did not instruct the Election Commission (EC) to scrap its plan of using indelible ink in the last general election.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said although in principle the government made the decision, it was delivered in the form of an opinion and not instruction.

The final say was still at the discretion of the EC which handles elections in Malaysia, he said yesterday.

"It is true the matter became a topic of discussion in the Cabinet because we had some information in relation to it, including certain people having the ink although they had no authority to do so...we suspected the ink would be used in ways that could lead to confusion and give rise to difficult situations, could bring problems to the voting process on that day."

He was commenting on a statement by EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman that the Cabinet did not approve the use of indelible ink although the EC had initially agreed to use it.

Abdullah said the government had received reports that using the ink would bring about several problems and therefore, it was cancelled after taking into account certain factors.

"I say this, either we proceed with it and let things happen as a result or we abort the plan because it will ensure no problems. The election ran smoothly, the results have been announced and everybody has accepted it so, why should it be made an issue," he said. — Bernama
COMMENT:
Is not the EC constitutionally independent? Advice, directive, suggestion,opinion,what have you. Rashid owes everyone an explanation. wevenif it means he has tiosplit hairs in the process.

Dr Mahathir: Charge me, I want my day in court

2008-05-18T15:00:00.003+08:00

How Ironic?

Without a doubt, every ISA detainee from then until now has consistently urged ed the government of which Dr. M was one time the PM to charge them.

The government never could and did not do as it was always the case that the government never had any evidence against them .

Without a doubt, none of them were ever charged. The PM of the day, which includes Dr. M never entertained the justifiable request and threw the prison keys away for a good two years or more.

Now, Dr.M makes the plaintive request that he be charged in order that he can have his say in court. Was that not what every ISA detauinee wanted and wants now? Is that not what the Hindraf 5 also want?

Now perhaps Dr. M understands the predicament of every ISA detainee.

Poetic justice or KARMA has a very strange and indirect way of manifesting itself.

If AAB is not careful he may one day also meet poetic justice or karma.

PGCC, Structure Plans and Zoning

2008-05-15T13:58:00.002+08:00

PGCC: The public is beeing misled by politicians.

Both the CM. Lim Guan Eng and the previous local government Ex-co member, Dr. Teng Hoch Nan are misleading the public concerning the penang Turf Club land or green lung as popularly called.

After the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 came into force on 1st January 1985, zoning as a planning concept under planning laws enacted under the now repealed TownBoards Enactment had been thrown out of the winow.

Zoning as popularly understood is no longer in existence.

This is confirmed by the fact that the word "zoning" in now way appears in the in the TCPA, 1976.

The only thing of relevance in respect of land use is the "structure plan" and the "local plan".

The structure plan is means the general policy of the State Authority in respect of the planning of the development and use of all lands and buildings within the area of every local authority in the State.

Under the law, the State Authority is only empowered tto give directions of a general character and the local authority shall give effect to such directions.

The TCPA also provides elaborate provisions that require compliance with before a structure plan can be
amended, changed,modified or deviated from.

Two fundamental questions arise from Dr. Teng's revelations to the press concerning PGCC:

What did Dr. Teng mean when he said the Structure Plan had been amended last year to "rezone" the Turf Club land to "redevelopment, given that zoning does not exist asa planning concept at all?
What does CM Guan Eng mean that it will be too expensive to reconvert the land to its original use, given that the original "rezoning" of the PGCC land was illegal and void ab initio in the first place

Joe Public is being unnecessarily confused by the CM and Dr. Tend slugging it out in public for the sake of scoring political points off one another.

If they carry on in this manner, there will be no end or resolution in site to a sorry state of affairs brought about by the BN's total ignorance and or disregard to the provisions of planning law that are clear ad unequivocal.

The CM by adminstrative fiat in the nature of instructions to the local authority (MPPP) direct that no redevelopment of Penang's green lung be approved or carried out by reason that such "rezoning" to "redevelopment" has been done illegally and is void.

Let anybody who wishes to challenge the administrative fiat, do so if they want. They do so under payment of legal fees and costs should they loose.

The present State Government has nothing to lose except its face.

In any event it will be a fool hardy developer who would want to challange the state authority when any development plans have not yet been approved.

Crass Petulance: Shame on you, Dr. Teng

2008-05-14T12:20:00.006+08:00

Teng slams 'ignorant' Lim

By : Audrey Dermawan

Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan responding yesterday to recent accusations by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng

GEORGE TOWN: A former state executive councillor has branded Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng an ignorant and naive person and accused him of playing politics on the proposed Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) project issue.

Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, who is Gerakan vice-president and the former state local government committee chairman, also said Lim was unfit to be chief minister.

"To me, he has not even started his functions as the chief minister and I am not going to refer to him as one yet. I will just refer to him as Lim Guan Eng for now," he said at the state Gerakan headquarters yesterday.

The press conference was held in response to repeated calls from the media for him to comment following Lim's accusation that the former state government had misled the prime minister about the project.

Dr Teng said Lim was merely playing to the gallery and putting up a show.
He said any allegation hurled by Lim against him and former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon on the PGCC project was baseless and a result of Lim's ignorance.

He added that there was no need for Lim to make queries about the project in public when he could easily obtain the answers from his officers and other sources.

Dr Teng answered point-by-point and at length the questions raised by Lim about the PGCC on Sunday.

To Lim's assertion that the former state government should apologise to the prime minister for misleading him and inviting him to the launch when the project had not even been approved, Dr Teng said the invitation was from the developer Equine Capital Bhd and not the then state government.

He stressed that even state government officials were at the launch as invited guests and played no part in organising the event.

"The prime minister was merely launching the conceptual plan and he was aware that no approval was given yet.

"The prime minister himself requested, during the launch, that the state government facilitate and assist in the approval of the project," he said, adding that this was similar to other projects in the Northern Corridor Economic Region development plan.

As such, Dr Teng said the question of misleading the prime minister did not arise.

To another question as to why the state government allowed the developer to sell and promote the project despite the fact that no approval had been given, Dr Teng said: "If the developer wants to do a conceptual launch or promote the project, we cannot stop them. Also, we were not aware what the developer was promoting."

On the move to rezone the Turf Club land from recreational/open space to new development in the state structural plan, Dr Teng said it was done so that the land could be developed in the future.

"As far as I am concerned, any development can take place on the land and it is not confined to the PGCC project.

"You must understand that this is a private land which belongs to a private club and since there was an application to develop it, we figured that it was best to include it into the structural plan.

"After all, the structural plan charts the long-term development needs of the state."

Meanwhile, in an immediate response, Lim Guan Eng said he had no plans to resort to a personal attack. Lim said all the state government wanted were answers based on facts.

"I will not resort to a personal attack, let's see what Dr Teng has to say in the newspapers tomorrow before I answer him," he said yesterday.

Courtesy: NST (14/05.08)

PGCC: Former state gov't 'did not mislead Abdullah'

Athi Veeranggan | May 13, 08 5:27pm

Former Penang executive councillor Dr Teng Hock Nan has accused Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of playing a political game over re-zoning the site of the proposed Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) project.

MCPX

“Why there is so much publicity on a simple issue? Either he is naïve about how to re-zone the land or taking potshots at the previous administration to gain cheap political mileage,” said Teng (left).

He was commenting on Lim’s call last Sunday to predecessor Dr Koh Tsu Koon to guide him "on how to re-zone the project site to its original zoning" since it was the previous administration that had reclassified the site about a year ago.

“Either he already knows about it or he can learn about it from relevant officers (and government authorities). He should not blame the previous state government.”

He said the former Gerakan-led state government did not mislead the public or the federal government about the project, which was launched by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi last year.

The developer had organised the ceremony on an "iconic concept", said Teng, and the premier was fully aware that the project had not been approved by the Penang Island Municipal Council at the time.

“If one were to recall the PM’s speech, he called on the state government to expedite the project,” said Teng.

Originally earmarked as a recreational and open space zone, the Penang Turf Club (PTC) site in Jalan Batu Gantong, George Townwas re-gazetted under the Penang Structural Plan 2020 on June 28, 2007 as a new development zone, a move believed to be expedited for the PGCC project.

Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, the state planning committee, in which the chief minister is the chairperson by legal requirement, re-gazetted the land for commercial use in pursuant to the Structure Plan.

As current chief minister and head of the state planning committee, Lim now has the final say on approving or rejecting the project and the type of development to be carried out, noted Teng.

Claims brushed off

Project developer Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd had bought the PTC site, which had been classified as Grade One land, for RM488 million.

PTC members, who lodged a police report alleging discrepancies, claimed that the re-zoning exempted Abad Naluri from paying a premium estimated to be worth RM200 million to the state government for land conversion.

However, Teng, who was in charge of the local government portfolio, brushed aside such claims as being off the mark.

He said that, with Grade One land status, the need to convert the PTC site did not arise and that a premium would not be charged on non-existent conversion - all that is needed to facilitate new development is to re-zone the site.

The state government would earn revenue when the local council imposes a levy on the developer for the project. The quantum would depend on the type of development involved.

He said a government would only agree to a project after carefully considering all aspects of modern development projects such as traffic dispersal, access of public transportation and multi-purpose use to the public.

Abad Naluri is an associate company of Equine Capital Bhd controlled by businessman Patrick Lim, who is known to be a close friend of Abdullah. Equine Capital holds 25 percent of Abad Naluri.

The PGCC, located in the heart of Georgetown, has been billed as the country’s largest private sector development project. It is also the single-biggest component of the Northern Corridor Economic Region development plan, launched last August.

The proposal includes two five-star hotels, a performing arts centre, retail complex, two office towers, residential properties, world-class convention centre, observatory tower, parking space, monorail transportation and public arena.

Courtesy: Malaysiakini (13/05/08)

Penang aspiring to be a caring state

2008-05-13T17:03:00.003+08:00

All development projects in Penang, including private ones for public use, must have infrastructural features and basic amenities to cater for the needs of the people with disability, senior citizens, children and pregnant women.

MCPX

The Pakatan Rakyat state government has issued directives to all local councils, relevant government departments and agencies, statutory bodies to include views, recommendations, proposals and suggestions from the state welfare authorities before drawing up new project plans and approving project applications.

A representative from the state or district welfare departments will sit in all decision-making process of local authorities, relevant departments and agencies when perusing and approving project plans.

State exco member Phee Boon Poh (right), who is in charge of the state health, welfare and caring society portfolios, said it was timely to incorporate inputs from the welfare departments based on views and recommendations from the civil society into future Penang development projects.

"The new policy is imperative to develop Penang as a caring state catering for the needs and demands for all," he told Malaysiakini.

The new policy would effectively mean that future construction of houses, government buildings, amenities and facilities, and private development catering for public such as shopping complexes and offices will include features to cater the needs and demands of this group of people.

If implemented, the new policy would give the much needed facelift to Penang which currently lacked infrastructural system, facilities and amenities for these people, particularly the disabled community.

Even Komtar, which houses the officers of the Chief Minister, executive councillors, Penang Island Municipal Council and most government department offices lacked facilities to cater the needs of disabled community.

People with different abilities

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is also determined not to leave out this group of people in the state's development.

In his speech at St Nicholas Home `Wellness Centre' official opening recently, he announced that the DAP-led Pakatan Rakyat state government would work closely with organisations representing people of various disabilities and needs to carry out constructive and progressive policies to provide them improved facilities.

For a start, he suggested that the disabled group of people shall be addressed as "people with different abilities not as people with disabilities."

"It's a timely and appropriate term," he said.

The state government will also forge close working ties with various groups to train and develop disabled people into a skilful human resource group.

Many disabled people are indulged in massage therapy sector, especially in Shiatsu and reflexology, besides being factory workers, teachers, musicians, painters and artists.

In line with the state government intention to promote Penang as a medical-tourism hub in the region, Lim said the massage therapy business had the potential to be an integral part of the policy.

"It would surely benefit the disable society," he said.

In an effort to demonstrate the government's sincerity to assist the disabled people, the Pakatan Rakyat administration has appointed a disabled person, Lim Kah Cheng, as the a councillor in the Penang island municipal council.

Courtesy: Malaysiakini

Bull In The China Shop

2008-05-13T14:49:00.008+08:00

Karpal Singh, MP for Bukit Gelugor, is currently at the centre of another controversy involving the royalty.

Over the past week, the renowned lawyer had 20 police reports lodged against him after he said the Perak sultan had acted unconstitutionally in the transfer of a religious department official and criticised the Regent of Kelantan's message at a forum last month.

KS is the victim of his own misfortune. It is well known amongst DAP stalwarts, whether deceased, young, new and old that despite his long years in the party Karpal, has never beeen a politician in the true sense of the word. The man is so straight forward that he does not have the guile, agility and finesse associated with LIm Kit Siang.

They are as chalk as to cheese.

LKS has politics flowing in his veins.

KS only sees the red flag and charges unthinkingly.

KS, undoubtedly a legal eagle has been over the years been taken up by his legal prowess that he has failed to read the political mood of the Malays. Whether constitutionally or not, the position of the Sultans has always been on a special plain. It is only KS who has not seen it yet.

It is quite clear that Karpal is out of sync with the new and young generation of DAP leaders who are quite prepared to let loose some sacred cows like Songkok wearing and Perak MB's post for the sake of real politik and making a go at making the PR government more workable to Malaysians in general.

In conventional Malaysian way of thinking, it is time for KS to call it quits and gracefully retire from active politics. He has done his duty to country, party and family. What nore does he want?

Please leave the scene and allow Gobind and Jagdeep to blossom. If not, untold damage may be caused to Malaysian politics by your bull in the china shop traits.

MCAC WILL NOT HAVE ENFORCEMENT POWERS

2008-05-13T13:43:00.004+08:00

The Star (13/05/08) reports that the government has no plan to give the Malaysian Commission of Anti-Corruption (MCAC) any prosecution power or to place it directly under the parliament, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said in a reply to Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Serdang) that the government has no intention to place the MCAC under Parliament directly, but it will report to a parliamentary committee.

He also said the government has no plan to give the commission any prosecutionpowers.

"The prosecution power is (the discretion) with the Attorney-General (Abdul Gani Patail)," Mohd Nazri told Teo during the 90-minute question session this morning.

He added that there was a clear separation of duties involving several government agencies when it came to probing and prosecuting offenders.

The formation of the MCAC was announced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last month to show his seriousness in fighting corruption. The new agency would replace the Anti-Corruption Agency.

The new agency is expected to take root later this year.

Abdullah had said that the MCAC would table its annual report to a parliamentary committee on the prevention of corruption which would have the power to seek clarification and explanation on the report.

An independent corruption prevention advisory board would also be established to advise the MCAC on administrative and operational matters and on cases of public interest.

"The board can enquire or recommend that certain measures be undertaken. More importantly, the board will act to assure the public that public interest cases are dealt with appropriately and adequately," he had said then.

However, the Abdullah stressed that the ultimate decision to prosecute would lie with the Attorney-General although the board could ask him to take another look at cases he had decided not to pursue.

The MCAC will continue to be placed under the Prime Minister's Department.

Courtesy: The Star

Karpal's Goose Has Already Been Cooked

2008-05-09T15:03:00.007+08:00

The various police reports that have been lodged against Karpal by UMNO and BN lapdogs are just a camouflage of what has aleady been decided by the powers that be.

Karpal has been the unwitting victim of the feudal mindset of UMNO politicians who cannot draw a distinction between what is essentialy a legal argunent well backed by dectded authority.

It will be interesting to see what SultanRaja Azlan Shah - himself a leading legal luminary in is own right might have to say himself personally.

If not for the niceties of Royal aloofness that prevents him from descending into the arena of conflict, it is inconceivable that he does not agree with the basic truism of Karpal's argument.

The UMNO riff and raff can in no way equal the royal stature and aplomb of His Highness. The uncontrolled rantings of the UMNO crowd can in no way lend legitamacy or rationality to the anachronistic role of the Malay rulers in the modern day world of the towering or glocal Malay.

The UMNO sin machinery in the form of Bernama and Utusan Malaysia have gone to town in the spin against Karpal,

Will he comeout of it unscathed?

Tear Gas at Cheras

2008-05-09T03:17:00.005+08:00

Malaysiakiini reorts:

Police fired tear gas at about 11pm today to disperse 500 residents who had tried to dismantle a new concrete barrier erected by Grand Saga across a toll-free road near the township.

The crowd was attempting to demolish by hand the partly-completed barricades of made-shift steel cables.

About 50 riot police fired at least three rounds of tear gas - each time unleashing about 10 canisters - after water cannons failed to disperse the residents.

During the stand-off, BMC committee chairperson Tan Boon Hwa was arrested by the police.

Two others were also arrested earlier this evening.

According to eyewitnesses, Tan and Segambut member of parliament Lim Lip Eng - who had joined the protestors - were both roughed up by the police during the fracas.

The crowd eventually dispersed by 11.30pm and Grand Saga workers returned under heavy police presence to resume their task to completing the barricades.'

Comment: Why should the police involve themselves in a civil dispute between two parties? The highway concenssionaire apears to have police pRotection. Ber you that the concessionaire turns out tro be a fat cat UUMNOPUTRA being molly-cudled by the gomen.

Syariah ourt Ruling Is Welcome News

2008-05-08T17:37:00.007+08:00

The ruling by the Syariah High Court in Penang this morning is welcome news to hundreds of converts who want out of the faith

It is an open secret that most converts changed to the Muslim faith for reasons other than genuine love or belief in the religion.

Marriage was one common reason.

A misplaced notion that conversion and the use of of a Muslim name woul be advantageous to economic and social advancement was another reason.

Many converts have lost their initial enthusiasm over the years and have yearned to revert to their original religion.

However they found out much to their disappointment and changrin that converting to the Muslim religon was a one way street affair with no avenue open to convert back.

The Syariah court decision this morning has opened a way out.

It is left to be seen how tha Islamic fundamentalists and mullahs react to this latest breach of a hitherto writ cast in the holy Koran.

The penchant for hyperbole and rantings among the fundamentalists will ensure a strident and vocal backlash. Only rational voices like the MP for Shah Alam and the likes of him can bring sanity to what may otherwise turn out to bbe a local version of the Satanic Verses issue.

Convert No Longer A Muslim

2008-05-08T15:24:00.001+08:00

The Syariah High Court in Penang has delivered a landmark decision allowing a Chinese convert to renounce Islam and revert back to her Buddhist faith.

Syarie High Court judge Othman Ibrahim said the court had no choice but to declare Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah no longer a Muslim as she had never practised the teachings of Islam.

Siti Fatimah, who is from Nibong Tebal, is a Chinese by birth. She filed the application in May last year. In her affidavit to renounce the religion, Siti Fatimah, whose Chinese name is Tan Ean Huang, said she converted to Islam in July 1998.

However she never practised any of the Islamic teachings and claimed that she had converted for the sake of marrying an Iranian named Ferdoun Ashanian in 1999, but he left her a few months later. She has no knowledge of his current whereabouts.

There was pin drop silence as Othman delivered the decision. He also chastised the Penang Islamic Religious Council for failing to live up to its responsibilities and ensuring new converts truly understood the teachings of Islam.
He said it was regrettable that the council had neglected its duties and did not act quickly enough to save Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah's ‘akidah’ (faith).

Citing this as among causes that led to her shallow understanding of the religion, he said: "It is their obligation to encourage, support, help and ensure new converts understand and follow Islamic teachings.

"However, in this case nothing was done until the last moment when it was already too late," he said.

Othman noted that the council only entered its representations in Siti Fatimah's case at the end of the trial despite having been served notice right from the start.

He said the council should establish clear procedural and supervisory guidelines on the issue of conversions in and out of Islam.

Whistleeblower Act - Another Backtrack

2008-05-08T15:11:00.002+08:00

The government has rejected the enactment of both the Whistleblower Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act although it vows to continue to fight against corruption, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

"We have no plan to enact any of these acts because although we have the Official Secrets Act, the cabinet can decide on anything that need to be declassified at anytime," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said today.

He was replying to Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (PAS-Kota Raja) during the question session this morning.

The minister said the government will continue to fight against graft, which has been included in the BN's last two election manifestos but "it was impossible to be done in a short time for such a big thing like fighting against corruption".

This is an apparent about-turn by the government, which had earlier claimed that it was drafting a bill to protect whistleblowers.

Nazri had himself said last November that the first draft of the bill - which he called the Witness Protection Act - has been circulated to government agencies and ministries for feedback.

"Then it will be brought to Parliament for the first reading and debated before it is passed and gazetted as an Act," Nazri was quoted saying by Bernama.

Last month, in the wake of the ruling BN coalition's unprecendented polls setback, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had promised to pass new laws to protect whistleblowers and witnesses.

Courtesy: Malaysiakini

BREAKING NEWS - RPK posts bail

2008-05-08T14:03:00.000+08:00

Just read in Malaysia today that RPK is scheduled to post bail and be freed this afternoon.Posted @ 2.10p.m..

WELCOME HOME!

Of hoardings and the MPPP

2008-05-08T13:26:00.000+08:00

The Street Drainage and Building Act requires that hoardings be installed to fence off any building sitae. The enforcement os the SDBA is left to the localauthrity which on Penang Island is the MPPP.

For more than four years now, the heritage building at the cornet of Bishop Street and Beach Street has been under restoration. The dilapidated and positevly ugly hoaring is still up and there are no impending signs that works will be finishe soon.

In the meantime the ugly sight remains and the exit of Bisop Street to Beach Street continues to be narrowed.

Surely it could not have been the intention of the framers of the SDBA that temporary over the course of time becomes permanent as a result of non enforcement and sheer "could not be botheredness"?

ALTANTUYA, RPK & OVERKILL

2008-05-08T12:29:00.000+08:00

Just as RPK may have all along wanted, the Altantuya Case is in the forefront of the news again.

The gomen's response has been nothing less than inelegant and hevy handed.

Charging RPK under the Sedition Acr in a criminal prosecution pre empts Najib from embabarking on a civil action for libel - the correct and proper response for any individual who feels that his reputation has been damaged.

To lauch a prosecution for sedition is to elevate a legal battle into a national cause celebre that highlighes the many unanswered doubts that surround the case.

Glaringly of urgent attention are the following:-

who was the man in the green Suzuki Vvitara who took Altantuya away from outside Razak Baginda's residence on that fatefil night;
who deleted Altantuya's immigration records - why and when ?
why should two mata-matas who could not have conceivably known her before nor had any dealings with her previously want to kill her and obliterate all evidence?

When the truth be ultimately out as will invariably be in cases of this nature the gomen is going to look foolish and bad.

The gomen's use of the Sedition Act begs another question that LKS highlighted in Parliament yesterday. Is not the gomen guilty of abuse of power by using the full weight of government machinery to "punish" RPK and hopefully try to silence the alternative meia on an issue that by all measure is unquestionablyof public interest to Malaysians?

PAKATAN GOVT BACKTRACKING

2008-05-07T17:54:00.000+08:00

LGE started the culture of ultimatums in Penang when he challanged Shariff to come clean on the land scandals of the BN government in Penang. He gave Shariff until 28th April whereupon he threatened to make public the revelations. The 28th April has come and gone with hardly a whimper against the former Umno Deputy CM. The issue has come to pass and and has now been overtaken by the "desperate housewives" debate and the Bakti funds.Land has now become a non issue. Did LGE bite off more than he can chew?