Archive for category Parliament
Auditor-General: Tourism Ministry overpaid RM270m for ads
Posted by Kit in Auditor-General Report, Parliament on Monday, 24 October 2011
by Debra Chong
The Malaysian Insider
Oct 24, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The Tourism Ministry overpaid nearly RM270 million for advertisements when it chose to use direct bookings instead of open tenders, the Auditor-General reported today.
The report noted that in doing so, the ministry had also breached the Treasury’s regulations as laid down in a circular in 2007.
The ministry also spent a whopping RM1.95 million to buy 1,000 racks — RM1,950 per rack — to hold its tourism pamphlets for the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign, the report said, again pointing out the move was done without the treasury’s approval.
Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang said the ministry must hold an open tender “so the price offered will be more competitive, transparent and provide better value for money”.
“In addition, this method would have avoided power abuse as well as created internal controls and good governance in booking advertisement space,” he said in the report. Read the rest of this entry »
Johor highway land cost doubled from original, says audit report
Posted by Kit in Auditor-General Report, Parliament on Monday, 24 October 2011
By G. Manimaran
The Malaysian Insider
Bahasa Malaysia Editor
Oct 24, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Land acquisition costs for the Senai-Desaru Expressway project exceeded estimates by nearly 103 per cent or RM375.6 million more than originally stated, according to the 2010 Auditor-General’s report.
Following this development, the Auditor-General is suggesting for the government to adopt a new approach by “capping” expenditure for future projects.
Land acquisition for Senai-Desaru Expressway Bhd (SDEB) was initially estimated to cost RM365 million but the final cost weighed in at RM740.6 million.
The expressway is part of the Iskandar Malaysia development, connecting Senai in west Johor to Desaru in east Johor. Read the rest of this entry »
Audit: Not even 1pc Sabah computer labs completed
Posted by Kit in Auditor-General Report, Education, Parliament, Sabah on Monday, 24 October 2011
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
The Malaysian Insider
Oct 24, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Only two out of 300 computer laboratories for Sabah schools have been constructed since the government began its RM160.73 million project in April 2008, the Auditor-General’s report said today.
Sabah recorded the highest number of computer lab construction projects as well as costs, followed by Sarawak (RM49 million), Johor (RM10.88 million) and Selangor (RM11.95 million.)
The report added Sabah was the only state with unfinished computer labs, and that other states had long since completed the construction of the facilities in schools. Read the rest of this entry »
Ministry still owes RM110m farmers’ incentives, says audit report
Posted by Kit in Auditor-General Report, Parliament on Monday, 24 October 2011
By Melissa Chi
The Malaysian Insider
Oct 24, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry has yet to pay RM110.67 million it owed to more than 70,000 farmers under a scheme to encourage a higher rice production, according to the Auditor-General’s report today.
Citing Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas), Malaysia’s rice industry regulator, the report said the farmers were eligible to receive RM341.29 million between January 2007 and January 2010. However, Bernas only managed to pay incentives worth RM230.62 million as at end 2010, citing lack of funds.
This resulted in 73,291 farmers not receiving incentives totalling RM110.67 million.
Bernas currently controls about 24 per cent of the paddy market and 45 per cent of the local rice demand. Read the rest of this entry »
RM142m RazakSAT faulty after just one year, says federal auditor
Posted by Kit in Auditor-General Report, Parliament on Monday, 24 October 2011
By Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
Oct 24, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Malfunctions barely a year after the RM142 million RazakSat satellite was launched caused it to take 1,328 unusable images that were inaccurate by up 37km, the Auditor General’s report showed today.
The report made available today said state-owned Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB), which operates RazakSAT, lost RM10.89 million in 2009, of which RM7.7 million went towards insurance premiums for the faulty satellite.
“The operational lifespan of RazakSAT is three years. But the RazakSAT satellite failed to function fully on August 30, 2010, a year and sixteen days from launch date,” Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang wrote.
The Auditor General added that the remote sensing satellite was designed to “capture images within 1km accuracy” but “an image of an area in Sungai Buloh and Subang missed by 37km and captured Kuala Selangor.” Read the rest of this entry »
Kit Siang: Stop detainee-swap deal
Posted by Kit in Burma, Human Rights, Parliament on Thursday, 20 October 2011
Tarani Palani | October 20, 2011
Free Malaysia Today
Put in an effective system in place first to protect Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers from persecution in their homeland, says the AIPMC chair.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) has voiced concern over the planned exchange of detainees between Malaysia and Myanmar.
Its Malaysian caucus chair, Lim Kit Siang, today said that the planned exchange raised concerns as there may be a possibility of persecution of those sent back to Myanmar.
“Those who flee Myanmar, namely ethnic and other persecuted minorities remain at risk of persecution of all forms should they continue to live under the military regime.
“We wish to reiterate that such a ‘swap deal’ serves political interests well ahead of these exceedingly serious human rights concerns,” said the Ipoh Timur MP.
Lim called for the planned swap to be halted before an effective system is put in place to protect the Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers from persecution in their homeland.
He also questioned if such a swap deal was in accordance with international law. Read the rest of this entry »
Judicial tribunal for AG and Ct of Appeal judge
Posted by Kit in Anwar Ibrahim, Budget Debate, Constitution, Good Governance, Judiciary, Law & Order, Parliament on Monday, 17 October 2011
b) Judicial tribunal into serious allegations of graft and abuse of power against Attorney-General Abdul Ghani Patail
In the past few months, many serious allegations of graft and abuse of power had been made against the Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail notably by the former Kuala Lumpur CID Chief Mat Zain Ibrahim in a series of open letters, former MACC panel member Tan Sri Robert Phang and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
These allegations included falsifying facts and evidence in Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s infamous “black eye” incident in 1998, the graft case against Shahidan Shafie and the judicial abuses in the Altantunya Shaaribuu murder trial.
Unless Gani Patail take legal action against these allegations, the Prime Minister should set up a tribunal to clear the name of the Attorney-General as these are very serious allegations which if unrebutted can only undermine public confidence in the professionalism, independence and integrity of the Attorney-General but also key national institutions, including the judiciary, the police and the MACC. Read the rest of this entry »
Barisan Nasional’s Budget 2012 is like a sugar-coated placebo – makes you feel good after taking it, only to tax you more later
Posted by Kit in Budget Debate, Finance, Parliament on Saturday, 8 October 2011
by Tony Pua
8 Oct 2011
It is difficult not to “feel good” after a record-breaking pre-election budget where goodies big and small, were liberally handed out to practically all segments of society. The question is, beneath the sweeteners, are there substantive reforms proposed in the Budget 2012 to make “transformative” changes to our economy to achieve the goal of becoming a “high-income nation” by 2020.
The answer, when compared side by side with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Alternative Budget is obvious. There is little in the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government’s budget that indicates a determination to slaughter sacred cows and take the Malaysian economy to the next level.
Both the PR and BN’s budgets had proposed cash grants to various deserving segments of society in order to help alleviate their increasingly heavy burdens. However, PR matched its welfare benefits with policies to rectify the distortions created by the current government to reduce inflationary pressures and the cost of living over the longer term.
PR has called for the abolition of artificial monopolies licensed by the Government such as Bernas which monopolises the sale and distribution of local and imported rice. In addition, predatory market strategies by Telekom Malaysia to stifle competition will be made illegal while the monopoly of satellite and cable television will be abolished. Read the rest of this entry »
Is PSC a one-man show?
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Parliament on Thursday, 6 October 2011
Patrick Lee
Free Malaysia Today
October 6, 2011
Pakatan Rakyat members tick off Ongkili for making decisions without consultation and barring Bersih from attending the meetings.
KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat MPs in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for electoral reforms have rapped its chairman for making decisions without consulting the group first
PAS Kuala Krai MP Hatta Ramli said that PSC chairman Maximus Johnity Ongkili jumped the gun by announcing nationwide public hearings, and also barring Bersih 2.0 from attending the PSC’s meetings.
“This may not be a big issue, but (the fact remains) that the decision was made by him without consultation. The first meeting hasn’t even been held… decisions should have been made then, but he seems to have decided himself.”
“Is this a one-man-show or a committee of nine people?” asked Hatta, when talking to reporters at the Parliament lobby here today. Read the rest of this entry »
Nazri says Tajuddin did not disclose interests in MAS deals
Posted by Kit in Law & Order, Parliament, Transport on Thursday, 6 October 2011
By Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
Oct 06, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — The government said today that Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli had breached the Companies Act by not disclosing his interests when he was chairman of Malaysia Airlines (MAS).
But Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that the fine incurred by Tajuddin has been postponed as the case involves a civil suit that has not been resolved.
The de facto law minister said that reports made by the national carrier against its former boss had been referred to the Attorney-General in 2006.
“Based on the investigation, evidence shows that he had breached section 131 of the Companies Act which involves ‘disclosure of interests’.
“As the case involves a civil claim that has not been resolved, he asked the Attorney-General’s Chambers to delay the compound. The A-G’s Chambers has granted the request,” Nasri said in a written reply to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) in Parliament today. Read the rest of this entry »
Hudud: Federal vs state legislative powers
Posted by Kit in Constitution, Islam, Parliament, PAS on Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Art Harun | October 04, 2011
The Malaysian Insider
OCT 4 — I have stated in my article, “Of wet dream, nightmare and Marty McFly” that the implementation of hudud is a Constitutional impossibility until and unless two-thirds of our Members of Parliament would vote to amend the Federal Constitution to allow it to happen. I also grimly stated in that article that the time when such Constitutional amendment is moved would be the first time when our Members of Parliament would vote solely or predominantly along racial and religious lines regardless of party policy or party whip.
The Bar Council has since issued a statement which basically echoes my opinion. Lim Chee Wee, the Bar Council’s President was quoted as saying:
“Hudud cannot be implemented within the current constitutional and legislative framework.”
My friend, the learned Professor Aziz Bari was reported to have disagreed with the Bar Council’s view. The learned Professor was quoted to say:
“The key here is Islam, not criminal law.”
The learned Professor pointed out that the Federal Constitution has set out the respective jurisdiction and powers of the Federal and State legislature. As the powers to legislate on matters pertaining to Islam rests with the State, he argued that the State, including Kelantan, may pass hudud laws accordingly. He also refuted that such a move would result in double jeopardy for Muslim wrongdoers as, in his words:
“In other words, two systems is not a problem and we are not the only country in the world where this duality prevails.”
I have the highest respect and regard for the learned Professor but I beg to differ on his opinion on this matter. Read the rest of this entry »
RM2m spent on 11,000 cops to stop Bersih rally, Parliament told
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Najib Razak, Parliament, Police on Tuesday, 4 October 2011
By Melissa Chi
The Malaysian Insider
Oct 04, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — The government spent more than RM2 million to “handle” the outlawed rally by electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 in July, it was revealed today.
More than 11,000 police officers were also deployed in the days leading up to the rally on July 9.
In a written reply in Parliament to Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh), Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said today the total amount spent by the police to “handle” the rally was RM2,018,850.06.
He added that a total of 11,046 police officers from all over the country were stationed in the Klang Valley area, including 2,600 who were on standby outside the city. Read the rest of this entry »
DAP supports PSC on Electoral Reforms with reservations
Posted by Kit in Bersih, DAP, Elections, Parliament on Monday, 3 October 2011
The DAP welcomes the setting up of this Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms though we have many doubts and reservations.
Since 70s in Parliament, DAP MPs had been calling for free, fair and clean general elections, making proposals such as the following:
• a clean, honest and comprehensive electoral list where every eligible voter is on the list which could be simply achieved with an automatic voters registration system for every citizen who comes of voting age and the cleansing of phantom and illegal voters;
• eradication of postal vote abuses;
• Reduction of eligible voting age from 21 to 18 years;
• fair campaign period to allow voters adequate time to make informed decisions on their choice from competing candidates and political parties.
• eradication of electoral offences and corrupt practices, as money politics to buy votes;
• introduction of the concept of caretaker government to carry out day-to-day administration of the country between dissolution of Parliament and polling day where the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers are legally barred from abusing and misusing their public offices, resources or funds for any party electioneering campaigning on pain of disqualification despite election – like the case of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi whose election to Parliament was declared null and void in 1975 on grounds of electoral malpractices because she had used government resources including helicopter for campaigning.
• An independent, credible and professional Elections Commission to carry out the constitutional duty to conduct free and fair elections, and not one which claims that its responsibility is to conduct elections with no powers to ensure it is clean, free and fair.
• Free and fair access to media;
• Fair and democratic redelineation of constituencies to give meaning to the principle of “one man, one vote, one value”.
For four decades these calls for a free, fair and clean electoral system had been ignored by UMNO and Barisan Nasional because they have been able to perpetuate their political power through such an undemocratic, unfair and even corrupt electoral system.
Is there now a genuine “change of heart” by the Prime Minister, UMNO and BN represented by the formation of the PSC for electoral reforms before Parliament today? Read the rest of this entry »
Pakatan commits to PSC
Posted by Kit in Elections, Pakatan Rakyat, Parliament on Wednesday, 21 September 2011
by Aidila Razak
Malaysiakini
Sep 21, 11
Pakatan Rakyat will participate in the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reforms despite earlier boycott threats.
After the Pakatan leadership council meeting in Kuala Lumpur, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that the coalition was willing to “give the government a chance” to prove its commitment to electoral reforms.
However, the coalition has yet to appoint its three representatives to the nine member committee. Five will be filled by BN MPs and another from the Independent bloc.
“We have given our members full mandate to represent Pakatan and state their priorities, collaborate and see the workings of the committee and decide if it is a delay tactic.
“We are giving the government a chance, we don’t want to be presumptuous,” he said. Read the rest of this entry »
To be a statesman or to remain a politician?
Posted by Kit in Elections, Najib Razak, Parliament on Tuesday, 20 September 2011
by K Kabilan
Free Malaysia Today
September 20, 2011
Critics can be silenced only if Najib shows that he is genuine in making political reforms. For that, he has to start the ball rolling now, not next year, not after the general election.
COMMENT
It’s not surprising that there are so many sceptics to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s proposed political reforms as announced by him on Malaysia Day.
It has been about a week now and we are yet to be shown any outlines or details of the mechanism under which Najib proposes to revoke the three Emergency proclamations, do away with the draconian Internal Security Act and on what form would the two replacement Acts be.
Neither have we seen any fine print on how the other Emergency Ordinance-related laws such as the Banishment Act and the Restricted Residence Act 1993 will be replaced. Read the rest of this entry »
Najib should present a full blueprint of how he proposes to make Malaysia the “best democracy in the world” when Parliament reconvenes on October 3
Posted by Kit in Najib Razak, Parliament on Monday, 19 September 2011
Malaysians should take seriously what the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said in Pekan yesterday about making Malaysia the “best democracy in the world” and put him to the test.
At present, Malaysia is among the “worst democracy in the world” where citizens could be arrested for wearing yellow T-shirts and attract the full might of the law for supporting a peaceful rally in pursuit of a perfectly legitimate and democratic campaign for free and fair elections, including mass arrests and the firing of teargas and chemically-laced water cannons at unarmed and defenceless Malaysians.
A government seriously committed to the goal of becoming the “best democracy in the world” would not have arbitrarily and undemocratically banned Bersih 2.0 as an illegal organisation but would have engaged with all political parties and the civil society as to how Malaysia can transform itself from a “flawed democracy” into a “full-fledged democracy”. Read the rest of this entry »
Will repeal of ISA and slew of other legislative changes be completed before next general elections or will they be “work-in-progress” trotted out as BN election “goodies” ?
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Najib Razak, Parliament on Saturday, 17 September 2011
I had said at the Sabah Pakatan Rakyat convention in Kota Kinabalu last evening that the Pakatan Rakyat has begun to chalk up victories even before the 13th general elections, citing as example the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s announcement to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA) which is one of the specific promises made by Pakatan Rakyat in the Buku Jingga manifesto.
This has been quickly rebutted by Najib today who said that no one else but Barisan Nasional should take credit for the repeal of the ISA and the slew of other law reforms which he announced in his Malaysia Day message on Wednesday night.
Najib claimed that “these are not the fruits of their struggle” but was a decision made by the Barisan Nasional government “because we listened to Malaysians who want this change”.
Najib even said the decision to scrap the ISA was part of his promise to amend the controversial law when he took office in 2009.
Not to mention Malaysians at large – but even leaders and members of Barisan Nasional parties would require enormous capacity of self-deception to believe such tall tales. Read the rest of this entry »
Election Commission must spell out what are the electoral reforms based on Bersih 2.0’s Eight Demands which could be implemented immediately without waiting for PSC
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Najib Razak, Parliament on Thursday, 25 August 2011
The announcement by the Election Commission Chairman Tan Sri Aziz Yusof that all Malaysian registered voters residing overseas will soon be able to vote via post has reinforced the case that there are electoral reforms proposed in Bersih 2.0’s Eight Demands which could be implemented immediately, whether by way of new election by-laws or necessary legislative amendments for the Oct. 3 meeting of Parliament, without waiting for any parliamentary select committee.
The Election Commission must therefore spell out, clearly and unequivocally with no “ifs” and “buts”, what are the electoral reforms based on the Bersih 2.0 Eight Demands which could be implemented immediately without waiting for any parliamentary select committee and in time for the forthcoming general elections.
The demand that all Malaysian citizens living abroad should be able to exercise their right to vote is one of several reforms proposed by Bersih 2.0 on “postal ballot” reform. The question is why the Election Commission is still sitting on the other proposals for postal ballot reform. Read the rest of this entry »
Najib must guarantee reforms before polls, says Pakatan
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Najib Razak, Pakatan Rakyat, Parliament on Wednesday, 24 August 2011
By Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
Aug 24, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 — The federal opposition has demanded a guarantee from Datuk Seri Najib Razak that the Election Commission (EC) will carry out electoral reforms before a general election is called.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) said today that the prime minister’s insistence that the timing of polls was not bound to a parliamentary select committee on electoral improvements raised doubts over whether “he means business.”
However, with just six weeks to go before the polls panel is to be formed by Dewan Rakyat, the opposition pact said it has not decided if a failure to offer such an assurance will see PR decline to join what Barisan Nasional (BN) hopes will be a bipartisan committee.
“There is no decision to boycott but we have made it abundantly clear that the onus is on the government to show good faith.
“The EC must take immediate action and there must be an assurance from the prime minister that he means business … that elections will only be held after the EC has taken measures recommended by the select committee,” Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told reporters after a PR leadership meeting. Read the rest of this entry »
BN govt should state what are the 8 demands of Bersih 2.0 which could be implemented before Parliament meets on Oct 3
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Parliament on Tuesday, 23 August 2011
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz pressed most of the right buttons about public demands about electoral reforms when he announced without naming Bersih 2.0 that the parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms will base its framework on Bersih 2.0’s eight-point demands, viz:
1. Cleaning up the electoral roll
2. Reforming postal or advance voting
3. Use of indelible ink versus the EC’s proposal of a biometric system
4. Extending the campaign period to 21 days
5. Free and fair access to media
6. Strengthening the credibility of the EC
7. Ending vote-buying
8. Ending dirty politics
But on the most vital issue of a firm and unequivocal government commitment that the electoral reforms will be implemented before Parliament is dissolved to make way for the 13th general election, Nazri could offer no assurance except to say lamely: “That is not my problem…I don’t know when the election will be held.” Read the rest of this entry »
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