Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Dissent grows over rumoured healthcare tax under ‘1 Care’ scheme

Dissent grows over rumoured healthcare tax under ‘1 Care’ scheme

Dissent grows over rumoured healthcare tax under ‘1 Care’ scheme

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 03:18 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — Public outrage is growing over a proposed "1 Care" scheme to restructure the country's healthcare system that critics claim would force employees and businesses to contribute 10 per cent of their monthly incomes to a government-run insurance fund. Although details of the scheme are still vague and Health Ministry officials ...

‘Docile’ Malays turned into criminals

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 03:01 PM PST

It would be difficult to find among the Malays any distinct ethnic traits that would enable anyone to label any group of Malays as being a criminal class.

You cannot say that the Malays from Selangor are more criminally inclined than those from Kelantan.

Nor can you say that rural Malays are more inclined to criminality or illicit behaviour than the Malays in the urban area.

There are no Malay gangsters that could rival Kalimuthu of Batang Kali or Botak Chin. The Mat Rempits are Malays but the most damage they do are to themselves, not to others.

I cannot recall any criminal incident of any significance that the Malays are or were involved in.

In all, the Malays, considering that they make up over 60 percent of the population, are a docile and law-abiding lot.

Yes, there is no distinct Malay criminal class and yet the most vicious amongs us Malaysians are those within PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police). And those within PDRM are mostly Malays.

PDRM's Malay thugs

These well-armed Malays in helmets and heavy boots with truncheons and menancing riot gear think nothing about wading into unarmed Malaysian turf and beating the life out of these Malaysians – men and women, the young and the old.

And they are a law unto themselves. They have been conditioned by the government to think that they have the right to treat the people of this country worse than the way we treat our animals.

Just consider what they do to people who are cruel to animals in Queensland:

"Queensland's Animal Care and Protection Act of 2001 provides for a massive maximum $75,000 fine for animal cruelty or two years' jail. For a breach of duty of care to an animal, the fine is a maximum of $22,000 and/or six months' jail."

Here (in Malaysia) what these policemen do are par for the course. Malaysian police officers "murder" suspects in custody and "torture" detainees under the ISA with a familiarity of seasoned operatives skilled in their work.

Their response to queries about these excesses is given in a contemptuous manner like that of the SS troops under Hitler or the Tom To Macoutes under Papa Doc in Haiti.

This is what our police have become – no longer regarded as the defender of the rakyat but an offender capable of inflicting harm and terror on the ordinary people.

Maybe this is what this Umno government wants PDRM to be – if so, then it only shows what mayhem these Malays are capable of doing if they are let loose while in uniform.

I shudder to think what the army would be capable of doing if called upon to do so by this same Umno government.

It is also the Malays in PDRM who are the first face of corruption that the public sees.

Un-Islamic acts anytime, anywhere

Every day thousands upon thousands of Malaysian find themselves in situations with Malay policemen who think nothing about asking for a bribe in order to allow traffic infringements to be "excused".

And these happens during the Ramadan month, during the hours of prayers. It happens at anytime and anywhere they can get a dollar out of the long-suffering public.

And here again another Malay criminal class can be said to be alive and well!

Those civil servants in the various ministries do the same thing, too.

You go to Immigration. You pay money to get things done and you pay them to Malays. You go to JPJ (Road Transport Department) and Puspakom to get things done and you get things done by paying Malays, too.

Malays are the people who would be involved in the evaluation of quotations, tenders, projects and any spending by this Umno government.

All these people are another class of criminal Malays that has come into being because the Umno government allows for this criminal culture to flourish in order for Umno itself to flourish.

But the biggest criminal class of Malays are without doubt the Malay politicians who are in Umno.

Umno legitimised stealing

Think of it – who are the biggest thieves of our nation's wealth? Politicians. And the majority of politicians who are in power are Malays within Umno.

And it is these Malay politicians in Umno, to my shame, who have been instrumental in the Malays being labelled as the biggest thieves of our nation's wealth.

Allow me to quote Thomas Paine: "He who has robbed another of his property, will next endeavour to disarm him of his rights, to secure that property; for when the robber becomes the legislator he believes himself secure."

Now isn't this how Umno works? Umno governs our nation. What these Umno politicians take, they take legally.

And when you can legislate to make your taking of the nation wealth legal – you really have got it made.

And yet despite the harm they have done to our nation, we have not seen one politician hanged for their crime because they call what they do "public service" – when actually the only service they do is to themselves.

Umno has got the best Malay politicians that money can buy.

What is our history now for the past 20 over years since Dr Mahathir Mohamad took over?

It is simply a history of how Malays who are Umno politicians have squandered the blood and treasure of our nation. Billions plundered by those Malays in high public office who abused the executive responsibility entrusted to them by the public.

I need not go further than to remind you of the RM$500 million given in commission by our then Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak to Razak Baginda for the purchase of the Scorpene submarine.

And the recent and still unravelling, National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) debacle whose mind-boggling purchases of real estate properties by a business supposedly doing cattle farming is not only in the realms of Bernard Madoff, but puts to shame even what Robert Kuok or Li Ka Shing would have done with their money.

And these are all Malays who do these things!

CT Ali is a reformist who believes in Pakatan Rakyat's ideologies. He is a FMT columnist.

Myanmar youth make their voices heard

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 03:00 PM PST

by Marie Vallerey

YANGON: Myanmar's youth, no strangers to the country's long struggle for democracy, are increasingly daring to emerge from the political shadows as the regime promises a new era of openness.

Their enthusiasm offers much-needed new blood for Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, whose top ranks are filled with elderly men in their 80s and 90s known as the "uncles".

With the opposition gearing up for April 1 by-elections expected to propel Suu Kyi and possibly dozens more party members into Parliament for the first time, many young people are heeding the call to battle.

"I want to fight for the truth," 25-year-old NLD member Thuzar Lwin told AFP at the party's ramshackle Yangon headquarters, where she was helping to re-register recently freed dissidents on the membership list.

"I believe in my leader Aung San Suu Kyi."

Young Myanmars have often been at the vanguard of their country's decades-old resistance to oppression and military rule, but in the past they often waged their campaign on the street or in the shadows.

Now they feel more able to make their voices heard.

"They always suspected us, the government. Not now. Now we are free again," said 21-year-old student Zar Yar Phyo.

New generation

In 1988 students were at the forefront of the biggest ever uprising against the military regime, which cracked down brutally on protesters, resulting in up to 3,000 deaths and leaving students under the close watch of the authorities.

Almost two decades later in 2007, the same activists again took to the streets to join monk-led protests dubbed the "Saffron Revolution" that were crushed by the regime.

Many were handed long prison sentences for their roles in the unrest and some were only recently released by the new military-backed government as part of prisoner amnesties long demanded by the international community.

Now in their 40s, they are making way for a new generation.

"We're not as young as we were, the former students of the 1988 movement. So we're trying to work with members of the young generation and in another month or so we expect to stand united," said NLD youth spokesman Myo Nyunt.

"Now many, many young people want to join our NLD party."

Not all youth activists, however, are choosing to sign up to the NLD in their struggle.

Underground movement

Bo Bo, 23, quit university in 2008 and joined the Generation Wave underground movement, which uses music, poetry and other forms of peaceful expression.

The group has now started to organise more open activities to campaign for political and human rights.

"I wanted to do something for the country," he said.

"In the 2007 Saffron Revolution I saw many bad things such as they attacked the monks who protested on the road very peacefully. It made me really angry and also it encouraged me to do politics and to do more for the country."

Some 30 members of the group were thrown in prison. They were released as part of the sweeping changes that are also being felt on the streets.

"We are not going to form a political party. We would like to be an activist organisation, that's all," Bo Bo said.

Many young voters in the constituencies involved in the April by-election, where 48 seats will be at stake, will be casting ballots for the second time.

The new government has promised that this time the vote will be free and fair, unlike a 2010 nationwide election that was marred by widespread complaints of cheating and swept the army's political allies to power.

The regime has since surprised observers with a series of reforms, including welcoming the NLD back into the political mainstream, inking ceasefire deals with ethnic minority rebels and releasing hundreds of political prisoners.

Tens of thousands of jubilant supporters greeted Suu Kyi on the campaign trail at the weekend, and there is a new sense of optimism in the air.

"I think it is changing now more than ever," said student Zar Yar Phyo. "Everything can happen today in Myanmar."

AFP

Remember Perak

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 03:00 PM PST

There has been widespread rumours that Parliament will be dissolved anytime in February with Feb 6 being bandied about as one of the likely dates to pave the way for polling on March 11 (there seems to be a general consensus on this March date for the polls from various sources). This goes to explain the heightened political activity in Perak from late last year till the present.

The recent big activity in Perak is, of course, the National Chinese New Year Open House celebration hosted by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in Sitiawan on Jan 28. It is just too much of a coincidence that Perak is hosting this big event. Something is on the boil and yes, many are already saying that the continuous presence of Barisan Nasional bigwigs in Perak is an indicator that polls will be held very soon.

In the meantime, Perakians will be "celebrating" two dramatic anniversaries in February:

Feb 5 – the third anniversary of the fall of the Pakatan Rakyat state government; and

Feb 9 – the second anniversary of Umno's Zambry Abdul Kadir being declared as the menteri besar by the Federal Court who upheld the Court of Appeal's decision via a 5-0 verdict in favour of the Umno man.

A quick recap on how the Perak power-grab came about. Just before the Chinese Lunar New Year of 2009 (Year of the Ox) at around the third week of January, Umno's state assemblyman for Bota, Nasarudin Hashim, jumped over to PKR and this triggered off a string of defections and dramatic events that would be instrumental in the downfall of Perak.

The main event was the disappearance of three Pakatan lawmakers who suddenly became incommunicado with their party leaders only to appear several days later at a press conference together with the then deputy prime minister Najib Tun Razak to declare that they were BN-friendly.

The names of the "Terrible Three" are Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (state assemblyman of Behrang, ex-PKR); Kapt (B) Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (state assemblyman of Changkat Jering, ex-PKR); and

Hee Yit Foong (state assemblyman of Jelapang, ex-DAP).

This dastardly deed by Najib just before assuming the prime ministership on April 3, 2009, gives a clear indication of the sort of leader that he is – someone diabolical who has no scruples and is willing to achieve his goals by hook or by crook, with the latter being the usual means employed.

Sadly too, Malaysians have no say on the choice of prime minister as the post is handed over from one Umno president to the next Umno president. The solution then would be to boot out Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) entirely by voting them out in the coming 13th general election.

As the polls are to be called very soon, BN leaders have stepped up their campaign in Perak. Long lines of the RM500 cash aid recipients are shown in the mainstream papers and banners have been put up by BN in the rural areas and small towns in Perak to tell all and sundry that the cash aid comes from the BN political coalition. The BN federal government is thus deceiving the rakyat as this cash aid is from the taxpayers' money.

'Homestay projects'

Besides the cash aid, Umno members are having "homestay" projects in 135 villages in Larut, Parit Buntar, Bagan Serai, Bukit Gantang, Taiping, Padang Rengas (parliamentary seat of Nazri Aziz), Beruas and Lumut wherein Umno members will stay with the village folk to show their so-called care and concern for the rakyat and, at the same time, bad-mouth the opposition while singing praises of Umno.

This project is carried out in areas that Umno thinks are not to easy to win over. The parliamentary seats of Parit Buntar, Bukit Gantang, Taiping and Beruas belonging to Pakatan are very "black areas", according to Umno.

Going by the results of the previous general election, there are 16 state seats in Perak which can swing either way due to small winning margins of less than 1,000 votes. Here are the results from the previous polls in March 2008:

1. Selama – BN won by a margin of 355 votes.

2. Kubu Gajah – BN won by a margin of 66 votes.

3. Kuala Kurau – PKR won by a margin of 467 votes.

4. Alor Pongsu – BN won by a margin of 95 votes.

5. Selinsing – PAS won by a margin of 547 votes.

6. Kuala Sapetang – PKR won by a margin of 564 votes.

7. Trong – BN won by a margin of 916 votes.

8. Kamunting – BN won by margin of 555 votes.

9. Pokok Assam – DAP won by a margin of 865 votes.

10. Lubok Merbau – PAS won by a margin of 72 votes.

11. Manjoi – BN won by margin of 348 votes.

12. Kepayang – DAP won by a margin of 490 votes.

13. Manong – BN won by a margin of 749 votes.

14. Pengkalan Baharu – BN won by margin of 14 votes.

15. Sungai Rapat – BN won by a margin of 636 votes.

16. Teja – PKR won by a margin of 175 votes.

Besides the above swing seats, there has been a shifting of voting streams (polling centres) done by the Election Commission and an increase in the names of at least 40,000 dubious voters and postal voters. Below is a sample:

1. Kamunting – an increase of 1,102 voters.

2. Temenggor – an increase 690 voters.

3. Pengkalan Hulu – an increase of 506 voters.

4. Chenderiang – an increase of 255 voters (the sole MCA seat belonging to Dr Mah Hang Soon).

5. Sungai Rapat – an increase of 248 voters.

6. Pangkor – an increase of 5,669 postal voters (Zambry's seat).

The increased political activity in Perak had started last year. Activities included Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's visit to the state to distribute a large allocation of funds to religious schools and MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek's forays into Perak rural villages to drum into the rural Chinese that hudud law is a certainty if Pakatan wins control of the federal government.

Power tussle in Perak Umno

Even in Perak Umno itself it is a hotbed of political activity. There are three camps in Umno tussling for power: Zambry's camp; Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah's camp; and

Sungai Rapat state assemblyperson Hamidah Osman's camp.

Ahmad Husni is Najib's man while Zambry is still known as the Court MB trying to get into Najib's good books.

The blogger who made an accusation against Nga Kor Ming (DAP's Taiping MP) pertaining to a tailoring contract even went to see Zambry first before making the accusation.

This is called "The Saiful Tactic" (as Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan went to see the prime minister for a scholarship before accusing Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy).

Zambry also lacks leadership qualities due to his flip-flopping. He has made a statement that only winnable candidates are to be fielded in the coming polls and those who lost in the previous general election will be dropped only to backtrack later by saying that recycled candidates will be fielded.

There is much goings-on in the Umno camps as each one is fighting for power for himself.

In the meantime, to woo over the Malay voters, Umno leaders are still using the same old line of "(Former Pakatan MB) Nizar (Jamaluddin) derhaka" and "Nizar is DAP's puppet". Whether this will work or not is still left to be seen.

At the end of the day, the Perak power-grab executed by BN via undemocratic, unprincipled and unethical means is clearly illegal but as usual this is Malaysia Boleh and anything goes.

Before Malaysia really becomes the world's laughing stock, it is up to all Malaysians and not just Perakians to boot out BN so that Perak and Malaysia can shine again in the world's political stage. Already there is talk on the ground that dubious voters and phantom voters can win the day for BN.

Therefore, the rallying cry for Pakatan should be "Remember Perak", similar to the American battlecry for courage "Remember the Alamo".

Selena Tay is a FMT columnist.

KL shares close higher

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 02:04 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: Share prices on Bursa Malaysia closed higher today on late buying interest.

Dealers said the local bourse ended in tandem with higher regional markets after encouraging comments by Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos that significant progress was made in talks with private sector creditors about his country's debt woes.

"Markets now are awaiting formal confirmation that an agreement on debt restructure has been struck with private investors and that a second rescue funding package will be provided to the Greek government," a dealer said.

The FBM KLCI jumped 7.74 points to close at its intra-day high of 1,521.29 after opening 3.47 points higher at 1,517.02 compared with yesterday's closing.

The Finance Index gained 17.58 points to 13,442.67, the Plantation Index earned 1.43 points to 8,729.42 and the Industrial Index advanced 20.4 points to 2,803.82.

The FBM Emas Index added 46.25 points to 10,587.2 and FBM Mid 70 Index perked up 25.15 points to 12,159.88 but the FBM ACE Index slipped 24.9 points to 4,496.59.

Gainers beat losers by 415 to 394 while 353 counters were unchanged, 315 untraded and 22 others suspended.

Turnover dropped to 1.78 billion shares from 2.307 billion shares while the value rose to RM2.18 billion from RM1.841 billion yesterday.

Of the actives, Coastal-CA earned six sen to 9.4 sen and DRB Hicom-CG rose four sen to 22.5 sen while Compugates Holdings was flat at 8.5 sen.

Among heavyweights, Maybank and Petronas Chemicals added one sen each to RM8.20 and RM6.67 respectively, CIMB rose two sen to RM6.91 and Sime Darby advanced five sen to RM9.14.

Trading in Cybertowers was halted from 4.12pm today and will resume on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Greenyield will transfer to the Main Market from the ACE Market on Feb 8.

Volume on the Main Market declined to 952.52 million shares worth RM2.05 billion from 1.18 billion shares valued at RM1.66 billion yesterday.

Turnover on the ACE Market fell to 229.15 million units valued at RM38.86 million from 452.77 million units worth RM75.194 million.

Warrants decreased to 599.31 million units worth RM87.96 million from 670.182 million shares valued at RM102.406 million.

On a sectoral basis, consumer products accounted for 110.29 million shares, industrial products 181.61 million, construction 48.24 million, trade and services 323.01 million, technology 38.01 million, infrastructure 38.09 million, finance 81.42 million, hotels 484,500, properties 73.51 million, plantation 34.57 million, mining 25,000, REITs 7.51 million and closed/fund 192,000.

- Bernama

Cuepacs steps up fight against new scheme

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 02:00 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: Cuepacs has set up an action committee as its latest step in its fight against the Public Service New Remuneration Scheme (SBPA).

A 15-member team, led by Cuepacs deputy president, Azih Muda, will present a paper on its recommendations to Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, by early March.

These recommendations were compiled during a two-day workshop on SBPA which was attended by all Cuepacs officials.

Cuepacs president, Omar Osman, told the media this afternoon that the paper would be based on the five items that Cuepacs has already submitted for review by the SBPA task force.

"The prime minister introduced the SBPA in the hope that it would be better than the Malaysian Remuneration Scheme (SSM) but instead it is the worst scheme we have ever seen," he said.

"And this is because the Public Services Department (PSD) never consulted us in drafting the scheme and then kept the details a secret from us."

Among the recommendations is a review of the Civil Service Premier Post (JUSA) level. Omar stated that of the current 36 posts, only seven are qualified for a Premier classification.

He listed the seven as the Chief Secretary to the Government, Secretary-General of Treasury, Director-General of Public Services, Treasury Auditor-General, Attorney-General, Chief Justice and Accountant-General of Malaysia.

Omar also slammed the mismatch of job titles and functions under the SBPA. Under the scheme, "drivers" will now be known as "operations manager", "hostel supervisor" as "administrative supervisor" and "nursing trainer" as "health trainer".

"There is a complete imbalance here," he pointed out. "The reasoning behind the title change it to supposedly add prestige to the job but there are better ways of doing this."

Lopsided salary adjustments

Omar confirmed earlier claims by PAS vice president, Mahfuz Omar, that those in the Premier group had already been given offer letters and that some of them are already receiving the new salary under the SBPA.

"Who authorised this?" he demanded. "I also have text messages from pensioners who have received as much as RM9,800 in pensions under the SBPA."

"These are the surprises that we are being subjected to because of the SBPA's lack of transparency."

Omar also maintained his earlier threat to pull out from the SBPA task force if no additional Cuepacs representatives are included on the panel.

He has asked for Azih Muda, secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng and financial secretary Jaafar Mansor to also sit on the task force as he alone cannot represent 1.3 million members.

The head of the SBPA task force, Ismail Adam, yesterday said that he had no objections to the three coming on board but that the power to make appointments rested with the Chief Secretary to the Government, Sidek Hassan.

"We have no heard anything on this matter yet but if the three are not invited to the second task force meeting on Feb 8 then I will officially resign on that day," Omar said.

The SBPA was meant to be implemented on Jan 1 but has been delayed due to strong objections over the lopsided salary adjustment between senior government officials above Grade 54 and those below.

Cuepacs is conducting a roadshow until April on the SBPA and civil servants have until Feb 15 to submit their protests on the scheme.

Pig’s head found at Rawang mosque

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 01:58 AM PST

RAWANG: A roasted pig head was found at the steps of the Nurul Iman Mosque at Batu 18 here early this morning.

While speculation awas rife on the motive of the culprits, police and PKR leaders have called for calm.

At 5.15am, mosque caretaker Nadzlan Ambak stumbled upon the object when opening the gates of the mosque.

"I saw something yellow, then when I moved closer I saw the head. Neatly placed, facing me," said Nadzlan, 70.

Police have classified the case under Section 295 of the Penal Code for desecrating a place of worship. However, no suspects have been identified so far, Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said this afternoon.

Tun Hisan also said a motive was being ascertained.

The police had arrived at 7.30am and left about two hours later with the pig head as evidence for further investigation.

PKR Rawang assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei urged quicker police action and said inaction will simply lead to more of such incidents.

"The message we seem to be getting, if nobody is arrested, is that such acts are condoned," Gan told reporters at the mosque.

Provocative acts

Gan said in Rawang's history, there has not been such provocative acts. "Such acts should not be tolerated. I'll continue to do what I can and follow up with the mosque and police".

Earlier, he told an online news portal that the actions were probably politically motivated as the 13th general election was around the corner.

PKR's Selayang MP William Leong said: "We deplore the irresponsible, despicable and provocative act done by irresponsible person. Police should arrest and, upon conviction, use the maximum penalties allowed by law

"We've had too much. The cow-head stomping in Shah Alam, the burning of churches, stone throwing at a Sikh temple and now pig heads."

"If there's politics, we should debate about policies, we should never use religion or race to incite violence. No one can gain from it," said Leong.

Mosque committee member Azman Mohd Noor said the mosque is shocked at the action as they have been friendly to the surrounding community.

"We have Chinese-Muslims and Indian-Muslims and we have no enemies. Anyone with problems should come talk to us," he said.

The last time pig heads were also found in a mosque was in Johor, where five pig heads were discovered at the entrance of Al Falah mosque in Taman Desa Jaya, Johor Baru.

Pig heads were dumped at mosques in 2010 during the same time the controversy surrounding the usage of the word "Allah" was still raging. During that time, mosques and churches were also vandalised.

Land tribunal ‘judges’ must know ‘native adat’

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 01:35 AM PST

KUCHING: Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjum's proposal for the authorities to set up a land tribunal in Sabah to hear native land-related cases must ensure that the body is bestowed with full "powers", a prominent native customary rights (NCR) lawyer here said.

Baru Bian, who is also state PKR chairman, while lauding Malanjum's suggestion, said the more important factor in setting up such a tribunal is its composition and authority.

"This is very encouraging news which is line with our earlier proposal. Now the most important thing is the composition and power of the tribunal.

"The basic requirements and qualifications of a High Court judge are that he is familiar with natives 'adat' and culture.

"They must be independently appointed," Bian said.

He was responding to a statement by Malanjum that a native land tribunal should be set up in Sabah to provide a more effective alternative to resolving disputes involving native land.

Malanjum said that a dedicated body, similar to the Waitangi Tribunal in New Zealand, would be more flexible and therefore able to settle disputes faster and more efficiently.

He has suggested that it "may be time for the state to consider setting up such a commission, instead of just throwing native land dispute cases to civil courts".

"In some cases, judges from Peninsular Malaysia, who may not be that familiar with Sabah's native customary land rights, have to preside in local cases and as a result, these cases may be decided as they would have been in similar land cases in the peninsula," Malajum reportedly said.

Pakatan's idea

Bian said Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak comprising PKR, DAP and PAS had, in the last election, included the setting up of a land commission in its manifesto.

Among others, the commission would assist the state and the natives to solve the increasing problems connected to NCR land.

Bian, who is Ba'Kelalan assemblyman, had raised the proposal at the State Legislative Assembly in its June meeting last year and urged the government to set up the land commission.

He had argued that establishing a land commission was "crucial" because the court and the state government had different ideas on NCR land.

The government is of the view that NCR land covered only areas farmed before Jan 1, 1958.

But the court had ruled that NCR land also included "pemakai menua" and "pulau galau".

Bian's suggestion was rejected outright by the state government.

Currently, there are more than 200 NCR land cases pending hearing in the High Court, and many have been in the court for more than five years.

"Lately there has been some improvement. With the setting up of the tribunal, many of the cases can be expedited," Bian said.

NGOs: We want Devamany

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 01:31 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: Two non-governmental organisations have pledged their support for Cameron Highlands MP SK Devamany and urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to retain him in the next general election.

R Balakrishnan, 65, chairman of Sai Baba Centre said that residents of Cameron Highlands were satisfied with the deputy minister's service and performance.

"He comes to the ground often and sorts out the people's problems. There is no reason to drop him (as the candidate in the next polls)," he added.

Asked about the rumours that MIC president G Palanivel was eyeing the seat, Balakrishnan said this should not be the case.

He said it would be unfair for Palanivel to ride on Devamany's success.

"We know what happened in Hulu Selangor," he said, referring to the seat where Palanivel was defeated in the 2008 general election and overlooked as candidate for a by-election in 2010.

"If we look at the result, it is crystal clear that Hulu Selangor voters did not reject Barisan Nasional or MIC but rejected Palanivel only," he added.

BN reclaimed the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat in the 2010 by-election after fielding a newcomer from MIC, P Kamalanathan.

According to Balakrishnan, Palanivel was the first MIC candidate in the history of by-elections to be rejected by the prime minister after the former was nominated by the then party president.

"Is this the kind of candidate we want in Cameron?" he asked.

Balakrishnan also warned that he would campaign against Palanivel if the latter was fielded in Cameron Highlands.

Meanwhile, Thiruvalluvar Mandram representative S Vasu warned that BN risked losing Orang Asli votes if it dropped Devamany.

"Devamany is always visiting the Orang Asli villages and helping them," he said, pointing out that Cameron had the highest number of Orang Asli voters.

Furthermore, he added, Palanivel was not familiar to the locals and this would also work against BN.

Also read:

Pemuda Umno: Singkirkan Devamany dari Cameron Highlands

Belia Felda juga tolak Devamany pertahan Cameron Highlands

Palani in plot to take over Cameron Highlands?

EC not keen on ‘friendly suit’

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 12:48 AM PST

GEORGE TOWN: More than a year has passed since the Penang government proposed what it called a "friendly suit" to determine whether current laws allow for local government elections, and the Election Commission (EC) still appears reluctant to play ball.

EC chairman Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof told reporters today he had yet to overcome his confusion over the proposal.

In October 2010, Penang executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow told a press conference that the state was seeking the EC's cooperation in getting a judicial pronouncement on the legality of holding local elections.

"We want the EC to join us in a friendly petition to the Federal Court to resolve this issue," he said. "We will propose that neither party would seek costs from the other, whatever the decision turns out to be."

This followed the EC's negative response to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's request for it to conduct elections for Penang's two municipal councils. The commission said there was no law that enabled it to run the polls. It gave the same response to the Selangor government.

"I have been advised that the EC cannot conduct the elections because the law that allowed it has been repealed," Abdul Aziz told newsman today after he had concluded a briefing session for returning officers and other election staff.

"I have told both state governments that there was no enabling law to conduct such polls.

"I don't understand why the Penang government wants to file the suit."

He said the onus was on state governments to ask the Local Government Council under the Housing and Local Government Ministry to draft a law to enable local elections.

"Penang should do that," he said. "But if it still wants to sue, I don't understand."

A panel of lawyers commissioned by the Penang government contends that the Local Government Elections Act of 1960 has yet to be repealed, noting that it was in fact revised in September 1991.

But state legal adviser Faiza Zulkifli has told Lim's administration that according to Section 15 of the Local Government Act (1976), all provisions relating to local government elections have ceased to have any force.

Chow, however, said the constitutionality of Section 15 was under question. He believes that it goes against Article 113 (4) of the Federal Constitution, which states that federal or state law may authorise the EC to conduct elections.

Article 128 of the Constitution provides for Federal Court jurisdiction in such a matter.

Chow said if the Federal Court ruled in the Penang government's favour, the EC could be instructed to carry out the elections.

He did not discount the possibility of Penang enacting a law in line with powers bestowed on the state under Article 113 (4).

Borneonisation: Govts want case struck out

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 12:26 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Both the federal and Sabah governments have applied to the High Court here to strike out the joint suit against them by a former policeman and a ex-teacher who are seeking several declarations relating to Borneonisation.

Yesterday, senior federal counsel Noor Hisham Ismail for the federal government and senior state counsel Zaleha Rose Pandin for the Sabah state government, told Justice David Wong Dak Wah that former inspector Bernard Fung Fon Chen, 70, and 35-year-old Nazib Maidan Dally have no locus standi to bring up the suit.

Noor Hisham also submitted, among others, that the court is not the proper forum to ventilate on policy issues.

He also submitted that the court should not entertain the suit brought by the plaintiffs because it was an attempt to circumvent the strict requirement for judicial review under order 53 of the Rules of the High Court.

As to the claim by Fung of not being promoted to the higher rank although he had the qualification and committed to the work and also the claim by Mohd Nazib that he was not trained as teacher before his teaching job was terminated in early 2005, Noor Hisham submitted that promotion and appointment is a matter of management prerogative.

Meanwhile, Zaleha informed the court that she adopted what Noor Hisham had submitted to the court.

She submitted it should be the state Attorney-General who should take an action against the federal government pertaining to Borneonisation issues.

The court set March 19, for further arguments.

Govts failed to fulfil IGC terms

In their originating summons filed on Aug 8, 2011, the duo named the federal and state governments as the first and second defendants respectively.

They are seeking a declaration from the court that the federal government had failed and or neglected to expeditiously and fully carry out the Borneonisation of the federal public services in the state.

They are also seeking a declaration that the state government had failed or neglected to fully implement the assurance, undertakings and the recommendations contained in the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC), 1962 dated Feb 27, 1963 in relation to the Borneonisation of the federal public services in the state and which are not implemented by express provision of the Constitution of Malaysia.

Fung and Nazib are also seeking a declaration that the federal government had failed and neglected to advise the King under Article 153 (2) of the Federal Constitution to ensure reservation for the natives of Sabah such reasonable number of positions in the public services of the federal government in particular in the federal departments in the state.

They are also seeking a declaration that the federal government had failed to fully implement the specific assurance and recommendation in paragraph 7 of Annex B to the IGC Report that the chief minister of the state shall be consulted before the federal Cabinet advises the King on the reservation of reasonable number of positions in the federal public services for the natives of the state.

The two are also seeking a declaration that the state government had failed to take such executive or other appropriate action to implement the assurance and recommendation contained in the IGC Report before the federal Cabinet advises the King in respect of the exercise of his power under Article 153.

They noted that such advice in relation to Sabah shall be given only after consultation with the chief Minister of Sabah.

Other reliefs sought by Fung and Nazib are a declaration that the natives of Sabah or the people belonging to the state of Sabah have a legitimate expectation that the Borneonisation of the federal public service in the state in terms of the assurances and undertakings in the IGP Report shall be fully and expeditiously implemented, costs and other relief as the court may deem fit and proper to grant.

Railway folk contest suit by developer

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 12:18 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of Kampung Railway in Sentul are contesting a suit brought by Sentul Raya Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of YTL Corporation, which wants them evicted from their land.

The High Court here today fixed March 1 for case management so that Sentul Raya, the developer, and 102 defendants can file their respective affidavits.

It is understood that more residents' names, including their extended families, will be added to the suit.

Sentul Raya, on Dec 2 last year, filed a lawsuit against the residents, seeking a court order to evict the residents from the land which they have been occupying for over a 100 years.

Sentul Raya, represented by B Thangaraj, claimed the land was rightfully theirs and that the villagers were trespassers as they had no permission from the landowner to be on the land.

However, the residents argued that they have lived on the land, which previously belonged to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), for about 120 years.

M Subramaniam, 76, the oldest defendant named in the suit, said that his father had started work with KTMB (then Malayan Railway) in 1943.

"The settlement was previously a tin mine. KTMB was established in 1885 and the Sentul Railway Workshop is among the oldest KTMB facilities in Malaysia," said Subramaniam.

He said that it was not right to call the residents "squatters" as they were by right "settlers" or "equitable owners of the land" who are fourth generation descendants of railwaymen.

"We built our homes with the permission of KTMB," said Subramaniam, adding that Kampung Railway now has facilities like temples, sundry stores, lorry depots, restaurants and so on."

Report to be filed with MACC

Subramaniam questioned, in his affidavit, the legality of the land transfer from KTMB to Sentul Raya, alleging possible fraud.

"What is strange is that Sentul Raya is not a company under KTMB. It's a private company worth RM2 and now they are suddenly the owners of the land.

"Something's fishy in the transaction and I suspect elements of fraud in the sale of the land. The residents will be making a report with the MACC soon," said Subramaniam.

He wants the court to declare the residents as rightful owners of the land and that Kampung Railway be gazetted as a heritage village and renamed 'Taman Kampung Railway Sentul Indian Settlement'.

The residents should also be given freehold grants for the land or, in the alternative, be given terrace houses of at least 2,000 square feet costing RM200,000 without costs.

Lawyer and HRP's pro-ten secretary general P Uthayakumar, who represented 31 of the residents, including Subramaniam, said that he found it strange that the defendants were "not allowed" to do a search at the land office.

"We tried many times but were not allowed to do the necessary checks. We have hired a private land clerk to help us.

"How was the KTM land sold to Sentul Raya? It is a mystery. How much was it bought for? Was it bought at market price? This is just a RM2 company," said Uthayakumar.

Imran blames T20 for India’s Test plight

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 12:16 AM PST

NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket legend Imran Khan has blamed the lucrative Twenty20 Indian Premier League for India's recent dismal Test showing, saying the focus should be on the game's longer format.

India were humiliated 4-0 in the recent series away to Michael Clarke's Australians to record eight successive overseas Test defeats following a similar hammering in England last year.

"I can only use one word to describe India's form… consistent. To lose eight Test matches in a row overseas is an achievement," Imran, the former Pakistan captain, said in the first annual Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture in Kolkata on Monday night.

"It's a wake-up call for Indian cricket. A team that won the World Cup and was number one in Tests a few months back is in the doldrums.

"If you want to be the leaders you can't keep losing. If you pay so much emphasis on Twenty20 cricket, you've got to pay hugely."

The annual IPL tournament revolutionised cricket when it burst on to the scene in 2008 with a high-octane blend of international star players, short matches and Bollywood glamour.

Imran, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup triumph in 1992, said Test cricket should always be the top priority, as it is the greatest examination of players' temperament and technique.

"India has to decide soon whether it prefers glamour, Bollywood and money to Test cricket," he said. "In my 20 years of cricket, I never made so much money as a mediocre player in T20 does today.

"The connoisseurs will rate a player by his Test record and not what he's done in T20s. Test cricket is the ultimate test of a player and that's the reason Test records carry value.

"Talent can excel in one-dayers, but in Test cricket, your temperament and technique is tested besides the talent."

Imran also said India needed to overhaul their domestic cricket to make it more competitive.

"In India and Pakistan, there's a huge jump from first-class cricket to international cricket," he said.

Imran — now an increasingly influential politician in Pakistan — also paid glowing tribute to former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who died in September of a lung infection aged 70.

Nicknamed "The Tiger" for his brilliant fielding, Pataudi quit Tests in 1975 with 2,793 runs in 46 matches and six centuries despite losing the sight in his right eye in a car accident in England.

"If Tiger hadn't lost an eye, he would have broken all records," said Imran. "His quality of strokes was amazing. Mere mortals couldn't play them."

-AFP

Belia Felda juga tolak Devamany pertahan Cameron Highlands

Posted: 31 Jan 2012 12:03 AM PST

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Selepas Pemuda Umno Cameron Highlands menolak Datuk SK Devamany mempertahankan kerusi parlimen itu, kini kumpulan belia Felda di kawasan tersebut menyuarakan hal sama.

Pengerusi Majlis Belia Sungai Koyan, Norfarulrafiq Razali berkata, "dalam keadaan apa sekali pun, kami menolak naib presiden MIC itu."

Pada 8 Julai tahun lalu, kumpulan berkenaan menghantar memorandum kepada Ketua Penerangan Umno, Datuk Ahmad Maslan supaya menggugurkan Devamany dalam pilihan raya umum ke 13.

Mereka juga mempamerkan sepanduk yang menyatakan mereka menolak Devamany di Cameron Highlands.

Waktu itu Ahmad merasmikan program di Felda Sungai Koyan 3 dekat sini.

Norfarulrafiq mendakwa ada 4, 000 pengundi muda di Felda dalam parlimen Cameron Highlands.

Beliau mendakwa, pemuda Felda mempunyai kuasa penting kerana kemenangan Devamany dalam pilihan raya umum 2008 kerana sokongan pengundi muda berkenaan.

Pemuda MIC juga tolak Devamany

"Jika beliau bertanding lagi dalam pilihan raya ke 13 ini, kami tidak akan mengundi beliau lagi. Kami mungkin tidak tidak keluar mengundi atau mengundi pembangkang.

"Kami tidak menolak MIC tetapi tidak mahu Devamany. Dia tidak membawa sebarang pembangunan kepada penduduk setempat terutama di DUN Jelai," katanya.

DUN Jelai diwakili oleh Ketua Umno Cameron Highlands,  Datuk Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail yang juga exco kerajaan negeri Pahang.

"Kami tolak Devamany kerana beliau hanya pandai berjanji tidak mahu menunaikannya.

"Beliau juga jarang tunjuk muka kecuali rakyat mengadu atau pemimpin atasan datang ke Cameron Highlands," dakwa Norfarulrafiq.

Menurutnya, untuk pilihan raya akan datang Presiden MIC, Datuk G. Palanivel merupakan calon terbaik di Cameron Highlands.

Katanya, beliau yakin Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri bagi kaum India akan mendapat undi yang lebih banyak dari Devamany.

Sementara itu, Ketua Pemuda MIC Cameron Highland, M Veloo turut sama menolak Devamany sebagai calon parlimen kawasan tersebut.

"Beliau tidak memberikan peruntukan wang untuk aktiviti pemuda," kata Veloo.

Veloo turut mengalu-alukan kehadiran Palanivel bertanding  di Cameron Highland.

Turut baca:

Pemuda Umno: Singkirkan Devamany dari Cameron Highlands

Chinese ‘will retaliate’ against Taib’s stunt

Posted: 30 Jan 2012 11:53 PM PST

KUCHING: Taib Mahmud's divide-and-rule politics with the Chinese community in Sarawak may well backfire on him in the coming parliamentary elections.

His noticeable absence from Sarawak United People's Party's (SUPP) Chinese New Year open house last Monday has angered members who believe that as the Chief Minister of the state, he should not take sides in SUPP's internal strife.

Also absent were BN component party presidents William Mawan of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and James Masing from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

Both are senior ministers in Taib's state Cabinet along with SUPP's former deputy secretary-general Wong Soon Koh.

Thousands of Chinese from Serian, Siburan, Bau and Kuching were disappointed at Taib's absence. They viewed it as an insult to both SUPP president and the party.

Taib's excuse for not attending the open house was his "age" but that didn't stop him for visiting the homes of prominent Chinese leader in Miri and Sibu with Wong and leaders of his group.

Speaking to FMT, Sarawak PKR vice-chairman See Chee How said that it was obvious that Taib was playing a "game" of trying to divide the community.

"It was so obvious right from the first day; he was playing that game. Probably he was trying to show that he was not happy with the federal government.

"But this is not the time to do it. It is not good to use festive occasions such as the Chinese New Year, Gawai Dayak, Hari Raya and Christmas to divide the people.

"These are occasions where we should unite the people of various races," said See, who is the Batu Lintang assemblyman.

Taib killing SUPP

See said that Taib's stunt to further divide SUPP was actually a move to try kill off SUPP at the end of the day.

"But in the process, Taib may also lose support from the Chinese in areas controlled by PBB, SPDP and PRS, as leaders of these parties did not respect the Chinese during the Chinese New Year.

"They (the Chinese voters) will surely retaliate come the parliamentary election," he added.

SUPP is currently deeply divided. On one side is federal minister Peter Chin's camp. Chin was elected last month to lead a beleagured SUPP, in a contentious triennial delegates conference (TDC). On the other side is Wong.

Wong was groomed to succeeded former president George Chan who had stepped down following the party's dismal performance in last April's state election. SUPP lost 13 of the 19 seats it contested.

But at the 11th hour, Chin announced his interest in the presidency. It is said that Chin had the blessing of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to contest for the top post in SUPP.

A bitter dispute ensued with Wong and his team who lodged reports with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) over irregularities by Chin's supporters in branch-level polls.

Wong and team then boycotted the TDC, forfeiting their right to contest in the party's presidential polls. They are of the view that both the TDC and the elections were illegal.

So when Najib officiated at the TDC, Taib was nowhere to be seen.

No sign of retiring

His absence prompted many political observers to think that Taib was deliberately trying to embarrass Najib and SUPP leaders.

Taib could have several reasons for not attending the SUPP's TDC.

One of them could be the numerous allegations of corruption and abuse of power against Taib by several quarters which want Najib to take action.

The other reason could be that Najib is said to have been trying to put pressure on Taib to step down as he (Taib) could be the reason why the Chinese would vote against BN in the coming parliamentary election as they did in the state election.

Taib had promised Najib to quit as chief minister soon after the state election. But until today, nothing is heard of Taib's stepping down.

Asian markets mostly up, nerves set in over Greece

Posted: 30 Jan 2012 11:43 PM PST

HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly rose today after European leaders agreed on a treaty aimed at ending huge deficits, but traders remained cautious as Greece continued talks to slash its debt mountain.

Upbeat Japanese data also gave support but the euro remained weak as the Greek issue rumbled on and traders looked for safe havens, while the strong yen raised the possibility the government would step into forex markets again.

Tokyo rose 0.11%, or 9.46 points, to 8,802.51 and Seoul climbed 0.79%, or 15.24 points, to 1,955.79, while in the afternoon Hong Kong added 0.35% and Shanghai was flat.

But Sydney ended 0.23%, or 10.0 points, lower at 4,262.7.

Yesterday, in Brussels, 25 of the 27 European Union nations adopted a new pact – to be formally signed in March – that will require governments to usher in laws on balanced budgets and impose near automatic sanctions on those who violate deficit rules. Britain and the Czech Republic refused to sign.

The leaders also set up a permanent rescue fund to begin operations a year early in July, although they will discuss before that whether to boost its size from an initial 500-billion-euro (US$660 billion) target.

However, while the plan is aimed at avoiding future deficits, Athens remains locked in talks with its creditors to convince them to accept a 50 percent hit on their investment.

The deal – which has been held up by a row over the amount of interest Greece must pay on the remainder of the debt – is key to the country getting access to a second bailout from the European Union and European Central Bank.

While Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has expressed confidence an agreement will be met, traders remained on edge.

Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, said in a note: "Markets now appear to have reached a level where they need formal confirmation that an agreement on debt restructure has been struck with private investors and that a second rescue funding package will be provided to the Greek government.

"After the rally of recent weeks, equity markets may remain nervous at current levels until these issues have been formally resolved," he said, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

A call by Germany for the Greek government to be placed under wardenship received scant backing from other European leaders, and Greece's education minister called the idea "the product of a sick imagination".

In Tokyo, data showed Japan's annual industrial output fell 3.5% in 2011 – hit by the March 11 quake-tsunami and floods in Thailand – but rose by a more-than-expected 4.0% on month in December.

It also showed household spending saw its first increase since the March disasters.

The euro bought US$1.3191 and 100.53 yen in afternoon Asian trade, compared with US$1.3134 and 100.34 yen in New York late yesterday. The dollar slipped to 76.21 yen from 76.34.

The dollar's ongoing weakness prompted Japan's finance minister to again suggest possible intervention after stepping in several times last year as the nation's exporters felt the pinch from a strong yen.

"If there is excessive volatility or really speculative movement, I will be vigilant against it, and I will take decisive steps if necessary," Jun Azumi told a regular briefing.

Azumi voiced hopes that Europe's debt crisis would ease, helping Japanese stock markets stabilise.

On oil markets, New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate crude for delivery in March, gained 47 US cents to US$99.25 a barrel in the afternoon.

Brent North Sea crude for March delivery was up 70 US cents to US$111.45.

Gold was at US$1,736.40 an ounce at 0610 GMT, against US$1,735.90 late yesterday.

In other markets:

  • Taipei ended 1.48%, or 109.67 points, higher at 7,517.08. Chunghwa Telecom rose 1.37% to Tw$96.2 while HTC fell 1.52% to Tw$485.5.
  • Wellington fell 0.33%, or 11.02 points, to 3,296.20. Fletcher Building slipped 1.66% to NZ$6.52 and Telecom Corp was down 0.95% at NZ$2.095, while Air New Zealand was unchanged on NZ$0.91.

- AFP

White ‘ang pow’ nothing to do with govt, says Najib

Posted: 30 Jan 2012 11:40 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The use of white envelopes along with the customary "ang pow" red packets at Perkasa's Chinese New Year gathering last Sunday has nothing to do with the government, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

He said leader of the NGO, Ibrahim Ali, is an independent member of parliament. Perkasa is a Malay right-wing group.

"As such, the while packet distributed at the Chinese New Year function should not be construed to be acceptance by the government," Najib said in a posting on his Chinese-language "Ah Jib Gor" Facebook page.

"I think that as long as we can have a better understanding of Chinese culture and promote sensitivity to cultural taboos, such controversial events can be avoided.

"We all know that 'ang pow' means a red envelope, dominated by red rather than other colours," he said, adding that the incident can be used as a social experience.

Yesterday, Perkasa was asked to apologise for insulting the Chinese community by using white envelopes as "ang pow" packets at its first Chinese New Year "open house". White envelopes are reserved for funerals in Chinese custom.

Gerakan vice-president Mah Siew Keong had said that giving cash in white envelopes during Chinese New Year, which is meant to be a prosperous and joyful festival, showed that Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali is "greatly insensitive and insincere".

MCA Youth secretary-general Chai Kim Sen had said that Perkasa's action was disrespectful to Chinese culture and custom.

He said Ibrahim should act in the people's interests and understand the multi-cultural society and the taboos and prohibitions of each ethnic group and religion.

Perkasa deputy president Abdul Rahman Bakar had explained that due to the large turnout at the open house at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kampung Baru, the red "ang pow" packets ran out and white envelopes were used instead.

- Bernama

PKR mahu RCI jika Salleh tidak didakwa

Posted: 30 Jan 2012 11:31 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR menggesa Satu Siasatan diRaja (RCI) dibuat bagi menyiasat ketelusan polis dan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) mengendalikan skandal Nasional Fidlot Kebangsaan (NFC).

Ketua Wanita PKR Zuraida Kamaruddin berkata kredibiliti boleh dipersoalkan kerana SPRM sehingga sekarang tidak mengenakan sebarang tindakan tegas terhadap Pengerusi NFC Datuk Seri Dr Mohammad Salleh Ismail.

Sebaliknya, ahli perniagaan Datuk Shamsubaharin Ismail dijadikan 'kambing hitam' apabila didakwa cuba menipu Salleh, katanya.

"Kami mahu Salleh disiasat dan dituduh dimahkamah sama seperti Shamsubaharin," katanya selepas menyerahkan laporan kepada SPRM di Jalan Cochrane di sini pagi tadi.

Zuraida dan Ahli Parlimen Subang S Sivarasa pagi tadi menyerahkan salinan laporan polis yang dibuat Shamsubaharin 27 Januari lalu di Hospital Besar Klang.

Laporan itu diterima oleh Penolong Penguasa SPRM, Norshimah Abdul Ghani dan Ketua Unit Siasatan,  Maznah  Che Muda.

Shamsubaharin dalam laporan itu mendakwa beliau yang dilantik sebagai penasihat korporat dan perunding NFC dipaksa Salleh supaya merasuah polis dengan harapan skandal NFC dapat ditutup.

Tekanan itu diterimanya melalui beberapa panggilan telefon dan khidmat pesanan ringkas (sms) daripada Salleh dan juga beberapa pegawai NFC yang lain.

"Ini bukan tuduhan liar. Dia (Shamsubaharin) ada bukti dan sanggup pertahankan tuduhan beliau.

Beri masa 2 minggu

"Oleh itu Salleh mesti dituduh melakukan rasuah kerana beliau dalang sebenar tapi sampai sekarang tiada apa-apa tindakan," kata Sivarasa.

Sehubungan itu, Sivarasa dan Zuraida memberikan tempoh dua minggu bagi SPRM mengenakan tindakan terhadap Salleh sebelum menggesa penubuhan RCI.

Katanya, tindakan segera perlu diambil bagi melindungi Shamsubaharin agar kejadian sama yang menimpa Teoh Beng Hock dan Sarbaini tidak akan berulang.

"Kami akan lakukan terbaik bagi melindungi Shamsubaharin dalam skandal NFC," tegas Zuraida.

Sebelum ini, Penasihat DAP Lim Kit Siang juga pernah mendesak agar RCI ditubuhkan bagi menyiasat penyelewengan geran RM250 juta yang diluluskan Kabinet kepada NFC.

Court sets April 4 for trial in NFCorp case

Posted: 30 Jan 2012 10:55 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here today set two days from April 4 for the trial of businessman Shamsulbahrin Ismail who is charged with cheating National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) director Mohamad Salleh Ismail of RM1.755 million.

Judge Rozilah Salleh set the date when the case came up for mention today.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecution unit chief Abdul Razak Musa told the court that the prosecution will call 15 witnesses.

Shamsulbahrin, 46, is charged with cheating Mohamad Salleh by purposely promising a consulting service with the intention to dishonestly induce Mohamad Salleh, who is NFC executive chairman, to agree to pay for the service.

Shamsulbahrin, who is chief executive officer of Samsulbahrin Resources Sdn Bhd, is charged with committing the offence at a restaurant in Bukit Tunku here at 6 pm on Nov 20 last year.

He is also charged with cheating Mohamad Salleh by deceiving him into surrendering cheques worth RM1.755 million. The offence was allegedly committed at Solaris Mont Kiara here between Nov 25 and Dec 6 last year.

Both the charges were made under Section 420 of the Penal Code which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years, with whipping and a fine, upon conviction.

Shamsulbahrin was represented by Zarina Ismail.

- Bernama

Also read:

'NFCorp chairman asked me to bribe cops'

42,000 dubious voters struck off the list

Posted: 30 Jan 2012 10:39 PM PST

GEORGE TOWN: A total of 42, 025 dubious voters would be removed from the electoral roll when the Election Commission verification process on the voters' list ends at midnight today.

EC chairman Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the EC could not verify these voters after coordinating with the National Registration Department (NRD) to authenticate them for the past three months.

The EC has displayed names of total 42,051 dubious voters for public verification since Oct 27 last year. It extended the dateline for the verification process from last Dec 31 to Jan 31.

Of the names, only 26 were able to be verified while the rest remained unverified and dubious, thus would be deleted from roll.

"We have given enough time for all names to be verified.

"The unverified names will be deleted," Abdul Aziz told newsmen after an EC state-level briefing session for election returning officers and agents here. Also present was state election director Morat Pora.

The verification was invoked by demands set by electoral reform coalition Bersih 2.0. The first of Bersih's eight-point demand to EC was to clean up the electoral roll of dubious voters.

As of the end of last year, the country has 12,400,437 registered voters out of the 16,131,571 eligible citizens above age 21.

Abdul Aziz called on the remaining 3,731,134 or 23 per cent eligible citizens to exercise their rights by registering themselves immediately.

Of these three million citizens, he said Malays formed the biggest group, followed by Chinese, Indians and others.

"Registration process is simple and easy.

"You just have to take your identity card, go to the nearest post office and register yourself … even the form would be filled up by the staff," he said.

Penang has 803,304 registered voters, with 157,618 or 18.5 per cent eligible citizens yet to be registered.

The EC's record shows that an average 300,000 people are registering as new voters in each quarter.

Foreign voters

On overseas Malaysians' right to balloting, Abdul Aziz said the country's foreign office, Wisma Putra, has declined to undertake the task to conduct an open balloting process for them due to its complications.

Among the reasons given were that the 'foreign' Malaysians were staying all over the world and some were frequently shifting places.

Moreover, Abdul Aziz said the question on who should be eligible for voting must also be determined.

He raised question on whether those long-staying Malaysians of 15 to 20 years in foreign countries shall be allowed to vote when they had already lost touch with Malaysia.

He said the EC would accept those Malaysians, who are working overseas for past three to five years as they would still be attached to the country.

As for now, he said the EC has decided that early postal voting would be the right answer to the problem.

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