Pages

Search This Blog

Sunday, June 12, 2011

UMNO/BN still wasting public’s money?

UMNO/BN Complex is still wasting public’s money if the report by Malaysiakini: Rais blew half year’s budget in 1 day is true:

Artiste Day: 'Rais blew half year's budget in 1 day'

Jun 12, 11 3:30pm

10 friends can read this story for free

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has slammed minister Rais Yatim for splurging RM100 million, or half the annual budget for creative projects, on a poorly attended one-day arts event that local artists reportedly dubbed an "instant noodle project".
rais yatim pc 020709 01Lim said a fraction of that amount, or RM2 million, would have gone a long way in funding the internationally-rated month-long George Town Heritage Festival in Penang.
“Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim (right) must explain the rationale of wasting RM100 million for the 2011 Artistes Day on May 29 that received a lukewarm response from art activists.
“DAP is shocked by a Bernama reportthat RM100 million was allocated for the event that was criticised by art activists,” said Lim in a statement today.
According to Bernama, Najib had in his 2011 budget speech allocated RM200 million for “purchase of creative products, such as high-quality locally-produced films, dramas and documentaries”.
NONELim (left) asked if the Bernama report was accurate in citing the massive amount spent on the allegedly mediocre event.
“DAP suspects that the Bernama report is false and Rais should explain the actual amount spent.
“It is difficult to believe that the government can be so reckless as to allocate RM100 million for the 2011 Artistes Day event when 27 million ordinary Malaysians are hurting from rising prices caused by BN's subsidy cuts,” said Lim.

'Hey big spender...'

“If Rais Yatim is sincere about promoting arts, then he need only allocate RM2 million not for a one-day event like Artistes Day but a month-long event in the George Town Heritage Fest beginning in July by international and local artists,” the DAP secretary-general and Bagan MP continued.
penang world heritage town 140708 01After all, he said, the event was significant internationally and was held to commemorate the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site status that was granted on July 7, 2008.
Artiste Day was initiated in 2005 and set on May 25 in memory of local film legend P Ramlee.
Arts activists reportedly snubbed the event as an "instant noodle project".
A perplexed Rais was reported in Star on Jun 1 scratching his head why the country's “artistes” had not shown support for the event saying they had to step up to “steer” the arts industry.
Star reported the minister advising artists to use up “the remainder of the Creative Industry Funds provided under the 2011 Budget by the end of this year”.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Conberra meets Putridjaya. What?

Dean Johns is a master at coining words so what impression is he hoping to make by coining the words Conberra and Putridjaya?

Con = An instance of deceiving or tricking someone

berra is taken from Canberra, the administrative capital city of Australia.

Taken together so Conberra indicates that Australia is seeking to con the rest of the world that their exchange of refugees between Australia and Malaysia deal is totally above board.

How about Putridjaya then? Putridjaya is taken from Putrajaya, administrative capital of Malaysia.

Putrid = Of or characteristic of rotting matter, so Putridjaya indicates the level of decay of Malaysia.

Read his take on the refugee deal between Australia and Malaysia below taken from Malaysiakini: Conberra meets Putridjaya:

Conberra meets Putridjaya

Dean Johns
Jun 8, 11
11:33am

10 friends can read this story for free

As an Australian, I would like to believe that my Canberra government is largely honest and honourable in its dealings with the world, not some Conberra in league with the likes of the gang in Malaysia's Putridjaya.
money ringgit malaysia wang duit currencySo I'm far from delighted that Securency, a producer of plastic banknotes half-owned by the Reserve Bank of Australia, years ago allegedly bribed public officials in Indonesia, Vietnam and Nigeria as well as Malaysia, and so far nobody has been charged.
The company was awarded government contracts for producing banknotes for Malaysia in 1998 and 2004 through the agency of 'businessperson' Abdul Kayum Syed Ahmad, and is now revealed by the Melbourne Age newspaper to have since approached Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's brother, Haris Onn Hussein, to lobby on its behalf.
There is no suggestion whatever that this latter relationship is corrupt. But the fact remains that corporations and countries, just like people, are judged by the company they keep.

And Haris is not only closely related to leading figures in the crooked Umno/BN regime, but also a major shareholder in companies that have been granted lucrative government contracts for such sure-fire money-spinners as printing cigarette and alcohol labels and operating toll highways.
NONEWhen queried about his brother's involvement with Securency, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein(right) reportedly replied: “Firstly, I don't even know what my brother is doing and secondly, I don't think an Australian (company) would do that.”
I wish I could share Hishammuddin's presumptive faith in the probity of Australian companies. During the Howard administration, the Australian Wheat Board was caught paying massive bribes in the notorious Iraq 'oil-for food' scandal, and as far as I'm aware none of the management then have ever been charged with any criminal offences.
But what concerns me personally right now about Australian involvement with the Umno/BN government is not so much financially corrupt as morally and ethically rotten: the proposed trade in asylum seekers, boat people, refugees or whatever else they may be called.
This is not only a breach of human rights and a contravention of refugee charters to which Australia is a signatory, but a flagrant breach of one of the Labor Party's principal - and supposedly principled - election promises.
Decrying the Howard government's 'Pacific solution' with its offshore detention centres as inhumane, the Rudd Labor government had vowed to shut these down and also to ensure that no children would remain in detention.
However, first under Kevin Rudd and now Julia Gillard it has utterly failed to free most detained children into community care, and has kept so many adults locked up for so long that they've perfectly justifiably taken to rioting, self-harm and suicide.
Find compassionate solution
But now the Australian government has gone even further overboard in its failure to keep its promises by threatening to export these traumatised people to Umno/BN's Malaysia, which can't see its way to extending human rights and civil liberties to its own citizens, let alone to refugees.
Australia's Minister for Immigration, Chris Bowen, claimed that exporting these unfortunates to Malaysia will “send a message” to people-smugglers to stop plying their disgraceful trade to Australia.
But as far as I'm concerned Bowen would be far better advised to send his message directly to governments like those of Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries whose officials corruptly condone, encourage or even support the activities of these traffickers in human misery.
As a prosperoazlanus and spacious nation largely inhabited by immigrants and refugees or their descendants, and with such a sorry record of displacing and decimating its indigenous people to atone for, Australia should by rights be a caring and inclusive society.
Instead of going begging to poorer, smaller countries like East Timor to take the boat people, as it first did, or paying Putridjaya to take them in a trade-off for Malaysia's unwanted refugees, the Gillard government should come up with its own constructive and compassionate solution to the situation.
Or, better yet, as long as it's so determined to punish boat people for their plight, perhaps it could extort money from them like its pals in Putridjaya are proposing to do with the 'amnesty' they're currently offering Malaysia's estimated two million illegal immigrants.
Here's Umno/BN's price: RM400 per person for 'legalisation' plus RM2,000-3,000 for check-ups, visas and 'other things', plus another RM4,000 or so for a work permit.
At around RM7,000 per head, this plan, code-named '6P' forpendaftaran (legalisation), pemutihan (registration), pengampunan(amnesty), permantuan (supervision), penguatkuasan(enforcement) and pengusiran (deportation), certainly promises to be 'P' for 'profitable' for Umno/BN and its crooked immigration 'agents'.
It's like the slave-trade all over again, only this time without the trouble and expense of sourcing and importing the human merchandise, just exporting those who can't or won't pay up.
barisan nasional bn 181110And as long as the Umno/BN keeps denying both Malaysian and imported workers the protection of a minimum wage, the regime's cronies in the construction and plantation sectors will continue to reap the benefits of sweated labour. Plus the rest of the populace will still enjoy dirt-cheap teh tarik and nasi lemak, not to mention cut-price household help.
For my part, all I want is an Australian government with the guts to stand up for what's right. Not some bunch of wimps that goes to water every time big business or big mining objects to a tax, then picks on the poor and helpless by trading people in boats for the bigot vote.
And most of all I want a government in Canberra that's not prepared to turn it into Conberra by doing dodgy deals with the likes of the current putrid regime in Putrajaya.

DEAN JOHNS, after many years in Asia, currently lives with his Malaysian-born wife and daughter in Sydney, where he mentors creative writing groups. Already published in Kuala Lumpur is a third book of his columns for Malaysiakini, following earlier collections 'Mad about Malaysia' and 'Even Madder about Malaysia'.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Najib official visit to Kazakhstan coincides with daughter wedding

Is Najib abusing his position as Prime Minister when he timed his official visit to Kazakhstan to coincide with his daughter’s (Nooryana Najwa Naji) wedding to Daniyar Nazarbayev, son of a top Kazakhstan official. This was revealed by Malaysiakini: MP: Using public funds for wedding trip morally wrong.

Apparently this is not the first time. Najib also timed an official visit to the US his daughter Nooryana’s  graduation from Georgetown University in Washington on May 21

MP: Using public funds for wedding trip morally wrong

Hazlan Zakaria
Jun 7, 11
4:10pm

10 friends can read this story for free

While not problematic procedurally, the use of public funds to pay for Prime Minister Najib Razak and his official entourage to Kazakhstan for Najib's daughter's wedding is morally wrong, Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad says.
"It may no problem procedurally, if your boss (the PM) approves something no one is going to question.
"But it is morally wrong to use public funds to travel to your daughter's wedding. Najib has no class!" Dzulkefly told Malaysiakini.
NONERegardless of whatever reason Najib may concoct to justify coinciding his visit to Kazakhstan with his daughter Nooryana Najwa Najib's wedding, the PAS MP says the fact remains that the premier is misusing his station for personal reasons.
The parliamentarian clarified that it was not wrong for Najib to go to Kazakhstan for his daughter's wedding, but Najib should take leave and go there on his own time and expense, and not by spending public funds.

The MP was responding to reports that Nooryana, 22, is set to marry Daniyar Nazarbayev, the son of a top Kazakhstan official, was the main reason for the date of the PM current visit to that country.
Daniyar apparently met and fell in love with Nooryana when she was a student at Georgetown University.
Some quarters have questioned the purpose of the trip and the PM's entourage, as to whether there is any real official reason - or just a manufactured reason for Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor to visit their soon-to-be in-laws.
Dzulkefly related the tale of Muslim leader Umar Abdul Aziz who had two candles by the side of his bed.

'Not the first time Najib has abused privileges'

If he were awakened at night for affairs of the people, he would light a candle paid for with state coffers. But if he was awakened by friends or family on a visit, he would use a candle he paid for himself.
NONE"This is the highest level of transparency in administration that we should emulate, not abuses unchecked, like we see with Najib," Dzulkefly said.
This is not the first time that Najib has abused the privileges accorded to him as the prime minister, he said.
Recalling another time when the premier, Rosmah and his entourage travelled at public expense, he said this was to the United States when his daughter Nooryana graduated from Georgetown University in Washington on May 21.
Such abuses, if unchecked, would lead to other civil servants, who are supposed to serve the public, using their station for personal gains instead, Dzulkefly warned.
"If the top guy pees while running, what do you expect? District police chiefs and other officials may soon use their staff and government resources for their own ends," the PAS leader said, and expressed his fears that more public funds may be spent come the wedding proper.

Friday, May 27, 2011

UMNO/BN government still mismanaging public’s money

Since Mahathir took over the rein of Malaysia, we have seen numerous cases of mismanagement of public money such as privatizing profits and socializing losses essentially they make the mistakes and we the public bear the losses. It still is happening and if they remain in power, it will continue to happen again in the future. Witness the recent buying purchasing of  Syabas’s devalued bonds from bond holders at a hefty 75% over its current value and essentially dashing the hope of Pakatan Rakyat’s Selangor hope of taking over Selangor water assets and making water less expensive.

Article below,: Water debt: Putrajaya overpaying by 73%

Water debt: 'Putrajaya overpaying by 73%'

May 27, 11 2:15pm

10 friends can read this story for free

The DAP has condemned the federal government's decision to acquire the downgraded bonds issued by Selangor water concessionaires at a price 73.2 percent higher than the market value, calling it “outrageous and an abuse of taxpayers' monies”.
“It is inexplicable that the government has decided to settle the outstanding bonds of these privatised water companies when the shareholders of these companies themselves should be responsible for their own debt,” said DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua.
It was reported earlier that the federal government-owned Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) had set up Acqua SPV Bhd to buy over the bonds which have been heavily downgraded by the rating agencies.
This is because all four Selangor water concessionaires - Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), Syarikat Pengeluaran Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) and Konsortium ABASS - are unable to pay their bondholders.
Media had reported that Acqua SPV will offer to take over the bonds for RM6.5 billion, against the issued value of RM9.02 billion.
However, according to a report published by The Edge Financial Daily on Wednesday, the offer price is at RM94.49 against the market value of only RM54.54 at the end of last month, which Pua claimed is 73.2 percent higher than the market value.
He pointed out that the water concessionaires had declared handsome dividends for their shareholders when they raked in profits.
Among the concessionaires, Splash, whose parent company is Gamuda Bhd, declared dividends of RM578.6 million in 2007 while PNSB had declared dividends amounting to RM214 million between 2006 and 2010.
'Privatising profits and socialising losses'
“The above certainly makes true the dictum of the BN government privatising profits and socialising losses by taking over the debt burden of these companies,” he said in a statement released today.
NONEMaintaining the takeover as a'bailout', Pua (left) said it is reminiscent of the Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) bailout when the federal government paid RM8.00 per share, or 121 percent higher than the market price of RM3.62 per share, to Naluri Bhd, owned by Tajuddin Ramli in December 2000.
“In fact, the government has yet to see any returns on its 'investment' for the stock price has slumped to RM1.59 (as at yesterday) or an 80.1 percent decline for its investment after 10 years,” he said.
Pua also urged Energy, Water and Green Technology Minister Peter Chin to be transparent in handling the takeover.
“To date, we still do not know how the federal government plans to restructure the water industry in Selangor based on the Water Services Industry Act 2006 after taking over these debts, and whether these private concessionaires would be required to repay the government for the bailout.”
Yesterday Chin had denied that the takeover is a bailout and said that there has been no cabinet decision on the matter earlier this week.
“The minister must no longer pretend to be clueless about the entire exercise and disclose the full terms of the bailout exercise as this affects the basic right to water of all residents in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as well as billions of ringgit of tax-payer's monies.
“Unless of course, he is completely powerless in his own ministry, with key decisions made without his knowledge; in which case, he should then just resign honourably to protect his personal reputation and integrity,” Pua added.
According to Chin, the bid for the bonds was a mitigation attempt to stabilise Selangor's water services industry and avoid negatively affecting the capital market.
“I wish to stress that the takeover does not mean Selangor water companies who issued the bonds are released from their obligations to pay back their liabilities prior to the takeover by Acqua SPV.
“Thus if the Acqua SPV's bid is successful, the takeover should be looked at as a change in investors from current bondholders to only Acqua SPV,” Chin said.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

SPR Form 14 Statement of the polls after counting

Why is this important?
For each counting station, Form 14 is the official statement of counting in that station and cannot be changed. If a PR candidate or his Counting Agent is unable to get a copy of Form 14 signed by the KTM, it is possible for the results to be changed and this has happened in the past, resulting in a loss for the opposition candidates.
3 samples of Form 14 are attached - English, Malay and a copy of an official count.



What if the KTM refuses to issue Form 14 to a Counting Agent?
There are rules and regulations governing the issue of this very important Form.
1. SPR Guide Book for Polling Agent, Counting Agent and Barung Observers: Buku Panduan Ejen Tempat Mengundi, Ejen Mengira Undi dan Pemerhati Barung.
Page 9, Clause 8.2: Satu Salinan Penyata Pengundian Selepas Pengiraan Undi (Borang 14) akan diberi kepada Ejen Mengira Undi. (A copy of Form 14 shall be issued to the Counting Agent).


What laws govern the KTM's conduct?

Refer to Election Laws published by International Law Book Servicesas at 1st Apr 2009 :
page 27, Election Offences Act 1954 (Act 5), Paragraph 4(g):

"is without reasonable cause guilty of any act or omission in breach of his official duty,"
"shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a tem not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or to both such imprisonment and fine and,....."

It means that the KTM is required by law to issue Form 14 to the Counting Agent.
There are other procedures binding the action of the KTM.
Election Law Book referred to above.
Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981, page 138 Clause 25. Counting of votes by Presiding Officer, paragraph 12:

"12. Subject to paragraph (13), the presiding officer shall, immediately after the completion of the counting of the votes -
[Am. PU (A) 67/04] (a) announce to every candidate or his election agent or counting agent who is present the number of votes given to each candidate;
[Am. PU (A) 67/04] (b) prepare a sufficient number of copies of the statement of the poll in Form 14 in the First Schedule, which shall be certified by the presiding officer and signed by each candidate or his election agent or counting agent who is present and who desires to sign the statement of the poll, as follows -
[Am. PU (A) 67/04] (i) one copy, for the returning officer, shall be enclosed in a special enverope supplied for the purpose, affixed with a security tape which shall be signed by the presiding officer; and
(ii) one copy shall be delivered to each of the candidate or his election agent or counting agent as attend;

The Counting Agent must sign on Form 14 at the bottom of the form, below the presiding officer's signature, to prevent any unauthorised changes to Form 14 to favour any party!
It is also important to remember that the Counting Agent depends on the Polling Agent ensuring that the presiding officer fills up Form 13 properly, that it is signed by both the presiding officer and the Polling Agent, and that a copy of Form 13 (copied manually by the Polling Agent from the presiding officer's copy) be given to the Counting Agent for reference.
The number of ballot papers recorded in Form 13 will dictate how many ballot papers should appear in the ballot box during counting.

py

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Why UMNO/BN must be evicted from Putrajaya

With Pakatan Rakyat in power in a few states while UMNO/BN still sits in Putrajaya with Federal power, UMNO/BN is in a position of sabotaging the proper running of the various state if it so wishes. The disclosure that the Federal government not supplying various documents and parts for the smooth operation of the new Penang Hill funicular train smells of sabotage.

That is why Malaysians must vote UMNO/BN out from federal power in the next general election:

Could dogs actually paralyse a RM73mil train?

Susan Loone
May 22, 11
3:14pm

10 friends can read this story for free

After insisting that the new Penang Hill train was recently incapacitated by stray dogs, it's operators are now beginning to question if such an 'expensive' vehicle could be so vulnerable.

NONEThey have also slammed the Tourism Ministry for failing to hand over critical documentation needed for the train's operations.

General Manager Lee Kah Choon (left) said today that the Penang Hill Corporation will be seeking clarification from the train maker of 120 years why essential spare parts were not delivered for the train's day to day operations.
He added that the Corporation would like to stress that all employable staff sent for training in Switzerland had been fully absorbed into service from day one.
"(But) the Corporation is puzzled how a RM73 million train supplied by a reputable funicular train manufacturer can be incapacitated by a dog," said Lee in Penang.
"Surely more protection should have been incorporated in the train design, knowing full well that the train will be operating on an open track," he added.
NONELast Wednesday, the Corporation's independent contractor ruled out any kind of sabotage by insisting that a collision with a pack of three dogs rendered the tourist train inactive for about two days.
Earl Kohler (left), who launched a probe into the incident that left Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng fuming, said, "Everything that I have examined at the place where the incident took place confirms that what I have been informed of really did take place".
Lim had vowed to act against those responsible for any sabotage, and responded in disbelief that an accident with the dogs was the source of the train's problems.

Ministry failed to furnish documents

In Kuala Lumpur the next day, Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen (below) told the media that there should not be any finger-pointing over the incident.
NONEShe said that the Ministry wanted to see that the service runs well so that tourists can reach the hill top.
"They should stop pointing fingers at everyone," she told reporters after launching the ministry's Facebook Citrawarna 1Malaysia online dance game contest.
This did not stop Lee from ticking off the Tourism Ministry for failing to deliver important documents for the new hill train and rail, despite repeated requests.
Speaking in Penang yesterday, he said that these documents and contracts are critical to the operation of the new train.
The list of 'essential spares' was never given to the Corporation, in spite of requests made through emails and letters as well as orally, stressed Lee.

He added that the Corporation's primary objective is to ensure the train functions well and operate smoothly without jeopardising public safety.
NONE"However, this is greatly hampered by the lack of information about the train,” said Lee.
"Despite repeated requests and promises the Ministry of Tourism has failed to provide about 10 important documents," said the former Gerakan deputy secretary-general.
These include contract documents for funicular systems, such as built drawings, testing and commissioning reports, independent tester's report, inventory list, Public Work Department (JKR) defects list, special tool's list, tunnel and viaduct strengthening report, and electrical installation manual and fitness certification by the Fire Department (for buildings and coaches).
Also owing from the federal government are the train's spare parts' list or the manufacturer's original list as stated in contract document, that has to be certified by the JKR, as well as ticket rolls for 50,000 momento tickets and the warranty for the installed electronic system.
Lee, who was a former Gerakan MP for Jelutong, said the non-availability of the spare parts, in particular the tow bar, that had to be fabricated, led to the delayed repairs.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Call to loyal Malaysians – do your part

Sabah’s population was greatly altered by the so called Projek M where foreign residents were given citizenship plus the right to vote. Ever since March 08, I had expected something similar to happen in the rest of Malaysia as UMNO/BN is clearly desperate to cling on to power.

Now that a whistle blower has come forth plus the revelation of the attempt to add foreign residents as citizens and voters in Hulu Selangor, we would like to call upon patriotic Malaysians who have the interest of Malaysia and its residents to expose any such occurance or Malaysia will be destroyed:

'Project IC' whistleblower: Pakatan states at risk

Hafiz Yatim
May 18, 11
2:46pm

10 friends can read this story for free

A key figure in the 'Project IC' exposé warns that attempts to register illegal immigrants as citizens to pad up the electoral roll, a practice allegedly rampant in Sabah, will likely spread to peninsular Malaysia.

NONEDr Chong Eng Leong (right in photo), a former Parti Bersatu Sabah leader, said that his 15 years of research chronicled in his book 'Lest We Forget', estimates that about 600,000 illegal immigrants were given citizenship under the 'Project IC' scheme.

Chong, now a PKR member, warned that likely targets for an expansion of this scheme are the states ruled by Pakatan Rakyat - Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan.
"This problem does not only affect national security but also land issues in Sabah... I would not be surprised if they used this modus operandi in Selangor or other Pakatan-held states," he told a press conference at the party's headquarters today.

In his book, published in 2009, Chong claimed that in 1986, Deputy Home Minister Megat Junid Megat Ayob and chief secretary of the government Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid had spearheaded 'Project IC'.
"In 1991, when Umno came to Sabah, there was a Sabah Umno task force where its directors were Musa Aman (current chief minister), Yahya Hussin and secretary Jabar Khan.
"The job of this task force was to look for foreigners in Sabah and issue them Malaysian ICs and then register them as Umno members (to) be included into the Sabah electoral rolls," he said.

All out defence of Putrajaya?

Chong pointed out that some Sabah Umno members including Jabar had been held under the Internal Security Act for their role in the issuance of Project IC to foreigners, which has also been dubbed 'Project M'.

NONEPKR central committee member Khalid Jaafar(centre in photo)said that, if the matter was left uncurbed, it would become another obstacle to Pakatan's bid to take Putrajaya.
"(Prime Minister) Najib Abdul Razak has said he would defend Putrajaya at all costs. Is this one of the ways to be used?

"This method of retaining the government by registering illegal immigrants as citizens and registering them as voters in order to maintain their political control not only affects the security of the country but is also treason.”

azlanLast week, PKR had alleged that adocument, purportedly written by Hulu Selangor Umno division, shows proof that attempts to register a scheme similar to 'Project IC' is under way in Selangor. This has been denied.

Khalid said the Project IC may not be widely known in peninsular Malaysia but it is a hot political issue in Sabah.
“Various parties from Pakatan Rakyat and those within BN component parties have asked for the formation of a royal commission of inquiry into the matter to resolve the situation. Until today BN does not want to seriously resolve the situation.
“We know why because the Project IC is by Sabah Umno which is directed to control the political demography of the state and ensure Umno remains in power there. It is time that people in the peninsular understand this project as there is a possibility that it is being implemented here,” he said.
NONEKhalid said that is why as part of theOrange Book orBuku Jingga, Pakatan Rakyat has pledged for the formation of the royal commission of inquiry to resolve the illegal immigrants and the Sabah citizenship issue.
“While we promise this (the formation of RCI) to resolve the problem, we also must be prepared that such syndicates may expand to peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
This was concurred by Chong, who said that is why he is supporting PKR as he does not want the alleged foreigners to usurp the political power and rights of natural born citizens in Sabah.
“I have said the amount now could be 600,000 but this is based on my estimate in 2005. Now those living there and given ICs have their children become naturalised citizens and they are given similar rights as citizens, including voting.
“I believe the second generation of project IC descendents are there in Sabah. Who knows some of them have come to migrate to peninsular Malaysia and transferred to various sensitive constituencies,” he said.
'BN has no intention of solving issue'
Chong said in 1994, PBS won 25 out of 48 seats in the state elections but lost the government through defections to BN.
He said the issuance of ICs to illegal immigrants continued and PBS was convincingly beaten in 1999.
“The federal BN government has no intention at all of solving this issue (of illegal immigrants being given citizenship). What is the point of Sabah being wealthy but our sovereign land is overwhelmed by illegals. The foreigners give rise to tremendous socio-economic effects in Sabah and very much upset its demography and political scenario,” he said.
“The BN federal government must realise that losing the sovereignty of Sabah means the collapse of Malaysia and I believe that was not the intention of the founding fathers of Sabah becoming independent through the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
For this reason, Chong said he wanted Pakatan Rakyat to win the next general election to resolve the mess which Umno and BN has created in Sabah, as pledged in the Orange Book.
“If Pakatan comes to power in Sabah, I hope they will resolve the issue as it is affecting the locals deeply, involving economic opportunities which should have been the right of the real citizens,” he said.
But he warned that what had happened to Sabah could happen in other states in peninsular Malaysia as what had been highlighted by Khalid, with alleged attempts in Selangor.
Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin, who is also PKR Wanita chief, said based on Chong's experience, PKR may appoint Chong to supervise research over an operation by the NRD allegedly to give ICs to illegals here.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Toward a more ethical media

Forum: Ke arah media yang lebih beretika (Toward a more ethical media)

Ahli ketiga panel ialah Abdul Jalil Ali, Penasihat Eksekutif Editorial
Kumpulan Media Karangkraf.

Terima kasih,
Siew Eng
Pegawai program CIJ

------------ --------- --------- --

Bulan Mei ialah bulan kebebasan akhbar.

Kebebasan akhbar bermaksud keupayaan suratkhabar dan wartawan untuk melapor
secara bebas mengenai sebarang peristiwa atau isu, berlandaskan etika dan
prinsip kewartawanan.

Tetapi bagaimana pula jika etika dan prinsip tidak diikut? Bagaimankah kita
menangani media yang tidak beretika?

Untuk mengetahui pelbagai pandangan mengenai penyelesaian kepada masalah
ini, di samping menyentuh isu berkait - yakni had kebebasan media di
Malaysia - Pusat Kewartawanan Bebas dan Majlis Peguam Malaysia akan
menganjurkan satu forum awam dwibahasa bertajuk, *"Ke arah media yang lebih
beretika - bagaimana mencapainya? "*

*Masa: 18 Mei (Rabu); 6 petang*
*Tempat: Auditorium, Bangunan Majlis Peguam, Kuala Lumpur*
13, 15 & 17 Leboh Pasar Besar
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 03-20313003


*Panel:
*
- *Abdul Jalil Ali, Penasihat Eksekutif Editorial, Kumpulan Media
Karangkraf*
- *Sharaad Kuttan, pensyarah kewartawanan, kolumnis, Felo Asian Public
Intellectual*
- *Wong Chin Huat, pensyarah kewartawanan, kolumnis*

*Moderator: Andrew Khoo, Ketua Jawatankuasa Hak Asasi Manusia Majlis Peguam
*

Orang ramai dialu-alukan datang untuk mendengar pembentangan ahli panel dan
memberi pandangan sendiri mengenai isu ini.

*Maklumat lanjut: Siew Eng, pegawai program Pusat Kewartawanan Bebas, 016
379 5901*

************ ***

May is the month for press freedom.

Press freedom is the ability of newspapers and journalists to freely report
any event or issue, in accordance with the ethics and principles of
journalism.

But what happens when the ethics and principles are not adhered to? How
should we deal with unethical media?

To find out the different views on how to approach this problem as well as
explore the attendant issue of the limits of media freedom in
Malaysia, theCentre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and
the Bar Council of Malaysia will be organising a bilingual Malay-English
public forum titled, *"Toward a more ethical media". *
*
Date/Time: 18 May (Wednesday); 6pm
Place: Auditorium, Bar Council
*
*Panel:
*
- *Abdul Jalil Ali, Editorial Executive Adviser, Kumpulan Media
Karangkraf
*
- *Sharaad Kuttan, journalism lecturer, columnist, Asian Public
Intellectual Fellow*
- *Wong Chin Huat, journalism lecturer, columnist *

Come hear what our panellists think, and have your say, too.

*Details: Siew Eng, CIJ programme officer, 016 379 5901*

--
Centre for Independent Journalism Malaysia
Web: cijmalaysia. org
Tel: +603-4023 0772
Twitter: CIJ_Malaysia
Facebook: Centre for Independent Journalism
Blogs: http://worldpressfr eedomday. blogspot. com/;
http://right2info. wordpress. com/

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit
organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free,
where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and
impart information.

--
If you cannot express yourself you are already behind bars - Mbana Kaitako

Location map & GPS Coords


Bar Council Malaysia
13, 15 & 17 Leboh Pasar Besar
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 03-20313003
GPS Coords: (3.1466866143456196, 101.69546127319336)
Location map:

View Larger Map

Solidarity Walk with Kuantan folks say no to Lynas

Stop Lynas Rare Earth Processing Plant Kuantan
There will be a solidarity walk from KLCC to the Australian Embassy on May 20th @ 2.30pm to hand in a memorandum to stop Lynas from exporting hazardous materials to Malaysia.

Solidarity Walk
Theme color: Black (wear black)
May 20, 2011
Friday 2.30pm

Meet at KLCC

Walk to the Australian Embassy

The Save Malaysia Stop Lynas Group will hand in a memorandum to stop Lynas from exporting hazardous materials to Malaysia

Please come to support the people of Pahang to safeguard their health from pollution and radioactive waste!

Background Information

An Australian rare earth company Lynas Corporation is constructing a refinery in an area closed to densely populated fishing communities and the city of Kuantan.
Local residents and environmentalists in Malaysia have since got together to stage a series of protest actions against the project which will leave behind a huge amount of radioactive wastes containing a cocktail of other hazardous substances.

Watch the videos on You Tube to understand the issue:

ABC ( Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Malaysian Backlash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKO6rpsjccA

Al-Jazeera 101 East- Toxic Waste
Includes a debate between two Malaysian MPs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O0rSqYjQ_M

Mother's Day At Kuantan 2011
will give us a feel of the participation of the Pahang folks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhTxW73sG8M

Please also visit the main Facebook page with 28,000 members for the latest information and discussion:
Pahang Don't Need Hazardous Project

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_117036588370543

Pahang folks have collected 45,000 signatures on site to oppose the project.
For supporters outside Pahang, please sign the online petition:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-lynas/

On behalf of the People's Green Coalition
Contact Persons:
Dr. Jayabalan : 012-402 7445
Dr. Khim Pa : 012-477 7706

Bus trips will be arranged on the 20th of May from Kuantan to KL and returning that very same day (to Kuantan). For more information about the Solidarity Walk & bus arrangements,

PLEASE CONTACT:

(For Malay speaking participants):
En. Mahmud 012-9571497

(For Chinese speaking participants):
Mr. Loo Foo San 016-9862308

(For English speaking participants):
Mr. Clement Chin 012-9883210

Monday, May 16, 2011

Mariam Mokhtar: BN condones violence?

Based on the reactions of BN politicians and the PDRM (Polis Diraja Malaysia or just police) Mariam Mokhtar sounds like she is saying yes. Based on what? Based on the reactions of BN politicians, the PM Najib and the police from the complaint that Nurul Anwar made regarding a threat to kidnap her daughter.  Hey that is very serious, but what did they do? Issued frivolous statements

Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi :  “…just an opposition ploy to gain sympathy”.

Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali who allegedly said at a rally in Kg Changkat, Gombak: Nurul “was seeking sympathy through political gimmicks like the kidnap threat”. If that wasn't sufficiently vile, he then allegedly said that “he wouldn't be surprised if 'kereta Izzah meletup'  (car explode) to gain sympathy”.

Puteri Umno’s Rosnah Abdul Rashid tweeted on 13 May, saying “I think YB is a lucky mother indeed becoz she received an early warning of the kidnapping plot from the kidnapper himself”

And the response to Nurul’s request for the identity of the SMS sender – privacy issue. But where is the privacy issue when police can reveal the contacts of opposition politicians’ contacts?

Source: Malaysiakini: BN condones violence?

BN condones violence?

Mariam Mokhtar
May 16, 11
2:10pm

10 friends can read this story for free

Does Umno consider the life of a three-year-old fair-game in the war for political power? When will Umno take seriously the threat to kidnap MP Nurul Izzah Anwar's three-year-old daughter?
Are Umno politicians so politically immature and morally corrupt? Perhaps Umno's propaganda machine considers a defenceless child is just a pawn to use to gain political advantage.
Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was sceptical of the threat to kidnap Nurul's child. He believed it was “just an opposition ploy to gain sympathy”.
Perhaps, if his child were to face similar threats, Zahid, who is also Defence Minister, would not mind if we were to tell him that he should 'grin and bear it.'
Few will forget Zahid's embarrassing back-tracking over his statements which alluded to the loyalties of the non-Malays in the armed forces. He wasn't such a brave man when he faced the nation's wrath.
ibrahim ali perkasa ceramah in gombak 1Then we have Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali (left) who allegedly said at a rally in Kg Changkat, Gombak over the weekend, that Nurul “was seeking sympathy through political gimmicks like the kidnap threat”.
If that wasn't sufficiently vile, he then allegedly said that “he wouldn't be surprised if 'kereta Izzah meletup' to gain sympathy”.
Is he mad to think that politicians should stage acts of simulated violence to gain votes?
Ibrahim Ali, the so-called champion of Malay rights who also claims to uphold the tenets of Islam, is a disgrace to his race and his religion.
Perhaps, in the eyes of his supporters, he can do no wrong, just like those extremists who blow up cars in other parts of the world and think that they will have brought awareness to their cause, by killing and maiming other people.
'Lucky' to get an 'early warning'
The women of Puteri Umno are just as vile. Rosnah Abdul Rashid tweeted on 13 May, saying “I think YB is a lucky mother indeed becoz she received an early warning of the kidnapping plot from the kidnapper himself”.
The Puteri Umno representative is a complete fool to think that Nurul was "lucky" to have received an “early warning”.
Ketua Puteri Umno, Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid ShirlinIf the boot had been on the other foot, and it was Rosnah (left) who had received a kidnap threat, this contemptuous woman would probably be the first to demand 24-hour armed police protection, a fortress to protect her and safe houses galore.
The policemen investigating Nurul's case, although helpful, told Nurul that the police “cannot compel service providers to act with urgency”, to reveal the identities of the person or persons who sent her the sms, because of privacy issues.
How is it possible that the Special Branch have ready access to the phone contacts of opposition politicians?
Why are there two sets of laws - one for the political elite and one for the rest of society?
How is it that the threat of a kidnap, especially when it was compared with the tragic disappearance of Sharlinie Mohd Nashar, is not considered serious?
Will our police only be compelled to act with urgency, when there is a death or there is the receipt of body parts, as in the Getty kidnap case, where the ears of the child were delivered by post?
azlanNurul Izzah is a mother and a rising politician. It is widely known that the ruling party feels threatened by the actions of her father. These threats were politically motivated and come soon after similar threats were made by the 'Datuk T' trio.
Only cowards would think that the way to stop Anwar in his political tracks, is to threaten his daughter and granddaughter.
Although malicious calls are part and parcel of the life of an opposition politician, kidnap and sabotage, are very serious crimes. If you recall, the brakes on Anwar's car were damaged.
Before Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak flew to London, did he condemn the various Umno and extremist Malay groups who claimed Nurul was 'pretending'?
Did Najib use the mainstream media to say that Malaysia had no place for such cowardly acts of violence?
Did he warn those responsible, that these crimes have serious consequences? Did he instruct the police to act swiftly, in case other copy-cat kidnappers were to emerge?
No. He did not!
Both he and the Home Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein are as guilty as the person who sent out the kidnap threat and as guilty as the person who tampered with the brakes on Anwar's car.
The authorities have to take this sort of threat seriously. The media should too, as there are many cranks amongst the public who might be motivated by the perverse comments of Zahid, Rosnah and Ibrahim Ali.
In the west, threats against the opposition parties are taken seriously and investigations are conducted with expediency. It appears that in Malaysia, that only happens if threats were to be made against Umno-BN politicians.
In the west, police protection would have been offered or increased patrols made, at least until the risk of the threat has passed. In Malaysia, the public might be forgiven for thinking that justice might only be served it they decided to take matters into their own hands.
Immediate risk assessment
In the west, the police intelligence unit would have different approaches when dealing with threats to kill and threats to life. An immediate risk assessment based on intelligence available would categorise the threat into low, medium or high risk, with medium and high normally given the same priority. Is the same done in Malaysia?
Nurul Izzah is not asking for extra special treatment. In her line of work, she has met many mothers whose children have been killed but the investigations of the death have reached a dead end.
Nurul Izzah only wants fair treatment by the police. No more, no less.
After all, don't the police have a “duty to protect” its civilians, including the opposition politicians?
Incredibly, no members of BN, not just Umno, have made any attempt to condemn such despicable acts of violence. Their silence speaks volumes about their guilt. They must bear the blame.
Perhaps, they know who engineered the threats and they dare not condemn him, or her.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Lagu: Taib jangan bebankan rakyat Sarawak



Lyrics for the song "Taib jangan bebankan rakyat Sarawak" (Taib don't burden the people of Sarawak)

Engkau rampas semua kekayaan
Tinggal hanya tulang untuk rakyat
Tanah adat orang asal diambil
Hutan dara habis ditebang

Kami dikongkong perintah
Di tipu oleh Borneo Post
Apabila terkejut dari mimpi ngeri
Baru sedar 30 tahun
Dan limpas!

Taib jangan bebankan rakyat Sarawak
Semua orang tahu segala akan habis
Taib jangan bebankan bumi kenyalang
Kalau tak sedar lagi
Takan berubah

Tanah rakyat kau dah rampas
Hutan rakyat kau dah rogol
Harta rakyat kau mencuri
Sumber rakyat kau dah sapu

Tanah rakyat kau dah rampas
Hutan rakyat kau dah rogol
Harta rakyat kau mencuri
Sumber rakyat kau dah sapu

Tanah rakyat kau dah rampas
Hutan rakyat kau dah rogol
Harta rakyat kau mencuri
Sumber rakyat kau dah sapu

Taib jangan bebankan rakyat Sarawak
Semua orang tahu segala akan habis
Taib jangan bebankan bumi kenyalang
Kalau tak sedar lagi
Takan berubah

Taib jangan bebankan rakyat Sarawak


Translantion to English:

You have grabbed all the wealth
Left just the bones to the people
Indigenous lands you have taken
Virgin forest you have logged till nothing left

We strictly command
Lied to by the Borneo Post
When the shock of the nightmare
Only Realized after 30 years
Have passed!

Do not burden the people of Sarawak Taib
Everyone knows everything will be exhausted
Taib don't burden the land of the hornbill
If you are still not aware
Nothing will change

Land of the people you already seized
Forest you raped
You steal people's property
Resources of the people you sweep

Land of the people you already seized
Forest you raped
You steal people's property
Resources of the people you sweep

Land of the people you already seized
Forest you raped
You steal people's property
Resources of the people you sweep

Do not burden the people of Sarawak, Taib
Everyone knows everything will be exhausted
Taib do not burden the land of the hornbill
If you still do not realize it
Nothing will change

Do not burden the people of Sarawak, Taib

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Double standards galore – church attendees summoned

That the authorities used double standards for those aligned with the UMNO/BN Complex and Malay and/or Muslims are very clear from the happenings in the past and looks not not likely to stop anytime in the future. Consider the case of a newspaper reporter writing a true report of a racist UMNO politician and got ISA’ed for her own “protection” and the recent case of BIG DOG am Utusan Malaysia publishing unverified and unbelievable DAP and Christian Pastors praying for a Christian State cum Christian PM which can be viewed further as seditious as well as inciting hate and violence. And what happened to them for that? Utusan Malaysia (which should be renamed Utusan Melayu as they do not represent the views of real Malaysians) got a gentle reprimand. BIG DOG? Publish “May God bless us all” and no apology no explanation and no action on him writing that seditious and highly likely false report.

Now one more case. Every Friday lunch hour you will see thousands of cars illegally parked around mosques and have the traffic police ever summon any of them? According to Malaysiakinihttp://www.malaysiakini.com, vehicles of church goers to the St. John Cathedraa Jalan Bukit Nanas all got summoned for illegal parking on a Sunday despite getting clearance from City Hall.


GPS Coords & Location map, St. John Cathedral, Jalan Bukit Nenas

Summons shock for church-goers, one arrested

Hafiz Yatim
May 12, 11
3:55pm

10 friends can read this story for free

It was a normal Sunday for church-goers attending mass at the 130-year-old St John's Cathedral along Jalan Bukit Nanas in Kuala Lumpur. However, last Sunday turned out to be out of the ordinary as police started to issue traffic summonses to cars parked along the road.
On other days, there would be enforcement by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and police officers, but not on a Sunday.
To make matters worse, the church had obtained a letter from City Hall allowing some leeway to this. The church has also written a letter dated April 7 to the city traffic police, informing them of the City Hall's relaxation of its rules.
According to Christian Lawyers Association president Joy W Appukuttan, the police in turn responded positively on April 25, this year.
“However, on Sunday May 8, the police started issuing traffic summonses to vehicles parked there despite knowing we have Sunday mass. All of us attending mass were caught by surprise by the police action as we have the letters from the City Hall and the traffic police on providing such leeway to church-goers,” he said.
“It is like Muslims going for Friday prayers, you do not find the traffic police issuing summonses for vehicles on such occasions. We are puzzled by the police action.”
Joy said he was not aware if any complaints had been lodged by anyone, resulting in the police action.
He said he could understand the authorities taking action on other days to reduce congestion but questioned such an action on Sunday when mass is held and after agreeing to a relaxation in rules, which has certainly created some dissatisfaction.
A member arrested
Joy said after some of the church-goers became aware of the operation, they approached the policemen who issued the summonses.
“We got to know one of the congregants who approached the police was arrested for alleged obstruction and was remanded. I have yet to get full details over what has happened. However, he has been released today on police bail,” he said.
“We do not know whether the person will face legal action.”
He hopes the police and City Hall officers could resolve the matter so as it would not upset church-goers and cause problems to them.
“This had never happened before in the past as we had managed to obtain an understanding with the authorities. Why now,” he asked.
The Christian community had been reeling in the past week following a row brought by Utusan Malaysia claiming they were plotting to turn the country into a Christian state.
Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Murphy Nicholas Pakiam has slammed the daily's reports alleging a conspiracy to turn the country into a Christian state as “irresponsible, baseless and provocative”.
The Christian community is also hurt over another on-going row over the usage of Allah in their holy books. The Home Ministry had seized their religious books which use the word.
This was despite a Kuala Lumpur High Court landmark ruling on Dec 31, 2009, that Allah is not exclusively for Muslims. However, an appeal by the Home Ministry is pending.



GPS coords an Location map, St. John Cathedral, Jalan Bukit Nenas


GPS Coords: (3.14991111998846, 101.6994309425354)


View Larger Map

Message from Chairman and President of MCLM

Dear Friends,

There have been rumors and misinformation circulating on the Internet and mainstream media about the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement. These may have caused some doubt or confusion. Rest assured that MCLM remains committed to bringing about a just and equitable society for all Malaysians.

Ultimately, the MCLM is all about People Power - the Barisan Rakyat Independent Candidates (BRICs) and the Third Force are clear examples of this. There is no room for personality cults in the movement. As Chairman and President, we are here to serve the cause for as long as we are needed. But your contribution and support are no less important because we are all Malaysians and we are all in this together.

We will be writing to you periodically to keep you up to date about what's been happening not just on the MCLM front but also important issues that are at the forefront of our national consciousness as well as actions you can take.

With the 13th General Elections imminent, we have entered a critical phase. There is so much we can do to raise awareness of the key issues to ensure that every voter is armed with the key information so that he or she can make an informed choice at the ballot box.

In the meantime, we would urge you to stay in communication via our Facebook page or Twitter. We want to know what your concerns are for Malaysia and, more importantly, what you can do to forward the cause of the Rakyat.

Thank you for being a part of the MCLM. These are uncertain yet challenging times for all of us. Malaysia needs to change in order to become the nation envisioned by our founding fathers. It is up to us - the Rakyat - to make these changes happen.

Warmest regards,

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Haris M. Ibrahim


Saudara-saudari sekalian,

Desas-desus dan informasi yang salah sedang berlegar di ruang siber serta media arus perdana mengenai Pergerakan Kebebasan Sivil Malaysia atau Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM). Ini mungkin telah menimbulkan beberapa keraguan atau kekeliruan. Yakinilah bahawa MCLM kekal komited membawa keadilan dan kesaksamaan untuk semua lapisan masyarakat di Malaysia.

Pada akhirnya, MCLM adalah mengenai Kuasa Rakyat – Calon Bebas Barisan Rakyat atau Barisan Rakyat Independent Candidates (BRICs) dan Kuasa Ketiga atau Third Force adalah contoh yang jelas mengenai hal ini. Tidak ada ruang untuk pemujaan keperibadian dalam gerakan ini. Sebagai Pengerusi dan Presiden, kami di sini untuk berkhidmat pada perjuangan selama mana kami diperlukan. Tapi sumbangan dan sokongan anda tidak kurang pentingnya kerana kita semua adalah Rakyat Malaysia dan kita bersama dalam misi ini.

Kami akan berterusan menghubungi anda untuk memberi informasi terkini bukan hanya mengenai perjalanan MCLM tetapi juga isu-isu nasional yang lebih utama serta tindakan yang boleh anda ambil.

Setelah hampirnya Pilihanraya Umum ke-13, kini kita telah memasuki fasa yang kritikal. Ada begitu banyak perkara yang dapat kita lakukan untuk meningkatkan kesedaran terhadap isu-isu penting supaya setiap pengundi dibekalkan dengan maklumat yang diperlukan dan seterusnya membuat suatu pilihan yang tepat di peti undi.

Buat sementara waktu, anda boleh terus berkomunikasi melalui laman Facebook serta Twitter kami. Kami ingin tahu apakah kebimbangan anda mengenai Negara kita Malaysia dan yang paling penting apakah yang boleh anda lakukan demi perjuangan Rakyat.

Salam sejahtera,

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Haris M. Ibrahim

Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

UMNO/BN boosting election hope by giving citizenship to Indon permanent residents?

Way back post March 08 political tsunami when UMNO/BN lost its two third majority, this blog already suspect the UMNO/BN complex will likely resort to giving citizenship to Indon illegal immigrants and/or permanent residents. It would be their easiest and most effective way to get more votes for citizenship for Indons are highly valued as it will enable them to live and work here in Malaysia permanently so which of them would reject such offer?

So the recent expose of Malaysikini is highly believeable:

'Umno soliciting citizenship to boost vote bank'

Aidila Razak
May 10, 11
11:53am

Selangor PKR today produced a document to back a claim that Umno is trying to get citizenship for some 2,000 permanent residents in Hulu Selangor, to bolster its vote bank for the next general election.
NONESelangor deputy chairperson Zuraida Kamaruddin (left in photo) showed reporters a letter to 'prove' her claim, and called the move Umno's abuse of government process.
The letter, dated March 23, and signed by Hulu Selangor Umno division chief Mohamed Idris Abu Bakar, was addressed to Home Minister and Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein.
"It is with pleasure that we inform you that we have identified and verified a list of individuals who are potential voters who can help the BN win in Hulu Selangor in the 13th general election,” reads the letter.
NONE"They are students, entrepreneurs and the gainfully employed, all of whom are expected to contribute to the development of the country while also assisting the BN to win in the election, especially the 13th general election.
"As such, we hope that (you) can grant early approval so we can process the applications smoothly," Idris said in the letter (right).
The letter was printed with an Umno letterhead purportedly belonging to the party's Hulu Selangor division and was sent to the Home Ministry in Putrajaya.

Civil servants 'no longer compliant'

According to Zuraida, a concerned civil servant passed her the letter last Friday.
"We will lodge police reports about this tomorrow in Hulu Selangor, one against Idris as the Hulu Selangor Umno division chief and another against Hishammuddin," she said.
"It appears that there is a syndicate doing this, and it is no longer a secret. He has even gone to an employment agency."
Zuraida, who is PKR Wanita head, claimed that most of those listed in Idris' request are Indonesians. The list of applicants, however, was not shown to the media.
She said the fact that it was a civil servant who had raised the matter serves as a message to the BN government.
"We want to send the message that civil servants no longer support them. They (the civil servants) no longer succumb to the politics of intimidation and fear.
"The rakyat knows not to protect things that are not proper and this information was given to us on that basis."

Mohamed Idris could not be reached for comments despite several attempts by Malaysiakini.

When contacted, Hulu Selangor parliamentarian P Kamalanathan could not issue a response on the matter as he was occupied in another engagement.