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Phahrolrazi calon pilihan ganti MB Kedah? Posted: 09 Sep 2011 06:14 PM PDT Isu spekulasi penggantian Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak yang mula suam-suam kuku kini dipanaskan kembali dengan desas-desus exco kanan Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi yang dikatakan calon pilihan jika berlaku kekosongan jawatan tersebut. Walaupun dua lagi exco – Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah dan Datuk Mohammad Taulan Rasul – turut berada dalam senarai itu, Phahrolrazi (kiri) yang juga ADUN Pengkalan Kundor dikatakan menjadi calon pilihan jika wujud keperluan berbuat demikian. Bahkan, wujud cakap-cakap yang Azizan dikatakan diberi masa untuk terus menjalankan tugasannya sebagai biasa kecuali jika terdapat halangan yang tidak dapat dielakkan seperti masalah kesihatan. Bagaimanapun, demi kelancaran pentadbiran kerajaan Kedah, PAS tentunya tiada pilihan sekiranya Azizan sakit, khususnya dalam menghadapi pilihan raya umum yang akan datang. Ini kerana, tugas mempertahankan penguasaannya di negeri itu amat penting bagi PAS yang pertama kali menawan Kedah tiga tahun lalu, selepas mencuba dalam sebelas kali pilihan raya umum sebelumnya. Phahrolrazi yang juga timbalan pesuruhjaya I PAS Kedah dan yang dipertua PAS Kuala Kedah dilihat berada dalam kedudukan terbaik bagi mengambil alih teraju pemerintahan negeri berdasarkan hirarkinya itu. Amiruddin, 49, adalah ADUN Anak Bukit yang memegang portfolio jawatankuasa industri dan pelaburan, pertanian dan industri asas tani, bioteknologi, pembangunan luar bandar dan basmi kemiskinan. Di peringkat PAS negeri, beliau - yang juga seorang jurutera dalam bidang sivil - memegang jawatan bendahari. Perkembangan baru ini dilihat susulan masalah kesihatan yang dialami Azizan sehingga dikatakan tidak dapat memfokuskan kepada pentadbiran kerajaan negeri. Manakala Mohamad Taulan pula adalah ADUN Tokai, memegang portfolio jawatankuasa agama, pelajaran dan koperasi. Beliau juga seorang peguam, ahli jawatankuasa perhubungan PAS Kedah dan yang dipertua PAS Pendang. Pada 1 Ogos lalu, Azizan (kanan) dimasukkan ke Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) di Kuala Lumpur selama 15 hari bagi mendapatkan rawatan kesihatan dan pemeriksaan jantung. Bagaimanapun, ketika isu itu mengejutkan banyak pihak di kala sambutan Aidilfitri, Azizan muncul bertenaga menolak cadangan supaya jawatannya diberikan kepada pemimpin lain atau diwujudkan jawatan timbalan menteri besar. Beliau juga dilapor menegaskan beliau berada dalam keadaan lebih sihat dan mampu menjalankan tanggungjawabnya mengurus negeri dengan sempurna selepas menuruti nasihat doktor supaya berehat. Bagaimanapun, tiada maklumat sama ada PAS di peringkat pusat sudah membincangkan soal penggantian itu. Setakat awal bulan ini, perkara itu, menurut Ketua Penerangannya Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, tidak dibincangkan. Cukup dua minggu selepas Azizan dibenarkan keluar wad, kontroversi sekitar kedudukan Azizan meletus apabila sebuah harian berbahasa Inggeris melaporkan kepimpinan PAS sedang mengatur langkah bagi menggantikannya.

Zaki akhiri khidmat sebagai ketua hakim negara hari ini Posted: 09 Sep 2011 08:01 AM PDT Tepat jam 5.09 petang ini, Ketua Hakim Negara Tun Zaki Tun Azmi mengetip kad perakam waktu terakhir perkhidmatannya sebagai pegawai tertinggi Badan Kehakiman negara di Istana Kehakiman di Putrajaya. Beliau mencapai umur persaraan wajib 66 tahun Isnin ini. Terdahulu, majlis perpisahan dan memotong kek sempena sambutan harijadi beliau turut dianjurkan oleh warga kerja Pejabat Ketua Pendaftar Mahkamah Persekutuan. Beliau yang diiringi isterinya Toh Puan Nik Sazlina Mohd Zain mengucapkan salam perpisahan kepada lebih 500 warga kerja pejabat itu termasuk hakim-hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan dan Mahkamah Rayuan. Menggantikan Zaki ialah Hakim Besar Malaya, Tan Sri Ariffin Zakaria, berkuatkuasa Isnin ini. Dalam ucapannya, Zaki berterima kasih kepada semua warga kehakiman yang telah menyumbang kepada peningkatan reputasi badan kehakiman negara. Dalam sebuah negara demokrasi, katanya, mahkamah merupakan organ kerajaan yang penting dan martabat sesebuah negara itu akan terjejas sekiranya mahkamahnya tidak berfungsi dengan baik. "Pembaharuan-pembaharuan yang telah kita lakukan baru-baru ini telah meningkatkan martabat negara kita. "Proses-proses, pembaharuan serta membaik pulih badan kehakiman kita adalah hasil usaha seluruh warga kehakiman negara...kejayaan ini adalah hasil usaha serta dedikasi seluruh warga badan kehakiman negara. "Kenangan saya yang paling berharga adalah hadirin semua yang telah menyumbang dan berkhidmat kepada Badan Kehakiman Negara kita. Saya sangat terharu dengan sokongan semua pihak," katanya. Zaki turut menyarankan semua warga kehakiman terus memberikan komitmen kepada Ketua Hakim Negara yang baru. "Saya berharap anda semua melihat kerja anda sebagai suatu amal kebaikan yang akan dibalas suatu hari nanti dan bukan semata-mata untuk mendapatkan ganjaran dalam bentuk material," katanya. Sambil menceritakan kenangan manis ketika bertugas sebagai Ketua Hakim Negara, Zaki berkata antaranya ialah "seronok duduk di Putrajaya yang tiada mat rempit bawa motor laju-laju". - Bernama

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Tak berhemah atau jalan bermasalah? Posted: 09 Sep 2011 12:11 AM PDT Lajnah Pengguna dan Alam Sekitar Dewan Pemuda PAS Malaysia (LaPAS) melahirkan rasa kesal dan bimbang ekoran peningkatan kadar kemalangan khususnya yang melibatkan kematian dalam Ops Sikap ke 24 yang berakhir pada 7 September 2011 yang lalu. Difahamkan Ops Sikap ke-24 adalah yang terburuk sejak Ops Sikap dilancarkan 11 tahun yang lalu. Ops Sikap ke-24 mencatatkan mencatatkan 259 kemalangan maut dengan 289 kematian. Keseluruhannya sebanyak 19,462 kemalangan dicatatkan dalam Ops Sikap Ke-24 iaitu meningkat 2,645 kes (15.7 peratus) berbanding sebelum ini. Penunggang dan pembonceng motosikal adalah mangsa tertinggi dengan kadar kemalangan maut dan kematian berjumlah 178 kes (61.6 peratus) daripada 289 kematian yang direkodkan iaitu meningkat 35 kes (24.5 peratus). LaPAS mempersoalkan keberkesanan Ops Sikap kali ini gagal membendung kemalangan khususnya yang melibatkan kemalangan maut. Meskipun pelbagai usaha dan kempen dibuat, namun kadar kemalangan terus meningkat. Faktor sikap pemandu dan pengguna jalan raya sendiri apabila memandu dalam keadaan cuai, letih, tertidur, mengekori kenderaan lain terlalu rapat dan leka menjadi sebab utama kemalangan terus meningkat. Dalam hal ini, sesuatu tindakan drastik perlu dikenalpasti dan dilaksanakan agar kemalangan jalan raya dapat dikurangkan. Antaranya LaPAS menyokong usaha penjenamaan semula Ops Sikap yang dilihat agak ketinggalan dan kurang berkesan. Selain itu, antara tindakan yang berkesan adalah dengan melicinkan perjalanan trafik di jalan-jalan raya. Antara sebab pemandu letih adalah kerana kerana faktor kesesakan jalan raya yang membosankan dan meletihkan. Dengan jumlah kenderaan yang banyak, dengan suasana yang panas dan tidak selesa sudah tentu pemandu menjadi hilang sabar, marah, tekanan perasaan, serta mengantuk. Kesannya pemandu memilih untuk menggunakan jalan alternatif walaupun ianya jauh dan merbahaya. Di musim perayaan seperti Aidilfitri ini pula, R&R sepanjang lebuhraya biasanya sesak dengan pengunjung. Ramai pemandu terpaksa meneruskan perjalanan dalam keadaan mengantuk kerana gagal untuk berhenti di R&R ekoran terlalu ramai orang. Justeru LaPAS mengharapkan kerajaan dan syarikat konsesi tol memperbanyakkan lagi R&R di lebuhraya bagi keselesaan pemandu. Selain itu, jalan di kawasan perbandaran juga perlu disediakan kawasan R&R bagi kemudahan pemandu. Pemandu biasanya tidak ada alternatif selain bersekang mata yang keletihan kerana tidak ada tempat persinggahan untuk rehat di jalan selain lebuhraya. Selain itu, faktor jalan raya seperti seperti selekoh tajam, jalan berlubang, tidak rata, tidak jelas papan tanda serta ketiadaan lampu jalan antara sebab berlakunya kemalangan jalan raya. Jalan di kawasan kampung ketika waktu malam amat gelap dan berbahaya. Keadaan ini lebih mengundang bahaya terutama di waktu hujan. LaPAS mengharapkan antara langkah keselamatan ialah mengadakan lampu jalan bagi menerangi jalan-jalan kawasan di luar bandar serta di kawasan selekoh berbahaya. Banyak lagi faktor dilihat sebagai punca kemalangan jalan raya dan banyak perkara boleh diperbaiki bagi mengatasi masalah ini. LaPAS percaya antara cadangan yang dikemukakan ini, jika dilaksanakan dengan segera mampu membendung kemalangan di jalan raya, Insyaallah. Takziah kepada mereka yang terkorban di dalam kemalangan dan Al Fatihah LaPAS sedekahkan bagi mereka yang beragama Islam. Semoga Allah swt mengampuni dosa-dosa mereka dan meletakkan roh mereka dikalangan orang-orang beriman. Al Fatihah. Nota: Penulis adalah pengerusi Lajnah Pengguna dan Alam Sekitar, Dewan pemuda PAS Malaysia.

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Penang's E-Spice project 'win win' for whom? Posted: 09 Sep 2011 03:42 AM PDT The Residents' Association of Bandar Bayan Baru (RABB) refers with deep concern to the announcement that the signing of the concession to build the E-Spice by the state government yesterday. The people of the Bayan Baru township ultimately want the state and MPPP to look into and resolve the existing traffic flow and issue. Day in day out, we face traffic jams in and out of the Bayan Lepas FIZ areas and our township is affected as well. Many vehicles jammed through our township back and forth the FIZ areas during peak periods and when there are big events held at PISA. Our Association is also proposing a Metropolitan Park for public recreation and activities. Many of the open land space is being rapidly developed to make way for projects like Bayan City (which includes Jaya Jusco), Quarter Mile, The One Residence and so soon the Sungai Nibong Kecil squatter village. The infrastructure development needs to be sustainable. Gas emissions from thousands of vehicles to international conventions at E-Spice would adversely impact our environment and quality of life. Land area here is scarce, where would all the cars be parked? Worse there has not even been a proper feasibility study, a traffic impact study nor an EIA study done up nor a proper dialogues with the local residents done up till now. So, why is MPPP and the state so adamant to push this project through? This concession deal has been inked between MPPP and Eco Meridian Sdn Bhd (EMSB), a wholly owned subsidiary of SP Setia to undertake this project since August 19, 2011. That was some three weeks ago and the press only received wind of this news a couple of days ago. The discreetness in announcing this deal surely raises plenty of eyebrows. This comes hot on the heels after revelations at a closed door dialogue earlier this year on the project that SP Setia Bhd, which is financing the bulk of the construction cost, will be allowed to build an extra 1,500 houses in the various projects it is undertaking within the island of Penang. True enough, this criteria was inked in this deal, "over and above the maximum permissible density". The state government's decision to give such a major concession to the developer has set alarm bells ringing with questions raised if the move will set a dangerous precedent which may come back and haunt Penangites later. Is this in line with the state's motto of 'Competency, Accountability, Transparency'? Our Association also call upon the state to reveal at least five guaranteed world class projects and their respective revenue potential coming to E-Spice that it is capable of drawing in to Penangites. That way, Penangites would be able to gauge themselves the economic viability and ROI of E-Spice. Then again, why not upgrade and refurbish the existing PISA infrastructure and sporting facilities into a world class facility to cater world class events? The anticipated cost of this project to the developer will be RM300 million (which includes upgrade and refurbishment of PISA). Despite the costs, SP Setia Group will potentially earn even more from this deal. Income generated through the hotel and the E-SPICE rental can easily be in the millions of ringgit. SP Setia is allowed an extra 1,500 residential units. Now we know SP Setia homes are well known to be of quality homes. Therefore, let's do simple accounting example here (not taking into account the potential population density, traffic jams, environmental impact these 'extra' homes are bound to create) : Out of which: 10% are low-cost housing flats at 150 units (10%) x RM70,000 per unit = RM10.5 million 40% are medium housing condo at 600 units (40%) x RM400,000 per unit = RM240 million 40% are 3-storey landed houses at 600 units (40%) x RM1.4 million = RM840 million 10% are high-end 3-storey penthouses at 150 units (10%) x RM2 million = RM300 million The potential total revenue is at a total of RM1.39 billion! Minus building material, labour and the RM313.7 million etc. there is still quite a fair share. Clause 7 of the concession says that a site within PISA for a hotel to be built is to be sold to the developer for RM13.7 million (based on an agreed price of RM100 per square feet) and leased for 99 years. Potentially this hotel also another huge money churner for the developer. Not to mention the rental collected from the F&B outlets within at E-Spice. The people of Bandar Bayan Baru and those staying close and around to PISA deserve better – they want the existing traffic woes to be resolved, not for more traffic to be brought in. They want a better quality of live and a sustainable township and a proper Metropolitan Park, not a 'rooftop park' within the busy traffic swirling around the E-Spice Complex. Have bicycle lanes, build friendlier pedestrian sidewalks etc. We also invite the officials from the state and MPPP to come and view themselves the traffic congestion and parking issues whenever a big Northern region local fair such PIKOM PC Fair, Matta Fair, International Artistes Concerts etc. are held. Put yourselves in our shoes first. A proper dialogue with the local township community here should have been held if the state and MPPP were serious about listening to the local people. Apparently, the state and MPPP have jumped the gun over and over again in making decisions on E-Spice. Is this a win-win situation for the community in this township or a win-win for the few? Chan Kim Beng is honorary secretary of the Residents' Association of Bandar Bayan Baru (RABB).

When will Indian debate rise above politicking? Posted: 09 Sep 2011 03:24 AM PDT I read with great interest the article entitled 'Ramasamy snubs forum, wants debate with Najib' on September 7. I admit his decision not to be part of the publicity mongering stunt by BN and its honchos, is admirable. Prof Ramasamy has made some significant contributions to the study of Malaysian Indians in his wonderful academic treatises, however his impact has not been as significant in politics. Judging from the lack of proactive policies which have been implemented in Pakatan states for a marginalised community, there seems to be little interest to address the legitimate grouses of ethnic Indians in this country. The thing is when does the Indian debate rise beyond the petty dialectics of minor politicians vying for a little umbrage of power? When will these ethnic representatives be worthy of a debate on rights and social justice? To be statesmen, they need to be able to shake off their petty egos so that they may elevate the struggle to one beyond ethnicity and appeasing their political masters. The case in point would be the MIC leaders who have long toed the line in return for two ministerial positions which benefits the politically privileged in MIC and not the community. It is timely to move beyond racial chauvinism and deal with real issues facing the community. Has there been an independent study conducted to understand poverty among Indians? Do we know the root causes of poverty amongst them? Why plantation workers have been demanding rightfully for an increase in wages for the past 53 years, despite having GLCs for employers? Do we have affirmative action for economically and socially marginalised groups regardless of their ethnicity? And I am not talking about the New Economic Policy which has benefited a minority of wealthy relatives of the ruling elite. It is timely for Indians to reflect on the realities of living in a nation that has forgotten their toil and sacrifice. They need become independent of leaders whose representational politics erodes the bargaining position of the community. The next GE will bring these wolves at our doors demanding for votes with empty bags of promises. We need to be able to see through this charade. The community needs to rise above chauvinism and start using the language of rights, demand for social justice and due recognition for their contributions to this nation.

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Majlis prof: Gerakan kiri bukan perjuangan merdeka Posted: 08 Sep 2011 10:12 PM PDT Majlis Profesor Negara (MPN) hari ini menegaskan bahawa perjuangan gerakan politik kiri, termasuk komunis bukan perjuangan kemerdekaan di Tanah Melayu. Sebaliknya ia dianggap "penderhakaan" kerana didakwa mahu menghapuskan kuasa-kuasa Melayu di Tanah Melayu dan mahu menubuhkan kerajaan republik. "Pada tahun 1930, Parti Komunis Malaya ditubuhkan di Singapura. Mereka menubuhkan Republik Demokratik Rakyat Malaya yang berkait dengan (fahaman) komunis. "Cita-cita komunis tidak membebaskan Tanah Melayu daripada pentadbiran British yang dipersetujui oleh Raja-raja Melayu. "Nasionalis (Melayu) yang ingin bersekongkol, bekerjasama dan bersubahat dengan komunis untuk menjadikan negeri republik komunis. "Kita tidak menerima perjuangan mereka kerana mahu merampas kuasa secara tidak sah dan tidak legitimate," kata sejarahwan Profesor Datuk Dr Zainal Kling dalam sidang media di Putrajaya pagi ini. Sementara itu, kenyataan MPN yang diedarkan menyebut, perjuangan kiri tidak diiktiraf sebagai perjuangan kemerdekaan kerana berhasrat membawa Tanah Melayu menyertai projek Indonesia Raya. Katanya, penentangan komunis terhadap Jepun pada awalnya - melalui Tentera Anti-Jepun Penduduk Tanah Melayu (MPAJA) - pula dibuat kerana "amat marah dan malu" atas penaklukan Jepun terhadap China pada tahun 1937 hingga 1945. "Mereka tidak berjuang demi kebebasan Tanah Melayu atau menegakkan negeri Melayu," kenyataan itu dipetik.

Khairy mahu 'bos' batal cukai prabayar Posted: 08 Sep 2011 09:22 PM PDT Pengenalan cukai perkhidmatan 6 peratus ke atas pembelian tambah-nilai prabayar dan pek atau kad SIM prabayar, telah menyatukan ahli politik muda dari parti kerajaan dan pembangkang yang sama-sama membantah langkah itu. Selepas pengumumannya semalam, ketua Pemuda Umno dan BN, Khairy Jamaluddin adalah antara orang pertama yang secara terbuka menyuarakan bantahannya kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak. "Boss @NajibRazak, tax kepada pengguna pre-paid satu keputusan yang tidak munasabah & bebankan rakyat. Saya bantah. Pohon dibatalkan," tulis Khairy di Twitternya malam tadi. Satu kenyataan bersama syarikat telekomunikasi Malaysia semalam, mengumumkan pengenalan cukai tersebut, berkuatkuasa 15 September. Ini bermakna, pelanggan yang membeli kad prabayar bernilai RM10 perlu membayar RM10.60. Syarikat telekomunikasi menyifatkannya sebagai cukai perbelanjaan dan dikenakan kepada pengguna, seperti yang termaktub dalam Undang-undang Cukai Perkhidmatan. Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), sebuah NGO yang diketuai pemimpin PKR, Badrul Hisham Shaharin, atau lebih dikenali sebagai Chegubard, menyertai Khairy membantah cukai baru itu. Mereka berdua dianggap sebagai musuh politik kerana Chegubard bertanding menentang Khairy di kerusi parlimen Jelebu dalam pilihan raya umum lalu. SAMM mengingatkan kerajaan bahawa sebahagian besar pengguna mudah alih prabayar adalah dari golongan berpendapatan rendah, termasuk pekerja kilang dan pelajar. Katanya, mengenakan cukai cukai 6 peratus cukai itu menunjukkan kerajaan hanya melindungi badan korporat dan syarikat telekomunikasi, dengan memindahkan bebannya kepada pengguna walaupun syarikat berkenaan membuat keuntungan setiap tahun. Dalam kenyataan, SAMM mendakwa kerajaan 'tunduk' kepada gergasi korporat dengan tujuan untuk memperkayakan mereka tanpa mengambil kira masalah kepada pengguna. Sehubungan SAMM menggesa rakyat supaya menolak kerajaan persekutuan, sekiranya ia meneruskan dasar-dasar yang membebankan mereka. Bagaimanapun, pandangan Khairy tidak dikongsi oleh rakannya, ahli parlimen Kota Belud, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan. Dalam Twitternya, Abdul Rahman melihat cukai tersebut sebagai sumbangan kepada ekonomi negara oleh pengguna prabayar. Katanya, kali ini giliran pengguna prabayar pula untuk menyumbang kepada pembangunan negara. [Baca berita penuh]

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Speaker should be impartial Posted: 08 Sep 2011 02:01 AM PDT DAP Sabah is saddened to see that the office of the state assembly speaker has been politicised. The speaker by convention should be neutral so that any business of the assembly will be impartially managed. Unfortunately Speaker Salleh Tun Said Keruak has placed himself in a disrespectable position by recently questioning the absence of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leaders at the chief minister's and state cabinet's Hari Raya open house in Likas. We all know that Salleh is the deputy Sabah Umno liaison chief and his appointment as speaker is already inappropriate. While the people have refrained from questioning his appointment, it is regrettable that he chose to "aggravate" his position by unnecessarily highlighting LDP's absence at the Hari Raya function. DAP Sabah asks when did Salleh become the BN whip in the assembly? Sabahans are well aware of the internal problems in Umno and within the BN family. It looks like Salleh has now magnified the internal squabble between leaders in Umno and at the same time, dragged LDP into the fray. Dr Edwin Bosi is secretary for DAP Sabah.

Controversy over forum not justified Posted: 08 Sep 2011 12:56 AM PDT I write to clarify some of the wild emails and even press reviews in recent times on my role and the Malaysian Indian Business Association's (Miba) in the Sept 11 Forum on 13th General Elections and the Indian Community. Is this programme a debate between BN and PKR? The organisers and I never described it as a debate. It was a media article that presented it as so. In terms of the forum write up, it's a meeting of minds on political issues and how Indians should position themselves as their vote is significant. The programme arranged into six different panels so even political parties are in different panels. Discussion is not just among the political parties. Why an engagement only among Indians? Some have said this forum is dividing the community and the discussion should not be among Indians but should be between Indians and Umno. Different forums can have different objectives. Here we want an engagement among Malaysian Indians from across the political divide, civil society, business community and academic to share their views. Basically as the program indicates, we wanted especially political parties and politicians to state - What was promised at the 2008 GE? - What have they achieved between 2008 to 2011? - What are gaps? - What do they promise to do if elected for another term? Different individuals are holding political positions at federal, state and local governments. Within their capabilities what are they able to share of their achievements and success, struggles and challenges, hopes and dreams. Therefore opportunity is provided to political representatives, civil society as well as business and the academic community. Therefore this is an engagement amongst the Indian community to reposition their political views, give stock and also set a tone for the 13th general elections. What do we expect from aspiring candidates? Who should we support from with the Indian community and also from other communities? There is therefore value in discussing with the community as well as value across the community with other communities. This forum is focused on a discussion from within the community on the matters for the 13th general elections. Thus far, no one has organised such a gathering and there is a need to engage among ourselves especially across the political divide on common issues of concern. Is BN, MIC behind this forum? This forum was a thought I had after a number of us hosted a discussion among academics on political leadership and the Indian community at UKM on July 21, 2011. I moderated the discussion and the four presenters were non-Indians (Ben from Merdeka Centre, Dr Ong from UCSI, Prof Mansor and Teo from UKM). The criticism at that forum was why non-Indian academics are working on Indian issues. Arising from there, I raised with P Sivakumar of Miba that if his organisation will host a public forum, I will write the framework paper. He agreed and invitations were set out. There is no higher human hand at work. My friends from the BN feel that this was very anti-MIC/BN due to the proposed line up of speakers. On the other side, individuals seem to have a view that this is an Umno created, pro BN-MIC event and what right do these chaps have to organise such a forum. My feeling is that anyone can organise programmes and it is up to people to decide if there is value in it, worth making a monetary contribution, and participating. If one feels another view, they have the freedom not to participate. However we encourage as many from different viewpoints to engage with one another. We have a good cross section of speakers who have agreed to come - some politicians, some from business community, some academic and others from civil society. We hope we can have a very fruitful discussion and the findings will be published and circulated. It is an open forum and the media have been invited to participate too. Should the forum be focused on engaging Umno? It is a good suggestion and people who feel so could organise it. If it emerges as one area for follow up from the Sept 11, 2011 forum, we could consider engaging leaders of political parties. Was Dr P Ramasamy and others officially invited? We invited leaders from MIC, PPP, Gerakan, DAP, PKR, PSM. Also a number of civil society leaders like P Uthayakumar, R Kengadharam, V Ganabathirau, Ambiga Sreenevasan and Ivy Josiah. These individuals have written and shared their views on many Indian and national issues. We felt that their views are also important. However they all turned down the invitation for different reasons. Between Sivakumar and I we divided the responsibility to invite the proposed speakers. Yes Sivakumar contacted Dr P Ramasamy. Yes he had indicated he can't make it. G Palanivel too had not confirmed. The program which was circulated had indicated that a number (including Ramasamy and Palanivel) were "invited but still waiting for confirmation. However Tamil media had listed them with their photos. In the case of The Star write up, it was written such as the following were invited. We acknowledge that the following six moderators have confirmed: R. Navaratnam (CPPS-ASLI), Arjit Singh (Former Asean Sec Gen), Ragunath Kesavan (Former Bar Council Chair), Prof CP Ramanchandran (Former UPM), Dr S Sivamoorthy (Miba) & Prof KS Nathan (UKM). Ten speakers have confirmed - Dr Denison Jayasooria (UKM), Prof NS Rajendran (UPSI), Murugesan (MIC), Dr Xavier Jayakumar (PKR), K Arumugam (Suaram), Mr S Paspuathi (Tamil Foundation), P Sivakumar (Miba), Pardip Kumar (Paradise), Kumeresan (Builders Association), Siva Subramanium (Proham/Former Suhakam), Michael Jeyakumar (PSM), R Sivarasa (PKR) and Prof Terence Gomez (UM). We awaiting confirmation from two more. ]Why charge RM100? Basically this is to cover the cost. Instead of asking a government sponsor or private sponsor, Miba decided that every one participating could contribute to cover the two teas and I lunch and contribute towards the rental of the meeting room. Menara PKNS (15th floor) is charging RM75.00 per person (for meals and use of facilities). The addition RM25 is to cover other overhead costs. It is really sad that many have made a big issue of this. Miba will give a breakdown of registration fees and expenses and make this public to avoid further doubt of this matter. Why should Miba or Denison organise this program? This is a democratic country. All have the freedom to organise forums and discussions. Others could have but none did. We had the thought of bringing Indian political leaders and others for an engagement. We have extended invitations to a cross section of people. Those who are unhappy also have a right to participate or not. It is unfortunate that so many wild accusations are being flung on Miba, Sivakumar and myself without seeking clarification or proper understanding. Anyway this is part of challenges we face in public life but let's try and move on. Would anything come out of this forum? We are really hoping there would. And arising out of the discussions we can follow through some of the specific concerns especially those pertaining to 13th general elections. Dr Denison Jayasooria is the Principal Research Fellow of the Institute of Ethnic Studies UKM

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Laporan: Kabinet setuju guna dakwat kekal Posted: 07 Sep 2011 09:51 PM PDT Kabinet telah bersetuju untuk menggunakan dakwat kekal dalam pilihan raya umum akan datang, demikian menurut laporan sebuah akhbar bahasa Cina. Bagaimanapun, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz mendakwa beliau tidak tahu menahu mengenai keputusan seumpama itu. Memetik sumber, laporan akhbar Sin Chew Daily hari ini menyebut, keputusan itu dibuat dalam mesyuarat Kabinet semalam. Laporan itu berkata kabinet berpandangan dakwat kekal lebih sesuai, berbanding sistem biometrik yang dicadangkan oleh Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR), dan telah diguna dengan jayanya oleh beberapa negara untuk menghindari pengundian berganda. Ketika dihubungi hari ini, Nazri berkata: "Saya juga tak tahu." Beliau menjelaskan bahawa keputusan kabinet adalah untuk menyerahkan kepada Jawatankuasa Khas Pilihan Raya memutuskan semua isu yang berkaitan dengan reformasi pilihan raya. Sebelum ini, Nazri memberitahu Malaysiakini bahawa semua cadangan berhubung reformasi pilihan raya perlu dibincang dan diputuskan oleh jawatankuasa khas berkenaan. Jawatankuasa khas itu yang akan dibentuk dalam sidang parlimen akan datang - mulai 3 Oktober ini - dicadangkan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak bulan lalu ekoran tekanan pembangkang dan pertubuhan sivil untuk reformasi sistem pilihan raya. Pembangkang masih belum memutuskan sama ada akan menyertai jawatankuasa khas itu, dan mendakwa Najib gagal menunjukkan komitmennya untuk reformasi pilihan raya. [Baca berita penuh]

Istana: Cukai jalan kereta bekas Sultan hal SPRM-JPJ Posted: 07 Sep 2011 09:35 PM PDT Ketua Istiadat Istana Kelantan, Datuk Abdul Halim Hamad berkata isu melibatkan pembaharuan cukai jalan untuk kenderaan milik bekas Sultan Kelantan, Sultan Ismail Petra merupakan hal di antara pelanggan berkenaan dengan Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan. Namun, memandangkan Adinda Sultan Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra telah membuat laporan kepada Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia, perkara berkenaan kini "di antara SPRM dengan JPJ," katanya lagi. "Tuanku dulu sihat, jadi mungkin tuanku sendiri boleh uruskan semasa tuanku masih jadi Sultan. Tapi sekarang ini mungkin ada prosedur yang JPJ perlu tengok," katanya lagi ketika dihubungi Malaysiakini hari ini. Mengulas dakwaan Tengku Muhammad Fakhry sebelum ini bahawa terdapat unsur sabotaj sehingga menyebabkan cukai jalan bagi empat buah kereta berkenaan tidak dapat diperbaharui, Abdul Halim berkata pihaknya tidak mengetahui perkara itu. "Perkara itu dilapor kepada SPRM sekarang, jadi SPRM yang kena siasat. Pejabat kita tidak ada maklumat," katanya lagi. Mengulas lanjut, Abdul Halim berkata kenderaan berkenaan tidak pernah berdepan masalah seperti itu ketika Sultan Ismail Petra masih menjadi Sultan Kelantan. "Saya rasa dulu taklah timbul hal-hal cukai jalan ini dengan JPJ. Saya rasa JPJ ada peraturan yang perlu dipatuhi bila hendak daftar. "Tuanku dulu sihat, jadi mungkin tuanku uruskan sendiri. Kalau dulu tuanku jadi sultan mungkin ada prosedur (tertentu) yang perlu dipatuhi. "(Dari segi) prosedur kena patuhi dokumen dan benda yang disenarai. Mungkin benda itu mesti diteliti," katanya lagi. [Berita penuh menyusul]

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Gov't must share responsibility for road deaths Posted: 07 Sep 2011 02:20 AM PDT I am saddened by a statement from the director general of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), Dr Wong Shaw Voon, that the failure of the 24th Ops Sikap this Hari Raya festive season was due to poor cooperation from road users. While I generally do not discount the fact that the road users are responsible for their own safety and others, it is not right for Wong to conveniently blame road users alone. They are various factors that contribute to fatal road accidents. As a director general of a public funded road safety research institute, he should know better what causes the failure of the road safety campaign during the festive seasons. The increasing number unsafe vehicles like small-engined motorcycles and cars, poorly maintained roads, and lack of enforcement by the traffic authorities are equally significant in contributing to road accidents. If the government is so serious about preventing the loss of lives, Miros should learn from developed countries where their people have access to safer cars, and do research to prove that our cars are not as safe, and not otherwise. Ironically, Miros crash test has rated a locally produced MPV with four stars for safety, which I believe to be way too generous. If a locally made car can be given four stars for safety, perhaps BMW or Mercedes should earn twenty stars. Then, the government should abolish the illogical and implausible tax structures for cars to allow its citizen to own safer cars. Would anyone believe that Proton and Perodua is as safe as Honda or Toyota? The fact that most motorcyclists are the majority of victims shows that the machine is not safe. Therefore, something need to be done urgently such as shifting them to public transport, which has to be made cheap and efficient, or allowing them to own safe cars by reducing prices to the world standard. Malaysian roads are another potential killer. To tell the state of roads in Malaysia needs no sophisticated research. The absence of lights, the disappearance of road markers, the presence of potholes and objects on the roads have often resulted in accidents among innocent roads users. Besides, the design of the roads in our cramped public space leaves much to be desired. Can Miros and other relevant agencies sit down and work on this out? Research alone won't solve the problem without any follow up action. Last but not least, enforcement is vital to ensure the success of the road safety campaigns. It is hard to believe that despite the harsh penalties, Malaysian drivers still have no respect for the law. I'm sure that this would not have happened if the enforcement comes with integrity. Google or YouTube 'polis rasuah' and you'll know what I'm talking about. Without proper enforcement, people will continue with their behaviour, and the campaign will have no effect but a waste of public money. Let's admit that road users are not the only ones to be blamed. Better road maintenance and better vehicles, and better coordination among players and stakeholders in the road fraternity are vital in ensuring transformation towards safer roads. Conveniently blaming the road users for a campaign failure is certainly not the way forward, especially when the statement came from the director-general of road safety research institute. The transformation for safer roads would only be possible with political will. To change the behaviour of road users may be difficult and take a long time but to improve the infrastructures, provide safer vehicles and efficient public transport for rakyat are nothing impossible. The government, too, must be responsible for the increasing number of road deaths.

Treat domestic workers right - or they won't come Posted: 07 Sep 2011 01:38 AM PDT The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Indonesia and Malaysia on the May 30th was supposed to signal another wave of recruitment of domestic workers from Indonesia to Malaysia. Three months later, recruitment agencies and the Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa) are crying out for the prime minister to intervene on the apparent continued moratorium by Indonesia, which Papa claims has left 35,000 families desperately waiting for domestic workers. An official from the Indonesian Embassy, however, states that there isn't a moratorium in place - Indonesian women simply do not want to work as domestic workers in Malaysia. It is now for us to ask ourselves - do we have safe and sustainable migration policies in place, and legal frameworks to safeguard the rights of domestic workers in Malaysia? The MoU signed three months ago with Indonesia does not protect the rights of the domestic worker to Malaysia. The Employment Act does not recognise her as a worker but as a servant. This non-recognition opens the gate to exploitation. The right to a day off in a week is vague in the MoU as it also states that a worker can instead choose to be paid for overtime wages, without any means to account for what constitutes overtime and how this will be documented. Similarily, her other rights as a worker are not recognised, and no standard contract for work has been developed by the Human Resources Ministry. These omissions and commissions only reveal that the current policy and the MoU do not protect rights of the domestic worker and thus domestic workers and their families find that Malaysia is no longer a safe place to seek employment. Tenaganita's recent study on recruitment in Indonesia revealed that families do not want to send their daughters to Malaysia as their lives will be threatened. Every parent wants to ensure the safety of their children. Malaysia is seen as a dangerous place, especially for women and domestic workers. Recent media reports of domestic workers being locked away for nine days with little food, and found dead of severe abuse, only reinforce this belief. Malaysia's response, however, to these systematic violations of rights has been one of arrogance. In The Star newspaper on Sept 6, labour director general Sheikh Yahya Sheikh Mohamed stated: "We recruit maids from 11 other countries besides Indonesia. We are not desperate for maids. We can always hire from other countries if they don't lift the ban". The above statement smacks of arrogance of a person who believes that since we are "rich", we can move anywhere to recruit. The poor are vulnerable and thus can be cheated, exploited and abused. There is absolutely no soul searching from the government of the day to identify and address the root causes of these serious concerns faced by domestic workers and employers today. Unfortunately this is the glaring truth which we, in particular the government is denying and not taking effective steps to address it. The recent court judgement on the refugee swap deal between Australia and Malaysia, which was a slap on our policies and positions, should awaken us to change. Without ensuring the protection of rights of migrant workers, we cannot achieve sustainable employment. There is a global outcry which is now manifested in the ILO Convention on domestic workers. Malaysia voted against it. As nations move forward to develop sustainability, Malaysia slides back, moving towards exploitation and practices of slavery. Employers must realise that they can no longer expect cheap labor, demand an 18 hour work day and silence the migrant worker with the support of the state. The government can no longer sustain this form of modern day slavery manifested in domestic labour. There must be respect for the dignity of the person, decent work ensured and work out a due diligence of process from recruitment, employment and return. Dr Irene Fernandez is executive director of Tenaganita.

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