Explain ban on gathering at houses of worship, Abim tells PM

Explain ban on gathering at houses of worship, Abim tells PM
By G Manimaran
November 27, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 — The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) today urged Datuk Seri Najib Razak to explain his rationale behind banning peaceful assemblies at houses of worship under his administration’s newly proposed law.

Voicing its disapproval of the Peaceful Assembly Bill, scheduled to be debated in Parliament on Tuesday, the Muslim group said the prime minister must explain the clause in order to avoid any futures misunderstandings.

Under the proposed Bill, houses of worship and other premises, such as schools and petrol stations, have been classified as prohibited zones. Those found participating in a rally within a 50m-radius of these premises would be liable to fines of up to RM10,000.

“Abim views such provisions as contrary to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees citizens the right to assemble,” Abim president Abdul Manan said today.

He said the group also rejected other provisions in the Bill, which it claimed grants unbridled powers to the police to force unnecessary requirements on assembly organisers and make arbitrary arrests.

“Abim fears through those provisions, it may be open to abuse of power or discretion due to the absence of clear provisions to control and limit the power of the police in controlling and dispersing a rally,” Abdul Manan said, adding the bill was implemented deliberately to deny the rights of Malaysians.

He stressed that the freedom to assemble is a fundamental right of all Malaysians and that the government must show its commitment full-heartedly.

“Adequate space should be given to difference of opinion and criticisms. Indeed, any feedback from civil society institutions should not be perceived negatively,” Abdul Manan explained, adding that restrictions would only foster negative perceptions of the government.

“I fear if the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 is passed, it will only bring about negative implications to the government-people relationship as well as the democratic well-being of the country.”

It was reported today that the government will make seven changes to the Peaceful Assembly Bill including reducing the advance notice to be given to the OCPD by anyone organising a public assembly to 10 days instead of the proposed 30 days.

Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the Bill is to be tabled for second reading on Tuesday.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/explain-ban-on-gathering-at-houses-of-worship-abim-tells-pm

MRT Corp says land dispute may delay project to July 2017

MRT Corp says land dispute may delay project to July 2017
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
November 19, 2011

KAJANG, Nov 19 — On-going land acquisition issues may delay the completion of the RM40 billion Klang Valley Mass Rail Transit (KVMRT) by up to six months, Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid said today.

The MRT Corporation chief executive officer said that the public may need to wait until July 2017 for the project to be completed, adding that his company was still trying to meet the original 2016 deadline.

“This is, of course, a worst-case scenario. We add on about six months due to the existing land issue concerning Jalan Sultan, Bukit Bintang, Jalan Inai,” he told reporters here.



MRT Corp and traders from Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang have been quarrelling over the proposed acquisition of prime properties along both iconic streets to make way for the MRT’s Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line.

Earlier this month, Azhar (picture) declared the fight was close to an end as a majority of landowners had purportedly turned friendly to his proposal to resolve the dispute.

The Malaysian Insider understands that despite strong objection from some traders, lawyers are now drawing up agreements for MRT Corporation and a “majority” of landowners in Jalan Sultan, Jalan Inai and Bukit Bintang, with an aim to end the land acquisition squabbles by month’s end.

The Malaysian Insider learnt that “all landowners in Bukit Bintang and Jalan Inai” and a majority from Jalan Sultan, “save for three”, are now formulating “term sheets” detailing terms and conditions set by both parties to facilitate the construction of the MRT project.

“The discussions are still on-going, it is not settled yet, but we are talking about mutual agreement. Hopefully this can be settled by end of this year or January,” Azhar said when asked to state the progress of MRT Corp’s agreement talks with the traders.

He said the government could save a lot of money if it could avoid buying land in areas like Jalan Bukit Bintang.

“We want to avoid land acquisition. We just want to find ways to improve, impact your livelihood,” Azhar added, referring to the traders.

He said however that some landowners, especially traders from Jalan Bukit Bintang, have been very co-operative so far and have shown “willingness” to find a workable solution to the situation.

“We are grateful for their willingness to sacrifice and to discuss ways and means to work with us,” he said,

In the proposal for Jalan Sultan, he had promised to leave all properties and land rights untouched, on condition the traders agreed to vacate for six months during construction of the multibillion ringgit rail project.

He also pledged to compensate for any loss of business during the period, to avoid construction during Chinese New Year and to settle all legal fees involved in drafting the mutual agreements between MRT Corp and the traders.

For Bukit Bintang, the project owner had claimed that due to the tight work space, it would have no choice but to demolish 21 lots along the street to facilitate tunnelling work but promised to rebuild the properties “brick for brick” upon completion of the project and compensate the traders for any loss of business.

Azhar had previously admitted that several landowners were still hostile to his proposals but said for this “minority group”, MRT Corp would have to proceed with acquisition using provisions under section 8 of the Land Acquisition Act.

In response, the Committee for Preserving Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang, which claims to represent traders from both areas, accused Azhar of making “false and misleading” statements claiming most had agreed to vacate premises during the MRT’s construction in exchange for surface rights.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun had also joined the group in criticising Azhar, saying the latter was using “divide and conquer” to split the traders and wrangle an agreement in his favour.


http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/mrt-corp-says-land-dispute-may-delay-project-to-july-2017

DAP dissatisfied with temporary PPSMI fix

DAP dissatisfied with temporary PPSMI fix
By Debra Chong
November 07, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — The DAP wants the Education Ministry to decide once and for all its policy on the medium of instruction for mathematics and science in national schools to enhance the country’s future global competitiveness.

Party adviser Lim Kit Siang lauded today Putrajaya’s move to continue the teaching of maths and science in English — better known by its Malay acronym PPSMI — until the current batch of students complete their secondary school education, but warned that it was only a short-term fix.

“It is not a satisfactory long-term solution to address the problems of raising the standards of English, mathematics and science among our students so that Malaysia can enhance its international competitiveness with the rest of the world,” the Ipoh-Timur MP said in a statement.

Dr Marie Aimee Tourres, a senior research fellow in Universiti Malaya’s department of development studies, was reported as saying Malaysian graduates were less marketable than their regional peers due to a poor command of the English language.

“In Pakistan, although the people speak different dialects next to the Urdu language, their English is better than our graduates,” she was quoted as saying by English daily The Star.

Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was also reported as urging the government to be less fickle-minded on education policies to avoid troubling the younger generation.

Lim warned the ruling Barisan Nasional government that without a fully-planned permanent solution, the education policy is likely to come back and haunt it in future.

He said the ongoing row to replace PPSMI with a pro-Bahasa Malaysia policy was a result of the government’s headlong rush to introduce it to national schools in 2002.

He said that teachers, especially those in based in rural national schools, were ill-prepared to teach the two subjects in English.

The pro-English policy for maths and science was mooted by then-Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad towards the end of his term in 2003, to steer Malaysia forward on the path to innovation.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dap-dissatisfied-with-temporary-ppsmi-fix/

“Panas” Jika Dengar Azan : Susuk Kuat Solat

“Panas” Jika Dengar Azan : Susuk Kuat Solat

by Wanz Mejuez on November 18, 2011

Tubuh panas dengar azan

KUALA LUMPUR: “Niat saya hanya untuk mendalami agama dan melakukan ibadat. Tidak sangka pula jalan yang saya ambil bukan cara yang sebenarnya, sebaliknya memesongkan akidah,” kata Zaki, 34, yang memakai ‘susuk kuat sembahyang’ kira-kira setahun lalu, diperoleh daripada seorang individu mendakwa sebagai ustaz di Kelantan.

Menurutnya, dia ditemukan dengan lelaki itu oleh seorang rakan selepas mendengar cadangan daripada sahabatnya itu yang didakwa turut menggunakan susuk berkenaan.

Tambahnya, ustaz itu memasukkan serbuk campuran tertentu pada tapak kakinya, di bahagian belakang badan dan tapak tangan menggunakan bacaan tertentu seperti mantera yang sukar difahami kononnya untuk merawat hatinya yang dipenuhi dosa.

Katanya, selepas ustaz itu memasukkan serbuk campuran berkenaan, dia merasakan kelainan pada tubuh badannya dan setiap kali ingin menunaikan ibadat, dia berasakan seperti ada suara ghaib membisikkan ke telinganya supaya melakukan ibadat.

Zaki berkata, susuk itu juga mempunyai larangan tertentu yang perlu dipatuhi sepanjang tiga bulan pertama pemakaiannya, termasuk tidak boleh menjejakkan kaki di tanah perkuburan dan sekiranya dia tidak mematuhi syarat itu, ustaz terbabit mendakwa dia akan menghidap penyakit misteri yang sukar diubati

Sumber : http://www.hmetro.com.my

SEA Games 2011 – Football: Malaysia Drawn In Group of Death

SEA Games 2011 – Football: Malaysia Drawn In Group of Death

For SEA Games 2011 football event, Malaysia is drawn with Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. As BERNAMA reported, the draw was telecasted live by Indonesia’s Studio 4 RCTI.

For this campaign, Malaysia will play and attempt to defend the gold medal that they won 2 years ago with the games scheduled as follow:

vs Singapore (November 9)
vs Thailand (November 11)
vs Cambodia (November 15)
vs Indonesia (November 17)

My view? Looking at the sequence of matches, the dates and the gap between big matches, it will be very tough for Malaysian U-23 for this campaign. With high hopes to see Malaysia retaining the gold medal, this will certainly added more unnecessary pressure to the team.

In overview, I put the first two games critical to our chances. Perhaps playing Singapore on the first match is not that bad, but playing Thailand 2 days later can be vital to determine our chances to qualify for next round. If we manage to beat Singapore, then the pressure will be lesser of when we face Thailand 2 days after. Yet still, the fitness of our players will be tested big time. One can imagine if we lose to Singapore in the first game, extra pressure awaits in the Thailand game.

For me, Indonesian game is a lost cause. By that time, perhaps, it is clear to see who are about to qualify from the group stage. If not, Malaysia will be in big trouble and having enormous pressure from Malaysian and Indonesian fans.

Whatever it is, the Malaysian team have less than a month to prepare for the SEA games and defend the gold medal they won two years ago. Although the fixtures and the dates are not ideal, the boys have to prepare their very best.

As for me, of course I do hope Malaysia retain the gold medal. However, by looking at the schedule and the teams drawn together with Malaysia, I just wish Malaysia to perform well. In the event we lose, I hope the boys have shown their best performance and it should be due to the strength of the opponent team, not because our own clumsy and foolishness.

All the best to Malaysian team.

http://ondastreet.wordpress.com/2011/10/19/sea-games-2011-football-malaysia-drawn-in-group-of-death/

Ah Beng is BACK

Now that Malaysian schoolkids are going back to learning Math and Science in Malay, you can expect letters of this calibre in future.......

Dear Ah Lian

Thanks you for your letters. Wrong time no see you. How anything? For me, I am quiet find.
You say in your letter your taukeh soh want you to chain your face look? Somemore you
must wear high hill kick kok shoe, hope you can wok properly wit out felling over.
You know, Ah Kau Kia working start in a soft where company now. Last week, he take I,
Muthu & few of his junk friend to May Nonut to eat barger. After that he take we all go to
kalah ok.

Muthu sing and sing no stop until the sky bright. We so drown we no go toilet but pee pees
on the floor.

Next week, my father mother going to sellerbread 20 years Annie wear sari. My father mother
going to give a fist to all the kampong people. So you must come with your hole family. My
brother eye deer also to in white the kampong head.

I only hope one day we no need write you and send litters to you and to me. Better I e-meow
you, you e-meow me.

I will ketchup you soon. And when you got time, please few free call up to me. Good bye.....

Worm regret,
Ah Beng

PETRONAS and Shell Sign Heads of Agreement for New Enhanced Oil Recovery Production Sharing Contracts

PETRONAS and Shell Sign Heads of Agreement for New Enhanced Oil Recovery Production Sharing Contracts
11/11/2011
PETRONAS and Shell Malaysia today signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) for two 30-year production sharing contracts (PSCs) for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects offshore Sarawak and Sabah.

The HOA will see staged work activities and new investments from Shell and its joint venture partner PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB), to extend the life and increase the recovery factor of the Baram Delta (BDO) and North Sabah fields.

The improvement in the recovery efficiency of the oil fields may result in an additional 90 to 100 kboe/d of oil production and extend the field life to beyond 2040.

Peter Voser, Shell’s CEO, said: “This new agreement confirms Shell’s commitment to continue investing in Malaysia and its position as a heartland for Shell. The agreement also provides an opportunity to work together with PETRONAS on building local knowledge and capabilities in enhanced oil recovery.”

Shell Malaysia Chairman Anuar Taib added, “This development will positively impact Malaysia’s oil reserves and benefit the country as a whole, adding further value to the country’s upstream oil and gas industry. Shell, as a long term partner in Malaysia’s progress, is pleased to be able to continue contributing towards the national aspiration to become a high-income economy.”

The new agreement will build upon the existing BDO and North Sabah production sharing contracts, located offshore Sarawak and Sabah, respectively.

- End -
http://www.shell.com.my/home/content/mys/aboutshell/media_centre/news_and_media_releases/2011/petronas_shell_sign_hoa_for_eor_contracts_20111111.html

Promises not met

Promises not met
Submitted by shaza on Friday, November 11th, 2011


Opposition leader hits out at Selangor govt over failures
by Meena Lakshana

Friday, November 11th, 2011 10:46:00

SHAH ALAM: Selangor opposition leader Datuk Mohamad Satim Diman (pic) accused the State government yesterday of not fulfilling its promises to reform State administration, including its failure to uphold its open tender policy for government projects.

“Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had accused the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration of not being transparent, honest and responsible, handing out contracts to cronies, carrying out policies that are biased towards private companies and inefficiency at managing the State government’s expenditure,” he said in his debate on the Selangor Budget 2012.

“After three years and seven months of ruling the State, the talk has not matched the walk.”

Mohamad Satim claimed the four companies selected to helm the Klang River rehabilitation project — TSS-Mako Engineering Sdn Bhd, GJA Engineering and Construction, Wessex Water I-Bhd Consortium, and DPZ Asia — were chosen by Abdul Khalid without an open tender.

Furthermore, he said, although RM2 billion was allocated for the project, to be carried out in two to three years, and another RM2 billion for the cleaning and development of the river, the project had yet to be executed.

“Abdul Khalid also did not fulfill his pledge to abolish joint ventures and privatisation among State government linked companies (GLCs),” he said.

For example, the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) had signed a joint venture with Syarikat UAPE in a 30:70 per cent equity deal to develop the PKNS Science Park 1 on 9.06 ha in Kota Damansara.

Mohamad Satim also alleged PKNS had deviated from its purpose of providing affordable housing to poor people, saying the State subsidiary was more concerned about earning profits by pursuing mega projects.

“One such project is the proposal to redevelop the PKNS Sports Complex in Section 7, Kelana Jaya, into the Sports City, a sprawling mix-development project consisting of seven blocks of apartments, two blocks of office complexes and a block of business complex,” he said.

Describing PKNS as riddled by mismanagement, he said this was apparent in the fact that its general manager, Othman Omar, received RM1.4 million in combined wages and bonuses for 2009 and 2010.

“He received a five-month bonus amounting to RM22,000 in 2009 and a 17-month bonus amounting to RM280,000 in 2010,” he claimed, adding that Othman’s monthly wage was RM40,000.

Mohamed Satim said the monthly wage of the general manager under BN’s rule was only RM7,000 according to the pay scale of the Civil Service Department.

On the 2012 budget, Mohamad Satim said he doubted the Selangor government would be able to spend RM1.6 bilion without any additional allocations.

Open tender for Klang River project
THE four companies selected by Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim for the Klang River rehabilitation project are research companies, not the contractors for the project.

Political Secretary to the Menteri Besar Faekah Husin said yesterday the companies — TSSMako Engineering Sdn Bhd, GJA Engineering and Construction, Wessex Water I-Bhd Consortium, and DPZ Asia — were appointed as research consultants for the project.

She said this when asked by reporters to comment on the allegations by state Spposition leader Datuk Mohamad Satim Diman that the Selangor government failed to deliver promised reforms to State administration and that the four companies had been selected by Abdul Khalid to carry out the project without calling an open tender.

“Basically, they (the four companies) present ideas to us on how to conduct the project,” Faekah said at the adjournment of yesterday's sitting.

“They also present us with architectural models of how the area would be like after the project is completed."

Faekah said the state government had yet to decide on the actual contractor to helm the project and gave an assurance the appointment would be conducted through open tender.

The Klang River rehabilitation project, involving 29.13 ha with a gross development value of RM2 billion, is an initiative under Selangor’s economic stimulus package, aimed at offering many opportunities including new commercial, tourism and property development ventures.

The project includes river cleaning, development of new sources of drinking water, environmental protection, flood mitigation, commercial, tourism and land development activities.

The entire project is expected to take 15 years and to attract some RM50 billion worth of investments.
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/86056-promises-not-met

3 islands for sales in Malaysia

From the desk of Dr Tan Kee Kwong

From the desk of Dr Tan Kee Kwong.*

Dear Najib,
Salam. I read with great interest today papers about your comments. In it you were quoted that those who talk bad about Felda & called it bankrupt are to be regarded as traitors to the Nation.

The sad truth is that after you took charge of Felda in 2005, you turned what was a very successful organisation into a financial nightmare. In fact you are the traitor who has stolen the poor peneroka's money.
I am sure you know that for the next General Election, Felda schemes & their votes determine about 60 Federal Parliament Seats. From my feedback, many of the peneroka are boiling mad.
They have been exploited & taken for a ride.
If what you say is true & ALL the peneroka are so happy with the UMNO/BN government, why the sudden interest in the welfare of the peneroka,
Why the many cash handouts?
Please explain the following.
1. In 2001, the cash reserves of Felda was RM4.5 billion with ZERO borrowing. Recently your
Deputy Minister replied that the cash reserves has plunged to RM1.2 billion. This is
Despite the fact that for the past 3 years, the CPO price has been very high. If you have
Looked after Felda properly the cash reseves should now be at least RM8 billion.
2. New Felda HQ in KLCC.
Said to cost RM662 million, Explain how this six star building is going to help the poor
Peneroka, many of whom only get nett RM500 per month. Why a huge deposit of
RM235 million paid even before construction started? Why the decision was made at
A secret meeting in your DPM's office in Putrajaya without the knowledge or
Approval of the Felda board? Recently Ahmad Maslan siad this is a very good
Investment as it has already made paper profit of RM300 million. Pray how did he come
To this conclusion when the building is not even finished or sold!
3. Felda Global Ventures.
We know that Felda has invested at least RM3 billion on these projects. We also know
That since day one it has been losing money, in fact it has lost RM300 million.
Twin Rivers Project in USA , invested RM500 million
Cattle rearing project invested RM600 million
Since you say we are traitors, tell us in detail what has happened .
The peneroka in Felda Keratong near Segamat are laughing, the imported cattle for
The cattle project have to be kept in an air conditioned room 24 hours a day!
4. Why the need to borrow from EPF?
Before you started on Felda Global Ventures. Felda never borrowed from EPF.
Is this borrowing secure? To all the EPF contributors beware, your money is used
To finance many of these dubious schemes which Najib started
5. Skim Tabung tanam semula
In August this year I visited a Felda scheme near Kemaman
Talked to a peneroka who wants to sue Felda. He has been contributing to this fund
For past 17 years & has accumulated RM17,000. However when he replanted his old oil
Trees, he did not use the fund but used his own money instead. It has been 3 years now
Tried to get his OWN money back, but the Felda administration has refused so far.
Wonder why, if Felda is so well run & cash rich why can't even pay this poor peneroka
A paltry sum?
6. Felda settlers to camp outside Felda HQ.
In October this year, there was a report that many settlers were not happy with Felda for
Refusing to settle their replanting payments. So this case I quoted above is widespread
& happening in many. Many schemes round the country.
7. Oil palm fruit sent to Mill
In Felda Kemahang, Kelantan. Felda lost the case as it was proved that Felda was not
Paying the proper amount sent to mill. It was a landmark case. On appeal Felda lost the
Case. Soon after that you visited a scheme near Bahau. Instead of respecting the court's
Decision you made a silly remark like Felda will engage the best lawyers & fight all the
Remaining cases in court. Good for you, you will make mare peneroka angry with you!
I DARE YOU
1. Subject the whole of Felda to an independent audit & publish the findings.
2. Felda has 43 subsidiaries
Publish all their annual reports & subject them to an audit as well
*DR TAN KEE KWONG IS THE SON OF THE LATE TAN CHEE KHOON.
He was also a former Deputy Minister of Land and Cooperative Development.