Haniza Talha - Landscaping New Politics

Putrajaya does not belong to politicians, says Bersih 2.0
Khalid orders probe into cronyism claims against PKNS
MB Sokong “The Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang”, minta kaji bangunan 100 tingkat
Kupon air percuma untuk pangsapuri
Selangor menghantar bantuan kepada mangsa banjir Kedah

Putrajaya does not belong to politicians, says Bersih 2.0

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 06:21 PM PST

Source: The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Polls watchdog Bersih 2.0 has warned political parties not to claim Putrajaya as theirs as they start to gear up amid heated speculation of snap polls being held within the next six months.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders have frequently used the catchphrase "the road to Putrajaya" in their bid to ride on the political tsunami of Election 2008 that robbed Barisan Nasional (BN) of its customary two-thirds majority in Parliament.

"Putrajaya does not belong to any parties, but it belongs to the people of Malaysia," said Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan last night at the launch of the movement.

"We the people will decide who can administer Putrajaya," she told a 600-strong audience. Bersih 2.0 was launched yesterday as a civil society movement independent of any political parties in contrast to its inception in 2005 as Bersih that included non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and opposition parties.

Sim says the EC must show that it is an independent body.

Bersih had then held a massive demonstration in the city in November 2007, which was estimated to number some 40,000 people, to protest for clean and fair elections.

"Civil societies, that is us, now take over as Bersih 2.0 knowing that Bersih 1 was a tough act to follow," said Ambiga.

Bersih 2.0, led by human rights group National Human Rights Society (Hakam) and women's group Empower, is a coalition of 62 NGOs, she said.

The former Bar Council president listed several issues that the revamped movement was fighting for: a clean electoral roll, automatic voter registration, reduction of the voting age from 21 years to 18 years, the use of indelible ink to prevent fraud, reforms in postal votes, free and fair media access, a 21-day minimum campaign period, impartial constituency redelineation, election finance reform, neutral administration of government bodies, and the rights of students to participate in politics.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak's administration has refused to implement an automatic registration system for voters, with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz claiming that the government could not "force" voters to exercise their right to vote.

Ambiga said automatic registration easily enabled eligible voters to vote in view of the 4.2 million eligible Malaysians who had yet to register themselves as voters.

"Merely registering someone does not mean that person is forced to vote. You are giving easy access to every eligible voter to vote," she said.

She also pointed out that the voting age should be reduced to 18 years as Malaysians could join the army and the police force, as well as obtain a driving licence, at that age.

"You can shoot and get shot on behalf of the country at 18. You can join the police at 18. You can get a licence at 18. So why can't you vote at 18?" she asked.

Gopalan says the voting age should be reduced to 18 as people can marry at 16 years.

The widely-respected lawyer noted that several countries in the region allowed 18-year-old citizens to vote, while Indonesia's voting age was 17 years.

"In Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste, the voting age is 18. In Indonesia, it's 17," said Ambiga to murmurs of surprise across the multi-racial crowd.

She also said the Election Commission (EC) had told her, during a meeting on Tuesday, that it has advised the press to give election candidates free media access.

"The EC said they do write to the press and tell them to give all candidates free access to the media. If that's the case, what's stopping the media from giving fair coverage to all candidates?" she asked.

The EC, however, refused to use indelible ink during the voting process, according to Ambiga.

"They won't consider indelible ink, but they're looking at other alternatives that involve technology," she said.

She added that the EC was also looking into reducing its four-month period to register voters as well as cleaning up the process for postal voters.

Siti Zaidatul says the Bersih 2.0 launch has strengthened her stand for democracy.

The EC has also expressed its willingness to consider a 21-day campaign period.

Meanwhile, PAS MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stressed that Bersih was not about ensuring a victory for PR in the next election.

"It is my conviction and belief that Bersih is not about making sure the opposition wins the election," said Dzulkefly.

"What we want in Bersih is that finally, a mature democracy can be institutionalised here," he added.

In between speeches on electoral reform, the launch of Bersih 2.0 was punctuated with musical performances — a post-harvest dance by some Orang Asli and a drum and percussion piece by the Tugu Drum Circle — as well as stand-up comedy by writer and activist Hishamuddin Rais.

Siti Zaidatul Akma Mohamad, who was among the visitors to the launch, said the launch had strengthened her stand for democracy.

"I feel more energised. I feel more confident in what we stand for," said Siti Zaidatul, a 42-year-old manager.

"To get a fair country, we have to fight for the correct terms of democracy… like when Datuk Ambiga read what Bersih fights for," she added.

Financial consultant Gopalan Narayanan echoed Ambiga's call for the voting age to be reduced to 18 years, pointing out that 16-year-old Malaysians could get married.

"I support 18 as a voting age. After all, people can get married at 16," said Gopalan, 51.

"If they are matured enough to marry at 16, are they not matured enough to vote at 18?" he asked.

On the other hand, electrical engineering student Eric Sim demanded that EC prove that it was an independent body.

"The way they (the EC) delineate the constituencies is biased towards BN. They must show Malaysians that they are truly doing their job as a free commission instead of being biased towards any political party," said Sim.

Khalid orders probe into cronyism claims against PKNS

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 06:17 PM PST

SHAH ALAM, Nov 10 — Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has instructed auditors at the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) to investigate allegations of cronyism against the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).

At the Selangor state assembly yesterday, Hulu Klang assemblyman Saari Sungib had claimed that PKNS's management was riddled with cronyism, and that the corporation had funded a RM520,000 wedding dinner for Malaysian astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.

"We have already set up a professional audit committee at MBI. I have ordered the audit to function now and asked them to conduct an investigation," Khalid told The Malaysian Insider today.

"PKNS already has an integrity pact," he added.

The integrity pact empowers external auditors to investigate claims of misappropriation or corruption, Khalid explained.

MBI is the parent company of all Selangor state subsidiaries.

Earlier today, PAS Selangor had called on Khalid to investigate Saari's accusations.

"PAS Selangor demands that all responsible parties, especially the Selangor mentri besar, to immediately investigate and obtain information on the validity of the allegations. As a party that respects transparency, honesty and responsibility, PAS Selangor is stunned with the facts brought up by the Hulu Klang assemblyman," PAS Selangor deputy commissioner Dr Che Rosli Che Mat told reporters at the sidelines of the state assembly today.

Yesterday, Saari claimed that the PKNS management appointed personal contacts to lead PKNS subsidiaries.

"There is perception among certain PKNS members that the PKNS management appoints known associates to work at PKNS and to lead PKNS subsidiaries that are developed," said Saari.

He further claimed that there was a marked disparity in pay between contract officers and senior officers.

"The wide salary difference between contract officers and right-hand officers have caused PKNS members to be dissatisfied," said the Hulu Klang assemblyman.

"The perception of PKNS members has become more negative towards the PKNS leadership when all contract officers are placed under one subsidiary, PKNS Holdings, with large salaries. Hulu Klang (assemblyman) requests that this perception [be] explained by the state government so that perceptions of cronyism in the management and leadership of a state-owned company will not arise," he added.

He then revealed that the monthly salaries of certain contract officers ranged from RM10,000 to RM24,000.

Saari also alleged that PKNS's costs of shifting to a temporary office as well as its new permanent office, the rent for both offices, and the cost of its corporate office renovations exceeded RM15 million in total.

"PKNS had to rent another building because its new corporate office had yet to be constructed. This caused costs to escalate because they have to shift twice. First from their current building to the transit building, and second from their transit building to their permanent building… the total cost is RM15,785,552," said Saari.

"PKNS leadership also apparently agreed to fund the wedding dinner of the astronaut that cost RM520,000, where astronauts from all over the world came to Datuk Sheikh Muszaphar's wedding," he added.

Today, Khalid said that he had given the professional audit committee two weeks to investigate Saari's allegations.

When asked if he would refer the matter to the Select Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat), Khalid answered: "If needed, we will. If we find there is no need, we won't. We'll do all this when we get results from our professional audit committee."

MB Sokong “The Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang”, minta kaji bangunan 100 tingkat

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 12:05 AM PST

Wednesday, 10 November 2010 | Ruangan: Berita

SHAH ALAM, 10 Nov- Menteri Besar , Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim menyokong projek membangunkan Lembah Klang menerusi projek The Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley kerana berpendapat ia mampu merangsang pertumbuhan ekonomi dan penyediaan kemudahan infrastruktur yang lebih maju kepada penduduk di Lembah Klang.

Bagaimanapun, kesediaan beliau untuk bekerjasama dengan Kerajaan Persekutuan dalam menjayakan The Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley tidak bermaksud beliau menyokong pembinaan menara 100 tingkat yang bakal dikenali sebagai Warisan Merdeka yang terkandung dalam projek tersebut,

Menteri Besar berkata, pembinaan menara 100 tingkat perlu dibahaskan dan diteliti untuk mendapat pandangan pelbagai pihak dan Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) perlu menjelaskan sumber pembiayaan projek ini dan juga bagaimana ia boleh memberi kebaikan ekonomi, sosial dan infrastruktur kepada rakyat.

" Kita perlu bincang jika bangunan ini benar-benar akan memberi kebaikan kepada rakyat. Jika bangunan ini dibina hanya kerana ianya mahu dibina, saya rasa kita tidak perlu. PNB perlu nyatakan secara terperinci bagaimana mereka boleh menjayakan pembangunan bangunan 100 tingkat ini," kata Tan Sri Abdul Khalid.

"Oleh itu, berita yang mengatakan saya menyokong pembinaan bangunan 100 tingkat tersebut adalah tidak tepat" katanya ketika diminta menjelaskan berita yang melaporkan Menteri Besar menyokong pembinaan Warisan Merdeka ketika berucap di Dewan Negeri Selangor semalam.

Kupon air percuma untuk pangsapuri

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 12:00 AM PST

Wednesday, 10 November 2010 | Ruangan: Berita

Sekurang-kurangnya 69 skim pangsapuri kos rendah melibatkan 23,093 pembeli telah dikenalpasti bagi pelaksanaan fasa pertama pemberian air percuma kepada pangsapuri kos rendah yang menggunakan meter air pukal.

Kerajaan Negeri telah melaksanakan projek perintis pemberian kupon air percuma kepada pangsapuri kos rendah bermula di Pangsapuri Sri Tanjung untuk tempoh 3 bulan mulai jun lepas. Bagi tempoh itu, RM72,480.00 diperuntukan dalam tempoh percubaan itu. Perkara berbangkit akan dikaji dan kelemahan diperbaiki supaya sistem perlaksanaan akan dapat dipertingkatkan.

Menteri Besar Selangor Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim memberitahu,skim pangsapuri kos rendah yang telah dipilih ini adalah berdasarkan keutamaan kepada pangsapuri-pangsapuri kos rendah yang mempunyai Badan Pengurusan Bersama (JMB)/Perbadanan Pengurusan (MC) yang aktif dan berpotensi.

"Kriteria ini ditetapkan kerana Kerajaan Negeri telah mempertanggungjawabkan JMB/MC untuk menguruskan pengedaran dan pengutipan kupon kepada pembeli-pembeli bagi membantu Kerajaan Negeri dalam memastikan program pemberian air percuma melalui sisitem kupon dapat dilaksanakan dengan teratur dan berkesan."

Tambahnya lagi, keadaan ini juga diambil berdasarkan maklum balas positif daripada pembeli Pangsapuri Sri Tanjung dan lain-lain kawasan pangsapuri kos rendah berhubung pemberian kupon air percuma.

Bagi tujuan itu, dianggarkan sejumlah RM24.5 juta diperuntukkan setahun dibawah program Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES) membabitkan 620 pemaju pangsapuri kos rendah di negeri ini.

Sementara itu, Kerajaan negeri sedang mempergiatkan usaha mengumpulkan maklumat skim pangsapuri kos rendah yang masih menggunakan meter air pukal bagi pelaksanaan fasa kedua pemberian kupon ini yang bermula tahun hadapan.

"Satu kempen pendaftaran terbuka akan dibuat di semua kaunter-kaunter pejabat unit Persuruhjaya Bangunan disemua pihak berkuasa tempatan".jelas Khalid.

Melalui kempen pendaftran ini,semua pemaju,badan pengurusan bersama,perbadanan pengurusan atau mana-mana pihak yang sah mewakili skim kawasan pemajuan pangsapuri kos rendah boleh membuat pendaftaran bagi menyertai program pemberian air percuma ini.

Selangor menghantar bantuan kepada mangsa banjir Kedah

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 11:54 PM PST

Tuesday, 09 November 2010 | Ruangan: Berita

SHAH ALAM, 9 Nov – Di pekarangan Dewan Annex, Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim dan berapa anggota Exco melepaskan penghantaraan barang bantuan mangsa banjir ke tiga buah negeri dan sumbangan disampaikan kepada wakil kerajaan negeri.

Sumbangan disampaikan kepada wakil kerajaan negeri

Pada 7 November yang lepas, Kerajaan Negeri Selangor telah menyumbangkan sebanyak 1,000 kotak air yang mengandungi 24,000 botol 350 ml kepada mangsa banjir Kedah melalui Yayasan Aman Negeri Kedah. Penghantaran bantuan ini telah dilaksanakan oleh Konsortium ABASS dengan menggunakan tiga buah lori Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ).

Menteri Besar Selangor meneliti barang-barang bantuan yang akan di hantar ke negeri yang dilanda banjir sambil diperhatikan Ronnie Liu

Pada 9 November, Kerajaan Negeri Selangor telah menghulurkan bantuan barangan kegunaan harian yang merangkumi:

1) 5,000 cawan mee segera Maggi

2) 3,000 tin biskut

3) 100,000 paket Milo 3 dalam 1

4) 40,000 paket The Lipton

5) 10,000 paket Kotex

6) 1,000 tin susu bayi Dulex

Diharapkan dengan bantuan yang diberikan ini sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu mangsa-mangsa banjir dalam mengharungi bencana yang mereka hadapi ini.