Latest

Friday, April 18, 2008

Anwar comments on former judges' compensation - TheStarOnline.tv



PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says apology should accompany the ex-gratia payment that has been offered to former judges.

China beli babi Malaysia - * Harga termurah di Asia * Tampung permintaan tinggi negara itu - Utusan

Oleh Herman Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR 18 April – Sekumpulan ahli perniagaan China baru-baru ini mengemukakan cadangan menjadikan Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara pengeksport daging babi ke republik tersebut.

Ketua Unit Penternakan Babi Persekutuan Persatuan Penternak Malaysia (FLFAM), Beh Kim Hee berkata, cadangan itu dibuat kerana harga daging babi yang ditawarkan di ladang-ladang negara ini cukup kompetitif, malah antara yang termurah di Asia.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, beberapa syarikat dari China menyatakan minat untuk bekerjasama dengan penternak babi Malaysia bagi menampung permintaan daging babi yang semakin tinggi di negara itu.

“Beberapa syarikat menyatakan minat, tetapi kita tunggu dulu kunjungan wakil syarikat China itu ke Malaysia hujung bulan ini untuk membolehkan perbincangan lanjut.

“Setakat ini semuanya masih di peringkat awal dan tiada keputusan muktamad diambil,’’ kata Kim Hee ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Akhbar The Sun hari ini memetik laporan Nanyang Siang Pau yang melaporkan Malaysia dalam perancangan mengeksport daging babi ke China buat pertama kalinya.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0419&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_01.htm]

Comments from Wan Azizah - TheStarOnline.tv



Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail comments on judiciary and crossover during the launch of Kelana Jaya MP's Office in Petaling Jaya.

Najib: Payment is no apology - Malaysiakini.tv



Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said that no apology was forthcoming for former Lord President Salleh Abas and the five judges affected by the 1988 judicial crisis.

Explaining the government's stand on the ex-gratia payment announced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last night, Najib said the payments were in no way an apology.

Tak boleh menidakan perlembagaan parti: Ku Li - Malaysiakini.tv



There is no question of transfer of power because the term of office will expire regardless of what position, either at branch or divisional level says Ku Li.

Malay Supremacy Not An Issue, Says Husam Musa - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said today Malay supremacy was not an issue as almost all states are being led by the Malays.

"There is no problem with Malay supremacy. The menteris besar are Malays, the prime minister is a Malay... there is nothing to worry about Malay supremacy," he told a news conference here today.

He was commenting on calls that PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) get together with Umno to discuss the future of the Malays.

Husam, who is also Salor Assemblyman, expressed doubts that Umno, PAS and PKR would achieve a common goal on the matter.

"We are not against Malay unity, but we will not be trapped again," he said.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327758]

Malaysian Chinese dissatisfied over national policies: survey - AFP

Malaysia's ethnic Chinese are dissatisfied with the country's national and economic policies while youngsters are becoming racially polarised, a survey released on Friday said.

Racial and religious tensions, alarm over "Islamisation" and alienation of the country's minorities were reflected in the ruling coalition government's worst ever results in March 8 polls.

Voters swung in support of the opposition, depriving the ruling coalition of a two-thirds majority in parliament and handing over control of five states to the opposition, in protest against the Muslim Malay-majority government.

The Centre for Public Policy Studies said Malaysia's Chinese, who dominate the economy, feel that they have been unfairly treated by government policies favouring the Malays.

"The Chinese do feel the most dissatisfied and most unfairly treated. This is something that the government needs to look at urgently," the centre's managing director, Tricia Yeoh, said.

The survey found 75 percent of Malays say they have never been treated unfairly due to their race, compared to 45 percent of Chinese and 49 percent of Indians.

[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1349651]

Abdullah Names Three New Deputy Ministers - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, April 18 (Bernama) -- Pahang Wanita Umno chief Datuk Maznah Mazlan has been appointed Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced today.

Abdullah also announced that Kudat Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Abd Rahim Bakri has been appointed Deputy Foreign Minister while Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin the Deputy Transport Minister.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin had consented to their appointment as deputy ministers, he said in a statement released here.

The King had also consented to Maznah, the State Assemblyman for Muadzam Shah, to be appointed a Senator and her swearing-in would be held soon, he said.

The three of them are scheduled to be sworn in as deputy ministers before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 4.30pm on April 23 at Istana Negara.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327659]

Perak MB meets PM - The Sun

By Husna Yusop

PUTRAJAYA (April 18, 2008): Perak Mentri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for an hour today and discussed several issues related to the state, including the Anti-Security Act (ISA).

He said as the Kamunting prison where ISA detainees are placed is located in Taiping, Perak, there are many programmes and activities concerning the public which sometimes touch on the ISA.

"There are certain areas within the act which we could review and this would value add to what the Prime Minister has said in relation to the government’s move to strengthen the judiciary by setting up a Judicial Appointments Commission.

“We would like to have a re-look on certain areas in the ISA, where we can give some form of considerations or review, that’s all,” he said to reporters after an eye-to-eye meeting with Abdullah.

Asked about the premier’s response, Mohd Nizar said he said there are things to be looked into in detail in relation to the matter, adding that their discussion did not include any calls towards abolishing the ISA.

Basically, he said Abdullah accepted well the People’s Alliance government in Perak and advised them to continue with whatever is good and beneficial for the people as well as investors, including the Double Track Railway Project.

[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21573]

第二檳桥计划若受阻檳另寻管道延续工程 - Guang Ming Daily

(檳城讯)檳州首席部长林冠英表示,若中央政府不重视第二檳桥的进展,州政府將考虑其他管道延续第二檳桥工程。

第二檳桥工程继宣佈涨价至43亿令吉,特別工作队总监丹斯里再尼奥玛日前又宣佈二桥工程將延迟9个月施工。林冠英表示,檳州政府对此感到遗憾及失望。

“州政府早前致函马友乃德建筑公司,至今不获回应,我本身早前也与首相会面商谈此事。可是,马友乃德不曾与州政府沟通,便在报章上宣佈涨价及延迟工程,这是不健康的现象。”

成本高涨施工延迟

他说,第二檳桥工程涨价,马友乃德和中央政府应该先通知州政府,以寻求方法减低檳州人民负担。

“工程成本涨价,人民最终將承担更高昂的过路费。而且,若马友乃德不能准时‘交货’,人民將对中央政府失去信心。因为再尼奥玛早前一再强调,第二檳桥將于2011年1月1日竣工。”

[More at http://www.guangming.com.my/node/25343]

Sarawak MPs will not defect - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak Barisan Nasional is confident that none of its elected representatives will cross over to the Opposition.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas said the state Barisan would give its full support to the ruling coalition.

“We are Barisan people, our loyalty is with Barisan. Thirty of us (Sarawak MPs) have always supported the Prime Minister. That declaration was made when he was in Kuching.

“We have full confidence in the Prime Minister to lead the country,” he said after a visit to the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department headquarters here yesterday.

He was asked to comment on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who appeared extremely confident of Barisan crossovers and being able to form the Federal Government.

“He (Anwar) can say whatever he wants. We have made our commitment. We keep our commitment. If he needs a certain number, it’s up to him. As far as we are concerned Sarawak Barisan is solid.”

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20995455&sec=nation]

MCA against giving million-ringgit jobs to Class F contractors - The Star

PETALING JAYA: MCA opposes the move to set aside 10% of all Public Works Department (PWD) contracts worth more than RM10mil for Class F contractors.

Responding to Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed’s statement on Wednesday, the party said such contracts should be made available to all Malaysians through the open tender system.

Previously, Class F contractors could only take on projects valued below RM200,000.

The party proposed a mechanism to replace the current one announced by Mohd Zin.

In the proposal, MCA suggested that for contracts under RM200,000, 70% should be reserved for open tender among bumiputras, and 30% open tender to all Malaysians, with 5% margin of preference given to bumiputras.

The same was proposed for contracts worth between RM200,001 and RM500,000, but with a 4% margin of preference given to bumiputras.

For contracts between RM500,001 and RM10mil, the party proposed that 30% be reserved for open tender among bumiputras, and 70% open tender to all Malaysians.

It was suggested that the margin of preference given to bumiputras for contracts worth between RM500,001 and RM2mil was 3%, and 2% for contracts worth between RM2,000,001 and RM10mil.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20989344&sec=nation]

Whipping for illegal road racers - The Star

By Kuldeep S. Jessy

KUALA LUMPUR: Habitual illegal road racers and Mat Rempits will face whipping under proposed amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987.

Federal Traffic chief Senior Asst Comm II Datuk Hamza Taib warned that once the amendments became law, they may be given three strokes of the rotan.

Those who are underage could face up to 100 hours of community service under the supervision of the Welfare Department.

Currently, police charge those involved in illegal racing under Section 42 (1) of the Act, which carries a maximum RM15,000 fine or not more than five years’ jail, and a two-year suspension of the driving licence.

Under the proposed Section 42 (A), illegal racers can be jailed for up to five years and fined not less than RM5,000, and have their licences suspended for three years for a first offence.

“The penalty for second-time offenders would be a minimum of 10 years’ jail, three strokes of the rotan, not less than RM10,000 fine, and not less than a five-year suspension of the driving licence,” SAC Hamza told reporters after Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan launched the Public Bank-police safety campaign, to address the Mat Rempit problem among youths, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20991889&sec=nation]

Restoring our faith in judges - The Star

By Shaila Koshy, Chelsea L.Y. Ng, Shahanaaz Habib, Cecil Fung, Teh Eng Hock and Jo Teh

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should never again see judges punished and thrown into ignominy and shamed for doing their job, de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said Thursday night.

He said that amends would be made to Tun Salleh Abas.

“We have to rebuild trust in the integrity and competency of the judiciary; we must have a backbone of men and women who are respected and capable to rebuild confidence in the legal system.

“At the same time we need to remind ourselves that justice is not a cloistered virtue. It must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny of reasonable men.

“It follows that judges too must be prepared to be judged and to be subjects of scrutiny.

“If we can do this, the pain and sufferings of Salleh Abas, Wan Suleiman Pawan Teh, George Seah, Eusoffe Abdoolcader, Wan Hamzah Mohd Salleh and Mohd Azmi Kamaruddin will not have been in vain,” he said.

Later, when asked to comment on the ex-gratia payments to be made to the judges involved in the 1988 judicial crisis, Zaid said he was very happy.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20994446&sec=nation]

Political coup is not ethical - The Star

By Sira Habibu

ALOR STAR: PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will only be forming an “immoral government” if he proceeds with his plans to stage a political coup, according to a don.

Universiti Utara Malaysia College of Law, Government and International Studies research and post-graduate dean Prof Dr Mohd Mustafa Ishak said it was morally and ethically wrong to encourage crossovers with the intention to seize control of the government.

“If Anwar proceeds with his plans, it will be the greatest insult against the electorate who have clearly given the mandate to Barisan Nasional,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Dr Mohd Mustafa said this in response to Anwar’s claims that he had enough Barisan MPs who were willing to cross over and enable the Pakatan Rakyat to form the Federal Government.

Dr Mohd Mustafa said instead of using underhanded tactics to seize power, Anwar should challenge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to call for fresh parliamentary elections.

“Let the people decide. Don’t force people to accept a government they did not elect.

“Perhaps Anwar is not willing to challenge Abdullah because he fears Barisan would return with a bigger majority if fresh elections were called.

“Perhaps that is why Anwar himself is not standing in any by-election, as it would undermine his leadership if he could not garner a landslide majority,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20989832&sec=nation]

Guan Eng unhappy over late delivery of Second Link - The Star

By Andrea Filmer

PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has expressed disappointment over news that the completion of the Second Link would be delayed.

Responding to reports that the second link would need an extra nine months to be completed, Lim said bridge contractor UEM Builders Bhd had yet to inform the state about the delay.

“All we know is what we read in the newspapers.

“It seems that the promise made by Tan Sri Zaini Omar (the second bridge special task force head) to complete the Second Link by Jan 1, 2011 remains an unfulfilled promise.

“We are very disheartened with the delay and higher costs of the project as in the end, Penangites will be the ones to pay more,” Lim said after visiting the recently resumed Penang Hill funicular railway yesterday.

News reports said the Federal Government had set the cost of the bridge at RM4.3bil over the previous estimate of RM3.5bil.

UEM Builders in a statement to Bursa Malaysia stated that the completion of the bridge would be extended for nine months “in order to allow additional time for fulfilment of the conditions precedent as set out in the agreement”.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20984829&sec=nation]

The Star Front Page (18/4)

Read this doc on Scribd: The Star Malaysia Cover (18 April 2008)
Friday 18 APRIL 2008 No. 17800 (PPI64I/3/2009) Peninsula RMI.20 Sabah RMI.80 Sarawak RMI.80 RENEW ROAD TAX ONLINE people's paper For RM8.75, you can renew your road tax and have it delivered to you the next day >N8 thestar.com.my NATION Shut down for breaching rules >NI4 justice Speaker speculation >N36 WORLD Trust and OSK confident of double-digit growth >STARBIZ Govt moves to strengthen judiciary KUALA LUMPUR: A Judicial Appointments Commission to help the Prime Minister choose judges is to be set up as part of reforms announced last night by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to renew the people's trust in the judiciary. Addressing the Malaysian Bar Council dinner here last night, Abdullah said the Government proposed the change to make the process of nominating, appointing and promoting judges more transparent and representative. The Prime Minister, as expected, also addressed the sacking of six Supreme Court judges in 1988, saying "the legacy of 1988 haunts us until today". "For many, the events of 1988 were an upheaval of the nation's judicial system. Rightly or wrongly, many disputed both the legality and morality of the related proceedings. "For me, personally, I feel it was a time of crisis from which the nation never fully recovered," he said. The dinner was also attended by former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin and Datuk Seri George Seah. They were among six judges who were sacked in 1988. The other announcements by Abdullah were: > Goodwill ex-gratia payment to the six outstanding judges as recognition of their contributions; > A review of the judiciary's terms of service and remuneration to ensure that the Bench can attract and retain the very best of the nation's talent; Abdullah said there would be more reforms to come to strengthen the capacity and credibility of the judiciary. > SEE PAGES 4,16 and 18 > FULL TEXT OF PM'S SPEECH ON PI2 Pope: Crisis badly handled >W44 India seals off torch route >W49 Renewing trust: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi shaking hands with former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas as Chief Justice Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad (right) looks on during the Bar Council dinner at the J W Mariott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star Govt extends civil servants' retirement age to 60 By S I M LEOI LEOI newsdesk@thestar.com.my PUTRAJAYA: The Government has agreed to five of the six demands by Cuepacs, including extending the retirement age for civil servants from 56 years to 60, and the scrapping of the efficiency level assessment (PTK) examination. However, there will be no RM2,000 honorarium payment in lieu of bonuses for last year. Cuepacs president Omar Osman said that in a 45-minute meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at his office here yesterday, the Government had agreed to all its demands except the honorarium. "The Prime Minister explained that should the Government give out the honorarium, it may spur another round of price increases, like what happened last year when we received our salary revision. "We agreed that we should sacrifice this demand as we also don't want certain parties to take advantage by increasing the prices of goods," he said, adding that Cuepacs was mindful that prices of certain goods such as flour, bread and rice had also been increasing recently. However, Omar said the Government had agreed to the other demands - the extension of the retirement age, reinstatement of critical and housing allowances, pension payment to be based on one's actual years of service and the scrapping of the PTK exam. "The Prime Minister will make the announcement soon," he said, describing the outcome of the meeting as "positive". "Cuepacs is relieved the Government has agreed to all of the above," he said, adding that the Public Service Department (PSD) would brief Cuepacs today on the new method of evaluation for PTK. The PTK, which has become a bone of contention among the 1.2 million civil servants, was introduced in 2002 when the Malaysian Remuneration System replaced the New Remuneration System. Passing the PTK exam was used as a > T U R N TO P A G E 8 SPORT New blood for Devils >S73

Bar Council applauds move - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bar Council was over the moon when the prime minister announced the impending formation of the Judicial Appointment Commission.

All the lawyers applauded loudly.

Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan said: "This is what we have been fighting for for so many years.

"We are all delighted with the announcement."

She said no one needed to fear the formation of the commission.

"We can act quickly. Everybody's concern should be addressed.

"The judiciary should be consulted and I am sure we can suggest the appropriate model for the commission."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2216916/Article/index_html]

REDEMPTION: Ghost of 1988 put to rest - NST

By : V. Anbalagan, Anis Ibrahim and June Ramli

PM announces reforms to revitalise judiciary.

KUALA LUMPUR: A new chapter for the Malaysian judiciary has begun.

One: A Judicial Appointments Commission will be appointed to nominate, appoint and promote judges in a transparent and representative manner.

Two: The 1988 upheaval of the judicial system is laid to rest with acknowledgement of "the pain and loss" suffered by the late Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader and Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh and their families, Tun Salleh Abas, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed Salleh and Datuk George Seah.

Before a glittering audience of who's who of the Malaysian Bar, Salleh, Azmi and Seah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was roundly applauded as he announced the two gigantic steps to redeem the judiciary.

"The process to bring about this change will begin now and I assure all of you here today that consultation on the workings and the structure of the commission will involve primary stakeholders. All will have a chance to provide their input to the government."

The commission, he said, would identify and recommend candidates for the judiciary to the prime minister.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2216932/Article/index_html]