Muhyiddin: APs to be retained - Malaysiakini.tv

Minister of International Trade and Industry Muhyiddin Yassin today surprised everyone when he said that the government was retaining the Approved Permits (AP) policy for the next ten to eleven years.

PM: More funds to develop infrastructures in Sarawak - TheStarOnline.tv

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has announced that an additional RM1 billion to fund basic infrastructure projects in Sarawak. He said this during a visit to Kuching, Sarawak Tuesday.

Panel: No evidence of MCA 'snoop squad' - The Star

By Ng Si Hooi & Ng Cheng Yee

KUALA LUMPUR: The panel set up to investigate allegations of a snoop squad to purge dissidents in the MCA has found no basis to the allegations.

The panel comprising party veterans Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum and Tan Sri Michael Chen and senior lawyer Roger Tan also concluded that party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and other leaders were not involved in the setting up of the alleged three-man snoop squad.

The allegation by Petaling Jaya Utara MCA division adviser Wong Leong that RM10,000 a month was paid to Tee Ann Chuan, the man in the centre of the snoop squad, was found to be unproven.

The investigating panel presented their findings to the presidential council at MCA headquarters here on Tuesday. The summary has been posted on the MCA website (www.mca.org.my).

MCA deputy president Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy read out a statement, on behalf of the presidential council later, expressing “its disapproval, in the strongest terms, over the allegations and unfair accusations that had been made against the party and its leaders.”

"The council warns members against making further statements pertaining to the case as the inquiry has proven there has been no basis to such claims.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/10/nation/20080610203208&sec=nation]

Sanusi Junid sacked as IIU president - The Star

By Karen Chapman

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Sanusi Junid has been "relieved of his duties" as International Islamic University Malaysia president with immediate effect.

In his second term now and with two more years to serve, he said he received the letter, dated June 2, on Monday.

The letter was from the Sultan of Pahang, the constitutional head of the university, Sanusi said.

He had previously said he would not step down from the post, which he considered part of his “duty to God and service to the people.”

The former Kedah Mentri Besar said there had been speculation over his post after he had resigned from Umno, following former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation on May 19.

On June 1, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khalid Nordin that there was no reason for Sanusi’s services to be terminated unless he “played politics” at campus.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/10/nation/20080610183357&sec=nation]

Rebates for vehicle owners from Saturday - The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Those who renewed their road tax in April and May and are eligible for cash rebates can get the payment from all post offices beginning Saturday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said although the Government had announced that cash rebates could only be collected beginning July 1, it had decided to bring forward the date.

“This is because we want to ease the burden of the rakyat. Detailed information on the actual procedure will be announced soon,” he told reporters after chairing the first National Inflation Council meeting at his office here yesterday.

On June 4, Abdullah had announced the new fuel price of RM2.70 a litre for petrol and RM2.58 a litre for diesel.

In line with this, private vehicles of engine capacity of 2,000cc and below will enjoy a RM625 rebate, which will be paid to them upon renewal of their road tax.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/10/nation/21504252&sec=nation]

PM announces government cost cutting measures - TheStarOnline.tv

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has announced cost cutting measures to save the government two billion ringgit this year. Other measures include freezing the creation of new posts, cutting down on functions at hotels, and curbing purchases of assets like cars, furniture and computers.

Ministers' Entertainment Allowance Reduced By 10 Per Cent - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 9 (Bernama) -- The entertainment allowance for the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers and Deputy Ministers will be reduced by 10 percent effective July 1, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday.

The move is part of the austerity measures to save public spending amounting to RM2 billion anually which include the freezing of paid leave for members of the Cabinet, aspects on travels for ministers, deputy ministers, government officers abroad, prohibiting renovation works on offices, the postponement in asset purchases and the holding of official functions.

"The government too feels the hardship faced by the people and felt that the leadership must show a good example in facing this challenge," he told reporters after chairing the first meeting of the Council on Tackling Inflation, here.

Abdullah said the savings of RM2 billion would be utilised to assist the lower-income groups.

Currently, the monthly entertainment allowance for the Prime Minister is RM18,865, Deputy Prime Minister (RM15,015), Federal Ministers (RM12,320) and Deputy Ministers (RM6,000).

Abdullah said the austerity drive in government spending was being carried out following the rise in prices for fuel and food.


[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=338320]

Malaysia cuts ministers' allowances, delays projects - Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, trying to assuage public anger over a steep hike in fuel prices, said on Monday government ministers would take a 10 percent cut in allowances.
Abdullah also said that ministers' overseas holidays would be reduced and mega projects delayed to save costs.

Together the measures will result in a saving of 2 billion ringgit, ($613 million), he told reporters after a meeting on ways to cushion the impact of high fuel prices.

"The government also feels the people's pain and the top leadership should lead by example in facing this challenge. As such, the entertainment allowance for the prime minister, deputy prime minister and ministers and deputy ministers will be reduced by 10 percent," he said.

Spiralling crude oil prices have driven up the cost of some states' fuel subsidies to near crippling levels.

Malaysia followed India, Indonesia, Taiwan and Sri Lanka last week, raising pump prices and provoking a public outcry and protests by opposition groups. On Monday, Nepal's government said it had sanctioned a rise in fuel prices, and truckers in South Korea vowed to stop work over the high cost of diesel.

Abdullah said the decision to increase the price of fuel was a difficult one, but there had been no choice.

[More at http://asia.news.yahoo.com/080609/3/3kkrj.html]

Private universities, colleges to be audited - The Star

By Muguntan Vanar

KOTA KINABALU: A grading system for private universities and colleges will be in place soon once all of the establishments are audited, Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung said.

He said the ministry since May this year had begun an "establishment audit" on 200 private institutions of higher education including 37 private universities in the country in efforts to ensure that their courses are of quality and followed various regulations.

Dr Hou said the establishment audit would see 120 of such institutions undergoing a full scope audit where officers would go on the ground to check various facilities while the remaining 80 institutions would have to submit their details to the ministry.

"We will be looking at their staff, their courses, student intake, examination process, management and financial capability among others," he told reporters Monday after a meeting with senior executives of private colleges and universities here.

Private audit firm Ernst & Young has been appointed to work with the ministry for the establishment audit programme.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/9/nation/20080609152123&sec=nation]

Anwar: Defections to proceed as planned - Malaysiakini.tv

PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim today said that the Sept 16 deadline for a high number of BN MPs to defect to Pakatan Rakyat remained on target.

Rais: More should rap quota for Umno polls - The Star

By Sarban Singh

KUALA KLAWANG: Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Rais Yatim is upset that party members have not come out to openly express unhappiness with the quota system for those wishing to contest posts in the party's top decision-making body.

Rais, who had indicated interest in contesting the vice presidency in the November party polls, said members should be brave and let the leadership know if they were unhappy with the system.

“Since not many are coming out to oppose the system, there are no signs that it would be abolished,” he said.

"The only other leader who has spoken about abolishing the quota is (International Trade and Industry Minister and party vice president Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin). I must say that I am quite unhappy about this."

Under the quota system, a candidate wishing to contest the presidency must obtain nominations from 30% of the 191 divisions, while those vying for the deputy president’s post should bag at least 20%. Those going for the vice presidency must get 10% and for a supreme council seat, 5%.

Rais, who is also Foreign Minister, said the need to retain or abolish the quota syetem was also discussed during the two-day retreat in Shah Alam for supreme council members last week.

The Jelebu MP however conceded that the decision to abolish or retain the quota system should be decided by party members.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/8/nation/20080608203418&sec=nation]

Rising fuel prices: Mega projects to be reviewed - The Star

By Yeng Ai Chun

BUTTERWORTH: The government will review some of the mega projects to reduce the country’s economic burden arising from the impact of the escalating global fuel price.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the review was one of the measures the government had to seriously look into to mitigate the rising fuel price.

“Projects planned by the government were based on the previous costs before the price increase. These projects might cost more now and we need to look over them again.

“But the government would still go ahead with people-friendly (mesra rakyat) projects that bring benefits to the people.

“We would look into everything before making a decision,” he said after launching the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary constituency service centre on Sunday.

On whether the second Penang bridge project would be affected, he said he did not know, adding that no decision had been made (as of Sunday) to cut any mega projects in Penang.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/8/nation/20080608201401&sec=nation]

Govt Working On Several Mechanisms To Offset Fuel Price Hike - Bernama

BUTTERWORTH, June 8 (Bernama) -- The government is working on several mechanisms to offset the fuel price hike and not depending solely on the restructuring of the subsidy package.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said due to the escalating crude oil price in the world market, the government had to find other means of easing its burden and that of the people.

He said the government had spent RM33 billion on fuel subsidies and there was no sign that the price would drop.

"The fuel price restructuring has enabled the government to save RM4 billion but when the crude oil price went up to AS$138.54 a barrel (RM450.25) on Wednesday, the saving was wiped out," he told reporters after opening Tasek Gelugor Member of Parliament's service centre at Taman Merbau Indah, Sungai Dua, here today.

He said with the rise in the crude oil price every day, the cost of subsidies borne by the government could reach RM40 billion, a huge sum and as big as one year allocation for development. Nor Mohamed said the geopolitical risk factor following the Israeli threat against Iran could surge the world crude oil price even further.

The government had to consider several other mechanisms to lessen the effects and ensure that the people would benefit from them, he added.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=338098]

Malaysia's Anwar says fuel hike aids bid to seize power - AFP

Malaysia's opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim said Sunday his bid to seize power with the help of defecting government lawmakers had been boosted by an unpopular fuel price hike.

Anwar said that at least 30 parliamentarians are willing to cross over to the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance, and that if the opposition gained power, the fuel price would immediately be cut.

"According to our timetable it is still on. Now it is more attractive after the price hike," Anwar said at a press conference after a meeting with members of his Keadilan party's supreme council.

"In the light of the political and economical uncertainties led by the government, we have seen clearly more interest and support for Pakatan Rakyat and this applies even to members of parliament," he said.

"There is absolutely no reason... for them to remain and support the leadership that has failed the nation."

Anwar said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision last week to hike the price of fuel by 41 percent and restructure the country's oil subsidy system was an "ill-conceived" plan.

[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1441003]

CJ, Ahmad Sarji, Keng Yaik made ‘Tun’ - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 ─ Chief Justice Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Mohamad, former Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid and Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik have been conferred the "Tun" title in conjunction with the birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin today.

Abdul Hamid, 66, and Ahmad Sarji and Dr Lim, both 69, who were bestowed the Seri Setia Mahkota Malaysia (SSM), top the list of 1,862 people who receive federal awards, decorations and medals.

Squash queen and world No. 1 Nicol David, 24, has been honoured with the Order of Merit and becomes the first recipient of the award given to Malaysians who are renowned at national and international levels.

Established on June 26, 1975, the award is limited to 10 recipients who have made significant contributions in the arts, science and humanity.

Wanita Umno chief and former International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, 64, receives the Panglima Mangku Negara (PMN), which carries the "Tan Sri" title.

Thirty people have been bestowed the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM), which also carries the "Tan Sri" title.

[More at http://malaysianinsider.com/mni/cj-ahmad-sarji-keng-yaik-made-%E2%80%98tun%E2%80%99.html]

Birthday parade for King - TheStarOnline.tv

Malaysia's King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin celebrates his birthday with his Queen, ministers and his people at Dataran Merdeka Saturday.

Electricity Tariffs In Sarawak To Stay Despite Fuel Price Increase - Bernama

LIMBANG, June 7 (Bernama) -- Electricity tariffs in Sarawak will stay despite the increase in fuel price since Wednesday, State Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management, Datuk Seri Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said here Saturday.

He said there had been no proposal yet from state-owned electricity company, Sesco Sdn Bhd, for a review of the current tariffs implemented since April last year.

"All this while, Sesco has had no subsidy (to purchase fuel for its electricity generation plant). We always procure the fuel based on the market price," he added when met after closing a three-day "Pesta Babulang," a festival organised by the Bisaya community in Batu Danau, here.

He admitted that Sesco could not depend entirely on fossil fuel to generate electricity following the unstable world price for oil, and had been actively exploring the potential of hydroelectric power in the state.

"We will continue to develop hydroelectric power in Sarawak as we have a lot of potential for it. We are also trying to develop a hybrid system (for power generation)," he said.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=338002]

Malay Unity At Its Lowest - Zahid - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 (Bernama) -- Malay unity is presently at its lowest level, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"Unlike previously, the Malays do not have a common direction and because of this, some groups have raised issues which are no longer relevant like Malay supremacy," Zahid told reporters at the graduation of silat trainees under the Silat Cekak Association of Malaysia held at the International Islamic University, near here, Saturday.

He said the Malays were not asking more than what had been stated in the Federal Constitution nor did they want to deny other races of their rights.

"We just want to defend our rights," said Zahid.

He added that the Malays had also lost their political power, based on their representation in parliament and recent incidents in Selangor and Perak.

He urged the silat members to play their role in uniting the Malays, saying that the art of self-defence like silat should be used to show their love for the country.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=337996]

PM: Get true picture of global oil price hikes - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he hoped the people would obtain the correct information on the global fuel price increase phenomenon so they could understand what the country was facing.

Each and every one of us has a role and responsibility in facing these trying times. “As such, let’s face this challenge together with resilience for the greater good of the nation and our future generations,” he said.

The Prime Minister said this in his speech Saturday at an investiture held in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday at Istana Negara.

“The Government has held out for as long as possible to protect the people from fuel price increases but the price of oil has risen steeply and rapidly in the world market,” he said.

Abdullah said that in January 2007, the price of crude oil in the world market was only around US$50 (RM164.50) a barrel.

Now, 18 months later, it had risen to almost US$130 (RM427.70) a barrel and analysts were predicting it would continue to rise up to US$200 (RM658) a barrel, he said. The Prime Minister also said the Government was aware the fuel price increases had caused uneasiness and worry among the population.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/7/nation/20080607171312&sec=nation]

Ipoh cabbies impose RM1 surcharge - The Star

By Sylvia Looi

IPOH: In an act of defiance, the city’s 1,200 taxi drivers will impose a RM1 surcharge on top of the RM4 minimum fare here.

Ipoh City Taxi Operators Association secretary Leong Yew said that the cabbies from 15 associations had unanimously agreed to the surcharge from Saturday.

“We have no choice but to impose the surcharge as the petrol price has increase by 40%,” he told a press conference at the association's premises here.

The association's members, he added, had also agreed that they would charge an additional 20% for trips exceeding 10km.

Leong said besides the increase in fuel prices, taxi drivers also had to put up with the spiralling prices of batteries, tyres and spare parts.

The drivers’ decision came despite a warning from Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar that recalcitrant taxi drivers would have their permits revoked if they raised fares.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/7/nation/20080607161407&sec=nation]