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Ahad, 5 Februari 2012

MY VOICE FOR NATION

The Year of Water Dragon will be year of good “Feng Sui” for Pakatan Rakyat.

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 11:07 PM PST

Philosophy Politics Economics

Najib's Poor Leadership Stalls Economic Reforms

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 10:57 PM PST

Najib's poor leadership stalling economic reforms, says Pakatan
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal February 02, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders have blamed Datuk Seri Najib Razak's poor leadership as prime minister and Umno president as the main cause behind stalled economic reforms, saying he lacked the political will to weed out corruption and push for transparency in the awarding of lucrative government contracts.

The PR leaders were commenting on banker Datuk Seri Nazir Razak who had said economic reforms are not moving as fast as was hoped due to distractions from a general election which has to be held by early next year.

While agreeing with what the CIMB group chief executive officer said about the state of the government's economic reforms, opposition leaders charged that the impending general election should actually push Najib's administration to expedite reforms, not stall them.
"Reforms have stalled because Najib lacked the political will to overturn the patronage and gravy train system in BN and particularly in Umno.

"Najib is fearful that the reforms will destroy the very fabric that glues Umno together, that is the opportunity for its leaders and members to secure lucrative contracts with the government and government-linked companies," DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua told The Malaysian Insider.

Pua pointed out that despite transparency and accountability being a cornerstone of Najib's Government Transformation Programme (GTP), lucrative procurement contracts continue to be dished out without any open tenders.

The Petaling Jaya Utara MP has been leading in demanding Najib reveal the details of its direct negotiations with Kumpulan Europlus Bhd (KEuro), a company which, he said, has no experience in building the RM7 billion West Coast Expressway (WCE).

KEuro announced on Thursday that it has been awarded a 60-year concession for the RM7.07 billion WCE, which will connect Banting in south Selangor to Taiping in north Perak. The new highway will serve as an alternative to the North-South Expressway.

"I completely agree that economic reforms are completely stalled and the NEM (New Economic Model) and ETP (Economic Transformation Programme) have now become a programme of continuity and not of the purported transformation," said Pua.

He charged that the prime minister showed failure in leadership by not expressing or acting against senior Umno ministers involved in financial scandals, citing the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) as an example.

For the full article in The Malaysian Insider, click here.

Low-Cost Housing Loan: In Breach of EPF Act 1991

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 07:25 PM PST

Both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Federal Territories tried to justify the use of RM1.5 billion from Employee Provident Fund (EPF) to provide loans for social housing yesterday after being criticised for abusing workers' retirement funds for political purposes.

Datuk Seri Najib claimed that RM1.5 billion needed was "not substantial compared to EPF funds". He further added that "the scheme does not undermine the interests of the EPF because the value of the housing units in the market is far higher than the purchase price... If a buyer is unable to or does not repay the loan, the unit can be sold for a higher price."

Raja Nong Chik also explained that "To the EPF, this is a secured business transaction, a secured loan, it is more secured than other corporate land property which is guaranteed by a government agency — the DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall)."

Firstly the Prime Minister must be castigated for having the cheek to claim that the RM1.5 billion is an insignificant amount relative to the EPF fund size. Regardless of whether it is RM1.5 million or RM1.5 billion or even RM15 billion, the EPF funds must be managed stringently and not be subjected to abuse. Similarly whether the amount is a RM100 or a RM1 million bribe, if its a crime, being the lesser amount provides absolutely no justification.

Secondly, if the low-cost properties are so collateral-worthy, that the market price is much higher than the purchase price, then why can't these loans be made via commercial banks and not through EPF social lending programmes? If DBKL is able to provide the guarantee, and the guarantee is even "better than normal corporate property", then surely, banks will be rushing to provide the loans and not shy away from them.

The EPF on its website says that it "aims to provide financial security for its members' retirement purposes. The fund is committed to preserving and growing the savings of its members in a prudent manner in accordance with best practices in investments and corporate conduct."

Therefore the EPF is not a lender of the last resort for the poor and neither is it a social welfare organisation.

Finally, the social housing loan scheme is in breach of the EPF Act 1991 which regulates the fund in terms of permissible investment activities. Under Clause 26 the Act, the EPF may lend money to Federal and State governments. It can also provide loans to and subscribe to bonds of registered corporate bodies in the country.

It may even provide loans to members of the Fund "for the purpose of purchasing or building a house". The EPF housing loan to its members is based on a proportion of the worker's contribution to the Fund.

However, no where in the Act does it say it can provide loans to individuals to acquire low-cost apartments using the property as a collateral. Despite the "guarantee" from DBKL, the loans are being made out directly to the property owners who may or may not have contributed to EPF.

We fully support measures by the Government to assist the poor to own their own properties. However such measures cannot be at the expense of abusing Malaysian workers' retirement savings as specifically outlined in the EPF Act.

The Federal Government if need be, can borrow directly from EPF as it does normally, for its social welfare programmes. The EPF should not however be directed to provide loans directly to the general public and put itself at risk of default by the individual borrowers.

Najib who is also the Finance Minister must stop the social housing loan scheme in its current form to not only ensure compliance with the EPF Act, but more importantly, ensure that the workers' hard-earned savings will not be jeopardised in the guise of politically motivated charity.

My journey - Wong Hon Wai 黃漢偉

Visit Schools in Air Itam (Chung Hwa A & B and Sin Kang Primary School)

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 10:07 PM PST

As reported in Guangmin Daily

檳州3年撥8校201萬元

（檳城3日訊）過去3年，檳州政府已撥出201萬令吉給阿依淡區8間學校，分別是公民總校、公民一校、新江小學、僑南小學、中華AB校、鐘靈中學及鐘靈獨中。

家協理事帶領黃漢偉巡視教務處，這個作為老師工作的"戰地"，應該好好重新規劃，以便加強教學效果。（圖：光明日報）

（檳城3日訊）過去3年，檳州政府已撥出201萬令吉給阿依淡區8間學校，分別是公民總校、公民一校、新江小學、僑南小學、中華AB校、鐘靈中學及鐘靈獨中。

黃漢偉週五巡視中華小學及新江小學以審核今年的撥款申請，他說，中華A校提出3項有關提昇草場的申請，共8萬令吉，B校主要鞏固學校旁的河堤和興建籬笆，防止泥土被侵蝕；新江小學則計劃提昇教務處和食堂基設。

他披露，除了廁所設備外，中華B校去年也申請提昇籃球場，如今，該藍球場很具有水準，尤其可移動的籃球板，完全適合小學生和成人使用。他相信，假以時日該校籃球隊肯定有所成就，學生對籃球的喜愛亦會隨之提高。

這項籃球場提昇工程共耗資22萬令吉，州政府撥款5萬5000令吉資助部份費用，其餘由董事部承擔。

"由於該校校舍旁邊的阿依淡河沒建防崩堤，導致泥土流失，恐會河水氾濫。我將要求水利灌溉局築起防崩堤，將泥土被侵蝕情況減到最低，而同樣坐落在河旁的僑南小學與公民一校早前也通過當局撥款，完成相關工程。"

自2009年起，州政府每年制度化撥款給各源流學校，各校董事部必須向州政府提出申請，隸屬州政府的華教協調委員會將委任各區議員親自瞭解校方需要，再呈報給該委員會作最後審批，其中的緊急事項會優先處理。

陪同出席者包括中華三校董事會主席盧福裕、總務林琮淞、副總務劉華山及董事陳榮端等。

新江申請2萬粉刷教室

新江小學家協主席兼董事呂順成說，去年向州政府申請到2萬9000令吉，用作粉刷二十多間課室內部及更換新窗簾，學生可在更舒適環境上課。

他披露，在使用這筆款項時，校方都儘量節省，油漆費拿到"友情價"1萬7000令吉，換窗簾8000令吉。今年打算翻新教務處，老師們也需要很好的工作環境，食堂都已陳舊，包括桌椅都要換過全新一批，遲些也要粉刷全校。

當天出席者尚有家協理事郭建漓、許碧雁等，黃漢偉說，曾考察過日本的中小學和大學，發現那裡的學校即使沒有堂皇的外觀，往往很重視教室裡面的環境，因為師生每天有5到6個小時是在課堂內的。

"日本人的自我紀律很強、時間觀念也很重，這全賴良好的校園對學生的訓練而成。"

他說，去年巡視新江小學時，就大膽建議不如專注在學校內觀，讓學生從小培養紀律的觀念，懂得自我規劃，把東西整齊擺放，無形中也將這個觀念帶回家裡與社會。（光明日報）

As reported in Sinchew Jit Pao (28-1-2011) I visited the school in year 2011 and now by the allocation from the State Government, the classrooms for Sinkang Primary School and the basketball court of Chung Hwa Primary School have a new look.

黃漢偉：勿強調外表包裝‧檳學府應注重"裡"

新江小學多個地方漏水情形，牆壁也出現了裂痕，校長黃亞發向縣教育局申請撥款兩年不果後，今年轉向檳州政府申請。（圖：星洲日報）

中華A校家協主席陳榮端（左起）、董事會副總務劉華山、A校校長黃亞和、B校校長廖育麟陪同黃漢偉巡視兩校共用的籃球場。這座籃球場年久失修，地面龜裂的情況嚴重，對球員影響很大。（圖：星洲日報）

2 of 2

（檳城）檳州政府華教事務協調委員會委員黃漢偉，提醒州內各國民型學校若計劃提昇學校設備，應注重"裡"多於"外"，不能一味強調外表的包裝，而忽視內在的需求的。

也是檳州行政議員的他說，"裡"指的就是學生上課用的教室，"外"則是學校的外觀。

環境好學生士氣增加

他認為，學生一天在教室的時間超過5、6小時，好的環境能夠增加他們的士氣，進而更有精神上課。

"反之，若把經費都投注在學校外觀，進行大肆裝修，教室卻殘舊不堪，設備也不足，那對學生來說是不具任何意義的。"

他以之前到美國夏威夷、日本廣島及中國上海考察當地中小學的經驗向諸校分享："這些地方的學校，外表看起來可能很普通，但是，教室內的環境和種種設備卻都很舒服、先進，學生可以很快樂的在裡面好好地學習。"

提昇外觀多於課室

黃漢偉不諱言，自檳州政府宣佈撥款給華校後，一些學校提出的申請主要是放在提昇外觀，而非課室的需求上。

"當然，也有很多學校是申請撥款提昇教室設備的，這包括了一所位於興都廟內的淡米爾小學。學校把錢都挹注在裝修教室上，包括鋪上地磚等，在裡面上課，感覺非常棒！"

他昨日（1月27日）前往新江小學及孔聖廟中華小學A、B兩校巡視后，這麼說。

新江小學在較早前向檳州政府提出9萬6千500令吉的撥款，作為修葺圍牆、解決天花板漏水、裝修課室等之用；中華小學A校方面為3萬3千，以作為翻新3間學生廁所的費用；B校則申請6萬令吉，以整修兩校共用的籃球場。（星洲日報／大北馬）

Visit Schools in Air Itam (Kong Min Main School and Kong Min Cawangan Satu)

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 10:05 PM PST

As reported in Kwong Wah

亚依淡区8中小学申请拨款　黄汉伟率先巡审2校
二零一二年一月三十一日凌晨十二时三十三分

（槟城30日讯）亚依淡区6所小学，一所国中与独中向槟州政府申请2012年学校制度化拨款，该区州议员黄汉伟，率先巡视该区内2间小学进行审核工作。

各区州议员需到选区内巡视并进行进行审核工作后，在2月17日前呈交报告，黄汉伟是首个巡视选区的州议员。亚依淡区内8所中小学包括公民总校、一校、中华AB校、新江小学、钟灵国中及独中都向槟州政府申请2012年学校制度化拨款，但侨南小学则没申请。

黄汉伟指出，根据《光华日报》周一（30日）的报道，124所华小、国民型中学及教会学校中，共116所学校提交申请，但有8所学校基于存有余款，或无重大发展计划，因此机会留给其他学校；有关报道是引述自槟州华教事务委员会主席章瑛。

身为槟州华教事务委员会其中一员的黄汉伟指出，宪法阐明，教育事务属于联邦政府权限，中央有义务制度化拨款华校，槟州政府冀望拨出款项后，协助提升州内华校的基设，为中央政府制度化拨款起到抛砖引玉的效果，同时向中央政府施压。

他指从2009年开始至今，区内8所华校共获201万6000令吉的拨款，包括今年初予钟灵独中的40万令吉。他相信这个拨款数额已远远超过前任几位国阵州议员的拨款，因为根据资料显示，早前的州议员拨款只限5000令吉至1万令吉。

是日，黄汉伟巡视公民总校及一校，了解学校的需求以进行审核工作。

提升3项基设　公民总校申请逾19万

公民总校共申请19万8000令吉的拨款，以供提升校内3项基设，黄汉伟在该校董事长周进钦、董事总务李琴侠及董事财政余勇华陪同下，巡视需提升基设场地。

申请的款项包括整修逾30年的篮球场，耗资4万5000令吉，屋顶漏水，重新更换需2万5000令吉，第3项则是建造有盖羽球场，需耗资12万8000令吉。

周进钦提及去年初曾向中央政府要求拨款供粉刷校舍经费，但至今还无下文，因此该校董事会决定今年杪寻求私人界赞助油漆，工人费则由该校董事部负责。

李琴侠呼吁国阵中央政府必须继续关注槟州华校，别因目前民联执政，而衍生的政治斗争祸延教育领域，她指教育是国家重要的一环，不可因此影响孩子的未来。

黄汉伟指出，该校除了注重提升硬体设备外，同时关注学校软体发展，该校去年联合另两所公民分校，在公民同学会撮合下，复办28年前的三校联合运动会，该运动会上届举行年份是1983年，同时是黄汉伟参与的一次。

公民一校8项申请　逾17万提升基设

公民一校是亚依淡区内唯一的微型华校，基于入口处位于上极乐寺的档口旁，加上校舍窄小，因此为了避免学生人数日益减少，该校共申请8项基设提升计划，要求17万7000令吉的拨款，保住现有的学生，同时吸引更多学生入读。

申请中首个要求是在新建成的极乐寺停车场增加另一个入口处，建一座新桥，让学生在该地通过桥越过校旁的河流进入学校，另一个用途则是为紧急事物发生时，可以更快疏散校内逾300名学生。该校财政陈福隆、总务郭狄历及董事兼公民三校同学会会长陈裕华今日带领黄汉伟巡视学校。

陈福隆指8项要求中，前5项迫切性较高，希望州政府可以批准。他说新桥需耗资8万5000令吉、第2项是将目前唯一的活动场地铺平需2万5000令吉、更换水槽需8500令吉、更换教务处屋顶5000令吉、修复面向极乐寺停车场的校内篱笆和学校正门需1万5000令吉，增加保安亭1万2000令吉及修复教务处地板更换成地砖需1万2000令吉。

陈福隆补充，去年获得的州政府拨款原定用作防崩措施，但该工程获得公共工程局免费修复，董事部决定将原有拨款，加上董事部存额，将学校后方重新规划，提升了图书馆、食堂、厕所及4间位于2楼的特别教室，包括2间辅导室、1间配有20架电脑的电脑室及音乐室。

Lim Lip Eng

10 nabbed over Lim and Bersih posters

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 05:18 PM PST

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/5/nation/10680611&sec=nation (5/2/2012)
KUALA LUMPUR: Ten people were nabbed for putting up posters that deride Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and two top officials of the Bersih 2.0 coalition at Taman Tun Dr Ismail here. The 10 were arrested a few hours after the posters were found pasted at several bus stops early yesterday.
"We have recorded their statements and are taking the necessary action on this matter," said Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid. He was not able to give details of the time the vandals were arrested, saying he had just returned from abroad and had yet to get more information on the matter. All the 10 men had been released on bail, he added.
The posters depicted images of Lim, Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevaasan and national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said, who is Bersih 2.0 co-chairman. The posters depicting Ambiga and Samad displayed the words lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans and a caption that suggested a vote for Ambiga is a vote for free sex. The posters depicting Lim carried a Nazi swastika symbol and a caption that he is a racist.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, whose constituency covers TTDI, said neighbours woke him early yesterday to tell him about the posters. "I was also informed about them via Facebook, Twitter and e-mails," he added.

DAP unfazed by Guan Eng, Ambiga 'hate' posters

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 05:15 PM PST

Photos by DAP TTDT

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/188280 (4/2/2012)
DAP says the "hate" posters against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and public figures Ambiga Sreenevaasan and A Samad Said, found in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) this morning, will only make the people despise the perpetrators more.
"We forgive them whoever are responsible. The more they do it, the more people will despise them," said DAP MP for Segambut Lim Lip Eng. Lim through his Twitter reported that the offensive posters were "posted all over TTDI this morning".
One set depicts Guan Eng calling him 'anti-Malay', while the other depicts Bersih chairperson Ambiga and poet and national laureate Samad Said and reads "Vote Ambiga, Vote for free sex".
"We urge TTDI police to announce openly who the culprits are, because the police should be able to easily identify them through the many CCTV recently installed in TTDI under Najib's transformation programme," tweeted Lim.
The MP said in a statement later today that the posters were found at bus stops, public telephone booths and plastered over old posters along Jalan Datuk Sulaiman and Jalan Burhanoddin Helmi in the Kuala Lumpur suburb under his constituency. He expressed "disgust" at the intolerant, racist and politically-motivated posters. "Some cowards had put these posters overnight with an intolerable message (on it) as told to me by my TTDI supporters. "Upon checking in the later part of the morning this message has been torn off," said Lim.
Escaped cops' notice
He said it was a surprise that the police had not known about the exercise of putting up the posters, that took place along two main roads in the area and that must have taken a considerable amount of time. "A quick count of the posters measuring 1ft by 2ft confirmed that quite a substantial amount of money had been spent on this exercise," he added.
Lim slammed the perpetrators for such an act in a multiracial neighbourhood and on the eve of Prophet Muhammad's Birthday tomorrow.
"I suspect that the purpose was to create discord and suspicion. "I strongly urge the police to investigate and nab the culprits involved as this neighbourhood is one that is proud of the diversity of its residents and any racial discord intended shall not be tolerated. "It would be a shame if these posters are to remain any longer than the time they have been up," he said.
Related news: DAP MP slams anti-Guan Eng, Ambiga posters
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dap-mp-slams-anti-guan-eng-ambiga-posters/

Sabtu, 4 Februari 2012

Lim Kit Siang

1Care: What ails Malaysia’s healthcare system?

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:29 PM PST

— Mustafa K. Anuar The Malaysian Insider Feb 04, 2012 FEB 4 — Supposedly based on the UK National Health Service (NHS), the 1Care scheme is said to be aimed at financing the supposedly increasing costs of public health care while making it still affordable to the lower-income group. But we fear that, like most [...]

Mat Zain: Cops can determine ‘within hours’ if NFC funded umrah

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:18 PM PST

By Shannon Teoh The Malaysian Insider Feb 04, 2012 KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 — A former senior officer questioned today the police's reluctance to act against Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's family in the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) scandal, saying it should only take "hours" to determine if they had misused project funds for their [...]

MY VOICE FOR NATION

Call on the Prime Minister to condemn Ibrahim Ali’s insensitive action and arrogant refusal to apologise.
Docs reject 1Care scheme, healthcare not a business
SC chief to quit amid row over E&O

Call on the Prime Minister to condemn Ibrahim Ali’s insensitive action and arrogant refusal to apologise.

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:30 PM PST

Docs reject 1Care scheme, healthcare not a business

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 08:14 PM PST

SC chief to quit amid row over E&O

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 08:10 PM PST

SUARA PERAK

Permohonan Tanah SJKT Changkat Ditolak oleh Kerajaan Zambry

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 07:19 PM PST

Philosophy Politics Economics

Letter: Schemes for poor shall not be at the expense of EPF contributors

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 07:22 AM PST

Dear YB Tony Pua,

Permit me to introduce myself as a retiree from private sector who had been an EPF contributor. I thank you very much for bringing up the issue of EPF advancing monies for low cost houses in Willayah Persekutuan. As much as we support schemes for supporting the poor, as rightly pointed out by you and others, it shall not be at the expense of EPF contributors like us. I wish to bring to your kind attention few issues which I hope your team will examine for the benefit of contributors like us. As this has direct and long term implication for every EPF contributor, I humbly request you to vehemently protest and protect innocent contributors like us.

1. Who is the borrower in this case and who is the lender? Only the lender can foreclose a property and if EPF is not the lender what is the use of a collateral? If EPF is not the direct lender what locus standi does EPF have for foreclosure? Is there loan agreement with EPF and the borrower ie individual borrower? How is EPF going to implement land code act in the event of defaults? Is EPF permitted to lend to individuals who are not even EPF members? Can EPF, in this case as a 3rd party, take any action against defaulters? ( There is no guarantee etc). What recourse does EPF have in the event the organisation behind this does not exist after a few years as these loans can be as long as 25 years?

2. What is EPF's collection arrangement? Who is the debt collector? May be City Hall of Kuala Lumpur will undertake this function but then what firm arrangements have been made? To disburse funds by March means, probably all formalities are likely to be overlooked.

Hope your team of Ahli Parlimen will will stand behind citizens like us and wish you good luck in all your endeavors.

Yours sincerely,

V

KLIA2: Malaysia Airports Has to Raise Additional RM600m

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 07:21 PM PST

The announcement by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to raise additional RM598 million in via new share placement proves that public interest has been compromised as a result of the cost of KLIA2 ballooning from RM1.7 billion to RM3.9 billion

Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of MAHB had on 29th November 2011 denied that public funds will be used to fund the drastic increase in cost of KLIA2, the new "low-cost" airport. He has earlier announced that the cost of the KLIA2 has increased to as much as RM3.9 billion.

The cost of the airport first announced in July 2007 by the Transport Minister then Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat was RM1.7 billion. The airport was also supposed to be completed by September 2011 but has since been delayed several times to the now April 2013 deadline.

Despite Tan Sri Bashir's denial that public funds will not be used, MAHB has announced to Bursa Malaysia on 30th January that it will raise approximately RM598 million from a proposed share placement exercise. In the info-memo submitted to the stock exchange, MAHB stated that "the gross proceeds to be raised from the Proposed Private Placement will be utilised to part finance the additional capital expenditure to be incurred as a result of the enhancement in specifications for the new low cost carrier at Kuala Lumpur International Airport"

The new equity will be raised via the issuance of 110 million new shares constituting 10% of MAHB share capital.

The action by MAHB to raise additional funds from the market proves that public financial interest has been compromised as a result of the RM2.2 billion increase in cost of KLIA2.

Existing major shareholders of MAHB which act indirectly as trustees to Government and public funds are forced to dilute their shareholding by 10% as a result of the exercise. Khazanah which owns a majority stake of 54.0% in MAHB before this will have its stake reduced to 49.1%. Similarly, the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Skim Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) will have their 10.3% and 6.8% stakes slashed to 9.4% and 6.2% respectively.

The MAHB info-memo also stated that "assuming that the net earnings of the MAHB Group for the financial year ended 31 December 2011 remains unchanged, the earnings per share (EPS) of the MAHB Group will be reduced proportionately with the increase in the number of MAHB shares".

The above proposed issuance of new shares to raise funds, is on top of RM3.1 billion in debt MAHB has raised in 2010, of which RM2.5 billion has already been drawn down for the purposes of financing the new KLIA2.

Therefore it is completely ridiculous for Tan Sri Bashir to deny that "public funds will not be used" when it is clear, the Government and public interest in the project held by Khazanah, EPF and ASB have been compromised through a dilution of their stake as well as a reduction in earnings. This has yet to take into account the fact that RM3.1 billion in debt has been incurred as a result of the cost overruns. What is of concern to the public is the fact that MAHB's ability to repay the debt without future bailout by the Government is by no means assured.

We call upon the Ministry of Transport as well as Khazanah, who act as custodians of public funds and interest in MAHB to initiate and inquiry and investigation into the KLIA2 fiasco to ensure that those who have been negligent, intentional or otherwise, are brought to book and prevent future excesses by the guilty culprits.

Jumaat, 3 Februari 2012

Charles Santiago

“கனவுக் கோலங்கள்” நூல் அறிமுக விழா

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 01:00 AM PST

MY VOICE FOR NATION

The Economist says ‘so much for the great reform programme’

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 11:48 PM PST

Lim Lip Eng

Lip Eng hits back at mayor over budget row

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:29 PM PST

Source: http://www.mmail.com.my/story/lip-eng-hits-back-mayor-over-budget-row (by Ikram Ismail, 2/2/2012)
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng (pic) has denied claims he did not show up at a public seminar organised by City Hall in mid-December to discuss details of expenditure for City Hall's 2012 budget. He was responding to a claim by KL mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail after Lim alleged City Hall had denied Kuala Lumpur MPs full details of how the council's RM2.3 billion budget was to be spent. Ahmad Fuad had claimed on Wednesday Lim should not make demands now as he had been given a chance to have his say but did not show up at the forum.
Lim hit back at the mayor, saying he was present at the seminar. "I was there in the afternoon until the seminar ended and the mayor should acknowledge my presence."
Ahmad Fuad had, in The Malay Mail report yesterday, claimed the only MPs who attended the function was Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Batu MP Tian Chua.
Lim said he could not recall which other MPs attended the seminar. "I am just asking for basic treatment. The same type of treatment City Hall owes to other city folk. City Hall can ensure there is transparency by uploading the detailed budget on its website for public scrutiny."

Mayor says he has no hidden agenda behind City Hall's 2012 budget

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:28 PM PST

Source: http://www.mmail.com.my/story/mayor-says-he-has-no-hidden-agenda-behind-city-halls-2012-budget (by Azril Annuar, 1/2/2012)
KUALA LUMPUR: "What makes him so special?"
KL mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail today took a swipe at Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng after the latter alleged City Hall did not disclose the full details of the city's 2012 budget when it was unveiled last month.
Lim had earlier accused Ahmad Fuad of refusing to disclose full details of the the budget to the public and KL's members of Parliament. "We are KL's MPs who have debated the national budget in Parliament. So why can't we look at the detailed city budget?", Lim questioned. Lim claimed that during a meeting between several KL MPs and the mayor that was held prior to Chinese New Year, the MPs had asked for a copy of the budget. However, he said Ahmad Fuad refused to entertain their request and only allowed them to view the summarised hard copy version. Lim also accused Ahmad Fuad of not consulting with the public and the MPs before the budget was approved.
Responding to Lim's allegation, Ahmad Fuad said Lim failed to attend a seminar which was organised by City Hall last year despite being invited to attend.
Ahmad Fuad told The Malay Mail that the city council had engaged with around 200 to 300 citizens and consulted, explained and discussed the tentative budget and invitations were sent to "everyone including Lim". "We called for a seminar, we invited around 500 people and around 200 to 300 showed up. The only MPs who bothered to attend was Nurul Izzah (Lembah Pantai) and Tian Chua (Batu). So why is he bringing this up? Why am I being accused that I did not consult the public or the MP?
"He did not show up. He accused me of having an agenda? What agenda? I have to report to the Ministry (Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing ministry) and the prime minister.
He said that during the seminar, City Hall representatives explained to the public on how revenue for the city was generated and how the city plans on spending the budget allocated. Public concerns were also taken note of and it was included in the budget. Ahmad Fuad said his plate was full as City Hall has to be audited and there are procurement procedures which he has to oversee in addition to attending monthly meetings with the chief-secretary to the government.
"Why does he (Lim) want special treatment and have a 'special meeting' just for him when other concerned citizens can come to the seminar. We even advertised it. "Maybe he trusted us so much that he feels that KL is in good hands," Ahmad Fuad said.

Lim Guan Eng

Only Pakatan Rakyat(PR) Will Place More Importance On The People’s Health And Public Safety Than The Blind Pursuit Of Profits By Ensuring That There Are No Rare Earths Plants and Nuclear Facility In PR States.(en/bm/cn)

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:21 PM PST

DAP regrets that BN government has shown that it is not committed to green and sustainable growth but instead is willing to sacrifice people's health for profits. Malaysia's Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has granted Australian company Lynas Corporation a temporary operating licence (TOL) for its controversial Pahang-based and also the world largest rare earth refinery plant provided it fulfils five conditions.

Instead of focusing on race and religion, perhaps Barisan Nasional should explain why they are allowing the Lynas Rare Earth Plant in Kuantan to be operated; despite all the dangers inherent and even its regulators themselves did not have a clear radioactive waste disposal proposal from Lynas. Among other issues, the Lynas' waste management plan does not fully disclose the contents of its waste streams.

Two days ago the New York Times (NYT) had also reported that Dutch multinational AkzoNobel, a key contractor, had withdrawn from the project due to the safety concerns. Engineers involved in the project and internal emails showed that AkzoNobel withdrew from supplying the chemicals after it was told that the fibreglass liners would be installed in concrete-walled tanks that have a problem with rising dampness in the floors and cracks in the walls.

Followed by the issue of the conditional TOL, shares in Australian miner Lynas soared yesterday. Clearly, the irresponsible BN government is colluding with the industry interest group at the expense of the health and welfare of the hundreds of thousands of innocent Malaysians.

Last year, the BN government has brought a panel of radiological experts from the IAEA to review the case. However, not only does the panel contain no public health and environmental expert, the IAEA is also seen to be industry-driven, and is expected to rubber-stamp their approval.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia(SAM) has revealed that the Lynas project was fast-tracked for approval by the Pahang State DoE. The DoE received the Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment(PEIA) on the 21st of January 2008 and approved it in early February. Why is DOE acting with unholy haste to give their approval for such a complex project involving potentially radioactive hazards with a very vague waste management, storage and disposal proposal?

In the light of the nuclear disaster in a highly-advanced country like Japan, the BN government should also abandon their plans to build two nuclear power plants by 2021. Lynas has always insisted the plant, which will handle rare earths imported from Australia, will be safe, but if that is so why did Lynas not build it in Australia? Is it because Lynas is unable to convince Australian environmental and health regulators that radioactive waste would not leak out thus threatening public health and the environment?

If even the Australian authorities are unwilling to face such hazardous risks despite their highly rated safety standards, how can BN be trusted to ensure the safety and health standards of such a dangerous and high risk project like nuclear plant or rare earths refinery plant? BN has a poor abysmal safety record when the BN government cannot even build a stadium without its roof collapsing or the roof of Parliament leaking? Up to now no one knows where or which state the next plant will be sited.

Only a PR ruled state will not take such risks. I have stated clearly that so long as PR rules Penang, there will be no rare earth refinery plant or nuclear power plants. For this reason the people of Pahang as well as other BN states should learn an important lesson that only a PR ruled state can ensure that there is no rare earths refinery or mines or nuclear facilities to threaten their health and safety of their families.

Let your votes decide in the next general elections whether you want a nuclear plant or rare earth refinery plant in the backyard of your home!

— BM Translation—

Kenyataan Akhbar Setiausaha Agung DAP dan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Lim Guan Eng di Kuala Lumpur pada 3 Februari 2012

Hanya Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Akan Mementingkan Kesihatan Rakyat Dan Keselamatan Awam Daripada Mengejar Keuntungan Dengan Memastikan Bahawa Loji Nadir Bumi Dan Loji Nuklear Tidak Dibina Di Negeri-Negeri PR.

DAP berasa kesal bahawa Kerajaan BN jelas tidak berkomited terhadap pembangunan mapan dan hijau, dan sudi mengorbankan kesihatan rakyat demi keuntungan. Lembaga Perlesenan Tenaga Atom (AELB) Malaysia telah memberi Lesen Kendalian Sementara (TOL) kepada syarikat Australia Lynas Corporation untuk pembinaan loji pemprosesan nadir bumi yang terbesar di dunia di Pahang sekiranya mereka dapat memenuhi lima syarat yang ditetapkan.

Daripada menumpukan sumber dan tenaganya kepada isu-isu perkauman dan agama, adalah lebih baik Barisan Nasional menjelaskan kenapa loji nadir bumi di Kuantan dibenarkan untuk beroperasi, sedangkan projek itu berbahaya dan pihak pengawal selia sendiri tidak menerima cadangan pembuangan sisa radioaktif yang jelas daripada Lynas. Tambahan pula, pelan pembuangan sisa Lynas tidak mendedahkan sepenuhnya kandungan aliran-aliran sisa.

Dua hari lepas, New York Times (NYT) telah melaporkan bahawa syarikat antarabangsa dari Belanda iaitu AkzoNobel, salah satu kontraktor utama, telah menarik diri daripada projek tersebut ekoran kebimbangan keselamatan. Jurutera-jurutera yang terlibat dalam projek serta emel-emel dalaman telah menunjukkan bahawa AkzoNobel telah menarik diri daripada pembekalan resin setelah diberitahu bahawa lapik kaca gentian yang akan dipasang di tangki berdinding konkrit tidak memenuhi standard keselamatan dan piawaian.

Susulan pemberian TOL bersyarat, saham syarikat Lynas telah melonjak semalam. Adalah jelas bahawa Kerajaan BN yang tidak bertanggungjawab ini sedang berpakat dengan pihak-pihak industri sehingga menjejaskan kesihatan dan kesejahteraan beratus-ratus ribu rakyat Malaysia yang tidak bersalah.

Tahun lepas, Kerajaan BN telah membawa masuk sebuah panel pakar radiologi daripada IAEA untuk mengkaji kes ini. Namun demikian, panel tersebut bukan sahaja tidak mengandungi seorang pakar kesihatan awam dan persekitaraan, IAEA itu sendiri dilihat umum sebagai didorong oleh pihak industri, dan dijangka akan meluluskan projek tersebut.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) telah mendedahkan bahawa projek Lynas telah mendapat kelulusan "fast-track" oleh Jabatan Persekitaran (DOE) Pahang. DOE telah menerima Penilaian Awal Impak Alam Sekitar (PEIA) pada 21 Januari 2008 dan meluluskannya pada awal bulan Februari. Kenapakah DOE memberi kelulusan dengan begitu tergesa-gesa dalam sebuah projek yang bukan sahaja rumit dan melibatkan sisa-sisa radioaktif yang berbahaya, tetapi juga tidak mempunyai pelan pembuangan dan penyimpanan sisa yang jelas?

Ekoran daripada bencana nuklear yang terjadi di negara maju seperti Jepun, Kerajaan BN harus meninggalkan sahaja rancangan mereka untuk membina dua loji nuklear menjelang 2020. Lynas selalu berkeras mempertahankan loji mereka yang akan memproses nadir bumi yang diimport dari Australia sebagai selamat, tetapi jika memang selamat kenapa tidak bina sahaja loji itu di Australia? Adakah ia kerana Lynas tidak dapat meyakinkan pihak pengawal selia persekitaran dan kesihatan di Australia bahawa loji mereka betul-betul selamat?

Sekiranya pihak berkuasa di Australia tidak sanggup menghadapi risiko yang berbahaya walaupun mereka mempunyai standard keselamatan yang tinggi, bagaimanakah kita boleh yakin bahawa BN akan memastikan standard kesihatan dan keselamatan projek yang berbahaya dan berisiko tinggi ini? BN mempunyai rekod prestasi yang tidak cemerlang apabila stadium yang dibina pun mengalami keruntuhan bumbung dan bangunan Parlimen pula bocor. Sehingga sekarang, tidak sesiapa tahu di mana loji seterusnya akan ditempatkan.

Hanya negeri yang ditadbir PR tidak akan mengambil risiko sedemikian. Saya telah lama menyatakan dengan bahawa selama PR berkuasa di Pulau Pinang, loji pemprosesan nadir bumi atau nuklear tidak akan dibina. Kerana itu, rakyat di Pahang dan juga negeri-negeri BN lain harus tahu bahawa hanya negeri-negeri yang ditadbir PR sahaja yang boleh memastikan tidak ada loji nadir bumi atau nuklear yang akan mengancam kesihatan dan keselamatan keluarga mereka.

Undi anda dalam Pilihan Raya Umum akan datang akan menentukan sama ada anda mahukan loji nuklear atau nadir bumi di kawasan rumah anda!

— Mandarin Translation —

民主行动党秘书长兼槟州首席部长林冠英于2012年2月3日在吉隆坡发表声明：

唯有民联才会注重人民的健康及公共安全，确保民联州属不会兴建稀土厂或核电厂，而不是盲目地追求利益。

国阵政府已经证明它并不是立志追求绿色与永续发展，而是为了利益愿意牺牲人民的健康，民主行动党对此感到遗憾。马来西亚原子能执照局（AELB）已经发出临时营运执照给澳洲莱纳斯公司，让他们必须遵守五项条件的情况下在彭亨州运作世界最大的稀土提炼厂。

与其不断地玩弄种族与宗教课题，国阵应该解释，为什么他们明知稀土厂存在这么多危险，甚至连管制单位也不知道莱纳斯稀土厂将如何处理辐射性废料，却允许他们在关丹设厂？其它的课题还包括，在莱纳斯的废料管理计划中，它们还未全面公布它们的废料内容。

两天前，《纽约时报》报道，稀土厂的其中一家荷兰化学品公司Akzonobel已经退出上述工程。从参与设厂的工程师的电邮内容发现，他们发现原本要安装玻璃纤维内衬（Fibreglass Liners）的混凝土储存槽出现底部潮湿、外壁出现裂缝的问题。

随着当局发出临时营运执照，澳洲矿商莱纳斯的股价也在昨天上涨。很明显地，不负责任的国阵与工业利益团体勾结，牺牲成千上万名无辜马来西亚人的健康及福利。

去年，国阵政府请来了国际电子能机构的代表来审查此个案。无论如何，这个代表团并没有公共卫生及环境的专家，而国际电子能机构也被视为工业主导的团体，预料也将会似橡皮图章般给予得批准。

大马自然环境之友揭露，莱纳斯工程是彭亨州环境局加速批准的计划。州环境局在2008年1月21日收到初步环境评估报告，在二月上旬就批准了。这项工程涉及辐射公害、含混不清的废料管理、储存与废弃问题，为什么环境局要如此仓促地批准他们兴建如此复杂的工程？

就连高科技国日本也发生核泄危机，国阵应该放弃在2021兴建两座核电厂的计划。莱纳斯经常强调，他们从澳洲入口的稀土是安全的，如果是真的，那么为何莱纳斯不把提炼厂建在澳洲？还是因为莱纳斯根本无法说服澳洲的环境及卫生管制单位，有关辐射性废料不会泄漏，危害公共卫生及环境？

尽管澳洲政府拥有高级别的安全水平，他们也不愿面对稀土提炼厂的风险，更何况安全设备记录恶劣的国阵？就连体育馆顶盖会倒塌、国会大厦屋顶也会漏水，我们还能相信国阵将确保像核电厂或稀土厂这样危险及高风险的项目，符合公共安全及健康水平吗？直到今天，我们都不知道，下一次会轮到哪一个州属。

唯有民联执政的州属不愿意承担这种风险。我已经说过，只要民联执政槟城，这里就不夫有稀土厂或核电厂。因此，彭亨州以及其它国阵州属的人民都应该要吸取这个重要的教训，那就是只有民联执政的州属才能保障人民的健康与安全，不兴建稀土提炼厂或矿场或核电设施，来伤害人民的健康及安全。

来届大选，就让全民投票决定，你要不要核电厂或稀土厂兴建在你家的后院！

林冠英