Siapa yang UMNO Takut? Abang Mat, Tuan Ibrahim atau Nasa

Dari coretan-coretan akhbar milik UMNO seminggu dua ini berani Tulang Besi merumuskan:

Abang Mat Sabu : Calon Timbalan Presiden yang paling DITAKUTI dan DIBENCI UMNO. Mereka tahu, kalau abang Mat jadi Timbalan Presiden, harapan untuk menubuhkan KERAJAANG PERPADUANG dengan PAS hampir 100% pupus. Malahan, mereka pula terpaksa berhdapan dengan PAS yang akan begitu garang melawan segala penipuan serta putar belit pilihanraya yang sedang mereka taja sekarang ini.

Ustaz Nasaruddin Mat Isa : Calon impian dan idaman UMNO dan Barisan Nasional. Kalau Nasa menang kenduri besar UMNO seluruh negara. Bersiap sedialah PAS untuk kalah dengan lebih teruk selepas ini kalau ansa menang.

Ustaz Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man : Yang menjadi fakta, UMNO tidak takut atau benci dengan Ustaz Tuan Ibrahim sebagai Timbalan Presiden. Samada mereka suka atau tidak, saya tidak pasti. Cumanya, MUBARAK, Persatuan yang berkiblatkan UMNO, secara terbuka menyokong Tuan Ibrahim sebagai calon Timbalan Presiden.

Yang jelasnya, PAS memerlukan Timbalan Presiden yang "kebal UMNO". Sampai bila kepimpinan PAS akan terus beroperasi dalam keadaan tidak tentu hala tuju. Yakni badan di dalam Pakatan Rakyat, tapi hati bersama UMNO?

Kesannya adalah PAS tidak mungkin dapat maju ke depan manakala UMNO menggunakan peluang ini untuk menguatkan kedudukan mereka di kalangan orang Melayu lantaran PAS tidak melangkah ke hadapan dengan cergas.

3 tahun sudah terbuang angkara ini. Peluang PAS memberi pukulan maut kepada UMNO tidak digunakan lantaran sepanjang 3 tahun kebelakangan ini PAS tidak jelas kedudukan mereka. Hati dgn UMNO tapi badan dengan Pakatan Rakyat.

Jalannya mudah untuk mengubati penyakit ini. Paastikan Abang Mat menjadi timbalan Presiden. Kerana jelas di hadapan kita UMNO amat takut Abang Mat Sabu menjadi Timbalan Presiden PAS.

Cumanya, kalau Abang Mat jadi Timbalan Presiden, kita semua letih nak berdemo sebab Timbalan Presiden sendiri akan memimpin demo.

Tulang Besi

Remember Onn Jaafars betulkan orang Melayu drive

When former Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein died, he had little money. His only liquid asset of any merit was the Magsaysay Award.

He didnt have enough funds to finance his medical bills in England and after he died the government had to step in to give his wife a home for her and her children.

When Tunku Abdul Rahman died he too had no money. A few times he was saved financially by former Sabah Chief Minister Tun Mustapha Harun.

Now lets take the case of a more plebian leader Khir Johari. When he was alive and in power, all sorts of accusations were hurled at him.

I remember looking at a picture of him and his wife donning traditional Chinese costumes wishing the Chinese, Happy New Year.
It was probably done in good sport.

Towards the end of his life, every one found out he had only one house in Bukit Damansara.

And the rights to that house were disputed. In the end he had to leave the house and move into an apartment where he eventually died.

What these examples show is that, by and large, the first generation Umno leaders were actually of selfless material, enjoying the trappings of power indeed while in office, but taking none after they leave.

Different material

Present day Umno leaders however are a world apart. The majority are loud in every sense of the word. This difference can only be explained by one factor.

Umno has been taken over by leadership of a different material who are conditioned by different experiences and having done less service to the public motives.

This may be a shocking admission but I hope the present day Umno leadership is aware of the general perception that is getting stronger by the day that present day Umno l! eadershi p consists of a bunch of sly politicians intent on making hay while it shines.

But certainly, what we could expect is to have those motivations and ideals behind the Umno of 1946, refined and enhanced.

From closed mind to openness, from debilitating traditionalism to modernism. These must the founding principles behind the betulkan orang Melayu drive of Onn Jaafar.

Sad to say, Umno must bear the primary responsibility over the more or less unchanged mental landscape of Malays in general.

Umno alone is responsible for the regressive ideas of Malays.

If they have been sleeping over eons, they now have been given sleeping pills to slumber along while the world passes them over.

Paranoia and parochialism

Over the years, Umno leadership has caused the motivations and inspirations that moved an entire nation to degenerate into besieged paranoia and parochialism.

So before I go on, maybe its timely for me to remind Malay readers especially of what Zaaba (freedom fighter Zainal Abidin Ahmad) said some time ago.

I tell you not in mournful numbers,

That the Malays are a dying race

I only want the soul that slumbers

To wake and work in these bright days

I tell you not in mournful numbers

The way in which to improve the Malays

I want that each Malay remember

Modest, contented shouldnt be always.

This is an excerpt is from the writers sakmongkolak47 blogsite. The writer is an FMT columnist.

The robber Moguls behind the IPPs...

Electricity deregulation really started in UK in the early 1990s. It spread worldwide and Malaysia too deregulated, but only its Generation business. This was done by giving licenses to Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Which should have resulted in reduced electricity cost to the consumer.

But thats not what happened. In Malaysias topsy turvy wonderland, deregulation increased the cost to the consumer! This was because Tenaga was forced to buy electricity from IPPs who charged more for the electricity than if Tenaga produced it itself!

It was the BN government that negotiated such deals with the IPPs. Either they are criminally incompetent, awfully stupid or they are corrupt. You may take your pick. It may be a combination of all three.

So who are these IPPs?

1. Genting Sanyen,
2. YTL Power,
3. Malakoff,
4. SEV,
5. Prai Power,
6. Powertek,
7. GB3,
8. Tanjung Bin Power and
9. Kapar Energy are among the two dozen or so IPPs in Malaysia.

All of the above are owned by the Genting Lims, Francis Yeoh, Syed Mokhtar and Ananda Krishnan. The usual suspects, of course. The connected businessmen who get most of the big deals. Who will know how to take care of their political benefactors.

YTL Powers profit for 2010 was more than RM1.6 billion on revenues of RM13 billion.

Malakoff in 2009 had a profit of RM380 million on revenues of RM5.6 billion.

Powertek had revenues of RM1.34 billion and a profit of RM450 million.
< span>So Francis Yeoh makes RM1.6 billion and Ananda Krishnan makes RM450 million from his IPP while collecting subsidies from public money. It is essentially a transfer of funds from the peoples pockets to the IPPs vaults, through TNB, aided and abetted by the BN.

When this economic joke of a system is about to come crashing under its own silly weight, the BN solves the problem by raising the electricity tariffs, making Malaysians pay for it.

Now here is a strange thing, Thai power producers do not get subsidies. They have to buy fuel at market prices. We know that petrol costs more in Thailand, which is why they are always trying to fill up their tanks in Malaysia. So does gas cost more in Thailand. Despite this higher cost of fuel, Thai power producers sell electricity at a lower price than Malaysian IPPs sell to TNB.

Ask the BN, and they will tell you that there is clearly something wrong; with the Thais! Why arent they trying to grab as much public money as possible, as fast as possible like us; the BN no doubt wonders.

TNB is a GLC, declassify the contracts

Meanwhile, Malaysians own version of medieval German Robber Barons (who were known for extorting huge tolls from passing ships and travellers), get to keep their subsidies, and, their unnatural, undeserved profits. They are despicable fellows who prey on the helpless. Big business, controlled in Malaysia by a small number, are now become adversaries of the people. They extort unbearable tolls and they bankroll and prop up a regime that is beggaring the nation. No longer can they fake innocence and hide in the shadows.

TNB! had a p rofit of RM4.1 billion on revenues of RM32 billion in 2010. This is not enough? They still need to raise the electricity tariffs?

Why further burden a nation that is already reeling from rising prices. Che Khalib(right), their CEO, had a big smile on in todays newspapers. He will get a bigger bonus this year.

You will get a higher electricity bill and will pay more for everything else. You will suffer, Che Khalib and his bosses will celebrate. Thats life under the BNs incompetent, corrupt thumb.

As what can only be considered a joke, TNBs theme for their 2010 annual report was Powering A Sustainable Future! In it, they claim to be committed to ensuring transparency in all they do. In which case, they should immediately make public the IPP contracts. But they will not, because it is clearly a dirty secret. A secret so ugly perhaps, that it alone could cost BN the election. No transparency here, just false slogans.

Peter Chin, under whose Ministry TNB is parked, claims that he cannot release the IPP contracts because it is between two private entities. But TNB is not a private entity, it is mostly government-owned. And the subsidies given to the IPPs are not private monies, they are public funds!

Another 5 years of the Barisans rule, and Malaysia will become an economic basket case. Where ruthless connected businessman live off a suffering citizenry while cosying up to the ruling elite. Where greed and self-serving politicians and policies are the order of the day.

If there is to be change, it had better be now.- Ismail Dahlan

source:Malaysia Chronicle

It's the government who moved for the IPPs' involvement. Now they look powerless to stand up to them, just for a simple reason that these barons are giving out big 'ang pow' and throwing millions to keep BN safe in Putrajaya...
cheers.

Kerajaan PR Selangor Perkenal Skim Pemilikan Kediaman Persendirian untuk Rakyat

NOTA EDITOR: Satu lagi projek di bawah falsafah KETUANAN RAKYAT. Nak tanya, KETUANAN MELAYU ada tolong kita dapat beli rumah dengan harga yang sederhana?

Kerajaan Selangor Perkenalkan Skim Pemilikan Kediaman Persendirian Untuk Rakyat, Premium Geran Tanah Direndahkan ke RM 1,000

Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri (MMKN) hari ini telah meluluskan 'Skim Pemilikan Kediaman Persendirian' yang bertujuan memudahkan rakyat Selangor memiliki kediaman dengan bayaran premium yang fleksibel.

Skim yang berkuatkuasa hari ini 1 Jun 2011 adalah hasil kajian bersama pejabat tanah dan galian, pejabat daerah, dan pejabat Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri yang dijangka dapat melengkapkan Skim Pemberian Geran yang bermula sejak tahun lepas.

Kajian telah dibuat setelah Kerajaan Negeri mendapati bahawa tidak ramai rakyat Selangor dapat menikmati sepenuhnya skim pemberian geran kerana tidak mampu membayar premium.

Melalui skim ini, rakyat yang tidak mampu menjelaskan keseluruhan premium tanah boleh menjadi pemilik hartanah yang sah dengan hanya membayar bayaran sejumlah RM1,000. Mereka yang memilih cara ini perlu menjelaskan keseluruhan premium (mengikut harga semasa) jika hartanah itu dipindahmilik, dipajak atau digadai.

Skim ini juga memberi peluang kepada mereka yang membayar premium penuh dalam tempoh enam (6) bulan daripada tempoh notis dikeluarkan untuk diberikan diskaun sebanyak 30% secara automatik.

Skim ini boleh dipakai untuk permohonan pemberimilikan baharu, pemberimilikan disebabkan oleh tamat tempoh pajakan, lanjutan tempoh pajakan dan pemutihan langgar syarat kegunaan tanah. Bagaimanapun pindahmilik melalui mahkamah, turunmilik dan perwarisan adalah dibenarkan.

Skim ini hanya ditawarkan kepada satu pegangan hak milik kediaman persendirian sahaja dan tidak boleh dipakai untuk hartanah komersil.

Inisiatif ini adalah satu reformasi oleh pentadbiran Kerajaa! n Pakata n Rakyat di Selangor bagi menyelesaikan masalah rakyat dalam pemilikan hartanah. Ini adalah kali pertama sebuah kerajaan negeri di Malaysia memperkenalkan skim mudah bayar demi menggalakkan pemilikan harta persendirian.

Kerajaan negeri berharap ianya dapat menolong mengurang beban rakyat yang berdepan dengan kos sara hidup yang makin meningkat, terutamanya dengan peningkatan harga minyak dan elektrik.

Skim ini juga akan menggalakkan rakyat menjelaskan bayaran premium khususnya bagi mereka mengekalkan pemilikan apabila mereka memperbaharui pemilikan atau menyambung pajakan tanah mereka.

Ini akan meningkat bilangan pemilikan hartanah di Selangor sekaligus menaikkan pendapatan negeri melalui hasil cukai tanah yang perlu dijelaskan setiap tahun.

Skim ini akan dilancarkan sepenuhnya pada tarikh yang akan diumumkan kelak.

Skim ini merupakan satu usaha yang dibuat untuk menyenangkan rakyat dalam urusan hartanah bersama Kerajaan Negeri Selangor serta menjadikan pejabat tanah dan galian negeri Selangor lebih "mesra rakyat".

Sebelum ini, kita telah memperkenalkan skim pemberian geran dengan memperbaiki sistem pemilikan tanah di mana pejabat daerah akan mengenalpasti rakyat yang tinggal di tanah TOL (temporary occupancy license) lebih dari 10 tahun untuk diberi hakmilik kekal dengan syarat-syarat yang telah ditetapkan.

Kerajaan juga telah memperkenalkan pusat maklumat tanah bersepadu yang membolehkan pemilik tanah memeriksa dan mengemaskini status, lokasi dan hal-hal lain yang berkaitan urusan tanah.

Kerajaan Negeri komited dengan agenda 'Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor' bagi memastikan hasil negeri di nikmati oleh semua rakyat.

TAN SRI DATO SERI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM

DATO MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR

And here is the rest of it.

Gift of clean water for longhouses

SRI AMAN: Hundreds of rural dwellers in Sarawak are happily cheering gayu-guru, gerai nyamai (long life, health and prosperity), a traditional Gawai greeting, because clean and regular water supply has finally made its way into their homes.

Some nine longhouses in Sri Aman division are finally savouring the pleasures of clean piped water.

The longhouses are part of 37 beneficiaries of the clean water project under the Bakas programme implemented in Sarawak this year.

The project is the brainchild of the federal-level Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKKLW).

The project was carried out in association with the Sarawak Health Department and the Malaysian Armed Forces, who jointly launched the Clean Water and Environment Cleanliness Programme (Bakas).

The latest recipients of this Gawai gift are residents in Rh Sumping and Rh Meramat longhouse colony here.

Just two months ago, over 150 residents of both the longhouses had to depend on rain water for their daily needs, such as drinking, bathing and washing.

And this has been exceptionally difficult considering the recent dry spell.

But gravity-pumped water came to their homes in April.

Sumping Pagon, 43, the Tuai Rumah (headman) of Rh Sumping Ran Ulu Batu, and the areas 50 residents are elated at having clean water for the preparations for Gawai.

Their neighbours at Rh Meramat, located about one kilometer away, also share the same gravity-feed water source, and are equally ecstatic about the gift that has changed their lives for the better.

The 250 residents of Rh Murphy, another longhouse in Kampung Selanjan Sebemban Asal, near Sri Aman, can also put their water woes behind them.

Rural initiativ! e

Tuai Rumah Murphy Jaritan, 60, said that this is the best gift the villagers had received, adding that it is timely because of this years Gawai.

Im very happy that the gravity-feed water supply project has greatly benefited the residents here, and we are highly optimistic of a better quality of life. This is the most meaningful Gawai gift, he added.

This years Gawai not only brings new hope to the residents of the three longhouses, but also promises to gradually solve the problems of 2,000 more people living in the backwaters of Sarawak.

The Bakas programme is part of the initiative under the Blue Ocean Strategy, which utilises the resources and expertise of various departments and agencies to provide clean water supply to rural citizens.

Sumping had applied for clean gravity-feed water supply in May 2010. Since then, there has been no looking back for Sumping and his people.

All 14 living quarters within Rh Sumping now enjoy clean water.

The gravity-feed water supply project costs about RM112,000. It consists of a mini dam, a filtration system, piping and water retention tanks, as well as installation works that started operating in March this year.

The Gawai celebration has started much earlier since the gravity water supply was completed in April this year, said Sumping.

I feel ecstatic and grateful to the government for allocating resources to implement this project.

Now, we dont have to worry about water supply, even during the dry season, he said.

The residents of both longhouses can take much of the credit for the successful installation of the gravity-feed water facility.

They were the ones who ferried the construction material across the thick jungle-covered hills and valleys, and assembled the whole system with the guidance of experts.

We worked hard to get the mini-dam ready, and installed the tanks and piped. In the end, we were rewarded, Sumping said.

Cheaper alternative

Meawnhile KKLWs Infrastructure Division Secretary, Zaniah Ahmad, noted that the ministry had allocated RM5.2 million to implement clean gravity-feed water projects across the country.

Eight projects have been identified, or are under implementation in Sri Aman. There are also projects in Samarahan (seven), Sarikei (six), Betong (five), Kapit (three) and two each in Kuching, Miri, Bintulu and Limbang.

So far, nine of the 37 gravity water projects have been completed, she said.

She pointed out that the gravity-feed water project costs between RM50,000 and RM250,000, depending on the distance between the water source and the settlement, and the number of families involved.

Unlike the conventional water supply system, the gravity-feed water system is easier and cheaper to operate and maintain. It also helps prevent waterborne diseases. It is a cheaper way to help rural people, she told Bernama.

With cleaner water, Sarawaks rural dwellers can happily wish one another gayu-guru, gerai nyamai (long life, health and prosperity), the traditional greeting during Gawai.

PAS election: It's all about personalities....

The rhetoric on the old dynamics of ulama vs Erdogan and the 'unity' government seems to be picking up ahead of the PAS muktamar (annual assembly).

But the real forces at play in the upcoming party election may show an altogether different face.

Within, spiritual advisor Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat recently recalled Umno's overtures to the Islamic party, recounting that three ministerial posts had been offered on five separate occasions should PAS join the ruling coalition.

Such statements are seen by some as akin to rekindling the internecine 'unity government' feud in PAS.

Without, Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia has taken the position that PAS should be returned to a leadership under the wise ulama. The Erdogan faction has been labelled a 'hooligan' that is damaging the party.

The political alliances that have emerged from the crucible of the nominations appear to conform to the Erdogan and ulama lines, prompting analysts to predict a battle in that classic mould. However, political observer Mohamad Sayuti Omar pointed out that such issues have been watered down.

Unlike the last party polls, there seems to be no concerted effort from either camp - or indeed, those who for or against a 'unity government' - to actively engage in an open campaign.

Instead, Sayuti posited that the rhetoric is "ad hoc" in nature. Those who feel like writing and speaking on a particular topic do so based on their personal stance.

The determining factor, he believes, will be the candidates, not camps or ideology, as is clearly being manifested in the heated race for the deputy presidency.

Sayuti placed central working committee member Mohamad Sabu(lef! t) as th e clear leader in this three-horse contest, for now, saying the demagogue has gained ground with his fiery campaigning.

He cautioned that the allure of the fast-talking Mohamad may hold hidden dangers for the ultra-conservatives of PAS. Voters may choose Mohamad not because they particularly like him but because they are against incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa.

Wildcard in the works

Sayuti, however, warned that Nasharuddin could turn this to his advantage by resorting to 'anti-campaigning' play.

Nasharuddin(above,right) could come across as Humble Joe and remind party members to be wary of his rival's flashy campaign tactics. All he has to do is to remain quiet and keep his head down, noted Sayuti.

This is mainly because the PAS grassroots are not concerned with his apparent lack of ability, but like the idea that he is a team player who does not trouble his president. Party members have traditionally shunned extrovert leaders.

Still, the king-maker in this race may be Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (right,below), the party disciplinary committee head, who entered the fray at the last minute after securing a substantial number of nominations.

On his own, Tuan Ibrahim may not be the favourite as he may be rejected by those who view his decision to stand as that of "an opportunist". However, his participation could prove to be of value to his opponents.

What is unique about him is that he is an attractive candidate to both the ula! ma and E rdogan camps - he is an ustaz and has family connections to Nik Aziz himself.

Similar dynamics, said sources close to PAS, are evident in the equally heated race for the vice-presidency.

One of the top two contenders is Perak PAS chief Mohammed Nizar Jamaluddin, who is well liked for his 'superstar' status gained during his battles to regain the state which had dropped into BN clutches.

The other favourite is information chief Idris Harun, who is perceived to be the voice of PAS. The conservatives are likely to favour the subdued Idris, while those who want change will favour Nizar.- Hafiz Yatim.

source:malaysiakini

cheers.

Video recording cant provide prove if its BN/UMNO....

Any video recording purported to show voters receiving money is not enough evidence to prove in court that votes had been bought. This is according to an independent body that reviews cases investigated but closed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

"Anyone can act in a video. We can't only rely on (such recordings) because anybody can act," MACC operations review panel chairperson Hadenan Abdul Jalil told a press conference today in Kuala Lumpur.

"At the end of the day, a charge must (be backed with) strong evidence and (must be) in line with the law. We practise the principle of equality (to both the accused and accuser)."

Hadenan, a former auditor-general, said it would be unfair to charge anyone just based on allegations and without strong evidence. - Malaysiakini

Sure enough, if the wrongdoers are from BN/UMNO. But if it involves Pakatan Rakyat there would be no need for any solid evidence, just heresay will do for an immediate investigation.

En.Hadenan,there are two sets of laws in Malaysia: one for UMNO,and another for others.

And here is what others have to say....

Ben Hor: Does the video alone at least allow for the case to be investigated?

There was definitely huge haste to 'investigate' when the alleged Anwar Ibrahim 'sex video' surfaced. Comparing the two, it's clear that the vote-buying is a far more ! serious matter than a private 'sex scandal'. What say you now, Royal Malaysian Police and MACC?

Geronimo: "Anyone can act in a video. We can't only rely on (such recordings) because anybody can act" and "At the end of the day, a charge must (be backed with) strong evidence and (must be) in line with the law. We practise the principle of equality (to both the accused and accuser)."

With that, Umno can now drop the charges against Anwar over that nonsensical sex video sandiwara. Such deliberation by Hadenan Abdul Jalil should be applied across the board. What is good for the goose, has to be good for the gander.

My-Cat-is-BB: What is stronger evidence than a video recording? MACC, please explain. What type of evidence do you need to initiate the investigation?

Tamin BN assemblyperson Joseph Mauh Ikeh did not deny, let me repeat here, he did not deny that money was distributed to the longhouses. He called them 'saguhati' and transport allowance. You have the admission here, so please act.

GI Joe: Indirectly, the MACC is implying that Pakatan Rakyat had made the video to frame the Sarawak BN. I expected MACC would say that they are investigating and will act appropriately. It is unbelievable what they had just said. Although it is possible that the video is not genuine, but shouldn't MACC try to contact the person who revealed the video and start questioning him. Identify the 'actors' and question them.

I assume it is difficult to identify these actors with their clothes on. Go get the help from those police officers who identified Anwar in the sex video.

Anonymous: If anyone acts in a video and maliciously slander other people, isn't it also a crime that you should investigate?

MACC's Hadenan makes it sound like all the commission does is to wait for evidence to drop on their laps. If you want to be good, you would have taken the initiative to c! ontact t he NGOs and what not. No witnesses and retraction of statements? Have you investigated why.

To ordinary citizens, all the MACC statistics are just useless numbers when it does not investigate Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and the Scorpene submarine deal.

source:malaysiakini

cheers.

Konsert MTV I-City Perangkap Untuk PAS

Isu konsert MTV di I-City bagi saya adalah satu bentuk bantuan yang datang dari Amerika untuk UMNO dan Barisan Nasional.

Terbaru, Persatuan Pengguna Subang Jaya dan Shah Alam (CASSA) melalui Presidennya Dato Dr.George John telah membidas protes yang ditunjukkan oleh Ahli Parlimen PAS dari Kota Raja dan Shah Alam terhadap konsert tersebut.

Setahu Tulang Besi, Dr. George John ini adalah ahli MIC dan sangat komited dengan MIC. Beliau pernah disisihkan dari MIC kerana menentang Samy Vellu tapi skrg Samy sudah tiada lagi.

Jalan terbaik adalah protes dijalankan melalui Persatuan2 Penduduk dan Masjid2 serta Surau2 di Shah Alam.

PAS jangan termasuk perangkap konsert seperti yang pernah dipasang oleh UMNO Terengganu sebelum pilihanraya 2004 dahulu

Tulang Besi

Dont rock MTV concert in i-City, PAS told
Teoh El Sen
| May 31, 2011

A consumer activist calls on PAS to shed its 'hardline skin' when it comes to concerts that can boost revenue and tourism.

PETALING JAYA: The MTV World Stage concert should be allowed to be held in i-City Shah Alam as it would promote tourism and boost the economy, said consumer activist Jacob George.

The Consumer Association of Subang Jaya and Shah Alam (CASSA) president was commenting on the call by Islamic party PAS to cancel the concert, scheduled for July 24.

I dont think PAS should bring in their own personal and religious values into a decision making process. PAS should believe in a multi-racial society and not hold back a concert that puts Selangor and Malaysia in the international eye, he said.

George said that tourism was the countrys major revenue earner and bringing an international act like MTV was a win-win situation for everyone.

However, he added that the concert should take into account Asian values and dress codes.

We should have some guidelines (on dressing! s and al cohol) and we can move forward. The hardliners in PAS should really shed their hardline skin and wear a moderate skin because what theyre doing now is very draconian. It does not articulate the feelings on the ground, he said.

If it is PAS intention to take us back 2,000 years ago, people will just get angry, he said, adding that he believed that even within PAS, there were leaders who listening to sentiments on the ground.

A very flawed argument is that this is a Malay area. How sure are you that everyone is against the idea? he asked.

George also said that if the minority PAS leaders continued to take such a hardline stance, it would hurt Malaysias image abroad.

Last week, PAS voiced its protest against the globally televised event, with its Kota Raja MP, Siti Mariah Mahmud, saying that MTV would brainwash the youths with yellow culture (budaya kuning). (Shah Alam is home to some 60,000 university students)

Shah Alam MP and PAS leader Khalid Samad also urged the city council to withdraw its permit to hold the concert.

He argued that i-Citys infrastructure which was designed for IT programmes was not suitable for an entertainment event.

Khalid had said that i-City had been given various tax exemptions and incentives but were doing something else instead. He added that he received numerous complaints from residents who were worried about noise and traffic jam.

Selangor PAS had also voiced its displeasure and sought a meeting with the Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim over the issue.

International park status

However, this was in direct contradiction with the open approval previously given by both the state and federal governments to turn i-City into a tourist destination and hub to attract foreign investors.

The Selangor government itself had previously given an approval to transform the area into an entertainment hub when it awarded i-City an International Park status.

Premises with International Park status could operate en! tertainm ent and lifestyle outlets such as cinemas, bowling alleys, family theme parks, restaurants and clubs. It could even sell alcohol, subject to permit approvals.

Former Shah Alam mayor Mazalan Md Noor had said that an exemption had been made for i-City as entertainment outlets would encourage international companies and franchisers to invest.

Traditionally, Shah Alam, with about 90% of its population being Muslims, had always been strict on entertainment outlets. Shah Alam currently doesnt even have a cinema.

In a letter made available to FMT, MB Khalid had written: i-City has been designated as the Shah Alam International Park as recognition and support from the Selangor state government to establish i-City as a renowned centre for the international community both as an investment location for global- knowledge based companies as well as an international tourist destination not only in Selangor but Malaysia and the region in general.

In a letter dated July 23, 2010, Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen also endorsed i-City as Malaysias newest tourism product and unique night spot destination. i-City was awarded MSC Malaysia Cybercentre status by the government and was also recognised as a tourist destination by the Tourism Ministry.

Contacted later, Selangor state exco Ronnie Liu said he would raise the matter with the state exco as well as Pakatan Rakyats top level as soon as possible. He, however, declined to say whether he supported the concert or not.

MTV Networks Asia communications manager Ching Yee Wong said that MTV would continue with its plan to hold the concert despite protest from PAS.

In another statement to FMT, Indra Suharjono from Viacom International Media Networks said they were working closely with i-City to ensure that the MTV concert was in compliance with all venue and community requirements.

MTV has staged global television concert events in Malaysia since 2008 and were confident that well produce a memorable and successful event on ! 24 July, added Suharjono.

It is learnt that I-Berhad, the company which owned i-City, would be responding to the PAS protest soon.

The MTV World Stage concert was being held in Malaysia for the third time. The previous concerts were at the Sunway Lagoon Resort. MTV had so far announced that award-winning American rock band 30 Seconds To Mars and local outfit Pop Shuvit would be performing.

The organisers expect a turnout of 15,000 and would be organising a range of other activities.

Dato' Tuan Ibrahim Lebih Diperlukan di Pahang Dari Di Pusat

Peribahasa "Yang Dikejar Tak Dapat, Yang Dikendong Berciciran" rasanya berada di benak majoriti Ahli Badan Perhubungan PAS Pahang di Mesyuarat Perhubungan mereka yang baru lepas.

Di dalam mesyuarat tersebut, seorang veteran PAS yang amat dikenali oleh orang2 lama PAS Pahang, mempersoalkan tindakan Tuan Ibrahim menerima pencalonan Timbalan Presiden PAS Pusat tanpa berbincang dengan Perhubungan PAS Pahang.

Bukanlah soalan yang diberikan itu bertujuan menyerang Ustaz Tuan Ibrahim. Cumanya, yang merisaukan majoriti ahli Perhubungan PAS Pahang adalah masa sekarang tidak sesuai untuk Pesuruhjaya mereka mengambil kedudukan yang lebih berat tanggungjawabnya seperti Timbalan Presiden.

Mereka tahu Pahang memerlukan seorang Pesuruhjaya yang sepenuh masa dan tidak boleh dipimpin oleh seorang Pesuruhjaya yang "Part Time".

Semenjak selepas 1999, Dato Tuan Ibrahim telah memimpin Perhubungan PAS Pahang. Hasil kepimpinan beliau, sebuah pasukan yang mantap telah berjaya ditubuhkan. Ini adalah lantaran Dato' Tuan Ibrahim menumpukan masa dan kederat beliau hanya kepada PAS PAhang.

Sekiranya beliau ke Pusat, maka masa yang beliau ada untuk menumpu kepada PAhang sudah tentu BERKURANGAN yang amat sangat. Sedangkan PAhang adalah salah sebuah negeri yang berpotensi untuk menang.

PAHANG BERPOTENSI MENANG

Bayangkan pilihanraya umum cuma setahun sahaja lagi. PAhang sedang menyaksikan kebangkitan rakyat yang amat baik.

Misalnya:

1.0 Kebangkitan warga Felda yang tidak pernah berlaku sebelum ini. Kebangkitan warga Felda akan menyebabkan tersungkurnya Barisan Nasional di Pahang

2.0 Orang2 Cina dan India yang secara terbuka menolak Barisan Nasional dan mereka secara terbuka boleh menerima PAS.

3.0 Malahan, kalau kita baca blog Haji Suhaimi Said, kebangkitan dapat dilihat di kalangan orang-orang asli di Pahang juga. Cawangan-cawangan PKR tubuh melata diperkampungan2 orang asli seluruh Pahang

4.0 Team Pakatan Rakyat yang begitu mantap. ! PKR dipi mpin bekas orang kuat UMNO Pahang, Dato' Fauzi Abdul Rahman yang dikenali seluruh ahli2 UMNO Pahang. DAP Pahang pula dipimpin pemimpin veteran mereka, Leong Ngah Ngah yang bukan sahaja dihormati orang Cina malahan juga disukai oleh orang Melayu dan India seluruh Pahang

5.0 Kepimpinan Adnan Yaakob yang semakin dibenci rakyat Pahang menyebabkan beliau antara MB yang paling tidak popular.

Mudah kata, Pahang di persimpangan jalan untuk memberi PAS jawatan MB yang ketiga selepas Kedah dan Kelantan. Malahan, Pahang dilihat lebih berpotensi untuk menang berbanding Terengganu.

PERGINYA TUAN IBRAHIM SEKRANG BAKAL MENGHANCUR JENTERA PILIHANRAYA PAHANG

Sekiranya pergi Tuan Ibrahim ke Pusat, nescaya pasukan yang telah dibina oleh beliau selama lebih 10 tahun sebelum ini akan hancur.

Masanya sekarang tidak mencukupi untuk menggantikan Tuan Ibrahim dengan Pesuruhjaya yang baru.

Masa sekarang bukan masa pertukaran di Pahang tapi masa untuk menyerang dan bergerak.

Pendek kata, masa sekarang adalah masa yang paling tidak sesuai untuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man bertukar jawatan.

Hatta kalau Tuan Ibrahim tidak bertanding Timbalan pun, WAJIB bagi PAS Pusat melantik beliau semula sebagai Pesuruhjaya Pahang. Kalau tidak, PAS Pusat mensabotaj peluang PR Pahang untuk memerintah.

PAHANG NI NEGERI LUAS

Pengalaman TUlang Besi melawat Pejabat Perhubungan PAS PAhang menunjukkan ahli2 Perhubungan PAS Pahang boleh bersolat Jama dan Qasar setiap kali menghadziri mesyuarat perhubungan.

Malahan, Tulang Besi pernah melihat Nasruddin Tantawi bersolat Jama dan Qasar sewaktu beliau memimpin Pemuda PAS Pahang satu masa dahulu.

Bayangkan Pahang ini negeri yang bersempadan dengan Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, Negeri Sembilan dan Selangor. Ada pula Cameron Highland yang juga ada PAS Kawasan yang perlu dijaga oleh PAS Pahang.

Tidak mungkin seorang Pesuruhjaya PART TIME dapat mentadbir Pahang dengan baik.

GENG TERENGGANU MAHU SABOTAJ PAS DAN PAKATAN PAHANG! ?

Tindakan Geng Terengganu@Geng Perpaduang memaksa Tuan Ibrahim bertanding hanya akan melemahkan serta merosakkan peluang PAS Pahang merampas Pahang bersama Pakatan Pahang.

Mungkin Geng Terengganu sedar peluang mereka untuk memerintah lebih tipis berbanding dengan PAS Pahang. Jadi, mereka berusaha membawa Tuan Ibrahim ke Pusat, lantaran mereka juga berjaya merosakkan "Pasukan" PAS PAhang yang sekarang sedang rancak bergerak untuk menawan PAhang bersama-sama PR.

Bagi saya, perwakilan2 PAS Pahang wajib mengundi Abang Mat Sabu dan tidak Tuan Ibrahim kerana perginya Tuan Ibrahim ke Pusat hanya akan merosakkan peluang PAS Pahang untuk memerintah Pahang.

Wallahualam bissawab

Tulang Besi

Stifling the voice of dissent

When the poor take to the streets over bread-and-butter issues, the police come charging with their batons. But when Perkasa and Umno Youth stage a rally, the treatment is different.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin must be getting butterflies in their stomachs as the 13th general election looms. They are hoping the results would be partial to the Barisan Nasional (BN), given the whacking the BN suffered at the ballot boxes in 2008.

As Muhyiddin recently said and rightfully, the fight at the ballots is going to be very, very tough. The 2008 general election saw the awakening of the people, their faith in BN becoming a thing of the past.

Wisdom dictates that post-2008, BN would have cleaned up its act and right the wrongs, but it never happened. Instead, BN clung to money politics and double standard to make its presence felt.

Buying off voters at the various by-elections (read buy elections) that have taken place in the country shows BNs desperation to remain in control. Assurances were thrown at the people convincing them that the federal government cares, but minus the commitment.

Indeed, had the BN really cared for the people, it would have allowed the people a chance to vent their frustration over the increases in the prices of essential items. They showed their concern when they demonstrated during the Labour Day rally on May 1. Instead, the protesters were treated like criminals, with the key people behind the rally arrested.

The high-handed approach towards the protesters is proof of the governments hypocrisy and lack of empathy for the plight of the people. As far as the government and the police were concerned, the protesters were arrested because they did not have a police permit to organise the demonstration.

The pro! testers did not make any threats during the rally. They turned up to seek redress over bread-and-butter issues. They took to the streets that day to seek minimum wage and show their worry over the continuing price hikes.

The Labour Day protesters comprised estate workers, residents from displaced housing estates and representatives from civil societies. In short, the agenda was to engage in a non-violent gathering until the police decided otherwise. One person who turned up at the Dang Wangi police station to support his arrested colleagues was himself detained all because he was carrying a banner.

Will BN draw the line?

Yet, the very same law was not upheld when it came to the May 20 gathering comprising Umno Youth and ultra-Malay group Perkasa. Both badgered the Malays to unite and support Utusan Malaysia, the Umno-owned Malay daily known for denigrating the non-Malays.

Both Umno Youth and Perkasa decided to take on the non-Malays after the latter were visibly upset with a May 7 article Utusan Malaysia published claiming that Islams status as the countrys official religion was under threat from Christianity.

In spite of the many calls for Najib to put an end to Utusan Malaysias racist streak, no action was taken by him or Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. The latter, on the contrary, decided to give all mainstream media a warning to not blur the line when reporting on sensitive and touchy issues.

In the May 20 protest, there were 80 protesters representing Perkasa and another 70 from Umno Youth. One highly strung protester was reported to have said: Whenever anyone insults Utusan and the Malay community, Perkasa will be there. This is a warning to all you have to cross over our dead bodies first.

The demonstration took place outside Utusans headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, under the watchful eyes of 30-odd policemen and Light Strike Force personnel who did not intervene. The police submissively watched as 150 people staged the protest to de! fend Utu san Malaysia. How was it that they managed to converge and make threats (yet again) against the non-Malays while the police obediently stood guard?

But when poor people gathered to oppose price hikes, the same police showed no mercy and chased them away like poachers. Why the discrimination?

Last resort for the people

On Feb 27 this year, Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), a banned organisation of the Indians, demonstrated to demand the withdrawal of Interlok, the school book it said made disparaging ethnic references to the Indian community.

While there were misgivings about the Hindraf rally, the actions of the police were no less unlawful. The police deemed every Indian out on the streets on Feb 27 an accomplice and went about arresting them. Since when have the police started labelling all Indians as culprits? Is that the reason why Indian youngsters caught by the police suddenly ended up dead in cells?

Now, polls watchdog Bersih 2.0 has confirmed that its rally tagged Walk for Democracy would take place in Kuala Lumpur at 2pm on July 9. Among others, the rally aims to get the BN government to agree to Bersihs initial demands made four years ago. Then, Bersih wanted the use of the indelible ink, a clean-up of the electoral rolls, the scrapping of the postal votes and access to government-controlled print and broadcast media for the opposition parties.

Bersih also wants two additional demands met. One is to stop the practice of misusing government machinery as evident during the various by-elections and the 10th Sarawak election held on April 16. The other is stop using laws such as the Official Secrets Act and the Internal Security Act for electoral advantage.

Will the Bersih rally see the light of day, especially after PAS central committee member Mohamad Sabu declared that PAS would galvanise 100,000 of its members and supporters?

Rallies, while not a way of life for Malaysians, are becoming the last resort for the peop! le as mo re and more pressure is applied to silence the voices of the downtrodden. Violence is never the agenda. People only want their voices heard.

Govt to ensure power tariff increases not burdening the people

MALAYSIAKINI : PETALING JAYA, (Bernama) -- The Government will continue to ensure that any future increase in electricity tariff does not affect the rakyat just like the current increase which will not involve 75 per cent of the 5.94 million households in the country.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said studies from time to time will be carried out to ensure that any increase weighs in the burden of the people.

As part of its subsidy rationalisation process currently being implemented, the government yesterday announced that it will increase the average electricity tariff by 2.23 sen per kilowatt hour (kWh) or by 7.12 per cent to 33.54 sen/kWh from 31.31 sen/kWh, effective this Wednesday, June 1.

About 4.4 million households from the 5.94 million domestic users consume less than 300 kWh a month and they are not expected to see a rise in their electricity bill.

"This time we made sure that 75 per cent of households do not face an increase in their electricity bills," Najib told reporters when attending the 2011 Youth Action Forum here today.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that there was a need to increase the tariff as the use of power sources in the country, especially gas, was on the rise while the cost of importing them was according to world market prices and this was a burden on gas and energy companies.

The country will also not be able to afford to develop the alternate energy sectors if it continues to impose low tariff rates, he said.

"The development of the alternative energy sector requires high cost and with the low tariff, it will not be able to provide good returns for the investors in the sector.

"We need to encourage investments in gas and oil explorations and if the local prices are too low, oil companies including Petronas will not have the incentives to explore new sources of oil and gas," he explained.

The Scorpenes return with a vengeance....

Like it or not, Prime Minister Najib Razak has always been linked to the purchase of the French built Scorpene submarines and also the Russian Sukhoi SU30MKM aircraft.

This is a fact one needs to bear in mind. No contract of such magnitude would even need to allude to him at the time of purchase. He was the Defence Minister and his signature of approval would be evident on all the relevant documents.
There is no point in questioning whether there were any procedural misconduct in the purchasing of the arms. It would all be in order and the paper-work in place. Asking for an explanation from this angle will only bury you in technical jargon that would spin you round moon.

What really needs to be questioned is the role of Syarikat Perimekar Sdn Bhd as the defense contractor in charge of maintenance works on Malaysian soil. The link to Najib resonates to the tune of RM534.8 million in taxpayers money.

Perimekar is not a single entity but a private enterprise owned by three other bodies - Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera, Boustead Holdings Bhd and KS Ombak Laut Sdn Bhd.

This is where things get rather odd.

Najib's own Datuk T trio - LTAT, Boustead and KS Ombak

Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) is a government statutory body charged with the investing contributions from military personel for the purpose of generating profits which will be channelled back into the militarys pension schemes and other benefits for its members. Its primary duty is to invest money. And ! LT AT is the largest investor in Boustead Holdings Bhd. Boustead Holdings Bhd is one of Malaysia's largest diversified conglomerates.

KS Ombak Laut Sdn Bhd is owned by Razak Baginda, close aide and best friend to Najib Razak.

RM534.8 million is being spun amongst friends, all of whom can be traced back to Najib, the Defence Minister at the time of purchase.

LTAT and Boustead are investment firms and KS Ombak would have been the point man. Yet, all three do not have experience in maintaining military equipment, only the Defence Ministry has this expertise.

Why then was the Defence Ministry sidelined in favor of a private contractor?

Zahid and Pandikar - would they lie to cover up for Najib?

When allegation of kickbacks surfaced, investigations were called for. The government of the day took great pains to sweep this from the publics gaze.

July 2010 saw contradicting statements from then Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Amin Mulia.

In a written reply to William Leong, the PKR MP for Selayang, Pandikar stated that the matter need not be discussed in Parliament as the issue of the RM534.8 million was under investigation by the MACC. And since the issue was still being investigated, William's motion to debate it was rejected.

But Pan dikar directly contradicted Ahmad Zahid, who stated that the matter did not need to be brought to the MACC since the purchases were approved by the Finance ministry and all procedures were followed.

So was the matter ever brought to the MACC? Was it Pandikar who lied or Zahid who lied, did both men lie to prevent the issue from being recorded in Parliament?
The point is, the issue was never about the procedural aspects of the purchase but what became of the RM534.8 million and why was it awarded to three submarine novices?

Who is the BN government trying to protect?

Should not leaders who lie at the people's expense be punished?

The Perimekar contract should have been an instant red flag to all officials involved - if they were sincere leaders and workers concerned about transparency and how the people's money was being spent. It was so obvious since the person running it, Razak Baginda, was also the one involved in securing the purchase of the military equipment.

How could the government overlook this fact and award a maintenance contract to the very person who negotiated the terms of purchase for the equipment he would service?

The agreement would have been lop-sided from the very beginning, and given Razak Bagindas closeness to Najib, the amount agreed on may not have been the best value for tax-payers' money.

How Najib and his associate explain this away remains to be seen.

But for sure, whichever way and whatever procedure they use, the contract will always point back to Najib.

The Scorpenes have indeed returned with a vengeance. And it is set to take down no! t just o ne man, but a whole organisation dedicated to keeping the truth from the Malaysian public.- Maclean Patrick

source:Malaysia Chronicle

cheers.