PKR: Why did ex-MAS chief Tajudin go scot-free

PETALING JAYA: PKR leaders continued their attack on Putrajaya's out-of-court settlement with former Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chairman Tajudin Ramli which they said may have been due to his powerful connections with the country's top leaders.

Subang MP R Sivarasa suggested that the lack of criminal charges against Tajudin despite several complaints of graft against him suggested that he has a grip on "someone powerful" in the government.

"Who is this person who is so powerful in the Malaysian government that Tajudin is able to squeeze so hard that he can do all this?"

Tajudin was accused of corruption in the MASKargo fiasco in 2007 that saw the national carrier subsidiary losing money because of a dubious move to shift its already strategic operating location to an allegedly non-profitable one.

Several police reports and a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission report had been lodged against him by the senior management of MASKargo.

Until now, no action has been taken against the former MAS chief who was considered as the poster boy of then finance minister Daim Zainuddin's policies on nurturing Malay corporate leaders.

The Subang MP also said the out-of-court settlement between government-owned Danaharta and Tajudin again paved the way for the latter to walk free despite the serious legal violation when he failed to repay federal loan.

The case between Danaharta and Tajudin arose after he executed a facility agreement on July 13, 1994 to borrow RM1.79 billion from a group of syndicated lenders to finance his purchase of a 32 per cent stake in MAS.

However, from 1994 to 1998 he failed to service the original loan, causing it to become a non-performing loan (NPL).

"Again we see the same scenario where those close to the government escape punishment despite the blatant abuses," Sivarasa remarked.

Nazri and Idris must settle

In 1998, Danaharta acquired the NPL from the lenders but Tajudin also failed to settle his debt to Danaharta until it was in default of RM1.41 billion as at Oct 8, 2001.

As part of a settlement agreement, Tajudin was to pay RM942 million in four installments over three years and that he was permitted to redeem his charged shares at a minimum price per share.

Tajudin, however, defaulted in the payment of the quarterly interest payable under the settlement agreement and on April 27, 2002, the plaintiffs terminated the settlement agreement and demanded RM1.61 billion from him.

On April 29, 2002, Danaharta, together with its units Danaharta Urus Sdn Bhd and Danaharta Managers Sdn Bhd sold part of the charged shares consisting entirely of Technology Resources Industries (TRI) shares at RM2.75 per share, resulting in total proceeds of RM717.39 million.

As at Dec 31, 2005, the amount outstanding was RM589.14 million and on May 11, 2006, Danaharta and the subsidiaries commenced action to recover the money.

Tajudin had alleged in his affidavit that it was former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Daim who directed him in 1994 to buy a controlling stake in MAS to bail out the government although both denied this.

The Najib administration had recently said it had settled its legal dispute with the former MAS chief out of court.

Sivarasa said two ministers from the Prime Minister's Department, Idris Jala and Nazri Abdul Aziz, should explain to the public on Putrajaya's leniency towards Tajudin.

While Nazri had been vocal in defending the move, the PKR leader said Idris's takeover as MAS chief in 2007 could help shed some light into the controversy.

Also read:

Tajudin gagal tangguh prosiding

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Is Tajudin Ramli squeezing someone's balls...

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad owes the nation an explanation for pushing Malaysia Airlines System (MAS) to be privatised and Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli's role in it, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said today.

Tajuddin, a former MAS chief, was also a poster boy of former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin's now discredited policy of nurturing a class of Malay corporate captains on government largesse during the Mahathir administration.

"What everyone wants to know is why MAS was privatised in the first place, and why to Tajudin?" Zaid (picture), a former Umno minister, said in his blog today.

"Here I think Dr Mahathir has to explain what really happened. He has written a lot of books but none that we can believe in. Perhaps he should start writing one that is believable, that at least reflects the true situation surrounding the MAS saga that has still not been resolved until today," he added.

Dr Mahathir was the country's longest-serving prime minister, from July 1981 to October 2003.
Zaid, who was the ruling Barisan Nasional's (BN) de facto law minister, resigned in September 2008 to join PKR, which he left after accusing the opposition party of election fraud in its 2010 party elections, and founded another party, Parti Kesejahteraan Tanah Air (Kita), in December that same year.

Although estranged from Pakatan Rakyat, he has backed its criticism of a recent out-of-court settlement between Tajudin and Pengurusan Danaharta Bhd (Danaharta) and several other government-linked companies (GLCs) for an undisclosed agreement.

Tajudin's settlement with Danaharta on February 14 came aft! er a len gthy legal dispute following a High Court decision in December 2009 ordering the ex-MAS chief to pay the state asset management manager RM589.14 million plus two per cent interest per year, backdated to January 1, 2006.

"Since the settlement was conducted in secret, allow me to guess the terms of the deal: Tajudin was not required to pay a single sen to Danaharta or any of the GLCs; instead, the government will pay Tajudin RM6.5 billion (or half of what he had claimed)," Zaid said.

"Tajudin will then be generous in his contributions to the party coffers for the upcoming general election," he added.

Zaid said his claim was mere conjecture "but what else can a citizen do when the government hides its fraudulent conduct from the people?"

"At the same time, it's also possible that my guess is spot on. With this desperate government, everything is possible," he said.

The case between Danaharta and Tajudin arose after he executed a facility agreement on July 13, 1994 to borrow RM1.79 billion from a group of syndicated lenders to finance his purchase of a 32 per cent stake in MAS.

However, from 1994 to 1998 he failed to service the original loan, causing it to become a non-performing loan (NPL).

In 1998, Danaharta acquired the NPL from the lenders but Tajuddin also failed to settle his debt to Danaharta until it was in default of RM1.41 billion as at October 8, 2001. As part of a settlement agreement, Tajudin was to pay RM942 million in four instalments over three years and that he was permitted to redeem his charged shares at a minimum price per s! hare.

Tajudin, however, defaulted in the payment of the quarterly interest payable under the settlement agreement and on April 27, 2002, the plaintiffs terminated the settlement agreement and demanded RM1.61 billion from him.

On April 29, 2002, Danaharta, together with its units Danaharta Urus Sdn Bhd and Danaharta Managers Sdn Bhd sold part of the charged shares consisting entirely of Technology Resources Industries (TRI) shares at RM2.75 per share, resulting in total proceeds of RM717.39 million.

As at December 31, 2005, the amount outstanding was RM589.14 million and on May 11, 2006, Danaharta and the subsidiaries commenced action to recover the money.

Tajudin had alleged in his affidavit that it was Dr Mahathir and Daim who directed him in 1994 to buy a controlling stake in MAS to bail out the government.

Tajudin claimed that his purchase was a forced "national service", disguised as an arm's length commercial deal, because the government wanted to appease the investment community and the public.

Dr Mahathir, however, denied in his autobiography published last March that he and Daim had forced Tajudin to bail out MAS in 1994 for RM1.8 billion, claiming instead that Tajudin was "elated" over his purchase.- malaysian insider

Zaid pokes fun at Tajudin-GLCs settlement

Former minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zaid Ibrahim today poked fun at the confidentiality in Tajudin Ramli's settlement with several government-linked corporations (GLCs).
Zaid (left) said since the settlement was conducted in secret, it was of public interest for it to be disclosed to the people.

He then hypothetically guessed the terms of the deal in his blog posting.
 
"Tajudin was not required to pay a single sen to Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Bhd or any of the GLCs; and instead, the government will pay Tajudin RM6.5 billion (or half of what Tajudin is claiming).

"Tajudin will then be generous in his contributions to the party coffers for the upcoming general election. Yes, I am making this up, but what else can a citizen do when the government hides its fraudulent conduct from the people? At the same time, it's also possible that my guess is spot on. With this desperate government, everything is possible," he remarked in his blog posting.

On Feb 14, it was reported that Tajudin had withdrawn his appeal and the GLCs had agreed to settle the RM589 million suit. This was despite the Kuala Lumpur High Court having ordered Tajudin to pay RM589 million to Danaharta in 2009.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua claimed last week that his inside sources revealed that the RM589 loan debt by Tajudin had be! en writt en off.

Zaid said the settlement with Tajudin was the culmination of a six-year civil suit over debts that Tajudin accumulated in the purchase of MAS shares from Bank Negara in the early 1990s.

The former minister, who is also a lawyer, said in striking out Tajudin's RM13 billion counter-claim, the once high-flyer had threatened to bring former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad into the picture.

'Why privatise MAS?'

Zaid, who is also Kita president, said Tajudin maintained he was asked to take over the national airline, and was assured that he would be fully indemnified by the government; hence, the RM13 billion claim.

"Now whilst the court case was going on, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz issued a directive to GLCs not to pursue the case against Tajudin, even though they had won their case at the High Court level.  

"Apparently, BN doesn't recognise that these companies are independent of the government in terms of their management. These companies have their own respective boards of directors who owe a legal and statutory duty to the companies and the other shareholders they represent. To BN what doesn't benefit them automatically cannot benefit anyone else."

So, Zaid said, the GLCs and Danaharta were not permitted to pursue their legitimate interests.

Then he asked Mahathir why had the government privatised MAS in the first place and why Tajudin was selected.

"Here, I think Mahathir has to explain what really happened. He has written  many books but none are any that we can believe in.
 
Perhaps he should start writing one that is believable, that at least reflects the true situation surrounding the MAS saga that has yet to be resolved until ! today.� �

Today, MAS chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya announced that for the nine months ending Sept 30, 2011, MAS incurred a RM1.209 billion pre-tax loss as compared to a RM23.73 million profit, for the same period in 2010. Ahmad Jauhari said MAS' priority now is to stem the losses. - malaysiakini
 

PKR's Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah believes former Malaysia Airlines System chairperson Tajudin Ramli may have a hold on "someone powerful in the government", since no criminal charges have been preferred against him and he obtained a relatively lenient out-of-court settlement.
 
Speaking at a press conference in Tropicana, Sivarasa (left) said the same could be asked of the lack of criminal action taken against Tajudin, despite the several police reports and a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission report against him by the senior management of MASKargo in 2007.

"Who is this person who is so powerful in the Malaysian government, in the cabinet probably, that Tajudin is able to squeeze so hard that he can do all this?" he asked.

 

"Two people who can start helping us answer this question are ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala and Nazri Abdul Aziz, who has been in the news talking about the settlements," he said.

Sivarasa said Idris could shed some light as he took over as MAS CEO in 2007 and had, according to the MASKargo MACC report, briefed the then prime minist! er Abdul lah Ahmad Badawi on the alleged wrongdoings by Tajudin in the same year.

Bribery allegations

Referring to the report, which was purportedly lodged under instruction by MAS' management, Sivarasa said Tajuddin was accused of "bribing" the police and the Attorney-General's Chambers, resulting in no prosecution. He added that the report, a copy of which was distributed to the press, also alleged that the then-Commercial Crimes Department (CCD) of the police force had found "prosecutable offences".

In his report to MACC, then MASKargo manageing director Shahari Sulaiman said that then-CCD director Ramli Yusuff had "disclosed that various offences have been identified that are prosecutable".

"The CCD director also assured the then-PM (Abdullah) that the CCD would also have qualified lawyers in its ranks who can act as prosecuting officers if the AG's chambers was reluctant to prosecute these offences," he said.

In December, Business Times reported that Shahari has gone on leave amidst a domestic inquiry since November 2011. It is unclear when he will return to duty. 

Dr M's proxy?

PKR treasurer and Selayang MP William Leong said Tajuddin's affidavit admitting that he had acted as proxy for then-PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the purchase of MAS shares also warrants investigation. He added that the recent the fact that the settlements were "shrouded in secrecy" also strengthens Tajuddin's claim that he was indeed a proxy.

"If he was a proxy, who was then the real master who should be accountable for ruining he livelihood and economic future of tens of thousands of MAS employees?" he asked.

Tajuddin had rec! ently re ached an out-of-court settlement with Danaharta involving the RM589 million debt incurred by the former for his purchase of MAS shares.

Malaysiakini has contacted Tajuddin's lawyer, Nazri and Idris for comment and is awaiting a reply.- malaysiakini

Dr M says sees no need to explain MAS deals...

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad brushed off today Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's call that he "write a book" on why Malaysia Airline System (MAS) was privatised to Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli in 1994, saying he was not in charge of the loss-making national carrier.

"I'm not in charge of MAS, how can I write a book? I can make some comments, that's all," the former prime minister told reporters today.

Zaid, who was de facto law minister in 2008, wrote in his blog today that Dr Mahathir (picture) must explain by "writing (a book) that is believable, that at least reflects the true situation surrounding the MAS saga that has still not been resolved until today."

Zaid, who resigned from Umno in September 2008 to join PKR but is now estranged from Pakatan Rakyat (PR), has backed the opposition's criticism of recent confidential out-of-court settlements between Tajudin and several GLCs.

"Since the settlement was conducted in secret, allow me to gu! ess the terms of the deal: Tajudin was not required to pay a single sen to Danaharta or any of the GLCs; instead, the government will pay Tajudin RM6.5 billion (or half of what he had claimed).

"Tajudin will then be generous in his contributions to the party coffers for the upcoming general election," he said.

Tajudin's settlement with Pengurusan Danaharta Bhd (Danaharta) on February 14 came after a lengthy legal dispute following a High Court decision in December 2009 ordering the ex-MAS chief to pay the state asset management manager RM589.14 million plus two per cent interest per year, backdated to January 1, 2006.

But Dr Mahathir, who was PM from 1981 to 2003, insisted today "the government is very sensitive to these things because it may affect the image of the government and the support in the next election."

"If they have evidence that there was blatant abuse of power they can make a case for it," he added.

Tajuddin, who was MAS chairman until 2001, was also a poster boy of former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin's now discredited policy of nurturing a class of Malay corporate captains on government largesse during the Mahathir administration.

The case between Danaharta and Tajudin arose after he executed a facility agreement on July 13, 1994 to borrow RM1.79 billion from a group of syndicated lenders to finance his purchase of a 32 per cent stake in MAS.

However, from 1994 to 1998 he failed to service the original loan, causing it to become a non-pe! rforming loan (NPL).

In 1998, Danaharta acquired the NPL from the lenders but Tajuddin also failed to settle his debt to Danaharta until it was in default of RM1.41 billion as at October 8, 2001.

As part of a settlement agreement, Tajudin was to pay RM942 million in four instalments over three years and that he was permitted to redeem his charged shares at a minimum price per share.

Tajudin, however, defaulted in the payment of the quarterly interest payable under the settlement agreement and on April 27, 2002, the plaintiffs terminated the settlement agreement and demanded RM1.61 billion from him.

On April 29, 2002, Danaharta, together with its units Danaharta Urus Sdn Bhd and Danaharta Managers Sdn Bhd sold part of the charged shares consisting entirely of Technology Resources Industries (TRI) shares at RM2.75 per share, resulting in total proceeds of RM717.39 million.

As at December 31, 2005, the amount outstanding was RM589.14 million and on May 11, 2006, Danaharta and the subsidiaries commenced action to recover the money.

Tajudin had alleged in his affidavit that it was Dr Mahathir and Daim who directed him in 1994 to buy a controlling stake in MAS to bail out the government.

Tajudin claimed that his purchase was a forced "national service", disguised as an arm's length commercial deal, because the government wanted to appease the investment community and the public.

Dr Mahathir, however, denied in his autobiography published last March that he and Daim had forced Tajudin to bail out MAS in 1994 for RM1.8 billion, claiming instead that Tajudin w! as "el ated" over his purchase.- malaysian insider

cheers.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Please leave my family alone, says Jessie Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional coordinator for Selayang and Selangor MCA Beliawanis chairman Jessie Ooi, who has become the centre of criticism after she posed a question during the recent debate between MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng,

today made an impassionate plea to spare her family from criticism.

She said there were some quarters who had posted pictures of her family members and children on websites, which had severely damaged the image of her family.

"As they are all innocent, please do not target those malicious remarks against them. Should you have any criticisms, please direct them at me and do not harm my family members," she said in a statement issued here.

She said the pictures of her family members and children had been posted on Facebook and such acts posed a threat to their safety apart from calls to boycott her family's company.

"To protect the safety and reputation of my family members and myself, I lodged a report on Feb 20 at the Gombak police headquarters. We will certainly take the appropriate action to protect ourselves," she added.

Bernama

Also read:

Moment of truth or political drama?

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

MACC panel: Keep probing sand mining scandal

KUALA LUMPUR: A high-powered Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) panel recommended that the commission and the Attorney-General's Chambers continue probing into the alleged corruption and sand theft syndicate in Selangor.

MACC Operations Review Panel (PPO) chairman Hadenan Abdul Jalil stressed today that the case was never closed but recently re-emerged when controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin wrote about it.

"On the case of Sri Muda state assemblyman Mat Suhaimi Shafiei and Batu Caves state assemblyman Amirudin Shaari, MACC had investigated this case.

"We have agreed that the case of these two Ybs should be looked at again by the MACC legal and prosecution division and investigations department. There are a few items that need to be thoroughly re-looked at," Hadenan, a former auditor-general, said.

"We don't agree that this case be closed," he added.

However, his statement contradicted a previous MACC statement that the commission had actually completed investigations and the A-G had returned the investigation papers and recommended that no further action be taken.

When this was pointed out Hadenan appeared to be unaware of the matter.

"What news report is that? I don't think it was ever closed. Maybe there was a misquote somewhere," he said.

"No no… the case has been ongoing, just that RPK made it very lively again. We just feel that there is more to be done. So we re-study it. Until the PPO say the case is closed. Even the AG has to 'follow' the decision of the PPO," he said.

RPK named thw two reps

Previously, FMT quoted a MACC statement and reported that the case had been closed by the A-G and was marked "NFA".

The PPO is an independent group formed by several people appointed by the government to re-study and review the decision of the A-G. The PPO members are specialists and professionals appointed by the prime minister.

On Feb 9, Raja Petra implicated the two Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen in the sand mining scandal in Selangor.

In an article published on his Malaysia Today news portal, Mat Suhaimi and Amirudin were named as the duo who allegedly colluded with a well-heeled contractor with regard to sand mining operations in the state.

The contractor was said to have forked out cash assistance to Mat Suhaimi for his programmes while Amirudin had provided a supporting letter to Double Dignity Sdn Bhd, the sand mining company belonging to the contractor.

Raja Petra also published the transcripts of alleged taped telephone conversations between Mat Suhaimi and the contractor.

Both Mat Suhaimi and Amirudin denied any involvement in the sand mining scandal and claimed that the MACC had cleared them.

Case againt Nik Aziz's son-in-law closed

Meanwhile, Hadenan also revealed that MACC had conducted massive operations on the sand mining issue with 43 arrests having been made – 30 of which were personnel from the enforcement agencies and civil service while the remaining 13 coming from the private sector and member of the public. He said bribes between RM500 and RM88,000 had been given and received by these people.

"There have also been cases of sexual bribes to continue the sand theft and smuggling activities," he said, adding that the government could have lost some RM600 million to the sand theft activities in a year.

In another development, the PPO also recommended that the case of Abdul Arifffahmi Abdul Rahman, the son-in-law of Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who was implicated in alleged improper dealings of state subsidiaries, be closed.

"On Nik Aziz's son-in-law, this case has been investigated for a long time, and the PPO has agreed with the A-G's decision that it should be closed due to the lack of evidence," he said.

During the press conference, Hadenan also said that in 2011, MACC received 13,325 tip offs but  50% of them were not corruption related while 3,458 were poison pen letters.

"We have made a decision that without clear evidence, poison pen letters will be given low priority. In many country surat layang are not given any attention at all, but we still look at it.

In 2011, 1,304 investigation papers were opened and 967 cases have either been closed or solved, many completed within six months. The government also collected a total of RM10 million in fines over convictions of corruption cases. Conviction rate stood at a high of 75%.

Hadenan said the PPO's annual report would be tabled to the Cabinet in a few months time.

Also read:

Probe on PKR duo over but no action taken

Sand mining: RPK reveals 'dirt' on two reps

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

MACC panel: NFC case gone out of control

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Feedlot Centre (NFC) scandal has become highly politicised and has even gone "out of control", according to a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) review panel.

The high-level panel urged that the case be closed as soon as possible.

The MACC's operations review panel (PPO) chairman Hadenan Abdul Jalil, a former auditor-general, said that the MACC had already completed investigations on the NFC but the Attorney-General's Chambers, which wants more information, had returned the case files.

"Investigations have been completed and the files given to the A-G's Chambers; however, the papers were returned for further investigations. Because there have been no conclusions, we can't reveal more on the results of the probe.

"However, (if the A-G decides to close the case), the PPO still has the 'final say' on this," said Hadenan, who gave a press briefing on the PPO's first meeting this year.

He said that the PPO was given a lengthy special briefing by the MACC since the case is of public interest.

"This case has gone 'out of control' and [has become] highly politicised. MACC has to decide if Shahrizat (Abdul Jalil) has any role in the decision-making of the government relating to the funding of the NFC. That is the prime objective of the MACC's investigations, which is separate from the police probe on the operations of the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp)," Hadenan said.

Shahrizat – the women, community and family development minister – and her family had been accused of abusing over RM62 million in land, property and expenses unrelated to cattle farming although they denied any wrongdoing.

'We need a conclusion'

"Everybody is waiting for (the results of the case); the longer it drags, the more it becomes a problem for many of us. We feel that this case must be closed immediately. To be fair to the person who is involved… we need a conclusion," Hadenan said.

"We have to state that the welfare and interest of the accused and those who are implicated should also be (considered)," he added.

"We feel that the case should be closed. There's no point dragging it… if the case is weak, there's no point going to court," he said.

Asked what he meant by saying that the case should be "closed" and whether it meant that nobody should be charged, Hadenan said: "No, no, no. It has to be resolved. A solution must come into the picture."

Asked if the PPO has given any deadline for MACC to finish investigations, he said this was out of PPO's powers, but added that the case was important.

"In any legal case, there must be justice to all parties, including those who are being accused… I think we have interviewed all the witnesses. This is in relation to about abuse of power or corruption. Nothing to do with the running of the NFC," he said.

The PPO is an independent group set up by the government to re-study and review decisions of the A-G on MACC cases.

The panel is supposedly a "check-and-balance" mechanism for the MACC and can recommend the A-G to reopen cases that have been previously closed. The PPO members are specialists and professionals appointed by prime minister.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

PKR dakwa penyenaraian FGVH 'skim berniat jahat'...

Cadangan penyenaraian Felda Global Ventures Holding (FGVH) di Bursa Malaysia adalah "skim berniat jahat" yang bertujuan mengurangkan pegangan peneroka dalam Felda Holdings yang kaya dengan tunai, kata PKR.

Ini kerana menurut Pengarah Strategi PKR Rafizi Ramli, dengan penyenaraian itu, semua aset Felda akan dipindahkan ke FGVH, yang merupakan syarikat milik penuh kerajaan dan peneroka tidak lagi akan mempunyai suara dalam perniagaan dan aktiviti operasi berkenaan.

Lebih-lebih lagi, katanya, pelabur lain juga dijemput membeli saham dalam FGVH.

"Kami anggarkan bahawa apabila ini berlaku, ekuiti Felda Holdings yang dipegang oleh peneroka dan kakitangan Felda akan dikurangkan daripada 51 peratus sekarang kepada paling tinggi 42.7 peratus selepas penyenaraian.

"Ini menjadikan mereka pemegang saham minoriti," kata Rafizi dalam  sidang medianya di ibu pejabat parti di Tropicana, Petaling Jaya. 

Mengulas cadangan Pengerusi Felda, Tan Sri Isa Samad yang mahu membentuk sebuah syarikat khas (SPV) dalam urusan penyenaraian itu, Rafizi berkata tindakan itu menunjukkan kerajaan berniat jahat.

"Kalau mereka mahu menyenaraikan FGVH di Bursa Malaysia tanpa membabitkan KPF (Koperasi Permodalan Felda Malaysia Berhad) ini bermakna mereka mengkhianati peneroka dan kakitangan Felda.

"Ia juga bertentangan dengan undang-undang," katan! ya lagi.
Semalam, Isa bertegas mahu menyenaraikan FGVH di Bursa Malaysia walaupun tanpa membabitkan KPF.

Untuk tujuan itu, Isa berkata syarikat khas akan ditubuhkan bagi menyalurkan keuntungan FGVH kepada peneroka.

Rafizi berkata, kerajaan seharusnya mendapatkan persetujuan KPF yang mempunyai pegangan saham 51 peratus dalam Felda Holding Berhad sekiranya mahu memindahkan keseluruhan pegangan itu kepada FGVH.- malaysiakini

Felda Global Ventures listing 'an evil scheme'

The proposed listing of Felda Global Ventures Holding (FGVH) is a "evil scheme" aimed at reducing the settlers' stake in '"cash cow" Felda Holdings, says the PKR.

This is because the assets will be transferred to FGVH, which is wholly government-owned, and the settlers "will not have a say in Felda's business and operational activities", especially when other investors are invited to purchase shares in FGVH.
 

 "We estimate that when this happens, the lucrative Felda Holdings equity held by settlers and Felda staff will be reduced from the present 51 percent to 42.7 percent at the most after the listing, making them minority shareholders," PKR chief of strategy Rafizi Ramli told a press conference at Tropicana in Petaling Jaya today.

Settlers and Felda staff own 51 percent of Felda Holdings through Koperasi Permodalan Felda (KPF! ).
However, eight of its members have obtained an injuction to stop KPF from moving a motion to relinquish its assets in Felda Holdings to FGVH at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

As a result, Felda chairperson Isa Samad said that the FGVH listing would continue without KPF, as a special purpose vehicle will be set up to represent the interests of the settlers and Felda staff.

No RM20,000 windfall for settlers

According to Rafizi, with asset injection from Felda Holdings, the listing exercise would yield market capitalisation of about RM3 billion, far smaller than the RM21 billion previously announced.

"As such, the expected profits for settlers will certainly not be RM20,000 (as promised). It will not happen unless there is some magic trick," he said.

This "magic trick" could include a "back door injection" from Felda Holdings, which is both illegal and would contravene the court injunction obtained by the KPF members.

"We ask the Securities Commission to be wary and review all the aggregated assets," Rafizi said, noting that FGVH has a poorer earnings record than Felda Holdings.

The announcement on the setting up of the 'special purpose vehicle', he added, also showed "disrespect for settlers and Felda staff" and was an indication that the wholly government-owned vehicle would soon take over KPF's role.

PKR Felda Bureau chief Suhaimi Said said the land authority's intention to sideline settlers was also apparent in its proposed motion, which could not be carried out because of the court injunction.

! 'S ettlers to bear all the risks'

Referring to the motion proposed for the cancelled EGM, he said KPF was supposed to relinquish its assets in Felda Holdings and its subsidiaries to an "investment holding company".

"This company will represent the settlers in FVGH, while a small amount of ordinary shares will be given to KPF members," Suhaimi (right) said, referring to a copy of the document, which is marked 'confidential'.

"This means that if the value of the FGVH shares drop, the settlers will bear all the risks," he said, adding that this differed from the 15 percent annual dividend received by KPF members.

Suhaimi said the listing would also involve Felda Plantations, which currently contributes RM2.4 billion through its operations.

"With the listing, Felda Plantations land will be leased to FGVH for 99 years at a mere  RM700 per hectare, when the current value is not less than RM2,000 per hectare," he said.

He added that Felda Plantations is estimated to gain only around RM580 million, including dividends,  from this – a far cry from the RM2.4 billion in revenue it currently reaps from its operations.-malaysiakini

KPF snub will lower FELDA listing value

Looming polls may force FELDA listing onto back burner

cheers.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Council fences up anti-Lynas rally venue

PETALING JAYA: The Kuantan local council has been accused of doing all that it can to stop an anti-Lynas gathering from taking place at the municipal field in Kuantan this Sunday.

First the council erected a notice board to announce that it was organising a futsal match at the field, also on Sunday.

On Monday, the council rejected an application by the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 organisers to use the  Padang MPK1 for the gathering, saying that the organisers should first obtain approval from the police.

And today, it took its most outrageous step of all by building a fence around the field, totally blocking any public access to the field.

The council said that the fencing was part of a long overdue upgrading project in preparation for the Sukma Games in July this year.

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh however is not buying this excuse made by the Kuantan council.

"As the date of the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 draws near, the local council seemed to have lost it's calm and cool," said Fuziah in a statement today.

"The council is behaving in an uncharacteristic manner, reflecting the desperation of some people who are possibly behind the drawing board of the state government," she added.

The PKR vice-present, who is the most vocal critic of the Lynas rare earth plant in Gebeng – which falls under her Kuantan constituency, said she noticed the fence being put up earlier today and had contacted the council for clarification.

"The council's public relations officer was quick to explain that the fence was put up to facilitate a project to upgrade the padang MPK1 for the Sukma event due in July. She also added that the work is already delayed as it is," said Fuziah.

Fuziah also revealed that from her conversation with the workers hired by the council to put up the fence, she learnt that they were summoned only this afternoon from Temerloh for the work.

She said that the state government and the local council could have delayed the fence works until after the gathering this Sunday.

"There is no reason whatsoever for the local council not to give permission for the rally to take place. It's best for the local council to approve the use of the padang for a peaceful rally in solidarity rather than let them walk on the streets in Kuantan," she said.

The Himpunan Hijau 2.0 organisers believe that about 20,000 people would attend the gathering this Sunday. The first Himpunan Hijau gathering was held in October at Taman Gelora beach.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Mahathir should not try to wriggle out of his responsibility to the nation to account for the MAS scandal reducing in less than a decade one of the continent’s top-fliers into the sick man of the airline industry

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Round-the-clock monitoring on Lynas site

DENGKIL: The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) today revealed that it had been conducting radiological monitoring programmes and samplings as wide as a 20km radius of the Lynas plant site since late 2008.

As of today there are a total of 26 monitoring reference points in and around the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP).

One permanent monitoring station is located in Kuantan while three reference points are located at 1km, 5km, 10km and 20km radius of the RM2.5 billion plant.

Seven reference points are located onsite and seven more are spread out over the transport route from the Kuantan Port to the LAMP.

According to the AELB director of the enforcement division, Hamrah Mohd Ali, the round-the-clock monitoring includes samplings of the air, soil, water and background radiation (radiation from one's surroundings).

"The result of the radiological monitoring for 2011 until February 2012 shows that the average external dose rate in Gebeng and Kuantan is four times higher than the background reading that has been reported in the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Radiation (UNSCEAR) report 2000," Hamrah said during the weekly press briefing at the AELB headquarters this afternoon.

The dose rate in Gebeng and Kuantan has been recorded at 0.17 microsievert (μSv) per hour while the background reading in Malaysia in 2000 was recorded at 0.051 μSv per hour.

"Nevertheless it is well below the acceptable limit for a member of the public which is 1millisievert (mSv) per annum," Hamrah stated.

Medical purposes

Microsievert and millisievert are the average accumulated background radiation dose on an individual in an hour and in a year respectively.

Meanwhile, AELB director-general, Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan, said that AELB had learnt the importance of radiological monitoring from the Asian Rare Earth (ARE) experience and assured that the monitoring would be further intensified once the LAMP was fully operational.

"If we don't have readings of background radiation, it is hard to assure the public whether the radiation is inherently high or because of certain activity," he stated.

"During the ARE duration, the Atomic Energy Licensing Act was non-existent. The nation only had the Radioactive Substance Act 1968 which measured radioactive substance for medical purposes alone."

He added that even the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had not yet set standards for mining activities that would enhance normally occurring radioactive materials.

"We began the monitoring programmes a long time back," Aziz said. "When we received Lynas' letter of intent we asked about the radionuclides and radioactivity involved.

"Lynas compiled the data, we verified it and then put the monitoring systems into place."

'I have public interest at heart'

When asked about AELB's response to the lawsuit filed against it last weekend by 10 Kuantan residents, Aziz said that the AELB would respect any court that issues a summons or write against it.

The court filing also named Lynas Corporation and the director-general of Environmental Quality in the Department of Environment (DOE) as respondents.

"We will take it as due process, "Aziz said. "It is not about fighting the case but ensuring public safety and I have the public interest at heart."

His assurances are unfortunately not good enough for the hundreds of anti-Lynas protesters who will be holding the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 rallies nationwide this Sunday.

"People choose to believe what they want to believe but I have no choice," Aziz said. "I have to believe the facts, and even if you change my (Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Maximus Ongkili), I will still stand by my safety standards."

"There is no use telling me to get rid of Lynas without any basis [to the allegations]."

Also read:

No basis for legal action, says Lynas

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Bilakah Sultan Menjadi Bayangan Allah Di Bumi?

BILAKAH SULTAN MENJADI BAYANGAN ALLAH DI BUMI?
Prof Madya Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
(sertai facebook DrMAZA.com dan twitter realDrMAZA)

 

Minggu ini saya kembali ke Oxford, UK. Beberapa minggu berada di Malaysia. Di samping menyambut kedatangan 'puteri baru', banyak juga aktiviti yang sempat saya sertai. Bahang pilihanraya semakin kuat sehingga segala perkara berbau politik. Semalam semasa seminar 'Islam and Europe' di Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), directornya Dr Farhan Nizami bersembang dengan kami dengan memberi pandangannya tentang Malaysia. Katanya, betapa dia tidak menyangka bahawa bangsa melayu yang kelihatan sopan santun itu apabila tiba kepada bab politik, mereka berpolitik habis-habisan. Saya senyum sahaja mendengar ulasannya.

Berkaitan fenomena piliharaya juga, beberapa hari lepas saya menerima begitu banyak soalan berhubung dengan 'Raja adalah bayangan Allah di bumi'. Hadis ini katanya telah diwar-warkan oleh pihak tertentu dalam menjustifikasikan perjuangan tertentu. Saya dengar ada yang lebih lantang lagi dengan menyebut lafaz asal hadis itu 'al-Sultan adalah bayangan Allah di bumi' bagi merujuk sultan pilihannya. Ada pula yang seakan ingin menyuburkan feudalisme melayu dengan hadis tersebut. Saya bergurau dengan sesetengah pihak yang berminat menggunakan hadis itu dengan berkata: "Raja yang menjadi bayangan Allah itu Raja Jordan ke, atau Raja Saudi? Atau Raja Morocco? Oleh kerana terlalu umum, apakah boleh juga digunakan oleh Raja Siam?"

Sebenarnya, perkataan yang digunakan dalam hadis 'al-Sultan' bukan al-Malik (Raja). Jika ia difaham secara bahasa melayu, mungkin para sultan seperti Sultan Qabos di Oman atau Sultan Brunei tergambar semasa membaca hadis ini. Sudah pasti bukan Sultan Damsyik Jani dari 'Negara Pasir Berdengung' dalam filem Doremi arahan P.Ramlee.

Sebenarnya hadis tersebut mempunyai banyak riwayat. Ada yang palsu, ada yang sangat daif (daif jiddan), ada yang daif dan ada yang hasan ataupun mungkin boleh mendekati sahih. Antara lafaz yang palsu atau sekurang-kurang teramat daif:

السلطان ظل الله تعالى في الأرض فإن أحسنوا فلهم الأجر وعليكم الشكر وإن أساءوا فعليهم الإصر وعليكم الصبر لا يحملنكم إساءته على أن تخرجوا من طاعته فإن الذل في طاعة الله خير من خلود في النار لولاهم ما صلح الناس

(terjemahan) "al-Sultan bayangan Allah di bumi. Jika mereka berbuat baik bagi mereka pahala dan wajib ke atas kamu syukur. Jika mereka jahat, mereka mendapat dosa, wajib ke atas kamu sabar. Janganlah kejahatannya itu menyebabkan kamu keluar dari ketaatan. Ini kerana, sesungguhnya kehinaan dalam mentaati Allah (dengan mentaati sultan yang jahat) lebih baik dari kekal dalam neraka (kerana menentang sultan). Jika tidak kerana mereka, manusia tidak akan aman". (hadis ini dihukum oleh al-Albani sebagai 'terlalu daif' dalam Silsilah al-Daifah/no. 1664)

Namun secara kesimpulan penilaian hadis, setakat lafaz "Al-Sultan bayangan Allah di bumi" adalah sahih disebabkan pelbagai riwayat. Adapun tambahan selepas lafaz tersebut ada yang hasan, daif, sangat daif dan palsu.

Ada juga riwayat dalam al-Jami' al-Saghir oleh al-Sayuti (meninggal 911H) yang menyebut:

السلطان ظل الله في الأرض، فإذا دخل أحدكم بلدا ليس به سلطان فلا يقيمن به

"al-Sultan bayangan Allah di bumi. Jika seseorang kamu memasuki sesuatu negeri yang tiada sultan padanya, janganlah dia tinggal dalamnya".

Saya bimbang menjelang musim berkempen ini akan ada yang menggunakan riwayat yang daif ini untuk melarang orang tinggal di negeri-negeri yang tiada sultan seperti Pulau Pinang, Sabah dan Sarawak. Kemudian, di Negara Arab hanyalah Negara Oman yang boleh tinggal dalamnya sebab masih ada Sultan Qabos. Selainnya sudah tiada sultan. Indonesia pun tidak boleh tinggal dalamnya kerana sudah tiada sultan. Hanya Brunei yang sesuai. Jangan sampai begitu pulak tafsiran kita.

Apakah Maksud 'al-Sultan'?

Perkataan al-Sultan bukanlah bermaksud pemerintah yang memakai gelaran 'sultan'. Jika tidak sudah pasti al-Khulafa al-Rasyidin menggunakan gelaran sultan. Sultan bermaksud pihak yang berkuasa. Ertinya ia merangkumi semua mereka yang mempunyai kuasa pemerintahan tanpa mengira apapun gelarannya. Abu Bakr al-Siddiq naik memerintah selepas Rasulullah memakai gelaran 'Khalifah Rasulillah', kemudian pada zaman 'Umar mula diperkenalkan gelaran 'Amir al-Mukminin. Selepas itu beberapa dinasti seperti Ayyubiah, Mamalik dan 'Uthamaniyyah memakai gelaran sultan. Mereka itu kebanyakannya bukan arab. Ada juga yang memakai al-Malik iaitu 'raja' dan sebagainya.

Maka hendaklah jelas, perkataan sultan dalam hadis merujuk kepada ulul amri iaitu mereka yang berkuasa memerintah. Jangan putarkan hadis untuk pemainan politik. Ertinya, secara literal dalam konteks Malaysia, Perdana Menteri juga zhillu Allah ataupun bayangan Allah di bumi. Demikian Presiden Mesir, Libya dan sebagainya. Kini kita wajar bertanya apakah maksud bayangan Allah? Apakah kita memahami seperti golongan literalis yang akan melihat sultan atau raja atau penguasa atau presiden sebagai benar-benar bayangan Allah yang kemudian mungkin dijustifikasikan segala tindakannya. Jika mereka itu berjudi di London ini sehingga tergadai balak dan minyak di negara mereka apakah itu bayangan Allah? Jika mereka kejam seperti Assad di Syria, atau mereka rasuah dan bermewahan dengan harta rakyat jelata, apakah mereka tetap dimuliakan sebab mereka bayangan Allah?

Bayangan Allah

Jika kita faham makna khalifah, ia bermaksud pengganti ataupun wakil. Apabila kita menyebut manusia khalifah Allah bermaksud manusia mengganti Allah di bumi. Ketika menafsirkan Surah al-Baqarah ayat 30 berhubung manusia sebagai khalifah Allah di bumi, al-Imam al-Baidawi berkata:

"Khalifah itu bermaksud (dari segi bahasa) sesiapa yang menggantikan tempat pihak yang lain atau menjadi penggantinya. Yang dimaksudkan dengan khalifah dalam ayat ini adalah Adam a.s. kerana beliau merupakan khalifah Allah di bumiNya. Demikian sekelian nabi yang Allah utuskan mereka sebagai pengganti (khalifah) bagi memakmurkan bumi, menguruskan manusia, menyempurnakan keperluan mereka dan melaksanakan perintah Allah ke atas mereka" (Al-Baidawi, Anwar al-Tanzil wa Asrar al-Takwil, 1/64).

Makna yang sama merujuk kepada sultan ataupun penguasa itu bayangan Allah di bumi. Bukan bermaksud kesucian penguasa sehingga tidak boleh dibahas dan dipertikaikan. Sama sekali tidak! Sebab betapa ramai manusia ini yang Allah tabalkan menjadi khalifah telah melakukan kerja yang sebaliknya. Apakah kita tetap mempertahankannya atas nama khalifah Allah?! Justeru al-Imam al-Munawi dalam Faidh al-Qadir ketika menafsir maksud: "Al-Sultan bayangan Allah di bumi" beliau berkata "kerana dia memelihara manusia dari keburukan seperti bayang memelihara dari panas matahari". Ya! Demikianlah tugasan penguasa!

Dalam masa yang sama kita hendaklah sedar, bahawa berlebihan dalam menggunakan agama untuk kepentingan politik telah mengorbankan agama itu sendiri. Inilah yang berlaku di Barat yang diistilahkan sebagai secularism ataupun lebih mudah difahami sebagai 'a movement towards the separation of religion and government'. Walaupun secularism itu mempunyai akar yang lama sejak zaman Greek dan Roman tetapi di Eropah ia subur dan diperjuangkan pada era Enlightenment akibat dari kesedaran rakyat tentang betapa buruk peranan agama dalam politik. Saya akan bahaskan nanti. Islam memandu politik supaya harmoni dan kudus. Islam bukan alat politik tetapi cahaya yang menerangi jalan politik yang dibina atas maslahah rakyat.

Sultan ataupun penguasa bayangan Tuhan boleh disalahtafsirkan seperti yang berlaku dalam sejarah politik pelbagai bangsa. Akibatnya, kerakusan penguasa mencengkam rakyat dan dihalalkan atas nama Tuhan. Jika hendak memahami maksud penguasa bayangan Tuhan dalam Islam, fahamilah ucapan Abu Bakr al-Siddiq apabila menjadi khalifah:

"Wahai manusia, sesungguhnya aku telah dilantik menjadi pemimpin kamu, bukanlah aku yang terbaik dalam kalangan kamu. Jika aku betul, tolonglah aku. Jika aku salah, betulkanlah aku. Benar itu adalah amanah, bohong itu adalah khianat. Orang yang lemah dalam kalangan kamu adalah kuat di sisi sehingga aku mengembalikan haknya. Orang yang kuat dalam kalangan kamu, lemah di sisiku sehingga aku mengambil daripadanya hak (menghalang apa yang bukan haknya), insya Allah. Jangan kamu meninggalkan jihad, kerana tidak ada kaum yang meninggalkan jihad, melainkan Allah timpakan mereka dengan kehinaan. Taatlah aku selagi aku taatkan Allah dan RasulNya. Jika aku derhakakan Allah dan RasulNya, maka tiada ketaatan untukku" (Ibn Athir, Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, 1/361).

Inilah insan yang paling faham maksud sultan itu bayangan Allah di bumi. Jangan kita gadaikan Islam untuk suatu penafsiran nas yang akhirnya akan menimbulkan syak manusia terhadap Allah dan RasulNya.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

The reasons for the breakdown of our schools

I feel the need to elaborate further the article published in Harakahdaily, 'Tuition classes and the breakdown of our school system'.

There are many reasons to explain the failure of our education system to produce students who are interested to stay in school, who want to further their studies to colleges or universities and who will excel in their occupations.

Too many subjects. My children take the normal 8 subjects and additional Agama subject which totals 9 subjects for Form 3 and 10 or 11 subjects for Form 5 in the religious stream. On top of the core subjects, there are KH, KT and Sivik. These subjects overlap and repeat texts found in Geography, History, Science and even Religious Studies.

Too far from reality. The text in geography and history focus on Malaysia and compressed version of other countries. These subjects tent to be boring because Malaysia is a small country with a short history. The students prepare reports, papers or researches based on Malaysia's cultural, geographical, historical and political influences. There are so many ancient civilisations, geographical wonders in all corners of the world and positive international political movements that should be exposed to students especially in secondary schools.

Too long hours in schools. The classes in secondary schools are stretched from 7.30 in the morning to 2.30 pm for normal students and 4.30 pm for students in the religious stream. Students are encouraged to attend afternoon classes in preparation for the PMR and SPM exams. The afternoon classes are conducted by the same teachers who have been awake from 5 or 6am (or maybe with very little sleep if they are nursing young children at home) and have been teaching from 7.30am to 2.30pm and will then continue with extra classes. Not only are the teachers tired, the childre! n are me ntally exhausted for 4 or 5 days a week.

Too short time for physical activities. There is one period a week for physical education and one afternoon a week for games and extra co-curricular activities. My son reaches home from school at 5.00pm daily and is too tired to move or play, so he ends up on the couch sleeping while watching TV. Towards the exam period all physical classes for Forms 3 and 5 are halted and the students are encouraged to attend more extra classes.

No proper recess. My son has breakfast at 6.30am, recess at 9.30am and short breaks for prayers and lunch at 2.30pm before afternoon classes at 3.00pm. There should be proper lunch break at 1.00 to 2.00pm (like the hours enjoyed by working adults). Students spend 4 or 5 full days a week at school, so do not deny them proper breaks and rest. They will then be more attentive and able to focus during the extra classes.

The children are our legacy, so it is of utmost importance to rectify and mend the breakdown of our school system. Let us urge the politicians, Education ministry officials, teachers and parents to wake up and take heed of the urgency to improve our education system.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Najib boikot MB, KM Pakatan Rakyat...

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak bersikap pilih-kasih dan tidak professional apabila beliau mengenepikan Menteri Besar dan Ketua Menteri negeri Pakatan Rakyat daripada menghadiri Mesyuarat Menteri Besar dan Ketua Menteri baru-baru ini.

Dakwaan ini dibuat oleh Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim berhubung tindakan Najib yang tidak memanggil Menteri Besar Selangor, Kelantan, Kedah dan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang ke Mesyuarat Menteri Besar dan Ketua Menteri ke-114 di Putrajaya, Selasa lalu.

"Adalah amat tidak professional untuk Perdana Menteri mengenepikan peranan Menteri Besar dan Ketua Menteri dari Pakatan Rakyat dalam satu mesyuarat yang membincangkan kebajikan rakyat.

"Apatah lagi rakyat dari Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Kedah dan Kelantan menyumbang lebih dari setengah hasil ekonomi Malaysia," jelas Abdul Khalid dalam satu kenyataan media kepada TVSelangor hari ini.

Mesyuarat yang bermula pada 10 pagi itu dipengerusikan oleh Najib Razak dan turut dihadiri Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan Ketua Setiausaha Negara, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan serta beberapa menteri Kabinet.

Mesyuarat itu bertujuan menyelaras pentadbiran antara negeri-negeri selain membincangkan isu-isu berbangkit.

Malangnya hanya Menteri Besar dan Ketua Menteri dari negeri Umno-BN sahaja dijemput hadir.

Mengulas lanjut, Abdul Khalid menambah sikap yang dipamerkan Najib bukan sahaja membuktikan bahawa konsep 1Malaysia itu sekadar gimik politik malah ia juga memberi kesan buruk kepada proses transformasi yang ingin beliau Najib lakukan.

"Oleh itu, Kerajaan Negeri Selangor menyeru Perdana Menteri untuk membuat satu penjelasan kepada media bahawa mesyuarat tersebut adalah sebenarnya! Mesyuar at Menteri Besar dan Ketua Menteri Barisan Nasional,"katanya.- tvs news

Why were Pakatan MBs and CM excluded, asks Khalid

Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim today demanded that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak explain why the menteris besar and chief minister from the Pakatan states were excluded from the Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers Meeting held on Tuesday.
 
He refuted the notion that Pakatan MBs and CM did not wish to attend the meeting, saying that they were not invited in the first place.

Khalid said the meeting, which was chaired by Najib himself, was effectively turned into a BN MBs and chief ministers meeting.

"It is very unprofessional for the PM to sideline the role of Pakatan MBs and chief minister in a meeting that discusses people's affairs, despite Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan having contributed close to half of Malaysia's economic output," he said in a statement today.

He added that the incident also proved the 1Malaysia concept to be just another political gimmick.

source:malaysiakini

cheers.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Penyenaraian FELDA dan cadangan balas — Nasrudin Hassan dan Mohd Syahir Sulaiman

Penyenaraian FELDA dan cadangan balas — Nasrudin Hassan dan Mohd Syahir Sulaiman

23 FEB — Usaha mencari rezeki dan memakmurkan tanah sebagai sumber pendapatan yang halal adalah sebahagian daripada tuntutan agama Islam dan dikira sebagai salah satu daripada cabang ibadah. Di dalam lipatan sejarah Islam, banyak riwayat yang mencatitkan penglibatan nabi-nabi terdahulu di dalam aktiviti-aktiviti pertanian dan penternakan di samping melaksanakan tugasan utama mereka iaitu menyampaikan risalah dakwah kepada manusia agar mentauhidkan diri kepada Allah s.w.t.

Sebagaimana Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. dikenali sebagai penggembala kambing yang paling dipercayai ketika di usia remaja, Nabi turut menggalakkan aktiviti pertanian dijalankan oleh para sahabat sebagai sumber pendapatan utama. Setelah Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. tiba di Madinah, Baginda telah menganjurkan agar usaha pertanian dipertingkatkan di bumi Madinah yang pada ketika itu sememangnya sebuah lembah wadi yang subur. Malah kaum Muhajirin yang berhijrah bersama Baginda diaturkan supaya bekerjasama dengan kaum Ansar iaitu penduduk asal Madinah di dalam usaha-usaha pertanian.

"Dari Jabir r.a. berkata: Kami biasa menyewa tanah dengan mendapatkan sebagai dari hasil (mukhabarah), kemudian kami mendapat hasil tanah itu begini dan begini. Maka sabda Rasulullah s.a.w:"Barangsiapa memiliki tanah, maka tanamilah sendiri atau suruhlah saudaranya untuk menanaminya, kalau tidak, tinggalkanlah." (Riwayat Ahmad dan Muslim)

Dalam konteks di Malaysia, inisiatif yang diambil oleh Almarhum Tun Abdul Razak dalam memperkenalkan skim tanah rancangan FELDA yang bertujuan memberi pemilikan tanah kepada rakyat sebagai sumber aktiviti ekonomi yang mampan amatlah dihargai. Dasar yang penuh berwawasan ini adalah amat signifikan dalam menjayakan agenda peningkatan tahap sosia-ekonomi rakyat di luar bandar, khususnya kepada golongan belia dan yang kurang berkemampuan.

Namun, tujuan asal penubuhan FELDA ini sedikit sebanyak mula terhakis dek peredaran zaman dan campurtangan politik yang menjejaskan hak dan masa depan peneroka dan generasi seterusnya.

Polemik Penyenaraian FELDA Global Ventures Holdings (FGVH)

Pihak Dewan Pemuda PAS Malaysia (Pemuda PAS) menyambut baik perintah injunksi interim oleh Mahkamah Tinggi Kuantan dan notis pembatalan Mesyuarat Agung Perwakilan Khas KPF yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 22 Februari 2012, serta mengucapkan sekalung tahniah kepada Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (ANAK) yang gigih menyedarkan rakyat dan peneroka akan kesan buruk natijah cadangan penyenaraian ini.

Pemuda PAS berpendapat cadangan penyenaraian FGVH ini perlu ditolak atas empat premis berikut:

i) Hak tanah — Penyerahan hak tanah peneroka kepada FGVH adalah bertentangan dengan tujuan asal penubuhan FELDA dan merugikan peneroka dalam jangka masa panjang;

ii) Peneroka membuat keputusan tanpa nasihat kewangan — Tatkala penganalisis dan pengurus dana pelaburan masih menunggu butiran cadangan penyenaraian, adalah tidak munasabah untuk perwakilan KPF untuk membuat keputusan menyokong atau membantah cadangan ini, tanpa nasihat kewangan yang menyeluruh berkenaan impak untung-rugi, seterusnya memberi mandat kepada Lembaga Pengarah untuk merunding dan memutuskan terma penyenaraian. Setiap ahli dan perwakilan KPF berhak mendapat nasihat dan butiran terperinci sebelum membuat keputusan pelaburan yang bernilai berbilion ringgit ini;

iii) Imbuhan "durian runtuh" — Laba keuntungan jangka pendek kepada peneroka yang masih belum pasti nilainya, malah tidak setimpal dengan risiko yang diambil oleh peneroka yang menggadaikan pemilikan tanah masing-masing;

iv) Tiada keperluan ekonomi untuk penyenaraian — Lazimnya, sesebuah entiti perniagaan akan disenaraikan sebagai langkah menambah modal untuk menampung keperluan perniagaan yang lebih besar. Dalam keadaan Felda Holdings dan KPF yang mencatatkan keuntungan hasil daripada perniagaan perladangan, adalah tidak ekonomikal untuk mereka dipaksa menampung risiko dan kerugian yang ditanggung oleh FGVH.

Pemuda PAS mengulangi komitmen untuk berganding-bahu dengan semua pihak khususnya ANAK serta rakan-rakan di dalam Pakatan Rakyat dan NGO-NGO untuk menggerakkan program penerangan dan kesedaran melalui penganjuran aktiviti santai bersama generasi belia FELDA yang telah dan akan kami laksanakan di peringkat Pemuda PAS Kawasan, antaranya siri jelajah Jom Ubah dan program "Orang Muda Geng Kita".

Di samping program-program turun padang, Pemuda PAS berpendapat sudah tiba masanya pihak-pihak yang prihatin ini duduk semeja untuk mencari formula terbaik bagi membantah cadangan penyenaraian FGVH dengan mengemukakan cadangan balas (counter-offer) untuk dikemukakan kepada golongan peneroka sebagai pilihan untuk menolak cadangan yang dikemukakan oleh pihak kerajaan.

Pemuda PAS dengan berbesar hati tampil dengan enam gagasan berikut sebagai kerangka awal perbincangan "Cadangan Balas Pakatan Rakyat Terhadap Cadangan Penyenaraian FGVH":

i) Penstrukturan korporat — Kekalkan status 51 peratus sedia ada (status-quo) KPF yang menjamin hak peneroka sebagai pemilik mutlak terhadap tanah, operasi, dan keuntungan FELDA;

ii) Penstrukturan model perniagaan — Melupuskan perniagaan-perniagaan bukan teras (divestment of non-core business) yang mengalami kerugian atau menyumbangkan keuntungan yang kecil berbanding kos pengurusan yang tinggi. Ini sebagaimana yang telah diambil oleh Sime Darby dan Khazanah Nasional sebagai langkah mengoptimakan agihan modal (capital allocation) dan memaksimakan keuntungan (profit maximisation) kepada pemegang saham. FELDA boleh mengambil model strategi perniagaan "more upstream, profitable downstream" (peningkatan hasil di huluan, peningkatan keuntungan di hiliran) dan langkah ini diunjurkan mampu meningkatkan 15 peratus keuntungan dalam tempoh tiga tahun;

iii) Partisipasi peneroka dalam aktiviti ekonomi FELDA — Keutamaan diberi kepada pihak koperasi dan anak peneroka dalam aspek peluang pekerjaan dan pemberian kontrak seperti perbekalan baja, kerja tanaman semula, perbekalan pekerja, penyelenggaraan ladang peneroka, projek landskap, penyelenggaraan aset, penternakan haiwan, tanaman kontan dan seumpamanya. Selain mampu menjana pendapatan sampingan kepada peneroka, diunjurkan hampir 300 peluang pekerjaan mampu dihasilkan di setiap 300 gugusan rancangan FELDA yang membawa kepada angka 90,000 peluang pekerjaan kepada golongan belia seluruhnya;

iv) Sistem pewarisan — Menggantikan sistem penama pewaris yang digunapakai sekarang kepada sistem pewarisan Islam seperti wasiat, faraidh, dan waqaf. Agensi Amanah Raya boleh dilantik untuk memberi khidmat nasihat kepada pihak FELDA dan peneroka bagi memastikan 100 peratus pemilikan tanah peneroka tidak terlepas tangan kepada pihak tidak bertanggungjawab;

v) Etika urus tadbir dan professionalisma — Amalan tender terbuka dan penglibatan wakil peneroka di dalam jawatankuasa tender, sistem gred perahan minyak (OER) yang telus, pembudayaan etika urus tadbir dan amanah yang tinggi di peringkat pembuat keputusan dan pengurusan, memperkenalkan skim penjawatan dan gaji yang lebih kompetitif, serta mengurangkan campurtangan politik di dalam pengurusan FELDA. Keuntungan FELDA sedia ada diunjurkan mampu meningkat 25 peratus dalam tempoh 5 tahun jika diurus tadbir dengan penuh amanah (governance);

vi) Amalan operasi lestari (sustainability) — Mengemaskini manual kerja di ladang kelapa sawit mengikut piawaian antarabangsa RSPO dan amalan terbaik yang digunapakai oleh pemain industri perladangan yang lain seperti Sime Darby, IOI dan KLK.

Sekali lagi kami Pemuda PAS tegaskan, jangan dikhianati tujuan asal penubuhan FELDA dan bersamalah kita membela hak peneroka FELDA.

* Nasrudin Hassan adalah Ketua Pemuda PAS Malaysia dan Mohd Syahir Sulaiman adalah Pengarah Institut Polisi Studi DPPM.

* This is the personal opinion of the writers or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Deputy Finance Minister, Awang Adek - more evidence of corrupt practices...

The whistleblower who produced evidence allegedly of corrupt practices involving Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin has made more claims against the Bachok MP.
 
In an anonymous blog posting, the person identifying himself as Whistleblower 771, claimed that Awang's (right) explanation of the cash deposits into his personal account was only "half truths".

The blogger said this is because the cash deposits were made in his name in his capacity as chairperson of the Skim Jejak Jaya Bumiputera (SJJB) working committee.

 

While he does not furnish documentary evidence this time, Whistblower 771 said that a "trustworthy source" said the SJJB committee is also "the committee to initiate all major government contract awards".

"As the (chairperson) of the SJJB working committee, he has all the right to initiate and make 'recommendations' on any major government contract award," he said.

According to its official website, SJJB functions includes "identifying Bumiputera companies that possess the required capabilities, providing them with the "last mile" assistance to ensure that these companies qualify for (public) listing".

 

Among the bumiputera companies assisted by the SJJB for listing is Psetarian ! Berhad, which TA securities said had received many government contracts "in relation to the company's involvement in the SJJB programme".

In the new posting, the whistleblower also produced a copy of a payment voucher from Advance Maintenance Precision Management Sdn Bhd (AMPMSB) to Awang purportedly for RM80,000.(below).

The recipient column is left empty, but in an apparent post its note states that the payment was for "the account of the Bachok MP".

 

'Contravened MACC Act'

Earlier, the blogger had produced documentary evidence alleging that Awang had received "contributions" for the award of the Sultan Iskandar building and Johor Bahru Sentral.

The project was awarded to AMPMSB, whose managing director is Umno Pasir Gudang committee member Yahya Abdul Jalil.It is uncertain if AMPMSB is among the companies involved in the bumiputera scheme.

In response to the earlier allegations, Awang had said that he has no power as deputy finance minister to approve contracts, and that the contributions made to his personal account were for his constituency's welfare programmes.

Commenting on this, the whistleblower said that the senator's admission shows he had contravened the Malaysian Anti Corruption Act, as pointed out by NGO! leader Robert Phang and MACC advisory panel chairperson Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh.

Also implicated in the allegations against Awang Adek were aides to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Muhyiddin had said he is probing the matter internally, but the whistleblower pointed out that no news has emerged on that investigation since then.
 
Azalina's car sale over priced

Meanwhile, on a separate allegation, Whistleblower 771 also questioned the response of former youth and sports minister Azalina Othman (left), also involving the AMPMSB.

The blogger said that explanation, made on behalf of the Pengerang MP, does not gel as the sale price of the classic Mercedes Benz car is higher than the market value of RM188,000.

"The car was first advertised...(on) the Internet (on www.carlist.my) on March 4, 2011, and is believed sold as the owner updated (the posting) on Apr 4, 2011.

"(This) is four working days after Yahya Abdul Jalil or AMPMSB issued a cheque 'valued' at RM300,000 in (Azalina's) name. Talk about pure coincidence," the blogger said.

The blogger supported this with a copy of a payment voucher from AMPSB to Azalina for RM300,000 but the description was left blank.

In contrast, Whistleblower 771 produced another payment vouch! er by AM PSB to Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd clearly stipulated for the "Purchase of an Audi 2008".

Azalina, via her media officer, had previously refuted claims of "contributions" and said it was payment for the sale of the classic car.

The payment voucher, the "Payable To" section clearly states "Azalina Bte Othman". But have a closer look again in the "Description" section. It is being left blank. Have another look at the "Accounts Title" section; it states "Suspense Account". Now have another look at the "Accounts Code" section ……. as in empty, blank, nada. Seem pretty weird and confusing to me.

Yet another document or "Payment Voucher". This "Payment Voucher" PV No. 7754/11 dated 24/01/2011 for Cheque No 876181 will show the "Payable To" is named to "Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd", with "Description" detailed as "Purchase of Audi 2008" and "Accounts Title" categorize as "Amount due from/to – ICA" (ICA is yet another Company, belonging to Dato' Yahya Abd Jalil) . With the exception to the "Accounts Title", both "Payable To" and "Description" section is pretty straight forward and easily identifiable on who was the receiver and what was the payment for.

Lagi dakwaan terhadap Awang Adek didedahkan

Pembocor maklumat yang mendedahkan bukti kononnya ada amalan rasuah yang membabitkan Timbalan Menteri Kewangan Datuk Awang Adek Hussin membuat lebih banyak dakwaan  terhadap ahli parlimen Bachok itu.

Dalam blog yang tidak dikenal-pasti itu, beliau yang mengenalkan dirinya sebagai Whistleblower 771, mendakwa bahawa penjelasan Awang Adek yang deposit tunai dalam akaun peribadinya itu  hanya sebagai "separuh benar".

Penulis blog itu berkata ini kerana deposit tunai berkenaan dibuat di atas nama beliau dalam kapasitinya sebagai pengerusi jawatankuasa kerja Skim Jejak Jaya Bumiputera (SJJB).

Walaupun Whistleblower 771 tidak membekalkan bukti kali ini, namun katanya, sumber yang boleh dipercayai berkata jawatankuasa SJJB itu adalah juga "jawatankuasa yang menimbangkan  semua pemberian kontrak utama kerajaan".

"Sebagai (pengerusi) jawatankuasa kerja SJJB, beliau mempunyai hak untuk memula dan membuat 'cadangan' ke atas mana-mana kontrak utama yang akan dianugerahkan oleh kerajaan," katanya.

Menurut laman web itu lagi, fungsi SJJB termasuk "mengenal pasti syarikat Bumiputera yang memiliki keupayaan dan membantu supaya syarikat-syarikat berkenaan layak untuk penyenaraian (awam)."

Antara syarikat bumiputera yang dibantu oleh SJJB untuk disenaraikan adalah Psetarian Berhad yang menurut TA securities banyak menerima kontrak kerajaan berhubung penglibatan syarikat itu dalam program SJJB.

Dalam posting baru, ! pembocor maklumat itu juga mengeluarkan satu salinan baucar bayaran daripada Advance Maintenance Precision Management Sdn Bhd (AMPMSB) kepada Awang yang dikatakan bernilai RM80,000.

source: malaysiakini/thewhistleblower711.blogspot.com

cheers.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

MULUT CELUPAR SANGAT, TERIMALAH PADAHNYA

Jessie Ooi @ Ms Tow Truck diberi hingga jumaat untuk mohon maaf atau diambil tindakan..

Sekumpulan ahli Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) semalam menyuarakan rasa tidak puas hati mereka terhadap kenyataan Ketua Beliawanis MCA, Jessie Ooi yang mengecam kakitangan majlis tempatan itu kerana menjalankan tugas mengunci roda kereta.


Mereka berikrar untuk mengambil tindakan terhadap Jessie dan bentuk tindakan tersebut akan diputuskan dalam mesyuarat penuh majlis pada hari Jumaat.

Kumpulan itu mahu Jessie menarik balik kenyataannya mengenai tindakan mengunci tayar dan menunda kereta di Pulau Pinang oleh kakitangan majlis, kerana mendakwa "tuduhan itu semuanya tidak berasas ".

Ahli majlis berkenaan memberi Jessie sehingga Jumaat ini untuk menarik balik dan memohon maaf atas kenyataannya itu.

Jessie menjadi terkenal dalam sekelip mata ekoran cara dia mengemukakan soalan kepada Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Lim Guan Eng, semasa debat dengan Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek pada 18 Februari lalu di Kuala Lumpur.

Sementara itu selepas menjadi sasaran hebat kritikan berhubung kenyataannya, Jessie berikrar untuk mengambil tindakan undang-undang terhadap mereka yang memfitnahnya di Internet.

Dalam sidang akhbar yang diadakan oleh ahli majlis itu di bangunan MPPP di Padang Kota Lama hari ini, klip video ditayangkan, yang menunjukkan aksi Jessie itu.

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

‘Mechanic may have made false report’

KAJANG: The 42-year-old mechanic who claimed to have been assaulted by the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel and policemen was not even interrogated by the police who first detained him at the Taming Jaya police station, according to initial investigations by the Kajang police.

District police chief ACP Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said that the current probe revealed a different story from what S Mogan had alleged earlier this week.

"Yes, those three names the man mentioned exist. But our records show that the said policemen were not at the station at that hour, they only got to work at 8am," he added.

Rashid said Mogan was merely held at the Taming Jaya station and later handed over to the investigating officer at the Kajang police headquarters, only then was he interrogated.

"When he was at the Taming Jaya station between 5am to 8am, no interrogation took place, the complainant's statement was only recorded by the investigating officer Sargeant Ali at the Kajang police district headquarters," he added.

Rashid said police were now looking into the possibility that the victim had made a false report, but stressed that they "can't decide on anything until the probe was thoroughly completed"

"We are not drawing any conclusions from this, and will leave it to the Deputy Public Prosecutor, but this is what our investigations so far show," he told a press conference.

'They saw him climbing into a substation'

He said while statements from nine Rela men and three policemen had been recorded, the complainant had yet to come forward to give his statement, citing that he was unwell.

Rashid added that police had also have viewed CCTV recordings and took statements from eyewitnesses.

Pointing out several contradictory statements between Mogan and several other witnesses, Rashid said:"Firstly, the arrest was not made at a petrol station, he was spotted by two Rela men who said they saw him climbing into a substation."

Rashid said that according to Rela, Mogan then ran and hid in a drain.

Following a call for back up, seven other Rela personnel had joined the two and had waited in a car for an hour before the man emerged from his hiding place and was apprehended.

"They also found various tools in the man's car but he had claimed it was for his work as a patrolling mechanic," said Rashid.

The police chief said when the suspect was handed over to the Taming Jaya station at about 3am, the man did not complain of any bruises or that he was assaulted by the Rela personnel.

"Yes, there was a scuffle but there were only minor wounds on his legs and we took pictures. He did not complain on that day to our officers. We are suspicious why he went to the doctor only after four days if it (his leg) was really broken," he added.

Rashid said the suspect was released on Feb 16, after police found no concrete evidence of any offence committed. Mogan had lodged a report on Feb 19 on the alleged assault.

'It would be unfair to suspend those involved'

Asked if the policemen who had allegedly beaten Mogan would be suspended, Rashid said that it would be unfair do so.

"Yes, in A Kugan's case it was serious, and in this case we have yet to complete investigations. We can't punish someone before he is proven guilty," he added.

Rashid stressed that investigations were still incomplete until the complainant's statement was taken.

"Until then, we will not stop our investigations and we will do our utmost to be fair to all parties," he added.

Asked if Rela had the authority to make arrests, Rashid said it was considered a citizen's arrest and anyone could do so.

On Feb 16, Mogan was allegedly subjected to hours of torture by law enforcement officers including having a gun pointed to his head to force a confession out of him.

He had claimed that the incident first started at a petrol station just 200 metres from his workshop-home in Taman Balakong Jaya.

He had claimed that eight men, five of whom were uniformed Rela personnel, had accosted him, searched his car and beaten him with batons and iron rods so badly that a bone in his left leg fractured.

Mogan also claimed that after being sent to the Taming Jaya station, four policemen abused him in order to get him to confess to car theft, drug dealing and various other crimes.

Mogan said he was handcuffed and put in an interrogation room where four men continually beat, kicked and stepped on him. They also used a rubber hose to hit his legs and feet.

He claimed that during interrogation, one officer pointed a gun to his head and threatened to kill him.

Mogan also said that several items were stolen from his car.

Also read:

'Cops, Rela bash up innocent mechanic'

Read More @ Source

More » Bonology.com | Barisan Nasional (BN) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治