GOPENG: Jul 29, 2008 By HAH FOONG LIAN
Perak Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali must explain if his offer to team up with PAS has been discussed with other Barisan Nasional component parties, PKR vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye said.
Commenting on news reports of Tajol Rosli’s invitation to PAS, which had snubbed the offer, Dr Lee said:
“I want to ask Tajol Rosli if he discussed the matter with the MCA, Gerakan, MIC or the PPP before making the offer.
“Did Tajol Rosli discuss the offer with MCA’s sole assemblymen Dr Mah Hang Soon?” he asked Tuesday when opening the Gopeng PKR service centre here.
Dr Lee said he was also curious how Perak MCA chief Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan would react to the proposal.
On Monday, Tajol Rosli had told reporters that he was offering to team up with Perak PAS to form the state government.
Tajol Rosli also said he was prepared to allow PAS to keep the Mentri Besar’s post.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who is also Perak PAS deputy commissioner, rejected the offer, saying that PAS would be with Pakatan Rakyat “forever and ever.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Perak deal: PKR rep says ex-MB is lying - Malaysiakini
Andrew Ong | Jul 29, 08 3:15pm
Perak Umno liaison chief Tajol Rosli's claim that PAS can keep the menteri besar post should the two parties form the state government is a lie, said PKR Kuala Kurau assemblyperson Abdul Yunus Jamahari.
He said the state laws require the menteri besar to be from the majority party, a Malay Muslim and with the consent of the Perak Sultan.
"As we already know, Umno has 27 seats while PAS only has six. From a legal point of view, the menteri besar would be appointed from Umno, not PAS.
"Tajol is a liar. This is his trick and political ploy against the Pakatan Rakyat government. I don’t believe PAS would fall into such a trap," he told Malaysiakini.
Yesterday, the former menteri besar revealed that Perak Umno had asked PAS to form a new state government with them. The deal sweetener was PAS retaining the menteri besar post and several state executive councillor slots.
Currently PAS despite assuming the menteri besar position, only has one executive councillor, Zainudin Mohd Yusof (Lubuk Merbau). DAP has the lion share with six executive councillors.
If PAS accepts the offer, the BN-PAS coalition will have a nine-seat majority in the Perak state assembly.
Perak Menteri Besar Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin has dismissed the offer and pledged his party’s support for the present Pakatan state government.
Following the March 8 general election, Nizar was appointed menteri besar by the Perak Sultan after DAP, PKR and PAS each nominated a candidate for the position.
'Tajol in denial'
PKR’s Teja assemblyperson Chang Lih Kang said he received no indication that PAS was about to leave the coalition.
"I think Tajol is still in the state of denial and cannot accept that the people of Perak voted Barisan Nasional out," he said.
He said Pakatan coalition parties would work hard to maintain the state government and not squander their historic win.
Meanwhile, Perak DAP deputy chairperson M Kulasegaran said Tajol must respect the decision made by the voters and any backdoor manoeuvring is tantamount to belittling them.
"If the opposition can wait 50 years (to come to power), there is no reason why BN cannot wait for five years. It has not even been five months and they are trying to grab power," he added.
A total betrayal
In another development, MIC central working committee member S Murugesan said that the proposed PAS-Umno coalition government in Perak was a betrayal to both the voters and respective coalition party members.
"Forming a government through such back door tactics will erode the confidence of our people on the very political process in this country," said Murugesan in opposing the proposed move.
Instead, Murugesan recommended that the two parties concentrate on governing properly instead of focussing on narrow racial or religious agendas.
Murugesan also warned that a merger between PAS and Umno would lead the country towards further racial politics.
"God forbids if this were to happen as there won't be turning back and Malaysia will be consigned to join the ranks of some of the worst countries in Africa," he added.
Perak Umno liaison chief Tajol Rosli's claim that PAS can keep the menteri besar post should the two parties form the state government is a lie, said PKR Kuala Kurau assemblyperson Abdul Yunus Jamahari.
He said the state laws require the menteri besar to be from the majority party, a Malay Muslim and with the consent of the Perak Sultan.
"As we already know, Umno has 27 seats while PAS only has six. From a legal point of view, the menteri besar would be appointed from Umno, not PAS.
"Tajol is a liar. This is his trick and political ploy against the Pakatan Rakyat government. I don’t believe PAS would fall into such a trap," he told Malaysiakini.
Yesterday, the former menteri besar revealed that Perak Umno had asked PAS to form a new state government with them. The deal sweetener was PAS retaining the menteri besar post and several state executive councillor slots.
Currently PAS despite assuming the menteri besar position, only has one executive councillor, Zainudin Mohd Yusof (Lubuk Merbau). DAP has the lion share with six executive councillors.
If PAS accepts the offer, the BN-PAS coalition will have a nine-seat majority in the Perak state assembly.
Perak Menteri Besar Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin has dismissed the offer and pledged his party’s support for the present Pakatan state government.
Following the March 8 general election, Nizar was appointed menteri besar by the Perak Sultan after DAP, PKR and PAS each nominated a candidate for the position.
'Tajol in denial'
PKR’s Teja assemblyperson Chang Lih Kang said he received no indication that PAS was about to leave the coalition.
"I think Tajol is still in the state of denial and cannot accept that the people of Perak voted Barisan Nasional out," he said.
He said Pakatan coalition parties would work hard to maintain the state government and not squander their historic win.
Meanwhile, Perak DAP deputy chairperson M Kulasegaran said Tajol must respect the decision made by the voters and any backdoor manoeuvring is tantamount to belittling them.
"If the opposition can wait 50 years (to come to power), there is no reason why BN cannot wait for five years. It has not even been five months and they are trying to grab power," he added.
A total betrayal
In another development, MIC central working committee member S Murugesan said that the proposed PAS-Umno coalition government in Perak was a betrayal to both the voters and respective coalition party members.
"Forming a government through such back door tactics will erode the confidence of our people on the very political process in this country," said Murugesan in opposing the proposed move.
Instead, Murugesan recommended that the two parties concentrate on governing properly instead of focussing on narrow racial or religious agendas.
Murugesan also warned that a merger between PAS and Umno would lead the country towards further racial politics.
"God forbids if this were to happen as there won't be turning back and Malaysia will be consigned to join the ranks of some of the worst countries in Africa," he added.
Perak MB snubs Umno team-up offer - Star
IPOH: Jul 29, 2008 By CLARA CHOOI and CHRISTINA KOH
Perak Umno has offered the state PAS to team up with it but Perak Mentri Besar snubbed the offer saying, “PAS in Perak will be in Pakatan Rakyat forever and ever.”
Making the offer at a press conference here yesterday, Perak Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the party was even prepared to allow PAS to keep the mentri besar’s post.
Tajol Rosli, who described the move as bringing about political stability and a stronger state government, stressed that he would not take up any positions in the new administration because he did not want to be accused of “controlling” the state government.
The state government is now a coalition of DAP (18 seats), PKR (seven) and PAS (six). Umno controls 27 seats while MCA has one.
If PAS were to join forces with Umno and Barisan, the team would control 34 seats.
In an immediate reply, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin firmly rejected the proposal.
“As far as PAS in Perak is concerned, we will be in Pakatan Rakyat forever and ever.
“There is no way we will pair with them (Umno). We are the Pakatan Rakyat; a composition of PAS, DAP and PKR,” he said at a press conference after chairing the Perak Water Board meeting here yesterday.
He said that this was because the people of Perak had given their mandate to the present administration by voting the Pakatan into power.
“We are integrated as the PR to serve Perakians forever and ever.
“We will never align with Umno and this is our commitment,” he said.
On Tajol Rosli’s suggestion that the offer to make a PAS representative the mentri besar, Nizar, who is also Perak PAS deputy commissioner said:
“He can offer whatever he wants. No, we disagree. At the state-level, we are not willing.”
Nizar added that if there were ever plans to merge with a party outside of the PR, the PAS leadership would have to discuss the matter first with DAP and PKR. “Even then, I do not think this will happen,” he said.
Perak Umno has offered the state PAS to team up with it but Perak Mentri Besar snubbed the offer saying, “PAS in Perak will be in Pakatan Rakyat forever and ever.”
Making the offer at a press conference here yesterday, Perak Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the party was even prepared to allow PAS to keep the mentri besar’s post.
Tajol Rosli, who described the move as bringing about political stability and a stronger state government, stressed that he would not take up any positions in the new administration because he did not want to be accused of “controlling” the state government.
The state government is now a coalition of DAP (18 seats), PKR (seven) and PAS (six). Umno controls 27 seats while MCA has one.
If PAS were to join forces with Umno and Barisan, the team would control 34 seats.
In an immediate reply, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin firmly rejected the proposal.
“As far as PAS in Perak is concerned, we will be in Pakatan Rakyat forever and ever.
“There is no way we will pair with them (Umno). We are the Pakatan Rakyat; a composition of PAS, DAP and PKR,” he said at a press conference after chairing the Perak Water Board meeting here yesterday.
He said that this was because the people of Perak had given their mandate to the present administration by voting the Pakatan into power.
“We are integrated as the PR to serve Perakians forever and ever.
“We will never align with Umno and this is our commitment,” he said.
On Tajol Rosli’s suggestion that the offer to make a PAS representative the mentri besar, Nizar, who is also Perak PAS deputy commissioner said:
“He can offer whatever he wants. No, we disagree. At the state-level, we are not willing.”
Nizar added that if there were ever plans to merge with a party outside of the PR, the PAS leadership would have to discuss the matter first with DAP and PKR. “Even then, I do not think this will happen,” he said.
Merger push in Perak - NST
IPOH: Jul 29, 2008 By Brenda Lim and P. Chandra Sagaran
Perak Umno has upped the ante in the talks between Pas and Umno.
Perak Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali yesterday offered a proposed merged entity of Umno and Pas to form a new government in the state.
The result, he said, would be a stronger and more stable government with 34 seats -- 28 held by Umno and six by Pas. The Pakatan Rakyat government now holds 31 seats in the 56-seat state assembly.
Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had suggested that the two parties, which have been engaged in talks to unite Malays and Muslims, be dissolved and a new party formed.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had two days ago said Perak Pas was in principle agreeable to a merger of the two parties.
Tajol Rosli's proposal is sure to raise the ire of Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP, the other two members in the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
Besides Mohammad Nizar, Perak Pas has one state exco member, while PKR has three and DAP six.
Tajol Rosli, who was menteri besar in the previous administration, said Pas could keep the menteri besar's post and be allocated "three or four" state executive councillor posts, with the remaining posts given to Umno and MCA's sole state assemblyman Dr Mah Hang Soon.
He gave the assurance that he himself would not be part of the new state executive council so as to prevent accusations that he would be controlling the state government as an executive councillor.
On whether Perak would become an Islamic state under his proposal, he said: "We have Dr Mah as a member of BN. That's why I said we must make Perak a testing ground."
Unlike Kelantan, where the population comprised mostly Malays, Perak had Malay, Chinese and Indian populations and would need the support of all races to be governed well, he said.
Tajol Rosli also said the division among Malays did not bode well for the country's political stability.
"To develop and achieve Vision 2020, we must have political stability. And it cannot exist without cooperation between Umno and Pas."
On whether forming the new coalition involved politicians hopping from one party to another, Tajol Rosli said the move involved political parties and not individuals.
Asked if forming a new state government with Pas would mean negating the votes cast by the public on March 8, he said the same question should be posed to PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he claimed that Pakatan Rakyat would take control of the Federal Government by Malaysia Day on Sept 16.
"We want political stability, not only for Perak, but for the whole country."
Immediately after Tajol's press conference, Mohammad Nizar called for a press conference to assure his Pakatan Rakyat partners that Pas will stand by them. "We won't allow ourselves to be disintegrated."
Perak DAP chairman and state senior executive councillor Ngeh Koo Ham, who was also at the press conference, welcomed Mohammad Nizar's stand.
When contacted, PKR state chairman Zulkifly Ibrahim said there was no likelihood of Perak being ruled by a merged Umno and Pas.
Perak Umno has upped the ante in the talks between Pas and Umno.Perak Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali yesterday offered a proposed merged entity of Umno and Pas to form a new government in the state.
The result, he said, would be a stronger and more stable government with 34 seats -- 28 held by Umno and six by Pas. The Pakatan Rakyat government now holds 31 seats in the 56-seat state assembly.
Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had suggested that the two parties, which have been engaged in talks to unite Malays and Muslims, be dissolved and a new party formed.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had two days ago said Perak Pas was in principle agreeable to a merger of the two parties.
Tajol Rosli's proposal is sure to raise the ire of Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP, the other two members in the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
Besides Mohammad Nizar, Perak Pas has one state exco member, while PKR has three and DAP six.
Tajol Rosli, who was menteri besar in the previous administration, said Pas could keep the menteri besar's post and be allocated "three or four" state executive councillor posts, with the remaining posts given to Umno and MCA's sole state assemblyman Dr Mah Hang Soon.
He gave the assurance that he himself would not be part of the new state executive council so as to prevent accusations that he would be controlling the state government as an executive councillor.
On whether Perak would become an Islamic state under his proposal, he said: "We have Dr Mah as a member of BN. That's why I said we must make Perak a testing ground."
Unlike Kelantan, where the population comprised mostly Malays, Perak had Malay, Chinese and Indian populations and would need the support of all races to be governed well, he said.
Tajol Rosli also said the division among Malays did not bode well for the country's political stability.
"To develop and achieve Vision 2020, we must have political stability. And it cannot exist without cooperation between Umno and Pas."
On whether forming the new coalition involved politicians hopping from one party to another, Tajol Rosli said the move involved political parties and not individuals.
Asked if forming a new state government with Pas would mean negating the votes cast by the public on March 8, he said the same question should be posed to PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he claimed that Pakatan Rakyat would take control of the Federal Government by Malaysia Day on Sept 16.
"We want political stability, not only for Perak, but for the whole country."
Immediately after Tajol's press conference, Mohammad Nizar called for a press conference to assure his Pakatan Rakyat partners that Pas will stand by them. "We won't allow ourselves to be disintegrated."
Perak DAP chairman and state senior executive councillor Ngeh Koo Ham, who was also at the press conference, welcomed Mohammad Nizar's stand.
When contacted, PKR state chairman Zulkifly Ibrahim said there was no likelihood of Perak being ruled by a merged Umno and Pas.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Perak PAS rejects Umno’s merger proposal - The Star
IPOH: Jul 28, 2008 By CLARA CHOOI & CHRISTINA KOH
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin firmly rejected a proposal by Perak Umno to team up with it to form the state government.
Perak Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali made the offer at a press conference on Monday, saying that said the party was even prepared to accept a PAS representative as mentri besar.
The state government is now a coalition of DAP (18 seats), PKR (seven) and PAS (six). Umno controls 27 seats while MCA has one.
If PAS were to join forces with Umno and Barisan, the team would control 34 seats.
“As far as PAS in Perak is concerned, we will be in Pakatan Rakyat forever and ever," Nizar said.
“There is no way we will pair with them (Umno). We are the Pakatan Rakyat, a composition of PAS, DAP and PKR,” he said in a press conference after chairing the Perak Water Board meeting here on Monday.
The people of Perak had given their mandate to the present administration by voting Pakatan into power, he said.
Nizar added that if there were ever plans to merge with a party outside of Pakatan, the PAS leadership would have to discuss the matter first with DAP and PKR.
“Even then, I do not think this will happen,” he said.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin firmly rejected a proposal by Perak Umno to team up with it to form the state government.Perak Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali made the offer at a press conference on Monday, saying that said the party was even prepared to accept a PAS representative as mentri besar.
The state government is now a coalition of DAP (18 seats), PKR (seven) and PAS (six). Umno controls 27 seats while MCA has one.
If PAS were to join forces with Umno and Barisan, the team would control 34 seats.
“As far as PAS in Perak is concerned, we will be in Pakatan Rakyat forever and ever," Nizar said.
“There is no way we will pair with them (Umno). We are the Pakatan Rakyat, a composition of PAS, DAP and PKR,” he said in a press conference after chairing the Perak Water Board meeting here on Monday.
The people of Perak had given their mandate to the present administration by voting Pakatan into power, he said.
Nizar added that if there were ever plans to merge with a party outside of Pakatan, the PAS leadership would have to discuss the matter first with DAP and PKR.
“Even then, I do not think this will happen,” he said.
Chikungunya virus outbreak in Ipoh - The Star
SLIM RIVER: Jul 28, 2008 By HAH FOONG LIAN
The Chikungunya disease, which is believed to have infected the people of Kampung Rasau here, has spread to at least five other nearby villages, Slim assemblyman Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib said.
Khusairi, who visited some of the villagers seeking treatment for prolonged fever and joint pains at the health polyclinic here, said he was concerned about the feedback he was getting from villagers.
“From what I know, it started at Kampung Rasau near here,” he said Monday after visiting one of the patients warded at the hospital.
“Now I am getting feedback that it has spread to nearby villages such as Ulu Slim, Slim Village, Bandar Baru Slim River, Kuala Slim, Kampung Bantang and Trolak,” he added.
Khusairi, who got a briefing about the disease from a doctor at the polyclinic, said whole families were reporting that they were down with prolonged fever, rashes and joint pains.
“This is worrying and villagers from nearby kampung (village) are now complaining of having the same symptoms,” he added.
He said he hoped more doctors could be assigned to the health polyclinic to help out for the time being.
Last week, the polyclinic was treating between 25 and 30 patients with the same symptoms, he said, adding that this week, the number of patients was on the rise.
He also advised the people to get rid of mosquito-breeding grounds in the area.
Khusairi said he had been informed that the health authorities had been fogging the area to rid the place of mosquitoes.
The Health Ministry’s disease control director Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman had reportedly confirmed that the ailment was the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus.
What is Chikungunya Virus?
Chikungunya is a virus fever. It spreads from the bite of infectious mosquitoes. It is actually a very rare form of virus, the cause of which is based on an alphavirus. It symptoms of this disease is very similar to what is seen with people affected by dengue fever, but it will not lead to death. People affected by Chikungunya experience extreme pain, fever and rash
Chikungunya is not a fatal disease. However it can be very debilitating which is what makes it seem fatal.
People who succumb to Chikungunya feel acute pain in their limbs and joints. This pain feels like severe arthritic pain and the resulting effect leaves affected persons unable to move and function in the way they normally do. This pain can last for a couple of weeks and in many cases, those affected get to experience the full or normal functioning of affected body parts, after a period of six months.
There is no single vaccine for Chikungunya nor is there any single course of treatment for it. This disease is caused by a virus that is transmitted to humans from infected mosquitoes. It is not transmitted form human to human. The treatment given includes medicines or injections that reduce the fever and pain caused by the virus. In time the body heals and gets resistance to it.
The Chikungunya disease, which is believed to have infected the people of Kampung Rasau here, has spread to at least five other nearby villages, Slim assemblyman Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib said.Khusairi, who visited some of the villagers seeking treatment for prolonged fever and joint pains at the health polyclinic here, said he was concerned about the feedback he was getting from villagers.
“From what I know, it started at Kampung Rasau near here,” he said Monday after visiting one of the patients warded at the hospital.
“Now I am getting feedback that it has spread to nearby villages such as Ulu Slim, Slim Village, Bandar Baru Slim River, Kuala Slim, Kampung Bantang and Trolak,” he added.
Khusairi, who got a briefing about the disease from a doctor at the polyclinic, said whole families were reporting that they were down with prolonged fever, rashes and joint pains.
“This is worrying and villagers from nearby kampung (village) are now complaining of having the same symptoms,” he added.
He said he hoped more doctors could be assigned to the health polyclinic to help out for the time being.
Last week, the polyclinic was treating between 25 and 30 patients with the same symptoms, he said, adding that this week, the number of patients was on the rise.
He also advised the people to get rid of mosquito-breeding grounds in the area.
Khusairi said he had been informed that the health authorities had been fogging the area to rid the place of mosquitoes.
The Health Ministry’s disease control director Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman had reportedly confirmed that the ailment was the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus.
What is Chikungunya Virus?
Chikungunya is a virus fever. It spreads from the bite of infectious mosquitoes. It is actually a very rare form of virus, the cause of which is based on an alphavirus. It symptoms of this disease is very similar to what is seen with people affected by dengue fever, but it will not lead to death. People affected by Chikungunya experience extreme pain, fever and rash
Chikungunya is not a fatal disease. However it can be very debilitating which is what makes it seem fatal.
People who succumb to Chikungunya feel acute pain in their limbs and joints. This pain feels like severe arthritic pain and the resulting effect leaves affected persons unable to move and function in the way they normally do. This pain can last for a couple of weeks and in many cases, those affected get to experience the full or normal functioning of affected body parts, after a period of six months.There is no single vaccine for Chikungunya nor is there any single course of treatment for it. This disease is caused by a virus that is transmitted to humans from infected mosquitoes. It is not transmitted form human to human. The treatment given includes medicines or injections that reduce the fever and pain caused by the virus. In time the body heals and gets resistance to it.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Pakatan, walau berbeza idealogi, tetapi ada titik pertemuan' - Presiden PAS. - Harakah
IPOH, 27 Julai (Hrkh)Oleh Johari Jaafar
Presiden PAS, Tuan Guru Dato' Seri Abdul Hadi Awang menyanjung tinggi kerjasama Pakatan Rakyat khususnya pimpinan DAP dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KeADILam) di Perak yang memberi peluang PAS menerajui kerajaan tersebut.
Beliau memberi penghargaan kepada parti komponen pakatan dengan kerjasama itu lebih-lebih lagi dalam keadaan salah faham terhadap Islam berlaku.
Kesediaan PAS bersama di dalam Pakatan Rakyat disandarkan kepada wujudnya titik pertemuan di antara parti dalam Pakatan tersebut.
Kerjasama itu diasaskan kepada kesamaan dalam misi menegak keadilan, menentang akta yang zalim, penyellewengan dan kerana itu PAS sanggup bersama komponen parti Pakatan Rakyat walaupun berbeza dari segi ideolog, katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam ucapan perasmiannya di Konvensyen PAS yang diadakan di Dewan Serbaguna Rapat Setia, semalam.
"PAS bersedia bertahaluf dengan rakan yang berlainan idealogi dan dipersetujui oleh Majlis Syura.Di sana ada titik persamaaan seperti, keadilan, menentang diskriminasi, penindasan. di atas titik yang sama ini Pakatan Rakyat ditubuhkan," jelasnya.
"Dalam masa yang sama ,katanya, PAS masih sanggup mengadakan muqabalah bukannya muzakarah dalam keadaan PAS ditekan yang sangat kuat oleh Umno.
"Sebelum ini ada pemimpn PAS yang dibunuh, ada pemimpin PAS di Terengganu difitnah berkhalwat pada tahun 50 -an., ketika PAS memerintah di Terengganu `dirompak' royati minyak, pengikut kita di kampung dinafikan hak kerana menyokong PAS, pelajar di luar negeri dinafikan haknya dan lain-lain lagi," ujarnya.
Sementara itu Pesuruhjaya PAS Perak, Ustaz Ahmad Awang dalam ucapannya pula menaruh keyakinan bahawa PAS Perak mampu merampas kerusi-kerusi yang dipertandingkan oleh wakil-wakil Umno dalam pilihan raya ke 13 akan datang.
Sejak awal lagi PAS berpendirian menolak kerjasama dengan Umno untuk menubuhkan kerajaan Perak.
Antara tetamu yang hadir, Pengerusi DAP Perak yang juga merupakan Exco Kanan, Dao' Ngeh Koo Ham , Timbalan Speaker Perak, Hee Yit Foong, Pengerusi KeADILan Perak, Ismail Yusof, Timbalannya Ustaz. Zukifli Ibrahim, Adun Simpang Pulai, Chan Ming Kai , Adun Hutan Melintang, Kesevan,
Turut hadir wakil-wakil dari yayasan orang Asli Perak, Pengerusi kelab-kelab Penyokong PAS kawasan-kawasan, Wakil Badan Bukan Kerajaan (NGO) Cina, dan Adun PAS Titi Serong, Gunung Semanggol, Selingsing dan Cangkat Jong
Presiden PAS, Tuan Guru Dato' Seri Abdul Hadi Awang menyanjung tinggi kerjasama Pakatan Rakyat khususnya pimpinan DAP dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KeADILam) di Perak yang memberi peluang PAS menerajui kerajaan tersebut. Beliau memberi penghargaan kepada parti komponen pakatan dengan kerjasama itu lebih-lebih lagi dalam keadaan salah faham terhadap Islam berlaku.
Kesediaan PAS bersama di dalam Pakatan Rakyat disandarkan kepada wujudnya titik pertemuan di antara parti dalam Pakatan tersebut.
Kerjasama itu diasaskan kepada kesamaan dalam misi menegak keadilan, menentang akta yang zalim, penyellewengan dan kerana itu PAS sanggup bersama komponen parti Pakatan Rakyat walaupun berbeza dari segi ideolog, katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam ucapan perasmiannya di Konvensyen PAS yang diadakan di Dewan Serbaguna Rapat Setia, semalam.
"PAS bersedia bertahaluf dengan rakan yang berlainan idealogi dan dipersetujui oleh Majlis Syura.Di sana ada titik persamaaan seperti, keadilan, menentang diskriminasi, penindasan. di atas titik yang sama ini Pakatan Rakyat ditubuhkan," jelasnya.
"Dalam masa yang sama ,katanya, PAS masih sanggup mengadakan muqabalah bukannya muzakarah dalam keadaan PAS ditekan yang sangat kuat oleh Umno.
"Sebelum ini ada pemimpn PAS yang dibunuh, ada pemimpin PAS di Terengganu difitnah berkhalwat pada tahun 50 -an., ketika PAS memerintah di Terengganu `dirompak' royati minyak, pengikut kita di kampung dinafikan hak kerana menyokong PAS, pelajar di luar negeri dinafikan haknya dan lain-lain lagi," ujarnya.
Sementara itu Pesuruhjaya PAS Perak, Ustaz Ahmad Awang dalam ucapannya pula menaruh keyakinan bahawa PAS Perak mampu merampas kerusi-kerusi yang dipertandingkan oleh wakil-wakil Umno dalam pilihan raya ke 13 akan datang.
Sejak awal lagi PAS berpendirian menolak kerjasama dengan Umno untuk menubuhkan kerajaan Perak.
Antara tetamu yang hadir, Pengerusi DAP Perak yang juga merupakan Exco Kanan, Dao' Ngeh Koo Ham , Timbalan Speaker Perak, Hee Yit Foong, Pengerusi KeADILan Perak, Ismail Yusof, Timbalannya Ustaz. Zukifli Ibrahim, Adun Simpang Pulai, Chan Ming Kai , Adun Hutan Melintang, Kesevan,
Turut hadir wakil-wakil dari yayasan orang Asli Perak, Pengerusi kelab-kelab Penyokong PAS kawasan-kawasan, Wakil Badan Bukan Kerajaan (NGO) Cina, dan Adun PAS Titi Serong, Gunung Semanggol, Selingsing dan Cangkat Jong
BN umpan RM30 juta pikat Adun Pakatan Rakyat di Perak? - Harakah
BESUT, 27 Julai (Hrkh) Oleh Ramli Yamat
Keghairahan Umno Perak kononnya akan menubuh kerajaan pada 31 Ogos depan dengan 'membeli' tiga wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat dianggap sebagai igauan di siang hari.
Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Ir Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin berkata, bagi mencapai hasrat tersebut mereka dikatakan sanggup membeli wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat sehingga RM30 juta seorang.
Katanya, walaupun Umno menawar harga yang tinggi, namun semua wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat di Perak memberi jaminan tidak akan menerima tawaran tersebut sebaliknya akan terus kekal dengan kerajaan sekarang.
Oleh itu dakwaan bekas Menteri Besar Perak Dato� Seri Tajul Rosli Ghazali yang mendakwa kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Perak akan tumbang 31 Ogos ini hanyalah gimik politik semata-mata.
Beliau menyatakan perkara itu ketika menyampaikan ceramahnya di Dewan Haji Salleh, Pekan Alor Lintah, baru-baru ini.
Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Perak kini mempunyai 59 ahli di mana 28 Umno, 18 DAP, 7 PKR dan 6 PAS.
Beliau juga mengakui pelantikannya sebagai Menteri Besar merupakan satu keajaiban yang telah ditentukan oleh Allah Taala.
"Walaupun PAS hanya memenangi 6 kerusi Dun berbanding DAP sebanyak 18 dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat 7, namun semua pemimpin parti dalam Pakatan serta baginda Sultan bersetuju melantik Adun PAS sebagai menteri besar.
"Kita telah memberitahu rakyat Perak, Allah Taala telah menurunkan rahmatNya ke atas negeri itu dengan menubuhkan kerajaan melalui kesepakatan di antara pemimpin PAS, DAP dan PKR," katanya.
Beliau juga berkata, walaupun Perak merupakan kerajaan berbilang bangsa atau parti, namun pemimpin DAP boleh menerima program keislaman yang dilaksanakan.
Sebagai contoh Pengerusi DAP Perak Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham menanyakan berapa ganjaran yang diberikan kepada qari dan qariah Perak yang berjaya menjadi johan Tilawah Al-Quran Peringkat Kebangsaan di Kedah, baru-baru.
"Saya mencadangkan kita beri RM1,000 seorang dan Dato� Ngeh pula cadangkan kerajaan negeri memberi RM10,000 seperti diberi kerajaaan Pusat," katanya.
Bagaimanapun katanya, pihak yang tidak boleh menerima kerajaan sekarang hanyalah pemimpin Umno yang diketuai Tajul Rosli.
Keghairahan Umno Perak kononnya akan menubuh kerajaan pada 31 Ogos depan dengan 'membeli' tiga wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat dianggap sebagai igauan di siang hari.
Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Ir Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin berkata, bagi mencapai hasrat tersebut mereka dikatakan sanggup membeli wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat sehingga RM30 juta seorang.Katanya, walaupun Umno menawar harga yang tinggi, namun semua wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat di Perak memberi jaminan tidak akan menerima tawaran tersebut sebaliknya akan terus kekal dengan kerajaan sekarang.
Oleh itu dakwaan bekas Menteri Besar Perak Dato� Seri Tajul Rosli Ghazali yang mendakwa kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Perak akan tumbang 31 Ogos ini hanyalah gimik politik semata-mata.
Beliau menyatakan perkara itu ketika menyampaikan ceramahnya di Dewan Haji Salleh, Pekan Alor Lintah, baru-baru ini.
Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Perak kini mempunyai 59 ahli di mana 28 Umno, 18 DAP, 7 PKR dan 6 PAS.
Beliau juga mengakui pelantikannya sebagai Menteri Besar merupakan satu keajaiban yang telah ditentukan oleh Allah Taala.
"Walaupun PAS hanya memenangi 6 kerusi Dun berbanding DAP sebanyak 18 dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat 7, namun semua pemimpin parti dalam Pakatan serta baginda Sultan bersetuju melantik Adun PAS sebagai menteri besar.
"Kita telah memberitahu rakyat Perak, Allah Taala telah menurunkan rahmatNya ke atas negeri itu dengan menubuhkan kerajaan melalui kesepakatan di antara pemimpin PAS, DAP dan PKR," katanya.
Beliau juga berkata, walaupun Perak merupakan kerajaan berbilang bangsa atau parti, namun pemimpin DAP boleh menerima program keislaman yang dilaksanakan.
Sebagai contoh Pengerusi DAP Perak Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham menanyakan berapa ganjaran yang diberikan kepada qari dan qariah Perak yang berjaya menjadi johan Tilawah Al-Quran Peringkat Kebangsaan di Kedah, baru-baru.
"Saya mencadangkan kita beri RM1,000 seorang dan Dato� Ngeh pula cadangkan kerajaan negeri memberi RM10,000 seperti diberi kerajaaan Pusat," katanya.
Bagaimanapun katanya, pihak yang tidak boleh menerima kerajaan sekarang hanyalah pemimpin Umno yang diketuai Tajul Rosli.
Taking credit for Perak investment success - NST
Jul 26, 2008 By M. Husairy Othman
OF late, the Pakatan Rakyat-led Perak government has been going round trumpeting its success in attracting billions of ringgit worth of investments within months of being in power.
However, while all this might seem rosy to the public, the facts and investment figures simply do not add up.
With contradicting statements from the state government's top leadership, one can clearly see the lack of direction and miscommunication amo-ng them.
Last Sunday, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin proudly announced in Kuala Terengganu that the state expects to receive investments worth RM16 billion over the next two or three years compared with only RM770 million the previous year.
He had attributed this to investors' confidence in the new state government.
Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming gave an even more impressive figure.
He said the new government was considering investments valued at some RM21.8 billion, including RM16 billion from Qatar's Gulf Petroleum and RM1.5 billion from First Solar Incorporation of the United States.
All this, he said, was proposed to the state during the first two months of the new coalition's administration.
While the uninitiated might see this as proof of the new state government's determination to develop the state, those in the know are seeing red over the whole matter.
"They are taking credit for the work of others. Gulf Petroleum had already shown interest to invest in Perak when Barisan Nasional was in power and after BN lost in the general election, the company had wanted to pull out," said former exco member Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
And when hounded by reporters whether the Gulf Petroleum investment was the same as announced by the previous government, senior exco member Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham was extremely careful with his choice of words.
Instead of a simple yes or no, his answer was: "The Qatar-based oil company wanted to withdraw its investment but the state government managed to persuade them to stay on."
To top it all off, Industrial Development Committee chairman Tai Sing Ng, when interviewed two days ago, seemed to be in the dark over the huge investment claims made by his colleagues.
"This must remain a secret so that other states do not pinch the investors."
For the record, former menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali had announced plans for the project at the end of last year.
And unless the art of persuasion can be considered as inking deals with investors, the state government should perhaps refrain from taking credit for deals secured by the previous administration.
Every level-headed person knows full well that it is virtually impossible to secure multi-billion ringgit deals within two months of forming the state government.
The Pakatan Rakyat state government must give credit when its due even if it means acknowledging the success of the previous state government.
OF late, the Pakatan Rakyat-led Perak government has been going round trumpeting its success in attracting billions of ringgit worth of investments within months of being in power.
However, while all this might seem rosy to the public, the facts and investment figures simply do not add up.
With contradicting statements from the state government's top leadership, one can clearly see the lack of direction and miscommunication amo-ng them.
Last Sunday, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin proudly announced in Kuala Terengganu that the state expects to receive investments worth RM16 billion over the next two or three years compared with only RM770 million the previous year.
He had attributed this to investors' confidence in the new state government.
Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming gave an even more impressive figure.
He said the new government was considering investments valued at some RM21.8 billion, including RM16 billion from Qatar's Gulf Petroleum and RM1.5 billion from First Solar Incorporation of the United States.
All this, he said, was proposed to the state during the first two months of the new coalition's administration.
While the uninitiated might see this as proof of the new state government's determination to develop the state, those in the know are seeing red over the whole matter.
"They are taking credit for the work of others. Gulf Petroleum had already shown interest to invest in Perak when Barisan Nasional was in power and after BN lost in the general election, the company had wanted to pull out," said former exco member Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
And when hounded by reporters whether the Gulf Petroleum investment was the same as announced by the previous government, senior exco member Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham was extremely careful with his choice of words.
Instead of a simple yes or no, his answer was: "The Qatar-based oil company wanted to withdraw its investment but the state government managed to persuade them to stay on."
To top it all off, Industrial Development Committee chairman Tai Sing Ng, when interviewed two days ago, seemed to be in the dark over the huge investment claims made by his colleagues.
"This must remain a secret so that other states do not pinch the investors."
For the record, former menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali had announced plans for the project at the end of last year.
And unless the art of persuasion can be considered as inking deals with investors, the state government should perhaps refrain from taking credit for deals secured by the previous administration.
Every level-headed person knows full well that it is virtually impossible to secure multi-billion ringgit deals within two months of forming the state government.
The Pakatan Rakyat state government must give credit when its due even if it means acknowledging the success of the previous state government.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Perak MB says Mercedes limos wasted if reserved for VIP guests only - The Star
IPOH, Sat.: Jul 26, 2008
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin regards the decision by the federal government to allow the Terengganu government to keep its purchase of 14 Mercedes-Benzes, but only for guests, as a wastage.
He said it was a wastage to purchase the vehicles and then not to use them.
“We don’t know why the Cabinet came up with such a decision... it is a waste (to have) 14 cars, costing RM3.4 million, and then to leave them idle because it isn’t everyday that we have guests,” he added.
Mohammad Nizar was reacting to an announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday that the Terengganu government could keep the Mercedes-Benzes but the vehicles must be used only for state guests.
Speaking to reporters after the opening of the Perak PAS convention by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang here, Mohammad Nizar said it would be better if the cars were used by the state executive councillors since they had to do a lot of travelling.
He said the use of other vehicles, besides Proton Perdana, should be allowed because of activities and usage which required hardy vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz.
He referred to the situation in Perak where three of its Proton Perdana cars were “over-used” and might have to be replaced.
However, Mohammad Nizar said, the Perak government had no intention of replacing its official cars with other models in keeping with the directive on the use of national cars.
He said buying Mercedes-Benz cars would give the perception that the government was not prudent in its spending.
“Although we have the allocation for purchase of new cars, which had been approved by the previous state government, we have decided to use the existing vehicles,” he added.
He said the state government would replace the existing cars only when the need arose.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin regards the decision by the federal government to allow the Terengganu government to keep its purchase of 14 Mercedes-Benzes, but only for guests, as a wastage.
He said it was a wastage to purchase the vehicles and then not to use them.
“We don’t know why the Cabinet came up with such a decision... it is a waste (to have) 14 cars, costing RM3.4 million, and then to leave them idle because it isn’t everyday that we have guests,” he added.
Mohammad Nizar was reacting to an announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday that the Terengganu government could keep the Mercedes-Benzes but the vehicles must be used only for state guests.
Speaking to reporters after the opening of the Perak PAS convention by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang here, Mohammad Nizar said it would be better if the cars were used by the state executive councillors since they had to do a lot of travelling.
He said the use of other vehicles, besides Proton Perdana, should be allowed because of activities and usage which required hardy vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz.
He referred to the situation in Perak where three of its Proton Perdana cars were “over-used” and might have to be replaced.
However, Mohammad Nizar said, the Perak government had no intention of replacing its official cars with other models in keeping with the directive on the use of national cars.
He said buying Mercedes-Benz cars would give the perception that the government was not prudent in its spending.
“Although we have the allocation for purchase of new cars, which had been approved by the previous state government, we have decided to use the existing vehicles,” he added.
He said the state government would replace the existing cars only when the need arose.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Made-in-Perak animated films for Mid-East, Europe - NST
IPOH: Jul 25, 2008 By P. Chandra Sagaran
A RM5 million animation production centre will be built in Meru Raya by the end of November.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the centre would produce 156 episodes of 2-D animation films for the Middle East and European markets.
The first phase of the project, jointly carried out by KPerak INC Corporation, Perak State Development Corporation (PSDC) and Spacetoon International, will require between 120 and 200 animators.
Nizar was speaking after presenting certificates to 63 SPIKE@KPerak and 28 KPerak Infomediaries graduates, who had undergone a three-month training course to increase their marketability and employment chances.
Also present were Perak State Secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Hashim, Skali Group president Aimi Aizal Nasha- ruddin and KPerak INC Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Yaacob Nordin.
Nizar said a local company, In-Fushion Solutions Sdn Bhd-GO Academy, with the cooperation of KPerak INC, was also planning to set up a 3-D animation production centre at the Perak Techno-Trade Centre in Meru Raya.
The company, which has vast experience producing 3-D and Modelling animation films for the overseas market, had obtained contracts from the United States, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and India.
"The first phase of the project is expected to begin in November and will offer employment to between 20 and 50 animators."
Meanwhile, Aimi Aizal said unemployed graduates lacked soft skills like the ability to communicate effectively, self- confidence, a sense of direction and self-esteem.
"There is also a mismatch of skills provided by the universities with the demands of industries."
A RM5 million animation production centre will be built in Meru Raya by the end of November.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the centre would produce 156 episodes of 2-D animation films for the Middle East and European markets.
The first phase of the project, jointly carried out by KPerak INC Corporation, Perak State Development Corporation (PSDC) and Spacetoon International, will require between 120 and 200 animators.
Nizar was speaking after presenting certificates to 63 SPIKE@KPerak and 28 KPerak Infomediaries graduates, who had undergone a three-month training course to increase their marketability and employment chances.
Also present were Perak State Secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Hashim, Skali Group president Aimi Aizal Nasha- ruddin and KPerak INC Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Yaacob Nordin.
Nizar said a local company, In-Fushion Solutions Sdn Bhd-GO Academy, with the cooperation of KPerak INC, was also planning to set up a 3-D animation production centre at the Perak Techno-Trade Centre in Meru Raya.
The company, which has vast experience producing 3-D and Modelling animation films for the overseas market, had obtained contracts from the United States, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and India.
"The first phase of the project is expected to begin in November and will offer employment to between 20 and 50 animators."
Meanwhile, Aimi Aizal said unemployed graduates lacked soft skills like the ability to communicate effectively, self- confidence, a sense of direction and self-esteem.
"There is also a mismatch of skills provided by the universities with the demands of industries."
Living in fear of floods - The Star
Jul 25, 2008
IT was flooded three times in one month. And residents in Taiping had a tough time dealing with them.
Aulong assemblyman Yew Tian Hoe, who distributed some RM20,000 in food and cash aid, said the first flash floods occurred on June 30.
“I will try to get reimbursement from the state government,” he said while visiting flood-hit areas last Thursday. Present was Pokok Assam assemblyman Yee Seu Kai.
Low-lying areas, through which Sungai Tupai meanders through, were also inundated with waist-deep waters on July 12.
“Three flash floods in one month! It’s just too much,’’ said Yee.
Both Yew and Yee are contemplating buying a four-wheel vehicle to assist them during floods.
During last Thursday’s floods following a two-hour downpour at 1.30pm, more than 2,000 people fled their homes but water receded by midnight at most locations.
Bukit Gantang MP Roslan Shaharum said housing schemes built over reclaimed ex-mining pools could have contributed to the situation.
The pools were able to retain excess rainwater in the past but not now, he said.
More than 500 families from Ta-man Pengkalan Makmur and Taman Kaya fled their homes when two adjoining ex-mining pools in the vicinity overflowed.
Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming said rainfall recorded last Thursday was 106mm compared with past daily count of between 46 and 52mm.
Nga claimed that the on-going landfilling work for the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double track railway project had blocked water flow.
Nga said the state government had also approved RM100,000 in emergency funds to conduct immediate desilting work at Sungai Tupai.
The Drainage and Irrigation Department, he said, was applying for an additional RM17mil allocation to build bunds and acquire land to facilitate the exercise.
IT was flooded three times in one month. And residents in Taiping had a tough time dealing with them.
Aulong assemblyman Yew Tian Hoe, who distributed some RM20,000 in food and cash aid, said the first flash floods occurred on June 30.
“I will try to get reimbursement from the state government,” he said while visiting flood-hit areas last Thursday. Present was Pokok Assam assemblyman Yee Seu Kai.
Low-lying areas, through which Sungai Tupai meanders through, were also inundated with waist-deep waters on July 12.
“Three flash floods in one month! It’s just too much,’’ said Yee.
Both Yew and Yee are contemplating buying a four-wheel vehicle to assist them during floods.
During last Thursday’s floods following a two-hour downpour at 1.30pm, more than 2,000 people fled their homes but water receded by midnight at most locations.
Bukit Gantang MP Roslan Shaharum said housing schemes built over reclaimed ex-mining pools could have contributed to the situation.
The pools were able to retain excess rainwater in the past but not now, he said.
More than 500 families from Ta-man Pengkalan Makmur and Taman Kaya fled their homes when two adjoining ex-mining pools in the vicinity overflowed.
Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming said rainfall recorded last Thursday was 106mm compared with past daily count of between 46 and 52mm.
Nga claimed that the on-going landfilling work for the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double track railway project had blocked water flow.
Nga said the state government had also approved RM100,000 in emergency funds to conduct immediate desilting work at Sungai Tupai.
The Drainage and Irrigation Department, he said, was applying for an additional RM17mil allocation to build bunds and acquire land to facilitate the exercise.
Nizar: Perak Government to stick with Proton Perdanas - The Star
Jul 25, 2008
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the state was committed to its present Proton Perdanas although the cars were five years old.
“It is true that some of the cars are high-maintenance but it is not as high as claimed by the Terengganu Government,” he said yesterday.
Asked how much the state spend on maintenance for the Proton Perdanas, Nizar said it was reasonable by Proton’s standard.
“There are one or two that need a change of gearbox due to extensive use,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after launching the public service work quality group convention at the State Secretariat building here, Nizar reiterated that the state had no plans to buy Mercedes-Benz cars.
Nizar was asked to comment on the Terengganu Government’s purchase of 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressor at RM3.43mil for the use of its state executive councillors and senior officials.
Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said was reported as saying that the state government had planned to buy the cars for a long time now to replace its Proton Perdana V6 Executive fleet in a move to cut maintenance costs.
On another matter, Nizar said the state had approved 187 lots to relocate residents staying next to the double tracking rail project.
The residents had claimed that the project was the cause of floods hitting their homes.
“However because of some problems such as compensation, the residents refused to move out,” Nizar said, adding that the state had yet to determine whether it was the project that caused floods.
“At the moment, we are working something out with the Drainage and Irrigation Department,” he added.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the state was committed to its present Proton Perdanas although the cars were five years old.“It is true that some of the cars are high-maintenance but it is not as high as claimed by the Terengganu Government,” he said yesterday.
Asked how much the state spend on maintenance for the Proton Perdanas, Nizar said it was reasonable by Proton’s standard.
“There are one or two that need a change of gearbox due to extensive use,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after launching the public service work quality group convention at the State Secretariat building here, Nizar reiterated that the state had no plans to buy Mercedes-Benz cars.
Nizar was asked to comment on the Terengganu Government’s purchase of 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressor at RM3.43mil for the use of its state executive councillors and senior officials.
Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said was reported as saying that the state government had planned to buy the cars for a long time now to replace its Proton Perdana V6 Executive fleet in a move to cut maintenance costs.
On another matter, Nizar said the state had approved 187 lots to relocate residents staying next to the double tracking rail project.
The residents had claimed that the project was the cause of floods hitting their homes.
“However because of some problems such as compensation, the residents refused to move out,” Nizar said, adding that the state had yet to determine whether it was the project that caused floods.
“At the moment, we are working something out with the Drainage and Irrigation Department,” he added.
Stop Umno-PAS talks, urges Nizar - The Star
IPOH: Jul 25, 2008
The top level Umno-PAS dialogues should be stopped as it would lead to speculation, said Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
Noting that the speculations were not healthy, Nizar pointed out that it was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who eagerly wanted the talk between both parties.
“Pakatan Rakyat is not in dire need of that relationship as we are now stronger,” he said yesterday.
Speaking to reporters after launching the public service work quality group convention at the State Secretariat building here, Nizar said he was more open to the idea of muqabalah (face-to-face discussions).
“You cannot disconnect relationships between individuals. We cannot avoid meeting or extending salam (greetings) with leaders of other parties,” he added.
On whether the muqabalah would lead to uneasiness among Pakatan Rakyat parties, Nizar said: “I don’t think so as there had been an understanding among the three parties.”
On a suggestion by Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang that the talks should be on Malaysian unity, Nizar said that would be one of the agendas.
“The main agenda concerns all Malaysians and not a particular community,” he said.
Asked about Kelantan’s proposal to hold an inaugural meeting of mentri besars and chief minister from the five Pakatan Rakyat states, Nizar said it was a good idea.
“There are many issues that need to be ironed out with the Federal Government such as water and land.
“The five states can speak as one voice to present their views to the Government,” he said.
Kelantan had proposed the meeting to be held next month to counter allegations of a split in the alliance.
The top level Umno-PAS dialogues should be stopped as it would lead to speculation, said Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.Noting that the speculations were not healthy, Nizar pointed out that it was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who eagerly wanted the talk between both parties.
“Pakatan Rakyat is not in dire need of that relationship as we are now stronger,” he said yesterday.
Speaking to reporters after launching the public service work quality group convention at the State Secretariat building here, Nizar said he was more open to the idea of muqabalah (face-to-face discussions).
“You cannot disconnect relationships between individuals. We cannot avoid meeting or extending salam (greetings) with leaders of other parties,” he added.
On whether the muqabalah would lead to uneasiness among Pakatan Rakyat parties, Nizar said: “I don’t think so as there had been an understanding among the three parties.”
On a suggestion by Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang that the talks should be on Malaysian unity, Nizar said that would be one of the agendas.
“The main agenda concerns all Malaysians and not a particular community,” he said.
Asked about Kelantan’s proposal to hold an inaugural meeting of mentri besars and chief minister from the five Pakatan Rakyat states, Nizar said it was a good idea.
“There are many issues that need to be ironed out with the Federal Government such as water and land.
“The five states can speak as one voice to present their views to the Government,” he said.
Kelantan had proposed the meeting to be held next month to counter allegations of a split in the alliance.
Big projects on hold in Perak due to lack of proper EIAs - The Star
LUMUT: Jul 2, 2008
Several ambitious projects in Perak have been put on hold because their developers or consultants have failed to submit the environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports years after their announcement.
Perak Department of Environment (DOE) director Abu Hasan Mohd Isa said that among such mega-projects were the multibillion-ringgit oil refineries to be sited in Tanjung Piandang and Teluk Rubiah near here.
He said another project was the proposed RM24.5bil Trans-Peninsula Petroleum pipeline to run from Yan in Kedah, through northern Perak and end in Kelantan.
“There was also the previously announced Blair University (at Gua Tempurung near Ipoh) and three hotel projects on Banding Island, Grik.
“None of them have submitted to us their EIAs,” he told reporters here yesterday after a department seminar on the guidelines for the approval of development projects.
Abu Hasan said he had to clarify because certain quarters were unfairly blaming the department for holding up these projects, adding that some project consultants had sent late or “poor quality” reports.
“When the EIA reports are sent, 90% of them are rejected because they are incomplete,” he said.
He said it only took five weeks at the most for the DOE to process reports, or two weeks if the project needed to be expedited.
Several ambitious projects in Perak have been put on hold because their developers or consultants have failed to submit the environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports years after their announcement.
Perak Department of Environment (DOE) director Abu Hasan Mohd Isa said that among such mega-projects were the multibillion-ringgit oil refineries to be sited in Tanjung Piandang and Teluk Rubiah near here.
He said another project was the proposed RM24.5bil Trans-Peninsula Petroleum pipeline to run from Yan in Kedah, through northern Perak and end in Kelantan.
“There was also the previously announced Blair University (at Gua Tempurung near Ipoh) and three hotel projects on Banding Island, Grik.
“None of them have submitted to us their EIAs,” he told reporters here yesterday after a department seminar on the guidelines for the approval of development projects.
Abu Hasan said he had to clarify because certain quarters were unfairly blaming the department for holding up these projects, adding that some project consultants had sent late or “poor quality” reports.
“When the EIA reports are sent, 90% of them are rejected because they are incomplete,” he said.
He said it only took five weeks at the most for the DOE to process reports, or two weeks if the project needed to be expedited.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A proposal for Lata Kinjang - The Star
Jul 24, 2008 By CLARA CHOOI
THE state government is considering a proposal to turn the Lata Kinjang waterfalls in Tapah into a world-renowned ecotourism site.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said that a structural engineer made the suggestion recently during a courtesy call at the State Secretariat.
“This man is a Perakian who made it big for himself in Hong Kong.
“And today, the engineer, who has returned to his home ground, told me that he wanted to make Perak known to the world, starting with the famous Lata Kinjang waterfalls,” he said during a meeting with the Perak Kwang Tung Association in Ipoh on Tuesday.
He added that the man, who had snapped shots of the falls during his visit, had proposed to return to Hong Kong to promote Lata Kinjang to the people there.
“It is his intention to bring tourists from Hong Kong to see the beautiful falls. This would surely place Perak on the international map.
“After all, Lata Kinjang is the highest waterfall in all of South-East Asia,” said Nizar.
During the meeting earlier, the association, along with representatives from 25 other Chinese associations in the state, presented a memorandum to Nizar.
In the memorandum, the associations urged the state to boost its efforts in promoting eco-tourism in the state, improve logistic facilities to aid businesses and attract investors as well and encourage the use of natural gas by constructing more facilities within the towns.
The associations also asked the state government to provide more plots of land for burial grounds as the current cemetery in Tambun was getting overcrowded.
Perak Kwang Tung Association president Ng Kok Wah also said that the association hoped that the state would reconsider the appointment of some of its members as local councillors as they had been rejected during the recent round of interviews.
“We hope they will be considered in the next appointment or review,” he said.
Nizar said that the state would give all the suggestions due consideration.
THE state government is considering a proposal to turn the Lata Kinjang waterfalls in Tapah into a world-renowned ecotourism site.Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said that a structural engineer made the suggestion recently during a courtesy call at the State Secretariat.
“This man is a Perakian who made it big for himself in Hong Kong.
“And today, the engineer, who has returned to his home ground, told me that he wanted to make Perak known to the world, starting with the famous Lata Kinjang waterfalls,” he said during a meeting with the Perak Kwang Tung Association in Ipoh on Tuesday.
He added that the man, who had snapped shots of the falls during his visit, had proposed to return to Hong Kong to promote Lata Kinjang to the people there.
“It is his intention to bring tourists from Hong Kong to see the beautiful falls. This would surely place Perak on the international map.
“After all, Lata Kinjang is the highest waterfall in all of South-East Asia,” said Nizar.
During the meeting earlier, the association, along with representatives from 25 other Chinese associations in the state, presented a memorandum to Nizar.
In the memorandum, the associations urged the state to boost its efforts in promoting eco-tourism in the state, improve logistic facilities to aid businesses and attract investors as well and encourage the use of natural gas by constructing more facilities within the towns.
The associations also asked the state government to provide more plots of land for burial grounds as the current cemetery in Tambun was getting overcrowded.
Perak Kwang Tung Association president Ng Kok Wah also said that the association hoped that the state would reconsider the appointment of some of its members as local councillors as they had been rejected during the recent round of interviews.
“We hope they will be considered in the next appointment or review,” he said.
Nizar said that the state would give all the suggestions due consideration.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Crackdown on cybercafés operating as gambling dens - The Star
IPOH: Jul 22, 2008 By HAH FOONG LIAN
The Perak government will start cracking down on cybercafés that operate as gambling dens with immediate effect.
Issuing the stern warning after meeting members of Perak Cyber Centre Association led by its president Chang Tat Guan on Tuesday, state Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said:
“We have given a one-month notice to the cybercafé operators.”
Nga pointed out that he had received a lot of complaints from parents and teachers that schoolchildren were spending a lot of time at the cybercafés.
“We are not saying all cybercafés are operating like gambling dens. There are some black sheep that even give loans to students and charge them Ah Long (loan shark) interest,” Nga said.
He said the children would steal money from their parents to pay off their debts with the loan sharks.
“We want to tell such cybercafé operators that we are going to close them down immediately,” he said, adding: “No compromises and no appeals.”
Nga said he had instructed the relevant departments not to entertain appeals from such cybercafé operators.
He said there were 241 licensed cybercafés in the state and another 19, which were operating without a licence, adding that operators must adhere to strict guidelines at their premises.
The Perak government will start cracking down on cybercafés that operate as gambling dens with immediate effect.
Issuing the stern warning after meeting members of Perak Cyber Centre Association led by its president Chang Tat Guan on Tuesday, state Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said:
“We have given a one-month notice to the cybercafé operators.”
Nga pointed out that he had received a lot of complaints from parents and teachers that schoolchildren were spending a lot of time at the cybercafés.
“We are not saying all cybercafés are operating like gambling dens. There are some black sheep that even give loans to students and charge them Ah Long (loan shark) interest,” Nga said.
He said the children would steal money from their parents to pay off their debts with the loan sharks.
“We want to tell such cybercafé operators that we are going to close them down immediately,” he said, adding: “No compromises and no appeals.”
Nga said he had instructed the relevant departments not to entertain appeals from such cybercafé operators.
He said there were 241 licensed cybercafés in the state and another 19, which were operating without a licence, adding that operators must adhere to strict guidelines at their premises.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Govt may name place after Patto - The Star
Jul 21, 2008 By IVAN LOH
THE Perak Government plans to honour the late P. Patto by naming either a memorial park, a road, a school or a scholarship after him.
State executive councillor Nga Kor Ming said Patto, a former Perak DAP chairman, had made sacrifices for the people in his struggle for democracy.
“We cherish and highly recognise Patto’s contribution to the state, in particularly Ipoh,” he said after the opening of the party’s Kepayang service centre at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Ipoh recently.
“This will be a form of encouragement to all the people in Perak to serve the state,” he added.
Patto, a former teacher, was born in Bagan Serai in 1946.
He was the former political secretary to DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who was then the Opposition leader.
He stood against MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in 1974 and 1990 but lost on both occasions.
Patto died in 1995 of a heart failure at the Ipoh Hospital now renamed Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun. At that time, he was Bagan MP and DAP deputy secretary-general.
On another matter, Nga said the state was against the idea of having a private waste management company in the state.
“I can give an assurance that this company will not start on Aug 1. I will call them for a briefing first before any decision on its operations is made,” he said.
It is learnt that the company was tentatively set to begin operations following approval from the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
THE Perak Government plans to honour the late P. Patto by naming either a memorial park, a road, a school or a scholarship after him.State executive councillor Nga Kor Ming said Patto, a former Perak DAP chairman, had made sacrifices for the people in his struggle for democracy.
“We cherish and highly recognise Patto’s contribution to the state, in particularly Ipoh,” he said after the opening of the party’s Kepayang service centre at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Ipoh recently.
“This will be a form of encouragement to all the people in Perak to serve the state,” he added.
Patto, a former teacher, was born in Bagan Serai in 1946.
He was the former political secretary to DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who was then the Opposition leader.
He stood against MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in 1974 and 1990 but lost on both occasions.
Patto died in 1995 of a heart failure at the Ipoh Hospital now renamed Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun. At that time, he was Bagan MP and DAP deputy secretary-general.
On another matter, Nga said the state was against the idea of having a private waste management company in the state.
“I can give an assurance that this company will not start on Aug 1. I will call them for a briefing first before any decision on its operations is made,” he said.
It is learnt that the company was tentatively set to begin operations following approval from the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Sudi becomes the first orang asli councillor in Perak - The Star
IPOH: Jul 19, 2008 By CHRISTINA KOH
Sudi Uda cut a dashing figure in his brown coat when he was sworn in as the first orang asli among Perak’s 338 local councillors.
As a Kuala Kangsar Municipal councillor, it would be a far cry from his usual routine of caring for his family and doing odd-jobs at his Kampung Landap village in Jalong Tinggi, Sungai Siput.
“I decided to apply to be a councillor because I wanted to help the community. If I rejected this opportunity, who else will speak for the orang asli?” Sudi, 38, told reporters here yesterday.
Accounts executive Kennedy Hong Chuan Lee, who became wheelchair-bound at the age of 12 after a spinal injury, hopes to speak up for the disabled community.
Ready to serve: Sudi (left) greeting Hong at the Perak State Secretariat in Ipoh yesterday while Chuah looks on
Hong, who will serve in the Teluk Intan Municipal Council, said one of his first aims would be to make the district disabled-friendly.
The youngest councillor is 27-year-old Chuah Soo Hooi, who will also serve in the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council.
Earlier, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said that with the new appointments, the state was bidding “goodbye” to decades of discrimination and corruption in the councils.
“I’m telling you right now that any element of corruption, abuse of power, or discrimination based on race, religion, colour, creed and culture will never be tolerated in this government,” he told the councillors.
State Education, Local Govern-ment, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said the 338 councillors included six PhD holders and two professors.
“There are also 13 doctors, one of whom graduated from Harvard, 11 lawyers, 18 engineers and 16 architects,” he said.
Sudi Uda cut a dashing figure in his brown coat when he was sworn in as the first orang asli among Perak’s 338 local councillors.
As a Kuala Kangsar Municipal councillor, it would be a far cry from his usual routine of caring for his family and doing odd-jobs at his Kampung Landap village in Jalong Tinggi, Sungai Siput.
“I decided to apply to be a councillor because I wanted to help the community. If I rejected this opportunity, who else will speak for the orang asli?” Sudi, 38, told reporters here yesterday.
Accounts executive Kennedy Hong Chuan Lee, who became wheelchair-bound at the age of 12 after a spinal injury, hopes to speak up for the disabled community.
Ready to serve: Sudi (left) greeting Hong at the Perak State Secretariat in Ipoh yesterday while Chuah looks onHong, who will serve in the Teluk Intan Municipal Council, said one of his first aims would be to make the district disabled-friendly.
The youngest councillor is 27-year-old Chuah Soo Hooi, who will also serve in the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council.
Earlier, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said that with the new appointments, the state was bidding “goodbye” to decades of discrimination and corruption in the councils.
“I’m telling you right now that any element of corruption, abuse of power, or discrimination based on race, religion, colour, creed and culture will never be tolerated in this government,” he told the councillors.
State Education, Local Govern-ment, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said the 338 councillors included six PhD holders and two professors.
“There are also 13 doctors, one of whom graduated from Harvard, 11 lawyers, 18 engineers and 16 architects,” he said.
Friday, July 18, 2008
PELABURAN DI TASEK BANDING HARUS PATUHI PELAN INDUK PEMBANGUNAN – SULTAN AZLAN SHAH
TEMENGOR, 9 JULAI
Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah berkenan berangkat merasmikan Belum Rainforest Resort dan Pulau Banding Rainforest Research Centre di Tasek Banding Temengor.
DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah diberi penerangan mengenai jenis-jenis pokok herba yang terdapat di resort tersebut
Baginda menyeru agar kerajaan negeri merangka pelan induk jangka panjang untuk memastikan khazanah negeri terpelihara dan pembangunan perlu menghormati garis panduan pelan induk itu.
Antara tetamu-tetamu undangan yang hadir di majlis tersebut.
Titah baginda, pendekatan tidak memusnahkan alam sekitar tanpa mengusir penduduk asal harus menjadi prasyarat kepada pemaju yang berhasrat membangunkan kawasan yang kaya dengan alam semula jadi. Daerah Hulu Perak memiliki keistimewaan kekayaan alam semula jadi seperti Hutan Royal Belum yang mempunyai biodiversiti Hutan tropika berusia lebih 130 juta tahun.
Tuanku menerima penerangan dari pegawai Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli mengenai pengurusan Sekolah Tadika Orang Asli.
Projek berskala besar ini diusahakan oleh Syarikat EMKAY bagi memelihara kawasan tasik, kawasan hutan simpan, pelan pengurusan hidupan, flora dan fauna termasuk juga pelan pengurusan kegiatan ekonomi di kawasan ini bagi memastikan kawasan seluar 300,000 hektar ini kekal sebagai khazanah kebanggaan negeri dan negara.
Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah berkenan berangkat merasmikan Belum Rainforest Resort dan Pulau Banding Rainforest Research Centre di Tasek Banding Temengor.
DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah diberi penerangan mengenai jenis-jenis pokok herba yang terdapat di resort tersebutBaginda menyeru agar kerajaan negeri merangka pelan induk jangka panjang untuk memastikan khazanah negeri terpelihara dan pembangunan perlu menghormati garis panduan pelan induk itu.
Antara tetamu-tetamu undangan yang hadir di majlis tersebut.Titah baginda, pendekatan tidak memusnahkan alam sekitar tanpa mengusir penduduk asal harus menjadi prasyarat kepada pemaju yang berhasrat membangunkan kawasan yang kaya dengan alam semula jadi. Daerah Hulu Perak memiliki keistimewaan kekayaan alam semula jadi seperti Hutan Royal Belum yang mempunyai biodiversiti Hutan tropika berusia lebih 130 juta tahun.
Tuanku menerima penerangan dari pegawai Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli mengenai pengurusan Sekolah Tadika Orang Asli.Projek berskala besar ini diusahakan oleh Syarikat EMKAY bagi memelihara kawasan tasik, kawasan hutan simpan, pelan pengurusan hidupan, flora dan fauna termasuk juga pelan pengurusan kegiatan ekonomi di kawasan ini bagi memastikan kawasan seluar 300,000 hektar ini kekal sebagai khazanah kebanggaan negeri dan negara.
915 KELUARGA MISKIN TEGAR TERIMA BANTUAN BARANGAN KEPERLUAN ASAS BAGI DAERAH KINTA
GOPENG, 10 JULAI, 2008
Kerajaan Negeri Perak amat prihatin terhadap masalah rakyat terutamanya mereka yang dikategorikan miskin tegar.
Oleh itu kerajaan negeri menyediakan peruntukan sebanyak RM 1 juta bagi 5000 keluarga miskin tegar yang berdaftar di seluruh negeri Perak. Sedikit Sumbangan berupa 30 kilo beras, 5 kilo gula, 2 kilo minyak masak dan wang tunai RM 100 untuk satu-satu keluarga sedang giat dilakukan bagi meringankan beban mereka.
Bagi Daerah Kinta sahaja, seramai 915 keluarga telah dikenal pasti dan sebanyak 423 daripadanya penerima di kalangan orang asli. Majlis penyerahan bantuan disempurnakan YB Encik Chen Fook Chye, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Perpaduan, Integrasi Nasional dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna. Turut hadir di majlis itu YB Chan Ming Kai, ADUN Simpang Pulai, YB Chang Lih Kang, ADUN Teja dan Dato’ Razali Othman, Pegawai Daerah Kinta.
Antara penerima yang hadir di Majlis Penyerahan Sumbangan Miskin Tegar. Peserta miskin tegar tersenyum gembira menerima sumbangan Bekalan beras yang akan diedarkan kepada penerima-penerima miskin tegar daerah kinta.
Antara barangan yang akan disumbangkan kepada peserta miskin tegar.
Kerajaan Negeri Perak amat prihatin terhadap masalah rakyat terutamanya mereka yang dikategorikan miskin tegar.
Oleh itu kerajaan negeri menyediakan peruntukan sebanyak RM 1 juta bagi 5000 keluarga miskin tegar yang berdaftar di seluruh negeri Perak. Sedikit Sumbangan berupa 30 kilo beras, 5 kilo gula, 2 kilo minyak masak dan wang tunai RM 100 untuk satu-satu keluarga sedang giat dilakukan bagi meringankan beban mereka.Bagi Daerah Kinta sahaja, seramai 915 keluarga telah dikenal pasti dan sebanyak 423 daripadanya penerima di kalangan orang asli. Majlis penyerahan bantuan disempurnakan YB Encik Chen Fook Chye, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Perpaduan, Integrasi Nasional dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna. Turut hadir di majlis itu YB Chan Ming Kai, ADUN Simpang Pulai, YB Chang Lih Kang, ADUN Teja dan Dato’ Razali Othman, Pegawai Daerah Kinta.
Antara penerima yang hadir di Majlis Penyerahan Sumbangan Miskin Tegar. Peserta miskin tegar tersenyum gembira menerima sumbangan Bekalan beras yang akan diedarkan kepada penerima-penerima miskin tegar daerah kinta.
Antara barangan yang akan disumbangkan kepada peserta miskin tegar.
Orang asli rep and disabled man among Perak's 338 councillors - The Star
IPOH: Jul 18, 2008
Sudi Uda, a 38-year-old community leader has made history by becoming the first orang asli to serve as a local councillor in Perak.
He was among the 338 local councillors sworn in on Friday.
Sudi is among the representatives who would serve the Kuala Kangsar municipal council.
It would be a far cry from his usual routine of caring for his family and doing odd jobs at his village of Kampung Landap in Jalong Tinggi, Sungai Siput.
“I decided to apply to be a councillor because I wanted to help the community.
"If I had rejected this opportunity, who else will speak for the orang asli?” he asked reporters.
Accounts executive Kennedy Hong Chuan Lee, who became wheelchair bound at the age of 12 after a spinal injury, said he wanted to be a voice for the disabled in Perak.
Hong, who will serve as a councillor with the Teluk Intan municipal council, said one of his first aims would be to make the district disabled-friendly.
He cited as examples the Teluk Intan Hospital that had ramps that were too steep, and the local stadium with “five-star toilets” but with cubicle doors he could not close because the stall was too narrow.
The youngest councillor was 27-year-old Chuah Soo Hooi, who will also serve in the Kuala Kangsar council.
Earlier, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said that with the new appointments, the state was bidding “goodbye” to decades of discrimination and corruption in the councils.
“I’m telling you right now that any element of corruption, abuse of power, or discrimination based on race, religion, colour, creed and culture will never be tolerated in this government,” he told the councillors.
Nizar reminded them that their appointments were an honour and warned them not to emulate previous councillors who existed only to pocket their monthly allowances.
Describing the new councillors as the cream of the crop of qualified applicants, Nizar also thanked past councillors for doing their “level best” for the people.
State Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said the 338 councillors included six PhD holders, two associate professors and eight Datuks.
“There are also 13 doctors, one of whom graduated from Harvard, 11 lawyers, 18 engineers and 16 architects,” he said.
Sudi Uda, a 38-year-old community leader has made history by becoming the first orang asli to serve as a local councillor in Perak.
He was among the 338 local councillors sworn in on Friday.
Sudi is among the representatives who would serve the Kuala Kangsar municipal council.
It would be a far cry from his usual routine of caring for his family and doing odd jobs at his village of Kampung Landap in Jalong Tinggi, Sungai Siput.
“I decided to apply to be a councillor because I wanted to help the community.
"If I had rejected this opportunity, who else will speak for the orang asli?” he asked reporters.
Accounts executive Kennedy Hong Chuan Lee, who became wheelchair bound at the age of 12 after a spinal injury, said he wanted to be a voice for the disabled in Perak.
Hong, who will serve as a councillor with the Teluk Intan municipal council, said one of his first aims would be to make the district disabled-friendly.
He cited as examples the Teluk Intan Hospital that had ramps that were too steep, and the local stadium with “five-star toilets” but with cubicle doors he could not close because the stall was too narrow.
The youngest councillor was 27-year-old Chuah Soo Hooi, who will also serve in the Kuala Kangsar council.
Earlier, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said that with the new appointments, the state was bidding “goodbye” to decades of discrimination and corruption in the councils.
“I’m telling you right now that any element of corruption, abuse of power, or discrimination based on race, religion, colour, creed and culture will never be tolerated in this government,” he told the councillors.
Nizar reminded them that their appointments were an honour and warned them not to emulate previous councillors who existed only to pocket their monthly allowances.
Describing the new councillors as the cream of the crop of qualified applicants, Nizar also thanked past councillors for doing their “level best” for the people.
State Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said the 338 councillors included six PhD holders, two associate professors and eight Datuks.
“There are also 13 doctors, one of whom graduated from Harvard, 11 lawyers, 18 engineers and 16 architects,” he said.
Ipoh airport issue crops up again - The Star
Jul 18, 2008
THE long-standing issue of the defunct Sultan Azlan Shah airport in Ipoh cropped up during the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers 40th anniversary dinner.
In his speech, Perak FMM chairman Gan Tack Kong urged the state government to turn the airport into a functional one again.
“I would be failing in my duty if I do not highlight the issue of inadequate logistic facilities in Perak. It requires urgent attention.
“Without a functional airport, it will be difficult to attract investments to the state,” he said.
Gan, who spoke on behalf of some 400 businessmen at the Perak-level celebration dinner, said a recent survey revealed that 58% of people wanted the old airport upgraded, 40% preferred a new one and 2% felt that both options were not viable.
Gan also raised another pressing matter faced by manufacturers nationwide – the escalating rise of operating costs.
“Feedback from our members indicates that their energy costs had increased from a minimum 15% to a high of 130%, drastically eroding or completely wiping out their profit margins,” he said.
Gan also urged the Perak Go-vernment not to abandon the proposed gas pipeline project from Ayer Tawar to Chemor as many companies there were facing a shortage of natural gas.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Moha-mmad Nizar Jamaluddin, in his speech, acknowledged the pro-blems faced by manufacturers.
“Big corporations can afford the economic changes but it is a challenge to the small medium enterprises,’’ he said.
He added it was important to figure out a way to ensure the survival of the SMEs as they made up 80% of the state’s manufacturing entities.
On the airport, Nizar said the state was still pursuing the matter with the Transport Ministry and other authorities.
He also gave an assurance that the changes in the state’s administration would not affect the perception of foreign investors on Perak.
“In Perak, the first four months of 2008 saw a total of RM775mil investments approved, of which RM658mil were foreign investments,” he said.
He said that among the foreign projects currently at the planning and implementation levels were the water fabrication project worth RM780mil, solar in-dustry related projects in Seri Iskandar estimated at RM3.3bil and RM0.752bil and the Gulf petroleum oil refinery in Man-jung at RM16bil.
THE long-standing issue of the defunct Sultan Azlan Shah airport in Ipoh cropped up during the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers 40th anniversary dinner.In his speech, Perak FMM chairman Gan Tack Kong urged the state government to turn the airport into a functional one again.
“I would be failing in my duty if I do not highlight the issue of inadequate logistic facilities in Perak. It requires urgent attention.
“Without a functional airport, it will be difficult to attract investments to the state,” he said.
Gan, who spoke on behalf of some 400 businessmen at the Perak-level celebration dinner, said a recent survey revealed that 58% of people wanted the old airport upgraded, 40% preferred a new one and 2% felt that both options were not viable.
Gan also raised another pressing matter faced by manufacturers nationwide – the escalating rise of operating costs.
“Feedback from our members indicates that their energy costs had increased from a minimum 15% to a high of 130%, drastically eroding or completely wiping out their profit margins,” he said.
Gan also urged the Perak Go-vernment not to abandon the proposed gas pipeline project from Ayer Tawar to Chemor as many companies there were facing a shortage of natural gas.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Moha-mmad Nizar Jamaluddin, in his speech, acknowledged the pro-blems faced by manufacturers.
“Big corporations can afford the economic changes but it is a challenge to the small medium enterprises,’’ he said.
He added it was important to figure out a way to ensure the survival of the SMEs as they made up 80% of the state’s manufacturing entities.
On the airport, Nizar said the state was still pursuing the matter with the Transport Ministry and other authorities.
He also gave an assurance that the changes in the state’s administration would not affect the perception of foreign investors on Perak.
“In Perak, the first four months of 2008 saw a total of RM775mil investments approved, of which RM658mil were foreign investments,” he said.
He said that among the foreign projects currently at the planning and implementation levels were the water fabrication project worth RM780mil, solar in-dustry related projects in Seri Iskandar estimated at RM3.3bil and RM0.752bil and the Gulf petroleum oil refinery in Man-jung at RM16bil.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
HK investors for business centre - The Star
Simpang Pulai set to change into a busy commercial area with the RM500mil development
IPOH: By HAH FOONG LIAN
Hong Kong investors have teamed up with a local developer to help transform the quiet town of Simpang Pulai into a bustling commercial area with the development of Simpang Pulai Business Centre at a cost of some RM500mil.
Hong Kong-based investment firm Jerard Co Ltd will be funding 28% of the 43ha project, undertaken by Glamour Ideals Sdn Bhd.
Glamour Ideals managing director Joseph Chin said the business centre would be built in three phases.
“The first phase of 68 shoplots is already sold out. It costs up to RM438,000 per unit,” Chin said after the project ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (centre) with Hong Kong investor Dr Ho Hau Wong (right) and Glomour Ideals Sdn Bhd managing director Joseph Chin (left) at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Simpang Pulai Business Centre development project near Ipoh.
The second phase would comprise the remaining 102 shoplots and the third phase would be a hotel and villas to be launched later this year.
The project is Jerard's second investment after a condominium project here called Damaipuri Condominium.
Director Dr Ho Hau Wong said Jerard was set up for investments in Malaysia and planned to be involved in other projects in and around Ipoh.
“I find Ipoh a beautiful place that is natural disaster-free and the people very warm,” said Dr Ho, who also gave away donations totalling RM88,000 to various charitable organisations and schools here.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was also present to witness the groundbreaking ceremony.
Dr Ho, who plans to retire here, said Jerard was involved in two projects in the city centre - a service apartment, and hotel and villas development.
Other projects were semi-detached houses and villas in Menglembu and semi-detached houses and bungalows in Bercham, he added.
IPOH: By HAH FOONG LIAN
Hong Kong investors have teamed up with a local developer to help transform the quiet town of Simpang Pulai into a bustling commercial area with the development of Simpang Pulai Business Centre at a cost of some RM500mil.
Hong Kong-based investment firm Jerard Co Ltd will be funding 28% of the 43ha project, undertaken by Glamour Ideals Sdn Bhd.
Glamour Ideals managing director Joseph Chin said the business centre would be built in three phases.
“The first phase of 68 shoplots is already sold out. It costs up to RM438,000 per unit,” Chin said after the project ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (centre) with Hong Kong investor Dr Ho Hau Wong (right) and Glomour Ideals Sdn Bhd managing director Joseph Chin (left) at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Simpang Pulai Business Centre development project near Ipoh.The second phase would comprise the remaining 102 shoplots and the third phase would be a hotel and villas to be launched later this year.
The project is Jerard's second investment after a condominium project here called Damaipuri Condominium.
Director Dr Ho Hau Wong said Jerard was set up for investments in Malaysia and planned to be involved in other projects in and around Ipoh.
“I find Ipoh a beautiful place that is natural disaster-free and the people very warm,” said Dr Ho, who also gave away donations totalling RM88,000 to various charitable organisations and schools here.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was also present to witness the groundbreaking ceremony.
Dr Ho, who plans to retire here, said Jerard was involved in two projects in the city centre - a service apartment, and hotel and villas development.
Other projects were semi-detached houses and villas in Menglembu and semi-detached houses and bungalows in Bercham, he added.
Foundation study grant for all races - The Star
Jul 17, 2008 By CHRISTINA KOH
YAYASAN Perak’s RM1,000 study grant for degree students is open to all ethnic groups, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
Nizar said the only criteria were that the student’s parents earned a maximum household income of RM1,500 per month, and that at least one of the parents was from Perak.
“It’s not true that the one-off grant is only for bumiputras. It is for all students from needy families,” he told a press conference in Ipoh recently.
He was responding to a complaint from a parent who had supposedly been told that he could not apply for the grant because he was a non-bumiputra.
Nizar assured that Pakatan Rakyat sought to bring benefits to all Perakians, regardless of race.
Last week, Yayasan Perak’s new chairman Roslan Shaharum had said the education foundation was looking into offering the grants to students who had received offer letters from institutions of higher learning, especially public universities.
Roslan, who is also Bukit Gantang MP, had said that RM1,500 would be given to a degree student, RM300 to a diploma student and RM200 to those taking certificate or matriculation courses.
If approved, this could benefit up to 5,000 students a year, costing about RM500,000 annually.
“This is in line with the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto which we unveiled during the general election campaign,” Roslan had said.
For details, call the foundation at 05-2556633.
YAYASAN Perak’s RM1,000 study grant for degree students is open to all ethnic groups, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
Nizar said the only criteria were that the student’s parents earned a maximum household income of RM1,500 per month, and that at least one of the parents was from Perak.
“It’s not true that the one-off grant is only for bumiputras. It is for all students from needy families,” he told a press conference in Ipoh recently.
He was responding to a complaint from a parent who had supposedly been told that he could not apply for the grant because he was a non-bumiputra.
Nizar assured that Pakatan Rakyat sought to bring benefits to all Perakians, regardless of race.
Last week, Yayasan Perak’s new chairman Roslan Shaharum had said the education foundation was looking into offering the grants to students who had received offer letters from institutions of higher learning, especially public universities.
Roslan, who is also Bukit Gantang MP, had said that RM1,500 would be given to a degree student, RM300 to a diploma student and RM200 to those taking certificate or matriculation courses.
If approved, this could benefit up to 5,000 students a year, costing about RM500,000 annually.
“This is in line with the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto which we unveiled during the general election campaign,” Roslan had said.
For details, call the foundation at 05-2556633.
PSM upset over local council appointments - The Star
IPOH: By HAH FOONG LIAN
Perak's 338 local councillors are scheduled to be sworn in Friday but protests and dissatisfaction over the list of appointments seem unending.
The latest to express their disappointment are Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members from Sungai Siput.
Sungai Siput PSM branch secretary M. Sukumaran handed over a memorandum on the matter to Perak Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming.
Sukumaran said Sungai Siput MP Dr D. Jeyakumar had sent a letter recommending four people to be councillors for the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council.
"We are surprised that not even one was selected for the post. We are working closely with the people of Sungai Siput but not a single one was chosen,' he added.
He pointed out that it was perplexing that the state government could choose a former judge but not those who worked closely with the people.
The four persons that PSM had recommended were Sukumaran, M. Agastim, Chong Kim Foo and Adam Ngah Naim.
Since the Pakatan Rakyat government released the names of local councillors last Monday, protests over the selection had been voiced by non-governmental organisations such as Ipoh Ratepayers Association and Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf),
The posts for the 15 local authorities in Perak were made up of 93 representatives from members of the public, 70 from the Parti Keadilan Rakyat, 54 PAS, 104 DAP and 17 civil servants.
Sukumaran claimed that it was Nga who had asked Dr Jeyakumar, who is also PSM committee member, to recommend some people as councillors.
If Selangor could select three PSM leaders for councillor posts, there was no reason why the Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak should marginalise the party here, he said.
Perak's 338 local councillors are scheduled to be sworn in Friday but protests and dissatisfaction over the list of appointments seem unending.
The latest to express their disappointment are Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members from Sungai Siput.
Sungai Siput PSM branch secretary M. Sukumaran handed over a memorandum on the matter to Perak Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming.
Sukumaran said Sungai Siput MP Dr D. Jeyakumar had sent a letter recommending four people to be councillors for the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council.
"We are surprised that not even one was selected for the post. We are working closely with the people of Sungai Siput but not a single one was chosen,' he added.
He pointed out that it was perplexing that the state government could choose a former judge but not those who worked closely with the people.
The four persons that PSM had recommended were Sukumaran, M. Agastim, Chong Kim Foo and Adam Ngah Naim.
Since the Pakatan Rakyat government released the names of local councillors last Monday, protests over the selection had been voiced by non-governmental organisations such as Ipoh Ratepayers Association and Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf),
The posts for the 15 local authorities in Perak were made up of 93 representatives from members of the public, 70 from the Parti Keadilan Rakyat, 54 PAS, 104 DAP and 17 civil servants.
Sukumaran claimed that it was Nga who had asked Dr Jeyakumar, who is also PSM committee member, to recommend some people as councillors.
If Selangor could select three PSM leaders for councillor posts, there was no reason why the Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak should marginalise the party here, he said.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Immortalising Patto's legacy - NST
P. Patto fought tirelessly for the people’s right to freely practise their culture, language and religious beliefs IPOH: Jul 16, 2008 By Jaspal Singh
With Pakatan Rakyat forming the state government, the state DAP's wish to immortalise P. Patto's legacy will soon come true.
More than 10 years ago, after Patto's death in 1995, the party had proposed to the Ipoh City Council that one of the major roads in the city be named after the late DAP stalwart.
The proposal, handed to the local authority during an input-gathering session for a 10-year Ipoh structural plan, was never adopted.
Perak DAP deputy chairman M. Kulasegaran said it was time to pay tribute to Patto's legacy as the latter had fought for the rights and betterment of the people during his three decades of political struggle and sacrifices.
"He was one of Perak's famous sons like so many others whose names have been immortalised by the streets and roads which are named after them. It is sad that our proposal was never considered," he told the New Straits Times here yesterday.
Kulasegaran said the decade-old proposal would be revisited and implemented without delay.
"After the recent elections, many party members have voiced their wish that a major road be named after the late Patto to honour his contributions."
Patto was born in Bagan Serai in 1946. He was married to S.A. Mary and the couple had two children.
Though he stood in six general elections from 1974-1995, Patto is best remembered for challenging MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in the 1974 and 1990 general elections for the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat. He lost both times.
He won the Menglembu parliamentary seat in 1978, was defeated in 1982 for the Petaling constituency and regained admission to Parliament when he won the Ipoh seat in 1986.
In 1995, he won the Bagan constituency, but died suddenly, 78 days after being elected as MP, five months shy of turning 49.
He, along with other prominent DAP leaders, was detained under the Internal Security Act at the Kamunting Detention Centre during Operasi Lallang in 1987 for 15 months.
Patto was the founder of the DAP Socialist Youth wing in 1973 and was its first secretary. He held various high positions in the DAP until his death.
Kulasegaran said Patto would always be remembered as someone who fought for the inalienable right of every citizen to freely practise his culture, language and religious beliefs, and for upholding the view that all Malaysians be judged by their character and not by the colour of their skin.
13th Anniversary of P.Patto passing
In remembrance of my good friend P.Patto, the former MP of Ipoh, who passed away on 12-7-1995.
Read write up on P.Patto by Choo Sing Shye "Patto - Fighter of the people" at: http://www.malaysiakini.com/opinions/86129
Read write up on P.Patto by Choo Sing Shye "Patto - Fighter of the people" at: http://www.malaysiakini.com/opinions/86129
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Ong: Wait for next general election to recapture Perak - NST
KAMPAR: Jul 13, 2008
Barisan Nasional should wait for the next general election to recapture Perak from Pakatan Rakyat instead of trying to engineer a cross-over of PR assemblymen into the coalition, said MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
Ong, who is also Perak MCA chairman, said winning the state through the votes of the people would safeguard BN's image and signal the return of public confidence in the Perak BN.
"People may not have a healthy perception of BN if it comes to power (with the help of defecting PR state assemblymen.
"They may think that BN resorted to corrupt practices even if the party did not do such a thing," Ong said after a convocation ceremony at Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman here yesterday.
Earlier, Ong, who is Housing and Local Government Minister, presented diplomas and certificates to more than 700 KTAR graduands.
Recapturing power through the election process was also "safer" than relying on PR state assemblymen to defect and cause the collapse of the PR state government, he said.
"I, too, want to see a BN state government in Perak, but let's use the legitimate process so that the credibility of the BN government will not be questioned."
In the meantime, Perak BN should make use of the next three or four years to plug weaknesses which had caused it to lose seats and the state in the general election, he said.
"The state BN must work hard to identify its weaknesses so that it will be strong by the next general election and be able to wrest Perak from Pakatan Rakyat."
On Friday, Perak BN chairman Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said that more than two PR state assemblymen were expected to cross over to BN by Aug 31, which would lead to the fall of the PR state government. Tajol Rosli claimed that the PR assemblymen would not be defecting for money.
Meanwhile, the PR announced that it would be setting a trap for BN the next time it approaches one of its assemblymen with offers to defect.
Perak senior executive councillor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said the next PR assemblyman to be approached would accept the offer as part of a trap to be set up with the help of the Anti-Corruption Agency.
"You may ask us why we would announce the trap if it's a trap, but we have no more time for such antics.
"The state government wants to move forward. Investors are worried and we want to do this for the people's sake."
Ngeh also refuted Tajol Rosli's claim that no money was involved as more than 10 PR assemblymen had purportedly been approached but they had rejected the BN's offer.
Information such as names, telephone numbers and short-message service (SMS) were handed over to ACA but ACA senior officers suggested setting up a trap as the evidence was not strong enough to prosecute those involved, he said.
"We want to say to Tajol that the next person he approaches will respond positively to the offer. But be ready to be arrested and go to jail."
The PR controls Perak with a majority of only three seats, BN has 28 state seats to PR's 31, with 18 from DAP, seven from PKR and six from Pas.
In an immediate response, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said he shared the same views as Ong in that the BN should only attempt to wrest Perak at the next general election.
"I agree. (BN should try to win Perak) not just for the next election, but many 'next' elections," he said at a two-day carnival to showcase Volkswagen vehicles here yesterday.
Barisan Nasional should wait for the next general election to recapture Perak from Pakatan Rakyat instead of trying to engineer a cross-over of PR assemblymen into the coalition, said MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
Ong, who is also Perak MCA chairman, said winning the state through the votes of the people would safeguard BN's image and signal the return of public confidence in the Perak BN.
"People may not have a healthy perception of BN if it comes to power (with the help of defecting PR state assemblymen.
"They may think that BN resorted to corrupt practices even if the party did not do such a thing," Ong said after a convocation ceremony at Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman here yesterday.
Earlier, Ong, who is Housing and Local Government Minister, presented diplomas and certificates to more than 700 KTAR graduands.
Recapturing power through the election process was also "safer" than relying on PR state assemblymen to defect and cause the collapse of the PR state government, he said.
"I, too, want to see a BN state government in Perak, but let's use the legitimate process so that the credibility of the BN government will not be questioned."
In the meantime, Perak BN should make use of the next three or four years to plug weaknesses which had caused it to lose seats and the state in the general election, he said.
"The state BN must work hard to identify its weaknesses so that it will be strong by the next general election and be able to wrest Perak from Pakatan Rakyat."
On Friday, Perak BN chairman Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said that more than two PR state assemblymen were expected to cross over to BN by Aug 31, which would lead to the fall of the PR state government. Tajol Rosli claimed that the PR assemblymen would not be defecting for money.
Meanwhile, the PR announced that it would be setting a trap for BN the next time it approaches one of its assemblymen with offers to defect.
Perak senior executive councillor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said the next PR assemblyman to be approached would accept the offer as part of a trap to be set up with the help of the Anti-Corruption Agency.
"You may ask us why we would announce the trap if it's a trap, but we have no more time for such antics.
"The state government wants to move forward. Investors are worried and we want to do this for the people's sake."
Ngeh also refuted Tajol Rosli's claim that no money was involved as more than 10 PR assemblymen had purportedly been approached but they had rejected the BN's offer.
Information such as names, telephone numbers and short-message service (SMS) were handed over to ACA but ACA senior officers suggested setting up a trap as the evidence was not strong enough to prosecute those involved, he said.
"We want to say to Tajol that the next person he approaches will respond positively to the offer. But be ready to be arrested and go to jail."
The PR controls Perak with a majority of only three seats, BN has 28 state seats to PR's 31, with 18 from DAP, seven from PKR and six from Pas.
In an immediate response, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said he shared the same views as Ong in that the BN should only attempt to wrest Perak at the next general election.
"I agree. (BN should try to win Perak) not just for the next election, but many 'next' elections," he said at a two-day carnival to showcase Volkswagen vehicles here yesterday.
Ngeh warns of traps for those trying to buy Pakatan reps - The Star
IPOH: Jul 13, 2008
Traps will be set for Perak Barisan Nasional leaders the next time they approach Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen to jump ship, state senior executive council member Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said.
“The next time they approach Pakatan assemblymen to cross over to Barisan, the reply will be positive. But they must be prepared to go to prison for it,” he said.
Saying that the people of Perak were fed-up with Barisan’s antics to woo Pakatan assemblymen to jump ship, Ngeh said:
“I’m openly declaring that the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency) will set a trap for the next offer for Pakatan assemblymen to cross over to Barisan.”
Ngeh, the Perak DAP chief, said he had spoken to a senior ACA officer on the matter.
He explained that he was publicising the idea of the trap because the people were tired of Barisan’s way of “buying power”.
The government must move forward and to build up investor confidence, he told reporters yesterday after opening the Neesum Bhd kidney charity organisation here.
“We are here to develop the state,” he said.
He described the statement by Perak Barisan chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali that he would not buy over Pakatan assemblymen as unbelievable.
“More than 10 Pakatan assemblymen have been approached and the offer ranged from RM5mil to RM60mil,” Ngeh said.
“I call on Tajol Rosli to not use money to buy power,” he said, adding that reports had been lodged with the police and the ACA over this.
Ngeh said the SMSes making the offers and identities of the people who sent them had been given to the ACA.
Traps will be set for Perak Barisan Nasional leaders the next time they approach Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen to jump ship, state senior executive council member Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said.
“The next time they approach Pakatan assemblymen to cross over to Barisan, the reply will be positive. But they must be prepared to go to prison for it,” he said.
Saying that the people of Perak were fed-up with Barisan’s antics to woo Pakatan assemblymen to jump ship, Ngeh said:
“I’m openly declaring that the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency) will set a trap for the next offer for Pakatan assemblymen to cross over to Barisan.”
Ngeh, the Perak DAP chief, said he had spoken to a senior ACA officer on the matter.
He explained that he was publicising the idea of the trap because the people were tired of Barisan’s way of “buying power”.
The government must move forward and to build up investor confidence, he told reporters yesterday after opening the Neesum Bhd kidney charity organisation here.
“We are here to develop the state,” he said.
He described the statement by Perak Barisan chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali that he would not buy over Pakatan assemblymen as unbelievable.
“More than 10 Pakatan assemblymen have been approached and the offer ranged from RM5mil to RM60mil,” Ngeh said.
“I call on Tajol Rosli to not use money to buy power,” he said, adding that reports had been lodged with the police and the ACA over this.
Ngeh said the SMSes making the offers and identities of the people who sent them had been given to the ACA.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Pakatan Rakyat govt certain of keeping Perak, says MB - The Star
IPOH: Jul 6, 2008 By CHRISTINA KOH
Perak Barisan Nasional may be confident of wrestling back the state by Aug 31 but Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has shoting down the notion.
Speaking to reporters after meeting religious school officials here Sunday, Nizar said the only reason Perak Barisan had targeted that date was because it was Merdeka day.
“But I think that on that day, they are the ones who are going to know what is the full meaning of Merdeka, because in the last 50 years, they had not realised its meaning,” he said.
On Saturday, Perak Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali expressed confidence in taking back the state from Pakatan Rakyat although he admitted it would not be easy.
Nizar said Pakatan Rakyat was just as confident of keeping its administration by Aug 31.
Asked about hints that Pakatan Rakyat assemblyman might cross over, the MB said:
“You’d have to find out from them. They might have some formula, I don’t know.”
Nizar also disagreed with suggestions that PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan should be asked to swear by the Al-Quran to determine which of them were telling the truth.
“I feel that the Al-Quran should not simply be used as an item to swear these matters by.
“People should look to other specific ways to determine the truth and not use the Al-Quran,” he said.
On another matter, Nizar assured that the state would eventually look into offering land titles to every citizen of Perak.
He said the people would be given the choice of applying for leasehold titles of 30, 60 or 99 years, or even freehold titles.
“Of course we are not going to give to just new villages. We will give land titles to all, including the new villages, planned villages and orang asli villages,” said Nizar.
He added that people in the state would just have to take into consideration the question of premium or quit rent, noting that it would be the highest for freehold titles or 99-year leases.
Perak Barisan Nasional may be confident of wrestling back the state by Aug 31 but Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has shoting down the notion.Speaking to reporters after meeting religious school officials here Sunday, Nizar said the only reason Perak Barisan had targeted that date was because it was Merdeka day.
“But I think that on that day, they are the ones who are going to know what is the full meaning of Merdeka, because in the last 50 years, they had not realised its meaning,” he said.
On Saturday, Perak Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali expressed confidence in taking back the state from Pakatan Rakyat although he admitted it would not be easy.
Nizar said Pakatan Rakyat was just as confident of keeping its administration by Aug 31.
Asked about hints that Pakatan Rakyat assemblyman might cross over, the MB said:
“You’d have to find out from them. They might have some formula, I don’t know.”
Nizar also disagreed with suggestions that PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan should be asked to swear by the Al-Quran to determine which of them were telling the truth.
“I feel that the Al-Quran should not simply be used as an item to swear these matters by.
“People should look to other specific ways to determine the truth and not use the Al-Quran,” he said.
On another matter, Nizar assured that the state would eventually look into offering land titles to every citizen of Perak.
He said the people would be given the choice of applying for leasehold titles of 30, 60 or 99 years, or even freehold titles.
“Of course we are not going to give to just new villages. We will give land titles to all, including the new villages, planned villages and orang asli villages,” said Nizar.
He added that people in the state would just have to take into consideration the question of premium or quit rent, noting that it would be the highest for freehold titles or 99-year leases.
Four firms fined for 366 illegal telco towers - The Star
IPOH: Jul 5, 2008
Four companies were fined RM1.1million for indiscriminately putting up illegal telecommunication towers in the state.
Perak Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said the four companies had been slapped with a RM3,000 fine for each of the 366 illegal towers put up.
“Whether the towers will be torn down will depend on a study to be carried out by a special team,” he told reporters after the state executive council meeting yesterday.
He also said the pulling down of the telecommunication towers would depend on the suitability of the location and the people’s safety.
“We do not want to inconvenience the people if a tower is torn down,” he added.
He also warned telecommunication companies not to erect towers indiscriminately as approval must be obtained from the state first.
Four companies were fined RM1.1million for indiscriminately putting up illegal telecommunication towers in the state.Perak Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said the four companies had been slapped with a RM3,000 fine for each of the 366 illegal towers put up.
“Whether the towers will be torn down will depend on a study to be carried out by a special team,” he told reporters after the state executive council meeting yesterday.
He also said the pulling down of the telecommunication towers would depend on the suitability of the location and the people’s safety.
“We do not want to inconvenience the people if a tower is torn down,” he added.
He also warned telecommunication companies not to erect towers indiscriminately as approval must be obtained from the state first.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Exco man: Lease out land - The Star
Saturday July 5, 2008
By CHRISTINA KOH
A STATE executive councillor wants the Perak State Development Corporation (SDC) to lease out its "thousands of acres" of land if it does not plan to develop them immediately.
State Health, Environment and Human Resources Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said there were many cases of state land being acquired but left unused.
He added there were also cases of farmers toiling on state land illegally for 30 years and still unable to get land titles.
Sivanesan, who is also Sungkai assemblyman, cited the case of a duck farmer in Bidor who had an RM5mil factory on a 27.2ha piece of land and exported 7,000 birds to Singapore every day.
“He has been renewing his TOL (temporary occupational licence) annually but then in 2005, the authorities refused to extend his lease after SDC came in.
“I’m disappointed that this man, who wants to expand his business in Perak, cannot even get the TOL,” he told reporters after meeting 24 local and international investors in Ipoh on Thursday.
Sivanesan also related another case where approval for land was given to a co-operative run by “four Datins and a Toh Puan” in 2006 although there were two earlier applications from farmers for that land.
“These two applicants have been working on this 41ha plot of land for the past 20 years, and yet approval was granted to the co-operative.
“The co-operative was supposed to grow papayas. Yet until today, not a single papaya tree is there. That land could have been developed into an industrial lot,” he said.
Sivanesan questioned the reasons for Perak’s farmers to be denied the extension of the leases on their agricultural land.
“SDC has land that is not being utilised at all. They should lease out the land to the farmers to generate revenue,” he said.
By CHRISTINA KOH
A STATE executive councillor wants the Perak State Development Corporation (SDC) to lease out its "thousands of acres" of land if it does not plan to develop them immediately.
State Health, Environment and Human Resources Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said there were many cases of state land being acquired but left unused.
He added there were also cases of farmers toiling on state land illegally for 30 years and still unable to get land titles.
Sivanesan, who is also Sungkai assemblyman, cited the case of a duck farmer in Bidor who had an RM5mil factory on a 27.2ha piece of land and exported 7,000 birds to Singapore every day.
“He has been renewing his TOL (temporary occupational licence) annually but then in 2005, the authorities refused to extend his lease after SDC came in.
“I’m disappointed that this man, who wants to expand his business in Perak, cannot even get the TOL,” he told reporters after meeting 24 local and international investors in Ipoh on Thursday.
Sivanesan also related another case where approval for land was given to a co-operative run by “four Datins and a Toh Puan” in 2006 although there were two earlier applications from farmers for that land.
“These two applicants have been working on this 41ha plot of land for the past 20 years, and yet approval was granted to the co-operative.
“The co-operative was supposed to grow papayas. Yet until today, not a single papaya tree is there. That land could have been developed into an industrial lot,” he said.
Sivanesan questioned the reasons for Perak’s farmers to be denied the extension of the leases on their agricultural land.
“SDC has land that is not being utilised at all. They should lease out the land to the farmers to generate revenue,” he said.
Roshidi is new Ipoh mayor - The Star
IPOH: Jul 5, 2008
After a month of speculation, Ipoh city council secretary Roshidi Hashim (pic) has been named the new mayor.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who announced this yesterday, said Roshidi’s appointment took effect on Tuesday.
“This announcement will put to rest all speculation,” he told reporters after chairing the state executive councillor meeting at the state secretariat here yesterday.
On the appointment of a deputy Datuk Bandar, Nizar said he would leave it to the new Datuk Bandar to decide.
Roshidi, 52, was the council secretary from July 2006 and also worked as an Anti-Corruption Agency prosecution officer for 15 years.
Prior to his appointment as council secretary, he was the private secretary to former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali.
When contacted, Roshidi expressed surprise over his appointment as Ipoh’s eighth Datuk Bandar.
He however declined to say anything further as he was still waiting for his official appointment letter.
The Ipoh mayor’s post fell vacant after Datuk Mohamad Rafiai Moktar retired early last month.
Speculation had been rife that Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran was keen to fill the post but his interest was shot down by several quarters.
On another matter, Nizar said that up to May 31, landowners owed the state RM140mil in quit rent.
“We appeal to the defaulters to pay up so we can increase the state’s coffers and help the people,” he said, adding that advertise-ments would be placed in newspapers to remind the defaulters to pay up.
“The district land office will also send reminders to the landowners,” he said.
To a question, Nizar said the state would not hesitate to take back the land of owners who refused to pay up, as there were provisions un- der the law allowing the state to do so.
After a month of speculation, Ipoh city council secretary Roshidi Hashim (pic) has been named the new mayor.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who announced this yesterday, said Roshidi’s appointment took effect on Tuesday.
“This announcement will put to rest all speculation,” he told reporters after chairing the state executive councillor meeting at the state secretariat here yesterday.
On the appointment of a deputy Datuk Bandar, Nizar said he would leave it to the new Datuk Bandar to decide.
Roshidi, 52, was the council secretary from July 2006 and also worked as an Anti-Corruption Agency prosecution officer for 15 years.Prior to his appointment as council secretary, he was the private secretary to former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali.
When contacted, Roshidi expressed surprise over his appointment as Ipoh’s eighth Datuk Bandar.
He however declined to say anything further as he was still waiting for his official appointment letter.
The Ipoh mayor’s post fell vacant after Datuk Mohamad Rafiai Moktar retired early last month.
Speculation had been rife that Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran was keen to fill the post but his interest was shot down by several quarters.
On another matter, Nizar said that up to May 31, landowners owed the state RM140mil in quit rent.
“We appeal to the defaulters to pay up so we can increase the state’s coffers and help the people,” he said, adding that advertise-ments would be placed in newspapers to remind the defaulters to pay up.
“The district land office will also send reminders to the landowners,” he said.
To a question, Nizar said the state would not hesitate to take back the land of owners who refused to pay up, as there were provisions un- der the law allowing the state to do so.
Friday, July 4, 2008
City council secretary made new Ipoh Datuk Bandar - The Star
IPOH: Jul 4, 2008 By SYLVIA LOOI
After a month of speculation, Ipoh city council secretary Roshidi Hashim has been announced as the new mayor.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who announced it Friday, said Roshidi's appointment took effect on July 1.
"With this announcement, it will put to rest all speculations," he told reporters Friday after chairing the state executive councillor meeting at the state secretariat here.
On the appointment of a deputy Datuk Bandar, Nizar said he would leave it to the new Datuk Bandar to decide.
Roshidi, 52, was the council's secretary since July 2006. He also worked as an Anti-Corruption Agency's prosecution officer for 15 years.
Prior to his appointment as council secretary, he was the private secretary to former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali.
When contacted, Roshidi expressed surprise over his appointment as Ipoh's eighth Datuk Bandar.
He however declined to comment further as he was still waiting for his appointment letter.
The Ipoh mayor's post fell vacant following the retirement of Datuk Mohamad Rafiai Moktar early last month.
Speculation had been rife that Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran was keen to fill the post but the suggestion had been shot down by several quarters.
After a month of speculation, Ipoh city council secretary Roshidi Hashim has been announced as the new mayor.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who announced it Friday, said Roshidi's appointment took effect on July 1.
"With this announcement, it will put to rest all speculations," he told reporters Friday after chairing the state executive councillor meeting at the state secretariat here.
On the appointment of a deputy Datuk Bandar, Nizar said he would leave it to the new Datuk Bandar to decide.
Roshidi, 52, was the council's secretary since July 2006. He also worked as an Anti-Corruption Agency's prosecution officer for 15 years.
Prior to his appointment as council secretary, he was the private secretary to former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali.
When contacted, Roshidi expressed surprise over his appointment as Ipoh's eighth Datuk Bandar.
He however declined to comment further as he was still waiting for his appointment letter.
The Ipoh mayor's post fell vacant following the retirement of Datuk Mohamad Rafiai Moktar early last month.
Speculation had been rife that Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran was keen to fill the post but the suggestion had been shot down by several quarters.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
More condemned Hamidah
ASSEMBLYMAN’S REMARKS: Suspend her for showing disrespect
By : K. RAMAMURTHY ACHARI, Penang
IT is a shame that some of our legislators continue to make disparaging remarks such as that uttered by Sungai Rapat assemblyman Hamidah Osman in the Perak state assembly recently. These words belittle the Indian community and show "an open disrespect" to the state assembly.
Her apology came on the insistence of Barisan Nasional whip Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli and again she showed no remorse to the august house and to the speaker, including the assembly's respected chair. In the interest of and spirit of Barisan Nasional, Hamidah should be suspended for three sittings of the assembly.
ASSEMBLYMAN’S REMARKS: Damage done
BULBIR SINGH, Seremban
I REFER to your report "BN asked to chastise rep over remark" (NST, June 29) on the remark made by Sungai Rapat assemblyman Hamidah Osman in the Perak state assembly.
Hamidah is an educated person, and she should know that such a remark would offend the Indian community. As an elected representative, she should not have said what she did. Although she has apologised, Hamidah should realise that the damage is done.
By : K. RAMAMURTHY ACHARI, Penang
IT is a shame that some of our legislators continue to make disparaging remarks such as that uttered by Sungai Rapat assemblyman Hamidah Osman in the Perak state assembly recently. These words belittle the Indian community and show "an open disrespect" to the state assembly.
Her apology came on the insistence of Barisan Nasional whip Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli and again she showed no remorse to the august house and to the speaker, including the assembly's respected chair. In the interest of and spirit of Barisan Nasional, Hamidah should be suspended for three sittings of the assembly.
ASSEMBLYMAN’S REMARKS: Damage done
BULBIR SINGH, Seremban
I REFER to your report "BN asked to chastise rep over remark" (NST, June 29) on the remark made by Sungai Rapat assemblyman Hamidah Osman in the Perak state assembly.
Hamidah is an educated person, and she should know that such a remark would offend the Indian community. As an elected representative, she should not have said what she did. Although she has apologised, Hamidah should realise that the damage is done.
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