'Save Felda' NGO gets nod to march to palace

Nicholas Wong 5:37PM Jul 13, 2012

Police have allowed the Gerakan Selamatkan Felda (GSF) group to march to Istana Negara tomorrow, GSF coordinator Mazlan Aliman said this evening.
After a nearly two-hour-long discussion, police agreed to let the protesters march using a side road, Jalan Sri Hartamas, rather than the main road Jalan Duta, in order to prevent traffic congestion, Mazlan said.

Also, eight representatives from the group would be allowed to enter the palace to hand over their petition, he told reporters at the Kepong police station.
Seven GSF representatives met with the police, who included Sentul OCPD Zakaria Pagan and Brickfields OCPD Wan Abdul Bari.

The Himpunan Oren Selamatkan Felda (Orange Rally to Save Felda) is in protest at the listing of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV), and is led by Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda (Anak) president Mazlan Aliman (second from left).

It will begin at the Federal Territories Mosque at 2pm, and protesters will march to the Istana Negara.

There, the eight representatives will be escorted by police into the palace to officially submit their petition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, seeking his intervention to have the FGV delisted from Bursa Malaysia.

The police have also agreed to let participants park their vehicles at the nearby National Trade Promotion Agency of Malaysia (Matrade), where they will patrol the area to ensure security.

In addition, about 1,000 members of PAS’ Unit Amal will be on hand to keep the march orderly.

“But we leave it to the police to take the necessary action against anyone who makes provocations,” said Mazlan, adding that GSF would do their best to control the crowd.
'No other avenue to air concerns'

The police were reluctant to grant them permission at first, according to him, but eventually relented after they stressed that they had no other avenue to air their concerns.

“We stressed that we have negotiated in good faith, but have not obtained any response from the government to this day,” he added.

He was confident the palace officials were keeping up with the issue, and would observe the crowd and large number of vehicles parked nearby tomorrow.

Mazlan is particularly grateful that they have been given the green light, as he was told that the police had received more than 70 objections to the planned rally.

“We would like to thank the police for their cooperation,” he said.

The group will hold another press conference at the palace gates tomorrow, where the media will also be allowed to gather, he added ~ Malaysiakini

Coal, aluminum firms to invest $4.76 billion in East Kutai

Posted on July 12, 2012, Thursday

KALIMANTAN: Two foreign firms plan to develop projects worth Rp 45 trillion (US$4.76 billion) in East Kalimantan, the province’s top official says, Jakarta Post quoted.

The projects will be funded by Rhas Al Khaima, a United Arab Emirates-based coal mining company, and National Aluminium Co. (Nalco), an Indian-based manufacturer and distributor of aluminum products, East Kalimantan Governor Awang Faroek said in a telephone interview recently.

“The projects will cover constructions of a railroad, a coal terminal, a steam power plant and a smelter. All of these will be built in East Kutai regency,” Awang said.

The governor said that he had signed separate memorandums of understanding (MoU) with the companies on the projects.

The first agreement was signed by Awang and a representative of Ras Al Khaima during the 2009 World Islamic Economic Forum in Jakarta.

The second deal, with Nalco, was signed during a bilateral Indonesia–India trade ministerial forum in Jakarta in 2011.

Ras Al Khaima will oversee the construction of the railroad and coal terminal, while Nalco will oversee the development of the power plant and smelter.

Awang said that the projects would be divided into four phases. The first phase will cover railroad construction, which would then be followed by the construction of a coal terminal by Ras Al Khaima.

Nalco will take over the projects in the third phase, when they start construction on the steam power plant. The last phase will cover the construction of the smelter.

Contacted separately, State Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chief M. Chatib Basri confirmed the two companies’ interests, saying that the projects would be beneficial for the nation’s economy.

“The government welcomes their investment, because East Kalimantan has so much to offer to foreign investors. The total value of the projects shows the importance of the plan,” Chatib said on Wednesday.

However, Chatib added that neither company had registered their projects with the BKPM.

“As far as I know, these companies have only signed MoUs. It means that they are interested in investing in the province, but have yet to start to implement their projects,” Chatib said.

According to Awang, at the moment, the local administration was negotiating with palm oil plantation owners over land acquisition for the railroad.

“I do not set up deadlines for these projects, but hopefully they will all be complete in 2014,” the governor added.

The steam power plant is expected to produce 1,250 megawatts of electricity when operational, while the smelter will have an annual production capacity of 500,000 tons.

The governor said he planned to turn his province into a robust energy and agribusiness center.

According to the BKPM, the number of projects realized in East Kalimantan rose almost by 50 percent to 146 in 2011, from a year earlier.

However, the total value of the projects declined, down 44.84 percent to $602.4 million in 2011.

Chatib said that the commitments made by Ras Al Khaima and Nalco would boost development in the region, asking investors in the UAE and India to explore additional investments in different sectors in East Kalimantan.

“The three sectors with the most potential for foreign investors are mining, natural resources and transportation,” he said.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07/12/coal-aluminum-firms-to-invest-4-76-billion-in-east-kutai/#ixzz20UFAsT7H

PKR: George Kent was 'go-between' for PM, Thales

Aidila Razak 1:15PM Jul 13, 2012

PKR today revealed documents that it argued show Thales International, the company involved in the French-Malaysian submarine purchase deal, was set to win the bid for the LRT Ampang Line extension project.

At a press conference today, PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli alleged the documents indicate that Thales was using local company George Kent as a “go-between” with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Referring to a technical evaluation report for the project by Halcrow, he said Thales was “set to win the bid”, with the firm being involved in three joint-ventures bidding for the project.

The three include the George Kent-Wijet-Thales consortium, which the technical evaluation report states is to be considered despite failing the technical evaluation.

“Every single rule was broken in order to give an advantage to Thales.

“Who else can make these instructions unless it was under the patronage of the prime minister?” Rafizi asked.

The project is under the purview of the Finance Ministry, which is also headed by Najib.

Najib earlier dismissed claims of irregularities, saying that the tender process for the roughly RM1 billion project was done “properly”.
French lawyer Joseph Breham (right), who is acting for NGO Suaram, revealed in May that French investigators found evidence to suggest that Thales had paid 32 million euros (RM144 million) to purchase secret naval documents from Terasasi, a company owned by Abdul Razak.
The Defence Ministry has since said that it found no evidence of such a defence leak.
Rafizi said the link to Najib was strengthening, considering that George Kent is controlled by Tan Kay Hock who has been reported byThe Star as Najib’s “golf buddy”.

According to Halcrow’s report made available to the press today, the technical evaluation panel was “instructed by Prasarana”, following an interim review on June 17, to include all bidders despite Halcrow’s suggestion to remove the four lowest scorers.

Rafizi said this included George Kent-Wijet-Thales, which scored 55.17 percent, far behind the top scorer Balfour Beaty-Invensys, which scored 80.10 percent.

George Kent awarded letter of intent

He said that it was even more alarming that the George Kent consortium has been issued a letter of intent (LOI) for the project sometime towards the end of last month.

He could prove the LOI was issued as third party documents show that George Kent has started engaging with sub-contractors and financiers for the project.

“I know tender committee procedures. I sat on tender board committees for Petronas’ upstream petrochemical projects... worth RM10 billion to RM20 billion.

“When an LOI is issued it is 90 percent sure that (the recipient will be awarded the project),” he said.
Rafizi would reveal the third party documents once project owner Syarikat Prasarana Nasional Bhd responds.
'LOI taken away in June 29 MACC raid'
"I don't have the LOI. Insiders tell me the LOI was part of documents taken during the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission raid on Prasarana on June 29," he said.

Prasarana's chief executive officer yesterday questioned the authenticity of documents exposed by Rafizi and said that the letter of award has not been issued
Rafizi also claimed that the issuance of the LOI was not valid as the George Kent consortium bid’s validity period had expired.

While he does not have documents to back this claim, Rafizi said, he has full trust in his informants as the documents they have been leaked to him have been genuine thus far.

The documents are proven genuine, he said, as the Finance Ministry has lodged a police report over their leaks and police are investigating the case under the Official Secrets Act.

He explained that a bidder places a validity period for his bid, to account for rising costs over time, and giving the project to George Kent when the period had expired may lead to variation orders.

“So, it may go over and beyond the RM1 billion (estimated),” Rafizi said.
Malaysiakini has been contacting George Kent since the allegation first surfaced but its officer, who declined give his name, has refused to comment.

Rafizi threatens to reveal MCA-Talam links

Aidila Razak 2:13PM Jul 13, 2012

PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli today threatened to "throw files" at MCA deputy minister Chua Tee Yong on the BN party's links to Talam Corporation if he continued attacking the Selangor government.

"Talam is linked to MCA. We have files of transactions involving Talam and MCA leaders. If he continues to prolong this, next week I'll call another press conference to show who exactly benefited from Talam," Rafizi said.

He said that it was beneath the Selangor MB to be doing such "digging" but he would gladly "dig up every single file of each joint-venture and show every single MCA leader who benefited" from Talam.

He said that in trying to paint dirt on Selangor with figures that did not add up, Chua had forgotten that it was during BN's rule that Talam had made hundreds of millions of ringgit at the state's expense.
He added that while Chua has chosen to ignore this, MCA leaders were on the Selangor executive council (exco) when 4259 acres were given to Talam for nothing.

Rafizi, who resigned as CEO of the Selangor economic advisor's office last month, added that not only did Talam get land for free, it also neglected to pay the land premiums.

He said when Pakatan Rakyat took over, close to RM12 million of assessment fees were owing for two parcels of Bukit Beruntung land.

"And that only for two parcels of land," he said.

He said Talam also entered into a joint venture with the state for many projects which later ended up being abandoned, resulting in the corporation owing RM392 million to state subsidiaries.
The corporation  had also charged the state lands to the bank, with the amount owing reaching RM292 million by the time settlement was reached.

"We inherited this mess when we came into power...We were in a conundrum.

"We had every right to confiscate the land but Chua's friends in MCA had allowed it to be charged to the bank...and we can't just tell the bank, sorry, good luck, we want to take the land," he said.

He said the debt settlement exercise had seen the state obtain RM684 worth of land from Talam, out of which RM292 was used to pay off  Talam's bankers.

"This is the big picture. I don't want to answer on the nitty gritty because he picks one small thing and ignores the root cause of the problem.

"I will stick to this maths until the end of the world. I will not change (my numbers) like Chua," he said.
Chua had said that the Selangor government and Talam are involved in a questionable RM1 billion deal.

He also claimed that Selangor had "overpaid" for some of the land disposed off by Talam in the debt offset deal.

Selangor said it will sue MCA over the matter while Talam shot back that Chua had ignored its disclosures to Bursa Malaysia, proving he is completely off the mark. ~ malaysiakini

The racial question: Harassing Ambiga & other pro-democracy activists - Economist

Written by  The Economist

THE house of Ambiga Sreenevasan in a leafy neighbourhood of Kuala Lumpur looks ordinary enough. Getting into it, though, betrays a different reality. A security guard greets visitors, who are then scrutinised by newly installed surveillance cameras. A bodyguard hovers somewhere inside the house.

The precautions are revealing. Ms Ambiga has become the target of what she describes as “relentless attacks”, including death threats. They have thrust a middle-class lawyer (she is a former president of the Malaysian Bar Council) into the centre of politics in the run-up to what could be a pivotal general election.

Ms Ambiga is co-leader of the Bersih movement, a coalition of NGOs campaigning for free and fair elections. To her supporters, Bersih, which means “clean” in Malay, is dedicated to strengthening democracy in Malaysia, where the system is heavily skewed in favour of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). The party has been in power continuously since independence in 1957; it governs in a coalition known as the Barisan Nasional (BN) mainly with two minority parties, one ethnic Chinese and the other Indian, reflecting the racial composition of the country.

To many within UMNO, Ms Ambiga is a grave threat, the more so because Najib Razak, the prime minister, has to go to the polls by the second quarter of next year, but appears to be reluctant to call the election. Though his personal support rating is high, the coalition is less popular.

Farcical persecution

A mass rally called by Bersih in the capital in April (protesters are pictured above) attracted tens of thousands of people, including many opposition leaders. The event ended in riots and violence. Ever since, UMNO and its underlings have been demonising the leaders of Bersih, which may have cheered some from the majority Malay population but could also backfire against the government.

When it started in May, the harassment of Ms Ambiga was almost farcical. A posse of traders turned up outside her door frying burgers to protest about their lost earnings on the day of the rally; silly stuff, though still offensive to a Hindu vegetarian. Sillier still, a group of ex-soldiers marched on her house and shook their buttocks at it, calling her a subversive.

Then things turned nasty. Several hundred men handed over a petition saying that she was anti-Islamic (in a Muslim-majority country) and should leave Malaysia. Ms Ambiga says that these protests were “either sanctioned or supported by the state”. Finally, on June 26th, a veteran UMNO politician, Mohamad Aziz, said in parliament: “Can we not consider Ambiga a traitor…and sentence her to hang”.

Hanging Ambiga

This has caused a storm. Quite apart from the overt threat, the MP lit the touchpaper of Malaysia’s highly flammable racial politics; this was a Malay MP insulting a prominent member of the Indian community. The country’s 2m Indians are normally a divided lot, but they quickly rallied behind Ms Ambiga. Even the leaders of the BN-aligned Malaysian Indian Congress party denounced the MP, ostensibly their political ally. Mr Mohamad issued a limited apology to Indians in general, but not to Ms Ambiga personally.

Ms Ambiga believes the attacks on her, all by Malay men, are racist. She points out that her Malay co-leader of Bersih, a famous writer called A. Samad Said, has never been targeted.

It is as yet unclear whether the souring climate could turn Malaysia’s Indians against the BN. They make up only 8% of the population. Traditionally they have mostly voted for the BN, but some may now change their minds, especially in urban areas where Ms Ambiga is respected. After the BN’s Indian vote fell at the last election in 2008, Mr Najib worked hard to court Indians. Now, that may have been to little avail.

Najib "personally tarnished"

Mr Najib may also be personally tarnished. He portrays himself as a liberally minded champion of multiracial politics, yet critics say he has done little to rein in the racist attacks. When under pressure, the “warlords” of UMNO who constitute its nationalist backbone have often drawn on racial politics, playing up to Malay voters the supposed threats that Chinese and Indians pose to their institutionalised privileges in jobs and education. Under Mr Najib people had hoped for something better. Ms Ambiga accuses him of being “wet” for failing to take a stronger stand. His belated rebuttal to Mr Mohamad merely urged MPs not to say things that might “hurt the feelings of other races”.

Meanwhile, Ms Ambiga and other Bersih co-leaders (not the Malay one) have been issued with a bewildering demand for compensation from the Kuala Lumpur city council for costs incurred during the April rally. This includes a claim for “damage to trees” ($5,246) and “food and drink” for staff. The government has also brought charges against Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of the opposition, and several of his colleagues for a variety of offences arising from their participation in the April rally. Their cases go to court in the next few months; if they are convicted, they could be banned from standing in the election.

Political analysts argue that such tactics are a sign of nervousness—though the BN is very unlikely to lose the election. Since May, surveys suggest his support among Chinese and Indian voters has fallen, though that of Malays has increased a bit. It is all likely to make for a more acrimonious election when one is at last called.

- The Economist

More promises blowing in the wind’

Aneesa Alphonsus

 | July 13, 2012

This year’s Merdeka celebrations theme is 'Promises Fulfilled' (Janji Ditetapi). The government is trying to dovetail the theme as a political message but it looks like a case of promises unfulfilled.

PETALING JAYA: If promises are meant to be broken, then the government seems to be doing a fine job. This year’s Merdeka celebrations theme is “Janji Ditepati” (Promises Fulfilled). But it looks more like promises unfulfilled.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has been on the election trail billed the “Jelajah Janti Ditepati (Promises Fulfilled Tour)”.

On his tour round the country he has said that for the past 55 years Barisan Nasional has kept its promises – the “Twin-3K” representing Keamanan dan Keselamatan (peace and security), Kestabilan dan Keharmonian (stability and harmony) and Kemakmuran dan Kemajuan (prosperity and development).

In stark contrast, he said that Pakatan Rakyat, particularly in Selangor, has failed to make good its promises since 2008.

But most Malaysians beg to differ.

Take 45-year-old business owner Zahir Musa, who bluntly states: “Umno loves to divide races and rule. What kind of unity is that? Come Aug 31, it will be the same thing.

“They will feel so proud of themselves and pat each other on the back for being in business for so long and will tout the 1Malaysia concept by saying that Barisan National is proof of this.

“Then they will say that they we are all living together in harmony. Both you and I know that this is not true to an extent.”

He then cheekily added, “Maybe a more appropriate slogan would be ‘Undilah Barisan National’ (vote for Barisan National) because it seems like they are going to need it this time round.”

Many other Malaysians were of the same opinion that Merdeka is perhaps the only day when everyone is united.

Some say the Merdeka Day theme (Janji Ditepati) does not do justice as it is the ruling party’s political slogan.

“Why is the theme focused on the ruling government? It seems more like a mass election campaign slogan than one which is supposed to cater to all Malaysians regardless of political standing,” says 35-year-old Latha Menon.

Like Latha, several Malaysians say that this is not the anniversary of the existence of a political party, but the birth of a nation and it shouldn’t have politics mixed into it.

Previous themes included “Muhibah dan Perpaduan”, “Bersatu Maju, Bersatu Menuju Wawasan” and “Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan”, which many feel was more appropriate in nature because it was inclusive to all.

However, after Najib took over in 2009, Merdeka day saw themes such as “Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan” (People First, Performance Now) and ’1 Malaysia Menjana Transformasi’ (1 Malaysia Driving Transformation).

What promises?

Immediately after Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim’s announcement of this year’s theme, Malaysians began mocking the decision, and “Janji Ditepati” became a trending topic on micro-blogging site Twitter.

One user, @Hazrul_Basyen, posted: “I’m never (sic) expect that our #TemaMerdeka this year is ‘Janji Ditepati’. Tak dak semangatlah nak sambut Merdeka tahun ni (No enthusiasm to celebrate Merdeka this year).”

Kee Thuan Chye, author of “No More Bullshit, Please, We’re All Malaysians” rips into the theme when he says, “What promises? The ISA is being replaced by new laws. The Peaceful Assembly Act is restricting our democratic space.

”It bans street protests and prohibits gatherings within 50 metres of a whole list of designated places. Such designation had never been done before. The amendments to the Evidence Act is an attempt to censor us in cyberspace.

“The amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act are cosmetic. The Home Minister still has power to grant licences and to suspend and revoke them. The only difference is he can now be challenged in court. Try doing that with our judiciary being what it is. The police are still not being revamped.”

Kee also asks why hasn’t the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) been set up, adding that weeding out corruption has not been fulfilled.

“To help in that direction, how about repealing the Official Secrets Act? That has been instrumental in protecting corrupt officials,” he states, adding, “Of course, we can’t allow everyone to have access to national security and defence matters, but surely, other forms of official information don’t need to be classified.

“Otherwise, how do we get transparent and accountable governance? Is that why when we talk of exposing corruption in high places, we are mostly fooling ourselves? One or two cases have surfaced, yes, but where are the rest? And how is it that the biggest fish are spared? Shouldn’t we have the Freedom of Information Act to replace the OSA?”

Safe environment?

Incensed also by this year’s theme is entreprenuer Yandaro Al-Amien who says that when he first heard about theme, it brought to mind all the promises the government made about abolishing the ISA.

That aside, Yandaro says he prefers to share something a little closer to home and more personal in nature which he adds will also explain the reason why he will never voted for the ruling party.

“On May 16, 2006 my family lost everything they had after a government, which promised 1,001 things in regard to helping the Bumiputera entrepreneur to succeed, went and demolished the one and only Bumiputera Goodyear outlet in Selangor at that time. My family’s outlet was demolished to make way for the Ampang waterfront project.”

The Ampang Waterfront, Yandaro speaks of, comprises restaurants and other leisure outlets located along Jalan Bukit Belacan. It is developed by GMH Properties Sdn Bhd through a joint venture with the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).

Yandaro adds that his family is currently struggling to rebuild the business. “To add salt to injury, we are also struggling in court. Why? Because apparently now the government wants to sue us for as much as RM300,000 for going against them. Because we dared to fight them. So much for helping the Bumiputera. At the end, it’s about who has the money and who has the power. Bumi or not, it doesn’t matter, if you are in their way they will bring you down hard,” he says.

For Ow Puei Keng, her disenchantment with the theme stems from the fact that the powers that be aren’t walking the talk.

“Give us a safe, green and secure country to live in. Many violent crimes have been committed recently , more than usual and the authorities have yet take it seriously to show us that some kind of action is being taken.

“Many of my girlfriends are worried about their safety, homes and rivers. Many Malaysians do not have the luxury to leave the country. They would rather stay in their homeland but they want to live in a safe environment.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/13/%e2%80%98more-promises-blowing-in-the-wind%e2%80%99/#ixzz20UDaPuFW