Ex-minister had no intention of outraging my modesty, says lounge promoter
By LOURDES CHARLES
KUALA LUMPUR: The woman who alleged that a former Cabinet minister had outraged her modesty now wants to withdraw her report, claiming she “misunderstood” the incident.
The 30-year-old promoter at a lounge in a five-star hotel here, in a statutory declaration sent to Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail through her lawyer Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, said she was “sensitive and moody” at the time of the incident last Thursday.
She said she had known the former minister over the past five years, and that he had acted in jest without any bad intention. However, she said she felt offended at that time due to her “complicated mood which led to her lodging a police report the next day.
“I realise now that I may have misunderstood the entire episode that took place last Thursday.
“When he jokes, he sometimes likes to touch my shoulder or arms but it is something that I accepted as normal among friends especially those we have known for a long time,” she said in her statement.
The woman also said she regretted lodging the police report, as there was no intention on the part of the former minister, who is still an MP, to outrage her modesty or act inappropriately.
She said she was used to the VIP’s jokes and “rough ways” and had never objected to his actions nor felt offended by it previously.
“I cannot remember exactly the conversation between me and the VIP although in my statement to the police I may have said something else.
“I am afraid I may have misinterpreted or misheard (him). The VIP concerned is known to always joke like that and it is normal for him to be like that,” she said, and apologised for lodging the report.
Gani confirmed he had received a fax copy of the statutory declaration from Muhammad Shafee.
“I will forward this request to the police and it is up to them to investigate and get back to me,” he said.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sidang akhbar Balkis
Sidang akhbar Balkis
Tujuan sidang akhbar ini dibuat adalah bagi menjelaskan isu berkaitan dengan pembubaran Persatuan Badan Amal dan Kebajikan Isteri-isteri Selangor “BALKIS” supaya tidak timbul lagi tohmahan yang tidak berasas dari pelbagai pihak terhadap BALKIS.
1. BALKIS telah ditubuhkan atas inisiatif isteri Menteri Besar, isteri-isteri semua ahli-ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri “ADUN” dan ahli Dewan Rakyat dalam negeri Selangor yang dianggotai oleh ahli biasa iaitu isteri Menteri Besar, isteri speaker, isteri-isteri ahli-ahli EXCO, isteri-isteri ADUN, isteri-isteri Ahli Dewan Rakyat Selangor, isteri-isteri ahli Dewan Negara Selangor termasuk isteri-isteri bekas-bekas ahli Dewan yang disebutkan tadi. Keahlian juga meliputi ahli bersekutu namun ahli bersekutu tiada kuasa mengundi. Ianya selaras dengan Fasal 5 Perlembagaan BALKIS. Penubuhan utamanya bertujuan sebagai satu badan amal yang dapat membantu mereka yang kurang bernasib baik dari segi mengembeling tenaga, daya usaha dan bantuan kewangan. Penubuhan BALKIS adalah di bawah Akta Pertubuhan 1966 dan berfungsi sepertimana badan-badan dan pertubuhan-pertubuhan lain yang dibentuk di bawah Akta Pertubuhan 1966. Adalah ditegaskan di sini BALKIS tidak ditubuhkan di bawah mana-mana undang-undang lain.
2. Sebelum seorang Menteri Besar dilantik menjadi Yang Di Pertua BALKIS, ianya hendaklah disahkan dahulu oleh satu mesyuarat Agung serta mendapat persetujuan dari isteri Menteri Besar itu sendiri dan ini selaras dengan peruntukan fasal 9.3(a) Perlembagaan BALKIS. Saya menegaskan di sini pada tarikh pembubaran BALKIS, Menteri Besar Selangor yang baru belum dilantik dan oleh itu isteri Menteri Besar belum dilantik menjadi Yang Di Pertua BALKIS. Ini bermakna saya masih memegang jawatan Yang Di Pertua. Oleh itu tidak timbul saya tiada mempunyai kuasa untuk mempengerusi mesyuarat Agung yang dipanggil untuk tujuan pembubaran BALKIS.
3. BALKIS telah dibubarkan di atas persetujuan ahli-ahli BALKIS sendiri yang mana lebih daripada dua pertiga (2/3) ahli biasa BALKIS telah bersetuju supaya BALKIS dibubarkan pada tarikh 11 Mac 2008 semasa Mesyuarat Agung Khas BALKIS diadakan. Seramai lebih daripada satu perlima (1/5) ahli biasa BALKIS telah memanggil satu mesyuarat agung khas bagi tujuan pembubaran tersebut. Pemanggilan mesyuarat agung khas ini dan pembubaran BALKIS telah dibuat selaras dengan peruntukan fasal 15(1) Perlembagaan BALKIS dan fasal 12 Perlembagaan. Minit-minit mesyuarat BALKIS boleh mengesahkan pematuhan segala peruntukan undang-undang ini.
4. Tindakan yang dilakukan oleh ahli-ahli BALKIS sebaik pembubarannya iaitu dengan memindahkan segala baki wang BALKIS kepada BAKTI adalah selaras dengan peruntukan Fasal 15 (2) Perlembagaan BALKIS yang memperuntukkan bahawa segala baki wang yang ada, setelah menjelaskan hutang dan tanggungannya, akan didermakan kepada kerajaan atau tabung lain yang serupa yang diluluskan oleh Ketua Pengarah Hasil dalam Negeri Malaysia. BAKTI sebagai satu badan yang dibentuk atas tujuan yang hampir sama dengan BALKIS dirasakan paling sesuai untuk didermakan wang baki tabung BALKIS ini. Segala keputusan berkaitan dengan pembubaran dan mendermakan wang BALKIS ini telah dibuat oleh ahli-ahli biasa BALKIS semasa mesyuarat agung luar biasa dan bukannya keputusan saya sebagai Yang Di Pertua atau pun keputusan Jawatankuasa BALKIS dan ianya telah dilakukan dengan mematuhi segala peruntukan undang-undang.
5. Berkaitan dengan wang sumbangan yang diterima oleh BALKIS, ianya adalah mengikut peruntukan Fasal 8 Perlembagaan BALKIS yang mana punca kewangan BALKIS boleh di antara lainnya datang dari sumbangan kerajaan. Ini bermakna ianya termasuklah juga daripada syarikat-syarikat yang berkaitan dengan kerajaan. Oleh itu, apabila sumbangan yang diterima oleh BALKIS ianya menjadi milik BALKIS. Justeru itu, tidak timbul persoalan bahawa wang tersebut telah dikeluarkan semula dan dipulangkan kepada kerajaan negeri atau mana-mana syarikat kerajaan yang telah memberi sumbangan tersebut. Tambahan pula ianya telah disalurkan kepada pertubuhan lain yang juga berkaitan dengan tujuan kegiatan kebajikan. Mana-mana pihak tidak perlu bimbang kerana pihak BALKIS berkeyakinan penuh wang tersebut akan terus digunakan bagi tujuan kebajikan oleh pihak BAKTI.
6. Kenyataan ini adalah bagi menjawab segala tohmahan yang tidak berasas dan tidak tepat terhadap saya dan pihak BALKIS selama ini. Harapan saya setelah pejelasan terperinci ini dibuat tiada mana-mana pihak melemparkan tuduhan dan tohmahan yang tidak berasas, BALKIS akan merujuk dengan peguamnya untuk mengambil tindakan selanjutnya.
BADAN AMAL DAN KEBAJIKAN ISTERI-ISTERI SELANGOR (BALKIS).
Mara will handle money, not Pakatan governments
The Star Online > Nation Sunday April 27, 2008
Mara will handle money, not Pakatan governments
IPOH: The Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry has rerouted its funds meant for the five Pakatan Rakyat states, claiming that the move would prevent the rakyat from being “victimised”.
Its minister Datuk Noh Omar said the funds would be channelled through Mara in those states. He however did not explain what he meant by the word “victimised”.
“Previously, the funds were channelled through the respective State Economic Development Corporation,” he told reporters after opening the Perak Malay Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting here yesterday.
Noh also criticised the Selangor and Perak state governments for their decision to charge rental on the land occupied by the ministry’s training centres in the two states.
“The centres provide training for everybody regardless of their political beliefs.
“But the state governments are more interested in profit and failed to see the services provided by the ministry to the people,” he said.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Jamaluddin Jarjis
Background
Jamaluddin is a highly qualified electrical engineer. He graduated with first class honours in Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).
He went on to pursue his higher degrees in Canada. He obtained a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Manitoba and a PhD in Electrical Engineering (Power System) from McGill University in 1980. The title of his PhD thesis is "Loadflow Feasibility Conditions in Power Networks".
Jamaluddin Jarjis has held a number of positions throughout his professional career. He began his career as a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 1974.
In 1984, he established his own engineering consultancy firm, J&A Associates. Since then, he has become the Executive Vice Chairman of EPE Power Corporation and Chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad, the national power supply company.
Jamaluddin is a highly qualified electrical engineer. He graduated with first class honours in Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).
He went on to pursue his higher degrees in Canada. He obtained a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Manitoba and a PhD in Electrical Engineering (Power System) from McGill University in 1980. The title of his PhD thesis is "Loadflow Feasibility Conditions in Power Networks".
Jamaluddin Jarjis has held a number of positions throughout his professional career. He began his career as a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 1974.
In 1984, he established his own engineering consultancy firm, J&A Associates. Since then, he has become the Executive Vice Chairman of EPE Power Corporation and Chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad, the national power supply company.
================================================
Police today record a statement from former Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis regarding sexual harassment report made by the five star hotel employee.Its is learn that Jamaluddin well know as JJ give his statement at 11am today.
The victim, a 32-year-old assistant supervisor, lodged a police reportagainst JJ last Friday at 9pm, a day after the alleged molest.
The woman claimed in the report that the ex-minister had entered thehotel's tobacco outlet she was employed at and asked for a closer look ata selection of cigars displayed in a glass case. She claimed that the 57-year-old former minister touched her waistwhile he was choosing a cigar from the case placed on the glass counter.
In the report, the woman also claimed that the former minister'slanguage was filled with sexual overtones. Shocked by the former minister's attitude, she politely told him off.
He stopped but she claimed that, as he was leaving, the man touched heragain and allegedly made another sexually-charged remark before walkingout of the premises and acted like nothing had happened.
A source said the former minister paid for the cigar before walking outof the outlet and had instructed the victim to deliver the item to him atthe hotel's lobby lounge.
The victim complied with the request. At the lounge, the woman claimed the former minister uttered moresexually offensive remarks that made his friends laugh.
Annoyed, the woman told him off again and walked away.
She lodged thepolice report the next day.
But on Wednesday, the woman withdrew her report through her lawyer, claiming that she had "misunderstood” the incident.
The woman’s lawyer, Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah (one of the top and expensive lawyer in town), said she was “sensitive and moody” at the time of the incident happen.
He said that the statutory declaration to withdraw the police report was handed over to the AG's Chambers and the police.
============================================
============================================
Desperate Housewives - all in the same family
Desperate Housewives
No, we are not talking about the popular TV series.
We are talking about Khor Toyo's wife, Zaharah Kechik, and wives of other former politikus of the Barisan Nasional government, as narrated by Citizen Nades and Terence Fernandez today, titled: RM10m gone in 3 days.
The duo exposed that three days after their husbands lost power to rule Selangor, the wives got into the act – plotting to dissolve the Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis) -- touted as a welfare body -- and remove almost RM10 million from its bank accounts.
According to documents sighted by theSun, Khir Toyo's wife had on March 11 -- three days after the GE2008 Polling Day -- convened an extraordinary general meeting of the committee to dissolve Balkis and close its bank accounts.
The following day, the accounts were closed, with the money transferred to another account and then to Bakti – the federal Organisation of Wives of Ministers which Balkis is affiliated to.
Subsequently, on March 13, the former exco members of Balkis issued a notice of dissolution to the Registrar of Societies (ROS), which included amending the constitution of Balkis and establishing a new organisation – Balkis-BN, is among the names suggested.
“This was to prevent the Balkis premises (Kompleks Wawasan Balksi - KWB) and the association itself from being taken over by the new state government,” said theSun quoting an insider. “Once this was done, then the money will be transferred back to the new organisation,” the insider added.
However, the ROS in a letter stated that Balkis' application for dissolution was incomplete and gave it 30 days to furnish additional information.
When that surfaced, Selangor Mentri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim intervened and wrote to the ROS to question the validity of the decision to dissolve Balkis.
Legal experts quoted by theSun are saying that, by right, following the events of March 8, the exco headed by Zaharah should have convened an emergency meeting to discuss the handing over of Balkis to a new exco – with the new president being Abdul Khalid’s wife Salbiah Tunut.
As it is, sources in the state government argue that since Mohamad Khir is no longer MB, Zaharah is no longer the president and has no power whatsoever to dissolve the association or liquidate its funds. Incidentally, the constitution also states that the organisation must remain apolitical.
I am now checking if there are also Desperate Housewives in Penang.
======================================================
RM10m gone in 3 daysR. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez
PETALING JAYA (April 24, 2008): Three days after their husbands lost power to rule Selangor, the wives got into the act – plotting to dissolve a welfare body and remove almost RM10 million from its bank accounts.
But their attempts have been thwarted by Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who wrote to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to question the validity of the decision to dissolve the Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis).
It is learnt that Abdul Khalid has ordered a thorough investigation and audit into the affairs of the association which was set up in 1985 to undertake welfare work.
According to documents sighted by theSun, Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, the wife of former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo had on March 11 convened an extraordinary general meeting of the committee to dissolve Balkis and close its bank accounts. The following day, the accounts were closed, with the money transferred to another account and then to Bakti – the federal Organisation of Wives of Ministers which Balkis is affiliated to.
On March 13, the former exco members of Balkis issued a notice of dissolution to the ROS, which included amending the constitution of Balkis and establishing a new organisation – Balkis-BN, is among the names suggested.
“This was to prevent the Balkis premises (Kompleks Wawasan Balksi - KWB) and the association itself from being taken over by the new state government,” said an insider.
“Once this was done, then the money will be transferred back to the new organisation,” the insider added.
However, the ROS in a letter stated that Balkis' application for dissolution was incomplete and gave it 30 days to furnish additional information.
The constitution of Balkis states that the mentri besar's wife should be the president. Sources in the state government argue that since Mohamad Khir is no longer MB, Zaharah is no longer the president and has no power whatsoever to dissolve the association or liquidate its funds. Incidentally, the constitution also states that the organisation must remain apolitical.
Legal experts say by right, following the events of March 8, the exco headed by Zaharah should have convened an emergency meeting to discuss the handing over of Balkis to a new exco – with the new president being Abdul Khalid’s wife Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut.
Bakti, meanwhile, according to minutes of a recent meeting it held, had under advice of a sitting judge received the RM9.9 million from Balkis, which it has placed in a fixed deposit. The money would then be transferred back to the new organisation set up by the former Balkis members.
Bakti would also take over a Special Education Project involving millions of ringgit until the “new” Balkis is formed.
This is clearly goes against Balkis’ constitution which states that in the event of a dissolution, all monies must be transferred to the government or a similar fund, with the approval of the Inland Revenue Board director-general.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that Abdul Khalid had in his letter to the ROS on Wednesday (April 23) said of the amount in Balkis’ accounts, about RM850,000 was donated by state government companies – Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd which gave RM268,862 last year and Perbadanan Kemajuan Negri Selangor (PKNS) which contributed RM590,379.50 between 2006 and 2007.
It is understood that Abdul Khalid is also investigating the transfer of 43,560sq ft of land in Section 7, Shah Alam, which the state government had in 2002 offered to Balkis at a nominal cost of RM250,000 (RM5.74/sq ft) for the setting up of a shelter home for women that cost RM5 million.
http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21761
No, we are not talking about the popular TV series.
We are talking about Khor Toyo's wife, Zaharah Kechik, and wives of other former politikus of the Barisan Nasional government, as narrated by Citizen Nades and Terence Fernandez today, titled: RM10m gone in 3 days.
The duo exposed that three days after their husbands lost power to rule Selangor, the wives got into the act – plotting to dissolve the Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis) -- touted as a welfare body -- and remove almost RM10 million from its bank accounts.
According to documents sighted by theSun, Khir Toyo's wife had on March 11 -- three days after the GE2008 Polling Day -- convened an extraordinary general meeting of the committee to dissolve Balkis and close its bank accounts.
The following day, the accounts were closed, with the money transferred to another account and then to Bakti – the federal Organisation of Wives of Ministers which Balkis is affiliated to.
Subsequently, on March 13, the former exco members of Balkis issued a notice of dissolution to the Registrar of Societies (ROS), which included amending the constitution of Balkis and establishing a new organisation – Balkis-BN, is among the names suggested.
“This was to prevent the Balkis premises (Kompleks Wawasan Balksi - KWB) and the association itself from being taken over by the new state government,” said theSun quoting an insider. “Once this was done, then the money will be transferred back to the new organisation,” the insider added.
However, the ROS in a letter stated that Balkis' application for dissolution was incomplete and gave it 30 days to furnish additional information.
When that surfaced, Selangor Mentri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim intervened and wrote to the ROS to question the validity of the decision to dissolve Balkis.
Legal experts quoted by theSun are saying that, by right, following the events of March 8, the exco headed by Zaharah should have convened an emergency meeting to discuss the handing over of Balkis to a new exco – with the new president being Abdul Khalid’s wife Salbiah Tunut.
As it is, sources in the state government argue that since Mohamad Khir is no longer MB, Zaharah is no longer the president and has no power whatsoever to dissolve the association or liquidate its funds. Incidentally, the constitution also states that the organisation must remain apolitical.
I am now checking if there are also Desperate Housewives in Penang.
======================================================
RM10m gone in 3 daysR. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez
PETALING JAYA (April 24, 2008): Three days after their husbands lost power to rule Selangor, the wives got into the act – plotting to dissolve a welfare body and remove almost RM10 million from its bank accounts.
But their attempts have been thwarted by Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who wrote to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to question the validity of the decision to dissolve the Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis).
It is learnt that Abdul Khalid has ordered a thorough investigation and audit into the affairs of the association which was set up in 1985 to undertake welfare work.
According to documents sighted by theSun, Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, the wife of former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo had on March 11 convened an extraordinary general meeting of the committee to dissolve Balkis and close its bank accounts. The following day, the accounts were closed, with the money transferred to another account and then to Bakti – the federal Organisation of Wives of Ministers which Balkis is affiliated to.
On March 13, the former exco members of Balkis issued a notice of dissolution to the ROS, which included amending the constitution of Balkis and establishing a new organisation – Balkis-BN, is among the names suggested.
“This was to prevent the Balkis premises (Kompleks Wawasan Balksi - KWB) and the association itself from being taken over by the new state government,” said an insider.
“Once this was done, then the money will be transferred back to the new organisation,” the insider added.
However, the ROS in a letter stated that Balkis' application for dissolution was incomplete and gave it 30 days to furnish additional information.
The constitution of Balkis states that the mentri besar's wife should be the president. Sources in the state government argue that since Mohamad Khir is no longer MB, Zaharah is no longer the president and has no power whatsoever to dissolve the association or liquidate its funds. Incidentally, the constitution also states that the organisation must remain apolitical.
Legal experts say by right, following the events of March 8, the exco headed by Zaharah should have convened an emergency meeting to discuss the handing over of Balkis to a new exco – with the new president being Abdul Khalid’s wife Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut.
Bakti, meanwhile, according to minutes of a recent meeting it held, had under advice of a sitting judge received the RM9.9 million from Balkis, which it has placed in a fixed deposit. The money would then be transferred back to the new organisation set up by the former Balkis members.
Bakti would also take over a Special Education Project involving millions of ringgit until the “new” Balkis is formed.
This is clearly goes against Balkis’ constitution which states that in the event of a dissolution, all monies must be transferred to the government or a similar fund, with the approval of the Inland Revenue Board director-general.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that Abdul Khalid had in his letter to the ROS on Wednesday (April 23) said of the amount in Balkis’ accounts, about RM850,000 was donated by state government companies – Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd which gave RM268,862 last year and Perbadanan Kemajuan Negri Selangor (PKNS) which contributed RM590,379.50 between 2006 and 2007.
It is understood that Abdul Khalid is also investigating the transfer of 43,560sq ft of land in Section 7, Shah Alam, which the state government had in 2002 offered to Balkis at a nominal cost of RM250,000 (RM5.74/sq ft) for the setting up of a shelter home for women that cost RM5 million.
http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21761
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Perak village heads to meet Mat Taib over new post
The Star Online > Nation Sunday March 30, 2008
TAIPING: Village chiefs in Perak who resigned en bloc plan to meet Rural and Regional Development Minister Senator Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib to discuss new appointments to enable them to continue serving the rakyat.
Perak Village Head Organisation executive council member Ahmad Fuade Abdul Wahid said the new posts could be modelled after those introduced in Opposition-held states such as Kelantan.
“Most of the village chiefs in Perak are staunch Umno supporters and Umno branch leaders.
“It is against our principles to serve with the (present) Perak Government,” he told reporters after collecting 109 resignation letters from village chiefs in the Larut Matang and Selama (LMS) district here yesterday.
He said only two village chiefs from Ijok and Selama had pledged their support for the new state government.
Ahmad Fuade said the forms would be handed over to Mentri Besar Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin on Tuesday.
“We are giving a month’s notice effective April 1,” he said.
Ahmad Fuade said with the notification, all the 786 village development and security committees (JKKK) in Perak would automatically cease to exist from May 1.
Earlier at the gathering, LMS Village Head Organisation secretary Hamdan Murad said in Kelantan, the post of Pengerusi Penyelaras Kampung (village coordination chairman) was created by the Federal Government.
“When Terengganu was held by the Opposition, similar posts were also created by the Federal Government and we will raise this matter when we meet Tan Sri Muhammad,” he said.
Before the handing over of the resignation letters, an elderly village chief questioned the rationale behind the mass resignation, saying there could be chaos at the grassroots.
Citing an example, he said those wanting to get married would face hassles as they could not get their marriage consent form to be signed due to the absence of their village chief.
Hamdan said such matters could instead be handled by the Penghulu.
Meanwhile earlier in the day, Muhammad Nizar, who met reporters after the swearing-in ceremony of the new state exco line up at Istana Iskandariah, said he was not aware of the mass resignations.
“I didn’t force them to resign but elections for village chiefs will be held (when such posts are vacated),” he said.
TAIPING: Village chiefs in Perak who resigned en bloc plan to meet Rural and Regional Development Minister Senator Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib to discuss new appointments to enable them to continue serving the rakyat.
Perak Village Head Organisation executive council member Ahmad Fuade Abdul Wahid said the new posts could be modelled after those introduced in Opposition-held states such as Kelantan.
“Most of the village chiefs in Perak are staunch Umno supporters and Umno branch leaders.
“It is against our principles to serve with the (present) Perak Government,” he told reporters after collecting 109 resignation letters from village chiefs in the Larut Matang and Selama (LMS) district here yesterday.
He said only two village chiefs from Ijok and Selama had pledged their support for the new state government.
Ahmad Fuade said the forms would be handed over to Mentri Besar Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin on Tuesday.
“We are giving a month’s notice effective April 1,” he said.
Ahmad Fuade said with the notification, all the 786 village development and security committees (JKKK) in Perak would automatically cease to exist from May 1.
Earlier at the gathering, LMS Village Head Organisation secretary Hamdan Murad said in Kelantan, the post of Pengerusi Penyelaras Kampung (village coordination chairman) was created by the Federal Government.
“When Terengganu was held by the Opposition, similar posts were also created by the Federal Government and we will raise this matter when we meet Tan Sri Muhammad,” he said.
Before the handing over of the resignation letters, an elderly village chief questioned the rationale behind the mass resignation, saying there could be chaos at the grassroots.
Citing an example, he said those wanting to get married would face hassles as they could not get their marriage consent form to be signed due to the absence of their village chief.
Hamdan said such matters could instead be handled by the Penghulu.
Meanwhile earlier in the day, Muhammad Nizar, who met reporters after the swearing-in ceremony of the new state exco line up at Istana Iskandariah, said he was not aware of the mass resignations.
“I didn’t force them to resign but elections for village chiefs will be held (when such posts are vacated),” he said.
Azalina spells out new deal
By Suganthi Suparmaniam 2008/04/03
KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism Ministry is terminating its memorandum of understanding on tourism with opposition-led states with immediate effect. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said the respective states' Tourism Action Councils will have "our own people who will communicate directly with the ministry."We will work together to develop tourism in any particular state," she said after chairing a meeting with industry players yesterday.However, she gave an assurance that there would not be a total boycott on tourism in these states.Azalina said that all the funds for tourism in these states would be directly channelled into the accounts of the state Tourism Action Councils.Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Victor Wee said the chairmen of the councils would be the executive councillors for tourism in each state."But with these five states, the tourism excos will no longer chair the council meetings. The funds which were channelled to the state financial officer will now be channelled through federal funds."Wee said the budget of RM1 million for each state would remain the same but further allocation will depend on their activities.He was confident that the system would work and cited Kelantan as one of the states where the system had proven to be a success."It should work. In Kelantan, the state Tourism Action Council is doing a good job and the state government is also appreciative of its role, although none of the state excos are involved in the running of the council." Azalina said that some of the tourism events in the states, like the Penang World Music Festival and the Langkawi Water Festival would go on as planned while others would be revised.She said industry players were concerned with recent political developments and added that as long as there were no negative policies and "discriminations" by the state governments, they would not complain."But if the state governments want to play politics and do not see the importance of tourism as an important sector of growth, then I hope the industry players will react to this and communicate directly with the federal government." Azalina said the federal government would step in if the state governments formulate policies that would affect tourism programmes.Asked about the PKR-DAP-Pas' formation of Pakatan Rakyat, the minister said it would "definitely fail"."For me, it's a marriage of convenience. It can go on for a month or a year, I don't know. But it will collapse," she said.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism Ministry is terminating its memorandum of understanding on tourism with opposition-led states with immediate effect. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said the respective states' Tourism Action Councils will have "our own people who will communicate directly with the ministry."We will work together to develop tourism in any particular state," she said after chairing a meeting with industry players yesterday.However, she gave an assurance that there would not be a total boycott on tourism in these states.Azalina said that all the funds for tourism in these states would be directly channelled into the accounts of the state Tourism Action Councils.Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Victor Wee said the chairmen of the councils would be the executive councillors for tourism in each state."But with these five states, the tourism excos will no longer chair the council meetings. The funds which were channelled to the state financial officer will now be channelled through federal funds."Wee said the budget of RM1 million for each state would remain the same but further allocation will depend on their activities.He was confident that the system would work and cited Kelantan as one of the states where the system had proven to be a success."It should work. In Kelantan, the state Tourism Action Council is doing a good job and the state government is also appreciative of its role, although none of the state excos are involved in the running of the council." Azalina said that some of the tourism events in the states, like the Penang World Music Festival and the Langkawi Water Festival would go on as planned while others would be revised.She said industry players were concerned with recent political developments and added that as long as there were no negative policies and "discriminations" by the state governments, they would not complain."But if the state governments want to play politics and do not see the importance of tourism as an important sector of growth, then I hope the industry players will react to this and communicate directly with the federal government." Azalina said the federal government would step in if the state governments formulate policies that would affect tourism programmes.Asked about the PKR-DAP-Pas' formation of Pakatan Rakyat, the minister said it would "definitely fail"."For me, it's a marriage of convenience. It can go on for a month or a year, I don't know. But it will collapse," she said.
Alternative Media Is Not Untouchable - Ahmad Shabery
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- The alternative media are not as untouchable as the public may think, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Tuesday.As such, he said, even though the people had the right to write whatever they wish through blogs and other online media, they could still be subjected to actions under the law if they defame others."People think that the alternative media could do what they want. This is not true. Recently there were cases against some of these bloggers," he told reporters after launching the First International Journalism Fellowship organised by the Malaysian Press Institute at the University of Malaya here.Ahmad Shabery also said that the government had the responsibility to protect others from untruths and slander.With technology available today, cyber forensics would be able to trace and detect the identity of online writers or slanderers even though they might use the anonymity of the Internet or a different name as a shield, he said.To a question on the possibility of alternative media becoming more popular than the traditional media, Ahmad Shabery said it would depend on the reputation and credibility of the media concerned."The bottom line is reputation and credibility. If you have that and you report the truth, base on facts, the people will continue to read your articles. This is the new challenge for newspapers and for any form of media out there," he said.In his speech, he said, even though the big names in the media industry had long reach, with glitzy presentations and cool-looking presenters, the media in the developing countries could still do better in terms of substance."Today's media trend is no longer about the business of informing the masses. It's about creating demands and changing opinions," he said.The 40-day fellowship from April 14 to May 24, is participated by 33 young journalists from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Laos, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Seychelles and Malaysia.-- BERNAMA
RTM Broadcasts News Based On Merit Not Quota, Says Ahmad Shabery
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- News broadcasts by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) are based on merit or news value and not according to any quota or designated programme slots, said Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.He said the broadcasts also had a consistent pattern and did cater to particular personalities."I know parties like PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP do not like quota systems, but why in this matter (RTM's broadcasts) they want quota allocations. News broadcasts must be based on merit... this is the direction we want to take."Other states although controlled by the Barisan Nasional (BN), we do not allocate any quotas for the menteris besar or chief ministers. In this matter, I hope the state governments concerned understand the policy practised by RTM," he told Bernama.Ahmad Shabery, who made a visit to Bernama's headquarters here Tuesday, was commenting on a request by Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states to be allocated specific slots in RTM's programming.As an example, he said RTM might cover an activity or programme he attended, but it need not necessarily be broadcast as news."There has been many cases like this, which I consider professionalism on the part of RTM. It's news value that must determine the broadcast of news," he said.Ahmad Shabery said it was also not a question of bias because the states were governed by the PR."It does not mean if we give them one hour then we are being fair. Later they might demand two hours and if not given make threats like what the Selangor Menteri Besar did (ordering RTM's Selangor FM radio station to vacate its broadcasting premises at the Selangor secretariat building in Shah Alam)."This action is not fair because we are paying the rent and have a premises rental contract. Even in a trivial matter like this they want to show their arrogance, imagine what can happen if it was major matter," he said.On their asking RTM to provide them with slots now after having accused the broadcaster of being the BN government's propoganda machine, he said that (propoganda machine) was their own perception."They (PR parties) are very difficult to satisfy. They will make all kinds of demands and then complain of not enough airtime when three minutes is given when in fact one minute would have sufficed," he said.He said RTM lately had carried features on opposition leaders like the Chief Minister of Penang, Selangor Menteri Besar and Perak Menteri Besar, all from the PR.On PAS vice president Datuk Husam Musa asking for the five opposition-held states to be issued broadcasting licences, he said this did not come under the purview of RTM or the Information Ministry.On Bernama, Ahmad Shabery said he was very pleased that the national news agency had made a name for itself in the competitive news field and played an instrumental role in nation building.-- BERNAMA
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Malacca BN assemblymen urged to blog
The Star Online > Nation Sunday April 13, 2008MYT 5:47:01 PM
Malacca BN assemblymen urged to blog
By MARTIN CARVALHO
MALACCA: The 23 Malacca Barisan Nasional assemblymen have been urged to set up their own blog to present their views on current issues while countering those put forth by the opposition.
Chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said that it was high time that Barisan Nasional assemblymen created their own blogs as the cyber medium is a new area for dissemination of information that had received little attention previously.
“I hope that all of the wakil rakyat here set up their own blogs as we need to present our views and to counter those made by the opposition.
“Blogging is new form of media that we must give attention to,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Malacca Grand Invitational Endurance Ride 2008 at Stadium Hang Jebat on Sunday.
Admitting that his blog had been the target of hackers, he said he would however continue to pursue it and had requested the state’s IT unit to look into the matter.
“Response to my posting has been well received as now those with access to it can compare what we have been doing here in Malacca to that of the opposition in Penang and Selangor for example,” he added.
Malacca BN assemblymen urged to blog
By MARTIN CARVALHO
MALACCA: The 23 Malacca Barisan Nasional assemblymen have been urged to set up their own blog to present their views on current issues while countering those put forth by the opposition.
Chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said that it was high time that Barisan Nasional assemblymen created their own blogs as the cyber medium is a new area for dissemination of information that had received little attention previously.
“I hope that all of the wakil rakyat here set up their own blogs as we need to present our views and to counter those made by the opposition.
“Blogging is new form of media that we must give attention to,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Malacca Grand Invitational Endurance Ride 2008 at Stadium Hang Jebat on Sunday.
Admitting that his blog had been the target of hackers, he said he would however continue to pursue it and had requested the state’s IT unit to look into the matter.
“Response to my posting has been well received as now those with access to it can compare what we have been doing here in Malacca to that of the opposition in Penang and Selangor for example,” he added.
Malaysia's ruling party begins blogging
Malaysia's ruling party begins blogging
Fri Apr 11, 12:46 PM ET
Some candidates for posts in Malaysia's ruling party will be required to set up blogs, an official said Friday, a turnaround for governing politicians who had derided online politicking.
Abdul Rahman Dahlan, secretary general of the United Malays National Organization party's youth wing, said all those vying for national youth posts must have blogs to introduce themselves and their programs ahead of party elections in December.
It was not known if any senior leaders of the party will also start blogs to emulate opposition Democratic Action Party leader Lim Kit Siang, who has a popular Web journal.
But the decision appeared aimed at countering heavy losses that the ruling National Front coalition suffered in last month's general elections, partly because they underestimated the power of online campaigning. The United Malays National Party dominates the coalition.
"All candidates must have blogs," Abdul Rahman told The Associated Press. "If not, they are not qualified to be leaders."
In the past, party politicians have said bloggers spread lies and rumors. Many of Malaysia's blogs contain commentary critical of the government.
But now, even youth deputy Khairy Jamaluddin — who once compared bloggers to monkeys living by the law of the jungle — has a blog.
"The last election showed that we lost the cyberwar. We need to embrace the technology now," Abdul Rahman said.
He said help will be available for party members who do not know how to create a blog.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Fri Apr 11, 12:46 PM ET
Some candidates for posts in Malaysia's ruling party will be required to set up blogs, an official said Friday, a turnaround for governing politicians who had derided online politicking.
Abdul Rahman Dahlan, secretary general of the United Malays National Organization party's youth wing, said all those vying for national youth posts must have blogs to introduce themselves and their programs ahead of party elections in December.
It was not known if any senior leaders of the party will also start blogs to emulate opposition Democratic Action Party leader Lim Kit Siang, who has a popular Web journal.
But the decision appeared aimed at countering heavy losses that the ruling National Front coalition suffered in last month's general elections, partly because they underestimated the power of online campaigning. The United Malays National Party dominates the coalition.
"All candidates must have blogs," Abdul Rahman told The Associated Press. "If not, they are not qualified to be leaders."
In the past, party politicians have said bloggers spread lies and rumors. Many of Malaysia's blogs contain commentary critical of the government.
But now, even youth deputy Khairy Jamaluddin — who once compared bloggers to monkeys living by the law of the jungle — has a blog.
"The last election showed that we lost the cyberwar. We need to embrace the technology now," Abdul Rahman said.
He said help will be available for party members who do not know how to create a blog.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
