27 August 2018

Bekas menteri dulu, semua pakat tunduk cekup telorq...


Petikan sebahagian ucapan beliau di Kedah yang lucu tapi sinis & tajam...

Ada tuu orang nombor dua parti lama saya...dia bagi kita markah D. Orang ni kalu tak bercakap, orang tak tau kata depa bodo....bila bercakap...konfom bodoh !!

....sebab apa yang kita sebut selama ni betoi...cuma masa Bang Mat habarq dulu ni hampa tak pecaya...la baru nak pecaya iaitu Pas & Umno 💋👩‍❤‍💋‍👩💑👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻"

Umno telah menggunakan wang yang banyak membeli beberapa pemimpin Pas dan akhirnya jadi begini. Kita ada bukti semua...tunggu perbicaraan di London pada bulan empat akan datang."

Image result for Mat Sabu naik Equanimity:
Mat Sabu kongsi pengalaman 
naik Equanimity...

Menteri Pertahanan Mohamad Sabu hari ini berkongsi pengalamannya ketika melawat kapal layar mewah Equanimity di Pelabuhan Klang.

Kapal layar itu diserahkan oleh pihak berkuasa Indonesia kepada Malaysia kerana didakwa dibeli dari hasil penyelewengan dana 1MDB yang melibatkan ahli perniagaan Low Taek Jho atau Jho Low.

"Saya tengok kapal di luar, tak lah sebesar mana, tapi saya tengok di dalam, alamak, tak boleh kita fikir.

"Ada lif dalam tu, empat tingkat. Ada tempat mandi jakuzi, sauna, dan tempat urut.

"Kemudian ada ruang tempat makan yang besar. Di bilik tidur, ada boleh picit suis, bumbung boleh buka, nampak bulan dan bintang waktu malam," katanya pada hadirin Majlis Sambutan Hari Raya Aidiladha BERSATU di Tapak Kompleks Sukan Pandamaran, Klang.

Kata-kata Mohamad, atau lebih dikenali sebagai Mat Sabu itu disambut dengan reaksi terkejut hadirin.

Mohamad juga menyorot bahawa kapal layar mewah itu kini akan dilelong selepas mendapat kebenaran daripada mahkamah.

"Tak tau siapa nak beli. (Anggota Parlimen Klang) Charles Santiago boleh beli kot, bawah keluarga bersiar-siar," katanya berjenaka.

Dalam ucapannya itu, Mohamad mengakui bahawa kebanyakan menteri HARAPAN tidak mempunyai banyak pengalaman dan akur dengan teguran Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yang menyifatkan mereka masih bersikap seperti pembangkang.

"Sebab kita pembangkang 40 tahun, jadi kerajaan rasa pelik."Tapi kita belajar cepat, kerja kuat, kita yakin Malaysia akan kembali gemilang dan cemerlang tak lama lagi," katanya. - mk

Image result for Council' of eminent persons...
What next for unelected 'Jedi Council' 
of eminent persons...

Within days of the historic election that ended the Barisan Nasional’s 60-year grip on power in Malaysia, the country’s new leader Mahathir Mohamad set up the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) – five prominent Malaysians tasked with advising the fledgling government on how to deal with the nation’s most pressing problems within 100 days.

Now the mandate of the body – dubbed by some as Malaysia’s ‘Jedi council’ – is complete and the recommendations are to be presented to Mahathir upon his return from an official visit to China this week. However, the proposals are not for public consumption.

This secrecy – coupled with Mahathir’s statement that the CEP would not be dissolved just yet as there was still need for them – has fuelled debate among the public and opposition members.

“Malaysians have the right to know what the recommendations are and the government’s road map for implementation,” said political analyst James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania. “It is normal for these documents to be under the Official Secrets Act for now, as the CEP is an advisory body dealing with the prime minister and with cabinet. But the government must release them, as it is supposedly more transparent than the previous regime.”

Although the specific recommendations are classified, CEP chairman and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin has discussed the key themes into which the council had separated them: governance and institutional reforms; inclusivity; and sustainable economic growth and fiscal reform.

He also touched on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad corruption scandal, saying it was a priority and raising the possibility that more charges would soon be laid. Disgraced former premier Najib Razak has already been charged with abuse of power and alleged money-laundering.

The recommendations also include measures to strengthen the independence of core institutions and enhance their governance framework to end corruption, to address societal imbalance, and to optimise expenditure.


Council of Eminent Persons chairman Daim Zainuddin with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing. Photo: EPA


Daim also said the Bumiputera Agenda – the decades-old national effort to give the ethnic Bumiputera majority an economic boost – had been discussed, adding that “we want to get it right this time around”.

However, he emphasised, this agenda was not contradictory to the national agenda of inclusivity and economic wellbeing for all Malaysians.

Concerns such as poverty, inequality, housing affordability, the improvement of child education, and social protection were all raised – issues that prominent economist Prof Rajah Rasiah believes are critical in supporting the transition of Malaysian society to a just and balanced one.

“However, I am not sure if the inclusivity efforts will involve the normative participation of the target groups in policy formulation and implementation until I see it. While the introduction of sustainable development goals by the UN is really important, most initiatives across the world only pursue achievement of indicators with little participative engagement of the masses in collectively shaping their destiny. This is not good,” he said.

Rajah also said the CEP’s focus on sustainable economic growth and fiscal reform was critical, as long as the recommendations provided were sufficiently solid. “Unless something is done we will continue to observe the premature contraction of agriculture and industry.”

The CEP provided a host of suggestions revolving around more effective fiscal policy, strengthening fiscal discipline and accountability, improved debt management, increasing revenue, redesigning tax policy to be more progressive, and optimising expenditure. Rajah believes that these efforts, although relevant and promising, would require the formation of a specialised committee of economists.

“It is important to distinguish foreign debt from public debt, net debt from total debt, debt service, how interest rates affect the different sectors of the economy, how taxes can be used to effectively collect revenue and to improve distribution recognising the fact that there should be a limit to taxation as it raises costs of doing business – competitiveness – and also offers opportunities for abusers: smugglers, shirkers and free riders. Taxation is important to enable the poor and potential innovators to participate productively in society but it has to be implemented effectively to prevent clientelist dissipation of the rents collected.”




However, there are limits to what the CEP can discuss, he believes. Commenting on civil society that Malaysia was still lacking in efforts to reform human rights, Rajah said different committees could address these issues.

Meanwhile, analyst Wong Chin Huat from the Penang Institute think tank raised the issue of the CEP’s future role. Opposition lawmakers have questioned the legality and constitutionality of the advisory panel, and its responsibilities alongside the cabinet.

It has fielded accusations of overstepping its mandate and parties questioning its independence and the separation of powers.

Speculation has been rife over how much power Daim – who served in Mahathir’s administration during his first round as prime minister – had at his disposal.

Annuar Musa, the secretary general of opposition party Umno, has called for the CEP to be dissolved, saying it was “more powerful than the cabinet” given it was empowered to summon ministers to appear before its “elders”.

These include prominent economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram, businessman Robert Kuok, and Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the former governor of Malaysia’s central bank.

“The question is the CEP’s role,” Wong said. “If it’s advisory, and the cabinet makes a final decision on its recommendations, it’s but an extremely influential and well-resourced ‘super think tank’.



“Unelected advisory bodies are normal in democracy. However, if it replaces cabinet to be the actual decision-making body … then it invokes questions of accountability and representation.”

Suaram, a human rights and governance non-governmental organisation, agreed with this take, saying the people had “a right to understand and evaluate” the issues outlined by the CEP.

“Arguing that CEP is unconstitutional or not lawful is purely based on semantics, as there is inherently nothing stopping the government from appointing their officers or advisers,” said programme officer Dobby Chew.

“But if it is to be continued, any extension must be justified and explained by Pakatan Harapan. Especially in light of parliamentary select committees which can be established to hear and engage experts to better understand issues and advise the government.”

Meanwhile, chairperson Daim has assured the public that the CEP members, who were working in a voluntary capacity, have “returned to their normal jobs”.

“Be patient with the government,” he said. “Stay united and let them perform. Let us have unity throughout the country.” - scmp

Image may contain: 2 people, text

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, text


Image may contain: 10 people, people smiling, hat, beard and text


cheers.

22 August 2018

Salam AidilAdha...


Dr.M : How stupid can Najib be...

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has bestowed an unflattering title on his predecessor Najib Abdul Razak's administration with regard to contracts for mega projects with Chinese firms.

According to him, the nation has never witnessed such foolishness in negotiating contracts.

“Such stupidity has never been seen in the history of Malaysia,” he said.

Mahathir was speaking at a press conference in Beijing where he is on an official visit to renegotiate the terms for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and two gas pipeline projects by Suria Strategic Energy Resources (SSER).

The prime minister confirmed that the Chinese government had “understood” when he explained that Putrajaya was deferring the ECRL and SSER projects because the country could not afford them.

The amount of compensation for both had yet to be worked out but he expected it to be “quite substantial”.

“We must find a way to exit this project (ECRL) and at the lowest cost possible, (and) we will have to pay compensation.

“But this is our own people's stupidity. We can’t blame the Chinese for that,” he added.

Mahathir further criticised Najib for agreeing to contracts like the SSER, where money was paid based on a timeline rather than progressive work completion milestones.

“I have never heard of a contract where you pay on time without work (being) done. Normally, we pay according to the work done. What kind of stupidity is this?” he questioned.


RM500m to compensate postponing HSR

China had previously expressed keen interest on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) but Putrajaya is also looking at postponing that project.

Today, Mahathir described the HSR as “unnecessary” and said the government must yet again be prepared to fork out large sums in compensation.

“Well, if we have to pay compensation, we have to pay.

“This is the stupidity of the negotiations before. Why (would) you enter into such agreements (where) you pay a huge compensation if you don't go ahead? There must be exit clauses in all agreements, and the exit clauses must be fair to both parties.

“But if we (can’t) solve it, we will have to pay huge sums of money for the HSR. We have negotiated but if we fail to do it, the compensation is more than half a billion ringgit (RM500 million),” he said. 

Mahathir elaborated that the HSR was not needed because it would not significantly cut short travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, unlike similar rail projects around the world.

“For an HSR, you need a long distance and then, you will save time. (For example) if you can travel for three hours (now) when before that you had to take eight hours, then there is a saving of five hours.

“But if you travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and save 15 minutes (but) you have to pay a lot of money, you will be very stupid,” he said. - mk

Rundingan kontrak Najib dengan China 'paling bodoh'


Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing, sunglasses, outdoor and text

Image may contain: 14 people, people smiling, outdoor
Jom ke Seri Setia.Raikan perkawinan kami...

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, meme, text and outdoor


cheers.

21 August 2018

MCA memang hipokrit kerana setuju bayaq syarikat AES ni...

Related image

Menteri Pengangkutan Anthone Loke membidas MCA yang mengkritik keputusannya untuk membatalkan semua saman AES sehingga 31 Ogos.

Loke berkata, masalah berhubung AES berpunca daripada tindakan MCA ketika berada dalam kerajaan.

"Saya boleh menerima kritikan daripada sesiapa kecuali pemimpin MCA kerana mereka adalah orang yang paling hipokrit.

"Bekas Menteri pengangkutan yang juga merupakan pemimpin MCA yang menandatangani perjanjian ini... Hanya orang yang tidak cerdik menandatangani perjanjian ini.

"Jadi guna otak sebelum bercakap, apa yang anda katakan hari ini memberi gambaran yang sangat buruk kepada menteri-menteri MCA," katanya kepada sidang media di Putrajaya hari ini.

Loke berkata demikian sebagai menjawab kritikan daripada Timbalan Presiden MCA Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong dan Setiausaha Agung Pemuda MCA Leong Kim Soon berhubung tindakan kementerian pengangkutan membatalkan semua saman AES minggu lalu.


Related image

AES mula berkuat kuasa ketika pemimpin MCA, Kong Cho Ha menjadi menteri pengangkutan pada 2012.

Jelas Loke, ketika Presiden MCA Liow Tiong Lai mengambil alih portfolio itu pada 2014, Liow juga tidak serius dengan penguatkuasaan dan tidak berusaha mengutip 80 peratus saman itu yang masih tidak berbayar.

"Dua-dua mereka tidak serius dengan perkara ini," katanya.

Tambah Loke, disebabkan perjanjian yang tidak seimbang, kerajaan tidak akan dapat apa-apa daripada saman AES yang dibayar, selepas ia diberi diskaun kepada RM150.

Ini kerana, katanya, perjanjian yang ditandatangani pengendali AES, ATES Sdn Bhd dan Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd, dua firma yang berhak ke atas 50 peratus saman AES yang dikutip berdasarkan kadar asal RM300.

"Jadi kalau kita kutip RM150 sekarang, ia hanya akan diambil oleh syarikat berkenaan," katanya.

Kata Loke, kerajaan juga perlu membayar RM16 untuk setiap saman yang dikeluarkan oleh dua syarikat berkenaan tanpa perlu mengambil kira sama ada saman itu dikutip atau tidak.

Kedua-dua syarikat berkenaan, katanya, sudah mengaut RM129 juta daripada dua peringkat perjanjian itu.

Jumlah itu, tambahnya, jauh melebihi kos kesemua 47 kamera AES yang dipasang yang dianggarkan RM250,000 satu kamera, atau RM10 juta kesemuanya.

"Syarikat berkenaan sudah buat untuk yang besar," katanya. - mk

AES concession firms made RM129 mil over 6 years

Pesan arwah tok guru kepada PAS...

Hadi Awang membawa penyokong2 Pas bernostalgia menyelami sejarah sebelum merdeka.
'Pas pernah bersama sepentas dengan Umno di waktu itu.'

Usaha terdesak Hadi untuk meyakinkan ahli2 akar umbi untuk menerima dan menyokong kerjasama yang mahu dijalinkan antara Pas dan UmnoBN.


Image result for hadi awang

Ianya amat bertentangan dengan pesanan arwah TGNA berhubung isu yang sama (lihat video).

UmnoBN hari ini sudah rosak teruk dan busuk hingga ke usus jika dibandingkan sebelum Najib Razak menjadi Presiden Umno/PM Malaysia. 

Di kala ini Hadi mahu Pas menjalinkan kerjasama dan berkemungkinan bergabung dengan UmnoBN ?? - f/bk

Lebai syiok sendiri...

100 days and the ten deadly sins...

In the past, we did not listen critically and analyse what our politicians were up to. We allowed things to slide and we complained only when things were almost at the point of no return.

We have passed the 100 days of Pakatan Harapan rule. If we become complacent, the chances are that they will end up being Umno Baru 2.0.

Here are ten reasons why you, as the most powerful person in Malaysia, are resistant to change. We need to get rid of these bad habits, to exercise our power and be instruments for change.

Gossip

Who doesn’t love a bit of gossip? Some of us thrive on it. We are aware that denigrating someone who is not present is a disgusting habit. We also know that the person with whom we are gossiping will within a few minutes gossip about us, and yet we persist.

Drama

TV3 has made use of our ability to be absorbed by mindless, mind-crippling drama. When we want to engage others in serious conversation about important issues, people look away and switch off.

We do nothing when things go wrong instead of speaking up and complaining to the relevant people about poor customer service, or something which is underperforming, because we have more important things to do, or cannot be bothered.

How can anyone even begin to help a person who will not help himself?

Being judgemental

Imagine an injustice being perpetrated against a member of the LGBT community. We speak out, but some people criticise those who are trying to help. When will we start to listen without being judgemental?



Negativity

When there are problems in the community, like the rights of non-Muslims being trampled upon, we do nothing and instead of taking action, we say, “What can I do? The Syariah Court is all-powerful, and I do not have the remotest chance of winning.”

People give up too easily because they think they cannot do anything; but have they tried?

Complaining

Instead of complaining to the relevant people about incompetence, we do nothing and give up at the slightest hint of resistance.

Complaining followed by inaction seems to be a national pastime, but it will not resolve any issue. We complain about everything. The weather. The economy. The education. The roads.

Some people in Umno Baru have made complaining an art form. The economy is bad. Blame it on DAP. The currency is falling. Blame it on the Chinese. Food prices have risen. It is the Singaporeans’ fault. The rain is non-stop. Blame it on the Christians who stopped Malaysia from adopting hudud laws.

Excuses

You have been treated badly but refuse to complain about this abuse of power, your excuse for doing nothing is that you know nobody and you will lose. So, you justify inaction with a multitude of reasons.

Exaggeration

Umno Baru and PAS politicians say that only their party can defend the Malays and protect Islam. Do we confront the politicians and ask, “Defend the Malays from what? Protect Islam from whom?”

Malays enjoy positions of power in the civil service, armed forces, GLCs, and many other institutions. Islam is the official religion of Malaysia. The Malays comprise 60 percent of the population. Why should they exaggerate their fear of being threatened?

Dogmatism

This is like being bombarded with facts and someone else’s opinions, or fake news. Instead of checking to see if these stories are true, we share this information with others and claim that it is the gospel truth. It makes listening very difficult.



These ten deadly sins hamper our ability for progress, but the good news is that one way forward for Malaysians, is to ‘MATI.’

'MATI'

‘M’ is for the Malaysian identity and Malaysian values. It could also stand for materialism.

As the nation grew and many became wealthier, we forgot our values, we became greedy, ignored the poor and the needy, and pursued material wealth. At the same time, most of us identified ourselves or allowed others to portray us as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli, Sarawakian or Sabahan. In ‘new Malaysia’, we need to forge a new Malaysian identity.

‘A’ is for alarm and accountability, or it could stand for apathy.

For decades, we were consumed with apathy. When we saw that our leaders were not serving the rakyat but themselves, we finally saw the importance of leaders who were accountable for their actions.

‘A’ could also be for action. And in the 14th general election we voted for change.

‘T’ is for thought or thinking, and for tolerance, or rather the lack thereof.

In ‘new Malaysia’, we should start to think about our actions. When Najib said that only Umno Baru can save Islam, we were too lazy to listen critically and tell him off for talking bullshit.

‘I’ is for integrity and intellect, or thinking things through. I is also for ‘I’.

What is personal and professional integrity? Why are there lapses in the judiciary, the police force, the education system and in the public service? Why did we let things slide?

Rebuilding Malaysia is not about you, or me, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Pakatan Harapan, or even Umno. It is also about the future of our children and their children.

We are investing in their future and hope to create a country which they will learn to love, as we love our country. The success of Malaysia is tied to the success of everyone. Malay. Chinese. Indian. Orang Asli. Iban and Kadazan.

We need to iron out our differences, educate everyone and build our children’s future. We may not see the results of our work, but they will. That is why we need to continue to talk with one another, even on sensitive issues, and learn from each other’s stories. - Mariam Mokhtar,mk

No automatic alt text available.



Image may contain: 15 people, people smiling, people standing, text and outdoor

Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, text

Image may contain: 15 people, people smiling, people standing and text

Image may contain: 2 people, text


Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, text

cheers.

20 August 2018

BN minta 30% saham dari pelabur China untuk kroni2 depa...

Image may contain: 2 people, text

Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad mendakwa kerajaan BN sebelum ini korup dalam menerima kemasukan pelabur China ke negara ini.

Beliau berkata demikian semasa Forum Pemimpin Kelab Usahawan China di China World Summit Wing Hotel di Beijing hari ini.

Mahathir ditanya oleh salah seorang usahawan China semasa forum berkenaan mengenai kebimbangan terhadap prosedur ketika menjalankan perniagaan di Malaysia.

"Saya fikir, kerajaan baru (Pakatan Harapan) telah mengambil masa lebih kurang tiga bulan lalu. Jadi, dasar kerajaan lama (BN) adalah apa yang mengakibatkan kerajaan menjadi sukar kerana kerajaan (sebelum ini) tidak cekap, ia korup.

"Terdapat kes di mana pelabur diminta memberi 30 peratus saham kepada sesetengah orang. Itulah sebabnya ada kelewatan kerana orang tertentu cuba mendapatkan wang daripada pelabur," katanya.


Perdana menteri memberi jaminan bahawa kerajaan kini tidak akan membenarkan amalan sedemikian berlaku dan berkongsi cara baru untuk meningkatkan kecekapan serta mempercepatkan kelulusan bagi pelabur yang ingin menjalankan perniagaan di Malaysia.

"Mereka (agensi kerajaan) harus mengikut corak tertentu dan mereka diberi masa tertentu untuk membuat keputusan.

"Jika tidak, mereka akan ditanya kenapa. Kenapa kamu menolak dan mengapa kita tidak bersetuju? Mereka perlu menjawab soalan itu," katanya.

Mahathir turut memberikan keyakinan sekiranya komuniti perniagaan China melabur di Malaysia, tidak akan berlaku perbuatan mendapatkan wang daripada mereka sebelum sesuatu projek diluluskan.

Beliau berkata apabila sesuatu projek mematuhi syarat ditetapkan  negara ini, pelabur akan diberikan kelulusan secepat mungkin.

"Saya berharap apa yang berlaku kepada anda tidak akan berlaku lagi, tetapi jika anda masih mempunyai aduan, anda boleh menghantarnya kepada saya secara peribadi," katanya. - mk

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, hat
Musa Aman akan ditangkap...

Bekas ketua menteri Sabah, Musa Aman dijangka akan mendarat di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Changi, Singapura dari London, United Kingdom sebelum dibawa pulang ke Malaysia sama ada melalui Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) atau Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Subang, Selangor.

Sumber memaklumkan Musa dipercayai akan ditangkap sejurus tiba di tanah air bagi menghadapi pertuduhan yang dikemukakan melalui laporan polis yang dibuat Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Juhar Mahiruddin.

Makluman kepada media akan dikemaskini dari masa ke semasa mengenai status terkini. Waktu dan lapangan terbang Musa Aman mendarat akan didedahkan sejurus penerbangannya disahkan.

Musa melarikan diri ke London pada 16 Mei lalu sejurus kerajaan BN tumbang di tangan gabungan parti WARISAN-Pakatan Harapan. - f/bk

The Week That Was...

It will go down the annals of Pakatan Harapan (PH) Perak as the first successfully conducted legislative assembly meeting ever.

Monday, August 6 began with the usual honour-guard parade for His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Shah. This was followed by the sultan’s royal address to a PH-led assembly rather than one with a preponderance of Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers. Nazrin reminded the 59 assemblymen to fulfil their promises with integrity. Perakeans, he said, want a good government one that could administer the state well and in good faith. He reminded them “not to misuse their power and titles and never to discriminate and encourage bad behaviours.”

Such prophetic words coming from an honourable man who has much love for his state and his subjects are to be expected, as past sessions had degenerated to a shouting match between the opposing sides. Profanities and unsavoury words were liberally used to score points reminiscent of similar meetings at Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur.

The likes of Bung Mokhtar, MP for Kinabatangan, Sabah and Tajuddin Rahman, MP for Pasir Salak, Perak are aplenty. These two Umno stalwarts would resort to name calling at the slightest provocation.

Bung Mokhtar had challenged his opposite number to a fist fight outside parliament while Tajuddin had numerously reminded DAP representatives that the “country belongs to Malays”. This shows the level of maturity of our political representatives who are elected time and again. Need we fault them then?

Nazrin alluded to the proliferation of tahfiz (religious) schools in the state. Safety standards of these schools are at minimal level thus deaths often occur when the buildings are razed. There have been many cases. The sultan’s reminder was timely indeed. But will the state act on this malfeasance? It is not something possible as there is no control on such schools at federal level. Every Muslim cleric, worth his salt, wants to establish a tahfiz school as it is “good for Islam”, they insist.



The second day got off to a heady start as time was wasted arguing over the Menteri Besar’s official residence. Zambry, former MB and assemblyman for Pangkor, was cautioned by Speaker Nga Koo Ham for his lengthy introduction. Zambry was irked by Ngeh’s rebuke and began raising his voice and gesticulated furiously, prompting Perak DAP chairman, Nga Kor Ming to comment that the BN representatives were having a tough time adjusting to their new role as opposition.

However, current MB insists that the land where the residence is be sold as it will fetch a premium price considering its location. The proceeds from the sale, said Ahmad Faizal, can be used to build accommodations for executive councillors.

I find this absurd as all ten executive councillors are paid housing allowance. Their take-home pay per month is in excess of RM30,000, more than what Prime Minister Tun Mahathir gets. Does anyone in his right frame of mind want to forego this for a billet adjacent to Ipoh’s famous landmark, the Sultan Idris Shah Roundabout? And in doing so lose their housing allowance? He or she must be mad.

The third day sitting was unexpected, as the proposal to have the appointed Opposition Leader be accorded privileges befitting his position. This is a common practice in western democracies in line with PH GE14 manifesto. Giving due recognition to the guy gives new meaning to the office of Opposition Leader. Past leaders had no such tidings. They had to make do with whatever they were being paid. Besides getting an additional allowance he or she gets an office space with two administrative assistants, a staff car and a driver, courtesy of the ruling government.

The offer was welcomed by Hj Saarani Mohammad,(pix,below) the Opposition Leader and BN assemblyman for Kota Tampa. But he lamented that the additional RM3000 allowance is “chicken-feed” compared to what the executive councillors are getting and, moreover, the staff car is old and the office is run-down. When BN was at the helm such thoughts were neither entertained nor discussed. That is appreciation for you.


Related image

The 101-hectare state land near Gua Tempurung, reportedly given to a private company to build a private institution of higher learning, was the subject of discussion on the fourth day sitting. Approval for a 99-year lease was given by the then PKR government under Nizar Jamaluddin in 2008. Till today nothing is heard from the company. The two sides traded barbs accusing the other of negligence and apathy. The vacant land, apparently, is now being used by illegal oil palm cultivators and they are raking-in profits at the behest of the state government. Faizal finally took ownership and promised to look into the problem.

Other pressing matters discussed in succeeding days’ sittings focused on the state-owned human development centre Pusat Kerjaya Amanjaya or PEKA, as a sum of RM19.8 million was alleged to have been misappropriated by the management. The case is currently being investigated by the federal anti-corruption agency.

Howard Lee, the Executive Councillor for Youth and Sports Development pooh-poohed claims by the former state government that between March 2011 and March 2018, some 69,985 people who were registered with PEKA, 63,186 or 90 percent out of the number got their first job offer. Howard’s team discovered that between January and March 2018 out of 4,667 people who were registered only 73 were offered jobs. The claims, said Howard, were outrageous and requested that both sides deliberate over the matter in a civil way, as young Perakens’ livelihood is at stake.

The much publicised Bagan Datuk Water City, a brainchild of former Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Bagan Datuk, Zahid Hamidi, was hotly debated. The initial capital of RM5 million, promised by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority, was withheld for no apparent reason. This placed a damper on the 15 projects earmarked for the water city.

Overall the week-long session (August 6 to 13) had been cordial except for the many outbursts from both PH and BN assemblymen. Since it is the beginning of the term both sides are still adjusting to their new-found roles, one as opposition and the other as the administrator. No matter what, BN assemblymen still think they are in charge while their PH counterparts behave like they are the opposition. Unless this disparity is addressed, the confusion will continue unabated much to the chagrin of Perakeans. - Fathol Zaman,Ipoh Echo Bukhari

Najib beli minyak kat Petronas...

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling
Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing and text

Image may contain: 9 people, people smiling, text

No automatic alt text available.
Image may contain: text

Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, meme and text

cheers.