Vacancy Info

JAWATAN KOSONG
Permohonan adalah dipelawa daripada warganegara Malaysia yang berkelayakan untuk mengisi satu (1) kekosongan jawatan seperti berikut:
PEGAWAI PERLINDUNGAN SINARAN (KONTRAK)
Kelayakan :
- Mempunyai sekurang–kurangnya Ijazah dalam jurusan Kejuruteraan Kimia atau yang berkaitan dan diiktiraf oleh Kerajaan Malaysia.
- Kepujian dalam Bahasa Malaysia / Bahasa Melayu (termasuk lulus ujian lisan) di peringkat Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia atau kelayakan yang setaraf dan diperakui oleh kerajaan
- Boleh bertutur dan menulis dalam Bahasa Malaysia dan Bahasa Inggeris
- Mempunyai sekurang – kurangnya 1 atau 2 tahun pengalaman bekerja dalam bidang berkaitan

Skop Tugas :
Berkeupayaan dan berpengetahuan dalam bidang teknikal yang khusus bagi memastikan aspek pemantauan radiology dan penyeliaan tapak projek penyahcemar sisa toksid - Long Term Storage Facilities (LTSF) dapat dilaksanakan dengan teratur dan mengikut garis panduan yang disediakan oleh Agensi Nuklear Malaysia dan Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB).
Berkeupayaan mengendali serta menjalankan ujian ke atas radioaktif ke atas bahan-bahan buangan sisa monozit yang disimpan di Long Term Storage Facilities (LTSF)
Melakukan proses pemantauan merangkumi persampelan air bawah tanah, udara, dos sinaran terkumpul dan juga paras dedahan sinaran.

Merekod dan mengumpul semua data-data pemantauan untuk tujuan analisis.
Permohonan yang lengkap beserta maklumat peribadi dan sijil-sijil yang telah disahkan boleh dihantar ke :

Pengarah
Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri
Pejabat Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri
Perak Darul Ridzuan
Jalan Pangliam Bukit Gantang Wahab
30000 Ipoh
Perak
Tel : 05 – 2531957
Fax : 05 – 2418173

Tarikh tutup permohonan adalah pada 30 Januari 2009

Chicken Market in Deplorable Status

The main chicken market of Ipoh (near the Central market) was built some over 100 years ago. It has more then 15 chicken slaughtering stalls. The beauty of the building is the fact the structures are not nailed at all. Many of the locals were not aware of this until one of the main beams gave way some 1 week ago. The whole market structure is now unsafe.

We visited the market together with local, Ipoh local council (MBI) officers and local councilors Sdr.Ding.

We are given to understand that the market has been left without any proper maintenance. It seems some over 15years ago the MBI had made had made proposals to construct a new wet market but noting has taken place to date. I wonder why? I guess the priority of the then MBI bosses were to up grade markets out side central Ipoh and thus neglecting the local markets.
To me this market must up graded and should not be demolished. I am meeting the Mayor tomorrow to discuss about this matter.

Gotong Royong Program in Teluk Kurin

Today morning Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh and Elected Representatives had jointly organized “Gotong Royong” at Teluk Kurin football field in Buntong. The gotong royong activity is a part of MBI’s community relations program aimed at fostering closer relationship with the local communities.

The program started with the AEROBIC exercise which was commenced at 8.00am. The participants, comprising of staff of MBI, local residents and NGO were there to make the program greater.

At the beginning, the event was divided into 2 groups; to concentrate on colouring contest for children below 6 years old and adults can proceeds to medical counter for the medical check ups and also other counters such as Police, Medical Insurance and MBI Vector department for further informations.

The program was officially launched by Y Bhg Dato Rahim – MBI Secretary after the opening speech by YB M.Kulasegaran. Also present at the opening event were the Buntong ADUN YB A.Sivasubramaniam and other invited guests.

Later YB M.Kulasegaran presented the gift vouchers to the colouring contest winners After the opening ceremony, all the local residents together with the invited guest had a hearty breakfast prepared by the caterers.

PLUS R&R

Rehat dan rawat (R&R) or rest areas were built all over the North South High way(PLUS). Although the building of the high way started with a lot of controversy none the less the high way had shorten the travel time.

We welcome the construction of the high way but definitely take objection to the frequent increase of toll charges as the traffic flow has also increased and has brought increased income to the PLUS operators. We are now given to understand that the terms and conditions of the concessioner agreement would be available for public scrutiny in January2009.

But one worrying set back of the R&R is that almost all of the food operators are run by bumiputras. We have no objections in bumis being given the major slice of stalls but to deny non-bumis from operationg is not only shameful but objectionable.

I have now received complaints that the only non-bumi operator at Ulu Bernam( a roti chani stall) will have to move out in January. Many have complaint to be the need to have multiracial stall operators along the PLUS high way.

To day I have written a letter to the PLUS operator to address this weakness.

The letter as follows:

Puan Noorizah Hj Abd Hamid
Pengarah urusan
PROJEK LEBUHRAYA UTARA-SELATAN BERHAD

Tingkat 9, Menara Korporat Persada PLUS,
Persimpangan Bertingkat Subang
KM15, Lebuhraya Baru, Lembah Klang.
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Puan,

GERAI-GERAI DIKAWASAN REHAT DAN RAWAT DI LOKASI ULU BERNAM DAN TAPAH

Dengan segala hormat ta’zim sukacita saya menarik perhatian Puan merujuk kepada perkara diatas.

2. Saya difahamkam bahawa sepanjang Lebuhraya Utara Selatan hanya sebilangan kecil sahaja yang diperuntukkan bagi penjaja-penjaja bukan Bumiputra dikawasan Rehat & Rawat.

3. Untuk makluman Puan, beberapa penjaja-penjaja bukan Bumiputra akan ditamatkan tempoh penyewaan gerai dalam jangka masa yang terdekat tanpa memperbaharui premis tersebut kepada mereka..

4. Dalam hubungan itu, saya meminta pihak Puan untuk melaksanakan pemberian gerai-gerai dikawasan yang dinyatakan diatas secara komposisi bercampuran berbilang bangsa dengan kadar nisbah 60:40(Bumiputra : Bukan Bumiputra) ataupun pada kadar yang sewajarnya.

5. Sehubungan dengan itu, demi kepentingan semua laipsan masyarakat saya berharap bahawa pihak Pejabat Puan akan dapat melaksanakan satu kajian semula dalam sistem pemberian gerai-gerai tersebut.

Segala kerjasama dan bantuan Puan berhubung perkara ini, amatlah dihargai dan didahului dengan ribuan terima kasih.


Sekian dimaklumkan.

“BERKHIDMAT UNTUK RAKYAT”


Salam Ta’zim

M.KULASEGARAN
Ahli Parlimen Ipoh Barat




Sk : YB Dato’ Ir.Mohd Zin Bin Mohamed
Menteri
Kementerian Kerja Raya Malaysia


Y.Bhg. Dato’ Ir. Hj Mohamad Razali Bin Othman
Ketua Pengarah
Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia

Political Joke of the Year

Five surgeons from big cities are discussing
who makes the easiest patients to operate on.

The first surgeon, from Singapore, says,
'I like to see accountants on my operating table,
because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered'

The second, from Bangkok, responds,
'Yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything inside them is colour coded.'

The third surgeon, from Bejing says,
'No, I really think librarians are the best,
everything inside them is inalphabetical order.'

The fourth surgeon, from Jarkarta , chimesin: '
You know, I like construction workers...
those guys always understand when you have a few parts leftover.'

But the fifth surgeon, from KL , shut the mall up when he observed:
'You're all wrong. Politicians from Malaysia UMNO are the easiest to operate on.
There's no guts, no heart, no balls, no brains and no spine,
and the head and the arse are interchangeable.'

Judicial Appointment’s Commission

For the past years there were several constitutional amendments passed by Parliament which had and continue to have impact on the constitutional positions of Sabah and Sarawak without any reference being made to Article 161E of the Federal Constitution.

Now a proposal by the Federal Government to pass two major legislations concerning the appointment and status of judges in Malaysia. The proposed legislations are in relation to the setting up of Judicial Appointment Commission and the Judges’ Ethics Committee. The latter is to be followed by a revised version of the Code of Ethics intended to regulate the conduct of judges. It is to be noted that these proposed legislations are not constitutional amendments but only Acts of Parliament.

It is understood that the main task of the Judicial Appointment Commission is to make recommendation to the Prime Minister on the candidates to be appointed as judges or on the promotions of sitting judges to higher courts. The proposed Commission will therefore be a new body whose recommendation the Prime Minister must adhere to before the name of a candidate can be submitted to the Yang DiPertuan Agong for appointment as a judge.

The proposed new procedure will be a departure from the present mode. Presently a person is appointed a judge by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, after consulting the Conference of Rulers. Before tendering his advice as to the appointment under Clause (1) of a judge the Prime Minister shall consult if the appointment is to one of the High Courts, the Chief Judge of that Court. (Article 122B Federal Constitution refers).

In the context of Sabah and Sarawak the proposed new mode runs contrary to the provision of Article 161E (b) of the Federal Constitution which states:

‘161E. Safeguards for constitutional position of States of Sabah and Sarawak
(2) No amendment shall be made to the Constitution without the concurrence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of the State of Sabah or Sarawak or each of the States of Sabah and Sarawak concerned, if the amendment is such as to affect the operation of the Constitution as regards any of the following matters:

(a)…………
(b) the constitution and jurisdiction of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak and the appointment, removal and suspension of judges of that court;’

With the setting up of the Commission the mode in the appointment of judges for the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak is definitely affected. The proposed legislation will therefore be directly in conflict with not only Article 122B but specifically Article 161E (b) in so far as it is related to appointment of judges to the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak. No one might challenge the conflict with Article 122B. However, if it is allowed to proceed and in relation to Sabah and Sarawak, it will mean that the proposed Act is made to circumvent Article 161E. The question therefore is: Should the two States allow it to happen?

Similar legal consequence will arise if the Judges’ Ethics Committee legislation is passed. In fact the earlier amendment to the Federal Constitution making it a ground for disciplinary action where there is a breach of any provision of the code of ethics prescribed under Clause (3A) of Article 125 of the Federal Constitution and the incorporation of Clause (3A) itself may not have complied with the requirement of Article 161E. Clause (3A) deals with the writing of a code of ethics to be observed by all judges. Indeed the proposed legislation and for that matter Clause (3A) have bearing to the suspension and removal of a judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak. Without the concurrence of the respective Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT) of the two States amendments to the Federal Constitution and such other legislations in which Article 161E is relevant would be unconstitutional, null and void.

161E. Safeguards for constitutional position of States of Sabah and Sarawak

(2) No amendment shall be made to the Constitution without the concurrence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of the State of Sabah or Sarawak or each of the States of Sabah and Sarawak concerned, if the amendment is such as to affect the operation of the Constitution as regards any of the following matters:

(b) the constitution and jurisdiction of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak and the appointment, removal and suspension of judges of that court;

122B. Appointment of judges of Federal Court, Court of Appeal and of High Courts
(1) The Chief Justice of the Federal Court, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Judges of the High Courts and (subject to Article 122c) the other judges of the Federal Court, of the Court of Appeal and of the High Courts shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, after consulting the Conference of Rulers.
(2) Before tendering his advice as to the appointment under Clause (1) of a judge other than the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, the Prime Minister shall consult the Chief Justice.
(3) Before tendering his advice as to the appointment under Clause (1) of the Chief Judge of a High Court, the Prime Minister shall consult the Chief Judge of each of the High Courts and, if the appointment is to the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak, the Chief Minister of each of the States of Sabah and Sarawak.
(4) Before tendering his advice as to the appointment under Clause (1) of a judge other than the Chief Justice, President or a Chief Judge, the Prime Minister shall consult, if the appointment is to the Federal Court, the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, if the appointment is to the Court of Appeal, the President of the Court of Appeal and, if the appointment is to one of the High Courts, the Chief Judge of that Court.
(5) This Article shall apply to the designation of a person to sit as judge of a High Court under Clause (2) of Article 122AA as it applies to the appointment of a judge of that court other than the Chief Judge.
(6) Notwithstanding the dates of their respective appointments as judges of the Federal Court, of the Court of Appeal or of the High Courts, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister given after consulting the Chief Justice, may determine the order of precedence of the judges among themselves.

122C. Transfer of judge of one High Court to another

Article 122B shall not apply to the transfer to a High Court, otherwise than as Chief Judge, of a judge of another High Court other than the Chief Judge; and such a transfer may be made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, after consulting the Chief Judges of the two High Courts.

125. Tenure of office and remuneration of judges of Federal Court
(1) Subject to the provisions of Clauses (2) to (5), a judge of the Federal Court shall hold office until he attains the age of sixty-six years or such later time, not being later than six months after he attains that age, as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may approve.
[Clause(1) amended by Act A1239]
(2) A judge of the Federal Court may at any time resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong but shall not be removed from office except in accordance with the following provisions of this Article.
(3) If the Prime Minister, or the Chief Justice after consulting the Prime Minister, represents to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that a judge of the Federal Court ought to be removed on the ground of any breach of any provision of the code of ethics prescribed under Clause (3A) or on the ground of inability, from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause, properly to discharge the functions of his office, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall appoint a tribunal in accordance with Clause (4) and refer the representation to it; and may on the recommendation of the tribunal remove the judge from office.
(3A) The Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the recommendation of the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Judges of the High Courts, may, after consulting the Prime Minister, prescribe in writing a code of ethics which shall be observed by every judge of the Federal Court.
(4) The said tribunal shall consist of not less than five persons who hold or have held office as judge of the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal or a High Court or, if it appears to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong expedient to make such appointment, persons who hold or have held equivalent office in any other part of the Commonwealth, and shall be presided over by the member first in the following order, namely, the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, the President and the Chief Judges according to their precedence among themselves, and other members according to the order of their appointment to an office qualifying them for membership (the older coming before the younger of two members with appointments of the same date).
(5) Pending any reference and report under Clause (3) the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and, in the case of any other judge after consulting the Chief Justice, suspend a judge of the Federal Court from the exercise of his functions.
(6) Parliament shall by law provide for the remuneration of the judges of the Federal Court, and the remuneration so provided shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.
(6a) Subject to the provisions of this Article, Parliament may by law provide for the terms of office of the judges of the Federal Court other than their remuneration.
(7) The remuneration and other terms of office (including pension rights) of a judge of the Federal Court shall not be altered to his disadvantage after his appointment.
(8) Notwithstanding Clause (1), the validity of anything done by a judge of the Federal Court shall not be questioned on the ground that he had attained the age at which he was required to retire.
(9) This Article shall apply to a judge of the Court of Appeal and to a judge of a High Court as it applies to a judge of the Federal Court, except that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before suspending under Clause (5) a judge of the Court of Appeal or a judge of a High Court other than the President of the Court of Appeal or the Chief Judge of a High Court shall consult the President of the Court of Appeal or the Chief Judge of that High Court instead of the Chief Justice of the Federal Court.
(10) The President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Judges of the High Courts shall be responsible to the Chief Justice of the Federal Court. Art. 125 amended by Acts 10/60, 14/62, 26/63, 59/66, A31, A566 and A885]

66. Exercise of legislative power

(1) The power of Parliament to make laws shall be exercised by Bills passed by both Houses (or, in the cases mentioned in Article 68, the House of Representatives) and, except as otherwise provided in this Article, assented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
(2) Subject to Article 67, a Bill may originate in either House.
(3) When a Bill has been passed by the House in which it originated it shall be sent to the other House; and it shall be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his assent when it has been passed by the other House and agreement has been reached between the two Houses on any amendments made in it or when it is required to be so presented under Article 68.
(4) The Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall within thirty days after a Bill is presented to him assent to the Bill by causing the Public Seal to be affixed thereto.
(4A) If a Bill is not assented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong within the time specified in Clause (4), it shall become law at the expiration of the time specified in that Clause in the like manner as if he had assented thereto.
(4B) (Repealed) .
(5) A Bill shall become law on being assented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or as provided in Clause (4A), but no law shall come into force until it has been published, without prejudice, however, to the power of Parliament to postpone the operation of any law or to make laws with retrospective effect.
(6) Nothing in this Article or in Article 68 shall invalidate any law
[confirming an undertaking given by the Federal Government to the effect that a Bill to which the undertaking relates shall not be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his assent except in accordance with the undertaking.

[Art. 66 amended by Acts A566, A584 and A885]

Gana's visit

Best known for his role as Comedian , Director and Producer for many telemovies; latest and iconic telemovie series “IVANTHAANDA HERO”. Gana visited my office to discuss further on the needs of further assistance for his his new direction Telemovie called " Kampung Kuttua".

DAP STATE CONVENTION ALBUM

CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

WE ARE CASTING OUR VOTE'S

SIVANESAN,MANOGARAN AND THE REPORTER


NEWLY ELECTED STATE COMMITTEE


SIVANESAN (VICE-CHAIRMAN)


NGA KOR MING (SECRETARY)

SIVAKUMAR (DEPUTY SECRETARY)

SIVASUBRAMANIAM

THESTAR

IPOH: Incumbent Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham has retained his post for the fifth term although he did not receive the highest number of votes during the party’s state convention.

Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran, who got the most number of votes, kept his deputy chairman’s post.

The two were among the 15 voted in to take up office-bearer positions at yesterday’s tate DAP biennial convention here yesterday.

There were 33 candidates vying for the 15 posts. A total of 306 delegates voted during the convention.

Once selected, the 15 would determine among themselves which post they would occupy. Ngeh was in fifth spot with 195 votes while Kula­segaran received 262.

The two vice-chairmen are state executive councillors A. Sivanesan , (210 votes) and Seah Leong Peng (185). Ngeh’s cousin Nga Kor Ming – who was eighth with 180 votes – retained his state secretary’s post while Jalong assemblyman Leong Mee Meng, who garnered the second highest number of votes at 223, is the new state treasurer.

Earlier when opening of the convention, Ngeh urged delegates to vote based on the merit.
“The delegates must never allow factional voting based on envy, jealousy or hatred but to vote in people who are willing to sacrifice to serve the party and the people,” he said.

Ngeh’s comments came in the wake of SMSes urging delegates to not vote in Ngeh and Nga.

Vacancy Info in MDKB

Dimaklumkan bahawa Majlis Daerah Kinta Barat membuat pengambilan jawatan kosong seperti di bawah:

1) PEGAWAI PERANCANG BANDAR DAN DESA(GRED J41)
2) PENOLONG PEGAWAI (GRED F29)
3) JURUTEKNIK (GRED J17)
4) PEMBANTU TADBIR-KEWANGAN (GRED W17)
5) PEMBANTU TADBIR (GRED N17)
6) PEMBANTU TADBIR (GRED N17)
7) PEMANDU KENDERAAN (GRED R3)

Borang permohonan boleh didapati di Jabatan Khidmat Pengurusan, aras 1, Majlis Daerah Kinta Barat, Jln Haji Abdul Wahab, Batu Gajah. Untuk keterangan lanjut sila menghubungi Majlis Daerah Kinta Barat 05-3632020/05-3632030. Tarikh tutup permohonan pada 22 Disember 2008.

Lost treasure found

It must be more than 100 years and was build on emergency time as a secret walkway to produce the accused to the court.

This tunnel walkway located at the back portion of the main stage of MBI Town Hall (In 1946- known as CPO Administration Office) in Ipoh city. There is an interesting story behind its development. (Will update from time to time)

Today, we were assisted by two gentlemen’s who have seen the tunnel walkway in 1950’s and both are living evidence for us to explore further on this new assignment.

JI member released

Press Release: The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Suspected Jemaah Islamiah terrorist Yazid Sufaat, who allegedly housed several terrorists involved in the September 2001 attacks on the United States, has been freed from under the Internal Security Act.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said Yazid, 44, was released together with another Malaysian on Nov 24.

“We released him as he had shown remorse and repentance after almost seven years of rehabilitation.

“He was released on several conditions. He has to report to the police regularly and cannot leave Selangor without police permission.

“Our officers will also be monitoring him as well as several others who have been released over the past years to ensure they do not go back to their old ways,’’ he said.

It is learnt that the government had over the past year released 17 suspected JI members including eight Indonesians.

Yazid, a biochemistry graduate from a university in the US who was detained in Jan 2002, is said to have allowed his home to be used in early 2000 as a meeting place for al-Qaeda members planning the Sept 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

Two of the men were identified as Khalid al-Midhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, who were aboard the plane which crashed into the Pentagon in Washington.

The former militrary officer had also been implicated in the 2000 Christmas Eve bombings in Medan.

He was also questioned by US investigators in November 2002 over his connection with French citizen Zacarias Moussaoui.

Yazid’s wife, Sejahtul Dursina @ Chomel Mohamad, an IT company director in Ampang, was also detained under the ISA.

The California State University graduate who was nabbed on April 17, 2002, but released on June 13 in 2002.

(Those who involved in terrorist activities can be released with condition......how about the HINDRAF 5?)

9/11 suspects face Gitmo court, victims' families

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Map, News) - The confessed architect of the Sept. 11 attacks and four alleged co-conspirators are to appear before a military judge Monday, even as the first U.S. war-crimes trials since World War II teeter on the edge of extinction.

Five relatives of victims of the 2001 al-Qaida attacks will also be on hand to observe the pretrial hearing of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed at this Navy base in southeastern Cuba.

President-elect Barack Obama opposes the military commissions - as the Guantanamo trials are called - and has pledged to close the detention center holding some 250 men soon after taking office next month.

Mohammed and the other defendants will appear before Army Col. Stephen Henley, who was assigned to the case after the previous judge resigned for undisclosed reasons in November. The defendants, who are representing themselves, are expected to question Henley about whether any conflicts would prevent him from impartially overseeing the death-penalty case.

President-elect Barack Obama opposes the military commissions - as the Guantanamo trials are called - and has pledged to close the detention center holding some 250 men soon after taking office next month.

No trial date has been set, and it is all but certain none will begin before Obama takes office on Jan. 20. Still, the U.S. military is pressing forward with the case until it receives orders to the contrary.

"We serve the sitting president and will continue to do so until President-elect Obama takes office," said Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon, a Pentagon spokesman.

Jennifer Daskal of Human Rights Watch, who is also an observer at this week's hearings, urged Obama to try terror suspects in federal court "where attention will focus on the defendants' alleged crimes rather than the unfairness of the commissions."

The military commissions have netted three convictions, but have been widely criticized for allowing statements obtained through harsh interrogations and hearsay to be admitted as evidence.

While Monday's proceedings may be laying a foundation for a war-crimes trial that never materializes, the session could be dramatic. Mohammed has previously said he wants to be executed and achieve martyrdom, but has still mounted a vigorous defense, addressing the court and asking for materials to prepare his case.

The victims' family members, who were chosen by a Pentagon lottery system, will watch from a gallery at the rear of the cavernous, high-security courtroom and will not be allowed to address the defendants.

Maureen Santora, whose firefighter son Christopher was killed at the World Trade Center, says she wants to lock eyes with those accused of killing her son and 2,972 others in the bloodiest terrorist attacks ever on U.S. soil.

Relatives of about 30 more victims, mainly firefighters, have given Santora memorial cards that she plans to bring into court "to know their spirit is with us."Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Further reductions required

Malaysia spends US$14 billion subsidising gasoline, diesel and gas each year. Effective 5 June 2008 gasoline prices increased by 40% to RM2.70/litre (US$3.30 a gallon), from RM1.92/litre (US$2.32 a gallon). Diesel prices rose by RM1.00/litre to RM2.58 (US$3.04 per gallon), a 67% increase.

It was announced that price increases were planned to bring fuel prices in line with global market cost, suggesting that it may hit US$3.80 per gallon by August. The Malaysian government has also announced a yearly cash rebate of RM625 per year to Malaysian citizens who own cars with an engine capacity of 3,000 cc or less and RM200 tax rebate to cars with an engine capacity of 3,000 cc and above to offset the increased costs.

The government introduced a temporary ban on buying fuel within 50km of the country border, but the ban was suspended following a price increase on June 7, 2008 for petrol of 41% (to MYR2.70 a litre) and for diesel of 63% (to MYR2.58).

On 22 June 2008 the Malaysian government announced plans to set up separate pumps at its border petrol stations to sell fuel to foreigners at market rates so that only locals can benefit from subsidised petrol. The new pumps will target Singaporeans and Thais who make day trips across the border to fill their tanks with cheaper fuel here. Petrol stations within 50km (31 miles) of the country's northern border with Thailand and southern border with Singapore would be affected.

On 22 August 2008 Malaysia will cut the petrol price by 5.6 percent to 2.55 ringgit (0.76 dollars) a litre due to a drop in global oil prices. The diesel price will also fall by 3.1 percent to 2.50 ringgit a litre with effect on the same day.

The government's announcement comes just three days ahead of a crucial by-election contested by opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim in the northern Penang state. Anwar, who is bidding to return to parliament after a decade-long absence, has promised to cut fuel prices substantially if he wins the poll and later wrest power from the ruling coalition.

Recently, the fuel price has dropped until MYR 2.45 and it has dropped for the second time. A further reduction was made on November 1, 2008. RON97 petrol was reduced from RM2.30 a litre to RM2.15 a litre, RON92 petrol from RM2.20 a litre to RM2.05 a litre and diesel from RM2.20 a litre to RM2.05 a litre. The Government revealed that it had ceased subsidizing petrol as of 1 November 2008 when the price of oil dipped below US$65 per barrel. However subsidies were still being paid for diesel and natural gas.

On 18 November, 2008 the Malaysian government made further reductions in the price of gasoline cut pump prices by seven per cent to RM2.00 ringgit per litre and diesel by 15 sen to RM1.90 per litre. The government said that at current prices they were making about 30 sen per litre in sales. Then again on December 3, petrol prices were reduce further. Gasoline prices were reduced 10 sen to RM 1.90 per litre and as for diesel, they were reduced 10 sen to RM 1.80 per litre.

Utusan Malaysia above the Law?

I have raised the matter earlier

(NST Online) KUALA LUMPUR, WED:

The Information Ministry is considering a special channel over Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) to broadcast Parliamentary proceedings, said its minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

However, he said, RTM would evaluate the pros and cons of the direct broadcast being implemented in other countries such as the United States (US) and Brazil.“There are countries such as the US which has its own channel dedicated to the debates and other goings-on in the Congress or Senate and when the Congress or Senate are not in session, the channel is considered as a political channel to discuss political matters specifically,” he said at the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar) who wanted to know whether the government could consider providing a special channel on the proceedings at the Dewan Rakyat, Dewan Negara and the State Legislative Assembly.“Many of the elected representatives are still using the coverage to play to the gallery to satisfy their constituents instead of concentrating on national interest or the government as a whole.

“So we will study this matter further and gauge the advantages and disadvantages (of the live coverage),” he added.

Click at the image for the large view of it.

Vacancy Info in Majlis Daerah Tapah

A. PERMOHONAN ADALAH DIPELAWA DARIPADA WARGANEGARA MALAYSIA YANG BERKELAYAKAN UNTUK MENGISI KEKOSONGAN JAWATAN-JAWATAN BERIKUT, KEUTAMAAN AKAN DIBERI KEPADA RAKYAT NEGERI PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN

1.Nama Jawatan : PEMBANTU TEKNIK
Klasifikasi : Perkhidmatan Pentadbiran & Sokongan
Kumpulan Perkhidmatan : Sokongan
Bilangan kekosongan : 1
Taraf Jawatan : Kontrak
Gred : J 29
Jadual Gaji Matrik : P1T1 RM1549.40 - P1T21 RM3046.80
P2T1 RM1620.49 - P2T21 RM3241.91
P3T1 RM1694.60 ? P3T21 RM3430.90

SYARAT LANTIKAN
1. Calon bagi lantikan hendaklah memiliki kelayakan seperti berikut:
(a) Warganegara Malaysia
(b) Berumur tidak kurang dari 18 tahun pada tarikh tutup iklan jawatan :
(c) Diploma dalam bidang kejuruteraan, seni bina atau ukur bahan yang diiktiraf oleh kerajaan daripada institusi-institusi pengajian tinggi atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf denganya.
(Gaji permulaan ialah pada Gred J29:P1T2) dan
(d) Lulus Bahasa Malaysia /Bahasa Melayu (termasuk lulus ujian lisan) pada peringkat Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia atau kelulusan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengan oleh kerajaan;


2. Nama Jawatan : PEMBANTU PENGUATKUASA
Klasifikasi : Perkhidmatan Pentadbiran & Sokongan
Kumpulan Perkhidmatan : Sokongan
Bilangan kekosongan : 1
Taraf Jawatan : Tetap
Gred : N17
Jadual Gaji Matrik : P1T1 RM820.38 - P1T24 RM2151.35
P2T1 RM871.81 - P2T24 RM2272.50
P3T1 RM924.75 ? P3T24 RM2397.95

SYARAT LANTIKAN
2. Calon bagi lantikan hendaklah memiliki kelayakan seperti berikut:
(a) Warganegara Malaysia
(b) Berumur tidak kurang dari 18 tahun pada tarikh tutup iklan jawatan;
(c) ( i ) Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengannya oleh kerajaan; atau
( ii) bekas anggota Polis Diraja Malaysia atau Angkatan tentera Malaysia yang berpangkat Koperal keatas dan telah disahkan dalam jawatan tersebut serta mempunyai rekod perkhidmatan yang baik dan berkebolehan bertutur, membaca dan menulis dalam Bahasa Malaysia dengan memuaskan;
(d) mempunyai syarat ? syarat ukuran fizikal dan pancaindera seperti berikut :
( i ) tinggi sekurang ? kurangnya 1.57m bagi lelaki dan 1.53m bagi wanita tanpa bersepatu;
( ii ) berat badan sekurang ? kurangnya 48 kg bai lelaki dan 46 kg bagi wanita;
( iii ) mempunyai ukuran dada yang biasa sekurang ? kurangnya 79sm dan semasa menarik nafas 84sm ( lelaki sahaja ) ;
( iv ) lulus ujian penglihatan bagi mata kiri dan kanan yang diuji berasingan dengan ketepatan V/6/9 tanpa menggunakan cermin mata ;
( v ) pengecaman warna dan pendengaran yang tidak cacat; dan
( vi ) diakui sihat dan sesuai oleh Pegawai Perubatan Kerajaan. dan
(e) Calon yang memiliki kelayakan di perenggan 1 ( c ) ( i ) atau ( ii ) di atas hendaklah lulus Bahasa Malaysia/ Bahasa Melayu ( termasuk lulus Ujian lisan ) pada peringkat Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia atau kelulusan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengannya oleh kerajaan


3. Nama Jawatan : PEMBANTU TADBIR ( Perkeranian dan Operasi )
Klasifikasi : Perkhidmatan Pentadbiran & Sokongan
Kumpulan Perkhidmatan : Sokongan
Bilangan kekosongan : 1
Taraf Jawatan : Kontrak
Gred : N17
Jadual Gaji Matrik : P1T1 RM820.38 - P1T24 RM2151.35
P2T1 RM871.81 - P2T24 RM2272.50
P3T1 RM924.75 ? P3T24 RM2397.95

SYARAT LANTIKAN
3. Calon bagi lantikan hendaklah memiliki kelayakan seperti berikut:
(a) Warganegara Malaysia
(b) Berumur tidak kurang dari 18 tahun pada tarikh tutup iklan jawatan;
(c) ( i ) Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf oleh kerajaan.
( ii) Sijil Perancang Bandar dan Wilayah dari UiTM yang diiktiraf oleh kerajaan atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengannya. (Gaji permulaan ialah pada Gred N17:P1T6); atau
( iii ) Sijil Institut Pertanian atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengannya oleh kerajaan.(Gaji permulaan ialah pada Gred N17: P1T8) atau
( iv) Sijil dalam bidang Kejuruteraan Ukur tanah atau Perancang Bandar dan Wilayah yang diiktiraf oleh kerajaan dari Politeknik-Politeknik tempatan atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengannya. (Gaji permulaan ialah pada Gred N17:P1T9) dan
(d) Kepujian Bahasa Malaysia /Bahasa Melayu (termasuk lulus ujian lisan) pada peringkat Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia atau kelulusan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengan oleh kerajaan; ( Keutamaan diberikan kepada calon yang berkebolehan mengendalikan komputer dan / atau mengambil trengkas )


4. Nama Jawatan : JURUTEKNIK LANDSKAP
Klasifikasi : Perkhidmatan Kejuruteraan
Kumpulan Perkhidmatan : Sokongan
Bilangan kekosongan : 1
Taraf Jawatan : Kontrak
Gred : J17
Jadual Gaji Matrik : P1T1 RM843.06 - P1T26 RM2325.37
P2T1 RM896.00 - P2T26 RM2452.46
P3T1 RM950.45 ? P3T26 RM2583.95

SYARAT LANTIKAN
4. Calon bagi lantikan hendaklah memiliki kelayakan seperti berikut:
(a) Warganegara Malaysia
(b) Berumur tidak kurang dari 18 tahun pada tarikh tutup iklan jawatan;
i)Sijil Institut Pertanian yang diiktiraf oleh kerajaan atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf denganya (Gaji permulaan ialah Gred J17:P1T8 ) atau:
ii) Sijil dalam Bidang Seni Bina,Perancang Bandar dan Wilayah atau Kejuruteraan Awam
(Seni Bina ) yang diiktiraf setaraf dengan oleh Kerajaan daripada Politeknik-Politeknik tempatan yang diiktiraf setaraf oleh kerajaan.
(Gaji Permulaan ialah Gred J17:P1T9): dan
(c) lulus Bahasa Malaysia /Bahasa Melayu (termasuk lulus ujian lisan) pada peringkat Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia atau kelulusan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengan oleh kerajaan;

B. ELAUN

Sebagai kakitangan tetap calon adalah layak menerima Imbuhan Tetap Khidmat Awam (ITKA) dan Imbuhan Tetap Perumahan (ITP) serta lain-lain elaun semasa


C. PANDUAN DAN SYARAT MEMOHON:

1. Semua permohonan hendaklah menggunakan Borang MDT.(PKDM) - 1 yang boleh didapati dengan harga RM3.00 atau mengirim sampul surat beralamat sendiri berukuran 32cm x 22cm berserta setem 30sen kepada alamat seperti yang tercatat di bawah atau mengambil sendiri di Pejabat Majlis Daerah Tapah.
2. Permohonan hendaklah disertakan dengan sekeping gambar berukuran pasport, salinan Sijil Persekolahan, Sijil Lahir, Sijil
3. Berhenti Sekolah dan lain-lain sijil yang berkaitan (semua salinan sijil mesti disahkan dan tidak dikembalikan).
4. Permohonan daripada Pegawai Kerajaan yang sedang berkhidmat hendaklah mengemukakan permohonan melalui
Ketua Jabatan selaras dengan Perintah Am Bab `A` 21 dengan menyertakan salinan Penyata Perkhidmatan bertaip yang kemaskini dan Laporan Prestasi Tahunan.

4. Alamat Permohonan:
Borang permohonan yang lengkap diisi hendaklah dikemukakan kepada:
YANG DIPERTUA,
MAJLIS DAERAH TAPAH,
35000 TAPAH.

Tarikh tutup permohonan pada atau sebelum : 28 Mac 2008

VACANCY INFO

KERETAPI TANAH MELAYU BERHAD (225943-T)

Permohonan adalah dipelawa dari Warganegara Malaysia yang berkelayakan untuk mengisi kekosongan jawatan berikut :

JAWATAN : JURUTEKNIK (GRED J07G10)

Kelayakan

· Berumur tidak lebih 28 tahun pada tarikh iklan ditutup;
· Memiliki Sijil Komputer dari Politeknik tempatan atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengannya oleh kerajaan; DAN
· Mendapat kepujian Bahasa Malaysia (termasuk lulus Ujian Lisan) di dalam Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.
Kriteria Pemilihan
· Boleh berkomunikasi dan menulis dalam Bahasa Malaysia dan Bahasa Inggeris;
· Berkemahiran dalam penggunaan komputer (eg Microsoft Word, Excel dll.);
· Sedia bertukar ke mana-mana lokasi dirangkaian KTMB;
· Bermotivasi serta boleh bekerja bersendirian.
Spesifikasi Tugas
· Memasang, menyelenggara, membaiki dan menguji perkakasan dan perisian sistem yang digunakan memenuhi spesifikasi dan prosedur keselamatan yang di tetapkan merangkumi:

a) Komputer Peribadi (PC)
b) Laptops
c) Printer
d) Plotters
e) LCD Projektor
f) Kamera Digital
g) Scanners
h) PDA
i) dan lain-lain

· Memasang perisian aplikasi termasuk Sistem Tiket (STAR), Sistem Pengurusan Operasi Tren (SPOT), Sistem Sumber Tenaga Manusia (HRMS), Sistem Kewangan dan Sistem Hartanah untuk kegunaan penguna-penguna menjalankan tugas dengan mudah dan selesa;
· Memasang dan menguji perisian sistem Windows, E-mail, Internet, Internet dan sebagainya ;
· Mengendalikan penghantaran dan penerimaan peralatan komputer kepada dan dari pengguna melalui perkhidmatan Pejabat Bungkusan, KTM Distribution Sdn Bhd.
· Mengemaskini data keluar masuk peralatan yang dibaiki dalam Sistem Maklumat Penyelenggaraan;
· Membuat ‘Trouble Shooting’ mengesan punca kerosakan peralatan komputer dan perisian aplikasi yang dilaporkan oleh pengguna;
· Membuat penyelenggaraan berjadual (Preventive Maintenance) ke atas semua peralatan komputer di seluruh rangkaian KTMB;
· Menghantar, memantau dan memeriksa peralatan yang dihantar semula kepada Pembekal untuk dibaikpulih dalam tempuh ‘Warranty Period’ dan mengambilnya setelah peralatan tersebut setelah dibaiki.




JAWATAN : PENYENGGARA AM (KONTRAK)
GRED PA10G12/ PENYENGGARA LANDASAN (KONTRAK) GRED R09G12


Kelayakan

¨ Berumur antara 18 hingga 30 tahun
¨ Sihat tubuh badan dan tidak cacat anggota
¨ Lulus SRP/PMR
¨ Boleh berkomunikasi dan menulis di dalam Bahasa Malaysia dengan baik
¨ Sanggup menjalankan tugas di mana-mana bahagian di dalam rangkaian KTM Berhad
¨ Sanggup menjalankan tugas mengikut syif




PEMBANTU TRAFIK
(GRED N09G10)

Kelayakan

· Calon luar hendaklah berumur tidak melebihi 26 tahun dan 35 tahun bagi calon yang
sedang berkhidmat dengan KTM Berhad pada tarikh iklan ditutup;
· Lulus Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia atau kelayakan yang diiktiraf setaraf dengannya oleh kerajaan;
· Mendapat kepujian Bahasa Malaysia (termasuk lulus Ujian Lisan) serta lulus
Matematik serta Bahasa Inggeris di peringkat Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia;
· Mempunyai penglihatan biasa tanpa kaca mata dengan ketetapan V6/6 bagi kedua
dua belah mata dan tidak buta warna;
· Bermotivasi serta boleh bekerja bersendirian;
· Boleh berkomunikasi dalam Bahasa Malaysia dan Bahasa Inggeris;
· Sedia bertukar dan berkhidmat di mana-mana depoh.

Spesifikasi Tugas

· Memeriksa semua tiket penumpang di atas tren;
· Memastikan penumpang-penumpang turun di destinasi yang betul mengikut tiket perjalanan;
· Memastikan semua penumpang memiliki tiket perjalanan yang sah;
· Membantu mengilirkan isyarat semboyan tangan bila mana perlu;
· Membantu melaksanakan perlindungan tren semasa tren mengalami kerosakan dan kemalangan seperti kegelinciran dan sebagainya apabila diarahkan.


Cara Memohon

Permohonan hendaklah dibuat secara bertulis dengan menyertakan resume lengkap mengandungi pengalaman, butiran peribadi, salinan sijil-sijil persekolahan yang berkaitan serta sekeping gambar berukuran paspxot dan sampul surat beralamat sendiri. Permohonan yang tidak lengkap akan ditolak.
Permohonan hendaklah sampai pada atau sebelum 15 Disember 2008 ke alamat berikut:-

Pengurus Besar
Sumber Manusia & Pentadbiran
Ibu Pejabat Korporat KTM Berhad
Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin
50621 Kuala Lumpur

Action needed to act and suspend MP for Pasir Salak for uncouth and boorish behaviour

The words, antics and behaviour of Pasir Salak MP Abdul Rahman has breached every rules of fair play and decorum in the parliament's rule book.

He used words like bastards, keling and kurang ajar regularly and gets away every time without punishment.He just says "saya tarikh balik" and gets away with it and the Speaker and deputy speaker agree and allow it to happen. This disgraceful behaviour has got to stop.

In the Dewan Rakyat that day DAP chairman Karpal Singh asked the Speaker to rule that Tajuddin must apologise for his remark "The words 'bastard' and 'bloody bastard' are not merely un-parliamentary, it is more than that because of what it means. It cannot just be retracted, he must apologise or be referred to the Privileges Committee," the Bukit Gelugor MP had said.
Likewise I demand that stern action is taken against him.

Therefore after he uttered the word keling I moved a immediate motion under Standing Order 26(1) h which reads “a motion to suspension a member."

The motion was aimed at the disgraceful conduct of the Pasir Salak who had yesterday used derogatory, very suggestive, crude and obscene village language and in addition called me a keling - a seriously derogatory words to Indians.

His uneducated and uncouth behaviour is absolutely unparliamentary and cannot be uttered in the august house and no civilised person would ever tolerate or forgive such behaviour.
My fellow MPs and colleagues also rose instantly to protest and condemn Pasir Salak and even the MIC Deputy Minister for Cameron Highlands supported our motion.

Today the MP for Batu Gajah also moved a motion urging the Speaker to reprimand the Pasir Salak for using crude, obscene and vulgar words and gestures.

I stood up and urged the Speaker to seriously consider Standing Order 26(1) in particular after Pasir Salak claimed the Speaker was bias. This is a serious allegation by the MP because it gives the impression that the Speaker is unfit to preside and is not independent in his views and actions.

On Monday the MP for Puchong was suspended for 2 days on the grounds he has used words alleging the Speaker was biased. Thus why the double standard when it comes to punishing Pasir Salak, I asked the Speaker.

I also argued that of late the general perception of the Malaysian public is that Parliament is nothing but a joke and the issues discussed are neither serious nor relevant.
Just two weeks ago the MP had used unparliamentarily words against me. Even then he just withdrew the words but he did not apologised at all. This MPs acts seriously damage the image of Parliament.

At 4.30pm I raised the order again but the presiding speaker Dato Junaidi said that he is still perusing the matters raised by us and would decide later whether to suspend the MP.
This is a unwarranted delay on the part of the Speaker.

I urged the Speaker to decide on an urgent basis on the action to be taken against Pasir Salak as the MP was absent in the morning and is only present in the house in the evening.

We hope the Speaker will make an urgent and proper decision as the soonest possible in order to restore the image of the house which had deteriorated sharply because of the unacceptable behaviour of Pasir Salak.

The need for Parliamentary Reform in Malaysia

An article on Parliamentary Reform in Malaysia

-by Kaneshwaran Govindasamy

The Malaysian Parliament has pulled through a stormy phase which resulted in the suspension of the opposition leader most recently. Consequently, a review of standing orders has been pursued by the speaker and parliamentary procedures may be tightened even more. These steps are being taken by the Malaysian government to preserve the image of parliament. Patterned after the parliament of the UK, the Malaysian parliament has been criticized for being too biased towards the ruling powers.

The Malaysian Parliament consists of Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 appointed by paramount ruler, 26 elected by 13 state legislatures; to serve three-year terms with limit of two terms) and House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

After the 12th General Elections concluded in March 2008, does the new Parliament have shown its capabilities in bringing about reforms? Uppermost in the minds of many Malaysians was whether our MPs and Parliament would stand up to uphold professionalism, modernization and democratization? The message that delivers the whole world of our MPs is their unmannerly behaviour in Parliament, with poor and unhealthy parliamentary conduct.

We all would agree that MPs should take necessary steps to ensure that the language used is more gender sensitive and that uncouth behaviour should not be tolerated in Parliament. At least I have felt that MPs who went against parliamentary rules should be fined if they refused to apologise for their indecent behaviour.

Malaysian TV viewers were shocked earlier this year when lawmakers insulted each other during the first televised parliamentary debate. In most recent weeks, the foul word threw to YB Kulasegaran by the ruling MP in the Parliament was ignored without respect and there were no serious actions taken, neither to suspend nor to demand for open apology from the Pasir Salak MP for against the parliamentary standing orders.T

unku Aziz in a recent forum in a private college in Kuala Lumpur said that there is no Ethical Code of Conduct for MPs currently in force in Malaysia in contrast to the UK. Though a Parliamentary Select Committee on Code of Ethics for MPs was formed during the term of the 11th Malaysian Parliament, it held only one meeting in June last year and hasn’t met since then. The 11th Malaysian Parliament therefore failed to deliver on putting in place a mechanism for the accountability of our MPs. MPs have to put public interest where it belongs – right at the centre of their agenda. They must concentrate on reinforcing ethical values and most importantly, practice what they preach.

The purpose of an ethical landscape in public life should be to ensure high standards of conduct – the fact that it will not necessarily increase public trust in politicians should not detract from this purpose, nor should it be a reason to abandon attempts to improve standards of conduct. It is also true that poor standard of conduct will further reduce public trust in politicians.

Education and guidance can play a part in developing the ethical landscape. MPs should be encouraged to be proactive and to see the regulation of standards of conduct not as a trap for the unwary, but as an important aspect of their position in public life. The aim of any system should be to foster a culture of compliance with the rules on standards and not just to punish the wrongdoer.

Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, Johor Baru MP and the Chairman of the Barisan Nasional Backbencher Club, believes that “if the re-introduction of integrity fails in the Parliament, it will fail elsewhere.” To succeed, there must be a clear distinction between the parliament and political parties. The need to reform Parliament is urgent as MPs in government fail to detach themselves from their party interests when in the Dewan Rakyat.

It is crucial to establish support structures to assist MPs in their legislative and oversight functions whereby this includes MPs being assigned research staff and legislative assistants, legal counsel for the Houses of Parliament and a Parliamentary Institute to train MPs in parliamentary law and procedures. Some of the suggestions are that draft copies of Bills to be supplied at least two weeks before the beginning of the session and important Bills to be committed to Select Committees of the Houses where members of the public could be heard during the committee stage.

Dato’ Param Cumaraswamy, President of Transparency International Malaysia, supported on parliamentary reform and stressed the need for leadership by example, as well as a strong political will and commitment to carry out the necessary reforms. In his view, there is an urgent need to restore integrity in politics and there must be a separation of personal and national interest. Since political parties have a code of conduct for members to adhere to, there should also be a code of conduct for elected representatives in the Parliament.

The way I see it, Reformation on the parliamentarian system is urgent. Regardless of whether parliament should sit for a whole year, reforms must be carried out immediately to ensure that MPs are given adequate opportunity to address issues of national importance together with the necessary support for them to perform professionally.

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar proposed that parliament sit for a whole year to give MPs more time to debate and pass bills. This year, Parliament was originally scheduled to sit for 71 days although the recently concluded sitting was extended by two days. As a result of the political tsunami of March 8, the recent parliamentary sitting saw a big surge of interest in parliament. MPs from both sides of the divide are clearly more active in debates than ever in part because of the increased number of opposition members, but also as a result of the reduction in the number of Barisan Nasional frontbenchers from 91 to 68 members.

According to YB Liew Chin Tong, DAP Bukit Bendera, saying that more MPs will be fighting for their chance to speak (frontbenchers are only allowed to represent the government’s stance). Before we mull over the suggestion for an ‘all year long’ parliamentary sitting, Liew would like to offer three suggestions for the immediate reform of parliament, making it more relevant and therefore more efficient. First, the weekly meeting of party whips proposed by Minister in the PM’s Department Nazri Aziz should be implemented and institutionalized as soon as possible. No mature parliament runs its affair in a free-for- all style.

In a mature parliament, the government whip will negotiate with his counterpart in the opposition to set the parliament’s agenda. The whips then arrange MPs in their respective parties to participate in parliamentary debates in the most effective manner. Second, a system of parliamentary committees is needed. Again, no mature parliament conducts its affairs without a committee system to screen bills and monitor ministerial performance.

In fact, experts on parliamentary matters would generally agree that the real work of MPs is done within these committees. Third, a ‘second chamber’ a la Westminster Hall is worth considering. To accommodate the need for MPs to address the house, the Australian and British parliaments created a second chamber, called the ‘Main Committee’ and ‘Westminster Hall’ respectively. The second chamber is a smaller hall - chaired by deputy speakers or the speaker’s assistants - that allows MPs to speak and have their speeches recorded in the Hansard, as well as to be answered by ministers. The only caveat is that the second chamber does not pass laws. With weekly whips meetings, an effective committee system and an additional chamber in place, the Dewan Rakyat’s business will be conducted in a more efficient manner without jeopardising the MPs’ chances of representing the rakyat adequately.

In 2004, YB Kit Siang, DAP Ipoh Timur, had made 12 proposals for parliamentary reform and modernization for Malaysia to have a “First World Parliament” not only in infrastructure, but mindset, culture, practices and performance. These 12 proposals for First-World Parliament should be adopted as the parliamentary agenda of both the Barisan Nasional and the Opposition in the 12th Parliament when it convenes for its first meeting in May. The proposal included:

1. Live telecast of parliamentary proceedings.
2. Daily two-hour question time.
3. Prime Minister’s Question Time twice a week.
4. Opposition MP heading the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
5. Some 30 specialist Parliamentary Select Committees with a Select Committee for every Ministry.
6. About ten general Parliamentary Select Committees to produce annual reports on progress, trends and recommendations on national integrity, IT, women’s agenda, environment, mass media, corruption, etc.
7. Allocation of certain days a week specifically to deal with Opposition business;research and constituency staffing for MPs.
8. An Opposition Deputy Speaker.
9. Modernization and democratization of Standing Orders.
10. Code of ethics for all MPs.
11. Ministers’ Parliamentary code of conduct.

The political tsunami of March 8, 2008 general election is an unmistakable mandate and demand for far-reaching changes in Malaysia after 50 years of nation-building, including the creation of a vibrant, vigorous and truly representative First-World Parliament.

The amendments to the Standing Orders should be the first step in the long-awaited parliamentary reform and modernization to pave the way for the Malaysian Parliament to become a First-World Parliament as part of the national efforts to create a “First- World Infrastructure, First-World Mentality” Malaysia.

I strongly suggest the present Malaysian Government to re-consider of the above mentioned suggestions and proposal in its effort in launching the campaign to improve the behaviour of its members of parliament and reforms in the parliament. The question of integrity is outmost crucial in expanding the role of parliament in global society.

However, I believe a panel of discussion shall need to be set up (by a mix of ruling and opposition MPs, educationist, political analyst and etc) as soon as possible provided a platform where various avenues were explored and discussed on the table. In summary, this panel shall need to conclude the moving forward commandments in strengthening the parliament and its supremacy as the representative body of the people.

by Kaneshwaran Govindasamy

NST Press Statement

DEWAN RAKYAT: Tajuddin's words cause chaos again

A MOTION to dock RM10 from Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's salary turned into a shouting match, with a Barisan Nasional backbencher using unparliamentary language against his opposition counterparts.

During the debate on a motion by Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Serdang) to cut the minister's pay for failing to fulfil his promises regarding vernacular schools, Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) used offensive words on M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) and Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak).He shouted at Kulasegaran when opposition MPs protested against remarks by Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) regarding a proposal to ban the sale of alcohol in Selangor.Pandemonium broke loose, with the opposition demanding that Tajuddin withdraw his words.Azmin voiced his displeasure to the chair, saying this was not the first time Tajuddin had used offensive words.

"He is always using disrespectful words and yet no action had been taken against him," he said in reference to Tajuddin calling Kulasegaran "b*****d" earlier this month.Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee called on Tajuddin to withdraw his remarks, but the fiery MP refused.Datuk Muhammad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) also advised Tajuddin to do so. When opposition members continued to voice their displeasure, a clearly reluctant Tajuddin complied. Less than 10 minutes later, however, he caused another stir when he called Azmin "biol" (stupid) when debating the motion.A stunned Azmin protested. "This is too much.

If it is only once or twice it is forgiveable, but every time he opens his mouth, he has no respect for anyone," he said.After prompting from Ronald to withdraw the word, Tajuddin did so -- albeit sarcastically."OK la, the good, smart... and interesting YB Gombak. I withdraw the word, biol," he said.

Rebuttal to Yin

21/11/08 I refer to Yin Ee Kiong’s letter published in NST Nov 20 under the titled caption Road Names - "Not to be changed at a whim".

I am not a State Executive Councilor to start with. I agree that road names ought not to be changed at the whims and fancies of any government of the day.

However the above titled caption cannot be made a measured attempt in any form to level criticisms against the DAP which is a component party of Pakatan Rakyat that forms the current Perak State Government, in its plan to rename Jalan Silibin to Jalan Patto. The Pakatan Rakyat Government made a pledge before the election anchored on it’s believe that there must be competency, accountability and transparency in any of it’s decision and decision making process. This believe is to add poise to Pakatan Rakyat’s commitment in ensuring a heightened public participation by all in the affairs of the State.

No decision is made by the State Government which is the ultimate authority on renaming roads. I am certain that no decision will be made by the State Authority against the wishes of the people. the recent General Election is a good history lesson for all in the seat of power. However the comments and presentation of some concerned authors who have highlighted their unhappiness in the course of action taken by DAP to look into the public sentiments on this issue of renaming the Silibin Road only goes to prove that DAP which remains a responsible component party of Pakatan Rakyat Government accepts opinions and views no matter how critical its tones suggests. We are now seeing a greater democratic space and fuller public participation by events prior to decision making process and decision itself.

I now make known my reason as to why we entertain the prospect of Jalan Silibin renamed Jalan Patto : 1. It is the public that wanted Jalan Silibin to be renamed as Jalan Pattoo.

2. It is the public that wanted a man seen not as a DAP icon but one who contributed immeasurably the alternative views in parliament against the government of the day, be remembered and never be forgotten in the annals of our history.3. It is the public that suggested that the late Patto be remembered in Silibin as the residents of this area are the ones who gave him the voice in parliament.

4. And yet again it is the public’s assurance that Jalan Silibin has no historical value and renaming it as Jalan Patto would only add and enhance rather than take away a shining shard in the history of this place.And why these great numbers of voices did not come to the public knowledge?

The answers are simple and many. One that stands out is that these voices are of ordinary laborers, stall holders, shop-owners, house wives and little people of Silibin who struggle with their daily lives and possessing no ability or eloquence of writers like Yin Ee Kiong who had come out to oppose the renaming. DAP has gone to the streets to get their views and such "turun padang" attitude matters most to the ordinary man in the streets and to us.

In any case we are in the process to have a public forum to discuss about this matter and a decision would be taken in due course.

M. Kulasegaran MP Ipoh Barat

Press Release

Malaysia Nanban (23/11/08)

Sin Chew (23/11/08)

P.Patto's Family call for PC

"DAP is my family. With due respect to DAP leaders and Pakatan Rakyat government, we dont want Silibin Road to be renamed as P.Patto road. Let it be as it is. I just want the people to follow his vission an mission. That will make us happy."

"Dear reporter's pls dont write anything as per your wish to make your paper's hot cake. So far we never received any courtesy calls from the reporter's on this matter. You all should come forward to collect the opinions from the family members. We also do have something to say on this matter. "

"Many have taken this matter as their personal agenda to gain the pages in newspapers. Congrats and well done. Its a disgrace for a professional lawyer to say that he dont know who is P.Patto. He must feel shamed of him self" - Mrs.Mary Patto

Renaming of Silibin Road

We embarked to renaming the Silibin road after we got public suggestion to rename Silibin Road. From our findings we found Silibin road does not have any real historical significance. P.Pattoo was the former MP of this area, thus renaming of this road would be befitting this past leader.

It has to be bourn in mind the proposed change will not alter the area being still referred to as Silibin. In due compliance of the workings of Local Agenda 21 we decided to consult with local residents. Local Agenda 21 requires that before a major decision is made which will affect the lives of local residents due consultations ought to be effected.

Due to this we proceeded to obtain feedbacks from the residents living along Jalan Silibin. There were objections but many agreed to the road renaming. We did this survey because we are not arm chair critics and neither are we arrogant as lambasted by some.

It must be noted no new roads signage’s has been placed. This is because we have only suggested this idea and no final decision to change the road name have been made. We are just doing matters in a transparent manner and at the same time adhering to Local Agenda 21. Since when it’s wrong to get public feed back?

Notwithstanding the above I totally agree with many who have said Ipoh has lost most of its links with the past when roads like Brewster Road, Huge Low Street Thompson Road were renamed. I would suggest the authorities to relook into this and many other roads which were renamed to be reverted to the original name.

Having said this we are always ready and willing to hear differing and or alternative views even criticisms!

Questions for November Full Board Meeting

Tarikh : 19/11/08


Y BHG TUAN HJ. ROSHIDI B. HJ HASHIM
Datuk Bandar
Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh
Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil
Greetown, 30450 Ipoh
Perak Darul Ridzuan

Y Bhg Datuk,

SOALAN-SOALAN UNTUK SIDANG MESYUARAT PENUH BULAN NOVEMBER

Dengan segala hormatnya merujuk kepada perkara diatas.

2. Saya ingin membangkitkan beberapa soalan untuk perhatian Datuk demi kepentingan masyarakat setempat. Dengan ini, saya pohon jasa baik pihak Datuk untuk membalas soalan ini pada Mesyuarat Penuh yang akan datang secara lisan.

3. Soalan-soalan saya adalah seperti yang berikut:-

a. Kewujudan terowong bawah tanah di bangunan Dewan Bandaraya Ipoh dikatakan benar dan apakah pelan MBI dalam membuka tirai kepada terowong ini untuk menjadikan ianya sebagai satu destinasi pelancongan untuk mempromosikan Bandaraya Ipoh? Juga sila nyatakan kepanjangan (maklumat teknikal) dan keadaan semasa terowong tersebut?

b. Sila nyatakan segala maklumat projek yang sedang (kerja- kerja naik taraf longkang dan aliran air) dijalankan di Taman Rekreasi Polo khsusunya kos kontrak dan pernahkah MBI menjalankan tinjauan dimana kebanyakkan pokok-pokok di taman ini mula diancam (dying) disebabkan oleh takungan air? Adakah kerja yang dijalankan ini akan memberi nafas baru kepada masalah takungan air yang menjadi punca utama untuk kematian pokok-pokok di taman ini?

c. Tanah yang didiami oleh pembasuh-pembasuh kain (dobi) dijalan Silibin adalah dimilik oleh MBI dan kenapakah sehingga hari ini bangunan yang kian lama itu tidak diperbaharui sehingga sekarang dan adakah MBI mempunyai apa-apa cadangan untuk mewartakan tanah itu kepada pengusaha industri dobi tersebut?

d. Sila nyatakan tindakan yang diambil untuk memastikan kebersihan pada semua waktu dan kesihatan makanan yang disaji disemua restauran dan gerai makanan?. Sudahkah MBI sedia untuk mengeluarkan sistem taraf/kategori kebersihan mengikut piawai A,B dan C bagi semua restauran dan gerai makanan sepertimana yang sedang diimplementasikan oleh beberapa majlis tempatan contohnya Bandaraya Kuching Selatan.

e. Adakah MBI mempunyai apa-apa pelan untuk menyewa tanah milikannya kepada syarikat telekomunikasi untuk mendirikan pencawang ataupun menaranya? Jika ianya diamalkan, sila nyatakan apakah rancangan yang digunakan serta nyatakan berapakah bilangan yang disewakan? Jika tidak, sila kemukakan kenapakah sistem ini tidak diamalkan?


4. Segala usaha Datuk dalam perkara ini amatlah dihargai dan didahului dengan ribuan terima kasih.

Sekian, dimaklumkan.

Salam Ta'zim


“Berkhidmat Untuk Rakyat”



M.Kula Segaran

A GOOD WAY TO GATHER INFORMATION

Yesterday (16/11/08) noon at 1.00pm, DAP Perak received visitor's from Bukit Bintang which was headed by MP Fong Kui Lun and was welcomed by me and Menglembu ADUN Lim Pek Har.

After a short dialogue session, we took them for a lunch in Florex Restaurant, one of the famous chinese seafood restaurant in Ipoh Town.