"Jets, Subs Purchased According To Procedure," Says Najib

The purchase of Sukhoi jets and Scorpene submarines were made based on proper Government procurement procedures, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the procedures were checked by the central agency before the signing of the contract.

"I have already made statements previously. The purchase of the submarines was not something that was done without following acquisition procedures. The accounts of the joint venture companies were audited and people can look at it," he told reporters Tuesday after the Workers Day celebrations at the Defence Ministry level here.

Perimeker Sdn Bhd, which was said to have received the commission, is a joint venture between Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), Boustead Holdings Bhd and KS Ombak Laut Sdn Bhd.

"Don't make wild allegations. You must focus on actual facts," he said when asked to comment on Opposition Leader Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail calling for the Government to set up an independent commission of inquiry into the purchase of Scorpene submarines and Sukhoi jets.

She claimed that the purchase of the two submarines worth RM4.5bil through negotiated tender had attracted attention as a commission exceeding RM540mil had been paid to Perimeker Sdn Bhd owned by Abdul Razak Baginda who was an adviser to Najib.

She said in the purchase of the Sukhoi jets worth RM3.2bil, IMT Defence Sdn Bhd, a company controlled by former Malacca chief minister Datuk Adib Adam, was paid a RM380mil commission.

Najib said in the case of Sukhoi, the Russian Government had the right to appoint the agent.

In his earlier statement, Najib had said that the allegations that commission was paid to Razak Baginda were baseless.

He explained that there was no commission paid to Perimeker as alleged by the opposition because it was done through direct negotiation in line with the Government acquisition procedures. (The Star)

***** And what if we disagree with the DPM? Do we too get hauled up by the cops for 'investigations' followed by charges in court under this or that Act?
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Sultan Orders Perak MB To Reinstate JAIP Director Immediately

Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah has ordered Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to reinstate Datuk Jamry Sury as Perak Religious Department (JAIP) director immediately.

The Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, acting on orders of the Sultan and in his capacity as Perak Malay Customs and Religious Council chairman, summoned Nizar to his palace here at 11am Friday to convey the order to him.

Nizar, who was at the time chairing the Perak Water Board meeting, gave waiting reporters the slip as he rushed off to the palace to meet Raja Dr Nazrin.

In a statement issued by the palace later, Raja Dr Nazrin told Nizar that all Islamic matters, including those involving religious bodies and agencies, came under the jurisdiction of the Sultan.

"As such, the Mentri Besar is responsible to seek the consent of the Sultan or the Regent, pertaining to issues of appointment, placement and transfer of officers and staff who manage Islamic affairs, what more a person who holds such an important post," he said.

He added that Jamry, as the JAIP director, was also the secretary of the council and his appointment three years ago had received the Sultan's blessing.

Raja Dr Nazrin also said that any action taken without royal consent was considered to be an act of total disregard for himself and the Sultan.

"This working relationship of mutual respect has always been the working culture and convention revered by previous Mentris Besar and the palace. As such, it should be respected at all times," he said.

Raja Dr Nazrin also advised Nizar that in meting out any punishments, he had to ensure that justice was upheld at all times.

"The stability of any government or administration depends on the principle of holding on to fixed rules and procedures. It is our belief that natural justice must always be followed so that no individual would become victim of any act of defamation or oppression by whomever has more power," he said.

Raja Dr Nazrin also said that anyone accused of wrongdoing should be given the right to defend and explain himself so that fair consideration could be accorded to him.

"If Jamry had broke any rule or committed any wrongdoing towards the state government, the matter should be officially forwarded to the Sultan for his perusal. This is so that lawful procedures can be followed before any final decision is made," he said.

When contacted, Jamry confirmed that he had received an SMS informing him of his reinstatement but declined to comment until he received an official letter from the State Secretariat.

State secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim could not be reached for comment. (The Star)

***** The Sultan is absolutely correct in the decision which he has made and in the royal advice that he gave the new MB.

I'm surprised that the Menteri Besar would have gone ahead with the sacking without legal advice. The usual practice would have been to consult the state legal adviser who would have at least apprised him of the need to get royal consent. Anyway it is a good experience for the MB. It's a lesson he won't forget for a long time.

'Sabah More Important Than 2nd Space Mission'

Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred M. Bumburing urged the Government to suspend - if not stop altogether - its angkasawan programme as sending man into outer space will not bring any immediate benefit to Malaysia in general.

Bumburing who is United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Deputy President said, instead, the Government should utilise the money in developing Sabah.

Speaking at a meet-the-people session here attended by some 500 party members and supporters, he said the money should be used to develop Sabah as a food producing state.

"There is no point spending millions of ringgit to send man into space when we are still totally depending on rice imports to feed our citizens.

"Currently the world is facing a food crisis where several third world countries are facing severe food shortages. Sabah is only producing slightly above 35 per cent of its rice requirement and should the percentage dip below this, our rice and food situation in Sabah would be considered to be at a disastrous level. "By right, Sabah and Sarawak should be able to produce its own rice if everyone is committed into embarking on rice cultivation with government assistance," he said.

Bumburing said when he was a member of the State Cabinet (1999-2000), a proposal was made to identify 20,000 hectares to be developed for rice cultivation. The proposal was followed up by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, then under Datuk Lajim Hj Ukin and he remembered being told that an area had been identified.

"But until now, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry seems to be still in the process of identifying those areas. I suggest that if those suitable areas are under forest reserve, the Government can turn other hilly and untenable state land into forest reserve and release this suitable land to be developed for rice cultivation."

The session was part of Bumburing's roadshow around the various polling centres throughout the Tuaran Parliamentary constituency. "I call upon all Upko members to work harder to strengthen the party and to consolidate its membership. The recent election showed that the opposition candidates managed to obtain some votes even in areas where the said opposition candidates didn't even go and campaign. "This is something that every branch and divisional leaders must analyse and rectify," he said.

The MP assured that he would strive to get the Federal Government to build two bridges crossing the Tuaran river, one connecting Tuaran Town with Sungai Damit and the other connecting Kiulu Town with the surrounding villages across the Tuaran river. (Daily Express, Sabah)

***** Unfortunately for Sabah its rice production has less propaganda value for Umno than sending a 'heroic' Malay to angkasa lepas. Not that the earlier trip helped them in the last elections.

Malaysian Opposition Party To Review Penang Project

Malaysian opposition party, the ethnic Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party, will review plans for the $8-billion Penang Global City Centre project, the party's state treasurer, Phee Boon Poh, told Reuters on Monday.

In January, domestic media said the Malaysian government had asked developers to scale down the real estate project in northern Penang state following widespread protests from residents.

Small Malaysian property developer Equine Capital Bhd (EQUE.KL: Quote, Profile, Research), valued at just $87 million, owns 25 percent of Abad Naluri, the unlisted firm behind the government project, which will include luxury homes, shopping centres, parks, convention and performing arts centres.

Shares of Equine were down 29 percent at 1.01 ringgit by 0416 GMT. (Reuters)

***** This move is sure to send shivers down the spine of certain Gerakan and Umno leaders and their cronies. Good move DAP but let not this enthusiasm lead to a witch hunt.

Grateful Govt Reappoints ACA D-G On One-year Contract For A Job 'Well Done'

Anti-Corruption Agency director-general Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan has been reappointed to the post on a one-year contract following his mandatory retirement on May 26 next year.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said Ahmad Said would serve in the graft-busting agency's top post until May 25, 2009.

He was reappointed as his services were still needed, Mohd Sidek said in a statement.

He said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has consented to the reappointment under Section 3(3) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.

Penang-born Ahmad Said was appointed ACA director-general on May 14 this year. (Bernama)

***** Who said that our government doesn't reward those who truly deserve it? the ACA has been hyperactive recently and without fail followed and implemented our kerajaan's matlamat. What better honour for an obedient servant than to have his tenure extended. The same way that the government now seeks to amend the constitution to accommodate another loyal and servile errand boy, the chairman of the Election Commission. In our country all this and more are good examples of our patriotic slogan, Malaysia Boleh!
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Malaysia Not Ready To Join International Criminal Court. Most Banana Republics Usually Never Are

Malaysia is not yet ready to sign the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Dewan Rakyat was told Wednesday.

Foreign Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said that although Kuala Lumpur recognised the statute in principle, there were lingering questions over the interpretation of certain terms.

"Although many countries have ratified it, there's no need for us to rush headlong into it as many other big powers and so-called champions of human rights have yet to do so," he said in reply to M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat here.

The court was established by the Rome Statute of the ICC, so called because it was adopted in Rome on July 17, 1998. The statute entered into force on July 1, 2002. To date, 105 countries have become parties to the statute.

Ahmad Shabery said that signing the statute meant that Malaysia may have to change some of its laws.

He further said that many countries had to ink the ICC treaty as they wanted to put their war-checkered past behind them.

Malaysia did not have that kind of problem and, for this reason, there was no need for the country to make a hasty decision with regard to the ICC treaty, he said.

The ICC is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. (Bernama)

***** So basically this stubborn reluctance to ratify, boils down to the fact that we have to change certain internationally unacceptable and draconian laws which keep the government free from domestic criticism, allow the authorities to suppress any attempt to publicly expose government wrongdoing and to indiscriminately misuse the power of arrest for petty political reasons.

The other lame excuses given by the Foreign Ministry parliamentary secretary is pure sandiwara and not to be taken seriously.
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Allegations Over Destruction Of Rainforests Unfounded, Says Musang Aman. Can We Believe Him?

Malaysia reiterates that the allegations by some western countries over indiscriminate opening of oil palm plantations and destruction of its rainforests and habitats are unfounded.

Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, in saying this last night, urged the western non-governmental organisations to stop their smear campaigns because Malaysia is committed to protecting the environment.

"Of course we are very concerned about these allegations and I want to put on record that we, Malaysians, love our forests and their biodiversity.

"We're not going to destroy them because we know that the forests can provide us with a lot of good things.

"We're proud of our eco treasures from mountain high to ocean deep. This is also our selling point in getting tourists to the state," he said at a dinner to welcome participants of the Oana Workshop on Sustainable Forest Management here.

Musa said that Malaysia had developed environment-friendly practices in its oil palm management and production through research and development (R&D) programmes and had largely stopped felling virgin forests for oil palm 10 years ago.

However, despite its strong commitment towards sustainable forest management, it had had to face negative publicity campaigns from time to time, he said.

Welcoming the move by the Organisation of Asia Pacific News Agencies' (Oana) secretariat to hold the workshop in Sabah, Musa hoped that the participants, particularly foreign journalists, would be able to personally see the conservation efforts by the government and write truthfully, thus correcting the misconception. (Bernama)

***** Just speaking like a dedicated conservationist while behaving like a modern-day lanun isn't going to convince anyone. Can we believe Musang Aman's heart-rending fairy tale?
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Sukhoi Jet Purchase Is For RMAF Modernisation, Says Najib. Is This Completely True?

How wrong could so many of you folks have been? Shame on all of you! Trying to insinuate that there is an ulterior motive to the noble and strategic purchase of these Russian jets. Don't you lot have even a little regret to so unfairly and unjustly blame of all people our Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is also Defence Minister of trying to make a quick buck in the form of kickbacks? Some of you fibbers even put the figure (the kickbacks) at hundreds of millions of RM.

What is it with you chaps? Do you dislike our beloved DPM so much? Just recently PKR's Tian Chua tried to pass off a doctored photo of Datuk Seri with Altantuya and Razak Baginda, but thank God the opposition leader was caught out. But this persistent rumour spread and kept alive by some of you irresponsible folks that there is more to this Sukhoi purchase than meets the eye is intolerable. There is absolutely no truth at all to it. In fact our well respected DPM has spoken in Parliament and has clearly stated that the purchase of the Su-30MKM jet fighters is part of the modernisation of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in safeguarding the nation's air space. If you don't believe me please read the following Bernama report below and repent.

The purchase of 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets does not mean that the nation's security is under threat, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said although the nation was not under any major threat, due to prevailing uncertainties the Malaysian armed forces had to take the necessary precautions against subversive elements that could disrupt peace in the country.

"The purchase of the Su-30MKM jet fighters is part of modernisation of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in safeguarding the nation's air space. This has to do with the Air Power Doctrine that outlines strategies in protecting the nation's interest," he added in his reply to Bernard S. Maraat (BN-Pensiangan) in the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Najib said the aim of making the Malaysian armed forces a conventional unit that was balanced, versatile and credible was the basis for a balanced force development in enhancing the nation's defence capability. He said this included manpower, equipment and weaponry based on the nation's defence policy and security strategy.

He added that the defence development strategy was towards enhancing current combat and military operation capabilities as well as planning for future modernisation and security operational needs including those on a joint and interoperable basis.

To a supplementary question from Maraat on the operation manual and training in handling the Sukhoi jet fighters, Najib said the RMAF had no problems with these as the pilots were being given training.

"At the moment, four fighter jet pilots are being trained in Russia, while 117 technicians and other officers are undergoing training in India," he said.

The agreement for the purchase of the Su-30MKM jet fighters costing US$900 million (RM3.42 billion) was officially signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Malaysia in May 2003.

***** So there you are. Everything is above board. Never mind if a few ungrateful so-called aviation experts too have cast doubt on the purchase. They are probably part of the subversive elements which our patriotic and honest DPM was referring to. And please don't forget that this deal is actually a bargain. For a mere RM3.42 billion we're not only getting the most modern fighter jets in the world, we also very cleverly managed to strike a deal to get one of our astronauts into space for free! Smart huh?
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Bernama report: Guideline On Praying At Space Station Requires Meticulous Study, JAKIM Says.

"Broga Incinerator Project Cancelled As It's Too Expensive," Says Najib - Is This True?

The Government had decided to cancel the RM1.5bil incinerator project in Broga last year as it was very costly to build and to maintain.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Najib Tun Razak said the decision last year was made at a meeting he chaired with the Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

Speaking to the reporters here he said the decision was not due to any protest or court action but due to the high capital cost and keeping fee to have such incinerator.

"The studies showed that the Broga incinerator system, which cost more than RM1.5bil, is very expensive. (TheStar update)

***** Since when has a 'mere' RM1.5bil stopped the government from carrying out its plans?

The incinerator, which would have been the region's largest, was awarded to a consortium comprising Japan's Ebara Corporation and local leech Harta Summa (I wonder which Umnoputra is linked here?) Ebara, had last year completed the design and proceeded with the viability and environmental studies on the incinerator.

The project sparked a storm of protests from environmentalists and residents in Broga in Semenyih, south of the federal capital, who alleged the incinerator was untested and a health hazard. The residents held demonstrations and obtained a court injunction to stop the project but the order was set aside. (This application to the Court of Appeal was in response to the earlier verdict.)

However, the status of the project became doubtful after the ministry's technical committee decided to have a re-look at it which led to speculations that the incinerator might be scaled down or even scrapped.

In August 2006 reports surfaced that due to unceasing protests and the legal proceedings, the project was to be shelved. However Ebara corporation not taking kindly to our government suddenly developing cold feet had claimed compensation of RM500 million.

Business Times Singapore reported last year: "The reason (for the about-face) could be rooted in politics: the project simply is not popular as no neighbourhood wanted it in their backyard.

Indeed, the project has been plagued by delays. Originally mooted in 2003 during the government of former premier Mahathir Mohamad, the incinerator was slated for Puchong, a working-class industrial township south-west of Kuala Lumpur. But fierce protests from residents there killed it.

Broga, a rural outpost to the south of Kuala Lumpur, was the government's next choice. But even its residents attempted to stop the project by way of a court injunction.

The injunction was set aside and the project was awarded to a consortium led by Ebara. But the growing unpopularity of Mr Abdullah's administration over cost-of-living hikes may have had a bearing on the project, the businessmen said.

There was also anxiety in the government over the environmental side effects of waste disposal projects.

In any case, the policy reversal is bound to spark a battle over compensation for invested monies and foregone earnings. A previous policy reversal involving the scrapping of a half-bridge to replace Malaysia's side of the Causeway is already being fiercely contested.

Moreover, the businessmen said that Ebara had submitted a RM500 million claim to the government for progress payments over a month ago."

***** So considering all the details given above, could we reasonably conclude that political motives and not financial prudence was the prime consideration which led to the cancellation of the project?

But all of us have to ponder over one observation in the Business Times report:

Meanwhile, something will have to replace the project. Kuala Lumpur churns out 2,700 tonnes of waste a day, which is more than its disposal sites can handle. The amount of rubbish in the Malaysian capital alone is more than 40 per cent of the 6,240 tonnes of rubbish burnt a day in Singapore.

Now that's indeed a very worrisome prospect! Any ideas on overcoming this before it raises a stink?
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Another Barisan Nasional Sandiwara?

Yesterday Bernama carried this 'Semuanya OK on the Indian front' report:

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today the government would look into a proposal submitted by the MIC to help improve the lot of the Indian community in the education and economic sectors.

"We have made some special provisions for the Indian community before. Datuk Seri Samy (Vellu) also made some additional suggestions during a meeting just now and that has been forwarded to me.

"I stated at the assembly to bring the matter to the Cabinet for the proposal to be implemented," he told reporters after opening the 61st MIC General Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here.

Abdullah was commenting on the proposal submitted by the MIC to the government three weeks ago for the upliftment of the Indian community in the education and economic sectors.

The proposal was submitted by MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

Asked on the progress of efforts to achieve the target of three per cent Indian equity by 2010, Abdullah said the Indian community has "to work very hard" to achieve the target. Currently, the Indian share of the equity is reported to be around 1.3 per cent.

***** Just for how many more years is Samy Vellu, and for that matter the Barisan leadership, especially the Umno top brass going to continue this annual sandiwara? Without fail, prior to and at every MIC AGM, Samy Vellu will reel out the same mantra using key words like "Cabinet, Prime Minister, proposals, Indian corporate share, looking into, very concerned, grateful" etc etc. and at the end of the day nothing is done and no concessions or so-called special provisions are made. The moment the PM leaves the AGM venue everything is forgotten and the average, poor Indian is left to his own devices to eke out a living sometimes in dreadful conditions of near apartheid and slavery only to be reminded at the next AGM how fortunate they all are to have such a caring Umno leadership and efficient MIC president! In the interim they are sometimes treated worse than dogs and Federal ministers either speak of them publicly as dark-skinned low class people or spit their racist venom as did a former lunkhead of an Education Minister while visiting Ukraine when his chauvinistic eyes spied many Indians studying medicine there.

While the neo-Maharajah Samy Vellu lords it over the MIC rank and file and ministry underlings in KL, his country cousins are living pitifully in bandaraya flats, slums and ghettos. That is the stark reality facing these most loyal of Barisan voters who unfailingly cast their lot with the ruling party only to be shafted, day in and day out, by the same ingrates whom they voted into power. Maybe there is logic and method to this racist madness which keeps them uneducated, uninformed and in perpetual dire straits. Perhaps people who are too busy trying to just survive aren't too discerning when exercising their electoral responsibilities.
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Pak Lah's Explanation On Interfaith Conference Not Convincing

Only yesterday our PM very wisely observed that the Malaysian People Can No Longer Be Fooled. Alas only a mere 24 hours has elapsed since he spoke like a sage and now Pak Lah himself has gone back on his own opinion and is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

According to the PM an international Muslim-Christian dialogue, dubbed the "Building Bridges" Conference, scheduled to be held this week in Malaysia was postponed and not cancelled. Reading the Bernama report on it, one cannot help but feel angered at the weak reasons the PM has given for its 'postponement'.

He said he had asked the organiser to move the conference to a later date as he himself wanted to attend the conference, which he described as important. "I had to postpone it. We will find another suitable date," he added. Come now Pak Lah, do you honestly expect anyone to believe that such a conference was 'postponed' because it is sooo important that you just had to attend it? Common sense would demand that other less important events in his very busy diary should have made way for this conference if he actually had the intention of allowing it to be hosted here, let alone attend it. The simple truth is that the meeting has been disallowed and cancelled. Period.

Along the way someone either bungled in permitting the conference to be held in KL in the first place, or due to eleventh hour protests and objections from powerful religious and other hardline quarters, the government developed cold feet. Never mind that Persian Gulf Arab state Qatar had previously played host and had not lost its 'Islamicness'. But then again, Qatar like other genuine Muslim countries doesn't have to worry about what others think about their policies vis a vis Islam. Here, in religiously insecure and legally secular Malaysia with a 50% non-Muslim population, the government has to work extra hard and smart to be counted as an 'Islamic nation' although the Federal Constitution states otherwise. So if we have to outdo even Sunni Pakistan or Shiite Iran to secure our Islamic credentials, so be it. Illusions and external image alas have to be preserved and maintained too!

The "Building Bridges" Conference, chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, is an annual get-together of religious academics convened after the Sept 11 2001 terror attacks in the United States to foster interfaith dialogue.

Held so far in London, New York, Qatar and Sarajevo, the conference was set to be held in Kuala Lumpur this week but the Malaysian government reportedly cancelled the event at the 11th hour.

Replying to a question, Abdullah said a new date had not been fixed yet. "I have an important role. I don't want it to be held when I'm not around," he said.

This is one of those occasions in which one can't help but be disappointed with Pak Lah. Tun Dr Mahathir perhaps would have disallowed the same conference when he was in power but he would have done it in style and would not have resorted to pathetic unconvincing untruths to justify it.
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"Integrity A National Agenda," Says Pak Lah.

Bernama in a report today stated that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants the public as well as the private sector to adopt all government policies in integrity for the good of the nation.

Abdullah, who has championed the need for integrity in all dealings since taking power more than three years ago, said that integrity was a "national agenda" which had to be looked into not only by the federal government but also at the state level.

"Whatever guidelines we have issued on integrity must be used by all. We have reasons to draft such guidelines and once everyone follows, then we have a government and private sector moving in unison to attain greater integrity," he said.

He said this after launching two books -- Corporate Social Responsibility: Our First Look and National Integrity System: A Guiding Framework -- published by the Integrity Institute of Malaysia at his office here today.

He said the publication of the two books proved that the government was serious in its effort to create a government with integrity and good governance.

"We also need to prove that what we say about integrity is followed-up with actions...only then can we really say that we have a government with integrity," he added.

He said the book on Corporate Social Responsibility was a guideline for the corporate world, explaining what the government expected from the private sector in terms of integrity. "These books must be read, understood and implemented for the good of the nation," he said.

Abdullah also called on the Integrity Institute of Malaysia to work closely with other similar institutes to gain more ideas and create networking to better the government's integrity agenda.

Earlier, the prime minister chaired a three-hour cabinet committee meeting on integrity and good governance.

***** Attain greater integrity? Good governance? ........ Am I dreaming?
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Will Giving 12 Weeks Maternity Leave Affect Productivity?

According to Bernama, a senator Monday urged the government to extend maternity leave from 60 days to 84 days or 12 weeks in line with the Maternity Protection Convention 2000, which Malaysia had ratified.

Senator Heng Seai Kei said that according to an International Labour Organisation (ILO) report, Malaysia was among 25 countries having maternity leave of only 60 days and the duration was among the shortest by international standards.

"Eighty countries have approved the duration of maternity leave to be more than 12 weeks including Singapore and Indonesia," she said when debating the royal address in the Dewan Negara, Monday.

She said the convention, passed at the ILO's 88th general assembly in 2000, stipulated that maternity leave should not be less than 14 weeks.

Heng said that although the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil had brought up the matter to the Cabinet, it had not been approved, fearing it would affect productivity and the government administration.

"The reasons given were not justifiable and the decision ought to be reviewed for the wellbeing of women workers," said Heng.

She added that statistics from 1970 showed women made up 47 per cent of the Malaysian work force compared to 60 per cent in developed countries and they were mostly in the 19-55 age group.

***** I don't know why the government is reluctant to implement the 12 weeks leave proposal. If it has worked well in other countries there is no reason why it should not be allowed here. If we take a short-sighted view on the maternity leave duration, then it would seem that productivity and the smooth running of a department will be affected. But with contingency plans and others covering for the staff on maternity leave ideally there should be no real difficulty. The problem will only arise if too many staff go on leave at the same time. Even that question can be solved by having a judicious mixture of both genders. In the long run, a rested and mentally unencumbered mother will prove more effective than one who is harassed and tired.
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Do You Believe This Pak Lah Statement? - "Government Doesn't Discriminate When Recruiting For The Civil Service!"

Either I'm experiencing a premature deterioration of my mental faculties, as I disagree with his statement, or there is something seriously wrong with our Prime Minister's opinion on recruitment to the civil service. The racial composition of our public service is so blatantly lopsided and so very heavily tilted towards the Malay, one has to be either totally blind or extremely thick-skinned to still persist in maintaining a façade of fairness and equality. Please read the following report from the NST and comment.

The government does not discriminate when recruiting for the civil service, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

In a written reply to M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat), Abdullah said in implementing the intake of new candidates for the civil service, the Public Service Commission (SPA) had never used the racial factor in approving an application.

Abdullah said various steps had been taken to strengthen the intake of non-Bumiputeras into the civil service.

These included advertising in Chinese and Tamil as well as Sabah and Sarawak newspapers on the vacancies; simplifying the applications for vacancies via the Internet; organising Open Day to attract applicants; inviting teachers from vernacular schools for briefings to inculcate interest among SPM school holders to join the civil service; and holding career day at local institutes of higher learning.

Abdullah said in 2004, a total of 16,338 people were recruited into the civil service and this increased to 17,031 in 2005 and 18,544 last year.

***** The PM is talking about the easy part and that is in getting the non-Malays to apply for the posts. Even if the government gives minimum publicity, those interested will find a way to submit their application forms. That is not a stumbling block. The problem comes only after the forms are submitted and racist selection committees reject their applications and many non-Malays unfortunately end up with dukacita letters. This is what Pak Lah has to address and change if he is sincere in his wish to see a fair recruitment to the civil service which accurately reflects the true racial composition of our population. Will he?
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Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan Is Acting Like An Umno Politician

Well, well, well. It looks like civil servants have also picked up the arrogant, "you shall never ever criticize me and make my bloopers public" bad habit from our politicians! The following report in the Malay Mail explains why.

‘Don't issue a directive if you don’t like the results.’ This was the general sentiment of the public when asked to comment on the reaction by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan to reports in The Malay Mail last week.

On March 28, The Malay Mail had contacted 10 Government agencies from numbers listed on their websites to see if they were adhering to Mohd Sidek’s directive to Government departments to improve services. The paper tested if the agencies picked up telephone calls to their respective departments within three rings, which was one of the directives issued.

Of the 10, six passed the ‘test’ while Social Security Organisation, the Employees Provident Fund, Public Service Department and National Higher Education Fund failed. The Housing and Local Government Ministry, Welfare Department, Road Transport Department, Immigration Department, Education Ministry and the Consumer Claims Tribunal passed the test.

Many cited the large number of calls daily as the reason for operators not being able to pick up the phone by the third ring.

Following the series of reports, a reporter from The Malay Mail was summoned to Mohd Sidek’s office in Putrajaya, where the latter labelled the tests carried out by the paper as “doing a disservice to the country.” He also said highlighting the explanations of the agencies that had failed the ‘tests’ were not beneficial to the public sector.

***** Who does the Chief Secretary think he is? The number one public servant or a cheapskate Umno politician? How dare he summon a member of the press and then demand that the truth about the inefficiency of government departments be not published. And that too with the excuse of “doing a disservice to the country.” If he genuinely had the long term interest of the public in mind, he would have instead thanked the Malay Mail for doing a great public service by exposing bureaucratic shortcomings, as well as opening his eyes to the blatant ignoring of his directive. If his writ doesn't run even in the corridors of the recalcitrant and remarkably fossilized government departments, what hope has he of trying to smother the issue by summoning the press?

The Chief Secretary had better make up his mind and decide once and for all if he wishes to stay where he is or would prefer a different role as a politician. I'm sure the civil service can easily find a suitable replacement even today.

Read the entire Malay Mail article HERE.
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'One-Stop' Website To Access Government Services.

The following report is from TheStar which is being published here for the benefit of those who might have missed it. With the current messy situation when you want to connect to several ministries or government departments with an unnerving number of URLs to remember, the kerajaan has decided to have the equivalent of a 'one-stop' website. Read the article and bookmark the site for future use.

By V.P SUJATA

Do you know how many Internet sites you need to click on when dealing with the ministries and government agencies in the comfort of your home? Surprisingly, the answer is just one.

The only website you need to remember to access a host of government websites and obtain information ranging from payment to complaints, applications, search and services, among others to answer hundreds of your queries is www.gov.my.

It is no wonder that the website has recorded about 2.5million hits to date.

The website lists down 395 online services of ministries, departments and agencies and 3,300 Government forms can be downloaded for free.

The Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) is promoting the use of e-Government among the public. The services provided through the website is the Government's proactive way to help enhance the public delivery system.

Among the online services provided under the website include zakat, loan and quit rent payments, application to update mailing address with the Employees Provident Fund, application to the Museum Department to extend the archaeological search licence and to apply for foreign workers with the Immigration Department.

There are also “Quick Links” direct to the Government machinery, directory, tenders, job vacancies, public complaints and even to get information on the weather. Information pertaining to taxation, health, education, legal and family such as pregnancy, adoption and even marriage issues, are just a click of the mouse away.

Among the upcoming services MAMPU is working on currently are application of birth certificates with the National Registration Department and online registration of business with the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

There are efforts underway to provide the public with the ability to send application forms downloaded from the website “directly” to the relevant authorities instead of having it printed and submitted via post.

Currently most of the forms could only be downloaded and filled manually but soon, it could be filled electronically and submitted the same way as well.

MAMPU will actively promote the use of e-Government and would continue to promote the website to increase take-up among the public. The target group here are the business community, government departments and agencies, as well as foreigners.

Developing the use of short messaging system (SMS) to facilitate the public's dealings with the government agencies are also in the pipeline.

So remember to add www.gov.my to your favourites.
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Anti-Iraq War Protest In KL And FTA Stalemate. Not A Bright Day In US-M'sia Relations.

There have been better days than today in our relations with the United States. Although not extremely friendly even during the best of times at least we have avoided openly clashing with the Americans ever since Pak Lah took office.

However as if to make up for this lull in activity on the political front, a small group of protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in KL this morning to mark the Iraq war's fourth anniversary. About 200 people massed outside the American mission and read out anti-war speeches while holding up banners denouncing Washington's decision to invade Iraq.

The protest here apparently follows widespread demonstrations in Washington and around the globe. Our government opposes the war, and has urged Washington to seek a peaceful resolution to conflicts in the Middle East.

Also today DPM Najib said that we will not bow to pressure from Washington to meet the White House's fast-closing window to push a free trade pact through Congress without amendments. Apparently the U.S. has all but ruled out a successful conclusion by July — when President George W. Bush's fast-track authority expires. The authority allows Bush to submit a trade deal to Congress for a straight up-or-down vote without amendments. Negotiators must conclude a deal by the end of March to allow U.S. lawmakers three months to review it and then vote.

According to Bernama, Najib said "Malaysia is not bound by any timeframe to give a decision on the issues at stake in the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with the United States. We will study thoroughly every issue being negotiated." He refuted assumptions of Malaysia being pressured by the US to wrap up the FTA talks soon. "No, the US is not pressuring us. Of course, the US would like early resolution but they also understand there are some issues that require a bit of time," he said.

How this FTA impasse is going to end is anybody's guess although some suspect that it probably won't take off at all. That's rather pessimistic though. Certain issues are of course non-negotiable and further progress depends on whether the U.S. wants to understand our concern on these at all. If they practice a little give and take and not posture obstinately on these subjects of concern, then a FTA will be inked in due course. This will be a better alternative than a lose-lose no agreement scenario.

Earlier related post: Window For Malaysia-U.S. Free Trade Pact Closing Fast.
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Does Classifying These Documents Under The Official Secrets Act Encourage/Conceal Corruption?

Several documents related to claims by contractors for extra funds for government projects have been classified official secrets after leaks to third parties. They cannot be distributed to any outside party and will be classified sulit (government secret) under the Official Secrets Act.

They are:
• The assessment report by the officer in charge of overseeing a government project;

• Comments by the government Claims Committee;

• Minutes of the Claims Committee’s meeting;

• The document stating the decision of the Claims Committee; and,

• The document which proposes the ex-gratia payment to be paid.

Public Works Department (PWD) director-general Datuk Wahid Omar said that although contractors awarded government contracts had the right to file for claims for additional funds to complete government projects, they should not have access to official documents where matters related to their case were being discussed.

"The Attorney-General said there had been many cases where contractors were able to produce copies of documents as well as minutes of meetings of the Claims Committee which discussed their case for additional funds from the government.

"These contractors were also able to produce documents which stated the decisions of the Claims Committee as well as other related official documents.

"Under such circumstances, the government’s position would certainly be compromised if the dispute is referred to the courts. It could also be difficult for the A-G to effectively defend the government."

Wahid said this in a recent directive to directors of all divisions in the PWD as well as in the states, state water supply heads, district engineers and those heading government departments involved in the construction industry.

Contractors usually file their claims with the Claims Committee which then decides whether these were justified. At the same time, a government officer in charge of overseeing the project would also file his report on whether the contractor had a legitimate claim. If the contractor is unhappy with the decision, he may file a suit.

When such a dispute arises, the matter would be referred to the A-G. "If contractors have access to these documents, particularly if the government officer and the Claims Committee have different opinions, then it could make the government’s case difficult if it goes to court."

There had been several cases where the government had to pay more for the completion of projects. Among these were the Matrade, the Navy Recruitment Training Centre (Pularek), and projects such as prisons, hospitals and schools. (NST)

***** While the reasons given above sound reasonable for the classification of these documents under the OSA, the very same Act can also be used to prevent others from finding out about any hanky-panky or irregularities when ridiculous amounts are paid out as compensation disguised as extra funds. The possibilities for wrongdoing or abuse by the authorities in fact increase substantially after bringing the process under the purview of the Official Secrets Act. The only person to straightaway benefit from this is the minister-in-charge, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, for now he wouldn't have to go out of his way to defend charges of overpayment etc. All he has to do is chant the magic words, "OSA."
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