PKR: Sarawak’s rights already surrendered to KL

Dukau Papau

Sarawak PKR reminded Sarawakians today that it was during the chief ministership of Abdul Rahman Yakub that the rights of the state as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement were surrendered to the federal government.

“Do you know that Sarawak lost its rights during the chief ministership of Rahman (right in photo)? Seventeen of our rights in the 18-point agreement were given to the federal government on a silver plate.

“The only thing he did not give up was the control on immigration,” Sarawak PKR information chief Vernon Kedit said today.

Rakyat changing with the times, BN not in sync

Ng Kee Seng

If Barisan Nasional (BN) is trying very hard to lose elections, then it is doing a damn good job.

When will its leaders learn that the use of intimidation and threats just does not work anymore in a more informed and educated society.

This is no more the 60s or the 18th century! It is the digital world of the 21st century!

Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi was quoted by the media on March 1: “The government does not need to give any development allocation to Kajang unless BN wins.”

Bridge over troubled water: 1Malaysia deserves a chance

Ng Kee Seng

Two key Pakatan Rakyat leaders of two of the richest states in the peninsula – Selangor and Penang – have been photographed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in official events within a week.

Are the events just coincidence or a prelude to a historic national reconciliation, both socially and politically, slowly but subtly engineered by 1Malaysia Najib?

If the “agreements or understandings” are no coincidence, then there is hope for Malaysians to see Najib transformed into a prime minister for all Malaysians.

Cracks appearing in Pakatan?

Selena Tay 

Pakatan must rejuvenate after losing momentum, direction, focus and purpose post-GE13.

Is something amiss in Pakatan Rakyat? Perhaps so, due to recent events. This article is therefore an attempt to diagnose the problem by reading the warning signs.

As everyone knows, the key to solving a problem is first of all to acknowledge that there is a problem. Once that is clear, then everyone can work together towards solving the problem before it becomes unsolvable.

Now the reason why this columnist senses that there is a problem is because Pakatan seems to lack direction and purpose after the GE13 defeat.

TIME MAGAZINE THREATENED? ‘Halt all negative comments against PM Najib’

wfol.tv

Time Magazine, which came under scrutiny last week for an article depicting the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Najib Razak apparent failure to deal with race relations and growing religious intolerance, will have to watch its columns.

The international weekly is said to be under ongoing scrutiny, with the matter of the article written by Zoher Abdoolcarim still under investigation by a unit tasked to monitor foreign publications at the Home Ministry.

A source said a handler at the ministry is preparing a report that will be submitted to the Ketua Setiausaha (Chief Secretary) of the ministry, soon and it is only then a decision will be taken on Time article.

Doing away with race identification?

Selena Tay

A local English paper dated Feb 25 reported Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin as saying that “the government will consider the suggestion and make a decision soon” in its write-up under the title of ‘Decision on ‘race’ in govt forms soon’.

The suggestion in question was mooted by Unity and National Integration Minister Joseph Kurup with the purpose of improving race relations in order to enhance national unity.

He added that government policies should not consider a person’s race and therefore race identification was not necessary in official documents.

Catholic church debunks Putrajaya’s explanation on Allah ban

ELIZABETH ZACHARIAH

Reverend Father Andrew says the Herald’s circulation is controlled and sent only to Catholic churches.

The Catholic Church has once again reiterated that its weekly newspaper, Herald, is a “controlled” publication, meant only for distribution in Catholic churches, dismissing Putrajaya’s allegation that it is widely circulated.

Herald editor Reverend Father Lawrence Andrew brushed aside Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala’s claims that the newspaper’s “potentially wide circulation” could make it a tool of Christian propagation.

The power, the glory and the push

MARIAM MOKHTAR

A week after he resigned as deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, P Waythamoorthy told the Indian Malaysian community that he was sorry he had been unable to help them improve their lives.

Why did he not apologise to the rest of the rakyat, too?  It was partly Waythamoorthy’s treachery which deprived Malaysians of the best opportunity to change the government in GE13.

We were disgusted that he could even contemplate forming an alliance with Najib Abdul Razak, let alone complete the deal.  Was he just naïve, or was he just another pompous and reckless wannabe politician? It would be pointless telling Waythamoorthy, ‘We told you so!’.

Lessons of faith, harmony and provocation over the weekend

THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim greeting members of the congregation at the Holy Family church in Kajang yesterday.

Malaysians learnt a few things over a rather hot weekend, from opposition leaders who reached out to all, to ordinary Malaysians preaching harmony and the few troublemakers who appear to incite trouble.

Some might still think opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is a political chameleon but his visit to a Kajang church yesterday proved one thing – he was willing to take the bull by the horns and reach out to all Malaysians irrespective of their faith.

STOP BITCHING DR M, THE PEOPLE TO DECIDE – NOT YOU!

J. D. Lovrenciear

Anwar Ibrahim has no right to be a leader. So reports Bernama.

According to Bernama news, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad a once-upon-a-time prime minister of Malaysia said that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI) – a rising star of prime ministerial hope for many, has no right to be a leader.

With the Tun’s latest nightmare tantrum addition, the rakyat will now keep wondering since when did this edit come into place on the Malaysian political landscape.

Why religious police are a thumbs down

Dr Abdul Aziz Bari

Many people have questioned the rationale for the setting up of the Syariah or religious police. Some like former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad doubted its necessity, saying doing religious duties and rituals should be a matter of faith rather than due to compulsion.

Some others, such as former IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan, have raised the issue of the competence of the police force to deal with Syariah law, saying that they should first be trained in that law and this was just too much. Therefore, Musa argued, the police should focus on combating crime.

ALLAH BETRAYER: Maximus Ongkili

Joe Fernandez

Ex-Catholic Maximus Johnity Ongkili, a member and preacher of the Borneo Evangelical Mission and therefore a non-Catholic, has stirred a hornet’s nest by saying that the Catholic weekly Herald should not have gone to the Court on Allah.

He may have dug his political grave in Kota Marudu unless support from the Borneo Evangelical Mission alone is enough to save his political career and future.

Kajang polls a waste of time… for BN

RK ANAND

The temperature was close to sizzling. So I decided to remain indoors and seek respite from boredom in the realm of online videos. Then I chanced upon an epic scene.

The hero flips a cigarette into the air, whips out a pistol, points it upwards, and fires without looking. The bullet ignites the cigarette, which he then catches between his lips with ease.

For the uninitiated, this might lead to a stabbing pain in the chest medical practitioners refer to as myocardial infraction. But for the rest of us, this is Rajnikanth! The reigning superstar of Indian cinema, whose outlandish celluloid antics have defied logic and the laws of physics for decades.

Najib losing the moral right to lead the country

Ahmad Mustapha Hassan

Any leader who has been entrusted to govern the country will need to demonstrate that he is in total control of the government and that he has the full backing of his own political party.

He has to show that he has the qualities to be the leader. He has to be decisive and he has to act promptly to avert any untoward incidents that would harm the people.

He has to have a vision and a goal to achieve. His full concentration should be on the welfare of the people and their future well-being. This is especially so when the country is moving towards achieving fully developed status.

What would Tunku Abdul Rahman do in light of raging racial tensions?

EILEEN NG

Lim Kit Siang speaks during ‘Legasi Bapa Kemerdekaan – Tunku Abdul Rahman’ at New Era University College in Kajang, Selangor, yesterday.

The veteran DAP politician said Tunku would want to see a united country, something which is contrary today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 11, 2014.Had Tunku Abdul Rahman been still around, he would have been disappointed with the elements that are trying to divide Malaysia and its people.

Constitution bars Taib from office

FMT Staff

Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s plans to become Governor of Sarawak may have hit a snag.

The constitution of Sarawak does not allow anyone who is engaged in commercial enterprises or benefits from them to be either chief minister or head of state.

However, Taib has so far sidestepped the state’s constitutional strictures by not being directly linked to any of the multiple commercial enterprises he is accused of running.

According to Article 2 (2) of the Sarawak constitution, the State Governor “shall not hold any office of profit and shall not actively engage in any commercial enterprise.”

Taib’s son for Balingian seat?

FMT Staff

If this is the ‘transition’ plan, then there is a likelihood that Mahmud Abu Bekir will be Sarawak CM post-2021 state elections.

Will Sarawak follow in the footsteps of Singapore’s Lee dynasty?

Latest rumour linked to Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s Balingian seat has thrown up his son Mahmud Abu Bekir as a likely contender.

The speculation also has it Mahmud will not takeover as CM as yet.

PBB zips lips on new CM ‘because of the law’

Aidila Razak

Sarawak’s Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is prevented “by the law” from revealing the identity of the individual who is to succeed Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Wanita PBB secretary Nancy Shukri, also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law, said the Sarawak constitution stipulates the need for the state governor to first consent to the candidate.

“We are not trying to keep it secret but legal processes need to be adhered to. We know he (Abdul Taib) has somebody in mind but we cannot mention it,” she told reporters today.

Will PBB No 3 Awang Tengah take over as CM?

Dukau Papau

Could PBB senior vice-president Awang Tengah Ali Hassan be the choice of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud when he retires at the end of this month, considering Taib’s parting call for “Sarawak must be led by Sarawakians” as an indication?

Political observers believe Awang Tengah fits the bill as he is known to be anti-Umno, has a strong personality and has been groomed by Taib to handle Sarawak’s multi-billion ringgit ministries, such as the Public Utilities Ministry, the Industrial Development Ministry and the Resource Planning and Environment Ministry.

Have the Malays lost their dignity?

STEPHEN NG

The nation is saddened by the deplorable antics by a group of men who claim themselves to belong to some Islamic NGOs.

The act of slaughtering the chickens and smearing the blood on a banner depicting Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, DAP Member of Parliament Teresa Kok and PKR state assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon, is an insult to all Malaysians.

Such an act simply does not augur well with the qualities of being a good Muslim and a citizen of this country. It surely does not represent the good values in Malay culture.

Taib to meet governor on Feb 15

Nigel Aw

Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud will meet the state governor over his resignation this Saturday.

“Not yet, on the 15th (of February),” Taib told journalists when met at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching this evening.

Yesterday, he said he would submit his resignation when he meets the governor.

Islam At the Crossroads in Malaysia

Din Merican

I am writing this as I contemplate the fate of our country while resting after being involved in a nasty accident last week. I feel very sorry that my wife’s car, Dr Kamsiah’s black beauty, is now a total wreck and we are not sure how long the adjusters will assess the loss as a total loss or whether it has to be repaired.

I hope the insurance company and its adjusters would be kind to my wife and I by not prolonging the painful process of making an insurance claim. The positive thing from that accident was that the driver of the other car, a non-Muslim Chinese and I, a Malay Muslim, did not have a quarrel. We resolved matters in the manner that accidents are resolved. We showed care and compassion for each other to ensure that neither of us suffered grievous bodily injury. We were civil despite our different race and religion even in those tense moments. We behaved as how civil people behave. We behaved like we are one people, like true Malaysians.

Sarawak’s Anglican Church praises Taib for ‘bold stand’ on Allah issue

JENNIFER GOMEZ

As Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (pic) prepares to step down after 33 years at the helm, the Anglican Church in the state has come out to commend him for his bold stand on the Allah controversy and hoped his successor will do the same.

Southeast Asia’s Anglican Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok today expressed hope that Taib’s successor will maintain the spirit of inclusiveness which Sarawak has enjoyed under Taib.

“The Anglican church in Sarawak commends Taib for his bold and unambiguous stand on the Allah controversy.

PBB denies Sarawak election in the works

Nigel Aw

PBB senior vice-president Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has denied that the 11th Sarawak election is looming after an election security briefing this morning.

“This (discussion) is normal, held from time to time, and not unusual. It does not necessarily mean an election will be held,” Awang Tengah told a press conference in Kuching this evening.

The enemy within the nation

MARIAM MOKHTAR

Our enemy is hiding where we don’t think to look. He is not assembled at the border for an invasion, nor is he waiting on the high seas to land on our unguarded beaches.

The enemy comprises the leaders and members of our administration who claim legitimacy to rule, simply because they have successfully rigged the polls. Their obsession with power means that we are at their mercy. The enemy within is more dangerous than any foreign invader.

Malaysians must form ‘peaceful resistance’ against racial and religious strife, says Ambiga

EILEEN NG

Malaysians must band together for a “peaceful resistance” against ongoing racial and religious strife facing the country, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan (pic) said last night when recalling founding prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman’s legacy for Malaysia.

The former co-chair of electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 said those who want to fight racism and bigotry must unite and stand together with the oppressed. Malaysia’s political mercury spiked in the past few months with a church attacked with a firebomb over the Allah issue and threats against an opposition lawmaker over a satirical video clip.

Nauseating and disgusting, Ahmad Shabery?

STEPHEN NG

It is good that Multimedia and Communications Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek finally described the video produced by DAP opposition member of parliament Teresa Kok as “nauseating and disgusting”.

I must congratulate the minister for being one of the first few to realise how the rakyat feel about the current government which he represents.

Let me give just a few examples what is really ‘nauseating and disgusting’.

‘Umno won’t enter Sarawak with Taib gone’

- Bernama

It is mere assumption and a bad intention to claim that Umno will spread its wings to Sarawak with the eminent retirement of its Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal said today that it was not Umno’s agenda for Taib to retire so that the party could enter the state.

Speaking to the media after inspecting the construction work on the second phase of the Kapit/Song/Kanowit Road project in Kapit, he said it was the opposition’s assumption that he (Taib) was forced to retire.

Taib’s legacy: Sarawak for Sarawakians?

Hazlan Zakaria

As widely reported by the media, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Taib Mahmud’s parting words in what was supposed to be his last time chairing the state Barisan Nasional (BN) meeting were “Sarawak for Sarawakians”.

It remains to be seen whether this means that the wealth and lordship of Sarawak ultimately go to Sarawakians or it means tyranny by the familiar instead of by those across the South China Sea.

Zahid: Umno will respect ‘Sarawak for Sarawakians’

Nigel Aw

Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno will respect Sarawak’s “political mould”, in an what appears to be recognition of Sarawak BN’s fears that Peninsular Malaysia-based BN component parties will encroach into the state.

“Any transition of power (in Sarawak) will follow the state’s law and follow the existing tradition based on Sarawak’s political mould.

Taib to meet Governor first

Winston Way and William Mangor

Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s nearest indication of a date was when he jokingly said he would “get a full month’s salary for February”.

The weekend’s biggest buzz here was Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s potential resignation and the naming of his successor.

On both counts Sarawakians and sympathizers were again left wanting on specifics.

Education Ministry has no plans to replace controversial assessment system

Bernama

The Education Ministry has no plans to replace the school based assessment (SBA) system with the matriculation system in secondary schools, according to Education deputy minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching.

She said a number of issues had to be considered before the matriculation system could be implemented.

“We do not have any plans but as an educator, I am optimistic about seeing some progress although we have to weigh the factors prior to any development.

Evaluating PKR’s reasons for ‘Kajang Move’

NATHANIEL TAN

They say gentlemen (and ladies, presumably) never discuss religion or politics. The reason for this is ostensibly that passions and obstinacy would be ignited to the point of friendship and courtesy being thrown out the window.

Discussions about politics and other high-profile subjects in Malaysia certainly seem to go that way. It has become a habit of ours to make personal attacks and attempt to demolish the credibility of a person making an argument, rather than address the arguments themselves.

I cannot say for sure if I, in all my years of commenting, have not been guilty of such things. I can only say that for now, I hope to stay as far away as I can from that kind of unproductive engagement.

Are we a Titanic in waiting?

Michael Xavier, via e-mail

In recent times, we have observed the confounding and baffling plummet of social decency in the political realm. Malaysian politics have spiraled out of control appearing to head for the edge in no time.

Reading the news these days cannot but cause one to experience insecurity, hatred and fear all at the same time. The government of the day seems to be straightening deck chairs on the titanic and that is either by resorting to conceited silence at the least or passing preposterous remarks at the worst in the backdrop of failing to address key and central issues affecting the common man effectively and vividly.

The Mahathir clan comeback

Josh Hong

The Lunar New Year celebrations last week ushered in the Year of the Horse, in which former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad may hope for some good fortunes, given that Chinese Malaysians used to refer to him rather fondly as Lao Ma, or Old Horse, based on the Chinese transliteration of his name. (These days, however, the nickname has come to be synonymous with racism and bigotry.)

As he is busy attending open houses across the country, it is quite certain that, his mind sharp as ever, the ex-premier has not lost sight of the political changes on the ground. We must not forget that the Pakatan-administered state of Perak fell to Umno exactly five years ago through treachery and conspiracy as, rather inauspiciously, many were lulled into a false sense of security during the Lunar New Year break.

Anwar to go for PKR presidency, leaves Nurul to work her way up to becoming PM

Alyaa Alhadjri

Parliamentary Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he will be vying for the PKR presidency in the party’s election in May.

On his daughter Nurul Izzah’s political future, Anwar says, “Let her go through the process to make it to the top.”

Anwar also explains why he is going for the presidency. The following is the second and final part of his exclusive interview with theantdaily.

Najib’s image takes a knock with Waytha’s resignation over unfulfilled promises

THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s approval rating has slipped to the lowest since assuming office.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s standing is in tatters with P. Waytha Moorthy’s resignation as deputy minister over unfulfilled promises made to the Indian community before Election 2013.

Those close to the Hindraf chief say he felt that the prime minister’s word counts for little, quite similar to the 10-point solution for the Malay Bible that Najib now says is subject to state Islamic laws.

Kajang by-election a well conceived political manoeuvre

Lim Sue Goan

Perhaps Malaysian motorists should be thankful to Kajang. If not because of the by-election, the government might not consider applying a brake on the imminent toll hikes on 15 expressways at a compensation cost of RM400 million.

Once again we see that politics is above everything. Prior to this, a minister has said toll hikes were essentially inevitable or the country’s economy would be ruined. But with the by-election, politics will now take the driver’s seat and the finances could be fixed later.

Taib to execute his latest masterstroke today?

theantdaily team

The guessing game has reached a feverish pitch in Sarawak and by tomorrow (Feb 8), the Land of the Hornbill’s master tactician Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to execute his latest masterstroke.

Talk is that Sarawak’s longest serving chief minister will announce at the PBB caucus that he is leaving his political future in the hands of his party. His peers will decide for him, that is how it’s supposed to play out.

Oh really? It’s as if he cannot decide for himself but has to let others do if for him. Pray tell, when did the powerful Taib ever let others do the decision-making for him in his 33 years as Sarawak CM?

Malaysia’s Anwar Takes a New Dare

Our Correspondent

The surprise decision last month by Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to push aside Khalid Ibrahim, the respected chief minister of Selangor, one of the country’s two biggest states, and try to take the post himself is a complex gamble.

Among other things, it is designed to preserve or enhance Anwar’s standing as a national figure, according to political analysts in Kuala Lumpur, by giving him a state to run. Should he lose the March 23 state by-election that would give him the job – considered unlikely – it would consign him to political oblivion and make his Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) appear riven with factionalism.

PKR owes everyone an explanation, says Ambiga

Lee Long Hui

Former Bersih 2.0 co-chairperson S Ambiga has expressed shock over the shenanigans within PKR, saying that the party owes an explanation to the public as to why the Kajang state seat was vacated to enable a by-election.

While noting that it appeared as if PKR was trying to resolve an internal leadership crisis through this move, she said she was waiting for PKR to come up with an “overwhelming” reason.

“I think they owe everybody an explanation,” Ambiga told the press after attending a youth dialogue session with DAP leader Lim Kit Siang (left) last night.

‘Allah ban laws don’t apply to non-Muslims’

MKini

A day after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak declared the 10-point solution was subject to state enactments banning non-Muslims from using the word ‘Allah’, constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari declares that  they have no power over non-Muslims.

“The jurisdiction of the states is on Islam while the rights of the non-Muslims are protected by the federal constitution.

“State enactments cannot override the rights of the non-Muslims enshrined in the Constitution and these include their right to religious freedom,” he said in a statement today.

HELLO there racists & supremacists, don’t give yourself airs – WE ARE ALL ‘PENDATANGS’ OK!

Bob Teoh 

I received some mixed responses from the first part of this article (click to read at ‘PENDATANG’ INTIMIDATION: If only Malays could see themselves as the non-Malays now see them!), and mostly good ones. I received some flak too which did not surprise me as the piece was very opinionated as well as hyperbolic.

Our daughter’s friend was inspired by it and Facebooked her, “I’m so impressed n must share with u what uncle Bob wrote recently on Sin Chew…Do let uncle Bob know that I really enjoy his writing in the newspaper, thanks to the woman (my wife, Kim) who inspires him.(sic).”

PBB leader criticised for pro-China remark

Dukau Papau 

Sarawak PKR today criticised Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for wanting Malaysia to adopt China’s harsh laws on the social media.

State PKR information bureau chief  said it is dangerous for Abdul Karim to suggest adopting the harsh cyber laws of China.

“Is he inferring that Malaysia should be like China, a communist and totalitarian government that implements harsh laws on its people?

Press freedom protest peaceful, why investigate?

Mkini

The police’s intention to probe the ‘Red Pencil Protest’ by the media fraternity on Jan 4 is unnecessary and based merely on “trivial technicalities”, said the organisers.

Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm) said they were ready to cooperate with the police on any investigations.

“However, after our protest was carried out peacefully and without any untoward incident, we feel that the investigation (if it is initiated) is only based on trivial technical reasons.

“Police are using a procedural excuse that we did not provide the 10-day notification before the Red Pencil Protest as required under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA),” said a Geramm spokesperson Radzi Razak in a statement today.

Can Pakatan win GE14?

CT Ali

Pakatan must realise that Umno is a formidable opponent with deep pockets, large armies and an uncanny ability to go into the elections with all the positives stacked in their favour.

“Based on present redelineation, Pakatan Rakyat should aim to win 135 parliamentary seats in GE14 to capture Putrajaya, with PKR, PAS and DAP each winning 45 seats and a parliamentary majority of 48.

“The performance of the Pakatan parties in the 2008 and 2013 GEs have shown that the three component parties have their basic strengths.

BN and Pakatan fail to settle polls petition, wait for apex court to rule on election law

V. ANBALAGAN

A proposed out-of-court settlement between the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to withdraw election petition appeals for the May 5 general election in the Federal Court has fizzled out.

Confirming that the “global settlement” on 19 election petition appeals had failed, PR lawyers and politicians said they would now allow the apex court to make a ruling on questionable election laws.

(A global settlement refers to an agreement between the parties after they have addressed or compromised on the matter accordingly.)

Malaysia bled RM174 billion dirty money in 2011, says global anti-graft watchdog

TMI

The amount of money illegally siphoned out of the country in 2011 made Malaysia the fourth largest exporter of illicit capital that year, said anti-graft watchdog Global Financial Integrity.

About RM174 billion was illegally siphoned out of Malaysia in 2011, making the country the fourth largest exporter of illicit capital that year after Russia, China and India, said anti-graft watchdog Global Financial Integrity (GFI).

The Washington-based research and advocacy organisation said crime, corruption, and tax evasion drained US$946.7 billion (RM3.05 trillion) from the developing world in 2011, up more than 13.7% from 2010 – when illicit financial outflows totalled US$832.4 billion.

Indigenous Peoples of Sarawak and Sabah commemorate Human Rights Day with demand to State Government to respect their rights

Mark Bujang

Press Statement

Today is Human Rights Day and it is on this date that in 1950 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming its principles as the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”.

In the last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) conducted by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland last October on which Malaysia was under review, the Malaysian Government in its opening speech declared its commitment to the protection and promotion of Human Rights in the country.

PKR sees red over Pisa ranking, wants reform

Mkini

Alarmed by the poor ranking for Malaysia in an international students’ test, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar urged a new bi-partisan approach to reform the country’s education system.

A bi-partisan parliamentary select committee should be tasked to look into improving Malaysia’s education system, Nurul Izzah said in a statement today.

At the same time, the Lembah Pantai MP added, a National Education Council comprising politicians, academicians and other stakeholders should also be formed to study this issue.