Parliament report on Malaysia's #1MDB blames board; calls for probe into ex-CEO

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian parliamentary inquiry into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) said the board of the troubled state fund had failed to carry out its responsibilities and its former chief must be further investigated.

The bipartisan Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which tabled the much delayed report in parliament on Thursday (Apr 7), said it found the financing and performance of 1MDB "unsatisfactory".

It called for the advisory board of the fund - chaired by Prime Minister Najib Razak - to be abolished and any reference to the prime minister be changed to finance minister in the company's memorandum and articles of association.

This is one of the final reports on investigations into alleged mismanagement at 1MDB, and a financial scandal surrounding Mr Najib. Mr Najib, who founded the state investment fund 1MDB in 2009, has battled for months to fend off allegations that billions of dollars were looted from 1MDB in complex overseas financial transactions. He and 1MDB have consistently denied wrongdoing. 

But the PAC said more than US$3 billion in unapproved payments were made from 1MDB funds, and alleged "restrictions and weaknesses" in 1MDB's management. The PAC said former 1MDB CEO Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi has to take responsibility.

"As such, enforcement agencies are asked to investigate Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and anyone else related," according to a summary of the report. Mr Shahrol was 1MDB's CEO from 2009 to 2013.

The Prime Minister's Office lauded the PAC report as comprehensive and conclusive.

OVERSEAS BANK STATEMENTS

Shortly after it was released, opposition leader Tony Pua, who was part of the PAC, told a news conference the report vindicates critics of 1MDB. It "confirms gross mismanagement and wanton neglect of all principles of good governance and accountability" at the fund, he said.

"I think at the very least (Najib) should be held ministerially culpable. Anything else we don't know, as we don't have the overseas bank statements of 1MDB," said Mr Pua, an MP with the Democratic Action Party (DAP). Mr Najib was not named directly in the report.

Mr Pua lamented the failure to get crucial information on 1MDB's foreign banking transactions, which are the subject of money-laundering and fraud investigations in the United States, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Singapore. The 1MDB fund has denied those allegations.

Concern over 1MDB began after its debt rose from 5 billion ringgit in 2009 to 42 billion ringgit (US$10.77 billion) by 2014, the report said. The fund sold its land and power assets last year as part of a restructuring plan to pare down its debt pile.

The PAC began its probe into 1MDB last May. The committee's work stalled in July when PAC chairman Nur Jazlan Mohamed stepped down after being appointed deputy home minister.

'SHOCKING MISDEEDS'

Pua said "many other shocking misdeeds and transgressions" were disclosed in the report which would provide "sufficient damning evidence to indict not only the entire top management, but also the entire Board of Directors".

An interim report by the auditor-general last year found nothing suspicious after vetting the fund's accounts. Malaysia's attorney-general rejected a call by the central bank to initiate criminal proceedings against 1MDB.

The Wall Street Journal, citing documents from international probes, reported that investigators believe nearly US$1 billion moved through state agencies, banks and companies linked to 1MDB before eventually finding its way into Mr Najib's personal accounts.

The 1MDB fund has denied that any of its funds went to the prime minister. The Attorney-General cleared Mr Najib in January of any corruption or criminal offences, saying the US$681 million was a gift from a member of Saudi Arabia's royal family and that most of it was returned.

The scandal has rocked Mr Najib's government as public outrage over the alleged mismanagement and corruption grows. The scandal has fuelled a sense of crisis in a country under economic strain from slumping oil prices and a prolonged slide in its currency last year.

Swiss authorities have said as much as US$4 billion may have been stolen from 1MDB. Authorities in Switzerland, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong and elsewhere are investigating.

PM NAJIB IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Critics have alleged debt-stricken 1MDB, set up to fuel Malaysian development projects, was bled dry in a vast campaign of fraud and embezzlement stretching from the Middle East to the Caymans.

The Wall Street Journal, which has detailed many of the money movements, also last year revealed the US$681 million payment made to Najib's bank accounts in 2013. It has said in subsequent reports that he may have received more than US$1 billion.

Mr Najib has taken steps to scuttle official investigations, purge officials demanding accountability, and stifle media reporting on the scandals.

He initially denied taking the US$681 million but his government now claims he accepted a "donation" from the Saudi royal family, most of which was given back. Saudi Arabia is yet to confirm that explanation, which is widely dismissed in Malaysia as a cover story.

The Journal last week said documents show the same bank accounts of Mr Najib were used to purchase US$15 million in luxury goods and pay out millions more to political figures ahead of 2013 elections.

The newspaper also reported that some of the money used to make Hollywood hit The Wolf of Wall Street, a movie about financial corruption starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was laundered from 1MDB.

'WE WILL STUDY AND ACT ON REPORT'S RECOMMENDATIONS': PM NAJIB

"The report has identified weaknesses in 1MDB’s capital structure and management," Mr Najib said in a statement released on Thursday afternoon by the Prime Minister's Office. "We will study and act on the report’s recommendations. We must ensure that lessons are learned, and action will be taken if any evidence of wrongdoing is found."

He added: "The PAC’s report shows that 42 billion ringgit (US$10.8 billion) is not missing from 1MDB, as had been alleged by (former Prime Minister) Mahathir.

"It is now clear that Mr Mahathir’s allegations against 1MDB have been false. He was motivated by personal interest, not the national interest, and a desire to unseat the government."

Former Prime Minster Mahathir Mohamad has been a vocal critic of Nr Najib, calling for the latter to step down over his role in the 1MDB saga. 

1MDB BOARD OFFERS RESIGNATION

On Thursday afternoon, the board of 1MDB offered its resignation to the Ministry of Finance. "This has been a difficult decision to take but we believe is the right thing to do, given the circumstances, in order to facilitate any follow-up investigations as recommended by the PAC," it said in a statement.   

- CNA/Agencies/rw

Posted 07 Apr 2016 11:07 Updated 07 Apr 2016 21:26

European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2015 on Malaysia

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Malaysia,

–  having regard to its resolution of 15 January 2014 on the future of EU-ASEAN relations(1) ,

–  having regard to the Statement by the EEAS Spokesperson of 15 April 2015 on the recently adopted amendment to the Sedition Act in Malaysia,

–  having regard to the Statement by the EEAS Spokesperson of 17 March 2015 on the arrest of Nurul Izzah, opposition Member of Parliament in Malaysia,

–  having regard to the Statement by the EEAS Spokesperson of 10 February 2015 on the conviction of Malaysian opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim,

–  having regard to the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights,

–  having regard to the Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of 9 April 2015 on draft anti-terror and sedition laws,

–  having regard to the joint press release by the EEAS on the EU-ASEAN policy dialogue on human rights of 23 October 2015,

–  having regard to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders,

–  having regard to UN Universal Periodic Review session of October 2013,

–  having regard to the report of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons of June 2015,

–  having regard to the second Universal Periodic Review of Malaysia before the UN Human Rights Council, and its recommendations, of October 2013,

–  having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

–  having regard to the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders of 1998,

–  having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 1966,

–  having regard to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) of 1984,

–  having regard to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Human Rights Declaration,

–  having regard to Rules 135(5) and 123(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the EU regards Malaysia as a key political and economic partner in South-East Asia; whereas the EU and Malaysia are negotiating a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement;

B.  whereas the space for public debate and free speech in Malaysia is rapidly narrowing as the government resorts to vaguely worded criminal laws to silence its critics and quell public discontent and peaceful expression, including debates on matters of public interest; whereas these laws include the Sedition Act, the Printing Presses and Publications Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act and the Peaceful Assembly act, amongst others;

C.  whereas on 3 December 2015 the National Security Council Bill was passed in the Malaysian Parliament by a majority vote; whereas the bill grants the National Security Council led by the Prime Minister sweeping powers to declare a state of emergency in any area deemed a security risk, giving broad powers of arrest, search and seizure without warrant;

D.  whereas under the Sedition Act alone at least 78 people have been investigated or charged since the beginning of 2014;

E.  whereas former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was sentenced on charges of sodomy in February 2015 following a politically motivated prosecution which resulted in criminal proceedings that failed to meet international standards of fair trial; whereas he has been denied appropriate medical care;

F.  whereas LGBTI people in Malaysia are criminalised under the country’s anti-sodomy law and regional laws prohibiting cross-dressing, and face political hate speech, arbitrary arrest, physical and sexual assault, imprisonment, and other abuses;

G.  whereas Malaysian cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque (Zunar) is facing charges under the Sedition Act following critical tweets against the government with regard to the sentencing of Anwar Ibrahim; whereas blogger Khalid Ismath and academic Azmi Sharom face similar charges;

H.  whereas the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has questioned the Prime Minister in connection with graft allegations after the discovery of over 600 million euros in his bank account without any justification of source and purpose, as well as on separate allegations that hundreds of millions of euros were missing from deals involving a state firm he launched, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB);

I.  whereas media outlets and publishing houses have faced restrictions under the Printing Presses and Publications Act following reporting about these allegations, and whereas lawyer Matthias Chang and politician Khairuddin Abu Hassan were arrested following their investigations into these allegations;

J.  whereas the High Representative raised concerns regarding the abusive use of criminal laws during her visit to Malaysia on 5-6 August 2015;

K.  whereas, according to the UN and NGOs, the Malaysian police forces have increasingly resorted to acts of torture, late night arrests, unjustifiable remands and selective prosecution;

L.  whereas Malaysia continues to practice the death penalty with up to 1 000 prisoners currently on death row;

M.  whereas Malaysia is a Member of the UN Security Council and the current ASEAN Chair, and the 27th ASEAN Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur from 18 to 22 November 2015;

1.  Reaffirms the EU’s strong commitment to the Malaysian people with whom the EU has strong and longstanding political, economic and cultural ties;

2.  Deplores the deteriorating human rights situation in Malaysia and in particular the crackdown on civil society activists, academics, media and political activists; expresses concern with regard to the spike in the number of people facing charges or arrest under the Sedition Act;

3.  Is particularly concerned about the adoption of the National Security Council Bill and urges its withdrawal; calls on the government to maintain a proper balance between the need to safeguard national security and the imperative to protect civil and political rights;

4.  Urges the Malaysian Government to immediately release all political prisoners, including former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, and to provide them with appropriate medical care, and to drop politically motivated charges, including those against cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Haque (Zunar), blogger Khalid Ismath, academic Azmi Sharom, political dissidents Khairuddin Abu Hassan and Matthias Chang, and human rights activists Lena Hendry and Maria Chin Abdullah;

5.  Urges the Malaysian authorities to repeal the Sedition Act and to bring all legislation, including the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the Printing Presses and Publications Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Peaceful Assembly Act, and other relevant provisions of the penal code, in line with international standards on freedom of expression and assembly and the protection of human rights; calls on the Malaysian authorities to facilitate peaceful assemblies, and to guarantee the safety of all participants and their freedom of expression across the whole country;

6.  Urges the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), as recommended by the Police Commission of Inquiry in 2005, to investigate allegations of torture and deaths in police custody;

7.  Underlines the importance of independent and transparent investigations into the graft allegations, and of full cooperation with the investigators; urges the Malaysian Government to refrain from putting pressure on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and media;

8.  Deeply deplores the rise of supremacist groups which contribute further to the creation of ethnic tensions;

9.  Encourages the Malaysian Government to open a dialogue with opposition parties and civil society stakeholders;

10.  Calls on the Malaysian Government to ratify key international human rights conventions, including the ICCPR, the ICESCR, the CAT, the ICERD, ILO Convention 169, the ICC Rome Statute, as well as the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its optional protocol;

11.  Asks the Malaysian Government to extend a standing invitation to all the UN Special Procedures, thereby enabling special rapporteurs to visit Malaysia without asking for an invitation;

12.  Reiterates its position that the death penalty is a cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, and calls on Malaysia to introduce a moratorium as the first step towards the abolition of the death penalty for all offences and to commute all death sentences to prison terms;

13.  Calls on the EU and its Member States to coordinate policies towards Malaysia, in line with the EU Strategic Framework on Human Rights, in order to encourage reform on the above issues of concern through all possible means, including in the context of the UN where Malaysia is a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 2015-2016;

14.  Urges the EU Delegation to Malaysia to step up efforts to finance projects on freedom of expression and reforming repressive laws, and to use all appropriate tools, including the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, to protect human rights defenders; urges the withdrawal of the anti-sodomy law and calls on the EEAS, in line with the EU guidelines on the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTI persons, to step up its work on the rights of LGBTI people in Malaysia who face violence and persecution, and to aim in particular towards the decriminalisation of homosexuality and transgenderism;

15.  Reaffirms the importance of the EU-ASEAN policy dialogue on human rights as a useful tool to exchange good practices and promote capacity-building initiatives;

16.  Calls on the Commission to make sure that human rights concerns are duly taken into account during future negotiations on an EU-Malaysia FTA and PCA;

17.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the parliament and government of Malaysia, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the governments of the ASEAN Member States.

Link: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P8-TA-2015-0465+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN

Related reports:

Heed EU’s call for independent probe into 1MDB, RM2.6 billion donation, says DAP 
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/heed-eus-call-for-independent-probe-into-1mdb-rm2.6-billion-donation-says-d


European Parliament's resolution unfortunate, says Foreign Affairs Ministry

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/12/20/european-parliament-resolution-unfortunate-foreign-affairs/

Respect our sovereignty, M’sia tell European Parliament

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/12/21/respect-our-sovereignty-msia-tell-european-parliament/

Malaysia Government seeks EXTRA RM2.3 BILLION for 2013 expenses

By Leven Woon. Published by Free Malaysia Today on 24 March 2014.

Putrajaya today tabled an RM2.392 billion Supplementary Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat today seeking extra allocations for 2013 expenditures. The Prime Minister’s Department and Public Service Department were among the agencies seeking the largest additional allocations of RM55.6 million and RM53.3 million respectively. Meanwhile the Treasury sought RM2.09 billion contribution to statutory funds.

According to the bill, the contribution was meant to finance development expenditures last year. Public Service Department on the other hand reasoned that the RM53.3 million was to fund the medical costs of retired civil servants and army veterans. It said the amount for that purpose has been credited to the contingency funds beforehand but additional costs have been incurred.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Department said it is requesting RM55.6 million more due to the expenditures of the new Istana Negara’s opening ceremony celebration (RM31.2 million) and Federal Territories Land and Mineral Office’s contractual workers’ salaries (RM10.74 billion).

It is also to cover the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) operation costs (RM8 million) and operation cost shortages (RM3.4 million). Other requests were from the Foreign Ministry (RM28.1 million), Agriculture and Ago-based Ministry (RM20 million), Natural Resources and Environment Ministry (RM8 million), Works Ministry (RM50 million), Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry (RM13.8 million), Communication and Multimedia Ministry (RM46.9 million) and Home Ministry (RM15.9 million). Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry sought an extra RM20 million while Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government was asking additional RM10 million.

Th government had tabled a RM251.6 billion budget in 2013 and had initially asked for an extra RM15 billion in the first Supplementary Supply Bill.

Link: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/03/24/govt-seeks-extra-rm2-3b-for-2013-expenses/

In the last five years, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) only convicted 1,395 inividuals and collected RM48 million in fines despite receiving a RM983 million government allocation, said Kampar MP Ko Chung Sen today.

“This means for every case convicted, the government spent an average of RM704,744,” Ko told reporters in Parliament’s lobby today. He said Minister in the Prime Minister Department Paul Low should take responsibility and resign over MACC poor conviction rate despite receiving a high government allocation.

He added that MACC’s budget had increased by 24.4% in 2013 compared with 2011 but the number of cases convicted had dropped by 31.7%. Ko said in 2013, MACC received a RM251 million allocation and convicted 265 individuals.

In 2011, MACC’s allocation was RM202 million and number of individuals convicted 388. “The MACC is not only catching the big sharks, the little fishes are also getting away,” said the DAP lawmaker.

Ko said it was worrying that 90% of corporate executives agreed that bribery and corruption were a major problem for business in Malaysia as shown in a survey done by international auditing firm KPMG in January.

Read more here:

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/03/24/maccs-huge-allocation-not-justified/

Despite the government paying RM270 million, a mentoring programme implemented since 2011 to improve English language teachers’ skills has had minimum impact on the quality of English among students and teachers alike.

The Dewan Rakyat was told today that the Program Penutur Jati Bahasa Inggeris (PPJBI), which hires foreign teachers to mentor local English language primary school teachers from rural areas, was unable to prevent last year’s UPSR results for the English subject plunging lower than ever.

However, the programme, which ran from 2011 to 2013, has since been extended from Oct 1, 2013 to Sept 30, 2015, at an additional cost of RM184.4 million, according to Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan.

Read more here: 
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/03/24/rm270-million-spent-on-english-yet-no-results/

Kos dan perbelanjaan yang diperuntukkan untuk kempen dan iklan cukai perkhidmatan dan perkhidmatan (GST) yang akan dilaksanakan pada 1 April 2015 mencecah RM365 juta.

Perkara itu dinyatakan oleh Menteri Kewangan Datuk Seri Najib Razak dalam jawapan bertulisnya bagi menjawab pertanyaan Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) berhubung kos kempen dan iklan cukai itu.

Dalam jawapan bertulisnya, Najib yang juga perdana menteri berkata perbelanjaan yang telah dan akan dilakukan kerajaan berhubung kempen itu merangkumi:

i) RM98 juta untuk sistem perkomputeran GST yang siap dibangunkan oleh Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia bagi 2013/2014.

ii) RM150 juta penyediaan perisian perakaunan bersubsidi kepada Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) sedang diuruskan oleh kastam - meliputi RM125 juta pada 2014 dan RM25 bagi tahun berikutnya.

iii) RM100 juta bagi geran latihan kepada peniaga yang diuruskan oleh Kementerian Kewangan yang meliputi RM50 juta pada 2013 dan RM50 juta untuk tahun ini.

iv) RM17 juta bagi program publisiti melalui media arus perdana dan media sosial - akhbar, televisyen, radio dan papan tanda, laman web, blog, Twitter dan Facebook - yang diuruskan oleh Kementerian Kewangan pada 2012-2014.

Sebelum ini, Khalid yang juga ahli jawatankuasa Pusat PAS membangkitkan perkara sama dalam sidang medianya pada Februari lalu.

Sementara itu, dalam sidang medianya di lobi parlimen hari ini, Khalid mengkritik kos kempen cukai itu yang ditanggung dan menurutnya akhirnya membebankan rakyat.

"Belum apa-apa lagi, kerajaan nak kena tanggung RM365 juta untuk nak laksanakan GST. Ini duit rakyat, dan akhirnya digunakan untuk membebankan rakyat."

Selanjutnya: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/258026

Persecution of Christians in Malaysia Was Again Raised in the UK Parliament

Published by Free Malaysia Today on 4 December 2013.

Just weeks before Christmas, the alleged persecution of Christians in Malaysia, was again raised in the UK parliament as part of a debate on Christians around the world, with an MP urging its government to look at the right to practice ones’ religion as a human rights issue.

Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP, Tom Greatrex, noted recent worrying signs of such persecution especially in view of Malaysia being “an important” and “strategic” Commonwealth partner for the UK.

“It has had a significant trading and strategic relationship with this country over many years,” he told the House of Commons.

“Because of that background, it is right to be concerned about recent worrying signs in Malaysia, and to draw them to the attention of the Government through this debate,” said Greatrex.

He said the Malaysian Court of Appeals ruling banning the use of the term ‘Allah” a Bahasa Malaysia term refering to God “effectively” meant that the Bible was “outlawed” is some parts of Malaysia.

“Some Christian communities in Malaysia are now very much in fear of not being able to practise their faith without interference, or with limits on their ability to observe their faith in peace.

“They have been banned from using the word “Allah”, which has been used as terminology for God in Malay for centuries. That effectively meant that in some parts of Malaysia the Bible has been outlawed.

“When a concern was raised, or an attempt was made to raise it, in the state legislative assembly in Sarawak, it was ruled out of order and subjudice.

“So the legitimate concerns of Sarawak Christians about the Malaysia agreement that governs the relationship stretching back 50 years between the peninsula and other parts of Malaysia, have effectively been censured,” said Greatrex.

Sermons and firearms

Greatex also pointed out his concern over Sarawak Minister for Islamic Affairs Daud Abdul Rahman’s call for its religious department to be upgraded to a syariah prosecution department and its officers to be equiped with firearms.

He noted that last month the Malaysian Government’s religious affairs department, which is part of the Prime Minister’s office, had reportedly issued a sermon to be read in every mosque in Malaysia, “condemning supposedly liberal forces undermining Islam”.

“The implication taken by many people in Malaysia was that it was aimed at those who practise the Christian faith.

“There is real concern that such behaviour has relatively little to do with religion or the tolerance and understanding that religion can often promote, but that it is about seeking to create supporters who identify with one political party as pro-Islam, and brand their political opponents as anti-Islam.

“That is a dangerous road to take, because it unleashes mindless aggression, prejudice and fear,” he said, adding that the current policies in Malaysia were “effectively” making it “impossible” for people of other religions to practice their faith.

Urging his government and colleagues to act, Greatrex said: “I implore the Minister and his colleagues, when they represent the Government abroad – taking into account the important, specific and specialist relationship between the UK and other countries around the world, such as Malaysia – to use that opportunity to highlight the fact that human rights are also about the right to practise religion without fear of prosecution.

“Although freedom of religion is supposedly guaranteed by Article 11 of the Malaysian constitution, the reality for many is quite different,” he said insinuating that the stunningly successful ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’ tourism campaign was a farce.

Link: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/12/04/uk-hears-of-god-allah-sermons-and-firearms/

Malaysian Government's Request For RM14 Billion Seen As Untimely

By Pauline Ng. Published by The Business Times Singapore on 24 September 2013.

THE Malaysian government's commitment to budgetary reforms and the consolidation of its fiscal deficit was thrown into doubt yesterday when it sought a further RM14.12 billion (S$5.6 billion) for its operating expenses. Economists say the large amount, coming a month before the tabling of the 2014 Budget, could undermine the government's credibility and lead to a further weakening of the ringgit if does not meet consolidation targets and is punished by international investors.

In Parliament yesterday, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan tabled the Supplementary Supply Bill 2013 seeking the extra funds, the bulk or nearly RM12 billion sought for Treasury services. Given that Mr Ahmad had in July already asked for RM12.17 billion under the same Bill, the latest request is sure to raise concerns as to whether Malaysia can pare its fiscal deficit to 4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) from 4.5 per cent last year.

Link: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/malaysia/kl-govt-request-rm14b-seen-untimely-20130924

The government should not hide behind fictitious economy projections but rather come to terms with reality; as it is unnecessary to have Supplementary Bill annually, says Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar. Pakatan Rakyat views with great concern the first Supplementary Bill on operating expenditure for 2013 worth RM15 billion, comprising of RM14.13 billion for ‘perbelanjaan bekal’ and RM 888.46 for ‘perbelanjaan tanggungan’ which was tabled in parliament yesterday.

According to Nurul, the supplementary budget will adversely affect the nation’s public finances in general and the pace of fiscal consolidation process in the immediate to medium term. The PKR leader also forecast that if no changes happen in revenue, development expenditure, loan recovery and the GDP, the additional operating expenditure will cause the ratio of budget deficit against GDP for 2013 to jump to 5.5% Nurul stressed that 5.5% ratio will be above the 4% projection target tabled in Budget 2013 on 28 September 2012...

“The BN government has failed to achieve their own deficit to GDP targets whilst asking Malaysians to tighten their purses for the sake of a more sustainable future,” says Nurul. She cited the consequences faced in 2012 where by the government failed to achieve the 4.5% target for deficit to GDP ratio.

“It ballooned to 4.9% after taking into account all supplementary bills amounting to RM 28.5 billion,” added Nurul

Nurul also added that the government failed to display meaningful progress towards achieving a self imposed commitments to bring down the budget deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3% by 2015 and maintain a public debt ceiling below 55% at all times.

Read more here: 

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/09/24/supplementary-bill-widens-national-deficit/

The Permata Negara project, under the patronage of the prime minister's wife, had received allocations of RM150 million in 2013, RM111 million in 2012 and RM100 million in 2011.

Manivanan described the manner in which the allocation was spent as "quite peculiar". "Out of the RM 150 million, RM 20 million was returned back to the government, RM 77 million was given to Kemas by Permata to upgrade 313 pre-schools throughout the country," he said.

He said RM 16 million was channelled to the Terengganu Family Development Foundation and another RM9 million was given to the Sarawak state government to manage the state's second Permata programme.

"So Permata is the body that provides government funding?" he asked. "What is it's hallmark achievement in education?"

Read more here:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/stop-funds-for-rosmahs-permata-negara-project-urges-pkr-lawmaker

Accountability: A Simple Comparison Between PR & BN

PAKATAN RAKYAT

In a move similar to the Selangor state government, the Penang Pakatan Rakyat state government handed over official cars used by its state leaders to the state secretary today.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said now that the state assembly has been dissolved, state leaders including himself are only caretakers to continue running the state administration.

“As a caretaker government, we will not handle any management of state assets, we will not make any commitments to open tender and all our family members are barred from involvement in any government contracts,” he said. As the state leaders will not be attending official state events, Lim said it was appropriate to hand over the official cars to the state secretary for safekeeping. “We will be using our own personal cars for party matters and during this campaign period,” he said.

Read more here:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/penang-hands-over-state-cars

BARISAN NASIONAL

Malaysiakini reporter Koh Jun Lin has reported being faced with threats of assault by Barisan Nasional staff when he tried to find out about the use of federal government Information Department vans and equipment at a party ceramah in Batu, Kuala Lumpur.

In his report on the encounter, Jun Lin said the party’s event organiser, Suhaimi Yahya, had shouted: “Hey! You are lucky I haven’t smacked you yet. . .” At this point, an unidentified man wearing a BN shirt stepped in and forced Malaysiakini to leave the venue, shouting “Go back”, “Don’t cause trouble”, and “Don’t you dare look back”.

Jun Lin’s run-in with the BN workers had come when he tried to ask about the use of Information vans and equipment at the opening of the party’s election centre for Batu constituency. A speaker van was used to broadcast speeches, while two other Information vehicles were parked nearby, Jun Lin reported.

Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Muhyiddin Yassin had been the guest-of-honour earlier in which he spoke to about 300 supporters criticising the outgoing MP, Tian Chua of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Government equipment is not allowed to be used for party purposes under any circumstances and especially so by a caretaker government during election campaigns — but the Alliance and the Barisan Nasional coalitions have paid scant regard to procedure and good constitutional behaviour in the past.

Read more here:

http://uppercaise.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/bn-staff-threaten-mkini-reporter-with-smacking/

UK Same Sex Marriage Policy: Ministers Are Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Published by BBC News on 26 December 2012.

Sir Paul Coleridge told the Times same-sex unions are a "minority issue". His comments come after the Roman Catholic Church's leader in England and Wales denounced the plans.

Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols told the BBC the government had no mandate to push through same-sex marriage laws in England and Wales. And in his Christmas Eve sermon he said that marriage between men and women shares in "the creative love of God".

Sir Paul told the Times newspaper: "So much energy and time has been put into this debate for 0.1% of the population, when we have a crisis of family breakdown. While it is gratifying that marriage in any context is centre stage... but it [gay marriage] is a minority issue. We need... a more focused position by the government on the importance of marriage." Sir Paul last year launched independent charity Marriage Foundation to support married couples but said the charity did not take a stance on gay marriage. He added the breakdown of marriages and its impact on society affects 99.9% of the population, which is where more investment and time should spent.

'Strongest attack'

During his BBC interview, Archbishop Nichols said of the gay marriage plans: "There was no announcement in any party manifesto, no Green Paper, no statement in the Queen's Speech. And yet here we are on the verge of primary legislation. From a democratic point-of-view, it's a shambles. George Orwell would be proud of that manoeuvre, I think the process is shambolic." He claims during a "period of listening", those who responded were "7-1 against same-sex marriage".

BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said this was Archbishop Nichols's strongest attack yet on the government's plans for gay marriage.

In the past, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has likened committed gay relationships to "profound friendships". Pope Benedict XVI reiterated his opposition to gay marriage last week in a pre-Christmas address, saying it was destroying the very "essence of the human creature". "People dispute the idea that they have a nature, given to them by their bodily identity, that serves as a defining element of the human being. They deny their nature and decide that it is not something previously given to them, but that they make it for themselves."

The UK government has previously announced that the Church of England and Church in Wales will be banned in law from offering same-sex marriages, with other religious organisations able to "opt in" to holding ceremonies. The government plans to allow gay marriage but says it will not force religious bodies to perform services.

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20842884

Related report:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20840531

Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols told the BBC the government had no mandate to push through same-sex marriage laws in England and Wales. And in his Christmas Eve sermon he said that marriage between men and women shares in "the creative love of God"...

Meanwhile, the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, in his final Christmas sermon in the role, admitted that the Church of England's credibility had been damaged by the recent vote against women bishops...

Speaking in his sermon at Westminster Cathedral, Archbishop Nichols said "the love of husband and wife, which is creative of new human life, is a marvellously personal sharing in the creative love of God who brings into being the eternal soul that comes to every human being with the gift of human life".

He added: "Sometimes sexual expression can be without the public bond of the faithfulness of marriage and its ordering to new life. Even governments mistakenly promote such patterns of sexual intimacy as objectively to be approved and even encouraged among the young."

Walk For Freedom 2011

Lawyers end march, say to keep up pressure on assembly law

The Bar Council warned the Najib administration today it will “continue knocking on the doors of Parliament” if the Peaceful Assembly Bill is passed without public consultation.

Malaysian Bar President Lim Chee Wee urged the government to consider the council’s proposed alternative to the government’s original Bill, which he described as an “unjust law made in haste ... which will impose unreasonable and disproportionate fetters on freedom of assembly”.

“The Bar will continue knocking on the doors of Parliament if the Bill makes it to the statute books in its current form. We will not give up hope,” he vowed during a brief press conference in Parliament here.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/lawyers-end-march-say-to-keep-up-pressure-on-assembly-law

Bar Council presents alternative assembly bill

The Bar Council has made public its alternative to the controversial Peaceful Assembly Bill, saying it takes “significantly different approaches” from the one the Dewan Rakyat passed today.

The council said in a media statement that its draft, also called the Peaceful Assembly Bill, complied with international conventions. It gives every person, regardless of age, the right to assemble peacefully.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/11/29/bar-council-presents-alternative-assembly-bill/

More than 2,000 lawyers gather to protest Assembly Bill

More than 2,000 lawyers from the 14,000-strong Bar Council turned up for the much-anticipated protest despite the short notice given. They began begin their 2.5km 'Walk for Freedom' to Parliament at around 12.30pm.

On reaching the august House, president of the Bar Lim Chee Wee and 9 others were allowed into the lobby. They handed over a copy of the Bar's alternative Bill to Deputy Minister Liew Vui Kong, plus a letter reiterating their call to MPs to vote wisely on the Bill.

“We are not anti-government or pro-opposition. We are anti-injustice and anti-unconstitutionality. We are pro-justice and pro-rule of law. We have always worked closely with the government,” Lim said.

http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=23657:more-than-2000-lawyers-gather-to-protest-assembly-bill-walk-to-begin-soon&Itemid=2

Lawyers march against Assembly Bill

More than 1,000 members of the Bar Council marched to the Dewan Rakyat today to protest the proposed the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011.

Led by their president Lim Chee Wee, they asked MPs not to pass the controversial Bill, claiming that it would curtail the right to peaceful assembly.

Lim said that Malaysia was founded on public demonstrations, citing founding father Onn Jaafar’s leading of the Malayan Union against the British.

He also pleaded to the MPs not to rid Malaysians the right to assemble peacefully “with the stroke of a pen”.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/11/29/lawyers-march-against-assembly-bill/

Malaysia passes ban on street protests

Malaysian and international rights groups describe it as repressive because it bans street rallies and imposes tough restrictions and penalties for demonstrators.

The law was announced only last week, and some critics say the vote was rushed without proper public consultation.

About 500 lawyers and their supporters marched to parliament hours before the vote, urging lawmakers to reject the bill and chanting "freedom to the people'' before police stopped most of them from entering the complex.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2011/11/201111299054994173.html?utm_content=automateplus&utm_campaign=Trial6&utm_source=SocialFlow&utm_term=tweets&utm_medium=MasterAccount#.TtTR3pmqa6A.facebook

Malaysia’s ruling coalition advances ban on street protests criticized as repressive

Prime Minister Najib Razak’s ruling coalition says the Peaceful Assembly Act is intended to strike a balance between public order and the right to peaceful assembly. The act passed easily in Parliament’s lower house after the boycott, and the law is expected to be enforced after Parliament’s upper house, also dominated by the National Front coalition, approves it as early as next month.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/500-malaysian-lawyers-activists-stage-protest-march-against-govt-plan-to-ban-street-ralllies/2011/11/29/gIQA2il36N_story.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Opposition MPs walk out, refuse to vote on Peaceful Assembly Bill

Opposition MPs staged a walkout during the debate on the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 on Tuesday, claiming that the Government was rushing the bill through.

The entire bench stood and left the House at around 3pm after the Speaker allowed the debate to continue despite calls for it to be suspended and for the bill to be referred to a Parliamentary Select Committee.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/29/nation/20111129153616&sec=nation

Peaceful Assembly Bill passed

KUALA LUMPUR: The Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 was passed by Parliament Tuesday after six amendments were made to the bill.

The bill was passed with no dissenting votes after the Opposition refused to take part in the debate and staged a walkout.

The walk-out was staged before Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri tabled six amendments to the bill.

The bill was passed before Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia had allowed just three Opposition MPs to debate the proposed law.

The Opposition had asked for it to be retracted and put before a Parliamentary Select Committee for review.

The six changes include Sub-Clause 9 (1), where the 30-day notice period required to be given to the police was changed to 10 days.

Under Clause 12 (b), objections against a proposed assembly must be lodged with the police in writing within 48 hours, instead of five days.

For Clause 14, the change included the provision for police to give a reply to organisers within five days instead of 12.

In Clause 16(a), appeal against the rejection of an application or the exercise of police discretionary orders to organisers can be done within 48 hours of receipt, instead of four days while under Clause 16(b), the Home Minister is to answer any appeals within 48 hours of receipt instead of six days.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/29/nation/20111129164017&sec=nation

Hello MP, kami sedang perhatikan cara awak undi

Meminjam konsep bekas presiden Majlis Peguam, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan yang mahu setiap ahli parlimen "bertanggungjawab kepada pengundi mereka", warga maya melancarkan kempen mengingatkan wakil rakyat mereka bahawa corak pengundian mereka berhubung rang undang-undang kontroversi itu akan juga ditentukan pada pilihan raya akan datang.

Melalui kempen yang dikenali sebagai '#HelloMP' warga maya memuat-naikkan gambar mereka memegang sehelai kertas dengan nama kawasan pilihan raya dan wakil rakyat, menggesa mereka menolak rang undang-undang itu di Facebook.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/182714

Govt paranoid, says Ambiga

BERSIH chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan claims the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 is a "paranoid" Bill.

Asked if the proposed legislation was a retaliation against Bersih 2.0, she said: "I do not know whether it is a direct retaliation.

"I think it is a paranoid Bill. I think the government seems to fear the idea of the rakyat expressing themselves."

Ambiga said this before the Bar Council organised walk from Lake Gardens to Parliament building yesterday.

http://www.mmail.com.my/content/86739-bar-courting-trouble

On The Eve Of Malaysia Day 16 September 2011

Najib disappoints again: Glamour ISA announcements but little real change

Prime Minister Najib Razak's promise to repeal the Internal Security Act 1960 and several other oppressive laws were cautiously greeted by PKR leaders as a victory for the people, including the thousands of activists both local and foreign who fought through the decades for their removal.

However, they slammed Najib for trying to give a false impression to Malaysians that they could look forward to greater democracy, when effectively, there was little real change and a possibility that new laws made to replace the ISA could contain similarly oppressive clauses.

Read more: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=19453:najib-disappoints-again-glamour-announcements-but-little-real-change&Itemid=2

Najib announces repeal of ISA, three emergency declarations

Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced tonight the repeal of the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) and the three Emergency Declarations when both the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat have their next sitting.

The prime minister said that new laws will be enacted to protect the peace, harmony and security of the country.

He also announced that the government will do away with annual printing and publishing permits with permits that can be cancelled if regulations are flouted.

Najib acknowledged in his address to the nation on the eve of Malaysia Day that the move to increase civil liberties was “risky, but we are doing this for our survival.”

“No individual will ever be detained simply due to political ideology,” he said in his speech that was broadcast live on all local television stations.

The move to scrap the law has been hailed by ex-ISA detainee and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as “an epochal move.”

Read more: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-announces-repeal-of-isa-three-emergency-declarations/

K'jaan mansuhkan ISA dan Akta Buang Negeri

"Sehubungan dengan itu lagi, kita tidak akan teragak-agak untuk meminda atau memansuhkan undang-undang yang tidak lagi relevan," tambahnya.

Kajian semula komprehensif itu akan melibatkan Akta Kediaman Terhad 1933 dan Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan 1984 di mana prinsip pembaharuan tahunan akan dihapuskan dan digantikan dengan pengeluaran lesen sehingga dibatalkan.

Kerajaan juga akan mengkaji semula seksyen 27 Akta Polis 1967 dengan mengambil kira peruntukan Perkara 10 Perlembagaan Persekutuan tentang kebebasan berhimpun dengan prinsip menentang sekeras-kerasnya demonstrasi jalanan.

Baca selanjutnya: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/175950

ISA abolished, host of changes promised

Najib said the parliamentary motion to lift the Emergency proclamations will be made under Clause 3, Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, and was in line with the people’s aspiration for Malaysia to be more open and its democracy, more dynamic.

“As many are aware, only the emergency proclamation made following the confrontation in 1964 had been implicitly revoked, while the other emergency proclamations are regarded to be in force until today,” he said.

He said, realising that Malaysia had changed over the years and in line with the people’s aspirations based on the universal philosophy on democracy, the government would table in the lower and upper houses of parliament for the three emergency proclamations to be revoked.

Clause 3, Article 150 of the Federal Constitution gives the power to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to revoke the emergency proclamations and ordinance, or these to be ineffective if decided by parliament.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/09/15/internal-security-act-to-be-abolished/

Najib's Speech Could Open Door to Malaysia Reforms

Still, depending on how far Mr. Najib is prepared to go, Thursday's speech could go some way toward repairing the poisonous atmosphere in the country, and also help Mr. Najib ensure that he can make his own mark on determining the country's future direction.

"This really could be a turning point for Malaysia," Singapore Management University's Ms. Welsh said.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903927204576571934144265052.html