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The government shines a light on its transformation programme of the last three years
AT no other three-year period has the government of Malaysia been as busy. And Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has a detailed statement of accounts on which he has asked to be judged. Last year's  reports on the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) clearly speak of a National Transformation Policy  that is on track to meet the challenges of the present and future. Under its driving philosophy of "1Malaysia: People First, Performance Now", the three-pronged aim of strengthening the solidarity of plural Malaysia, developing  a government delivery system which prioritises the aspirations of the people,  and escaping  the middle-income trap, are looking very achievable. What makes it all credible is that the reports are proper audits of the progress made thus far. In the honesty and industry of their presentation on Monday evening, one cannot but agree with Najib that it would be a mistake to change the driver of  this  transformation juggernaut at this juncture.
As he reminded his fellow citizens, the country will be facing the 13th general election soon in a global economic milieu of uncertainty and inflationary pressure. That the population, however, is moving on regardless is largely thanks to an official policy of giving top priority to managing the cost of living so that inflation, while real, does not overburden the average worker and consumer. Here is an example of how effective the GTP is; a fact largely due to its construct, which focuses the government's mind and muscle on seven National Key Result Areas (NKRA), led by a toolkit to tackle rising prices. Following closely is crime reduction, where street crimes have almost been halved. Enhancing student performance, the third NKRA, has seen the realisation of free schooling and an emphasis on early education. Upgrading rural infrastructure and the other three NKRAs have also had measurable impacts. The Key Performance Indicators quantify all of the result areas.
On the economic front, the world has been supplied proof of the government's success. The ETP has improved Malaysia's international ranking as among the world's top countries for the ease of starting and running a business. It is rising in the World Economic Competitiveness list. Investment is flowing into the country, given that it is one of the top 10 countries in the Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index for this year. These are hard facts, not pie in the sky. With the engagement of the electorate, Najib's aim of a growing per capita income, reaching Vision 2020's target of US$15,000 (RM45,750), becomes a real possibility.

posted from Bloggeroid

Dont be cheated again-Najib

UNFULFILLED PROMISES: PKR-lead Selangor government has not delivered on any of its pledges

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak receiving a warm welcome being briefed on the heritage room by from Hulu Langat residents yesterday. Pic by Chan Wai Yew
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DATUK Seri Najib Razak yesterday cautioned the people of Selangor not to be cheated again by the opposition in the next general election.
The prime minister said it was enough that the people had been cheated once (in the 2008 general election).
The opposition, he said, had promised a lot of things during the 2008 general election but had not delivered on anything.
“We want to ask the opposition: how many of the promises made during the 2008 general election have been fulfilled?
“The 20 per cent reduction in assessment, has it been implemented? “What about the business premises tax reduction of 10 per cent and free health services for senior citizens in Selangor? Have all these been implemented?
“That is why the rakyat have more faith in the BN (Barisan Nasional).
“We have been cheated once,that is enough. We don’t want to be cheated again,” Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said to loud applause from more than 5,000 people who turned up at a function where he handed out
assistance to flood victims in the Hulu Langat and Ampang parliamentary constituencies.
He read out other unfulfilled promises, including the RM55 the opposition had promised to pay to cover children’s nursery charges, RM50 to be paid to each preschooler and RM600 a month for each single mother.
Najib said the support for BN in the state was growing because of the failure of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat-led state government to fulfil its promises.
All the promises, he said, had yet to be implemented. The people, therefore, should vent their disappointment on the present state government in the next general election.
Najib, who is also Selangor Umno chairman, said he always gave priority to the people in the state.
"I should be in Sepang to watch the F1 race, but (Lewis) Hamilton (F1 racer) can wait, the people of Hulu Langat are more important and should be given the priority.
"Furthermore, Hamilton cannot vote, but you all can," he said.
Najib also announced an allocation of RM7.5 million to restore and mitigate damaged bridges and dams in the district which were badly affected by floods on March 7.
Najib also told the crowd of his chat with one "Manickam" during his recent visit to Negri Sembilan.
Manickam was the head of an Indian village in the state, he said, adding that he had asked the man whether BN could win in Teluk Kemang (Port Dickson).
Najib said Manickam replied: "This time, BN will definitely win."
Najib said when he asked Manickam why he felt BN could win, Manickam told him, "Datuk, I see the wind is beginning to blow to BN."
Najib then turned to the cheering crowd and shouted: "The wind is blowing to BN. Can we win? Selangor can also win."
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2 held over fake money lending licences

Ring charges RM30,000 fees each

Penang state commercial crime chief Assistant Commissioner Roslee Chik (right) showing a fake money lenders licence in Bukit Mertajam yesterday. Pic by Zulfa Mohamad
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POLICE have broken up a syndicate which makes and sells counterfeit money lenders licences, using A4 papers, in two separate raids here recently.
The raids led to the arrest of two men, aged between 40 and 50, and the seizure of several items, including a computer, two printers, six copies of the licence, 150 business cards, 11 money lenders' payment cards, 70 blank money lenders' payment cards, 23 copies of identity cards and 66  money lending forms.

State Commercial Crime Department Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Roslee Chik said his officers had been gathering intelligence for three months prior to the raids at  shoplots belonging to the syndicate.

Roslee said the syndicate issued licences "similar" to the ones given out by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

"The leader of the syndicate, who has been active for the past five years, had also created a format of the licence using a computer, and would supply them to  syndicate members by imposing a payment of between RM20,000 and RM30,000 as processing fee for the licence which is valid for a period of two years, and RM600 for the subsequent renewal," he said  here yesterday.

Roslee said checks on the counterfeit licences showed they had valid serial numbers registered under another person's name.

"They were also able to obtain licences for business premises from the local authorities by just handing over a counterfeit money lenders' licence.

"We have identified all the syndicate members using these counterfeit licences and we will take action soon."

The case is being investigated under Section 468/471 of the Penal Code for forgery for the purpose of cheating and using as genuine a forged document, which carries a maximum seven years' jail and also a fine.

As for the offence under Section 5 (2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951, the penalty is a maximum RM1 million fine or maximum five years' jail or both.
- http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/2-held-over-fake-money-lending-licences-1.49731

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Form five student caught working at pub

PETALING JAYA: A Form Five student was found working at a pub in Bandar Puteri Puchong after school hours.

Her secret came to light when Bukit Aman anti-vice, gambling and secret societies (D7) division officers raided the pub at 12.30am yesterday under the ongoing “Ops Noda” anti-vice operations.

She said that she needed to earn pocket money.

“My parents were divorced when I was three months old. Since then, my grandmother has been looking after me.

“I do not know the whereabouts of my father while my mother is residing in Penang,” she said, adding that it was her second day at work.

The girl denied that she was a GRO, but was merely a “wine promoter”.

However, police suspected that she was also offering sexual services.

Also detained were four GROs, aged between 20 and 30, including a Vietnamese and 25 customers.

One of the clients, aged 35, was said to be so intoxicated that he tried to put up a fight.

The officers had to handcuff him and he is expected to be charged with obstructing policemen on duty.

The others were released after having their statements recorded.

On Sunday, Federal CID deputy director Senior Asst Comm Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan announced the launch of Ops Noda to rid the Klang Valley of vice-related activities.

- http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/17/nation/10754297&sec=nation

posted from Bloggeroid

SPR gugur 42,000 pengundi

GEORGETOWN: Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) akan menggugurkan nama 42,025 pengundi yang status mereka meragukan daripada senarai daftar pemilih selepas tempoh semakan tamat semalam.

Sebelum ini, SPR meminta Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) memeriksa senarai daftar pemilih yang berjumlah 12.46 juta pengundi dan mendapati status mereka meragukan.

Pengerusi SPR, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof, berkata tempoh semakan sepatutnya tamat akhir tahun lalu, tetapi dilanjutkan sebulan atas permintaan Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Berhubung Penambahbaikan Proses Pilihan Raya (PSC).

Katanya, sepanjang tempoh itu, SPR menerima 50 maklum balas daripada pemilih dan waris dari Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor dan Negeri Sembilan, manakala tiada maklum balas daripada negeri lain, termasuk Sabah membabitkan 13,000 pengundi yang statusnya meragukan.

“Semakan di JPN mendapati sebanyak 26 daripada 50 maklum balas yang diterima menunjukkan rekod pemilih terbabit adalah aktif, manakala 24 lagi tidak aktif.

“Kita tidak mempunyai pilihan dan menggugurkan 42,025 pengundi yang diragukan statusnya. Kita sudah memberi masa mencukupi untuk mereka memeriksa senarai itu di laman web SPR dan memberi cakera padat (mengandungi senarai terbabit) kepada parti politik,” katanya pada sidang media selepas menyampaikan taklimat kepada pengurus dan penolong pegawai pengurus SPR di sini, semalam.

Dalam pada itu, Abdul Aziz berkata, daripada 16.1 juta rakyat Malaysia berusia 21 tahun ke atas yang layak mendaftar sebagai pengundi, 12.4 juta sudah berdaftar, manakala 3.7 juta belum berbuat demikian. 
“Kita harap mereka yang layak segera mendaftar bagi membolehkan mereka menunaikan tanggungjawab,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Abdul Aziz berkata, SPR dalam proses menentukan kriteria perlu diikuti rakyat Malaysia di luar negara untuk membolehkan mereka mengundi.

“Kami mahu tentukan kategori orang Malaysia di luar negara yang boleh mengundi. Adakah hendak bagi (mengundi) orang yang tinggal 20 atau 30 tahun di luar negara dan tidak tahu apa-apa mengenai Malaysia.

“Kita akan ikut negara lain. Contohnya, ada yang tetapkan tiga tahun kena balik dan ada yang empat tahun. Singapura berikan tempoh tertentu... macam di Amerika Syarikat seseorang mestilah pembayar cukai,” katanya.

Mengenai cadangan membenarkan warga Malaysia di luar negara mengundi awal, Abdul Aziz berkata, pihaknya sudah membincangkan perkara itu dengan Wisma Putra yang menyatakan tidak sanggup melaksanakannya kerana proses yang rumit.


-http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/SPRgugur42_000pengundi/Article/

Remaja warga asing dibunuh akibat terpijak kasut di tawau

TAWAU: Kerana terpijak kasut pada majlis kenduri dan tari menari di Kalabakan, seorang remaja maut dibelasah sekumpulan lelaki di persimpangan bulatan besar Jalan Tawau-Keningau di Kalabakan, kira-kira 100 kilometer dari sini.

Remaja lelaki berusia 16 tahun yang cedera di perut, muka, kepala dan tangan itu mati di Hospital Tawau pada jam 3.20 petang semalam.

Ketua Polis Daerah Tawau, Asisten Komisioner Ibrahim Chin, berkata siasatan awal polis mendapati remaja rakyat asing itu dipukul menggunakan kayu dan tangan oleh sekumpulan lelaki berusia 17 dan 23 tahun yang tidak berpuas hati dengan kejadian itu.
"Mereka menunggunya di bulatan besar Jalan Tawau-Keningau di Kalabakan. Sebaik mangsa yang menaiki motosikal tiba bersama dua rakan lain, mereka diserang secara tiba-tiba menggunakan kayu dan tangan.

"Dua rakan mangsa sempat melarikan diri," katanya di sini, hari ini.

Beliau berkata, sehubungan itu, polis menahan lapan remaja dengan dua daripadanya rakyat asing dua hari lepas bagi membantu siasatan kes itu.

Sementara itu, seorang lelaki rakyat Indonesia berusia 29 tahun mati ditikam, disyaki rakan sebiliknya di sebuah rumah pekerja di Kem Luasong, kira-kira 110 kilometer dari sini.
Kejadian pada jam 6 pagi Ahad lalu, katanya, ia dikatakan hanya disebabkan lelaki itu membawa masuk sebuah katil usang ke dalam bilik yang dikongsi dengan seorang rakyat Filipina berusia 39 tahun itu. - BERNAMA

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High court orders Amizudin to face contempt of court hearing on March 2

By M.MAGESWARI

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has ordered blogger Amizudin Ahmat to appear on March 2 for contempt of court proceedings over a defamation suit filed by Infor mation, Commu ni cations and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

Justice Zabariah Mohd Yusof ordered Amizudin to file an affidavit-in-reply for the hearing proper by Feb 10 and to hand over a copy to Dr Rais.

“You must get a lawyer within the time,” the judge told him yesterday.

Amizudin applied to the judge for an adjournment saying that he only received the notice on the matter last Wednesday and that he had never attempted to escape from being served the court papers for the proceedings.

Upon hearing this, Justice Zabariah told Amizudin that she had been informed that Dr Rais’ lawyer was having difficulty serving the papers on him.

She also added that the case was mentioned before her several times.

Amizudin said he was shocked to learn that he had “disappeared” from an appellate court to avoid being served the papers.

Dr Rais’ lead counsel Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said this was a criminal matter and that they were making an application for the blogger to be sent to prison.

Justice Zabariah then explained to Amizudin that he was accused of breaching a court order, which had issued an injunction preventing him from publishing any similar defamatory words against the plaintiff in his blog.

“That (the injunction) is based on what is agreed between the parties. Because of your own conduct, you are said to have breached a court order,” she added.

Justice Zabariah also asked Dr Rais to reply to the the blogger’s affidavit by Feb 24.

Dr Rais, 70, had filed the application on Nov 10, last year, for a committal order against Amizudin for being in contempt of court.

Dr Rais, who won his defamation suit at the High Court on July 4, last year, had been awarded RM300,000 after the blogger implied that the minister had raped his Indonesian maid.

The Court of Appeal had on last Wednesday upheld the High Court’s decision.

It said that the award was not high in view of Dr Rais’ high social standing.

It, however, reduced the costs from RM100,000 to RM50,000.

Dr Rais filed the suit against Amizudin on Jan 31 last year, saying that the blogger had published a defamatory article under the heading Hei Pak Menteri ... mana mau lari ... (Hey Mr Minister.... where do you want to run to) in his blog on Dec 28, 2010.
- http://thestar.com.my

posted from Bloggeroid