THE ROOT OF THE SULUK INSURGENCY

KiniTalk_ The root of the Suluk insurgency

AUTOMATION CAN REDUCE CORRUPTION – DIRECTOR

Automation can reduce corruption – director

KOTA KINABALU 9/12/2012: Automation can reduce instances of corruption as it leaves no room for negotiation, National Key Result Area (NKRA) against corruption monitoring and coordination division director Datuk Hisham Nordin said.

According to him, the division had encouraged automation in enforcement agencies and this was after taking into consideration studies conducted in the US, where police vehicles were equipped with a recording system to record what was happening when drivers were stopped for traffic offences.

“With the interaction between driver and enforcement officer being recorded, there is no room and opportunity for corruption to happen,”

NAZRI: MICHAEL CHIA NEVER ARRESTED IN HK WITH SABAH UMNO CASH

Nazri: Michael Chia never arrested in HK with Sabah Umno cash

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 ― Putrajaya revealed today that businessman Michael Chia was never caught in Hong Kong holding large sums of Singapore currency as reported, in the latest twist to the saga over a RM40 million political donation for Sabah Umno.

“According to MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), Chia was never arrested in Hong Kong... that is the MACC’s answer.

“And (Hong Kong’s) ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) never caught Michael Chia,”

POLITICIANS’ SUPPORT FOR MACC VITAL, SAYS FORMER ICAC HONG KONG COMMISSIONER

Politicians’ Support for MACC Vital, says former ICAC Hong Kong Commissioner

KUALA LUMPUR – As the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) heightens efforts to combat graft, politicians from all divides must have faith and confidence in the Commission to accomplish the task entrusted to them.

Former Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong (ICAC) Commissioner Bertrand de Speville stressed that the Commission should be allowed to get on with the job of implementing national anti-corruption strategies without having to encounter any political interference.

Cautioning politicians against “second guessing” the MACC,

MACC URGED TO INVESTIGATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK

MACC urged to investigate road maintenance work

TAWAU May 9, 2012: Kalabakan member of parliament Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh has called on the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the road maintenance work between Mile 8, Kalabakan and Kampung Luasong Road.

Ghapur said the road is the responsibility of the Sabah Foundation but seemed to have never been maintained, although a company had been appointed and getting payment for the works involved.

SWISS MP QUESTIONS UBS’ ROLE IN MALAYSIAN TIMBER CORRUPTION SCANDAL

CORRUPTION : Swiss MP questions UBS’ role in Malaysian timber corruption scandal

(BERNE, SWITZERLAND)3 mai 2012: Carlo Sommaruga, social democrat MP for Geneva, has today filed a number of questions in the Swiss parliament on an international money-laundering affair involving Musa Aman, the Chief Minister of the Malaysian state of Sabah, and the Swiss bank UBS. The MP’s move follows recent media reports, according to which over 90 million US dollars of timber-business-related kickbacks have been laundered by the UBS subsidiary in Hong Kong. Switzerland’s Attorney General and the Federal Office of Justice confirmed that Swiss authorities provided legal assistance and sent the case files to law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong in March 2011.

“IF YOU DO THE CRIME, YOU DO THE TIME”

Judge raises Customs officer’s jail term from two weeks to four years

KOTA KINABALU August 18, 2011: The High Court here increased a Customs officer’s sentence for corruption from two weeks to four years, saying that “if you do the crime, you do the time”.

In his ruling, Justice Datuk David Wong Dak Wah said the country could not tolerate corruption that affected economic efficiency.

“In this day and age, we can ill afford economic inefficiency as we try to compete in a border­­less world.

“The court must also send a message to society that this country does not accept corruption as part of daily life,”

LDP WANTS AN END TO ROAD MAINTENANCE, OTHER CONTRACTS

LDP wants an end to road maintenance, other contracts

Kota Kinabalu August 14, 2011: It is time for the Government to liberalise various sectors currently being monopolised as these do not deliver good quality service to the rakyat but only profits to cronies.

Inefficiency, Monopolies, Cost Of Living

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Treasurer-General, Fong Ken Sin said the root of inflation and inefficiency is crony capitalism that gives priority to cartels and monopolies.

"We need to end the monopolies of road maintenance, water supply, electricity supply, car APs, Development Plan approval monopoly and negotiated contracts that suck our nation dry," he said.

Sabah's road maintenance, in particular, is handled by five selected concessionaires, some of which gets hundreds of millions of ringgit yearly.

There is often dispute over whose jurisdiction a particular road or bridge repair should come under while the rakyat in the affected areas suffer.

DOKTOR MINTA SUAPAN CUTI SAKIT DIBERKAS

Doktor minta suapan cuti sakit diberkas

SETIAP hari selepas keluar rumah untuk ke tempat kerja, Yunus (bukan nama sebenar) akan memandang ke arah sebuah rumah tiga tingkat yang telah diubahsuai dengan rekaan terkini milik rakan baiknya, Amri.

Persahabatan yang bermula sejak bersama-sama mengikuti pengajian dalam bidang perubatan semakin erat setelah kedua-duanya membeli kediaman di kawasan yang sama.

Bagaimanapun, Yunus yang bekerja sebagai pegawai perubatan di jabatan kerajaan hanya memperoleh gaji bulanan sekadar mencukupi untuk menyara hidup isteri dan empat anaknya.

Dengan gaji sebanyak itu, Yunus tidak mampu mengubah suai kediaman yang didiami sejak 15 tahun lalu atau menukar kereta kepada yang lebih selesa untuk keluarganya.

Perasaan cemburu mula singgah di hatinya tatkala melihat Amri menghadiahkan sebuah kereta mewah kepada isterinya sempena hari ulang tahun perkahwinan mereka.

Pada satu hari, Amri menghubungi Yunus menawarkan jawatan doktor sambilan di sebuah klinik yang baru dibuka di kawasan berhampiran kediaman mereka.

Dengan hati yang gembira, Yunus menerima tawaran itu dan bercita-cita untuk mendapat sebuah kediaman impian dan mewah seperti rakannya itu.

Hampir setiap hari Yunus meninggalkan hospital satu atau dua jam lebih awal untuk bekerja lebih awal di klinik Amri.

Setiap hari pula, ramai pesakit yang datang mendapatkan rawatan malah ada yang hanya datang mengambil cuti sakit sahaja.

Yunus telah mengenakan bayaran yang tinggi sehingga RM50 bagi sehari cuti sakit sehingga pada satu hari, kegiatannya berjaya dihidu Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM).

Impian Yunus untuk membina sebuah kediaman impian musnah selepas ditahan SPRM di klinik berkenaan atas aduan dia meninggalkan tugas untuk melakukan pekerjaan lain dalam masa yang sama dan melanggar etika perubatan kerana meminta suapan bagi mengeluarkan cuti sakit tanpa pemeriksaan.

Kes Yunus dirujuk kepada Lembaga Tatatertib dan akhirnya dibuang kerja. Kejadian yang menimpa Yunus ini perlu menjadi pengajaran kepada semua pihak agar tidak mengambil rasuah ketika bertugas.

SABAH AKAN MOHON STATUS WARISAN DUNIA BAGI TIGA KAWASAN KONSERVASI

Sabah Akan Mohon Status Warisan Dunia Bagi Tiga Kawasan Konservasi

TUARAN, 23 Jun (Bernama) -- Kerajaan Negeri Sabah akan memohon status Warisan Dunia kekal bagi tiga kawasan konservasi di negeri ini iaitu Lembangan Maliau, Lembah Danum dan Imbak Canyon.

 

 

 

 

Menteri Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar negeri Datuk Masidi Manjun berkata langkah itu diambil bagi memastikan ekosistem di kawasan itu tidak diganggu.

Beliau berkata adalah penting untuk melindungi hutan dan hidupan liar untuk manfaat generasi akan datang dan menjamin kedudukan ketiga-tiga kawasan sebagai destinasi pelancongan.

"Lambat laun, pelancongan akan menjadi penjana pendapatan nombor satu bagi Sabah dan orang dari seluruh dunia akan datang untuk melihat alam semulajadi Sabah dan dengan itu adalah penting untuk melindungi hutan kita" katanya kepada pemberita pada Simposium Karnivor Borneo (BCS) di sini.

Selain itu, tegasnya langkah itu juga akan dapat melindungi hutan di negeri ini daripada diambil oleh ahli politik korup di masa depan.

Simposium yang julung kali diadakan itu dianjurkan Jabatan Hidupan Liar, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) dan Leibniz Institute For Zoo and Wildlife Research Jerman dan dihadiri perwakilan dari 15 negara yang terdiri daripada saintis, aktivis dan wakil pelbagai agensi kerajaan.

Program selama seminggu itu bertujuan memastikan survival 23 spesies karnivor Borneo. Karnivor berkenaan ialah sekumpulan mamalia seperti harimau akar, musang seperti Tangalunga, memerang dan badger seperti Teledu.

IS MUBARAK'S TIME UP AFTER 30 YEARS IN POWER?

Egyptian Opposition Groups Uniting Behind Mohamed ElBaradei

Opposition groups in Egypt calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak have begun to unify behind Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel peace laureate and former head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency, according to news reports.

ElBaradei, who returned to Egypt only last week, briefly joined an estimated 50,000 protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square who have defied curfews and clashed with the military. "You are the owners of this revolution," he told the crowd. "You are the future. Our essential demand is the departure of the regime and the beginning of a new Egypt in which each Egyptian lives in virtue, freedom and dignity."

At least 100 people have died in the protests, according to BBC News.

"Mr. ElBaradei's endorsement by the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest and best-organized opposition force, amounted to a historic display of unity between the country's secular and Islamist opposition forces," The Wall Street Journal said. "The umbrella organization that organized the protests formed a steering committee on Sunday under Mr. ElBaradei to pressure the regime for more political concessions, according to senior Brotherhood leaders."

The demonstrators have called for a general strike on Monday, as the protests enter their seventh day. Meanwhile, the police have returned to the streets after being absent for two days, BBC News reported.

The U.S. State Department is urging American citizens in Egypt to "consider leaving as soon as they can safely do so," Assistant Secretary Janice L. Jacobs said on Sunday. The United States is providing transport to a safe haven for Americans whose travel arrangements have been disrupted. The travelers will be required to reimburse the United States for the cost of their flights.

Over the weekend, President Obama telephoned the leaders of Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom to reiterate "his focus on opposing violence and calling for restraint; supporting universal rights, including the right to peaceful assembly, association and speech; and supporting an orderly transition to a government that is responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people," the White House said in a statement.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke in similar terms on Sunday news programs.

Asked on "Fox News Sunday" whether the "Obama administration still backs Mubarak as the legitimate president of Egypt," Clinton said: "We have been very clear that we want to see a transition to democracy. And we want to see the kind of steps taken that will bring that about. We also want to see an orderly transition."

She added: "What President Obama and I have been doing is sending a very clear message about where the United States stands. We want to see an orderly transition to a democratic government, to economic reforms, exactly what the protesters are seeking.

ElBaradei, who also appeared on the Sunday news programs, urged Obama to press Mubarak to give up power and said that failing to take more forceful action to make that happen will cost the United States "whatever is left" of its credibility.

"People expected the U.S. to be on the side of the people ... and to let go of a dictator, " ElBaradei said on ABC's "This Week."

ElBaradei said the response of Mubarak so far to the protests and calls for reform by the United States "doesn't even begin to address people's concerns. Peoples' concerns right now is Mubarak has to go, immediately. The first step, if we need to get out of this mess -- and it's total mess, security is not there, it's a total chaos situation right now -- first step, he has to go."

ElBaradei said, in his interview with ABC, that Obama's public statement, calling on Mubarak to undertake reforms, fell short of what was needed. "To ask a dictator to implement democratic measures after 30 years in power is an oxymoron," he said.

"They need to side with the people," ElBaradei said. "They need to go for ... transition, smooth transition, through a government of national salvation. This is only way out."

Speaking on the CNN's foreign affairs program "GPS," ElBaradei called Mubarak's response to the protests "a hopeless desperate attempt ... to stay in power."

Mubarak appeared on television Friday, promising reform, firing his cabinet and naming a vice president for the first time since he took power. But at the same time, he said he needed to protect the stability of the country and has deployed troops in the streets and cut off cell phone access, and access to the Internet.

The New York Times reported Sunday that the White House "has refrained from calling publicly for Mr. Mubarak to step down ... because it worried about losing its leverage over him and about contributing to a political vacuum in Egypt, which could be filled by extremist, anti-American forces."

However, ElBaradei said on CNN that "it is loud and clear from everybody in Egypt that Mubarak has to leave today, and it is non-negotiable for every Egyptian."

Asked about Obama's statements so far, he said, "I can tell you in honesty, as a friend of the U.S., that your policy right now is a failed policy, it is a policy that is lagging behind" and that the U.S. is "losing whatever is left of [its] credibility."

He said Mubarak will inevitably have to give up power and that "It's better for President Obama not to appear he is the last one to say to President Mubarak, 'It's time for you to go leave in dignity before things are going out of hand.'"

ElBaradei said that the fear a post-Mubarak Egypt would turn into another Islamic fundamentalist country like Iran "was a myth that was sold by the Mubarak regime" to keep the support of Western governments.

MAN FINED FOR USING DEAD SON’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO REGISTER MYKAD FOR FOREIGNER

Man fined for using son’s birth certificate to register MyKad for foreigner

January 15, 2011, KOTA KINABALU: A local man from Nabawan who used his son’s birth certificate to register an Indonesian man as a Malaysian, was fined RM5,000, in default one year’s jail by the magistrates’ court here yesterday.

Magistrate Nuruhuda Mohd Yusof imposed the fine on Paliton Takurang, 35, after he pleaded guilty to using his son Eson’s birth certificate to register a MyKad for Asri Samsuddin at the National Registration Department (NRD) at the Federal Building, Jalan Sulaman on Jan 10.

The unrepresented accused was charged under Section 25 (1) (b) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 which carries a maximum three years’ jail or a fine of between RM3,000 and RM20,000 upon conviction.

Prosecuting officer Chief Inspector Lim Swee Beng said that on the same day at about 1.30pm, a complainant who is a senior officer of NRD saw two men, Paliton and Asri, went to the counter to register something.

After that, the officer arrested them as Paliton wanted to register a Mykad for Asri using Eson’s birth certificate which was believed fake.

Lim then said that police investigation revealed that Paliton had sold the birth certificate to Asri for RM1,500 and his son was believed dead.

70% AGREED THAT CORRUPTION AMONG THE COMMUNITY’S LEADERS WAS THE MAIN THREAT TO MALAY/BUMIPUTRA’S POLITICAL POSITION … ” - MERDEKA CENTRE

Survey: Malaysians split over the direction of national unity

BANGI - Malaysian public appear split in their views over the direction of where national unity was headed with 48% saying that the country was becoming more united but 43% feeling that it was becoming more divided while a further 9% were uncertain or did not know. Bickering among the country’s politicians and political parties along with unease over inter-ethnic relations were cited by 13% and 9% of respondents respectively when asked about the issues that divide the people.

Among non-Bumiputera respondents, the survey found only 39% responded positively towards the One Malaysia concept while a plurality, 46% felt that it was a ploy to win non-Malay political support while 16% said they did not know or refused to answer.

The survey found that Bumiputera respondents were also split on the who they felt benefited from government assistance – 48% felt that government programs “benefited ordinary people” but 45% believed that government programs “benefited the rich and politically connected”.

 

The Merdeka Center survey which covered public attitudes towards national unity, trust in government and democratic participation conducted between late January and April of this year, found that Malaysians were united in their lack of interest in national politics and sense of powerlessness in influencing government. In related questions, the survey found that 58% of Malaysians reported that they were not interested in the country’s politics while an even larger proportion, 66% said that they were incapable of bringing about the changes they wish to see happen in the country.

When asked what changes they wished to see happen in the country among a fixed list of items, 27% chose “making the country more democratic”, 20% wanted “making our education system world class” and 11% wanted a “reduction in the gap between rich and poor Malaysians”, among others.

 

The survey found that Malaysians were generally united in feeling of job security as well as economic pressure, with 67% reporting feeling confident that their jobs were secure in the coming year but at the same time, 63% admitted that “making ends meet was a struggle”.

 

Results from the survey also reveal that members of the public were skeptical towards government with respect to prudence in public spending and providing access to aid. 53% reported that they disagreed with the statement that the government was spending public funds prudently while 63% were not confident that the government’s assistance was reaching the needy. The survey found marked differences between public attitudes in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak, for example, only 35% of Peninsular Malaysia respondents agreed that the government was spending public funds prudently while the figure for Sabah and Sarawak was 45%.

 

Among particular ethnic groups, the survey found that among Malay respondents, 70% agreed that corruption among the community’s leaders was the main threat to Malay/Bumiputra’s political position as opposed to “demands made by other races in the country”.

The poll was conducted between 21st January and 26th April 2010 to gauge public attitudes towards a number of issues such as national unity, integrity, democratic participation and affirmative action. A total of 3141 adult Malaysian citizens aged 19 and above were interviewed across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak comprising 51% Malays, 26% Chinese, 7% Indian, 9% other Muslim Bumiputeras and 7% non-Muslim Bumiputeras were interviewed by telephone in the poll. Respondents were selected on the basis of random stratified sampling along ethnicity, gender, age and state of residence.

View topline and other findings at www.merdeka.org

News Release

Poll Report

MASSIVE RM114M LOSSES BY EX-CM

Massive RM114m losses by ex-CM

Kota Kinabalu: Warisan Harta Sabah has recovered from a disastrous share swap deal executed during the chairmanship of a former Chief Minister in December 1997, said Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Haji Rahman Ghani.

He said the share swap was carried out despite a Director, representing the State Finance Ministry, expressing strong reservations.

As a result of the transaction, Warisan Harta Sabah suffered substantial losses. During its financial year of 2000, Warisan Harta Sabah estimated its losses amounted to RM114 million mainly as a result of this transaction.

Speaking at its annual general meeting (AGM) here, Monday, Rahman said Warisan Harta, the State Government's investment arm, was hurt in the share swap of its very strong blue chip counter, MISC shares, in exchange for the shares of North Borneo Timber Corporation (NBT), a trading company and the shares of Sugarbun Corporation Berhad (Sugarbun), a fast-food company.

The deal involved 32 million MISC shares - disposed of at RM5.70 per share valued at RM182.4 million in exchange for 3 million NBT shares transacted at RM32 per share valued at RM96 million and 4.76 million Sugarbun shares transacted at RM7.60 per share valued at RM36.176 million.

He said NBT was de-listed when it was trading at 19 sen per share and Sugarbun (now changed to Borneo Oil) is trading at 14.5 sen.

The huge losses were and continued to be a big blow to Warisan Harta Sabah's financial position and it was estimated that Warisan Harta Sabah had registered unrealised losses exceeding RM200 million not including profits derived from any bonus issue, rights issue of shares, price appreciation and dividends declared by MISC.

He said Warisan Harta Sabah had taken legal action against Suniwang Holdings Sdn Bhd for breaching a condition of the Sale of Shares Agreement, in particular, the "Put Option" that was emplaced to protect Warisan Harta Sabah's interest.

However, in November 2001, a winding up order was issued against Suniwang and subsequently Warisan Harta Sabah submitted its claims against the company through the Official Assignee.

Nonetheless, Rahman said under the present State leadership, Warisan Harta managed to chalk a net profit of RM26.3 million compared to RM9.8 million in 2008.

At group level, Warisan Harta Sabah recorded a net profit of RM65.9 million compared to RM28 million in 2008.

In addition to this, the shareholders of Warisan Harta Sabah also approved a final dividend of RM12 million to be distributed to the State Government of Sabah for the financial year ended 31 December 2009.

Until now, Warisan Harta Sabah had declared a total dividend amounting to RM97.1 million to the State Government as the sole shareholder of Warisan Harta Sabah, he said.

"Since 2000, Warisan Harta Sabah had recovered its losses following the share swap transaction É the remarkable recovery has been made possible with the guidance and foresight of the present leadership including the backing and cooperation by the State Government."

-----

GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE ACTION IN NBT-WH CASE

4 DARIPADA 10 PENJAWAT AWAM DIKESAN TERBABIT DENGAN AKTIVITI RASUAH ?

41 Peratus Penjawat Awam Terlibat Rasuah Tahun Lepas - Cuepacs

TEMERLOH, 2 Jun (Bernama) -- Seramai 418,200 atau 41 peratus daripada 1.2 juta penjawat awam dikesan terbabit dengan aktiviti penerimaan rasuah sepanjang tahun lalu, kata Presiden Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (Cuepacs) Omar Osman.

Beliau berkata jumlah tersebut adalah membimbangkan dan harus ditangani segera.

Bagi menangani masalah tersebut, Cuepacs akan bekerjasama dengan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) supaya mereka yang terbabit dengan aktiviti rasuah diambil tindakan dan diheret kemuka pengadilan, katanya.

"Kita mahu memerangi rasuah di kalangan penjawat awam dan juga membuat laporan kepada SPRM terhadap pihak yang cuba menyogokkan rasuah kepada penjawat awam.

"Cuepacs tidak akan berkrompomi atau bertolak ansur dengan melindungai mana-mana penjawat awam dengan gejala ini yang boleh menjejaskan pembangunan negara," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan mesyuarat agung kali ke-8 Kesatuan Kebangsaan Pekerja-Pekerja Jabatan Kerja Raya dan Air Cawangan Temerloh, di sini.

Omar berkata selain rasuah, Cuepacs juga tidak akan melindungi penjawat awam yang terbabit dalam masalah disiplin termasuk cubaan memalsukan sijil cuti sakit dan ponteng kerja.

Beliau mengulangi kenyataannya bahawa dianggarkan 1,000 hingga 2,000 penjawat awam didapati memalsukan sijil cuti sakit atau mengubah jumlah asal cuti sakit yang diberikan oleh doktor.

"Mereka mendapatkan sijil cuti sakit palsu daripada klinik yang bukan panel dan ada sesetengahnya klinik berkenaan tidak wujud pun.

"Ada sesetengahnya pula mengubah jumlah cuti sakit yang ditulis oleh doktor misalnya 1 hari kepada 11 hari," kata Omar.

-- BERNAMA

----

PEMBETULAN KENYATAAN AKHBAR MENGENAI 41% PENJAWAT AWAM TERLIBAT RASUAN

MACC WANTED TO RECRUIT 900 EMPLOYEES THIS YEAR BUT COULD TAKE IN ONLY 76

'MACC in need of funds, staff'

2010/05/12 KUALA LUMPUR: A parliamentary committee on corruption has called on the government to provide more funds and personnel for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

The committee's chairman, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, said the MACC had requested for RM324 million from the government last year, but it only received RM156.8 million.

He said the MACC was working under severe constraints.

"We feel their effectiveness will be affected in the long run if nothing is done to get them more personnel and funding," Radzi said after chairing a meeting of the committee at Parliament yesterday.

The government had said it could not meet MACC's request because of the economic downturn.

Radzi said the MACC over the next five years needed 5,000 new employees. He added that the MACC wanted to recruit 900 employees this year but could take in only 76.

"Despite this, they have done fairly well," he said.

He said last year, the MACC took 174 cases to court, including 15 politicians. It also made 500 arrests last year.

He said the agency had prosecuted 79 people while 16 people pleaded guilty.

Radzi said 43 were discharged before their defence were called while another nine were released after they were found not guilty by the courts.

He said 23 people were discharged not amounting to acquittal while five others had cases against them withdrawn.

Radzi noted that while some people had been acquitted, the MACC was in the process of appealing against the cases.

The committee would only look into reports that had been completed, he said, adding that it would not look into DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock's case now.

Teoh fell to his death after an overnight interrogation at the Selangor MACC headquarters last year.

The committee's task is to review the MACC reports submitted to Parliament.

"We will make our recommendations to the prime minister in our report, which will be tabled along with last year's MACC report to the Dewan Rakyat," Radzi said.

The committee is expected to have its report and recommendations ready by the next meeting of the house, which begins on June 7.

TOURISM MINISTER DATUK SERI DR NG YEN YEN HAS DENIED ALLEGATIONS IN A BLOG THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED IN CORRUPTION.

Yen Yen Denies Graft Allegations

PENANG, March 14 (Bernama) -- Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen has denied allegations in a blog that she was involved in corruption.

She said she would be lodging a police report in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow over the matter so that the person or persons responsible for the blog posting could be brought to book.

"It is an attempt to tarnish my name and family. I will be instructing my lawyers to take the necessary action," she told reporters after attending a briefing on a railway upgrading project, here on Sunday.

The posting in the 'New Kid On Blog' had alleged that Ng had used her position as Tourism Minister to award contracts to promote tourism products to a company owned by a close friend of her son.

Besides this, the article had also stated that she wanted a media campaign that was to be carried out by the company to be expedited so that she could use money obtained through corrupt means to finance her election campaign ahead of MCA's polls on March 28.

The writer had alleged that Ng would have corruptly obtained some RM2 million through the moves.

Ng clarified that the awarding of the contract was still at the discussion stage and had yet to be awarded to any company.

The former MCA vice president also denied that the article was posted by her political enemies who wanted see her toppled in the party polls.

"No. I feel it is not linked to the party. It is to tarnish my name and family. I leave this matter in the hands of the authorities," she said, adding that she believed that MCA members would not be influenced by such lies spread on the Internet.

A SPECIAL WEBSITE TO DISPLAY THE NAMES OF SUCCESSFUL WINNERS OF TENDERS WOULD BE LAUNCHED SOON AS PART OF THE EFFORTS TO REDUCE CORRUPTION.

Internet has broken down many walls, says Najib

“I want all of you to feel that you have the Government that is very responsive to the needs and aspirations of the Malaysian people ... and we will use the latest technology to get connected and communicate with ‘rakyat Malaysia’,” he added.

Najib said the meeting enabled him to meet Internet friends who had taken the initiative to include him on Facebook, with the current total of 120,000 friends growing by the day.

During the dialogue at the hi-tea, Najib said a special website to display the names of successful winners of tenders would be launched soon as part of the efforts to reduce corruption.

Najib said the Government was also making efforts to have a minimum wage in the private sector to help people in the lower income group achieve the highest possible growth rate.

"SEKURANG-KURANGNYA, SEKARANG KAMI TAHU DENGAN LEBIH JELAS APAKAH MASALAH YANG MENDESAK ITU …

Isu Mendesak Di Sabah Boleh Ditangani Melalui Program Transformasi

KOTA KINABALU, 1 Mac (Bernama) -- Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Aman berkata beliau yakin input daripada Makmal Pembangunan Bumiputera Sabah dan Sarawak di bawah Program Transformasi Kerajaan (GTP) mampu menyelesaikan kebanyakan masalah yang berlarutan sejak sekian lama di negeri ini.

Bercakap kepada pemberita selepas meninjau perkembangan makmal itu di sini Isnin, beliau berkata apa yang penting ialah wujudnya keserasian antara kerajaan negeri dan persekutuan serta peranan yang mereka mainkan dalam menyelesaikan isu berkenaan.

"Sekurang-kurangnya, sekarang kami tahu dengan lebih jelas apakah masalah yang mendesak itu dan bagaimana untuk mengatasinya, melalui syor yang dikemukakan oleh makmal ini.

"Dengan input yang diperolehi daripada makmal ini, saya yakin kami dapat menyelesaikan kebanyakan masalah berkenaan," kata Musa apabila ditanya mengenai isu-isu seperti kemiskinan di negeri itu.

Musa berkata beliau berpuas hati dengan kemajuan makmal berkenaan, yang bermula di Kota Kinabalu pada 22 Feb dan disertai 100 orang.

"Peserta termasuk pegawai-pegawai kerajaan dari Sabah dan Sarawak begitu komited sekali, kerja siang malam untuk mencari input dan kaedah-kaedah yang terbaik untuk selesaikan apa juga masalah yang didapati," katanya.

Makmal itu dibahagikan kepada lima bidang iaitu pembangunan pendidikan, pembangunan ekonomi, pembangunan infrastruktur, pembangunan sosial dan perkara berkaitan hak/undang-undang adat pribumi.

Ketua makmal bagi Sarawak, yang juga Timbalan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Datuk Ose Murang, berkata sesetengah perkara perlu dirujuk kepada kerajaan negeri masing-masing sebelum dibawa kepada jawatankuasa teknikal.

"Contohnya isu berkaitan Mahkamah Pribumi... ia tidak boleh dibawa terus ke Putrajaya kerana ia adalah perkara berkaitan negeri yang perlu dibincangkan dengan pemimpin negeri," katanya.

Jawatankuasa teknikal berkenaan dipengerusikan Tan Sri Bernard Dompok. Jawatankuasa ini bekerjasama dengan Jawatankuasa Kabinet yang dipengerusikan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak bagi memastikan segala strategi dan rancangan ke arah meningkatkan kemajuan Bumiputera di Sabah dan Sarawak, mencapai kejayaan.

MAHKAMAH AGUNG THAI MEMUTUSKAN BEKAS PERDANA MENTERI THAKSIN SHINAWATRA MENYALAHGUNAKAN KUASA & MEMERINTAHKAN DIRAMPAS RM4.7 BILION DARIPADA RM7.8 BILLON ASET YANG DIBEKUKAN MILIKNYA & KELUARGA

Mahkamah Thai Perintah Supaya Dirampas 46.3 Bilion Baht Aset Thaksin

BANGKOK, 27 Feb (Bernama) -- Mahkamah Agung Thai pada Jumaat memutuskan bahawa bekas Perdana Menteri Thaksin Shinawatra telah menyalahgunakan kuasa semasa tempoh beliau memegang jawatan itu dengan memihak kepada urusan perniagaan syarikatnya dan memerintahkan supaya dirampas 46.3 bilion Baht (RM4.7 bilion) daripada 76.6 bilion Baht (RM7.8 billon) aset yang dibekukan milik beliau dan keluarganya.

Bahagian Jenayah bagi Penjawat Jawatan Politik di Mahkamah Agung di sini selesai membacakan penghakiman selama tujuh jam setengah pada 9 malam (10 malam waktu Malaysia).

Bagaimanapun, mahkamah tidak menyatakan sama keputusan itu dicapai sebulat suara atau merupakan keputusan majoriti yang dibuat oleh panel sembilan hakim.

Mahkamah Agung memutuskan supaya dirampas hanya sebahagian daripada keseluruhan aset yang dibekukan itu di mana mahkamah mendapati ia diperoleh semasa tempoh Thaksin memegang jawatan Perdana Menteri selama dua penggal antara 4 Feb 2001 dan sebelum beliau disingkirkan pada 19 Sept 2006.

Adalah tidak adil untuk mahkamah merampas aset yang diperoleh sebelum Thaksin menjadi Perdana Menteri, kata mahkamah. Panel hakim itu sebulat suara memutuskan bahawa Thaksin dan isterinya (kini telah berpisah) Khunying Potjaman, masih memegang saham dalam beberapa syarikat ketika beliau merupakan Perdana Menteri.

Majoriti hakim bersetuju bahawa Thaksin telah menggunakan kuasa politiknya untuk faedah syarikat kepunyaan beliau semasa tempoh memegang jawatan.

Pelarasan caj perayauan yang dibayar oleh syarikat AIS milik Thaksin kepada Telephone Organisation of Thailand dihitung untuk memihak kepada AIS.

Mahkamah turut memutuskan secara majoriti bahawa kadar pelarasan bagi industri telekom dirangka untuk memihak kepada Shin Corp, juga dimiliki oleh Thaksin.

Sebahagian besar daripada hakim berkenaan bersetuju bahawa Thaksin menyalahgunakan kuasanya untuk memanfaatkan Shin Corp dalam perniagaan satelit. Sebuah satelit yang dimiliki oleh Thaksin memperoleh manfaat daripada pindaan dalam peraturan konsesi satelit.

IPStar atau ThaiCom4 dibina untuk syarikat Shin Satellite kepunyaan Thaksin yang kemudiannya dinamakan sebagai ThaiCom Plc. Shin Corp, memegang majoriti saham dalam ThaiCom.

Sebahagian besar hakim itu turut bersetuju bahawa Thaksin telah menyalahgunakan kuasanya demi faedah Shin Corp dengan meluluskan pinjaman Exim Banks berjumlah 4 bilion Baht kepada Myanmar mengikut terma konsesi yang menentukan supaya pembayaran dibuat bagi perkhidmatan yang disediakan oleh ThaiCom.

Hartawan Thaksin, yang kini hidup dalam buangan, dan keluarganya, tidak hadir di mahkamah ketika keputusan dibacakan.

Keadaan keselamatan terkawal sehingga kini dan tiada insiden tidak diingini yang dilaporkan.