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Kedah MB: "We have debts but not RM3 billion"

Mar 1st, 2013
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Kedah MB: “We have debts but not RM3 billion”

KUALA LUMPUR:  Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said the state has debts but not amounting to RM3 billion as alleged by Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang.

 

Speaking to The Mole, Azizan said: “I admit we do have debts, but it does not amount to RM3 billion and we have already started paying off the debts.”

 

When asked how much the state’s current debt was, the Mentri Besar said that he did not have the figure with him at the time.

 

“I don’t have the exact figure. I am not in charge of the state’s finances. That is under the jurisdiction of another exco (executive councillor),” Azizan said.

 

Tan was quoted by a news report as saying that since the Pas-led government took over the state from Barisan Nasional after the 12thgeneral election in 2008, the state’s debt had risen to about RM3 billion.

 

“At the end of 2007, the state’s debt under the Barisan Nasional government was only about RM2 billion.”

 

“However, in less than five years, this has increased to RM2.933 billion, of which RM330 million was for loans raised to build the new campus for Kolej Universiti Insaniah(KUIN) in Kuala Ketil,” Tan reportedly said.

 

Azizan, who is also Sungai Limau assemblyman, said that the state will pay back the RM330 million owed to the bank.

 

“We will try to settle the matter as soon as possible, the loans will be paid to Affin Bank Berhad starting from this month,” said Azizan.

 

Previously, Tan had said that the state government should explain how it would repay the RM330 million for the construction of KUIN as the loan was taken by a state government-linked company (GLC), Bina Darulaman Bhd (BDB).

 

Meanwhile, on a separate issue, Azizan stated that the Sungai Limau Hydrocarbon Hub in Yan is not the state government’s responsibility.

 

“That is a private project. The owners wanted an approval to start the project and we gave it to them.”

 

He added, “Now, the project is on hold because the business owners have no money to carry on with the project.’’

 

“Tan is just lying over the project.”

 

Prior to this, Tan had said that the Sungai Limau project was done without an open tender and that the state had admitted its fault but refused to acknowledge its failure.

 

“The AG (Auditor-General) report then showed that there were no due diligence and no feasibility over the project and showed that the failure of the project had caused tax payers money, “ Tan said.

 

 

Source: MOLE

DAP not responsible for DAP Insider

Dec 15th, 2012
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DAP not responsible for DAP Insider

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor state executive councillor Ronnie Liu rubbished claims about the DAP itself setting up of a website called DAP Insider.

 

He told The Mole: “The website is not set up by the DAP.”

 

When asked whether he knew who was behind the setting up of the controversial website, he stated, “I have no idea who is behind it. I was not aware of the website until I was informed about it.”

 

Liu advised readers not to pay much attention to the website and refused to comment further.

 

The week-old website features several posts that highlight the party’s internal politics, particularly conflicts between certain leaders. 

 

The Star columnist Joceline Tan wrote in a recent article that DAP Insider is a “sensational” new website which has emerged overnight as the campaign for the DAP election gathers momentum ahead of the party’s national congress this weekend.

 

Tan wrote: “To date, the No.1 target of the English Language website seems to be Selangor chairman Teresa Kok.

 

“Kok, who holds a string of positions in the party and government, is seen as the most powerful woman in DAP. Unfortunately, that also makes her the object of much jealousy and envy.”

 

Tan also wrote that DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua, “who is being portrayed as the party’s puppet master pulling the strings behind Teresa”, appears to be the “secondary target”.

 

It was stated in an article published by the website on December 13 that Pua has to “step up his plan to groom new ladies” to fill in for Kok, who is said to be “a liability and increasingly losing credibility”.

 

Amongst other items published at the website is a poll which asks readers to choose DAP leaders they “dislike or hate the most” and who are “the worst ones who failed to perform”.

Source: MOLE

Kedah insists that Penang pay up for raw water

Dec 3rd, 2012
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Kedah insists that Penang pay up for raw water

KUALA LUMPUR: Kedah state executive councillor Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi said he wants the Penang state government to agree to pay up for Kedah raw water and expects this to be finalised in a meeting, to be held soon, with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

 

Speaking to The Mole, Phahrolrazi said: “I have already instructed the state water resources authority to arrange a date for me to meet with the Penang Chief Minister (Lim Guan Eng).’’

 

“We hope after the meeting, the chief minister will agree that water operators from Penang have to pay (Kedah) for our raw water.”

 

Phahrolrazi who is in charge of state local government, water supply, water resources and energy committee chairman stated that all efforts taken by the Pas-led state government in ensuring Penang gets fresh water has to be paid.

 

When asked what will be the Kedah government’s next course of action if the DAP-led state government refuses to pay, Phahrolrazi said: “We will have to wait and see the outcome of the meeting between the chief minister and me…we can only decide after that.”

 

However, prior to this Phahrolrazi had said the Kedah Government will take up the matter to the Federal Government to intervene should Penang refuse to pay.

 

Lim, in a news report said the Penang government had not agreed to pay for raw water which flows to the Island from the Kedah river.

 

Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Bashah Hanipah said that Lim’s statement clearly showed there seems to be no mutual understanding between the Pakatan Rakyat coalition partners.

 

Prior to this, the Kedah Umno had questioned Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak who had included a RM20 million, from sale profits of raw water to Penang, in the 2013 state budget while there had been no talks or negotiations between the two Pakatan-led state governments over the issue.

 

Kedah Umno deputy chief Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir reportedly said: “How could Azizan advertise in the 2013 state budget that for next year there will be a RM640 million income in the state which included profits from the sale of raw water to Penang.”

 

Mukhriz said the action taken by the Mentri Besar is wrong since there have been no negotiations between both state governments as claimed by Lim.

Source: MOLE

Kedah Government dismisses bankruptcy predictions

Nov 25th, 2012
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Kedah Government dismisses bankruptcy predictions

KUALA LUMPUR:  The Kedah Government has dismissed predictions that the state will go bankrupt by next yea if it fails to collect RM649 million in revenue.

 

Kedah state executive councillor Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi told The Mole: “The state will not go bankrupt, although we may have some constraints.”

 

“We still have RM320 million which has not been utilised. The amount has been allocated for future developments in the state.”

 

Phahrolrazi, who is Pas Kedah deputy commissioner was commenting on a statement by Barisan Nasional Kuah assemblyman Datuk Ir Nawawi Ahmad that the Pas-led state government could go bankrupt should it fail to achieve RM649 million in revenue by next year.

 

Nawawi, who spoke at the state legislative assembly meeting, said the revenue forecast for next year could not cover the RM1.1 billion in expenses for the period.

 

Phahrolrazi said: “The state has fixed income generated from its timber and quarry projects in the state. This is our bread and butter.’’

 

State opposition leader Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (BN-Pedu) had questioned the three-fold increase in land premiums totalling RM150 million that the state government projected it would collect next year.

 

State executive councillor Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh when contacted said: “The state only increased land premiums for corporations which have had their housing projects seized by the state government for not paying their premiums.”

 

“Once the state government seizes the land, it becomes the property of the state. Therefore companies will have to pay up the premiums or they don’t get their land back,” he added.

 

Barisan MPs and assemblymen had told the state government that the public deserved an explanation on the numerous leakages and losses by state government-linked companies based on the Auditor-General’s report.

 

Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang had also questioned the state government on many of its projects which failed to take off, one of which is the RM36 billion oil refinery project in Sungai Limau, Yan.

 

Prior to this, Tan claimed in a news report that the project was awarded to a private company without an open tender.

 

The state government had reportedly anticipated to collect close to RM400 million in taxes annually from the project as well as to provide 30,000 job opportunities for Kedahans.

 

To Tan’s concern, Phahrolrazi said, “That is a private project. The state only gives an approval for the companies to go ahead with the project.”

 

Asked whether the state government will go ahead with the stalled project, he said: “Of course we are going ahead with the project. A Hong Kong-based company has won a bid through open tender and the project is expected to be completed as planned in 2014.” 

Source: MOLE

Give up seats, senior DAP leaders told

Nov 12th, 2012
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Give up seats, senior DAP leaders told

KUALA LUMPUR: A DAP assemblyman has urged senior party leaders like Teresa Kok and Chow Kon Yeow to voluntarily give up their respective seats and give way to budding and younger leaders to contest in the coming general elections.

 

DAP Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N Rayer said leaders like Teresa and Chow should

give way to younger leaders when they hold more than one post in the party.

 

Teresa currently holds three posts; MP for Seputeh, Kinrara assemblyman and state executive councillor in the Selangor government.

 

Chow on the other hand is MP for Tanjong in Penang, Padang Kota assemblyman and also a state Exco.

 

Rayer claimed he was speaking on behalf of DAP grassroots leaders and members who supported DAP chairman Karpal Singh’s proposal of ‘one candidate one seat’.

 

Speaking to The Mole, Rayer said: “Many of these leaders support Karpal’s proposal and believe that the younger generation of party leaders should be given an opportunity to contest at state level in the coming elections.”

 

“I think people like Teresa should at least give up one seat to make way for these potential candidates.’’

 

When asked what he thought about Teresa who referred to Karpal’s proposal as an old issue, Rayer said, “I don’t know what her intentions were when she made those comments. 

 

“She must appreciate that this call is not just from Karpal, but also from the grassroot leaders and she should respect their views,” he said.

 

“Although it is up to senior leaders to do so, they should make way for new candidates, at least at state level.’’

 

Teresa alongside Chow had objected to Karpal’s proposal describing it as an ‘‘old story’’ while others questioned the DAP stalwart’s rational in making a public statement on the matter.

 

She had said, “The party’s candidature committee will deal with this and the central executive committee (CEC) has discussed the issue before.’’

 

“It all depends on the party’s strategy in each constituency and state.”

 

Rayer also expressed hope that he would like to see the implementation of the ‘one candidate one seat policy’ in the 13th general elections.

 

He also dismissed allegations that there was any misunderstanding within the party over the policy implementation.

 

Last Friday, the DAP central executive committee (CEC) turned down Karpal’s proposal during its meeting.


Its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the question of whether a candidate stands for both parliamentary and state seats should be decided on a case-by-case basis.

 

Lim was quoted as saying, “It was decided that any decision on this matter, (one candidate one seat) should be decided on a case-by-case basis as it relates to political strategy and winnability.’’

Source: MOLE

Pas Kedah to DAP: Stay out of Islamic matters

Oct 16th, 2012
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Pas Kedah to DAP: Stay out of Islamic matters

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite protest from the DAP, Kedah Pas leader Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi says the party will proceed with the billboard guidelines and told the partner in Pakatan Rakyat not to interfere in Islamic religious matters.

 

Speaking to The Mole, Phahrolrazi who is Kedah executive councillor for Housing and Local Government said: “I think the DAP should not interfere about (Islam) religion. Let us deal with it.”  

 

Phahrolrazi was commenting on a front page report by Utusan Malaysia which quoted DAP Kedah chairman Lee Guan Aik as rejecting any Islamic laws including the billboard guidelines.

 

Lee was also quoted as saying that any laws should be deliberated among the Pakatan parties before being implemented.  

 

“If DAP rejects the guidelines, are they saying that they want obscene billboards to be on display?” Phahrolrazi asked.

 

Although Pas and DAP have agreed to work together on common issues such as corruption, Phahrolrazi said DAP should not interfere with matters relating to Islam.

 

Dismissing any rooms for discussions, Phahrolrazi said there shouldn’t be any issue  

over the by-laws demanding decently-attired models on billboards as it was stated in the state’s regulations.

 

He said the local authorities was only adhering to the billboard by-laws.

 

“I honestly do not understand how this has become an issue,” Phahrolrazi said.

 

“I believe it is in our nation’s ethics that we should not have obscene or expletive images in advertisements. So why is the issue being brought up now?” the Pas state deputy commissioner said.

 

The Star reported on Monday that advertisers have been told to make sure all models, Muslims or not, featured on billboard promotions are fully covered or these will be rejected by the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS).

 

It quoted a director of an advertising company as saying that the “backward move” will scare off investors.

 

Warta Kedah however reported Lee as claiming that his statement was misconstrued by Utusan Malaysia with the intention to create rifts between Pas and DAP.

 

He claimed he did not reject any Islamic laws to be implemented in the state but it should get the approval from all Pakatan Rakyat parties.

 

Meanwhile Malaysian Youth Rights Movement in a statement said the decision on imposing such conditions has affected both Muslims and non-Muslims in the city.

 

“The city council has failed to provide a clear guideline of what is considered as decently attired, and what is considered as indecent.”

 

“Alor Setar City Council has failed to understand that what is considered as decent to one may be considered as indecent to another,” the movement’s secretary Diong Chau Sern said.

 

It also criticised DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s inability to neutralise Pas’ pro-Islamic agenda.

 

“Previously Pas has promised that its Hudud laws will only be imposed on Muslims. Unfortunately now it seems like the Pas-led state government’s policies are beginning to affect the non-Muslims. Obviously this is contrary to what they have claimed to be,” Diong said. 

Source: MOLE

Phee : It is all good between Mansor and DAP

Oct 6th, 2012
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Phee : It is all good between Mansor and DAP

KUALA LUMPUR: A Penang DAP leader claimed that the relationship between deputy chief minister 1 Datuk Mansor Othman and DAP leaders is cordial despite a leaked audio recording of the former making nasty remarks about  Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

 

Penang state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh denied there has been a problem between the state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR’s) chief Mansor and DAP leaders.

 

He claimed the relationship between Mansor who is Penanti assemblyman and DAP Penang leaders is good.

 

“There is nothing wrong. All of us enjoy a good relationship with each other including with Mansor,” Phee told The Mole.

 

“We have been working together and consulting each other during state meetings,’’ he said.

 

On March 19, during the state’s strategic meeting, it was reported that Mansor had called Lim ‘cocky, arrogant and tokong (deity)’. On August 24, he denied making such statements, claiming that his remarks about Lim at the meeting was taken out of context.

 

The recording which is available on YouTube was featured during TV3′s prime time news on Sep 24.


Despite Mansor’s denial, Penang Umno chief Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman wants him to admit that it was he who had uttered those words captured in the audio recording.

 

Meanwhile, Phee also denied a rumour in a blog posting at Gelagat Anwar which claimed that Mansor will be removed from his post in the state government and PKR.

 

The blogger wrote that there were talks on replacing him with PKR’s president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for his Penanti seat.

 

Phee responded stating, “There are no talks on the matter. It is all politics.”

 

“We are putting the matter aside, those in the state government are matured enough to ignore such things.”

 

Taiping-based blogger Taiping Mali highlighted that the pressure from PKR itself is so strong even the party’s de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is unable to help Mansor.

Source: MOLE

Cremated woman was Muslim, says Abdul Malik

Aug 25th, 2012
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The family of an Indian woman whose cremated remains have been seized by the South Seberang Perai (SPS) Religious Department on Aug 14 may not be able to conduct her final funeral rites according to the Hindu religion as she converted to Islam after all.

This came after it was revealed the SPS Religious Department has found records of 64-year-old M Nagamah’s conversion to Islam in November 2006.

NONEOfficers from the department had lodged a police report last Sunday as they claimed the family of the deceased, whose Muslim name is Maria Abdullah, had refused to allow the officers to claim her remains from the Batu Berapit crematorium.

State executive councillor for Islamic affairs Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the report had been lodged on the same day Maria @ Nagamah’s son from her first Hindu marriage, M Kamasanthren and 17 others lodged theirs against the Penang Islamic Affairs Department (JAIPP) at the Nibong Tebal police station for “stealing” the cremated remains.

According to Abdul Malik, Nagamah had converted at the SPS Religious Department, adding that it was Ustaz Anuar Ismail who carried out her conversion.

“Her family is aware of her religious status and her husband is a Muslim. The issue of her being a Muslim does not arise,” Abdul Malik, who is PKR Batu Maung assemblyperson, said.

“Therefore, I leave it to the authorities to investigate the matter,”he added.

Deceased married a Muslim

NONEAbdul Malik (right), who is also state PKR vice-chairperson, said Nagamah had married Ibrahim Noyan, with whom she had nine children, all with  Muslim names.

He said he had obtained his information from JAIPP and the Mufti’s office.

When Nagamah, from Bryam estate, passed away, her remains were brought home from the Sungai Bakap hospital on Aug 14.

According to the family, they had prepared to give her a Hindu funeral as she lived a life as a Hindu and died a Hindu.

The rite known as ‘Karumakirei’ ceremony is to be held 14 days after the death on Aug 28 – after which her ashes are to be strewn into a nearby river.

In an immediate response, Hindraf national adviser N Ganesan, speaking on behalf of Nagamah’s family said the issue involved Kamasanthren’s right and duty as a Hindu to conduct final funeral rites for his deceased mother.

Ganesan said the Hindu religion does not state that Kamasanthren cannot conduct the rite if the mother is a Muslim but that he has the obligation to carry out his duties as a son, regardless of the religion she professed when alive.

What of eldest son’s rights?

Ganesan explained that the family was not arguing about the conversion due to circumstances surrounding the life of the deceased, which happened without the knowledge of her family from her first marriage.

“The issue here is not whether she is a Muslim or not but whether he (Kamasanthren) has his rights as a Hindu and as a son, and who has the authority to settle this dispute?” Ganesan asked.

“Her oldest son – from her first marriage – has the right to practise his religion and he is required to perform the final rites for his mother.

“Now her cremated remains is considered stolen. The issue here is does he – as a Hindu – have any rights at all?” he questioned.

He criticised Abdul Malik for attempting to cover up the issue by leaving it to the authorities to settle.

He added that such cases were a matter, not for the religious departments, but for the courts to decide, asking “which one would it be – civil or syariah court?”

S’gor imposes gag order on Syabas

Aug 16th, 2012
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Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) cannot make any media statement on its operations without the approval of the state government, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said today.

NONEKhalid (left) said Syabas could make an announcement only after the matter was discussed at daily meetings between the state and Syabas officers, which started last week.

“This includes making announcements about water rationing or service disruptions,” Khalid told a press conference after chairing the state exco meeting today.

He said the Selangor government has enforced part of the agreement between the two which allows it to “oversee Syabas’ operations”.

“According to the agreement, Syabas is the state’s water operator. The state has oversight over it and we are enforcing this arrangement,” he said.

The committee to oversee Syabas, which will convene daily meetings soon, will issue press statements every day to ensure transparency, Khalid said.

“We will, from time to time, also bring the National Water Services Commission into the meetings,” he said.

‘Information sought, not given’

Khalid had earlier received a memorandum from the Malaysian Trades Union Congress and the Coalition Against Water Privatisation (CAWP),seeking the state’s assistance to obtain information on the alleged water crisis in Selangor.

NONE“We had gone to Syabas to seek this information but it cited confidentiality and an agreement it had with the federal and state governments for its inability to provide this information,” said CAWP representative Charles Santiago (left in photo).

Among other aspects, the NGOs want information on the volume of raw water supplied to treatment plants, as well as treated water to supplied to Syabas for end consumption.

On a separate matter, state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong said the Selangor would start seizing land where peat fires have been left to burn unabated by owners.

The action will be overseen by a special task force under the menteri besar’s purview, Wong said.

Among the areas affected are some 600 hectares in Johan Setia, where firefighters and volunteers have struggled to put out a peat fire for about a month now.

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BN tells how Guan Eng ‘twisted’ facts

Jul 25th, 2012
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Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow yesterday treated journalists to a meal of KFC ‘Twisters’ to make his point that the chief minister had “twisted” his statements on public housing.

Lim Guan Eng has been “caught red-handed” on the issue of land for low-cost housing in Taman Manggis, claimed Teng.

Demonstrating how to eat KFC ‘Twisters’ at a press conference, Teng (right) said that Lim is good at “twisting and turning”.

NONEHe took Lim to task for his statement last Thursday which had purportedly revealed that the Health Ministry had, on Oct 22, 2010, rejected a licence for a private hospital.

As a result of the rejection, the transfer of the land to a private company, Kuala Lumpur International Dental Corporation Sdn Bhd, which proposed to develop the hospital, could not proceed.

Teng said the online record from the One-Stop Centre under the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) showed that the company had submitted an application for planning permission only last year – on Sept 23.

“It makes no sense for the developer to submit the application for a licence to operate a private hospital if (its  application) had been rejected two years ago!” he exclaimed.

Teng, a former state executive councillor, questioned why Lim did not talk about this rejection when the issue of public housing on the land was first raised in June.

If the state BN coalition did not “expose” this matter, he said, the people would still be in the dark about the private hospital development, which included a 30-storey building, a 19-storey hotel, a six-storey hospital and a five-storey car park.

Land for poor sold to private companies

The issue was first highlighted when state BN Youth chief Oh Tong Keong revealed that state had sold land meant for housing for the poor to private companies.

Oh was referring to the second phase of a public housing project on a 0.45ha plot in Taman Manggis, off Jalan Burmah, which was scrapped by the DAP-led government and the land sold to a private developer to build a specialist medical centre.

The first phase of the project, he said, involved 320 housing units on a 1.86ha plot that were completed in 2005.

However, Oh’s claim was rebutted by the state executive councillor in charge of housing, Wong Hon Wai, who said that – other than the 320 units – no application for “a phase two” public housing project at the site had been submitted to the MPPP between 2001 and 2008.

NONEMeanwhile, Teng denied that federal government had routinely refused licences for new hospitals in Penang.

Teng also said the Health Ministry had notified him that a private hospital licence had been approved for the Victoria Specialist Hospital in Jalan Zainal Abidin/Lorong Selamat on the island.

He said the state Economic Planning Unit was notified of the approval on June 5, five days before the issue was first exposed by the state BN Youth wing.

“It is not true to say that the federal government never approved any private hospital licence for the last four years when actually five hospitals had been approved,” Teng added.

Other than the one in Jalan Zainal Abidin, hospitals have also been approved for construction in Kepala Batas and in Sungai Jawi on mainland Penang, and in Jalan Kedah and Jalan Masjid Negeri on the island, he added.

Over this period, 15 private hospitals had submitted 40 applications for extension and 36 had been approved, he added.

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Posted by
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