Building on warm ties between KL, Jakarta

Building on warm ties between KL, Jakarta

Building on warm ties between KL, Jakarta

Posted: 18 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

JAKARTA: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here  today for annual talks expected to focus on beefing up cooperation in security, education, trade and economy.

High on the agenda during the talks at the presidential palace will be ways to boost existing and explore new "connectivities" between the two nations on the back of warming diplomatic ties.

In the words of Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, Malaysia's new ambassador to Indonesia, both countries are now "enjoying a tremendously great relationship".

"Whoever takes over as president, I think there will be continuity of policies. Indonesia (under Susilo) is moving very fast in economic achievement," he told Malaysian journalists yesterday ahead of the visit.

"I think there will be continuity in whatever he is doing now."

Susilo is completing his second, and final, five-year term as president, and this annual consultation, the 10th in the series, between Malaysian and Indonesian leaders will be his last.

Today's talks at Istana Merdeka are expected to yield three memoranda of understanding. They are on youth and sports cooperation, preventing and combating transnational crimes and on student pass and visas for higher education programmes.

Zahrain said the MoU on student visas would facilitate the intake of Indonesian students by Malaysian universities, colleges and schools.

There are some 15,000 Indonesian students in Malaysia and delays in getting and renewing student visa are discouraging more Indonesians from going to Malaysia to study.

Najib, accompanied by wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, arrived here last night. A record eight ministers, including Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, are in his delegation.

Others are Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Plantations Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot, Natural Resources and Energy Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Education Minister II Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh. Also present is Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Zainuddin Hamzah.

Malaysia and Indonesia, under the leaderships of Najib and Susilo, have made much progress in economic and trade ties. Bilateral trade reached US$19 billion (RM61 billion) last year, growing to a targeted US$30 billion in 2015.

There are also huge, and growing, direct investments by big Malaysian companies in Indonesia and vice versa, as well as the movements of tourists between the two nations. There are 22 daily flights between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur and the number is growing.

Analysts hailed the excellent and generally stable bilateral ties between Malaysia and Indonesia "notwithstanding the occasional tensions" in recent years.

"Both countries appear to be managing well the pressures from 'new issues' such as territorial disputes, migrant worker and trans-boundary challenges, such as haze and even cultural competition," said Yang Razali Kassim, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.

International consulting firm McKinsey wrote recently that Indonesia's economy was transforming rapidly. It could emerge as the world's seventh largest economy by 2030 from 16th currently, it said.

Greater economic integration between Malaysia and Indonesia, as part of greater Asean's economic community, will be a win-win formula for the two fast-expanding economies.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak being welcomed by Malaysian embassy staff in Jakarta yesterday. Najib is in Indonesia for the 10th annual Malaysia-Indonesia leaders consultation with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Pic by Zahari Zakaria

'No nod for clearing of Langkawi forests'

Posted: 18 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

19 December 2013| last updated at 11:32PM

He said he had ordered a probe into the illegal clearing and urged the authorities to act fast to nab the culprits.

"In fact, the state government has decided that all forest reserves in Langkawi be gazetted as permanent reserves."

"I am shocked and disappointed. We will take stern action against the culprits as we are serious about maintaining Langkawi's natural attractions," he said after handing aid from the Federal Government to schools and Islamic centres in Sungai Limau yesterday.

Mukhriz urged those with information on encroachment of forest reserves to alert the authorities.

He was commenting on the illegal clearing of Gunung Raya and Bukit Balut forest reserves discovered by the state Forestry Department officers during an aerial survey recently.

A Malay daily quoted forestry director Ku Azmi Ku Aman as saying that initial investigations suggested that the illegal clearing was carried out for agriculture and not logging.

He said the illegal clearing of forest reserves was also detected in Baling and Padang Terap.

In February 2011, several forest reserves in Gunung Inas, Baling and Pedu in Padang Terap were cleared for farming and planting of fruit trees.

Trees felled in a forest reserve in Langkawi. Pic courtesy of Kedah Forestry Department


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Terengganu gives RM15m in aid

Posted: 18 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

KUALA TERENGGANU:  THE  Terengganu  government yesterday approved   RM15 million in aid to help more than  10,000 households affected by flood in Kemaman, Hulu Terengganu and Dungun.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said each household that suffered severe losses would receive RM1,500, while other families would get RM500 each.

"Last year, the state government gave each family RM500 as flood aid. But this time, victims who lost everything -- including those whose houses were destroyed by the flood, would be given RM1,500," he said after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting at Wisma Darul Iman here yesterday.

He said the RM500 aid would be given only to families that were registered in evacuation centres during the disaster two weeks ago.

Ahmad said the aid would be distributed next month. State government officials, including district officers and village heads, had been ordered to ensure it reaches all victims on the registration lists.

"The RM1,500 aid will be distributed per household, regardless of how many families live in the affected house. It will be given to the head of the house."

The state government was also giving an extra RM100 as school uniform aid for families with school-going children.

The distribution of school uniform aid had been practiced by the state government for over 10 years -- each family with one school-going child was given RM100, while those with two and more school-going children will be given RM200 each.

"A flood victim family with one school-going child will receive RM200, while families with more than one school-going children will receive RM300."

In Chukai, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said some 3,000 Skuad Sayang members were ready to assist flood victims should the second wave occur. She also offered the squad's assistance to families that needed help cleaning their houses.

"We hope that the second wave will never happen. However, if it does, Skuad Sayang members are ready to be deployed to help during the disaster as well as for post-flood works," she said after joining 400 movement members clean up a hall in Chukai affected by floods, as well as distributing necessities to affected families.

Flood victims who lost or damaged their identity cards during the disaster can apply for a replacement from the National Registration Department without having to lodge a police report.

Its director-general, Datuk Jariah Mohd Said, said victims could apply at the nearest NRD branches, adding that it would take the department about a week to process their applications before issuing new identity cards.

Jariah said NRD would provide mobile counter facilities in areas affected by floods to allow victims to replace their personal documents, including birth, marriage and death certificates.

"There will be no charges, but flood victims will have to answer a few questions at the NRD counter to verify that they are genuine victims." Jariah said after visiting an NRD mobile counter at Dewan Seri Mentiga in Sungai Isap, Kuantan.

In Kota Baru, state Disaster Relief Committee deputy chairman Datuk Makhtar Mustapha said 729 evacuation centres had been identified in the state to shelter victims in preparation for another round of floods.

The committee, which had informed all government agencies to be on alert for a possibility of a second wave of flooding, had also identified 170 forward bases to stock food essentials.

"The monsoon season has yet to end, and, therefore, we must be prepared.

"We have also sent food supplies to the forward bases, including rice, sardines and sugar, which will be used if another wave of flooding hits the state." Additional reporting by Zarina Abdullah, Fazrol Nasir and Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah

Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (third from left) with members of Skuad Sayang helping to clean up the Bandar Baru Bukit Mentok community centre in Kemaman yesterday. Pic by Yusmaizi Karim

Two vie for Cuepacs presidency

Posted: 18 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

19 December 2013| last updated at 11:27PM
By S.K. THANUSHA DEVI AND NORBAITI PHAHARORADZI | news@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR:  THE election for the president's post for the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs)  came down to only  two candidates as polling kicked off yesterday.

Malayan Technical Services Union (MTSU) candidate Shuhaimi Othman pulled out from the race at the last minute, citing existing commitments. The Perak Cuepacs chief also cited comradeship and friendship with Malaysian Armed Forces Civil Servants Union (Kesatria) president Ahmad Shah Mohd Zain, who is also in the running for the post.

The other contender for the post is outgoing Cuepacs deputy president Azih Muda.

"All of us are friends. Moreover, I'm a great supporter of Ahmad Shah Mohd Zain and I don't want to split the votes.

"I hope he will win as he has the potential to achieve more as president. Plus, I'm tied up with MTSU and Cuepacs Perak. I still have a lot more to handle before I attempt to take on this mammoth task," said Shuhaimi when met at the Cuepacs triennial congress at Menara PGRM in Cheras yesterday.

The official results for the various posts contested are expected to be announced today.

Outgoing Cuepacs president Datuk Omar Osman said one of the main motions to be debated today would be automatic membership in the congress for all public and civil service staff.

"Out of 1.4 million staff, only 750,000 are Cuepacs members. To ensure all government staff enjoy benefits entitled under Cuepacs, we want all of them to be members automatically upon signing up for their jobs," said Omar, who is not seeking re-election after seven years at the helm of the congress.

Omar praised the high number of young delegates attending this year's congress.

"This time, 40 per cent of them are youngsters. I'm very happy with this development. They are becoming more inclusive in problem-solving activities and are actively finding solutions."

Omar said the congress' leadership should be a united team and find more ways to help the workers.

"I hope the new leadership would continue the good track record of not holding demonstrations when things go wrong and to always voice out people's grouses immediately."

Cuepacs members voting for their new president at the union's triennial congress at Menara PGRM in Cheras yesterday. Pic by Rosela Ismail

A-G confirms Halimah skipped bail

Posted: 18 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

19 December 2013| last updated at 11:36PM

 ATTORNEY-general  Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail confirmed yesterday that religious teacher Halimah Hussein, the first woman to be detained and charged under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), is still on the run.

He said a warrant of arrest issued by the Court of Appeal on May 31 was still pending on her and that ongoing efforts by police in tracking her down had so far proven futile.

"Sosma is drafted in such way that only in special circumstances can bail be granted, but when the court used its discretion in allowing a bail application, the accused took advantage by jumping bail," said Abdul Gani.

He was delivering a talk on Sosma to more than 300 officers from the military and various enforcement agencies yesterday.

"Initially, the High Court ruled against the prosecution by releasing her and two others.

However, we reverted the decision at the Court of Appeal and now we are having to pursue further on the matter since we don't have the person in our custody."

Halimah, 52, was arrested with former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Yazid Sufaat and cafetaria helper Muhammad Hilmi Hasim and were charged respectively for promoting and abetting in terrorist activities in Syria.

On May 20, the High Court here acquitted and discharged Yazid, Hilmi and Halimah after allowing their application to have the charges against them struck out.

High Court judge Kamardin Hashim ruled that Sosma could not be used against the three, as it was ultra vires Article 149 of the Federal Constitution.

Gani's talk, titled "Sosma 2012: It's Implications on Defence and Security" lasted nearly two hours, with the A-G explaining the act, which came into force in June last year, in detail.

He said during the Lahad Datu incident, the act facilitated police in carrying out their investigations and the security forces to conduct military operations on the intruders.

"When the intruders were charged in court under Sosma, the prosecution only tendered the search list of documents and exhibits seized during the cause of investigation, compared with normal criminal proceedings.

"Furthermore, no court can compel how the evidence is to be gathered or tools used in their task. In a nutshell, Sosma is a much more comprehensive act compared with what people perceived."

He said the act could also be used against individuals identified to be detrimental to parliamentary democracy, adding that Sosma allowed detention for 28 days. The next-of-kin should be informed within 48 hours, with right of legal representation provided.

"The act also allows police and other enforcement agencies to intercept communications of suspected individuals without prior approval from the public prosecutor's office."

However, he said it would be difficult for his office if investigation officers failed to carry out thorough probes.

"It does not end with just making arrests. My officers can only carry out their tasks if all of you carry out your investigations effectively." Bernama

Attorney-general Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail says fugitive Halimah Hussein (inset) has takentook advantage of the court's leniency in granting her bail to escape. Bernama pic

MCA ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY: 'Cai Tan' politics give way to factionalism

Posted: 18 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

19 December 2013| last updated at 11:29PM

 CAI Tan, or menu politics  used  in past party elections, has  been replaced by  the team factor  in this weekend's MCA election.

Cai Tan sees a list of preferred candidates circulated among central delegates to be voted for whereas the team factor, which is making its debut in the party polls, refers to the team of candidates that delegates should vote for.

Despite the moniker, it is seen as a new form of factionalism in MCA. Numerous attempts to eradicate this bane for the sake of party unity have proven to be unsuccessful and in this new form, it is likely to continue in this weekend's election.

The nomination list itself tells the whole story. The list does not come as a surprise. It portrays an inevitable fight between the teams led by deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and vice-president Gan Ping Sieu, with former president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat sandwiched between the two.

The battle can be as intense as the 2010 party polls, if not keener, which then saw a three-cornered presidential fight between Tee Keat, outgoing president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting.

Dr Chua won with 901 votes.

For the No. 2 post this time, vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai, affiliated to Gan's faction, will challenge outgoing Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong from Liow's camp.

In 2010, Liow defeated Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha with a 65-vote majority. This Saturday, Kong has downgraded himself to join eight candidates to contest the four vice-presidential posts.

There were 10 candidates competing for the four posts in the previous election but this time, the number has reduced to nine. But one less candidate does not mean less action in the fight.

In fact, the nine candidates are at war with each other, something that could have been avoided if they had abided by the peace plan.

Judging from the nomination list, the peace plan seems to have been trashed into oblivion.

Under the plan, only two candidates each from Dr Chua and Liow's teams would be nominated for the vice-presidential posts.

They are central committee members Datuk Lee Chee Leong and Dr Chua's son, Tee Yong, both from the outgoing president's camp; and Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung and former Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, both from Liow's camp.

However, another five candidates, who were apparently shocked when their names were not in the peace list, joined the fray on their own accord.

They were Datuk Wee Jeck Seng and Lee Wei Kiat, apparently from Liow' faction; and Kong, Dr Leong Yong Kong and Datuk Chong Itt Chew, who seem to support Dr Chua.

Liow has attended the peace plan talks with Dr Chua. Strong evidence that the peace plan has failed can be seen when the five joined the contest on nomination day on Monday.

If both factions managed to reconcile, the five would not have nominate themselves.

A party veteran said: "It seems like a party polls for the central delegates to choose either Gan or Liow's team, rather than to choose the ideal people to lead the party. MCA is still beset by factionalism."

However, the unique candidate is Tee Keat. He is not affiliated to any team. This lone ranger, who is above factionalism, says: "If I win, I can work with the new team."

Tee Keat says the team factor is not part of the party constitution. He says although there appear to be only two teams, they have apparently split into sub-teams, a sign of worsening Cai Tan politics in MCA.

The 2,385 central delegates casting their votes will have more than one choice to make.