Jamaluddin Jarjis talks about Malaysian Technologies

Jamaluddin Jarjis involved in a 'live chat' that was held by nst - News Strait Times - on last Friday, 27th March.

KUALA LUMPUR 28 March - The New Straits Times' real-time coverage of the 59th Umno general assembly through its CoverItLive channel on its website received the thumbs up from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"This is good," Abdullah said after reading the online exchanges of information between CoverItLive participants and NST moderators, including deputy chief news editor Fauziah Ismail.

Equally impressed was his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah who asked if the channel would be a permanent feature on www.nst.com.my.

CoverItLive will soon be featured at all major events in the country including the upcoming by-elections.

Umno supreme council member Jamaluddin Jarjis said this was a concept all ministries should emulate.

The Rompin member of parliament said for the government to be more effective and efficient in addressing issues of concern to the public, ministries should be able to respond to the people immediately.

This system should also be used by ministers and elected representatives leaders in responding to the woes and grouses of the people and constituents speedily.

Jamaluddin Jarjis, who yesterday was at the NST cubicle to participate in a "live chat" with participants of CoverItLive, said he was surprised to see how far the channel had managed to reach out to online readers, including those from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

Jamaluddin Jarjis, who was bombarded with questions by participants, admitted he was taken aback by their high-quality and no-holds-barred questions.

"It is about responding and being connected to the people."

"There is no reason to fear being asked hard questions or worry you would be stumped by the unexpected, as good leaders are always prepared for anything."

Clearly taken with the CoverItLive channel, he offered to go online to chat with NST readers on a monthly basis.

(Source: NST)

Karpal hadapi tuduhan menghasut

Ahli Parlimen Bukit Gelugor, Karpal Singh didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Lumpur pagi ini berhubung ancamannya untuk menyaman Sultan Perak ekoran krisis politik di negeri tersebut.

Karpal didakwa melakukan kesalahan tersebut pada 6 Februari, dari jam 12 tengahari hingga 12.30 tengahari, di pejabat firma guamannya di Jalan Pudu Ulu di Kuala Lumpur.

Karpal mengaku tidak bersalah di hadapan Hakim Mohamad Sekeri Mamat.

Beliau didakwa mengikut Seksyen 4(1) Akta Hasutan dan berdepan dengan hukuman penjara maksima tiga tahun atau denda RM5,000 atau kedua-keduanya sekali, jika didapati bersalah.

Kesalahan seterusnya boleh dikenakan hukuman penjara maksima lima tahun.

Karpal tiba awal di mahkamah pada kira-kira jam 9.15 pagi bersama anggota keluarganya. Mahkamah mula bersidang jam 10.24 pagi.

Turut hadir memberi sokongan ialah pemimpin DAP Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng dan Teresa Kok. Ketua Umum PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim juga hadir.

(Sumber: Malaysiakini)

Jamaluddin Jarjis blasted Gobind over Altantuya

Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong-DAP) became the second MP to be ejected from parliament sitting today after he demanded that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak answer allegations linking him to the Shariibuu murder case.

During the committee stage debate on the mini-budget, Gobind questioned the rationale for spending RM95 million on the Kuantan Court Complex when the structure that was supposed to keep the criminal justice system in check was not up to mark.

Gobind, who was twice suspended from parliament last year, went on to ask Najib to answer allegations about his connection to the Altantuya murder case.

He cited investigating officer for the case Supt Gan Tack Guan who had agreed with him in Raja Petra Kamarudin's ongoing trial that Najib was an important witness to the case (Altantuya murder) but had yet to provide any statement.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee (Beluran-BN) told Gobind to stop bringing up that issue as the matter was now in the court but he kept demanding Najib, who was present in the House, to answer the question. At this point Datuk Seri Jamaludin Jarjis (Rompin-BN) shouted at Gobind from across the floor while Najib remained seated.

More MPs on both sides stood up to join in the fray which ended when Kiandee directed sergeants-at-arm to escort Gobind out.

Later, Gobind, accompanied by 11 DAP and PKR MPs, told the press that his suspension did not matter much.

"What is important is the question that has to be asked must be asked in the Dewan. And I think we must be brave enough to face the consequences," he said, challenging Najib to make a public announcement in response to what Gan had said in the Raja Petra's case.

Lim Kit Siang (Ipoh Timur-DAP), who walked out in support of Gobind, said Najib should have stood up and clarified the matter.

"Critical and fundamental to the whole issue of the RM60 billion stimulus package is the question of confidence in the prime minister (to be). Haunting and dogging him will be the Altantuya case."Dewan Rakyat: Speaker orders Puchong MP to leave

NST (12/3/09): Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo became the second man today to be thrown out of the House for rude behaviour.

Gobind had been debating the need for new court buildings at the committee stage of the mini budget when he irked the chair.

He said the government did not need to build new court buildings but needed instead to provide for a judiciary with integrity.

The government has allocated some RM95 million under the mini budget for new court buildings.

Gobind then raised the problem of A. Kugan who had died in the police lock-up at the Subang Jaya police station.
"But up to now, nobody has been charged over the death of Kugan," he said.

Gobind then went on to declare that the same had happened with regard to the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaaribuu.

"A police officer agreed with me that Najib (deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak) is a crucial witness to her murder. But nothing was done to interview him," he said.

At this point, Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee interjected and told Gobind he could not speak about the Altantuya murder as it was subjudice.

Gobind protested and insisted on doing so.

Tired, Ronald then ordered Gobind out for the rest of the afternoon session.

Two MPs thrown out of Dewan

The Star (12/3/09): Two MPs - one from Barisan Nasional and the other from the Pakatan Rakyat - were ejected from the House within hours of each other during the debate on the second stimulus package.

Datuk Siringan Gubat (BN-Ranau) was ordered to leave at 11.35am when he spoke up without being invited by the Chair.

Ironically, Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulis had just finished his speech advising MPs to behave themselves when debating contentious issues when Siringan spoke up.

Siringan, who remained seated instead of standing up and waiting for his turn to speak, said: Ngam, Tuan Speaker, ngam. (Fair, Mr Speaker, fair.)

Pandikar Amin immediately asked him to leave the Dewan.

Siringan asked if he could be forgiven, but the Speaker stood firm.

The incident occurred after Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (PAS-Parit Buntar), in a supplementary question, had asked what the Government was doing to curb parties that used a narrow perspective of the term social contract to attack other races in their speeches.

His question created an uproar.

As Dr Mujahid asked his question, he claimed that he heard someone uttering the word bodoh (stupid) at him.

“Kalau jantan, berdiri sekarang. (If you are man enough, show yourself now.), Dr Mujahid shouted.

At the Parliament lobby, Siringan said was not angry over Pandikar’s ruling.

“I did not ask for permission when I said that. If it is not right, I am sorry about that.

“It is okay. I am alright,” he told reporters.

Siringan, a Ranau state assemblyman since 1989 but a first-term MP, returned to the House at 2.30pm.

But less than five hours later, Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) was ejected from the House for the day at 4.10pm after he kept speaking up about the murder case of Mongolian Altantuya Sharibuu.

Gobind Singh had referred to the Altantuya Sharibuu murder case when he was stopped by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, who told him that pending court cases could not be debated in the House.

At the time, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had just sat down after his winding-up speech on the second stimulus package.

Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor was reportedly sitting at the observers gallery when the incident occurred.

Gobind Singh was undeterred and continued to say that Najib was involved in the murder and urged him to explain.

Kiandee then ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort Gobind Singh out, who refused to budge from his seat.

Gobind Singh shouted "You should be ashamed of yourself!" as he walked out of the House amidst thumps on tables by Barisan Nasional MPs.

After Gobind Singh left, Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) asked Kiandee if anyone in the House was not allowed to utter the word Altantuya.

Kiandee retorted that the Speaker had earlier already made it clear that pending court matters cannot be raised in the House and told the next MP to present his speech.

Gobind Singh told reporters in the lobby that it did not matter that he was suspended because it was more important that questions be asked in the House.

He called on Najib to make a public announcement in response to one "Superintendent Gan" who said that Najib was an important witness in the murder case.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said Najib should have just stood up and clarified the issue Gobind Singh had raised.

Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who is in charge of parliamentary affairs, expressed hope that the MPs from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat would take heed of the seriousness of the Speaker's actions and not waste time bringing up unnecessary points.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said recalcitrant MPs deserved punishment from Pandikar Amin, whom he noted had a high tolerance threshold for the behaviour of MPs in the House.

"The Speaker's decision came after he has been in the post for more than a year of tolerating the situation in the House, and I admire his patience.

"The said MPs deserved to leave. Let that be a lesson to all," he said at the Parliament lobby.

Package: Positive Reaction From Govt, Opposition MPS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Members of Parliament from both sides of the bench today reacted positively to the second stimulus package tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, saying the mini budget was a timely move to help the people tide over the global economic gloom.

They said that the package would also enable industries to move ahead on various fronts and not to be encumbered by the slowdown.

Even the creative industry would benefit from the package, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said.

He said the RM20 million allocation for Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) proved that the creative industry was equally important to spur growth.

"The allocation will be used to create content in the music industry, with RTM launching a new 24-hour 'Muzik Aktif' channel over Channel 180 on Astro on Thursday," he told reporters at parliament lobby.

He said that RTM would take appropriate action to implement the project to encourage quality content from players in the creative industry.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the construction of new low-cost terminal showed that the government was committed to enhancing competitiveness in the country's aviation industry.

He said the government had identified RM5 billion investment, which would be implemented "off-budget", including a low-cost carrier terminal project and expansion of Penang airport, at the cost of RM2 billion and RM250 million respectively.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said he was grateful that the package still managed to give priority to education despite the economic slowdown.

"Dilapidated schools would be given attention, as well as schools in rural areas," he said.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Liow Tiong Lai thanked the government for allowing the contract employment of some 1,000 health assistants in local authorities in a move to stamp out infectious diseases such as dengue.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the proposal to increase the number of scholarships for entry into local private universities would enable more students to pursue higher education.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamad said the package would help reduce the burden borne by farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib said the huge allocation for rural development would be welcomed by the people especially those in Sabah and Sarawak.

PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said he hoped that the training and job opportunities announced in the package would be realised to address workers' retrenchment.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said he did not expect Najib to announce a big amount.

"This is not just RM10 billion (as reported). I've said previously that there should be an additional allocation of RM30 billion.

"It turns out that the amount announced by Datuk Seri Najib is RM60 billion for two years," he said.

(Source: BERNAMA)

Najib signals return to ‘Big Govt’

MARCH 11 – The man slated to take over Malaysia’s government later this month hasn’t said much about his economic philosophy. But with the announcement of a 60 billion ringgit(US$16 billion) stimulus package yesterday, one thing is clear: Najib Razak is no free-market reformer.

Najib, who is currently deputy prime minister, called yesterday’s package “unprecedented in the nation’s history.”

For an expenditure of roughly 9 per cent of 2008’s GDP over two years, that’s no exaggeration. Malaysia will raise debt to fund this largesse. The fiscal deficit is now projected to reach a whopping 7.6 per cent of GDP, up from 4.8 per cent.

Malaysia is following in the fiscal footsteps of the US, Australia and Japan, but that doesn’t make it smart.

The “stimulus” from all this spending will likely be limited. Most of the money will be spent on loan guarantees, infrastructure and public sector expansion, rather than on tax cuts that could stimulate productive growth.

State-owned investment company Khazanah, for instance, will be handed 10 billion ringgit. Pet projects such as “green investments” and the state-run automaker will also see cash handouts. The government itself will hire 63,000 workers.

This is effectively a restatement of Malaysia’s old, government-knows-best policies. It’s the opposite of what Malaysia really needs, which is to ditch this thinking and shift to a business climate that encourages private investment and entrepreneurship. The government predicts GDP could shrink 1 per cent this year.

Yesterday’s fiscal expansion is also a political risk for Najib and his ruling coalition. Malaysian voters, fed up with the government’s racial politics and lacklustre economic growth, handed opposition parties roughly one-third of the national parliament last year and victories in two subsequent parliamentary by-elections.

If Najib’s package doesn’t work, the voters may protest again at the polls. – The Wall Street Journal

(Source: Malaysian Insider)

Umno Assembly To Discuss Teaching And Learning Of Maths, Science In English

KOTA BAHARU, March 8 (Bernama) -- The coming 63rd Umno General Assembly is expected to discuss the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science in English, which is currently a hotly debated issue.

Party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said a fast decision was needed so as not to prolong the issue and for the policy to be accepted by the general public.

"This is expected to be among the resolutions to be debated at the general assembly on March 24, besides the debate on the party president's policy speech and other resolutuons on education and on the economy and religion," he told reporters at a Prophet Muhammad's birthday celebration, here, today.

He said all states would have the opportunity to speak at the general assembly, with the policy speech probably touching on the history of Umno's struggles including after the 12th general election.

"On the economy, the focus will be on uplifting the economy of the Malays which is still weak."

On education, Muhyiddin said the education minister would also be expected to say something on the policy of using English to teach Maths and Science and on resolving the issue.

"Unfortunately, whatever decision made on the policy will be linked to Umno and this will have a negative impact on the party, which has all this while seen as the champion of the Malays and the Malay language," he said.

Muhyiddin, who is contesting the Umno deputy president post, did not dismiss the possibility of the outcome affecting the people's trust in the Umno-led government.

"A fast, definite decision on the matter will be good, especially for the coming generations," he said.

(Source: BERNAMA)

Najib bentang bajet mini RM60 bilion

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Pakej rangsangan kedua yang sedang dibentangkan di Dewan Rakyat oleh Menteri Kewangan Datuk Seri Najib Razak bernilai RM60 bilion.

Jumlah itu akan dibelanjakan dalam tempoh dua tahun, hingga 2010, jumlah besar "yang pertama dalam sejarah ekonomi negara."

Daripada jumlah tersebut, RM15 bilion untuk suntikan kewangan, RM25 bilion (dana jaminan), RM10 bilion (pelaburan ekuiti), RM7 bilion (inisiatif kewangan swasta atau PFI) dan projek-projek di luar belanjawan, dan juga RM3 bilion (insentif cukai).

Jumlah RM60 bilion ini hampir 9 peratus daripada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK), kata Najib.

Beliau membentangkan pakej itu yang dikenali "bajet mini", bagi menampung bajet 2009 yang diumumkan tahun lalu, bermula jam 4 petang ini.

Berikut intipati pakej rangsangan kedua:

• Pembeli rumah diberikan pelepasan cukai bagi faedah yang dibayar untuk pinjaman perumahan sehingga RM10,000 setahun selama 3 tahun;
• Tambahan RM200 juta bagi membina Rumah Mesra Rakyat untuk golongan berpendapatan rendah;
• Dana RM1.6 bilion untuk menggalakkan pelaburan;
• RM200 juta untuk membaiki dan menyenggara longkang dan jalan;
• RM150 juta untuk menjalankan kerja-kerja pengubahsuaian, menyelenggara dan membaik pulih rumah kebajikan, balai dan kuarters bomba serta tandas awam di masjid, surau dan kawasan pelancongan;
• Kerajaan akan menerbitkan Bon Simpanan Kerajaan berasaskan syariah berjumlah RM5 bilion tahun ini;
• RM1.95 bilion untuk membina dan menambah baik kemudahan 752 sekolah, terutamanya di kawasan luar bandar serta Sabah dan Sarawak, di mana RM300 juta akan digunakan untuk menambah baik kemudahan sekolah agama bantuan kerajaan, sekolah jenis kebangsaan (SJK) Cina dan SJK Tamil dan sekolah mubaligh;
• RM230 juta diperutukkan untuk meningkatkan kemudahan asas terutamanya bekalan elektrik dan air di kawasan luar bandar terutamanya di Sabah dan Sarawak;
• RM350 juta peruntukkan untuk pembinaan jalan luar bandar;
• Subsidi RM674 juta untuk mengelak kenaikan harga barangan keperluan seperti gula, roti dan tepung; *
• RM480 juta untuk menampung kenaikan kadar tol; *
• Kerajaan juga akan menyediakan peruntukan RM500 juta untuk Program enyenggaraan Infrastruktur Awam (PIA) dan Projek Infrastruktur Asas (PIAS) dengan dengan memberi tumpuan kepada Sabah dan Sarawak;
• RM1.2 bilion diperuntukkan untuk menyediakan infrastruktur dan
• meningkatkan aktiviti ekonomi di Sabah dan Sarawak;
• RM300 juta untuk program mikro kredit tanpa cagaran di bawah AgroBank bagi embantu petani dan peniaga berasaskan pertanian di luar bandar serta RM50 juta untuk program di bawah Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun);
• Tabung Kebajikan Nelayan sebanyak RM2 juta akan diwujudkan dan diuruskan oleh Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia;
• RM20 juta akan disediakan untuk meningkatkan kemudahan pusat penjagaan harian warga tua, memantapkan pengurusan rumah perlindungan wanita dan menambah kemudahan pusat asuhan kanak-kanak;
• Kerajaan mencadangkan pengecualian cukai yang diberi ke atas bayaran pampasan kehilangan pekerjaan sebanyak RM6,000 sekarang dinaikkan kepada RM10,000 bagi setiap tahun genap perkhidmatan;
• Kerajaan mewujudkan skim Jaminan Modal Kerja berjumlah RM5 bilion untuk membiayai modal kerja syarikat yang mempunyai dana pemegang ekuiti di bawah RM20 juta;
• Kerajaan akan wujudkan Institusi Jaminan Kewangan dengan modal berbayar permulaan RM1 bilion, bagi menyediakan penambahan kredit kepada syarikat yang bercadang mendapatkan pembiayaan pasaran bon. Dijangkakan bon-bon berjumlah RM15 bilion akan diwujudkan menerusi kemudahan berkenaan;
• Terbitan hak oleh syarikat tersenarai tidak lagi perlu kelulusan
• Suruhanjaya Sekuriti;
• Bagi menggalakkan pengambilalihan dan penggabungan, Kod untuk tujuan itu tidak lagi terpakai kepada Syarikat Sendirian Berhad;
• Hanya Suruhanjaya Sekuriti perlu dimaklumkan mengenai sebarang pindaan mengenai terma dan syarat terbitan bon dan sukuk;
• Bon boleh tukar dikecualikan daripada keperluan penarafan mandatori;
• Status penduduk tetap boleh dipertimbang sebagai warga asing yang memiliki set bersih tinggi dan membawa masuk lebih AS$2 juta pelaburan atau penabungan di Malaysia, sebagai usaha untuk membawa memasuk indvidu beraset besar dan berkemahiran tinggi;
• Golongan profesional berkemahiran tinggi juga boleh dipertimbangkan untuk diberi status yang sama;
• Berkuatkuasa 1 Feb, pembayaran levi bagi Kumpulan Wang Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRDF) akan dikecualikan selama enam bulan untuk majikan industri tekstil, elektrik dan elektronik;
• Berkuatkuasa 1 April, kadar pembayaran levi akan dikurangkan kepada 0.5 peratus daripada satu peratus bagi semua majikan untuk tempoh dua tahun;
• Tambahan RM200 juta kepada Dana Pembangunan Automotif;
• Kerajaan akan membantu skim pelupusan kereta Proton dan Perodua, dengan diskaun RM5,000 akan diberikan kepada pemilik kereta sebarang jenama kereta yang ingin melupuskan kereta mereka yang berusia 10 tahun untuk membeli kereta baru Proton dan Perodua;
• Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd akan membina dan mengendalikan lapangan terbang syarikat penerbangan tambang murah (LCCT) baru di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa KL pada anggaran kos RM2 bilion;
• RM250 juta untuk memperluaskan Lapangan Terbang Pulau Pinang;
• Rebat 50 peratus ke atas caj pendaratan akan diberikan kepada semua syarikat penerbangan yang mempunyai operasi di negara bagi tempoh dua tahun mulai 1 April;
• Untuk pelaburan antara 10 Mac, 2009 dan 31 Dis, 2010, kerajaan mencadangkan perbelanjaan loji dan jentera diberikan Elaun Modal Dipercepatkan, yang boleh dituntut dalam tempoh dua tahun;
• Bagi membantu syarikat yang terjejas akibat kesan krisis ekonomi, kerajaan mencadangkan kerugian tahun semasa syarikat dibenarkan dibawa ke tahun sebelumnya. Ini bagi membantu aliran tunai syarikat berbanding layanan cukai sedia ada. Jumlah kerugian yang dibenarkan sehingga RM100,000 setahun yang terpakai bagi tempoh taksiran 2009 dan 2010;
• Paras threshold untuk levi keuntungan luar biasa ke atas sawit akan dinaikkan kepada RM2,500 satu tan untuk Semenanjung Malaysia dan RM3,000 untuk Sabah dan Sarawak.
• RM200 juta untuk menaik taraf infrastruktur di tempat tumpuan pelancong;
• Dana pelaburan Khazanah Nasional akan dinaikkan sebanyak RM10 bilion, dan akan dilaburkan dalam tempoh dua tahun dengan memberi keutamaan kepada aktiviti pelaburan domestik yang mempunyai kesan dan mewujudkan lebih banyak peluang pekerjaan;
• RM100 juta untuk membina jejantas dan laluan berbumbung antara bangunan terutaanya di kawasan Setitiga Emas, Kuala Lumpur;
• Kerajaan akan sedia dana berjumlah RM2 bilion bagi membantu pelaksanaan projek menerusi Inisiatif Kewangan Swasta dan usaha sama awam-swasta. Firma swasta akan dipelawa untuk membida bagi memperoleh dana itu;
• Kerajaan bercadang menambah jumlah biasiswa untuk kemasukan ke universiti swasta tempatan;
• Syarikat berkaitan kerajaan akan mendirikan 10 sekolah swasta yang bukan bertujuan membuat keuntungan;
• Sektor perkhidmatan akan diliberalisasikan lagi bagi menarik lebih banyak pelaburan, membawa masuk lebih ramai profesional serta teknologi, selain mengukuhkan daya saingnya;
• Jawatankuasa Pelaburan Asing akan mengguna pakai pendekatan lebih liberal ke arah membawa perubahan positif dan menyediakan persekitaran yang lebih mesra pelabur dalam usaha menarik lebih banyak pelaburan, termasuk pelaburan langsung asing
• Radio televisyen Malaysia (RTM) diperuntukkan RM20 juta bagi melaksana beberapa projek untuk membangunkan industri muzik tempatan;
• Semua pemerolehan kerajaan akan dibuat menerusi tender terbuka atau tender terhad, kecuali dalam kes-kes khusus.

(Sumber: Malaysia Kini)