“Kabinet ada MCA atau tidak, sama sahaja”

Source: http://www.roketkini.com/2014/06/25/kabinet-ada-mca-atau-tidak-sama-sahaja-lim-lip-eng/ (25 Jun 2014)

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 JUN: Penstrukturan semula Menteri Kabinet melibatkan lima pemimpin MCA tidak memberi sebarang makna kerana parti itu gagal menyuarakan hasrat masyarakat Cina di negara ini, kata Ahli Parlimen Segambut, Lim Lip Eng.

Lim dalam kenyatannya hari ini berkata, sama ada wujud atau tidak wakil MCA dalam barisan kabinet, tidak ada perbezaan.

“Yang perlu dipersoalkankan sekarang – apa yang boleh mereka lakukan. Apa bezanya sebuah kabinet yang ada wakil MCA dan kabinet yang tiada wakil MCA?, kata Lim sinis.

Bekas Presiden MCA Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek dalam satu kenyataan sebelum ini berkata, parti itu menolak sebarang jawatan dalam kerajaan ekoran pencapaian parti itu yang lemah dalam pilihan raya umum (PRU) ke-13.

Namun, pada Februari 2014 selepas pelantikan Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai sebagai presiden MCA dalam satu mesyuarat agung luar biasa (EGM), parti itu mengintai peluang untuk menjabat semula jawatan di peringkat pusat, negeri dan kerajaan tempatan.

Kata Lim, tidak ada sebarang hasil kerja yang boleh dibanggakan, malah tanpa sebarang petunjuk prestasi bagi mengabsahkan pelantikan lima pemimpin MCA ke dalam kabinet.

“Kabinet kerajaan minoriti Barisan Nasional terpaksa disusun semula. Selepas hanya satu tahun, Malaysia kembali ke petak mula? Apa sebabnya?. soalnya.

Tambahnya, penyusunan semula kabinet ini hanya untuk ‘memberi muka’ kepada MCA dan Gerakan yang gagal untuk kekal relevan pada PRU lalu.

Lim sebelum ini pernah meminta -pemimpin MCA yang begitu aktif di media sosial, terutamanya presidennya Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai untuk menawarkan lima janji kepada masyarakat Cina sebagai hujah penyertaan parti itu ke dalam kabinet.

“Permintaan ini tidak dijawab. Minggu lalu saya bertanya lagi dan kali ini saya kurangkan kepada tiga janji sahaja. Ini pun tidak dijawab. MCA kekal membisu.

“Apa janji MCA yang tidak boleh diusahakan sendiri oleh masyarakat Cina tanpa MCA? soal Lim.

Hari ini lima pemimpin MCA menyertai kabinet yang terdiri dari Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (Menteri Pengangkutan), Datuk Wee Ka Siong (Menteri di JPM), Datuk Lee Chee Leong (Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa & Industri), Datuk Chua Tee Yong (Timbalan Menteri Kewangan) dan Datin Chew Mei Fun (Timbalan Menteri Pembangunan Wanita dan Keluarga & Masyarakat)

Justeru kata Lim, pada hari bersejarah MCA menyertai semula kabinet, beliau sekali lagi meminta parti itu untuk menawarkan satu sahaja janji lagi kepada masyarakat Cina di Malaysia.

‘Saya secara spesifik menyebut ‘masyarakat Cina’ kerana kali terakhir saya periksa, MCA itu maksudnya ‘Malaysian Chinese Association’.

“Semua orang tahu bahawa MCA sebuah parti Cina yang ditolak masyarakat Cina tidak berfungsi sepanjang satu tahun lalu,” katanya.

Puzzled over land use

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/06/28/Puzzled-over-land-use-Residents-question-why-food-court-is-being-built-on-government-land/ (BY SHALINI RAVINDRAN, 28/6/2014)

RESIDENTS and business owners in Bandar Menjalara are questioning Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on why government land meant for public facilities is now being used to develop a food court.

Out of the three parcels of land located along Jalan 7A/62A, business owners noticed that one plot is now sporting a banner calling for tenants for the future food court.

The owners also said that earthworks at the plot of land started more than three weeks ago, although no notice board has been put up to indicate any development.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said DBKL had in January 2013 took out an advertisement in a local newspaper, an application for planning permission for the development of one block of single-storey food court on Lot PT 25746 in Jalan 7A/62A, Bandar Menjalara.

“The notice said that it would also involve the temporary change of use of land from ‘public facilities’ to commercial.

“When we found out, we immediately sent an objection later including a petition signed by the business owners here to DBKL.

“We did not receive any feedback and there was no subsequent development of the land,” Lim said.

“In May, we paid a visit to DBKL’s Planning Department and met with an officer who informed us that no application for development of the land had been approved or granted to any party.

“So, how can there suddenly be construction work starting less than a month later,” Lim questioned.

He added that the three plots of land were meant to be utilised as a clinic, post office and police station.

A restaurant owner in Bandar Menjalara Foo Yik Cheong said there was no need for a food court in the area.

“This area is known as a food haven and there is no point in having a food court here.

“Also, should the project go ahead, this could jeopardise our livelihood,” he said.

Another business owner, Tomy Yong said a food court here would only compound traffic and parking woes.

“There are already limited parking spots and traffic is always jammed up.

“A food court will only make things worse,” he pointed out.

He stressed that a police station should be built instead because the area had a high crime rate.

Although a recent check showed that construction had halted, the hoardings and banners still remained.

Meanwhile, Lim said he would bring the matter up with Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

'Assessment cap should remain for years to come'

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/06/27/Assessment-cap-should-remain-for-years-to-come/ (BY WONG PEK MEI AND VIJENTHI NAIR 27/6/2014)

ELECTED representatives welcome the assessment tax cap but want it to remain for at least the next five years.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor announced on Tuesday that the assessment amount increase this year for residential properties in Kuala Lumpur would be capped at a maximum of 10%.

This means that owners of residential properties will pay a maximum 10% more in assessment tax compared to last year, while the cap for commercial properties is 25%.

However, Tengku Adnan said the rates might be revised again at the end of this year but it was not mentioned if the cap was permanent.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said based on the feedback he received, the public were happy with the capping, as they find the increase reasonable.

“An increase of 10% for residential and 25% for commercial properties is acceptable but it has to be maintained at the same rate for the next five years.

“I hope the FT Minister will explain soon that the cap will indeed remain for the next five years,” he said.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said while she welcomed the decision to keep the assessment rate increase at a minimum by lowering the actual percentage payable on the assessment value, she had some reservations on the rate itself.

“Granted, the local government, in this case, DBKL has the right to revaluate the assessment value every five years, it is on condition that there are improvements in service and utilities provided.

“Yet, despite lacklustre and inconsistent quality in service and the ongoing rise in the cost of living, DBKL has made no guarantee the assessment rate that is lowered across the board this year would remain as such for the years to come,” she said.

She said there was no guarantee that DBKL would not increase it as soon as next year should they deem the rate as “insufficient” for DBKL coffers.

“It is hoped that whatever measures decided by DBKL, the process of decision-making must be done in the most accountable and transparent manner possible, with adequate engagement with stakeholders, including elected representatives in Kuala Lumpur,” said Nurul Izzah.

Tiada penjawat awam terlibat himpunan bantah GST

Source: http://bm.harakahdaily.net/index.php/berita-utama/29025-tiada-penjawat-terlibat-himpunan-bantah-gst (SALMIYAH HARUN | 18 Jun 2014)                                                                                                           

KUALA LUMPUR: Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim memaklumkan tidak ada penjawat awam yang terlibat dalam Himpunan Membantah GST pada 1 Mei lalu.

Walaupun terdapat dakwaan wujud penglibatan penjawat awam, jelasnya sehingga kini tiada pihak yang tampil membuat laporan rasmi kepada pihak ketua jabatan, Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam atau polis yang boleh membuktikan mereka terlibat dalam himpunan tersebut.
"Laporan ini penting bagi memastikan sebarang prosiding tatatertib yang akan dimulakan berdasarkan fakta yang tepat dan dapat dibuktikan," katanya menjawab pertanyaan Ahli Parlimen Segambut Lim Lip Eng di Dewan Rakyat.
Isu ini, katanya sentiasa dipantau oleh Ketua Jabatan bagi memastikan pegawai di bawah seliaan masing-masing mematuhi peraturan-peraturan yang berkuatkuasa.
Menurut beliau, sejak tahun 2010 hingga 2013 seramai 4,244 penjawat awam dibuang kerja kerana melanggar tatakelakuan, tidak hadir bertugas, kes mahkamah bukannya disebabkan kesalahan menghadiri sebarang perhimpunan haram.
Daripada jumlah tersebut seramai 3,892 orang berbangsa Melayu, 39 orang berbangsa China dan 164 berbangsa India dan 149 daripada pelbagai bangsa.
Dalam soalan asal, Lip meminta Perdana Menteri menyatakan bilangan penjawat awam yang didapati dalam perhimpunan membantah Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) pada 1 Mei lalu dan apakah tindakan Kerajaan terhadap mereka. Statistik penjawat awam dibuang kerja sejak tahun 2010 mengikut tahun, bangsa dan nama agensi. - HARAKAHDAILY 18/6/2014

Related news: Tiada Laporan Penjawat Awam Terbabit Perhimpunan GST http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1047430

Upset over illegal dumping

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/node/3112 (16 JUNE 2014)

BUSINESS operators at the Segambut Industrial Park, here, are frustrated with the authorities for failing to address the illegal dumping in their area.

They claim that outsiders and residents have been dumping bulk waste at the industrial park for 15 years. More than two tonnes of bulk waste can be seen along a 100m stretch of Jalan Raja Arfah and on one of the lanes of the two-lane road.

Liew Way Mun, who owns a spare parts shop, claimed that lorries were coming to the area daily after 10pm to dump rubbish by the roadside.

“This illegal dumping has been going on for a long time. Alam Flora comes and clears the rubbish twice a week, but the very next day, the area is filled with rubbish again,” he said.

Liew said he had lodged many complaints with City Hall.

Segambut member of parliament Lim Lip Eng, who visited the dumpsite recently, said Alam Flora’s garbage collection service did not extend to industrial areas.

“Alam Flora doesn’t have the contract to collect rubbish in industrial areas. However, because of the complaints, they have been requested by City Hall to collect the rubbish here,” he said.

Lim said he had forwarded a complaint on the issue to the Federal Territory Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWC).

“The SWC has raised the issue of solid waste collection services and public cleansing in industrial areas in Kuala Lumpur since the implementation of Act 672,” he said.

“This was discussed at a joint meeting with City Hall and Alam Flora. SWC has presented a proposal on solid waste collection services in industrial areas and the proposal was submitted to the Mayor, Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib, on June 9.

“City Hall should make a decision soon on rubbish collection in industrial sites.”

Related news: Illegal dumpsite still an eyesore 10 years on http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/06/17/Illegal-dumpsite-still-an-eyesore-10-years-on-Businesses-along-Jalan-Raja-Arfah-in-Segambut-affecte/

Malaysia, US Sign Three MoUs To Strengthen Economic Cooperation - Anifah Aman

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1045792

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- The three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) inked between Malaysia and the United States (US) during the US President Barack Obama's visit to Malaysia last April will contribute to stronger economic cooperation between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said, however, the MoUs did not involve any obligations of governments as the cooperation was more on business.
"For the record, the International Trade and Industry Ministry has been entrusted to check the MoUs.
"The government will only take action to implement what had been agreed during the visit, including on the Visa Waiver Programme, Fullbright English Teaching Assistants and Proliferation Security Initiative," he said in a written reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Lim had wanted to know the status of the three MoUs signed between Sime Darby Berhad and Verdezync Inc; between Air Asia and General Electric; and between MetLife and AmLife and AmTakaful.
Anifah said, overall, Obama's visit to Malaysia was successful, productive and had brought about positive impacts.
Obama's visit to Malaysia on April 26-28 was the first by US President after President Lyndon B. Johnson's visit in 1966.

Nancy perjelas mengapa kerajaan upah peguam swasta

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/06/11/nancy-perjelas-mengapa-kerajaan-upah-peguam-swasta/ (By Adam Abu Bakar 11/6/2014)

Pada tahun 2012 dan 2011, tidak terdapat sebarang pengambilan peguam swasta oleh pihak kerajaan.

KUALA LUMPUR: Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Nancy Shukri menjelaskan berkenaan nama kes dan nama peguam swasta yang telah dilantik oleh pihak kerajaan sejak tahun 2010.

Menurutnya, pada tahun lalu, peguambela Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah telah diambil berkhidmat dalam kes rayuan terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi melepaskan dan membebaskan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim daripada pertuduhan melakukan kesalahan liwat.

“Pada tahun 2012 dan 2011, tidak terdapat sebarang pengambilan peguam swasta oleh pihak kerajaan.

“Pada tahun ini, hingga kini tidak ada lagi kes-kes yang melibatkan perlantikan peguam swasta oleh kerajaan bagi mengendalikan kes-kes pendakwaan, guaman atau inkues,” katanya bagi menjawab pertanyaan lisan Ahli Parlimen, Segambut Lim Lip Eng di Dewan Rakyat hari ini.

Tambah Nancy lagi, pada tahun 2010, peguambela Datuk Tan Hock Chuan telah dilantik bagi tujuan menjalankan inkues kematian mendiang Teoh Beng Hock.

“Pada tahun 2010, peguam-peguam Cecil Wilbert Mohanaraj Abraham, Rishwant Singh Amarjeet Singh dan Sunil Abraham dari tetuan Zul Rafique dan Partners telah dilantik bagi mewakili kerajaan,” katanya.

Ujarnya lagi, peguam-peguam swasta tersebut diambil berkhidmat oleh kerajaan Malaysia berdasarkan pengalaman dan kepakaran mereka dalam mengendalikan kes-kes jenayah dan guaman.

“Pengalaman mereka dalam bidang pengkhususan masing-masing dilihat sebagai nilai tambah kepada penjalanan kes,” ujarnya.

Walau bagaimanapun Nancy memperjelaskan bahawa bayaran untuk perkhidmatan peguam-peguam tersebut hanya boleh didedahkan jika diberikan kebenaran.

“Hal ini kerana perkara tersebut adalah terlindung dan tertakluk kepada kerahsiaan hubungan profesional antara peguam dengan anak peguam,” katanya.

42 laporan polis dibuat terhadap Presiden Isma - Zahid Hamidi

Source: http://www.astroawani.com/news/show/42-laporan-polis-dibuat-terhadap-presiden-isma-zahid-hamidi-37540?cp Bernama 11/6/2014
KUALA LUMPUR: Polis telah menerima 42 laporan daripada orang awam berkaitan kenyataan oleh Presiden Ikatan Muslim Malaysia (Isma) Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman.
Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata sehubungan itu kertas siasatan telah dibuka mengikut Akta Hasutan 1948 dan siasatan lanjut dibuat dengan kerjasama agensi-agensi kerajaan yang lain seperti Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia.
"Bagaimanapun saya tidak bercadang untuk mendedahkan secara terperinci status penyiasatan dan tindakan yang telah diambil memandangkan perkara ini masih dalam siasatan polis," katanya menerusi jawapan bertulis kepada soalan Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut).
Lim ingin tahu jumlah laporan polis dibuat terhadap Presiden Isma berhubung kenyataannya yang menyebut kaum Cina yang dibawa ke Tanah Melayu adalah 'penceroboh'.
Lim juga ingin tahu kaedah-kaedah kerajaan menghalang kenyataan-kenyataan yang menggalakkan perasaan niat jahat dan permusuhan antara kaum.
Ahmad Zahid menegaskan pendirian kerajaan adalah jelas dalam mengambil tindakan tegas di bawah undang-undang sedia ada terhadap mereka yang terlibat sekiranya terbukti bersalah.
"Dalam hal ini, Kementerian Dalam Negeri melalui Polis Diraja Malaysia tidak pernah mengamalkan 'double standard' dalam mengambil tindakan terhadap mana-mana individu, kumpulan atau pertubuhan," katanya.
Beliau turut menasihati semua pihak menjauhkan diri daripada terlibat dengan kegiatan-kegiatan seumpama ini demi menjaga kselamatan dan memelihara keharmonian yang dikecapi selama ini.
Dalam jawapan bertulis berasingan kepada Lim, Ahmad Zahid berkata statistik kes penculikan yang berlaku di seluruh negara menunjukkan penurunan sejak 2010 berikutan usaha pihak berkuasa yang sentiasa fokus dalam mengekang jenayah tersebut.
Katanya sebanyak 34 kes membabitkan 46 mangsa dicatat dengan 42 daripadanya berjaya diselamatkan oleh polis pada tahun 2010.
Beliau berkata pada tahun berikutnya jumlah mangsa menurun kepada 37 orang, manakala mangsa yang selamat ialah 32 orang.
"Jumlah itu terus menurun pada 2012 dengan hanya 26 kes melibatkan 28 mangsa dan 25 daripadanya selamat, pada 2013 pula jumlah kes, jumlah mangsa dan mereka yang selamat masing-masing mencatatkan 21 kes.
"Sehingga April tahun ini pula hanya lima kes dicatatkan membabitkan enam mangsa dan lima mangsa telah berjaya diselamatkan," katanya.
Lim ingin tahu statistik kes penculikan sejak 2010, dan adakah kerajaan patut mohon maaf kepada keluarga mangsa culik yang berwarganegara asing.
Mengenai kewajaran kerajaan untuk memohon maaf, Ahmad Zahid berkata ia tertakluk kepada merit sesuatu kes itu.
"Kerajaan tidak keberatan untuk memohon maaf kepada keluarga mangsa kecuali kejadian berlaku atas kecuaian pihak kerajaan kerana tiada kawalan keselamatan yang disediakan," jelasnya.

Related news: Zahid refuses to divulge outcome of investigations against Isma president http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/zahid-refuses-to-divulge-outcome-of-investigations-against-isma-president#sthash.gxmQ6hMx.dpuf

Motion to debate MAS’ losses rejected

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/06/09/parliment-motion-to-discuss-MAS-losses-rejected/ (BY RAHMAH GHAZALI, 9/6/2014)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has rejected an emergency motion to debate the losses amounting to RM1.2bil incurred last year by Malaysia Airlines.

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said the motion, which was tabled by Lip Lim Eng (DAP-Segambut), did not fulfil the requirements for an emergency motion as detailed in the Standing Orders 18(1).

The motions need to be specific, urgent and in public interest.

“I have found that the government is already taking action to determine the cause of the airline’s loss and it is looking for a solution for the matter brought up.

 “Now that it is being investigated, then it is not urgent (to be debated),” said Pandikar, in a written reply to Lim.

In the motion that was submitted on June 6, Lim had requested that Dewan Rakyat discuss the losses incurred by the national airline last year and recorded net loss of RM433.4mil in the first quarter of 2014.

“MAS has recorded huge losses for three years in a row. Therefore, MAS’ management looks weak and can no longer compete with other airlines especially after flight MH370’s disappearance,” noted Lim.

Lim said the light needed to be shed on the reasons behind the losses and whether the government should declare bankruptcy to avoid further losses burdening taxpayers.

Related news: Debate motion on MAS losses rejected http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1072497

Emergency motion to debate MAS losses shot down in Parliament – Bernama http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/emergency-motion-to-debate-mas-losses-shot-down-in-parliament-bernama

Why no action against those who threatened to burn down DAP building, asks lawmaker

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/why-no-action-against-those-who-threatened-to-burn-down-dap-building-asks-l (BY LEE SHI-IAN, 6/6/2014)

DAP today urged the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) to probe into why police have not taken any action against the group who threatened to burn down the party’s headquarters last month following the “Umno celaka” remark uttered by a Penang assemblyman.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said the lack of action by police would set a dangerous precedent as anyone could threaten to burn down buildings without facing the consequences.

"If police do not act against the Umno Youth members who threatened to burn down the DAP headquarters, this could be taken as a precedent," he said at Menara Usahawan in Putrajaya.

On May 22, a group of Umno Youth members gathered outside the DAP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and threatened to burn down the building.

Tension rose following the “Umno celaka” remark by DAP’s Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer in the Penang legislative assembly.

Armed with banners, some 50 Umno Youth members protested in front of the DAP headquarters and also damaged the party's signboard.

"At least four offences were committed by Umno Youth members under the Penal Code," Lim said.

First, the Umno Youth members had prevented a public officer from carrying out his duties, in this case, the police.

Second, they assaulted the DAP staff on the day of the protest.

Third, they assaulted the police as they were carrying out their duties, over which several policemen later lodged police reports.

Lastly, several Umno Youth members had openly threatened to burn down the DAP headquarters, which was criminal intimidation.

"DAP wants the EAIC to probe into whether police had received instructions from the powers-that-be not to pursue this case.

"With all the evidence in the form of videos and witnesses, why are police taking their own sweet time to take action?"

Lim said if standard operating procedure was followed, police would normally arrest and ask questions later.

"But in this case, the perpetrators were merely called to the police station to have their statements recorded before being released on police bail.

"They were not even remanded to further assist investigations," Lim said.

Also present at the press conference was Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, who accused the police of practising double standard.

Related news: DAP seeks enforcement regulator’s help after cops shelve arson probe http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/dap-seeks-enforcement-regulators-help-after-cops-shelve-arson-probe#sthash.sgtstHW5.dpuf

No action against 'torch HQ' mob irks DAP http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/264883